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. 

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.

Steve Keene

Jim,

Now Tommy knows how the RHS class feels when he uses the word "Trump" in a sentence.

Good job making your point!

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Lance,

Each small square color in this photo represents one cross stitch.  It is not crochet, it is cross stitch.  The reason this has taken over 35 years is because I would leave it for long periods of time and ignore it.  I only did it when extremely bored or nailed at home, like I am now.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Lance,

This is crochet.  It is a purse I completed many years ago.  I have made many of these in different patterns and colors.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Lance,

Do you know how to adjust the font size of your text in a post?  It would help tremendously and cut down the length of your posts.  I admit that the large font in the bold text is easy on the eyes, however my right hand gets fatigued scrolling down the page.  (This is humor and a bit of sarcasm.)

Jim Bedwell

Tommy,

Where I come from, my posts & interactions with you are called "diversity", you know, the thing the Dems on your side ingenuously promote all the time while constantly trying to deny it everywhere to everybody else.

I do appreciate your revised tone since you've returned. Tommy, I'm sorry I wrote those things I have now deleted. Obviously I won't be relenting on some folks, as you will read next...........

And I would LOVE to hear any defense you can conjure up for PRESIDENT ROAD KILL. I do RELISH target-rich environments with opponents!

Steve,

Thanks for the compliment - did you say exactly what you meant to say there? You might want to review that longer sentence. And afraid I'm still going to refuse to ever attend any more classes with you - that Dillard experience was just too enjoyable oops I mean upsetting - hahahahahahahahha!!!!!

OK, Tommy and Lance, I cleaned up some of this post, for those who saw it previously. I think this points the wrath where it belongs - our national (and elsewhere) Dem Party. I'm actually trying, believe it or not. And thanks, David C - you really have become not only the mother of all self-actualized persons (you really should reconsider your pronouns), but also I appreciate your maturity & wisdom. But to publicly remove any possible confusion, no, you didn't counsel me at all about this particular editing.

The forum sponsor here is biased toward being prudently hands-off in this and everything else so I also appreciate that. Since I won't be returning to the other forum, I would like THAT OTHER forum sponsor to go back and change BACK those N-words that HE typed, as he replaced on my old posts, what I had originally written, namely, ANY kind of several special characters derived from the upper-cases of the numbers at the top of the keyboard a la "@$%$#%%", anything would be fine. THAT WOULD BE VERY NICE!

Jim Bedwell

Sadly,

Frenemy Lance's looniness still confounds me.

Mo rum................no thanks.

Jim Bedwell

Sorry I'm boring you, Lance - remember, like the time you asked me to expound about Portlandia, I innocently responded, and then when reminded about that, you said I was boring you then. As I asked you privately not long ago, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?!?!

Want to continue, Lance? I can embarrass you ALL DAY LONG!

Wayne Gary

Sandra,

That is one nice cross stich.  Have you thought about entering it in the State Fair Of Texas.  My wife has 2 blue ribbons a red and a Purple "best in show for her crochet afgans.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Wayne, 

Your wife's afghan is beautiful!  No wonder she ribboned at the fair!  My cross stitch is from a kit. I think to enter the fair the design must be original. I have seen the entries at the Fair and all of them astound me!  Intricate and without any visible errors!  I am humbled just looking at them! 

Jim Bedwell

All,

I'm reposting the following from post 23707 not far above:

OK, Tommy and Lance, I cleaned up some of this post, for those who saw it previously.

Wayne Gary

Sandra,

When Jo Ann was working on the Afgan she could only do it in the living room because she had boxes stacked  up with the yarn so she was able to switch from one color to another color as the pattern progressed.  The front and back are the same.

Kurt Fischer

Sandra:

I'm about to visit the land of Wisconsin where the idea of creating "hooked rugs" is more prevalent than down here.  My wife typically buys several when we are there.

Are you familiar with this art form?  It always seemed to me like cross stich, except with larger strips of material.

Side note:  My mother-in-law, wife of the Methodist minister, created hooked rugs.  She gleefully would describe herself as a hooker.

