Apr. 27 from Morris:
It is a sad day today, 04.27.09. Earlier today, GM announced the end by next year of the Pontiac
nameplate. As the owner of 4 of their cars (1961, 1972, 2007 Solstice and 2009 G8GT) and partner in
2 dealerships with the Pontiac franchise, it is a very sad day for me. Yes, the quality was bad from
the mid '70s to the mid '90s, and they were similar or identical to other GM branded models, but
the pizzazz of the history of the brand made me nostalgic to own them, and that is why I bought the
Solstice (which gave me 3 cars at that time) and then traded it and the Charger R/T for the G8GT.
Fortunately for me, I did not lose any money on either car deal, and Steve and Mary love the G8GT
I sold them.
The realtor called today with a "no" on my offer for the land out there at LaVeta, but with a
counteroffer from the owner's agent, also in that firm. I am mulling over the difference. All
depends on what Bank of America or JPMorgan Chase will do for me.
I have been to 5 funerals in 10 days, and another Wednesday. I am wearing out my black suit. You
know what that sage Yogi Berra said: "if you don't go to people's funerals, they won't come to
yours!" Geezer
It is a sad day today, 04.27.09. Earlier today, GM announced the end by next year of the Pontiac
nameplate. As the owner of 4 of their cars (1961, 1972, 2007 Solstice and 2009 G8GT) and partner in
2 dealerships with the Pontiac franchise, it is a very sad day for me. Yes, the quality was bad from
the mid '70s to the mid '90s, and they were similar or identical to other GM branded models, but
the pizzazz of the history of the brand made me nostalgic to own them, and that is why I bought the
Solstice (which gave me 3 cars at that time) and then traded it and the Charger R/T for the G8GT.
Fortunately for me, I did not lose any money on either car deal, and Steve and Mary love the G8GT
I sold them.
The realtor called today with a "no" on my offer for the land out there at LaVeta, but with a
counteroffer from the owner's agent, also in that firm. I am mulling over the difference. All
depends on what Bank of America or JPMorgan Chase will do for me.
I have been to 5 funerals in 10 days, and another Wednesday. I am wearing out my black suit. You
know what that sage Yogi Berra said: "if you don't go to people's funerals, they won't come to
yours!" Geezer
| What's Happening Now May 2009 |
Gary says, "To avoid getting swine flu...
| ...Avoid doing this! |
| Cooper, Bill and Paula D's only grandchild, is now 6 months old. Looks a lot like his granddad, doesn't he? |
1961 Pontiac
May 3 from Morris:
How nice to see the girls in the photo (Jan's
note: Marie's missing), especially Jane, who is
looking good! I received at sweet "thank you"
note from her this morning at church, as she
mailed the note to me there. We all continue to
pray for her miracle!!! JPS indicated that there
is no interest in any get-together during the
TriAnnual reunion next month. I believe that
Harrell plans to be there to hook up with me. I
hope to see some other of our classmates in
attendance. Still no agreement on the land
purchase in LaVeta. I have loan apps at Bank
of America and JPMorgan Chase. With the big
banks failing the US Government stress test, I
do not expect a positive result. I can sell some
of my bonds and pay cash for the land, but that
interrupts my income stream. So-------!
Later. Geezer
How nice to see the girls in the photo (Jan's
note: Marie's missing), especially Jane, who is
looking good! I received at sweet "thank you"
note from her this morning at church, as she
mailed the note to me there. We all continue to
pray for her miracle!!! JPS indicated that there
is no interest in any get-together during the
TriAnnual reunion next month. I believe that
Harrell plans to be there to hook up with me. I
hope to see some other of our classmates in
attendance. Still no agreement on the land
purchase in LaVeta. I have loan apps at Bank
of America and JPMorgan Chase. With the big
banks failing the US Government stress test, I
do not expect a positive result. I can sell some
of my bonds and pay cash for the land, but that
interrupts my income stream. So-------!
