You Might Be From Oklahoma If You..........

YOU MIGHT BE FROM OKLAHOMA IF YOU.........

1. Have more deer hunting pictures in your cell phone than photos of your kids/grandkids

(Deer hunting is very big in OK. Kids and wives often join Dad to bring home a 10 pointer)

2. Believe Texas should be expelled from the UN

(Texas is almost a bad word in OK.)

3. Are certain Pretty Boy Floyd was seen by a relative

(He was a Robin Hood crook during the time of Bonnie and Clyde)

4. Start a petition to make Noodling an Olympic sport

(Noodling is catching catfish---big catfish with bare hands) 

5. Believe the long drought can only be broken by a 365 day State Fair

(It always seems to rain during the State Fair)

6. Think Okra should be the National Vegetable

(I can't stand boiled Okra--most Okies love it!)

7. Believe Will Rogers should be post-humously knighted by Queen Elizabeth

(Will is Oklahoma's most famous and best loved favorite son)

8. Know for sure the Gaint Catfish story at the Ten Killer Dam is 100 percent correct

(Short version---Leak in Dam. Divers went down to inspect. Resurfaced because the catfish were too large.)

9. Believe the hymn "Plant my feet on higher ground" is the State Song of Colorado

(Colorado with high mountains is a favorite vacation spot for Okies)

10. Think the the 3 "R's" stand for Rod, Reel and Rifle

(Okies love the the great outdoors)

Glenn C. Peck----------Adopted Okie Since May 28, 1986

Sullivan's Travels---Starring Joel McCrea

The plot is good......a Hollywood Director becomes a bum to understand the realities faced by the poor and destitute. His girlfriend thinks he has been killed as he passes out 1000 five dollar bills. He survives and loses his memory following a fight with a yard cop. Goes to prison and understands the injustice of the poor in prison

WHERE DID THAT WHITE BUS GO?

Toward the end of the White Star Bus Company, it made round trips from Madison to Cummins in Columbus. A Cummins worker drove the bus. It was a 1937 model, leaked every fluid put into it. A small snow fall would cause all kinds of zig zag driving. I wrote this as a tribute to the now out-of-business bus line:

Where Did That White Bus Go?

I was carrying a load of Liberty gates on a big order to fill       (NOTE 1)

My rig brakes failed coming down ice-covered Milton Hill      (NOTE 2)

I was praying hard, my heart was beating fifth gear fast

No doubt about it this was my end, the roll call at last

An old white bus mysteriously appeared in the front

Ice was flying and my runaway speed did slowly shunt

I pulled into a station and slowly stumbled from the truck

Crying, yet talking, I told the mechanic of my incredible luck

“Son, your were saved by the Phantom White Star Bus    (NOTE 3)

It happens so often nobody here makes any big fuss

Many years ago my ball team bus got stuck in the snow

Down Hanging Rock Hill an empty White Star Bus did go

The driver had seconds to decide if it was him or us

He saved the boys and flipped that old White Star Bus

We watched in horror as it cart wheeled over the side

We served as pall bearers in honor of his heroic ride

Folks say there were two miracles on that snowy night

Next day the police found no bus it was clean outta sight”  

Glenn C. Peck 12-23-10 (Dedicated to all White Star riders/drivers)

Note 1---The overwhelming number of Farm and Temp pens are made in Liberty, KY--My birth place

Note 2---This is on the Ky side of the Ohio River down a very steep hill

Note 3 ---Idea came from trucker song"Phantom 409"

I NEVER TOLD YOU THIS.............

During my PCHS days I saw two movies that continue to impact my life. No, I didn't see them in the Park or Ritz theathers in North Vernon. Ditto the Crump in Columbus. In fact, I do not remember the name of the theater. The theater was located in Covington, KY. Covington is just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

One of Dad's sisters lived in Covington for a while with here husband (the original Archie Bunker) and four boys and a girl. We would make an annual trip from Jennings County to visit our "city kinfolks." In fact, Cousin Albert and I walked to Crosley Field three times to see the Reds play baseball. I guess a round trip distance was 10-15 miles. When the Reds were not at Home playing on a Sunday, my three older cousins, my brother and I walked to a matinee showing at a theater which was about five blocks from the cousin's home. What follows is about two movies that are in my All-time Favorite Top Ten.


This Post is about those two very special movies: The Searchers, staring John Wayne and Moby Dick, staring Gregory Peck (no relation, I think).

Searchers has my all-time favorite musical score; (second is The Big Country, also staring Gregory Peck

"YOU KNOW OLD RIVERS DIED"---Walter Brennan

Seems like every day the truth of this song resonates in my heart with greater clarity. I've known a bunch of "Old Rivers"---still do. They were and are friends of mine.

