Daily Dunklin Democrat

Off the Beaton Path -- The Blogging Virgin

Posted Friday, July 6, 2007, at 9:39 AM
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Wooohooo! My first ever blog entry. For some it might be difficult to imagine being a 20 year old (with only 18 days until I can do some more legal sinning) in today's age of technology and not being a blogger; a blogging virgin, if you will. I have always resisted blogging because I felt my life was too boring to blog, and nobody had an eccentric urge to read whether I had ham or chicken salad for lunch. Boring Blogging Beaton they would call me. However, I have frequently posted on my other friends' blogs. Does that qualify as blogging? Was I already a blogger and did not know it? Must one be the blogger-N-chief of one's very own blog to be considered a blogger? I hope that some of you blogging connoisseurs will help solve this blogging conundrum and shed some light on the true meaning of BLOG! In fact, I'm willing to take advice, questions and statements from anyone and everyone on blogging and any other topic. I would like this to be a very interactive blog. I want you to tell me my blogs are too long, too short, stupid, entertaining etc. I want to talk about what you want to talk about; religion, politics, the theatrical arts, Murray State Racer Basketball, and Cardinal Baseball are a few of my favorite topics (by the way…Scott Spiezio just singled to second to score Brendan Ryan in the seventh inning giving the Cards a one run lead). We should probably try to keep the topics within the realm of "social acceptability," but that is up to you.

As it stands currently, the name of my blog is "Off the Beaton Path." The pun, as I insult your intelligence, is being played on my last name. As I tried to muster a collection of possible titles from friends, this one I most liked came from my friend and colleague in the cohort of United Methodist activities, even though I think she is a spy, mole, rat, emissary or scout, if you will, from the infamous Southern Baptist Convention posse, JoBeth Rickman. Despite the creativeness in the current title I will open the blog for other possible blog titles.

My first blog entry is coming to you straight from the heart of the Jackson Purchase area of Kentucky, Paducah: a.k.a God's Country. Today's exciting Ohio Valley visit came due to the absence of most of the Kentucky Beatons. My grandmother, or as she is affectionately known, Lulu, has been left home alone while all of her chillins that still live in the native land of Chief Paduke left the commonwealth to enjoy a relaxing vacation at Fripp Island, South Carolina. Some kids they are, huh? To cure her empty nest syndrome Sister Laura (as in my biological sibling, not a Catholic girl who wears a habit) and I went to keep her entertained. We kept her entertained for 20 minutes before I found myself at a dining room table with Abe Lincoln and a beaver (that is dream world for you folks that do not watch television commercials because you have a life). I was awakened to the sound of a snore from Lulu. Even Laura had nodded off on a bed. However, she was not snoring, being the dainty sleeper she is.

Later this evening I got to have dinner with Lulu and another family friend; we'll call her Ms. Witty. After a delicious dinner we departed to Ms. Witty's house where she gave me two books to read. Being a good Baptist, she gave me a book on Biblical prophecies in regard to the end times; after all, nothing like the apocalyptic demise of society to help put you to sleep. The second, and I am not kidding, is a book on Christian parenting. She said I could keep that one. For the record, I am a single 20 year old college kid who has no intent of having a child for many years to come. I am not sure if she wants me to speed my life along or if she just has little faith in my, well, never mind.

Lastly, I would like you to help me give a couple of "shout outs" to various people in the community. The first is Sister Gracie Hammons (as in a sister in Christ, not a biological sibling; however, I consider her a part of the family) whose birthday is Tuesday. The second goes to Chase Peck as he continues to embark on his treacherous parcel delivery adventures throughout the native land of Chief Chilletecaux, enduring the sweltering heat of summer as a proud member of the United States Postal Service. Personally I think my INDOOR summer gig is just fine.

Well I hope we can have some fun with this blog as we go down the road called life. I hope you had fun at the barbeque cook off this past weekend and keep blogging.

Possible discussion questions:

1.	What does it mean to "blog"?
2.	Do you have a cool title for my blog?
3.	Kentucky is just one of four commonwealths within the United States. Can you name the other four?
4.	Do you have any funny "spending time with Grandma Stories?"

Comments
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Love your title...

-- Posted by Vickie on Fri, Jul 6, 2007, at 9:47 AM

Love the name, JoBeth has wonderful ideas.

Let me tell ya 'bout my Granma, she wanted to always be up on all the current trends and when the 80's era of music became more and more Heavy Metal sounding she said she didn't think she could ever learn to like that "Hard Lead" music but she was trying, I though as a kid that was so funny to hear her tell people.

As for commonwealths, what about Virginia and Massachusetts?

-- Posted by 5LittleMonkeys on Fri, Jul 6, 2007, at 1:05 PM

You asked for it, Ron. Your blog is too long, and too boring,and your humor is "humorlos." By the way if you find yourself "bored," it's because YOU ARE BORING.

