The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between our classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum and then click "Submit".

Bennie Schielack

Who knew ? ? ? ? ? 

Found this on a Facebook group . . . . . 

Bennie Schielack

No news from Chappel Hill.  Hope everything is OK up there . . . . . 

Teddie Jordan

Cephus, Inquiring minds, concerned  ciitizens, and people who happen to love y'all are concerned, are y'all Do'inn All right, Eatin' Regular', and surviving in this crazy year!!

TJ?

Beau Wann, Jr.

     We're ok !

Bennie Schielack

Anyone believe two words from Beau really means things are OK ? ? ? ? ?

Jimmie Lee Smith (Brawner)

No, Bennie, I don't.  What's going on, Beau?  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     Sorry my friends, but the D word has hit me with a vengeance.  I've pretty much had it under control the last 30 or so years, or so I thought, but just like spam or a computer virus, it has found a way in.  I've run up and down the hill so many times, and for an old guy like me, isnt easy,   so that either my mind will give out or my body whichever comes first.    At this point I'm not too particular.  Not being able to carry on a conversation with anyone because of my hearing, with or without ear aids just adds to the misery along with now not being able to recognize words which comes with hearing loss.

     I get to feeling real bad because of feeling bad, because there are a zillion folks out there with more worser problems, or so one would think.  It's hard to explain "depression", it's not something one can turn on and off at will.  You can fight it, as I do, with every ounce of fight in me, and I'm a fighter.  It's just so powerful, because it's all in your mind.  Duh, right!  

   I complained because of the pain of this and that and the 3 sisty uglers, Poly Myalgia and rhumatica, beating on me, but that aint nothing  compared to the big D.  You cant drink it away, or drug it away, cause it makes it worse, and it's still there.  an aside here if I may,  contrary to popular belief and what I've led folks to believe, I dont drink or do drugs, even prescription drugs.

        I have a whole cabinet full of pain killers, all still intact and unopened from the drugstore, A liquor cabinet that'd make SPECS envious, I've only had drink to be sociable and go along with the crowd, in my youte.  Now I dont have to have it to be sociable, and truth be told, dont now, and never did like the taste of alcohol in any form.  Much to the dismay of my doctor, who wants me to drink a glass of wine a day because my good cholesterol is bad, I just cant do it.  I drink grape juice in stead hoping that will help some.

     Well anyway, now I've bared my soul to all youse youtes, my friends, pretty hard thing to do, that !  I know none of yall will or would judge me harshly,  as harshly as I judge myself, but the stigma of "depression" is ever ingrained on my little pea brain, and it all just begats itself ad infinitum...

    Getting out now to go to the store, so I'll be back here in a while and try to be a  presentable human bean, if not,  a navy, lima or string....

Scotty Croom

hang in there ,beau....this ovid SCARE has put me in a similiar dilemma...my biggest wall is cataract..bad depth perception is biggest hamper to mobility...but we still get out...great eateries on coast...hope we can all get together soon...

Wayne Lake

Beau,

So sorry to hear you got the blues buddy.

I think we all suffer from some form of depression from time to time and the only differences are the severity, duration of periods and coping mechanisms. The fact remains is that by living for ¾ of a century or more everything seems to be either worn out, no longer working, leaky, has been replaced/fixed or is either missing, broken or busted. Bottom line is if we are lucky, we outlive a lot of our vital body parts and with any these losses it’s easy to get depressed. One good friend and fishing buddy of mine has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and another has had both hips and one knee replaced and the Doc says he needs one more. It’s like all five lugs on the wheels of life are stripped.    

For me, the heat of Texas summers bums me out cause I like being outside and I end up spending too much time inside and that’s a major reason I duck and run to the North. I know booze is not the answer but it sure seem like a good temporary fix sometimes. I guess there are drugs to alleviate or dull it but they all have their side effects that can cause other problems.     

