Truth
From An Unlikely Source? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following is from a one Mr. Scott Gauthier - a black man.
"How ya'll doin', America? We're gonna talk just a little bit about the
Confederate Flag - just for a second. Just for a second we're gonna
talk about the flag. See this flag? See this Confederate Flag behind
me? A lot of people think it was just meant for slavery or was fought
on racism. And it most certainly was not. Just to get everybody's... read
more |
Of
Flags and
Morals, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! This is another one of "those" columns. Again - this is the
truth. Friday, July 10, marked an historic event - the removal of the
Confederate Flag from the Dome of the Statehouse in Columbia, South
Carolina. It has hung there some 54 years. The catalyst for the event
is reported to be a one Dylan Roof - who purchased a gun through an
"FBI background check flaw." I'm gonna say this... read
more |
Darke
County Senior Scribe… Have
you
noticed how things are shrinking? By Lois
Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of her
game with an insightful look at the important events of the day. This
time it’s getting less for more. Wilson offers five poems, each
addressing a different look how our purchasing power seems to be
decreasing. She has no fear as she takes on the companies that
manufacture our toilet tissues, facial tissues, cereal... read
more |
The
Phone Call,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I answered the phone to hear a woman telling me - you were
right - you were right...What you said is true. I say a lot of things -
so, I took a deep breath and asked - "To what are you referring?" I was
hoping - ok - praying this was not going to reach behind me and take a
huge bite. She reminded me that I had told her that it takes a family -
a community really - to effectively raise a child... read
more |
Will
Rogers -
and Senior – wisdom, From a CNO reader
Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash in Alaska with bush pilot
Wiley Post (from Maysville, Okla), was one of the greatest political
country/cowboy sages this country has ever known. Some of his sayings:
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco. 2. Never kick a cow chip on
a hot day. 3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither
works. 4. Never miss a good chance to shut up... read
more |
Independence
Bought, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! This column is a little hard-hitting. Then again - the truth
usually is. You all remember the story of "The Titanic?" Remember how
there were not enough life jackets? Remember the icebergs? OK - now
scroll backwards another 250+ years or so. Ships were not built as well
as the Titanic - luxury wise or even "smooth-sailing" wise. Oceanus
Hopkins was born aboard the Mayflower while it was... read
more |
The
Plane Crash,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I took this test last weekend. I thought it would be an
interesting change of pace. You are riding on an airplane and the pilot
radios the control tower - MAYDAY - MAYDAY! The plane is
losing
altitude...there is some sort of trouble with an engine. In the last
transmission, the pilot tells "the tower" he is 25 air miles from
Anchorage, Alaska. That is roughly 50 miles by land. The plane
crashes... read
more |
This
is London
Calling, By Abraham Lincoln
Times have changed. If I live until my birthday I will be 81 years old.
Our house, in Gordon, was purchased from the Arcanum National Bank
because the original owners lost everything during The Great Depression
and could not make payments. The taxes were past due at the county seat
in Greenville, Ohio and my dad went there and paid the... read
more |
Fertile
Gardens,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! This one has been in my head for too long. As I was waiting
outside of WalMart for my ride, I heard as young woman tell the two
little girls with whom she was walking, that they were right - we do
not talk to strangers. The whole "stranger/danger" thing went through
my mind. Which brings me to the following: We tell, talk, preach and
restate - stranger/danger, say no to crack... read
more |
Little
Green
Onions, By Abraham Lincoln
What do old people think about? At 80 plus I seldom think about my
future because the road ahead is one we all take and there are no rest
stops along the way. Sometimes I think of myself as that last piece of
tape on the roll wonder if will I be enough to finish wrapping this
package. I catch myself thinking about the many things already done and
forgotten until I just remembered how... read
more |
Crowning
Glory,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! A young man called me the other day. He told me his Mom
raised him. His parents were divorced. His Dad never really cared - he
had always known that. He told me he had been very defiant - too
defiant, actually. He said he had tested her and her boundaries. He
tested her to see if she would follow through with the rules she had
set...she always did. Her yes was always yes and no was... read
more |
Our Old House,
By
Abraham Lincoln
The house was old when we moved in. I should say it was old when my dad
bought it and got the deed after paying $300.00 in past due taxes. The
Shepard family had to move out before dad and mom moved in. It was the
house I was born in. Windows rattled when the wind blew. Fine dust
particles sifted through cracks and settled on the windowsill. In the
winter, fine snow would end up on my quilt... read
more |
Spittoons,
By Abraham Lincoln
The tiny building set along the Dayton, Greenville and Union City
railroad line. It was built as a ticket and baggage office shortly
after the railroad came to town. The small office was no longer used by
the railroad and was sold to George Myers. It was his Gordon Coal
Office. My mom didn't like the place because my dad went there, and she
said it was... read
more |
A
50 Year
Answer? By Mona Lease
Hi, all! The following has been floating around in my mind for a while
now. So - I'm going to submit this to you for your mental mastication -
or - another of my "something to think on a spell" columns. Mastication
means to chew. It is the first step in the digestion process and allows
more efficient breakdown of food by the enzymes. This is accomplished
by thorough chewing... read
more |
COPD,
By Abraham Lincoln
I felt immortal back then. I was mired in black volcanic sand on the
beach at Iwo Jima. Scrambling up that slope was as impossible when I
had to do it as it has always been. The black lava beach was a
nightmare and I remember looking at the volcanic mountain named,
“Suribachi”, on my left and the caves where Japanese machine gunners...
