On The Fly

In this episode  Twas the Night Before Christmas . . .  by Clement Clarke Moore Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature  was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. When out on the roof, there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window, I flew like a flash, tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles, ...

I’ve found the Norelco commercials for this Christmas season! Why do I even look? I’m asking myself. Well, there’s a certain comfort in cherished memories that make the Holidays special. What are your treasured memories? It was only yesterday . . . Santa cruising down the snow-filled slopes on his triple-head Norelco electric shaver. Before your time? No problem they're on YouTube - of course. Now Santa is selling you a luxury sports car (A red BMW ). Have you noticed how fast time flies as you get up in years? We’re already into December, and yes , “Christmas - is - just around the corner.” As a youngster I was convinced - just around the corner - meant Main Street; Marshall’s Hardware - Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to see all the holiday decorations and toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s was the only Christmas tree lot that I can remember in Cuba, Illinois. Waiting for Christmas, seemed like an eternity. The toys hav...

"Don't worry, Mom, if it is your time to leave this world and join Dad in heaven, rest assured I love you; we all love you. We will be fine; you've raised your children well. I will miss you deeply." On October 30, 2018, at 2:15 p.m. Mauricette Elaine Ball (Bontemps) left this world, with her family by her side, in the comfort of her carefully crafted home, finally at rest. My mother was born in La Rochelle, France, on February 16, 1934. She grew up in a metropolitan port with a population of about 60,000 in the late 1950s. Her life dramatically changed at 23 when she met a young man, Donald Lee Ball , from Canton, Ill., while working at the lunch counter on the Army Base where he was stationed in Lagord, France. They married and moved to the rural midwestern town of Cuba, Illinois. Together they raised an upstanding family. Well . . .  Mother cherished her family deeply. There were no Dr. Spock books from the 1960s to instruct her on how to raise her c...

Mauricette Elaine Ball (Bontemps), 84,  of Cuba passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2018 in the comfort of her home, with her loving children by her side. Mauricette was born February 15, 1934 in La Rochelle, France to Roger Jean Francois Bontemps and Lucienne Marie Fernande Percot of Lagord, France. Mauricette met and married Donald Lee Ball in La Rochelle, France. With barely a command of the English language immigrated to America in 1959. As a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mauricette cherished her family above all. Her marriage to Donald flourished, together they built an upstanding family. Donald passed in January 2015. What God has kept together for over 57 years, he shall keep together for all eternity. Mauricette, known as Marci to her friends, served her community as a cook at Cuba Elementary School, a housekeeper and caregiver for the elderly, and a self-taught beautician. During the fall harves...

“Let’s do it, this morning drive to Glacier Point , the weather is beautiful today, no plans, just spend some time exploring.” Little did we know that the trip would provide an experience we would fall in love with yet again. For our 30 th anniversary, we were drawn once again to the tranquility of Yosemite. Exploring the National Parks - exquisite solitude, exhilaration, and the delight of re-discovery. Once we arrived, no set agenda, just go wherever nature leads you. This year, we arrived in Yosemite early October; the gold and crimson colors were clearly evident. The vibrant colors of fall, mixed with the stark coal-black recent fire damage, tiptoed up the mountain walls. Early mornings, a slight mist hugged the meadows at Wawona, illuminated by a soft diffused light. The air was crisp and cool – many would say downright cold - clean with the fresh scent of wet pines carried on the breeze. Temperatures dropped into the 30s at night. Our vacation home this year...

Close your eyes and picture this; it's early evening, a cool crisp breeze in the Western Sierras, relaxing in the parlor of Wawona Hotel , masquerading as the Big Trees Hotel, which opened in 1879, a baby grand in the corner, at the keyboard, piano man, Tom Bopp asks, "Any requests?" "Do you know any Cole Porter?" He winked and smiled, "I could play Cole Porter all night."  Then he launched into: "When the little bluebird Who has never said a word Starts to sing "Spring, spring" When the little bluebell At the bottom of the dell Starts to ring, ding ding When the little blue clerk In the middle of his work Starts a tune to the moon up above It is nature; that's all Simply telling us to fall in love." "Birds do it, bees do it Even educated fleas do it Let's do it; let's fall in love." Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love - Cole Porter 1928 That melody sta...

In this episode - Acres of Diamonds . . .   "Each of us is, at this moment, standing in the middle of his or her Acres of Diamonds."  Just this week (02/17/2022), I've re-discovered this powerful message once again. This got me thinking. Are you struggling with success? I challenge you to listen to this Podcast every morning for one month and practice positive principles. It was over 60 years ago when Earl Nightingale wrote and produced what has become known as The Strangest Secret . An LP record sold over a million copies, making it the first spoken-word recording to achieve Gold Record status.  The promise of his message was this, "We become what we think about." I must have been about nine when that quote first entered my mind. Our family's morning breakfast routine was to listen to  "Our Changing World"  Earl Nightingale's daily five-minute radio program. It was syndicated on our local radio station: "WBYS - AM, and FM—Canton, Ill...