Speaking of Rocky

Rocky Mountain College made the top 10 of the first tier of Best Comprehensive Colleges.

Rocky is listed in the top 10 for the Comprehensive Colleges in the Great Schools, Great Bargains category in the latest issue of the US News and World Report.

Comprehensive colleges are those in which a liberal-arts education is complemented by professional programs such as Rocky's aviation, equestrian and physician-assistant programs.

The Best Schools, Best Bargains category is for those colleges that offer high quality academic programs compared to the net cost.

This is the 10th consecutive year that Rocky has been ranked in the first tier, top 10 in the West by the magazine in both the best academic and best value categories.

"We are immensely proud of this accomplishment and hope Montana will share in the accomplishment of being so highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report," Rocky President Michael Mace said.

Rocky was ranked highly for its student-retention rate, small class size (averaging 14.5 students in a class), student-faculty ratio of 13-1, alumni support, percent of faculty who are full-time, and freshmen entering who are in top 25 percent of their class.

Fair Time

After my Wednesday Coffee Klatch with a group of Democrat friends (One of whom was having a birthday so we had cake), I went to the Montana Fair. Last summer I was there with my wife, and we didn't quite get to everything because of problems she was having with walking. We did the 4-H exhibit and saw some of the animals and the "Quilt" show. That one includs a lot of beautiful quilts along with other household decorations and the Jam, Jelly, baking, etc., entries. One of or our long time friends was always winning blue ribbons in that sequence. Both she and Betty are now gone to a greater reward. This time I managed to get my weary knees around the whole fair ground. I fully intended to eat some high cholesterol food as my supper, but the prices were obscene. I did have an icecream cone at the 4-H exhibit. They charged only $1 and the cup was full. On the grounds I would have had to pay at least $1.25 for a single dip. I came home and had a microwaveable Healthy Choice. And then watched Boston finally win one.

While walking the midway at the Fair I saw a former student from Rocky who began working at the Metra arena while still in college. He had transferred to Rocky from another Church related college where he had had some problems. I worked with him from time to time to make sure that he was satisfied with us and that the graduated. Since I last saw Bill he has moved up in the organization and now is General Manager of Metra. For those not in the know Metra is a large building which hosts indoor football, high school basketball, high school graduations for Billings' 3 public high schools, has concerts, rodeo, etc. It is always to see one of our graduates succeed, especially one I had a role in. Another winner is the current Chief of Police who has often sought me out for any kind of help I might be able to give. Our recent Superintendent of Schools is also an RMC grad. The School Board did not renew his contract after 3 successful years as superintendent. He apparently worked more in the District with teachers and on behalf of students that giving guidance to the Board. They hired someone who will tell them what to do.

Broken Circle

Jim Ken Annie David Willie Paul Pete

This last week had been one of mixed emotions. My son, Jimmy, died last Monday at the age of 52 after a four year battle with lung cancer. I spent most of the week in Dickinson, ND with his family. There was great joy as the Taylor's and the Hellman's got together; and there were many tears and much grief as we all remembered what this man has meant to us over the years.

For the last several years when the Taylor clan has been together we have managed to get a picture line-up of the oldest to the youngest. The above picture shows what a space is left. Both Jim and his mother are absent from us and together in heaven. It may be a long tme before we are all together again.

Life is Good

It's been family time the last few days. Pete and I went out Saturday to a new Mexican restaurant (Santa Fe Red) on Saturday night for supper. Ken came in on Sunday from Helena to be in Billings for a week. I unfroze some salmon and cooked it in the ne Rotisserie for Sunday supper. Annie came in on Monday so I took them all out to Cactus Creek (a western type steak house) that night. Pete doesn't work Monday nights so there was four of us. Annie stayed over and cooked up some Taco Salad for supper last night before she left for home. Tonight Ken called (he's in town as a part of his job evaluating drug treatment programs) and took me out. He was interested in trying the Santa Fe Red place so we went there and had a nice sandwich along with fried onions and pickle. Amanda was a most gracious waitress and a lovely young lady. When we got back to the house we turned the TV to PBS for Mostly Mozart. It is a real pleasure to have a chance to visit with the family. I never quite know whether to say "with the kids" or "with the children" all of them being in the so-called middle years whether they want to hear that or not. BUT they are family. And I love them all.

Learner Type

This is Trudy's fault!
***You Are a Visual Learner***


You tend to remember what you see, and you have a good eye for aesthetics.
You excel at art, design, and computer programming.
You would be an excellent film director - or the next Bill Gates!


