I know some of you must read the blog, because some of you answered my request to let me hear from you. The first one is a followup to the climate change post. It's from my faithful reader, PAUL MOTA. He led an interesting life, but from the following I discovered it was also a little dangerous. At least to me.
"Just a quick story relating to earthquakes:
In Japan we lived in a 3-story building, which supposedly was on rollers to absorb the impact of an earthquake. We could usually feel the movement, but we got used to it and it was hardly noticed after a while. After the third year we mostly ignored it, but at first it was scary. What was amazing was when we read the time of the quake, and sometimes we realized we had been on a railroad/subway at the time. It was amazing how the train stayed on the tracks." It's amazing to me, too, PAUL! Lucky you.
While I was typing PAUL's story, I received the following from DENNY
HILL - another faithful reader:
"I distinctly remember, back in high school, when there was an enormous amount of water flowing over the dam in the park in Ballinger, much more than in your photo. The space below the dam was filled, and there were giant, very dangerous looking whirlpools, with uprooted trees, etc. And of course, some parts of the park itself were flooded.
"It is indeed strange...while I hear about the severe weather in parts of the middle of the country, here on Long Island we had almost no winter, in the sense of essentially no snow, except for maybe a couple of light ones that melted immediately."
I guess I neglected to give credit to the flood photos of Ballinger City Park. I found them on the Abilene Reporter News website, which had credited them to a photographer for the San Angelo Standard-Times. I did post some of my own flood photos when the park flooded during the time I moved back to Ballinger for the 50th reunion.
As for "almost no winter", DENNY, isn't that a pretty strong sign of "climate change"?
On another note, my good friend JUNE HASH CURRY shared some news about her son Scott Curry's daughter Morgan. Her granddaughter Morgan will graduate from Oklahoma University in a couple of weeks with a degree in Public Relations. It really makes us grandparents proud - and optimistic about the future to watch our grandchildren grow and accomplish so much that will be beneficial to our country's welfare. Morgan is a beautiful young woman.. she could very well be a talented journalist in the near future..maybe on Television? She comes from such a kind, spiritual family that she would be a refreshing replacement for some of those in today's broadcast industry.
Occasionally, I contact one or the other of you just to touch base and see how you are. It thrills me to hear from someone I might have been worried about. It also thrills me to get back a newsy update on what's going on in your life. So, please, share your news, your hobbies, any updates or challenges to your health. We have some wonderful "prayer warriors" willing to put in a good word for you when needed. The following email I received from PAUL MOTA:
"It was nice reading your last blog. I don't want to ruin a good day, but I will be honest about my health and what is happening with me. Even if I am having a hard time at the moment, I have had what I think is a pretty nice life. I have seen and done a lot of things, and thankfully, I have a wife who does a lot for me. I am doing pretty good considering I could be a lot worse off.
About 2- or 3-years ago they diagnosed me with pulmonary fibrosis. I think it was from heavy smoking, but the doctor says that was probably not the reason for my problem. I have a portable (oxygen) unit which I try to use most of the time, but my breathing is still labored. I recently turned 82, and (since) I'm alive and walking, it could be worse. I just wanted to let you know how things are going from this end.
I wish everyone a wonderful spring. Thanks for lending an ear. Please do not feel bad. I feel real lucky for all the things I have seen and done".... PAUL
When I received the above email from PAUL, I responded with a health challenge of my own. Years of smoking began to take its toll on me in the late nineties. A bout of flu put me in the hospital in 1999, and the doctor told me that my lungs showed emphysema. I quit smoking immediately, and made my promise to God, "I swear I will never smoke another cigarette!" And I haven't. But lung diseases such as mine and PAUL's cannot be undone. We learn to live with them.
I continued to lose my ability to do anything that took a lot of energy for several years. It became harder and harder to lift things, bend, do housework (that one didn't bother me so much!), swim, and even talk. As I have been called a "compulsive communicator" in the past, that has been the hardest for me. Of course, it may be the Universe telling me to "listen more." After all, we were given two ears and only one mouth!
