Pictured above: a picture by Job Conger while visiting the Washington Park Art Specacular. It is entitled, “I Zay Vee Must Get ORganisssed. OORGANISSSED, Demmit! Do you HEAR Me? I Zed ORganisssed!”
If not for the unsolicited kindness of Smooth Wolverine and Ardent Ardvark a week ago, I would have one meal in my pantry today and it would be two packages of Ramen noodles. Thank you again SW & AA.
Thelonius Dog and Slick Richard went on half rations today. A check promised from a friend now helping to clear land mines from the rugged terrain of Laos has not yet arrived. I’m considering sharing a can of tamales with the canines if the check doesn’t arrive by Thursday. As it is, I’m back to the “one a day” plan, not because I don’t like to eat two or three times a day, but because after a most wonderful last Wednesday, the month is shaping up to be a challenge.
It is hard to mesh the financial circumstance — loss of car and house insurance next week, near-gone Purina and auto fuel gage pegging empty — with how well I’m doing with the world whose words are gracious, in the main, as they can be.
Case in point: In 1978 I was living at 326 South MacArthur when an aviation friend, David A. Anderton, 30 South Murray Drive, Ridgewood, NJ began sending his photos to me. He had worked as an engineer at Grumman, enjoyed a rewarding career as an aviation journalist, contributing regularly to Aviation Week & Space Technology, and decided his resources should become mine. Among the pictures he sent were several from a major helicopter manufacturer. A month ago, John Vadas, whom I had visited and attended air shows with when he was stationed at Offutt AFB (also circa ‘78) called me from out of the blue. He’s retired now and living in Georgia, doing okay. He’s writing a book about a famous airplane. I scanned and sent pictures he will use in that book. John told me about Johan Ragay in The Netherlands who’s writing a book about a famous helicopter. Pictures Dave Anderton sent me in 1978 were scanned and sent to Johan for his book. The generosity from generous friends from 30 years ago continues to radiate through time. Amazing!
Today I continued to proofread and correct a world aviation history journal, a volunteer contribution I’ve made for the past three years WHY? Bcause I can, the association asked me to help, and I want to help. I delight in this work.
I have succeeded in missing almost every opportunity to make an honest dollar that has come to me in Springfield. It’s not a big accomplishment; there haven’t been many opportunities.
I re-subscribed to the State Journal-Register Sunday. There were three ads in Help Wanted I circled. I’ve not acted on them yet. Despite quiet, up-to-now secretly affirming words from beneficent hummin’ beans, I have placed what makes me feel good in front of what challenges me. I know I can’t build a future with high-fives. It’s time to look for those circled ads.
Live long . . . . . and proper.
