13 years old, 1943.
When I was thirteen years old, I started to drive the family car. The reason my father let me drive at such a young age was that my mother did not drive at all. Since Dad was working long hours, I was elected to chauffeur my mother whenever she needed to run necessary errands. Also, my father owned and operated a small grocery store. Many of his customers were older and did their grocery shopping over the telephone. They would call the store and request that the groceries be delivered. Since the store was a one-man operation, I was allowed to drive the car and deliver the groceries. My father had checked with Sammy Hatch, (who was the Utah State Highway Patrolman in Uintah and Duchesne counties in Utah),.as to whether a special driving permit could be obtained. The answer was no! There was not a special permit available. However, Sammy said he would not give me a ticket, but warned dad that if I was involved in an accident, it would be my fault even if it wasn't. So I started to drive, and I was delighted.
Our car was a 1935 Ford sedan. Because of the war, new automobiles were not available. All automobile production plants had been converted to the production of military vehicles. Let me describe this car: It had mechanical brakes rather than hydraulic brakes. This meant that much more pressure had to be put on the brake pedal and it took much longer to stop the car. Also, it did not have sealed-beam headlights. With these old type headlights, the beam would just barely reach over the front fenders. Part of the roof of this car was rag top, meaning that the top of the car was not all sheet metal. A big portion of the roof had a cloth covering. Over the years this covering had worn out and whenever it rained, the driver received a free shower. It was similar to sitting under a water fall. Also, the car did not have an automatic transmission. So in addition to avoiding telephone poles, it was necessary to shift gears manually to get the car moving or to go up over any incline in the road. I quickly discovered that the top speed was about 65 MPH and at that speed all kinds of interesting shakes and rumbles occurred. I also learned that there were few if any other cars on the road that were not faster. That didn't prevent me from challenging them. But who cared, I was still permitted to drive our car.
Good or Bad Economy?
I don't believe the government when they say our economy is on the verge of becoming good. I have my own method of evaluating our economy. The following indicators plainly show that the economy is bad, bad, bad!
1- I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail
2- I ordered a burger at McDonald's and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford it?"
3- McDonald's is now selling the 1/4 ouncer.
4- Hot Wheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM.
5- Parents in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.
6- A truckload of Americans was caught sneaking into Mexico.
7- Motel Six won't leave the lights on anymore.
8- I was so depressed last night thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings retirement funds, etc. I called the Suicide Lifeline. I got a call center in Pakistan, and when I said I was suicidal, they got all excited, and asked it I could drive a truck.
9- Congress says they are looking into the Bernard Madocc scandal. Oh Great!! The guy who made $50 billion disappear is being investigated by the people who made $1.5 Trillion disappear!
10- The Secret Service scandal was discovered when a disagreement on how much a prostitute wanted for her services came to light. She wanted $800.00. The Secret Service Agent offered $30.00. How ironic is it that the only parson in Washington willing to cut spending gets fired?
An Old Farmer's Advice
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
A true statement - or so they say. - Lead cups were used to drink ale or whiskey in the 1500's. The combination would sometimes knock them out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a "wake".
Another groaner - A man rushed into the doctor's office and shouted, "Doctor! I think I'm shrinking!" The doctor calmly responded, "Now, settle down. You'll just have to be a little patient."
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Joining the Boy Scouts
1943, 13 years old
My church supported the Boy Scouts and in fact sponsored a troop in the Boy Scouts. Joining seemed to be the thing to do since all my friends were active in this troop. The entry level to the Scouts was designated as the Tenderfoot level. After you achieved certain goals you were promoted from a Tenderfoot scout to a Second-class scout, and beyond that to a First-class scout, then to a Star scout and finally to an Eagle Scout.
When you became an Eagle scout your parents made a big fuss about how special you were and gave you all kinds of privileges that were untouchable before.
One of the challenges a Tenderfoot scout was given was to start a campfire using only two matches and no paper. This was fairly easy if you had even a minimum amount of patience. Unfortunately, I was not on a first name relationship with patience. So, off to my scoutmaster's home I went to start a fire with only two matches.
