Probably Just Me, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Maybe it's just me - it probably is - just me. But - everyone
- well; most people, agree that "everything is made in China." And that
China is our enemy...that China owns us." But - I think we are paying
China to be our enemy - to own us!! And here's how I come to that
conclusion. Every year "'long 'bout school time" (August) - China ships
stuff over here to us - to be "in style" when the kiddies return to
school for another year of learnin'. Granted - someone... read
more |
The Ride,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! How many of you remember going to the Fair and riding the
biggest, tallest ride there - The SkyDiver? It sat catty-corner
from the Speed Office on the south end of the Fairgrounds. From the
top-most car you could see all the way up to the Grand Stand! Remember
the anticipation - how your heart beat faster? You were on the ride -
it moved and stopped to load more people - "Come on" - "Hurry it up,
already!" Then it started - slowly at first and picked... read
more |
Lexophile: Love
this stuff!, From a CNO reader
"Lexophile" is a word used to describe those that love using words in
rather unique ways, such as "you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna
fish", or "to write with a broken pencil is pointless." A competition
to see who can come up with the best one is held every year. This
year's winning submission is posted at the very end. When fish are in
schools, they sometimes take debate. A thief who stole a calendar got
twelve months... read
more |
Answering the
Call, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! There has been so much to write about - I wanted to take a few
sentences to tell you the following before I stat the column - or maybe
it is the column - in a way. Friday, January 31, 2014 - on
CountyNewsOnline - a headline read - "Boehner Hosts Ohio Job Creators
at the State of the Union." I had sent an e.mail to John's DC
Office - to his secretary. That was last December - before Christmas. I
sent it "From Darke County." I made a few phone calls to... read
more |
Valentines Day
verse for CNO readers, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
season with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time its Valentines Day. Wilson offers four different thoughts
about the annual tribute to romance. Wilson's completed set - four
volumes - of published poetry is now available and is offered as a
fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund. Enjoy great poetry
and help a local... read
more |
Getting to Know
Hope, From Senior Scribe Marianne Clark
Another assortment of odds and ends from Marianne’s poet friend out
west. I found the first one most amusing… I believe you will as well.
They are all worth a read; I can identify with her perspective in the
Clothes Horse. Editor. HERE COMES HOPE - I get up in the morning a
shower to take. And sometimes I’m only half awake. Then the scented
body wash starts a war with the shampoo, But I let them battle wouldn’t
you? After... read
more |
A Time For
Everything, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! This column is sort of a "part two." I did not mean it that
way - it just turned out that way. I knew last week about a gross child
abuse situation in our county. Now that it made the headlines in a
local paper - I will speak. I have spoken with a number of powerful
people and organizations locally. I have asked them to start telling
the kiddies and our young people to "Just Say No" to sex. They are told
to say that to drugs. Imagine my surprise and... read
more |
Jammin' Me,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Buy this insurance! If you are happy where you are; you can
stay there! Now I have health insurance with a $2,000 deductible - for
one person My new insurance does not cover half of what the new
policy does. (True Darke County story). We (the city) need to improve
the street. It needs widened. We're taking some of your property for
the sidewalk (oh, and you get to sweep it, wash it, shovel snow off of
it, and if someone falls and breaks a... read
more |
Watchin' the
Money, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I've been listening to the conversations lately. It seems very
few people are truly happy. "More money" is what I hear. "If I
had more money I could do this, that or, the other." I've watched "more
money" appear - then another "problem" occurs - sickness sometimes.
Usually something breaks. Somehow, the "needful broken object" is a
television or computer. Now and again, it's a vehicle or appliance. For
all the "needful" of the telly or computer - I've... read
more |
How long is
winter? By Sharon Hopper
This has already been the longest year I can ever remember and it is
only January. The 18th of January to be specific. Already we have had
more snow that has kept us housebound than in many a year. We have had
a rainstorm that closed our road for two days. And we have had the
coldest temperatures in a century and there seems to be no relief
according to the forecast. My electric meter has been spinning for days
and I am very thankful for that and my pipes... read
more |
A-maze-ing!!
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! "Betty Grable was always into drugs. She deserved to
die." "Hugh Heffner bandied about with girls young enough to be
his granddaughters. He'll probably get a disease. (He can afford it,
though.)" "Those girls are gold diggers. They should get a real
job like the rest of us." "He's had six DUIs so far. And I heard
he was into drugs....lock up your stuff. "Those people" steal to get
their drugs" "I won't go to his funeral - he's a child
molester." "She won't listen... read
more |
For My Shipmate
Jim Pope, By Al Bliss
The other day, I thought of my old shipmate and friend Jim Pope and
considered only proper to share some of the unique times and
experiences that we had together. In 1951, when I reported to Fire
Control Class A school in Washington D.C. at the old Anacostia Naval
Base, I met this guy named Pope. He was in the class ahead of me, so we
were not in class together, but he did possess the most unusual
walk/stride... read
more |
Is It Really
True? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I trust you all survived our little "Arctic Blast!" As I
write this, it is 9 degrees at the Versailles Airport. And it seems so
much warmer now that the wind has mostly settled and we're on the plus
side of zero - kinda hard to believe! I'd like to take credit for the
following, but; I can't. Red Skelton (one of my all-time personal
favorites) of Vincennes, Indiana; credits a teacher of his - a Mr.
Lasser... read
more |
Just a Thought,
By Sharon Hopper
I have been thinking again. Wow that can lead to some trouble. Wonder
what people did in the old days to keep ahead of the weather we are
having January 6 2014. They could not just listen to the weather
forcast and run to the grocery store for bread and milk and a few
comfort foods. They certainly did not have electric and just turn on a
switch and it would get warm in the house. And the roads were not
opened within hours of a snowstorm or plowed drifting snow... read
more |
The Magi,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! As usual - my brain started thinking "out of the box." With
Christmas and it's usual display of the Manger Scene (Bees to whomever
stole the Baby Jesus from the Greenville display!) and the Three Wise
Men - I did a little checking and a lot of thinking. First - I could
not find anywhere that there were 3 Wise Men - only "some Wise Men" or
"The Wise Men." Perhaps three came from the gifts they brought -
gold... read
more |
Prosperity: A
happy rewarding life, By Sharon Hopper
I have been thinking about time. Does it go to fast or does it go to
slow. I think it depends on what one is doing and what one wants to do.
If you are doing things that you truly enjoy then time seems to go by
fast. By the same token if you are doing something or nothing that is
productive then time seems to inch by slower and slower. Since I have
retired time seems to drag a good bit of the time. However, I really
don’t seem to... read
more |
Our "Lady
Liberty",
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been thinking lately - with all of the bad hype about
the current president, the senators, and such - Why are people still
coming here (the USA) to live? Why do they risk crossing the Mexican
Border to get here? And that got me to thinking of the Statue of
Liberty. So - with Wikipedia's help (God bless that public funded
site!), I found - The Statue of Liberty is really "Liberty Enlightening
the World." The French gave... read
more |
Darke County Senior Scribe… Come - Let Us Reason,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! So - I've been doing some research. In the state of Ohio - you
do not have to have auto insurance. You need to prove financial
responsibility. Land you own is not listed..however you can use
"assets." And the usual bond stuff is listed. But; suppose you have a
lot of acreage - 100's of it. And it's prime, producing land. (In Darke
County, six months ago, a stream between two fields, with trees around
the stream; sold for a reported $300,000. The stream... read
more |
A
Christmas Holiday Offering, By Hope Louise Edwards Wills
TIME TO EAT By Hope Louise Edwards Wills Gary Goat was thinking, “It’s
almost Christmas, my, oh my. The farmer’s wife will make an apple
cinnamon pie. Snicker doodles, Gingerbread and then my favorite thing
for goodness sake, A three layered cream filled, chocolate cake.” Harry
Hound came by and said,” Gary, what are you thinking about? It must be
food, I have no doubt.” “Yes,” said Gary, “It’s the Christmas season,
And that gives me a very good... read
more |
Darke County Senior Scribe…Open Letters By
Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Open Letter to a Daughter In-Law: You do not have to call me
Mom or Ma'am. You can if you wish; but it is not necessary You see - I
was once like you - young - in love - and the world was full of hope
and promise. And, in many ways it still is full of promise. I have age
on my side. I've learned a few things the hard way. I've learned not to
take anything or anyone for granted. I've learned that people can and
will let you down - whether they mean to or... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…A Time For...,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I've been reading, from various sources, about the insurance
problems. And, it's curious to me - we are all saying the same thing.
There are people who have said that they had a "near death experience."
They survived and are going to spend this "new lease on life" doing
worthwhile things - in some cases this has to do with advocating for
the upholding of our constitutional rights - again theright to buy or
not buy insurance. Much blood was ... read
more |
A
Holiday Offering, By Hope Louise Edwards Wills
READY FOR FALL IN THE FARMHOUSE Summer was winding down. It was almost
fall. Fall on the farm was never dull. The farmhouse was in a real
tizzy. Fruits and veggies to can kept Fannie Farmer slightly dizzy.
