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PASSING ZONE

"Hattie Ray," said Royal T., "seeing all these folks hugging our bumper and zooming around us convinces me that we have raised the most reckless, most discourteous bunch of drivers that have ever been licensed to grace the happy highways of America."

"They all learned to drive by watching NASCAR races on TV," said Hattie Ray.

"That's exactly it," said Royal T. "Richard Petty and those other fellows have taught a whole generation how to tailgate with two feet of bumper clearance and how to cut in on a dime to get ahead of the folks in front."

"Well," said Hattie Ray, "from the looks of all the skid marks, broken glass and car parts around here, some of the students in that generation didn't learn enough to pass the course."

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FLYING HIGH

"Say, Clem," said Elmo, "you know who I saw today? ~ Stan Junior!"

"Oh," said Clem, "Old Stan Senior's boy! Yeah. The airplane pilot. How's he doing? Still got a job?"

"Yeah," said Elmo. "He said business is fine.

"Said he's flying now for United Delivery Service. Said their airplane business is holding up real well ~ not like the regular airlines.

"You know, I didn't know UDS carried passengers also, but Stan Junior said that, yes, sometimes they have places where they put a few passengers.

"But he said they get $1 per ounce to carry packages and only $1 per pound to carry people, so they don't really try to encourage too much people-trade," said Elmo.

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This Week's Verse

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Have but one God: thy knees were sore
if bent in prayer to three or four.
Adore no images save those
the coinage of thy country shows.
Thy hand from Sunday work be held ~
work not at all unless compelled.
Honor thy parents, and perchance
their wills thy fortunes may advance.
Kill not ~ Death liberates thy foe
from persecution's constant woe.
Kiss not thy neighbor's wife. Of course
there's no objection to divorce.
To steal were folly, for 'tis plain
in cheating there is greater gain.
Bear not false witness. Shake your head
and say that you have "heard it said."

(Ambrose Bierce)

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This Week's Mailbox

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...... When we lived in the country halfway between Ahoskie and Murfreesboro, our road was unpaved. All the kids were just waiting for Uncle Whid Newsome (No. 42) to arrive with the ice. He always made sure we got a piece to chew on. His smile and kindness will always be remembered. The time frame for this was during the 1930s ...... The same kids waited for a wagon loaded with sugar cane to come by, and again we headed out to the road, and each kid who could grab a stalk of sugar cane and pull it off the wagon got to keep it, as the gentleman driving the team of mules never seemed to mind. They knew what we were doing, and I believe they expected us to take a few stalks. Growing up in the country was a lot of fun at times, but there were many days that the farm chores would make you yearn for the city life ...... Looking back, I must admit, those early childhood days were some of the best. ~ Hersey G. Sumner, Columbus GA.

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...... I love (James') letters. They really put us right there, don't they? Thanks. ~ Doris Schimming, Conyngham PA.

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...... You were evidently a thinking man (as you are now) in your previous incarnation as a Johnny Reb. I always enjoy reading the "Letters from James." Some things never change, do they? Such as the why of war ...... Also, after tending to a hospice patient tonight ~ a young, beautiful, vibrant woman (a counselor at the local high school) ~ who is dying of glioblastoma, I came home to also read the poem (in No. 43) by Edward Coote Pinkney. How appropriate. And to see that he died at age 26. I looked him up in my Encyclopedia Britannica, and did not find his name. So I looked him up on "Google," and read some of his poetry. Thank you for introducing me to his work. ~ Valerie Sumner, Northern California.

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...... (The) Letters from James ...... remind us that war is not a happy time, and many have lost their lives for our country. We should be thankful that we are living in better times now. ~ Elizabeth Harvey, Sunbury NC.

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