Terry

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Posts by Terry

• 
  10

  ON THE REBOUND (Jr. High School memory)

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  " the girl was from a snobby family, and her last name actually was"rich," terry rich.

  it was terry rich and only terry rich.why?

  you know what a straw poll is?".

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• 

  Terry

  Most welcome!
• 
  3

  GAME OVER (Almost a short story)

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  terry, point your finger at who you love the most..

  who do you love?

  i love you both..

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• 

  Terry

  GAME OVER

  ___________

  He sat between two women, a child of five; tow-haired and bright, unpracticed at smiling, but accustomed to attention. He was an only child; a lonely child—fatherless and wary, but loved or smothered moment to moment in the crucible of his grandparent’s home.

  The grandmother on the left and his mother on the right were arguing again.These women were rivals in all things great and small.

  “Terry, point your finger at who you love the most.”

  This was THE GAME: a corrosive, triangular dysfunctional contest for bragging rights with the boy as prize.

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Yes, you do. Who do you love? Is it her or me?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why lie about it? You won’t hurt our feelings—go ahead—who do you love more?”

  “Both. I love you both.”

  “Goddam it, Terry! Why can’t you just say what’s on your mind? Are you a coward? Nobody’s going to hurt you. WHO DO YOU LOVE THE MOST?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I don’t know. How can I—I love both of you!”

  The Game continued until the blade of the guillotine was loosed and a bloody head dropped into the basket.

  Terry succumbed.
  _______

  He lifted his pointing finger and oscillated slowly like a fan; first this way (Grandmother) then that way (Mother.) The child’s heart was pounding in his chest, his keen scrutiny searching their expression for signs of pain or anger. Back and forth the finger tested, probed, and ascertained. This was the Mycenaean priest prodding entrails for omens; the Gypsy with her tea leaves conjuring mysteries of Fate and folly.

  How had it come to this Kabuki mise-en-scène?

  The boy was learning to delay, play for time, plucking courage from thin air. This was THE LADY or THE TIGER. This was the Roman coliseum and thumbs up / thumbs down of life or death, to the victor goeth the glory.

  This was his calculus:

  Choosing his grandmother, the mother would be outraged; her anger and hurt feelings could erupt with furious spontaneity. Selecting his mom, the grandmother turned cold in her scorn and a wall of covert indifference descended called the Silent Treatment.

  Simple as any dilemma could be, a Hobson’s choice of pain vs. pain devolved down to decibel levels.

  Ongoing as the game was, Terry alternated, testing outcomes and consequences. How spectacular was the reward from a mother chosen winner? How bitter the incrimination from the grandmother! Feast on one side, famine on the other—try them on, wear them—see how it goes, okay?

  Who can doubt the careful calibrations of a young mind fine-tuned at regular intervals? If you win, you lose. If you lose, you win. What would the boy conclude about love and hate, men and women, the very process of divulging honest emotion itself?

  As he grew, along came girls, girlfriends, sweethearts, fiancées and wives followed inevitably by ex-girlfriends, former sweethearts, broken engagements and ex-wives.

  If life were indeed The Game, what is the payoff in the end?

  For Terry, it wasn’t Hollywood endings. The little boy, the apex of a Right Triangle gone wrong, knew ending was obvious. The only way to win is to not play.

  Null set.

  Lonely null set.

  No emotion in and no emotion out.

  Empty man in an empty room.

  Game Over.

  _________

  
  

  
  

  The End.
• 
  50

  Is this a BEAUTIFUL STORY--or what?

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  is this a beautiful story, or what?.

  act one________.

  now in an ordinary romance of the golden hollywood era, the boy goes off to war while the young lady waits nervously for his safe return.in a cary grant, debra kerr movie, the two vow to meet after a certain period of time and tragic circumstances intervene.. in my story, the young man is a conscientious objector who goes to prison instead of off to the vietnam war.

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  Terry

  There is a moral to the story.

  When you open a door on powerful emotions you've locked in a vault, not just the POSITIVE emotions come rushing out. No. All the negative ones are set loose, like Satan from the abyss.

  All in!
• 
  10

  ON THE REBOUND (Jr. High School memory)

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  " the girl was from a snobby family, and her last name actually was"rich," terry rich.

  it was terry rich and only terry rich.why?

  you know what a straw poll is?".

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  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Terry

  I will read your story next time online.

