Rainbows in my garden "} awoke with the customary tight *beas in my cheat, took my medicine, aa is also customary, and set about doing my chores. If I gave in, I would lie in my sickbed all day. Recently, there have been too many of those days; days when, no matter the strength I was determined to man ifest, asthma had beaten me back down and taken control. ^7'for most of my life, I have done battle with this condition. For as long as I can remember, I have fought against major allergies and the awful asthma that always follows. Even on 1(the days I don't suffer as bad, I still feel a certain difficulty in existing. But, 1 am not one to wallow in my problems, for the chamber of sick pess is the chapel of devotion. I could move far away, where my breathing would not be hindered by all the agents carried in the southeast atmo sphere, but I'd sooner die here from , jUl health than die there of homesick ness. And so, as the beauty of a May morning called to me, I threw myself into life, full speed. Mixed in with the long hours at the typewriter will be house and yard work, and errands to run. I cannot retire to a glass bubble. I will not live that way. My strong will comes from my breeding, and my love for gardening from my grandmother. It was she who taught me.. "the sick man is not to be pitied, who hath his cure in his sleeve." So, I gathered up the rakes and spades, and began yet another flower garden. Today, my cure is two trays of yellow marigolds and white periwinkle that will bloom like spar kling jewels all summer around my tiny fish pond. Why in the world do __ people pay a therapist, I wonder, - when a flat of geraniums will serve ! the same purpose? When the mulch finally went into j place, I stood back and admired my j handiwork. Goldfish splashed on the ? surface, and waterlillies jiggled in . their wake. On large rocks, strategi ' cally placed, frogs perched in wait, rE/%STEKIM ECHOS W GAIL R06ERS0N while a copper sundial reminded me that deadlines loomed on my desk. I know that tonight, I will probably pay for my moment in the sun, but I'll just stock up on tissues and not dwell on it. Instead, I reached for the water hose that I've equipped with a soft sprinkler, so as not to damage tiny blossoms. As the water poured from it like a gentle summer rain, the sun peaked in a sky as blue as a ro bin's egg. Suddenly, there were millions of rainbows at my feet. The mist of wa ter, in every direction I aimed it, filled with sparkling shimmers of pink and yellow, and of lavender and blue. When I raised the hose, the rainbow enlarged and became one gi gantic prism bridge across the pond. When I lowered it, the pastel arch separated and became a dozen tiny ones all at once. What a lovely sight... these rainbows at my feet. As I stood there and drenched my new garden in the mist of such gentle colors, I was reminded that it takes both the sun and showers to make a rainbow. My little bed of flowers must have them both to grow, just as I must have the rain in my life along with the sunshine. After all, the soul would have no rainbow had the eye no tear. And so, for this gardener, at least, who must learn to live with the agony and illness that the things she loves best will surely bring, somehow it seems worth it all on a morning in May... when there are rainbows at my feet. Men urged to share in the responsibility at home From time to time, I like to repeat a column written earlier. The follow *" ing, written in 1966, received much ? comment and is as appropriate today ? as it was then. Men, this one is for you. i Traditions and habits are hard to ; break, whether good or bad. It is es ; pecially difficult to break habits de veloped and practiced for genera tions. But ther are times when ; change is needed and now is the time. ? It's time we gave our women some much needed help. As more and more women take J jobs outside the home in order to } make ends meet, men are going to ? have to take more responsibility for chores traditionally delegated to I women. From scrubbing floors to | feeding the kids, men are going to ; have to become more involved in the family chores. Traditions, as noted, are slow to change. For centuries, the man's role ; has been deeply established. He's the ; accepted head of the home, the cen ter of strength, the breadwinner. I Minding and keeping the kids and the ' home has been the responsibility of ? the woman. Our mothers and grand ; mothers would not have thought of ? asking their men to help with house ' hold chores. As the women's role has changed, ; men have been slow to accept these ? changes and share in the responsibi ? lities of the home. It's a familiar I story. The man comes home, asks " "What's for supper?," and his day is ? usually done. But for the lady of the house, things are different. Even though she has also spent a full day working outside the home, for her the second shift is just beginning. There's dinner to prepare, dishes to wash, kids to bathe, laundry to do, and much more. Chances are, while she is busy with these tasks, the man is sitting back in front of the tele vision or involved in some project that he enjoys. And while he won't offer to help, at bedtime he'll wonder why she is too tired to share any time with him. Some women accept this role with few complaints. They were taught by their parents that the job of a woman is to be the homemaker. While they would like to see things different, they feel guilty, as though they are failing in their responsibilities if they complain. Most men do little to dis courage this line of thinking. This isn't to say all men end their day with feet propped and beer in had. Many spend their evenings working at different projects needed to maintain the home. But there's a difference in their activities. While what men do is important, they have the opportunity to choose what they want to do. For the wife and mother, there is no choice. It's the same old thing; cooking, washing, bathing kids, ironing, and more. Should she decide to leave her work undone, who would do it? Men have to realize that the tradi tional roles have changed. Just as women must now work outside the home to help provide the necessary things, men must learn to share in the responsibilities of the home. It won't depride a man to help with the dishes, tend the kids, take up the mop and clean that dirty spot on the floor rather than walking around it. And a man need not be worried about what his "pals" might say. Some men are going to continue to be too ignorant and uncaring to understand how un fair they are being. Some will never change. Those who will can expect a happier partner, a closer relationship with their family, and a feeling of having done what is only fair. While many of us have always helped some with household chores, perhaps it's a time we did more. Rather than help with the feeling that you are doing someone else's work, think of it as sharing in the responsi bility that should be shared equally. It is and should be. i Courtesies; Perry -Evans Mr. and Mrs. Steve Evans, the for mer Sheila Perry, attended several events before their wedding on April 2, 1988. "r They were as follows: On March |th, Mrs. Karen Miller and Mrs. Mar da Evans hosted a lingerie shower. March 13th Mrs. Cora Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Evans and Mr. and Mrs. Carlton pOxon hosted a dinner party at the latter'* home. Miss Karen Roberts jand Miss Anna Carver hosted a re ception in Durham on March 13. Mrs. Cindy Cooke, Mrs. Dawn Bright and Mrs. Kay Whedbee hosted a Lovin' 6tuffin' Party on March ltth. ! Friends in Rocky Hock boated a fig Pitkin' at the Rescue Squad Building on March 19th. Mrs. Elsie Mrs. Nellie Gregory, Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. K*U?d a ning, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford J. Perry invited friends to "drop in" at their borne to visit the couple. Mr. and Mrs. Jack T. Evans hosted a re hearsal dinner at the American Le gion Building on April 1st. Insurance YES W? Sell Life Insurance Lewis B. Ivans AGENCY MANAGER Pat Ward AGENT ?tar Nm hraw MtnkM ? 426-9696 426-7401 cnurcn j " ^sst CXT ? Hartford, N.C. Are you still washing worm blood off your porch? Bill establishes town on Perq uimans River After settling legislative matters concerning provincial troops in the war against France and her Indian allies, the North Carolina General Assembly sitting from April 28 through May 4, 1758, turned to do mestic matters. John Harvey of Per quimans County, well on his way to ward becoming one of the ablest legislators the province ever had, was ready with a domestic bill. In some ways Harvey was follow ing in the footsteps of McRora Scar brough. Scarbrough had sat for Per quimans in the Assembly and had been on hand when young Harvey be gan his career in that body. Scar brough had been Register of Deeds for Perquimans, with Harvey suc ceeding him in 1753. Further, Scar brough had offered a bill to the legis lature of 1746 (unsuccessfully) which Harvey was about to echo a dozen years after. On May 2, 1758, "Mr. John Har vey", the Assembly journal re corded, "presented to the House a pe tition of several Merchants, Traders, Planters and others, Inhabitanta of the County of Perquimons, setting