Some of you already are aware of this, but in late 2014 I had to go on oxygen and medication. I have been somewhat better since then, and can go without oxygen most days if I am not expending any energy or going out. My son Matthew talked me into giving up driving a couple of years ago. You know what? I love to stay home. Of course, all three of my children and some grandchildren live in Austin now, so I have plenty of company and help when I need it. Computers (and Amazon Fire) make life easier now for everyone. I even order my groceries online for one of my children to pick up for me. And there is always someone available to take me if I need to go anywhere like the doctor, dentist, or family get-together.
If I could be granted a wish now, I wish I had more children! I'm afraid I might wear out the ones I have before I leave this earth! (Please know that this is a joke!)..MARILYN
"I am trudging along great. I am so busy that I sometimes just lock the door and turn out the lights so I can rest.
I had a cancer removed from my leg - just a squamous cell - but they did not get it all the first time, and had to do a "do-over." That meant stitches inside and out, and since it was at the bottom of my knee, I had to wear a half-boot and keep the stitches for 3-weeks. Other than aggravation, I was fine.
I have entered three art shows this spring so far, and have done well...I no longer play golf. I gave it up when my handicap got so bad. I am too competitive (they tell me). I am still very active at my little church and enjoy it immensely.
I paint mostly in oils, but sometimes do pastels. I have tried watercolor, but I like big-bold-color and my watercolors did not do that for me. I wield a heavy hand brush; therefore, I do large paintings. I go to the lumber yard and get pine 1x4s, split them, and make barn-wood looking frames. (I am fortunate to have my son, grandson, and great grandson to do heavy lifting. My sweet Larry is also always available when I need help.) I need a larger house or more storage because there is not a blank wall in my entire house.
I had a bug in my bonnet a while back about going to a retirement home, but after visiting one, I realized I am not ready for that, so I refinanced my home and eased my finances a bunch, and I am still going strong.
Give my love to all our friends from class. Take care and enjoy life." ...DOTTIE
And then there is our Class President, busy as always, JAMES HAYS:
"The West Texas Historical Association will have the annual meeting next Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13, at West Texas A&M, as it is known now, in Canyon. I am presenting a paper in the first round Friday, starting at 10:00 am, my being the third speaker of the first batch. There are three rooms going at a time. The next group will be interesting - lots of Comanche stuff in it. My subject is John Moore’s expedition and fight on the Colorado. The thesis is that the fight happened in southeast Runnels County, not near Colorado City as one well-copied, but poorly informed historian claimed. My goal is to firmly establish this fight for Runnels County. The museum across the street is one of the best in Texas. I will be in Room 220 in the Administration Building. I would be glad to see you there."...JAMES HAYS
NANCY THOMPSON BAKER has a busy spring ahead. Her grandson Spencer Jones and his fiancee Nikki will be getting married April 20th at the Vineyard/Winery in Florence, Texas. Nikki will graduate from medical school in Reno, Nevada (where they live now) on May 17th, and start her residency at College Station this summer. Spencer (a BHS graduate) is the Continuous Process Improvement Manager for Grifols Plasma Center, and travels all over the United States. He only needs to be near a large airport, so they will live in College Station. This makes NANCY very happy to have him back in Texas.
Speaking of Nancy, I have a funny story she told me a few months back. I was asking about her dog Beans since she hadn't mentioned it in a while. Seems Beans had passed away and they now had a new German Shepherd named Brandy. She told me this:
"Somehow all our pets have names starting with a "B" - Beans, Brandy, Bandit, and Bill. One day a man was walking down our side street and Bill started following him. I hollered 'BILL' and the guy thought I said KILL." I should have asked NANCY if the man took off running!
A little more humor to close on. TRUMAN CONNER has a delightful cat named Stanley. From time to time, he sends a photo of Stanley. This one cracks me up! I asked TRUMAN if he's sure this is a cat??
Pablo (Paul) of Ballinger, Texas, and Sally of
Phoenix, Arizona,were married at the Maricopa County Courthouse in Phoenix, AZ on
March 6th,1964. Witnesses to the ceremony were A1C Charles Kallwait and Ms.
Isabel Lopez.
Pablo was stationed at Luke AFB and Sally was working at Motorola. Their first
residence was at Green Park Housing Annex, Japan.