Later. Geezer
| More photos of Dicksy's May Day Slumber Party. Above: Jane and Marie |
May 4 from Polly
re Dicksy's
Slumber Party:
IT WAS A LOT OF
FUN. DICKSY'S
HOUSE IS
BEAUTIFUL AND
EVERYONE WAS
REALLY GREAT.
I HAVE THE SAME
MEMORIES BUT
WITH DIFFERENT
GIRLS FROM
LAWTON, OK. I
WAS ONLY IN
BELTON FOR MY
SENIOR YEAR.
re Dicksy's
Slumber Party:
IT WAS A LOT OF
FUN. DICKSY'S
HOUSE IS
BEAUTIFUL AND
EVERYONE WAS
REALLY GREAT.
I HAVE THE SAME
MEMORIES BUT
WITH DIFFERENT
GIRLS FROM
LAWTON, OK. I
WAS ONLY IN
BELTON FOR MY
SENIOR YEAR.
| Lou must be the photographer this time, as she's missing. |
| More Photos of Dicksy's May Day Party Photos compliments of Janean |
Dicksy and Barbara
Polly, Judy E, Shirlene, and Barbara
May 3 from Lila: I know that I was not really a part of you gals growing up as I came in
my junior year, but I would love to have been able to come to the slumber party. I think
eleven gals is quite a good turn-out though! I bet ya'll had fun. I would have liked to
have seen that Carolyn had attended but being a newlywed maybe she did not want to
be away from her new hubby. Can't wait until the reunion. I am so glad to see that Jane
got to attend, how is she doing. Again thanks again for keeping us all in touch!
my junior year, but I would love to have been able to come to the slumber party. I think
eleven gals is quite a good turn-out though! I bet ya'll had fun. I would have liked to
have seen that Carolyn had attended but being a newlywed maybe she did not want to
be away from her new hubby. Can't wait until the reunion. I am so glad to see that Jane
got to attend, how is she doing. Again thanks again for keeping us all in touch!
| Dear Miss Minnie would roll over in her grave if she realized how LITTLE we really know of all she tried to teach us. Let's see how you can do on this trivia quiz about Cinco de Mayo: |
| 1. Cinco de Mayo means: a. May fifth. b. A quart jar of mayonnaise c. "Call Mayo when you need your sink repaired! 1-800-55C-INCO. |
| 2. Cinco de Mayo, as celebrated here in the U.S, brings together: a. Only Chicanos. b. Only Mayans. c. Latinos from many persuasions. |
| 3. Cinco de Mayo commemorates: a. Mexican Independence Day b. The Battle of Puebla c. National Plumbers Day (Dia de los Plomeros) |
| 6. The story of Cinco de Mayo is cleverly portrayed in a video at the bottom of this page. Enjoy! |
| 7. This link has a good history of The Battle of Puebla. Remember Maximilian and Carlota from Miss Minnie's class? Maximilian was Napoleon's puppet emperor and Carlota was his unfortunate consort whose mind wasn't able to stand up to the culture shock... |
| 5. Having studied under the redoubtable "Miss Minnie," WE remember that Mexican Independence Day is: a. October 12, 1492 b. September 16, 1810, when priest Miguel Hidalgo began the revolution for freedom from Spain. c. March 2, 1836 |
| 4. On May 15, 1862, 4,000 Mexicans armed with machetes routed: a. 7,999 smartly-dressed French Dragoons and one slob b. 800 Parisians sipping Pinot Noir in the Mexican palace c. 8,000 well-equipped French invaders who threatened Mexico City near the city of Puebla |
| 8. Check out some Mexican food recipes, including "Bacon & Cheese Chiles Rellenos" and "Tortilla Soup." |
| Answers: 1. "Cinco de Mayo" means "May fifth." 2. Latinos from many countries, as well as Anglos, now celebrate Mexican heritage in the U.S., another opportunity to "fiesta." 3. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, and the courage and unity of the Mexican people against great odds---however, Mexican independence from French occupation didn't come until 1867, when Benito Juarez executed Maximilian and the French withdrew for good. 4. On May 15, 1862, 4,000 Mexicans armed with machetes routed 8,000 well equipped French invaders and some traitorous Mexicans. 5. Mexican Independence Day was the day after Father Miguel Hidalgo signed a declaration of independence from Spain and the day that the Mexican War of Independence began. |
Cinco de Mayo
| May 6, www.washingtonpost.com: Maine Becomes 5th State to Allow Same-Sex Marriages |
May 6 from Morris:
Hi, JanBee: I just had an e-mail from Zach Kanter at N2A,
offering me the opportunity to bid on 789 roadster serial #
001, the first car they produced and the one shown in all
their advertising, which is the same car in the picture
Dewey sent to you. I responded to Zach that I was
attempting to buy 18.45 acres of mountain property and
was no longer a prospect for his car, but I would stop by
the factory in Santa Ana, CA, this summer when I am out
there with my son. I was delighted to see the 2d set of
pictures of the girls. I am so delighted to see how good
Jane looks! Praise God! The news today is that both of my
banks are still in trouble, so I doubt my loan will come
through. No news yet. It is possible that the current owner
will caryy a note with a big down payment. We'll see. Later.
