Old Mother Witch is coming to town,

riding her broomstick upside down.

a flock of gobblins follow her to play

as she rides to town on a Halloween night

black cats howl- just to be merry

and that’s what makes Halloween so scary.–

So why is it that people celebrate this pagan holiday?

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints’ Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints’, All Saints’, and All Souls’, were called Hallowmas.

As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Because of the rigid Protestant belief systems that characterized early New England, celebration of Halloween in colonial times was extremely limited there.

It was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included “play parties,” public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other’s fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country. However,

today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday.

 

 

 

 

ld Mother Witch is coming to town,

riding her broomstick upside down.

a flock of gobblins follow her to play

as she rides to town on a Halloween night

black cats howl- just to be merry

and that’s what makes Halloween so scary.–

So why is it that people celebrate this pagan holiday?

 

Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).

The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.

During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other’s fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.

By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints’ Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints’, All Saints’, and All Souls’, were called Hallowmas.

As European immigrants came to America, they brought their varied Halloween customs with them. Because of the rigid Protestant belief systems that characterized early New England, celebration of Halloween in colonial times was extremely limited there.

It was much more common in Maryland and the southern colonies. As the beliefs and customs of different European ethnic groups, as well as the American Indians, meshed, a distinctly American version of Halloween began to emerge. The first celebrations included “play parties,” public events held to celebrate the harvest, where neighbors would share stories of the dead, tell each other’s fortunes, dance, and sing. Colonial Halloween festivities also featured the telling of ghost stories and mischief-making of all kinds. By the middle of the nineteenth century, annual autumn festivities were common, but Halloween was not yet celebrated everywhere in the country. However,

today, Americans spend an estimated $6.9 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

Whales Bones & Desert

 

 

Whales Bones and Desert

by

Dewey Maggard

 

Whales in the desert? Doesn’t make sense. Nevertheless, it is true. It’s real exciting to most rock hounds with such a find as this’ but to the anthropologist and other ‘rock picker’s their interest in such trivia is to try and find some really great complicated name for the animal whose bones these were. This is no subject for mere amateurs or rockhounds. Bleached bones and their ancestry belong to the appologists–(xcuse please, I mean anthropologists)- after all, they still haven’t found the missing jawbone to homo-something or other. Oh, once in a while from some inaccessible rift in Africa, they make an electrifying announcement. A real shocker- they have found their earlier discoveries have been upstaged through new finds of 300 million years. It is amazing how these prophets of ancient bones and physiology can look at dirt and tell you how old it is. Doesn’t seem to make any difference, which end of the earth the dirt is situated on. I mean we have all these unpronounceable layers in the ‘mesony’ age. That is sure to make an impression on all these poor unlearned-ed souls. And National idio-graphic is sure to acquire new circulation. They must be elated with this new revelation- I mean 300 hundred million

 

