prologue

MY MAJOR HOBBIES Photography From the time I was in high school I have been interested in taking pictures. For many years I used a Brownie box camera. In the 40's I bought a Kodak Tourist that I used until the Christmas of 1953 when Bill gave me my heart's desire: a Linhof camera that used cut film in size 4 x 5 inches. Ilater purchased a wide angle lens and a soft focus lens for it. My training was mainly trial and error However, in the summer of 1950 I took a photography course at the Uni- versity of Colorado which was very informative. Later I enrolled in a correspondence course from the New York Institute of Photography. I did all my own darkroom work which was a favorite part of the process for me, because one can do so many varied things with a negative. The only limit is your creative imagi- nation. During my last year at Shidler I organized a photography club and we outfitted a darkroom. We purchased an Omega enlarger and enough equipment so the students could do most of the pictures for our yearbook. When we left Shidler, I bought most of the equipment as no faculty member was interested in continuing the club. We built a large room onto our house at Skelly Schafer that served as my studio. I acquired a nice business tak- ing pictures for graduation exercises, weddings, and mak- ing Christmas cards. I also learned to do oil tinting of portraits which was profitable. Each summer the Amarillo Globe News sponsored the National Newspaper Snapshot contest. I entered in one or more of the four categories every week and won many prizes. At the close of the contest, the judges selected the best overall summer winner from each class and these were entered in the National competition. I was fortunate to win a certificate of merit and prizes of $25 and $50 three dif- ferent summers. On our vacation trips to the national parks I took many scenic shots and have a good collection that I exhibit each spring in the Pampa Fine Arts Association photography shows . I had to give up my photography business in the summer of 1972 after I was elected president of the National Sci- ence Teachers Association. Not only was I having to travel a great deal, but I was also in the process of completing my chemistry textbook and something had to go. I sold most of my equipment to former students but there are times when I get a longing to return to my own darkroom so I can achieve the effect with a picture that I want. Com- mercial photo finishers never quite grasp what I have in mind.

Writing Since I took sophomore college English under Dorothy Long at Northern Okahoma Junior College I have loved to write. I had begun writing poetry while in high school and in 1961 I published my first book entitled Triumphant Mo- ment, The Naylor Company of San Antonio, Texas, did the work. I was pleased with that company and they also pub- lished my next two volumes, Candles at Noon, in 1966, and Enfold the Splendor, in 1973. When I was ready to publish The Year of Impact in 1980, the Naylor Company had gone out of business. So Dorrance & Company ofArdmore, Pennsylvania, published that book. It was a report on my year as president of the National Science Teachers Association. I continue to do lots ofwriting. I did a feature series for the Pampa News a few years ago on outstanding graduates of Pampa High School. In the fall of 1990 when I was trying to help revive the science fair movement in Pampa schools, I did a follow-up series on oUr former national science fair winners . These two hobbies have brought me countless hours of satisfaction and I hope to continue both of them on into the future. Triumphant Moment Courage is the coin that life demands Of those who seek release from little things. The fearful grope their way with unsure hands And feeble faith for peace no bondage brings, Haunted ever by imprisoned dreams Chanting in their hearts to be set free. But he who dares to make a choice and teams His zest for striving with audacity Will gain the victory, forgetting scars, And for one triumphant moment touch the stars. .... from Triumphant Moment Moments Are For Holding Lightly Moments such as this are fragile things, Made for holding lightly. Time has wings, And you can never slow its flight, norwill You try if you are wise. Instead. distill The essence from each moment you would keep And look not back when it is gone, nor weep Because it will not come again. Just know, And feel, and hold it briefly, then let go. Be grateful you have known it. No one can ever own it. .... from Triumphant Moment

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