I’ve been listenin’ to Willie’s latest release, ‘First Rose of Spring’ and below are some of the lyrics from one of my favorite tracks, ‘Don’t Let the old Man In’ by Toby Keith (but maybe especially written for Willie): 

‘Try to Love on your Wife

And stay close to your friends

Toast each sundown with wine (in my case rum)

And don’t let the old man in’  

That 2^nd line says it all my friend, stay close to your friends.

I love Willie -  his music brings me back to Texas no matter where I am and if he keeps on writin’ and singin’, I’ll keeps on a listen’…….

We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers,

wtl

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Beau, depression is not something people discuss like all their artificial parts.  I have determined that the human body creates more tears than cells.  I tried the pills.  I was not impressed.  I tried drinking in my teens.  Beer is awful and my family already had enough alcoholics so I left that room too.  I look at my grandchildren and feel hope.  I try not to watch talking heads on tv.  I feel isolated by this virus.  My daughter doesn't want me shopping for myself.  She is a worry wart (don't think that is a real thing).  That leaves me zero excuse other than doctor visits to leave the house.  I sneak out like a kid to feed the deer that are grazing on my patio.  
my son in law is an emergency doctor/ functional medicine doctor.  He has my husband researching medical issues on the computer.  He thinks everything he reads about is describing me.  He wants me to feel 50 again.  Been there.  Done that.  I learned how to fix the garage door opener on YouTube.  Now he wants me to learn how to be an electrician.  We have been confined too long.  Now he and our friend from church have decided we aren't going to watch the NBA finals.  I love basketball.  I didn't get a vote.  I look at my complaints and know they are all first world problems.  Doesn't make me want to get out of my pjs, but does make me feel guilty.

there - I unloaded too and I feel better.  Not enough better to do a load of laundry, but better.

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Beau, 

there's a song by Guy Clark called Old Friends.  I knew him when we were young and silly.  He was serious about lyrics even when nothing else seemed important.  

Steve Puckett '65

"Old Friends"   Thanks, Pat.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0OmFK38_ZU

Wayne Lake

Pat, knowing Guy Clark makes you only one degree away from being famous yourself. I have always appreciated his music, especially the lyrics and LA Freeway was a favorite tune of mine. I will apologize for continuing to reference Willie (I live in a fairly small music world) but another new release is called ‘Ride Me back Home’- I don’t know if this is known by all but Willie rescues horses that are headed for the glue factory as we used to say – not to ride or pet – he just lets them graze out their lives on his place somewhere in the Hill country and says ‘I won’t bother them if is they don’t bother me’. The title track address’ his respect and passion for horses and there is something to be said for anybody that rescues anything. but especially horses. This release also includes his rendition of Guy Clark’s great song, Immigrant Eyes and I think he does it justice. One of my favorite tracks is the old Mac Davis hit, ‘It’s Hard to be Humble’ with his sons, Lukas and Micah – ‘Oh Lord, it’s hard to humble when you’re perfect in every way’…………

I can still clearly remember my first bare boat sailing charter in the BVI over 35 years ago, when we walked into a waterfront bar in Road Town Tortola, they were playing Willie’s ‘Red Headed Stranger’. If it wasn’t for that clear blue Caribbean water, I could have sworn I never left home. I liked it so much I did the same sailing vacation at least 15 more times over the years.

Don’t forget to stay safe and vote early and vote often………..wtl

Beau Wann, Jr.

     GOOOOOOOOOD EEEEENIN CHAPPELL HILLLLLLLL...Like the fellow said, "Hello boys, I'm baaaack"...  "it's me again Margaret.."
Scotty,  are your cataracts fixable?   I prefer rincolns....saw an elefant in my pajamas last night, how he got there I'll never know....A duck walked into a bar, and the bartender said "we dont serve ducks", and the duck said, " I dont want a duck, just a "scotch and soda, jigger of gin, oh what a spell you've got me in..." a rabbi, a priest and a duck walked into a bar.....   A mind is a terrible think, havent I been telling you that?   Well it is, especially if it's  a  "Dr Jekyl Mr Hyde" mind, mind you!   So mind your Ps and Qs, if you dont mind, whatever in the heck that is.  

