Archives for January 2020

MR. TOLSTOY THINK AGAIN

January 31, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

Mr. Tolstoy—Think again

“The question brought me to the edge of the abyss, when I was fifty years old, and the question is this, what will come of what I do today or tomorrow. What will come of my entire life? Expressed differently, why should I live? Why should I wish for anything, or do anything or is there any meaning on my life that will not be destroyed by my inevitably approaching death.? My deeds, whatever they may be will be forgotten sooner or later and I myself will be no more. I therefore could not attach a rational meaning to a single act of my entire life.”

Leo Tolstoy 1828-1910

Not so Leo. Too bad you never lived to meet Ann Dinardi.

Image result for picture of ann dinardi jerry west and rod hundley

Ann Dinardi was a 1931 graduate and one of the first women to graduate from the U. of West Virginia. During her years she lived on in Morgantown and housed some of the greatest basketball players to come from the University. Willie Akers, Rod Hundley, Rod Thorn and Jerry West to name a few. She called them “my boys.” Jerry West said he would have never gotten through college had it not been for her. In her five room house she housed two boys to a room. West tells the story of one day starting to leave school he was so home sick, told her “this is not for me, I’m going home.”she made the difference, he stayed. “You can’t leave you can stick it out.”

“She’s a great woman.”–Rod Hundley. An administrator called Dinardi one time and said he needed help with this boy, nobody wanted him, he was constant trouble. “He was the most love able man in the world,”

“He wouldn’t get up in the mornings and go to class, so I kicked the bed and told him he was gettin’ up and goin’ to class.” He did.

So Leo….sorry you are wrong..what you are saying may be true with some folks lives…some deeds of some folks and some folks don’t contribute much to the lives of others. Yes they may be forgotten..but not all.

When this lady died Jerry West and many of the others returned for her funeral and they established a large scholarship fund in her name. Her name and the memory of her lives on.

Leo..the memory of some never die. I once heard a man much wiser than me say, “You never bury a good man, you may put them in the ground but you never bury them.” Good people live on.

==============================================January 31, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

MR. LINCOLN AND A MARRIAGE QUESTION

January 30, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

MR. LINCOLN AND A MARRIAGE QUESTION

It has been said that there are more books written about President Lincoln than anyone person in American history. Possibly so. Walk through the shelves of any library and you will see an abundance of books on Lincoln.

Image result for picture of lincoln and his wife mary

I wonder if Lincoln and his wife, Mary ever attended a marriage seminar?

The story is told that at a political gala ball, a lady walked up to Mr. Lincoln and asked him a question. The lady asked, “How old do you think I am?”

“That’s a pretty difficult question you have asked me,” was his reply. Putting a hand to his beard he thought for a moment and then said, “Why, I don’t know whether to guess you are ten years older because of the wisdom I hear you posses or ten years younger because of the beauty I see.” Well one must say ole Abe scored a hundred on that one. Bingo.

Now I got a question for Mr. Lincoln. Sometime ago my wife and I attended a two day marriage seminar. Even though we had been married at the time a bit over fifty years, well it never hurts to do a little bit of “touch up work.” Marriage is a journey never an arrival so certainly could not hurt. Now Mr. Lincoln I got a situation I’d like to see how you would have handled.

Image result for picture of a woman standing in front of a mirror"

Here’s the scenario it involved a situation I recently encountered. First let’s just imagine you, Mr.Lincoln and the little Mrs. are getting ready for an evening out. Say maybe going to take in a play. Sorry bad suggestion. Well the two of you are going out for the evening. While you are getting yourself all fancied up your wife is standing in front of the full length mirror. She’s twisting and turning herself all around more so than Chubby Checker did during his American Bandstand days (The Twist). She sighs a bit, tosses her head and then says to you, “Tell me does this dress make me look fat?”

Image result for picture of woman standing in front of mirror

Exactly what my wife had just said to me as were preparing to go out. I’m standing there thinking, oh oh, now go slow here, choose your words carefully. Now I need to have the timing of a Johnny Carson in my come back. “Oh no, no, honey you look great in that dress, it’s your color.”

“Are you just saying that to make me feel good?”

Ok Mr. Emancipator, Mr. Lincoln how do you handle that one? You answered the lady about the age questing now let’s see how you deal with “Does this dress make me look fat” matter.

Footnote: In my wife’s defense, she followed the question with, “That’s really not a fair question is it?”

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January 30, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

WONDERIN’

January 29, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

WONDERIN’

You ever had a memory, a happening, an experience from your past, say your young days (maybe teenage days) that you wish you could talk with, maybe that one that was a part of that experience? Maybe see if they also remember, or chose to remember, or remember as you do. Maybe it was happy, maybe it was painful but you’d like to ask “Do you remember?” And do you remember as I do?”