Geezer
Hi, JanBee: I just had an e-mail from Zach Kanter at N2A,
offering me the opportunity to bid on 789 roadster serial #
001, the first car they produced and the one shown in all
their advertising, which is the same car in the picture
Dewey sent to you. I responded to Zach that I was
attempting to buy 18.45 acres of mountain property and
was no longer a prospect for his car, but I would stop by
the factory in Santa Ana, CA, this summer when I am out
there with my son. I was delighted to see the 2d set of
pictures of the girls. I am so delighted to see how good
Jane looks! Praise God! The news today is that both of my
banks are still in trouble, so I doubt my loan will come
through. No news yet. It is possible that the current owner
will caryy a note with a big down payment. We'll see. Later.
Geezer
Hi, me again! (Morris) Since I e-mailed you
awhile ago, the results of the bank stress
tests have been revealed: Bank of America
failed, and needs $ 34 billion in capital.
JPMorgan Chase passed and is in good
shape. So, I have HOPE! Geezer
awhile ago, the results of the bank stress
tests have been revealed: Bank of America
failed, and needs $ 34 billion in capital.
JPMorgan Chase passed and is in good
shape. So, I have HOPE! Geezer
| May 6, 2009 The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 101.63 points, or 1.2%, to head above the 8500 plateau to 8512.28. |
| The April 21 on-line version of the Belton Journal reports that there's a new book out, The History of Texas Football. It will be updated every year. Everyone is asked to send in their memories, etc. Read all about it at http://www.beltonjournal.com/index.php/sports/35-sports/727-history-of-tigers-football-book-published |
| May 7 from Judy E: Hi, Jan. I'm so sorry that I missed your call, but you were a sweetie to send me the good birthday wishes. I did indeed have a great day and am currently fairly miserable from stuffing myself with Italian food and gooey cake. Thanks for putting the word out; I was astounded at how many emails and calls I got from classmates--a nice feeling to think that so many old friends were thinking of me....and it's all due to your hard work and creativity on the site. We should all have PR people like you in our corners! Please keep it up; you have us spoiled rotten now. Thanks again. Cosette sends best wishes for fewer puddles to Rebus. Love, Judy |
| Polly |
| Lila |
| May 8 from Morris: Good morning, JanBee: A Happy Mothers Day wish to you and all the "moms" in our gang of classmates. I wish for each of you a very special day. We have some great-grandmoth ers in our group, do we not? Enjoy the day! Geezer |
| May 10, Linda M wrote: My favorite of the thunderboxes is the one with the goat and rooster. The video (see attachment) is from a television interview about a form of breast cancer I had not heard of before -- inflammatory breast cancer, or IBC. Apparently it is not as common but it is deadlier than the usual form. I seem to recall you had oral surgery a few months back. Was it perchance gum grafts? I had that done Thursday. It's a good thing I like yogurt! I can't even brush my teeth until the doctor says I can, which will be at least May 21. I enjoyed the pictures and story about the slumber party. Isn't it great that Jane felt well enough to attend?The class website just keeps getting better. Thanks for all your work! |
| May 12: Gary sent his list of Imponderables (See Home Page) to Walt and Dewey, and here are the answers he received: From Walt: These are all righteous questions. I will have to get back with you later with the answers. From Dewey: I have considered these very thoughts and more (like 60 minutes) Glad you sent these along. Should we engage in adding things? Dewey. Gary's response: Absolutely, Dew. We all have these dumb questions needing soothing answers! We all need to get out of the closet with our dumb questions and add to the list and encourage others to add theirs. You know like Bugs Bunny asked for years and never got an answer (to my knowledge) - "What's updoc?" Walt seems to believe he has answers for most of them. Gary |
Polly's first great-grand-
child, Eeli Winston Martin,
was born Aug. 26, 2008, so
he'll soon be 9 months old!
