“Breakfast at Sally’s” By Richard LeMieux - Update
“Breakfast at Sally’s” author Richard LeMieux is currently writing a children’s book about his beloved dog Willow, who died of cancer on Nov. 21, 2009. He hopes to finish it in June and have it out for sale in November.
“Breakfast at Sally’s” continues to be a hot seller. Richard is in great demand as a speaker on the topic of homelessness. You can reach him at home at (360) 698-5743.
The book is for sale in our office for $15. We are located at 832 6th St. in downtown Bremerton, near the corner of 6th and Warren. We are open every weekday from 8am to 4pm.
Richard’s friend Tina Bennett has created a beautiful pendant in the shape of a traditional Japanese house, accompanied by the motto “Everyone Deserves a Home.” It is for sale for $38 and $65. Tina is the chair of the Willow Charitable Foundation, which raises money for homeless causes.
She has also written a song based on a chapter in Richard’s book. Several others have been inspired to do the same. If enough songs about the homeless are written by local artists, we will try to make an “Album For the Homeless.”
If you want to see Richard on “Oprah,” please go to her website and tell her! A local enthusiast of “Breakfast At Sally’s” has put together the following instructions for bombarding Oprah with requests to have Richard LeMeiux on her show:
1. Go to www.oprah.com
2. Go down to the very bottom where it says “Contact Us” click on that
3. Then you’ll see several options on the left. Click on “The Oprah Show” for sending in show ideas
4. Fill in the blanks with your information and then copy and paste the following letter (insert your name) of course. If we do this weekly it just may work!
Here is a sample letter:
My name is (your name); I live in Bremerton, WA. I want to share some information with you, and ask that you PLEASE have Richard LeMieux come speak on your show. This man has an incredible story about living on the streets homeless with his Bichon Frise for nearly 2.5 years in Bremerton, WA. “Breakfast at Sally’s” is his book. He started out as “journaling” his counselor told him it would be good for him. His constant companion was that of Willow the Wonder Dog (a precious little dog) In the beginning of the book, Richard attempts to take his life by jumping off of the Narrows Bridge in Tacoma, WA. What stopped him was hearing Willow bark from the van that he left parked near the bridge. He left a note in the truck with Willow “To Whom it may concern, if you find Willow PLEASE take care of her, she’s very special….” hence the book tells the story of how Willow saved his life all the way through the book. The book is mainly about homeless people, but also the plight of homeless dogs. It’s an entirely true story, and will open your eyes. Richard has pleaded with us to get the word out about homelessness, and his amazing little dog, Willow. He said, “Write the Oprah show this story needs to go national and she is as NATIONAL as one can get!” and I agree.
I’ve written you about this a couple of weeks ago, and have decided maybe I need to write weekly! I trust and respect you and I know you love dogs, and I know you’re compassionate. You won’t regret having this man on your show. Thank you in advance. I hope your team that reads these emails, will see the value in this one. Thank you!
just finished Richards amazing book….I recently found myself homeless and living in my van…thankfully I have loved ones (and angels) to keep me afloat thru these rough times…and have just secured an apartment the same day i started reading the book.
It is TRULY inspirational, and Richard and Willow have changed my outlook and life forever. from this day forward I will have love in my heart for all people and will look for the many ways to be an angel for those in need and make miracles happen as much as possible.
thank you richard (and of course willow)
has anyone located C? or is he really Christ?
Dear Richard,
Please know that your pain of losing Willow has been felt by
all of the readers of your wonderful book. I am a animal lover too and know the heartbreak of losing a very special animal friend. Please accept my sincere heart felt sympathy.
I loved your book and I’m so glad you were lucky and received help when you needed it the most.
Richard, we grew up in Urbana, we were Eagle Lodge brats, our parents knew one and another, and we played together at the corner of South Walnut and College Street. We played together at the Eagle Lodge on Court St. and shared our Christmas sack of candy that the Eagle members gave to all the their children. I just wanted you to know you still have from Urbana.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Daulton Kempf
UHS Class of 1958
Richard-
I am so very sorry for your loss of Willow. I am an animal lover also and on many occassions they have helped me survive years of depression. I hope someday you can find another companion that can become your special friend. Maybe not another Willow but with their own special personality.
I read your book and have passed it on and on. I’ve always been an animal advocate but you and your book inspired me to become aware of the homeless people not only here in our area but all over. I am making it my mission to pass out meal gift cards to those I see in real need. If they have a pet with them I also give a gift card for a local petstore.
May you have a wonderful Christmas. Please know that your book is being enjoyed and is an inspiration to many folks.
Dear Richard - I finished reading your beautiful book the day after Christmas. It was amazing, and I’m telling everyone I can about it. Your journey is no doubt shared by many in our country, however, unlike many others, you made it “home.” I, too, suffer from depression, although I am on good medication and have been for the last decade. While I have never been homeless, I have experienced the feelings of hopelessness you described in your book. I am very sorry to have heard of Willow’s death, and hope that you find strength and peace in the coming months. I will send an email to Oprah’s show regarding your appearance as a guest. I was fortunate to have had a small part in one of her shows featuring an update on Marie Osmond’s depression, and I cannot think of a more deserving guest than you appearing on her show in her last year of production. Best of luck and blessings to you.
AmyJO
I was profoundly affected by Richard’s book. Especially since I grew up in Poulsbo and know every nook and cranny he wrote about. It hits home like nothing else has. Is there any speaking or book signing schedule for him. I seem to hear about them all after the fact. I wish I could have met Willow but Richard would be wonderful to meet and have him sign my book. I will forever be contributing what I can to you
Richard does not have a published speaking or book signing schedule. However, if you would like to have him autograph your book, you may bring it here to The Salvation Army, 832 6th St. in Bremerton, and we will make sure he signs it.