Pablo served in the Air Force until his retirement in 1975. They then moved
back to Texas and soon settled in San Angelo. He earned a degree from ASU and
worked at Goodfellow AFB until his retirement in 2002.
Sally is a homemaker and takes good care of her family. They enjoy day trips in
and around the Hill Country especially Fredricksburg, traveling to Las Vegas
and visiting their grandchildren in Houston.
Sally has many interests. She enjoys exercising, and has placed first in her
age bracket in the "Pink Ribbon Run". She is also fond of reading,
needlecrafts and is a member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral congregation.
Pablo and Sally have a married daughter Linda, wife of Tim. A grandson, Daniel
and granddaughter, Ana Marie. They will celebrate in Houston Texas.
Linda, Tim and their children are delighted to share this celebration with
"Nana and Grandpa" in Houston.
(From The San Angelo Standard-Times Facebook page)
Many thanks to NANCY THOMPSON BAKER for sending me a clipping from the newspaper regarding PAUL's 50th wedding anniversary. I hope it was a glorious celebration with their daughter's family in Houston.
My recent request for news to publish on the class blog produced a few results. A couple of them are a little lengthy, so I will probably do them in two different posts. Thus, it will give those of you who haven't submitted anything a chance to do so. Also, for the most part, I don't have any recent individual pictures of you all. But then, maybe we would all rather be remembered as we looked at whatever last reunion we attended! I'm just sayin'.
PAUL MOTA was the first to respond. Thanks, Paul. Here's what he had to say:
"I only have mostly good news. Nothing much here. I am still retired, and just not doing much. My main problem is not pushing back from the table (PAUL, I think I remember you said that once before!), but otherwise I am in pretty good health - thanks to God. I have a trip to Las Vegas coming up next month. That's about it. My wife is in great shape - much better shape than I am. I wish I had more dramatic stories to tell you, but all is well. My daughter and her husband and the two grandchildren are still in the Houston area and all are fine."
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DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS, as usual, is not letting retirement grow boring. She said:
"Hey, it's so good to hear from you! Are you still enjoying those grandkids? (Me:Yes!) Mine are all doing well and so am I.
I went a little crazy last year and returned to teaching. Thank goodness, I came to my senses and re-retired. I have to say, unfortunately, it was not a good experience. I had been so blessed at the Texas schools in which I taught, I was fully unaware of the caliber of this school in Willcox, Arizona. I had some wonderful students, but those fifteen or twenty 'bad apples' sure spoiled the basket. I went into that school with the enthusiasm of one twenty years younger than I was, and I came out of the situation totally feeling my real age. Shriek!
(Downtown Willcox, AZ - Population 3,757)
On a good note, Larry and I motor-homed across Texas -- well, that was our initial plan, but we did enjoy the ten days we had even if the A/C went out, a water line burst in the motor home, we had two violent storms...we made it through unscathed and laughed. Of course, Larry immediately put the motor home on sale upon our return, but we played some super golf courses and it was fun. Since coming home, I have just done a few things around my house and am volunteering at the golf course."
Now, DOTTIE, surely on such a fun, eventful trip you took some photos you can share?
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As we all know, we have a couple of real "adventurers" in our class who are still stepping out of the bounds of what most seniors their ages do. I've heard from both of them. Some of you who are on Facebook already know that GLENN SMITH is one of them. GLENN had this bit of news:
"On the last day of April, I loaded my two dogs and myself and drove to Mexico. Took me four days to reach Ajijic where I am living. I have posted on Facebook a bunch of photos that I took here. They are under the name LEONARD GLENN SMITH. I'll be glad to become a 'friend' of any class member not already listed in that category.
As for my reason for the move - well that was multifaceted. I can't think of how to explain it briefly. I enjoyed the time in Ballinger and everyone was very nice to me there."
I questioned GLENN a little more about the place where he lives and he sent more info:
"Mexico is a little cheaper than the United States. Ajijic (I can't imagine how to pronounce this!) is more expensive than many similar sized Mexican towns, because lots of people have come from Canada and the States, and many of them are retired with enough money to inflate prices by spending more than the local economy was accustomed to."
