ON A LIGHTER NOTE

A TALE TO BE TOED

(Written August 23, 2006)

I recently started a part-time job with the Sheriff’s Office. So far, I have been doing a lot of filing, and acquainting myself with some of the forms and terms used on a daily basis. (What’s your 10-20?; 10-4; etc.)

I was pleased to find out I would soon be helping one of the deputies do an inventory of the main evidence room. We’ll be checking to see if some evidence may be discarded, and then we will obtain the necessary court orders to do so. This will be a nice change of pace from the filing.

The Sheriff called me into his office and gave me a list of the items that are located in the evidence room. I glanced at the list and was surprised to see the item “fingers” on the second page! Thinking this was some kind of code name, I laughed and asked what it meant. Imagine my surprise when the Sheriff said, “Just what it says -- ‘fingers’”. Apparently there are two sets of fingers stored as evidence. I was so shocked, I never thought to ask what the cases were. I supposed I would find out soon enough, when we conducted the inventory.

I emailed my daughter-in-law that night and mentioned the “fingers” in my note. I went on to discuss an upcoming visit to me they were to make. Shortly afterwards, she answered me by email and stated that my son Matthew told her to inform me he did not want any finger food when they came! I laughed out loud when I read that.

The next night Matthew and I were talking on the telephone and he asked me if I remembered when he was a young mechanic working on a car in Denton and he found a toe. Horrified, I said I certainly did not remember that! “Yeah”, he said. “It was under the front fender and there was blood everywhere.” “Ohmigosh”, I replied, “What did you do??” “I called the toe truck”, he answered.

Gotcha! Again! He’s been doing that to me since he was four years old. I guess I’ll never learn.

Please don't ask about the fingers! I worked at the S.O. until about this time last year. Contrary to some rumors, I did not quit because of one very obnoxious deputy! I quit because of some very obnoxious cigarette smoke! Okay guys, get out there and make the good stuff happen. And don't forget to send warm fuzzies and prayers to our classmates in need. I'll keep you posted. Marilyn P.S, If you wish to send a comment, click on "Comments" at the bottom of this post, not on the little envelope.

POSTSCRIPT ON MEMORIAL DAY

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

I recently asked my “boys” if they remembered having to practice for a bomb attack when they were in school. This is what they responded with:

Craig:

”We did have to do duck and cover. I remember vividly having to get under my desk in first grade and I think going out into the hall and crouching down in the second grade. I don't remember knowing what it was all about. We just treated it sorta like a fire drill.”

Matthew:

“We did it. I remember it well. They played the old training movies from the 50's on the projector.”

Craig was in the First Grade in 1964 in Midland. I’m sure if there had been an attack, the oilfields around the Permian Basin would have been a target..? Matthew, however, didn’t start First Grade until 1975 in Irving. By then, surely they knew how useless the “duck and cover” would be in a nuclear attack! I wonder why they continued this frightening practice.

Funny, I don’t remember doing this at all as a kid. I moved around so much in grade school (remember it was called primary school, grade school, grammar school, and then elementary school?), maybe they practiced these drills on days I was in transit! Did you have to practice these drills when you were in school here in Ballinger?

I do remember being horrified by the atomic bomb. When my dad came home from World War II, I followed him around asking him questions about the war and what he did in Japan. I was too young – seven years old – to really understand about the bomb then, but I had seen enough images in magazines and the newsreels (remember those?) at the movie theaters to know that little children were affected, too, and often killed. My sister and I were left with different relatives in different states from time to time throughout the war. I recall that my prayers were always ended with “God, please don’t let the 'Japs' kill my daddy.” My fear for my dad was resolved upon his return, but my compassion for the little children only increased. I still remember how angry he got with me when I asked him if he had to kill a little child! Only as an adult did I find out that he did not see combat in Japan, but was there with the Occupation forces.

A couple of years ago I got Dad to talk a little about his experiences as a paratrooper in the South Pacific. They were sent to an island in the Philippines to do a mop-up action. Apparently, there were some Japanese gunners hiding out in the caves in the hills. He said they had to sweep the hillsides, and when they came to a cave, throw grenades into it. When I asked if he knew whether or not he actually killed anyone, he said they didn’t stick around to find out… and that he really didn’t want to know. My dad was only 27 years old at the time of the bombing of Hiroshima.

My dad was stationed at Fort Sam Houston during the Korean “conflict” when I was in the seventh grade (it was junior high then, now middle school!) in San Antonio. I read a small book called Hiroshima, which outlined in vivid detail everything about that attack. I don’t know why I read that book – or where I got it. Certainly not at the school library. Anyway, I did a book report on it, and from that day forward I was against war. 

It was so unreal to think that people could be reduced to a mere “shadow” on a sidewalk. I would stand in the sun and look down at my own shadow and try to imagine that that was all that was left of me. Even worse were the reports of survivors with their faces melted, or all their skin coming off if someone tried to hold them or pick them up. For years I followed reports on the aftereffects of the A-Bomb and what it did to the poor people who survived the attack. Horrible, horrible health problems… deformed babies -- if they could even give birth again. Those were the times I was almost ashamed to be an American. And I was only 12 years old.

