The Last Summer and other stories

About the Book

A Rose Like No Other

This is a book about a time when things were as they were. It was not fake. Bad things were bad and dealt with. There wasn’t a constant dread. What happened was done with. It did not become an obsession

The loss of the family fortune. Wars and abdications laid ruin to all trappings of wealth. The elders decided not to ever speak of what once was in the old country: the land in the Black Forest, the castle created by a family architect, the castle which is now one of the most famous tourist attractions, the abdication of a great uncle and the princess’ arrival with the baron in Philadelphia. The wealth dispersed through real estate transactions in the well known buildings and businesses in New York City.

Businesses were founded which prospered or foundered. Large families were born into the new world. Some, like William Blemly, thrived in real estate. Great discussion groups, forerunner of the coffee klatche which drew the intellectuals, the artists, writers, leaders of the new legacies.

About the Author

I was born May 17, 1930 in Mt. Vernon{ N.Y.} Hospital to Frederick John and Agnes Rose (Bush) Bohl.

Mom said the day I was born , I could be heard crying blocks away, a slight exaggeration, I trust. But, maybe a telling of things to come.

From the start, a voluminous reader, writer and actress. I spent as much time with those occupations as I could squeeze in.

Fortunately, I was schooled by the good sisters of The Presentation in The Bronx, where literacy was encouraged. I remember standing before the class reading a composition that Sister seemed to think was well done. And, of course, I was in the Christmas pageant as Mary, which was a thrill.

The stage was always a draw beginning with kindergarten when we performed our rowdiest “Babes In Toyland.” The next opportunities to perform were in high school where we acted, danced and sang our ways through operettas and Broadway shows. Later, I performed in Little Theatre plays and musicals, and summer stock.

While in the Womens Army Corps, I again, was in show biz largely as the military’s version of a booking agent, scheduling talent and shows at various military installations in Japan. Imagine getting paid to mingle with celebrities. Keep in mind that I was less than 21. I even got a chance to perform, occasionally: sing, dance, act. Prior to my overseas assignment, I was sent to Special Services School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, outside of Indianapolis, to learn how to have such fun.

College was always on my agenda, depending on where I was located: Upstate New York Community College, University of Buffalo, University of Southern California, Tokyo University. Never in one place long enough to complete a degree, until now.

For several years, I was a reporter for daily newspapers in upstate and western New York, where I met my husband.

Married once, we adopted two children. Now, as a widow, I have two grandchildren and four of the most beautiful great grandchildren you ever saw.

I don’t vegetate now: community, church, the American Legion, volunteerism, the Literacy Coalition and, hopefully, Guardian Ad Litem are among my interests.