King Of The Wild Frontier ~ Part Two

This is the second installment of four pieces written about growing up in an age of innocence and the emergence of television.

And so…it came to pass that I became a sidekick to all of the western heroes of television. A loyal follower of The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Sky King.  I kind of had feelings for Sky's pretty niece, Penny.  Davy Crockett came to the big screen too, but was always more welcomed by kids who sat two feet from the magic box in the living room.

I was there to assist for Jim Bowie, Wyatt Earp, Maverick, Sugarfoot and of course… El Zorro.

My Grandfather owned a ranch in Colorado, wore a Stetson Cowboy Hat, hand tooled western boots and was permanently disabled by a fall from a horse while herding cattle. Not only that…my brother, Jack, was a rancher on that very spread near Limon, Colorado. I was a NATURAL sidekick with all of that family history to back me up. I had my official Davy Crockett outfit, holster, chaps, six shooters, trusty lasso and a full array of associated gear. They needed me…and I was there to serve.

The truth is that there were PLENTY of bad guys and renegade Indians all OVER the North Side of Danville. They lurked in the side yard, behind the carport and under the basement stairs.  My home and my family had to have someone to protect them. My motto became, just like Palladin, "Have Gun, Will Travel". It was a wild time to be alive back in the 1950s.

Our Frontier Home in Danville, Illinois in 1956

That great big Magnavox made for terrific sleepovers with friends. We would gather around the TV and watch for hours on end. Kids who were older and probably would never have given me the time of day stopped by. My favorite drop-ins were The Cooke boys. J.D. Cooke was our trustworthy and loyal paperboy. He was “a big kid” probably a real teenager. He, and later his brother Allen, seemed to adjust their route to end up at our house. Lots of evenings, after delivering The Danville Commercial-News, JD or Allen would plop down in front of the TV with me to watch Popeye and Sheriff Sid. This was a big honor for me. Wow! Big kids! Sometimes one of the guys would drop off Joe, who was in my grade at Edison Grade School and then pick him up at the end of the route (staying for awhile themselves). Mrs. Cooke would usually have to call and remind them that dinner was ready and to come home. Joe and I would become life-long friends.

TV created two new command lines from parents to kids that are still in use today (and will probably never die).  They created a friction between generations that probably set up the whole revolution thing of the 60's.  They were "Turn that thing down!" and "Turn that thing off!"  There were sometimes expletives that went along with the words and often followed by phrases such as "...and go outside!" or "...and do your homework!".  No matter how many excuses, gnashing of teeth or whining came from us the result was always the same.  The miraculous electronic friend was silent.

Stay tuned for Part Three!

King Of The Wild Frontier ~ Part One

I took a month off from writing.  It was a good vacation.  This first entry is nostalgic.  It's all about growing up in the first generation of television and coming of age during the sixties.  It is a personal memoir that many of my age will appreciate.  Times have changed for sure.  I hope that you enjoy this multiple part story.  BJ

One thing is certain. TV belongs to us. It was a gift proudly and lovingly given to the children of The Greatest Generation.  Those of you who know television as hundreds of channels with movies, sports, and a wide variety of just-about-everything are getting a souped up version that is almost unbelievable to us.  We, the inventors of more-is-better, are glad that you have TIVO, multiple remote controls and 3D-HD.  But let me tell you about how it all came your way.  The journey was magnificent.

