The County Line - December Issue v5i66

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Volume 5 Issue 66

National News and Opinions mixed with Local Small Town History and Story Telling.

Representing the small-town conservative viewpoint of what makes this country great!

~Mike Norris, Owner & Publisher

Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

Monthly Issue

December ,

2012

In This Issue:

3 Growing Up Small Town

4 Texas Conservative 5 Michael Ramirez 7 @The Ranger Library 8 Treasure Hunters 10 Tumbleweed Smith 12 Good Neighbors 13 Eastland County Tea Party

14 Love Lessons

Learned So Far

15 Huddle Up! 16 Breckenridge

Community Page

18 TCL Word Search 19 Cisco Community Page

19 Rising Star

Community Page

20 This Week In Texas History

21 B.C. 23 The Wizard of Id 24 In Sickness and In Health

COVER ART:

“Merry Christmas” by Viggo Johansen, 1891

One of Denmark’s most prominent painters in the 1890s. From 1888 to 1906, he taught at the Artists Academy’s School for Women. He then became a professor there until 1920 and, for a time, was one of its directors.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All. B:510-152550100200

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vol.5 Issue 66

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The Christmas Tree Tradition Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter.

However; Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and enlightened its branches with lighted candles.

Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a tradition in many German homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.

To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of the observance, penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.

By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.

The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-American sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.

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Mike &rris Ruth No

Source: http://www.history.com

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3Growing Up Small Town

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, Mike W. Norris

First-Hand Experience....

The Effects of Obamacare

by Mike W. Norris Obamacare Comes to Town

Well folks, as many of you know, Ruthie and I have been spending a lot of our time experiencing the healthcare industry first-hand. We have become regular customers at Baylor University Hospital in Dallas, the Dallas Transplant Institute, Dallas Nephrology Associates, Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, the Hendrick Center for Rehabilitation, and of course our own Eastland Memorial Hospital. Along the way we have met some totally awesome medical professionals.

We have also had the displeasure of having to deal with a few bad apples. But I won’t waste your time with complaints about the poor attitudes of a very small group of people. In stead, this article is about some very troubling and largely unnoticed developments taking place right here in our own back yard due directly to President Obama’s reeleection and the Affordable Healthcare Act (“Obamacare”).

Before you get all bent out of shape thinking that I’m “getting too political” or before you think that I’m just going on a typical white-guy, racist, Obama-rant...let me just stop you right there! What you are about to read is not only based on my own research and opinions but also based on the words and opinions that have been expressed directly by members of our local professional medical industry. So this is coming straight from the folks who are staring this monster in the face....be warned!

“These new systems that are coming along... it makes it so much harder to do your work, to take care of the patient. I don’t know who these new policies are supposed to help but it’s certainly not the patient. And those of us who were in it before don’t like what we are seeing. The new people, who are just now in medical school, they don’t see it as much as we do. They don’t see the changes for what they are.”

Career Doctor Has Choice Words for Lawmakers

The following discussion took place between myself, one of Ruthie’s nurses, the floor charge nurse, and one of Ruthie’s highly respected doctors. Ruthie was listening and looking back and forth to each of us as we discussed the implementation of the new Obamacare legislation and how several doctors in the Abilene area have simply left the industry -leaving local hospitals hurting for specialists in their fields and also going so far as closing their private practices.

“I don’t know who they thing they are! These senators sit up there in Washington thinking they know what’s best for our patients! All Nurse for 2-Years Doesn’t See Future In Healthcare! they are doing is making it harder for us to do It was a simple question, “How long have you been a our jobs! It’s incredible and I know many of nurse?”

Ruthie’s nurse (we will call him “Jason”) continued to check her vitals as he spoke, “I’ve been a nurse now for about 2 years. I went back to school after leaving the IT industry. It’s not nearly as much money as I used to make, but it’s OK.” He then went into detail about how he used to work for IBM on their refrigerator-sized mainframes. After being laid off onetoo-many times, he decided to change careers. He is from up north, Washington state area, and found his way to Texas after he went in search of cardiac care opportunities. His first job didn’t work out too well...hostile work environment...and a co-worker put in a good word for him to move to Abilene.

He says the town is just barely big enough to call home, being used to larger metro living, but he says work keeps him busy enough that it’s not a problem.

“So do you like the medical profession better than the computer industry?”

“I’m not sure...I don’t think there’s much future in it.” My look of disbelief obviously warranted more details.... “It’s much too stressful now. At first, things were going really well, but everyone is under a lot of pressure now not knowing what to expect. We’ve had doctors, and I mean ‘good’ doctors, just walk out -- saying ‘I’m through, I’m not doing this anymore’ -- and I don’t blame them.

my colleagues who have said they are finished with it...they tell me ‘I would rather close my practice than to have to deal with these regulations.’

“We are hurting for doctors here. We have lost some good doctors, years of experience.

And the people, the patients, how do you think this helps them? It doesn’t. That’s what I say.

Washington doesn’t know what it’s doing and the patients are the ones who are hurting for it.”

I told the story about how when Ruthie was admitted to the trauma center for her stroke, we were told that she would be seen by a neurologist to evaluate her brain injury. A poster inside the trauma center exam room says under “Emergency Response Procedures” for stroke victims, that a neurologist is required to be part of the emergency care team and to evaluate the patient within the first hour of suspected stroke injuries. Ruthi’s stroke took place on a Thursday night and she was admitted into the hospital early Friday morning. Friday passed; Saturday and Sunday passed; still no neurologist.

On the following Monday, while Ruthie Continued on page 11...

Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

4Texas Conservative ■

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, Chuck Norris - The Man

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In God We Trust United We Stand

By Chuck Norris

Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook’s “Official Chuck Norris Page.” He blogs at http://chucknorrisnews.blogspot.com.

Choke the Life out of Obamacare

Now that Obama has been re-elected and Democrats still control the Senate, Republicans no longer have the chance to repeal Obamacare.

But all is not lost. There’s still an opportunity for America to stop this disaster by choking the life out of the federal monstrosity. Obama’s signature legislative achievement is likely headed back to the Supreme Court.

Just last week, the high court ordered a lower federal court to take up a lawsuit by the patriots at Liberty University, who claim Congress violated the college’s religious freedoms by forcing it to provide federally mandated insurance and requiring payment for abortion-related services.

