The Old Timer

The Old Timer

The Old Timer was created by a singer / entertainer on a small city radio station in the late "60's. The singer used this alter ego to do the thought for the day at the end of his

singing program. He explained that the Old Timer was an 87 year old truck driver. Later

he began to mention O.T.'s wife Maude. She was a name, lifted from the great Jonathon

Winters character "Aunt Maude Frickert." Some many years later the Old Timer wanted

to reminisce about the past school chums and adventures etc., sometimes it will be about music he has been aquainted with and other things that make themselves available. It is all to bring a little humor into your day and possibly cause you to recall

some of your past.

February 24th

I have mentioned in the past things that I learned

from the first musicians I encountered fifty some odd

years ago. They had been a show and dance band for

over six years before I began with them and most of

that time was full time music, six days a week.

They had been doing radio daily for all that time

and at one time were invited by the Sons of the Pioneers

to play at the National Rodeo Convention in Philadelphia.

Now they were true professional musicians and I was

the "green horn" kid lucky enough to have been hired

as their singer.

I've mention at times some of the things that I

learned from them. Each of them in their own way

contributed to my growth in the business. Now I have

to tell how Bobby,one of our twin fiddle players was

to show me his part if the business. He was always

prompt at all the jobs that we played. He came

ready to give his very best all the time. He was a

concert violinist and enjoyed all types of music. He

truly excelled in his style of fiddle playing. The biggest

factor I saw in Bobby was appearance! He was always

neatly dressed, and he was groomed from the top of

his head to the shine on his shoes. Truly, he showed

me how one should present himself and his talent to

the public. True showman in every respect. O.T. must

say...."Thanks Bobby!"

thoughts from the old timer

February 23rd

O.T. had a phone conversation with an old friend

last evening and the conversation turned to e-mail

on the computer. Now. I've learned that e-mails are

a nice and quick way to contact friends and family.

What a change in our lifestyles since it became

available.

It seems that those that are new to the computer

world, quickly set-up their e-mail address. They want

to connect with others as they learn about their new

"toy or tool!" Soon they have found friends from days

gone by and friends they had forgotten about. Distance

knows no boundaries with the e-mail system.

My friend told me that he has had some neat events

with his e-mail system. He had a fellow in his area that

got on line and was interested in making contact with my

friend. A short time later, he dropped an e-mail line

stating don't sent me so many messages. So, my friend

just contacted him about every other day. Soon the

message came...."how come you don't write me, are

you mad or something!"

It is just amazing the way folks now a days have to

be in the latest "loop", but, I want everything my way

and please don't invade my space. If they don't want

social contact with friends, when did they get an e-mail

address. There is always the old fashioned "snail mail"

for them.

thoughts from the old timer

February 22nd

I have mentioned a couple of times before that

my all time favorite classic auto is the 1937 Cord.

That is some beautiful machine. If you have never

seen one, GOOGLE the name Cord and be prepared

for a treat.

I knew that due to the limited number of Cords

available and the extreme high price on these classics,

that I'd never own one. Remember, when I first saw

my first Cord I was probably earning $ .75 cents an

hour. That was on my first job and it was the current

minimum wage.

I made friends with a fellow from the neighboring

town that was a stock car driver. This was the days of

dirt half mile tracks, "35 Ford coupes and "37 Chevy

coupes. Now my friend Chuck asked me to stop over to

his place and see his stock car. So, one evening I drove

over and we spent some time discussing his coupe. As

I was preparing to leave, the Cord came up in our talk.

Chuck said come out back on my garage I've

something to show you. He had an Auburn body that he

was in the process of mounting on a "49 or "50 Ford

chassis. He said he would sell it to me for a fair price.

I should have bought it as the body was what the Cord

automobile used. The Auburn body dies were used to

make the Cord. Another group of fellows did purchase

the car and I saw it a few months later by the side of the

highway, rusting down. They had channeled the body,

(cut a section out of the middle) to give it a lower

appearance. Hind sight is 20-20......I could have had

a close "Cord look alike!"

thoughts from the old timer

February 21st.

O.T. got to thinking about my buddy Pete and

I back in the hometown. Now Pete's dad ran the local

hotel for Pete's Grandfather. In the basement there

was a large room that had no special use. This was

about the time hot rods were being heard of in our

area.

We decided that we should start building our

own hot rods. Naturally, we decided the engines

should be first. Pete found a Ford flat head V-eight

and I decided on a Chevy six for my 48 convertible.

The hotel had a ramp type place made for sliding

the beer cases down into the cellar. This was just

right for us to slide out motors down and get them

into the spare room.

Now many a night and spare Saturday afternoons

were spent re-doing our projects. I remember my

Chevy six was painted a leaf gold color and Pete did

his Ford V8 in white. I had found a head that a local

stockcar driver had milled down for more compression

and it was the main change in my project. I really

don't recall what Pete did with his, but my engine

was placed into my Chevy Convertible. It was

something that did in fact improve the power a bit

and was an accomplishment for O.T. in those days.

Possibly, someday I'll learn what Pete did with the

"White Hot" Ford engine.

thoughts from the old timer

February 17th

Touring around our area today in the pickup and

listening to the radio, what an earful I received. It

really made me think back to the days of radio when

it was good listening. Now, I realize that in the good

ole days our local station served the folks that lived

in our county location. The programs were directed

to the needs and likes of the majority of the listeners.

What I heard today set me to thinkin' about the

radio announcers back then. Some of you will recall

names like Lowell Thomas, Paul Harvey, and H.V.

Keltonborne. Then Arthur Godfrey had Tony Marvin

as his announcer. Must not forget Edward R. Morrow

and you will have other names come to mind as you

read this. Remember Gary Owens that used to "cup

his hand around his ear" on Laugh In, like the old

time radio men!

Back then you heard proper diction, annunciation

of the words when they spoke. The presentation of the

spoken word and the projection of the voice was so

very important back then. This morning I heard on a

local station a sad excuse for an announcer as I have

ever heard. He spoke with a voice so weak and thin

that it sounded like it had been forced through one

of Maude's sieves and strained all the body out of his

voice. But, I guess today's listeners will except most

anything when they have never been subjected to

to good stuff!

thoughts from the old timer

February 16th

I received an e-mail today that showed off a great

collection of cars. One man has this wonderful grouping

and it is so large that displays them in an old Wal Mart

building. You wonder how someone gets the idea to

begin a collection like that. Not to mention the cost

of buying and keeping all of them up in fine condition.

Another collector I had seen one time has a large

collection of Chevrolet convertibles only. If O.T.

remembers correctly, that collection is in Iowa. Now

O.T. has enjoyed beautiful cars ever since I saw my first

Cord. What a classic automobile. I have over the years

been able to view many, many great mechanical

beauties of old and new.

I have been able to own several differant cars and

trucks over the years. Now I must admit,I have never

been able to have a building to house my collection .I

do however have a special drawer in our house that

contains photos and snapshots of nearly ever one that

I have had the pleasure to own. I'd like tell every

young man I can to be sure to take a photo of all your

cars, even if you think it is a boarderline piece of junk.

Someday you may find enjoyment in remembering

those days past by looking at those old relics!

thoughts from the old timer

February 15th

We had snow falling here at the homestead most

all day and some folks are starting to get "grumpy."

Now you know that there is nothing we can do about it

so why not just put up with it and not get bent out of

shape. O.T. has mentioned before that I think one of

the high paid liars are the weathermen. Tell you why

I say this.

Have you ever listened to them closely to their

forecast? Example: they say partly sunny / partly cloudy.

That way the can't be wrong. Or how about a possibility

of some scattered showers today. If it rains at your house,

they are correct and if it doesn't, the showers were

scattered in some other area of their voice.

Allow me to tell you my favorite all time weather

announcement that I heard. I have to say that this was

on a local radio station where the early morning person

did everything! Back in the 50's he would go to the

station at 5:00 AM and turn on the transmitter. Then he

would quickly sort all the news that came in overnight on

the teletype machine. At 5:30 he would sign on the air

and begin his music time. Oh, I almost forgot he has to

read all the commercials between the records, Also

because this is a rural community he will be responsible

for the farm report. The man I'm speaking was a TRUE

air personality. He could do all this and really be one

that was entertaining to his vast listening audience.

One winters morning, Bob gave the weather report as

follows. (my all time favorite)

"Snow Flurries, followed by little boys on sleds!"

thoughts from the old timer

February 14th

Every year at Valentines time I seem to remember

many of the songs that speak of love. There is the song

that Tom T. Hall wrote called "I Love." You know some

of the words are: ...little baby pups, old pickup trucks,

Sunday school in May ...honest open smiles, kisses from

a child...... he wrote some real good thoughts.

Justin Tubb, wrote a nice man and woman vocal that

became the first RCA record that featured a soon to be

star, Dottie West. She sang on the record with the great

Jim Reeves and it truly introduced her to the country

music world.

Jack Greene had a big record with "Love Takes Care of

Me." and who who never heard the Hank Williams hit

"Lovesick Blues." History state that on his guest appearance

on the Grand Ole Opry he sang that song and got around

5 or 6 encores.

I guess we could mention many songs and still probably

not tell of your favorite. I have had many, many favorites

over the years and if I had to pin down one that was my

favorite love song I would say it's the song "IF." The main

record was by a David Gates and Bread. And, one time

I heard it on a TV show and the singer was Stan Hitchcock

and he featured the guitar artistry of Jimmy Capps. Never

heard anything better. "IF" a picture paints a thousand

words........

thoughts from the old timer

February 11th

O.T. had kind of a "flashback" to my youth today

and possibly some of you might recall why I did. It

seems when I was 16 or 17 I worked for a local farmer

in our area. On Saturdays, we would go in to have lunch

promptly at twelve noon. His wife had the food on the

table waiting for us.

Now this farmer had a habit of taking a short nap

after his lunch. He would go into the room where there

was a couch and just lay back, and off to sleep he would

go. I would watch TV for the time that he was sleeping.

Here is where my "flashback" came into play.

The show that was on TV at that time was from

Philadelphia, and was called "The Big Top." Now don't

ask O.T. why he remembers this, but on that show I

recall the circus ringmaster was a lady and her show

name was Mary Hartline. The circus clown was the man

that went on to be Johnnie Carson's announcer, Ed

Mc Mann. I have absolutely no clue why all that came back

to me today, but it did. And now you, along with me, are

stuck with it!

thoughts from the old timer

February 10th

I was listening to some folks tell about their

school class and how big it was. One was in a class

of 217 while another said his was 178. Had to be

they lived in cities. Made me feel good about

growin' up in a small town. Oh, I now that I've made

comments about it before, but memories take me

back there from time to time.

By the way, my graduating class was a class of

seven and three years later Maude was also in a class

of seven. We loved that little town. There were two

grocery stores, and one hardware store. The town

had a post office and a dry goods store. I've told

before about the two gas stations, each with two

pumps. One was regular and one was high test. I

remember my Dad getting five gallons of gas for a

dollar. They pumped it for you and washed your

windshield as well.

We had a library with two books! (Just kidding)

This is where I'm supposed to say that one of the

library books had not been "colored" in yet! Small

towns were a great place for kids to grow up. Our

town was about 350 people. You knew everybody by

name, kids and all. What a wonderful place it was.

I forgot to mention that we had a fire department

and it was an "exclusive" volunteer department.

So exclusive that they had an "unlisted number."

"Fires by appointment only!" (Again Just Kidding)

thoughts from the old timer

February 9th

Through the years Maude and O.T. have learned

that our Doctors have placed prescriptions on our

shopping list. Now, I'm not going to get into that new

(year old) health care issue. Don't have time to discuss

that here. It seems that each of us have our own quantity

of medicines to take each day.

Keeping track of which to take at morning and which

should go at night is enought of a chore for us. Then

double checking each other to see if we have taken ours

is another item to do. Also, we find that you need to have

a list of each medication to carry with you, should you

have to see a new Doctor for some reason. As John

would say, "You think it's easy!!" What an ongoing part

of maturity. (I refuse to mention old age)

Now just a few days ago the message came to Maude

from one of her friends that folks should keep that list

of medications for each member of the household on

the refrigerator door. This is so, should there be a need

for medical persons to come to the house for a chance

emergency, they could look at the medicines that you

are taking. When I heard this I told Maude that if either

one of us get even one more prescription, we'll have

have to purchase a bigger refrigerator.

thoughts from the old timer

February 8th

While enjoying my coffee at the "klatch" this

AM, O.T. was questioned about his gift for Maude

for Valentines day. I was quick to state that the

day was nearly a week away and I have plenty

of time for shopping. Some folks go overboard at

times like this and I'm more the real special gift

type person.

As an example, for Maude and my 50th wedding

anniversary, now that is something to go over the

top for. For that special time, I got the best room

at the Gaylord Opryland hotel for the Friday night

of that date. For those that may have never been

there, most of the inside rooms have balconies

that overlook the beautiful gardens and light shows.

We were only staying for the one night and without

Maude knowing I planned a special lunch on Saturday.

It was about noon and we had checked out of the

room and were enjoying the lovely main lobby. It

was nice watching the folks coming and going in that

wonderful setting. Soon, Maude and I were joined by

Jan Howard and Jeannie Seely of Grand Ole Opry

fame. They were invited to have lunch with us at the

Cascades restaurant. They were a special couple of

grand ladies and came bearing gifts for our special day.

They spent some time later with Maude in a nice ladies

shop trying on various items and having a great time.

Now, I said all that to say, I don't always do it up this

way, but Valentines day will still be special.

thoughts from the old timer

February 7th

What a weekend this was! All O.T. heard was those

"poly" ticians talkin' about spending our way out of

debt. Of course that's spending with "our tax dollars!!"

Common sense has no part in this for them: as number

one "poly" ticians are not common and number two

they have proved they have NO sense! All they know

is "spend, spend...spend!"

Then the other brilliant suggestion they have put

out there on the table is getting more money to create

jobs. The only jobs they know about creating are the

government jobs that cost us more money to pay for

the workers. Start another program, fill more offices

with people to sit around and read the daily news and

put in their time, collect "our" tax dollars as pay!

Now really...just think about it, money to buy jobs!

"PolY" ticians know about jobs... lets see, the one they

have is something they BOUGHT, and asked folks back

home to donate to them so they could get the job. If

that is the mentality that you have, then I guess that

you believe that money will buy jobs! An you guessed

it, it's our money (tax dollars) they are going to spend

to get those so called jobs.

Guess it's time that "WE THE PEOPLE" get into the

job CHANGING business. I bet we can sure "buy" some

better folks to make decisions for us in Washington and

maybe even here back home! Put some common sense

folks in the offices this next time we vote!!

thoughts from the old timer

February 4th

As most of you read this it will be Friday and if you

were to return in the old timers mind, 30, 40, yes even

50 years ago I would be thinkin'......we're going to be

playing music tonight. Over the years I have told many

folks that O.T. would go to work Monday morning and

think that were are going to be playing come Friday

night. I didn't mind my job, but it was my way to get

through the week.

It is truly difficult to explain the desire to play music

as a living or hobby to someone that is not a musician.

There is something that seems to be "woven through the

fabric of a musicians makeup that no one else can really

understand. O.T. has talked this over with others and

there really is no words to explain it.

Over the years, so many wonderful musicians have

crossed my path and there is still an adventuresome

thought about each one of them. It is not always talent,

or personality of the individual that is the cause of the

specialness. Oh, how I sometimes long to be able to

have a day or so with all of them, one more time.

So many have gone home now and others are miles

apart from each other today. Still, in my thoughts and

daydreams, we can re-live those notes and melodies

one more time. Then there's that Friday thought........

"We Are Playing Music Again Tonight!"

a 'note or two' from and 'for' the old timer

February 3rd.

Going WAY back to my first years singing with

the dance band and learning so much about music

and entertaining from those that hired me. I

was a real "greenhorn" about the business and the

fellows in that band were real "pros." For several

years (before my time with them) they played

full time six nights a week and an early morning

radio show each morning.

One of the experiences I remember was, I had

styled an old Ernest Tubb song to my own desires

and they thought it was great. On the song "Letters

Have No Arms," I slurred the last chorus word "Charms"

over into the next verse. I got some special compliments

from them.

About two weeks after I had sung the song on our

radio broadcast, "Dizzy" Meade and I were riding in

that "41 Chevy coupe I mentioned before. We were

listening to another real good band in another city.

The singer on the show sang "Letters Have No Arms"

and styled it just as I had done two weeks before.

With that, "Dizzy" reached over and patted my arm

and said, "Youv'e made it!! Now others are copying

your style!" Another memory from that Chevy Coupe.

thoughts from the old timer

February 2nd.

When I was quizzed today about my interest in music

during my younger days, I was forced to reveal some

little know information. It was kept under wraps all these

years for reasons you will understand. It seems that at

one point O.T. as asked to do a record with an obscure

label, "Unknown Records!" It was decided the recording

would be, The Old Timer by The Numbers. I was allowed to

select all the songs. Here were my selections,

Side One

1. Half as Much

2 One More Time

3 Two Arms

4 Three Days

5 Four Walls

Side Two

6 Five Minutes on the Hour

7 Six Days On the Road

8 Seven Lonely Days

9 Eight More Miles to Louisville

10 Ninety Nine Years

Now comes the truth about why all this piece of O.T.'s

past has not been heard of. It seems that the company,

"Unknown Records" had another problem besides being unknown.

In their design and production department, the record was to

be a nine inch disc with a ten inch hole for the spindle in the center

So goes the lost recording career of the Old Timer.

thoughts from the old timer

February 1st.

With a few comments about the enjoyment of music

by O.T. over the years, I was asked if I had any songs

to my credit? Actually, yes I have. There is one titled

"Time and Time again." It was a nice ballad and I would

guess one of my early ones. Then another was "Big Wide

World" .

Later, I co-wrote some with others and some of those

titles are' "One Step Beyond." Three of us had a hand

or should I say "three hands," in that one. That one helped

a band win the top country band contest in 1961. Another

title was a song called "Right Words." Still another that

I was a part of was titled "Stealing Up The Stairs." I

think there is an old tape of that one some where in my

varied collection. These are ones that are published and

that I owned up to.

Now, I have had some thoughts about a song , but,

I'm having problems with the title being too long. Short

and to the point titles are important O.T. feels. I'm

really giving it lots of thought and possibly may be able

to improve on the length. As of now, the title is as follows,

" I Would Have Shot The Mouse That Jumped Out Of The

Stove, But, He Was Out Of My Range!"

thoughts from the old timer

January 31st

Over this weekend, I thought about one of my

musicians friends from the past. Frank "Dizzy" Meade

was an extraordinary talent and proved it with many

different instruments. His main instrument was the

electric guitar, but over the first year that I knew him,

I saw him play: fiddle, four string banjo, stand up

bass and trumpet, all very well.

I used to travel with him each Saturday morning

after our radio show on WKRT, Cortland. This was in

1952 and he had a 1941 Chevrolet coupe. It was a

neat car. Many memories, which will probably turn up

in later thoughts. This one morning, we heard a Hank

Thompson song on the radio titled "My Front Door is

Open." It was a nice bouncy number and got some airplay

but, was never one of Hanks big records. When the song

finished, "Dizzy" stated that it would make a good theme

song for a country music radio show.

