World's Finest

2010

2010-12-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

We said, "Welcome" to a new great grandchild! We now have five (5) "greats" !!!

Went to see grandson Ben's graduation from Indiana University in May. Most of the summer, we spent in Baton Rouge. Enjoyed our annual garden with a great crop of tomatoes again.

In September we spent two weeks in Alaska. The first week we took a land tour from Fairbanks through Denali Park, then boats, busses, and trains. The countryside was beautiful, revealing much snow on mountain tops, grizzly bears, moose, glaciers, and many white sheep on the hillsides. The transportation was somewhat strenuous. The second week was a cruise from Seward on a Holland America ship which was much more restful.

The last week in September, our friends from Italy (Betty and Antonio) came for a weeklong visit. We enjoyed showing them various sights in South Louisiana and just visiting with all our family.

Early in November, we took a driving trip with stops at Jackson, Mississippi for lunch with our good friend, Susan Wiggins. Then on to Memphis for two days visiting with our ballet dancing grandson, Ben. Following this we continued driving across north Arkansas to Branson, Missouri where we spent three days and nights enjoying the country music shows in some of the 100 theaters there.

Little Rock, Arkansas was our next stop for a short visit with a niece, (Brenda) and then to Hot Springs to visit another niece (Martha Sue), and after that another niece (Kay) in El Dorado.

We were then glad to return home, but we enjoyed visiting friends and relatives.

THE OLD FRAUD GAME

2010-10-29T04:29:00.003-07:00

The old fraud game is alive and well. There are many of these schemes I am sure. The latest one goes like this:"You are invited to become a member of my company by writing me a check for several hundred dollars. Then when you want to buy anything (furniture, property, groceries,etc) allow "our company to make the purchase at a highly discounted amount. Your savings will be enormous!

"Go ahead, buy anything you want, just buy it through "our"company and you will save thousands".

They don't tell you how long they have been in business, how much money they have saved the previous "investors".

I believe if anything is too good to be true, it is!

DAVID AND PATRICIA

2010-10-23T14:33:00.000-07:00

Since we were married we both wanted children. In 1952 Virginia's doctor discovered this was impossible, so we decided we would try for adoption. We applied at the Volunteers of America in New Orleans. After several lengthy interviews which took about a year we recdeived a call that a beautiful little 4 month old boy with brown eyes and brown hair was available in Shreveport. We were very excited and hurried to see this wonderful little child who had come our way. We fell in love with him at first sight and named him David Lynn. What a joy he has been for us! The Lord had answered our prayers.

We moved to Nashville, and after several years we decided that David needed a little sister, so we applied for another child. After about a year Patricia came along and she fulfilled all our dreams for children.

David and Patricia have been the most wonderful things to ever happen to us. We have always been very proud of both of them.

HOPE I CAN LEAVE A LEGACY LIKE THIS

2010-09-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Our legacy is really the lives we touch. the inspiration we give, altering someone's plan - even for a moment - and getting them to laugh, think, or cry, or argue.

More than anything we are remembered for our smiles; the ones we share with our closest and dearest, the ones we bestow on a total stranger, right then - and GOD put you there to deliver.

(Written by Carrie Hamilton, daughter of Carol Burnett)

HOT FUDGE SUNDAE PARTY

2010-08-22T09:26:00.001-07:00

We have enjoyed the Sanctuary Choir at First Methodist Church since 1946. I joined that choir that year and also discovered Virginia Durrett at that time. (You know the rest of that story).

I attempted to sing for thirty years, and Virginia stayed for forty years, singing many solos and ensembles. She still has a beautiful voice! The Church has had several very capable directors through all these years. Our present director, Lamar Drummonds, has done a splendid job for a long time now. We try to support this group whenever possible.

A few weeks ago, we provided World's Finest Chocolate hot fudge sundaes for the entire group after their Thursday night practice (42 persons showed up). We have had some experience in this line with former school teachers when I represented World's Finest Chocolate for fund-raising at their schools.

We enjoy doing this, and renew old acquaintances at the same time. Some of the present members were formerly some of Virginia's pupils when she was an elementary teacher. They recognized her immediately, even after many years of her retirement.

SUNDAY SCHOOL VISITORS

2010-08-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

Our "Wedding Ring" Sunday School class consists of ten older members, and is one of the oldest classes in our First Methodist Church.

This Sunday as our teacher was just getting started with the lesson, there was a knock at the door. Without hesitation he opened the door, and in walked about ten fourth grade students from their own class, along with their two teachers. Each of the students had a short questionnaire for each of us to fill out for them. The questions were: What is your favorite color? What year were you born? How long have you been a member of this Church? Which Bible verse are you studying? Then we asked each of the younger group the same questions, and then read their replies.

The children were all well-dressed and smiled for us, and were very friendly, and the interruption was a real delight. The highlight of the entire episode was that one of our Great Grandchildren was one of the students! Ten year old Caleb was very excited to visit "Paw Paw" and "Me Maw" in their Sunday School Class!

WHAT'LL YOU TAKE FOR THAT KID?

2010-07-16T07:55:00.001-07:00

Who hasn't been in a grocery store and not seen a young mother with her beautiful little one in a stroller while shopping? The little ones are either sucking on a "baaboo", or pointing to the cereal boxes.

Sometime the little ones will see me and point, and I can't help but point right back at them, and say something like, "You are soooo cute! What is your name?" Or, "How old are you?". Then, invariably the mother will smile when someone brags on their child, and then tells me the child's age.

Sometime, if the mother is friendly, I might ask her "What'll you take for that little one?" Of course she always says, "He/she is priceless!" I have been known to say, "I'll give you a quarter for that child!" (always laughing).

Once, this exhausted mother said to me, " I'll give you a quarter to take him! Then I quickly answer, "I was just kidding."

MY "DO LAP"

2010-06-09T03:14:00.001-07:00

As I have gotten a tiny bit older, I have noticed a piece of loose skin under my chin and neckline that has grown considerably. It is not painful, but neither is it becoming to my facial features. I know it must be obvious to others, so I just make the best of it. As a matter of fact, I have decided to name it and even flipping it with my forefinger sometime (when pondering some "great decision").

I call it: MY "DO LAP!"

NOTE:

It is possible that sometime in the far distant future, my stomach may start to protrude over my belt in a similar fashion. If ever this happens (not likely), I guess I could call it my "DONE-LAP" ( and just say: "THIS IS MY DONE-LAP". Meaning: My stomach has "done lap" over my waistline.)

NOSTRIL- ECTOMY

2010-05-13T11:10:00.000-07:00

I know a fine lady who has the most acute sense of smell of anyone in the whole world. She can smell gas in a whirlwind a mile away, going in the opposite direction!

I believe she can smell one before I even think of one!

Is there any thing called a "NOSTRIL-ECTOMY?

She needs "working on" by a specialist!

WE BOTH FLUNKED THE TEST

2010-03-25T05:04:00.001-07:00

Recently the Pennington Medical Research Center offered a program of physical fitness for those in age from 70 - 89. A screening test was required to qualify for participation.

WE WERE BOTH "OVER-QUALIFIED" !!

(WE BOTH EAT A PROPER DIET, AND EXERCISE REGULARLY, ALONG WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY)

And the doctor still writes on our file: "HEALTHY"

"HEY SARGE"

2010-03-15T10:01:00.001-07:00

One day last week, Virginia and I had just parked at WalMart store for weekly shopping, and from way across the parking lot came this loud shout, "HEY SARGE". I had not heard that greeting very often since I was a 19 year old regular army Sergeant teaching R. O. T. C. at L. S. U. Louis Peters identified himself as one of my former students.

We both laughed and chatted briefly and I thanked him for having such a great memory! The date of the class was 1946 - SIXTY FOUR YEARS AGO!

In one or two of my blog stories earlier, I told about my transfer from Camp Pickett, Virginia to L. S. U. Military Department. At that time R. O. T. C. was a required course for all freshmen and sophomores (male only). There must have been 5-6 thousand students in the program at the time.

Part of my duties consisted of teaching close order drill on the parade ground, map reading, rifle range shooting, and military science and tactics. I found this to be very interesting and most of the students were very intelligent, and my students' average grades were B or C.

Both of my older brothers, Wren and Malcolm, had served overseas in Europe during the war, and I felt very fortunate to land an assignment at L. S. U. and did not have to go overseas. I also happened to meet a student while I was on duty there. Virginia and I married August 5, 1947 at the First Methodist Church in Baton Rouge.

I was discharged in 1948, and enrolled as a freshman the very next day. We built our first home near the campus, and my goal in school was to graduate as soon as possible. I took the maximum number of hours each semester and graduated in August, 1951. We have stayed in Baton Rouge ever since.

I still have a few former students who still call me "Sarge", and yes it is nice to be remembered.

VISIT TO WORLD WAR II MUSEUM - NEW ORLEANS

2010-02-25T04:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Feb 24, 2010, about 50 members of the X Y Z, (Extra Years of Zest) group in our church boarded a tourbus to New Orleans to visit the World War II Museum.

We arrived at this beautiful museum in downtown New Orleans, and were invited to view the great displays of Higgins boats and other memorabilia- some of which we had seen earlier. We proceeded to the newest addition which was a splendid 4 dimensional movie theater depicting many historical scenes of actual World War II battles. All these were narrated by Tom Hanks, Ernie Pyle, Edward R. Murrow and others.

We remembered the actual bombing of Pearl Harbor. I was walking downtown in El Dorado, when I saw people rushing out of a drug store, screaming, "The Japs have just bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaiian Islands". I did not know where Pearl Harbor was located, but we soon found out.

Virginia was at her home that Sunday morning in Strong, practicing the piano. Her parents were listening to their radio, when the program was interrupted with the news of the Pearl Harbor bombing. They were particularly distressed since William, her older brother, was already in the Army, stationed in California.

The very next day President Roosevelt made his "Day of Infamy" speech declaring war on Japan. We heard the radio address at each of our high schools. (Years later we visited Hyde Park, New York - Roosevelt's home- and saw the yellow page tablet on which he had personally written this speech).

Three weeks later, William and his unit were dispatched to Pearl Harbor from his base in Ft. Ord, California. Smoke was still rising from the wreckage of the earlier attack when he arrived.

The actual battle scenes revived our own memories of that time, both in the Pacific and European theaters of action. Virginia's brother William, had served in the Pacific since the end of December 1941. He served continuously until November, 1944 - shortly after the death of his and Virginia's father. And then returned to Saipan and Okinawa for the remainder of the war.

We heard the the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion as it was being broadcast on the radio, narrated by Edwin R. Murrow. I remember hearing the " BOOM, BOOMS" of the bombs as they exploded.

My brothers, Wren and Malcolm entered France a month after D-Day. They met each other in Liege, Belgium at the time of the Battle of the Bulge.

This museum is magnificent, with a screen covering the entire side of a large room, from floor to ceiling. The seats shake when bombings were taking place in the movie, and "snow flakes" would float down into the audience to depict the freezing weather. This movie is the most realistic portrayal of war history to be seen anywhere.

I TRULY BELIEVE WE COULD HAVE LOST THAT WAR IF NOT FOR LEADERS LIKE PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, CHUR CHILL, GENERAL EISENHOWER, AND ADMIRAL NIMITZ.

A VISIT TO THIS MUSEUM SHOULD BE REQUIRED FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

ONE OF THE BEST MEMORIES WE HAVE

2010-02-22T06:01:00.000-08:00

It was 2007 when we met my brother Wren and his Virginia in Rome to celebrate our 60th anniversary and their 40th for a few days in a villa in the Tuscany region of Italy.

We took the train to Florence where we rented a car and proceeded to get completely lost while looking for our villa in the "wilderness" of the beautiful countryside in central Italy. Our dear young Italian friends, Betty and Antonio were to drive from their home in Milan to meet us there.

We had directions to the villa, but no map. We stopped and asked many of the residents of the area how to get there, and most of them would shrug their shoulders and say, "No spicka da English", or they simply did not know.

It seemed like hours before we located a tourist headquarters in San Giamingnana for proper directions. (This is an old walled town in the center of Tuscany area). Wren's Virginia parked the car on the street in what was probably a no parking zone, but it was getting late in the day and we were getting a little desperate.

We had left Wren sitting in the back seat of the S. U. V. while the three of us walked about three blocks into the town. By the time we returned to the car, Wren had a strange look on his face. He was in a strange town, could not speak the language, and had become a little apprehensive, and also a little agitated. Time had passed and he had become a little more apprehensive and agitated. It was getting dark and his folks had not returned!

It did take a little time getting the information we needed, but in Wren's mind it took FOREVER!

After soothing Wren's "ruffled feathers", we finally drove into the driveway to the villa, and sure enough there were Betty and Antonio sitting out side the office just patiently waiting for us to arrive! WHAT A WONDERFUL SIGHT!

It was a great week spent in a beautiful country with splendid natives of Italy as our escorts.

MY FRIEND VIRGINIA ANDREWS

2010-02-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

I first met Virginia Andrews at Williamsburg Retirement Home in Baton Rouge a few years ago, when my friend Bill Ferguson was a resident there. She was leading a weekly class in "Life Writing" that was being offered to the residents. I was not a resident of Williamsburg, but once while visiting with Bill he invited me to join this group.

Since I had recently retired I found this very interesting. Bill and I would enjoy sharing our memories in written form each week. He had led a very interesting life in Europe since the end of World War II.

Virginia led the group to remember past experiences and skillfully helped us put them down in written form. She was always positive in her comments and kept us challenged to keep on writing. One of the highlights of the weekly meetings was each of us reading our story to the group.

Even though Virginia and her family have now moved to Delaware, we keep in touch. I have continued to write short essays and I share my stories with her by e-mail. I really treasure her comments.

INCOME TAX TIME

2010-02-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

For years, I paid to have my yearly income taxes prepared for me. About four years ago, I discovered that a group of experts had volunteered to prepare personal income tax forms FREE for for A A R P members.

This was a "GOD SEND" for me, financially and personally. (I have always detested filing these forms annually).

I simply go to a library close to home, and some very friendly and highly qualified individuals patiently and expertly file for me - AT NO COST !!

A Mr. Irion LaFargue is very helpful and I am indebted to him and the others for helping me with this yearly CHORE.

SOUTHSIDE WILL SHINE TONIGHT

2010-01-20T09:24:00.000-08:00

MANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MEMORIES ---SEE SONG ABOVE.

This was the "official" school song at Southside Elementary school in El Dorado, Arkansas for many years. I attended Southside from 1934 to 1939. We all sang this song and STAR SPANGLED BANNER at every assembly and PTA meeting.

The faculty members were: Grade 1 - Miss Roarke, Grade 2 - Mrs. Mouton, Grade 3 - Mrs. O'Laughton, Grade 4 - Mrs. Bishop, Grade 5 - Mrs. Emma Joe Colvin, Grade 6 - Mrs. Eula Goode Goodwin, and Grades 7 -8 - Mr. Alva Waddell (he was also the football coach and music teacher), and the Principal was Miss Nola Ellis.

Some of my classmates were: Dale Gray, Raymond and Ferris Bullock, my brother Wren Worley, Veldon Mc Knight, Nolan "brick-head" Harris, Teedy Lowery, Willard Forsythe, Graham Ellis, and W. B. Justiss.

