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Beau Wann, Jr.

     Thanks Johnny.  Distressing news that is.  Seems like I was just talking to him. He seemed the picture of health.  The passing of another good man from the class of 64.     Condolences to the Geiser family.  

    Hey Teddy,  Nathan Winkleman, of Nathans BBQ has retired and sold his BBQ joint.  Dont know who bought it, I was hoping it was Kevin of Lindemans, but we'll wait and see.  No other news from this part of the whirld cept it's hot.  Had 100 or over everyday so far this summer.  It was 72 this morning at 5:30, reville for the us, thanks to a sweet wittle wabbit hunter, Izzydorable.    It's been normaly 100 by 10 AM, but today it was just 84.  Maybe better things are yet to come...nah, we still got August and Sep and Oct to go as well as the rest of July.  Still no rain! ! ! !

   Not much else to talk about after hearing the distressing news about Allen. 

Don Ellisor

  Allen passed away in the night. He was a good teammate and friend. When we went to Black Allen was one of the few people that I knew in our class. We had attended the same church, West 14th Baptist until my family moved to the end of North Shepard. I was zoned to  Hohl and most of my class went to Burbank and Sam Houston. Allen knew everyone in our class it seemed and I was lost at reunions with out him. I will miss #34 immensely. I talked to him on the phone a couple of hours before he passed and I pray that God abated the fear that I sensed in his voice at that time

Scotty Croom

so sad to read about allen...he is my birthday twin..both have 09/24 birthday...friends since black jr high

Lynn Gregory (Ferraro)

So sorry to hear of Allen Clark Geiser's passing. I remember once after Guard practice, when I somehow didn't have a ride home in the rain and trying desperately to keep my bugle case dry, Allen stopped and picked me up and took me safely home. I'll never forget that kindness. 

Donald May

I am definitely sorry to hear about Allen.  He was an excellent friend to me at Black Jr. Hi playing football and then at Waltrip as a great member of the Industrial Arts Club.  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Our lives touch so many and are touched by many.   I remember one night, when that night was is lost somewhere in my hard drive, but the "word" went out, how and by who, is unclear, but the word was "party", or "rumble" or some such woid my pea brain grabbed ahold of, and "it" was to be at Candlelight Park, that much I do remember. At least I got the "where" right.

    Anyway, to make a long story even longer, when I got there, and I must have ridden with someone, but again, my memory fails me as to whom I rode there with, there was a zillion people in that park.  Looked like spring break down at galveston.  Anyway, I was standing around, probably looking my usual goofy lost self, when a whole raft of folks started moving around me and then we all started running, to where and to what I couldnt say, have no clue.

    As the crowd of folks was running, it was run or get trampled, so out of self preservation, I picked the former.  Then all of a sudden my idiot self stopped in midair!  That was sort of cool, going from a full run (12 or 14 seconds in the 100yd dash fast), to not going anywhere atall.  

    I noticed an arm around my waist, and the smell of pipe smoke and I was staring right smack dab into Allen Geisers face.  He was grinnin and just standing still and holding my 125 pound idjit body like I was a potato chip, with one arm, and holding his pipe in the other hand.    Allen was a very strong young man.   That's all I remember other than I didnt get into any trouble that evening, thanks to Allen.

    He and I talked about that not too long ago, and for the life of me, dont remember what was said.  I guess it was like a big brother keeping his younger idiot brother out of trouble.  To say he was a standup guy is putting it mildly.

    To me, he and all his team mates and our classmates just exuded "confidence", the confidence I tried to copy, but failed miserably.  He had that same confidence at every reunion and party on the hill that he and Betty attended.  I sure enjoyed being in his company as well as the rest of our class, he will be missed. 

Wayne Lake

Who am I?

As an individual, I used to think I was pretty much just a regular guy, but I was born

white, into a two-parent, two gender household which now, whether I like it or not,

apparently makes me "Privileged", a racist and somehow responsible for slavery although

none of my family arrived here until after the Civil War ended.  

.

I am fiscal and moral (well sort of), which by today's standards, makes me a fascist

because I plan, budget and support myself.

Since I am white and a flag waving (US and TX) nationalist so I guess I fall into the

designated group called ‘White Nationalist’ which I understand to be politically unacceptable.

After avoiding the draft a few years and breaking the law way too many few times,

I joined the Navy and when I got out went to school on the GI Bill. I have worked  

continuously from the time I was about 10 years old (paper route) until I was nearly 74

(just invoiced client for the last time, I hope). But I now find out that I am not where I am 

because I earned it, but because I was "advantaged”.

