Pink Floyd
I'm a digital content creator with experience in creating unique content and creative material for a variety of clients. My skills include designing content in different and various forms that connect people. I'm passionate about creating material that tells a story and leaves a lasting impression. I have done audio, photography, web, radio, and creative writing. Below you will find samples of my writing.
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
……….By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
……….That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
……….But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
……….I cremated Sam McGee.
- Robert W Service, The Cremation of Sam McGee
I cannot begin to adequately express the love, admiration, and fascination I have for the 49th state of America, from Anchorage to Circle City you could spend a lifetime traversing the scenic beauty that is there. I was still quite young when we came to live in the far north of Alaska. Soon to be a teenager, I had no idea of the adventures that awaited me over the next five years. It was summertime when we first arrived in the interior of "the last frontier". The name Alaska is derived from the Aleut word "Alyeska," meaning "great land", and calling it great is no exaggeration. During the summer, Alaska does not seem a lot different from any other part of North America, with one major exception, it NEVER gets dark at night. Imagine being able to read a book outdoors at midnight! You can begin to understand the sleep deprivation and problems to follow for a boy who has a love for wide-open spaces. Summers seemed endless in the interior of Alaska. I spent many a waking hour exploring, hunting, fishing, camping and just killing time in the twilight of Alaska's midnight hours. We used to spend summers camping and fishing along the Copper River in a place called Chitina, dip netting for salmon. There was nothing better than a fresh-caught salmon, specially seasoned and cooked in an open campfire. Another delicacy was a fish called grayling, smoked over Birchwood. I remember the first time I tried it, I thought I'll never eat fried again. The bounty of wild game in Alaska seemed endless and I was willing to try it all. Moose, caribou, bear, duck, salmon, and other fish as well as a few other items, eating like a native left little to the imagination.
Fall in Alaska was always a prelude to the winter that was to come. Days were markedly cooler and crisp, only the pine trees did not parade around naked. Much of the wildlife began to disappear to hibernate. There usually was a good four inches of snow on the ground by Halloween in the area where we lived, and the promise of colder days was paramount. Fall was a short period followed by an extreme winter. I remember vividly my first winter experience. Everything was frozen and covered in snow and ice. The first time you see a "white-out" is remarkable and never to be forgotten. Especially when accompanied by ice fog. Then the skies cleared, and we had sunny skies on a tapestry of white, nearly blinding. Then it happens, in the dead of winter on a cold clear night, they appear, dancing in a field of stars, the "Northern Lights". It was always the highlight of the winter season and a spectacle I shall never forget for as long as I live.
I will be the first to admit that living in Alaska had a phenomenal impact on me during the time I spent there. I saw, experienced did, learned, and was exposed to a lot that I may not have had at any other place. I shall always be grateful for that time in my life. I often wish I could go back but I know it would never be the same. However, I would love to share "my Alaska" with as many people as possible. Should you ever go looking for a unique, special trip....... GO!!!! and take a walk on the wild side...
When going to Alaska. I recommend the following places to visit:
1. The University of Alaska Museum of the North - University of Alaska Museum | Museum of the North (uaf.edu) The museum is located on the campus of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks
2. Pioneer Park -Pioneer Park | Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK
3. Noth Pole Alaska Santa Claus House – North Pole is actually a small town twenty minutes south of Fairbanks on the Richardson Highway.
North Pole, AK | Things to Do, Recreation, & Travel Information | Travel Alaska
Santa letters from North Pole, Alaska since 1952 | Santa Claus House
There are many other things to do in Alaska. If you visit in the summer these are just a few that I recommend also salmon fishing and bear watching especially if visiting Kodiak Island . If going during the winter I recommend enjoying a dog sled ride, a snowmobile ride possibly skiing and sledding. Any visit to the land of the midnight sun is going to be memorable. You will of course wish you had much more time to enjoy the rugged beauty of Alyeska (The Aleut word for “great land”.)
