Nearly a year...

It has been nearly a year since you died, Kent. Doesn't seem like it. I just happened to notice the date the other day. I know that Sandra and Kyle miss you...

Looked for a sappy poem, decided you wouldn't like it. Thought you might like this one instead...

"O 'Melia, my dear, this does everything crown!
Who could have supposed I should meet you in Town?
And whence such fair garments, such prosperi-ty?"
"O didn't you know I'd been ruined?" said she.

"You left us in tatters, without shoes or socks,
Tired of digging potatoes, and spudding up docks;
And now you've gay bracelets and bright feathers three!"
"Yes: that's how we dress when we're ruined," said she.

-"At home in the barton you said 'thee' and 'thou,'
And 'thik oon,' and 'theäs oon,' and 't'other'; but now
Your talking quite fits 'ee for high compa-ny!"
"Some polish is gained with one's ruin," said she.

"Your hands were like paws then, your face blue and bleak
But now I'm bewitched by your delicate cheek,
And your little gloves fit as on any la-dy!"
"We never do work when we're ruined," said she.

"You used to call home-life a hag-ridden dream,
And you'd sigh, and you'd sock; but at present you seem
To know not of megrims or melancho-ly!"
"True. One's pretty lively when ruined," said she.

"I wish I had feathers, a fine sweeping gown,
And a delicate face, and could strut about Town!"
"My dear a raw country girl, such as you be,
Cannot quite expect that. You ain't ruined," said she.

                                           ~ by Thomas Hardy

Too archaic? Maybe this is more your cup of tea:

There once was a maid from Madras
Who possessed a magnificent ass.
Neither round or pink,
As some might think,
It was gray, had long ears and ate grass.

~ Thanks to: Limericks

~ And by the way: the Hardy poem is an old favorite of mine. I went looking and found it here: Poetry OnLine

Medical Classroom Scene, Young Frankenstein: In Memory of Kent

Our gang rarely missed a Mel Brooks film, and here's an old favorite. I'm dedicating this medical classroom scene to Kent: perhaps this was his inspiration for teaching Allied Health Technology! One little clip of Gene Wilder, and a monster is born!

In this clip, they play the credits all the way through (about the first inch on the download status bar, if you want to skip it). Alas, that means they cut one of my favorite bits of the scene and favorite quotes, of Gene Wilder screaming: "Hearts and kidneys are Tinker Toys!!! I'm talking about the central nervous system!"

Kent Earley: Great Personality

Kent was one of those guys who had a... great personality. But, hey, wait a minute! Kent would be the first one to say, "What are you talking about?! I had looks, too!" Kent loved to laugh. One of his favorite sayings was, "If you don't have anything good to say... Come sit by me!"

The funeral is over. And looking at this blog ~ all the sad stuff ~ I'd have to say that, even Kent would say, "Enough is enough. Somebody tell a joke ~ break the tension." As I recall, one of his favorite movies was Blazing Saddles. And his favorite scene was... well, we won't go there. And besides, he was only sixteen. So, memorial pages for Kent will remain on-line, but now we're going to add what Kent would have liked: humor. For this to be a true memorial to Kent, it's gonna have to be funny. Feel free to continue to express grief, but let's find some fun stuff, too. After all, life's too short...

In My Life: In Memory of My Friend, Kent Earley

In memoriam...

In My Life
(Bette Midler, from "For the Boys")

There are places I'll remember...
All my life though some have changed.
Some forever not for better ~
Some have gone and some remain.
All these places have their moments,
With lovers and friends I still can recall.
Some are dead and some are living;
In my life I've loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers ~
There is no one compares with you.
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new.
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before ~
I know I'll often stop and think about them;
In my life I love you more.

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before ~
I know I'll often stop and think about them;
In my life I love you more.
In my life I love you more...

~ Lyrics by Paul McCartney and John Lennon

Bette Midler - In my life (For the boys)

Remembering Our Appalachian Roots...

Henry wouldn't want to admit it... but he did come from an humble background. This one really does make you cry (sigh). But seeing Mr. Darling shed a tear helps lighten it a little. Enjoy one of my favorite Andy Griffith clips: Here is Charlene Darling singing "There Is A Time," backed up by her silent and inscrutable brothers. Dedicated to my friend "Henry," in memory of the episode of the "cement pond." ;-)

In Memory of Kent Earley

In memoriam: On July 2, 2009, Dalton, Georgia, lost a good citizen, Southern Muse lost a good friend, and the world became a shade duller. Kent was the kind of person who brightened a room by his presence. That's the kind of thing that's said in every memorial ~ but cliches aside, the lamp by which Kent lit each room was laughter. As devastated as I'd like to feel, I can't help but smile when I think of Kent Earley. All my memories of him are tinged with laughter ~ his own, as well as mine. Kent loved to laugh! He had a contagious laugh that was sometimes a cackle. And Kent loved to make other people laugh. Still, it's not as if he was the class clown. Kent's laughter sprang from a love of life and a love of people. He took great delight in people from all walks of life. That alone made Kent Earley special; but memories of him don't stop at his sense of humor. Kent was an admirable man and a good citizen, as well. Kent's other favorite pastime, besides having a great time, was helping other people. So many students have stories of how he helped them with their paperwork and applications, encouraged them in their chosen programs at Dalton State College, and brightened the classroom with his engaging personality and that well-loved laugh. Yes, the world is a shade duller without Kent. Our friend will be sadly missed.