The patient's head is stabilized and the equipment rotates around the patient's head discharging a powerful name on a very narrowly focused point to destroy the tumors without the invasiveness of past techniquesThis is a sponsored post
Monday, April 16, 2007
Did You Hear About Brain Surgery?
Archie Brown was excited when he read about the new brain tumor treatment that is available through the breakthrough equipment known as the Gamma Knife. This allows neurosurgeons to operate on tumors within the brain without having to cut into the patient. The patient's head is stabilized and the equipment rotates around the patient's head discharging a powerful name on a very narrowly focused point to destroy the tumors without the invasiveness of past techniques
This is a sponsored post
The patient's head is stabilized and the equipment rotates around the patient's head discharging a powerful name on a very narrowly focused point to destroy the tumors without the invasiveness of past techniquesThis is a sponsored post
Did You Hear About Grandma's Patience?
Archie likes to tell about Grandma Brown:
My grandma, though not well-educated, had a saying that put some things into their proper perspective. She held that, "there is one trip we all have to take at least once, and that is Up Fool's Hill." All of us do something foolish from time to time. My grandmother had the capacity to overlook foolishness, to discount silly mistakes, and to keep loving and encouraging people to do better.
Frequently, we who are "good" have little tolerance for those who do foolish things with their lives. Where quick to scold, reject, or condemn. It is much easier to react negatively to someone's mistakes, as if we never made any ourselves, than it is to react with tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness.
How, though, do you want people to react when you do something foolish? That is how you should receive their errors. I do not for a moment suppose that my grandma was born with her charity. But I am glad that she nurtured it, and I'm trying to nurture it in myself.
How about you?
My grandma, though not well-educated, had a saying that put some things into their proper perspective. She held that, "there is one trip we all have to take at least once, and that is Up Fool's Hill." All of us do something foolish from time to time. My grandmother had the capacity to overlook foolishness, to discount silly mistakes, and to keep loving and encouraging people to do better.
Frequently, we who are "good" have little tolerance for those who do foolish things with their lives. Where quick to scold, reject, or condemn. It is much easier to react negatively to someone's mistakes, as if we never made any ourselves, than it is to react with tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness.
How, though, do you want people to react when you do something foolish? That is how you should receive their errors. I do not for a moment suppose that my grandma was born with her charity. But I am glad that she nurtured it, and I'm trying to nurture it in myself.
How about you?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Did You Hear About My Favorite/Least Favorite Teacher?
Archie Brown grew to love the teacher that had been his least favorite.
I got word on Monday that my 9th grade Algebra teacher had passed away. I was saddened, because Mrs Lovett had come to be a big influence on my life, even though I only saw her a half dozen times over the past 30 or 35 years. But I did not realize how much I appreciated her till I was leaving a comment on deorre's blog about teacher's today.
Mrs. Lovett was not the sweet and gentle type. She was direct and strict in her classroom. If someone was not paying attention in her classroom, she might stop by and give them a few seconds dry shampoo to remind them she was trying to teach. Chewing gum was absolutely forbidden in Mrs. Lovett's class.
One day I had to go to the dentist to have the septum between my two front teeth removed. When the surgery was over, the wound was packed with a plaster-type material that dried hard and was the color of bubble gum. It covered about half my front teeth as well as the gumline. I was sent back to school, just in time for Algebra.
I had only been in my chair a couple of minutes when Mrs. Lovett called me by name and told me I needed to make a deposit in the trash can. I begged her pardon, I did not know what she was talknig about. She said, "Do you think I cannot see the gum you are trying to hide in the front of your mouth?" I said, "Mrs. Lovett, that is not gum, I just came from the dentist." She was unconvinced, and had me come to her desk and open my mouth. She proceeded to tap on the plaster and she was not tender! But she did dismiss me back to my seat.
Mrs. Lovett's favorite saying was, "the tiny drops of water and the tiny grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land." She wanted us to pay attention to the little details in our math, and in our lives. I have used that quote in so many situations in my own life.
And I have used it often in raising my daughters. One application was in the first basic decisions about thier morality. If the first decisions made are to be modest, she would be more likely to create a "pleasant land" of purity in her life. But if the first decisions are less honorable, she may end up washed away in a "mighty ocean" of immorality. The foundation laid early in life is so vital. Like Mrs. Lovett I love to try to lead young people to make sound judgments.