years. That is a real break through!
It is almost akin to the latest development of the wizardry of science-(their granted study). Yeah, their grant is about to run out so they better had find something quick. One
poor scientist had a grant to learn the language of Flamingo fowls. Well, that failed–so
the grantors got him a grant to study the language of the Hippopotami. Nice racket, these men have going. They have cousins in another discipline working in (out there somewhere-SPACE). Did I hear someone say NASA? These fellows came up with something quick coinciding with new elections. They announced to the world of finding life on Mars. Correction!, They “think” they have. Of course, it may take a quadrillion zillion years before they are sure about this ’signs of life thing’. This amazing (possible) find is sure to guarantee these genius people a few more years of extravagant grants. They need all they can get for their IRA’S, and those enchanted tropical places where scientists’ and bureaucrats go for their retreats. Xcuse me please, I should have said their “Continuing Ed. They love this because they can get all that $150.00 per day per Diem. There’s no end to it. Oh! Where was I?
Well, at least there is one more point I would like to make. This kinda reminds me of Dr. Wonmug in the Alley Oop series of several years ago. Alley Oop was the stone-age man with the pet dinosaur. Somehow Dr. Wonmug enters the scene, and poor Alley Oop with all of Dr. Wonmug’s latest scientific equipment subjects this poor ignorant stone-age
man to a time machine. Let me emphasize, Alley Oop was a happy man before he met up with Dr. Wonmug. He and that pet Dinosaur of his were content to be in the ‘here and now’ world. I wonder if Nazba would have found this teeny weensy speck of life had it not been an election year? Probably so, because Science knows no bounds. Right!
Where do you suppose these Whale bones come from? I mean the ones strewn out on the desert floor? The media never picks up on this kind of intelligence. Why? Just ignore facts like this and perhaps they will go away. This seems to be the attitude of the general intelligencia. You know, those folks who have taken all those courses in Pleistocene malarkey- and it has rubbed off on those NASBA people (the ones who are living out there with other planets). In all seriousness, I really think these good folks are really trying to re-discover the Garden of Eden. They are sick of all this so-called Pleistocene epoch, and the Quaternary period. But, they are in over their heads and can’t figure their way out. No siree, all that 9 or 10 years spent in the discipline -some at taxpayer expense–they simply must produce even if it is a LIE.
How sad it is and tragic when they must resort to zillions of years. To do this, they must know what they are talking about! Wrong, why their benefactors can’t even balance their own checkbooks. NASBA scientists have us primitive earthlings so mesmerized, we give them whatever they want. While at the same time, they dare our fellow not so fortunate earthlings to lift themselves off welfare. They are even talking of forcing the higher primates to make their fellow neolithic’s go to work. Sure seems like we are a bunch of dummies all right.
I could get slapped into a time machine so better quit. I’ll sign off now as Alley’s sympathetic friend. But, one last thing!.. In case you are wondering….those whale bones used to be strewn all around the California Superstitious mountains about 20 miles N. W. of El Centro, California. The ghost of my old friend Peg leg Pete could tell you a WHALE OF a story about this place if he were still around. I can at least tell you it is a real place where the U.S. Navy has made it into an Aerial Gunnery range and no doubt have blown most of the whalebones to smithereens. But, Alas, There are ‘evidential photos existing taken by a friend of Peg leg Pete.
The day the Russians launched Sputnik, I was so furious, I wrote these lines…

Darwin would be mighty pleased

If he could now but see

All these Ape-men flittin

g

off on spacecraft to the moon

instead of from tree to tree

***

My fellow earthlings!

Life on Mars is absolutely un-important.

Listen to this!

God did not plan for us to go flitting off into space.

Here is biblical proof.

For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens;

God himself that formed the earth and made it: he hath

established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it

*to be inhabited: I am the Lord and there is none else.

KJV – ISAIAH 45:18

(*) The (to be inhabited, is obviously continual including

after the new earth re-created Isaiah 65 :18-25 Please

read these verses.

***

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:

and we shall reign on earth.

Rev 5:10

—–

I want to spend eternity in the Eden that God planned, He is

going to restore it according the way I understand my bible.

That is my hope, (my anchor): my salvation

***

All rights reserved;

 

 

Copyright 1984-2005

 

 

 

A Nickel’s Worth Please

A Nickel’s Worth PleaseBy

Dewey Maggard

Sure, you could buy a lolly-pop for a penny. It was almost the size of a golf ball. And a double dip ice cream cone for a nickel. I’m speaking of the days of the three cent stamp when you could also buy a post card for a penny. People had time to talk and be neighborly then. Why it was a common thing for many people to walk three or four miles to town, or to a neighbor to listen to the radi. It was of course an all day affair when the whole family went to town in the wagon with a stop over at the old mill on the way, and then stop on the way home to pick up your bag of ground grain. You didn’t need much money, just share with the Miller some of your grain. Well, it was quite an affair, as the h orse drawn wagons would be rattling and squeaking through town the men folk would be waving at one another and while they were hitching the horses, the women chatted and seemed awfully glad to see one another. You can be sure there were some joyful noises as people got out of their wagons. Some had a few dozedn eggs nestled in wooden crates or even tin cans. There were chickens in coops making unyhappy sounds. Milk cans sometimes needed a helping hand to unload.There were shade trees in the town square so it was a pleasant place for people to do their visitiing. Most everyone brought their lunches because coming to town was an all day affair. Of course, there was a deep well nearby where water troughs for the horses and mules were constantly being pumped. Then there was always two or three gourd dippers hanging at the well. Why those folks thought nothing at all of drinking from the same dipper, after-all, many of them were kin anyway.

