http://www.dalepogue.com/ en Copyright 2012 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:38:53 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Robert Edwards asked me to sing with him Sunday morning for the 11:00 A.M. service. He picked the hymn we plan to sing. Becky will accompany us. It is "Sweet Will Of God" written by Leila M. Morris. I am sharing the words with you, for what we sing about is far more important than any tune it is married to. You can appreciate these words anytime in your pilgrimage through this life. My stubborn will at last hath yield-ed. I would be Thine, and Thine a-lone. And this the prayer my lips are bringing, "Lord, let in me Thy will be done". I'm tired of sin, foot-sore and wea-ry, The dark-some path hath drear-y grown. But now a light has ris'n to cheer me; I find in Thee my Star, my Sun. Thy pre-cious will, O con-qu'ring Sav-ior, Doth now embrace and com-pass me. All dis-cords hushed, my peace a riv-er, My soul a pris-oned bird set free. Shut in with Thee, O Lord, for-ev-er, My way-ward feet no more to roam; What pow'r from Thee my soul can sev-er? The cen-ter of God's will my home CHORUS Sweet will of God, still fold me clos-er, Till I am whol-ly lost in Thee. Sweet will of God, still fold me clos-er. Till I am whol-ly lost in Thee. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/sweet_will_of_god.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/sweet_will_of_god.html Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:38:53 -0600 I admit the last BLOG was a bit unusual with a little flower chatting with her mom about the rain. Analyzing where such nonsense came from I suddenly realized that the "talking gecko", featured character on an insurance ad, may be behind it all. The little green guy walks in medians and does all sorts of crazy things to get our attention. If that were not enough we now have babies talking wall street language while they are locked in their little strollers. Most of them have already had a voice change and sound like adult males. The dogs carrying out unbelievable chores are right behind. What could be next? Find your Bible and turn to the Book of Numbers chapter 22. Better yet, I will transcribe it for you: "When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it, so he beat her again. Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff." (Obviously, this donkey had better perception than Balaam whose only action was to beat the poor beast) "Then the Lord opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?". Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me. If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now.". The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey?, which you have always ridden to this day,? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?" "No", he said. Then the Lord opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell face-down." (You will want to read the rest of this interesting story. My simple comment is that a donkey had better vision than her master. She saw an angel and a sword when he saw only a "stubborn" donkey. She was more frightened by the angel's sword than one Balaam didn't even have with him. God gave voice to a simple animal. It was NOT to become a sideshow or crowd attractor. It was to get the attention of a human being like you and me. He can use any method He chooses to do that. We best be listening and looking all along life's pathway. He may be trying to get a word through to us.. "Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher! Rebuke your disciples!". "I tell you", He replied, "If they keep quiet the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:39-40) http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/talking_flowers_what_next.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/talking_flowers_what_next.html Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:46:42 -0600 "Mommy! Mommy! What's that sound?" "It's thunder, dear. It won't hurt you. Close your petals and go back to sleep." "But Mommy! Someone is flashing a real bright light around in the sky! I am scared!" "Nothing to worry about, little one. That is lightning. It is our Creator's way of seeing as He waters." "O boy! I feel water! Mr. George has turned on the sprinkler. I don't remember ever feeling water this late." "No, it isn't the sprinkler. This is called rain. It is not coming out of that ugly hose. It is falling straight from the sky." "Um! Um! That tastes good on my petals. It doesn't have that yucky smell. I like rain. O wow! Some of it just reached my roots! That is the best stuff I have ever tasted. I really like rain!" "Yes, I know. We all like rain. It is our perfect drink. You will see the difference tomorrow and the day after. Now, close those little petals and let's just enjoy the sound and feel of rain." (The next morning) "Mommy! Look at me! I am bigger! And I am green, and red! Boy do I look good! Wait until Rose wakes up. She will really be surprised. That rain was nice. I hope it will come again. I like rain!" Me too! We all do. Thank you, Lord. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/in_a_south_texas_flower_garden.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/in_a_south_texas_flower_garden.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:15:05 -0600 Eyes of the sports world will be watching the action at Lucas Stadium in Indianapolis Sunday. Just a few will know of what I am sharing with you in this BLOG. Can you handle it? There is a "run", "creek","stream", or river; (whatever you choose to call it), flowing underneath this stadium. It is now harnessed into an aqueduct. At one time this "run" meandered through the city of Indianapolis. For a city laid out properly it was a nuisance to the planning gurus. Some of the flowing stream above ground still exists, but in the area near, and including the stadium, the poor little stream is hidden from an outside world. Instead they get to eye the massive hunks of concrete, brick, and stone.Why should I care?.........read on..... This little flowing stream is named POGUE. More concisely it is called "Pogue's Run". Pogue's Run is named for one of the two discoverers of Indianapolis. A pioneer settler, George Pogue, with John Wesley McCormick, blazed a trail back in 1819 to this place. Pogue built a cabin for his family of seven where Michigan Street crosses Pogue's Run today, above ground. The creek became known as Pogue's Run after Pogue disappeared in April 1821. Today there is a popular Pogue's Run Trail which follows the portion of the creek still above ground. It meanders all about parts of the city. One will arrive at the Pogue's Run Art And Nature Park. Where the creek is underground one can follow it's movement by trailing after a blue line added in 2004 for persons wishing to trail the now buried Pogue's Run. It would not be advisable to try that at Lucas Oil Stadium and Conseco Fieldhouse Sunday. So...is the "rest of the story" that this stream is named after my great,great, grandfather, George Pogue, who secretly left in 1821 to go to Arkansas? I wish! If you can make that so by your study please let me know. No kin. I do like the name. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/a_stream_runs_under_it.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/a_stream_runs_under_it.html Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:41:48 -0600 Jesus gave this command. It was not a request, but a mandate. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone". Today, there are untold numbers of men and women who are doing this. Some have been at their tasks for many years. Others are new to the assignment. Still others have "finished the course" and moved back to their native lands. Many different churches and denominations reach out to help these missionaries. It can be a dangerous task. John and Wanda Casias felt called to a little city in Mexico. El Cercado is less than 100 miles from the United States border.There they started, in the early 1980's, the Primera Iglesia Bautista Fundamental Independiente (Baptist Church.) The area has become increasingly dangerous for it's people. Folks stay in after 8:00 in the evening. The Casias family could have returned to Lewisville, Texas, and the church there who helped support them. A greater calling of ministry to their people and the poor of that area caused them to stay. It cost them their lives Tuesday. Their bodies were discovered at their home by a son. He said, "My dad, being so kind, let them in. I don't think he saw it coming". They join an ever-increasing list of persons who have given their lives to the calling of God, literally. All Believers should be willing to offer ourselves to whatever God has for us to do in whatever place we might be. We have sung for many years: "I gave, I gave My Life for thee. What hast thou given for me? I gave, I gave my life for thee. What hast thou given for Me?" Fair question. John and Wanda gave the supreme answer. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/into_all_the_world_can_be_dang.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/into_all_the_world_can_be_dang.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:51:13 -0600 No, Texas doesn't have a team playing in the Superbowl. Were the Texans and Cowboys lining up Sunday this state would be maddening! It didn't happen. If, however, you had an interest in sitting in the best on-field seat in Indianapolis you would have had to come up with $17,048 for a lower-level seat on the fifty yard line. I doubt that any reader cares, but that would have been three - years salary at the first full-time church I served. Some thought I was overpaid. Face value of tickets are from $800. to $1200.. Problem is that one cannot get a ticket for that right now. You see there is profit in buying and selling these tickets. It is called "scalping", and is illegal. So is speeding and paying money at eight-liners. On