Happy New Year

Look For The Good

(by Joanna Fuchs)

In the New Year, let's resolve
to get less stressed, upset, anxious
about things over which we have no control.
Lets have a narrower focus on our lives,
loving and helping our family and friends,
making our community a better place to live,
to create peace and contentment.

In the New Year, let's resolve
to pay less attention to depressing stories
on TV, in magazines and newspapers,
and to stop focusing on what we want
that we haven't got,
instead of appreciating
the many blessings we do have.

In the New Year, let's look for the good.
We may have to search
through a mass of negative media,
but the good is there,
all around us.

I wish for you a New Year filled with good,
engulfed in serenity and happiness!

Much love and peace to you all,
Marilyn

2015 BHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION (CLASS OF '57)

NANCY and Jake Baker stopped by after the All-School Reunion, on another excursion to Reno and Lake Tahoe to participate in their hobby - casinos! She dropped off the photos she took at the reunion. She said she later realized she didn't get pics of everyone in attendance. Gene Routh and Harold Hudgens are two she named. She took some of our class before attending Jake's Class of '54 and the Bethel School reunions.

Unfortunately, the quality of the photos didn't take well to scanning, and the color was off, leaving some folks looking like they had bad sunburns. I did what I could to improve them, but some were resistant to my efforts, so I changed them to black and white. The slideshow below is the result.

You'll notice in the last picture of BOB BURTON, he is in the company of two of our favorite Bearcat cheerleaders, Delle Tisdale Reed (Class of '56) and Emilie Burton Morris (Class of '54 - BOB'S sister).

Front Row: Jimmie Stubblefield, Peggy Virden Sharp, Virginia Harral Egan, Patsy Berry Bomar, Janice Amarine, Janette Amarine Bradshaw, Ann Keele Ellis, Doris Stokes White Second Row:  Jerline Piel Steel, Nancy Thompson Baker  Back Row:  Bob Burton, James Hays, Don White, Don Simmons, Rodney Flanagan, Neil Broussard, Bill King, Buddy Wilkins, Gene Routh, Harold Hudgens

This looks like a smaller group than years past, however, considering we know of at least 17 classmates who did not show up this year -- and are still alive and kicking -- it seems like a pretty good crowd for some pushing 80 years old! I know, I know, we still have a few years to go. Considering how, according to my daughter Carajean this past weekend, 60 is the new 40, we may have a lot more years than we think! 

The lady on the first row in the red blouse said her name is (Whoops! See below..**) Mildred Tabor, but no one remembered her as being one of our classmates. Do any of you recognize her or her name? I remember a Doug Tabor who moved to Ballinger while in the Class of '56. The only reason I remember him is he applied for a job with a company for which I was Assistant Security Officer in 1967 in Dallas -- Brainpower, USA. No joke, that was the name. We were what was known as a "job shop" in the technical industry. We provided temporary employees to government contractors like Texas Instruments, LTV, General Dynamics, NASA, etc. Doug was a technical writer.

Thanks to Nancy for supplying the photos for this post. Many of us didn't get to attend this year, and it's fun to see how everyone is holding up! (Or not.) I would still like to hear what you all have been up to. Share your news with us. 

************************

JAMES HAYS and JERRY EOFF sent information to me recently that a BHS Class of '58 member, Ellis Mendiola, died a few weeks back. JERRY said "he retired as a lab tech at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas, possibly well up in the ranks."

JAMES wrote, "I knew Ellis well. He was in the class of 1958 according to my memory and JERRY’s. We had gone on a boy scout sponsored trip to Laughlin Air Force Base at Del Rio together. The Air Force thought that all of us were explorer scouts, but only 4 or 5 of us were, but they had to have at least 12 to send an airplane for us."

GLENN SMITH about his cousin, PAT SMITH MULLINS: "We have lunch or chat every month or so. She is doing fine. She walks, swims, and sings in the choir of one of Brownwood's big Baptist churches. Her husband James is on heart meds. Terry, one of James's and PAT's four daughters, lives with them and helps care for James and also works full time as a court transcriber. Pat is always upbeat when I talk with her."

JUNE HASH CURRY sent me an email on my birthday with the following news: "my granddaughter KayLe (Martha's youngest daughter) is in labor right now with my youngest great-grandson, to be named Austin. We are anxiously awaiting his arrival." He was born that night, and made nine great-grandchildren for JUNE! "Born at 11:37 tonight by cesarean section, 7lbs, 6 oz, 19 inches long.  Mom and baby doing well." JUNE has one more due in April."

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Peace and much love,

Marilyn

 **Seems Nancy and I both had trouble recognizing ANN KEELE ELLIS in the class photo. VIRGINIA EGAN helped clarify for us that this is indeed, ANN, not Mildred Tabor. Mildred was there, but not in the class photo. We'd still like to know if anyone remembers her. She said she is moving back to Ballinger, so perhaps someone will update us.