read
more |
Hello
and
Goodbye, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Memorial Day weekend was great. My son drove up from Florida.
As a family - we camped out and through a joint effort - we made Dad's
famous "Bluegrass Stew" - cooked over an open fire. In the vein of
laughter and good times - I submit the following to you. Memorial Day
weekend has long been the "unofficial start of the boating
season." So for all of you boaters, skiers, etc. - wear your
life... read
more |
I
Remember,
By Abraham Lincoln
Some 'remarkable people' have crossed my path over the years. My mother
kept us alive when all hope must have vanished during the Second World
War. My wife, these last 60 years, has been a calming
influence
on my life. I think of the dogs I have called my own, by personal name,
who have kept my blood pressure low. Miss Beatrice Brown, my... read
more |
Decoration
Day,
By Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln lived in Gordon, Ohio during World War II and remembers
what Memorial Days used to be like. This day, Memorial Day, used to be
called, "Decoration Day," because it was a national holiday created for
the express purpose of honoring our dead by visiting the cemeteries and
placing flowers or other "decorations" on the grave sites. When I was
young, people cut off flowers... read
more |
Honoring
those
who gave the ultimate price, By Lois Wilson
While most of Americans across the country enjoy their first three-day
weekend of the summer, Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson reminds
us of the reason for Memorial Day holiday. It isn’t about bar-b-ques or
family get-togethers. It’s about those who died so that we may enjoy
this and so many other holidays we observe… and the freedoms that go...
read
more |
Awnings,
By Abraham Lincoln
We finally got our cloth awnings installed and they really make a
difference in the outside appearance and now the afternoon sun no
longer streams in and heats up the house. We have had awnings before
and liked them but they eventually wear out and we waited several years
to have them replaced. The awning company we used is the same one we
had used originally—from Fairborn, Ohio; Glawe Awning... read
more |
A
Breath of
Fresh Air, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! A reader called me. I've been mentoring her for a few years
now. She had to change her life - let go of old friends that did not
want to grow up and be responsible. One of her friends that did grow
up, called her. The friend's sister - Barbie Doll - loves the heroin.
Someone informed Children's Services...who made a surprise inspection
of Barbie's house. Barbie tested positive for heroin. Barbie called her
older sister... read
more |
A
Kid and a Pope,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been watching a Grandmother (who has custody of her
(grandkiddies) manipulate the Father of the grandkiddies. He is not
allowed to throw a football with them or interact with them. He is good
enough to be allowed to drop the kiddies off after school. You can be
sure he is allowed (and made) to pay child support. I watched, for
myself, this Father be run off by the Police three times... read
more |
Mothers,
From Mona Lease
Hi, all!! So many things are happening, I think I could write a column
a day! Since I've spoken to a few callers about their life, growing
years, young broken hearts, kissing scraped knees, etc. - I dedicate
the following to all of you Moms out there. Our work is always needed -
whether it is to our own kiddies or to someone that looks to us for
wisdom and advice. When the Good Lord was creating Mothers, He was... read
more |
Sleep Apnea Test,
By
Abraham Lincoln
When I was wired for my sleep apnea sleep test. I had 24 wires stuck on
my body–under my nose, under my chin, on my temples, behind both ears,
on my head in my hair–in front and in back; on my chest, plus two wires
on each leg taped on my shins. And, I had two belts around my middle.
