Glenn Ford

Glenn Ford, who played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as "The Blackboard Jungle," "Gilda" and "The Big Heat," died Wednesday, police said. He was 90.

Paramedics called to Ford's home just before 4 p.m. found Ford dead, police Sgt. Terry Nutall said, reading a prepared statement. "They do not suspect foul play," he said.

Ford suffered a series of strokes in the 1990s.

Failing health forced him to skip a 90th birthday tribute on May 1 at Hollywood's historic Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. But he did send greetings via videotape, adding, "I wish I were up and around, but I'm doing the best that I can.... There's so much I have to be grateful for."

At the event, Shirley Jones, who co-starred with him in the comedy "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," called Ford "one of the cornerstones of our industry, and there aren't many left."

Ford appeared in scores of films during his 53-year Hollywood career. The Film Encyclopedia, a reference book, lists 85 films from 1939 to 1991.

He was cast usually as the handsome tough, but his acting talents ranged from romance to comedy. His more famous credits include "Superman," "Gilda," "The Sheepman," "The Gazebo," "Pocketful of Miracles" and "Don't Go Near the Water."

Soliciting Advice

I need a vacation. I have a "general" need for one, but as several of you know, there are some "specific" reasons that I need one as well. Plus, and I'm man enough to admit this, I'm pretty tough to get along with at the moment.

However, it will be at least seven weeks before I could take a vacation of any "meaningful" (a week or so) duration.

Does anyone have a suggestions?

UPDATE: Me and my big mouth

Well, it went as well as it could have gone, and now it's done. Going forward, things will be easier- I hope.

Me and my big mouth

Tuesday I will make the long drive to my parents house, where, I will have dinner with my parents and my brother and sister, and when that is over, the awkwardness will begin.

At my suggestion we are having a family "conference" to decide the best way to give my mother a life that involves something other than looking after my father...and his worsening Parkinson's Disease.

And the best(?) part, it was all my idea. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Mid-debacle

My beloved Red Sox have embarrassed themselves three times in the last two days. Worst still, they have have done so against the hated Yankees.

Gentlemen, have you no shame? It would be one thing if you'd gone down fighting and kept each of the games close, but no, you allowed the Evil Empire to put up football-like scores against you.

Worst of all, however, you went into these games with a losing mind-set. Jason Johnson as the starting pitcher in the opening game- wow. No offense to the man himself, he pitches with an insulin pump on his belt, but if that's the best they have to offer, it's over.

Tomorrow is another day, but yikes!

Am I a bad person?

In our increasingly politically correct world I am sure to be pilloried for the following comment, but I just can't keep it in any more:

Hillary Swank looks like a horse.

She's a phenomenal actress (I loved "Million Dollar Baby"), but some how I think that because of the subject matter of "Boys Don't Cry" I am expected to worship her and all that she does.

Let me put a finer point on it...she looks more like a horse than Julia Roberts.

And with that, I'm off to enroll in sensitivity classes.