Memorial Day , May 30, 2007

This is the day we remember and honor those who have fought in foreign wars to keep this country free, as well as to protect the cause of freedom in other places. The ideals of freedom ring different tunes for different people. Like a pendulum swinging from left to right, we have extremes when it comes to war and our perception of how far we should go to protect those freedoms. Many are ready for battle at a moment’s notice while many others would beg for another peace pipe to discuss the issue further, again and again.We are not always given the time to wait and talk terms of peace. Oftentimes we are dealing with an opposing team who has opposing values. The street bully is not easily convinced that he should not get his way. Dictators and little generals out there are nothing more than glorified street thugs who enforce “their way or the highway” in the only way they know how. When their way invades America’s turf, they may find that the Paper Tiger has teeth.It is a sad time when our Nation stands divided by politics and is more obsessed with whose side is in power. When the floodwaters rise, many are quick to point blame and make excuses. When the Hurricanes blow and destroy, instead of assessing the damages, pitching in and helping, we are politicking, blaming and hindering.The street value of freedom is diminished in a divided nation. Those of us who put our lives on the line to preserve freedoms understand what it means to be fragmented. Many came back from Vietnam to find an uncaring nation. They looked for the tickertape parades and found the streets empty. They looked for the “welcome home” signs and found “no trespassing” signs instead. They looked for jobs and found theirs had been filled by those who avoided enlistment and “stayed on the porch”.Many of us came home with no anticipation of fanfare at all and were not disappointed. It is a matter of perspective. Those who are “part of the team” of protecting this Nation can find peace within. It is good to wake up each morning in a Nation waxing free of the violence that disturbs the sleep of those in other places. To be vigilant is who we are and we can be proud of that. But we could be so much more as a unified Nation.I take my hat off to all of the men and women who have put their lives on the line to preserve our freedoms. Those of the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave are a blessed group of people. When tested, this nation has come together like no other, pushing back the violence to whence it came. How unfortunate it is that the unity we share during catastrophes dissipates like fog under the noon sun, and we find ourselves back at each other’s throats by evening.May we stop to reflect upon our great fortune of living in such a great nation, as we celebrate Memorial Day, 2007. May we also shake the hand of those who helped to shape our country. God HAS blessed the USA. But it has come at a cost. Some paid the ultimate price and never made it home to pick up their life after laying it down for our freedoms.

Today I want to honor the memory of my friend. He was ordinary; nothing special in life; loved by family and friends. He was a good man all the time I knew him. With a new wife, and a baby son on the way, he was filled with much joy; living on top of the world. Then came Vietnam.

Etched in black granite, his name will be always before us, along with thousands of “Michaels” who never made it home.Remembering my friend, Michael Ray Conner, Pleiku, Vietnam 1970.
posted by Mike at 6:00 AM 0 comments

Tragedy is “a strange…”, (as Paul Harvey would say).

We seldom think about tragedy striking us. It’s usually something that happens to someone else. But I suppose we are all susceptible to anything that anyone else is susceptible to.

A few weeks ago my (ex) brother in law passed away. He was one of my favorite people. Because of a divorce he became a man separated from the connection we had before it. We used to kid around with each other; laugh at dumb stuff and just have a good time when we were together at some family event or something.

Bob was a good man. Life has a hard way of handing out unfairness but I suppose we have to play whatever instrument life hands us. There was a time when he was full of life and love; a time when we could laugh together, or talk about more serious stuff, like “who’s winning?”. I recall a time when Bob, Rick and I went out one evening and listened to a band somewhere and just cracked up at their antics. I recall Bob’s laugh like it was “yesterday”.

So what do you do with all those memories that seem to fade away with time? The more I try to recall them, the more evasive they appear to become. Faded memories are incomplete, yet nagging, trying to make us recall the specifics.

Recently I’ve been trying to recall more of them because there will no longer be any new ones. Bob passed away a few weeks ago, in the quiet of his home. No one was around. Several days passed by until friends went to check on him. Bob had been quietly dealing with some issues with cancer and diabetes. Apparently, perhaps, one of them got him.