Each wire end was stuck on my body with a strip of 747 tape (It is the
same tape used to fasten the wings... read
more |
Could
This
Happen? By Mona Lease
Hi, all! My Editor printed this article in it's entirety some years
previous. For this column, I am using the last portion. "A philosophy
professor puts a large jar on his desk and fills it with golf balls. He
asks if it's full and the students answer yes. He takes a bag of
pebbles, pours them into the jar and shakes it until the pebbles settle
into the spaces between the golf balls. Is it full? The students say
yes. He takes... read
more |
School
Days,
By Abraham Lincoln
Times have changed. If I live until my birthday I will be 81. I have
lived through the Great Depression that ruined lives and bankrupted
whole communities. I have starved until mother made enough money
washing and ironing Herb Hamel’s bushel basket of clothes and got paid
so we could buy something to eat for $2.00 a week. I remember the fear
of World War II, and our neighbors who lost sons in Italy, Germany... read
more |
Put
it on the
Bill, by Abraham Lincoln
There was a time, not that long ago, when you walked into your grocery
story with a note. The note contained a list of items you needed. My
mother usually gave me a note and told me to go to Boyer’s or to
Pinkerton’s store to get the things on the note. Sometimes she also
gave me money to pay for the items but more often than not, she would
say, “Tell them to... read
more |
Skunks
and Crows,
© By Abraham Lincoln
Our dog, Pepper Jax, went out at 6:15 AM the other morning. After a few
minutes I went back to the door to let him come back in. I saw him
nose-diving into the dew-covered grass and then rolling. He did it
repeatedly and I called my wife, Patty, to come and look. We decided he
must have been sprayed by a skunk but neither one of us can smell so we
didn’t or couldn’t smell anything. He came in the... read
more |
What Do You Say?
By
Mona Lease
Hi, all!! A twelve year old girl sat on a park bench beside her fifteen
year old half brother at the Darke County Fair. I listened as they
spoke of the fact that their Mother had given both of them away when
they were very young - One year old and three years old - too young!
The girl has a physical defect. The boy has no "defects." They wondered
why they were not wanted. The boy told his half sister... read
more |
The
Way it Was,
Abraham Lincoln
Sometimes I either dream or fall into a kind of stupor and seem to
exist in a different time. I am able to see and hear whatever is around
me. I also remember sitting up against an old oak tree at the speedway
south of Greenville and remembered when I walked in and stood at the
guardrail and imagined racing cars roaring around the dirt track. And I
saw, as plain... read
more |
How
We Shopped,
By Honest Abe Lincoln
Small towns had stores called, "Grocery Stores," that sold more than
food. We had two stores in my village named after the founder, Philip
"Gordon." Both stores sold food, and they catered to farmers with
harness, fly nets, milk buckets, and all the things the local farmers
needed. The store at the south end sold more nuts, bolts, and nails
than the north store did. I was always fascinated with the buckets... read
more |
I
know that I
am not the only one who gets angry, but… By
Sharon Hopper
I hear about the testing that is going on in the schools and some good
and some bad perceptions have
resulted.
But somehow I think that all this talk about testing and preparation
for life in the real world has gotten lost. For
instance. We have cash registers that
tell the
clerk how much the purchase is and how much change
should
be given back to the customer. But
sometimes even
that is misinterpreted... read
more |
The
Holy Gray,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! This column is kind of a "part two" to last week's column. I
spoke with a reader regarding Indiana's law allowing business owners to
decide who to serve. This turned into a religious war of sorts and drew
in the homosexuals as well as the Mexicans. She (the reader) thought
there was a lot of "gray area" - religiously speaking. So - I went in
search of what I called... read
more |
Socialized
Medicine, by Abraham Lincoln
I watched Obama talk, repeatedly, about delivering affordable health
care for the masses and I voted for him to deliver pills to us
patients. So far, without any notable exceptions, Obama has not swayed
Congress to create socialized medicine for Americans -- both the
Republicans in office and the Democrats running things are all taking
big bucks... read
more |
What
if you
were the mother of Jesus? By Sharon Hopper
Every year at this time we as Christians celebrate the resurrection of
our Lord Jesus and so it is written that if we believe in the death and
resurrection that we will have everlasting life. We hear about the
crowds shouting for the freedom of Barabbas and they put Jesus on the
cross only a short time after a triumphant arrival into Jerusalem. And
I have always wondered how this could be, except that God ordained... read
more |
Easter,
You Say?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! As I write this - Easter is a mere five days from us. I've
heard all the "talk." You can't call is "Easter" - that's a
"pagan" holiday...you have to call it "Resurrection
Sunday." It's (April 5th) not even when Jesus rose. There's
no
Easter Bunny - the Easter Bunny is "pagan." It's not Easter -
it's "Easterlie." I've heard "it's not" and "you have to" until I just
turned off the computer and laid down the pen... read
more |
Are
the
oldersters the ones with dementia? From a CNO
Reader
Recently, I went to McDonald's and I saw on the menu that you could
have an order of 6, 9 or 12 Chicken McNuggets. I asked for a half dozen
nuggets. 'We don't have half dozen nuggets,' said the teenager at the
counter. 'You don't?' I replied. 'We only have six, nine, or twelve,'
was the reply. 'So I can't order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order
six?' 'That's right.' So I shook my head and ordered six McNuggets... read
more |
Good
Golly
Molly---It Is Over! By Sharon Hopper
After what seemed a lifetime this winter we are on the brink of spring.
