So its presidents day….
I remember in a little country school in Lodgepole SD when you walked into the room there were pictures of Presidents on the wall…I remember George Washington, Abe Lincoln , Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson….
I remember that we had to hold the Presidents at the highest respect….one day I said something like George Washington wasn’t a good President cuz he had chopped down a cherry tree…..my teacher took me to the wash room ….stuck a big bar of soap in my mouth(imagine the germs on that, 9 kids and a teacher used it ALL the time, and the water we drank came out of a bucket with ONE dipper for us all!!!) and I gagged a lot that afternoon with the taste of soap….to this day I respect our Presidents whether I think they are good or not….she also made me write a 10 page report on three of our Presidents
I chose good ol George Washington, James Munroe (not that I knew a lot about him but Bud Munroe was a great bronc rider so I figured James was a good choice ) and I chose Chester Arthur (again, not sure I know why I picked him except we had a great work horse I called Chester…
I remember
George Washington….was our first President, took office in 1789, and married Martha (I loved this lady, I kinda thought she was like my G’ma Clara) she was beautiful. she had lost two babies in infancy, and had two little babies when her first husband died and then the part that reminded me of my G’ma was…..she didn’t care about the first lady role but said something like, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I am in…..
I remember also that 3 years after George Washington retired he died of a throat infection….I always thought this was probably strep throat , so whenever I had a sore throat I thought I should be treated special…..
I remember James Munroe , 5th president, after fighting two years with congress in a bitter debate he got a bill to eliminate slavery….The Missouri Compromise which ended all slavery north and west of Missouri forever
He married his wife when she was 17, they lost 2 daughters in infancy, his wife saved Lafayettes wife from being beheaded. James Munroes wife was in poor health all the while he served and curtailed a lot of her activities
I remember
Chester Arthur, he was our 21st President, was the son of a Baptist minister and had emigrated from Northern Ireland, became president after James Garfield was assassinated. Chester enacted the first general Federal Immigration law,He also demonstrated as President that he was above factions within the Republican party…this was written about him after his death. “No man ever entered the Presidency so profoundly and widely distrusted and no one ever retired…..more generally respected.”
I remember…..his wife died before he took office…..he never quit grieving and he had his sister do the duties that a first lady would and his sister also took care of his children
So…..I guess I’m sayin, if you don’t think getting your mouth washed out with soap and having to do a 10 page report on three presidents doesn’t stick in your mind for 50 years….I’m living proof…..God BLESS the USA! God is good God is Great I thank HIM for this day AMEN!
*** Jodie OBryan *** Is an authentic American Cowgirl and homespun philosopher. Her stories and commentary inspire and entertain many fans!