Notes for Marilyn

Anyone who talks to NANCY THOMPSON BAKER soon discovers her sense of humor, and ability to exaggerate! The above photo was taken on her birthday when I last lived in Ballinger. She put the candles off of her birthday cake in her ears. (You are lucky I didn't use the photo with your finger stuck up your nose, Nancy!)

At the recent class reunion, NANCY put out a notebook for folks to write something to me for our blog, entitled:

Notes for Marilyn

(Doesn't have to be true.)

Here are the entries:

NANCY BAKER - Jake and I went to Las Vegas recently and won lots of money! Over the years we've financed a whole new casino! 

VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN - Mike and I are still in Ballinger. We are getting older and I'm not sure that we are doing it gracefully. It doesn't take much to entertain us. We won the lottery, but spent it all in 6 months. Oh, well, easy come - easy go. 

DORIS and DON WHITE - We've lived in the country for the last forty-six years, and love it. We enjoy being with our four children and twelve grandchildren. We attend the games they participate in. They are a joy to be around. We raise goats, and keep busy with work around there. We have spent the last 56 - almost 57 years together.

 

PATSY BERRY BOMAR - After losing my husband Rex in 2013, lots of things have changed. Have our lake house for sale - no fun anymore. House at Midland for sale because the town is so different. I am ready to relocate. My life is real undecided now. Our class reunion has been real fun. 

BUDDY WILKINS - Marilyn, thanks a lot for keeping us informed. My wife, Merry Lou, and I celebrated 50 years of marriage this year. (Congratulations!) I retired as a University professor of about 40 years in 2005. We full-time RV'd for eight years, and now live in Mission, Texas. Have a son and daughter and four grandkids.

 

JERLINE PIEL STEEL - Still living around Blanket. Very involved in church and Extension Club. Lots of supportive people around. Family growing every year. Have enjoyed the school reunion. 

ANN KEELE ELLIS - Lived in Bronte 30-odd years. Have two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-granchild. Am retired. Have a pretty comfortable life. Am proud to be alive. 

I saved these until last:

JANICE AMARINE - I have been retired five years, and trying to find an old codger so we can start a family. (Ha!) I am enjoying my retirement, and just doing what I want to do. I still live in Ballinger, and will be here 'til the "Father" calls me home. I am still in pretty good health. I go a lot while I can, and enjoy going to Abilene and being with JANETTE. We go see her kids in the Dallas - Fort Worth area. Having a good time at our reunion. Miss you. Thinking of you. (Ahhhh.. I miss you all as well.)

JANETTE AMARINE BRADSHAW - I've lived in Abilene, Texas since 1966. Didn't want to move from Ballinger because I loved going to town and waving at people. So, first day in Abilene I went to town and everybody was waving at me! I was on a one-way street, so instead they were giving me the one-finger wave.

I'll leave it to you to guess which ones (if any) were "not true"! 

By the way, as I have not been to a reunion since our 50th, I don't have enough current photos of you all. Why not send me your recent ones? If you can't email them to me, send them by snail mail and I will scan and return them. 

Until next time..

Love and giggles,

Marilyn

2015 BHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION

Before the Homecoming Reunion I asked NANCY to be sure to let me know how it went, who was there or who was missing. I really didn’t expect her to send me much, as I know she was planning to spend a good part of the time with hubby Jake’s Class of ‘54. I was delighted to get the following in the mail yesterday, with a promise to send me the class photo that was taken so I could publish it on the blog as well. If any of you took photos that you could send me via email, I would love to post them for all to see.

Class President JAMES HAYS called the meeting to order. Observers NANCY THOMPSON BAKER and PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP (troublemakers) should have been told to keep quiet! (By the way, several of the guys have really put on weight – just an opinion!) The topic of the meeting was to come up with a plan for a big blowout in two years for our 60th reunion.

We were all having a good, comfortable time at the House of Grace, hosted by RODNEY FLANAGAN and his wife Carolyn, where the price is right, there are plenty of bathrooms, wheelchair access, and air conditioning. Treasurer RODNEY offered his home place three miles out in the country. He also said that no one would want to drive from Colorado for a one day affair. (GENE?) DON SIMMONS never stated his opinion. The girls – worker ants, and planning committee – PATSY BERRY BOMAR, VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN, DORIS STOKES WHITE, PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP, JERLINE PIEL STEEL, the AMARINE twins, and ANN KEELE ELLIS (and maybe more that I cannot remember) will all work on the food.

President JAMES HAYS read off a list of the deceased members of the class, the most recent ones first, and after looking through the annuals, the list became quite extensive. Hoping in two years, there are at least a dozen of us left to attend!

All in all, the women are quite nice looking still, even if some of it is due to makeup covering up the scars of old age creeping up!

