PHOTO ALERT!!! Click on the "BREAKING NEWS!" tab above to see a lovely photo of Dec. attendees at the Ryan's dinner meeting. THEN, click the photo to enlarge it. (Thanks Terry & Kaye)
JK George reporting in from the west coast. Traded in the weather in Austin (blue skies, temp ranges from 40-70 every day, no rain for ... well, forever, and our governor-for-life out in California poaching jobs) for Portland, Oregon, where it has been in the 40's every day and has rained continuously. They have real trees out here, and I mean real trees that would stand up against the best timber that good ole' WV has to offer.
Had to go googling for the school blog, and finally found it with the combinatio of "Carl Thomason Princeton High School Blog." Hey, it popped up, and did not even mention Awesome Societal Savant, or WOW, or any of the high-brow acronyns this esteemed literary site has produced. But I found it, and here I be.
Speakking of literary stuff, anyone reading any of the Chris Offut short storyies of our breathen in Kentucky? Pretty hard-core tales of the folks over on the other side of the Tug River. Good stuff.
Visiting one of the kids out here for a grandkid fix. Hope all is well to the Tiger blogosphere.
Watch Justified on FX Tuesday if you want to get some Harlan Kentucky/Appalacian flavor. Great show wonderful writing and a lot of action with Oliphant!
Pete here,Thanks for asking Mike.Getting along just fine now.Had some siatic nerve problems in the hip,but a good round of steroids removed the pain for now.Hope all is well on the home front.Seems like the blog is progressing at a good pace.Just had a week here with my Grandson.Picked him up a week ago this past Fri for his winter break.Had a ball with him here in the valley.He handled everything ok without MaMa being here,All you guys and gals having birthdays this month have a happy one for sure.We have been blessed to make it this far.Faith,Hope,and love to all of you.
JK, I'm unfamiliar with Chris Offutt, but an internet search turned up info that interests me. On your recommendation, I'm going to try to read a couple of his short stories.
Murphy is spot-on about Justified, the series on fx, Tuesdays at 9:00 for one more episode (and available on DVD). WV folks will recognize some of the characters -- more or less. It's a terrific series, especially if you have a few soft spots for rednecks.
Similarly, but not set in Appalachia, 2 movie recommendations:
1. "Brother's Keeper," a documentary about "the Ward boys," 4 farmer brothers caught up in the modern world and the mysterious death of one of them at the hands of another (true story).
2. "Winter's Bone," the film that put new Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence on the map. Her portrayal of a teenage daughter caught up in rural, hard-scabble family and community troubles is a marvelous little piece of work.
Back home in Austin now. Landed in a heckuva wind storm. Glad we got down okay. The passengers all gave the Southwest pilot a huge round of applause.
For Mike Murphy and Carl and maybe others, yes, yes, yes on Justified! I'm a huge fan, and never miss one. Incredible.
Carl, have not read (or heard of until now) the two books you mentioned. Willl check on them. I can recommend two regarding our dear ole' state. One is Crum, by Lee Maynard. It's sort of an autobiography, interesting, about a small town on the Tug River. He has a warm and endearing description of the boys his age on the Kentucky side of the Tug, "Pig F******." Sort of a lead-in to Justified.
Another is Colored People, by Henry Louis Gates, Jr, who grew up along the Maryland border on the Monongahela River. I think that's correct, as it's from my admittedly crummy memory. Maybe there is a river theme here. It's definitely an autobiography, and interesting for sure. Gates is a professor at Harvard.
Ain't we just a bunch of literary cats? Hope you-all are ready for spring. It's already "sprung" here. Yeah!
I just read "Glass Castle"-a true story that takes place in Welch. I followed that with her book about her grandmother, "Half Broke Horses." They were so good I finished them both in a week--couldn't put them down.
JK--Professor Gates did have some notoriety. Being the widow of a District of Columbia police office I'm reminded that for 25 years he put his life on the line every time he walked out the door. For another 20 years he was a school resource office (nice term for cop) and the kids adored him because he was first and foremost fair. He had integrity and the kids knew it. Can't fool the kids.
JK, et. al., my recommendations are for movies, and each only about 1.5 hours, much less time required than most books. Anyway, they're both terrific in very differnt ways (i.e., fiction vs. non-fiction).
Carl, it's interesting. I went back and reread your comment, and for some reason I kept reading "and two more," rather than "and two movies." Guess I'm going blind and dyslexic at the same time.
Cookie, I know a bit of the history of Gates. The book is interesting though. It did not sugar coat his family. Congrats on your late husband's service in the district. That's a tough place to be a cop. I respect that a lot.
Okay Fellow Classmates! i have checked the Blog day after day and no one is writing anything so......I guess it's time for another topic. Now most of the time when I do this it doesn't come out right but here hoping!
Let's name our favorite comfort food. With it being winter there are many of you cooking wonderful pots of beans and making cornbread. I rarely make soup down here in the deep South but my Grands made Cream of Broccoli Soup which he shared. Felt really good yesterday when it was only 72.
So I vote for Broccoli Soup....today. I also like hot fudge sundaes but rarely do those! Oh yes, and Hot Dogs! The best.
Cooking a pot of beans and a banana pudding as we speak. Rain, high wind but no snow. Tomorrow a visit to springtime--Philadelphia Flower Show--this year's theme, "English Country Gardens." It's a 'must see' event.
here we go, I start dieting you folks start with the food, everythings against me, the fat man don't have a chance, got an overwhelming urge to got try everything I just read, and, I just finished snacking, oh will power hast thou forsaken me? and in mine hour of need!!!!! I got to think about jogging, oh spring where art thou? it's so hard to jog with two sandwiches and a milkshake, it's also hard to lose weight with potato chips and frosties, double fudge covered cinnamon rolls , hot dogs(foot long) covered with homemade chili,smothered with deep fried onions, uh oh I think I just gained a pound writing this, now I'm confused again, was I trying to diet, or was I dying to try it, oh well keep up the food thoughts er I mean the good thoughts. bye
First warm day! 60+ degrees-full sun. Decided to clean up my convertible--first time since September. Cleaning out the trunk. Bent over and something sails across my face and disappears. Not a comfortable feeling. Granny starts to investigate. Granny finds a nest consisting of auto insulation and part of a Holiday Inn Towel (don't ask--my late husband did it and its been 15 years so turn me in) and baby Mickey , probably a day old. As we speak Momma Mouse is still somewhere in my car--never did find the promiscuous little tramp. I all but disassembled a 2009 Toyota Solara Convertible and she is no where to be found. Tossed baby Mickey in the grass. As I continued to clean out the trunk a great owl came out of nowhere and had his evening appetizer. His flapping wings almost knocked me off my feet.
I guess the question is: (1) Should I turn myself into PETA for crulty to animals, (2) Pat myself on the back for contributing to the natural progression of nature, or (3) have a glass of wine and hope Momma Mouse's health care policy isn't with the Catholic Church so she can get birth control before she finds my car again.
Pete here.Hey Cookie,A word to the wise my friend.Set traps for that mouse in your car.Those little critters will chew on the wiring upholstery and anything the can get their little teeth on.Had one to get in my boat one winter and cost about three bills to get everything back in working order.I applaude you on feeding that majestic owl.We had an enjoyable evening at Ryans last week.Sorry some of you were under the weather.good bonding anyway.Dillon,are you and Ms kay home yet?Update us.Talked to Goings yesterday and he is doing much better after his surgery.He still has a little problem to get fixed,but should be alright.I pray for all of our classmates that are having health issues.As for me I.m doing fine.Finally glad to get off the predisone.Made me gain 9 pounds in 4 weeks.Best to all,and remember,Faith,Hope,and love.
Thanks Pete. Going for traps today. They got in my neighbor's Lexus last spring and devoured the wiring. Big repair bill. However, I did feel a little like Lizzy Borden when that owl swooped down. Never hit the ground. Just dive bombed. Glad to hear you are up and about.
Got two of those giant sticky traps. Put one in the trunk and one in the floor of the front seat. Carried in the groceries. By the time I put the groceries away I had hit pay dirt in the trunk. Thats when my problems began. I had to drown her in a bucket of water cause she wouldn't stop squirming and wouldn't stop looking at me. Man, I was beginning to feel REAL BAD about that time. After I finished with the bucket I threw the trap down in the woods As it is sailing through the air the realization of what was going to happen hit home. What was I going to do when that owl swooped down to finish off momma and got stuck on that trap. So I spend the next 1/2 hour crawling around in the woods looking for the trap. Finally found it and its on its way to the dump tomorrow. Man that mouse had big eyes. She blew it! I gave her 24 hours and she wouldn't leave.
Pete here.Mouse mistress,that is unbelieveable that you trapped her so quick.Those glue base traps are the best.I have 6 sitting all around my Corvette since it stays in the garage so much.Especially in the winter when all those little furry critters are looking for a home.Had one to build a nest on top of my pickup motor.No babies but nice sized wood mouse.Anyway glad you eraticated the problem so fast.She must have been starving.Tough time for all creatures though.Faith Hope,@Love.Wish I had a rag top.Can take half off though.
I'm back, at least temporarily. The Feds (that is what they hint as being) got screwed up with the change to Daylight Savings and Sequestering. My monitoring team heard that they had lost an hour and perhaps were not going to get paid, so "No payee, no workee". I jumped at the opportunity of not being monitored so closely and did some research on the horrendous murder reported on this blog in the state of Maryland.
