sissydear

I am watching the temperature very closely. Today I couldn't get there. Temps were down to 20 here last night and at noon they are still below freezing. Denton is colder. If tomorrow is not better for getting on the road, I won't be able to come. I hope it gets warmer both places and I can drive tomorrow to Lake Dallas.

I am planning on being at the memorial service, but the weather is not cooperating. I can't drive in ice. While it will warm up somewhat on Saturday, I'm not sure the ice will be gone and I'm gonna be so sad if I can't make it. It's rare when a best friend is the best friend of both people in a marriage. I've only known 2 of those in my 49 years with Weldon. We lost our best friend in 2001. He lived in Oklahoma and we had been in college with him. I don't think it's a coincidence that we met our 2nd person who became the best friend of both of us in Tulsa, OK in 2002. We already had heard of Bo Stiff and Mark Capel. We heard those names many times from our friends in West Virginia. The Tulsa show was difficult for us because we had lost our best friend, but we soldiered on and went anyway in 2003. A man came in our room and was talking about making marbles. I asked his name and he said "Mark Capel". Weldon and I couldn't believe it. When we told him our names, he went to the door in our room that connected to another room. He opened it and banged on the door to the connecting room saying "Bo, open this door". Bo Stiff opened the door and Mark said "You're not going to believe who these people are". He and Bo had heard about us from mutual friends in West Virginia. Bo was an instant friend. We met at shows, we traveled together, we ate together. Weldon and I were in his home many times. During his first chemo several years ago, we were so concerned that he was all alone, no family in Phoenix, that we went out there and stayed 2 weeks looking after him. We went often and visited Bo. Bo and I talked on the phone daily. He talked to me first and then to Weldon. He was definitely a best friend to both of us. When Weldon was killed by the wreck I knew Bo was very sick and I didn't want to tell him. I knew it was all over the chat boards so I had to tell him. I called him from the highway on the long sad trip home. He had already seen it on the chat boards and was very worried about me. He said he wanted to be with Weldon and he was ready to die. At that point I believed he could still fight and beat the cancer again and I said "Bo, please don't do this to me. I couldn't stand to lose both of you at once." Bo had to hang up, he was crying. After that we talked daily as long as Bo was able. When the phone calls stopped, I knew the cancer was winning, and the diabetes, and the heart problems, and the COPD. It was so unfair of me to ask Bo to fight. I never said that again. I had Bo on the prayer list at my church and I talked to him when he was able to answer his phone. We never went to the Tucson Best Bead without Bo. I went this year by myself to Phoenix, but a friend met me there to see Tucson with me. We went to the hospital to see Bo and he wasn't there. They wouldn't tell me the truth, but I knew. I drove to Bo's house and it was locked up and his little pickup was parked in his car port. I called Norma again and got the news that Bo had passed the night before I got there. Thinking back, I think it was a blessing. Norma had warned me that Bo didn't look like Bo. I think God spared me that. Bo got his wish and passed on. I will miss him forever, much like Weldon. Maybe, God is sparing me the sadness I will feel at the memorial service. If I don't feel safe driving because of the ice, I won't be going. My sister lives up there and has planned to be with me. She knows I need her. I know Bo is not there. He's with Weldon since Tuesday Feb. 1st. All of our lives will go on and we'll all feel his loss, some of us more than others. Bo's sisters were very close to him and they will miss him most. He was a best friend and Weldon and I were fortunate to know him and enjoy his companionship. I'll never forget his friendship. I'll treasure all of the marbles he made for us - not just micro minis, but full sized marbles. I'll treasure all the good times and in Bo's words "See you soon, old friend". I love you. Edna

Susie, check your messages

I am in Tucson until morning. Cheryl and I are coming back to Phoenix in the morning. We are visiting some folks Cheryl knows in the morning and then we're spending the night at Bud and Carole Cloven's house. Both of us fly out Sunday morning. Edna

Thanks Norma, I fixed it.

Al, I'm sorry. That address is what she gave me. I'll try to reach her today by phone and ask if that's correct. Edna

Bo's sister Norma has asked that anybody with pictures of Bo or stories about Bo - please send them to her. She is making a memory book for the family. Her email is [email protected] There will be a memorial service for Bo February 12 from 4 to 6:00 pm at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Denton, Tx.

Thanks for that pic Buddy. I didn't have that one. Edna

They are Chinese marbles. These are rounded with a machine. You can buy them for .50 each.

I got here too late. Went to the hospital to see Bo and they wouldn't give us any information, so we went to his house. No one was there and his friend next door wasn't home. I called his sister Norma Sisney. Bo passed away last night, Feb. 1, 7:35 pm. Another sister, Martha Bartley and her son are in charge. There will be a memorial service later in Texas and they will let us know. Bo died at Hospice of Arizona. If anybody wants to make donations in memory of Bo, consider the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society. Condolences can be sent to Martha Bartley, 519 Golden Meadow, Duncanville, Tx, 75116 Bo and Weldon are playing marbles again. God bless both of them. Edna

Pre civil war, they were issued as part of a surveyors pack in Texas. Early surveyors (1836 and forward) were sent to remote areas and entertained themselves with games of marbles. This is documented in "The Robertson Papers". It's a history of Robertson County as told by the grandson of Sterling C. Robertson who was the empressario bringing settlers to Robertson Co. You can find many volumes (I think 18) in genealogy libraries. If marbles were played that early in Texas, soldiers were probably playing too. Many of the soldiers were young kids.

It is not Kevin O'Grady. He signs with a signature cane. The Travis Weber reads the same backwards as it does left to right. He works hard to perfect that little feat. It would help to show the whole marble and the sig. Some of us recognize the work of the artist.

one inch, only found in the digs

I saw that and it made me watch the show, but you're right - it was for next week. The quick glimpse I got made me thing something white based.

That marbles name could be mountaineer. Hint: West Virginia - their colors

Suzie, I'm so sorry to hear this. My pets have always been family members. Sounds like yours was too. Edna

They make everything in China - marbles, beads, eggs and they're cheap and poor quality.

I think it's an Easter Egg. Some folks collect eggs. They used to sell glass eggs at Pilgrim Glass and I think Gibson Glass did too.

Finally after many years, I have an avatar. Thanks for the help doing it. Edna

Thank you. I gave that box to Opal Moore. I'm working on 6 more for Lewis Moore children, daughter in law, and 2 grandchildren.

Have a fun birthday. Edna

I like the poll as it is. The JABO experimentals are too new to compare with AKRO, Peltier, etc. Time will tell if the experimentals hold up to them. I believe they will, but not in my lifetime.

The gift box Top row of marbles are Lewis L. Moore, 2nd row are Roger Howdyshell, bottom row is Lawrence Alley The third row is named for the run Legacy. The most important influence on Mr. McCullough is his wife Bonnie and the marble is in honor of her.

Autim Moore is holding up the box of marbles.

In the Legacy run there are a lot of marbles named for people who had an influence on the career of David McCullough. I never posted them because some people who read here don't like JABO. I quit showing the marbles. Couldn't resist the one above, because we presented Mrs. Moore with a box containing marbles named for her husband and some from others that she personally knew, like Lawrence Alley and Roger Howdyshell. In the pic are Lewis L. Moore, Jr., Mrs Opal Moore, Autim Moore, and Linda Simmons. Mrs. Moore is holding the box I gave her.