We all are in the midst of a global crisis that is threatening our way of life. But sometimes it takes a life changing crisis to to make us realize what is really important to us ‒ both physically and spiritually.
Out of the blue I got a call from my dear friend, Tony Schweikle. I suppose that his self-imposed quarantine has bored him out of his skull – so why not call good old DC and chat for a while? (What else is there to do?)
Our conversation covered a lot of ground. We made a re-connection on that phone call that was almost spiritual; at once and for all time, brothers and fellow travelers on this mysterious, winding road called life. Then and there I decided to check in on my family and friends around the country, and around the world.
The following are the results of many phone calls, emails, FB messages, and texts with a variety of interesting family members and friends. They shared a few personal thoughts regarding life in general, and our common enemy: Covid-19. Some of their comments may surprise you.
Tony and Phyllis Schweikle: Naples, Florida / Sapri, Italy
For years, award winning screenplay writer Tony Schweikle (83), was Assistant Director of the Colorado Film Commission. He now resides in Naples, Florida for part of the year and his home in Southern Italy for the rest of the year. At the moment, Italy will not allow Americans to enter the country (the Schweikles have dual citizenship), nor will the citizens of Northern Italy – the epicenter of Italy’s devastating Coronavirus outbreak ‒ be allowed to enter the Southern region. And the Italian police are strictly enforcing this policy. Tony and his lovely wife Phyllis live near the picture-perfect town of Sapri, overlooking the majestic Golfo di Policastro.
Back in Florida Tony had an emergency room visit, was tested and found to be suffering from walking pneumonia. He was already taking blood pressure meds and has occasional fainting spells. I could hear the fear in his voice as he explained his dire situation. The couple has been self-quarantined for six long weeks and don’t know when they will see their Italian villa again. All their food is delivered, and Tony has stocked up on ingredients for his favorite dish ‒ cioppino.
Tony Schweikle, phone & email: “Sixteen years ago, my wife Phyllis and I bought a house on the Gulf of Policastro in Southern Italy. Our normal Italy schedule each year is from April to to November. In the south, where we live, it is rare to find anyone who speaks English, so we had to learn the language. Of course, COVID-19 has interrupted our schedule this year, but we look forward to going back this coming fall. We have children in Durango, the Seattle area and here in Naples Florida. We stay in touch almost daily.
“My wife Phyllis and I have self-isolated for 7 weeks now. Everything is delivered, food, medicine, liquor and other things we need for our creative projects. Phyllis paints and knits baby blankets that she gives to a pediatrician friend, who then gives them to families with new babies. I have been editing mixed media images that I hope to exhibit in a Naples gallery when it’s safe to do so. We walk our dog in the morning and evening. We are lucky to have a large lake to walk around, and everyone here keeps the required distance.
“We are very serious about staying safe because we are in that dangerous age bracket, I’m 83 and Phyllis is 75. We stay busy, Phyllis has added, learning to play the Lyre and I just started piano lessons via internet with a friend in Durango. I lived in Durango for 35+ years before I had to leave because of altitude problems. I’m prone to use ‘Street Language’ when irritated, so I will not discuss politics at this time. Now days when people ask me about my politics, I just tell them, I’m left of Gandhi. This stops the political conversations quick, with some people.”
Bev and Ron Price: Sebring, Ohio
Aunt Bev (91) is my mother’s younger sister. She and her husband, Ron Price (88), live in a gated retirement village in their own house. They have been under strict quarantine for weeks now and haven’t been able to leave the grounds or accept any visitors – including their beloved children. They are in good spirits and are desperately trying to find diversions to occupy themselves at home. Bev was a head nurse at a major hospital in Pittsburgh for years. Ron, my favorite uncle (my only uncle!), worked all over the world for Westinghouse and is a published author. I love them dearly ‒ despite our political differences.
Ron Price, phone & email: “As I write this, it’s day 38 and counting since the lock down of the greatest American economy the world has ever seen. The China Flu, now with political correctness invoked known as the Coronavirus and COVID-19, has and continues to create havoc in the USA as well as worldwide.
“My wife Beverly and I are locked down in a retirement village in Ohio. With a population of 550 residents and over 500 workers… we are vulnerable! However, so far, we have successfully dodged the plague. Our nursing home, rated #3 in the State of Ohio by Newsweek magazine, is living up to its reputation. ZERO cases!”
“Bev, a retired RN is dedicated to exceeding all the recommendations pouring out of Washington, DC and Columbus, Ohio. Outside, we wear home-made masks provided by family and the retirement village and maintain the six-foot social distancing directive. So far, we have no cases of the China Flu and we, the residents and workers, are dedicated to keeping it that way. Temperature tests for all incoming workers and suppliers. No visitors, etc. Whatever it takes!
“However, after 38 days of total boredom, cabin fever is an understatement. Bev and I try to stay busy with special projects but often find resources hard to find. Playing cards and communicating by email and/or phone only goes so far.
