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Lloyd Pond

Thank you to all of by Waltrip friends for your prayers and good wishes I feel lifted up and renewed. Still have some more business thiing to attend to..

Richard Meek '65

Good afternoon fellow Waltripians. I hope you're all doing well today. I know I feel much better now that is officially Fall. With the cooler temperature today, 90, we'll all feel more invigorated (lol). It has been cooler at night when the Rushin Setter and I have gone out for a walk. On the subject of the Rushin Setter, she is not a great watch dog yet. Most 6 mo. old dogs aren't. However with her recent behavior if any intruder comes on the property carrying toast they are in for a tussle. To my knowledge Liz hasn't had any toast but recently she seems to think I should fix her some toast when I fix it for me. She really, really wants toast. She puts up quite a howl when it isn't forthcoming. Well she'll move on to something else soon. She seems to have abandoned her quest to destroy every drink coaster she can find. Her current targets seem to be toast and socks, go figure.

Keep on dancing,

Rich LH

Making life complicated is easy,

Making things simple is genius

Beau Wann, Jr.

Good eefenink mine ramipians! Hey Lloyd, isnt it nice to have an extended family that cares!!! We all do care what happens to our classmates!!! May peace and healing surround you and your family in this trying time!

Rich, sounds like that doll Liz is a keeper for sure! Cant wait to meet her in person...er or in canine? Well we want to meet her just the same! I will bring toast and dog lick roast and kat dragged chicken to the meeting!

Well, I woulda been on the computer sooner to tell about Coops first day at Lamkin Elementary school Library, but just been hurting sooooo bad, just could not traverse the stairs! Finally got up here this evening, obviously, but took some doing, mostly a supportive wife, and i mean supportive! But here I am, such that it is...just glad to be alive! Have much to be thankful for for sure!!!

Last Monday, Cooper and I embarked on our journey into acadamia, and trying to make a difference in this whirld, a small one, but a difference nonetheless! And wouldnt you know it, we were late by 5 minutes! On the dry run a week ago, I was an hour early...never a happy medium is there! Anyhoo, we got there, and ol Cooper seemed somewhat...aggitated?...hyper?...just different than his normal laid back self!Guess he knew this was something special!!!  We sign in, and Megan, the librarian, escorts us to our spot in the library! I get coop situated on a blanket provided by Megan, and it is blonde in color, just like our hero, Cooper!!! Good thinking on Megans part! His hair does not show up at all...

Our first customer, is the cutest little girl, Morgan! She has dimples everywhere, and blonde hair and soft pale blue eyes and a smile and laugh that just permeates your soul!!!!
Oh what a doll!!!!! She met Cooper and just squealed when coop shoved her around with is big ol nose! She isnt much bigger than cooper, in fact, mass size, she is smaller by two thirds! Well coop does weigh in at 110 and Morgan probably 50 pounds at best, or worst, depending on how you look at it! Morgan is a good reader though, and fast too! When Cooper would shove his nose in her book, looking for ol Oscar Mayer, she just squealed with delight, which of course drew curious glances from others utilizing the library, and the dreaded "teachers glare" from the librarian!

But  Morgan was in no danger from anyone, as Cooper and I were there!!! I asked Morgan if she had a dog, and she said no, that hers got run over and was dead...I always seem to lean into the proverbial left hook dont I! So I changed the subject and we read a few more pages! I even let Morgan give Cooper a treat, even though we are not suppose to do that! Cooper took the treat ever so gently, almost like a butterflys kiss, so soft and almost not touching Morgans fingers at all! Of course Coopers actions just begged for a squeal from Morgan, which of course drew the dreaded "teacher glare" from whatever authoritarian was in ear shot!

Morgan left, just giggling and squealing all the way down the hall and out the door, everynow and then, sneaking glances as she departed, towards her new big blonde friend!!! Not me, Cooper!!!! Well, I use to be blonde, now just bald...Funny, I dont ever remember having hair, although I'm sure I must have at some point in time!!!

An aside here...Last year, I was filling out a form to do "BIKER CLOTHES" commercial and photo shoot for Harley Davidson, and you know the form, : COLOR OF EYES; BLUE   ; COLOR OF HAIR; GONE...thats what I wrote down...got a few chuckles and one guffaw! Always willing to entertain...didnt get the job, as they were looking for pretty people, not old bald ugly guys! Oh, I didnt solicit the photo job, just happened to be at Mancusos Harley dealership when they asked me if I wanted to participate! I asked how much it paid, and they said a lot, and I said, count me in!!!!

Anyway, my next little reader, was just that, he was smaller than Morgan...I'll bet he wasnt 2 foot high and didnt weigh but 25 pounds! His name is Westin!!! He was a bit more wary than Morgan was with Cooper! He was kind of standoffish! I said "Hi westin", and he said very tersely,"how did you know my name"??? To which I replied, "Miss Megan, the librarian told me"! Hmmm...A pint size "ME"...That didnt matter to cooper, who promptly shoved his nose into Westins face! Westin wasnt fazed however, and not a bit intimidated! Westin was about the size of one of Coopers meals, he was so small! He truly had a reading problem though, because not only the big words like "thanksgiving" stopped him, but the two letter words like "it" and "as" among others, stumped him! (I told this to Diane, and she said he is truly a candidate for remedial reading! It's amazing how smart the teachers are nowdays!