Liberty University also argues that the individual mandate is unconstitutional because it infringes on the free exercise of religion by forcing citizens to fund abortion.

“God created human life. Its sanctity and dignity are protected by God,” said Mathew Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel, who represents Liberty University in the case. “We have no right to take innocent human lives, and certainly we cannot be forced to fund the taking of innocent life -- basically forced to fund murder. We can’t do that. That’s a line that we simply cannot cross.”

Staver is absolutely right: There’s no middle ground in this fight. Citizens and employers shouldn’t be forced to choose between obeying the law and honoring the Sixth Commandment.

This month, federal courts have blocked the Obama administration from imposing its contraceptive mandate on Tyndale, a Bible publisher, and O’Brien Industrial Holdings, a Missouri mining company. The Christian-owned craft chain, Hobby Lobby, is fighting a similar legal battle against the mandate.

The company says fines could reach as much as $1 million a day if it doesn’t cover abortion-inducing drugs for its employees. About three-dozen Christian companies and colleges are fighting the mandate in court.

In June, President Obama said, “(Insurance companies) are required to provide free preventive care like checkups and mammograms ... .” The law also subsidizes care for people who pay more than 8 percent of their income for health insurance.

But Obamacare isn’t “free.” The money must come from somewhere. Even if patients don’t pay for their health care directly, Americans face higher taxes to fund the facilities, doctors and services.

When consumers perceive health care to be “free,” they use more medical services and create an overwhelming demand for them -- which will eventually exceed supply. Then, government will be faced with a limited number of options: 1) ration health services, 2) increase the cost of your health care or 3) ignore the issue, as patients’ access to health care is severely restricted.

We see these issues arise in other countries with national health care. Patients

in Britain and Canada often face long wait times -- even in emergency rooms -- to receive basic care that’s so accessible here in the U.S. In fact, Europeans and Canadians are known to travel to the U.S. rather than wait for their own health services.

My wife, Gena, and I have been to other countries that have socialized medicine, and it doesn’t work out well for people. When we visited Russia some 15 years ago, a young lady in her 20s suffered from a toothache. When asked why she didn’t see a dentist, the woman said the care is too expensive and even seeing a doctor could mean waiting eight months to a year.

To make matters worse, Obamacare calls for establishment of an Independent Payment Advisory Board, made up of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats who make a wide range of health care decisions -- including the ability to approve or deny medical treatments recommended by your doctors.

It’s no wonder so many states are outright refusing to cooperate with Washington on this massive federal power grab.

Obama’s takeover calls for states to expand Medicaid, creating serious fiscal liabilities for the states if federal taxpayers don’t pick up the bill every year. Obamacare also requires states to develop governmental programs that will create online health “exchanges,” itemizing available health plans.

For Florida alone, “startup costs ‘are projected at $92.3 million’ through next year, and annual operating costs to the state -- based on experience in Illinois -- could range from $57.4 million to

$88.6 million by 2016.”

States shudder at the thought of being saddled with the cost of running those exchanges, especially when they have so little local control under this federal program. They have until Dec. 14 to tell the Obama administration whether they will set up exchanges or default to a federal version.

In 2010, John Graham, director of health care studies at the Pacific Research Institute, urged states to boycott the exchanges.

“States establishing Obamacare exchanges are making a one-way, loselose bet,” he wrote. “If Obamacare persists, exchanges will become bloated administrative nightmares.”

Obama’s federal takeover of the nation’s health insurance is unconstitutional on its face. It exceeds Congress’ power to regulate commerce among the states. It expands the federal government’s authority beyond the enumerated powers listed in the Constitution. It threatens religious liberty, and it imposes an unconstitutional tax on Americans.

If we can’t repeal Obamacare in its entirety, let’s support each of these efforts to peel away every one of its unconstitutional layers to preserve our liberty, the quality of American health care and the fiscal stability of our nation.

Follow Chuck Norris through his official social media sites, on Twitter @chucknorris and Facebook’s “Official Chuck Norris Page.”

He blogs at http://chucknorrisnews.blogspot. com. To find out more about Chuck Norris and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

©CHUCK NORRIS DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM - Reprinted under license by Mike Norris

Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

5Michael Ramirez ■

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, Political Cartoonist

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7@The Ranger Library

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, Diana McCullough

By Diana McCullough

Thirty books were checked out today, a rather quiet Wednesday at the Ranger City Library.

Monday was NOT so quiet! A little after lunch time, our phone rang. “Does Ranger have a new restaurant?” YES, a Mexican food restaurant called La Finca. “Where is it?” La Finca is located on the Interstate 20 Access Road, a little past Love’s Truck Stop. “Can you give me their phone number?” Let me call you back! And I did.

One of our computer users turned around, “La Finca? I just ate lunch there, and it was DELICIOUS!” Shortly later, another patron checking out books, agreed. The food was tasty and the prices were reasonable. All day long, I heard salivating stories of La Finca.

On Tuesday, an opportunity presented itself for “further research”. Chuck Mace, a computer repairman from Eastland had called, and I left our library in the care of Bob Davis, my most valuable substitute librarian, as I went to retrieve a repaired computer. Returning to Ranger, by way of the Interstate, La Finca was barely off my beaten path.

With my camera in one hand and my wallet in the other, I took pictures of La Finca’s newly remodeled building. It was nearly 3:00 in the afternoon as I entered this new Ranger business. It was very quiet, but not for long. Two strangers, men from other places, came in behind me for carry-out, and two women from Ranger followed for “Dining In”.

I told the gracious hostess that I was in a bit of a hurry and asked what I could order that would be fairly fast, then ordered two beef Fajita Burritos— one for Bob my substitute and one for me.

On my drive back to the library, I called Bob and asked him to “work up an appetite”, he seemed happily surprised with our impromptu meal. Oh my goodness! When I opened my Styrofoam carry-out tray, there were TWO burritos, rice and beans, and a container of hot sauce. Needless to say, I was not hungry for supper last night. The rumors ARE true! Ranger has a new restaurant and the food is indeed tasty!

It’s a privilege to report a new business in our town. I WANT La Finca to succeed—for the hard-working, risk-taking owner, and for US—the citizens of Ranger.

