Tampa in Dewey Time

 

Tampa Trip July 20-23, 2023

So Greg dismissed me, in spite of the open credit I had to crash at chez Morgan on West Richardson Place in Hyde Park. His wife Ellen also sentenced him to hard labor cleaning  the grounds around the pool and outdoor spaces. Fortunately Lindsey and Chris managed to make room for me at their place and gave me responsibility of shuttle service for Lawton to First Tee Camp at Rocky Point Golf Course.

Still Greg redeems himself as Uber Dad for pick up and drop off airport runs. As a bonus I get an historic overview of the history of Ybor City at Seniors Luncheon at Temple Shaarai Zedak. (That's the temple on Swann don’t cha know?)  The luncheon sets up the personal tour of the new location of the Florida Museum of the Photographic Arts (FMoPA). Ya see Greg is an influential board member and happened to make the connection with Darryl Shaw as developmental plans are unfolding. Don’t worry, you can still find a hand rolled cigar and enjoy a Cuban Sandwich in the neighborhood.

Lindsey is all over an amazing array of duties as Director of Outreach and Engagement for the temple (not to mention a full plate as a mover and shaker for the Junior League of Tampa). “We love Lindsey!” is something I never get tired of hearing around her place of work. The Ybor City luncheon and Movie Night are two prime examples of the innovative programming Lindsey supports with grace and seemingly effortless orchestration of details (from food and beverage to audio/visual and tech support). She is gracious with young and old and a diverse mix of people who give this place a genuine sense of community).  

My day at Rocky Point Golf Course allows me several glimpses of Lawton’s participation in the First Tee program, while I get to play 18 holes with my new friends Mike from Tampa and his pal Chris in from Raleigh, North Carolina. I retrieved Lawton a little early from First Tee Camp leaving time for us to play two bonus holes.  

Jimbo’s for breakfast before golf (with Lindsey and Lawton). Duffy’s (with Greg, Matt, Bianca, Lindsey, Chris and Lawton), Himes Breakfast House (with Lawton and Chris) and another meal occasion with Greg, Lindsey, Chris and Lawton at Goody Goody Burgers before catching delayed Southwest flight back to Saint Louis.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary with this supporting cast in Tampa. “The truth belongs to the teller” I always say. I am delighted at Lindsey’s accounts of “Episodes of Idiot Dad” that seems could be produced with skill in TV and/or graphic novel format. Reliving the episodes reinforces the pattern of Morgan resilience and a wonderful ability to find humor in retrospect. It is clear that genuine affection and love propel the pattern forward. I am confident that one day Lawton will be telling family stories, with a smile, ages hence (a kind of payback or just a charming paying it forward).

P.S, I am most fortunate. My brother Greg (all kidding asside) is an essential part of why I get treated like royalty when I'm visiting Tampa. Lindsey,Chris and Lawton Dewey are most tollerant and accomodating when Papa (me) hits town. And seeing Greg's boy Matt and his fiance Bianca is a bonus. Between Greg and Lindsey and their respective networks, I cannot help but feel like a celebrity in this city.    

 

 

 

Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny 2023

 

Indiana Jones – The Dial of Destiny

Daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA. It’s action from start to finish. The end, however we see Indiana with his wife in a tender moment that his Goddaughter (he calls Wombat) saw to it that he makes the choice to not change history by staying in the time of Archimedes. the great scientist/mathematician, two thousand years earlier in human hstory.

Raiders of the lost Ark 1981, The Temple of Doom 1984, The Last Crusade 1989 and The Kingdome of the Crystal Skull 2008 preceeded this movie on the big screen.   

 

 

Dizzy

 

The truth belongs to the teller. People who know me have heard my soapbox speech on the importance of the story-teller. Credibility depends on attention to detail and the careful selection of words and composition. Writers who write well are artists. Visual artists are storytellers too. Their tools may be different but still have the aim to communicate. I’ve invested a lot time and energy breaking down the elements of how to communicate well, with varying degrees of success in art, advertising, education and business.

Communication is especially important in relationships too. How we talk to each other can have an impact on how we feel about each other over time. My appreciation of communication is further fortified with a belief in finding ways to best articulate meaning. My career paths through advertising and marketing and education are always closely tied to storytelling. There is nothing more compelling or engaging than telling a true story effectively.

Sometimes, there just seem to be no words. Artists struggle with expression and sometimes find ways to capture the essence of feelings and/or emotions. Still the business is often just plain flawed.

Some people have an understanding and no need to over-think a lifetime of interchanges from casual entertainment such as theater, movies, reading, etc. to more intense life choices and relationship issues (such as living arrangements, health and fitness goals and future plans).

My advice, more often than not: live in the now. Cherish the moments. Avoid overthinking each other. If we are lucky we might just see beauty in the little things. We might find joy that makes the ordinary seem extraordinary. 

       

Finding the Words (or not)

 

Finding the Words

 

Words have meaning, not always as intended;

Self-inflicted, sabotaged, but not defended.

Relationship on a track, It never fails;

Overwhelmed, overcome, overdone, off the rails.

 

Step back or withdraw;

Mechanisms you use to Survive.

Live in the now, ignore each flaw

Just to be so very much alive

 

Compartmentalize as you do;

Just know there are those who love you.

It is fun, walking in the sun;

It happens and cannot be undone. 

 

So many miles and so many years;

So many smiles and so many tears.