I am heterosexual, which according to LBGT folks, now makes me homophobic.

I am not a Muslim, which now labels me as an infidel.

I am older than 60, making me a useless person who doesn't understand Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

I have not played video games since Pac-Man, have never seen Game of Thrones and

don’t recognize anybody’s picture in People magazine so that probably makes me totally

un-aware of current events and should probably exclude me from voting or serving as a juror.   

I think and I reason, and I doubt much of what the "mainstream" media tells me, which makes me a

"Right-wing conspiracy nut”.

I am proud of my heritage and our inclusive culture, making me a xenophobe.

I believe in hard work, fair play, helping others when needed and fair compensation according to each

individual's merits, which today makes me an anti-socialist.

I believe our system guarantees freedom of effort - not freedom of outcome or subsidies which must

make me a borderline sociopath.

I believe in the defense and protection of the US for and by all citizens, now making me a militant.

I am proud of our flag, what it stands for and the many who died to let it fly, so I proudly stand

during our National Anthem and therefore, I must be a racist.

Please help me come to terms with the new me because I'm just not sure who I am anymore.

If all this nonsense wasn't enough to deal with, now I don't even know which restroom to use… and

I have to go more FREQUENTLY than ever.

Lost and confused, 'suffering  in place' up in the North country, 

Wayne

Wayne Lake

I felt remiss in posting without  mentioning the loss of Allen Geiser. He is one of many in our Waltrip 64 class that I have had the honor to know and respect. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, both blood and football.

RIP #34    

Wayne Lake

Read’n, See’n & Hear’n

Bennie, have you ever heard of Doc or his son Mike Blakely, both live in Wharton? Doc was a vet turned Humorist/Writer/Speaker and Mike is a singer/songwriter/novelist who has released several albums with songs who mostly plays small venues but not really two-step’n music aka George Strait.

Teddie, have you read the Barney Farley book and if so, did you enjoy it?

Pat, you recently mentioned reading WWII books. I have been reading some great ones about the war in the Pacific:

Hugh Ambrose (son of Steven Ambrose): The Pacific and the HBO Series by the same name by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, probably the best war movie ever.

E.B. Sledge PFC Combat Veteran USMC: ‘With the Old Breed’. His writing is very detailed about the how a young Marine deals with the intense emotional and physical hardships in the two amphibious assaults he was part of; Pelilu and Okinawa (numerous sets and stories are included in the book and series above).

Robert Leckie PFC Combat Veteran USMC: ‘Helmut for a Pillow’. Again, great insights into a young Marine’s life in early assaults at Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester.

The extended (30 straight days at Pelilu and 50 days on Okinawa) suffering from battle fatigue that these Marines went through due to weather, terrain, artillery short rounds (friendly fire), lack of sleep, food, water and ammo was horrendous, yet alone the constant battles with the ruthless Japanese forces. I simply had no idea how this war was prosecuted at ground level and thankfully, never will.

Beau, Teddie, James King and any others interested in Texas stories, a book that I am currently reading (source; Jimmy Hilsher), is ‘One Ranger’ by Joaquin Jackson which is a true life story about a contemporary Texas Ranger, maybe some of you have already read it.   

Stay Safe,

wtl            

Beverly Hengst (Allen)

Barbara Raines spoke to Allen's son, Kevin, and obtained some updated information for us. There will be a private service, due to the current Covid crisis,  and per Allen's wishes, he will be cremated.  A gathering in honor of Allen will be announced later.

Please continue to keep Betty and the entire Geiser family in your prayers.

Teddie Jordan

Wayne I certainly did enjoy the Barney book you recommended. What a man he was, and his awareness of and knowledge about Tarpon behavior was enlightening. And the story of his long fight with the six foot tarpon only to have it jump into the old wooden boat as it was gaffed, then driving the Gaff hook into Barney's leg as it flopped around and knocked one of the planks loose From the bottom of the boat! What a predicament, what a man! No wonder President FDR always hired him when he came down to fish. 

James King '65

Wayne, I read One Ranger last month. A retired HPD officer loaned the book to me. The retired police officer worked with Joaquin Jackson on a few cases and the loaned book was signed by Jackson. Entertaining stories of police work. 

Sandi Schlesinger (Stark)

Wayne, good job expressing your thoughts on "Who am I?"  I suspect that many of us can relate to your frustration. It does seem that you're damned if you do and damned if you don't these days.  
 

