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

Every deer season, a visiting hunter will ask me how the hunting will be this year. My standard answer is, "The hunting is good, but the finding isn't all that great."

That has been the case for several years as our deer herd gets smaller and smaller. It has been even harder this year with the rainy opening two days.

Did you hear that, because of the Donald Imus flap, the speech police do not want Santa Claus to say, "Ho, ho, ho!" I'm serious. The next time I sit on Santa's lap and he says, "Ha, ha, ha!," I am going to rap him on his cherry red nose.

I feel sorry for people who are so sensitive about using a word that they will attack a harmless tradition. Whenever I wanted my kids or grandchildren's attention, I would say, "Ho Ho is coming, so you'd better be good." What's wrong with that?

Some thinskinned people seem to think they can say anything they want, but when it's your time to offer some rebuttal then you are called prejudiced. I respect anyone's opinion, but please give me the same consideration.

Just a couple of Ho Ho Hos, Santa, that's all I want.

Tattoos seem to be the most sought after new fashions by the young girls today. Another thing that intrigues them is body piercing

Do you realize that in about 40 years we'll have millions of old ladies running around with tattoos and pierced navels? I am glad that I won't be around to witness that.

Emporium's new bakery and cafe is sure to improve our downtown image. I know for a fact that the construction that took place inside was of the highest quality. I hope that their food and baked goods are of the same high quality. I wish them all the success in the world.

With 14 vacant storefronts in the main business district, a new face will be a welcome sight. The window dressing in the vacant storefronts adds to the downtown area's appearance, but I would be happier if those businesses really were occupied.

When strangers pass through, they probably think that our small business people are still hanging on. Sadly, small business is just about extinct. Will we ever see the return of our downtown? I hope so.

One of the things that makes life so complicated is that we have to get old. My mother once told me when I was 15 and wishing I were older so I could get my driver's permit, "You can wish your life away, but you won't get that permit until you reach 16."

Mama sure had a way with words and could explain everything so that it was so easy to understand.

This older lady went to see her doctor. She complained about getting old and said she hurt no matter what part of her body she touched. The doctor said, "Well, show me where it is that you hurt."

She touched her forehead and let out a moan of pain. Then she said, "Watch this doctor," and she reached down and touched her ankle and again a loud retort of pain came from her lips.

"What do you suppose is wrong?" she asked.

The doctor looked her in the eye and said, "You have a broken finger!"