Tuesday, February 3, 2009

INEZ MITCHELL AND GEORGE SMITH

Inez Mitchell and George Smith made great impressions on me as a high school student. One was my English teacher and home room teacher, Mrs. Mitchell, and the other, George Smith , was a sports writer for the Anniston Star when I was in high school at Walter Wellborn High in Anniston,  Alabama. 

I was a good English student and even did well in Latin--Amo, Amas, Amat. Guess what that means?

Mrs. Mitchell inspired me as my English teacher as well as my journalism teacher. My senior year I won the journalism award for Walter Wellborn High School where I graduated. I also won the the Good Citizenship Award and Band Award. I wasn't the best at any of those things, but I think some of those who more desired those awards were on the outs, and after all, I was a good citizen so I think I won by default. Anyhow, I got some of my inspiration to write through Mrs. Mitchell.

George Smith intrigued me as he wrote about all manner of sports. I read the sports page every day and only in the last months have given that ritual up. Religiously, I would read every page of the sports section in detail and could give you a run down of most sports events for the last 45 years or more. 

George's sport's columns captured me as he wrote during the glory days of Bear Bryant and Alabama Football. Roll Tide, Go Bama. I even liked his articles about Auburn and Shug Jordan and the War Eagles. George had a way with words that made you feel you were in the stands and could feel the action on the field.

If I could go back a few years and if God had not called me to preach, I think I could have made a fairly good newspaper man and especially a good sport's columnist, but I can't go back. To be honest, I really wouldn't desire to change anything as I love to preach and I am grateful for the privilege of being a pastor. 

What did Dandy Don Meredith use to say on Monday night football a hundred years ago?

"If 'ifs' and 'buts' were candy and nuts, we would all have a Merry Christmas."

3 comments:

  1. MY GOOD FRIEND SHARED YOUR BLOG WITH ME LAST YEAR, WHEN KRISTY WAS DYING. WE'VE BEEN READING EVER SINCE. GOD IS SO AWESOME. YOUR LIFE,(LIVES), IS A TRUE TESTIMONY OF HIS LIFE, IN YOU. GODS BLESSING YOUR WAY. HUGS FROM MAINE

    http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/

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  2. Our pastor's son used to come to Saturday get togethers with a hat on like Bear Bryant used to wear, trademark coat and a can of soda. Brings back fun memories reading your comments.

    I was born in Alabama and still have family there. They are all Big Alabama fans still. Me, I like the DAWGS, just can't give up on the team cause they aren't winning can you? Besides I like the colors, red and black..... I wonder how many people pick their teams that way. :))

    Have a blessed day and keep moving foward.

    B.J. Brooks
    (Robinson)

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  3. I'll remember to put you down as one of my lifelines if I go on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." Is that show still running??

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