Allie Lovett taught me a lot more than Algebra!
I got word on Monday that my 9th grade Algebra teacher had passed away. I was saddened, because Mrs Lovett had come to be a big influence on my life, even though I only saw her a half dozen times over the past 30 or 35 years. But I did not realize how much I appreciated her till I was leaving a comment on deorre's blog about teacher's today.
Mrs. Lovett was not the sweet and gentle type. She was direct and strict in her classroom. If someone was not paying attention in her classroom, she might stop by and give them a few seconds dry shampoo to remind them she was trying to teach. Chewing gum was absolutely forbidden in Mrs. Lovett's class.
One day I had to go to the dentist to have the septum between my two front teeth removed. When the surgery was over, the wound was packed with a plaster-type material that dried hard and was the color of bubble gum. It covered about half my front teeth as well as the gumline. I was sent back to school, just in time for Algebra.
I had only been in my chair a couple of minutes when Mrs. Lovett called me by name and told me I needed to make a deposit in the trash can. I begged her pardon, I did not know what she was talknig about. She said, "Do you think I cannot see the gum you are trying to hide in the front of your mouth?" I said, "Mrs. Lovett, that is not gum, I just came from the dentist." She was unconvinced, and had me come to her desk and open my mouth. She proceeded to tap on the plaster and she was not tender! But she did dismiss me back to my seat.
Mrs. Lovett's favorite saying was, "the tiny drops of water and the tiny grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land." She wanted us to pay attention to the little details in our math, and in our lives. I have used that quote in so many situations in my own life.
And I have used it often in raising my daughters. One application was in the first basic decisions about thier morality. If the first decisions made are to be modest, she would be more likely to create a "pleasant land" of purity in her life. But if the first decisions are less honorable, she may end up washed away in a "mighty ocean" of immorality. The foundation laid early in life is so vital. Like Mrs. Lovett I love to try to lead young people to make sound judgments.
Allie Lovett taught me a lot more than Algebra!
Did You Hear About The Joke My Mother In Law Told Me?
Archie Brown actually heard this joke from his mother in law!
A guy was on his morning jog when he saw the hearse moving slowly through the park. Behind it was a fairly young couple. The lady was quietly crying and leaning on the man, who had a small dog on a leash. They were followed by the longest funeral procession the jogger had ever seen.
His curiosity forced him to jog over to the young man with the dog and said, "I am sorry to be disrespectful, but I have never seen such a long funeral procession, who is it in the hearse, someone famous?" The young man glanced at his grieving wife and then back to the jogger and replied,
"It is my mother-in-law, and she was not famous."
The perplexed jogger then asked, "what happened, did something tragic cause her death?" The man shook his head as he pointed down to the dog and said, "My dog bit her and she died." The jogger raised his eybrows, caught his breath for a moment, then asked, "Man, can I borrow your dog?"
The man sighed and said, "Get in line!"
Do you have any good mother-in-law jokes? If you will share them, I won't tell her you told me!
A guy was on his morning jog when he saw the hearse moving slowly through the park. Behind it was a fairly young couple. The lady was quietly crying and leaning on the man, who had a small dog on a leash. They were followed by the longest funeral procession the jogger had ever seen.
His curiosity forced him to jog over to the young man with the dog and said, "I am sorry to be disrespectful, but I have never seen such a long funeral procession, who is it in the hearse, someone famous?" The young man glanced at his grieving wife and then back to the jogger and replied,
"It is my mother-in-law, and she was not famous."
The perplexed jogger then asked, "what happened, did something tragic cause her death?" The man shook his head as he pointed down to the dog and said, "My dog bit her and she died." The jogger raised his eybrows, caught his breath for a moment, then asked, "Man, can I borrow your dog?"
The man sighed and said, "Get in line!"
Do you have any good mother-in-law jokes? If you will share them, I won't tell her you told me!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Did You Hear About My Little Sister?
Archie Brown and his little sister, Cathy always seemed to have tension between them. There was no good reason, but it was there. When Cathy got old enough to go to high school, Archie had already been there for 2 years and was a BMOC, in his own mind. When there was an activity at the high school, if Cathy wanted to go, Archie had to take her along with him. Even if he had a date. It really steamed him.
