My former elementary school basketball coach, Mr. Trease, always said it was just as important to be a good sport in winning as in losing. He had a favorite quote which he said a bit differently than the way Grantland Rice said it. Mr. Trease said it this way: “When the Great Score Keeper comes to write your name, it matters not whether you won or lost but how you played the game.”

Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every deficiency of the modern world. But, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was not the senior citizens who took: The melody out of music.

We joke about the man who thanks the preacher after the sermon: “Thanks, Preacher-Man! This morning I had a refreshing nap.” We chuckle; but all kidding aside, what about that man’s spiritual health?

Are you cherishing those moments that bring joy to your heart, smiles to your lips, tears to your eyes, or that warmth that envelops your whole being? When you look fondly, tenderly upon these moments in your mind, do you remember that most of them are a sheer memory because you didn't have a camera ready to capture that heartfelt twinkling in time, nor had you planned to be right there at that place at that exact instance either? All you need to do is to pause during your day and pay attention to what and who is around you. When we are in trying times, it can be challenging to find things that are still bright, noble, loving and promising.

While working in my front yard the other day, I noticed the mailman zip past our house without stopping. Not too unusual and my only thought was, “Evidently had no mail today.” But just a few minutes later here he came again, from the other direction. Our neighborhood consists of a couple of streets built in a figure eight. It circles thru about fifty homes, so it really isn’t that large of mail delivery zone. But it can be confusing to a newbie, which obviously he was.

Ingredients 1 lb. Green beans, trimmed 6 tbsp.

Ingredients 24 gingersnap cookies ½ cup pecans 2 tbsp. Sugar 3 tbsp.

Bristow Into Action Bristow Into Action Alcoholics Anyomous meeting is temporarily being held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at 708 West 11th Street, Bristow.

Daddy was an unusual person. He grew up in an era when cowboys were real. His favorite memory was a cattle drive with his father and his best friend. His was a life of responsibility and a no-nonsense approach to whatever needed to be done. That does not mean he was dour: he loved music, playing with us kids, and was a friendly, albeit controlled, sort of man. Indeed, people always greeted him warmly. Of his eight children, he had to raise seven unaided by his wife (my mother) who was ill and unable to be with him and us at home. When I was five, he became an original “Mr. Mom,” remaining home to do all the things a housewife does to care for all of us. Since I was the youngest child, I learned from my older siblings to obey Daddy. From him, I learned to do my tasks without complaining, to be on time, to be thoughtful, of others and of animals, to be honest and self-controlled, to be responsible, to never tarnish our family name, and that I could rely on him.

Some will ask, “How can I be strong and courageous during such troublesome times?” Sure, our world, and particularly our country, finds us in desperate and seemingly hopeless circumstances at times.