For tips and info on visiting Alaska, go to a website by Caroline Makepeace for almost everything you need to visit the Yukon. Caroline Makepeace writes a travel blog. 9 Essential Things To Know Before Visiting Alaska (ytravelblog.com)
Alaska: AKA Where Adventure Awaits
Official Alaska Vacation Information | Travel Alaska
There is an old joke about newcomers to the Yukon such as Alaska, it goes:
Newcomers are called chechakos; long-time residents are called sourdoughs. To become a sourdough, you have to accomplish three things.
1. Piss in the Yukon River.
2. Screw an Eskimo.
3. Kill a Grizzly Bear.
Now of course, all sourdoughs will tell you that should read as follows:
1. Piss in the Yukon
2. Kill an Eskimo
3. Screw a Grizzly Bear
I was born in 1956, some 38 years prior saw the end of "the Great War", World War II had only been concluded some 11 years before and the Korean conflict had ended only three years before my birth. My lifetime would see war in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975. Other conflicts followed some still continue to this day:1961- Bay of Pigs1983 - Grenada1989 - US Invasion of Panama1990 - Persian Gulf War1995 - Intervention in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2001 - Invasion of Afghanistan2003 - Invasion of IraqThroughout this time men have fought and died for this country and its ideals. Having been raised the son of a man in military service; I fully understand the sacrifices placed upon those who serve. Fortunately for me, my father did not have to give his all in battle. He was however a veteran and served twenty years in the armed forces. It is with great respect I salute the American flag and the patriots serving under that flag that never came back.... gone.... but never forgotten... may you rest in eternal peace.... and may God bless...I dedicate this to my father and those who have served.
Dragonflies and lightning bugs on a long hot summer's day
Childhood memories recalled at the end of May
Blue skies and sunshine thanks to merry old Sol’s rays
Barbecues and concerts, family fun in the park
Dogs chasing Frisbees with an occasional loud bark
We'll catch those fireflies as soon as it’s dark
Softball and horseshoes with the church deacon
Ice water and lemonade refresh within reason
Thanks to my Granddad, It will soon be watermelon season
Suppertime is near and the sky is turning gray
There’ll be a concert and upon the grass, I will lay
Now you know just how I'll spend.... my Memorial Day
-Don Magee Memorial Day 2012-
On a day, much like any other, without fanfare, I will make that journey from here and now to a place where only memories dwell. With few friends and little family, I shall barely be missed nor long remembered. Just a plain and simple man with the hopes and dreams common to most. Hopefully, though, the world will speak gently of me, with great embellishment, in the few mutterings given about my life, the kindest being “He made me smile”. Don’t dwell however on what happened or why. Just be aware that I am finally at peace and the pain is finally gone.
The eldest son of a couple born and raised as what’s affectionately called a military brat I’ve seen much of the U.S. and several exotic locales; however, I claim South Mississippi as home. Being a lone wolf, I was destined to be the prodigal son and walk the path less chosen to the tune of a different drummer. I always chose my own way yet tried to tread lightly. Life however kept finding new ways to try to break my will, torture my soul and cause me grief and pain. I battled my own demons, accepted blame for my own mistakes and tried not to find fault in others. Though bittersweet, there has been much music along the way.
Music. A defining element for many and so it has been for me as well. Music has always been present and a part of my life, from singing with my mother at an early age to working in radio, creating jingles and programming music formats. The soundtrack to my own story is rich with the best artistry of the twentieth and twenty-first century. Much of the material here is biographical in nature however bear in mind it is partly fiction. Names, dates and places are not necessarily true, factual or real. Story lines and details have been invented and or embellished. What you are now reading is the preamble to my first book in which the first twenty something years or so inspired the stories you have embarked on, much about my own life, the people in it and the background to understanding the self-reflection, in which I will cover much of the pain and sorrow (not all my own) that has been great fodder and cried out for alliteration.
