Roger Felton

I think you nailed it, Hilda.  We were so much better off without those things.  When you think about kids growing up with fingertip access to good, vlauable and unlimited information and then look at the incredible amount of time spent instead on video games and texting.  So much potential being wasted so badly.  I was talking to a group of kids that wandered over to watch me fly one of my model planes and I was astounded at how little they knew about anything.  These were 10th thru 12th graders who thought Iran was a city in Iraq.  Hillary Clinton was our vice-president and school was boring and all they wanted to do was pass...grades didn't matter.  All felt they were smarter than their teachers.  Anybody have a clue how we got to this point?

BTW, I didn't think the conversation went "political" at all.  Just one of many interesting opinions we all share here on this amazing forum. 

Barbara Curry (Hanvey)

I usually don't say much if anything about the conversations, Carol.  I don't use Facebook or anything else but email.  I do get the 1965 emails about comments on the Forum.  I just had a comment to add for once.  Sorry if I upset your sense of the best content...but I was merely making a gun comment like a lot of our fellow grads had been doing. 

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

Lindy, thank you for your comment.  I tried to think of a response that would not pluck any feathers, so I kept quiet.  Now to social media. LOL, the best social media ever was the good old fashion party line IF you could lift the receiver up quietly enough. But my Granny seemed to always be just around the corner.  Her hand smack on my hand hurt worse than the nuns did with rulers when I was in St. Rose of Lima grade school. But that social "media" was quite juicy at times. LOL.  But I am still bringing my gun pictures as I hope the rest will that shared the chats and are enthusiasts. Time ticking away.  Is everybody getting excited? I am, especially to be coming home to Texas.

Hilda Carol Smith (Godell)

Eileen Caudel (Key)

Hmmm. Don't own a gun so can't weigh in on the collector conversation. FB and writing has made my Miz Miracle typing class proud. 

Let's talk "joints". The titanium ones that is. Seems my torn menicius has led to the need for knee replacement surgery. Anyone else in THAT DRAMA club??

Lindy Clarke (Hall)

Barbara and Carol... no-one was politicizing about guns, gun laws, etc.
Billy Howard mentioned being a member of NRA, that was the closest
anyone came to being political, but hardly proselytizing. Everyone else
was talking about collections and what they owned, and target practice.
Just because a person has guns does not mean they AGREE with current
or pending gun laws, I certainly don't, and the gun laws were never touched
upon... until you two did.  

Carol made the comment about wanting vacation photos and grandbaby
photos, like dictating what subjects were suitable.... when she could have
merely changed the subject, like Eileen did....  

Eileen, I would hold off on knee surgery, unless it's extremely painful.
I had badly wrenched my knee a few years ago, but within six months,
it got better all by itself. The first two months were no fun, but as long as
no stairs were involved, I could manage. Not saying yours will self-heal,
but it's possible. You could always have the surgery later. 

Roger Felton

Thanks Lindy, good point.  Eileen, I had a very dear friend who had a hip replacement at one of the best hospitals in Houston.  2 days later he keeled over dead from internal bleeding.  He played high school and college football and that's what took his knees out (both had to be replaced) and that went fine.  Then the hip.

But life is too short to go thru it in pain and if you have bone rubbing against bone it will never heal by itself.  Knee replacement surgery isn't a big deal these days so don't sweat it if you decide to go that route. 

I'm watching the medical journals closely to see when brain replacements are doable.  I'll be first in line.

Arletta Parnell (Glankler)

My hubby had both knees replaced last year, 6 mos apart.  No more pain, back to work as usual, and all fun things we do.  He couldn't even hold his Harley up before.  So nice to have him riding with me again.  Another passion of ours.

Gloria Jean Peikert (Vanderford)

Eilene, my husband had a knee total knee transplant in 1998 and it was the best thing he ever did. Not one minute of trouble and now he is almost to the point where he needs the other one done.  I would highly recommend it. It definitely improved his quality of life.