    Pat,  you need to come on down here to fix my garage door opner, it keeps going  back up when it gets to the floor.  It does that about 6 or 4 times before it will finally stay down.  I've  monkeyed with it all to no avail.  I dont want to look it up on the internet because I just dont, so there.  For the life of me, I cant recall Guy Clark or any song that he did.  What's wrong with me?   Dadburn idgit that's what !  Cant understand the lyrics to any song that I dont knwo, so I dont listen to those.... After that last comment,  Is it any wonder why I wasnt phi beta kappa ! ! !  More like tappa gnu keg...idgea phi moron...

     Hey Wayne,  guess you've lived the dream eh. Good for youse.    Like youse guys, I hate the heat, especially since we've had 100 plus everyday this summer.  I knew it was gonna be a bad summer when we had 100 in April for goodness sakes.  HOWEVER, and aint there always a "however",  the humdinkinbirds have been very active this summer since last of July. Just a might early for those critters this year.    Since they go to margaritaville every winter, I'm hoping we have an early, long and cold winter, and I promise you I wont b e saying, "gee it's so cold, wish it were summer..."

     You know, there's lots of things to be depressed about without having it for a companion 24/7.  The heat is depressing because it's so oppressing...cant g et together with folks because of the cootie19...like you pat, I dont watch TV atall, no sports or news.  No sports because when MILLIONAIRE ball players start complaining about the rest of the country, what do they have to complain about?   And I   Havent watched the news in years, because they support that sort of nonsense, and  If there's anything I need to know, my bloved will tell me, in sign language..."HEY DOPEY, LOCK AND LOAD".  "aint she sweet, just knocks me offa my feet..."

    And that's another thing, my beloved has finally come out of the closet,   well, the laundry room.  I was shocked, chagrined, dismayed and beside myself when I found out! ! ! !   What was it you ask?    Well, I'm gonna tell youse youtes,   SHE WAS DRINKING DIET DR PEPPER....oh the humanity.  You know, I put that in the prenups, I specifically said, "no midget tossing, no panty hose hanging in the bathroom, no hot yogurt and no Diet Dr Pepper" ! ! !   Dont know what I'm gonna do now.  HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON ????   Apparently for 30 something years. I'm gonna need counseling for sure.  I mean, come on, DIET DR PEPPER?  THAT'S LIKE DRINKING COUGH SYRUP FOR A SPRAINED ANKLE.

     Oh, I've been hearing voices in my head!   Isnt that just dandy. Nothing specific, like "if you build it they will  come"  already heard that one, and I did build it and yall  came,  YAY.    Cant understand what anyone is saying when I'm being spoke at,  and yet I hear folks talking when there's no one about actually saying anything.  I hear music in noise now, nothing I can recognize, but give it time.  I thought I heard "oh I wish I was in the land of  cotton..."

   Speaking of cotton, can we talk?  I'll be et fer a tater if   my beloved didnt informed me that she was going to Palais Royal to look for me some unawear...!!!!!!!!      I was unawares that my unawares needed tending too.  What is it with wives that they want to get all personal with a mans unawares?    Do they all stand together in the mens UW department, saying, "your husband wears those?  My husband wears this kind..." ???      I dont want my UW being talked about  in no UW department ever never! ! !

       And going to a freeench hoochiecoochie store to buy em, well, I've seen right before, and that aint it! ! !      I've never asked her or anyone to go looking for my unawear ! ! !   Lord a mighty!  I dont want anyone looking for or at my underwear, dont touch it, dont even think about it !    I'm perfectyly capable of buying my own UW, thank you very much!   OH the humanity ! ! !  And, dont even think about my socks either !  I'll tell you, this ud bring tears to a glass eye, this would ! ! !

     Ok, time to decompress, cease and desist and deplane.   Keep the sun at your six and the son in your heart, and "ride boldly ride..."

your frien and resident psycho, Cephus R A Pairofnormal Schizophreniacs esq..   

Post Script:  When in danger and in doubt, run in circles scream and shout...and never trust a naked bus driver...  