I’d like to report MORE businesses setting up shop and hanging shingles in Ranger. Which reminds me of “Nelda’s Sew & Sew” on Main Street—I keep meaning to stop by and take a picture! The store front looks GREAT! And have you noticed the pretty, blue Christmas lights on Adams’ Grocery Store? Ranger is looking up! Camilla would be pleased.

Our new REDC signs are getting attention! Incoming phone calls are interesting—and diverse.

Brand-new books THIS week are Shiver by Karen Robards and Private London by James Patterson.

Hope YOU have a good book! AND, if you get a chance, visit La Finca!

Please take care, and as always…ENJOY READING!

Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

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8Treasure Hunters ■

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, Jerry Eckhart

By Jerry Eckhart To see more of Jerry’s treasure finds, search Facebook for “Jerry Eckhart” Our Vanishing Treasure Symbols

The area surrounding Eastland County is one of many places in Texas noted for carved symbols. Ranchers find them scratched into boulders. Treasure hunters used to find them carved into trees, but those are disappearing, as the old trees die fall to the ground where they rot. There are a few, old, old trees which remain, and still have a few symbols carved into them. Even the symbols carved into stone are disappearing. Erstwhile treasure hunters have either carried the smaller ones to their homes or obliterated them with chisels in order to keep others from finding what they consider waybills to treasure.

It is a shame, because those old symbols are part of our history. Those who went before us put them there for a reason. Unfortunately, many of those who seek treasure think that every carved symbol is a map leading to buried treasure. If that were true, it seems there would be buried treasure all over the place.

Unfortunately, that is not the case. Early day travelers, as well as the Native American Indian carved many symbols as trail markers, or as a way to honor their gods. Once moved, the carvings lose all their meaning. Here in Cisco, there is an old stone fence which has a number of asterisks carved into one of the stone. The asterisk usually denotes a star. I have looked at that old stone fence many times and wondered just where the stars came from and what they meant. Were they an astronomical chart, a waybill to treasure, or perhaps just idle doodles? We will never know.

In the treasure room at the Lela Lloyd Museum, there are several stones with carvings on them that have been either loaned or donated. Most of them seem to be authentic carvings from the Spanish explorations. Many visitors have photographed them and attempted to decipher them. Again, they don’t have a lot of meaning because they have been removed from their original site.

Over the years, I have studied a number of signs and symbols found in this area and still am not sure what they are saying. It’s confusing because there are so many different interpretations. Most assume the carvings are of Spanish origin, and try to interpret them according to the many books available concerning Spanish symbols. Many of the signs can also be attributed to the KKK and to organizations associated with the revival of the Confederacy.

These groups are often lumped into one organization known as the Knights of the Golden Circle. It is very possible that the KGC is associated with some

because the Circle was active in these parts after the Civil War. Pioneers and Indians often carved symbols into stone and tree as trail markers. They would use them to mark their way for others to follow. Some signs point to good campgrounds and available water. Some are simply doodling. It is common to come across such carvings which carry no meaning other than to say “I was here.” I have seen dates and initials carved in many places, sometimes intermixed with true ancient symbols. In the western part of Texas, all the way to the Pacific Ocean the Indian gouged symbols into rock to honor their gods and to offer prayers. These too are being misinterpreted as being treasure signs.

One must study all possibilities before reaching a conclusion.

Not only are petroglyphs (stone carvings) found in Texas, but pictographs (painted signs and pictures). As a matter of fact, there are some pictographs a few miles north of Cisco. Most of these locations are no longer divulged because of vandalism.

They have been scratched out, painted out or cut away and carried off. Soon, there will be none left.

As they vanish, so does a part of our

history. With good cameras so readily available, I would suggest that treasure hunters make photos rather than carry the actual rock home. Of course, it all boils down to the paranoia that many treasure hunters have. I have hunted treasure for more than fifty years, but have never felt the urge to lug a map rock to my house, just to keep someone else from seeing it. I know of map rocks that are buried under houses, hidden in basements and cellars, and mixed in with piles of junk rock at the back of someone’s barn.

Weather also takes a toll on carvings. Those cut into sandstone erode quickly and within a decade or two become very faint. Sandstorms contribute to the erosion of carvings, as does freeze and rain. Although many have lasted for centuries, they may not be around much longer. As time passes, so will these wonderful reminders of our early history.

Send Comments to: treasure@mycounty-line.com

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10Tumbleweed Smith ■

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, Bob Lewis

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By Bob Lewis BRING BACK THE HALFTIME BANDS

I want to go to the Orange Bowl game. It’s on my bucket list. I don’t care who’s playing. I’m going for the halftime entertainment. As I recall, it’s produced by the Disney folks. I have to go back to memory because lately the halftime shows are blocked out or we see dim images of them while we see and hear three talking heads trying to analyze the game. To my way of thinking, that is poor television. It seems the only time we get to see the halftime extravaganza is during the Superbowl when a Superstar performs.

My days as a trumpet player in the Arlington Heights High School Yellow Jacket Band in Fort Worth mean a lot to me. We got to school early during football season and practically froze out on the practice field getting our routines ready. Halftime was every bit as important as the game itself. Because the school had more band members than football players, many parents of band members attended the games and brought friends. I had a high school girl friend who assured me she could distinguish the sounds coming from my horn from the others when the band was performing on the field.

I remember the radio guys doing the high school games would point their microphones to the bands during halftime. To them, it was a break and gave them time to have a hot dog. They said something like, “Now let’s go down to the field to hear the band.” Admittedly, the sound was muffled because the microphone was in the press box far away from the musicians, but the band members knew their music was being heard beyond the stadium. It made them play better.

College and University bands are big time. The flashy drum majors and majorettes add a lot to the overall football spectacle. Their sparkling uniforms, shiny batons and polished instruments make for real excitement. It a lot more fun to watch the band than to see three or sometimes four guys talking football.

Puh-leeze. Give us a break. Since when does talking replace showbiz?

How many commentators and analysts do we need, anyway? You’ve got two guys broadcasting the game and a whole bunch of people trying to tell you what’s going on. Let the announcers do the play by play and let the audience do its own analyzing.

The Aggie Band is probably the best show band in the state. Band members take six steps every five yards instead of the usual eight-steps routine that other bands use. The slower pace gives the band a strength and interest that capture the audience’s attention.