My daddy had a rubber-tired wagon that he had mad himself and it was the talk of the community. Our mules, John and kate, the prettiest mules you ever saw would trot all the way home. They seemed to enjoy pulling that rubber-tired wagon.

My Grandfather was the Pastor of the church where people came from several miles around to be together on their Sabbath day. They did everything real proper-even foot washing. Some of the deacons would draw water from the nearby creek. these folks all seemed to know how to pray. Everybody always felt good after a big prayer meeting. It was very natural, sometimes just like they might have been talking to one of their friends.

Well, there was a really good swimming hole nearby as I and some other little boys had discovered on the banks of Mr. Lindfel’s field. And dear Mr. Lindfel, he told us boys we could have all the watermelons we wanted just so long as we took them from the first two rows next to the creek. I thought he was awfully generous. And you know what? We would not dare go treading through Mr. Lindfel’s watermelon patch. After all-we had two rows to ourselves. He used to tell us what good boys we were. Why we would help him do anything he asked us to.

I remember there was a grown man who still lived with his parents who seemed to always be loafing. One day, the salesman at the country store asked him why he didn’t work in the fields like all the other men. This man answered very gruff, “Me work- huh! no-sire-ree-my dad’s got six hundred dollars in the bank, I don’t have to work”. He was the only loafer in the community.

There are millions today who are just like this fellow who do not want to work – who want everything for nothing.

So my dear young people, the reason you may hear so much about the ‘good old days’ is probably because they were just that. If you could climb into a time capsule, you would better understand that wistful yearning look in their eyes. They are simply remembering some of the more peaceful times of their youth. It’s true the complexities of today are much different than yesteryear- but don’t forget, it was your predecessors, your parents, who helped usher in the world you are now involved in. So, they understand more than you think they do.

Eventually, you too will find yourselves on a threshhold away from your youth. If and when things may go badly for you, it doesn’t mean nobody cared- it simply means you weren’t listening at the right times. So be kind to your elders and especially8 those loving parents you have.

Yes, it would be nice to have anotehr nickel’s worth of yesterday’s golden era, but today, I must live in today’s world,, and pray not to be a part of it. not to be a partaker of the evil allurements it offers.

###

Life on Mars?

Life on Mars?By

Dewey Maggard

Isn’t that just dandy? The space trotters are telling us once again -they “think’ Life is on Mars. Do

you remember–at the time of Presidential elections of 2000, the same story made head lines? Why? Here is what I think! These outerspace wizards need more funding- or want more funding. If these people are so intent on having life on Mars, then let them hop the space shuttles to deliver them on Mars: then let them colonize Mars. Then it can be said there is life on Mars.–Now once there, don’t allow any of them to come back to earth- as they do not fully appreciate life here on earth. If they really did, then life on Mars would be just so much melarky as it is with most of the people I have spoken with. We need to be concerned with life here on our own earth. It appears to be senseless to try and persuade these inteligent people that if our Omnipotent Creator had intended life to be on Mars, then there would be life on Mars. He created this earth to be inhabited- (Read it in your bible;Isa 45:18)

Yet these, hopeful planet jumpers have good reason to believe their budget may be cut. They simply can’t reason with this. After all, they become accustomed to have a life style that they believe places them as a public hero. They are the darlings of today’s society. They love the attention the media gives them.

