The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates . There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum.

Douglas Schulz

From:              Douglas Schulz

Date:               July 26, 2015

Subject:            My new fiction novel:  Just When You Thought It Was Safe – An American Invasion

Dear Classmates:

            Well many of you have been hearing and even a few of you assisting me in editing my new book, Just When You Thought It Was Safe. As of this past week, it is now available at www.justwhenyouthoughtitwassafe.com in paperback and four e-book versions: Kindle, Nook, I-pad, and e-pub-generic.

            The good news is that I have a wonderful offer to make you and your friends. I will mail you a free, signed copy of my book if you will agree to a few items.  First, you will agree to read the book within one month of receiving it (I warn you it is 648 pages). If you like the book, you will agree that you will recommend it to at least 10 friends. But it gets better. When you recommend my book to your friends, if they will make the same agreement you made with me - reading the book within one month of receiving it and recommending it to at least 10 of their friends, then I will also mail your friend a free, signed copy of my book! The book will also be available at Amazon.com but I prefer people buy it from my website, because I offer free shipping and a $5 discount off of Amazon’s price of $19.99, as well as all eBooks at $4.99.

            Of course, if you don’t like the book enough to recommend it, no hard feelings. You can keep your signed copy as a gift. And, if you feel uncomfortable asking friends to make some commitments to get a free, signed copy, you can just recommend it to them with no strings attached.

            The internationally recognized, professional book review company, Kirkus Reviews, said the following about my book: “This novel takes a serious national issue and convincingly fits it to a thriller – genre storyline… Schulz knows how to dish out thriller elements, including a few gunfights, surprising deaths, and an implication of a powerful conspiracy…”

            Jim Gilchrest, Founder and President, the Minuteman Project said, “[F]inally, an author with the insight to adapt a fictional thriller to issues threatening our nation’s sovereignty, it’s domestic tranquility, and it’s heralded tradition of a ‘a nation of laws’.”

            Now, let me give you some details of the book, because you may decide it is not your style, and there would be no reason for me to send you a copy in the first place. It is a political thriller and a historical novel. It is a fascinating story with suspense, intrigue and passion. It is somewhere between an Ayn Rand and Tom Clancy novel. Though it’s fiction, 90% of the facts are true, alarming true. It is 2017 and the country of Mexico is imploding from the drop in oil prices, the devaluation of the peso, guerrilla activity and political corruption. The icing on the cake was the proclamation that all Mexicans residing in the United States would become citizens. Millions of Mexicans move north and storm the border with the United States. The invasion finds Washington in denial and disbelief. The President, Rosemary Denton, does not want to alienate the Mexican vote for her upcoming election and the country freezes while millions swarm into the border states. The book follows the four Walther brothers, each living in one of the four border states, and how the invasion affects their lives. There are many powerful characters in the book, such as Secretary of State, John Hardwick and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kurt Grayson.

            I promise you two things in your reading of my book: you will find it enjoyable, and you will learn ten times more than you ever knew about the real problems in Mexico today, the archaic immigration policy in the US, and the massive problems with the Mexican–US border.

            Of course, many of you still have hectic lives and just don’t have the time to read a book like this at this time. Please be so kind as to let me know that, and perhaps later in the year when you have time, I can send you a free, signed copy.

          I plead for your assistance in this new career of mine, but I fully understand if you wish to not help, but remember there is a $250 award to the person who is responsible for having their friends and friends of their friends buy the most books.

            One last comment.  Please do not recommend the book to any of your friends who are died in the wool, liberal democrats, as they will hate the book. I know that and that’s on purpose. And please don’t ask me to send a free copy to a person who is a democrat or generally liberal, as it will be a waste of time.

            You can visit www.justwhenyouthoughtitwassafe.com to learn more about the book. And you can read the Kirkus Reviews review of the book, which is great. And you can watch the video of me discussing the book. Attached is the cover of the book, and a list of the characters.

            Thank you for your consideration.

            Douglas Schulz

Chris Carrigan

Douglas:

Congratulations on completion of your novel.  I know you have worked hard on this project and devoted much of your time to it as well.

Best wishes,

Chris Carrigan

Douglas Schulz

Chris: per my letter and offer, if you read and will recommend the book to at least 10 people if you like it, I will send you a free signed copy.