The high boots and military bearing make the intricate maneuvers even more impressive. One researcher of the prestigious Aggie Band says some of their routines are impossible to do, according to the computer. But the Aggies do them. Think how the members of the Aggie Band feel when they know the only audience that sees them is in the stands and some of them have gone to the restroom or concession stand. High school and college bands are important. At a time when the arts are being de-emphasized in schools, the bands should get a chance to be seen and heard. Band members work hard.

THE ANGEL WALKED WITH A LIMP

A tired old lady in a small East Texas town had two daughters and a son. The son had not been home for twenty years. He was a cab driver in Houston.

The lady’s three offspring had fought each other for most of their lives.

While they were growing up, the older daughter and the son ganged up on the younger girl. They locked her in closets, told her she was adopted and would seldom let her run around with them.

One day the older daughter was talking to her mother and asked her what she wanted for Christmas.

“I’d just love to have my three children here in my house for Christmas dinner and not be fussing,” the mother replied.

While driving his cab in Houston one day, the son saw a woman walking with a limp. She was crossing the street in front of his cab.

She had trouble getting onto the curb, so he got out of his cab and helped her. He stood beside his vehicle and watched her walk slowly and painfully down the sidewalk.

His eyes followed her a long while, long enough for traffic to back up behind him. Some irate drivers let him know what they thought about him just standing there in the middle of the street. Several horns honked.

He got back in his cab and drove straight to his mother’s house, 200 miles away.

It was Christmas Eve. He got to his mother’s house to find his two sisters tending to their ailing mother. They prepared a substantial meal and all sat down together. The meal was a success. The son and his sisters hugged each other, talked about the past, laughed with their mother and had a good time. There was no fussing. The son gave his mother his telephone number.

After the dinner, the three returned to their homes.

The next day the mother died. One of the sisters found the brother’s telephone number and he was able to help his sisters bury their mother.

The son said he thought the woman who limped across the street in front of his cab was an angel.

The three are no longer estranged.

They call each other frequently and talk in loving terms about their mother and growing up together. They joke about some of their childhood pranks.

And the brother remembers that angel.

Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

11Growing Up Small Town

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, Continued...

was still in the Critical Care Unit, a neuro surgeon was called in and he questioned the tending nurses and doctors how they expected him to help -- he was a surgeon, not a neurologist.

He did what he could, but mostly approved what was already on the books and has not been seen since.

As of this writing, Ruthie has yet to be seen by a neurologist to evaluate the extent of her brain injury or to consult on her recovery. It has now been 41 days since Ruthie’s stroke and she is still without specialized neurological care!

Medicare and Red Tape

During a discussion with Ruthie’s cardiologis, she explained how she was unable to visit Ruth during the first two day’s of her hospitalization last week due to an issue with their patient care tracking system, “My assistant saw that she was on the floor, but when I checked my patient list, she was not there. We asked each other - ‘Should we go by and see her?’

We are not allowed to call on patients that are not assigned to us. She is my patient and I am her cardiologist, but if it is not in the cumputer then Medicare refuses to allow us to see her. We had to wait until we could get the computer updated for me to even see her. It is so much paperwork and so troubling that it hinders our work... the patient suffers because of it.”

The issue was not a hospital recordkeeping problem, but a Medicare “coding” problem. If your records don’t have the correct diagnosis code, then you may not receive the correct medications or specialized care because Medicare holds the hospitals and the hospital staff (as well as the professional doctors) responsible for adhereing strictly to the authorized

treatments that Medicare approves for each and every medical diagnosis.

If anyone steps out of line, they are staking their professional careers on their knowledge and experience versus what a computer has entered into a database field. And guess who wins?

Did you know that if a doctor releases you from the hospital and then you are readmitted to the hospital for ANYTHING within the next 30-days, that it counts against the releasing doctor’s Medicare service record? Even if you fully recover from whatever your first ailment was, if you get injured in a car wreck 3 weeks after getting out of the hospital, then it was a mistake for your doctor to have released you! And heaven forbid if you actually die after you get back to the hospital...

Doctors have no control over what their patients do once they are released from the hospital! How can the government hold them responsible for such a thing? What is the incentive to encourage a “speedy” recovery when the doctor is now on the line for everything you might possibly come into contact with for the next 30 days??? How many kids do you have in school that could bring something home unexpectedly???

If you don’t believe me, just make an appointment with your own doctor and then spend that 20-minutes letting them tell you what they think about Obamacare.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Get it straight from the front lines... your HEALTH may depend on it.

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Neighbors, Clint Coffee CLU ChFC State Farm Insurance® Agent

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Holiday Shopping For Wee Ones As holiday shopping kicks off this year, you’re likely making a list and checking it twice--for recalls and age appropriateness.

Let’s be honest, how many of us do that when we’re storming the stores to find the perfect gift for the little ones in our lives? While recalls and lead violations are down; 180,000 toyrelated child injuries were reported last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Commission this week released a report about toy safety. Buyers are warned to be vigilant, even as stronger federal rules and safetyconscious toy makers and sellers are making an impact when it comes to toy safety.

“Strong toy standards support the production of safer toys in the marketplace,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Parents and toy shoppers also always need to be vigilant by choosing age appropriate toys and keeping small parts, balls, and balloons out of the hands of young children.”

The Commision reports toy-related deaths to children younger than 15 increased to 17 fatalities reported in 2010, up from 15 reported in 2009.

Nearly half of these toy-related fatalities were attributed to choking on balloons, small balls, and rubber balls. Click here to view the CPSC full report.

As you’re shopping this year, here are a few safety tips from CPSC to keep in mind:

Balloons - Children can choke or suffocate on deflated or broken balloons. Keep deflated balloons away from children younger than 8 years old. Discard broken balloons at once.

Small balls and other toys with small parts For children younger than age 3, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

Scooters and other riding toys - Riding toys, skateboards, and in-line skates go fast, and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn properly at all times, and they should be sized to fit.

Magnets - For children under age 6, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

Once the gifts are open: Immediately discard plastic wrappings or other packaging on toys before they become dangerous play things.

Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to young children. Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers.

Some chargers lack any mechanism to prevent overcharging.