Walter Brennan
Old Rivers lyrics

(Words and music by Crofford)

How old was I when I first seen old Rivers?
I can't remember when he weren't around
Well, that old fellow did a heap of work
Spent his whole life walking plowed ground.

He had a one-room shack not far from us
And well, we was about as poor as him
He had one old mule he called Midnight
And I'd trailed along after them.

He used to plow them rows straight and deep
And I'd come along near behind
A-bustin' up clods with my own bare feet
Old Rivers was a friend of mine.

That sun'd get high and that mule would work
Till old Rivers'd say, ''Whoa!''
He'd wipe his brow, lean back on the reins
And talk about a place he was gonna go.

Chorus:
He'd say, one of these days
I'm gonna climb that mountain
Walk up there amoung the clouds
Where the cotton's high
And the corn's a-growin'
And there ain't no fields to plow.

--- Instrumental ---

I got a letter today from the folks back home and
They're all fine and crops is dry
Down at the end my mama said, ''Son
You know old Rivers died.''

Just sittin' here now on this new-plowed earth
Trying to find me a little shade
With the sun beating down 'cross the field I see

That mule, old Rivers and me. 

HOUND OF HELL STILL ALIVE AND WELL!

I strongly suspect only a fraction of readers of this Post will have any clue as what I talking about. The cold hard facts of life is that Satan is real and alive and well.

In an earlier Post I spoke of the Hound of Hell being on my trail. This time he has brought the whole liter with him!

I ask for your prayers. This is serious stuff. Thanks.

""D.....MN, Your Dim Lights!!"

A fellow classmate was driving his car on the highway near the old Nixon's store. His passengers include three other Juniors, one of which was me.

An approaching car had its lights on High Beam. The driver, wanting to impress us said, "D....mn, your dim lights." We all had a big laugh because he meant to say, "Dim your D...mn lights!"

We kidded him many, many times thereafter.


Side Note:   I do not recall many times when boys would use bad language around girls during our high school days. Today, you hear girls using the same bad language as the boys. The easily overheard language today is loaded with "F Bombs" and crude references to body parts and sexual activity. References to past or future parties are frequent. Please, please understand this side note is in no way justifying the use of bad language by boys OR girls.

WELL, WHAT COULD I DO ???????????

           WELL, WHAT COULD I DO ???????

                Life is full of choices, more than just a few
                At the end of the day,surprise old and new 

                Critics gather like like ants to catch a view
                Speculation runs high as to what I might do

                It's getting very late; almost near curfew
                Choices,choices, what in the world to do

                It was an unpopular choice, made most blue
                My only defense, "Well, what could I do?" 

                                   ----Glenn C. Peck

TIME IN A BOTTLE ---Jim Croce

This song means more to me each year.

Songwriters: CROCE, JAMES

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty
Except for the memory
Of how they were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go
Through time with

SONG OF SUCCESS---Robert Service

Robert Service has captured in this short poem what all of us are feeling: Getting old is coming too fast and the pleasures and vigor of youth is gone, forever gone, He laments we have only memories and not much time.

I have said publicly I would give all the money I could find to be 17 years old again on a Friday night in Indiana playing basketball! A date with a pretty girl afterward would be as close to Heaven a guy can get without a funeral! 

A Song Of Success

Ho! we were strong, we were swift, we were brave.
Youth was a challenge, and Life was a fight.
All that was best in us gladly we gave,
Sprang from the rally, and leapt for the height.
Smiling is Love in a foam of Spring flowers:
Harden our hearts to him -- on let us press!
Oh, what a triumph and pride shall be ours!
See where it beacons, the star of success!

Cares seem to crowd on us -- so much to do;
New fields to conquer, and time's on the wing.
Grey hairs are showing, a wrinkle or two;
Somehow our footstep is losing its spring.
Pleasure's forsaken us, Love ceased to smile;
Youth has been funeralled; Age travels fast.
Sometimes we wonder: is it worth while?
There! we have gained to the summit at last.

Aye, we have triumphed! Now must we haste,
Revel in victory . . . why! what is wrong?
Life's choicest vintage is flat to the taste --
Are we too late? Have we laboured too long?
Wealth, power, fame we hold . . . ah! but the truth:
Would we not give this vain glory of ours
For one mad, glad year of glorious youth,
Life in the Springtide, and Love in the flowers. 

