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Book Review: Close Calls: The True Tales of Cougar Bob

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Close Calls: The True Tales of Cougar Bob (Gray Dog Press) by B. J. Campbell is the perfect read for outdoor and wilderness enthusiasts.

Robert L. Campbell, aka Cougar Bob comes to vivid life as his wife, B. J. Campbell relates colorful stories beginning from his childhood on through his senior years. Written in first person, the book is chock-full of colorful descriptions of outdoor adventures, hunting, trapping, sometimes for sustenance, sometimes to save farm stock, often for hire when wildlife stalks too close to civilization.

As a boy, Bob loved to run–he could run for miles. He ran for the love of running. He ran nine miles to catch the school bus in rural Idaho. He ran for survival. He ran for play. While in the Navy, he contracted polio and, for most people, that would have been the end of running. But not for Bob. As soon as he could he was up and struggling to walk. He graduated to walking with leg braces and eventually managed without the braces. Although continuing to be an active outdoorsman, he still suffers from the pain of post-polio syndrome.

Interspersed with the chapters, each of which tells a story, are excerpts from The Cougar Bob Review, an annual newsletter that “captures the hunter, trapper and straight shooter’s endless supply of stories that happens because he is himself.” Also included throughout the book are clips of newspaper articles. One such article tells of the state Fish and Game Department hiring Cougar Bob to hunt down a cougar, known as the Bayview cat, who was blamed for killing 6 horses, 8 goats, 3 sheep, 7 farm dogs and stalking children at the school bus stop.

All of the stories in the book are true and are told in Cougar Bob’s voice, with attitude. It’s a book full of humor, yet awe inspiring in the courage of one man who conquers threats, dangers, and his own health issues to solve problems at hand.

Animal activists might have issues with some of the stories A fair amount of the hunting is done for the meat, or simply for the sport. On the other hand, authorities hire Cougar Bob to trap wildlife that threaten the safety of people or their property. When practical, the trapper will displace the animal, but when necessary, he will kill it. That might seem harsh to some, but it’s reality to many.

I enjoyed Close Calls: The True Tales of Cougar Bob. I love a good story and this book captures the essence of rugged wilderness and its sometimes eccentric occupant, outdoorsman extraordinaire Cougar Bob Campbell. For more about author B.J. Campbell and her husband, Bob Campbell, visit www.cougarbob.com

 

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The Heroes Among Us

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Snohomish County has heroes that most of us never hear about. Each year the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross honors these heroes by hosting a breakfast celebration. Held at the lovely Tulalip Resort Casino, about nine hundred people attended the gala event. As in the past, the Tulalip Resort Casino served a scrumptious breakfast. Humorous inspirational speaker Pat Cashman served as Master of Ceremonies.

Following are the featured Real Heroes of 2012:

Snohomish County Volunteer Search & Rescue On May 19th the Search and Rescue, a non-profit organization, received a phone call that a 13-year old boy had fallen into the river above Wallace Falls. He had been carried over one waterfall and was only a few feet from plunging down a 265-foot drop. The boy had managed to climb onto a one-foot wide rock The team immediately responded. They first tried to reach the boy by helicopter, but an overhanging rock prevented them from reaching him. After several attempts at repelling down to the boy failed, the final solution was for the team to anchor a fire ladder across the river. The team was able to get the boy into a harness and off the rock he clung to.

Robert Bentz On his way to drop off his 16-year old son Roudy at school, Robert Bentz saw that they were about to be struck head-on by a man driving what they later learned was a stolen car. In the split second of seeing the oncoming car, Bentz cranked the steering wheel as hard as he could to put himself in the path of the speeding car, in order to spare his son injury. He awoke at Seattle’s trauma center, Harborview Hospital, with a broken jaw and extensive loss of teeth, severe spine injuries, massive leg trauma and fractures. Robert’s heroic actions spared Roudy from serious injury, exactly the outcome he’d hoped for.

Sam Simball came to the aid of his 69-year-old neighbor, Dick Thibert, who had suffered a stroke. (The boy’s age wasn’t given, but I assume he was about 14 years old.) On March 8th, Thibert’s wife called the Simball residence to ask them to check on her husband. She had been trying to call him, but he wasn’t answering the phone. Sam ran next door and looked through the window and could see Thibert lying on the floor. The door was locked, but Sam kicked in the door. Sam’s mother called 911 and Thibert received the help needed to save his life.