Comments: neighbors@mycounty-line.com

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13Eastland County Tea Party

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, In Defense of Liberty

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The Boston Tea Party This is the final installation of a four-part series in which I have taken the original words of Ronald Reagan, as given in his original speech televised October 27, 1967 in support of the Goldwater campaign, and have updated them with current facts and figures as they would apply if he were giving this speech today. ~Mike Norris

December 16th of this year marks the 239th anniversary of the iconic Boston Tea Like a native it flourished and bore; The fame of its fruit drew the nations Party. around, The basic story behind this historic event is that a group of patriotic demonstrators To seek out this peaceable shore. calling themselves the “Sons of Liberty” took action into their own hands and protested Unmindful of names or distinctions they against English rule of law which imposed inflated import taxes on foreign tea arriving came, in the American British colonies. The protestors dressed themselves in native American For freemen like brothers agree; garb and boarded three cargo ships loaded with casks of tea while anchored in Boston With one spirit endued, they one friendship pursued, harbor. The men then destroyed the valuable tea cargo by breaking open the casks and And their temple was Liberty Tree. tossing them overboard into the harbor.

Beneath this fair tree, like the patriarchs According to the USHISTORY.ORG website, “in Boston in early summer of 1765 of old, a group of shopkeepers and artisans who called themselves The Loyal Nine, began Their bread in contentment they ate preparing for agitation against the Stamp Act. As that group grew, it came to be known Unvexed with the troubles of silver and gold, as the Sons of Liberty. And grow it did! These were not the leading men of Boston, The cares of the grand and the great. but rather workers and tradesmen. It was unseemly that they would be so agitated timber and tar they Old England by a parliamentary act. Though their ranks did not include Samuel and John Adams, Withsupplied, the fact may have been a result of a mutually beneficial agreement. The Adams’ and And supported her power on the sea; other radical members of the legislature were daily in the public eye; they could not Her battles they fought, without getting a afford to be too closely associated with violence, neither could the secretive Sons of groat, Liberty afford much public exposure. However, amongst the members were two men For the honor of Liberty Tree. who could generate much public sentiment about the Act. Benjamin Edes, a printer, But hear, O ye swains, ‘tis a tale most profane, and John Gill of the Boston Gazette produced a steady stream of news and opinion.

Within a very short time a group of some two thousand men had been organized under How all the tyrannical powers, Kings, Commons and Lords, are uniting Ebenezer McIntosh, a South Boston shoemaker. amain, “By the end of that year the Sons of Liberty existed in every colony. A great many To cut down this guardian of ours; of the Sons were printers and publishers themselves and even those who were not, From the east to the west blow the trumpet to arms, were sympathetic to the cause. Nearly every newspaper in the colonies carried daily Through the land let the sound of it flee, reports of the activities of the Sons. Accounts of the most dramatic escapades spread throughout the colonies. The ultimate effect of such propaganda was to embolden Let the far and the near, all unite with a cheer, both citizens and Legislatures in every colony.

In defence of our Liberty Tree.

During 1766, the various Sons of Liberty groups throughout the colonies began to correspond and develop a larger organization. This effort is believed by some to have The Boston Tea Party was a protest helped form the cooperation among the Colonies on a grass roots level. In conjunction action in response to the 1763 Tea Act. with the various Colonial Legislatures, the communities of Colonial America began The Tea Act was an act of Parliament forming “Committees of Correspondence” and began working together to resist British of Great Britain which went into effect in rule.

May of 1763. Its principal objective was It was common for the Sons of Liberty groups to meet at a public location to organize and speak about the events of the day. In Boston, that location was known as the “Liberty Tree.”

Thomas Paine wrote of the popular symbol in his poem, Liberty Tree: IN a chariot of light from the regions of day, The Goddess of Liberty came; Ten thousand celestials directed the way, And hither conducted the dame.

A fair budding branch from the gardens above, Where millions with millions agree, She brought in her hand as a pledge of her love, And the plant she named Liberty Tree.

The celestial exotic struck deep in the ground,

to encourage the purchase of tea held by the financially troubled British East India Company in order to help the struggling company survive (sounds similar to the tax subsidies and incentives offered by the modern day federal government to help encourage sales of particular products and services such as electric automobiles or health insurance!) Another objective was to undercut the price of tea smuggled into Britain’s North American colonies. This was supposed to convince the colonists to purchase company tea on which

the Townshend duties were paid, thus implicitly agreeing to accept Parliament’s right of taxation on the Colonies.

However; under British law, the American Colonies held no representation in Parliament. The Colonies were subjects of the crown yet no representatives from the Colonies were present in the British House of Lords or the House of Commons. In effect, Britain held control over the American Colonies through the rule of law but not through the will of the people.

It began with the Magna Carta of the year 1215, and culminated in the Bill of Rights of 1689 where British citizens submitted to the rule of the nobility by choice under certain circumstances. The provisions of the Magna Carta established the legitimacy of the rule of King John of England and the Bill of Rights established the rights of the people of England to protect themselves against tyrannical monarchs.

Over the centuries, this manifested itself in the growing power of the British Parliament and the largely symbolic nature of the British Monarchy as we see it today.

At the time of America’s Founding, the concepts and practices of Parliamentary representation were over 561 years old.

The right of the British people to demand fair representation in Parliament had existed for generations upon generations of loyal British subjects -- it was hardly a new idea in the mid-1700’s.

Many people have said that the modern “Tea Party” has no understanding of it’s true nature or its true history. Outspoken media celebrities have attempted to disway the growth and popularity of the “Tea Party” while most news outlets regard the movement as just a group of “old, white, rich, church-goers who don’t want to pay their fair share of taxes.”

On the contrary, it is the “Tea Party” itself that continues to remain true to it’s nature and it is the media and celebrity “popular culture” which have lost their way and have forgotten their history.

Eastland County Tea Party & 9/12 Project Website -- http://www.ectp912.com Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

14Love Lessons Learned So Far

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, Vicki Stiefer

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By Vicki Stiefer When the Holidays Bring More than Joy

The holidays are upon us. Fall is in the air and the leaves are finishing up their fade into the beautiful browns, oranges and yellow that signify the change in the seasons. Birds fly south and noses get runny. The coats come out of the closet and the smell from the dust on the heater makes your nose wriggle. For me, this time of year is my favorite. Before I got married my family on both sides would come together every year for the holidays in one location. A very special time for me indeed. Most of my family is passed away now, but I have wonderfully warm memories of the holidays growing up and into my adulthood. It was always a potluck affair with a pre-chosen menu.