Did You Hear About The First 100 Days of Nancy Pelosi?
Archie Brown is not a big fan of Nancy Pelosi, but she has gotten off to a typical start for a politician who has risen to new heights of power. Her legislative priorities that she promised to get to the president’s desk in the first hundred days of the new Democratic dominated Congress’s term have somehow become invisible. Her promise that the Congress would work five days a week, just like the American people, is nowhere to be seen. Three days a week is a stretch for them. Ms. Pelosi has been spending all this time trying to find ways to “payback” Republicans for the way they ran things from 1994 till this January.
So much for Ms. Pelosi! Archie just shakes his head and wonders if anyone in politics really cares about the country.
So much for Ms. Pelosi! Archie just shakes his head and wonders if anyone in politics really cares about the country.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Did You Hear About Mark Prior?
Archie Brown is a big baseball fan, and he loves the Houston Astros. So any thing that helps the 'Stros is usually cause for rejoicing in his mind. But the News that Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior had to withdraw from a minor league game where he is rehabbing his shoulder is not good news for baseball. Prior was so promising a young pitcher that it is a shame he is not as healthy as in necessary to live up to the promise!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Did You Hear About Shrimp?
Archie Brown has a simple Shrimp Recipes that is easy and so delicious. Melt butter in the bottom of a baking dish, submerge (headed) shrimp in the butter, cover the top with black pepper, bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes! Have some French bread on hand to dip in the shrimpy butter! 
Shrimp is the most exquisite food,
Happiness is always the mood
Resulting from a nice shrimp meal!
I love shrimp if it is fried or grilled,
Marinated, stuffed, or boiled and chilled!
Pass the shrimp, and watch me peel!
Shrimp is the most exquisite food,
Happiness is always the mood
Resulting from a nice shrimp meal!
I love shrimp if it is fried or grilled,
Marinated, stuffed, or boiled and chilled!
Pass the shrimp, and watch me peel!
Did You Hear About Grandma Brown?
Archie likes to tell about his Grandma Brown.
My dad’s mother was one of those truly great Christian ladies. She lived her faith every day, and her good deeds were a positive force on everyone who lived in her small community. Her philosophy of life is not widely accepted in today’s society. She believed in doing her best at whatever task in which she was involved. She complained very seldom and always expected to do her share. Grandma slept very soundly every night, she said, because she did not have a guilty conscience.
Today’s generation would rather do only enough to get by. They would rather be done for than do for someone else. This attitude is prevalent in our work habits, our family life, our religious life, everywhere. At the appearance of a stumbling block, we give up.
We need to be ready to fight for the victory. Without the struggle, no victory is possible. Without labor, we can arrive at no rest.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
My dad’s mother was one of those truly great Christian ladies. She lived her faith every day, and her good deeds were a positive force on everyone who lived in her small community. Her philosophy of life is not widely accepted in today’s society. She believed in doing her best at whatever task in which she was involved. She complained very seldom and always expected to do her share. Grandma slept very soundly every night, she said, because she did not have a guilty conscience.
Today’s generation would rather do only enough to get by. They would rather be done for than do for someone else. This attitude is prevalent in our work habits, our family life, our religious life, everywhere. At the appearance of a stumbling block, we give up.
We need to be ready to fight for the victory. Without the struggle, no victory is possible. Without labor, we can arrive at no rest.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Did You Hear About My Sister Cathy?
Archie Brown has a sister named Cathy. She is twenty two months younger than Arch, and they never got along very well. Cathy is the only girl in the family and was spoiled. At least that is the way Archie always saw it. Their dad, Orel, made it clear that he expected Archie to protect Cathy and to defer to her because she was younger, and a girl! Archie chafed against those rules!
Did You Hear About The Writing Challenge?
Archie Brown entered a writing challenge to write a short story using the titles from song of a favorite band. The stories were to between 300 and 400 words.
Arch used song titles from the Mamas and the Papas. He called it, "Love At First Sight". There are 399 words and 28 song titles.
