Not-so-close encounter with Ford's son Jack

Today we say farewell to President Gerald Ford and extend our sympathies to his family and the nation. Maizie remembers the day in 1980 she was in the Reno airport, saw Gov. Bob List, and dashed over to say hello. Some men with hearing aids got awfully upset, as the governor said over and over, "It's all right, it's all right."

Seems he was talking with Jack Ford, the president's son, and the "hard of hearing" men were all with the Secret Service. Oh well, you can't win 'em all. M got introduced, and they all had a fine chat. Maizie continued on her way to see CHS play "Boulder City" down south, and Jack Ford and Gov. List went on their merry ways. Fun memory.

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And Saddam Hussein bites the dust. We feel safer, and President George H.W. Bush is "vindicated" by George II. One petty despot down the tubes ... how many more to go? Just remember, the BIG one, Osama bin Laden, is still out there. And we're still in Iraq.

But that must be OK because we gave al Qaida time to move there from Afghanistan and help foment the ongoing carnage. Meanwhile, the Taliban are back in force, and there's no end to the violence. We now wish new Secretary of Defense Gates, and all the other politicos, leadership classes, so that they can clean up this mess ASAP.

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Jessi Winchester sent us the following story: "During a very icy winter, a Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida, but because of scheduling differences, the husband went a day early. As he settled down in the hotel, he decided to send his wife an e-mail. Unfortunately, he left a letter out of her e-mail address and the message was sent to a lady in Houston who had just returned from her husband's funeral.

The widow was checking her e-mail messages, when she screamed and fainted. Her son rushed in, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read: 'To: My loving wife, Subject: I've arrived. I know you're surprised to hear from me, but they have computers here now, and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and checked in. I see you are arriving tomorrow and look forward to seeing you. PS: Sure is hot down here.'"

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A BIG THANK YOU to all the people who responded to the plight of Danielle and Norma Conway last week. Danielle has had more surgery, but is doing pretty well. She will continue with the chemo, and, as soon as we can find out the account number for donations, we will let you know. Some wonderful people donated catastrophic leave hours for Norma, too, so that she can help care for Danielle and the kids.

Also, Al Nicholson is back in the hospital, and Cindy McIntosh (of many WNCC musicals) is battling breast cancer (good stories in the paper about her and her son who plays football for Nevada), so send them some good thoughts, too, please.

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Good news ... Kay and Art Horsell celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on New Year's Eve. Kay explains her husband calls her "his little write-off." Ahhhh, romance. Sue Bohl tells us her husband, George, likes to iron ..."and I like to let him." Way to go, girl! And happy birthdays to Kealohe Fuller and TJ Olson.

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We hope you read the letter from Lillian Galloway (Appeal, Dec. 27). It spoke of people who fail to come see their relatives in assisted-living facilities, and who even tell them they're coming and don't show up. She even mentioned those seniors who got all dressed up, then nobody showed up to see them or take them out. If you were one of those people who "had an excuse" or just "forgot," you ought to be horse-whipped. And if any of you reading this have nothing to do some afternoon, call one of the homes in Carson City and ask if you can volunteer a couple of hours to visit someone who has no one. You will earn your wings. And thanks to Ms. Galloway for so eloquently bringing this to our attention.

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Auditions are coming up in the next couple of weeks for Proscenium Player's "Lend Me A Tenor," a comedy directed by Jason Macy, and Wildhorse Children's Theater/Children's Museum's production of "Charlotte's Web," directed and produced by Carol Scott and Pat Josten. PPI's audition will be at the Brewery Arts Center on Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. in the ballroom (883-1976 for details); and "Charlotte's Web" will be cast on Jan, 13 at 10 a.m. in the Children's Museum (887-0438). Both are wonderful shows.

Also, if you want to direct or produce a show next season for PPI, get hold of Tom Strekal at 884-0580 with your proposal. Who knows, you could become famous.

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"Crystal Darkness," a television show about the viciousness of crystal meth, will be shown on ALL local TV stations on Tuesday, Jan 9, from 7:30-8 p.m. We urge you to watch it with your entire family. They are calling it "the night the entire community fights back."

Please be one of them. Fight back by watching this program about the deadly results of methamphetamine. It will only take a half hour of your time, and may mean the difference between life and death to a child. Visit www.crystaldarkness.com for more information.

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Connie Lord sent us this goodie: "When our power mower broke, my wife wanted me to get it fixed, but it seems golfing, fishing or football always got in the way. One day, I came home to see my wife in the back yard clipping the grass with sewing scissors. It was then I got a bright idea and went and got a toothbrush and said, 'When you're through cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the sidewalk.'

"The doctors say I will walk again, but always with a slight limp. I now know that marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other person is the husband."

May you all have a blessed and happy new year!

• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.