Thanksgiving and Christmas mean just a few things to me: Family, Fellowship and for the guys-FOOTBALL! These 3 things don’t seem like much but they really are everything. At the table we talked politics and gossiped a bit. We praised God for the bounty before us and went around the table so each person could elaborate on what they are thankful for. Whether it is Thanksgiving or Christmas, even the kids table is involved, so they learned at a young age how to thank our Heavenly Father for the gifts and blessings they are given. After dinner warm bellied males young and old would sit back and munch pumpkin pie with homemade whip cream while America’s favorite team more often than not made it into the win column. The women would sit around the table sipping hot chocolate or wine at Thanksgiving and plan out Christmas dinner.

Towards the end of the evening after the football game everyone picks a dish to make for Christmas dinner and then from a hat everyone draws a name to see who they will buy for at Christmas time. After Christmas dinner we would open the gift from the names we drew at Thanksgiving and then hurry home so that little ones didn’t miss Santa and adults got the right instruction from Santa on how to assemble his big gift!

According to eharmony.com and Emily Maywood the In-Laws are a major stressor for the holidays. I agree that in-laws and sometimes your parents can quickly turn your holiday into a horror show. Emily Maywood offers 3 scenarios and a very realistic way to handle each situation.

1. The Scenario: Your in-laws are laying on the guilt pretty thick for your decision on how you are spending the holidays (i.e., they tell you that you spend too much time with the other half of the family, you and your spouse want to spend the holidays alone this year, you don’t want to do a lot of traveling with the kids) and you feel that you or your spouse is getting “worked on” by an in-law.

What the Research Says: First and foremost, your allegiance should be to your spouse. The early years of marriage are spent trying to distinguish the union with your partner from the unions you both had with your respective parents (Bryant, Conger, & Meehan, 2001). One faulty crack in that bond

and you’re bound to crumble at some point. By setting the precedent early on in the marriage and presenting a united front, you will protect yourself from this type of manipulation.

However, it’s never too late to start! If there is no way of compromising with your in-laws on the issue of where to spend the holidays, try to remember: “happy spouse = happy house” and go from there.

2. The Scenario: Your in-laws are staying at your house for the holidays, and you find them trying to parent your children, or they feel that your methods of parenting are an invitation for their opinion on what you should be doing.

What the Research Says: Think about the last time you needed advice on parenting; who did you ask? Research has shown that most women tend to ask their own mothers for advice on parenting, while their husbands show little preference for their own mothers when seeking parenting advice (Marx, Miller & Huffmon, 2011). Not surprisingly, a woman’s mother-in-law will likely begin finding opportunities to give her opinion, whether you ask for it or not (after all, you married their son, so they must have done something right!) Next time you are noticing some tension or waiting for a remark about your parenting methods from your mother-in-law, try to beat her to the punch by going out of your way to ask for her advice or even just an opinion. The mere act of including your in-laws in your plans will make them feel like they have an active role in your family. During

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the holidays, take it one step further by asking for recipes, decorating tips or finding another way to make them feel important and included.

3. The Scenario: Your in-laws want you to abide by all of their traditions, leaving no room for your own.

What the Research Says: The area of traditions can be especially sensitive when it comes to the holidays.

Whether you’re trying to mesh two religions into one household or even just your parent’s annual pancake breakfast with your in-law’s yearly trip to Black Friday sales, it can be tough to please everyone. Traditions can be a very sacred thing to some people.

Part of the responsibility you have as a couple comes with incorporating each other’s lives and family rituals into your own. Be flexible to this idea, especially if it is important to your spouse. Empathize with your in-laws and think about how you would feel if your future son or daughter-in-law wanted to reject your yearly trip to Disneyland or important religious ceremonies. If it is really something you don’t buy in to, think about including their traditions in a special way or at least let your children (and/ or spouse) go with them to keep the peace. Additionally, you could start a new tradition where everyone is included.

For more info check here: http://www.eharmony.com

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15Huddle Up! ■

www.MyCounty-Line.com ~ December 2012 v5.66 ~ www.Facebook.com/mycountyline , Matt Swinney

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By Matt Swinney Merry Christmas

In the month of December, the sounds of your favorite Christmas carols, the crisp, colder weather in the air, and for this month’s issue, let’s recap the high school football season. Across the area, four teams qualified for the playoffs: Eastland Mavericks, Cisco Loboes, Strawn Greyhounds, and the Gordon Longhorns. First, let’s discuss the Eastland Mavericks. The Mavericks, who finished 8-2 in the regular season, captured the district championship and a first round bye in the Class 2A Division I playoffs by finishing first in District 4-2A Division I. The Mavericks faced the Muleshoe Mules in the second round of the playoffs. The Mavericks defeated the Mules 4834. That victory allowed them to advance to the third round, where they faced the Bangs Dragons and defeated them, 23-14. Round four turned out to be the Mavericks downfall as they to the Wall Hawks 48-24. The Mavericks finished the season with a 10-3 record. Congratulations on a great Mavs season and best of luck next year!!!

Our second area team in the playoffs was the Cisco Loboes. The Loboes, who finished 9-1 in the regular season, also captured the district championship and a first round bye in the Class 2A Division II playoffs by finishing first in District 4-2A Division II. The Loboes faced the Canadian Wildcats in the second round of the playoffs. The Loboes weren’t able to overtake the Wildcats as they lost in a hard-fought game, 27-20. The Loboes finished the season with a 9-2 record. Congratulations Loboes on a great year and best of luck in 2013!!!

Our third area team in the playoffs was the Strawn Greyhounds. The Greyhounds, who finished 9-1 in the regular season, qualified for the Six-Man Division II playoffs

by finishing first in District 12-Six Man Division II. The Greyhounds faced Woodson in round 1 of the playoffs and defeated the Cowboys in a shootout, 8458. In Round two, the Greyhounds battled the Jayton Jaybirds and grounded the Jaybirds, 53-8. Strawn, in Round 3, were able to defeat the Newcastle Bobcats, 52-42. But, in the Six-Man Division 2 State Semifinals, they were up against it with perennial Six-Man powerhouse and defending state champions, Richland Springs. The Coyotes out ran the Greyhounds, 82-44. The Greyhounds finished the season with a 12-2 record.

