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Larry, when I got up this morning it was 9° at 8am.  Coming home at 1:30pm, it was 27°!  See what a few miles north is like? 

Church was awesome.  We had a speaker from Christian Missionary Fellowship International.  Kent talked to us about the global water crisis.  If we collected $500 today, our church's missionary group will be paying for a well being drilled in Kenya.  Awesome presentation! 

Then our Sunday School teacher was gone today...down in the back.  So his wife led our SS class.  She isn't as talkative as Larry so we got out early!

Then Betty, Evelyn and I went to Logan's Steak House.  I had to send my steak back.  I can do pink..can't do blood.  And when the steak came back so did another baked sweet potato...so I have one in the fridge to eat tomorrow! 

Now I am home for awhile and then go to Small Groups tonight at 5pm. 

I think I will be glad to get to Florida so I can rest!!

A quiet Sunday here for us until cousins arrive this week.  I did not sleep well last night and was sitting in church just before the sermon, had to walk outdoors because of a sudden coughing fit.  A man came with a glass of water for me and then I was able to go back and slip into my  seat and hear the sermon.   There were 46 today, one more than last week.  We were all invited to take home grapefruit and oranges - that is almost everywhere you go around here. 

Texted with grandson via the SKYPE on computer a few minutes ago.  Otherwise, I don't care to text on the iPod. 

Etta Sue:  I could use that baked sweet potato in a soup recipe that calls for butternut squash and a sweet potato.  It looks interesting.  Yes, lack of water and water of drinking quality is  getting more and more scarce - nice of your church to fund an entire well. 

Why didn't the weather sticker stay?  I didn't touch it.  Could someone please fix my weather sticker for Highlands Ranch, Colorado?  Thank you. 

Just finished SKYPE chat with youngest son.  It is such a great way to stay in touch and see the children. 

What a beautiful day we had here today!  It must have been at least 75 degrees, and NO WIND!!  Yippee!  If we can't have something WET, then I'll take this, any day!

Since I went to church here last night, we went to Hugoton to My Father's House this morning, and enjoyed such a good service.  Then to Diane's for lunch and a good visit with all their family.  I got to hold little Jenna a lot.  She's such a sweet, quiet baby, and still so tiny.  Her head has grown a lot, her body hasn't.  When we got home, I went to the care home for the church service there.  Beth asked me to come, as the church doing it this month has lots of people we love and who are very kind to Beth.  During the singing, our friend Roy from our church slipped in and placed a card and a small plate of cookies in Beth's lap and slipped right back out.  So thoughtful! 

Jeff even called Mark while we were there so we got to talk to him, too.  He is making excellent scores in his airline mechanics classes there, and really is enjoying doing what he loves.  God bless him.

Larry, is there someplace online where one can find free books for the Nook?  I get plenty for the Kindle from Pixel of Ink and Inspired Reads (Thanks, Janice!) but don't know where to get them for the Nook.  I have gotten several for Darrel on the Kindle, but want something for me to read on the Nook before I let him have the Kindle. 

I have been asked to consider serving on the county library board.  Will meet with someone tomorrow about that.  They only suggest three people; then the commissioners do the actual picking.

Etta Sue, Hope you soak up lots of rays, get a lot of reading done, and rest a lot while you're in Florida!  Have fun!

I'm reading a good book by Joel Rosenburg called the Twelfth Imam, on the Kindle.  He is an excellent writer.

See you all tomorrow!

Carol, your temperature "thingy" shows for me.  No fixing needed. 

It was a lovely day here today as well, Jan et--really cold though.  Not sure what the temperature was but oh, so cold.  We drove down to Hamilton to see our great granddaughter and what a delightful little baby.  Just beautiful and perfect and all the other adjectives we always use describing out wee ones. 

Thanks for the great devotional today, Etta Sue.  I certainly have some attitudes that need changing. 

     

Pat glad you were able to see the baby.  Can't wait to see your pictures!

Had a good day here with John.  He heads out tomorrow.  He is missed when he is gone.

PAt when Carol posted all the weather thingies were a bunch of goblety gook. I am assuming time fixed whatever the problem was!

Etta Sue great devotional.  Thank you.

Well time for bed, be back tomorrow.

Hardly any pictures, Judy.  I got a couple of Kathleen with the baby.  But none of me with her.    Time just passed by too quickly and then Kathleen and Jon had to get going to get Kathleen to bed.

Pat, I'm so glad you had some time with the baby.  I'm looking forward to the pictures, too.  It will be good to see Kathleen, as well as the baby, but too bad you didn't get in any of them. 

