Archives for August 2018

Just some thoughts:

The definition of misnomer: A wrong or inaccurate use of a name or term.

He was a professional baseball player from 1908 to 1922. A very good one in fact, so good he is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. By the way if you have never been and are a baseball fan it is well worth going. I have been a number of times during our years of living in New Jersey.

His name was John Franklin Baker and most of his famous years he played for the Philadelphia Athletic in the American League. In baseball circles he was knows as “Home Run” Baker. On more than one occasion he led his league in hitting home runs. In fact four years straight he was the home run king of his league. Home run hitting you say. Yes, in fact he once hit two home runs in the same game, I think it might even have been in the world series. Quite a feat one must say.

How many total home runs did he hit? Well his most productive year in hitting the cowhide over the fences he hit a whopping twelve. Excuse a misprint surely. No not so. His most productive year in hitting home runs he hit twelve. In all his years in baseball he hit a total of ninety-six home runs. Ninety-six. Hardly a breath taking statistic today. Yes they referenced him as “Home Run Baker.”

When I was in school we had a bus driver named Tiny. He was anything but. I once knew a kid they called “Lefty.” He was right handed. I once asked him, “why the name Lefty,” his answer, “I don’t know.” Once knew a guy called Skinny, again anything but. Knew a kid growing up we called “Speed” he was just the opposite. When I was a kid in our neighborhood a guy had a  hound they called, Lightening. Don’t think I ever saw that dog act in anyway representative of that word. Most times he laid on top of his dog house. Seldom would he even raise his head when called. Once knew a guy they called Curly. He had no hair at all.

When I was in college  I worked part time at a bank. There was a guy that also  worked at the bank and he would come in most mornings to the coffee room. You could describe him as kinda a geek type of guy. Horn rimmed glasses, high water pants, pocket pencil protector in his shirt pocket with numerous pencils,  black winged-tip shoes and  white socks.  You get the picture. One of the guys in the coffee drinking group tagged him with the name “Stud.” I think not.

Last year saw more then one hundred and eleven players hit twenty or more home runs that year in major league baseball. Does that mean we have one hundred and eleven “Home Run” Bakers now? Think not.

You know sometimes tags, names, get placed on people that are not accurate, in some cases misleading and in some cases just not fair to the person.

While the ones I have referenced here well possibly said in fun. But labeling people often is not said or done in fun.  Sometimes we  need to be careful about placing labels, name calling on people.

=============================================

May 22, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 19, 2018

Just some thoughts:

                                                                               “The dead sit at our tables long after they are gone.”

                                       “Every family is a ghost story.”

“You can go your whole life collecting days,
and none will outweigh the one you wish you had back.”

“A funeral is no place for secrets.”

“One day can bend your life.”

“Mothers support certain illusions about their children.”

“Kids chase the love that eludes them/ why do kids assume so much from

one parent and hold the other to a lower, looser standard?”

“You have to care as much about yourself on the way
down as you did on the way  up.”

“Sharing tales of those we’ve lost is how we
keep from really losing them.”

Mitch Albom–For One More Day

The book may be fiction but sometimes there can be more truth than fiction.

I was fortunate to meet Mitch Albom some years back. Always enjoyed his writings.

==============================================

July 9, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

 

Posted August 18, 2018

Just some thoughts:

This morning as I pulled from my drive a group of neighborhood  kids were standing on “our” corner where they catch the school bus. I remembered something my friend Charlie once said and I thought I hope these kids are never treated or treat others in such a  way.

I’m quoting my old friend Charlie Brown:

“It’s hard on a face when it gets laughed in.”

Often ole Charlie is right on the money.

=============================================

August 16, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Just some thoughts:

Recently my wife and I saw the Mr. Rogers movie, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” The movie is really more of a documentary of Rogers and his life. I thought the movie was well done and glad I got to see it.

Rogers was a “weight watcher.” Rogers made it a point to exercise daily, religiously he swam daily. He once remarked that he had maintained his weight since his college days. All of his college and adult years he weighted one-hundred and forty-three pounds.