Some things would be frozen as well, Warm peach pie was a favorite of
the Farmer in the Dell. On a cold winter night he would ask, oh so
nice, For just another little slice. Fannie thought blueberry crunch
cake was just right For a cold winter... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scibe…To Tell The Truth,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I have a girlfriend from the hills of Kentucky. Whenever she
had something she just had to say; she'd say it was "on her tongue" and
it had to come off her tongue. Awhile back I wrote about the 14 year
old girl and her 13 year old boyfriend - they had a spat - he gave her
a beautiful bracelet - they swore their undying love for each other -
life was good - he gave her a ring - life was great. Two weeks ago she
sent me a text - they were through - she's single..."I'm... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe...Whaddaya Think?? By
Mona Lease
Hi, all! I've been listening to people tell me that Thanksgiving this
year is going to be lean - really lean. Some are really upset that they
cannot celebrate in their usual style. From long ago reading I've done,
I remember story. This is set back in the days of Kings and Queens - of
Court Jesters - of pillaging and the "spoils of war." There was this
guy named Danny? - Dan? - Daniel. He and some friends were caught up in
the spoils of war. The Kings always... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe...I Am Impressed!! By
Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I stared at the carpet in my family room in disbelief - how
had it gotten in this condition? My mind scrolled back the 8 or 9 years
I've had it. Over there was Buster's favorite place to pee when he
figured he had whimpered and you let too much time pass before letting
him out the door. I cleaned it with my steam cleaner every time. Rish
had her spots, too - whatever her reasons were. But, I had cleaned them
- I did, I did!! There were other spots I had... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe...Reader's: Thanks Much!!
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I usually take this time of the year to thank you readers...I
could not do these columns without all of you. All of you that tell me
your stories of triumphs, defeats, and the like; you all have a part in
this joint effort. I try to make this a place of hope and help. I hope
to give you a word of encouragement - or at least a chuckle. And to the
Vets - "Thanks" does not seem to be enough...all of your training -
physical and mental...the many missed birthdays... read
more |
Darke County Senior Scribe…Humongous National Debt,
By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
‘season’ with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time it’s politics. Wilson offers two poems, each addressing a
different look at what we leave our heirs… and promises. Wilson's
completed set - four volumes - of published poetry is now available and
is offered as a fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund.
Enjoy great poetry and help a local youngster attend college... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe... Virginia's
Question, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! For you faithful readers (thanks, again!); you'll remember me
introducing Virginia to you. For you new readers - Virginia was really
sick when I first met her. She is much better now - she has a few more
hurdles to clear. She has this uncanny way of appearing when I least
expect her. Her visits are always most welcome - public or private.
This last one was public. As we walked and talked in a local store, she
touched my arm to slow me. A couple of people... read
more |
About Gordon, © By Abraham
Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born in Gordon, Ohio in 1934. Just over 69 years
ago Abe and 22 students from all eight grades posed for a school
picture with their teacher, Beatrice Brown. In August of 1994, “Abe”
noticed the date of his picture “1944” and wondered what had happened
to the kids from Gordon school over the last half century. He spent a
lot of time and money sending letters and making phone calls to former
Gordon school students and asking... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…The Heart of the Matter,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been working with my poodle. She is 11.5 years old. A
couple of months ago I learned she had Lymphoma. I chose an alternative
treatment option. It is a more detailed method. I started calling her
"Miss Q2H" For those of you knowledgeable of the medical lingo - Q2H
means "every 2 hours." A prescription of this type is usually
associated with one-on-one care - like "turn the patient Q2H" - every 2
hours. Or; "walk the patient Q6H" - every 6 hours... read
more |
Darke County Senior Scribe… Rx For Success, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
issues with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time it’s the demise of teaching “cursive” in school. Wilson
offers three poems, each addressing a different look at the trend away
from handwriting to a more computer-generated look. Wilson's
completed set - four volumes - of published poetry is now available and
is offered as a fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund... read
more |
Speaking my mind on entitlements,
By Sharon Hopper
It is not often when I speak what is on my mind to the public, but I
feel that the time is right for this thought. I am a senior citizen and
even though I have a rather good pension compared to many I still need
my social security to live a modest lifestyle that can afford me a few
pleasures, like going to the theatre, or out to dinner occasionally
with friends. I do not consider my Social Security an entitlement,
however I do feel that the word entitlement should be considered... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe… Attention
Young Ladies, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! It seems a number of young ladies have spoken to me recently.
One 14 year old girl made me "Pinkie Swear" to keep her secret. I did.
And, I'll keep her secret. (WOW. Pinkie Swear is alive and well!!
I would have thought it would be replaced by some trendier moniker.).
The basic gist here is the girl has a boyfriend - 14, I believe. He
brought some girls with him to her house - then left with them. She was
upset - and; rightfully so, I believe. He showed up... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…What Profiteth a Man?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!! You all know that words swirl in my head - forming
themselves into my columns. I've wondered about this column for awhile
now. Then I decided the worst that could happen would be a) my Editor
says he will not print it - b) my Editor says to go away and never
return - c) you readers quit reading the column entirely - which would
put me back to option "b." So - here goes - I've been hearing about
"The Wall" that our Government closed. I mean no... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Our Miss Brown,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Johnny awoke and looked out of the window. Yup - it was cold.
And it looked like snow. He'd better hurry. He had to carry coal into
the school and start a fire. It was his turn. He'd have to clean out
the stove first. You could just know that Bobby did not do it. Bobby
took every chance he could to make him feel stupid. It wouldn't be so
bad if he did not already feel stupid. He tried - he really did. He
grabbed the lard sandwich off of the table and walked out... read
more |
Tobacco
©, By Abraham Lincoln
When I was a little boy, I used to go to George Myers’ Gordon Coal
Office and listen to the men tell stories. My mother didn’t want me to
even go there but I did. Old wooden chairs were lined up against the
wall and a tobacco spittoon was located between the chairs. Some
spittoons were once brass, that still shined, but now most were a
brownish black where the tobacco juices and spittle had dried. I was
careful not to bump those spittoons because they ... read
more |
Hunting Arrowheads, © By
Abraham Lincoln
http://www.flintridgeohio.org/ - When I go hunting for arrowheads I
know what I am looking for and I expect to find something. I will stop
and examine a piece of flint; a mere chip from an arrowhead that is
several thousand years old and has been on the ground on this spot for
ages. Finding a chip is the first clue that most beginners miss. I
always look for a unique color when I go onto an old cornfield or a one
that was plowed and rained on. The... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe… Tradition of
Homecoming, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back the alumni of a
school. It can include student and alumni activities and a parade
through the town. Usually, Homecoming consists of a football game
played on the school's home field. The parade features the school's
Marching Band and the Coronation or Crowning of the Homecoming Queen
and sometimes a King. When Homecoming is attached to a football game,
Homecoming... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe… Lost Arts,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I sat writing out thank you notes and addressing envelopes -
by hand. My mind drifted - as usual - to my teen years. That's 40+
years ago, now. There's a tattered book on my book shelf. The back
cover is gone, too. It's roughly the size of a post card. In it are
signatures - many who signed it are gone as well. I was 11. I handed
this book to everyone I knew in school, at home, or around the
neighborhood. I handed it to my Uncle Bobby. He asked me if I... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…In Memory, By
Mona Lease
Hi, all!! He said, "Tell the One who leads you to stop. We are dying.
We can't take this. We can't work and deal with all of this trouble and
strife." The citizens banded together for strength, moral support and
the "helping hand." The "One" listened and stopped causing the trouble.
It did not take long for the people to forget how bad the trouble
really had been. Somehow - Time dulled the memory of those who had
died. It dulled how much of a threat to life - on a... read
more |
Introducing
Billy… Grandpa’s Chemo,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
I haven’t written anything recently because we’ve all been worried
about Grandpa, and I didn’t know what to say. But I’ve heard a
lot of new words recently, and Grandpa and Dad have explained them to
me, so I think that I can tell the story. Words like
chemotherapy, which means treatment with chemicals for a serious
illness. And that’s what is happening to Grandpa now. Grandpa was
in the hospital because he felt weak and he lost weight. There... read
more |
Darke
County Senior Scribe… An Afternoon with Sharon Hopper
On September 15th at 3:30 PM Sharon Hopper will present a combination
concert of gospel, show tunes, and testimony. Sharon has
performed for many years where she used to live and since moving here
has not played publicly till now. Because of health issues and other
reason this may be the last and only time to hear this talented person.
Sharon will be playing the Roland Digital Piano with orchestrated
backups, which promises to be a total experience in the... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…OOPS!!! By Mona
Lease
Hi, all!! I want to apologize to the D.A. Nealeigh Family...most
especially to Luke. I had said I'd get my article about them in my
column 8/24/'13. I did not do that. When I was raising my son, I
realized that if I expected the truth from him all of the time - I'd
have to tell the truth, too - all of the time. In the beginning it's
easy - yes is always yes and no is always no. As the years rolled by I
realized I would need to change a few ideas. First - I had to realize,
admit... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…To Give or Not To Give,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been listening to people talk - it amazes me!! There are
more words in our spoken language to NOT tell the truth. Lie,
embellish, mis-speak (this can be a real accident having to do with
saying the wrong word like "prostate from the heat" when it should be
"prostrate from the heat"), noble lie, polite lie, etc. Credence is
defined as - "acceptance or belief, especially with regard to the truth
of the evidence of others - I can not give credence to ... read
more |
Darke
County Senior Scribe… My battle
with El Toro, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
In May of this year I started losing my appetite and generally feeling
weak. I did feel a lump in my abdomen which was mildly
tender. A CAT scan suggested that the mass was a lymphoma, and a
needle biopsy on May 31st confirmed the diagnosis: Diffuse Large Cell
Lymphoma. My weakness gradually increased, and on June 7th I called my
family physician, Dr. Menendez, and asked to be hospitalized. It was
then that I decided that any lump causing that much... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe... What
a Wonderful World, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The ending of the Great Darke County Fair has always been the
"unofficial end" to summer. As a kid, I remember making bean bags with
my cousins - old sheets cut into little squares, stuffed with Navy
Beans (dried ones), and sewn shut. We'd stack washed out soup cans
partially filled with stones and practice knocking them over - "The
Fair was coming." We used to practice target shooting with the old
pump-up air rifles. They shot out little metal... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe… Of Milk and Honey,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been trying to figure a way to make these words come out
rightly - to make them convey what I want to say without it being
slanted one way or the other. I've always wondered why anyone would
want to come to the US to live and work. I mean - we have no language
of our own. Piqua (Ohio) is a shortened form of a Shawnee Indian word.