It should be noted that a lot of the people do not have computers. Because no mailers were sent for some of the activities, no one knew where to go at what time. Therefore, in my opinion, the whole 5-year reunion was not as well organized as previously done. New teachers, new crop of students do not recognize those of us who have been around for 75 plus years. Tradition also has been forgotten!

There is too much walking to do at the big new high school (Junior High building complex.) People were continually turning off their hearing aids as the noise level was terrible. The most frequently spoken words were “what?” and “huh?”

They need less parking lots, more automatic sidewalks at BHS, or better access to medical assistance! There was actually one person in attendance from the Class of 1942. I saw a couple of people over age 90 – still able to walk unaided!

Some mention of enjoying the Class Blog was acknowledged. Some of the ones missing from this reunion were named, i.e., JUNE HASH CURRY, DOROTHY BISHOP ROGERS, MARTHA NORTHINGTON, PATI COCKRELL PRITCHARD, BARBARA SHARPES BROOKS, SHEILA GREGORY DANKWORTH, JERRY EOFF, MIKE FOY, GLENN SMITH, PAT SMITH MULLINS, WALTER THOMAS, ROSALYN URBANTKE HOELSCHER, MACK WOOD, and RUTH ANN HENNIGER WOOD. (I’m thinking NANCY forgot a few like JIMMY COWLISHAW, DENNY HILL, and PAUL MOTA.) Hoping to see these people in two years!

A few of the ones who were in attendance were RODNEY FLANAGAN, BOB BURTON, NEIL BROUSSARD, JAMES HAYS, GENE ROUTH, JIMMY STUBBLEFIELD, DON SIMMONS, BILL KING, HAROLD HUDGENS, and a woman nobody remembers came as well. Her name is Mildred Tabor. (Anyone out there have a clue?)

BOB BURTON brought a few old photos, and we played “Who is this one?” for awhile. And “Wonder where they are now?” DR. JAMES HAYS, our go-to for medical advice, was told he needs to cut back on carbs as he is expanding in girth along with the rest of us. As far as I know, no politics were discussed at the reunion.

When our class picture was taken at the high school, there were not enough chairs for the women so I stood up in front of HAROLD HUDGENS – the shortest in the class in front of the tallest in the class!!

Although Jake and I did not go to the ballgame, I understand the highlight was the arrival of the Shannon MedVac Helicopter transporting Jim Slaughter (former BHS football player and coach) and the game football! Thankfully, the helicopter was not needed to transport any patients. Wonder who paid for the helicopter? It cost $9,000 to $10,000 for transportation to Shannon Hospital from Ballinger eight (8) years ago! (I remember that cost as well!)…All of this was written between 2 and 4 am.. Good night all.. Nancy

***************************************************************

Editor: I’ve tried to put all of my comments in italics. I cannot believe NANCY wrote all of the above and more in longhand. She also included notes to me from some attending (a couple will tickle your funnybone). I’ll publish them in the next blog post. In the meantime, if any of you can, please forward photos for those of us who were unable to attend. Any other incidents of importance (or fun) that might have taken place when NANCY was absent that you wish to share, please feel free to let me know.

Peace and much love,
Marilyn

REUNION NEWS FOR CLASS OF '57

I received the following from Class President, JAMES HAYS:  

"We had a small meeting 2 weeks ago to make some plans for the reunion. Six classmates from ‘57 present. All agreed with Rodney’s offer to hold a get-together at the Grace House, 607 9th street, at about 1:30 PM Saturday following the meal at the school at noon. There will be class photos Saturday morning at the school. Rodney reported $500.00 plus in the bank in our account.

All present agreed that we should have a bigger blowout for our 60th, and should plan on it at the meeting at the Grace House as 'old business'. This proposal was tabled until the next meeting for discussion. Note also, the class of ‘56 will meet at Pete and Ginger Bryan’s house after the game Friday. Meeting adjourned – we ate at the Beefmaster."

I hope everyone has already made their plans (and reservations) if you are attending the All-Class Reunion during Homecoming Weekend, October 9-10.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

GOODBYE AND HELLO

Nydah L. Ellet

December 02, 1939 - July 21, 2015
Akron, Ohio

Nydah was independent and full of life. She was always involved in a wide range of activities to keep her mind and body fit. She danced, sang, gardened, mowed, traveled, acted, and volunteered. She loved the winter season, and often threatened to buy a winter home in Buffalo. She loved her cats, and could never resist taking in yet another lost soul. She cooked and ate food with a passion to rival the most discerning gourmet. She knew how to celebrate the small events in life with joy, as we celebrate her life here. 

See more at: http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/nydah/MemorialSite.aspx?SN=nydah&

The memorial service for Nydah will be 11am August 22 at:

                         

Catavolos Funeral Home

3653 W. Market St
Fairlawn, OH 44333

*************************************

Our dreams live on in the beautiful generations that follow us!

PATI COCKRELL PRITCHARD sent this photo and message to me last week.