I also read about the pilot and crew of the Enola Gay, who dropped those bombs. I could not imagine human beings wanting to deliver such destruction on so many innocent people. But then, there are a lot of things about war I do not understand – whether “they” are doing it, or we are!

A side note and not one I am particularly proud of: In the late 80s I was doing some genealogical research on my dad’s family and discovered he had a first cousin in Houston. I found him in Who’s Who in America, and found out he discovered/developed the electromagnetic process that made the first atomic bomb possible. He was among the scientists at Los Alamos during the testing of these bombs. When I met his sister in New Orleans, who was in her 70s at the time, she told me he went blind many years before. I wondered if this was a result of his exposure to radiation at the test sites when the bombs went off. (2021 - I have since discovered this is an error. There were two Moragnes with the same name. My cousin was not the one who worked on the bomb.)

About the same time that I found this side of my family, my oldest child, Craig Young, was the youngest member of the board of directors of the Texas Freeze Voters Association. He was aghast when I told him of our “infamous” relative. He didn’t want anyone to know. 

“Where have all the young men gone?”………………Too many of them are in Arlington National Cemetery and others scattered in cemeteries around the country. “When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?”…

May we honor the soldiers and not the wars.

Too bad, good stuff doesn't always happen.

Marilyn

IN MEMORY

ROSALYN (URBANTKE) HOELSCHER sent me the following information last night. I am sorry to say I don't remember John, however, he was a good friend of Rosalyn's and her family. She said he was a classmate of the Class of '57 until he joined the Navy at an early age. Some of you may find his photo in an early BHS annual. Unfortunately, mine were lost long ago.

"Just want to let you know that John Wayne Watkins passed away this past week. He has been in the hospital since Nov. 19th,the past few months he was at the VA Hospital in Big Spring. He had lung cancer-then it went into throat and voice box, so he has not been able to talk or eat since January (very sad). His funeral was today (Saturday) in San Angelo"...
JOHN WAYNE WATKINS

Publication Date: May 23, 2008

SAN ANGELO - "John Wayne Watkins, 70, of Carlsbad, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas after a courageous battle with cancer. Graveside military burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are by Johnson's Funeral Home. John was born on Jan. 10, 1938, in Coleman, Texas, and later moved with his family to Ballinger. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served aboard the USS Princeton. He was later stationed at Barber's Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii where his son, Allen Wayne Watkins was born. After his discharge from the Navy he worked as an officer for the Ballinger and San Angelo Police Departments and also for the Undercover Vice Task Force of the Dallas Police Department. He later moved to Carlsbad, Texas where he retired from the Texas Department of MHMR after working 20 years at the San Angelo State School. Survivors include his son, Allen Wayne Watkins and family of Arvada, Colo.; one sister, Willie Mae Cole of Ballinger; numerous nieces, nephews and many close friends. John was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203-1977, The American Cancer Society or your favorite charity."

I'm sorry I couldn't get John's photo to copy from the article in the Standard Times online obituary. If any of you are interested, you may go to their site and click on Obituaries:

http://www.gosanangelo.com/

This is a good address for you to make one of your Favorites or Bookmarks. That way you may keep up with news of this area no matter where you are. I'll place it in the left hand corner of the blog, along with other websites you may find interesting. KRUN's website keeps you up-to-date on Ballinger as well. (You can see who's holding a garage sale!)

On another note, I think I advised everyone that PEGGY (BRANHAM) KRUMLINDE'S test results were all negative. This is one time that negative is definitely "positive"!

I spoke with Carolyn, JERRY DAVIS's wife, yesterday. (He was taking a bath.) She said he was out of "critical care", and in another room at the hospital. His number is now 325-670-5626. They were preparing to remove the oxygen and hopefully allow him to return home. If you call the hospital and are unable to reach him, he may be home by the time you read this. Keep the prayers going for a complete recovery.
Something that has fascinated me since moving back to Ballinger is the vineyard on the San Angelo highway. I know it was planted by a Canadian doctor, Antoine Albert, during the 80s, and that they actually made the wine here for a while. Now the sign says it is owned by Becker Farms, Inc. I have done a little research online trying to find out if they are still making wine from the grapes harvested here. I assume they must be, as the vineyard is being irrigated and looks healthy and green. (I must remember to look for grapes as the season progresses!) I found a Becker Farms in Texas and one back east, but no mention of the Bluebonnet Hill Vineyard.

When I tried to locate Dr. Albert, I found a website he had in 2005. Seems he had become a personal "coach", specializing in assisting medical doctors. His bio mentioned that while he lived in Ballinger, he built a modern clinic. Is that the same clinic we have here today, located on Third Street? I tried to email him, but he no longer has that email address. Maybe he returned to Canada?? If anyone out there can fill me in, I'd love to know the history -- particularly of the wine.

