TONY WONS has a scrapbook that is 27” thick.

Although the above information is reputed to be a fact I cannot imagine trying to handle a scrapbook that thick because most scrapbooks I have had simply were “continued” to another book or version and never grew that thick. I have to admit most of my scrapbook attempts have not been much more than an ill-arranged assortment of manila file folders and with the advent of the personal computer, those ill-arranged file folders have transferred into electronic file descriptions and some subjects are easier to find with my “physical” notes than the computer files – it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks (completely).

Anyway, in answer to the question posed in the above head, I have often thought about sharing some writings of Tony Wons. Tony Wons is a name from the radio days of the late 1920’s through the 1940’s. As mentioned above, Tony had an assortment of scrapbooks he started while convalescing in a hospital as a result of war injuries. From the descriptions of his voice he must have had a golden throat like some radio personalities of my listening era. I could compare his voice to Lowell Thomas, Don Ameche or Les Tremaine but I would thereby lose the attention of some readers. Take my word for it, when I just type these three names and maybe with the addition of Charles Kuralt and Walter Cronkite, I can recall stories or words they spoke and I can still hear them in my mind. Those individuals made stories live and to those in my generation who grew up with radio (that’s TV without a picture) you created your own picture of personalities without ever having seen them.

My scrapbooks often never got completed into a real scrapbook but remained as sprawling scribbles in the flyleaves of assorted Bibles I have used through the years since I became a Christian almost sixty years ago. Some like to place a superstitiously divine aura on the physical “book” which has “Holy Bible” imprinted on its cover. Although I accept the Bible as the Word of God I do not regard the bound book itself as holy or sacred. I have never subscribed to the beliefs of some to “never put anything else on top of the Bible” but I must admit to feeling a little funny when a Bible I have used for years has the binding worn out – I must have five or six Bibles in that condition but I just can’t throw them away. On the flyleaves of those Bibles are some of the best notes or illustrations I’ve heard through the years and also the progression of my faith can be seen in these notes.

But back to Tony Wons. For today, enjoy these bits and pieces from "Tony’s Scrapbook”:

CHARITY – by Nixon Waterman

When your brother man you measure,
Take him at his best;
Something in him you can treasure;
Overlook the rest.
Though, of his, some trait or fetter
May not suit you to the letter,
Trust him – it will make him better;
Take him at his best.

Do not note his limitations;
Take him at his best;
Toward his nobler aspirations,
Aid him in his quest.
If you’ll tenderly inquire,
You’ll find something to admire;
With that lever lift him higher;
Take him at his best.

Praise will make him worth praising;
Take him at his best;
Keep the fire of purpose blazing
Ever to his breast,
Do not frown upon or scold him;
In the strength of faith enfold him;
To his highest yearning mold him;
Take him at his best..

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”Happiness is the only good. The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. The way to be happy is to help make others so.” --- Robert G. Ingersoll

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SONG -- by Louis Ginsberg

Love that is hoarded, molds at last
Until we know some day
The only thing we ever have
Is what we give away.

And kindness that is never used
But hidden all alone
Will slowly harden till it is
As hard as any stone.

It is the things we always hold
That we will lose some day;
The only things we ever keep
Are what we give away.

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Till the next time, Thanks for visiting
THE WORDWRIGHT