You Will Be Missed (like a headache)

Do you sometimes feel that if you should leave your company the whole organization will crumble? You feel strongly you will be sorely miss and you will create a vacuum when you leave – right?

I know the feeling.

When I left the Atlanta Post Office I felt the whole Atlanta Postal Pay system would go to hell in a hand basket.

Guess what? People kept getting paid.

And when I retired from the Marietta Post Office I wondered who would fill in the vacant spot I created – but once I left, I could care less.

And guess what? People in Marietta got their mail without interruption

1958 OLYMPIAN - Subfreshmen, 1st half.

In the spirit of good wholesome fun do you know what the senior males called the females subfreshmen (8th graders)? Answer: Jailbait.

Acworth Opry is Back at Logan Park

Above - Acworth Opry last night.

A few years ago we regularly went to the Acworth Opry at Logan Park in Acworth, Georgia. They had two get togethers a month. One was for blue grass jamming under the trees. Usually there were several groups in different parts of the park playing; picking. From the point of view of an outsider looking in, it seems that solo musicians would arrive with their musical instrument and would gravitate to the group he or she got the best rapport with and if all were in agreement he was a new band member...and then someone else might wander off from the group he first joined and join up with another group. No contracts in concrete or anything. Each person just wanted to be part of a group that complemented his own music the most.

The second Saturday night and the fourth Saturday night were the designated nights.

One of the Saturday nights was concert style with a makeshift stage. The stage might be an 18 wheeler trailer bed or something of that sort. That night usually about 4 to 5 groups played.

The genealogy of the leadership is interesting and hard to keep up with. The first person in charge that we knew of moved on to Jim Miller park had a similar bluegrass operation there. The replacement kept it running for a while, then moved the operation to a theater in downtown Acworth and charged an admission price instead of donation. Then, the Acworth Opry moved to Kennesaw and became the Kennesaw Opry. For whatever reason, I don't think they ever drew a large crowd.

The Kennesaw Opry moved to the Art Place in downtown Canton and kept its name, Kennesw Opry.

Recently we discovered the Acworth Opry reappeared playing at Logan Park again in Acworth again.

We went last night. They had two groups from about 6pm to 8pm. There were not as many people which made it pleasant. There were less musicians and less people in the audience. I think they will get bigger if they move their operation inside the Logan Park Barn during the cooler weather instead of taking a winter recess.

Below - fans handed out.

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! MAD's BOOK/MOVIE

I think the title BOOK/MOVIE pretty much explains itself. Ths is from MAD comicbook #13. It was written by editor Harvey Kurtzman and the art is by Jack Davis.

My Tyson Genealogy, part 28

The bold fonts point out stuff away from the regular.

170. JAMES8 TISON (CORNELIUS7, CORNELIUS6 TYSON, MOSES5, CORNELIUS4, MATHIAS3, JOHN2, UNKNOWN1) was born 1825, and died Unknown. He married MARTHA GRANTHAM. She was born 1826, and died Unknown.

Children of JAMES TISON and MARTHA GRANTHAM are:
i. JAMES9 TISON, b. 1846; d. Unknown.
ii. MARY TISON, b. 1850; d. Unknown.
iii. BARBARA TISON, b. 1851; d. Unknown.
iv. NANCY TISON, b. 1853; d. Unknown.
v. CORNELIUS TISON, b. 1856; d. Unknown.
vi. JOYEY TISON, b. 1857; d. Unknown.
vii. ADILINE TISON, b. 1859; d. Unknown.


171. SEABORN8 TISON (CORNELIUS7, CORNELIUS6 TYSON, MOSES5, CORNELIUS4, MATHIAS3, JOHN2, UNKNOWN1) was born 13 Sep 1827, and died 1905. He married (1) NANCY GRINER 04 Nov 1852. She was born 14 May 1836, and died 01 Apr 1862. He married (2) RACHEL BENNETT 25 Jul 1866 in , Barrien, Ga, daughter of WILLIAM BENNETT. She was born 22 Dec 1848, and died Unknown.

