Where do I start on this? It is difficult. I wanted to go to college. But truthfuly I was not mature enough. I started at Columbia State Commuity College in the fall of 1966. I went to classes but I never studied because I did not have to in high school. Mom and I did not have much money for me to go to school, guess I was too lazy to work my way through. Looking back I don't know what happened. Anyway after one quarter I dropped out of school and went to work for Union Carbide in Columbia in the shipping dept on a swing shift driving back and forth to Lawrenceburg. Here I was set to spend my life in a plant atmosphere driving a forklift. The one fate that I did not want. I had already worked one summer at Murray Ohio Mfg. plant drilling holes in the seat post of bicycles. Wow, took a lot of brains to do something that repetitive.
That was to be taken care of very soon. Uncle Sam himself.
It had just turned 1967 and I was working at Union Carbide and driving back and forth and not doing much for anyone even myself. Didn't date, went to the drag races a few times but all in all did nothing with my spare time. Then in early 1968 I got my greetings letter from Uncle Sam. I was to report in April to the induction station in Nashville. My goofing off time had come to an end. All in all I think back and that must have been the force I was waiting for.
All of a sudden the things I really cared about came to mind. What was I going to do? How could I leave my mother, I know she needed me but not in the way I had been. I was worthless. Then my thoughts turned to the future and what it held. I knew that I wanted Peggy in it somehow.
I knew she was dating Bill Moore. I am not really a jealous person but this is one guy that I was jealous of. Not sure why, he seemed so sure of himself and he was older than us. But regardless I called Peggy and asked for a date. We went to dinner in Florence, Al. I had it all planned out but to this day I can't remember the exact way things happened. I had wanted to marry Peggy my entire life even from elementary school. But leaving so soon for the Army I had no right to ask her to marry me so soon. So I asked her if she would wait for me, be my one and only and write me while I was in the Army. To my utter disbelief she agreed. It was at that point I think I realized that she cared for me. Up until then I was unsure. But I still had an uneasyness about Bill. This was due to my own lack of self confidence and inmaturity. I felt like I had the world by the tail and was flying high. You may ask what happend to me and Peggy. I will cover that later as one of the biggest mistakes of my life. But that fateful day was still to come when I had to report to the Army. April 16th, 1968 will live in my mind forever.
I rode the Greyhound to Nashville (first time ever) and reported to the induction center which was upstairs in the Arcade (between 5th and 4th Ave in Nashville). There was 16 or so of us. One incident I will never forget. We were lined up in a row and told to drop them and then bend over, it was the proverbial prostate exam. But that was not what I remember it was what happened next. One Seargent went down the line taping us on the shoulder alternating between Army and Marines. Yes during that time they drafted into the marines. Luckily I got the Army, if I had gotten the marines I probably wouldn't be here today. I thank God for giving me life. I had never been a strong Christian but I became one that day.
Something happened to me the 2nd day in the Army that I will nver forget or regret. Once you are in the Army they send you through 2 days of tests to determine where you should serve the Army. After all of this testing they came to me and said Pvt Nix you have done so well on the exams that you can become a Warrant Oficer. Dumfounded I said what is that? They explained, a helicopter pilot. What was I to do, chopper pilots were one of the most dangerous jobs in Vietnam. But that could make me some money once I got out. I said ok, lets do it. They said then you will have to reenlist for another year. Ok I did that. I was discharged from my original induction. I had to go over it entirely again this time my enlistment was dated April 21, 1968. The next item really blew me up. they said then you will have to go through a new battery of physicals tomorrow. I was not worried I was healthy as a horse. I reported back after the physicals, the first thing they said is why did not you tell us that you were color blind. I said I'm not I just never learned my colors. They said "no" you are blue green color blind and bad at that. Sorry but you can't be a chopper pilot. I said ok I'll serve my 2 years and go home. They said no you dont understand you have already signed up for the extra year. We will give you a lot of choices for schooling but you will have to serve the extra year. Have you ever been given 15 miutes to decide what you want as a career. Well I was. They started reading down the list and got to Radiologic Technologist. I asked is that like a x-ray tech in a hospital. Sure is was their response. Back home we lived across the street from the emergency room of the hospital and I knew the x-ray tech drove a new car every year. Also I knew that in a hospital I may not be in harms way. Little did I know that you had to become a combat medic prior to becoming an x-ray tech. Anyway I agreed to sign up for that school.
The next thing was basic training and the trials and tribulations of making it through basic training. Basic was tough but it also was fun. We had a Black D.I. that must have been 7 feet tall and could run circles around all of us. This time forced me to grow up quickly. I was still only 20 years old and had thought I knew it all.
Little did I know. Something happened somewhere in here that I have tried to forget and almost sucessfully had that is until recently. Either I got a letter or I witnessed this myself while on leave after basic. I think I got a letter with someone telling me that they saw Peggy out with Bill. I lost it and was devestated. I had no idea what to do but I knew that I wasn't going to be cheated on. Without giving Peggy an opportunity to explain I went off and wrote her a letter braking it off with us. My worst mistake, she had been with Bill to tell him she was breaking it off with him and going to wait for me. I never found this out until rcently. Makes me realize how impetious I was during that time. Wonder how many times in my life I have been the same way? Peggy has had a good life I am thankful for. She will always have a special place in my heart.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The High School Years
My high school years were mostly normal. Since I graduated from H.S. in 1966, most teenagers in America were involved in marijuana and other drugs. We did not have that.
We were a small sleepy southern town and the big thing for us was the football games on Friday nights or the drag races on Sunday afternoon and other normal activities. Drinking beer was the big deal for many of my friends but for some reason I never got into that until I went into the service.
I'll always remember the first day in high school and I was very careful not to wear green. I had heard horror stories of upperclassmen taking off the pants of any freshman wearing green of any type. This turned out to be untrue and I never heard of that happening to anyone in our class.
I had a friend that I had developed several years before H.S. His name was Larry R. Larry has died in the last year. We met when I went out for Little League baseball. Things are different now than they were then. At that time, you had to be good enough to get on a team and if not you were cut and could not play. I have no idea why I went out for Little League. I did not even have a glove, so I had to buy a glove to even try out. As you can expect having never even played catch with anyone. I went the first cut and was devastated. As I began to walk home that day Larry called me and said "hey, wait up". We had never even talked before that day. He walked with me as far as his house. I lived about twice as far as him from the park. He explained how he understood my feelings. We became life long friends on that day except until the later years went we grew apart. If I have ever loved a male friend it was him. Larry was killing himself with alcohol and cigarettes and it bothered me to see that with him. He and I had been so close. Larry had gone to local Catholic Elementary School but would have also gone to West Highland if not for that. Many of my stories may have Larry R. in them. Many of you will know who I am talking about. Larry, like me, had many demons and could not get around them, although he would say that I was wrong on that point. I will never forget him for befriending me when I was low. In later years in Vietnam he was a infantryman and was a point man on patrols in the jungle. I know it bothered him a lot but he never wanted to talk about it. Larry, old man, I miss you.
When I turned 15, I got a job with Mr. Taylor at the local A&P. The following fall in high school I entered what they called D.E. (distributive education). I went to school until 11 A.M. then I would leave school and go to work until the A&P closed. I did this to help out with the finances at home. I missed much of the high school activities because of this especially since I did it my Junior and Senior years in high school.
I pestered my mom that I needed some transportation to get to work since we did not have a car. The local Western Auto had a beautiful Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon scooter that I had seen in the store and wanted. Mom came through and bought it for me. I still regret the financial difficulties I caused her. But I also wonder if my life would have changed if I was at school the entire day for both of my last 2 years. Here again I felt like I missed so much in life. Well, Larry R. and I became one on that scooter. I will never forget the day we left school and was coming up Pulaski St, we had to go over the railroad tracks before reaching the square. Well, it rained hard all day but had now stopped, I hit the brakes and they grabbed and the scooter went down which meant that Larry and I both also went down. I slid on my butt all the way up to the curb of the square. Larry did not go quite so far I guess because as he always told me, he saw it coming. I drove that scooter to fast and have always loved speed. Thank God neither of us was hurt but the scooter was scratched up pretty bad.