Hilda Carol Smith (Godell)

Eileen Caudel (Key)

Last year--while boarding a plane--a stewardess bumped into me causing a fall. After one surgery I'm bone-on-bone.. Yep. So Sept will bring surgery. Glad to know I'm not the only gimp from 1965. And Roger I'll be #2 in line for brain fixing!!! 

Anita Marbury (Marbury)

Bless your heart. I know many freinds who had knee and hip replacements. All went well after PT.

I wish you well.

Lovely weather in Durango these days, thanks to rain from El Nino. Looks like the predictions are for a wet winter and that means snow. I am not a skier anymore but know our economy depends on the weather. It was hot for me in June. We do not have air conditioning in our homes. I do have overhead fans and that helps. Now, very nice weather just like the old days from the 90's.

Off to an Eagle ceremony for dear friend's son. Happy to be going and I taught his Mommy.

Bernard Brady

Hello to all-

Great stories this month!

I'll try a new topic. I collect pocket knives. U.S. and foreign- mostly Germany where some of the most ornate high quality knives are made. These knives are made for collectors, not whittling. Although you could if you wanted- it's your knife. I love 4 blade knives with deer antler (stag) handles. They are so pretty. I collect Case,Remington,. Camillus, Hen and Rooster, Western, to name a few. I have about 200 knives in my collection which I started in 1993. I buy and trade at knife shows. Most collectors are 70+ year old men with a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. The fun is in the hunt. I have met some very fun and interesting folks in my travels. Anybody else out the have a strange hobby??

BB

Robert (Ben) Carbo

Hi Bernard,

I wish I could say I collect knives, I have acquired many, but cant' seem to resist from giving them to friends.  The only real nice one I have been able to hold onto is a Queen Cutlery #19, 4 1/8" Trapper tool steel blades with walnut scales. Made in Tilsvile, PA.  Its a beauty!  Do you get the Shepherd Hills Cutlery catalog.  They have a lot of nice Case knives and have monthy specials.  These are the ones I give to friends.

Richard Meek

Greetings all, I've been really busy with work and couldn't get to commenting on recent posts. I really haven't seen proselytezing going on on either side. Although anti-gun people  seem to think that their way is the only correct way. Anyway I thought you might like to know a little factoid that was in the Chronicle before the Open Carry bill passed. At that time Texas was one of only six states that prohibited open carry at that point. Now there are five. Give that some thought. Also for those who want to have more gun control that isn't going to make you safer. The only people who will abide by the law are law abiding citizens. The criminals aren't going to pay one bit of attention. They will be thrilled that they don't have to be as concerned about confronting an armed citizen.

Now to you folks who don't want the "bambi killers" to be able to do that. Well I guess you don't want to be hipocrits so you must be vegans right? Doesn't make any difference what kind of animal flesh you eat, some animal had to die for you to put that meat on you plate and in your mouth. Also, have you ever asked your self what happens to the deer that hunters wouldn't shoot if you outlawed guns? They would produce more little deer and most of them would starve to death because they would over populate their range.

This forum is here for people to have discussions that are interesting to them and others. If Benard and Bennie want to have a conversation about knives that's great. Just because you're afraid of knives you don't have to try and stop them from discussing them. I thought the conversations about guns were interesting. You might be bored by them. However endlessly talking about grandchildren bores me to tears.

Just to offer full disclosure. Do I own guns, yes. Do I hunt, no. I don't like to get up before dawn and go out and get cold and wet. Do I support open carry, no. However I think if people would just ignore it, it will become a non-issue. Do I have grandchildren, yes. Paige and I have eight. If you can't tolerate other people's views you might want to seek counseling about it. I'll look forward to seeing you all at the reunion. We can have some lively discussions on various topics.

Stay calm. Carry on!

