MAIL CALL
Nov. 23
from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
It has been way too long since I’ve written in. A little busy-ness; mostly just laziness, I guess.
This year has been a busy one for me in the travel department. (Being a travel agent is tough work, but somebody’s gotta do it.) I took my longest cruise yet this last summer, 23 days, going from Montreal to London. The highlights were stops in Greenland and Iceland.
In September, I did a paddleboat cruise on the Upper Mississippi from St. Paul to St. Louis. Of course, I HAD to go into St. Paul a day early so I could go to the Mall of the Americas in Minneapolis, where I took a ride on one of the THREE indoor roller coasters. The sheer size of the mall is so impressive. Then the cruise itself was so beautiful; it was much prettier scenery than the Lower Mississippi.
A couple of weeks after I got back from that cruise, I took my first trip to Washington, D.C. I was on a tour and now am so thankful I went when I did, what with the terror threats going on now. We had great weather and got to see a lot; but I still have more to see another time.
I’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Nederland at my cousin’s; and then the next Saturday I am heading up to Mesquite, TX because our classmate Linda Smith Webber and I are going with her church group to Branson to experience the Christmas decorations and shows.
Life is definitely good here, although I am currently hobbled by Achilles tendonitis and what is evidently the world’s largest bone spur on my right heel. I am wearing a Herman Munster-esque walking boot as much as I can to stretch the tendon. If that doesn’t work, surgery would be the next step; it would involve cutting the tendon, cutting the bone spur off and then re-attaching the tendon. It’s a pretty daunting recovery, so I am putting it off for now. After all, I have four trips planned for next year already.
hebert1220@att.net
Nov. 27
from Lynn Frasier Lee (married Perry Lee)in Georgetown
A little bit of info about Lamar. Perry's dad was in the House of Representatives in the mid 1940's to early 50's. Jack Brooks started the bill and Otis Lee was a co-author. Mr. Lee was able to get funding for the bill to allow Lamar to become a 4 year accredited college. It was a LONG ordeal to make it successful. A very interesting story.
picmms@suddenlink.net
(Lynn wrote this in regard to the story that Mike published last NEWSLETTER about Lamar)
Dec. 7
from Jody Hopkins Barbin in Waco
Good news. Our son, Clay Barbin has been accepted to be a cardiology fellow in 2016 at Baylor Dallas. Since he is already in his residency in Dallas he was hoping to be able to stay there.
djbarbin@yahoo.com
Dec. 19
from Bill Horton in Austin
I have no travel plans for the holidays and both my kids live in Austin so we will have a pretty typical Christmas.
I am grilling some crawfish boudain from Nick's Grocery to take to a neighborhood party tonight. Not many people in Austin get a chance to eat that but I sure would take it over any of the frou-frou restaurants that have sprung up here.
billh812@gmail.com
Dec. 23
from Mike Soileau in Atlanta, TX
Merry Christmas and thanks for the work you guys do in the site.
I know it takes time and want you guys to know I appreciate y'all and what you do. I hope Christmas and New Years finds you well and prosperous, also all our classmates loved one's and friends.
I was sad to see all the sickness and deaths on our site but at least this is a method that we can communicate and give prayers for those who need it.
The older I get I think back on some of the emotions and feeling I had growing up. Some so dumb and some remarkably good, more dumb in my case, I suppose. I did not know the value of health back in those days. I took all that for granted. Not now, I know it is a priceless gift of God and I thank Jesus for it.
Over the years, looking back and remembering the days of TJ of '68 and that era, I realize so many changes in the world we grew up in. Technology has made a new world, not all bad but certainly not all good. But, time marches on and I try to reflect of the good things and good memories. I realize that helping others is not just doing or giving time or money it can be as simple as a kind word or a pat on someone's back at the right moment. With age comes wisdom, hopefully, and I certainly have learned that many things I thought were so important are not and things I did not even give a second thought to are priceless; ex.. love of family and friends and good health.
I know this is a rambling little tid-bit but let's do the best we can for others. We will not all agree on things; thank God, (Jesus), we live in a country we have the freedom to do that. I traveled some in my 65 years. I saw what conditions other people live in; where they do not have a Constitution that protects their rights. I have seen war in Vietnam, though not near as bad and some, but enough to know it is horrible and innocent die, but for freedom, it is worth fighting for.
