Directions on Signing Up to Post

I would like to give you step by steps directions on signing up for the blog to post, but since I am signed up, I cannot access each page to tell you exactly what to do or what you will see. If you get stuck, I will be happy to help by telephone. Send me an e-mail to request help: scribe564@bellsouth.net.

To signup for our blog, you need an invitation e-mail from Jinny or me (Little Scribe) which is sent from the blog to you. Below is an example of how this e-mail is worded. You must click on the link in the e-mail to accept the invitation.

EXAMPLE OF INVITATION E-MAIL TO SIGNUP FOR BLOG

You have been invited to contribute to Little Scribe's blog‏
From: Little Scribe (no-reply@google.com)
Sent: Wed 7/02/08 7:55 PM
To: (yourname)@hotmail.com

The Blogger user Little Scribe has invited you to contribute to the blog: Meridian High Wildcats '58.

To contribute to this blog, visit: http://www.blogger.com/i.g?inviteID=1045911237016049107&blogID=1538861345565061958 [this link on your invitation will be personal to you].

You'll need to sign in with a Google Account to confirm the invitation and start posting to this blog. If you don't have a Google Account yet, we'll show you how to get one in minutes.

* * * * * * *

When you click on the link in your invitation letter, a page will open which says: "Little Scribe has invited you to contribute to the blog. To join this blog as an author, accept the invitation by signing in with your Account below. Don't have a Google Account? Create your account now ." If you have a Google account, then complete blanks with user name (your e-mail address) and your password. Click "Accept Invitation."

If you do not have a Google Account, you may click the link to create your Google Account at this point. A new page will open. Use the e-mail address where your invitation was sent as your user name and a password of your choice. Read carefully and follow the directions. At no time do you do anything to create a new blog such as giving it a name or selecting a template.

If you prefer, before clicking on the link in your invitation letter, you may open your Google account first and then return to your invitation letter to accept. These are the steps:

CREATING A GOOGLE ACCOUNT

1. You must have a Google account to post on our blog.
2. Your Google account must use the same e-mail address that Jinny and I have entered into the system for you which is the same one as on your invitation letter e-mail and, in most cases, the same one I use to write you.
3. To open a Google account, go here: https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount
4. Look for this message on the right, bottom of the page: “Don’t have a Google Account? Create an account now
5. Click the link “Create an account now.”
6. Follow their directions, using your e-mail address as explained above and using whatever password you choose. At this point, Google may send you an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address. If so, you must respond to this e-mail to continue.

POSTING

After you have completed the above steps and want to post, go to our blog page: http://meridianhighwildcats58.blogspot.com/

1. Look at top right-hand corner. Click sign in. This will take you to a new page. THE ONLY THING YOU DO ON THIS PAGE IS SIGN IN. I cannot stress this enough.
2. Enter your e-mail address from your Google account and your password from your Google account in the spaces provided. Click sign in.
3. You will arrive at a page called the Dashboard.
4. To post, click new posts. This will take you to a window to compose your post. It is similar to an e-mail.
5. There are three areas here to enter information.
6. The first area is a place to enter your title.
7. The second area is where you will compose your post. Try something simple like tell us hello or whatever. You don't have to be fancy.
8. The third area is for labels. Enter the title of your post and your name.
9. Click the orange publish post button.
10. This should take you to a new page but maybe not the same one I am sent to.
11. If you are not on the main page of the blog, then look for a link which says “view blog” to take you there.

POSTING A PHOTO

1. Log in, click new post, and when the window comes up where you would type your post, look on the toolbar.
2. Next to the check mark on the toolbar is an icon. When you put the mouse on it, it says, "Add Image." Click.
3. Another window comes up.
4. Click browse and find the image you want to upload from your computer.
5. Click open. This will return you back to the add an image window.
6. Select the size photo you want and placement (center, left, right).
7. After photo is loaded you can drag it up and down the page in relation to any text you might have. It naturally goes to the top, but you can pull down lower on the page.

