Runnels: Name your priorities

When you think on it, life is made up of priorities and comparisons. There are those who strive for fame and fortune, and those who live for the better thing in life, like boats and fun— a government check wouldn’t hurt nothin’ either.

These things are priorities, although wealth and happiness are comparative.

The wife and I have different priorities.

Several years ago, before we had a house, she wanted one. Now you can’t blame the poor little ugly thing for that.

Can you imagine what kind of a sales pitch it took to convince her we needed an airplane more than we needed a house?

Well, we both had a good time flyin’ that little sky truck around until our tent got to leaking and we ended up sellin’ the airplane and buildin’ more permanent quarters.

We’ve dwelt within these walls now for several years and it’s one of them Mother Earth homes — you know, heated and cooled by nature. It’s hot in the summer and real cool in the winter.

Now here comes the comparisons. If you think it has been hot this summer, just go into my house and it’s hotter. This winter, if you’re settin’ around shiverin’ while your eggs are havin’ trouble cookin’ in cold grease, just walk outside and warm up.

Anyhow, the bride decided we needed central heat and air conditionin’. I tell her to just hold on — them units are terrible expensive and I think we need a new forty-horse Johnson motor for Ol’ Thelma much more than we need air conditionin’ and heat.

She mentioned somethin’ about boat paddles in liew of motors to maintain a physical fitness program, but I ain’t in no shape for physical fitness.

Well, the weather has cooled down, and if I had an air conditioner, I wouldn’t have it on. I’ve got ol’ Thelma stashed in the barn with that new Johnson settin’ on her.

The wife never goes out to the barn, but she does look at the checkbook, and when she sees where I’ve forged her name to that bank note, then, like the weather, she’ll cool off, and you talk about cold — she can get that way, too.

But she’ll get over and won’t say nothin’ — probably for the next six months or so.

Courtesy of Tom Runnels Publications. Copyrighted and Registered by Tom Runnels and Saundra Runnels Revocable Trust. Printed in The Banner Press: Oct. 6, 1988.