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Exchange student wasn't intimidated by game 'Scrabble'
I can't vouch for the other students, but our guest, Dieter, was very smart, and his English language skills were quite good, too. Often, the entire group met at one of the host families' homes to keep in touch with one another. One time at our home, we played Scrabble, a favorite board game with our family. All the exchange students were anxious to perfect their English skills, so we played in English. On one turn, Dieter put down the word 'picklehaube,' the name of that distinctive pointed helmet with elaborate brass fittings and even sometimes plumes that was worn by the Prussians up through the First World War. Everyone laughed and swore he was making the word up. He finally got out his German/English dictionary and pointed to it. Since we had so many words of French and Latin derivation, we felt we should allow it. And, of course, he ended up winning the game. The last we heard of Dieter, he was president of a Berlin bank. Well, who's surprised? If you love to snorkel, why not join the fun bunch that will be getting together at the Naval Live Oaks at 3 p.m. each Monday until Aug. 11? Equipment will be available, or you can bring your own if you prefer. The dive flag will be out at the Visitor's Center, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway. Call 934- 2600 for information.
To the outsider, the section of Route 98 east of Gulf Breeze might simply appear to be a series of subdivisions with more or less mellifluous names. Little do they know it also contains a proud part of American history. Did you know that the trees growing in the Live Oaks National Seashore are the descendants of the mighty live oaks used to build the USS Constitution? We can take pride in knowing that 'Old Ironsides,' as she came to be called, which helped the U.S. to defeat the British during the Revolutionary War, was grown from our own soil.
Hurry and get your fresh blueberries locally while they are at their peak! Did you know they are a health food? The antioxidants found in blueberries help fight free radicals that damage skin cells. And they are so delicious on your morning cereal! My friend, Paula Petsel, is growing them at her home in Beulah. If you're interested in buying a pound, or even 100 pounds, contact her at (850) 944-5224 or go online to www.paulaspictureperfect.com Profits from the sale of her berries are going to send her talented children, Ben and Shanna Petsel, to summer acting competitions.
The wisdom of Maxine, created by clever cartoonist John Wagner, appeals to all ages, not only we seniors. Here are some of her funnier pronouncements: "You know that nice old lady who lives down the street, and you see her tending her cats or maybe cooling a pie on her windowsill? That's not me. You know what bugs me? Almost everything. My favorite hobby is collecting coins, mostly from mall fountains. I'm retired, but I do a lot of volunteer griping. People love my attitude problem. Remember, when life hands you lemons, tuck'em inside your bra. Couldn't hurt, might help . . ." See you next week, and keep smiling! |
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