D'Lo (pronounced D Low), Mississippi is a small town in Southcentral Mississippi along US Highway 49 in Simpson county, next to the Strong River. There are a number of different stories as to how the town came by that name. Truth be told, the most likely explanation is, that area around the Strong River was originally mapped out by French explorers. On an old French map, there is a notation about "de l'eau" which is a French word having to do with "some water". A village was eventually founded there and went by the name Delo. In later years, a town was incorporated there and the Post Office was officially granted under the name of D'lo and there are some discrepancies as to how it came to be spelled the way it is. All that is really important in my narrative, is that a town actually exists by that name. It is notable due to the odd name.
From the time I was old enough to remember, I have seen the sign for D'lo along that Mississippi highway more times than I could count. My mother's family lived in Jackson, Mississippi and my father's family had long been residents of Mt. Olive/Collins in Covington county of south, Mississippi. The main route between Jackson and Mt.Olive was the route along Highway 49 and the halfway point was about D'lo. Every time we made the trek back and forth I would see the sign and know about how far I had to go. Thus D'lo became sort of a landmark along the route. As I grew older and made the drive myself, I would estimate the time to get to either destination according to the time I went by the D'lo sign.When I was still a high school teenager, (my parents being separated) Mother was dating. She and other family members of legal age would usually party on the weekends. One weekend, my uncle, (mom's brother) called to find out what everyone was doing for the weekend and to relate his latest misadventure. It seems that the night before he had imbibed a few too many and wound up running his car into a ditch and as it happens it was at D'lo. Needless to say, the local constabulary was not too impressed but it did not turn into a major incident, at some point, he and whoever he was with, were sent on their way. During his call, my uncle noted since mother was going out that night, he remarked "be careful or you just may wind up drunk in a ditch in D'lo by dark. Mother and one of my cousins found this incident to be humorous and took up the mantra "D'lo by Dark" to mean they were planning to go out for a wild night. I overheard the expression a number of times over the next few weeks, thus it was only natural that it stuck with yours truly for some time to come. When I grew older and traveled back and forth between Jackson and Mt. Olive, and vice versa, my sojourn would normally occur with me reaching "Dlo by Dark".
The particular tome, that you have picked up and are about to embark on will recount a number of adventures and tales in my many traverses. Relative to me during my excursion through life and the many series of events that ferried me back and forth along the route with a sign comprised of three letters that came to be ingrained in my memory for all of my existence, it is therefore only fitting that this collection of tall tales and embellished memories bear the moniker "D'lo by Dark".
© Don D. Magee
The Blues... There are a lot of them:
Air Force, Aqua, Azure, Baby, Cerulean, Cobalt, Cornflower, Cyan, Denim, Dodger, Electric, Egyptian, Federal, Iceberg, Indigo, Midnight, Navy, Non-photo, Persian, Powder, Royal, Sapphire, Sky, Slate, and steel...yes there are a few others.
And don't forget these blues, Baby blue, Out of the Blue, True Blue, Blue Movie, Big Blue, Bluebird, Blueberries, Blue Balls, Blueblood, Bluebeard, Bluebook, Blue Plate, Blue Ribbon, Blue Monday, Blue laws, Bluenose, Blue language, Feeling Blue, Singing the blues, and last but not least, Blue screen of death.
Long considered a corporate color, blue, especially darker blue, is associated with intelligence, stability, unity, and conservatism. Blue conveys importance and confidence without being somber or sinister. In many diverse cultures blue is significant in religious beliefs, brings peace, or is believed to keep the bad spirits away. The cool, calming effect of blue makes time pass more quickly and it can help you sleep. Almost everyone likes some shade of the color blue. Blue is a magnificent feng shui color. The phrase "feeling blue" is linked also to a custom among many old deepwater sailing ships. If the ship lost the captain or any of the officers during its voyage, she would fly blue flags and have a blue band painted along her entire hull when returning to home port.
Blue is a universal word/color in many ways. In German to be blue is to be drunk... and of course, there are a few missing such as the shade you turn "when you hold your breath or cannot breathe", the song for extreme depression "Bluer than Blue" or "Blue Bayou", and Billie Holiday's "Am I Blue" and the sauce in Z.Z. Top's, "TV Dinners" and my personal favorite "Blue Moon"... however I don't think I would paint my ass blue for anyone. Yes, blue is very versatile and this homage to BLUE could go on for a very lengthy time, however, I think I'll wrap it up before I hit a "Blue note"...
