Inquisitive Quest

The recently acquired Kiowa Manor

.  The summer 1998 bringing a diversification in Gary’s disposition at the Kiowa District Hospital,  Administrator Buck McKinney proposing  the hospital take under their ascendancy the proprietorship of the Kiowa Manor,  a Hunter Care 37 bed skilled nursing facility.   After an open public meeting,  the acquisition process being approved and put in ambulation, McKinney attempting to solicit volunteers from the hospital staff willing to traverse their employment to the Manor,  discovering that not a single employee was willing to leave their employment status at the hospital.

.  Gary after some serious thought,  volunteered to move to the nursing home, accepting  the safety and maintenance task at the Manor,  in addition to maintaining  his responsibilities at the hospital.  His first concern was to establish an office,  enabling a home for his computer and files,  the only area designated for maintenance was a very small work bench area off the rear door entrance.    A brief search for an unoccupied room was nil,  but  discovering  a delightful Hannah Watson offering to share her office.   Hannah was responsible for coding and billing the Medicare paperwork for reimbursement, utilizing the 1996 HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

.  The Manor, unlike the hospital, hosted an in-house laundry, small but adequate for the facility,  employing a young man with Down’s Syndrome from Medicine Lodge,  the youth chauffeured  by car five days a week.  Gary discovering he was sponsored by Arrowhead West, a Community Integrated Employment Services .   The program that  benefits both employees and employers by assisting individuals with disabilities to obtain and keep jobs in the community, while at the same time offering reliable and qualified employees to area businesses.

.  Buck McKinney in an effort to cut cost for the Nursing Home eliminated the kitchen at the Manor,  requiring Ivette Starzyk and the hospital kitchen to provide the manor with three daily meals.  Gary having to regulate his hours acquiring the additional duty, transporting the meals to the Manor utilizing  the manors  van,  McKinney’s  daughter Robyn either fulfilling the Manor needs or finding someone for weekends.

.  McKinney and the hospital board coming to a decision to hire a subjective administrator for the Nursing Home.   The ongoing search for an administrator concluded, the Manor staff introduced to the new administrator,  Gary having some questioning doubts about the board’s selection.    On one occasion, entering the manors new administrator’s office without knocking, the administrator seated at his desk, his back to the door,  Gary noticing a monitor screen situated on a shelf behind him displaying what appeared to be porn.   The administrator aware of his presence,  turning,  his body movements trying to break Gary’s line of sight, immediately retreating, withdrawing from the room,  knowing his interruption of the administrators aspersions,  would someday come back to haunt him.

.  A fall afternoon found Gary coming across Susan Luthi leaving the Manors administrator’s office, Susan approaching,  saying he was just the person she wanted to talk to.  She continued with an explanation.  She was a representative of Arrowhead West, and the sponsor of the laundry employee. The organization holding a recognition dinner in Medicine Lodge,  to recognize the handicapped and mentally challenged employees in Barber County for their labors,  and honor the employers,  who gave them the opportunity.  Susan relating she had approached the manor administrator,  and he had declined to attend and stand be introduced with the youth as his sponsor.

.  Susan  asking Gary if he would attend, and Gary with a smile,  giving Susan assurance,  of course he would be more than happy to participate.  The night of the event,  Gary in attendance greeting two other employers he was acquainted with, Jim Reed from the Kiowa CO-OP and Kevin White, the Medicine Lodge Hospital administrator, both having sponsored challenged employees.   Gary seated for dinner with the manor’s employee, and later standing with the down syndrome employee, as he received a plaque of recognition for his work accomplishment.  Gary also receiving a plaque of recognition for his attendance,  in the form of a hug from a thankful Susan Luthi.

.  A additional maintenance employee was hired, Rory Reed, Gary being told he was hired to make the once abandon large garage outbuilding on the Manor property suitable for use.  Rory’s previous employment was with the Kiowa CO-OP,  his father Jim managed.  Gary finding it was good to have a second pair hands at the facility.   With the new administrator, and the addition of a new Nursing Director,  he wasn’t the only one who noticed a uncertain atmosphere prevailed at the manor, still realized the unexpected entry into administrators office could have repercussions.    He sensed a feeling of being watched,  also having confrontations with the Manors Nursing Director about staff not making rounds,  a toilet overflowing for hours,  flooding  rooms and half way down the east hall, receiving a call at 2 o’clock in the morning.

.  A maintenance monthly responsibility was conducting and logging a fire drill at both medical facilities, including the clinic,  documenting the sounding of the alarms and the staffs response.   During a morning  drill at the hospital,  Gay Farney,  the Lab Director approached Gary with a concerned look on her face, stating that she had received a call from the Manors administrator,   directing her to perform a blood alcohol test on him.  The request raised some suspicion, curious if his recent confrontation with the Manors D O N,  their past disagreements  and  his unexpected walk-in on the Administrator may have given this request meaning.  Gary was comfortable submitting to the lab test, his concern wasn’t the test results,   but the  implication leading to a questionable future.   That evening receiving a phone call from the administrator, apologizing for the administrative misjudgment in asking for the test,  the negative results confirming his aberration.   The administrator stating,  his reasoning for the test was based on statement from the Director of Nursing,  Gary realizing,  his tenure at the Nursing Home would not endure,  concluding he was now a target for dismissal.

Grand Hotel Mackinac Island almost realized

.  Again the 97 Buick Skylark was traversing the road north to Wichita ,  Mid Continent Airport Gary’s  point of embarkation,  a United Airlines 737 flight to Chicago O’Hare, then a  flight northeast to Lake Huron and the Tri City (MBS) Airport servicing Midland, Bay City, and his destination Saginaw Michigan.    The traveler journeying during this Thanksgiving holiday  to affront an ICQ internet acquaintance whom he had visited with for many months,  a lady of standard whom had recently suffered a major physical difficulty.   Debbie’s occupation,  a transcriber of  recorded court proceedings,   typing the audio transcript  on a computer word processor as a written document,  returning the results to the subscribing court appointed attorneys and other parties.   For some unbeknownst reason her  vision having literally overnight diminished to the point she could no longer decipher the printing on her computer screen,  her circumscribed vision problem now a concern that she would lose her livelihood and source of income.