I met Danny while we both worked at the A&P. I would later be in Danny's and Linda's wedding. I did not know we were that close but that told me all I needed to know, he liked me. We are still friends today constantly exchanging emails. I think a lot of Danny and Linda.
The whole time in high school I kept tabs on Peggy as I really liked her but I never approached her. There in comes one of my stupidest stunts. We had a hang out called the Redwood Inn. I was up there one Sunday night and a kid that I cant recall his name approached me and shoved his hand out and showed me a wedding band saying he had gotten married. I knew he was pulling my leg but this lead to our cooking up a scheme that I would wear the ring to school the next day and not show it or anything but just go around as usual. He would come to school later and tell the story that I had a shotgun wedding with some girl from Lynnville which was several towns away to our east. I walked around as if I had lost my best friend. Now here is my stupid point. I did this to get Peggy's attention. I still ask myself how stupid could I have been. Well, it got around pretty quick if you know what I mean. You know how rumors in high school would get around quick. I could see groups look at me and start whispering. Things progressed for 2 days but on the 3rd day, Mr. Few called me to his office. He asked me if it was true and I said no it was just a joke. He told me that it ended when I left his office. I had to somehow get word around that it was a joke. I started the truth and it started getting out. I even came to school the next morning in Mr. Hudson's home room there was a knock on the door and as he opened his door a long line of girls started coming in. They came over to my desk and had an informal wedding party for me with gifts and cards. They had gotten in the last laugh on me. Boy was I embarrassed. I have brought up the subject and guess what as bad as it was no one remembers it. The bad part was that day when I got home my mother asked me about it. Telling her it was a joke was not fun. And I did this to get a girl's attention. What was wrong with me?
The Redwood Inn was also home to one of my biggest mistakes. I have told no one this until this day. My friend, Anne, was there and we began to talk. She did not have her drivers licence and I said come on I'll teach you. We went out aways from there and I stopped my car and let her get behind the wheel. She started out doing good but we needed to turn a corner. Remember I loved speed. She started to slow down what I thought was too much and I said speed up. Worst thing I could have done. She split the corner exactly and centered my car on a tree. It was a big bill since I had already had a recent wreck myself. But my insurance did not cover other drivers so I could not tell the truth. Sorry Mom for having to lie to you.
The biggest happening while I was in high school was the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy. Can never forget exactly where I was when I heard about it. I was in German 201 with Crazy Jack Phillips as my teacher. The class had just started when Principal Few came over the intercom and told us that the President had been shot and was not expected to live. Today I respect what Crazy Jack did very much. He had a record player and he got all of his Patriotic music out and played it the rest of the class. No one spoke we just listened to patriotic music. We were in the basement and some of us kept looking out of the windows (for what I don't know).
One of the biggest thing for all of us guys was playing pool at the Depot Street pool hall. I still remember their hot dogs as the best ones I have ever had. It cost a dine to pay a game of 9 ball but we usually bet upwards of a dollar on the game but usually a quarter. So many guys here it is hard to remember all of them. Then somewhere along the line Mr. Brown opened another pool hall. Guess what it was called Brownie's. Many days were spent in these pool halls when we were supposed to be in school. Cutting school to play pool was no big deal unless your parents found out about it. Mine never did thank God.
The highlight of my week though was going to the drag races with my Brother-in-Law on Sunday afternoons in Ethridge, TN. My brother in-law built a lot of the engines that guys used in their cars. I was so engrossed in the cars and how they ran. I'll never forget that I got to wipe Ronnie's wheels down on his school bus yellow '62 Chevy. It was a 409 and was hot for the times. Once in while we had cars come in from Nashville, Huntsville and other surrounding areas. They were the especially fun days. My love for cars today stems from those days.
Well, it was time for the Senior Prom, what was I going to do? I could not dance but I very much wanted to ask Peggy to the Prom. Somehow I got up the nerve and asked her. She said yes. Boy was I thrilled. I did not think I had a chance in the world with her. I always thought she was too good for me. I asked Nina to give me some dance lessons. I still remember her laughing and saying nobody watches you anyway what does it matter. It mattered to me since I was going to be with Peggy. She showed me how to slow dance and how to hold a girl. I didn't even know that. She showed me how to twist and to bop. Unbeknownst to me Peggy had never been to a dance either since she was a Church of Christ girl. Later I found out she was as nervous as me. All in all we had a great time and went to breakfast at 2 or 3 AM. This only made my fantasy about Peggy grow.
High school graduation only lead me to some of the most mixed up times of my life.
We were a small sleepy southern town and the big thing for us was the football games on Friday nights or the drag races on Sunday afternoon and other normal activities. Drinking beer was the big deal for many of my friends but for some reason I never got into that until I went into the service.
I'll always remember the first day in high school and I was very careful not to wear green. I had heard horror stories of upperclassmen taking off the pants of any freshman wearing green of any type. This turned out to be untrue and I never heard of that happening to anyone in our class.
I had a friend that I had developed several years before H.S. His name was Larry R. Larry has died in the last year. We met when I went out for Little League baseball. Things are different now than they were then. At that time, you had to be good enough to get on a team and if not you were cut and could not play. I have no idea why I went out for Little League. I did not even have a glove, so I had to buy a glove to even try out. As you can expect having never even played catch with anyone. I went the first cut and was devastated. As I began to walk home that day Larry called me and said "hey, wait up". We had never even talked before that day. He walked with me as far as his house. I lived about twice as far as him from the park. He explained how he understood my feelings. We became life long friends on that day except until the later years went we grew apart. If I have ever loved a male friend it was him. Larry was killing himself with alcohol and cigarettes and it bothered me to see that with him. He and I had been so close. Larry had gone to local Catholic Elementary School but would have also gone to West Highland if not for that. Many of my stories may have Larry R. in them. Many of you will know who I am talking about. Larry, like me, had many demons and could not get around them, although he would say that I was wrong on that point. I will never forget him for befriending me when I was low. In later years in Vietnam he was a infantryman and was a point man on patrols in the jungle. I know it bothered him a lot but he never wanted to talk about it. Larry, old man, I miss you.
When I turned 15, I got a job with Mr. Taylor at the local A&P. The following fall in high school I entered what they called D.E. (distributive education). I went to school until 11 A.M. then I would leave school and go to work until the A&P closed. I did this to help out with the finances at home. I missed much of the high school activities because of this especially since I did it my Junior and Senior years in high school.
I pestered my mom that I needed some transportation to get to work since we did not have a car. The local Western Auto had a beautiful Mitsubishi Silver Pigeon scooter that I had seen in the store and wanted. Mom came through and bought it for me. I still regret the financial difficulties I caused her. But I also wonder if my life would have changed if I was at school the entire day for both of my last 2 years. Here again I felt like I missed so much in life. Well, Larry R. and I became one on that scooter. I will never forget the day we left school and was coming up Pulaski St, we had to go over the railroad tracks before reaching the square. Well, it rained hard all day but had now stopped, I hit the brakes and they grabbed and the scooter went down which meant that Larry and I both also went down. I slid on my butt all the way up to the curb of the square. Larry did not go quite so far I guess because as he always told me, he saw it coming. I drove that scooter to fast and have always loved speed. Thank God neither of us was hurt but the scooter was scratched up pretty bad.
I met Danny while we both worked at the A&P. I would later be in Danny's and Linda's wedding. I did not know we were that close but that told me all I needed to know, he liked me. We are still friends today constantly exchanging emails. I think a lot of Danny and Linda.
