"KATHY & DR PEPPER"

MY DAUGHTER KATHY, I'D REALLY LIKE TO HELP HER---BUT THAT GIRL'S HOOKED ON DR PEPPER---YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE THE THINGS SHE HAS LOST---AND ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT DRINK HAS COST---ADVENTURES IN LIFE SHE DIDN'T PUT FIRST---BECAUSE OF THAT DR PEPPER THIRST---SHE DRINKS IT AT TEN AND TWO AND FOUR---AND LATE AT NIGHT SHE DRINKS SOME MORE---IN THE MORNING IF THERE'S NONE IN THE ICE BOX---IT WORSE THAN BEING HIT BY A BOX OF ROCKS---GEORGE STRAIT CALLED THE OTHER DAY---INVITED HER FOR A WEEKEND GET-A-WAY---SHE SAID "SORRY GEORGE, I'M HEADED TO THE STORE"---I'M OUT OF DR PEPPER AND I'M GOING AFTER MORE---SHE GUZZLES IT DOWN AND REACHES FOR ANOTHER---AND SHE WILL TELL YOU RIGHT QUICK, THERE IS NO OTHER---THOMAS WAS HEADED TO A SHREVEPORT CASINO---HE ASK KATHY IF SHE WANTED TO GO---TO GAMBLE THE SLOTS AND A LITTLE BLACKJACK---BUT NOT BEFORE SHE PICKED UP A DR PEPPER SIX PACK---SHE WILL PROBABLY TELL ST PETER AT THE GOLDEN GATE---SHE SURE DOES HATE TO MAKE HIM WAIT---BUT BEFORE SHE CAN ENTER INTO PARADISE---SHE NEEDS ONE MORE DR PEPPER-NO ICE---I HEARD THE OTHER DAY ON A T.V. SHOW---COKE AND PEPSI WAS THE WAY TO GO---SHE WOULD FLUSH BOTH RIGHT DOWN THE CRAPPER---'CAUSE NOTHING TASTE LIKE HER DR PEPPER---SO WHEN YOU SEE HER, IF SHE LOOKS DEPRESSED---HELP HER RELAX AND GET SOME REST---SLAP A DR PEPPER IN HER LEFT HAND---AND EVERYTHING WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL AGAIN---BUT WHATEVER SHE WANTS TO DO, I'D LET HER---WHO DOES SHE LOVE MOST, DADDY? OR DR PEPPER.

"THE GARDEN AND SAMUEL TATE"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw.-----THIS IS THE STORY OF SAMUEL TATE, WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT THIS NATION---LOVED BY MILLIONS, FORGOTTEN BY MANY, WONDERING ABOUT HIS SALVATION---HE WOULD WALK FROM THE HOUSE TO THE GARDEN, DOWN A NARROW, CROOKED LANE---SHUFFLING HIS FEET IN THE GRAVEL, HELPED BY AN OLD WOODEN CANE---HE WOULD SIT DOWN ON A TREE STUMP, AND LOOK UP TO THE SKIES---AND SAY HIS MORNING PRAYER TO GOD, AS TEARS FLOWED FROM HIS EYES---LORD, I'VE COME TO TELL YOU, I'M THANKFUL FOR ANOTHER DAY---I'M ALMOST 93 NOW, BUT, WHY HAVE YOU LET ME STAY---WHAT PURPOSE AM I SERVING, MY LOVED ONES NOW ARE ALL GONE---WHY HAVE YOU LEFT ME HERE IN THIS GARDEN, TIRED AND ALL ALONE---ONE MORNING AS SAMUEL WAS SAYING HIS PRAYER, THE IMAGE OF SOMEONE APPEARED---WAS IT THE IMAGE OF A LOVED ONE, OR SOMEONE SAMUEL SHOULD FEAR---A VOICE SPOKE TO SAMUEL AND SAID 'GOOD MORNING', I'VE COME TO SHOW YOU THE WAY---TO A PLACE GOD HAS BUILT FOR YOU, AND FOREVER YOU CAN STAY---SAMUEL LAYED DOWN HIS WALKING CANE, AND EXTENDED OUT HIS HAND---HE WALKED OUT OF THE GARDEN, FOLLOWING FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND---SAMUEL KNEW IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE, HOW OLD A PERSON MIGHT BE---THERE ARE NO BIRTHDAYS IN HEAVEN, YOU LIVE FOR ETERNITY---SAMUEL TATE KNEW FOR SURE, THERE'S ONE THING EVERYONE SHOULD DO---MAKE SURE YOU KNOW JESUS CHRIST, AND MAKE SURE JESUS, KNOWS YOU TOO:-----(Romans 12:2) do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind: God has given us the privilege of choice. We can choose for or we can choose against. But we cannot choose the consequences. If we choose against the person of Jesus Christ, we thereby step into God's decree of eternal punishment. If we choose in favor of the Lord Jesus Christ, then we inherit all the rewards of heaven---the blessing of forgiven sins, and eternity with God:---This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing, off, and, the good Lord willing, and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"MEL GARNER'S FLIGHT HOME"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Thanks giving holidays are over and we press on to the Christmas season. My story this morning is about an insurance salesman named Mel Garner. Mel had been in New York for a week at a convention his company was holding for all it's employees. He arrived in New York on late Sunday night and spent all week in meetings from 8 to 5 everyday, with material to study at night and be able to answer questions the next day on the material he had studied the night before. On Friday, there was an exam which he had to make a good grade on in order to keep his job with the company he had been with for 15 years. That left no time to see the sights of New York and now it was Friday evening and his flight home left at 7:40 PM. Mel had boarded the plane and taken his seat, looked at his watch, and it was 7:45, which meant the plane was already late for takeoff and Mel was ready to get home. He couldn't wait to get back to Colorado to his wife, his kids, his dog, a cold beer, and relax in his easy chair in front of the TV. After sitting for about 10 minutes, the Captain came on the loud speaker and announced that the flight would be about another 10 minutes late taking off, because some speacil people were on the way to board the plane, and the Airport had been asked to wait for them. This frustrated Mel even more, thinking some Movie Stars, Politicians, or Big Time Sports Stars were about to board the plane and they would surely take their time in doing so. He grabbed the Sky Mall magazine from the back of the seat in front of him, and began to thumb through it, trying to get his mind off of being upset at the plane and crew any more than he already was. After a total of a 40 minute wait, the Stewardess came down the aisle, Mel stopped her and ask what the big deal was. She answered that their guest had just arrived and were boarding now. Mel crammed the magazine back in the seat, tearing it, and displayed his unhappiness at the Stewardess. About that time, from the back door of the plane, the guest the plane had been waiting on, came through the door, and filed down the aisle one by one. There were seven of them and Mel caught sight of them immediately. Seven soldiers, home from Iraq, headed in different destinations.The first was on crutches, his right trouser leg was folded upward from the knee, and from the knee down, there was nothing. This soldier was suffering from the loss of his right leg from the knee down. The next soldier had a bandage around the top of his head, and the part of his head that was showing had no hair on top. The third soldier had a bandage around the top of his head and part of the bandage came downward and covered his left eye. The next soldier had his right arm in a sling. And the next soldier had a cast on his left arm and you could tell at the bottom of the cast was a large cast ball where his hand use to be. The other two soldiers were along to see that these five wounded men got on the plane safely and assisted them in getting seated. Just as they were coming down the aisle, the entire passenger group in the plane stood from their seats and applauded, all but Mel Garner. When Mel suddenly noticed he was the only one not standing and applauding, he sprang to his feet and joined the reat of the passengers in their appreciation applause. Then the Captain announced, we will be taking off now. Mel's frustration and his necessity to get home was suddenly not nearly as important as what these men had faced and will face for the rest of their lives. Mel stopped the Stewardess again and apologized for his previous outburst and demanded to speak to the captain. The Stewardess went to the cockpit and brought the Captain back to Mel's seat, delaying the flight even more. When the Captain arrived at Mel's seat, Mel raised up and whispered in the Captain's ear. The Captain stepped back and said "BE MY GUEST"! Mel walked from his seat to where the soldiers were seated and shook each one's hand and thanked them for what they had sacrificed for our country, returned to his seat, and the plane proceeded with take off. -----The next time you see a group of soldiers, take time from your busy schedule to Thank Them, regardless of how long it delays you. -----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THANKSGIVING"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. If you think about it, Thanksgiving this year for my family was great. We can truthfully say we probably had a lot more than many people had. Good food and Family Togetherness, and that's a lot. There were so many people who lived too far away from family to spend it together, our troops in Iraq, who couldn't come home, and loved one's all over who have gone on to Heaven. Thanksgiving is 'Giving Thanks" for all that we are blessed with.-----THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A THANKSGIVING DAY, WITH FAMILY JOINED TOGETHER---BUILDING MEMORIES TO ADD TO THE PAST, THAT WILL LAST US ALL FOREVER---COUNTING ALL OUR BLESSINGS, TO TREASURE ONE BY ONE---GIVING THANKS TO GOD ABOVE FOR ALL THE THINGS HE'S DONE---OUR HEALTH, OUR LOVE, OUR HAPPINESS, WE COULD NEVER ASK FOR MORE---AND WAITING FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS, AND WONDERING WHAT HE HAS IN STORE---JUST HAVING FAMILY FELLOWSHIP TO BRIGHTEN ALL OUR DAYS---AND MAKING SURE ALONG THE WAY, JESUS GETS ALL THE PRAISE---BE THANKFUL AS HE GUIDES US AS LONG AS WE ARE HERE---PREPARE OURSELVES TO SHARE OUR LOVE, AS WE BEGIN ANOTHER YEAR---AND AS WE SHARE OUR LOVE TOGETHER, UNTIL WE HEAR HIS CALL---WE TRUST HIM AS OUR SAVOUR, AND HE WILL BLESS US ALL. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"SANTA CLAUSE IS REAL"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Santa Clause is real!!! You believe that? I never could understand why big kids tell little kids there is no Santa Clause. Talk about letting the air out of their bubble, that will do it. Just leave them alone and they will find out soon enough. Some people are older than others when they find out, some never find out at all. Take me for instance, I'm 70 and I KNOW there is a Santa Clause. Another thing I don't understand is why do all the Christmas stories that kids read or get read to them, say Santa comes down the Chimney? That's rediculous, some kids don't have a Chimney. And some think when Christmas arrives, they won't get anything because they don't have a Chimney for Santa to come down. Then when they wake up on Christmas morning and find what Santa brought, they think all the stories they heard were not true. Why not come in the front door or the back door or the window. Why not just leave it sitting on the front porch. So many things spoil Christmas for a lot of kids. And for kids, Christmas needs to be perfect. Take the birth of a child. Nowadays it has to be done in a hospital. Jesus was born in a stable, in a manger, with lots of animals looking on. That was perfect, the most perfect birth in history. Let's get back to the basics of Jesus's time and just let things happen naturally when it's time for them to happen. And don't make up stories that are not true. Oh, and how do I know Santa Clause is real? Heck, I just got off the phone with him not 5 minutes ago. He's real alright, and if you don't believe me, just dial 777 NORTH POLE and ask to speak to Santa. If you're not prepared for a shock, don't do it. You might not recover. In case he's not there, one of the Elves will talk to you and only because Santa is out in his workshop building toys. I gotta go now, company is coming. Happy Holidays and don't forget, be nice, you might get rewarded for it. Two Texas PawPaw, signing off.