Sgt. Bill Lange & Officer Mike Braley responded to a 2:00 a.m. Everett house fire. They learned from Dispatch that a female confined to a wheelchair was unable to get out of the burning house. They tried multiple times to break the glass door to reach the victim. They finally managed to break the glass and reach her. Although all three suffered from smoke inhalation, Lange and Braley’s actions saved the life of the elderly resident.

Bob Esmay and Gene Pierce, friends and neighbors for more than 40 years, were fishing in Puget Sound near Mukilteo. Bob heard Gene mutter, “Oh, my God.” Thinking his friend had already caught a fish he turned to take a look, but instead saw his friend slumping to the deck. Bob caught his friend, but panicked when he couldn’t feel a pulse. As he dialed 911, he began performing chest compressions, all while steering the boat toward shore. Members of the Mulilteo Fire Department met them on shore and were able to stabilize Gene for transport to the hospital. Due to Bob’s heroic action, Gene is alive today.

But there’s more to the story. Two years ago, Bob and Gene were returning from an outing when Bob suddenly suffered a heart attack and passed out as he was driving his car. Gene reached over and managed to steer the car to the side of the road, then moved his semi-conscious friend over and jumped behind the wheel to drive him to the hospital. These two close friends owe their lives to one another.

Chris Robertson, Tim Browning, Craig Rankine, Juan Lira and Stan Boyle were climbing near Luna Peak in the North Cascades when another member of their team, Kevin Weed, lost his footing when soft snow gave way. During the first 800 feet of his fall, Kevin unsuccessfully tried to stop the slide with his ax. For the last 400 feet, he was in an unconscious free-fall tumble which ended when he slammed into rocks. Fortunately, two other nearby climbers were able to use a spot beacon that could send out a message for help. As Kevin’s climbing companions reached him, they began assessing his condition and making efforts to keep him warm and to prepare him for airlift evacuation. Six hours later he was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center where he made steady improvement and in less than two weeks returned to his home in Snohomish.

Kim, Talley & Jacob Anderson and Travis Anderson were floating in the Pilchuck River when a strong current grabbed Travis’ legs and carried him downstream, wedging him underneath a log. His mother Kim screamed and his sister Talley went for help. Kim and Jacob tried to free Travis but the log could not be budged. They could see Travis drowning before their eyes. Tally found a man nearby who was able to use his added weight to help move the log. Once Travis floated free, Kim immediately began CPR. When emergency crews arrived, Travis and the family were rushed to Children’s Hospital where Travis remained for three weeks. Travis would not have survived had it not been for his mother’s knowledge of CPR and his siblings’ quick actions.

Phil Gaston was midway through his route as a waste truck driver when he noticed a man in distress with a profusely bleeding leg. Phil grabbed a roll of paper towels from the truck and started applying direct pressure to the man’s wound. It became apparent he couldn’t apply enough pressure to staunch the bleeding. He took off the man’s belt and applied it as a tourniquet. All the while the man was on his cell phone and Phil realized the man was trying to give the 911 operator directions to the location. Phil took the phone and gave the operator directions and stayed with the victim until paramedics arrived. Later it was learned that the resident had cut an artery with a box cutter while working in his garage just seconds before Phil arrived.

Geri Kellison and Ian & Katie Duncan. Geri Kellison and her husband Ed were enjoying an evening in their hot tub when Ed suffered a heart attack and collapsed. Geri tried to pull him out, but she couldn’t manage his weight. She screamed for help as she held his head above water. A neighbor came to their deck and Geri yelled for him to call 911. At the same time another neighborhood couple, Ian and Katie, arrived. Katie grabbed Ed’s arms and Ian took his feet and together they lifted him out of the tub and onto the deck. Katie had been trained as a lifeguard and quickly began CPR and continued until EMT’s arrived. Ed was treated for ventricular fibrillation and is now doing fine, thanks to his wife and neighbors.