Congratulations Greyhounds on a great year and best of luck in 2013!!!

Our final area team in the playoffs was the Gordon Longhorns. The Longhorns, who finished 7-3 in the regular season, qualified for the Six-Man Division I playoffs by finishing first in District 10Six Man Division I. The Longhorns faced Zephyr in round 1 of the playoffs and

defeated the Bulldogs, 88-42. In Round two, the Longhorns battled the Savoy Cardinals and grounded the Cardinals, 66-21. Gordon, in Round 3, were able to defeat the Santa Anna Mountaineers, 70-35. But, in the Six-Man Division 2 State Semifinals, they were up against it with Six-Man powerhouse, Abbott. The Abbott Panthers out ran the Longhorns, 74-60. The Longhorns finished the season with a 10-4 record. Congratulations Longhorns on a great year and best of luck in 2013!!!

I wish Eastland, Cisco, Strawn, and Gordon continued success next football season. Finally, I would like to wish my readers a very, Merry Christmas and prosperous 2013. In all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, make sure you stop and reflect on the true meaning of the Christmas season!!! Merry Christmas and God bless each and every one of you!!!

Send Comments to: huddleup@mycounty-line.com

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If you do business in Breckenridge, contact The County Line to advertise here for an unbeatable low, monthly cost!

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HELP WANTED The County Line is looking for parttime, work from home sales person(s) to help expand our marketing and advertising sales territory.

Responsibilities will include making face-to-face sales calls and developing ongoing relationships with current and future advertisers and clients as well as participating in monthly billing and collections procedures and paper deliveries as needed.

Computer and Internet experience and access is required. Good reliable transportation, excellent phone and communication skills are highly beneficial. Sales experience is a plus but not required. Graphic Design experience is a plus.

Excellent opportunity for enthusiastic individuals and self-starters.

If you want to become part of the greatest little newspaper in Texas, then send your resume to: County Line PO Box 1156, Eastland TX 76448 -orVisit our website at: www.MyCounty-Line.com No phone calls please.

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18The County Line

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■ , Mike W. Norris The County Line Distribution Area

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County Line Word Search

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Find the hidden words and decipher the secret message!

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Visit www.MyCounty-Line.com Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com

20This Week In Texas History

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, by Bartee Haile

By Bartee Haile FIRST FEDERAL JUDGE HANGS AROUND LIKE A BAD COLD

On Dec. 18, 1860, a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives recommended the impeachment of John Charles Watrous, Texas’ first federal judge, for the second time in as many years.

Lone Star statehood was still months away, when a pair of eager beavers jumped in the race for the lifetime appointment. Popular James Webb had the official stamp of approval from the constitutional convention, while an East Texas magistrate named Shelby pinned his faint hopes on the support of Sen. Sam Houston.

The late entry of Watrous nearly went unnoticed. The Connecticut Yankee was contemptuous of uncouth frontiersmen and a stickler for courtroom decorum, a scarce commodity in that rowdy age. After ten years in Texas, the haughty lawyer had more fingers than friends.

But those Watrous had managed to make were worth their weight in political gold. Impressed by the recent arrival’s judicial expertise, President Mirabeau Lamar chose him to be his attorney general in December 1838.

Watrous was on the job less than a year before rumors of a festering scandal forced an abrupt return to private life. Most of his clients were unscrupulous land speculators, and the Republic’s chief law enforcer was sinking fast in a cesspool of conflicting interests. Alarmed by the avalanche of accusations, Lamar quietly convinced him to step down in September 1839.

Six years later, Lamar enthusiastically acted as James Webb’s cornerman in order to checkmate his archenemy Houston. As soon as Texas was accepted as a member in good standing of the Union, Webb made the rounds in Washington to sew up his nomination.

But a disappointing visit to the White House took the wind out of his sails. Webb’s endorsement by 14 of 21 state senators and 51 out of 65 state representatives carried no weight with President Polk. All that mattered to the Tennessean was what Sam Houston, his long-time pal and political ally, thought.

Meanwhile, Shelby sabotaged his own slim chances by claiming poverty as his primary qualification and professing a desperate desire to get on the federal payroll. With his candidate out of the running, Houston stubbornly swore the prize would go to Webb only over his dead body. A compromise was eventually crafted that resulted in the appointment of Watrous on May 29, 1846.

The Texas legislature rebelled against the smoke-filled-room solution. In March 1848, a month after the Mexican War ended, angry lawmakers passed a strongly worded resolution calling for the resignation of Judge Watrous. A key sponsor scorned him as “an alien at heart and an enemy to everything Texas.”

The anti-Watrous indictment contained three charges. First and foremost, the irresponsible rejection of their Webb mandate incensed the solons. Second, Watrous had ruled in favor of out-of-state debt collectors in a controversial decision that defied Texas tradition. Last but hardly least, suspicions of his complicity in a land fraud conspiracy had resurfaced.

The campaign to remove Judge Watrous from the bench dragged on for an entire decade, as congress characteristically took its own sweet time. The question finally came up for a vote in December 1958, but Watrous dodged the impeachment bullet by a margin of 112 to 87.

Three months later in the twilight of his senate career, Houston blasted the jurist in a blistering outburst.

Home-state newspapers that rarely had a kind word for the San Jacinto hero applauded his remarks. Calling the fiery speech “the crowning glory of Gen. Houston’s eventful life,” the Dallas Herald praised his “dragging this Watrous enormity, in all its hideous deformity, before the gaze of an outraged people.”

The judge served as a handy issue for Houston in his successful gubernatorial bid in 1859. Public passions were so inflamed by the campaign oratory that one critic, who would settle for nothing less than personal satisfaction, beat Watrous to a bloody pulp on a Galveston street.

By the end of 1860, the impeachment ball was rolling again, but Watrous’ congressional defenders postponed

a show-of-hands on four separate occasions. The issue was still pending when Texas seceded in February 1861.

The return of Watrous to Texas and the federal bench following the Civil War provoked no serious protest.

With the economy in ruins and northern bayonets at their backs, Texans were far too concerned with survival to worry about an unpopular judge.

