Tuesday, January 23, 2007
School Memories
One of the most memorable incidents of my first year in school was watching the teacher pull Rex out of his seat by a handful of red hair, a picture of frustration. For several years he seemed uncooperative in learning, until finally someone discovered that he was nearly blind. Thick glasses helped him see so much of the world he had been missing, but catching up on those exasperating years of reading and soaking up knowledge was hard. He even wore the glasses on the football field, and was a good athlete. He loved making music, breaking horses, and being a friend.
In an earlier piece I mentioned meeting Rex again at the Turkey Jamboree, and was happy to learn he has had a very successful life both personally and professionally. I gave him some of my books, with hopes of seeing him at the next Flomot homecoming. Then just before Christmas a package with the address of his cotton gin arrived in the mail, a cloth calendar with a bale of cotton pictured at the top, a memory of “olden days.” This is definitely a keeper!
My memories of Flomot are one of my most precious possessions. Imagine how empty life would be for someone with amnesia. I am so richly blessed.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
In an earlier piece I mentioned meeting Rex again at the Turkey Jamboree, and was happy to learn he has had a very successful life both personally and professionally. I gave him some of my books, with hopes of seeing him at the next Flomot homecoming. Then just before Christmas a package with the address of his cotton gin arrived in the mail, a cloth calendar with a bale of cotton pictured at the top, a memory of “olden days.” This is definitely a keeper!
My memories of Flomot are one of my most precious possessions. Imagine how empty life would be for someone with amnesia. I am so richly blessed.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
Sunday, January 07, 2007
The Blessings of the Road
Have you ever ridden in the cab of a big truck? It’s quite an eye-opening experience. I think it would be a good idea for everyone to try it before they can get a license to drive a car. From such a lofty perch, cars look very small and vulnerable. Learning first-hand how long it takes for a truck to stop, and how much space it takes to turn a corner might someday save your life.
Instead of cussing the hard working truckers, thing about how complicated our lives would be without them. The recent snow storm we had, preventing trucks from getting to stores to make deliveries for a couple of days, was a good reminder of how much our survival depends on their daily travels.
And how often do you think of appreciating the engineers and others who design and keep our roads in shape? Imagine the problems they encounter with keeping traffic moving while doing necessary repairs. One recent renovation project in our area was aimed at building tunnels beneath the freeway in order to keep wild animals–especially deer and bears–from wandering out into traffic. Contending with the problems of a construction zone is pretty minor compared to crashing into a black bear.
The evolution of highway signs and markings has taken a lot of imagination. Did you know that the paint used for striping contains ground-up glass so that it can be seen easier under headlights at night? How important those stripes are becomes quite evident when they are covered with snow.
With most freeway ramps located on the right, how do you know when the one coming up might turn to the left? Watch the large road signs for the exit number at the top. If it is on the right corner of the sign, it will turn right. If on the left corner, the exit ramp will be on the left.
In some states, the numbers of the exit ramps coincide with the mile markers, so that when traveling west in New Mexico, you see mile marker 176, you know to be ready to turn off at exit 175 for Tijeras or Sandia Crest, 175 miles from the Arizona border.
Mile markers are generally easy to see on interstates, but not on lesser roads. In Texas you may have to look closely beneath the US 287 sign to find the number on the post. Knowing the milepost can be important when reporting a wreck or other problems to authorities.
The next time you’re driving, pay attention to all the blessings of our highway system, and pass your thankfulness on to the other drivers you encounter.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
Instead of cussing the hard working truckers, thing about how complicated our lives would be without them. The recent snow storm we had, preventing trucks from getting to stores to make deliveries for a couple of days, was a good reminder of how much our survival depends on their daily travels.
And how often do you think of appreciating the engineers and others who design and keep our roads in shape? Imagine the problems they encounter with keeping traffic moving while doing necessary repairs. One recent renovation project in our area was aimed at building tunnels beneath the freeway in order to keep wild animals–especially deer and bears–from wandering out into traffic. Contending with the problems of a construction zone is pretty minor compared to crashing into a black bear.
The evolution of highway signs and markings has taken a lot of imagination. Did you know that the paint used for striping contains ground-up glass so that it can be seen easier under headlights at night? How important those stripes are becomes quite evident when they are covered with snow.
