Those 70ish Girls

 

 

 

When I watched Mrs E. eat a  Spam sandwich with lots of jalapeños or the extra “hot” Jimmy Dean sausage patties with her eggs, I would marvel at her iron stomach. She always said, “Daddy told me to eat hot stuff. The hotter the better.” Then she would flex her good arm and double up her fist and say, “He told me it would make me strong!”

I think there is some truth in what her Daddy said. Maybe an iron stomach indicates an iron will in a person. Mrs. E was strong willed..that’s for sure. Personally, I don’t like a fire pit  burning in my tummy. There has to be another way.

I’m not talking about physical brawn. I’m talking about emotional strength. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be able to face every fear with courage. A fox hole prayer doesn’t get enough credit. Even if it’s used as the last resort, it suggests at least a seed of faith. It takes strength to resist saying or doing what I shouldn’t say or do. It takes strength to resist temptation and strength to be disciplined and patient. Patient?

Mom always said, ” Mary… patience is not your middle name.”

It’s hard to outgrow childish ways if you continue to think like an 8 yr old. It’s a lot more fun, but the consequences of the misdeeds of an adult are indeed more severe than the punishment metered out to an 8-year-old. Being sent to my room doesn’t have the same impact as it used to.

Still, being strong and patient doesn’t cover all the bases. The ability to accept the things I cannot change is the hardest thing for me to do. I can’t change people, places or things. The only thing I can change is my actions and reactions to them. Here are some things that have been useful to me…when I remember them.

“Don’t push the river, it flows.” I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating. I am bad about trying to make things happen. As a result, some things have happened that maybe shouldn’t have. Have you ever heard the Garth Brook’s song, “Thank God for unanswered prayers?” It’s about a guy who was jilted by his high school sweetheart.Twenty years later, he went back to a high school reunion. He looked at the old girlfriend and then at the woman he married and thought, “Whoa!! Thank God I didn’t get what I prayed for.”

The above applies to times when we want sympathy because we have suffered consequences of our actions..before we have stopped crossing the ocean. We all need to believe in our own ability to cross our own oceans. Another way to say it is, ” if you want your head to stop hurting, stop hitting it against the wall.” It’s good to try a new solution when the one we keep using… keeps not working.

I’m one who has been given much. I know I don’t always give as much in return. It’s also very difficult to give love and support unconditionally.

I don’t mean any of these thoughts to have a negative connotation. “Think positive,” is my daily montra.

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5-year-old granddaughter (her daddy is giving her a bath and I’m watching.) Daddy, what is the capacity of this bathtub?

Daddy: What?

Charlie: Daddy..how much water does this bathtub hold? That is what capacity means.

Daddy: I don’t know, but you are very smart.

It’s okay to say we don’t have all the answers.

I just watched the coin toss before the start of the Super Bowl. As President George H.W. Bush and Barbara were crossing the field to toss the coin, they were given such a warm ovation, it touched my heart. While he was in the hospital last week, President Bush’s main focus was to get well enough to be released in time to go to the Super Bowl. This was another goal reached by a man who skydived on his 90th birthday.

Memo to self: Don’t try to be great…aim higher. Strive to be good…

I want to thank all those who are praying for our daughter-in-law as she prepares for her surgery on February 15th. Your prayers and friendship equal strength and gratitude.

 

 

It’s Monday morning at the Brick House and Murdo Girl is hardly working at her desk in the Oblong Office. She’s working on a crossword puzzle. Sherri the Photographic Drawer walks in. Murdo Girl quickly shoves the magazine in her desk drawer. She’s embarrassed at being caught goofing off so she picks up her crossword puzzle dictionary and pretends to be reading it.

Sherri: Are you still reading the dictionary? I tried to get through that book, but I only made it through L. It drags in parts and there aren’t enough pictures.

MG: I agree. I’ll wait for the movie..So, what’s my Photographic Drawer up to today?

Sherri: I’ve been drawing pet photograph posters for Lav. I needed a break. I’m drawing snakes now and I’m not real fond of reptiles.

MG: I don’t know what to say. I’m really afraid to ask why..Okay why?..WAIT! Don’t tell me….Okay, tell me.

Sherri: What rock have you been hiding under Next Pres? The whole gym is full of animals. Lav decided to add dog catcher to her list of Murdo Government responsibilities. She decided while she was at it, she would include all animals and reptiles…and a few bugs. TC has a sore throat from Town Crying and allergies, so she’s going around putting posters in all the merchants windows and on all the telephone poles.

MG: OH NO! She can’t be doing that!

Sherri: Why not? She says other than an irritated throat, she feels just fine.

MG: Not TC..I mean Lav. I better get down to the gym and see what’s going on!

Sherri: Okay, break’s over..I’ll go with you. I can’t miss this.

