The Message Forum is an ongoing dialogue among classmates. The goal is to encourage friendly interaction, including interaction among classmates who really didn't know each other. Experience on the site has revealed that certain topics tend to cause friction and hard feelings, especially politics and religion. 

Although politics and religion are not completely off-limits, classmates are asked to be positive in their posts and not to be too repetitive or allow a dialog to degenerate into an argument. 

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David Cordell

Bobby Blue Eyes??? OMG!!

I remember Bobby's athletic prowess, but, as a manly man, I am proud to say that his eye color was of no interest to me!

I do recall a belt that he wore in sixth grade, more specifically the end of the belt opposite the buckle. Instead of obediently maintainting a fastidious path through the belt loops of his pants, it hung straight down as a sort of flaccid phallic symbol.

Three thoughts:

1. Upon further reflection, now I think I would be prouder if I didn't remember the belt rather than not remembering the eye color. 
2. I hope for Bob's sake that the belt wasn't a portent of things to come.
3. Happy birthday, old friend!

Ron Knight

Happy Birthday Bob Fleming.

Stay safe and well!!
 

David Cordell

5 Things You Probably Didn't

Know About Al Capone

Steve Keene

Happy Birthday Bob Fleming!

Steve Keene

Lance,

I am biding my time till Amy Coney Barrett gets homologated this month.  Watching Tommy go completely nuts and lashing out at Trump, America, Apple Pie, the Flag, the Constitution, baseball, white folks, organized religion, and all things pure and decent, will be priceless to behold. I can't wait to see another non-verident rant from him.  Tommy has become so angry that Hollywood is thinking of remaking the movie "12 Angry Men" with only him insisting on the murder charge.  He lives a pitiful life, waking up Mad at the world every day.  It is no wonder his intro into the Punography site is "It's a Mad, Mad World."
 

Wayne Gary

i go t this funny picture sent to me

Wayne Gary

I just got this from a friend

Got this from a friend, thought you would find it interesting.

I never dreamed that I would have to face the prospect of not living
in the United States of America, at least not the one I have known all
my life. I have never wished to live anywhere else. This is my home
and I was privileged to be born here.

But today I woke up and as I had my morning coffee, I realized that
everything is about to change. No matter how I vote, no matter what I
say, something evil has invaded our nation, and our lives are never
going to be the same.

I have been confused by the hostility of family and friends. I look at
people I have known all my life--so hate-filled that they agree with
opinions they would never express as their own. I think that I may
well have entered the Twilight Zone.

You can't justify this insanity. We have become a nation that has lost
its collective mind!

• Somehow it’s un-American for the census to count how many Americans
are in America.

• Russians influencing our elections are bad, but illegals voting in
our elections are good.

• It was cool for Joe Biden to "blackmail" the President of Ukraine,
but it’s an impeachable offense if Donald Trump inquires about it.

• Twenty is too young to drink a beer, but eighteen is old enough to vote.

• People who have never owned slaves should pay slavery reparations to people who have never been slaves.

• People who have never been to college should pay the debts of
college students who took out huge loans for their degrees.

• Immigrants with tuberculosis and polio are welcome, but you’d better
be able to prove your dog is vaccinated.

• Irish doctors and German engineers who want to immigrate to the US
must go through a rigorous vetting process, but any illiterate
gang-bangers who jump the southern fence are welcome.

• $5 billion for border security is too expensive, but $1.5 trillion
for “free” health care is not.

• If you cheat to get into college you go to prison, but if you cheat
to get into the country you go to college for free.

• People who say there is no such thing as gender are demanding a
female President.

• We see other countries going Socialist and collapsing, but it seems
like a great plan to us.

• Some people are held responsible for things that happened before
they were born, and other people are not held responsible for what
they are doing right now.

• Criminals are caught-and-released to hurt more people, but stopping
them is bad because it's a violation of THEIR rights.

• And pointing out all this hypocrisy somehow makes us "racists"?!

