SCENE IN PASSING
MARIE WHITEHEAD herald@mediactr.com
Woe, woe is me. A few bumps on life's road have caused me to remember the plight and perils of Olive. Do you remember the female counterpart in the comic strip long ago? It featured Popeye, canned spinach and his very muscular biceps. Poor Olive was snatched from the pit of doom by her hero, Popeye, many times. She would be tied to the railroad track. A train would be screaming toward her. And she cried, "Help, help. Save me." Popeye to the rescue, of course, after he scarfed down a can of spinach and flexed his biceps. This week I Iaughed at Olive and remembered pain in the present.

On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, November '06, our building was devastated by water. Something broke and that's a long story. After more than four months, order was almost returned. Almost. And then, Olive screams for help again. Lightning struck in the pre-dawn hours, puncturing holes in another water line. More flooding - woe, woe I am. Popeye failed to heed the call to duty, but our wonderful office family rallied for the rescue. Now, all this time, the Olive in me continues to hope that funds will be found for the continued operation of the Texas State Railroad. And while screaming in my silence, another wave of terrorists attack from within. My office. A full blown migration of termites, looking for a new home, no doubt. That has been overcome, too. Many are the trials and tribulations of Olive, Pauline and Marie.

These words are not intended to voice complaint. They are informational, to let you know that I really do not live in an ivory tower, sitting on a satin pillow, reading good books and eating chocolate candy. In my dreams. It's just a laugh at myself moment. Sometimes it helps to see what we have survived and to remember with gratitude all those who were a part of the rescue effort. What a blessing to have a daughter and son-in-law who more than adequately fill the shoes of Popeye.

Remember that work went off schedule in order to produce your Cherokeean Herald on its regular schedule. This is not a problem. Just an adjustment. Now, look at the date of this issue. It is May 30. No ordinary day, no sir. Have you ever heard old-timers refer to "once in a blue moon?" What does it mean? Does the moon really turn blue? I never heard an explanation for the term until last week. A blue moon occurs when it is the second full moon in the same month. Some say it happens about every 2.7 years. I don't know that. We saw this month's first full moon on May 2. Tomorrow, May 3, we will dance with delight at the rare appearance of another "blue moon." Now, all of this and a dollar will still get you a cup of coffee at your favorite watering hole. Hope it brought the start of a smile to your face.

And at the reading of this, yesterday's new year will be five months old. Seven more to go. We will have had, hopefully, another festive celebration of Memorial Day weekend with proper and appropriate tribute paid to all who deserve to be celebrated by this national holiday. It is amazing that our nation is still intact. We have managed to survive some awesome events since its founding. Not to worry about that though. There's a new theory upon the earth that all of this will come to a close Dec. 21, 2012. This is based on prophecies/ predictions gleaned from the Mayan calendar, also another time schedule drafted by the Chinese. These two documents, created before the construction of the pyramids in Egypt, just simply stop with the date given above.Should we worry? Should we quit sending money to the IRS? Quit trying to lose weight? What difference does it make? None. Just a few thoughts for speculation, contemplation on this rare, blue moon day in Texas. Let's leave it to the scientists to ponder the possibilities of an Earth flip, changing its polar positions, and moving oceans and land masses like a game of dominoes. Well, it's only five years and seven months to wait. And this is exciting. But will there be a dam on the Neches River by then? Will the TSR still be running? I am not a gambler. My faith is in our Creator and all that He created, including people. What a fun time to be alive.

Let's see. Five months down, seven to go in this year. Five years and seven months to wait for 12/21/2012. "Help.. Help.. Save me." Keep smiling and God bless.