D, you are in big, big trouble. PETA is definitely coming after you! They have joined forces with PCH and will approach your residence under the guise of there being a Winner at 123 Easy St., Sans Lucre, MO. Do not open any correspondence or e-mails from this group.
Sadly, you were given up by a fellow classmate. He was arrested recently for having attempted to buy the entire inventory of moon pies and RC cola at his local Walmart even though he says he was dieting. When interrogated, he gave you up immediately without any remorse. I think you know the identity of the unsub.
Thanks a lot. Just remember I live in the Socialist Republic of Maryland so anything is possible. The whole state was at Woodstock and its now genetic.
If you don't believe me, google Anne Arundel County School System (Annapolis). They just suspended a 7 year old for chewing his Pop Tart into the shape of a handgun and going, "bang, bang." I kid you not. I understand his father is in the process of chewing "his" Pop Tart into a middle finger that he plans to present to the school board.
P.S. I hate people who hide in cyberspace. Some of us just let it all hang out on here. Come on, grow a pair. Time is growing short.
You are an understanding and forgiving retired schoolmarm. It probably was the medication or an interaction between meds. Since it is so dark now in the morning with DST, "little blue pills" and birth control pills all look the same. Someone should notify Washington about the possible problems with this,
Murph, welcome to life in the fast lane. I'm sitting in the WV woods near Berkeley Springs. I remember my excitement when DSL came to "the mountainside" a few years ago.
I know before I ask but is DSL "dull southern language" or dumb southern losers, or maybe " don't sow lewdness" there are probably a hundred possibilities, and I do not think I could ever come up with the right answer, soooo just what is dsl, is this the new text abb. I don't mind being poor near as much as being ignorant. Is that something I need?
Geno, I've never known either what DSL stands for. Like you, I just made up a translation that worked for me: "Dis Stuff's Loaded" [e.g., locked and loaded and ready to fire].
Now, remember that ignorance is just a state of mind. [OK, yeah a pretty pathetic state, but a common one. I speak with a certain confidence on this issue because ignorance and I have never been strangers -- don't mean to brag.]
On the same subject, I was reminded of this just minutes ago, sitting here listening to "Malt Shop Memories" on my DirecTV service, delivered in smooth streaming fashion by my DSL service. [Small world, ain't it?] What to my wondering ears should appear but a Fats Domino oldie . . . with its devastatingly painful reminder that after relying on his optimistic words for decades, (1) I'm NOT gonna be a wheel someday and (2) I was never a "real gone cat."
I'm nearly despondent . . . and trapped out here without benefit of a hot fudge cinnamon roll. Still, I thank the fates for my DSL.
Digital Subscriber Line - a method of providing high speed data over telephone lines. Had to look it up on Gaggle.
Carl -Did you have a VISA to WV, Folks from Paw Paw consider DCers fair game! Seriously I think about 50% of the DC metro area leave for WV or the Eastern Shore of MD on Friday. I thought the sequester might shut down I 270.
How utterly stupid and falacious is shutting down White House Tours, while the Obamas take $4 million vacations!!!
Murph, I carry a wallet-size, laminated image of my PHS60 diploma. It's even better than a visa. Of course, I still stay clear of Paw Paw -- no need to tempt the fates. The American Legion in Berkeley Springs is about as adventurous as I get out here. After about 15 years of sporadic visits, "Deb" the bartender now actually recognizes me and acts pleased to see me come in. (I'm certain that it's mere coincidence that I'm the biggest tipper in the place.) As you know, I don't get to Pctn. & the Ryan's meetings very often, so this is how I keep connected to my roots.
P.S. In your recent dial-up days, would you have bothered to Google DSL?
Well thank you, I still don't understand it but, I think I know what you are talking about, talk about shutting down the White House and our illustrious pols give Egypt 650 million, is this a great country or what, Carl I remember another song "where have all the flowers gone" I think we are coming upon those times, it absolutely amazes me our govt. wants to take all the guns, don't want to do anything to the people that misused those guns, see all the things I do not understand. I don't remember the amount, but it was in the millions, our govt. is going to do a study on how alcohol affects Chinese prostitutes, I can already tell them that, it affects them the same way it affects everyone else, alchol is easy to understand it makes you feel good, the more you drink the better you feel, the better you feel the more you drink. Of course there comes a time when you don't feel so good, but I know in my case it was always something else that caused my bad feelings, I went to a doctor one time, he told me I had a drinking problem, he said I drank too much, I quit using chasers, cut my drinking down by at least one third, he still insisted I was drinking too much, I solved that problem I changed doctors, oh well I'm a teetotaler now, but I can still tell the govt. about the effects of alcohol, they are not interested. How in the world did I get on this kick? well any way happy trails
In the last two days I have seen in the BDT Obits, the death notices of the mothers of two of our classmates, Sylvia Niday and Terry Cline. My thoughts and prayers are with them. It has only been a few months since I saw that Terry's father had died.
Wayne, thanks for these alerts. I'm always sad for my classmates to hear such news, but then also glad that some 70-year-olds like us still have living parents.
My sympathy to Sylvia & Terry.
Tomorrow is one of the world's important annual occasions:
St. Patrick's Day. Irish or not, may all have a lovely, lively time.
This wish was sent to you by one whose wife once characterized him as "having all of the appetites of the Irish."
My heart still soars at that thought.
Periodically, I delete old comments from the Blog. This is to keep visitors from getting bogged down while a really big file loads.
I remind you that old comments -- from Day 1 (except for a handful that got lost in outer cyberspace last year) -- are moved to the ". . . Blog ARCHIVES" page. Just click the tab immediately below the "Blog" tab. It's all there in embarrassing detail.
Good morning and happy St. Patricks Day. In Cincinnati, there will be a parade and a mini marathon to raise money for the American Heart Association. I will be wearing my favorite t-shirt titled real men wear kilts. There will be much reveling at the local Irish pubs as the crowd drinks Guiness beer.There is even an Irish Cultural Center.
The third week in April, I will be going to Blacksburg for a meeting of the Price family. They camr from Germany in 1738 and settled in Montgomery County. Their Germab name was Preisch. They have established a family history society. One of the Prices wrote a book called the Increase in Prices. Price Fork Road is named for the early settlers.I will wear my German hat and drink Spaten beer.
Are you related to Hassell (sp.?) Price whose home place is on Harding Road right at the city limits going out of Blacksburg toward the Roanoke Valley.
OK so I have been off the blog for quite a while... Guess i have been a bit lazy in that regard. My brother ( Bill) and I finally sold our home place on the old Blfd road. It was an incredibly sad parting for our whole family as our hearts were always there. We however, could no longer keep the place up and the distance made frequent visits very difficult. A few months later the home burned but was not a total loss. We hope the new owner will rebuild.
Janice and I have bought a small cabin in Pigeon Forge TN which we hope to enjoy.
On a more positive note I may have a line on Larry Watkins. I have written to him and if I get a response, I'll know the address was good !
I don't know whether I am related.I will learn whether I am when I attend the meeting in Blacksburg in April. Speaking of cookies, I bought my Girl Scout cookies and enjoyed every bite. I also bought popcorn from the Boy Scouts.
Last week, I listened to a discussion between a six year old girl and her mother.She told her mother that she wanted a little brother. She has a three year old sister. Her mother told her that she isn't getting a brother. The girl said that the baby will grow inside her mother. The mother said once again that the child wasn't getting a brother.
Recently, I spoke to a five year old girl named Meg. I told her that I have a friend in Radford Virginia who ownes a woman's clothing store. I then asked Meg if she wanted to buy women's clothes. She said yes but not in Virginia.
Finally, I spoke to a three year old boy named Grady. I asked him whether his coat is warm. He said No my coat is blue. So I asked the question another way. When you wear your blue coat, are you warm.? No, I,m cool.
Little ones are so much fun. I thought after I bought girl scout cookies that we should go on top of a hill in Princeton, build a large box like Girl Scout cookies and name the hill Cookie Hill after you. Ha.
Fred, I'm envious. For many years now I've engaged young children with similar questions. As a result, I'm now on some crazy registry is 6 states that inhibits my joyful interactions with little tykes. Life sure is curious that way.
About that hill near Princeton and those Girl Scout Cookies.....I guess thats ok as long as you don't start singing some song to the tune of Blue Berry Hill.
Ched: I am so sorry to hear of the fire at your Mom & Dad's always pretty home nestled in the trees at the curve. I hope the new owners can restore it. My daddy always thought so highly of Charlie. The Old Bluefield Road was such a beautiful, bucolic place when we were kids. I know the roller coaster ride of emotions selling your childhood home brings.
Enjoy your Tennessee vacation place and sing a few bars of "Rocky Top" for me....my favorite song.
Since Ched is out this year, I can now announce that I too am back. Is that bad? Sounds more like something Geno would write.
Ched, sorry about the homestead. I remember several of us (Farley, Crawford, Coleman, and perhaps Geehole, J. Askew, and J.K. George) coming to your house one afternoon as your family had just purchased a new horse. You and your BFF at that time, B. Lambert, were there. Mokey was the only one who was brave enough to initially volunteer to try and ride. The horse buck a little and turned back to try and bite Crawford and that was the end of the city folks riding experience for the day.
J.K., I am writing a novel about Kay's and my past several weeks. The title will be something like -- "Family Vacation, Un Temps Miserable", a novel about crazy relatives in paradise.
WT Dillon, very impressive that one of our own is writing in French. Tres Bon, or whatever. Sorry the family get-together was "les Miserable," as these things can happen.