"My daughter finally made me a grandmother! Ms Eliza is 4 hours old here. Needless to say, she's getting a lot of attention." 

What a beautiful baby she is. And I know the new grandmother is bursting with pride. These wee ones bring us so much joy.

*************************************

DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS has been good to send photos and keep me informed of her activities. Being an avid golfer (and I believe she still volunteers at her Golf Club), in May the Ladies Golf Association took on the men and won!

"Ladies Golf Association the day we defeated the men in our annual challenge cup."

DOTTIE also still hangs out with her beau, Larry. Here they are in Tombstone:

Until next time..

Peace and love,

Marilyn

DANCING IN HEAVEN

I received the following email from our Class President, JAMES HAYS last night.

      "It is with great sadness that I am relating to all of you that I had a phone call 

from Donna Ebert, Nydah’s daughter that Nydah had passed away this morning. She had been in poor condition for several days after a long deterioration following a car wreck over two years ago. Her quality of life had been very poor and getting worse in the past two months. There will be a memorial service at a later date.

The memory of her voice and laughter will be with me for a long time."

****************************

I remember NYDAH  visiting my home when she was in Ballinger for the 50th Class Reunion. Such a delightful person, and so considerate to bring me a bouquet of roses as her thanks for the class handbook. (I dried the roses, and they are in a bowl as potpourri in my office now.) She was so cute sitting on my living room floor and doing Yoga stretches. It was a surprise to hear that December that she had to have knee surgery. In January of 2008, she emailed me the following, which I posted on the blog. It is an example of the optimism she had and shared..

"I am making good progress. (Remember, she had knee replacement surgery in December.) I do not quite dance yet, but I do ballet barre stretches at home. I am doing out-patient physical therapy for another week and then I am on my own. I have not worked at my job in sooo long that I no longer want to do it. I have discovered that it is just great to be retired as I have lots more interests I have neglected for the past few years.

Editor's Note:

(fanpop.com)

She went on to tell me she has plans to put together a book of her dad's memories, clippings, and notes over a twenty year period, as well as delve into her family genealogy. Nydah also indicated she wishes to get back to ballroom dancing soon. You go, girl!"

I'll bet NYDAH is singing and dancing with the angels now. She had such a joyful spirit.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

Living Vicariously

C. Denson Hill

When I first started this class blog, I had no idea who would not only read it, but also feed me information and news of their life. Those of you who respond are always so welcome. The one I probably least expected to write was DENNY HILL. To my delight, he has been one of my most prolific contributors. Not always things I post on the blog, but I can count on interesting emails from him on a regular basis. 

I've had a few bumps in the road (to borrow a phrase from PAUL MOTA) healthwise this summer that have kept me indoors more than usual. DENNY managed to keep me from feeling sorry for myself, but also kept me more involved with the happenings of the world. Particularly what has been going on in Greece. As you remember, DENNY has purchased a flat in Warsaw, Poland, where he goes every summer. Part of his summer he spends in Berlin. As he was in Berlin the past few weeks, he was inundated with the news of Greece and their possible exit from the EU. He said that that was nearly all they talked about on German TV.. His circle of friends include some influential folks, who's analyses and views on the situation in Europe are very astute, and they kept him up-to-date on what was happening, and how it was being reported in the U.S.. As he received information, he forwarded it to me.  I commented on the disparity of some reports, and newspapers I wasn't always keen on. I get aggravated with the NY Times in particular, as they try to force you into subscribing before reading one of their articles online. I feel that many of us are manipulated by the media. We are often fed (or denied) news slanted to a particular opinion. I often got vastly different versions as I read my online news sources.

As I complained, DENNY sent me the following. The story about his time in Caracas rang a bell, and I finally remembered he related that same one in the information he sent for our BHS handbook.

“On those very rare occasions where I have had some firsthand experience with something, the NY Times has gotten it terribly wrong. 

Example 1: Around 1988 I was in Caracas for 2 weeks. On the second day a mini civil war broke out, with an attempted coup to overthrow their president, Carlos Andreas Perez. I was trapped for a week in my hotel, under a strict curfew, keeping the lights off and the windows shut, as they were shooting at lighted windows. The machine gun fire started around each midnight and lasted until 4 am. In the morning there were bodies on the street. The morgues were overflowing; 3,000-4,000 people were killed in the capital alone, as the fighting spread to other parts of Venezuela, and some thousands more were wounded. Finally it stopped, as the rebellion was put down. When I got back to New York, and looked at the old copies of my NY Times, which had piled up in my absence, they reported that there had been 'some rioting' in Caracas. (This was the pre-event which later led to a bigger one, bringing in Chavez.) 

Example 2: NY Times reporting about the possible causes and circumstances around the plane crash in Smolensk in 2010, which killed the Polish President, the President of the Parliament, the Chief of the Air Force, the Chief of the Navy, the Chief of the Central Bank, the head of State Security, Secret Service, high representatives from the church and NATO. In all, around 99 of the elite of the country was simply COPIED into English, without any critical thinking or investigation, from the (propagandized) media reports supported by the opposition party to the one of the above-mentioned president."

