I remember driving from New Jersey to Florida with some relatives. I sat in the big back seat for 2 1/2 days playing with Jinx. She’ll always be a favorite!

My parents brought their first home in Woodridge, Illinois when I was fifteen. It was still an underdeveloped area full of trees and wildlife around our back yard. I would set up forest dioramas over the summer and arctic ones after heavy snowfall. Soon after I moved out west, my mom found one lone Joe sitting on a branch, still on guard for any Cobras lurking about. It made her sad because I was so far away at the time.

As a kid, I also used to bring my Joes along to various places. Remember the old “they’ll go anywhere” slogan? I loved that. I took Tripwire with me to the cemetery when visiting my grandpa’s grave. On the day I got Silver Pads Grand Slam, my parents met some old friends who lived on a really tall apartment building in Miami. I remember opening the box right there and having him watch from the balcony.

Sweet memories, guys. Sweet memories.

I wonder if Clutch is still out there, floating around years later. It’s that “message in a bottle” sort of feeling.

….

During my golden years of playing with Joes (3rd grade-ish), I lived on a couple acres with a small stream that ran through our field and then down the road. I would take my guys out there all the time and play around and in the water. Then, one fateful day, I was on a mission with Clutch (my favorite Joe), and he took a long trip down that stream. I ran along the bank hoping I would find him stuck on a rock, but he was never to be seen again. RIP.

That is awesome!

But where’s Dusty!!!!!

LOL!

J