Columns

It has been a long time since I worried about exercising. Tim Jones has decided to follow m y example. He writes . . . Put Down Your DumbbellEver since I was young, competing to earn a spot on my high school’s freshman track team, I have regularly exercised.

Our new year is finally here. So is winter. One thing I did first this year was call my sister Sue. She is now in an assisted living home up in Edmond and I was happy to find she received a new phone for Christmas. It is easier to use, so she thinks. I hope she is right.

I must admit there are days that I think I can’t handle one more problem. I was sharing with a friend this past week about a particularly rough week. He shared the following with me.The Trouble TreeI hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse.

I know the Christmas season has just passed us by and I had a nice little holiday column all typed and ready to go when I ran across the following little ditty from my fellow Holdenville High School graduate and Jones, America banker deluxe Donna Gordon Klick and it’s just too good to pass up.

It’s hard to reimagine just how important this date is to kids anymore. But it is. Back when I was a kid, our family we would have a “tree” up many days before Christmas Eve and gradually the pool of presents would grow under it. What was in these presents? There was the mystery.

CHRISTMAS WEEK! We have enjoyed some very interesting letters to Santa, Christmas memories and other Christmas items from area youngsters. They are all so interesting and fun to read. However, at the top of the list is the subject of Angels when explained by Children . . .1.

Ever had a three-year-old appear on your front porch with dazzled little eyes in a glowing face and pipe up, “Oh, wow! Ya’ll have Christmas!” I’m sure you have, and we did, too. Our tiny grandson had come visiting us for the holiday, and he was excited.

When Things Go Wrong at ChristmasEven though this is the season to be jolly. Even though trees and houses are sprinkled with cheery bright lights.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[b] and have come to worship him.

It was a nice day, that Sunday on December 7 th , 80 years ago in Washington, D.C. The warmer than normal weather had caused New England’s famed pussy-willows to bud. The busy DC football stadium was hosting the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia’s Eagles. Strange times.