Fast forward to August, 1960, when my friend "Barefoot"

Bob Kinney told me he was moving to Pennsylvania and

wanted me to take over his Saturday Morning "pickin and

singing" radio show. It was on each Saturday and he had

as his theme song, "I'm Going up that Lonesome Trail".

I was sure not going to "step" on his theme and I thought

back to what "Dizzy" had said that day. So, from August

1960 to Sept. 1981, the theme song for Saturday Morning

Country Style was "My Front Door Is Open." Thanks

"Diz!"

thoughts from the old timer

January 27th

It was a Monday night after high school in the

home town and a few of us kids were hanging around.

The place was the local Texaco station and as it was

near 6:00 PM, most of us were leaving to go home to

supper. Then into the station pulled a olive drab.

Army Jeep with three soldiers in it. Now it was in the

early 1950's and most of had probably seen only one

Jeep in our lives and it was bright red.

As the men gassed up the Jeep, we began to as them

question upon question. We learned they lived in the

nearby city and was on their way to another town to

their National Guard meeting. The told us how they

met one night a week and two weeks at an army base

in the summer. We were asked if there was any interest

in joining the unit.

During that week, my friend Pete and I talked about

it and we thought that our boy scout days were losing interest

so maybe we should check it out. The next Monday, we

drove down to the Armory and took in all the evenings

activities. Looked exciting to us and we signed up for a

three year stint. As I recall, Pete did his three years and

upon moving to the west coast joined the regular service

for a time. O.T. stayed for a most exciting eight and a half

years. What memories were made, all because we were

there the night the Army Jeep came into our little town.

thoughts from the old timer

January 27th

Time for O.T. to brag on the wife a bit, you know,

build up some "brownie points!" Tonight for supper,

she served what I call, Aunt Maudies super secret

sloppy joes. It is her wonderful recipe and I'm sure

will want the copy. (at the end of this)

This beats anything you can get in those store

bought cans and it truly is special. Also, when others

serve sloppy joes they put the mixture in a bun of

some sort and it runs all out all the sides! "MESSY!"

Now Maude serves her's in a hot dog bun, much easier

to handle and oh, oh, so neat! Now for the recipe I'll

be right back from her kitchen!

Just returned, and let me explain something. She

spends her day while O.T is crusin' the county in the

pickup, watching the cookin' shows and the news on

the TV. When I got to her kitchen, it was like she was

the "president" cause she is claiming there is a "three

year freeze" on her recipes! "Sorry 'Bout That!"

thoughts from the old timer

January 26th

In a discussion at the research center, know as

the "coffee klatch" to you readers, old time talk about

heating the house with wood came up. Cuttin' trees

in the woods, sawing the wood into chunks to burn

and carrying it into the house to burn was mentioned.

In fact, one of the elders claims he was fourteen before

he learned his real name wasn't "git wood!"

O.T recalls an experience that many have never

had in their life time. My brothers and I got to spend

time with our great grandfather for a few years on the

farm. My Mothers grandfather came to live with us and

what a treat to hear the tales he could tell. I remember

helping him cut the logs into to firebox size chunks for

splitting on the buzz saw. He also was the one to do all

the boiling down of the maple sap into maple syrup.

With all this I still recall him telling how you could

get warmth from wood four ways. Once, when you cut

the tree down in the woods, next time when you cut it

it into chunks at the buzz saw. Third time was when you

went out to the woodpile to bring it in to the stove. And,

naturally the forth was when you burned it for heat.

Times like that are great to be remembered.

thoughts from the old timer

January 25th

When O.T. was a youngster, in my hometown was

a local railroad. It was named the Unadilla Valley

Railroad. Nicknamed the "UV", it traveled up through our

village in the morning and returned back south in

the afternoon. It was a lifeline for the community bringing

feed to the two feed stores, coal for the coal yard and

many others items needed in this farm area.

This was a time when the engines were coal fired

and it was treat to be near the depot when the train

passed through. There were probably many other items

that came to our town via train, but, I was to young to

know about them. Later there was a lumber yard and it

might have received some of it's materials by the "UV."

A couple of months ago, O.T. received a note from a

school mate from the past, he told of a book that had

been written about this piece of history. One of Bill's

reasons for contacting me was that Maude's brother's

picture was in this book. He had been the fireman on the

"UV" at one time. I ordered a copy for her and you can

make out his face even tho the shot is full photo of the

engine on the tracks. It is a treat to see some of the area

photos from those days again. Thanks Bill for thinkin'

of Maude and O.T.

thoughts from the old timer

January 24th

Well it finally happened, O.T. was invited to

be a friend on something called facebook! Don't

even know what that is. Hardly know how to do

little things on my 'puter. I'll have to investigate.

In lookin' into this facebook thing, I found a

spot named Aarons photos. Wow, loads of nice

winter pictures of his family sliding events. Took

O.T. back to the days of yesteryear. I can still

recall that "Flexible Flyer" sled that we had as

boys. What a time we had with that. It had natural

wood stained bed with red steel runners and the

name on the bed in bright red.

How that sled would go down those hills on the

farm where we lived. The dirt road was not highly

traveled, so we could slide down those plowed

roads. I do remember once, we had about two feet

of snow in the fields and it had rained and froze the

snow into a thick crust. It was almost like sliding on

ice. I took the "Flyer" and out to the steepest field

in the farm. I laided down on that sled and what a ride

I was in for. About half way down the hill, the sled

cut into the crust and stopped. I slid about another

ten or fifteen yards on the crust, on my face. That

crust peeled the outerlayer of skin off me and I had

marks to show for, for days. Oh what fun!

As to the invitation to facebook, I'll have to ponder

that a spell. Who knows....maybe Patricia.....

thoughts from the old timer

January 21th

I've been wondering, do some of you ever have

something that just hits you and it stays in your mind

all day long? It happens to O.T. now and then. Had one

of those this morning. It was a bumper sticker and I'll

mention it at the closing of this thought.

At other times I've heard or seen things that just want

to ramble around in the thought pattern all day. Example:

Somebody asked me one time, "If a deaf child signs swear

words, does his Mother make him go wash his hands?"

or "How do they get the deer to cross the roads ONLY

at those yellow signs?"

Another item is: why do they lock gas station rest

rooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them! How

about this one: If you spin an oriental person in a circle

three times, do they become dis oriented? Well you get

the idea. If you have anything like that to share, O.T.

would enjoy.

Now this morning driving the pickup, and stopping

for a red light, the car in front had this message on the

trunk. WITCH PARKING

(all others will be toad)

thoughts from the old timer

January 20th

Now as you know O.T. doesn't get his soapbox out to

often but I saw something last Sunday on TV that caused

me to activate the "box" just for a moment. Watchin'

the news Sunday evening and there was The President

giving his candidate for the Mass. Senate some of his

special support. He made a statement about the opposing

candidate by saying, "He drives a pickup truck!" He made

mention of the truck like it was something beneath ones

dignity to travel in.

I'm not siding with any party or candidate here, but,

when The President starts commenting sort of against

"pickups", he gets O.T.'s ire up a bit. Here is a man that

has served 30 years for his country in the military, and

now wants to serve the people of his state and the only

comment The President can say is "He drives a pickup

truck."

I think that all of us "pickup truck" owners need to

get a nice photo of us standing by our truck, and "flood"

his office with them. I'll put his address at the end of

of this thought and I believe I'll shine up the pickup

tomorrow and have Maude snap a good shot of me by

the pride and joy. If you deem this a good idea, send this

along to all your "pickup" friends. We are some of the

nations finest and he should know it!

thoughts from the old timer

January 19th

I was remembering what it was like as a little

boy back home on the farm. Many good thoughts

came to mind. There were evenings after the

chores were done, the family all seated around our

old "Fada" radio listening to all the shows. I could

name many of them, but if I left a couple out

someone would get on my case.

There were times when I as the eldest child,

would get sent down to the cellar to select apples

for everyone. After they were picked, the apples

were stored in the cool,damp,dark cellar to make

them last longer. What a treat an apple in the

evening with the family around.

Sometimes, Mother would make a big bowl of

popcorn with real butter melted over it. I don't

believe I can buy any these days that tasted as

good as her's. She had a special knack with a lot

of good things in her kitchen. Speaking of popcorn,

did you ever think of this or is it that O.T. is the

weird one....popcorn kernels are like snowflakes....

there are no two alike! Oh, you can taste both of

them too.

thoughts from the old timer

January 18th

Now O.T. is not one to get excited about new ideas,

but at the place where our coffee klatch is held, I'll make

an exception. We have been frequenting this establishment

for well over three years now. All of us have become

part of the "family." When anything new is presented to

the customers we often get a sample try of the items.

Lately there have been a couple of those items O.T.

would like to comment on. First is the new "Brownie

Melt." WOW !! Not only is it chocolaty and good, it is

SUPER rich. I love sweet things and chocolate, but this

one goes way over the top.

About a week ago the manager came round to our

table and presented each of the "klatch" members a

sample cup of a new Frappe. There are two kinds, mocha

and caramel. This was good, however the sugar content

was way off the scale. We all enjoyed our serving and it

caused us to make some new rules for the management.

We presented the rules to them and who knows they

just might put them into action when necessary.

Here's what he decided: Either one of those new

features would probably cause children to "bounce off the

walls" for hours. We suggested, if the management deems

that a customer is being rude or obnoxious at the counter

with the register person, they GIVE their children one of

these high sugar items as a way to get even. The children

will be able on their "sugar high" to drive the parents

crazy, thus getting back at them for their unruliness at

the counter. Ever heard the term, "don't mess with an

old person?"

thoughts from the old timer

January 17th

This past week O.T. heard an advertisement for a

product to assist us with our memory. Don't need to

mention the name here, but it did bring to mind a

pair of interesting memory thoughts.

The first is about a friend that was to give a talk

to a body of young folks and decided to open with

something to keep their interest during his talk. He told

them that he would have them give him several items

to remember and he would associate each item with

the eighteen greens on a golf course. Example: Bike

placed on first green and so forth. After the talk he

would have them give him a number and he would

remember the item place in that green in his memory.

The speech was over and he went over and sat

down in a chair. The young folks began filing out of the

room. Finally, one little lady came over and said sir:

"You forgot to show us your memory test!"

Second another good friend told of being at a

very nice party and was introduced to a Mrs. Ferris.

My friend decided that she would use association to

remember the name....Ferris and would associate a

Ferris Wheel. At the end of the evening she went to the

lady and said, "I was so very nice to meet you Mrs.

Wheel!" Ah, memory and all the aids we can assemble

to help ourselves. (now how do I usually end this?)

thoughts from the old timer

January 14th

Was watching a show this evening and there was

a country singer that has had much success and I

guess you could say he has made it! During the

conversation he mentioned that before he got a

recording contract and then some hit records, he

made his living working on cars. It was something

that he had always enjoyed and was able to earn

a good living for himself. Now that he is playing

concerts, several days a year, he still keeps into

working on cars in his time off.

Made me recall that when Tammy Wynette

first came to Nashville, she was a beautician and

even tho her new career exploded into a wonderful

full time thing, she still kept her license ,just in

case" she ever needed it.

It is told that the noted singer from Versailles,

Kentucky, John Conlee, was a licensed mortician

before going into radio. He followed that with his

singing career and he also keeps his license current.

Wonder if they ever heard the term we used back in

O.T.'s younger days, "Don't give up your day job!"

thoughts from the old timer

January 13th

Someone was discussing the old two lane highways

back in the late 40's and 50's. It brought to mind the

early days for O.T. when he would be on the dance jobs.

Round and Square dancing was huge right after the big

war (WW II) 1946. Several fine dance bands were kept

busy every night of the week playing dances all around

New York State.

Some of the bands had live radio shows and they

would be on early morning times. The band would go

out on those old two lane roads, 50 MPH back then,

and after the 9:00 to 1:00 dance date, travel back to

the city. At 6:00 AM they would do a live half hour show

and then head home to get some sleep. In the afternoon

it was "on the road again" to the next dance engagement.

Sometimes, other bands would be out on the same

highways and meet each other. I've been told of the

times that The Trailblazers and Floyd Woodhull's band

met in the middle of the night. Story goes that they got

out near a country store with a parking area and set up

their instruments and played for their own amusement.

Or maybe it was for their own "amazement!" Anyway

those bye gone days are gone forever...........but not

forgotten...............by the old timer.

January 12th

I was recalling an incident of a few years ago

involving a good friend named Brad. We both

attended the same church and Brad was one that

often played the drums. He knew that I enjoyed

music and one Sunday asked me when I became

interested in music. My reply was, "BLD!" He asked

what is "BLD?" I stated,"Before Loud Drums!"

It had seemed that the music industry had made

somewhat of an attempt to make the drum a "solo"

instrument. Now Brad understood where I was coming

from and continued to seek me out each Sunday for a

new comment. Such as, I would ask him if he knew

what a thousand drums at the bottom of the ocean

meant? Upon his statement of no I would reply,

"A good start."

The next Sunday, he was right back for another

portion and I asked him if he knew what they called the

guy that hang's out with musicians? He said,"No" and I

told him, "They call him a drummer!" Brad is a great

fellow and not a bad drummer, but he is a drummer.

What else can I say. We sure find a lot of comments

to make about them. I'll reserve the rest for another

time Brad!

thoughts from the old timer

January 10th

Several years ago, O.T. wandered into a state

fiddle contest held at Enchanted Forest. That place

was a very popular spot in Old Forge, N.Y. As I looked

over the contest, I noticed a fellow that I had met once

at a dance job some time ago. Now George was seated

at a table with two other gentleman as others showed

their talent with the fiddle.

I was surprised to see George, observing and not

playing as I knew he was talented with his instrument.

During the day I realized that George was one of the

judges of the talent. There were several different levels

of talent competing. I can't recall all of them but, there

were adults, youth, and other specialties. At the end of

the day, I got to meet the young man that was the

youth champion, Doug Bartlett. I was told next year he

would have to compete with the adults. He also took

another category that day and I don't remember the title.

Finally when it was all completed, I went over and

re-introduced myself to George to ask why he wasn't

fiddling that day. I learned that he was the winner the

previous year and rules state that the winner has to be

a judge the next year. Contestants could not win two

years in a row. I believe that my friend George Harriger

has won the top spot more than once in New York. Great

guy and super talented fiddle player.

thoughts from the old timer

January 10th

This Sunday morning with the snowfall that we had,

O.T. got up early. I had to watch TV to see the church

closing and delays listed. Now our local TV station lists

them in alphabetical order. Got me to watch the report

a loooong time waiting for the "Little White Church by

the Side of the Road." Did you ever think about how

many different Baptist Churches there are? How about

the First Baptist Church. Is there somewhere a Second

or Third Baptist ?

Anyway, our church service was right on schedule

and we had a good attendance. Takes more that a little

snow and COLD temperatures to keep our church family

away. We really didn't have a large amount of snow,

maybe 3 inches. It has been real cold and that has closed

our schools some. Well, it is winter. Don't make me tell

about the old days and walking all those miles to school.

They don't hold school today as it would be to cold for the

youngin's to wait outside for the bus!

Speakin' of the cold, I got an e-mail from a friend up

north and he told me that when he got up it was 9 degrees.

About an hour later his thermometer read 10 degrees.

his comment was, "Thank God and Al Gore for global

warming!" Now Kirk, O.T. calls it "Gorbal Warming."

thoughts from the old timer

January 7th

Maude and O.T. got a taste of winter snow today

around the homestead. Not a big amount, but, It sure

seems so much different than when I was a youngster.

Two inches is really enough for me now and when I was

a kid, two or three feet didn't matter to me. Oh, how a

little age changes your thinkin'.

On the farm, back in the 40's we got deep snow storms.

After the snow plow would pass the house, the banks

would be high enough so all you would see of a passing car

was the very tip of the radio antenna, Now also remember,

the cars were taller then.

I recall that as kids, we would love to ride down the hill

on our hand sleds. Our farm was at the top of a hill that

was a mile from the main highway into our little town.

Many of the towns kids would come up to our place and

ride down that long, long hill. Usually, there was little

or no traffic as cars could not get up that steep, snow

covered road. Truly, it was a wonderful long ride to the

bottom of the hill. I'll bet that the kids today do not have

as much fun as we did on that spot. There probably all

in the house somewhere playing with some electronic game.

Just think of the fresh air and exercise that they are

missing. Ah, the youth of today!!

thoughts from the old timer

January 6th

I received something today that caused me to

think back on a younger time. I was interested in

getting involved in something that I really did not

have much knowledge about , but did have desire!

I armed my self with all that desire and a little

saying that I had heard as kind of a motto to live by.

The saying was "Even a turtle doesn't get anywhere

unless he sticks his neck out!"

One day as I was deeply involved in my pursuit,

I was in a mans business place and in one of his

showcases was a small turtle with his neck stuck out.

When I left his place, the turtle was with me. This

began a collection that now numbers, well,I don't know

for sure. As the small collect began to take place in

our home, friends and family would find turtles in many

places and bring them as gifts.

Even this past year when visiting friends in far away

California, as we were packing up to make our way

back home the lady of the house appeared with a

chrystal turtle and stated, "I saw this sometime ago and

it belongs in your collection." What a nice thought from

that friend. Now, comes the statement that I received

today to remind me of the collection.

"If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?"

thoughts from the old timer

January 5th

I received something today that caused me to

think back on a younger time. I was interested in

getting involved in something that I really did not

have much knowledge about , but did have desire!

I armed my self with all that desire and a little

saying that I had heard as kind of a motto to live by.

The saying was "Even a turtle doesn't get anywhere

unless he sticks his neck out!"

One day as I was deeply involved in my pursuit,

I was in a mans business place and in one of his

showcases was a small turtle with his neck stuck out.

When I left his place, the turtle was with me. This

began a collection that now numbers, well,I don't know

for sure. As the small collect began to take place in

our home, friends and family would find turtles in many

places and bring them as gifts.

Even this past year when visiting friends in far away

California, as we were packing up to make our way

back home the lady of the house appeared with a

chrystal turtle and stated, "I saw this sometime ago and

it belongs in your collection." What a nice thought from

that friend. Now, comes the statement that I received

today to remind me of the collection.

"If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?"

thoughts from the old timer

January 4th

O.T. received a cute cartoon today and it showed

a couple sitting on a sofa watching TV. He said to her,

"When there's a room full of poly-ticians and someone

shouts liar, how do you know who he's talking about!"

I wonder if they have to take training for their manner

of exaggeration. Seems they ALL are especially good at it.

There's got to be a country song lyric in there

somewhere. Why does everything seem to make O.T.

recall a song. Now the leaders of the House and the

Senate are back from the Christmas recess and are

"hard " at work on the so-called health reform plan.

We were told "way back when" that it would be formed

around a table with TV cameras showing us what our

representatives were doing for us.

Transparency was the big word this year in all

that was going to discussed and voted on. How come

all I seem to get out of this is hearing Charlie Rich

singing, "No one knows what goes on behind closed

doors!" And we the people, pay those guys REAL WELL.

