SWEET TALK: What would you title this?

Sweet Talk

Contact Guinn

Smiley face

Contact Index columnist Guinn Sweet
at sweettalk@mineralwellsindex.com.

The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed.

comments powered by Disqus

December 23, 2012

SWEET TALK: What would you title this?

Anonymous Mineral Wells Index The Mineral Wells Index Sun Dec 23, 2012, 11:38 AM CST

By Guinn Sweet

A long time ago, English poet, Thomas Moore wrote, “Oft in the stilly night, ere slumber’s chain has bound me, fond memory brings the light of other days around me.” At my age, fond memories are just about all that I can recall; they are memories which come in the daytime! It was the news of the naming of Libby Cluett as news editor of the Index which stirred my “fond” memories this week. I was reminded of my own beginnings at the Index almost twenty years ago. I was following the late, great Thelma Doss, following her retirement, in writing a commentary column. Gosh, that was in 1993! Can you believe it?

After several retirements from the teaching profession, and still dissatisfied with nothing to do except house work, I met Lou Warren and the Senior Center. She asked me to talk to the editor of the Mineral Wells Index to see if it would be possible for them to print a “Senior News” each week. She expected me to write such a column. In fact, she made me an appointment to meet with Jenny Cockerham; and it is she of whom I first speak in this column.

I will have an awfully hard time forgetting Jenny Cockerham. Our first meeting brought me great intimidation at the meeting with so prestigious a position-holder as “Managing Editor.” I envisioned a high-falutin’ lady, but I kept the appointment anyhow. As I first approached the door pointed out to me as her office, I am not sure of what I expected to see. However, when I walked through the door I saw, sitting there behind a loaded desk, the biggest smile I had ever seen. Her smile fit the rest of her body, she was a very large lady, physically. During the interview, she encouraged me to write just what I felt comfortable with, while fitting the nature of the senior center’s needs still accommodating my writing style. Her entire interview so fed my ego that it forced me to turn it (my ego) sideways to get it through the door as I left! I left her office convinced that I would be one of the best writers that the Index ever had … and that I had a new friend.

Sometimes Jenny was funny, sometimes she was downright audacious. There were other times when she expressed outrage for some of the social ills that we both saw as overcoming our world. Her dislike and criticism were both fair and honest, while also seeing the humor in life. She was a professional writer, a fair “boss,” a wise advisor and a gentle critic. Our friendship as well as our professional relationship had basis in intelligence and sensitivity.

Jenny was destined to live only a comparatively few months after we began sharing the newspaper writing. She made it bearable by telling me stories of my predecessor, Thelma Doss, now retired. Without demanding any particular level of performance, she wisely outlined what was good and what was not so good in the writing life of a columnist. She did not allow me to be ONLY a reporter for the Senior Center. She asked permission from Lou Warren, center director, to allow me to expand, or rather to add, to my news column, other areas of commentary, including humor, criticism and other things to entertain.

You ask why I am writing this “eulogy to Jenny” so many years later? I tell you in one short sentence. We have a new FEMALE editor at the Index. I know, I know, the local news is local news and anybody can do it well … and she has shown that she is a skilled interviewer and writer. She has local as well as national news items in her work. She is sufficiently able to be both detached while “reporting the facts, ma’am,” and thoughtful [news] editor of the Mineral Wells Index, and she has established herself over an appreciable length of time as one who will stick to the job assigned and outdo some others who have proved less able/willing to do the jobs assigned, and make them factual, interesting and informative.

In addition, I have told her all the above in the hope and expectation that she will be of help to me in my column writing, by correction of my spelling and word usage; and also her thinking of attention-getting headline statements or titles. I know that she will be happy to do that. Huh? You will, Libby, Huh? Right? Right!!

Text Only

Sweet Talk

Reminiscing on columns
The older I get, the more reminiscent I become … and I think that is the normal process of memory when we pile it up behind us. This is the nineteenth year of my writing a series of weekly columns, articles and travelogues for the Mineral Wells Index. I have observed the changing complex of reporting, beginning with my old original typewriter and continuing through the electric typewriter, the word processor and, now, I have worn out three or four computers. Since the latest one is nearly eight years old, I can see ahead to being forced to advance to a new one, an iPod or even becoming a “texter” on a little bitty hand-held thingy.

February 2, 2013
Longing to Quench a Spiritual Thirst
“Blessed is the (wo)man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are thy ways, who going through the vale of misery use it for a well … they will go from strength to strength”

January 28, 2013
Sweet Talk: Guinn’s Guns
“A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed,” states the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution. The Supreme Court has ruled that this right is not limited to a connection with an organized state militia.

January 19, 2013
Between ‘prissy clean’ and ‘post-tornado’
“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house,” Proverbs:21:9, KJV

January 14, 2013
Sweet Talk
When I was a great deal younger, the only things that talked back to you were your children. Nowadays, every toy, stranger, automobile and kitchen utensil has something to convey to anyone who listens and others who would rather have quiet. The world is seething with idle conversation, insults and instructions, be it desired or not. Some of these things I invite into my life; some are intrusive and unwanted. Some are complete surprises, yet are talking to me as if I were an idiot cousin, come for an extended visit.

January 6, 2013
SWEET TALK: What would you title this?
A long time ago, English poet, Thomas Moore wrote, “Oft in the stilly night, ere slumber’s chain has bound me, fond memory brings the light of other days around me.”

December 23, 2012
Of Payback and Coast Fishin’
“Break forth into joy, sing together…for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem” (Isaiah 52:8, kjv)
Colon fell this morning.

December 17, 2012
The Lord provides words, strength when needed most
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9, Holy Bible, KJV.

December 10, 2012
Stan Musial was truly a hit with my father
“But he ‘his musical finesse was such, so good his{eye} ear, so delicate his {swing}touch made poetry a mere mechanic art; and every warbler has his tune by heart.” – William Cowper.

November 26, 2012
Give thanks daily for your blessings
“Oh come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving: and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms.”

November 19, 2012
More Sweet Talk Headlines

Sweet Talk

Search Results

Contact Guinn

The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed.

SWEET TALK: What would you title this?

Site Map