Marion's other busking tour

Subject: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 11:27 PM

Hello gang! I'm just starting off now on phase 2 of my busking tour. The previous thread is here: Marion's busking tour (part 1) I decided to start a new thread because I know that some people had trouble using my mobile voicemail system, so I wanted this to be easily found as a reference.

If you need to contact me:

1. Call 1-800-808-5773 (if YOU are in Canada) or 1-800-706-1333 (if you're in the US). It doesn't matter where I am.
2. Press *
3. Press 2
4: Enter 20 2611 1972 #
5. You will hear my name
6. Press 1
7. Record your message. If you're telling me a phone number, please say it twice slowly (sound quality has been an issue; so I don't want to miss part of the phone number).
8. Press # when done with your message
9. Press 3 to send it (or if you want to review it or redo it, follow the verbal instructions)
10. Hang up.

I check voicemail at least once a day, and more often if I have reason to expect a message. I also check emails and Mudcat PMs at least once a week, but don't depend on it if you want me to know something promptly.

Other FAQs for potential meetings: I'm travelling by bus. I love dogs unless they bite me, and cats even if they bite me. I am a vegetarian; I don't eat fish, but I do eat eggs and milk. I don't smoke or drink; I avoid spending time in smokey places as much as possible, but I have no objection to second hand alcohol. I'm happy to sleep on a couch or floor, but I don't have a sleeping bag with me.

The other thing I wanted to tell potential hosts is: if you live close to a nice place to busk or jam, I might take advantage of it, but I don't need to busk every day. When I'm on the road I concentrate on music, but when I'm visiting someone it's fine for me to take a couple days off, hang out with you, walk around your back 40, or spend time alone (you can't be bored when you have a guitar and a notebook). My point is: I don't want anyone to feel that I need you to find me a local place to busk, or that I expect you to throw a party or take me to a session.

So my general plan is to spend two months bussing around the US first. I don't have a set route at all, other than my plan to keep warm by staying in the south at the beginning. Then a friend will drive down to meet me for a couple weeks camping in the Badlands/Black Hills. Then I return to Canada with her, and spend two more months bussing around Canada.

I expect to meet several more Mudcatters, but unfortunately, I probably won't have time to visit everyone who has offered. Bee-dubya-ell is first on the list...

Thanks for reading, love, Marion

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 12:06 AM

YIPPEEE! Look out World! Here she comes again! Bob

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 12:53 AM

But she does drink a certain kind of cola!**bg**

Have fun, Marion!! I hope your friend brings lots of warm stuff for camping in South Dakota this time of year, or even a month or two from now.:-)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Willie-O
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 10:10 AM

So where are you, now, and where's next? Straight down to sunny climes?

I'm off to sunny Toronto, myself, tomorrow. I'm even going to fix my turn signal in honour of the occasion.

Happy trails.
Bill

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 10:32 AM

What kind of cola would that be? We'll have to put in a supply if she comes through town. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 11:33 AM

Vanilla coke, if I remember correctly.:-) A little "birdie" in Wyoming told me.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 12:24 PM

Nah... I gave up the vile black stuff for Lent. Thanks anyway.

Slight change of plans, as always... I'm putting off leaving till tomorrow morning, so I can go with Willie-O as far as Toronto. Then it's to Dallas, then Lafayette LA, then Pensacola-ish to see Bee-dubya-ell.

It occurred to me that starting this new thread might cause people to assume that I was done posting in the first thread. In fact I just wrote a newsletter about November and December, it's at the end of the first thread (link above), for anyone who's interested.

Cheers, Marion

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 02:04 PM

I must say that it was a pure stroke of genius on your part to make my humble abode first stop on your tour, Marion. You'll have plenty of folks further down the line to help you recover from the experience.

Tee-hee.....

Bruce

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Dani
Date: 27 Feb 04 - 09:56 PM

North Carolina a possibility? We're right at the confluence of interestates 85 and 40.

Dani

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Willie-O
Date: 29 Feb 04 - 12:21 PM

She's on the bus, heading south...left To. Saturday night as far as I know. Happy and safe travels, Marion! (We managed to get to Toronto without the truck breaking down this time)

W-O

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Mudlark
Date: 29 Feb 04 - 11:23 PM

Hi Marion...Looking forward to seeing you on the 10th. Let me know where your bus will be coming from and what time it pulls into Paso.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: open mike
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 03:18 AM

she is not from U.K. she is a canUK
hope that is not a derogatory term-
i suppose it to mean a canadian

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Willie-O
Date: 01 Mar 04 - 06:55 PM

open mike, I've been Canadian all my life and I've never heard the term CanUK.   "Canuck" yes--a common slang reference to Canadians in general and French Canadians in the northeast US in particular.

