Paul Harvey

While listening to a radio program yesterday this radio broadcast from Paul Harvey in April of 1965. was played. Go to the blog if you can't see the video here.

Yesterday/Yesteryear

Occasionally we get to step back in time. No, not literally, but almost. With this brain that God created, we can imagine and relive many experiences from times past. Sometimes all we need is a little jogging of the memory. To see a face, hear a voice, shake a hand, or hug a neck is all it could take and yesterday I got to do all of those at the Kosciusko Mega Class Reunion, 1965-1975.

Seeing the faces of so many classmates from my graduating class as well as those from a couple years before and after was F..U..N! The memories were sweet and I was reminded of things that even I didn't remember. The committees of each class did a great job of putting our senior portraits on our name tags so we could remember the younger us. Boy did that help, because so many of us have really gotten older and look less like we did. A few really haven't changed that much.

I was reminded how time has just flown by. It has been 39 YEARS since I have seen most of my classmates. Because of Facebook I have at least seen current photos and communicated with some. The sound of 400+ old people singing "Kosy High" was an inspiration even though I didn't remember the words. We sang it at every pep rally and since I was in the band, I played the tune. I did not figure out how to play and sing at the same exact time.

Walking down the hallways of the school many classes came back to me. Mrs. Jones' geometry class that I attended and failed. (just couldn't remember all those rules). My French class, Mrs. Power's English class and the cafeteria. Most import the band hall which we couldn't get into. That would have topped my day.

Those who know me personally know that I was the drum major my senior year of the best band in the state! GO BIG RED!!! A special treat was that the drum major of 71-72 was there as well as our band director. Here is the picture that I will cherish.

Left to right: Mike Brunt, Mickey Grove (band director) and me

Thanks to all of those who really worked hard to pull this off. You did a great job. I wish there would have been more of our classmates there although we were represented well.

October Baby

I am not very good at writing a movie review so I hope that I don't remove the chance of your going to see it. If you can drive to a theater to see it then do. It is not in all theaters at this time because like many independent movies with religious overtones and especially those that bleed deep into the world of abortion, it needs your dollars to be more available to watch. It is a family movie. There are no curse words. No violent scenes. There are no graphic reproductions of an aborted baby.

This movie is not an in your face anti-abortion movie but the message is there. It gently walks back through a young ladies life who at 19 has just discovered that she is adopted. She is hurt deeply by this discovery and determines her life had been a lie. Her father, played by John Schneider, is very controlling and you wonder why.

After choosing differently than her father wanted, she sets out on the journey to discovery who she is. She finds herself in trouble with the law a couple of times. Once with a cameo role of Robert Amaya, Javier in Courageous.The second time after breaking and entering the old hospital in which she was born. In both cases the police are understanding and release her. I am not sure that would happen in real life, but you would hope that our police are not too desensitized by the world they live in everyday.

The Mobile Police Sargent recognizes a signature and puts her touch with nurse Mary, Jasmine Guy, that may have some answers. Even though the address is old, Mary still lives there and provides some information and a secret.

The end of the movie is powerful and there were few dry eyes in the theater. Go and see You will not be disappointed.

Deep Regret Part 1

  Dear Grandson,

 I hope your mom and dad will read this to you. From these words, I hope you will be able to see what my America was like. I deeply regret the way She has changed.

Today it has become painfully clear that when I am gone this America will not be the same America that your papa grew up in. I remember quite clearly my time at your age. I was pretty carefree much like you. I enjoyed exploring and learning new things. I know you have lots of friends but I am not sure you have that best friend yet. I did. His name was Pat. Your papa did everything he could with him. We were inseparable. Where you saw one the other was close by. We spent the night at each others house. We slept in a tent  in the yard. We played baseball and football. We built a fort in our backyard. We did so much I can hardly remember them all.

Our favorite thing was going to the movies. We lived in town and were only about 8 blocks from the movie theater. So, Pat and I would walk all the way downtown to the movies and stay all Saturday afternoon. Then we would walk home. In today's America, your parents, Nana and I are afraid to let you do that. Our towns aren't the same as then. There are people who like to hurt children so we have to watch out for them and protect you when we can, and all the time trusting God to watch over you.

We used to pray in school then. Nobody was offended or thought it was a bad thing until this woman didn't like it and filed a court case. She won and we couldn't pray in school anymore. We said the pledge of allegiance each morning, but now there are those that want to take that our to school because it has a phrase that says "Under God".

People, at least those I was around, were more considerate. For example, if someone wanted to smoke, they would ask your permission. If they accidentally said a bad word they would say excuse me or I'm sorry (especially if women or children were present). It was important that children be taught respect all adults. Everything was closed on Sunday except hospitals and fire stations and police. We didn't have restaurants open to go and eat in after church like we do today.

But somehow things began to change and the society and culture of our country began transforming. I was still young so I didn't know it was happening. (end of part 1)

Hey You!! Are You Listening?

Hey you behind the counter! You, yes you in the kitchen. And you, the one driving your car(you shouldn't be reading this if you are driving). You in the desk, are you listening? You in the church pew, are you paying attention? Are you? Really? Where are you right now? Are you comfortable? If you are, you are not paying attention. A battle is raging and we are just doing what we always do, nothing.

You are most likely sitting in your comfortable home in you comfortable chair like nothing is happening and you would not be alone. But folks, our lives are crumbling around us and we are just watching in a daze and we are doing nothing. Our country's fundamental roots are being yanked right out of the dirt and what are we doing? I know allot of us complain, but that is about it.

In November we will either re-elect this current administration who has proven again and again that they want the US to crumble and become something very different than we are or we can try to change the direction with our vote. Your vote is important but that is not the end of it. Right now you and I need to be on our knees in prayer. Ernest prayer. Burdened prayer. Nowhere else to turn to prayer.

Dara Aldy, a relative, shared something with me back on 2009. She gave me permission then to use it and if you would like to read it just click here. This was her call to prayer.

Are you willing to join me? Are you willing to set aside a few minutes each day and pray that God will call up the right man for the job. Are you willing to sit in silence for just a few minutes each day? Are you willing to trust Him! He heard the cries of Israel in Egypt and He will hear our cry of deliverance now. How do I know? He said He would.

Rain and more rain!!

I don't about you, but here in Mississippi we are just about waterlogged. It was reported that we have had 3 times more rain this February than last. I feel it, literally. A lot now but it will be scarce soon enough.

Have you complained? I have. There are things I would like to do on Saturday besides being inside. I am sure there is some advantage to that. As I am typing (is that what I am doing even though I don't have a typewriter) the rain is falling yet again. But it is OK since I most likely wouldn't be rambling on the blog if it wasn't.

We have been well since my last blog at Thanksgiving (to long in between). Shirley and I have been working on our weight and general health. She is looking great and I am so proud of her. She has worked hard and it has paid off in big dividends. I started Weight Watchers last fall and I am making good progress. I have met my first loss goal. I don't have time to work out as much as I like (should). My like about working out wains very regularly, but I do manage to get 2 to 3 times per week in. I have a long way to go but making weekly progress is encouraging. Hopefully my Doctor will be impressed in a couple of months when I go back for my six month follow up. My hope is be off blood pressure medication by then end of the year.

One more thing then I will let you get to your life. My friend Jena challenged us to add something new to our quiet time. I chose to do the 1 year Bible reading. I am glad I did. It is a great tool to get you to read your Bible in an organized way. A bonus is if you find something that hits you then you can study about that a little more. Thanks Jena for the encouragement!

Well, that is it for today. Stay dry, well and God bless.