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Kurt Fischer

David:

Noting your post about attending the musical Chicago at Plano Senior High School, I thought I would suggest signing up for a program offered through Plano ISD. It's for individuals 65 and over and allows you to attend a number of different school activities for free:  sporting events, fine art events, and a bunch of others.  You can sign up online if you Google Plano ISD/RSVP  (RSVP = Retired Seniors Valued in Plano).  You don't have to be retired.  I spied a FFA program I wanted to attend, but wasnt able to.  

Perhaps you and others could make use of it.

Kurt 

David Cordell

Thanks for the info, Kurt. I would never have thought of that. 

I'm watching the Super Bowl. Am I supposed to recognize some of the people in the commercials? Who was the woman in the Genesis ad with John Legend?

Now watching halftime show. Thought Shakira was going to do a pole dance or something.

Ha! Just as I typed that, Jenifer Lopez appears on stage with a pole. Hmmm. She was born on my birthday during the summer after we graduated from RHS. 

Actually, my wife saw Jenifer Lopez's act in Las Vegas and said it was very good. 

Hull Barbee

Great day for Texas Tech ........ guns up .......... Mahomes is the man

Ron Knight

Congrats to The KC Chiefs!!!

And to Patrick Mahomes of Whitehouse, TX (southeast suburb of Tyler). My Stepdaughter was a Whitehouse Cheerleader when I lived in Tyler. She was a Cheerleader back when Adrian Peterson was a running back for Palestine. Regardless, we are all proud of Patrick!!

I have been a KC Chief fan since they were the Dallas Texans. In fact, they were more successful at the time than were the Cowboys. I secretly wanted the Cowboys to move and Dallas keep the Texans.

Maybe next year we could see a Super Bowl showdown of the two original Dallas teams.

Lowell Tuttle

Congratulations to the Chiefs.

Did you guys know the first broadcaster for the Dallas Texans in 1960 was our own David Mercer's dad, Bill Mercer?

David Cordell

I had forgotten that, Lowell. Seems like a later announcer was Charlie Jones.

Anyway, I am happy that the Chiefs won, but happier still that the 49ers lost.

Steve Keene

David,

I am happy to hear they had a commercial for the Book of Genesis and they mentioned the Disciple John who really was a Legend.  I guess I missed that as I napped through the halftime activities.   I heard some of the other halftime acts included strippers on poles and gyrating sex scenes.  I am glad I missed that as it is not good for my heart these days.  Doesn't the NFL know that kids are are watching the Super Bowl and those halftime activities?

I guess I will be posting more on this site for awhile as the other site has deteriorated into a vulgar moral mess.

Go Texas Tech alumni Mahomes, who is a great example of Christian witness and faith. 

Lowell Tuttle

Steve, speaking of advertising, Mr. Thomas may appreciate your negative/postive endorsement.

David Cordell

Interesting article, Lance. I agree with almost all of it.

I didn't follow all of the impeachment coverage because it just made me mad.

Did anyone bring up the following justification for Trump to ask the Ukraine to investigate Biden?

If the US expects the Ukraine to root out corruption, wouldn't it look rather hypocritical when the unqualified son of a US Vice President was cashing in on his father's name with an especially corrupt Ukrainian energy company? So, to show good faith, Trump urges the Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. That is, "We're really serious about rooting out corrupting, and you can start by purging any American involvement."

Steve Keene

Lance,

That is a great article that reveals why Trump will probably win in November.  You should have posted the article on the other site before you were quoted by Sue-Tom Dooley-Daly.  It makes the kind of point that needs to be made with the absence of the vulgarity you have recently been embracing.

Seeing you and Christopher on the cruise ships convinced me that I should try one of those.  Then I found out they might not be as exciting as I hoped:

Lowell Tuttle

So, you guys.  Tell me why Perry resigned and Hunter Biden did not.

Mike Marks

Lance,

I probably have watched the performance by Heart at the Kennedy Center at least 50 times. I love the way the song gradually adds instruments and other singers as the song progresses. The emotional reaction from Plant, Page, and Jones is great. They have probably heard plenty of poor covers of that song and appreciated an outstanding interpretation. 

David Cordell

Excellent, Lance! I thought Wilson wasn't very strong at the first, at least compared to the Plant version, but she really picked it up. What pressure to perform in front of Page and Plant! They really seemed to enjoy it.

Yes, a reminder of freshman year at Castillian and the sound pounding through our adjoining wall, although my memory is of Whole Lotta Love. Wait. That didn't sound right.

Separately, we went to see the movie JoJo Rabbit last night (seniors night at Cinemark!). It is a very, very good movie. Off-beat and Coen-Brothers-like, and I thought it was going to be more comedic. I was misled by my wife. (Not the first time!) Anyway, there are funny parts, but it is a serious theme.

David Cordell

Fro those who watched/listened to the Heart version of Stairway to Heaven, How do you compare it to this Led Zeppelin version, live in 1973?