  Um, uhhh, okay. Say what?
• 
  10

  ON THE REBOUND (Jr. High School memory)

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  " the girl was from a snobby family, and her last name actually was"rich," terry rich.

  it was terry rich and only terry rich.why?

  you know what a straw poll is?".

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  Terry

  ON THE REBOUND
  _______________

  I was 14 years old and my heart had already cracked into crumbs.
  I was a too shy boy in my first year of Jr. High School and I had fallen with a loud "Thud!" The girl was from a snobby family, and her last name actually was"Rich," Terry Rich. This rhymes with "very rich."

  She could be cast as the pretty girl in any Hollywood movie because she had a natural allure; sort of a cross between Tuesday Weld and Jean Seberg.
  All the boys in school ever argued about centered on whetherTerry or Esther Wenger was the prettiest.

  Esther was beautiful, no mistake about it. She was in my classroom too, but Esther was nice to me and I had no difficulty with my verdict. It was Terry Rich and only Terry Rich.
  Why? Because Terry was impossible. She was unattainable. She was prickly, while Esther was easy to talk to and made everybody feel wonderful.

  The boys who tried to court Terry were burned down to the ground inside of a minute's conversation. Terry Rich had a quick mind and she did not suffer fool's easily. Teen boys are let's face it, horny fools.

  Teenage boys have an out-sized ego and a few hacks of Terry's machete were wound enough to send them scurrying with their tumescent tails between their legs.

  (Cue my story)

  I was reared as a child by a Mother possessing a sharp tongue who could eat men for breakfast in any arguments. I had trained with the Heavyweight Champion of the World Maneater. This would be identified by any Psychiatrist today as completely dysfunctional--and believe me--it was.

  However, as an analytical person, I had broken down my Mother's strategy and tactics into little blocks of information. I saw how she marshaled her forces to keep her opponent off balance. Her key objective, you must realize, was not simply to win an argument or fight; it was to annihilate her adversary and reduce him to a gibbering blob of ectoplasm! Military tacticians would proudly tell you this was a "scorched Earth" policy. Win at any cost.

  Mom was not afraid to destroy in order to win. She was the prototype of the Jihadist with the dynamite vest--with the sole exception--you were the one blown up and your relationship would come splattering out of the sky in trails of smoking shrapnel.

  Guess who absorbed the lessons of her arsenal as he stood in a neutral corner, trembling with fear? Her little boy, of course.

  _________

  MORNINGSIDE JR. HIGH

  Terry Rich felt familiar. She was my Mom writ large. Creepy as it sounds, I could hardly find myself attracted to anybody easy-going or untroubled. I went for the magical, exotic and untameable of my species. Yes, I had become Co-Dependent. If I met an intelligent, quick, magnificent woman with a troubled soul, my eyes lit up and my eager heart quickened its beating. It was a mysterious telepathic bonding; a kind of tango; and I had learned the steps to perfection.

  ____________

  I obtained Terry Rich's phone number from her brother. I got him to tell me in advance when the best time of evening would be favorable for a phone call to his sister.
  At first, I thought it would be an excellent idea if I crafted some kind of List of Topics to use as a cheat sheet. Then I reversed my decision. I am a counter-puncher. My talent is responsive. I suck at throwing the first punch. I'm not aggressive, but I am hell-on-wheels at giving as good as I get. I'd let the killer shrew throw the first haymaker and rely on my Mom-training to do the rest.

  ____________

  Monday Afternoon 1961

  I smiled at Terry Rich today as she stood holding court with her "Me too" adoring worshippers. I let her lock on and load, but I turned away at exactly the right moment--before she could react negatively.

  I wanted to be noticed but not yet judged.

  She knew me from all of our classes at school. I was the Straight A student who had won the Spelling Bee for Tarrant County. I was the quiet one who had never spoken a word to her. She was the preening beauty in fierce competition with Esther Wenger for all the chips.

  __________

  The telephone rang. My stomach twisted into a knot.
  Her voice sounded like buttery Southern biscuits steaming under a honey crust: delicious and savory.

  "Hello."

  "Hi,Terry. This is Terry Walstrom. I'm in all your classes at school.

  "Oka-a-a-y."

  "I thought you might want to know something because it's about you."

  "Um, what now? What do you mean?"

  "The guys at Morningside are going to conduct a Straw Poll on Friday. You know what a Straw Poll is?"

  "No--I mean, not exactly."

  "Well, that's okay, you can ask somebody about it."
  "Huh?"
  "It is very stupid and childish. The guys are voting on who is the prettiest girl in our school. It has come down to either Esther Wenger or Terry Rich."

