President

Whenever I think about the word president, I smile and think "I personally know the lady that millions call 'Madame President'”. Cherry Jones is that lady and I have known her since 1972. We weren't close friends back then, not even casual acquaintances, but I watched her perform in two or three plays and can honestly say I have known her from the beginning.

I wouldn't wish that job on anyone, but from what I have seen on “24”, Ms. Jones would make a pretty good president. As good a president as we have had since JFK, anyway.

We just need the President, the Senators, and the members of the House of Representatives to put politics, personal gain, and pride aside and work for the good of the United States of America. We have the best, the safest, the most prosperous country in history, but I feel we are in danger of losing it. I haven't any answers......I just wish we could get good people, working together for the common good!

Cupid

I have always thought that the idea behind Cupid was pretty neat. I mean a little fella' flying around, with a diaper on, shooting arrows at people, who if hit by one is automatically smitten. I don't know if Cupid was some greeting card company's idea to sell more cards or not, but I think it was a great idea.

To have a real life Cupid sure would save a lot of money. There would be no courtship, no dating, no buying of presents, no feeling that you always had to impress the opposite sex. I have also heard that in other parts of the world, the parents pick out their children's mate. Cupid would sure put an end to such foolishness right away.

With February the 14th right around the corner, I am glad I have my Valentine. I love her very much and there is no doubt that she loves me. To everyone out there that has a mate, congratulations. To everyone out there that is still looking, don't give up, Cupid will help!!

Health

Health is a mighty important topic now that I am 54 and hurt all over. When I was a kid and was not the least bit concerned about growing old, I really pulled some stupid tricks. Now I get to remember all the foolishness, while trying to accomplish very simple tasks in pain.

When I was fifteen I was certain I would never see twenty one. At twenty one, thirty seemed an impossibility. I was thirty three when I met the love of my life, and I wanted to live to be a hundred. That may not be possible, but I want to give it my best shot. My main objective is to live life pain free, and to never be a burden on Jean. Lately, that has been a huge problem and it has not been solved yet.

I believe attitude has much to do with well being. It is hard to keep a right spirit when everything else is falling apart, but it is a must. I believe a person can go around with a 'woe is me' attitude and bad things will happen. Conversely, I believe a man can will himself to feel better. Not sure how that works.....but it has been done in my life. I just need to find the right mixture. The right foods, combined with the right amount of exercise, combined with the right amount of rest is THE recipe for health. I hope it is not too late for me.

Chest of Drawers

I guess almost everyone would have special memories of a favorite chest of drawers. My memory comes from the bottom drawer of my Ma's chest of drawers. That drawer was chock full of photographs. Photos of my Ma and her folks. Photos of my Dad, many with his Dad and Mom, and many with his nine brothers and sisters. Photographs of our family from baby pictures, to graduation pictures, to anniversary pictures, to my brothers and sister with their families. I used to love looking through that drawer. I couldn't wish for those days back, for I am very content with my life, but it was a peaceful time. It was a time I shall never forget!

Experiment

This week's word unraveled a mystery for me. Around forty-two years ago, give or take a year, I wanted to be a scientist, or a biologist, or an astronaut. My Ma always told me I could be any thing I wanted, so a ten to twelve year old kid had to experiment a lot, to try and find his life's work. My folks had given me a chemistry set for Christmas, and one January day I was trying to get the chlorophyl out of a leaf that soon would have no color.

I really don't know what happened next but suddenly I had a blazing fire on the area rug in my bedroom. I went tearing through the house hollerin' for Ma, cuz' I KNEW she'd know what to do. Sure enough she folded the rug up against itself and the fire smothered itself right out! My days of using my chemistry set for experiments in the house were no more.

I decided pretty soon after that that I didn't want to be a chemist after all. I wanted to be a fireman!

Perseverance

Perseverance has not always been my strong suit, but it seems that my stick-to-it-ive-ness gets better and better as I age. Used to be when the going got tough....I would find somewhere else to play. Now, when adversity rears its ugly head, perseverance kicks in, the problem gets solved, and I grow stronger.

Stronger in my ability because the next time I am faced with the same or a similar problem, I will know what to do. Stronger mentally because I have thought through a problem and solved it.

Perseverance does not guarantee success. Sometimes you may put all your resources into solving a problem and still not succeed. When that happens to me I have to step back, away from the problem, clear my head, focus on something else for a short while, and usually I can come back to the problem and work it out. I am a much happier person now that, through perseverance, problems are solved.

Stars

This weeks word has me bringing back more memories of my childhood. Growing up in the country allowed me to see lots of stars! Groups like the Big Dipper, and the Little Dipper were easy sights to see most nights. I can remember laying in the cool, itchy grass and seeing a whole sky full of stars. Man, would that make my mind wander! I don't think there is another situation whereby a boy of eight or nine feels like he is at peace with the world! Sometimes I wish for those days back.