I heard the news about an hour ago on News 8 Austin. Molly Ivins is dead. I had forgotten that she was even ill until recent reports had remind me of her long battle with cancer. I, like so many others, have enjoyed her work over the years. I especially liked watching her on C-SPAN. It was something about her delivery, whether in written or oral form, that always caused me to smile.
I first met her in between my working on the Victor Morales senate campaign and my own run for city council. To say that I was nervous to meet her would be a great understatement. My friends and family know me as someone who is not public wallflower. But in her presence at that bar-b-que I was truly at a lost for words. I guess I was confused by all of the things that I wanted to say but couldn't. I liken that experience as a cross between meeting an alien and trying to ask the pretty girl in high school out on a date. I don't remember much about that meeting except to say that she was very kind to me.
Garrison Keillor once wrote that an appropriate comment from a fan should include a nod, a smile and the words, "I like your stuff," and then move on. No gushing and no intruding on the celebrity's life.
Goodbye Ms. Ivins....I liked your stuff.
Gratias Tibi Ago Deus
Wonko's Bud