  "Nuh-uhhhh. That's crazy."
  "Of course it is. Public opinion always is. I mean, "Who cares" what all the boys in school think?"

  "(Silence)"
  "So far, opinion is about fifty-fifty. It could go either way."

  "Who is behind this? Somebody must be jerking everybody's chain."

  "Yes, you're right. There is somebody. But, we're all sworn to secrecy. By the way, are you going to the school Carnival on Friday? If you are, and you don't have a date, I'd like to take you."

  "Say what? I can't think about that right now."

  "This is Monday. The Carnival is Friday. I guess I'll ask Esther, maybe she can make her mind up."

  (At this point, it should be pretty obvious what I'm doing. I don't think it was obvious to the voice on the other end.)

  "Why would I want to go on a date? I hardly know you."

  "Ha-ha-ha. That's funny, Terry. A date is how you get to know somebody. You've got it backward. I just thought it would be fun, and that you could use some moral support in case the vote didn't go your way."

  "What do you mean?"

  "As you say, we don't know each other, but you don't strike me as a person who has grown accustomed to being in second place, or as a runner up."

  "Second place? No! Not hardly."

  "Well, stop and think about it. You've developed a reputation at school as being a bit of a snob and it---"

  "What? I'm not a snob! Who says that?"

  "It doesn't matter. Perception is reality to a lot of people. Guys talk. The consensus is out there: you're hard to talk to and you don't cut anybody any slack--but Hey! I don't believe it, or else, why would I be calling you for a date? I'm shy. I'm not anxious to have my head handed to me by some snobby girl--am I? No."

  "That's ridiculous, calling me a snob. That makes me very angry."

  "Don't shoot the messenger. I'm giving you 'head's up' and that's all there is to it. If you'd like to have moral support on Friday, I'll be there right beside you. If you don't, that's okay too. It's your choice."

  (Silence)

  "Oh--you know what--if you can keep a secret, I'll tell you whose idea this Straw Poll is, but you have to promise not to divulge who told you. Not ever."

  "Okay. Yes, tell me!"

  "Promise?"

  "Promise."

  "It's your brother, Jay. You know him better than I do. He seems to enjoy stirring the pot. For example; recently our first black family moved into my neighborhood. I've become friends. Your brother Jay has been telling everybody in school something hateful. He calls me a "Ni**er Lover." I don't appreciate it. He likes to turn people against each other. I guess it all starts at home, eh?"

  "I don't want to talk about this. He's a little shit. I'm going to have his guts for garters."

  "I don't blame you. So listen up. I'll be at the Carnival on Friday. If you see me there and you want to hang-out, that'll be great. If not, well--it's been nice talking to you. Good Luck with the Straw Poll."

  (End scene.)

  _________________________

  I didn't run into Terry rich at the Carnival. The scuttlebutt was that she had left early after the Straw Poll results had been announced. Esther Wenger won by a landslide. Terry Rich had made too many enemies with the same mean spirit her brother Jay used to make enemies for life.

  My phone conversation with that girl lingers in my memory for two reasons.
  First of all, I took the initiative. I drove the topic. I kept her off balance, and I didn't feel nervous. All of this from a shy kid with no life experience.
  Second, I had set myself up to fail. There was no way Terry Rich was going out on a date with me. No way. I was proving to myself I was not afraid to fail or prove myself equal to the task of enduring her sharp tongue.

  I felt badly for days.
  I couldn't get a handle on why I was so depressed. Only many years later did it become clear. The depressing part of this puppy love for Terry Rich came down to one thing: I CHOSE BADLY.

  I was attracted to misfortune, failure, misery, conflict--but for a purpose!
  I was determined to rise above it--crack the code--win the day, and turn lemons into lemonade.

  Dammit--I AM A COCKEYED OPTIMIST!

  _____________________________________________

  ON THE REBOUND (Floyd Cramer)

  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKwq6UW9bnU

  Floyd Cramer was a Nashville piano player. He developed a quirky style with
  originality in his music compositions and performance.

  Floyd brought originality to his music AND becoming the world-famous originator of the NASHVILLE SOUND.

  ON THE REBOUND is perhaps my favorite piece of music from the early 60's.

  
  
• 
  50

  Is this a BEAUTIFUL STORY--or what?