The whole time in high school I kept tabs on Peggy as I really liked her but I never approached her. There in comes one of my stupidest stunts. We had a hang out called the Redwood Inn. I was up there one Sunday night and a kid that I cant recall his name approached me and shoved his hand out and showed me a wedding band saying he had gotten married. I knew he was pulling my leg but this lead to our cooking up a scheme that I would wear the ring to school the next day and not show it or anything but just go around as usual. He would come to school later and tell the story that I had a shotgun wedding with some girl from Lynnville which was several towns away to our east. I walked around as if I had lost my best friend. Now here is my stupid point. I did this to get Peggy's attention. I still ask myself how stupid could I have been. Well, it got around pretty quick if you know what I mean. You know how rumors in high school would get around quick. I could see groups look at me and start whispering. Things progressed for 2 days but on the 3rd day, Mr. Few called me to his office. He asked me if it was true and I said no it was just a joke. He told me that it ended when I left his office. I had to somehow get word around that it was a joke. I started the truth and it started getting out. I even came to school the next morning in Mr. Hudson's home room there was a knock on the door and as he opened his door a long line of girls started coming in. They came over to my desk and had an informal wedding party for me with gifts and cards. They had gotten in the last laugh on me. Boy was I embarrassed. I have brought up the subject and guess what as bad as it was no one remembers it. The bad part was that day when I got home my mother asked me about it. Telling her it was a joke was not fun. And I did this to get a girl's attention. What was wrong with me?
The Redwood Inn was also home to one of my biggest mistakes. I have told no one this until this day. My friend, Anne, was there and we began to talk. She did not have her drivers licence and I said come on I'll teach you. We went out aways from there and I stopped my car and let her get behind the wheel. She started out doing good but we needed to turn a corner. Remember I loved speed. She started to slow down what I thought was too much and I said speed up. Worst thing I could have done. She split the corner exactly and centered my car on a tree. It was a big bill since I had already had a recent wreck myself. But my insurance did not cover other drivers so I could not tell the truth. Sorry Mom for having to lie to you.
The biggest happening while I was in high school was the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy. Can never forget exactly where I was when I heard about it. I was in German 201 with Crazy Jack Phillips as my teacher. The class had just started when Principal Few came over the intercom and told us that the President had been shot and was not expected to live. Today I respect what Crazy Jack did very much. He had a record player and he got all of his Patriotic music out and played it the rest of the class. No one spoke we just listened to patriotic music. We were in the basement and some of us kept looking out of the windows (for what I don't know).
One of the biggest thing for all of us guys was playing pool at the Depot Street pool hall. I still remember their hot dogs as the best ones I have ever had. It cost a dine to pay a game of 9 ball but we usually bet upwards of a dollar on the game but usually a quarter. So many guys here it is hard to remember all of them. Then somewhere along the line Mr. Brown opened another pool hall. Guess what it was called Brownie's. Many days were spent in these pool halls when we were supposed to be in school. Cutting school to play pool was no big deal unless your parents found out about it. Mine never did thank God.
The highlight of my week though was going to the drag races with my Brother-in-Law on Sunday afternoons in Ethridge, TN. My brother in-law built a lot of the engines that guys used in their cars. I was so engrossed in the cars and how they ran. I'll never forget that I got to wipe Ronnie's wheels down on his school bus yellow '62 Chevy. It was a 409 and was hot for the times. Once in while we had cars come in from Nashville, Huntsville and other surrounding areas. They were the especially fun days. My love for cars today stems from those days.
Well, it was time for the Senior Prom, what was I going to do? I could not dance but I very much wanted to ask Peggy to the Prom. Somehow I got up the nerve and asked her. She said yes. Boy was I thrilled. I did not think I had a chance in the world with her. I always thought she was too good for me. I asked Nina to give me some dance lessons. I still remember her laughing and saying nobody watches you anyway what does it matter. It mattered to me since I was going to be with Peggy. She showed me how to slow dance and how to hold a girl. I didn't even know that. She showed me how to twist and to bop. Unbeknownst to me Peggy had never been to a dance either since she was a Church of Christ girl. Later I found out she was as nervous as me. All in all we had a great time and went to breakfast at 2 or 3 AM. This only made my fantasy about Peggy grow.
High school graduation only lead me to some of the most mixed up times of my life.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Groh Street
From here we moved to Groh Street. It was here that my mother surprised me the most in my life. I do not remember the details but she came home one day and told me that she had gotten married to a man who I'll call Bill. From that moment I hated him. I was wrong and it took me many years to realize that. I thought Mom had done it so I would have a male influence. In reality I now think she needed companionship as much as anything. I did not realize this until it was too late. He worked for Murray Ohio Mfg Co. where they laid most men off in the winter. I would come home and see him laid back in his recliner and I knew my mother was working her fingers off and he was doing nothing. This really bothered me and I resented him. .
One of my happiest moments happened while living here. We heated our house with a wood stove and it was my chore to bring in the wood for the stove. I had to carry it quite a distance to the back porch. Well Christmas came and I got a wodden wagon that had sideboards and I would load it up with wood and take it to the back porch.
My future boss and employer lived just down the street from us. He was Mr. Taylor and managed the A&P store. He had a son, Dennis, that was an all around pest. Dennis was a year older than me and he always wanted to fight me. We did fight one day and he whipped my ass. I never liked him after that.
From Groh St. we moved to Weakley Creek Rd. and the Mars Hill community on a small farm. I think Bill tried to win me over. They bought me a calf that I was to raise and sell at the local slaughter house. I thought he was a pet but boy was I wrong. We also raised rabbits and sold them to anyone. Most people bought them for meat I think.
We also had some pigs. One day the Vet came out to see the pigs and I wanted to watch him. Little did I know that he was going to castrate the males. I was standing one moment watching them. The next thing I know the men were laughing and picking me up from the ground. I had blacked out from the sight of the blood.
I had a friend named Larry (from Mars Hill) that I used to shoot BB guns with. We would kill pigeons off of the electric lines. Larry was also the first person to show me how to go frog gigging.
This was nice while it lasted but that was not long as it seemed we moved everytime I turned around.
One of my happiest moments happened while living here. We heated our house with a wood stove and it was my chore to bring in the wood for the stove. I had to carry it quite a distance to the back porch. Well Christmas came and I got a wodden wagon that had sideboards and I would load it up with wood and take it to the back porch.
My future boss and employer lived just down the street from us. He was Mr. Taylor and managed the A&P store. He had a son, Dennis, that was an all around pest. Dennis was a year older than me and he always wanted to fight me. We did fight one day and he whipped my ass. I never liked him after that.
From Groh St. we moved to Weakley Creek Rd. and the Mars Hill community on a small farm. I think Bill tried to win me over. They bought me a calf that I was to raise and sell at the local slaughter house. I thought he was a pet but boy was I wrong. We also raised rabbits and sold them to anyone. Most people bought them for meat I think.
We also had some pigs. One day the Vet came out to see the pigs and I wanted to watch him. Little did I know that he was going to castrate the males. I was standing one moment watching them. The next thing I know the men were laughing and picking me up from the ground. I had blacked out from the sight of the blood.
I had a friend named Larry (from Mars Hill) that I used to shoot BB guns with. We would kill pigeons off of the electric lines. Larry was also the first person to show me how to go frog gigging.
This was nice while it lasted but that was not long as it seemed we moved everytime I turned around.
West Highland Elementary School and Living on Buffalo RD.
After Weakley Creek Rd. we moved to Buffalo Rd right across the street from the hospital making it easy for Mom to get back and forth to work. It was here that my mom made one of the worst mistakes in her life. As I have said earlier that I was basically a good kid, so I do not know how this came about. I had started to school at West Highland Elementary School in the 3th grade. It was 2 blocks up the road.