In case any of you are interested and daring enough to move to Mexico, here's a little breakdown of the costs he sent:
"I pay $550 a month for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath furnished house. My internet and local phone cost $50 a month. Electricity is around $20 because no heat or air conditioning is needed. (Wow! imagine no a/c in the 100+ temperatures most of us in Texas have had this summer!) I have a gas water heater and stove. Gas costs about $25 a month. I have a washing machine, but no dryer is needed because afternoons are sunny and the air is not humid, so hanging clothes to dry is natural and effective. I don't have TV, but cable is available and costs are similar to
(Photo at left is the entrance to his rented house with one of his dogs peering out. The one at right is a door near his house.)
the States. I have a car but haven't filled the gas tank since I arrived here four months ago. I walk to one of six places for breakfast every day. Eggs, toast, beans, jelly, and coffee cost about $5-$7, tip included. Walmart is a ten minute drive. Computers and TVs cost 50% more than in the U.S. Food costs on average about the same as if one were living in the States."
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Let's see how many of you can guess who the other "adventurer" is who will share his/her news with us in the next blog post. I hope to have an update on NYDAH ELLET in it as well.
Also, I will share a rumor of a mystery millionaire who's supposedly bought up many of the old buildings in downtown Ballinger and is renovating them. If anyone has the latest news on his project - which he stated he is doing because he needs a tax break - send me what you know.
Until next time, send me all the news you wish to share.
Peace, and may all your news be "good stuff",
Marilyn
Thanks to BILL KING for contacting PAUL MOTA for me. PAUL's emails regarding the blog had been returned to me, and I was a little concerned. This morning I got the following from him:
"It has been a long time since I have heard from any one of my former classmates, but it was very nice to know how everyone is doing. (I assume he caught up on the most recent blog posts.) I have been very fortunate to be doing well and, while not in perfect health, it could be a lot worse.
I retired from working at the base about 10 years ago and have just been taking it easy - and to be honest, eating too much. It is very difficult to lose weight, but I should have thought about it before it happened.
I am still at the same address in San Angelo, and not much new to talk about. I am just enjoying seeing my daughter and her husband and our grandchildren in Houston. My favorite trip is going to Las Vegas in September, which we do just about every year. I also enjoy getting out to Llano for some BBQ, and to Fredericksburg to see the wildflowers - coming up soon.
I have been fortunate in finding a loving mate who has been with me for 49 years the 6th of March. All in all, life has been good to me, and when the bumps on the road have come along, I have had my wife to help me get over the rough spots.
That was a nice story about Glenn Smith. My wife reads a lot, and I will mention those books to her.
I wish everyone who reads this letter the best." PAUL
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Now I have to apologize to DENNY HILL. I really messed up on the picture of what I thought was the street on which his Poland flat was located. I had the wrong street. I went back and put the correct picture in, but too late. Now I want to send you a better view and some of DENNY's comments about it:
"..this is really my street, just outside my building. In the photo you can see some umbrellas which say "Carlesberg". They are outside a restaurant, and my flat is over the kitchen of this restaurant, in the back; i.e., in the photos if you could go to your left, through the building, at those umbrellas, then you would hit my flat. The flat is actually not on the street which you see in the photo, but rather in some interior courtyard in back, behind the restaurant.. This photo perhaps gives the best rendition of how it is there in the summer, when people eat outside."
DENNY purchased the flat from the owner of the restaurant, "Fret a Porter". Strange name for a restaurant, but I suppose it is in Polish. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful. And these two photos of the interior of his flat are much too neat to belong to an "old bachelor" like DENNY:
Tell me, ladies, do those pots and pans look like they have been used??
Of course, you know I am just teasing you, DENNY. The other photos of his flat are really lovely, but his friend that sent them at first sent them in a format I was unable to use for the blog. I can see how he would enjoy living in such a place during the summer months.
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Before I forget, as some of you know, I moved this past December, as the folks I rented from in Burnet decided to sell the house. (Times have been hard on everyone!) I now live in Austin, only three and a half miles from my younger son, Matthew and his family. My daughter and family will be building a new home in four years on Lake Austin, as her husband will begin his third career as a professor at UT, teaching (I think) computer programming. Now all I have to do is get number one son Craig to move down here! I love my new location. If you are planning a trip to Austin, drop me a note at my email address and maybe you can come for a visit!