Dr. Ellen Farrokhi, George Litz & Dr. Mohammed Quraishi. Dr. Farrokhi was on-call when she received a page from the hospital about a patient who needed emergency surgery for a burst aortic aneurysm. Emergency surgery was needed as the patient was bleeding to death. Dr. Farrokhi got into her car and sped to the hospital. The doctor soon noticed a State Patrol car with its lights flashing, obviously intending to pull her over. She called 911 to let them know she was a surgeon and needed to get to the hospital immediately or her patient would die. She continued on, deciding that a man’s life was more important than consequences from speeding and not pulling over. She soon noticed three patrol cars pursuing her, all with flashing lights. She realized she had no choice and pulled over. Luckily she was still able to make it to the hospital in time. Her team, George Litz and Dr. Mohammed Quraishi, had prepped the patient for surgery. The surgery was successful, thanks to Dr. Farrokhi’s willingness to put the patient above all else.

To learn more about your American Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org

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Book Review: The Dry Diggin’s Club

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The Dry Diggin’s Club by Bob Weldin is an ideal novel for readers interested in geology, particularly in mineral discovery and mining in the 1960’s. More than that, the novel delves into the personal aspects of the miner persona, particularly into the life of a young woman, Sara, who braves the masculine world of mining.

Sara Mullins and her twin brother Steve are the children of a Montana rancher/miner and a mother who is head of the Mathematics Department at the University of Montana. Sara works along side her dad and brother at the ranch tending cattle and logging on their own land, and also at the family gold mine situated on their ranch property. Because of the huge distances involved, both Sara and Steve get pilot licenses at the age of sixteen. The children benefit from the hard work of ranch life, but also from the intellectual influence of their academic mother.

After graduating from college in the 1960’s, the twins are eager for their next step. Steve plans to attend law school and get a degree that will equip him to practice law in the field of geology. Sara is eager to have practical field experience and gets a job working for a mining company. She is met with scepticism–a female mining professional is highly unusual. She is offered and accepts other positions, each time gaining in responsibilities and stature. She finds she must repeatedly prove herself in a segment of the industry primarily reserved for college educated, macho men. Sara has neither the support of management nor the protection of a union. As a field geologist, she proves herself capable, but meets with challenges–and dangers–along the way.

Sara and her brother become involved in the Dry Diggin’s Club, a clandestine group whose membership network for pleasurable, economic and intellectual advantage. Inevitably, Sara becomes romantically involved with a fellow geologist which bring unexpected complexities and consequences into her life.

The Dry Diggin’s Club offers an in-depth examination of northwest mineral mining as it was in the ‘60’s. Readers learn how mineral discovery and the resultant mining was conducted. It was a tough field, not only because of unforgiving terrain, but also because of the secrecy shrouding findings. Although mining and minerals have never been high on my list of interests, I found this book not only educational, but a fun, worthwhile read. Author Bob Weldin speaks with authority having made a career in the mining industry. Now retired, he is a sought after speaker on the subjects of mining history, mineral deposits, wilderness areas and humor.

The Dry Diggin’s Club is available in both trade paperback and e-book formats.

 

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MOLOKAI: The Most Hawaiian Island

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“Slow down, this is Molokai” the road sign advised as we drove our rental car from the Molokai airport. It’s good advice, but challenging when you’ve just arrived from a rush-rush and highly scheduled world. It didn’t take long to get into the swing of things though and oh! letting go and slowing down was one of the best parts of our two-week visit to Molokai, the Most Hawaiian Island.

The fifth largest of the Hawaiian chain and located just south of Oahu, Molokai has made no attempt to keep up with the tourist attractions of its big sister islands, Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui. Rugged mountains, crashing surf, sweeping empty beaches, a definite lack of tourist catering and strong Hawaiian culture lure only a certain type of traveler. You won’t find a commercial lu’au, big resorts, mega shopping centers, or a number of fancy restaurants here. But if you’re looking for a true Hawaiian adventure, where native culture is woven into everyday life, Molokai is just the place for you. Outdoor activity is supreme here with horse-back riding, biking, hiking, kayaking and swimming, all under the umbrella of wild outdoor beauty. Going for a drive is a pleasure with very little traffic. We drove as long as two hours without encountering another vehicle.

While the main roads going west to east, Highways 460 and 450, are paved, many roads are not. No road circles the island. You can pretty much drive from one end to the other, but then you must turn around and return on the same road. There isn’t a single stoplight on Molokai and we never saw a building over two stories high.

