Friday, January 28, 2005

DOG'S DIAMOND'S...WHAT'S YOUR DEAL?

ADDICTED TO LOVE  (part IX) 

I think every person had a defining moment in their lives when they realize that things will never be quite the same again. It is as if you are shedding a skin of the person you use to be and emerge into a new life.

That is how it was that summer of 1974. I was able to secure a job working at Ken Lake as a waitress enabling me to stay in Murray for the summer. I moved out of the dorms and began to share my first apartment with a friend. My friend was recently divorced, and a very sad story. Married to one of the "locals" after the summer of our freshman year.  It did not last six months.

I left the campus, and ultimately most of the college students I was so use to hanging out with and entered the realm of the real people of Murray.  Somehow, I magically was able to mix the two "classes" together and that summer of 1974 was to be the most fun and the most memorable of all my time living in west Kentucky.

I spent the entire summer waitressing and enjoying the cash tips, going to concerts, such as seeing Eric Clapton in Memphis (see above), meeting the owners of an up and coming major sun tan lotion business who loved to party, spent endless hours on the beach at the lakes, spinning around on boats, trying to learn to water ski, enjoying house boat parties, meeting the town bootlegger and his entourage, and becoming totally immersed into that crazy crowd of people. The locals.

My most endearing memory occurred late one night, sitting on the banks of the lake, drinking beer and listening to the lull of the water and the sounds of the talk around me. I was fixed up with one of my roommates friends, a local man named Ricky. Ricky also was bruised by love, had built a very successful masonry business and accumulating more money than he knew what to do with. So, he spent it freely on his friends. He decided he really liked me, I was the woman of his dreams and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

This is how he proposed............."Dogs, diamond's...........What's your deal?"

And then waited for an answer. I was dumbfounded. Then I started to laugh. Then he began laughing. Everytime he saw me after that (i.e., sober) he would sing out, "Mary, Mary, marry me. Dog's, diamonds, what's your deal?"

About a year ago I found a journal written by a woman from Murray. I emailed her and we found out we were about the same age and knew many of the same people! It was with great sadness I learned that in the 1980's, Ricky was killed by a police officer at the scene of a crime taking place. Ricky was unarmed. It was a mistake. I cried for him, seeing him as that young man, arms wrapped around himself, rocking back and forth as was his habit singing that verse to me.

"Mary, Mary will you marry me?"

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sad about him being killed...you like to think the people you left behind just last forever.  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

That's so sad. I knew a young man who was shot in his late teens and I never forgot. You're keeping him alive in a sweet memory but that's small consolation.

Anonymous said...

I did not expect that ending...so sad...JAE

Anonymous said...

WOW that is sad. I have seen those I went to school with die and some of girls friends now at young ages it is so sad. Lori

Anonymous said...

HOw sad Mary. My first 2 real boyfriends were killed. One in Vietanm and one is a car accident. Anne  

Anonymous said...

I was reading the early part of your entry thinking what a wonderful, exciting life y ou've had.  Then I read the ending, how very sad about your friend.  

Monica
http://journals.aol.com/sonensmilinmon/SmilinMonsAdventures/

Anonymous said...

So sorry about ricky...ah mary that is very very sad. I love that picture. It looks like all you kids are praying or something. Or sitting waiting for a band at woodstock.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to read about Ricky. My first love Rusty (who proposed with a ring I accepted but later gave back) died a few years ago of lung cancer. He smoked 2 packs a day from when he was about 14 years old and never saw 50. I go to his grave sometimes which is near me. He will always hold a special place in my heart. In 1974 my son was born. I was 19 pushing 20. I was the all natural Mom. Natural childbirth and I was a vegetarian. All food I made and served was natural. Imagine my shock when 2 1/2 yrs. later I was diagnosed with cancer! Thank God I survived it to raise my baby. 1974 was one of my happiest years. Nelle

Anonymous said...

I am sorry about your loss of your friend. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh man...that is just too sad. :-(

Anonymous said...

Is that a Woodstock pic? Another great story, Mary. Though I feel that you left out something great about this chapter about Ricky. It's sad that he passed away in such a violent way. Looking forward to the next installment of the "Addicted to Love" series. Love your stories!

Anonymous said...

powerful entry. I love it when you write. judi

Anonymous said...

This was written with such a powerful vibe I could feel the emotions! I love your entries and wait to read your blog when I have something hot to drink and all is quiet. It is an amazing journey and I'm thankful you included us!

~Jaime

Anonymous said...

I think you are right about that 'defining moment'.

That is so sad about Ricky...this was a wonderful story, but so sad...

Anonymous said...

Wow! So many memories!
Wonderful tale.
V

Anonymous said...

For the friends we lost, in a time long ago, the past can hold bittersweet memories. We can tell the stories of our lost friends so that their stories will not be forgotten. Thank you for sharing your Ricky with us. Dalene of AHH at journals.aol.com/ahhliving/AHH

Anonymous said...

The guy sitting directly behind the hand over your head--I think that's me.

Anonymous said...

Hey, man!  This looks like my Senior Class trip ... after the bus broke down on the Connecticut Turnpike!

Anonymous said...

Mary, I am glued to this perpetual peice as of late.  Oustanding writing from the heart.  Love the pics too.  Cya, Kris

Anonymous said...

Don't Bogart that joint, my friend...pass it over to me.

Anonymous said...

I am busy catching up....I am enjoying your memories so much...E