AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > November > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMy annual giving of thanks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Holidays, what a joy. I doubt that any country dives into holidays like us Americans, but that’s just supposition. Bastille Day is the only foreign holiday I’ve ever encountered, and France shuts down for that one, at least in Normandy, where I was in desperate need of an overnight accommodation. Approaching Caen, I noticed repetitive signs that advertised “Hotel de Ville.” Several of them. Must be a palatial place, I thought, and I kept following the markers. I was in luck, I chortled, when I saw only a couple of cars in the parking lot, but no sign of life. Then it hit me, right between the eyes.
Translated, I had arrived at the City Hall in Caen. No room in the inn. I spent the night in a telephone booth room over a small cafe, and gave thanks for that, which brings me around to the annual Thanksgiving Day mission of sharing these Thursdays with you, sometimes musing, sometimes flippant in nature:
I’m thankful for the cat’s meow — when that means he wants to get out.
I’m thankful for the sound of a waterfall, not some Niagara roar, but the trickle of water over rocks.
I’m thankful that in this twilight of my life, I still have enough hair to have to visit Cookie for a tonsorial treatment.
I’m thankful that the Oakland Raiders and Randy Moss finally got together, the hand of destiny at work.
I’m thankful for eye glasses; can you imagine what a blur the world would be without them?
I’m thankful for the sound of golf spikes — the real thing — on a gravel path.
I’m thankful when I get to church and see that the songs for the service are ones I know the words to.
I’m thankful, driving down the hill to home, to see a plume of smoke curling up from the chimney.
I’m thankful I grew up in the radio, not the television age.
I’m thankful I’ve grown to appreciate the railing on stairways more than I used to.
I’m thankful I’ve found out that “Bompa,” loosely translated means me, “Grandpa.”
I’m thankful I grew up when a corn-shucking was known as a social event.
I’m thankful for the driver who thinks to look before he backs up.
I’m thankful we don’t own a parrot, and so is the cat.
I’m thankful I can still find a place to get a typewriter ribbon.
I’m thankful for the sight of thunder clouds after a long dry spell.
I’m thankful that wrinkles don’t hurt, unless you look in the mirror.
OK, if life begins at 40, what happens at 80?
I’m thankful for the styptic pencil, something only a few of us old shavers can identify. But what happened to it?
I’m thankful for the mountain colors this year, which I seem to say every year, so who needs New England?
I’m thankful for the parent who seems to enjoy being one.
I’m thankful for the golden sun up across the marshes at St. Simons. God does paint with a beautiful brush.
I’m thankful for the disc jockey, the guy who played records and chattered away through your radio, like a neighbor across the fence.
I’m thankful for corned beef and cabbage, any time, any day.
I’m thankful the telemarketers can’t get to us any longer. Take that!
I’m thankful for ol’ John Shea, something a little private here for our best man and a friend like no other.
And I’m thankful that we’ve been able to share another Thanksgiving across the table, now don’t forget your nap.
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By Lou Dobbs 2008
November 22, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this
www.LouDobbs4President.com Petition
By David
November 22, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this
I am thankful for Furman Bisher’s thanksgiving column every year.Bountiful and blessed we are to have it.
By David
November 22, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this
I am thankful for Furman Bisher’s thanksgiving column.Blessed we are to have this sage.
By Sautee Dawg
November 22, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving Furman, another great article, i’m thankful i have internet service and the ability to know how to use it, especially being able to read your colum without having to sift through a paper to find it, i just wish Lewis Grizzard were still alive so i could read his articles also, seems like Bisher and Grizzard were the only reasons i bought a paper anyway. anyway happy thanksgiving to all.
By Chuck
November 23, 2006 01:31 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful that the only icon still remaining of the old Atlanta I once loved, Furman Bisher, is still at work producing articles worth reading. I’m thankful to have escaped the new Atlanta of omnipresent crime, unbearable traffic, and a lost soul, for the island of St. Simons that Furman referenced. And God does indeed paint this landscape daily with his magical brush. From here, you can almost see the gateway to heaven. I’m thankful to have played East Lake, where Bobby Jones, Atlanta’s greatest citizen, tred the fairways and learned the game. I’m especially grateful that my game was with me that day to break 80, and that I didn’t disgrace the hallowed grounds. I’m thankful for the internet and the chance to vent like this, but long for the days when the sports stars had names like Aaron, Starr, Nicklaus, and Russell, and the first thing I turned to when hungrily opening the old Atlanta Journal was Furman Bisher’s column. Somehow, he always came up with the right angle to a story, and was the voice of reason to every conflict. Furman, life continues at 80 and beyond, so never give up what you love doing.
By ed
November 23, 2006 02:18 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful that wordsmiths like Furman Bisher are still allowed to ply their trade quietly in a world of instant gratification, flash and constantly changing color and sound.
Black and white are good enough for me, and a leisurely read gives me the time to focus on what really matters; thought and experience.
Thanks, Furman. See you next Thanksgiving. All the best to you and yours.
By jim
November 23, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher: God gave you a huge talent for words and you you use it very very well. Thanks for sharing with us.
By cord
November 23, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this
Not too far behind you in years. Last saw you at Keenland. But still thankful you write these great columns.