Nothing makes sense anymore, no values, no morals, no civility and
people are dying of a Chinese virus, but it racist to refer to it as
Chinese even though it began in China. We are clearly living in an
upside down world where right is wrong and wrong is right, where moral
is immoral and immoral is moral, where good is evil and evil is good,
where killing murderers is wrong, but killing innocent babies is
right.

Wake up America, the great unsinkable ship Titanic America has hit an iceberg, is taking on water, and is sinking fast. The choice is yours
to make. What will it be? Time is short, make your choice wisely!

 

Bob Fleming

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes.  It's nice to be remembered.

Janalu, Bless your heart!  I am certain that your comments will be the nicest of all received this day.  I'm not going to forget them.  I owe you sweeheart.

As for David's remarks, I'm in a quandary.  When asked the secret of his unparalled success defending clients at trial, tthe famous Harris County criminal defense lawyer Richard "Racehorse" Haynes told this story from early in his career about defending a client whose dog had bitten a neighbor.  (Pay close attention Steve Keene, you may need to know this story in regards to your snakes.)

First Haynes argued that "the dog didn't bite anyone."  When refuted, he argued "that's not my client's dog."  And when that was disproved, he argued "my client doesn't even have a dog."

Unfortunately, I did own a belt, it was worn as David described, and luckily for Racehorse Haynes - but not for me - I know for a fact that David has photographic evidence which he is not above sharing should it be required.

Therefore I plead "no lo contendere."

I can say this in my defense however.  The members of my family and my friends here in Houston are astonished at the numerous and long lasting  friendships I have from my childhood.   And envious too.

I thank God for each and every one of them!! 

David Cordell

Lance,

It's hard for me to fathom that this site would host a movie with actors in black face. However, now that you've broken that barrier, here is a scene from one of my favorite comedies, Silver Streak.

David Cordell

I attended the Ceremony of Life for Mark Boland yesterday. Other classmates there were Randy George,  Marilyn Brandt, Wayne Reneau, Bubba Bostick, Rusty McBride, Bruce Anderson, and Gil Ohlen. 

Ron Knight asked me to read his words at the event since he was not able to attend. Here they are.

-------------

My name is David Cordell and I was a classmate of Mark.

My first memory of Mark was when we were both spectators at baseball game at Heights Park in Richardson. It stuck in my mind because he seemed to me to be wild, funny, and outrageous. I suppose I admired him because, well, in short, he was the antithesis of me! We never became friends really, just acquaintances. But Mark and Ron Knight had already become, and continued to be, close friends. Ron couldn’t be here today, and he asked me to read his comments you.

A TRIBUTE TO MARK BOLAND

First of all, let me thank a few people for helping me stay informed of Mark's health situation. I want to thank Glenn Messmer for keeping me up to date with Mark's battle with cancer the last several weeks of his life. Glenn got his information from Randy George and Mark's sister Bridget, who were at Mark's bedside daily even when Glenn could not be there in person.

I want to thank my good friend Randy for his friendship and love for Mark and for being there daily. The last time I was able to communicate with Mark was through Randy. I called Randy and he told Mark, "Ronnie Knight is on the phone and asking about you". Randy told me that Mark was too weak to talk and just gave a smile and a thumb's up. And last, I want to thank David Cordell for graciously accepting my imposition upon him to be my proxy in reading this tribute for my good friend Mark.

How about 1965? The Rolling Stones had a hit called "Satisfaction." Mark made it HIS song,  and he sang it to all who would listen. The Stones’ "Get Off My Cloud" was another song he claimed. Before long, Mark would have many people singing those songs with him! Mark was a "Special" gift to our class. In fact, such a gift that none in our class would see another like him again!

I was fortunate enough to have Mark as my catcher in RSI Baseball for a couple of years. Sometimes when I was having a tough time on the pitcher's mound, Mark would call time out and come visit me. Mark would always get me to lighten up with a joke or some off-the-wall comment to get me refocused. I loved his spirit and attitude – his unwillingness to quit when things looked bleak on the field.

