One of the belated gifts arrived today (one more to come). As The Colonel pulled the package out of the mailbox and handed it to me I could tell it was a book.
"I hope you like it."
"Of course I will like it."
I didn't like it...I LOVED it!
It was a book written by Gene Wilder (June 11, 1933 - August 29, 2016).
My French Whore is Gene Wilder's first novel. It was written in 2007.
I am currently reading another book and this will be the next one I read. I am looking forward to it.
Like many fans of Gene Wilder, I was saddened by his death last month but remembered the films he starred in that made me a fan in the first place.
My favorite of course is Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
Who can ever forget those big, blue eyes and wild, fly-away hair?
Then there was the "Waco Kid" from Blazing Saddles.
Blazing Saddles was the first R-rated movie I saw. I was in high school and my parents were out of town so my Aunt Mary was taking care of my siblings and I.
"Aunt Mary can I go see a movie with my friend tomorrow evening?"
"Is it a movie that your parents would let you see?"
Knowing full-well that it was an R-rated movie and my parents would not have let me go, I answered...
"Yes, it's a Western."
Another all-time-favorite is Young Frankenstein.
The movie's director, Mel Brooks was a genius! I recently watched Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935) with Yam. What Mel Brooks took away from those movies and then used in his movie was pure, comedic genius. I highly recommend watching both movies and then watching Brooks' movie (or vice versa). I think you will agree with me...Mel Brooks = Genius.
Back to My French Whore...
The Colonel said he was reading on-line about Gene Wilder's death and came across this book. He knows I am a huge Wilder fan and decided to get me a copy for my birthday.
He finds a lot of used books on-line and they are often very reasonably priced (even with shipping).
The Colonel handed me the package from the mailbox. I opened it.
"The book seller listed this book as used but never read."
"I love it, thank you!"
"Since it is a used book, I wonder if it was signed by Gene Wilder. Wouldn't that be great?"
"Yes."
"The book seller did not list it as an autographed copy."
I opened the book and turned to the title page and what did I see?
The Colonel and I could not believe it. There was Gene Wilder's autograph on the cream-colored page.
"I don't think the book seller even knew it was signed. I am sure they would have asked a higher price for the book if they had, especially because Gene Wilder is now dead."
"You would think so but I am glad they didn't."
"Me too."
I love the way The Colonel always gets the perfect gift for me...Gene Wilder's autograph is just a little lagniappe (an extra gift) on the side.
Sometimes the universe hands out a lagniappe too. The Colonel and I had lunch at one of our favorite spots. When you pay your bill there is always a big container near the register and it is full of candy. Anyone can grab a piece (only one). I like it when they have Tootsie Pop suckers. The candy The Colonel picked out was none other than Willy Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers.
Note: 9/16/16 - Today my last birthday present from The Colonel arrived. Another example of him always getting me the perfect gift!
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