MJ-Way

… My conversation at the coffee shop with the young technician who drove a Datsun Z-280 was fascinating. His name was John. He graduated from Fordson High School and Henry Ford Community College. He was an electrical apprentice for the General Electric Corporation and he would be installing all of their telemetry equipment at the medical center. He was working under a Master Electrician and he hoped to become one as well. I never met someone so well grounded. ( please excuse my play with words) He knew exactly how many hours he would need to work to fulfill that requirement. He also knew he was being paid well, and he wanted to enjoy it. So he bought a Datsun 280Z.

..He wanted to know if I’d like to see it and I was quick to say yes to that offer. As we came to the contractors parking lot I could see it gleaming under the parking lot lights. A silver metal flake finish, all black leather interior, 4 speed manual transmission, and it looked incredible. He wanted to know if I wanted to see how it drove and again I was quick to accept that offer. I looked at my watch and I still had a half an hour before my lunch break officially ended. The interior was padded, soft black leather. He seem to glide out of the parking lot with little effort and had command of the 4 speed manual transmission.

…We made our way to the expressway and he got to show me how well this car handled. He then exited on one of the service drives and was making his way up 3rd avenue, and commented about all the cars at the Willis Show Bar and Anderson Gardens. I laughed and looked at him quizzically. I explained, “you do know that this is Detroit’s Red Light District?” He seemed dumb founded. He didn’t know. He informed me that his friends hung out there. I shook my head. I informed him that they were not just there for the drinks. The ladies of the evening work there as well. I also explained to him that when I worked as a courier for the DMC laboratory, my brother also worked as an orderly in the Emergency Room. I would be called STAT to the Emergency Room to pick up bloodwork. My brother would inform me on what was happening.

…..It seemed the “ladies” made regular visits to our ER and the stories they told were fascinating but sad. I felt sorry for them and their predicament. I understood then why the Police always came down hard on the pimps. I also also gave him a little advice: ” It’s hard to run when your pants are down around your knees, and your wallet is being stolen, and that’s not including the ass whooping you just might receive at the hands of their pimps”. He looked shocked. “If you are looking for the young college women,” I explained, “go to Alvin’s. It’s on Cass Avenue just south of here. It’s a deli during the day and a cool place to hang out at night. They have local bands, and the drinks aren’t that expensive. The crowd is mostly young people, students, some from Wayne State University, and the medical center.” He thanked me as he dropped me back off at work. I thanked him for giving me a ride, and wondered if he would heed my advice. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued….. Deuteronomy 8: 10-18

…The blue print was very detailed for the renovation of the fourth floor of the Brush Building. What my boss wanted me to see was the protocol of this project. What contractors were coming in to do what, the time frames, what order they were being completed in and the companies they represented. It looked like they had hoped to complete this project within a six month period. They were all the leading medical equipment companies of the time. The telemetry would be state of the art. I would have to follow a flow chart of what would be taking place first. The unit was officially closed and staff were relocated to other areas of the medical center. All the equipment and hospital beds were moved into storage. I had signed off on that being completed earlier.

…The hospital’s Master Electrician would be coordinating all the needed electrical hookups with the medical equipment companies, where they would be located, what would be needed, and the placement of telemetry monitors at the nursing station. That work only took a couple of days and the new monitoring systems were in place. The technicians were in the process of testing them when my boss met me on the unit to go over the work schedule. He let me know they were right on schedule and a maintenance crew would be installing vinyl wall coverings through all the patient rooms, corridors and ancillary areas. Once that was completed, hand rails would be installed as well. I would be at the medical center Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. He wanted me to keep track of how much was being completed, and call him if progress was not being made. He expected the work to be completed Sunday night.

…This didn’t seem too complicated. and there would be a maintenance supervisor on site as well. Once the wall vinyl and the hand rails were installed, a general cleanup would be required before any further work on the unit would be completed. I understood my assignment and was given a list of monitors to check off as being installed. I was to check to see if they could be turned on and off from the Nursing station as well. That list was to be left in my supervisors office at the end of the night initialed by me as being completed. Again, any problems I was to notify him. He didn’t want any surprises in the morning. I had quite the work load. I had to make sure that the monitors were all working, or at least had power going to the unit when tuned on, and be controlled from the nursing station as well.