TO POST YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO SIGN IN FIRST AT TOP RIGHT CORNER ON THE BLOG WITH YOUR GOOGLE ACCOUNT E-MAIL ADDRESS AND PASSWORD. A good habit is to always sign in when you go to the blog. That makes it easieir to comment on the posts of others, as you will notice.

Jinny and I are here to help you.

Ouida Landreth Tomlinson

TEST FOR OLD KIDS

I was picky who I sent this to. It had to be those who might actually remember. So have some fun my sharp-witted friends. This is a test for us 'old kids'! The answers are printed below, but don't cheat.

01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don't know, but he left this behind. What did he leave behind?________________.

02. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. In early 1964, we all watched them on The _______________ Show.

03 'Get your kicks, __________________.'

04. 'The story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to ___________________.

05. 'In the jungle, the mighty jungle, ________ ________.

06. After the Twist, The Mashed Potato, and the Watusi, we 'danced' under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the '_____________.'

07. 'N_E_S_T_L_E_S', Nestle's makes the very best . . . . .. _______________.

08. Satchmo was America's 'Ambassador of Goodwill.' Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was _________________.

09. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? _______________.

1 0. Red Skelton's hobo character was named __________________ and Red always ended his television show by saying, 'Good Night, and '________ ________.

11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam War did so by burning their ______________.

12. The cute little car with the engine in the back and the trunk in the front was called the VW . What other names did it go by? ____________ & _______________.

13. In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, 'the day the music died. 'This was a tribute to ___________________.

14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it. It was called ___________________.

15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's was a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist. It was called the ________________.








ANSWERS: 01. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet. 02. The Ed Sullivan Show 03. On Route 66 04. To protect the innocent. 05. The Lion Sleeps Tonight 06. The limbo 07. Chocolate 08. Louis Armstrong 09. The Timex watch 10. Freddy, The Freeloader and 'Good Night and God Bless.' 11. Draft cards (Bras were also burned. Not flags, as some have guessed) 12. Beetle or Bug 13 Buddy Holly 14. Sputnik 15. Hoola-hoop Send this to your 'old' friends, better known as Seniors. It will drive them crazy! And keep them busy and let them forget their aches and pains for a few minutes.

Something to think about

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

The 14th Dalai Lama

What a powerful thought. So often when we lose we get all wrapped up in why we lost or what we could have done differently. At times we wallow in the misery of our loss. The loss could be anything: a romantic relationship, the loss of a job, an investment, a cherished relative or some material possession. But we often try to hold on to the memory of what was - we become attached to what we wanted to happen.

“Souls don’t grow in the sunshine.” Fred Dent, former Commissioner of Financial Institutions, State of Louisiana.

That statement is so true. Our purpose in life is to learn and grow. But we rarely learn from our successes. More often, we learn from our failures. Our greatest potential for growth comes from our darkest hours. But unless we are open to learning from our losses, unless we actively seek “not to lose the lesson”, we will not learn.

Stop and think about any recent losses you may have encountered. Search the loss for the lesson it contains. There is always a lesson. It may be difficult to see when we are distraught by the loss.

To suffer a loss is bad enough. To fail to learn from the loss is a double tragedy.

John Chancellor
www.teachthesoul.com

The Laugh

We all need a good old fashined laugh every once in a while. I laughed until the tears rolled down my cheeks. Please enjoy.

The Comedy Barn in Tennessee is home to a long-running variety show. One of the show’s staples is a standup comedian. For one bit, he pulls audience members onstage. But on this day, he got more than he bargained for.
One man breaks up the show. No, he’s not causing trouble. He’s just laughing. But isn’t comedy supposed to make you laugh?
Wait until you hear this guy. (The Man In The YELLOW SHIRT) Even the professional can’t keep a straight face.
http://videos.komando.com/2008/06/04/mans-surprising-laugh/

Greetings from Tom Sims and Marjorie Barham Sims

Sometimes You Have To Dance

Sent to us from Millie Majors Jones! Thanks Millie

John Chancellor - Autobiography

I moved to New Orleans in 1960. In 1963, I married Dianne Richard. We have one child, Cheryl Ann.

