Waaaay More Than “Just Some Guy We Sold A Car To In 1994″
Flash Fiction 55, Just Good Stuff | Posted by Jannie on 11 November 2011 @ 1:11 PM 40 Comments
The year I was born, 1964,
our friend “Uncle” Jimbo, then 19,
served his first of 4 Vietnam tours.
Jimbo, who videotaped Kelly’s birth.
Jimbo, who honored her this morning
by accepting her invitation to appear with
other Veterans in her school ceremony.
Jimbo, quick to laugh, love and lend a hand.
Jimbo, gift of a human and friend.
I reckon that was 55 words (non-fiction today) for The G-Man.
I’ll explain the Red Hatter thing sooner than later.
The hand on Jimbo’s shoulder in 2001 belonged to his sometimes-nice-but-more-often-crazy ex.
Luckily, he soon met and married a VERY nice lady, Terri. Kelly was a flower girl at their wedding, 2005.
Here we all were at Lake Buchanan…
Jimbo and Terri are AWESOME!!
Posted with love and gratitude
by Jannie-bo-Bannie
xoxoxoxoxoxo
P.S. Notice Kelly’s foot in the newborn picture!!??? So precious!!
On 11 November 2011 at 2:04 pm Pat Hatt said,
A great 55 tribute and those more often crazy ones are scary..haha
On 11 November 2011 at 2:28 pm Daisy said,
What a nice post and great pictures, Jannie. Yes, I did notice Kelly’s little foot peeking out there. Cute as can be!
On 11 November 2011 at 2:37 pm Jannie said,
Ahhh, so sweet to see you both.
Yes, Patt, I only had 1 or 2 nutty boyfriends, but they were MORE than enough for a lifetime.
Hi Dear Daisy! I was so pleased this morning one of the other moms offered to take our pix all together, as I was photographing the 2 Jims with Kelly. And Kelly still has the cutest little feet!
Off to the bath now for Jannie…..
xxoxoxo
On 11 November 2011 at 2:52 pm G-Man said,
God Bless all veterans today, and EVERYDAY!
Loved your 55 Jannie…
Although I must say that you have me a bit premature on the Red Hat!
I should be wearing my Purple Hat during the initial trial period…:P:P
God Bless YOU Jannie Funster…:-)
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End
On 11 November 2011 at 4:18 pm Bryce Christiansen said,
Great story Jannie, goes to show you never know how relationships will turn out when you first connect. Makes me consider more carefully, how I treat people I just met.
Thanks,
Bryce
On 11 November 2011 at 4:29 pm Jannie said,
I love you, G-Man! All veterans EVERY DAY, indeed! There were about 30 veterans in attendance this morning and they were awesome, one and all!! Kelly sang in the school choir — and she was the best one. (no bias!) Ahhhh, so you KNOW about red and purple hats and the hierarchy. I need to do my research.
Hi Bryce!! Yes, all the more reason to be kind to EVERYBODY all the time. However… Jimbo is one of those super, super, super awesomely good and nice people. We are so lucky!
xoxoxo
On 11 November 2011 at 5:52 pm sheila said,
This is a precious post all the way around! The little foot, the honor of your friend! Love it! And I have to say, Jim looks a LOT like my husbands father did (he’s deceased now) but man, what a resemblance! ONe day I’ll have to dig out a pic and scan it and email it to you, weird!)
On 11 November 2011 at 6:36 pm Patricia of Patricias Wisdom said,
What a lovely post and we honor those veterans and their families today and every day.
Thank you for sharing this story…
Another tease: I am giving away an amazing Thank you gift to all my commenters on November 24,25,26th…It is truly a beautiful surprise…Come on over to Patricias Wisdom and see what is revealed!!
On 11 November 2011 at 7:38 pm Alice Audrey said,
Ah, I remember you talking about him before.
On 11 November 2011 at 8:05 pm ayala said,
A great tribute
On 11 November 2011 at 9:49 pm Lance said,
Jannie,
What a sweet, sweet post – and tribute to veterans who serve…
And – wonderful photos…including that precious foot of Kelly…
On 11 November 2011 at 10:11 pm Yvonne Osborne said,
Love that foot. He must be a very good friend indeed.
On 11 November 2011 at 10:36 pm Katherine said,
Nice tribute piece Jannie. A special friend
On 11 November 2011 at 10:54 pm Carmen's Chronicles said,
What a special post for your veteran. My dad did three Vietnam tours…perhaps he and Jimbo met up there..except my dad was Infantry.
