Dean Jones

April 24/11

On this Easter weekend, I was thinking of new beginnings and overcoming obstacles in life.

Many years ago, I had the chance to interview Dean Jones, an actor I’d loved since his early Disney movies like The Ugly Dachshund, That Darn Cat and The Love Bug, among many others. He was in Toronto to promote a film, and was here with his wife, Lory.


Dean Jones (circa 1965)

I don’t remember why this happened, but for some reason, during the interview, Dean said he wanted to give me a copy of his wife’s new book. It’s called Hearing God – Daily Devotions for Spirit-Filled Living (by Lory Basham Jones). The book has a different reading for every day of the year. I’ve kept it on the bedside night table for 18 years, and from time to time, pick it up for inspiration.

Me with Dean Jones in our trenchcoats!


On the day of my MRI, I was particularly anxious and checked out the devotion for that day and was surprised to discover the title of this reading was Healing. The message says:

“Just as a cat running after a bird gets thorns in its feet along the cactus-ridden desert, you have picked up things that would prick and sting along your path, as you ran after elusive pursuits. Hold those areas out to Me and I will remove the thorns, for I, of all, know how they pierce the flesh and soul and weigh down the spirit. Once removed, these thorns lose their ability to wound. Depend on Me and the surgery will be easy. Reach out to the good things before you”.

I thought that was pretty amazing.

The next day, while starting the long wait for results, I looked at the following day’s devotion, which was called Calm is Constructive. It said, in part, “The world moves swiftly toward success, but you to achieve, must learn to be calm. All rush, all stress, all agitation is destructive. Peace, peace peace!”


Lory Basham Jones and her husband, actor Dean Jones

Dean Jones is now 80-years-old. All these years later, I still thank Dean and Lory for giving me this book. It’s inscribed to me, saying, Dear Elaine, May the glorious love of God surround you and your family. With Dean’s and my blessings, Lory Basham Jones.

How can you be so calm?

March 24/11

It's fantastic to receive messages from family and friends. No matter WHAT people say, there is always SOMETHING you can take or file away from their comments and hold on to when you're feeling down, depressed or frightened.

My sister-in-law, Jan, has one of the calmest voices in the world. I've admired that for decades. Having been an on-air news reporter on both radio and TV, I've always hoped my voice could come across as kind of Walter Cronkite-like, calm, cool and collected - (no matter WHAT you might be feeling INSIDE). I have NEVER known what it's like to be completely calm. I guess some people must know that feeling. I've watched reporters and anchor people who CAN'T be flustered, no matter WHAT happens. They are my dream. Jan is one of those people.
Years ago, I was about to have four root canals done all at once. I asked to be "put out" for the procedure. It cost an extra thousand dollars to do this. They gave me a shot, and nothing seemed to happen. I was freaking. They left me alone in the exam room, staring out a huge glass window to the city below. (At the time, I was still working as a reporter and had taken the day off for this procedure). All of a sudden, this UNBELIEVABLE feeling came over me, and my last thought was, "If ONLY, I could feel THIS calm, when I go on the air.".........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

When Jan got word that the initial consult with Dr. McCready was over, we spoke on the phone for a long (calm) while, and she also wrote me, saying, "It is now a relief to feel that the train has begun to roll and that you are in very good hands. I hope you are able to feel some of that today. A few years ago, I read a book about finding meaning in life and it reminded me that there are always simple pleasures, a song, the way the sun lights up a puddle, the smell of spring. I hope that these, the kids, your adoring husband, provide distraction and some inner peace. Look after yourself. We are all with you and love you."