Born on this day – Meredith Willson:

Meredith Willson

Flutist

Composer

Conductor

Musical arranger

Bandleader

Writer

May 18, 1902 – June 15, 1984

Born on this day – Frank Capra:

Frank Capra

Director

Producer

Writer

May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991

Born on this day – Mary Charleson:

Mary Charleson

Actress

May 18, 1890 – December 3, 1961

Credits:

A Bit of Blue Ribbon (1913); A Corner in Crooks (1913); A Matter of Matrimony (1913); A Sentimental Burglar (1914); After the Honeymoon (1913); Bedelia Becomes a Lady (1913); Bill Wilson's Gal (1912); Burning the Candle (1917); Cutting Down Expenses (1915); Doctor Smith's Baby (1914); Etta of the Footlights (1914); Fate and Three (1913); Four Days (1913); Her Great Scoop (1914); His Lordship Billy Smoke (1913); His Robe of Honor (1918); His Weakness Conquered (1913); Human Stuff (1920); Humdrum Brown (1918); In Love's Own Way (1915); Iron and Steel (1914); Love the Clairvoyant (1914); Matrimonial Manoeuvres (1913); Mr. Barnes of New York (1914); Natoosa (1912); No Other Way (1915); Northern Hearts (1912); Out of the Shadows (1912); Passers By (1916); Polly of the Pots and Pans (1915); Satan's Private Door (1917); Sealed Lips (1915); Silent Trails (1914); The Acid Test (1914); The Actor (1913); The Ancient Bow (1912); The Call of Motherhood (1915); The Country That God Forgot (1916); The Courage of the Commonplace (1913); The Crisis (1916); The Deceivers (1913); The Education of Aunt Georgiana (1913); The Girl Who Waited (1912); The Golden Pathway (1913); The Hat (1912); The Heart of a Heathen (1913); The Honeymooners (1914); The Intruder (1913); The Little Shoes (1917); The Long Lane's Turning (1919); The Mystery of the Silver Skull (1913); The Prince Chap (1916); The Reckoning (1912); The Road o' Strife (1915); The Road to Yesterday; or, Memories of Patio Days (1912); The Saint's Adventure (1917); The Sale of a Heart (1913); The Sea Maiden (1913); The Silent Accuser (1915); The Smoke from Lone Bill's Cabin (1913); The Spell (1913); The Spirit of the Range (1912); The Strange Story of Sylvia Gray (1914); The Transition (1913); The Troubled Trail (1912); The Truant Soul (1916); The Two Brothers (1913); The Warmakers (1913); The Whispered Word (1913); The Winning Hand (1913); The Woman in Black (1914); The Wrong Pair (1913); Think Mothers (1915); Timid May (1912); Tony and Marie (1915); Una of the Sierras (1912); Upstairs and Down (1919); What Happened to Jones (1915); When California Was Young (1912); When Men Love (1912); When the Desert Was Kind (1913); When Youth Is Ambitious (1915); With Hoops of Steel (1918); Without Hope (1914).

Recommended reading - The Empty Copper Sea, by John D. MacDonald (1978):

The Empty Copper Sea

By John D. MacDonald.

Introduction by Lee Child.

Filmed as Travis McGee (1983), directed by Andrew V. McLaglen.

# 17 in the Travis McGee series.

Published by Random House Trade Paperbacks.

First published 1978.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0812984080

ISBN-13: 978-0812984088

Description:

“John D. MacDonald is a shining example for all us in the field. Talk about the best.” – Mary Higgins Clark.

From a beloved master of crime fiction, The Empty Copper Sea is one of many classic novels featuring Travis McGee, the hard-boiled detective who lives on a houseboat.

Asking for help is something a proud man like Van Harder would never do. So when he shows up at the Busted Flush, Travis McGee knows that he must be the man’s last resort. What Harder wants salvaged is his reputation. After a long career as a seaman, he was piloting a boat the night his employer fell overboard. Harder is certain he’s been set up, but to help him, McGee must prove that a dead man is actually alive.

The fateful ride started with Harder at the helm of Hubbard Lawless’s luxury cruiser. It ends with him coming to, fuzzy and disoriented, and Hub lost to the water. Now everyone is saying that Harder got drunk, passed out, and is negligent in his boss’s death. The thing is, Van’s not a drinker . . . at least, not anymore.

Who would want to frame the good captain, and to what end? Dead or alive, Lawless is worth a lot of money. People are always eager to get a piece of that action – including some, as McGee soon finds, who are willing to take a piece out of anyone who gets in their way.

Features a new Introduction by Lee Child.

R. A. Salvatore, on writing:

If you can quit, then quit.

If you can't quit, you're a writer.

- R. A. Salvatore.

On this day in music history - Casta Diva, by Cecilia Bartoli (2024):

Casta Diva

Album by Cecilia Bartoli,

released May 17, 2024.

Track list:

"Casta Diva" (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Nacqui All'affanno E Al Pianto" - "Non Più Mesta; "Cari Giorni" (Romanza Der Ines); Una Parola.Chiedi All'aura; "Mira, O Norma" (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); "Si, Fino All'ore Estreme" (Critical Ed. Maurizio Biondi and Riccardo Minasi); Prendi: L'anel Ti Dono [Edit]; No Mia Vita, Mio Tesoro; O Rendetemi la Speme; Ira Del Ciel; Vaga Luna Che Inargenti; La Danza; No. 12, Voi Che Sapete; Il Cor VI Dono; Se Mai Senti Spirarti Sul Volto; Come Nave in Mezzo All'onde; Di' Cor Mio; Ma Quando Tornerai.

On this day in music history: Sound Currents, by Tom Moore & Sherry Finzer (2019):

Sound Currents

Album by Tom Moore & Sherry Finzer,

released May 17, 2019.

Track list:

A Sound Traveler’s Dream; Following The Current; Canyon Echoes; Star Trails; Timeless Flow; Night Tides; Midnight Mystique; This Side of Silence; Theta Waves.