By the way, and I'm serious about this, our book club selected a book that is blowing me away. I highly recommend it.
Nonfiction: The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language- Melvyn Bragg
This is the remarkable story of the English language; from its beginnings as a minor guttural Germanic dialect to its position today as a truly established global language. The Adventure of English is not only an enthralling story of power, religion, and trade, but also the story of people, and how their lives continue to change the extraordinary language that is English.
Welcome back big T, snowing in green valley, gonna see if we can change the name to snow valley, too much global warming, freezing, y'all studying English, don't know much bout that, I understand it's a spinoff of hillbilly. There's a book for you Jim write about "Mountain Folk and Their Habitual Habitats and Habits" wow what a title just came out of the blue anyway speaking of blue all this white stuff is making me blue. I guess we'll just have to be a 2 season valley winter and August. Winter seems long any more, oh well as I was saying, what was I saying, oh well it's not important, oh yeah Carl you still in WV or did you leave before the snow. stay warm
I'm back in balmy Bethesda Geno, but I relished being in Morgan County when 6 beautiful inches of snow appeared when I awoke one Thur. morning. It had largely disappeared by mid-afternoon thanks to sunshine that made the landscape brilliant & beautiful -- sorta like our blog.
I was sad when I read about the fire at the home place.Your parents had a nice home and I certainly hope that the present owners will restore it.
Jim, I am a francophone and am a member of the Cincinnati chapter of the Alliance Francaise. We get together to speak French and go to programs throughout the area that feature aspects of French culture. Our favorite French restaurant is La Petite France. Jean Benoit Nadeau and Julie Barlow wrote The Story of French. Incidentally, Jim and others, you can go on line and pick out a magazine in French such as Le Point. It will be in French but hit the translate button and the English text will appear. Der Spiegel which means the Mirror, is a German magazine. Go online and choose that magazine. Although it is in German, you can hit the translate button and the English text will appear.
The West Virginians in the group should know that the Wall Street Journal picked the people of West Virginia as the unhappiest group in the nation.
Carl to close, I spoke with my three year old friend Grady.I asked him how his dog was. Eli is bad. Why? He pooped on the floor. Fred Lucas
Fred, you surely know that surveys of personal emotion are notoriously unreliable, and I suspect as much with the one you cite. For example, I -- granted an "N" of only 1 -- am West Virginian to the bone. Relatedly, or not, I'm consistently gloomy, frequently peevish, often mad as hell, and generally cynical, but nobody better dare accuse me of being unhappy. In fact, nearly all of my abundant -- uh, cornucopian even -- happiness stems from my gloom, peevishness, anger, and cynicism. So I offer my personal story -- and emotions -- as witness to the questionability of said survey. What say you, other West Virginians?
I've been in Maryland for almost 50 years but I'm West Virginian through and through. Liberal zombies live in Maryland. No doubt I'm grumpy, bitchy and cynical but unhappy--never. Happy as a clam. "Outsiders" just don't understand the "West Virginia Experience." Let me go out in the garage, I've gotta finish cleaning my gun and reload it!
I need to give you the criteria for the WSJ poll. Life expectancy is 75.2, the second from the bottom.Median household income is $38482 which is the second lowest.Smokers comprise 31.4 percent of the population which is the highest of any state.Diabetes problems include 17.4 percent of the population.Thirty three percent of the people are obese.Sixty percent eat produce.Twenty percent are uninsured. Forty percent report blood pressure problems. Thirty percent have high cholestrol.Forty eight percent exercise on a regular basis.
The survey was done by Gallup. Cookie read the literature before you leap. .Thanks Fred
Freddie I'll get right on that and check out that survey just as soon as I finish smoking this cigarette and eating this rack of ribs. Remember, nothing thats good for you is any fun at all.
Today is Johnny's Mother's funeral. She is such a good and sweet lady. We are going to miss her so much. She is 98 years old, but you hate to loose them at any age. Think about us today and say a little prayer for us. Thank you!
Geno, because you love the white stuff so much, I am sending you an Easter present of one more snow event this year. You should receive it by Monday.
In Indiana, the forecast beginning early tomorrow morning is for perhaps the largest spring storm in a century -- up to 10 inches, with blowing and drifting and wind gusts 25 or more mph.
Hey, the winter did not kill all the little critters. We have tiny, tiny ants coming in because "this winter was so mild".
Fred, Last year, our minister questioned our congregation across two church services regarding 10 or so ""stress related" indices (money, health, children, job, marital issues, etc.,). I was the only one of 600 plus who did not raise their hands even one time. My faith keeps me happy, but also being a West Virginian Mountaineer gave me a sound foundation.
Well, Fred, you know what they say about polls, none are straight all lean a little, of course they could have meant poles, Darla sorry for your loss, but look how long you were blessed with her, at a time like this we always look on the down side, human nature, speaking of nature, mine is laughing, still chuckling about cookies comments, DR.T everybody gets ants, but everybody doesn't have to get snow, this IS the end of March, not the beginning, surely we will have spring some time. Carl I always suspected you of being a grouch behind that great sense of humor, and I always thought you were happy about it. Pete You and Murph ought to jump in on this. I may go back to drinkin' and smokin' what am I sayin' I can't afford that physically mentally or monetarily, somebody tell a joke. and not the global warming one,stay warm
Fred- Es IST EGAL, CA NE FAIT RIEN, MALAISH, NO IMPORTA, FARKETMEZ!!
One of the great things about most true West Virginians is that they have a great sense of humor? All of the criteria in the survey leads me to believe that they want you to live a long boring life, don't regret the good times and pray you don't get all the government you pay for!!
For those more interested, Google - It doesn't matter in different languages all but Maliash (Arabic) appear in latin letters.
Geno- Santa is not coming next Christmas because he shot his Rubolph!
Determined to have the last laugh on my kids I've instructed my attorney that, upon my demise, he is to hire someone to show up at Roselawn dressed as the "Grim Reaper." He/she is instructed to stand silently in the distance as they put me to rest and then quietly disappear.
That should straighten them out....at least until he reads the will.
Pete here,Damn,Freddie with all that crap you posted about us West Virginians,Its hard to believe we have made it this far.Just remember this Pal,there is only 2 kinds of people in this USA,"Those that are from WVA,and those that wish they were" Nuff said about that.As far as the German thing goes I spent 4 years there in the 60's and I wouldn't trade this beautiful country for all of Europe.Johnny sorry to hear about you mother.She had been blessed to be with her family for so long.Stay strong pal.Thomas good to hear you have returned to the snow belt.Sometimes it just takes spring a little longer to get here.The valley here is expecting 4" starting tomorrow.Geno,Mike glad to hear you 2 on the blog.What can i say about our blogmaster other than that Carl is always on his game.Good health to all of you,Faith,Hope@love.
Since I live in Cincinnati, I thought that I would give the data collected by Gallup for Ohio. First life expectancy is 77.5 years. The median family income is $45799. Twenty eight percent smoke. Less than half exercised three days per week thirty minutes per day. Thirty percent are considered obese based upon the Body Mass Index. Finally, Only 68.3 percent of respondents reported that they were well rested.
I am not trying to ridicule the people of West Virginia, Ohio or any other state. I studied the findings of Gallup and reported thse findings. I am not trying to suggest that anyone adopt a point of view regardings those findings.
Fred, there's no "ridicule" in presenting truthful data, no matter who might be portrayed badly. And it's no secret that WV routinely scores low on measures of wealth & health, including -- and reflected by -- smoking, diet, obesity & related issues (e.g., diabetes).
I was initially confused when you cited the poll as a measure of "happiness." I think you may have meant "healthiness" or, as Gallup labels it, "well-being." Alas, West Virginians, as a group, do not compare well with other Americans on measures of wealth & health as you identified.
As to how we Mountaineers compare on a "happiness" scale, I don't know. But it sure seems that among regular PHS60 bloggers, "we happy few" are evident. Sooo, hold a kind thought, keep smiling, and keep on truckin'.
Montani Semper Liberi, even to do bad things as long as it doesn't hurt someone else!
Boone County Delegate suggested that the WV food should be a Peperoni Roll, because it was created by a WVn. History- northern coal miners in Clarksburg area used to take water, bread and a stick of peperoni for their lunch. Josephi ( for lack of a better name) baked the peperoni into a roll and sold them from his bakery. Now they are every where. Naturally others wanted the WV Hot Dog but it was noted that other states had that as their food and it was not founded in WV.
I like peporoni rools esp from clksbg area but think the WV Hot Dog with Chilli Slaw and Mustard is winner.
Mike I thought about it after I read your blog, this is all I am writing because my hot dog is ready chili is hot and I am going to go and put it all together.stay wArm
In my ongoing quest for inclusiveness, to all who celebrate such I wish you a Happy Holi (as it's known in India), Dol Jatra or Dol Purnima (Bengal), or Rangapanchami n Maharashtra, Kamavilas, Kaman Pandugai or Kaman-dahanam (South India).
During this FestivalofColors, "Let The Good Times Roll."
Oh for God's sake Carl. Can't we just stick with hiding Easter eggs and biting the heads off peeps. If I can't pronounce it--its not important.
I'm on my way to Nelsons Dress Shop to get my Easter Bonnet out of lay away. $1 down and a $1 a week and its mine. Then its to Leggetts to pick up my $5 dress.
