Mayberry

Remember the Andy Griffith Show? The reruns continue today; the show aired from 1960-1968. Mayberry was not a real place in the Carolinas; rather a "state of mind"—-based on Andy’s real life hometown. I remember as though it was yesterday sitting in front of the tv waiting to be entertained by this group of eccentric folks. I watched it because it made me laugh; simple enough reason huh?; simple because I was a kid and that was a simpler time. Another reason I watched was to catch a glimpse of my favorite character. I waited in anticipation wondering if he would have a role in that night’s episode. (I’ll reveal him in a bit…)

Today I realize it wasn’t just the laughs that kept me so intrigued with this fictional town; it was the personalities of the characters that I now identify with. If you take each character and roll them into the next and the next and so on, it will pretty much give you the sum of me at different stages of my life. It’s fascinating!!

Andy was sensible, responsible, fair, polite. Barney humored us with his goofiness, fragility, and fears; yet he had fierce affection and loyalty. Opie was respectful, honest, and tried to be a good son in spite of a few slipups. He learned as he grew. Aunt Bea nurtured everyone around her; maintained organization; and took her role in the household seriously. Floyd made conversations difficult at times due to his scattered brain; the world confused him causing his thoughts to drift. The faraway look in his eyes was the look of a "thinker". Howard Sprague gave straight laced a new dimension as he lived to please his mother and others around him; a perfectionist by nature. Emmitt realized he was no longer youthful, but tried to keep up the best he could. His "Fix It" shop is a place I can easily identify with. Otis acknowledged problems in his life and took matters into his own hands by locking himself up instead of counting on others to deal with his shortcomings.



AND THEN…My Favorite—Ernest T. Bass—“It’s me; it’s me; it’s Ernest T.!!” When he entered the scene I would bounce up and down, rolling in the floor in laughter! Why Ernest T? He ran through life barefooted while everyone else wore socks and lace up shoes. His excitement to see friends always called for a jump on their back for a quick piggyback ride. The joy for life; the ability to be himself; the simpleness of his soul. In spite of all of his childlike qualities he also possessed a moral and ethical standard of accountability. Mess with Ernest T. and get ready to be held accountable—-thus the launching of rocks and bricks in the direction of the guilty—-no questions asked—-he just aimed and let the suckers fly!!

Howard Morris was Ernest T. Bass’ real name. He died in May of this year from natural causes in Hollywood. His son, David, set up a web site for remembering his father-- http://www.ernestt.com/ . Comments of remembrance are welcome on the “memorial page”. In an effort to share more of his father with the public, he also provides his dad’s home phone number. He encourages fans to call and leave a voice message; the voice you will hear is “Ernest T.” before his passing. David listens to the messages periodically and clears them so there will be room for more callers. I think this is a remarkable tribute to his dad and an effective tool his son can use in his own grieving process.

Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bea, Floyd, Howard, Emmitt, Otis, and Ernest T. (there were also others added to the cast along the way)—-take all of these characters and form them into one person and that creation would come pretty darn close to being ME at different times of my life. Hear that whistle? That’s the Andy Griffith theme song; so I think I’ll drift back in time when things were simple and enjoy that “state of mind” known as Mayberry. Oh! and Ernest T. (Howard Morris) to use your quote--"I love you; I love you; I looovveee YOU!" Rest peacefully my dear man...

Photograph--Nickelback

Deciduous or Evergreen?

I recently purchased a digital camera and find myself "seeing" things from a different perspective. The lens zooms in and allows me to focus on the object at hand with intense specificity. Wandering around the backyard attempting to capture the perfect shot of the colors of autumn... a thought occurred to me---am I a deciduous tree or an evergreen?

For you see, I realized at that moment that people are like trees... think about it... Deciduous trees are green and thick in the summer; explode into magnificent color in the fall; release their leaves to the earth in winter; only to replenish their branches with the return of spring. Evergreens on the other hand remain steadfast, various shades of green, and lush year round.

Deciduous people don't resist change. They wear their colors for all to see regardless of the season. They know just when to explode into color and touch those around them with their inner beauty. Deciduous individuals also have the intuitiveness to know when to "fade" away, if just for a moment; and then return with the newness of spring.

Evergreens represent people that remain the same throughout their lives other than subtle changes equivalent to different shades of the same color. They are dependable, protective, predictable; change comes in the form of physically growing older. Their true selves are masked by the lushness of their loaded branches and revealed to a numbered few.

My favorite tree is the River Birch. It is deciduous and grows best along the water; even though they can be found virtually everywhere today. This tree is special to me because of the connection I have to my RIVER and because of its unique trunk. It not only produces green leaves for summer, changes beautiful colors in the fall, releases its leaves in the winter, becomes reborn in the spring; but it also sheds its bark---a steady rough peeling that reveals a smooth skin underneath.

As I focused the camera in on the colorful autumn trees I noticed something else. No matter what angle I turned the camera; no matter what position I stood in the yard; every frame included the beautiful deciduous trees AND the majestic evergreens. Side by side; growing from the same soil; so different in appearance and stature; yet trees nonetheless.

As people we walk on the same soil; some of us are deciduous; some of us are evergreens; and others are a combination of the two. We're so very different, yet living side by side just as trees do. What kind of tree am I? My intention is to strive to be a River Birch---growing, changing, colorful, finding peace close to the water, "fading" when it's appropriate, and most important continuously shedding my personal baggage while always leaving a layer of protectiveness behind to nurture the newness of me slowly being revealed. What kind of tree are YOU?

Dodge Ball

Lined up against the wall
The other team taking aim
I’m the target; I can sense it.

Trying to distract with wit
The glare only becomes more focused
Waiting me out, time standing still…

Adrenaline rushing inside
Outwardly remaining calm
Wondering if I can dodge the inevitable.

The speeding ball makes contact
Taking my breath away
The glare remains focused.

This is not a game; it’s life
Dodging is not an option
The keeper of the ball will claim victory.

Seizing the ball
Readying my aim
Finding safety in holding it.

Dodge ball was never my game of choice
It made me feel powerless
As does life, everytime I release the ball.

Dust In The Wind--Kansas