Richard Lovell was a funny fellow, and looking at this photo, I think the world is not nearly as interesting with him gone. His wit was sardonic, quirky, and off-center much of the time. I can still hear his impression of a Scorpio woman, "What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine." Best of all, he would even do take-offs of himself--a guy who can laugh at himself in that fashion is rare.

A long-time astrology student and sometime astrologer, Richard enjoyed getting to know people on the astrology speaking circuit. He also rather enjoyed rattling these same folks' cages with his irreverence. He counted Buz Myers among his friends, plus some still living who probably would disown him if asked, and, of course, me.

We lived in the same neighborhood, the much-gentrified Park Slope area of Brooklyn, New York. I got to know him as I led evening workshops in the local crystal store where he worked to supplement his astrology earnings. We enjoyed going out to lunch at a local diner, where he would carry on a running commentary about the foibles of his fellow man.

Richard's last several years were much involved with his struggle against AIDS, but even then his sardonic wit did not desert him. They put him on steroids once, and he proclaimed for a time that he could see the perfection in all things--as he was a Virgo, that was SOME revelation! Once off the steroids, he lampooned himself on his answering machine message with his slight southern drawl, "It's PERFECT, PERFECT, PERFECT. Goddamit, x3$@s, can't you see, it's perfect!"

I have Richard's chart somewhere but can't put my hands on it. I believe he had a lot of mutable signs, probably some Sag, including Pluto and Uranus configured with Virgo planets. He died in maybe 1993. If anybody out there knew Richard, and especially if you have his data, drop me a line.

I miss laughing with you, buddy. I hope where you are, it really IS perfect.

The data base for the AIDS Quilt website lists no quilt blocks for Richard, but it is far from comprehensive.

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CREDITS: The photo is from my 50th birthday party. The background is based on a quilt block from Queen B.