A couple of weeks ago we lost two men who were near and dear to me even though I only knew one of them rather superficially and the other, not at all; Mr. Peppermint and Steve Jobs. Both losses were tough because both of those men were hugely important in their own ways.
I never met Mr. Jobs though he changed my life with the iPhone and iMac. He seemed to understand even though he was a genius, that most people need computers and cell phones that are user friendly. I dont even care that he was a bit of an oddball, thinking that if he ate only apples he wouldn't have to bathe or some such thing. I like that he marched to the beat of a different drum and was a Buddhist. To my way of thinking Steve Jobs remained true to himself, both as a humanitarian and a man of integrity. Regardless of what others thought of him, he had the gumption to stand up and speak his mind. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by Obama and told him exactly what he thought of his poor business policies. No one could call Steve Jobs a brown noser, thats for sure. That alone is a quality I admire.
Mr. Peppermint was a Texas icon and I defy anyone who says otherwise. That might sound crazy to some but he really was just that important. Hundreds of thousands of kids grew up influenced by Mr. Peppermint. His kind soft spoken demeanor was not just an act. He was genuinely a lovely human being who always had a smile and made time for a brief conversation. Many kids learned social skills from Mr. P and from the looks of things he retired way too soon.
Mr. P went to Woodrow Wilson High School here in Dallas, with Mother. Back when we were little, he was the closest thing to an approachable celebrity kids had around town. I remember once as an adult shopping at Northpark with Mother and running into him. They struck up a lively conversation that ended with the three of us having lunch at the cafeteria there. He was interested in everything Mother had to say and wanted to know all she had been up to after graduating from high school, for goodness sakes. Why, he seemed equally interested in me and made sure to include me into their conversation. Mr. P was one of those gentle souls who touched people's lives in a special way, making you feel your life was better because of him.
When the boys were little we used to see him at the same cafeteria in Northpark probably once a month, until it closed. It was funny how often I would see him around town and each time I would make a point to say something to him. By the time the boys came along they watched him enough to know who Mr. Wiggly Worm and Muffin were. They were very impressed that he knew me by name and they always asked him why he wasn't wearing his peppermint suit. He would squat down to their eye level and tell them that Muffin had to take it to the cleaners for him. He was just that quick.
I never met Mr. Jobs though he changed my life with the iPhone and iMac. He seemed to understand even though he was a genius, that most people need computers and cell phones that are user friendly. I dont even care that he was a bit of an oddball, thinking that if he ate only apples he wouldn't have to bathe or some such thing. I like that he marched to the beat of a different drum and was a Buddhist. To my way of thinking Steve Jobs remained true to himself, both as a humanitarian and a man of integrity. Regardless of what others thought of him, he had the gumption to stand up and speak his mind. He wasn't the least bit intimidated by Obama and told him exactly what he thought of his poor business policies. No one could call Steve Jobs a brown noser, thats for sure. That alone is a quality I admire.
Mr. Peppermint was a Texas icon and I defy anyone who says otherwise. That might sound crazy to some but he really was just that important. Hundreds of thousands of kids grew up influenced by Mr. Peppermint. His kind soft spoken demeanor was not just an act. He was genuinely a lovely human being who always had a smile and made time for a brief conversation. Many kids learned social skills from Mr. P and from the looks of things he retired way too soon.
Mr. P went to Woodrow Wilson High School here in Dallas, with Mother. Back when we were little, he was the closest thing to an approachable celebrity kids had around town. I remember once as an adult shopping at Northpark with Mother and running into him. They struck up a lively conversation that ended with the three of us having lunch at the cafeteria there. He was interested in everything Mother had to say and wanted to know all she had been up to after graduating from high school, for goodness sakes. Why, he seemed equally interested in me and made sure to include me into their conversation. Mr. P was one of those gentle souls who touched people's lives in a special way, making you feel your life was better because of him.
When the boys were little we used to see him at the same cafeteria in Northpark probably once a month, until it closed. It was funny how often I would see him around town and each time I would make a point to say something to him. By the time the boys came along they watched him enough to know who Mr. Wiggly Worm and Muffin were. They were very impressed that he knew me by name and they always asked him why he wasn't wearing his peppermint suit. He would squat down to their eye level and tell them that Muffin had to take it to the cleaners for him. He was just that quick.
Speaking of Northpark Mall.... its been my very favorite shopping mall for 40+ years. Those walls hold special memories for 4 generations of my family. It was one of the last malls to hold out against having a 'food court' and when they succumbed they at least put it in the new area and only allowed upscale fast food vendors. I have only shopped in that new area a handful of times because to me its really not Northpark. I avoid that new section unless Im going to the show, which is right by the food court.
I find comfort in parking in the same area and coming into the mall thru Dillards. Old habits you know... Anyway, I met a friend for lunch at Corner Bakery the other day and while strolling thru the men's department at Dillards I could scarcely believe my eyes! Did you know they make Spanx for men? It made me wonder what sort of man would actually wear them (not that there is anything wrong with that). On my way thru the men's department I couldn't help but notice several men I passed gave me huge smiles. I smiled back of course thinking I must really be having a good day, after all I had on a new top and some jeans that a friend had recently said were very flattering. That really put some pep in my step! Goodness I was really getting more than my fare share of attention and smiles. Since I had some time to kill, I decide to detour into the restroom. In the full length mirror, to my horror, I saw that the second button from the top of my blouse was the only one buttoned and it was even in the wrong hole. I haven't been back since.
I find comfort in parking in the same area and coming into the mall thru Dillards. Old habits you know... Anyway, I met a friend for lunch at Corner Bakery the other day and while strolling thru the men's department at Dillards I could scarcely believe my eyes! Did you know they make Spanx for men? It made me wonder what sort of man would actually wear them (not that there is anything wrong with that). On my way thru the men's department I couldn't help but notice several men I passed gave me huge smiles. I smiled back of course thinking I must really be having a good day, after all I had on a new top and some jeans that a friend had recently said were very flattering. That really put some pep in my step! Goodness I was really getting more than my fare share of attention and smiles. Since I had some time to kill, I decide to detour into the restroom. In the full length mirror, to my horror, I saw that the second button from the top of my blouse was the only one buttoned and it was even in the wrong hole. I haven't been back since.
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