To me this was the longest time I can remember that I was trapped
inside. I love the outside and the fresh air. Heck I even drive my car
in the winter with the windows down so I can breathe the fresh air. My
husband on the other hand has the heater on what seems 100 degrees. In
other words it is ‘hot’. Same with our house. Hot, stuffy, and dry... read
more |
Pinstripes
and
Details, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! So - for those of you that read my column faithfully (thanks,
much!), you'll know that I am drawn to the unusual - the things that
money cannot buy - you know...true friends...family...dedication, etc.
When I saw the truck I knew there was a story - and it would be a good
one. The truck arrived in or at the edge of Darke County from
California. The owner could not get the truck to run or run rightly.
Sorry about... read
more |
Here
WE Go
Again….Our Government’s Stupidity, By Sharon
Hopper
Actually who in their right mind would think that homeland security
could afford to go broke and cease to exist? REALLY?!!!! Did our
congressmen and women forget 911, Colorado Federal Building, ISIS,
Presidential Campaigns, or the Massachusetts bombing of a race to name
a few. And what about all the National Holidays and sporting events
like the Olympic Games. And Let us not forget the politicians... read
more |
Very
Interesting! By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I find the following facts most interesting. See what you
think. Isis has been running wild - almost unstoppable you might say.
Israel will not stand for it. And Netanyahu has voiced this loudly and
clearly. He is equal to our Presidency..."head of the country"
speaking. Netanyahu came to the US. He is asking for countries to band
together to stop Isis. Our President and Democrats did not attend... read
more |
Question?
By Sharon Hopper
What
have you done
with your time here on earth? And What do you expect your reward
to be?
These were the questions that were brought to our small elderly
congregation this past week. My first thought was why is he (the
pastor) asking such a group these questions at this time in our lives?
Isn’t the age of accomplishment over at this point and is it not too
late to go back and have a do over? Then I started reflecting... read
more |
Ageless
Advice,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Elle grew up in the depression. She remembered getting out of
school to people singing, dancing, and shouting in the streets - the
war was over - at last!! She lived through hard times - good times bad
times and lonely times. She knew money - no money - some money - much
money and increasing prices to take the "much money." I had come to
depend on her wisdom and opinions on a lot of these columns... read
more |
Here
we are in
a New Year……2015, By Sharon Hopper
Everyone always looks to a New Year like their life is going to be
different. But I believe that this year will be the same as last year
and the problems will continue. You see I don’t think problems go away
with a new year, they actually change over many years. For
instance… I remember driving home from Newport R.I. It took
as
long to travel the 110 miles from the Pa. line to my hometown of Huron,
Ohio as it did to make... read
more |
Purim,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! For those of you who read my columns faithfully - thanks
much!! - you know that there are some things I just gotta find out for
myself - no offense to anyone. All of my life I have heard phrases like
"Jew someone down on a price" or those people won't let you "jew" them,
etc. I've heard about Orthodox Jews, Traditional Jews, Jews for Jesus,
etc. Roughly ten years ago, I started researching these subjects... read
more |
Two
Phone Calls,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following will sound sad at times. And at times - sappy
and sentimental. But - it's all true. She called me crying. I knew
before she told me. I had spoken to her two days before that. She had
held the phone up to her husband's ear. I said hi. I heard bub, bub,
bub. He was heavily dosed with morphine for the cancer pain. She had
been telling me that she wanted one last good-bye...one last hug...one
last kiss... read
more |
Amidst
the
Chaos? By Mona Lease
I am amazed at what I hear now that I've been keeping my mouth shut -
well, more shut than I ever have! The following amuses me. I find so
much irony in it. And - a healthy dose of humor. I've heard all my life
that Catholics "have it wrong." I've watched the news as Jewish people
were killed because "they were inferior" or as Hitler put it - "life
worthy of life." He and those who were close to him "had it right - the
true religion, etc... read
more |
Pacts
and
Promises, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I am submitting the following to you - to read - to reflect.
