Football: A Long Timeout

Well, I reckon the college players have hung up their cleats for another year. It, in my opinion, was about the most exciting year I have every seen. Some players will come back next year, a lot will go to the pro football league, and some will have surgery and rehab and will have to wait to see if they will be ready to play next fall. The first few games were played in hot, humid conditions; the last games in the snow and/or on frozen turf. Most of the bowl games were full of excitement with excellent coaching and players showing off their exceptional skills. The few goof-ups (some that may have caused their teams to lose) fade in the memory due to the high flying action in most games. Baseball and its long, drawn out season is just ahead. Even though a no-hitter, a home run, or double play can be exciting, nothing can get your heart rate up like the last two minutes of a close college football game. Football demands your full attention; a fellow can work a crossword puzzle while watching baseball.

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

Coming soon: More Tales of Harper (an ebook on Amazon)

As Good As It's Gonna Get

Me and Dorothy had friends visiting over the weekend. They were on their way back home from Florida after spending Christmas down there. They live in St. Louis. This morning when they left Harper it was 23 degrees with a wind chill factor of 11 degrees. There were a few flakes of snow in the air. They went from a seat by the fire with a hot cup of coffee to a car with cold seats and a trip through rough weather and over slick roads. I am sure they will be fine but as far as today goes what they left behind in Harper is as good as it's gonna get.

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

Coming soon: More Tales of Harper (an ebook on Amazon)

Does It Pay to Advertise??

This morning there was a big discussion about the ads on TV during the football games. The one that most people hated was one with two guys sitting in a car at a fast food restaurant. They are irritating to say the least. One fellow said he was so turned off he would never eat there again. Somebody asked him the name of the restaurant and he had no idea. I reckon you could call a penalty on both sides there. He is mad but has no idea who he is mad at. One thing I have learned to do is tune out ads. I can shift my mind to something else and luckily return just in time for the program to resume. Apparently, from the disgust of my barbershop gang, many can't do this. They either flip to another channel or sit there and steam until the commercial is over. Call me optimistic but I look at these breaks as a wonderful time to run to the bathroom or replenish my coffee cup or sweet tea glass.

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

Coming soon: More Tales of Harper (an ebook on Amazon)

Tweeting

Marvin Melsch is a little under the weather. He was missing this morning down at the barbershop for our daily communication meeting. Marvin got this new cell phone for Christmas and his son helped him set up an app for what they call tweeting. I think it means he can type out what he wants to say and those of us who sign up for the same app can read it. Marvin sent word by One-buck Nelson, the guy who delivers for Harper Drugs, to let us know about his new device. His message included notification that a message from him to us was ready for us to read. The problem is nobody else has the program and only about half of us have cell phones. Later I got a call at home from Marvin. He told me he was disappointed that no one had responded to his messages. That's right he said messages (plural). It seems that a "tweet" can only be so many letters long and since Marvin had a lot to say, mostly about the ball game last night, he was forced into delivering a dozen or so messages. I told him about the lack of technology among our group and suggested he jot down his comments and when he was well we would give him the floor to deliver a complete presentation of his thoughts.

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

One of the reviews:

. I give Tales of Harper 5 stars because the stories and poems present images of a place and time that seem distant, like our youth and innocence. These "Tales" moved me and gave me opportunity to feel and think and appreciate not only beautiful, lyrical writing but the ideas and experiences Mr. Wilkinson had. A simply fabulous book!

Self Respect

Walter Winzt retired last week. He owned and operated Harper Drugs for the last fifty years. With his retirement the store was sold to a chain. I think it will be hard for anyone else to do what Walter did all these years. I suspect they can't.

Walter is always, as Dorothy calls it, neat as a pin. He stopped by the barbershop yesterday (he was never able to do this while he was running his shop) and joined in our little group. Someone complemented him on how organized he was in his work. "I wasn't always that way," said Walter. "When I started out I found myself in a big mess every night when it was time to close. One day I had to call in a relief pharmacist to work while I attended an old Aunt's funeral in Tylertown. The night before he was to show up, I cleaned the store and made sure everything was in place for him. As I was walking out the door I turned and looked back on my work. Out of the blue it occurred to me that I was showing a degree of respect to this stranger who was working for me than I afforded to myself. From then on I put things away and filed immediately. At the end of the day, closing involved little more than turning off the lights and locking the door. And I was able to service my customers more efficiently and actually quicker than when I was messy. I reckon that one moment when I stopped at the door was the beginning of respecting myself."

Walter's little talk showed me why he if so respected by everyone in Harper. He sure will be missed down at his store.

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

Coming soon: More Tales of Harper (an ebook on Amazon)

Resolutions Should Be Specific

One of the problems people (including me) have is, when making New Year's resolutions we are not more definite in determining our goals. Like last year I pledged to myself that I would buy a juicer. There had been TV shows proclaiming the health advantages of drinking the juice of fruits and vegetables and I decided I needed the wellness they offered. On the first day the stores were opened after the holidays I bought one of those machines; one that cost over five hundred dollars. My resolution for 2014 is to use it more than once this year.

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

Coming soon: More Tales of Harper (an ebook on Amazon)

Showing Appreciation

I just got back from an eye checkup. While I was waiting for my eyes to dilate a woman came in the darkened room and struck up a conversation. I never figured out why but a lot of people tell me a lot of things. I guess I know how to look interested or like I can be trusted or something. Anyway, this woman revealed several things about herself in just a few minutes. She enjoyed travel, but not as much as when her husband was living. He came in real handy lifting luggage, getting directions, buying tickets and providing a feeling of security. She said she never appreciated how much he did for her until he was gone. I thought about that as I drove home. Dorothy was surprised when I came into the kitchen where she was sticking a couple of potatoes in the oven and gave her a little peck on the cheek. "I just want you to know how much I appreciate you," I said. Well, I appreciate you too, Harvey Lee," she replied. "Now will you please take out the garbage."

Tales of Harper, short stories and poems about the fictional town of Harper, Mississippi is available on Amazon Kindle

Coming soon: More Tales of Harper (an ebook on Amazon)