There is a void in the theatrical world with the loss of James Earl Jones, earlier this week. Steve and I have our own personal memories of the man. We spent a week, in 1992, on Holland America's m.s. Noordam with Mr. Jones, his wife, son, and his in-laws. I just had to share.

So why was James Earl Jones on an Alaskan cruise? We found that out when he graciously offered to host a Q & A session if everyone would stop approaching him and his family! What an event. What a neat guy. Turns out, in 1990, Mr. Jones spent a weekend in Juneau to narrate a film about the killer whale Shamu for the Sea World marine parks. He returned with a "heart full of love for this country."  “This is a new idea at Sea World,” said Jones. “Instead of just voice narration for the shows, they use a large screen to showcase natural habitats and other background of the animals.” Interestingly, we were Sea World passholders and had seen his Shamu Show numerous times. What wonderful memories.

"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die. ~Thomas Campbell