Howie at Pat’s House

Note from the future.  When I met Howie in 2002 he was a 52 year old bachelor who had a lot of rich relationships with women.  One of them had been a long standing relationship with Pat who had worked with him at Citibank.  Pat had always wanted a child and had one via AI and Howie was Charlotte’s GodFather.  There are a number of other women who had been close to his heart including Willow Hobein?, Susan Pearsall, a woman who’s name escapes me but is a horse enthusiast he meets for birthday lunches and Mary Hessler Key who was the person we had in common that resulted in our meeting.  All of them feared my relationship with Howie would cost them theirs, but they all learned over the past 18 years that I am not the jealous type and that don’t do or say anything that would interfere with their friendship.  Howie arrived with a dozen or more such female friends, but most of them couldn’t stand the idea of him being off the market, so they have dropped away over time.  In this set of emails below, Howie is on one of his trips to stay with Pat and Charlotte in Boston.  

 

Howie wrote Carole saying, Good Morning!  Woke up thinking of you.  Howie

 

Two minutes later I got his e-mail and sent this to Howie:

 

Of course, I came in here as soon as I got up to see if there was any word from you.  I am so glad you had a nice surprise last night with the concert.  I was just getting ready to look up the words to the Camelot tune you said you liked and to see if I could find somewhere on line to hear it.  I just can't wait to be near you again.  I hope you have a nice morning and a safe flight this evening.

If Ever I Would Leave You

If ever I would leave you

It wouldn't be in summer.

Seeing you in summer I never would go.

Your hair streaked with sun-light,

Your lips red as flame,

Your face with a lustre

that puts gold to shame!

 

But if I'd ever leave you,

It couldn't be in autumn.

How I'd leave in autumn I never will know.

I've seen how you sparkle

When fall nips the air.

I know you in autumn

And I must be there.

 

And could I leave you

running merrily through the snow?

Or on a wintry evening

when you catch the fire's glow?

 

If ever I would leave you,

How could it be in spring-time?

Knowing how in spring I'm bewitched by you so?

Oh, no! not in spring-time!

Summer, winter or fall!

No, never could I leave you at all!

 

Sometimes Howie breaks into this song in his show tunes voice. 

 

6/18/03  Noon:  Howie wrote:  Checking email between Pat's "honey do" list of house projects.  Craving you! 

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Jamie About Loses It Over Stuff Breaking Down

 

Howie wrote:  Just can't keep your hands out of my drawers, eh?   You're amazing, thanks.  I'd kind of like to see the DSL setup, but maybe take you up on offer to assist when I get back.  On drawer, I do intend to install, but not sure exactly where til I get everything set in place, so it can go in closet for now.  Not sure if I'll get back on line before Tuesday night.  Am at public phone - none in rooms here.

 

Am I going to have to start putting you in a cage when I leave town?  Any progress on YOUR list, industrious one?  Really not sure what to say about your doing all this, except to thank you for the thought and effort.  Enjoyed your card this morning. - Howie

 

Dear Howie,  More than anything, I am just glad to hear that you are okay.  Neither of us is accustomed to checking in with anyone, due largely to there not having been someone at home who gave a damn.  By this morning I was checking all of the online newspapers to see if your plane had gone down.  I kept telling myself that a dude ranch probably wasn't the connectivity capital of the world and wondered if I had called you when I was in Oregon and didn't have a land line.  I don't know if it would have occurred to me that you would be concerned and considered that you may not think of it either.  I am not a worrier by nature, so it took a couple of days for me to get fully freaked out.

 

I am getting a lot of stuff off my list,  wise guy ;-)  Most of it required business hours and will be done over the next 3 days.  At night, all of the nesting keeps me occupied.  Being surrounded by your cats and your things gives me comfort in the absence of your arms and your kisses.

 

Jamie and Daniel came over and we moved the workbench to your shed and carried some of my heavy stuff out to the shed to make more room in the house.  She was crying hysterically when I came into Easy Street this morning because her workload is overwhelming and her computer wouldn't open any of her programs.  Her phones all went down because of the rain.  That happens every time it rains.  The fax machine was beeping and wouldn't stop.  Her cell phone wasn't holding a charge.