I thought that I would take a minute more to explain the Gallup survey. They surveyed 452500 people across the country and drew their conclusions from the responses that they gave. These people are members of Gallup. Hawaii was the healthiest state incidentally. I was a bit concerned because jokes were made concerning a finding that I thought was serious. I got a bit testy. Sorry
I found a web site at the local hospital that can help with diet and exercise. The site is sponsored by Registered Dieticians. www.eatright.org.
Fred, those Gallup findings were serious, which almost compels a wise-acre like me to attempt a joke. Didn't mean to offend . . . or get your dander up. And don't you worry about getting a bit testy. We're entitled at our age; hell, it's damn near expected (isn't it?).
Also, I was half expecting that you'd have some more info about Rangapanchami n Maharashtra.
[I think that may be Hindi for Ferrante & Teicher.]
Great song in the History of the Eagles on Showtime - Get Over It!!!
Another great thing about getting old - you can hide your own easter eggs.
Also I watch many movies that in the middle I realize I have seen before but can't remember the ending, so it turns out good.
I came by my 300# and diebeties on my own terms and am paying for every dime of it. No HOBOcare needed. Repeal the greatest welfare scam in this century.
Dearest Freddie: I'm just confused....again....was the research measuring "happiness" or "health?" You first mentioned "unhappiness" but then later in the thread the criteria sited was measurements of health--blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, diet, etc. I think I may have the answer. I am fat AND happy.
But I will be more happy if you will assure me that you are also once more happy. Thanks to the never ending winter I am also getting more fat.
I think that the survey was more about health and well being. I know a married couple, man and woman, who are members of Gallup and take surveys. They took the survey for Ohio. He is a retired high school principal and she is a retired teacher.
Cookie and others, I included the web site from the Registered Dietcians to give whoever wants the information an opportunity to read the latest on diet and exercise. At the Healthplex where I workout, there is a 92 year old man who walks around the track for about an hour five days per week. He is in good shape. He supports the Missouri football team. His wife is in a nursing home with a severe case of dementia. Cookie, I enjoy you and think that you are quite attractive .
Tom, I think of myself as a work in progress. My perspectives values and decision making have changed since I was twenty five years old.
Fred, don't think I knew you when you were twenty-five. I missed the first class reunion. Did we have a 5-year? Definitely a 10-year.
I do think that you are a "cool Dude" today -- enjoy your blog entries. We are all works in progress and are being groomed for the eternal life to come.
Anyone purchase a used car recently? We are giving our old Honda to our grandson when he is eligible to drive by himself next month and will still need a second Clunker for ourselves. My question is -- How much should one offer below the price the dealer is asking? 10% less? 15% less?
Tom, make your first offer 33% less and start from there. Fred you are well learned, if I may, let me pick your brain, I am sincere, I know no one takes me seriously, but I would really like to know how you think about this. If a man drinks and is to the place where he is intoxicated has a car wreck kills, lets say 4 people, the law and public opinion , blame the driver, another man shoots 4 people, then public opinion blames the gun, would you enlighten me on this.
Gene, I'll "take a plunge" in your query. Both are unfortnate and illegal crimes, and we as a socity have, in some way, formultated a response. In the case of a DUI that kills people, it's clear that the driver was impared, illegally, and is responsible. In that case, he/she must undergo therapy, (usually) serve jail time, often pay a fine, and usually serve some time on probation. One mitigating aspect is whether he/she has any prior record on DUI-ralated offenses. Clearly, we can't make cars illegal, but we can in certain circumstatnces, install a "breath analyzer" in his/her car, where the "analyzer" will disable the ignition if alcohol is sensed. Thus society has taken, for better or for worse, certain steps to attempt to reduce the risk of this terrible occasion from recurring.
In the case of a person using a firearm to shoot and kill people, society is wrestling with the ways to minimize recurrences, since the possession of firearms is protected by the Second Ammendment, with certain limitations as interpreted by the Supreme Court. The usual example is that machine guns, bazookas, or rocket launchers are not allowed, as well as certain large military weapons such as armed tanks, etc. So there is the case where the Constitution, as ammended, provides protection, as interpreted with "certain limitations" according to the Supremes. In this case, unfortunately, often the perpetrator is mentally ill, deranged, or filled with extreme passion, since we are not talking to accidents in which the shooter "makes a mistake." The NRA position, plus many others, is that the Government is on a calculated path to take away every gun and associated ancillory accessory (bullets, etc) and the Feds are committed to start with "little step number one" and proceed until there are no weapons of any sort left. If one believes this, then one will oppose any and all steps, as they see it as a slippery slope to eliminate liberty.
I, personally, see the situation as one where we, society, need to try and do something to prevent firearm deaths.
The Connecticut, VT, Aurora, Columbine, and other mass killings indicate certain common threads: mental illness, and access to weapons of mass destruction. In addition, we know that background checks are done on only 60% of so of firearm purchases. Hopefully, as a minimum, we can (as society) take steps to deal with preventing mentally ill people to have access to weapons of mass destruction. Personally, I think that better background checks combined with better policing to minimize access to weapons by people who are mentally ill are sound policies. Add to that the legality of certain armour-piercing bullets and the large magazine capacities that exist and we have the start, at least something, to move the "water level" in a better direction. Personally, I own guns (rifles and shotguns) and strongly support the freedom to posses these as well as handguns. I do not subscribe to the position that any one little step to curb these situations means that the black helicopters are on the way to crush us all.
We should have some honest and logical discussions as a society, instead of letting little sound bites be all that we have.
Hard to dispute, JK. But I was hoping you'd explain how to make society smarter and more reliable. Once we've done that, let's make it kinder and gentler, benign and beneficent, cooperative and congenial, respectful and responsible. Oh yeah, and saner, . . . much saner. (After that it can pretty much take care of itself.:<)
Jim - you need a source more reliable than -move on dot org and Barack Oboma. "60% or so" I have seen 90% and give me a break "weapons of mass destruction"? Automatic weapons have been illegal since the 30s. None of the shootings you mentioned would have been stopped by background checks, all guns used had been registered.
Politicians will stretch statistics to the point of out right lieing as in health care will be given to 30 million more people at less cost. Obama care has gone from 900 billion to 2.7 Trillion and is still climbing. Health care cost have risen 17-25% since passage. Bush was a pauper liar when compared to Obama and Biden couldn't even score on the ricter scale. The sad thing is that Biden believes the stuff he makes up on the fly.
I think we need to include insane persons in the registrary and enforce current laws more strengently. But it makes me mad when politicians pettifog and lie to score points with their constitutients with no regard for the truth.
Lower gas prices - support the gas line!!
Geno - Be careful around Brush Fork. I had a kid in school that was named Jerry Nichols, from Brush Fork, probably the road where the women tangled was named after his family?
Well J.K. thanks for the educated insight, still do not understand fully but I do have a glimpse as to how other folks derive their conclusions, appreciate your input.
Since we have gotten serious I'd like for you to think about this for awhile.
1. Can I have a 64 oz Big Gulp - Not in New York its not good for you.
2. Can I drive my car without my seatbeat in Maryland? No, you may hurt yourself. (It doesn't matter that in a head-on crash my aorta will probably rupture..ask my friend the retired Fire Captain why he refuses to wear his.)
3. Can I ride my motorcycle in Maryland without my helmet - No, you may get hurt.
4. Can I buy incandescent lightbulbs so I CAN SEE THE PAPER - no, GE makes the new squirrelly type and their CEO gives big bucks and moves in high cotton.
5. Can I burn coal in my furnace, its cheap and i can afford it - No, you have to use oil and your budget just went from $262 per month to $452 for the next three months.
6. Can I pray in school - no but you can write Jesus on a piece of paper and stomp on it.
7. Can I smoke in my car in the state of Maryland if I have a minor in a carseat - no second hand smoke kills.
8. Can I have salt for my burger please - not in New York - its not good for you.
9. Can I purchase 500 rounds for my new revolver - no Janet Napolitano just bought up the last batch.
10. Can I murder a perfectly viable 9 month fetus - OF COURSE - GO RIGHT AHEAD - WE HAVE FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN THIS COUNTRY.
Just Saying. I could go on with this crap forever but I think you get the point.
I'm telling you. These people were all at Woodstock!
Oops, yet again! I overlooked a birthday; sorry Pam Spangler Sullivan, happily celebrated last week I hope. And Happy Birthday today Jim George.
Anyway:
Pam Spangler Sullivan - March 25
Jim George - March 31
Becki Smith Canterberry - April 7
Carol Wyrick Martin - April 12
Darla Winfrey Pitzer - April 15
Pete here.Happy Easter to all cmates.As a gun co;;ector myself,I have never seen a gun of any kind kill a person.God forbid if Biden ever gets behind one.As an avid supporter of the NRA,Safari Club international and several other orginizations that i belong to,let me say this.I know there is a big problem going on around the world and especially here on our shores.I belive whole heartely that the greatest problem is the ones getting the weapons without sufficient background checks.The ones that are mentally unstable or the ones that have a lot of issues with the government or whatever are the big problem.We live in very stressful times and people just break for whateveer reason.My baby boy and my wife were both killed with guns.That doesn't change my mind whatsoever about our constitutional rights to KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.I just have one little saying that I hold true to my heart,DON'T TREAD ON ME.Doing away with ones rights is not going to fix the problem.Big Mike,and Cookie if you two run on any kind of ticket please let me know,I will be your campain mgr for FREE.Faith,Hope And Love.To all.Please keep Carol French in your prayers.She was operated on again this past week.She went home Friday,Spent some quality time with Tracy Thursday.