Editor: Moral: Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers.

In the past I posted photos of DENNY's flat that he owns in Warsaw. He has now decided to purchase the second one on the same floor. In the above photo, you can see the open windows of this second flat. Also, from those windows you get a fantastic view of the New Town Market Square. His current flat is at the back of the building and overlooks a lovely courtyard. Here's what he said about the new one.

"The front of my building is one of very few which survived World War II, so it is original! (The back of the building burned during the war, but the front wall somehow survived). So it is sort of a historical building in Warsaw. It was built in 1778, and is still firmly standing, with cellars below. Being on the UNESCO list of protected world sites, I can expect that the city of Warsaw will keep it up, so I do not have to worry about it becoming run down. Also, because the building is 'protected' by Polish law, my property tax on both apartments is zero."

I looked for a photo of "New" Town Market Square, but could only find ones for "Old" Town Market Square. Maybe they have changed the name?

Old Town Market Square

DENNY is always quick to respond when I throw a fit about our Texas politics, or events happening in the States, i.e., the Confederate flag brouhaha. I, too, had ancestors who fought in the Civil War.. I even had some who owned slaves. However, I have always been a supporter of civil rights, and bemoaned the treatment of blacks in our country. (The flag of the Confederacy I have always equated with the Ku Klux Klan.) No doubt the young (and some old) soldiers who fought and lost their lives and/or limbs in the Civil War were brave and devoted to their individual states. I remember hearing how it was the poorer ones for the most part who served for the Confederacy. The wealthy ones paid men to go in their stead. And it was the wealthy who owned the most slaves. I do not believe it is a denial of our Southern pride to put these flags in museums, and not glorify them. As for the one in S.C., they did not start putting it at the State Capitol until the Civil Rights Movement.

From DENNY:

"Life, and history, are very complicated. So among the many axes one might grind, I would grind very few. 

I am a UR (original) Americaner; most of my ancestors came 8 to 10 generations ago...back in colonial times, long before the USA existed...earliest in 1608, and most all before 1700. 

Hence I feel it is my right to say whatever I want to those newcomers who came only a few generations ago, e.g., my ancestors all fought in the war for independence against the British, and then later half of them were on the north side, and half of them were on the south side during our Civil War. And I am 1/16 Choctaw; not much, but I am aware of their death march from Mississippi to Oklahoma. 

Of course, everyone involved fought a noble and honest fight, given the times, and their particular situation."

He will be back in Port Jefferson August 15th, in time to take up his position as professor of mathematics at Stony Brook University in New York. I will miss getting all of the fascinating stories from him (he has tales of meeting such interesting people, such as movie producers, actresses, etc.), as I know he will not have the time on his hands that being in Europe affords him.

Am I the only one who enjoys hearing about and living vicariously in someone else's escapades? My life is pretty tame and probably boring to some in comparison!  I know some of you must have had fun and interesting vacations this summer. JIMMY COWLISHAW wrote me earlier that he and his wife were going to Florida to visit their daughter. I'm still waiting on some photos, and maybe a story or two about your trip, JIM.

I know we have had too many losses of our classmates in recent years, however, I also believe we have more "good stuff" happening. Why not share yours with us?

I have a few photos from DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS, and an update on her life I will post soon.

Peace and love to you all,

Marilyn

Her Final Battle

Peggy A. Krumlinde, age 76, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2015. She was born in Big Spring, TX on July 24, 1938, to Elbert and Letitia (Harris) Branham. 

Visitation will be held Sunday, June 21, 2015 at Cross Hope Lutheran Church, 6104 Taylor Ranch Rd NW Albuquerque, NM 87120. Service will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 1:00pm at Cross Hope Lutheran Church. Interment to follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park 4310 Sara Rd SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 at 2:30pm. 

To view information or leave a condolence please visit Daniels Funeral Home.

FFA Sweetheart (I think)

There are many more photos of PEGGY through the years on the Daniels Funeral Home website (above). You may visit there, leave your condolences, and read the sweet ones left by her family.

If I remember correctly (all of my annuals were lost in one of my numerous moves through the years) PEGGY was our Freshman Class Favorite along with BOB BURTON. She always had the sweetest smile and cutest giggle. She was such a strong, determined woman to the very end, having conquered breast cancer as well as lung cancer earlier in her life, we had to believe she would conquer this as well.

Goodbye, sweet PEG. God is with you on your journey.

Love and peace,

Marilyn

WHEN IT RAINED, IT POURED

Blanco River Overflowing at Wimberley

(Corpus Christi Caller-Times)

Anyone with power and a television set has seen what the storms in Texas were doing the past couple of days. After three weeks of rain, breaking all records for rainfall in Austin in May since 1895, blessedly putting an end to drought for many, the ground has been so saturated that flooding was and is inevitable.