Also, my sister lives in Keller and has an old loom which she uses to create "rag rugs".  It was my great-grandparents loom which they used to create and sell rugs in Iowa in order to make a little extra money.  We brought it down in a trailer forty years ago and my sister has used it since.  She is active in the local Keller museum where they also have a loom and use it as an example of how things were made in old times.

Jim Bedwell

Chief Toenails,

Hey, I've never liked my last name, and I need your advice. My Y-chromosome is from the McCoy/McKay family but I'm rather looking for a simple little surname for a simple little social cripple. I've always loved bird-watching, as you remember from the RHS halls, and that's really cool how you've installed all those hidden cameras in your place in Texas - I can't wait to see all that! Anyway, how about this new name? Jim Crow. I kinda like the sound of that for some reason I can't quite figure out, it's easy to spell, and those ARE smart, fascinating birds.

Chief Bedpost

Jim Bedwell

Tommy,

I've apologized to you for yesterday; if you've ever apologized to me, I don't remember it. Maybe you did once or twice, can't remember......

But I've admitted I'm socially challenged. And I just have SO FEW interests PLUS SO LITTLE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SO MANY THINGS, especially those that everybody else is always so excited about. My memory's going, and I really need to do something about these anti-psychotic meds. I would never lie to you about any of this, of course, but I really think they're not working very well. And from what you're saying, since everybody on earth agrees it's almost impossible that I have any truth that would be causing you all those mental problems, and it's just my tone, words, monolithic thinking & obsessions with just politics, etc. I guess it's good for you I didn't want to meet with you last year. I mean I'm so NARROW, socially unskilled, so RIGID spiritually. etc. I think all the diverse people you talked to can agree with both of us now that I am ONE BORING FELLOW, probably not worth wasting any more time over. I've been trying to hide that for literally decades now. Better it comes out now, I guess, rather than later........I once went back to Austin College in 1972, and I saw a girl there our age. When she saw me, her immediate reaction to me, obviously spontaneous & unedited was "Oh, yeah. I had forgotten that you were even alive". I know you're just trying to help me....Lord knows I need it...but frankly I just don't have anything else to talk about...you saw the list of courses I wish I'd never taken....no creativity really, any glint of human philosophy worthy of discussion totally missing in action (you can ask Cowlishaw or Bill Moore about that), no interest in crocheting, global warming, critical race theory, and I do loathe universally beloved Phil Collins like everybody else does Albania. Actually.you are quite fortunate not to have to walk in MY BLEAK wilderness or even just be around me. I hope I can learn some new techniques or ANYTHING to become a more interesting person; obviously I've become a real sleep inducer for poor Lance now. I think he should start calling me "Ambien" or "Ambien Jim" for my seemingly now chronic deleterious effect on him. But when you ended that one sentence with "in a totalitarian absolute way in which there is either never a way for some or no way for others to show more than what they already reach with only their superhuman limits to stop them", I must admit, you lost me completely with what you were trying to say. I know, I'm not a member of MENSA like you; I didn't make any 800 on GRE math.

In conclusion, what I think is, despite your lengthy attempt to get me to listen to reason, what it comes down to is typical of the left: you don't like what I say, you want me to shut up (I never will), and this is just 1 of the techniques used since discussion of issues is verboten because the right has the truth, empiricism, insight, history & morality on its side.

Anyway have a great week.............

Steve Keene

Chief Jim Crow Bedpoe,

Frankly your question, though conservatively black, is for the Birds.  Your post is another black mark from the crow's nest and will do you much harm if you tweet it (see Trump).  There is no Caw for that, quoth the raving. 

Lowell Tuttle

Bedwell.   If you post is genuine, and I assume it is, just tell simple stories about your day.   Like those shows you go to and those people you encounter...

People are interested in what others do more than what they think.   At least I am...