Douglas Schulz

August 6, 2016

I received a notice today from the reunion website, saying that I have not updated my profile in a while. I wish I could tell you that so much as happened in the past year, I just can’t wait to report it all. I think it 863. You start to settle in a bit. I don’t mean to imply in any way that my life is humdrum, or routine. Quite the opposite. Tracy, my wife, at age 55, still looks like she’s 28, when I first met her. My two Alaskan malamutes, Tevia and Dimitri, are seven, and 7 ½ years old, and are really enjoying life here on the ranch. (They should be; we treat them better than children… Of course, they act better than children). This past year we built a huge beautiful timber frame barn, it really is cool. Don’t ask me what I’m going to do with it. But both of my parents were from Iowa, and owning 160 acres just seemed silly, if you didn’t own a barn.  We travel very little, because we never travel without our dogs. And I do so much traveling in my work. But we did take a month long, 7,000 mile drive from our home in Colorado, all the way to Nova Scotia, Canada. Don’t worry, we have the largest Mercedes SUV, and all the seats were taken out, and the special bed was put for the dogs. And of course, they will only stay at the best of hotels, and eat cheeseburgers along the way. My work is as busy as ever (I am a securities fraud expert witness), and I am really loving. It keeps my active mind from staying away from politics, and just about any depressing thing in the current environment we live in this country today. Schulzy     PS: of course there was my new book last year, “Just When You Thought It Was Safe – the Invasion of America” 

Douglas Schulz

Danny:

no problem on the 45^th, let’s just hope that there are enough of us left for the 50^th. I’m not sure you need to be punting who’s going to organize the 50^th this far in advance. At this stage we can barely remember what we did yesterday. But we should probably all fall together in 5 years. Schulzy

Douglas Schulz

September 8, 2018 Turning 65

Well,  here we are at the beginning September, and a large percentage of us turned 65 years old this year, since many of us were born in 1953. If you need a little positive uplifting, just think that you were born in maybe one of the greatest years in the last hundred years. Here is why:

Playboy magazine started in 1953 with the first issue of Marilyn Monroe, Chevrolet created the Corvette in 1953. The Korean War ended in 1953. One of the greatest presidents in the last hundred years Dwight D Eisenhower became president in 1953. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people to climb to the top of Mount Everest in 1953. And maybe my favorite, Ian Fleming wrote the first James Bond, Casino Royale, in 1953. And of course, last but not least, you were born. I hope it is been a wonderful 65 years, and I hope you will be able to enjoy the next 20 or more years even more. On average, at age 65 you are expected to live to 84.3 years. Good luck, Schulzy Class of 1971

John Mohon

Well 1953 was a great year but also was 1952 and for those that have turned 65 or in comming months turning 65 thats great  Now you can get Medicare. but those few that were late 1952 models we have already expirenced a few of the plus things and well some things not so great, but one thing our grandkids are the best

Hope all will enjoy the rest of 2018 and have safe Thanksgiving and Christmas 2018

jGod Bless you all lets get together soon

John Mohon

Chris Carrigan

Hello class of 1971.  I am looking for a classmate from our junior year.  Her name is Helen Tomlinson.  If you know of her whereabouts and/or how Ican contact her, please send me a reply.
 

I hope everyone is healthy and safe.  Best regards to all.

Douglas Schulz

Dear Classmates:

Well, getting old sucks, but it’s better than the alternative. And here we all are, getting close to the 50^th anniversary of our graduation from high school, and almost 70 years old. It’s like John Lennon said: “Life is what happens, while you’re making plans.” If you’re relatively healthy, the computer models say we should live till 85 years old. This means at age 70, we have lived 80% of our expected lives, 4/5’s. Kids are gone, most careers have peaked or we are retired. Dreams of our youth have either been met or dashed. Personally, I have had a great life, and I’m very thankful for it. But life is not the bowl of cherries, that I think many of us envisioned in our youth. I often think that life, is managing disappointments. And that probably comes from two strong influences. First was my parents. They were very positive. They instilled in myself and my three brothers the belief that if you worked hard, that you could accomplish anything and that the cream does rise to the top. The second influence was the fact that we grew up in a very positive time in America. With both World War II and the Korean War behind us, United States was booming, and times were generally good. Yes, we had the Russian missile scare, and eventually the escalating war in Vietnam, but that was the late 60s early 70s. Our positivity about our country and ourselves was ingrained in us by that time, as more and more negatives showed up. But if you are reading this, you have survived. You might not think that’s a great accomplishment, since you have been told all your life that you are supposed to live to age 74. And yes, none of us are happy to learn that though are living longer than ever, we hardly know a person similar in age, that does not have some collection of medical ailments, some much worse than others.