Living in the Austin area, having family and friends all over Texas and Oklahoma, I stayed glued to the television news. I contacted as many as I was able to see if everyone was all right. For 24 hours, I did not hear from NEIL BROUSSARD. As you all know, he and his wife now live in Wimberley. Hundreds of homes there were destroyed by the flooding Blanco River, and many more were evacuated. This morning I received the following email and photo, which I assume is NEIL'S front yard.

"We made it through with flying colors. We lost all means of communication, but are now back. We had 7" in three days. We are not close to river and are on a hill, so are high and dry. Thanks for the concerns, but couldn't respond."

Wimberley, Texas

MARTHA NORTHINGTON and I had made plans to have lunch here at my place near Mansfield Dam this Thursday. As the rains continued, and more are predicted, MARTHA emailed me this morning..

"I think maybe we should postpone lunch this Thursday. Rains are predicted to continue, and I'm not sure I want to try low water crossings this week. Lamar Blvd., which I use almost daily was a river yesterday, and my former apartment in downtown on Shoal Creek I'm certain took on water in first floor where I lived. Very glad to be on high ground now. I hope you are far enough from flood waters not to have had a problem.

We'll get together soon, but it seems the better part of wisdom for this old dame to stay home until this thing passes. Let me know if you're okay."

Water Rescue at Lamar Blvd. and Shoal Creek

(NBC News)

I sent her a photo, and she replied "..the rescue on Lamar was just down the hill from me. Amazing pictures. I’m glad you’re okay, MARILYN, and I hope you won’t have to stay in your closet again soon. Although that might be an interesting psychological experiment.  I think I would have to clear out my closet a bit, or sleep standing up." She later wrote.. "I went downtown and checked to see if my old apartment flooded. Shoal Creek rising water missed it by a hair." 

My usual work station.

I guess I must explain the "closet" bit. As neighbors and I were listening to and watching the weather forecasts the past two nights, and because we three women each live alone and may be just a teeny bit scaredy cats, we had debated over the safest spot in our cottages in case of tornadoes. These flimsy wooden structures are on high pier and beam foundations.. the backs being nearly two stories high. We do have an interior hall closet that meets all the qualifications emergency officials tell us to look for. Night before last, there were so many rotations and occasional touchdowns of tornadoes in our general area, that we made preparations to retreat if necessary. Turning the TV up loud so we could hear, when the forecaster said "get to your safe location now!", we three retreated to our respective closets, purses and cell phones in hand.

My "safe haven" -  Note stool.

Thank goodness, the warning only lasted less than 16-minutes. We repeated this operation last night as well, only for not such a long period. We have a little reason to be fearful. Although we love living here, not much more than a country block from Lake Austin (the Colorado River), we do get a little stressed over such massive amounts of rain. You see, the only road into our little neighborhood has a low water crossing. Last September, a Sheriff's Deputy was checking it out and she was washed down this usually dry creek bed into the lake, where she drowned. They renamed a portion of our road after her.

I wrote about this on my personal blog here: Tragedy Along With The Good.  There are plans for a permanent memorial at this crossing. Just last week a water marker was installed. Below is how the crossing looked yesterday. Needless to say they had a barricade on the hill above it, which was finally removed this morning. They are forecasting more

Fritz Hughes Park Road Low Water Crossing

thunderstorms (I hate the sound of those on these metal roofs!) again tonight and eight out of the next ten days. The water-logged ground in these parts of Texas cannot take any more rain without more flooding. Pray for those who live in the areas that were hardest hit. (And give thanks for those friends and loved ones who survived.) They will be receiving FEMA disaster assistance, but the Red Cross has been asking for volunteers to help them.

When I asked JUNE HASH CURRY how they fared in the storms over the holiday around OKC, she sent the following photo: "After this weekend, we are about ready..."

Funny, I touched base with my son Craig in Dallas, and when I asked him the same he told me, "I'm looking for the Ark." He sent this photo of the Trinity River in Dallas.

(Dallas Morning News)

All is not bad news, though. The rains have surely helped the drought in Texas, and it definitely has helped our area lakes. Lake Travis, where the City of Austin gets its water, is 23-feet above where it was just seven days ago -- a rise of nearly 27-feet this month so far. It is currently at 655-feet, which is the highest it's been since May 2011. It is still 24 and a half feet below its normal level. I figure we will have to have a whole lot more rain like recently before they have to open the flood gates of Mansfield Dam. (That's a relief!)

I forgot to mention that I have been known to be a little claustrophobic. I'm hoping we don't get more tornado warnings that send me back to my closet! Just in case, maybe I'd better clear out some of my "stuff". Not really "a very interesting psychological experiment." Besides, it's "good stuff"!

Everyone send me any of your stories and/or photos of how the recent weather has affected you wherever you are. Stay dry, and if you pray for rain, please use

the Goldilocks Principle: "Not too much, not too little, but just right, God!"