While sitting around a council fire, an apparition rose from the
flames...and our Piqua, Ohio was born. Our use ... read
more |
Darke County Senior Scribe…Funn at the Fair and More,
By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
season with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
Once again it’s the Great Darke County Fair! This time with two fun
limericks. Wilson's completed set - four volumes - of published poetry
is now available and is offered as a fundraiser for the Senior Scribes
Scholarship Fund. Enjoy great poetry and help a local youngster attend
college. For additional information, contact ... read
more |
WOW!
What a summer, By Sharon Hopper
I live out here in the county and it is amazing what I see all about
me. The tallest corn in several years and soy beans thick and tall
waving in the fields like green water in a lake. The wheat and oats
were pretty good and hay has been made three times by my neighbors. But
the gardens……….full of big beautiful vegetables and the grass in the
yard has been green all summer. The downside was all my flowers bloomed
so early and they are looking a bit haggard ... read
more |
Darke
County Senior Scribe… The Great
Darke County Fair – 2013, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
season with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time it’s the Great Darke County Fair! Wilson's completed set -
four volumes - of published poetry is now available and is offered as a
fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund. Enjoy great poetry
and help a local youngster attend college. For additional information,
contact editor@countynewsonline.org... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…An Interesting Concept,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following is in my August, Darke County Right to Life
newsletter. I draw your attention to phrases like "attuned to and
respecting body signs", "learns self-control", "working within the
body's (God's) design", and "material happiness is short-lived." My
husband Gregg and I were married 10 years ago. With the upcoming
wedding, we looked into Natural Family Planning (NFP) as a way to space
children. NFP is working to understand the ... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Nothing New Under The Sun,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!! In 1917, a soldier was drafted into our US Army. He wrote
letters to his family from "across the big pond." In this case, it was
Germany..WW1. In one of his letters to a brother, he writes that he is
in the infirmary - a hospital. He tells of 600 guys being brought in
minus arms or legs or "just insane." The "insane" part intrigues me.
I'll explain. From WW1, the "insane" went through some name changes -
to our modern day "Post Traumatic Stress. ... read
more |
When Children were Children…Something to Ponder,
By Sharon Hopper
7/30/13–I have really been thinking and that in and above itself is a
real surprising feat for me. Lately I have been just lopping along in
hopes that a miracle will come to me and I can once again be the happy
go lucky person that I always believed myself to be, but I have finally
concluded that the miracle is going to have to be generated from me.
The truth is that I have had a pretty wonderful life full of seeing
wonderful places, working with great people, and never... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Virginia and the US Army,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Virginia surprised me with a visit last weekend. I noticed
that I start to breathe shallowly when she appears. Don't get me wrong
- Virginia is most welcome - where ever I am - publicly or privately.
She just has this way of showing me things that I should have seen -
or, I think I should have seen. We ended up watching her neighbor spray
weed killer on piles of tree clippings laying on the ground. With the
wind blowing, he sprayed weeds that were ... read
more |
LA CUCHARACHA, By Delbert
Blickenstaff
I asked Louise what she wanted for Christmas and she said “A poem for
me.” So I’ll tell you what I wrote but first I have to tell you a
story. When Louise was born on December 31, 1922 her parents had not
picked a name for this baby, the fifth child in their family. So the
attending doctor wrote “Jane” on the birth certificate. But Louise
didn’t know about that until she went to the Darke County Recorder’s
Office and asked for a copy of her birth certificate. She needed it to
get... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Open Letter to a Granddaughter,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Consider the following letter. My Dearest Granddaughter: You
are 14 years old today. A long time ago, age and birthdays would have
been a big affair. 13 was the age when a girl started wearing nylons
instead of the bobby socks. Long before the age of 13 - a girl started
planning her life - husband or college? - children? - pets? - home? -
car? Her girlfriends would pay attention to her choices - favorite
color, china patterns, laces, silver service, and the ... read
more |
Senior
Scribes... Summer's Weekend,
By Sally Amspaugh
Editor’s note:
Sally was
a founding member of the Senior group. She passed away July 21, 2011.
This is being published in her memory. Ah, some of the happiest
days of my life Fat roosters crowed long ‘fore the sun Just “one more
weekend’ at Grandpa’s house Before the new school year begun At
Grandpa’s house we gathered brown eggs And “helped” to milk the cows
I’d begged for a tin cup of frothy warm milk Fed corn to pink pigs and
fat sows... read
more |
Senior
Scribes... PASO DE OVEJAS,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
Paso de Ovejas (pass of the sheep) is the name of a town of about three
thousand people in southern Mexico, between Mexico City and Vera
Cruz. The American Friends Service Committee, Quakers, developed
a public health work camp in the surrounding area doing malaria and
hookworm control. I became involved in the project in 1942,
spending five ½ months in Mexico. My twin brother, Bob, went down
first, and then Glen Fisher and I went two weeks later... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Meet Virginia,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!! I've known Virginia for the last 5 years or so. The last
conversation I had with her was pretty interesting - so I thought I'd
share some of her wisdom - hard earned by her. When I met her, Virginia
was very ill. Her husband started cheating on her with the neighbor
woman. Virginia knew the truth - she told me at the time. Now the
cheating is finished. Virginia and her husband are trying to get back
on track. The neighbor woman had a child out of... read
more |
The
Frenchman I Never Knew, © By Abraham Lincoln
In the early days, finding one new calligrapher was quite a task. This
was a long time before personal computers were available so telephones
or personal letters were used to locate people. I was looking for
calligraphers — people whose reputation in handwriting was on levels
beyond ordinary handwriting. Raymond Franklin DaBoll, the author of
Recollections of the Lyceum and Chautauqua Circuits, lived in
Batesville, Arkansas. His book introduced me to... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes... Joys and
Concerns, By Delbert Blickenstaff
Pastor: Now is the time in our service for joys and concerns, and
we ask that you keep your comments brief. Please come up to the mike.
Mother: Our son had his appendix removed yesterday and we ask for
your prayers for a speedy recovery. Thank you. Pastor:
We’ll pray for your son. Young person: Grandpa has some heart
trouble and will be going into the hospital for evaluation.
Please pray for him. Pastor: Your grandfather is in our
prayers... read
more |
Around GreenVille, © By
Abraham
Lincoln
Around the bend and far away, the sound of tapping made my day. I knew
what it meant and where it was but I had no idea this time was what it
was. There was a sound. Men wrenched as if in pain. They had seen
people who screamed before, and while it was not a pretty sight, it
was, the time forgotten. Flintstone pierce flesh and stick in bones,
with shrieks of misery wafting over the forest still. Sounds, like
morning smoke, glides over the canopy ... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…An Old Man and a Ticket Stub,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! The elderly gentleman asked me for a ride on my golf cart.
"Get in", I responded. He told me about things that happened in the
past - the high jinx with his friends and the like. Things like that
looked bad then. Now, after a serious health issue - "It's all good" -
his words. He said he'd like to be able to do them all again, but the
friends are gone on to their reward. He said that looking backwards -
they are all good memories. People are people ...good... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… THE SEMI DUDE
AND ME, By Delbert Blickenstaff
One day I was driving home on a familiar street, following a large
semi. I soon realized that something was falling out of the tail
end of the semi, and that it was soy beans. What to do?
They weren’t my beans. But if someone doesn’t alert that
semi driver soon, he’s going to lose all of his load.
However, I wasn’t eager to tangle with a semi dude (driver). I noticed
a stop sign coming up two blocks away. Maybe if I sped around him
after he stops I can get him... read
more |
The
Big City, © By Abraham Lincoln
There are lots of places to eat in Brookville, Ohio — not to be
confused with Brookville, Indiana with the big lake. Our biggest lake
is in Golden Gate Park and while you wouldn't want to go skinny-dipping
there with big snapping turtles, it is nice to sit and look. The place
to go downtown for a meal or a cup of coffee is Market Street Cafe.
Then for the big sandwiches, give O'Riley's across from the icehouse, a
try. You can locate Singer's, still in the basement... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Archie and the Wright Brothers,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! As I write this, the area is buzzing with anticipation - this
weekend is another "Dayton Air Show." I've stared at the little brown,
cardboard box for days. I summoned up the courage today to open it.
Inside is my replacement router box. I need this to make my laptop
work. I've used a desk computer - it's not the same - not my familiar
homepage. I opened the box. I hooked up the router. I used the desk
computer. I followed the directions - there were two of them. I... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… B L O O M I N G
T O N, By Delbert Blickenstaff
Living in Grasscreek, Indiana, in 1933 was about as far removed from
the big city as you can get without being in the middle of a
cornfield. I think that there were ninety-nine residents, on a
good day. So when Dad told us that we were moving to Bloomington
for the summer so that he could attend Indiana University, we kids
yelled for joy. Dad was the principal of the Grasscreek school,
but he wanted to earn his Master’s Degree so that he could move to a...
read
more |
Feather
Ticks, © By Abraham Lincoln
Sometimes when I woke up, there was snow on my quilt. It blew under the
window and settled on the window sill and on my bed covers. My bedroom
was on the west side of the house, under a tin roof. Rain on that roof
was so nice to hear—I still long for that sound (I hope Heaven has tin
roofs). My bed was an iron frame with wire springs holding up a
latticework of wires. A mattress was laid on top of this and that was
my bed—depending on the age of the ... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Subliminal or Not?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been watching for the last 20 years or so and I think
I'll share this with you. I find this rather unique. Admittedly - I've
partaken of the following scenarios to see what would happen. Wikipedia
defines "subliminal" as - "Below the threshold of conscious perception
- stimuli inadequate to produce conscious awareness but, able to evoke
a response (subliminal message). Fred is dead sure that Wilma is
cheating on him. The neighbors report what looks like... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… Pig Farmer… Not!