You want to solve the social security problem. Then let us cut NASA or at least 90 percent of their agenda. The money that is used for Space Exploration affects the national budget. The budget committee has had no problem with dipping into Social Security funds. It is well known and admitted by the White House that Social Security funds have been tapped over a period of several years. The Social Security funds are or should be sacred- they are placed there in trust. We citizens would be prosecuted if we dip into funds that are held in trust. For example, as an employer, the amount of money you withhold from your employees is money held in trust to be dispensed to the Federal Insurance Contribution Funds (Social Security) or your Withholding tax is to be dispensed to the treasury for Income tax purposes. The F.I.C.A. funds have nothing to do with Income Taxes. Yet these funds are all disbursed through the use of one quarterly form designed for use by the IRS. Those funds belong to the people whom they were withheld from. On the other hand, the funds designated as Withholding Taxes belong to the Government by reason of whatever current tax laws are in force.

John Q Public needs to let this government know in no uncertain terms that we do not approve of our government spending billions on the space exploration program. My opinion of course.- What is yours?

.Copyright Mar 2005

Laus Deo

Something every American should know and share.

Laus Deo

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn’t care less.
>
>Once you know Laus Deo’s history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched top the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.
>
>Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
>
>So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say “Praise be to God!”
>
>Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo ………..Praise be to God!”
>
>>From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l’Enfant…a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
>
>A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.
>
>Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
>
>When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ..”One Nation, Under God.”
>
>I am awed by Washington’s prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!
>
>”Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
>
>Laus Deo!
>
>When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation’s capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of “Laus Deo”, its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: “Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” (Psalm 127: 1)
>
>It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

Sail On Part Two

Sail on

Part Two

By

Dewey Maggard

 

Solomon and his Phoenician navy may have started colonization of this western hemisphere. For example, in the Mayan jungles archeologists found terra cotta figure of a little girl wearing a “star of David set of earrings. Who told them what the Strar of David looked like? A ceramic elephant had also been dug up. These aritifacts were dated as later as 200 A.D the Star of David emblem has been in use in Sidon and Tyre as early as 600 B.C. (See World Book.)

 

TThe latest evidence indicating the presence at one time of Phoenician sailers in this hemisphere was a stone dolmmite anchor recovered in the Catalina coastal waters by scuba divers.There is other abundant evidence engraved in granite in several places in Canada. (See Prof Barry Fells – “America B.C.) Oklahoma is rich in evidence of their presence. This stone mentioned above comes only from China, and Phoenician sailors are known in Chinese history to have visited their waters. There is much more evidence pointing to the Phoenicians as having visited here., But space does not permit more detils in this writingl

 

It suffices to say that someday the history books may be re-written and we could learn how those rumors of “cities of gold” got started. and that Plato’s “Lost Atlantis: was here all the time. Thrilling as these old paths are, we must press on toward the mark. “Sail On” , as it were, with the attitude Cortez had at Vera Cruz in 1519. He set fire to all his eleven ships, burning the avenues of retreat or turning back for himself and his 750 men. Where was only one direction,, ahead! Let us all look for that city of pure gold, like unto clear glass that John had a glimpse in Revelation 21:18.

 

As long as there are ships and men to sail them. “Sail On”.

 

Authors Note: we can infer that colonization was going on for a long time, Since writing this story, I have learned through the July-auguest 1980 issue of archeologist Magazine” that a large “Star of David” crystalized in salt has been found in the great salt producing region of central America (Of ancient times). I have a photocopy of a picture of this in my files.

