Red Magic and Cappel's Ace Hardware

Everett "Red" Faust of Atlantic passed away this past week. He was the father of my longtime friend Theresa, who passed away several years ago, much before her time. The Fausts lived down the hill and around the corner from us. Graysons were next door and the Weresh's across the street. Bredensteiners lived a half block away - scant seconds by bicycle. The Bucks were close by too.

Red Faust was quite a guy - larger than life, which was hard because he was like 6 foot 7 inches tall! His obituary is linked here: Red Faust Obit

Red was a radio guy by the time I knew him. Back then KJAN was Atlantic's only radio station - the one to listen to when one wanted to know what was happening in town. Were we having a snow day, released from school prison? Was our lost dog found? Red had a great radio voice.

Red could perform magic. When Theresa had slumber parties - which included ten or more of her closest friends, he would pull quarters our of our ears and do card tricks. He was game for anything. Robyn reminds me that he even played along with our "Lift" game. It was the usual slumber party thing to do. It went like this:

The volunteer. In this case - long, tall Red Faust lay on his back on the floor. The girls sat around him, each with 2 fingers under his body. The lead girl at his head said the words:
"He's looking ill." then everyone repeated that back, going around in order - clockwise. "He's looking worse" - everyone repeats. "He's dying" repeat and finally, "he is dead." Then everyone begins to chant: "Light as a feather, stiff as a board." (this was before we might have gotten a chuckle out of the subtext of that line...)
and they begin to lift the prone body with their fingers.

I'm not sure we got Red too far in the air! Red and Mary Jane, his wife agreed to judge a dance contest at the party too, as I recall. Later Chris Deardorff and I retired to sleep under the ping pong table. I couldn't handle the hazing that would befall others who fell asleep early - freezing bras, toothpaste on the legs, and the worst - a hand in the warm water, hoping the sleeper would wet the sleeping bag!

Rest in Peace Red. I am comforted with the thought that you are now with your beloved daughter Theresa.

Paul and I were shopping today and instead of purchasing 20 feet of chain for an antique paper press at Lowe's we decided to visit the Ace Hardware we spied on 50th and EP True. I like hardware stores - so full of cool stuff, with real people ready to assist you! As we walked in I noticed something I never had before - it said Cappel's Ace Hardware. Just like the store in Atlantic! Hmmm I wondered - are they related?

Connie Nixon - secretary of our townhouse association knows the Cappels in Atlantic. Before she retired she worked for an association for independent hardware stores. We selected a couple items and found the type of chain we wanted. Paul asked a guy working there to cut it for him, and they chatted. Turns out it was Dougie Cappel - no doubt now known as Doug.

In the small world department, Doug said he was just talking about me with my college roomie Jane Flack Conn. Their children attend Des Moines Christian School together. I taught swimming lessons to Doug (then known to me as Dougie) some 35 years ago at the Country Club pool. He remembers that.

It was so nice talking to Doug, the grown up man. He said such complementary things about our dad, Dave Bullock. He said his father Dick had attended Kemper Military School because of Dad, and that his dad thought the world of our dad. Doug also said he thought highly of Dad. It made me feel really good. I'll be buying local from that store again! You know, Des Moines isn't such a big place after all.

Dad 2002 - with his girls

Kelli's getting married, a tale of friendship

Kelli and Amy

I've known her all her life! Kelli Marie Behr has been the trial child of our college group. Parents Vicki (my college roomie) and Fred started with trial child kitty cat Cato. They didn't do so well with her. We blame Moose - he terrorized the cat and helped make her kinda psycho when she was in her formative months.

Kelli was the firstborn child that any of us had - born 8 months before Amy. So she was our model. Vicki and Fred lived in Ames back then, and all of us - Moose (Steve) and Kay, Jane, Hauser and others got together fairly often at their first home. I was soaking up all things "baby". I had the cat thing down - since I'd had Bucko before Behrs got Cato. I knew cats. Babies were foreign stuff to me - I hadn't done much babysitting, and knew practically nothing about them.

Thank goodness for the trial child, Kelli and Behrs to train us, or Amy might not have survived. I must also give a shout out to Dr. Spock - his book was my bible. Kelli was the perfect girlie child - never wanting to get dirty, pretty much potty training herself. Amy - not. I'll never forget the time we went to a little playground near Behr's home in Northfield, MN where they have lived for 26 years now. Amy was around 2 years old - sitting in the sand under the swings digging her hands around happily. Kelly had gotten her hands dirty and wanted to go home and wash them, of course. All of the sudden Amy's hand scooped sand into her mouth! My kid liked dirty hands AND eating sand. Great!