Well.... I'll never again walk into a hospital ER, do a Tarzan yell, complain about the fact that my boomerang won't come back, and commence to do the Bertha Butt Boogie... needless to say, they strapped me to a gurney and wheeled me into a room with all manner of people in white coats. When asked what was wrong I replied, "My boomerang won't come back...and I feel dizzy". They stroked their chins, wrung their hands, scratched their heads, and pronounced me dain bramaged. After poking me full of holes with many and various needles, sticking me full of tubes and hoses, making me breathe a lot of weird noxious fumes and swallow innumerable foul and nasty tasting potions and pills they began to chant "ooo ee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang" which translates into "We can make him weaker and a whole lot poorer... we have the technology..... proceed to extract his wallet"...
I remember little after that... on a day soon after the chief monkey came by and pronounced me cured or a zombie...either was ok with him... After all that I managed to escape with the help of my sweet beautiful wife on June the third....as we sped away I could hear them shouting " Take two aspirins and call us in the morning"..... Home again...YES!!!!! but I never did find that damn boomerang...
I sit here basking in the glow of birthday day greetings and get-well wishes (or was that from all the candles on the cake that nearly burned down the neighborhood) wondering what's to come in my fifty-seventh year... and will I make fifty-eight? Just know I am fast losing my sight, can't feel the right side of my butt so if you feel flirty please pinch the left cheek, have to walk with a cane and what used to be my sex appeal is just my water spout...
I shall post little for a while..... it takes about two minutes to compose a post such as this in my head and an hour not counting naps to post it.....
Goodnight....and may God bless...
I wrote the following a couple of years back in the hope of educating friends and loved ones about an insidious disease:
I am all too familiar with, and pass this along due to my own experience in being diabetic, Type 2. Diabetes is becoming all too frequent and common among American people for very identifiable and reversible reasons. Believe me when I say “If I knew what I know now when I found out that I was pre-diabetic, I think I would be living a much more robust and healthy life today.” I found out I was diabetic with type 2 in 1996 and did not heed the warnings, do enough research, or make life changes until a lot of damage had been done. I can directly trace many of the problems I have with health today to complications and damage done by diabetes. The problems started with high blood pressure, rising glucose numbers, sight problems (fuzzy vision) from diabetic retinopathy, and cuts and scratches that were slow to heal due to a compromised immune system, combine that with feelings of lethargy and depression and you can start to understand just how insidious a disease diabetes is. Yet the worst was yet to come.
In November 2009, I accepted a position as Program Director/Operations Manager with a radio station in Alabama. I initially started my career in radio while I was a young man in college and after 13 years left to pursue a career in computer technology. After nearly eleven years I grew tired of the politics and bullshit in the technology sector and decided to try to go back to something more fun and looked for a radio position when I found the position in Alabama. I had only been there about a month when I came down with a very bad sinus infection. I went to a local doctor and was treated but was not getting better. The doctor then sent me to a local hospital for a series of tests. I was informed my blood pressure, glucose levels, and EKG all indicated bad things. I really did not understand because by 2009 I was not only on oral medications but having to take insulin injections as well. The doctor and his staff were so concerned they sent me to a major hospital in Birmingham for a heart Cath and told me they did not understand how I was still on my feet and walking around. That was on a Friday, the following Monday I was in the hospital in Birmingham and the heart cath was not done until that Wednesday. During the procedure, I awoke and the doctor told me that I was indeed headed for heart surgery which took place that Friday. In the space of a week, my life took a considerable change and I was faced with my own mortality. I had a major operation in a quadruple bypass that took over eleven hours. Obviously, I survived or would not be here to write this. After several months of recuperation and worry caused to loved ones I prevailed. But the story continues…
