I’m a bit excited and nervous to have Ambassador/Governor Terry Branstad on our next Monday Zoom Lunch call. I’ve not visited China, but I am fascinated to learn what his experience was like living there as the U.S. Ambassador. He was in China when Covid hit, and tariffs became a huge issue. Today, he and his former chief of staff, Steve Churchill, are working with companies wanting to do business in China.
If you are not a paid subscriber, why the heck not? It’s only $65 a year or $7 a month, and these sessions are unlike anything I’ve done before. It’s like having a dinner party with smart people, asking good questions. But I get it; if you’re like me, you have $5 here, $10 there, $30 another place, and it all piles up. Still, your subscription fees already have made it possible for ten people to win a scholarship to the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat - and they are thrilled.
Speaking of subscribing, I was honored to be accepted into a program Substack offers to some columnists. In just a few short years, the Substack platform (this column uses its platform for distribution) has exploded exponentially. Yesterday, the workshops began with our first Zoom session. I met journalists from around the world in my small group.
Stay tuned. This will help me with a project I am working on with other Iowa writers. If we get lift-off, you’re going to be thrilled.
My lack of interest in playing golf in retirement means I’ve got time on my hands (you might have noticed).
The Tale of Sally
Sally and my son had a special relationship when he was little. If my 7-year-old was having a tough day, Sally would talk to him and ask questions about what he was feeling and thinking. Darned if Sally didn’t get him to talk when I couldn’t.
The three of us toured Washington, D.C., in the 1980s. My youngster had just learned to tie his shoes, and Sally was impressed. I was confident this bright, engaging, adorable kiddo could be president of the United States when he grew up, so I wanted him to experience being in the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Halls of Congress — to get familiar with the town. [he wisely opted not to pursue politics]
We hopped on and off a double-decker tour bus on one of those Cherry Blossom days when our Nation’s Capitol was teeming with folks like us. Then, horrors!
Oh my God. Where’s Sally? She was gone!
We hailed a cab, frantically retracing our steps. I was more on the verge of tears than my guy, but so what.
An hour later, Sally was found in the gift shop at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, enjoying people-watching and perched on a stack of souvenir books.
Sally paid a visit to me when I was in the hospital. My guy was about 12 at the time and brought her thinking I could use her presence. He was right. Sally understood what no one else could.
Through the years, various stuffed animals have played a role in our lives, including Le Mutt, who deserves a shout-out. As the years passed, my son gave the bags of stuffed animals to new kids to hold. But Sally stayed.
One day, Sally disappeared. We didn’t know where or how, but at that stage of life, it wasn’t quite so devastating. I did find a Beanie-Baby lookalike substitute once, which my grown-up guy thought was amusing.
We are currently in the throes of him moving out of a place where he’s lived for years. It’s a happy time, if not a daunting project. My son is going through decades of accumulated stuff and throwing out even more. Whew.
I stopped to check his progress, and he said: “Follow me; I have a surprise.”
We headed down the steps to his storage unit. He gave no hint, but I knew what he would show me.
Sally.
Say hello to our treasured friend. She would like to know if you had the privilege of having a special friend, too (she can read):
The Okoboji Writers’ Retreat is a special happening taking place on September 19, 20, and 21 in Iowa’s Lakes region. It will be close to magical. There is still time to join us if you register now. Why not? You’ll meet extraordinary writers. Some successful, published authors and award-winning columnists and editors. Plus, a bunch of folks who don’t have specific goals but are drawn to the idea of hanging out with cool people on a blue-water lake in the fall. Do you fit either category? All skill levels are welcome.
Sally! Beautiful story. I did not have a special friend, unless you count Jason, a Pekinese I would dress up and push around in a toy carriage.
I actually had two special friends. One was Frosty, my invisible friend. The other was Misty my Russian blue cat. They both grew up with me and listened to all my tales and problems. Frosty left one day and never came back. Misty did the same. I was still mourning my grandmother as my grandfather lay dying. Misty was out on the porch and ran off when someone walked in. I was devastated with too many losses at once. I'll never forget them.