"HOME FOR THANKSGIVING"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. The day before Thanksgiving. My family will be home to celebrate and visit. So, I may give the old BLOG a rest for a day or two. I am looking forward to the visit we will all have together, and it's probably going to be quiet busy around the old home place for the next few days. Just wanted to wish all of you out there a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you enjoy the holidays. A special word to Kay Ray, hope you find something to do that's very pleasing to you and I hope you are not too lonely. Don't know if you have any family close or not, but you will be in our thoughts. Shonda and Lee, the same goes to you and your lovely children, have a good one. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow, or Friday. Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless All.

"THE FOUR SEASONS"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw.Think about this. WORRY is an enemy of joy. Worry forces us to focus on the wrong things. Instead of essentials, we worry about non-essentials. Rather than looking at the known blessings that God provides us today, so abundantly, so consistently, we worry about the unknown and uncertain events of tomorrow. Invaribly, when we focus on the wrong things, we miss the main thing that life is all about. Matthew 6:25 says, Do not be worried about your life. So, instead of worring all the time, let's spend the next four weeks following Thanksgiving in a different sort of way. A spirit of gratitude makes the four weeks before Christmas a celebration rather than a marathon. During the fourth week before Christmas, let's think about the Springtime of each and every year during your life and see how many things you can think of that has happened to you during the Spring. During the third week before Christmas, think about the season of Summer and all the good things that have happened to you in your lifetime during the Summer season. And, during the second week before Christmas, think about the Fall season, the beauty of the leaves changing colors, and all the things that happened to you during the Fall season in your life. And in the final week before Christmas right up to Christmas Day, think of all the past Christmas's you have spent with Family and Friends and all the wonderful times you had. Instead of fretting about how many shopping days are left, reflect on wonderful memories of each season of the year. As you do, I think you will find that the crowds aren't nearly so irritating, and the music in the malls might be downright enjoyable. Psalm 66:5 says, See the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds. It's just a different approach to Christmas this year, and hopefully if you try it, it may turn out to be rather pleasant for you and your family. Good luck in your memories. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don"t rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"GROWING UP"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Something caught my attention this past weekend, more than ever before. My two great grandkids, Josh & Kayleigh, are growing up. I noticed it when I started paying attention to the sentences thay were making, putting words together that made sense. Especially Josh, he is getting to be quiet intelligent. We all reach a point in their lives where we have to watch what we say, because they pick it up real fast. I don't know if that is good or bad, because it means they are growing up, but we are getting older. I once heard my daughter say, one wish she had was to live long enough to see her grandkids graduate from high school. How nice it would be for Nanny and I to see our great grandkids do the same. Anyway, here is a little short poem I threw together for the grandkids: It goes like this.....THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GREAT GRANDCHILD, TO FILL YOUR LIVES WITH LOVE---TO SPOIL A LITTLE, ENJOY A LOT, AND THINK THE WHOLE WORLD OF---THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GREAT GRANDCHILD, SO CUTE AND DEAR AND SWEET---TO FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH HAPPINESS AND MAKE YOUR JOY COMPLETE---THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GREAT GRANDCHILD, TO SHARE THE LAUGHTER AND TEARS---THAT'S PART OF GROWING UP, THROUGH ALL THOSE PRECIOUS YEARS---ONE OF THE GREATEST MOMENTS IS TO SEE THEIR BEAUTIFUL SMILE---AND TELL SOMEONE WITH A PROUD LOOK, 'THAT'S MY GREAT GRANDCHILD'---AND AS OUR TIME GROWS CLOSER, AND OUR JOURNEY TO HEAVEN NEARS---THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GREAT GRANDCHILD, TO FILL OUR GOLDEN YEARS:.....This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THREE BEST FRIENDS"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Well, I have expierenced my first virus attacker. And, he zapped me good. My computer has been down for about 36 hours but thanks to my genius grand son-in-law, Greg, I'm back up and running for the time being. On my last post, I reminded everyone to recognize a friend, espicially at this season of the year. Everyone has one special friend. What I mean is, you have several but there is always one special person that perhaps you care for as your best friend. In my case, I consider myself luckier than most because I have three special friends. They are the type of people, who put forth an extra effort to listen, care, and share, any and everything you say or do. That's the type of person you can truly call "Your Best Friend". One is a special friend to my daughter, his name is Thomas. One is married to my oldest grand daughter, his name is Greg. And the other is a special friend to my youngest grand daughter, who is about to become her husband, his name is Jerry. This is a poem that I borrowed and added a few touches to, and I thought it pretty well described them. It goes like this:-----HOW DEAR TO ME THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THOUGHTFUL AND SINCERE---WHO ALWAYS SHOW THEY CARE AND UNDERSTAND---THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GENEROUS, WHO GLADLY VOLUNTEER---A GENTLE WORD, A SMILE, A HELPING HAND---HOW DEAR TO ME THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FUN TO BE AROUND---WHO HAVE A WORLD OF JOY AND LOVE TO GIVE---HOW DEAR TO ME SUCH PEOPLE, FOR IN THEM I'VE TRULY FOUND---GOOD FRIENDS TO TREASURE EVERYDAY I LIVE:-----This poem relates to the rveryday kinds of things ...like taking a minute to listen, giving a hand where it's needed, sharing good times. These are really the best things in life, and, they are all the things that you three guys do so well. And, Nanny and I think the world of all of you. We are so glad you are a part of our lives. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"FRIENDS"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Well, just about now, you ought to be getting geared up for the two biggest holidays of the year, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Getting together with family members to celebrate the giving of gifts and the birth of Jesus. I'm going to ask you do something else this year, starting now. Recognize your "Friends" a little more than usual. Let them know how much a part of your life they are throughout the whole year. And, this year, why not go out a buy a card, make sure it's one that has some empty space for you to write on, and if you borrow the following poem, it's o.k. It goes like this:-----GOD BLESS THE FRIEND WHO OVERLOOKS THE MANY FAULTS IN ME---WHO LOVES ME FOR MYSELF AND THE THINGS THAT I CAN BE---WHOSE TENDER HEART AND THOUGHTFUL WAYS-ADD SO MUCH PLEASURE TO MY DAYS---GOD BLESS THE FRIEND WHO SEES MY NEEDS AND REACHES OUT A HAND---WHO LIFTS ME UP, WHO PRAYS FOR ME, AND HELPS ME UNDERSTAND---WHO SHARES MY PROBLEMS COME WHAT MAY-WHO'S ALWAYS THERE FROM DAY TO DAY---GOD BLESS THE FRIEND WHO LAUGHS WITH ME AND CAUSES THE SUN TO SHINE---WHO HELPS ME SEE LIFE'S GOODNESS, AND THE BLESSINGS THAT ARE MINE---WHOSE FRIENDSHIP IS A SPECIAL PART-TO ALL THAT'S PRECIOUS TO MY HEART---YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS A TREASURED GIFT THAT I HOLD VERY DEAR---FOR THE LOVE OF FRIENDS CAN MEAN SO MUCH EACH DAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR---AND I AM HOPING YOU WILL KNOW THAT WARMTH IS IN THIS THOUGHT---HAPPY THANKSGIVING, MERRY CHRISTMAS , AND GOD BLESS YOU, FOR THE JOY YOUR FRIENDSHIPS BROUGHT:-----Try it on a special friend this year and see how much better it makes you feel when you get together with you family. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"CHRISTMAS AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. There is something going on in our world today that a lot of us may have forgotten about. We may need to be reminded because it involves these United States we live in and it all started on the birth of 911. We need to revive this thought in our minds, especially at this time of the year. My poem this morning may help do that, it's called "Christmas At Grandma's House": It goes like this:-----CHRISTMAS AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE IS A FUN PLACE TO BE---THE GIFTS ARE HANDED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TREE---GRANDPA GOT A BRAND NEW TIE, GRANDMA GOT A NECKLACE OF PEARL---A NEW DRESS FOR AUNT MARGARET, A NEW WATCH FOR UNCLE EARL---LITTLE JOHNNY GOT AN ELECTRIC TRAIN, JENNY LOU GOT THE DOLL OF HER CHOICE---BILLY GOT A BRAND NEW COWBOY HAT, AND A NEW PAIR OF SHOES FOR COUSIN JOYCE---THEY ALL GOT A SACK FULL OF CANDY, APPLES AND ORANGES TOO---AND ONE MORE GIFT WAS LEFT UNDER THE TREE, WRAPPED IN RED, WHITE, AND BLUE---GRANDMA ASK WHAT WAS THAT GIFT, BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO KNOW---EXCEPT GRANDPA, SITTING REAL QUIET, AND STARING OUT THE WINDOW AT THE SNOW---GRANDMA SAID, "POPPA, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT GIFT IS UNDER THE TREE?"---AND GRANDPA SAID "YES, ITS A GIFT FROM ALL OF YOU, AND ME"---REMEMBER WHEN I ASK YOU ALL TO WRITE A PRAYER AND PUT THEM ON THE TABLE IN A STACK---WELL, THEY ARE ALL IN THAT BOX NOW, FOR OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ---SO MANY OF THEM WILL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR, AND THEY'LL BE ALL ALONE---AND MOST OF THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME, WILL SPEND CHRISTMAS AWAY FROM HOME---SO I THOUGHT WE WOULD SEND A BOX OF PRAYERS, TO THE BOYS WHO ARE FIGHTING OUR WAR---AND THINK OF THEM EACH TIME WE LOOK AT OUR CHRISTMAS TREE TOP STAR---AND EACH OF US EVERYWHERE, EVEN ME AND YOU---TELL GOD ABOVE WE'RE THANKFUL FOR ALL THEY HAVE TO DO---AND MAYBE SOMEDAY SOON, WHEN THAT AWFUL WAR FINALLY ENDS,--- NEXT CHRISTMAS THEY CAN BE HOME, TO CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS---AND IN THE EVENT SOME DON'T MAKE IT, TONIGHT SAY A PRAYER FOR THEM---AND PRAY THAT THEY KNEW THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS, AND THAT THEY KNEW JESUS FROM BETHELEM---FOR JUST A FEW SHORT MINUTES, THINGS GOT QUIET AS A MOUSE---AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST CHRISTMAS, THEY EVER HAD AT GRANDMA'S HOUSE:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off this morning with a thought for the day: Spend a full day in quietness. Sundays are great days to do that. Set aside at least part of the afternoon to be completely quiet, whether it be a few minutes or a few hours. Meditation is a lost art in this modern, hurry up world that we have surrounded ourselves with. Maybe its time we revive it. Not by endlessly repeating prior thoughts and prayers to get into some other frame of mind. Not that at all. Simply and silently wait before God. Read a passage of scripture and let it speak. Say nothing, just sit silently! Lamentations 3:25 says (the Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him).....The good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THE KID & HARLEY WILSON"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Death is not a pretty sight, especially when it is someone very close to you. The apostle Paul did not write that Christains are not to grieve, but he did write that we do not grieve as if we "have no hope". There should be a lot of room in our theology for feelings of loss and tears, just as there is room for lighthearted, joyous feelings and great laughter. The spirit of God prompts both. 1 Thesalonians 4:13 says---(you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope): My story and poem today deals with the loss of a friend and it's called "The Kid & Harley Wilson", and it goes like this:-----THERE ONCE WAS A KID IN A WEST TEXAS TOWN, WHO LIVED ON KELSEY STREET---AN OLD GRAY HAIRED BLACK MAN AND THE KID, ONE DAY ,WOULD MEET---THE OLD MANS NAME WAS HARLEY WILSON, HE WAS A JOLLY OLD MAN---HIS WIFE HAD DIED A FEW YEARS AGO, AND WENT ON TO THE PROMISE LAND---ONE DAY THE KID WAS WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL, IT STARTED RAINING REALLY HARD---THE KID WAS IN FRONT OF HARLEY'S HOUSE AND HARLEY WAS STANDING IN THE YARD---HARLEY MOTIONED FOR THE KID TO COME ON AND GET INSIDE OUT OF THE RAIN---AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD, THE KID'S LIFE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME---HE VISITED OLD HARLEY EVERYDAY FOR MONTHS, HARLEY ALWAYS HAD COOKIES AND CAKE---SODA POP AND CANDY AND COLD FRIED CHICKEN, AND SOMETIMES A CHOCLATE MILK SHAKE---THEY BECAME THE BEST OF FRIENDS AND TALKED ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS---HE TOLD THE KID STORIES THAT HE KNEW WASN'T TRUE, BUT THE KID WOULD LAUGH JUST THE SAME---ONE DAY THE KID RAN TO HARLEY'S HOUSE, CARS WERE PARKED ALL OVER THE PLACE---THE KID KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG, HE COULD TELL BY THE LOOKS ON PEOPLES FACE---HE SLOWLY WALKED UPON THE PORCH AND THEN HE WENT INSIDE---AND THAT'S WHEN HE FOUND OUT, OLD HARLEY WILSON HAD DIED---HARLEY APPARENTLY HAD A HEART ATTACK, WHEN NO ONE WAS AROUND---HE LAYED DOWN ON HIS OLD DIRT FLOOR, AND THAT'S WHERE HARLEY WAS FOUND---THEY BURIED HIM THERE IN THE CEMETERY, AFTER HE PASSED AWAY---AND UNTIL THE KID MOVED FROM THAT TOWN, HE VISITED HARLEY'S GRAVE EVERYDAY---NOT LONG AFTER HARLEY'S UNTIMELY DEATH, A MAN CAME TO SEE THE KID---CARRYING AN OLD WOODEN BOX WITH A PAD LOCK ON THE LID---THE MAN TOLD THE KID THAT HARLEY HAD LEFT THE BOX TO THE KID IN HIS WILL---INSIDE WAS A BUNCH OF HAND WRITTEN POETRY, A JACK KNIFE AND A $10 BILL---NOT A DAY HAS GONE BY THAT HARLEY WILSON WASN'T ON THIS KIDS MIND---HE EVEN WROTE A LITTLE POETRY OF HIS OWN, OVER THE NEXT 60 YEARS OF TIME---HE NEVER FORGOT THINGS THAT HE AND HARLEY SAID AND DID---AND FRIENDS, THIS STORY IS TRUE, I KNOW, BECAUSE...I WAS THAT KID:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THE AMERICAN FLAG"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. If you're old enough to remember the 70's, you may recall an incident that happened back then when a bunch of idiot Americans decided to torch the American flag and it got to be quiet the thing around the country, Women began to form clubs around these United States to try and stop this brutal act. I was employed by a General Motors dealership in Amarillo, Texas at the time and my boss's wife was President of this club in that city. She ask me to write a poem for her that could be used at the monthly meeting of this club, so I oblidged as best I could, The poem was entitled "The American Flag", and it goes like this:-----HERE LATELY IN THE NEWSPAPER AND ON THE T.V. SCREEN---I SAW SOMETHING THAT MADE ME WONDER HOW SOME PEOPLE COULD BE THAT MEAN---I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT MURDER, OR ROBBERY, OR SOME OTHER CAPITAL CRIME---I'M TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT I'D NEVER SEE IN MY LIFETIME---AT FIRST I THOUGHT THIS CAN'T BE REAL, IT'S GOT TO BE SOME KIND OF A GAG---BUT THEN I REALIZED, RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES, SOME FOOL STUCK A MATCH TO THE AMERICAN FLAG---WHAT PEOPLE WON'T DO NOW DAYS JUST TO INVENT A NEW STORY---SETTING FIRE TO THAT PIECE OF CLOTH WON'T GET RID OF 'OLD GLORY'---OH SHE'S FOUGHT WARS , LED PARADES, AND STOOD BY MANY A GRAVE---SHE'S BROUGHT TEARS TO THE STRONGEST MEN, AS THEY WATCHED HER COLORS WAVE---I'D CARRY HER STARS ON MY BACK, NO MATTER WHAT THE COST---I PITY THOSE PEOPLE WHO SET HER ON FIRE, AND FOR THEM I APOLOGIZE TO 'BETSY ROSS'---I GUESS THEY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF SOMETHING SO TRUE---BECAUSE FROM 13 STARS TO 51 STARS, OLD GLORY BUILT HER RED, WHITE AND BLUE---SHE REPRESENTS AMERICA AND ALL OF HER BEAUTIFUL LAND---SHE REPRESENTS THAT PIECE OF GROUND WHERE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY STAND---SO IF YOU'RE OUT TO DESTROY HER, I SUGGEST YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT---I SUGGEST YOU PUT OUT THE FLAME AND GIVE IT ANOTHER THOUGHT---YOU SEE, SHE'S MY FLAG, AND SHE'S MY AMERICA, AND LONG MAY HER COLORS WAVE---HERE IN THE LAND OF THE EQUALLY FREE AND THE HOME OF THE TRULY BRAVE---SO LET'S CUT OUT THIS FLAG BURNING AND BE THE CITIZENS GOD WANTS US TO BE---I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, GLORY HALELUJAH, WON'T YOU JOIN ME:-----Before long the fad of burning the flag played out and American returned to it's flag waving tradition without any furthur disturbances. Not because of my poem, but because the people of Our United States decided we could not survive without 'Old Glory' waving above our heads. Giving thanks around our Nation that we had a flag in the first place. Just the word "Thanksgiving" prompts the spirit of humility --genuine gratitude to God for His mercy, His abundance, His protection, and His smile of favor. At this coming holiday of Thanksgiving, as at no other, we count our blessings. And we run out of time before we come back to the soil, the sun, and the rain, that combine their efforts to produce the miracle of life, resulting in food for our stomachs and shelter for our bodies...direct gifts from our God of Grace. One of our most treasured blessings that we should count is the previlidge of being an American citizen and having a Flag so beautiful to represent us. Psalm 66:5 (come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds):-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signingoff, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