I used bing on my laptop and typed in "signatures of the Geneva
Convention." The following is from "Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia."
The Geneva Convention was adopted in 1864 - in Geneva, Switzerland - a
neutral country. It was revised in 1906, 1929, and again in 1949 -
after we "learned a few more things." This treaty is forever linked to
the... read
more |
"That
Day"
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Saint Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day, Feast of Saint
Valentine; whatever you call it - we celebrate it every February 14th.
It is celebrated around the world and in most countries - it is not a
holiday. The holiday began as a liturgical celebration for early
Christian saints named Valentinus. Many stories surround this holiday.
One of the stories is: A Saint Valentine of Rome was thrown into prison
for... read
more |
Mrs.
Campolo,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! With so many jobs being lost, I thought now might be a good
time to submit this to you. I've had it for a few years. I never realty
thought there would be a use for it. Still, throwing it in the trash
seemed wrong. Off the top, it shows how big words and "labels" strung
together, can be misleading. For you parents out there - this one's for
you. To you Moms - rethink being "just a housewife"... read
more |
Name-ly
Speaking,
By Mona Lease
As I write this - we just relived the whole Nazi-Germany experience.
Saturday and Sunday January - 17th and 18th - the computer scrolled the
old headlines across my home page. Certain tv stations were filled with
it. Down in his FuhrerBunker - some 28 feet below a garden - Adolph
Hitler took up residence. The date was January 16,1945. Russia was
coming with mustard gas bombs. It is reported... read
more |
Old
Fart Pride,
From a CNO reader
I'm passing this on as I did not want to be the only Old Fart receiving
it. Actually, it's not a bad thing to be called, as you will see. Old
Farts are easy to spot at sporting events; during the playing of the
National Anthem. Old Farts remove their caps and stand at attention and
sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.
Old Farts remember World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal... read
more |
Virginia's
Knowledge, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! It had been a while and I was beginning to wonder if I would
see Virginia. And just like that - she surprised me with a short visit.
She asked me if I had thought about last week's column - about Elle. OK
- no disrespect, Virginia but, - Duh - I wrote it. Then I remembered
Virginia's ways. ..think harder. OK - I don't get it. She told me to
think backwards - what?!! OK - Elle died - I spoke with Elle five
days... read
more |
Elle,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! Before I continue - I want to say that I do not write these
columns by myself. They are a collection of thoughts and ideas you
readers have shared with me. And I write them in an effort to make this
column worth your time to read - that you might find a tidbit to help
you gain more perspective. Also - maybe you will find someone else has
made it through a situation that you are now encountering. Lastly... read
more |
New
Year/New
Hope, By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I hand write these columns to keep a written record for
myself. When I wrote 2015 - I was shocked. 2015 already?! I thought
about our last year...2014. I spoke with a girl's Mom - we had just
been camping. It has not been five months already - has it? There have
been so many changes...changes in our home - Darke County. Changes in
our Government - our country. And, it is in that capacity I write... read
more |
A
Yuletide
Blessing? By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I hope you all had a safe, happy and healthy Yuletide! Now
for some exciting stuff - I believe. On the front page of the Daily
Advocate - Monday - 12/22 - the headline read - "Commissioners, Judge
clash over budget." This is a money issue, again...nothing
new.
Money is wanted for the Adult Probation Program for 2015. But what is
new is this - Commissioner Mike Stegall is quoted as saying... read
more |
Darke
County Senior Scribe… Merry
Christmas, By Lois Wilson
Once again Senior Scribe Poet Laureate Lois Wilson is on top of the
season with her insightful look at the important events of the day.