By Delbert Blickenstaff
At the time of this story Louise and I were living on our farm with our
horses. No pigs. In fact the only contact I had had with pigs was
when Louise’s dad took his only vacation and we stayed on his farm and
fed the animals. When I was invited to relieve Jim and Carlotta of
their pig feeding duties one weekend so they could attend a Marriage
Encounter Session, I was again introduced to pigs. Louise and I
had attended a session and found it helpful. So, why not? Jim... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…The Dad, By Mona
Lease
Hi, all! There's so much to write about, some days I don't know what to
leave for another column. As I write this, the Whittaker family is
gearing up for another "Sara Poker Run." I've written of this in other
columns. My reason is that to qualify for a scholarship you must be in
FFA and can not have over a B average. Sara was an avid FFA student and
struggled to get a B. I've said this before and I'll say it again - and
again. Grades are ... read
more |
Two
Moons, © By Abraham Lincoln
“With nearer tinkle through the dust of long ago Creep the Pennsylvania
wagons up the twilight—white and slow.” There were bands of Shawnees,
Delawares, Munseys, Pottawatomies, Kickapoos, Miamis and Seneccas in
and around this area. Among them was the small band whose chief was
named, “Two Moons.” They had been peaceful and were trusted but the
continued influx of settlers accounted for random killings. Two Moons
lived just east of ... read
more |
Darke
County Senior Scribes… Senior
Scribes plan for GOBA event, 2014 awards banquet
The Darke County Senior Scribes discussed plans for the June 19 Great
Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA). The group will be hosting breakfast
items for the bicyclists in the Greenville High School cafeteria. Plans
also began to prepare for the 2014 Senior Scribes Scholarship Banquet.
Eight scholarships were handed out this year with 36 students, family
members, Senior Scribes and supporters attending at The Bistro Off
Broadway. Senior Scribes... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… Blough Work Camp,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
It was the summer of 1940, and I was not yet nineteen years old.
I was living in Chicago, working in the tabulating department of Sears,
and taking classes at the American Academy of Art because I wanted to
be a commercial artist. Living next door was the family of Alvin
Brightbill who had a daughter named Becky, about seventeen. In fact I
had one date with Becky, but when she refused my invitation to a good
night kiss, I decided enough of that. However... read
more |
Musings of a Senior Scribe…Where Does Time Go?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! So - I finally found a point I agree on with Bill Clinton. It
really does get easier saying "I'm sorry" - the more you say it. So,
for you readers who get a chuckle or bit of wisdom from my writings - I
am sorry I did not submit a column last week. The week flew by me. Have
you ever noticed how time is relative? The seconds, minutes, and hours
remain the same ...a constant in our busy world - tick, tick, tick.
Seemingly though, when the situation is negative, or... read
more |
A
Visit to the Dentist, © By Abraham Lincoln
Just when you think your body parts are all working together to push
your next birthday to 79, something goes haywire and you can’t fix it.
It happens to me all the time. I think it is a sure sign that I am
aging—getting old—my ball of string is running out. Whatever you might
choose to call it; my secret goal in life is to cheat the undertaker
out of another payday. How does one chew softly? Well, I have been
chewing on a back jaw took lightly, like a ballerina tiptoes ... read
more |
When
Children were Children… Today a
child’s life is another story, By Sharon Hopper
Wow! School is out and summer fun is supposed to begin. I say supposed
to begin because today children have to be watched constantly to avoid
the maniacs that are out there. I am so glad that I grew up in a much
calmer atmosphere. To begin with many days I left home in the late
morning, went to the beach and came home at suppertime. No one with me
but my friends and other beach bums. That was how we referred to the
people who came and laid out in the ... read
more |
Introducing
Billy… FLYING,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
Did you ever fly? I don’t mean fly like a bird. I
mean fly
in a plane. Our family took its first plane ride a few weeks
ago
when we went on a vacation to Hawaii. Of course Dad and Mom
had
been on a plane before but us kids hadn’t. Before I tell you about that
I want to tell you about a new word that Grandpa taught me.
It’s
rumble seat. I was showing him some of the drawings of cars
that
I had made and he asked me if any of them had a rumble seat in them... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… Humor,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
Why do we elderly people often laugh when we refer to ourselves as
“getting old?” There is nothing funny about falling down,
getting
lost, forgetting why we walked into the kitchen, and the hundreds of
aches and pains. In fact, one has to be tough to tolerate old
age. Of course, some tolerate it better than others, but
that’s
no different than other stages in life. A friend reminds me
that
laughing is better than crying, and she’s right. But I still
ask
why do people laugh... read
more |
Introducing
Billy… Hitch-Hiking,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
One day Grandpa was talking about being in college and he mentioned
hitch-hiking. I didn’t know what he was talking about so I
asked
him. He said that he didn’t have a car and when he wanted to
go
somewhere he had to ride with one of his friends or hitch-hike. Grandpa
said it was common for guys his age to stand along the side of the road
and ask for a ride by sticking their thumbs out. A few girls
would “thumb” a ride but only when they were with... read
more |
President, Senior Scribes…Hip-Hip-Hooray,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
It is very unusual for anyone to cheer for a hip fracture, but I will
try. Monday morning started out normal for us. We got up around 6 AM
and got ready to go swimming at the “Y.” The Greenville High School
swim team works out from 6 AM to 7 AM and we try to get there as they
exit. We enjoyed our usual swim and then went to one of our favorite
eateries and ate breakfast with Helen, one of our swimming buddies. We
came home and rested a bit before our next trip ... read
more |
Tomatoes
off the vine… Flowers,
©By Abraham Lincoln
My mother planted the idea of putting seeds in the ground for a
bountiful harvest in the fall. I could always think of dozens of other
things I would rather do than plant seeds. Sometimes she started seeds
in cups or trays in the house and then we planted the small growing
plants in the garden when temperatures had warmed the ground. I didn't
mind it as much as I disliked harvesting these peas or green beans. I
loved to eat green peas right out of the pod... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe… Is It
Really Free? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! For a long time now, I've been watching and listening -
watching the lines form for the "free stuff" - health screens,
prescription coverage, church donations, etc. "I have to go to Druid
Place and fill out this paperwork"...."Joe said I need three copies of
my income"....Audrey wants two years of my rent receipts"...."Creezil
needs my Dr.'s signature" ...."Craven said my Landlord has to sign
papers stating I am working off my rent"..."Ditzler has to see what... read
more |
Introducing
Billy… Thunderstorm,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
When our dog Nelly used to stay in the house most of the time she would
hide under my bed during a thunderstorm. I don’t know why she was so
scared. I would talk to her and try to get her to come out. But she
would just lay there and whine. My sister Emily is allergic to dogs so
we keep Nelly outside now.. When a thunderstorm comes she is much worse
than she used to be. She howls and whines and tries to break loose.
Last week during a storm...
read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… Buster
and Me,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
The water in this swimming pool is just right, and I used to have
plenty of room to swim around wherever I wanted to. But a few months
ago I got kicked in the head and I realized that I wasn’t alone. And I
remember hearing Mom talk about her little “twinnies” so I decided that
there must be two of us. She even called us boys, as if there is
anything else we could be. Mom reads and talks to us all the time, so I
have learned quite a lot. For example, I know that Buster... read
more |
Musings
of a Senior Scribe… Happy
Mother's Day!! By Mona Lease
The following is attributed to Dayton, Ohio's own Erma Bombeck. When
God Made Mothers: When the Good Lord was creating Mothers, He was into
His sixth day of "overtime" when the Angel appeared and said, "You're
doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And God said, "Have you
seen the specs on this model? She has to be completely washable, but
not plastic..have 180 movable parts - all replaceable..run on black
coffee and leftovers... read
more |
What’s
God Got to do with It?... Mother's
Day, By Nancy Livingston
Mother's Day Weekend! For some, it's a day set aside to show
love
and respect to the one who brought us into the world. To show
appreciation to her as one who, like a mother hen, took her young under
her wing and raised them up until they were able to leave the
nest. Yet for others, it's a time only to reflect and hold
dear
in their heart, the fond memories of a mother who is no longer with
them. For those of us who still have a mom, let's remember... read
more |
Our Little Schoolhouse…Nealeigh #1,
© by
Abraham Lincoln
Miss Beatrice Brown, my schoolteacher, taught all 8 grades (1 - 8) in
my country school. It was a red brick schoolhouse built, before my
living memory, on ground donated by the owners of the farm where
Milbert and Bonnie Ressler lived. The schoolhouse was red brick with
two rooms—the Big Room and the Little Room. When I went to school there
only the Little Room was being used—we only had 23 students in all 8
grades. At that time, in my village of Gordon... read
more |
When Children were Children… Our
schoolhouse home, By Sharon Hopper
I had a lot of cousins who used to visit on the weekends or we went to
their homes for events, but we never seemed to be missing someone to
play with. After my introduction to the one room school house that I
attended I realized that my life was quite a bit different from my
cousins. They all went to modern schools with indoor plumbing, a
lunchroom, and all that regular stuff. They said I was going to grow up
to be a dummy. My uncle lived and worked on farms that... read
more |
Introducing Billy… Henry’s
Stories, By Delbert Blickenstaff
My brother Henry likes to tell stories but he doesn’t like to write
them down. So I decided to write some of them and Henry said
it
was OK. When Henry was 5 years old and I was only 3 we decided to run
off to the store to get candy. We had been playing in the
front
yard and Henry knew the way to the grocery store, only 2 blocks
away. Of course I don’t remember any of this because I was
only
3. The lady at the store knew us because we had been... read
more
|
President, Senior Scribes… Big
Buddies, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
I have discovered that there are others around here besides me and my
Buddy. I call them my Big Buddies because they are a lot
bigger
that we are. One is called Mama, so I call that one Big Buddy
Mama, and that one is my favorite because that one gives me milk
whenever I get hungry. There are two others and I think their
names are Dada and Gwama. They mostly just clean me up, put
clothes on me and rock me to sleep. Guess what! I got a good
look
at my... read
more
|
Musings of a Senior Scribe…A
Pretty Baby!!! By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! For those of you who know me - you know I am drawn to the
unusual - things or people you don't encounter everyday. I'm
particularly drawn to those who think "outside the box." With a yawn, I
listened to the DJ on the radio drone on and on about mundane
stuff - buzzes and clicks to me. Then I heard
"Springfield,
Ohio and Wild Mustang & Burro for sale." I'd heard and had an
application for this in 1979 - adoption, housing requirements, minimal
adoption fee... read
more
|
About Country School
© by
Abraham Lincoln
Miss Beatrice Brown, our old maid schoolteacher, also had rules for
playing ball. We were never permitted to use a "hard" ball. It was a
big "soft" ball or nothing. And she refused to buy more than one bat
and then only after the other one had been broken. By the way, the
taxpayers did not have to pay any property taxes for this equipment.