I guess I'll remember all this at the next voting day.

thoughts from the old timer

January 3rd

Maude and O.T. took on of those Sunday afternoon

drives that you probably have heard about. You know,

the Sunday drivers! Well on this jaunt through the rural

country side I spotted a 1950 Ford in a yard beside the

highway. Looked to be in great condition. Made me give

some thought to all the cars that our grandkids probably

will never hear of or see.

I recall the Essex that my Grandfather owned when

O.T. was a little tike. How many of you remember these

names from the past: Crosley,or Hudson, like the green one

that Bobby T. owned. I also remember theTerraplane

that Bob Smith owned. How about the Stutz, or Whippet,

and there was the Cord. What a classic! Don't forget the

Duesenberg and the Auburn.

One time I heard a guy on WWVA Jamboree tell that

he drove a Rollscanardly. He stated that it rolls down one

hill and canardly make it up the next. That probably is

somewhat like my good friend Pete's car........

A Cheva-Kaiser-Olds-Mo-Laca-Stud-War-Linco-Baker !

I believe it was a 1959 model. Somewhat kin to the

J.Cash model that was made "one piece at a time!"

thoughts from the old timer

December 31st

As we near the end of 2009, here are Maude and

O.T.'s wishes for a Happy and prosperous 2010 to

one and all from our homestead to yours.

December 30th

Here it is New Years eve coming upon us REAL

FAST!! Back in the younger days, it would mean

that the Country Cousins would be playing a New

Years Eve dance somewhere. Most dance dates

during the years were from 9:00 PM 'till 1:00 AM.

Now for this special night, most establishments

wanted the band to play from 10:00 'til 3:00 AM

. Those jobs did pay more and you had to play

for an additional hour. It also meant that you would

be driving toward home much later and the traffic

just might have some "unusual" drivers on the road.

Most of the guys that played for the "Cousins" did

not drink, so they were able to get home safe.

With those days all WELL behind us the music

playing had come to a screeching halt for the band.

So good to be home that evening with family and

truly be able to get to bed at a good season. A

couple of years ago, about 8:30 New Years Eve, I

called the Cousin Clayt and asked him if he could

play a New Years job that night? He quickly asked

what time and I told him the job started at 10:00

o'clock. He replied, I'm usually in bed an hour before

that starting time. Boy, how times do change for

pickers and grinners with age!

thoughts from the old timer

December 29th

Now O.T. wants you to know that he had the rare

opportunity of attending the very first dance job that

the newly formed "Country Cousins" band played. I guess

that most folks would say there was nothing to remember

but allow O.T to tell you a couple of the nights events.

The year was I think 1959. The place was the Smyrna

school.

There was a very good crowd in attendance and the

first thing I wanted to tell was a square dance comedy

that set the night off for the band. One of the cousins

was calling the call and the words went as follows:

"The first lady march around the outside of the ring,

gentleman go the other way, you meet halfway and

swing." Now, the lady actually ran all the way around

the set and got back to where her husband was just

going to start the other direction. When this happened,

Clayt the other cousin, broke out in laughter at what had

happened and this really set the rest of the night off

in good spirits. 'Twas a fun time for sure.

Now the second happening that evening was somewhat

later and all of us really did not know about until the next

day. Outside the dance on the sidewalk, two young men

got into a fight and during the scuffle. one of the men

was knocked down and hit his head on the sidewalk.

the results were that he passed away from it. Upon

hearing it the next day, we were all saddened and it

took the luster off the Cousins very first job.

thoughts from the old timer

December 28th

Back when O.T. was a youngster, we had a spot

where we would go swimming. (in season) It was in

the river near a local golf course. Really was a neat

place and what a lot of fun for the kids in our small

town. Mostly in the summertime, after haying all day

the boys would take a bar of soap and head up to

that favorite spot.

I guess back in those happy days, every town

had their swimming hole. Oh the stories we could

tell about that wonderful place. I guess every kid

in our town would have some favorite memory of

the swimming hole.

This morning the temp. was 19 degrees and it

brought to mind that every New Years day I believe,

at Skaneateles Lake there will be some hardy souls

doing their annual "Polar Bear" jump into the lake.

Most years they have to break the ice to perform

this yearly event. I really don't know any of the

members, and I guess I really don't need to know.

I said all that to say, as a teenager in high

school one beautiful late March day, a friend and

I went down back of the school where the river

had a big bend. This place was all farm land and

no buildings in sight. O.T decided that it was so

nice that day I would be the first in town to take

a dip in the river. The ice was gone and I said the air

was really warm! I stripped down and dove in the

river. Now let me tell you the water was COLD !

Quickly, I came out of the water only to learn that

the mild, warm air was also COLD. I dove back into

the water again. It had not warmed up a bit! Out I

returned to quickly dress and hurry back to the warmth

of the school building. I'll tell you right now, that is as

close to becoming a "Polar Bear Member" as O.T. will

ever get and it will NOT be an annual thing!

thoughts from the old timer

December 27th

Here's hoping you all had a super Christmas. It

was exceptional at our house. Remember the words

in the song, "Dad will get his usual Christmas tie?" Well.

O.T. did get a tie! Got a shirt, a book I've been wanting,

as well as Maude getting me pajamas, bathrobe, and

slippers. Guess she wants to keep me in the house.

Yes, the holiday is over, but the nice family memories

linger on . Looking forward to this coming weekend

with New Years and all. Seems that we "jam" the two

events back to back. Hoping that you have a very good

years in 2010. It's going to be what ever you make it,

so go all out and succeed with a great one.

Maude suggested that we have pizza tonight to get

away from the leftovers. I thought it was a good idea. I

made the call and planned on picking it up when it was

ready. I gave the young man all the information for the

size, and specific toppings. Then he told me the price and

the time it would be ready. Finally he asked, "do you want

it cut into six pieces or twelve?" I pondered that a moment,

and told him six, as I don't believe Maude and I can eat

twelve pieces!

thoughts from the old timer

Christmas eve

When we wake up tomarrow.it will be the time

for CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. So ........

We wish you one and all the merriest Christ filled

Christmas ever. And may your year 2010, be filled with a

bounty of good health. Maude and Old Timer

December 24th.

For the past three weeks, O.T. has heard lots

of Christmas music on the radio and such. I have

yet to hear my all time favorite song. They just don't

play the good ones anymore. I'm going to use the

words of my favorite as a Christmas greeting today.

C is for the Christ Child, born upon this day,

H is for Herald Angels in the night

R means our redeemer

I means Israel

S is for the star that shone so bright

T is for three wise men, they who traveled far

M is for the manger where he lay

A is for all he stands for

S means shepherds came

and that's why there's a Christmas Day.

Recorded by the great Eddy Arnold and the words tell

the whole reason for this season. Possibly those who play

the music on today's radio, never heard of Eddy Arnold.

Allow me to say for Maude and O.T. to everyone

with in "eyeshot" have the Merriest Christmas ever.

To quote Mr. Dickens character "Tiny Tim". "God Bess us

everyone!

thoughts from the old timer

December 22nd.

Listening to the radio this morning, hearing an

old Hank Williams song, and thought that the date of

his death is nearly upon us. December 31st, 1952.

Caused me to recall a couple of tales told about Hank.

"Little" Jimmy Dickens tells that Hank and "Little" Jim

were flying to an engagement with Minnie Pearl and

her husband Henry Cannon. Hanks said to Jim, "you

need a hit record, I'll write you one." He proceeded

there on the plane to write a song.

A couple of days or so later, Hank meets "Little"

Jimmy and told him, "I just recorded your hit !" I

believe that the song was "Hey, Good Looking."

It seems somewhat unfair to write a friend a song and

then record it yourself.

One thing Hank did for "Little" Jimmy that stuck

with him until this day was give him a nickname. One

of Jimmy's big hit's was "Take an Old Cold Tater and

Wait." Hank started calling Jimmy "Tater" and he is still

known by that to this day. In fact, if you ever see his

little Red pickup truck, you will notice the front plate

bears the name "TATER." Thanks Hank!!

thoughts from the old timer

December 21st.

Every year just about this time my thoughts

go back to 1970 and a special time I was invited

to see and hear. There were five musicians that

allowed me to be there when they were recording

some Christmas music for later radio programs.

There was Michelle, they called her Mish, Joe,

Dick, Carl, and Gordie to do the music. I was really

surprised as to how quickly these people could take

a song that you only sing or play one time of the year

and make it come alive for the season.

It all happened in one evening about a total of

four hours at the most. Some of the songs were,

"Silver Bells", "Snowflakes" a Jim Reeves song, and

the band played a great version of "Jingle Bells." I

guess that there were another four or five selections

that I can't think of right now. Some of those folks

have passed on, but their music and memory still live

on. Wish I had the original tapes that they recorded,

then O.T. could have a CD made to REALLY recall

that very special time I was allowed to see happen.

It would make for a Merry Christmas season for sure.

thoughts from the old timer

December 17th.

I told you I'd give the answer to the song title

on Saturday. Here 'tis..."I Don't Remember Loving You!"

I had an answer in 12 minutes after I sent out the "thought"

There were others that replied correctly the next day.

John Conlee was the singer and it was a different

play with the words.

thanks O.T

Well, here it is Friday again and the week went

by quickly. If this had been several years ago, the

time would have seemed to drag on!! Thinking back

about 55 or 56 years ago, I guess on Friday here in

mid December, some folks would be thinking about

the dance at Norwich Township Grange Hall on Sat.

night.

Back in those days, round and square dancing

were the thing to do. In the summer it was Loomis

Hayloft and after Halloween, the band moved to the

winter spot, the Grange Hall. Usually could find a good

size crowd to enjoy the pastime.

I'll bet that some of those in attendance back then

would have been: Dickie Place, Marge Cunningham,

Donnie Weidman and probably John Steere would

be there, to bring his daughter Pat for a night of good,

clean family fun. Those of all ages enjoyed dancing,

especially, square dancing back then. Does this bring

back any memories like that to some of you folks?

thoughts from the old timer

December 16th.

I wondered if any of you folks have finished

shopping for Christmas. I've got a couple more

things to buy, then it's all over but the wrapping.

Those new gift bags they sell now are an easy

answer to wrapping.

I ran into an old guy that I hadn't seen in

years. I asked if he had is wife's gift bought

for Christmas and he said that he wasn't buying

her anything as she hadn't USED what he got

he last year. I inquired about last years gift and

he claimed that he got her a cemetery plot!

(JUST KIDDING)

Now if any one of might need to get someone

a puppy this year, you're in luck, 'cause O.T just

happens to have a connection. I believe there are

about four left at Aunt Betty's Puppy Farm. Should

you be interested, I'll help you make contact.

She might be listed in the yellow pages under

........desperate! They will be weaned about Jan.

15th or so. What a gift for someone.

thoughts from the old timer

December 15th.

There was a brief discussion at the "klatch" this

morning about the words in a song. I thought it would

be a good one to slip in today's thoughts and see if

any of you know it. The song was written by two of

the top country writers. They are Bobby Braddock

and the 'late" Harlan Howard. the hits that these two

have turned out are probably uncountable.

In this song that we spoke of today were the words

"if you hand me my crayons" and then it proceeds from

there. The singer recorded it in 1982 and it was in the top

ten on the charts. Don't want to give too many clues,

as the challenge would be to easy. Anyway, have fun with

it and I'll give the answer Saturday. Still wondering if

this should be a weekly thing and what could be a prize.

Any comments?

thoughts from the old timer

December 14th.

This morning while enjoying our coffee at the

"klatch", the discussion about Tiger Woods came up

due to all the hype on the TV. We wondered how

come when you're in the media spotlight it's a tryst

and the common everyday folks have an affair.

One of the guys was joking and said that if he

was to ask his wife if he had an affair like Tiger,

how would she react toward him. He said she would

probably say that when I get to Tigers income level.

we can discuss it.

After much talk about the number one man in golf

we decided that it was good of him to keep his identity

in the cat family. First he was a Tiger, now he's a Lion...

......Cheetah. Oh well, it keeps some of our poly "ticitans"

and their wrong doings off the TV for a time.

thoughts from the old timer

December 13th.

Let me tell you about O.T. ordering some items

on the "net" and exactly what happened that was

a surprise to me. Kinda gave me confidence in the

young folks today. Most folks tend to be a little bit

leery about ordering "stuff" on line as they call it.

Here's my tale!

We heard about a very talented young lady that

has her paintings on a beautiful calendar. We thought

we would like to order one for ourselves and one for

a Christmas gift. I placed the order for two calendars

and received the accepted order back at once. A few

days later, the calendars arrived at our home.

When we got to look at them we found that they

had shipped three of them, not the two as ordered.

I got on line and told them of the error and that we

would like to keep the extra and to bill us for it. Today,

O.T. received a note from them stating " Please keep

it as our Christmas gift to you!" Now there is a company

that I'll be glad to do business with again. Not only that,

I'm going to leave their website for you to look at this

young girls art work. Who knows. you might want a

calendar for yourself. They have O.T.'s approval!

click on this: www.artnsoulwrks.com

thoughts from the old timer

December 10th.

Seems that everybody I came in contact with

had comments about the heavy snows in Iowa,

Wisconsin, and across the northeast. The only

real answer I could give then is, "It's December."

We has such a long and enjoyable fall that most

just hate the thoughts of winter. With Christmas

only fourteen days away, you have to expect that

winter is close.

Our area had high winds and we expected that

they might bring some of that snow from the midwest.

As I got to the coffee klatch this morning it was "COLD"

and we had a slight dusting of the white stuff. I told

Herman that I was going to have to wax the snow shovel

this afternoon so it would be ready for Maude. He replied,

"I'll visit you at the hospital!"

Now another of the guys heard the remark and made

the statement that there was only one snow shovel at his

house. He said."Marge only knows how to use just one."

Years ago, my friend "Barefoot" Bob announced one snowy

morning on his radio show, "Someday, I'm going so far

south, that when I walk down the street with a snow

shovel on my shoulder, they ask me what it is!" As O.T.

gets older, he kinda agrees with that statement.

thoughts from the old timer

December 9th.

It is truly something to see all the folks out gettin'

the items on the Christmas shopping list. Now, I don't

really have anything I want this year. I've already been

told what Maude wants and it will not be that costly.

Really more effort than money and that's OK.

I wonder just how many will go over the limit that

they will be spending for gifts. It is somewhat outrageous

the money some go into debt for this holiday. If they

could truly only learn that it is the thought that is what

is most important. Over the years some of the smallest

and least expensive gifts have meant more to O.T.

than any high priced thing.

I guess, to the folks that grew up in the early years

like we did, the true meaning of Christmas still stands

out above all else. I would only wish others could get

that mindset this year. Money is not the important

part of Christmas. Got to go, the doorbell just rang!

Maybe it's Michael Anthony with a check from John

Bairdsford Tippton! Does any one remember?

thoughts from the old timer

December 8th.

As is the normal thing at O.T.'s home, in the evening,

Maude and I were watching the news on TV. I was over

come with how many advertisements there were for

company's selling gold! I believe that I mentioned months

ago that if the dollar is so "worthless" why do the gold

sellers want to take those dollars for their "valuable"

gold? You would think they would want to horde it.

Also, I saw that there was a firm selling silver and

due to the fact that it is getting very scarce, it will be

soon a high priced item. They mention that if you buy

gold that you do not receive the gold, but a paper or

certificate proving that you own some and it is in a safe

place.....somewhere! Now when you purchase their

silver, they sent it to you and they showed the canvas

bag arriving in a box. Now I kinda like that idea of having

the item I purchased in my possession.

While I'm thinking about this possibility, let me tell

you how I feel that O.T. would fare with a purchase of

silver. Things just don't always work out for me as they

seem to for others. What I mean is, if I were to send off

my hard earned dollars and they were to send me my

purchase, I can just see it now...I'm gonna need a barn

for my ........ HI, HO.......silver, when it arrives.

thoughts from the old timer

December 7th.

Every year about this time the Christmas songs

begin on the radio stations. We always get the hear

most of our favorites and then some new attempts

that just don't make the grade. It would be interesting

to know what your favorite is.

Now many would go for the church type like, Silent

Night and Oh, Little Town Of Bethlehem. Others would

go for the White Christmas and The Christmas Song

music. One of the favorites I hear every year is a song

written by Willie Nelson called Pretty Paper. Some

might not even connect that it is a Christmas song.

I'm sure the kids like Rudolph the Red Nosed

Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, as well as Jolly

Old St. Nicholas. I have to tell you about one we don't

hear much anymore, but I always remember it and there

is a reason. Several years ago there was a teenager

named Jimmy Boyd that had a hit with a song called,

I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus.

The song was a cute and bouncy number and Jimmy

Boyd made the rounds on TV shows. There was much

radio play and it probably sold many records. Now just

what makes me think of that song every year is that

when Jimmy Boyd was popular, O.T. had a cousin

about Boyd's age that looked very much like him. So

every Christmas, I'm reminded of the song and Boyd

and most of all the cousin.

thoughts from the old timer

December 6th.

This past weekend, Maude and O.T. were in

the process of more Christmas decorations around

the place. Even tho the years have past for us, we

both still enjoy the season to the fullest. Hope that

it never ends for both of us as it is such a joyus time.

I was in the garage getting a tool for one of the

decorating projects, and I saw the small handsaw on

the rack where I keep the tools. Wow, did the memories

come back just seeing that little,old, saw. Maude and

I both grew up in homes where there was a real tree

for Christmas. So, when we got married and had our

first little apartments, we too would have to have a

real tree.

I recall that we didn't have a lot of money, but

the joy of Christmas was there for us. Now this one

year in the mid to late "50's, we got our tree and

brought it in the apartment to erect and decorate it.

When I when to place it in the tree stand, I learned

that the tree trunk was to big for the stand. I had

to find a way to remove a small portion that would

allow it to fit in the stand opening.

As most newly married couples, tools were not

a big thing on our purchase list. So, not being close

to either one of our parents, O.T. did the next best

thing. About a mile away was a small chain store called

Family Bargain Center. I went to the store and was

able to buy this cheap little handsaw. From a bargain

center it was not top quality, but did remove that piece

of trunk from the tree for us. Why for all these many

years did that cheap little saw continue to stay on the

tool shelf as I probably hasn't been used in many

years. I does however bring back a Christmas memory

of our early days. What a blessing!

thoughts from the old timer

December 4th.

The words to a song..." A neighbor tipped his hat

to me this morning" was from the Eddy Arnold Christmas

song "Christmas Can't Be Far Away."

Had a couple of readers give the right answer and

both admitted that they GOOGLED it! Maybe we should

have one each week and some sort of prize. O.T. will

ponder on that one for a spell !!!

Have a good weekend, Ya'll O.T.

December 3rd.

Now, O.T. is here to tell that there is a little

nip in the air tonight. To be expected, after all it

is December. The weatherman mentioned a

possibility of snow showers. I think he said that

just to cover himself. I've mentioned before that

weathermen and "poly" ticians are the two highest

paid liars!

Now if we should get one of those snow showers,

it would not be enough for a sleigh ride. O.T,'s

a thinkin' that there are many that read this

that have never been on a REAL sleight ride. Brings

back a memory of the time several of us took a

trip back into the hills near Brookfield for a real,

true sure, sleigh ride.