With most freeway ramps located on the right, how do you know when the one coming up might turn to the left? Watch the large road signs for the exit number at the top. If it is on the right corner of the sign, it will turn right. If on the left corner, the exit ramp will be on the left.
In some states, the numbers of the exit ramps coincide with the mile markers, so that when traveling west in New Mexico, you see mile marker 176, you know to be ready to turn off at exit 175 for Tijeras or Sandia Crest, 175 miles from the Arizona border.
Mile markers are generally easy to see on interstates, but not on lesser roads. In Texas you may have to look closely beneath the US 287 sign to find the number on the post. Knowing the milepost can be important when reporting a wreck or other problems to authorities.
The next time you’re driving, pay attention to all the blessings of our highway system, and pass your thankfulness on to the other drivers you encounter.
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
Friday, January 05, 2007
A New Kind of Adventure
When I bought the battery powered sweeper, it had never occurred to me that one-handed operation was among its many benefits. Today sweeping the floor was a breeze, although my right hand is sore, swollen and useless. The Swiffer mop was equally easy to use as I explored the new challenge of being temporarily left handed.
What a small inconvenience a painful hand is, compared to the things my friend with ALS has been through, or the one who was paralyzed by a stroke, or the kid with a broken neck, now a quadriplegic. What a good reminder to count my multitude of blessings!
With one hand, I can easily fill the dishwasher, carry snacks to eat in front of the TV, read a book, accompany my singing with chords on the electronic keyboard, and even use the computer, albeit somewhat slowly. And when I tire of adventure, I sit quietly and watch the peaceful falling of snow.
Thinking of being left-handed, I remember writing a theme for a friend in high school. To disguise my penmanship, I wrote with my left hand. When the teacher saw it, she called him to her desk, and I thought the jig was up. Instead, she said, “Now, if you just took the time, your writing could always be this good.” Whew! My writing was a mess, but his was pitiful.
Besides this way of fighting boredom, I also practiced writing backward. How would such a crazy pastime ever be useful? Well, it was. When I started doing painting on glass many years later, everything was backward, so that when the glass was framed, my backward signature was readable. Who knows where your unusual talent may be needed? Practice, practice, practice . . . .
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
What a small inconvenience a painful hand is, compared to the things my friend with ALS has been through, or the one who was paralyzed by a stroke, or the kid with a broken neck, now a quadriplegic. What a good reminder to count my multitude of blessings!
With one hand, I can easily fill the dishwasher, carry snacks to eat in front of the TV, read a book, accompany my singing with chords on the electronic keyboard, and even use the computer, albeit somewhat slowly. And when I tire of adventure, I sit quietly and watch the peaceful falling of snow.
Thinking of being left-handed, I remember writing a theme for a friend in high school. To disguise my penmanship, I wrote with my left hand. When the teacher saw it, she called him to her desk, and I thought the jig was up. Instead, she said, “Now, if you just took the time, your writing could always be this good.” Whew! My writing was a mess, but his was pitiful.
Besides this way of fighting boredom, I also practiced writing backward. How would such a crazy pastime ever be useful? Well, it was. When I started doing painting on glass many years later, everything was backward, so that when the glass was framed, my backward signature was readable. Who knows where your unusual talent may be needed? Practice, practice, practice . . . .
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Raising Children
Raising Children
If you want to raise a monster, here's what you need to do:
Give him everything he asks for, and maybe extras, too.
Laugh at the dirty words he says, don't teach him right from wrong,
no training in the spiritual vein, no hymn or Godly song.
Teach no responsibility, self-discipline or work.
Ignore your job as leader, the role of parent shirk.
Let him read or watch anything he wants, and fill his mind with smut.
If you mention God or morals, he may think you're a nut.
Have quarrels in his presence, using language of the street.
Let him see your lack of self-respect, show him how to cheat.
Provoke him oft to anger, take his side in any trouble,
so that when he meets reality, adversities will double.
He will spend a lifetime catching up, nor earn the feel of pride
that comes with honest labor, respect from deep inside.
Then prepare yourself for a life of grief, for it will surely come,
and you can sit and wonder why your child became a bum.
(From a sermon by Roger Holm)
Cora Gail Trent
www.cgtrent.com
cgtrent@att.net
