The Hypocrite
No doubt the editors of the Lufkin Daily News print some letters merely for entertainment. A letter directed to me in this morning’s Sunday edition is a case in point.
A woman by the name of Sharon Farringer wrote a letter “in answer to Ted Gresham’s letter on Sunday, May 24,” saying, “get off it and wake up buddy. You are a hypocrite.” The words that follow are the screwiest collection of right wing fanaticism I’ve read in some time.
It is very sad that there are people like Ms. Farringer, so totally deluded and filled with lies and hate by right wing idiots, bigots, and self-serving religious twits. Hate is such an ugly emotion. Prejudice is awful. I do not resent Ms. Farringer. I feel sorry for her and the many thousands in East Texas who are exactly like her.
Since Ms. Farringer concluded her letter with the words, “let me hear your views on these or more,” I shall oblige her request. I’ve written a letter to the paper (see Update 061409 at right) but there’s no way the LDN would print a complete reply there. Thus I shall reply here.
About Ted
No, I am not from Bohemia. The generic definition of a bohemian applies to me:
A person, as an artist or writer, who lives and acts free of regard for conventional rules and practices.
Convention and I have never gotten along. We disagree with each other. I refuse to conform, to be a part of the crowd. I am not a sheep. People rarely understand me or who I am. I rarely understand people. Such is life.
There are people who write, as in make a living putting together words or just run off at the keyboard, and then there are writers. Writers are people driven to write, who even when they’re not writing they are writing. This means that their head is buzzing and they’re creating prose in their thoughts. Most true writers are bohemians and eccentrics. All the best were and are totally off the wall. They make no apologies and neither do I. I see no reason to do so.
On this space I simply do as most bloggers do and run off at the keyboard. (In person I often run off at the mouth. Aren’t you lucky to be reading!) This blog has been around quite a while now, too, so there are older ramblings I might not even agree with any more. There are certainly things I have mellowed out on and do not send me over the hedge as they once did. I may not even stop by here very often. I’m not so good at juggling blogs.
May 17, 2011 – I am here today. I remain the seeker. If you’re also a seeker, let’s seek each others’ company! tedgresham997@live.com. Friends are the stars that populate our personal universe… your friendship will brighten up my sky!
Ted, Spring 2011
Hi! I’m the Texas Bohemian!
… writer on occasion, thinker of thoughts, father and husband. This Trailerpark Scholar (aka me!) couldn’t draw a happy face without a compass. His gift is with words, not pictures, though the power of words can draw pictures of worlds no pen could ever draw. His talent extends considerably past the proverbial pen, however. He’s a Jack of All Trades, Master of None… well, only a few. He’s pretty damn good at a lot of things!
Why be normal?
If you are unable to resist the temptation to judge before considering all the facts and truth you will certainly jump to conclusions regarding whether or not I am good or bad, worthy or unworthy, friend or foe. Such is the danger one such as I face daily in a world where people make an art of snap judgments. Judge as you are prone to judge. It would be wise, however, to jump to no conclusions regarding my character over anything you read.
The person Ted Gresham is thus:
The person I perceive my self to be is an aging man exploring the meaning of life, discovering Truth, considering the words of great individuals including and especially The Buddha. This person is rough-edged, kind-hearted, pacifist, respectful and loving. This person lacks discipline. This person is outspoken and opinionated, struggles with judgmentalism though quick and eager to forgive. This person seeks only Truth. Nothing more, nothing less. This person appreciates beauty in a child’s hug, a kind smile, a sunrise, a soft-spoken voice, the teachings of Gautama The Buddha.
Roswell!
I am an eccentric so defined: ‘deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd’ (dictionary.com). Not only in attitude, point of view or lifestyle do I fit this definition but in history as well.
Of course a bohemian is by definition also an eccentric but not all bohemians are the definition of eccentric from their youth nor are very many quite as eccentric as I am.
Without bragging I can say I have been a few places and done a few things. The partial list:
- Cashier / Clerk / gas station attendant
- Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Radio Announcer / Program Director
KBSN Program Director 1981
- Truck Driver
- Welfare Caseworker
- Data Entry Clerk
- Limmo Driver
- Rental Car Agent
- Condo Desk Clerk
- Construction worker
- …I forget what else
I’ve traveled through nearly a dozen states for fun, more than forty for work. I’ve lived in every part of Texas and spent time in Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico. I’ve crossed the southern border on foot and traveled to Vancouver by air. And I’ve dreamed of and studied about places all around the globe.
Truckdriver
Traveler
In more than ten years of college on and off I’ve studied air conditioning / refrigeration, journalism, writing, history, political science, government, law, and counseling. I’ve attended two universities, two more junior colleges and two technical schools.
I’ve had countless letters printed in newspapers, written for online publications and used my writing skills in many jobs. I’ve made a few hundred bucks writing and written whole books that have paid nothing.
Ted with Guitar... long time ago!
Ted at work!
There’s not a whole lot of things I cannot do but some things I am quite good at. I can build houses from the ground up, fix all kinds of things, do plumbing, electrical, maintenance, painting, framing. I have driven vans, trucks, busses, tractor-trailers and all kinds of cars. I can do and have done virtually anything done in an office short of being a doctor or lawyer, from data entry to clerical to interviewing and all that fun stuff.
I’ve been a crusader, a street preacher, a religious teacher, a music director, singer, religious broadcaster and religious writer. I’ve studied all major religions, a few minor ones, and Christianity from many different perspectives over many years. I’ve been a Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal/Assembly of God. I have considered and reject a host of religious ideas and beliefs. I am at present an agnostic Buddhist and study Buddhism.
In all these years of working, learning and traveling the one thing I have learned is that I know almost nothing. I’ve forgotten more
Ted in St. Louis
Ted in Austin
than I learned. The answers I seek are answers nobody has. The Truth I follow is one few recognize and fewer care to apply to their life. In knowing all I know I know nothing. In seeing all I’ve seen, I’ve seen nothing. In understanding all I understand, I understand nothing.
Such is the path of true discovery.
Such is the story of my life.
__________________________________________________
The Gallery…
Ted, best friend Cory, and good friend Josh
My best friend and I, 1957.
Ted in Elementary
Christmas in the Sixties
Boy Scout Ted
Ted and Regena The Seventies!
Dad and I the seventies
Radio Dreaming
Airman Gresham BMT
Airman Gresham Dress Blues
Airman Gresham and Dad
KBSN New Studio I built!
Trucker Ted
The Traveler
My family - the Seventies
Mom and Dad
My siblings Becky, Bobby, me and Vickie
The Family at the Japanese Gardens, SA
My other family! Ha!
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