Notes for SEABORN TISON:
He fathered children (17) over a period of almost thirty-seven years.
More About SEABORN TISON:
Military service: Civil War

Children of SEABORN TISON and NANCY GRINER are:
i. DANIEL WEBSTER9 TISON, b. 28 Oct 1854; d. Unknown; m. AMANDA NEWBERN, 04 Dec 1877; b. Aft. 1854; d. Unknown.
ii. JASPER C. TISON, b. 20 May 1856; d. Unknown; m. MARTHA GOODMAN; b. Aft. 1856; d. Unknown.
iii. MARTIN J. TISON, b. 10 Jul 1858; d. Unknown; m. ADELINE YOUNG, 07 Feb 1878; b. Abt. 1860; d. Unknown.
iv. ALETHIA TISON, b. 06 Nov 1859; d. Unknown.

Notes for ALETHIA TISON:
Never married.


Children of SEABORN TISON and RACHEL BENNETT are:
v. JEREMIAH9 TISON, b. 11 Aug 1867; d. Unknown; m. LAURA GASKINS; b. Abt. 1870; d. Unknown.
vi. NANCY TISON, b. 16 Feb 1869; d. Unknown; m. JOHN MALCOLM BRADFORD, 06 Oct 1887; b. Bef. 1869; d. Unknown.
vii. POLLIE ANN TISON, b. 15 Mar 1871; d. Unknown; m. JOHN W. ELDRIDGE, 22 Mar 1891; b. Abt. 1870; d. Unknown.
viii. NEWTON A. TISON, b. 14 Aug 1873; d. Unknown.
ix. MATHEW TISON, b. 18 Jan 1875; d. Unknown; m. JOSEPHINE BRAXTON; b. Abt. 1875; d. Unknown.
x. JOHN TILLMAN TISON, b. 27 May 1876; d. Unknown; m. WINNIE HUNDLEY; b. Aft. 1876; d. Unknown.
xi. EDWIN TISON, b. 18 Apr 1879; d. Unknown; m. GOLDIE LOTT; b. Abt. 1880; d. Unknown.
xii. ARCHIE TISON, b. 17 Feb 1881; d. Unknown; m. JESSIE RODGERS; b. Aft. 1881; d. Unknown.
xiii. MABLE/MAE TISON, b. 02 Nov 1883; d. Unknown; m. BARTOW HARNAGE; b. Bef. 1883; d. Unknown.
xiv. EFFIE TISON, b. 03 May 1885; d. Unknown; m. LYMAN HUGHES; b. Bef. 1885; d. Unknown.
xv. MAGGIE T. TISON, b. 03 Apr 1886; d. Unknown; m. SHERMAN HARNAGE; b. Bef. 1886; d. Unknown.
xvi. AUSTIN TISON, b. 13 Jan 1887; d. Unknown; m. JANIE SPELLS; b. Aft. 1887; d. Unknown.
xvii. WILLIAM MARCUS TISON, b. 15 Nov 1891; d. Unknown; m. ERNESTINE HYATT; b. Aft. 1891; d. Unknown.


172. SIMEON8 TISON (CORNELIUS7, CORNELIUS6 TYSON, MOSES5, CORNELIUS4, MATHIAS3, JOHN2, UNKNOWN1) was born 1829 in , , Ga, and died Unknown. He married ELIZABETH J. UNKNOWN. She was born Abt. 1830, and died Unknown.

More About SIMEON TISON:
Military service: Civil War

Children of SIMEON TISON and ELIZABETH UNKNOWN are:
i. MOSES C.9 TISON, b. 1856; d. Unknown.
ii. RACHEL M. TISON, b. 1858; d. Unknown.
iii. SARAH J. TISON, b. 1859; d. Unknown.


173. LANEY LOUISE8 JOYNER (ELIZABETH7 TYSON, MOSES6, MOSES5, CORNELIUS4, MATHIAS3, JOHN2, UNKNOWN1)70 was born 1819, and died Unknown. She married JOHN JOYNER TYSON Apr 1835, son of JOAB TYSON and ANNA JOYNER. He was born 1814 in , , Ga, and died 1868.