.  The arrival in Chicago,  O’Hare terminal #3  always enjoyable to Gary,  the underground walkway with the tantalizing chiming stereo sound and the psychedelic lighting giving a presence of entering another world.   He could envisioning the artisans of this production,  unprecedented in their fortitude for this artistic endeavor,  the structure providing a remembrance to all that passed thru it.   His travels continuing,  boarding a 737 for, the Michigan Tri-city Airport, disembarking finally meeting Debbie and friend Vicki who had provided the transportation considering Deb’s recent disability.  Gary was pleased that unlike other inaugural meetings with a new internet acquaintance, discovering their appearance didn’t exactly correspond to a self-description or photo,  pleasantly surprised that Deb justified the photo she had posted.

.  Gary looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his Michigan internet friend, not surprised at the snow laden covering on the ground, a norm  for Michigan this time of the year.   The person from Kansas,  finding the unheralded hostess,  providing a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey and all the trimmings,  her sight not being impaired enough to distract from a kitchen performance.   The following morning,  the two traversing to the hospital for a scheduled MRI,  hopefully to discover if there were any neurological reasons for her demise vision.  The preliminary results reflecting no neurological problems, but a waiting period for the doctors official reading remained.   Gary having contemplated taking advantage of his Michigan journey to explore the tri-city area and lake front,  but having never experience the non forecast snowfall from what was called The Lake Effect, when cold air moves over warmer water, taking up moisture,  that later precipitates as snow when the air moves over land, and wasn’t too enthused to brave the weather.

..Giving it some thought,  there was  a destination that always intrigued him, one influenced by the movie, “Somewhere In Time“,  starring Christopher Reeves  and Jane Seymour, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island,  the departure site for the alluring destination on Lake Huron was about a three-hour drive,  Placing a phone,  there was a resurgent,  the season for charting an accommodation having just closed.   Further adjustments prevailed as Deb’s car developed a difficulty,  and would no longer start.  Gary suggesting they call and have it repaired,  but Debbie insisted that she knew a mechanic that would take care of it,  but he wouldn’t be back until after the holiday weekend.  Gary somewhat distressed finding himself stranded in his new acquaintance home, although in good company,  not wanting to be sequestered.

.  His return Sunday having arrived, a late arrival by Vicki to transport them to the airport,  the three arriving as a final call for departure for Gary’s flight was being announced,  Gary not happy with the rush to board the plane, and the brief goodbye to Debbie.    Once aboard, the 737 remained on the Tri-City taxi way for a long time, questioning a stewardess to the reason for the delay, her reply,  the problem wasn’t Tri-City,  but O’Hare,  traffic was back-up because of the weather.  With  the delay Gary thought he would miss his connecting flight, but apparently,  it too was running late,  Finally airborne on his final leg to Wichita, from the air Wichita’s Mid-Continent would be a welcome sight.  The 90 mile drive, the newborn winter wheat just starting to flourish, a contrast to stark naked brown landscape of the Michigan winter.   Gary’s visit to Saginaw Michigan somewhat enjoyable,  his acquaintance with a friend acceptable in many regards, realizing a person to person confrontation trumps the written and spoken word.

.  The premonition still resided within,  his employment questionable.  the hiring of Rory Reed,   Rory informing Gary, he would be available to assist in the upcoming projects at the Manor.   It was  the last week of December 1998 and payday,  when Gary was summoned to the administrator’s office, the administrator handing him a check,  and without an explanation,  given notice his employment status was terminated effective immediately.  With all the changes in his life in the last year,  Gary had already come to a decision, if this day should come,  he wouldn’t question or contest his termination,  not because of a lack of valor or justification,  but acknowledging it would be better for all,  not to add to the reflected heresy of aspersions.

.  Gary wasn’t surprised that the word of his termination at the hospital had spread among the members of the Apostolic Church,  and  Ron Allenbach and Tom Farney were making inquiries on Gary’s behalf,  for employment elsewhere.   The days following his release were spent waiting on the monetary funds from his closed 403 hospital retirement account,  Gary considered his termination not a dismissal,  but a liberation, now able to give thoughts to opening other doors of opportunity, recognizing the world knows no bounds.

Gary and the Buick ready to go west

.  Gary decision was procreate,  an intuitive sense that maybe it was time to turn another page in the book of life,  a westward challenge was about to be ordained.   The 97 Buick was progressing south on highway #281,  then a rambling way to state 183 to enjoin Interstate 40 at Clinton  Oklahoma,.  The  Interstate  journey beginning,  no ambitious agenda,  just a forbearance of a California destination.  The westward trek on Interstate 40,  the highway having changed,  no longer the memory filled meandering historical Route 66 from the past.  Gary discovering an omnipresence,  a ferreting endless expanse of highway before him,  his travel being driven for no personal purpose,  exiting  with no self-proclaimed questionable answer. 

.   Gary’s mind-set attempting to contemplate a purpose, the future a masquerade waiting to be discovered.  The droning sound of the Buick on the soldiery road,  Gary a lone passenger,  passing the landmark acquaintances of  yesteryear,  the scenic aura a melancholy  comfort from the past, but projecting an unknown accolade of the future.  A planned overnight stop in Albuquerque abated, the evening hour still a fledgling,  a decision to press onward to Gallup before halting for the night.   With darkness beginning to prevail,  a welcome Motel Room to rest and replenish, a renewed  aspiration to boost his propensity for this California journey.

.  An early morning breakfast,  Gary again acquainting the highway a continuation on Interstate 40,  passing the Red Rock Caves west of Gallup,  another postcard vision.  The highway starting its dispersion upward,  the Arizona border on the horizon,  leaving the barren high plateau regions of New Mexico,  entering the tree enclosed mountains, a gateway to the beautiful throes  of  Flagstaff.   A brief stop for fuel,  the Buick continuing its abide westward, Gary’s thinking  becoming resolute,  a 14 hour,  900 mile trip to his sister’s residence in Columbia was deemed a possibility. Intersecting at Barstow, Ca. Highway 58,  departing the Interstate,  the town of Mojave and 100 mile desert trek stretching before him.    It was early evening the Buick arriving in Bakersfield to address a familiar friend,   the well-traveled Highway #99,  the artery north thru the Central Valley, its vestige the length of the state before exiting into Oregon.  Gary finding the highway inhibited mostly with ten-wheelers,  tractor and trailers their drivers performing an unheralded function,   transporting  the commerce that sets the table for America.

