Where is the line?
Kay Buesing, 2013
Where exactly is the demarcation zone — that area between public and private that some guard so carefully and others feel is part of their open book? I cannot answer the question, not even for myself. The closest I can come is… “it depends.”
Kay Buesing’s son-in-law came to see us yesterday to tell us that Kay is now back on the Peninsula — has been since November or so. OMG! We didn’t even know she had left. Care-giving issues during the pandemic, he said. Her health has been fragile for a few years now — we did know that. In September 2019, she and her care-giver came to “Our Grand Affair” — the 150th birthday party for this house — and Kay and I joked that maybe the party should be for us and that some days we felt about that old. That was the last time we had a visit.
The First Kite Museum
We go back a long way, Kay and I. She and her husband Jim arrived on the Peninsula the year before I did — 1977, I think. She was already teaching English and drama at the high school when I was hired to teach at Long Beach. She and Jim were part of “the picnic group” with Gordon and Roy and Noel and Patty. Kay and I helped begin the first go-round of The Peninsula Players in 1980 and, about the time she and Jim retired and opened the Kite Shop in the old Long Beach firehall building, Nyel and I were beginning our sojourn at the Bookvendor cattywampus across the street.
While Jim flew kites and sold them, Kay worked behind the scenes to get the International Kite Festival off the ground (so to speak) and then turned her attention to establishing the Kite Museum. She always credited Jim, but we all knew that Kay was proverbial power behind the throne — or, in this case, the wind beneath the kites. And, if she could, she roped us all into helping, one way or another. She made all the hard work look easy and look like such fun.
Kay Buesing, 2014
But when Bobby came to our door yesterday — masked and with his long, pandemic hair — not only did it take me a beat to know who he was, I was gobsmacked at his news. Kay has been placed in Hospice Care and since visiting isn’t an option these days… “send a card,” he said: Kay Buesing, Coastal Care, 21914 Pacific Way, Ocean Park, WA 98641.
As I write this, I’m still looking for that line of privacy. I’ve decided that I can only do as I would want done — tell those who know Kay and would want to reach out. Ask them to send her their love and their memories — the most important gifts of all.
I was in her class that first year and just the other night I came across one of my assignments from her class that made me think of her.
Mrs. Buesing was one of three teachers that gave me great advice that is put to use almost daily; therefore, I am terrified of “run on sentences” along with the over usage of the word “and”. Still, I keep on journaling as though I am painting a picture.
Thank you for sharing as she was on my mind so recently.
Sydney! Thank you for all the lovely memories and sweet things you said about me! We all had such fun.
With gratitude, Kay
(Dictated by Kay, Typed in by Kim)
Oh Kay — I can just hear Gordon saying to you — or maybe to me, “You silly old broad!” Big hugs and smooches from Nyel and me!!
Love, Sydney
I recall her having such great attire – wardrobe predating Annie Hall! Always thought Woody Allen stole it from Mrs. Beausing!
What a great “take” on Kay! And you are so right! She has always been the epitome of Glamour Unstated! Capital ‘G’; lower case ‘u’!Thanks, Lisa, for such a great insight.
Sydney
Kay,
Thank you for your encouragement in high school, it has served me well during ky tenure as an educator
Good story and thanks!
Kay was my English and Drama teacher when I was in the 9th grade. She brought me out of my shell and got me to actually talk. She talked me in to doing a play for the Peninsula Playhouse. I was in the play with Dick Figi. I remember Kay trying to convince Dick that she was my mother. I found the whole situation quite funny because of the fact that Dick knew my mother! Hahaha. I have never met any one else that could fill her shoes. She believed in me and taught me to be proud of myself.
I remember she had me write a story for her grand kids. Or at least she said it was for them……
I loved being taught by Mrs. Buessing! She was a great English teacher, and we had so much fun with her in Drama. ‘Two On The Set’ was hilarious and helped me gain some confidence. Kay, thank you so much for your contribution to so many young lives. You were a blessing to me.
Heidi
I enjoyed every moment with Kay when Peninsula Arts Association held their Fall and Spring art shows at the Kite Museum. Twice a year, for several, I had the pleasure of her company during what could be a somewhat stressful situation that she always made easier. Fond memories always. I have always been drawn to people with twinkly eyes…they are usually fun, capable and slightly mischievous…exactly as I would describe Kay.
When Larry and I used to attend your Friday night get-togethers we would mention Kay and remark about her being such a sweet lady. Gordon used to always be such a good friend to her and used to tease her a bit as we remember. I loved her twinkling eyes and kind ways.
We are both sorry to hear that she is not in good health. I didn’t realize that she was a teacher but I’ll bet a very good one that her students appreciated and loved.
Kay Buesing,
How are you? Div Manula here. It has been a while. I am glad to hear that you are back on the peninsula, where we all belong.
Flying kites, walking on the beach, sitting in English Class at IHS. How do all these things relate you might ask? Well, the thread (of Kite String) that connects them all is Mrs. Buesing. Time on the Peninsula is not complete without time spent on the beach. While walking the beach, if you do not investigate the distance searching for Japan, a glass ball bobbing on the waves or a sand dollar in the seafoam…I might ask what you are doing on the beach? “Clam Digging” or “Kite Flying” are both noble activities if you so choose. Looking up to the sky for a seagull or kite you may stumble on the “whip” of kelp that you should have stepped over or possibly the pincher that the adult Dungeness Crab shed last molt season.
My guess, these are a few of the things that Kay Buesing is remembering now that she is back on the peninsula. Kay, I am not there today but I will take a moment and join you on the beach in front of 12th Street in Long Beach where I grew up or in Chinook as I take a few minutes out of my day and close my eyes to remember, to return and to relive a chapter in my past.
Thank you for being part of an extraordinarily rich Chapter in my life Kay!
Cheers! Yoroshiku.
Div