Later in life, with his great carpenter skills, he built out my music store in Dallas. Even with deadlines approaching for the Grand Opening, Mark maintained that never-quit attitude. It led to some fun afternoons when I was stressing. It was just like old times on the pitcher's mound.

Mark kept that trademark with him until the evening he passed away. My longtime friend Randy George was at his bedside, along with Mark's sister, Bridget. Mark had been sleeping for nearly 2 1/2 days and suddenly awoke around 10:00 pm to the surprise of Randy and Bridget. Mark's eyes were wide open, and he stretched out his arm toward Randy. Eye to eye, Randy spoke to Mark as Mark's arm relaxed onto Randy's arm. Randy's last words to Mark were "It's OK to go.” Mark seemed to understand as he peacefully crossed his arms on his chest and drew his last breath.

God bless Mark Boland! Heaven has gained another great carpenter!

I love you brother!

David Wier

Those of you who pray, PLEASE pray for my 10 year old grandson, Maddox, his 4 year old brother and parents. At one point, his temperature was 108, but he is not in the hospital at this point.

Maddox has contracted COVID from school in Lubbock, which immediately affects his entire family. At this point, they're trying to keep him isolated for a while with all quarrantined, but if isolation becomes impossible, the entire family will then be quarrantined longer. My daughter is his mother. I've lost one son in my life time and I surely can't stand to loose another child, much less any grandchildren.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Hull,

Weren't you born in Sept., 1951?  Was Steve Alford also born in 1951 (October?)

I could swear that about six years ago Steve wrote on this forum that his birthday was in 1951, not 1950, like so many classmates had thought for many years.  I was one of those people who thought Steve was born in October 1950, but learned just a few years ago that he was really born in 1951.  How could I have gotten so confused if it is not true?  I'm pretty sure I read about his birth date here, but maybe I am totally losing it now.  Must be those silly diet drinks I've been guzzling to try to stop drinking so much darn wine!!

Steve told of how he started early to school in Houston, going to kindergarten when he was 4 yrs. old....I'm sure he said that here!  He told of a little girl he adored, thinking she liked him too, but one day he saw her hugging another boy, and Steve said he was crushed; he felt spurned, was how he explained it.   HA!  Poor little Stevie!  He learned of heartbreak at a very tender age....Must have scarred him terribly.........NOT!   Ha, ha....He had many a girlfriend, as I recall!

David Wier,

I prayed a prayer for your sweet grandson.  Hope he is getting better minute by minute.

David Cordell

David W.

Prayers coming your way!

David Cordell

Janalu, Steve Alford was born on October 17, 1950.

Humor!

The devil whispered to me, “I’m coming for you!”  I whispered back, “Bring pizza.”

Me: (sobbing my heart out, eyes were swollen, nose red)…I can’t see you anymore.  I am not going to let you hurt me like this again!

Trainer: It was a sit up.  You did one sit up.

Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.

It’s weird being the same age as old people.

When I was a kid I wanted to be older…this is not what I expected.

Life is like a helicopter.  I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.

Chocolate is God’s way of telling us he likes us a little bit chubby.

It’s probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.

Marriage Counselor:  Your wife says you never buy her flowers.  Is that true?

Him: To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers.

Never sing in the shower!  Singing leads to dancing, dancing leads to slipping, and slipping leads to paramedics seeing you naked.  So remember…Don’t sing!

My wife asked me to take her to one of those restaurants where they make the food right in front of you.  So I took her to Subway and that’s how the fight started.

During the middle ages they celebrated the end of the plague with wine and orgies.  Does anyone know if there is anything planned when this one ends?

I don’t think the therapist is supposed to say “wow,” that many times in your first session but here we are…

If 2020 was a math word-problem:  If you’re going down a river at 2 MPH and your canoe loses a wheel, how much pancake mix would you need to re-shingle your roof?

I see people about my age mountain climbing; I feel good getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.

