Today's Quote
Happiness does not come from doing what you want, but wanting what you do.
Monday, February 28, 2005
was thinking about where everyone was from when I woke up this am..
I was thinking where all the folks were from that were present Saturday. Small crowd, but lots of places... Ingalls, Roff, Mehan, Stillwater, El Reno, Perkins, Norman, and Perkins. Anyway..... Today is Uncle Ivan's official Birthday... So Happy Official Birthday - Uncle Ivan! And many many more!!!
Enjoy the day!!
Enjoy the day!!
Sunday, February 27, 2005
What a wonderful day yesterday was!!
What a wonderful day we had yesterday! Ann is not feeling very good health wise, nor am I, but what a wonderful day yesterday was. Started with the sun shining, that was great! Then Andrew and Heather came to our home about an hour before we left for OKC, and
Andrew and I played games on the computer and he is very good at it, beating his grandpa all to pieces! Then we had a great trip to OKC, and when we arrived at The Olive Garden, it was about 5 mins and they had us seated, and we were a big group for them! Everyone arrived, including the Birthday Boy himself, Uncle Ivan! Later we learned that both Cousin Clinton and myself have Birthdays in Feb. too. We had an awesome lunch. Uncle Ivan opened his cards and presents, and we had a great visit!! All my kiddos showed up!! All our grandkids showed up! What a truly amazing time!! It's not everyday you get to visit with everyone and your family too! Austyn and Andrew got along great, and so did Kaitlyn. Madison didn't kick her mom too much so Heather got to eat! Kaitlyn was great so Randi and Jon got to eat. Tammy and Phil got to enjoy the time with the boys playing great! And Jake and I got to eat some good food and visit with others!! So all in all, great time. Those there were Uncle Ivan, Aunt Freda, Cousin Joanna and Clinton, Marilyn, Mom, Jonathan and Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat, Heather Blankinship and Andrew, Jake, Ann and I, and Tammy and Phil and Austyn Moffat! What a deal! Uncle Ivan wore his crown while he ate. He is such a trooper!! And we ate and ate!! Then home, with no problems, and a nice spring day in Feb. comes to an end! If mom would have had her new ears, it would have been complete!
Enjoy the day! New pictures are online too. No video from yesterday, I forgot to do that, guess it will be next time!!
Andrew and I played games on the computer and he is very good at it, beating his grandpa all to pieces! Then we had a great trip to OKC, and when we arrived at The Olive Garden, it was about 5 mins and they had us seated, and we were a big group for them! Everyone arrived, including the Birthday Boy himself, Uncle Ivan! Later we learned that both Cousin Clinton and myself have Birthdays in Feb. too. We had an awesome lunch. Uncle Ivan opened his cards and presents, and we had a great visit!! All my kiddos showed up!! All our grandkids showed up! What a truly amazing time!! It's not everyday you get to visit with everyone and your family too! Austyn and Andrew got along great, and so did Kaitlyn. Madison didn't kick her mom too much so Heather got to eat! Kaitlyn was great so Randi and Jon got to eat. Tammy and Phil got to enjoy the time with the boys playing great! And Jake and I got to eat some good food and visit with others!! So all in all, great time. Those there were Uncle Ivan, Aunt Freda, Cousin Joanna and Clinton, Marilyn, Mom, Jonathan and Randi and Kaitlyn Moffat, Heather Blankinship and Andrew, Jake, Ann and I, and Tammy and Phil and Austyn Moffat! What a deal! Uncle Ivan wore his crown while he ate. He is such a trooper!! And we ate and ate!! Then home, with no problems, and a nice spring day in Feb. comes to an end! If mom would have had her new ears, it would have been complete!
Enjoy the day! New pictures are online too. No video from yesterday, I forgot to do that, guess it will be next time!!
Today's Quote
Today's Quote
Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.
-Rumi
Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.
-Rumi
Saturday, February 26, 2005
OH BOY.. oh boy.. we are off to see the Wizard.. haha..
What a great day is in store today. We are having lunch with my Uncle Ivan and Aunt Freda in OKC at Olive Garden at 12:30pm. I think our family less Paul will be there, how cool is that!!! And Ann is sick, and I am a bit, but ...
We are all excited about this and looking forward to it. There will be other family there too. Mom and MK are going, and Joanna and Clinton, and who know who else..
HEY DORIS..... How you doing after knee surgery???? Hope all is well, and you get up and going quick!!! Bet Jim does too.. hahahahahahaha....
All for now. Have a great day!!!
We are all excited about this and looking forward to it. There will be other family there too. Mom and MK are going, and Joanna and Clinton, and who know who else..
HEY DORIS..... How you doing after knee surgery???? Hope all is well, and you get up and going quick!!! Bet Jim does too.. hahahahahahaha....
All for now. Have a great day!!!
Wow... I got Heather's attention..haha
She called me, like within seconds of my posting the note below.. how cool, a dad can even holler at his kids on the net, and they will answer, haha... thanks.. Heather.. just having fun, and experimenting!!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Today's Quote
Today's Quote
Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Today...
Today, Jake and I went to Mom's to help Marilyn get the weaning calves sorted so she could take them to the clinic at OSU and get them worked. Course, rainy last few days and cold this am and lots of mud, and calves were too young to want to be away from Mom's, but the good news is, we did it, and no one killed anyone else over it either, how bout them apples! Dad would have been proud!!
Mom's OK, still not wearing her new ears too much. Things are too loud she says, course, if she were to wear them, she might get used to hearing again... ahaha...
All for now! Everyone have a great day!!
Ann is home with the yuck today... not feeling too hot, but she was worse last night! I even had to cook my own meal last night, geeze, I have never in my life cooked pork, and I did it and I am not too sick this am... haha..
enjoy the day!
Mom's OK, still not wearing her new ears too much. Things are too loud she says, course, if she were to wear them, she might get used to hearing again... ahaha...
All for now! Everyone have a great day!!
Ann is home with the yuck today... not feeling too hot, but she was worse last night! I even had to cook my own meal last night, geeze, I have never in my life cooked pork, and I did it and I am not too sick this am... haha..
enjoy the day!
A big celebration.. Saturday ... Uncle Ivan's Birthday is the 28th, but ...
A big celebration.. Saturday ... Uncle Ivan's Birthday is the 28th, but ... we are celebrating it Saturday at 12:30 at the Olive Garden at Quail Springs Mall... in front of it and west a bit!! See everyone there!!! Big day...
Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog
Cousin Joanna sent word that Cousin Doris Moffat Rowland went home from hospital yesterday. She had knee surgery last week and they forgot to call and let folks know.. sigh..... Glad your home Doris... Get recovered fast, the coffee shop is not the same without ya... haha..