Notes for JOHN JOYNER TYSON:
Family tradition is that his parents moved the family to Georgia to work turpentine but they all died of typhoid fever except John, about 14. He came all the way back to Pitt County on a mule.
Children are listed above under (77) John Joyner TYSON.

174. LOUISA8 JOYNER (ELIZABETH7 TYSON, MOSES6, MOSES5, CORNELIUS4, MATHIAS3, JOHN2, UNKNOWN1) was born 12 Sep 1812 in , Pitt Co, NC, and died 11 Jul 1882 in , Pitt Co, NC. She married MOSES TYSON71 28 Jan 1836 in , Pitt Co, NC, son of SETH TYSON and LANEY HARPER. He was born 10 Jan 1814 in , Pitt Co, NC, and died 18 Mar 1880 in , Pitt Co, NC.

Child of LOUISA JOYNER and MOSES TYSON is:
318. i. JOEL BENJAMIN9 TYSON, b. Apr 1852, , Pitt Co, NC; d. 21 Jan 1894, , Pitt Co, NC.

1958 OLYMPIAN - Freshmen, last half

If this blog entry did not already make its own title I would name it The Invisible Man Creeps in the 1958 MHS Yearbook. Go back to the sophomores a few days ago. There, you will find me, Eddie Hunter, where I should be. Now, look at the top page here. The same picture of me that was in the sophomore section but this time I am named Eddie Lanham. Well, actually, it is Eddie Latham that is invisible this time, I was called in to replace him.

Edwin Tyson "Ed" Hunter, Sr

(Aug 13, 1911 - Jul 14, 1988).

If Daddy was still living he would be celebrating his 99th birthday today.

1958 OLYMPIAN - Freshmen, 1st part

Revisiting Judy and her Country Kitchen

We carried my mother-in-law to Judy’s Country Kitchen today on 2745 Sandy Plains Road.

Judy is a friend of mine. We used to work together at the Sprayberry Post Office on Sandy Plains Road, just down the road about a tenth of a mile from the future spot of Judy’s Country Kitchen.

Shortly after I retired Judy quit the Postal Service and went into the restaurant business. She started four restaurants in the Carolinas and then returned here.

I knew from the scuttlebutt that she had quit the post office and dropped off the postal employee radar so I did a double take when I saw her greeting customers, bringing the food out to the buffet, running the cash register and so on. She and I were both surprised to see each other and gave each other a big hug. I hinted around asking her how come she got to have a free hand of doing whatever she wanted and she told me she owned the place. Then she told me about the four places in the Carolinas.

The next day I visited before they opened to take a picture for the blog. Judy was inside cleaning the tables just like her employees were doing. I bet she is a very nice person to work for.

I wrote a blog up telling how good I thought it is and haven’t been back.

That was months ago.

Today she politely scolded me for not coming back. I explained that her endless supply of food was too tempting for me to visit often – she would lose money and I would gain weight.
I see her menu and see that on different days they have different items. They have fried and baked chicken all six days they are open. She has fish on Fridays, fried catfish(we had that the first time and it is very tasty) and baked fish Well heck, just look for yourself on the menu below.(click to enlarge)

1958 OLYMPIAN - Sophomores, the rest of 'em

America's Latest Hero: Steven Slater

A lot of people feel Steven Slater is their hero. He stood up against the meanest kind of enemy: the irate customer. What he did will probably cost him dearly, his livelihood. He had his say, which many of us wished we had the balls to do at one time or another in our life.

For his grand finale’ gesture, he slid down the plane’s emergency chute with a beer. Man, that is style! Hoorah for Steven!

I hope this incident will be educational for some who don’t mind having confrontations with strangers. Remember: You don’t know what buttons you are pushing.