Image result for picture of person standing on the beach looking out to the ocean

“We sat down and talked. We steeped our thirsty souls in the reviving wine of the past, the pathetic past, the beautiful past, the dear and lamented past; we uttered the names that had been silent upon our lips for fifty years, and it was as if they were made of music; with reverent hands we unburied our dead, the mates of our youth, and caressed them with our speech; we searched the dusty chambers of our memories and dragged forth incident after incident, episode after episode, folly after folly and laughed such good laughs over them, with the tears running down; and finally Mary said suddenly and without any leading up……”

Chapter three of Mark Twain’s biography

“Then a long forgotten voice came to me from the

long distant deep woods of childhood.”

(Mark Twain)

You…you got any “not-forgotten” voices, from the long distant deep woods, you would like to hear?

Image result for picture of a person sitting alone thinking mode

Hum…as it says Just some thoughts…..

===============================================January 29, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

PROBLEM

January 28, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

PROBLEM WITH THE I’LL’S AND SELF

Once upon a time a man had a problem.

OK, the barn is awesome, but the FENCE!!!! *swoon*

Image result for picture of beautiful wheat field

“The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself. ‘What can I do do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest. I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself. Self, you’ve done well. You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life.”

Luke 12:14–19 The Message

Image result for picture of a barn being torn down so bigger ones can be built

My barn— I’ll gather–I’ll tear down—I’ll gather—I’ll say to myself—Self… “You got it made.”

Interesting how many references to self. If one reads further one might note how the man was referenced and how a change of plans came his way.

=========================================January 28, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

“I’D LIKE TO LIVE LIKE THAT”

January 27, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts

“I’D LIKE TO LIVE LIKE THAT”

You ever had a time in your life when things were hard but years later you look back and the thought comes to you, “I’d almost like to live like that again.”

Image result for road sign that says connersville indiana

“THANK YOU CONNERSVILLE, INDIANA”

I rolled into Connersville in 1961 with what was left of my

last army pay

I had a letter with me from a buddy living there

He said you stop and see me if you’re ever up this way

Need I say he was surprised to find me at his door

With what I guess you’d call a silly grin

He said where are you headed and I said I’m headed here

His Mama said don’t just stand there you’ll catch cold

just come on in

They gave me room and board I paid a very modest fee

Then I went looking for a place to play

If you’ve ever had a hat and didn’t wear one

then you’ll know

The way a country singer made a living in those days

The menu printed on the window of the bar and grill

Image result for picture of the menu of the window of a restaurant a bar and grill

The man said we’re too small to have a band

I said well I’ll just pick and sing and pass my hat awhile

He said go right ahead but you just do the best you can

Well, after seven hours of Cheatin’ Heart and

Wildwood Flower

I had me seven dollars and eighty cents

I gave it to a waitress who was gonna have a baby

She said she needed just that much to help her pay her rent

Later on I formed a band and really hit the big time

Ten bucks a night for working at the time

We worked through winter gardens and some other choice nightspots

Looking back I had to say those were the good ole times

Summer came and me and old Mitch Mitchell

fished White River

And caught those big ole juicy channel cats

Sometimes when I’m ridin’ on the jet plane

going somewhere

I get to thinking that I’ like to live a life like that

Image result for picture of guys fishing on a river bank

So thank you Connersville and thanks to you old Indiana

You took me in when I knew slimmer days

I won’t forget you and I hope that you will not forget me

d you folks stop and see me if you’re ever down this way

(Tom T.Hall)

I have a good friend and hopefully we will be together, his wife and mine this week-end at our house. I can remember the days when he and I used to pool our money before our pay days to see if you had enough money for the four of us to go out, as our wives wanted to have “pie and coffee.” There were times when it was coffee only.

But you know…”Sometimes…I get to thinkin’…….

You, you got any of those days where….well you know..

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January 27, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

JUST A WORD

January 26, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

JUST A WORD

Image result for picture of someone suffering disappointment

A word of encouragement during a failure is

worth more than an hour of praise after a success.

(Unknown)

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January 26, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

“I’M EXCITED”

January 25, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

‘I’M EXCITED”

A little after 6 A.M. this morning I pulled from my drive slipped in an John Prine cd (to be followed by Webb Pierce and Carl Smith) headed to my coffee place to start the day.

Image result for picture of bruegger's bagel shop

“Hi, Peanut.” Peanut is the young lady who works the cash register at my coffee place on Saturday mornings. A Vietnam refugee escaped to America during that crisis, has an unbelievable story of toughness and courage. A singer of American praise and goodness. Often I hear her say, “Only in America.”

Peanut hands me my coffee and with a smile (always), ask, “How you do today?” “Doin’ good Peanut, doin’ good.”

I sat down with my coffee and start to clear away the cobwebs from my mind. The shop is mostly empty at this time when two others walk in. A man I would judge to be in his late 40s’ and a young man who looks college age. They get their order and sit down at a table to my left. I’m not paying them any particular attention when I hear the older fella say to the young man a great line. He calls the young man by name and says, “I’m so excited for you.” “I’m so excited for you.” I could not make out much of the rest of the conversation but I could tell by their body language and tone of voices what they were sharing was good.