But that one-hundred and forty-three had a special meaning for Fred Rogers. He explained it this way:

The one–that was for the word== I
The forty–that was for the number four that was for the word== Love
The three-that was for the number three and that was for the word==You

One-hundred and forty-three—to Mr.Roger’s meant….I love You…

Wouldn’t it be something if we all thought that much about our “weight.”

==============================================

July 30, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 15, 2018

Just some thoughts:

“You’re right; I’m hungry and hurry up.”

Today I saw a strange combination of two items rarely seen in today’s society.

I had just walked into a Burger King on the Eastside of Nashville. I was there to meet my friend Marcellas and his children for lunch. He attends church where my wife and I attend. He’s on dialysis three days a week. He is the sole person responsible for five children, all under the age of twelve: a good man and he is my friend. You can fill in the blanks of this story. I was there to meet them for lunch, something I try to do on a regular basis.

Immediately upon stepping inside the door, I stopped cold as I could tell something was going on. There was a man at the counter, upset and demanding food. It was evident he had issues and he also had little or no money. The young lady at the counter was doing her best in the situation. The manager quickly came to the counter and began trying to speak to the man. “I’m hungry; I want a sandwich and a drink right now.” He had pointed at a picture ad on the counter and said that was what he wanted. The manager explained the money matter. “I told you, I am hungry, and I don’t have any money, and I want it right now.” The situation was quickly escalating and no one was sure what would happen next. I was about to start to the counter when a man who had been sitting at a table close by got up, walked to the counter and said to the man, “You hungry, are you?” “You are ____ right I’m hungry,” was his reply. The man turned to the manager, “Go ahead and take this man’s order, I’m buying.” Wow.

The food was handed to the man, and we all watched as he walked out and started across the busy highway. The ‘buyer’ never received a thank you or an acknowledgement of any kind from the man.

As my friend and I got our food, I passed the Good Samaritan’s table, “Thank you, that was a nice gesture you did there.” “Oh thanks, he was about to cause a real problem, wasn’t he?”

Later as I drove from the fast food location, I thought how a man had diffused what could have been a very bad situation. I remember the man who bought his food as he was in Dickey work clothes and hard toe shoes. I had seen my “blue collar” dad in that outfit all through my teen years. Just a common blue collar guy, not rich by any means, who was paying attention to what was happening around him and responded with help.

He used two of the best combinations in life… kindness and wisdom. A great combination!

(Note: I am happy to say that now..2018 my friend Marcellas has received a kidney transplant and doing well–this was first written in 2012)

===============================================

April 24, 2012
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 14, 2018

Just some thoughts:

I once heard it said: “A good man cannot be buried.”

Recently my wife and I were in Oxford, Mississippi. We were invited there by some old friends we had met while we all lived in New Jersey. Oxford, Mississippi, what a neat place.

One of the things that had attracted me there was to visit the home of William Faulkner. I have always had an interest in Faulkner and more so in recent years. Also, John Grisham is from there. Oxford is the home of the University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss. Footnote: Oxford has the largest independent bookstore  and the oldest department store in the country–I could have spent hours in the bookstore.

There is life all around the courthouse square. Shops, restaurants, you name it and it is happening. And the campus is within easy walking distance. If you know anything about Ole Miss, you know what the “The Grove” is.

For me something special happened one evening when the four of us along with two special friends of John and Beth’s, Marcia and Don, we all were having dinner together. This couple is very interesting and a part of the history of Ole Miss. They were a treat for us to meet and be with.

While James Mederith was the first African-American to attend Ole Miss. Don trying to be a student had played a part in the integration of the school in the late 1970s’. I remember the year as I was in my second year of college at the time, 1962. That integration did not go well. Riots and racial disturbances took place on the campus. I am not versed with all the details but during that time Don was expelled from the school. That’s the sad and unfortunate part. Let me share what was special for me on this evening.