These are supposed to be the golden years. Our obligations, duties, and requirements should now be greatly lessened. And we have 70 years of learning, to help us guide us through our remaining years. Through all those trials and tribulations and mistakes were unpleasant, they are valuable lessons, that we will utilize to “coast” in our remaining years. Family and friends become more valuable than ever, one reason is, each year we lose some of them. And that makes those that remain, that much more valuable. I am enjoying myself, but I miss greatly life in high school. Our parents did all the worrying. They clothed us, fed us, and managed the household. We were in great shape, we never wore shoes in the summer, we were tan, we had tons of friends in school and in our neighborhoods. Girls (boys) and life, in general, were new and challenging. Unlike today, where for many of us, we’ve done, most of what there is to do. Maybe it’s just me, but I find life now more complicated, but such is life. Life now should be much more about enjoyment, and much less about accomplishments, I’m trying. Enjoy  Schulzy

Barbara (Barbie) Nelson (Hart)

Randy Wright (Wright)

I just realized that people have been wishing me Happy Birthday and I never acknowledge them. I apologize. I didn't know. But thank you very much.

Douglas Schulz

gang:  first week in September is hot, very hot. Bringing my family and dogs to Roswell for three day of 85 - 95 degree weather is not attractive. Schulzy... Mid to late October is much better. 

Mike Steed

I agree with Doug, which I messaged when I first heard the planned dates. Those of us who don't live in "Hell on earth temperatures" find that time period in Roswell to be just that. "Hell on earth". Oh well, I might be skiing in South America then anyway.

Bernadette Hudson

Robert E. Belt

.

Hey folks need a little help here to make our 50th reunion a great success.
As you may or may not know, we will be having our 50^th Reunion this year. Thanks to Reba Baird, Barbie Hard and Susan Dade for having already put in place plans for a Labor Day Weekend Reunion.

As a reminder I am sending out this notice to all our GHS ‘71’ Classmates.
I am asking two things from each of you who receives this notice;

Rather through our webpage  https://www.goddard71.com  or our Face Book page https://www.facebook.com/groups/47092127625, we are asking your help to reach out to as many of our classmates as possible. 
We currently have over 250 members on our official web page and some 70 plus members on our FB page.

However there are a whole lot of folks that are not signed up on our web page and as many that may not even be aware of our Website and FB Page. Therefore I am asking on behalf of our organizers for
your individual help to get the word out.
We ask that you please encourage them to sign-up and create a profile on our web page.
And take time to check-out & join our Face Book page.

For detailed information on the reunion, times, dates, room rentals, locations and cost please
go to our web site https://www.goddard71.com

Best regards to all,
Robert Belt

‘Go Rockets’

Laura Snead (Waters)

Hello Classmates! I was SO looking forward to the reunion. we have not been back to Roswell in several years. But we having our second surfe of COVID-19 here. I have participated in two funerals the past two weeks, both of whom had been vaccinated. One was a singer in our contemporary group and was 58. Friday will be the funeral of a 53-year-old mother of 2 of our former children's choir memebers. (now 19 and 21). The funeral was delayed for 2 weeks because the husband and daughters were quite ill and quarantined. The whole family had their shots. We have had ours, but i'm just leery of travel. My aunt in Oklahoma City will be 97 on the 18th, and her family is discouraging visits with her. I mastered ZOOM Monday night, so will try that on her big day.