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  is this a beautiful story, or what?.

  act one________.

  now in an ordinary romance of the golden hollywood era, the boy goes off to war while the young lady waits nervously for his safe return.in a cary grant, debra kerr movie, the two vow to meet after a certain period of time and tragic circumstances intervene.. in my story, the young man is a conscientious objector who goes to prison instead of off to the vietnam war.

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  Terry

  Thanks, all. Heartbreak is never fun, but at my age--wow--very intense.

  _______________

  Finklestein: Just out of curiosity, is she still involved with the JWS ?

  No, she faded from the JW's while she was a Pioneer. She had been serving where the "need is greater" and kept noticing she and other sisters were treated like shit, and with no concern for their safety in troubled areas.

  Once she left, that was it.

  Her sister and parts of her family are still active JW's, but they don't shun her because she was never DF'd.
• 
  31

  2015-11-18-BOE--Credits to jwfacts!

  by Atlantis in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  thanks to mr. jwfacts we now have a copy of this letter.

  i would have posted it on his thread but there was already 2 pages of replies and i didn't think the link would be seen.. thank you again mr. facts!.

  .. click the green download button.. http://wwwb.fileflyer.com/view/bbduxaa.

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  Terry

  Star Chamber
• 
  50

  Is this a BEAUTIFUL STORY--or what?

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  is this a beautiful story, or what?.

  act one________.

  now in an ordinary romance of the golden hollywood era, the boy goes off to war while the young lady waits nervously for his safe return.in a cary grant, debra kerr movie, the two vow to meet after a certain period of time and tragic circumstances intervene.. in my story, the young man is a conscientious objector who goes to prison instead of off to the vietnam war.

  1. 
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• 

  Terry

  UPDATE

  _______

  Such things are, of course, personal and private, but I can speak with enough generality as to betray no confidence.

  My heart is broken. There is to be no mending.

  We said our final "Good-bye."

  Mine was the reckless heart. I opened it to feel. Today I surely do that very thing, I FEEL. Brokenhearted.

  Nobody at fault.

  Just is.

  I'm just so out of practice feeling, I think I'm going to die.
• 
  15

  A True short story

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  ____a true story___.

  shortly after the incident, i drove back along the pacific coast in a euphoric daze of confusion, tears, and exhilaration; there was no place for it to go inside my head.

  i pulled over on the shoulder of the road and sat in stunned silence.

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  Terry

  About a month ago I was re-reading MOBY DICK, and when I came to the ending, I was shocked.

  I remembered the ending of the movie with Gregory Peck and not the actual ending in the book!

  I like Ray Bradbury's ending better :)
• 
  1

  TWO for the ROAD

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  these are 2 of my favorite things i've written:.

  in the pumpkin patch with henry.

  fond memories in the pumpkin patch with henry,white carpeting of snowflakes on the lawn.

  1. 
• 

  Terry

  These are 2 of my favorite things I've written:

  __________________________________

  IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH WITH HENRY

  ________________________________

  Fond memories in the pumpkin patch with Henry,
  white carpeting of snowflakes on the lawn. . .
  shy giggling and frosty smiles abounding
  as chirpy birds and squinty squirrels look on.

  The photograph indelible as memory
  I'm holding in an autumn sunburned hand
  a whoosh of wind is rustling all about me
  whispering of lost Octoberland.

  Tiny hands upon the orange pumpkin
  Wide-eyed eager laughter in the chill
  Where's the boy who flew away to summer?
  Tomorrow beckoned him to distant hills.

  Every heart holds tight a fragile moment
  tender to the touch and precious long.
  Fond memories in the pumpkin patch with Henry,
  whispering it's soft October song.

  __________________
  A poem by Terry Walstrom

  ________________________________________

  GREEN

  ______

  
  

  The Goddess of the Green is in her garden
  with hands of tan and wisdom in her spade
  granting to each winter prisoner pardon;
  there her tears and loving kindness laid

  Amidst the sparrows, ants and prickly thistledown
  she wields her spade and shadows fall away;
  A smattering of butterflies come whistle down
  the wind,
  as each and every blossom finds the day

  Cherishing each thirsty autumn seedling
  as she kneels she sets her prayers to ground;
  a chastened, sassy, winter weed clings
  edgewise to her spade,
  so Mother Earth's sweet womb shall soon abound.

  The Goddess of the Green is in her garden
  with eager hands she prunes what falls away
  Life is only built upon what came along and now is gone
  Till secrets of the heart have had their say.
  _____________________________

  A poem by Terry Edwin Walstrom