IMAGINATION RUNS AMOK

I think it is time to revisit the Obits! From time to time I have jotted down some info I have gleaned from daily reading this section. Most of it just sets my active imagination hopping even more than usual.

First, there is the subject of nicknames. I noticed that an elderly woman had passed on who had the interesting nickname of "Onion." Where in the world would that come from? Did she like onions? Did someone see her peeling one and crying? I was intrigued, to say the least. Then I noticed that her "real" name was Vivian and I could just see some little grandchild trying to say that and having it sound like "Onion." So that could explain the unusual moniker.

Another one was called "Doll Baby." That one I could visualize for a woman who called everyone else that and so people in return stuck the name on her. We had a friend in the Army who was like that. He called everyone "Charlie" so naturally the name "Charlie" was given to him.

But what about "Q Ball"? Was this a man who liked to play pool and so was thus named after one of the balls? And how about the interesting spelling of it?

There was a nickname I noticed the other day that was given to an elderly man: "Rail Head"! What's up with that? Maybe he worked for the railroad, or just liked trains. Or it could be a haircut he had at one time. I guess we'll never know.

I've also been intrigued by given names. One man had a last name of Fudge. My mind went crazy over that one, and I decided it would have been great if he had been a judge. No one could have been serious in his court room when he made his entrance and they called out "All rise for Judge Fudge."

But the last one is great and so help me, it's true. I noticed that one of the pallbearers listed in the paper for a funeral was actually named Arch Bishop. What were his parents thinking?!?

So you can see what my life has been reduced to: getting my kicks reading the Obituaries. But I'm still not in there and that's a good thing!!