It had been a long time comin’ for most of us who lived in the vast Midwestern USA dotted with few large cities. The FCC had frozen us out from 1948 to 1953 so that none of the visions of Ed Sullivan, The Original Amateur Hour, Howdy Doody or Uncle Milty could miraculously travel trough the air, find our antenna towers, boosters and rabbit ears to the awaiting Television Set. No sir. Not in places like Danville, Illinois. We got to see the new magic when we went up to Chicago. Man Oh Man. Even at three years of age I could appreciate the excitement about this thing. Everyone wanted one. Our next-door-neighbor, John Bookwalter couldn’t wait and got a set in 1952 at Christmas. By Spring of 1953 they had constructed a huge tower at the side of the house. Lots of fancy boosters and amplifiers according to John. The set was big with a little green screen. The closest stations were in Indianapolis and Chicago so my Dad was more than skeptical. Most of the neighborhood gathered at their house when the set got turned on for the first time. All you could really see was snow. There was an electric rotator on the antenna that kept moving it a degree or two at a time. Then, all of a sudden you could make it out…A TEST PATTERN! Everyone seemed really impressed. Then there was some more snow and what appeared to be a boxing ring. Sure enough! There was sound. It was snow. No. Fights. A little more adjustment. People gasped and cheered. It was The Friday Night Fights…Look Sharp To Be Sharp. Wow. Not much was really seen but snow. Aunt Wilma Bookwalter made her famous fudge. People drank a lot of cocktails. Dad vowed not to get a TV until you could actually see a picture. Listen…I can remember all of that and I was only two and a half. Anyway…it was 1953 and the dye was cast.

Life Before TV...I was already saddled up

Mr. Magin at WDAN Channel 24 made it all possible..,

Little did I know that his kid would be my best friend five years later

(and for the rest of my life)

We got our first TV from Santa on the next Christmas in 1953. It was a Magnavox Embassy. All appliance name brands were VERY important in those days. People often referred to their new shiny electronic wonder with special emphasis on its’ name…”The electric range has a double oven…It’s Fridgidaire by the way” might elicit a response such as “Oh my, I hear they have an automatic clock that turns the oven on. We have a Philco…It has the biggest widest oven you know.” Anyway, The Embassy came to us with thrilling chromatic realism. It had the television, a phonograph that played LP, Standard or even 45 RPM records, AND a genuine AM FM and short wave radio…all with three speakers for perfect sound reproduction. The Magnavox had a sleek mahogany console with doors that closed to hide the huge 24” screen, radio and dials. Those doors were rarely closed let me tell you. The people at Thomas Music sold us ours and came over to install it. Dad had an even bigger TV tower with boosters and automatic rotor with rotator controller. The tower was at least 5000 feet high. It was sunk in concrete at the side of the house near the window. You could easily climb the thing without fear and get right out on the roof. Unfortunately, a major ice storm took out much of the tower and antenna. It was replaced by the VEERRY MODERN rooftop antenna that was capable of UHF and VHF reception. Safer too...considering the habitation of future adventurers and renegades that inhabited the area.

1954 ~ In front of The Magnavox

Test Pattern…We saw a LOT of these

For me…it all started in December 1954 with Davy Crockett (Fess Parker) , King of The Wild Frontier and best friend Georgie Russell (Buddy Ebsen) search for Indians that had assaulted a military outpost. They fought skirmishes under the command of Andy Jackson. Along the way Davy kills a bear using just his knife. Davy has to fight the Indian chief to save the life of his friend and to keep the frontier safe. My first record (played on the phonograph located conveniently above the radio in the TV console) was the Davy Crockett theme song. But Davy was leading up to something even bigger.

July 17, 1955 was the grand opening of Disneyland. The pre-opening show was on July 13. It was a regular TV extravaganza. All of us in kiddom had been prepped for NINE MONTHS. We had been watching the Disneyland TV show since October 1954. There was a lot of Mickey Mouse stuff, Treasure Island and cartoons to start out with on the show but mostly the whole thing was a promotion for the BIG DAY. Nothing and nobody prepped it better than Davy Crockett. It was the most important event in the world. We met Annette Funicello and Bobby Burgess for the first time. The Mousekateers were in perfect form along with Fess Parker himself, Buddy Espsen, Ronald Reagan, Art Linkletter and everybody-who-was-anybody including our host and creator extraordinaire, Walt Disney. They even had Frank Sinatra and people like that for the adults who were watching. After all…they were the ones who might actually TAKE us to Disneyland.