Thank anyone who fixed my temperature.  I was seeing a lot of jibberish when I wrote but maybe it all came together.

Oh, Pat.  Maybe you can fix a picture to show you and the new baby together?  So glad you were able to be there for a visit even though it was very short. 

Janet:  All those thoughtful little things for Beth are because you have such a caring community and they want to let Beth know how much they love her.  As for being on the library board, I think you might enjoy that community duty.  Tell us what you decide. 

I am trying to stay awake until 10 at least as just dragging after a poor sleep last night. 

I've never known myself to take hardly any photos but I was just so enjoying holding Hadley and looking at her little ears and her lovely eyes and wee fingers, etc.  Before I knew it, it was feeding time and all opportunities for a photo with me were gone--at least for this time.

Here's one of Hadley with her Mummy

So precious!  I love this photo of mother and child .... such love exhibited.  I know how much this means to you, Pat ... again, I say Congratuations!   

Hi everyone.  We are starting the day at 30 degrees, better than yesterday, although it was a beautiful day here yesterday.  It looks like today will be the same.  Nothing out of the ordinary on the schedule for today.  We will be having lunch at Macaroni Grill for our men's Monday luncheon group and tonight I have my Monday evening meeting.  I stayed up a bit later yesterday to watch the seasons ending of Downton Abbey.  I think there will be at least one more season of it.  It seems this season has been too short. 

Judy, thanks for the info on the finches you have.

Etta Sue, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.  I agree with you wanting my meat cooked.  That does sound like an awesome speaker.

Janet, you had a busy Sunday and nice you got to talk with your grandson and that he likes the mechanics school he is attending.  Try this site for free books for your Nook. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/free-ebooks   There is also a new free book each Friday http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/The-NOOK-Blog/bg-p/Unbound  These should keep you busy for awhile.    Joel Rosenburg is a good writer.  I am sure you would be a good member of the library board and it should be an interesting experience if you decide to stand for the position and are selected.

Carol, do hope you were able to sleep well last night. 

Pat, beautiful picture of a mother's love of a beautiful baby.

Good Morning Jane and all who stop by to chat today.

AWWWW!  Pat that's such a wonderful picture.  You must be thrilled, both with Kathleen and Hadley.   

Larry, are you sure that was the last episode for the season?  I must have missed that information.  That last scene of Michael lying there after the crash is burned into my brain. 

We had another night of below zero - hopefully that's it for this winter.  But up here in the foothills of the Adirondacks anything is possible.   

Minus 25C when John got up this morning. that is about -13F.  Even John's truck complained about starting.  Sure hope this cold snap would end.  Clear nights, no cloud cover at all.  I'm praying for cloud cover soon. The daytime is sunny, but there is little heat coming in from the sun.  I have the furnace going full blast hopefully warm soon..

Pat beautiful picture. 

John has his last official duty as a Road Knight tomorrow.  He may step in to help the new team, however after today officially it will be up to the new team.  He has enjoyed his time with the Road Knights, there have been plenty of witnessing opportunities.

Have a good day everyone!

Well, rats!  I just lost my whole long post!  So I will just post my latest story and try to get b ack here after lunch to redo it.   

                                       


                                             LESTER H. SMYTH

Lester Smyth, son of Lester and Pearl Smyth, was born in Lakin, Kansas on November 11, 1930  He grew up in Ulysses, on Missouri Street.  The family's house had running water in the kitchen only, and they had one of those little houses out back.  Lester had one older brother, Victor, who was born with congenital cataracts, making him 99% blind.  In those days they didn't have cataract surgery as we do now.  Victor also suffered from epilepsy, and had spells about once a month.  Lester grew up helping his brother in many ways because of his disabilities.

Their father worked for the county and also farmed.  Their mother was the Grant County Register of Deeds.  Pearl passed away in the old Leopold hospital from cancer, at the young age of 36 years.  Lester was 14 years old at the time of his mother's death, and the last time he visited her, the last words she said to him were, "Take care of Victor."

His education was gained in the Ulysses school system from first grade through high school, and Lester graduated in 1949.  During his school years, he loved athletics, playing basketball and football and running track.  In his senior year, he was Homecoming King, and remembers getting to kiss the Homecoming Queen, Arlene Kistner.  He said that was a special time!

Lester enrolled in college, but that didn't suit him, so he left and joined the Navy.  He does sometimes wish he had gone farther with his education.

A couple of his favorite teachers were Principal Bradner, and Miss Roessler, who taught history, mathematics and homemaking.
One outstanding childhood memory is of his 11th birthday.  His mother planned a nice party for him, inviting all his friends, including Don Eddie, John Caldwell, Orville Tarbet and others, but that day, before party time, Lester decided to walk to the junk yard, about half a mile from their house.  He got so interested in whatever he found fascinating there that he didn't come home until the party was over and all his friends had gone home.  His mother was NOT happy, and he was in BIG trouble!  Lester said he got his hide tanned real good for that!