Being nine years younger than me, it’s hard to comprehend that he has already reached the Pearly Gates while I’m still trying to reach retirement. But, as some say, “life’s not fair”. The Holy Scriptures talk about dying and the afterlife; that it will come “as a thief in the night”. In other words, you will never know the day and time…perhaps, only in the moment, will we be aware of what’s happening.

Things happened to Bob after his divorce, and the rest of his life had a few roadblocks and dead ends in it. He was just beginning to pull out of it all when the Death Angel showed up. I’m sure there was much more to it, but this is the way I see it.

All I know is that he will be sorely missed. He had many challenges in his life, but he also had many victories. That’s how I want to remember him…
...........for the victories!

A REAL LIFE HERO...

Honoring Clinton Witter……

I’ve often wondered how someone can be a hero. How do you go about studying for that? How do you place yourself in a circumstance that calls for heroism? Rarely in life does one meet a real “hero”, someone who has surpassed the ordinary, and walked among the “extra ordinary”.

One such man lives among us at the Metro Church. To look at him, you would see a small, bent over, well dressed man with graying hair, dimming eyesight, diminished hearing and wrinkled skin. His voice is quiet and unassuming. His demeanor is timid and giving. He has no enemies….only friends. To look into his eyes you would never know the horror of life they have seen. To talk to him is nothing more than ordinary, yet his past life is everything BUT ordinary. He is a wonderful man who will be sorely missed when his time comes to meet his Maker. My regret is that many people will never get to know him.

This is his story:

Clinton was born in Oregon in 1918. He will turn 89 this year. He was much like you and me in his early life; going to school and finding adventure more appealing than sitting in a classroom. He decided to quit college in his second year and travel, which he did for almost a year. Upon returning home he enlisted in the Army.

Clinton’s first assignment was for a 2-year hitch in Hawaii, leaving there in April 1941 just 6 months before the Pearl Harbor attack. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. As the war escalated, Clinton achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In 1942, his Division participated in the invasion of French Morocco, West Africa. He then received orders to be a part of the security detail at the Casablanca Conference in Morocco, January 14 to 24, 1943. This was a high security event called to plan the European strategy of the Allies. In attendance was, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle. Stalin had been invited to the conference, but declined to attend. Also present was Henri Giraud of France. One of the topics of discussion was to agree to invade Sicily.

After the conference, some of the members of the 3rd Infantry Division were sent to replace casualties that the 1st Infantry Division had suffered in their invasion of Algiers. Clinton was among those sent, and remained in the 1st Infantry Division under General George Patton for the remainder of his time in Military service.

Following the invasion of Africa, his Division participated in the Invasion of Sicily. Clinton said he had been lucky to this point not to have had any injuries.

From Sicily, Clinton participated in the Normandy Invasion and was in the second wave to cross the beaches and push into France.

I cannot but imagine the horror of storming a wide, sandy beach, overrun with dead bodies of our first wave fighting men; the air filled with screams of pain, odors of dying and burned bodies and the unforgiving noise of exploding ordinance.

During the Normandy invasion, “my luck ran out”, he said. “I received the first of three injuries”. His next wound occurred somewhere in France, and the third, which ended his military career, occurred in Germany”, at the Battle of the Buldge.

He was discharged in 1945, having lost one eye and being classified as legally blind in the other. He married in 1947 and has outlived his wife and daughter.

So how do you honor a man like Clinton Witter? To me, he is a hero of times past, when defending freedom was the order of the day, and a way of life. Today’s generation has all but forgotten men like Clinton. Many of our younger generation cannot fathom what he has done and are afraid to go up and talk to the “old man” with the gray whiskers and cane. But if they DID………. Well, they would find a great story!

As a Veteran of the Vietnam era, I feel a great sense of pride in men like Clinton. I appreciate what he did. When the Flag goes by, I stand a little bit taller knowing men like him bled all across our world to defend our country. I have no place in my heart for those who disrespect and desecrate our Flag, if only because of men like Clinton, who gave themselves for it.