Just Sign the Consent Form. heh heh

At the doctor’s office waiting room two Latinos came in and approached the receptionist. They spoke Spanish to her. She had no idea what they were talking about. She kept asking questions but the only thing she could comprehend is the youngest man had been there before. The young man could not convey his name or his birthday. She had no way of looking up his records without knowing the basics.

“How is she going to get out of this dilemma?” I thought.

Then she made a telephone call. She explained to the person on the other end that a Spanish speaking man was standing there and she had no idea what he was saying. After listening to the other end she fumbled around with her phones and handed the Latino a phone, but not without accidentally punching the wrong button and getting a very loud unexpected radio station.

After the Latino man had a phone to his ear she picked up a phone and told the person on the other end that they were both on the line. It was a conference call! Hot dog! The young man listened and made comments and probably said his name and his birthdate, which the receptionist then quickly found his record. They hung up the phones.

She now knew what doctor he saw last and made him an appointment for the next day and gave him an appointment card.

I wondered if Wellstar –Kennestone had a interpreter on the payroll now, ready to translate when ever they are called. I can see where such a job would be needed, unless they contract it out to a translator contractor and he/she bills per call.

Then I wonder if the receptionist should warn the doctor for tomorrow that he has a non-English speaking Latino visiting him? I’m sure they have had that same scenario before, so they will know what to do. They don’t need my suggestions.

Then, about 40 or 45 minutes later in the inner offices I overheard an admitting specialist making arrangements with a man to have a scheduled procedure done. She was trying to get him to sign a consent form.

The man said, “It says here that anybody who wants to can look at my private medical records, even a bill collector off the street.” We were waiting outside the door holding a consent form too. I looked down at the form to see what he was referring to. It does say something about this authorizes authorized specialists of your insurance to review your form and others that may need the information.

I wondered if the man was paranoid.

He went on. He said, “According to this, they can take my arm or leg, pickle it, dissect it, or do whatever they want to with it and call it “research’.”

The specialist said , “That is only if you should lose your limb during the procedure, which is not likely during your colonoscopy.”

I read that paragraph. Yep, it does say that discarded limbs of no use can be given to institutions for research.

The man is paranoid.

1958 OLYMPIAN - Sophomores, 1st half

Travelers Betty & Thelma

Betty & Thelma, Thanksgiving, 2004

Yesterday in the Marietta Daily Journal, Lifestyle section, was an article about Betty Roberts’ retirement after 40 years as a waitress at IHOP in Sandy Springs.

Click here for Betty's story in the MDJ.

Betty is a good friend of my sister-in-law Thelma. After Thelma’s husband Tommy drowned,in July 1988, Thelma’s life took a new direction.; literally. Thelma started traveling and Betty is her traveling companion.

Betty and Thelma are also great grandmothers to the same two children. Betty is on the father's side and Thelma is on the mother's side.

I see Betty once or twice each year, usually during the Thanksgiving holidays. Nothing seems to excite her, she always seems so relax and laid back. She is undisturbable.

Thelma and Betty have traveled to Canada, Alaska, and so many countries I can not think of them all – or at the moment, none of them. Betty is said she is going to Hawaii with her daughter and family on her next trip but Thelma is not going on that one.

Thelma has been thinking China. I’m sure that will be OK with Betty. China it will probably be.

Thelma makes some excellent scrapbooks on their journeys. She does not own a computer, but I think her handicraft with scrapbooks makes them more personal. I think on the trip Betty helps her collect things like menus, post cards, advertisements, photos, etc.

I think Betty is going to enjoy retirement.

1958 OLYMPIAN - Juniors, 2nd Half

This Day In History - August 9th

Herman Talmadge was born on this day in history, on August 9, 1913. He died March 21, 2002. Before Herman was a senator or a governor of Georgia, he was a son of a Governor of Georgia. Once there was some kind of big union strike in Georgia that caused some violence. The Georgia National Guard was called out. My father was a National Guardsman. I think Gene Talmadge was probably leaning towards management than the union and the strikers. Members of the guard guarded the governor’s mansion. My father was one of those guarding it. He had strict orders not to let any one in unless they could prove the person could prove he was who he said he was and prove he had official business there.
Early one morning shortly after Daddy’s assignment there up strolled Herman. Daddy refused to let him enter. Which I think caused a little ruckus. But, they couldn’t say a whole lot. Daddy was following orders. Daddy was almost just a few days off from being two years younger the future Georgia Governor. Herman said he understood, and I doubt if he ever thought about the incident again.


