BLUE-EYED PROGENY

The legend of Blue-Eyed Boys has stood the test of time. It has been rumored that when the first child, a son, was born to Daddy Ed and Swoots, he had blue eyes, as do many babies at birth.

As the first-born son he was named for his father. But, when his eyes changed from blue his name was changed to William Clyde. Then when the next son was born the same thing happened and his name became Wilmer Ray.

Finally, the blue pigment stayed and I became Thomas Edgar Rutledge, Jr. I can neither affirm nor deny this story. The fact remains, my eyes are still blue.

As an interesting adjunct to this legend, my first born son's eyes have remained blue and he is TER, III. Furthermore his son, TER, IV, has blue eyes.

Believe it or not!

Plight of the Monarch Butterfly

Currently in the news is the plight of the Monarch Butterfly. It is fast becoming an endangered creature as a result of destruction of the rainforests in Mexico where the Monarch spends its winter after the long flight to avoid freezing temperatures of the northern climes.

Fortunately there are people working to stop the deforestation; hopefully, this can be accomplished in order that one of God's lovely creatures can be saved from extinction.

I had a most inspiring experience with Monarch Butterflies at Laurelledge. One early autumn day I was on my way down the driveway to check the mail box. All of a sudden I noticed that I was surrounded by Monarchs. The air was full of their beauty and graceful flight.

My presence did not seem to disturb them. As I continued my trip to the mail box, I was entranced by the awe-inspiring sight. I realized that the butterflies were on their way to Mexico. I had witnessed one way in which God provides His creatures with the means to preserve their existence on this earth and procreate future generations to continue that flight.

I am indeed grateful for the beauty and perseverance of the Monarch Butterfly.

Father's Day

IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE A DAD AROUND THE HOUSE
By Helen Steiner Rice

DADS are special people
No home should be without,
For every family will agree
They're 'SO NICE TO HAVE ABOUT' -
They are a happy mixture
Of a 'SMALL BOY' and a 'MAN'
And they're very necessary
In every 'FAMILY PLAN' -
Sometimes they're most demanding
And stern, and firm and tough
But underneath they're 'soft as silk'
For this is just a 'BLUFF' -
But in any kind of trouble
Dad reaches out his hand.
And you can always count on him
To help and understand -
And while we do not praise Dad
as often as we should,
We love him and admire him,
And while that's understood,
It's only fair to emphasize
His importance and his worth -
For if there were no loving Dads
This would be a 'LOVELESS EARTH'.


- Thomas Ed

Tribute to Cowboy Boots

We all remember Dad's affinity for wearing cowboy boots. So, when I stumbled across this article on
cowboy boots, I just had to share with the rest of you.

- Thomas Ed