dacs.doc electric

 

Remembering Will


On that sunny day several years ago, I sat sipping soft wine with Will and Sue Toll in their Newtown garden, bemoaning my dearth of computer friends to Will and talking horse, dog and plant talk with Sue. Will suggested I investigate the Danbury Area Computer Society, where geeks abound and where I would feel comfortable yakking and learning tech. He was a founding member, just as his wife is founding member and first president of the Connecticut Dressage Association, where we met and talked endlessly about bits, gaits, and ways of going. We car-pooled to board meetings and debated equine stuff.

"I have been a member of DACS for a long time, " said Will. His hair was very white, fine, starlike. "I'll find you one of their newsletters. Read the SIG Notes page, and I am sure you will find a group that will answer your interests." He climbed up the dark, narrow stairs in search, favoring his weaker leg, long accustomed to negotiating the slope. Straight up. Straight up to the little eyrie that housed his computer and investment programs. His domain. It was only one angle in this old house of slants, cubes, and triangles. A tiny kitchen. Astounding order. Awesome soup. Sue knew nothing of bytes and modems. She wanted to though.

Modest and unassuming Will. To me. Gracious and listening. Silent on the founding member and Financial SIG leader bit. How curious that now I should be visiting these two again in words, writing about one in death, the other gazing from the banks of the living, remembering the images of her life that in one way or another centered around this man, their long marriage, their children, grandchildren, runaway horses and dalmations. How curious that these two should be so twined with where I am today--managing the newsletter of the group Will helped birth, administering the CDA that Sue started. I'll call Sue in a bit--when I think she's ready to hear from me. We'll have another one of our "dig and drinks." I'll bring pots and my poacher's spade. We'll play with the dog. We'll talk about Will.

--Frances Owles
Dacseditor@aol.com


BackHomeNext