The people of Molokai love to share their culture and sites. For a small island–40 miles long and 10 miles wide–it possesses numerous natural wonders. One of the first things I would recommend is buying a good map. The most accurate one we found is published by the University of Hawaii Press, available at many of the Molokai stores. Road signs aren’t always posted and if you’re like us, poking around back roads is what we love to do most, but getting hopelessly lost isn’t.

Lodging is available through condominiums, bed and breakfast, home and cottage rentals and small-scale hotels. One constant condition in Molokai is the ever-changing ownership and availability of lodging, stores and restaurants. A good idea is to check the Internet for rental opportunities. We did, and were delighted with our condo located close to the beach, and only a few steps from a gorgeous pool.

Molokai’s main town, Kaunakakai, is located in the center of the island on the south coast. In appearance Kaunakakai is unassuming with its tin-roofed buildings but you’ll find pretty much everything you’ll need–a gas station, groceries, clothing, hardware, pharmacy, and bakery. At Molokai Fish & Dive you can make arrangements for a cruise, a fishing expedition, a snorkel dive, or a kayak adventure at the largest barrier reef in Hawaii. Another excellent stop is the Kamakana Gallery, featuring local craftsmen and artists is located in Kaunakakai on Ala Malama Avenue.

We noted that most Hawaiians speak Hawaiian to one another; even the children, a strong indicator of their cultural pride. Most people do speak English as well, so language is not a barrier for visitors.

We brought our own, but you can also rent snorkeling gear. You must be cautious though and inquire first before swimming. Many of the beaches are treacherous with strong currents, rough wave action and rocky shores. Swim only at recommended locations. Generally, south shore beaches, such as Murphy’s Beach Park, are sheltered and quiet within the protection of the barrier reef, while east end beaches outside the reef can be dangerous with pounding surf. North and west shore beaches range from quiet to rebellious, depending on the season. Ask about local conditions before you enter the water.

Guided and unguided hiking trails abound here. The Halawa Valley guided hike is beautiful and not too challenging. Cool off by taking a delightful swim at the base of Moa’ula Falls. Another splendid guided hike is to the Mo’omomi Beach Preserve where you see unique coastal dunes that are an important nesting site for the endangered green sea turtle. On the Kamakou Preserve guided tour you follow a boardwalk through rain forest near the summit of Molokai’s highest mountain, home to more than 200 species of plants found nowhere else in the world. Unguided tours are all over the island–follow mountain trails, miles of sparkling beaches or red-dirt roads winding through lush fields of crops including sweet potato, watermelon, coffee, corn, tomato, onion and papaya..

Camping is popular on Molokai at state, county or private parks. Horseback riding and bicycling are available through various outlets. Contact the Molokai Visitor Association for names of camping sites, hiking guides, bicycle rental and horseback riding opportunities.

A drive to the Halawa Valley at the extreme eastern tip of the island is a spectacular destination and is known as one of the world’s great wilderness regions. As you enter the valley, the road narrows to one lane, so drive with caution, but the view is worth the adventure! The end of the road opens up to a tiny bay and a breathtaking view of a valley so green I had to keep reminding myself it was real.

One memorable day we rode mule-back down the 1,786-foot Kalaupapa Trail to visit Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the northern coast to learn about Father Damien’s work in a leper colony. The adventure was sobering, yet inspirational.

If your idea of a great getaway is wide open space, crashing seas, pristine barrier reefs, breathtaking views, all wrapped up in friendly local culture and a low-key, old-fashioned “aloha” spirit, you’ll surely find your dream on Molokai. For more information, visit http://www.gohawaii.com/molokai

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Book Review: The Orchardist

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Rarely is a novel so poignant as to arouse the reader’s every sense: taste, smell, visual images, sounds, love, compassion, hate, fear–it’s all there in The Orchardist (Harper Collins) by first-time novelist Amanda Coplin. The story takes place at the turn-of-the-century in rural Pacific Northwest.

Talmadge is a quiet man, a man whose life and passion exist in an orchard. His father died when he was just a boy and the three of them–his mother, sister and Talmadge–walked a great distance to the Wenatchee Valley where they settled. Eventually his mother died, leaving the two children, now in their teens, to carry on. Talmadge was devoted to his sister, and when she mysteriously disappeared he was heart-broken. He lives alone, steadily increasing the size of his orchard. He never married, but he does have a close relationship with Caroline Middey, a wise woman who lives in town.