One day she told me that she and Bill had been talking and he wanted to send me to reform school at Jordonia. Well, she told me this and I did not take it too well at all. When I got home from school the following day, Bill was there laid up on his fat ass. I asked him about the comment and he said yes he had said it. At that point I went to the kitchen and got a butcher knife and chased him around the house on the outside. I would have cut him if I had caught him. I made him stay out of the house until Mom came home and made me let him in. They eventually got a divorce but I think it was while I was in Vietnam. These things begin to run together and the timing is all messed up in my mind. I know that Bill is probably the only person in my life that I have not forgiven basically because he died before I could get to him.
The atmosphere at West Highland and my classmates had a lot of effect on my life. We were a small school by the standards back then. I can't think of a single classmate from those days that I didn't like. Joe, Terry, Tommy, Susan, Connie, Anne and Peggy just to name a few. All of elementary school memories were positive.
The teachers were 3rd grade, Mrs Bailey, I think she was the oldest of all them. I do remember her pointing out the scripted alphabet on place cards above the black board.
Mrs. Carpenter gave me a love for Geography. I think she loved it which came across.
Mrs Reynolds was the fifth grade teacher and was one of the hardest in elementary but definitely not the hardest.
Mrs. Cole from the first grade came up again. She was our 6th grade teacher. If there was ever a teacher I loved it was here. I guess it was because she knew where I came from in my short life and I think had a lot of sympathy for me. I always felt that I was the Teachers pet for the first time in my life.
OK,now for the first teacher that I clearly did not like. Mrs. Hester was a mean woman. I did get one thing from her which was my excellent penmanship up until a few years ago. Time has became more of an enemy to good penmanship especially with the`advent of computers. Later in my carreer people would come to me and ask me to interpret my writing. Heck I cound not read it myself, how could they?
Mrs Brewer was the eighth grade teacher. Mrs Brewer was so nice.
Mr. McCrory was our principal. He wore old dark rimmed glasses and would look at you over the top of them. He was very imposing at least to us boys.
In the eight grade they came to my class and asked for more boys to go out for the choir as our school was going to be represented at a competition at Middle Tennessee State College. Well, we did not have many boys in our school at that time. They made all of us boys to go out for the choir. After the tryouts they told me and Joe that we were now in the choir, they told me though to learn all the words to all the songs and when it came time to sing for me to just look like I was singing along and not to let anything come out of my mouth. Turns out I looked good for the choir (I guess) but could not carry a tune to save my life.
They started a basketball team while at West Highland and I think all you had to do to make the team was be one of the few that went out for the team. I for one can tell you that I was not one of the most atheletic kids around. I went out for the team and made the starting team as a forward. I do remember the county tournament when I got the fist possession and drove on my opponent and scored on the opening play. The coach (dont remember who) said, "that is what I have wanted from you Mac". I never scored the rest of the game. Never did my mother, sister or brother in law come to see me play. That really disappointed me. But here again that was a different time.
Also in the eighth grade I had my first and only date in elementary school. Don't quite remember how it all came about so here is my recollection. Anne, who was Connie's best friend asked me if wanted to go to the Saturday afternoon movie matinee as Connie's date. I said heck yes as it was probably a double feature western. We were to meet inside the theater, good, that meant that I did not have to pay. When we got there I let them pick where we sat. Anne went in first then Connie then me on the end of the isle. After an hour or so they as I would realize the rest of my life, they both had to go to the bathroom at the same time. One thing I never understood about women is this point. But this time I found out. Anne came back first and said "Mac aren't you having a good time? I said, "heck yes they were good movies". Anne said "no I mean with Connie". Here I don't remember my comeback but I'm sure it was a positive comment. Anne then said if you like her you should put your arm around her. I was astounded and said you think she would let me do that. She said," sure she wants you too". Boy, I was on my way, good movie and pretty girl. Well, Connie came back about this time and sat down. Well, you men will understand what came to my mind next, how could I accomplish this without being so obvious. The obvious fake yawn and raised my arm. Here, I made a bad mistake. I rested my arm on the backrest of the seat and it started to go to sleep. I tried to move my fingers to stop my arm from going to sleep. Connie looked at me and and said, "if you want to move your arm it's OK with me. " I said " great and moved my arm." Boy, was I gonna be a loser at this dating thing.
The one girl that got my attention in the eighth grade and continued through high school and after was Peggy although I never had a date with her until our Senior High School Prom. Those of you that know me now would not understand but in school I was very shy at that time. I was afraid to come up to girls. More on that later. I really liked Peggy but I dont think she ever kew it until it was too late. My mother was the only one that probably had this figured out.
While on the subject of the H.S. Senior Prom. Let me thank Nina. I had never been to a dance and was insecure and nervous about dancing in public. I did the only thing I could think of , I asked Nina to give me some dance lessons. I went by her house a couple of night and she gave me lessons. I at least made it through the Prom but still for many years I was nervous to dance that is until Chevy's opened in Nashville. More later but I became a regular at Chevy's dancing to oldies and still love it if I felt better. If I ever get my back to no pain and find a partner I will take some dance lesons.
One day she told me that she and Bill had been talking and he wanted to send me to reform school at Jordonia. Well, she told me this and I did not take it too well at all. When I got home from school the following day, Bill was there laid up on his fat ass. I asked him about the comment and he said yes he had said it. At that point I went to the kitchen and got a butcher knife and chased him around the house on the outside. I would have cut him if I had caught him. I made him stay out of the house until Mom came home and made me let him in. They eventually got a divorce but I think it was while I was in Vietnam. These things begin to run together and the timing is all messed up in my mind. I know that Bill is probably the only person in my life that I have not forgiven basically because he died before I could get to him.
The atmosphere at West Highland and my classmates had a lot of effect on my life. We were a small school by the standards back then. I can't think of a single classmate from those days that I didn't like. Joe, Terry, Tommy, Susan, Connie, Anne and Peggy just to name a few. All of elementary school memories were positive.
The teachers were 3rd grade, Mrs Bailey, I think she was the oldest of all them. I do remember her pointing out the scripted alphabet on place cards above the black board.
Mrs. Carpenter gave me a love for Geography. I think she loved it which came across.
Mrs Reynolds was the fifth grade teacher and was one of the hardest in elementary but definitely not the hardest.
Mrs. Cole from the first grade came up again. She was our 6th grade teacher. If there was ever a teacher I loved it was here. I guess it was because she knew where I came from in my short life and I think had a lot of sympathy for me. I always felt that I was the Teachers pet for the first time in my life.
OK,now for the first teacher that I clearly did not like. Mrs. Hester was a mean woman. I did get one thing from her which was my excellent penmanship up until a few years ago. Time has became more of an enemy to good penmanship especially with the`advent of computers. Later in my carreer people would come to me and ask me to interpret my writing. Heck I cound not read it myself, how could they?
Mrs Brewer was the eighth grade teacher. Mrs Brewer was so nice.
Mr. McCrory was our principal. He wore old dark rimmed glasses and would look at you over the top of them. He was very imposing at least to us boys.
In the eight grade they came to my class and asked for more boys to go out for the choir as our school was going to be represented at a competition at Middle Tennessee State College. Well, we did not have many boys in our school at that time. They made all of us boys to go out for the choir. After the tryouts they told me and Joe that we were now in the choir, they told me though to learn all the words to all the songs and when it came time to sing for me to just look like I was singing along and not to let anything come out of my mouth. Turns out I looked good for the choir (I guess) but could not carry a tune to save my life.
They started a basketball team while at West Highland and I think all you had to do to make the team was be one of the few that went out for the team. I for one can tell you that I was not one of the most atheletic kids around. I went out for the team and made the starting team as a forward. I do remember the county tournament when I got the fist possession and drove on my opponent and scored on the opening play. The coach (dont remember who) said, "that is what I have wanted from you Mac". I never scored the rest of the game. Never did my mother, sister or brother in law come to see me play. That really disappointed me. But here again that was a different time.
