Close to the end of the month I will be traveling to Los Angeles and leave flowers for Ray.

As far as I can think, all he mentioned and the main flower with which he is associated are dandelions. Maybe geraniums but I think the place doesn't allow pots and these are not used in arrangements.

Can anyone name specific flowers in his works a florist might stock? All I remember is the "strange flowers" from "Forever and the Earth" and how I was challenged to find something suitably "strange" to place on Thomas Wolfe's grave.

I don't know how appropriate this would be for a grave, but there's always "farewell summer":

http://allyeargarden.com/farewell-summer/

He loved sunflowers. The last thing I read to him was his novella, "Somewhere a Band is Playing", with it's town full of sunflowers.

Sunflowers, of course! (I bet Dandelion has yet to read Farewell Summer and "Somewhere a Band is Playing" )

does anyone know if there will be a public memorial yet?

quote:

Originally posted by fanboy:
does anyone know if there will be a public memorial yet?

Yes, but the date isn't set in stone yet. Zee told me that they're leaning toward 8/22 or 10/31, which, she said, was the day he always said he should have been born!

Thank you, I think Oct 31 would be wonderful!

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
Sunflowers, of course! (I bet Dandelion has yet to read Farewell Summer and "Somewhere a Band is Playing" )

You bet right, but he did mention his admiration of Van Gogh's sunflowers, and I have seen those in arrangements!

quote:

Originally posted by fanboy:
Thank you, I think Oct 31 would be wonderful!

ANY place is beautiful in October! (And, if you ask me, L. A. is too darn hot in August!)

We're still firming up plans, but anyone who wants to contribute please PM me.

I would be grateful if someone could keep us posted about the memorial, there is a possibility I can make it to L.A. if it was on Oct 31.

If I still have free time (i.e. if I am still unemployed) when the memorial occurs, I shall make every effort to wend my way thither.

I'm expecting, indeed hoping, for August. It'll fill the hole left by the absence of a birthday celebration.

The sound of Summer running.

I, on the other hand, would argue for October, since many folks will already have plans and commitments for August. But anytime would be good in the grand scheme of things.

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
I, on the other hand, would argue for October...

Too far away!