I really don't understand the news media. As I said, our town is so small that we don't have a TV station. Local news comes from the radio, and regional news comes from either Louisville, Kentucky or Evansville, Indiana.
So, this morning, I'm watching the morning news from Louisville, Kentucky. I have laughed at this particular morning show for years--and I suppose that is why I watch this particular channel--just for the giggles.
Yesterday, July 29, a plane crashed in North Carolina, and sadly both the pilot and passenger were killed. However, the way that the news media handled this event was strange, to say the least.
Local news stations seem fascinated with gadgets. They like to use their helicopters, their "mobile news rooms" (read--truck with a logo on the side) and various and sundry reporting devices. Gives them the one up on the competition. This particular station uses the "Live Remote" shot quite frequently.
Now, bear in mind, this plane crash happened yesterday afternooon, before 4 pm, local time. But this morning, at 4:30 am, local time--at a "Live Remote" from the airport, this reporter was out there, reporting on the events of yesterday. There wasn't a press conference, no one to interview, and it was so dark, you couldn't even see a plane, but there she was reporting that a plane took off from the airport yesterday and crashed in North Carolina.
Now for the life of me, I can't figure out why the announcer that was in the studio couldn't tell the same thing. But it never fails, this station (and others) seem determined to send people out in the middle of the night to places where either news has already happened, or news hasn't happened yet.
I've seen reports over the years that just boggle the mind:
Behind me is the court house where at 1:00 pm, Joe ****, will be arraigned on charges of drunk driving. (the time is currently somewhere between 3 and 5 am--NO ONE IS AT SAID COURT HOUSE NOW!!! SO WHY ARE YOU???)
We're here outside the jail where yesterday afternoon Sue ***** was arrested. (This event took place several hours ago--it's now after 11 pm, what do you think you're going to see?)
I suppose it's a bit sensationalistic, but to me it's simply a waste of effort, time, and money to go to places like that in the middle of the night.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Family History
Someday, that crazy old aunt (or grandmother, or uncle, or whoever) will be gone. And you'll wonder. Exactly what was the story behind that vase? Exactly who was the person that served in WWI? You'll wonder. You know you will. Maybe not now, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life--you'll wonder. (Apologies to fans of Casablanca, everywhere)
In our family, it was Grandmother. That sweet old lady, who could be mean as a snake--if the need arose--born before the turn of the 20th century, lived in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma to you folks born after 1903), married, raised a family, and died in Texas. She knew it all. And to this day she catches grief (in a loving way) for her 'books' that were written on the back of pictures.
For example, a picture of a rose bush--it goes something like "Pink rose bush that was at the end of my house on 208 Bird Street, San Angelo, Tx. A slip taken from the bush that was on the farm at Robert Lee, by Judge (my father) who was born on Feb 3, 1919, when his father was overseas. And brought to our new home when we left Robert Lee in 19** and there it is from that day until this....."
Grandmother was a case. She knew every ancestor and every story about said ancestors that could ever be told. She wrote to every county clerk in every city that was ever mentioned in the family lore. Subscribed to newspapers, because there might be a lead in one of them. Spent days at a time, in court house archives, and libraries--trying to find that one record that she didn't have--the information that would make any researcher go--Ah Ha! That's It! In a day that was before word processors and the internet--when all research was painstaking and done in person--that was quite a feat.
Grandmother was quite a character. As one of the younger grandchildren, who didn't live nearby, and the only one named after her, I could be just a tad bit biased. (OK, maybe a lot biased) She left a journal telling about her feelings when, as a new bride who was expecting her first child, her husband went overseas to fight in the trenches in World War I.
" June 3 1918--Told Raymond goodbye. He's in Co B, 315th Engineers, 90th Division. He's leaving San Antonio, Texas for overseas. I'm at Aunt Claudia's (Mrs. Sam Johnston) at 430 E Guenther St. Will go to Leming and Mother Teller's tomorrow via train. I'm very sad and lonesome. Aunt Claudia did go with me to Leming and stayed a few days.
June 14, 1918--Very homesick for Mama, Papa, and the little kids, borrowed $10 from Dad Teller, bought me a ticket to Raymondville. Mr. AC Burton got on the train at Kingsville (where he had delivered a new car) sat by me and talked. When the train arrived in R-Ville, he said, "Mae, wait right here (on the platform at the depot) "I'll go across the street and get my car and take you home." (My folks weren't looking for me)
He did, papa lived about 5 miles west of Raymondville. Mr. Burton let me out at the big gate near the farm outse. I opened the gate and walked up on the gallery, mama came to the door and on out on the gallery when I got to the steps, she said "Oh, if it isn't Mae" What a reunion we had. I was happy to be home after being gone to Leming and San Antonio for 8 months--seemed to me like 8 years. How good to be at home with papa and mama and the little kids, (my younger sisters, Jane, Katherine, Grace, and Carolyn. Frank, my younger brother was at home also, part time he was away at college. Bryan and Lorraine (my older brother and sister were in LA at that time)'*
Like I said, she was quite detailed in her descriptions of things. She never just told you a story about an antique spoon--for example--she told you what town she bought the spoon in, what time of year it was, who was with her, and her feelings behind the whole purchase. Grandmother was quite the historian. I have always had a love of history--part of this love I think came from Grandmother. At least, I like to attribute it to her.
