Rock and Roll Heaven claimed another today...

Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians.

In a seven-decade career, Rollins recorded more than 60 albums as a leader. His 1956 album Saxophone Colossus was selected for preservation by the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2016. Rollins was often called "the greatest living improviser". 

Rollins was last survivor of the 57 jazz musicians depicted in 1958 photo A Great Day in Harlem.

Rollins was awarded a lifetime Grammy Award and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011, credited as a defining figure of the jazz genre.

My two favorite Sonny Rollins Albums, which I purchased back in the mid-eighties, are Saxophone Colossus and Way Out West.  I still find myself regulary humming I'm an Old Cowhand from Way Out West to this day.

DL and I attended a live show from Sonny Rollins on October 9, 1997, at Mt Holyoke College.

Semi Annual Check Up for Dental.

Dropped DL off at Bradley for her trip to Chicago mid-morning.

Picked up Mom in Williamstown for a ride to Sister's, nice lunch! 

...on this day

Tunxis Trail Marathon I - May 23rd, 2006
Hartland, Barkhamsted , Connecticut
.

I completed a Tunxis Marathon in 5:41:50.  

I had Johnny Bandit along for company, as well as Tippi.  

It would be my 34th marathon completed, and Tippi's 8th.

John Bandit rambling through the meadow.

We rambled from Route 20 to Route 219 in East Hartland, Conn, and back for the first 19.5 miles.

  

We finished up with the Route 20 to Pell Road near the Mass border for the final 6.5-miles.

Small Waterfall on the northern section of Tunxis Trail.

Live Music at The Drake with JF.

Triple Feature, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Wet Tuna and The Bunnies.

The Drake Stage

Sunburned Hand of the Man

Wet Tuna

The Bunnies

From the archives....

  Mount Greylock Centennial Marathon

May 21st, 2005 - Adams, Massachusetts

Fairly large group (about a dozen or so) completed a "do-it-yourself" Greylock Marathon, aka Old Goat 50th Birthday Bash & Annual Celibacy Run.

Our time was 6:47:02.  This is a very difficult course, with 5 lengthy climbs.  Five out of the twelve starters completed the full 26.2-miles.

This was my 28th marathon completed, and Tippi's second.

Non-Black Lizard / Vintage Crime #12 for 2026...

"Killer's Choice", by Ed McBain, published in 1959.  87th Precinct #5.

ArchaeoEd Podcast

Get ready to embark on a time-traveling adventure with the legendary archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart!

Let's unearth the stories of the awe-inspiring civilizations of the Americas. 

These are the tales that only get a fleeting mention in western history books.

ArchaeoEd, S4E7 "How I mapped the Maya City of Palenque (Part 3)"

Episode 4.7 - How I Mapped Palenque (Part 3)

The final chapter of the Palenque Mapping Project, Season 1.  

More snakes, more temples, an exploding Barney the Dinosaur, and a robbery at gun point! 

I got by with a little help from my friends.

ArchaeoEd Podcast

Get ready to embark on a time-traveling adventure with the legendary archaeologist, Dr. Ed Barnhart!

Let's unearth the stories of the awe-inspiring civilizations of the Americas. 

These are the tales that only get a fleeting mention in western history books.

ArchaeoEd, S4E6 "How I mapped the Maya City of Palenque (Part 2)"

Episode 4.6 - How I Mapped Palenque (Part 2)

The continued story of how I mapped Palenque - still in 1998, field season 1 of 3.  

In this episode - forest fires, mangos, and skinny dipping.

Visit Pop in Adams, set down plastic for pumpkins, and then a visit with Mom in Williamstown.