Lets see there was Bob and Ginny,Rob and Susie,

Maude and O.T. and I'm sure I missed a couple of

others. The folks at the homestead had a good sized

sleigh and was drawn with a double team of horses.

The night was rather pleasant, but we did get a little

chilly before we returned to the big house. The ride

took us on a trip through the woods and fields of

that wonderful place.

Back at the house we were welcomed to the

warmth of a fire and steaming cups of hot chocolate.

I guess if you were to ask anyone of those folks I

mentioned, they would tell you that they do recall

that winter sleigh ride with friends. Wish you all

could have one of those REAL trips sometime soon.

thoughts from the old timer

December 2nd.

O.T was wondering this afternoon, if folks really

listen to the words to the songs they hear? It is nice

to feel the tempo of some of those bouncy tunes, but

do you listen to the words? I spoke to someone a few

days ago about the words in Roger Millers song called,

"Husbands and Wives." Oh, I like that number they

replied.

The words to that song have lot's, and I mean lot's

of meaning! The person realized that the tune and the

background music was really what they remembered.

Here is just part of the words I told them. "Two broken

hearts, lonely lookin' like houses, where nobody lives"

the next lines are even better and truly "thought

provoking."

Have you ever given any thought or remember

the words to songs? Maybe O.T. should give you a test

now and then. Sort of a contest to your memory. Heres

one.....What song is this line in? "A neighbor tipped his

hat to me this morning" If you have the answer tell

O.T. P.S. 'tis the season...

thoughts from the old timer

December 1st.

O.T. took the time this evening to listen to

the Presidents speech on the troop placement.

Now I'm not going to mention anything about it

at this time. I do want to say, I'm always so

impressed to see the young men and women that

are attending West Point. I have known two that

have graduated from the Point and one is a third

cousin of mine. A fine a young man as you would

ever want to meet.

Most folks have no real idea what those young

cadets go through to become the fine officers that

proudly serve our country and us. You may read

stories, and see movies, but, let me give you some

small insight that O.T. knows about.

I remember one young man in our church had

received an appointment to West Point. I told him

how proud of him I was and asked him if he knew

what he was getting into. He told me that he had

visited the Point and yes, he knew what was ahead

for him. About two weeks before he was to leave

for his first year, I asked him again do you know

what you are headed for? I got another yes! Now,

he came home for Christmas, his first leave, and

the first Sunday at church he came up to me tall,

and straight and stated "Sir, I didn't know what I

was getting into!"

Now O.T. never went to the Point, but in 1958

my friend Frank and I attended a NCO school for

two weeks at Camp Smith, Peekskill, NY. It is a

few miles south of the West Point and our instructors

were third year cadets. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

The one thing I'll never forget was standing inspection

and a Cadet found a loose thread on my shirt pocket

button. He called me by name and said, "I see that

you are in the artillery, so when I pull this rope you

go boom." Naturally the first time it wasn't loud enough.

He told me I owed him twenty pushups after chow that

night. I wondered if I could give him ten and owe him

ten. Ha, Ha! That evening we fell in formation and as

my name was called he exclaimed " You own me twenty,

hit it!"

Now I was truly not in shape, but when the Cadet

dropped down in front of me, we both pumped out

those twenty pushups in record time. It was truly a

wonderful experience that I'll always cherish and never

forget. So, when I saw all those young Cadets in the

audience at the Presidents speech, they were foremost

in O.T.'s mind. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

thoughts from the old timer

November 30th.

I was thinking about one of my all time favorite

music artists today. He will reach the age of 89 in

about nineteen days. He is a giant in the music field

even tho his height is 4" 11". My favorite entertainer

is "Little" Jimmy Dickens. Just about anyone that has

ever had the pleasure of seeing him on stage knows

that he is in total command.

Jimmy is regarded as one of the all time finest

ballad singers in the business. Mostly, he is known for

his songs of comedy, "Out Behind the Barn, "Take an

Old Cold Tater and Wait" and "Sleepin' at The Foot Of

The Bed," One of my favorites is the ballad "We Could."

Still a regular on the Grand Ole Opry every Friday

and Saturday night, he remains the oldest member on

that famed show. A member of the Country Music Hall

Of Fame and is a wonderful person to all who have ever

had the pleasure of meeting him.

Several years ago his wife passed away and for a

long time he had a hard time with the loss. I would like

sometime to tell the story about how Jimmy and present

wife Mona met. I will try to get his permission and tell

that wonderful story. Now, I would like to display for you

some of Jimmy's great humor. It seems that Mona is a

bit taller that Jim and someone asked him,"why did you

marry such a tall lady." Jim replied" Well you see in the

stores where we shop there's things way up on those top

shelves that I like!!"

thoughts from the old timer

November 29th.

Maude and O.T. were invited to a special party

given for a friend that retired after 36 years. That

seems like a long time to be employed. It was

a very nice time and our friend was much surprised.

He made the statement at the end that he didn't

know how is wife was able to keep it from him.

It is nice to see people shown a special time

for that number of years of work. Now I know other

folks that have retired two and three times. They

have had more that one career . O.T was asked

a few days ago when he was going to retire? I

told them "maybe" when the old pickup truck

retires, I will. It's got over 240 thousand miles on

it and still perking along well. In fact, it just

might "perk" somewhat better that O.T at this

stage of the game.

Now I believe that I've given that retirement

thing a thought or two and I'm not sure I would like

it. There is another side of it and I think you have

heard the wife's idea of retirement. Maude would

agree: it would be half as much money and twice as

much husband around the house. Something to think on!

thought from the old timer

November 26th.

It's along about evening and what a fine day with

our family and friends. The food was outstanding and

must give extra credit to two Grandsons that were

responsible for some of the dishes. One is in training

to be a chef and the other is just plain handy and

helpful. Must say super job, Jake and Seth.

Naturally, I'm gonna brag on the pies that

Maude made. The proof is in those that went back for

seconds. All in all, it was a time of food and fellowship.

Those two go together so well. Let's see, Christmas

can't be far away. That's the next one.

Just want to say again that I hope that you and all

your families enjoyed the day of thankfulness. Just

remember that we should be thankful for family and

those special friends ALL THE TIME. If we have both

of those, then blessed we are. Don't forget that above

all.

thoughts from the old timer

November 25th.

Thanksgiving brings many different thoughts to

different people. Some look at it as a time to have a

short work week. Another will think about the football

games that will dominate the TV all day and evening.

Then, most will think on turkey, ham, mashed potatoes,

cranberry sauce, as well as sweet potatoes. Now can't

leave out the pumpkin pie and Maude's special cherry

pie.

I have learned in my latter years that what has

become important to O.T. is friends and family. Now,

I just hope that you might tend to start thinking about

being thankful for those persons. Over my many, many

years I have an abundance of super friends going all

the way back to school days. They are still friends that

I truly enjoy keeping in touch with throughout the year.

Many friends from music, and work relationships

still linger with me. I've always believed the more friends

you can make, the less enemies you will have. And above

all, family. Maude and I both have lost our parents and

our own family is the most important thing in our lives.

I just wish for you this day, stop, and give thanks for

your family and friends.

May your day be blessed with friends and family

this Thanksgiving.

thoughts from the old timer

November 24th.

This afternoon, Maude had the opportunity to visit

a chain drugstore. She had heard they had a certain

type of item she wanted for one of her pair of shoes.

In the process, she mentioned to the clerk that was

attending to her that a Thanksgiving was coming up

and that she would have a day off. The lady said yes,

but I'm on the schedule for Christmas day. Maude

inquired. "You mean that you are open Christmas Day?"

The lady responded, "We are open 365 days a years!

Now Maude and O.T. grew up in a small town that

had two food stores. The one that Jay and Helen ran,

was closed on Sunday. However, Ed was open I guess

everyday. Now, we talked about how Maude's Mom,

a good Christian lady, would not shop at Ed's store, due

to the fact he was open on the Lords Day. We both

reminded ourselves just how much the times have

changed over these years. Morals and the good ways

of life have seemed to slip away.

The only thing I can think of to say about this is:

"Rah, Rah, rumble seats and running boards, them

were the good old days!" (thanks Roger)

Thoughts from the old timer

November 23rd.

I often wonder how famous entertainers get to

go places and have quality time for themselves.

Most of them are so easily recognized that if they

go to the grocery store, they are sort of "on display."

I'm sure many of them have ways that they can get

out in public and live a somewhat normal time for

themselves.

I remember one time Chet Atkins, the famous

guitarist, record producer, and Vice President of

RCA Records in Nashville told this story on himself.

Chet and his friend John D. Loudermilk and their

wives were taking a cruise for vacation time. John

is a well known songwriter and wrote many well

known hit songs. Even tho he might not be that

noticeable, the two men grew beards for the trip.

Chet told that one day on the ship, there was a

man that was playing a guitar. After a few moments

he stopped and Chet asked him if he could play

the instrument. After playing a couple of selections

the man who loaned Chet the guitar said, "Now you

play a pretty good guitar mister, but you're no

Chet Atkins!"

thoughts from the old timer

November 22nd.

Was thinking about the late singer Charlie Rich

today. He was known as "the Silver Fox" in the

music industry. He had a couple of big hits like "The

Most Beautiful Girl in the World" and who could forget

"Behind Closed Doors." Like many of the entertainers,

fame arrived and some just didn't handle the finances

well. They understood entertaining, and left the money

part to managers.

There is a story told that one time Charlie was in

a meeting with his managers and when the discussion

of business was complete, the manager asked Charlie if

he had any questions. Charlie replied, "Yes, can I buy

a Cadillac?" A bit taken back the manager said,

"Charlie, you could buy the whole dealership!" Possibly

this is how some of the early entertainers made poor

business decisions.

As to the songs, something in the news today made

me think of one of Charlie's big hits. It seems that when

Harry Reid was working out the details on his "Health

Plan" in his offices, Senator Mary Landrieu, Louisiana,

got a provision added that would provide between,

$100 million and $300 million in Medicaid funding for her

state in fiscal 2011. It just happened that she was NOT

going to lend her vote to Harry's plan! He didn't even

have to call on Acorn. "NOW YOU KNOW WHAT GOES ON

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS!"

thoughts from the old timer

November 19th

You know even as old as O.T. is there is always

something that comes along to just amaze me. One

of those times happened at the dinner today at The

Little White Church. I hope that you will find it just

as amazing as O.T. did.

Now after we finished that wonderful meal, a

couple of us were chatting as it is when friends get

together. O.T. is somewhat of a country music history

buff and someone mentioned Red Foley. We all agreed

that no one ever sang Peace In The Valley like Red.

Another mentioned seeing him years ago on the TV

show Ozark Jubilee from Springfield. MO.

O.T brought up the fact that in the Bill Wimberley

house band, "Thumbs Carlisle" was the guitarist. He

also worked for Little Jimmy Dickens in his Country

Boys band. For several years Thumbs Carlisle was the

guitarist for the famous Roger Miller. Now comes the

amazing part. After all that discussing about this

wonderful musician, one of the members in the

conversation stated, "Thumbs Carlisle was in the

service with me in Germany and I was his platoon

sergeant." He then told how Thumbs had sent home

and had his curly maple guitar sent to him at that

base. O.T is baffled on occasion when something like

this happens. It truly is a small world.

thoughts from the old timer

November 18th

I'm looking forward to a nice dinner tomorrow

at the Little White Church by the side of the road.

Every year for the Thanksgiving time, our seniors

who are called "Prime Timers" have this special

time. Great food and fellowship and a time to give

thanks for our many blessings.

I was thinking about a Thanksgiving when O.T.

was a teenager. Yes, that was a long, long time ago.

Some think it was close to the dark ages. That's for

another time I guess. My Mother was a great cook and

this one year it was the abundant meal as usual. Now,

I don't ever remember have turkey, but living on a farm

there were chickens and I'm sure ham was available.

This one time I was about 17 or 18 and I had to rush

through the famous dinner. I had promised the gas

station owner in town I would work for him. He wanted

go and have the holiday meal with his wife's family in

a nearby village. I'm sure now that Mother would have

liked to have her complete family together for the day.

I'm sure that she understood how her thoughtful son was

willing to do for another. That's just the kind of upbringing

we had in our time. I just thought it was the think to do

for someone else. I'm still thankful for that up bringing

I received.

thoughts from the old timer

November 17th

This evening after Maude and O.T. finished supper

we decided to watch some of the days events on TV.

Now, I've mentioned before that TV is not my big thing.

Tonight proved that again.

On the news, I can't get over how some of the

reporters give their account of the news. If you were

to switch back and forth from one channel to another,

you could get a different "slant" on the same story.

It's amazing how many ways the same tale can be told.

Another item that I have always enjoyed is on the

local scene, a reported will get a local person to discuss

the story he is reporting and you just wonder where they

find them.

While viewing the news and the like tonight, I believe

I counted possible four different ads for GOLD! Each person

had the best offer. One even said that at one time he was

in charge of the gold in Fort Knox. Wow... these people are

some of the reasons I cannot enjoy TV. Makes me wish

Edi Adams was still on for "Baby Muriel" cigars again.

Ah..... the good old days.

After seeing and listening to the reporters, the folks

they were interviewing and the ones doing the ads made

me remember and old song that Norma Jean used to

sing way back on the early Porter Wagonner shows.

The song was, "I Wouldn't Buy A Used Car From Him."

thoughts from the old timer

November 16th

I was watching a portion of a football game on TV

and it made me think of O.T.'s "very short" sports career.

Naturally, I'm speakin' of High School. I played baseball

and basketball several years in school, however my time

on the gridiron as they called it was brief.

We had a good Coach and I like him very much. Now

in those days each school had ONE coach for all the sports.

Boy, how things have changed. In fact in our small school

we played nine man football due to the fact that in our

league all the schools had limited students. Now this

coach talked me in to going out for football. I thought it

would be fun and he had me as a backup quarterback.

I practiced the position a lot in scrimmage, but, never

got into a real game.

Our school had some good competition and I don't

recall how many games we won if any. Now I do remember

one game in my brief football season. I believe it was

about the last couple of plays toward the end of the game.

Our team was losing and the coach wanted me to get

some real playing time. He told me to go in and gave me

the play, quarterback keeper.

I must tell you that all of the uniforms were way to

big to really fit me. The shirt probably was down close to

my knees. At that time, I guess I weighed about one

hundred and fifteen, "soaking wet with my Mothers

cook stove on my back." We came out of the huddle and

I called the the signals and received the ball. The lineman

took down the opposing man where I was supposed to

run through, and away I went. As I passed over the

grounded opponent, he reached up from the ground and

grabbed on to my shirttail and yanked me down onto

the ground. The game was over and I decided so was

football for O.T.

thoughts from the old timer

November 15th

O.T. got a message from and old schoolmate

and it was a nice surprise. Bill told me that he had

gotten a book about the railroad that ran through

our hometown. Boy, there's a piece of history worth

looking into. Now as I recall, the steam engine made

a trip up through our area and later in the day made

the return trip.

There were several businesses back then that

relied on the train for there supplies. There were

two feed stores, and I remember the feed being shipped

in big boxcars. There was also a coal yard that was

where all the families in the valley purchased their

coal for winter heat. I remember at our house we

had a furnace that would burn both wood and coal.

The book, which O.T. is already in the process

of getting has pictures taken all up and down our

beautiful valley. I just can hardly wait for our copy

the take that look back in time. I'm sure that I'll

find lots of things to peak my memory. Now, the

real treat is that Maude's brother Bob used to ride

the train and sometimes fire the engine. He just

loved the railroads and I'm told his picture is in

this publication. What a joy that our friend Billy,

took the time to get this message to us. Thanks

Billy and wish we could go back again to the gas

station for a Fawn soda and a bag of Eat-More

popcorn. If I remember, the soda was .07 cents

and the popcorn a dime. We might even break up

a Hersey bar in the popcorn, just like the old days.

thoughts from the old timer

November 12th

I guess that music was always meant to be a

special interest to O.T. I recalled the first time I

ever sang in front of a live audience. I was probably

in the seventh grade in school. I don't remember what

the program was but,I do remember several things

about the music.

Now at that age I was a very bashful lad and

for me to get on stage in front of other school kids

was just unheard of. My Mother found out somehow

that he son was "possibly" going to sing and in her

Motherly way pushed the issue. She came right out

and told me that if I would sing the song she would

make me my favorite cake! Just the thought of an

Angel Food cake was temptation enough.

I remember that what I thought at the time

was the prettiest blonde girl in school might play

the piano for my solo. Martha was I guess a junior

or senior in high school at that time. I recall that

we practiced a couple of times during the noon hour

and when the program was presented I sang the

song "Simple Melody." I believe that Bing Crosby had

a record of it back then.

Oh, just thinking back on that first time, first song,

Martha at the grand piano, and of course Angel Food

cake as the prize. I heard that Martha is in Virginia at

this time and I'm told she still is a lovely lady. Boy,

would be nice to share a song, her piano playing, and

some Angel Food cake again. Wishful thinkin'

thoughts from the old timer

November 11th

We were talking about old things over coffee at the

"Klatch." Robert mentioned that he had seen an old

pickup truck in the parking lot in our town. It was

located in front of a paint store that was out of business.

There was a banner on it, and we figured that someone

is probably going to open a new venture there.

It is fun when old personal items that someone

treasures are the topic of conversation. It always reminds

another of one of their prize possessions. I think it is

neat when there are items that have a special meaning

to us. One of the guys was showing off an old pocket

watch and telling what it meant to him and his family.

Now, O.T. has a prize pocket knife, tho not a

costly knife, I wouldn't part with it. I was given a

surprise birthday party a few years back for my 70th

and one of the packages I opened was from my cousin.

In the little box was this small Schrade knife. On a

small plate in the bone sides was engraved "Old

Timer." I only carry it on special occasions for fear

of losing it. Means a lot to me. Now, when I left the

"klatch" and got to the pickup, there on the ground

was a small pocket knife. It had two blades and on one

was engraved "Winchester." On the other blade was

"2008." Now I have all ready made attempts to locate

the owner. It just might have a special meaning to

him as well. Wish me well with this!!

thoughts from the old timer

November 10th

I got to thinking about the sayings I heard as a

youngster. Seems that the older men in our town

would have things to say the didn't make sense to

me as a kid. Now, I realize there were just bits of

humor of the day. One older gentleman in our little

town was always saying, "If I lived here, I'd be home

now!"

Having Sunday dinner at my Uncles house was a big

treat in days gone bye. When we were leaving to go to

our home my Uncle would say something like this to my

Father. "If I get there before you do I'll make a blue

mark on the front door, and if you get there first you

erase it!" Now you know that had to "rattle" a little

guys mind back then.

Another time my Dad would say this, "There's

never time to do it right, but always time to do it

over." Now that one makes sense even to this day.

Now I'll bet that some of you have some of those

interesting sayings tucked back in your memory

bank. They get more interest if you spend them.

thoughts from the old timer

November 9th

I was looking through some old photos of my cars

today and lots of memories popped into my mind. I am

wondering how many of you have pictures of all your

auto's. O.T. is only missing just one that I can recall.