I want to honor this man by writing about him. He would not want me to, because he is a humble man who does not look for notoriety. I did honor him at a school function one year by telling the audience of parents and students his story, with his permission, of course. I wanted to show the kids....

a REAL LIFE HERO.

B U S Y....

I have an update for all my friends..........BOTH of you, actually!

I did start back to work and have almost finished my second week. I took a job with one of the companies who had courted me to come to work for them over the past 3 years. Besides, they gave me the best offer, not to mention that I CAN BE BOUGHT!!

I am doing exactly what I want to do in sales and service. I make the same money and work less hours. It's closer to home and that cuts 1 1/2 hour off of my drive time each day.... so that's like a pay raise, too!

So.......... I say, God is good!! He is amazing! I solicited jobs from 3 places and had 4 job offers before it was over. I was very pleased. They gave me a new van to drive and several other perks. All in all, this was a good move and a great place to work!

Thanks for all the prayers out there!!

TEST ME AND SEE....

The joys of job hunting aren’t what they are cracked up to be! I find it’s rather tiring to negotiate for everything, even if I am in a Union, where the Union is supposed to fight for me. Ironically, the Union isn’t even going up to BAT for me! I’ve been doing that on my own!

I have been in contact with 3 Mechanical Contractors; trying to sell myself. I suppose I’m like every other “Joe” out there who thinks he’s worth more than the offer. If they would just put me on the payroll and try me out, I could prove to them what I’m worth. Apparently, they aren’t biting today!

This reminds me of the passage of scripture in Malachi 3:10 that talks about our responsibility to “tithe” to the Lord. He says, “Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this”, says Yahweh of hosts. “if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for.”

I know many Christians who have little faith to believe that passage and actually put it to the test in their lives. I have been saying to potential employers, “test me and see…”. I am NOT God who can most certainly “deliver”. I am but a man who can only do his best.

I say, “try me and see”. I bet you have thought this of yourself, also. Right? I am convinced that God will supply me with a blessing.

So, how is your giving??

A QUICK POST for those of you who want to know......

My job search is going well. I have contacted two potential employers and both have offered me a job. The second contact gave me the best offer that amply matches what I have had for the past 10 years. I have also had a third offer that is the best of all, except that it pays much less into the change purse and would not add to my retirement....however, it would be the most fullfilling of anything I've ever done.

So, because of my financial obligations, I am very likely to take the second offer as soon as the paperwork is processed and I take a look at the details. If all goes well I will be working there next week.

CHOW!

Make A Wish …

To Orlando, Florida

My grandson, Aaron, received his “wish” from the Make A Wish Foundation for a trip to Disney World. It began with a kickoff luncheon Saturday the 3rd of February. His pick was The Mongolian Grill, one of his favorite places.

The Wish Coordinators presented Aaron and his family with everything they needed to enjoy a week in Disney world. The limited edition ball cap for Aaron would identify him as the recipient of the wish and the large blue buttons would give them preferential treatment in all Disney Theme Parks. He would be treated like a King! Virtually anything he wants will be given to him, including unlimited rides, free food, lodging, medical treatment if needed, and all the frills that go along with this special vacation.

The day began Saturday morning, February 10, 2007, with a big, white stretch limousine pulling up in front of the house and a tall, older gentleman, dressed smartly in a suit and smiling like he had won the lottery, stepped out to greet Aaron. He and his younger brother, his Mom and Dad, were taken to the airport for their flight to Orlando, Florida.

Deb and I we privileged to be a part of this adventure. We bought airline tickets several days ago, arranged for our stay in a Worldmark condominium and purchased Disney Theme Park Tickets in downtown Portland. Our youngest son will be flying from Dallas, Texas to join us in Orlando. This would be an exciting adventure!

Their stay in Orlando was at a facility called “Give Kids The World”. It was an amazing place! The Duplex was very roomy, the food was excellent, the volunteer staff members were extremely nice, and everything was perfect. It was also, ALL FREE!

The Theme Parks were not overly crowded as this was school season and the weather was rainy. We grandparents joined them Sunday morning and rode together (as they had free parking passes). We spent the day at “Animal Kingdom”. It was great! We came back in the early evening and had a Devotional together in the Duplex. Afterwards we enjoyed a free dinner (Pot Roast with mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, salad, etc…..).