As we sat that evening waiting for our food  a man walked into the restaurant. It immediately caught  Don’s attention. I could tell there was something special  about the wall-in man. Kinda under his breath I heard Don say a name, like he was saying it just to himself. I would learn it was the man’s name who had just walked in. Don got up walked over to the man, you could tell it was special for them to see one another. First they shook hands and then they embraced and held each other for a moment.

Don brought the man over to our table and introduced him to everyone. I learned the man was the former Chancellor (President) of  the University of Mississippi. During this Chancellor years he had been instrumental in seeing to many changes for the  improvement in  racial matters at the school. Not an easy task for an administrator at that time and location.

Interesting, earlier in the day John and I had been in a book store when John pointed to a book and said, “See the picture on the cover of that book? It is about a former Chancellor here at Ole Miss. He made a lot of changes, racial changes at the school. There is no telling how valuable that man was to the school, the community and society in general. Without him and his willingness to stand against some strong forces many changes would never have happened.”

I believe there are some people who come along at certain times and because of who they are and what they are willing to do can bring about great things. Be thankful for such leadership. When you see it……thank it…. encourage  it …..and do your best to repeat it.

Marcia and Don–both African-Americans– Marcia now teaches at the school–Don–the guy that was once expelled–he is now Provost  to the Chancellor at the university. This happened under the administration of “the man who just walked in.”

Possibly a good man can be buried…but not his good works.
Good works can live on long after one is gone.

(Pictures are two of the oldest buildings on the campus of U. of Mississippi)

=============================================

July 21, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 13, 2018

Just some thoughts:

Our fifty-third wedding anniversary was recently. Fifty-three years ago, July 25, 1965.

I had to smile when I thought of yesterday’s activities and activities of fifty-three years ago. July 25, 1965 was a Sunday. A hot Indiana Sunday. Wedding at 2 P.M. at church where we both attended. Followed by reception.

Yesterday, well let’s see I stopped by my coffee place a bit after six A.M for coffee. Then off to golf course played 18 holes. Met my wife and thirteen year old grandson for lunch. They were spending the day trying to get my wife’s new phone (“I” phone or whatever) set-up etc. Trips to T-Mobile, and back.Took them most of the day. I finished the day with stops at the bank, library, post office (coffee shop–2nd time)  and then cutting the grass and trimming, etc.

This past week I was doing some reading about the life of George Washington. He had an interesting take on the matter of marriage.

“It has been my maxim with me through life, neither to promote nor to prevent a matrimonial connection, unless there should be something indispensable requiring interference in the latter. I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one’s life, the foundation of happiness or misery.”
Our Sacred Honor–William J. Bennett

Washington in a letter to his granddaughter Eleanor Custis, asks that she assess carefully the character of the “invader” of her heart.”

Ole Ben Franklin maybe gave some of the best advice regarding the matter of marriage:

“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.”

=============================================

July, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 11, 2018

Just some thoughts:

​Can you believe that just this past June 2017 a statue was unveiled of a politician here in the United States, yes in the state of New Hampshire. Yes a politician.

Currently politicians are not in favor with a lot of folks. Understandably so. I too am often frustrated with what I see and hear. But having said that I still don’t think is it right or fair to equate one’s frustrations by labeling everyone with the same disdain. I get a little uneasy when I hear someone start to describe using words like “all of them.” “Those cops, those teachers, those lawyers, used cars salesmen, you name it and too often the blanket is thrown around all.

John Gilbert Winant first came on the politician scene in the 1920s’ gaining attention as the youngest and most progressive governor in the country.

A little bit about Winant.

*He came from money—hum aren’t all rich people motives to be brought into question?
*He was a poor student–but a great reader-hum gotta be really smart to do anything of value.
*He came from an unhappy home–parents divorced during his childhood
*His father always told him “to be seen and not heard.”
*He was educated at a private school–therefore surely an elitist..snob.
*He withdrew from Princeton because of poor grades–See not smart enough–Dad got him in.
*Served in WWI –volunteering–hum rich folks don’t have any sense of obligation-service
*Constantly volunteering for missions over enemy lines
*Enlisted as a private–ended the war as a captain
*Gave up a very successful financial career to enter politics
*1924-At age 35 ran for governor of New Hampshire
*His announcement for governor was given only four lines by state’s leading newspaper
*He was described by one paper: ” A rich outsider, an intellectual, a terrible speaker.”