..I began checking the monitors at the furthest end of the corridor, and it was there I found a car key chain with the letter Z and numbers 280 laying on the floor under one of the rooms heating elements. I knew immediately what car this went to. A 1975 Datsun 280 Z. I figured the owner would be up here very soon to retrieve these and I was absolutely correct. One of the young technicians, looking quite flushed and agitated met me in the corridor. He didn’t have to say anything I knew what he wanted but I still had to ask him.

…”Did you forget something?” He was quick to respond. “You didn’t happen to find a set of keys?” I questioned whether there was any identifying features on the keys just to be on the safe side. He was quick to inform me that the letter Z and numbers 280 was on the ring. I showed him the keys and his face lit up as he smiled. I informed him that him and I needed to have a coffee together. I have questions, and one of them would be how a technician can afford to drive a Datsun 280 Z? He was more than happy to oblige me, and off to the hospital’s coffee shop we went. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued...Psalm 103

…She couldn’t help to comment again on how beautiful the starburst patterns looked in the terrazzo. I agreed with her, and felt I wasn’t making any progress getting her back to her unit. At that moment the best I could do was introduce myself by telling her my name, and what I did for the hospital. She told me her name was Angie, and she was indeed a cancer patient, but she was in remission. For that, she made sure to thank Jesus. I totally understood. For a cancer patient I was surprised she had a head full of thick brown hair. Usually, the chemo treatments eliminated the hair. I told her she seemed to have a strong faith. She wanted to know if I believed in Jesus or some other entity? “The Entity is Jesus Christ”, I proclaimed loudly, and she smiled.

…Just as I was wondering how to get her back to her unit, Margarite and my mentor Gwen walked into the area. Margarite spoke first, “Ms. Angie, I see you found Mr. Michael.” She was smiling when she said that and Angie looking directly at me said, “I sure did!” “Well than Ms. Angie”, Margarite continued, “Mr. Michael will you please escort Ms. Angie back to her unit? Her Doctor is looking for her, and needs to finalize her discharge papers.” “Not a problem,” I said most earnestly. I did feel awkward with the tone of this exchange but I was glad to hear Angie was going to be discharged from the hospital. I made sure to lock the doors on this nursing unit as we were leaving. I didn’t need any one else wondering inside here.

… Walking back to her room, Angie talked about her faith and how she believed it saved her life. The cancer was a small tumor on her thyroid gland and the Surgeon was able to laser it away. She had a small scar on her neck the size of a small marble, and she informed me the Doctor felt it would eventually fade. She felt very fortunate they found it when they did, and again gave all praise to Jesus. I smiled and remarked, “I totally understand your joy!” She was young women and had her whole life to live. They found no recent cancer cells in her system. The cancer was eradicated before it got a chance to get established and spread. The Doctor was indeed waiting for her when we returned. I wished her the best as my beeper began to buzz. “Oh,” she exclaimed. “You have a beeper.!”

….”Yes, I do.” I let her know I had to return this call ASAP but I wished her the best, and a continued blessed recovery. I excused myself and went to make the phone call. It was my boss and he had the plan on what was going to be the timeline for the 4 South patient rooms/ancillary areas renovation. He wanted me to see it before he left for the day. I made my way to his office, and much of the office staff had already left for the day. I thought it must be getting late. I knocked on the door and was told to “come on in.” Upon entering, I was surprised to see a large blue print tacked to the wall. My boss explained that what I was looking at was the renovation of The Fourth Floor Brush Building South. He explained it would be a total renewal of both the scope of services being offered our patients, and the design of the rooms to accommodate those services. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued…. John 1: 1-50

…I looked at the number on my beeper and I could tell it was from our receiving dock. With the new construction, our receiving dock was even smaller than before and I knew something must have come in for the Brush Building renovation project on the fourth floor. When I arrived I was greeted by our in house movers Dusty and Mike. They were already busy loading two rolls of carpeting on carts to be taken to the fourth floor. Ernie, the Receiving Department supervisor was happy to see me as well. He couldn’t believe how quick they were there to remove the rolls from his cramped space and take them to the Brush Building. He wanted to give me credit but I had to inform him it wasn’t me. Give them all the credit.