Monday we parked at Epcot and rode the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom and enjoyed a myriad of rides and stuff. As evening fell, we hopped onto the Monorail again and went to Epcot to catch a few rides and the Laser Light Show on the Lake. It was amazing!!

Tuesday we returned to Epcot to enjoy more rides and a little rain. We loaded up in the afternoon and went to MGM Studios for more rides and their Laser Light Show that evening.

Wednesday came early as we headed for the airport for our trip back to Portland. The kids would remain behind enjoying 3 more days in the Theme parks, where they were treated even better than before.

The very cool thing about all of it was that Aaron and crew would be ushered past the crowds waiting in line for rides, to the front of the line! Yes! No Waiting!! That was pretty cool!

We are very grateful to Make A Wish for their generous gift to our grandson’s family! It was a very special treat for him to go to Disneyworld. It was a trip of a lifetime! Aaron had a wonderful time and enjoyed himself immensely. He remained in fair health during the whole ordeal and was able to make some great memories.

Thanks to everyone who played a role in this event, especially to those of you who are faithful to keep him in your prayers! They did work!!

May God bless all of you who give to kids!

Job Security II..... The Axe.

There's an old saying that says, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life". I suppose that's true for the most part. Some people, however, soak their whole life into being somebody, or something, and when that comes to an end, so does their life. It reminds me of investors during the big crash of the stock market in the 1930's. They woke up one morning and found their entire fortunes were gone. Everything that they "were" was no more. Many committed suicide by bailing out of upper story windows because of their great "depression". Others would hang in there and make a go out of what was left. Still, others who had no $fortunes simply found that life was a little bit harder now and food was more scarce.

The Vice President of the company I worked for came upstairs yesterday afternoon about 3:00 PM and handed me my final check. I suppose I could have been fired for commiting a crime against the company, had I committed a crime. I could have been fired for insubordination, if I had been. Perhaps I could have even been fired for failing to meet "quotas". But, it was really none of the above. I was fired because the company eliminated my position, because it wasn't profitable.

I find it interesting that there was no prior discussion of my job with me. No one took the time to tell me that they were considering eliminating our department, and me. There were no options proposed; no questions asked. They have no problem with what I do in my "warranty" department, except that I make no profit. Duh!

Prior to my position as Service Manager, I was a service technician who went about doing the same things I have been ordering my employees to do since 1999. I was a good mechanic; good enough to be paid top dollar by the owner for what I do. I was "loyal". I received no pay increase when I became manager, but I was okay with that part.

I guess my question now is, why does it have to be "all or nothing"? I am content to go back "to the tools" and do hands on work; in fact that's what I will probably do. The VP asked if I was willing to take a cut in pay and go out on jobs and work like everyone else. I told him that was exactly what I intended to do with any other company. So he said to hold off until Monday, keep the cell phone and he would talk to the other VP. I said okay. I will do that for now because I know that "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". If I can continue to work for this company, I will have ample time to locate another company to go to work for without having to be off work for a short period of time.

Now, the really interesting thing is that after I was fired, I still had the duty to lock up the out buildings, making sure everything was secure for the weekend and "set the alarm". I went inside and said goodbye to Katherine, who was crying. Most everyone had left by now, but the VP was still there, talking to someone in his office. I waited around for him to give me a ride home, but he was "too busy". I told Kat that I should just take my company van home and the VP could come and get it. I thought about that for a second and decided that was a good ideal.

So I did. Now I have the weekend to decide what I want to do.

This is Dawson….
my Grandson of the Heart.

I’ve been holding him since his birth.

We have grown very attached to each other.

I can’t imagine my life without him in it.

We have a lot of fun together.

He comes running to me...

through a crowd of people for a hug.
He loves Multnomah Falls

And helping me build a fire in our Fireplace.

He loves to read.

He giggles when I pretend to “bite his ear”.

He sits on my lap and falls asleep in my arms.