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Wayne I love Willie.  I enjoy his harmonizing with Lukas and Micah.  Lukas has a song on his album called Just Outside of Austin that is great.  That's where their place is - sw of Austin.  
hanging out with the fellas who sang at the coffee house was fun.  After we closed up we always went to the Jester because all the guys loved Lightnin Hopkins.  Guy and Townes would sit close and try to emulate his playing technique.  All of these fellas were buddies.  They were not boyfriend material.  The only lecher in the group was Lightnin.  My husband has always been more impressed with Lightnin.  He doesn't listen to music unless I have google music playing in the house.

beau, i learned a few sign language phrases when one of my granddaughters was born.  She had palette problems and could not talk when she was young.  She was very frustrated so we talked by signing.  I have probably forgotten most of it.  I love music so not being able to hear it would be sad.  Because I have given it some thought, I know that being blind would be far worse for me.  Not being able to research or read would be the worst possible sense to lose.  I never got any common sense so on that point I have nothing to lose.

a rabbi, a priest, and a preacher go into a bar........thé place clears out.

Beau Wann, Jr.

    Absolutely love you Pat...you are good for this old soul, thank you ! ! !   On a more seriouser noute, those of youse that knew  Dr Dave Dyer from Oaks Presbyterian Church, he  passed away day before yesterday, I think he was 74.   Diane was on the PNC that brought him to Oaks back in 79 or 80.  I really loved his voice and dicipleship to Christ.  He was a true man of his word and of the word.   He presided over Dianes and my wedding. 

      I played a lot of softball back in the 70s and 80s, just loved it as I loved tennis.  Anyway, I asked Dave if he thought there would be softball in heaven, and his reply was, "if you need softball in heaven, then there will be softball in heaven".  Now I dont need it so much, or at all really. 

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Pat Brantley (Ross)

The photo was 1955 at Oak Forest elementary show and tell.  Who are these two?

Scotty Croom

any thought of a fling this fall????

Johnny Sheffield

Scotty, do to Covid-19, the reunion committee is not planning

a fall fling. Hopefully things will be back to normal next spring 

for us to have a get together. 

stay safe!

Johnny

Pat Brantley (Ross)

Sorry the photo didn't get posted.  My fault entirely.  You must hold your mouth a certain way for the magic to work.  I will try to find it again.

Lynn Gregory (Ferraro)

Pat, I sympathize totally!  Post the photo when you can (when you learn to hold your mouth just so...)

Beau Wann, Jr.

     GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING CHAPPELL HILLLLLLLL, AND ALL THAT TIPS, I SEE...
Been up since the crack of a roosters crow and then some.  Got the critters all fed and watered and now they're out on the trail of ol peter cottontail, Dixie Belle Lee, standing on top of HER deck surveying the hillside whilst the "more junior of the pair"  Izzydorable, is pushing her nose to the limit sniffing out ol pete, and baying to the high heavens. 

    HEY PAT ! ! ! !  I know exactly who those two are,  I never forget a name and a face, just dont know their names or faces, but I do remember them.... Phi beta kappa material, me, for shure.   Once you get the hang of it, holding your tongue just right, you must also dance the boogaloo, the frug, the lindy hop, and the mashed potatoes, then you're in like Flint, ha !

    HEY SCOTTY...!!!!!!!  How yall dune down there in the delta of Mobyle Alamabama with a banjo on your knee....(a mind is a terrible think eh what).   UnOfficially, we are having the FALL FLING here daily, and yo're welcome to jine in.   I FALL, then I FLING whatever I've got in my hands all over creation. Nah, dont want you falling for sure.  But, yall are moren welcome to venture to the hill and we will fling ourselves silly in the fall, you all.

     With 10 acres, I believe we can maintain a healthy distance.  The onliest (east texas for only) thing, I havent been able to teach our dogs and cat the "distancing" problem.  They'll get right in your face, no since of social distancing,  they! ! !