I’m Sherri..I drew all of these photographs

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Meanwhile Jerry the Bean Counter is at Harold’s barbershop uptown. Anybody who thinks all barbers talk and joke around a lot don’t know Harold. Since Jerry never has the 2 bits for a haircut, he worked out a deal with Harold. Jerry keeps the customers entertained while Harold cuts their hair, and in turn Jerry gets a free haircut.

Jerry to customer: Hey, how do you want your hair? Do you want Harold to cut it a little longer in the back? Haha. He cut the last guys hair twice and it’s still too short. Haha.

Customer: Haha..say, I was wondering, when would be a good time to bring my 2 yr old in?

Jerry: When he’s 4 haha

Customer: Haha. Hey, could you trim my eyebrows a little?

Jerry: Why? They’re almost long enough for a comb-over..haha

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Meanwhile… while Jerry is at the Barber shop, DM and Pico are over at the Harold Thune Auditorium giving cha-cha lessons to the drill team. They don’t get paid or anything. They’re doing some community service work..and they’re having a few difficulties.

Carol is with them. Can you hear her singing? 1, 2, chachacha, 3, 4, chachacha. What is she doing with a snake?

DM: Come on people! We’re not doing.. 1, 2, do-si-do, 3, 4, do-si-do… it’s chachacha, so quit swinging your partner!!!

Pico: See my outfit? Wouldn’t you rather wear this than a square dance skirt and all those petticoats? Comfortable shoes? You want to wear Comfortable shoes?

Murdo Girl has left the gymnasium to go back to the Oblong Office. Here is some of what she has witnessed.

(Kitties: she took us from our home.)

(Treason: She’s trying to find me a home. I already have a home.)

(Carol and snake: How much?)

 (Barney: Barney??)

( Lav: Don’t worry next Pres, I’m going to find them all a home.)

The Town of Murdo is all twitterpated again. Lav has taken everybody’s pets and now she’s trying to find homes for them. The Queen can’t find her Corgi’s..It’s just one awful mess.

Murdo Girl: If I hear one more person tell me Lav’s heart is in the right place, I’m going to scream so loud it will wake the dead! I knew it was a big mistake to give her free reign of the Jeep. Isn’t it enough that she’s Vice Next Pres? Now she wants to be a dog catcher.

I don’t care how many crowns you give me…I quit! But first, I’m going to pick out a nice dog. One that doesn’t belong to someone. One that isn’t looking for it’s rightful owner.

Then I’m going to disguise myself and spend the rest of my life collecting water towers and eating Bings. Yeah..that’s what I’ll do. Haha!!

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Hey Next Pres Murdo Girl…wake up. I think you’re having a bad dream. It’s Lav, wake up!

I have far too many things going on and it shows up to all of you as a disjointed, all over the place, blog. Since this tiny house project began, I started the Murdo/history/camera story, I’ve posted excerpts from the Beastertown story, threw in a few Pearl stories, and of course, the tiny home progress stories. I have to settle down a little. We stay so busy, it’s hard to devote the time it takes to do this blog I love, justice.

I will get back on track, soon. I have so many things I want to do and write about.

It looks like we’re about four or five weeks from being able to move into the little abode we’ve been waiting for. We have shopped for the few furniture pieces we will need, but we aren’t going to buy anything until we get moved in and can see what will work, and what won’t.

So here comes another rerun. I appreciate that I still have readers and I hope you all hang in there until the house is done and we’re sitting out on the front porch watching the grass grow. I can only imagine how lovely that will be.

 

 

 

It got around that I was having difficulty finding words that rhymed with Murdo. Judy Dykstra-Brown threw out a few, and made the comment that she was only kidding and it would be a miracle if I could make a poem out of those words. It kind of felt like a challenge to me. I had other things going on today as well, so I was in the mood to have some fun with my post tonight. Thank you for indulging me.

I wrote another masterpiece of poetry. (By the way, did you catch the words that band used to rhyme with Murdo?) The song was great, but they used poetic license on the rhyming words. There is a difference between “poetic license” and”poetic justice.” I use both. That’s how I know.

Oh, I like to read my “works” out loud sometimes.. so I can use the right inflection.

Murdo Smurdo

I have self-will. I’m quite tenacious, bold, strong and goodness gracious

I’m like a big dog with a bone. It won’t be me they want to clone

When I was just a child in school, I came up with my golden rule.

The rule I followed through on…gave teachers much to chew on.

I went to school in.. Murdo and I always sat in the.. third row.

I sat in the 3rd row all 12 years, amidst a lot of heckles and jeers

Do you think paranoia will destroy ya?

 lots of people played that game. I smiled at them and said, “for shame”

My mother tried to hoodwink me. Her cookies were supposed to be

Homemade using her dough.. not from a store in Murdo

She thought because I saw her baking, they were homemade cookies she was making.

She put store-bought cookies in the oven, they started to smoke and the buzzer was buzzin

 she burnt those cookies to kingdom come… I’m talking well done and then some.

“Oreos for PTA?” They called me nerdo. I know I was the laughing-stock of Murdo

As I walked home I thought about..all those things that I should doubt

I heard a bird you never hear in Murdo. Was he mocking me? How did that bird know?

 

Are you sure?..Yes I’m sure. It was only 45 years ago. It was a mocking-bird!

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In time I got over the humiliation. I think it was just a culmination

Of falling for the trickery and believing things they all told me

I think about those hard times I endured so.. I guess that’s why I’m strong. I lived in Murdo

Kip and I, along with the pets, are RVing in Galveston with friends for a few days. We’re having a great time relaxing and eating. What could be more fun? It really has me looking forward to our longer vacation in the fall.

Cyndie is having a wonderful time chasing seagulls. Too bad she can’t run free.

Ron and Barbara’s, son, grandkids and friends with kids  are are having fun at the beach. It was a great day!

I’m attaching another Murdo memory rerun. I hope it’s one you like!

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I wonder if anyone has ever written a poem or a song about my hometown. I wonder if I could write one. I wonder if I should write one. Okay I’ll try. Keep in mind, the baseline of my life was growing up there in the 50’s and 60’s. I love that town as much as ever.

So we’re back in Murdo Papa John. Does Queen Murdo Girl Have a sign yet?

MURDO

By Mary Francis McNinch aka Murdo Girl

I’ve been sitting here for five long minutes, wondering how I should begin this.

Now I’ve written four short lines and nothing that I’ve written rhymes.

I guess it’s close enough for me. Until I have an epiphany.

I’ve got my crown on. I’m good to go, and I know the words will begin to flow.

Why oh why is my brain so slow. Nothing much rhymes with Murdo.

I think I’ve thought of a better way. I’ll start by describing Mack’s Cafe.

Breakfast, dinner, supper, snacks…The food was always good at Mack’s.

Doris  made yummy cinnamon rolls..served ham and beans in great big bowls.

Hot beef sandwiches were a favorite. Don’t eat too fast, you must savor it.

I ate so much my stomach hurt, but I always had room for a big dessert.

Sanderson’s Store is on Main Street, and everyone there is really neat.

If you’ve read all I’ve written about. You know this store inside and out.

Groceries, produce, they’ve got it all, and mounted deer heads on the wall

Grandpa Sanderson after a successful hunt

 Uncle Jeff, Uncle Al and Great Aunt Tet..Just a second I’m not done yet.

Billy, Jeff H. and Eldon Davis, thanks for the good service you all gave us.

The post office, Ford garage, Mr. Kell…Laundromat, Gambles, and the Gem Hotel.

The Murdo Coyote keeps us in the know, even 25 and 50 years ago.

Maybe they know what rhymes with Murdo.

If the Ford Garage sells you a car, and you celebrate at the Buffalo Bar.

The Hotel owned by Alice Tornow is the place you probably aught to go.

Still nothing rhymes with Murdo.

My dog Berferd got to go, uptown to the picture show.

He was as quiet as he could be, (unless a dog barked in the movie).

If you want to change the way you’re livin, or maybe you need to be forgiven.

We’ve got churches everywhere, so you can go and say a prayer.

Go to Dr Murphy if you’re feeling sick and Doc Bork will fix your teeth real quick.

Joy Payne sells the ladies their dresses and Evie McKenzie curls their tresses

Down on the highway called Old 16, there’s a lot more to be seen.

Fern’s Cafe makes a great hamburger, or maybe dessert is what you’re there fer.

Chocolate cake with lots of frosting. (Writing a poem is so exhausting)

Head to The Pioneer Auto Museum.  Old cars and buildings..Wait til you see em.

Together our motels sleep 800. (Just in case you’ve ever wondered).

 Super Value and Cafe 16, have goods and food fit for a Queen.

If you’re low on gas, don’t get nervous. All our gas stations are full service.

Dean’s Philip 66 will fix your tires, and Dean’s really good to the guys he hires.

later we got a drive-in and a diner. Their food and milkshakes taste diviner.

Than food you usually get “to go”.Still nothing rhymes with Murdo.

I wouldn’t be in such a frenzy if they would’ve named Murdo..MacKenzie.

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My cousin Valerie Leckey with two friends shortly before she and her parents moved to California. I’m sure many of you recognize the other two cute girls. The photo was taken in 1963.

 

 

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the previews of my Water Tower collection. As you peruse the photos, pick out your favorites. After I have named and displayed 50, there will be a vote amongst readers for awards such as: Most Unique,  Ms Murdo Girl Water Tower of Tomorrow, and Most aptly named. We probably won’t get into things like, The oldest, and Who came the farthest.

21

WRIGHT ON WHITE

Whitewright, Texas… submitted by Lewis Williams

This is Whitewright’s answer to the Sam Houston statue in Huntsville, Tx..see photo below.

Now that I see Sam again, I guess “Wright On White” doesn’t have the same stature. Maybe if they hadn’t written a big blue W on the white tower… Oh well,  you have to admit,”Wright on White” is a whole lot easier to say than, ” Wow! The Whitewright Water Tower!” Which is hard to say without whistling.

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22 and 23

I WAS HERE FIRST..I WAS HERE FIRST

East side of Lincoln, Nebraska…Mari and Eddie Jackson

 It’s my understanding there will be an open discussion at the next City Council meeting to determine which of these towers is the interloper. Once that is hammered out, one of the names will be changed to I WAS HERE SECOND.

There is controversy over everything these days.

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24

FIRE AND WATER

Bells, Texas…submitted by Lewis Williams

See..I think having a big water tower behind a small fire department makes sense. Other communities should have this set-up. Since the town’s name is Bells it even makes more sense. IN CASE OF FIRE, RING THE BELLS would have been a great name, but it’s too long. Thanks Lewis. I really like this one!

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25

SHORT AND STOUT

RV Park near Sedona, Arizona…submitted by Mary McNinch

You don’t see many short-legged water towers, but that is the inique feature that makes this tower a collectable. The name is not in any way meant to be degrading, so please no letters from the newly formed group who call themselves W.E.T. (Water Equality for Towers.) The moniker comes from a song that goes something like this. “I’m a little teapot short and stout, I don’t have my handle or a spout, you can’t tip me over, or pour me out.” It would be easy enough to put a handle and spout on SHORT AND STOUT, which would catapult the worth of  this piece right through the glass ceiling of water tower values.

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26

WAKE UP A LITTLE 

Shenandoah, Iowa…where the Everly Brothers grew up..submitted by Mari and Eddie Jackson

What better way to wake up a little Susie, than with a splash of water in the face? Judging from the cobwebs around the base, this is The Rip Van Winkle of water towers. I love getting submissions of water towers from hometowns of famous people.  Thanks Mari and Eddie. Say hi to the bros for me.

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27

HOW LOW CAN YOU LIMBO

(The name incorporates the wire strung in front of the tower. It’s better to do that than to pretend it’s not there.)

Sidney, Iowa…Eddie and Mari Jackson

If I didn’t know better, I would think SHORT AND STOUT was moved from Sedona to Sidney. Looks like short WT’s aren’t all that unique. Well at least W.E.T. can’t accuse me of discriminating. (Please..no more submissions of short water towers.)

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 28

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Deloit, Iowa.. small village…Mari and Eddie Jackson

I will confirm with the submitter, but it appears this Deloit tower is in someone’s backyard, which could put a damp(er) on family BBQ’s. There are no offsets here. The tower is not only in a poor location, it has little aesthetic appeal. Don’t despair Mari and Eddie..they can’t all be winners. You might check to see if anyone famous was from Deloit.

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29

LEAVES ME ALONE

Peru, Nebraska…Mari and Eddie Jackson

A thin stream of smoke from a low flying airplane, and the rich brown and green hues of  the landscape meeting the sky blue sky, give this barely noticable water tower a presence collectors look for. I fear when the trees leaf out in the spring the view of the tower will be obstructed. I still think it’s a keeper. (I can always flip it right before the trees get too tall.)

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30

WHAT’S THE POINT

Point, Texas…submitted by Lewis Williams

I couldn’t resist the obvious name. If I think of a better one, I can register a name change with the local TP (Tower Power) any time I want to. I don’t like all the wires, but love the trees to the right of the tower. Is that a cloud in the upper right side, or does your window need washed? I believe car washes during tower travels are tax deductible.

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31

Bonus

THE PRAYING YANTIS

Yantis, Texas…submitted by Pat Davis

The cross- shaped utility pole and the name of the town made naming this piece a no brainer. When you can name your tower without a brain, you can punch up the price considerably. Thanks Pat

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32

WILD BILL’S WATERING HOLE

Deadwood, South Dakota…submitted by anonymous.

 If anonymous would please come forth and verify authenticity, I would love to display this South Dakota treasure in my portfolio.

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It’s Monday morning at the Brick House. Murdo Girl aka Next Pres, is in the Oblong Office reflecting over the months since she won the election. If you’ll remember, Murdo Girl ran on the Coyote ticket. It never has been determined exactly what she’s Next Pres of, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue uppermost in the minds of the town’s people or the administration. There is however, something bothering  Murdo Girl. She is pondering it now as she reads the latest edition of The Murdo Coyote.

You will never guess who walks into the Oblong office…..Did you guess Lav??

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MG: Good morning Lav. Why the long face and the crooked crown?

Lav: I was just wondering Next Pres. Am I still Next VP?

MG: Why of course Lav. Why do you ask?

Lav: That means I’m still the designated survivor.  Does that automatically come with the job, or can I pass on it? Now if it was designated driver, that would be different, but designated survivor makes me feel like I’m a sitting duck with a target on my back. I can really feel the weight of this job on my shoulders. Do you think my crown is too heavy? Anyway, do I h-a-v-e to be next in the lineup? I’m not really looking for advancement. I’m just waiting it out until I retire.

MG: It’ll be okay Lav. I promise to eat right and get plenty of excersize. There haven’t been any threats on my life, so I don’t think you have to worry about ruling the town. I have a bigger problem right now. Due to all that happened during the campaign, election, and then there was the inaugracorination and all those other parties, there is one thing I never got around to doing.

Lav: Ooh..What’s that Next Pres?

MG: I never gave my inaugracorination address.

Lav: You’re kidding right? Everybody knows where we are.

MG: No Lav, the Next Pres is supposed to give a speech. One that fires everybody up. A passionate plea to the constituent subjects the Next Pres reigns over. Help me come up with a good idea. We need this town to know what we’re all about. The Brick House is just like The White House only it’s brick.

Lav: I’ve got it! We’ll have a presser in the Gym. You can give out the address, then every board in the cabinet can tell who they are and what they do. We’ll call it… (Lav gets up and walks over to Murdo Girl’s desk and gets right in her face.) Are you ready? We’ll call it..

Who are the Coyotes?

MG: I love it Lav. See, that’s why you’re on the top shelf of my cabinet. Quick, get Treason to put a notice in the Coyote. Invite the town. Get TC to cry it throughout all the neighborhoods. Please tell them it’s an event not a party. I can’t handle another party right now.

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The Murdo Coyote

The Brick House Event

By stuff writer Yram Sicnarf

A (“Who are the Coyotes?”) event was held at the Brick House on Tuesday. Next Pres Murdo Girl gave a short Inaugracorination address and when that was finally over, TC got up and set the tone for the remainder of the event, and I quote:

TC: WHO ARE THE COYOTES? WE ARE THE COYOTES..EVERYWHERE WE GO, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHO WE ARE, SO WE TELL THEM, WE ARE THE COYOTES, THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY COYOTES….EVERYWHERE WE GO..

MG: Thank you TC. Now, as promised each board member in the Cabinet will give their title and state their responsibilities, Lav..you go first.

Lav: Well..I kind of have a cushy job. I’m Next Pres with a Vice, which means as long as Next Pres is standing, I can do pretty much what I want. I’m the Designated Survivor, so I have to stay up on the issues of which there usually aren’t any.

PIco: My official title is Person In Charge Of Brick House Functions, or Pico for short. Picobhf was too hard to spit out. I plan all the parties of which there have been many. Today all I had to do was put out a few nuts and mints and clean the bathrooms.

Treason: I’m Teresa the Liason, or Treason for short. I’m in charge of Brick House communications with the news outlets which include the newspaper, Mack’s Cafe, Fern’s, and the Truck Stop. The Truck Stop is where I get the international news. I also nip rumors in the bud. Did you hear the one going around that Next Pres Murdo Girl might be implumed? It’s not true.

We’re  teachers and we think she means impeached..and it’s true.

I’m Treason and I’m a teacher too. I mean implumed. It’s Brick House speak.

DM: I’m the Defense Monitor. I make sure the town is safe from undesirables, like people from New Underwood and any town that has a basketball or football team better than ours. I’m a real sports enthusiast. If we keep the good teams out, it makes it a lot easier to beat them. Coach gets kind of bored, but he always gets to go to the Regional Tournament.

Sherri the Photographic Drawer: My title is pretty straight forward. I draw every photograph the Brick House puts in the Newspaper. Recently I have started to draw tatoos and water towers. For instance the other day, I drew a tatoo on a water tower. There really is no end to the possibilities. I think it’s smart to have something to fall back on, just in case MG gets implumed, or I get carpal tunnel vision.

A I: I’m the Aggressive Informant. The reason I’m wearing this blindfold is because I lost my sunglasses and I don’t want anybody to recognize me. If you knew the things I find out because I’m so aggressive, you might try to hurt me so I couldn’t inform. I just have to shake my head when I think about all the danger I’m in. (A I shakes her head making her blindfold slip exposing one eye.) There is an audible gasp in the crowd. A I runs from the room while holding her blindfold in place causing her not to see where she’s going. She then runs smack into Jerry the Bean Counter, who falls on TC’s cheesehead which she had carelessly placed on the floor beside her chair. TC, being the Town Crier, begins to boohoo and waawaa loudly. If you have ever been in that gym, you know how it echos making it sound like 100 people are crying. All the townspeople cover their ears and run from the room, up the stairs, and out of the building. They begin chanting “implum! implum!” Carol who has practiced singing “Hail to the Next Pres,” which she had to make up words for, starts singing into the microphone no less.

Shortly thereafter, the Inaugracorination, “Who are the Coyotes?”meeting was adjourned.

The end and I hope I spelled the words right.

P.S. Just in case you didn’t get a chance to jot it down, our address is 000 Brick House Way, Murdo, SD 57559

 

 

Hello all.. my name is Faye. I’m writing MG’s post today.

Though you can’t tell by the way I look, I’m a chef who doesn’t cook.

I don’t dust or run the sweeper, other than that, I’m a good housekeeper.

I’ve never washed a dirty window, or had a mop or bucket in tow.

I don’t bother the webs spiders make. On birthdays I go buy the cake.

Dirty dishes I just toss. Queen Murdo Girl is my boss.

To her nothing is a travesty, as long as I say “Her Majesty.”

Just last week I threw a fit! As a matter of fact I almost quit!

You should see what she brought home. A funny looking dog she calls Jerome.

Jerome was frightened by what I said, and scurried to hide beneath the bed.

“Please stay Faye!” Murdo Girl pleaded. (She knows how much I’m needed.)

I’ll bet that poor, scared puppy cowers, when she brings home water towers.

I guess the worst thing that can happen is he might wake me when I’m nappin.

I suppose I can play it by ear, but if he sheds I’m out of here.

I’ve now decided he’s okay, so if she wants him he can stay

Hm! It seems I’m the only one in town, who doesn’t have a royal crown.

That won’t do and I forsee, that crown he wears will just fit me.

Whatever he has seen or heard, I know he won’t say a word.

I know what pleases Queens and Kings. I give them lots of bones and Bings.

 

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21

PLAYMATE

Moline, Illinois…submitted by Karen Lindquist

This lucky tower has a great view of a children’s playground. What fun to watch the kids slide down the slide or climb on the monkey bars. This has to be a one of a kind location and as in all things of value, location and uniqueness add to the pricetag. A little kid playing would have been nice.

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22

REED ALL ABOUT IT

Denison, Iowa…submitted by Eddie Jackson

I almost put this in my “drive-by” category, but it sits in Denison, Iowa , the home of Donna Reed, and I rather like the feathery clouds and different shades of browns in the photograph. The viewer’s eyes are eventually led to the image of the tower in the distance. I’m sure Donna would be proud of this representation of her town.

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23

PRETTY AS A PIMPLE

Rapid City, South Dakota…submitted by Sherri Miller

The lines of this photo would be perfect if not for the utility pole appearing to tower above the tower. Nevertheless, the colors are pure and sweet, and just look at the perfect feathery clouds floating in the sky at dusk. Thank you Sherri.

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24

ROCK MY WORLD

Rock Valley, Iowa…submitted by Jerry and Julie Elrod

This style of tower is built to last, and it can hold some water!  No one will have to guess the name of the proud town the water receptacle belongs to. Rock Valley makes a bold statement here with black capital lettering against a stark white background. Thanks Julie and Jerry for this great closeup shot.

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25

A TOWER BY ANY OTHER NAME IS JUST A TOWER

(Or Defiance for short)

Defiance, Iowa…submitted by Eddie Jackson

44.8 miles from Omaha, Nebraska.. (along the West branch of the West Nishnabotna River.) I’m not sure exactly what draws me to this photograph, but I think the rolling hill adds to the ambiance. I can almost see a horse drawn buggy along the road making it’s way to the top of the hill the dark tower sits atop. Blue skies and green grass seal the deal.

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26

HIGH HO SILVER

Camp Verde, Arizona (near Sedona),…submitted by Mary McNinch

Though I prefer the older styles, this water towers caught my eye because of the shiny silver set in a landscape of sagebrush and sand. The hills, cast in blue, appearing in the background almost seem like a mirage.

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27

LEAVE THE LIGHT ON

Eustace, Texas…submitted by Pat Davis

This tower named itself. So far, it’s the only one in my collection to have a lamp beside it, and it’s only the second one to boast the school mascot. I understand there is much to be proud of if you’re a Eustace, Bulldog. While the immediate landscape is somewhat drab, the unique design sends a welcoming message. Thanks Pat

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28

FRATERNAL TWINS

Somewhere in Northern Utah…submitted by Mary McNinch

Because I can’t figure out the exact location of the twinsies, this submission would not normally qualify for the collection, but I personally think that little flaw is offset because there are two of them, and I’m only counting them as one. They are out in the middle of nowhere and the colors are really pretty.

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29

MEET ME AT JUNCTION 513

Loan Oak, Oklahoma…submitted by Lewis Williams

Once again, a submission virtually named itself. Remember…any unique characteristic adds value to the piece. The unique design of the banner saves the tower from being too plain. Also you could tell someone, “meet me at Junction 513 by the water tower with a banner on it.” It would be a hard to miss landmark. It didn’t escape me that the photographer’s thumb is in the picture. I didn’t take value points off because I could always crop it out.