Today's Quote
Today's Quote
To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakable perfect miracle.
-Walt Whitman
To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakable perfect miracle.
-Walt Whitman
Heather sent this along for every one to enjoy..
An old man, a boy & a donkey were going
to town. The boy rode on the donkey &
the old man walked. As they went along
they passed some people who remarked
it was a shame the old man was walking
& the boy was riding. The man & boy
thought maybe the critics were right,
so they changed positions.
Later, they passed some people that remarked,
"What a shame, he makes that little boy walk."
They then decided they both
would walk! Soon they passed some
more people who thought they were
stupid to walk when they had a decent
donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey.
Now they passed some people that
shamed them by saying how awful to put
such a load on a poor donkey.
The boy & man said they were
probably right, so they decided
to carry the donkey. As
they crossed the bridge, they lost
their grip on the animal & he fell
into the river and drowned.
The moral of the story?
If you try to please everyone, you might as well...
.....Kiss your ass good-bye.
Have A Nice Day & Be Careful With Your Donkey
to town. The boy rode on the donkey &
the old man walked. As they went along
they passed some people who remarked
it was a shame the old man was walking
& the boy was riding. The man & boy
thought maybe the critics were right,
so they changed positions.
Later, they passed some people that remarked,
"What a shame, he makes that little boy walk."
They then decided they both
would walk! Soon they passed some
more people who thought they were
stupid to walk when they had a decent
donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey.
Now they passed some people that
shamed them by saying how awful to put
such a load on a poor donkey.
The boy & man said they were
probably right, so they decided
to carry the donkey. As
they crossed the bridge, they lost
their grip on the animal & he fell
into the river and drowned.
The moral of the story?
If you try to please everyone, you might as well...
.....Kiss your ass good-bye.
Have A Nice Day & Be Careful With Your Donkey
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Today's Quote
Today's Quote
There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.
-Aldous Huxley
There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.
-Aldous Huxley
Interesting to Medical Men
Interesting to Medical Men
From the Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 23 February 1820, page 3
The District Medical Society of Baltimore in a report on the subject of the late Yellow Fever in that city, says----
"The doctrines of contagion and importation, receive no countenance from this society."
And to conclude by recommending that two laws be repealed.
"First--That restricting hogs from running at large.--Second "That which makes it penal to throw kitchen offals in the street."
And we think we have it hard.. haha....
From the Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 23 February 1820, page 3
The District Medical Society of Baltimore in a report on the subject of the late Yellow Fever in that city, says----
"The doctrines of contagion and importation, receive no countenance from this society."
And to conclude by recommending that two laws be repealed.
"First--That restricting hogs from running at large.--Second "That which makes it penal to throw kitchen offals in the street."
And we think we have it hard.. haha....
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Got a wonderful note from Joanna and Clinton and I will share part of it with you all....
Joanna writes...
Doris had her knee replacement surgery last Wed. She seems to be doing well. She is now at Jim Thorpe Rehab in OKC. They think she might get to go home tomorrow or Thurs. Jim M. has had sinus infection and is feeling some better. Clinton is going to PT for his back and I think it is helping. Everybody else seems to be doing OK. How are all of your family? I also talked with Ivan this morning and they were going to OKC for a free lunch...
It's really great to hear from family.... My best back to you all too.
And again, thanks for all the wonderful emails and calls.. awesome to be remembered. I am about speechless... and those of you that know me knows that does not happen very often, right, hahaha?
Doris had her knee replacement surgery last Wed. She seems to be doing well. She is now at Jim Thorpe Rehab in OKC. They think she might get to go home tomorrow or Thurs. Jim M. has had sinus infection and is feeling some better. Clinton is going to PT for his back and I think it is helping. Everybody else seems to be doing OK. How are all of your family? I also talked with Ivan this morning and they were going to OKC for a free lunch...
It's really great to hear from family.... My best back to you all too.
And again, thanks for all the wonderful emails and calls.. awesome to be remembered. I am about speechless... and those of you that know me knows that does not happen very often, right, hahaha?
The old days...
The old days
TO THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 30's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat booms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.
*We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little league had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS! Please pass this on to others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
TO THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 30's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, bread and butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat booms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and ate worms and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes, nor did the worms live in us forever.
*We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little league had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS! Please pass this on to others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
Thanks for all the Birthday greetings..
You guys are way tooooooo coooool.. haha thanks for all the wonderful birthday greetings... wasn't expecting a thing... Love you all! Stan at the start of his 58th year!
The Squirrels from Clinton and Joanna Wilson, Cousins in Norman....
The Squirrels
=============
Three churches in town were overrun with squirrels.
After much prayer, the elders of the first church determined that the animals were predestined to be there. Who were they to interfere with God's will? They did nothing, and the squirrels multiplied.
The elders of the second church, deciding that they could not harm any of God's creatures, humanely trapped the squirrels and then set them free outside of town. Three days later the squirrels were back.
It was only the third church that succeeded in keeping the squirrels away. The elders of this church simply baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church.
Now, they only see the squirrels on Christmas and Easter.
=============
Three churches in town were overrun with squirrels.
After much prayer, the elders of the first church determined that the animals were predestined to be there. Who were they to interfere with God's will? They did nothing, and the squirrels multiplied.
The elders of the second church, deciding that they could not harm any of God's creatures, humanely trapped the squirrels and then set them free outside of town. Three days later the squirrels were back.
It was only the third church that succeeded in keeping the squirrels away. The elders of this church simply baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church.
Now, they only see the squirrels on Christmas and Easter.
Monday, February 21, 2005
Mom update...
Great Grandma Moffat got home from her Doctor's appointment to get her new ears... and she said that the aids were set way to high. Why she turned on the blinkers in the car and all she could hear was blam blam blam... haha...
She was beside herself! She said she could even hear her feet as she walked across the floor... haha... GREAT!! But I bet it's a hard thing to get used to. Not hearing for so long and now hearing every little thing. Anyway, she goes back in two weeks. So, give her a call and let her tell you about her new ears!!
She did say there was a bad wreck at the corner north of her when she came home with a red truck on it's top on the northwest side of the intersection and two troopers there.
All for now.. have a great evening...
She was beside herself! She said she could even hear her feet as she walked across the floor... haha... GREAT!! But I bet it's a hard thing to get used to. Not hearing for so long and now hearing every little thing. Anyway, she goes back in two weeks. So, give her a call and let her tell you about her new ears!!
She did say there was a bad wreck at the corner north of her when she came home with a red truck on it's top on the northwest side of the intersection and two troopers there.
All for now.. have a great evening...
Update on Austyn......
