Sally Jo Bridge died today. She was one of the most interesting and dynamic women I have ever known. She was funny, and she could sing the blues. She also lived the blues.
I'm not sure what happened, or when, but Sally Jo crashed much too early in life, and alcohol robbed her of happiness and health until she died today from lung cancer most likely brought on by smoking cigarettes for forty or more years.
I may come back and add to this, but for right now, I'm going to have a drink, listen to some Bonnie Raitt, and remember me and Sally Jo going crazy in Colorado in the late 70s.
Left to right, Georgia Berry, Jim Kaiser and Sally Jo at the hospice in Anchorage last month. I was able to visit with Sally Jo a couple of times when I was there at Christmas. Georgia, Sally Jo and I went to Boulder, Colorado in late 1976 and met Jim, but that's another story left for another time.
Sally Jo was born and raised in rural Alaska. Her father was a state trooper back in the days when they were a lot more like our popular idea of Canadian Mounties. Kids growing up in rural Alaska are tough and know how to take care of themselves.
After listening to a few songs, I knew the song that brought it all home. Guilty by Randy Newman.
Yes, baby, I been drinkin'
And I shouldn't come by I know
But I found myself in trouble, darlin'
And I had nowhere else to go
Got some whisky from the barman
Got some cocaine from a friend
I just had to keep on movin'
Til I was back in your arms again
I'm guilty, baby I'm guilty
And I'll be guilty all the rest of my life
How come I never do what I'm supposed to do
How come nothin' that I try to do ever turns out right?
You know, you know how it is with me baby
You know, you know I just can't stand myself
And it takes a whole lot of medicine
For me to pretend that I'm somebody else
Sally Jo always said "Wild women don't get the blues, they sing just sing 'em."
I'm sorry to hear about Sally Jo. It's hard to lose friends.
Posted by: John | January 17, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Good thoughts and warm paws from the Lab Kat family.
Posted by: Lab Kat | January 18, 2008 at 07:02 AM
I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost a friend Houston. God Bless sweet man, she was loved by the best.
Posted by: Brenda | January 20, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Sorry to hear about Sally Jo.
Posted by: Jack | January 22, 2008 at 12:38 AM
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. May the memories you have of her remind you that that the ones who pass on are not gone for they live always in our hearts.
Posted by: Virginia Gal | January 23, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Peace be with those who mourn.
Posted by: Ricky-Lava (Oh so HOT)! | February 08, 2008 at 10:55 AM