Robert William Service

ROBERT FROST REVISITED

Robert Frost can be called America's best known poet. I found an old paperback book of his poems in my boxes of stuff and discovered a very haunting and touching poem. It follows:

THE IMPULSE ----Robert Frost

It was too lonely for her there,
And too wild,
And since there were but two of them,
And no child,
And work was little in the house,
She was free,
And followed where he furrowed field,
Or felled tree.
She rested on a log and tossed
The fresh chips,
With a song only to herself
On her lips.
And once she went to break a bough
Of black alder.
She strayed so far she scarcely heard.
When he called her--
And didn't answer -- didn't speak --
Or return.
She stood, and then she ran and hid
In the fern.
He never found her, though he looked
Everywhere,
And he asked at her mother's house
Was she there.
Sudden and swift and light as that
The ties gave,
And he learned of finalities
Besides the grave.

LOVE IN THE AUTUMN YEARS

                LOVE IN THE AUTUMN YEARS  

Rush and Hush quietly surrender to Slow and Know

Hallway pictures brightly echo of love from long ago

Once whispered words now fill all rooms in the house

Today, all day, joy is celebrate with my loving spouse 

Our love is always work in progress, never completed

Each chapter our very own and never to be repeated       

------Glenn C. Peck            

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2012 !!!!!

In spite of the many challenges we face as a nation and as individuals, we are indeed most blest.

Statistically, we should have been born and reared in a nation with meager economic means. Statistically, we should have a much lower standard of living and life expectancy. Statistically, we should live in a country with much less freedom and opportunity. Statistically, we should live in a country with limited or no religious liberty.

But our all knowing, all powerful Heavenly Father chose by His Sovereign Grace and Mercy to place us outside statistics and permit us to enjoy the blessings of America.

Perhaps the words from the old hymn says it best: "Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings and see what God has done." 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2012 !!!!!!!!!!

Legal Advice Sought On Possible Class Action Lawsuit !!!!

TRYING TO MAKE BAD NEWS WEAR A HAPPY FACE. (ADDED: THIS POST IS SOME OF MY DRY HUMOR. SORRY IF I GOT SOME FOLKS UPSET!!!  ) 

My brother, Gary, and I talk about every day. Today, after talking about our 97 year Dad, I mentioned watching Al Roker, Today Show, this morning standing in the wind, waves and storm caused by Hurricane Sandy. Al seemed to relish this perfect storm with so much potential for destruction. He may have been thinking about an Emmy award for dumbest weather report in history!!!!

Our discussion turned to the violent punishment dealt out while attending PCHS. I told Gary it did not bother me too much to see justice administered, but what did bother me was the fact the teachers seemed to enjoy beating down students. (To be fair--not all teachers acted like potential WWE stars!)  Gary remarked he did recall a silly smirk on one teacher's face as he beat a student to the floor. The teacher in question here allegedly experienced some post-teaching severe mental issues. No one will ever know if his classroom beatings had any connection to his own alleged bizzare and anti-social behavior. Please do not ask me any questions about this very regretable situation!

If you are reading this Post you probably know exactly what I am talking about.

Here's where I solicit your help. If you have a "slip and fall" , "ambulance chasing", "contingency only"lawyer in your family, please ask if there is a statute of limitations on teachers beating up students. I realize most of the teachers have crossed into eternity. So too have some of the victims. However, witnesses do remain and estates of deceased teachers involved in the beatings may be at risk, IF the statute of limitations has not run out. Compounding the problem is no physical proof remains. However, emotional trauma that has lasted a lifetime may have been caused. Also, the families of deceased beat down students deserve some sort of compensation. I strongly suspect the families of deceased beat down students have heard of the horrific and unrestrained justice that was frequently administered at PCHS!

   

We may have an opportunity to give a whole new meaning to a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT !!!!!!!!

Recent Letter Prinited in Shawnee News-Star

You may find the following interesting. It is MY opinion. I do feel very strongly about these issues.

October 24, 2012

Shawnee News-Star

Letters to the Editor:

My Thesaurus does not contain words that are strong enough to express my anger and disbelief over the recent revelation concerning the Benghazi timeline.

Allegedly, members of the US Intelligence Community, Pentagon, and the White House were aware of the seven hour battle that led to the death of our ambassador and three other U.S. citizens. Real time video, phone calls, and emails leave no doubt this was a well coordinated terrorist attack against the United States owned land, property and citizens at Benghazi. Also, allegedly, a U.S. drone was flying over the incident. Information about possible drone armaments has not been revealed in the public press. U.S. airpower resources were within an hour of Benghazi.

When the smoke cleared, four Americans were dead, the ambassador had been raped, (apparently the location of these four was provided by Libyan guards we had hired to protect our people and property) our embassy was ransacked, secret documents compromised, and American international prestige damaged—perhaps beyond repair.

Many, many other details are coming forth that clearly show that the immediate official response of a spontaneous riot over an internet video were not only wrong, but intentionally substituted for the truth.