Tammy just called and Austyn is find today. They did not have school today with this being Presidents Day, so they both were home. Tammy reports that Austyn fell asleep on the couch last night, they carried him to bed and he woke up two times during the night. Then upon waking up, he ate not one, not two, but three bowls of cereal, and then.. and then.. he takes after his grandpa, a bag of popcorn!!! She said he has been ok all day long and doing great! Just wanted to let everyone know..
Great grandma Moffat went to the hearing doctor this afternoon at 1:30 to get her new hearing aids. She still swears she does not need them, but I believe most of the family, after visiting with her yesterday, agrees with the Doctor, and they are really glad she is getting them, and can't wait to see how well they work~~!
Jake is off to work this afternoon, and is really enjoying his work. He gets his first two week pay check next monday, and is really looking forward to that too!!
I think that is all the news for now... enjoy the day!
Great grandma Moffat went to the hearing doctor this afternoon at 1:30 to get her new hearing aids. She still swears she does not need them, but I believe most of the family, after visiting with her yesterday, agrees with the Doctor, and they are really glad she is getting them, and can't wait to see how well they work~~!
Jake is off to work this afternoon, and is really enjoying his work. He gets his first two week pay check next monday, and is really looking forward to that too!!
I think that is all the news for now... enjoy the day!
The state of our family....
Wanted everyone to know that Heather was suffering from a stopped up head yesterday and she went to the DR. this am and he told her she had an a bit of a Upper Respitory thingy working and put her on antibotics, and Austyn got sick yesterday afternoon too. He threw up here for a few times and went home and did it again three times, Tammy said, but last evening he had no fever and was feeling a touch better! Not sure if he went to school today or not... but will let others know when I discover...
Sunday, February 20, 2005
What a wonderful day with family!!
T'was a really great day in my life today. I had 86, 400 seconds to spend today, and got to spend most of them with family, and including mom and grand children! Now how lucky is that. Had all my kiddos and spouses and grand kids and Mom and Sis here today for a big ole 58th Bday... I am richly blessed. Thank you Lord for such a wonderful family!! Well, guess we did miss Paul, but he had a rookie and had to work today training another of Stillwater's finest! Paul, you were missed and thought of often. Maybe next time!
Have a lot of pictures and some video of the grand kids,etc. but my wireless DSL is down, guess I ought to pay my bill, haha... well, that might just be the case.. haha.. not really. But will get pics online this evening or in morning..
Thanks to all my family for allowing me the pleasure of your company today. Nothing in the world makes me happier than to spend time with them!! God bless you all often and forever!
Have a lot of pictures and some video of the grand kids,etc. but my wireless DSL is down, guess I ought to pay my bill, haha... well, that might just be the case.. haha.. not really. But will get pics online this evening or in morning..
Thanks to all my family for allowing me the pleasure of your company today. Nothing in the world makes me happier than to spend time with them!! God bless you all often and forever!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog
Here's a link to JIB Jab, and Second Term from the guys in Dallas! Now you need to smile while this is playing, or you take politics way too serious!! (says this Bush supporter!) smiling...
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Marilyn sent this along today.... THE CAB RIDE
THE CAB RIDE
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m.,
the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait
a minute, then drive away.
But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their
only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I
always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my
assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail,
elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood
before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one
had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to
the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I
would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you
drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
hospice". I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I
don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have
very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route
would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove
through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were
newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had
once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd
ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit
staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was
creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low
building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under
a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have
been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the
door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe
you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I
responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank
you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind
me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a
life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in
thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that
woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his
shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then
driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything
more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But
great moments often catch us unaware---beautifully wrapped in what others
may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT 'YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT ~
THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m.,
the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.
Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait
a minute, then drive away.
But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their
only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I
always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my
assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail,
elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood
before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one
had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.
"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to
the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I
would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you
drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
hospice". I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I
don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have
very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route
would you like me to take?" I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove
through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were
newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had
once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd
ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit
staring into the darkness, saying nothing. As the first hint of sun was
creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low
building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under
a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have
been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the
door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe
you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said.
"You have to make a living," she answered. "There are other passengers," I
responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank
you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind
me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a
life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in
thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that
woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his
shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then
driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything
more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But
great moments often catch us unaware---beautifully wrapped in what others
may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT 'YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT ~
THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
Thought for Today
Thought for Today
Carl Sagan
"We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers."
Carl Sagan
"We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers."
From Uncle Ivan...
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Are you laughing?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Uncle Ivan sent this note along.. Awesome, thanks.. Uncle Ivan!
I have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, but we are mostly making fun of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up.
Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of. I hope I am one of those. If you feel the same, pass this on to your redneck friends. Ya`ll know who ya are...
You might be a redneck if:
It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase,"One nation, under God. "
You've never protested about seeing the Ten Commandments posted in public places.
You still say "Christmas" instead of "The Holidays."
You bow your head when someone prays.
You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.
You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.
You've never burned an American flag.
You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
You'd give your last dollar to a friend.
Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of. I hope I am one of those. If you feel the same, pass this on to your redneck friends. Ya`ll know who ya are...
You might be a redneck if:
It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase,"One nation, under God. "
You've never protested about seeing the Ten Commandments posted in public places.
You still say "Christmas" instead of "The Holidays."
You bow your head when someone prays.
You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.
You treat Viet Nam vets with great respect, and always have.
You've never burned an American flag.
You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
You respect your elders and expect your kids to do the same.
You'd give your last dollar to a friend.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Today's Quote
Today's Quote
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
-Lucy, Peanuts
Saw this and thought of Ann... hehe....
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!
-Lucy, Peanuts
Saw this and thought of Ann... hehe....
Perhaps there has always been ........ a problem.... with terrorism....
The Fort Wayne News (Fort Wayne, Indiana), 16 February 1898, page 1:
Nearly Three Hundred Men go Down on Board the Battleship Maine in the Harbor of Havana
BOMB PLACED UNDER THE BOW OF THE BOAT
Special From Havana Leads to the Belief That the Hellish Deed May be the Work of Spanish Sympathizers.
NAVY OFFICERS SCOUT THE THEORY OF ACCIDENT
Captain Sigsbee Declares That the Magazine Was in Perfect Condition--Hundreds of Sharks Add to the Unspeakable Horror.
HAVANA, Feb. 16.--The United States steamer Maine, a charred and torn hulk, lies at the bottom of the harbor, a tomb for 100 of her crew. She was blown up by an explosion at 9:40 last night. Most of the crew were asleep at the time. The indications were that a torpedo had been exploded under the bow of the battleship. Captain Sigsbee, who was wounded in the head, says the ship's powder magazine was in perfect order. All of the crew who were not disabled showed great coolness and courage. The Spanish cruiser Alphonso launched boats and hurried them to the sinking battleship. The number of dead is unknown. The explosion shook the city from one end to the other, and created the greatest excitement. All electric lights were put out by the shock. It was almost two hours before it was known what had exploded
Nearly Three Hundred Men go Down on Board the Battleship Maine in the Harbor of Havana
BOMB PLACED UNDER THE BOW OF THE BOAT
Special From Havana Leads to the Belief That the Hellish Deed May be the Work of Spanish Sympathizers.
