LOOKING BACK Finding story ideas for the newspaper

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

— Since I’ve been writing newspaper columns over 20 years, I get ideas from many different places and times. I type these impressions in a computer file, and that begins my article. Sometimes, though, I don’t have enough information to make as many words as I need, so I’ll share some of those "short" ideas I’ve come up with through the years.

One article I entitled "I Could Have Been Rich." What gave me the idea for this story was, while traveling in Nebraska where I used to live, I saw oil wells all over. I realized I might have been rich today if my father hadn’t sold the mineral rights along with our ranch.

I also would have had more money if I’d kept on working. But I retired so my husband and I could travel - and there wenta lot of our fortune. A lot! It’s expensive to travel, but such fun.

Another reason I didn’t become rich is because I had three kids. It takes thousands of green backs to raise children, as all parents know.

But I wouldn’t take all the riches in the world for living in the Ozarks and having three kids. And having a granddaughter and a grandson is priceless.

I’ve written many stories on "Getting Old." I tell myself the 70s are the new 50s. But, I’m not only getting old on the outside, I’m also beginning to get old inside. I’m getting sedentary in my old age.

Preparing to take another trip, I realize, at this stage of my life, even my traveling has changed. I let someone else do the planning. My daughter-in-law goes on her computer to get me the cheapest ticket. Just packing a suitcase is hard work. And of course my bag now has rollers. I don’t pack as much. I can feel the years creeping upon me.

As the years go by, my hobbies are less strenuous - jigsaw puzzles, reading and playing computer games. Even my garden is getting smaller, my walks are shorter and I exercise less. I don’twant to do anything that requires much effort.

I also fully understand why us older folk don’t like computers. What do you do when something doesn’t work? I’ve had my share of technical troubles this past year.

My husband led an interesting life, so I often write about him. One article I began was titled "Boy Scouts." Jerry has often told me about belonging to that organization in Gravette nearly 70 years ago. He still has his handbook which mentions Harry Truman, who was president at that time.

Once the Scouts had a four-county (Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison) contest for all the boys to make birdhouses. Jerry went to McAllister’s and got some of their crates in which lettuce was shipped. He used the thin crate slats to make his birdhouse, which was a replica of his oldest brother’s home. He won the contest, and the birdhouse was on display at McAllister’s. Jerry received a trophy which he proudly displays even today. It reads, "1st place - Scout - Jerry Putman - birdhouse contest - 1947."

I never know when the next impression will hit me. When it does, I’ll write it down and, just maybe, a story will unfold and you will soon be reading it.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/11/2011