One day I was at Dan’s ranch he was cleaning out a pile of junk on the kitchen counter. He handed me this hook. “Here he said, you can have this.” I laughed at the image and so did he. “I kind of like the concept, its hilarious. You could use it as a trolling device.” Where did you get this? I asked. “A fan sent it to me.”
I took it home and put it on the wall.
February 14th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
How nice, I would have loved to have Dan give me his heart!!!! Thanks for sharing, Jon!!
February 15th, 2012 at 3:56 am
I love reading your blog. Thanks so much.
February 15th, 2012 at 7:57 am
Thank you Jon. I really enjoy the stories you share of your friendship with Dan. It allows us to see “Dan, the regular guy” which is very nice juxtaposed against the talented artist. It’s easy to see why you were such good friends. Like attracts like.
Thanks again! 
February 19th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Jon, amazing how such seemingly small gestures at a specific moment in time can take on a deep and profound meaning later on in life. One of my best life-long friends sent me a big promotional mug in the mail. The mug related to astro-nautical engineering and fluid dynamics. Monty had a PhD in Engineering. He had always wanted to be an astronaut as a kid. Anyway, a great guy who I used to call Superman…as he seemingly had it all in life. However, one day life totally consumed him and he ended up taking his own life. That mug was the last simple gift he gave me. I still enjoy a cup of Java from the mug and think about what an awesome fella he was. Monty…thanks for the great memories and I hope your spirit is soaring high amongst the stars and heavens!
February 29th, 2012 at 2:02 am
Oh you do have such ways with words… I do hope the fan that gave the heart to Dan doesn’t come here and read “pile of junk”… you meant to say of course a pile of memento’s lol… I just wonder what the person was thinking when they sent that to him,a heart on a hook, maybe ” love keeps you dangling”…hmmmm!
February 29th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
Good perspective Amy…this all goes to prove that one person’s unwanted possessions can become another’s treasure. Great story Jon! Thanks for sharing!
March 21st, 2012 at 12:59 am
I stop by here to check out your stories of friendship you and Dan shared. Your stories are so endearing! My idolization of Dan through many, many years are confirmed with your stories and actually make me see him as a regular guy where before, the mystery of who Dan Fogelberg was, made my imagination run wild. Perhaps its my maturity rather than the fantasies of my youth that these stories let me see him as a real person. Much appreciation for making the man real. Looking forward to more stories–thanks so much! Lin
April 17th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I have a blue enamelled frying pan, with chips in the enamel, and a spatula with an aqua plastic handle that belonged to my father. (He moved out when I was 14 and was never a man of means.) I’ve had them for 30 years. They are beat up and ugly, but, the’re all I’ve got.
I wish I could say he gave them to me, but, when we cleaned out the apartment he had over the little country drug store, I just took them. I remember him making us hamburgers with them one time that we had gone down for a visit.
Maybe I’ll weld a hook to the pan and hang it.