John Davidson’s September 2020 Newsletter

John presents a model of his boat, Principia, in order to tell us how much this boat has shaped his life, and muse about living one's dreams.

[rexmobley]

Wow !!! What an Adventure ! Thank You John...

[vanessatorluemke]

Thank you for telling us about your boating experiences. I’m following you now on FB in 2022, and you’re on a boat in La Paz. When I first saw you on your boat I thought you were on it for other reasons. I’m glad now to find out you’re a pro at boating among your many talents. Your boat model present is priceless; thank you for showing it. You’ve always been inspiring and still are. We are blessed. I think you must be, too.

[alouettedemer]

What a beautiful video visit with you, and thank you for sharing. You're living my dream, John. Anchors aweigh!

[bondstephb]

Thank you for posting your thoughts, John. I have lots to think about after hearing yours. Principia made me think of the book by Issac Newton, laws of motion and gravitation. But then you made a comment that brought me back to a meeting with Steve Forbes back in the 80s. I'd lost a LOT of money in the stock market and he said, "It's Ok. If you remember how you got rich before; you'll be rich again." I'd held down 2 jobs and had a small business flipping houses. I wasn't about to be that exhausted again, but I did it. And I had to keep doing it a lot longer than the first time. When I finally thought I had enough money to retire; I looked at a journal I kept with thoughts about what I'd do when my struggle was over. It said "travel from one end of this country to the other." So I did. I took 6 weeks, a rented RV, my family, the dog, passports, and a ton of maps and my journal. Just like you went to sea for 2 years, I went across the country. I'm fairly certain I saw a lot more than most folks. I jammed in Mexico and a decent swath of Canada, as well. My family and I laughed a lot and got lost a lot. We made a lot of memories. I'm glad you had Principia and were able to share your adventures with your loved ones. I loved the San Juans, too; as well as the Islands off South Carolina. My favorite places were Mackinaw Island and Vancouver Island (especially Bouchart Gardens). I'm 67, now. Maybe it's time for another adventure? Like you, I want to wait for this pandemic to end before venturing out. Once again, Thank you!

[edbuyers]

What a wonderful story. I am so happy to see you happy.

[jonathansmith]

Hi, John. Just came across your channel. I've enjoyed you over so many years, from your Disney movies, your Tv show with Mireille Mathieu, your daytime talk/variety show, and all other ventures. You were the most entertaining performer I ever saw at O'Keefe Centre in Toronto back in the '70's. And, you're one of the reasons that I've been in the 'biz for 47 years now(pianist/singer), mainly restaurants, piano bars, and retirement homes all across Ontario. And, of course, always envied the hair.(lol!)

[jodilee]

Thanks....gentle reminder about the meaning of our lives.

[jeffmartinmedia]

Wonderful story. We met aboard Royal Caribbean ships, but you had your own. Great to hear from you.

[johnfrazier]

Great model John, I remember the boat at catilina summer camp. Hey my friend you’ve got to stop beating yourself up and start enjoying the life you’re having and head, we go back a lot of years John, enjoyed seeing you and that great smile when you would come down to the special effects department I remember making all those fun Props for you, and the Christmas show we did at the hidden Hills house, just remember John, there are only three things a Man must do in his life one is to get married to is to have kids three years to bring those kids to God, hopefully you have Everybody loves John Davidson, I always say, it’s not what you’re doing with your life that counts, it’s what you did with your life, you are judged on your last breath on this earth, I am not so much concerned about the virus as I am the political atmosphere of our great country,

[jackhoffman]

Great memories and stories about Principia! Always great to see you John. Really hope we can start doing shows again in 2021, would love to call Amy and book you into a PAC here in NJ! Stay well, stay safe.

[kookamonga]