I’m off Dec 1 for a four month visit to India and all my friends there. That should be fun as long as I stay well….no germs dare come around after all these shots.
My 55 is at:
My 55 is at:
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/11/friday-flash-55-not-gone-but-forgotten.html#links
On 11 November 2011 at 11:35 pm brian miller said,
smiles…thank jimbo for me for his service…he sounds like quite the guy…
On 12 November 2011 at 2:41 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. love the pictures and stories .. Uncle Jimbo did you proud .. and Kelly’s foot has danced, sprung, landed safely rather well ever since .. great memories for Veterans Day and Remembrance weekend … wonderful to read .. cheers Hilary
On 12 November 2011 at 3:31 am Jannie said,
Wow,ma comment snow. I love this!!
I’m not yet in bed.
Or asleep.
Or am I?
was out at a fun pickin’ party to celebrate Kalyani turning 45.
11:11:11:11:11
It came and went.
You are all awesome. I’ll be anwering commets tomorrow, probably.
There really is no time, however. That’s something we invented.
But I really like how there are 365 days a year.
And every 4th a leap year.
Have a lovely moment.
xoxoxox
On 12 November 2011 at 3:53 am SnaggleTooth said,
A Vets Day 55- Great idea! N celebrating an old friend who’s a Vet with it- Cute baby pic too. Pretty lake pic- Looks warm! Hope Jimbo had fun at the school ceremony-
I had to work, n missed the scouts, Vets, n HS Marching Band in the parade today. I used to do that with the kids every year. It was a much bigger deal to my Dad who was a veteran when I was growing up- You don’t forget the buddies, the lost, n the MIAs.
Hope your holiday was good
On 12 November 2011 at 4:02 am SnaggleTooth said,
Happy Bday Kalyani!
On 12 November 2011 at 4:15 am Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. fun picking party – Happy Birthday to Kalyani .. sleep tight .. and have a great rest of the weekend .. Hilary
On 12 November 2011 at 6:41 am kaykuala said,
Great 55 Jannie! A great Veteran’s Day to all. Lovely pictures you have here (including Kelly’s cute little foot)
Hank
On 12 November 2011 at 6:44 am G said,
Kewl little tribute.
On 12 November 2011 at 8:54 am Lynn said,
Wow – four tours of duty in Vietnam. My brother in law was there twice and I thought that was a lot. Love our veterans!
Cute foot, cute Jannie Bo Bannie in the blue hat. xoxoxo
On 12 November 2011 at 4:20 pm Caity said,
Oh that is so sweet. Happy veteran’s Day. <3
On 13 November 2011 at 3:42 am LL Cool Joe said,
Your posts always make me smile. You look for the beauty in everyone and everything. And that’s a real gift! What a lovely post and tribute to your friend.
Love your hat in the first photo too.
On 13 November 2011 at 7:32 am Jannie said,
Ahhhhhhhh, I love you all SO MUCH!! Such sweet words.
Had a great sleep last night. I needed to after the late night party Friday.
Now…. I believe coffee might be a very very very good idea before I wake Kelly to take her up to church. She and 20 other kids have been perfecting a blacklight puppet show. And will be performing it today.
Thinking of which, I best be checking my email and make sure I have the puppet show details all solidified in my mind.
I’ll see all you sweetnesses later today.
xoxooxxoox
On 13 November 2011 at 9:30 am Daydreamertoo said,
What a precious story. Lovely pictures and lovely explanation to go with them. We all need our ‘real’ hero’s in life. Glad you have some and who remained good friends and mentors too.
On 13 November 2011 at 9:58 am Daydreamertoo said,
Awww thank you, it looks so lovely too
I’m honoured.
On 13 November 2011 at 11:02 am suzen said,
Hi Jannie! What a delightful story/connection! I can imagine you have many of these things happen – it’s your fabulous energy! Just love you!
hugs
suZen
On 13 November 2011 at 1:55 pm secret agent woman said,
That’s very sweet. Long-time friends are blessings.
On 13 November 2011 at 5:17 pm Sharp Little Pencil said,
Lovely tribute to Jimbo. Some friends are keepers, right? Happy times!
Peace, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/11/11/taxed-to-the-max-poetic-bloomings/
On 13 November 2011 at 7:29 pm Thomma Lyn said,
Hi, Jannie! Jimbo sounds like a wonderful fellow, a true friend. And the picture of him holding newborn Kelly is adorable! SQUEE, what a cute little foot.
