Hot Springs A Working Vacation
Barbara and I, along with Linda and Keith Thomas, Barbara Curry, Brother Joe Steen and Rev. Kenneth Corley, traveled in two automobiles to Hot Springs. We left on the morning of Wednesday, October 13th and returned Saturday night, October 16th. We elected to travel through Memphis on our way to Hot Springs, knowing the traffic along Interstate 40 would be horrendous. I don’t know, for a fact, that more big trucks than automobiles travel I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis, but it surely seems that way. And, when one tosses in road construction delays, where traffic stops and then crawls along for miles at an agonizingly slow pace (walking speed), one might just as well have plotted a course along two-lane roads and arrived just as quickly. That’s exactly what we did on the return portion of our trip and were happy with our decision. Linda and Keith knew of a restaurant in North Little Rock, so our group stopped there for lunch shortly before 1:00 p.m. The restaurant was named Shorty Smalls. The lunch specials included a pulled pork Bar-B-Que sandwich that I selected. It was a good sandwich, but Shorty's pulled pork appeared to have been chopped more so than pulled. I managed to eat it without experiencing any problems with food lodging in my esophagus. In fact, I made it the entire week without a swallowing problem, thanks to my being careful not to eat too quickly and my being careful to chew everything thoroughly. I don’t know what it is about motel showers and me, but in the past couple of years, we’ve been at odds with one another far too often. Preparing to go to bed Wednesday night, and in the act of brushing my teeth, I discovered there was very little water pressure in the lavatory faucets. By the next morning, I’d forgotten all about the poor water pressure. Around five o’clock Thursday morning, I was fumbling with the faucets in the bathtub, trying to regulate the water temperature before switching the controls from tub to shower. I remember thinking how much I dislike the particular combination of controls found in the tub/ shower combination. There were three knobs protruding from the top section of the tub, located immediately above the spout through which water flows into the tub. The knob in the middle, when spun, redirects water to the shower head, while the knob on the left must be turned counterclockwise to open the hot water and the knob on the right for cold water works the opposite way, clockwise. And, just because it works that way at one motel, it doesn’t mean it’ll be like that at the next one. Trying to remember which way to turn which knob to regulate water temperature, once beginning a shower, is risky, especially, early into the shower and especially in the early morning hours. A wrong turn in mid-shower can lead to either the sudden shock of cold water or a quick scald, neither of which is pleasant. There was no lack of water pressure in the tub, but I was expecting some sort of flow restrictor to be installed in the showerhead. There wasn’t one, and I wasn’t prepared for the pressure of the water from the showerhead hitting my upper body. I felt like Kramer on a Seinfeld episode about showerheads and pictured him grasping the shower curtain to remain upright. I later described my shower experience as brutal and commented that my skin had been exfoliated. Someone suggested, "Couldn’t you adjust the spray by turning something on the showerhead?" I had made a mild attempt to do so while trying to protect important body parts and a few moles from a direct hit but had no success in adjusting the showerhead on the first morning. However, Friday morning, I was able to turn the showerhead to a less vigorous setting. Unfortunately, it seemed to somehow affect the water temperature, and I discovered the softer the spray, the hotter the water, so I had to try several combinations of knob-twists in order to take a comfortable shower. Thursday was a typical day and went like this – up around five o’clock, continental breakfast at the motel or the church, arrive at the church by 8:30 a.m. for a devotional period and announcements, workshop sessions from 9:30 to noon with a mid-morning break, lunch, more sessions from 1:00 ‘til 3:00 or later with afternoon break, back to the motel around 5:00, dinner at 6:00, back to motel and in bed before ten o’clock. Friday was much longer and Saturday much shorter, in that we left without staying for the afternoon session. During our stay, we received nutritious meals for lunch and ample snacks during breaks, all provided by the local affiliates for Habitat for Humanity in Hot Springs and served by affiliate volunteers. We ate at tables for eight within the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church, Hot Springs and enjoyed the fellowship of not only our group but also that of a number of others we met in various sessions. Friday night a banquet was held in the Family Life Center and was followed by a worship service in the sanctuary. Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian non-profit organization. All Habitat affiliates are encouraged to tithe. Friday night an offering was received during the service that represented quarterly tithes from affiliates and love offerings from various individuals. We learned on Saturday morning the gifts totaled more than two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars. Some affiliates designate their tithes to be sent to specific countries to be used in home construction. Undesignated gifts Friday night were slated to be divided equally between South Africa and Guatemala Keith Thomas toured a couple of Habitat developments near the church on Friday and later took some of our group during lunch to see Habitat homes. When Barbara learned of a park built for residents in one of the developments, she welcomed the opportunity to visit it late Friday afternoon. Ever since Habitat in Pontotoc acquired twenty acres of land, she has envisioned a development of Habitat homes mixed with middle-income homes set among the rolling hills of Pontotoc. In that vision she pictures a park with pavilion(s) and playground equipment. Upon seeing Hollywood Park for the first time, she exclaimed, "This is exactly what I have in mind for us." We returned to the park early Saturday morning and made pictures. I was impressed with the shady, well-landscaped park, pocketed with points of interest, and consisting of playground equipment, a basketball court, pavilion, benches, bridges, paved walking paths, sculpture, and a gentle brook meandering the length of the park. It was almost so beautiful and serene as to deter one from entering it and disturbing the peace and tranquility. Pontotoc County Habitat for Humanity may be challenged to reproduce something similar in the yet unnamed development that some call Kudzu Korner, but a similar park would certainly be an asset not only to the new development but also to the greater community. …to be continued.
Election 2004 What's At Stake Unless the pollsters have it wrong, the 2004 presidential election promises to be another close one. What that says to me is that voters don’t see much difference between the candidates or the parties they represent. However, I’m at a loss to explain the outright contempt many folks express for President Bush, and the equal disdain most Republicans have for Senator John Kerry. In the course of the political campaign, the national news media have logged millions, perhaps billions, of words in reporting daily on which presidential candidate said what concerning whatever or about whomever. And daily, political pundits have given us their interpretation of what the candidates did or said, all of which leads many of us to experience election burnout well before November 2nd. To hear some folks carry on, one might conclude that a Republican victory will mark the end of the world and a Democratic victory will usher in a new world order. I’m reasonably certain neither will happen regardless which candidate wins. I’m no student of political science, but, as an observer, I’ve noticed the average American is not greatly affected by the outcome of any given presidential election in recent history. My view is just that…my view. However, having written my view prior to reading the following that I received in an email from Ed Dandridge, perhaps, I should be more concerned about the outcome of the election. The Decisive Election Of Our Century by Mathew Manweller a political science professor at Central Washington University. Since this will be my last column before the presidential election, there will be no sarcasm and no attempts at witty repartee. The topic is too serious, and the stakes are too high. This November we will vote in the only election during our lifetime that will truly matter. Because America is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads, more than an election hangs in the balance. Down one path lies retreat, abdication, and a reign of ambivalence. Down the other lies a nation that is aware of its past and accepts the daunting obligation its future demands. If we choose poorly, the consequences will echo through the next 50 years of history. If we, in a spasm of frustration, turn out the current occupant of the White House, the message to the world and ourselves will be two-fold. First, we will reject the notion that America can do big things. Once a nation that tamed a frontier, stood down the Nazis, and walked upon the moon, we will announce to the world that bringing democracy to the Middle East is too big of a task for us. But more significantly, we will signal to future presidents that as voters, we are unwilling to tackle difficult challenges, preferring caution to boldness, embracing the mediocrity that has characterized other civilizations. The defeat of President Bush will send a chilling message to future presidents who may need to make difficult, yet unpopular decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the costs or appeal. If we turn away from that legacy, we turn away from who we are. Second, we inform every terrorist organization on the globe that the lesson of Somalia was well learned. In Somalia we showed terrorists that they don't need to defeat America on the battlefield when the country can be defeated in the newsroom. Terrorists learned that a wounded America can become a defeated America. Twenty-four-hour news stations and daily tracking polls will do the heavy lifting, turning a cut into a fatal blow. Except that Iraq is Somalia times 10. The election of John Kerry will serve notice to every terrorist in every cave that the soft underbelly of American power is the timidity of American