The children collected things like scrap metal and old newspapers and
milkweed seedpods to sell to scrap dealers—the collected... read
more
|
When Children were Children (3)… School……..,
By Sharon Hopper
Well as I said before we lived in an old schoolhouse that was being
changed into a home. We now had rooms, furnace, well with a pump for
water, and lots of ideas of how the house would be when finished. My
mother had her heart set on a blue and white kitchen. My father wanted
a garage. Well you guessed it. The garage was being built as I started
school. My mother drove me down the road from our house about two miles
to a little place called Pavonia. There on ... read
more
|
Introducing Billy… Diving,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
I’m eight years old now and I can write most of the words in my
stories. Grandpa still helps me with some of the words. Henry and I
love to swim at the Y and dive off the diving board. So we asked Mom if
we could take diving lessons and she said yes. We go once a week and
practice for about an hour. There are eight boys in our class and our
teacher is a college student who is a really good diver. He can do
flips and twists and other complicated dives. I told... read
more
|
President, Senior Scribes… Buddies,
By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
Wow! This is the nicest place to live. It’s warm
and I can
swim around anytime I want to or just float. It’s getting a
little crowded though. Something poked me in the
back. I
know it wasn’t my arm or leg (I named them in order to keep track of
them.) I’m beginning to think that there is another creature
in
this swimming pool with me. I’m going to find out. There, I
caught part of it in my fist. That’s the far end of my
arm.
I can move it around and it seems to have arms... read
more
|
Musings of a Senior Scribe...For
Granted??, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!! The human body is 96% oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and
nitrogen...a lot of this is in the form of water. The remaining 4% are
macro/micro nutrients which build bones & cell structures,
regulate
the body's pH level, and other duties. The natural pacemaker of the
heart is the sinoatrial node. It sends the
electrical impulse to both side of the heart, telling it to contract
together - in just 4 seconds! There's a natural delay to allow the
contraction and the ventricals... read
more
|
Our
introduction to “Crazy Cat”…Places
to visit, things to do,
© By Abraham Lincoln
Patty, my wife of 57 years, invited me to go out with her to the Market
Street Café for breakfast. I had an appointment at 8:30 AM to get my
haircut at the barbershop next door, so we walked into the restaurant,
sat down and ordered breakfast. We saw a lot of people that we both
knew and just being there was like a high school reunion. Hello to one,
another and still another old friend. I shook hands with folks I had
not seen in two or three decades. I told Patty that we... read
more
|
Introducing Billy… Grandpa’s
Story, By Delbert Blickenstaff
Grandpa has told me many stories about happenings when he was
younger. He’s not going to write them down but I think some
of
them should be recorded, especially this one. So here goes.
Grandpa was the principal at the high school in a small town in
Indiana. In those days some people still used outside toilets
called privies or outhouses. I didn’t even know what a privy
was
until Grandpa explained it to me. One of the favorite Halloween... read
more
|
President, Senior Scribes… Dumb
Things I Did as a Kid, By Delbert
Blickenstaff, M.D.
Looking back now I think that we three brothers were at least half
monkey, because we climbed everything we could. Every tree
was a
challenge. And we loved roof tops. Starting at
about age
ten years my twin brother Robert and I climbed up on about every house
we lived in. In 1929 in Kewana, Indiana, we twins and our
younger
brother Harold climbed on the roof and our mother caught us.
She
told Dad, of course, and he told us to go to the woodshed. We
knew... read
more
|
Musings of a Senior Scribe...Health,
Wealth and Such, By Mona Lease
Hi,
all!!! For you readers and hearers of my writings - Dad's out of the
hospital and recuperating. For those of you who know me - you know I've
got the "Sap Gene." All we have is each other. No amount of money will
buy real love..,.you know - the kind that says - "I cant' change
anything, but I can sit quietly with you and wait." And, on to the
Boston Marathon Bomber. I've been pondering this one. What kind of a
person would endanger so many lives? To me, bombing at the... read
more
|
Baling
Wire,
© By Abraham Lincoln
Roy
Sommers was one of the first persons I met when we moved to town in
1962. It was a miracle that vehicles that could not stop at Wolf Creek
Pike had not demolished his store. The old building leaned and the old
roof sagged but for its age the place seemed strong enough. The
building was badly damaged, at least once, when a car, rammed into the
store and came to a stop about halfway through the building. Roy had
things like wire in his store and I always... read
more
|
When Children were Children… The
Schoolhouse,
by Sharon Hopper
Now I have to describe where this schoolhouse was. It was in the
country and we used to walk about a quarter mile to the next farm and
get fresh milk from the cow. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr was their name. Funny
how you can remember some people and cannot remember others. Skipper
our dog used to come with us on these visits. Mr. Kerr tried and tried
to teach me how to milk that cow but I never did get on to it. She was
a pretty cow. I know they had chickens because... read
more
|
Introducing Billy… Chocolate,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
Know what I really like? Chocolate. I like
chocolate milk,
chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate candy. If
onions were covered with chocolate I would probably like them too. I
usually eat what ever Mom fixes for us and don’t even think about
it. One of our favorite meals is meatloaf, mashed potatoes
and
gravy. Mom usually makes a salad too and some kind of
dessert. Maybe even chocolate pudding. One day at school we
had
a... read
more
|
President, Senior Scribes… Abruptio
Placentae, By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
Cindy Adams and Craig Nixon finished their Childbirth Education classes
with flying colors. Craig was a biology major, heading for the teaching
profession, and he enjoyed learning about the anatomy and physiology of
pregnancy and labor. He was a reliable coach, and Cindy needed him with
her as she neared term in her first pregnancy. When they arrived on the
OB floor with Cindy in active labor, and two days past her due date,
they expected to go directly into the... read
more
|
Senior Scribes… Mammas,
Maypoles, Memorial Day, By Sally Amspaugh
Sally was born and lived her entire life in Darke County, however she
said she loves to travel… “I’ve been to many states and spent lots of
summers in Canada. Favorite places are Rockport, Mass. and Lake
Mississagagon, Ontario, Canada. My passion is my Christianity and
family ─ a daughter, two sons, 12 grandchildren, and 15
great-grandchildren. I am a strong Christian, attending Trinity
Wesleyan Church in Greenville, and enjoy being a retired florist and
farmer. Love... read
more
|
Musings of a Senior Scribe...Stickin"
Together, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! Before I start this column, a little "backward glance" is
appropriate. I was raised that - "Welfare is a option, a last resort -
if you will - not a lifestyle. Work is everywhere - if you are willing
- And I, as a human being, had better be willing to do a "menial job"
and better my position. I was raised that - "All work is honorable." I
was raised that - "We all stick together as a family. We keep our
greivances amongst ourselves and if we cannot move forward - we at
least... read
more
|
Passwords,
© By Abraham Lincoln
Passwords drive me nuts. I have a notebook filled with pages of
passwords. In spite of my writing them down at the time I use a new
password I manage to get them all messed up. I get so frustrated that I
have threatened to toss my relative new iMac computer on the floor and
stomp on it. I have at least one episode a day where I can't seem to
choose the correct password to get into the program I need to get into
or to get out of the program I am already in... read
more
|
When
Children were Children… My
Home
the Schoolhouse --- Part 1,
By Sharon Hopper
Litterally. When I was four going on five when we moved into an old
brick building that used to be a schoolhouse. My aunt and uncle
actually owned the house and did some of the basic home improvement
work on the original building but then sold it to my mom and dad for a
very good price. It had to be a good price because my dad didn’t
believe in financing anything. Cash or nothing was his motto. My
parents were products of the depression and watched ... read
more
|
Introducing
Billy...RUNNING
AWAY,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
Last week I did a really dumb thing. Here’s what happened. I really
like Mrs. Gilbert, my second grade teacher at school. Last week she got
sick and we had a stubsetute – that doesn’t look right – maybe it’s
substitute teacher. I decided right away that I didn’t like her because
she’s not like Mrs. Gilbert. She didn’t know where anything was. So I
decided on Wednesday that I would not go to school.
Mom watches me all the time so I knew it
...read
more
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President,
Senior Scribes… Art
and Music,
By Delbert Blickenstaff, M.D.