Amy and Kelli grew us as close as cousins - I love that! Vicki is one of my closest friends. For four years at Iowa State University we shared everything together, as close as friends can be. After that - of course we didn't see each other as much, especially when we got married and had kids. But not matter how long it has been, when we talk, the years fade away and we can pick up where we left off.

Amy and Kelli never roomed together, but they've known each other since birth. They experienced day camp at Bemidji when they were 6 or 7. They spent the 4th of July in Ridgeland, Wisconsin together for many years. The girls were the oldest and bossed the other kids around when they went to a sitter's while the parents attend ISU football games in Ames each fall. When Amy attended ISU, Kelli would visit - as she attended St. Olaf College in her hometown. Amy says their relationship is similar to mine and Vicki's - they can pick up right where they left off.

Amy was thrilled to be asked to be a bridesmaid in Kelli's upcoming wedding. Kelli will marry Toby Hoskins next Saturday. Our whole family will be there, along with Moose and Kay and their daughters Jaime and Alyssa - more cousin-like friends. Jud and Behr's daughter Lauren are also close in age, but because of the difference in interests and the fact that we didn't get together as much - they didn't bond with each other like Kelli and Amy. It's been a very long time since we had the whole Behr, Wilt, Goldsmith clan together. Add in the Hausers, maybe Hustons and Jane. It should be a blast!

Congratulations to Kelli and Toby. You will be surrounded with friends who love you.


Yesterday I ventured to the Des Moines Farmer's Market by myself to pick up a special wedding gift for Kelly and Toby. Paul was busy and I was on a mission. The morning was gorgeous!

Flowers outside Federal Courthouse

Footbridge across the over-full river

Excellence Brazilian band

Love people watching

Bike shop on my way back to the car - you can see the spokes of a big wheel bike

Kate graduated - how can that be?

What's the world coming to when my youngest cousin's daughter graduates from high school? I'm officially old. Oh well - Paul's grand niece already graduated from college. Ha!

Back to me. My cousin Amy Lamm Brownlee's daughter Kate graduated from Cherry Creek HS last week. Her reception was Sunday morning - how convenient, since we were in Denver to see our Amy and attend niece Leslie's baby shower. It was nice to see my cuz Richard - his nose was a bit out of joint since he wasn't invited to the baby shower. (Gurlz Only) Marty and Bill recently moved - so we'll have to check out their new place when we come back for Christmas. This trip we all stayed at the Marriott. Brownlees and fam were busy entertaining their guests so we soon said goodbye, leaving them to celebrate with their grad.

After the party, we headed to Vail, stayed at Cindo's and had a chance to shop at the fab store in Edwards, Ptarmigan. Amy got the perfect bag for her travels in South and Central America. That night we were invited to eat a delicioso meal at Bonnie and Eric's - barbecued ribs and chicken. Bonnie's potato salad was bueno too. Eric has been re-doing their master bathroom, tiling it himself - very nice. Wine guy Frank was there too. Fun hanging with those guys in the summer. Bonnie will be coming to DSM with Cindo in a couple weeks - her first trip to Iowa so we'll need to put out the red carpet.

Two beautiful women - graduate Kate Brownlee, and my Auntie Martha

Susi's pal Debbie, Jordie's honey Westy (making a face) and the Jordo

Pablo, Amy and mamma Leslie

Uncle Bill chats with Susi

We dropped Amy off in Denver early Monday a.m. and loaded her desk up in our car. Paul made it for her out of oak when she was in college - now the top has cracked, most likely due to the dry Colorado climate. Paul will work his magic on it.

 

We listened to "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" during the trip. I bought it at a book sale, as I enjoyed it so when I was commuting. Paul liked the movie, and the book is 16+ hours, just right for this trip. The reader really brings the characters to life.

 

Tomorrow our recycled plastic deck furniture is scheduled to be delivered. Finally! Now we can finally invite guests over for drinks on and deck. I'm excited. Tonight as we walked off the deck to take Odie for a walk, Creston's Kyle McCann (former Hawkeye QB) and wife Maggie with their 2 daughters were walking by across the street. Paul called to them and we walked along for a bit as their girls rode bikes. We're Neighbors! 