.  Bakersfield in the rear view mirror,  Fresno, then Merced and east to the Sierra foothill  his destination,  all within reach then a trammel circumstance suddenly made its presence known in the failing twilight , a prodigious valley fog beginning its emergence.    The view of the highway becoming obscured,  the pilot of the Buick unable to distinguish road signs, relying on logic,  following the tail lights of a the truckers before him hoping that the teamsters vision was better than his.   The slow pace travel went on for miles, the fog engulfing all signs of roadside life,  Gary looking to remove himself from this dissolute travel,  finally noticing a glow of lighted structures off the highway, the Buick exiting  into an unnamed  fog enshrouded  realm.  The glowing lights projecting the outline of a well-lit complex and its proclamation sign,  Pea Soup Anderson’s.

 .  Gary not seeing or hearing that name for over forty years, a remembrance returning, O’Toole funeral in Santa Ana.    The capturing fog curtailing any further travel,  Gary ordained to spend  the night at Andersen’s, not happy with the $120 charge for a night lodging compared to motel6 $36 per night,   but under the circumstances, when held hostage by fog, what could one do. Anderson’s Pea Soup and their advertised enterprise for some reason initiating the  memory of a journey  in the 48 Chevrolet with his father and two sisters to join his mother at his Uncle Charlie’s funeral in Santa Ana 

.  The early morning finding highway 99 still enshrouded in fog, but unlike the Stygian darkness, the  dawning delight providing some visual amenity, the journey continuing.  The fog was still persistent when reaching Merced,  the Buick changing directions,  journeying northeastward on State Highway J-59, finally breaking clear of the fog clouded shroud, the sun finally annihilating its  density , the scenic Sierra Foothills beginning their arrival.   The junction of #108, soon the familiar framework of Sonora coming into view,  Gary’s travel concluding  with the five-mile foray to Columbia,  the home of his sister Nancy and mother.    The welcome up-hill  driveway entrance on Parrotts Ferry Rd,  the magnificent tree engulfed log cabin structure with it resume of huge boulders providing a welcome sight.   The arduous 1600 mile journey coming to a conclusion, its purpose still unrealized,  but allowing a serenity,  an atmosphere for reflection, a time for Gary to ruminate on the past and current events that have transpired.

.  The time unfolding slowly,  Gary still pondering a direction, the stay of Columbia protruding on, keeping busy with a list of small project that his sister had accumulated over time.  Gary’s mind-set seemed in a semi-quasi state of limbo, indecision still reigned and with all his possessions still in Kiowa decision time was fast approaching, whether to remain in California or return to Oklahoma or Kansas.

Old Priest Grade at sunset 

Gary having decided to visit his sister Kay,  and Brother-in-Law, Don Da Valley,  at their affluent lake front home in the 19 square mile gated community of   Pine Mountain Lake,  a mile northeast of Groveland.  The Buick reaching Moccasin on highway 1 20,  approaching Priest Grade, named after Margaret Priest, the 1870’s  proprietor of the Waystation and Hotel at the summit of Grizzly Gulch.  Gary making the decision to take Old Priest Grade,  the 2 mile,  serpentine, 16 hundred foot cliff endowed elevation to the summit of Grizzly Gulch,  rather than new Priest Grade, the longer,  6 mile, highway 1 20 summit route on the other side of Grizzly Gulch.

Arriving at the Da Valley’s try-level home,  with its sandy beach,  affronting a scenic view of the quasi-stellar private lake.  The community, sporting an 18 hole golf course,  country club and restaurant, equestrian center, and airport, was a preeminent presidio display of monetary affluence.  His brother-in-law contracted as a computer systems engineer, at Loral Space Systems in Palo Alto, responsible for programming the meteorological, GOES,  8,  Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite,  to maintained its geostationary position,  and likewise involved in other projects that because of security classification,  was not at liberty to talk about.

Don’s bay area commute required him to spend weekdays in San Mateo at his mother Celesta’s residence,  Kay allocated to reside in Groveland alone, Gary finding the accommodations at the three level Lake House exceedingly spacious, his sister introducing him to her stay at  home routine.   Kay and Don having initiated a long desired project,  purchasing 90 acres of rural land on Ferretti Road which was a scenic loop from the town around the gated community,  and  rejoining Highway 1 20, 7 miles from Groveland.  The property eighteen miles from the Big Oaks Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park, and like most of life’s endeavors,  with its purchase, a seed was planted.   Katherine and Don’s master plan for the acreage was to plant forty acres of olives trees,  work having begun on the renovation of an old cabin on the 90 acre, its presence having a colorful past,  once  a residence,  a tack house,  even a rural church,  the cabin to be converted into a showcase exhibition room for their product.  The couple having hired Jacque,  a carpenter from San Francisco,  who previously provided workmanship at Don’s mother‘s home in San Mateo, and provided him with a place to stay at the lake house when available to work on the cabin.

Gary being questioned as to his future, his sister putting forth an offer for him to remain and assist in renovation of cabin and their ongoing projects, with an overture of residency at the lake house and some financial compensation, but the objective of his venture west was to assess the perspectives of returning to California,  not to make a decision.  His sister introducing an exposure to the world of the stock market and as an avid participant, an awakening to the corollary of Day Trading, providing an insight accomplished by experience. The DaValle’s having been active traders,  especially with the gaining appearance of IPO’s   (Initial Public Offering)    inaugurating from the High Tech Companies of the Silicon Valley.  Weighing the perspectives of his sisters offer, moving to California, the pro’s and con’s and the recourse on his family and friends, deciding to efface the numerous questionable complexities.  The only question:  should he to return to the encumbrance of the past,  or traverse into the uncertain clarity of the future?