As a U.S. citizen I ask at what terror threshold do we defend our people and property?  As a retired military member I ask what ever happened to “leave no one behind” doctrine? As grandfather of a soon to be 18 year old grandson what do I tell him about post high school military options?

This incident transcends the elections in November. It strikes at the heart of who we are as a nation and how important are American lives lost to terrorism. In case you have forgotten—this incident happened on September 11, 2012!

Glenn C. Peck

Shawnee 

More Lessons Learned On Recent Trip to Indiana

Sometimes a lot can be learned by looking at where you started. Our recent trip to Indiana reminded me again of how Blessed I have been in my life to know, love, and be loved, by some very special people.

If you are reading this Post, chances are very good you have played a significant role in my life. Please accept my heart felt thanks.

It is my sincere hope and prayer that you will continue to be a Blessing and be Blest in return.

JUST ONE MORE CAST !

     JUST ONE MORE CAST!

Fishing, like Life, always yearns for another cast
The Sun is rapidly setting---Daylight will not last

Promise of bigger things just seem a bit farther out
Next bend of the river is the prize catch no doubt

Since break of dawn through sunshine and rain
Fishing inoculates against all heartache and pain 

Fishing is different than a stringer of the dead
It's life with hopes, snags, no fear and no dread

I am hearing my name whispered from the shore
"Lord, I'm coming; please let me cast one more." 

                              ----Glenn C. Peck
                                    10-25-12
   

"Hey, it's good to be back home again." ---John Denver

This is a revision to the first Post by this title. The revision is being made at the request of one of our readers. While I stand by the first Post, I am changing the Post in the interest of domestic harmony!

ON OUR RECENT TRIP TO COLUMBUS AND NORTH VERNON SEVERAL PEOPLE ASKED WHY WE CAME FROM OKLAHOMA TO INDIANA? Here's my reply:

"We came to participate in the Five-Day International Mime Convention. After about five minutes the convention broke up because no one had any thing to say!!!!" We spent the rest of the time visiting friends and family.

Yes, I said that!

Quick snapshots of our brief stay in Hoosier Land:

1. Thanks for the calls and visits. Fifty plus years doesn't seem that long ago. Well, it does in the morning! Sorry to learn of the passing of some very dear friends.

2.Yes, I recall very well the Fall Hayrides at PCHS.  

3. Columbus: It has become New York City West. My wife loved it. I didn't. What's up with the design of the Wal-Mart store by I-65? The selection of East Coast items is huge. Just color me Country. I've seen all of the big cities in twenty years of USAF duty to last a lifetime.

4. Nashville, IN: Gatlinburg, TN with Birkenstock shoes. No provocative, sensual T-Shirts. Lots of artists just getting by in Nashville. Super money being made by others. One lot there recently sold for 3.5 million dollars. Bought two cases of apple butter. We give some as Christmas gifts.

Fall Foliage: Brown Co beats Vermont. I have seen them both in October. Grass in Oklahoma is more brown than green. The golf courses still have green grass. The well kept yards in Indiana are very beautiful. Hoosiers have always taken great pride in their yards.

5. North Vernon: Still a bedroom community for Seymour and Columbus. Very hard to get around when the high school lets out. Almost as many eating spots as people!

At 97, my Dad is like a Timex watch--Still ticking.


6.. Clean Cars: Most IN cars very clean. In OK dust and Red Dirt cover many. There are more pickup trucks in OK than cars. In Pottawatomie County we have more miles of gravel roads than paved roads.

7. Conclusion: Enjoyed the visits/call. Probably will not be back until that dreaded call comes.

              "Way down yonder in the Indian Nation
                I rode my pony on the reservation
                In those Oklahoma Hills where I belong
                The cowboy's life is my occupation
                In those Oklahoma Hills where I belong"

                      --- Country Singer Hank Thompson

A SIMPLE LIFE

  

           A Simple Life

At the end of the life's uncertain day
what will the people around you say?

He knew every joke, just loads of fun
just a Good 'Ol Boy, a real fine chum!

He could clear the bar, he loved to fight
but no one knew he couldn't sleep at night

And others whose name few ever knew
lived right and served; which one are you?

                     ----Glenn C. Peck , 10-11-12
  

AN AWESOME THOUGHT FROM ROBERT SERVICE

Robert Service, like all great poets, can say much with few words. Are you ready?

Just Think !

By Robert W. Service 1874–1958

Just think! some night the stars will gleam

   Upon a cold, grey stone,

And trace a name with silver beam,

   And lo! ’twill be your own.

That night is speeding on to greet

   Your epitaphic rhyme.

You life is but a little beat

   Within the heart of Time.

A little gain, a little pain,

   A laugh, lest you may moan;

A little blame, a little fame,

   A star-gleam on a stone.  (Emphasis Mine)