“I’m sure we all agree that we must beat this China Flu and get back to business. And, the sooner the better. The financial risks may just exceed the cost of fighting the beast if we don’t!”
Tony and Ivonne Young: Ingram, Texas
Tony is a well known musician/recording engineer who lives in the lush Texas Hill Country, just west of Kerrville. Along with his beautiful wife, Ivonne ‒ a proud Latina from the glorious city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ‒ there are four dogs! Ivonne is the special woman who Tony had waited a lifetime to meet. (The four of us are planning a trip to San Miguel ‒ whenever possible.)
At present, Tony is recording Ronnie Leatherman of the famous Texas band, 13th Floor Elevators. He has also recorded Flaco Jimenez and Leon Russell, to name a few. In 1982, Tony and I met in Santa Fe where we both lived at the time. Together we played in bands, and he was co-producer on my first solo album Eat A Chiquita featuring Brazilian percussionist Airto and Jimmy Carl Black from the Mothers of Invention.
Tony Young, phone & text: “Although I do feel sad for the ones who have fallen ill and lost incomes . . . for me personally, I accept it as a blessing in disguise. As a producer/songwriter/recording engineer, now instead of working on other artist’s projects helping their dreams come to fruition, I have plenty of time to work on my own creations which have been stashed in my archives for decades.” [Tony says he would like to share his original recordings with family and friends.]
“My superhero is my wife, Ivonne, for she is a medical worker on the front lines at an assisted living facility. She has postponed her accrued vacation/leave in lieu of showing up each morning to care for seniors who, at this time, are not allowed to have visitations from their loved ones (if they even have any). Then, after working her tail off all day in a potential danger zone for crappy pay, she comes home and sews masks for her residents and fellow employees.”
“We should salute her, along with all medical workers, grocery store employees, delivery drivers, farmers, and the hard-working folks (“illegals”) who pick our fruits and vegetables. Perhaps we will see that love really does make the world go round.”
Jimmy Russell, phone: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jimmy Russell, the “Love Muscle”, is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met. With the looks and mannerisms of Marvin Gaye, he is really something to behold! We played and recorded together in Santa Fe and became close friends. In the 1990’s, Muscle moved to Minneapolis where he worked with the late, great Prince on several projects. You can catch Jimmy on the Prince video: Rave un2 The Year 2000.
Years ago we played Taos around the holidays. I asked Jimmy what he and his girlfriend were doing for Christmas. He lowered his head and whispered sadly that his lady was going to be out of town. I asked him to join my family for Christmas and he gladly accepted. My parents had flown in from Dallas to be with my wife and son and me ‒ and they welcomed Jimmy with opened arms. With carols softly playing, the fragrant tree with trains running underneath, the crackling fire, the food and games, the good cheer, the day was magical. Jimmy is a part of the family, so I thought I’d catch up with him. . .
Jimmy Russell, phone: “My wife Billie and I have been sheltering. She works at home now, but I like it. We finally got to see our 4 year-old grand baby, Aris. He’s really Billie’s grand baby. We hadn’t seen him in five weeks! His mom brought him over to play in the backyard, so there we were, running around with masks on, all the while keeping the 6-foot distance. Crazy. Everything is way different. It’s sad.
“I did get a call from Mike Scott. [Former band mate.] He turned me on to the Zoom Recorder and now we’re writing songs together – except he’s in Florida and I’m here!” [Distancing…]
Noni and Doc Span: Nambour, Queensland, Australia
I played drums with Doc Span and Two Fisted Blues in the early eighties. We became fast friends and I now consider him my “big brother.” And Jaye and I adore Miss Noni – an Australian by birth. We hadn’t communicated in a while, but when I contacted him we simply picked up where we’d left off. (True friends indeed.)
Hailing from New Jersey via Chicago, charismatic Doc has made quite a name for himself in Australia as their premier blues harpist. His CD Spantronics won many accolades and was on the charts on the subcontinent for quite awhile. As a matter of fact, this recording is one of my all time favorites! Let’s hear what he has to say . . .
Doc Span, FB Messenger: “Hey DC, Good to hear from you!
“We are staying the f*** at home.” [A reference to a music video with several infamous Ausies contributing from the safety of their own homes.] All my gigs, the few I had booked, have been canceled. All musicians and venue staff here in Australia are not working at live gigs. We just keep walking the dog around the block in Nambour, but at 15, she is a bit slow up the hill.
“I had been front porch playing with a guitarist mate, but don’t even do that lately until the government eases restrictions.”
“Noni does most of the food shopping and wears gloves, wipes everything down, etc. 72 people have died in OZ (mostly from a cruise ship) and we have about 6500 infections. Trump is a dickhead! Check out Noam Chomsky’s “A Gangster in the White House.” It feels more like a democratic socialist government is evolving in Australia. At least our government seems to be telling the truth and has empathy for the dead.
“Good luck, Brother.”
DC has been a frustrated musician for over fifty years, and now has decided to become a frustrated writer. Learn more at DCDuncan.com. He’ll keep you posted.