Archive: June, 2016 - Gary Borders

The Passing of a Philosophy Professor

I learned recently that Jim Magruder had passed away. Magruder was a retired professor of philosophy and later mathematics at Stephen F. Austin State University. He and Dick Lower essentially comprised the philosophy department at SFA in the mid-1970s, when I arrived as an 18-year-old eager to delve into complex tomes and gain knowledge. In retrospect, I had a peculiar if fascinating college education. My ACT score was high enough to get me into the university’s Select Student program, which was patterned after UT’s venerable Plan II curriculum. Besides the state requirements for English,...

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Picking Blueberries Evokes Childhood Memories

On a pleasant Sunday morning, when the humidity was low and the temperatures reasonable for mid-June, I cranked up our 1965 Ford F100, rolled down the windows, and headed to Greer Farm outside of Daingerfield. I wanted to pick blueberries. I have been looking forward to this for about it for a month, since I ran into Sid Greer at the downtown Farmer’s Market. It felt good to be hurtling down the highway with the breeze whipping through the 2-60 AC, which was working perfectly. (That’s two windows open while driving 60 mph.) I also have a fan clamped to the ash tray, its cord plugged into...

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Marking Five Years of Marriage

Dear Julie: We married five years ago today on a humid June afternoon. The ceremony was performed under a grove of trees, cows lowing across the fence line. The wedding ring was tied to Rosie’s collar. Your daughter Abbie — soon to be mine as well — held Rosie’s leash and kept a careful eye on the ring pouch. We maintained the tradition of a bride and groom not seeing each other the day of the wedding. I learned later you were a bit nervous and stayed concealed in your brother’s house until it was time to walk down the hill. I will never forget watching you slowly descend toward us, radiant...

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Spirit Spurs Building of a Chessboard

I have been threatening to build a chessboard since Christmas. That is when I gave a chess set I bought 40 years ago in Mexico to my nephew Connor. The box containing the pieces — carved of wood and what is likely ivory though I hope not — doubled as a chessboard, leaving me without one for my remaining set. (I hope I am forgiven for unknowingly buying a chess set built with ivory as a dumb 20-year-old.) My mom created a ceramic set for me back in college. The pieces are topped in gold and silver inlay. But since I have no board, Connor and I have been confined to playing when he comes to visit...

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