I love seeing your smiling face, lovely lady! I hope you’re having a magical and musical November.
<3 xoxoxoxoxoxo <3
On 13 November 2011 at 8:08 pm Jannie said,
Hello lovely ones.
I am so happy you all stopped by. I did read each and every word.
I love you all too!!
Think I’m going to bed very very soon. Sooooooooo tired.
Looking forward to tomorrow. Are you?
xoxooxoxoxox
On 14 November 2011 at 2:11 pm Jannie said,
Dearest Beautiful Commenting Entities…..
Jannie is heer!!!!!!!
Beautiful, Wonderful Sheila, Wow! I’d like to see that picture. Yes, I see a bit of a resemblance between Shane and Jimbo… Do a post on your deceased father-in-law? And I am struck here looking at the pix again, how G-Man (in his lovely bonnet,) and Jimbo directly below (holding cute-footed newborn Kelly,) have about the exact same proud expression on their faces — at THE SAME ANGLE!! That is so cool, I think. Amazing how things connect! And I can relate to G-Mans’ coffee love. Coffe’s my babylove in the morning!
Hi Dearest Patricia’s Wisdom Lady! oooooo What!!?/ Another give-away?? Perhaps I shall post a button in my sidebar to advertise it a bit for you!! Yes, I think I take jimbo for granted. He has always been there since we got to be buddies. Makes sure to come to all Kelly’s birthday parties — or at least tries to. How can we be so blessed with friends????!!!! ANd guess what?? I just popped our A/C on. Hot today, and I’ve been baking.
Hey, Alice Audrey! DEAREST, of course! Yes, I know I did mention about him being present at Kelly’s birth. What a guy!!! Jimbo has 2 grown sons. And one grandson!! (Just thought I’d share that!!) :0
Thanks Ayala!!
Dearest Wonderful Lovely Lance, I shoulda known a post to honor someone would pull you out of the woodwork!
You, who is good with positive, loving and honorable things. You who can appreciate a cute little baby foot!! 
Oh, and how are YOUR feet? They still happy in flipflops, or have you had to bring out the snowboots yet?? 
One more reply then I’m going for a bath and a walk in the woods! I just ate TWO servings of lunch. Need to walk it off.
And who was the next commenter…. Let me see….
Dearest Yvonne — it is easy to take special people for granted, and this post was to honor him and his constant excellence. I hope you have a friend like that??!!!
xoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxoo
On 15 November 2011 at 12:16 pm Linda said,
To the queen of tributes, that was a nice 55 about your good friend. You are both lucky to have each other in your lives.
On 15 November 2011 at 2:02 pm You Will Have Friends | Jannie Funster said,
[...] the miracle of your father’s eyes [...]
On 15 November 2011 at 3:30 pm Jannie said,
Okay kids, I’m back!
But I’m really hungry as I skipped lunch today in honor of being swept up and away in poem and BB Header creation. And dancing with song ideas, of course. And washing and drying my hair!!!!
THANK YOU ALL, so much.
If I do not answer the remaining comments, I’ll surely catch you in a future comment here.
All lovely words, read, of course. And appreciated.
And now to put butter, bread, mayo and cheese in a pan, in that order!!
Then, to get ready to take Sweetie for a walk.
Gonna take my cam and umbrella!!
xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxo
On 18 November 2011 at 2:45 pm 5 Things It’s Best Not To Rush | Jannie Funster said,
[...] I told you last week Kelly had been a flower girl at Jimbo and Terri’s wedding when she was [...]
On 22 November 2011 at 9:17 am Jo Mifflin said,
Have I met this guy at your house party when we visited?
Hope you are all well & happy…
Lub lu xoxoxox
On 22 November 2011 at 2:25 pm Jannie said,
Hey Jo — I think you probably DID meet him but I’m afraid with my faulty synapses I might have to be hypnotized and go back in time to remember. Or maybe search my photos?? Love YOU, BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am happy, yes. And nipping a headache in the bud. Just took 3 Excedrin. About to eat some ham. I’ll whoop this thing. Was up too late last night, after the studio session. You’d think I know by now to take a sleeping pill those nights, because I’m always energized and inspired by my studio time. Oh well… Feeling better already!!
xoxoxooxxooxoxoxoxoxoxo