Isn't he a cutie?
child, Eeli Winston Martin,
was born Aug. 26, 2008, so
he'll soon be 9 months old!
Isn't he a cutie?
May 12 from Morris:
Hi, JanBee: Dolly is famous for her figure, as we all know.
Johnny Carson once said to her "I'd give a year's income to
look there", of course referring to her 2 most famous assets.
Dolly herself has stated "I'm not dumb, and I'm not a blonde,
either". She received an honorary PhD last week from Univ of
Tennessee at Knoxville. She was quoted as saying "I 'm
Doctor Dolly now - this gives new meaning to the term DD!". It is
good to be able to laugh at ones self. No news on the land
purchase. I'm ready to pick up a rental car and drive up there
ASAP! Geezer
Hi, JanBee: Dolly is famous for her figure, as we all know.
Johnny Carson once said to her "I'd give a year's income to
look there", of course referring to her 2 most famous assets.
Dolly herself has stated "I'm not dumb, and I'm not a blonde,
either". She received an honorary PhD last week from Univ of
Tennessee at Knoxville. She was quoted as saying "I 'm
Doctor Dolly now - this gives new meaning to the term DD!". It is
good to be able to laugh at ones self. No news on the land
purchase. I'm ready to pick up a rental car and drive up there
ASAP! Geezer
May 15 from Morris:
Hi, JanBee: I mentioned in an earlier e-mail that Mr. Kanter had contacted me about buying the 789
roadster # 1 that Dewey had sent you pix and descriptions of. Today, I have an e-mail from him that it is
now on E-Bay. So, if Dew and Rob and any other of us car nuts is interested, it is for sale, opening bid $
75,000.00. Because of Mothers' Day being on the 2d Sunday of the month (as Easter Sunday was last
month) our deacons meeting at FBC Lancaster is this Sunday at 3:00. I'll place Jane's name on our
prayer board again, and we will all pray for her by name, and I will send her a card,
again. The mail has just come, and Bank of America has rejected my loan application. Too much
uncertainty about real estate values! One other word: we had the Chrysler lines (Chrysler-Plymouth-
Dodge-Dodge truck-Jeep-Eagle) at our dealership in Kermit, TX, back in the late '80s, and they were a PILL
to deal with. We resigned the franchises at the end of '89, good riddance. I feel for the dealers terminated
(including 3 friends of mine in West Texas) and I liked my Dodge Charger, but: the company can go away.
All three of my pals are Ford and/or GM dealers or both, so they still have something to sell. Geezer
Hi, JanBee: I mentioned in an earlier e-mail that Mr. Kanter had contacted me about buying the 789
roadster # 1 that Dewey had sent you pix and descriptions of. Today, I have an e-mail from him that it is
now on E-Bay. So, if Dew and Rob and any other of us car nuts is interested, it is for sale, opening bid $
75,000.00. Because of Mothers' Day being on the 2d Sunday of the month (as Easter Sunday was last
month) our deacons meeting at FBC Lancaster is this Sunday at 3:00. I'll place Jane's name on our
prayer board again, and we will all pray for her by name, and I will send her a card,
again. The mail has just come, and Bank of America has rejected my loan application. Too much
uncertainty about real estate values! One other word: we had the Chrysler lines (Chrysler-Plymouth-
Dodge-Dodge truck-Jeep-Eagle) at our dealership in Kermit, TX, back in the late '80s, and they were a PILL
to deal with. We resigned the franchises at the end of '89, good riddance. I feel for the dealers terminated
(including 3 friends of mine in West Texas) and I liked my Dodge Charger, but: the company can go away.
