Burt Reynolds one
Burt Reynolds two
Burt Reynolds Jupiter Ranch
Yes, this was the purchaser of They Walked Together. These old photos were given to me by Burt Reynolds in 1976 on one of my visits to his ranch in Jupiter, Florida. On one of his visits to my little apartment in town he saw a print of this painting and inquired where the original was. At the time it was hanging in Royal Palm Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida as part of the current Show. He wrote a check to the gallery which I have a copy of but cannot show you because the check police will get me and asked me to bring the painting to the ranch. Actually the gallery owner wanted to take the piece out to the ranch himself hoping to meet the celebrity in person.
Some of you will not have heard of Burt Reynolds but trust me he was a big deal at the time and still is too many. His real first name is Burton, shortened to Burt but I know him as Buddy as did all of his childhood friends. As an adult movie star he was known to distrust anyone who did not know him as Buddy; I guess referring to the vultures who surrounded him at the time.We were raised together in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was my first “steady”boyfriend and I was his first as well; though he will never talk about me publicly for good reason as you will discover in another post. I wore his little silver football on a chain around my neck: a symbol of “going Steady” until another good-looking boy caught my eye. OK, that’s not surprising behavior for a fourteen year old!
Grandma used to bake us brownies and give each a dime sending us off to the movies. Yes, back then you could sit in a movie theater all day and watch films for one thin dime. “sigh”. There were football games, “rush”parties given by school fraternity, Trapper Nelson excursions, and endless hours of just talking, and eating my grandmother’s wonderful food! I lived across the street from Palm Beach High School so in the afternoon when the bell rang and we hit the sidewalk the aromas would draw our friends to the covered patio where we all hung out telling secrets, doing homework, and hoping to share grandma’s cooking. Once Buddy and I went to a rush pool party about three miles from my home . When it got rained out we didn’t have a ride so we walked the whole three miles holding hands and not speaking a word. At the time I had never felt so close to anyone. Words were not necessary. This was the real Buddy Reynolds who-when we were alone-was a quiet, caring friend. But the minute a third person entered the scene He was on stage! It was also not the man he became nor I believe the man he is now.
After two marriages, college, six children, and about twenty years I returned home to Florida where Buddy and I met again and they Walked Together found a home. The true story continues in the next post. Pray that I get faster at writing and typing!
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I admit, I had to wikipedia him first, though his name did sound familiar to me. But aside from that, this was a very dear story and I can’t wait to read the next post! 🙂
Thank you for the lovely comment. I was not sure that anyone would like this one but I feel compelled to tell these stories.
You can get faster at writing and typing by switching to voice recognition software. I’ve been using Dragon Naturally Speaking for about ten years, and the latest version is the absolute greatest!
Thanks for the tip Russel.I sure can talk faster than I can write or read so I will check it out. I have often wondered how you can post so quickly and so well done! Thanks too for visiting and taking the time to comment!
June
This is an amazing post. I am very proud of you, my sister.
You have Buddy’s personality identified as solid as a rock. I used to trip over the two of you when I came home from work and started down the stairs. It was dark and I could not see.
Buddy had a powerful personality that you could not help but to appreciate. At times I did not approve of his journey through life, but we all make mistakes.
These pictures are really tremendous. I see the Buddy that I liked in them.
Trapper Nelson’s, what memories.
Keep your blog going. I can’t wait until the next one.
Your sister, Carol Marlene Mumford
I can always count on you! There are many more to come and I hope that they will not embarrass you. I have more pictures but I think that’s enough. It is weird that many people don’t know him but seem to like the story anyway. Of course this goes around the world and I have friends in several countries. So fun! Those stairs were also a parking place for you and others- who will be nameless! I still do not approve of his journey which always seems to have a bottom line of money.
However, he was a sweet guy back then and I caught a trace of that when I moved to Jupiter. Did not last long though! Enough of memory lane. I love your comments and you!
Love, love, love your great memoires Dear June, you are a very special woman and valued friend!
Oh Michele, I so feel the same way about you! You should start a blog because I am sure that you have some awesome stories to tell. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting!