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Wayne my current book is Crucible of Faith by Bruce Gourley.  It is about the church reaction to the southern states seceding at the beginning of the Civil War. So far it is fascinating and entirely new to me.  It is mostly Baptist history but I find it fascinating.  Next book in the hopper is Big zbeautiful a thing by Stephen Harriman about Texas.  I am excited about reading this comprehensive account of my home.  Wayne I love Stephen Ambrose.  
i am so sorry about Allen.  I had such a crush on him in school.  I missed it if someone notified us that he was ill.  Of course at our age I guess we don't have to have a reason.  Beau I remember going to Candlelight Park once for what we were told was a big party.  I do remember how many girls went together but we left pretty quickly and went to Sally Pollard's house.  She lived about a block from the park and we heard sirens later coming from the park.  I think we have lost our ability to retrieve everything from storage in our brain, but it is still there.  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey all yall...so good to see so many on the forum.    I've not read any of the aforementioned books, maybe I'll get round tuit.    That's one of my alltime pleasures, reading, or at least it was.  Cant seem to  concentrate on reading anymore.  I can read and reread a page and not tell you what I just read.     I have a zillion books on WWII, read them all.  Even "Weird and strange facts of WWII and the Civil war".   Read General Grants account of the CW.  Took him 30 years to write it and get it published at the insistance of his good friend Mark Twain.

   They werent always friends.  When they first met, they hated each other, dont know why, but became very good friends later on.  Grant died one month after his book was published by Mark Twain or with his assistance. Also have "From Manasas to Appomattox" by General Longstreet, and "Napoleon in Grey" about PGT Beauregard.  Just about the onliest (east texas for only) one to not put out any memoirs was the right honorable ROBERT E. LEE. whom I'm proud to say is kin, by marriage, but kin none the less.

    I have so many many books !   My house is a veritable library, a cornucopia, if you will, and even if you wont, of a wide variety of subject matter in books.   Hey Pat since you like Stephen King, have you read "The Green Mile"?    "Forrest Gump" is a good read, but decidedly just a tad different thant the character thaat Tom Hanks portrayed.  Hanks portrayal is a bit more charming and endearing. 

     I've read everything that C.S Lewis wrote,  W.E.B. Griffins novels,  Lillian Jackson Brauns 30 book series on a cat named CoCo and his person and reporter, Qwilleran.  Very good series that.  There are just so many good books out there, including all the old standards by Mark Twain etc.  All the old poetry books, EB Browning, Emily Dickenson, the Bronte sisters and the list goes on.   Lots and lots of biographys and auto-biographys.  Theodore Rex is an excellent biography about Teddy Roosevelt.  He almost died in the Amazon jungle.

        There's two really good late 1800s time period about a "scout" named Brules by Harry Combs, titled "Brules", and "the scout" duh!  They're standard novel length, 600 pages give or take.  Had all of Louis L'Amours and Zane Gray, but sold em in our booth at the old Northwest Mall.  I think the best of L' Amours was his last book, "Last of the Breed"  finished by his daughter, at least that's the story I heard. 

   I guess I could go through my whole library and list em all, but that would be boring for any that tried to read it.  I just get so excited about "BOOKS"  love em.  Now, just wish I could get back my concentration. sometimes I'll just pick them up and hold them and run my hands over the covers and flip throug the pages...  I've pretty much stopped watching TV.  Dont listen to radio, all my stations are gone, couldnt hear it anyway. 

    Hey Wayne, you've hit the hail on the nead cept for one thing...all the aforementioned by youse, you need to wear a mask now further concealing who you and we are supposed to be.  I think they just want us dead and gone is what I think, but I'm a right wing extremest.  So there you go...

    Just waiting on the little woman to get home ffrom her sojourn into H town to help out her parents etc.  She goes in twice a week,  Wednesday and spends the night, and the n again Sunday and mostly comes back that same eenin depending on Drs appts and such.  A very good daughter she ! ! !   Cant wait for her to get back, so she can take over the duties.  I'm gonna nap for a few hours.

      Reville around here is 5:30 or round a  bouts thereof per little Izzydorable, so I'm tired.  Been feeding critters, washing dishes and clothes etc, just generally working since about 5:30.  Wish someone would have discouraged me from moving to paradise, or at least told me you have to WORK in paradise...