I have learned a lot about hurricanes and the damage they can do. In 1965, Betsy flooded our apartment and we lost everything. Fortunately, that was not too much. In 2005, Katrina flooded our home – this time we lost everything except the china and crystal. But we gained a better appreciation of life and what was important.

I have spent most of my working life in accounting or financial management. In 2004, I was in charge of financial forecasting for a small ($50 million revenue public company) and I could see our path was perilous. I committed myself to becoming independent. This involved a career shift and a process of continual learning.

I am now a mentor/business coach and am in the process of helping six individuals launch their own businesses.

I am an avid reader, averaging a book per week (my English teachers are turning in their graves.) I post reviews of most of the books I read on Amazon.com. I rank in the top 1% of reviewers on Amazon.

I offer lifestyle advice on Allexperts.com and enjoy a 99.75% positive feedback rating.

I have written one book – Designing Your Life – which I use in my work, I have compiled a collection of my favorite quotations – Words to Live and Work By – which I use as a “business card” and I do a weekly email called Lessons in Life. This goes out to people all around the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India and a few other countries. One of my readers has translated some of the lessons into Japanese.

My two favorite books are As a Man Thinketh by James Allen and A Manual For Living- Epictetus. I highly recommend these books to anyone who is looking for direction in life.

Carolyn Gipson Falcon - Autobiography

I still live in Trenton, North Dakota, in our quaint little town of 300 people. It is beautiful up here. Lots of snow in winter so I go back to Meridian every winter for about 5 months. Both of my parents are still living so I get to spend time with them. I am still married to Ed Falcon - just had our 22 anniversary. We have been retired since 1991. Retired while we lived in Las Vegas, NV. and decided we needed a slower-life pace. North Dakota is where it is. We have our garden, spend a lot of time fishing and visit our 12 kids, 30 something grandkids (don't ask me to name them - too many) and our great-grand kids. I won't be at the reunion this time because one of my grand daughters is getting married Oct 11, 2008 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. So everyone have a great time.

Martha Ann Markline Hopkins - Autobiography

MARTHA ANN MARKLINE HOPKINS 3611 Oak Glen Dr.; Tuscaloosa, Al 35406 –

Harry and I now live mostly in Tuscaloosa, though continue to maintain our Birmingham house for now. The plan is for him to retire next year from the law firm in Birmingham, and then live full time in Tuscaloosa, where he hopes to continue to teach at the UA Law School. In the meantime, we travel back and forth, and see the children Peter and Caroline and grandchildren (2 are 13 – James Cole and Caleb, and one – Taylor - is 10) when we are in Birmingham. Our youngest grandchild is autistic, and is receiving good training in communication in the Mt. Brook school system.

I continue to make art, having earned a BFA in Sculpture at UA in 2004. Currently I’m working on a series of acrylic paintings on shaped canvas; a large 5’ x 5’ painting was recently hanging in the Meridian Museum of Art Juried Show. I have a wonderful new painting studio, and am beginning to return to the business of making art since I’m almost completely recovered from a hip operation (resurfacing) in September 2007. Note: If a total hip replacement is recommended for you, research resurfacing, as it gives a natural result with no bone loss.

I traveled to Italy last year, and viewed the great art that I had only studied about – an artist’s dream. I went to Paris the year before that. Since I like to learn languages, I learned Italian and brushed up on my French for these trips. You may remember that after graduating from Southern Miss, I taught English, French, and Spanish at Meridian High School. Mrs. Simpson was my mentor, and Ms. Eykelboom was the Dept. Chair. Charlie Armstrong was still Principal then.

I have a collection of antique dolls, and am President of the Birmingham Doll Club. Researching antique dolls and their costumes makes history come alive for me. A recent find is a china doll from the Civil War period, dressed in black (Confederate widow?)