Also in the eighth grade I had my first and only date in elementary school. Don't quite remember how it all came about so here is my recollection. Anne, who was Connie's best friend asked me if wanted to go to the Saturday afternoon movie matinee as Connie's date. I said heck yes as it was probably a double feature western. We were to meet inside the theater, good, that meant that I did not have to pay. When we got there I let them pick where we sat. Anne went in first then Connie then me on the end of the isle. After an hour or so they as I would realize the rest of my life, they both had to go to the bathroom at the same time. One thing I never understood about women is this point. But this time I found out. Anne came back first and said "Mac aren't you having a good time? I said, "heck yes they were good movies". Anne said "no I mean with Connie". Here I don't remember my comeback but I'm sure it was a positive comment. Anne then said if you like her you should put your arm around her. I was astounded and said you think she would let me do that. She said," sure she wants you too". Boy, I was on my way, good movie and pretty girl. Well, Connie came back about this time and sat down. Well, you men will understand what came to my mind next, how could I accomplish this without being so obvious. The obvious fake yawn and raised my arm. Here, I made a bad mistake. I rested my arm on the backrest of the seat and it started to go to sleep. I tried to move my fingers to stop my arm from going to sleep. Connie looked at me and and said, "if you want to move your arm it's OK with me. " I said " great and moved my arm." Boy, was I gonna be a loser at this dating thing.
The one girl that got my attention in the eighth grade and continued through high school and after was Peggy although I never had a date with her until our Senior High School Prom. Those of you that know me now would not understand but in school I was very shy at that time. I was afraid to come up to girls. More on that later. I really liked Peggy but I dont think she ever kew it until it was too late. My mother was the only one that probably had this figured out.
While on the subject of the H.S. Senior Prom. Let me thank Nina. I had never been to a dance and was insecure and nervous about dancing in public. I did the only thing I could think of , I asked Nina to give me some dance lessons. I went by her house a couple of night and she gave me lessons. I at least made it through the Prom but still for many years I was nervous to dance that is until Chevy's opened in Nashville. More later but I became a regular at Chevy's dancing to oldies and still love it if I felt better. If I ever get my back to no pain and find a partner I will take some dance lesons.
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Mixed Up Years
We moved from there to First Ave in Lawrenceburg. I dont remember much about this time except it is when I had the mumps and DR W. O. Crowder made an in home visit to check on me. Dr.'s don't do that type of thing any more.
From there we moved to the Deerfield Communitty but the truth is that we moved out on the Waynesboro Hwy somewhere between Lawrenceburg and Deerfield but not sure exactly where. What I am sure of is that I have no memory of going to school in the 3rd grade. Without Anne and Connie who remember me going to West Highland Elementary School in the 3rd grade I would have no idea when I started there. We had so many moves in such a short period of time that there is not much I can remember until the 4th grade. It was out here near Deerfield that Brownie reached his demise. It seems that he got to running with some other dogs and they started killing hogs. The man that owned the hogs said that we could pay for the hogs or put Brownie down. I remember crying for days. But I do know we had no other choice as we were poor and could not afford the cost of the hogs. Also once a dog gets the taste of blood in their system you can't get it out of them.
From here we moved back to into Lawrenceburg to Deller St and our first brick home. We always rented after we lost the store. We rented the rest of my Mom's life. It was here that we took in renter's to help pay the rent. One was a nurse that was fairly short and was a grest friend to my mom the rest of her life. Her name was Jean. The other one I remember was a very pretty one, at least for my young age of about 10. She was from Mt Pleasant and took me with her on one trip back home.
This place was my first encounter with intruders or peeping toms. I remember my mother yelling at me to grab the gun. I had no idea what she was talking about as the only we had was a bb gun. Well I grabbed the gun and went running into the kitchen where she was. It seems that there had been a man looking in the window of the kitchen door. Have no idea what I was doing but I went running out the door and up an alley looking for the man that had been looking in the window. This whole time my mother was yelling for me to come back. What was I gonna do, beat him with the gun? That is the mind of a 10 yr old though.
Let me make a point here fom for single women of boys. Let them be boys. My mother always called me her big man. I tried to live up to that and tried to be a man before it was time and somehow lost my childhood. Don't misunderstand me I was mostly carefree and played like most kids. But I do feel like I missed a childhood.
This is the first time in my life that my sister and brother in law had not lived with us. I missed them very much, especially my brother in law.
From there we moved to the Deerfield Communitty but the truth is that we moved out on the Waynesboro Hwy somewhere between Lawrenceburg and Deerfield but not sure exactly where. What I am sure of is that I have no memory of going to school in the 3rd grade. Without Anne and Connie who remember me going to West Highland Elementary School in the 3rd grade I would have no idea when I started there. We had so many moves in such a short period of time that there is not much I can remember until the 4th grade. It was out here near Deerfield that Brownie reached his demise. It seems that he got to running with some other dogs and they started killing hogs. The man that owned the hogs said that we could pay for the hogs or put Brownie down. I remember crying for days. But I do know we had no other choice as we were poor and could not afford the cost of the hogs. Also once a dog gets the taste of blood in their system you can't get it out of them.
From here we moved back to into Lawrenceburg to Deller St and our first brick home. We always rented after we lost the store. We rented the rest of my Mom's life. It was here that we took in renter's to help pay the rent. One was a nurse that was fairly short and was a grest friend to my mom the rest of her life. Her name was Jean. The other one I remember was a very pretty one, at least for my young age of about 10. She was from Mt Pleasant and took me with her on one trip back home.
This place was my first encounter with intruders or peeping toms. I remember my mother yelling at me to grab the gun. I had no idea what she was talking about as the only we had was a bb gun. Well I grabbed the gun and went running into the kitchen where she was. It seems that there had been a man looking in the window of the kitchen door. Have no idea what I was doing but I went running out the door and up an alley looking for the man that had been looking in the window. This whole time my mother was yelling for me to come back. What was I gonna do, beat him with the gun? That is the mind of a 10 yr old though.
Let me make a point here fom for single women of boys. Let them be boys. My mother always called me her big man. I tried to live up to that and tried to be a man before it was time and somehow lost my childhood. Don't misunderstand me I was mostly carefree and played like most kids. But I do feel like I missed a childhood.
This is the first time in my life that my sister and brother in law had not lived with us. I missed them very much, especially my brother in law.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Moving back to Lawrenceburg
After having no luck at finding jobs in Florida, we moved back to Ethridge, TN which was my childhood home.
We moved into a little 3 room house with out running water and an outhouse (a real 2 HOLER). My sister and brother in law made a bedroom out of the garage. This was right across from our old store.
We, the 4 of us my mom, sister and brother in law and my dog named Brownie then moved into a little house on Crockett St. in Lawrenceburg. My dog Brownie had been with us from the days in the General Store. Brownie was a big old lumbering boxer. He was my constant companion and friend.
It was on Crockett St that I was to meet a lifelong friend. Nina was her name, we are still friends today and in constant contact. She probably knows me to well for my own good.
It is here that I went to the 2nd grade at Old Public Elementary School. Honestly I remember nothing about that time. In fact I am not sure I went to school there except Nina tells me that I did. My life there was kinda of a blurr.
My mother had gone to work at the local hospital as a nurse's aide which is what she did until her death. Well, they had a Christmas party where a large black man played Santa. I can't remember his name wish I could, he was such a good man. He gave out gifts that I later learned the parents had bought and brought for him to hand out. It was here that I got one of the few presents I remember in my lifetime. It was a shooting game with one of these litle plastic pistols that shot the plastic darts with suction cups on the ends. You were to shoot at a board with a chicken on it. It had a little circle to hit, if you hit it, the chicken clucked and dropped a ping pong ball which was to represent an egg.
We did not live here very long before we moved to the First Ave in Lawrenceburg. My memories there are not to good.
We moved into a little 3 room house with out running water and an outhouse (a real 2 HOLER). My sister and brother in law made a bedroom out of the garage. This was right across from our old store.
