Happy New Year

Happy Thanksgiving

Just want to say, "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" to everyone. I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with family, food, and fun.

More on 70 Years of Marriage

At a reception at the Northside Church of Christ’s building on Highway 62, Representative Steven R. Stemler honored Frank and Mary Harris on November 6, by conveying on them the distinction of Honorary State Representatives for their marriage of 70 years.

Family and friends were on hand for the celebration. “I just can’t believe it,” said Frank Harris, “we don’t deserve any of this.” He continued, “This is the best weekend of our entire marriage.”

Pondering Unemployment

On Wednesday morning, October 27, 2010, my old boss called me into his office and fired me.

The emotions that followed came over me in raging waves...sadness, fear, anger (lots of anger). If it has never happened to you, trying to imagine it will not even come close.

But...beyond the emotions...beyond the new job serch...life goes on.

Pondering Seventy Years of Marriage

Seventy years is a long time, an entire lifetime for many.

For Frank and Mary Harris, commonly called Grandpa and Nina, seventy years is how long they have been married. While theirs is not the longest marriage on record (86 years), it is, arguably, the best marriage on record.

Frank and Mary joined hands in Holy Matrimony on November 5, 1940, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The world was a much different place in 1940. The United States of America only consisted of 48 states and nineteen more years would pass before that number would grow to 50. People in 1940 used slang terms like ameche, b.y.t., bag, barouche, city slicker, corny, grotty, gobbledygook, fuddy-duddy, etc. Gallahadion won the 65th running of the Kentucky Derby that year. Due to the war overseas, it was announced to the world that for the first time since 1877, there would be no Wimbledon event that year (nor for the next five years), nor would there be any Olympic games. Indiana won the NCAA Basketball title, the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series, the Chicago Bears won the NFL Championship, and Lawson Little won the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. In 1940, Walt Disney amazed people with his second and third films, Pinocchio and Fantasia. The year 1940 also saw the introduction of Woody Woodpecker, the Jeep, FM radio (although it was still very early in its development), Frank Sinatra’s singing debut in Indianapolis, Tom & Jerry, the first televised Hockey, Basketball, Baseball games, and the first McDonald’s restaurant. The first successful helicopter flight took place in 1940, and the first military parachute company was formed. CBS was just beginning, operating as W2XAB.

Nina and Grandpa were married in 1940 on the very day FDR whipped the Republican, Wendell Willkie, and commanded the office of President for an unprecedented third term.

Speaking of Presidents, Nina and Grandpa’s marriage has spanned 13 presidencies: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and now Barack Obama.

The marriage of Nina and Grandpa has also adjusted to many new inventions (some of them far earlier than you might think. For instance, both the computer and Velcro were invented in 1940. Since then the Slinky, Microwave Ovens, Bikinis, Polaroids, Credit Cards, Satellites, Lasers, Mobile Phones, Walkmans, and MP3 players. They have had to adjust from the Ice Box to the Refrigerator, from getting Milk and Dairy products delivered to their door to having to buy it in the super market.

On November 5, 1940, while the Nation was voting on its leaders, Frank and Mary cast a very special vote of their own: they voted for each other. They voted for building a family devoted to God, a life of service to their Creator and His church, their country, their family, and their friends. Their vote was so strong that not even death will be able to veto it. Long after they have departed to be with the Lord, their influence will be helping others to cast the same faithful vote.

Even today, after seventy years of marriage, you can just see the pure love in their eyes as they look at each other and hold each other’s hand. As one might expect at their age their hearing is not as good as it used to be, but when they look deeply into each other’s eyes they are living proof of the ancient proverb that says, “When two people are in love they communicate a thousand things without saying a word.”

Frank and Mary Harris are a wonderful couple with an amazing marriage. The world would do well to hold before it their great example of true love marriages.

BE AN AMERICAN...VOTE

Make sure you vote tomorrow!

It's Simple...VOTE!

Let me encourage everyone to Vote this November 2nd.

But before you do, invest some time in getting to know the candidates and where they stand on the issues important to you. Be informed.

Once you know who you believe is the best candidate to represent you, vote for him or her. Do not allow "party lines" deter you...vote the person, not the party.

Pondering Drunkenness

Have you ever read a story in a newspaper that you just could not bring yourself to believe? It is one of those little news stories buried deep inside the newspaper. You know the ones I'm speaking of...they are located on the side of the page, in small print, that only the most devoted newspaper reader finds. It is the kind of story that is so stupid and crazy that it can only happen somewhere else...in a distant state or country...because you are certain no one around where you live would ever do something that stupid.