July 13, 1955

Davy Crockett and Disneyland Come To Life

I Become A Frontier Indian Fighter

Nothing would ever be the same.  Pandora's Box was open compliments of good ole Walt Disney...and we were hooked.  The world was being delivered to our living rooms in glorious, fuzzy black and white. 

Stay tuned...there's more to come...and now for a word from our sponsors!

Don't Worry, Don't Hurry & Don't Hate

Roy Jones 90th Birthday surrounded by his family

Don’t Worry! Don’t Hurry! And Don’t Hate! These words have been touchstones for me throughout my life. I heard them first when I was a little boy from the lips of my grandfather, Roy H. Jones. Grand Dad was a man of the ages. He was born in 1875 (the year before both the birth his beloved Chicago Cubs and the Battle of The Little Bighorn or Custer’s Last Stand). His lifetime spanned almost 100 years. During that time Roy saw the world transformed from one in which he worked behind a horse drawn hay wagon at age eight to one in which humans walked on the moon when he was 94. Cars, Airplanes, Indoor Plumbing, Electric lights, World Wars and most everything else happened in between. Very few things remained the same (except perhaps the lovable losers at Wrigley Field). He affected the lives of many, many people. That motto, “Don’t Worry! Don’t Hurry! And Don’t Hate!” was what he lived by. It was his guiding principle, his ideal. It helped him live his life as a farmer, a teacher, a businessman, a husband, a parent (grandparent, great grandparent, great-great grandparent), and a community leader. It saw him through the Great Depression in which he lost his fortune, the death of his mother and father, wife, two children, the death of grandchildren and the murder of a grandchild as well as countless other heart aches. It was his guide in gaining riches, influence and political authority. He passed those words along in what he said and in what he did. Most of all, Don’t Worry! Don’t Hurry! And Don’t Hate!, was the mantra of sorts that led him to his spiritual center. It was the place that he went to for perspective. He was a deeply spiritual person. Roy attended church services at the Methodist Church in Monticello, Illinois all of his life. Admittedly, Sundays sometimes found him at his office with some of “the boys” playing a friendly game of poker or gin rummy. But his spirituality went way beyond the doors of the church. He was the most positive person I have ever met. He radiated love, compassion, confidence and a good natured sense of humor. The question that I have asked myself over and over was “How the hell did he do it?” The world can be a pretty tough place with a pretty tough crowd. How do you stay centered with all of the noise and turmoil and demands of our lives?

There never seems to be enough time. I believe that this problem of time plagues us today…perhaps more than any time in history. We seem to be victims of it, really. From our waking to our falling asleep we are in a kind of battle with time. Determined to win and destined to lose. There is either not enough of it or there is too much of it. It moves too slowly or quickly. Our competitive system demands that we not only succeed at something but that we are constantly accountable. Time is the marker by which we determine how well we are doing against these provisos. Many of us live our lives filled with the exceptional stress that accompanies such an existence. We feel that we are only present and surviving. When will there be time for me and for the ones that I love? Where is the fulfillment that I desire? What is the purpose of it all?

I have the daily experience of encountering people who carry cell phones and lap tops with them wherever they go. I must confess that, at times, I have been one of them. We stand in line at the market and hear cellular beeps everywhere. They are ringing and chiming in movies, at ball games, concerts and even at church. This is a recent encounter that I had: 

A solitary person sits at a table at his favorite restaurant pecking away at the computer. Abruptly, the cell phone goes off. “Hi Tom what’s up?” (He knows who it is already of course because of the caller ID feature). “I’m working on it right now, boss.” (He has probably already put in eleven hours at the office). “I can’t get on line at this restaurant. No WIFI.” (He listens for a minute as his entrée arrives). “Sure I can adjust to that deadline. I’ll head back to the office right now and finish it off tonight.” (He asks for a Doggie Bag and leaves).