All three of my pals are Ford and/or GM dealers or both, so they still have something to sell. Geezer
May 17 from Morris:
Hi, JanBee: I still have my loan application at JPMorgan
Chase, or I can pay cash by cashing out 4 bonds, but
that affects my cashflow. So, plan A may be back in
place; a collector car for the 50th year reunion and a
motor home. Len's car is probably a 300M - it has a flat
or squared-off rear end. Chrysler builds good cars, it's
ther treatment of the dealer network we hated. It was
OUR money, yet they told us what to do all the time like
we were married and/or step-children. Bankruptcy law
trumps all other legal activities, and what they are
doing to their dealers is legal, but very immoral and
unethical. I'm glad we "bit the dust" back in 1991 with
GM, and quit Chrysler in 1989. I have not heard if our
"successor" dealer in Fort Stockton (GM) was
terminated or not. The difference is the Chrysler folks
are out of business as of June 9th, 2009, whereas the
GM folks will continue to operate until September 30th,
2010. Chrysler also is not buying back vehicles or parts
from the terminated dealers, a very large sum of money
for all the dealers. What a shame!!! I apologize that I
seem to be your biggest/most verbose contributor to
the website. I do not mean to bore anyone, just have
something to say. Geezer
Hi, JanBee: I still have my loan application at JPMorgan
Chase, or I can pay cash by cashing out 4 bonds, but
that affects my cashflow. So, plan A may be back in
place; a collector car for the 50th year reunion and a
motor home. Len's car is probably a 300M - it has a flat
or squared-off rear end. Chrysler builds good cars, it's
ther treatment of the dealer network we hated. It was
OUR money, yet they told us what to do all the time like
we were married and/or step-children. Bankruptcy law
trumps all other legal activities, and what they are
doing to their dealers is legal, but very immoral and
unethical. I'm glad we "bit the dust" back in 1991 with
GM, and quit Chrysler in 1989. I have not heard if our
"successor" dealer in Fort Stockton (GM) was
terminated or not. The difference is the Chrysler folks
are out of business as of June 9th, 2009, whereas the
GM folks will continue to operate until September 30th,
2010. Chrysler also is not buying back vehicles or parts
from the terminated dealers, a very large sum of money
for all the dealers. What a shame!!! I apologize that I
seem to be your biggest/most verbose contributor to
the website. I do not mean to bore anyone, just have
something to say. Geezer
May 16 from Judy E, commenting on Ingres
and Rebus: Hi--love it! By the end of his life it
was Ingres' portraits, both painted and drawn,
that were recognized as his greatest legacy.
(Quote from Wikipedia). I do love his portraits!
(About Rebus) It's hard to tell which "Odalisque"
is the original! ;-)
and Rebus: Hi--love it! By the end of his life it
was Ingres' portraits, both painted and drawn,
that were recognized as his greatest legacy.
(Quote from Wikipedia). I do love his portraits!
(About Rebus) It's hard to tell which "Odalisque"
is the original! ;-)
| Above: Madame Moitessier by Ingres Right: Rebus by Jan Bee |
May 17 from Judy E: Jan Bee--when we were in
Amsterdam, there was a showing of Ingres's
portraits. I think you have to actually see them to
appreciate them. His lines are so distinct and exact
that you'd think the work was a photo. I specifically
remember the lace--luminous and a fine as cobwebs.