…They laughed when they saw me. “Oh look” they announced out loud, “it’s little-bit!” They had always teased me about my weight, my height, and compared to them, I did look like a hobbit. They believed I had a heroin problem, but when Dusty saw me smoking Kool cigarettes and drinking cold black coffee, he informed Mike it was a caffeine/nicotine addiction. “That’s why he rips through these buildings like the road runner.” I wanted to know why they thought I was a heroine addict? They informed me that most young white guys with long hair, who look like I do, are down here for the drugs. I knew what they were saying was somewhat true, but they weren’t just young white guys with long hair. The addicts I saw came in all nationalities, shapes and sizes. Some did look pretty gaunt, but I didn’t think I looked like that. Note to self: Don’t skip meals, and try to get more sunshine.

.. The carpeting was carted to the construction holding area on the fourth floor of the Brush Building. The hospital’s administration had decided that the terrazzo floors, which were the original floors, were a hazard to our patients, and staff. They were trying to minimize the injuries from slips and falls by putting carpeting over them. The Brush Building itself was designed by Albert Kahn. He was a well known architect and designer in Detroit. The terrazzo was unique in every room and corridor. The geometric designs laid out between the brass strip, coves and edging was a testament to the artisans of the time. They were beautiful pieces of art. However, over time, many had developed spider cracks and pitting. I could understand the decision to cover them. The hospital was hoping to look more like a nice hotel. The carpet would absorb the sound as well.

… As I was preparing to leave a young female patient had wondered into the area. She looked to be a cancer patient and I didn’t want to startle her. I asked, “can I assist you?” She stated, “I was just curious.” I was mad at myself for not closing the fire doors. The unit was left open when Mike and Daryl dropped off the carpeting. The unit hadn’t been cleaned in awhile and the dust and dirt was evident when all the furniture was removed. She looked at the terrazzo floors and commented how pretty they were. I had explained to her that they were badly damaged and the cost to repair them was more expensive than to cover them in carpeting. She was wheeling an IV pole and what I believed was probably medication attached to her right arm. I wondered how I could get her back to her unit diplomatically. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued…. Philippians 4:15-19

…After the old hospital debris was removed completely, the site was secured with fencing, the exposed facade of the Hudson building, and exposed entrances were secured as well. The site was now being prepared for what would be a new parking structure. That structure would have employee entrances to the center corridors of the Hudson building on the first and second floors only. Patients and visitors would use the first floor entrance to enter the hospital.

…The uniqueness of this medical center was that all the buildings were interconnected. You could practically walk city blocks throughout it and because of my experience as a courier, I knew how to navigate it without ever going outside. This was especially useful during the winter months. The next deconstruction/ construction project was scheduled for the Nursing Stations in the Brush Building. The design plan was to color code them with the Nursing Stations in the connected new Harper Hospital, Webber Building.

…I liked working on the 4th floor because of an employee lounge that was located behind the elevators in the Webber Building. A pop vending machine there always carried my favorite, “Mountain Dew.” I also got to see and speak with Margarite who seemed to be there when I had a break in my work load. I knew her when I worked as a courier for the labs. She was meticulous in her appearance but I had a feeling it was just her natural beauty. She wore her hair braided across the top, at which point it crowned into a tight pony tail behind her, and kept her hair out of her face exposing her high cheekbones. I had thought she could be a model.

..She was just as beautiful in the inside as she was on the outside. As a courier when I picked up specimens for her unit she would not only give me the needed paper work but would also leave a note for the Laboratory Technologist to call her for more instructions. Gwen my mentor had told me her boyfriend broke her heart and was a real loser. My conversations with her on my break always centered on where she grew up (on a farm in Monroe County), what she was eating that day ( usually yogurt she made herself), and my preposterous meal of peanut butter crackers and Mountain Dew (easily procured from the vending machines in the lounge).

…She just laughed and believed if I kept eating like that I would wither away. She would also always tease me about the young women here that seemed to be making passes at me and me being oblivious to it. I would usually just smile, say hello, and keep moving. I told her that my mentor (she knew who that was) had informed me after I had been caught leaving Newberry Hall( Nursing Students Residence) one early Saturday morning, I was to clean up my act immediately. I wouldn’t give up the student I had been visiting, and I professed my innocence. Lord knows there was no innocence in me but I maintained it anyways. She smiled and informed me that Gwen had told her about it.

…I let Margarite know that I was suspended for a week without pay, and with the DMC paying for my education, I didn’t want to mess it up now. Plus, when I left the labs to work for the Hospital Administration I had to give up my beeper, and I’m not giving my new beeper number to anyone. Though, I do wonder at times who is carrying my old beeper now, and how many calls they are getting? Curiosity is all. A story for another time I suppose, as I smiled back at her.