    I'm sure whoever is reading this drivel is probably nodding off now as I type.  See there, something good comes of being bored, even if it's only a nap, ha, so there you go !

time to sing off,  Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride..."
Your frien and resident Librarian, Cephus R Non-fiction esq  

Paige Talley (Meek)

Yeah!  I finally am able to get into the forum. I have been reading the comments, but not able to respond. That might have been a good thing :)

Richard and I have been hunkering down at home for the most part. Facing the world with masks and shields, we have occassionally venture out. Most recently we trekked to College Station to meet up with our middle son, Walt, and some of his family. They are now living in Colorada. Their trip down was to retreive their daughter who had been going to Blinn but now transferring to Colorado and a 1964 VW Bug being restored. Having not seen them in over a year, we collected our PPGear and headed W/NW.  It was great to be able to see and be close, if one may consider following them around caravan style as they did the required pickup, move, hookup, go back, go around, stop, go, stand in the sun, drink water, ride in the VW and go home.

As the mother/grandmother found this all to be great. I am here to tell you, Richard did not think all that chasing around was GREAT!  He did really like seeing and driving the VW. 

The Bug originally belonged to Richard's sister, Becky. It had been sitting in her garage since 1985 and had been covered up inside and out with the minutiae of garage years. Walt bought it. When the VW was cleared off and out it started right up and off it went to CS. Before being restored, granddaughter Hannah was the new driver of this treasure. After about a month she decided she did not want to drive it. She did not have a problem with the mechanics or the clutch. SO?????   She was getting approached day or night by "Old Men" (in her words) wanting to talk about her car, touch, and look at the engine. It has now been restored, looks and drives nicely and resides in Erie, CO. I have included some photos.  

See y'all around,  Paige

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Paige I had a 65 and 67 bug.  Then we got a 71 bus.  Then a 77 camper.  We ended our VW streak with a 81 dasher.  I married a nice guy who is a terrible driver.  He has totaled more cars than you can imagine.  My grandkids are all grown.  I had a 1999 Chevy suburban that I bought new in October, 1998.  That car won't quit. We gave it to oldest grandkid when he was 16.  It has passed through three of the four and is now back in my driveway.  I hate this truck.  It has over 250,000 miles on it and my husband has not totaled it.  He has destroyed three suburban, but not this one.  I should be glad.  I know State Farm is happy.  He hasn't had a major wreck since 2014.  
beau, i don't like Stephen King.  It is Stephen Ambrose.  Have you read any books about Gettysburg?  I read a book about Andersonville POW camp.  Everyone starved.  Too far into enemy territory to stock.  Too many southerners couldn't get food to their soldier so they didn't help either.  I also have read all of C S Lewis.  
wayne, I also have a different way of looking at much that is happening, but I understand my perspective is uniquely my own.  We are all in a different situation.  None is the correct place for everyone.  Remember after the French Revolution people tried to tear down notre dame cathédral.  They wanted that part of history erased.  They failed although they did damage.

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Pat, I had a 74 VW, red as red can be.  That's the one car I'd like to have back.  Bought it for 1700 dollars, and sold it 4 years later for 2100 cash money American dollars.   And your wrong...MY Place is the onliest (east texas for only) way people should think.  If one doesnt believe the way I do, there's something wrong with one.  Ha !   So, there you are, and there you go !    (TONGUE IN CHEEK)

      I could have sworn you said Stephen  King !   I've Stephen Ambrose also.   I have a book called THE KILLER ANGELS by  Michael Shaara,  about the battle of Gettysburg.    In fact they made a movin pitcher about it called, appropriately enough, GETTYSBURG.  

     I lied to all youse youtes! ! ! Unintentially, but lied nonetheless!    About not reading anymore.  Well, I "missspoke" , I believe is what the politicians call lying now.   I had a bycycle oncet that had a missin spoke, and saw a boat called Miss Spoke. Anyway I said I didnt read anymore because I couldnt concentrate, which is correct, and since I dont read everyday like I use to, I forget that I'm reading stuff.  Well I just finished a 10 book series by Jan Karon about a minister and his trials and tribulations called, AT HOME IN MITFORD, is the first book and each subsequent book has a different title but are all related.

      It took me the longest to get started on it, but once I got going, It was ok, until I had to put it down and do other stuff, then it was hard to get started again.   It is a good series to read, lots of bible verse to ponder and situations etc.  Strange, the writer is female and her lead character is male.  Lillian Jackson Braun did the same thing, lead character a male.   But all in all, It does lend a strong but softer more thoughtful character than say one created by John Wayne, God rest his soul. 

   There's lots of things in that series I wish I could remember, but just cant.  One of the reasons for not reading anymore, cant remember what I read.  I think it has to do with getting older and the heavy load I put on myself for each days list of things to do, and things that HAVE to be done, plus the care and welfare of my critters, and the heat and the 4 years of drought and still no rain, and then there's the PMR.   Hard to let go of things ! 