So Westin and Cooper are reading, and Cooper was shoving his nose and paw into the book looking for his good friend Oscar Mayer, and I couldnt tell if Westin was more annoyed, or just puzzled at the antics of this giant of a dog! We got through it, and I think with time, ol westin will start to trust Cooper and maybe relax a bit, at least I hope so! Westin is sort of "his own man" so to speak! You can tell that he isnt cowed or intimidated by anyone, including grownups like the librarian! She asked him a question, which required a "yes ma'am" and he just shrugged and said yeah...And was promptly corrected so that he would respond with the required answer, of "yea ma'am", and he did...reluctantly! It would be nice if we could make a difference in this young lads life...I hope so!!!

Our next victim, was Elena! Very pretty girl, a bit larger than Morgan and westin! Not overly large, just taller and seemed more mature in her eyes! I only asked what grade westin was in, and not the two girls, so I dont know what grade Elena was in! She could read almost as good as Morgan, who I thought really didnt need the extra work! But what do I know, I flunked algebra 3 times and spanish twice! I had a hard time understanding the kids, me being almost deeef and all! Childrens voices are at the tone that is hardest for me to understand, much to my displeasure!

Well, we made it through our first real reading, which lasted about 45 minutes, and Cooper and I are better for it too!!!! The librarian and whole staff just thanked us repeatedly down the hall, and all the way to the truck! I kept saying, "no, it is Cooper and I that owe you thanks for letting us be here"!!!! So, off we rode, to the Wann cat house, me and coop just grinnin from ear to ear!!!! Well, coop was grinnin in his sleep, cause he was dozing as we turned off Telge onto 290!

I decided to stop in at Gander Mountain on the way home, and took Cooper inside with me! I dont leave him in the truck, unless it is below 50 outside! And then only a few minutes!
I asked the folks inside Gander, if it was ok to bring him in, and they were lovin it! Works for me!!!! They just fawned and oooed and aaahed over Cooper, and hugged him and all told me about their dogs and critters! That is so much fun, learning about others animals...and sharing mine with them!!!! Of course, I forgot why we went into Gander Mtn, but it was fun! I took Cooper over to the doggie section, where they have throwing dummies and fake birds to train birddogs with, and he nosed them all, but didnt want any! He almost never picks up any toy or object, in his mouth, that isnt food! Not a bad policy really!!!

Went to the dentist yesterday and had an offending member of the dental persuasion, repossessed. At the rate I'm losing parts, I should be down to about one leg and my head, by the time 2020 rolls around!!! Anyway, he had a hard time getting the tooth out, or I guess I was having the hard time! It finally came out, and it was not...very comfortable...There was nothing wrong with the tooth, just cracked and broken! No decay!!! He wanted to save it and put a crown on it, but there wasnt enough to put a crown on!!! So, I lost a healthy tooth! Dont know how it got broken, I dont eat nuts or hard stuff like the salty indian corn! Oh well...Doc wanted to know if I wanted the tooth...sure, why not...I could put it under my pillow and let the tooth fairy give me a dime, or whateve the going rate was nowdays! I'm hoping it's a farrari...or at least a corvette anyway!!!

I understand a cold front is on the way, in fact, two of them! Must gonna be a doozy, cause my whole body is just screaming! Both knees, both shoulders, back, legs etc...finally took a pain pill tonight, much to my dismay at having to HAVE TO take one! Dont mean to complain, there are so many more folks that have things much worse...I have seen some! I count my blessings everyday, and ever now and again, throw in a little white pill for good measure!!!

Ok, it's late...er early...so I will deplane...and keep the sun at my six and ride boldly ride...

Your friend and brother...Quasimodo

Paige Talley (Meek)

Hi Ya'll...

I have been running in circles between home, work and Mom's and let me tell you I am thankful for all three! All is well, and I fully intended to get to Fudd's for the September fun... I went on Thursday or at least got down the road some before figuring out it was not Tuesday. I wonder if Mom is rubbing off on me some???

Anyway, I have been keeping up (sorta) on the forum and with birthdays and emails from those who think I have disappeared.

Hugs to all and  if someone will remind me, I'll see you in October !!!

Paige

Richard Meek '65

Good mornin' friends and family, Even though it's Fall now I still sweated just as much when I took Liz for walk last night. Early next week it's supposed to be cooler, 88 instead of 92. Oh well every little bit helps. We're out doing our part to make sure the western perimeter of Candlelight Estates is secure. So far, so good. It is truly amazing watching puppies learn about the world.  At various times my house is in the glide path of planes going into Hobby. Yesterday before dark one of Southwest's jets was coming in and Liz just sat down and watched it as long as it was in sight. I wish I knew what is going through her mind when she does things like that. She's probably wondering if they have toast on that contraption or how she could learn to fly it.