Peace,

Marilyn

WHAT DOTTIE'S BEEN DOING

I received the following newsy email from DOROTHY BISHOP ROGERS. I looked for an old photo to use that I already have scanned on my computer. I really need to get son Matthew to help me move things around in my Fibber McGee closet (remember that radio show?) so I can get to the trunk that contains my ancient scrapbooks and photo albums. Seems like I was getting caught with my mouth open even 62 years ago! Yikes! That was eons ago, wasn't it? Does anyone else have any old (or new) photos scanned on their computer they wish to share? Forward them to me.

"My goodness! How wonderful to see pictures and hear great things from our classmates. When I read about LaVelle’s death, I sat, prayed, and smiled at the memories. RUTH ANN and I kinda dated LaVelle and Lanny Maedgen when we were sophomores - until they went to Germany. They introduced me to one of their friends via mail. PATI and I (The Bearcat Club) would dedicate songs to them, and send them silly little gifts as well as pictures from home. I was privileged to see both these guys at the 55-year school reunion and visit a bit. It is so good to hear how many lives LaVelle touched.

I am doing well. After my year of 'teaching' (and I can hardly call it that), my nerves have seemingly settled. Larry and I still see each other and go to car shows in his classic Mustang. Since the golf course closed, he had to get a new hobby. I am painting again - mostly Indian art, but some animals as well. I have done pretty well at some shows and sold a couple of paintings.

My wonderful 'Bonus' children (Grady’s kids) came to see me last week. It was wild. Karen is from Arkansas and Russ from Colorado. What a blessing to have nearly all your children in your house. I fear Tombstone will never be the same after our Saturday visit there.

The reason for the visit was to check on me and my mental state. I have been on Aricept for two years, and things are getting a little fuzzy sometimes. The old body is still moving good - it sometimes gets ahead of my brain. Wheee! Please do not distress - I am fine. I smile that it took that to get all the kids here. They promise it will be more often.

Love and laugh, all you (class) blog members, for we never know what God has in store for us now. 

Until........I send angel kisses to you all."   Dottie

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DOTTIE doesn't write like she needs Aricept! I've asked her if she can scan one or  more of her paintings for us to see, as I feel they will be extraordinary. As a very amateurish artist, I know what talent it takes to paint as she has in the past. No one would ever buy anything I paint.

I realize many, if not most of you are probably on Facebook. I joined that site

(Family Guy)

the first year it was up, and quickly discovered I didn't want to share every cup of coffee I drank or know what others were doing daily or even hourly. I also had a hard time not agreeing to be "friends" with everyone who asked, so I quickly exited that social network. I feel it is much different now, and you may prefer writing briefly on it rather than sending something for the blog. I hope you'll reconsider. I just finished reading through the 50th Reunion Class Handbook for the second time since it was printed. I enjoyed reading about all of you once again, and would love to know your latest news -- especially if you are one who doesn't write to me. There are a lot of excellent "communicators" in that little Class of '57. Don't worry about errors, as between me and Google and Spell Check I think we can correct most of them! I've enjoyed the updates and news I have received these past 8 years.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and give thanks for those who have done so much for us.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

Old Friendships

I got some favorable feedback on the poem in my last blog post. However, I did not wish to leave you with sad feelings. Therefore, I thought I would publish one of my favorite old poems on a sweeter note. When I was very young and at an extremely low point in my life, one of my two best friends at the time, IRENE PIEL (BATTS), gave me a beautiful book called "Leaves of Gold", a compilation of lovely poetry, quotes, and inspirational pieces. The pages are yellowing now, and there are many marks on them indicating my favorites, and also yellowed newspaper clippings and other written memorabilia collected through the years, saved amid the pages. This poem struck a chord with me, even at a young age. Now it holds much more meaning, as I think it might with you.

"Old Friendships"

by Eunice Tietjens

Beautiful and rich is an old friendship,

Grateful to the touch as ancient ivory,

Smooth as aged wine, or sheen of tapestry

Where light has lingered, intimate and long.

Full of tears and warm is an old friendship

That asks no longer deeds of gallantry,

Or any deed at all -- save that the friend shall be

Alive and breathing somewhere, like a song.

I love the line, "That asks no longer deeds of gallantry", and only wish that IRENE were "Alive and breathing somewhere, like a song." I know there are times she definitely is with us in spirit.

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JIM COWLISHAW (I still call him Jimmy) sent me the following after reading the last post:

"Thanks for sharing the poem. As I read it, I inserted several of our friend's names. I may not have been able to make contact with them except through a prayer for their memories of the past. Yours was a special prayer of thanks. 

Betty and I spent the day Saturday in Waco. Our grandson graduated from Baylor with a degree in philosophy, with plans of continuing in a Baptist school at Ft Worth. I told him that finally someone in my family has a little knowledge. His sister is still at Baylor. Her junior year is coming up. 