G E MAKES THEM TO LAST

2010-01-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

1950 was a good year! I was in L. S. U. taking 19 semester hours and working part-time in sales at an appliance store called Globe Discount on Florida Street.

Occasionally the store would have special prices on selected appliances. A small electric hand-held mixer was put on sale, and we needed one at that time. With the sale price and my employee discount, I bought the mixer for the sum total of $4.00.

Believe it or not, we still use the mixer today (60 years later)

DO NOT BE WHAT YOU SEE

2010-01-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

My older sister Louise, was very interesting. She and my older brother, Wren, and I were driving to Branson, Missouri when we approached a car pulling a horse-trailer. The horse's tail was naturally hanging out the back of the trailer as usual.

As we approached closer to the trailer, she very solemnly looked at us and announced, "Arthur Gene and Wren Allen, do not be what you see".

(Wonder what she meant by that?)

SIXTY-TWO YEARS AND COUNTING

2010-01-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

One of our wedding presents from my mother and sister Louise, was a Presto Pressure cooker! The date was August 5, 1947. This August will be anniversary number 63! And the pressure cooker is still cooking like new! I told Virginia that if we had a nickel for every pot of turnip greens that she had cooked in that pot, we would both be millionaires.

ROLLING OUT THE COOKIE DOUGH

2009-12-31T13:34:00.000-08:00

As a very small child, I would watch my mother roll out biscuits and cookie dough with her favorite rolling pin. And they were THE VERY BEST!

I always wanted to watch and "help" her roll them out. She sometimes would pretend that I was the cookie dough and then would allow me to stretch out on the table and she would "roll out the cookies", while very lightly rolling the pin on my tummy, and make me laugh!

I shall never forget that!

I can now say that I have used her same rolling pin on both son, David and daughter Patricia, their kids, (Christopher and Kari Lynn), (Craig, Mary Claire, and Ben Delony and Parker Delony - Craig's son), and now David's grand- kids (Caleb and Alexis).

Hope they enjoyed this as much as I did.

ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM EATING CHOCOLATE

2009-12-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

Some people are "semi-sweet"; others are just plain nutty.

Don't cry over spilled milk - unless of course, it's chocolate milk.

There is a fine line between vice and addiction.

Blind dates are like chocolate - they're usually chunky and they quickly disappear.

When life presents you a rocky road, just eat your way out of it.

Money can't buy you love - but it can buy you chocolate. (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year).

Keep your fingers off other people's bon-bons.

Mother-in-laws are like chocolate syrup: a little goes a long way.

Flowers and champagne may set the stage, but it's chocolate that steals the show.

An ounce of truffles is worth a pound of anything.

Milk chocolate - for all it's worth.

You never really know a person 'til you've shared a box of chocolates with them.

A kiss is just a kiss but a chocolate kiss is bliss.

True love will remain long after the chocolates have gone - provided there's another box.

The best things in life are not fat-free.

Nothing is worth getting sick over - except, of course chocolate.

When all else fails, fudge it.

And remember ... if life is like a box of chocolates, take a bite out of everything.

ADMIRAL NIMITZ PARADE IN DALLAS - 1945

2009-11-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

It was September 1945 while in basic Infantry training at Camp Fannin, (near Tyler, Texas) all 1,000 trainees were loaded into trucks to go to Dallas to march in a huge parade to celebrate the end of World War II after Japan had been defeated. The parade must have been at least a mile long, and was held right in downtown Dallas. Not only our unit of soldiers from Camp Fannin, but there were numerous High School and University bands in the parade.

As we marched toward the reviewing stand, I could plainly see a number of Army and Navy officers, and right in the center of the group stood Admiral Chester Nimitz. His hair was solid white, and his eyes were a brilliant blue color. He had been the commander of over two million military personnel in the Pacific Theater during the war. He looked majestic in his solid white uniform and with all the medals of honor he had earned, he looked like he had a huge fruit salad on his chest.

He saluted our American flag as we passed the reviewing stand. This was an exciting event in my life.

In December, 2001, my Virginia and I met my brother Wren and his Virginia at Fredericksburg, Texas, the birthplace of Admiral Nimitz. There was a museum dedicated to his life and the town was opening a new museum dedicated to World War II. They also had a big program portraying the 60th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

FIVE GENERATIONS OF TEACHERS

2009-11-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

1. At the present time, the youngest public school teacher in our family is our grand-daughter, Mary Claire Delony. She teaches art at Parkview Public Elementary School in Baton Rouge, and also at L. S. U. in the summer. Her father, (Willis Delony) teaches piano at L. S. U.

2. Her mother, (Patricia) teaches music at The School for Visual and Performing Arts public school in Baton Rouge.

3. Virginia (my wife of 62 years) taught in several public elementary schools in Baton Rouge and retired as Principal at Wildwood School after 37 years. Her sister, Ruth and their brother, William also taught in public schools in Arkansas for many years.

4. Her mother, (Mrs. Durrett) taught public schools for many years in Strong and El Dorado, Arkansas, and then retired.

5. Mrs. Durrett's father, (Papa Finney) taught in many Cumberland Presbyterian schools and retired as President of Bethel College in McKenzie, Tennessee.

Count 'em.

THE GOLDEN BAND FROM TIGERLAND

2009-11-19T04:10:00.000-08:00

The L. S. U. band is simply one of the best we have ever heard. There are 325 members in the Tiger Marching Band, consisting of 72 trumpets, 45 trombones, 28 tubas, 25 clarinets, 14 piccolos, 27 saxophones, plus numerous other mellophones, snare drums, bass drums and 9 cymbals.

This magnificent band now needs a new band-hall on the campus!

One of the fund-raising events last week was their 2-hour performance downtown inside the River Center auditorium. It was a fabulous display not only by the band, but also the Golden Girls and the Color Guard. Their 100 member Symphony section performed also.

For years we have loved to see the L. S. U. band perform at Tiger stadium at half-time at the games. My High School band experience at El Dorado, Arkansas with Boss Fulkerson, gave me a love for band music for life. For me there is nothing more thrilling than to hear music such as "Semper Fidelis", or "Washington Post" and other march music by John Philip Sousa, and other great composers.

FLEUR DE LIS "HONKY-TONK"

2009-11-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

This old building could tell some tales!

It was 1946. I was in the Army at L. S. U. Baton Rouge, teaching R. O. T. C. cadets.

Another soldier friend of mine suggested we have a large Pizza for supper one evening. We drove to a restaurant on Government St. called "FLEUR DE LIS" where all they served was pizza and beer, wine and mixed drinks. Also there was a "nickelodeon" that only played country music records (LOUD)! The bar stools were full at the typical bar, and only one table was available at the time. Every one seemed to be having a good time - solving "all the problems of the world", and cheering for L. S. U. while eating pizza and drinking beer and listening to the "jukebox".

We each ordered the biggest pizza called "Around the World" It was huge and square and contained meat, cheese, onions, garlic, bell peppers, mushrooms, anchovies, and lots of other good stuff. It was delicious, the beer was ice cold, and the jukebox songs by Patsy Cline and George Jones and Hank Williams were simply great!

To this day 63 years later, the place has not changed one bit (except the gravel driveway has gotten worse). Only the songs on the jukebox have slightly changed, and I still order: ROUND THE WORLD - AND HOLD THE ANCHOVIES! ( which I share with Virginia). Each time we go there I ask the server to give me her solemn promise she will never, ever change the recipe for the pizza!

The aroma of the pizza lingers at least a week on all your clothing! (At no extra cost).

L. S. U. TEACHERS REMEMBERED

2009-11-05T17:53:00.000-08:00

1948-1951

We were married at the time and I had just been discharged from the U. S. Army when I enrolled at L. S. U. I had been stationed at L. S. U. as an instructor for R. O. T. C. since 1946.

My goal as a student at L. S. U. was to graduate as soon as possible. I took a full schedule of classes each semester and also during each summer. I decided to register in the College of Commerce and study Foreign Trade. Some of the courses I took were: World History, Business Law, Economics, Spanish and Accounting.

I graduated from the College of Commerce in August, 1951. (Business Administration)

One of my history teachers was Mrs. De Grummond. She was especially effective in her teaching of South American History. One of the great teachers of business law was Mr.Ken Barnett. Dr. John Chisholm who taught Economics, with the help of Cleo Yarbrough, was also a wonderful teacher. Then there was my favorite, Senor Alfredo Berumen. He was a native of Mexico, and was extremely helpful in teaching Spanish. To this day, I enjoy trying to converse with anyone who can speak Spanish.

My very best Accounting teacher was Mr. George Fair. He also helped me to organize the accounting in my first venture in the Service Station business after graduation.

The most accomplished history teacher I never had was Dr. T. Harry Williams. He was so well liked by the student body all his classes were completely filled by history majors. He wrote several books about Louisiana History and was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his book titled HUEY P. LONG. Later he was a customer of mine at my service station near his home. Once he pulled into my station and said, "Hey, Worley, come look at what I just received in the mail". It was a check for $40,000.00 as an advance from the publisher of his LONG book.

My speech teacher was a Dr. Wesley Wiksell. I'll never forget his teaching us, "Whenever giving a speech, get to the point - and do not get lost "on the road to Carville" (wherever that is).

EUROPE 2009

2009-10-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

We flew into London to spend a few days sight-seeing before our cruise to Rome. We chose the Grosvenor Hotel for its central location, near Victoria Station and theaters. The first night we attended the show "BILLY ELLIOTT", and the next night we saw "WICKED". Both musicals were really great!

Then we visited the Millenium bridge where we walked across the pedestrian bridge over the Thames River. Then back across to St. Paul's Church. Also had lunch at St. Martin in the Fields Church at Trafalgar Square.

After several more days in London, we took the Gatwick Express train to Greenwich to board the cruise ship PRINSENDAM - A Holland America Cruise ship. We took several land excursions starting with Brugge, Belgium,and Lisbon, Portugal. Passed through the Strait of Gibraltar, then another shore excursion to Menorca and also St. Tropez on the French Riviera. Both of these ports had many, many yachts and beautiful homes of the "RICH AND FAMOUS"; including the home of Brigitte Bardot and others. (No, we were not invited into any of these homes).

From there we cruised into Civitivecchia (the Rome receiving port). Our Italian friends, Betty (see above) and Antonio drove from Milan to meet us at the hotel and we spent five wonderful days sightseeing Rome with them and her brother, Gianni and his wife, who live in Rome.

A few of the sights we saw were: The Vatican, The Borghese Gallery, Trevi Fountain, Coliseum, Circus Maximus, etc.

MAYHAW JELLY IS GOOD FOR WHAT AILS YOU

2009-07-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

We have two large mayhaw trees in full bloom now in our backyard that have produced many gallons of berries through the years. Mamoo makes wonderful mayhaw jelly each year. The berries drop off the trees in the Spring, and we now have two great grand children (Caleb 9 and Alexis 6) that come over and help us pick the berries off the ground. (It is not easy to bend down at our age and pick them up, and the kids seem to like this little job - for a while).

Last year they came over and the berries were all over the ground. They loved to see which one could pick up the most berries. They both picked for about fifteen minutes, and then Alexis called for me and said, "My GIZZARD is starting to hurt, Paw Paw", and immediately Caleb said, "So is mine". So I told them to rest a while. (That was the end of the berry picking until next year). I hope we have another bumper crop next year!

ps: Our grandson Craig Delony asked me to give him two mayhaw trees for his new backyard.

This week, October 2009, he and his son, Parker (2 years old) helped me plant them at their home in Jacksonville, Florida!

"HOW'S WATERMELON DOING?"

2009-07-18T09:18:00.001-07:00

Recently Mamoo and I went shopping at the local Wal-Mart Store nearby. She suggested that I take my blood-pressure in the Pharmacy Department and she would meet me there as she shopped elsewhere in the store.

I had just sat down and got "hooked-up" when a very nice, much older black woman came by and said, "Sho do wish I could get my son to take his "pressure like dat". I politely asked her his age. She said he was over 60, and then burst out laughing loudly as she added, "I had him rat here on the streets of Baton Rouge, rat in front of a fruit market." Then started laughing again!

I joined her in laughing, then I asked her, "Did you name him apple or orange?" She said, "No suh, I kinda likes da name "WATERMELON".

ps: My blood pressure was 107/60 by the time I stopped laughing!

TUESDAYS ARE SPECIAL

2009-07-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

Each Tuesday morning at 9:00 am, our Church offers a "MEN'S COFFEE" group meeting, where biscuits and sausage are provided along with a brief bible study. The leader of this group is usually one of the Associate Pastors of our Church.

At the same time, there is also a group of women who meet in another room to knit prayer shawls for "shut-in" members of the Church, as well as for other members of the community.

Mamoo and I enjoy this fellowship with our friends and find the time spent here as very interesting.

There are usually a group of 12 - 15 men in our group - most of whom have retired (still young). Not all the men are members of our Church. The knitters number about 30 ladies.

I find it most enjoyable to visit with my "young" friends, and we usually solve "all the problems of the world" each week before our short devotional begins. The party is over at 10:00 am and we look forward to the following Tuesday morning.

SON-IN-LAW WILLIS DELONY

2009-06-02T01:20:00.000-07:00

Willis is presently the Barineau Professor of Keyboard Studies and Professor of Jazz Studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Prior to his appointment in August of 2000 he taught for fourteen years on the music faculty at Southeastern Louisiana University where he received the university's President's Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity. He is also the recipient of an Artist Fellowship by the Louisiana Division of the Arts in recognition of his achievements in classical and jazz performance.

Two CD's, "World A Comin" - "Classical and Jazz Connections", both are now in international distribution. In a FANFARE magazine review of 'A New World A'Comin", Peter Burwasser writes: "(Delony) plays with gusto and finesse, and with an especially nimble rhythmic sensibility, a proper combination of attributes for jazz, or any other kind of music-making, for that matter." Previous album credits include a recording of sonatas by Samuel Barber and Sergei Prokofiev, also on the Centaur label, and a jazz album entitled "Civilized Conversations", featuring Delony and bassist Bill Grimes (E & D. White Professor of Jazz Studies at L. S. U.) He is featured in collaboration with bassoonist William Ludwig on the recent recording "Rhapsody in Bassoon", on the Mark Records label which features the world premiere recording of Andre Previn's "Sonata for Bassoon and Piano".

During recent concert seasons, he has appeared as piano soloist or conductor with American orchestras in Wichita, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Toronto, Madison (Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra), Spartanburg (South Carolina), Rochester, Omaha, Nashville, Fort Worth, New Orleans (Louisiana Philharmonic), Shreveport, the Sun River Fesatival Orchestra in Bend, OR, and the Florida Orchestra (Tampa). He has appeared recently as guest soloist with the Columbus (GA) Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, the Baton Rouge Symphony, the Louisiana Sinfonietta and, in a 2002 Asian tour, the Shanghai Symphony. In July 2006 he performed a solo recital in Offenburg, Germany as part of the Kreuzgangkonzerte series, performing a solo recital program entitled Jazz Meets Mozart. In November, 2006 he traveled to Paris for an appearance as solo recitalist on the La Main d'Or concert series. An experienced jazz arranger, Delony's scores have been performed by orchestras throughout the U.S. and Canada. His work as pianist, arranger and conductor is currently featured in Club Swing and Stay Tuned, the popular orchestral shows featuring the Minneapolis-based vocal group Five by Design. He is conductor/pianist on the CD recording of Club Swing, which was released in January 2002.