DOD, sounds like you had a good time with the school kids. Cooper too but he probably would have had a better time if OMW had been invovled. Sorry you're in such bad shape with aches and pains. Just because other folks have more to bear it doesn't makes yours hurt less. Have you thought about consulting a nutitionist, an allergist or a rheumatologist? Check out the YMCA over on I-0. They've got a large heated pool where people with complaints like yours exercise in the warm water. It's supposed to be pretty beneficial. Sometimes adjusting your diet may help alleviate some things. You might have to cut back on dog licked roast and cat dragged chicken. Keep riding boldly though.

Paige, it sounds like we should send a car to pick you up and return you home. Barring that, we'll make sure you get  a reminder.

Everyone have a great weekend while you're enjoying the cooler fall weather!

Rich LH

Keep on dancing!

Beau Wann, Jr.

Hey Paige, glad youre back!!!! I thought you were out sailing the 7 seas, showing all the other pirates, how a REAL PIRATE is... or opening another restaurant... Or doing secret agent stuff, flying the hump in a DC-3, delivering life saving drugs to a remote village in Burma!!!! At least thats how I'm gonna tell it...Good to have you back!!! Be looking forward to seeing you in October...

Hey Rich, after the trip to the dentist on wednesday,  today, I BROKE ANOTHER TOOTH...this time on the good side!!!!!! Looks like its cream of wheat and applesauce for me! Ok, I'm gonna see ifin I can conjure up a TIME MACHINE to cart my falling apart self back to the future, oh say 1955!!!! Nope, had bad asthma back then, hmmm...I know, back to the day before I retired in 2000...that was a pretty good year!!!

Oh, just got back from a hearing aid place...hearing in the moderate to bad range! Tried on two demos, and the lady giving the test, started tearing up! She said my face lit up like I had discovered the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!!! MAN, it was like night and day...I COULD HEAR...hearing again is soooo cool...whoa man!!!! Didnt realize just how bad my hearing had gotten!!!!  Gonna get fitted next Wednesday for two of em. cant wait!!! Shoulda done this some time ago! Probably could have avoided some awkward situations, had I been able to hear! 

Gonna take Cooper to church this Sunday to introduce him and BAK PAK CRITTERS to the congregation and the kids thatshow up! It ought to be good, I am an usher too! I can hold the collection plate, and ol coop can shake em down! One bark of his, and folks will be giving up all that change! The visit from Cooper is also to tout and advertise WOOF FEST 2010, THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOG EVENT OF THE YEAR!!!!
It is to be held on October 3rd from 2-6PM! Rain date is Oct 10!!! Suppose to be drawings every hour! Dont know what the prizes are, probably free puppies and kittens! there will be face painting; games for dogs and their people; a bake sale; vendor booths; training tips and AKC information!!!! Blessing of the animals will be at 3 pm; Meet the Breed will be at 4PM; and Canine Good Citizen Test will be at 5PM!!! It will be held at Oaks Presbyterian church at 1576 Chantilly Lane!!! Might be fun...so, if any of youse youtes want to come This Sunday, or on the Sunday of WOOF FEST, all are welcome.
This is all being put on by BAK PAK Critters Reading Program! So, Rich, bring Liz! If Diane can handle John Boy, I might bring he and Cooper!!! We will see...

Well, getting sleepier...only got a couple O hours O sleep last night! Pain pills have almost an opposite affect on me! they do dull the pain, and they do make me sleepy, but I just cannot fall asleep! But hey, makes the next time I get to sleep, just that much sweeter!!! Glad someone is sleeping though, all seven critters are packed into the library, one on each of three chairs, one on each of two footstools, and two on the floor!!! 

Guess I will sing off...
LaLaLaLa...etc...

DOD  

Teddie Jordan

Beau, thanks for the doggie invite, but I'm afraid ol' Gus would be a little rough around the edges for a church crowd. Not that he doesn't love people because he loves everyone. But because of that and his enthusiasm he might accidently knock down all of the older folks, sling slobber all over the kids, and try to get in the laps of the pretty women. Come to think of it he sounds alot like me!

He is far more adapted to the hunting fields and duck blinds, hunting camps and campfires that he and I have shared through the years. He and I have hunted 5 out of the last seven days, dove for two and a half, and duck (teal) these last three.

The beginning of hunting season always gets me to remembering my other hunting dogs and especially my last two Labs.

My first Lab was named Jameson. He's the black dog pictured on the right. We bought him as a pup late in 1986 and he lived to early 1999. He was trained by a very green trainer who's initials are TFJ, but in spite of my inexperience he was one heck of a dog. I ended up getting a Hunting Retriever Champion title on him when he was four, and he was my companion on many a road trip to hunting trials and hunting excursions. One year Fran and I added it up and I had spent more nights in motel rooms with him than with her. Obviously I had to make a correction to that behavior and I did.

