A Boy From Nebraska....

It's Father's Day. I'm blessed with an amazing dad, who is still up and around and, though moving a bit slower now at 87, is still a nut!

While going through old boxes of memories from my grandmother, I found a series of telegrams dating from September 13th, 1940 through May 29th, 1948. My dad sent these home to his folks, each one a brief glimpse into my dad's life as he was looking for a job with the airlines, and was ultimately hired by American Airlines (During World War II, half of American's fleet was turned over to the military airline, Air Transport Command, along with the crews, including dad, who operated all over the world) when he was 20 years old.

They are simple statements, oddly like the snippets on Twitter nowadays. September 13, 1940 - 'Dear folks I arrived here all right weather is warm = Jude' (Dad's childhood nickname, Jude, given to him by his sister, I believe).

August 24, 1942 - 'Dear folks hired by American start at Chicago September first will leave here as soon as possible will get room with Janci near airport if possible hold mail until you hear from me can reach me in Chicago at 6142 Milwaukee or Newcastle 4807 love = Jude' (Janci remained a lifelong friend of my dad's until his death a few years back)

April 8, 1944 - 'Dear folks just a line to let you know I am thinking of you over Easter as always love = Jude Dooley'

On July 8, 1946 a telegram from Shanghai with Dad's schedule...July 14, 1946 from Honolulu... July 15, 1946 from San Francisco....November 24, 1946 off to Ireland. New Year's Day, 1947 found dad preparing to leave for London, Paris, Rome and Cairo.

A small town boy from Nebraska, my dad never stopped loving his job. He told me once he was always happy to go to work. He knew he had a job that was 'not the usual job', and for that he was always grateful. As he was nearing retirement some 40 years after telegraphing his new job to his proud parents in 1942, he started flying 747s from Los Angeles to Hawaii. My mom and I took the trip with him once, staying in Hawaii for 10 days while he flew in and out of Honolulu.

Hawaii was beautiful; my mom and I had a great time. The strongest memory I have from that trip, though, is seeing my dad, the captain of that 747, through the window of the cockpit while we were waiting to board. Once the plane departed, I was the coolest kid on the plane when dad, quite impressive in his uniform, came back to check on us. Wow!!

I've assembled copies of all those telegrams in a notebook for Dad for Father's Day. I'm hoping he'll take pen in hand and write a few of the stories he told me recently while we were looking through those snippets of time. I see a book in the works...I'll keep you posted!

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

My 100th Birthday Party!

A darling maintenance man took a few moments recently to explain how to change the fill valve in my toilet. I was thrilled, as it was easier than I imagined, and saved me an $85.00 plumbing bill. As if the knowledge wasn't enough, he was kind and gave me the part, as well, and I was able to make the repair in 5, yes 5 minutes.

Men used to give me flowers. Now they give me toilet parts. Honestly, I was happier w/the fill valve, and I know I will get a lot more use from it then from a bouquet of flowers. It caused me to think of how my priorities have changed through the years, and what I now believe to be important.

God has a way of pointing these things out, and telling me when I need to slow down. I listened before, but now I really pay attention as I work to chase those last few pesky little breast cancer cells from my body.

I spend more time painting now, and working with clay. I dusted off my classical guitar, and walk my darling Miss Ellie most mornings. I'm cooking now, which brings both concern and laughter from my friends. I've learned that the storage cabinet with the window in it in my kitchen is actually an oven. I now know that 'it's done when the smoke alarm goes off' isn't necessarily the best way to judge when all is complete.

Thanks to dear friends and family who support me with love and listening, fabulous vegan recipes, peaceful candles and hugs, vitamin coupons and employee discounts, books, success stories and smiles.

I'm making plans for my 100th birthday celebration. Let me know if you'll be attending!

Surgery? A Unique Marketing Opportunity

Well, it has been an interesting couple months. A simple mammogram on February 14th, yup, Valentine's Day, lead to a fast follow up mammo a few days later. A visit to a surgeon, followed by a needle biopsy a couple weeks ago resulted in surgery yesterday, to remove a tumor in my left breast.

So far, no cancer, which is certainly good news. More good news? I'm rather big-busted, so being trussed up in a big ace bandage is oddly comfortable, as I can button my shirts easier today!! The medical bills are astronomical, though, and have caused me to think of a few creative ways to market my art and get it out there.

Part of yesterday's procedure consisted of having a needle inserted into the center of the mass, while my breast was crushed between 2 plates and loaded up with lidocaine. Yippee. This enabled the surgeon to easily locate it and get it outta' there. So, I passed out my business fliers at the imaging place, to the receptionist, the techs and the radiologist, explaining that the quicker they bought some art, or encouraged others to do so, the better their chances would be of getting paid in a timely fashion.

Off to the surgicenter, a new building down the road with NO art on the walls. Well! What an opportunity!! Fliers and business cards to the front office staff, the nurses in pre-op, the anesthesiologist and my surgeon, again explaining how their purchases would help them receive payment in a timely fashion.

I got a few odd looks, and perhaps a few folks thought I was rather tacky (not the first time for that assessment), but they'll remember me.

Will it work? Who knows. Who knows what kind of marketing works in this 'interesting' economy. One thing I do know, though, is that I paint exceptional cowboy art, and my goal is for as many people to see it as possible. I'm confident that more will buy as more are made aware, so I'm looking for unique ways to get the word out there.

I'm believing I am done with this event, the tests will come back in my favor, and I will continue on for another 50 or 60 healthy years. I will remain vigilant, though, for unique marketing opportunities, and encourage you to do the same.

Any fool can paint a picture, but it takes a wise man to be able to sell it.
-Samuel Butler