Only things new since my last update: We switched to Mac computer from our Dell, so my login did not work. Thanks to Danny, I'm back in touch. 5 years ago last April 28th, Heidi Nash came over from Fayetteville (3 hours west of here) to take me with her to a PEO meeting in Little Rock (3 hours south of here). My husband and brother (visiting from Phoenix) had gone to Missouri to golf with my stepson.She found me unresponsive and called the ambulance instead. I had a major stroke at the base of my brain. Videoconference with a nuerosurgeon in Little Rock confirmed it and I was given the clotbuster shot and ws flown by helicopter to Fayetteville. Unfortunately I don't remember being picked up by 2 brly firemen or my first helicoper ride. Heie came back to the house, contacted someone else to take my presentation to the convention, looked up phone numbers for my husband (who turned out not to have his phone on), my brother and my sister, and made sure the cat had food and water. She then drove to Fayetteville and was at the hospital shortly after I had finished all the tests. Thank goodness she got here within an hour of the stroke. I mentioned it must have been a stressful drive for her, and she said she could see I was responding to the medicine before the helicopter arrived for me from Branson MO (you guesssed it: 3 hours to the north). The biggest sideeffect was balance issues. (Yes, I more unbalanced than I was!) I used a cane for a couple of years. My doctor in Fayetteville said I really helped my recovery by beginning to play the organ soon, and working Word Puzzles. I still have difficulty finding words that are backwards or diagonal and reversed. My left side is slightly stronger than the right. It was a year before I could read a lenghthy book: whuch was frustrating for me.

Laura Snead (Waters)

After reading my post, i also see my typing has deteriorated too! This new computer can't spell!

Barbara (Barbie) Nelson (Hart)

Laura, it is so good to hear that you survived the stroke and what a blessing it was for both you and Heidi to have made plans to meet up that day.  God does work in mysterious ways and aren't we glad to be his children and under his care.

So sorry neither you or Heidi will make the reunion this year, but we will make certain there are pictures out there for all to enjoy.  Hard to believe it's been 50 years since we graduated.  

Take care and stay healthy.  Perhaps a 55th or 60th will be possible....the time flies too quickly, so it will be here before we know.  Love, Barbie

Linda Wilson (Weldon)

Earl (Chip) O'Neal

Hi Laura, wow, I am so sorry to hear you have had so much to deal with.  I am glad you survived your stroke and are doing well. I am so glad that your dear little gurdian angel (Heidi) showed up in time to save you.  I guess we all always new Heidi was something pretty special.  What a scary ordeal for Heidi.  I guess we are all saddened by this Covid-19.  Fortunately, I have not been touched to much by this disease.  I sure was glad when the vaccines became readily available and thought we would be seeing the end of it.  I wonder now if we will ever see the end or if this is going to be our new way of life.  Giod bless you my friend and keep you and John safe. I will not be going to this reunion, but offer my thanks to Barbie, Reba, and Susie for making this happen.  I hope all that attend have a great time and stay safe. -Chip O'Neal

Roberta Norcross (McKELVY)

Laura, whew, glad Heidi was there to help you.  She's a superhero!  Just glad you are on the road to recovery. So sorry you won't make the reunion. We will certainly miss you.  I broke my ankle pretty badly in 2017.  (My foot was turned backwards). I had to have three surgeries, but all is well now.  Getting old is not easy.  Best wishes to you.  Rob Norcross (McKelvy)

Robert Kaps

I am sorry Im going to miss the reunion. The whole family is going to visit my mother in Oklahoma on that weekend. She is 92 and has had some healyh issues. I wanted to make it. 50yrs man where did the time go. Have a great time.

Ronald Buckner

Ron buckner here! First try at this! Brenda and I just had our 42th anniversary on the 11th!! We are all doing good ,my mom is 94 and doing well. We are still in ruidoso and both still working. she is doing bookkeeping for about 12 people. And is the horsemens bookkeeper! She had a stroke in 2015 but came back ok. At the same time found is had a tumor in her brain. It was removed and she's doing fine. Me? I have a bad back and bad knees! But am still wiring houses and illuminateing for people!! Hopefully covid-19 cases will not limit the reunion! I look great how about you??  BUCK

Molly Ely (Hunter)

It's so good to catch up with everyone... Laura, I'm so glad you're doing well... Heidi is definitely a hero!!  Hate to miss the reunion but we have a new grand baby and it's just not a good time to leave.  I know it will be wonderful and so appreciate the girls who worked so hard on it!!!  Can't wait to see pictures!!

Love to all of you... will miss seeing you. 
Molly

Barbara (Barbie) Nelson (Hart)

Happy Anniversary Ron!  Those years do seem to fly by.  Glad to hear that your wife was able to overcome her health issues and that we will see you for the reunion.

Molly, I totally understand how grandbabies effect grandparents!!  Congrats on your new one!!  They are truly blessings and "the icing on the cake".  We have two, one of each.  Talk about years passing quickly....they'll be going into 5th and 8th grade next week, and it'll be their graduations before I know it!  We will miss you at the reunion but will hopefully get pictures shared.  Stay healthy!