When James was six years old I bred him to a female HRCH that I knew, and I got pick of the litter for his services. That brought to me black Lab number two, who we named Boomer, pictured on the left. Boomer was the ultimate hunt test and field trial and hunting dog. I would walk to the line at the toughest test anyone had ever seen with complete confidence, because if any dog could do the test it was him. He was the man. At the advanced levels, the dog had to mark while being completely steady and remember the location of three shot birds in diferent locations, several of which could be over 100 yards through varying terrain and cover, mark and retrieve a diversion bird, which was thrown on his way back from one of the marks to try to erase his memory of the location of the marks, and do all of that with out any handling by me. He also had to sit there and be steady while honoring another dog that was running his test.Then he had to run a blind retrieve to a bird that had been planted to a far location unknown to him, strictly following hand signals and whistles from me. In one test day there would a land and a water test with each of those components. Boomer performed almost flawlessly every time, and achieved the titles of Hunting Retriever Champion in UKC and Master Hunter in AKC. The last photo is of just a few of the dozens of ribbons and awards this father and son combination earned in their younger years.

Both of these dogs lived to be 12, the average age for Labs. As you can see I have a memorial to each in my office and look at their pictures and accomplishments every day and thank The Good Lord for the blessing of having had them in my life. I also have ashes from the cremated remains of each, and they will be buried with me along with those of Gus and any other future hunting dogs I may be fortunate enough to call my friend.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I truly believe that dogs are one of God's special gifts to us.

Beau Wann, Jr.

Wow Teddie!!!
Didnt realize you had champeen ship blood lines in yore huntin dogs! mighty impressive! I'd rather watch dog trials and working dogs than any other sport!!! All that remembering your dogs had to do in trials, ol coop cant remember where his food bowl is! He does know where the couch is though! Catahoula Jack is so much smarter than Cooper, but just not as docile, or sedate! I'd be willin to bet that in the right trainers hands, Jack would excel at being a huntin dog, or working dog! Of course, Jack isnt as pretty as Cooper, but then pretty is as pretty does...whatever in the heck that means!!!! Jacks breed, Catahoula, is recognized by AKC! I recognize him too!!!  Like cooper, I have a short memory. But, after next Wednesday, I will still have a short memory, but will be able to HEAR folks telling me I forgot, instead of being able to ignore them!!!

Yall can just come to the Woof Fest, dogless!!! I really dont know how well this Woof Fest is going to be, as it is the first one, and there will be vendors, dont know who! If it turns out good this year, they may make it an annual event!!!

But, you are so right about dogs! They are special indeed! My family has had dogs before, but none of them mine!!!  Before Cooper and Jack, I have had only one other dog, and that was Rocky! He was only 6 when he died, but he had 6 very good years! Most loyal creature I have ever seen...shucks, my cats are very loyal! Got Lacy on my lap now as I type! When we are hurting and or sick, we can count on at least 2, and not necessarily the same two, laying beside us, purring! They say that when a cat purrs, that is a healing function for the cat! I try to purr every chance I get! Dont think it is working though, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh!!!

I did teach Cooper how to read...and me being deaf, I guess that would classify me as a DOG SHOUTER, rather than a dog whisperer! 

Grandaughter is here for the night and tomorrow, so I will sing off...la la la la de dah

your friend and brother olbeauwannkanobie

Teddie Jordan

Sorry to read in this morning's Chronicle that coach Martin died at age 87.

He was a good man. May he rest in peace.

John Burgess Webb

the st.barnard puppy and little chick say something about nature that is tender and inquizative.my neighbors had their 6 week old granddaughter visit for the first time;how awsome,her little eyes still tinted blueish and checking out everything.just awsome.[sugar and spice and everything nice:thats what little girls are made of.]

i took a walk about midnight and it was very,very nice;it wasnt 'crisp' as moisture was up from the river and evaporation from a real good rain sat.morn..its been about a 40 degree differential over the past 3 days,so it looks like this cold front is deep enough to stay around a couple of more days.i hope it cools off for y'all too;i remember how the heat in houston put me on the edge.i think it was the heat combined with the static electrical build up that fused my nerves;when a good thunder storm would discharge those billions of volts and the rain washed the superheated dust back into the ground and the air filled with the smell of charged up dust and ions,making ozone to repair the shield.i thank god for the days i have been given,being able to witness another fall and watch the leaves turn color and wave good-bye for the winter.the ducks and geese will be here soon. 

Richard Meek '65

Mornin' Waltripians! The weather is spectacular here in H Town. A high predicted today of 82. That's about what it has been at night the last six weeks. The big deal is that this and the front coming behind it will be strong enough to steer any Tropical Storm activity away from the Texas coast. As I said a while back any summer without a hurricane is a good summer. Even though this was the fourth hottest summer on record in Texas, looks like it will qualify  as a good one! When you stop and think about it, it's amazing the power of these weather fronts. Even though these cool fronts bring us enjoyable weather they are still strong enough to effect hurricanes directions. As we know hurricanes are pretty bad news on the weather front.

I concur Coach Martin was a fine man. May he rest in peace. As far as I know all the coaches at Waltrip were and are fine people.

I sure wish this front had moved through Friday night. I went out to the UH football game on Saturday. Kickoff was at 2:30. Man with the heat and humidity is was brutal out there. I saw one elderly lady pass out standing in line at the concession stand. A little later a lady sitting two rows in front of me just keeled over against her husband. A constable that came over to help until paramedics arrived told her husband that people were passing out all over the stadium. I can imagine how bad it was down on the field. The good news was that the UH prevailed over Tulane. The UH's new freshman quarterback did a creditable job. He looks like he will do an admirable job in difficult circumstances.

