Pamela Jo Bowman

“Pam, Where’s your bike?”

“What do you mean, ‘where’s my bike’. Isn’t it in the garage?”

“No. Neither is Ben’s.”

The garage is a mess, but not that messy. Sure enough both bikes have disappeared. I am mad. That bike was my birthday gift. It was a nice bike. Why can’t I have anything nice? I storm around the house … cleaning. It’s a hereditary thing.

Two days ago Chris brings home a new bike for Mother’s Day. A couple days late, but what the heck. He tells me the kids are all chipping in to buy it for me. I tell him to return it because I am trying to teach the kids about not buying on credit, especially credit from the Bowman bank. My argument is rather convincing and the bike is returned. I am sad because I liked my bike and I will miss it.

Yesterday my girlfriend called to ask Ciera to babysit on Saturday.

“Hey, your bikes are still in my garage.”

“What? My bikes?”

“Yea, remember you and Ciera rode them over a couple of weeks ago and then you stayed lated because we ended up having a girls night?”

I am jumping up and down, but wait now I have to tell everyone that I had another “senior moment.” The moment actually lasted a couple of weeks. How did both Ciera and I forget about that? Right now, I don’t care. I have my bike back. I am on my way to get it now. Waiting at this stop sign. Waiting for it to turn green.

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BY PAMELA JO BOWMAN, MESA, ARIZONA — I was pretty convinced that skiing wasn’t in the cards because frankly i am too old to deal with the cold and the snowstorms. On Monday morning we woke up to clear skies. So really what choice did I have? It is true i was terrified of blowing out one of my 50 year old knees. They pretty much ache all the time. Whine, whine, whine. I envisioned being hauled down on the toboggan. My daughter having to drive my rented car and she is only 18. How to deal with changing flight plans. My imagination goes to the minutist detail. Rather pathetic I think. So at 12 when we had to leave so Wistie could get to work I was happy neither of us had been hurt. My pride was bruised a bit because by the second run my legs were burning and I hadn’t played that hard for that to happen. When my feet became numb, not from cold, but poor circulation I became concerned. The video was taken on Wistie’s phone. Can’t really tell, but that is me having fun on a splendidly spring ski day! Hit the picture and watch life being good.

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Ya Got To Have Friends

This video was part of an annual presentation. Since I am editing the presentation I chose not to include it in the video, but I am now tormenting my “friends” by posting this here. Hope you enjoy it as much as those who know and love us will.

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PAMELA JO BOWMAN - MESA ARIZONA - When I was in second grade I became Batman. My friend, Suzette, with her freckles and mousy brown hair became Robin, my sidekick.

Admittedly, I was obsessed with the TV Series. So one Sunday, driving to my Uncle Don’s for yet another family get together, I visualized putting my ensemble together. And upon arriving home, I did. I started with blue tights, added a black swimsuit bottom, a black leotard and a blue cape. I purchased a black mask and my mother bought me the “Bat Phone.” I was set. I climbed on my “Bat BiCycle” and patrolled the streets with Robin. We cited those we felt were law violators. We became the Caped Crusaders of San Mateo.

It wasn’t enough for us to rule Dublin Street. No, we had to broaden our horizons. After all, didn’t Batman protect the entire city of Gotham? So we approached my second grade teacher, Mrs. Nordstrom, and requested if we could “show and tell” what it was like to be Batman and Robin.

The following Tuesday, we flew into our classroom after lunch. Most of the students stared in shock. Some snickered. I must admit I had a moment when I realized I was standing among my peers in tights and a swim suit. I thought to run away, but I choose to stay and play the part. A few approached us after and asked how we could be so brave and unashamed. I smiled and acted like it was no big deal. After all, I was Pamela Jo aka Batman!!

I seldom wonder whatever happened to that brave, imaginative, young girl. Occasionally, I catch a glimpse of her in my mirror. Her second grade eyes scream at me, “Fly Pamela Jo. Fly.”

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BY PAMELA JO BOWMAN, MESA, ARIZONA - I found this quote and the way I have been living my life lately, I could have written this!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn’t supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You’ll have your heart broken and you’ll break others’ hearts. You’ll fight with your best friend or maybe even fall in love with them, and you’ll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely, and love like you’ve never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no timeouts, no second chances. You just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone’s hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don’t be afraid to take chances or fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.

With that in mind, I am going to spend the weekend in Oregon with my sisters and my Great Aunt. I am taking my camera and will document all of my aunt’s stories of Italy and her life and our family. Should be some great material there. And if there isn’t I will make it up! I am a writer after all!

Aren’t my sisters the cutest things ever?

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