This time it’s Christmas. Wilson offers two poems and a puzzle, each
addressing a different look at Christmas and the holiday season. The
accuracy of predictions, the splendor of the ice spears, and finally,
the inevitable thaw. Wilson's completed set - five volumes... read
more |
Christ
- mas?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I submitted a letter to the editor of the Early Bird - which
got me to thinking - as usual. I did some more research past that
letter. See how you think and feel. People have been running around
like Mad Hatters - readying for Christmas. One woman has denied herself
and delivered trees, food, clothes, dishes, bedding, tvs, - you name
it. She sounds and looks very tired. Others swiped credit cards... read
more |
Depression,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been meaning to write this column and other subjects
seemed more important - more in tune with the calendar. I've been
speaking to people lately and hearing about their depression. They say
it is the holidays...then again - in July it was something else. Before
I continue I need to state that I am not speaking of depression over
the loss of something...a job, house, etc....or a loved one... read
more |
My
Take On It,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following has a heavy psychological slant to it. Take
your time with this...study on it. A Priest's wife and their two
teenage daughters went to Spain. The three of them went to a topless
beach. When the congregation found out about it - they were outraged.
They sputtered - they gasped...of all the gall! One old man said they
were getting upset over nothing. After a couple of weeks it would be no
big deal. Think about that... read
more |
What
in the
World is Happening? By Sharon Hopper
These past few months everybody seems to be demonstrating about
something and the troublesome part of all this unrest is supposedly a
race issue. Well I have a different opinion. I think the troublesome
part is complete disregard for the law. It seems to me that the more
the law is administered, the more people want to demonstrate, destroy
property that is not even theirs to destroy, and are willing to go to
jail... read
more |
Cleaver
Knowledge, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! This column has been floating around in my head for
a
while now. Follow me - if you dare. Was it in the '60's that
we -
as a people - told June Cleaver to drop the pearls - she could be more
- "deserved" to be more than just Mrs. Ward Cleaver...that she could
have her "dream" (some women did not know they had a dream and were
told to get one!). June was told that little Beaver would be ok
without... read
more |
Open
Letter to
My Niece, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Niece: I am so pleased you are expecting your first
"bundle of joy!" I know you have many thoughts right now. I know you
have wanted this for a long time. I wanted to share some of the wisdom
given to me. If you set boundaries early in life - like when they are
up and walking - you will save yourself a lot of headaches in the
future. Raising kiddies is like a savings account: When you tell the
kiddie you love... read
more |
Old
Words,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! He kept a daily diary. He wrote of breaking camp to go get
turnips from a field they had passed earlier that day on a march. He
wrote it all in pencil. He wrote of not holding much hope that he would
make it back to US soil alive. He wrote letters to his family "back
home." He wrote of constant drilling to keep their skills sharp - of
grabbing his gas mask "just in time." He wrote of boarding... read
more |
Co-Incidents,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I was waiting until after the election to voice my views.
Mostly, I wanted to see the prevailing thought processes. I claim no
political party and am not swayed by money or the promises of it. I
vote for whomever is requesting and requiring the truth. In this case
it is John Boehner. He requests the truth as to why four American
soldiers were left in the Syrian desert to die when they had requested
aid - namely Benghazi... read
more |
Think,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Before I start this - you need to remember this is how I see
this. So - the other day I had a young man call me. He wants to vote in
favor of legalizing marijuana. Aside from the fact that if marijuana is
legal, therefore you won't need to plant it in some unsuspecting
farmer's field..here is my problem. Why all the fuss? Why all the
banter about legalization.."It's better for you than cigarettes, etc.?"
Why all the drama... read
more |
Heroin
And A
Banquet, By Mona Lease
Hi all!! I read some time ago that BamBam was arrested for heroin
trafficking. His parents had divorced earlier in his life. He really
did not like his step-Dad. BamBam was the smartest of the bunch - not
that the others were daft - just that he had common sense beyond his
years...as well as book smarts. He played with my son when they were
young. He was the one to tell my son to not get "out of sorts" when I
said I'd have to... read
more |
Up
In Arms?
By Mona Lease
Hi,
all. Last week was a study in mechanical errors - computer, ipad, cell
phone, etc. The last half of my column never made it to my editor. I
believe this is important so, I am resubmitting this. The following is
a lot of information in a short space. With the rampant heroin usage -
why are all firearms for sale and personally owned - not under lock and
key? Given the right circumstances - a BB gun can kill. It's not the
ammunition - it's the... read
more |
Up
In Arms?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! The following is a lot of information in a short space. With
the rampant heroin usage - why are all firearms for sale and owned not
under lock and key? Given the right circumstances - a BB can kill. It's
not the ammunition - it,so the power behind the ammunition that causes
the problem. And - just like a pool game - the angle is everything. A
Daisy BB gun - no pump action - exit end of the barrel flush on the
metal casing of the outside... read
more |
Attention
Seniors… Beware of Sharks! By Donna Kemp
A feeding frenzy is about to begin. No, I am not talking
about
real sharks. I am referring to the Medicare Annual Enrollment
Period (AEP). The Annual Enrollment Period is the time of
year,
set aside by Medicare, during which Medicare beneficiaries can enroll
in or change their Medicare Advantage or Prescription drug
plans.