Like, I went to the pharamacy this morning and picked up some scripts.   As I left the house, I realized it was Monday and not a good day as people are in line for their meds.   When I got there, it was empty.   Glory.   Then, I headed to Home Depot.   Used my new handicap sign for the first time.   Park next to the entrance and walk a short way in?   Or park near the exit and walk long ways in, short way out...my dilema.  

I had purchased a change from flouescent lights to led liights kitchen lighting kit.   When I got it home, too complicated for a ladder challenged 69 year old, so I took a chance the flourescents were just burned out and bought four more fl bulbs.   Got them home, laddered up...took out the old....put in the new...switched on the light, waited...then retired to my laptop to read some posts, find a handiman on nextdoor, wish I had a Randy Combs, and here I am...The old flourescents didn't work.   You can't change out those ballasts anymore...

See   A story.   I'll bet everyone is interested.

Bob Davidson

Lowell -- I agree that stories are more interesting than political commentary, except for people's personal reactions to current events.

I noticed a big divide among the walkers, runners, and bikers I see every day when I walk the dogs in the morning and bike ride with them in the evening:  whether people are engrossed in phones, headphones, listening to loud music, or experiencing what they are doing.  The vast majority of them are talking through ear pieces on phones and generally oblivious to their surroundings -- it comes up when I pass them on the path along the bayou.  I generally say, fairly loudly, "on your right" as I ride up -- people without phones or headphones respond, others are surprised.  Others play music -- like in the old days with boomboxes, but with handheld devices, often attached to their arms or bikes. 

The ones without noise greet other people, play with their dogs, look around, etc.  The noise people seem to be inside bubbles.

It would never occur to me to divert my attention -- I love the sounds, sights, and smells I observe when I'm out.  I also like the time for my thoughts and for interacting with the dogs.

I'm curious what others do and why.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Kurt,

Yes, I have completed a "hooked" rug.  Back in the early 70's I bought a kit from a shop in Richardson in the then newly constructed Promenade shopping center.  I can't remember the name of the shop, but they had rug kits with real wool instead of some man made yarn.  I still have the rug, but it is faded a bit and worn on the edges.  It took a few months to complete in my spare time.  I never did another one. 

I would like to learn how to use a loom.  A few years ago Danny and I went to New Mexico and on our way to Taos, we stopped at a shop where they made handmade rugs, by Native Americans. I bought a piece that was made into a purse.  I really like Southwestern Art themes and this one fit the bill perfectly.  It had a roadrunner design on it. 

My goal this year is the finish some projects, like my cross stitch and some drawings I started years ago.  I have two I want to complete.  The drawings take more concentration.  I am gearing up with the cross stitch and hope that will spur me on to greater glory. 

Here is the The Hawk, one of the ones I want to complete.  I started this drawing sometime in the 80's as memory serves.  I need to work on those feathers....You can tell it is old, the paper is all wrinkled.

Next is a portrait of an old chinese man.  I love doing old faces, they have such character and expression.  I want to bring more color to the drawing.  This was started sometime around 2001 or 2002.

Sandra Spieker (Ringo)

Bob,

Danny and I take a 30 to 45 minute walk almost every morning, while it is still cool.  As fall progresses this walk might be taken later as the weather cools.  We are so lucky to be surrounded by country roads, for now.  The county is growing rapidly so this won't last forever.  For now, we might see one or two people who also walk, stay at home mom's, a few retirees like us, or one busy executive who runs regularly and probably works from home.  Almost no one does the headphone thing.  I have seen it once or twice, but most folks are just out smelling fresh mown hay, or taking in the birds and wildlife.  We pass a mini ranch (probably 20 acres tops) and they have a friendly horse, who stops by to see our dog, Ellie.  They go nose to nose through the barbed wire fence and appear to like one another.  No barking, or fuss, just peace.  This relieves a tremendous amount of stress, at least for me.  Danny uses the walk to keep his back in check.  He has almost no pain if he keeps up the exercise this way.

Music in my ear, would just spoil the whole experience, besides, there are no sidewalks here.  You have to watch out for cars on narrow roads!  Some driver might be texting!