He left me alone in his back yard to start the fire. I quickly gathered something that looked like it would burn and used the first match. No success. I didn't even get some smoke. Well, I thought, it will certainly catch fire with the second match. No sir, it didn't. I had come to the test with a good supply of extra matches in my pocket so continued to use the third, fourth, fifth and sixth matches. Still no fire. At this time I realized that I would have to do what I had been taught in scouting: i.e.gather a small amount of dried grass or small shavings of wood or small pieces of anything else that would quickly catch fire. I finally did this and in no time at all I had created a very healthy fire.
When the scoutmaster returned, there was a roaring fire and he asked me if I had used more than two matches. "Yes", I replied, " I used seven or eight" The scoutmaster seemed to be impressed with my honesty and said because I had told the truth, he would pass me even if I had used too many matches. He suggested that I obtain a automatic cigarette lighter and carry it with me if at any time in the future I was hiking into a wilderness area on a cold winter day.
If Biblical Headlines were written by today's liberal Media.
On David vs. Goliath: - Hate Crime Kills Beloved Champion. Psychologist questions influence of rock.
On Red Sea crossing: - Wetlands trampled in labor strike. Pursuing environmentalists killed.
On Elijah on Mt. Carmel: - Fire sends religious right extremist into frenzy. 400 killed.
On the Birth of Christ: - Hotels full; Animals left homeless.
At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Little J. responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."
Grandpa's wisdom: You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing!
The Feds haven't found a way to tax us for laughing. But I'm certain they will soon come us with something.
My church supported the Boy Scouts and in fact sponsored a troop in the Boy Scouts. Joining seemed to be the thing to do since all my friends were active in this troop. The entry level to the Scouts was designated as the Tenderfoot level. After you achieved certain goals you were promoted from a Tenderfoot scout to a Second-class scout, and beyond that to a First-class scout, then to a Star scout and finally to an Eagle Scout.
When you became an Eagle scout your parents made a big fuss about how special you were and gave you all kinds of privileges that were untouchable before.
One of the challenges a Tenderfoot scout was given was to start a campfire using only two matches and no paper. This was fairly easy if you had even a minimum amount of patience. Unfortunately, I was not on a first name relationship with patience. So, off to my scoutmaster's home I went to start a fire with only two matches.
He left me alone in his back yard to start the fire. I quickly gathered something that looked like it would burn and used the first match. No success. I didn't even get some smoke. Well, I thought, it will certainly catch fire with the second match. No sir, it didn't. I had come to the test with a good supply of extra matches in my pocket so continued to use the third, fourth, fifth and sixth matches. Still no fire. At this time I realized that I would have to do what I had been taught in scouting: i.e.gather a small amount of dried grass or small shavings of wood or small pieces of anything else that would quickly catch fire. I finally did this and in no time at all I had created a very healthy fire.
When the scoutmaster returned, there was a roaring fire and he asked me if I had used more than two matches. "Yes", I replied, " I used seven or eight" The scoutmaster seemed to be impressed with my honesty and said because I had told the truth, he would pass me even if I had used too many matches. He suggested that I obtain a automatic cigarette lighter and carry it with me if at any time in the future I was hiking into a wilderness area on a cold winter day.
If Biblical Headlines were written by today's liberal Media.
On David vs. Goliath: - Hate Crime Kills Beloved Champion. Psychologist questions influence of rock.
On Red Sea crossing: - Wetlands trampled in labor strike. Pursuing environmentalists killed.
On Elijah on Mt. Carmel: - Fire sends religious right extremist into frenzy. 400 killed.
On the Birth of Christ: - Hotels full; Animals left homeless.
At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and she said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Little J. responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."
Grandpa's wisdom: You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing!
The Feds haven't found a way to tax us for laughing. But I'm certain they will soon come us with something.
Women's Spec. sheet
I don't know who wrote this article about women. If I did know, I would certainly give them credit. You may have already read this, but it's so special, it won't hurt to read it again.
