| December 31 '05 |
|
| Volume 500 |
|
Ridge Rider 500
Celebrating A Milestone
For
those who are gainfully employed, five is a significant number, especially
as it relates to time. It helps to be five minutes early for work or for
an appointment. One deserves a break in a five-hour work period, and a five-day
workweek is usually long enough to get the job done. Five weeks is too long
to wait on reimbursement for a business related expenditure, and five years
of service is typically recognized as an anniversary milestone, as are
anniversaries that are multiples of five.
The numeral 5 becomes even more significant when a zero is placed after it,
and five becomes fifty. Fifty minutes is just shy of an hour; fifty days
is best measured in months; fifty weeks is practically a year, and fifty
years defines more than half a lifetime.
Fifty, like it's smaller relative, five, becomes larger when a zero follows
it. Fifty becomes five hundred. Five hundred is almost too large a number
for one to associate with time. We don't have a convenient way of describing
five hundred minutes (more than a day's work), five hundred days (longer
than one year), or five hundred weeks (less than ten years), so it's not
often that five hundred is cause for celebration.
Racing fans flock to see the Indianapolis 500, while NASCAR fans are drawn
to the Daytona 500, and the fans of either might be confused to learn that
Ridge Rider 500 is not a racing event associated with hilly terrain. Though,
I like to think they'd be impressed to learn that a small weekly newsletter,
Ridge Rider News, which is distributed to far less than 500 friends and family
members is now five hundred issues strong.
Perhaps, it's only fitting, as year 2005 draws to a close, that this newsletter
celebrates its five hundredth weekly issue. Only two other year-ending occasions
have found RRN brushing closely to a "century" issue. Volume 291 appeared
on 12/29/01, and Volume 393 ended year 2003.
Ridge Rider News began publication on June 01, 1996. Its birth arose from
a combination of events and influences, not the least of which was a desire
to leave "something for the grandchildren and their children." Several years
ago, I formally defined the purpose of this newsletter as follows:
"I have attempted to clarify the purpose of this newsletter in past writings.
Let me state my purpose once again. Most of us are interested in knowing
who we are and where our roots are. I have learned the answers to many of
the "who am I, where did I come from" questions from my parents, grandparents,
and other relatives. The bulk of that information was handed down in the
oral tradition. It is my desire to provide, through this journal of thoughts
and experiences, a window into which subsequent descendants may view the
daily lives of their ancestors. If, through this window, my descendants gain
a better understanding into who they are and from whence they came, I will
have accomplished my purpose. 8/22/1998"
In 1996, I had no idea that the then fledgling newsletter would still be
around to usher in 2006. I suppose I thought the newsletter would run its
course after a few years, and I'd set it aside to pursue other interests.
Those undiscovered "other interests" may one day play a role in the demise
of this newsletter, but that's something I don't foresee.
Health reasons could also affect my ability to continue Ridge Rider News;
even pending retirement and financial concerns could force a decision to
end publication, to say nothing of the role of the grim reaper. In the event
I should suddenly die or suffer a permanently disabling automobile accident
I've wondered who would write the final issue of Ridge Rider News. Last week,
I shared this thought over lunch as Barbara and I visited with Jim and Sheila
Hess in Vicksburg. Jim spoke up and said he'd write the final issue for me.
I truly hope Jim's service is not needed anytime soon.
Just as in 1996, when I had no idea what the future held for RRN, neither
can I predict today how long there'll be an RRN. However, as long as I can
continue to write something that others enjoy reading and am financially
able to do so, I suppose RRN will continue to provide a source of enlightenment
and entertainment for others and as sense of satisfaction and purpose for
me.
2005 In Review
Twelve Articles Encapsulated
Choosing articles that represent highlights of this year is not an easy task.
With the exception of number 12, each review was taken from the month that
corresponds to its number. An effort was made to include articles featuring
family members and friends as well as places of interest. The selected articles
are not necessarily the most significant or the most important news of a
given month but were chosen to show the variety of events this past year.
.
-
Prewett's Perils - A review of the accidents that have befallen Kenneth Prewett
over the past thirty years and his most recent episode that involved crashing
his new four-wheeler into the cab of his pickup at the close of a day of
duck hunting. Kenneth has a pair of loading ramps for sale.
-
Dot In Recovery - Family friend, Dot Bell, sustained a heart attack in late
January. Following open-heart surgery involving a triple bypass, Dot continues
to do well.