 

 

Sail On- Part One

Sail On-

Part one

By

Dewey Maggard

 

In recent years seafaring men have removed all doubt proving that men could have come to this western hemisphere by ships from as far away as Egypt. Perhaps David was referring to places outside the Mediterranean when he said “they that go down to the sea in ships that do business in the greeat waters”. Ps: 107″23 This tells us the importance of sea trade had not escaped his notice. Nor did it escape Solomon’s notice for he built a navy of ships at Ezion-Geber for Solomon.((1 Kings 9:26)

The Phoenicians tell us 8000 camels were used in the transporting of wood and fittings for the building of Solomon’s navy. (Gaza to Ezion-Geber) . Isn’t it amazing how secular history continues to confirm the Bible? The men who sailed Solomon’s ships were masters of the sea. They were the Phoenicians from Tyre sent by their King Huram (( 1 Chron. 8:18).carry out sea trade for Solomon

 

Now considering from where they deported, (Ezion-Geber0., andd that once every three years may they returned (11 Chron, 9:21) . It is therefore not difficult to imagine they were circumnavigating the globe (Magellan was a late-comer). This seems more evident when you consider that they would have to go in opposite directions to obtain silver and peacocks, or Ivory and peacocks (11 Chron 9:21). In all probability, on their return voyages they could use the canal that was dug by Pharoah Senusret from the north end of the Nile to the Red Sea. This was done in the twenthieth Century B.C. Occasionally, this canal was re-dug or dredged. Pharaoh Necho re-dug it between 610 and 594 B.C. Then as late as 98 to 117 A.D. Emperor Trajan of Rome dredged it — (Whoever thought of the Suez canal?)

In the cargos of these Phoenician masters , there were other raw nateruaks mentioned, such as tin, which solomon certainluy obtained from Hiram, for that great artificer in metal who did all the brass work on the temple. Two items alone for the temple would have required apprimoxitely 50 tons of pure tin (the two pillars of brass) Boaz and Jochin..

###

Jan 1981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emmet & Ada

Emmet and Ada

by Dewey Maggard

The two people dnamed above were among the finest people that I have ever met. Emmet couild neither read nor write. Ada had gone through the 3rd grade. They spent most of their lives in West Virginia where they were both born and raiised. They came to california in the late 50’s through some miracle in order to make a better way for themselves. My first encounter with them came through one of my furniture dealer clients. This dealer told me he felt sorry for these people and they really needed someone to help them in what they were doing. They had started selling used appliances in their fron yard. The furniture dealer asked me to do a good deed and help them out especially with their sales taxes. The State Sales Tax compliance division was constantly looking for small business’ that might not be paying their sales taxes. Emmet or Ada did not have the slightest idea what was involved.

I figured it would be no problem for me to help them if they would follow my instructions so that I would be able to make a proper report. I found their place where there was several washing machines and stoves in their front yard- with for sale signs displayed. Emmet came to the door when I knocked and asked why I was there. I indormed him of what Mr Rose, the furniture dealer has said to me-and that they would need someone to help them with their sales taxes- or they could lose their business. I said, if you can afford $8.00 per month for me to do your reports, I will help you. Now 8.00 was no where regular fees for doing this kind of work- Nevertheless I figured I could take the time to help them. Keep in mind this was in the late 50’s. These folks were industrious and managed to go to Stockton twice each week to an auction for selling their items and replenishing for future sales. They were making enough to buy a better used truck. With this truck, Emmet managed to get exclusive permission at the Oakland (Cal) City dump to take all bicycled and/or parts. They then had enough to rent another place in the country 9 miles west of Modesto,(Cal) to set up their bicycle operation. Reassemble these parts and make bicycles.Ada became the paint lady. Between these two people, they built a business sufficient that Emmet had to buy a used 6 ton truck. In a short time, their were other auction sellers who were calling on them and buying wholesale from Emmet and Ada.

On one of my monthly calls to them., I arrived at their lunch time. Emmet invited me in and ask me if I would have lunch with them, He said we are not used to much but you are welcome. I had not eaten, so I agreed. When I sat down, here is the only things I saw. A platter of hot biscuits, a big steaming bowl of white greavey- and a platter full of sliced onions. This was their lunch. I made Ada happy by bragging on her gravey and biscuits.

