Up The Creek Without A Paddle
Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008!
by Terry Toole

Would you believe it, I've made it to 2008, I hope, since I'm writing this three days before the New Year comes in. With all things considered, and all that's happened, that is quite an accomplishment after the year 2007.

Come to think of it, every year that I make it to a New Year is quite an accomplishment for "ye scribe."

What's the old saying or there abouts, "If you do right, you could make it to three score and ten years. If you do really good, you might make it longer." I know that's not the exact words, but in effect, it means that if all goes as planned, we could make it to 70. If we do better than planned, we could make it longer.

To whosoevers time I own now, I thank you. Maybe you can borrow some time from someone else.

When I made it to 70, I figured I was right lucky. That was longer than most of my blood kin on the men's side lived.

As one of my friends told me when I made it to 72 last week, "You are living on someone else's time."

I have some good friends that are getting deeper into their 80s and still doing good. Some of them continue to work, plan and keep on going like they will be here forever. We all know that won't happen to any of us, but a good attitude sure does help.

It's the time of the year to make plans and resolutions for the coming year. With the editions coming just a few days apart for the past few weeks, I just do have time to plan the next edition of the Liberal. Things will smooth off after this edition is completed, I hope.

As for my plans way ahead or resolutions for the upcoming year, some of my friends advice might be good. I've been told not to buy any green bananas and don't worry about stocking up for too much ahead.

When I got hold of a bad oyster a few weeks ago, I thought I was going to leave this world. For a few days, I really didn't care if I did. Whatever it was, oyster or gallstones, I don't want it any more. I never did go see what it was, but I'm feeling great now.

The last time I went to a doctor, he gave me two pieces of good news. The first being, I wasn't going to die a young man. The second being, the doctor said he would see me in about eight months. That was just two months ago. I almost went anyway when they thought I was going to pass.

Some friends asked us to go out and eat with them last week. They were planning on some oyster stew. I had already told my first wife if she ever saw me eating oysters again in any form to call the folks with the white suits to come get me.

Now I used to love raw oysters as good as anyone could have, but just the chance of getting another bad one, raw, boiled or fried is not worth the pain.

Other than still being weak from losing 15 pounds in four days, I'm feeling good for a boy my age. My crew must think I'll make it, they haven't slackened up one bit on what I'm expected to do.

If the New Year is half as good as the Old Year went out, it's going to be great. We cooked for a couple of dozen family and friends on Christmas morning. I really can't remember how long we've been doing that. I guess you could say it's a tradition. We've lost some good ones and gained some more.

All my children and grandchildren were home for Christmas along with a bunch of kin and friends. We had a variety of ages from fiveto 93. We all ate way too much.

This was the first Christmas in several years that we didn't have something bad happen on Christmas day. Thank you Lord!

As for the New Year's resolutions, I'm going to try to keep as many old friends as possible and make as many new friends as possible. In this business, that is an almost impossible task.

We all have the same opportunity to make good or bad choices. I've done my share of both. I pray that I can do better today.