By the time the Lord made Woman, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered, "Have you seen the spec. sheet on her?"
"She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 parts, all replaceable, run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from scraped knee to a broken heart and have two pairs of hands."
The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Two pairs of hands! No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
"But I can't," the Lord said. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days."
The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
"Will she be able to think," asked the angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."
The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!" What's the tear for?" the angel asked.
The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."
The angel was impressed. "you are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing."
And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men.
* They bare hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
* They smile when they want to scream.
* They sing when they want to cry.
* They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
* They fight for what they believe in.
* They stand up to injustice.
* They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
* They go without, so their family can have.
* They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
* They love unconditionally.
* They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
* They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies.
* They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
* They know that a hug and a kiss can help to heal a broken heart.
* The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning! They bring joy and hope.
* They have compassion and ideals.
* They give moral support to family and friends.
Woman has vital things to say and everything to give. Woman come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
Following is some Wisdom from an elderly Navajo women: -
For all of us who are married, were married, wish you were married, or wish you weren't married, this is something to smile about the next time you serve wine.
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona. She saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. Since the trip was long, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride.
With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
What's in the bag?" asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine, I got it for my husband."
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, "Good trade."
By the time the Lord made Woman, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered, "Have you seen the spec. sheet on her?"
"She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 parts, all replaceable, run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from scraped knee to a broken heart and have two pairs of hands."
The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Two pairs of hands! No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."
"But I can't," the Lord said. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days."
The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
"Will she be able to think," asked the angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."
The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!" What's the tear for?" the angel asked.
The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."
The angel was impressed. "you are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing."
And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men.
* They bare hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
* They smile when they want to scream.
* They sing when they want to cry.
* They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
* They fight for what they believe in.
* They stand up to injustice.
* They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
* They go without, so their family can have.
* They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
* They love unconditionally.
* They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
* They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies.
* They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
* They know that a hug and a kiss can help to heal a broken heart.
* The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning! They bring joy and hope.
* They have compassion and ideals.
* They give moral support to family and friends.
Woman has vital things to say and everything to give. Woman come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
Following is some Wisdom from an elderly Navajo women: -
For all of us who are married, were married, wish you were married, or wish you weren't married, this is something to smile about the next time you serve wine.
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona. She saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. Since the trip was long, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride.
With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.
What's in the bag?" asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, "It's a bottle of wine, I got it for my husband."
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said, "Good trade."
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Memories of my moms memories
1943, 13 years old.
I loved my Mom. She loved to tell me stories and introduced me to many of the best books of the day. She gave monthly book reviews to one of the clubs to which she belonged. She would read a book and then prepare a general review of that.book The review would contain the general overall story and then any of the especially interesting parts. She would practice her review of the book on me in the evening. I received previews of many excellent books when I was young.. She also told me many of her memories of events when she was young.. Following is her story of how she met my father.
"I had gone to a dance with several of my friends. In those days it wasn't necessary to have a date to go to a dance. Groups of young women would attend a dance to meet people and have fun dancing. During the dance, a young man entered the dance hall. I spotted him immediately and thought he was very handsome. He was tall, dark and fine looking. A short time later the young man asked me for a dance, but my dance card was already filled for a few more dances.. He entered his name on my dance card and said he would be back. His name was Charles and he never did come back." Incidentally, all young women carried a dance card when they went to a dance. The card listed the dances by number and when a boy asked a girl for a dance she checked her dance card. If she had already promised the next few dances to other boys, she would mention that the next dance she had open was three dances away. If the girl was popular, the boy was only too happy to have his name added to her dance card.
"By asking questions, I learned that Charles was attending college at BYU. He was home for the Christmas break. When Charles returned from BYU in the spring, I met him again at a dance. He asked me again for a dance but I reminded him that he had failed to return for a scheduled dance the previous Christmas. I asked him if he made a habit of that sort of thing. He apologized and we danced several more times during the evening. We enjoyed each others company and had a glorious summer dating when he was not out working with his father's sheep operation. The relationship was interrupted for several years when Charles received a mission call for the LDS Church. He left in May 1909. I went to Salt Lake to see him off."