Life for me since my 45th Reunion bio has included some health setbacks, but I’m still kicking, though running harder to stay in the same place. I‘ve learned that being optimistic and resilient keeps you going longer than complaining and worrying. Writing my bio makes me realize what a good life I’ve had, and I’m especially happy to have been a teenager in the 50’s. Long Live Rock n’ Roll!

Ray Russell - Autobiography

When I left high school I went to EMJC and played football under Coach Bull Sullivan. I thought Coach Owens was tough but he didn’t hold a candle to coach Sullivan who kept the skull of a Japanese soldier killed in WWII on his desk. When I left EMJC I enrolled in Mississippi College in Clinton and played football there. Was a member of the “M” Club and active in campus activities. I joined the marines in 1962, while at MC and served in the active reserve as a Sergeant. I was assigned to an OCC class and ordered to Quantico Va. to complete my officers training upon graduation. Due to a knee injury my senior year, I received a medical release from the Marine Corps. I had intended to make the military my career but God had other plans for my life.

I met my wife to be, Linda, at MC in 1963 and we were married in 1964. We will celebrate 44 years of marriage this year. God blessed us with 3 wonderful girls who grew up to be Godly women who have all married and given us 7 grandchildren, 4 girls and 3 boys. Numbers 6 & 7 were twins, a boy and a girl, who are now 6 months old living in Tampa.

I worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for 32 and a half years and retired in 2000. I have served churches in Mississippi and Alabama for over 38 years as a bi-vocational minister of youth and music. Since I have aged out of youth work, I am serving as Minister of music and administration at First Baptist Church of Irondale.

I stayed active in athletics through officiating football in high school, college and in the professional World football league. My claim to fame is two broken bones in my right knee given to me on ABC TV in 1983 by Cornelius Bennett at the Alabama Auburn Game. I was blind sided while dodging Lionel James, the Auburn Running Back. The incident was televised and made the T.V. athletic “Bloopers” for several years following the painful encounter. Cornelius, nicknamed Biscuit autographed my print of him sacking the Notre Dame QB and I related to the pain the QB went through.

I remember the Tupelo game my senior year when the rain and wind blew so hard the umpire had to hold the ball to keep it from floating away before each play. Following the game we were Elvis Presley’s guests at the Tupelo county fair. I warmed my end of the bench admirably but was soaked clear through.

I look forward to visiting and renewing old friendships at the reunion.

Ray Russell

Warning: Don't Do This at Home (Fun with Cornstarch)

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/02/steve_spangler_do_not_try_this.php

Trivia Question from Larry Tyner

Which Senior English teacher finally fulfilled her dreams by a trip to England in the summer of '58? Alas, the home of Chaucer and the "Canterbury Tales" she so passionately taught to some of us who did not necessarily share her passion. During our Senior year she talked about her coming trip a lot. One senior who thought he might fail and not graduate with rest of us, strongly suggested she would not make the trip if he failed. Bonus question: who was that senior?

Hint: she always looked like she had eaten green persimmons. One of you know who this is?

Larry Tyner

Record your answer in comment section.

(FYI: Comments are open to all, signed in, signed up or not. Comments are open for the world - even to complete strangers. When commenting, if not signed in, please leave your name on the comment so we'll know you have joined us.)

Answer to Trivia Question

According to The Wildcat, our gift to the school was a tiled wildcat emblem with the words "Class of 58." It was placed in front of the activities building. Most of you guessed right.

Honoring Bo Diddley, whose music inspired so many other groups

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F1Mk6U5zVY

I Made It This Far

Married to Ron for 42 years. We have lived in Morrow, GA since 1976. He is retired from the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). I highly recommend retirement. You'll be busier than ever. The photo of us on the right was taken May 18, 2008. We have two children. Our daughter, Ginny is 41 and son, Gary is 37. We have a son-in-law, Andy Dulaney, one Grand Ferret (daughter's) and one Grand Cat (son's).

I enjoy reading, playing the piano and singing karaoke at the American Legion. Ron is a member and I am a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Enjoy playing Trivia and researching on the computer.