That was a "36 Chrysler sedan. As I remember it was

very good on gas and possibly 40 miles to the quart

on oil.

While looking at the pictures, I thought back to the

time four us were in the gravel bed near the Harrison

farm. I had a Forty Pontiac coupe and the picture brought

back this moment. There was Larry, Bobby, Pete, and

O.T. and the discussion came up about me jumping a ramp

with the coupe. We found the material to make the ramp

and the proper safety precautions were put in place.

Now came the adventure. I was to go over this ramp

with one wheel like the stunt drivers would do at the

county fair. I decided to go what we called "driver side

down" and that meant I would drive the passenger side

wheel up the ramp. With everything in place, away we go!

All went well and I believe I did it two or three times.

Now I mentioned the safety precautions, that meant

seat belts for the driver, O.T. Now, remember "40 Pontiacs

did NOT come equipped with seat belts. They were to be

a thing of the future. So, a couple of the boys removed the

belts from their pants and we linked them together around

the seat and the fearless driver. Safety First!!

thoughts from the old timer

November 8th

Back many years ago when O.T was a youngin'

he went to school with a lad that thought himself

a real Don Juan! Now, he was a nice looking boy and

had a good personality. I can't really say if he was

thought of that highly by the girls. I never asked

them or heard any such conversation about him.

We had a girl named Kathleen that he mentioned

often. Kate was what we called her and she was a

pretty thing for sure. In those days, boys were some

what bashful and so I don't know if the boy ever asked

her for a date.

Also, was another young lady that the "Don Juan"

mentioned a lot and her name was Edith. I believe that

she might have been a year or two older. Now in a

small town,where the school classes were also limited

in size, everyone knew all the students.

After a period of time, the "Don Juan" was making

a statement to me about his possibility of dating both

girls. I knew that in that school, one would never get

away with dating on two girlfriends successfully. So,

after some time I kindly let the wind out of "Don Juan's"

sails about his two conquests by telling him, that my

Daddy told me one time, "You can't have your Kate and

Edith too!"

thoughts from the old timer

November 6th

Over coffee this morning at the "klatch", O.T.

mentioned that he was way past haircut time. Now,

no one said anything about brads, but it was

probably on one of their minds. Haircut prices were

mentioned and I stated that my second haircut cost

.25 cents. The first one was free. Those were the days.

In the process I stated that due to the length of

my hair, I might have to go in for an estimate first

to see if I could afford the cut. One of the group said

that his was much more costly that the rest of us.

Removing his cap, he showed the bald head and the

narrow ring of hair just above his ears. He told us that

"detail" work was much more expensive!

thoughts from the old timer

November 5th

One of O.T.'s musician friends has a saying about

music when he is asked. I mean if you ask him about

the types of music he will answer: There's GOOD, then

there's LOUD, there's GOOD & LOUD and finally LEWD.

It really amazes me just how much louder music

has gotten over the years. And beyond that I don't have

any understanding of why!

In my younger days, music groups would play their

jobs with a couple of speakers on the edge of the stage.

Most of the time they would work with one microphone.

You could spend time in the club or dance spot and not

only hear every word of the singer as well as each of

the instruments. You could carry on a conversation with

friends and be heard.

I had the chance to go to a concert in a place I've

attended before and enjoyed the well balanced music

that was played. The main reason I went was the artist

was very talented singer, excellent instrumentalist, and

had written some fine songs. Now, he was one of the

newer artist's and I really didn't know the words to

many of his songs. I had a good seat and the show began.

As the show progressed, the sound got louder, and

louder with each number. I found after a few songs, I could

not understand any of his words. Midway in the program,

the band left that stage and the artist proceeded to pay

tribute to his hero and play several guitar numbers in

his honor. Some of the songs he sang with just his electric

guitar. You could hear every word. He was then joined

onstage by his keyboard player for a couple more vocals.

Just wonderful to listen to. On stage comes the other

three musicians and at once the volume went up to such

a loudness that understanding was impossible! That must

be GOOD & LOUD! Boy, the hearing aid business in where

you need to invest your money!

thoughts from the old timer

November 4th

Having spent much time over the years around

musicians, I learned some about their ego's. Some

had larger ego's than others and it would often get

in the musicians way. Now in the earlier days, 1950's

I felt that each band thought they were "the gift" to

the local public. And there were some groups that

were excellent in their performance. Then, there

were those who were legends in their own minds.

There was time I recall when bands would be

at a diner having a meal after their music jobs. Oh,

there would be discussions among them as to how

large the crowd was at their event that evening.

Always trying to out do one another at times.

One time, the musicians that I was with decided

after their job to go by the place where this other band

was playing later in the evening. Now it wasn't hard to

for the band that was playing to notice the other musicians

in attendance. This one time, I remember, the band took

a break and went down by the visiting musicians to

get some response to their playing. In the process,

one of the members asked one of the visiting musicians

"How do we sound, pretty good?" The answer was one

that still lingers in my memory. The musician replied,

"Don't give up your day job!" I guess you would say

the conversation was Ego to Ego.

thoughts from the old timer

November 3rd.

I was listening to the TV for the election results

and some one stated that the President was spending

some of his "political capitol" on the Governors races.

One is in Virginia and one in New Jersey. When he

makes a political visit to promote the candidate of his

party, he is spending his "political capitol!"

Got me to thinkin' about the "capitol" of ours

that he is spending. Let's see a couple of visits to

Virginia and five or more to New Jersey. How much

"capitol" of OURS is that amount to. Now I'm not a

big money man, but I did find out some 2000 cost

figures that might open your eyes! (and your pocket

book)

In the year 2000 it was estimated the cost over

$56,000. per hour to fly Air Force one to a political

meeting. It is assumed that a cargo plane will also

accompany the President on each trip. A cost of about

$7,000. per hour in that same year. Must be most

important to the president that the people of the state

elect the man of his party to spend like that.

Now, here is where you have something to ponder

just like O.T. It was estimated on that same report that

the taxpayers.....that's us....paid an estimated 97% of

those flight expenses. Open up your pocket book and

allow the candidate, even if it's not your choice, get

your dollars to help him get a JOB. Those figures

were nine years ago in 2000. Costs are much higher

now in 2009

I'm pondering........the old timer

November 2nd.

Here is a tale that O.T. heard about one of the

founders of country music. The story has been told

and because of this gentleman's sense of humor, I

would guess it is probably true. Roy Acuff, the King

of Country Music, joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938.

He was invited to appear on the show to play his

fiddle and instead he sang the "Great Speckled Bird.

Cards and letters flooded the station and they learned

the singing might be an important part of their shows.

Roy became very popular and was a businessman

that formed the first publishing company in Nashville.

It was with songwriter Fred Rose, and Acuff-Rose

became very successful. Roy was always very busy

all around the country with his bookings. His band "The

Smokey Mountain Boys" were well received wherever

they appeared. Now to the story about Mr. Roy.

Roy always enjoyed his home there in Nashville

when he was in off the road trips. It was relaxation for

him the busy himself with homeowner chores. One day,

Roy was out mowing his lawn, when a well dressed lady

in a very fancy car stopped and inquired, "How much do

you get for mowing lawns?" It was apparent that she did

not recognize Mr. Acuff. He leaned down to her car window

and replied, "The lady that lives here let's me sleep with

her!" The lady quickly drove away.

thoughts from the old timer

October 31st.

One final story about this years Country Music

awards at Cortland, N.Y. This I must relate as I heard

it. It goes like this: Back in November of 1951, Dick

Boise entered in a talent contest with "Mr. Sunshine"

from radio station WRUN in Utica. Now, Mr. Sunshine,

"Carl Swanson" had a steel guitarist , Lynn Strauff

and he played rhythm guitar back of Dick Boise who

won the contest. Next day Dick appeared on WRUN,

singing his first time on radio.

Several months later, June 1952, Dick was asked

to be the vocalist for "The Trailblazers" a popular dance

and show band in Central New York. One of the band

members was guitarist Frank "Dizzy" Meade. Over the

years Lynn Strauff and "Dizzy" Meade were very much

an instrumental part in Dick Boise's music life.

Last year, 2008, at the Country Music Awards show

in Cortland, N.Y., Lynn Strauff, "Dizzy" Meade and Dick

Boise were all inducted into the Hall Of Honor. At this

point in time, Dick said that he was thrilled that he was

selected to go in the Hall Of Honor with the same two

fine musicians that had contributed so much to his

career.

October 25th 2009 was the date of the Awards show

at Cortland Country Music Park and when the seven Hall

Of Fame nominees were announced those same three

were among the seven. Only one person in the hall knew

the three that were selected by an outside source from the

association. One by one the envelopes were opened and

the selections were, Lynn Strauff, Frank "Dizzy" Meade

and Dick Boise. O.T. said that he believes that there was

some orchestration from on high about this one. Dick was

amazed at the announcement. "There's a Higher Power."

thoughts from the old timer

October 30th

Last Sunday at the Country Music Hall in Cortland,

N.Y. there were eight persons being inducted into the

Hall of Honor. O.T knew about four of them and would

like to mention the latest one of the four. I really had

the chance to meet "Ramblin' Lou Schriver" for the first

time in person. So very glad for that opportunity.

Lou is from the Buffalo, N.Y area and has entertained

in that local for many years. His family band is well known

and accepted all around western New York. For several

years Lou has owned a radio station that plays country

music, 1300 on the dial. The call letters are WXRL-AM,

and you might tune them in when you pass through the

portion of the state. The country music association has

been trying to honor musicians and entertainers from all

pats of the state. "Ramblin' Lou" was perfect for that part

of the state to be honored.

His band has been heard over the years on WWVA the

Worlds Original Jamboree. After the awards were presented,

the crowd was well pleased with several songs from Lou and

his family band. Wonderful musicians and singers one and all.

It was truly a pleasure for O.T. to make friends with this

entertainer and his family. Lou, welcome to the Hall of

Honor here in Cortland, N.Y.

thoughts from the old timer

October 29th

O.T. has a hard time recalling how far back it goes

to when I met Jim Miller. Probably in the mid 1950's

I guess. He has always been one of my favorite guitarists.

His talent is amazing, not only in country, but his jazz

guitar playing is outstanding. Now, when I found my

seat at the Country Music Hall of Fame dinner, seated

there next to me was this man I had enjoyed for years.

One of the first thing he said to me was, "last time I saw

you was 1969 at Bob Forbes cutting some songs for his

Fiddle Cassette." What a memory Jim Miller has. He was

being inducted in the Hall of Honor that day and we

had much to chat about.

Jim Miller has had a long career in country music,

including playing behind many top country artists. He

was with Dave Dudley for a time and Jim and his brother

Dick, who played steel guitar, were the band for the great

Jimmy Dickens in the late 60's. I remember hearing them

in New York City at the Taft hotel and they played a super

arrangement of the western swing song "Bubbles in my

Beer." Jim also wrote the song "Travelin' " that Chet Atkins

recorded on his album "My Favorite Guitars."

A most deserving person for the award that day.

One of the musicians that was playing in the band that day

came to the table with his Gretsch Country Gentleman

guitar and asked Jim Miller to sign it. Once in a lifetime

we meet someone that is special and O.T. got to meet

and be friends with Jim Miller.

thoughts from the old timer

October 27th

I mentioned that Maude and O.T. had a nice trip

and attended the induction of friends at the New York

State Country Music Hall, in Cortland, N.Y. The main

reason was to be there for the induction of the Cousin,

Clayt Boise. He had passed away this summer and

his son Aaron and daughter Lysa accepted the honor

for him.

Clayt had a great history of entertaining in the

New York and Pa. area in his lifetime. He had been

active in shows, dances, as well as radio and TV.

Not only was he an excellent rhythm guitarist, and

vocalist, he was a noted square dance caller and

bass player.

In addition to his induction to the Hall of Honor,

the City of Norwich issued a Proclamation honoring

him in the area where he was most known. It was

such a wonderful time for us to be in attendance for his

induction. We also had three other friends receiving

the honor that Sunday and will mention them as well.

It is so nice to be able to see talented people get the

recognition they deserve.

thoughts from the old timer

October 26th

Well, Maude and O.T. finally returned home

after an very nice weekend. We made a 1,480

mile trip to the New York State Country Music

annual Awards Presentation. This year was one

of the largest in attendance to date. I believe

the Hall of Fame Director said that there were

only four empty seats at the dinner tables.

It was an especially nice time for Maude

and I as we got to see friends and family for

the day. This year there were eight inductees

into the Hall of Honor and four of them were

musicians that we had known for sometime.

In the coming days, O.T will remark about those

friends.

The Hall of Fame inducted three members

again as they usually do each year. There is a

story behind each one of their years in country

music in New York state. In attendance were

folks from Florida, Kentucky, and from each end

of the Empire state. It was a time that was enjoyed

by all and wait until the photos show up. I wish

I could recall all the comments about this years

event that were made to me. Exciting time to

say the least.

thoughts from the old timer

October 22nd

Now you may recall that O.T. has said that he very seldom

forwards ANYTHING that he sees on the internet. In these

"trying" times with our government poking it's fingers in

where they shouldn't, this came to me and O.T. believes that

everybody needs to read this. Please, read this and if you feel

led to forward on to others, I do believe it is a must read. I thank

this man for his statement of truth!

so from the Old timer, here 'tis

Crisis of Culture - Starner Jones, MD

I am a seventh generation Mississippian and wanted to come back here after going somewhere else for college and medical school. My extracurricular interests are golf, hunting, fishing and college football.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This should be on the front page of every newspaper in America —in large bold letters. This was a "letter to the editor" in August 29th Jackson , MS newspaper.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sirs:

"During my last night's shift in the ER, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient with a shiny new gold tooth, multiple elaborate tattoos, a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and a new cellular telephone equipped with her favorite R&B tune for a ringtone. Glancing over the chart, one could not help noticing her payer status: Medicaid. She smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and, somehow, still has money to buy beer.

And our Congress expects me to pay for this woman's health care? Our nation's health care crisis is not a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. It is a crisis of culture — a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one's self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance. A culture that thinks "I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me". Life is really not that hard. Most of us reap what we sow.

Don't you agree?

DR. STARNER JONES, MD

Jackson , MS

October 21st

I just remembered an incident that happened to

the duo I've mentioned called the Country Cousins.

Now they were building a good following in the early

1960's with their shows and dance jobs. It was usually

expected that the five piece band would be on hand

where ever they were booked.

Now around 1962, a young man that was just

getting started in the music field came to the Cousins

and asked them if they would play this club date with

him. He had just got this one nighter and couldn't

find any musicians. Now, the Cousins understood how

hard it is to get band members when you are fairly

unknown, but they felt that they really should not

play the job with him at this point.

After some discussion, they decided that the job

was some distance from the area the Cousins were

known in and they were just going to play bass and

guitar behind the young singer. After all, one would

not expect the Cousins as sidemen and not be noticed

in the area of that club. So, they decided to help the

young man out this one time.

The night of the job came and the duo were having

a nice evening just be the backup musicians for this

youngster. The crowd was having a nice time and

the Cousins were into their new found occupation.

It was around eleven o'clock when in the door came

a couple of guys and one looked at the bandstand and

at the top of his lungs exclaimed. "Look, the Cousins!"

No one else in the place knew what he meant, but it

was something for the "behind the scenes Cousins"

to behold. One of those remembrances from.....

the old timer

October 20th

OK I know that some of you will say, "O.T.

has gotten his soapbox out again. Well, I have

to say that something on the news really got

to me. Since 1990 Congressional pay has

increased from $98,400 - to $154,700 in 2003.

They seem to forget that WE THE PEOPLE,

(taxpayers) pay their salaries. We are having

to watch our spending in these "tight money"

times.... yet Congress will have $3,400

additional to do with as they will this year.

They call it a cost of living raise. All that, plus

all their perks!!

Guess what O.T. heard last week, on Wed.

in the middle of the week many, many of those

officials we pay, were at the airport, to go home

for the rest of "THE WORK WEEK!"

Some of the elections begin Nov. 2009 and

again 2010. WE THE PEOPLE, regardless of your

political party, need to go to the voting booth and

allow many of these "Non Working" employee's of ours

to be able to up date their resume and seek other

areas of employment. We have way, way too

many in office that are only interested in their

power and position. "No Longer Serving" WE THE

PEOPLE as they are elected to. Now's the time

for UN-ELECTIONS!

thoughts from the old timer

October 19th

I have probably mentioned at times before that

some musicians get to know each other so well that

they almost know what the others are going to do.

I believe that it is somewhat like a "sixth" sense

They have with one another. Now I said "some"

musicians, "not all!" It is just one of those things

that you experience and cannot verbally describe.

I know of one such group that had played jobs

for around five years and truly began to think like

each other. As an example, two of that group would

just look at each other in the middle of the song and

decide to change keys on the vocalist. The singer,

even tho there was no indication, realized the up coming

change and automatically adjusted his vocal to it.

I recall another time in the middle of a vocal the

keyboardist asked the singer a question about the

wording and punctuation of the song. The next evening,

on the job at that very same place in the song, the vocalist

answered the question. And you think that musicians don't

have fun!! thoughts from the old timer

October 18th.

From time to time, O.T. wants to mention one of

the many musicians that crossed my path in the younger

days. Here is some remembrances of one of those

fine musicians. The first group I became involved with

had several gifted persons. One that comes to mind

is one of the bands twin fiddle players. His name was

Dick and he had played in several areas of the country.

His wife, Elsie, was from the state of Virginia.

Now as I got to know more about each of these

men, there were always something coming up about

each that I never knew. One evening, we were playing

a square dance at a grange hall and Dick went to his

fiddle case to get some rosin for his bow. In the small

compartment with the rosin was a roll of nickels. I

just had to inquire why a fiddle player would carry a

roll of nickels. Dick told me that in years past, some of

the places where he had played, fights might break out.

More than one time he had to be ready to defend himself

and that roll of nickels would fit nicely in his fist to give

him a more solid punch if needed.

After a few months, one evening Dick came into the

dance job with his fiddle and a clarinet. O.T. learned that

evening that he was accomplished on the instrument and it

fit very well on the polkas that we played. Musicians

that we have met, sure do afford this old timer with a

bunch of fine memories. I wish I knew where that fiddle

player, Dick Morrison, is today. Wonderful experience

knowing him when I was young.

thoughts from the old timer

October 16th.

Here it is the end of another busy week. Now

if this was back in the 50's and 60's the band would

be off to a playing job somewhere. We used to do

a lot of shows and dance jobs on Friday nights.

We would be booked at a VFW or American Legion

in the area.

It would be something like this: We would have a

two hour show beginning about eight o'clock. On the

show "Barefoot " would usually open the show with

some of his great old songs from the past. In our

package of talent we had a lady named Lois that

was a fine singer and could yodel as well. There were

a pair of sisters that sang harmony songs and were

enjoyed by everybody that attended our performances.

Sometimes one of the girls, "Toni" would team up with

me for something like the Columbus Stockade Blues.

This proved to be a very successful package and we

were always booked up every weekend.