Rich

Bernard Brady

Benny and Richard-  Thanks for both of your kind comments. I suspect that this Forum was set up to just shoot the breeze. Personal comments are fine, Barbara. We love you dear and hope that you can join the reunion for at least Friday night. We're only going to have ONE 50 year reunion.Pullleeze join us !!!

Benny- Queen Cutlery puts out some wonderful knives. They made all of the Case Classics in the early 90's. I like the Rocky Mountain knife magazine as I started my collection in Tennessee. Moved back to Texas in 2010.

Richard, my dear old time friend forever.  Looking forward to visiting with you at the reunion. I had two careers in my life - I owned a coin and stamp shop and an insurance agency. Both for 20+ years each. I loved coins the best and still do. I could not imagine trying to make a living out of health insurance now. My wife Susan worked both careers with me. We worked well together. I got lucky in love. I wish the same for you and Paige.

Hope to see alot of old-time friends in late August. I went to school with most of you from Mrs. Trimble in Kindergarden at Oak Forest Elem to High School graduation night.  And then still a few more that continued to the University of Houston in 1965-1967.  Then I went on to Lamar University in Beaumont. I graduated in January, 1970 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I have two granddaughters and will leave it at that.  They are exceptional, though.... And they live in Katy, TX....

Roger Felton

Well, BB, I have always owned knives but I can't say I'm a collector.  There are two that I'll keep forever.  My Mother-in-law had a neighbor behind her house who would always mow her yard every week after finishing his.  She had a really huge yard but he never asked for a dime.  He'd bring her a gallon of his home made wine once in a while and she'd give him several quarts of her canned okra and tomatoes that she grew herself.  James was a "man of color" and he was as good a neighbor as anyone ever had. 

One day I stopped by Mom's house and James presented me with the gift of a hunting knife he had made.  Has a deer horn handle and the steel is so hard I bet I could cut diamonds all day and then shave with it.  Incredible workmanship.  He only makes about 2 or 3 a year.

The other keeper I have is actually a set of throwing knives.  I used to practice throwing knives every day as a kid.  Got to where I could nail a soup can at 30 feet pretty consistently till Mom found out I was using her expensive cuttlery and took 'em away from me.  I bought a set of actual balanced throwing knives about a year ago and I go out in the back yard occasionally and practice like I used to.  But instead of a soup can, I have to use a 55 gallon drum and stand about 7 feet away instead of 30.

I got a big sheet of plywood and drew a silhouette of a person and practiced to see how close I could come to the outline without "drawing any blood".  Well, overall I'd say I'm pretty good and only go inside the line maybe 10% of the time.  I got so cocky that I asked my wife, Beverly, if she'd mind standing in front of the target and let me see if I can work under pressure.  Never got the chance to find out as she took my knives away just like my Mom did.

Now, Rich, I hate to break the bad news to ya but you will never change the mindset of an anti-gunner person using logic and facts.  Guns are all bad and people are all good until they come in contact with one of those bad guns.  It takes possession of your soul like when Linda Blair tossed her pea soup back in '73.  Outlaw guns for the law abiders and we'd all live in the land of milk and honey, I tell ya.  And hey, I eat deer, too, but since they eat grass, corn and flowers all day I guess that kinda makes me a vegan, huh?

You reminded me of the story of the Quaker who owned a shotgun but was adamently against harming any person in any way for any reason.  One day a particularly ornery biker dude rode into their village and decided to wipe out a few folks with his .38 just for sport since he knew these were Quakers and, because of their faith, would never make a fuss about it. 

But after seeing his neighbors trying to stop a few bullets with their foreheads, the Quaker picked up his old shotgun and, staying true to his faith in never harming anyone on purpose, he politely informed the biker, "Pardon thee, sir, but tho standith where I am about to shoot".

Roger Felton

Aw, Eileen, don't you hate it when those stewardesses turn klutz.  I've never been knocked down but I can sure relate to your experience.  Beverly and I were on a trip to New York when she had to get up to powder her nose.  It was a bumpy ride and I hoped she would make it there and back ok.