Love is about relationship.

I am his “Papa”.

Job Security……

There are many things in life that are fleeting; life, love, property, freedom and security, just to name a few. We aren’t guaranteed to have anything last forever on this earth. We certainly do enjoy being secure in something because it gives us a feeling of…..uhhh…. uhhh….well…security! Oftentimes we go through periods of enjoying various securities, yet they seldom last long.

Financial security is important to us because we look ahead in life and see a lifestyle that we want or need. But, we can’t have financial security unless we have job security to go along with it (unless we are independently wealthy, of course!). So, in a sense, everything works together and when something breaks down, it seems to shoot us down in other areas, too.

I have been in battle with my feelings the past three days about job security. At my age, I value job security because it’s harder to find new jobs if I lost mine. In the back of my mind I feel secure because I know my skills. Yet, I’ve heard many stories about old people trying to peddle their knowledge and skills to a new potential employer, only to come up against a stone wall and a, “We’ll keep you in mind when we need someone with your skills”.

Three days ago the boss came into my office and wanted to meet with me “this afternoon” to discuss my role with the company, making comments that we need to get rid of some overhead and “we aren’t making much profit”, etc. He wanted me to get my paperwork together to justify my position and meet with me later. So I skipped lunch to do that and pulled it all together and waited. Each time I went to him to talk, he was too busy. Soon the end of day came and he left the office. I guess today would not work out to talk. That aggravated me because I had put off some important work to make time for him.

The next day I had a job to look at and yesterday’s work to do, so I did not get to the office until the afternoon. He was here but was “busy”. The next thing I knew he was leaving. I guess today would not work out, either!

So now it’s “today” and he isn’t in.

My attitude of having to justify my position within our company annoys me in the first place! Three years ago I told the management that my department was set up for failure if they expected a profit, because, I was told at that time, to get rid of all of my clients that were not associated with the main part of our company. Well this meant thousands of dollars worth of business. But I’m not the owner, so I reluctantly agreed and did as I was told. My new duty assignment would be to do commissioning of new equipment for the construction side of our company. Also, to maintain that equipment (warranty work) for a period of one year from start-up, and to do technical installations when our installers couldn’t. So here we are, three years later and not making a profit. I don’t know of any “warranty department” in the world that makes a profit! So why do I feel the need to justify a position that I was told to create?

I don’t know. I’m still working on that.

But it sure messes with my “job security”!

Today I did a search for “missing climbers” and a site popped up with the headline, “climbers missing since November are feared dead”.

“HUH??”

I was waiting in the Lounge in the Tulsa, Oklahoma airport, to board my plane for Portland, when a Southwest Airlines announcement over the intercom said, “Now Boarding non-stop to Phoenix, LA and Oakland.”

Say, “WHAT??”

Radio announcement: “The ice storm has created slick conditions. Please drive carefully.”

“REALLY??”

In this era of Political Correctness you have to be very careful what you say. For instance, one little slip of the tongue can buy you a few hours of classroom time on “sensitivity”. But the really funny stuff comes from the news media folks! It’s amazing to me how people communicate, especially in the mass media!

The scene is the approaching “cold front” from the North, and the warm, moist air coming in from the ocean. An hour before the first snowflake hits the ground the live news crew is “on the scene” in the West Hills, an area of higher elevations than downtown Portland, where the first flakes will most likely fall.

The “live coverage” starts with the Reporter standing on the street as traffic flows in the background with no “apparent” (another favorite media word) impediments. He tells us that nothing is happening, and then has the camera swing down and around to SHOW us that nothing is happening. Then it’s “back to you, Tracy”. Then Tracy says, “We’ll go back to Billy Bob for another live update in a few moments, but first, news from Hillsdale on a failed bank heist with a big shoot-out….”

So, Billy Bob comes back on in half an hour to show us the “near blizzard conditions” by turning the camera on the nearby stop sign, where three tiny icicles are beginning to form…..