In May of 2013, I had a stroke, bleeding on the left side of the brain in the area known as the thalamus. Again more time in the hospital and grief and worry for loved ones. And it has left me with what is known as thalamic pain syndrome, a painful condition that causes a permanent burning sensation all down the right side of my body from head to toe and nerve damage and loss of feeling in my left foot and hand as well as some eye damage. Then in 2015 to further compound things my kidneys quit functioning normally and I had to go on dialysis which I now do for four hours three days a week. More time in the hospital, complications from an infection from a dialysis port in my chest, recuperation, stress, and worry to loved ones, and of course you can imagine how this can get expensive. All of it is directly related to diabetes and could be avoided with some simple effective life changes. They are the following:
Diet - This is a major one and the one I consider most important. It is also one of the hardest but most rewarding life changes that can be made. Give up carbohydrates and starchy foods such as beer, bread, cereal, potatoes (french fries, potato chips, etc.) rice, and pasta. Stay away from processed foods and eat fresh. Vegetables, berries, and nuts are much better options, and animal protein, beef, fish, and poultry, and include dairy such as cream, cheese, and real butter (no margarine). A salad with leafy greens, tomatoes, avocado, carrot, cheese, hard-boiled egg, and a raspberry vinaigrette makes an excellent selection. The point is that what you eat is much more important than you may realize. Two things I recommend in this pursuit of better nutrition is the book “ The 30-Day Diabetes Cure” by Dr. Stefan Ripich and CNP Jim Healthy. Of course, there is no such thing as a true cure but yes diabetes can be reversed and this book can get you started. Another great resource is the KETO diet which you can find much more about at the website dietdoctor.com. It outlines much of what I have written about here. An alternative lifestyle that is much healthier but enough on this and let us move on.
Weight Control - Many people have had a reversal in diabetes simply by losing a significant amount of weight, especially those who are obese or lead a very sedentary lifestyle. Using a diet such as the KETO will help to accomplish this by cutting down on sugar and starch, which are major enemies. And finally, that leads us to …
Exercise - keep moving, everything helps. Gruesome strenuous exercise is not fun but you don’t have to go to that extreme. Just keep moving whenever you can. Walking is great for the body, some simple weight-lifting repetition and a few stretching exercises like Tai Chi also help.
Everything here can be done by anyone and the health reward will be most beneficial in the long run. What has compelled me to share this information with you? I have lived a life that has been affected by the scourge of diabetes, see the effect that it has had on my loved ones who have had to deal with my affliction and the problems it has caused, and deal with the losses it has caused me in terms of health, monetary expense and personal freedoms and enjoyment.
It may be difficult to understand why I have shared this but perhaps an account of first-hand knowledge and experience can help to make a convincing difference in the love of YOUR life. Everyone deserves a better outlook than what I have lived through. If someone had been able to share what I have written here back in 1996, I hope I would have taken it to heart. I had to do it the hard way and live through it or rather suffer through it and of course I am still here, Life goes on albeit much differently.
It was late July in Biloxi, and our small band of land lubbers had arisen early, 4a.m., to have breakfast at a local hash house and head off for a day of fun, sun, and charter fishing or so we hoped. It was something that none of us had ever done before. Heading out the motel door, all of us were somewhat anxious. The air was heavy and humid, lightning was striking in the direction of the gulf and light rain was beginning to develop. Breakfast was somewhat somber and optimism was low. We talked about the "correct" breakfast to have in the event of being seasick, assuming we would even get on the water.
After breakfast and of course my favorite Community coffee, we made our way to the dock where our boat and Captain awaited. The Captain was busy giving the boat a thorough check. It was nearly 6 a.m. and though the skies did not look promising the weather forecast was more to our liking. According to the weatherman, the front was blowing inland away from the gulf and should clear within the hour with better skies the rest of the day or at least until late afternoon. The captain said his only concern was a thunderstorm to the east near Mobile and what it might do. We all made our introductions and huddled around some picnic tables on the dock, having another cup of Community Coffee, eagerly waiting for the Captain's decision, and listening to other locals expressing their concerns. They too were wrestling with whether or not to head out into the big water, risking the onslaught of storms and high seas, or stay close to the confines of the harbor and the shelter of land.
