Optical Democracy: A Special Bonus Episode

 

We dedicate a whole episode to this most misunderstood term in the novel Blood Meridian. Why do so many critics not seem to understand what "optical democracy" is referring to? We talk Ortega, Van Gogh and ego death.

Thank you for listening!

Dogfreaks: Chapter 16, Blood Meridian

The Meridien Tarot Card Deck

 

Our BLOOD MERIDIAN NOW podcast is excited to announce we have created a limited edition tarot deck inspired by the epic novel BLOOD MERIDIAN. 79 original art and design printed with sustainable materials and processes. Each card is a unique form of literary criticism. Waiting for a movie version of BLOOD MERIDIAN? This adaptation will give you endless storytelling opportunities, entertainment, education and esoterica. 

For inquiries email us at:

bloodmeridiannow@gmail.com

Shipping available in USA and Canada.

Rick Wallach, RIP

 

The world is a much smaller place today. I can't bear to even type this post...Dear Rick Wallach, passed away peacefully the other night night his wife informed me.

A raconteur, reptologist, falconer, co-creaator of The Cormac McCarthy Society, author , critic, deadhead, essayist, life of the party, ner'do'well, turtle love, dog lover, animal lover...and the list is massive. He is truly the representative of the great American spirit. He was a real life Falstaff mixed in with Ignatius O Reilley.

For me...he totally changed my life. Nothing less. He was a mentor. A friend. A father figure. A brother. An entertainer. I first me him on the McCarthy forum in 1996...and frankly I was intimidated. He knew everything. He had been everywhere. He seemed to have read everything. Over the years he introduced me to dozens of books, knowledge, and he taught me a lot of confidence. He put my husband and I up a few times in his beautiful house in Miami and his wife became our friend too. He wouldn't let us leave. He drove us all over Florida looking at animals and being crazy foodies. He was such a foodie...he may have created the lifestyle. He was kind and terribly terribly funny.

I wish I was better equipped to write today. It's taken me hours to compose myself to write this. I hope others who might know him here will share some of their thoughts. I know Marty Priola (McCarthy Society member) is going to post something on reddit this afternoon...and he is so much better at communicating than I am.

If we were talking books he would insist to anyone who hadn't read it to read Blood Meridian. And The Vivisectionist by Patrick White. I also dearly remember how much he loved Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

He came on our The Agency podcast a few times. The last time was to discuss his book GODZILLA, which he just wrote this year. This is the worst sad news...and I have this weirdest feelings that I want to phone Rick and tell him Rick Wallach has passed away...it's inter dimensional because how could he not be here.

I hope he's meeting his friend Peter and having a key lime milkshake while Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir jam for them.

Some Indiana Views

 

I drive between Indiana and Chicago quite often...turned on the video on my phone...don't worry hands free!

Stew Leonards

 

Another favourite store...in Norwalk. I could go in there every day. I had been going for a number of years while visiting Norwalk...but I had no idea there are several such grocery stores! Now I have to visit them all.

Beautiful Garden Store And Cafe In Norwalk

 

I was blown away by this garden centre. Wished I had a garden. And lived in Norwalk LOL