Two dogs were resting under a tree in the park. Butch, the collie said, “Look at that dog walking with his mater. He has no freedom like we do while he is on that leash.” The other dog, a shepherd named Sleepy replied, “Actually, he has no freedom even off the leash. When the leash is removed at his master’s home, the home belongs to his master and the yard where he lives is fenced and belongs to his master. The food and water comes from his master. The dog owns nothing of his own.”

Some things never change. An editorial in a local newspaper in August 1960 quoted a youngster, “My parents are just too busy with their own affairs. They will see that I have clothes, food and shelter, and in addition, as many of the luxuries as they can afford to give me, but when it comes to actually spending some time with me, talking, enjoying recreation together or even taking interest in my homework, well, they just won’t give me the time of day.” The editorial was discussing the fact that school would begin in a few weeks and schools would attempt to educate children “in spite of themselves.”

What does fly-fishing have to do with healing your grief? I love to fish and especially fly-fish. I am a novice fly-fisherman. Someone who understands the sport of fly-fishing recognizes there are certain insect hatches that take place from early spring until late fall. Wading into the water to carefully examine what is going on in a lake, river or pond can underscore what the fish are feeding on. What some people don't understand is that fish feed under the water surface as the insect hatches rise from under the service of the water. [We therefore fly-fish under the surface - we call this "wet flyfishing". Other hatches have insects landing on the surface. [We fish with the fly floating on the surface of the water - we call this "dry fly fishing.”] In either case these hatches often cause a feeding frenzy. Capturing the ability to recognize what insect has caused the feeding frenzy and duplicate it with a fly always leads to success. I have fished with several different fly patterns with no success and then finally recognized the correct fly pattern and caught fish on almost every cast. Life is like that - to succeed often there is a need to change or adopt a new strategy. Goal setting can assist in our grieving strategy also. As a chaplain I have had the

Imagine you are walking along a wooded trail. It’s a bright mid-morning. There was a good rain earlier that morning, and the path you are walking on is a bit damp, if not muddy. But this doesn’t dampen your plans.

It is so hot and dry in Oklahoma, you can make sun tea instantly. Hot water comes from both taps. The cows give evaporated milk. You realize that asphalt has a liquid stage. You actually burn your hand opening the car door. You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window. The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance. You learned that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron. The temperature drops below 95° and you feel a little chilly. You discover in July it only takes two fingers to steer your car. You break into a sweat the minute you step outside at 7:30 AM. Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?" The potatoes are cooked underground so all you have to do is pull them out and add butter. The birds have to use potholders to pull the worms out of the ground,

"In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all, and it often comes with bitter agony. Perfect relief is not possible except with time. You cannot now believe that you will ever feel better, but this is not true. You are sure to be happy again. Knowing this, truly believing it will make you less miserable now. I have had enough experience to make this statement." ~Abraham Lincoln (Well said, Abe; however, I’m not sure that “perfect relief ” comes even with time.)

A recent Gallup poll of Americans determined that the Bible is accepted as the inspired word of God by only 20% of those surveyed! Twenty percent! Does this surprise you? Did you know that? What do you think about the Bible?

Tears fall from our eyes and cover our face, announcing to all that our emotions can no longer be contained. Then there are the silent tears, the ones that fall from our heart and cover our soul, the most painful tears imaginable. These are the tears from a pain so unbearable it cannot surface, lest it consume all that is you.

Letter to the Editor, Every day we hear about people starving all over the world by way of newspapers or TV, and I wish that I could help in some way. Well, we can all help in a small way here in Bristow.

With primary elections coming up next week, Western Oklahoma will face an important choice about who will be our voice in Congress. As western Oklahomans who are intensely aware of Congressional action, we've met and worked with countless politicians over the years to protect community newspapers and our rural way of life.