It was a week of FRUSTRATION in the office. By Friday I had developed an, “I CAN’T WAIT to get out of here" attitude. My co-worker, Bob, stopped at my desk at TWELVE-THIRTY and said, “I still have a spare ticket to the ballgame tonight. I told him, GO WHERE YOU WANNA GO, but I am going to that new club uptown, CREEQUE ALLEY. I’ve GOT A FEELING I am going to be DANCING IN THE STREET. I hope to find THAT KIND OF GIRL and go on a MIDNIGHT VOYAGE.
Bob said, “Tom, you know I’m a STRAIGHT SHOOTER. You are CALIFORNIA DREAMING! That’s no way to spend your life. You should find a nice woman like MY GIRL and settle down. I said EVEN IF I COULD, I don’t want that lifestyle. LET ME BE!"
I went to the club feeling good. There was a crowd in each of the ROOMS. I casually scoped out the ladies until I saw the most gorgeous dark-haired beauty I’d ever seen. MY HEART STOOD STILL. I was no longer willing to stay SAFE IN MY GARDEN of solitude. I worked up my courage and approached her.
As she looked up I said “HEY GIRL. She sparkled, replying, “Hey man. I asked her name. She said “I am PEARL. I asked, “DO YOU WANT TO DANCE? She agreed, so I took her in my arms and we spent the evening together. I walked her home, all the way to SPANISH HARLEM. I told her I hoped to see her again and asked her to DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME. As I left, my heart filled with WORDS OF LOVE I hoped to tell her for the rest of my life.
I SAW HER AGAIN last night. It was all I hoped it would be. It was as though we had known each other forever. And I now wanted nothing more than to build a relationship, a life with her. I would no longer be GLAD TO BE UNHAPPY, alone in the world.
I stand here in my quiet apartment. As I LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW, I consider all that has transpired in one short weekend. Soon it will again be MONDAY. MONDAY will no more be a dread to me. I am determined from now on to live each day as though it is DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE!
Arch used song titles from the Mamas and the Papas. He called it, "Love At First Sight". There are 399 words and 28 song titles.
It was a week of FRUSTRATION in the office. By Friday I had developed an, “I CAN’T WAIT to get out of here" attitude. My co-worker, Bob, stopped at my desk at TWELVE-THIRTY and said, “I still have a spare ticket to the ballgame tonight. I told him, GO WHERE YOU WANNA GO, but I am going to that new club uptown, CREEQUE ALLEY. I’ve GOT A FEELING I am going to be DANCING IN THE STREET. I hope to find THAT KIND OF GIRL and go on a MIDNIGHT VOYAGE.
Bob said, “Tom, you know I’m a STRAIGHT SHOOTER. You are CALIFORNIA DREAMING! That’s no way to spend your life. You should find a nice woman like MY GIRL and settle down. I said EVEN IF I COULD, I don’t want that lifestyle. LET ME BE!"
I went to the club feeling good. There was a crowd in each of the ROOMS. I casually scoped out the ladies until I saw the most gorgeous dark-haired beauty I’d ever seen. MY HEART STOOD STILL. I was no longer willing to stay SAFE IN MY GARDEN of solitude. I worked up my courage and approached her.
As she looked up I said “HEY GIRL. She sparkled, replying, “Hey man. I asked her name. She said “I am PEARL. I asked, “DO YOU WANT TO DANCE? She agreed, so I took her in my arms and we spent the evening together. I walked her home, all the way to SPANISH HARLEM. I told her I hoped to see her again and asked her to DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME. As I left, my heart filled with WORDS OF LOVE I hoped to tell her for the rest of my life.
I SAW HER AGAIN last night. It was all I hoped it would be. It was as though we had known each other forever. And I now wanted nothing more than to build a relationship, a life with her. I would no longer be GLAD TO BE UNHAPPY, alone in the world.
I stand here in my quiet apartment. As I LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW, I consider all that has transpired in one short weekend. Soon it will again be MONDAY. MONDAY will no more be a dread to me. I am determined from now on to live each day as though it is DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Did You Hear About Easter Retreats?
Archie and Ronda Brown have been married 40 years and are active Christians. But they have seldom been in a church building on Easter Sunday. For over thirty of the years, they have helped conduct a retreat for the teens of the congregation over Easter. It is the only weekend of the spring school calendar that does not have conflicts, so it is a time when most of the teens are able to attend without giving up something important. It is a good way to spend the holiday!