The decision was made, he would move to California, reservations for a round trip flight to Kansas was coordinated,  scheduling a pickup date by United Van Lines to remove his possessions from his apartment in Kiowa for the journey west.  Katherine rendering him to San Francisco International  for a flight to Houston,  then boarding a 25 passenger commuter jet to Wichita Mid Continent Airport.  The flight concluding with a rental car,  and the drive to Kiowa.   Gary’s journey from Mid Continent to Kiowa was a melancholy experience,  twenty years of traversing this highway,  scenes and recollections from the past entering his thoughts,  knowing  this drive might never be renewed.  Entering the darken apartment, the fragrance of vacancy accompanying a forbearance of sadness, a sense of being privy to all memories that were captive within the walls,  and experiencing a hollowed emptiness,  knowing the past and one couldn’t change what had been written in the book of life.

A 53 foot United Van Lines tractor and trailer was parked curbside at the Price Apartments in Kiowa,  three employees embarking to remove Gary’s apartment of his possessions.   The moving experience taking less than two hours,  Gary discovering he would leave several unwanted items,  placing a call to his daughter Sandra,  asking if she would assist in the final dispersing of items left behind, and finish with the cleanup.

The loaded United Van Lines contemporary began its trip to Groveland,  the afternoon finding Gary bidding a goodbye to Kiowa returning his rental car, boarding a Wichita United Airlines flight via Denver to San Francisco,  the final move now decisive.  The arrival at SFO,  Gary finding Don accommodating him at the airport,  the two  spending the night at Don’s Mothers in San Mateo before returning  to Groveland.  Surprisingly the furniture accorded Van arrived in three days considering the probability of other stops as his few possessions were minimal in a 53 ft. van.  The driver wasn’t without comment, complaining about traversing New Priest Grade,  having to utilize both lanes of the highway to make the winding curves because of  the trailer length, and he wasn’t looking forward to the return trip.   Gary finding a temporary home  at the lake house, but a deep seated question remained of his decision.

.   The Pine Mountain Lake House residence providing Gary with an opportunity to indulge further into the stock market procrastination of investment,  his sister giving him access to her and Donald’s investment accounts allowing him to make short-term day trades for them.  Gary attaining a $6000 portfolio with Sure Trade,  a retail branch firm and a $7.95 flat fee per trade commissions for trades executed through their Internet trading platform.

 , The Day Trader  procuring low-priced investments,  opting his preference for stocks less than $15.00 a share enabling him to dwell in the 100 + share range when buying or selling,  watching for an upward movement of 50  cents or more on several hundred shares able to recoup a hundred or more dollars in a short time frame. The weekday mornings soon became the beginning of an abbreviated  NASDAQ trading day, realizing even with the daily study of the Wall Street Journal, advice from Charles Schwab,  Gary found that in some respect short-term investments were pretty much likened to a casino gamble.

Early Monday mornings were a ritual,  Gary and Kay seeing Don off to San Mateo joining him for store-brewed coffee and donuts  at the Groveland Mini Mart at the corner of Ferretti Rd and the 120 Highway junction.  Most other weekday mornings would find Gary and Kay and her Rottweiler Darien, who had a towering physical presence in the jeep his sister drove, would journey into Groveland for breakfast and several nights thru the week would fine them enjoying a prepared cuisine featured in the dining room of the Groveland Golf and Country Club. 

. .The two would frequent the acreage every day, both participating in the reconstruction of the historic cabin and catering to the two horses which were apropos in the modern stable that had previously been erected.  Sally, Kay’s youngest daughter on her visits from San Francisco appropriating a equestrian  skill with the equine species.  Sally prompting a workout in the fenced circular arena, letting the magnificent breed protruding their prominence and under her direction achieving a showmanship of expertise with the horses excise.   Gary discovering a new direction in life,  a family with monetary affluence, his sister responsible for the introduction.

..Gary having corresponded with California ICQ lady friend whom he had visit with from his apartment in Kansas, the two agreeing to meet.  Pat was in Merced, the meeting was cordial and it was apparent the picture she had sent him was taken years earlier and pounds lighter, but that was not unexpected.   Gary dressed in what he thought was appropriate  for a first meeting,  short sleeve shirt and tie, his internet friend dressing more casually in jeans ,  the two meeting at a Pizza Hut.  He was aware from their previous correspondence that her husband of thirty years had passed two years prior,  Pat mentioning that her solitude being the  reason for her ICQ participation.  

…Gary finding the lady very congeal, especially when she offered to provide a tour of  Merced in her pickup,  their brief ride ending up at Yosemite Lake, a small lake bordering the town.   Pat relating remembrances,  giving a reflection of  her late husband, the two having spent decades fishing this lake, Gary listening with understanding as she added that the Hmong influx from Thailand and Laos having proclaimed the east side of the lake as theirs and the Hispanics having occupied the west side, sadly expressing it was no longer safe.   Gary not being familiar with the demographics of Merced suspected her concern was warranted, upon leaving thanking her for an enjoyable afternoon.

…Another foray from Groveland traveling down Priest Grade to meet another awareness whom he had correspondence with from Kiowa, her name also was Pat.  Gary noting that both the ICQ persons in California whom he had corresponded with were named Pat.  Traveling from “Groveland, a long trip to Lodi, the lady having a home in an exclusive gated community, meeting her in for the first time.  Gary finding her personality adherent to her internet presentation, but discovering her physical apparition was new to him.  She was handicapped, not able to walk without an accommodation, her mode of transportation was a van with a lift enabling her to sit in the driver’s seat.   Her conversation was enlighten, very knowledgeable, humorously mentioning her gated community was where the Stockton Police Department reside, but her aspirations were of reliving the past. 

…Gary and her journeying to a A&W Drive In to partake of the roller skating waitresses, noting a sign proclaiming Thursday Cruise Night, a warrant of the past, both enjoying the experience.,  Her disability didn’t prevent her from preparing a dinner, asking if Gary would spend the night and accompany her to church in the morning.  She was a consummate Pentecostal, Gary spending the night in an alternate bedroom rising to a prepared breakfast, Pat capable and able to navigate the kitchen.  The Pentecostal Church was experience for Gary, never having attended a Church Service that exhibited such enthusiasm, never before observing a five piece band, drums, guitar, bass, keyboard sax fulfilling the background for the hymns. the congregation standing and lifting their praised to the Almighty.  The Sunday morning completed returning to Groveland,  not disappointed at making a new acquaintance but only as an online friend.

