I thought I might touch on a few thoughts and ideas, or “Tidbits” today. I have decided to pursue a few other interests I have long put off, so my last column will be on October the 11th.

I will be actively trying to put together a book of short stories soon and I am blowing the dust off the guitar. Mainly I hope to just relax and enjoy myself. I would really enjoy hearing from you before I am gone, though from time to time I might reappear. I will be thanking the newspaper and their wonderful staff a little later of course, but right now I just want to thank you so much for taking a moment out of your busy day to read the foolishness of an old story teller.

Uncle Bruce and Aunt Dorothy had been married for fifty years and several in the family had asked Uncle Bruce if he had planned anything really special for the occasion. Uncle Bruce replied he had planned a trip to the old country so Dorothy could meet and get acquainted with her family. Uncle Bruce related that he couldn’t go because of last minute business. Everyone in the family thought it was a wonderful gesture until Uncle Bruce said, “And if we make it to sixty years, I’ll fly her back!”

The world we live in is changing so fast, sometimes it’s hard to believe what you see on television or read in the papers. Normal behavior, decent behavior, seems to be disappearing and the media would have us believe that a deviant lifestyle is now the norm. Well, I don’t believe it.

Now I’m not talking Norman Rockwell here but I believe there are still families out there that go to church together, take their meals together, and plan their lives together. The media has been allowed to show our children, and us, blood and guts and sex, and has reduced the shock value of knowing just how dirty and devious this old world can become. I blame the owners of the television networks, newspapers like “USA Today”, the liberal professors. Today it doesn’t seem to matter if a story is true or not, only how much dirt it can expose for ratings. They hide the dirt of one political party while digging with steam shovels to expose anything they can on the other political party.

But there is one thing they are overlooking. President Nixon called them the “silent majority” and though they might be silent, they all know how to vote. I have only one opinion, but I don’t believe this country can stand another four years like we have just been through. It is imperative that the “silent majority” rises to the challenge and blows some fresh, freedom-loving air into this country, before it’s too late.

I’ll be right back.