Looking Out From Within

I was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1952. Dad was a textile worker. Mom, a former factory worker, was a stay-at-home Mother. We lived on the eastside of town until I was about 9 years old in a multi-racial neighborhood. We then moved to the far eastside of Columbus in August 1961. I hit puberty at the same time. I went form a thin outgoing boy to a fat introverted one. What a time! I graduated from Walnut Ridge High School in June 1970. I attended what was then Columbus Technical Institute for 4 quarters from late 1970 through 1971. I went in the US Army in late January 1972. I was put out on a medicial 96 days later. I never went to Viet Nam, which is probably why I am alive today. I remember one late night being up for 2 hours sitting on the latrine floor in the barracks, tlaking another felow out of suicide. During the 96 days, I got the flu, broke my left ankle, got the German measles, and other things happened. That was the strangest 96 days I have ever spent. My life has been filled with odd, strange experiences. My health has been up and down as well. Many look at me with disbelief when I tell them about them. Mom told me I was special because I was a Sunday's Child. I guess that means you have a lot of interesting times. I have had a lot of rough times, but I have been blessed many times as well. I have been blessed again, thanks to Deborah Haley, to be able to share some of my times with you. Standing Stone is the name that was given to me by a Nanticoke/Cherokee friend of mine, named Nighthawk, in 1993. I sometimes feel that name is more my name than the one I sign when I pay the bills. So, without further ado, come on in.McCarty, Michael is the author of 'Looking Out From Within ', published 2005 under ISBN 9781594533716 and ISBN 1594533717.