Around 7a.m. the Captain and the deckhand, Matt gathered us up and had us board the boat. The weather had broken and the whole front was pushing inland. Although the skies were still overcast, clouds were breaking and the seas were calm and there was virtually no wind. Our trip was a go!
Our Captain, Captain James we called him, was ex-coast guard and licensed and certified for much bigger vessels than the boat we were taking out. The boat was a 3310 Proline. A thirty-three-foot boat with a forward cabin, that included a galley, marine head, a flying bridge, and air conditioning. It sported two inboard diesels and was considered one of the fastest boats on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I believe it. The Captain was a seasoned veteran with a love for water and charter fishing. It makes a real difference to go with someone you like, and with his easygoing wit, we all took to the Captain very quickly. The deckhand, Matt, was much younger than any of us but like the Captain, had a great sense of humor. As I later found out, Matt had pretty much been raised around boats and knew much about saltwater fishing. He was also a very hard worker. I know that I would never have been able to keep up with the pace he set in that humid July heat. The first order of business was introduction and information. We all gathered around aft as the Captain gave us an indoctrination of the boat, and what to expect, answered questions, and explained the rules:
Rule 1. - Safety First. This was crucial above all else and he explained what all that encompassed.
Rule 2. - Have fun. That's why we were here, and what it's all about.
Rule 3. - The Captain never gets wet!
Finally, we were off! It started with a long but pleasant boat ride. The sky was somewhat overcast so the heat was never a problem. The smell of salt water, as the wind blew through my hair and the surf splashed the sides of the boat, just served to heighten the anticipation of catching big fish. The captain was taking us far out into the gulf in the direction of the Chandeleur Islands off the coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. The biggest challenge in blue water fishing is " finding the fish ". As it turns out though, the captain had no problem doing that. Eventually, he came to a stop, explained that we were about to start trolling, and with luck, the fishing would commence. We were miles from anywhere or anything. All you could see as far as the horizon was water and more water, and occasionally an oil rig. Matt rigged the poles, put the lines in the water, and away we went at a slow pace.
I had just opened a bottle of cold water and was taking a drink when it happened. "FISH ON!" Matt hollered. I saw one of the poles twitch and shake as he grabbed for it and handed it to one of us. We took turns as much as possible in stepping up to reel in the fish or fight them as the case may be. The fishing was nearly non-stop most of the day. Many times during the day, we were literally busier than the one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. As soon as we could reel one in and get the line back in the water, we would have another one hit. What Fun! I was mesmerized and, pardon the expression, "hooked". Catfishing would never seem the same after this. I never caught so many fish, so many big fish, so fast, in such a short time, ever, and was not likely to again. If you have never gone charter fishing, or have never been much of a fisherman but would like to try, this is the trip to take.
📷During the trip, while trolling, we all took turns visiting the Captain up on the flying bridge and getting a feel for riding on the bridge, the view, and how to spot the schools of fish that the mackerel were feeding on, which in turn led to where we would troll. Primarily we were fishing for Spanish and King mackerel and we caught some nice ones. Although we did not catch any records or "trophies" it was a blast! Most of us caught the "biggest fish" we had ever caught. I happened to get luckier than the rest of the group and towards the end of the trip landed a bonito. What a fight! At the time it was the biggest and prettiest fish I had ever caught, and definitely the most fight I ever got from a fish. I was really excited and thought that nothing could top this. I was wrong! A very short time later, being the only one not to have caught a "big King", I was getting preference to being handed the pole, when we would get a strike. (My thanks to all the others on the trip for giving me this opportunity). I was handed a pole that was bending nearly in half. What a fight! I was not sure who was going to win, the fish or me. At times I thought I was going in or going to lose the pole. Suddenly, it stopped, and felt like I lost him. I pulled and reeled and I knew he was gone. Just as I was going to pass the rod off, Wham! He took off again and the fight was on for another round. For a while, those around thought it may be a yellowfin tuna. From the boat, looking into the water they could make out a "good-sized fish" with yellow or amber markings. I don't know how long I struggled but I finally landed him. It was a Jack Crevalle! He was full of fight right up to the end. I was exhausted. I had just landed the bonito and turned right around and battled with this Jack Crevalle. I was extremely happy and proud, not to mention exhausted. We were done and started back for shore. I had a fishing memory and story that would last me for some time to come.