Lester says he enjoyed playing lots of outdoor basketball, year around, and that they used to have competitions between those on the east side of Main Street and those on the west side.  He enjoyed going to the movies, when tickets were 10c each, and remembers sneaking into the Crocker Theater at least once.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 through 1954.  Right after basic training, he was sent to serve on a destroyer near Korea.  There were four destroyers in that division and they took turns going up to the 38th parallel and fighting.  They did a lot of bombardment with five inch shells, and he remembers being strapped into a 38 machine gun and firing at North Koreans.  They were instructed to fire at anything that moved, be it man or animal.  He joined the Navy three months before the Korean conflict began and was discharged four months after it ended.

Lester met Jeannine Arthur in Ulysses.  Her parents were good friends of Harold and Marie Anderson, and both families moved to Ulysses around the same time.  Jeannine finished her last year of high school here, and after another year or two, she and Lester married, in late 1954.  Their wedding was in the Methodist Church in Ulysses, and the officiating minister was a Disciples of Christ preacher.  They had two sons, Stanley and Blaine.  Stanley lives in Ulysses and runs Smyth Oil; Blaine worked for BP and now lives in Amarillo, Texas.  Lester has seven grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren.
Lester's wife Jeannine had a good job at Grant County State Bank for 32 years.  She was a diabetic, and later got cancer and passed away in 2001.

Following his four years in the Navy, Lester returned to Ulysses and began farming with his dad, which he did for 10 or 12 years.  He then worked for the Co-Op for 10 years.  He owned the old El Reco Gas station for about seven years, and told me that at that time gas was 13c per gallon, getting up to 26c  by the time he sold the business.  The last job he did was working with his son Stan in the oilfield business for about 20 years before retirement.

Lester thinks kids get too much handed to them now, rather than having to work for what they want.  We love them anyway, but he thinks they need to work for what they get.  And he also feels that playing sports is good for kids. But even when we had to work hard, we had a happy life, he says.

Lester liked to travel but says they were too poor to go much.  They did make trips to Great Bend on the Santa Fe train to visit a cousin, and had family reunions at Garden City.  He had cousins all over Southwest Kansas.  After their marriage, he and Jeannine made trips to Durango, Colorado and spent time with Jeannine's parents there.

While in the Navy, Lester was sent to Pu San, Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Okinawa, Hawaii, and Wake Island.

The achievement or accomplishment of his life that give Lester the most satisfaction  is having raised two good sons; going to Little League sports, high school sports, etc. and watching their accomplishments.  Stan still holds the record for throwing the javelin in Ulysses, and got a scholarship to Hutchinson Juco.  He later transferred to Texas Tech to finish his education.

The advice he would like to give to younger folks is:  Be honest.  Be friendly.  Be fair.  Give lots of hugs!

The best time period of Lester's life was when he and Jeannine were farming and their sons were young.

A favorite possession from his youth was a lamp, with a ship's wheel that turned the light off and on.  He really treasured that lamp.

Lester remembers borrowing a bicycle from Bob Caldwell one time, and was riding it in town.  He made a U-turn in front of Shorty Smith and his wife, who used to run the Bon Ton Café, and they ran over him!  Lester got a broken leg; they took him to old Dr. Coffee, who fixed him up, but the bicycle was not fixable. 

When his mother baked pies, she put them on top of the refrigerator, out of her way.  Lester was too little to really reach them, but by standing on tiptoe, he could get his little fingers over the edge of the pie plate and stick them into the pie, thus getting a taste of the goodness of them.

His uncle used to run the Gano elevator, and Lester hired on to clean the pits.  He had hay fever, so cleaning the dirt and dust out of the pits was really hard on him.

His first car was a blue 1951 Mercury.  He drove it to San Diego when he went into the Navy.   His dad taught him to drive when Lester was about 12 years old.

Lester's favorite song is Goodnight, Sweetheart.  His favorite foods are hamburgers, fried chicken and mashed potatoes.

Lester says we need to stay in our own country and mind our own business more.

The person who most inspired or influenced him was his grandmother, Nanny Walker.  She was a widow and worked at Sullivan elevator.  She and Dan Sullivan dated.

The person he most admired was his wife Jeannine, because "She was smarter than I was."

The worst crime he remembers was the Clutter murders, because it happened so near here, was so brutal, and everybody was scared and kept their doors locked until the murderers were caught.