The picture on the left was taken when we visited the Patriotic Rock near Greenfield, Iowa in 2007. Have you seen the Patriotic Rock? The link below will take you there. At the top of the page you can select years to view the paintings from the beginning through 2007. This is one of the most inspiring side trips we have taken while on our annual trip to Ron's hometown.

The day we were there, visitors from all over the U.S. had signed the guest book. A local resident walked across the highway and gave us a nice history of the Rock. In the picture, right below my shoulder, is the image of a helicopter. He told us that the image would always be on the rock, as it contains ashes from fallen Veterans, sent to the artist by their families.

The rock used to be covered with graffiti until the artist began his project. Since then, it was disfigured once, but a local Vietnam Veteran gave the culprit a lesson in Patriotism. Local veterans chipped in and paid the fine for the "lesson giver". There is a flagpole, donated by a local veteran, and a park bench, also donated by another veteran.

http://www.ticz.com/homes/users/bob/On-A-Rock/On-A-Rock.htm

Now, for another Ray Stevens video that we have to add to the blog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7a2Zrj3dU

Is that a 1951 Chevy in the beginning of the video?

I'll be back later...........................

There's Help for the Asking

If you are having problems responding to your invitation to post and signing up for the blog, perhaps one of those listed below would be able to help you. If one can't or is too busy, go to another. Some have posted. Your user name is your e-mail address. You create your own password. AGAIN - PLEASE DO NOT CREATE A BLOG. We have the blog. You are just trying to sign into ours.

Also, check the list of labels on the right side of the page. Click on "Blog Administration." This will bring up all my posts with directions and information on being a blogger.

When you are signed up, help someone else get on board. The same for posting. Thanks guys and girls. I need your help in helping others get started. This is going to take all of us to be a success.

Mary Jane Kelly Heisterkamp
Jinny Curran Walz Jimmy Lewis
Martha Markline Hopkins

I Cannot Hear the Music/Open Videos

If you cannot hear the music or open videos on the right sidebar (or elsewhere) on the blog:

• Do you have speakers? No? Can't help you.
• If you have speakers, be sure they are turned on and turned up.
• You may need to download Flash Player 9 to your computer. It is free. Go here to Adobe website to download: http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/
• If that fails, those with computer skills, be innovative and share with us.

As to signing up/signing in, take it slow and read the instructions. It is very simple. Sign in - do not create a new blog. Read, children, read.

Send me your stories and your autobiographies

Several have written about how much they enjoyed the post by Larry Tyner about the Vicksburg football game. Let's reminisce together. Post similar stories or e-mail to me, and I will post for you: scribe564@bellsouth.net Also, post your bios or e-mail to me for posting. We have a big audience - 4769 hits since May 4th - but contributions for content is a shared responsibility. Stories to reminisce can be one liners: "Remember when . . . ."

Again, I'll post for you if you prefer, giving you the credit. scribe564@bellsouth.net

Peace and All Good,
Ouida

Missing Classmates Update

For the past two days "I been searchin', searchin', searchin' ever wi-i-i-i-i-itch uh way! Oh, yeah!" Can you hear the Coasters singing? We had 32 "missing" or "lost" classmates but after my best detective skills were put into high gear that list is now down by 19 with 13 to go! Best time I've had in months; what fun it's been to talk with friends I haven't seen in decades! My heart is warmed by the receptions I received and I surely hope the feeling is mutual. Nancy Hughes said she was waiting to hear from someone and is thrilled that we "found" her! Ray Crawford's going to join us in Meridian at the Carousel. Linda Reidenbaugh has gone to every one of her husband's reunions (he graduated from MHS in '52) but never to our class' reunions. A few have never, ever been to a reunion but plan on coming now. What a joy this little task has been. Can't wait to see you all and hear first hand what paths your lives have taken.
Have found 1 other but I'm waiting to get a call back. We've also located 3 who were not on the list but who had missed receiving information because of recent moves.

Updated 6/13/08