Box in mail delivers a history lesson

This morning I received two large boxes full of family artifacts from the Civil War, sent to me by my brother-in-law. Most importantly for us, it involved the part my late husband's grandfather played in it.

One long box contained grandfather's U.S. Army cavalry sword. It had seen much action not only only the Civil War battlefields of Maryland, but also on some wooded acres of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, at the hands of my second son.

The sword, complete with scabbard, was kept by my mother-in-law. Then just ten years old, Hugh dug it out of her closet and carried it into the woods to play with it. He had some difficulty in drawing it, since it was too long for him and dragged on the ground. Nevertheless, he could not resist trying it out for a hearty chopping session.

I found him in the woods slashing bushes with two-handed blows. I had the feeling he had run out of steam handling its size and weight, so even though he knew he would be punished, I was sure I was rescuing him from his ill-fated adventure.

After that, my mother-in-law took the sword back to her own home, from which it eventually made it way to a small museum in Fredericksburg, Maryland. The museum's 200- year-old building is suffering from recent hurricane damage, and is presently in the process of rebuilding, so much of the memorabilia has been returned to the original donors. Now, after all these years, the sword is back in my home.

My son is set to visit again next month, and I wonder if now that he is well over six feet tall he will feel he can handle it.

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Hey folks, you'll be thrilled to know I just shed 20 years without moving a muscle.

While perusing the latest Coming of Age magazine, I learned that 50 is the "new 30." An active lifestyle and healthy diet is a big part of the equation. Throw in a few lucky genes and you are in for a long life and a merry one.

Add a little lipstick and you're ready to go.

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Out on my sun porch this morning, on yet another of a string of beautiful days, my eyes fastened on two tomatoes ripening in the sun. I was immediately transported back to the summer days spent at my grandparents' home where, at the far back of the grounds, was a wonderful garden of flowers and vegetables.

Gleaming red tomatoes, yellow squash, lettuce, and beets were just few of the things they grew. I would pick a warm, sun-kissed tomato from the vine and take my first bite... "Best thing I ever ate!"

Now I pick up the tomato that lies here on my table, which doesn't seem to be as firm as it was two days ago. Hmmm.... a couple of black spots around the stem. Well, I guess it's as ready as it will ever be. They seem to go right from not quite ripe yet to rotten.

It made me realize that we elders have a hard time with thoughts such as 'things aren't like they used to be' or "in my day, things were much better." No! Stop and think a moment. How about the important things?

Let's see, there's a new treatment for cancer, and even better, there's Social Security every month for those over 65. There are myriad organizations to assist us with health issues...

Oh well, just cut out the black spots on the tomato, and realize that many of the important things in our lives are better.

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Marriage mania -

"I've had bad luck with both my wives. The first one left me, and the second one didn't." Actor Patrick Murray

The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once... Anonymous

Finally, Ogden Nash offered two secrets for a successful marriage:
1. Whenever you're wrong, admit it.
2. Whenever you're right, shut up.
See you next week!
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