By Dan
November 23, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this
I am thankful I can get this on the internet free this year without having to fill out a subscription form and pay big bucks.
This is a treasure !!
By LEE
November 23, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this
Furman,
Like holiday traditions developed over the years your column is one I cherish. It reminds me of the wonderful man that would bring the “Journal” home from work to a sports starved boy and Thanksgivings with cousins at Grant Field, Cracker games,Charlie Roberts,Jesse Outlar, Wayne Minshew, Billy Lothridge, reading of Augusta National, Aaron, Nobis,the freezing Peach Bowls and on and on. ESPN’s good but the memories don’t stay! Thank you, again! Lee
By dizzle
November 23, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
Fisher…
I give thanks by saying…”TO HELL WITH GEORGIA”….
Best regards and keep up your great work.
Mr. Dizzle
By Herb Bell
November 23, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Once before recently I’ve been stirred to write a comment of thanks for Furman Bisher’s columns, and today I do it again. As a child growing up in Atlanta, I remember Furman’s Thanksgiving columns very well.
As a youngster, after reading his column and having a big breakfast(to last me until I got back home for Thanksgiving dinner), it was off to the Tech-Georgia freshman game on Thanksgiving day.
There was something magical about Atlanta during my teen years. We had the Crackers and Georgia Tech … we weren’t “big league” yet. But Atlanta was big league to a sports-loving kid in every way. And Furman Bisher, Jesse Outlar and other great writers that passed through the Atlanta sports pages made it very special.
Nashville became home to me in my early twenties(I’m now 66), but I’m so thankful that through the internet I can still enjoy Furman and keep up with the Yellow Jackets and the Braves!
Stay sharp through your eighties, Furman. Fred Russell(another wonderful writer) of the old Nashville Banner did and you can too!
By Gene
November 23, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
I have been reading Bisher’s column since the 1950’s, and I am thankful that both of us are still around.
By Gary T.
November 23, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving to you, sir. You have brought quality and class to your profession. I have read you since the 1960’s. You were outstanding then and you are outstanding now.
By Mark
November 23, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this
I am Thankful I grew up reading your work. I thank you very much.You always hit the spot.Mark Windsor/Decatur
By Josh
November 23, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Bisher. You’re writing reaches us all. I’m 23 years old, and I enjoy reading your columns just as much as my 75 year old grandfather. God bless you.
By Tom
November 23, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
Dear Furman,
I am thankful that I was raised in Atlanta,
I am thankful my tenth grade educated dad loved Bobby Dodd and took me to Grant Field. (UGA 72 myself)
I am thankful that I was able to see the baby jackets play the baby bulldogs on many a Thanksgiving day.
I am thankful for watching Furman host the Sunday coaches show many years ago.
I am thankful to have played golf with Furman many years ago in some charity event.
I am thankful for our military personnel.
I am thankful Atlanta hasn’t totally changed, but once Furman does not write his Thanksgiving column, I will be ready to leave myself.
By jim
November 23, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
Happy Thanksgiving Furman and all good people of this country. I’m thankful for having known and been loved by my late grandfather as I’m sure your grandchild that calls you “bompa” will be Furman.
By Ronny
November 23, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your fine writing, Furman. You’re one of the very few great sportswriters in America. And we’re fortunate to have you in Atlanta. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
By Marty Monday
November 23, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
Furman,
Furman, many years ago you wrote, “I am thankful for the sound of airplane tires touching the runway after a long trip away from home.” I think of you every time I hear that sound and I agree with you.
Good Wishes,
Marty, Charlotte, NC age 77+
By Paul
November 23, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Reading Bisher on a rosy azalea evening and Outler on a crisp dewy morning while eating a chicken salad sandwich on the Rich’s Bridge, wearing a Muse’s suit, and having a reservation at Herren’s for dinner and a show at the Fox. The AJC only came on the Weekends because the Journal and Constitution were separate papers during the week. Marietta Street was a pleasant walk then and Buckhead was a place to shop on the way to the brand new open air shopping center way out Peachtree at Lennox Road. Our politics were so unique that even a former restaurant owner and second place finisher at the ballot box could become governor. Ed Thellinias still called the Crackers’ on WAGA along with Guy Sharpe’s “everyman’s weather.” Ivan Allen was just awakening the “City Too Busy to Hate” and MLK offered us a vision of dreams. Bobby Dodd regularly punted on third down and Johnny Unitas played an exhibition game to a packed house at Ponce de Leon Park close to the spot of “the longest home run ball in history.”
All that remains are Mary Mac’s and Furman. Thank God for his annual Thanksgiving column. Regardless of what Master Card offers, for this native, these timeless icons are the real priceless items for Atlanta to treasure.
By Wedgie Evans
November 23, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, we foreigners have plenty of holidays too. Happy Thanksgiving.
By BillP
November 23, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
Thanks for another great “Thankful” column, Furman—-its something I look forward to every year.
By Pam
November 23, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this
Even in Du Quoin, IL., I tune in to read Furman’s “Thankful” column every year. All of the above is true. There’s still another thing you need to do, Furman—come to the World Trotting Derby in 2007 at the Du Quoin State Fair! Put Sat., Sept. 1 on your calendar. I’ll keep you posted.