" E L V I S "

My daughter can tell you that it was a matter of time before I posted something about Elvis Presley because I was a big fan. I use to have a collection of Elvis albums. He recorded 131 before his death, and I was fortunate enough to own copies of 129 of them. About 10 years ago a Toronado hit the town of Pampa, Texas and my son was storing the albums for me at the business where he worked. Those albums were scattered from Kansas and back to Mexico and I lost them all. I hope you were a fan and you enjoy this tribute:-----THE TIME WAS 1935, THE PLACE WAS TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI---GOD SENT THIS WORLD A BABY BOY WHO WAS BORN IN POVERTY---AND AS A BOY, HE WONDERED WHAT WOULD BE HIS DESTINY---WHAT ROAD WOULD HE TRAVEL, WHAT WOULD BE HIS JOURNEY---HIS LIFE WOULD BE BUSY AND THINGS WOULD HAPPEN THAT EVEN HE COULD'T BELIEVE---HE HAD SO MUCH TO GIVE AND YET VERY LITTLE TO RECEIVE---HE STARTED WITH A WIGGLE AND A SONG, AND SOME PEOPLE JUST COULDN'T UNDERSTAND---BUT YOU AND I NOW KNOW THAT IT WAS ALL IN GODS PLAN---NO SOONER HAD HE STARTED, THAN HE WAS TO LOSE HIS MOST PRECIOUS PRIZE---TRAGEDY STRUCK THIS YOUNG MAN'S LIFE, HIS MOTHER DIED---BY THIS TIME HE HAD THE ' COLONEL ', WHO WAS TO GUIDE HIS EVERY STEP---AND THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN THAT NEITHER ONE COULD SEEM TO HELP---HE CAME HOME FROM THE ARMY AND WE SAW HIM ON T.V.---AND BECAUSE OF THAT WIGGLE, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN SHOW HIS KNEES---HIS CAREER GREW AND HE STARTED MAKING MOVIES, AND THIS TOOK HIM FROM US FOR AWHILE---EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T LIKE IT, HE STILL GAVE THE WORLD A SMILE---THEN HE CAME BACK TO US IN PERSON BECAUSE TO SING FOR HIS FANS WAS WHAT HE REALLY ENJOYED---AND WHEN HE FELT HE DIDN'T PLEASE US, WITH HIMSELF, HE WAS ANNOYED---WE DEMANDED, YET NOT UNDERSTANDING, THAT HE GAVE TO US HIS ALL--HE TRIED TO DO WHAT WE WANTED FOR THE BIG AND THE SMALL---THE DEMAND FOR HIS RECORDS, OR HAVE A GLIMPSE, OR TO TOUCH HIS HAND---BIT BY BIT THIS TOOK IT'S TOLL, FOR EVEN HE WAS JUST A MAN---OH, YES, HE WAS VERY HAPPY LIVING AND HE WASN'T AFRAID TO DIE---EVEN NOW, THOUGH OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN, HE WOULD'T WANT US TO CRY---GOD, IN ALL HIS WISDOM, EVEN THOUGH HE LOVED HIM SO---HE KNEW WHAT WAS BEST, WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, BUT IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO GO---LET'S YOU AND I IN OUR MEMORY, NEVER LOSE WHAT HE GAVE---FOR WHILE HE WAS LIVING FOR GOD AND COUNTRY AND YOU AND I, HE WAS A SLAVE---YES, NOW HEAVEN IS BRIGHTER, THOUGH THIS WORLD HAS LOST A LIGHT---TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, THAT'S WHAT HE WOULD TELL US, YOU MUST CARRY ON THE FIGHT---EVEN HIS DADDY AND LITTLE LISA, THEY MUST ACCEPT WHAT GOD HAS DONE---EVEN THOUGH LIKE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, VERNON PRESLEY GAVE HIS ONLY SON---NOW THE SHOW IS OVER AND THE CURTAIN HAS COME DOWN---ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING, BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND:-----This probably doesn't mean a whole lot to you if you were not a fan of his, but I was and I'm proud of it.