Is it just PORTLAND…..or, are there others out there?? Where else, but PORTLAND, do lame reporters find jobs?? Hours later, the same lame reporter is showing us the same three icicles, now grown to 4 inches in length! But not just HIM! We now go live to 3 other lame reporters watching a few flakes fall to the ground from various vantage points across the city! The end result was after several hours of first class reporting, the winter storm dumped “more than an inch of snow” on Portland.

Are there DARWIN AWARDS for lame reporting??

Bill of Rights: Don’t Mess With Mom

(Note: Having raised 3 kids, I have memories that have remained with me for a long time. I am reminded of the time that my daughter was convinced by a friend of hers that being raised under the jurisdiction of CSD (as her friend was) would be much better than having to obey Mom & Dad’s rules. I read this poem one day and laughed over it because it hit so close to home.)

My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.

“Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
That’s taught by Mr. Wright?
It’s all about the laws today,
The ‘Children’s Bill of Rights’.

It says I need not clean my room,
Don’t have to cut my hair.
No one can tell me what to think
Or speak, or what to wear.

I have freedom from religion
And regardless what you say
I don’t have to bow my head
And I sure don’t have to pray.

I can wear earrings if I want
And pierce my tongue and nose.
I can read and watch just what I like
And get tattoos from head to toes.

And if you ever spank me
I’ll charge you with a crime.
I’ll back up all my charges
With the marks on my behind.

Don’t you ever touch me,
My body’s only for my use;
Not for your hugs and kisses
That’s just more child abuse.

Don’t preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That’s nothing more than mind control,
And that’s illegal too!

Mom, I have these children’s rights,
So you can’t influence me,
Or I’ll call Childrens Services Division
Better known as C.S.D.”

Of course, my first instinct
Was to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
Made me think a little more.

I mulled it over carefully
I couldn’t let this go.
A smile crept upon my face
He’s messing with a pro!

The next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store.
I told him, “Pick out all you want,
There’s shirts and pants galore.

I’ve called and checked with CSD
Who said they didn’t care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of Nike Airs.

And I’ve canceled that appointment
To take your driver’s test.
The CSD is unconcerned
So I’ll decide what’s best.”

I said, “No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.

Just save that raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We’re having liver and onions
A favorite dish of mine.”

He asked, “Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?”
“Sorry, but I sold your TV,
To put new tires on my car.

I also rented out your room,
You’ll take the couch instead.
All that CSD requires
Is a roof for over your head.

Your clothing won’t be trendy now,
And I’ll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.

I’m selling off your Jet Ski,
Dirt Bike and Roller Blades.
Check out the ‘Parents Bill of Rights’,
It’s in effect today!

Hey, hot shot, are you crying,
And why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of CSD”?

Jungle Survival School

Prior to landing on Vietnam soil, the Air Force needed to teach us how to survive “in case….” “In case of what?”, I asked. “In case you are shot down”, they said.

My first school was 6 weeks in Amarillo, Texas, where we learned all kinds of things about survival, in a classroom setting. We learned about survival techniques from the steamy tropics to the frigid arctic weather; how to evade the enemy soldiers AND their bad dogs!

The second school was in Spokane, Washington where we went through some classroom work, then ran a night-time obstacle course to “evade the enemy”, which culminated in getting “caught” at the end of the obstacle course and thrown into a POW camp. We were “tortured” in the POW camp and we learned how to deal with mental and physical fatigue, POW organizational structure and non-cooperation with the enemy. From that we were sent out into the wilderness for a whole week with only 3 days food rations and were instructed to “survive off the land”. (I am here today to tell you that “I made it”.)

The third school was in the Philippines at Clark AFB. We learned jungle survival and how to “live off the land”. The whole idea of survival was to assume that our airplane was going down and we would crash land easy enough to survive the crash. We would have limited food supplies, weapons, ammo and other gear. We did have waterproof maps of Vietnam for survival purposes. I still have those.

The final day of Jungle Survival school was instruction to “fan out”, alone, unarmed, without anything except our clothes and a Poncho; it was Army green, like you remember seeing soldiers wear in the movies. We had 30 minutes to find our hiding spot before the military superiors “released” the enemy. The enemy was native Filipinos called Negrito. They were told they could hunt us down and if found, we gave them a “chit” that would be worth 2 or 3 pounds of rice to them. We carried 3 chits.

