Snippets from a Snippet
The following are some snippets from my life for anyone who might have a bit of "gas," but recorded mostly for my entertainment by means of reflection.
Definition: snippet
noun
- a small piece snipped off; a small bit, scrap, or fragment: an anthology of snippets.
- Informal. a small or insignificant person.
From <https://www.dictionary.com/browse/snippet>
Snippet #1
I was an "only child" reared in the sticks, mostly alone during my formative years. My family was dirt poor. I don't know if my dad ever had any formal education. He could not read or write, although he could do elementary addition and subtraction well enough. My mother maybe had an eighth grade level education; she could at least read and write. I never realized just how poor we were until I managed to get into college and meet some middle class city folks and see firsthand how they lived. None of them ever had to use an outhouse; they all lived in homes with running water; and they took hot baths indoors more than once a month. I can still remember that old outhouse and how cold it was in the winter. I can remember taking a bath in a steel wash tub with water that had been heated in the cast iron wash pot (clothes) over a wood fire in the back yard. All the water was drawn by hand in a bucket lowered into the well. Yes, I got a bath at least once a month, whether I needed it or not. Getting all the logistics in line to accomplish that small task was quite an ordeal for my mother, so full scale baths were very rare.
The fact that I was raised pretty much alone, without contact with anyone other than my parents, probably accounts for my great lack of verbal communication and social skills. I don't do "small-talk" well at all. I have no interest in sports, playing trivial games, or meaningless chatter. Most of my conversations with acquaintances start with, "How are you doing?" and end with, "Fine." That is about the extent of my conversation skills.
I read a book when I was very young. I can't remember any great details, but I think the title of the book was "The Hermitage." What little I can remember pretty much describes how I have lived my life in isolation from the rest of the world. Given the experiences that I have had with the world, I am pretty much happy to have nothing to do with it. I have tried on occasions to fit in, but it has never been very successful. Suffice it to say that I am but a snippet, and I am resigned to that status.
Snippet #2
I have pondered these questions for many years. I probably shouldn’t, but I thought I would let y’all ponder them now.
What if you were given a trial but were not invited to attend or even told that it was going to happen? What if you were charged with some infraction, but never told what it was? What if you could not answer this charge? What if you could not defend yourself? What if you could not give your side of the story? What if you were found guilty and punishment prescribed, all in your absence and without your knowledge? What if everyone knew about this long before you did? What if no one seemed to care? What if no one spoke up or came to your defense, save one?
What if it happened 40 years ago and you still remember it like it was yesterday? Ponder all you want but what if these questions have no good answers? Soon, I will ponder no more, forever.
Snippet #3
There is an old saying, "With friends like this, who needs enemies?" A conversation we had many years ago:
ME: You know, I think I have mentioned this before, but never followed up on it. We should get together for lunch or coffee sometime when you have a chance. My schedule is pretty flexible these days. Why don't you let me know when you might fit it into your schedule? Lunch is on me.
HIM: Yes, we've talked about it. That would be something I'd enjoy. I will be on vacation from June 14 to 24. Let me figure out a day I'm not going to have something going on, and we can meet in Athens.
ME: That sounds good to me; just let me know.
HIM: I will. I should know middle of next week what that next week looks like. First four days are for U.S. Open golf.
After 10 years of waiting, I finally gave up on it ever happening. Some might argue that he simply forgot. But I would counter that you don't forget something if it is important to you.
Snippet #4
My educational journey began with my Grandmother Wylie. She taught me the alphabet and how to count before I entered the first grade at LaPoynor School. There was no “preschool” or kindergarten in those days. The only preschool experience I had was with that wonderful woman. She was my favorite teacher of all time. She knew everything, and she didn't mind telling you so. I spent all 12 elementary and high school years at LaPoynor, graduating in 1966 as valedictorian of my class of 27 students.
I then spent two years at Henderson County Junior College (later to be renamed Trinity Valley Community College) before moving on to Texas A&M University, where, in 1970, I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education with certifications to teach math and chemistry. At Texas A&M, I also earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. The Army treated me to educational adventures at Fort Knox (Armor Officer Training School), Fort Benning (Airborne Course), and Fort Benjamin Harrison (Defense Information School).
After my Army obligation, I spent another year in college at Sam Houston State University, where I received my teaching certification in journalism. I did not actually graduate from SHSU with a degree of any kind, but the campus chapter of Sigma Delta Chi named me the Outstanding Journalism Graduate for the 1974-75 academic year.
I then went on to earn a Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1980. At this point in my life, I thought I was finished with educational pursuits. But as life would have it, when I left teaching in 1987 to pursue a photography career, I started a 25-year pursuit of training with the Texas Professional Photographers Association by attending an annual one-week school each year. In the process, I earned my Certified Professional Photographer designation. 2001.
Shortly after becoming self-employed, it became apparent to me that I needed a better understanding of income taxes. I was paying a CPA several hundred dollars a year to file my income tax return. My original CPA took on a partner and handed me off to him (without informing me or seeking my approval). Soon, that partner moved out and opened his own business, and I stayed with him (much to the dismay of my original CPA, who had booted me--for some reason, he thought I should stay with him). When my new CPA moved out of the area, I was left with no one to do my taxes. So, I enrolled in an H&R Block Income Tax course. We met for 3-4 hours, two or three days a week (I can't remember, exactly), for the equivalent of a college semester. I received my H&R Block Income Tax certification and have been doing my own tax returns ever since. Just one more blip in my education journey.
One final tidbit: In 2001, I also earned a Henderson County "Master Gardener" certification following a semester-long course conducted by the county agent, Rich Hirsch, a fellow Aggie and good friend.
Snippet #5
My photography career was born in the summer of 1970, by pure chance. I was finishing up my bachelor's degree by completing some required courses that I had put off for whatever reason--I just can't remember now why. It was the second summer semester, and I only had one remaining required course. Back in those days, the tuition was the same, whether you took one course or more.
I had a friend who was seeking a degree in landscape architecture, and photography was a required course for him. Like me, it was one of those things that he had been putting off for four years. So, I thought, "What the heck? It won't increase my tuition, so I'll take photography with him." The teacher was great. I learned so much during those six weeks, and I would be rewarded for this decision many times over during the rest of my life. That photography course was indeed the best elective course that I ever chose to take. It shaped my very life.