    Speaking of which I need to let go of this typing and get a move on.  Izzy gets us up, or one of us up, at first light everyday whether we want to or not.  Seems I heard Thomas Jefferson got up at first light everyday and enjoyed it more so than sunrise.  It is a good time of day as is twilight time in the eenin.  Something about the lighting...

Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride..."  with the AC on of course...
your frien and resident non reading book woim, Cephus R Non-Fiction,

Post Script: unless he miss speaks...
Post Post Script:  Has any of youse youtes gotten on you tube and looked up Tina S and watched and listened to her play Bethovens 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata?    Someone look at it please and tell me what you think ! ! ! Anyone, anyone?   Youse music majors?  Or minors?  Or miners? 

Paige Talley (Meek)

Beau,  I listened to both the Tina S and the Valentina Lisitsa performances of Beethoven's 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata. Although I thought Tina's was an amazing feat for a guitarist expecially on a 12 string. I preferred the piano concert, also remarkable.  Thanks for the introduction to Tina S.

Paige

Ruth Ellen Winters (Schmidt)

Paige my husband loved your granddaughters response for not wanting the VW. Sounded like something our granddaughter would say.  We had a green 1966 looked the same to me.  Hope all is good for everyone.  

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Beau, have your watched Steve n Seagull's version of Thunderdtruck?  That is a favorite.  Tina S is impressive on that 12 string.  My musical talent is listening.  My YouTube music playlist goes from 1930s to current.  We watched a movie last night and I was more caught up in the music choices than the plot.  
beverly, am i supposed to have addresses for people?  I wanted to send a note to Betty Geiser.  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hello there kitties, Rumpol of the Bailey here.  Good series that.  Tv series and books.  Hey pat, that's not a 12 string she's playing, just 6.  Having owned a 12 string and played same, it would be virtually impossible to play the 3rd movement or any movement on a 12 string, strings are too tight.  It's mainly for "orchestral effect" or fullness of sound in folk music although some "lead" is possible, just not as many note changes as in Moonlight sonata 3rd movement or any of Paganinis comps.     I've  never heard of Steven seagul only steven segal the karate guy.  I will look it up on you tube.   

    Hey Pat, I'm pretty sure Beverly might have Bettys address, if not, I think Diane has it.  When I can get her attention I'll see if she can find it and send it to you on the Msg center.

     I learned a new word this past week.  Onliest (east texas for only) thing is, I forgot what it was.  I think it started with a P and ended with a P.  I can tell you what it means though,  It's for us folks that can hear actual  music in a fans hum, or AC hum, or white noise.   I can hear the music, but cant tell you what's playing, although, ti's said, that some folks can "name that tune" in white noise.   Isnt that amazing, I cant remember the word I want, but can remember a whole bunch of words that it means.  My mind is a terrible think to wit !

    Got less than one half inch of rain from the vaunted "HANNAH".   Oh well, maybe nxt time.  Been working on the CHIMACS weather computer trying to get it regulated.  Moved my transmitter tower 50 feet to the north and east.  Change and renewed all the power supplys, and It's still not doing right.  Oh well, may be time to upgrade, although this is the 2nd  such up grade.  They just dont make stuff to last do they. 

     Made my moms "CORNPONE PIE" yesterday, and hmmmmmm hmmmmmm hmmmmmm, and yum it was so good.   It's one of those dishes that you can add to and take away from and it's still goood.   You just sort of mix it up for your taste.  You can add pretty much anything and it's still good.   Of course my mom and Dad would not like the "jazzed up version", but what the hey.

    Oh, on a sadder note,  one of our band memebers died this month, I just found out yesterday.  He was lead singer in our "garage band".  Lonnie Guiberteau !    I got this from my younges who is friends with Lonnies daughter, Mandy.    He wasnt in our class, nor did he go to our school, I think he went to St Thomas or St Pius.   I'm not sure of the cause of death, can only speculate, but out of respect for family, and the deceaased,  will not.

     Ok, time to move a hose. Keep the sun at your six and "ride boldly ride..."

Your frien and resident meteorloligist,  Cephus R. Me esq

Beau Wann, Jr.

Look at the smile on that chiles face. 

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Hey Pat, just watched Steve n seagull play Thunderstruck and loved it.  Also watched the 2 cellos play it, and loved it too.  I've seen them before and they're good.

Johnny Sheffield

Hi pat, here is allen and betty geiser address

18702 cleeve close

humble Texas 77346

Hope you and family are doing well

johnny