the college scene there are some joyous parents today. Their athletic sons have signed scholarships to one of our Universities. What is a scholarship worth? Depends on the school. Some are worth very little. Others have "if" stipulations. Still others could be worth $100,000. or more if honored and used properly. Twins from Ingleside High School received identical scholarships from McMurry in that school's first year to offer them, as they move to Division II play. That should bring great relief to those parents!. How big does one need to be to get a scholarship? Running back, Marcus Price,. signed with Texas A&M Kingsville. He weighs in at 5' 5" and 150 pounds! He did score 23 touchdowns for Calallen. The heaviest one signing with a Division I school was Kimo Tipoti from Bell High School in Hurst he weighs in at 330 on his 6' 3" frame. Texas A& M will be responsible for Kimo's table fare. That might raise tuition. On another athletic field of combat centuries ago, a giant measuring over nine feet in height swaggered out to face a teen-ager named David, armed with just a sling shot. It was a mismatch for sure, except for one thing: God was invested in the outcome. The giant from Gath was in the path ..... of God's plan for His people. That is a dangerous position . One tiny stone struck to the bone when the giant made a bone-head play. David "Tebowed", giving God credit for what He had done through his servant. . http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/really_big_football_week_in_te.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/really_big_football_week_in_te.html Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:25:55 -0600 The Republic of Singapore is a Southeast Asia city-state. It is an island country made up of 63 islands. Singapore is urbanized and more than half of it is covered by greenery. Modern Singapore was founded as a trading post of the East India Company in1819. It came under British ownership in 1824, one of the places that helped them say, "The sun never sets on British soil". Singapore was occupied by the Japanese during World War II. It reverted back to British control after the war and became internally self-governing in 1959. It is one of the wealthiest places one can find. They are a center for oil, banking, and tourism. Gambling is a huge business there.... Which brings me to the reason for writing about Singapore: Our Duprie kids went on a trip of a lifetime in December. Their Asian journey ended in Singapore where they debarked the cruise ship.One suitcase stayed on board. It was the one Laura had put all her "trinkets and keepsakes" in for the trip home. After much haggling it was finally found on a dock in Singapore. The cruise ship is sending it to Laura without charge. She had to try to recall all the items in that bag. The big question now is this: "What does the bag now contain?". No one knows if it was with other bags or alone. She does not know if it has been opened or tampered with. We will know these things only when it arrives in Midlothian, Texas, and is opened. "Will it simply be an empty bag?". Might it be filled with illegal contraband and is being trailed by some smuggler?" . We are all interested in knowing, "WHAT'S IN THE BAG???". Maybe this could be the Pilot for a new TV reality show. It would beat some that are out there. Heraldo did well financially in featuring an empty Chicago safe a few years ago. It was supposed to be filled with loot from a gangster. No way.Rivera got the cash. When the bag arrives and is opened, you will be the first to know. It will be announced right here on this BLOG. Don't miss a single issue between now and that fateful day. In the meantime keep those cards and letters....(That is another program). Little Calvin told me I was getting a Komodo dragon. Maybe it is in the suitcase! http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/what_will_come_from_singapore.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/02/what_will_come_from_singapore.html Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:16:49 -0600 Well, sort of. I know the feeling of wanting to pick a forbidden fruit, even though warned not to do it. My warning is from Big Pharma and not from God. I think they are not the same. The forbidden fruit in my case is NOT an apple. It is a grapefruit. We have a bumper crop this year. I counted them earlier in the Fall and quit at 250. It isn't easy to count grapefruit on a tree. They just won't hang still! There are still many on the tree. Folks who have taken some claim they are real good and juicy. They are Rio Reds. Want some? Come and get them! The orchard is open. (one tree) This morning I researched all my prescription medications against grapefruit. I had read and heard there can be reactions and interactions among some medications. How would mine look? It was going great! Some medicines cleared easily. No problem! Farther down my list it did not fare so well. I started reading DON'T! (I do understand that word, though have not always obeyed it.) My question was, "Why not?" The answers received convinced me that my beautiful grapefruit hanging thickly on the tree are a "no no"for me. (Maybe I could sneak just one while Big Pharma isn't looking.) "DALE, DID YOU JUST EAT A GRAPEFRUIT?"