….She smiled and said to me most earnestly, “you don’t seem to be the marrying type. You seem driven, preoccupied, and the way you move through these buildings, you don’t stay long enough to speak to anyone.” I informed her they kept me busy checking on the contractors, and just then my beeper went off. “See, I got to go!” She shook her head and laughed, but her words had me thinking for sure. I thought to myself, “what is the marrying type?” Note to self: Next time I see Margarite, ask her who is the marrying type, in her eyes? I’m curious to know what she meant by that, and why she thought I wouldn’t be? My Life’s Journey To Be Continued…. Matthew 28: 16-20

…Once the old hospital was vacated and the clinics, offices relocated, the demolition was scheduled. I had to make sure to be there. I wanted to see it and be part of the history. I got to watch with other team members from the parking lot across the street. The crane was in place and a large metal ball was attached to a heavy duty steel cable. I was so glad not to have class today and be part of this event. The crane in place, it raised the weighted ball to be in line with the center copula, the highest point of the old hospital, and with a force the bricked framed wooden structure would succumbed to, he swung it towards the building.

… The minute that weighted steel ball crashed into the center copula, my heart thumped hard in my chest! However, my amazement was even more intensified when a colony of bats flew out of the falling bricks and lumber. “Wow, Holy shit!!!” That is all I could say. Somebody grabbed my arm, others were laughing, and I was too busy looking to see where the colony was headed. They disappeared over the hospital…. The Facility Administrator was quick to point out that a colony of bats that large probably left a rather large pile of guano. I had no idea what he was talking about. The Nursing Supervisor informed me the pile he was speaking of was bat poop. No worries now because it was buried within the construction debris.

… I thanked God the wind was blowing at my back as the created dust cloud blew northward and dissipated. The Street, John R, was blocked between Willis and Brady, and a large bulldozer was scooping up the debris almost as fast as the building was crumbling from the smashing. Two large double tandem dump trucks were parked on John R and the bulldozer operator loaded them quickly. I could tell this operation wasn’t his first rodeo and he loaded those trucks in no time. As they left, another group of trucks pulled up, the smashing continued, and those trucks were filled. I was in total amazement. This was a well developed plan. Somebody really thought this one through.

…I was glad to be invited to watch this. The Facility Administrator asked me “what I thought of the process.” All I could say to him was, “it’s a lot of work.” He smiled and said, “when you bake a cake you have to crack some eggs.” I always remembered that and it stuck with me to this day. It was a foreshadowing of my 15 year career with the Detroit Medical Center. However, I didn’t know it at that time. When the demolition was completed, a tall fence was erected around the site, and the crew secured two large gates as well. They could be swung open when needed giving direct access to the site. They definitely knew where we were located in the heart of the city. Security was never an issue. The many attempts of disturbing that security was. My Life’s Story To Be Continued…… Proverbs 13: 14-20

…The meeting was everything I thought it would be. I was going to start with one of the hospitals first major projects and that was the removal of the old civil war hospital. I would be part of a team of both skilled trades personnel, managers, and administrators over seeing this endeavor. I would report to the Hospital Facilities Director when I arrived in the afternoon. He would be responsible for giving me a checklist of items that needed to be signed for when the contractors completed them. I was going to be paid a salary every two weeks based on 48 hours (24 hours a week), and bonus pay for any hours worked over 24 should the need arise. I really do believe they had my best interests at heart. They paid for and wanted me to continue school but they also wanted me to be part of their team. I felt very blessed, and still do to this day. It was a great experience, and opportunity.

… I had a nostalgic sadness to know that this gothic hospital, built and opened for the injured returning union soldiers in 1863, was going to be torn down. I was happy to find out that Ernie who I had befriended while working in the Central Processing Department was promoted to a Supervisors position. He had made sure all of the antique equipment that occupied the surgical theater was either sold or in a museum somewhere. I was happy when he informed me of this. I told him I was working on the demolition team and was somewhat torn between the history of the Hospital and the future expansion. He was all for the expansion. The Central Processing, Stores, Receiving, and main Pharmacy would all have new state of the art facilities when the expansion was completed.