What's Your Learning Style?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourlearningstylequiz/

Capital Punishment

The ACLU of Montana has itself all in a snit about Capital Punishment. There is some feeling among them that if a man is to be put to death it ought to be “humane”. They seem to be saying that there is no proof that the criminal does not feel pain before death occurs. That, in some way, the barbiturate which is supposed to deaden pain is not sufficient and is not administered by someone qualified in medicine. The case in point at this time is that of a man who has been on death row for many years and has given up the battle to delay his execution further. I say, “Let him die.” I asked a medical friend who is a member of ACLU the other day about their position and he said in effect that he was not a part of that action. My point is that the ACLU doesn’t seem to take into consideration the suffering the murderer placed on the three he killed and the continued pain to those who survive. Maybe leathel injection is to kind for a guy like this. Even Saddam has asked for the firing squad.

Reading

I’ve been reading “The Book of God” (The Bible as a Novel) by Walter Wangerin, Jr. Daughter, Annie, gave me this 10 years ago as a Father’s Day present. I know that I have read it before because there are familiar markings in it. It is an interesting read for while the typical Biblical language isn’t there the stories ring true. Last month as I was reading Philip Yancy’s “Disappointment With God” he frequently talked about taking time off to reread the whole Bible from cover to cover. Been there, done that. This seemed to be a better way to approach such a venture. My reading today has dealt with the Exodus from Egypt and the time of the Judges. In light of the present history of Israel it is quite interesting. Time and time again we read that the people strayed from their covenant with Yahweh and were in big trouble until they repented.

I have mixed feeling about what is happening in Lebanon , in Gaza, and throughout the Middle East. Who started it, and how long ago. Is the bombing of civilian targets in order to kill an enemy justified. Is this “an Act of War” or is it a malignancy? And what is the response of the United States if in this indiscriminate bombing an American citizen is killed or injured?

Unfortunately the United States government doesn't have a leg to stand on. How can we decry what Israel and the Hezbolla and Hamas are doing in light of our own behaviour? For example the alleged mistreatment of suspected terrorists.

Sunday doings

Church this morning as usual. Pete didn’t get in until late last night (early a.m.), so he was still asleep when I left. A lovely young lass who now teaches at Rocky Mountain College in the Theatre Department has been siting with us. She is originally from Beaumont, TX and has been home visiting the last couple of weeks. Actually Linaya Leaf, who is a long time friend and colleague at the College invited Sarah to worship with us. It is obvious that she was brought up in the Church. She knows the hymns and she finds the passages in her Bible that the Pastor is reading from very easily.

When I got home from Church I turned on the TV to watch the finish of the British Open, finished the morning paper and made my usual sandwich for lunch. I had to take care of some financial things related to the Endowment fund of the Church (I’m Treasurer), and then did some Internet searching of no consequence.


By keeping windows shut during the day it has actually stayed pretty comfortable in the house. That ended today with our 101 degree temperature. It was warm enough that I suggested to Pete that we go out to some place with air conditioning to have dinner. He mentioned a new Mexican place just a few blocks from home so we went there. It WAS cool, and it seemed that many people had the same idea as it was crowded. Nevertheless we had quick seating and good service. The waitress’s name tag said “Steevie.” I asked her what her real name was and she said “Stephanie”. She didn’t like the “Stephie” bit so had gone with the other. Now we are home and I am blogging so that I can be downstairs where it is much cooler.

Life is for the Living

This country is in deep trouble because of unwise moves insisted on by our current President. Nevertheless as I watched the Senate and the House yesterday two items were being argued neither of which are of earth shaking importance. The house defeated a Resolution calling for a Constitutional amendment to ban same-sex unions. The Senate and the House have both agreed to the use of frozen embryo’s for stem-cell research. So today Bush vetoed legislation which a majority of our Congress approved. I find it hard to accept a man talking about protecting life of the embryo as if it were already a living being when he sends young men and women into harm’s way on the false belief that the US is in danger from a foreign power.

Early in our marriage my wife had a miscarriage before the 2nd month. I can’t tell you what happened to the lost tissue, but we never thought of it as losing a child. At about the 8th year of marriage she lost twins at 6 months. They survived about 24 hours and were properly buried with Christian burial conducted by a Pastor friend. These two had breathed the breath of life. I guess that my belief is that LIFE begins with that first breath. In Genesis we read: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Gen. 2:7 KJV) Up to that point there is only possibility. I admit I was a bit surprised yesterday to hear Orrin Hatch supporting the Bill. Basically he seemed to be saying that we need to deal with life as we here on earth have it. Children and others who have need of great medical discoveries are certainly as important as an embryo which may end up discarded. To call for the “adoption “ of thousands of such cells is preposterous.

