On Sunday our little RV made its way to Spokane. Our mission: to visit one of Bunny’s oldest and dearest friends Chuck Teegarden and his wife Kathleen.
We spent the day catching up with them and being entertained by Chuck’s unique, larger-than-life storytelling style. If you know Chuck, you understand what I’m talking about. We laughed until we cried, ate lunch and then we were treated to a grand tour of Spokane, courtesy of Kathleen. All great fun!
Just a little history here: Bunny has known Chuck since he was about 10. He used to work for Judd at Sherlock’s Market! And we went to the Junior Prom together! He’s been an honorary member of the family for half a century.
We love you, Chuck!!!
Well there were no two funner girls than the Sherlock girls! Buns thankfully omitted the fact that Judd fired me after two weeks in the store because I wasn’t dexterous enough with the stamper, couldn’t bag groceries correctly and ran away from the Kotex display every time a woman approached! I was a country kid for sure!
The Sherlocks were like my second family. While occasionally plagued with small problems, they were otherwise a congenial, All American bunch! Their capacity to spread good will among the masses was exponential and constant. Pat, Dan and Tim could be counted on to greet you with a friendly fist to the shoulder. Buns developed the skill of giving demented humans, “the blank stare” rather than comment negatively on their situations, while Shelley more actively engaged them. If the sisters were in the same room, it was like a comedy act. Shelley interviewing the patient and Buns standing there mouth open, no words coming out!
I learned to BS from WWII guys like Judd and my old man. Talk about story tellers! I aspired to make Judd laugh and it wasn’t hard! Buns is a fine story teller as evidenced by her journalistic skills. Buns was blogging before there were blogs.
Our spouses spent the day shaking their heads at the madness. I never laugh so hard as when I talk to Buns! Shelley, we will make it to Portlandia for micro brews and madness! I feel very fortunate to have such a close connection after all these years. We use to laugh at ourselves a great deal in America and in fact that sense of humor got us through a lot of craziness. My own mother was still yucking it up on St. Patrick’s day just before she died and she didn’t have an easy life.
Damn fine thing to know some Sherlocks!
Laughter is, indeed, the best medicine. Thank you, Chuck, for providing so much of it for us Sherlocks (and the rest of the world).
We love you!
Love that photo of Chuck n Buns…..
I love you too Chuck!! I would love to see the prom phot posted!
I wish I could have been there to join in on the fun. Love that guy! Hope Chuck and Kathleen will be coming to PDX sometime soon. We’ll show them around Portlandia.
Remember the Fireworks Stand at Sherlock’s HWY Market? I think Chuck helped us experiment with the goods. Of course, they weren’t all that exciting unless you like those little black worms and nothing more sparkly than sparklers. I can still see Chuck standing there at the store in the store apron (green or maroon?) And at Oregon State too!
Love you!
p.s. do i get the maple syrup? i’ll share it with chuck….
🙂 Chuck and I talked about all of these things! And, yes, I believe you are the official winner of the maple syrup!