Donny Osmond on Wednesday July 24, 1974

On this day, in 1974 I met Donny Osmond up close and personal for the first time. This was at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. Way before Las Vegas was family friendly, I somehow got my Dad to take me to adult playground to see the Osmonds perform.

The Tropicana was booked, so we had to stay in the Hacienda Hotel. I was bummed about that, yet we did do breakfast at the Trop. After my we dined, a girl came up to me and asked me my name. Turns out, being in the whole pen pal thing at the time--real hand written letters sent through the mail for eight cents-Bonnie had written me to ask if if I wanted to be part of scrapbook she put together for the Osmonds. So I'd sent a note and a picture--and there she was right there in front of me. She was from.Oswego, NY. Anyway, a bunch of girls were outside the restaurant and I wanted to hang to. My dad really wasn't feeling it--however there were some adults there and he gave in--reluctantly. I'm sure the thought of his teen daughter in Las Vegas--alone-was not appealing. Anyway, after I met my first Osmond, Alan and his wife of eight days, Suzanne--I wouldn't have budged--period.

As I got to know the girls around me and saw my first pair of platform shoes--with sequins yet--I realized I wasn't in Iowa anymore. As us girls gabbed everything Osmond--I was amazed how many times some of them had seen the Osmond perform. For me, it was just once--in Des Moines, and tonight would be my second. Felt kinda outcast with concert going and being just one of the two black girls in the midst.

Commotion. Screams. DONNY! Girls crowded him, while the security guard tried to keep us at bay. Just few feet from him I stood. Regained consciousness enough to snap pictures. There is some picture of Donny holding a brush as he talks to a fan. Heaven knows where it is. Did I have some long, in depth chat with Donny, like; "Is purple REALLY your favorite color?"

Naw. In fact, we didn't chat at all. I don't even recall if I got my picture taken with him that day. I don't think I did. The picture came the next day, when that same security guard let us go back stage around 10am. All I remember is I made Donny laugh and I gave him some hat I had. A girl took our picture with my camera, with the hat donned on Donny's head. The picture came our blurry and I was heartsick. No digital in those day--so you know there would be a do-over.

On that first meeting--well, me meeting Donny than he'll ever remember meeting me--butterflies flittered in my tummy. I couldn't believe it. In PERSON! -if only for a moment as the security guard ushered Donny away.

As for the pictures-both are from 1977. The one above, I've shared before. It's from Las Vegas on the the 30th floor of the Hilton. I made Donny laugh again on that day. The one below is from Des Moines-when Donny and his family were on my turf for a concert! Just liked the the picture and I think Donny was calling me "Crazy" when saw me.

Now if Donny and I met today and I asked for an autograph? We'd both have to pull out our readers to make sure we could see what was going on! Gotta admit--would be fun, and I'm sure I'd make Donny laugh again. Then I was gonna let this day go by without a song--but it is Friday--plus I wrote about Donny Osmond, so why not the song that really made me notice him: The 12th of Never. See, Donny's voice had changed--and I liked it and liked him--finally. Up til then Donny was not my favorite Osmond. :)

Valentine's Day

Hasn't been one of my consistent all time favorite holidays. Either I break up with somebody right before V-day or start dating them right after V-day. Except for the little treats in grade school, I honestly don't remember receiving a card from a guy--outside of my dad--on V-day. Sad, huh?

Well, wait, do you consider e-cards? This is the 21st century. A couple years ago, Bear (the man who refuses to talk to me because he feels I showed disrespect by speaking to his pastor about him) did send me an e-card, plus wrote a teeny poem how it was good I was in his life. Ha!
Bet he wishes now that poem was written with toxic ink.

Outside of that, no cards and no flowers. I once worked with this girl who recieved 5 rose bouquets from 5 different guys. And I ain't just talking a couple roses in a vase. Nope. These took up one corner of the office! At the time, I don't I even knew 5 guys to just say "hi" to.

I'm not saying all V-days are bad. Nope. By V-day 1978, I was still all giddy because I'd cspent time in Provo, Utah. Yes, Provo, Utah. Donny and Marie Osmond were in full swing filming their original variety show there. Long story short, a bunch of us girls, got to spend time in the Green Room of Osmond Studio. We were celebrating a girl's birthday. Parker Stevenson was a guest on the show and wound up coming into to see us. Saw just about every Osmond--along with Marie who turned some ice cream cake: "A moment on your lips is a lifetime on your hips." Then the man, Donny Osmond came in! Oh, YEA! He sang Happy Birthday to the birthday girl and hung with us for awhile. You talk about a great day! We ended it by going to to Salt Lake City. Shaun Cassidy was doing a concert there and wondered if could get a glimpse of him. Back then he and Parker Stevenson were on TV as the "The Hardy Boys." So why not try to see the other "Hardy?" As Mr. Da-do-ron ron rushed through the hotel, we squeezed his hand. That was it. It was enough. It was 1978.

In recent times, I've learned to celebrate V-day just for me. Pamper myself, with some morsel I desire. Movie, ice cream, anything. Whatever makes ME happy. Didn't need to rely on anybody to make the day special. Why force something? Now, don't get me wrong. Flowers, candy or even a card would be nice. But ya know, when I think of the love that circles me every day, Valentine's Day is just another day.

Cue up a little Shaun Cassidy....why not? :)