Sad news came this week when it was announced that Terry Jones; a member of Monty Python, had passed away. I spent many Saturday nights of my mis-shapen youth in front of the telly, watching on KUHT and cackling hysterically at the Python absurdist comedy. I still seek them out whenever I want to laugh… really laugh.
Terry; along with Michael Palin, wrote some classics. The Spanish Inquisition, the Fish Slapping Dance and the Spam sketch are a few. He also appeared as the Nude Organist which made the shows particularly… cheeky. Sorry.
In the last few years, Terry was diagnosed with a form of dementia that took away his ability to speak and he was no longer able to appear with the rest of the Pythons for reunions and shows. He was thankfully, able to recognize his friends and family as well as make silly faces at photographers.
Several years back, Joan and I visited Scotland and it was my one requirement the we visit the Doune Castle, where the wonderful Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. I knew that Terry was no longer speaking but was surprised to hear him voicing the audio tour, a sample of which can be found here. He was not only a great humorist but a great lover of history.
Many of those who’ve shaped who I am are disappearing. I’m grateful that they were here, that I found them and for the gifts they left behind. So in honor of Terry… go out and enjoy a nice Lobster Thermidor au Crevette with a Mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy and with a fried egg on top… and spam. Spam, spam, spam, spam etc.