Wisdom, from a favorite old farmer friend.
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears very close resemblance to the first.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Oh, dear, another Groaner - Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers. However, all the league records were unfortunately destroyed in a fire. Thus we''ll never know for whom the Tells bowled.
And still, another one - A thief broke into the local police station and stole all the lavatory equipment. A spokesperson was quoted as saying, "We have absolutely nothing to go on."
Sister Mary Ann, who worked for a home health agency, was out making the rounds visiting home-bound patients when she ran out of gas. As luck would have it, a Texaco gasoline station was just a block away. So she walked to the station to borrow a gas can and buy some gas. The attendant told her that the only gas can had been loaned out, but she could wait until it was returned.
However, Sister Mary Ann was on the way to see a patient, so she decided not to wait, and walked back to her car. She looked for something in her car that she could fill with gas and spotted the bedpan she was taking to the patient! Always resourceful, Sister Mary Ann carried the bedpan to the station, filled it with gasoline, and carried the full bedpan back to her car.
As she was pouring the gas into her tank, two Mormon Missionaries watched from across the street. One of them turned to the other and said. "If it starts, I'm turning Catholic."
I loved my Mom. She loved to tell me stories and introduced me to many of the best books of the day. She gave monthly book reviews to one of the clubs to which she belonged. She would read a book and then prepare a general review of that.book The review would contain the general overall story and then any of the especially interesting parts. She would practice her review of the book on me in the evening. I received previews of many excellent books when I was young.. She also told me many of her memories of events when she was young.. Following is her story of how she met my father.
"I had gone to a dance with several of my friends. In those days it wasn't necessary to have a date to go to a dance. Groups of young women would attend a dance to meet people and have fun dancing. During the dance, a young man entered the dance hall. I spotted him immediately and thought he was very handsome. He was tall, dark and fine looking. A short time later the young man asked me for a dance, but my dance card was already filled for a few more dances.. He entered his name on my dance card and said he would be back. His name was Charles and he never did come back." Incidentally, all young women carried a dance card when they went to a dance. The card listed the dances by number and when a boy asked a girl for a dance she checked her dance card. If she had already promised the next few dances to other boys, she would mention that the next dance she had open was three dances away. If the girl was popular, the boy was only too happy to have his name added to her dance card.
"By asking questions, I learned that Charles was attending college at BYU. He was home for the Christmas break. When Charles returned from BYU in the spring, I met him again at a dance. He asked me again for a dance but I reminded him that he had failed to return for a scheduled dance the previous Christmas. I asked him if he made a habit of that sort of thing. He apologized and we danced several more times during the evening. We enjoyed each others company and had a glorious summer dating when he was not out working with his father's sheep operation. The relationship was interrupted for several years when Charles received a mission call for the LDS Church. He left in May 1909. I went to Salt Lake to see him off."
Wisdom, from a favorite old farmer friend.
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears very close resemblance to the first.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Oh, dear, another Groaner - Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers. However, all the league records were unfortunately destroyed in a fire. Thus we''ll never know for whom the Tells bowled.
And still, another one - A thief broke into the local police station and stole all the lavatory equipment. A spokesperson was quoted as saying, "We have absolutely nothing to go on."
Sister Mary Ann, who worked for a home health agency, was out making the rounds visiting home-bound patients when she ran out of gas. As luck would have it, a Texaco gasoline station was just a block away. So she walked to the station to borrow a gas can and buy some gas. The attendant told her that the only gas can had been loaned out, but she could wait until it was returned.
However, Sister Mary Ann was on the way to see a patient, so she decided not to wait, and walked back to her car. She looked for something in her car that she could fill with gas and spotted the bedpan she was taking to the patient! Always resourceful, Sister Mary Ann carried the bedpan to the station, filled it with gasoline, and carried the full bedpan back to her car.
As she was pouring the gas into her tank, two Mormon Missionaries watched from across the street. One of them turned to the other and said. "If it starts, I'm turning Catholic."
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