*excerpts from journal of Mae Wilson Teller dated June 3, 1972 with inscription 54 years ago, Raymond was off to France--today he is in Vet. Hosp. Big Spring Tex--MT
In our family, it was Grandmother. That sweet old lady, who could be mean as a snake--if the need arose--born before the turn of the 20th century, lived in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma to you folks born after 1903), married, raised a family, and died in Texas. She knew it all. And to this day she catches grief (in a loving way) for her 'books' that were written on the back of pictures.
For example, a picture of a rose bush--it goes something like "Pink rose bush that was at the end of my house on 208 Bird Street, San Angelo, Tx. A slip taken from the bush that was on the farm at Robert Lee, by Judge (my father) who was born on Feb 3, 1919, when his father was overseas. And brought to our new home when we left Robert Lee in 19** and there it is from that day until this....."
Grandmother was a case. She knew every ancestor and every story about said ancestors that could ever be told. She wrote to every county clerk in every city that was ever mentioned in the family lore. Subscribed to newspapers, because there might be a lead in one of them. Spent days at a time, in court house archives, and libraries--trying to find that one record that she didn't have--the information that would make any researcher go--Ah Ha! That's It! In a day that was before word processors and the internet--when all research was painstaking and done in person--that was quite a feat.
Grandmother was quite a character. As one of the younger grandchildren, who didn't live nearby, and the only one named after her, I could be just a tad bit biased. (OK, maybe a lot biased) She left a journal telling about her feelings when, as a new bride who was expecting her first child, her husband went overseas to fight in the trenches in World War I.
" June 3 1918--Told Raymond goodbye. He's in Co B, 315th Engineers, 90th Division. He's leaving San Antonio, Texas for overseas. I'm at Aunt Claudia's (Mrs. Sam Johnston) at 430 E Guenther St. Will go to Leming and Mother Teller's tomorrow via train. I'm very sad and lonesome. Aunt Claudia did go with me to Leming and stayed a few days.
June 14, 1918--Very homesick for Mama, Papa, and the little kids, borrowed $10 from Dad Teller, bought me a ticket to Raymondville. Mr. AC Burton got on the train at Kingsville (where he had delivered a new car) sat by me and talked. When the train arrived in R-Ville, he said, "Mae, wait right here (on the platform at the depot) "I'll go across the street and get my car and take you home." (My folks weren't looking for me)
He did, papa lived about 5 miles west of Raymondville. Mr. Burton let me out at the big gate near the farm outse. I opened the gate and walked up on the gallery, mama came to the door and on out on the gallery when I got to the steps, she said "Oh, if it isn't Mae" What a reunion we had. I was happy to be home after being gone to Leming and San Antonio for 8 months--seemed to me like 8 years. How good to be at home with papa and mama and the little kids, (my younger sisters, Jane, Katherine, Grace, and Carolyn. Frank, my younger brother was at home also, part time he was away at college. Bryan and Lorraine (my older brother and sister were in LA at that time)'*
Like I said, she was quite detailed in her descriptions of things. She never just told you a story about an antique spoon--for example--she told you what town she bought the spoon in, what time of year it was, who was with her, and her feelings behind the whole purchase. Grandmother was quite the historian. I have always had a love of history--part of this love I think came from Grandmother. At least, I like to attribute it to her.
*excerpts from journal of Mae Wilson Teller dated June 3, 1972 with inscription 54 years ago, Raymond was off to France--today he is in Vet. Hosp. Big Spring Tex--MT
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The County Fair--The Radio
Our town is so small, that there is no local TV station, we get all our tv news from either Louisville, KY or Evansville, Indiana. But we do have a radio station. That's another mainstay of our little county fair--being interviewed on the radio. Local businesses donate everything from keychains and waterbottles, to t-shirts and ball caps. And for allowing yourself to be interviewed on the radio, you get a chance to "spin the wheel" and win a prize.
The wheel is a very small version of the Wheel of Fortune wheel. Instead of listing money, all listings on the wheel are business names, which correspond to that particular prize. I might be dating myself, but I remember when the radio station gave out records for interviews, but I digress.