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Did You Hear About the Buzzards?
Archie Brown heard this story at a funeral a while back:
I went to the memorial service for the father of one of our elders a few days ago. The godly gentleman had lived to 93, and was ready to go. He lived well and was a joy to be around. He will be missed, in part, because he made everyone laugh.
One of the stories told that day about Brother Parker was the funniest I've ever heard at a funeral. Mr. Parker had bought and moved into a new home 4 years ago. He decided that the home was not complete till it had a garden growing beside it.
So he broke the ground over a couple of day period, and got it ready for planting. He then bought 60, yes SIXTY, tomato plants to plant. I am sure that an 89 year old man could not eat the procude of 60 tomato plants, but that is how many he thought made a sufficient garden.
The next day he was planting those tomato plants, but his knees and ankles were in such pain he decided to that he would not stand up and move between spots to plant. Instead, he laid down, planted a plant, then pulled himself along the ground to the next place.
He had done that for a few plants, when he looked over head and saw buzzards circling. He decided maybe his legs did not hurt so bad after all!
I went to the memorial service for the father of one of our elders a few days ago. The godly gentleman had lived to 93, and was ready to go. He lived well and was a joy to be around. He will be missed, in part, because he made everyone laugh.
One of the stories told that day about Brother Parker was the funniest I've ever heard at a funeral. Mr. Parker had bought and moved into a new home 4 years ago. He decided that the home was not complete till it had a garden growing beside it.
So he broke the ground over a couple of day period, and got it ready for planting. He then bought 60, yes SIXTY, tomato plants to plant. I am sure that an 89 year old man could not eat the procude of 60 tomato plants, but that is how many he thought made a sufficient garden.
The next day he was planting those tomato plants, but his knees and ankles were in such pain he decided to that he would not stand up and move between spots to plant. Instead, he laid down, planted a plant, then pulled himself along the ground to the next place.
He had done that for a few plants, when he looked over head and saw buzzards circling. He decided maybe his legs did not hurt so bad after all!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Did You Hear About Honoring Teachers?
Archie Brown wrote this tribute to teachers:
Teaching is a very rewarding experience. But like anything else that is rewarding, it also is very demanding.
A teacher is at fault if s/he does not do his/her best to help the student become all he is capable of becoming. The teacher's goal should be to become dispensable to the student. That is, the teacher should want to be outgrown by the student. The teacher should strive to provoke the student to think for himself!
The teacher's thoughts and presentations should be pertinent and applicable to the student. A lesson should be offered as stimulus to the students growth.
A true teacher is a very special person!
I was blessed by several great and special teachers over the years. In another posting later I will tell you about my first algebra teacher. Today I will simply mention my favorite, the one to whom I became the closest as I grew into adulthood. Her name was Edna Earle Tucker, I was in her class in fifth grade. But she taught me for years after that!
Who was your favorite Teacher? Why?
James 3:1 "Not many of you should act as teachers, my brothers,because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly!"
Teaching is a very rewarding experience. But like anything else that is rewarding, it also is very demanding.
A teacher is at fault if s/he does not do his/her best to help the student become all he is capable of becoming. The teacher's goal should be to become dispensable to the student. That is, the teacher should want to be outgrown by the student. The teacher should strive to provoke the student to think for himself!
The teacher's thoughts and presentations should be pertinent and applicable to the student. A lesson should be offered as stimulus to the students growth.
A true teacher is a very special person!
I was blessed by several great and special teachers over the years. In another posting later I will tell you about my first algebra teacher. Today I will simply mention my favorite, the one to whom I became the closest as I grew into adulthood. Her name was Edna Earle Tucker, I was in her class in fifth grade. But she taught me for years after that!
Who was your favorite Teacher? Why?
James 3:1 "Not many of you should act as teachers, my brothers,because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly!"
Did You Hear About Dreams of a Young Sailor?
Archie Brown wrote this story as part of a writing challenge. He was trying to write a short story in the style of a favorite author. Can you guess the author?
