This week’s column may be somewhat controversial depending how you feel about it.

I’ll briefly give you my thoughts on this controversy before we travel back to Atmore’s yesteryears.

First, have you noticed the biased comments and writings by those who find pleasure in “poking fun” at Tim Tebow, the former Florida Gator quarterback and current Denver Bronco quarterback?

You see, Tebow exemplifies his Christian faith by kneeling or pointing to the sky each time he makes a good play on the football field.

These liberal news people seem to find joy mocking these Christian-like actions. In fact these hypocrites were completely beside themselves Sunday after Tebow led his Bronco team to an overtime victory over the renowned Pittsburg Steelers.

Tebow, who  never offers an apology  for his Christian performances on the gridiron, finds time to speak to church groups and Christian organizations about his devout faith.

Now, I read where his non liberal followers are growing by leaps and bounds. Those who appreciate him are letting him know that what he is doing proudly draws attention to living a God filled life.

Yes he definitely represents the good, not only in athletes, but in everyone who believes in living a Christian life. This is most difficult for his critics to accept.

These same TV critics take a completely different approach to the TV show “Blue Bloods.” They simply adore the drinking habits of this police family. Many scenes find this family gathered around an evening meal. This is OK. But, members of the family, with the exception of the children, have glasses of alcohol in their hands. Not only do they drink around the dining room table, but in the plush den, as well. This family literally drinks all the time.

The depiction of the closeness of the family is great. But the alcohol cannot be accepted.

There are other shows, which I won’t mention, that also glorify the use of alcohol consumption.

And you know, you need not turn to your TV to see drinking. You can find it in certain restaurants and eating establishments. My wife and I watched some ladies having drinks, drinks, drinks a few weeks ago when we were eating out. Their laughs, loudness and giggly behavior indicated alcohol was in control of their gathering. The sad part about this is perhaps their children or grandchildren have seen them engaging in their alcohol fun.

What’s that saying? Different folks, different strokes.

An internet story last week about an 85 year old lady who still shows her skill of oyster shucking took my thoughts back to the 1940s.The lady indicated she had been engaged in this occupation for a number of years.

This brought to my attention to a man in the 1940s who recruited oyster shuckers and took them in his panel van to south Mobile County where they worked usually two days and a night each week. He could put about six workers in his van and he always knew when to take them to the oyster docks because he knew when the oyster boats would come in.

As a small child I watched this man stop at my dad’s service station where he filled up with gas.  When the van returned two days later some local residents came and purchased gallons of oysters that he brought in.

Those workers stayed on their jobs for two days before returning home. The man who drove the van made sure the shuckers had a place to sleep and sufficient food for their two day stay on the job.

This further reminds me of Bill Cargill, who for several years after retiring from the State in the 1970s, worked up a seafood route. He would take orders from local residents and others who lived along his route. He bought and sold oysters, crabs and fish.

Bill will be remembered as the husband of Eulene Cargill. Her father, Mr. John Weekley, was a well known and highly regarded L&N Railroad depot agent here.

Mr. John was also the great uncle of Rev. Arnold Hendrix. Arnold was kind in sending me an email last week informing me of the death of Percy Weekley, his uncle who passed away in Montgomery. Percy and I grew up together as childhood pals.

I am writing this column on Monday morning not knowing the outcome of tonight’s big championship game over in New Orleans. I dare not make a prediction on this game. I did read just a few minutes ago that we will have a full moon tonight. I have always heard that “the tide rises on a full moon”.

We will see.

More next week.

“….yes…it always whispers to me…those days of long ago…”