I'm surprised at myself that I could like the
Impressionist slap/dash chunky method and Ingres's
fine realism, too. I really like Vermeer---and Van
Gogh, whose work we were supposed to be looking
at in Amsterdam. We had a marvelous guide that had
us follow Van Gogh through Holland, northern
France, Paris, and Provence, staying in little priories
there and getting to see his rooms and grave. It was
the best tour we had and I'd LOVE to do something
similar again. (if you'd keep Cosette ;-) )
Amsterdam, there was a showing of Ingres's
portraits. I think you have to actually see them to
appreciate them. His lines are so distinct and exact
that you'd think the work was a photo. I specifically
remember the lace--luminous and a fine as cobwebs.
I'm surprised at myself that I could like the
Impressionist slap/dash chunky method and Ingres's
fine realism, too. I really like Vermeer---and Van
Gogh, whose work we were supposed to be looking
at in Amsterdam. We had a marvelous guide that had
us follow Van Gogh through Holland, northern
France, Paris, and Provence, staying in little priories
there and getting to see his rooms and grave. It was
the best tour we had and I'd LOVE to do something
similar again. (if you'd keep Cosette ;-) )
Cosette (above) had her bath today to get
rid of lingering sand and maybe sea
horses collected during a week at
Rockport. She prefers the baby shampoo
on her face and Pantene moisturizing
shampoo and conditioner for the rest of
her tiny body. I wish that a bath would
make me feel as good as she does after
hers! LYG-J
rid of lingering sand and maybe sea
horses collected during a week at
Rockport. She prefers the baby shampoo
on her face and Pantene moisturizing
shampoo and conditioner for the rest of
her tiny body. I wish that a bath would
make me feel as good as she does after
hers! LYG-J
May 26 from Dewey:
Just want to let you know that I heard from 78 of our 79 classmates so you
know who you were that forgot, actually I did recieve Birthday wishes from
our classmates and I was happy that they took the time to contact me. I
had a great day, it started with waking up. Once that is accomplished I feel
that the tone of the day is set and things can only get better. It was a great
day and now I am looking forward to doing all those things that I waited 67
years to do. I have enclosed a picture (below) of my pup, it really was a
great dog. More later, Dewey
Just want to let you know that I heard from 78 of our 79 classmates so you
know who you were that forgot, actually I did recieve Birthday wishes from
our classmates and I was happy that they took the time to contact me. I
had a great day, it started with waking up. Once that is accomplished I feel
that the tone of the day is set and things can only get better. It was a great
day and now I am looking forward to doing all those things that I waited 67
years to do. I have enclosed a picture (below) of my pup, it really was a
great dog. More later, Dewey
| May 25 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: Hope you and Len are having fun on all your travels. I envy you getting out to Northern California! JPMorgan Chase turned me down as well, so no land purchase, so back to looking for a "collector car from the '50s " for next year. Mother had 2 very bad spells this past week, so I am looking at assisted living homes for her, a Sterling House here in Lancaster or the one across I35E in DeSoto, where 3 of our other elderly church members are.Heard from Dewey in re his birthday. Did not call Benny. He and I sat close to one another in Miss Sparks class at BJHS, a thrill for us both! (ha-ha). Enjoy your travels! Geezer |
| Jan's California Trip (see more in Travel: California) |
May 21-25, 2009, Jan and
Len frolicked about with
Jan's son Jonathan and his
family in San Rafael,
where we watched Paul play
ball and viewed the kids'
school work for the year; ...
Len frolicked about with
Jan's son Jonathan and his
family in San Rafael,
where we watched Paul play
ball and viewed the kids'
school work for the year; ...
in San Francisco, where
we met Jon for lunch at the
famous Cliff House, a
landmark restaurant on the
Pacific shore; and...
we met Jon for lunch at the
famous Cliff House, a
landmark restaurant on the
Pacific shore; and...
in Novato, where we
attended a Greek Festival.
Next day we went to Mt.
Tam for Man of La Mancha.
attended a Greek Festival.
Next day we went to Mt.
Tam for Man of La Mancha.