Happy Easter to all! Hope you are enjoying time with friends and family.
Remember what today is all about. There will be a PHS 1960 class reunion every day in heaven -- just believe, as we have been saved via the gift of God's grace.
On the subject of gun control; I cannot support any "gun grabbing" legislation which infringes on my 2nd ammendment rights as a law abiding citizen when its the law breakers and crazies who commit these horrific tragedies. The 2nd ammendment closes with the words "shall not be infringed". (If gun control was so effective Chicago would have one of the lowest firearm murder rate instead of the highest.)
Oooooh wee!!! I love a lively exchange. But come on now, where are all you libs? (I know you're out there.) Poor JK is in the trenches and apparently by himself. CALL FOR REINFORCEMENTS! Let's hear some support for what I believe to be PHS60's most notable author (and perhaps Texas gunslinger as well).
Your comments on March 30 are "right on" from my perspective. The Affordable Care Act ( "Obama Care) is the biggest scam perpritrated on the country in history.
I'm a "straight shooter" (no pun intended) but come on guys. Can't we just admit all the hoop-laa over gun safety and health insurance has NOTHING to do with either. "Smart" people amaze me sometimes. Get out of the weeds or smell the coffee or something like that. And no, I don't see any black helicopters over my house but I think I do see a drone or two. I'll fix um! I'm going outside and hide Easter Eggs-------------------in the nude. That should scare them realllllllllllllllll good like.
Interesting timing this guns and bluster(buss) discussion. I just surfed onto the Showtime documentary, "The World According to Dick Cheney." I find it really interesting, and think others might also, whatever your feelings about "the old marksman." Check your program guide.
According to tonights on-line Drudge Report, (check it out) the Easter Bunny was stopped on Interstate 8 outside San Diego, California by Police. Are you ready, he was given a warning for not wearing a ............................helmet. Well it was California afterall.
You thought I was kidding in that earlier rant didn't you.
Mike, you challanged the 60% figure for background checks. I delved into it, and the Obama claim indeed is from a small sample size of years ago. In additional checking, here is the latest information I could find. If you have better information, let me know:
The basis for the (60%) claim is a 1997 report from professors Cook and Jens Ludwig for the National Institute of Justice. The authors concluded that “approximately 60 percent of gun acquisitions involved [federally licensed firearms dealers] and hence were subject to Federal regulations on such matters as out-of-State sales, criminal history checks, and record keeping.” They similarly concluded in a more detailed report published earlier that year that “approximately 60 to 70 percent of gun acquisitions occur in the primary market” from a licensed dealer.
This next info is from Time Magazine:
For the roughly 40% of guns purchased from sources other than a licensed gun dealer, including collectors and individual sellers at gun shows, no background check is required. That would change under the “universal” background check system that has been proposed by the White House and Senate Democratic leadership. In the new system, private sellers and buyers would be required to meet in person with a licensed dealer, where the dealer would check the buyer against the federal database for a fee. As with dealer purchases, a record of the sale would be retained by the licensed dealer. The federal government would still be prohibited from creating a national records database.
I'm trying to have a rational discussion here, and as I mentioned, if one fundamentally believes that any and all steps designed to deal with guns, including background checks, large capacity magazines, very high velocity and powerful bullets, etc, all of these simply are excuses to "take all the guns away," then one can say they don't believe in ever doing anything to deal with this. Just stonewall it forever.
I think that we need to do something. I agree that keeping mentally ill people away from guns, and enforcing the existing gun laws. Clearly the shooter at VT was mentally ill, and in fact, the laws at the time prevented the university health authorities from adding that information to any background checks. No gun dealer would have sold those weapons to the shooter if they had that information. The whole area of dealing with mental illness is very complicated.
By adding background checks to private gun sales, that is a step. I have a friend here in town who sells guns as a registered dealer, and he is infuriated that he has to compete with private sellers at gun shows, people who sell the same thing he has to offer, but do no background check at all. A lot of buyers go the private route at gun shows because they don't want a background check. Are they legal? Have a record? Have a mental illness? He has no idea.
Also, I'm not sure what value it add to our discussion on this topic for your response to include a long diatrab about the American Care Act for health, or for gasoline prices.
If you want to rail against the government, that's your perogative. It's a free country. But it's hard to have a rational discussion with people like you.
Pete here,Jk.Ask your friend the FFL DEaler(Federal firearms Dealer) if he is going to make a good buck from the public for his 10 to 30 minutes that it takes to get a person checked out.I think you will find that all people having the FFL would welcome the new background checks.Putting more money in their pockets.While taking money from the others.I agree things are a mess so I guess we will blame everything on G.W.Bush.I could personally care less who is in the WH,as far as I,m concerned they all are a bunch of A--H----'s Feinstein,Pelosi and Biden,Now that is a threesome.Keep up the good reviews Mike.Faith ,Hope,Love to all.
Old Male Southern White Conservative With 2 Degrees From an HBCU Here.
Jim - Sorry I frustrate your sensibilities with my irrational point of view?
My comments about Gas and "Obama Care" were to further illustrate the manipulation of facts about those items and the lies politicians use to further their idealistic agendas. Using your figures is it 60% or 70% as you quoted, wow lets use 60% because it fits our cause better. The percentage was of licensed gun dealers. At gun shows here in WV background checks are run on some sales. An expert on guns and gun control a former secret service agent said on Fox news that the figure was 93%. Fox news probably blows your mind?
Time Magazine says of the 40% of guns not sold by registered gun dealers which assumes the lower figure of the origional study and that others were not registered makes it hard to extrapulate their further reasoning. Time Magazine and MSNBC are questionable sources for any ideological or scientific debate.
No matter what the percentage I do not want to have to have a gun dealer present if i want to sell my guns. Next it will be the same if I want to give them to my kids. And the national data base will never be used to track you? Mabey not but I don't trust the politicans who will say anything to forward their agenda.
Although I am sure you don't want to hear this, but I can't think of one thing that the government runs efficiently. Like I said I do support putting the mentally ill in the registry and enforcing rigerously current gun laws, but what is propsed by Obama and the Libs will not cure anythying other than making government bigger and us more beholding. This is another of Ron Emanuals - don't let a crises go to waste.
Although gun control is not high on my agenda, it is just another erosion of the growth of government over personal responsibility. Any family that make under $48,000 / annum is better of financially to go onto welfare or disability, with housing, health care, food stamps (which incidently is a debit card which can be spent on anything), smart phones, education and travel and subsistance allowances, etc.
Geno - Back to your origional question, I think at the hart of it is the erosion of personal responsibility. The government unfortunately now run by liberals know better how to manage your life, because you have been discriminatory against those who will not carry their fair load.
It has been noted that the bloggers can't seem to stay on topic and tend to get a little global in their discussions. Isn't it possible that some of the bloggers are seeing the "Big Picture" and no longer view each new "Emanuel Crisis" in isolation. What we are seeing here is a response by those who see a common, overlapping theme of big government and nanny state intrusion into the private lives of law abiding citizens that defy their constitutional rights. (Research the growth in government employment over the past 10 years--soon 50% of the employed people in this country will work for the government--thats a convenience way to stack the polls on election day) (See previous rant regarding Big Gulps and light bulbs to support the intrusion argument.)
To view issues whether gun control, the Affordable Health Care Act, gas prices or the insatiable appetite of elected officials to live the life of a potentate as isolated issues is to do so at your own peril. Look at the big picture. Do not fall into the trap of the "flavor of the day crisis." It is a diversion.
Don't be afraid of what you know! Be afraid of what you don't know! We are facing an out of control government with a maniacal leader hell bent on sucking the last drop from the public tit. The "radical constitutionalists" are just connecting the dots as we "cling to our guns and bibles."
Always remember! How do you boil a frog? Put him in cold water and turn the stove down real low--at first.
Oh, to hell with my defense of the deranged. Here's my "contribution":
Ode To Satchmo (sung to the tune of "What A Wonderful World")
I hear pink tongue of lib . . ., hot neck of red. They’re two strong voices some people dread, But I say to myself, what a colorful world.
I feel passions a’flow, values a’soar, Get in my face, you’ll get what for. And I think to myself, what a undulant world.
Chorus: The colors of the culture, so red and so blue, Like rival turkey vultures, they pounce as on cue. I see friends taking stands, each with strong point-of-view, They’re really saying, "What’s up with you?"
Side A tunes in Fox News; B, NPR. Clustered near Princeton, or planted afar, I think to myself, what a free-movement world.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, voices ring out, Each side not sure what the other’s about. And I think to myself, what a curious world.
Chorus: The colors of the culture, so red and so blue, Like rival turkey vultures, they pounce as on cue. I see friends taking stands, most with strong point-of-view, They’re really saying, "What’s up with you?"
Of course Carl chimes in, more silly rhyme, Typically stupid, time after time, And I say to myself, what a forgiving world.
Others watch on the sly, smiling or frowned, This is our forum, our great playground And I say to myself, what a grand peep-show world.
Chorus: The colors of our culture, so blue and so red. A coat of many colors plus our daily bread. I hear sweet liberty, freedom of speech, People of character, right within reach.
I remark to them all, you’re quite a bunch. Some clearly brilliant; some out to lunch. (: } And I say to myself, what a wonderful world. . . . Yes . . ., I say to myself, what a wonderful world. Oh yeah . . . !
On the other hand, as Billy Preston so eloquently (and rhymically and melodically) put it, "Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'." But the sentiment means A LOT.