He says the greatest achievement of the USA was whipping the Japanese in World War II.

One thing he always wanted to do but never did was to become a highway patrolman.

His favorite comic strip is Dagwood and Blondie.

The first president he voted for was Dwight David Eisenhower.  He remembers rationing of gasoline, tires, sugar, etc. because his mom worked in the PA office, in the basement of the courthouse, and she was responsible for giving out the coupons needed to purchase rationed items.

He said there was such a plague of jack rabbits, they would eat all the crops.  His dad used to poison them.

His Aunt Lena Tarbet took Lester and her son Orville to the Christian Church, and they also attended Sunday School.  He still attends there.

Lester, Johnny Boylan, Lorraine Lozar, Pat Boylan, Evan Hammond and Don Scranton were in a car accident near Moscow, in which Evan Hammond's back was broken.  He said the car was a Kaiser Frazier.

The best thing to happen to Lester was getting married.

When at school, his teacher, Mildred Binney would put kids in the cloak closet as punishment.  At home, he got spanked.  As kids, he and his friends used to play Cowboys and Indians in the hallways of the old Ralsamore Hotel.  He said the country people all used to come to town on Saturday nights.

Lester's nickname is Smitty.  The best dog he ever had was a black Cocker Spaniel named Queenie, which he had for 20 years.

Changes he has watched come about in our area include more modern, bigger farming equipment; more knowledge about how to plant things and irrigation.

If Lester starts to feel depressed, he goes for a long walk or goes swimming.
             

The legacy he is leaving is his two sons, his grandkids and great-grandkids.  He would like to be remembered as a friendly person.

His favorite type of music is Big Band music.  He especially enjoys the music of Glenn Miller, which he plays a lot in his house.  He feels music is important.  His favorite TV shows are Bonanza and Hit Parade.

The best decision he made in his life was marrying Jeannine.

The smartest thing his parents did was sending his brother Victor to the School of the Blind in Kansas City when he got to high school age.  Victor married when he was about 40 years old, his wife was also blind.  They both worked for the State of Texas in a broom factory.  Victor passed away about four years ago from leukemia, but his wife stays in touch with Lester.

One final story he shared with me was about when he was a newborn infant.  He was born in Lakin, and his dad was driving there to see him, when he was stopped by two men in the sand hills.  Thinking they needed help, his dad stopped; but they robbed him and stole his car.  Later his dad learned they had robbed Patterson Jewelry in Garden City, but got their car stuck in the sand in the sand hills.  About two weeks later, his dad's car was found in Lamar, Colorado.

I really enjoyed my visit with Lester, and if you know him, you know he likes to visit, so take some time and talk to him.  You will be glad you did!

I so enjoyed reading about Lester Smyth!  I know I would enjoy visiting with him.  My husband would have been 6 months older than Lester.  One thing about losing my husband almost 22 years ago is that he will be forever young in my mind. 

I am sorry, Pat.  Did I forget to sticky this topic?  I try to remember....lock the old, sticky the new.  I guess my rememberer forgot!!

Well, I am almost there!  Just about ready for Euchre and then heading south to Florida!!  I got the 5-Bean Casserole in the crock pot.  It was all I could do to lift it and put it in the fridge.  Iced tea is made.  So tomorrow all I have to do is get my nails done, fill the car up with gas, get it washed if it isn't raining or snowing and make some cornbread.  And not forget to take out the trash after everyone has left!

Ivalou and I went to pick up our taxes..well, they will be electronically filed.  But we were both surprised!!  We both get refunds from both the Federal and the State!  That's a first for us since we have become widows! 

Off to do some more before tomorrow!

Thanks, Etta Sue, for your comments.

Now, to see if I can remember what I wrote earlier.....

Thank you, Larry, for the information re the Nook.  And you're right--that should keep me busy for a while!  I have bookmarked both sites you gave me.  Hope you enjoyed your luncheon today with the guys.

I met with the fellow about the possible appointment to the library board.  He is pastor of the Church of Christ here, and we have become friends.  We first met at the gym several years ago, and then have visited more often since I wrote the book.  He is also an author, so we have things to talk about.  Anyway, I told him I am interested in the position, so my name, plus two others, will be turned in to the county commissioners and they make the choice.  If the choose me, fine, and if not, that's fine, too!

We had hamburgers with homemade buns at the senior center today, very tasty!

I was really surprised when I saw granddaughter Abby yesterday, because she was wearing glasses!  She has 20/20 vision, but because they do most of their schoolwork on computers now, it is affecting her eyes.  Sad.

