[Boomer]

Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!

md blondie,

I know you know how amazing your mom would have been to be a WWII pilot. We were in Kalamazoo, MI, for a graduation. Of course, we went to AirZoo. And while I was there, I chatted up a docent (imagine me doing that) and anyway, he told me all about the woman there who has been so instrumental in that museum. She is an heir to a pharmaceutical fortune and was a WWII pilot who had a lot to do with equalizing benefits under the military for women pilots. He knew her and really liked her. He said when she comes into the museum, she makes everybody comfortable immediately. Wears comfortable old shoes with her evening gowns at the events. Now, that is truly a class act. Serious money at its best. Making everybody comfortable. Knows what's important.

There is a book, which is actually a book for young people, but it is well-worth getting. It is called Yankee Doodle Gals: Women Pilots of WWII by Amy Nathan. The book tells their story and has lots of pictures. I don't know if you have grandchildren or not, but if you do, this book would be wonderful for them so they could know more about what Great Grandma went through.

Now, for a book about women pilots that is just for grownups. I talked about this book on here once long ago. It is called The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes by Lauren Kessler.

Pancho Barnes was also a very wealthy woman for a lot, but not all, of her life. She was a barnstormer, a racer, and even a Hollywood stunt pilot when women just did not do such things. She knew Howard Hughes. And outsmarted him. She had 4 husbands and countless lovers. This woman had a lot going on.

The Happy Bottom Riding Club was the bar she ran. It was out in the desert where all the ultimate flyboys hung out. She was Chuck Yeager's drinking buddy. Pancho liked to call herself "the greatest conversation piece that ever existed."

But the book about Pancho is not one to give to your grandchildren.

Wow! How do I write all this stuff! I am supposed to be cooking ribs right now. This daggone computer is in the kitchen. Oh well. It's what I do.

Anyway, md blondie, I know those WWII women pilots had to be something really special. I know you have to be so proud of your mom. I know I am.

Boomer