As much as I hate telephones, I loathed pagers. I was, admittedly, spoiled by years of minimal interference in the field. We did the usual schtick on the 2-way. Hand over mouth responding, “We can’t hear you. You’re breaking up. We’re headed to the story. No landlines. Sorry, can’t hear you”. There was one phone … Continue reading THE REAL BEGINNING – GARRY ARMSTRONG
Personal
SMILING FACES, SOUR CHERRIES – Marilyn Armstrong
Bad days are like sour cherries. Even in a great batch of fruit, you hit some duds. As you munch, you're going to get some berries that are overripe, sour, or bitter. You bite into them, make a face, and put them aside. You don't eat them because they don't taste good. Life is like this. Day … Continue reading SMILING FACES, SOUR CHERRIES – Marilyn Armstrong
GREAT TEACHERS: A VERY LONG DEFERRED THANK YOU – Marilyn Armstrong
In the course of my school days, I had a handful of great teachers to whom I will be eternally grateful. They taught me to learn, to love reading, to make up stories and write them down. To write non-fiction that was complete, accurate and unbiased. To find humor in physics. To love history, religion, … Continue reading GREAT TEACHERS: A VERY LONG DEFERRED THANK YOU – Marilyn Armstrong
PEOPLE SAY THE NICEST THINGS! – Marilyn Armstrong
How often have you wondered whether you should say "thank you" or punch that person in the mouth? Insults I understand, but the compliments that really aren't, baffle me. Is it personal ambivalence? Is it possible they don't understand the difference between a compliment and meanness? Or, for that matter, an insult? As a child, … Continue reading PEOPLE SAY THE NICEST THINGS! – Marilyn Armstrong
WHEN BONES DON’T KNIT – Marilyn Armstrong
Yesterday morning, I dropped the mouse for the computer in the bedroom. I reached down to pick it up and a pain shot through my chest, down my arm and I yelped. I had a lot of heart surgery more than five years ago. Most of it has healed well. The thing that hasn't healed properly … Continue reading WHEN BONES DON’T KNIT – Marilyn Armstrong
FEARLESS – Marilyn Armstrong
Just as pain warns our bodies that something is wrong, fear warns our brains to be cautious. Excessive or unreasoning fear can cripple us, make us unable to do anything at all. Phobias can eliminate some activities entirely. If you are terrified of heights, sky-diving and mountain climbing are likely to be non-starters. If you … Continue reading FEARLESS – Marilyn Armstrong
FIRST, FORGIVE YOURSELF AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW – Marilyn Armstrong
One Sunday in church, Pastor's sermon was about forgiveness. He asked everyone in the church to stand up. Then he asked those who had any enemies to sit down. Everyone sat down but one very old woman. "You have no enemies at all?" asked Pastor. "Not a single one," she answered, nodding her agreement. "Please, come up … Continue reading FIRST, FORGIVE YOURSELF AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW – Marilyn Armstrong
