Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Amanda Viola]

It happens that I'm getting tired too of hearing me.

So: El'vis, is there anything you wish to say? I would LOVE to hear you!

(Well, now that I pay attention, it seems that he is smiling to us, close to laugh! Maybe he is thinking we are a little silly. And I'm sure he sends his Love to us.)

[Lighthouseseeker]

and we receive the love he sends with pleasure ..new pix I've just added to photo galerie..

[Amanda Viola]

[Rainbow Light]

Thank you for sharing, Zey!

[Rainbow Light]

Bringing this back around for anyone that hasn't had the opportunity to read as yet!

[MaryInTheMorning]

Thank you so much for sharing this conversation with us dear Wanda. So cute to read what he thought about Playgirl wanting him to be in the magazine. Also, our poor baby was hurting so badly and feeling so alone. I'm in agreement with what others have said on this thread about wishing we could go back in time to help take care of him and make him feel better. Although, at least we know now that he is no longer alone or in any pain at all. Thanks so much for bringing this one back around again dear Sue.

[Rainbow Light]

You're welcome, dear Mari!

[Wanda June Hill]

I recently found out that Playgirl Magazine had an artist do a painting of Elvis holding a Teddy Bear- I didn't see it nor do I recall hearing about it though it's possible I did - I can't remember every thing any more... Anyway, someone gave Elvis a copy when he was on stage in Vegas and he looked at it, then said "I didn't pose for that----the Teddy Bear's too little".... and he laughed of course. "That's not me," he said again..."would of had a guitar...it'd cover ever thing". I wasn't there at this show...so I can't say those are his exact words - it sounds like him-especially at that time in his life...74 era. He was joking around quite a bit, talking out of turn now and then and just saying what he thought about quite a few things.
I would like to see that painting with the Teddy Bear...especially after having heard his response to their real offer! It's funny they would have an artist do one of him - must have been a really big demand for Elvis to be in it... . wjh

[Blue Moon]

So this painting of Elvis showed him as having no clothes on?

[Wanda June Hill]

I didn't see it, but apparently not except for the "Teddy Bear" that he said was "too little"....and he didn't pose for it. You know his humor...off the wall kind of things. Teach him to turn them down...huh? I'm glad he did. A painting isn't a bad thing-and he wasn't upset, just having fun with it. I just thought it was funny that they'd put a painting of him in there-but I imagine it sold well anyway. wjh

[FairyTale]

[b] I wish I could have seen that Painting to, that would be really Super. I felt So Very Sorry about how Elvis was Hurting and he had know one there to Take Care of him, But at least he had you Wanda to give him Comfort, and he might not have felt so Alone. FairyTale!

[MaryInTheMorning]

.......someone gave Elvis a copy when he was on stage in Vegas and he looked at it, then said "I didn't pose for that----the Teddy Bear's too little".... and he laughed of course. "That's not me," he said again..."would of had a guitar...it'd cover ever thing".

What a great sense of humor Elvis had!! Especially since he told them he wasn't interested in being in the magazine to begin with. I guess you're right dear Wanda in saying that there really must have been a big demand for him to be in it since they had someone do the painting of him after he refused to be photographed. Oh and I have no doubt that it probably sold really well!!

[Rainbow Light]

Oh and I have no doubt that it probably sold really well!!

Uh-huh!!

Elvis had a great sense of humor and love that it included all those 'off the wall' kind of things, how great to be able to know more of this wonderful man because of the kindness, caring and sharing of our dear Wanda!!

[Wanda June Hill]

I just read that some guy has said Elvis didn't care about his child, anyone else at all, his wife whom he left a truck load of debt and nothing to cover it, while he had cars, fancy jewelry etc: and spent money on himself etc: and didn't pay his employees or see they were, or taxes etc; or even keep regular home debts paid etc:...and when he died he owed tons of money to the IRS etc: and STATE taxes on Graceland etc:...that this person talking was "sick of hearing and reading how Elvis cared so much for people, his family and his child etc:...killed himself working for them, etc:..." And his wife had to rush in to 'Save things" or lose it all, and as for him caring for his child so much, he slept when she was there, took drugs etc: and was too wiped out to play with her or pay her any attention and didn't bother going to see her when he could or anything, and when she came to Graceland for the summer months-he'd take off and leave her there with his aunt etc:... That he didn't care one iota about anyone but himself and what he wanted at the time-...
Anyway, I was/am angry. These people obviously could not see past the ends of their own noses-if they worked for him and etc:...it was jealously watching and sure, he had things, he was the one working his ass off to get things-why should he not have what he wanted-after all, he put food on their tables, a roof over their heads and he gave them a chance to travel and partake of the "riches" of the world which they did willingly and eagerly, I might add. And sulked and pouted if they couldn't go-etc: or didn't get, etc: and someone else did! Anyway, obvioulsy they did not know the man who was Elvis-they only saw and knew "Elvis" and that image they took it to be...even that wasn't quite right in their minds!
Funny, Elvis was doing the best he could, with what he had to do with and the things he had to do to make it all happen. He was trying to make it all work for everyone, sure he was human and he had weaknesses and he had wants and hopes and dreams, some that were shattered many times but he still had hope. He was spoiled, but who spoiled him? He was set in his ways, he did have some blunt comments now and then, he expected them to handle things for him, he had too much other things to do and think about to do mundane handling of things that were things he had dealt with in the past, too much so and he knew his limits so he chose others to do all that so he could be the "machine Elvis" and get it done.
Boy, it amazes me how people think...I guess I am naive and stupid even though I'm soon to 68 years old-been there done that kind of thing...I still don't see things like some do-maybe I am just living in "never-never land with Peter Pan" or something like Alice in Wonderland? I don't know, been so long since I read or saw any of those things, I can't recall what they are about much- whatever, I am so glad that I "saw" what I did even thought it didn't involve much "eye contact"-I just listened...and he just talked. Sure, I know he said what he wanted me to know, and maybe he left out things, colored it for the best view...what ever. I still feel he told me more truth than fiction...he said" my life is ficition...I don' want to talk about it". I beleive him. It just makes me wonder about those who were there-right there, night and day, listening, watching, taking care of, being with, seeing and hearing reactions, thoughts, etc: and they didn't know the guy I knew? That his band members and back up singers knew? They didn't see his pain, his efforts to make things go well, how much he put out for everyone? They couldn't hear the "requests" in his tone of voice, even when words of explanation were not being said, how much he needed them to understand, to be patient? They just saw the image, the playboy, the fun and games guy, the one who pretended and played the role he thought they expected from "Elvis" and who so wanted to be thought of as "one of the guys" and they were HIS role models quite a bit too! It floors me. I guess it's not for me to know or understand "them" and probably for the best I don't. I might really fly off the roof and become a raging "mother hen" or some other kind of creature-maybe even mythical like a flying mother dragon as he once said I reminded him of-"meaner than a mother hen protectin' her chicks" when I was ranting about some stupid piece of supposedly "journalistic" review of his concerts of which I had seen 5 of during the time the guy said Elvis was "drunk and stumbling over the band equipment" etc:. Most likely it was due to Elvis NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE and maybe stumbled or was having trouble keeping his balance because THAT HAPPENS to me with the cataract in my right eye!!! My distance is off and bright llights totally blind me for several long seconds. I can't imagine what it would be like on a stage with so many and not be able to see when trying to perform like he tried to do. Well, I am going to go whack some weeds and get rid of my "urge to wring necks". wjh

[Ingrid]