Jerry May

Good music!

I remember when a vote was taken from "Rolling Stone" or some such magazine publication. 

The subject was: "Who is/was considered to be the top hard rock bands of all time"

The countdown was from 50 to number 1.  Led Zeppelin was considered to be Numero  Uno!

Course one of my favorites of all time was: "I Can't Quit You Babe"

David Cordell

I actually like Heart's version of Stairway better than the live version by Led Zeppelin, but I like the Zeppelin album version best. 

Classmate Kurt Fischer suggested that I get a pass from Plano ISD that would allow free or reduced admission to sports and entertainment events in PISD. So, I got one! Tonight we went to see Plano West High School's production of Legally Blond for free! It was cute. They are going to produce Chicago in a couple of months, so I will get to compare Plano West HS to Plano HS. I'm not sure West can do as well as Plano HS with Chicago.

Steve Keene

David

You might get a play called Cicero.

Steve Keene

David,

Before everyone starts popping the bubbles in your bubble wrap, remember the air in there came from China.

Jerry May

On another forum several years ago I had a thread called: "Good Deeds, Actions and General Acts of Kindness." (and I believe there is some good in ALL people)

It did very well.....and posters loved sharing. The posts could be about others or ourselves. And I think though some thought some posts were self-serving or braggadocious.....we all learned from each other!

So I will start off with an incident which occurred the other day, which actually worked both ways!!

I was fueling my car, and glanced a few yards to my left. There.....in a wheelchair sat a man of perhaps 60 with one leg dressed in jeans and a military shirt. He wasn't asking anyone for money; but instead was rapidly sketching on a pad. Inside the pad I observed SEVERAL of his finished works. 
I just said, "Here.....perhaps this will help you today"

Not knowing what to expect..... he graciously took the money....saying: "Thank you. Much appreciated. Don't walk off just yet." Now opening the pad he fanned out several finished sketches. "Would you like one?"

I said, "Sure....... just... whatever you want to give me." "No, take one!" Glancing at one with a wolf proudly standing in the country with a huge full moon behind him..... I nodded!
Now sitting with a big smile (and maybe 3 front teeth) he said, "Glad you like it! And thank you for your kindness!"

I then said, "No  thank YOU!"

David Cordell

Steve, you lost me.

Jerry, I’ll throw in a couple of experiences.

I have a very good friend who is a retired physician. He has been extremely generous in providing information and answering questions relating to my son’s health.

I have two very good friends who have invited Martha and me to special events, including extended stays at their vacation homes.

Actually, I think I have had as many kindnesses, large and small, given to me as there are stars in the sky.

Martha is an especially prolific good-deed-doer. She takes Communion to shut-ins at least once per month and is very active in youth ministry at our church. But I think the experience that sticks in my heart the most relates to an elderly woman from our church.

Beverly was a very pleasant woman who was already in her mid-80s and almost totally blind when Martha first took Communion to her. She was widowed, lived by herself, and her son had committed suicide. Her daughter was neither interested nor capable of providing the sort of support Beverly needed.

Martha befriended Beverly, and we eventually moved her into a facility where she would be safe and comfortable. Sometimes we would take her to church with us. We called her our adopted grandmother. Martha would visit her, and we would pick her up and bring her to our home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners. One Christmas day her grandson called on behalf of the daughter and granddaughter, and was rather disturbed that Beverly was at our house instead of theirs. After the call, Beverly offered, “I’m here because I like you better than them. You're a lot nicer.”

Beverly’s health declined further, and she was in a hospice facility at the end. Martha was holding Beverly’s hand at the moment of her death.

Steve Keene

David

I was referring to the air borne coronavirus that is spreading in China killing many.

Jerry May

David, 

That is outstanding! And man, you are so lucky to have such a sweet soul......in Martha!

So kind of both of you to give that lady such joy in her final years!

I have found.....that perhaps a general awareness of our surroundings affords us opportunities for some of these incidences; and not coincidences.

The other day.......Monday perhaps, I was working from my office at home......and needed to run a couple of errands. Just as I was walking in the elevator (our condo parking is in a garage below the building) Gretchen, my 80 plus year old neighbor was about to exit as the door opened, She was clearly panic strickened and informed me her husband, Stacy had  stumbled and had fallen with his walker. She said "Jerry, he has NO control with his legs......and can't get up!"

I was worried he possibly hit his head...... but was assured he had only cut his knee from the fall. I still said, "Gretchen, do we need to call 911?" "No, he just wont go when he knows he hasn't been hurt bad"

I failed to mention Gretchen is like 5 feet-nothing and maybe 110 pounds. Stacy on the other hand, is about 6'3 and weighs probably 275! (He says he is about 206, but if he is...... I'm 140!)

So there he was in a sitting position with his leg bleeding....and both hands holding on to the legs of the walker. 
l quickly surveyed the situation and said, "Gretchen, lean over the walker and put your hands and all you're weight on the front. As she did so, I went into a squat position and placed my arms under his and locked them over his shoulders and neck. On a "three" count I lifted and used everything I had to pull-up  his dead weight. Now in his upright position with his hands gripping the handles on the walker, he was able to inch along.