The young sailor was discharged from the Navy in San Diego, California. He had served honorably during the Second World War, and he was not ready to go back to Northeast Arkansas, to the family farm. He did not have anything against farming, or hard work. But now he had a bigger dream. He believed there was some rewarding future for him, if he would just take his time to decide his long term future. He knew how to apply himself when there was a prize to be won.
He had been valedictorian in his small country school. As a child during the depression he had come to understand that he had to carry his own load. He had not only farmed, but also hacked out cross ties for the railroad when he was only 14. Each tie brought in the princely sum of 50 cents. On a good day he could make $1.50.
Now, as he stood on the pier in San Diego, he decided to take a trip to the Texas Gulf Coast before heading back to Arkansas, if he ever went back. He had heard that two of his Dad’s brothers were working for a big chemical plant down there. He hoped he could secure a solid job that would secure his future.
When R.L, the young ex-sailor arrived, he stepped off the bus into the sweltering heat and humidity of July in Freeport, Texas. And he immediately attacked by what he first thought was a flock of small birds. But the truth was that it was only a cloud of salt grass mosquitoes.
R. L. also discovered he was not the only warrior to have chosen this course. When he applied at the big chemical plant the first time, he was told that there was no job for him at the time. But rather than give up on the goal, R.L. was able to secure work selling tractors in a nearby community called El Campo. He stayed on that job for three months and was a good worker. Selling was not his cup of tea, but it did provide a few dollars to keep him fed and in his rented room.
But every week R.L. went to the personnel office at the chemical plant. His persistence paid off. In his third month of knocking on the door, he was hired as an operator in the chlorinated methane department. He was making 96 cents an hour and had fringe benefits he could hardly believe.
Such security allowed R. L.’s mind to wander back to the young woman he had met when was stationed in Philadelphia for a few months during his military service. He had no real reason to believe she could be serious about a bumpkin from the woods outside Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was a professional woman from Trenton, New Jersey. They had corresponded some while he was aboard ship, but there was no mention of long term commitment. He was wasting his time thinking of her.
But as days went by, R. L. decided it could do no harm to let her know of his dreams. He called her. During the call he got up the courage to ask her to consider becoming his wife. To his shock, Betty said she would marry him. She spent a few days getting things in order and making arrangements to take the train from New Jersey to Texas.
It was a horrible trip for Betty. She had motion sickness for the three days it took to reach the train station in the small town of New Gulf, Texas. To make matters worse, New Gulf was built around the sulfur mine that had been discovered there. The odor was more than Betty could take, and she again wretched.
R. L. was waiting at the station, along with his cousin, Gordon. They helped Betty to Gordon’s car, and collected her luggage. They went straight to Gordon’s family’s home, where the local parson was waiting to lead R. L. and Betty in their marriage vows. Betty was so weak from her sickness that Gordon had to literally hold her up through the ceremony.
That unlikely beginning blossomed into a wonderful story of love and family and community service. There were four children born to the two, and the job at the chemical company grew and provided plenty of comfort and opportunity for success for the whole clan.
These two individuals from such different backgrounds, drawn together by the war were perhaps an unlikely match. But they had common goals and common commitment. It would be hard to ask for or expect much more than they shared.
The young sailor was discharged from the Navy in San Diego, California. He had served honorably during the Second World War, and he was not ready to go back to Northeast Arkansas, to the family farm. He did not have anything against farming, or hard work. But now he had a bigger dream. He believed there was some rewarding future for him, if he would just take his time to decide his long term future. He knew how to apply himself when there was a prize to be won.
He had been valedictorian in his small country school. As a child during the depression he had come to understand that he had to carry his own load. He had not only farmed, but also hacked out cross ties for the railroad when he was only 14. Each tie brought in the princely sum of 50 cents. On a good day he could make $1.50.
Now, as he stood on the pier in San Diego, he decided to take a trip to the Texas Gulf Coast before heading back to Arkansas, if he ever went back. He had heard that two of his Dad’s brothers were working for a big chemical plant down there. He hoped he could secure a solid job that would secure his future.
When R.L, the young ex-sailor arrived, he stepped off the bus into the sweltering heat and humidity of July in Freeport, Texas. And he immediately attacked by what he first thought was a flock of small birds. But the truth was that it was only a cloud of salt grass mosquitoes.
