One Pharmacist's View

Old timers visiting Allen often ask me “what has happened to downtown Allen?” They are referring of course to our missing stores downtown. They are gone and I don’t think they’ll be back.

When it comes to Christmas time, I think we all windup thinking of “Christmas Pasts.” But as those of you who know me can testify, my “Christmas Pasts” have given me a lot of fodder for stories of “When things go wrong.” Of course, I have many such stories.

 I mentioned last week how it is with family on the holidays and so it was this past week as I celebrated Thanksgiving in Branson. Had all 4 of my kids with me. Just like any Oklahoman would do.

I asked my dad one day, “Does Grandpa Bullard know how to drive?” He answered, “Oh I guess he could drive a little if he had to, but he has always been very careful with his money and if he had a car, he wouldn’t want to buy gas for it.” That was beyond my comprehension.

Peddling my bike on Stonewall streets that sunny morning was rewarding in itself but I was thinking it would be better if I had someone to ride along with me.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day. A very special time for many of us who have such special memories of our very special mothers. When I was a child, my mom was the person I ran to when I was in pain or hurting.

It’s just about May and this heralds’ observations of many important days. Graduations take place and so does Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. I don’t know where we will hold the Memorial Day ceremonies this year, in the cemetery or at the school’s auditorium, but the date is May 30. Stay tuned.

Lately we have all watched in wonder and some distress as Russia’s Putin announced that he was going to invade the Republic of Ukraine. Reasons given were sort of vague. President Putin said he was going in there and get rid of the Nazi’s that he said had taken over the country.

It was a warm soft summer night in 1947 and I was walking home. I saw 5 of my peers sitting in front of the Main Café. Just sitting there. Their feet somewhat appropriately in the gutter. I detoured and joined them. I noticed one thing different though.

Sometimes you just can’t win. I remember long ago when I was in the Navy. We had just completed a port call in Yokosuka, Japan. Its duration was two weeks but the first day we pulled out I saw this real long line of sailors on the hanger deck.