Message Forum

I got bounces on the following individuals/emails. Does anyone have a correct/new email for them? Please let me know and I'll update their account. Thanks.

Janet Whitlow (Chrisohon) jchrisoh@oconee.k12.ga.us

Sonja (Armour) soniea@windstream.net

Steve Eberhardt seberhardt@lawrencevillepd.net

Susan Peterman (Harris) sjh@earthlink.net

Joan Moncrief moncrief@windstream.net

05/14/09 11:46 AM

#535

Connie… you are not alone. I don’t speak “texting” either. In fact, I will confess that I had no idea what Gary had written until I Googled “ROFLMAO.” You can find anything with Google. It linked me to this urban/slang dictionary. This is not the first time I’ve had to do a search on a “text” message. The younger generation in our family uses it a lot. I just got an e-mail message from one of my great-nieces a couple of days ago which ended with “TTYL”. And I had to google to find out that it meant “talk to you later.” I guess I will have to learn “texting” along with Spanish. The world is changing.

I’m happy that you had a nice fishing trip, Connie, even if you didn’t catch anything. And, BTW, your recent Oglethorpe County backroads adventure brought to mind another story… about my brother Ron. I don’t think he would mind me sharing this. In fact, he may be rolling around on the floor of Heaven with a big grin on his face. Anyway, we turned sixteen in the summer of 1966, just before we enrolled at OCHS for our Junior year, and we were both able to get our driver’s license… a great day! Daddy got this old, cheap, small, used foreign car for us to drive… a Vauxhall. Most people have never heard of it (how about you, Jim?... you’re our car expert). Anyway, the day we got it, I was sick and couldn’t get out. But Ron took it out with three or four buddies on a joy ride. And it was a rainy day. So they got out on some of those Oglethorpe County back roads… dirt roads that had turned to mud. And of course he was showing off and driving too fast…. and lost control. The car skidded sideways and then started to tumble. It turned completely over. Ron described it later as like “being in a movie”. When it landed on the top, several of them were thrown from the front seat to the back seat and vice versa. The car ended upright, but was totaled. Fortunately no one was seriously injured... just scared. And guess what… I never got to drive our “new” car. And I know Ron is still grinning.

05/14/09 01:18 PM

#536

Don,

You really can Google anything: Vauxhall

05/15/09 07:58 AM

#537

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE and a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JANE!!! The sun is shining and the birds are singing - it's gonna be a GREAT DAY!

I think I must be getting old. I've gotten to where I need to take a nap every evening before I go to bed. Doesn't help in keeping up with the story line on some TV series. If any of you watch "Bones", boy was that confusing watching it with half open eyes. And "Grey's Anatomy", Sherron's show, I can't keep it straight, who's dead or alive, dying or recovering, married or having an affair, straight or homosexual. The good part is, I really haven't missed much. What ever happened to "Donna Reed", "Gunsmoke", etc.

I've got to go get my act together before our bi-weekly meeting begins. I pray you each have a VERY blessed day and weekend. And Don, I kinda liked the looks of a Vauxhall, especially the sporty 1904 (if I recall correctly) two seater. Later.

05/15/09 10:30 AM

#538

I don't remember what model that Vauxhall was. I guess it was probably late fifties. Since I never got to drive it (thanks, Ron), I don't remember much about it. It was a wierd little car though. Funny thing... my Dad was always a Chevy man. Always! He must have really got a good deal on it to have bought something else. Maybe he traded a cow or a chicken or a hog for it.

Have a great weekend everybody!

05/15/09 10:55 AM

#539

BTW, Gary... While you were snoozing through "Bones" & "Grey's Anatomy," I was watching "The DaVinci Code." I have purposely avoided it up until now. I like Tom Hanks, but boy, what some twisted theology! Anyway, I was home alone while Liz and a friend went to a concert by the Cobb Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, called "Puttin' on the Ritz" at the newly restored Marietta Strand Theatre on the Square in Marietta. Connie... Liz tells me that your old movie theater is a beautiful place now! A great place to see a show, even though it only seats about 400 people. I look forward to seeing it for myself one of these days.

05/15/09 11:08 AM

#540

And a great Friday right back at you, Gary and Don. I enjoy "hearing" from everyone this way. Now that my birds are back and singing, and the flowers are blooming again, my days are brighter, but they are even brighter when I check in and hear from some of you.