You know, this blog is great, I don't know what you folks are talking bout most of the time but it does not seem to matter, from comic rhyme to serious facts, this place has classic acts, don't stop now, let the literacy flow, even the uneducated gets in on the blow. J.k. there will never be any hard feelings from Geno, I always think I might be as wrong as you are, or you could be as right as I am. Mike I think that is a good idea to charge a processing fee or whatever kind of fee that is, Carl can we put this blog on utube? can we charge? on second thought charging is why I am broke, although my wife says I am broke because I have been cracking all these years. Didn't get to fly my kite in March, April came in and I was out flying my kite, that thing would dive and dip and flip over, my wife yelled out the window, "you need a little piece of tail" I said "that's what I asked for when you told me to go fly a kite".
Would anybody like to hear my take on things? Jiimmy? I could probably argue you under the table, except Kookie would suggest that I may be shy (or worst).
I have it on good authority that last night's PHS60 dinner meeting at Ryan's drew 19 folks.
That's 5 more than appeared in our most recent photo on the "BREAKING NEWS!" page.
How about a law that prohibits Politicians from engaging in political activity no earlier than 1 year prior to their election both incumbents and challengers. This includes fund raising by both parties and candidates. Elected officials would have to perform their duties sans politics. Do I hear an Amen?
I don't know about you guys but the solicitation calls agravate the hell out of me!
Katie Couric had a special on last night celebrating General Hospital's 50th anniversary for soap lovers. The reason I am posting this is that one of the stars who plays Carly happens to be the daughter of a 61 classmate, Rector Sisk. I love knowing that one of us "Hillbillies" has MADE IT. Congrats to Rector as she is not only talented but also very pretty. Oh, also to Betty Mullin Sisk for raising such a lovely person.
Re: recent discussion of exagerated statistics on gun purchases ie 40% purchased outside registered dealers. Washington Post Gave Obama 3 Pinocos for his use of this stat in his campain for gun control.
He is bringing the victims from Newtown to White House today to campaign for his idealistic (political cause)! I quess the sequester doesn't affect Air Force 1. When does this guy have time to Govern? He is in continual campaign Mode. Oh well he could be making more EPA regs shutting down power plants or blocking the Keystone Pipe Line.
Mike, here's the word-for-word transcript from the Post in their current update on the percentage of firearms purchased from dealers vs from other sources:
"If you look at where gun criminals obtained their guns (as indicated from surveys from people in prison or from arestees detained in jail), people have typically found that 80-90% of that population get their guns in the secondary market." We referenced that data in our earlier column, and gun-control advocates might argue that it bolsters the need for universal background checks. But that is not the statistic used by Obama.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, the president's data were old and from a very small sample size. The direct quote listed above is the latest and most reliable data I could find. All of this is from your source.
90% of the American population supports Universal Background Checks. That includes over 70% of NRA members. Some tweaks are being made to support inter-family transfers and other common sense adjustments. It's just amazing that some people argue that background checks are useless, un-american, and the lot.
I tend to avoid these discussions, but I'll add my 2 cents worth:
1. As JK has demonstrated, finding current, reliable statistics is really easy. Therefore, the President's choice of old, "overblown" statistics is troubling.
2. If 90% or more support enhanced/expanded background checks, the small remainder are inconsequential, and not to be taken seriously. [However, I remain poised to speak in defense of the deranged.]
90% of the American people support background checks? How was that data collected? No one asked me. Does anyone really believe any kind of poll anymore on either side? I've been lied to so long that if they tell me the sky is blue I'm going to go outside to check for myself.
I am a member of the Retired Police Association (my late husband served 20 years on the force in Washington, DC and as a widow this is one of the perks) and, as such, I follow their meetings closely...reading the minutes and trying to stay atune to their various positions on issues of the day. At their last meeting someone asked the following question of the membership in attendance: "How many of you ever arrested someone with a firearm?" Everyone in the room raised their hand. Next question: "Of all those you arrested with a firearm, were any of those guns registered?" NOT ONE HAND WENT UP. We are talking about 50 or more retired officers each with at least 20 years service. You do the math.....thats a lot of arrests. I rest my case Judge your Honor.
Charleston Daily Mail today has article - national association of weiners and sausages? declares WV hot Dog the winner of the March Madness brackets? WV hotdog is chili, slaw, mustard and onions. Horray for WV
Pete here.Thanks Mike for asking.Doing fine on this end of the vally.Having some lower back pain.Other than that everything ok.Really enjoying the monthly get togethers there at Ryans.Good one on one with a real kool bunch.Try to come down sometime.I pray that all that are having health issues are getting along ok.Carl,you are3 the master grand wizard of the 60's bunch.Keep up the good work and the poetry as well.Definately keeps us on our toes.Cookie,give the hell girl.U rock.All is well here in the valley,Have K>C. this past week and take him home tomorrow.He definately keeps this fellow on his A game.Faith Hope and love to all.I imagine that there are a lot of you out there in TIGER LAND that read the blog.Join in the fun and lets us know what is happening in your worlds.
Pete, I too have had significant lower back pain since last fall - thought that I had hurt it working in the yard the end of last year. I saw 2 different physicians took Advil and Tylenol and stronger meds throughout the winter, had a Cat Scan, and also therapeutic massages. Finally broke down and went to a chiropractor a couple of weeks ago -- always thought they might be "quacks". I supposedly have spinal subluxation which was decades in development. The Doc asked if I had ever been in an auto accident or had another injury.
No auto accident, but I do remember throwing a side body block on Tank Thomason (Becky's cousin) in a football game and getting by far the worst of it -- the back pain is in the same area. The Doc said that I would not believe the number of male patients he sees who suffer today, for injuries that might have occurred years ago when "we got up and walked it off". It may have also been trying to master the hula hoop or making a fool of myself trying to twist to Chubby Checker. I am sure some of your pain today relates to your playing football at PHS and more so in your semi-pro and service careers.
Cookie and Carl - don't go out in the rain. Looks like you folks in the Potomac watershed are looking at more taxes as a result of latest EPA ruling!! Rain Tax?????
People in the Martinsburg and Petersburg areas of WV will also be affected. Those farmers now have to fence their creeks to keep the livestock out and must concrete the drinking areas!!
Sell and come back to WV.
Tom and Pete hope your pain goes away, could it be we are getting old?
I'm ready to write a dissertation about what the Maryland Legislature did this session but first I'm going to church and pray for God's guidance not to get on here and say they are all shit-simple left wing ideologues. You can't make this stuff up. I am being taxed for WIND and for WATER.
Pete here,Dr.T,you are so right on the lower back hits.The experience I had in Germany playing ball was like a bunch of convicts playing in the courtyard.Every one trying to kill the others.My problems come on one in a blue moon,but when they do it is hell to pay.The ciro thing is what I'm going to do next.Does it help you?Let me know what you think.Loritab is the only thing I have found for any relief.My Dr. is hesetant to give me any amount at all.Guess he thinks I will take to WVA and sell for profit.Oh well,suffer,suffer.Mike having a lot of rain here in the valley today also.Sure hope they don't start taxing air,and water.Peace,Hope and love my friends.
Pete again,By the way Thomas,I don't believe you were the only one that tank(INflicted pain on)well a fellow hard to block.I remember him well.What ever happened to him?does anyone know?
Pete, it looks like Charles Jackson Thomason "Tank" went to heaven in November, 1999 to serve as a one-man wrecking ball for God. I don't know how I knew this -- perhaps a conversation with Becky at one of our reunions.
Google his full name and you should find a web address with more info about members of the PHS class of 1959. Can't believe they have lost so many classmates.
Pete here,Thanks Thomas for the info on tank.He was a class act for sure.I can still hear him laughing.Never forget his laugh.True there has been a lot of the 1959 class that has parted ways.They were all a good bunch.too many to keep up with over the years.Faith,Hope and love my friend.
Thank you Tom and Pete for remembering Jack (Tank). He has been on my mind since Johathan Winters' passing. Jack could really imitate him and Charley Weaver. What a character!
It would be interesting to know how many of us old folks have bone problems.....well, maybe not. Hey, we are here!!!! Thank God for the aches and pains he gives us which remind us we are still around.
Rain, rain, rain for the next 4 days. Geno, guess you would prefer such over the white stuff.
Kookie, Murph, Sir Carl, et.al., thought you would enjoy the following quote in the Indy paper this morning -- "Giving our state (Federal [I added]) legislators the power to regulate our lives and businesses is like giving a hammer to a toddler. There is no end to the mischief they can cause".
Cookie, they tax Wind? What about belches? We already know they tax gas.
Yes indeed - Wind and Rain Tax! Rain - My house will be survived via satelite for all impervious surfaces such as a roof and any blacktop surfaces. I will be taxed accordingly and the charge will appear on my property tax bill. If you own a business with a large parking lot - time to retire to Florida. They claim this is to clean up the Chesapeake. They refuse to acknowledge the fact that the Amish cows in the Pennsylvania headwaters are causing the problem. Well, a little bit anyway. Wind - $1.50 for the first 1000 kilowatts of electricity I use but rates increase over 1000 - this to fund the windmills that are being built in the Atlantic from Virginia to Maine. That was only 2 of over 40 taxes that were raised in this session. I share this with my classmates not to bore you but to sound the alarm. The guy doing all this is running for president in 2016. To Hell with um! I'm going fishing and hope the game wardens not around. I refuse to buy a license.