"WHAT RELIGEON ARE YOU?"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. The poem I wrote for Sunday received no comment, but on the other hand, none of the usual bunch posted and that's probably because everyone was busy and will catch up today. I know it was busy around here, my youngest Grand Daughter came home again and we are glad to have her and Kakie Bear. She is about to get married and I had a very interesting conversation with Jerry, her husband to be, about religeon. He told me he was raised Catholic and he didn't expect Kendra to tell him he had to become Baptist but, on the other hand, he had no intentions of telling her she had to become a Catholic. If two people love each other, it doesn't matter, and God will show both in which direction they should take. Jerry told me he believed in God and he knew there was a Heaven after this life. That's good enough for me. Our mission is not to argue with those who may or may not know Christ, or put them down. It is to reach out to them. To model a lifestyle that is so convincing and so appealing, their curiosty will be tweaked. The non-christian world may be lost and running on empty; but they are not stupid or unaware of their surroundings. When they come across an individual who is at peace, free of fear and weary, fulfilled, and genuinely happy, no one has to tell them that something is missing from their lives. That is God's job and he will handle it:-----John 17:18 (As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world):-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Sometimes we just don't feel like singing or smiling. Matter of fact, there are times it's hypocritical to paste a smile on your face. It is in those times that I am most thankful for the Scriptures. In God's word we not only discover His will for our lives, we find words of genuine comfort for those times when life comes unglued. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4(blessed be...the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.) I hope I don't bore you with too much Christmas talk too early but I'm one who gets a little teary eyed just thinking about the real meaning of that holiday. My poem this morning is entitled "The Greatest Gift Of All", and it goes like this:-----DAWN IS SLOWLY BREAKING, CHILL IS IN THE AIR---SANTA'S ON HIS WAY BACK HOME, HE'S BEEN EVERYWHERE---DROVE HIS SLEIGH AND REINDEER, ALL AROUND THE WORLD---BRINGING JOY AT CHRISTMAS TO EVERY BOY AND GIRL---CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ARE HANGING IN THE TOWNS SO HIGH---CHILDREN GATHERED IN THE STREETS, SINGING "SILENT NIGHT"---AND WE SHOULD ALL REMEMBER AS WE LISTEN TO THEM---THE BIRTH OF BABY JESUS, BORN IN BETHLEHEM---LATER THEY CARRIED HIM TO A MOUNTAIN AND HUNG HIM ON A CROSS---THOSE WHO PUT HIM TO DEATH SUFFERED THE GREATEST LOSS---JUST REMEMBER WHEN HE DIED, ANOTHER LIFE BEGINS---RISING FROM THAT GRAVE TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS---WHEN YOU CELEBRATE THIS CHRISTMAS, PAUSE AND SAY A PRAYER---AND TELL OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR HOW MUCH YOU REALLY CARE---AND THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND CAROLS THAT YOU SEE AND HEAR---WILL MEAN A WHOLE LOT MORE IN THE COMING NEW YEAR---TRY TO BE WITH YOUR FAMILY, FOR FAMILIES MEAN SO MUCH---BUT IF YOU'RE FAR AWAY FROM THEM, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP IN TOUCH---AND AS THE SEASON PASSES, FILL YOUR HEART WITH LOVE---BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOU, IS WATCHING FROM ABOVE---AND WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE TAKEN DOWN, AND ALL THE CAROLS ARE SUNG---THINK OF THE PAIN AND SUFFERING, ON THE DAY JESUS WAS HUNG---MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF YOUR GIFTS WERE BIG OR IF THEY WERE SMALL---THE LOVE THAT JESUS SHOWED TO US, IS THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing, and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"SCRAMBLED LETTERS"

Unscramble the following letters to make a name: Here is a hint. All of them have been the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys since 1960, at one time or another.-----DIDEE EL RRBNOR---NOD DEETHRIM---YGAR BHOGOEOM---NYNDA HEWTI---RGCIA OOMTNR---NIYVN EEEETTSVRD---CQYNIU RRCTEA---ROTY KAIANM---GROER BUSTCHAA---WRED SELDOBE:-----Good Luck! Answers Monday Morning.

"WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. God knows where we are going tomorrow, next week, and next year. That's something we don't know. And I, for one, am so glad I don't. If right now I knew everything that faced me in the coming year, I would be scared to the point of sleeplessness. But God knows. How gracious of Him to lead us one step at a time. Proverbs 3:5 (trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding)-----Your family is like a garden, you plant the seeds and watch them grow. My poem this morning is entitled "Watch Your Garden Grow", and it goes like this:-----IT'S NOT TOO EARLY FOR A CHRISTMAS SONG, SO HANG THE MISTLETOE---VISION IN YOUR DREAMS TONIGHT, WINTERS FALLING SNOW---AND IN YOUR PRAYERS, THANK GOD ABOVE, FOR ALL THE SEEDS YOU SOW---AND THEN STAND BACK THIS CHRISTMAS AND WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW---AND THROUGH THE WINDS OF THE SPRINGTIME SEASON, ON THROUGH THE SUMMER SUN---AND LEAVES FROM THE TREES OF THE AUTUMN BREEZE, WILL BRING JOY AND LAUGHTER AND FUN---THANK HEAVEN FOR THE FAMILY THAT YOU HAVE RAISED, AND THE PROMISES THAT GOD BESTOWS---AND START THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT ANY FEAR, AS YOUR GARDEN CONTINUALLY GROWS---AND WHEN IT'S OVER AND TIME TO GO HOME, IN YOUR HEART YOU WILL KNOW---IT WAS WORTH IT ALL, WINTER, SUMMER, SPRING AND FALL, TO WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW---AND AS YOU WATCH THE ROSES BLOOM, AND STARS COME OUT AT NIGHT---YOU KNOW IN YOUR MIND, THAT ALL THIS TIME, THERE WAS NEVER A MORE BEAUTIFUL SIGHT---WHEN WE FINALLY GO TO SLEEP IN OUR FATHER'S KEEP, AND HE TELLS US IT'S TIME TO GO---REST ASSURED IN YOUR HEART, YOU HAD A LARGE PART, IN MAKING YOUR GARDEN GROW:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"CHASING RAINBOWS"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. A word of encouragement is in order for all you mothers! Your role is, clearly, the single most important in society. Your place in your family's life is absolutely strategic. Those children you are rearing may not stop to tell you, but you need to know---it's worth all the effort. Mary had her son for thirty years. And though she survived Him, she would never forget his compassionate concern and tender courage. Who knows? He probably learned both from her. Proverbs 23:25 (LET HER REJOICE WHO GAVE BIRTH TO YOU). My poem this morning is entiitled "Chasing A Rainbow", it goes like this:-----WE LIVE OUR LIFE FROM DAY TO DAY, ALWAYS ON THE GO---LEAVING THINGS UNDONE BEHIND US, CHASING A RAINBOW---TIME IS PRECIOUS AND IT FLIES SO FAST, BEFORE WE KNOW IT WE'VE GROWN OLD---AND ALL THE CHASING OF ALL THOSE RAINBOWS, WON'T BRING A POT OF GOLD---SO IF YOU'RE YOUNG WITH LOTS OF LIFE LEFT, THERE'S SOMETHING YOU CAN DO---TAKE CARE OF THINGS ON A DAILY BASIS, AND LET THE RAINBOW COME TO YOU---PICK OUT A FRIEND, A REAL GOOD FRIEND, AND TELL THEM THAT YOU CARE---YOU'LL BE SURPRISED WHEN YOU FIND OUT, JUST HOW MUCH YOU CAN SHARE---THAT TIME TOGETHER IS CALLED HAPPINESS, AND YOU WILL FIND THAT IT WILL LAST---AND ALL THE CHASING OF ALL THE RAINBOWS, BECOMES A THING OF THE PAST:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY"

