ol'Roff's blog

When I was in between wives I would occasionally take a woman to the small ranch where my aged mother lived alone near Sonora, California. She would set and talk for a while, then hobble on her walker to her bedroom and soon I would hear, “Son, come in here”, then “get her out of here! She is not for you!” I grew a little leery about taking anyone. So I dared to take Arlene up for a drive. We had known each other only for a few days and I thought, what the heck. It was a Satu…rday and my mother was to meet Arlene. Mom set in her usual chair and talked a few minutes, then took her walker and headed to her bedroom. Oh what the hell, I was used to it! She yelled her usual, “Son, get in here!” I took a deep breath and headed for mom’s bedroom. There I heard, “Son! She is the one! Take her to Reno today!” Arleney and I have been happily married for 30 plus years!

Last night we were at the Lodi Talent show. A small framed older lady, badly crippled, sit at out right. I kept wondering what people would have seen, 30, 40, or 50 years ago if they would have looked at us then–certainly not three older crippled people! I remembered this older, crippled, gentle, Japanese bartender. I always wondered why he walked with such a limp. I later learned that he had fought bravely in Europe with the valiant Japanese-American unit. He had been severely wounded for we Americans. He never spoke about it but I will remember him for my life time. He was an American hero!—You can’t look at us older folks and know what we are really about—so many stories to be told!–olRoff

Today I received a phone call from a military wife. She was asking all kinds of questions. We had a lengthy discussion.. I referred her to my website and it suddenly made me realize that the website is important as a reference to people attempting to learn about folk art. I can be 100% positive as I have nothing what-so-ever for sale. I intend to keep and upgrade the gallery to assist those people who want to learn more!—olRoff