This is Memorial Day weekend, so if any of you have loved ones who have served or who are serving now in the military, we honor you as well as them. We especially need to remember those who lost their lives in service to our country.

A few tips for using the blog... 1) Any photo may be double clicked on and enlarged. 2) The photo slideshows to the left of the blog may be double clicked on, also. When you do that, it will take you directly to the web albums, allowing you to read captions as well as enlarge the photos. 3) To comment on the blog, go to the bottom of the post and click on "Comments". A popup window will allow you to write your comment and send it to me. You may also view comments, if any, by clicking on "Comments". 4) To listen to the music, go to the music "window" to the left of the blog and click on the big arrow. Remember to have your sound on. Of course, you can always email me directly with any news or comments you wish to have published (or not - just let me know).

I look forward to hearing from some new folks. 'Til then, go out there and make the "good stuff" happen!

Marilyn












Runnels County Courthouse

TEXAS RESOURCES ENHANCED

It's not a gold rush, it's not an oil boom, it's not an Emu or Bison ranch, but it promises to be as -- if not more beneficial to Texas landowners than all of the above. There seemed to me to be many, many more of these wind generators than this time last year. One rumor I heard was that a rancher in Sweetwater is being paid $2,000 a month for each generator placed on his land. The gossiping clerks in the convenience store said he had over 100 on his ranch. He was overheard saying he was making more money than he could spend! Imagine that!

I just returned from five days in Amarillo, and as always in the past few years, I was enchanted with the wind generators between here and there. I haven't decided if they look more like giant herons or some kind of futuristic spaceships. Whichever, they are definitely awe inspiring as they rise up off the plains or perch on the tops of hills. The ones pictured here I took between Blackwell and Sweetwater. I have a little nagging concern about the electromagnetic fields they create, and what that might do to animals or people living in their vicinity. My son-in-law pooh-poohed me for that fear. Of course, that could be because he and his father are working on a deal to put them on family land in the Amarillo area.

I don't know if any of you noticed (or even cared), but recently Bob Dylan was given a Pulitzer Prize for songwriting. Being a big fan of his in the 60s, I was really amazed to read this, as I think this is the first time ever for this category. I mentioned it in an email to DENNY HILL. The following is Denny's response to me:

“I once calculated that I arrived in NYC, and was hanging around Washington Square Park, which is very near NYU, about 2 months before Bob Dylan arrived there. I used to see him sitting on a bench in the park, with his guitar looking REALLY YOUNG. Somehow his intensity stood out already, just by his sitting there, gawking at the Village people.

Not too many months later, one night, as I was sitting in a coffee house on MacDougal Street, listening to ‘Rambling Jack Elliot’, between sets he told us this (Jack Elliot speaking):

‘So there is this incredible new folksinger and songwriter in town who has taken to me, and who usually shows up at my pad late at night to hang out and play some chords. But I hadn’t seen him for a few days, and was worried about him. Well, last night late, he knocked on my door. I said, Where have you been? He said, Oh, I was busy writing a new song. Would you like to hear it? And then he sat down in my kitchen and played for me “Mr. Tambourine Man”. It almost knocked me off my kitchen chair! You’ve got to go hear this guy! I think he just got a gig around the corner on Bleeker Street.’

So of course, I took his advice and went to see him, and in less than a year Dylan had become very famous.”

On May 5th I wrote JAMES HAYS to see how he was doing. I asked if he were walking 2-3 miles a day yet, and this was his response:

"1.2 miles now; going to see surgeon today. Able to sneeze ok now, but a hearty cough is still bad. I don't expect to feel good until 4-6 weeks post-op, but it is ok now except for mud wrassling." That was over two weeks ago, so I'll bet he's in even better condition now!

I also heard from ROSALYN (URBANTKE) HOELSCHER. She said she had just had a heart monitor implanted. She's optimistic that this will solve a lot of the cardiac problems she's been having in recent months.

A little sad news. NYDAH ELLET'S father died on May 7th. She said she feels it was what he wanted. He was 89 years old. Our condolences to you, Nydah.

This is a photo of my granddaughter Audrey during her "Giselle" solo at her last high school ballet performance. The second act of their Spring Concert was a very unusual -- and delightful ballet, choreographed by her dance instructor for the past several years. His father died last year, leaving a cedar closet full of his old suits -- many from the 70s. He coupled his dad's leisure suits with humorous music by Mozart and created a ballet like none other. These delicate dancers were outfitted in men's suits several sizes too large for them, along with their leotards and men's ties. I wish I had been able to capture a good photo of them, however, no flashes were allowed. Her dad, BOB BURTON and her other grandmother (Ann Burton), "Two", were also there to share this memorable family event. We were passing around the Kleenex, as is usual when we watch our grandchildren perform! Some of the tears were for the passing of the years. She's such a grown up young woman now.

