The Airhead & Leo Kottke

Over the years...I've had my share of 'airhead moments'.

I'm sure there are more on the horizon.

I rarely feel embarrassed by them...

...mostly just amused at the level of my naivete.
 
FLASHBACK: MINNESOTA 2006

I was loving my 16-month 'interim' job...

...the kind of job you take between a meltdown from previous job burn-out...

...and before eventually having to go back to a 'real world' job.

I was in that place - a wonderful part-time gig managing the front desk at Meridian Manor...an upscale private-pay assisted living facility in Wayzata, MN.

I loved being there - more than I could ever have imagined!

It was wonderful becoming friends with the residents...

...although always difficult to watch some of my new friends lose their health, their memories, and eventually, their lives.

But it was what it was... ...and it was the way of things.

I had some favorites: Kitty Pillsbury, Dot Kottke & Anna Slupko - 3 of many darling ladies who lived there.

My veteran friend George: an ex-Navy pilot who loved to flip the switch that turned on the lobby's gas fireplace - in July.  He' d also mention that his plane was right outside..in the parking lot.

Paranoid June: who would hide her purse in her apartment oven (long since unplugged) for safe keeping....forgetting she put it there...and always accusing the maintenance guy of stealing it.

And there was Chloe...a 70-pound-soaking-wet...Tasmanian She-Devil...

...who wheeled her ever-present (and always necessary) oxygen tank around in an Umbroller.

For someone so frail and slight of stature...she was an imposing figure...one who could instill fear in many a staff member.

Chloe was crotchety, to say the least, always complaining, and had the distinction of making nearly every office staff member cry - at least once.

So - I made it one of my missions to never let her get to me.

When she'd start going ballistic about something...which was most of the time...

... I'd work extra hard at killing her with kindness - and humor - to hopefully defuse her angst.

Chloe grew up in an "old money" family, who likely always got what she wanted. And yet here she was - attached to an oxygen hose 24/7.

No amount of wealth was able to fix that.

I figured she was probably pretty pissed off by it all...and was mostly just sick and tired of being sick and tired.

So I cut her some slack...told her often how beautiful she looked when she smiled (which was true)...and we became good friends before she passed away.

But....as usual...I've gotten totally off track. Back to my point.

For obvious security reasons - visitors had to ring a door bell to enter the front lobby. I would 'buzz' them in and have them sign the visitor register.

 

One Sunday morning I buzzed a guy in...

....someone I didn't recognize...

...who proceeded to wave me off like a pesky fly.





As he blew through the lobby, around the corner and down a hallway...

...my first reaction was...
"What a Jerk!".

The office staff said it was okay...they knew him.


A short while later - the "Jerk" visitor appeared at the front desk to sign the register.

He kinda sorta mumbled an apology for not stopping by earlier.

He wrote his name...

...Leo Kottke.


 I said...and I quote... 

"Gee...You have the same name as that famous guitar player."
   
He mumbled again - something inaudible...

...and left the building.

 
My friend poked her head from the office door to inform me...

...and I quote...

"Holly, that WAS Leo Kottke."


 Sigh.



About 2 months later I had the opportunity to see Leo again.

As he joined his mother - aka Dot Kottke!! - for Sunday brunch...I told her my "Leo meets airhead" story.  I knew her last name...but never made the connection.

Dot had told me once that her son played the guitar...

...now there's an understatement...

...but she never mentioned his name.

I lobbied that I may not have recognized Leo...and I never placed him in Minnesota...

....but I at least knew of him...which should count for something.

He laughed.   I felt exonerated.


FLASH FORWARD: UTAH 2014


Being the lucky 2nd caller to KRCL radio...

...my sweet Doc Sperry yielded two free tickets for a show in Park City, UT.





We enjoyed dinner at our favorite Irish Pub...and then went to the Egyptian Theatre to see...yes...

...Leo Kottke.

I sent a note back stage - reminding him of the airhead from Meridian Manor in Minnesota - asking if he might have a minute to come out to say hello after the show.

The evening was magical - listening and watching Leo play.  It was an intimate theatre and an intimate performance - informal and engaging.

After Leo left the stage - we waited for a while in our seats.

When the audience had moved to the lobby - the crew said that Leo never came out to greet people...

...just not his thing.


We decided to leave - just as Leo walked back on stage.

He saw us there and said, "You must be Holly".

So - the three of us got to have another good laugh about my Leo Kottke story.

We chatted about his music and travels, who he'd worked with and finally about his mom, Dot: a sweet, lovely and lovable lady.

Dot was eventually moved to a different full-care facility.  What Leo didn't know is that I went to visit her there several times before she passed away. I think he was moved by that.

I also told him I recognized his hands as he played - because they reminded me of Dot's hands.  I think he was moved to hear that too.

In our excitement to talk with him, we forgot to get a photo - but in retrospect...it was okay.

It was enough...and it was perfect.