     Held church yesterday on the hill at the   "Lords Church on the Hill"  Pretty catchy that eh!  (yall hold on, need to go get another cuppa joe...be my 3rd....ok i'm back, hmmmmm, now where was I ???)
Oh yeah, held church on the hill,  bout daybreak, and the Lord provided us with all the trappings, sunrise, butterflies, humdinkingbirds, and we in turn gave thanks.

     Then I rode Pegasus to Buccees in Waller, had a cuppala cups of joe, then rode old 290 (my favorite road in the whirld) to Hempstead, then 159 to Bellville.  Had to stop at the beautiful little park just off the square and marvel at it's beauty.  Lots of old oaks and pecan trees and green  grass, doesnt take much tto entertain me!  Just love nature!  Well duh, who doesnt!   Well, dont love the grizzly bears and snakes and lions and tigers and spiders,  oh my. They can just stay on the telly which I dont watch, ha moren one way to enjoy nature.

    Anyway, I ccontinued on my trip through Bellville on through Kenny then into Brenham and back to Chappell Hill, down the bumpity washboard road, up the hill on the bumpity driveway, back into the mancave, a total of 74.2 miles.  Quite the traveler am I eh what? 

   I've sorta slowed down on my projects and work, just tired ah reckon!   We did get 1 and 3/4 inches of rain Friday, the first since May me thinks, and just finished mowing inside the "house fence" when the first drops of rain started to assault my person.  Then the race was on to get the tractor into the barn, and just made it by the hair on my chinny chin chin, and got lots O that. 

      Sad to report, or maybe glad,  that CHIMACS digical and anatomacally correct weather station is kaput!   Since it's the 2nd set of Eelectronical weather equipment to have gone "kaput", dont think we will replace it.  We'll just have to rely on the old wet finger in the air for wind speed, and if we need a jacket or need to shed clothes, for temperature, and a mason jar for rain measurement, yeah, that's the ticket, good ol human enginuity.

    Today's LABOR DAY, and I for one am not gonna labor, much...ok, dogs are in and getting ready for their morning nap.  Izzydorable has her stuffed wabbit, Dixie has her teddy bear and Jack is already snoozing, poor boy.  He's blind cripple and almost deaf, but still runs and grins and is just happy to be alive and with us.  Such loyalty ! ! !   Guess that's what has drawn me to critters over the years, unconditional love and acceptance,  that and like Ol Jimmy crack corn, and they dont care.

    Time to deplane, desist, decompress and dujour...keep the sun at your six and the Son in your heart and "ride boldly ride..."

Your frien and resident whacko...Cephus cracked corn and he dont care, esq 

Beau Wann, Jr.

Hey Pat, here's how you do it, hit this key, then that key, and a couple of other keys here and there, hither and yon, to and fro, all the while holding your mouth just right whilst dancin the boogaloo and frug, the lindy hop and the mash potatoes, etc

    And  VOILA, there is the picture of the new/old CHIMACS (chappell hill intergalactically meteorlogical and cornpone society)   weather station.  I shall endeavor to persevere...

Beau Wann, Jr.

    Howdy you all...long time since I've been on the forum, hmmm what is it now, bout 4 minutes, I'm locked and loaded today.     Of course if one has had 6 or 4 cups Of military grade coffee, then one is ready for sure, or jittery beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

    Just thought I'd pass along to all youse youtes,  I am about to embark on total immortality, (is there a not so total?)  I will become a legend in my own mind...

     I have just completed 19,996 straight wins of FREE CELL  on the computer LAST night.  YUP.   I've been holding off going to 20K just because...I hit 5000 sometime in 2013 and then hit 10k in dec of 18, and 19K July of this yeah 2020.   Why it's taken me so long, is I dont play all the time, I might go a week or so without playing.

    Yes, I've used the "undo" feature, why is it there if you are not suppose to use it, HUH?  Anyway, I'm thinkiing of turning PRO and going on a whirld wide tour, you know, book readings, personal appearances, holding concerts etc...or maybe not! 

    Just thought I'd bring that to your attention in case the driveby media doesnt feel the need to report such a feat, so phooey on them ol toe rags...