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.

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.

Lowell Tuttle

Who doesn't like this?

Wayne Gary

Everyone,

I am now in the Maderna Covid booster trial.  There are 3 groups. the first group got a vaccine that was basically the same as the vaccine but with a new process for manufacturing,

The secong group got a 3rd dose of the original vaccine.

I am in the 3 group which is a modified vaccine to better protect against the Delta and South Africa and other variants.

The original vaccine is proving to be effective against the Delta and South Africa variants.

I got my 2nd dose ot the original vaccine in Sept 2020 and I have not had any side affects.

This is my 6th clinical trial so being a guinea pig I have been accused of squeaking at times.

Jim Bedwell

Obvious from the beginning: Dead Gabby Petito murdered by now missing boyfriend

Obvious from the beginning: Joe Biden - JRB the Lesser (than EVERYBODY), a label from JRB the Greater (than Joe)

Jim Bedwell

Tommy,

Yes, it's not Parkinson's that Biden has. By the time my father was as far gone as Joe, he couldn't even walk. I saw a clip of Joe's riding his bike in the middle of these hostage/border/ad nauseum scandals over the weekend. I don't see nearly the physical deterioration found elsewhere, maybe any when he's on a bike, different than his ostensibly normal old-man walk now.

And that's different than ace guitarist Ronnie Earl, nee Ronald Horvath, of Massachusetts. I saw him FINALLY at the 6th Annual Vegas Blues Bender 2 years ago - they just finished the 7th one (due to the China virus) this month with almost the same lineup with a few notable absences (including Ronnie), from the one I saw. If he didn't have the early stages of Parkinson's then, I bet he has a disease that could be misidentified as that, from my personal experience. Really nice guy, I was lucky to get a chance to meet him, such is life. Sigh...........

I saw Robin Williams here in very early 2013 so 1.5+ years before his suicide. The whole show was first David Steinberg coming out solo for 15 or 20 minutes I guess and then the two of them seated & talking. OK, Robin wasn't ALWAYS seated, but he wasn't over the top manic like on Johnny Carson or even close to that. Yes, Robin was still funny, but the main impression I got was he just couldn't stop saying the F word constantly and that really kinda detracted, I thought. I didn't notice any dementia, but I'm no doctor plus I had no reason to consider that then. Anyway I guess that Lewy body dementia is no fun either, which speaking of misdiagnosis Robin had rather than the Parkinson's they initially thought he had, as you know.

Jim Bedwell

Just like they don't know how many thousands were abandoned in Afghanistan, the head of Homeland Security said today they have no idea how many illegal aliens the Dems have resettled in the U.S. already without your knowledge or permission but at your expense for the current national government's purpose(s) alone - the rule of law & order, the American people, and the Constitution be damned.

Jim Bedwell

Schumer is lecturing us about Texas's mistreating these Haitians on horses and using whips (really reins). I think he should pass a new wrinkle of an old kind of Dem deception for his newly-acquired victim-group dupes from Haiti - it will be called Hate Haiti laws and they will be even more draconian than the absurd never-needed hate legislation these Marxists have created for their own purposes the last many years.

David Cordell

Went to WinStar World Casino last night. While Martha gambled, I watched. She lost $20. Today I played golf, and she went to the pool and gambled (Not in the pool.) While I was golfing she made $80. I don't like the inference drawn concerning my skills as a good luck charm.

Jim B. - The hub-bub over the border "whipping" that I saw was way overblown. It's a classic effort to redirect attention. 13,000 illegals crash the border, but the new concern is a uniformed officer on horseback swinging the reins.Yeah, right. That's the problem.

Bob D. - I walk Little Becky the Dog about two miles in the morning and one in the afternoon. Most of our walk is on sidewalks, but part is on a hike-and-bike path. I always listen to something while I walk. Sometimes it's The Beatles Channel or '60s on 6 on Sirius XM. More frequently, I listen to Fox Business. Once the channel changed by itself and I ended up listening to a half hour of the Megyn Kelly Show. I enjoyed it. 

I wear the type of wireless earbuds that have hooks that go around the back of your ear. I have trouble keeping regular earbuds in my ears. Besides, when I see people wearing those white Apple wireless earbuds, it makes me think of Shrek.

I always greet people on my walk. When I stop for conversations with friends, I take one of earbuds off.  We frequently see other dogs, and Little Becky shows differing levels of interest in them. 

My major complaint is bicyclists who come up from behind without giving ample warning. Even thought the hike-and-bike path obviously allows bikes, there is a 15 MPH limit, which is ignored by some. I always stay very close to the right edge of the path. Becky usually does, also, but she can wander a bit. I would be very distressing if she were hit by a bicycle. Admittedly, I would be more aware of potential pending disasters if I weren't listening through earbuds.

Watching An American in Paris with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Watching it made me want to look up a couple of things on my computer, and I ran  across this. Just makes me smile.

David Cordell

Stumbled across this version of Rainbow Connection. The song doesn't start until about 1:50. Some of the comments below the video are rather touching. 

I didn't realize that Paul Williams was one of the writers of the song. The second video below is his discussion of the process of creating the song. I thought it was pretty interesting.

David Cordell

Jim Bedwell