Bill Robinson, Publisher The Annual Pro-life Rally Will Be Held February 5

The annual Pro-Life Rally will be held February 5 ^th on the 4^th floor of the Oklahoma State Capital. Roses will be distributed to elected officials on that day. The Rose distribution will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Pro-Life Rally in the House Chamber at 11:30.

Guest Speaker will be Abby Johnson, whose life inspired the movie “Unplanned.” If you have not seen that movie, you should. It is a true movie and one that I will never forget.

Speaking of Pro-Life I am so proud of President Trump who will become the first President in history to join the Pro-Life March in Washington. He is the most pro-life President in our history and is making a difference in saving the lives of countless babies. God Bless him.

—CC—

Some of us are so old that we can remember when the majority of people had good manners. Good manners are one more item from the “good old days” that I miss.

George Washington, the first President of the United States, wrote these “Rules of Civility” in a notebook in 1745, when he was fourteen. He followed them in life and didn’t go far wrong. And nor will you, if you do. They still make an excellent guide to proper behavior and proper manners

1. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present

2. Speak not when others speak, sit not when others stand, and walk not with others stop.

3. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on anyone.

4. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.

5. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

6. They that are in dignity or office have in all places presidency, but whilst they are young, they ought to respect those that are their equals in birth or other qualities, though they have no public charge.

7. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.

8. In visiting the sick do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.

9. In writing or speaking give to every person his due title according to his degree and the custom of the place.

10. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

11. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he himself professes; it savors of arrogance.

12. When a man does all he can, thought it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

13. Being to advise or reprehend anyone, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some other time, also in what terms to do it; and in reproving show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness.

14. Mock not nor jest at anything of importance; break no jests that are sharp or biting; and if you deliver anything witty or pleasant, abstain from laughing at yourself.

15. Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precept.

16. Use no reproachful language against anyone, neither curses nor reviling.

17. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of anyone.

18. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature rather than procure admiration. Keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly with respect to time and place.

19. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

20. Let your conversation be without malice, or envy, for it is a sign of tractable and commendable nature; and in all causes of passion admit reason to govern.

21. Utter not base and frivolous things amongst grown and learned men, nor very diffi cult questions or subjects amongst the ignorant, nor things hard to be believed.

22. Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth nor at the table; speak not of melancholy things, as death and wounds; and if others mention them, change, if you can, the discourse. Tell not your dreams but to your intimate friends.

23. Break not a jest when none take pleasure in mirth. Laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion. Deride no man’s misfortunes, though there seem to be some cause.

24. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest or earnest. Scoff at none, although they give occasion.

25. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous, the first to salute, hear and answer, and be not pensive when it is time to converse.

26. Detract not from others, but neither be excessive in commanding.

27. Go not thither where you know not whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked; and when desired, do it briefl y.

28. If two contend together, take not the part of either unconstrained, and be not obstinate in your opinion; in things indifferent, be of the major side.

29. Reprehend not the imperfection of others, for that belongs to parents, masters, and superiors.

30. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend deliver not before others.

31. Speak not in an unknown tongue in company, but in your own language; and that as those of quality do, and not as the vulgar. Sublime matters treat seriously.

32. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

33. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt him without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.

34. Treat with men at fit times about business, and whisper not in the company of others.

35. Make no comparisons; and if any of the company be commended for any brave act of virtue, commend not another for the same.

36. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof.

37. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private.

38. Undertake not what you cannot perform; but be careful to keep your promise.

39. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion and indiscretion, however mean the person may be you do it to.

40. When your superiors talk to anybody, hear them; neither speak or laugh.

41. In disputes, be not so desirous to overcome as not to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion, and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute.

42. Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same matter of discourse.

43. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust.

44. Be not angry at table, whatever happens; and if you have reason to be so show it not; put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish a feast.

45. Set not yourself at the upper end of the table; but if it be your due, or the master of the house will have it so, contend not, lest you should trouble the company.

46. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously, in reverence and honor, and obey your natural parents.

47. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.

48. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

Good manners do not go unnoticed. Try them; you will be surprised how much better you feel as well as those around you.

—CC—

Karen O’Conner shares a story about her friend Corey that many of us can identify with . . .

Corey walked up and down the aisles of the supermarket, selecting one item after another. A box of cereal. A bottle of apple juice. A dozen eggs. Two cans of cream of mushroom soup. A couple of ripe tomatoes and a sack of Idaho potatoes. “That should do it,” she muttered to herself. As she passed by the freezer foods, she caught her reflection in the glass doors, then gasped. “Lord, I hope I don’t run into anyone I know! I can’t get by in public anymore without makeup. I really should take time to look nice before leaving the house!”

So far so good, she thought as she wheeled the cart to the checkout stand and unloaded her groceries onto the conveyor. Two check stands over, she spotted a familiar face, Janice, no Jody . . . or is it Jean? That doesn’t sound right either. What is her name? If I could think of her last name, I’m sure her first name would pop up. Here I go again. Names are dropping from my mind as fast as leaves from a tree in autumn.

Corey didn’t want to embarrass herself, especially considering the way she looked in her painter’s shorts and faded T-shirt and with her hair pushed on top of her head with a clip that didn’t quite do the job. I’ll look the other way. Hey, there’s nothing to worry about. She won’t recognize me in this get-up. I’ll pay and go—fast. Corey was pleased with her plan. “Corey, hi! I thought it was you I spotted.” The woman hurried over and reached out for a hug. “It’s been a couple of years at least. Do you live around here?”

God, please, what is hr name? I’d rather die than admit I don’t know it. Look at how friendly she is. How embarrassing to have to ask her name.

“So, what’s new with you and Gene?” the woman probed as Corey handed the clerk her charge card and then signed the receipt.

She not only remembers me, but my husband too? Oh great. This is getting worse by the minute.

“Gene. Yes, Gene’s fine. And you and your family?” I don’t remember if she’s married or has children. This is awful.

Corey pushed her basket through the stand and headed for the door, turning to the woman, while still fishing for her name.

“I’m alone now,” the woman said. “Skip died last year. It’s been quite an adjustment.”

“I’m sorry . . .” Corey said, uncertain about what to say next.

“Maybe we can get together,” the woman said. “I’m doing my best to reconnect with old friends. It’s a blessing to run into you.”

Corey felt her palms grow wet and her heart race. She gathered all the courage she could muster. “Help me out, will you? I seem to remember . . .” Corey lost her nerve. She just couldn’t admit that she had forgotten the woman’s name.

“As I recall,” she stammered, “your name has an unusual spelling. Would you mind telling me again? I want to get it right once and for all.” “Jill. J-I-L-L, Jones, J-O-N-E-S.

The good thing is that even though our memory is starting to go, we can still retain some things: like water.