09
October
October
In the fall of 2002, Oskee and I packed up everything that we needed (his requirements were a little less than mine) and we moved in to a small apartment at 4-H House on the U of I campus. The girls welcomed us and we settled into the wonderful world of college life. Going for walks on campus took me back to my student days but it was different without the pressure of classes, papers and projects. I would be walking around and have an “Oh yeah, I remember that.” moment. It was a great idea when a friend suggested putting the pages in the back of Oskee’s book to record memories so they wouldn’t be forgotten.
In my spare time, I took classes at Parkland Junior College. Oskee enjoyed the girls and the guys who would hang out at the house. It wasn’t until I enrolled in a fiction writing class that I thought that Oskee could be a story. I took the class in the spring of 2004 and was encouraged to write. Upon returning home to Quincy, the thought of the story would surface in my mind followed by a quiet voice to, “Do it!”. Holly and I had a discussion about teaming up and finally on October 31, 2008 we got together to get some terrific shots of Oskee on campus. In February, Oskee and I went back to fill in with more pictures. On that day, it was freezing cold as you can see in the shot of Oskee at the football stadium. The wind was blowing so hard that I feared he would be blown off the ledge on to the football field! He was so happy to get back in to the warm car. Holly and I had a good time walking around campus, catching up, laughing and posing Oskee for his pictures.
Holly is an amazing photographer and this project would have never gotten off the ground without her help and expertise. Go to her website, www.hollybirchphotography.com and see some of her wonderful shots taken at athletic events. “Illini Holly” is one of the best supporters that the University of Illinois could every wish to have and captures the excitement of the game in her photos.
Putting this book together has been a journey. I have learned so much and feel like I have been led to get from one point to the next. I would get stuck and then something would happen or I would run into someone who gave me the insight and encouragement to continue on to the next level. It has definitely been a leap of faith and labor of love. Now I hope that you will enjoy Holly’s pictures and Oskee’s story of his walks on campus.
Oskee is a great little dog. There is not a day that goes by that he does not make me chuckle because of something he does or a look that he gives me. He is definitely my little buddy.
As for me, I have been a kindergarten teacher, sales associate, business owner, house mom, pharmacy technician and currently work as a receptionist for a doctor’s group, but my best position in life is “Oskee’s Mom”.
Go Illini and Oskee Wow Wow!
Joanne (Longlett) Holzgrafe ‘70