I have. In fact, it happened to me this past weekend. I was at work and a co-worker asks me if I had read the Saturday paper. "Of course," I replied. "I always read the paper from cover to cover."

"Did you read about the drunk and the Opossum," he asked?

I laughed. "No. I guess I didn't see that one."

"Well, you just gotta read this," he said pointing to a small story located on the side of the back page at the bottom.

I picked up the paper and began to read. The more I read the more I laughed. It seems a man named, Donald Wolfe, from Pennsylvania, was arrested for "public drunkenness" when police found him trying to give "mouth-to-mouth resuscitation" on a possum that was "long-dead" and lying "along a highway." I laughed so hard I could hardly finish reading the little clip of news because my eyes were so filled with the water of hilarity.

Later, I pondered Mr. Wolfe's actions and the events that brought him to his ignoble fame. How drunk does a person have to be to perform life-saving measures on a dead and decaying possum along the road? How many friends did he reassure that night that he was perfectly able to handle his alcohol? Was he influenced to drink the brand of alcohol he drank because some commercial promised that drinking it would bring him nice cars, beautiful women, and a happy life? I wondered, too, if the police had him on video as he tried to be a possum hero? Finally, I wondered if his wife...if indeed he has one...would ever be able to kiss his lips without thinking of that fateful night when Mr. Wolfe locked lips with a possum?

Pondering "Stick People" Art

Although the only form of "art" in which I am proficient, I have always disliked "stick people" artwork. Until now...

In February, I was blessed to travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to witness my first professional Hockey game. I went with some friends from church and had a blast! However my friend, Todd, said it best when he described watching the game (also his first time) as watching a "silent movie" sporting event. No one "called" the game. We just sat there watching a bunch of guys ice-skating fighting over a little black puck. Hey, we didn't figure out which team was Cincinnatti until 17 minutes and 30 seconds into the game.

But on the way home my friend, Kyle, showed me a picture of some "stick art" that moved me. I don't know why, it just did. At my request, he sent me the picture. I love it! It is simple. It is to the point! It is profound! It strikes at the heart of our purpose here on earth!

"I've got your back!"

Pondering My First Fortune for 2010

My friend Ashley blogged about her first fortune of the year: http://www.ashleystravel.com/2010/01/first-fortune-of-2010/. When reading her post, I thought she had a good idea but doubted I would write something like that. However, as always, things change.

My Chinese craving hit me only a couple of weeks in 2010. Having just gotten my allowance for the week, I headed to my favorite Chinese restaurant. The Hot and Sour soup was delicious, just like remembered from 2009. The Coconut Shrimp danced on my pallet, followed quickly by Black Pepper Steak and Shrimp, Sweat and Sour Chicken, an Egg Roll, and dessert. I was in Chinese heaven.

Then came the bill and the Fortune Cookie. Now I do not eat Fortune Cookies, but I do enjoy reading the fortune and adding that special line at the end. However, before I can tell you what my fortune said, I have to tell you about my New Year’s Resolution.

I have a tendency to be very negative sometime. Even now, I can hear my wife and friends saying with a sneer, “SOMETIMES!” It is true. There are days when nothing escapes my negativism. Yet that was all going to change in 2010. I was going to be positive. I even got out my positive affirmation card and memorized it again: “I am a positive person, and I radiate that to those around me.” Yes, 2010 was going to be my positive year.

Therefore, with that knowledge now in hand, I turn back to my first fortune of 2010. With great expectation, I broke open the cookie, pulled out the paper, ignored the “speak Chinese” side, and turned to what enlightenment awaited me. To my utter shock and despair, I read these words: “Come back later…I am sleeping. (yes, cookies need their sleep, too)”.

What! I could not believe my eyes. I was furious, and yes, I was most certainly negative. Cheated out of a proper fortune, I approached the manager. The manager, however, was not amused and totally irrational. He did not believe I deserved another cookie, and he refused to “comp” my meal.

So, I ask you. What should I have done here? What would you have done? I will tell you what I did. Now, both full and defeated, I went home and lived up to my fortune. I took a nap.

Happy New Year

Let me wish you a very Happy New Year! Looking forward to new ponderings in 2010.
Happy New Year!

Pondering Christmas

Christmas carols. Christmas stories. Christmas stockings. Christmas presents. Christmas trees. Christmas lights. Christmas lists. Christmas traditions. Christmas candy. Christmas dinner. Christmas hugs. Christmas family gatherings. Christmas love...

"So this is Christmas..."

Pondering 10 Turkey Truths of Life

One day two turkeys were feeding in the wild meadows of Cades Cove, TN. The grass was green and cool on their feet. The small pedals of the yellow flowers that sprinkled the meadow danced merrily in the breeze.