On market day, two teenage but very pregnant sisters, steal fruit from him. A kind man, Talmadge realizes that the girls stole the fruit because they were desperate. Later, they appear at his orchard, but are shy as feral animals. Talmadge sets meals out for them and they take them away when he isn’t watching. Finally, he gains their trust and they manage a strained relationship. When it is time for the girls to give birth, he sends for his friend, Caroline Middey who is commonly called upon as midwife. Talmadge helps bring into the world Angelene from one sister and stillborn twins from the other.

Through a tragic chain of events, Talmadge becomes the sole caretaker of Angeline, Although they never speak of love, the devotion shown is apparent. Talmadge isn’t always sure of himself, but his kindness toward his foster daughter never wavers. Caroline Middey plays an important role in supplying a listening ear, advice, and companionship to the growing girl.

Although it may seem that I have “given away” the story, I have only touched on the highlights. The Orchardist is an in-depth story covering many years, situations and people.

The Orchardist is a stunning, unique novel. Coplin’s crisp style involves the reader in the life and times of the early Northwest, its place and people. She conveys a sense of love without ever using the word but by showing what happens when a simple man opens his heart and home, even when it means his peaceful lifestyle is disrupted.

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Book Review: The Birth of Venus

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The Birth of Venus (Random House) by Sarah Dunant is an engaging novel set in Florence, Italy during the Renaissance period in the late 1400s. Written in first person, the craft of writing is at its best, taking us into the depths of the subject’s soul.

Precocious Alessandra Cecchi, fifteen, is fascinated by art. Tutored with her older brothers and sister, she has many cultural advantages as the result of her father’s business acumen and high stature in the community. When her father brings home a painter from Northern Europe to decorate their private chapel, Alessandra is thrilled by the young man’s artistic abilities. She attempts to venture into his world, but when rebuffed by his apparent disinterest, she is even more attracted to both the man and his art.

Alessandra’s dreaded “coming of womanhood” presents the inevitable marriage to a person of her parents’ choosing. Cristoforo Langella, an older, wealthy man, and Alessandra marry when she is barely sixteen. But Cristoforo has an evil secret that clouds their marriage.

In the meanwhile, the luxury, love of learning and fine art in the region is being threatened by a fundamentalist facet of the church. Florence is plunged into violence, fear and political change. A plague further weakens and frighten the bewildered citizens.

The Birth of Venus recreates a past world with vivid descriptions of art and attitudes. Dunant writes with exquisite detail, allowing the reader to dwell in the heart and mind of Alessandra over a period of her lifetime. The Birth of Venus is an unforgettable novel.

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Treasures of Old Town, Albuquerque

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San Felipe De Neri Catholic Church. Photo Courtesy of Heidi Thomas

Strolling down Old Town Albuquerque’s cobbled streets lined with brightly colored adobe structures, I sense the area’s ancient, rich history. Haunting melodies from a Native American flute drifts among the ancient buildings. To the east, the Sandia Mountains sprawl in their majestic beauty.

The Albuquerque area has been inhabited for hundreds of years, first by Native Americans, then beginning in 1598, the area was conquered and reconquered. Finally, in 1706 Francisco Cuervo y Valdes founded a villa first named San Francisco Xavier de Albuquerque. It was later renamed and finally called the name recognized today, Albuquerque.

The settlement consisted mostly of farms strung out along the Rio Grande. Apache and Comanche raiding made it necessary to create a defensible populations center, so a villa, or plaza, was formed.

The Sante Fe Trail between Missouri and Mexico opened in 1821, after Mexico won her independence from Spain. Albuquerque became an important stop and freighting center along the way. In 1850 New Mexico became an American Territory.

Between 1867 and 1878, Albuquerque was a quiet community with a population of less than 2,000 people. A few businesses served local farmers and sheep herders. With the promise of a railroad coming to Albuquerque, businesses and immigrants flocked to the area.

Then came the discouraging news that the railroad would be routed about a mile and a half to the east of the plaza. Starting in 1880, a “New Albuquerque” began to spring up by the tracks and many of the Old Town business relocated.

In 1912 New Mexico became the 47th state.

In the 1930’s and ‘40’s, Old Town was rediscovered by artists and merchants. In the 1950’s, many buildings were restored in the Spanish/Pueblo Revival Style. Today a stroll through Old Town reveals a delightful mix of businesses and residences in Spanish Colonial, nineteenth-century and modern styles, representing Old Town’s long and varied history.