voters. Terrorists will know that a steady stream of grizzly photos for CNN is all you need to break the will of the American people. Our own self-doubt will take it from there. Bin Laden will recognize that he can topple any American administration without setting foot on the homeland. It is said that America's World War II generation is its ''greatest generation.'' But my greatest fear is that it will become known as America's ''last great generation.'' Born in the bleakness of the Great Depression and hardened in the fire of World War II, they may be the last American generation that understands the meaning of duty, honor, and sacrifice. It is difficult to admit, but I know these terms are spoken with only hollow detachment by many (but not all) in my generation. Too many citizens today mistake ''living in America'' as ''being an American.'' But America has always been more of an idea than a place. When you sign on, you do more than buy real estate. You accept a set of values and responsibilities. This November, members of my generation, which have been absent too long, must grasp the obligation that comes with being an American, or fade into the oblivion they may deserve. I believe that 100 years from now historians will look back at the election of 2004 and see it as the decisive election of our century. Depending on the outcome, they will describe it as the moment America joined the ranks of ordinary nations; or they will describe it as the moment the prodigal sons and daughters of the greatest generation accepted their burden as caretakers of the City on the Hill."
Holiday Memories Don't Procrastinate With the onset of the Holiday Season quickly approaching, it’s time to appeal to the readership of this newsletter for holiday memories. We are looking for memories readers are willing to share concerning either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Articles may be of any length, though something less than a thousand words is desirable. Memories need not be humorous, or overly serious, but they will not be disqualified on either count. Thanksgiving memories should arrive on or before November 15th in order to be published in the last issue before the Thanksgiving Holiday. We would prefer to have all Christmas memories by the first week of December, but if space is available, memories received by December 15th will make the Christmas edition. Please take a few minutes, while this request is still fresh on your mind, and write your memory. Don’t let worry about grammar and punctuation prevent you from sending in a memory. We’ve plenty of proofreaders on our staff. Please mail your memory to the address in the box at the bottom of page one in this issue or email it to [email protected].
Bodock Beau Humor The best part of any newspaper is the comics, and the same may be said for some newsletters.
Jim and Mary were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they
were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Jim suddenly jumped into the
deep end. He sank to the bottom and stayed there. Mary promptly jumped in
to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled Jim out.
When he went to tell Mary the news he said, "Mary, I have good news and bad
news. The good news is you're being discharged because since you were able
to jump in and save the life of another patient, I think you've regained
your senses. The bad news is Jim, the patient you saved, hung himself with
his bathrobe belt in the bathroom. I am so sorry, but he's dead." Submitted by Bob Jackson "Bisexuality immediately doubles your chances for a date on Saturday night." --- Rodney Dangerfield "Sex is one of the nine reasons for incarnation. The other eight are unimportant." -- George Burns "Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place." -- Billy Crystal "According to a new survey, women say they feel more comfortable undressing in front of men than they do undressing in front of other women. They say that women are too judgmental, where, of course, men are just grateful." -- Robert De Niro "Sex is one of the most wholesome, beautiful and natural experiences money can buy." -- Steve Martin "Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is the same." -- Oscar Wilde Submitted by H.P. Prewett Share this article with a friend.
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Hot Springs, AR, so named for it’s thermal waters, lays claim
to the title, "America’s First Resort." Last week the city was the host
site for the Middle States Regional Conference 2004 for Habitat For Humanity
International. The Middle States are comprised of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri,
Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Because six other
individuals and I were in Hot Springs on business, I accept on faith that
the city of thirty-six thousand is a resort. All the sightseeing that I did
was limited to the motel we stayed in, the church where our meetings were
held, the two restaurants where we dined and the park we visited early Saturday
morning. With regard to seeing the sights, I have no one to blame but myself.
When Barbara, in planning for the trip, asked me if I wanted to be registered
for any of the workshops, I figured I’d simply stay in the motel room
and be bored if I didn’t attend the workshops, so I asked that she sign
me up for some of the sessions.
