Frankly, I'm With Frank
I used to dread visits from Frank32 total reviews
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
This is amusing but rather sad. I feel for you as I had the same experience. Mine might have been worse because I worked at a flower shop. There was a woman who someone told me was a private duty nurse, who came in a couple times a year. She did not look dirty but smelled like a ten-day old corpse. Customers fled. Whoever was unlucky enough to be the last one not rushing down to the basement for something, got to wait on her. Fortunately, she didn't loiter after giving us her order. The minute she was out the door, we opened the only window that would open, the back door even if it was snowing or raining, found a fan, and sprayed half a can of supposedly rose-scented spray.
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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This is amusing but rather sad. I feel for you as I had the same experience. Mine might have been worse because I worked at a flower shop. There was a woman who someone told me was a private duty nurse, who came in a couple times a year. She did not look dirty but smelled like a ten-day old corpse. Customers fled. Whoever was unlucky enough to be the last one not rushing down to the basement for something, got to wait on her. Fortunately, she didn't loiter after giving us her order. The minute she was out the door, we opened the only window that would open, the back door even if it was snowing or raining, found a fan, and sprayed half a can of supposedly rose-scented spray.
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Oh my Carol,
I think I would have buried my nose in the most fragrant flowers I had on hand. Usually I love the smell of a florist shop. I haven't been in one in years though. I haven't even seen one in the area, though we have a number of green houses. I agree, having someone in your shop with offensive odors can be a real turn off for the other customers. It's bad for business, but what do you do?
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
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The weird thing about working in a flower shop is that most of us could no longer smell the flowers.
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How sad. I guess it'd be a blessing if you worked in a sewer plant though.
Comment from LJbutterfly
What a horrible way to live. Your description was so clear and detailed I could almost see him and experience his putrid aroma. He sounds like he may have been mentally deficient to be content living alone with only a dog, and no concern about hygiene. I commend you for being kind and respectful when I'm sure you wanted to shout, "Get out of this store."
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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What a horrible way to live. Your description was so clear and detailed I could almost see him and experience his putrid aroma. He sounds like he may have been mentally deficient to be content living alone with only a dog, and no concern about hygiene. I commend you for being kind and respectful when I'm sure you wanted to shout, "Get out of this store."
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello LJ,
I never thought Frank was mentally unstable, he just was content to live life on his terms, much like many of the men from years gone by who wanted to escape the lower 48 and try their hand at carving out a life in the harsh wilderness of Alaska. I guess the dog gave him all the company he needed. At one time he worked for Walt Disney cutting linoleum blocks to make the cartoon characters. He was also an accomplished mechanic and had spent time working at one of the fish canneries. He had been married once, and had a son as I understood it, but who knows the story behind that. Thanks so much for the understanding review gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from DonandVicki
I was pulled into your story and was reminded of some of the near homeless men and women that I knew. I enjoyed your authors note as much as your true story.
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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I was pulled into your story and was reminded of some of the near homeless men and women that I knew. I enjoyed your authors note as much as your true story.
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello DonandVicki,
thanks so much for your fine review. Frank seemed to be content to live on the boat. He didn't drink, and he had money to buy groceries, he just had a limited variety that he bought. I don't believe I ever saw him buy fresh produce or eggs, just Kellogg's corn flakes and canned milk. Surprisingly, once he moved to town, we saw him less than before. A couple of ladies from church took him under their wing and tried to assist him.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Tim Margetts
I have known people like Frank, and isn't it weird how they keep on going for years after us more normally hygienic people begin our journey on the other side.
You capture the man and his dog beautifully, although I would more think of this as nostalgia than humour. Nicely written.
Tim
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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I have known people like Frank, and isn't it weird how they keep on going for years after us more normally hygienic people begin our journey on the other side.
You capture the man and his dog beautifully, although I would more think of this as nostalgia than humour. Nicely written.
Tim
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello Tim,
thanks so much for your insightful review. I suppose it could be labeled nostalgia. Whatever it was, it was painful to experience at the time. Frank was really an accomplished man, he just decided some time in his past to move north and never went back.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Bill Schott
This was quite a story about Frank the Stank. You have stated his condition and the results of his presence in closed in areas so well, I can smell him from here.
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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This was quite a story about Frank the Stank. You have stated his condition and the results of his presence in closed in areas so well, I can smell him from here.
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello Bill,
how nice to see a picture of you. You're not at all the way I pictured you. You must be inundated with kids wanting to give you their list as Christmas nears. I wrote a book titled The Greybeards. Your beard and mustache could have served for the front cover.
Frank was old school, very opinionated and although I don't know that he was especially anti-social, he sure seemed to enjoy the solitude that he had in Spasski Bay. Thanks so much for the great review.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Karen Cherry
Frankly, I imagine he had that condition where people have no sense of smell. He was probably a bit autistic as well. Or, maybe it was his camouflage to keep people away. You write so well, I could smell him. Thanks ever so. What a grand tale. When I get some money, I'll buy your books and you can autograph them for me. I'll put them in pride of place. Karen
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Frankly, I imagine he had that condition where people have no sense of smell. He was probably a bit autistic as well. Or, maybe it was his camouflage to keep people away. You write so well, I could smell him. Thanks ever so. What a grand tale. When I get some money, I'll buy your books and you can autograph them for me. I'll put them in pride of place. Karen
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello Karen,
thanks so much for the delightful review and the six. I don't think Frank was autistic, it's hard to say why he lived that way. There's a chance that he experienced a lot of trauma during WWII and just decided to get away from it all. A lot of men ended up in the wilds of Alaska for one reason or another. One famous fellow, I think it was Chris McCandless thought he could make friends with the Grizzly bears up in the interior of Alaska. He came upon an abandoned bus out in the woods somewhere and lived in it. He was on the verge of starvation, as he had no idea of how to survive in a wilderness situation, and ended up being attacked and eaten by the bears he tried to befriend. People have strange ideas about moving up here; there is a certain romance about the idea, but it's a harsh land and gives on quarter. The bones of countless people are scattered across the state either because they didn't know what they were doing, or just lost the coin toss when they gambled on fighting with Mother Nature.
