Follow that dream wherever it leads
Follow that dream is just what I’ve spent my life doing, and of course my daughter, Jacquelynn came along for the ride. Born in Tulsa Oklahoma, I moved to Missouri to escape a bad relationship, however, my best friend lived in Ozark, and I wanted to be close to him
Business was good. Being a home designer, all I had to do was open the phone book to find clients. The area was thriving, and Branson opened wide its doors. There were many homes to be planned, however, there was also an abundance of condominiums and town homes being built, and I got my fair share of the projects
Within a short time I was invited to Rogers Arkansas as in house designer for what was called at the time, Champions Golf and Country Club. It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. The next five years were spent designing high end homes for some of the wealthiest people in the country, however, as the development was being completed, I was burning out. It was time for a change
A songwriter, I decided to try my luck in Nashville. I pitched a few tunes, and sang at the Blue Bird cafe. I taught a class on architectural theory at a small college in Clarksville to get by. When I wasn’t teaching, I set up my easel at a large sporting goods store where I did quick sketches of people. The experience was rewarding. One I will never forget. My daughter was only five or six at the time, and she always accompanied me. She attracted business by dressing up as calico cat, putting on quite a show. Everyone loved that amazing little girl
Before long my luck ran out. We soon returned to Missouri because it felt more like home than any place we’d ever lived, and Missouri is where we’ve stayed. One of our experiences included selling baked goods at Arts fest, Cider days and farmer’s market, where we met some remarkable people. These would become the good ole days
Over the years I worried my journeys would effect my daughter, and that they did. She too is a dreamer. Following that dream doesn’t always mean it will come true, but it will make you happy, and that she is