 

All Daniel could do was hold her, which got all three of us bawling, and in walked Anissa to use the copier, which jammed.  I thought Jamie would just have a nervous breakdown.  Even Anissa got all teary eyed.  It was a bad morning.  I am off to the gym.   Hopefully her morning bears NO resemblance to yours.

 

I signed the releases today and should have $653,154.81 by late today or tomorrow.  I am going to offer to pay Bob a profit and buy back the lots.  I have had terrific responses on mine and with this money can complete the development of all or most of them.  We are averaging a 30% return on them, so I am a happy cat.

 

If I don't hear from you again, that's fine.  I know what a pain it is to deal with public phones and I don't want to distract from your time there.  I was just happy to hear that you made it there okay.  I would like for you to carry contact info in your wallet though for me to be contacted if you are ever unable to speak for yourself,  or if you are found diving in dumpsters and forget where you live :-)  Love, Carole

Reading You, Reading Me

I lift your books from off the shelves

Their yellowed pages lined in red

The writers’ thoughts that spoke to you

Revealed among the words you read

 

In reverie, sad as the rain

I try to read between the lines

To better know the soul within

The one, for whom, my spirit pines

 

What happenstance in life shaped you,

And made you who you are today?

What challenges you overcame?

What was the price you had to pay?

 

And would you think the price was fair

If you can’t see YOU through my eyes?

I’m awestruck by your qualities

That you don’t seem to realize

 

I wonder if these traits were learned

From written words upon the page

Or from the people that you’ve known

Or from some ancient spirit sage?

 

For all

Making Room For All of Howie’s Stuff

Dear Howie,  I want you to enjoy yourself and not worry about a load of work sitting here waiting for you.  I got your shed organized and it looks great.  I separated household, tools, toys, and sports.

 

I also got the house furniture all rearranged so that the pool table can be used inside and the couch and recliners make a little pit group.  I set all the books out, by topic, on the completed bookcases and all of the crystal, china and table settings are in the china cabinet.  I built a little shelf so that all the Pfatlzgraf (sp?) fits below nicely.

 

Gotta go to the volunteer meeting.  I hope you are having a wonderful time.  I woke thinking about you.  Love, Carole

 

Note:  It wasn’t too hard because I am a minimalist.  The house is Mexican tile that I laid myself throughout.  The big room that Howie was making into his office had been completely empty except for a hammock and a mural on the wall of a sandy beach at sunset.  I’d been toying with the idea of filling the room with sand to complete the effect, but he won’t be able to roll around on a chair in the sand.

 

The bedroom had my bed, an intricately carved table that looks like a palm tree, two carved wood, lion handled, embroidered chairs, a hanging swing, and some hanging candles.  Peter had built a wrap around command center in my little office, and I had two rolling chairs in there.  That’s all the furniture I owned.

Howie Sends Out a Change of Address

Howie said:  Sent out my address change today and of course got lot of responses.  Thought you might particularly get a chuckle from this one.

 

From: Howard Baskin Subject: change in my home address and phone

 

Please note the new contact info below as a result of my recent home move:  Street Address:  

 

EMAIL:  still works.  The new house does not have RoadRunner service, so if you are using  please change it to the bigfoot address.  The RoadRunner address will be turned off very soon.  Cell Phone: No change - Still  Thanks!  Best regards, Howard Baskin

 

At 12:50 PM 6/11/03 -0400, Stan Padgett wrote:

Howard, Congrats on the move.  I haven't hit a golf ball this year, but am going to play this weekend.  Give me a call for lunch soon. stan

 

From: Howard Baskin To: Stan Padgett

 

Things are great.  Moving in with lady I expect to spend my life with.  (knock on wood?).  Moving and traveling next week or so, but would love to catch up with you after.  Stay in the short grass!