A puzzle with no center-point, only color and patterns t0 match.

Meet halfway? We are closer than that.

 

Image above from The Gay Divorcee, 1934 American Film directed by Mark Sandrich starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Image below is of mosaic created by me and marketed successfully by my brother Dan.

.

 

July Dilemma

 

It was divine intervention;

She said sometimes that works.

It was always my intention,

To honor that bond, in spite of the quirks.

It takes two to Salsa dance,

To live in the moment and embrace.

You can see it at a glance.

You can see it in her face.

Derecho force,

The sky full of fury,

Before July fourth, 

Lightning crashes in a hurry.

Open the door, 

Walk closer to the street,

In the present and nothing more. 

We're broken apart, but together complete.

Janie visits the Lou (Janie part 6)

 

Janie comes to the Lou - June 30 to July 2, 2023
Janie (part 6)
 
Janie is a busy retired nurse, although you might not notice given all the shifts she still takes on. She is mom to four and grandmother to five and more (since she has three brothers with a boatload of extended family members).

She’s coming to see me in Saint Louis in spite of it all. She arrives in the afternooon. If things go as planned, she might catch the tail end of the post game of my golf outing (AMA event I have orchestrated for 20+ years). After that, we will enjoy some grillin’ and chillin’ at Perry Drake's place in Chesterfield. Perry and gal-pal Beth are anxious to meet Janie. (The weather forced us indoors but steak, corn on the cob and baked potatoes were more than enough to enjoy over the diner table.) 

Janie settled on June 30 - July 2 after too many conflicts/schedule changes in our respective lives. We first discussed the idea of her visiting months ago. She made it happen and that is really wonderful. My American Marketing Association annual golf event, at first, I thought it could be a conflict but upon further reflection I realized it might be a perfect scenario for her to meet and be met by some of the people in my life in Saint Louis. (I promised her at least one friend named Dave. She did, she met Dave Cox.)

I cannot contain the excitement of the Janie visit with me in Saint Louis. It’s just a window of time that has her flying Southwest arriving on Friday, June 30, 2023 and flying away back to Cleveland on Sunday July 2, 2023. My two-bedroom apartment at Millennium Creve Coeur needs some tidying up but I have time to donate a few furniture items to the St. Vincent Thrift Store and make a little space for my evolving lifestyle. I got some flowers and some grocery items (including some green tea for Janie).

Friday - American Marketing Association golf event at Creve Coeur Golf Course: Dave Cox agreed to MC the final scoring and awards portion of the post game activities. Janie’s flight is on time and arrives at 3:20 p.m. We caught the handful of golfers still hanging around at CCGC. Janie met Dave, Tom Shaughnessy and got a glimpse of a few players after they have survived this 100+ degree day.  

                       
We check into my bachelor pad long enough for her to see the impromptu gallery space of random art that adorns the walls including the big 30+ year retrospective of family photos leading up to the weddings of Ben and Lindsey in 2012 and 2014.

We have tickets to see the Cardinals vs the New York Yankees on Saturday at 1:15. I convince Janie to head downtown early so we can peruse the amazing public sculptural art at City Garden, the historic Wainwright building and the Gateway Arch.

Our “nose bleed” seats are in section 439 in the upper deck at the end of the first base line. We have the benefit of a bit of midday shade in this section. The Cards dominate behind the pitching of Jack Flaherty. (By Sunday the Cardinals will have won this game and 2 out of 3 for the weekend and win the series against the American League New York Yankees.) 

We left this game a bit early (the Cards has an 11-0 lead). We left behind our Roger Marris Bobble Heads/attendance prize. We reached the parking garage in time for a rain downpour. (My plan to include a quick stop at the Saint Louis Art Museum on the way home was spoiled as I became disoriented in Forest Park due to the heavy rain.)

Trying to outsmart traffic in the rain resulted in my getting us a little lost before getting onto I-170 North in time for a weather delay, downed power lines, and power outages that turned that innerbelt thoroughfare into a parking lot. My otherwise reliable transportation overheated and we limped off I-170 as traffic was directed to drive in the wrong direction to the ramps to exit. The steam was visible from my engine and Janie got to witness my lack of problem-solving skills as we waited at the parking lot of the University City House of India restaurant (closed due to power outage).

The AAA tow truck arrived after an hour and a half and carted Janie and me and the Ford Fiesta-Jet to my apartment complex parking area. Dave Cox rescued us the next morning as our shuttle ride to the Lambert International Airport so Janie could get to Terminal 2 to catch her 8:45 a.m. flight.

Janie’s patience was tested. She manages to compartmentalize the adversity (as she does expertly). Reading a book on her iPhone and resisting the opportunity to listen in to the calming advice of my brother Greg on my cell phone.

My positive spin on this less-than-optimal day comes as I remind her that we are most fortunate to be spending time together. She is guarded and not so quick to agree with my Pollyanna outlook. Nevertheless a sweet kiss goodbye ends this visit at the airport on Sunday. 

I’ll deal with my overheating Fiesta on Monday and Tuesday (One day at a time.)    

P.S. This is part six of a love story. It seems that we may or may not weather this storm. I've been "all in" with faith and belief in "divine intervention" but God might be saying (in not so many words): "Not so fast buddy boy." Janie wants some time to think and feels she needs to step back a little bit. I just hope she gets home safely and, with time, sees the humor in this unusual weather weekend in Saint Louis.