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Off the
Wall
Dec. 28,
2006
Now that we have edged past Christmas, we find ourselves
in a time period where people are actually doing one of two things,
making resolutions for the New Year, or looking back over the
events of 2006 recalling the various dates that made history.
Of consequence, I thought I would share with you
some of the many letters I received throughout the year as a
way of bringing to light some of the blessings I received as
a result of sharing my opinions.
Anytime a writer such as myself relinquishes an
opinion, there is definitely going to be someone who does not
agree. In essence, to try to understand others' views is challenging.
That's what makes this column so much fun.
One of my biggest "fans" is my Aunt Ilse
from Michigan. In her mid-eighties, she has told me how much
she looks forward each week to my Off the Walls. Let me cite
some examples: "Your Valentine's story inspired me to make
Valentines for the grandkids." In the column called "Is
that fun," she states, "Fun to me is an action word.
I usually need other people around me to have fun. If a friend
is willing to help me wash windows, it's fun. Otherwise, it is
a chore. To me watching an event isn't much fun. I need to be
a player. It's not fun for me to shop. It's the most boring thing
I can think of. It's fun to share. It's fun to dance. It can
also be fun to make a fool of yourself once in a while."
I think I must have hit her "funny" bone!
When I published my column titled, "Pretty
pretty, Ilse unleashed her sense of humor by commenting, "I
think the word pretty is pretty much over used. I have to admit
that is feels pretty darn nice at my age to hear someone say
you look so pretty today. We had quite a few cats living with
us. I made a pretty bad mistake when we first moved on these
10 acres. I put a sign in the front yard that read 'FREE KITTENS.'
After that, it seemed as though every pretty kitty thought we
sent out an invite for him or her to come and stay with us. It
really wasn't pretty."
In a column titled "Maxed out" concerning
kids having credit cards, she said I brought back some memories
she really hadn't thought about after leaving Pittsburgh where
she resided with her sisters in the house of my parents.
"At the time I was living with you guys in
Brookside Farms," she began, "you couldn't get a credit
card back then, but there were stores where you could buy on
credit. After I had a job and a few paychecks I decided to buy
a dress on credit. After all, I was going to a special party
that weekend. Your mom wasn't too happy with me when I showed
off my new dress and my credit booklet. I found out there was
no such thing as easy credit. I was taken in by the ad on TV
that went "Easy Credit, Easy Credit. Wilkins is the Place
Where You Can Get It."
Sometimes when I write some of my columns, I think
to myself, no one will have a comeback on this one, and to my
surprise, I get several emails. That was the case with one I
titled Annie's B & B. In it I related my experience at such
a place my brother, sister and I visited in Lewisburg, PA.
One reader wrote, "Of all the B & B's I've
stayed in in Europe the most wonderful one was in Wales. The
home dated back to the 1500s and our bedroom was sloped so you
almost had to hang onto the side of the bed to stay there. The
folks who owned it adopted 'slow' children and one of them stayed
right by my side because my name was Patricia and so was hers.
She loved that. The farmhouse looked out onto acres and acres
of farmland with sheep and cows grazing in this beautiful green
grass.
Patricia wanted us to see her new baby puppies and
so took us to the barn. I had on flip-flops and didn't want to
walk inside. Patricia said, C'mon init's only muck after
all!!!"
A respected member of our community often will send
me emails concerning the columns' content stating the ease of
readability, message conveyed and/or point well taken. I have
been told "You are deep, impressive, insightful and astounding."
As much as any writer would like to think of himself
as being so, it would be wrong for me to take full credit. I
give God all the glory for His inspiration and direction.
May He bless each of you in 2007.
Paul j. volkmann
1/30/06
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