Jim Bedwell

Lance,

You're becoming as predictable as Tommy!

Ambien/Boring Jim

Jim Bedwell

Hollis,

Talked to my brother over the weekend. The reason he was thinking he wouldn't attend your reunion is that he can't drink anymore. He's had a weight problem since Tech (not to mention the HUGE mental problems we Bedwells all have - if you doubt that, please see the feedback from all my posts) and he developed heart fibrillation. We have colon cancer in our family (I've had 6 colonoscopies, he more), and he said the operation to fix his heart problem made colonoscopies really fun by comparison. He was told by the doctor not to drink anymore at all, but he drank some after that (after all, he is a Bedwell); I think it's been a couple of years now that he realized the hard way that the doctor was right so now our nuclear family has 2 clean & sober reprobates.

BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE it sounds to me like he's going, so when you see him, don't forget to mention the childhood toenail biting (after all he is part Cherokee like Steve)! I won't say a word to him so you can really blindside him with that! You could say to him, "Your brother told me that he keeps forgetting to ask you, and that he only remembers when he talks to me on the forum, so he wants me to ask you for him, how old were you when you quit biting your toenails?" And if you do that in front of a LOT of people, that would be even better! hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Jim Bedwell

Chief Toenails,

OK, thanks for that. I guess you're saying the name change is probably not a good idea.

Chief Jim Crow Bedpoe (AND I REALLY LIKED THIS!!! RATS!!!)

Jim Bedwell

Lowell,

Thanks for the advice. However, with this new girlfriend of mine, I don't think that would be appropriate to repeat most of the stories I am currently experiencing, especially with those other locals involved in that horrifica. Her ear ornaments are PAR for this Portland course! She really is a lot older than that picture I posted - and you should see how big those "pets" of hers are now!!! WHOA, NELLY!!!! Actually, I kinda prefer those to all those dogs from before.

Plus Lowell, upon further reflection, I'm starting to think, you know, maybe I'm not always making the right decisions like I'm thinking I'm doing all the time. I don't know, maybe Archer City wouldn't be so bad after all....they do have a great cemetery there.....I wonder if they have a lot of cats there? My honey might not like that with her menagerie.......I'm just afraid there will be too many cats in even a slightly larger but still small city.......I'm thinking town now.....although my first wife told me that the Chinese believe that cemeteries attract cats....I may have to live in the country on the other side of the town than the cemetery....so many things to consider!!

Jim Bedwell

Kash Patel, Trump's Chief of Staff late in his term for the Defense Department, said that they offered 20,000 National Guard troops for January 6 in case of problems to Nancy Pelosi, and she said they wouldn't be needed. Also he said that within an hour after Ashley Babbitt had been killed by the Capitol cop, Pelosi was asking him when the cafeteria would be open for everybody and he responded with something like, "Madame, I've got more pressing things to deal with currently". I wonder if her cafeteria concern indicates she may not really have been too worried about the faux insurrection she's been yammering ("Y" in "NANCY") about ever since?

Oh, by the way, France has just recalled its ambassador to the U.S. for the FIRST TIME IN HISTORY - another victory, huh, Joe? Way to go, Joe!!!!

Texas Governor said today that he has not heard from Biden ONCE about the border catastrophe he created EVER SINCE JANUARY 20!!!!!

WHAT HOSTAGE CRISIS?!?!?!?! Sorry, Tommy - thank God it won't last for long once you stop reading! Just outta curiosity, a cross doesn't have that same effect on you as my posts, does it? I think it was Steve, but I could be wrong, who had reported on this forum that you had stated you are an atheist on your forum.

Lowell Tuttle

I was watching the Astros last night.   Dusty Baker is our manager, 72 years old and quite a character.  Likes the Grateful Dead and Santana among other 60's era favorites.   

He wears a mask and rubber gloves in the dugout.   It is quite hysterical.   He has different mask designs about every night.   Last night, he was wearing a mask with big lips.   I can't find a picture.   Very amusing.  I don't know if he was poking fun or making a terverse commentary....Quite a soul.