This is Audrey (on the left below) with her ballet instructor's wife, Stephanie Parker, backstage between performances. Stephanie performs with Cirque du Soleil in Miami, but has been guest performer in three of her husband's ballets that I have attended. She's much prettier than this photo, but I wanted to show the costumes they wore for the Second Act. It was pretty unbelievable that they could even dance with them on. Of course, we thought Audrey was magnificent!



More news. GLENN SMITH has a young visitor from South America, who will be staying in Ballinger for a while. Glenn has sponsored her to come to the States to attend college. The last I heard, she has a scholarship to St. Mary's in San Antonio. Her name is Stephanie and from her photo, she is a lovely young woman. Stephanie sings. Boy!! does she sing! (I have heard a demo CD she made for auditions). She really, really wants to be on American Idol, and has the talent to go with that ambition. I think she will be going to summer school at ACU, so if you see her around town with Glenn, give her a big Texas welcome.

Happy Birthday, DON SIMMONS!!

Send me all your newsworthy items and photos. I'd love a story from all you great storytellers out there!

Until next time, keep on making "good stuff happen"!

Marilyn

NEWS AND VIEWS

NEIL BROUSSARD'S VACATION PHOTOS FROM MEXICO...

After viewing the pretty photos that Peggy (Branham) sent, it spurred Neil Broussard to share some of his Mexico vacation pictures. He didn't say exactly where in Mexico these were taken, only that they didn't stay at one of the expensive resorts. Come to think of it, he didn't say if they stayed in the huts you will see in a later photo. I'm assuming the guy in the picture is Neil.

"We also just returned from Mexico, however, we didn't stay in the high cost resorts. No phone (Yeah!) No hot water (Ugh!) No A/C (No problem) Electricity (Sundown til 11 pm) Some bugs and crabs (still no problem) Lots of sand, beautiful beach, beautiful water, good food, great time with son and daughter( from Sweden) and daughter (Houston).

Enjoy the blog and hearing about everyone." (Neil)
Now for a little different scene, taken by Ter Cothran. By the way, Ter has changed scenery pretty drastically in the past two years. He went from the dry Arizona desert around Lake Havasu City, AZ to the piney woods of East Texas in Nacogdoches. He nicknamed his log home and acreage "The Ranch". (below right)

East Texas did not turn out to be his cup of tea, so Ter put his house on the market and moved to Prescott in northern Arizona to be near his son Kelly and daughter Amy, who is moving to Prescott with her husband and family as soon as their house sells in California. In the meantime, Ter's "ranch" sold, and he has bought a new home in Prescott. From the looks of his neighborhood, it is almost in the country.

This is the view from Ter's bedroom window! Needless to say, this was taken in January. The only pictures to rival this are the ones of Gene Routh's home in Colorado. Now that is wayyy too much snow for this Texas gal!



The photo below is Ter Cothran and his pride and joy, grandson Austin.

I am thinking of doing a "web album" (like the ones to the left of the blog post of the reunion, etc.) of everyone's grandchildren. If you think this is a good idea, let me know and start sending me the photos. I can start as soon as I have more than my own! I'll need names and ages.

NEWS: James Hays is doing well. Only eight days after his double coronary bypass he went to a Medical Society meeting at the Country Club in Brownwood with his son who now practices medicine there. He said he looked pretty cute carrying his "heart pillow" to the Country Club. He really is not supposed to drive or ride in a car next to an air bag for a while yet. Bet he could use a telephone call or card!

Peggy (Virden) Sharp had her six month checkup after heart surgery, and she is doing so well that they will take her off all medications except blood pressure meds. She and I went to the Ethnic Festival last Saturday and ran into a couple of classmates. Glenn Smith was gracious and bought me and Peggy french fries, and peach cobbler for dessert! Oh, my. That was delicious. Then Peg and I shopped all the vendors' booths looking for special birthday and Christmas gifts. Too bad the rain cut the festival short the next day.

In the photos are Glenn, Peggy, Bill King, and his friend Betty who is from Knoxville, Tennessee. She has been working at Shannon Hospital in San Angelo and will be there until June. A very pretty lady indeed, Bill.

Then there is Janice Amarine, who was in deep conversation with our newest physician in town, Dr. Mark McKinnon. He seemed to be enjoying the day at the festival, too.


















I hope everyone is getting outdoors and enjoying this beautiful spring weather. I already have some "accidental" sunflowers in my back yard, thanks to the birds and their feeders.

Let the good stuff happen!

Marilyn

HAPPY EARTH DAY AND BIRTHDAY

"Love all God's creation, the whole and every grain of sand in it. Love every leaf, every ray of God's light. Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love." (Feodor Dostoyevsky)

Earth Day! We've been celebrating this for over thirty years now. Sad that no more has been done to protect this beautiful planet. This year promises to raise the awareness of more and more of us.