Later I heard Herman was a smooth land operator when the Feds were building highways through Georgia. We also had some local politicians that had a crystal ball too, as for as predicting where the highways were to be constructed and to pay inflated prices for the land.
During the Watergate Hearing I felt I got to know Herman very well. And he looked so honest!





Betty Boop, a singing showgirl cartoon character, made her debut on the screen on this date in 1930. She was the creation of film animator Max Fleischer (he also created Popeye). Her cutie dancer/showgirl icon still sells today.

1958 OLYMPIAN - Juniors, 1st half

SUNDAY FUNNIES - L'L ABNER & Charity Balls

In the Marietta Daily Journal Sunday magazine supplement that comes out quarterly, I think, often they have pictures of attendees at charity balls.

More than once they reminded me of this segment of L'L ABNER by Al Capp, torn from the comic strips of 1940. Click on the picture to be able to read.

Let It Be?

This morning Willow and I routinely went on our walk. It was about 6:15.

As we walked by a house about three blocks away I noticed the flickering of a flame on the corner of the back and side of a house.

I had just finished listening on my ipod LET IT BE from a John Lennon album and at the present LET IT BE was being played by the Beatles.

LET IT BE? Was that a message I was receiving from the heavens, to let it be? I just couldn’t let it be.

I walked up in the yard for a closer look. Sure enough, a flame was gently flickering on the side of the house. It seemed to be getting bigger. I noticed it had a blue base which told me it was a clean flame, probably gas. I think it was a gas leak.

I didn’t know what to do. I banged on the brass door knocker to wake the two women, a mother and a grown daughter, up. Nobody came to the door.

I went back to the street, mostly to walk off my nervous feeling which was developing into a hyper mode.

A pickup truck was coming down the street. I jumped out and waved him down. At first he was hesitant to stop, but he finally did. I told him the situation and he and I went and looked again at the flame. He asked me to try the door again and I did. They still didn’t come to the door. He asked did I want him to call 911. I said I did. He called. Then he drove away.

I waved him down for a second opinion and for someone to call 911. He served his purpose, I suppose he had other fish to fry.

Then a man who lives across the jeep came out with his dog. Sometimes when Willow and I walk his dog and Willow has nose to nose and ass to nose contact. He walked over and I updated him to why I was just standing there, in front of his house.

As I was talking to him I heard the wailing of a siren blocks away. It got louder and louder and then red-lights came over the hill flashing. The tree leaves seemed to be flashing as well. A fleet of two or three fire trucks and two or more other flashing emergency vehicles pulled up.

Willow started jumping and bucking, trying to break from me and run. Big vehicles rumbling always scare her.

I pointed them to the fire. One fireman, all dressed up in his fire-fighting uniform ran over with another fireman with a camcorder running close behind him. Then other fireman got out of their fire trucks and came over. They studied it and walked around the house. I think they were looking for a knob they could turn the gas source off, which they must have found. The flame stopped.

The man with the dog and I wondered about the mother and daughter inside. They had not come outside yet. He said he knew they were there because they only have one vehicle, a jeep, and it was parked around back.

I wondered if the leaking gas had done damage to them.

Then, we saw in the middle of the firemen was the mother in a robe talking to the firemen. Good! she is alive. And I think her daughter must be fine too, or she wouldn’t be standing there with her arms folded talking.

I told the man with the dog a quote my home remodeling contractor told me years ago, “There is no better security than a nosy neighbor.”

It appeared my quote unnerved the man. He seemed to have grimaced. He had probably had his fill of nosy neighbors. He and another man live together.

All’s well that ends well.

1958 OLYMPIAN - Seniors, conclusion