Beatles the early years page 12

Beatles the early years page 12 by ric gustafson

George Harrison left Dovedale Road School. He started at the Liverpool Institute on Sept 8 1954. George's new friend at school was Arthur Kelly. The two became really good friends. George did not enjoy going to the Liverpool Institute. He was always late and used his fists a lot.

Paul McCartney was now in his second year at the Institute. George was already a smoker. Paul had not started yet at 13. A paper called ' New Musical Express' started in November 1952. It became known as the NME.

A week before Christmas 1954, a song exploded on the charts. The group was Bill Haley and his Comets. The song was ' Shake Rattle and Roll'. Another of Haley's songs ' Rock Around the Clock' was used heavily in a movie called ' Blackboard Jungle'. In the summer of 1955, the song was number 1 for 8 weeks in the US. 

Things were still looking bleak for Richy Starkey. He was still at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital. But he was still content banging the hospital's toy drum. 

Tragedy struck John Lennon on Saturday June 4 1955. John's Uncle George died. He was 52.

research help: ' Tune In' by Mark Lewisohn 

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Proverbs: Proverbs 2:10

 Proverbs: Proverbs 2:10 by ric gustafson

Sin can make people blind to the effects of their actions. We can choose to compromise our standards. we can choose to go against God's heart and refuse to correct it. When we do this, we lessen our ears to hear God's wisdom. When we stumble, we need to turn to God.

God blesses the humble. Because they are teachable. A humble heart can admit wrong and correct it. We can rejoice that we depend on God. Only true knowledge comes from God. 

God will give us wisdom. That wisdom leads to life.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

King of the Night page 8

 King of the Night page 8 by ric gustafson

My name is Howard Smith. Johnny Carson was my friend.

My wife and I met a new friend in August 1985. We had moved to Malibu a few years before. His name was Jerry Weintraub. He was a producer, actor and talent manager. He had managed Elvis Presley and other big entertainers and film actors. The Weintraubs frequently held parties at their estate. Famous celebrities were always invited to these parties.

One day, we were invited to their estate for a big party. We were told celebrities would be there. That night, we met Barbara Walters, TV producer Merv Adelson and others. 

Later, Jane Weintraub asked if a shy celebrity could sit next to me.

" Sure".

The celebrity quietly walked up and sat down next to me. I stuck my hand out. " Hello I'm Howard Smith".

The celebrity turned his head. " Nice to meet you Howard". He shook my hand. " I'm John Carson".

research help: ' My Friend Johnny' by Howard Smith and Eli Gonzalez

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Californian page 2

Californian page 2 by ric gustafson

In the wireless room of the SS Californian, Cyril Evans was busy working on new equipment. The 20 year old was enjoying the new technology he first saw at the Marconi school in London. Cyril quickly learned the dash dot of Morse code. Cyril was happy to be stationed on the Californian. He could play around with the new wireless set.

It took a while for Captain Lord to get used to Cyril and the new technology. The wireless room became Cyril's sleeping quarters. Seven days a week from 7 am until 11 at night, Cyril did his job. On board, Cyril did become friends with two of the officers. One was Third Officer Charlie Groves. The other was Apprentice Officer Jimmy Gibson. 

All was quiet the evening of Sunday April 14 1912. Right before 10:15 pm, Cyril heard ice crunching the hull of the ship. Then the ship stopped. 

Captain Lord walked in. " We have run into some field ice". His voice hesitated. " We have stopped for the night".

" Ok Sir".

" Our position". He put a piece of paper on the desk. " Use your new equipment and let nearby ships know".

" Yes Sir". Cyril sat down and put on his headphones.

Young Titanic survivors

John Borland Thayer III was born on December 24 1894. His parents were John B Thayer and Marian Thayer. Jack's father was a vice president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Jack's mother was a Philadelphia socialite.

Jack and a friend he had met on board tried to jump off the side of the ship after the sinking. Jack jumped off into the freezing water. Jack was able to get on Collapsible B. His new friend did not. Jack's lifeboat became part of Lifeboat 12. Jack's mother was in Lifeboat 4. Jack's father did not survive.

In 1917, Jack married Lois Cassatt. Jack served in World War I. In 1939, Jack became treasurer at the University of Pennsylvania. Jack Thayer died on September 20 1945.

research help: ' The Midnight Watch' by David Dyer

Peace and God's blessings Love Ric

Proverbs: Proverbs 2:9

 Proverbs: Proverbs 2:9 by ric gustafson

God wants us to grow in wisdom. We must know God first. Then we can grow in wisdom. Proverbs 2:9 talks about a good path. Knowing God takes time and effort. God is our best example of wisdom. To know integrity, we must look at how God lives. How does God act with people?. To walk in integrity, we must be honest. When we grow in wisdom, God will give us the right path to follow.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

King of the Night page 7

 King of the Night page 7 by ric gustafson

My name is Howard Smith. Johnny Carson was a friend.

One day, I was eating lunch with friends at a golf club. My phone rang. I recognized the number. I walked outside. I called the number back.

" Hey Alex". I began to worry. " Sorry I missed your call".

" Yes Howard". The voice hesitated. " Thank you for calling me back so quickly".

" Alex, are you alright?". I thought for a moment. " Is John ok?".

" There's no easy way to say this". Alex's voice paused. " John passed away last night".

I did not know what to say. " I'm sorry Alex".

" You were one of the few people John told me to call".

She began crying. " I knew you and John were very close".

research help: ' My Friend Johnny' by Howard Smith and Eli Gonzalez

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

8/5/1962 page 2

 8/5/1962 page 2 by ric gustafson

Eunice Murray was standing outside looking through the curtains of Marilyn's bedroom window. In horror, she could see Marilyn lying in her bed. She looked peaceful. Her eyes were shut. Her lips were slightly parted. She was clutching her telephone. Everything outside was quiet.

Mrs Murray heard a car in the driveway. She saw Dr Greenson running toward her.

" Is she breathing?". Using a poker held by Eunice, Dr Greenson smashed Marilyn's bedroom window.

" Call Dr Engelberg". Through the smashed window, the doctor entered Marilyn's bedroom. " I need to know what drugs he gave her".

Dr Greenson ran over to the bed. He stared at his patient. He pressed on the side of Marilyn's neck for a pulse.

He cried out. " We've lost her".

research help: ' The last days of Marilyn Monroe' by James Patterson and Imogen Edwards Jones

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric