Happy Valentine's Day, Jen. I love you. Roy
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lowe family shown about 68-70 years ago
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| Click to enlarge |
Left to right, the children in front are Louise, Ruth, Jon, Jesse, and in front of Daddy, JereLyn. In back, again going left to right, are Eunice, Roy, Mama, and Daddy.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Pickens with Fourth Division Marines head for Iwo Jima
A few days from now will be the 67th anniversary of the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. The Pickens had spent weeks in amphibious training with the 98th Division and Fourth Marine Division and now, along with other ships, we left Pearl Harbor on January 27 carrying units of the Fourth Marine Division en route to Iwo. We were routed by way of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands to take on fuel and supplies, and on to Saipan where we joined Transport Group Baker and headed for Iwo.
I don't know about others but in the radar shack we enjoyed listening to Tokyo Rose. She told us we would have a real battle at Iwo Jima. She gave us several dates, finally getting it right. It was not a secret; the Navy had shelled the island for days and bombers had blasted it. I will comment further in a day or two.
I don't know about others but in the radar shack we enjoyed listening to Tokyo Rose. She told us we would have a real battle at Iwo Jima. She gave us several dates, finally getting it right. It was not a secret; the Navy had shelled the island for days and bombers had blasted it. I will comment further in a day or two.
Unemployment at least 17 per cent
Obama and Pelosi may kiss and giggle and celebrate an unemployment rate of 8.3 per cent, but the real story is quite different. Congressional Budget Office has the unemployment rate at 15 per cent, much nearer the actual situation, but it is much worse than that. Since Obama has been president his policies have caused the loss of 4.4 million jobs. In addition to those who have exhausted their unemployment compensation or have given up looking for jobs, there are 10.5 million who have part-time jobs and want permanent employment. That means that 28 mi8llion are unemployed or under-employed, for a real unemployment rate of 17 per cent.
Can we create jobs as long as Obama's policies are in force? Not likely, as long as the EPA and other agencies have in effect rules that discourage business. At least a million jobs could be created by fully developing our mineral resources. Obama discourages deep sea drilling while other nations are moving ahead aggressively to acquire oil and natural gas. China is threatening to get the oil from Canada that would have come to the United States if Obama had not halted construction of the Keystone pipeline.
This nation is in great peril with its huge debt and unfunded obligations in social security and medicare and uncrontrolled spending. I wish I could see at least a glimmer of hope but I can see nothing good ahead if Obama is re-elected.
Can we create jobs as long as Obama's policies are in force? Not likely, as long as the EPA and other agencies have in effect rules that discourage business. At least a million jobs could be created by fully developing our mineral resources. Obama discourages deep sea drilling while other nations are moving ahead aggressively to acquire oil and natural gas. China is threatening to get the oil from Canada that would have come to the United States if Obama had not halted construction of the Keystone pipeline.
This nation is in great peril with its huge debt and unfunded obligations in social security and medicare and uncrontrolled spending. I wish I could see at least a glimmer of hope but I can see nothing good ahead if Obama is re-elected.
Remembering James Carroll Farrar
I did a lot of thinking about old friendships this morning as I read a long article in The Times about James Carroll Farrar, long-time and successful baseball, basketball and football coach at several high schools and baseball coach at Centenary College. He capped off his career as a major league baseball scout for many years. In fact I thought he and Mel Didier, another friend of long ago, would be scouts forever.
My favorite memory of James Carroll took place long before he won state championships or became well known in sports circles. He was the basketball and baseball coach at the small school of Sibley, a village just south of Minden when he decided to install football. He and his team were in Homer at the Purple Cow eating cheeseburgers and drinking milk shakes when I ran into him and asked him how his game had turned out. His team had lost by some astronomical score. I said, "James Carroll, didn't they consider this was the Sibley's first year and substitute, taking out the first team some to ease up on you?" He responded, "No, they never took out the first team. They would run eleven, rest eleven, run eleven and rest eleven.