We have nothing to do with the UK, citizenship wise, and don't need visas to travel in the States. Garg's off his meds again, not a good prescription when you're a dork to begin with.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 02 Mar 04 - 06:23 AM

Mudlark tells us you're heading this way. We're about 40 miles from her and she's promised to bring you here or have us there when you arrive. Looking forward to seeing you.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 03 Mar 04 - 11:51 PM

Bonjour mes amis. Things are all well. We had a warm snap right before departure so I even got in a little busking in Perth and Toronto (merci beaucoup a Willie-O). I squeaked through immigration then spent leap day watching winter turn into summer. Had a day busking in Dallas, where I got a variety of business propositions from the locals, some more decent than others. Then a quiet day in sticky Lafayette, where feathers and beads litter the streets.

This morning I arrived at Bee-dubya-ell's house in the country, and spent the day with him and wife Susan and friend and cats, jamming and pottery-admiring and fish-observing.

Bev and Jerry, that sounds great. Open Mike, Canuck isn't derogatory unless someone wants it to be. Mudlark, I will PM you in a few minutes. Dani, North Carolina is certainly a possibility. If you want to suggest a good or bad date for a meeting, you can PM me about it; otherwise I'll call you in a few weeks to propose something.

Love, Marion (Santa Rosa county in Florida, though just barely)

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 07 Mar 04 - 01:32 PM

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting something about Marion's visit with us old hippies out here in the woods. I hope the rope burns from where I had to tie her to a chair and make her listen to my singing heal soon. Next time, Marion, don't struggle so hard. It only makes matters worse.

But, seriously.... We had a wonderful three-day visit from Marion. Hours of fiddle tunes on the deck during the day followed by hours of trading songs back and forth in the house after dinner. It was particularly nice to hear her do some songs written by other Mudcatters (Rick Fileding, Jed Marum, Jerry Rasmussen) whose music I hadn't heard before, as well as her own songs. Got to spend the last few hours before her departure at a party where she finally got to jam with some genuine Florida fiddlers. All in all, a great time. If you're on Marion's to-be-visited list, I hope you enjoy her visit as much as we did.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 12:29 PM

Who says there's a next time, Bruce?

But, seriously, it was a great visit to Bee-dubya-ell's; hanging out in the woods, fiddling all day, and singing all night, just like they did in the garden of Eden. Bee- has quite a repertoire of clever novelty songs, and an artful hand on the guitar. We also had a local tour to Pensacola Beach, with the whitest sand and highest ground floors that I ever did see... and then of course the party and a chance to jam with the gang. Thank you, -ells.

From there I worked my way west again; busked in Houston, El Paso, Flagstaff, and Santa Barbara, then a quick stop in LA to pick up my travel guitar from my old roommate's place.

Then I came up to Mudlark's place - a beautiful daytime drive along the coast. We've been trading lots of songs (Mudlark does lots of cool trad songs in a deep, rich voice), playing with the dogs and horses, and she took me to a beach to see dozens of baby elephant seals resting up for their entry to the ocean. We then went to see Jerry (and his helpmate, Bev) for a delicious meal and some more singing. I'm off again this morning - generally eastward bound - and trying to decide where to spend St. Pat's. I haven't seen a day yet that wasn't sunny and warm.

Cheers, Marion (Paso Robles, CA)

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 01:46 PM

Marion, let's not get this "helpmate" thing going. It's a label I deeply disliked and even in jest it raises my hackles! For the rest of you, we once had a public school principal introduce us to the students as Mr. Praver and his helpmate! Evidently that chauvanist couldn't see me as an equal partner in our music business.

We had a great visit with Mudlark and Marion (that almost sounds like a song title ;>) ). Lots of wonderful music from both.

Bev (and Jerry )

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: open mike
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 02:03 PM

Marion i am glad to see you are on the left coast again...
if your route brings you up thru the state, you know there
are several bus stations near here! also, Bev and Jerry, do
tell us more about your involvement in the music biz! Apparently
in includes performing for students?