Mr. President, let science and medicine alone.

Love Letter Number One

Last night I looked through some old letters Betty and I had saved over the years. Here is the first one I wrote to her from Cincinnati, OH after I had gone to the University for some graduate study - pre-planned. This picture was taken that same time period by her cousin. Good things do happen on first dates. (Betty and Harriet are the same gal - Harriet Elizabeth)

July 26. 1948

Dearest Harriet:-

Here I am the 1st day after our 1st date a thousand miles away and only the opportunity to write you. But letters are better than nothing; and after all two weeks are not really such a long time except in a relative sense. And relatively speaking it ‘peers like about an eon or two.

It was wonderful being last night with you and learning for sure that which I’d already suspected. Honestly, I didn’t think it could happen to me. Since a none to happy high school experience I’d tho”t myself immune. Women were lovely playthings, but, oh, the change a wonderful girl like you can bring about,. To toy with you would be sacrilege, to forget you would be akin to forgetting that there is a God, or that I had a mother. And I don’t forget important things easily. (Of course I locked the car last night with the key in-side. I left the house today without my checkbook, and it’’s a mile and a half from here to the University. ) It’s pretty big, but at least the Psychology Dept. will know me. Also left my pen at home - or lost it so this is a 98 cent Special ball point. (I’m in the bathtub under water writing this.) [Joke]

Classes start tomorrow - if I start writing Psychology to you it’ll just be an excuse to review the stuff while also writing you. Conscientious Student, you know. Besides there’s a greater incentive to make good now.

Oh, Harriet, Harriet, I love you
Love you more than pen and ink can tell.
Love that smile, those bright and
sparkling eyes.
Love the things you stand for,
purity and light
And love you because of them.

And when your soft, low voice,
The voice angels must speak with,
Says “Jim” I thrill within my soul
For low and sweet it says also
“I love you.”

Well, that wasn’t supposed to be a poem, but it expresses me tho’ts to youward.
I’ve written John & Jean and told them that we plan eventually to be wed, but told them to keep it under their hats for a while; not that I care who knows, but would like to hear your reaction to any publicity.

Am enclosing a picture I happen to have with me, with the fervent hope that you will do the same. It isn’t to good. I think it flatters me, but Aunt Bertha says I’m better looking that that. (God bless her.)

It’s 5 PM and I must shower and shave before 6 as Joe Litchenstein is coming by for dinner. He’s my colleague at Marshall in Psychology. So I’ll close for today.

Love you, Jim

A Poem

I was looking for something else months ago and found this poem. I think it might have been something to do with Grant Wood. Anyway the thing takes true meaning for me now.


A World of Seeming

It is a world of seeming:
The changeless moon seems changing ever,
The sun sets daily, but sets never.
So near the stars and yet so far;
So small they seem, so large they are;
It is a world of seeming.
And so it seems that she is dead,
Yet so seems only; for instead,
Her life is just begun; and this -
Is but an empty chrysalis
While she, unseen to mortal eyes,
Now wins her way in brighter skies -
Beyond this world of seeming.
- H. A. Blood in the Century.

DAILY NEBRASKA STATE JOURNAL, LINCOLN, SUNDAY 5 JUNE 1887

Musings

Well, it has been a tough week here both in regards to the heat and the bullish attitude in the Stock Market. The former has been well above average all week, and the latter has sunk. I really only keep track of the Market on weekend my portfolio is down about $3400 since last Friday. Interestingly enough it is slightly above what is was 2 weeks ago. This afternoon the temperature was at 96 with humidity at 11%. I’ve spent most of the week in the basement, and for the last couple of nights I’ve pull the light cover up before morning.

I’ve just finished watching the evening news, got some supper (do I ever miss the cook), ate while watching Jeopardy and then turned to the Seattle Mariners baseball game until Monk came on. Now I have an hour or so until Becker. Don’t really watch much else on TV these summer nights.