After the two hour show, there was a brief intermission

and some of the chairs were moved back to make way for

about three hours of round and square dancing. The band

as I recall was the Canyon Riders and were also on radio

in another city. Between the radio exposure from the two

different stations, we drew really big crowds. That was an

era that has since passed away and we will probably never

see that quality of enjoyment times again.

thoughts from the old timer

October 15th.

One of the early music road trips come to my

mind in my travels today and I thought I would have

to share it with you. Now to set the time, it was 1954

and one must remember we only had narrow two lane

roads to travel on back then. We had played our

regular Saturday night dance job and probably got

home about two in the morning.

The next day,we had a fireman's field day show in

a town about one hundred miles from our base city.

So we had to get up and on the road early. On this

particular show the band consisted of six musicians and

the vocalist. Thus with all the instruments it would be

a two car trip for us. I remember the year, as my friend

Donnie had a new 1954 Pontiac. He had just got out

of the service and had joined the band playing guitar

and some singing.

I remember that our early start had caused Donnie to

leave home and drive one of the cars that day. Upon our

arrival at the show place we found the spot where the

fire department had set up the make shift stage for

our shows. We got the sound system and instruments

set up and found restrooms where we could change into

our stage attire. Here is where I can't forget Donnie's

modern day effects took part. Back of the stage area,

he went to the back of the sound amplifier and plugged

in an electric razor. He opened his wife's small cosmetic

case and the mirror in the lid worked well for his shaving

duty. That was a real modern thing for those times.

thoughts from the old timer

October 14th.

Listening to the radio in the pickup today and

I got to remembering some of the comical music

groups that were popular when O.T. was younger.

Now, before I get into that, I guess that some of

the "so-called" music you hear today "could" be

considered comical. I'm not sure that "some" of it

"should be considered music!" With that said......

How many of you might recall the "Hoosier Hot

Shots?" They were in the early 1930's and were

formed in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hezzie, Kenny, Gill,&

Gabe were featured in the WLS National Barn Dance

radio show. "Hezzie" played the washboard and the

cry to start a song would be "Are you ready Hezzie?"

They had a #3 country hit in 1944 with, "She Broke

My Heart In Three Places."

Can some of you recall the great "Spike Jones and

The City Slickers?" When I was in school, a music

teacher took myself and two other young boys to a

city forty miles away to see this band in person. Most

of the songs they did were parodies on regular known

songs. The way those talented musicians treated those

songs was a work of art. I learned that first you must

be able to play very well to be able to "spoof" songs

like they did.

There have been many others that O.T. remembers,

Homer and Jethro, Lonzo and Oscar, and how about

Ray Stevens just to mention a few. I think in this time

and world we need a little more humor to cushion our

lives today. Yes, we are ready Hezzie!

thoughts from the old timer

October 13th.

O.T. got to reminisin' about times back in the

late night music trips. Some of those jobs would be

hour and a half, to two hour trips to get home after

the engagement. All night radio was the thing that

would attempt to keep us awake. There were air

personalities like "Smilin' Eddie Hill, Ralph Emery,

and from the West Virginia station Lee Moore.

In later years I became good friends with this

wonderful man and his radio years will forever be

engraved in my mind. He was known as the "Coffee

Drinking Nighthawk" to his listeners on WWVA radio.

He would spin country records and on occasion would

get out his Martin guitar and sing one of his famous

songs.

I still recall his comments about enjoying his

coffee during his show. He would mention his wife's

name and get out the "mason jar" that she had put

his coffee in. Everything was truly done in "on the air"

fashion so that the listener would get full effect of the

"non visual " part of his cup of coffee.

As he raved about his wife's coffee, he would

begin to unscrew the lid off the mason jar close to

the microphone for effect. It would go on and on, so

that you would begin to believe the mason jar had

about two dozen threads that held the cap on.

Then would come the pouring, followed by his very

large sip of that wonderful brew. Lee was truly a

master at giving his audience the full impact of his

"coffee drinking experience!" Oh, just to hear our all

night friend just once more! I believe I could even

put up with his version of the "Cat Came Back" just

once more time. What a wonderful guy!

thoughts from the old timer

October 12th.

O.T ventured out this AM and wound up with all,

at the coffee klatch. It sure tasted good after missing

it for four days. They had not given up on me and one

even said he was prepared to do the funeral if necessary.

What a nice bunch of thoughtful fellows.

Spent a calm and rather quiet first day. Did not

expend too much energy. Did finally go get a haircut.

It was well overdue. It reminded me of my friend Chan,

from many years ago. Yes, you guessed it, a hair cut tale.

Chan told me that it was Saturday and he went to his

local small-town barbershop. Everybody is well known

in that town back then. A bunch of locals are in attendance

awaiting their turn, when Chan got into the barber chair.

I have to mention Chan only had a slim ring of hair around

the ears and the back of his neck. As my pappy would have

said, "God gave him a face and room for another one!"

As the barber began to place the cloth around his neck,

Chan told the barber he wanted a "Crew Cut!" The

barber promptly remover the covering cloth and told Chan

to go out and bring in his "CREW!"

Gotta love those small-town folks and the barbershops

back then.

thoughts from the old timer

October 11th.

First allow me to say a special thanks for all the

well wishes I received that past few days. It is not

much fun being "under the weather" and this flu is

touching a lot of folks. I'm not at 100 % yet, but

going to get back into the swing of things Monday.

I'll take it a little at a time.

Maude has had O.T. around the house probably

a bit more than she would like. I guess she knows

a little about what retirement could mean: Half as

much money and twice as much husband!! She is

not ready for that yet. This will be short, but wanted

to be sure to as least say a thank you to all. As my

suggestion about the H1N1 flu......invest in any of

the tissue companies. You have got to get a good

return. Wash hands often........."both of them!"

thoughts from the old timer

October 9th.

First allow me to say I'm sorry for missing our

Thursday get together. Wed. afternoon, O.T. had

a very sore throat and called my Doctor. They were

filled up for the day and so I went to a clinic. Now,

just a comment about the Doctors office being filled

up, once we get our NEW GOVT. health plan, that

would just never happen!!

At the clinic a very nice Doctor checked me out

and told me you have H1N1 flu! Now that was a

comforting thought to an old person. He told me that

he could not give me the normal medicine as it would

interact with my Plavix. So he set me up with an

inhaler to use twice a day. Maude calls it my "Huffer

Puffer." Will continue this for five days.

Thursday Maude, (playing nurse goodbody) took my

temp and it was slightly above 106. Today, Friday, it

was 98.8 so I guess now it's H 3/4 N 3/4. It will be

an improvement I'm sure each day. It's so much fun

to ache so much that the bottoms of your feet ache.

Got to go, here come's Maude with some more to drink.

thoughts from the old timer

October 6th.

At the morning coffee klatch in a conversation

with Billy, it soon turned to horse racing. Now, O.T.

is not really interested in it, but, Billy has a horse

that he takes to the track now and then. I don't

know if it is a trotter or a pacer, but it is one of

those types that has the little two wheeled buggy

for the driver. I recall as a youngster seeing them

at our county fair.

In our chat, Billy mentioned several racetracks

and he mentioned Vernon Downs and Batavia Downs

that I had heard of. He sure likes to tell about his

horse and all the training he must do to keep him in

shape. It seems to be an everyday process.

He tells of some of the other states that he has

traveled to for the racing season. I'm sure that he

has made many friends at those distant locations.

He told of a Doctor, (of horses) that lived near that

Vernon Track. He said he is old now and spends much

time in Florida.

I asked Billy how his horse did at the last race

he entered him in. He spoke well of the field of horses

that were entered. Told me of the track conditions and

all that is involved in that days race. He finally told me

that his horse had to "tip toe" back into the barn after

the race so as to not wake up the other entrees. Guess

he must have been a bit slow!

thoughts from the old timer

October 5th.

At the coffee klatch this morning we got on the

discussion of songs, song writers, and "hooks." Now

the "hook" is the catchy words that hooks your attention

when you hear a song. If you like the hook or it interests

you , you will probably have that song as one of your

favorites. Sometimes the title is the "hook" for some

folks.

We wondered where some of those "hooks" came

from. Many ideas were things that one might say to

another and from that would blossom a song. I thought

about our conversation most of the day and decided that

I must relate the story about one of the hit songs of

1958. The song was a hit for Charlie Walker and was

written by Harlan Howard.

I was told that Harlan had a favorite "watering hole,"

as he called it, and at that place, he would always sit

at the same spot. As I was told, I visualized an "L"

shaped bar and Harlan would sit at the corner nearest

the door. He would make notes, probably on a napkin,

of things that people would say to each other as they

were coming and going.

The tale stated that he heard a man and women's

conversation and she was going somewhere for a time,

possibly to shop or meet a girlfriend. He said,"I'll stay

here and you pick me up on your way back down."

That became the hit for Charlie Walker, "Pick Me Up

On Your Way Down." See how easy it is to get "Hooks!"

thoughts from the old timer

October 4th.

When I was a youngster and beginning my time

of employment, responsibility was placed upon me

quickly. I was working for a local farmer who had

several dairy cows and a large two story hen house

full of laying hens. In the summertime, he would

have his hay in the barn by July fourth and then

would do custom baling and harvesting of corn for

other farmer's.

I had several different jobs to do, sometimes

I would mow the fields ahead of his baling duties.

I did most of the raking of the hay so it could be

baled. About four PM, I would have to go back to his

home farm and milk the cows. I also had the duty

duty of collecting the eggs, and feeding the chickens.

One afternoon, I was driving my Dads old "35

Ford pickup and had all the duties ahead of me on my

mind. About halfway home, there appeared a flashing

light in the mirror. It was Sheriff "Frank" and he wrote

me out a ticket for speeding. Now it was not much over

the 50 MPH limit then, but it was speeding. When I told

my Dad and some of my friends, I stated that when I

saw the flashing lights, I thought he wanted to buy the

truck for a police car as it would go so fast.

I also recall that during the next week, I had to

appear before the Justice of the Peace in our town for

the charge. Frank, the Sheriff, was there and Mr.

Sisson the justice, told Frank that he knew that I worked

hard for my wages and he was going to mark my license

and suspend the fine. Both of those gentleman were

just that....gentleman. Just some of the good folks

that O.T. met in his various stages of growing up.

thoughts from the old timer

October 2nd.

I was reminded this afternoon about how some

of the country singers spoke of their records when

they were in concert or on TV. They would try to do

or say something that was entertaining.

I remember hearing one artist speak of his latest

record, probably a single, and he told that the record

company had not released it, but that it escaped!

"Little" Jimmy Dickens would mention that he was

going to sing a song from his latest album. He would

them tell that it was released in 1984.

Roger Miller was on a package show out in the

western part of the country. He told that the man that

promoted the show would always want to do a song

on the last night of the shows. One evening, Roger was

backstage with some other members of the package,

and the promoter appeared to get his spot in the last

show for that night. He said to the other singers,

"have you heard my last single?" Now Roger, not

being lost for words spoke up and said,"I certainly

hope so!"

thoughts from the old timer

October 1st.

Telling about the old car I owned and the shade

tree mechanics of those days, caused me to remember

one of our tricks after Boy Scout meetings. Now, Billy

and I thought of ourselves as good detectives.

We knew just about all of the places in our town to

hide from the other kids. We were great at following

others to their homes by staying out of sight in the

shadows.

It got to be a regular thing with us each meeting

night. I remember we usually targeted one of our friends

that I'll call "Doc." He lived outside of the town and

would usually ride his bike to the scout meeting. Now,

Billy and I would strike out right after the meeting and

make our way in the shadows to some spot where we

could jump out in the darkness and try to scare "Doc."

Sometimes we would hide near the end of the bridge

he had to cross to get home. Other times, we might locate

ourselves behind the big maple trees that lined our streets

and jump out one from each side. Now, "Doc" got to

where he was looking for us along his route and sometimes

he would whistle as he rode. I recall one time we went

way down the road where his home was and hid in the

fields. He must have thought that as he neared his house

that we had stopped our practice. Just then, we again

did our thing. Oh, some of the times we had and O.T.

wonders if Billy and "Doc" still remember those times.

thoughts from the old timer

September 30th.

O.T. had to take Maude's car in for some routine

maintenance Saturday and boy, the equipment that

is required now is complex. Computer stuff, electronic

equipment to sort out the "possible" problems and

special tools to do the fixing. Not like the days when

I had my "40 Pontiac Coupe. Made me think about

some of the things we did "way" back then.

First thing I remember it was easy to remove the

spark plugs and we could blast them clean with fine

sand and re gap the points. Then they were as good

as new. Back then we had carburetors, not fuel

ejection, and now and then there was a buildup

that was called "varnish" from the gasoline and the

motor heat. The remedy we used for this on my six

cylinder engine was to switch the wires on the third and

forth spark plug. With the air cleaner removed off the

carburetor, we would then start the engine. Naturally,

it would miss fire and cause flames up through to top

of the carb and burn out that varnish. Re assembly

everything and wow it would run great once again.

I recall one time I was driving a couple of miles

from town and there was a screeching noise near

the passenger side front wheel and it became hard to

steer. I stopped and found that the tie rod end had

come loose off that wheel area. Way out in the country

with no tools, ingenuity set in. I was able to get the

tie rod back in place, but lacked the nut and cotter pin

to hold it in place. I went over to the nearby barbed wire

fence and found a semi rusted piece I could break off.

placing it in the hole where the cotter pin should be

I was able to make it back to the local gas station.

Now, try that today with these new modern inventions.

Gotta love those times!

thoughts from the old timer

September 29th.

I was having a conversation with a gentleman

the other day and he asked me about my Grandfathers.

I wondered what his interest was and he said he just

liked to hear about folks from the days gone bye.

He said it was a time that we do not hear about in

these times. You know, I believe he is right.

Now I told him that my Dads father, was a very

interesting man. He was a farmer and had two

farms. His five sons worked in various jobs on the

farms. He also had a sawmill on one farm. He would

saw out lumber for the other farmers in the area.

Another enterprise of his was a gristmill that he

milled all the farmers wheat and oats into feed for

their stock.

He had teams of horses on the farms and the

latest tractors as well. Another interesting fact was

that Grandfather "always" had a team of oxen and

he would work them himself. I could tell many

tales about him that was relayed to me by my

Father.

My Mothers father was a painter and wallpaper

hanger in the summertime. When winter was upon

us, he had a trap line that would take two days to

complete. He trapped muskrats,beaver, and mink.

His wife would take him early mornings to the

farthest point away from home with his boat. She

would go back to the house and he would follow the

stream, checking his traps and return home at night.

After he had his supper, he would spend his evenings

skinning and stretching his days catch.

Next morning, he would put the boat back in the

stream and come nightfall, she would pick him and

the boat up at the end of his run. Next day, it would

start all over again. Two great men in my life with

different, but interesting lives. I wonder if someday

my grand kids will think their Grandfather had an

interesting life? Only time will tell.

thoughts from the old timer

September 28th.

Thinking about my friend Pete who lives out

in California these days. We went to school and

had lots of fun as teenagers. Got to visit him last

spring for a short time and we re-lived some of

the youth adventures. O.T. has thought of Pete

at times when the fires in California are mentioned

on the news. Now he is way north of those fires,

but it brings back "one" of our young times.

Pete and O.T. were in the local gas station,

our town hangout, when the fire whistle sounded.

The town had a volunteer department and activity

took place at once. Men running toward the fire hall

to get the trucks and the like. Someone came by

the gas station saying there was a fire near Walkers

woodlot.

Now, Pete and O.T. were not on the fire crew,

however we were of the adventuresome kind. We

picked up a couple of brooms from the gas station

and jumped into my car. Off to the hill where the

Walker place was located. Now the fire truck had

to stay on the road and the fire was spreading out

in the fields toward the woods.

Pete and I jumped out of the car, over the fence,

and ran down across the field. The far side of the fire

was nearest to the woodlot and we began to beat out

the flames with the brooms. It was a lucky thing that

there was no wind and we were able to put down the

fire in our direction back toward the truck that was

watering down the field toward us.

It was a fun thing to do and I'm wondering if

Pete still recalls that one. Come to think of it, I

wonder what condition the gas stations brooms

were in when we finished with them. Maybe, Pete

will remember. AH, what fun youth had!!

thoughts from the old timer

September 27th.

I was in conversation with this young man that

told me he was searching for a job. One of the things

that he told me about was his "network" that he was

using. Now, you have to understand that the only

network that O.T. knows about are the TV networks.

So I asked this gentleman about his network

He told me that one of the latest recommended

ways of finding employment was to ask around and

check with everyone you know. Anyone that you have

any kind of contact with is part of your network he

said. People at church,friends you went to school with,

others that you might have worked with. They can

all be invaluable as part of your network. I can see

exactly how that could be very useful in locating

work.

When O.T. was a youngster, I am reminded of

how I found work. When I was in school I had a job

after school working in the local greenhouse. The

lady that ran it was wonderful and I learned much

from Ed, the man that was in charge of all the

planting. There was much to do in the spring, with

planting and transplanting tomato, pepper, and

other plants for resale to those planting gardens.

Now, here is where my work came from. Mrs.

Wilds, at the greenhouse, would tell everyone

that was going to have a garden that they might

get me to prepare the garden. Now you must

remember this was (BR..that's Before Rototiller)

so, I would get calls to "spade" up the garden.

Yes, it was hard labor, but, it was extra money for

me. As I recall I got .75 cents an hour. I guess

you might say I had a network back then before

we even knew what it was.

thoughts from the old timer

September 25th.

I mentioned a few days ago that I had unearthed

some old auto papers from when I was a youth. Now,

you know that has to be "history." There was the bill

of sale where O.T. had purchased a 1948 Chevrolet

convertible. Oh, how I remember that car! It was

Maroon with a white top. Back then it was a six

cylinder with standard shift. That was a nice car.

Among the papers was the auto insurance bill

that showed that my insurance on the Chevy was

$112.45 for the year. It costs me that much today

just to get an appointment with my insurance person.

(just kidding) Now, we have had experienced many

price increases over the years. I remember that we

used to go to Montgomery Wards to buy tires for our

autos. I should say tires and tubes. That will give

some youngsters something to wonder about.

Tubes are a thing of the past.

I seems that I could buy a Wards Riverside tire

for my car for around $12.59 and that was mounted

on the rim. I recall that we used to have to "beat"

the tire on to the rim with big hammers. Later in

O.T.'s life they made a machine that would easily

mount the tire for you. Flat tires in those days were

something that happened alot. Most everybody knew

how to change them and bumper jacks were the best

way to lift the car. Ah, those good times and they are

past. Amazing what a couple of old pieces of papers

can make one remember!

thought from the old timer

September 24th.

O.T. was listening to some old records last

evening and one just caught his fancy. It wasn't

that the singer or the song was the hit part, but

the idea in the words of the song. Now the artist

was very good and I don't want to dismiss the

talent. So, the theme of the song was "probably"

the story of the writer.

Title of the song was "The Girls I left Behind."

O.T. thought that's an interesting idea. Now most

young men had different girls that they might

have dated in their youth. I know, some of you

are in the "recall" mode right now. It just happened

that the old timer met this songwriter later in his

life. He was a married man with a family that he

loved very much.