Why did God invent art and music? Or why did humans invent
all
kinds of art, including drawing, music, dance, painting, sculpture,
etc.? Even the cavemen drew lines on the walls depicting
animals
and other humanoids. It certainly wasn’t because they were
bored
with life. They had to spend most of their time searching for
their next meal. My only answer is simplistic: our brains are
programmed to invent art. Of course, most of us have to learn
music, for example... read
more
|
Hilarious
Bike Adventure...THE
KILLER BIKE,
By Marianne Clark
About four and one half years ago I sold my little horse farm in the
country and moved into town. Of course, there was a farm sale and all
went well except for three bicycles that had belonged to my
grandchildren and were no longer in use. I decided to put the bikes out
for Rumpke but kept the one girl’s bike as I thought I might like to
ride it around in the park. I had been in town for several months and
when spring got itself sprung, I decided to get the bike out and go...read
more
|
Musings
of a Senior Scribe...Kindred
Spirits, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! There's "Je Na Saia Quoi." (French) - a "something that can
not be adequately described or expressed" - literally..."I don't know
what" - or a "certain something" - "a quality or attribute that is
difficult to describe or express" about those people who keep giving
and going against the "odds." Life is not about what they need or want.
Despite the odds - pain, disease, missing senses, etc.- they
get
up every morning and set a goal to be better than
... read
more
|
When
Children were Children...I
was
and am a “ham”.,
By Sharon Hopper
They, my parents, tell me when I was just a little girl we rode the
train a lot from Baltimore Md. to Mansfield Ohio where my grandparent
and all my family lived. They tell me that I used to sing Mare's Eat
Oats and Doe's Eat Oats and Little Lambs Eat Ivy, up and down the
aisles of the train and people would give me a nickel for singing to
them. I can see my happy face and curly locks bouncing around. My dad
had curly hair; however my mom was not so lucky. Anyway ...
read
more
|
Introducing
Billy… Words
from Grandpa, By Delbert Blickenstaff
I’m in the second grade now and I can read better than most of the
kids. Our teacher asks me to read to the class sometimes. I know that
Grandpa has helped me a lot by teaching me new words. Education is a
big new word and it means learning things. I asked Grandpa how he knew
so much. He said that he had been a teacher all his life and he was the
high school principal when he retired. I asked him what a principal did
and he said that he was... read
more
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Darke
County Senior Scribe… It’s
Tax
Time. Again. By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
season with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time it’s taxes. Wilson offers four poems, each addressing a
different look at what many Americans do NOT look forward to each year.
Wilson's completed set - four volumes - of published poetry is now
available and is offered as a fundraiser for the Senior Scribes
Scholarship Fund. Enjoy great poetry and help a local youngster...
read
more
|
President,
Senior Scribes… Climbing
Mount
Hood, By Delbert Blickenstaff
It took me two tries to reach the top of Mt. Hood, which proves that
I’m not much of a mountain climber. In 1952 I went up with
two
other fellows. One was my cousin, Paul, who was a dentist in
Portland, Oregon, and who was in excellent physical shape.
The
other fellow was a young German exchange student who had been climbing
mountains in Europe all of his young life. I was a flatlander
from Indiana. I have been told, by those with some experience...
read
more
|
Darke
County Senior Scribes… My
Miracle,
By Marianne Cox Clark
My miracle occurred twenty-five years ago and I have felt that I have
been living on borrowed time ever since that day. I have envisioned
writing this story for a long time but until just recently it has not
been a serious thought. I should be thanking God daily for his
intervention and the saving of my life but, in truth, I am very
negligent in that department. I regret to say that life is just too
busy. No matter how often I apologize to God for not talking to him
enough... read
more
|
Darke
County Senior Scribes… Getting
older can be fun… sometimes, CNO Submissions
Ten years ago the Internet buzzed with “blonde jokes,” “dumb people
jokes,” “off color jokes that couldn’t be published” and more. Today,
CNO still gets a few of the “off color” variety – still can’t publish
them – but the “blonde jokes” and “dumb people jokes” have been
replaced… by “old people” jokes. Good thing us seniors have a sense of
humor… enjoy. Forgot my glasses - Yesterday my daughter again asked why
I didn't do something useful with my time...
read
more
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Remember
winter
,
© By Abraham Lincoln
Brookville weather borders on the bizarre. Most people say this whole
year has been screwy. Nobody seems to know why our summer was hot and
dry while Europe was smothering in melting heat. A few weeks ago I
stood at the window and watched it pour down inches of rain but did not
see water shooting out of the sewers like it has in the past. So in
spite of heavy rains, nothing has come close to the rains we had one
summer in Brookville. We stood and...
read
more
|
Musings
of a Senior
Scribe...Aww,
Buckeye Chuck!!!,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! For those of you who know me - you'll know that my family
loves to dig in the dirt. Heck, we'll plant just about anything we
think we'll eat. I'll freeze anything from the garden I think will
freeze. One year when I was a wee kiddie - my paternal
Grandpa
planted a field of turnips. You guessed it - they all grew. That fall,
my Grandparent's porch was stacked a good quarter of the way out from
the east wall. There they stood all neatly stacked in their wooden
baskets... read
more
|
Darke
County Senior Scribes...Story
Book Land, By Marianne
Cox Clark
If you read Dreamland, you’ll enjoy the slightly more “tongue-in-cheek”
look at fairy tales… this time written for an older group: Story Book
Land. Marianne Clark is a published author and long-time Senior Scribe.
Her credits include many postings on County News Online and her recent
book, “Yogi Boy Cox and Friends.” After decades of having his story
told to grandchildren and friends, Yogi Boy Cox has achieved
immortality through “his” book, Clark said. “You...
read
more
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When
Children were Children...The
proof of Everlasting Life,
By Sharon Hopper
How about that Easter Bunny? Today he sports dark glasses, dressed to
the hilt, and carrying a beautiful basket of not only candy but full of
toys too. Wow! Kids sure are spoiled these days. I remember the bunny
was just a little old rabbit running around with an old wicker basket
full of real hard boiled eggs, some jelly beans, a chocolate bunny and
marshmallow chickens. That was about it and sometimes we even had to
supply our own basket for... read
more
|
Introducing
Billy… Arithmetic,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
I really like math in school, almost as much as reading. One
day
I was talking to Grandpa about math class and he said that when he was
in grade school it was called arithmetic. That’s a new word
to
me. He also told me that math is short for mathematics,
another
new word. Our teacher makes math fun. We do mainly adding and
subtracting but we are beginning to multiply and divide. When
we
work with two’s and five’s I like to think in terms of...
read
more
|
Darke
County Senior Scribe… Easter…
and was Spring an April Fool’s joke, By Lois
Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
season with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time it’s Easter, followed by a look at an April Fool, then
spring… if it ever arrives. Wilson offers three poems, each addressing
thoughts about this time of year. Wilson's completed set - four volumes
- of published poetry is now available and is offered as a fundraiser
for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund. Enjoy great poetry...
read
more
|
Darke
County Senior Scribes… Dreamland,
By Marianne Cox
Clark
Marianne Clark is a published author and long-time Senior Scribe. Her
credits include many postings on County News Online and her recent
book, “Yogi Boy Cox and Friends.” After decades of having his story
told to grandchildren and friends, Yogi Boy Cox has achieved
immortality through “his” book, Clark said. “You only have ‘one’ good
dog,” Clark added. “Yogi Boy was ours. You can have wonderful dogs
afterward, and they might come close, but they...
read
more
|
President,
Senior Scribes… Dad’s
Huckster Wagon, By
Delbert Blickenstaff
I could hardly wait for breakfast to be over so my dad and I could
leave for the IGA grocery store. My two brothers had each had their
turns the previous two days, and today was my turn. Dad and I walked to
the store and opened up the huckster wagon parked directly behind. It
was an old narrow school bus which Dad had converted by replacing the
side benches with built-in shelving along the sides. Each morning that
summer, 1929, he would take a brief...
read
more
|
Musings
of a Senior Scribe...Iceland
and The Man In Black,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I attended a conference last year. I've heard words like
"global economy" and "Tiger Mom." I've watched sex be used to sell
everything - toothpaste, cars, deodorant, houses, boats, etc. I've
heard "bull market" and "Euro-dollar." You get the idea. I even watched
a televised interview with Icelandic President Otafur Ragnar Grimsson.
He's running for a fifth term, by the way. In a nutshell - Iceland did
not bail out their banks. They treated them like private entities. When...
read
more
|
A heaven
for animals? Our
Dogs, © By Abraham Lincoln
Our favorite dogs are buried here. Cuddles was an old lady when she had
to be put down because of arthritis and the pain she endured from it.
She was 22 in human years and the oldest dog that Clayton Animal Care
had ever cared for at that time. She came from Denise Sabo who was a
student of mine over in Greene County when I taught there—Cuddles was
“family.” I often wonder if there is a Heaven for Animals and believe
there must be for something as special...
read
more
|
When
Children were Children...The
difference between play and reality,
By Sharon Hopper
Guns?
Not allowed. How in the world could we have played our cowboy and
Indian games, and good guy, bad guy made up adventures without toy
guns? Does anyone remember Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Hop a Long Cassidy,
The Lone Ranger, and others? My goodness this country was protected,
settled, and explored, and taken from the Indians by men carrying guns.