NAVY OFFICERS SCOUT THE THEORY OF ACCIDENT
Captain Sigsbee Declares That the Magazine Was in Perfect Condition--Hundreds of Sharks Add to the Unspeakable Horror.
HAVANA, Feb. 16.--The United States steamer Maine, a charred and torn hulk, lies at the bottom of the harbor, a tomb for 100 of her crew. She was blown up by an explosion at 9:40 last night. Most of the crew were asleep at the time. The indications were that a torpedo had been exploded under the bow of the battleship. Captain Sigsbee, who was wounded in the head, says the ship's powder magazine was in perfect order. All of the crew who were not disabled showed great coolness and courage. The Spanish cruiser Alphonso launched boats and hurried them to the sinking battleship. The number of dead is unknown. The explosion shook the city from one end to the other, and created the greatest excitement. All electric lights were put out by the shock. It was almost two hours before it was known what had exploded
Monday, February 14, 2005
And from a friend in California comes this "virus warning".... BEWARE... AMISH VIRUS INSIDE
And from a friend in California comes this "virus warning".... BEWARE... AMISH VIRUS INSIDE
He told me he received a letter in the mail that looked funny, writing not like ours today (you could read it!) and so carefully opening it, he found inside a hand written note on a piece of lined school paper.
"This is an AMISH VIRSUS.
AMISH have not computers nor electricity, and use the HONOR system, so at this time, would you please delete all your computer files.
Thank Thee very much!"
Later, he received a call from a friend of his in PA. who had gotten behind an Amish buggy on the way to work and had extra time on his hands...
He told me he received a letter in the mail that looked funny, writing not like ours today (you could read it!) and so carefully opening it, he found inside a hand written note on a piece of lined school paper.
"This is an AMISH VIRSUS.
AMISH have not computers nor electricity, and use the HONOR system, so at this time, would you please delete all your computer files.
Thank Thee very much!"
Later, he received a call from a friend of his in PA. who had gotten behind an Amish buggy on the way to work and had extra time on his hands...
Uncle Ivan never let's us down with great writings and here is another from we received today!
In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11).
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.
I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.. And we said OK!
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11).
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.
I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school . the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself.. And we said OK!
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Kaitlyn is really growing...
Here ya go! Jake, Ann and I took a road trip and went to see Kaitlyn last night. She is really growing fast. She set in her stroller and played with her toys, etc. and she was a perfect Angel when we took Mom out to eat at Doc's for Valentine's Day!!
We had a rather late night last night gettting back home L a t e for an old man anyway...haha.
Everyone is messing around today. I have to get the PCL Music Awards all put on our website and uploaded today and set so I can link it in the am to announce our winners artist for last year's Payne County Line Music Awards for Oklahoma artist.
Andrew dropped by this am and is spending the day so Heather can get some much needed rest. Her tail has been dragging this week after having bit of stomach flu, and she is weak. Jake Ann and I had it too, and it's not fun!
We almost got to see and keep Austyn Saturday, but Ann had left to go with Jake to feed all the cattle and I didn't know it, so anyway, we missed our chance. Ann and I heard that Grandma went to an auction with Phil and Tammy and Austyn at his school Friday night. That's so cool!
Jake got his first "tail chewing" at work the other day for leaving an office with test for the next day unlocked on night, but all in all, he thinks that is his only major miss step to date, so he says all is going well and seems to be happy with his new job.
Phil starts his tomorrow and I know he is happy to be off the road so much. I know how that is after being in the feed business and making from 3 to 6 trips a week to to OKC and all the other places for 21 years, it gets old in a hurry. He will be working for Rain's Trucking in Perkins, OK.
Welp, all I know for know, enjoy the day, it's a wonderful warm "spring" day here in Oklahoma, with Temps in the 60's this afternoon, and wow, sunshine in abundance!!
Friday, February 11, 2005
Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog
Just a quick note to everyone about this and that...
Talked with Mom, when I finally caught her at home, and heard about cell phone batteries blowing up, viruses on computer, her busy day, greasy chicken at Long John's, etc... hahaha.... She has had a head cold but was better when I visited with her.
Jake, as of today, will be finishing up his second full week at the Vet Teaching Hospital on OSU Campus in Stillwater. He seems to really like it, as it is a job and income! He keeps mentioning going to welding school. So one can only guess...
Phil starts his new job on this coming Monday working for Rain's Trucking in Perkins in the office. He will be a great addition to their team.
Jonathan is finishing up a school in OKC. It was put on by Microsoft and trained them in the use of a special program he will be using in tracking web design/development projects for the Chickasaw Nation. He is on their Web Dev team, and loves his job, just don't ask him if he does, haha...
Heather had a bout of tummy virus this week and with Madison Ann coming in a few months, it gave us all a scare. Ann kept Andrew for a day while Heather recovered at home. She is back at work and doing ok. Her father in law has a bout of it and last I heard was very weak and could hardly walk and if any of you know him, Roy, he retired from Stillwater Police Dept., farms full time and is now a full time deputy well!
Paul is ok, haven't heard a thing from Tammy or Austyn, and was told Randi and Kaitlyn are doing ok.
so all in all, things are going ok. Andrew has been spending Sundays with Jake and they play video games and have a big ole time for a few hours, and he loves to talk on the phone!!
In my area of the world, PCL is finishing up our year end awards and are to announce on the 14 of Feb., Monday. It has been a big deal, we had almost a million votes cast, with over 900 nominees for about 68 areas, and I count it all by myself... it has been a 18 to 20 hour a day seven day a week thing for me since Jan 1 and I am now looking forward to Tuesday!! Sure glad Jake has been able to tend to the cattle for Grandma and us!! He has been our saving grace this year!
Not much else going on here. Oh yes.. Grandma gets her hearing aids next week, can't wait to see how that works.. haha...
Enjoy the day... Hey Cortney, how was the Colorado trip?
Talked with Mom, when I finally caught her at home, and heard about cell phone batteries blowing up, viruses on computer, her busy day, greasy chicken at Long John's, etc... hahaha.... She has had a head cold but was better when I visited with her.
Jake, as of today, will be finishing up his second full week at the Vet Teaching Hospital on OSU Campus in Stillwater. He seems to really like it, as it is a job and income! He keeps mentioning going to welding school. So one can only guess...
