Outlook

Hello, hello to all of you readers who are now scanning the Richland Beacon News to see what it may offer for this  week,  In looking at the calendar, I find that we are now into the first full week of this month of July.  And, just as I had suspected, we are now having some hotter weather which will surely last all through the month of August and even September.  Oh well, that’s when we appreciate air-conditioning in our homes.

So, what have I done since I wrote last week’s column?  Well,  the 4th of July came along right on time and my son, Kirby and his wife, Linda, came by my home and picked me up about 10AM and we traveled on down to the rural area several miles out west of Mangham.  This is where my grand-daughter, Kristi Wiggins lives with her husband, Roy, Jr. and their daughter, Abby.   And, Roy’s parents live nearby, so the whole clan was gathered there for this holiday outing.  There were also many friends present and several children of all sizes; so I will not attempt to include the names of everyone present.

The big attraction was an inflatable water-slide of huge proportions and the children really loved to clamber up and slide down while getting well sprinkled.  It was so sweet to hear their happy laughter as they slid down and then circled around to repeat the same effort along with their happy laughter.  This water slide was located two or three hundred yards down the sloping grounds away from the main house.  So, we got a bit more exercise while making our way to and from the water slide.

And, the food was very tasty with fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, salads and several pies and cakes and other good “stuff” to partake off.  I have lived in several various areas of our country and have eaten their food, of course. So, I sort of consider myself qualified to proclaim that you just can’t beat that good ol∂-fashioned Southern Cooking.  No way.......

CHUCKLE #1 - The farmer loved to make a good bargain and the auto salesman was having plenty of trouble selling him a car.  Finally, the salesman thought that a demonstration of the car’s performance might help.

Explaining this operation, the salesman said, “And, now I will throw in the clutch.”

“I’ll take ‘er then,” said the farmer triumphantly.  “I knew if I held off long enough ye’d throw in somethin.”

So, we move on and take another look at the calendar which offers another hot month coming up in about three weeks.  Of course, that is the month of August which I think may the hottest one of the year.  But, what can we do about that matter?  That’s when we really begin to appreciate air conditioning.  Oh, I am already using mine and it makes all the difference.  When I compare it to the years when I was growing up on that farm in SE Arkansas where we had no electricity nor running water, I must say that the air conditioning is wonderful.

And, it is also affordable for most average incomes.  And, I am so thankful to have the A/C in my home.

My little pooch, “Cookie” and i still take our usual late afternoon walk around our large block of homes.  And, I really can’t say which of us enjoys that the most.  She struts along on her leash like a little queen (which she reaally is) and I follow closely,  Sometimes, neighbors around the block are outside and we stop to chat with them briefly.  Cookie always waits very patiently until we can proceed further.  The children would like to pet her; but Cookie doesn’t like that very much. So, I explain to the kiddos that she doesn’t like to be touched by anyone except me.  And, the kids seem to understand and they allow us to pass on by.

CHUCKLE #2 - The history teacher was conducting a little quiz and she asked, “What battle was it in which General Wolfe said, ‘I die happy,’ when he heard the enemy was on the run?  Can you tell me, Willie?”

Hesitating, Willie said doubtfully, “I’m not sure, teacher.  But, I think it must have been his last battle.” ???

Folks are still having birthdays and i have a few to list for this week and they are as follows:  Tyler Starks, Matthew Stephens and Jewellene Robinson on 7/9; Stephanie Colvin and Sarah J. Brown on 7/10; Michel Boone, Amy Smart and Benny Walker on 7/11; Fran Durden and Eva Rainbolt on 7/12 Brian Barham, Brandon Finley, Chelsea Taylor, Nuchaek Allen and Gayle Waller on 7/13; Andy Smart on 7/14 and for Kirby Hendrix, Todd Barfield, Kim Dupont and Katherine Greer on 7/15,  May all of these birthday folks celebrate their natal day in a most special way and we wish them many, many more in the coming years,  Oh, yes indeed!!!

And, that will just about bring another Outlook effort to a close for one more week.  I hope to meet all of you dear readers next week at the same time, place, etc.  Oh, yes........

PARTING THOUGHT:   If we don’t get everything we want, then let’s just think of the things we don’t get that we  don’t want,”  (There is a difference........Oh, yes indeed.........)