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

Is it just me, or does the clock seem to move at a faster pace on weekends?

Everyone waits for Friday and before you know it the evening is shot and its time to hit the hay.

The younger people can take advantage of sleeping on Saturday morning, but most of the older folks wake up at the same time every day. Usually they don't need an alarm clock because their body functions need tending to anyhow.

Saturday usually means that we have to go shopping and before you know it the day is shot. My recliner must emit some kind of a sleep-inducing chemical, because it only takes a couple of minutes and I am comatose.

The wake-up routine is the same for Sunday. At our house, Sunday morning means a breakfast that is fit for a king. Then it's a hot shower and rushing around getting ready for church.

The weather has a big influence on what gets done on Sunday afternoon. With the new snow cover last Sunday, we decided to take a ride and see what it had done for the scenery.

We took Broad Street Bridge and headed up the hill. The drive was spectacular, as the new snow coated the pines. Looking down at the West Creek Road and the rooftops of the houses reminded me of my days flying. Route 120 looked like a black ribbon laid out on the snow as it faded out of sight on its way to St. Marys.

The 'Emporium overlook' is a popular scene along the way of the ride we took Sunday.

We stopped across from Moore Hill Cemetery. Sarge and I took a short walk and the snow was about six inches deep. The view down the hill towards Rupp's farm was a scene of peace and tranquility.

The lonely cry of a faraway crow was the only sound that was heard. The Master Painter is the only one who could have created this scene. It made you think all was right with the world.

Well, 2008 is a Leap Year and February will have 29 days. It is supposed to be okay for a girl to ask a boy to marry her. I don't know if the boy is still expected to buy the engagement ring.

In the comic strip "Lil' Abner," they had a Sadie Hawkins Day and the gals could ask the guys to marry them. Al Capp was the creator of Lil' Abner and he had an artificial leg. During WWII, he worked in Washington DC. One day during an air raid drill, he was running down the hall and his leg came off. One of the women who was also on her way out of the building screamed, "We are under attack and they have shot off the leg of Mr. Capp!"

When I was in high school we use to have a Sadie Hawkins Day dance. The girls dressed up like Daisy Mae and the boys like Lil' Abner. I was straight off the farm and didn't have much trouble acting like Abner.

People born on the 29th of February only get to celebrate their birthday every four years. Think of all the parties and gifts they miss out on.

This Sunday, the Super Bowl will keep most folks occupied. I mainly watch to see how funny the commercials are. I hope they have someone who can sing the national anthem. Sometimes the artist doing the singing changes the music to fit his or her style. I really think that is unpatriotic.