Loved your story about your car, Don. How great that Ronald survived his madcap drive, and lived many more years to produce his lovely family that you now love so. And, Gary, I also miss Donna Reed, etc. When I was in high school one of my favorite shows was "That Girl" with Marlo Thomas. To show you how times have changed, once the censors would not allow a scene in one episode to be aired because it showed Donald (the boyfriend) retrieving some of his drycleaning from her closet. The situation was very innocent and had an explanation, but the mere implication that he may have slept over was not allowed. How far we have "evolved".

I'm still contemplating my bucket list, Gary, and what to share/suggest. I got a real kick out of the list you posted earlier. I skimmed it, and there were some very interesting ones. A tractor? Hmmm.

Connie, how I would dearly love to fish with you. Of course my attention span is brief, but if the day was perfect, I could sit there a long time without getting a bite. Oh, wait! If I was with you, then the day WOULD be perfect.

Hugs and happiness to one and all, and to Jane, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Diane

05/15/09 08:30 PM

#541

Kathy Carter (Campbell)

Hi Everyone,

Happy birthday, Jane.

So sorry to hear about Linda. She has just celebrated her birthday on the 6th.

Don I surely got a laugh out of the car story.

I've had an exciting week of cleaning out the attic and have been amazed at some of the stuff we had up there for six and a half years and haven't needed. Needless to say it went to the trash. Today my cat and I have been in a hall closet. We pulled everything out and she helped me label and package 21 white tablecloths for a garage sale we will be having in June. I really must get back to work and get all those blankets, sheets, etc. put back up.

Oh yes, we have a wonderful Sunday planned. Abigail, our 8 year old accepted Jesus into her heart about a year and half ago and now she wants to be baptised. They attend First Baptist in Belvedere, SC near where they live, but she wants her Grandpa to baptise her so they will be here at our church for that and will all be here for lunch. Rabun is so thrilled that she wants him to baptise her.

hope you all have a great weekend. Must go.

Kathy

05/15/09 09:59 PM

#542

Connie Morgan (White)

Sure was good to hear from y'all. Fun to share memories like Ron's wild ride (poor Don - to not even get to ride in your "new" car). Tell Liz I appreciate hearing about the updates on the Strand. It seems many lifetimes ago that I went to the movies there as a kid, and afterwards across the street to play in the park in the square.

Neat Bucket List idea Gary - I must think, think!

Diane, I would LOVE a day of sitting and talking with you. I am so grateful for the time we've had lately, but it just passed too quickly.

Kathy, I read about your "cleaning out" with envy. I moved back to Crawford in 1986. Since that time, things have been steadily added in this house and almost NOTHING has left (as any of you who have been here can attest to!!!). I am a hopeless pack-rat. Everything has a memory attached, and I just hang on to it. I've even kept some of all sizes of clothes - you know, for when I lose this weight...
Also, what a wonderful week-end for your family. Such a blessing to know your loved ones know and love the Lord.

I am going to the BEACH for a few days!!!!! I'm so excited to be getting away. I'm going to Fernandina Beach. I so enjoy walking and looking for sharks teeth. (yes, I have a collection of those too if you'd ever like to see it)

Oh sweet friends, thank all of you for making this time of my life even more special by coming back into my life.

love y'all,
connie

05/16/09 03:06 PM

#543

Gary… I will get back to you on the bucket list. I also enjoyed the list you posted as an example. There were many things on there I have done, and many more I’d really like to do. And some I will definitely avoid. Diane… I too found the “tractor” thing a bit of a surprise, even for a farm boy like me. I spent many hours on the back of a tractor in my youth, and I thought I had a creative imagination, but that one never crossed my mind. Somehow it just doesn’t seem as comfortable as, say, the back seat of a Vauxhall. But I wouldn’t know anything about that either. But, I say… whatever floats your boat. And if you think about it, maybe that’s how that big green tractor got its name…“John, dear.”

05/16/09 03:50 PM

#544

Don, I am ROTFLOL (I have no idea what I just said, but it means I'm laughing). I can't wait to run upstairs and tell Dick what you said about the "John, Dear"! Now that we have piqued everybody's interest in the list, I can't find it anymore. Where did it go? I am so confused. Am I looking in the wrong place? No wonder I don't understand the tractor thing.

