Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

Tuesday was the second day of deer season and you could have hunted in your international orange Bermuda shorts. I went past the Emporium Country Club and the duffers were all over the course.

Hunting was very good, but the finding sure wasn't up to snuff. In another couple of years, with this group of game managers, we may not have to worry about hunting, as there will not be a deer herd in Pennsylvania.

This year's deer camp was no different then the previous ones. Usually, I get stuck with the cooking. This year, we had a cook who didn't hunt and he could devote his time to the job. So I had a relaxing time.

The traditional Saturday before deer season dinner menu went like this: prime rib, baked potatoes, mushrooms with peppers and onions, green beans, creamed corn, salad and three kinds of pie. Sunday we had a baked ham with all the trimmings and on Monday we had spaghetti with meatballs, Italian sausage, and so many more things I can't remember.

We were not at a five-star restaurant but we ate like we were. Seems that the older you get, the more the food at camp is more interesting than the hunting. It's hard to tell how much damage we did to our bodies. Camp is fun but there is no place like home.

For the first time since we were kids, my older brother and I said grace and had Thanksgiving dinner together. The drive down to Benton, Pa., early that morning was beautiful.

My wife took over my niece's kitchen and turned out a feast that everyone enjoyed. My brother looked at me, smiled, and said, "Just like Mom used to do it." We watched football, finished off the pie and headed home.

The great Christmas light festival helps people get in the holiday mood. Christmas shopping on "Black Friday" leads to Green Saturday. When the people realize on Saturday how much they spent, they turn green worrying how they are going to pay for everything.

The Salvation Army bellringers are everywhere. They are a hardy group as they man the kettles, no matter what the weather is.

Then there are the lines. There are different types of lines we have to stand in, and a certain protocol we follow for each. If you are in a hurry and want to get agitated, just go to the Post Office. There is always someone in line to hold you up.

One line that I don't mind too much is the grocery store. You can visit with people and it isn't considered out of place to tell a joke or two. Don't try and buck the line, though, or some hefty housewife might hit you with a frozen pizza.

Banks are another place where you have to be on your best behavior in line. You must be very dignified. If you have a question for someone in line, you must whisper, as you don't want to distract the teller.

Getting shots is another line that can be very unpleasant. Once, while stationed at Whieman AFB, Missouri, we got an overseas assignment. My wife had our three sons lined up with me. When it was time for my youngest son to get his shot, he was nowhere to be found. He had slipped away and hid in a cabinet in the next room. It took an hour to find him. I won't tell you what he got when he got home.

I firmly believe English should be our first language in this country. When I did a lot of traveling to other countries, you can bet Grandma's corset that their first language was whatever their native tongue is. Just about everyone I know can speak and understand English.

What I would really like to know is why, after the President has given a speech, do the news reporters come on and say, "What he really meant was..." Then they give us their explanation. I believe if the man was speaking English, then I know what he said.