Phil starts his new job on this coming Monday working for Rain's Trucking in Perkins in the office. He will be a great addition to their team.
Jonathan is finishing up a school in OKC. It was put on by Microsoft and trained them in the use of a special program he will be using in tracking web design/development projects for the Chickasaw Nation. He is on their Web Dev team, and loves his job, just don't ask him if he does, haha...
Heather had a bout of tummy virus this week and with Madison Ann coming in a few months, it gave us all a scare. Ann kept Andrew for a day while Heather recovered at home. She is back at work and doing ok. Her father in law has a bout of it and last I heard was very weak and could hardly walk and if any of you know him, Roy, he retired from Stillwater Police Dept., farms full time and is now a full time deputy well!
Paul is ok, haven't heard a thing from Tammy or Austyn, and was told Randi and Kaitlyn are doing ok.
so all in all, things are going ok. Andrew has been spending Sundays with Jake and they play video games and have a big ole time for a few hours, and he loves to talk on the phone!!
In my area of the world, PCL is finishing up our year end awards and are to announce on the 14 of Feb., Monday. It has been a big deal, we had almost a million votes cast, with over 900 nominees for about 68 areas, and I count it all by myself... it has been a 18 to 20 hour a day seven day a week thing for me since Jan 1 and I am now looking forward to Tuesday!! Sure glad Jake has been able to tend to the cattle for Grandma and us!! He has been our saving grace this year!
Not much else going on here. Oh yes.. Grandma gets her hearing aids next week, can't wait to see how that works.. haha...
Enjoy the day... Hey Cortney, how was the Colorado trip?
From the New York Times (New York, New York), 11 February 1861
Railway Detentions--The Lesson of the Season
From the New York Times (New York, New York), 11 February 1861, page 3
If any railway traveler has escaped annoying detention during the cold terms of the present Winter, caused by the inability of the engine to proceed, he has been peculiarly fortunate. The vital features of the locomotive are susceptible to cold in a much great degree than the public imagines. A blockade of snow certainly delays progress, but it does not of itself permanently interrupt it, for if a locomotive can only be made to generate the breath of life, the penetration of the loftiest New-England snow-banks is but a question of time. The trouble is, that the supply of feedwater to the boiler, being dependent upon the locomotion of the engine, is cut off--the alternate charge and retreat of the huge battering-ram does not develop sufficient continuity of the motion to keep the pumps in action--the blood stops flowing through the veins of the iron horse, till half-a-dozen of them together are stalled in the same drift. But a more frequent cause of detention is the freezing of the pump during long stoppages at stations, or while waiting for trains. As the action of this heart of the monster is dependent upon his locomotion, any temporary cessation of the pulsation and flow is likely to result in disaster more or less serious. . . .
From the New York Times (New York, New York), 11 February 1861, page 3
If any railway traveler has escaped annoying detention during the cold terms of the present Winter, caused by the inability of the engine to proceed, he has been peculiarly fortunate. The vital features of the locomotive are susceptible to cold in a much great degree than the public imagines. A blockade of snow certainly delays progress, but it does not of itself permanently interrupt it, for if a locomotive can only be made to generate the breath of life, the penetration of the loftiest New-England snow-banks is but a question of time. The trouble is, that the supply of feedwater to the boiler, being dependent upon the locomotion of the engine, is cut off--the alternate charge and retreat of the huge battering-ram does not develop sufficient continuity of the motion to keep the pumps in action--the blood stops flowing through the veins of the iron horse, till half-a-dozen of them together are stalled in the same drift. But a more frequent cause of detention is the freezing of the pump during long stoppages at stations, or while waiting for trains. As the action of this heart of the monster is dependent upon his locomotion, any temporary cessation of the pulsation and flow is likely to result in disaster more or less serious. . . .
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 09 February 1825, page 2
Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.), 09 February 1825, page 2
The number of Indians, within the territory of the United States, as far as ascertained, is 129,266, and they claim 63,143,258 acres of land.
. . . .
JEWS.--It is thought a bill will pass the Legislature of Maryland this session, giving to this proscribed race equal civil privileges with those of other sects; they have not been heretofore, in that State, eligible to any office.
During the last year, there were 707 persons committed to the Boston jail for debt. In that State, imprisonment for debt has not been abolished.
The number of Indians, within the territory of the United States, as far as ascertained, is 129,266, and they claim 63,143,258 acres of land.
. . . .
JEWS.--It is thought a bill will pass the Legislature of Maryland this session, giving to this proscribed race equal civil privileges with those of other sects; they have not been heretofore, in that State, eligible to any office.
During the last year, there were 707 persons committed to the Boston jail for debt. In that State, imprisonment for debt has not been abolished.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
From the Wilson's in Norman to all our family - Happy Valentines Day
Sending an early "Valentine" to see if it will make it around the world by Feb. 14th.
"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosever
believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."
John 3:16
"For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosever
believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."
John 3:16
Monday, February 07, 2005
I love my Uncle Ivan... please keep on sending these stories..
Ivan Moffat
El Reno, Oklahoma
THE SUNDAY WE NEVER ARRIVED AT CHURCH
I think it is one of the ironies of life that some of our most harrowing experiences, with the passing of time, can become some of the most amusing, in retrospect. Perhaps this is one way that God balances the plusses and minuses in our lives.
I was eleven years old that spring of 1937. It had been raining this Sunday morning and the dirt roads would be slick but we did not worry about that as we prepared to go to church.
One of my brothers, with his wife, came by in their Model-A Ford coupe. I jumped in with them while another brother drove our 1928 Buick. Mama was in the front seat with my brother while Daddy rode in the back seat. They were about a quarter of a mile behind us but on down the road when we looked back, they were not behind us any longer. My brother stopped the car and we waited a bit but when they did not appear, we started to back up. Then we saw them! The Buick had slid off the road and overturned in the ditch.
The car had turned over on the passenger side so my brother Oscar, my Mama and Daddy were trying to upright themselves and try to get out. Soon, my brother rolled down the window on the driver's side and, standing on the steering wheel, he managed to pull himself out of the overturned car. He pulled Daddy to safety and it was then that they decided they had a real problem.
Mama was still in the car. And Mama was five feet tall and weighed 260 pounds. So it was no small problem facing them. Mama, in the meantime, had managed to get on her feet. She was standing on the window on the passenger side with her head barely visible coming out the window on the driver's side. She was a lesson in patience as she waited for Daddy and her boys to decide how to get her out of this predicament.