If anyone else has moved, has a new email address, or anything newsworthy to share with us, just send me an email. Until next time, may you have nothing but good stuff happening!
I remember a TV commercial a few years ago that must have been promoting a particular kind of car. (I forget which.) This car was for the “adventuresome”, those who wanted to think "outside the lines". It showed a long, empty stretch of highway through the desert, and the car was racing down the highway, obviously ignoring the rules of the road!
This commercial immediately evoked memories of my younger son, Matthew. When he was four years old his dad and I divorced. As I had to go to work to support us, he had to go into daycare. There was a recommended daycare right behind the apartments in which we lived. The fence surrounding our apartments had a missing board that allowed Matthew to squeeze through, and we didn’t have to make the long trip around the block when I was rushing to get to work every morning.
In the beginning, this was a great new adventure for Matthew. He was a very bright four year old who loved his books at home, and was excited about learning. After a week or two, my exuberant little towhead began to balk at going to “school”. Finally, one day he began to sob uncontrollably and cling to me. He didn’t want to go at all anymore. I asked him why. Between sobs, he told me, “They make me stay between the lines!”
I immediately went to the director of the school with this, and asked her what on earth was upsetting him so. What was this “between the lines” he spoke of? It seems two hours of these youngsters’ days were spent in coloring mimeographed pictures! Not only was that waaay too long to keep a four year old interested in doing the same thing over and over, but to “stay within the lines” when he used his crayons?? Ahhh, how they crushed the creativity in this little boy!
The teacher in that class informed me that he had to learn to stay within the lines before he started to real school. I told her and the director that this child would be faced with a minimum of 12 years of schooling, including following lots of rules and regulations, soon enough. At barely four years of age I thought he deserved the chance to play and enjoy being a rambunctious little boy a while longer!
Not long after that, Matthew resumed his enthusiasm for attending his daycare. I later learned that for the following year, he was treated differently from all the other little ones. When they had to sit for two hours coloring within the lines, Matthew was allowed to go outdoors and play on the playground. One of the workers even went so far as to really spoil him. If he didn’t like the food they served for lunch, she would fix him a special peanut butter and jelly sandwich! His experiences in that school may not have been the best for him, but it was better than his being miserable and forced into what I considered unproductive activities at a much too young age.
How many of us, and ones like us, suffered from the restrictions society placed on us to conform at an early age? I remember a second grade teacher of my older son who informed me that they had nothing to offer brighter than average children, because, “We believe that your child will have to learn sooner or later to adjust to and get along with the slow people in our society and he might as well start to now”. So the curriculum in that particular school was geared to the slowest students. To keep Craig out of trouble when he finished his work early, I had to ask her to give him extra assignments! Not only did his behavior improve, so did his grades.
These little tales make me so thankful for the better schools my grandchildren have the opportunity to attend. There is even an entire elementary school for gifted students that my granddaughter Hannah attends in Dallas. I believe that most schools today have something to offer gifted students that will challenge them, and give them the opportunities to explore the realms “outside the lines”. The Advanced Placement courses offered in high school are another example of how our educational system has progressed. Of course, like most I hear from in our class, I believe Ballinger High School was an extremely good school, with above average teachers. I don’t know if that was the norm everywhere then, but it certainly wasn’t the norm where my own children had to attend school.
I know how important rules, regulations, and indeed “lines” are in our culture, however, I often wonder how much further along we as a society might be now if we had not had so many “shoulds” and restrictions placed on us at an early age. The people who have made the most contributions to our world are often the ones who dared to work and play “outside the lines”!
By the way, have any of you felt, like I have, that there is an inordinate amount of gifted and talented children being born into the world today? I thought for a while that it was the better health of the mothers giving birth. You know… no caffeine or medications ~ not even aspirin ~ better vitamins, more natural childbirths, etc. Now my theory is that it must be the evolution of our species. But that is another story for another blog.