............."yes sir, but Ann gave it to me." "YOU MAY JUST DIE SOONER THAN EXPECTED. YOU IGNORED THE FINE PRINT ON THAT FOUR-PAGE LETTER YOU RECEIVED WITH YOUR MEDICATION. NOW, YOU WILL AWAIT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR YOUR DISOBEDIENCE!!!" Let's face it. Adam and Eve's disobedience brought a lot more problems than if I eat one of my grapefruits. It wasn't so much a matter of apples or grapefruit...but of disobedience. What tempting fruit is hanging in your life garden? Better check in the Book and read the fine print on the matter. It could be life or death. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/i_know_how_adam_and_eve_felt.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/i_know_how_adam_and_eve_felt.html Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:05:29 -0600 It isn't often a black Baptist Pastor claims the headlines. One did in Sunday's Caller-Times. The occasion was the funeral of Dr Harold Branch. Brother Branch died last week at 92. Seven hundred people filled the St John Baptist Church in Corpus where he served from 1956-1988. He had asked that the scripture, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" be the theme of his service. The one hundred voice choir sang "Amazing Grace" and "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross". Brother Branch was a man who led his church into the Corpus Christi Baptist Association. It was one of the first black churches to join our other churches across the state. Many followed through the years. His special concern was for the youth of his church and neighborhood. I have a special remembrance of Harold Branch. We had both taken kids to the Youth Camp at Zephyr Baptist Encampment. I was just over thirty. He was in his middle forties. One afternoon when the kids were swimming and doing other things I headed to the shores of lake Corpus Christi with a pole and some worms. I looked for a place away from the kids, and found a spot with only one person. It was Harold Branch. He also had brought a pole and some bait. We spent a delightful afternoon there, catching a few perch, and sharing of our childhoods. They were remarkably the same in many ways. It was refreshing for me to discover that, and to work on the prejudices that occur in our lives. I left that fishing hole a young man better equipped to serve the Lord and lead young people, which I was doing back then. He was not a loud person, but a strong one. He was loving and kind, and I have always cherished that afternoon in the summer of the early sixties, joining with another Christian of a different race, but with the same heart and mind I had through Jesus Christ. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/inspiration_to_youth.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/inspiration_to_youth.html Sun, 29 Jan 2012 07:36:25 -0600 Mr brother-in-law in Arkansas sent me a string of old color commercials featuring cigarettes and smoking. Any one my age would know most every ad, whether you ever smoked or not. We did not have TV but all the magazines, newspapers, billboards, etc. featured these familiar commercials, each with their clever "catch words". (LSMFT; Lucky Strike Means Fine Tobacco). Popular stars, and persons of prominence, were especially sought. One ad said: "More doctors smoke.......than any other cigarette.". Wonder how they ever took that poll? There is a handsome picture of movie star, Ronald Reagan, promoting his brand. Another features John Wayne and his cigarette of choice. Who saw these advertisements? Everyone! When I was in the service and on maneuvers we would receive a canned pack of food and necessities. There was always a small pack of cigarettes in there. It was usually Camels or Lucky Strike. Cigarettes could be bought at the PX for fifteen cents a pack. They were probably given by the companies for the publicity. It is interesting that although that product has paid through the nose, and now has to make written statements of the dangers, it is still around and even seems that more folks are smoking again. I wonder what those doctors would say today? Cough! Cough! http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/lsmftmean_anything_to_you.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/lsmftmean_anything_to_you.html Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:15:13 -0600 Car ads are humorous to me. I am not selling one right now. I have had two bought from my yard. One did not even have a "for sale" sign on it. The buyer was heading for Mexico. He had cash. He also had a "lemon" when he left.