Well Carl: Maryland Speaker Busch just announced this morning that he will ask for a TAX CUT in the next session. He who pushed through the gasoline tax increase. Oops. Busch is up for re-election next year! Thats how it rolls baby.
So......how are all the socialists in Montgomery County liking it now?
They tell me that being a Socialist means never having to say you're sorry. [I tell them they can take that tact without all the political angst and machinations. -- I love saying "angst and machinations."]
Cookie, I think I can answer my own question about Maryland, the "Free State."
I think it's proof of Kris Kristofferson's observation back in the 60s: "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose."
"So keep on smiling, cause when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you."
Cookie, what is the name of the unsub? Are you afraid that someone is monitoring your computer inputs and if they see his name mentioned, you will be further penalized?
Carl, you can't believe how many times I have used Kristofferson's line over the years.
You think your legislature is out of control? Indy's new governor proposed a 10% tax cut since our state has a surplus -- the ladies and gentlmen may approve a 2-3% decrease.
A bill mandating that all school personnel including teachers carry fire arms got further than you can believe in the session. They backed off for the time being because they didn't know how the training could be orchestrated in such a short time.
1. Webmaster: I'm wearing our my American Heritage Dictionary "High School Edition." Knock it off with the big words.
2. Mr. President: Heck no! If you are referring to our governor, its Martin O'Malley, our guitar playing, tax and spend leader with great aspirations. He thinks he is John F. Kennedy. "I knew John Kennedy and he is no John Kennedy"......cause I got his autograph May, 1960 at the Memorial Building with Miss Gentry's journalism class trip. He had the bluest eyes I've ever seen and was more handsome than any photo ever showed. No wonder he had a whole bunch of interested parties. When he looked at you all you wanted to say was "O.K."
West Virginia Farm Bureau News April 2013 edition has article on Mercer Co. Agriculture Museum. Located in former railway express building in Princeton. American Block is listed as one of the founders, they sponsered our little league team from the Glenwood area and my brother Mason and I did some contract work for them.
I am Farm bureau member because you get $80 discount from Nationwide insurance if member, cost is $35.
Being reared on a small farm 32ac was a great experience and taught me that I didn't want to be a farmer, to hard work and to little reward. I admire Buddy Belcher for being a happy and I hope prosperous Farmer. If you have a chance ask Buddy about his dad Calvin's run in with Joe Thorn at a little league game. By the way I thought Rod was a better Baseball player than Basketball?
Thanks Murph . . . especially re the Nationwide Insurance/Farm Bureau arrangment. I've been waiting for just the right moment to ask if you could loan me $45.
Over 4 inches of rain past 24 hours and over 5 inches past three days. Schools, businesses, city offices closed because of flooding. Travel warning in county which restricts all non-emergency vehicles. I have never known of such because of rain. Shades of Stumpy Bottom.
Alright then! You non-respondents asked for it. And you deserve what you get.
Recent talk of gun control legislation and Washington politics in general got me to thinking. So here's another song lyric for all you music lovers.
Angst and Machinations
(sung to the tune of "Fascination")
["It was fascination . . . I know"]
Angst and machinations I know
Follow me around from the ground to the sky
Causing quite a scene,
Awake or in a dream,
Pushing my blood pressure, a measure too high ... My!
Angst and machinations I fear
Find in politicians more "visions" and laws.
Congress up in arms,
Lacking any charms
Only legal fancies ‘tween Nancys1 and Pauls2 ... Balls!
What am I to do . . . to make it through
When the word from DC decrees tightened fists?
Congress knows but wrecks;
Give more background checks,
Add a healthy twist, give us psychiatrists ... too.
While it seems it’s each ... for ... himself
In our self-reliance there’s science and art.
With a modest plan
Each can take a stand
And ensure a fresh start without broken heart ... Argh
With good mental health and clear mind,
I can chart a course and perforce save a few
with BR-15,
full-clip magazine,
I’m a strong defendant of Amendment 2 ... Shoo!
Things aren’t all that bad, so it seems
I’ll rely on pluck and some luck from above.
With my crystal ball
And my arsenal
Angst and machinations turned to love.
[adagio]Angst and machinations turned to love.
1(Pelosi, et. al.) and 2(Rand, Ryan, et. al.)
Take that!!!
for you readers out there, here are excerpts from a Washington Post review of a book titled "Crapalachia."
"...“Crapalachia” is the genuine article: intelligent, atmospheric, raucously funny and utterly wrenching. McClanahan joins Daniel Woodrell and Tom Franklin as a master chronicler of backwoods rural America.
"His setting is the hollows of West Virginia, places of moonshine and dilapidated churches. Flyspeck towns called Rainelle, Danese and Backus Mountain had known a breaking-even prosperity until the mines started closing. “It was all gone now,” we’re told. “There were only mountains and a twisty-turny road with chug holes so deep you could bury your baby inside of them.”
"McClanahan’s stories, which read like a hybrid of fact and fantasy, are full of characters like Six Toed Russell (“Russell was always good at math”); foreign-exchange student Tiertha Timsina, “who arrived in Crapalachia knowing only two words of English”; and the author’s friend Lee Brown, who once drove to Lewisburg so he could “sit in a trust-fund hippie restaurant and order a 15 dollar hamburger (raised without steroids or preservatives).” And everybody has a favorite story to tell, whether it be about the Greenbrier Ghost or the folklore of Sewell Mountain (“He told us about Stephen Sewell living in a tree, and running from the Shawnee through the rhododendron bushes before they finally caught and killed him in the woods”).
" The heart of these stories, however, is McClanahan’s relationship with Uncle Nathan, with his “eyes as blue as Christmas tree lights,” and saucy, melodramatic Grandmother Ruby, who’s constantly imagining her approaching demise: “She told me that it wasn’t a man or a woman, but it was the angel of death all right. She said that the angel was smiling at her. The angel had black teeth and I believed her.” The antics of these two characters and the author’s uncomplicated love for them makes their deaths in the course of these stories all the more piercing.
"McClanahan chooses his material and shifts his registers like a master musician. .”
The Maryland Department of Environment recently visited our local landfill for a site visit and to discuss with local officials the county plan for reducing the landfill by 80% within the next 7 years. Hum! Isn't that what a landfill is for--dumping? While there their attention was suddenly diverted to the seagulls--one too many dive bombs I suppose. They advised that the seagulls were creating an environmental hazard due to the amount of poop they were depositing on the property and evidently on the visiting delegation. Upshot! We now need plan for the reduction of seagull poop at the landfill. A number of creative ideas have emerged. Any ideas? So, can we now come to come consensus that the inmates are definitely in charge now.
You can't make this ---- up!
P.S. Three hot dogs over the weekend....2 on Cumberland Road and 1 in Princeton. Heaven! Nice being around sane people.
Cookie, for quite some time now I've listened with great concern to your ongoing difficulties with MD politicians, US politicians, MD gov't agencies, US gov't agencies, medical offices, rodents, water runoff taxes, . . . (forgive me for forgotting some) and now "landfill curbs and dirty birds" - lyrics to follow in later posting - hoping against hope that you'd prevail. Then, you asked for ideas for the seagull problem. That set me to pondering.
Back in "the day," you'd simply invite all the good ole boys with their weapons, shotguns mostly, and blast them avian agitations to kingdom come. But, of course, we were quite primitive and insensitive then. So I concede the weakness of that idea. So ponder on, I did.
Then, it came to me in an inspirational instant. Voila! Eureka! Holy Moly! Great Googamooga! Now my plan may require a bit of nuance, there being so many social and legal prohibitions against killing birds and other critters, but it's simple, inexpensive, will disturb neither neighbor nor environmentalist, and can be applied at your convenience. (What's not to like, huh?)
The solution, my dear, is arsenic. Yep, arsenic. (About a rounded teaspoon in your morning coffee oughta do it.)
Otherwise, you'll probably just have to surrender to powers much greater than logic and the collective will . . . like the rest of us poor souls.
Dear Webmaster: If you think for one minute that your aforementioned list of my rants will drive me to drink arsenic you have another thought coming. I didn't grow up on Brush Creek for naught! They haven't defeated me yet!
As for taking to grandpa's shot gun--have you heard of PETA! They are my next rant! With a smile on my face, a giggle in my gut and a wiggle somewhere I'm dragging all of them to hell with me.
Cheers! Gotta go sweep up the earwigs that have invaded my house.
Glad I am not overseas with the PC amatures in intellegence?, Justice and Administration. What a bunch of Jerk Offs!
Who was the FBI agent that interviewed the older brother? Why didn't he/she come forward about photos before they had to go public. Probably embarrased at bungling?
Only thing worse than international relations/security is domestic policy. Wounderful that taxpayers supported the terrorists on welfare for 10+ Years. $17T in debt!
Radical Islamic Jihad is prevelant in US and abroad. Their goal is to establish an Islamic calafate that you join or die. They are waiting for the Madi to come out of the well to initiate their belief in armagedon!
We need to wise up fast and remember they are at war with us (infidels) and protect our country with whatever it takes.
Murph, ole George flirted with death for years. We're lucky to have had him this long, and his legacy is secure for as long as the history of American music is recorded. RIP indeed.
I'm back again with another Gallup Healthways survey. The company interviewed 350,000 people between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. They surveyed stress levels. West Virginia had the highest stress level in the nation followed by Rhode Island, Kentucky Utah and Massachusetts. The five most mellow states were Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Iowa and Wyoming. Stress wasn't defined.