We need to stand and protect our Republic and our Constitution with a loud voice. I am attempting to voice my opinion more..though I always have, but not for the right reasons. Our Congress has been corrupted with big money from Wall street and others who are buying votes that affect everyone of us. Let us stand against this corruption and speak out, vote, protect what you can, keep our 1st and Second Amendment Rights and all the rights in our Constitution that men died to have and preserve. We are a Republic and let us remain so. Anyone, be it under the cloak of a religion and false freedom, must not be allowed to destroy our values and or beliefs. In fact, it is a law that we not allow this to happen to our Country. We have a way of life that is unique but it came from Judo Christian Men who wrote documents to protect us and not to be destroyed by political correctness, (so called it is just a means to destroy freedom of speech in my mind). I am not saying we should hate anyone but we should hate the evil teachings and actions of those who swear and support killing of those who do not follow their false teaching. We saw Hitler and many others in history destroy a good nation with evil movements and beliefs, don't let that happen to our country.
The good memories we have of TJ of '68 and all that era only happened because someone paid the price and stood against evil. We have a great nation, America. Let's fight, each in our own way, to protect and preserve it as the Constitution and God Almighty intended it to be.
On a lighter side, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all out there and help someone today. You're gonna need help tomorrow.
Be Blessed.
soilm47@aol.com
Dec. 26
from Cynthia Marshall Devlin in Zavalla, TX
I hope we all stay healthy, as that is a form of wealth at this age and older.
Keep those updates coming. I especially enjoy reading about your family members. Your Dad is absolutely incredible! Of course, it is nice to catch up with all 1968 TJ grads.
My parents are pretty fragile right now, but they keep on going---just much slower now. Both have had hospital stays recently, but the family was able to gather at their home for Christmas Eve.
We hope to get to Kansas City while I am on break to visit some of the grandchildren. Other than that, I am enjoying being off with more time to drink coffee (leisurely) and to read some fun novels. It has been so warm that I thought our fig tree was going to start up again!
The new semester begins with meetings on Jan. 15 with classes starting the 19th and as always, I look forward to the whole process. Guess I will retire when it is not longer fun. My husband is working a shortened schedule, but is not quite ready to call it quits. It does sound like many of our class members have retired and they are busier than ever with travel, grandchildren, etc. Oh well, maybe one day! Your movie outings and lunches do sound enticing.
Our pond has some wood ducks this year and at least one Great Egret. With all the rain we have had there seems to be lots of turtles and lots of fish too. The Egret has such a wide wing-span it casts a shadow like a small aircraft! We have lots of deer, but somehow they have evaded the hunters this year!
cynjad@msn.com
Dec. 28
from David Salter in Brownwood, TX
Lana and I had the kids and grand kids here for Christmas. It was nice as we continue to establish some family Christmas traditions. On Saturday, we had about 20 here as we celebrated Christmas with extended family, also. Unfortunately, some had to leave earlier than scheduled to beat a winter storm's arrival in OKC and northwest Texas. Today, we woke up to beautiful snow-covered scene. The 39 degree temp is now melting it off, but it was quite beautiful, (despite 16 degree chill factor from 20 mph winds), when my son-in-law Dan and I walked around the place earlier today to cure our cabin-fever.
Again, thanks for keeping TJ '68 connected. It means so much to us. Most of all, your friendship is a special gift.
desalter1949@yahoo.com
WEBSITE DONATIONS
A donation was sent in by Cynthia Marshall Devlin. Many thanks, Cynthia.
NEW YEARS BLESSING
(taken off of FB)
I wish you
Peace, Love, Health, Happiness and Harmony
in the coming New Year.
May the LORD shower
his blessings on you and your
Loved ones.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Well, we made it though the Thanksgiving holidays fairly well. Of course, then Christmas was upon us. Christmas Eve was a loud, fun-filled night at a niece's home in Bridge City. Midnight mass is always a treat for me. It has been a tradition for many, many years. New Years Eve; well, I'm writing this NEWSLETTER and I bet you can guess where hubby is? Yep, the “beer lease”. We were invited to a large party in Bridge City again but I forgot I would have to drive by myself on the interstate getting back to Lumberton. My headlights need some work on them, (not minor), and I rethought it and decided I would spend my “eve” with a few hundred of my closet friends; YOU!