 

From: Stan Padgett 

 

Howard, Congratulations again!  I want to meet the lady who can tie you down.  I counted you as the "Last of the Mohicans."  In the immortal words of a pop icon, "another one bites the dust."  See you soon. Stan

 

And another:

 

Howie: Many thanks for your new address co-ordinates. I hope all is well.  Plese remember, you have an open invitation to come visit - with temperatures still in the high 60's low 70's it still seems like winter.! Regards Iain

 

From: "Howard Baskin" To: "Ian Macdonald" 

 

Things are great.  Moving in with a lady I expect to spend my life with.  Quite an adventure.  Maybe we'll make it north some time – would love to have you meet her.

 

Howie:  

Congratulations - strong words from someone who through word, action and deed has always appeared to embrace independence! I really look forward to meeting your lady friend. Why don't you just book a time and we will go up to our cottage in beautiful Muskoka. Seriously, please think about sometime in early August.  Kindest regards, Iain

 

From: Marty Schaffel  To: Howard Baskin 

 

If it weren't for the violence in the Middle East, this would have made the headlines.  Marty

 

Dear Howie,  I did get a chuckle out of the response.  More than that, I was deeply touched by your affirmation that you intend to spend the rest of your life with me.  Every day I will do my best to see to it that you never regret that choice.

 

Geoff has been trying to pin me down at the gym until today I have been able to see him coming and avoid him.  I saw him actually chase my truck across the parking lot one day, but I pretended not to see him in my rear view mirror and left him panting in the parking lot.  He's already had one heart attack and that time I was afraid I was going to cause the big one.  Today I was hanging in a rack when he came up from behind and there was no avoiding a conversation with him this time.

 

He asked if I was over you yet and I told him that, on the contrary, I had asked you to marry me and that the moving truck was coming tomorrow with the rest of your furniture.  He asked what you could give me that he couldn't and I told him "a mate with integrity."  I don't think he will be chasing me down for conversation (or anything else) anymore.  Despite the content, it wasn't an angry conversation, but hopefully it closed that chapter for good.

 

I am so in awe of you.  I read, "Wisdom is knowing which path to take next... Integrity is taking it."  I thought of you.  Every day I learn more about who you are on the inside and I find that person more and more beautiful.  I am so thankful to have this time with you!  Love, Carole

 

Howie wrote:

 

This moving in is not a casual thing.  I would not be doing this if I did not expect it to be permanent.  And now that I see what moving is like, it better be!  :-)

 

Sorry you had to deal with Geoff.  His question was a foolish one that could not have had an answer he would have

Today the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to prohibit Trap, Neuter and Release of feral cats and to eradicate feral cats by killing them.

Dear Howie,  I spent the afternoon finishing the editing of the emails you so kindly kept and copied me with.  I needed the distraction of your precious words and thoughts to ease the blow of today's events.  It's like the first time you realise that life isn't fair or that the good guys don't always win, when your confidence in the "system" is shattered.  I wonder how many times you can lose that innocence before becoming cynical?  As tragic as this is, I know that life is unfolding as it should.

 

Afterward, everyone was crying.  I had to drive and couldn't afford myself the luxury of breaking down, so I kept focused on you.  Everyone kept saying that they wished they were as strong as I am, and as stoic, but I couldn't tell them why I was able to deal with the disappointment.  I couldn't tell them that I lean on you for that strength.  I couldn't tell them that I would have the comfort of your arms tonight, because they don't have that.  11 of us went to lunch afterward to commiserate.  Linda and Frank had each other, but the other 8 women at the table are all aging women who have no mate to comfort them.

 

This whole issue was a gender based argument, because typically women don't hunt nor delight in shooting defenseless animals.  Of course that lead to a lot of discussion about how these women had chosen their mission of protecting feral cats over having relationships with men who didn't care.  The last half hour was Pamela who is 54 and who had way too much wine at lunch.  She said she had never been able to find a man that was capable of washing his own underwear, much less understanding of how she could spend hours cleaning litter boxes.  She said how much she hates being lonely and never having anyone who was there for her, but that she had chosen that over being with a man who had no comprehension of the value of life other than his own.  As you saw, she is an attractive woman with a Masters degree, a good job and a kind and nurturing heart, and yet she has never found a person who would be compliment to her life.  That is sad.  That could have been me.