-
In The Doghouse - Anson Adams learns that while an alarm clock is a practical
gift for his wife's birthday, she does not consider it a personal gift. Anson
spends a night or two in the doghouse.
-
Heart Attack - Wayne Carter is slow to recognize his heart attack symptoms,
but he does manage to get to the emergency room in time. Angioplasty was
used to open a blocked artery and a stent now permits adequate blood circulation.
Wayne seems to be doing fine.
-
Graduation Day - Felicia Brown graduates Ole Miss with a Bachelor of Arts
in Education. Felicia returned to Ole Miss this autumn to work on a Masters
Degree.
-
The Habitat Bunch - In June, a group of students and leaders from Bishop
Dwenger High School, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, visit Pontotoc to work on house
construction for Habitat for Humanity. They also won the hearts of those
who got to know them personally.
-
July Fish Fry - One hundred twenty folks were fed and entertained at the
annual backyard event.
-
Color Matters - A bad decision on the part of the Pastor and Building Committee
leaves the Family Life Center at FBC, Pontotoc, with a white roof instead
of the red one the Church approved.
-
Time Warp - Looking for a short cut from Troy to Woodland, this writer gets
lost, then ends back where he started from but doesn't recognize his
surroundings.
-
Iuka Trip - Barbara and Wayne enjoy a trip to Iuka with friend and subscriber,
Virginia Dillard of Pontotoc. It only took three articles to tell the story
of the visit that lasted less than a day.
-
Swinging Beef - The editor recalls bygone days when meat cutters "worked"
for a living, breaking down quarters of beef into steaks, roasts, and ground
beef.
-
Meeting Marlin - Reared largely in the Buckhorn community of Pontotoc County,
Marlin Swanson, the second of twenty children, not only helped his family
survive the Great Depression, he went on to establish a successful produce
distribution business in California. Marlin returns twice a year to Pontotoc
for an extended visit.
FTF&F
Aplenty At Town Square P.O. & Museum
Barbara and I finally got our copies of "Folk Tales, Facts, and Fabulations."
Since there were only fifty copies available at the time of the book signing
back in November, we opted to allow those from out of town to have first
dibs, and we put our names on the waiting list. Now that copies are plentiful,
we bought three books, one for us and one for each of our children. At thirty
bucks per book, I hope our children appreciate the compilation of stories
about Pontotoc and Pontotoc County, and I'm glad I only have two children.
I heard that Marlin Swanson bought a book for each of his seventeen surviving
siblings, which is something I consider a generous gesture. Marlin has five
articles in the book, and four of them are informative and inspirational
with the fifth one being amusing.
At total of eighty-eight authors contributed one hundred fifty-four manuscripts
to the book that was compiled largely by Callie B. Young and later published
by the Pontotoc Historical Society. I am still reading through the book and
estimate I've read about two-thirds of the articles. Seven of the articles
are mine and an eighth was a Christmas Memory of an RRN reader, which was
first published in this newsletter. Miss Callie and her assistants divided
the book in eleven sections or divisions. A partial listing includes such
headings as: Would You Believe It, Country Roads Take Me Home,
Downtown, and Holidays and Happy Days.
I should probably check with the Historical Society to see how many books
are in circulation, but I've mentioned to my wife how surprising it is that
no one has yet caught my arm at a social function, church service, grocery
shopping trip, or other public event to say, "I can't tell you how much I've
enjoyed reading your stories in Miss Callie's new book."
It's not that we writers require the affirmation of others in order to function,
but it's nice to hear our work is appreciated.
December 2002
By Carl Wayne
It's winter, but one learns to appreciate its value in the grand scheme of
things and find it awesome if not downright pretty. I love the sight of a
lawn with weeds growing and leaves splayed under bare outstretched tree limbs.
It was 27 degrees Nov 27 and got down to 21 this morning in Memphis and 18
here in good old Hooterville. We've had some hard killing frosts. I have
to scrape my windshields most mornings. It's in the driveway instead of in
the garage like her van and that lawnmower. Cold snap reminds me of killing
hogs and frying fresh pork tenderloin - also reminds me of Ralph saying during
the depression all they had to eat some days was smoked icicles which they
brought in and hung on the fireplace mantel all night to smoke.