.. There were plans for a new parking structure as well giving employees and patients direct safe access to the hospital. Also, new clinics and Doctor’s offices would ensure more patients to utilize the new services being offered them. I had to agree with his enthusiasm. If the medical center was to grow, changes were part of the process, and that to me was always more easily said then done. I would miss the old civil war hospital. I believe it gave the Detroit Medical Center its character. The French call it, “ambiance.” That ambiance was of value, I believed. Our graphic arts department did take a picture of the old hospital and for awhile that enlarged photograph was displayed on a wall in the Brush Building lobby. It just wasn’t the same to me.

… Then as what only could happen in our special urban environment, a group of idiots believed they could pass themselves off as a legitimate moving company. They attempted to remove all of the civil war furniture, most of it dated from 1863, especially built for the hospital. It was still being used in the clinics. Oak chairs, cabinets with beveled crystal glass in lays, the hardware, beautiful polished brass, they loaded it all into a moving truck. Once they were finished they were quickly arrested, and prosecuted. The medical center didn’t want to have to move the furniture twice.

…Maintenance staff drove the truck to our warehouse where it was unloaded and the furniture safely stored. I learned a valuable lesson that day from my friend, now supervisor, in the Central Processing Department, Ernie. The management of the medical center knew what they were up against in this urban environment and made it work to the hospitals advantage. This would not be the first time something like this happened at the medical center and it for sure would not be the last. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued… Mathew 8: 1-2 & John 3:-16

… It wasn’t long before I was called to a meeting with the Director of Hospital Facilities, the Hospital Project Administrator, and the General Manager who worked for a private contractor responsible for all medical center renovation and new construction. Gwen was not kidding. After they formally introduced themselves, the Director of Hospital Facilities opened with a proposal. The hospital administration wanted someone to follow up on the construction projects and report on what has been completed to date. Since many of the contractors were working through the night, they needed someone to follow up with them, and report back any problems encountered that would deter completion. They also informed me I would be the one to schedule the areas to be cleaned and ready for occupancy by working with the Environmental Service night manager.

…..I would also be working with the skilled trades personnel, plumbers, electricians, and carpenters getting their “signoffs” as projects were completed. That information would be left with the General Manager and the Director of Hospital Facilities on a nightly basis. They understood I was pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree and my work schedule would be based on my class offerings. They were willing to work with me on that. “Was I interested?” This was a chance of a lifetime and I knew it. I was going to play a part in the growth of the Detroit Medical Center while I was still an undergraduate student at Oakland University. I let them know I was very interested. I also understood I’d have to work a flexible schedule. They understood my need to be in class to meet degree requirements by passing those classes as well. I would meet with them again.

… That meeting would be with our Personnel Manager, The Director of New Facilities Construction, and the Vice-President of Harper-Grace Hospitals. They told me the job was a good opportunity and they didn’t want to lose me. They thought other employers were interested in employing me as well. I was flattered, but still naive, and wondered what they meant by that? What other employers? I thought to my self, who has times for other employers? I was very excited and looked forward to our next meeting. In the days ahead that’s all I could think of. I had to refocus. School!!!! I had to stay on top of four classes worth of home work, papers due, and lecture notes to decipher.

…Exams were also coming up in all of my undergraduate classes. They were extremely important. They were all the classes required for my major in Public Administration and Public Policy. This was also my first full semester at Oakland University. This I thought would determine my career path and if I should pursue Law School. I had a lot riding on these four classes. I was even happier as I later found out I not only passed all of the exams with an A average, but I was now on the Deans list for academic honors. I had a 3.80 GPA. All I could think off was thank you “Jesus.” My prayers for continued guidance were being answered. This was a new world for me, and I wouldn’t be lying by saying at times I had felt very overwhelmed. All I could think of at those stressed moments was how nice it was camping in Canada, fishing for salmon, and driving on the open Canadian highway with music playing on my cars stereo. Hebrews 10: 1-10

…The summer celebrations were over and I was able to finish my Liberal Arts Degree from Macomb Community College in the Fall semester of 1976. I was accepted and enrolled at Walsh College of Business in 1977. I did well at the College taking classes in Marketing, Communications, Statistics, and Economics, but after a year I decided to enroll at Oakland University. I would complete my degree requirements and serve an internship. I enjoyed Walsh College but I wanted to pursue a degree in Public Administration and Public Policy. At that time, I was thinking about going to Law School after completing my Bachelors degree. All of my classes transferred to Oakland University from the Community College and Walsh College. I was happy about that. At the same time I had made the decision to go to Oakland University I was approached by Gwen. She needed to speak with me and wanted us to have lunch together. I made sure to make that appointment.