As a stewardess was making her way down the aisle, the plane dropped several feet causing the stewardess to lose her balance and she went backwards right into my lap.  Instantly, she struggled to get back on her feet but the plane had already gone nose up a bit to compensate for the drop, I guess.  Anyway, all she could do was wiggle and struggle to get a grip on something to pull herself back up. 

Well, wouldn't you know, this was the exact moment when Beverly returned.  All she saw was this stewardess sitting in my lap rocking back and forth and I don't guess I was doing enough to help her.  When I saw the look on Bev's face my mood went from surprise to fear. 

Now, Eileen, when we meet at the reunion, if you can convince Beverly that stewardesses can be clumsy and they can lose their balance, then I will forever be indebted.  To this day, she doesn't believe me.  Being knocked down would have been better, I think.   But, as my Dad always told me... it's always better to be knocked down than to be knocked up.

Richard Meek

Bernard and Benny the knives I have that are collectibles are a collection my dad brought back from WWII. A combination of bayonets and knives actually. Pretty interesting stuff. I also have an assortment of hunting knives.

Roger, you are probably right about logic and guns. I daresay our members who are professed anti-gunners have never had someone stick a gun in their face as the villains who forced there way into your home did .My first wife and I experienced that home invasion around 1990. Niether of us was hurt so that was the important thing. It was pretty scary. I'll be very interested in talking to you about your black powder experiences. I've always had kind of a hankering to own a Hawken replica ever since I saw the movie Jeremiah Johnson. I don't know who liked best in the movie, Robert Redford or Will Geer. See you at the reunion.

Keep your powder dry,

Rich

Joanna Hinton (Garrett)

I just saw the listing of those who are going to attend the functions.  It is great to see that my school teasers, which they did constantly to me, Bubba, Donnie and Larry are all going to be at the reunion.  I never had any "come backs" for these three Amigos.  I hope someone can reach out to Gary Jordan and his wife, Marilynn Wolfe, to attend.  If anyone knows how to actually get hold of John Mitchell and get him to come, I'd appreciate it as I have tried many times to reach him.  Sames goes for Carla Wappler - she has not attended any of the reunions that I know of.

I suggest that if you all know someone  who's name is not on Suzie's List, try to reach out to them about coming to this reunion.  We have lost a lot of classmates and as we all age, the future will mean more losses of our friends of the past.

Lindy Clarke (Hall)

Okay, Roger, why aren't you, or have you ever been, a stand-up comedian?
Or, a comedy-writer? Jeez, you have a clever way with words... I've literally
LOL'd at your posts... even when you get a bit corny... :o)
I once had a friend like that, oddly, his name was also Roger, and he once
did a 20 minute rant about checking the oil in his car with the dip-stick and
then putting oil in there... such a mundane subject, but he had a dozens of
us rolling with laughter. Better than Seinfeld.
Turning an ordinary everyday event into humor like that is a talent, and it's
a talent you have, in spades.
(Note to self: Copy/Paste/Save some of what Roger said...)

Rich, you're preaching to the choir, for the most part, and as Roger said,
you won't change the "anti's" minds..... I could add a few more aspects,
but it wouldn't accomplish anything. 

Barbara & Carol... I/we will defend your right to express your opinions,
it's just that I bristle when anyone tries to censor or stifle.
No harm, no foul. No-one doubts your intentions are good.

Bernard, I have a few old knives, kind of inherited, packed away in storage, 
not in great condition, mostly bone or stag handles, I have no idea who
made them, and too lazy/busy to research.... I didn't want to throw them away..
no-one I know is into knives... if I find them, they're yours. :o)

 

 

Joanna Hinton (Garrett)

If you want to see some beautiful workmanship in knives, check out JayFisher.com.  I could never afford any of his creations but would love to have one.  My husband had two matching reversed Karate Kin-Po stainless fighting knives with Irovy handles that were made for Elvis Presley by GW Stone.  GWStone made two sets of these knives, one of the handles was encrusted in fine gems for a Saudi Prince, one for Elvis and the other for himself.  Stone is now deceased but my husband sold the set made for Elvis back to the Stone Family.  Elvis changed his mind in purchasing the knives from Stone after he commissioned Stone to make them for him.  My husband knew and purchased the set from GW  Wish I hand them now but knowing that the Stone family now has them at least they have the memory of GW's workmanship.