GOD, OUR WISE AND CREATIVE MAKER, HAS BEEN PLEASED TO MAKE EVERYONE DIFFERENT AND NO ONE PERFECT. THE SOONER WE APPRECIATE AND ACCEPT THE FACT, THE DEEPER WE WILL APPRECIATE AND ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER, JUST AS OUR DESIGNER PLANNED US. ACTUALLY, THERE IS ONLY ONE THING THAT WOULD BE WORSE THAN CONSTANT COMPARISON, AND THAT IS IF EVERYONE WERE JUST ALIKE. THAT'S A FRIGHTENING THOUGHT! !!-----we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves. 2 Corinthians 10:12-----Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and yes, I feel better, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back to morrow, one eyed and all.

"OPERATION EYEBALL"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. By the time you read this post I will be on my way to Amarillo for my eye surgery. I don't really know how long this is going to take as far as being back in circulation. I do know I will have my right eye covered for a day or two, so my blog may be down for awhile. I guess when you are 70 yrs old, you are not supposed to be scared about this sort of thing, but when they are going to cut four slits in your eye to remove a catarack (mispelled), that they will cut into four pieces and remove a piece from each slit, and put a pin in your eye, that gets my attention. I'll keep you infprmed of my progress. Ya'll take care.

"THE RED PLANT"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Have I got a treat and a surprise for one of you, either Kathy, Angie or Kendra. Last night I found a box with a lot of "kid" things in it. By that I mean drawings and writings from you grade school days. It could be Kathy's or one of the girls, there was no name on it, but whoever it was created by, may remember it. I can't do justice to it by printing it because it has all kinds of drawings to explain it. I'll try to fill you in as we go. It's titled, "The Red Plant"-----WELL, ONCE THERE WAS A BOY AND HIS NAME WAS TIMMY. HE WAS WALKING TO SCHOOL ONE COLD AND WINTERY (I'm going to spell several words just as they are spelled in the original) MORNING WHENE ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE BUMPED INTO A GREAT HUMUNGUS RED PLANT. SO THAT DAY HE REMEMBERED THAT HIS CLASS WAS HAVING AN EXSPERAMENT (?) AND HE FORGOT HIS. SO HE USED THE RED PLANT. FINALLY HE GOT TO SCHOOL AND HIS CLASS WAS DOING THERE EXSPERAMENTS AND IT WAS HIS TURN. SO HE WENT UP THERE AND EVRYBODY WAS LOOKING AT HIM, AND "HE SAID THIS PLANT DOOSN'T DO ANYTHING BUT! I THOUGHT IT WAS PRITTY SO I BROUGHT IT ANY WAY. (at the bottom of the page is a plant drawn) FINALLY IT WAS TIME TO GO HOME. TIMMY COULDN'T WATE TO TELL HIS MOM. FIRST HIS MOM THOUGHT HE CUT IT OUT OF A MAGAZENE BUT THENE SHE FELT IT AND SHE WAS SHOCKED. THE NEXT DAY THEY DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE MUSIUM. (at the bottom of the page is a drawing of a woman and a little boy, labeled MOM and TIMMY and a building with the word MUSIUM across the top) BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A CONTEST AT THE MUSUIM ABOUT WHO COULD BRING THE MOST ODD THINGS. AND WHOEVER WON WOULD GET 50$. SO THEY HAD THE CONTEST AND TIMMY WON 1st PLACE. (at the bottom of this page is a drawing of a little boy carrying his plant and beside him is a ribbon and on the ribbon it says 50$ 1st.) SO TIMMY AND HIS MOM WENT HOME AND THERE WAS THE PAPEPER ON THE FRONT STEP. OH MY GOSH TIMMY OH TIMMY YOUR IN THE PAPER! (at the bottom of this page is the drawing of a newspaper with a little boy's picture labeled TIMMY and the drawing of a plant) I'AM IN PAPER, WHAT DO YOU MEAN. WHAT I MEAN IS YOUR IN THE PAPER, AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, THE END:----- Now whoever wrote this, own up and confess. I'm very curious to know and I hope someone remembers. Thought you might get a laugh out of it. This is Two Texas PawPaw signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don"t rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

Fridays Tricia Answers

I was waiting for others to answer but I guess they passed. Nana you didn't do so good. I was disappointed you missed George Straits name, it was DUSTY, NOT RUSTY!!! I wont have to post the answers because Ang got 100%, she was correct on all 10. WONDER HOW SHE DID THAT?

"LOVE IS THE LIGHT"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Over the past few week ends, I have had the chance to observe a new family in town. I have watched with a keen eye and a very sharp observation and the following poem is a conclusion of mine, reached with great belief that this family is almost perfect in their day to day living. I am allowed to say that about my own. I have titled this poem, "Love Is The Light", and it goes like this:----LOVE IS THE LIGHT IN THE WINDOWS OF HOME, OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT---IT SPARKLES OF MEMORIES OF A MOTHER AND DAD, AND THE DAYS YOU'VE MADE SO BRIGHT---LOVE IS THE LIGHT IN YOUR WELCOMING SMILES, THE LIGHT OF YOUR KINDNESS AND CARE---IT BEAMS EVEN BRIGHTER WITH EVERY NEW DAY, AND EVERY NEW MEMORY WE SHARE---LOVE IS THE LIGHT IN THE WINDOWS OF HOME, WARMLY IT GLOWS EACH DAY THROUGH---FOR LOVE IS THE LIGHT THAT FOREVER WILL SHINE, IN THE HEARTS OF TWO PARENTS LIKE YOU---LOVE IS THE LIGHT AND IT'S ALWAYS THERE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A WONDERFUL PLAN---AND GREG AND ANGIE ARE BURNING THAT LIGHT TO RAISE A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG MAN:-----I know now, you're gonna make it. And, we love you very much, Nanny and 2 PawPaw. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

trivia???

I need answers to Fridays Trivia, I will post answers at 10:00 am Monday.