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30

Full of Blarney

Athens, Texas…submitted by Pat Davis

Athens, Texas is the home of the hamburger. (LOOK IT UP IT’S THE TRUTH.) This beauty would really be pricey if it had a good ol’ cheeseburger painted on it; anyway it looks like it’s Irish to me. It does have green lettering and the design is reminiscent of Ireland.

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This ends the third in a series of showings highlighting pieces from my Water Tower collection. I believe you will find this to be one of the best collections of it’s kind. Please continue snapping pictures of these beauties. There could be a prize for “Best of Show.”

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SAY CHUM..ARE YOU A WATER TOWER? I HAVE A COLLECTION

It’s Monday morning at the Brick House. Everything appears to be back to normal after the New Year’s Eve party that didn’t happen. Let me rephrase. It’s as normal as it ever gets around here. It seems the constituents had better things to do New Year’s Eve than sit around a cold old school house and eat beans and bacon. Oh well, the team/cabinet members were all here, and beans taste better the second day anyway.

Murdo Girl is at her desk preparing for the day. Every paper on her desk is a demand for money, and since she has no money, there is really nothing to do to prepare for the day. As she contemplates this, Yram Sicnarf walks into the Oblong Office.

MG: Well hello Yram. Dare I ask what you’re up to today? The New Year’s Eve debacle was rather unfortunate, but then again, what would a Brick House party be without a debacle or two?

Yram: Yeah, or three or four. I just stayed out of the way and took notes. Although it probably wasn’t the best night to do one of my crack up reports, I had to get my quota for the year. I set goals for myself you know. It’s real professional to do that. I turned it into the Coyote so they could get it in this week’s edition, but they gave it back to me.

MG: Because of content?

Yram: No, because it was fraught with misspelled words and incorrect punctuation. Some of the words I used didn’t mean what I thought they did, so it has to be corrected. It’s pretty depressing…guess I need to read the dictionary. I heard it’s one of those books you just can’t put down.

MG: Okay Yram, hand it over, let’s see what you’ve got.

New Years Eve at the Brick House

by stuff writer Yram Sicnarf

On December 31 of the year 1977 we had a spectacle party to sellabrate bringing in the New Year. (That’s why they call it a New Year’s Evening sellabration.) It was a real snoozer. Since there was not a televised means to watch a ball dropping finale, we put the Town Crier up on a ladder and gave her a ball to drop. She was supposed to wait until it struck midnight, but she dropped it early and it struck an inibrated guest who is usually inibrated, but functional. Now he’s no longer a functional inibrated guest. I guess you can’t even call him a guest, because he was forcefully, without his content, driven here by Lav, because she didn’t have enough gas to get him to be imprisoned where he normally sleeps off his stupid, or is it stupor?

,

Later that same evening, it was still 1977. Pico brought out a game of something or other. The name has failed me. It’s one where you can’t talk. You do whatever you think will make the people on your team guess what a card you pick says you are. They have to get it before the time is up. Everything went along fantastical until two very critical things happened.

Number one.. A I wanted to throw Sherri the Photographic drawer out of the game, because it was the census of everyone that she was cheating. That turned into a big bruhaha until MG (The Pres) said just because Sherri could draw better than everyone, and thought they were playing another game where you draw a picture; that would not be considered classical cheating. Finally that all got settled and Sherri was allowed to back in.

Number two.. DM being the competition guy he is, went a little too far with his pretense and took the ball that was dropped too soon, and set it on fire. You have probably already figured out he was trying to portend, “‘Goodness, Gracious, Great balls a Fire!” Just to refresh yourself, I believe it was a song written and sung by the late, great, and our very own, Jerry the bean counter. He is still alive so he must be late a lot.

Oh Goodness Gracious! I have misspoke and misswrit. Jerry the Bean Counter did not scribe or sing that song. It was Jerry Lee Lewis who is still alive, but always late, so I wasn’t too far off on what I sumerized. Sorry Jerry the BC if I offended you in anyway. I have no way of knowing if you’re late or on time, because we’ve never had as much as two beans to rub together, euphorically speaking, so we could buy a wall clock, which you can get for down to $5.00 at Gambles. It sure would have helped to know for sure what time to drop the ball. You know, through the fault of nobody, many good ideas don’t reach frutition.

The whole thing kinda reminded me of the humane Nativity we portrayed at the Court House, when Lav the star, fell out of the sky onto Jerry who was holding a burning lantern which fell on Pico. Somehow it involved a tumbleweed, but anyway the whole thing went up in a ball of smoke .

The lesson learned here is to not use fire in your skits and games.

So, that’s about it. Carol led us all in a rendition of ” Josie can you see?” Treason, who was wearing a festive, patriot shirt, handed out celeberatory bowls of beans and bacon to everybody.