We could not move from our spot once darkness fell. The terrain was much too dangerous and soldiers have died from doing such things. My night alone was spent off of the “trail” about 100 yards in the trees on a sloping hillside. I positioned my feet against an old Banana tree so I wouldn’t slide down the hill much. The Poncho came in very handy when the heavy rains came. It seemed to rain all night! Water ran down the hillside and nothing was dry, except me inside the Poncho. I was curled up in the fetal position all night with my feet planted against the Banana tree so I wouldn’t slide down the now very slick, hillside!

I can’t explain much of how I felt because there are no words for it! Alone, in unknown territory, with unknown sounds, fighting my own imagination of all the evil things that were lurking just outside my Poncho, played tricks on my mind. I just KNEW I was about to be “eaten” any second by a Panther or something. I also felt insecure about sharing my Poncho with a large snake! All I can say is, it was a LOOOOOOOOOONG night alone and I wouldn’t EVER do that again!!

Memories....

With the approaching winter weather and my mind riding fresh upon the coattails of a recent ski trip to Timberline Lodge, thoughts of snows past come to my mind. I love beautiful snowfalls that are wet and heavy. To watch the big flakes falling to the ground, thick and heavy is perhaps one of the most awesome sights I know!

My fondest memories of beautiful snowfalls occurred as I was growing up in NW Arkansas in the 50’s. Our farm of 360 acres would take on a coating of snow that transformed the landscape into something only imagined in a storybook. Pine tree branches would be heavily covered, bending low beneath the weight of the snow. The cattle pen, thick with “muck and yuck” was covered by a pure white blanket of beauty that made you forget you should put the BOOTS on before crossing the pen!

Stacked snow was everywhere to be seen; fences and fence posts piled high, limbs of trees had all they could balance, clusters of Black Walnuts still hanging were now covered with a white cap of snow, as was the framework above the Well where we drew water. Today there would be no wind to blow away The Master’s handiwork.

Bundled up in warm clothes, coats, gloves and boots, double socks and caps, we boys were the first to disturb the undisturbed covering. We made tracks and snow angels and followed our own footprints back to the house, one adventure after another. We threw snowballs at each other and anything else that moved or sat still. We rolled up giant snowballs and made snowmen taller than we were, attaching hats, sticks, scarves, and anything else we could find to make them come alive. We hunted snow birds with our Daisy BB Guns and fed our kill to the cats, who eagerly dined on the fresh food.

We explored everything and left nothing unturned. Even the Barn was inviting and cozy. The cows and chickens were warm and dry in their stalls and nests. The hay was dry and offered a place to sit and play. It wasn’t long until we were back outside exploring and using our imaginations at being better Cowboys than the real ones!

I particularly remember us venturing way out on our property to select the perfect Cedar Christmas Tree to bring home to Mom. The longer we walked, the more beautiful each tree looked! At last, we decided and lay down in the snow to saw it down. We each helped or took turns at dragging the tree home across the snow, like we were pulling a sled. Mom would always tell us how pretty it was and there was much joy as it began to look more like a Christmas tree. We had fun decorating it with tensile, lights and bells. We popped Popcorn, threaded it like beads on a string to make a garland for our tree. At the top, a beautiful Star crowned our tree, and we rested.

Being poor folks, the grownups took few pictures; even then they were black and white prints from a Brownie Camera. But the pictures we took with our minds, with our imaginations, are still, today, just as vivid and clear as the day we snapped them. They will forever remain, unfading, unblemished and in full color!

Occasionally I reach back into the archives of my mind and pull forward those memory shots of beautiful snows and rolling hills covered by Jack Frost. I feel certain that all of us have a place in our hearts reserved only for our fondest memories. To those of you, who are young, or young at heart, probe the minds of your parents and grand-parents and I believe you will be surprised at the stories you hear. Ask them about the good old days in their lives. Record their thoughts and pass them down as a heritage of adventure to your children.

It begins: “Once Upon A Time”….