The interview goes something like this:
Q--What's your name and where are you from?
A--Suzie (or Jane, or Tom, or whatever the case may be) I'm from here in the county.
Q--What brings you out to the fair tonight?
A--(in our case) The 4-H livestock auction.
Q--Did the kids have fun?
A--Oh yes, and so did the parents.
Q--All right, spin the wheel and win a prize...
You've won a ball cap from Wright Implement! Congratulations....
Over the years we've won everything from candy to tote bags, straw hats to fly swatters. It's amazing how people will put up with a few questions from a local "celebrity" for a chance to win a fly swatter from the bank......
The wheel is a very small version of the Wheel of Fortune wheel. Instead of listing money, all listings on the wheel are business names, which correspond to that particular prize. I might be dating myself, but I remember when the radio station gave out records for interviews, but I digress.
The interview goes something like this:
Q--What's your name and where are you from?
A--Suzie (or Jane, or Tom, or whatever the case may be) I'm from here in the county.
Q--What brings you out to the fair tonight?
A--(in our case) The 4-H livestock auction.
Q--Did the kids have fun?
A--Oh yes, and so did the parents.
Q--All right, spin the wheel and win a prize...
You've won a ball cap from Wright Implement! Congratulations....
Over the years we've won everything from candy to tote bags, straw hats to fly swatters. It's amazing how people will put up with a few questions from a local "celebrity" for a chance to win a fly swatter from the bank......
Friday, July 25, 2008
RIP Randy Pausch
www.youtube.com/watch?v=utwFZsSFke0
The world is a poorer place tonight. Randy Pausch, the college professor who authored The Last Lecture, has died. He leaves behind his wife, and 3 small children. If you haven't read this book, or watched this video--please do so. He never sought the notarity that he achieved. He simply wanted to be a college professor, husband and father. But unfortunately for him that wasn't in the cards for him. As the result of the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he delivered what he thought would be his last lecture to his students. It moved them so, that they asked for a repeat. Then the college found out about it. Then it was videoed and put on youtube. Then came the book, the interviews, the tours.
Randy Pausch lived one day at a time, and lived his life to the fullest. If I am able to live half as well as he did, I will consider myself rich indeed.
The world is a poorer place tonight. Randy Pausch, the college professor who authored The Last Lecture, has died. He leaves behind his wife, and 3 small children. If you haven't read this book, or watched this video--please do so. He never sought the notarity that he achieved. He simply wanted to be a college professor, husband and father. But unfortunately for him that wasn't in the cards for him. As the result of the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he delivered what he thought would be his last lecture to his students. It moved them so, that they asked for a repeat. Then the college found out about it. Then it was videoed and put on youtube. Then came the book, the interviews, the tours.
Randy Pausch lived one day at a time, and lived his life to the fullest. If I am able to live half as well as he did, I will consider myself rich indeed.
The County Fair - Homemakers Clubs
That's another main stay of the fair. The homemakers clubs. Everyone works all year for the blue ribbons and the bragging rights that accompany them.
Christmas decorations--the best, the most unusual, knitted items, stockings, tree skirts, ornaments. Best crocheted afgan, best quilt, best cut flower, best garden display (veggies or fruit on a plate or in a basket). Pickles, peppers, jams, and jellies.
One lady had 52 blue ribbons and another had 135 entries. (it's like the fair is their full time job)
That area of the fair has expanded to include a men's corner, as well as a special catagory for children under 12.
All the children get participant ribbons, as well as 1,2 and 3rd place ribbons.
There were lots of wood working projects which were so intricate and beautiful, you'd expect to see them in exclusive boutiques--not in a tin barn in the middle of a field.
That's another part of the fair that takes forever to look at--simply because there is so much stuff that you don't want to miss. The pattern of stitching on this pair of pillowcases, the yarn used in this afgan, does this jar of pickles look as good as mine....etc, etc.
Christmas decorations--the best, the most unusual, knitted items, stockings, tree skirts, ornaments. Best crocheted afgan, best quilt, best cut flower, best garden display (veggies or fruit on a plate or in a basket). Pickles, peppers, jams, and jellies.
One lady had 52 blue ribbons and another had 135 entries. (it's like the fair is their full time job)
That area of the fair has expanded to include a men's corner, as well as a special catagory for children under 12.
All the children get participant ribbons, as well as 1,2 and 3rd place ribbons.
There were lots of wood working projects which were so intricate and beautiful, you'd expect to see them in exclusive boutiques--not in a tin barn in the middle of a field.