As I sat there for a while longer I got to thinking about that line, “I’m so excited for you.” What a great thought to say to another. And especially an older person saying to a younger person. Another person offering encouragement and excitement to another. When’s the last time you heard that? When was the last time we were excited for another? Better still when is the last time we did that for another?

As I pulled from the parking lot my cell phone rang. It was our twenty-one year old college granddaughter. “Hey, Pop Pop, what are you doing?” Then she gave me a great line, “Hey you wanna meet me for lunch today?” “Yes,” was my reply.

Now that brought excitement to me. You know when the younger generation will take their time to spend a bit with the older generation, personally that gets, well it makes me happy, yea, it gets me excited.

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January 25, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

FATE AND WHAT “IF”

January 24, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

FATE AND WHAT “IF”

FATE: The development of events beyond a person’s control as determined by a supernatural power.

Fate often plays a role in the lives of everyone. True, some more than others. There are a lot of “if only’s” in fate.

If only he had been late.

During my high school and college days I followed auto racing closely. Especially sprint and midget racing. I often traveled the Midwest to numerous tracks becoming acquainted with various drivers.

I grew up in southwestern Indiana and in Terre Haute, Indiana there was a half mile dirt race track. Became famously referred to in racing circles as “The Action Track.” Over the years there is no telling how many races I saw there. Sometimes on race day we might even get there early enough to help some of the drivers unload their car.

Image result for picture of the action track in terre haute indiana

In the late 1950s’ and into the 1960s’ all the well known names in Indy type racing raced there. Foyt, Unser, Bobby and Al, Andretti, Branson, Marshman, Jones, Hurtubise. You name it they were there. Sadly I saw too many accidents there and even worse where some lives were lost.

I still remember a day in August of 1962. Still to this day I think of one particular driver and the word fate. Jackson Hagemeyer was an aspiring race driver who had come to Terre Haute on that day without a ride. A race ride. Prior to the race I had been in the pits and over heard a conversation that involved him and a car owner. Hagemeyer had arrived at the track but with no promise of a ride for that day.

(Jim Hurtubise)

Jim Hurtubise one of the top drivers of the time was scheduled to drive a particular car on this day but by warm up time he had not arrived at the track. He was late. Hagemeyer in talking with the owner of the car, Barnett Brothers Special, was told to get in the car and do the warm up laps and if Hurtubise did not show by the time of qualifications, for that day the ride, the car would be Hagemeyer’s for the race. This could be a major boost for this young aspiring driver.

(Jackson Hagemeyer)

Fate. Hurtubsie shows up just in time to jump in the car and qualify. In turn Hagemeyer secured a ride in a car of questionable quality. Having seen the car earlier in the pits even I knew this was not something one would one to get in and try and qualify. Near the end of qualifying Hagemeyer in attempting to qualify hooked a rut ( the track was rough that day) flipped his car in first turn near where I was now sitting. Sadly, twenty-seven year old Hagemeyer lost his life that afternoon attempting to qualify.

Hurtibsie, in the car that earlier in the day Hagemeyer had driven in practice hoping that it would be his ride for the day, well Hurtibsie in the Barnett Brothers Special, won the race that day in the thirty lap feature.

Late that afternoon as I was walking to my car I passed the wrecked sprint car. It had been pulled some distance from the pits and now sat in a barn like building.

Now days when I return to that area I often drive by the fairgrounds and that race track. I look over and still remember that sad afternoon in 1962. What “if” Hurtibsie had not shown up that day. What “if” he had been more than late. What “IF.”

What if’s are all over life…aren’t they.

You got any?

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January 24, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

DON’T

January 23, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

DON’T

Don’t let the old man in, I wanna leave this alone

Can’t leave it up to him, he’s knocking on my door

And I knew all my life, that someday it would end

Get up and go outside, don’t let the old man in

Image result for picture of an old man bent over sitting on a bench

Many moons I have lived

My body’s weathered and worn

Ask yourself how old you would be

If you didn’t know the day you were born

Image result for picture of a big moon in the sky

Try to love your wife

And stay close to your friends

Toast each sundown with wine

Don’t let the old man in

Image result for picture of an old man and old woman sitting on a bench

Many moons I have lived

My body’s weathered and worn

Ask yourself how old….

(Toby Keith)

Image result for picture of an old person and a young person sitting on a porch

Often pictures and song can say what otherwise we can’t or don’t want to say.

=========================================jJanuary 23, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson

AN ARCHAEOLOGIST

January 22, 2020 By Larry Adamson Leave a Comment

Just some thoughts:

AN ARCHAEOLOGIST

I remember reading something Fred Rogers is credited with saying:

“I must be an emotional archaeologist because I keep looking for the roots of things, particularly the roots of behavior and why I feel the way I do about certain things.”

Image result for picture of roots of a tree

Me too Fred, me too.

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January 23, 2020

Keep on,

Larry Adamson