(Not off my tree) The sale wasn't my idea! When you run an ad words are at a premium. The cost is based on the number of words so some folks really get conservative with words. Here are "real" words from "real" ads in today's Caller Times: 1 owner, loaded, a/c, runs good, new brakes, super clean, sunroof, automatic, must see, 3rd row, obo, low mileage, take over payments, no rust, cruise, power windows,4WD, warranty, wife's car, tow pkg, like new, super sporty, Bose, V6, navigation, leather seats, we finance.(These were from several ads) What might a "totally" honest car ad look like? Maybe something like this. FOR SALE: NEARLY WORN- OUT CAR I HAVE DRIVEN HARD. ALL KINDS OF THINGS DON'T WORK ANYMORE. WOULDN'T STOP HARDLY AT ALL SO HAD TO GET NEW BRAKES TO GET INSPECTION STICKER; VACUUMED THOROUGHLY AFTER HAULING FERTILIZER IN BACK SEAT, SHIFTS ITSELF BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN; THIRD ROW SEATING WITH FOLDING CHAIRS; TAKE MOST ANY OFFER. 23,000 MILES SECOND TIME AROUND, RUST DOES NOT SHOW UNDER DIRT, WARRANTY EXPIRED YEARS AGO. ROPE IN TRUNK FOR TOWING, WIFE'S CAR TILL SHE WRECKED IT, GARAGE SALE BOSE RADIO IN SEAT, NEARLY NEW MAP IN SIDE DOOR, V6 (was v 8), LEATHER SEATS UNDER SEAT COVERS. MIGHT BUY YOU GAS TO DRIVE IT OFF. How honest are we in telling all the facts in other areas of our lives? The Lord only knows. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/selling_ones_vehicle.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/selling_ones_vehicle.html Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:37:47 -0600 Our grandson, Calvin Duprie, who is four' was excited to tell me that from their Christmas trip to Australia and the East he had brought us a present. I asked, "What is it Calvin?". He answered with a laugh in his little voice, "A Komodo dragon!". "Oh no!", I replied. " I will keep him in the back yard!" Calvin's quick response was, "No! In the house!". We haven't seen the dragon yet. I am hopeful it is one we can keep in the house. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world. They can get to be nine feet in length. They are flesh eaters and, on occasions, that has been humans. They live on some Asian islands and can chase down small deer that live there. They are fearsome creatures. The "Year of The Dragon" in the Chinese New Year has a more mythical creature played out with paper ones for their street parades. Some may be fifty or more feet in length. This year is supposed to be a "good" year under the dragon. Comic books and movies are filled with dragons. Did you know the Bible has it's dragon? It is not a mythical creature but one very real, and extremely dangerous. He is alive and he is here among us. "and there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth and his angels with him." (Revelation 12:7-9) "woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you.! He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short." You will remember his appearance in the Garden of Eden. You also will recall his visit with Jesus as the Lord prepared for his public ministry. The Dragon pulled out every temptation possible that might bring the downfall of a hungry Man in the wilderness. This is "the year of the dragon" for Believers. Every year is. He is a furious enemy because He knows his time is running out. He wants to be, not in our backyard, but in our den and workplace and car. He is as real as the ones who pad about Komodo Island, but far more dangerous. They can only destroy a body. This Dragon is after both body and soul. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/year_of_the_dragon.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/year_of_the_dragon.html Wed, 25 Jan 2012 06:34:55 -0600 You have heard it said many times in various news interviews that we live in a Country where anyone who sets his/her mind to it can become President of The United States. That is really exciting! Think of those wonderful children/grandchildren in your family who can aspire to the most powerful position in the world. "anyone can grow up to be President" is an aspiring statement. There are major flaws, however, in that claim. There are age and citizenship requirements. There are legal requirements. There are FINANCIAL requirements that are staggering. To even get through the primary elections in today's political environment one must come up with FIFTY to ONE HUNDRED MILLION dollars! That is more money than many of us will make in several hundred years! So, there has to be wealthy contributors willing to help finance the campaign..... a lot of them. What do they want in return? Some, simply a person who will stand by his/her promises in speeches and writings. Others want political appointments such as Ambassadors to various world countries. Still others want favoritism in their businesses and personal lives. A visit to the White House would be nice. We have just mentioned getting through the primaries. Now the big "run" is on. Here our government through taxpayers chip in. On your IRS return you can check giving $3.00 to aid in the election. It is doled out in the finals in matching funds. Now, a person could need $75 million more. Or more! As ideal as it sounds, it just isn't so: Running for President is available only to a select few persons. They must have a thick billfold and a thicker skin. They must accept the spotlight of attention to sweep across their lives, exposing any and every mistake they ever made! I saw on the back of a leather jacket worn by a Bandido Motorcycle club member, "God forgives. Bandidos never do". The same is true in a political race. This is as political as I will get. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/growing_up_to_become_president.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/growing_up_to_become_president.html Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:31:00 -0600 "All right, boys and girls, sit up straight and listen. I have a new word for you today. It is not an easy word to say....PARA-PROS-DOKIANS. What does it mean? Let me tell you......" "A figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation." My friend from High School days in Fort Smith, Gene Oneal, sent this to me. Thought I might brighten this dismal Friday just a bit. Here are some paraprosdokians for you. Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. War does not determine who is right - only who is left. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it is still on my list. I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was blaming you. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need one to skydive twice. You're never too old to learn something stupid. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target. Change is inevitable except from a vending machine. I used to be indecisive. Now I am not so sure. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. Thanks Gene. I needed those. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/paraprosdokians.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/paraprosdokians.html Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:28:02 -0600 What kids do during summer vacation these days is mind-boggling. They go everywhere from Disneyland, to Paris to Rome. I have a much different remembrance of my summer vacation. I do recall a summer when we traveled from Cavanaugh, Arkansas, to Liberty Hill, Oklahoma.That was about thirty-five miles. My parents left me and two older sisters there at my grandmother's house. She was a widow, and one of her daughters and her family lived across the road.They were Charlie and Flora Buttress and their four children. Uncle Charlie was a truck farmer. He had some acres and a team of mules. He raised potatoes and watermelons mainly. Our arrival for "summer vacation" was timed with the big event of "pickin' up taters". We were the pickers up. It meant we would take a metal basket and get in the rows plowed up by the team, and pick up the potatoes that had been uncovered.We did this by simply crawling along on our knees behind the mules. The dirt would be cool and the potatoes were easily found in the red, sandy-like soil. Once a basket was full it would be carried to a shed where there was a machine that graded them by size. Those of the right size were put in a tow sack and sewed up at the top. They were ready to sell. I would get a cardboard "token" for each basket I brought in. Those tokens were like money. At the end of the pickin' we turned in our tokens and would be paid. I imagine it would be .25 to.50 cents for me. I was about ten or eleven. That was summer vacation. I didn't mind it at all. We didn't work all day. Afternoon meant the boys would go to the swimming hole up behind the Baptist Church, where they baptized. It was a nice deep hole and a real treat after crawling through dirt all morning. My cousin, Oren Ray, would be with me. Some other boys I didn't know would also go to the swimming hole. I have recalled this today because my cousin, Oren Ray Buttress, passed away yesterday in Oklahoma. I haven't seen him since those long-ago days. Distance and interests never brought us back together. We didn't do much of families getting together. It wasn't really very easy to do it. My father worked five and a half days a week at the glass plant and Sundays were for church. I don't even know what Oren Ray did for a living. I don't think it was truck farming like his dad. I do recall fondly, riding in the back of the wagon as we went in to Cameron, the nearest town. We were bare-footed, of course, and when the wagon crossed a creek we dragged our feet and legs in the cool water of cedar creek. That was a summer vacation memory for me. The only souvenir I brought home was an arrowhead I found one day. It is gone, like those days, and most of the memories. http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/cousin_passing_and_memories.html http://www.dalepogue.com/2012/01/cousin_passing_and_memories.html Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:24:34 -0600