.  Gary’s entrepreneurial sister Kay and husband  Don having opened a Nevada office for their recent LLC business,  Orbital Tech Search Inc. in Nevada,  to a establish legal residency in  non-corporate taxing Limited Liability Corporations state,  enabling  prospective clients a means to diversify and incorporate their income.  Orbital having been established, joining the ranks of the DeValle’s  three  California LLC’s,  Indian Creek,   Morning Dove,  Olive Forever.  Gary never one to turn down an opportunity to expand his knowledge,  accepting an invitation to  accompany his sister to Reno for a three-day conference and seminar on LLC’s,  entitled,  The Asset Protection and  Tax Planning Strategy Conference,  at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino hosted by the Laughlin Institute of Corporation Studies, Limited .

.  The seminar to address what was known in the world of corporate structure as ‘the red ink system’, a means of diversifying their income and transferring it into several LLC’s  showing a loss by means of distribution thus a reduction in taxes.   The three-day conference to start on Wednesday March 24th, brother and sister to travel by car, Don would not be in attendance for the conference because of work priorities,  but fly into Reno Friday night to spend the weekend.   Joining the seminar group besides the two would be Gary’s niece Brenda McQuary and a friend of Dons, computer engineer Dave Matthews, also another a non-participant friend.   Gary soon found the Reno journey entailed more than just a three-day conference at the Atlantis, discovering they also would be spending  Saturday and Sunday nights at the Silver Legacy Hotel &  Casino.

.  A departure for Reno and the three-day conference, Gary piloting the Buick with his sister.  A stop for gas at San Andres  before the venture east on Highway 88 at Jackson,  the upward journey over the Sierra’s beginning, Kay asking if she could drive.  Gary not surprised as his sister was the driver in their family, not ever recalling her husband Don in the driver’s seat when she was present.   Leaving the bounds of the sierra’s an afternoon Reno arrival at the towering new edifice still under construction, the Atlantis, the two entering,  meeting with Katherine’s daughter Brenda, Dave Mathews and family friend.   Gary immediately perceiving the beckoning  sound resonating from the casino, its hypnotic voice enticing with the promise of reward.  Kay in a business like manner registered questions about the conference,  the answers were given, the large lobby Venue Directory servicing notice of the conference room location and the 8:30 a.m. starting time.

.  Gary having sat through ten years of informative seminar session on a variety of subject with the Kansas Hospital Engineers Association, discovering sometimes you feel like you’re being held hostage.  There was an upside to seminar attendance beside the educational benefit, it was the  dietary morsels provided during a break by the facility catering service, but when partaken of and endowed sometimes made it difficult to stay awake.  Dave Mathews being a large person, and concurrently having a large appetite, plus frequenting the late hours in the casino, would eat a copious afternoon lunch,  Subsequently one afternoon during a monotone seminar presentation, he found no difficulty discovering slumber land.  Brenda and Gary were not distracted with Dave’s dozing until he began to snore, then Brenda took control, quietly furnishing an unwelcome elbow to bring him back to reality. 

.  Gary wasn’t a gambler as such, but enjoyed watching others, he enjoyed spending the evenings with his niece Brenda,  the two attempting to show a profit on the uncooperative machines,  but together discovering a host of mutual subjects to converse about.  The morning would find them meeting at the bar, skipping breakfast because of the early conference time, Brenda having discovered,  if you purchased $10  in coins for the bar’s counter slot machines you would receive a free drink,  and as regiment would have it, Brenda would deposit the $10 in coins in the slot machine, and toasting the loss with a Bloody-Mary for breakfast.

.

.  The three days of Laughlin asset protection & tax strategies coming to a conclusion, Gary recognizing the big picture of de-facto deception of corporate tax by setting up a circle of LLC’s,  strategically rotating assets from one to another to show a loss.   With Don arriving from San Francisco for the weekend, a move being made to the Silver Legacy, a change from the upscale modern motif of the Atlantis,  to the western mining heritage of the 17 hundred room,  42 story Silver Legacy that opened in 1995. With the move, it was getting to be more like a family reunion,  Kay’s daughter Mary Garrett  arriving to join Brenda, the two to visit their father,  John Ove who had suffered a debilitating illness and was now residing in Carson City.

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.  Gary found the most impressive feature in the Silver Legacy was the giant 180 ft. automated replica of a silver mining rig, its performance set on a timing mechanism with clock watching bystanders waiting to observe its operation..  The Buick was being put to good use, transporting Donald and Kay to their Nevada office and Brenda and Mary asking to borrow the Skylark to visit their father in Carson City, Gary happy to comply with both the request.  The weekend coming to an end, Gary making two trips to the Reno Airport, the first to see his Brenda off and Donald’s return to San Francisco. A farewell to Reno, this time Gary when asked by his sister about his impressions of the past week,  two words came to mind, “an experience”.

 .  The first of May found a spring snow falling at the lake house, with camera in hand, Pine Mountain Lake a pictorial background,  Gary taking a photo for posterity feeling like he was living in  Currier & Ives pictured postcard.  The weather returning to normalcy , Gary, Kay and her copious Rottweiler Darian firmly sequester in the jeep, their destination Greeley Hill, a secluded area south of highway #120..  The two arriving at the wooded home of John Brooks, a retired 74 years of age projector of heavy equipment,  a character of renown, having escalated much of the landscape in the county with his arraignment of bulldozing equipment for the past 50 years. A delightful person with endless stories from another era, his explorations for gold and all the discoveries he had made thru his 70 plus years of life.

