Open Thread

Open Thread Update: What’s Your Camelot?

By Virge Friday, December 2, 2022 9 Comments Share This:

Last time we asked for the times in your lives when everything just seemed perfect. What the responses lacked in quantity (come on, folks, let’s learn about your good memories!) they more than made up for in quality.

Dr. Jean Powell‘s touching reminiscence about her college years begins…

What a lovely idea, to recall the moment when my life was perfect. For me that would be the first three years of my undergraduate days at Wayne State University in the heart of Detroit….

-Dr. Jeanne Powell

For sheer inspiration, reader Lucy H. offers a beautiful and touching memory that starts like this:

My camelot was growing up in Flatwoods, AL until I was 11 when my mother moved us to the big city of Mobile. While in Flatwood we grew up in what is now called a two-room”shack…”

Lucy H.

And reader Diane describes the birth of a lifelong love affair…

I was 16 and living in Flushing in 1969. It was boring, homogeneous, no culture. Then…

-Diane

Reader Alson Green adds the coda to the whole idea…

it’s great to share fun memorable experiences from our youth.

Alston Green

Please take the time to read each comment in full….and add your own!

Original Column:

In the 70’s I was a waitress in a coffeehouse in Soho, then a funky, artsy neighborhood full of up and coming artists and actors. I had a column in a local newspaper and hoped to make it as a writer. It was a blast: I was young and high spirited, surrounded by other young, high spirited people in a city with buzzy, crazy energy and lots of fun nightclubs.

There was always something fun and exciting to do – somebody’s dance performance, somebody’s band at CGBG’s, an art opening (free food and wine!). My regulars were cool creative types who liked my wisecracks (Bill Murray stole a joke of mine!). One of them, artist Malcolm Morely, tried to draw my portrait. A couple of years after that, he was awarded the very first Turner Prize, the UK’s most prestigious art award.

Soho was awesome at that time too. (It’s great to see there’s at least one website keeping the love alive.)

Like many good things, it couldn’t last. I got canned (a colleague told me it was because I ‘had too much personality’), the city was hit with Son of Sam, AIDs, blackouts, and riots.

But at the end of that time, I met my future husband, and got a real job that led to my successful and satisfying PR and writing career.

I feel lucky – and very thankful – that I had that time in my life. I look back on it sometimes like it was my Camelot – a magical time. For me, that meant having big dreams and exciting plans and anything seemed possible – and fun.

But that was my Camelot. What was your magical time that you are most thankful for? Share your story in the comments!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send Open Thread suggestions to editor@seniorplanet.org.

Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash

COMMENTS

9 responses to “Open Thread Update: What’s Your Camelot?”

Joy Tarta:

Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 2:53pm

My Camelot is now during retirement. Thankfully my husband and I are still healthy and can enjoy the outdoors. I discovered Fly Fishing shortly after I retired (12 years ago) and I am my happiest when I am enjoying the peacefulness of the rivers and lakes. It’s not about catching fish, it’s about mental relaxation and peace. This is my meditation. I only wish I had discovered my Camelot earlier in my life.

Reply to Joy Tarta
1. Virge:
  
  Monday, December 5, 2022 at 11:01am
  
  thanks for sharing a lovely moment.
  
  Reply to Virge
2. Ian G (Toronto, Canada):
  
  Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 9:33am
  
  I enjoyed your description of the peaceful vibe Joy. May I say that those who find “Joy” – no pun – in their Third Act of life are blessed. I’m still working on the process/journey. Regards.
  
  Reply to Ian G (Toronto, Canada)
Samela D:

Friday, December 2, 2022 at 12:56pm

I was living a Bohemian life in San Francisco during it’s dance heyday! I was teaching dance classes, rehearsing, dancing in a company, and loving my life! I was in the best shape of my life – physically, socially, emotionally – it was so good. I remember and I appreciated it then and now. My life is still great and I’m still dancing – but I miss my friends now scattered to the four winds and some gone.

Reply to Samela D
Dr. Jeanne Powell:

Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 12:50am

What a lovely idea, to recall the moment when my life was perfect. For me that would be the first three years of my undergraduate days at Wayne State University in the heart of Detroit. I was an orphan thrown into a new world, due to conscientious high school counselors who handed me applications for college and scholarships. I met students from all over the world, discovered foreign films, explored history and politics, and visited a nearby tavern where Chuck and Joni Mitchell performed.

Reply to Dr. Jeanne Powell
Edgar Franceschi:

Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 9:18pm

The Bistro Les Amis is still in place. The wonderful Metro Hardware store went away when the Covid began. But we keep going in this neighborhood!

Reply to Edgar Franceschi
Lucy H:

Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 8:53am

My camelot was growing up in Flatwoods, AL until I was 11 when my mother moved us to the big city of Mobile. While in Flatwood we grew up in what is now called a two-room”shack.” The small room was the kitchen and the large room was bedroom/living room for my grandmother (handicapped), my two brothers and me. However, that shack contained much love and joy. I didn’t know we were poor until I moved to Washington, DC to work for the federal government about 21 years later.

Reply to Lucy H
Diane:

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 1:21pm

I was 16 and living in Flushing in 1969. It was boring, homogeneous, no culture. Then while waiting for the Million Dollar movie on channel 9 to start, the Ralph Kiner show was still on, I watched highlights from a Mets game. I fell in love with baseball and Flushing wasn’t so boring anymore. And boy those Mets.

Reply to Diane
Alston Green:

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 12:38pm

Many of the things you discuss , I also recall about NYC during a creative and energetic time. There were many fun places to visit and gather .I vividly remember the blackout and sadly the onset of AIDS. it’s great to share fun memorable experiences from our youth.

Reply to Alston Green