James went on to coach two state baseball championships at Fair Park. He coached at Northwood and other schools before coaching baseball at at Centenary for a number of years. He is now in assisted living, a man who has many friends.
My favorite memory of James Carroll took place long before he won state championships or became well known in sports circles. He was the basketball and baseball coach at the small school of Sibley, a village just south of Minden when he decided to install football. He and his team were in Homer at the Purple Cow eating cheeseburgers and drinking milk shakes when I ran into him and asked him how his game had turned out. His team had lost by some astronomical score. I said, "James Carroll, didn't they consider this was the Sibley's first year and substitute, taking out the first team some to ease up on you?" He responded, "No, they never took out the first team. They would run eleven, rest eleven, run eleven and rest eleven.
James went on to coach two state baseball championships at Fair Park. He coached at Northwood and other schools before coaching baseball at at Centenary for a number of years. He is now in assisted living, a man who has many friends.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Should I Stay in Organiztions to which I Contribute Little
Jen and I attended the meeting of the Caddo 4-H Foundation Monday night, and while we were discussing programs and finances I began asking myself, "What am I doing here?" Members are elected for three years and are then rotated off but members can be re-elected and in my case, as others, I seem to be a permanent member; yet, I contribute little value.
I'm not implying at all that the organization is not worthy does not and make a significant contribution to our youth. On a personal note our family has benefited greatly from the 4-H program and I wish more youths would avail themselves of its offerings. We have three family members who benefited greatly and also won awards, trips and scholarships.
Presently the foundation has about $50,000, some of which is obligated to specific programs and to scholarships. A number of grants have been made to the state 4-H Foundation in recognition of 4-H leaders who have passed away.
Attendance at the meeting was excellent as could be expected when a delicious meal is served. Since the selling of strawberries every spring the foundation has had adequate funds for all its programs and for scholarships. This year berries will be available in March and should be large and sweet because of the warm weather.
This is away from the point I began to make -- should I remain a member of organizations if I am not making a significant contribution to it? I never even attend an American Legion or Forty and Eight meeting although I would never quit paying my dues.
I'm not implying at all that the organization is not worthy does not and make a significant contribution to our youth. On a personal note our family has benefited greatly from the 4-H program and I wish more youths would avail themselves of its offerings. We have three family members who benefited greatly and also won awards, trips and scholarships.
Presently the foundation has about $50,000, some of which is obligated to specific programs and to scholarships. A number of grants have been made to the state 4-H Foundation in recognition of 4-H leaders who have passed away.
Attendance at the meeting was excellent as could be expected when a delicious meal is served. Since the selling of strawberries every spring the foundation has had adequate funds for all its programs and for scholarships. This year berries will be available in March and should be large and sweet because of the warm weather.
This is away from the point I began to make -- should I remain a member of organizations if I am not making a significant contribution to it? I never even attend an American Legion or Forty and Eight meeting although I would never quit paying my dues.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Spring-like weather makes me want to grab the shovel and the hoe
Well, January is gone and February is here -- the absolute middle of winter. Yet, I go outside and it feels like spring. In fact, except for a few days in December and January we have not had winter. We have gone through a warm cycle and should expect the weather to begin turning colder, according to "experts."
This lovely weather turns my mind toward gardening -- both vegetable and flower, and that is depressing because I am not able to garden. I gave up the vegetable garden last year but tried for a while to get some flowers going. I had a little success but soon through in the hoe and shovel. I haven't totally given up hope; if I can get some of the heavy work done I may still do some planting. Wish me luck, won't you.
This lovely weather turns my mind toward gardening -- both vegetable and flower, and that is depressing because I am not able to garden. I gave up the vegetable garden last year but tried for a while to get some flowers going. I had a little success but soon through in the hoe and shovel. I haven't totally given up hope; if I can get some of the heavy work done I may still do some planting. Wish me luck, won't you.
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