Bracing themselves the best they could, they managed, by pulling and tugging, to get Mama through that window. But the task was not accomplished--they still had to get Mama to the ground. By that time, we had been joined by a neighbor, who stood by me. My eleven-year-old mind was churning and suddenly I came up with the perfect solution. In dramatic fashion, I flung my arms open wide and yelled, "Jump, Mama, I'll catch you!" But our neighbor, afraid Mama might, in the uncertainty of the moment, take me seriously, yelled back, "No Bertha, don't jump!"
Well, we all did the obvious. My two brothers, with Daddy's help, took Mama's arms and eased her off the car, with our neighbor and me helping as she slid down. Needless to say, Mama had to forget all about her modesty that day.
Well, we all missed church that Sunday. Besides all of us being a muddy mess, by the time we got Mama on the ground, Church was over anyway. But you know, God was with us that day--Mama and Daddy and my brother were unhurt. And the only difference in this Sunday and any other Sabbath Day, this day our blessing came in a muddy road ditch-instead of Church.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was something that my dad never told us about growing up... I wonder why? Could it be he was driving, hummmm ...
Thanks Uncle Ivan, and please keep sending in these precious memories, please???
For those that don't know, Oklahoma means Red Man. Well, it should mean RED CLAY, cause there is tons of it ... around where this happened, and where we live now!!! RED GREASY CLAY.... when it's wet, YUCK!!
El Reno, Oklahoma
THE SUNDAY WE NEVER ARRIVED AT CHURCH
I think it is one of the ironies of life that some of our most harrowing experiences, with the passing of time, can become some of the most amusing, in retrospect. Perhaps this is one way that God balances the plusses and minuses in our lives.
I was eleven years old that spring of 1937. It had been raining this Sunday morning and the dirt roads would be slick but we did not worry about that as we prepared to go to church.
One of my brothers, with his wife, came by in their Model-A Ford coupe. I jumped in with them while another brother drove our 1928 Buick. Mama was in the front seat with my brother while Daddy rode in the back seat. They were about a quarter of a mile behind us but on down the road when we looked back, they were not behind us any longer. My brother stopped the car and we waited a bit but when they did not appear, we started to back up. Then we saw them! The Buick had slid off the road and overturned in the ditch.
The car had turned over on the passenger side so my brother Oscar, my Mama and Daddy were trying to upright themselves and try to get out. Soon, my brother rolled down the window on the driver's side and, standing on the steering wheel, he managed to pull himself out of the overturned car. He pulled Daddy to safety and it was then that they decided they had a real problem.
Mama was still in the car. And Mama was five feet tall and weighed 260 pounds. So it was no small problem facing them. Mama, in the meantime, had managed to get on her feet. She was standing on the window on the passenger side with her head barely visible coming out the window on the driver's side. She was a lesson in patience as she waited for Daddy and her boys to decide how to get her out of this predicament.
Bracing themselves the best they could, they managed, by pulling and tugging, to get Mama through that window. But the task was not accomplished--they still had to get Mama to the ground. By that time, we had been joined by a neighbor, who stood by me. My eleven-year-old mind was churning and suddenly I came up with the perfect solution. In dramatic fashion, I flung my arms open wide and yelled, "Jump, Mama, I'll catch you!" But our neighbor, afraid Mama might, in the uncertainty of the moment, take me seriously, yelled back, "No Bertha, don't jump!"
Well, we all did the obvious. My two brothers, with Daddy's help, took Mama's arms and eased her off the car, with our neighbor and me helping as she slid down. Needless to say, Mama had to forget all about her modesty that day.
Well, we all missed church that Sunday. Besides all of us being a muddy mess, by the time we got Mama on the ground, Church was over anyway. But you know, God was with us that day--Mama and Daddy and my brother were unhurt. And the only difference in this Sunday and any other Sabbath Day, this day our blessing came in a muddy road ditch-instead of Church.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was something that my dad never told us about growing up... I wonder why? Could it be he was driving, hummmm ...
Thanks Uncle Ivan, and please keep sending in these precious memories, please???
For those that don't know, Oklahoma means Red Man. Well, it should mean RED CLAY, cause there is tons of it ... around where this happened, and where we live now!!! RED GREASY CLAY.... when it's wet, YUCK!!
Happy Birthday to Stephen Guth today.. all day long..
Oh my goodness how fast they grow up!! If my math serves me correctly, and I did graduate from Perkins High, "me thinks ole Stephen is about..." Yelp, he is old enough to know how to play the game and young enough to keep score!!! Happy Birthday, Stephen... give my best to LaNeta too... We wish you many many more!!!
Welcome - Our Moffat Family Blog
From Uncle Ivan for your viewing and listening pleasure..... http://www.dreamcloud.net/dreamer/squirrel/squirrel.html
Soap Making
Soap Making
From the Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.) 07 February 1816, page 3
Soap made of snow in the following manner:--Take and cut into very small pieces one pound of good hard soap, dissolve it with a slow fire, when dissolved put six or eight pounds of clean snow with it, and after having boiled them together well for three hours (or until it shows a lather on its surface) add a wine glass of salt, and let it get cold, when it will be found the finest soap & to weigh as much as the snow did originally
From the Adams Centinel (Gettysburg, Pa.) 07 February 1816, page 3
Soap made of snow in the following manner:--Take and cut into very small pieces one pound of good hard soap, dissolve it with a slow fire, when dissolved put six or eight pounds of clean snow with it, and after having boiled them together well for three hours (or until it shows a lather on its surface) add a wine glass of salt, and let it get cold, when it will be found the finest soap & to weigh as much as the snow did originally
Saturday, February 05, 2005
This is here because we had family go through this.... too.
The Cherokee Outlet and its lawless days
1/19/2005
There was not much law in the Cherokee Outlet in the days before the famous land run of Sept. 16, 1893. Horse thieves and other assorted criminals operated freely. In fact there is one theory Pat Hennessy, a freighter plying the Chisholm Trail, was killed in the late 1800s by horse thieves masquerading as Indians.
Murder was easy. Many times people just seemed to disappear, never to be heard from again, until they were accidentally unearthed decades later. It was usually impossible to identify the remains.
This was pretty much the case with the skeletal remains unearthed in October 1927 near Alva. There was a story about it in the Enid Morning News, along with an interview with a pioneer resident, Evan G. “Parson” Barnard, giving his reactions to the finding of the unidentified remains.
All that was known about the man in the shallow grave was he certainly did not die of natural causes. There were two bullet holes in the skull. The newspaper story says the remains were found in October 1927, buried near the old camp house on the Fritzlen Ranch, northwest of Alva. Nearby residents estimated he had been in the ground for 25 years — maybe longer.
In the years before the land run of 1893 the Cherokee Outlet was a lush grassland, and a number of ranchers leased land from the Cherokees and established large cattle operations in the area.