You won't believe this story! My brother, after working in surgery for 50 years, has finally retired. He has been so excited about this “beer lease” thing Murphy has going on. Well, three weeks ago, he went on one of the hunts and they didn't kill a deer, BUT Murphy shot a hog. They brought it back to clean at the campsite and my brother was helping. Here it comes......he was using a scalpel for a certain cut of the meat and his left hand slid down and fell on it! He sliced into an artery in the wrist. He stayed calm while Murphy ran for towels and gauze. Needless to say, they then headed at a high rate of speed in the nighttime on curvy East Texas roads to Jasper, which was about 30 minutes away. The hospital cleaned the injury up, gave him a tetanus shot, started powerful antibiotics and sent him on to Christus St. Elizabeth's in Beaumont in an ambulance. He ended up losing 3 units of blood and had surgery in the middle of a Friday night. He went in at 11:30 and went into recovery at 1:45. Geez. Oh, did I forget to mention what Murphy said when he called me? “Now, don't get upset, but your brother had an accident and he is headed in an ambulance to St. E's to have surgery”! My brother is doing better; in fact, he is there now with Murphy for their last deer season weekend. He has yet to shoot at anything besides sighting in his guns! I think he is scared he might have to do some more CLEANING!!!
Christmas day was really low-key, just my daughter, two granddaughters, dad and Murphy and I. I fixed gumbo, potato salad, garlic bread and dessert. The youngsters played games and worked puzzles and opened our gifts to them once we got there. The crazy granddaughter got my Dad to “play” legos with her. I don't think he had ever seen any. We listened to them across the room and she asked him questions such as, “This is a submarine. Do you know what a submarine is?” He answered, “No.” She went on to explain. The next think we hear is, “No, don't EAT it!” after which she says, “That must be why they say 6-12 years old on the box”. That actually made us laugh more than anything else that day. He sat with her for quite awhile and she brought him a small horse since he has good memories of horses. She left and I noticed him chewing on something. I had to go and swipe his mouth just like you do a toddler. He had chewed off the helmet of one of the lego characters and was working on the head. Good thing it was small. I guess he thought it was some dark chocolate! You know how he LOVES his sweets!
We are so thankful. My sister's middle son lives in Rowlett, TX. The tornado that was on the news on Dec. 26th went right in his neighborhood. He and his son ran to the middle of the house. When they went out they realized that the house across the street, next to them and directly behind them were matchsticks. He has been spending the week helping neighbors clean up the disaster. He got such a small amount of damage; a 2x4 through his roof, some leaks in the roof, the bed covering pulled off of the pickup truck and minor damage to another of his vehicles. Deputies have had to patrol the area and keep vehicles and people from going back and forth. My nephew has had to stay at the house due to looters being seen. What a miracle for him and his family. So many others were not so lucky.
SUPPORT
update on Florence “Sissie” Woods Kilcrease from her sister:
Dec. 26
Have I said what an Awesome God we serve? He has truly blessed our family this year. Today is a glorious day. Sissie is going home after being in hospital since Nov 20. My family and I want to thank you all for all your prayers.
(Sissie was in a car accident involving a deer and then another car. She had many, many broken bones and other injuries. She was in ICU from Nov. 20 – 30. She has undergone extensive rehab.)
sissiekilcrease@aol.com
525 Magasco Dr.
Pineland, TX 75968
CONDOLENCES
Shelia Irby Selkirk
(death of her mother, La Velle Irby)
2806 Windsor
Port Neches, TX 77651
David Aleman
(death of his mother, Lilia Aleman)
7007 Hot Creek Trace
Atascocita, TX 77346
death of Mrs. Betty Cowan
TJ faculty
General business and Typing
Randy Landry
(death of his mother, Rita Landry)
PO Box 2679
Crystal Beach, TX 77650
(These obits may be found under the section OBITUARIES on the front page of the website.)
May you all be blessed and healthy in the coming year! “Happy 2016”
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com