THE END

MG: No wonder I left early. Who put out the fire Yram?

Yram: No one… it just had to burn itself out. It was in the Gym. In a way it was a good thing because your invitation song said we were going to have fireworks. Do you want me to go see if it’s all the way out MG?

 

I’m Murdo Girl’s brother Billy (33) and this is MY team. We had better things to do than eat beans and start fires.

 

 

Like almost everyone in the free world, I woke up New Years Day with a resolve to get into shape. I didn’t set the bar for myself too high because I think that is the reason why others who are lacking in self-discipline might fail. I decided my plan would be to exercise a few days a week and stop eating anything white. I couldn’t start right away because of our New Year’s trip to Galveston. Under those circumstances, I have no control over what other people feed me right? Don’t be saying that it’s not what, but how much I eat that counts. I don’t like to hear that nonsense because if the truth hurts, I wear it!

For years, I was so committed to fitness, I didn’t have to worry about a fitness resolution. That all ended a long time ago and shortly after that, I came to the end of the years when I could start over anytime and results would be quick. Now, there is no more elastic in the skin. The pores stay visible no matter how much the pore cleanser/shrinker stuff costs. The eyelids hang and the bags stay no matter how many cucumbers try to lift them up. All of those things don’t really bother me that much, but there is one thing that does, and I experienced it yesterday in the midst of a yoga class.

I was already humiliated enough when I discovered if I tried to stand straight with one foot against my calf, I would fall over. Then the instructor said to move the foot upward toward my knee while still balancing on the other foot, and continuing to pay attention to my breathing. She said we could use a block that she had placed beside us if we felt “unsteady”. I hope she didn’t notice that my eyes were crossed and I was very close to hyperventilating. With very little oxygen going to the brain, I couldn’t feel my arms, let alone remember if I was supposed to hold them out like airplane wings, or above my head. I cannot breath right when I am trying to look at the sky through my right arm while I make sure my fingers are spread wide and my eyes are actually closed. By this time, my friend and the instructor had stopped making eye contact with me anyway.

When I was supposed to have my eyes closed, I caught a glimpse of my feet. I looked at my right foot. Not bad, I thought. My nails were clipped and filed and I had painted them with a couple of coats of orange-ish colored polish. I was pleased since I hadn’t realized you did yoga without your shoes on. It really does pay to be prepared for anything. I couldn’t see my left foot yet because it was still trying to get to my knee.

When we were again seated on our mats, I saw my left foot. How in the world could I have forgotten to manicure the toenails on my left foot? Did the phone ring? Did the doorbell ring? Did I run out of time before I had to shower and dress for work? I don’t know!! Now what? If I stopped to put my shoes and socks back on, that might draw more attention to my dilemma, and later people would ask me why I decided to put my shoes on in the middle of the class? I guess I could have told them I got cold feet, which would have been true. Instead, I did my best to put it aside and continued to struggle through the remainder of the class. Even though I was sitting, I still felt like I was falling. During the drive home, I made a Thursday resolution to never let that happen again starting Thursday. Now for the remainder of my life my left foot will be on a different schedule than my right foot.

I remember a time when my Grandpa Sanderson was showing me something, and I noticed that his fingernails were flat. I didn’t make the connection between flat nails and aging. I just noticed. I don’t know when it happened to me, but I have flat fingernails too. Are you looking? There is nothing you can do about it.

This is me after running in the Boulder Bolder in Colorado in 1995. Suzanne Brost started with me, but by the time I came in, She was already halfway back to Murdo.

Kip believed he had something wrong with his skin because it bruises so easily, and it didn’t used to do that. His skin has become thin. I told him that happens as we age. He must have believed me, because he cancelled his appointment with the dermatologist.

The bottom line is, you cannot outrun mother nature. Even if you have everything lifted, tightened, tugged and sandpapered, you will not look young forever. Your knees will still sag and so will your bottom. It will be more difficult to stand on one foot, and getting up from the floor hurts. Your smile really will look like a frown turned upside down and you cannot live in dark shadows forever. You can whiten your teeth now unless you have a mouth full of crowned teeth like I do. Crowns don’t whiten, which is the only thing I have found negative about a crown.

I found this in some things Gus brought me when he was here for Christmas. Mom was much more modest than I am. I didn’t know she was a Murdo High School cheerleader for 3 years, and she won the Miss Murdo contest with a vote of 1499 to 710

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Don’t be laughing men. Take a look at yourself and you will look at others differently.

My mother said, “Mary, you will get to a certain age when you have to decide if you are going to be plump with a good face, or be slim with a lined and sunken face.” She said to stay plump and sit down a lot. Thanks my forever beautiful Mother. I’ll do my best, but I will go back to that yoga class..as soon as I can find the time for a mani-pedi. How much do they cost now anyway? I think I’ll have someone else do it.