Lemon-Aid*

Ensconced in various forms of lockdown, distancing, sheltering in place, masks and non-touching for over 12 months now.  All since mid-February 2020.

Strange and deadly world this.

Yet, we decide how to adapt, survive, then move on eh?!

Lately, it has occurred to me that certain good things have come about as a result though.  And so, a little play on the word "lemonade" to illustrate here;

Lemons - man, we have our share don't we? 

• A deadly insurrection attempt to destroy democracy inside our nation's capital building.
• Militias and racists wandering around like they own the place. (But they are only part owners right?!  They need to share like the rest of us common folks.) 
• Our unenviable position as world's leader in cultivating the incidence and death rate of coronavirus 19. 
• Politicians spinning anything and everything to acquit themselves of any responsibility for America's declining positions on world trade, international relations, promoting peace and on...and on.
• 
  Social media trolls highlighting and spreading viral lies, bots and hatred - like a world-wide edition of the National Enquirer.
• Voter suppression in a country that was once regarded as the seat of democracy.
• Decaying infrastructure that once had us a (the?) world leader in manufacturing and transportation. 
• Climate change that continues to progress rapidly with the US chief among naysayers.
• A growing income gap between the wealthy and the common man.

Yeah, there's more I'm sure but it's time to move on to the bright side.

Aid - sure we've got some!

• 2020 Nobel Prize to the World Food Programme!  Want to set the stage for the emergence of innovative, bright, humanitarian world leaders?  Make sure they are not hungry!
• Increased political involvement of the average American.  Want to right a sinking ship?  Call on the Common Man! Vote!  I know we elect politicians with a mandate to represent our best interests but all too often greed and political survival win them over post-election.  The only way to straighten some (most?) of them out is to vote.
• Togetherness:  Months and months of closeness have put new light on many (most?) relationships.  We've been successfully expanding and exploring new ways to be together through media and video conferencing like Zoom and Google Meet.
• Telemedicine:  Yes it's booming and convenient.  An online discussion with your doc followed by a prescription if needed that is electronically delivered to your preferred pharmacy and ready to pick up an hour or so later?  Pretty cool.
• Home gyms:  Many have figured out how to stay in shape with home-based exercises and equipment. (See: dumbbell inflated prices and shortages)
• Notables:
• Amanda Gorman
• A new President
• Jamie Raskin
• Stacey Abrams 
• Greta Thunberg
• Simone Biles
• (added in April, 2022) Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• Alexei Navalny

William Dicconson "Dicc" Bowdler

There are an abundance of bad things about social media that's for damn sure.

But, there are also plenty of good things too; like keeping in close contact with family members and old pals.  Last week, I was able to locate a friend I had lost track of for more than 35 years.  Family matters, work, education and relocations all contributed to losing touch with someone I admired and was once fortunate to call "close friend."

William "Dicc" Bowdler and I had worked together as Air Force Intelligence technicians at March Air Force Base, Riverside California in the early 70's.  We and our wives were also neighbors most of the time.  We had a lot in common, sharing interests in golf, music, football, family and humor.

I was drifting along pretty smooth with a new bride, Julieann and some interesting work I enjoyed.  I had no particular plans to do anything more until I found out Dicc was also attending college night classes.  Somehow, I appreciated his example.  I was thinking..."if he can do it I can, and probably should do it." So I began the same...believing it would be a useful way to get ahead, again with nothing particular in mind.  I also found out about College Level Placement exams that could get a person advanced quicker if successfully challenged.  I took those then had an overseas assignment where I was able to take a bunch of University of Maryland classes.  Next I attended Glendale Community College night classes near Luke Air Force Base, Arizona and all of a sudden I was eligible for full-time Air Force "Bootstrap" sponsored extension classes with Chapman College in the San Bernardino, CA area.

Julie and I had to move ourselves from Phoenix to San Bernardino to take advantage of the Bootstrap program.  As I discussed the option with Dicc, who was still stationed at March, just over 10 miles from San Bernardino, he thoughtfully offered to rent a U-Haul there, drive it Phoenix and help us with the move.  It was a great gesture Julie and I will never forget.  It helped relieve the stress we were feeling although I still managed to cut myself (more like scratch actually) with an electric razor the morning of the move - guess I was a little wound up!  But still, there was Dicc, happy and helpful and of course Julieann, who by the way has stepped in to help with anything...every single time for the past 51+ years now.

With Dicc's example and assistance, Julie and I would have a successful move, graduate from Chapman and get the whole college thing done in three and a half years.  I applied and was

Dicc and his lady, Joan "Pixie" Mamone
April, 2020

commissioned in the Air Force Medical Service Corps shortly after.  Dicc, meanwhile, completed his degree, completed his tours with the Air Force and eventually left to pursue career and life in his Elyria, Ohio hometown.

Dicc and I managed to stay in touch for a few years after once meeting briefly in Chicago for a great reunion dinner at the Signature Room atop the Hancock Tower overlooking the Magnificent Mile.  Not long after, we lost touch though as our day-to-day lives with family and work took over.

Then years later; the Internet, Google and Facebook arrived and made it possible to search for old friends.  Once in a while, I would enter Dicc's name in Google and try to track him down.  It didn't help that I had somehow spelled his name "Dick" as I had missed the correct version many years earlier.  Somehow, I eventually discovered him as a former member and President of the Ohio Bailiffs and Court Officers Association but when I inquired, they had lost contact with him too.  Next, I took on the Facebook search feature and noticed this person referring to himself as "Dicc Bowdler" looked a hell of a lot like my old pal.  I sent him a Facebook message and that was it!  Now, he and I can swap lies to our heart's content even though we live on separate coasts (mine's better.)

So Dicc, you see, set the example that would shape my working careers.  Without it, I would have never been Administrator of an Air Force Hospital nor would I have added a successful 20+year career as a health care administration consultant.  I am forever grateful and maybe, just maybe, we can one day soon look across the dinner table at some fine dining establishment and make terrible jokes for our forgiving wives.  

I can't wait.