We, the 4 of us my mom, sister and brother in law and my dog named Brownie then moved into a little house on Crockett St. in Lawrenceburg. My dog Brownie had been with us from the days in the General Store. Brownie was a big old lumbering boxer. He was my constant companion and friend.
It was on Crockett St that I was to meet a lifelong friend. Nina was her name, we are still friends today and in constant contact. She probably knows me to well for my own good.
It is here that I went to the 2nd grade at Old Public Elementary School. Honestly I remember nothing about that time. In fact I am not sure I went to school there except Nina tells me that I did. My life there was kinda of a blurr.
My mother had gone to work at the local hospital as a nurse's aide which is what she did until her death. Well, they had a Christmas party where a large black man played Santa. I can't remember his name wish I could, he was such a good man. He gave out gifts that I later learned the parents had bought and brought for him to hand out. It was here that I got one of the few presents I remember in my lifetime. It was a shooting game with one of these litle plastic pistols that shot the plastic darts with suction cups on the ends. You were to shoot at a board with a chicken on it. It had a little circle to hit, if you hit it, the chicken clucked and dropped a ping pong ball which was to represent an egg.
We did not live here very long before we moved to the First Ave in Lawrenceburg. My memories there are not to good.
After the death of my father (1953)
This is the time in my life when things become very jumbled. My sister who was in nursing school at St Thomas in Nashville had to drop out and come home to help mom. To this day I have not heard a negative word from her about that even though I know it was very disappointing to her.
Shortly thereafter she was to marry the man that was her lifelong partner until his death. He turned out to be my surrogate father. I followed him around like a puppy dog even when I was in high school. While in Vietnam I sent him a Fathers Day card. Although not a man of wealth and schooling, he was a great man of wisdom beyond his years. I still miss him to this day.
I was in the first grade at Ethridge Elementary School with Mrs. Cole as a teacher. I loved that lady. It turned out I had her again in the 6th grade. For the first time in my life I turned out to be the teacher's pet. But I am getting ahead of myself. In the first grade her daughter, Carolyn had pigtails and sat in front of me and I continually pulled her pigtails.
One day my mom came to school to get me and said that we were moving to Florida. Where was this place called Florida? I knew that she, my sister, and John (my brother in law) needed jobs. They had heard there were plenty of jobs down there. Well we moved to Winter Haven, FL and must not have been down there very long because I don't remember much about it except a little horse race board game that I continualy played by myself.
Next in the series, we move back to Lawrenceburg
Shortly thereafter she was to marry the man that was her lifelong partner until his death. He turned out to be my surrogate father. I followed him around like a puppy dog even when I was in high school. While in Vietnam I sent him a Fathers Day card. Although not a man of wealth and schooling, he was a great man of wisdom beyond his years. I still miss him to this day.
I was in the first grade at Ethridge Elementary School with Mrs. Cole as a teacher. I loved that lady. It turned out I had her again in the 6th grade. For the first time in my life I turned out to be the teacher's pet. But I am getting ahead of myself. In the first grade her daughter, Carolyn had pigtails and sat in front of me and I continually pulled her pigtails.
One day my mom came to school to get me and said that we were moving to Florida. Where was this place called Florida? I knew that she, my sister, and John (my brother in law) needed jobs. They had heard there were plenty of jobs down there. Well we moved to Winter Haven, FL and must not have been down there very long because I don't remember much about it except a little horse race board game that I continualy played by myself.
Next in the series, we move back to Lawrenceburg
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Parents; Be aware of what happens in front of children
My first memories. I was 3 or 4 at the time. Not sure of the age. I grew up in Ethridge, TN a small little town north of Lawrenceburg, TN. My mother and father owned Nix General Store. One of the nicest around for the time. 1952. My father could not read nor write, my Mom was the strength of the family.
One night in particular I remember a conversation between my Mom and Dad, in fact the only one I remember. They were in the bedroom and I was on the bed. My Mother and father were arguing. My mother told my father, "Your drunk and you have probably been out with that flussy again".
That night I learned that my father was an alcholic and a womanizer. At that time I did not realize what that all meant. It was shorthly later that my father went to Indianapolis to bail his drunk brother out of jail. They tell me that he had a heart massive attack and drove off the road and later died in the hospital before mom could get there. He was 45 at the time.
Life changed for us at that time. My father had mortgaged the store to the hilt. Mom had to auction the store and sell all the contents to pay the bills. I still don't know if she came out even.
Countless nights I cried myself to sleep wishing I had a father like other little boys. As I now look back on it, I doubt that I would have been better off.
The one thing I remember is that my father was an alcholic and womanizer. Children 4 and 5 years old know what is going on in this world.
All of this was to affect me greatly over the years as you will see in later posts. With all of this said, My father was a great man. When sober he was as kind and gentle as a lamb. I have heard countless men tell me that my dad was so giving that he would give the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. At that time we sold groceries on credit. I had up until a few years ago an entire footlocker full of books showing what each family owed us. There are promient names among them that never paid us off. But times change and life goes on. The one thing that would bother my Dad today is that I am a staunch Republican and he was a staunch Democrat. He would roll over over in his grave if he knew that.
One night in particular I remember a conversation between my Mom and Dad, in fact the only one I remember. They were in the bedroom and I was on the bed. My Mother and father were arguing. My mother told my father, "Your drunk and you have probably been out with that flussy again".
That night I learned that my father was an alcholic and a womanizer. At that time I did not realize what that all meant. It was shorthly later that my father went to Indianapolis to bail his drunk brother out of jail. They tell me that he had a heart massive attack and drove off the road and later died in the hospital before mom could get there. He was 45 at the time.
Life changed for us at that time. My father had mortgaged the store to the hilt. Mom had to auction the store and sell all the contents to pay the bills. I still don't know if she came out even.
Countless nights I cried myself to sleep wishing I had a father like other little boys. As I now look back on it, I doubt that I would have been better off.
The one thing I remember is that my father was an alcholic and womanizer. Children 4 and 5 years old know what is going on in this world.
All of this was to affect me greatly over the years as you will see in later posts. With all of this said, My father was a great man. When sober he was as kind and gentle as a lamb. I have heard countless men tell me that my dad was so giving that he would give the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. At that time we sold groceries on credit. I had up until a few years ago an entire footlocker full of books showing what each family owed us. There are promient names among them that never paid us off. But times change and life goes on. The one thing that would bother my Dad today is that I am a staunch Republican and he was a staunch Democrat. He would roll over over in his grave if he knew that.
Future Blogs
I have decided to stop posting my political tirades. In reality they accomplish nothing. Instead I am going to tell short stories from my life. My son says that I have a story about anything and everything. That's his nice way of saying I talk too much.
In these, nothing is off limits, with the exception of many Vietnam experiences. There may be a few of those but they will be of the fun variety so consequently not many of them. My life is an open book. I have things that I am very ashamed of but it's been for the most part an honest life. I have never been arrested, involved in a robbery, killed anyone and so forth. So expect some surprises as I will tell all. Maybe some people will take some of my experiences and turn them into learning experiences for them themselves. That is my hope. This will be about both my ups and downs. That is what people remember most. I will include peoples first names unless it is a negative article and in those cases I will use fictional names.
If you enjoy these please let me know as it is saddening to not know what others are thinking. If you don't like them don't just lambast me, let me know why.
One last thing, there will be some things in here that I have never disclosed to anyone on this earth so it will be difficult at times for me. Please understand that. This is my way of trying to rid myself of some deamons I have.
In these, nothing is off limits, with the exception of many Vietnam experiences. There may be a few of those but they will be of the fun variety so consequently not many of them. My life is an open book. I have things that I am very ashamed of but it's been for the most part an honest life. I have never been arrested, involved in a robbery, killed anyone and so forth. So expect some surprises as I will tell all. Maybe some people will take some of my experiences and turn them into learning experiences for them themselves. That is my hope. This will be about both my ups and downs. That is what people remember most. I will include peoples first names unless it is a negative article and in those cases I will use fictional names.