I had learned bits and pieces of his younger days

only through conversations about his past. He had

gone off to war (WW II) at and early age. He was

a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne unit. Following

the service time, he did a stint on the oil pipelines

in the mid west. All this time he was building his

knowledge and abilities of country music. Now,

one (meaning O.T.) has to wonder along the way

just how many Mary Lou's, and Betty Jane's

might have been a date or two for this man.

He is no longer with us and I'll never have

a firm answer to that thought! Now, I will often,

possibly like you, think about "The Girls I Left

Behind." Thanks "Bob" for the memory.

thoughts from the old timer

September 23rd.

Last evening when O.T. got home, Maude

was watching TV and asked me to join her. Now,

being the good husband that I try to be, I agreed.

She was watching this man, Glenn Beck. It seems

to O.T that he was going about the process of

steppin' on some of those Washington poly-ticians

toes just a bit! I got kinda interested in his show

and found out some things other TV shows were

NOT telling us.

He had a cute way about using a blackboard,

you know like back in the school days. He was

pointing out how different organizations are connected

to parts of our government folks in sort of a secret

manner. He would draw different names and

stick figures on the blackboard to bring about his

point.

He was tellin' Maude and O.T. interesting facts

that we had not heard before. It made sense to us

the way he showed it. Some of the toes he seemed

to be "stepping" on were kinda high up in office.

When the show was over, O.T. was pondering what

he had just seen and heard a bit. I have come up

with this conclusion....This Glenn Beck guy,just

might cause some problems for himself. Oh. I'm

not saying that he is in any kind of danger,but

it is very possible some law might be passed to

interrupt his classes. Just imagine if someone up

in a high office was to decide that they had to

stop the use of blackboards on TV because it just

might be a "race" thing. Glenn, if they do, O.T.

suggests that you consider a whiteboard. We have

them in our church and they are wonderful.

thoughts from the old timer

September 22nd.

Had a phone conversation last evening and was

reminded of a music tale that needs to be shared.

It seems that this music group had a girl singer who

they called "Mish" that was about seventeen at the

time. Now,the state law stated that no one under

the age of eighteen could "work" in a business place

that served alcoholic drinks.

Now and then, Mish would attend the place where

the musicians were playing with her parents and would

be asked to sing a song or two. There was another

business owner about two miles away that turned the

owner of the place where Mish had sung one evening,

to the law. The owner was taken to a local justice of

the peace who understood the actions of both parties.

I believe the justice dismissed the charges with a

warning that she could not sing IN his establishment

until she was of age.

Now comes the fun part! A couple of weeks later

Mish and her parents appeared to listen to the band.

The regular attendees had a favorite song that Mish

and the bands vocalist would do called "Sweet Thang!"

Just the introduction of the song by the musicians would

let everyone know what was coming.

The introduction was played and the vocalist did his

part and the club owner appeared in a hurry! He could

not see that Mish was anywhere near the band area, so

felt somewhat relieved. When her part of the song arrived,

the vocalist stayed at the mike and lip synced her part.

But, the crowd and the owner her Mish's voice over the

sound system. The owner was very nervous in his reaction.

Mish was outside the place with a long mike chord

and was singing at her very best. The song went off very

well and the band followed with the duo singing a harmony

number (inside & out). What a rememberable time that

was and as you can tell has not been forgotten!

thoughts from the old timer

September 21st

O.T got into some old papers that he had saved

this weekend and got some interesting "car" stuff.

One of them I have to pass along. There was an

old bill of sale, the insurance papers for one of O.T.'s

younger day autos. That will be for another time.

Here is what I really found interesting. It was a penny

postcard (yes they used to cost that) as a service

mailout from 1928. It was for the Ford Model T.

O.T. never got to drive one of those, but did drive a

Model A. Here is the service info:

"You'll be suprised to see how little it costs to put

your Model T in tip-top shape.

New fenders, for instance, cost from $3.50 to $5.00

each, with a labor charge of $1.00 to $2.00. Tuning up

the motor and replacing commutator case, brush, and

vibrator points costs only $1.00, with a small charge

for material. Brake shoes can be installed and emergency

brakes equalized for a labor charge of only $1.25.

A labor charge of $4.00 to $5.00 will cover the overhauling

of the front axle, rebushing springs, and spring perches,

and straightening, alining, and adjusting wheels.

The labor charge for overhauling the average rear axle

runs from $5.75 to $7.00. Grinding valves and cleaning

carbon can be done for $3.00 to $4.00. A new set of

four pistons and rings cost only $7.00. For a labor

charge of $20.00 to $25.00 you can have your motor

and transmission completely overhauled. Parts are extra."

Very truly yours, C.R. Gleason Co.

Bottineau, N. Dak.

The postcard was postmarked June 29, 1928. Take a copy

of this to your repair place next time you go for service.

Them were the "Good Old Days!"

thoughts from the old timer

September 16th

There's a little tale O.T. heard and I'd like to pass

it along. Seems one morning this gentleman was having

coffee and reading the morning paper. He noticed his

name in the obituary column. Disturbed by this mis-

print he thought he better call his brother Fred. He

dialed and when Fred answered he asked him if he had

seen the paper? Slowly, Fred stated ....yes! Did you

happen to see my name in there he asked? Fred

slowly replied....yes! The man asked what did you

think when you read that? Fred said, "Where are

you calling from?"

That causes O.T. to mention something else that

has "tickled" all the group at the morning coffee klatch.

Usually, one of the men will check out the obituary part

of the paper and once in a while there will be a comment.

What tickles us most is to see an "older" person listed

with a picture that was taken when they were "many"

years younger. I'm sure you have seen an 83 year old

mentioned with their photo when they were 29.

One morning after that discussion had been made,

as O.T. was leaving, I was asked where I was going. I

told them I was going home to dig out my high school

yearbook picture and have it ready for when my time

comes.

thoughts from the old timer

September 15th

I have mentioned in the past that O.T. does not

view a lot of TV. But, from time to time, when Maude

is lookin' at a cooking show, or a decorating thing on

HGTV, I will catch something! What I mean is, someone

or something will make me ponder a bit. One happened

just the other day.

There was this gold announcement, one of many, and

it really peaked my interest. The man told that he was G.

Gordon "Lippy" or something like that. He was "snapping"

a dollar bill and tellin' that it was worth 27 % less since

2000! Then he proceeded to tell that we should be like

him and buy GOLD! ( I wonder if the G in G. Gordon is

for Gold?) He also went on with his loud pitch to say that

the dollar, yen, euro, are all worthless! Then he mentioned

the company that had the gold for sale.

Now here is my thought and possibly one of you can

clear something up for me. If the dollar is so worthless,

as he states in the ad, why do the company selling the

gold want you to spend it on their product. Gold is so

valuable that you need to spend your worthless dollar in

exchange for it. Doesn't make since to O.T., but there

are lots of things in today's world that don't make since

to O.T. !!

thoughts from the old timer

September 12th

Just a hasty note from O.T. regarding the daily

thoughts! I want to thank all those that give a nice

comment from time to time. It is appreciated and

sometimes even gives me new (old) ideas. Like the

feedback. One has asked if it is OK to forward the

note to friends and "yes" it is OK.

I have decided to only do the thoughts Monday

thru Friday. This will give Maude and O.T. a couple

of days to get under each others skin! JUST KIDDING!

We never fight and fuss as I learned a loooong time

ago who wins!

I have had some down time with the computer

and it has caused me to think along the Mon. - Fri.

routine. Best to you all from the Old Timer and Maude!

September 11th

Yesterday, speakin' of my Dad and the one room

schoolhouse reminded me of a tale about Robert. He

is one of the regulars at the coffee klatch each morning.

We often get into chats about the "good old days." One

morning Robert was telling me that his family, like

most back then, didn't have money to waste on anything.

So, when he got a pair of high-top leather boots, it was

something special. He remembered that one of the boots

had a small pocket near the top where a small jackknife

could be placed. The pocket had a snap to close and

secure the knife.

Another time Robert mentioned the one room school

where he attended in his youth. It is still standing and it

is being occupied as a home. Neat location, high on a

hill overlooking a small stream. Couple of days later,

Robert produced a picture from his pocket, that was

taken at the school house. It was of an old Desoto car

with three youngsters seated on the fenders and hood.

Now Robert knew that it would be hard to figure

out which of the boys in the picture was him. But,

he put us to he test and enjoyed his coffee as the rest

of us looked over the challenge. Finally, after giving

it some O.T. consideration, I told him that he was

seated on the center of the hood. With a smile he said

"yes and just how could you tell me in that picture?"

He thought that there were no features that

could give him away in the photo. Finally, I told him

that the only boots in the picture were on the lad

in the center of the hood. The other two boys had on

regular shoes! Hard to get the best of Robert, but

chalk one up for O.T.

thoughts from the old timer

September 10th

I want to tell you O.T. has seen many things in

his day, but things sure change in a hurry now. I

was watching this young person punchin' at the cell

phone with both thumbs and I just had to find out

what was wrong with his phone! When I asked, I

got this answer, "Nothing just texting!" Now you

got to know I didn't understand that comment at all.

So this youngun' showed me what he was doing.

He was spelling out some message to sent to his friend.

He showed it to me and it really looked like nothing

I had ever seen. Over half the words on this screen,

were NOT words. He told me that they use a language

made up of shortened terms. Instead of spelling out

"for" he puts in a "4." Then for "to" he typed in "2".

Now with those two items' he saved three letters in

his message. I guess there is probably a new class in

school for that.

I thought back to what me Dad told me about his

learning in the one room school. By the way, that one

room school is somebody's home today. He used to

tell me how he learned to spell geography forwards

and back wards. It was cute and I will always have

it in my mind. Here it is: George Eaton's Old

Grandmother Rode A Pig Home Yesterday! Then

backwards: Yesterday Henrys Pig And Rabbit Got

Out Eating Grass! I thought my Dad was very sharp

at that, but I'm not sure that one room school would

teach any "texting!"

thoughts from the old timer

September 9th

This is probably the last thought I'll put out about

the Renfro Valley Alumni day events. It truly was a

very nice time and can't wait for next year. Among

the many that were in attendance was a favorite of

many Pete Stamper. He has been a fixture at the

Valley for longer that most can remember. He also

spent some time on the road with Dolly Parton as

her comedian. I'll bet he has some tales about that

era to share.

It was kind of a neat thing he shared with the

Alumni audience that day. After his introduction, he

stood before the mike and said."I'd like to share a

story with all of you." Then out came this tale in

a form of poetic verse about a small town fellow

making his way into the entertainment field. It was

humorus and I wish I could repeat it for you. But,

the best part is in the Pete Stamper "telling!" He

is truly the only one to serve up this rendition.

I mentioned the book I had several of the alumni

sign for me I'll tell you about it. It's title is:"It All

Happened in Renfro Valley." Pete Stamper authored

this wonderful history of this Historic Music Place.

You should get a copy and enjoy it for yourself. It

is available in the Valley and the call would be free

Call : 1-800-765-7464 and ask for Terri in the "Country

Store." Go ahead, you'll be glad you did!

thoughts from the old timer

September 8th

I mentioned yesterday that many of the greats

from days gone bye were at the Renfro Alumni time.

Among those was comic "Bun Wilson." Now here is

a funny man with a history of comedy all around this

great land of ours. For several years he was a part

of the Ernest Tubb TV show as well as the road show.

I have heard folks tell of still watching "Bun" on the

TV shows that Ernest did.

Now, when Kathee Brown was introducing "Bun"

on the Old Barn stage, she made the statement that

he had RETIRED. (don't forget that) When he made his

appearance he welcomed everybody, they proceeded

to say that he had not retired, he QUIT! (don't forget that)

He pleased the audience with his own brand of humor

and left the stage to loud applause.

Now, during a meet and greet time back stage, I

asked "Bun" to sign the book I had with me. He told

me that he needed to sit down as he has a tendency

to shake in his hand writing just a little. I told him not

to worry, as at my age my eyes shake a little so it will

be O.K.

Now when this gentleman finished his name in my

"treasured" book, he told me that if I have trouble

reading the signature, take it to a pharmacist, as

they are used to writing like that! Entertainers like "Bun"

NEVER RETIRE or QUIT!!

thoughts from the old timer

September 7th

Well, I have to tell you that my visit to Alumni

Day at Renfro Valley was almost like a trip back in

time. You know John Lair the founder, stated the

valley is where time stands still. It truly is a special

place to visit for anyone. It was "almost" like

Christmas on September for O.T. and I'll explain

why.

There was "Brown", and "Bullock",and " Gibson"

and "Huddleston." "Cosby", and "Barnes" and "Ingram",

and "Pennington" all there that day.....sounds like the

reindeer, but not a Christmas lineup, just wonderful

members from the days gone by at Renfro Valley.

It was a excellent time of talent and friends sharing

with a large audience, the great past history of music.

I'll list the names of those I got to meet at the end

and hope that some of you might recall them and their

contributions to country music. Even tho most of the

entertainers are no longer performing, they like true

troopers, gave outstanding tributes to their professions.

From the time I arrived at the OLD BARN, Vivian made

everyone right at home as a start of the day.

John Lair would have been proud of the the total

day I'm sure. There are a couple of others that I'll mention in

thoughts to come later.

All in all, O.T. along with many

other guests had a wonderful time here in the Valley.

Kind of like an early Christmas present to us all!

thoughts from the old timer

September 4th

The Old Timer received an invitation to the Renfro

Valley Alumni Day. It will be held in the OLD BARN that

dates back to 1939. Now, you know that O.T. will truly

enjoy the music and the funny stories of yesteryear.

I have visited the Valley a number of times and what

an experience it is each time. Those boards on that stage

have felt the "footprints" of many an entertainer. Some

that I could name are: Red Foley, Homer and Jethro,

steel guitar legend, Jerry Byrd, Ernie Lee, "Little" Jimmy

Dickens, Molly O'Day just to name a few.

I'll try to grab a few notes so I can tell you more about

this wonderful adventure later. While I'm at it, I better

have Maude pick up a couple of 127 films for my "Brownie

Starflash" for pictures. Better try to get them outdoors

as the bulbs for the flash are getting hard to get these days.

Probably due to "Gorebal Warming!" More for you after

this once in a lifetime event.

thoughts from the old timer

September 4th

O.T got to thinkin' about two youngsters in the

old home town and some of the mischief they caused

for their baby sitter. The lads names were Bobby and

Dickie and what they couldn't think of wasn't worth

knowing. Their father was a local businessman and

their mother was what you would call the church lady.

Nice upstanding family with active boys. I do believe

that Bobby and Dickie were the ones that got the term

"boys will be boys" started.

Now O.T. remembers some of their carrying on

first hand as at that time I had a crush on their baby

sitter. Alice usually was there on the evenings O.T. was

going home after his boy scout meeting. I would stop

for a short time to chat with Alice.

One evening, she told me that the boys were now

both asleep, but earlier they had tried to flush the cat

down the toilet. I'm sure that Alice REALLY earned her

sitting fee that evening. (boys will be boys!)

There was another evening when the duo,had chewed

bubble gun that placed it a crossed the closed stairway

from the downstairs up to their rooms. Then they caused

a disturbance to get Alice to come upstairs, and when

I stopped by to see her on my way home, she was busy

getting the gum out of her pretty, long, soft brown hair.

What those two couldn't think of!!! I wonder if dear, sweet

Alice ever things on those times in her early life. Possibly

she would just as soon those memories disappear from

her thoughts.

thoughts from the old timer

September 3rd.

There is a small village near where O.T. was born

called Earlville. Now, you will see a very nice sign as

you enter this town from the north or south stating,

"Smalltown USA." I guess if you were a resident of that

town you would think it is small. Now, there was a

young man that had a radio program in our county that

could be considered a "picking and singing" show. He

lived in another community and would often pick on

his hometowns size on his show.

One time he stated that he and his wife were going

to go there for Memorial day. He said that the town was

so small that when they had the parade, there was no one

left to watch!. One time he told that the library was

broken into and "both" books were stolen. He reminded

the listeners that one of them had never been "colored"

in.

The town was so small he said that the gas station

only had two pumps. One for each car! He told that the

population was 350 people and never changed. When a

new baby was born, someone left town. There were

two men that took turns being the town drunk. O.T.

has often wondered if this young singer ever dared to

travel back there to vist.

I recall that one show he did, he told that they didn't

get a phone booth for years, 'cause there wasn't room

for it between the speed zone and resume speed signs.

Actually, the signs were in the same post. Now, how in the

world can Earlville claim "Smalltown USA" after all the

publicity that Southtown got about it's size?

thoughts form the old timer

September 2nd.

Years ago, Maude and O.T. had a friend I'll call Peter.

He was a professional man, you know the suit and tie

type of guy. But, his hobby was antique cars and car

parts. I dropped by his home one day and he came out

of his house headed for his shop in work pants and shirt.

He said to me "These are my Happy Clothes!" Truly, he

was happiest when involved with the old parts and such.

The reason I mention Peter is that he had a sense

of humor that I enjoyed. So, I'll relate a story he once

told me. It might be considered a "groaner" by some,

but I still enjoy it. Now the rest of the story......

"There was a farmer close by Peters place that had

registered cattle in his field. One night, some misguided

lads got in the pasture and cut off all the cows tails. Now,

the farmer was disturbed due to the fact he couldn't sell

the registered cows without tails. He decided that he

would just have to wholesale them. But, he told Peter

that before he could wholesale them he might have to

"RE TAIL" them!" That's Peter story and he's sticking to

it. O.T. takes no credit at all on that one!

thoughts from the old timer

September 1st.

It was a very hot Saturday afternoon, and the

little church in the home town was filled with family

and friends. At 2:00 the oldest brother walked her

down the aisle, as her Daddy had gone home to be

with the Lord. It was an especially nice service and

the young couple had written their vows to speak

to each other. Probably, somewhere in the home,

(maybe in the box with the wedding dress) are the

index cards with those vows used for memorizing.

After the "I Do's" and pictures, a reception was

held in the church fellowship hall. It included the

cake, punch, and cookies. What a pleasant time

with friends and family to share this special occasion.

Maude and O.T will not forget that day in 1956.

And to be able to continue this life together is such

a wonderful experience. So many folks today do

not have the marriage of many years like we did.

I guess that time has allowed the term divorce

to become "way too" common place. The vows are

only repeated, and quickly forgotten. "Till death

do us part!" Weddings today are grand and elegant

but, divorce is much too easy it seems. Such a special

commitment to enter into and today to be taken so

lightly.

Now, if Maude and O.T. had just one request we

could offer to couples getting married today it would

be this. Listen to and think on those vows you repeat

to each other. After the wedding, do this one little

thing. Get a frame and put a copy of your wedding

certificate in it. Post it on a wall where you both can

view it everyday. And when you look upon it take a

special notice, both of you, that there is....... NO

EXPIRATION DATE LISTED!

Maude, Happy 53rd to you and thanks for all those

happy years!!

thoughts from the old timer

August 29th

O.T has always enjoyed music from a very young age.

My parents had an old wind up Victrola and I would play

old 78 RPM records for hours at a time. I had to stand up

on a small stool to be able to set the arm with the needle

on the record. I remember that we bought packages of

those phonograph needles at the W.T. Grant store in the

nearby city. They had a big selection of records as well.

