Category Archives: pop culture

But Is Is Art?

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Ellen Ross

(Andy Warhol Liz #3 1963) Author’s Note: I’m taking off for the Christmas holidays, Dear Readers. This will be my last post of the year. I hope you thought this year’s Letter From Elba has been naughty and/or nice. I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Art Institute, pop culture | 10 Comments

Surf’s Up!

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Now that the Chicago weather is gray and gloomy, it’s time for me to grab my bikini and head for my favorite beach. Movies, I mean. Sun, surf, sand, dune buggies, beach houses, surfboards, bonfires, Dick Dale and the battle … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Nostalgia, pop culture | 8 Comments

Scents and Sensability

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Do you remember owning a bottle of this? Or giving one to your mother perhaps? And hey, boys. Do you remember buying these? Do the names “Jade East” … Continue reading →

Posted in New Trier High School, Nostalgia, Perfume, pop culture | 24 Comments

The Chairman

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Author’s Note: This post is dedicated to Bernie Kerman. Ring-a-ding-ding, baby. As you undoubtedly know by now, this Saturday, December 12, marks the hundredth birthday of Francis Albert Sinatra. Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, he died on May 14, 1998 … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Music, Palm Springs, pop culture, Restaurants | 14 Comments

Rear View Mirror

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Ellen Ross

(Photograph by Linda Schwartz) This photograph was taken on October 12, 1990. In case you don’t recognize us, that’s Nick Ross age 10 on the left, Natasha Ross age twelve on the right and Ellen Ross age none of your … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Photography, pop culture | 8 Comments

Liar, Liar

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Ellen Ross

There was sad news from the pop music world this week. Cory Wells, one of the three singers in the band, Three Dog Night, had died in his sleep on October 20. (That’s Cory in the middle.) He, along with … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Music, Nostalgia, pop culture, The 70's | 17 Comments

Birthday Boy

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Ellen Ross

(Photograph by Henry X Arenberg) The guy with the uncharacteristically serious look on his face is our dad, Ben Roffe. The Year was 1989- which made him seventy years old at the time this picture was taken. The Place- Bub … Continue reading →

Posted in Ben Roffe, pop culture, Tributes | 14 Comments

“Wild” by Ellen Strayed

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Ever since I moved back to the city of Chicago, I have been on a kick. It’s called walking. I walk everywhere. It started as a good way to see my brand new neighborhood and get some exercise at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicago, Memoir, pop culture | 13 Comments

How The West Was Won

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Do I really have to tell you who he is? If you are anywhere near my age, you’ll recognize him immediately. For an extra ten trivia points: What was the name of his rifle? Before I type another word, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Nostalgia, pop culture, Television, Westerns | 14 Comments

My Bad Part Two

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Ellen Ross

Hello, Dear Readers. Welcome to the thrilling conclusion of “My Bad.” ICYMI: Here’s Part One of My Bad. Now for the rest of the story… Our saga had just left off with me speechless with terror at the thought of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dating, pop culture | 26 Comments