A note on MIKE FOY'S brother. He and Billy Brown had a great amount of influence on my studies of wood products. Perhaps that is why I enjoy my work." (I remember JIMMY telling me that he was making the beautiful wooden ball point pens that you see for sale at craft fairs.)

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PAUL MOTA wrote (about the last post) "That was a very sweet poem, and so true. I have several brothers and sisters here in San Angelo, and I forgot where they live. I suppose that is a very easy thing to do."

PAUL went on to tell me that he had a rough start to 2015. "You can say that Paul has hit a few bumps, but nothing major."

He told me that he had surgery on his shoulder, and as he was recovering from that and going to physical therapy he suffered a herniated disc. Ouch! It has caused him to miss the walking he had been doing. I think maybe some good thoughts and prayers are due to be sent his way. I feel PAUL would never ask for such, but he is so kind and deserving, send them anyway.

I suggested he check out acupuncture for pain, which can be debilitating at any age. (My son Craig would call that a "woo woo" suggestion, but it works!)

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June and her four living children, Kevin, Martha, Chris, and Scott

JUNE HASH CURRY and I communicate frequently, and share information regarding some of the events in our children's and grandchildren's lives. Some of these I have shared with you previously. I have a few notes to add that I gathered from her recently. She was fortunate to have her whole family, including her late sister and her husband, share her 75th birthday with her. They flew in from all over the country. Then, this past Mother's Day, she had most of her children and grandchildren there to honor her once again. We had terrible weather that weekend - both here in Austin, and in Oklahoma, which resulted in her family arriving at odd times. Somehow they never got around to group photos again, so I am sharing these she sent from her birthday. 

June and all of her grandchildren!

JUNE also has many adorable great-grandchildren whose photos I have shared in previous blog posts. Notice how her son Chris looks so much like his father, the late Grady Curry (BHS Class of '56), and how so many of her grandchildren favor her! I am envious of her beautiful silver hair. And I'm also jealous of her taking water aerobics recently. That is supposed to be one of the most efficient exercises, and virtually pain-free.

Speaking of beautiful hair, this gorgeous redhead is Morgan Curry, the daughter of JUNE'S son Scott. She recently graduated from high school in Edmond, and I was tickled to hear she will attend Oklahoma State University in the fall. My granddaughter Ashlyn will be there for her second year, and my "surrogate" (for lack of a better word) granddaughter Annie will attend for her first year. JUNE and I are going to conspire to get them together.

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I love this Li'l Abner figure, but can't remember his name. NEIL BROUSSARD uses it on his email account. He and I recently shared weather information when I saw on the news that Wimberley, Texas was issued a tornado warning. They had spotted circular conditions that could lead to an actual tornado on the ground. I remembered NEIL and his wife had moved there, but couldn't remember if they were in a real house or still having fun in their RV. I emailed him and kept my fingers crossed. Sure 'nuff, they are in a real house, and the tornado never materialized. Whew! I thought this cartoon character was á propos his weather conditions that night!

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GLENN SMITH answered my request for updates with the following: "I am working on Flint Rock novel number 4. Also I still do hypnosis sessions for free for Ballinger folks and for a few in Mexico. I sometimes have morning coffee at Beefmaster and often see several people from our class."

I thought that "Ultimate Thirst" was number 4, but perhaps his busy social life in Ballinger has slowed down his progress. I am so in awe of the fact that I know several of my friends are writing novels.

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Please don't forget the serious health challenges our former classmates, NYDAH ELLET and PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE are faced with. PEGGY'S cousin, June Harris Koch (BHS Class of '56) recently told me that although PEG had to return to the hospital briefly, as she had fluid on her lungs, she is now back home. The doctor told her that she has at a minimum 6 months to a year of recovery time. 

Please, continue to send warm, fuzzy thoughts of healing and prayers their way. Encouraging cards and letters might be in order as well.

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My thanks to all of you who have responded, and to those of you who haven't, how about letting us in on your current life? The All-School Reunion is coming up this fall. For those of us who can't make it, why not share the things in your life that have occurred since our 50th Reunion? Still working? Any new hobbies - or old ones? New love in your life? New grandchildren? Photos? How do you spend your time now? Hey.. I will if you will. Here is one of the recent photos of me as I was caught unaware by one of my grandchildren last summer. And, yeah, that's my natural hair color and length. I think this comes from my Cherokee heritage. (Seems to be a lot about hair in this post.) I'm much too thrifty to pay a hairdresser to cut my hair. Usually do this or a braid! Not very glamorous, but at our age??

I have recently discovered that MARTHA NORTHINGTON has moved back to Austin. She and I plan to have lunch before long and catch up. She reminded me that catching up would be for the last 58 years!! I will share any of her newsy news as well as others in our next blog. Until then, may your life be filled with all good stuff.

Peace and love,

Marilyn