Baby Shower, AWB and Waffles and Chicken

Saturday was the baby shower for Leslie Lopez and bambino. He's due July 17th - her birthday and wedding anniversary. She looks so pretty - all tummy! The party was at the Denver Tea Room.

Amy (our talented graphic designer daughter) designed the invitations and name cards at the tables - complete with little phrases about each person. Jordan (who should be an event planner) arranged the decorations and games. Lots of games. The food was delish! Tea, of course, and little sandwiches and scones - warm, just from the oven. There were fancy cupcakes for dessert too. Susi was in charge of paying for the above...

Cindy, Amy Brownlee, Aunt Marty

Susi, and her friends Debbie and Sher

 

Jordan, Amy, Kate Brownlee, and preggers Leslie

Yummy Food

Leslie received lots of nice gifts. Or should should I say, "Herman" did - as Cindo called the babe.

Herman gets a basket from Aunt Betso, who couldn't be with us
 

It was a great party. We're looking forward to meeting the little guy in a few weeks! Later, after a rest (it's hard eating and drinking) we walked walked around downtown Denver. They were having a rock event and an art event - and the weather was fabulous.

 

 

We walked by one stage - and they were singing, "Pick Up the Pieces". It was the original Average White Band. Okay - most of 'em. They sounded great. We had a band that sounded kinda like AWB for our senior prom - every song sounded like "Cut the Cake".

 

That's AWB behind Cindy and me

We ended up at a nearby bowling alley - they had a bloody mary bar and Paul could watch the baseball game with 7 women. Later Amy, Paul and I walked to a local bookstore, Tattered Cover. It was very cool - way nicer than a Barnes and Noble.

 

We ended the day at a funky restaurant that Cindo selected called Euclid Hall - named after the mathematician. Their menu is interesting - after appetizers of pickles and sausage, Amy had pig's ears - fried. Paul had chicken and waffles. The chicken was ground and covered with even more coarsely ground chicken. Cindy had a cauliflower salad. I had a mini fish sannie.

IN front of Euclid Hall

It was a busy day - I love my family. I slept like a rock!













Free Weekend

Thanks to all the veterans who have served our country. My family enjoyed a beautiful weekend because of your sacrifices.

We left Des Moines Thursday afternoon and pulled in to the Cabela's store in Kearney, NE around 6 p.m. We used to think that place was great, but now the other newer stores put it to shame. Paul got broadheads. No - they are nothing to do with women...they are razor sharp points for his arrows.

We took off early the next day and were able to have lunch with Amy at our usual spot - Udi's. Amy eats gluten free when she can, and they have a great gluten free menu. They have great sandwiches and can even get their granola at HyVee here.

We checked into the Marriott Residence Inn downtown after shopping at REI - the sporting goods superstore. We got socks. It is a cool place, and people there are so active. We went to Amy's temp new digs. Oh did I tell you she moved? Amy quit her job. She's done Friday. She will leave early next week to drive through North Dakota on her way to Minnesota to be a bridesmaid in her good friend Kelli Behr's wedding in Northfield. Of course we'll be there, along with Jud and Kara. The Behrs are like cousins to our kids - since there mom Vicki is my college roomie.

Then Amy will come to Des Moines for a few days before she leaves for her "walk-a-bout". Yeah, I know she's not an aborigine. But that's how I'm thinking about her trip to South America, with stops in Peru and Ecuador by herself. She is heading to central America too and will travel with her friend Rachelle. Megan may join her too. Am I nervous about the trip? Hell yes! But she's got to be Amy and this is what Amy does.

Back to Friday. By then, Cindy had arrived. There was a bit of confusion about our rooms - the Marriott was having a hard time figuring out the Bullock girls! But we straightened them out. Kinda. Today Susi got a survey that called her Cindy Alvillar. Susi brought along her friend Debbie for the next day's shower. The six of us had a reservation at Oceanaire that night. It was a cool place with an attentive waiter. Susi even got us baked alaska for dessert!

The walk back was gorgeous. Denver has great architecture. Cindy, Paul and I took a walk the next morning so I continued my photo op. The baby shower, hosted by Amy, Susi and niece Jordan for niece Leslie was later that morning.

check out the trees on the roof

 

We walked by Oceanaire - love Paul and Cindy's reflections

You can't tell but that is purple lettering and relief on this building - the green car is wearing a boot

 

 

 



Great Auntie

I know I'm a great auntie...but now I'm really going to be one. And the little bambino will have Bullock blood in his veins. It's so exciting!