"SWEET JESUS, TAKE ME FARTHER"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. A couple of months ago, the following words hit me one night while I was relaxing in my Smoke Room. After I jotted down the words, I looked at it and it reminded me more of a song than a poem, so I'm going to pass it on to you and maybe some of you talented music buffs out there can put some music to it. Who knows, we might get rich. It's called "Sweet Jesus, Taje Me Farther", and it goes like this:-----AFTER I'VE GONE JUST AS FAR AS I CAN, SWEET JESUS TAKE ME FARTHER---BE SURE MY LIFE IS FREE FROM SIN--LEAD ME DOWN YOUR PATH AGAIN--YOUR LOVE MAKE ME WORTHY OF--GUIDE MY LIFE FROM UP ABOVE--AND WHEN I'M ASK TO DO YOUR WORK, HELP ME TO TRY HARDER--AFTER I'VE GONE JUST AS FAR AS I CAN, SWEET JESUS, TAKE ME FARTHER---MAKE ME ACCOUNTABLE ONLY TO YOU--HELP ME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO--SHOW ME IT'S YOU I CAN COUNT ON--MAKE MY BELIEF A PILLAR OF STONE--AND IN THE DAYS THAT I HAVE LEFT, I'LL FOLLOW YOU FOREVER--AFTER I'VE GONE JUST AS FAR AS I CAN, SWEET JESUS, TAKE ME FARTHER---THIS PROMISE I WILL MAKE TO YOU--MY FAITHFULNESS WILL ALWAYS BE TRUE--I'LL ENTER YOUR KINGDOM NO MATTER THE COST--BECAUSE OF YOUR DYING ON THAT OLD RUGGED CROSS-- WHEN THOSE GATES ARE OPENED WIDE, AND YOUR PEOPLE YOU START TO GATHER--AFTER I'VE GONE JUST AS FAR AS I CAN, SWEET JESUS, TAKE ME FARTHER:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THE LITTLE SLEEPING BEAUTY"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. I ran accross some material last night while searching through my files and I found this letter that was written about 15 years ago. At the time I wrote it, my grand daughters, Angie and Kendra, were about 9 and 11 years old. I remember I borrowed some of the material from my friend Jimmy Dean again, and added a touch or two of my own. It's called "The Little Sleeping Beauty" and it goes like this:-----DEAR ANGIE, I KNEW IF I WAITED LONG ENOUGH, I'D FIND THE TIME TO HAVE THAT LITTLE TALK WITH YOU THAT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE. I UNDERSTAND LATELY, MOM HAS HAD TO SAY "NO" TO YOU ABOUT A FEW THINGS YOU WANTED HER TO SAY "YES" TO. I GUESS YOU'VE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY. WELL, I WANT TO REVEAL A SECRET TO YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED NOT LONG AGO. ONE NIGHT YOUR MOM SNEAKED INTO YOUR ROOM WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING. SHE LOOKED DOWN AT YOU AND YOU WERE SMILING AND SHE THOUGHT HOW MUCH LIKE SLEEPING BEAUTY A LITTLE GIRL IS. WHEN SHE TUCKS YOU IN AT NIGHT, SHE NEVER KNOWS HOW OLD YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE NEXT MORNING WHEN YOU WAKE UP. ONE EVENING YOU RUN IN, JUMP UP IN YOUR MOMS LAP, THROW YOUR ARMS AROUND HER NECK, AND THE NEXT MORNING, YOU'LL BE TOO GROWN UP FOR THAT SORT OF THING. YOU WERE SO QUICKLY APPROACHING THE AWKWARD AGE. TOO YOUNG TO DRIVE THE CAR, AND YET, TOO OLD TO BE CARRIED INTO THE HOUSE ON SOMEONES SHOULDER, HALF ASLEEP. AND AS SHE SAT THERE AND WATCHED YOU SLEEP, SHE THOUGHT, SLEEPING BEAUTY, THAT YOU'RE GOING ON A VERY EXCITING TRIP. YOU'RE GOING TO TRAVEL FROM YESTERDAY ALL THE WAY TO TOMORROW, IT'LL BE A RAPID JOURNEY AND YOU WILL TRAVEL LITE, LEAVING BEHIND YOU, MEASLES AND MUMPS, FRECKLES AND BUMPS, BUBBLE GUM, AND MOM. SHE PROMISED HERSELF THAT SHE WOULDN'T BE HURT WHEN YOU FIND OUT THAT THE OLD WORLD OUT THERE IS A LOT MORE EXCITING THAN YOUR OLD MOM'S LAP. SHE THOUGHT TO HERSELF THAT YESTERDAY YOU WORE BLUEJEANS AND PIGTAILS, THE NEIGHBORHOODS BEST TREE CLIMBER. TOMORROW YOU'LL BE STARRY EYED AND PONY TAILED AND YOU'LL VIEW THE WORLD FROM A LOFTIER PERCH, IN A PAIR OF HIGH HEELED SHOES. YESTERDAY YOU COULD MEND A DOLLS BROKEN LEG WITH A HUG. TOMORROW YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BREAK A YOUNG MANS HEART WITH A KISS. YESTERDAY YOU COULD GET LOST ONE AISLE AWAY FROM HER IN A SUPER MARKET. TOMORROW SHE HAS GOT TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING YOU DOWN ANOTHER AISLE TO SOME STRANGE YOUNG MAN. YOU SEE HUN, JUST AT THE POINT WHERE YOUR GROWING PAINS STOP, HER'S KINDA BEGIN. YESTERDAY THERE WERE TIMES WHEN SHE THOUGHT YOU WERE A PAIN IN THE NECK TO BE AROUND. TOMORROW YOU'RE GOING TO BE A PAIN IN HER HEART WHEN YOU'RE NOT. YESTERDAY, YOU LAID ASIDE THE JUMP ROPE. TOMORROW YOU'RE GOING TO TIE UP THE TELEPHONE LINES FOR HOURS. AND THAT LITTLE BOYFRIEND WHO TRIED TO PUSH YOU IN THE MUD OR CHASE YOU HOME FROM SCHOOL, WELL, HE'S GONNA FIGHT BEFORE HE'LL SIT OUT A DANCE WITH YOU. YOUR MOM KNEW SETTING THERE THAT NIGHT SHE COULDN'T EXPECT YOU TO LIVE IN A DOLL HOUSE FOREVER. SOONER OR LATER, A BUTTERFLY SHEDS IT'S COCOON. THE SMALLEST BIRD HAS TO TRY IT'S WINGS. SO WHEN YOU GROW UP AND OUT OF HER ARMS, AND YOU FINALLY GET TO BIG FOR YOUR PAWPAW'S T-SHIRTS TO SLEEP IN, MOM'S GONNA STILL RECALL HOW YOU SCATTERED DUST, DOLLS, TOYS, AND COLORS, THROUGH EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE. AND YOU SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE TOO. WELL, NOW, THE DUST HAS SETTLED. MOM HAS PICKED UP THE DOLLS, THE TOYS, AND THE COLORS, BUT THE SUNSHINE, THAT WILL ALWAYS FILL THE CORNER OF HER HEART. YESTERDAY YOU FUSSED WITH KENDRA OVER WHO WAS GOING TO DO WHAT, FIRST. TOMORROW, YOU'LL HOPE YOU SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THAT LITTLE SISTER. SO, THERE MOM WAS TALKING TO YOU IN YOUR SLEEP, AND IF YOU COULD HAVE SEEN THAT LOOK ON HER FACE, WELL YOU WOULD HAVE PROBABLY LAUGHED, BUT IF SHE HAD TRIED TO SPEAK WITH THAT LUMP IN HER THROAT, SHE WOULD HAVE CRIED. YES, SHE LOOKED AT YOU ANGIE, AND YOU WERE A SLEEPING BEAUTY. SHE TIP TOED OVER AND KISSED YOU, BUT YOU DIDN'T WAKE UP, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, ONLY THE HANDSOME PRINCE COULD MAKE YOU OPEN YOUR EYES. MOM. WELL. SHE'S JUST THE MOTHER OF THE FUTURE BRIDE, AND SHE THOUGHT, SLEEP ON PRETTY THING, FOR TOMORROW YOU'LL AWAKE AND YOU'LL BE A YOUNG LADY, AND YOU WON'T EVEN REALIZE YOU'VE CHANGE COURSES IN THE MIDDLE OF A DREAM. YOU MIGHT NOTICE A LITTLE CHANGE IN MOM. SHE WILL LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN SHE DID THEN, A LITTLE OLDER, A LITTLE SADDER, BUT A WHOLE LOT RICHER. AND WHEN TOMORROW COMES, MOM WILL SAY, I HOPE I SAID ALL THE RIGHT YES'S AND ALL THE RIGHT NO'S, AND I HOPE ANGIE UNDERSTANDS THEY WERE ALL BECAUSE I LOVED HER. BUT, WHETHER SHE DOES OR NOT, ONE THING WILL NEVER CHANGE, AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE "MOM'S LITTLE ANGIE":-----I guess you could say in a way, this dream and this letter came true. This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"TRIVIA DAY"

No 1---In 1951 Elvis Presley at the age of 16 won lst Place in a singing contest performed on stage of auditorium at high school he attended in Tupelo, Miss. What was the song he sang?---No 2---When he was alive, what country music male star always sang the closing song at Grand 'Ol Opry on Saturday Night?---No 3---What female country singer's first name rhymes with "DOLLY"?---No 4---Who was the original recorder of "HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT" and who wrote the song?---No 5---What famous singing group won several CMA awards in the 70's, 80's & 90's and was named the Vocal Group of the Decade but before the 70's, was known as a group called "WILDFIRE"?---No 6---Who played the daughter of Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck) in the TV series "THE BIG VALLEY" and what famous TV series did she star in later, and what was her character name?---No 7---What was George Strait's character name in "PURE COUNTRY" (2 ANSWERS, EITHER ACCEPTED)?---No 8---Peter Graves, star of the TV series MISSION IMPOSSIBLE" had a brother who starred as a famous U.S.Marshall in a long running TV Western. What was his name and his character name?---No 9---Which country music singer was known as "THE SINGIN' SHERIFF"?---No 10---Who recorded the song "I GOT A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN"?----- Good Luck, I expect answers from: KATHY, ANGIE, KENDRA, GREG, KAREN, SHONDA and anyone else who wishes to answer!!!