AND HIS BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IS THE LOVE AND CARE HE SHOWS FOR OUR DAUGHTER AND THEIR FAMILY OF 31 YEARS!

FIRST MEETING ELIZABETTA

2009-05-30T14:42:00.001-07:00

It was the summer of 1992, time for our annual summer trip to Europe, so we flew into London to do some sightseeing as usual. In London, we just love to find a big park somewhere near our hotel and sit in the shade to picnic and just "people watch". We found a nice shady place in Hyde Park and rented 2 lawn chairs to relax for a while.

There were not too many people walking around that day but in the distance we noticed a group of six young people all holding hands, just skipping along in unison toward us. They seemed like a very happy and carefree group, just laughing and singing and enjoying the beautiful day in the park. They seemed to be teenagers.

As they approached us, the young girl on the end of the line, with the biggest smile and the most beautiful dark blue eyes I had ever seen waved at us and said something that sounded like "BUON GIORNO". I could not help but wave right back at them with a big American greeting like: "Hello, there". They then came right up to us and the smiling one asked, "You are American?". We both said, "Yes". They all gathered around us, all smiling and trying to speak English at the same time.

The smiling one said, "We are all from Italy and are in London studying English for the summer. Will you please send me a picture postcard from America?" Such a wonderful request! I hurriedly found a piece of scrap paper and she carefully printed "Elizabetta Digiampaolo, Melegnano, Italy" along with her home address. She carefully folded it up and then with a very serious look said, "Please do not forget us". Then they were gone, skipping along and waving goodbye to us. We watched them till they were out of sight.

When we returned home I found several picture post-cards of America and sent them to the Italian address on the little piece of paper. We then started to exchange letters and became pen-pals. We are now "e-mail pals" and much more.

We have been fortunate enough to visit Italy several times since then and of course a visit to Melegnano (a suburb of Milan) each time to visit Betty and her Mama and Papa (neither speaks English), and also her younger brother, Gianni (who was studying English at his school).

PERSONAL MEMORIES OF W W II ERA

2009-05-29T06:54:00.001-07:00

1939 ( 12 Years old)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt re-elected (Second Term).

Germany (under Adolph Hitler) invades and conquers Poland, Czechoslovakia, invades France, Belgium, bombs London, starts Battle of Britain.

Italy (under Mussolini) joins Hitler. Invades Ethiopia and North Africa. (Haile Sellassi was emperor of Ethiopia)

1940 (13 yrs old)

U. S. National Guard sent to Alaska. U. S. Army starts maneuvers in Arkansas and Louisiana.

Draft started. (all males over 18 must register)

1941 (14 yrs old)

William Durrett, Virginia's older brother was drafted and served with the U. S. Combat Engineers. He served four straight years in the South Pacific, including Saipan, Tarawa, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and Hawaii.

Germany continues its conquest of Europe and North Africa. U. S. sends planes to England to assist in Battle of Britain. Germany pushes French and English troops all the way to the North Sea at Dunkirk, France. Britain sends every boat available to rescue as many as possible.

December 7: Japan bombs Pearl Harbor without warning. Sinks many U. S. Navy ships, kills thousands of innocent civilians.

December 8: President Roosevelt delivers his "day of infamy" speech. Congress declares war on Japan and Germany.

1942 (15 yrs old)

Germany occupies all of France and Belgium, continues Battle of Britain.

U. S. sends Marines and Infantry forces to South Pacific Ocean to fight Japan on Islands of Saipan, Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Phillipines, and New Zealand. Rationing of food, clothing, gas, tires, sugar, and even toothpaste. In order to buy a new tube of toothpaste, you had to turn in the old tube (it contained lead). Collection of all waste metal was encouraged in order to make more ammunition. Many U. S. Navy ships under construction along the Gulf Coast.

My oldest brother (Malcolm) enlisted in U. S. Army after four years as a cook in U. S. Navy.

1943 (16 yrs old)

War in Europe and North Africa drags on. U. S. troops invade Italy and Sicily. Thousands of U. S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marines and Infantry continue to recapture Islands in the South Pacific. Under Admiral David Nimitz, there were heavy losses of Japanese as well as Americans.

1944 (17 yrs old)

War continues both in Europe and South Pacific. U. S. continues to build troop strength in England (under General Eisenhower) in preparation for D-Day invasion into France.

June 6, 1944 was to be the largest concentration of any invasion force in the history of the world. Thousands of ships, all loaded with British troops, U. S. Infantry, Marines, and Coast Guard arrived before dawn on the coast at Le Havre, France to meet the German forces that were waiting for them with machine guns and cannons right on the coast. Thousands of men and hundreds of ships were lost under blistering fire by the time the invasion was completed

By noon that day, the German defense had been removed and the Allied Forces had come ashore. Even to this day, I can almost hear the radio reports of the "BOOM-BOOM of the German artillery guns shooting down on our troops. At the same time, American forces were well into Italy, and attacked Germany from the south. A friend of ours, Frank Reitzell, was on active duty in Italy at the time.

Our troops marched all the way across France and into Berlin, Germany by December. My two brothers,Wren and Malcolm, arrived in France after the invasion. They both participated in the Battle of the Bulge against the Germans in the Fall of 1944.

1945 (18 yrs old)

Germany surrendered to the Allied forces in June, 1945 at a school house in Reims, France (just east of Paris). President Roosevelt died in office. Vice President Harry Truman ordered the atomic bomb to be dropped on Japan, in order to end the war in the Pacific. Japan surrendered.

William Durrett (Virginia's brother) was discharged from U. S. Army

I graduated from El Dorado High School on May 25, 1945. I was drafted into the U. S. Army Infantry on June 4, to serve for the duration of the war, plus 6 months. I was sent to Camp Fannin, Texas for 18 weeks of Infantry training. Our battalion was selected to march in a huge parade for Admiral Chester Nimitz in Dallas during this time. After 18 weeks of training, I was sent to Camp Pickett, Virginia to prepare for occupation duty in Europe.

In April, 1946, I unexpectedly received orders to report to L. S. U. to teach Military tactics in the R. O. T. C. Department. I was so excited that when I called my mother to tell her this great news, we both just started crying over the phone!

Received honorable discharge in September, 1948.

CANDY MAN

2009-05-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

While selling World's Finest Chocolate to raise funds for a small mostly black Church in Baton Rouge, the leader of the Sunday School Class was highly successful for his Church. After several years, he came to me and said, "Mistuh Gene, I ain't no longer with that Church, but I now have a Church of my own. Can my Church sell that chocolate candy right here in Baton Rouge?"

I told him, "Certainly, when do you want to start?" He replied, "Rat now"! He would preach on Sunday and sell chocolate every other day to offices, stores, friends, and every other prospect that he could find. He was highly successful, and now calls himself "CANDY MAN". His church seems to be prospering, too.

WHITE SUGAR

2009-05-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

Before retiring in 2001, I enjoyed 25 years of selling a product called World's Finest Chocolate to Schools, Churches, and non-profit organizations for fund-raising. The chocolate is a high quality product, and provides the schools, etc. with 50% profit after the sale. It has been highly accepted since 1945, all over the United States. My territory consisted of 19 Parishes in south Louisiana, with over 900 schools as potential customers.

A huge school in New Orleans had a very active P T A, and this group made the sale a big success every year.

An interesting thing happened at the start of this particular sale, when I was making a call to offer the product to the school. The PTA president was a very large black lady, and very friendly. When she first spotted me on the top of a tall group of steps entering the school front door, she jumped from her car and rang out in a loud voice, "WAIT, MISTUH GENE, I WANT SOME OF THAT WHITE SUGAR!".

She literally ran up all the steps and gave me a big hug!

WALKING IN THE STREET

2009-05-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

For a number of years, Virginia and I have enjoyed doing a little exercise, mostly walking or jogging in the street right in our neighborhood.

BUT, WE DECIDED TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF WALKING - FOR THREE REASONS:

TRAFFIC

DOGS

WEATHER

We now have a treadmill, and can quietly exercise all we want, stay safe and dry, with AC,

AND EVEN ENJOY TV AT THE SAME TIME!

FIRST TRIP TO EUROPE

2009-05-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

FRANCE AND LONDON, 1979:

(This was to be the first of numerous trips we would later make to Europe and elsewhere)

In order to encourage the teaching of French in Public Schools in Louisiana, the French government invited Virginia and me to France (along with about 40 other elementary school principals in South Louisiana).

We left from Houston aboard a huge "jumbo jet" plane (Air France), and flew non-stop to De Gaulle airport in Paris. After arrival we were bussed to a 300 year old home in a suburb called "Pont de Sevre". This had formerly been the home of Madame Currie, who had participated in the invention of radium many years earlier.

The next day, with an English speaking guide, we boarded a bus for a tour of Paris. Saw the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Napoleon's tomb, and the Church at Mont Martre. Then the next day we visited several elementary schools to observe the teaching.

We then boarded another bus the next day to tour four days in the countryside. Saw the following towns: Chartres, Rouen, and the coast town of Le Havre and the American cemeteries on the coast near St. Lo and Pointe-de-Hoc where the Normandy invasion occurred. Spent the night at Honfleur on the North Sea coast. The name of the hotel was "NOIR CHAL" (Black Cat).

We then visited the Loire Valley sightseeing several French castles, including CHAMBORD, CHENONCEAU, AND VILLANDRY. Then we returned to Paris for two more days of sightseeing. Then flew to London for a week of sightseeing on our own, before returning home.

We decided that we wanted to return to Europe and see more sights later.

GERMANY REMEMBERED

2009-05-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

Several years ago Virginia and I had rented a car in Europe while on vacation. One time we arrived in Karlsruhe, Germany on a Sunday. Our hotel was in a small suburb of the town. All the stores were closed, but a nearby Police station was open. Without hesitation I went inside and found a very friendly policeman who spoke English. I told him what we were looking for and immediately he stopped what he was doing and said, "Follow me in my patrol car". He led us straight to the hotel about 5 miles from his office.

The small suburban town was celebrating their 900th anniversary of the founding of the town with a huge parade. Our room was right on the parade route, and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the parade from our ground floor room in the small hotel.

FIND A NEED AND FILL IT

2009-05-25T13:26:00.001-07:00

This is the best description of successful salesmanship I have ever heard. It is far-reaching and covers all the aspects of living and even surviving in this world today. It is limitless in that the entire world is the market. It also describes salesmanship as "depression proof". There are innumerable instances of successful salesmen all the way from P. T. Barnum to Donald Trump, T. Boone Pickens, and John D. Rockefeller.

To be successful as a salesperon requires MANY qualities such as: skill, patience, understanding, cleverness, and downright desire to please. Also there is always competition for the same market you are seeking. "Stick-ability" is also essential.

"A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits"

Advertising is a big part of salesmanship; if your prospects are not aware of what you offer, they cannot help you reach your own goals.

Goal-setting is another requirement of any successful salesman. You will never reach your goal without a plan of how to get there.

Honesty and trust-worthiness are essential also. Your prospects deserve nothing less.

This profession is not suitable for everyone. If you are not comfortable in sales, it is not wise to continue in it.

HOW VIRGINIA AND I FIRST MET

2009-05-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

It was April, 1946, while in the Army, stationed at Camp Pickett, Virginia, the most amazing incident occurred out of the clear blue sky when I received orders to report to L. S. U. to teach R. O. T. C. ! My brother, Wren was playing football at L. S. U., so I could not wait to go to Baton Rouge.

One of my favorite pastimes was fishing. I lived near one of the University Lakes so I could walk to the water's edge several times each week after work. One day I met a man with only one arm who was also fishing by himself near the bank. I noticed that he had hooked a catfish and was desperately trying to remove the hook from the fish with his only hand. I offered to help him and then we became better acquainted.

I discovered that we both had a similar love for music. He just happened to be a voice teacher at L. S. U. (Mister Loren Davidson). He was also the choir director at First Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. He invited me to join his choir since I enjoyed music so much.

I arrived at the choir room that Thursday night and there was only one vacant seat available in the large choir. I couldn't help but notice a very pretty young lady sitting right next to me. Her name was Virginia Durrett, and later we became much better acquainted.

She had a beautiful voice and several times we would meet on campus after her voice lessons with Mr. Davidson. Neither of us had a car, so the "courting" would consist of us going on a city bus to a movie after after a "formal" dining at the only Piccadilly Cafeteria on 3rd Street downtown. Sometime I would visit her in her dormitory on campus (in the lobby only!)

We were married August 5th, 1947 at the First Methodist Church. I was 20 years old, and really enjoyed singing in the choir for the next 30 years. I was discharged from the Army in 1948 and enrolled as a Freshman student at L. S. U. She had graduated and was working as a secretary on the campus while I was able to graduate in 1951 after three years. She had studied Elementary Education and began her teaching career at Highland Elementary school in Baton Rouge.

We wanted to own our home instead of renting, so with the help of the G. I. Bill I was able to qualify for a loan for a small home near the University (824 Aster St.)

DRAWING STRAWS

2009-05-06T07:56:00.001-07:00

Two of our great grand-children, (Caleb and Alexis) were ages 6 and 3 when they would come to visit us. We have a long-rope swing in the pecan tree in the back yard that they always loved to play on.

Each time they visited they would both want to be the first one to swing. To settle the argument, I thought of a perfect solution that my mother had used earlier with me and my brother, Wren.

I told them we would "draw straws". They were thoroughly confused until I took a straw from the kitchen broom and broke it into two pieces, one longer than the other. Then by hiding the entire length of both straws I let them select one straw each. The one who selected the short straw would swing first.

This was the perfect solution!

The next time they came they both wanted to "DRAW STRAWS"

WASHINGTON D. C. MEMORIALS

2009-05-03T13:58:00.001-07:00

April, 2009: Virginia and I each have birthdays 1 week apart at this time of year. This year we decided to celebrate in our nation's capitol. The Smithsonian Institute has for years been the largest group of exhibit halls in the country.

Most all of these exhibits are near the United States Capitol building, including the Botanical Gardens, George Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the Museum of American History (highlights: the hat that Lincoln wore to the Ford Theater where he was assassinated, and the original American flag that had flown during the War of 1812 and The National Anthem was written) - Museum of Natural History, the Air and Space Museum (highlights: the "The Spirit of St. Louis plane flown by Lindburg, and the capsule that was used to deliver and return the spacemen to the moon and back), The Newseum is fairly new with all the information about the gathering and dissemination of world-wide news, and is very interesting.

Since World War II there have been numerous new memorials, including the World War II memorial, the Viet Nam memorial, the Korean memorial, and more recently there is a magnificent park area dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt. We visited one or two of these areas each day for five days. Probably the two most impressive for us was the F. D. R. and WW II areas.

We sincerely believe the United States could have lost that war had it not been for the leadership of Roosevelt and Winston Churchill of England. We laughed and cried and thoroughly enjoyed all the visits we were able to make.