I like to think I can simplify my life more than I have, and therefore not contribute to the ongoing "conspicuous consumption" that has threatened to overwhelm our world. I recently bought (they aren't giving them away yet!) recycled bags made from 2-liter soft drink bottles. I was proud to answer "Neither", when asked "paper or plastic?" Now if I can only remember to take them with me when I shop for groceries or other "necessary" items! I'm getting better at it. I only wish I didn't still own my gas-guzzling Jeep. As it is paid for, I don't foresee selling it for enough to buy a more efficient auto in the near future. On my agenda, though!


Now for the birthday. The shy little blond on the left is none other than Irene Piel (Batts), along with her best buds in high school, yours truly and Nancy Thompson (Baker). And of course, today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Irene! This photo was probably taken shortly after her "sweet 16" birthday.

Good news! James Hays is now home from the hospital. He got home Sunday night. Says he is a little tired, but after this kind of surgery, that's to be expected. Get well soon, James. We need you to officiate!The young man in the tuxedo, second from left is none other than my grandson, Cameron Young, on the set of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" this past Sunday in Dallas. The show was absolutely professional. It was difficult at times to realize these were high school students! Of course, they aren't just any high school students. Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School is nicknamed "Grammy High", because so many of their graduates go on to win Grammies in the musical industry. Norah Jones is perhaps one of the most recognizable. The high school recently underwent a $40 million dollar renovation, making it a state-of-the-art school. Too bad Cameron is graduating this year and won't get to take advantage of it. However, LSU will more than make up for it as he launches his college opera training.

By the way, we (his family and friends in attendance) thought Cameron was the star of the show! His English accent, gray hair, and perfect comedic timing were delightful. He also had a duet with the female lead that showcased that beautiful bass singing voice of his. And not only did he do all of that to perfection, he also did a tap dance with the sailor chorus that was pretty remarkable considering those size 12 feet! Way to go, Cameron!! Congratulations on a job well done.

Yesterday, we had the most delightful visit from Peggy Branham (Krumlinde) on the far left below, who was in town for a family reunion at the June Harris (Koch) home at Bethel. We started with a great lunch at the Main Street Sandwich Shop, to which Peggy insisted on treating us. Those in attendance were Peggy, June, Doris Stokes (White), Nancy Thompson (Baker), yours truly, and the one brave man to join us, Glenn Smith.

From there we came to my house for cake, coffee, and lemonade. Peggy kept us enthralled with tales of her life since Ballinger. We all laughed so hard and so much, Nancy said she wished she had a tape recorder in order to remember it all! Peggy's escapade in high school in Vernon, as she worked in a hospital lab, passing out from cleaning stainless steel counters with ether; being the only licensed female shrimp boat Captain in the state of Texas; and her years of living in the snowladen mountains of Colorado, snowshoeing home with her gun to fight off the coyotes interested in her bags of groceries, as well as the encounters with bears -- as many as five at one time encircling a chokeberry bush... Well, need I say more? Peggy, I really think you should write a book of your life adventures. It was such fun to have her here. Next time she comes for a visit, I'll bet more will show up. In fact, maybe we'll just throw a big party!
Well, everyone, I know this was a long one, but I hope you enjoyed some of it. Most important, I hope some of you feel the passion I feel for our beautiful world, Gaia. She is indeed our Mother Earth, a living, breathing entity. We are charged with the responsibility of nurturing and protecting her, as she has provided for us.

Until next time, make some "good stuff happen"!

Marilyn

(Photo by my son, Matthew Rider)

CLASSMATE VISITS

View of resort swimming pool on Peggy's recent vacation in Mexico.

There are two more of her vacation pictures at the bottom of this blog entry.

I believe these were in Puerto Vallarta

The lovely lady on the right is none other than Peggy Branham Krumlinde. I'm sure you all remember her as one of our class favorites until her family whisked her away before our senior year. Peg and I were neighbors in Albuquerque for a brief time in the early 70s. Peggy was unable to make it to our 50th class reunion, but she will be here this weekend for a family reunion. We thought it would be great fun to all meet somewhere for lunch this next Monday before she returns to New Mexico on Tuesday. I just spoke with the Main Street Sandwich Shop (it's on the corner of Hutchins and the Paint Rock Highway). The gentleman there said if we could come about 11:45 there should be plenty of room for all of us. It would be helpful if you could give me a call (716-1062) or email me that you are attending. If you know a classmate who might like to come who doesn't have email, please let them know about this luncheon. Of course, this is dutch treat. None of us has struck the lottery to my knowledge! And oh, yes, you guys are welcome to join us, too!

As most of you know, James Hays had a double coronary bypass yesterday morning. I talked to his wife Kay, and to James himself just a short time ago. He is out of ICU and now in Room 2016 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. If any of you in the area wish to visit, please remember to keep it a very short visit until he's had more time to regain his strength -- and to get more of the tubes out!

I asked James if he had a message for everyone and he said, "Watch your cholesterol, and don't end up in this condition!" His wife Kay said that they had him out of bed, sitting in a chair, and eating his breakfast when she got there this morning. He may get to go home this Saturday.