Do we really have such a desire and need for security, money or power? I hope not. We are attempting to escape in the name of survival. We do not want to feel the unpleasant feelings of fear, loneliness, sadness, shame and frustration (among others). Our excessive use of alcohol and other drugs is an indicator of this truth. We are seeking comfort and relief. The alleviation that we are pursuing is attainable. We do not have to run away from the world and the culture in which we live. On the contrary! The goal is to say YES to life with all of its pain and all of its joy. In order to do this we must participate in it fully.

The stressors and difficulties that were just mentioned as well as the ability to say YES are, in fact, spiritual issues. The good news is that you already have the spiritual answers. You can achieve emotional and spiritual peace in an insecure world. There is a way to stop competing with time. There is a way to follow your own program for living. Even in the face of war and terrorism, a volatile economy and a worsening ecology we can live in harmony and serenity, live without worry and hate. We can be happy. We can stand to be vulnerable. We can find acceptance within ourselves and with our God. The rewards are immense. Just ask Roy Jones, “Don’t Worry! Don’t Hurry! And Don’t Hate!” Life is good!

The Mystery of Hard Times

There is a mysteriousness that surrounds the interruption of our plans and visions.  It has been said that this mystery is the doorway to all understanding.  One day everything seems to be going according to the script that we have written and then, out of the blue, things turn upside down.  Jobs are lost, health situations become problematic, losses occur.  Life has taken us to places we didn’t want to go. John makes scriptural reference to this when he quotes Jesus as saying "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."  None-the-less, it makes us feel as if something has gone wrong.  We must have made a mistake somewhere along the line. Perhaps we are being punished for something.  It is acutally sometimes the only way that we can be taken the different place.  There are reasons that go furhter than our own ability to reason. These hard knocks and trials are designed to deepen our experience of life.

Often it takes something major to wake us up. It is loss of control more than anything else that humbles us and enables us to see the big picture. It reminds us that what we know and understand is a small fraction of the great mystery of our existence.  The key to the understanding lies in what we do not know. This awareness broadens us as we release our resistance to reality. Joy exists within us independently of whether things go our way or not. We can trust that we will find that joy if we are willing to surrender to the situation. It is a matter of allowing our difficulties to deepen our understanding of life rather than leading us to despair.  We will emerge transformed, braver and more confident for having moved through the darkness.

Wounded Healers

Lighthouse at Hillsboro Inlet, Pompano Beach, Florida

It is impossible to go through life without suffering. Henri Nouwen once said that "When our wounds cease to be a source of shame and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.” We are scarred by losses, disappointments, cruelty and a variety of tragic experiences. The result can be as devastating as the wounding itself. We find ourselves closed off from each other, isolated in our pain or filled with resentment. Some of us turn to the numbing effects of drugs and alcohol for relief. Time does not heal. It is almost impossible to forget or to go on as if nothing happened.

We each have the ability to rise above the issues of pain and shame. There are many people who are testimonies of inspiration. Lance Armstrong, diagnosed with life threatening cancer, was determined to overcome it.  He continued to win cycling tournaments and is a tireless fundraiser for others with the disease through his LIVESTRONG foundation. Bill Wilson, a failed Wall Street broker, turned into a hopeless drunk.  He was inspired in his darkness and created Alcoholics Anonymous.  Millions around the world have been saved through his example.  These men, like so many people, became teachers who have empowered others to trust themselves to go beyond the pain. We call them wounded healers.

The wounded healer is a beacon of hope.  Those who suffer are able to see a flicker of light from the distant lighthouse.  The healer represents the possibility that things can actually work out.  Their willing hand, guidance and encouragement has meaning because of their common experience and solidarity with us.  The message becomes a clear one. If I can survive this...so can you.  A transformation takes place.

Suffering and illness do not have to define us in a negative way. Making the wound visible allows us to become a source of wisdom, healing power and an inspiration to others.

