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

Cold weather, wind, ice and snow have trapped many people inside their homes.

The wind howls like a pack of hungry wolves and the thermometer drops like an elevator. It makes one appreciate the crackling fireplace. I am a professional napper, so on Saturday I felt really bad that I slept through all the daily political mud-slinging on TV.

I did make a quick run to the pharmacy, where a friend casually asked me how I was doing.

My past answer has been, "As bad as I've been feeling, I'm just hiding from the undertaker."

In fact, the grim reaper has been pretty busy in these parts over the past couple of weeks. It's a good thing that we haven't had a hard freeze or the grave-diggers would have a tough time.

As I was half-sleeping through a show on TV, I saw that there are 12 million hungry children in the U.S. The past seven-plus years of Mr. Bush's stewardship have not been a time the American people can be proud of.

If we took the money we spent on the war in Iraq for one day, we could ease this hunger situation. If that makes me sound like a liberal, then consider me guilty.

If our troops ever do get to come home, the Veterans Administration is never going to be able to supply enough antidepressants to help them. And then we have all of the amputees and other injuries.

The type of war we are waging with the soldiers heading over for three or even four tours has demoralized our troops. They can see no end to it. A lot of people say it is better to fight them over there than here. If so, let's quit pussyfooting around and instead of being on the defense, let's get on the offensive.

I also saw on TV that the damage from Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast is still not all cleaned up. It will probably still be a mess there when the next storm hits.

For at least a century, fishermen have been able to cross the railroad tracks and fish the streams on the other side. Now, along comes this Mickey Mouse new railroad company and they don't want anglers to trespass on their right-of-way.

The Fish Commission said it has to stop the stocking of these streams because of this. They had better get ready for an all-out war once the sportsmen react.

I could see a safety hazard if there were high-speed passenger trains flying through there. This bunch of clowns can't even get up the grade with 10 coal cars.

Maybe their trespass fines will make them more money than they're getting from all the hauling.

The plan to change the name of Emporium's Fourth Street to honor the great General McNarney seems like a good idea.

I still like Ken Gerg's idea of moving the Cameron County Historical Society's Little Museum from Sterling Run to Emporium.

March 16, Palm Sunday, is a significant day for Christians. The following Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. A sunrise service will be held, weather permitting, at Newton Cemetery.

Then comes St. Patrick's Day on Monday, March 17. That is the day when everyone is Irish and you had better be wearing some green.

Old Paddy the Irishman was down at the local pub on St. Patrick's Day downing the green draft beers. The bartender said, "Paddy you have had enough and I think you better go home."

"Okay, Ed," Paddy answered. He slipped off from the barstool and crawled right out of the pub, heading down the street on his hands and knees to his house.

The next morning his wife said to him, "Paddy, did you have a few too many last night?"

Paddy answered, "I guess I did. I don't remember coming home. Why do you ask?"

She answered, "Because Ed down at the bar called and said you forgot your wheel chair!"

Next Friday, March 21, is the first day of spring. I have seen a couple of robins and a whole bunch of doves. I'll bet with the way the weather has been and the forecasts, it will be late in April before we hear the peepers.

Last Friday, I heard a flock of geese heading north. With the low clouds, I could not see them. The robins, the doves and the geese are a sure sign of spring but I think Mother Nature has played a trick on them.