Hi mom! Thanks for sharing another interesting story. I’ve been thinking about my response to this post for a few days because I was only 10 years old when we moved to Jupiter, Florida and you saw Buddy again. I remember that he put me on his shoulders and carried me around our tiny little duplex apartment. He seemed nice enough at the time but of course I was missing my father so no amount of charm would impress me. I must not have been too rude because you gave him the drawing “Addie Frog.” As I grew up I wondered if he still had the drawing and if he had it hanging anywhere. The 1984 film “City Heat” featured a secretary named “Addie” played by Jane Alexander. I thought he wrote it himself but on http://www.imdb.com Blake Edwards is given credit for writing. In any case, when the camera focused on her desk nameplate, I couldn’t help but imagine it was because of the drawing. Didn’t the drawing have a little nameplate on it, too? It’s funny how the mind loves coincidence! Well I hope he or someone he knows still has the drawing and that it’s hanging some place where people can enjoy it. Love, Addie
Yes Addie, I know it was a difficult time for all of you kids. I gave Buddy that piece because he did care about you and all the others and he admired it so much. The piece had a plate with the name Addie Fog because that’s how you pronounced frog. Remember that it won an award in a show sponsored by the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and I had a three person show with other winners as part of the prize. I changed the name on the plate to read My Buddy because he was so in love with that piece and It seemed to fit but I still think about the whole experience and wish that I had not given it to him or changed the name. Don’t feel bad about it I had to watch Tammy change the plate on Then Walked Together to one of her girls names and Poppa.but the real name of the piece is very well known. I know how you feel about the piece and I have never sold a painting without wondering where it was now. Art is so personal and especially where your family are models. I would give anything to know where TWT is but I suspect with George Richie’s family since he is gone but never allowed Tammy’s girls to have anything that she left. He was just a sorry jerk and I hate to think that it’s in his families hands.
Because of that it is rare that I sell any work where I use or was inspired by any of my family. I usually give the piece to them personally after showing it a couple of times like Wish You Were Here. I do still have a excellent photo of it and can make you a large gicle’e if you want. Remember that some artwork seems to have a life of it’s own and will continue to live in spite of your best efforts to destroy it! Maybe someone will read this and know where Addie’s Fog is at. Right now we move forward and I always love your comments!
Well, I’m old enough to remember exactly who Burt Reynolds is. There was a time when he was pretty popular and I always liked him…
Thats cool that you knew him, can’t wait to hear more!
Oh Maggie there is a whole lot more! But it takes me time to write about these personal post. I am planning to continue the story in the next post. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I will be watching your post as well!
🙂
You do bring these personalities and characters into 3 dimensions!
What a nice compliment. Thank you so much! I am looking forward to more excellent post from your blog.
I love your stories. Not many know how to do that. You have so much to tell.
Thank you for checking it out Donna. Hoping that everything is good for you!
It’s a lovely story like the one you read in Romance the only difference is that yours is real . Yes it’s like leafin through a book by Daniel Steel ,I love the part when you and him walk under the rain it’s my favorite scene it’s so romantic 🙂 I’m eager to read the rest =)
Yes, I have always remembered that as a special time and true to his character at the time. I will post number five soon and I am honored that you enjoy them.
that’s Awesome
So glad that you think so. Thanks for your comment!
Another great story. My sister the story teller. you are the greatest.
Thank you again for your compliments. Love you
Great story! amazing you knew him! I loved him.
Well, don’t speak in the past tense; he is still around just not doing many movies these days and has health problems among others. Glad that you like the story.and will follow it. Thanks so much for your compliment!
WOW! Burt Reynolds! 🙂
Hello there! Sorry that I have been off line for so long. You might enjoy reading the full story: All eleven chapters. You can click on the link in the header or as a catagory on the right hand side: The story of I Promised you and get all of them but you must scroll all the way to the bottom to start at the beginning.
I will be visiting your blog and catching up. Take care
Thanks, I’ll check it out. Hope all’s well with you. 🙂
I am much better and enjoying connecting with friends on their blogs again. Thanks for your concern.
I’m glad. ☜(⌒▽⌒)☞
June, Thank you so much for your perfect recollection of the past. There’s so much I thought I knew , but didn’t. So many memories. What a treasure you have been for me. Love to you and your family.
Thank you so much for this great comment. I hope that you were able to read all eleven chapters of I Promised You. I need to write more but I am busy painting and it will have to wait. I have so many memories of you and the wonderful times back then. Funny how you don’t realize the good times until they are past but thank goodness for the memories. Thank you so much for getting back in touch and love to you and yours coming your way!
June