"NO ONE BUT A MOTHER-IN-LAW"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. Yesterday ended a week long visit from my Mother-In-Law. Most men might say that is a tragedy, but certainly not in my case because I have the best Mother-In-Law ever. So, I sat down last night and composed a message to her. She probably never reads these blogs but I did it anyway. It's called "No One But A Mother-In-Law", and it goes like this:-----NO ONE BUT A MOTHER-IN-LAW COULD KNOW JUST WHAT TO DO---TO MAKE A GOAL SEEM POSSIBLE, OR HELP A DREAM COME TRUE---NO ONE BUT A MOTHER-IN-LAW IS SO SURE TO UNDERSTAND---WHEN LIFE SEEMS SO CONFUSING AND THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED---NO ONE BUT A MOTHER-IN-LAW HAS THAT KIND AND LOVING TOUCH---THAT MAKES HOME SUCH A HAPPY PLACE, AND MAKES HER MEAN SO MUCH---IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO HAVE A MOTHER-IN-LAW LIKE YOU---WHO'S WARM AND UNDERSTANDING, KIND, AND THOUGHTFUL TOO---AND THOUGH I MAY NOT SAY IT MUCH, I'M PROUD AS I CAN BE---OF ALL THE MOTHER-IN-LAWS IN THE WORLD, YOU BELONG TO ME:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"THE DOOR THAT NEVER CLOSES"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. At the last place I was employed before my retirement, a friend of mine passed away. We were close and his Mother worked there also. She took her sons death real hard, as any mother probably would. I wrote her a poem and she has told me several times it really helped her through some tough days. I'll share the thought with you and perhaps if you have lost a loved one lately, it might help. It goes like this:-----THERE'S A DOOR THAT NEVER CLOSES, THOUGH IT OPENS BUT ONE WAY---IT'S THE DOOR THAT LEADS TO HEAVEN AT THE END OF LIFE'S LONG DAY---IT'S THE THRESHOLD OF FOREVER, WHERE THE HEART IS ALWAYS GLAD---IT'S A RESPITE FOR THE WEARY, AND A COMFORT FOR THE SAD---IT'S THE DOOR TO PEACE AND HEALING, AND THE DOOR TO JOY AND GRACE---WHERE THE MASTER GREETS EACH GUEST BY NAME, AND WITH A WARM EMBRACE---AND THE LOVED ONE'S WHO PASS THROUGH, INTO THE LIGHT THAT'S SHINNING THERE---FIND A SWEET AND PERFECT HOME, WITHIN OUR FATHER'S LOVING CARE---YOUR LOVED ONE NOW HAS FOUND THAT PLACE, THAT'S SWEET AS FRESH CUT ROSES---SO REST ASSURED THAT HE HAS PASSED, THROUGH THE DOOR THAT NEVER CLOSES:-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"1953"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. I ran accross a bit of interesting news while going through some boxes in my smoke room. My wife and I were married in 1953 and a couple years ago, at our 50th Wedding Anniversary, my brother-in-law gave me a book of 1953. Following are some of the things I found interesting:-----LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS 68.2 YEARS---MISS AMERICA WAS NEVA JANE LANGLEY OF MACON, GEORGIA---TWO BIGGEST INVENTIONS THAT YEAR WERE POLIO VACCINE AND ROCK AND ROLL---OUR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT WERE EISENHOWER AND NIXON---AVERAGE INCOME WAS $4,011.00 ANNUAL---PRICE OF NEW CAR WAS $1,651.00---AVERAGE COST OF NEW HOUSE WAS $9,525.00---LOAF OF BREAD 16 CENTS---GALLON OF GAS 20 CENTS---GALLON OF MILK 74 CENTS---GOLD PER OUNCE $35.00---SILVER PER OUNCE 90 CENTS---DOW JONES AVERAGE 276---MINIMUM WAGE WAS 75 CENTS---BIGGEST CEREAL ON THE MARKET WAS KELLOGS CORN FLAKES---ACTRESS KIM BASINGER WAS BORN ON DEC 8TH---JOHN F KENNEDY AND JACQUELINE BOUVIER WERE MARRIED---SYLVANIA INTRODUCED THEIR BIGGEST LINE OF TELEVISIONS---BEST MOTION PICTURE WAS "FROM HERE TO ETERNITY"---BEST ACTOR, WILLIAM HOLDEN FOR "STALAG 17"---BEST ACTRESS WAS AUDREY HEPBURN FOR "ROMAN HOLIDAY"---YEARS BIGGEST SONGS WERE "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" AND "HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW"---MOST POPULAR T.V. SHOWS WERE "DRAGNET" AND "I LOVE LUCY"---Just a little tidbit of info you might find amusing---this is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.

"SAYING GOODBYE"

Hi folks, this is Two Texas PawPaw. A few years ago when my beautiful sister-in-law, Ann, passed away, our family found out someone else in the family had talent as a writer. My youngest grand-daughter, Kendra also wrote a poem in tribute to her and I'm more than happy to share it with you. It's titled "Saying Goodbye", and it goes like this:-----TEARS OF PAIN ROLLS DOWN YOUR FACE--WISHING SOMEHOW YOU COULD TAKE HER PLACE--BUT GOD HAS HIS REASONS AND HE HAS A GOOD PLAN--IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE TRY TO UNDERSTAND--IT'S O.K. TO HURT AND IT'S O.K. TO CRY--BECAUSE THERE COMES A TIME WE HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE--SO TO ALL OF ANN'S SISTERS, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY--KEEP HER IN YOUR HEARTS AND LOOK TOWARD A NEW DAY--FOR THAT IS WHAT SHE WOULD WANT YOU TO DO--REMEMBER HER ALWAYS AND HOW MUCH SHE LOVED YOU--AND TO ALL HER CHILDREN, WHILE I'M SURE YOU KNOW--IT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO LET YOUR MOTHER GO--BUT SHE'S IN A BETTER PLACE AND SHE'S WATCHING OVER YOU--AND DOING WHAT YOU CAN IS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO--AND TO HER MOTHER, IT WILL TAKE A WHILE--TO OVERCOME THE PAIN OF LOSING YOUR CHILD--BUT JUST REMEMBER, GOD ONLY TAKES THE BEST--AND KEEPING THIS IN MIND IS ALL I CAN SUGGEST--TO HER MANY GRAND CHILDREN, SHE LOVED YOU EACH THE SAME--AND YOU ALL HAVE HURTS, AND SORROW, AND PAIN--AND EVERYTIME I REALIZE SHE'S GONE--I HEAR HER LITTLE VOICE, SAYING, WE MUST MOVE ON--AND TO YOU DON BEARD, AS I KNOW SHE WOULD SAY--MAKE THE BEST OF LIFE EACH AND EVERY DAY--SHE WOULD TELL YOU NOT TO FORGET HER, AND BEFORE SHE WOULD GO--SHE'D SAY HOW MUCH SHE LOVES YOU, HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEVER KNOW--SHE WAS A WIFE, A MOTHER, A TEACHER AND A FRIEND--AND WHEN GOD TOOK HER LIFE, A NEW ONE BEGIN--SO WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS POEM YOU MIGHT ASK--TO SIMPLY REMEMBER EACH DAY COULD BE OUR LAST--SO IN THE WORDS OF ANN, AS I ONCE HEARD HER SAY--MAKE THE VERY BEST OF EACH AND EVERY DAY.-----This is Two Texas PawPaw, signing off, and, the good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, I'll be back tomorrow.