DOD I plan to be at Woof Fest with Liz, the Rushin Setter. I'm a little concerned that someone may get licked to death. It is fun watching her. When she went out on the patio first thing this morning (early is the only morning time she recognizes) she did a double take. The coolness in the air baffled her. It's always good when your dog is learning their dogly business. Her latest test has been shedding the summer coat to prepare to grow a winter coat. She has it down solid! She is really getting into going to the park for a walk. Always new things to see and learn. My little cat, Sugar, is starting to want to go on the walks. I spotted her in hedges of a neighbors yard. I'll try to keep her from following when we go to.the park because I'm not keen on her crossing T. C. Jester. We'll figure it out though. I hope at least I'm still functioning well enough to out think the cat and dog.

Ted, Beau's right that's very impressive credentials your guys have won. I'm a little worried about that picture of Gus in your lap though. Liz seems to be planning on remaining a lap dog. She's not as big as Gus but she's 31 lbs. at 6 mos. So I think it is safe to say she is going to be a big girl. I agree with you that having an attractive female sitting in my lap is desireable. However Liz isn't what I have in mind when I think about that. We're beginning to work on training. She seems to be a natural retriever. She is also very smart so she catches on quickly. If I wanted to enter her in a competition now I think I would try and find one for speed eating . Maybe you could ask Gus to put some information for her on the nightly bark. Glad you got your priorities straight and now spend more time in motels with Fran than the dog. . . .

Burge you're right watching nature is a true blessing. When you get to this point in life you begin to realize how big a blessing it is. Yesterday when Liz and I went walking I heard a duck quacking and I expected to see a flight of ducks coming in with the cool front. However ,it was just one duck flying SE. I guess he was just a scout and the others will be along soon. Also on that walk I saw a float plane flying over. You don't see too many of those in this part of the country. I've always wondered why you don't see more. Seems they would work well here. Another thing to ponder.

Just another unusual observation. This past week I stopped at a light next to a truck that had their business info on it. The name of the company is Scoop Le Poop. They take care of animal waste removal, personal and commercial. The commercial I understand. The personal. . . what people won't spend their money on. So the list gets longer, now you've got the yard guy, the house keeper, the pool guy and now the poop guy. I guess it's kind of a modern version of the honey dippers of old.

Enjoy the lovely weather this week!

Keep on dancing,

Rich LH

Enjoy the small things,

In the end they may turn out to be the big things

Teddie Jordan

Hey Rich, you're right. The Coog's freshman quarterback, who was going to redshirt this year until Kennum and number two both got knocked out for the season in their win over UCLA, (the same UCLA who knocked off the horns I might add) did an excellent job in winning and winning pretty big in his first start for U of H.

You're also right about not seeing many float planes around Houston. I don't know if they still do it but Hooks airport up near Tomball on 2920 used to have a training school for float plane pilots and still have the canal type runway they would land on and take off from. Used to be some pretty big fish caught out of that canal too. Fran and I went on a cruise to Alaska a few years back and you see float planes and bald eagles up there like you do Chevrolets and mosquitos in Houston. Most if not all of the coastal towns up there, including the state capitol of Juneau, have no highways coming into them so the only ways in or out are by boat or float plane.

As for the business that picks up poop, he may have a good idea. It's no secret that we crazy Americans are more and more in love with our pets. Our son in law Curt has a home service company, everything from lawn care to sprinkler systems, landscaping, outdoor kitchens and water features, mosquito misting systems, and swimming pools. He has several of his lawn care customers who pay him extra to pick up dog poop in their yards before they mow. His guys don't consider that to be the favorite part of their jobs, but what the heck it's better than stepping in it. Kinda like the ol' plumber said, " It may be poop to you but it's Bread and Butter to us".

And Burge, I too look forward to hearing geese in the sky heading south at night, a true sign of Fall. ( I don't know what I hit to get italics or what I do to get out of them, but remember, I'm the idiot that didn't take typing in high school. But I can weld a little and made several nice pieces of furniture for my mom in woodshop). Usually it's the second or third week of November before I hear the geese on my nightly walks with Gus, and he seems to perk up a little too on hearing them. The earliest migrating geese are the White Fronted, also called Specklebellies. Their's is more of a high pitched singing than the than the high pitched honk of the Snows and the lower pitched honk of the Canadas, who generally come a little later.

Scotty Croom

thanks for birthday wishes...went to minn. last weekend...saw mall of amer....what a huge place...

Richard Meek '65

Morning all, hope you passed a good night. Ted, your comments about the plumber made me think of an interview with Spencer Tracy that I read years ago.  The interviewer was going on and on, really just gushing about what a great actor Tracy was (which he was) and how important what he did was to peoples lives. Tracy responded that (I'm paraphrasing since I don't remember the exact verbiage) acting was entertaining but not important. Plumbing is important but acting isn't. I liked him even more after that. The people who keep things running are way more important than most people realize.