Between bouts of updating my Quicken data I have read further in Yancy’s “Disappointment with God.” His main point at this time seems to be that in our hurt it is not that God is not fair, it is simply that life is not fair. Good people die sometimes painful death and good people have their houses burn down as we are witnessing now in much of the West including Montana. Years ago I was teaching a class which I labeled Healthy Personality. One Spring Semester there was a hugh fire just north of Billings in the Roundup area. One of the students had her house and all her belongings destroyed. After dealing with the shock of the loss she told me that it was the best thing that ever happened to her. “Now I don’t have any reason to stay . I have the freedom to move on with my life.”

I suppose that that is the attitude we all need to have. --Move On --

Live Baseball

It was a good outing last night with Pete. We went to one of his favoriate eateries - the Rock Pile, and then to the Mustangs baseball game against Idaho Falls. (Free tickets from the Manager of the restaurant) It was a close game and tied at the end of 9. We left at that point, but listened on the radio as the Ponies got the win in the bottom of the 10th. Billings leads the Northern Division of the Pioneer League and Idaho Falls leads the Southern Division. Pete saw a number of people he knows, I saw only one. I had pretty much forgotten about all of the young kids who are at these games with their parents and in some cases Grandparents. And I found out that I am not able to follow the ball as well as I used to. Probably to much TV and instant replays.

I am still having trouble with my Quicken software. After re-entering all my 2006 data for both checking accounts and for the credit cards the damn thing screwed up again and I am not able to find the update. Maybe I’ ll give it one more try and then try some other program. It does fill in the hours - and I do mean hours.

Maddening Monday

Now to more mundane matters. Last night I found a skinless chicken breast in the freezer. That in the rotisserie plus a can of green beans, some lettuce/tomato salad and some packaged rice made dinner for Pete and myself - with his help. Tonight we are planning on going to watch our local pro-baseball team. For those who who don't know the Billings Mustangs are a farm team of the Cincinnati Reds. They are playing some pretty nice winning ball this season.

The most mundane is the fact that I somehow screwed up my financial program again and have spent most of the day re-entering date from hard copies. I have the checking accounts up to date at least.

Oh well. So much for the computer age!!##**@@@!!^

I wrote something the other day about how some of the songs from South Pacific had reminded me so much of the loss of my wife, Betty. My brother-in-law responded later that this also happens to him in remembrance of his sister who had died 25 years ago. Its only been 7 months, so it doesn’t take much for me to remember the good times and all that we meant to each other. Near the end of Tim Russert’s book about his Father and his own journey into TV he tells of the death of the 17 year old adopted son of his former boss at NBC. Russert called the man to express his sympathy. The father is reported as saying: “I don’t know how to deal with it. I had a wonderful, robust, healthy boy on Tuesday he got sick on Wednesday, and he died on Thursday.” Since the lad was adopted Russert at one point in the conversation said: “What if God had come to you and said, ‘Michael, I’m going to make you an offer. I will give you a . . . son for 17 years then it will be time for him to come home.” You would have made that deal in a second, right?”

I then thought of the over 56 years of the gift of love which was mine, and I wouldn’t exchange them for anything. To quote Russert further (he had a strong Roman Catholic upbringing) death “is God’s design, God’s plan.” He blessed me for longer than the lifetime of many including two of my own brothers. Today I picked up Philip Yancy’s book “Disappointment with God”. He starts with a visit with a young man who is giving up on God because “life isn’t fair.” I will have to admit that in my grief I have had the same thoughts. I remember being reminded of the wedding script where the clergy says “What God has joined together let no man put asunder.” And I railed within myself to the effect that while no man should separate the two God had, himself, done it. “It is God’s design, God’s plan.” I find it hard to believe that this old guy lives on in spite of having had a heart attack at 33 years of age and by-pass surgery twice. And Betty says to me one Sunday morning “Take me to the Clinic”. And in two weeks she is dead. My comfort is that she did not suffer long and most of our family were here to visit her at the hospital. 80 beautiful years and including our engagement over 56 of them I was privileged to share.

Sesame Steet

This is supposed to come up readable. Let's see!

You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them! You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil How you life your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Another Monday

Not a lot going on in this life since brother Lee and his wife visited in mid-June. It was good to see them again this summer after our periodic Family Reunion last Summer. I am reminded that this time last year I was on the road coming back to Billings with Pete and Betty after the Reunion and a short visit with her family in Ceredo, WV. Traveling across the West on a holiday week-end did not prove to be all that bad. We stopped in Des Moines, IA one night, visited the Amana Colonies on the way there. The next night we were in Mitchell, SD and visited the Corn Palace. On the way to Gillette, WY we stopped at Rapid City for a short trip up the mountan to visit the "Presidents". What a rude awakening. The place has now been throughly commercialized.