Being a Newlywed takes on a different meaning in the context of the following story:

"A little known fact is that it (newlywed) was named after a handsome man named John Newly, a devout bachelor from Atlanta in the 1800’s. For a long time, he had quite a chasing of lovely ladies vying for his hand in matrimony. Years of chasing passed by like a barefoot race along a rocky trail, until one day, a beautiful young lady from Iowa in Atlanta for a Corset Convention, accidentally bumped into John on a hurried trip to the Powder Room. Capturing his heart, they were soon married at his Grandfather’s mansion and moved to Iowa to become a corn farmer. For years, the lovely ladies of Atlanta continued to look for John, often coming to the mansion to inquire of him. Grandpa would always simply reply, “Newly wed”.”

Stories like this one are often times hard to swallow due to their ambiguous nature and from an often “suspect” source. It got me to thinking about how much we take for granted in life. Occasionally, we will be talking to a friend or acquaintance and hear things that are questionable. Choosing to believe everything we hear labels us with gullible, while disbelieving sometimes labels us just the opposite. Perhaps the answer lies with having a trusting nature. People we are close to might be easier to believe than strangers with a gift of gab. But not always.

I write this because I have recently dealt with a friend who has chosen to sharpen his “gift of gab” and tell some whoppers that seem genuine and honest. I am somewhat known as a "skeptic" and tend to analyze a lot of things that I shouldn't. But I believe that one cannot be too careful. First Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.” Perhaps we should be better listeners.

The above story is certainly ambiguous because I made it up entirely. So remember…. some sources are certainly “questionable”!

36 Years



Today my wife and I celebrate 36 years of wedded bliss together. Yes, it’s our 36th Anniversary! Some say the traditional gift suggestion is Bone China. That doesn’t sound very good to me, however. It congers up thoughts of eating off of china made from the hind leg of a mad cow somewhere in India or something. Perhaps, renaming that piece of china with a name that could “whet” the appetite instead of “churning” it would be a better option.

Instead, I went shopping with one thing in mind, and two thoughts of possibilities; the second being an Emerald, her favorite birthstone.

Last Sunday, our preacher talked about the “Pearl of Great Price”, found in the Good Book, that says: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (NRSV) Matthew 13:45.

Armed with pearls on my mind, I set out with two “surrogate daughters” for the local Lloyd Center Shopping Mall to search for my pearl of great value. The parking lot was crowded but we managed to park nearby the “MACY’S” entrance, entering onto the main floor nearby the Jewelry Department. Following the scenic walkway, we couldn’t help but notice the brightly lit pearls in the glass case and the flashy 40% to 50% OFF signs. A very nice, more mature, lady (my wife’s age)….and just as charming….came over to ask to help. She showed me exactly what I was looking for; at “half off” it appealed even more so! I told her that I was going to go think about it and would return.

We stopped into 4 or 5 more Jewelry stores, always inquiring about pearls, and always finding smaller lengths and higher prices. MACY’S was looking good! One young lady in one particular store was showing us their line of pearls, named MIKIMOTO. These are supposed to be the ultimate heirloom quality of pearl perfected by Mr Mikimoto in the early 1900’s. They also boost a proud price tag! I asked the young lady about “sale prices”, as were common in other stores. She said theirs were very special pearls and no discounts were offered because of the “name”.

Now, being from backwoods Northwest Arkansas, uncouth, unrefined, and often unappreciated for my humor, I said, “Mikimoto….I’ve heard of that name! Don’t he live in Disneyland”? The previously nice saleslady quickly straightened up, turned her mostly artificial head sharply to her right side and said, “Oh my god!”

Well, in the first place I was only making a wisecrack; certainly not serious! In the second place, I don’t appreciate anyone using that kind of disrespectful language to my God….so I was definitely finished with her at this point! But it was the funniest thing of the day!

So, two more stores later and I was on a pearl trail back to MACY’S, where the same nice lady asked if I was ready. I told her I was and bought the necklace, as well as a pair of earrings for my honey of 36 years. Add to that, 3 dozen of her favorite flowers and I went home, invincible!