Gotta get back to work. Saturdays have become full fledged work days for us. I am on the verge of humming a sea chanty.

Oh, and I just realized yesterday that our bucket list stuff is on the "user forum". Joy, I loved yours, and I'd like to do that too.

Again, thanks Don for making me laugh.

Oh, Linda, I am so, so sorry you broke something! I hope you set a record for rapid healing. We love you.

Diane

05/17/09 08:56 PM

#545

Janie Etheredge (Harris)

ANOTHER FISH STORY
I haven't been fishing in years. Charles fixed my fishpole, Daniel gave me some crickets, I can not wait.
I back the golfcart to the edge of the pond. Then Daniel wants to cut grass where I'm fishing. OK!OK! I move my cart to another location, that went I realize my line caught on some limbs, underbrush and everything. OH! KNOW!! I empty out all my fishline all thought the wood. Well I took three deep breathes,clean up the mess
Went back to the house for another fishpole.
Today I caught 7 Brim

05/18/09 09:59 AM

#546

HAPPY MONDAY!!! I trust you all survived the weekend. (I've gotten to the age where I check the obituaries every morning and didn't recognize any names today.) Well Janie at least you "caught" something. I couln't even hook a low hanging branch this weekend. All in all, a pretty uneventful weekend. Did have an opportunity to go for a short ride and let my hair (singular) blow in the wind. Looks like I could have a busy week - folks keep coming up with stuff they thought they told me about. I pray you each have a great week. Later.

05/18/09 02:32 PM

#547

Don, don't know if you read about the Curve Ball this weekend or not. It was voted the World's Best Illusion. With that in mind, I thought others might enjoy some other Optical Illusions to pass the time. Enjoy

05/18/09 03:10 PM

#548

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a great weekend!

On Friday night, Liz and I had dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill (Ted Turner's Restaurant). If you’re not familiar with it, they specialize in serving Bison. It’s a Bar and Grill and is pretty lively on the weekend with a full house and people packed in waiting to be seated. We had both tried a Buffalo Burger about 15 years ago in Deadwood, South Dakota and liked it very much. And we went to Ted’s to specifically order Bison again. Liz ordered their C.O.B. (cheddar on bison) burger, and I ordered the S.O.B. (No, not Ted Turner himself... it is the “Swiss on Bison” burger). It may well have been the best burger I have ever eaten!!! Yummo! Have any of you ever tried Bison?

Janie… it’s great to see you back on the Message Forum again. Let us hear from you more often. And glad that you caught a few fish. From the fishing reports we’ve had here lately, you seem to be the Champion at his point.

And Gary... thanks for the info on the curve ball... very interesting. Which brings to mind one of the items on my own Bucket List... to stand at the plate and face a Big League pitcher throwing a great curve ball and a 90 mph fast ball. Just once.

And Connie… hope you have a great trip to Fernandina Beach. I’m not familiar with that one. Where is it? And I’d love to see that collection of shark’s teeth sometimes.

And to Connie and Kathy… I plead guilty to being a pack rat myself, an incurable pack rat. I want to save everything, and Liz wants to throw everything away.

And Diane, I’m sure you will never look at a John Deere tractor quite the same way again.

And I’m happy that some of you enjoyed the story about Ron and his friends and their joy ride in the Vauxhall. If I ever do a book of stories, and include that one in it, I’m going to call it “Scrambled Rednecks.”

Have great week everyone. Seems to be very cool here for May.

05/18/09 07:01 PM

#549

Don, I can say that I have actually tried bison. We had a bison filet at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs when visiting our kids. I couldn't pass up the chance to be daring, and it was delicious. I'm seeing it in our grocery stores up here, but haven't cooked any myself. I would probably have enjoyed one of those great burgers with you and Liz even more.

Gary, my next stop is to check out those illusions. And Janie, you just add to my longing to sit on a nice bank of a river or pond. I don't much care if I fish, but I'd just like to be in a serene setting like that. I am noticing a high percentage of fisher people among my old classmates.

Kathy, I am so happy you were able to witness such an important event in your grand daughter's life over the weekend. How precious.

Connie, hope you are having a restful and wonderful time at the beach. You guys are making me wish to be in so many neat places. For now I will have to be content with where I am.

Take care everyone, and enjoy every moment. Life is a gift. Thank you for being such wonderful, wonderful reminders of that.

