I have never been accused of being overly bright and have even been accused of being on the slow side at times. I have read a great deal and one old boy wrote something one time that I believe whole heartedly. His name was Shakespeare I think and he said something like "Every Man Is An Island". I interpreted that to mean none of us can survive by ourselves; at least we won't be successful by our lonesome.
Those so called self made men who claim that they did it all on their own lonesome self are either forgetful or they are liars. They may want to brag a bit on themselves and forget who helped to get them there. I might have been toting a number around on my chest and looking through a windowless opening that has bars instead of glass panes had it not been for some great people in my life. They came along at the exact time and I am still thankful for each one.
The first person who made a profound impression on my peckerwood head was Miss Sally Carter my first grade teacher. She was a round chubby lady with gray hair always done up in a tight bun. She was always on the school play yard before the bell rang in the morning and again at recess and the noon break. All of the kids loved and respected her, even the older students.
I was born in Arkansas on a farm and I'm sure I was country even at age six. My parents had died almost at the same time and I was moved to Oklahoma to live with an Aunt that I had never met. She and my uncle by marriage did not want me because they couldn't afford me. She let it be known almost daily that if it wasn't for her I would be sent to the orphanage where she said they half fed and beat kids daily. I had three brothers and three sisters who were spread out with kin folks and lived under about the same conditions as I did. Even though we were in a small town of about five thousand we very seldom got to see one another and I did not get to know my sibs until we were grown. It wasn't a pleasant childhood for any of us.
The first thing that a youngster does when he moves into a new town is fight or run. My older brothers and sisters had always roughhoused with me back home and three or four cousins also kept me in an uproar so I wasn't going to run. The first graders were easy-three of them jumped me the first day and after the fights were over none of the rest wanted to try me. A couple of second graders jumped me and I was able to break them of that habit.
There was a large third grade student that came next and strangely enough we became good friends later. Not this day-we were at it hammer and tong when Miss Carter saw us and she had me closed up in her strong arms and was scolding the third grader rather loudly I had a bloody nose and a fat lip and he wasn't pretty ether. Miss Carter washed the blood and dirt off me and hugged me and told me she loved me and not to fight.
I guess I was her pet because anytime that she wanted the erasers dusted and the blackboard washed she would let me do it. If she needed an errand run she would always let me do it. After she retired from teaching she was appointed the city Librarian and she saw to it that I got a card and I honestly read every book in her library and many of them multiple times. I had a nice visit every time that I went by to check out another book. She was A gift of GOD to my childhood.
My brother Duke was thirteen when we were moved to Oklahoma and even though we didn't live together he was a great influence on my life. Coming from a farm in Arkansas we had never heard of a game called football. Both my older brothers were gifted it turned out we played on the junior high, High school and later were awarded scholarships to college. He Set The Example And I followed it to a tee. I also was awarded a scholarship to college after finishing High school. My oldest brother was almost like a Daddy in the beginning, a teacher next and the best of buddies all our life.
We golfed, fished and hunted together, even drank a little beer on special occasions. He was always my number one supporter while I played ball and later when I coached high school football, wrestling and golf. He was the greatest man I ever knew. He was a great success in private life and professional.
Another great man who had an impact on my life was Henry Payne Iba the famous Oklahoma State basketball coach and director of athletics for 31 years at A & M. (this was before becoming Oklahoma State). He and my Brother were as close as brothers and that is how I knew Coach Iba so well. We played golf, fished and we hunted the fields for quail and Pheasant for years. He loved to talk and I loved to listen. I used many of his stories in my own coaching and teaching experiences.
There were many others who helped me through life but not in the same degree that those three people did. One taught me to read and write and think positive about myself. Another taught me right from wrong and to be more aggressive in life. The third taught me the intricate methods of intertwining with people. How to meet problems head on while ALWAYS maintaining my cool. All of the teachings and good advice that I received from those three individuals has lasted a life time.
The good rains has kept Sam Rayburn full, and has added needed oxygen to the lake. The White Perch are hitting in the brush at about the fifteen foot level in the fields that are in twenty five feet of water. The White Bass are on and around in big open fields near the river. They come out of the river for a daily hitting spree that may last for hours. Some schooling now and it will get better. The Catfish are still near the rocks around the highway bridges and are hitting. Buckle Up, Drive With Care, Put On A Life Jacket And I'll See You On The Lake.
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