 

She said that she was glad to see that there was a man in my house and hoped that you would be supportive of my efforts.  Because she asked, I told her that you are my rock, but I would like to have been able to tell her just how wonderful you are.  I can't tell them, without making them more miserable, but I can tell you.  You are all I ever needed.  All I ever wanted.  I thank God for you!  Love, Carole

 

Howie replied:

 

Thanks Carole.  I hope you understand that you have brought a peace and purpose to my life that, for me, is every bit as meaningful as the things that I am so glad that I can bring to your life.

 

(Note from the future.  I am pretty sure this was after the FWC meeting where Vernon Yates attacked me and ended up in a fist fight with Lance Ramos, who had jumped in to protect me and Barbara Frank.  Vernon Yates had ran up behind me and raised his arm to strike me from behind when Barbara saw it and stepped in between us.  His blow landed on tiny little Barbara and Lance Ramos was having none of that.  Lance had no affinity for me or my volunteers, but he wasn’t going to let that brute attack a woman and the two of them rolled on the lawn in a fist fight.  Lance yelled at us to run, which we did.  Lance was all muscle so we had no worries about who was going to win that match.)

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there wil

Howie Promises to Never Lie to Me

Driving to Chuck’s house for his surprise 36th birthday party, I was talking about Don’s indiscretions that I learned about after his disappearance.  I told Howie that I could accept his wandering, because some men are just wired that way, but that I hated being lied to.  I know that Howie would not lie to me, but didn’t know if not telling me if I didn’t ask, would be his way of being kind, so I told him that he was free to do whatever he wanted, but that I would ask him to let me know.   As much as I hate the idea of sharing him with another woman,  I meant it.

 

He said that is nothing I would ever have to worry about.  He said that there was no woman in the world that he ever wanted to be with, but me.  He said that even though he has never been in a situation where he was expected to be committed that he has never been that way and couldn’t imagine why men do.  He reasoned that some men may just have some overwhelming need for variety, but that he didn’t.  Tears came to my eyes as I thanked him for being the wonderful man that he is.  I am so happy and so fortunate!

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Dear Denny and Susan

Thanks again for a lovely and uplifting evening.  So many things are moving in the right direction for WildLife on Easy Street and I am so happy to have the two of you helping to make it happen.

 

As I have mentioned several times, I had hired the International Commerce Corporation to help us set up a business plan and to initiate an action plan.  We have been interviewing key people in Tampa to set up an advisory board that will help us reach our fullest potential.  By coincidence (nothing happens by coincidence, in my book) I met Howie at a reception dinner for the kickoff of the No More Homeless Pets campaign back in November.  Being incredibly humble, he didn't tell me about his credentials and it has only been through others that I learned the man I love has a law degree and his Masters in Business from Harvard and was Citibank's Director of Strategic Planning for it's 11 billion dollar real estate division for 11 years.

 

He retired early and just takes on clients occasionally to keep himself busy.     He hires out as a business consultant for 150.00 per hour and I knew I couldn't afford him so I was writing out a business proposal asking him to help WildLife on Easy Street, that ended in my asking him to marry me.  He's never been married, thus all of his questions about your meeting and marriage.  He's given me a definite maybe :-)

 

Meanwhile, he will be going through the volunteer program at Easy Street so that he can learn every aspect of what is working and what needs improvement.  He has agreed to donate his time.  I wanted him to meet you two because you are such valuable assets to WildLife on Easy Street and he was certainly impressed with your passion for the mission.

 

5/23/03 Howie wrote Denny and Susan Mitchell:

 

I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the dinner.  Carole has mentioned you both dozens of times and it was great to start to get acquainted.  And the story of how you two met was wonderful.  I've never been married, but have been a very interested observer of relationships over the years.  As my relationship with Carole has now developed into my now living with her, something I have never done before and am finding wonderfully exciting but with moments of apprehension given it is the first time at my "advanced" age, I am more interested than ever and have been more actively surveying successful couples.  Your story was one of the best!