DOD I told Liz about going to Woof Fest on Sunday. she's looking forward to it. she's a very sociable girl. I probably should take a roll of paper towels and some handi wipes to give people she meets. I swear that tongue of hers shoots out like a frog's. So if the good Lord is willin' and the crick don't rise we'll be there.

Keep on dancin'

Rich LH

Stay calm, Carry on

Beau Wann, Jr.

Howdy mine waltripians,
     Break out the farwood...Man, will this winter never end???? I am frozen to the bone...Nah, just funnin!!! Almost everyone agrees this is great weather...see, most everyone likes the simple things in life...cool weather...cup O joe...and a loyal pup by their side...Gus...Cooper...Liz...etc Shucks even a wooly mammoth in your lap, like there is now, is a good thing...

    Hey rich, we looking forward to seeeing you and liz this Sunday! Just gonna bring Cooper! Jack a mite toooooo much toooooo handle when he gets excited! Gotta enroll him in doggie manners school!

Sunday, we took Cooper to church, and he helped me greet people at the door! I also put a Sunday-go-to-meeting tie on him. I will take a picture of him with it next Sunday. I forgot last Sunday! He looked good with it too!!!   Sure does make greeting folks easier and more exciting! Folks are so delighted to see something different at church or whereever they frequent! Ol Coop was just as happy as a pig in slop, getting to greet people! Not a soul was offended having a dog in church! When it came time for the Childrens part, Cooper and I went to the front, and sat on the steps by the pulpit, and he just sat down and was wonderful...well, he did have to scratch a couple of times. We had about a dozen children there that morning! They loved him, and he in turn, loved them! 

After church, one child after another wanted to hold his leash! Finally I just took it off and let him roam free, inside payne hall, not outside! He walked ever so slow and soft up to each and every person at the fellowship after church, folks just petted and loved on him!!! That is what Cooper lives for, pleasing folks and being loved on!

what a great day Sunday was...had our grandaughter, always a delight! Dw fixed a great Sunday lunch and we played dominoes and cards and Scattergories! Grandson came after her about 5, so we got to see him too! He is about 4 inches taller than I am, and I am 6 ft 9 inches tall...yeah right!!!! I keep waiting for that growth spurt...guess I missed out on that huh!!! Now I guess I'll be getting shorter to boot, now that I'm an older gentleman and all!!! Still a great Sunday!!!

This morning, Coop was sleeping in, so Jack and I lit out at first light to go on dawn patrol! Everyone knows what the weather was like this moring, absolutely the best...Jack and I got down to the Bolivia street bridge and walked west about 100 yards, towards the trestle, and sat down on the banks of Cole Creek to watch the ducks and the sun come up under the bridge!
All was quiet, except the call of an unseen cardinal and a woodpecker working away at some tree or telephone pole!!!  WOW...what a beautiful sunrise...and morning...Jack just sat patiently at my side, salivating at the little ducklings swiming around!!!! No No No Jack, no duck to day!!!

Hey Teddie, is that Gus in your lap???? I'd have broke legs if Coop decided he was gonna be a lap dog! Ol Gus is a hoot! I sure do like to watch a working dog, and horse...Jack and cooper are workers...always working to get treats and something to eat!!!

Saw Coach Martins obituary in the paper...good man as I remember! Always had a smile on his face! I never new any of the coaches well, as my poor grades never allowed me to participate in any extracurricular sports activities other than the standard 1 hour gym class! Dont remember who the coach was that was in charge of  my hour.

I will be building another deck around the cement pond, deck number 4. So I will be working in very close proximity to the coldy brine! Thinking about selling tickets to folks so they can witness how many, and what I drop into the drink, up to, and including myownself!!! Should be fun...of course those that purchase tickets, can lend a hand at building this here deck, at no extra charge of course.  Supervision will be handled by Catahoula Jack and Cooper, with assistance from the wooly mammoth, Big Oliver!!! I let him out, with my supervision of course, to wander the cement pond area! He loves rolling in the dirt...I have to dust him off before I bring him back in the house!  That ol boy is so funny!

I do hope everyone is enjoying this weather...gee, wonder who wouldnt enjoy this weather...
Soooooo, I will sign off for now...
keep the sun at your six and ride boldly ride...
your friend and brother...Ol beauwannkanobie DOD

Susan Howard (Bowman)

Hey everyone!  Just want you to know I was in Sun City, TX, last Friday looking toward finding a retirement community in a warmer place.  I took my mom with me just to check it out!  It is a beautiful place and very affordable!  I was really impressed!  It has something for every interest you can imagine - even has 3 18 hole golf courses!  And what a fitness center!  I may be coming back home really soon!

Beau Wann, Jr.

SUN CITY??? Got to get new glasses, I thought you said, SURF CITY...I kept wondering about where exactly that was in Texas...Freeport??? Thats Surfside...Hmmm...gonna get new bionic ears today, guess I'll check out the eye glass department!!!! Unless, Susan, you have been practizing (I know it's spelled wrong) surfing in Iowa. Didnt know they had surfing in Iowa...Well, good luck at Sun City...where is that in Texas, up by Austin??? Have yall a time line in mind for moving??? I'll bet youre gonna have a heck of a garage sale before you move! We need to have a garage sale, whether we move or not! Dont know who needs an old 8 track tape player though! I keep hoping they will make a comeback!!! That and pink flamingos...I also have an old FM radio I took out of my 59 chevy...to save...for what I dont know...got umpteen CB radios, just in case someone should need one of those bad boys...again! Cant text on a CB radio...Also have all my old stereos that have gone bad...should I throw them out? Or, is there someone that recycles them???? Anyone, anyone???