More healing prayers and good wishes are being sent to you, James. We want you "fit as a fiddle" for the next homecoming celebration.

Some of us have grandchildren who are graduating from high school. I have two who are seniors this year. As one is in Amarillo (Audrey), and one is in Dallas (Cameron), I found it a little difficult to attend both graduation ceremonies. I left it up to each of them and both wanted me to come to their final performances in high school. Audrey is a ballerina, and Cameron is a singer. Both have received scholarships for college, but I'm not certain where each will go. Audrey has received an academic scholarship to SMU, but has also been accepted into the University of Utah's dance program. She informed me that their dance program is the second most prestigious one in the country. (I forgot to ask which was number one!) Her final high school dance performance will be May 17th.
This weekend Cameron is performing in the musical, "Anything Goes" in Dallas. He's extremely excited that Louisiana State University has granted him a four-year guaranteed scholarship for tuition and residency fees. They have a great opera department (although, I think he is as excited about their football team -- even though he doesn't play), and a local professional opera company wants him to study with them, also. Now if we can come up with room and board, this talented young man will be all set.
I hope you all forgive me my grandmother "bragging rights", but seeing these children thrive gives me so much hope for our future. Both of these seniors are honor students; Audrey also is an award winning violinist; and Cameron is very active in his church as well as in politics. Both their grandfathers were Ballinger High School graduates. Cameron's grandfather is the late Ray Young; and of course, Audrey's grandfather is our fellow classmate Bob Burton.

I will be happy to put your photos, as well as write about your news, on this blog. Just get them to me any old way you can and I'll do my best to figure out how to post them! Which reminds me. Before James had the angiogram that cinched his surgery, he sent me the following news:

JAMES HAYS:

"My youngest son, John, has moved back to Brownwood and joined a medical group as an interventional radiologist in the Imaging Center, reading studies as well as doing a lot of procedures involving x-rays, cat scans, MRI, etc. He lives at Lake Brownwood, and is a 37-year-old bachelor, very eligible. I'm glad to have him nearby finally. His older brother, Jet, is a Lt. Colonel in the National Guard, staying on active duty in Austin but living in Harker Heights. He is divorced and has a 5-year-old son. Their sister, Susan, is a Dallas lawyer.

I'm staying halfway busy, working in the Coleman medical clinic on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which keeps me out of the pool hall part of the time, otherwise going to gun shows, flying, and doing chores around the house."

Needless to say, since James's surgery, the schedule he outlines above may change a little. He may be feeling so much better that he can go full-time to 1) the medical clinic or 2) the pool hall!

You know what? James is living proof that "good stuff happens"!

Marilyn

Beautiful Mexican Coastline (by Peggy)

TIMES THEY ARE A'CHANGIN'

So much is happening on our planet right now, it is hard to choose a topic. Close to home, we are barraged with news of the Primary elections taking place. No matter what political party you support or which candidate, you have to admit this is a unique historical event in our country. We have running for the highest office in our land three people from the most discriminated against groups in the United States. An African-American, a woman, and a senior citizen (yes, they are discriminated against, in case you haven’t tried to gain employment lately). My apologies to the distinguished Senator from Arizona, but the last I heard, the decade of one’s seventies is definitely considered “senior”. There was a time not too many years ago that someone in his 50s would also be considered “senior”. And you know what? One of them will be our next President.

Ah, yes, the times they are a’changin’! They say that age 50 is now the new 40. I guess that makes us 60-somethings really 50-somethings, right?

My stepfather used to tease me a lot when I would make a statement starting with “they say”. “Wait a minute, Marilyn”, he’d say. “Back up there. Who are these people you call ‘they’?” Of course, I rarely ever could quote my source, but I soon learned to back up such statements with a name when I approached him with some supposedly valid fact or statistic. (I now have to admit that the “they” I quoted in the above paragraph was the Oprah Winfrey Show!) Once he jokingly asked me (after one of my job changes) what I was going to be when I grew up. I quickly replied I wanted to be one of “they” that everyone quotes! (Seems at that time “actuaries” who compiled statistics held the highest paid positions in the country.)

Glenn Smith took cousin Pat Smith Mullins to lunch at Chili's in Brownwood this week. Pat and her husband James are planning a trip to the west coast around the end of April to spend time with two of their daughters.

Nancy Thompson Baker's husband Jake had a pacemaker successfully implanted this past week. Nancy said the doctor told them that no, Jake would not be able to communicate with aliens with his new device. Darn! When Nancy was telling me this, she had some interesting stories about the times folks from around here, Jake included, have witnessed what they believe to have been UFOs! She said that Mike and Virginia Harral Egan also witnessed one. Hey! Those would be great stories to share with us.

If any of you read this in time, you might be interested in participating in the tonight's “black out”. I’m going to light one of my great-grandmother’s kerosene lamps and use a lot of candles during this time. I copied this from the Google Web Page, which is already black to show their support.