Pat, lovely photo a a beautiful new mother and precious new baby.  So glad you got to see and hold her.  Nothing is as sweet as a new baby!

I need to see what I can do about not getting my prescriptions I ordered!

See you later!

Janet, what a delightful time you must have had with Lester!     I love reading these stories you share with us.

Well folks, this is my first post for a while.  My computer was in the shop until this afternoon.  Sure glad to have it back!

I'm sure you were Al.  How have you been keeping?

Hello all on C.P.!!

Snowing and 23 F (-5 C)  It's due to fall heavily until 4:00 P.M., this afternoon..... I'm wondering if I should go out. I have ladies bible study and Everett has a men's group who are studying  Disciplines of a Godly Man.

It was Family Day in Ontario, yesterday. The Powassan Wesleyan was holding a fun day with French Toast and sausages, followed by a movie. There was also sleigh rides, sledding, campfires with hotdogs and marshmallows. I took three of my grandchildren & they had a great time!

I might stay home today and just work on bookkeeping.....

God Bless!!

Tlhanks for asking, Judy.,  Been doing prettly well, thanks be to our Father.

I am all ready to go get my nails done.  Then home to tie up loose ends.  My mind is boggled trying to think of two things at once!  But so far, it is good! 

It is snowing a little but if it isn't snowing anymore than this when I get back to Lapel, I am still going to wash the car.  It will stay clean in the garage.  The wind last night and today is worse than the snow!  And it is dark and gloomy today!  Oh, well.  It is February!

I won't be online tomorrow until I am at Cartersville, Georgia!

Hi everyone.  I woke up this morning to the sound of rain but it seems to have stopped now, at least for awhile.  I think it is to move out by afternoon.  Early yesterday evening one of our housekeepers came by and helped search for Pat's Diamond ring and when she was just about to give us she found it.  It had apparently fallen down by the side of the cushion of Pat's chair and in tipping the chair back several times it had moved into a pocket at the back of the chair which is just a strap across.  When she put her hand down in that pocket, which we hadn't thought about, it fell out on the floor.  Everyone was greatly relieved. Yesterday I signed up Pat's computer for the Carbonite backup service, which will keep all her files and videos backed up and will create a cloned copy of her drive on an external hard drive.  Her computer is getting old and she has a lot of games we can't reload without rebuying them so this will avoid that problem.  It is a bit pricey but will be worth it for piece of mind.  Nothing special on the agenda for today.  I will attend a meeting this morning and then have a quiet rest of the day. 

Jeanne, yes the 90 minute episode was the last for the season but there is to be a 4th season.  That was a pretty dramatic ending for the season. That must be a pretty expensive program to produce. 

Judy, I would complain also if I had to get started and it was -25C when I went out to work.  I can remember some mornings on the farm growing up where we would be 20 below and it wasn't pleasant.  I chatted with John a little bit about his Road Knight's duties when we met.

Janet, sorry you lost your post and thanks for posting Lester Smyth's story.

Etta Sue, nice to get a tax refund.  Hope your trip to Carterville, GA went well today.

Janet, we did have a very nice time at lunch yesterday at Macaroni Grill and I had enough left over to bring home and Pat had it for her supper.  If it is suppose to be you will be chosen for the library board.

Al, glad to see you back with a repaired computer.

RuthV, the fun day sounds like a nice thing for the family.  It has probably been over 40 years since I roasted marshmallows and I remember almost always catching them on fire..

Good morning on a milder morning - at least for now.   

Al, I've been watching for a post from you, concerned that I didn't see any.  Now I'm so relieved to find it was only a computer problem!  You are missed when you're not here.  :-)

Etta Sue, prayers for safe travel will follow you.  Enjoy your time in Florida!   

Larry, I'm sure there has to be another season for Downton Abbey.  It would be a terrible thing to leave us with that final scene.   

I woke up to snow as Ruth said, and to complicate matters gusting winds have started.  The furnace was still cycling when I got up so keeping the house warm.  I added more wood however and opened the damper a bit.  Ruth will be having her satellite covered with snow, and that will limit her ability on the internet.  My TV satellite has just stopped working!  I enjoy the Christian Music station which is now off.

Larry John enjoyed his time with you.  If he comes back down your way I will let you know!

Hi everyone, It's always good to see Al posting. I've also been concerned abut you Al. I see on Facebook this morning that it is snowing in blue Lake, Sarah said the she saw all kinds of accidents on the highway and that  911 was busy. Must have been lots of calls to 911 for it to be busy. It's a wonder that people don't know to gear down and not use the brakes on and icy road to keep from sliding and skidding. Well I guess if you've never driven in those conditions ya just don't know any better.

Marilyn, looking good!