.  His mountain yard filled with the equipment, relics and mementos from another time.  Like monuments, remains of old excavation equipment, several vintage trucks with a bygone history, an array of paraphernalia from his gold mining endeavors, including a mercury detort tube for extrapolating gold that he had invented,  every conversation entailed an exponent from his life.   The large gray-haired elder was an amiable overwhelming personality,  his presence and vocabulary one of dauntlessness and integrity,  a person that Gary immediately accepted.  Kay proposing John to transport his legendary D-8,  385 horsepower, 80,000 pound  caterpillar bulldozer to break the ground with a ripper blades,  for the future planting of her olive tree endeavor.  John agreeing to cultivate the hillside with the heavy-duty ripper,  but suggesting a first attempt be made with a smaller caterpillar.

. John and his son arriving at the proposed site , readied the smaller unit for its task but soon discovering it was unable to break the hardened soil of the virgin hillside terrain.   returning to retrieve the heavy-duty D-8  to accept the challenge,  it’s presence being successful.   Gary watched as a bystander but then called upon to journey to Jamestown in Katherine’s pickup with a 55 gallon drum to purchase diesel fuel for the Caterpillar.  It was also noticeable that John would occasionally stop, dismount and inspect the furrows of the turned over ground during his 40 acre traversing, Gary was reasonably sure that John was looking for the telltale signs of gold.

. The completion of the Cottage was entailed,  Mike,  a friend of Katherine’s daughter Sally, (Scelestia) noted for his impeccable carpentry skills  was employed.   A perfectionist  installing the hallmark beam ceiling for the downstairs, his work a paragon display.   Brother and sister deciding to put their painting and carpentry skills to task,  the access to the upstairs having required a ladder as the placement for stairs was still undecided.   The two designing and structuring the yet constructed outside stairway to the second floor,  notching and securing  the 2 x 10’s for the steps to be installed,   Jacque returning,  the San Francisco contractor having completed all the electrical and plumbing projects, his final calling would be the laying of the ceramic tile that would engulf the downstairs floor. the once building relic from the past beginning to resemble a showcase livable entity.

. Gary accompanying his sister,  the two journeying to the bay area,  venturing to Hayward,  stopping at an antiquity  home  built in 1888.   The McConaghy House,  a two-story,  six bedroom mansion,  now officially designated as a historical museum.   It’s stairway, windows and Victorian widows walk endowed roof for some reason implanted a fascination with Kay,  Gary not aware   her obsession with this structural part of history would might soon turn into reality. Katherine having set another goal besides the olive orchard and the remodeling of the cottage,  a project that would  fulfill her entailment with the McConaghy House as a legacy.   the purchase of an additional 120 acres adjoining the 90 acres,  would provide a realm for a Bed & Breakfast.

. With the lake house put on the market as a rental,  and a move to the cottage,  their goals of purchasing an additional 120 acres instilled,  the addition acreage included three houses and high delivery water well.   A journeying to contracting home builder George Williams Pine Mountain Lake home,  addressing him about his services and of duplicating a facsimile of the McConaghy House with a Bread and Breakfast concept in mind.   After several deliberations,  the contractor concurred,  accepting  the project,  the timeline undecided but the McConaghy facsimile would be realized.

.  Gary found the move to the cottage  somewhat unsettling , but the Yamaha console had found a new home.  At first Gary was more than satisfied with the large downstairs bedroom with french doors opening onto a porch, Kay and Don claiming the upstairs, but it was the 8 mile drive to Groveland and the habit of eating out that was the consternation.  The stay at the Cottage with its remoteness, serenity and echoes of benevolent country living was becoming prosaic.  there being no internet, television or outside distractions except for an occasional passing vehicle.  The only nocturnal sound was an occasional cricket or the rustling of the  creatures of the night,  an aura and realizing beginning to unfold, that silence could be deafening.  The summer found Kay’s grandchildren visiting, Gary and her erecting  a large tent, the grandchildren to spent a summer month breaking the solemn stillness of the countryside.    

. Gary’s labor provocations having diminished,  he and sister having expended their expertise.   The stay at the cottage beginning to seem like a bastion of  isolation,  but a reprieving  call from his sister Nancy in Columbia,  provided a reasoning to abrogate,  she was in need of a dog sitter for Kizzy,  his sister and mother having planned an extended excursion,  Gary finding a reason to waiver from the solitude of nomadic life,  returning to Columbia. recalling a memorable quote.   “where ever your heart is     there you will find your treasure.

Uncertainty evaporated

Gary journeyed from Groveland to his sister Nancy’s residence in Columbia, discovering an aura of tranquility,  just him and a magnificent Border Collie named Kizzie,  the serenity a change from the assembled congregation of grandkids visiting his sister Katherine.   The return to Columbia,   enabled a return to the internet and a resumption of  his NASDAQ day trading,  plus an opportunity to  visit with his ICQ acquaintances.    Gary’s dog sitting duties coming to an end with his sister and mom’s return,  and with Katherine’s grandkids still camped at the cottage, he decided to remain in Columbia for the time being.   Having established over 48 ICQ acquaintances,  there was an inaugural lady that he had an ongoing repose with since initiating ICQ that really intrigued him, her name was Fran,  and she lived in Orlando Florida.

The two having maintained a steady correspondence on ICQ,  Gary totally enjoying their conversation’s,  finding the lady captivating with her knowledge about any subject,  her total recall for dates, places and events,  and an inherent proclivity for music.  Gary not really giving thought of meeting Fran,  with the distance to Florida somehow seeming like half way around the world,  but taking notice,   their online relationship was beginning to developed into something more than conversation,  an inner feeling from within began raising to surface.  Gary still somewhat hesitant about traveling from California to Florida, it wasn’t like he could jump in the car and visit, it would entail planning by both,  as Fran would have to arrange for time off from work,  and to keep down the cost,  he would have to have to schedule airline reservations at least two weeks in advance. It was when he received an email picture of her and the grandkids,  all uncertainty evaporated, the decision to fly to Florida was made.