If you enjoy these please let me know as it is saddening to not know what others are thinking. If you don't like them don't just lambast me, let me know why.
One last thing, there will be some things in here that I have never disclosed to anyone on this earth so it will be difficult at times for me. Please understand that. This is my way of trying to rid myself of some deamons I have.
Friday, December 23, 2011
50 LIfe Lessons
I recently read these in a book so I cannot take credit for them. But I believe if you follow these lessons you should be able to lead a fairly good life.
The Fifty Life Lessons.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next right step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriosly. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's ok to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. God never gives us more than we were designed to carry.
10. Make peace with your past so it doesn't screw up you present.
11. The most important sex organ is the brain.
12. It's ok to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all
about.
14. If a relationship has to be kept secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye; God never blinks.
16. Life is to short for pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything life hands you if you stay put in the day you
are in and don't jump ahead.
18. A writer is someone who writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second is up to you
and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save
anything for special occasion. Today is special enough.
22. Overprepare then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. Start saving 10 percent for retirement as soon as you get your first paycheck.
25. No one else is in charge of your happiness. You are the CEO of your joy.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this
matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. The passage of time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. No matter how good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick, but your friends will. Stay
in touch with them.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or did not
do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing beats the alternative. Dying young only looks good in the movies.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. No matter what your faith, they cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting for you to discover.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else's, we'd
fight to get back our own.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have everything you truly need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. Breath. It calms the nerves.
47. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up for life.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield
50. Life is not tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
by Regina Brett
I have not mastered many if any of these, but I promise myself that I will make it
a point to try better every day. I hope in some small ways this will help you with your daily trials and tribulations. Thanks for reading my blog. You will notice that I have taken a lot of time off. Many reasons for that but I will attempt to be more attentive.
The Fifty Life Lessons.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next right step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriosly. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's ok to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. God never gives us more than we were designed to carry.
10. Make peace with your past so it doesn't screw up you present.
11. The most important sex organ is the brain.
12. It's ok to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all
about.
14. If a relationship has to be kept secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye; God never blinks.
16. Life is to short for pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything life hands you if you stay put in the day you
are in and don't jump ahead.
18. A writer is someone who writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second is up to you
and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save
anything for special occasion. Today is special enough.
22. Overprepare then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. Start saving 10 percent for retirement as soon as you get your first paycheck.
25. No one else is in charge of your happiness. You are the CEO of your joy.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this
matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. The passage of time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. No matter how good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick, but your friends will. Stay
in touch with them.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or did not
do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing beats the alternative. Dying young only looks good in the movies.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. No matter what your faith, they cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting for you to discover.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and got a look at everyone else's, we'd
fight to get back our own.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have everything you truly need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. Breath. It calms the nerves.
47. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up for life.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield
50. Life is not tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
by Regina Brett
I have not mastered many if any of these, but I promise myself that I will make it
a point to try better every day. I hope in some small ways this will help you with your daily trials and tribulations. Thanks for reading my blog. You will notice that I have taken a lot of time off. Many reasons for that but I will attempt to be more attentive.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Memories
What is the first thing that you remember in your entire life? I recently asked myself that question and was somewhat surprised at my own answer.
My father and mother owned a General Store in Ethridge, TN on US Highway 43. In the early fifties it was a busy road, this was before the interstate system and everyone traveled the US Highway system. Since our family owned a general store we had many local customers. A couple of them were 2 boys from across and up the road a little ways. As a child, I think I was 4 at the time, I really liked these boys. Their names were Tommy and Macky Hudgins. Well, somehow, one day I decided to follow them home. I do not remember anything about following them except when I had gone about 20-30 yards up the road I heard my father call me. He was stopped at a Willow tree and was breaking off a branch. Well, to make a long story short, for every step I took, I got hit on my legs with that switch. I think I was afraid to cross that road ever again. Not because of traffic but because of the fear of my father.
My father died when I was 5 and this only 1 of 2 real memories I have of my father. I have pictures and other possessions but this is the one that is stuck in my memory bank about my father. How he switched me all the way home with a Willow branch from the Hudgens boys home. I hope my son fondly remembers the things I have done to try to put him on the correct path in life.
My father and mother owned a General Store in Ethridge, TN on US Highway 43. In the early fifties it was a busy road, this was before the interstate system and everyone traveled the US Highway system. Since our family owned a general store we had many local customers. A couple of them were 2 boys from across and up the road a little ways. As a child, I think I was 4 at the time, I really liked these boys. Their names were Tommy and Macky Hudgins. Well, somehow, one day I decided to follow them home. I do not remember anything about following them except when I had gone about 20-30 yards up the road I heard my father call me. He was stopped at a Willow tree and was breaking off a branch. Well, to make a long story short, for every step I took, I got hit on my legs with that switch. I think I was afraid to cross that road ever again. Not because of traffic but because of the fear of my father.
My father died when I was 5 and this only 1 of 2 real memories I have of my father. I have pictures and other possessions but this is the one that is stuck in my memory bank about my father. How he switched me all the way home with a Willow branch from the Hudgens boys home. I hope my son fondly remembers the things I have done to try to put him on the correct path in life.
Friday, May 1, 2009
How Do You Teach Integrity?
This is a true story from my life.
It was the sping on 1968 and in April I was to turn 20 years of age. Lyndon Johnson was President and Richard Nixon was to be elected President in the fall of that year. The people of the United States were at odds with each other over a war that very few of us understood. I had just received my induction notice to serve in the U.S. Army. Like so many young men of that era, I was confused. Confused about my role in life as a young adult and uncertain about my future role in life. My father had passed away of a heart atttack at an early age of 42 when I was only 5 years old. Without any male figure to look up to, I always relied upon the only stabilizing force my life had known, my mother. She was a nurse's aide at the local hospital working many hours and doing many double shifts. She did this to make ends meet for us and to try to give me the things that other kids had.
The National Guard and Reserves were full and you could only get into one of them if you were wealthy or knew someone with connections. We were anything but wealthy and certainly didn't know anyone with that kind of pull. I was the only son of my father and knew that I could get a draft deferral from the military based on the fact that I was a sole surviving namesake. I went to the local draft board and told this to the lady in charge of the draft board. She gave me a form that I was required to complete and to get my Mother to sign in order to get this deferment. I was enraged, here I was being told that I had to go to war and fight but I had to have my mother sign a form in effect saying that it was O.K. if I didn't go. Well, I had to do it so I took the form and went to my Mother thinking no problem.
Astonished was not the word for it when my Mother told me that she would not sign the form. I was utterly and totally flabbergasted. I knew that she had to be afraid for me to go into the Army at this time. Most draftees were going to Vietnam and many were not coming home. She didn't want me to be one of those not coming home, I was sure. So how could she refuse to sign this simple form? I was now more confused than I had ever been in my life. The only protector and stabilizing force that I had ever known was, in essence, making me go to war. I was scared and afraid. I didn't want to go to war and possibly die.
Mother came and sat down beside me and put her arm around my shoulder. She said, "Son, this is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my life. I know that you don't understand why I am doing this. Hopefully someday you will. You see, she said, it was during the 2nd World War that many men faced the same situation that you are faced with today. Most of them wanted to serve their country but many others did not. Those that didn't want to go, did whatever they could, be it legal or illegal, to get out of having to go into the military. In fact, you had an uncle get out by a trumped up medical condition, while your father had to go. Those men that got out of the military have had many problems in life. They have come to realize that a person has to take responsibiity for their actions for their entire lives. They have had to live with these lies and guilt everyday of their lives. You uncle has talked about this with me many times. I don't want this for you son. I realize that if I signed this form that you probably would be safe and not have to go to war. But, son, it's a matter of your personal integrity now and for the rest of your life, even after I am dead. Someday you will understand."
