Celebrating with family.

We gathered at Johnny’s to celebrate the 84th birthday of Virginia (Dago) Day. Dago is the only living original Boozette we know of. She astounds me with what she remembers. She retells stories of events that happened sixty eight years ago like it was yesterday. I’m thirty years younger than her and I can’t remember things that happened last week.

The Huckabees’ have a special place in Dago’s heart.

Our pal Huck went way back with Wino Willie. He cherishes original members and he and his entire family made Dago an honorary member years ago. She watched the kids grow up and now the grand-kids enjoy her visits just as much. We were so glad they could join us to celebrate with our lady of honor.

A special cake for a special lady.

I copied a really cool picture of Dago from her calendar and had the bakery put it on her cake. She sells her calendars at the Nationals and they are loaded with great photos. I’m excited to say that she and I will be collaborating on a picture book this year. She’s got the photos and the stories to share and I’m the writer with a publishing company. We are very excited about it. Jim gets full credit for giving us the concept. It’s a fabulous idea and I can’t wait to get started. We’re tossing around the title, A Photographic Journey from 1946 with Original Boozette Virginia ‘Dago’ Day.

A selfy at DFW where we spent four and half hours.

To say that we had issues with American Airlines would be an understatement. Our trials began when our flight to Dallas was an hour and forty five minutes late. That of course meant that we wouldn’t make our connection to Fort Smith. With all of the delays we didn’t get to the hotel until 10:45 p.m. We started our journey from Hollister at 7:30 a.m. and it was a very long day.

What are you gonna do when you’re bored?

Seat 17 on an 18 seat puddle jumper. Dago tried to sooth me but it was a very long forty five minute flight.

I am very claustrophobic. I break out into a cold sweat if an elevator door doesn’t open quickly enough. When someone on TV gets locked in a trunk, I hyperventilate. I had great seats arranged for us before the airlines lost our itinerary. Yep, they said it had completely disappeared. When they re-booked everything they reassigned the seats on all of our flights. I worried about row 17 being too close to the back of the plane when I thought there were 30 rows. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty when I found out there were only 18. The stewardess was wonderful and let me get on the plane at the last minute. Then Krash, a wonderful Boozefighter, swapped seats with me before we landed. I took his place in row 6-A and told everyone in front of me to be prepared for me to make a mad dash to the front of the plane as soon as the seat-belt sign went off. Everyone was very gracious.

In Arkansas at last. Hanging with the top dogs Big John, Big Daddy, Santa and a real nice guy whose name I forgot.

Big Daddy was in the shuttle that picked us up at the airport. Of course he took us right to the bar. At 84, Dago, who should have been exhausted, got a second wind when she saw her Boozefighters.

While Dago shares her stories everyone is attentive.

Watching Dago share her stories while everyone gives her their undivided attention warms my heart. The respect and devotion these wonder folks give her is just awesome.

Dago was honored and blessed by all of her friends in the Green & White

Diamond Dave presented Dago with a check from the National Boozefighters. They matched the $500.00 bid for a wonderful quilt made by Nita Pullover Barnett and her mom. Chapter 19, Dirty City, made the winning bid. Dago punched me in the arm and said, “Why didn’t you tell me they were doing this?” I genuinely didn’t know. We sat right next to Anita who sewed patches on vests nonstop. While Dago sold her shirts and calendars she asked a lot of questions about the quilt. What a surprise to both of us. I got teary eyed. Chapter 19 also donated to my Kickstarter campaign and are trying to figure out a way to get the Johnny’s sign that used to sit out in front (the city has outlawed them) to DC. Anyone with a way to help, be sure to let them know.

The bathroom at the Fort Smith Airport was more like the Ritz Carlton

We had lots of Boozefighter company at the Fort Smith Airport. We were told that they have the honorable distinction of being named the best airport bathroom in the United States. I don’t doubt it at all. Too bad they didn’t save some money for a cocktail lounge. I had to get back on the puddle jumper to Dallas without a Bloody Mary under my belt.

Automatic seat cover dispensers blew my mind.

A fun photo op at the airport with Big Daddy. I think he was happy.

Our pal Jim from Chapter 80 kept us entertained all weekend.

Jim regaled us with stories all weekend. He even gave Dago a run for her money. I enjoyed his company so much. I’m gonna owe him for the new book idea.

Dago delivered safe and sound to LAX.

Heather was waiting for Dago in LA when I said my goodbyes. My flight to San Jose was LATE AGAIN and Dago was already back home while I was still stuck in yet another airport. I’m going to find a different airline next time.