The circumstances were rather unusual, Gary having made reservations with United Airlines to fly out of SFO at 10:00 a.m. on Monday July 16th., what was unusual was that July 15th was Fran’s birthday as well as his sister Kay.  Gary addressing the occasion wiring Fran flowers but somewhat curious that his brother-in-law Don was at his mother’s in San Mateo rather than in Groveland for his wife’s birthday.   Don having offered to drop Gary off at the San Francisco airport on his way to work,  Gary driving late Sunday afternoon to San Mateo to spend the night at Don’s mother residence, not  wanting to leave the Buick at the SFO long-term parking.   The United flight to east coast having a plane change in Houston arriving after dark in Orlando.  Gary disembarking walking down the United Airlines bridge -way into the terminal not knowing what to expect having never met Frances Marion Wilcoxson.

Watching the debarking passengers clear,  standing by a post was the picturesque lady,   looking absolutely like her photograph.  The long acquainted two finally getting to meet. On their way to the car rental, Fran mentioning how her daughter Jeanette gave her a lecture about meeting someone whom she met on the internet,  and was reluctant to leave her mother alone at the airport.  Gary assuring her,  he understood her daughters apprehension, questioning if she had received the flowers that he had sent the day before for her birthday,  as it was a Sunday.  The two newly acquainted proceeding to Fran’s residence on Granada Drive in Winter Park,  a small suburban suburb  northeast of Orlando.  Arriving , Gary introduced and accepted by Sammi, Fran’s ‘deer ‘Chihuahua, discovering  the lady was an inherent canine person, which was a plus, he soon realized she was everything and maybe more than he had expected.

Fran was just as impressive in person as online, finding comfort in her demeanor and address to life. Her employment responsibility at Dollar Tree was put on hold to accompany his stay, Gary being introduce to the store manager,  Liz Loreti,  whom had nothing but accolades for her.  Gary very much aware of the round trip ticket date, an urgency building within to convey to Fran,  who and what he was as a person, it was difficult,  but searching within he found a solution.  Driving through the business district of Orlando,  he took notice of a sign, Orlando Piano, parking, the couple entering,  Gary asking the proprietor if it was alright to try out some of the models, the sales person nodding his approval to play any of the store’s inventory,   the two venturing thru the displayed pianos.   Gary seated before the keyboard of a baby grand, the music of Andy Williams hit,  More,  coming forth, followed by the Impossible Dream, the pianist at ease with Fran standing beside him,   performing his proclivity on the keyboard.

The pianist giving her a presentation of the inner feeling than only music can express,  songs of remembrance from their youth, the storied epics of love,  a grand finale with the Chariots of Fire.  To his surprise, the staff and customers at the store applauding,  Gary suspecting that they knew what he was up to, acknowledging the couple  on their departure.  Gary was surprised when discovering  Sunday Church was an integral part of Fran’s life,  the two attending the local Baptist Church,  Gary finding solace again,  having neglected this most important celebrate of life,  because of his inherent life in Groveland and Columbia. Both his sister’s, Katherine and Nancy proclaiming to be agnostic,  using this for his failure to attend church during his stay at both premises,  recognizing he had become abortive of his faith,  but with  the turn of events,  the heavenly father may have provided a messenger,   Fran.

. Gary’s round trip flight reservation date about to arrive, a decision being made to postpone his return to California, an overwhelming desire to spend more time with Fran.   The ensuing week found the two engulfed in conversation of reality, both experiencing an inner feeling that they were destined to be together,  plus her family an added influence for Fran to move westward.  Gary having been introduced to her oldest daughter Jeanette and two grandchildren Todd and Laney,  having made a decision to move to John Day Oregon, another daughter Donna and family having already taking up residence there.  The evenings would find the two sitting outside, exchanging memories from years past,  a coherent understanding of life being accorded. Gary understanding their situation, the pressure felt by Fran, her family moving to the west coast, and his sudden appearance, with only an internet introduction,  all disrupting her Winter Park world and both realizing, a decision of marriage would be questioned by many. 

.  The time had finally come, Gary proposing,  asking Fran to marry and bond with him on life’s journey,   Fran accepting.     July 30th,  a  special day for Gary Michael Willson, and Frances Marion Wilcoxson, the two to be united in matrimony.   The couple leaving the Winter Park  residence,  journeying to Suite 3 50  in the  Orlando Orange County Courthouse. Entering the matrimonial office, Fran’s employment store manager, Liz Loretti,  waiting their arrival,  her enthusiasm blossoming for the event about to unfold.  Gary seeing the  formality of contractual papers, and license fee’s were fulfilled.  The couple not the only ones to be joined in matrimonial union,  a waiting period commencing for two other couples.   A door opened,  and a joyous couple accompanied by several guests exited. Gary, Fran and Liz entering the specially designated room for the ceremony,  a state authorize matrimonial clerk with the title Justice Of The Peace introducing herself, informing them, she was to perform the acceptance of the wedding vows. 

.  Gary and Fran standing on a raised arbor platform before the Justice of the Peace, with the banding of rings, both emitting the effervescence  of the  ceremony, as they were pronounced husband and wife. Surprisingly Liz was the emotional one,  Gary realizing,  Liz valued Fran friendship far more than just a loyal employee.   The climatic ceremony fulfilled,  having no other functions to proclaim, the couple returning to their parked rental car.  Upon approaching the car, Gary noticed a slip of paper beneath the wiper blade,  discovering a police citation, the rental car having  been ticketed for an expired license tag,  the two finding a little humor to start their first hour of marriage. 

.  The couple having discussed the pro’s and con’s of remaining in Florida or moving to California,  Gary letting the decision rest with Fran, but knowing  Fran’s  daughter Donna and her family was now residing in Oregon and her eldest Daughter Jeanette and her two children having just left for the eastern Oregon town.  Gary was understanding, realizing that Fran was sacrificing years of effort, leaving her home, friends,  and an established life placing, a blind trust in someone she had corresponded with for over a year, but in person for only two weeks.    Fran having acquired many friends during her employment at the Dollar Tree store,  among them were those which she called the scooter brigade,  a proud group of elderly people whom traversed in electric scooter chairs to provide their shopping chores.  Upon hearing of Fran’s Marriage and that she would soon depart, the scooter brigade made an appearance, the couple being invited to Richard and his friend Christie’s small apartment for dinner.   The elderly couple providing a delightful meal,  Gary couldn’t help but smile,  noting the jars filled with individual packaged condiments,  salt, pepper, sugar, mustard, ketchup,  and other complementary supplements provided by fast food establishments.  Lightheartedly understanding there  were many with disabilities, and retirement age stressed with deficit financial burdens.