Wednesday was last night of this school term, always a sad time listening
to all those reasons why the papers and projects are late. Had a record -
only one grandmother to die this term though had a couple of them sick and
in hospital.
Had bad experience (yes from mowing) with my Achilles' tendon, which has
kept me from playing racquetball for a while. For a while I kept thinking
what Momma would have said: "I'm suffering death with every breath I draw!"
I smoked a turkey for Thanksgiving Day at our home Nov 23, and enjoyed visit
with my brother Tommy and sister Amy and their families. We missed Jeanette
and Brenda and their families. On Thanksgiving Day we all went to her parents
in Mississippi. Meal was delicious and we had many huge piles of good old
homemade cooking. I could eat the dressing and giblet gravy and deviled eggs
and leave the rest, but I didn't, and am paying for it now. I came down with
a rash across my belly, which she believes is from the car steering wheel
rubbing it.
I have been doing some of the many honey-do's which need doing. I have given
up on one of the commodes. Still working on the other. I like quote I found
on the Dr John web site: "A Good Flush Beats a Full House Anytime"
I told her that Bro. Adrian said on his morning radio show that whenever
he has a negative thought he immediately asks the Lord to remove it, and
that's what I am doing about those commodes and leaves in the yard and the
messy storeroom. She asked if he said anything about the scripture that says
if a man works not, neither shall he eat. She might have a point.
This morning Bro. Adrian said next radio program is on role of the husband
and about how he's responsible but not in charge. I may skip that one and
wait till the one on the role of the wife.
I pulled up the last of the vines, which are on shepherd's crook poles in
the backyard and wound up smacking myself real hard on the top of the head.
I called her and told her I was hurt and thought I may have addled myself.
She wanted to know how she could tell.
I was so upset when my favorite magnet with my favorite quote fell off the
fridge and broke: the one that says: "I will not get upset over small things."
Friend Larry Mooney who just moved to the country wonders: "It puzzles me
why fishermen always go to the far end of the lake to fish. For example,
they put a $30,000 bass rig at the West side of the lake, then race at breakneck
speed (while sipping adult beverages) over to the East side to fish. If they
put in on the East side they then race over to the West side to fish."
"By the same token, why does a hunter never hunt near his house; instead
he goes over to hunt near someone else's house? While he's gone, other hunters
show up to hunt around his house. Right now my brother-in-law has a herd
of deer living on his lawn, yet his deer stand is on mine. Next year, when
my move is complete, I plan to hunt on his lawn."
Another friend wonders what he was thinking when he bought a country escape
and now has 44 acres to mow. Uncle Aubrey would have told him to get a flock
of leghorns and a couple of Nubian goats, which will not only mean no work,
but also will give a nice return in the form of an occasional flock and herd
thinning BBQ.
I had lunch with a longtime friend and mentor recently who is now retired.
I like what he calls it, at least when he sleeps in till 9 o'clock: A
self-directed lifestyle.
Another friend said his wife hurt her back and is on muscle-relaxers and
this is the best they have gotten along in years.
Howard Goodman has gone home to be with Sam and Rusty. They and Vestal made
up the Happy Goodman Family. I loved to hear them sing "Looking for that
city" and "I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now."
Carl Wayne Hardeman - Collierville, TN
Note: Carl Wayne writes, "My wife Ann Graham was born and raised in
Pontotoc County. Her parents Ralph and Opal Graham live on Wells Rd between
Thaxton and Hurricane. I was raised all over the South."
Bodock Beau
Sunbathing
The final days of this December probably won't be warm enough for sunbathing,
but if one heads for a warmer climate to ring in the new year, one should
be careful where he or she sunbathes.
Sunbathing
Joan, who was a rather well proportioned secretary, spent almost all of her
vacation sunbathing on the roof of her hotel. She wore a bathing suit the
first day, but on the second, she decided that no one could see her way up
there, and she slipped out of it for an overall tan. She'd hardly begun when
she heard someone running up the stairs. She was lying on her stomach, so
she just pulled a towel over her rear.
"Excuse me, Miss," said the flustered assistant manager of the hotel, out
of breath from running up the stairs. "The Hilton doesn't mind your sunbathing
on the roof, but we would very much appreciate your wearing a bathing suit
as you did yesterday."
"What difference does it make?" Joan asked rather calmly. "No one can see
me up here, and besides, I'm covered with a towel."
"Not exactly," said the embarrassed man. "You're lying on the dining room
skylight."
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