Then:

*Man described ahead of his times
*Showed zeal for economic and social justice and change
*His hero was Abraham Lincoln
*Said the press should be allowed into political meetings before not allowed
*He took on special interest groups
*Won landslide re-elections
*Had a deep empathy and compassion for others
*Door to his capital office was open to anybody wanted to see him
*Use his own money to pay  medical bills-covered educational expense
*Instructed Concord police allow transients spend the night in city jail-feed–send him the bill
*Even at times supported legislation of the opposing party.
*Would later go on to be the Ambassador to England during WWII and serve in various other capacities of service to his country following the war
*Was considered as a possible running mate with Franklin Roosevelt

In 2008 the current governor of New Hampshire said of him: “People still talked about him when I got here. He was special. Of all the governors we’ve had, he actually meant something to the people in a very personal way.”

Citizens of London==Lynne Olson

Here we are some eighty plus years later and very few  people ever heard of him but a guy –a politician taking his job seriously and trying to do what he thought was best. By the way I found this book a great read.

Recently  I voted in our local election for our local councilman/alderman. I voted for the person I felt best qualified and who has taken that role in the past seriously. Most times I have agreed with her position on matters, but there  have been a few times I did not. I have talked or spoken with her on both occasions, when I agreed and when I did not agree with her. I have always found her to be cordial, listens and most of all she acknowledges a call or a piece of mail I have sent to her. Wow.  Find folks, people today who will even do that and your have a rare find. (Currently I am shopping for another car and I can’t get most people–dealerships/sales people– to even return my call. Hey I might be a customer.) Times we did not  agree we do not call each other names or go to Twitter.  I do not think she is crazy nor do I think she thought I was a morn.

I have yet to find a person which I have agreed one hundred percent with or they with me. I’ve been married fifty-three  plus years and even that lady and I on a few occasions have not agreed.

I don’t like to see  people painted with the same brush….that goes for everyone.  Race, creed, etc. If judgement is needed and too often from our standpoint it is not, but if needed, let it stand or be measured on that individual and not on the actions of others.

Oh, my council person…that is Beverly Burger. Thank you Mrs. Burger for your service to our community.

==========================================

August 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 10, 2018

Just some thoughts:

Recently while in Oxford, Mississippi  my friend John and I took the time to go into the courthouse in Oxford, Mississippi and also visit Oxford’s City Hall. A courthouse and a city hall hold a lot of a community’s history.

The picture you see here is of my wife and I standing one night in front of the Oxford City Hall. One of the things John and I did while visiting the courthouse was court was in session so we went in, sat and watched the  proceedings. I think it would be good for most people a few times in their lifetime to sit in a courtroom, listen and begwatch.

Visiting the courthouse and city hall in Oxford  took me back to my college days. I had a criminology course while in college and the professor gave extra credit if you would visit court and write a short report on what went on. Needless to say yours truly (always in need of extra credit) went. Often I would go to what was called night court. Everyone should sit thru night court say on a Saturday night in their hometown  beginning about ten o’clock and see what happens. It could be quite entertaining and sometimes sad. During the years I taught one of the things I would do is take our students to visit court.

Court is a place we all should know about but hopefully our only appearances would be to sit in the audience, not making any other    appearances.

===============================================July 29, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson

Posted August 9, 2018

Just some thoughts:

What would the world have been like without dogs?

“The old dog watches from a cool place in the dirt, and when thunder sounds in the distance she steps in front of my brother’s tractor and will not move, to tell him it is time to go in before the lightning gets there. A good dog will do that.”

Rick Bragg–My Southern Journey

Can you remember/name all the dogs that in various phases have been a part of your life?

Let’s see there has been…Muffin, Toot’s, Bing, Sport, Frosty, Shadow….of the ones I can remember.

=========================================

May 28, 2018
Keep on,
Larry Adamson