“On Saturday, March 29, 2008, Earth Hour invites people around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – from 8:00pm to 9:00pm in their local time zone. On this day, cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Chicago, Melbourne, Dubai, and Tel Aviv, will hold events to acknowledge their commitment to energy conservation.”

Next month we will again celebrate Earth Day. Mark it on your calendar -- April 22nd. I'm still trying to add beauty to the world by pulling weeds in my back yard! I have a way to go. However, the grape hyacinths are still blooming and the honeybees are responding with gratitude. I have been carefully following the reports of the vanishing bees, so seeing them in "my back yard" was a special delight. If you look closely in the following photo you can see two of them.

I will post the photos from Peg's (Branham) vacation in the next blog entry. I wanted to get this one in a little before the 1st of April. I didn't want it to be an April Fool's entry... but then, maybe it is?

Remember good stuff really does happen!

Marilyn

EASTER SUNDAY

Easter came early this year -- only a few days after the first day of spring. Along with the early blooming daffodils and hyacinths and new buds on the trees, it brought a lot of memories to mind. Of frilly dresses, Mary Janes, and pretty little hats and gloves. Of short pants and knees socks, suits and ties and grownup shoes. The jerky home movies of everyone in their Easter finery, and the silent squeals of joy as the children raced each other to find the most Easter eggs. And lots of memories and photographs of Easter baskets, big smiles, and tears of sadness when little ones were made to wait to eat that chocolate bunny until after Sunday services. Of course, the inevitable photos of the happy little chocolate-covered faces when they were finally given the okay to indulge in all those goodies.

I never gave in to buying one of these cute little bunnies for any of the kids, however, I was dismayed one year when a friend of my mother's sent my youngest home from an Easter visit with Grandma toting a baby chicken -- more like an adolescent chicken. Not the cute little fuzzy ones. This one was beginning to get his "real" feathers. (You can see I am not a farm girl!) A single parent at the time, and living in an apartment, I had no place to keep a pet chicken! For several days the chicken took up residence in our only bathtub. This meant a lot of extra work for me at bathtime, as you can imagine. On my way to work one morning, lo and behold, I saw a house on the corner of the street with several small chickens of varying ages in the fenced-in backyard! Some were even dyed different colors. I was so excited. I couldn't wait to get home. I convinced a tearful Matthew that his pet chicken would be so much happier with a yard to play in, and with more little chicks as companions. When that didn't work, I promised we would look for a more suitable pet. This "suitable pet" turned out to be Goldie, the hamster. But that is another story for another time!

I brazenly knocked on the door of the corner house, chick in hand. The poor man looked at my chicken with dismay. It seemed everyone was dropping off their unwanted Easter pets at his house, and he couldn't say "no" to desperate mothers!

This Easter was quiet compared to earlier times. I shared some of the memories by email with my grownup little egg-hunters. Talked to some of my family members. And thought about the meaning of this season. New life is springing up all around us. The Cross on the Hill here in Ballinger reminds me of the opportunity we have each spring to rise above our limitations, and overcome any obstacles we have created in our lives that prevent us from knowing peace, happiness, and fulfillment.

I've heard from many of you with wishes for a Happy Easter. My thanks to you. May your Easter have been blessed with love and good memories as mine was.

After my last blog entry, I received a little news from fellow classmates. This first one is from Paul Mota, who lives with his wife in San Angelo:

"Since you asked, I am providing some information about me and my family. In the immediate weeks, I am looking forward to my daughter visiting us while they have Spring break in the Houston area. She will be bringing our 2 grandchildren Ana Marie (age 3) and Daniel (age 9).

My wife and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary on the 6th of March. The most important thing about our lives is that we have been very blessed. Not really in monetary value but in other more important areas.

We were blessed with our only daughter, who was born in Tokyo, Japan. She tries to do a little of everything in life such as running the Houston Marathon, Broadway plays, and you name it, she has tried it. I brainwashed her early in life to be a New York Yankees fan. We try to go to Arlington as often as we can to see the Yankees play.

I am in pretty good health if I could only stop eating all these snacks and stuff at night. I am trying (aren't we all?) to lose some pounds but not seeing much success lately. Otherwise, thanks to God, I am in pretty good health.

During about the last 10 Years or so I got the Las Vegas bug, and we are going there about once or twice a year. We have reservations for June coming up soon. I find it hard to believe that anyone could NOT have a lot of fun there. There is so much to see and do there.

As I stated in another letter, I spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and also 20 years as a Department of Defense civilian at the base here. I retired about 5 years ago and am enjoying it more than my wife is enjoying having me home all the time.

That is about it for now. Have a great Easter to everyone from the class of 57." Paul

The following is from Barbara (Sharpes) Brooks:

"The big news for me is a brand new knee! It's been eighteen days now and I think I will live. I had no idea what I was getting into. If the other one goes I may just have to live with it!" Barb

EDITOR: Peggy (Branham) Krumlinde sent some more beautiful photos from her vacation in Mexico last month. I will post one or two of them on the next blog.