The last few days I've managed to finish "The Secret Supper" by Javier Sierra and the "Wisdom of our Fathers" by Tim Russert. I am also almost through "Big Russ and Me" by little Timmy. It is amazing how much the upbringing of that kid in an Irish Roman Catholic setting reminds me of my own childhood in a Conversative West Virginia Baptist environment.

Tonight Pete is getting supper. I took him out last night rather than do the cooking myself.

Peace!

Visionary Betty

Shortly after our first child, Ken, was born in February 1950 I went off to graduate school at Penn State. In the past week I find that I am inordinately glad of that fact. I have found a small suitcase full of letters which we wrote back and forth that year. As a matter of fact there are numerous such letters from B. Clarkson to James R. Taylor which were sent to me in Cincinnati, OH just after we were engaged and I was studying at the University there the summer of 1948. There are also letter from Harriet (that was what I first knew her as and what I continued to use in personal contact) Taylor to James R. [Her family called her Betty to distinguish her from her Granny, Harriet, and her Grandma Clarkson - Lizzie.] Most every body else called her Betty and she was somewhat more comfortable with that name when addressed by others. The point is I have those letters now to bring me closer to her in my time of sorrow.

One I read today is particularly remarkable. It was written November 29, 1950. She talks about picking up “a couple of those house plans at the bank the other day. There was a wonderful few hours of dreaming. Someday -- maybe one like this. This one is mostly windows-particularly the Living room. A nice fire place, big windows, a compact kitchen, and a possible 3 bedrooms, and the big terrace makes it attractive. Pick us a Sate, a county, a city, and here we go.” What is so remarkable is that in November 1964 we were in Montana, in Yellowstone County, and in the city of Billings when we actually bought that house. Fourteen years later. There it is, above. Taken October 9, 2005 with family visiting as we celebrated Betty’s 80th birthday, my 81st, Paul’s and Louise’s 10th Anniversary and Jim and Cec’s 20th Anniversary. Along with Pete, Lisa’s and Cecilia’s birthdays also in October.

Concert

Some how or other there is supposed to be a picture here. I've just looked at the 'Preview" and indeed it is there twice. This is at Pioneer Park and is a picture of part of the thousands who were at the Symphony in the Park yesterday in Billings. Pete tells me that he was down near the yellow tent. I never would have found him as I was way up above. The picture was taken with the telephoto option. I didn't stay much because I saw no one I know and could enjoy the concert with, and the first number really sounded like the Orchestra was still warming up. That is probably a poor thing to say just because it wasn't what I was expecting to hear, but that was the impression I was getting. At any rate I had to park at least a half mile from the Park and just went on back to the car and went on home to read, and to watch Becker at 9:30 pm. Then the news and then to bed.

I'm reading Tim Russert''s latest book with notes from many people giving their memories of their fathers. My last memory of my father who died while I was in Basic Training in 1943. He was 59. The last thing I remember his saying at the depot as we prepared to leave was some regret about sending his twin sons off to war, bu that one "must render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.

Letters

Wonder of wonders! I have been cleaning out the garage trying to decide what might be eligible for a garage sale, and what could be thrown in the trash. In the process I have come across a small overnight case which is full of letters from the past. I found one set that I wrote to Betty from Cincinnati right after we were engaged. I had gone to do some grad study at the University to support my teaching at Marshall. That was 58 years ago this July. I also came across an invitation to my ordination to the Christian Ministry on June 27, 1958 That is tomorrow - 48 years ago. I remember saying once to Betty that she should not be surprised if she woke up some day and found that she was married to a preacher and not a teacher. It took 3 years as an Instructor in Psychology at Marshall, 1 1/2 years of graduate study at Penn State and 4 years as a Clinical Psychologist in Iowa before I answered that call and enrolled at Andover-Newton Theological School. A quick look at the letters show that she was a regular correspondent while I was at Cincy, and when she was staying with her parents while I was at Penn State. Later when she was able to visit family and I had to stay on the job we wrote our love to each other often and with passion. I’ve been able to read some of the letters today, and will look them over from time to time. I suspect that my sense of organization will find me organizing them into some sort of “time frame”. It didn’t help my composure this afternoon when I read Tim Russert’s paragraphs about his mother’s death just a few months before Betty died. At least he and his siblings had a chance to tell her good-bye.