Independence Day ~ Coming Home

Joan French Home in Peoria

There are so many good memories that surround the 4th of July that it has the feeling of coming back home.  We take time off from work-a-day life in anticipation of something spectacular.  Families gathering at reunions, grills firing up, baseball games, trips to national parks, vacations and picnics are just some of the activities that surround our national birthday celebration.  The fireworks from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Peoria, Illinois, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and San Francisco, California spread "the rockets red glare" across the skies of America.

2009 Fireworks in Peoria, Illinois

The nostalgic sense of coming back happens regardless of the things that we do on Independence Day.   We leave home in one way or another by pursing our dreams and fortunes.  We go out on our own, fulfilling obligations, succeeding and failing in our many endeavors.  This process does not require moving or running away from where we are born. It happens even when we stay put in the place of our birth. There comes a longing for home, that which we have experienced in the distant and not-so-distant past. We want to be welcomed by loved ones without a need for explanations or excuses. We want to be honored guests at a party that are embraced by the happiness of being seen again. Much of this seems to be realized and gained on the Fourth of July.

I was in Peoria, Illinois last year among my extended Jones family. All of the first cousins and many of their spouses, children and grandchildren came together for a reunion in celebration of our eldest cousin’s 80th birthday. There was a steam boat trip up the Illinois River, big parties, a trip to the Wildlife Prairie Park, fireworks and little gatherings of kinfolk for several days. It reminded me of what is really important. I had the undeniable sense of being home even though Peoria was never a place where I lived.

Wildlife Prairie Park

We have much for which to be thankful. The founders of our country set up a dynamic system of freedom that allows us to have such strong feelings of home, connection and patriotism. There is no other place on earth that has such a celebration.  Disgruntled people on the extreme right or left of the political spectrum can put aside their quarrels with the knowledge that our virtues far outweigh our shortcomings. It is the most exceptional culture and form of government that has ever been. We should never take it for granted. It is our country. We are welcomed back home from sea to shining sea every 4th of July.

French Family at Peoria Reunion

The Hero's Journey

The great legends, mythology, and scripture are told and retold throughout the ages by storytellers and authors. There is always a consistent theme. The hero finds him or herself in a situation that is unlike any other. Life as it was is no more. Overcoming or succumbing to the problem will result in a change for not only the unsuspecting hero but for the community at large as well. A young hunter finds a mysterious feather and ends up in perilous struggles until he overthrows evil and marries the woman of his dreams. Moses discovers his true identity and leads his people to freedom. Jesus goes into the desert and emerges with the message of salvation. Jason goes on a quest for the Golden Fleece and becomes king. Cinderella finds her fingerprints in the ashes of the hearth and becomes the princess. The tales can be found in practically every novel ever written or film produced. They are what we want to read, see and hear. The stories are told and endure so that we can identify and follow the hero path in our personal lives.

The work of Joseph Campbell has been compelling to me. He made the point that everyone is the hero of their own story. It is being written from the time of our birth until we draw our last breath. The acceptance of this fact, whether we choose to participate and engage life with that knowledge, is relevant only to the extent that we meaningfully play the part. Sitting on the side of the road and waiting for something to happen is as much a tale as crossing the threshold and slaying our personal dragons. Either way, it is the process that underlies any growth, learning, and self discovery.

The idea is to accomplish something that transcends the ordinary. These situations present themselves in every challenge or change that happens in our lives. Every love found or lost, every birth and death presents the prospect of transformation. Every move to a new school, job, or town opens the chance to stop being what we were and to start becoming who we can be. Every situation which confronts us with something new or which forces us to re-evaluate ourselves presents us with possibilities for insight and growth.

We can own the fact that we are the hero and, in so doing, will discover that we have defined ourselves too narrowly. There will be a transformation in our behavior. We find ourselves with a new perspective and skills needed to face challenges that present themselves. We begin to act with honor and gain the wisdom to guide others through their own challenges. There is no time like the present to seize the opportunity. This is the way to a life filled with flavor and adventure.