I was inducted into the United States Army on April 16th, 1968 and served in the Republic of Vietnam from July 4th, 1969 until July 4th, 1970. I remained in the Army until April of 1971 when I was honorably discharged with the Army Commendation Medal.
I am sure that most people think of their mothers as Saints. Well, my mother WAS a Saint. She did the hard things in life to make sure that I had a better life than her. She passed away in February 1979. She was a great lady and I miss her very, very much every day. I don't know that I told her this before she died. She taught me the important things about life.
It was the sping on 1968 and in April I was to turn 20 years of age. Lyndon Johnson was President and Richard Nixon was to be elected President in the fall of that year. The people of the United States were at odds with each other over a war that very few of us understood. I had just received my induction notice to serve in the U.S. Army. Like so many young men of that era, I was confused. Confused about my role in life as a young adult and uncertain about my future role in life. My father had passed away of a heart atttack at an early age of 42 when I was only 5 years old. Without any male figure to look up to, I always relied upon the only stabilizing force my life had known, my mother. She was a nurse's aide at the local hospital working many hours and doing many double shifts. She did this to make ends meet for us and to try to give me the things that other kids had.
The National Guard and Reserves were full and you could only get into one of them if you were wealthy or knew someone with connections. We were anything but wealthy and certainly didn't know anyone with that kind of pull. I was the only son of my father and knew that I could get a draft deferral from the military based on the fact that I was a sole surviving namesake. I went to the local draft board and told this to the lady in charge of the draft board. She gave me a form that I was required to complete and to get my Mother to sign in order to get this deferment. I was enraged, here I was being told that I had to go to war and fight but I had to have my mother sign a form in effect saying that it was O.K. if I didn't go. Well, I had to do it so I took the form and went to my Mother thinking no problem.
Astonished was not the word for it when my Mother told me that she would not sign the form. I was utterly and totally flabbergasted. I knew that she had to be afraid for me to go into the Army at this time. Most draftees were going to Vietnam and many were not coming home. She didn't want me to be one of those not coming home, I was sure. So how could she refuse to sign this simple form? I was now more confused than I had ever been in my life. The only protector and stabilizing force that I had ever known was, in essence, making me go to war. I was scared and afraid. I didn't want to go to war and possibly die.
Mother came and sat down beside me and put her arm around my shoulder. She said, "Son, this is the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my life. I know that you don't understand why I am doing this. Hopefully someday you will. You see, she said, it was during the 2nd World War that many men faced the same situation that you are faced with today. Most of them wanted to serve their country but many others did not. Those that didn't want to go, did whatever they could, be it legal or illegal, to get out of having to go into the military. In fact, you had an uncle get out by a trumped up medical condition, while your father had to go. Those men that got out of the military have had many problems in life. They have come to realize that a person has to take responsibiity for their actions for their entire lives. They have had to live with these lies and guilt everyday of their lives. You uncle has talked about this with me many times. I don't want this for you son. I realize that if I signed this form that you probably would be safe and not have to go to war. But, son, it's a matter of your personal integrity now and for the rest of your life, even after I am dead. Someday you will understand."
I was inducted into the United States Army on April 16th, 1968 and served in the Republic of Vietnam from July 4th, 1969 until July 4th, 1970. I remained in the Army until April of 1971 when I was honorably discharged with the Army Commendation Medal.
I am sure that most people think of their mothers as Saints. Well, my mother WAS a Saint. She did the hard things in life to make sure that I had a better life than her. She passed away in February 1979. She was a great lady and I miss her very, very much every day. I don't know that I told her this before she died. She taught me the important things about life.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
THE ASHES OF MAN
This is a poem that I wrote on 8/17/88. Feel free to enjoy and try to imagine what I was thinking when I wrote it.
The Ashes Of Man
On top of a hill I watch as the sun begins to rise,
With the dew in all its beauty clinging to the ground
And as heavy fog slowly begins to rise
I see people inching towards me in the distance.
Where am I? What can I be?
I could be a daisy in a field,
I could be a tree standing all alone,
Oh, I could be almost anything that you chose.
The sun is at its peak now,
The dew and fog are gone until night.
People continue to pass me by all day,
Laughing and having such a good time.
Where am I? What can I be?
I could be you,
Or could it be that I am not?
Oh, I could be almost anyone that you chose.
The sun is beginning to hide itself on the horizon,
The flowers that have been open all day begin to close,
The laughter begins to fade into the distance
As less and less people pass me by.
Where am I? What can I be?
Yes, you are right.
That is me.
The soul of a "ONCE WAS GONNA BE".
The answer is this is my ashes after being creamated.
The Ashes Of Man
On top of a hill I watch as the sun begins to rise,
With the dew in all its beauty clinging to the ground
And as heavy fog slowly begins to rise
I see people inching towards me in the distance.
Where am I? What can I be?
I could be a daisy in a field,
I could be a tree standing all alone,
Oh, I could be almost anything that you chose.
The sun is at its peak now,
The dew and fog are gone until night.
People continue to pass me by all day,
Laughing and having such a good time.
Where am I? What can I be?
I could be you,
Or could it be that I am not?
Oh, I could be almost anyone that you chose.
The sun is beginning to hide itself on the horizon,
The flowers that have been open all day begin to close,
The laughter begins to fade into the distance
As less and less people pass me by.
Where am I? What can I be?
Yes, you are right.
That is me.
The soul of a "ONCE WAS GONNA BE".
The answer is this is my ashes after being creamated.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Life's Important Matters
What is important in your life? How often have you thought about this? Is it your wealth or lack of it? Is it your importance to someone or some group?
As you age you begin to think about life differently and those things that really matter. I have done that a lot lately. To say that I have no regrets is not a totally accurate statement but there are things that given certain sets of circumstances I would have done differently but the important thing now is to realize that those times are gone and can never be lived over again. To paraphase an old saying "if I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself". That has never been more true than now. Health becomes a much more important matter as you age. I have several friends that have parents or friends with Alzheimer's. Living alone I many times wonder how I could and would handle some disease such as that. Or as a friend of mine that has had a stroke. Could I handle being paralized on part of my body? Now is when we start to think more of our own mortality. No, that is not a morbid thought. It is reality. You could have a life changing experience today that might leave you unable to communicate. What really matters to me now is letting each and every friend know that I truly love them and forgive them for any thing that they may have done against me in my life. Life is short so be sure that those people that matter in your life know it. There is never a better time to let them know it than now. Call your parents if they are alive or your grandparents, call an Uncle or an Aunt. Call a friend, an ex friend, a co-worker let them know that you care. It is not too late right now. TODAY!!
As you age you begin to think about life differently and those things that really matter. I have done that a lot lately. To say that I have no regrets is not a totally accurate statement but there are things that given certain sets of circumstances I would have done differently but the important thing now is to realize that those times are gone and can never be lived over again. To paraphase an old saying "if I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself". That has never been more true than now. Health becomes a much more important matter as you age. I have several friends that have parents or friends with Alzheimer's. Living alone I many times wonder how I could and would handle some disease such as that. Or as a friend of mine that has had a stroke. Could I handle being paralized on part of my body? Now is when we start to think more of our own mortality. No, that is not a morbid thought. It is reality. You could have a life changing experience today that might leave you unable to communicate. What really matters to me now is letting each and every friend know that I truly love them and forgive them for any thing that they may have done against me in my life. Life is short so be sure that those people that matter in your life know it. There is never a better time to let them know it than now. Call your parents if they are alive or your grandparents, call an Uncle or an Aunt. Call a friend, an ex friend, a co-worker let them know that you care. It is not too late right now. TODAY!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Beginnings
This is the begining. I will attempt to blog 3-4 times a week and keep you up on my thoughts about life. My interests are politics, my son, my industry, my friends and my alone time when I spend quite a bit of time just thinking about life. When something interests me I will write about it here.
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