 

Re golf, I could play Wed, Thurs or Fri next week, 28-30.   Carole and I are planning a trip the following week Tues-Sat.  The week after that I could do Tues, Thurs or Fri, 10/12/13.  The one caveat is that playing is always subject to back not being "out", but recently it has been pretty good.  Happy to play any of the courses you mentioned.  Or, it might be fun to try that Heritage place that Susan mentioned, which I have never played at.  But, totally up to you. Thanks.  Am looking forward to the lesson!!!!!!!!

 

At 08:35 AM 5/23/03 -0400, Denny wrote:

 

Good morning Howard:  We really enjoyed our time together last night. Sorry we ran off at the mouth. We just don't get a chance to talk with Carole very often and we wanted to share many questions and comments we have developed over the last year. We think what she does is just fabulous and we want to make sure we are on the same page with her.

 

Now to the serious stuff:  Mondays are usually bad for me since I do the 3pm tour at WOES. Other than that, I should be able to get out most mornings. I am booked on June 5 and 6, but otherwise my schedule is flexible.  Let me know where and when works best for you.  My day job's email is 

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: ht

Howie wrote:  Thanks for the fun and touching cards.

Played the famous Merion East course today.  My golf was nothing to brag about, highest score in a while at 108, but this is a severely hard course and I hit enough good shots to make the day satisfying, including one birdie (one under par, i.e. really really good hole.)  Tomorrow we play the West course, which is supposed to be easier.  See you manyana!

 

Carole wrote:  Hello Sweetheart!

 

I hope you had a glorious day.  I just got in from dinner with Carol Childs from National Humane.  She is a trip!  She gave us an anesthesia machine that is working, but not as small as she would like for her purposes.  I took it by Easy Street and dropped off some paperwork while I was there.

 

Today was extremely productive.  I did a lot of things that I have been putting off in hopes that I could recover the lost files from my hard drive.  I had to reconstruct five cases and have them ready to go to Pasco County courthouse tomorrow.  Electricians are coming to give a quote on installing the ceiling fans.

 

I miss you.  I was smiling all the way home thinking of you and how wonderful you are to me.  I just can't get over how good my life is with you!  Love, Carole

 

Howie wrote:  Glad you had such a good day!  I had a lovely, rather erotic dream about you last night.  I was so sorry to wake from it.  Nothing kinky - a very romantic erotic.  I miss you!  It is drizzling this morning.  But I'm quite sure neither of us will want to wimp out.  Should be interesting.  Prepare to meet a drowned rat tonight!  Howie

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Howie went to Philadelphia to play golf with Askar

Dear Howie,  I finished cutting and pasting all of the emails you sent me thus far into my reconstructed journal... and fell in love with you all over again.  I am the happiest woman in the world!!!  Love, Carole

 

Howie to Carole:  Finally got to open your online card.  Love it.  You better be careful or you'll give me such a swelled head I'll be unbearable to be around!  Miss you.  Seems weird now to curl up without my hand in yours.  Howie

 

At 09:37 PM 5/19/03 -0400, Carole wrote:  Tonight I took Jamie and Daniel to paint pottery in Old Hyde Park.  They both asked about you.  Daniel asked if you were just being polite when you said he could help you with the shed floor.  Jamie chimed in and said that you were the only person they had ever liked and it would make sense if you just hated them.  I told her that you enjoyed them and wanted to get to know them better.  To get a head start on that "knowing" they asked all kinds of questions down to what kind of instrument you play and if you play chess and if you like dogs. They were infinitely curious about you.  I have never seen them this way.   Carole

 

Howie to Carole:  I'm very glad.  I like dogs and play a little chess.  Play the hand ocarina.  Howie

 

Carole wrote back to Howie:  I brought up Bob on the way into Amaretto's the other night to say that his call was of such a friendly, yet detached sort that I feel he has emotionally moved on and understands that I will never be there for him.  That closure felt good to me and I had wanted to share that with you, but it occurred to me tonight that I got distracted and never finished the thought with you and may have left you wondering why I thought hearing from him was so great.