Winding down colorful brick paths, visitors discover The Rectory, San Felipe De Neri Church, Sister Blandina Convent, Our Lady of the Angels School and many other historical sites. Several of the structures, mostly built of adobe, are still used today, though not necessarily for their original purpose.

Of particular interest is The Albuquerque Museum in Old Town. The large facility is dedicated to preserving the art of the Southwest as well as 400 years of Albuquerque history as shown in exhibits and artifacts of colonial life in New Mexico. Delightful sculpture gardens grace the Museum grounds. Both indoor and outside tour guides share fascinating tidbits of Albuquerque history.

If you travel to Albuquerque, be sure to take in Old Town. Step along ancient streets, do a little shopping and treat yourself to a traditional southwest dining experience. Old Town Albuquerque has a unique flavor shaped by centuries-old cultures.

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Book Review: Desert Wives

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Desert Wives (Poisoned Pen Press) by Betty Webb is a mystery with an eye-popping expos of modern-day polygamy.

Private Detective Lena Jones is approached by Esther Corbett to rescue her 13-year old daughter, Rebecca, from Purity, a small village cult that straddles the Arizona-Utah boarder. The daughter has been promised in marriage by her non-custodial father to Prophet Soloman Royal, a leader of a polygamist sect. Prophet Soloman, an older man, already has multiple wives and dozens of children.

The rescue is perfectly executed, but on the way out of the area, Lena and the girl Rebecca stumble upon Prophet Soloman’s body. Lena’s client, the girl’s mother, is the only suspect and is jailed with the likelihood of prosecution.

Lena goes underground, pretending to be the second wife of a disgruntled cult-member, a man she meets on the “outside” who goes along with her scheme.

Along the way to solving the case, Webb does a masterful job of exposing what is still practiced in various communities in the Western United States, even though polygamy was banned in the United States in 1862. Some sects that practice do so by having a man marry one wife, divorcing her (though she retains his name and continues to live with him) and then marrying the next wife who also takes his name. This is repeated until he has married and divorced all his wives, except possibly the last one. Since only one wife is officially married to the husband at any one time, the polygamous family appears to exist within the law.

One of the common manifestations of this arrangement is that the now single wives can claim public support as single parents. Cults are encouraged to have many children and a man may have dozens of children, all supported by the state.

Another polygamist practice commonly used is for a man to seek only one marriage license for the first marriage, and the subsequent marriages are secretly carried out in private ceremonies. Thus, the subsequent wives are seen by law as single parents.

Young men are often forced to leave their community so that women they would otherwise marry will be left to provide wives for older polygamous males, thus increasing the community income. Within many cults, young girls, often younger than the legal age of consent, are subjected to arranged marriages. Since marriages often take place within their own communities, it is not uncommon for fairly close relatives to marry, leading to inbreeding and subsequent birth defects.

In this review, I have presented the polygamist practices as presented by Desert Wives. I conducted additional research to determine the accuracy of the author’s premise for this novel and found the facts well supported. NOTE: My research also revealed that there are other polygamists who don’t live in cults and who are not organized to profit by collecting welfare.

Desert Wives is the second of the Lena Jones Mystery Series. Webb does a good job of creating suspense, using humor along the way. But for me, the value of this book is the exposure of what today is still happening in the Western United States. Desert Wives is a worthwhile, educational, yet enjoyable read. For more information about the author, visit www.bettywebb-mystery.com

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The Perils of Babysitting

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When I was a schoolgirl, we lived in a neighborhood with very few children, so when a family moved in with little kids, I pounced on the opportunity to earn money babysitting. At thirteen, I was the youngest of two children. My sister Alice, three years older, was beyond babysitting and into the world of horses. I had always wanted a younger sibling, but it was clear that wasn’t going to happen. I loved little kids and, as I saw it, babysitting could not only help me earn money, I could satisfy my “big sister” craving.

I called on Mrs. Little, our new neighbor, to offer my babysitting services. I couldn’t have called on her at a better time. The Littles had five children, boys nine, seven and five, and boy-girl twins nine-months old. Mrs. Little was at the point of desperately needing to get out. She asked me to babysit once a week.