Wagon trains, Settlers, and Mountain Men, Plainsmen and Women, all knew
how to... read
more
|
Introducing
Billy… Violin
Lessons for Carlos,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
One day my friend Carlos was visiting when Mom told me that it was time
for my piano lesson. Carlos asked if he could stay and watch
and
Mom said of course. He watched my lesson and at the end he
said
that he would like to take lessons too. Mom asked him if his
family had a piano and he said no. Then she asked him what
kind
of music he was used to listening to. Carlos said that his
Dad
played and sang in a Mariachi band so he was... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… CLARENCE,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
“Hi there, clone daddy.” “What the ….” “I know how surprised you are to
hear me, a new born infant, talking to you in proper English instead of
baby talk.” “That’s the understatement of the year.” “Let me try to
explain to you what happened. Nine months ago you decided to
try
to clone a human using the nucleus of one of your own nerve
cells. You paid Mrs. Anderson $25,000 to let you use an ovum
from
one of her ovaries, which you collected, emptied out, and... read
more |
What's
God
Got to Do with It?... Rainbows,
Leprechauns, Shamrocks, and… Luck..., By Nancy
Livingston
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in towns and cities right across the
globe, but it's probably fair to say that nowhere can the festivities
match the excitement and atmosphere of St. Patrick's Day in Ireland!
People flock to Dublin to see the annual Saint Patrick's Day parade –
and this is where the real celebrations begin! With grand parades,
community feasts, charity shows, and the Mass, St Patrick's Day is
celebrated in Ireland with great gusto. However, the parades... read
more |
Fond Memories…Smells
like Spring,
© by Abraham
Lincoln
HI
know it is getting close to that time of year when my White Oak Tree
begins to sprout leaves and those tiny things that look like something
that didn't turn out quite right in a recipe for M and M's. After they
fall and litter the roof and ground all around, the actual nuts can be
seen struggling to grow into full-fledged acorns. It is important to
grow fast and hide somewhere before squirrels bites the heart out of
them; and their leftovers drop like stones on the ground ... read
more
|
Musings
of a
Senior Scribe… She
Said - He Said,
By Mona Lease
Hi,
all!! She said - "I thought he knew. I thought he understood. They
pulled the plug. They stood around a hospital bed and said good bye.
They all had money in their pockets." He said - "My brother and I got
into a fight. He said I will never
please a woman." Another "she" said - "It was designed to
hurt
you.
You are a smart young man. You have a good work ethic. You are polite.
You have a very good job with a reputable company that is making much
money. You …
read
more
|
Introducing
Billy… Heifer,
By
Delbert Blickenstaff
Hey, I learned a new word today and it’s “heifer.” A heifer is a girl
cow. And I learned this in church! Here’s how it happened. When we got
to church Mom thought that something unusual was going on because there
was a plastic sheet covering up the carpet at the front of the church.
And the preacher was wearing his bib overalls. Soon after we sang a
hymn and had a prayer (I didn’t fall down this time) we had a big
surprise. Three of the preacher’s... read
more |
President,
Senior Scribes… C
A R A M B A,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
“Caramba” is a Spanish word meaning “my goodness,” in polite
terms. I can imagine that many migratory farm workers in
Darke
County exclaiming caramba when they realized how difficult it was for
them to get and pay for medical care for their families. This
was
the situation in 1964 when several thousand migrants, most from Texas
or Florida, came to work in the tomato fields. The Darke
County
Public Health Department was concerned about their situation, and
held... read
more |
Musings
of a
Senior Scribe... The Lost Week and The Little
Church,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I am sorry I forgot to submit the column. Actually - I did not
write it. I managed to lose the entire week and the remote to my Bose
Stereo. I can't turn it on without it!! I've looked everywhere - under
couches, chairs, dressers - under the fridge, the stove - it's just
gone. The only thing that could possibly irritate me more than someone
following me, looking where I've just looked; is my cat doing that.
And, that he did!! And, for ... read
more |
Global
Warming in the News The Little Spring that Could,
© By
Abraham Lincoln
IHere is a story that gives us some ideas about what may be coming.
Global Warming is in the news more each day and the big newspapers are
putting some of their best reporters on the story. Television had a
program about it; and, I was looking at things I wrote about our
environment it back in the 1970s — and the intense heat and the drought
we were in. At that time I had a newsletter and sold subscriptions to
it — $10.00 for... read
more |
When
Children
were Children… Happy
Days are
here Again, by Sharon Hopper
It is March. I am going into the corner of the garage to get out
mybaseball bat, gloves, and balls to get them oiled and ready for
thespring season. I am excited because playing 4 man baseballs was one
ofmy favorite things to do. Once in a while my dad or uncles would
joinin on a family game. When I was young we did not have little league
orball diamonds everywhere. Only at school and the boys who played
forthe school... read
more |
Introducing
Billy… Senegal,
By
DelbertBlickenstaff
Do you know where Senegal is? I didn’t until my parents
startedtalking about it. It is a country on the west side of
Africa, andI do know where that is. Remember when we had a
family
councilwhen Emily became allergic to dogs? Well, we had
another
one. Dadcalled us together and asked us kids if we would like to have a
brotheror sister. We immediately thought that Mom was going
to
haveanother baby. But Mom said that they were thinking... read
more |
KOKOMO
OPALESCENT
GLASS, ByDelbert Blickenstaff
At 7:30 AM our friends Jim and Donna Fourman picked up Louise and meand
we headed up 571 toward Kokomo, Indiana. Our destination was theKokomo
Opalescent Glass factory. Both Donna and I enjoy working instained
glass and we wanted to see how it is made. The weather wasbeautiful and
we had a pleasant drive, stopping briefly at a rest stopon I-69. We
arrived at the factory in Kokomo in time for the tour at10:00 AM... read
more |
Introducing
Billy… Mary
Beth,
By DelbertBlickenstaff
Mom and Dad are back with our new baby sister, and she is just as
cuteas her picture. She doesn’t talk much and the words she
does
sayare Chinese so we don’t understand her. Emily is around 20
monthsold so she babbles a lot but no one outside the family knows what
sheis talking about. Well, I mentioned before that I wanted to name
herBeth. Then Henry said that he wanted to name her
Mary.
Momsaid that those two names went together nicely... read
more |
Blue Laws,©
By Abraham
Lincoln
When I was growing up the first day of the week, Sunday, was going
tochurch day. Some of my friends went to church every Sunday. Most
werelike me and didn't go to church. I don't know if that was because
wewere poor and didn't have clothes for church, or if there were
otherreasons. But mostly, the "Blue Laws" meant everything was closed
onSundays and you might as well go to church or stay at home. It
wasimpossible to go to a grocery store, a drug store... read
more |
WhenChildren
were Children… Justreal
people
BySharon Hopper
“Put on your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it” Those are
theopening words to the Irving Berlin song Easter Parade. When I was
achild it was a seasonal thing to get the J.C. Penny catalog and
searchfor the perfect outfit for Easter. My mom and I would go to town
notonce, but several times to shop for that perfect outfit and
aftertrying on many outfits we would decide on one and then go shoe
shoppingand if I had grown to much a new coat. My little brother... read
more |
D
O U B L
E BL I N D, By Delbert
Blickenstaff, M.D.
Have you been advised by a well-meaning friend to take the little
pinkpills for your aches and pains because “Aunt Myrtle took them and
theycured her lumbago?” There are several things wrong with
yourfriend’s advice. Did Aunt Myrtle really
have“lumbago?” Would she have improved without taking the
little
pink pills? Doyou have the same problem Aunt Myrtle
had?
Your friend’smethodof reporting medical results is called... read
more |
Musings ofa SeniorScribe… Grandpa'sHand,By
Mona Lease
Hi, all!! As I write this, we're due for an ice storm - just to
showthat you can never take anything for granted. Time to get the ice
meltout - for maybe 12 hours. Friday afternoon it's supposed
toturnto rain. It'll be enough to keep us "just off balance." Kinda in
thesame vein, I received a phone call Monday evening. A young man
I'vewatched grow into a fine gentleman told me that his girlfriend's
familydecided to pull the plug on her Grandpa. Some six weeks back... read
more |
IntroducingBilly... BETH,By
DelbertBlickenstaff, M.D.
A few months ago I wrote about Khoidia Wade, our foster child
fromSenegal. Now we are getting another child and this time she is
going tolive right here with us. Dad and Mom are on their way to China
rightnow to get her. I don’t know what her name is but I bet is won’t
beMary. Grandpa and Grandma are staying with us three kids.Last week
Dad and Mom explained to us kids this adoption of a Chinesechild. They
told us that Chinese girl babies are... read
more |
WhenChildren
were Children… Theycall
us
antiquated BySharon Hopper
I heard a report on CNN that children were suffering from night
textingjust like a child would suffer from sleep walking. They do not
evenremember texting or what was said during the process. And
theydefinitely do not remember doing the text. Can you imagine the
thingsthe sub conscience mind could think of during sleep? And the
horriblethings one could say to another without any concern for
feelings. Andwe think we had it rough when kids called us a nickname
... read
more |
Louise atLake Louise,
By DelbertBlickenstaff, M.D.
Lake Louise in Banff National Park has always been fascinating toLouise
and she finally got to stick her toes in its ice cold water onSeptember
21st. 1997. Banff was only one of many colorful stops on ourCanadian
trip with son Jeff and his wife, Debbie. She enjoyed themeadows full of
blossoms and the distant wildlife. What she didn’t likewas the curved
mountain roads and sheer cliffs. Debbie closed her eyes.On the way
we... read
more |
Musingsof
a
Senior Scribe… ComeOn!!!
