I have long been an admirer of the late, great , Bob Hope, who was America’s best-loved comedian for many years. Over the course of his life, Bob was a world-wide traveler. He was quoted as having said that he had been welcomed in many ways; but, the most universal way included the sound of laughter and that needs no translation. It means happiness and joy. Most important, it means freedom.

On his 83rd birthday, Bob was quoted as having said that the sound of laughter will disappear in any country where liberty has been banished. And, that would be a sad fate. I agree with Bob that the best way to communicate is with a chuckle. That’s way I always include one in my weekly Outlook column. Others must feel the same way since I get more comments from readers on that subject. Seems we all need a bit of laughter to help us get through our daily routine.

And, now our political scene is heating up considerably as election day approaches. The mud and slurs are flying thick and fast. Regardless of whom you plan to vote for, please don’t fail to vote. This is one freedom which we should not take lightly. The world is watching and waiting to see what America does at this turning point in history.

We are seeing things I never thought would come to pass. For instance, in today’s Monroe News-Star, there was an article on a mountain lion being killed in the Grand Canyon this week and it was found to have some kind of ancient plague.

The man who killed the lion also died from this plague. Oh, boy….that is rather disturbing. Folks, America had better wake up to reality which isn’t so funny, anymore.

Let’s see…what have I been up to. I’ll go back to last week and start from there. On Friday, my longtime, special friend, Ethel Hazlewood took me out for an early supper at the local Waffle House, which is just about our favorite place to eat these days. We also did a bit of shopping at Dollar General where Ethel got some snack food for her room at Colonial Manor. It was a good outing for both of us.

On Saturday morning, my Sunday School Class (from Woodlawn Baptist Church) met at McDonalds for breakfast at 9AM. We do this every few months and everyone enjoys this little get-together so much. Afterward, some of us drove out in the country to visit Mrs. Laverne Greer, a former member of our SS class in the days when her late daughter, Marie Lord was able to attend along with her mother.

Those making the visit with me included Gloria Traxler (our SS class teacher) along with Nona Garner and Laura Pierce. And, we all enjoyed our visit with Laverne so much as we admired grandchildren’s pictures and other lovely objects in Laverne’s home and tried to catch-up on recent events in each other’s life.

Let’s go back to Thursday night when a group of ladies met at Woodlawn BC to work on a ministry project to provide lap robes for the residents of our local nursing homes. We each brought some food to contribute to our potluck supper at that time. The meal was good; but, our number attending was very small and we didn’t get much done – except to enjoy the food. Anyway, we are still working on that project and will probably have other potluck meals in connection with it.

Sunday worship services were good at Woodlawn Baptist Church. You could almost feel the excitement in the air as the time draws near for the great musical, “3:16, The Numbers of Hope.” This is a combined choir effort from the various churches in our area under the direction of Donald Bell, Music Director of Woodlawn Baptist Church. I’m really looking forward to it. The first performance will be on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7PM and the second time will be on Oct. 26 at 2PM – both will take place at the Richland Arts Center.

I had a special treat on Sunday afternoon as I visited my grand-daughter, Kristi Wiggins and her family in rural Mangham. My great-granddaughter, Abby Wiggins had spent Saturday night with her grandmother, Linda and they invited me to come along as Linda drove Abby home. Kristi had a special lunch ready for us and we all enjoyed being together so very much.

A CHUCKLE: Two Martians landed on a road next to a golf course. Curious, they watched a golfer knock the ball into the rough –and then saw what a hard time he had getting the ball out. Next, the golfer hit one into the sand trap. Again the Martians watched the struggle to get the ball out. Finally, the golfer hit a hole in one.

Said one Martian to the other, “Now he’s really in big trouble!”

If you passed by Woodlawn Baptist Church in the afternoons this week, you may have noticed some extra activity going on. We are involved in having another Pictorial Directory made of the people who make up our membership. I always dread these things since the photos usually show up every flaw, wrinkle or line in our faces. However, they wouldn’t be true to life if they didn’t…but, do they have to be quite so revealing? Oh, well – it’s still good to be around even with our wrinkles, warts, etc. I might decide to do a bit of gardening again and need something to scare off any varmints trying to make off with my produce.

I might add that this church directory is really showing off a technology I had not seen before. In the past, we had to come and pose for our picture; then, we had to come back again to see the results and make choices, etc. Now, the picture is taken and you see the photos right then and make your choice and pay the cost. One trip does it. Even though these directories require a great deal of effort to make, they are so rewarding in later years to look back in them and see friends and fellow church members as they were at that point of life and remember them if they are no longer around.

Tuesday of this week was the time for the monthly Triple-L Club (Live Longer and Love-it) of senior adults of Woodlawn Baptist Church. The group enjoyed the tasty covered dish meal and then heard a fine message of hope and encouragement from our special guest speaker, Rev. Jerry Whitman, a longtime friend of our pastor, Rev. Roger Johnson. Bro. Jerry now pastors Holmesville Baptist Church in the Downsville area.

Tuesday night, I was invited out to supper with my friend, Laura Pierce’s sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Walter Marschner of New Orleans. We also ate at the Waffle House, which is a favorite dining place for the couple as they travel over our state from their home in New Orleans. It was a most enjoyable evening – the Marschners are an unusual couple with wide interests in things and places.

Birthdays are coming up for: John Beach, Kasey Coleman and James Lord on 10/23; for Bruce Stewart and James Folds on 10/24; Linda Dupree, Jena Cordell, Lauren Chapman and Sylvia Davis on 10/25; Carolyn Dear, Larry Morris and Sandra Green on 10/26; Betty Mae Sims on 10/27, Alva Franks on 10/28 and for Frances Thompson on 10/29. And, it will be a wedding anniversary for Linda and Kirby Hendrix on 10/25. May all of these good people enjoy a special celebration of their special day. And, we wish them many more….

That will just about finish up another Outlook effort. Hope you found something of interest somewhere among the lines. I would welcome any news from any of you – just call me at 728-4422 – leave message on my answering machine if I’m not there.

PARTING THOUGHT: One measure of leadership is the caliber of people who choose to follow you.