Having gone through this with my own folks....I told Gretchen, " Y'all should consider a wheelchair, before he gets hurt bad" She shrugged and said he refused. She offered, "Jerry....anything I can do for you?" I winked and said, "Maybe a pie?"

She smiled....... but didn't know what I REALLY needed was some therapy for my lower back!

As bad as I was hurting, I felt so fulfilled doing this for my fellow man!

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Speaking of good deeds and related experiences...mine is one better labeled, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished". 

I was coming home from a trip to town running errands.  The house across the street has a single mother with two kids and a dog that has a habit of escaping his back yard.  The little boy (I guess his age at 10 or possibly younger) was chasing the dog in a vain attempt to capture it and return it to its proper place (which I have no idea how it gets out of the fenced back yard).  I had to stop the car to prevent a tragic scene.  When I got out and headed for the front door, I decided to yell a suggestion to help the kid out.  First I yelled to the dog, "Go Home", (female healer named Holly was headed straight for our place) to no on avail, Holly just ran harder and fast in another direction.  Then I decided to offer the kid some advice, "Get a Dog Treat, A COOKIE", this I yelled, we are on one acre lots and he was at least 200 feet from me.  Then I went in the house, and grabbed a couple of dog cookies to help the kid out.  I walked toward my mailbox (might as well get the mail too), as I noticed his mother come charging out of their garage and briskly walk toward me down her driveway, clearly angry.  I approached her, she immediately said these words, "How dare you swear at my son!".  Well, I guess I was fired up at that point, because I declared, with two Milk Bone dog bisquits in my open hand, "I would never swear at at child.  I am on your side, I was trying to help him get the dog, I told him to get dog treats.  Here are two, take them."  Only said it with a great deal of malice.  Where upon I offered my hand and introduced myself.  "I am Sandra Ringo, your neighbor and I am on your side.  I wanted to help your son get the dog, here take the treats."  Well what was tense, got less tense and the haggered, newly divorced mother of two told me the sad story of how her healer gets off the collar and chain (chaining a dog outside in this cold, no wonder that dog wants to escape - sigh).  I bit my tongue and didn't go there.  I ended my conversation with her on a better note and went home. Anyway thirty minutes later the two kids met me and Aaron as we were leaving to walk our dog and apologized to us.  Neighborhoods are not what they used to be.

Steve Keene

Hull,

Texas Tech just beat Texas in Austin in men's basketball!

Jerry May

Hi Sandra,
So kind of you to help out getting the dog to come back. You took the time, because you care!

Course those were unusual conditions to meet a neighbor! (we never know what a person is privately going through)

This one is about my Dad, when he was a resident at an assisted living facility in Richardson. On those occasions I would have lunch witb him, there were usually 4 or 5 of us at one table. Many times I would tease him about the ladies who ate with him; sometimes four to one. 
On a couple of visits..... we dined with two ladies and sometimes a male resident. Usually ALL wore some type of hearing device; except one......who actually NEEDED a hearing aid! When he would come over....one could almost hear a collective sigh.......when "Al" would say; " CAN I SIT WITH YA'LL?" (In caps because he never wore one, though he could definitely afford one!) 
So, the conversations were mostly limited to Al's story telling!

One day, my Father amped up, " You know Al you have us at a distinct disadvantage! We all have on hearing aids.....but you never wear one, so YOU get to do all the talking!"

The response was something like, "Well I just....er uhm never do cause I hate em." So his visits to Dads table became less and less.

It must have affected his guilt.....because he asked me about it a couple of times. I said, "Pop, you said what was on your mind....and I know those ladies thought you were in line.... as well as me!"

One day.....I met him at the facility and he asked that I take him to Richardson Baylor to visit someone. Relieved HE was okay! I then asked...."Dad, who are we seeing?" He then told me it was Al. "Huh?" 
I said, "Dad why are you seeing him?" He indicated he had had a heart attack....and felt like he should go. 
He said "Because I feel like he doesn't have that many friends.....and I should just see him." I wasn't going to grill him about his conscience, so we went and I sat in the 1st floor waiting room. My Father was gone about an hour, and thanked me. I said, "Did he have family or friends up there?" "No one. The entire hour I was there NO 
ONE came in, save staff. But I felt good about seeing him."
Months later when my Farher had passed away, Al was at the Tom Thumb on Arapaho along with other residents who were bused over.
He saw me, and walked up as I finished my transaction at the small inside bank.  He WAS wearing a hearing aid! He expressed his condolences and with tears in his eyes.... he said; "Jerry you had a great Father. Why he was only one to come visit me at the hospital....when I had a heart attack." 
I said, "He is missed by our family and many.....and I'm glad you got to know him."

We both shook hands and walked away. So much we learn from our parents.....