John, what a wonderful story about your beloved boat and your cherished memories of the time you, your Wife and friends spent sailing her and exploring distant shores! Your words of experience come from your heart and you are indeed a wise man. I suppose travelling the world and following your dreams does make one wise, with a more worldly view. Your words put a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. My Father-in-Law, Jim, would have LOVED to see the beautiful model of your boat (what an amazing artist the man is who constructed it!). Jim passed away last September at 94. His beloved Wife Ruth passed away 9 hours from being exactly a year later. The most wonderful Mother & Father-in-Laws anyone could wish for. Jim was a teacher for many years in Burnaby, British Columbia. Michael J Fox was one of his students. Jim loved being on ships and boats. His friend owned the converted minesweeper, the Edgewater Fortune. That boat was "a character" if you will, in the 1970's movie, "Cinderella Liberty" with James Caan and Marsha Mason. Jim even appeared (for about 2 seconds) as one of the "sailors", tying up the boat at the beginning of the movie. Jim believed in getting the students out into the real world, as he thought they'd learn from seeing life in the real environment instead of just reading a book. So he used to take kids out on the Edgewater Fortune to the Gulf Islands (between Vancouver and Vancouver Island), drop anchor and take them out to explore the tidal zone shores and the creatures that live there. Many kids sought him out as adults - decades later - to thank him for this experience. Why am I running on about my recently departed Father-in-Law? Well it must be serendipity because, as it happens, Jim would have been 95 today! He would have just loved to see your video about Principia and hear the story about your experiences on her. You have much wisdom, John, and so did Jim. One of the last words of advice he offered me from his hospital bed when we spoke about my stressful job was "Get out of it, Mike. Life is too short!" I know he was echoing the same sentiment & giving the same advice that you gave, and I think we all need to take this advice to heart. Life is short, and you never know what lies ahead. Don't procrastinate. If there are things you have always wanted to see and do, take the time to do them now. (After the current covid nightmare is over, of course). Thanks so much, John, for sharing your wonderful memories of your time on Principia, and for your advice on Life and how to live it. -Mike Krawchuk, Coquitlam, BC, Canada

[jeffandbike]

Lake Union and around the San Juan Islands north of Seattle that's my home area. I've ridden the ferry boat out to the San Juan Islands and ridden my bike in the islands. You must be a Big fan of Boats John. In the Seattle, Puget Sound area we have lots of Ferry fleets and ferry routes all over Puget Sound. I enjoy riding the ferries and seeing great scenery around Puget Sound. I remember riding the ferries since I was about 2 way back in the early 70s.

[bridgetbonds]

Hello John Davidson my name is Bridget from Pontiac Michigan I want to say that I’m so grateful to see you and your family enjoying yourselves and me and my family would like to meet you and how long you been a game show host: ?

[davidharris]

Hello, John. You popped up in my suggested vids the other day. It was a Reason Rally appearance. I knew nothing at all about the 'real' you. I've since watched a few dozen videos of you, including your brilliant performance on The Streets of San Francisco. Wow, never woulda thunk it! Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying your songs, stories, philosophical thoughts and everything else. I wish more people would think like you, and my hope is that some of you continues to rub off on me. (That didn't come out right, or did it? Haha) Thank you for all the memories past and to come.

[catanddogcaren]

John thank you so much for sharing your beautiful memories and for reminding us to go after our dreams....especially now, with all that's going on in the world this is a beautiful reminder. Your Principia was (and I bet still IS), gorgeous! RBG will be SORELY missed, it is a devastating loss. Thank you for acknowledging this amazing woman. Do you know Christine Lavin? She is an amazing folk singer, probably in her 70s now (I believe she lives in NYC and is on YouTube)....you should hook her up for Club Sandwich. She is incredible! I think you would love her. Loved having your newsletter as a video, thank you!

[charlenedavis]

I remember seeing pictures of you and stories about you and your boat! So glad you got to live that dream.

[SheenaRea]

The perfect show happens every day of our lives, what we do on a daily basis, no matter how trivial it may seem at the time. I work with disabled people; and the activities and conversations we have together are of little significance to the outside world, but there is meaning and value in what we experience nonetheless. Thank you, John, for your positive messages. There's no doubt Club Sandwich will be a big hit, how wonderful it will be. All the best from Cincinnati. :-)

[hargieboo]

Good newsletter John. I loved the story about the boat. Glad you were able to live that dream. I'm starting to chase a few dreams that I had put off when I was younger. Cheers.

[bridgetbonds]

The boat is so beautiful and amazing and John Davidson you are a amazing man in talent in music and please send me a video:

[jasoncharles]

Great post, John. As a songwriter, piano player and video producer, I can highly relate to what you’re saying. And as someone who spent every summer at my grandparents home on the lake in Meredith, I’m jealous of your current living situation 😂 That is the best area in the world and I hope to move up there for good in the near future. I’m trying to get my music and recording studio off the ground, writing for commercials and tv shows. Music is my passion, and at 48, I’m finally giving it the attention it needs! If you ever need keyboards and piano for your songs let me know! I also do arranging etc. Congrats on moving to the Lakes Region!