R. L. also discovered he was not the only warrior to have chosen this course. When he applied at the big chemical plant the first time, he was told that there was no job for him at the time. But rather than give up on the goal, R.L. was able to secure work selling tractors in a nearby community called El Campo. He stayed on that job for three months and was a good worker. Selling was not his cup of tea, but it did provide a few dollars to keep him fed and in his rented room.
But every week R.L. went to the personnel office at the chemical plant. His persistence paid off. In his third month of knocking on the door, he was hired as an operator in the chlorinated methane department. He was making 96 cents an hour and had fringe benefits he could hardly believe.
Such security allowed R. L.’s mind to wander back to the young woman he had met when was stationed in Philadelphia for a few months during his military service. He had no real reason to believe she could be serious about a bumpkin from the woods outside Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was a professional woman from Trenton, New Jersey. They had corresponded some while he was aboard ship, but there was no mention of long term commitment. He was wasting his time thinking of her.
But as days went by, R. L. decided it could do no harm to let her know of his dreams. He called her. During the call he got up the courage to ask her to consider becoming his wife. To his shock, Betty said she would marry him. She spent a few days getting things in order and making arrangements to take the train from New Jersey to Texas.
It was a horrible trip for Betty. She had motion sickness for the three days it took to reach the train station in the small town of New Gulf, Texas. To make matters worse, New Gulf was built around the sulfur mine that had been discovered there. The odor was more than Betty could take, and she again wretched.
R. L. was waiting at the station, along with his cousin, Gordon. They helped Betty to Gordon’s car, and collected her luggage. They went straight to Gordon’s family’s home, where the local parson was waiting to lead R. L. and Betty in their marriage vows. Betty was so weak from her sickness that Gordon had to literally hold her up through the ceremony.
That unlikely beginning blossomed into a wonderful story of love and family and community service. There were four children born to the two, and the job at the chemical company grew and provided plenty of comfort and opportunity for success for the whole clan.
These two individuals from such different backgrounds, drawn together by the war were perhaps an unlikely match. But they had common goals and common commitment. It would be hard to ask for or expect much more than they shared.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Did You Hear About Memory Loss?
When I signed up to blog, I accepted the charge that the best way to blog, and make money at it was to be consistent in posting. I was a little concerned at the beginning that I would quickly run out of things that I thought might be interesting enough to merit a blog.
So I began a list of ideas. I keep a list in the desk at home, and one in the drawer next to my computer in the office. If an idea occurred to me, I would jot it down so it would not slip away forever. Usually the ideas on the list consist of a key word or phrase that will help me recall the idea.
Now, one of the ideas I wrote on the list at the office several months ago is, “memory loss.” I am sure there was a funny story or a poignant point that I felt would be enjoyable for the community. I have moved that idea to a new note card five or six times, but I cannot for the life of me recall what it was I wanted to say about memory loss! How funny is that?
Then yesterday I got an email from the guy to whom my wife donated the kidney last November. It was filled with stories and jokes about old age. I want to share some of those with you now, but I am going to keep moving the note to new lists till that original idea returns to my consciousness, or blogging fades from it! For now, I hope you enjoy these funnies my friend sent.
Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked. She simply replied, "No peer pressure."
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees Fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still have my driver's license.
And my personal favorite: My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
So I began a list of ideas. I keep a list in the desk at home, and one in the drawer next to my computer in the office. If an idea occurred to me, I would jot it down so it would not slip away forever. Usually the ideas on the list consist of a key word or phrase that will help me recall the idea.
Now, one of the ideas I wrote on the list at the office several months ago is, “memory loss.” I am sure there was a funny story or a poignant point that I felt would be enjoyable for the community. I have moved that idea to a new note card five or six times, but I cannot for the life of me recall what it was I wanted to say about memory loss! How funny is that?
Then yesterday I got an email from the guy to whom my wife donated the kidney last November. It was filled with stories and jokes about old age. I want to share some of those with you now, but I am going to keep moving the note to new lists till that original idea returns to my consciousness, or blogging fades from it! For now, I hope you enjoy these funnies my friend sent.
Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked. She simply replied, "No peer pressure."
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees Fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still have my driver's license.
And my personal favorite: My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
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