That's another part of the fair that takes forever to look at--simply because there is so much stuff that you don't want to miss. The pattern of stitching on this pair of pillowcases, the yarn used in this afgan, does this jar of pickles look as good as mine....etc, etc.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The County Fair--Merchant's Building
After the auction, we meandered through the "merchant's building" which is where all the local businesses and charities rent booth space and give away everything from candy to calendars, fly swatters to yard sticks. An election year, such as this one, is the best year to go, since you get the best stuff. I think we were given enough pens and pencils to last our son the entire school year....now if someone will only give out backpacks and notebooks.
Freebies--that was the order of the night. Cookbooks from the nursing home, key chains from the school system, bumper stickers from every candidate imaginable--and for every office imaginable, candy and balloons.
Raffles--every booth had a raffle. Drawings on Saturday--the last night of the fair. Win a country ham from the democrats for truth booth. Win a free vacuum cleaner from the rainbow air purifying company. A basket of things for the new baby, from the Health Department. A toy John Deere tractor from the Antique Tractor Association, gas card from the Sheriff's Association, and the list goes on......Being a local fair, you know most everyone that has a booth--"Hey Tea Thymer, why haven't you signed up for our gas card yet?" "How's your momma?" "What are the kids doing these days" You need to spend a minimum of 10 minutes per booth, just to catch up on the news--then another few minutes to sign up for the various and sundry raffles.
The Gimmes--the booths that say gimme your money. All worthy causes, but gimmes none the less. High school foot ball boosters, VFW, Animal Friends (the local humane society) just to name a few.
Freebies--that was the order of the night. Cookbooks from the nursing home, key chains from the school system, bumper stickers from every candidate imaginable--and for every office imaginable, candy and balloons.
Raffles--every booth had a raffle. Drawings on Saturday--the last night of the fair. Win a country ham from the democrats for truth booth. Win a free vacuum cleaner from the rainbow air purifying company. A basket of things for the new baby, from the Health Department. A toy John Deere tractor from the Antique Tractor Association, gas card from the Sheriff's Association, and the list goes on......Being a local fair, you know most everyone that has a booth--"Hey Tea Thymer, why haven't you signed up for our gas card yet?" "How's your momma?" "What are the kids doing these days" You need to spend a minimum of 10 minutes per booth, just to catch up on the news--then another few minutes to sign up for the various and sundry raffles.
The Gimmes--the booths that say gimme your money. All worthy causes, but gimmes none the less. High school foot ball boosters, VFW, Animal Friends (the local humane society) just to name a few.
The County Fair
If you have never had the good fortune to attend a that small slice of Americana known as the county fair--you are really missing out on a lot. Let me elaborate my recent experience at the fair. Our county fair was held recently. Every night is a different featured event--as well as other smaller events.
Thursday night's main attraction was the motocross races. But the main event for a lot of the kids was the jr livestock auction. Everything was auctioned from chickens to beef cows and all the money went to the kids who raised the livestock. If you have never seen this phenomena, then you need to make a point to go see one--at least once in your life.
The 4-H leader had 15 or so kids, ranging in ages from 3 to 15 holding chickens, which were being bid on by various and sundry relatives, politicians, and business owners. A 3 year old held a chicken bigger than she was and grandad bought it for the humongous sum of $35.00. Chickens got loose from the kids and ran around the pen, with children in hot pursuit.
And when one little brown haired beauty finished showing her bird and it was purchased--instead of putting the bird back in the cage and returning to the "waiting area" for the auction to be over with, she walked out of the show ring, walked up to said politician which bought the chicken and tried to give it to him. "MOMMA!!" she was heard to wail "He won't take it!"
Waiting in the wings for the poultry sale to be over, were the hogs. Not only did chickens get loose and run amok, but one of the hogs got loose and ran into the show ring, which caused another round of laughter from children and adults alike.
Thursday night's main attraction was the motocross races. But the main event for a lot of the kids was the jr livestock auction. Everything was auctioned from chickens to beef cows and all the money went to the kids who raised the livestock. If you have never seen this phenomena, then you need to make a point to go see one--at least once in your life.
The 4-H leader had 15 or so kids, ranging in ages from 3 to 15 holding chickens, which were being bid on by various and sundry relatives, politicians, and business owners. A 3 year old held a chicken bigger than she was and grandad bought it for the humongous sum of $35.00. Chickens got loose from the kids and ran around the pen, with children in hot pursuit.
And when one little brown haired beauty finished showing her bird and it was purchased--instead of putting the bird back in the cage and returning to the "waiting area" for the auction to be over with, she walked out of the show ring, walked up to said politician which bought the chicken and tried to give it to him. "MOMMA!!" she was heard to wail "He won't take it!"
Waiting in the wings for the poultry sale to be over, were the hogs. Not only did chickens get loose and run amok, but one of the hogs got loose and ran into the show ring, which caused another round of laughter from children and adults alike.
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