Mrs. Little made a surprising statement. “Unless we have something special to go to, it doesn’t matter which night we go out, Friday or Saturday. You make your plans and we’ll go out on the other night.” Who could ask for a better arrangement than that?

I was in junior high school, eighth grade, at an age where I wanted to get together with girlfriends for movies and overnights. My babysitting arrangement was perfect. The children were all good kids and I had opportunities to cuddle the twins to my heart’s content.

I wished I could have taken a girlfriend along to babysit, as many of my friends did. But, my parents were adamant about my not having friends along; they felt my attention would be compromised.

One evening, I arrived at the Little’s at dinner time, since they were attending a progressive dinner, an event where guests have one course at one house and go on to other homes for the following courses. She mentioned that Elaine, the girl twin, had a slight cold, but she didn’t seem sick. Mrs. Little couldn’t leave a phone number with me (this was light-years before cell phones) but she would call me from time to time throughout the evening.

I fed the kids dinner, bathed the little ones, supervised the older ones, and eventually put them all to bed. As was my practice, I checked on them every hour. When I went into the twins room, I heard a raspy sound and realized it was Elaine. When I picked the baby up and held her upright, her breathing seemed less labored, but as soon as I laid her down, she struggled for breath. Alarmed, I called my mother and she rushed over and agreed we had a sick baby.

We looked in the phone book and found their family doctor’s phone number written on the inside cover. My mother called him and he came right over. In those days doctors made house calls. He strongly suspected the baby had pneumonia. As it happened, Mrs. Little called while he was there and they rushed home to take the baby to the hospital.

What would have happened, I’ve always wondered, if I’d had a girlfriend with me. Would I have been so diligent?

Okay, one more story about babysitting. I was probably fourteen by now and Mrs. Little asked me to spend the weekend so they could attend a conference. I jumped at the chance–just think how much money I would make in a whole weekend!

The weekend went well, but I was beyond weary by the end of it. To take care of five children’s every need for an entire weekend–meals, keeping the house tidy, changing two sets of diapers, chasing after two toddlers, the whole bedtime routine–it was exhausting.

When I dragged myself home, afraid I’d never have the energy or strength to spend my hard-earned money, I told my mother, “If you want grandkids, you’d better count on Alice–I never having kids.

Mother laughed. “Rough weekend, huh?”

I got over it and had many more years of babysitting. Later, I had four children of my own. Remembering my earlier experience, our standing rule was that our babysitters could not have their friends along.

 

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Book Review: The Soloist

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The Soloist (Berkley Books) by Steve Lopez takes readers on an extraordinary journey into the world of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a black musician and paranoid schizophrenic.

The amazing story written by a Los Angeles Times journalist, begins with a chance encounter by Lopez as he hears violin music while walking along the street. He looks around to investigate. On a corner, he finds a man in his fifties, dressed in rags, exquisitely playing Beethoven on a battered violin with some missing strings.They strike up a conversation.

In the encounter, Lopez sees the possibility of a column, but as he investigates further, he uncovers a man of immense complexity and talent, and unfortunately, a consuming mental illness that has taken him from a promising young musician at Juilliard to the depths of life as a street person in the harrowing ghettoes of Los Angeles.

Lopez recognizes the gift of Ayers’ brilliance and is obsessed with trying to help him, only to be rebuffed at every turn. Ayers trusts no one, convinced that people will steal belongings from his shopping cart. The journalist writes about the street musician and spurs interest among his readership. In his attempts to help Ayers, Lopez explores the possibility of finding suitable housing. He tracks down Ayers’ family, seeks professional mental help, even goes to Juilliard in New York to try to find the missing pieces that might help Ayers put his life back together. Lopez’ efforts result in the musician’s angry outbursts, disinterest and crushing disappointments. Lopez doesn’t give up and seeks common ground for his down-and-out friend with professional symphonic musicians, arranging to watch performances, meeting the musicians in person, even setting up appointments for him to play for a member of the philharmonic orchestra.

Although Lopez knows he is straining his own family and professional life of time and considerable funds, he doggedly attempts to find a better life for Ayers. On the way, Lopez learns about the power of classical music, the crippling affects of schizophrenia, and is able to see with more clarity why people end up living on the street.

The Soloist is written with compassion, heart and humanity. It’s a heartbreaking read, yet it leaves room for hope. I’ll never again look at street people without remembering this poignant story.

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