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 02:15 PM

Open Mike:

We have presented folk music programs in schools for more than 23 years and it has been our full time occupation since 1987. Mostly we do it in California but we have gone to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We're sliding into retirement now and only do a few of our favorite schools each year.

If you or anyone else wants to discuss this further, PM us or start a new thread so we don't hijack Marion's.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 11:05 PM

I heard from Marion today, and returned the call through her phone message system. Depending on what works best for her, she'll be here for a couple of days sometime between the 16th and the 20th. This is exciting! A Mudcat adventure in the making. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Mudlark
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 05:13 PM

Marion's visit was, if anything, too short, but we got in lot of playing, including a good musical visit w/Bev and Jerry. She plays great guitar and fiddle, writes great songs and has a wonderful, wicked, sneaky sense of humor, not to mention a lovely voice, as pure and sweet as a goldfinch.

Good busking, good traveling, good sights and good company, Marion. Have fun!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 07:38 PM

A goldfinch?

I'd have to hear a goldfinch to say any more...

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 12:18 AM

She will be in Fort Worth for a couple of days, starting Tuesday. Do any of you folks living in the area have any good suggestions for busking locations? I think the Water Gardens is a good location for lots of visitors--can anyone concur or give us alternatives?

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 12:31 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 01:02 PM

Maggie, I don't know if this helps ... I hope it does. When Marion visited us last year, we had a hoot for her. I was quite distracted with hip pain at the time. This was before my surgery. If I had been in my right mind, I would have sent out the hoot invites with a note something like: "folksinger on the road ... donations for her trip are very welcome." Then I would have passed the hat. Our hoot crowd are such proffesional and generous people, as you well know, that I'm sure we would have raised some nice bucks for her. Hope this helps. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Deckman
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 01:03 PM

BUT ... I would check with her first. Bob

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 03:46 PM

That is what happens when folkie folks get together--too bad all of the folkie folks I know are in the Seattle area!

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: GUEST,Ft Worth Busking Locations.
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 12:34 PM

I would think that Sundance Square (downtown) during the noon hour would be productive. I'm not a musician so I don't know what the laws governing busking in Ft Worth are.

Walter

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:30 PM

I orignally thought the Water Gardens, but upon consideration, remembered that the Park Department is strict about permits and I don't think they're very swift about granting them. There are also fees. Your suggestion is good. We'll aim for noon-time around Sundance at least on Tuesday then.

Someone else suggested the museum district. And what do you think about the Stockyards?

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: open mike
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 04:47 PM

stockyards stink.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Deckman
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 05:32 PM

Open Mike ... That's some beef! Bob

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Allan C.
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 06:11 PM

As for licensing, Marion generally relies upon guerilla tactics. If she is asked to move on, she does. So far it seems to have worked out okay. I don't know how it is in Ft. Worth, but in Dallas, a judge ruled that no license is required because "...it is not considered to be an income producing enterprise." I wish judges everywhere would show the same good sense (of humor).

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 04 - 09:20 PM

Good one, Allan! And thanks for the Stockyards observation, Open Mike. I haven't spent much time around there myself. I've tracked down a couple of people, and it would be nice if we could meet somewhere. Jed will be in Addison (north Dallas) on St. Patrick's at the Flying Saucer (14999 Montfort Drive). No cover. Might be a good starting place for Marion to meet local Mudcatters.

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 10:05 PM

Wow, this thread has really grown while I wasn't watching. Since parting ways with Mudlark, I played a little more in Santa Barbara and Casa Grande AZ. I went again to El Paso, where I learned that the busking spot I've become so fond of is front of the local whorehouse. Next day was San Antonio, where I got kicked out of the Riverwalk, did some good busking in front of the Alamo, and toured the Alamo.

This morning SRS kindly got up in the ungodly hours of the morning to pick me up at the station. Along with her kids we went beachcombing along the local creek, and on a driving tour of the area. Now dinner's in the oven...

Sorry about that, Bev, no offense intended, just teasing.

Deckman, it's sweet of you to suggest it, but I would have to say no, I'd prefer that nobody do that. I would find it uncomfortable being at a party where donations were solicited for me. (Not that I was embarassed when Amos' friend slipped $100 into my case... all things in perspective, eh?)   Anyway, it isn't really necessary. On the days that I'm on the road by myself, I work hard and make enough money to pay for my trip.