Suddenly, one of the turkeys lifted its head in stubborn defiance. A little further back, the turkey friend of the defiant one recognized the old, familiar sign of forgotten wisdom in the eyes of its friend. Calmly...firmly...the turkey lowered its head and said, "I guess I have to remind you again of the 10 Turkey Truths of Life."

1. Growing turkey old is inevitable, but growing up is optional.

2. There is no key to turkey happiness. The door is always open for those birds wise enough to seek it.

3. A turkey grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

4. The turkey who faces the Thanksgiving Ax with the most toys...is still dead.

5. We turkeys do not remember days, only moments. Our feathers are lost far too quickly not to enjoy our precious moments.

6. For a turkey, nothing is real unless we experience it. Without experience, the humans call it hearsay, but we call it gobbletalk.

7. It's okay to remain poised over the turkey pity spot every now and again. Just remember to cover it completely when you are done.

8. Surviving and living life successfully as a turkey requires great courage. Getting the grub of your turkey dreams requires courage and risk-taking.

9. Turkeys have to learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks it neck out. But, be careful with this turkey saying around Thanksgiving time.

10. Be more turkey smart with your character than your reputation. A turkey's character is what it is, and a turkey's reputation is only what others think it is.

Pondering How Cool People Think

Cutting wood is hard, back-breaking work. I have never found a single person who cuts or stacks wood for fun. People cut wood to fuel their own warmth, the warmth of loved ones, or the warmth of their wallets.

I wish I knew who took this picture. I would love to sit with them, drink a cup of coffee with them, and ask them..."Why would you do all this work? Neat idea. Great picture! A lot of work.

Pondering Our Veterans

Soldiers pay the price for our freedom! Some soldiers have given the ultimate sacrifice of giving their lives for us to be free. Others have given their health fighting for our freedom and are now disabled. Still others have suffered, and continue to suffer, deep emotional scars left by the horrors of mortal conflict. All soldiers have sacrificed time away from friends, children, spouses, and other family members. Soldiers, indeed, pay the price for our freedom.





Give them your respect. Give them your honor. Give them your sincerest gratitude.





Thank a veteran everyday, but especially this Veteran's Day!


Now if you know an Army veteran and want to do something special for them, go to http://www.freedomteamsalute.com/ and honor them with a salute.

Pondering The Leaving Falling

I just love the Fall: the changing colors of the leaves, the cooling temperatures, and shortening of the days. Winter is circling the runway getting ready to land. I am sitting in my recliner with a blanket tucked in around me. This is really a nice time of year.

Pondering Life-Long Friends

Friends are to be cherished and valued.

I entered the U.S. Army in February of 1977. Going off to learn how be to a soldier, was exciting to me, and I gave it 100% of my attention. With one exception, a few months after going active duty the girlfriend I left behind and I became engaged to be married. Somehow, I was going to have juggle being married with being a soldier.

We married on a snowy Saturday, 4 February 1978. The next six days were a glorious honeymoon celebration of our divine union. On Friday, I took her home to her parents, said goodbye, and headed back to Ft. Bragg, NC. Sunday morning I deployed on a 6-8 week training mission.

Spring, 1978. After returning to Ft. Bragg from training, Debbie joined me. We moved into a nice, one-bedroom apartment in Fayetteville, NC.

The first Sunday morning after Debbie’s arrival in NC, we attended the Helen Street Church of Christ. We sat near the back because Debbie was a shy, young bride a little uneasy about being away from home for the first time. I was the only person she knew. She watched closely as people arrived for Bible Study and made their way into the auditorium. Having attended there some since my arrival in NC, I knew a few people, but not many. Most of the time I had been stationed in NC, I had not been in NC…I had been in New Mexico helping to develop a new weapons system, in California, and in a few other places. So, here we sat. My wife was 14 hours away from home and feeling a little scared due to her not knowing anyone but me.

Her beautiful, green eyes fixed on a young couple coming into the auditorium. The couple was obviously married and obviously well at ease with the congregation. They were greeting people, passing out smiles and hugs in abundance. Debbie never took her eyes off them as they made their way toward the front of the building and sat down.

Momentarily, Debbie leaned over close to my ear and whispered, “I think I know that girl that just came in.” I couldn’t believe it. Surely not. How could my shy, young wife know someone all the way here in NC from her small, southern IN hometown? Nevertheless, after services I dragged Debbie toward the front of the building and introduced ourselves. Their names: Danny and Sherry Morris.

As unbelievable as it sounds, Debbie and Sherry knew each other from being at the Blue Ridge Encampment together (Black Mountain, NC) when they were both little girls. My memory is a little fuzzy about what happened next…who invited who to dinner, etc….