.  The moving endeavor beginning in earnest,  the newlyweds deciding on a yard sale to reduce some of Fran’s accumulated household items.  The yard sale having little response from the ad placed in the paper, Fran’s landlord purchasing the appliances and yard equipment.  Gary proceeding to the Budget Rental Complex north of town, judging that a 16 foot. box van should hold all the household goods.   With the help of Richard, who conveniently rose from his motorized wheelchair to help,  the loading began,  but there was a problem,  Gary had misjudged the amount of furnishings, it became apparent,   the sixteen foot truck was too small.   The only alternative was to get a larger truck,  the rental already three-quarters full would have to be returned, the Florida hot August afternoon temperature influencing his decision.  Gary driving the partially loaded truck back to budget,  explaining the situation, the Budget complex manager agreeing to have the load transferred to a 24 foot truck, but for a loading price,  what could one say, it was the only game in town.  Loading the remaining articles, Gary understood what it was like for Fran to say farewell to a part of your life, their journey west beginning.

(more…)

Leaving Orlando on I – 75

.  The late afternoon finding the newlyweds having secured and loaded their Budget rental truck, and Sammi, Fran’s Deer Chihuahua readied for the journey west.  A concern about Fran, as they said farewell to her Granada Drive residence, and the memories of the past harboring with inn.  With the exertion of moving, the lateness of the hour, and Gary’s aversion to driving at night in unfamiliar surroundings,  it was decided to get a bite to eat and spend a final night in the Orlando area.  A morning awakening at the Best Western Mount  Vernon Inn in Winter Park,  the rental truck discovering Interstate 75,  the north  south, central corridor of Florida.   As the hours passed,  Gary not fathoming the length of the sunshine state,  the drive finally intersecting Interstate 10 in the Florida Panhandle, providing  a westward turn.

.  The rental truck with its 55 mph governor was going to make a long journey seem even longer.  Crossing the Alabama state line, saying goodbye to Florida, not realizing the interstate distance to cross Alabama from Florida to Mississippi in this part of the state was only 62 miles.  Coming into view,  entering the George C Wallace tunnel beneath the Mobile River, exiting with a panoramic view of the cities high-rises. Having spent over 10 hours on the road, Mobile was designated for the night’s stay. Gary being aware the interstate motels would be located on the outskirts of the metropolitan area, and more than likely an exit sign posting for food and lodging.

.  The threesome spending the night at a motel 6, courtesy of a food and lodging interstate posing.    once again traveling west on Interstate 10, a 70 mile sprint across the lower part of Mississippi at 55 mile per hour.  Once in Louisiana at the interstate exchange, 10 goes south to New Orleans, interstate 12 is inaugurated for 85 mile to  Baton Rouge,  where interstate 10  its westward trek resumes crossing  the  Mississippi river.   the iconic waterway  hosting the vessels of commerce,  as it continues on  its 2,340 mile journey to the gulf.  Still another 10 hour journey, A brief Sammi stop in Beaumont Texas,   the home of the  1901 Spindletop oil field,  and the gusher which blew in  for 9 days, at a rate estimated at,  100,000 barrels of oil per day,  and led the United States’ into the oil era.

.  Continuing on the travelers leaving interstate 10 at Houston to travel north on interstate 45,  the couple calling it a day at Conroe Texas.  A feeling of home, the congenial lady behind the motel counter addressing him with that slow Texas southern draw.  Gary having traveled for several years in Texas from his band playing days,  recognizing the commonality of these gracious people.  The couple spending their second night on the road before resuming their trip north on Interstate 45.  Gary appreciative of Fran’s knowledge diversity, there being no lack of conversation because of subject matter.  The driver with the pedal to the metal or a reasonable facsimile,  happy to be back on familiar turf as they journeyed thru Dallas, boarding interstate 35 towards the Red River with Oklahoma looming.

.  The rental truck arriving in Oklahoma City, a surrogate home to Gary for almost twenty years.  The drive to  3019  Southwest hundred 24th Street was second nature,  his daughter Marlo’s family  sharing  half of her mother’s duplex.   Gary ringing the doorbell, not receiving a response,  stepping next door,  Kaye coming to the door,  somewhat startled to see her ex-husband,  presuming that he was still in California,  having no idea that he had journeyed to Florida and now was married.  Gary briefly explaining the situation, having detoured to Oklahoma City so Marlo could meet Fran.  Kaye briefly saying,  Marlo, Chris and the Kids were at a house they were looking at in Moore,  giving him directions.  Gary thanking her and asking if you would care to meet Fran who was sitting in the truck,  her answer was blunt, “I think not”.  Upon arrival at the Moore location, discovering his daughter and son in-law Chris were at  a storm causality home,  a victim of the May 3rd,  F5 tornado with winds of 318 mph that destroyed over 1780 residential homes.

.  Gary at a loss for a means to communicate his unexpected marriage in a way to initiate some understanding from Marlo,  but she brushed aside his words without any acknowledgement, instead directed the conversation to talking about the deluge of damaged and devastation caused by the tornado.  He had hoped for a better introduction,  but realized it was futile, ending the visit, they still had a long trip ahead of them.  Gary deciding they would spend the night in Oklahoma city, staying at the Motel 6, across meridian Avenue from where spent almost five years of his life performing six nights a week in the 60’s and 70’s at the Pirates Cove Club,  in the now removed Holiday Inn West.

.  The morning found them heading northwest to Kiowa, his home for 20 years and to introduce Fran to some of the special Kansas people he had worked with.  Gary having made this journey numerous times for more than 22 years,  a sense of  melancholy filtering in,  his explanation,  it might be a long time or never traversing this roadway again.   The drive thru Okarche,  Kingfisher, Dover, Hennessy and Waukomis, crossing the Cimarron River, the dampness bouquet of the  pasture land,  the many memories all being way-stops in road of life.