forth their desire of having a Town erected at Phelps' Point in Perqui mons County and that an Act may HISTORICAL MOTES BY RA V WIN5LOW pass for that purpose." The House declared the petition "reasonable" and when Harvey moved for leave to bring in a bill he was granted permission. He immedi ately produced and read the bill and it began its way through the legis lative process. In colonial North Carolina a bill had to read three times in the House of Commons and three times in the Governor's Council. Each body had to pass it after each reading and then, if it received the governor's as sent, it could become law. No provin cial legislation, however, was final unless the British monarch accepted it. Harvey's bill would establish a town at that site on Perquimans River which had been in use for nearly three decade s as a location for the county courthou se, goal, and pub lic warehouse. A ts ivern or two also stood on that fai to of Jonathan Phelps which provi id so desirable a spot, and Phelps | preside over the southern end of the ferry connection which took traveler) s across the river. Harvey's bill prone unced the site to be "a healthy, pleasant situation, well watered and commodious for commerce." In the course of its three readings the bill acquired some amendments, but it received all the necessary ap provals and with the assent of Gover nor Arthur Dobbs given on May 4 it became law. There was going to be a town on Perquimans River. ' i Committee honors Gardner MEDICAL COMMITTEE TO HONOR DR. GARDNER: The Medi cal Committee of the Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce is holding an open house reception for Dr. Robert E. Gardner. It will be be tween 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3 in the cafeteria of the Hertford Gram mar School. The open bouse is de signed to give the people of the county an opportunity to personally welcome our newest and one of the most important citizens. Both Dr. Gardner and his wife, Brenda, and their children will be on hand to say hello. Mrs. Jean Harrison is chair man of the committee. SENIORS GUESTS HAVE AFTER PROM PARTY SAT. NITE.: The home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Smith was the scene of a delightful After Prom Party when Miss Sandra Smith entertained 25 seniors and their guests Saturday night, April 25th. Games and music featured in the en tertainment and refreshments were enjoyed by all throughout the party time. Assisting Mr. and Mrs. Smith were: Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Sutton, LCCNNt MCK Ov VlMUNiA WW(U 1VNblS?J Mr. and Mrs. Eaton Hurdle, Mrs. Ray White, Mrs. George Baker and Mr. and Mr*. Joe Towe White. BLOOD COLLECTION PALLS SHORT: Only S3 pints of blood were collected at the visit at the Bloodmo bUe in Hertford on Monday. Goal for the day was 88 pints. Mrs. Nathan Sa wyer, Red Cross Blood Chairman, re ported that M people offered a pint of their blood, but six were rejected for medical reasons. Those assisting at this visit were Mrs. Mattie Mat thews, Mrs. Elizabeth Haskett, Mrs. Maude Jones, Mrs. Gertrude Zac hary, Mrs. Ruby Bataman, Mrs. Joe Layden, Miss Mary Elliott Brinn, Miss Lynn Landing and Kathy Keel. THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY Established In 1932 Published Eoch Thursday By The Daily Advance, Elisabeth City, N.C. Second Claw Pottage Paid at Hertford. N. C. 27944 USPS 438-080 Gina K. Jepson Editor Aiuie L Wood Advertising ONE YEAR MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES In-County Out-Of -County *10.00 ?11.00 : 119 West Grubb Street P.O. Box 277 Hertford, N.C. 27944 AAember ^ I ? ? AgMA. A ? ? r? r n n fNorrn waronna rres* ^ssooaiion Notional Nvwtpoper AtiociotkKi Brighten Up Your Business With A Business Builder If you are a new business or a business who does not advertise frequently You can advertise weekly for as little as ?1.51 J Weekly for 52 weeks *2.01 D Weekly for 26 Weeks *2.511) Weekly for 13 Weeks (Copy Changes Will Be Once a Week) Call Anzie at 426-5728 N1EWS COUPON The r>ews on>i i editorial staff of The Perquimans Weekly would like you to twill us what kind of stories you like to see in the paper. M there is something or someone you feel is important ? or some pre ivocative issue you would like us to examine ? please, let us k .now. e possible for us to use some of the stories suggested bu 1 we are always looking for new ideas. So, next tii me you think of something you feel would make a good story, send it to: News Coupon, Perquimans Weekly, P.O. Box 277, Hertford, N.C. 27944. STOllY IDEA: COMIiMENTS: Th< e Perquimans Weekly 119 W. GrvoO St. Hertford 426-5720