The Nobel Committee has awarded American singer/song writer Bob Dylan with this year's award for literature.  The committee recognized him for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."  He now stands within the pantheon alongside Kipling, Shaw, Yeats, Churchill, and Eliot.  That is distinguished company, indeed.  I will note, however, there are other very well known and beloved composers and lyricists who did not win this prestigious award.  Among them, Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Sondheim, Rogers, Hart, Hammerstein, et. al.  I dare say when the last echoes of Dylan's repertoire expire Rhapsody in Blue and God Bless America and My Funny Valentine and Climb Every Mountain and even Send in The Clowns will be bringing joy to hearts across the fruited plain.  Just saying.

I’m going to miss Arnold Palmer.  The gentleman from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, died last week at 87.  The golfing world isn’t the only world that will miss and mourn him.  I remember watching him on television with my dad and brother when I wasn’t yet a teenager.  That was a long time ago.  It was even before my family had a color set.  And, boy, oh, boy, that was a long time ago.  Palmer was alive with a kind of enthusiasm for golf that infected tens of millions of regular duffers.  Those many millions wanted to see a regular guy like themselves achieve greatness.  “Arnie’s Army” at first consisted of soldiers from Camp Gordon near Augusta National where The Master’s was played.  They’d come at the invitation of the golf course’s owners.  It wasn’t long before everyone who watched Palmer play, in person or on TV, was a member of his army.  The character of the game of golf itself is emblematic of the image Palmer exuded as a man.  Personal integrity, courtesy, decorum.  Honorable behavior that a parent could point to and say to any young person:  “That’s how a man behaves.”  All of his wins and near wins notwithstanding, Arnold Palmer’s memory will endure because he was a true and gracious gentleman.  Your army salutes you, Arnie.  Rest In Peace.