The thought of the auction of Phyllis’s things made me nostalgic. I came across this picture of the Dustbiters at the first reunion — the first time Phyllis invited us all to her house for a party. I noticed the picture on the wall behind us — it’s in the auction catalog. However, the picture that intrigues me is of us all gathered in the dining room with Phyllis. That was the day I met Corrine The Perfect (standing directly behind Phyllis) and the two other secretaries I didn’t know, Heidi Rotbart and Carole Beams to Corrine’s right. My long time friend/roommate, Ingrid Chapman is to Corrine’s left along with Sandy Beach (yeah, yeah, I know), and Carol Eschler. In the back is Mercer Helms, the magician who was Phyllis’s opening act for the last 20 years of her stage career. And then in front is me to Phyllis’s right and Karen… Read More »
… A Year Later
You’ve no doubt noticed that life tends to move in cycles. For instance, at work the phone is silent for 30-40 minutes, then three calls come in at the same time. If you work retail, you stand around waiting for customers, then half a dozen flock to your counter at once. I thought of this on the plane a couple of days ago on my way back from vacation in Rio with my friend Lois because I realized I was in something of a cycle. Last year at this time I was on vacation with Lois and Bill when I got an e-mail from fellow Diller Dustbiter, Ingrid, telling me that Phyllis’s annual Dustbiter reunion on August 19 had been cancelled. Phyllis’s son, Perry, had sent an e-mail but gave no details. We all knew why, I guess. Of course, this year there is no reunion scheduled for the third Sunday in August and my calendar… Read More »