The shooting victim was wearing a pair of homemade boots. “Killed with his boots on, eh!” Barnard exclaimed, as he leaned back in his chair at Grange headquarters on East Broadway. “Well, many went down that way in the early days,” he recalled.
The man found near Alva might have been killed in a fuss over who had first claim to a piece of land in the run of 1893. That would have been in about the same estimated time frame of 25 years or so earlier (34 years to be exact). Maybe he was a “Sooner” who had entered the Outlet before the prescribed time, or maybe he was a lawful participant in the land run killed by a “Sooner,” and then buried to cover up the crime.
Whoever killed him must have wanted to make sure he was dead, because they shot him twice in the head. Once should have been enough. So, maybe it was a crime of passion, done in a burst of anger.
There probably are still scores of skeletal remains of people, who died violently, or non-violently, lying in unmarked graves all over the old Cherokee Outlet and the Oklahoma Panhandle.
In this same interview Barnard tells how he almost became one of them:
“In the fall of 1887,” Barnard began, “I was working down around El Reno on a government contract. We drove a large herd of cattle to Kiowa, Kan., to market. Kiowa was a wild town in those days and looked awfully big and thriving after 18 months on the range.
“As I was returning, I was caught in a rain storm about 17 miles south, and pulled into a cabin near what was then known as the Drum Ranch. As I approached the cabin I noticed three horses outside the cabin. It was raining hard and I went in. Who do you think I found there?
“Three of the toughest cattle rustlers in the country were in that cabin. One was George Newcomb, better known as the ‘Slaughter Kid.’ Another was Boss Smith, and I do not recall the name of the third man. They fingered their guns quite freely.
“Finally, I took my six-shooter from its holster and began wiping it off. No trouble ensued. I knew those men and knew their business. It would have been a perfectly easy thing for them to have bumped me off, buried me and no one would have ever known. That’s perhaps what happened to the man whose skeleton was found near Alva.”
Brown is a retired News & Eagle editor.
1/19/2005
There was not much law in the Cherokee Outlet in the days before the famous land run of Sept. 16, 1893. Horse thieves and other assorted criminals operated freely. In fact there is one theory Pat Hennessy, a freighter plying the Chisholm Trail, was killed in the late 1800s by horse thieves masquerading as Indians.
Murder was easy. Many times people just seemed to disappear, never to be heard from again, until they were accidentally unearthed decades later. It was usually impossible to identify the remains.
This was pretty much the case with the skeletal remains unearthed in October 1927 near Alva. There was a story about it in the Enid Morning News, along with an interview with a pioneer resident, Evan G. “Parson” Barnard, giving his reactions to the finding of the unidentified remains.
All that was known about the man in the shallow grave was he certainly did not die of natural causes. There were two bullet holes in the skull. The newspaper story says the remains were found in October 1927, buried near the old camp house on the Fritzlen Ranch, northwest of Alva. Nearby residents estimated he had been in the ground for 25 years — maybe longer.
In the years before the land run of 1893 the Cherokee Outlet was a lush grassland, and a number of ranchers leased land from the Cherokees and established large cattle operations in the area.
The shooting victim was wearing a pair of homemade boots. “Killed with his boots on, eh!” Barnard exclaimed, as he leaned back in his chair at Grange headquarters on East Broadway. “Well, many went down that way in the early days,” he recalled.
The man found near Alva might have been killed in a fuss over who had first claim to a piece of land in the run of 1893. That would have been in about the same estimated time frame of 25 years or so earlier (34 years to be exact). Maybe he was a “Sooner” who had entered the Outlet before the prescribed time, or maybe he was a lawful participant in the land run killed by a “Sooner,” and then buried to cover up the crime.
Whoever killed him must have wanted to make sure he was dead, because they shot him twice in the head. Once should have been enough. So, maybe it was a crime of passion, done in a burst of anger.
There probably are still scores of skeletal remains of people, who died violently, or non-violently, lying in unmarked graves all over the old Cherokee Outlet and the Oklahoma Panhandle.
In this same interview Barnard tells how he almost became one of them:
“In the fall of 1887,” Barnard began, “I was working down around El Reno on a government contract. We drove a large herd of cattle to Kiowa, Kan., to market. Kiowa was a wild town in those days and looked awfully big and thriving after 18 months on the range.
“As I was returning, I was caught in a rain storm about 17 miles south, and pulled into a cabin near what was then known as the Drum Ranch. As I approached the cabin I noticed three horses outside the cabin. It was raining hard and I went in. Who do you think I found there?
“Three of the toughest cattle rustlers in the country were in that cabin. One was George Newcomb, better known as the ‘Slaughter Kid.’ Another was Boss Smith, and I do not recall the name of the third man. They fingered their guns quite freely.
“Finally, I took my six-shooter from its holster and began wiping it off. No trouble ensued. I knew those men and knew their business. It would have been a perfectly easy thing for them to have bumped me off, buried me and no one would have ever known. That’s perhaps what happened to the man whose skeleton was found near Alva.”
Brown is a retired News & Eagle editor.
Now here is a happy baby.....
http://www.backroaddesign.com/jonandrandi/hello/256/1527/640/Img_0629.jpg Click on the link to view..... haha got ya.... Taken by Jonathan...!!!
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Jon playing tag with a racoon... and he lost..
Well, Jon, Randi and Kaitlyn came up last Saturday and spent the afternoon with us. Going home, Jon tried to play tag with a racoon in their lane about three miles from their home, with a car coming at them in the dark..... and lost! or their car did!! It was awesome seeing Kaitlyn. She is really growing! And according to Heather, Madison, Kaitlyn's cousin who's due date is end of April, is practicing to be on the soccer team!! What a joy to have two grandsons and two granddaughters.. Now we just need to break the tie.. oh my who will volunteer for that.. Jon, Phillip?? hummmmmmmmm..... haha... As you can tell, Kaitlyn was not a happy camper. She seemed to be a bit unhappy with us, I guess... ... No really, but her tummy was hurting a bit.. she is fine now and doing great! Their car is sick, however, and in the shop in OKC.
all for now.. have a great day...
Importation of Canadian cattle discussed today
Importation of Canadian cattle discussed today
Shaun Epperson; Science Reporter; O'Collegian
The Senate Agriculture Committee plans to meet today to discuss importation of cattle from Canada – something U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and U.S. Sen. James Inhofe said could harm Oklahoma’s economy and possibly consumers’ health if mismanaged.
Lucas, R-Okla., and Inhofe, R-Okla., wrote a letter Jan. 4 to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting that plans to reopen the border with Canada to live cattle on March 7 be delayed.
It called for a gradual introduction of cattle from Canada over a period of six months, according to a release from Inhofe’s press office.
“We cannot afford to open the border at this time, as there are simply too many unresolved issues vital not only to Oklahoma but to our entire nation,” Inhofe said in the release.