Another highlight of the trip was when our close friends, formerly from Baton Rouge - (Rick, Virginia, and their son Spencer Andrews), visited with us. They now live in Delaware where Rick is Dean of the Business School at the University of Delaware.

The best part of any vacation is to return home and enjoy the great-grandchildren while they swing in the backyard!

ST. BERNARD LIFE-SAVERS, BASTILLE DAY, LITTLE RED TROLLEY

2009-04-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Once on a driving trip through Switzerland in a rented car, Virginia and I found our minhotel to be closed. We opened our map of the area, and found another hotel nearby on top of a huge mountain in the middle of the Alps. We were lucky to find a vacancy at that time of day where the people were very friendly and accommodating.

The next day we observed many beautiful dogs, each with a handler, approaching the hotel. Most of them were grown St. Bernard dogs - all very well behaved. We discovered that these handlers were training these dogs to rescue skiers lost in the snow! This was a most interesting experience for us.

We left there the next day and headed for Annecy, France. This happened to be Bastille Day, which is a huge celebration observed yearly (similar to our July 4th.) We had no reservation at this town, so we stopped at the information office (The big "I") They directed us to a nice hotel alongside "Lac D'Annecy". The innkeeper and his family were very cordial, and even washed all our laundry. The food at the nearby restaurant was spectacular, with fresh broiled fish, sprinkled with ground roasted coffee beans. (WOW).

For several years now, each Christmas we receive cards from this hotel, inviting us to return.

We then drove on toward Innsbruck, Austria where we found our minhotel in a small town called Igls. To get to Innsbruck, we had to board a little red trolley to go down the mountainside, where we found a huge music festival in progress. We found front-row seats to eat and enjoy the music, and then took the little red trolley back up the mountain where we enjoyed another night in a very nice hotel with very friendly hosts.

DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

2009-04-15T09:00:00.001-07:00

Art Linkletter, who has become famous as a motivational speaker, author, and host of a TV series on CBS for many years, tells this story about his visit to a nursing home recently.

It seems that he had been invited to give an inspirational talk to all the residents of a nursing home in his hometown. There had been sufficient notification to all the residents of the home prior to his appearance. Practically all the residents attended, and he was well-received after his address.

As he was walking out the door of the home, there sat an older lady confined to a wheelchair sitting right near the exit door. She had been unable to attend the speech. Out of courtesy, he stopped to speak to her. He politely asked her if she enjoyed the speech. She told him she was unable to attend. He then asked her,"Do you know who I am?"

She then looked him right in the eye and told him, "No, but if you go right over there to the admission desk, they can tell you who you are!"

HOT DOGS AND BUTTERMILK

2009-04-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

Well, let's see now. It must have been late in 1948, (61 years ago). "Uncle" Earl Long had just been elected into the Governor's office. For his inauguration ceremony he chose to use the L. S. U. football stadium. He issued an invitation to all the citizens of Louisiana to join him. He would provide free hot dogs and buttermilk for everyone who attended.

Virginia and I had just moved into our new house near the campus on Aster Street, which was in walking distance from the stadium, so we decided to have this "delicacy" for supper that night. The stadium was filled with all 48,000 seats, and also the entire field was covered with people.

He gave his inaugural address from a huge platform erected right on the 50 yard line. As I recall, he was dressed as usual - with suspenders (gallusses, he called them), no coat, and spoke with the casual "north Louisiana" accent (country slow drawl). Both he and his older brother Huey Long have been described as "eccentric" in some ways. Later, "Uncle Earl" was to become more "eccentric".

As we left the stadium for home, we passed by the serving area, and were offered a whole sack full of hot dogs and many small cartons of buttermilk to take home with us.

(WOULD ANYONE LIKE SOME HOT DOGS AND BUTTERMILK? We still have plenty left over to share!)

AU REVOIR, MAMSELLE

2009-03-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

When my nephew, Mitch Worley was in High School, he was an extremely good football player, and he also excelled in baseball. In one of his games I saw, he came up to bat with the bases loaded and he hit the ball completely over the center field wall, scoring himself and three others who were on base at the time. When I see him now after 40 something years, I tell him, "Mitch that home run ball you hit is still climbing!"

My children and other nieces and nephews have done some remarkable feats, also. Let me tell you about my grandson, Ben Delony.

Ben is now in his Junior year at Indiana University where he is on a scholarship in the Ballet department. The entire department is highly accredited all over the world. Ben has been training in ballet since he was about 5 or 6 years old, and is quite accomplished.

He was performing on stage before a packed audience on March 29, 2009. Mamoo and I were watching this live on our computer in Baton Rouge through the web-site. One of his dance steps required him to lift a girl dancer (while she was on her tip-toes) all the way over his head, and then toss her backward over his head, to be caught in mid-air by another male dancer standing behind him.

When he did this "impossible" move - the girl just seemed to disappear from the stage. WOW!

I told him on the phone the next day that the girl probably was still flying out the back door of the stage! I have named the step: "AU REVOIR MAMSELLE!"

POLITICAL RHETORIC

2009-03-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I should explain why I find political discussions in general to be offensive.

I worked for five years in local politics as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Baton Rouge while W. W. Dumas was Mayor. I have seen the best and worst in politics on all levels. After 5 years, I chose to change professions because of the evidence of individual greed and dishonesty by many (not all) politicians. I COULD NOT CHANGE THIS!.

Also, I was drafted during World War II and was trained to hate and kill our enemies, Germans and Japanese, for the atrocities they committed against all mankind. I COULD NOT CHANGE THIS!

Just the mention of concentration camps and the holocaust enrages me to this day. I CANNOT CHANGE THIS!

This is why I am offended by most political discourses -

IF I CANNOT CHANGE THE PROBLEM, all I can do is cast my one vote at each and every election for whomever I think is best qualified for the office.

I SHALL NEVER CRITICIZE, CONDEMN, OR COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT, UNLESS I HAVE A BETTER SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THANK GOD WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN DO THIS!

ONE OF THEM "OLD MOTHER SONGS"

2009-03-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

Virginia and I have always loved country music, (still do). During the 1970s, we took Virginia's sister, Ruth, on a short vacation with us through Tennessee. While driving through Nashville we decided to attend the Grand Ole Opry for the routine Saturday night show. Ruth had never seen the Opry before, but she liked country music also.

The emcee and star of the show was Roy Acuff. He had been there for many years, and was extremely funny and very capable of handling an audience! They all seemed to love him. He had some talent on the fiddle, and was great as an emcee while introducing each act that would take their turn on stage with their songs and fiddles and guitars. He also kept the audience in stitches with his yo-yo, and balancing his entire fiddle on his chin.

About the middle of the show, he introduced a group of singers, and as they made their way to the center of the stage, he said in a loud voice, "OK BOYS, LET US HEAR ONE OF THEM OLD MOTHER SONGS"!

With this, we three just burst out laughing loudly - we found this to be absolutely hilarious. While we were doubling up with laughter the rest of the audience turned to look at us very seriously, and told us in a loud voice to "PLEASE BE QUIET - this is serious business".

For years after, we thought this to be one of the funniest introductions we had ever heard. (still do)

GOVERNOR JIMMY DAVIS

2009-03-19T03:27:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Jimmy Davis was a member of our First Methodist Church. Virginia and I were choir members at the time. She invited the entire choir to supper at the Governor's mansion on North Boulevard. We gathered at the main dining room and were cordially greeted by the Governor and Mrs. Davis. The meal included fried chicken, and " red-eye" gravy, with biscuits.

After supper, the choir sang a few songs, and then the Governor sang with us and also entertained us by singing with his trio. The highlight of the evening was when they sang "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE"

The next time we met him was at the home of Ed and Betty Campbell (my boss at World's Finest Chocolate). Betty had invited Virginia and me to supper with the Governor and his brother, Henry. It was a very enjoyable visit including "red-eye" gravy and biscuits for supper. Afterwards he told stories about his childhood, and some of his First Baptist friends. He enjoyed telling us about playing football with a hog's bladder with his young friends. Then he sang another one of his favorite songs, "COME ON HOME, IT'S SUPPER TIME".

DEAR MOM AND DAD

2009-02-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

DEAR MOM AND DAD,

My hands are small,

I don't mean to spill my milk,

My legs are short.

Please slow down so I can keep up.

When I touch something bright and pretty,

Please don't slap my hands.

Please look at me when I talk to you.

I need to know you're listening.

Let me make mistakes without feeling stupid.

My feelings are tender.

Please d0n't expect the bed I make or

the picture I draw to be perfect.

L0ve me for trying.

Remember I am a child, not a little adult

Sometimes I don't understand what you say.

Please love me just for being me.

Not just for the things I can do.

I love you. You're all I have.

Provided by Jerry Stovall, (Louisiana Children's Trust Fund)

U. S. ARMY 1945-1948

2009-02-05T08:36:00.000-08:00

I was drafted to serve in the Army for the duration of the war

plus 6 months. This was June 4, 1945 - I had finished High School one week earlier.

After the initial induction procedures (physical and mental exams) I was sent to Basic Infantry Training at Camp Fannin, Texas - near Tyler. This lasted from July through November. The 5 mile hikes were the most demanding and close-order drill was a daily routine. My earlier experience with my marching band at El Dorado High School was very helpful during this training period.

We had an old grizzled drill instructor who always screamed at us. He tried to make us hate him. In order to prepare us for our physical exams he would tell the following story: "You will all line up buck-naked where each of you will get the "double-whammy shot". This will cure any disease known to mankind. The medic will use his forked needle! Each point is bent like a fish hook. They go in easy, but he will have to stand on your neck to pull it out with both hands". (not really).

Occasionally we would get a weekend pass. Camp Fannin was not too far from my hometown, so I would hitch-hike or go by bus to see Mama sometime. Once on my return, I happened to be asleep when the bus arrived back at Camp. The bus driver failed to wake me up and when I did wake up we were about 50 miles past the camp, and I was late returning to my outfit.

For punishment the old First Sergeant confined me to quarters and also required me to water the grass during a driving rainstorm with only a 5 gallon bucket. I was never A. W. O. L. after that.

After finishing basic training I reported to Camp Pickett, Virginia for overseas assignment. After arrival there, my company commander just happened to need someone with typing

ability for his company clerk. I had learned this typing skill in high school so I was selected to stay at this camp for 6 months and never had to go overseas.

One day in April, 1946 the most amazing incident occurred out of the clear blue sky when I received orders to report to Louisiana State University to teach R. O. T. C. I immediately called my mother to tell her the good news. I was so excited at this opportunity that I could only cry into the long-distance telephone for several minutes before telling her the good news. At this time, my brother Wren was playing football at L. S. U., so I could hardly wait to report to Baton Rouge.

ONE MOTORCYCLE RIDE

2009-02-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

I must have been about 15 years old when I heard the distinctive sound of a huge motorcycle come roaring up to the side of our house in El Dorado, Arkansas. The driver stopped his big red machine facing the closed entrance to a large corrugated tin garage next door. The driver was an older friend of ours who wanted to show off his new motorcycle.

After saying hello, I followed him out to examine the big "hawg" more closely. It was a brand new Harley-Davidson, huge and shiny! The more I admired the enormous motorcycle, the more I wanted to take a ride on it. Finally I talked my friend into allowing me to just sit on it. Naturally I wanted to start it just to hear it go: 'VAROOOOOM, VAROOOOM".

Sure enough my friend offered me the key and said, "OK, go ahead and start it". He stood way back from me. I turned the switch on and gave it a big kick with my right leg to start it. In a split second it sounded like a huge cannon had exploded as this huge projectile sailed completely through the closed door of the garage at full-speed with a loud crash with me holding on for dear life!

In the blink of an eye I discovered that I had landed upside down underneath a big truck that was parked in the garage. The motor continued to run full speed, with the back wheel going faster and faster all the time.

Somehow I was able to find the ignition switch to turn the confounded thing off and amazingly I lived to tell the tale, without a scratch. The garage had a huge hole where the motorcycle and I had gone completely through it.

That was the last time I ever got on any motorcycle.

OLD SMOKEY

2009-02-05T04:15:00.000-08:00

When I was in High School during WW II our oldest brother Malcolm was in the Army. He had come home on furlough at the time. He had always loved horse racing at nearby Hot Springs, Arkansas. My mother suggested that he take me and her to see the races that weekend. I was barely old enough to get into the racetrack.

We drove to Hot Springs, checked into the Jack Tar Motel and went to the races the next day. It was a beautiful day and the place was filled with spectators. For us it was like a vacation. Betting on a horse was out of the question for mama and me since money was so scarce for us. We were happy just to see the horses run.

About the sixth race of the day, my mother looked at the program and read about each horse running in that race. She came upon a name that interested her for some strange reason. The horse was named "Old Smokey". Indeed he did look very old to me and most of the others in the stands. His odds of winning were 50 to 1.

She slowly found $2.00 in her purse (the minimum bet). She tapped Malcolm on the shoulder and told him to take this and bet it on Old Smokey (to win). With great doubts on his face he went to the window and came back with her ticket on this horse.

Just like in the story books, Old Smokey stumbled out of the gate dead last. As the race continued he started to gain on all the other horses on the track. Unbelievably he went into the lead and finished in first place ahead of all the other horses. He had won the race and we were ecstatic with joy while most of the other people in the stands were very disappointed. This was when Malcolm told mother and me that he had secretly bet $5.00 on the same horse, to win!

OLD SALTY

2009-02-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

While still in elementary school, my brother Wren and I loved to go swimming on Saturdays. The nearest "spa" was about 5 miles out in the country. It was nothing more than a small stream of salty water formed by the numerous oil wells that were always pumping nearby. It was located deep in the woods past the railroad tracks south of El Dorado.

Wren, Dale Gray, Terral Smith and I would start walking barefoot through the hot sands of South Arkansas, cross the tracks and follow a "dim" little footpath through the woods to "Old Salty". This was long before integration and many times we would discover the pool to occupied by members of the "other" race. Somehow, we would persuade them to leave Old Salty until we had finished swimming. This was not always easy to do.

We would leave all our clothes on the bank while we enjoyed the cool muddy salt water to our heart's content. This was called, "Skinny-dipping"..

Once after we had finished our swim we started looking for our clothes in the bushes where we had left them. No clothes could be found! We searched and searched and finally one of the black kids came out of the big clump of bushes with our clothes, just laughing at the trick he had played on us.

On later visits to Old Salty we would wait till that group finished their swim before we went in...

VISITING RELATIVES IN THE COUNTRY

2009-02-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

Occasionally while growing up, we would visit my mother's sister and her family in a country home and farm about 50 miles from our home in El Dorado. This farm visit was a great adventure for me. Their only source of water was a deep well with a long rope and a bucket. Heat for cooking and keeping the house warm was provided by a wood stove and fireplace. Light was provided by kerosene lamps.

Their farm was about 40 acres planted with cotton and corn primarily. There were many chickens and hogs, plus 2 mules for plowing and 2 cows for milking. The outside "privy" was a "2-holer" with newspaper - a completely new experience for this city-boy! All my cousins and their family seemed very content with their living conditions.