Someone asked me recently, "What are you doing to bring beauty to the world?" Whoa! That one still has me thinking. I started by pulling weeds in my back yard. Does that count? Think about it. What are you doing to bring beauty to the world? Write me and share that with your classmates!

Until next time, keep on making the "good stuff" happen!

Marilyn

The Egans and More..

Two recent events marked the life of our former classmate, Virginia Harral Egan. As you can see from the article above, one was a joyous occasion she celebrated with her husband Mike on Valentine’s Day. What a wonderful day to get married! Congratulations on 50 years of married bliss, Virginia and Mike. 

Sadly, I was informed this past week that Virginia lost her brother. I’m sorry I don’t have his name available. Nancy Baker informed me of this and she is out of town at this time. When I said to Nancy that I didn’t know Virginia had a brother, she reminded me of an event we shared in the summer of 1955. 

Nancy, Irene (Piel), and I went with my mother and sister and two of their friends (plus one infant) to Marfa, Texas to watch the movie Giant being filmed. Mother had written ahead for permission to view the action from the movie set. When we arrived in Marfa, we were informed that the movie schedule had been changed. They had a giant wind machine brought in (imagine having to create wind in West Texas!), and were to film a dust storm and cattle stampede that day. For obvious reasons, the set was closed to the public. 

It was a long drive, and we were determined to get a look at all the movie stars in town, so began the search for motel rooms. Marfa was a very small town, and with all the movie folks there, rooms were at a premium. Mother finally located one room in a rundown motel. Not enough space for seven of us and a baby! Somehow, we got in touch with Virginia’s brother who lived there with his wife and adorable little son, Craig. They were so hospitable, and allowed Nancy, Irene, and me to sleep in their guest room. I do not remember Virginia’s brother that much, however, I was enchanted by her three-year-old nephew. So enchanted, I believe somewhere I still have a newspaper clipping of him at that age, standing at the kitchen sink with an apron on, helping his mother wash dishes. I even loved his name, and named my first son Craig!

Virginia’s brother just happened to live on the street where two of the stars of the movie had rented houses for the duration of the filming… Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson! We haunted the blocks they stayed on until we captured on film Rock Hudson walking to Elizabeth’s house. Later, we got up the nerve to knock on Elizabeth’s door. We had torn out photos from movie magazines to have her autograph for us. Duhhh! We forgot to bring a pen! However, this beautiful star generously posed for us in the doorway in her blue jeans, with a small Chihuahua dog in her arms. She still had on heavy movie makeup, which fascinated us. 

That night we all stood near the entrance of the only big hotel in town and watched as stars and technicians alike arrived to eat dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. The next day we were rewarded with watching our “idol” James Dean filming outdoor scenes with Elizabeth and Rock. What memories we all have of that exciting trip! 

I truly am sorry about the loss of your brother, Virginia. I know the little tale above is only a brief episode, but his generosity made for some happy teenage memories. 

~~~~~~~~~

I want to apologize for leaving the blog with no new entries for so long. My mother’s death affected me more than I initially realized. I made three trips in a few weeks’ time, and came down with a horrific cold after the last one to San Antonio. The result of all of this was that I spent about three weeks doing a lot of introspection while healing. Some of it was like a life review. Not all of it was pleasing. As my body healed, my thoughts worked through the pain of loss. Then I had wonderful news. I am going to be blessed with another grandchild by my son Matthew and his wife Amy. Death, then new life; the circle continues. 

Thanks to all of you who have patiently sent me uplifting or funny emails. I’m sorry if I didn’t respond to all of them. I will say one more time that I never respond – or even open, any email that looks remotely political in content. Nothing personal, I just don’t want to add any energy to anything so negative about any candidate. That’s not my kind of humor.

Did you all hear about NASA broadcasting into space the Beatles’ song “Across The Universe”? Wow! I hear there is a new DVD out titled the same. It’s a modern musical created entirely by Beatles’ songs – some 30 of them. I don’t know how many of you are fans, but I’ve heard it is a fantastic musical portrait of the past 40+ years of life on this planet. I’ll be looking for it.

Very little news since I have been so “cocooned” of late. June Curry has moved to Edmond, Oklahoma after selling her home in Tulsa. Remember the house fire she suffered? It didn’t stop her place from selling!

Nancy and Jake Baker, along with their daughter Melissa and hubby Bryan Jones are on a vacation trip to Las Vegas again. They go so frequently, they ought to own shares in some of the casinos there! I hope they win the big one this time!

Peggy Branham Krumlinde sent me the following photo she took on a recent vacation in Mexico. She will be in Ballinger for a family reunion in April. I’m looking forward to seeing her. We were neighbors in Albuquerque for a short time over 35 years ago! I haven’t seen her since.

Let me hear from all of you. What’s happening in your life? Share with us. In the meantime, remember

Good stuff happens!
Marilyn