Dear Richard,
I am so sorry to hear about Willow.
I met you and Willow in Puyallup in October at a homeless awareness night. Me and my wife just finished reading your book yesterday. We have been reading it to each other. It is an amazing journey with some truly special people. It is also packed with some powerful messages that need to be heard.
Take care, Bill Bowers
Dear Richard,
Your book is interesting and it is very important to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless in the land of plenty. Both your book and your interviews skirt the question of the reasons for the estrangement with your wife and children. Your wife .. well, that’s one story, but your children? I can’t imagine not opening up the door for my dad and having him live with us.
It’s a curious omission, and perhaps not the business of your readers, but you do open yourself up to such questions when you write a memoir.
Dear Amy,
Although I cannot speak for Richard on this matter, I can tell you that part of the difficulty was that some of his children’s spouses objected to having him live with them. Also, the blame of falling from wealth to homelessness fell squarely on Richard and caused bitter feelings. He has chosen to not reveal anything further, which leaves questions such as you raise but does not detract from the intention of the book.
Richard -
You met my mom Rose and her Dog Kitty many times at the park - Kitty too has passed about the same time.
I just finished reading the book today, having been close to being in those shoes before it matters now HOW you end up there, but how you recover. My path was very similiar!
Very inspirational book!!!
I was at my local library just browsing books, not looking for any one in particular. When I put my hand on this book, I had this overwhelming sense that something was telling me I need to read it. I just finished it last night and it was an amazing story. I got chills in the end when Richard talked about C and all the angels he came across on his journey. I always try to give when I can to the homeless, whether it be money or food I have. I do not know their story so who am I to place judgement on them. My heart goes out to those who need help and I do say prayers for them every night. Thank you, Richard, for the story you told and I am so sorry to hear about Willow. Willow was so special.
You have my curiosity in regards to the potential CD of Songs; I note that the first post about that is nearly a year old. Has any progress been made? Is there still time to submit material? (I have 2 songs that might qualify) What would be the requirements of an entry? Can someone allow use of their song for your CD, yet retain rights to it? Does it have to be written out in music notation for use by musicians of your choosing? (sadly, sightreading and music notation are a deficiency of mine, but I have melody goin’ on, and have used audiotape to bolster my faulty memory)? Are you looking for just the song, or the complete package (Song as rendered by writers & band/accompaniment of their choosing)?
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I have not actively pursued this idea and I do not have answers for you. I would love to be able to include other songs so I can have a full album. I could use your help in doing the research for this project.
hmmm…actually, no answer is an answer.
I’m not sure where one would even begin. I have a few too many ‘irons in the fire’ to give any research the kind of attention it deserves; I suppose we all do. And I am as amateur as it gets.
the answers (especially legal sort) are probably to be found within your own vast organization; YouTube has quite a few videos put together by Salvation Army (International?) , using global talent, including contemporary works that would surprise some people.
I didn’t get far in viewing, as my time for that, too, is limited, but my favorite from one visit to the website is the video that begins with a helicopter distributing aid, and the lyric begins “This is the air I breathe…”
Good Things are worth waiting for.
Richard,
Would you be available to speak at Tacoma Rotary (www.rotary8.org) on September 9, 2010 (or the 16th, the 23rd, or the 30th)? I am on the program committee and have also volunteered with Pierce County Homeless Connect for the last few years. This year our homeless event is October 13th at the Tacoma Dome. The Rotary program committee meets next Tuesday and we are booked up until the middle of August. I would love you have you speak at Rotary (usually 150-200 in attendance each week). Thank you for your consideration.
I will pass along your request to Richard. Or you can call Richard directly on his cell phone at (360) 535-9591 or at his home at (360) 698-5743.
Hello Richard,
I just hung up from talking to you. I was totally unprepared and had lots of things I wanted to ask about but not the words to express what I wanted to say. Thank you so much for introducing me to all the people in your book and helping me to see them in a different light.
Advantageously, the post is in reality the greatest on this valuable topic. I totally agree with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates. Just saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the fantasti c clarity in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates.Genuine work and much success in your business dealings!Thank you very much.
For the many people who find it hard to cope with a death, grief counseling often can help them make the transition. Its goal is to help people grieve within a normal, healthy period of time and eventually resume their daily lives. Grief counseling can be a long-term process, a short-term affair or even a one-off, trumny and can occur on a one-to-one basis or in groups
please oh please writing is a way of recovering. Why not let the homeless each write and thus we would come up with another book—lets pass on recovery through writing—I have now finished a notebook and you can to—-one page at a time and one day at a time.I started writing 3 weeks ago and that is how fast you to can write—-one day at a time and one page at a time. love and happy pens and paper
Hi Richard
I am a current Washington State University (WSU) Nursing Student and one of my classes required us to read your book. i’ve just finished reading it and i think its an amazing book and i will definitly let other people read it especially my brothers. Is there any chance that you’ll come and speak sometime in the future at or near Spokane, WA, if not can you post a list of dates that you’ll be speaking and the location. It would be Pleasure to meet you.
Thanks Vladimir
I just finished this wonderful book. I will never look at the homeless the same way. This is a must read book for everyone.
When is the next book due out that you talked about in your book? About the woman you met.
This book is the best I have ever read. I told everyone I could tell and bought many for gifts. Please, Please hurry and write another one. We can’t wait!!!