Ya know that it must have been a big deal to have to say that I’m sorry to a whole town!

And it is!

Blame it on age, killed brain cells or sensory overload , but last Monday at 4 am , when I was under the gun to write this article on my deadline , I forgot the Monroe Old Timer’s Day ! It was in big , red letters in my May Live Music Schedule so there is NO excuse ! So my sincerest apology to Jeff Dunn,P.A. Riggs, Sam and Don McKenzie, David Love.

The Monroe Fire Dept, and all the citizens of Monroe  and I disremembered it after I had been invited to help make music.That included a free meal and a couple of tickets to the drawing of the quilt.

In my defense , (I am really embarrassed or I would’ve shut up by now) , it is starting to get busy with live music events and dances . There were several of our area’s bands and singers that were part of the Steel Horse Rally ‘cross the line in the Fort . I am proud of them all ! But that is no excuse.

Thru the years when I was back Home , playing at the Old Timers day was truly a huge honor . I mighta missed a few but I found pics of a dozen years that I made the stage and played to several hundred friends and families of Monroe . Many of the musicians have passed and are bittersweet memories . Leo McKenzie , Cuzzin’ (Monkee) Dave Mize , Randy Mac are all in the Hillbilly Heaven band . We played in heat , cool , rain storms , T’storms . Really great memories ! Thanks to Jody and the Hemphill for sharing family pics that Mother , Wilma , had taken thru the years.

Ya know , when I proofread before emailing , I git all puffed up and proud of the style of this article ! Pride goeth before fall kinda deal . I think I am in the vein of the genius of “ The Lum and Abner” radio show . But what usually goes to print is more like the stuff that would come outta Barney , Gomer and Goober on the Andy Griffith show ! Otis was my hero, ya know.

But times have changed . This day used to be a time of reunion , memories , storytelling and Decoration Day ! And even tho Decoration Day doesn’t carry the same importance that it did when I was growing up , The Monroe Cemetery was mowed , new flowers and wreaths were in place as tradition dictated .

I carried Mama , Wanda , to the Bargain Shack to get a few flowers f.or decorations . After I recovered from the prices of bouquets this year , on the way back to Panama , we placed flowers and cleaned headstones on my Grandma and Grandpa Harp ! As a kid , I can remember going with both sides of my family to about a dozen cemeteries to clean and decorate . This was before zero turn mowers and weedeaters . It took a couple of gallon Ball fruit jars of Tea wrapped in wet rags to keep it cool , lots of sandwiches , fresh fruit (some picked on the way) , several hoes , rakes and a good file with a man that knew how to use it (usually Grandpa) . He oversaw the cleanup and was kept busy sitting in the shade keeping the hoes sharp enuf to shave ! Most of the decorations were handmade thru the year by loving hands and were rebuilt to use again . Nothing was wasted ! No one was forgotten . Ancestry was important ! Just a few good memories from Decoration Day.

And Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day ! I got a purty card and a six-pack of mater plants with a ribbon on it for Mama Wanda . I am blessed to still be able to share the day with Mom . I am very Grateful . Love to all Mothers out there.

Even tho our families are much more scattered and life has gotten too fast and hectic , phones and social media keeps us in contact , but it ain’t quite the same . Just too much going on to spend a lotta time with family . So make the extra effort to visit older members , heck , all of your family . I have gotten to the age where I can understand what my Granny Harp would mean when she would tell me , “I am just so hungry to see ya” ! I failed miserably at spending enuf time with her.

It was a busy weekend ! Steel Horse Rally was huge this year and City-wide ! Hillbilly Vegas rode into town with a big chart hit “Shake It Like a Hillbilly” ! Oklahoma Moon , Grannie’s Nightmare , Even Keel , Connie Abbott and Country Pride , Butch Cavandish (David Carbrey) were all a part of the Live Music . The Stage Masters performed at I-40 Dance Hall . Mucho Musica.

Live Music – Don’t have much info . But I know that I-40 Music and Dance Hall will have Gopher Run . Music starts at 7 pm on Sat. the 14th.

And they always have The Lawman Band every Thursday along with Linedancing.

Grannie’s Nightmare will be Rockin’ the woods , streams , lakes and ‘Tater Hills this Sunday , the 15th at 1 pm .Great food , awesome Rock and beautiful Drive.

Please send me info and schedule updates to 918-649-5736 or tj.wiles61@outlook.com ! Thanks!

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