-- Posted by Skeptisch on Sun, Jul 8, 2007, at 6:46 AM

Your blog is too long and not really interesting.

How about blogging about something people from semo would like? Like sandy soil, Senath lights, St.Francis river bottoms, Jim Greens', Ritz theater, courthouse square etc.etc.etc.

-- Posted by semobrat on Sun, Jul 8, 2007, at 3:39 PM

Ron, I am so glad that your skin is thick.

-- Posted by Vickie on Sun, Jul 8, 2007, at 8:58 PM

There Skeptisch goes again!

-- Posted by hhshornet74 on Sun, Jul 8, 2007, at 9:39 PM

By the way, I like the title you have chosen.

-- Posted by hhshornet74 on Sun, Jul 8, 2007, at 9:41 PM

Wow... people actually read this. I'm anxious to see how it evolves.

Vickie, 5LittleMonkeys and hhshornet74, I'm glad you like the title. I think I'll keep it.

Also, 5LittleMonkeys, thanks for the grandma story and trivia answers. 10 bonus points for getting two of the remaining three commonwealths. The fourth commonwealth is Pennsylvania.

Semobrat, I'm glad to see you throwing out some ideas. While I'm either too young or too ignorant to know about some of your recomended topics, I do have friends who can get me informed for future blogs.

Finally, Skeptisch, congratulations on already having the reputation as the "DDD Blogging Antagonist!" As everyone knows, a story can only be as good as its antagonist. I think you will add a nice twist to the DDD blogs, in particularly mine.

Thanks for the input!

-- Posted by Ron on Sun, Jul 8, 2007, at 10:16 PM

Hee Hee Hee - Blogging Antagonist

-- Posted by bthlr on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 7:08 AM

Pay no attention to semobrat. He/she must not have paid attention to your age. Even at 54, those suggested topics are not even something I'd find interesting. How old must semobrat be?

-- Posted by bestlib on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 2:59 PM

Hey Skeptisch, where's your blog located? I want to see how an expert does it or maybe give it a little critique. Cut these people some slack, you're negative on everyone of them. Ease up!

-- Posted by Jo-Co-Worker on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 3:42 PM

I agree with bestlib and with Jo-co-worker. And, Ron, your blog seems to be gaining popularity, so maybe Skeptishch has been serving a purpose. Sure wish he/she would contact the DDD about getting a blog...you know, a perfect specimen for the other bloggers to see.

-- Posted by Vickie on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 5:08 PM

Hey! Jo-Co-Worker How's this? Pope Benedict (Associated Press story 7/11/07) says that the Catholic Church is the only true church, and that all other churches are "defective" Christian communities. The Pope stated flatly that "Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation." Good for Benedict XVI! I'm a Protestant, but I admire the Pope for stating his beliefs, unequivocally. Many Catholics will disagree with him, but they are "cafeteria" Catholics (latter day Lutherans?) History is on the Pope's side.

-- Posted by Skeptisch on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 1:47 PM

Skeptisch, are you declaring that your views are pontificated and you speak ex cathedra? I hope that we can someday meet and I can kiss your pinky ring.

Personally, I'm glad Ratzinger got the nod instead of you.

-- Posted by Ron on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 3:41 PM

First of all, Ron, I apologize for letting Skeptisch use your blog as his, but I can't let this go without comment. How can you be a Protestant and agree with this? I know you're saying your just glad he's standing up for himself, but your ending comment shows you agree. What religious leader hasn't stood up and said what they believe is true? Of course, you don't have to be Catholic to get to heaven. Don't fall for this kind of Jim Jones, Kool-Aid drinking, my way or no way business. There's only one way - Jesus.

And to my knowledge, He isn't catholic.

-- Posted by Jo-Co-Worker on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 3:43 PM

Guess I'm one of the older readers.

I graduated from KHS in early 1960.Won't tell my exact age=but you can figure it out pretty close.

The Senath Lights were a favorite with teenagers. we would go out to a dirt road close to Senath, and invariably strange lights would appear on the horizon. Always scary, and seemingy no one ever figured out what was causing the distant lights.

-- Posted by semobrat on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 10:41 AM

Winning attitude there Jo.

-- Posted by Darth on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 3:04 PM

Hey semobrat, I went to "the light" one time as a teenager and an octopus magically appeared in the driver's seat of the vehicle, if you get my drift. I was hoping the light would appear and take him away! :)

-- Posted by Jo-Co-Worker on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 3:17 PM

I like magical octopi. -laughs-

-- Posted by Obadieh on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 9:04 PM

I get your drift, Jo Co Worker, but we used to go with a car full of mixed company, and had a blast just being scared etc.with the lights off and the motor off.

-- Posted by semobrat on Mon, Jul 23, 2007, at 11:24 AM