Sayonara, Stanley

It's time to wrap up Stanley's adventures and announce a contest winner.

There's a new arrival from Chicago who needs an escort for the next few days/weeks until I can match her up with appropriate playmates. Her husband is a reservist re-called to active duty with the Seventh Fleet. She is totally new to military life. Let's hope she's a Jimmy Buffett fan because I like to kick off my Quick Immersion Course for Middle-Aged Career Women with a chorus of "If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."


Stanley spent his last day in Japan touring the USS Blue Ridge.

The lady who administers the H1N1 shots asked Stanley to help distract the Fleet Surgeon. "Aye-aye, ma'am," said Stanley. "Whoa, Uncle Mike! You should see the BIG NEEDLE she's sticking into your arm."


Eating lunch in the Flag Mess was a special treat for Stanley. "Fresh flowers! How fancy! I can't wait to see the look on Aunt Kathy's face when she sees this picture." "Yes, I'm sure the flowers will make her feel a whole lot better about my monthly Mess bill."


"You have a great staff, Uncle Mike. Why are the officers wearing pajamas?"

"Heck if I know. I had to wear my Dress Blues today because I'm going to the Japanese Navy base to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of cooperation between our navies."


"I had fun spending the day with you, Uncle Mike."

"It was my pleasure, Stanley. I hope you had fun in Japan and that you will come again soon. Please give Kristen and her sisters big hugs from us when you get back to Michigan."

Taiko drum roll, please. The winner of the 6-word biography contest is Kate for "What? I can't hear you. What?" A special prize will be awarded for the Most Blatantly Self-Serving entry, "Note to self: send Deuce beer," as soon as someone can tell me whether 'anonymous' is Sandy or Dave.

Flat Stanley in Japan, Part I

A special surprise arrived in our post office box last weekend. Flat Stanley looked a bit jet-lagged after traveling halfway around the world from Hanover-Horton Elementary School near Jackson, Michigan, but was his perky self again after a few blasts from a steam iron. "Gosh, I feel like I've spent two hours in an onsen," sighed Stanley.
Flirtatious Stanley was eager to hook up with some Japanese chicks so the first item on our agenda was a party hosted by the Japanese Navy wives at Satsuki Heights Tower, an apartment building on the U.S. Navy base where we live.

Stanley's good manners helped him make friends right away. Stanley-san, kochira wa Tomiko-san to Hiroko-san desu (Stanley, this is Tomiko and Hiroko). Hajimemashite. Stanley desu. Dozo yoroshiku. (How do you do? My name's Stanley. I'm very glad to meet you.)

"Today we will show Stanley and all the American ladies how to make bracelets and earrings," the Japanese ladies decided. It was hard to choose between all the different kinds and colors of beads on the table, but Stanley finally decided the cloisonne beads were the prettiest. He wanted to hurry up and string the beads on the thin rubber cord so he would have enough time to make matching earrings. He could hardly wait to use those wire cutters and pliers.

Stanley made the ladies giggle when he decided to model his new creations. "Gee, Aunt Kathy," Stanley said, "maybe I can get an after-school job at Phil Dupuis' jewelry store when I go back to Michigan."

That night Stanley was a big help in the kitchen when Uncle Mike hosted a Fleet Medical party. "Aunt Kathy," he asked, "why are you accepting compliments on that yummy Winter Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing when that cute Jen O girl did ninety percent of the work?" "Stanley, I am too busy making sure the bamboo skewers don't catch fire and sprinkling peppermint crumbs on this store-bought cheesecake to answer all your questions tonight. Why don't you go eavesdrop on Jen O and Jen F for awhile?"

The next day Stanley wanted to finish cleaning up the party mess but we had an appointment with Dr. T in Yokohama. Stanley enjoyed talking with Dr. T who had lots of questions about Stanley's creator, Kristen Thompson. Fortunately, Stanley had remembered to bring Kristen's school picture. "Oh, she is very pretty," Dr. T remarked as he started rummaging around his office for little trinkets for Stanley to take home to Kristen. Now Stanley is going to have to travel back to Michigan in a box rather than an envelope.

Stay tuned for Stanley Goes to an Art Show.