I was very fortunate in many ways to be raised in a town with running water, electric lights, and natural gas for heating and cooking. My country relatives must have thought we were rich

MY FIRST JOB

2009-02-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

At about 11 years of age, I got my first job delivering daily newspapers in our home town. I would deliver about 80 morning papers each day. The first week, I earned sixty-five cents. I was very proud of this and could not wait to give this large sum to my mother.

My older brother, Wren, also had a paper route larger than mine. Once each year the local newspaper published an "oil edition". This was a large publication inserted into each of the Sunday papers (which was already large). Before Wren had delivered his papers this particular morning, he came back home in tears. The load of papers was simply too heavy for him to carry as he walked on his paper route.

Our mother saw his problem and immediately got dressed and shared the load with him on foot until all his 100 papers were delivered. My route had fewer customers so I didn't need any help.

VIRGINIA'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

2009-01-31T09:14:00.000-08:00

January 31, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

Congratulations on your election and inauguration. I wish you well as you form a new administration.

In your role as leader of our great nation you seem to have a special place in the hearts of the young people of our country. As such a person, I would like to request that you address all the students of this country in a major address televised during school hours.

I think it would be very meaningful if you will remind them of your own background, and the importance of getting an education that has contributed to your success. You have given hope to a great number of young people that nothing is impossible, but they must also be reminded that getting an education is the key to success.

Also, many public schools are experiencing severe discipline problems. Please suggest that students respect their teachers more and consider their teachers as friends.

I am a retired Public Elementary school Principal.

Sincerely,

Virginia D. Worley

THE BLUE CHICKEN

2009-01-30T06:35:00.000-08:00

As a child, I remember that my mother had a few chickens out in the back yard. She had several varieties, such as "Rhode Island Red", "Dominecker", and " Leghorns". My favorite was the Dominecker!

In the third grade at Southside Elementary School, we were having an art class. Each child was to draw a picture of any pet we had at home, and then color it appropriately. I immediately thought of my pet chicken and started to drawing and coloring very carefully. I was not sure of the color, but I selected one from my Crayola crayon box.

After we finished coloring, my teacher asked me to bring my picture to the front and show it to the entire class. I proudly showed the picture I had drawn, and the entire class burst into laughter! I had no idea what caused this. I thought they were laughing at me, so I started crying out loud right in front of the whole class.

They were really laughing at the color! I suddenly realized that I must be color-blind! To this day, I cannot remember the names of colors as they appear to me. My eyesight is 20/20, and I suppose I see the same color as anyone, but I cannot remember the names.

All my life I have had this problem. Sometimes it is interesting, and other times it could be dangerous, especially at traffic lights.

Did you ever see a blue chicken?

REINCARNATION

2009-01-27T14:57:00.000-08:00

I cannot say if I believe in reincarnation or not, but the following true story makes me wonder.

Several years ago, I was traveling in the New Orleans area trying to sell World's Finest Chocolate to schools in the area. I was between calls and had a little time before my next appointment, and I saw this sign in front of a house: "MADAME JANE - PALMS READ"

Out of curiosity, I decided to go inside the house to see what this was all about.

A nice looking lady greeted me at the door, and promptly said, "Please come inside, Mr. Worley! (how did she know my name, I wondered) I asked her what she charged to read my palm? She said, "Ten dollars". I thought that was reasonable.

I sat down and she started to "read" my palm. She quickly said, "You are not a native of Louisiana, are you? She was right! She then said, "Your last name is Worley and I can see that you are happily married with 2 children and a wife of many years" (How did she know that?)

She continued with her appraisal of my background, she was right every time. This was very interesting to me (and worth the $10.00, I thought)

She then said, "For an additional $10.00, I will tell you about the origin of the Worley name. This was very interesting , since I had often been curious about this.

I agreed, and then we went into another room, where sure enough, she had her crystal ball, and she seemed to go into some sort of trance. While looking into the ball, she said, "I'm going way back into your history, and I see the origin of the Worley family in England. (I had heard of this before). She continued (still staring into the crystal ball), "I now see a large castle on a high hill with a huge basement. Inside this basement, I can see an enormous pit-bulldog tied to the wall with a large chain around its neck, just jumping up and down, barking loudly and struggling to get loose.

Suddenly she stopped talking, and said, "Mr. Worley, I must stop at this time. I just don't have the heart to tell you the rest of this true story about your origin"

I paid her the extra $10.00 and went on to my next appointment.

The next morning while shaving, I noticed some faint scars on my neck I had seen for many years.

WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SEE THESE SCARS ON MY NECK ??

woof, woof.

(I have had a lot of fun with this story for many years, especially at parties. (Someone will always want to look at my neck)

OUR FRIENDLY WEATHERMAN

2009-01-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

I have always enjoyed hearing the weather reports on TV, radio, and the newspaper. However, lately, I have been confused about the reports of "how the weather feels". Sometime they report that the temperature is now 45 degrees, but it "feels like 34 degrees".

How do they know what it feels like to me? (It usually feels like 40 below zero to me when it is 45).

And another thing: They are now saying, "It is raining, but it is not hitting the ground!"

How can this be? I have never heard anything like that in my life.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

MAMOO'S BEST CORN BREAD

2009-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

2/3 cup Quaker White Cornmeal

1/3 cup All-purpose Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup Egg Substitute

1 Egg White- slightly beaten

1 Cup Buttermilk

1 tsp Canola Oil

Sift together dry ingredients. Add milk, egg substitute and egg white. Stir gently until just moistened.

Heat 1 tsp Canola oil in 8 inch black iron skillet until very hot and bottom of skillet is coated.

Add batter and bake in 450 degree oven for 15 minutes. (Batter should sizzle when poured into skillet).

THIS IS THE BEST IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. I PREFER TO EAT IT WHEN CRUMBLED INTO COLD BUTTERMILK!

OUR NEW PRESIDENT OBAMA

2009-01-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

Yes, he is a black man, and yes, he is our president.

1. He won the election with the largest voter turnout ever, and he won the majority vote fair and square (without my vote).

2. In this country, I am glad to say, we have a Congress as well as a Supreme Court and a President - All three provide checks and balances against each other.

3. I (along with many others) have been disappointed by several previous presidents, and proud of others.

4. I hope and pray that Obama will make a good president, but I do not in any way expect him to be a dictator (for all the reasons in number 2 above).

5. I say, let's give him a chance and then pass judgment on him.

6. I have visited several foreign countries and have studied many of their forms of government, and I would not for a minute choose to live any place other than here.

7. I also thank God Almighty that we live in a country that selects its leaders by a vote of the majority of its legal residents. I also believe that if a person does not care enough for this country to vote, he (or she) gets the government they deserve!

WHERE IS THE SERGEANT?

2009-01-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

In 1948, I was transferred to Camp Leroy Johnson, (the present location of U. N. O.) for discharge. Two weeks before discharge, the Army decided to send us (about 50) on a weeklong bivouac in pup-tents way out in the country from Slidell, La. (Just like the Army).

Virginia had no way to contact me, so she found an old used luggage tag, and printed the following: " SGT IS WAY OUT IN THE WOODS FROM SLIDELL ON BIVOUAC" which she kept in her wallet.

We still have the luggage tag, if anybody wants to know exactly where to locate me.

RENTAL CAR IN EUROPE

2007-09-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

1997: RENTAL CAR IN EUROPE

After two days sightseeing in London, we took the chunnel train to Paris where we rented a car for two weeks, got a map of France and just started driving.
We first drove to Reims, (sight of WWII German surrender). Then drove the Champagne wine country, then to Nancy for a nice picnic with "fromage de tete" (hog-head cheese). Afterward, we drove to Karlsruhe, Germany, had a police escort to our hotel and saw a huge parade where they were celebrating the 900th anniversary of the town. Then drove back to the west coast of France to the Normandy coast to visit the D-Day area. Then down the coast to Mont St. Michel and then stayed at a "MinHotel" in Evers-Merzanger.
Then drove across France again to Milan, Italy to visit our dear friends Betty and her family. Then to Florence, stayed at the Malaspina Hotel, then to Vienna. Visited all the sights we could including the Prater, (a large park where we ate "Schwein-stelzer- a huge roasted pig knuckle with beer), and rode a giant ferris wheel.
Returned to Paris, turned the rental car in and flew back home.

52i

1997: 50th ANNIVERSARY CRUISE WITH ENTIRE FAMILY

There was David, Charlene, Kari Lynn, Patricia, Willis, Craig, Mary Claire, and Benjamin, with us on the cruise.
We took a bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans where we boarded a Holland America cruise ship for 7 days in the Gulf. We had stops in Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Porto Rico. We swam in the Gulf, and really enjoyed the entire trip and the sights all the while enjoying our 50th wedding anniversary.

52j

2001: ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND WITH WREN AND HIS VIRGINIA

We flew into London for two days of sightseeing before we met Wren and his Virginia. Stayed at the Park Thistle Hotel and saw a big parade with Queen Elizabeth. (She waved at me).
Then we boarded a Globus Tour bus for a 5 day trip to Scotland. Went by Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews golf course, and Balmoral Castle. We at haggis (YUCK) at a nice restaurant with a big loud bag-pipe blaring in our ears during dinner.
Then visited York Castle, Cambridge, and Plymouth. Then took the train from Paddington Station down to Devon, England where we visited with Ted and Sylvie Breach (some of Wren’s friends).

52k

2002: CRUISE TO ALASKA

We flew into Vancouver, spent the night and the next day we boarded Holland America cruise ship for 7 days to Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau, Alaska.
Saw salmon hatcheries, bald eagles, orca whales, and glaciers.
Met two real nice guys on the ship - Lynn Searfoss and Buzz Cofrances who live in Scottsdale, Arizona.

52l

1998: LONDON WITH PATRICIA AND HER FAMILY

Virginia and I took Ben and Christopher on one plane, and Patricia and Willis brought Mary Claire on another, where we met in London.
We all went sightseeing and to several theaters. Saw "Starlight Express". Then we all took a boatride on the Thames River down to Greenwich. Visited the Royal Naval Academy and prime meridian. Christopher ordered garlic toast and capuccina coffee at a restaurant.
Back in London, we all rode on a double-decker bus and had a great time.

52m

1998: BALTIC SEA CRUISE

This time, Virginia and I flew into London. Took Norwegian Cruise Line ship from Dover through Kiel Canal all the way to St. Petersburg. Saw Winter Palace and Pushkin Castle. From there we cruised to Helsinki, Finland and visited a beautiful Church built right into a huge rock on the side of a mountain. Then to Stockholm to see the little mermaid’s statue. After a short stop in Copenhagen we arrived back in London to visit Princess Diane’s memorial and the Barbican Theater District. Then to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.

52n

APOLOGIZE TO YOUR SCALES

2007-08-31T05:41:00.000-07:00

For a number of years, Virginia and I have been trying to stay healthy. First by eating properly (she is a great cook), and then exercising daily. We gave up walking in the mall since the road traffic was so terrible, and have been religiously walking on our treadmill at home about 30 minutes each day.

I get on the bathroom scales every morning, and usually, I have gained one or two pounds. Then is when I blame the scales and call them every hostile name I can think of. However, there are some days, when believe it or not, I am down maybe a couple of pounds.

Then is when I ask the scales for their forgiveness, and wind up apologizing for the names I have called them.

So far, it has worked pretty well for me. I am able to keep within a range of 3 - 4 pounds of my weight goal each week. (185 - 189)

2007 ITINERARY

2007-08-29T04:52:00.001-07:00

2007 - 60th Anniversary for Virginia and me - 40th Anniversary for Wren and his Virginia

SEP 19 - LV. BR (DELTA) _8:30 AM FLT#4844 (ATLANTA, JFK, ROME)
SEP 20 - AR ROME (Aberdeen Hotel) (Tel. 06 4823920 E-MAIL: hotel.aberdeen@travel.it)
SEP 21 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
SEP 22 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
SEP 23 - ROME SIGHTSEEING
SEP 24 - ROME SIGHTSEEING (Need transportation from hotel to Civitivechia)

SEP 25- 10 DAY HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE FROM ROME: (Eastern Mediterranean- Athens, Sicily, etc)
OCT 5 - DISEMBARK AT ROME
MEET WREN AND VA. AT ADLER HOTEL

VILLA IN TUSCANY (W/WREN AND VA).
(Tel 39 0577 941780 E-MAIL: info@ilborghettotuscanholidays.com)
OCT 6 - Rail to Florence - RENT CAR and drive to VILLA IL BORGHETTO
BETTY/ANTONIO TO MEET US THERE! Oct 6-8 (Get Gianni’s phone number in Rome)
OCT 13- Check out of Villa - Drive back to Florence, turn in rental car, take train to Rome
SIGHTSEEING IN ROME
OCT 13 - ROME - SIGHTSEEING (Aberdeen Hotel)
:
Visit: Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Coliseum, ETC
(INVITE GIANNI AND MANUELA OUT FOR SUPPER ONE NIGHT)
OCT 14 - ROME SIGHTSEEING (Aberdeen Hotel)
OCT 15 - ROME SIGHTSEEING (Aberdeen Hotel)
OCT 16 - ROME SIGHTSEEING (Aberdeen Hotel)

OCT 17 - LV ROME ___11:45_____AM DELTA FLT # 161 (JFK, ATLANTA, BR)
Arrive home 7:00 pm Flight 4487 from Atlanta

1941 LOUISIANA MANEUVERS

2007-08-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

I was thirteen years old and preparing to go into El Dorado High School in the Fall. The U.S. Government announced that thousands of soldiers from all over the country would be commencing maneuvers in Louisiana to train for entry into World War II, which was destined in the near future. My home town is only 15 miles north of the Louisiana state line on U. S. Highway 167.

I had been delivering daily newspapers for about a year at the time. One of the owners of the newspaper offerred a job to the carriers to sell daily newspapers to the troops. The cost of the newspapers was 3 cents, and the delivery boys could sell them at 5 cents each to the soldiers. The transportation to the maneuver area would be furnished. All we had to do was go to the office at 3:00 am and pick up several hundred papers, and then we would be taken into the fields where the soldiers were bivouacked and offer them for sale. This would provide a profit of 2 cents per paper sold. (Not bad, for a boy of 13, if he sold a lot of papers!).

For weeks and weeks the soldiers, trucks and equipment poured through our town. Day and night the mighty roar of trucks, all loaded with personnel and equipment could be heard. Also the constant stream of marching soldiers could be seen for miles and miles along the highway going south to Louisiana.

We would follow the soldiers and would sell at least 100 papers each day, sometimes more. Most of these men were from up North somewhere, and we found them to be very polite, even though the heat, chiggers and mosquitos were almost unbearable. We would go out into the woods along the highway to sell the papers. There were pup-tents as far as the eye could see, and sometimes, they would offer us coffee at the "mess-tents" when they were having breakfast.

Then came December 7, 1941. PEARL HARBOR! No one knows how many of those servicemen were involved in World War II. I personally knew several that served during this war. Some of them had sold newspapers to soldiers on maneuvers before the start of that war.