As I remember the records cost about .49 cents each.

Some of the records we had were: "The Old Spinning

Wheel", "Back In The Saddle" by Gene Autry and one by

Phil Harris titled "Somebody Else Not Me." At that time,

Phil Harris was the band leader for the Jack Benny radio

show. His wife was vocalist Alice Faye. I still remember

"most" of the words to that recitation by Phil Harris. It was

a bouncy and cute number.

Some where around the age of 14 or 15, my folks

got me a guitar for Christmas. It was a Silver tone from

the Sears catalog. I was thrilled with the instrument.

I had never seen a guitar anywhere in our area, except

one time Bradley Kincaid did his one man show in a school

eight miles from our home. He was a radio favorite of my

Mom and Dad, so we got to see his show.

Now my guitar, I learned later in life,had a neck as

big as my leg and the strings were very hard to press

down to the frets. But, when you have never see any

other instruments to compare with, you think that is

normal. There were no teachers in the counties near

our farm and so I would try to figure it our for my self.

One time I saw an ad on TV for a guitar course and sent

off in the mail for it. Now I knew it would probably be at

least two weeks before the book arrived in the mail. Now

about the time I thought it should arrive, I would wait by

the mailbox everyday.

After several months and it had not arrived, I assumed

that either my letter with the money or the guitar course

got lost in the mail. So, I kinda forgot about it. Then one

Saturday night our family were all sitting around the TV

watching the Lawrence Welk show. We did that nearly each

Saturday night with bowls of buttered popcorn and glasses

of cider. Great treat back then. Then we saw it, right there

on our TV, our mailman playing guitar for Mr. Welks band.

Thus the ending of my mail-order lessons. That's just why

Roy Clark, Chet Atkins, and Doyle Dykes don't have to worry

about O.T. as a guitarist!

thoughts from the old timer

August 28th.

Now I mentioned many thoughts ago that I don't

plan on forwarding things that I receive through e-mail.

And I'm not going to do that now! However, I will make

a comment of what I received today. It's important to

"WE THE PEOPLE!"

Concerning The Blair-Holt Proposed Legislation:

Senate Bill SB-2099 will require us to put on our 2009

1040 federal tax form all the guns you have or own.

It may require fingerprints and a tax of $50. per gun.

It states that it was introduced on Feb. 24. This bill will

become public knowledge 30 days "after" it is voted into

law. This is an amendment to the Internal Revenue Act

of 1986. This means that the Finance Committee can

pass this without the Senate voting on it at all.

(http://www.senate.gov)

I said O.T had some comments to make and I think

our second amendment rights are being endangered

via this and other proposals. This one is another way to

get deeper into our "pockets." O.T. has only owned

one gun in his lifetime. As a teenager, I purchased a

lever action rifle just like the cowboys had in the

movies. I don't remember shooting it much, guess

it was just something I wanted at the youthful

moment.

I do believe in our right to own arms and have

been seriously considering making a purchase. Now,

with the way our homes are being treated by "intruders"

these days, it seems necessary. In my military time

I received metals for sharpshooting on several types

of weapons. I'm sure that I could get back into the

"aim" of things once again.

One other final thought, with this new bill, not

only would the IRS get more funds, it would be much

easier for the FBI to catch criminals when that have

come forward to list their guns on their 1040 and

gotten fingerprinted as will be required. What a

neat plan by the Government of WE THE PEOPLE.

thought from the old timer

(http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/text)

August 27th.

I was thinking about a time when we tried to add

some local "color " to our shows out in the area. The

idea was very good we thought. Now, my friend,

"Barefoot" Bob had this early morning record show on

the radio in our county. It was from 5:30 to 7:00 and

featured country music and Bob's wit and wisdom. From

time to time there was a man who would call in on the

phone and Bob would put him on the air. He was very

funny most of the time.

I don't remember his name but he was a farmer

and would call a couple times a week and the chatter

would get very humorus. It seem that Bob would be

the straight man and it would be comical to hear.

One morning, the weather was the comment of the

conversation and the caller told Bob that it was very

bad where he lived. "It ain't fitting for man nor beast

out there, so I'm sending Mildred out to get the cows."

His comic material was very quick and also funny most

of the time.

We were playing a show and dance in the school

in the village where he lived and Bob decided to get

him on stage to do a bit of comedy. The show was

well under way and Bob gave him a big introduction

to bring him on stage. When the applause died down,

the man was totally stage struck and could not utter

a word. No matter how Bob would try to lead him into

a conversation, he was totally silent. Bob then realized

that the phone conversations were the only place he

would ever be funny. Not all ideas end up being good.

That was a night we will never forget.

thoughts from the old timer

August 26th.

I was driving in the city today and spotted a small

car that brought back a memory from about 1965. It

is a story about my friend Jim and his Karman Gia. Jim

was the weatherman on a TV station in Binghamton, N.Y.

and caused him to work the 6:00 PM and the 11:00 PM

news shift. So he would arrive home about midnight.

Jim was also a very good piano tuner and did much

tuning for the music stores in Binghamton. He came

home one evening all excited about the car he had seen

that day. He told his wife, this tuning customer had this

black Karman Gia with a white top for sale. He thought

that he should get it for his work and that would leave the

station wagon at home if she should have the need for

taking the girls to Doctor or something.

He finally won out and soon was the happy Karman

Gia owner. It was only a two seater, but that was all he

needed for tuning and getting to the TV station. It soon

became his pride and joy, and it was a very special thing

for him. Several years later, he was to become a Radio

Station Manager in another city. His black and white Gia

was always parked in the managers spot.

Jim had to go the Syracuse one afternoon, and on

his way home it happened. He arrived home and told his

wife you will never believe what happened to my car

today. "Oh, Jimmy, you didn't have an accident did

you asked. "No not an accident, but just look at the

front trunk area" he remarked. he told her that on his

way back from Syracuse, he came upon a farmer that

had a loose horse in the road. Jim stopped and watched

the farmer trying to get his hands on the horses bridle.

Now the horse kept backing away from the farmer, and

in doing so backed up and sat down on the hood area of

the pride and joy. Never in any of our lives had we ever

heard of a horse sitting down on a car. I'm glad I saw

that little car to day to bring back that memory.

thoughts from the old timer

August 25th.

Now I want you to know that O.T. does not watch

TV much any more. Kinda miss "Happy Days" and "77

Sunset Strip." What ever happened to Ed "Kookie"

Burnes and The "Fonz?" They had one thing in common

the comb! Just can't get into those programs today.

Most of the time we are "overexposed" by the

Washington "Poly-ticians." You would think that they

had STAR status, and I guess that they think that they

do! The spend more time in front of the cameras than

they do working for us. That might be a good thing,

'cause when that are at work it COSTS us taxpayers

big time.

I find lately when I'm passing Maude's TV shows,

that there are only two commercials that are running.

One is the many companies trying to sell you their Gold.

They even have one guy that is almost as loud as the

"late" Billy Mays. He has a mustache, but not a black

beard like Mays. Now the other ad that is on all the time

it seems, is the Lawyers trying to get you to call their

office if you have taken "such in such" medicine.

What really scares O.T. is that on the radio a day

or so ago, they are trying to hurry the FDA in approving

the new vaccine for swine flu. I can see it coming soon,

If you have taken the new H1N1 flu medicine call our

office: 1-800-we'll-sue and get on our list of case winners.

Guess who are the winners in that one, can you spell

Lawyers. Like in the olden days when they chased the

ambulances, now it's TV spots. What a great country.

thoughts from the old timer

August 24th.

First, allow me to say thanks to the suggestions

O.T. received for Anniversary gifts I should get for

Maude. Some were great ideas. Another asked me

what the number it was going to be. To give a honest

answer it's 53. Imagine, one woman able to put up

with the likes of an old timer for all those years. And

it has been the same lady all those years.

On my forty seventh, a lady that I worked with

just could not imagine being married for that many

years. She also reminded me that she would probably

not reach that many years with "all" her marriages.

Sad, but that the way some do or don't remember

their vows to one another.

I was asked if we had any special secret to all

those happy years? Simple, we decided early that

Maude would make all the small decisions and O.T.

got to make the big ones. It's worked out well. She

has decided where we will live, how many children

we would have and what color car we will purchase.

I got to make the big ones like, should we allow Red

China in the UN, where we will explore for oil next

time, and if our army should be increased in Iraq.

I'm serious, and it's worked out well.

. I must say, Kirk told me that whatever I get Maude,

it should be good. After all the time I spent over the

years hanging around those musicians. Thanks, friend,

and I'll try to do my best.

thoughts from the old timer

August 23rd.

Where does the time go? Seems like only a few

days ago it was the first day of summer. Here it is

nearing Labor Day once again. When O.T. was of a

young age we went back to school after Labor Day.

Next thing you know, I'll have to get the snow shovel

waxed for Maude.

Somebody once made the statement that life is

like a roll of toilet paper, it goes real fast down toward

the end. I thought we just had a new President take

office and now he's on vacation. I like the way the folks

in Washington wait until Fridays to release and news

that is not best for us to hear. They think we might miss

it if we are involved in our weekend plans.

This past Friday, the news came out that the original

figures for the deficit were a little low! The figure was

about 7 trillion and they hoped it might be smaller due

to the fact that some of the banks did not need all of the

bailout money that was projected. The Friday news......

deficit is 2 trillion higher or now 9 trillion. And they want

us to believe they can run a health care program!

Lets see, Social Security is in trouble, Medicare is

broke, we are having to close Post Offices, The Govt.

run railroads are in the hole constantly and now the

auto dealers that sold cars big time , Cash For Clunkers,

can't get their money. And they want to takeover my

health care. I remember a song that once stated, "I

just think I'll go somewhere and cry myself to sleep."

At least, Mr. President, while you are on vacation,

you are not spending taxpayer dollars on "Air Force

One" fuel everyday to hold town hall "campaigns." I

suggest that he stay on a month long vacation, for

starters!

thoughts from the old timer

August 22nd.

I have to tell you that O.T. has an anniversary

coming up soon. So, I have been trying to get some

ideas of what I can do special for Maude. I started by

checking some of the men from our morning coffee spot.

One of the men and his wife are going on a cruise very

soon. I wasn't thinking along those lines.

I usually try to go to a special place for a nice meal

and try to find some sort of a surprise gift. If I ask Maude,

she would say, "Oh, you don't have to do anything."

Now, that is a standing answer from "most" women that I

know. But, you know that they really don't mean that at

all. So I still have a few more days to get this completed.

There was an older Italian gentleman that told me

about his gift to his wife. They both were born in Italy,

and for their twenty fifth anniversary he said I took her

back to the home country. Now , O.T. was really impressed

with that gift from this man. I asked him how he would top

that when their 50th comes around. He looked me in the eye

and said, "Maybe I'll just go back and get her!" Now, you

know I'm still working this one out for the next few days.

thoughts from the old timer

August 21st.

I got a note from someone asking me about the

group I call the "coffee klatch." Most of them have

been coming each morning for coffee and "research"

for well over a year now. They are from all walks of

life and all have something to contribute.

It truly seems that if one of the group has a question

about something, another will be able to offer a sound

answer. Now if one of the klatch is missing for a couple

of days, we send out a search party. I was asked once

how come I got involved with the group. The only answer

I could give was that I wanted to prepare myself for the

"retirement years" when I reached their ages.

Regarding one not being present for more that two

days, the CEO ( that is chief enforcing oldie) will state

that if they are not here tomorrow, they go into

detention. I have noticed that from time to time an

occasional "stranger" will get seated in a nearby seat.

Later, the CEO will state that he thinks they want into

the "klatch", but he will most often reply. "There's not

a chance!" We are a friendly bunch, but it takes some

time and someone extra special to REALLY be included.

Got to get to sleep now so I'll be awake for the "klatch"

in the morning.

thought from the old timer

August 20th

A few weeks ago I mentioned one of the first musicians

that had much influence on O.T.'s early life. Now here is a

bit about another, I'll call by his nickname "Dizzy." When I

first met him he was the lead guitarist for the Trailblazers

in central New York. At that time he played a blond Gibson,

ES 375 guitar. Now I was just a youngster, possibly eighteen,

and to hear this kind of talent was special to me.

One of the things I remember was after a Saturday radio

broadcast at WKRT Cortland, we went to a store that had

records. It was called Harrington Brothers and at that time

all the records were 78 RPM. About 10 to 12 inches in size.

Harringtons had a booth that you would go into to listen to

your selection. It was about the size of a phonebooth.(Now

I suppose there will need of an explaination for some of

those young readers.)

"Dizzy" had selected a "Grandpa" Jones record titled,

"The Closer to the Bone, the Sweeter is the Meat" and the

background was a young guitarist named Chet Atkins. Now

"Dizzy" listened to the record three times. He placed it back

the cover sleeve and back in the record bin. We went to his

apartment about three blocks away. I carried his guitar up

the stairs to the living room and he took the instrument and

began to play the song exactly as it was on the record.

Over the years I watched him play the four string banjo,

the trumpet, stand up bass, call square dances as well as

sing solos and parts for trios. He had won some fiddle contests

as well in his years of entertaining. Last year he was placed in

the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame where he

rightly belongs. O.T. was allowed at a young age the chance to

come in contact with many outstanding talents in music.

"Dizzy" was just one and I'll tell of others at another time.

thoughts from the old timer

August 19th

I heard on the news yesterday morning about an

older lady in another part of our city. It seems that she

has a flagpole in front of her home and fly's "Old Glory"

everyday. She is getting "flack" from the Neighborhood

Association the covers the area where she lives. They

said that the bylaws of the association state that you

can not have a flagpole in front of your home.

Sounds like the times we are living in. Can't say

a prayer in school, (but, it is replaced by policemen)

now they don't want you flying our countries colors.

I saw this lady that was interviewed and she was a

very nice person. She said the she had family members

that had been in the service of our country and she

flies the flag in their honor. She told the reporter that

she did not have a lawyer, and she hoped she didn't

have to go to that length over this.

O.T. had some thoughts on this: At our morning

coffee klatch, one of the men is a past Commander

of a local American Legion. Also, there are several

WW II war vets that have coffee there as well. Now,

possibly, we can get together and visit this lady in

mass and kinda campout on her lawn in support

of our American Flag. I'll just bet, that the numbers

of persons that showed up would out number that

"association." What is this country coming to when

a taxpaying citizen is told they must remove "their

flagpole" from "their property." Sounds to me like

a need to remind somebody about: WE THE PEOPLE!

thoughts from the old timer

August 18th

I was checking out the newspaper stories about all

the county fairs that are taking place near the end of

summer. I do remember the good times we had as kids

back then. The rides, cotton candy, steak sandwiches and

all the other good "stuff" at the fair. Kinda miss those days.

Thinking about that reminded me when the "Cousins"

took me along when they were hired to play the square

dance at an amusement park near Syracuse, N.Y. Now

normal timing for square dances is from 9:00 till 11:30.

Then a half-hour intermission and dancing again from 12:00

till 1:00. However at this park, they wanted 45 minutes

of dancing and 15 minutes intermission each hour.

The Cousins and the musicians were given some ride

tickets that they could use during the fifteen minute

breaks. So, on the first break out to the midway area we

went and all got on those things we called the "bumper

cars." I'm sure most of you recall them, electric powered

things that you could try to out run each other and really

bump each other around in a circle.

That turned out to be one of the finest jobs they said

they ever played. They got to go to the amusement park,

be bumper car drivers and also got paid for it. I guess

that was a real night to remember for all the band. Come

to think of it, I'm surprised they didn't try to get booked

there more often. That park is probably gone from history

by now. Ah, those fun days!

thoughts from the old timer

August 17th

O.T. got to thinking about a time when he was

hanging around with the Country Cousins. They were

looking over some mail they had received from

Nashville. There was a monthly newsletter from a

publishing company named Pamper Publishing Co.

Now Dick had looked it over and made a comment

to his cousin Clayt about an article about a songwriter.

It seems that the newsletter told of how this writer

had brought in a song to them and it was written on the

back of an envelope. He handed the paper to Clayt who

quietly read the complete story

After he finished he stated, "shades of Abraham

Lincoln." At first O.T. didn't get the meaning of Clayt's

off the cuff comment. In a moment it came to me. Years

ago in school we were taught that President Lincoln

wrote the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope

while riding on the train to the famous battlefield. I

believe it was a myth, but, it gave a great opportunity

for Clayt's reply.

thoughts from the old timer

August 16th

The Old Timer has always been fascinated with

those that can see an object and capture a photo.

I believe that they have a special gift to see these

things. Only once do I ever remember seeing a

thing that I instantly thought I must get a photo

of this. I was driving at the time and by the short

amount of time I could get off the road and get the

camera out it was too late. Everything including the

light of the early morning had changed and so had

the possible photo.

One of my most favorite photos I have seen,

was taken by my friend Ron in Alaska. He was stationed

at a base and worked at a nearby radar site. He would

be up on this mountain at the site for a period of time

and then back to the base. On some off duty time he

was taking some photos and got the one I mentioned.

He spotted a caribou standing on a peninsula like piece of

barren land that stretched out into the sea. There was

about a three quarter sunset over the water in all it's

beauty. I don't know how many miles Ron might have

walked to get that Caribou centered in that sunset.

For all his time and effort and thanks for the eyes

to see and capture that moment, the reward hangs on

the wall in his home. Oh, just to have the ability to see

things in life like that and be able to make it your prize.

What an art and talent. It's a blessing to be sure.

thoughts from the old timer

August 15th

This evening, Maude was watching a movie where

a couples three daughters were getting married. I saw

some cute clips in the movie, but did not see the whole

thing. Don't ask me the out come! Maude could tell you

if you need to know.

It got me to remembering our wedding day back

some 53 years ago. Oh, the day was HOT ! Probably,

the hottest day that summer. It was not a big wedding

mostly family and friends from our town. We have many

photos of the occasion to remind us of that wonderful

event. This past spring we got to visit Maude's "Maid of

Honor" and her husband in California. It was nice to see

a member of the wedding party again.

I still have in the photo collection, a picture that is

kind of special to O.T. There was a man in our town

named Dave that had the local gas station at the time.

Now it was a one man operation and so to this day, I

don't know how he did this. He got to the church just

as Maude was entering the front door and snapped a

picture of her. It was an early Polaroid shot that were

subject to fading in time. I still keep it as Dave must

have thought enough of O.T. and bride, to do that. He

was not a close friend or family, but a nice guy from the

hometown. Good folks.....wonderful people cross our

paths in life. Do try to remember them.

a thought from the old timer

August 14th

Did you ever come in contact with a total stranger

and have them mistake you for someone else? That

happened to O.T. several years ago. Maude and I had

gone to a favorite place with another couple for a

weekend. The ladies wanted to go into an outlet that

was there, John and I decided to go look over some old

steam engines that were on display.

When we got near one of the antique engines, this

man struck up a conversation with me. Now I was sure

I did not know him, and tried to find out some information

from him. I learned that he was from a city about eight

miles from my home so I thought I might have met him

somewhere. In the conversation, he