Now at this time, just when things were going great for Emmet and Ada, the state had begun construction on the Nimitz Freeway that came into Oakland. In this process, the state began to change all our high-and freeway road signs. This was doomsday for Emmet as he had been familiar with the old signs, but could not now read all these new ones. The Dept of Motor Vehicles of course issued a restraint on him and advised him to apply for disability.

I still have after over 50 years, the Dresden shaving mug and shaving brush that Ada gave me- Also otherr items such as the civil war cast-iron bean pot. These two items especially are dear to me as it reminds me of two very special people who were not letting their handicap getting them down.

2-3-2008.

Cell Phone Disaster

I call it a disaster because no one is at their desk or wherever there work place may be. In essence, if you do leave a voice mail, you are talkin g to their shadow.  You have no idea when this person will hear their voice mail. They may or may not return your call. 
I belong to the generation that had telephone switchboard operators to take your call, then ring the number you give them. This could be a large company switch board or a small town operator who transfered calls.  Usually, these were pleasant people frequently adding a note of cheer to your morning or afternoon as the case may be.  I have seen witchboard rooms with as many as 200 switchboard operators taking calls.  I was behind one of these switchboards at an Airbase in Amarillo Texas the day news came of President Roosevelt’s death.  I can tell you that entire room was a behive of activity the rest of that day.  There was a persoanl element going into each of these calls. There was no such thing as voice mail..

I can go back even further when 3 shorts and a long were your signal to answer your telephone. Your 3 shorts and a long telephone was anchored to your wall usually in the kitchen of the home.  The lady of the house could also listen in on her neighbors conversations and this practice was understood by all.  This is how the local news was spread in the various communities that had these kinds of phones.  Very few communities had telephones in each home.  

 It was the highlight of the day for the ladies to speculate what Ma Perkings or Stella Dallas would be doing in their next Radio broadcast.  Each day begining about 10:00 am through 12 noon, these ladies would have their radios turned up loud and could be heard as you walked by their homes.  AS a lad making a trip to the store, I would pass by these avenues of adventure.  Then after their lunches, the 3 shorts and a long box would get perhaps another hour of use.  Well all of that is echoes of a past generation. 

Those of us who remember these days, do not really like the cell phone but have come to use it with reservations.  We use ours for insurance of safety while on the highway. Otherwise seldom use it.  I marvel at young families today, say with two kids  Mom and Dad of course have one of these tiny boxes, then both kids have one.  At the rate I pay for ours, ($45.00 per month), this would mean $180.00 per month for that family. I have seen 6 year olds who seem to be masters in the usage of these things.   Now let me tell you where the disaster part of my story comes in. 

Take Hospitals for example, Every Nurse, technicians, Aides, Doctors and maintenance people all carry one of these things.  I can call to talk to a bank manager at my bank and the typical answer is, “I am away from my desk right now, but leave a voice mail and I will get back to you as soon as possible.”  Now doesn’t this kind of response irritate the daylights out of you?  How can business be conducted in this manner.  The truth is that all too often the business suffers for lack of good communication.  These facilities or employers are losing billions of dollars in lost production of their employes becausse of this little box- and it’s personal usage during business hours.  

This current generation has become so addicted to this magical box of echoes that they must make their replies while driving through morning traffic on their way to work- Or when going anywhere fore that matter.  It seems the minute they get behind the wheel of their car,.  they simply must call someone to give them their latest bit of -who knows what?– I place these peoples in the same category as those who must stop by a bar for happy hour on their way home from work.  They are a menace to the streets and highways.,

Some of our cities are gradually seeing the light and passing laws against their usage while driving.-

I was in my own  Accounting business for 43 years.- I was not in the telephone book for 33 of those years.  Why?  because I learned during my first 10 years that the telephone could be a menace to your business in time consuming dialogue.  I invested in 24 hour answering service (a real human answering my phones during off business hours-and in the afternoons of each work day.  Otherwise, my clients could talk with me persoanlly anytime they wished so long as it was during the morning hours between 9:00 am and 12 noon.  They had been told in letters that this would be my way of doing business.  Believe me, it cut down on unnecessary phone time and enabled me to get my head work done. My clients were happy with this. So you see, the personal touch can mean a great deal. This method of doing business enabled me to have free time and my business associates were always asking me how I managed to have so much fee time.