Well allrighty then...Hey??? Mind just went blank...again...from blank to blank...ol blankety blank mind...Ive warned YOU PEOPLE about, a mind being a terrible think...

Hmmm...good cup O joe this morn! Goint to sit out on the swing with Catahoula Jack this fine morn! Yall do the same...well, not all of youse youts sit on my swing with Catahoula jack and me, but go outside and enjoy the weather and a good cup O joe! Top O the mornin to ya...

Your friend and resident knutt...Catahoula Beau...DOD

Richard Meek '65

Morning all you Waltripians. Cephous you are correct. The weather doesn't get any better than this. If our weather was this great all the time, there would be 10 million people living here instead of the crowd we have.

DOD, it wounds like the only way you could make Sunday more perfect for Coop is to put a couch in Payne Hall for him. Liz has that couch thing down pretty well herself. Last Saturday I thought it would be a great time to take a nap so I put Liz in the backyard to enjoy the weather. After about 10 minutes after I stretched out  I feel a wet nose on my ear. My good friend Liz is back in the house. So I figure that I must not have caught the latch and she just pushed it open. Yesterday I'm fixing supper and I see Liz come up to the back door. She stands up on her hind legs and pushes on the handle, then the door and in she comes. I have handles on the door instead of knobs. Looks like I'll have to lock the door if I want to keep her in the yard. Highly intelligent dogs present challenges don't they? We had to make a stop at the vet yesterday evening so she got weighed after greeting all her friends. She is now tipping the scales  at 32lbs. 6 oz. and she's still lean and muscular. You dog owners will appreciate this, she eats 3 cups of dog chow a day and has no visible fat on her. The vet is now thinking that there may be greyhound mixed in with Lab and who knows what else. She does have legs that look like a greyhound and she's fast as lightning.

Good luck on your hearing aids fitting today Beau. When you next venture out to get your eyes checked if you need a good optometrist my across the street neighbors have their own practice. Sheryl and Mark Pickering, Perfect Vision at Kirby and Richmond. Sheryl came from Kentucky (literally a coal miner's daughter) and Mark came from Florida to attend the UH Optomertry School and they had the good sense to stay in Houston. I've been going to them for about ten years. They seem very thorough. For you current and former OPC members they attend First Pres as I do. They're really good folks.

DOD I hope when you start on your new deck you'll use hand tools or battery operated power tools. With your penchant for placing things in the cement pond electric power tools don't seem like a good idea. Also don't put the deck on casters.

Burge, how's the weather in almost Arkansas? I hear we have another cool front coming this weekend so it should be getting to you pretty quick.

Well that's all the Liz tales and advice I have to dispense at the moment. Everyone have a great day.

Keep on dancing,

Rich LH

Breathe, smile, go slow

Wayne Lake

Greetings to all from the Land of Gitche Gumee:

Scottie, I too am up North in Minnesota for a few weeks, sorry I missed you while you were at the big shopping mall – I only go there the day after Christmas for the sales.

Lora and I took a drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior to see if the leaves were changing color and sure enough, they were.  The sugar maples have the best colors from green to yellow to orange to bright red and the contrast with the evergreens is nice to see. The state parks are great and we saw bald eagle and red fox.

The tall ships were in Duluth this past summer but I missed them.

That big old lake (1200’ deep and average temp 40F) can get very rough as reminded in the lyrics of Gordon Lighfoot’s  ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’. According to UoH’s by John H. Lienhard  she was the great lakes’ 6000^th shipwreck (1975), one storm on November 13, 1913, sank 12 ships and killed 250 people and the captain of the damaged and soon to sink, Edmund Fitztgerald when radioing for navigational assistance,  blew off storm warnings said ‘it’s only a lake’.

I’ll be back in Texas in a couple of weeks for fall fishing – I hope I don’t run into any storms……….

Not too sure when I'll get to Fudds again but hope to soon. 

wtl  

Richard Meek '65

Wayne, that sounds like pretty good summer duty. As long as you get out before the snow flies. although I've heard they have mosquitoes the size of Chihuahuas there. If you're fishing, I presume you're also eating a lot of Walleye and Pike. What I have eaten of those two fish was excellent.

DOD there are companies that will take your electronic stuff and recycle most of it and dispose of the rest properly. You can google it to find them. I think the City has a disposal program also or they might have info on who would take it. This isn't electonic but I had a flier in my Center Point Energy for a comapny that will come pick up any old refrigerators or freezers and pay you $25.

Keep on casting,

Rich LH

Douglas Romans

Check this out gang,

Quoting from the Houston Chronicle this past Sunday

"Oak Forest Elementary School is one of five HISD schools named as 2010 National Blue Ribbon Schools by US Sectretary of Education chief Arne Duncan. The other winning Houston schools were Burrus and Cornelius elems and Briarmeadow and Johnston Middle schools. These schools are among only 304 schools in the country and 25 in Texas that have achieved this honor this year. Located at 1401 W 43rd, Oak Forest won for high performance."

