Comes time again to visit with you folks a little while – and
although I’m no novice when it comes to talking, there are
times it is difficult to write the column. I don’t want to
repeat myself or speak of things uninteresting to you, and
consequently I run out of gab. We’ve had a busy prelude to
summer with important events as the Senior Class Play, the
experience with graduation as our eldest offspring walked through
the high school doors for the last official time. It gives you sort
of mixed emotions, doesn’t it?? Kinda scares me a little to
think one of our little ones (he’s 6’5′ but he’s
still our little one) leaving the nest. Makes you wonder if there
were really 365 days in each of those years that seem now to have
flown by all too fast. Gives you a feeling of pride though too, to
see them stand there – all those young men and ladies -and accept
the paper that is a stepping stone to their future. Best of luck to
all of them.
Some of you people like poetry and I am an amateur in this
field, but you perhaps may care to read my humble efforts – the
poem I wrote for my son on his graduation. It could be used for any
graduate by changing the first verse:
I’ll begin this writing with thanks to God –
For the past eighteen years, my Son!
And last night, June 6, down the aisle you trod –
And a major victory was won.
This contest o’er means the end of the road –
Of your school life- so carefree and gay,
And as you go forth, you’ll find many a load –
To shoulder, throughout your life’s way!
Conflict and toil, responsibility and pain –
Are obstacles that you will find
But to balance the scale, for each goal you attain-
You’ll find happiness, reward, peace of mind.
And for aims you pursue as you travel through life –
The price must be sometimes quite high.
But remember, my Dear, without rain and strife –
We could not value the sun and the sky.
When your spirits are down and there’s too much to bear
–
As I know sometimes it will be,
Just. go to your God, you are in His care –
And things will look brighter, you’ll see!
Enthusiasm, success, happiness and all types of health –
Are some of the wishes I give to you
Be sincere, understanding, humble and kind –
And a blue horizon you’ll view.
And in September, Eddie will enter East Stroudsburg College and
plans to major in Physical Education. That will be one in college,
one in Junior High, one in Elementary School and one little anxious
one who must wait another year to enter first grade. Well, looks
like I’ll be PTA member about 14 more years. But I’m not
complaining. The years go too fast as is.
Had a letter from Charles Harrison of R.D. 2, Theresa, New York,
and I’d like to quote part of it: ‘I have always been a
lover of steam – I am 76 years old and still a lover of steam – and
wish I could get away in the Fall but I am the Engineer on
Adventure Town, a Wild West Town in New York, and if any old
thresher happens to come this way, I wish they would come over to
the engineer and we could have a good time. I threshed a good many
days. I would love to have anyone come over and talk to me.’ So
don’t forget to drop by and see Charlie if opportunity presents
itself.
Also would like to quote from a letter from James M. Craig of
Mayville, North Dakota, who writes: ‘In a previous letter I
stated that I am a Marine engineer and made a few comments on valve
gears. In reply to E. G. Benson and Orrin G. Seaver, we would not
think of running a Main engine any length of time without taking
indicator cards, either steam reciprocating or Diesel. That is the
only true test there is along with metered fuel and fresh water
consumption.’
To Mr. E. P. Nelsen, Box 237, Bird City, Kansas, who last issue
inquired about steaming tobacco beds (and anyone else interested in
same) be sure and read Dairyland Driftings as Gil Johnson tells
quite a bit about them. Thanks Gil!
That’s going to have to be it for now but I’ll leave
with some quotes – It is more important to watch how a man lives
than to listen to what he says. – The distance a man goes is not as
important as the direction. -The smallest good deed is better than
the grandest good intention. -Only when we walk in the dark do we
see the stars. – If you can laugh at yourself, there’s hope. –
If you have succeeded in putting one truth into circulation, or
demolishing one falsehood, you have done a good day’s work. –
You should try to learn from the mistakes of others; you can’t
live long enough to make ’em all yourself!