Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 4 of 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
#164514 12/27/06 12:03 AM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
J
jmh Offline
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Pooh-Bah
J
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,981
... that was a shame, Michael, I never had a sense that you had done anything wrong ...

I'm not sure that it helps and we don't need to pick over old arguments but I would like that on the record.

#164515 12/27/06 01:45 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
T
veteran
Offline
veteran
T
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,529
Yes, tsuwm, Bill sometimes took offense when none was intended, don't we all?
_____________________________________________________________

Re: WORDWIND 3-9-05

Dear Milo:

...so I had five wonderful kids, and loved my wife for
having given them to me. I've been without her for five
years now, and still miss her terribly. Just companionship
makes old age more endurable. Only thing I have now is
a daughter who takes care of me. But it's a hell of a lot
better than being in a nursing home.

Bill


_____________________________________________________

It took Bill 87 years to learn that women...
__________________________________________________________

RE:CLOSE CALL

Dear Milo:

I have news for you. Men lead women around
by a ring in the nose ---of the man.

After I wrote that, it occurred to me for the first time
that I have been quite wrong to think infidelity in women
is almost always to punish husband for some real or
fancied slight. Infidelity in men is most commonly due to
wanting to be re-assured that women still find them
attractive.
Suddenly it dawned on me that a lot of women
cheat for the same reason - to be reassured that they are
still attractive. One more reason to remember to compliment
the wife frequently.

Wish I still had one to compliment.

Bill

_________________________________________________________


______

Last edited by themilum; 12/27/06 02:06 AM.
#164516 12/27/06 02:47 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
What was remarkable about Dr Bill was: he became a real friend and father figure to many of us.

He teased, he cajoled, he took us to task (well he took me to task!) when he felt we could do or behave better.

He encouraged, he perserved, he set an example. He was kind, and stern and soft hearted.

Many of use here have met each other, but few met Dr Bill, yet we all share a sense that we knew him, and he knew us.
We loved him, each in our way, and he returned that love.

In many ways, we are a self selected group, and he became part of our group, and we all are the better for it.

It would be unreal to pretend we never disagreed with Dr Bill, but we were able, even in our disagrements, to respect each other. Our love for words and knowledge transended any petty disagrement.

I am a better person for having known him.

#164517 12/27/06 02:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
I had many PMs from Bill, sadly this is the only one that remains after we made the forum switch a while back.

Dear Roger: Long delayed reply. For my birthday
present I got a 'small stroke'. was hospitalized,
and then in a nursing home, now in 'retirement
center'. Long series of delays in getting my
computer set up here. My vision is just barely
good enough for me to read list of people kind
enough to remember me. Great trouble reading
messages, can't read well enough to reply to
questions asked me. Thank you for your kind
words. Hope hou had enjoyable holidays, and
that you will find the New Year kinder to you
than the last one. My very best wishes, Bill


formerly known as etaoin...
#164518 12/27/06 05:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1
M
stranger
Offline
stranger
M
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1
I am a daughter of the late Dr.Bill, (and mother of Gretel). I would like to thank all of you for the kind words you have written about my father. It means a lot to us, to read them.

I have been browsing in your forum, and have decided to remain as a member, sort of like the baby spider who stayed behind after Charlotte (E.B White's heroine) died and all the other baby spiders had drifted away on the breeze. I won't be able to visit as often as my father did, but I will participate. I like the international flavor of the forum, and have always enjoyed using good words.

In the family home where my father grew up, there was a massive dictionary which stood, open, on a black metal stand, in the front room. I remember that we were allowed to kneel on a chair and read from it when we weren't tall enough to see it otherwise. And my father read aloud to us from classic books which did not 'talk down' to children.

#164519 12/27/06 06:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Jackie Offline OP
Carpal Tunnel
OP Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Dear Mosaic,

I hope you and Gretel will both become regulars; but in any case, thank you both so much for posting. It kind of makes it seem like Bill is still here...

P.S.--I sent you a Private Message. (Posting, because often newcomers don't know to look for them.)

#164520 12/27/06 07:07 PM
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Hi, Mosaic. I hope you will indeed stay around, and Gretel too. Your presence here is a reminder of the cycle of life.

Meanwhile, here's a timely PM I received from Dr Bill in Jan 2004: the man didn't miss a thing.
__________

Dear AS: I remember your saying that you lilked the O.Henry
story "The Gift of the Magi". Here is a URL to several of his stories. The one I like even better than the Gift.
You have to scroll down perhaps an inch.
While you're at it, you might like the first one.
http://sailor.gutenberg.org/etext98/optns10.txt
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Bill

#164521 12/27/06 07:36 PM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
B
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Carpal Tunnel
B
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Welcome Mosaic, I'm very glad to meet you.

Bill knew us well but to both you and Gretel, we are strangers really. The fact that you both came in to alleviate some of our sadness is a testament to your kindness. Thank you.

#164522 12/27/06 11:13 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
stranger
Offline
stranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
The proliferation of posts and the body of response you are creating is very moving. I knew that he valued this community in his life and that it brought him much pleasure - however, I am overwhelmed at your outpouring.

My mother (Mosaic) has forwarded me an extraordinary number of emails containing stories of all sorts which Grandpa sent to her over the last couple years. Some of these I have also seen in your posts - some of his favourites, I'm sure.

What you have not seen are the wonderful photos she has also scanned and sent to me. I would like to share these with you while the news is fresh and your memories lie on the surface. The website is not finished - and I will disable the links for pages which are incomplete for now.

Please come visit my tribute to Dr. Bill - a work in progress.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us over the holidays.

Remembering Dr. Bill

#164523 12/27/06 11:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
stranger
Offline
stranger
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
what a foolish young woman am I to post a word without understanding it completely...HERE of all places!

I retract my use of 'curmudgeon' - after so many of you denied him ever behaving as such, I looked it up and had one of those "I don't think that word means what you think it means" moments! I did think its definition had a less harsh edge! Mea culpa!

The apple has fallen far from the tree!

Page 4 of 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics13,912
Posts229,283
Members9,179
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
Newest Members
TRIALNERRA, befuddledmind, KILL_YOUR_SUV, Heather_Turey, Standy
9,179 Registered Users
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 444 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters(30 Days)
Top Posters
wwh 13,858
Faldage 13,803
Jackie 11,613
tsuwm 10,542
wofahulicodoc 10,510
LukeJavan8 9,916
AnnaStrophic 6,511
Wordwind 6,296
of troy 5,400
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5