…I met here in the Grace Hospital cafeteria. The food there was always home made and I could get a meal that would literally last me all day for under a $1.25. If I wanted home made ice cream I would have to pay .25 cents for a large scoop. I didn’t choose the ice cream today but Gwen did. She always looked happy to see me and wanted to know how school was going. I let her know I had enrolled in Oakland University after spending a couple of semesters at Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration. My plans were to complete a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy. If my grades were high enough, and I stayed motivated, I would pursue Wayne State University Law School. She just seemed glad to hear this and smiled.

…She then informed me that that is why she wanted to meet with me today. Harper and Grace Hospitals had officially merged. Grace Hospital would be closed and demolished making way for a professional office building and an ancillary surgery center or better known as “same day surgery.” Wow, big plans I thought out loud. She shook her head and proceeded to inform me that the Administration of the Hospital wants to include me in their plans. She had a general idea of what they are looking for me to do, but would rather I hear it from them. She believed my work schedule would be flexible enough for me to continue my studies, give me a ton of experience, and a nice raise in salary as well. I was really surprised. “Are you interested?” She couldn’t keep from laughing. “You know I am,” I replied smiling. “A formal offer will be made at a later date, and for now,” she insisted, “let’s enjoy our lunch.” My world was about to change immensely. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued… 2 Corinthians 12:9

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… I like to fish. I began as a very young boy with my father, through my teen years with friends, their families, my college days, right up until the present. You can say fishing is an obsession for me. A real addiction. The tug on my fishing line the narcotic. My adrenalin rushes when that happens and the endorphins flood my brain. One of my high schoolfriends family had property in Auburn, Ontario. It was located on the Maitland River. One of the best fishing rivers I had the chance to fish on in Canada. The mouth of the river was located in Goderich, Ontario some 11 miles from where we would fish and swim during the summer in Auburn. The docks in Goderich were loaded with commercial fishing tugs much like the one pictured above. I mention this only to remember that I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of one Captain MacKay. He saw me fishing at one of the docks and took an interest in my fishing technique.

…He couldn’t stop laughing. He informed me that if I thought I was going to catch salmon that way I needed to change what I was doing. I was all ears. He reached into a box he had on his tug and informed me the fishing lure he brought out and now held in his hand was called “A Little Cleo.” It was a pretty lure. It was stainless steel with a sharp stainless steel treble hook attached and on one side it had a dark green streak. He said, “this particular lure could hook me a Co Ho Salmon if I knew how, where and when to use it.” I was once again all ears and it seemed the only thing I did right today was run into a fisherman, who was also a commercial fishing captain, and with his help he had me fishing in the mouth of the Maitland River as it emptied into Lake Huron for Co Ho Salmon.

…I was impressed that he was willing to show me what to do and how to maneuver the lure on my fishing line as I cast it and retrieved it. It was a lesson I never forgot and an experience that I would spend the autumn months doing on a regular basis. I would see salmon jumping out of the water not far from where I was standing and wouldn’t quit casting until I hooked one. The fight was memorable and fresh salmon unbelievable. That’s why on a day we were celebrating our countries bicentennial on the Detroit River, The Scottish festival, sponsored by the Society of Saint Andrew-Detroit, I was shocked to see a fishing trawler marked Goderich, Ontario and looking very much like Captain MacKay’s boat docking along side of the Detroit River.

.. I recognized some of his crew and wondered if he had made the trip as well. I was pleasantly surprised to see him and he was quick to recognize me. I welcomed him to Detroit and he laughed saying “I think you went to far to fish for salmon.” I smiled and thought wow he remembers and I had to tell him I still have the Little Cleo fishing lure he gave me. It was too valuable to lose but I used it to buy many others that I have lost fishing for salmon. “Then your doing it right,” he quipped. “Where can I get a cold beer and a whiskey,” he asked and I pointed to the tents. He shook my hand saying “It was good seeing you kid but I got a thirst to quench.” He marched off to the tents and his crew was quick to follow all waving goodbye. They were on a mission. All I could think of was the world is much smaller than I thought. Ephesians 5:20

This is Captain T. I have fished with this Captain for at least the past 15 years. We continue to be good friends and retired prison teachers. We fish on one of Michigan’s blue water rivers. He’s showing his heritage and is proud of it. He’s not a bad fisherman either.