Bobcat Treasure: Rubies ... Mystic Powers ... and Valentines ....

Uncut natural ruby crystals

Rubies ... mysterious, mystical, exotic ... the "queen" of gems ... believed by some to represent a journey from past into future.... Through the ages, the ruby has been admired in its many shades, running from pink to red, with the deepest red (called "Pigeon's Blood") considered the most beautiful, valuable and powerful. Because of their fiery nature, rubies are thought by many cultures to be earth-tied symbols of the sun, and the sun's incandescent light and warmth.

They are cherished as dynamic stones, engendering passion and strengthening the soul. They are sometimes carried or worn as reminders to live our lives to the fullest, to eagerly embrace the joys of our transient existences, and to restore soul "essentials" which may be missing in our lives. Rubies are representative of strong, powerful emotions, and are said to be imbued with powers to restore vital life forces, increase energy and vigor, and preserve mental and physical health. The ancient Burmese (the Khmer) believed that a ruby inserted under the skin fostered courage and generated a magical force to protect from accidents and attacks. In the Middle Ages, rubies were commonly considered to be stones of prophecy; it was said the stones became darker when danger or death were near, and that the stones sometimes permitted their owners to glimpse the future.

Rubies have historically symbolized love, passion, power and a zest for life. In Eastern lore it is believed the stones may have an effect on energy and balance within the soul, bringing negative emotions to the surface where they may be changed or cast off, and drawing poisons and disease from the body.

Natural rubies contain imperfections of color, and have slight inclusions which distinguish them from substitutions and synthetics. Thus it seems that "imperfect" rubies may be truly representative of imperfect human beings, in all our infinite varieties, with our dual and sometimes fractured (and fractious) natures. Bahya Ben Asher, known as the Rabbeinu Behaya, a Jewish scholar and rabbi who introduced Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) into the study of Torah, has connected the stone to the ancient tribe of Reuben, and his analogy has carried over into modern Hebrew, symbolically linking the stone by blood to Adam.

Jewelry set with a ruby symbolizes such power and love between two people that it makes the ruby a perfect choice for an engagement or for a Valentine's Day gift. It is the gemstone recommended as most propitious for giving on both the 15th and 40th anniversaries. The ruby kindles the fire of passion and stimulates love while advancing the journey of the soul. It is said to figuratively destroy the walls some build around themselves to keep others outside and their own love imprisoned.

Therefore, in this cold February, just before the day some consider the most romantic of the calendar, it seems that rubies perfectly represent the fires of love and deep friendship. In honor of that day, I have examined our "Bobcat Treasure", the 1963 Senior edition of The Corral to mine and polish certain of the gems therein ("1963 Seniors Will be Remembered by...."). And so I give you rubies....


Raenell Wynn: Fourth period librarian, DE president. Raenell is married to her high school sweetheart, Jim Smith, and lives in Childress. (See Raenell's bio on the "The Class of 1963: Show and Tell" blog.) She is planning a trip to Paris and London in March with BFFs JoAnn, Linda Kay and Jennifer, and is looking forward to the Las Vegas Class Reunion. (See "The Class of 1963: Face to Face" blog.)

Bobby Huff: Fighting Heart Award, bookkeeping award. Our information on Bob is that he married his high school sweetheart, Jettie, and that they live in the Houston area. Any update(s) from or about Bob would be most appreciated.

Dian Veal: Athletic ability, secretary of National Honor Society. Dian lives with her husband and our classmate, Jerry Newberry, in Spokane, Washington. When we last spoke with Dian, she and Jerry were about to leave to spend a month in Hawaii with several members of their family. We are hoping when they return they will both visit us here on the blog and leave an update.

Jerry Newberry: Science ability, one of the top 10 in the Senior class. Living in Spokane with Dian, and probably really tan from their sojourn in Hawaii. He and Dian have one daughter and grandchildren. Likewise on the update, Jerry....

Pat Harmon: Head cheerleader, 1963 Bobcat staff. Pat married her school sweetheart (also CHS Class of 1963), Charles. She retired after 36 years of teaching In May 2003. They live in New Braunfels. We hear that like many of us, Pat marvels that she ever had time to get personal matters accomplished while she was working. We believe Pat and Charles have two daughters and four grandchildren, but hope they will correct us if we are wrong, or will leave a more comprehensive account of their lives on the blog.

Charles Mitchell: Ran 100-yard dash in 9.5 seconds, nicknamed "Chicken", All-State football. Charles retired from Valero Energy Company last June and is enjoying retirement and grandchildren with Pat in New Braunfels. We would also appreciate hearing from Charles, if he is so inclined.

Linda Sally: "Wa-wa", tall. Linda operates Segovia Truck Stop in Junction, Texas. She has four children and also has grandchildren. We hope to receive a more thorough update from Linda soon.

Ronnie Kindle: Football player, Stanley's big brother. Ron works for Western Industrial in Amarillo, has two daughters, and grandchildren. Ron was last seen by me the night before Paula's funeral, in Childress, when he and Doug Greer and Joe Don came by Lynn's to visit. Again, we would appreciate any updates for Ron.

Carolyn Loter: Senior class favorite, second period librarian. Carolyn has been married to Jerry Barlow for 43 years. They live near Wetumka, Oklahoma and have one son and three grandchildren. (See Carolyn's "yearbook" update on the "Show and Tell" linked blog, posted January 7, 2008.)

Preston Stevens: Nickname "Buddy", National Honor Society. Preston retired after a career as a prosecuting attorney in the Odessa area and lives with his wife in Mayhill, N.M., near Cloudcroft.

Jennifer Johnston: Editor of '63 Corral, "As You Like It." Jennifer is married to Yahn, living in Las Vegas (see their individual posts on the "Show and Tell" blog, and various posts and comments throughout the main blog). She is happily planning the October Class Reunion for the Class of 1963, a/k/a "The Best Reunion Ever" (see "The Class of 1963: Face to Face" linked blog). She reminds Yahn to read the beginning of this post ... specifically the part about about rubies and 40th anniversaries....

Clifton Clements: Football player his Senior year, green Ford. Cliff Clements lives in Baytown, Texas (outside Houston) with his wife Jane, having returned there after six years in Alabama. Cliff is the Editor and Publisher of The Baytown Sun newspaper. Cliff, we'd love that update you promised....
A lovely Valentine's Day to all.... Word to the wise: Ladies, you are not exempt from conveying tokens of affection to your beloved. And guys, even if your lover says she doesn't want or need anything to commemorate the day ... do something romantic anyway!!! These February nights are cold ... and could get colder .... (grin)....

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