LIFE 101

2007-08-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

My mother tried to teach me and my brother Wren all these lessons while trying to raise us:

1. Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
2. Set a goal in life. Do not lie, cheat, or steal to reach that goal.
3. Find a mentor or someone to inspire you - a teacher, leader, or neighbor
4. Learn to overcome adversity - (trauma, suspense, or loss).
5. Accept responsibility for all your actions or statements.
6. Do not criticize, condemn, or complain, unless you have a solution to offer that will improve the situation.
7. Be tolerant of other people and their religious or political beliefs.
8. Focus on the job at hand. If you make a mistake, admit it and do it right the next time.
9. Learn patience. Quitters never win! Winners never quit!
10. Have a sense of humor.
11. Stickability. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Get as much education as possible and stick with any project you start.
12. Always be proud of yourself. Don't do anything you would be ashamed of.
13. Be thankful for what you have.
14. Help others who are less fortunate.
15. Get a job. Earn self-respect. "Earn a dollar, save a dime"
16. Register when you are eligible and vote in every election for the best qualified person, regardless of the party affiliation.
17. Be proud to be an American.
18. Respect authority and your teachers, they are here to help you.
19. Keep a positive mental attitude at all times.
20. Find a Church you are comfortable with - with a good youth program. Join it and support it.

U. S. Army

2007-08-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

L. S. U. ROTC INSTRUCTORS

After graduation from high school, I received my draft notice to report to Camp Joe T. Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas. This service was required of all males 18 years or older for the duration of the war plus 6 months.

After the initial induction procedures (physical and mental exams) I was sent for basic Infantry training at Camp Fannin, near Tyler, Texas. This lasted from July through November. The 5 mile hikes were the most demanding. Also close-order drill was a daily routine. My earlier experience with my high school marching band was very helpful during this training period.

We had an old grizzled Drill Instructor who always screamed at us. He just loved to make us hate him. In order to prepare us for our physical exams he would tell the following story: "You will all line up buck-naked where each of you will get the "double-whammy shot". This will cure any disease known to mankind. The medic will use his forked needle! Each point is bent like a fish hook. They go in very easy, but he will have to stand with his foot on your neck to pull it out with both hands".

Occasionally we would get a weekend pass. It was not too far to my hometown, so I would hitch-hike or go by bus to see Mama sometime. Once on my return by bus to camp from a pass, I happened to be asleep when the bus arrived back at Camp Fannin. The bus-driver failed to wake me up and when I woke up the bus was about 50 miles past the camp, and I was late returning to my outfit.

The First Sergeant confined me to quarters for punishment and also required me to water the grass during a driving rainstorm with only a 5 gallon bucket. I was never A. W. O. L. again after that.

After finishing basic training in Texas,I was sent by troop-train to Camp Pickett, Virginia for overseas assignment. After arrival there my company commander just happened to need someone with typing ability to be his company clerk. I had learned this typing skill in high school so I was selected to stay at this camp for 6 months and never had to go overseas.

One day the most amazing incident occurred out of the clear blue sky when I received orders to report to Louisiana State University to teach R. O. T. C. I immediately called my mother and was so excited at this opportunity that I could only cry into the long-distance telephone for several minutes before telling her the great news. My brother, Wren was playing football at L. S. U. so I could not wait to go to Baton Rouge.

Our Italian Friends

2007-08-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

OUR ITALIAN FRIENDS

What else can we say about Betty and Antonio and their family, except: THEY ARE THE GREATEST!

The couple is considerably younger than we are, but they don't seem to care. We visit with them as long as possible, and they participate in any discussion we choose to talk about. They really and truly make us feel like we are all equal and we never seem to run out of some conversation with them. They give and take and offer their opinions on any subject, and they listen to our opinions on any subject. This is a personal quality that we miss with many of our other acquaintances. Sometime they may disagree with us, but they are never disagreeable. It is the utmost pleasure for us to visit with them. This includes their Mama and Papa, and her brother Gianni and his wife, Manuela.

We count our blessings that we have found much younger friends that we can truly call our ideal friends. We have come to love them almost as much as two of our own children, even if they do live far, far away near Milan, Italy.

Our 60th Anniversary

2007-08-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

August 5th, 2007 was a memorable day for me and Virginia. To celebrate, we decided we would repeat the same type party we had for our 50th Anniversary. We invited 25 friends and family members to join us at First Methodist Church for the 8:30 am service, and afterward, we all would meet back at our house for brunch and a little celebration. Forty people showed up, and Patricia and Ben and Willis helped prepare all the food, and helped to direct traffic at home. The food and fellowship was fantastic especially with son David and his wife, Charlene and their kids and grandchildren. Then we had a special treat when Wren and his Virginia showed up from Dallas by surprise.

At the church service, Patricia and Ben sang one of our favorite hymns, Great is Thy Faithfulness, and Willis accompanied them on piano. Willis began the program with his rendition of Southside Will Shine Tonight. This was the "official" school song of my Elementary School he had arranged as though it were a hymn.

All this brought on the "water-works".

LA-RAMBLA in Barcelona

2007-08-17T18:23:00.001-07:00

In Barcelona, Spain there is a very large pedestrian boulevard with all sorts of interesting sights to be seen. There are no cars allowed of course, so the area is usually filled with visitors, locals, and various vendors selling all sorts of items to the passersby continously. Some of the items offered are live birds in cages, goldfish in bowls, pet bunny rabbits, cheap clothing, cheap jewelry, and paintings of all kinds.

Also there are a number of human mimes that imitate various characters of history, such as: sun goddesses, Roman Gladiators, and even the Statue of Liberty. Their costumes are elaborate with beautiful colors, and they just stand there for hours on end without moving. Their collection cans are always at their feet to receive donations for the "art" they are depicting.

I came upon this person dressed in a complicated white toga, to resemble a classical Roman ruler. His face and hands were painted white to match the robes he wore, and he just stood there without moving for hours on end. He saw me as I approached, and as his eyes met mine, he nonchalantly glanced down at his collection jar hoping that I would fill it.

I slowly started to walk away. This is when he looked back at me and smugly gave me the "finger", then silently continued his interpretation of the Roman ruler.

It's All About the Money

2007-08-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Nowadays it seems as if my mailbox is daily filled with enumerable requests for donations to all kinds of charitable organizations. Most of these seem to be reputable, however there is a limit to the number of groups I can possibly give to.

We have found a friend in our Sunday School class who is a retired lawyer named John. I once asked him why there are more and more requests for donations these days.

His profound reply was, "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY- and if they say it isn't - IT IS"

And if John says, "It is - IT IS!"

Mammoo's Hobby

2007-08-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs a hobby!

Virginia has loved to cook and do handwork as long as we have been married. (62 years!). She has crocheted numerous afghans through the years. They have all been extremely beautiful, and we have stacks of them after giving many away to children and grand-children and friends.

Several months ago our church started a knitting group that meets weekly to provide prayer shawls or hats and scarves for donation to an outreach ministry. She dearly loves this activity.

I have several hobbies, also. One of them is working in my little garden while planning our next trip, and then working EASY cross-word puzzles while I am not napping (or writing a few memories for this blog thing).

To Enjoy Retirement, Fun is Fundamental

2007-08-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Retirement used to mean staring into the sunset in a rocking chair. Not anymore. Many or most "retirees" now work at part-time jobs for pay. Many volunteer their time in activities just for the fun of it.

My experiences convince me that these are the essential elements for a happy retirement at any age:

FAMILY
FINANCES
FUN

If you're lucky, you'll have children or grandchildren to share your golden years. If not, "adopt" some, figuratively or literally. Nothing will make you feel as young and think as young as regular association with kids.

Money is meant to be spent in retirement. Take care of your medical and health needs and the education of minor children or grandchildren. Then spend the rest - You can't take it with you! Don't skimp so you can leave something for the older kids. You've already fed, clothed and educated them to adulthood. That's enough.

Fun is the most important retirement requisite of all. Too many people are bored most of their working lives. Retirement should mean escape from that boredom.

(Copied from USA column by Al Neuharth, called Plain Talk)

2007

2007-08-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

This year should be a memorable year for us. In April I will mark my 80'th birthday (I cannot believe this). August 5th will mark our 60'th wedding anniversary and we will ask our family and close friends to join us at our Church, with brunch afterward at our house. Also this year will be my brother Wren's 40'th anniversary with his Virginia (this will total 100 years for us brothers - a record for this family). It will also mark our 47'th year to live in our home in Baton Rouge.

We are now making plans to celebrate by taking another cruise to the eastern Mediterranean for 10 days starting September 25th at Rome. After the cruise we want to combine a week in a villa in the Tuscany area of Italy with Wren and his Virginia. We hope our friends from Milan (Betty and Antonio) can join us for a few days while we are there.

This will be a total of 25 days in our favorite part of Europe with part of our family, and our very closest Italian friends

Bethel College - McKenzie, Tennessee

2007-08-17T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is a small college about 100 miles north of Memphis which was established by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1846. Virginia's maternal grandfather, Professor N. J. Finney had been President of this school from 1909 to 1921, and president emeritus until 1931. He taught lessons in Greek and Latin there until his death at age 84, and died while preparing his lessons for the next day.

The school had honored him by erecting a flagpole in the middle of the campus with his name engraved in the pedestal and the dates of his tenure there. A large portrait of him now hangs in Heritage Hall on campus along with pictures of all the other past presidents of the college.

We had been invited to a Homecoming Celebration in October 2006, and we drove there to participate. There was a nice outdoor reception area where we met a Dr. Prosser, the current President and his wife and several other alumni. That evening there was a reunion dinner with approximately 500 in attendance. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting with many of the people and they were all extremely cordial. Some of the oldest persons there remembered Professor Finney.

After making a contribution in his memory, we rode around the attractive small town of McKenzie, spent the night, and returned home the next day.

Touring Through Kentucky

2007-08-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Recently we drove from Baton Rouge to Bloomington, Indiana to see our grandson, Ben, perform with his ballet class at the University of Indiana. We were amused at many of the unusual names of the businesses that we saw along the way.

Here are just a few:

BIG BILL'S BELLY-BUSTIN BAR B-Q
BEER
BELCH
BLISS
YOU'LL BE BACK!

TATTOO CHARLIE'S
DONE WHILE U WAIT

FIFTH THIRD BANK
(Wonder what happened to the other four)

LITTLE HOPE CEMETERY
STOP HERE!

Seen on back of waiter's shirts in Bloomington, Indiana:

EAT FAST - AND - LEAVE!

Stopping Traffic in Paris

2007-08-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

On our first visit to Paris in 1979, I felt I just had to see the historical Arch-de-Triomph.

This enormous shrine is located right smack in the middle of a huge four-lane circular street called CHAMPS-ELYSEE. Literally thousands of cars and buses careen around it daily - VERY FAST!

There are no traffic lights in the circle, so I had to do the best I could to run through all that traffic to get across the street to the building. After waiting for an eternity it seemed, I noticed a slight opening in the traffic. I took out my handkerchief and waved it furiously as I dashed through all four lanes of Paris traffic! All the cars started honking and yelling foreign words at me, and some of the drivers even waved the strangest signals with their hands and fingers!

When I finally made it across safely another pedestrian already over there asked me, "Why didn't you just use the pedestrian subway - it's much safer?"

Alhambra

2007-08-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Our 18 year old grandson (Ben) has been taking ballet lessons for about 12 years now. He dearly loves this activity and has gotten quite good at it, as well as all his other studies in Baton Rouge High School. He has straight A's all through high school, and is now on academic as well as ballet scholarship at Indiana University to continue his studies.

Once while observing him practicing his dance steps, I asked to teach me just one of those intricate movements. He agreed and then he instructed me to hold on to the back of a chair and extend one leg straight back, with a slight kick, and then return it. THAT WAS IT!

He had a name for this movement and I think it was "ALHAMBRA", but I am not sure.

I now have been practicing this one movement for years. I am still waiting for the New York Ballet Company to call me on stage to perform.

Little Red Riding Hood

2007-08-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Substitute teaching in the elementary grades can be very interesting. Once while subbing for a kindergarten teacher in a very Christian school, I was asked to read the story of "Little Red Riding Hood" to the class.

The little ones all sat on the floor around my big rocking chair while I read the story as follows: Little Red Riding Hood was tripping along through the forest on the way to grandmother's house. Hiding behind her in the woods was the big bad wolf".

Suddenly one little kindergarten child with a huge frown on his face said loudly, "I don't like that BIG BAD wolf"!

I continued to read the story. When I got to the part where the wolf arrived at grandmother's house ahead of Little Red Riding Hood, the frowning one stood and said in a louder voice, "I still don't like that big, bad wolf"! I continued to read.

"The wolf found grandmother in bed, and she said, "My goodness, what big eyes your have" - "The better to see you with, grandmother", the wolf said. Then she said, "My, what big ears you have" - "The better to hear you with" he said. Then she said, "My, what big teeth you have, grandmother" - "The better to eat you with, grandmother" - AND HE ATE GRANDMOTHER".

At this time, the scowling little kindergartner jumped up and loudly screamed, "I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T LIKE THAT SUM'-BITCH!"

Blueberries

2007-08-17T18:07:00.000-07:00

Virginia and I love blueberries and we love to pick them fresh.

Several years ago we were driving out Plank Road, near Slaughter, when we saw a small sign on the side of the road advertising a blueberry patch where you could pick them yourself. The arrow pointed straight ahead and after about four miles, the signs pointed down a "dim" gravel road. We followed the sign down this road for about a mile and then another sign pointed down an even "dimmer" road where we found lots of blueberry bushes just loaded with fruit. The little shed had a sign that said, "HONOR SYSTEM- Pick all you want, then use our scales to weigh them, and send us a check in the pre- addressed envelopes provided". The price was very reasonable.

We must have picked about 4 gallons, then weighed them and sent our check. Then we froze them and enjoyed them for almost a year. The next several years we did the same thing.

This year when we returned, the sign was off the shed and there were no more scales or envelopes to send the money. We picked another 4 or 5 gallons anyway, and called the owner to offer to pay. He said, "Just forget it, you don't owe me anything. I am out of the blueberry business-so tell all your friends to come on up here and pick as many as they want, all free!"

We now enjoy blueberry pancakes, blueberry waffles, and blueberry angel food cake the year round!

Want to Go on a Sea-Cruise?

2007-08-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Cruising can be economical. The cost of a cruise includes virtually all food on the trip, although there may be cover charges at some of the ship's fancy restaurants.

This, of course is a good deal. And the food's not bad. We ate mostly in the buffet cafe, which had especially interesting breakfast dishes, ranging from sublime (grits) to the ridiculous (baked beans)

However, my friends who drink warn of the dangers of the little plastic card issued to each guest on the cruise.

If you're lounging on the pool deck, you may see a waiter in a flowered shirt carrying a tray containing tall pink tropical drinks garnished with an orange slice, a cherry and a small paper umbrella.

To obtain one of the festive and refreshing beverages, you simply hand the waiter your card and sign a ticket, which means that your credit card is bill for about 9 bucks, including a tip. (While the food is paid for, you pay for all booze- type beverages).

This "cashless" system is very convenient, but if you overdo it you can seriously damage your credit card balance.

There's also a casino on board.

So, as the late Johnnie Cochran might say, "If you do the vice, you must pay the price". On the final morning of the cruise, just before disembarkation, final statements are put on each stateroom door, telling you just how much you've spent on those tall pink drinks during the cruise.

At this point you start to hear screams echoing up and down the ship --- followed by splashes ...

