Author Archives: Wright Flyer Guy

On a chilly July 1981 morning at Smith-Wallbridge Drum-Major Camp near Syracuse, Indiana, Rick and I quietly rose by 4:00 AM, and took a radio out to one of the pavilions to listen to the royal wedding of Prince Charles … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Spontaneous trips. Some of the best memories and experiences of my childhood. I guess my childhood has lasted 53 here because I’m still very spontaneous. It was nothing uncommon for my family, on any … Continue reading →

As a child, I grew up around the corner from my maternal grandparents, Leroy and Donna Clary Barmes. I spent many glorious hours with my beloved grandparents who were still young, 42 and 40, at my birth. To add to … Continue reading →

WHEN GOD CREATED MOTHERS When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of “overtime” when the angel appeared and said. “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.” And God said, “Have you … Continue reading →

The Human Race Theatre Company of Dayton, Ohio gave The Miami Valley a splendid Mother’s Day gift for the past several weeks celebrating motherhood and humanity through the work of local author and humorist, Erma Bombeck. AT WIT’S END, directed by … Continue reading →

My community’s newly remodeled and technologically updated public library, a part of the Dayton Metro Library system, is rather bewildering, as well as a disappointment. It feels more like a community room or some kind of teen country club. No … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Friday. My Saturday. It’s 62-degrees at the moment with an expected 82-degrees later in the day. A gentle breeze crosses the yard up to the deck where I am surrounded by five differently tuned … Continue reading →

At the last minute I caught the 6:49 PM bus to Danbury South Cinemas to see CHAPPAQUIDDICK. For the most part, it was good. It brought back many reminders of my childhood in July 1969 as the world focused on … Continue reading →

When I moved to Dayton, Ohio, August 1990, I was excited that I lived in the same town in which novelist and humorist, Erma Bombeck, grew up. Wright Brothers? (Yeh… I knew who they were… big whoop!) Paul Laurence Dunbar? … Continue reading →

Today was the funeral service for former First Lady Barbara Bush. I watched most of it, remembering funeral services of previous First Ladies during my lifetime: Bess Truman (not televised) (1982) Mamie Eisenhower (1979) Jackie Kennedy (1994) Lady Bird Johnson … Continue reading →

As a young child, I can remember seeing teenagers demonstrating against the Vietnam war. Today, I attended the student rally in Lincoln Park with my friend, Nicole.  It was my first rally to attend. I was impressed with the speeches. … Continue reading →

Neko has died. Last night he was animated and full of entertaining fun for everyone. I came downstairs this morning and saw him sleeping in the guest bed. I didn’t think much of it. I returned home at Noon and … Continue reading →

  This is one of my favorite photographs: a 1991 grouping of The Sorority of former First Ladies.  These were all the first ladies from my life because it captures of my First Ladies I had come to know in my lifetime.  … Continue reading →

One of my favorite first ladies has passed away. What an incredible first lady and beautiful soul you were, Mrs. Barbara Bush. Rest in peace, Dear Lady!  

My Barmes ancestors immigrated from Bavaria, Germany to Hope, Indiana in 1834, and established themselves as carpenters and home builders.  Much of their work can be seen today throughout Hope, today, as you drive along and see steep Bavarian-esque gables and … Continue reading →

This was a perfect Friday despite some initial downers: a friend’s cat scampered off to Rainbow Bridge and dealings with the IRS over my youngest son’s adoption. Off I went to Centerville to lunch at La Pinata, shop at Kroger, … Continue reading →

LOGAN  13 Apr 1994 – 13 Oct 2011 June 19th, 1994, I adopted my first pet, an eight-week-old kitten which I named, Mr. Logan, in honor of my directing mentor, the wonderful teacher, Joshua Logan. Several weeks later I learned … Continue reading →

April 12, 1945, President Franklin Roosevelt was sitting for a formal portrait when he suffered a massive stroke and died. Read about FDR’s Unfinished Portrait

  Burns has done it, again.   But not the famed documentary director, Ken Burns.  His brother, Ric Burns. Nearly eighteen hours of wonderful stories and the history of New York City from 1609 through 1999. The programming is outstanding … Continue reading →

They’re here. Every year of early April, thousands of winter guard performers, directors, staff, parents and friends descend upon Dayton for the WGI – Winter Guard International – Championships. And, I love it! At Walmart I ran into a gaggle … Continue reading →

Today, April 9, 1865, generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant meet to agree on terms of surrender thus ending the United States’ Civil War.

MIAGD: Make it a great day It was a fast moving front that laid down a heavy snow across The Miami Valley. The sun makes this April 2nd. look appealing, even with the heavy snow that blankets the ground and … Continue reading →

I discovered this genealogical tidbit on my great-great-grandfather, Joel Monroe Jones. JOEL MONROE JONES In Boone Township, located on the rural delivery route No 22 out of Alexandria, Mr. Jones is one of the prosperous young farmers and is engaged … Continue reading →

Several years ago, the Melin family gave me money and an information so I could plan a visit to the nearby Frank Lloyd Wright creation, Westcott House, in Springfield. I decided I would go with my friend, Jim Buxton, who … Continue reading →