Diane

05/19/09 08:23 AM

#550

Happy Tuesday everyone! Last night I signed up for something on the internet and I had to provide one of those personal responses that only I would know. "Who was your childhood hero?" I had to think long and hard - maybe old age - Cisco Kid, Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, and later Bronson. And then it struck me, who are the heroes of our kids and grand kids today? Sponge Bob Square Pants, Pink Telatubby? ????? I could project myself into the world of my hero and just picture myself riding off into the sunset, after kissing the pretty girl. What are the fantasies of our grand kids? Just wondering. Later.

A heart beat away from the Presidency!

05/19/09 11:15 AM

#551

Food for thought:

Happiness Is ... Being Old, Male and Republican

05/20/09 08:13 AM

#552

I hope this link works:

Parents Fuming as Texas Schools Let Gideons Provide Bibles to Students

"If they're God-fearing Christians ... they should be giving those items wherever they worship. School is a place to learn, not a place to worship," Baier told FOXNews.com.

I guess I was "mis-educated". I remember reading the Bible, reciting the Lord's Prayer and pledging allegiance to the Flag every morning in the earlier years of school. ???? And look how I turned out!!! Well, maybe not a good example. Later.

05/21/09 09:42 AM

#553

Gary… I was another one of those who was “mis-educated” in my youth. From the 1st through 8th grade, Ron and I lived on a dairy farm near Ty Ty, Georgia and attended Sumner Elementary School. I too remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and saying prayer in school each day. In fact, my 4th grade teacher who saw some potential in me as an artist asked that I create a Nativity Set for display in the school at Christmas. I hand-painted a very large cardboard cutout of each figure… Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph, the Three Wise Men, Angels, Shepherds and various animals. In today’s world, I guess I would have incurred the wrath of the almighty ACLU and been tried and executed. We also had Bible Study IN SCHOOL. It was not in the classroom but an organization came in, I think about once a month and we had an assembly in the school auditorium where we listened to Bible teaching, studied the scriptures and memorized Bible verses. We were even awarded for the number of verses we could recite. I won a copy of my very own New Testament, my first one, and still have it today (I told you I’m a pack rat).

But it is a very different world today. I too would like for every child in school to have a copy of his own Bible. But, food for thought, let me ask you this. What will you do if your child or grandchild comes home from school one day and tells you about the prayer that he or she was led in by their Muslim teacher, or tells you about the message that she heard that day read from the Koran, or the Book of Mormon or some other religious teaching? I’m just asking. That day may be closer than you think. This world is ever so slowly bending to satisfy, and avoid offending Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists and others. Christianity is under assault. Even celebrating Christmas offends many people. It is a battlefield out there for the minds and souls of our children and we had better Wake Up, America!

05/21/09 11:08 PM

#554

Janie Etheredge (Harris)

Hi everyone
Gary and Don you are great greeter, if you every lose your job you could work at Wal-Mart. Ha! ( just trying to be funny)

Diane, you are right it is so serene at our Pond in Georgia. You don't see are hear neighbors and the air is a lot fresher, but when I get hunger, I want to be in the City.

Linda let us hear from you. How did you hurt your arm?

Don, tell Liz I'll be thinking of her on our Birthday Day, what a surprse.

If anyone want to visity our place of serenty, we are there most week-end. Let me know cell phone 864-314-2542.
Love Janie

P.S. It I miss spell a work are leave out punctuation, as I do so often, just read it correctly as you go. Thanks

05/22/09 11:06 AM

#555

Janie... Liz and I will be thinking of you too when we celebrate her birthday on June 28th and you celebrate yours too. Have a good one!

And... as I said before... spelling, punctuation and grammar don't count here. Thanks for contributing.

Walmart... here I come.

05/22/09 11:10 AM

#556

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend everyone.

In honor of Memorial Day, I offer a salute to all of those men and women who have given their lives in service to our country, defending liberty and freedom. And I know there are some in our own Class of ’68 who served this country and are no longer with us. May God bless their memory. And to all others who have served… thank you! I know too that some of you have sons and daughters in service right now, placing their lives in harms way around the world. I offer a special prayer for them, that God would protect them and keep them, and return them safely to their homes and their families. I am a grateful American.

05/22/09 01:42 PM

#557