Evan, Gary, me and Lindsay

For her 25th birthday, Lindsay wanted to skydive. Notice my clenched jaw, slightly pale, pasty complexion. I managed to breathe normally the next day. Evan, being the awesome little brother he is, agreed to experience terrifying his mother as well. What’s next year you ask? Thanks for reminding me.

Mary McDonough, Evan and Runtie

Evan took acting lessons from Mary. Hey, I just realized, lessons has been kind of a theme throughout our friendship. And moving mountains. Must be a lesson there somewhere.

Mary and I on the porch of Earl Hamner's boyhood home in Schuyler. This was about a year before "Lessons" released.

If you ever want to test a friendship, write a book together. Gotta say, though, we “clicked” from the start, and are now lifelong friends. Right, Mary? Hello?

This picture’s important for a couple of reasons. One is, it’s the night Lindsay won Miss Hollywood. Yeah. And Pam, not only is my oldest friend, wait, that didn’t sound right. We’ve known each other the longest of any of my friends. And she’s the inspiration for Fresh Start Stories. See the acknowledgements in Fresh Start Summer for details. (And apparently she’s good luck at pageants!)

Me, Lindsay and Pam Harris Bishop