📷The sky began to turn overcast, and grew darker the closer we got to land. It was not looking good. As we approached, a few miles offshore the lightning started and a light drizzle began. The boat stopped and the Captain came down from the flying bridge. He laughed as he told us we were breaking rule number three. The Captain was getting wet! We all laughed. It was middle of the afternoon and we had just made it back to the dock. Everyone was safely ashore when the storm broke. Thunder, lightning, and rain as heavy as I have ever seen it. What luck. What a day. You could not have planned a better trip. As we waited for Matt to finish filleting the fish, the storm served to "air condition" the dock as we relaxed and had some Community Coffee. I told them in this day and time there were few chances for me to feel like a kid again but this day was one of them. We took our limit of fish, we were safe and we had a lot of fun, however, we did violate rule number three. (GRIN!)
This story took place a few years ago prior to the passing of my father who sponsored the trip. Thanks, Dad
His name was Tom. Thomas Dickson, yet as a child most called him Tommy and when he became a teen he preferred Tom. I knew him well, we were very close. Tom was one of those people that had a natural wit and charm about him. Never seemed to take life too seriously and was infamous for his exploits. Such as the time he mistakenly ate a whole bar of EX-LAX, when the directions called for a square. I laughed for days and it still cracks me up. When he was in the Coast Guard in California, he wanted to end his service to return to his home to be with his Mom and Sister so that he could "look" after them. He was scheduled to go to the hospital for an upper and lower GI series. In the wee hours of that morning, he got together with some friends and did a tab of LSD. They dropped him at the hospital for his appointment bright and early, still tripping. When he got to check in they gave him the usual forms and told him to go find a seat and fill out the papers.....he somehow interpreted that as go get lost. When they finally "discovered" him he had managed to find his way into the underground steam tunnels of the hospital and did not know where he was. Needless to say, he was admitted to the psych ward for evaluation, as well as the GI series... Not long after he convinced the psychiatrist to give him a General Discharge, but not until he had been put on a work detail at the hospital and was assigned to "paint" the psychiatrist's office... and did, the whole office... telephone, books, desk, chair, even the stapler and of course the floor... he even painted an obscenity under the desk drawer... So the psychiatrist believing Tom would eventually succeed in his desire to return home, recommended a General Discharge, not a medical or dishonorable but a General Discharge. Once Tom was staying with a woman and her daughter and was slated to "paint her house", while there Tom got into some sort of disagreement with the neighbor, so just to tick off the neighbor Tom started painting obscenities in large block letters on the side of the house facing the neighbor. The neighbor came over and complained to the young woman, fearing he would call the cops they took the paintbrushes away from Tom. During the night he managed to find a small brush from a paint-by-numbers kit and used it to finish painting wall-sized obscenities on the side of the house, then climbed into a tree with a pocket full of rocks which he threw at the neighbor the next morning as the guy was trying to get in his car and leave for work. Another time found Tom climbing over someone's fence to "use" their swimming pool. The guy had a nice pool and a large wooden Tiki head that decorated the pool area which Tom promptly threw in the pool. I was there when the guy came around and exclaimed to Tom's Mother "Your son threw my head in the pool!" I could go on and on. Tom left us much too early. He was born on Christmas in 1957 and died on Thanksgiving in 1978. He was one month from turning 21 years of age and I shall always remember him with great fondness. You see he was my brother, Thomas Dickson Magee. I miss you, brother.
Ernest Hemingway