Also, don't underestimate the value (to me) of taking me in. By giving me a bed, or food, or a shower, or a place to do laundry, you're saving me money and improving the quality of my life. Your hospitality is a significant contribution to la causa.   And besides those practical helps, I love meeting Mudcatters for the things it brings me that I can't provide myself, or not easily. I can shelter, feed, and bathe myself; but I probably wouldn't get to go seal-watching, if it weren't for Mudlark. And I wouldn't have seen any pottery in process, or jammed with Florida fiddlers, if not for Bee-dubya-ell. And so on. Having people to visit gets me off the bus-station-to-downtown-streets-to-bus-station grid and into the small towns, countryside, and into people's lives and interests. So it's a deeper view of America than I would be able to find on my own.

Allan is right; it would be too complicated to research all the local busking laws, so I just ignore them and play where I want. I figure that as long as I look respectable, play nice, and am very considerate about where I set up, I'm not likely to run into any real trouble - and that's been true so far.

Love, Marion (Fort Worth, Texas)

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Deckman
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 10:43 PM

Marion ... You are such a class act! Any chance you can come by our neighborhood, again, on the way home? Happy trails! (Judy says "HI") Bob

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Mar 04 - 11:09 PM

In front of the local whorehouse? But you find the Perth liquor store too seedy?!   Ha ha ha, spot's taken now anyway....


W-O
splitting a gut... learned something new about the west texas town of El Paso.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 12:43 AM

Well, Willie-O, we're gonna turn Marion loose in a busy downtown Fort Worth neighborhood on St. Patrick's Day and see how many Texans remember their Irish roots when they pass her guitar case.

I haven't heard back from any local Mudcatters about making it to Addison tomorrow, so we will stick around Fort Worth on Wednesday evening. Marion will be back in Fort Worth later in the month for another of Jed's concerts, and I'll plan to attend that one. Good things eventually make their way over to Fort Worth!

SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Wesley S
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 06:02 PM

I'm sorry we havn't been able to connect this time around. Having a three year old puts a damper in the social life. Esp if your wife is a CPA and it's the middle of tax season. I hope the busking has gone well. The weather was certainly cooperating today. { Sunny with a high around 80 }

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 04 - 06:53 PM

It's a spectacular day to be outside no matter what you're doing. She's downtown in Fort Worth this afternoon and evening.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 01:02 PM

And where is fair Marion these days?

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 09:55 PM

Hi gang.

Mudlark and I looked a bit at her father's music notebooks, and played around with his dulcimer, and her kids played cooperative fiddle with me (I fret, they bow). We went boldly by night to the tarantula's lair, but all we found was a not-scary toad. Next day she took me to the Cowgirl Museum then left me to do my St. Patrick's busking, where I met a rodeo clown.

I'm taking the scenic road from Fort Worth to Dallas, the one that goes through North Carolina. Yesterday I went to Birmingham, which has almost no pedestrian traffic downtown. Busked anyway, and several people in cars waved me over to give me a tip. Drive-through busking, the wave of the future.

This morning I arrived at Dani's place. I had lunch at her lovely restaurant and played for a bit in front of it. Then we went to her friend's house for an Equinox party, with several concurrent sessions going on. I'm really impressed by the number of traddy musicians - especially fiddlers - in the local circles. One of Dani's daughters is studying the recorder and we spent some time playing duets and rounds. Now the dog is trying to prevent me from typing by pushing on my elbow. That's another benefit to visiting Mudcatters that I forgot to mention in my last post: most of them have pets that I can play with. That's something missing from my regular life in Toronto, never mind the road.

Love, Marion (Hillsborough, North Carolina)

Oh yes.. and it seems that Willie-O has taken over my best busking spot in my absence. Curse his evil genius! But I take some consolation in the fact that, while he's freezing his fingers in Perth, I'm enjoying my 22nd straight day of warm sunny weather...

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 04 - 11:13 PM

That's SRS, not Mudlark! But the name starts with an "M," Maggie.

Glad to hear you arrived safely!

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Dani
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 05:42 PM

Of course, there is never enough time to do music like I'd like to, but it was truly a nice visit from Marion. Why didn't you guys tell me how sweet and talented she is!

Thanks for going out on a limb and visiting, Marion. May the guardian angel of Mudcat travellers stay perched on your shoulder. Thanks for the songs, and I especially look forward to learning your Underground Railroad Trilogy.