(Reprint from Smiley Anders column, Morning Advocate)

Retirement

2007-08-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

For the last two years I can truly say that I have enjoyed my retirement very much. Virginia and I have continued to travel to Europe each year as well as Alaska and Hawaii. We have recently returned from a 3 week European visit which included a visit in London, then a river cruise on the Danube from Prague to Budapest, then on to Milan to visit our Italian friends.

Both Virginia and I have been retired for several years and I have more time on my hands to do a few things I haven't been able to do before. At her suggestion I have been enjoying substitute teaching at the LSU Laboratory School. I find about two days a week that I substitute when a teacher is ill or must be absent from the classroom for a day at a time. I love to read to the lower elementary classes. The Middle and High School classes are enjoyable, even though they are sometimes a challenge for me due to discipline opportunities (not problems).

I enjoy teaching when I can stand in front of a hgh shool class and relate a few of the lessons I have learned throughout my life. I hope the list below will be helpful to some young persons as I have benefitted from all these that were first taught to me by my mother, Abie.

My mother tried to teach me and Wren all these lessons while trying to raise us. I call it:

LIFE 101

1. Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
2. Set a goal in life. Do not lie, cheat, or steal to reach that goal.
3. Find a mentor or someone to inspire you - a teacher, leader, or neighbor
4. Adversity - (trauma, suspense, or loss) Learn to overcome it.
5. Accept responsibility for all your actions or statements.
6. Three "C's" : (Criticize, Condemn, Complain) Don't do either of these unless you have a solution to offer that will improve the situation.
7. Be tolerant of other people and their religious or political beliefs.
8. Focus on the job at hand. If you make a mistake, admit it and do it right the next time.
9. Learn patience. You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.
10. Have a sense of humor.
11. Stickability. Anything worth doing is worth doing well. Get as much education as possible and stick with any project you start.
12. Always be proud of yourself. Don't do anything you would be ashamed of.
13. Be thankful for what you have.
14. Help others who are less fortunate.
15. Get a job. Earn self-respect. "Earn a dollar, save a dime"
16. Register when you are eligible and vote in every election for the best qualified person, regardless of the party affiliation.
17. Be proud to be an American.
18. Respect authority and your teachers, they are here to help you.
19. Keep a positive mental attitude at all times.
20. Find a Church you are comfortable with. Join it and support it.

Walking in the Mall

2007-08-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed mostly good health all my life and moderate exercise has always been inviting to me. Since moving into our home in 1960 I have jogged on the streets, attended gymnastic classes, and done considerable yard work, including raising a small garden. Until a few years ago I was able to use a rowing ergometer inside the house for about 30 minutes each day. Also Virginia has always been a great cook, we have square danced for 25 years, and have carefully watched our calorie intake as well as providing mouth-watering dishes for 62 years.

Arthritis is common in our family and I am no exception. As I got older, my left hip had started to get more of my attention after each bit of physical movement. When the pain became unbearable the inevitable hip-replacement took place. A young doctor named J. E. Broyles did a masterful job of this and after several months of patience and physical therapy, Virginia and I started walking early each morning inside the Mall of Louisiana near our home.

We have now been doing this daily for about 18 months for periods of 30 minutes each time. We go early in the morning before the customers arrive and the entire atmosphere is very enjoyable - with no cars, no barking dogs, and no bad weather to contend with. Even soothing background music is provided and there are many interesting sights to be seen also.

I can almost smell those fresh baked cookies and the frying bacon from the food court now.

Bill from Milan

2007-08-17T17:56:00.000-07:00

In 1993 our neighbors across the street invited us to meet some of their friends who were visiting from Texas. While there we mentioned our plans to go to Milan, Italy on our next vacation. One of the Texans said that another of her friends, Hazel had a brother who lived there, whose name was Bill Ferguson. He had been originally from Baton Rouge but had been living in Milan for many years.

Hazel gave me her brother's address and a little of his history as an LSU student. I wrote him a letter and told him when we expected to arrive in Milan. He answered promptly and suggested that we call him upon arrival at our hotel in Milan.

As soon as we arrived, I phoned him and he seemed pleased to hear from us. He asked if we had plans for our first night and we certainly had none, so he said, "I have 3 tickets for tonight's ballet performance at La Scala Opera House. Would you care to join me?" We were astounded to be invited to the largest and most prestigious opera house in Europe.

The opera house was opulent and simply magnificent in every way. The program as a most beautiful ballet called "La Beyedere" by Mincus. The entire performance was simply breath-taking in it's beauty and quality of dance and music. Virginia and I thought we must have "died and gone to Heaven".

This night was to be the highlight of our entire 25 day European vacation, and the start of a wonderful new friendship with our good friend, Bill. He now lives here in Baton Rouge and we consider Bill an extended member of our family.

John Wayne

2007-08-17T17:55:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest Hollywood actors, John Wayne, was making a movie in Baton Rouge. In 1970, a few friends and I were fortunate enough to be invited to his hotel suite to meet this great man.

We were a few minutes early and waited in his room for him to arrive from the days filming. Soon the big man himself "swaggered" into the room and waved hello and said to all of us, "Howdy pilgrims". We all stood up to greet him and get introduced. He graciously shook all our hands and invited us to have a seat while he freshened up a bit.

When he returned to the room I offered him my seat in a big lounge chair where I had been sitting. He refused, saying, "Oh, no, pardner, I prefer this straight kitchen chair". He mounted this chair like he would a horse, with straddled legs and his arms resting on the back of the chair. He reached for a big strawberry off the table, and ate it quickly and continued to visit with each of us, smiling all the time.

After settling down, I asked him which of his 140 films had been his favorite movie to appear in. Without hesitation he replied, "A movie I recently filmed in Colorado called "True Grit", and I will be disappointed if I don't get the big award for it". After a bit, we all left his room with great memories of the "Duke" and of course we later saw this movie.

The next year, he was awarded his only Oscar for the best actor of the year in "True Grit".

The Haircut

2007-08-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes men go to the barbershop as much for the conversation as for the haircut.

For years I had gone to Joe's barbershop on Nicholson Drive, not for the best haircut, but for the enjoyment of visiting with all the other "old geezers". While waiting our turn for a haircut, we would solve all the problems of the world and see who could tell the biggest lie.

One Saturday morning I went inside and while waiting my turn for Joe, the stories began flying fast and furious. I laughed so hard my stomach muscles were starting to hurt. After hearing all these stories I stood up and walked right out of Joe's and went back home. (Still laughing all the way)

When I walked into the house, my wife asked me, "Where have you been?". I looked straight at here, shook my head and snapped my fingers and replied, "Oh my gosh, I forgot to get my haircut".

This story got even more laughs when I got back to Joe's!

Square Dancing

2007-08-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

Many years ago we had a good friend named Martha who was also an elementary school principal at the time. We were visiting her and her husband (Tubby) in 1978 and they invited us to join them at their square dance club for a party. We joined them for that evening at a local clubhouse where we met several other friends of ours about our own age.- young.

After we arrived all the prepared food was served, and we visited and had great fellowship with all these newfound friends. After the meal, all the tables and chairs were moved to the sides of the room and the caller appeared with his 45 rpm records of country music and his P. A. system. We had no idea how to square dance so we just became "wall-flowers" who just sat back to observe the dancing and "point and grin".

All the members arranged themselves in groups of eight in the form of squares and the fun began. We had only seen this activity on TV before, so the live rendition of this was quite interesting to us. We thoroughly enjoyed the music, the fun, and the dancing along with the caller's creativity on the microphone. We decided at that time that we just may be interested in learning how to do this since we loved country music and fellowship such as this.

Sure enough, lessons were being offered by another caller for non-dancers. We signed up for these lessons as soon as possible. We now have enjoyed this weekly activity for over 25 years. We have traveled all over the country along with many other lovers of this huge dancing party. We still love to go occasionally.

"DO - SE - DO"

Occupying the Pulpit

2007-08-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

I had been the Chief Administrative Officer for Mayor Dumas for about 2 years when he asked me to represent him at a Founder's Day celebration at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church. This is a large Baptist Church in downtown Baton Rouge with primarily black members. The Pastor was my good friend, the Reverend T. J. Jemison.

At the appointed time (11:00 AM) I arrived at the Church and took my place along with a number of elected local politicians such as the District Attorney, several judges, Councilmen and State legislators. The rest of the Church was completely filled with its regular membership.

The Choir started singing some beautiful gospel music and continued and continued. Then the Reverend said a prayer and proceeded to welcome all the guests. He then announced that the collection plates would be passed. The choir began singing some more gospel music as the collections continued.

As soon as the collection plates were presented "down front" the Reverend announced that an additional collection would then be take for the "tithers", and that only checks should be written for this. The choir was instructed to start singing again as the collection plates were passed among the congregation.

Then after these tithes had been received, Reverend Jemison announced for the third time that another collection would be collected to pay the note that was due on the building at that time. Once again, the choir began to sing and the plates were offered to the congregation.

Finally, after all these collections were finished, the Reverend prayed over this and thanked every one with a big smile on his face. He then said, "Our good friend, Mair (Mayor) Dumas could not attend Church today, but he has sent his "right hand man", who is my good "Mefodis" friend, Mr. Gene to bring us greetings from the "Mair". Come on up here to the pulpit, Brother Gene".

With a startled look on my face and complete surprise, I had no choice but to follow his invitation. There I stood in the pulpit of the largest black Church in Baton Rouge, filled to overflowing with Church members and highly elected local officials. I was almost bewildered but somehow I managed to say a few words on behalf of the Mayor. The congregation was most helpful to me when I would pause, and they would all say, "AAAAA - MEN" in unison.

After an extended sermon by the pastor and more choir singing we were dismissed. By then it was about 1:30 PM. Virginia had been waiting for me since 12:00 noon when our Church had been dismissed. This had been quite an experience for a white person from the hills of Arkansas.

THE DAY WE MET THE FIRST PRESIDENT BUSH

2007-08-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

The date was September 8, 1989. Then President Bush had been invited to address the National Baptist Convention in New Orleans. This was a world- wide organization of black church people. Our good friend, Rev. T. J. Jemison (President of the group) had invited us to come to the convention as his guest to hear the President.

We arrived about an hour before the President was to speak and sat down among several thousand delegates from all over the country. About 20 minutes before the speech we heard a large booming voice announce over the loudspeaker, "WILL MR. AND MRS. GENE WORLEY PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM". It was Rev. Jemison's voice, so we proceeded up to the podium and found our places on the fourth row among all the visiting dignitaries of this enormous group of black people. We were the only white faces in the entire crowd at that time.

Soon the band started playing "Hail to the Chief", and here he came! Not six feet from us, smiling and waving to the crowd. This made three white faces on the podium. Reverend Jemison introduced him to the crowd and he made a great speech on family values and education against drugs.

After the speech the President turned around and started shaking hands with lots of people on the podium. Reverend Jemison escorted him straight toward us. He said, "Mr. President, I want you to meet my good friends from Baton Rouge, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Worley. " We both shook his hand and Virginia said to him in a loud voice, "I'm an elementary school principal". He smiled at her and said, "That's great".

For once in my life I was so excited I could not say ONE WORD!

World's Finest Chocolate

2007-08-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

At 50 years of age I suddenly found myself between jobs.

This was not all bad, I figured, since I had good health, a wonderful wife and a great family, a good home mostly paid for, not seriously in debt, and a wealth of experience in the sales field. My biggest problem was just looking for a job to support my family.

After a few weeks of agonizing weeks of idle time, I became bored with TV, didn't care for golf, fishing, or hunting. I simply began to wonder what in the world I could do to continue my career and help raise our kids. Virginia had been in education for many years as a teacher and also a Principal of an Elementary school. One evening we were discussing any possible avenue I might consider for employment.

She had been very successful in fund-raising in her schools by using a product called "World's Finest Chocolate". This was done by the students taking boxes of chocolate home and selling it to their family and friends. The profit on each box would go to the school. I learned from her that all schools needed to raise extra funds for school supplies and miscellaneous equipment.

Wisely, she suggested that I contact her local distributor, a Mr. Ed Campbell, and inquire about any available openings in the sales force. At first I was very doubtful about selling "candy"for a living. I was completely unaware of the potential in this field. I soon called and went to see Mr. Campbell.

He was slightly older than I and had a very relaxed but positive attitude. He was very business oriented with long experience in the sales field. After getting acquainted I asked him about the company's history and production methods. He explained all this fully to me and convinced me that the company had a solid reputation of quality merchandise and was capable of fulfilling all the orders that were sent into them.

When I asked him about the possibilities of employment, he quickly told me that the potential for success was unlimited and the salesmen worked on a straight commission basis. This meant that for every sale I made, I would be paid a certain percentage of the total order. Success would depend on my ability to call on the prospects that he selected, show them the program and ask for the business. There would be no retirement plan, no health insurance, and no paid auto expenses.

He also told me there would be no limitation on my income or territory assignment. An office at home and a car, along with a positive mental attitude was all that was needed. I was not required to make any monetary investment in the company. This all seemed like the answer to a prayer for me.

When I asked him when I could start, he replied, "Right now", as he reached in his desk drawer and gave me the name of a school in a small town nearby. I rushed right down to the school with my order form and a few samples of the product and presented the program to the Principal.

The school was desperately in need of funds for their Beta Club, so I had arrived at an opportune time for them. He gave me an order for 30 cases of $1.00 bars for immediate delivery. With great joy, I rushed back to Mr. Campbell's home with the order. He was all smiles and so was I. He then gave my the names of three more schools in the area as prospects! This was to be the start of the most successful part of my professional life.

I continued selling chocolate and could not have been happier. I was doing something I dearly loved while providing a high quality product to deserving groups and schools that derived a great profit. Best of all, of course, it proved most lucrative for me. I was calling on 900 schools in Baton Rouge and the surrounding parishes at this time. This job provided my family with an excellent income, trips to Europe every year, and a great retirement income that I had saved through the years. About two years ago, I trained my son to do this work to take my place one day.

One day all distributors in the company were abruptly notified that the Sales Division of World's Finest Chocolate had been sold to our biggest competitor - a fund-raising division of Reader's Digest, called QSP. This company offered magazine subscriptions for schools to sell for fund-raising. I realized at that time that retirement was inevitable for me. I managed to obtain the position for my son and he seems happy with his new position with the new company.

Several of my good friends are still with QSP. I have many fond memories of Wendell Wiggins, Susan Bjonerud, K. T. Lopresti, and lots of others. I have the greatest respect for Wendell, even though he is an Ole Miss fan.

Nothing lasts forever and I feel extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to do a job where every day was the "World's Finest".

Service Station Memories

2007-08-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

I had numerous employees in the 8 years of this business. One of these was a young black man we called "Black". He was of slim build and did general service station work such as washing and greasing cars and was usually a reliable conscientious worker. Sometimes, however, he would fail to show up for work for several days at a time without notifying me he was going to be absent.

One day he failed to show up for work with no phone call as to why he was absent. Three weeks passed with still no word from Black. We all began to wonder what had happened to him.

One morning about 10:00 am I noticed him peeping around the Coke machine at me with a strange look on his face. He tiptoed up to me and said, "Mistuh Gene, can we talk?" I said, "Sure, but first tell me where you have been for 3 weeks". He bowed his head and said, "Mistuh Gene, I'se got deep trouble. My brother done passed three weeks ago, and it's hot and he needs buryin".