 

I will never forget how self-less you were with that entire situation.  I have the utmost respect and adoration for you.

 

I would like to go to the AZA Annual Conference in Columbus, OH Sept. 7-11.  Would you like to go with me?  It is five days of mini courses that cover every aspect of running a zoo.  There are usually quite a few simultaneous offerings, so that we can choose things that interest us.  I would like WOES to become AZA accredited and part of it is being known with them and this is the best way to be seen.  I always learn a lot at these.  I had hoped to be up for consideration for accreditation by the time of this conference, but that would require an awful lot of work between now and then.  Kick it around and let me know.  I don't have to register until August, but can probably get cheaper airfares the more in advance I book. - Carole

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.

Howie’s letter to the ICC

 

 

Well, it's Sunday 10pm and burning out here on WOES property issues, so wanted to give you guys an update on that and also just toss some thoughts re the Board concept.

 

PROPERTY ISSUES:  I have now spent a number of hours trying to sort through the property issues.  What at first I thought was just a matter of creating a list and organizing it in a workable format turns out to be much more.  As I ask Carole questions, I get into layers of detail and there is also a history of permit attempts and various contacts with the County to understand.

 

I'm traveling Mon-Wed and will not be able to do more on it until I return.  But as I look through it, I'm inclined to suggest being careful about bringing anyone in for advice and particularly onto the property until we really have this sorted out.  I know one person I think would be very good to talk to informally who does a huge amount of zoning and permitting work and who might be a good person to get some feedback from once we all have reviewed the details of it together.

 

BOARD THOTS:  One by one I've been introducing Carole to friends and acquaintances of mine so they could meet her, and at the same time have tried to spread the word about WOES in hopes they would tell others.  To do this, I've been inviting them to a late afternoon tour and dinner with us. Although my purpose has not been in the context of enlisting help or Board members, a couple situations have arisen.  For instance, the girl friend of one of the people I invited happens to be the owner of a pretty good size ad agency (The Dutcher Group) and showed interest in helping.  And last night, we did this with a fellow I know casually who used to be an environmental attorney and also, I did not realize, happens to be the immediately retired President of Easter Seals here locally.  He showed great interest in helping.

 

A huge board is unwieldy and I think you made this point in your discussion or document.  I have had one experience where, in a for profit situation, an early stage company put on the Board people who were not the most useful and it became VERY awkward later to invite them off the Board.

 

Am not at all arguing for any particular person to be on Board, and particularly not for either of the two mentioned above.  They are just examples of people that have cropped up.  And we still have the big issue that you articulated very well and I thought was a great point, i.e. that the level of person that would be appropriate for the Board will depend on what kind of support the organization could give, since higher level people need that support to be helpful, versus mid level who are more 'doers'.   Just wondering if we should talk a little about what the process should be for making a decision to invite someone?  One thing that occurs to me is that Carole feeling a personal rapport with them should at least be a factor.  Therefore, having her meet them first might make sense as part of any process?.  Anyway, would enjoy your thoughts.

 

Meantime, when I get back I intend to plug away diligently on this property issue list/summary and hope to at least have reasonable draft a few days after returning.

 

Tomorrow morning will be a bit hectic due to mid day plane, but if there any need to talk before I return, cell is .  Otherwise, very available Thursday and Friday.  Look forward to catching up with you, and to getting your thoughts on this property stuff once I get it better documented.

 

Thanks!  Hope you both have a good week! - Howie

 

Carole’s note:  I don’t remember what ICC stood for, but here’s the back story:  Somewhere around November 22 I invited Howie to walk the sanctuary with me.  I always take note of how the cats respond to people.  Of course they were comfortable with him.  

 

As we got out to the west end of the property, Howie tells it this way:  “Carole stopped and was just staring toward the west and I saw tears well up in her eyes.  I asked why an