I wonder how our 50's group would have fared if they had had this competition back then???

Way to go, yung'uns 

DougR

Susan Howard (Bowman)

Beau, Sun City is near Georgetown, which is about 30 miles from Austin.  Our time line is 2 years from now.  No, we don't have beaches in Indianapolis, Indiana, (pretty sure they don't have them in Iowa either) just the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500, the Colts, and the Pacers (although I don't like to claim the Pacers these days).  Actually, there is a strip of beach in northern Indiana along Lake Michigan and we have a lot of lakes that have beaches.  Good luck with your new glasses and your hearing aides!  Isn't getting older fun?! 

Beau Wann, Jr.

I GOT EM!!!! MY NEW BIONIC EARS...now I can turn the close captioning off on my TV! These things are too cool for school! Has 4 different modes I can pick. Now I'm a real double naught spy for sure!!!! I didnt know hearing aids made that much difference! My old ones didnt! They just amplified all the sounds! Kinda like you were in a trashcan with speakers in it! Now, I can actually carry on an intelligent conversation with someone, anyone...well a conversation anyhow!!! this is so cool being able to hear again! They sure cost enough though...and probably will only last up to 7 years, then I have to do it again...Who knows, they might come up with something better by then...for less!!!!

Susan, sorry about calling Indiana, Iowa...they both have some of the same letters! I dont know why I picked Iowa...it would be cool to know someone from Iowa...not that it isnt cool knowing you from Indiana!!!! But I already know someone from Indiana, one of my best friends that lives in Florida, because he hates snow! So, could you and your husband move to Iowa, and then move here???? then I would know folks from indana and iowa and florida...

Saw my Vietnamese friend Ha, at Jasons on 34th at 290. He is the manager there! He really has that place ship shape! What an energetic guy he is. Rides bicycles long distances for fun and competition! His latest cost 15K dollars! Needs a motor if I'm gonna pay that much for a vehicle! Ha is first generation Vietnamese-American. He is very proud of that...He can be proud of just being such a great asset to Jasons! Met his sister, Twee, tonight also...looks like a model/moviestar, and just as nice as he is...Ha s wife is Italian-Thai...when she makes sphegetti, it is spicy hot...I mention them, because it is such a pleasure to see them...makes my day!!!!

Hey Wayne...sounds like Minnesota should be in Texas..."The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is one of my favorite songs. I love ballads, or songs that tell a story! I use to be able to play and sing it too...couldnt tell me from Gordon Lightfoot, cept I'm probably a little taller! and better looking...

Rich??? Liz could be a cat burglar...seeing as how she can open doors now!!!! Smart puppy Liz!!!
Big Oliver thinks he's a dog, I let him out, and he rolls in the dirt like Cooper and Jack...Well, he is almost big as a dog, I suppose he could be one...as well as a fat cat...and a wooly mammoth!!!

Doug...Oak Forest Elem, back when we went, would probably be number 1...They probably throw out the highest score, and the lowest score (me) and then take the average and voila...exemplary...Probably Mrs Simpson would be Teacher of the millinium...in my estimation anyhow!!! Wish I could see her again...I can read and write and love the classics...thanks to her...and appreciate her profession...well, I did marry a teacher!!!!

Speaking of the little woman, she just arrived home from choir...glad she's home!!! Hard carrying on anything other than a onesided conversation, with a dog or cat!!!! They can probably talk, they just dont to aggravate me!!! 

Rode Pegasus today...couldnt have been nicer! Went looking for a birthday present for Diane, Friday is her birthday! Dont have a clue what to get her...roses? she grows her own...jewelry??? has plenty...clothes???? cant buy clothes for her...I will take her out to dinner...MacDonalds sound ok???? Her birthday always sneaks up on me...if she would just pick a day and stick with that one, instead of moving it around like she does...last year it was October 1st...year before, October 1st...yearbefore that one, October 1st...next year, probably be when???? October 1st...so you see my perdicament...I never know when it's gonna be...just my luck!!!

See yall later, probably gonna be a sleepless night, new ears and all...damn, I love it when something works right, dont you all!!!!! I LOVE IT!!! Next, NEW BIONIC EYES...THEN THE WHIRLD!!!!!!!!!!

Yore lovable ol Duke of DuBarry...and resident knutt and zoo director...beauregard c ephus esq

Gloria Hornick (Walker)

As for recycling electronics, Best Buy takes up to two items per day on computer components.  I don't know about stereos.  You might check.  I took three computer parts and had to pay $10 for them to take the monitor, but they gave me a $10 gift card.  I thought it was because it was a big old monitor.  Might have been because it was the third item.  Anyway, you could ask about other things.

Bj Brady '65

Good morning Duke-

Tell us some more about the hearing aids. My experience

has been like the trash can with the speakers.

What kind did ya get and how expensive is expensive?

I love your comments to us all. Really do. We are

listening. We love ya,

BJ Brady