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