The AEP runs from October 15 to December 7, although insurance
companies and agents can begin... read
more |
"Fight the Good Fight"
By Mona
Lease
Hi, all!! I've heard the phrase "Fight the Good Fight." And I started
wondering - what is the "good fight" - exactly? I do not believe it is
a physical fight. But - is this fight about our lives - you know - laws
and rules like - everyone having to buy health insurance...that does
not cover much - that we need to violate our constitution - our rights
and beliefs - that we have to provide health insurance (anti-abortion
meds, etc.) for our employees... read
more |
Keepers,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I had an unprecedented response - all positive - to last
week's column. so - I dug a little deeper. Someone asked about the "Am
I my brother's keeper" comment. In that comment's context - I Googled
this - Genesis 4:9 of the Bible - (It's a Wesley Snipes movie, too!)
Cain had killed Abel (his brother) over the fact that the Lord had
looked favorably on Abel's sacrifice and not his (Cain's) - I guess
there is always going to be someone... read
more |
Sex
or Love?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I had a conversation with a girl I've been mentoring. She had
"been with a guy" - yes, you read it rightly. She wanted to know why it
was different - why she had experienced things she had not before known
existed. Aside from the fact that they are not married (and for
purposes of this column's credibility, I will state that you should be
married before "being with someone" of the opposite sex.) - I said -
The difference is... read
more |
Money
talks,
ice cream sings, From a CNO reader
One day I had lunch with some friends. Jim, a short, balding golfer
type about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant
bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches,
and soups, except for Jim who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops,
chocolate. I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were
aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Jim added, completely
unabashed... read
more |
Those
Little
Kitties, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I normally would not think too much about this but - I've had
three people speak to me about a cat problem - one died on a reader's
property and two more are sick and losing weight. These are all roughly
three blocks from each other - as the crow flies. I did see the kitten
that died - before the death - running and jumping. And after the death
- just dead...no bloody fur or marks to indicate a hit by a car, fight,
etc. So I did some checking... read
more |
Just
When Ya
Think, By Mona Lease
There's nothing new under the sun; you find out it's true! Hi, all! I
was nosing around the Fair thinking there was nothing new...same old
oil and sugar. You know - deep fried pickles, twinkies, oreos, ice
cream and sugary funnel cakes, elephant ears, etc. Then I heard Asian
music?! I followed it to the Morris Elephant Encounter at the south end
of the Fairgrounds. Hailing from Florida - Bill and Cindy Morris own
the Encounter. While this is not "new under... read
more |
Celebrating
No.
88, Sent by a CNO reader
A lady goes to the bar on a cruise ship and orders a Scotch with two
drops of water. As the bartender gives her the drink she says: 'I'm on
this cruise to celebrate my 88th birthday and it's today.' The
bartender says 'Well, since it's your birthday, I'll buy you a drink.
In fact, this one is on me.' As the woman finishes her drink the woman
to her right says 'I would like to buy you a drink, too.' The old woman
says 'Thank you. Bartender, I want a Scotch with... read
more |
Icon
Friends?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I'm always amazed at how these columns form themselves and
from where they originate. At the Fair, I was casually visiting a
specialty clothing tent. In the street in front of the tent, a Father
was telling his daughter he did not bring her to the Fair to argue with
her. They entered the same tent as I and immediately the daughter
started demanding her Father buy her this dress, this handbag, etc. He
asked if she needed it and she got louder. With... read
more |
Skip
a Rope,
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! When I was in elementary school, we had a list of four or
five sentences. You had to put a number (1-4, in this case.) at the
beginning of each sentence to list the order of priority. So it would
be: You have one cleaning cloth you have to reuse. You need to do the
dishes, clean the refrigerator, clean the toilet, and hand mop the
floor. You may rinse out the cloth. Where do you start and end? Good
Luck!! I sat at a campgrounds last Saturday watching a large... read
more |
From
The Bears?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I've had this column in my head for years, now. So, consider
this: Some 25 years ago I taught my son to read. We started with the
"Berenstein Bears" - a gift from a paternal aunt of my son's. It worked
best if he read a paragraph, I read one, and we continued that way -
even Jr. High Literature Class. It was a time we shared in the dead of
winter - a book and hot chocolate. One Berenstein book (in a series),
had to do with brother and sister bear screaming... read
more |
Of
Beads and
Baubles, By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've read that the kiddies need to be protected - that there
is an "age of accountability" - that the accountability is a
different age for everyone. I've read that working to get "ahead" is a
good thing - it's the reason behind it all that matters. But - are we
protecting the kiddies from what they really need? I've been mentoring
a couple of people who do not know each other - that I know...and they
have the same story. Behind the scenes is a lot of... read
more |
Reflections,
By Sharon Hopper
Yesterday my husband and I decided to go to The Gathering here in
Greenville at the Garst Museum. To say the least we were both very
impressed and awed at the information that was presented to the people
who attended. It amazed me that there was so much variety of goods and
information presented. If you liked shopping there was plenty to choose
from. If you liked historical artifacts there was an abundance on
display with knowledgeable persons to help you... read
more |
Senior Smiles… Smart
Kid -
Student who obtained 0% on an exam
From a CNO reader - I would have given him 100%! Each answer
is
absolutely grammatically correct, and funny too. The teacher had no
sense of humor. Q1.. In which battle did Napoleon die? A .. his last
battle. Q2.. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? A .. at
the bottom of the page. Q3.. River Ravi flows in which state? A ..