I'll try and find a picture to send you of Spasski Bay.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
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There is no doubt that nature will always win. I love your stuff. Have a good week. Karen
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
This all goes to prove that, if we want to live to an age just short of 100, we should refrain from washing and general hygiene! One thing's for sure we wouldn't catch any infectious diseases because no one would come close enough and the stench might well create a barrier against the bacteria or virus. Your wonderfully descriptive story, Tom, colourfully captures the essence of this eccentric individual and kept me entertained and amused. Well done! Take care Debbie
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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This all goes to prove that, if we want to live to an age just short of 100, we should refrain from washing and general hygiene! One thing's for sure we wouldn't catch any infectious diseases because no one would come close enough and the stench might well create a barrier against the bacteria or virus. Your wonderfully descriptive story, Tom, colourfully captures the essence of this eccentric individual and kept me entertained and amused. Well done! Take care Debbie
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello Debbie,
thanks so much for the humorous review. I guess I won't live too much longer, as I like to have a shower every day. Frank at one time worked for Walt Disney cutting out cartoon figures backwards on a linoleum block. I suppose he must have been fairly successful as a commercial fisherman too, though you would never know it by the way he lived.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hey Tom.
What a great story. There are several things I like about it so let me mention a couple. You wrote a regional story where essentially the people who live there understand all of the details and outsiders reading this story don't understand all the details, but your explanations and descriptions are excellent. Another thing that I really like was the fact that you used poetic alliteration in the middle of your story. "Frankly Frank stank." I had to laugh out loud when I read that one. Your details of his smell plus his lifestyle told a very complete picture of Frank and Blackie. The amazing thing I read is that he died when he was 99. The first thing that came to my mind is his lifestyle certainly worked for him. I'm thinking of showering less often. Something protected him. I really like this story, Tom. Great job! This is a story I will certainly remember.
Robert
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hey Tom.
What a great story. There are several things I like about it so let me mention a couple. You wrote a regional story where essentially the people who live there understand all of the details and outsiders reading this story don't understand all the details, but your explanations and descriptions are excellent. Another thing that I really like was the fact that you used poetic alliteration in the middle of your story. "Frankly Frank stank." I had to laugh out loud when I read that one. Your details of his smell plus his lifestyle told a very complete picture of Frank and Blackie. The amazing thing I read is that he died when he was 99. The first thing that came to my mind is his lifestyle certainly worked for him. I'm thinking of showering less often. Something protected him. I really like this story, Tom. Great job! This is a story I will certainly remember.
Robert
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello Robert,
thanks so much for the generous review and the six my friend, I so appreciate it. Alaska, because of its vastness and remote areas, often attracted people who for one reason or another wanted to escape the lives they had in the lower 48. Some of the old-timers, like Frank were content to find a spot in the woods or some out of the way bay where they could live without being bothered. I'm not sure where Frank picked up the dogs he owned down through the years.
Hoonah had an abundance of people who would qualify as characters. I may write about a few more of them in the future. When I first came to Alaska, it was hard to understand how people like Frank could live like they did. I couldn't relate at all. In time though, I accepted their lifestyle, though it wasn't one that I would care for.
Have a blessed day my friend.
Tom
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Great story!!! You're welcome, friend.
Comment from royowen
Heh heh, I love the story Tom, I guess there are, or were guys like Frank, one hears of them. In Australia's early there would have have been quite a few hermits, we were very much a frontier place in the early days of settlement, incredible story, Tom, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Heh heh, I love the story Tom, I guess there are, or were guys like Frank, one hears of them. In Australia's early there would have have been quite a few hermits, we were very much a frontier place in the early days of settlement, incredible story, Tom, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello Roy,
thanks so much for the wonderful review. I think in many ways, Alaska and Australia are alike. It took a certain kind of person to be willing to put up with the challenges of the land, although like the natives, the aboriginals were living off the land long before white people arrived on the scene.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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That's true, there was a show called Bush Tucker, screening here sometime ago, even finding food and water in the desert,
Comment from gansach
I really enjoyed reading this piece. It was very descriptive and created a great atmosphere, easy to picture the action of the story and the rich language pertaining to Frank's essence was easy to imagine and, fortunately not actually smell. The rating is for some minor punctuation and typo errors that are easily fixable: Paragraph 3-few days growth=few days' growth, paragraph 6-an extra I in the second sentence (know I where I was), paragraph 10-spelling, breath=breathe,paragraph 11-spelling, as if if were=as if it were, same sentence, punctuation, it's=its. Great job, all in all, nicely done!
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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I really enjoyed reading this piece. It was very descriptive and created a great atmosphere, easy to picture the action of the story and the rich language pertaining to Frank's essence was easy to imagine and, fortunately not actually smell. The rating is for some minor punctuation and typo errors that are easily fixable: Paragraph 3-few days growth=few days' growth, paragraph 6-an extra I in the second sentence (know I where I was), paragraph 10-spelling, breath=breathe,paragraph 11-spelling, as if if were=as if it were, same sentence, punctuation, it's=its. Great job, all in all, nicely done!
Comment Written 09-Nov-2024
reply by the author on 09-Nov-2024
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Hello gansach,
thanks for the great review and pointing out those errors. I went back and corrected what you pointed out. Believe me, you don't know how lucky you are that you can't smell what I described. The smell permeated the air and would linger, even after he was gone. It was awful.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Very nice--I upgraded your stars to 5--it looks great!