I have been away with a health problem.I have atrial fibrillation. The problem is under control . Do I feel stress. No. I'm enjoying spring.
Fred good to hear you are back and the ticker is running on time.
Stay well!
Read an article some time ago that said workplace stress was not all bad. The key was to match your coping (stress) level with the stress level of the job, some people actually strive on stress?
Oh my, Geno is now in a fishbowl that could eat him alive. It really is too bad he wasn't chosen sooner in the draft but the linemen were chosen first.
Fred, I am so glad you are better. Another case of a tough old bird!
So, who's putting in a garden?? Just checking in case I live closeby.
Happy Birthday to our classmates born in May. Each one of you can look foreward to spring and summer with the many activities in whick people can participate. This is time for cookouts, gardening, trips to the beach, marathons, baseball games, Whitewater Rafting on the New River and Bridge Day.
Cincinnati on this cinco de Mai is holding its annual Flying Pig Marathon.
I'm happy to announce that I just heard fromWayne Alviswho is celebrating a birthday today.I'm not only pleased by this, but ever hopeful that at this highly enhanced level of engagement, ole Wayne might make it a class reunion one of these days. Trivia question: what do Wayne & I have in common? [Hint: like many of us, it has to do with kinship.]
Hi Carl and other classmates. I had a thought about people that I know from other classes. I know several from '58 '59' 61. Do these classes have E-Mail addresses and blogs similar to this one? If there are similar blogs, can we access them?
I will be going to Blacksburg for a family meeting on May 21. If any of you are familiar with Price Fork Road, the people after whom the road was named came from the Rheinland Pfalz area of Germany in 1738 and built a fort for protection. They were named Preisch and later changed their name to Price. Fred Lucas
Thanks for the information about the class of '59. I thought that I would stay up to date regarding my three year old friend Grady. Two weeks ago I asked him how his dog Eli was doing. He pooped on the basement floor was his reply. Last week when I asked about Eli, I was told that he pooped in the yard. I'll be happy when he sees his dog doing other things.
His grandmother got into trouble with the boy's mom. Grandma Jackie would feed Grady suckers, cookies, cake and pop. Grandfather John disapproved of the sweets but Jackie didn't listen. The mother stopped all sweets because Grady wasn't eating his supper. There is an old saying, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Grandma Jackie learned her lesson.
I saw the cardiologist today. My EKG is normal. As a precaution, I will continue to take the medicine. Fred Lucas
Fred, we several days in Blacksburg in April. The spring flowers and trees were beautiful. Hope you have a great visit. We are very familiar with Price Forks and Price Road.
Carol - haven't heard from you in sometime. Are you under investigation and sequester for your "Patriotic beliefs" and your 501C afillations, heaven forbid that you are with the Conservative T Party. The IRS is watching (persecuting) you??
Also Jeff Shumaker had on a "Patriot" shirt at our mini last fall. Any reprecusions?
Hope liberals are happy with the Obama & the IRS, who is to add 1900 additional agents to oversee Obama Care. Seems like Libs got a "cool" Nixon (Obama) with his hit squads and cover up artists!!
Carl- we rednecks seem to be safe for the moment, since Obama is in Austin Texas??
Today is Mothers Day. I would like to wish all of the moms and grandmothers a very happy Mothers Day. Your children and grandchildren are successful and are doing well thanks to you ladies. Your men have helped but so much of child development is your responsibility. May you have many more wonderful years with your children and grandchildren. May your husbands share in that joy. Fred Lucas
Don't forget that the 2005 and 2010 Reunion Books contain home addresses, email addresses, and TNs. And both books are fraught with photos of really good looking people. Young too.
Speaking of good looking young folk, I just visited our "Senior pics & prose" webpage to discover that Myron "the Reunion Master" Anderson belonged to the "54's." Who/what were they?
Still looking for help. I know that the "54's" weren't Toody & Muldoon from "Car 54, Where Are You," because they didn't appear until 1961. Come on folks; my curiosity is killing me. Who were the "54's" that Myron was affiliated with in high school?
Pete here,Carl the quick witted one.You covered that better than the Pres could.I know you didn't have a teleprompter with you.The 54 thingy with M.A. has got my curosity up too.Never heard of it myself.Oh well maybee Myron will face up someday.Having some other health issues that will hopefully will be taken care of the 23rd.Lost cartledge in 3-4-5-disc.Pinching nerves badly in both legs,and lower back.Hope to get it over with quickly.Stay safe my friends.Faith hope and love to all.
Pete, here's hoping that your medical treatment goes well and that you're soon back in the saddle. Thanks for the undeserved compliment about my being quick witted; however, the lengthy non-explanation was not mine -- as far as I can recall. Just goes to show the risk of being "anonynous" under one name or another.
Thanks my classmates for keeping the Blog alive. And thanks to any who inform me on what the "54's" were. [I would normally just go right to the source, but Myron stopped taking my calls several years ago. Seems that he's even smarter than I remembered.]
Click on the "BREAKING NEWS!" tab above to see a lovely photo of Dec. attendees at the Ryan's dinner meeting. THEN, click the photo to enlarge it. (Thanks Terry & Kaye)
My sympathy to Sylvia & Terry.
My heart still soars at that thought.
Nonfiction: The Adventure of English: The Biography of a Language- Melvyn Bragg
This is the remarkable story of the English language; from its beginnings as a minor guttural Germanic dialect to its position today as a truly established global language. The Adventure of English is not only an enthralling story of power, religion, and trade, but also the story of people, and how their lives continue to change the extraordinary language that is English.
[I think that may be Hindi for Ferrante & Teicher.]
Jim George - March 31
Becki Smith Canterberry - April 7
Carol Wyrick Martin - April 12
Darla Winfrey Pitzer - April 15
Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2013/03/26/universal-gun-background-checks-shine-spotlight-on-gun-stores/#ixzz2PB5TEgQE
sellmy guns. Next it will be the same if I want to give them to my kids. And the national data base will never be used to track you? Mabey not but I don't trust the politicans who will say anything to forward their agenda.Ode To Satchmo (sung to the tune of "What A Wonderful World")
I hear pink tongue of lib . . ., hot neck of red.
They’re two strong voices some people dread,
But I say to myself, what a colorful world.
I feel passions a’flow, values a’soar,
Get in my face, you’ll get what for.
And I think to myself, what a undulant world.
Chorus:
The colors of the culture, so red and so blue,
Like rival turkey vultures, they pounce as on cue.
I see friends taking stands, each with strong point-of-view,
They’re really saying, "What’s up with you?"
Side A tunes in Fox News; B, NPR.
Clustered near Princeton, or planted afar,
I think to myself, what a free-movement world.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, voices ring out,
Each side not sure what the other’s about.
And I think to myself, what a curious world.
Chorus:
The colors of the culture, so red and so blue,
Like rival turkey vultures, they pounce as on cue.
I see friends taking stands, most with strong point-of-view,
They’re really saying, "What’s up with you?"
Of course Carl chimes in, more silly rhyme,
Typically stupid, time after time,
And I say to myself, what a forgiving world.
Others watch on the sly, smiling or frowned,
This is our forum, our great playground
And I say to myself, what a grand peep-show world.
Chorus:
The colors of our culture, so blue and so red.
A coat of many colors plus our daily bread.
I hear sweet liberty, freedom of speech,
People of character, right within reach.
I remark to them all, you’re quite a bunch.
Some clearly brilliant; some out to lunch. (: }
And I say to myself, what a wonderful world. . . .
Yes . . ., I say to myself, what a wonderful world.
Oh yeah . . . !
That's 5 more than appeared in our most recent photo on the "BREAKING NEWS!" page.
I love saying "angst and machinations."]
I think it's proof of Kris Kristofferson's observation back in the 60s: "Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose."
Alright then! You non-respondents asked for it. And you deserve what you get.
Recent talk of gun control legislation and Washington politics in general got me to thinking. So here's another song lyric for all you music lovers.
Angst and Machinations
(sung to the tune of "Fascination")
["It was fascination . . . I know"]
Angst and machinations I know
Follow me around from the ground to the sky
Causing quite a scene,
Awake or in a dream,
Pushing my blood pressure, a measure too high ... My!
Angst and machinations I fear
Find in politicians more "visions" and laws.
Congress up in arms,
Lacking any charms
Only legal fancies ‘tween Nancys1 and Pauls2 ... Balls!
What am I to do . . . to make it through
When the word from DC decrees tightened fists?
Congress knows but wrecks;
Give more background checks,
Add a healthy twist, give us psychiatrists ... too.
While it seems it’s each ... for ... himself
In our self-reliance there’s science and art.
With a modest plan
Each can take a stand
And ensure a fresh start without broken heart ... Argh
With good mental health and clear mind,
I can chart a course and perforce save a few
with BR-15,
full-clip magazine,
I’m a strong defendant of Amendment 2 ... Shoo!
Things aren’t all that bad, so it seems
I’ll rely on pluck and some luck from above.
With my crystal ball
And my arsenal
Angst and machinations turned to love.
[adagio] Angst and machinations turned to love.
1(Pelosi, et. al.) and 2(Rand, Ryan, et. al.)
Take that!!!
Michael Farley - April 29
Gene Fields - May 1
Wayne Alvis - May 7
Doug Neal - May 18
Alice Sue Worrell White - May 25
Sonja Saunders White - May 31
Trivia question: what do Wayne & I have in common?
[Hint: like many of us, it has to do with kinship.]