Helloooooooooooo '70!
Wow, time really does seem to take on speed. One of my "heroes", Groucho Marx once said, "Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana." Groucho knew how to tell it like it is. For some reason it doesn't seem like a week has passed since I last "talked" with you, but the calendar tells me that it's true. Thanks to all who said a little prayer for me (or at least mumbled my name amongst other expletives when talking to yourself) last weekend when I stepped to the mound to throw out the first pitch at the Henderson State University - Delta State University baseball game. I must tell you that neither did I hurt myself nor embarass myself. I tossed a "high heater" safely into the catcher's mitt and trotted off the field with souvenier ball in hand. And I must add that the hometeam (Henderson State University) won the game 6-5 stopping a Delta State sixteen game winning streak whose team entered the game as the number 3 rated team in the nation in NCAA Division II. I had a great April Fool's Day (but of course, every April Fool's Day is a blast for me).
Absolutely loved hearing from my pals this week. I have so much fun reading the mail each day to see if one of you has written. This "really fast" week brought notes from Betsy (McCall) Compton, Dale (Hunter) Lane, Kathy (Foley) McKee, Nancy (Rhodes) Fountain, Ruth "Wrangler Jane" Johnston, and my high school Art Class cronies Rickey Harris and Scott Baker. Before I forget (surely it's not the scotch), I want to say to each of you "Thanks for the memories". And while nostalgia may not be what it used to be (Ha-Ha........Laugh, that is subtle humor), I just love thinking about the past fun times. My selective memory allows me to filter out the rest of the stuff.
The baseball banter last week brought Rickey to remind me that he has three sons and that the youngest is playing college ball in Kansas. When I lived in Newport, I remember watching Rickey's boys play Little League ball. As a matter of fact, Rickey and I played together at age twelve on Newport Hospital's undefeated Little League team, so his sons apparently inherited Rickey's talents. Rickey said he had not yet fallen into the bottom of a scotch bottle, but does exercise occasionally by doing repeated "twelve ounce curls" with unnamed beer cans. He also told me that he would probably never grow up since he is still playing softball. Just remember, Rickey, "You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever."
I, too, suffer from the Peter Pan syndrome. Scott B. informed me that he had recently visited the brand new Enron Stadium, home of the Houston Astros, and that it is a great baseball park. I can't wait to visit. Of course, Scott also included a lot of other devious and develish comments in his remembrance of our favorite art teacher, Mrs. Glasgow. She must have "fond memories" of her first teaching job at NHS with Billy Don Summers, John Brownd, Rickey H., Scott B. and me in that class. This upcoming reunion is going to be fun. Scott B. may just show up with a prank or two up his sleeve.
Betsy, Kathy, Dale and Nancy have all recently brought me "up to speed" on what is going on in their lives. After "listening" to them, I am really looking forward to seeing them in June at the reunion. Sitting down for a visit with Betsy and Kathy should do me some good since Betsy is working for a church and Kathy is a counselor. Kathy has her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is sitting for her Counseling License exam next weekend (April 15), so everyone wish her well. Kathy, if you don't mind, I'm going to cancel my visit to my shrink in June and just talk with you for a while there in Newport, OK?
Ruth "laughed" about Eddie Jones jerking the entire door off his locker making him late for class after she had "purposely" locked it up on him between classes. You remember leaving that lock undone to save time. The "Wrangler Jane" nickname was cast upon Ruthie by Phil Lassiter during their cowboy and cowgirl triumphs. (That brings back a memory of Kenny Thaxton, Michael Willhite and me going to watch John Brownd and Mike Tucker at a rodeo in Cave City. The beer consumed then seems to be clouding the memory for me now, but I'm sure the brain will clear up soon.) Ruth also recalled serving as Donny Appleton's campaign manager in his bid for NJHS student council president. I believe I was Mary Wynne's campaign manager in that same election because I remember (or is it a dream?) drawing a poster from Janis Joplin's Big Brother and the Holding Company album cover for her. Funny how visions like that just pop up! Who won the election? Don't know, but it had to be fun.
Well, it is another big day here in Arkadelphia. We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Two Rivers. Our bank sponsors an adult 5K race and the Andy Allison Super Kid's Mile Run (named for a young boy who was a previous winner of the race and who died in a tragic accident). The Andy Allison race is the largest kid's race in the state of Arkansas and last year attracted 530 particpants. The weather is great today, so a larger number is expected this year. Ironically, this year's event is celebrating the "past", so this year's Race T-shirt is tie died (60's and 70's stuff).
Ya'll have fun today and I will leave you with some words of wisdom:
· Smile, it makes people wonder what you're thinking.
· Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and the world laughs louder.
· If you can't laugh at yourself, make fun of other people.
· Reality can be beaten with enough imagination.
From the heart, joe
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