I said to him, "You mean he died 3 weeks ago and still not buried?". "Yassuh Mistuh Gene. Dey won't bury him without cash money, and Mistuh Gene, It's summer time and he needs buryin' real bad".

I loaned him the money and told him to take care of the problem and come on back to work the following day. Sure enough he showed up on time the next day and never missed another day's work.

I never did see his brother's obituary in the paper.

The very best employee I ever had was a huge black man named Ernest Bridges. He must have weighed well over 300 pounds. He always wore a smile and was able to do almost anything I would ask of him. He was always very polite and helpful and had a great positive mental attitude. He never met a stranger. We called him "Tiny".

Once in the hottest part of the summer, he was busy servicing a car. It must have been 100 degrees and he was sweating profusely, but hard at work. I noticed how hot he was so I brought him a Coke and remarked to him, "Kind of hot today, isn't it Tiny?". He wiped the sweat off his brow and smiled and replied, "Mistuh Gene, it ain't all that hot, it's just the HUMANITY is so bad".

I miss him more than any other ex-employee of mine.

DAVID AND PATRICIA

2007-08-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

I finished LSU in August 1951, and was looking for a job. Bobby Nolan, one of my good friends was employed at Esso Standard Oil Co. Refinery here in Baton Rouge. He suggested that I apply for work in the Accounting Department. After a short interview I was employed at a salary of $315.00 per month. This was a good starting salary at that time. The work was pleasant, five days per week with 2 weeks vacation per year and along with Virginia's salary we felt like we were doing just fine.

Since we had been married in 1947 we both had wanted children. In 1952 the doctor discovered this was impossible for Virginia, so we decided we would try for adoption. We applied at the Volunteers of America office in New Orleans. After several lengthy interviews which took about a year we received a call that a beautiful little 4 month old boy with brown eyes and hair was available in Shreveport. We were very excited and hurried to see this wonderful little child who had come our way. We fell in love with him at first sight and named him David. What a joy he has been for us! The Lord had answered our prayers.

I stayed in the Accounting Department until 1957 and then felt I would be more comfortable working in sales rather than accounting. I applied for a transfer and we were then sent to Memphis where we stayed for about a year. Later another transfer took us to Nashville, and then to Clarksville, Tennessee.

We then decided David needed a little sister, so we applied for another child in Nashville and after about a year, Patricia came along and she fulfilled all our dreams for children. They have been the most wonderful things to ever happen to us. We have always been very proud of both of them.

The cold weather in Tennessee as well as the LSU Tiger football team, was calling us back to Baton Rouge. I decided to resign from Esso and return to go into the service station business. I found a station to purchase and spent the next eight years in this field. It was a great learning experience.

With very little money but an awful lot of credit, I managed to borrow the necessary funds to purchase my inventory such as gasoline, motor oil, tires, batteries and accessories. Hiring of personnel and bookkeeping was a new experience for me also. Virginia had continued to teach during all these career changes.

After eight years in this business, I was able to sell it and go to work in Mayor Dumas' administration for the City of Baton Rouge. I was his Chief Administrative Officer for five years. This was most interesting work in the field of human relations. During this time I was able to meet many high ranking dignitaries and stayed through 2 mayoral elections that Mayor Dumas had won. I really enjoyed these years of public service. After leaving the Mayor's office, I studied real estate, worked with a road contractor and was employed by the L. S. U. Alumni office, while searching for the perfect job for myself and family.

The Joys of Artichokes

2007-08-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

It was 1948.

Not long after moving into our brand new little house on Aster Street, Virginia and I discovered the wonderful taste of fresh buttered artichokes. She had carefully cooked them and melted real butter to dip the leaves into before eating. They were delicious. She and I were having a real party, carefully removing each leaf and dipping them into the melted butter and eating heartily. We enjoyed each morsel of several artichokes for supper that night.

Soon after we retired, I noticed a strange feeling in my stomach, which seemed to get worse the longer I laid in bed. Then it suddenly developed into an emergency situation and I sprang out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I had waited too long! These slightly digested, well-buttered artichokes came up and almost completely covered the floor and the walls of the hall to the bathroom.

Almost directly behind me in the hall Virginia followed with the same problem I had. She covered the remainder of the hall with her slightly used artichokes: so much so that we both slipped and fell onto the slick floor surface amid all the melted butter and other unidentifiable matter.

Oh, boy. What a "clean-up" party we had after that.

The Day I Quit Smoking

2007-08-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

I had been employed at Esso Standard Oil Company in the Accounting office for several years and had been a heavy smoker since teen age years. One of my friends and a co-worker was also a heavy smoker. We each had considered giving up the habit since we were aware of the physical consequences of smoking. At this time the word "cancer" had not been associated with smoking.

One day I read an article in the Reader's Digest about quitting smoking. The author of the article pointed out that on average it took about 3 minutes of time to smoke one cigarette, including the time it took to purchase the product, the matches, and the time it actually took to smoke it. This meant that for each pack of 20 cigarettes, one whole hour of precious time had been consumed for nothing more than adding tar and nicotine to the lungs. At the rate of one pack per day, that meant that seven hours per week had been used only to feed a nasty habit. In addition the cost of the cigarettes and the cost of repairing burned holes in one's clothing was exorbitant. The author of the article asked the question, "What would you do if you had seven additional hours of time each week if you did stop smoking"?

My friend, Enoch said to me one day, "You don't have the guts to quit smoking". This was a real challenge to me so I told him the same thing. We then both agreed that the first one to smoke another cigarette would buy the other one a steak dinner. This was to be on the honor system.

I agreed and we shook hands on this. I immediately called Virginia and told her, "I have just quit smoking". There was about half a pack in my shirt pocket. I decided to leave them there and whenever I wanted to smoke, I would just pat on the pack and silently say, "OK, you're there but I shall not smoke anymore". I was determined in my mind, my heart, and my soul that I would quit. It was the most difficult physical challenge I had ever faced.

The habit was so ingrained into me that I literally wanted a cigarette with the tips of my fingers.

Someone suggested that I chew gum instead of smoking. I must have chewed thousands of packages of Spearmint gum. The suffering was intense for several years, but I gritted my teeth, silently kept repeating my oath, and kept patting the half-empty pack in my shirt pocket while chewing my gum.

It must have taken five years for the urge for a smoke finally left me. I had discovered that I felt better, had fewer colds, food tasted much better and I enjoyed everything in life far more than before. No more coughing phlegm in the mornings, no more dull headaches, no more sinus problems. My sense of smell had returned. Later I learned that smoking had been determined to be a major cause of lung cancer. This was an enormous benefit of quitting.

It has now been almost 50 years since I quit and who knows, I may not have lived this long had I continued. I may not have seen my son David and my daughter Patricia grow and I may not have seen my 5 grand-children. This had been one of the best decisions I had ever made in my life.

The Bus Station

2007-08-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

I was home on furlough from the Army when LSU played Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas January 1, 1947. My brother was playing for LSU at that time. My mother and I decided we would ride the bus from El Dorado to Dallas to see the game.

While waiting to change buses in Texarkana we were standing next to a wall in the crowded waiting room. Earlier she had observed an older man sitting in one of the chairs trying to roll a Bull Durham cigarette who had obviously been drinking heavily. He was dressed in overalls, tennis shoes, and a big straw hat.

She nudged me in the side and whispered, "Watch this". She was an expert "people watcher".

He very shakily found his cigarette papers and "blew" one apart to use. He then slowly opened the small cloth bag of tobacco by using his teeth to pull on the little yellow string opener. He then shakily tried to pour the tiny grains of tobacco into the paper, spilling most of the contents on the floor of the bus station.

After a great struggle with the few grains left in the paper, he carefully licked the paper into a slight roll. It could not have been more than two inches of paper and half dozen tiny grains of tobacco. Then the long search for a match began. After patting all the pockets in his overalls he finally discovered a large kitchen match. With a great flourish he stroked the match against the seat of his overalls and the light flared mightily. When the flame finally reached his short cigarette, there was a sudden "Poof". In an instant the small cigarette was gone, along with his eyebrows and part of the straw hat he had been wearing.

The score in the ball game was LSU 0 ARKANSAS 0

The Crap Game

2007-08-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

I had many interesting experiences while I was in the Army, but this one stands out in my memory vividly. I had just arrived at Camp Robinson for induction, along with hundreds of other draftees. There was always a lot of waiting around for roll call, physical exams, uniforms, etc. In the company area there was a small building called the "Day Room". This contained one large pool table and several tables and chairs with a bookcase in the corner where we could read or write letters home while waiting for the next muster and endless roll-call.

There were draftees from all over the country. We were all just waiting for the next orders to do something or other. Right after our monthly payday (Fifty cash dollars), a few of my friends and I strolled down to the day room just to pass a little time. There happened to be a dice game underway on the pool table which was covered by an army blanket.

Naturally we started out just observing the roll of the dice. The game had just started and the bets were only 25 cents. Unbeknown to my mother I had indulged a few times in high school dice games and had been fairly lucky in these games. I searched my pockets and found a dollar which was enough to start with when it came my turn to roll the dice.

I found a place at the table and when my turn came around I started with a 25 cent bet. I rolled the dice and won, and kept the dice as long as I continued to win. I then bet the 50 cents. I rolled the dice and won again. I then bet the $1.00 that was still on the table. I rolled and won again. The game was getting very interesting by that time.

I finally passed the dice to the next soldier and he increased the betting to "no limit". This meant that anyone with the dice may bet as much money as he liked. The "pot" was getting bigger and bigger with each roll of the dice. The crowd of onlooking soldiers increased also.

My winning continued when I would place side bets as others rolled their dice at their turn. When my turn came to roll the dice again I felt real lucky, so I bet $5.00 this time. I rolled the dice and won. Then I bet the $10.00 that was on the table. I rolled the dice and won again. I then bet the $20.00 and won again. I kept going like this for some time, each time betting more and more money and still winning! At one time I had both hands full of money with one and five dollar bills sticking out of each pocket. The excitement of the game kept growing all the time. There must have been over three hundred dollars on the table belonging to me that I had won.

I then decided to bet it all. I shook the dice real well and rolled them on the table. Before they stopped rolling a huge hand and arm came from behind me and grabbed the dice and all the money and thrust it all at me. It was the beloved arm of my good friend, Lance from my home town who had come with me.

Lance was larger than I and somewhat older and wiser. He said, "put all this money in your pocket and come with me". This enraged all the ones who had lost their money to me, and they all wanted to fight me. Big Lance then said to the crowd, "This is my friend and you will have to whip my _ _ _ to get to him and his money". He was well over 6 feet talL And strong as an ox and was ready to defend his friend.

We backed out the door of the day-room while stuffing all those bills into my pocket and headed for the Post Office. I asked Lance, "Why go to the Post Office?" He replied, "You gonna send all this money home to yo' Mama".

Abie never did know where I had gotten all that four hundred dollars.

High School Years

2007-08-17T17:38:00.002-07:00

The earliest memory of High School was December 7, 1941. It was a beautiful quiet Sunday morning and as I was walking toward church, I saw several people running out of a drugstore on the square screaming, "The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor"! I had never heard of Pearl Harbor at the time, so I went into the drug store where the radio was still announcing the news. I could almost hear the "BOOM-BOOM" of the bombs being dropped on the innocent victims. I was to learn more of this later.

I had been looking forward to high school mainly to get into the band program. One of our neighbors had been in the band and I learned a love of music from him at an early age. Of course, I needed an instrument and once again I turned to my mother for this. I'll never know how she found the money to buy a used cornet for me, but somehow she did.

Learning to play the cornet came very easily for me. Our band director ("Boss" Fulkerson) was a great teacher and disciplinarian who was to have a profound influence on my life - both musically and professionally.

We had band practice every day and I developed some life-long friendships there. I especially liked Gene Wilson, Bill Craig, and James Hanry. "Boss" instilled pride in all of us and his favorite motto was "Anything worth doing is worth doing right". We had a large band for a high school (about 80 members), which included such instruments such as French horns, oboes, bassoons, tympany drums, and fifes for use in symphonies.

Our uniforms were beautiful and the music was constantly rehearsed. My special pleasure was marching at half-time for the weekly football games since my older brother (Wren) was a member of the team. I thoroughly enjoyed the four years in the high school band.

Once during my freshman year the entire symphony band was invited to perform in New Orleans where the International Lions Club was having their annual convention. This was a great experience for a 14 year old boy who had never been out of Arkansas before. We all loaded our instruments and ourselves into 2 huge Greyhound buses and started out for the 10 hour journey to a place we had only heard of.

We stayed at a nice hotel near the auditorium. We had a wonderful time, not only performing but just looking up at the tall buildings we had never seen before. The performances by the band went well and some of the sights we saw were very exciting for us kids. We saw street entertainers, and also shoe-shine boys who had their own little portable kits. This contained the polish, a cloth, and a brush. The price for a shine was 15 cents (or a nickel for a dust-off). We settled for a 5 cent dust-off.

The concert was well-received in the largest auditorium we had ever seen. We played many of the John Phillip Souza marches as well as Beethoven, Lizst and Shubert compositions.

My grades in band were always straight A's and English grammar did not cause any hardship at all. Typing was also a very interesting subject for me. I sometimes struggled in some of my other courses, such as algebra, trigonometry, and science. There came a time that I even thought about leaving school early and joining the service since WW II was still raging at that time. After a long talk with my band director, "Boss" Fulkerson, I changed my mind and finally graduated in May 1945. One week later I was drafted into the U. S. Army.

I also worked after school at odd jobs such as bagging groceries, working behind the soda fountain at the drug store and bus-boy at a cafe. One summer I worked with a construction crew helping to build an airport near our town. All this experience was to be very helpful to me later on.

One Motorcycle Ride

2007-08-17T17:38:00.001-07:00

I must have been about 15 years of age when I heard the distinctive sound of a huge motorcycle come roaring up to the side of our house in El Dorado, Arkansas. The driver stopped his big machine facing the closed entrance to a large corrugated tin garage next door. The driver was an older friend of ours who wanted to show off his new motorcycle.

After saying hello, I followed him out to examine the big machine more closely. It was a brand new Harley-Davidson, huge and shiny. The more I admired the enormous motorcycle the more I wanted take a ride on it. Finally I talked my friend into allowing me to just sit on it. Naturally I wanted to start it just hear it go "VAROOOOM, VAROOOOM."

Sure enough my friend offered me the key and said, "OK, go ahead and start it." He stood way back from me. I turned the switch on and gave it a big kick with my right leg to start it. In a split second it sounded like a cannon had exploded as this huge projectile sailed completely through the closed door of this garage at full-speed with an enormous crash with me holding on for dear life!

In the blink of an eye I discovered that I had landed upside down underneath a big truck that was parked inside the garage. The motor was still running full-speed with the back wheel going faster and faster all the time.

Somehow I was able to find the ignition switch to turn it off and amazingly I lived to tell the tale, without so much as a scratch. The garage had a huge hole where the motorcycle and I had gone completely through it.

That was the last time I ever got on any motorcycle.