Just enjoying another good summertime in my old hometown. When I say good, I mean that things are going pretty good for me and my family — and as far as I can see, for my hometown. I received a call the other night from an Allenite — a former resident who (believe it or not) is older than me. Mr. Thomas called me to help me make a correction to last week’s article. I had our Will Rogers being born on the same year (1935) that I was. That year, as it turns out was the day he was killed in an airplane crash up at Point Barrow, Alaska. Mr. Thomas was born in Allen in 1932. Hope I got that right. Thomas now lives up in our capital city, Oklahoma City. Thanks for the call.

It always amazes me where all a little weekly paper might end up. I still write and hear from some of my old Navy buddies on the East Coast, Oregon, Utah and some other far-flung spots but some time ago I got a phone call from The San Francisco Chronical wanting to reprint something I had written. In the midst of my being flattered I wanted to know “which one.” The lady calling said she didn’t know. I don’t know if it was really bad or real good. And I never will. Another was from the Detroit Free Press. It had to do with garbage, and he had picked it up from the “ Oklahoman.” But I try not to let it go to my head since neither paper offered to hire me on for one of their writers. Fame is fleeting. But perhaps garbage is my forte.

Since I turned 90 I have wondered when I will sign off on writing for the paper. It is, after all, something of an enjoyable chore but so far have decided to just to keep on with it a bit longer. This is not a bid, by me for my 3 or 4 faithful readers to write and encourage me in this. I figure I will keep on a keeping on for a while — as long as I “think” I am able.

I have one old faithful “shipmate” (and reader) from my USS Lexington days I keep track of. His name is almost generic in that it is “True.” I like it when a person’s name is also a descriptive verb. Dick True keeps me up to date on an important data point. “Who died?” That’s important when you reach a certain age. In the past 2 or 3 years my life has been interrupted with news of the passing of my old friends from Stonewall, Allen and certainly members of my family. In fact, I have lost two of my beloved sisters as well as my older brother, Gerald. Many of my old classmates and friends have also passed. I know this thanks to Dick. I don’t know how I would ever know about my old shipmates if you didn’t bother to keep up with them. My memories of them remain clear and handsome.

I’m told I will soon have some new neighbors. Yes, it’s our old football hero, Phil Burk, and his nice wife, Millie. I don’t know why I remember this about Phil, but he did a good job on the line for the Allen Mustang Football Team a few years back. I think he wore number 22. If he didn’t, I’ll hear about it. They will soon be moving into the beautifully restored Josie Chiles home in the 600 block of East Broadway. There was a picture of this pretty home on the front page of last week’s Advocate. Now aren’t you glad you still subscribe?

I hope you have a good week and I hope you can find your way to your pew in your church next Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh cwaynebullard@gmail.com