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Things
Worthy of Prayerby Delbert Trew
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Each
night as I prepare for sleep, I always pause a moment and thank God
for baling wire, duct tape, drywall screws and caulking. Oh, I appreciate
God creating the universe and all within, but without the items mentioned
above, the whole shebang would probably collapse.
I also appreciate good health, a reasonably sound mind, and all the
beautiful surroundings where I live. But, without baling wire I would've
been injured or crippled many times in my life. Without duct tape,
I would be in an institution from failing to fix things that needed
fixing and without caulking my beautiful surroundings would be scarred
and ugly.
How the West was won without these items, I haven't a clue. The wagon
trains traveling west would have had a much easier time if baling
wire had been invented and available like today. With little imagination
I can see the U. S. Cavalry outfitting for an expedition in 1888 after
receiving a few cases of Army issue duct tape on the last supply train.
The ghost towns of the old west would still be standing today if they
had had plenty of drywall screws on hand. Fatalities from flu and
pneumonia, occurring during the cold winters of old, would have been
drastically reduced by caulking the cracks on the north sides of buildings.
I am most thankful for being allowed to live during a time when these
products are available. I'm not sure, but I think the cradle I slept
in as a baby had one rocker wired on with baling wire. Many of my
early toys were repaired with Bulldog Friction Tape, a forerunner
to duct tape.
Entertainment has been enhanced by baling wire and duct tape. My hero,
Baxter Black, is the uncrowned King of baling wire and duct tape stories.
Each time I read about the time he drove his ranch pickup through
the new automatic car wash, I have to wipe the tears from laughing.
Forgetting he had a tall headache rack, a cow dog still loaded, and
a big wad of baking wire on board is something I clearly understand.
Without hesitation I choose baling wire as the most significant invention
known. Duct tape, drywall screws, and caulking have to take a back
seat because they must be purchased and kept on hand at all times.
Not so with baling wire. Few people ever have to buy baling wire.
It's just always around. Either looped around a nearby post. Piled
by the barn door, tied alongside the stock trailer, or twisted around
the blade of your riding lawn mower. In the Panhandle of Texas, baling
wire is everywhere.
In fact, I have a standing bet. I'll bet anyone $100 that you can
blindfold and set me down in any barditch or weed patch in the Panhandle
and by the time I've walked fifty yards I'll find a piece of baling
wire. |
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