Post date: May 8, 2012 1:25:18 PM
Today is May Day, not to be confused with my friend Clyde "Bub" Mayhew Day, which is actually any of the 365 days in the year. Bub has always been sort of an interesting chap/gent. We first met playing 3&2 little league baseball back in KCK. He first played for his father, who coached Fiddlers, while I played for Monarch Loan. Later we both moved into the next age bracket and played for Rotary Club. It reunited him with many of his classmates and provided me with a true and good friend for all these years. I ended up shipping out to boarding school and Bub ended up at Wyandotte High with all of the cool people and hot chicks. How I envied him. Over the next few summers and holiday vacations back home, he and I developed a unique relationship. Bub was the ultimate coxswain or ladies man. Guys who wore glasses in those days weren't suppose to be in. However, Mr. Mayhew just beamed his smile and had the honeys salivating to spend some time with him and experience "Bub's World". He was like the prophet leading the sheep to slaughter. Even back then, he was more than a Richard Gere. He had various curiosities about life in general. Have learned later on about him developing his vocabulary and interest in mundane things like literature and poetry, which was not something our generation strove to delve too deeply into. Having Bub as a friend in those days was like having an entry into the A-List today in Hollywood. Often thought that he kept me around as a scapegoat if one of his escapades or experiments didn't work out and I could be the fall guy. Interestingly, when something didn't go according to plan, Bub took the full responsibility.
His parents were the most accommodating individuals and anyone that entered their home always left with a smile. His father seemed gruff, but really had your best interest at heart and had an uncanny sense of humor. His mom always had this smile, unless we did something really out there. Even later on when Bub was away at college or in the AF, you could stop by and be welcomed. I always hoped that our lawnmower would break down so I could take it to his dad for repairs knowing it would be a true experience. The man took that job very seriously.
Bub always kept my life very interesting in those days. Was difficult for me to meet people, going to boarding school and having limited time when home in KCK. Bub made sure I didn't have to endure too much boredom. We hit all the parties, dances, beer busts and anything else that might peek one's interest and provide some amusement. He always had a way of making things fun. Remember driving 180 miles to Wichita to have a frosted beer at Ted's and seeing if we could set a new time record for getting back to KCK in his prized 56 Ford. Then there was the time we kidnapped a local sweetie and took her to the Topeka Zoo. Throw in Carl "Garbo" Nicholson and you had an unusual trio out there.
At the end of my junior year at Maur Hill, I defied school regulations and returned to Atchison for a private party I put together at a local motel. A few of my classmates stayed in town, which they weren't suppose to do also. Bub, Carl and I returned to Atchison from KCK with a trunk load of cold beer and booze, rented a couple of motel rooms and the party was on. The next morning there was room furniture in the parking lot and the rooms looked like they had been hit by a tornado. Early that morning the motel manager with 2 faculty priests from MH informed all that the party was over. Myself and my MH classmates had to report to the Head Master on campus. We were all temporarily expelled and given the terms for possible reinstatement for our senior year. One of those was that we pay for all the damages by 4:00 PM that day. It was about $400 (1962) and amongst all of us we maybe had at most $75. As KCK was only an hour away, Bub and Carl came up with the idea to go back and solicit donations from the students at Wyandotte and Ward Highs. Carl went to Ward and hit up everyone he knew or didn't know, explained the dilemma and came up with a sizable sum of $75-80. Bub and I went to Wyandotte and pursued our fundraising effort there. Was one of the most amazing things I've ever been a part of. There were those I knew, but most of whom I didn't, however because of Bub, they chipped in their lunch money or anything they could spare. The famous Wyandotte/UCLA/Laker/NBA basketball player Lucius Allen even put in $5. Remember thinking how lucky and fortunate I was to have Bub as a friend. By 1:00PM we had all the cash we needed to get me off the legal hook with the motel. We actually did better financially than we thought. We had amassed enough to be able to afford a couple of six packs for the return trip back to Atchison and a few more sixers for a small get-together to tout our accomplishment later that evening.
We both went off to college and our time together dwindled. He got married went into the AF and we lost touch for quite a while. After I got out of architecture school at OU, I was doing a lot of travelling to various offices across the country for my firm. On one of my trips going back to OKC from DC, the flight got diverted thru KC. Who would I run into at the airport, but Bub. He was ground control operations manager for Braniff Airlines. During that layover, he got me really snockered in the VIP Club and then had the stewardesses put me in first class for a most memorable last leg of my flight to OKC. Barely remember getting off of that plane. Those 2 stewardesses had to literally carry me off. Was having one helluva time until I noticed my wife staring angrily at me as they drug me through the arrival gate. Am sure Bub was proud of himself and still smirks at the thought of his accomplishment. Thanks Bub, actually I did have a very good time!!!!
The last time we saw each other, was when he visited me in LA. Remember a bit of his vanity coming out, by being elated that neither him or myself had deteriorated like some of our classmates or running mates. He was a bit appalled by what he had recently witnessed at a recent high school class reunion. He has always been dapper, suave and totally outgoing. Most of all "Clydie" will just tell it like it is. He has a great resiliency, positive attitude and that great smile and laugh. Keep trying to figure out how to hook up with him and go out there again, in a good way, and terrorize the unprepared.
Always keep coming back to how important it is to have good people in one's life. They really do make a big difference. In total, Bub and I didn't really spend a large amount of time together. However, it was always quality and positive time. We didn't waste any of it when we had the chance. Is amazing, but I can't remember a bad time with him. Thanks Bub.
Today I send you another piece of art from my latest series. It is titled "We Were Taught To.....". It is 11" long x 5 1/2" wide x 4 1/2" high. On the bottom is the following statement: "We Were Taught To..... Always be strong about your beliefs and convictions. Always be the best you can be, even if you don't win. Always like and be good to the first person you see in the mirror in the morning. Always reach out, help and pass good on to others".
Have to head out to the dentist for a flipper replacement and scour the lots for a replacement for my Caddy. As usual the rebel comes out in me when I go to the dentist. They give me the lecture about smoking and I retaliate by sneaking in a small bowl of "tootsies pops" and leave them in an inconspicuous place in the waiting area. If they catch me, I just tell them I was previously in the advertising business and am just trying to help them drum up more work from their patients. Also emphasize that my service is absolutely free.
Have a good one and as always look forward to any comments.
John Michael, Ralph, Rocko, Frank or Whoever?
(To see photos of the above art piece "We Were Taught To.....", go to https://sites.google.com/site/jmdodigartphotos )