Morrie Markoff – Born Jan. 11, 1914 – Passed June 3, 2024
Metal Sculpture Artist, Photographer, Writer and Los Angeleno
My hat off to Liz Cheney.
At the cost of losing the election, she spoke the truth.
She called a “spade” a “spade.”
Still undecided, she may run for president despite the odds.
A gutsy gal.
P.S. A long time staunch Republican with a record for honesty.
If she were a Democrat, I would vote for her.
Morrie
(August 18, 2022)
-Pigmy firs (stunted pine trees)
-Whale spawning
-Mayan Pyramids (climbed)
-Watched salmon climb fish ladders to place of birth and often die when they landed on rocks where they can’t breathe and die
-Watched new volcanos start from ground
-I rode on a boat on the highest lake in the world (Lake Chapala)
(August 22, 2022)
What the hell is happening?
When I go out, should I wear a mask or shouldn’t I?
In my youth, only bank robbers wore masks.
We seem to be playing “hide and seek” with the virus, yet I know it’s no joke (despite Donald Trump calling it a hoax.)
The L.A. Times lists its victims in the Obituary column.
I didn’t reach my age (108) by being stupid.
If, and when, I go out, I will wear a mask.
(June 1, 2022)
My hat off to you Vin.
In my younger days (many moons ago) I was a rabid Yankees fan.
I didn’t have money to buy a ticket to the Yankee stadium but I would listen to you on the radio.
You made even the dullest games exciting. To me you were the King of Broadcasters.
No one will ever fill your shoes.
You were exceptional.
Wherever you are, keep broadcasting.
The Angels are listening – many may have been Yankee fans.
Morrie Markoff
(August 14, 2022)
My hat off to the Williams sisters.
If you are unbeatable it’s time to retire.
When you started, you were as poor as the proverbial church mouse.
You are now wealthy beyond any dreams.
I can only wish you a long and a happy future.
Good Luck
Morrie
(August 13, 2022)
Lying on the alcove couch and daydreaming out of the cobwebs of my mind, a name appeared that in my youth scared the hell out of me.
“GOLEM”
My mother used to try to control my childhood misdeeds by saying, “Pasoof, the Golem will get you.”
She painted into my mind images of the GOLEM I will never forget.
Sometimes I wake up in a sweat.
I was running from this Golem.
His large pointed teeth were dripping disgusting saliva.
His giant step grabbed me, there was no escape.
On his chest was a huge star-shaped object.
In my screaming panic, I grabbed and turned it.
With me in his arms, the giant Golem collapsed.
I fell to the ground and ran away.
I saw a big empty ash can.
I jumped into it and put the cover over my head.
No one, not even the Golem would find me.
I suddenly woke up.
I realized it was all a dream, a nightmare.
I felt someone shaking me.
I opened my eyes.
A smiling face, Chi-Chi, was hanging over me.
“Morrie,” she said, pointing to my wall clock. “It’s 7:30, time to get up, I’ve cooked some oatmeal.”
With a huge sigh of relief, I realized I was dreaming.
I had a nightmare.
Something all of us have.
(August 1, 2022)
Dear Readers:
Please forgive my East Harlem language. It says what I mean, it means what it says.
Every day things out of my control happen.
Some good.
Some bad.
Nothing stays the same.
That’s life.
We didn’t ask to be born.
We may have a “say” in how we die, or when.
I call it “luck.”
Again, I repeat, some have it and some don’t.
In Yiddish, it’s called “Mazel.”
I’ve had it thus far in “spades.”
I can only hope it continues.
A practical, realistic man, I know at the age of this writing, 108, I don’t have far to go.
Like Betty, I hope to leave this world with a smile on my face.
My daughter Judy says, “Dad, you’ve lived some life.”
I sure have.
Like it or not.
I will leave footprints in the shifting sands of time.
Millions have done so before me…
Good luck
Morrie
(August 1, 2022)
To me, and to many people my age and condition, I did nothing special to reach the age and physical and mental condition I’m in.
I do as much exercise as my body allows me to.
Perhaps it’s what I didn’t do and don’t do.
-I don’t drink wine or liquor.
-Surprising to many is that I don’t drink much water. Most of the liquids I drink are part of my meals.
-I am not a big eater. I have a good appetite for breakfast, my favorite meal, but a little fills me up. Some people live to eat, I eat to live.
How long I will keep going is anybody’s guess.
As long as I am free of pain, as long as I can hear (albeit with hearing aids) as long as I maintain my sense of taste and my sense of humor, as long as I can see, I want to keep going.
My lifelong sense of curiosity to find out what is around the corner.
I want to keep going.
If I had a wish that could come true, I would want Betty beside me.
I know that is not possible.
I’ve had a good life, a wonderful wife, two kids I respect and admire.
I’m not complaining.
I can only wish everyone was, and is, as lucky as I am and have been.
Good luck to you
Morrie
(July 25, 2022)
Judy called to tell me Jon Appleton died.
“Of what?” I asked.
“Doctors do not, for sure, know what caused it. They suspect from one of the current viruses.”
I remember him well as a “natural born leader,” an innovator.
In the basement of our Avenel House, he would make up games and stories.
I used to watch him and think, “This kid has talent. He will go far in later life.”
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
Life is not fair.
What a waste.
Morrie
(July 16, 2022)
Morrie Markoff - Born Jan. 11, 1914 - Passed June 3, 2024 