Paul and I have wonderful nieces and nephews - from his oldest nephew Tom, who has to be closing in on 50 years of age to my youngest nephew David who is 15. On Paul's side we have lots of great nieces and and nephews too. The oldest graduated from college already! And there is another on the way in Kansas City.

Susi's step son David (who has been a part of our fam since he was three) and his wife Ashley had a son, Jonah a year ago. He's adorable. My niece Jordan keeps me updated with photos and videos - he just started walking.

Not too long after the sadness of my brother-in-law Bolder's death due to prostate cancer that went viral, my niece Leslie and her husband Jordan announced they were expecting. You may recall their fabulous wedding in Pasadena where they live. I blogged about it. (My life is an open blog) Amy was a bridesmaid, and many of my relatives were there. We had such fun in Santa Monica with Cindo and Bolder and Amy before the big day too.

I won't ever forget when Leslie was born (July 17 - she had been due on the 10th) - it was a highlight in my life, a year before my own special daughter Amy was born, a month before Cindy got married. Paul and I were married and living in Osage, Iowa at the time, but I was traveling Monday through Friday in Wisconsin - flying out each week from Mason City on a prop airplane to Minneapolis and changing planes to fly to Green Bay. I was in my hotel bed when Dad called to say "It's a girl! Leslie Patricia." The first grandchild. Special Special as Alberta Foster used to say on Creston Radio.

Leslie married a great guy in Jordan Lopez, and now he's going to be a great daddy. I don't think he'll be there this weekend when we get together in Denver for a baby shower for my niece. Amy, Jordan and sister Susan are hosting it at a tea room there. Sister Cindy, Aunt Marty and my cousin Amy will be there, along with other friends of Susi's and Leslie's. I can't wait to hug that little momma and the rest of my family.

Sadness
My heart goes out to Moore, Oklahoma - hit by a twister. Children were killed at school - how tragic. Is there no end to tragedies this year?

Weeping Willow

I went for a short bike ride today after I finished up my work week. I rode west on the trail, under Jordan Creek Drive, just south of a line of homes lined by trees. One is a large weeping willow. I started thinking about a similar tree that had a big impact on my life.

When I was growing up, we treated our neighbors' yards like our own. There were few fences back then. The Duttons had a fence and we decided the big rock in the back yard must be the grave stone of old Mrs. Dutton's departed husband. We'd stand on a rung of the fence and peer in between the ivy. The Browns had a partial fence too, to protect their garden. Most of the others on our side of the block (it was a big one) had wide open yards. We traipsed through all of them.

The first next door neighbors I remember at 202 Crombie were the Germains - Jack and Phyllis with their children, Margie, Dorothy, Johnny and Barbie. They were all older than me and they moved away when I was little. I didn't know it - but Phyllis was something of a celeb!

Golf Hall of Fame
Phyllis Germain

She once beat Babe Didrickson in a golf game. Her daughter, Dorothy went on to play professional golf too. I didn't realize her sister-in-law was one of her competitors. Perhaps that is how she met Jack, her husband.

When the Germains moved away, a family named the Mahoneys moved in briefly. The only thing of note that I remember about them is that one of their kids burned or threatened to burn one of us with a car cigarette lighter and Dad got really mad and punched him.

Then the Reinertsons moved in. Their kids were one grade older or younger than each of us. Plus they had a boy - Donnie stuck in there. They were great neighbors and we entertained each other better than any electronics ever could. In nice weather we rarely went indoors. There was a sandbox and our playhouse and the "woods" near our house. Technically the woods couldn't really be considered woods - more like a 7 yard wide strip of trees, bushes and undergrowth. We could be anything there - pioneers, space explorers, secret agents. I loved climbing trees.

Reinertsons had a pretty nice swing set with jungle gym bars plus that willow tree. It was like a siren - calling to us. "Swing on me!" We used the branches for a variety of things. Whips, of course. I'm sure Mom had to solve many a whip-related incident. We also made them into bridles when we played horses. Susi broke her wrist swinging off the tree - so that activity became taboo!

The willow tree in West Des Moines doesn't look like it gets that much action. It can dream though.

Water Park in WDM

Bike trail signs help direct me. This one runs along EP True just north of the mall

I liked my little ride down memory lane. I'd forgotten what cool neighbors we had. I'm looking forward to getting to know our new neighbors here.