 To me, it is about as bad as going to a restaraunt – that could have a sign at the door saying come back later in the day and we will fix your meal if we are not too busy. –

 Yep, I enjoyed the good ole days when 3 short and a long were the rule of the day.

Tell Your Doctor

Don’t you get sick of hearing that on your TV?  Or Ask your doctor.  When I pray tell can you tell your doctor or ask him.  Usually they are so far removed from you, you have no chance to tell them or ask them anything. 

 I am a Dialysis patient and the cathetor in my neck needed to be removed. This was so a better one could be placed in my arm I was told by my primary insurance carrier to get  blood work done and to call my “primary care” doctor and ask for his office to do the blood work-that I should not need an appointment    In this request, I was told that I would not need an appointment, just call in and ask the receptionist to arrange it and have them fax the report to my hospital where the cathetor would be removed.  Well, as you may guess, the doctor would not allow me an easy entrance- He and his office took up the best part of the day and it was 4;30 pm before I got the needed blood work.  This was not done without having to sit in one of the cubical rooms where he would make an appearance. The truth is, that he gave me less than 2 minutes then said follow me.  He then took me to his lab down the hall where the necessary blood was taken.  Now of course I was more than a little upset. You see, he could have allowed this without having my co-pay for his so-called office visit. He was not entitled to an office -or a copay as he did not advise or consult with me about anything- Just ‘follow me” as I mentioned.  

How many times have you sat in their office for more than an hour.  I have been subjected to as much as 3 hours before finally getting to see the doctor- and this has been with more than one doctor.  One doctor who keeps a bible on his desk had me waiting 3 hours- because his girls were giving him a birthday party in one of the back rooms. When he finally came to see me, I told him that I would not be back.- and I found another Primary doctor who on my second visit had me waiting over 2 hours. So you see folks, this is as bad as it can get.  I am not alone. My son with his family have been subjected to as much as 9 hours waiting to see a doctor.  I have a friend who goes to the Veteran Hospital here-He and his wife were kept more than 9 hours in the emergency room before they could see a doctor.  Of course, this means understaffed.   It appears that too many doctors are in a state of rebellion because they are incensed at the regulations they are subject to.

]The Pharmeceuticals are a large part of the problem as they do this mega-million dollar advertising on TV. Constantly telling us to ”Ask your doctor: if this is right for you.” This statement gives your doctor the option of trying out other medications if this one doesn’t seem to help.  Of course, all these chemicals in your body are not supposed to work.  Your creator never intended for you to ingest chemicals as your medicine. 

Our Grandparents (for those of us who are at least 75 years of age) would not dream of taking pills.  Their food was their medicine.  they had knowledge of herbs that would be good for them- Consequently, they did not suffer from maladies as too many of us do today. In our bible the book of James tells us, “if there be any sick among you, let him take herbs.”

It is true that in our society today, doctors are necessary and some do magnificent work in their various fields.  But, it is high time, our society demands a solution to these problems .  For example, ask your doctor for a ”Generic” if he is prescribing a 50 or 60.00 drug.  I have seen at least a couple of times people cry at the pharmeucy window when told the pricve of their prescription. 

With dialysis patients, they have excellent lab reports and physician assistants can monitor on a weekly basis your condition.–There is a dietician who helps you with your diet.. The diet then becomes the all important factor in your health.  And this is not just for dialysis patients.  Our bibles tell us that our food is our medicine.  In the book of James, we are told, “If any among you be sick, let him take herbs.”  This then is a key to our good health.  Unfortunately, we do not learn this until we are suffering from some terible  disease.  Let us thereore not be careless about our health-

I have lived to be past 80 years of age before my Kidney failure and am thankful for this fact., May those who read this be judicious in the management of their health,.

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