All I can remember is that from that day on Danny and Sherry have been a constant part of our lives. We have lived together, worked together, raised kids together, traveled the world together, watched our kids get married together, suffered hard times together, celebrated good times together, laughed together, cried together, and sang together. We have been friends now for over 31 years. I can’t imagine what our lives would have been like without Danny and Sherry in them. In fact, I don’t even want to try to imagine it.

I look forward to these times…growing grandchildren together, getting old together, dying together, and being reunited in Heaven together.

I’m so thankful to God that I have Danny and Sherry as my life-long friends.

Friends are to be cherished and valued, but life-long friends are priceless and their value is far above any measurement!

Pondering Her 50 Years

I've known her for nearly 36 years, and I've been married to her for nearly 32 years. But, I have never gotten her quite like I did on her 50th Birthday.

Her mom and sisters planned a great party, complete with "over the hill" decorations, a casket, and a tombstone for a cake. It was perfect. Our sons were not able to make it into town which seemed to really depress her. Then, her mom made her believe that her sisters were not going to make it into town. THEN, I was scheduled to work on the night of her birthday party. I was honestly concerned for her mental well-being. She was turning 50 and longed to have her husband, her sons, and her sisters at the 50th anniversary celebration of her birth. Although the party was not a surprise, the wife had a lot of surprises in store for her.

Her sisters revealed. On Friday night, I took Debbie to the auction to be with her mom and dad (auction fanatics). Here is where her sister, Pam, sprang the first surprise on her. She was standing outside the auction and called Debbie on her cellphone. Then while talking to Debbie, Pam made her way inside the auction building. Debbie's face just lit up! At least, Pam was going to be at her party.

On Saturday, Rhonda's (Debbie's youngest sister) surprise was slightly marred by Debbie's 94 year old grandfather when he said, "What time is Rhonda getting here?" Debbie's keen hearing and sharp mind (even after 50 years) caught that piece of information.

Her last surprise was still to come. I was able to make arrangements with fellow workers to get me off work so I could attend her party. Pam borrowed a Grim Reaper outfit from one of her co-workers and had me wear it. And, wear it I did.

I dressed in the outfit and put a baby's pillow ring around my neck to break up my body outline. It worked perfectly! Debbie walked in the gym and looked over the decorations. She thought I was just a "stuffed" Grim Reaper. She had no idea I was beneath the suit.

Then we sprung it on her. My brother caught the moment on his camera. We pulled off one of the best surprises ever (normally Debbie figures everything out). I am grateful to Debbie's mom and sisters for putting this party together, to Tammy (Debbie's sister-in-law) for coordinating invitations to church members and desserts, and Mike (my brother) for doing some great photography.

Happy 50th Birthday, Debbie. Gotcha!

Pondering Newspapers

It is hard to believe the last day of March has only three more hours. Not only that, but it is hard to believe I have failed to make a single post on my blog this month. I’ve let myself down.

I’m feeling a little afraid today because of something I read on YAHOO several days ago: newspapers around the country are going out of business. It hurts to know that major papers are being thrown in the economic trash can.

I love newspapers. I read their ink covered pages everyday. I love the sound of my coins as they course their way through the lock of the news stand, the smell of the ink that rushes my nose, and the feel of the folded pages as I pull the paper out of the stand. Like you, of course, I always get the paper that is two or three down from the top. I’m not sure why I always feel like the paper on top has pages missing or something, but I do. Oh, and if I should be the one to take the last paper from the door of the stand, I always feel like I’ve won the lottery or something.

Everyone has their favorite way to read the paper. Some start with the Comics, some the Obituaries, and some the Sports page. My favorite way is to start at the beginning and read all the way to the end. Of course, I save the Classifieds and the advertising inserts until the very last. It’s just hard to believe these daily literary works of art are going away.

Even as I ponder the disappearance of the daily newspaper, I know I am a big part of the blame. Like so many others, I have found it more economical to go online and read the newspapers that I follow. It’s fast, it’s easy, and I can read papers from all over the nation and the world. Recently, I even started reading my local paper online.

Naturally, reading the paper online makes it hard to start at the beginning and read all the way through to the end. Online newspapers elicit a focused review of material: news, lifestyle, business, etc… There is no fluid transition from page to page. There is no serendipity of finding that hidden story on B3.

I have also contributed to the demise of our nation’s newspapers by using online classifieds. I am a registered user of eBay and CraigsList. I no longer search those little ads in the back of the paper, and I no longer advertise in print classified.

No wonder the papers are closing.

I wonder what we will have in the future. Will any newspaper survive? Will our grandchildren ever hear “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”