We can all agree that in 2015 not a single person got the answer correct to, ‘Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?’

So if a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it a milk dud or an udder failure?

If you can’t think of a word say “I forgot the English word for it.”  That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.

I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.

Cronacoaster  noun:  the ups and downs of a pandemic.  One day you’re loving your bubble, doing work outs, baking banana bread and going for long walks and the next you’re crying, drinking gin for breakfast and missing people you don’t even like.

I’m at that age where my mind still thinks I’m 29, my humor suggests I’m 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet.

Don’t be worried about your smartphone or TV spying on you.  Your vacuum cleaner has been collecting dirt on you for years.

I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.

I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.

How many of us have looked around our family reunion and thought “Well aren’t we just two clowns short of a circus?”

At what point can we just start using 2020 as profanity? As in:  “That’s a load of 2020.”  or “What in the 2020.” or “abso-2020-lutely.”

You don’t realize how old you are until you sit on the floor and then try to get back up.

We all get heavier as we get older, because there's a lot more information in our heads. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

This is the day dogs have been waiting for. They realize their owners can’t leave the house and they get them 24/7. Dogs are rejoicing everywhere. Cats are contemplating suicide.

If you are trying to impress me with your vehicle it better be a food truck.

Jerry May

From our class. Here's a classmate who braved the long lines to vote....

Wayne Gary

On Sat. I voted at the Richardson Civic Center. While standing in line I got to look at various pictures of my ancestors.  Several Chicks and Huffines in front of their homes.

Kurt Fischer

My wife and I voted on Tuesday, the first day for ealy voting.  We voted at a Plano location at Legacy and Custer.  My wife had zero wait time and came home to tell me to go vote.  I went up and had to wait for one opening requring 3-4 minutes.  Smooth process, not too disimilar to prior years.

David Cordell

I voted Thursday at Carpenter Rec Center in Plano on Coit between Spring Creek and Legacy. Probably spent 10-15 minutes in line.

Glad to see Mulvihill voting because I'm pretty sure how he voted! Funny --- I recognized him immediately without looking at his name or hearing his voice, even though he was masked.

Lowell Tuttle

I voted by mail.  Put it in my mail box.  Went to the website a few days later.   It had my vote by mail ballots which have been mailed me sinice I became 65.  It had receipt that my ballots were received.   I also saw my 2020 ballot was received.

Ron Knight

Prayers and Thanks

David W - prayers are with you and your family. This Covid 19 is a serious virus and I fear too many people have taken it too lightly. I pray for your grandson and his family. You and your wife certainly have to be vigilant as it pertains to this virus at our age. I was unable to travel to Mark Boland's Memorial Service because of my weakened immune system and my doctor's orders.

David C -

I've told you personally how I so much appreciate your standing in for me at Mark Boland's Memorial Service on Saturday afternoon. Randy George told me you did an awesome job reading my words that I wanted to say to Mark myself, but could not be there in person. Even Gil Ohlen told me that I could not have picked a better person to deliver the very personal message that I wanted to share with those in attendance. I also appreciate you sharing my words with others on this/your website. 

David Cordell

Ron, it was my honor.

Lowell, I don't really like the idea of mail-in voting. I like going to the polls. Actually, I am not entirely comfortable with early voting either, even though I voted last week. I'd be happy with one week of in-person voting. Also, all mail-ins must be received no earlier than one week before election day and no later than election day.

David Cordell

Scary Halloween!

Steve Keene

David W.,

Your family is in my prayers.

David C.,

In the same clip with Mulvihill was Tony Todora.  His family owns Parkit Market on Greenville and University.  I know him well and he is a Trump guy, too as are every Campisi and every Catholic Italian over 30 in the grocery or restaurant business.

Lowell,

Were the mail in ballots for your dead ancestors received or are they waiting to see how many they need before they count them?

David Cordell

The Virginia Tech basketball coach talks to his team about the National Anthem.

Debbie Cathey (Havens)