Real "Girl Talk" By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! OK - this is for the girls - ladies - women. From last week's
column - we don't get "off the hook" either. As much as it seems to go
"against the grain" - we're gonna need to do some "guy stuff" with our
guy. I do this stuff, too. I spoke to my Editor some time ago - he said
to "write it." The words finally assembled themselves. On our household
level - we're gonna have to get into each other's world...which means
we're going to have to sit through a few... read
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The trains in Greenville’s history,
By Bob Rhoades
In addition to the Lincoln Funeral Train moving through Darke County,
lots of other trains moved people to and from the Greenville Area over
time, especially during WWII. I have no knowledge of how many, if
any troop trains left from Greenville Station on Front St., but do
remember one train in particular after the war. Two months after my
arrival on Feb. 3, 1945, my father, 1st Lt. Eugene F. Rhoades... read
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"Fixin' It"
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! This column is geared to you guys - sorry - maybe. Don't feel
too badly - my son heard all this in his childhood up to 17. Since I've
been listening to a few women talk daily - I figured now might be the
perfect time. If you come home from a hard day at work; all you want to
do is bathe, eat, & vegetate in front of the TV, computer, etc. and
your wife (girlfriend, etc.) is upset with that - it is probably not
your fault. This doesn't mean you're "off the hook"... read
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Trip in
Time…Wonsan Harbor North Korea,
By Al Bliss
Wonsan Harbor is located on the East coast of Korea and a location
actively concentrated on during the Korea War by the US Navy. The
Maddox DD731 was frequently there because our ship was the home for the
Squadron Commander, Captain Buckley who was in charge of removing
Macarthur from the Philippines on his PT BOAT. Our Captain, Commander
Hanna, and Captain Buckley would routinely man the bridge when the
North Koreans shot at... read
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Trip in
Time… Class year on water tower,
By Al Bliss
After, I think, the last football game in our junior year, Rusty
Sweeney and I had a great idea that was to put our class numbers (date)
up on the water tower next to the football field. After many many years
it still seems that the climb up to the walkway around the water tower
was just a little more than I anticipated. Climbing was hampered for
each of us having a bucket a white paint, carrying a brush with an... read
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Trip in
Time… The Ice Machine,
By Al Bliss
This was a project taken seriously by me but a joke to others because
the ICE MACHINE WAS OLDER THAN DIRT. It was summer and hotter than a
frying pan everywhere except the few spaces on the Marlboro that had
miraculously found a working air conditioner. It seemed logical to get
the ICE MACHINE in operation so that everyone could have
something cold. The process was very simple: energize the thing, it was
about six feet tall, three plus... read
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That's Just The
Way She Is, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! This column has been playing in my head for a while
now...words came and went until they have gelled. So,consider this - A
few people have agreed with me - so if I am on the wrong track - I'm
not alone. A while back, a girlfriend of mine was found dead. With full
confidence that if she were here, she would want me to write this -
I'll continue. Gracie was a lesbian - not from the start, though. I
knew her before that. We played together on... read
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But What
About-----? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was speaking with a woman the other day. We were on the
phone - I could tell she was only half listening to me. I asked her if
she was busy. She said she was only partly listening to the TV and just
doing a crossword puzzle. I thought about our conversation - that's one
thing - the TV is two - and the puzzle is three!? Multitasking
immediately entered my mind. My mind took a veer I am not sure I wanted
it to go. But, consider this... read
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The Moral of
the Story Is? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I read a story a very long time ago - seems there was a guy
who wanted to destroy another guy's work - his "family" - as it were.
The guy looked at the "family" from all angles. Should he just walk up
to the man and see if he could trick him? - maybe tell a few lies or
something? No - the man knew the rules. He'd never listen. The man and
his wife were happy - blast it all. Wait - the wife!! He watched her
for awhile - then he picked a piece of fruit off... read
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Darke County Senior Scribe… Remembering
our heroes, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson offers her
insightful look at the important events of the day. This time it’s
Memorial Day. Wilson offers two poems, each addressing a different look
at how we remember our heroes… and what they did for us. 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... read
more |
Where Did They
Go? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been watching a piece of property for the last few years
or so, now. It sets in a very small village - no gas stations, no
business at all - of any kind. A major highway runs through a small
section of it. The realtor worked two interested buyers against each
other and raised the buying price every so often until neither party
bought it. Some time back, it finally sold. Now the new owner has torn
down the house and all of the trees - all of them!! The new... read
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A Warning?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was speaking to a family friend yesterday. As we spoke
further, an unsettling thought swirled through my mind. We spoke of our
current President - how he got elected - twice...We dissected what
promises were offered - and not upheld. We looked at how the whole
Benghazi Tragedy happened. We traced backwards to our current
President's campaign - remember? Remember the girls following him from
one "Whistlestop Campaign" to the next... read
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Angels of Mercy,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! With everything that's been going on - you all watch the news
- I thought I'd dedicate this column to all of you "Angels of Mercy"
disguised as Mothers - the ones that keep it all together and flowing -
schedules, Dr. appointments, nutrition, education, vacation, laundry,
dirty floors, dishes, toilets and the like. Here's to you… When God
Created Mothers: When God created Mothers, He was into His sixth day of
"overtime" when the Angel appeared... read
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I Know Why,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I remember the day so vividly - I can still feel the summer