Damage to Oklahoma’s cattle business is one of the concerns Lucas and Inhofe cited to support a gradual importation of live cattle from Canada.
“It has been estimated that flooding the American market with Canadian cattle in March will likely produce an adverse, aggregate impact of more than $35,000,000 for Oklahoma cattlemen,” Inhofe and Lucas wrote in their letter to the USDA.
While a flood of cattle from Canada could, in theory, affect Oklahoma’s cattle business, the border opening will likely not cause a sizable economic problem, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University professor and livestock marketing specialist.
“There’s not as many up there as people think there are, and they’re not all going to come at once, anyway,” he said.
This is partly because, with the exception of May through July 2003, beef importation from Canada has halted only for live cattle and not processed meat, he said.
“The issue of staggering the cattle (importation) is based on the assumption that the Canadians have been accumulating inventories of cattle since 2003,” Peel said.
“However, the reality is that since the meat market was closed only a couple of months, we have been importing beef in product form most of that time.”
The 2003 halt on Canadian beef importation came after the discovery of a cow in Canada infected with mad cow disease, a health risk associated with importation of live cattle and not processed beef, said Inhofe’s press secretary Jim Luetkemeyer.
“A live cow still has the potential of infecting others (cattle),” he said. “Processed beef doesn’t have that potential.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently announced the discovery of what is now the third case of mad cow disease in cattle from Canada, and that represents a current risk associated with live cattle importation, Inhofe and Lucas’ letter to the USDA suggests.
Dave Lalman, OSU beef and cattle specialist, said the risk of a human becoming affected by the disease is minimal. “It’s incredibly low,” he said. “USDA’s done a good job.”
Peel also said the risk associated with mad cow disease in cattle from the United States or Canada is “very, very low.”
Shaun Epperson; Science Reporter; O'Collegian
The Senate Agriculture Committee plans to meet today to discuss importation of cattle from Canada – something U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and U.S. Sen. James Inhofe said could harm Oklahoma’s economy and possibly consumers’ health if mismanaged.
Lucas, R-Okla., and Inhofe, R-Okla., wrote a letter Jan. 4 to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting that plans to reopen the border with Canada to live cattle on March 7 be delayed.
It called for a gradual introduction of cattle from Canada over a period of six months, according to a release from Inhofe’s press office.
“We cannot afford to open the border at this time, as there are simply too many unresolved issues vital not only to Oklahoma but to our entire nation,” Inhofe said in the release.
Damage to Oklahoma’s cattle business is one of the concerns Lucas and Inhofe cited to support a gradual importation of live cattle from Canada.
“It has been estimated that flooding the American market with Canadian cattle in March will likely produce an adverse, aggregate impact of more than $35,000,000 for Oklahoma cattlemen,” Inhofe and Lucas wrote in their letter to the USDA.
While a flood of cattle from Canada could, in theory, affect Oklahoma’s cattle business, the border opening will likely not cause a sizable economic problem, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University professor and livestock marketing specialist.
“There’s not as many up there as people think there are, and they’re not all going to come at once, anyway,” he said.
This is partly because, with the exception of May through July 2003, beef importation from Canada has halted only for live cattle and not processed meat, he said.
“The issue of staggering the cattle (importation) is based on the assumption that the Canadians have been accumulating inventories of cattle since 2003,” Peel said.
“However, the reality is that since the meat market was closed only a couple of months, we have been importing beef in product form most of that time.”
The 2003 halt on Canadian beef importation came after the discovery of a cow in Canada infected with mad cow disease, a health risk associated with importation of live cattle and not processed beef, said Inhofe’s press secretary Jim Luetkemeyer.
“A live cow still has the potential of infecting others (cattle),” he said. “Processed beef doesn’t have that potential.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recently announced the discovery of what is now the third case of mad cow disease in cattle from Canada, and that represents a current risk associated with live cattle importation, Inhofe and Lucas’ letter to the USDA suggests.
Dave Lalman, OSU beef and cattle specialist, said the risk of a human becoming affected by the disease is minimal. “It’s incredibly low,” he said. “USDA’s done a good job.”
Peel also said the risk associated with mad cow disease in cattle from the United States or Canada is “very, very low.”
Clipping of the Day - A New-York Free Colored Man Sold Into Slavery
New York Times (New York, N.Y.), 03 February 1858, page 5
Interesting Letter from Mayor Mayo, of Richmond, Va.
An interesting case has been brought to the notice of Mayor Tismann, in which there is alleged the kidnapping of a colored man, who formerly lived in this City, and the selling of him in Virginia as a slave. The name of the alleged kidnapper is Mason Thomas, and that of the colored man George Anderson. Thomas sold Anderson in Richmond, Va., insisting that he was his slave. Owing to the persistent assertions of Anderson to the contrary, and circumstances which developed themselves subsequent to the sale, Thomas was arrested by the Richmond authorities, and taken before the Mayor. On hearing the statements of the parties, Mayor Mayo was inclined to believe the allegations of the colored man.
Interesting Letter from Mayor Mayo, of Richmond, Va.
An interesting case has been brought to the notice of Mayor Tismann, in which there is alleged the kidnapping of a colored man, who formerly lived in this City, and the selling of him in Virginia as a slave. The name of the alleged kidnapper is Mason Thomas, and that of the colored man George Anderson. Thomas sold Anderson in Richmond, Va., insisting that he was his slave. Owing to the persistent assertions of Anderson to the contrary, and circumstances which developed themselves subsequent to the sale, Thomas was arrested by the Richmond authorities, and taken before the Mayor. On hearing the statements of the parties, Mayor Mayo was inclined to believe the allegations of the colored man.
This is a very special day in the lives of the Guth's of El Reno...
Just wanted to wish LaNeta and Steven Guth of El Reno a very happy and super special "Sweet 16" wedding anniversary today!How special, and oh my, how time flies!! Anyway.. Steven and LaNeta, Happy Anniversay, all day long.. and night too.... smiling..
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Geeze.. getting old.. forgot to mention to all that yesterday was....
Geeze.. getting old.. forgot to mention to all that yesterday was Melanie Shaklee's birthday... Feb 1 Mrs Charles Ward K. Melanie Shaklee had a big ole Birthday... I forget what number of her 29th birthday it was, but that's not important!!
What is important is to say .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELANIE... We love you!! Hope all is going great in Melborne and you guys are getting ready for the best spring ever!!
I know we have used this photo before but.. it's Melanie's Birthday!!!
What is important is to say .... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MELANIE... We love you!! Hope all is going great in Melborne and you guys are getting ready for the best spring ever!!
I know we have used this photo before but.. it's Melanie's Birthday!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)