Ponderings by Dan Ponder
Young at heart
Mary Lou and I walked into the packed theater to the sound of synchronized applause. We were accompanied by some two dozen other people as we were escorted to our seats. It could have been a tremendous boost to your ego, until you realized that the 1,000+ fourth graders were just clapping in time to…
Read MoreThe unbroken chain
The only teenager I ever met with the last name of “Ponder” that was not my sibling happened to be my future wife. We met in the seventh grade at Girard Junior High School in Dothan, where our Algebra teacher made us sit in alphabetical order. Mary Lou and I were great friends…
Read MoreGo lightly. An unexpected blessing.
Some six hundred columns after I penned my first article, I still occasionally find myself searching for a subject to write about. I believe that there is no shortage of topics, but sometimes you must search hard for something, anything that might be of interest to your readers. I might be a bit distracted because…
Read MoreWe are not average
My mother used to tell me that if you have five great friends in your life, you will be lucky. Her follow up comment was that if you had one of these special great friends, you should tell them. After all, they are a blessing beyond comprehension to you. Tell them of their place in…
Read MoreA new joint
The year was 1968. Having suffered through two knee injuries due to sports in junior high school, I had surgery in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Jack Hughston, the founder of the now famous Hughston Orthopedic Clinics located around the Southeast did the honors. I remember two things about my first visit to Dr. Hughston. He…
Read MoreA sense of place
Occasionally something works out even better that you planned. Such was the case at the 90th birthday celebration for my mother, Jobie Ponder at Callaway Gardens this past week. For four days, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, along with three generations of nieces and nephews gathered not just for the birthday party, but also for the…
Read MoreNinety is Nifty!
The catcher squatted down and offered the mitt as a perfect target. I wound up and threw the ball, probably aiming it more than throwing it. The catcher walked up and asked me if that was as hard as I could throw it. I knew it was not my best effort and the next pitch…
Read MoreThe green, green grass of home
The drive is a circuitous route. It encompasses metro areas, country roads, farms, fields, and factories. In one day, I see blooming tulips, budding azaleas, plowed fields and green. Lots and lots of green. During the long, leisurely ride I visit every place that I have ever lived. Despite having visited over 30 countries…
Read MoreAn unexpected silver lining
It is just a basketball game. Well, it is a bit more than that. It is the NCAA Tournament, the Big Dance. The goal of every college team in the country. It is March Madness, a name more appropriate than non-basketball fans can ever imagine. Sports fans all over the country fill out their brackets. …
Read MoreVisiting the Pearly Gates
On our way down to Tampa for the SEC Basketball Tournament, Mary Lou and I passed through Albany around lunchtime. “Where do you want to eat?” is the usual discussion we have as we are traveling. I suggested “Pearly’s” and she immediately agreed. We pulled into the parking lot on North Slappey Boulevard 45…
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