air and smell the hot asphalt. Bogey told me he just wanted a woman to
share coffee with him - maybe a movie or a drive through the park. I
told him he'd find her - it's a big world. He sighed and said he hoped
so - he was not too sure. He landed in a Senior Living Complex. The
next time I saw him - he had a huge smile on his face. He was having
surgery. Yes readers, you read it rightly. The smile... read
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Senior
Sillies… Something for seniors
to keep those "aging" grey cells active! From a CNO reader
1. Johnny's mother had three children. The first child was named April.
The second child was named May. What was the third child's name? 2.
There is a clerk at the butcher shop, he is five feet ten inches tall
and he wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh? 3. Before Mt.
Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world? 4.
How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet
by four feet... read
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Another Apology,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I owe an apology to Company 7 Barbecue/1001 S. Main
St./Englewood, Ohio. I'm getting practice at saying "I'm sorry!" I've
written to you all concerning a woman I know who was caught in a Meth
Lab Bust. She got her kiddie back and had another one in the meantime.
She said she was returning to the "pot-smoking scene" the day she was
holding her "Freedom Papers" in her hand from the courts. She told me
she's returned to it - earlier than the papers... read
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May 16… Wear
Purple for Peace Day, From a CNO reader
You'd think that this day originated in protest of a particular war or
conflict. Or, perhaps it should have been conceived by the UN, or
another peacemaking or peace-keeping group. Our extensive research
found no evidence supporting the origin of this holiday stemming from
these sources. Rather, we found this day to be a stellar event. It
seems some of you out there fear that aliens from outer space consider
earthlings to be too hostile (you've got that right)... read
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Eclectic,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Eclectic is defined as "deriving ideas, style, or taste from
a broad and diverse range of sources. Now the definition does not fit
exactly. But, see if you find any common ideas from the following. I
thought they were disjointed thoughts. But, maybe they are not as
disjointed as I thought. They are all from conversations I've had with
people - who do not know each other. This one puzzles and troubles me
the most. I actually saw all of this. The ad... read
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"She"
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I normally do not write columns "ver-batim" - word-for-word
when people talk to me. But, this one just made so much sense - I wrote
it the way it was said. "Mona, you need to write this. Whether anyone
listens or not." She told me she'd "been there." There are so many
nuances to this that I can not possibly look at them all. She told me
she could not be sorry enough for her bad decisions. And they rarely
had to do with alcohol or drugs! They were born of... read
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"Imperfections"
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! My dog is roughly 10 and a half years old. She has "hot
spots." The skin will turn red - she'll itch and dig - the hair falls
out sometimes - it's a chore, to be sure. Her owner could not care for
her. I got her when she was a year old. The hot spots came in the last
3 years. She has been a joy to me through it all. You know - aside from
the fact that she physically can not lie to me - I do not think she
would if she could - she asks little of me. She only wants... read
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Starts With "R",
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been listening to people talk about the "Police Beat." I
hear how they do not like it - at all...it's too "blow-by-blow." You
faithful readers (thanks, again!) know how my mind works. From my
readings of the "author" of the Police Beat - he has always shown you a
path and given you the first step or two. You get to do the "math" - if
you like. On this particular one - I'll do the math. Remember reading
about the kid (25?) who took off... read
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Only One Way, By Mona
Lease
Hi, all! I've turned this over in my mind for some time now. And there
is only one way to say this… only one way to look at it. And that is to
look at the truth of it. Concerning the drug problem - here's how to
make a dent (a huge one) in it: Common drug scenario - "Jiles, man you
really came through for us this time!! Just when we thought there was
no heroin (pills, pot, crack, cocaine, etc.), you went to Bubba. Man, I
know you don't like him at all. (See how Jiles is... read
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Hmm!
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! This could only be in my mind! But - I thought I'd share this
idea with you. I was speaking to a girlfriend the other day. Our
conversation turned to this: Have you ever noticed that (by and large)
- almost by some cosmic (higher-up?) design - people from other
countries (cultures?) are living and working here? Before I continue
on, I'll put a parameter on this..There are good people and bad people
in every culture (color,sex,etc.). And another parameter is... read
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People and Money,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! He was a very young man for the job. He was inexperienced.
But, he had a smile. He wore the right clothes - white shirt and black
suit. He had a petite, lovely wife. She smiled, was poised, and spoke
of the children. I'm speaking of John F. Kennedy - or, am I? He had the
right family connections. He had political backers who knew their
places - mostly silent ones. He came on strong - always with that charm
and smile. A few good things seemed to happen... read
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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... 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 |
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