PAUL MOTA is one I can always count on to give me some feedback on the blog. I asked him to tell me a little more about growing up in Ballinger. This was his submission:
"I have some wonderful memories of growing up in Ballinger…
I guess most of what I remember was the freedom to go everywhere without the fear there is today of someone molesting you or anything like that. I remember coming home on leave and locking the door to my mother's house, and she had such a strange look on her face. She always said, 'no one breaks in, why are you locking the door?'
I remember as a young kid spending the whole day out at the river or at the park with my friends. I think kids today don't realize what they are missing. It was a wonderful way to grow up. Now when I think of the things we did, it is a miracle that most of us survived. Some of the fun things could have caused us severe injuries or even death. Someone was watching over us for sure.
I remember some very caring teachers all through the Ballinger system. I know from my days away from Ballinger that I had a solid education. I hope that is still continuing to be the norm. I clearly remember Mrs. Ruble trying to convince me to stay in school and not drop out to join the Air Force. But at 18, we all knew everything, didn't we?
I had 4 sisters and 4 brothers, all born and raised in Ballinger. My mother was mainly a housewife, and my father worked for the railroad. One brother, Ramon, served his 4 years in the Air Force and returned, and to this day remains in Ballinger. He knows everyone there a lot better than I do.
I guess I was kinda quiet in school. I went to ASU at a late age (40 or so), and since that time I have gained confidence and I don’t think I am as quiet as before. I see myself now as enjoying life, music, sports, and trying to laugh as much as possible. “~ PAUL (Editor's note: I tried to get Paul to send me a photo with a big smile!)
PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE lived in the house pictured in the last blog post ~ 805 5th Street. She correctly identified it:
"This house looks like the one we lived in on 5th street - there was a separate garage in the back with a second story apartment. It was near the water tower - about half a block or so. It has been a long, long time, though. The tree threw me off a bit - it was so small when we lived there." ~ PEG (Editor's note: As I previously said, houses ~ like us~ morph into something quite different over a period of 50 years!)
In a recent email from PEG, it sounded like she is on a cruise to Mexico about now. If that is so, PEG, send us some pictures to share!
HEALTH UPDATES:
I spoke with JERRY DAVIS this week and he sounds like he is doing very well. It will be a few more weeks before the doctors can tell the full effects of the radiation treatments he endured. However, He said one doctor told him he was pleased with the latest x-ray, and that it showed some improvement in his lung. JERRY, as usual, had a few funny stories to relate, but not necessarily any for the blog! I'm waiting on one of those, JERRY.
IRENE PIEL BATTS was given the okay by her surgeon in San Antonio to start radiation treatments. She is healing very well from all the surgery. She will meet with the doctors in San Angelo this week to schedule her treatments. Her spirits remain high, and she feels very blessed by all your prayers and concerns.
Please continue to send loving thoughts (and prayers) to both JERRY and IRENE. They both still have a good deal of pain to deal with.
Many of you by now have realized that JUNE HASH CURRY is quick to send emails, cards, and good wishes to any who have birthdays or health challenges. She is going through a battery of tests to determine if she needs another back surgery to alleviate severe pain in her upper back. I know you will all want to wish her well, and hope the cause of her discomfort will soon be discovered and completely eradicated. We want to visit with her at the next All-School Reunion.
JEEP JACKSON has recently moved to Queen City, Texas near the Arkansas border, and GLENN SMITH has moved to Abilene. I will update you with their new addresses and telephone numbers shortly. I know that GLENN still has the same email address, so you may reach him there or write to him at his P.O. box number here in Ballinger.
The weather has been so beautiful lately. The cooler nights indicate that fall may soon arrive. I hope so. This summer has been really hot! Lots of 100+ temperatures.
Have fun out there, enjoy life, and share the Good Stuff with us.
HILL - another faithful reader:
On another note, my good friend JUNE HASH CURRY shared some news about her son Scott Curry's daughter Morgan. Her granddaughter Morgan will graduate from Oklahoma University in a couple of weeks with a degree in Public Relations. It really makes us grandparents proud - and optimistic about the future to watch our grandchildren grow and accomplish so much that will be beneficial to our country's welfare. Morgan is a beautiful young woman.. she could very well be a talented journalist in the near future..maybe on Television? She comes from such a kind, spiritual family that she would be a refreshing replacement for some of those in today's broadcast industry. 
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