In the spring of 1870, a year after a crippling stroke left him paralyzed and speechless, Watrous retired. The bedridden invalid died in June 1874, and the Lone Star press ignored his passing. Having nothing good to say, the journals of the day said nothing at all.

Last chance for Christmas! Three “Best of This Week in Texas History” collections for the price of two: “Hurricanes, Tornadoes & Other Disasters,” “Secession & Civil War” and “Revolution & Republic.” Mail a check for only $28.40 to “Bartee Haile” at P.O. Box 152, Friendswood, TX 77549 or order on-line at twith.com

Send Comments to: texashistory@mycounty-line.com

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21B.C. ■

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23The Wizard of ID ■

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, by Parker & Hart

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November/December

Where do we even begin?

In Ruthie’s October article she described the emotional feelings she experienced when she had a heart attack on October 1st and how she lost her pancreas transplant while in the critical care unit during her recovery. After she was released from Hendrick Medical Center, we followed up with Dallas Transplant and they confirmed the pancreas was no longer functioning. Ruthie was taken off all of her anti-rejection medications and sent home. They officially discharged her from Dallas Transplant and thus ended Ruthie’s struggle with her kidney & pancreas transplant -- or so we thought.

The next morning, Ruth woke up in excruciating pain! Her lower-left abdomen was so sensitive to the touch that she couldn’t even lay still on the couch! We frantically called Dallas Transplant and reported what was going on -- they asked if we still had her steroid medications and instructed us to quadruple her normal dose and give it to her immediately. They also said she could take her prescribed medication for pain and if the problem continued we could bring her back in to be evaluated. We did all of that, and the pain eventually wore off. A couple days later, DTI called and wanted Ruthie to come back to be evaluated by a surgeon for removal of her transplant organs. We agreed and in late October, we went to Dallas for the evaluation.

Because of Ruthie’s heart attack on October 1st, the surgeon said he would not schedule a surgery until she was cleared from her cardiologist in Abilene. We were supposed to meet with her in mid-November so there was no rush. We returned home with a game plan and a determination that better days were ahead.

October 31st - Halloween!

We had a Halloween get together at our house the night of October 31st. All day long, Ruthie ran around town running errands getting ready for the party. That night, we had the grill going, a fire in the pit, a ghost at the door to greet trick-r-treater’s and we had lots of friends and family sitting outside enjoying the festivities. The entire day was as “normal” and “festive” as it could have been. It was a great day!

November 1st - The Unexpected Happens

The next day Ruthie had a repeat of the episode she had in October with her heart attack -- only this time we knew what to do and we handled it like professionals... mom & I took Ruthie to dialysis and while we were on the way, we called in to report her oxygen levels, her blood pressures and blood sugars. Dialysis suggested that we take her on to the emergency room at Hendricks, which we did. The ER held her for observation until around noon and they released her to go to the dialysis center across the parking lot. We drove her over and I went in with her as they got her hooked up to the

dialysis machine. Her 4hr treatment went by without any issues and she seemed tired and exhausted. They wanted her to come back to Hendricks the following morning to be given 2-units of blood, so we headed home knowing we would come right back the following morning.

When we got home, Ruthie didn’t feel like getting out of the car. I checked her blood pressure and her blood sugar and everything looked OK. I helped her out of the car and she started to walk toward the house.

She took two steps and fell down....

She started crying and reached out for me to help her up. She hurt her right knee, so I had to help her to walk into the house.

When we got in the house, she collapsed on the couch, in pain from falling down and exhausted from dialysis. It was about 7pm.

Mom decided to go home and get cleaned up so that she could come back and go with us first thing the following morning to go back to Abilene to get blood.

So she ran up town and got Ruthie some dinner and brought it by then headed to Carbon.

Around 10pm, mom showed back up at the house so she could spend the night with us. We decided to wake Ruthie up and give her her medications. When we woke her up, we could tell something was wrong, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to say it out loud. I asked Ruthie to open her medicine bottle and she couldn’t use her right arm correctly...I started getting worried. I asked her to look at me and you could see in her eyes that something wasn’t right. I asked her what day it was --- she couldn’t tell me...she guessed every day of the week. I looked at mom and she looked at me. We both knew what the other was thinking. We decided to get Ruthie back into the car and take her back to Abilene. Ruthie tried to walk, but we almost had to carry her to the car -- in fact I tried to pick her up but it was impossible for me to get her through the door by myself. We got to the Hendrick emergency room shortly after midnight, Friday November 2nd, 2012.

STROKE

Ruthie suffered a stroke Thursday evening, November 1st, on the way home from dialysis. She fell as she was walking to the house after getting out of the car as a result of her stroke. She has been hospitalized now for 43 days since the stroke and has suffered several complications and recurrent episodes which her doctors have referred to as “additional stroke events” and “possible heart attack complications.”

The last few weeks have been unthinkable...with all of Ruthie’s medical issues, we never contemplated her experiencing a stroke, or her not having the ability to simply carry on a conversation with people. But we have now experienced these things and worse.

Ruthie is paralyzed on the right side of her body and she has trouble speaking her own thoughts in complete sentences most of the time -- but she DOES try, and in some cases she gets her ideas across very clearly. But

Follow Ruthie’s Progress online:

Donations may be made to: Farmers & Merchants Bank

Ruth Norris Benefit Fund

930 East Main Eastland, TX 76448 (254) 629-3282 Credit Card donations can be made online at:

www.PeachyTurtle.org it is a challenge for her.

As I am writing this, I just received a call from mom who is sitting with Ruthie today.

She is being released from the hospital and transferred to the Hendrick Rehabilitation Center this afternoon. Ruthie wants to come home, but we have convinced her that a couple weeks of rehab will help her in her recovery -- possibly even regaining the use of her right arm and/or leg. Only time will tell, but any prayers and thoughts of encouragement will be extremely appreciated during this overwhelming time.

Please keep an eye on Ruthie’s Facebook page as we will post photos and videos of her recovery process soon. Until then. Be safe, be well. And we wish you and yours a very, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Celebrate the little things and cherish the moments you have for they never last as long as we wish they would.

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Published by Mike W. Norris dba Wolverine Design ● PO Box 1156 www.facebook.com/mycountyline ● Eastland, Texas 76448 ● http://www.mycounty-line.com www.facebook.com/sherriesmom