liquid. Q4.. What is the main reason for divorce? A .. marriage... read
more |
Culture
Shock!
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I had heard the rumors. Her Dad had told me face to face, that
he had heard she was leaving - she had not told him, though. He said he
did not believe it. I called Rannie the other day. She said - "Uh, Mona
- I'm in Vegas." What? So - how is Vegas? She laughed, sighed, and
gasped - "there's just no real words I know to describe it all." She's
met people from countries she never knew existed. - met movie people on
the street! Out there, they stamp your... read
more |
Do
You Remember?
By Sharon Hopper
At the Summer Concert in the park last Sunday night (July13) the main
circus theme was played and upon listening to that piece of music many
many memories came flooding back from my childhood. I lived in a town
where the big B circus came every year or so and it was a holiday of
sorts. The big B stands for Barnum & Bailey Ringling Bros.
Circus.
The Greatest Show on Earth. My grandfather was a great fan of the
circus and on circus day... read
more |
Idle
Talk?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! Many things amuse me - in a "do they know what they are really
doing" sort of way. With all of the court action and what to do with
the people who have broken the law - I'll elaborate. Monday, July 14th;
headlines on the Greenville Daily Advocate said that Jason Hunt, 21 -
"21" - was indicted for aggravated burglary - a first degree felony. He
held a gun to a woman's head (his girlfriend), demanded she go with
him, and threatened all else there. The paper... read
more |
Just
a Thought,
By Sharon Hopper
I have been thinking again. Wow that can lead to some trouble. Wonder
what people did in the old days to keep ahead of the weather we were
having January 6 2014. They could not just listen to the weather
forecast and run to the grocery store for bread and milk and a few
comfort foods. They certainly did not have electric and just turn on a
switch and it would get warm in the house. And the roads were not
opened within hours of a snowstorm or plowed drifting... read
more |
How
Hurt Is Mad?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!!! I've been sitting on this one for awhile, now. I've spoken
with a few people and they agree with me - so, if I am wrong - I am not
alone. I've watched a "family" for the last 10 or 11 years. The
Grandmother is about 50, I'd say. She has custody of her two
grandkiddies - her daughter has no real responsibility on a daily
basis...and is now pregnant with the third kiddie and living with
another man. The Grandmother is not married to the daughter's Daddy... read
more |
What
Place?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! I was speaking to a friend the other day when a child's voice
from an extension in another room started asking me what I meant by
what I had said. Realizing it was her grandchild, I told my friend I'd
let her tend to the kiddie and hung up the phone. The grandchild is 10.
Pondering as I cleaned up my mid-morning snack mess, questions and
thoughts took their turn at the forefront of my mind. The one that kept
appearing was "A place for everything and... read
more |
Senior
Scribes… Don't
Mess with Old
People, From a Senior Scribe
The Old Timer's Hospital Stay... I am a sick old man. I was sick and in
the hospital. There was one nurse that just drove me crazy. Every time
she came in, she would talk to me like I was a little child. She would
say in a patronizing tone of voice, 'And how are we doing this
morning', Or 'Are we ready for a bath', or 'Are we hungry?' I had had
enough of this particular nurse. One day, at breakfast, I took the
apple juice off the tray and put it in my bed side stand... read
more |
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