“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do.
Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
~ Ella Fitzgerald
I said the week would be full of Library Gala photos and I mean to keep my word. Tonight is couples edition. You met my friend Theresa Yokum very briefly the first year of the outhouse. She’s been telling me about her husband, Owen, even longer than that. Last night I finally met the man, the myth, the legend. He lived up to every expectation and then some. He’s smart, handsome, and funny. Plus, he loves animals. No wonder she married him. I sure enjoyed meeting him, and I hope it won’t be the last time we see each other. I want to hear more stories about Theresa and Tequila.
My old friend and former colleague Bill Marshall, and his equally awesome wife Jan, were with us last night. I felt I should share my crutches with Bill as he has a torn meniscus. That’s far worse than my sprain/break. It was a pure joy to see Bill and Jan. She retired not long after Bill; he from UK Libraries, she from Lexington Public Library. They’re loving retirement and it shows. I think the world of them, so it was very special to have them in attendance last night. Bill’s Archives class in grad school was exquisite. I wish I could have studied more with him. Still, I think being his friend is a way better deal.
Perhaps my favorite couple that I’ve recently gotten to know is Don and Anne Ritchie. You might recall I met them in October of last year with BFF Judy Jennings. Donald literally wrote the book on oral history called… Doing Oral History, and Anne’s no slacker either with dozens of credits to her name. Plus, she’s one of Judy Jennings’ oldest friends, and you know how I love Judy. So, of course I love Anne and Don. Every time I see them I’m entertained and enriched by their company. That’s a rare combination; one to be cherished.
The last couple is Valerie and Peter Perry. The way he’s looking at her is just so sweet, isn’t it? He was a very kind, soft spoken man, and Valerie was just proud as a peacock to show him off, rightfully so. It was a grand evening with friends old and new. I’m grateful for every one of them.
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