Richard Meek

Lindy you and Roger are probably correct. I keep trying, not to convince the anti's of changing their opinion but hopefully to wake up the folks in the middle about the erosion of their rights by the wing nuts on the left and the right, Appreciate your input.

Talley Hudson

This has been an interesting exchange of ideas.  Funny how the forum goes quiet for awhile and then gets active.  Must be because we're getting close to our reunion.  Someone probably has the exact number, but I believe there were around 518 in our graduating class.  Therefore, there are probably 518 different points of view on any given topic, based on our upbringing and our life experiences.  I don't believe there are any particular rights or wrongs (although some people want us to believe so), just different ideas.  I think it's always been that way as long as humans have lived on this planet.  I have found, though, that personal issues (such as when I posted about my brother and daugher-in-law both being diagnosed with cancer) bring very little response.  But other issues, i.e., gun and knife collections, have brought on many responses.  Apparently some do not want to hear anything personal on this forum, and perhaps that's for the best.

On another subject, we have had the most glorious summer in the Seattle area.  Like Sweetie, though, no AC can be a bit of a challenge on the 90+ degree days.  And we also had very little snow last year, which was extremely difficult for those who depend on the ski industry for a living or who depend on the snow pack for a summer water source.  We are heading out to Ste. Michelle Winery in a couple of hours to see Harry Connick, Jr.  It's a beautiful setting; just will need lots of sunscreen and protection.  But I'm not complaining!

I haven't had to deal with joint replacements yet so can't offer advice there.  It could happen at any time, though, so I will have to rely on those who have had those experiences to guide me.

So looking forward to our reunion.  Still in disbelief that it's been 50 years!

Roger Felton

Thanks Lindy but, no, I've never been a comedian...at least on purpose.  I just say what pops into my head and that gets me in trouble sometimes. 

I remember one time my big mouth got me in trouble back in the mid 70's.  KBMT-TV in Beaumont had lost their weatherman.  Actually, he got fired.  His weather map was actually a fairly large childs wooden puzzle with the states as pieces all in different colors. Pretty snazzy looking and high tech.  Over that puzzle, he'd put some Saran Wrap so he could draw his fronts and temps and stuff.  As he was doing his weather segment during the 6:00 news, his "map" came off the hook and fell on the foor and 51 pieces went flying all over the studio.  He looked at the mess on the floor and started hollering some obsenities.  Bad idea when the camera still has that little red light on.  He was toast.

I was doing some work for them on the transmitter at that time and, since I had broadcast experience (radio only) they shuffled me into the studio to do the 10:00 weather cast.  So I ripped the weather data off of the teletype machine and called the local weather bureau for some pointers.  I carefully put Fred's wooden "weather map" together, found the Saran Wrap and by 10:00pm I was all set.  I had drawn the approaching cool front perfectly and did a masterful job of explaining it.  I could see my name in lights as one of the nation's top meteorologists (of course, I'd have to go back to school first).  Everything was going so well...far better than I had ever imagined.  Then I did the "Weather Wrap-Up" and had to open my big mouth....

As I recapped the approaching cool front and it's predicted effects for the Golden Triangle area, I ended it with one of my little "weather wisdoms" and said, "Remember folks, it's always better to be there when a front blows in than to be there when a behind blows out!"  The camera guy roared and the anchor girl was nearly on the floor.  It was chaos.  By 11:00 the owners had given me my walking papers and I went back to my radio announcing gig after just 12 minutes on the tube.  If it weren't for that darn cool front, I coulda been a star.