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Do you all remember the "scene" on the Decatur,
Indianafootball field in 1999? Seven students were suspended for two
years for"brawling." Since black students were involved - it surely was
a"racial incident" - right? Indiana is a "zero tolerance" state
-period... all the way to a pregnant mother convicted of a drug
crime…possession, dealing, etc. They will receive no ADC or assistance
of anykind. Someone brought Jesse Jackson up from Alabama for the
trial... read
more |
WhenChildren
Were Children… Talkingout
loud
to paper dolls, By Sharon Hopper
I have been thinking about my paper dolls all week. It was hard
torecall all the different favorites I had but amongst the most
favoritewere Liz Taylor and Eddie Fisher. I guess that was because they
werethe heartthrobs of America at the time I was playing with paper
dolls.I don’t think they even have such things now. Probably because
youwould have to use scissors and that would be child endangering
thesedays. Or possibly a weapon. However you want... read
more |
IntroducingBilly…
FAMILY COUNCIL,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
We got together for a family council. There’s another new word. Wenever
did this before. It was Dad, Mom, Henry and me because Emilydoesn’t
talk yet except to say “mama” and “dada.” Dad said that weshould put
Nelly in a dog kennel for a short time so that we can getthe house
cleaned up real good. We need to remove all the dog hair anddander,
another new word. Nelly won’t mind that because she’s beenthere... read
more |
President,Darke
County SeniorScribes… HorsesI
Have Known,By Delbert Blickenstaff
Our first horse was Queen, a Quarter Horse mare. We
werelivingin
Versailles in 1963 and we arranged to board Queen on Wilbur andMartha
Long’s farm on Boyer Road. Queen was well trained andseemed
to be
especially careful when we put a child on herback. She never
bucked or tried to run. We bred Queen to a Quarter Horsestallion and
got a beautiful colt, which we named Prince, ofcourse. At the
appropriate time our Vet. Dr. Willard Barganeutered him and we... read
more |
What'sGod
Got
To Do With It… That’sA'more!
By NancyLivingston
While shopping this week, I noticed the very large display
ofValentine's Day cards. When it comes to cards there's no such thing
as"one cards fits all". You'll never see a person just grab one off
therack and go. Neither do I! I'll stand there and read through each
one,looking for the one card that not only expresses what I want to
say,but that best describes the person I'm getting it for! I'll pick up
acard, get to that second line and then put the card back in a hurry...
read
more |
Darke
CountySeniorScribes… DooWop
Test,Submitted
by a CNO reader
For the over 60 crowd… and those who grew up loving the music of the50s
and 60s. Answers at the bottom… Don't cheat, now! 1. When did''Little
Suzie'' finally wake up? (a) The movie's over, it's 2 o'clock;(b) The
movie's over, it's 3 o'clock; (c) The movie's over, it's 4o'clock; 2.
''Rock Around The Clock'' was used in what movie? (a) RebelWithout A
Cause; (b) Blackboard Jungle; (c) The Wild Ones... read
more |
IntroducingBilly…
VACATION,By
DelbertBlickenstaff
Before I tell you about our vacation I want to tell you about
somethingfunny that happened at church. At least I think it’s funny.
Remember Itold you that I get bored in church? Well, last Sunday the
preacherasked everyone to stand for his prayer. I was standing between
Mom andDad and I was doing something interesting. I was trying to stand
on onefoot. I lost my balance and fell right down on the floor, during
theprayer. I looked up to see Mom frowning... read
more |
Musingsof
a
Senior Scribe… Hmmm,By
Mona Lease
Hi, all! As I pen this column - 2/8/'13 - people are gathering in
thestate capitols across the USA at 10 EST (corresponding time
zones,too). Under the umbrella of "We the People," all who are
attendingthese peaceful demonstrations are finally putting an organized
voice tothe local powers - we are protecting our 2nd Amendment right -
owningand carrying a weapon..."We voted you politicians in at our state
levelto make our voice heard in our nation's capitol... read
more |
WhenChildren wereChildren... Whatis
Wrong withSimple, By Sharon Hopper
I was pondering over the season we are now in and wondering what it
isthat kids do today?I am trying my best to remember what it was that I
did as a child ofabout 11 to make the days pass during the winter when
there was no snowor ice to play on. I did not have a cell phone so I
could not text, noI-phone so I could not play on the Internet, no
computer to search outwhatever, and no television in the house. My only
outlet was a radioand I used it faithfully to... read
more |
President,Senior
Scribes… RT.66
– KICKS,
By Delbert Blickenstaff
Theron and I got our kicks on Rt. 66 in December of 1949 when we
tookWestern Ave. out of Chicago and ended up in
southernCalifornia. Theron was our 5 year old son and he went
with
me while Louise moved toher parent’s farm in Preble Co. to await the
birth of our thirdchild. Jo Ellen, who was 18 months old,
stayed
with Louise. Ihadbeen doing basic research in Physiology in the Dept.
of ClinicalScience at U. of Illinois, and I began to realize that our
family... read
more |
Our
Ohio Boy, Boehner,By
MonaLease
Hi, all!! Words show up in my mind. They form themselves into columns.I
never really noticed until I read Forbes magazine. Then it
"clicked."I've written about Ozymandias. I've most recently written
about the"Mirror." Forbes Magazine credits John Boehner with
"blindsiding"Obama. While Obama was strutting around "Ozymandias style"
about havingforced Republicans to raise the tax rates on "the
wealthiestAmericans... read
more |
Groundhog
Day,By
Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of
theseason with her insightful look at the important events of the
day.This time it’s the groundhog’s annual prediction… more bad weather
oris spring on the way? Wilson's completed set - four volumes -
ofpublished poetry is now available and is offered as a fundraiser
forthe Senior Scribes Scholarship Fund. Enjoy great poetry and help... read
more |
WhenChildren wereChildren… Weactually
talk toone another,By Sharon Hopper
Someone once said out of children come some of the world’s best ideas.I
was talking to an old friend of mine the other day and she noted
thatwhen we were kids we did not have the phones we have today and I
doremember that one of the things that everyone in my day wanted was
aphone without a chord attached. I am sure someone from my
childhoodinvented the cordless phone. However I could be wrong. Maybe
it wasyears later, but I know we would have surely ... read
more |
IntroducingBilly… ALLERGY,By
Delbert Blickenstaff
I got along just fine after my operation. I can walk anywhere I want
tobut Dad says no T-ball yet. We have another problem though. Emily
isabout a year and a half now and recently she has been having
troublewith her breathing. She coughs and makes a wheezing noise, and
Mom saysthat it happens when she is around Nelly. I don’t think it’s
Nelly’sfault because I’m around Nelly all the time and I don’t have
any... read
more |
DarkeCounty SeniorScribe… Thesnow
arrives… thenit’s gone, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of
theseason with her insightful look at the important events of the
day.This time it’s snow. Wilson offers three poems, each addressing
adifferent look at the recent snowfall. The accuracy of predictions,
thesplendor of the ice spears, and finally, the inevitable thaw.
Wilson'scompleted set - four volumes - of published poetry is now
available andis offered as a... read
more |
President,SeniorScribes… I’llHelp,By
Delbert Blickenstaff
“Ken honey, I think that we should talk about starting our family.We’re
in our mid-twenties and we’ve been married over two years. Ithink now
would be a good time.” “OK Pat, I’m willing to consider it,but we have
to realize that it would completely change our lifestyle.And I think we
both enjoy what we’re doing now.” “You’re right, but Ioften wonder what
it would be like to hear the patter of little feet.”“I can show you.”
“Who said that... read
more |
Musings
of aSeniorScribe… Fallingfor
the
MirrorImage, By Mona Lease
Hi all!! Mirror, mirror on the wall - Who's the fairest (brokest?)
ofthem all? In my last column, I wrote to Sharon Hopper about how we
gotto where we are, as a people, in what is supposed to be the
greatestnation on the face of the Earth, our USA. Now, we'll look at
what Ibelieve to be the underlying cause. I mean no disrespect to
anyone. Itprobably started with the surgery to remove excess eye skin
on thosestricken with Down Syndrome - the missing gene stuff we... read
more |
WhenChildren Were Children… Fashionwas
not part of the curriculum,By Sharon Hopper
Baby it’s Cold Outside---is an understatement this week. I was
lookingat the children outside and was absolutely astonished at how
poorlythey are dressed for this weather. One can certainly tell that
they areinside kids. No scarfs, No boots, No leggings, No gloves. Just
a coatand open head and maybe a stylish type boot that is not geared
forcold. I swear when I was a kid and one weighed 60 lbs, he weighed
80lbs. with all the gear we used to wear. But that... read
more |
IntroducingBilly… APPENDECTOMY,By
Delbert Blickenstaff
The next day was Sunday and I didn’t feel any better. I was able to
getup and move around a little, but I sure didn’t feel like going
tochurch. Dad stayed home with me while the rest of the family went
tochurch. Nelly was glad that I stayed home. Generally I felt a
littlebetter and I walked around a little but I noticed that I had to
bendover a little because it still hurt. In the afternoon Grandma
andGrandpa came over... read
more |
President,SeniorScribes…
CostaRica,By
Delbert Blickenstaff
On September 6, 1991 Wilbur (Red) Long, Martha, Louise and I
plantedtrees in a reforestation program at the University of Peace in
CostaRica. Red had planted thousands of trees on his farm on Boyer Road
herein Darke County. I think that the prospect of planting trees on
foreignsoil convinced him to go on this Elderhostel trip. While at
theUniversity we heard lectures about past presidents of Costa Rica.
Themost famous was Oscar Arias Sanchez, who won the... read
more |
Strictly American, By
RossPrinciotto- Apple Pie: It is
said that nothing is more American as Apple Pie.Where did the phrase
start? Perhaps it started in our New EnglandColonies. There apples are
found at any meal. Yes, apple pie with aslice of cheese is so good, of
course, for breakfast. All kinds of pieswere made with tarts or
fritters. Check this saying out. “An apple piewithout the cheese is a
kiss without the squeeze”... read
more
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