People, I've done my best to convince her to be at the Getaway this year so everyone gets a chance to hear her great songs and lovely voice.

Dani

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 05:15 PM

Oh, how embarrassing. Stilly River Sage, not Mudlark.

I had an unexpected adventure the following day in North Carolina - went hiking in a state park and found a six year old boy who had gotten lost. After some time sharing songs and talking about Rick Fielding, Dani and I learned of his death through the Mudcat thread.

I had a brief busking stop in Atlanta then came to Dallas and spent a day downtown, where the busking was better but my bag of tips was stolen. In the evening Allan C. picked me up and we went out to dinner with his very cool daughter. Since then we have been hanging out, trading songs and travel stories, and I have been admiring the Mudcat guitar.

SRS and other Forth Worth types - yes, I intend to be at Jed's show on Saturday night. I would love to meet some more of you there, and I promise not to call any of you Mudlark. From Jed's website:

"I'll be at MacHenry's with Michael Harrison performing our Into the West: Texas Celts show on

Sat March 27
9:00pm - 1:00am
MacHenry's Upstairs
7618 Camp Bowie West Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-377-0202"

Love, Marion (Dallas)

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 02:42 PM

Hi. I'm visiting Jed. Will write more on that point later, but just a quick refresh to remind y'all of the Fort Worth show tomorrow. Also, I should have mentioned that there's a $10 cover.

Love, Marion

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 03:10 PM

I made the trip over to McHenry's last night. Jed was in good voice, as was Marion, who was invited to join in several times. You missed a good performance, AllanC!

For future reference, here is McHenry's website. Some of the information from their old location on Pelham St. is out there on the web and I ended up with the map to the old site; the address Marion posted is correct. They didn't move far.


SRS

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Marion
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 03:39 PM

Hello gang. Still in Dallas, though not for long. Allan and I met up with Jed Marum at a jam session in Deep Ellum. Since then I have been living out every Jedhead's fantasy: tagging along on his gigs and sitting in a bit. I've also really appreciated hearing some of his works in progress and hearing his thoughts about songwriting, as well as meeting wife Louisa and strong and fine son #3.

Now I'm off to check out this Grand Canyon thingy....

Marion

Oh, and it seems that I have a mysterious benefactor/benefactress. I found the money hidden in my fiddle pocket - not sure how long it's been there, but I think it must have been in the past month. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: artbrooks
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 06:48 PM

We are looking forward to meeting Marion tomorrow here in warm and sunny Albuquerque. Not overnight, worse luck, but probably some time for her in Old Town (ay, touristas con dinero!), dinner, and then off again.

Subject: RE: Marion's other busking tour
From: Allan C.
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 08:11 PM

I started a new job on the day of Marion’s departure from her visit with me and so I haven’t had much time to devote to writing about her stay. It may be just as well. It has given me some time to think about her visit a bit. I suppose I could join the chorus of others before me who have told you about how sweet she is. I could echo others who have told you about her talents. But instead, I think I’ll tell you about her courage. Most of us sit in front of our computers, sipping our coffee, tea or whatever and cannot really imagine what life on the road is for Marion. I’m sure what I have is only a part of the picture.

Marion carries a thru-hiker style backpack to which a detachable daypack is normally affixed. I would guess the combined weight to be somewhere near 40 pounds (approximately 9 stones). In addition, she totes her fiddle and guitar, each of which has its own well-padded gig bag. Marion makes her way between destinations by way of long rides on the bus system. She has a pre-paid pass for unlimited mileage, good for a designated period. She finds it expeditious as well as economical to do her sleeping during the bus rides, thus often eliminating the need for hotels or hostels.

More often than not, major bus terminals in the US are situated in some of the most out of the way parts of towns â€" places most people would avoid, given the choice. In many instances Marion walks from these places to the busier downtown areas where she sets up shop for busking. Normally, she leaves one of her gig bags unzipped and open to receive tips. But last week in Dallas the wind was blowing a lot and she decided to use her makeup box for the tips because it was less likely to blow away. A school age kid grabbed the box and ran. All of the tips Marion had made so far that day went with him.

When Marion told me of this event after I met up with her later that day, she seemed barely even irritated. She appeared to accept it as just part of her workday. Two days later, after our visit, she went back to downtown Dallas to give it another try.

Marion, for this and for a number of other reasons I may try to explain someday, I admire you for your courage and your determination.