Originally published in "The Michigan Soaring Pilot", the newsletter of the Vultures Soaring Club
Way back in the good old days when I was a single fellow, I had an eye for the women and a memory for the birds. Did you ever get yourself into that predicament where you were just introduced to someone, then 10 minutes later you've forgotten their name?
When I met a neighbor woman who also single and approachable, I was determined not to be plagued with a case of the 'forgetfuls'. I would remember her name by that very dependable method of association. All you do is associate that name with something that is familiar to you and Voila....Instant Memory.
Well, as it turned out, her name was Ethel. How about....yeh, Thermal. They both had 'th' in them. So I made up a sentence that went, "I'd love to get Ethel up in a thermal". I would never forget her name now.
The next night I was going to the restaurant for a coffee and the latest gossip. Seeing my neighbor out in the yard, I invited her to come along for a coffee 'on me'.
I was well known at the Harvest Table and I felt obliged to introduce my lady friend to Dianne, the waitress. The scenario went something like this.
"Dianne, I'd like you to meet Thelma. Thelma, this is Dianne."
Dianne said, "Glad to meet you."
My lady friend said, "My name's not Thelma, it's Ethel."
Gee whillikers, Thelma has a 'th' in it too. How was I supposed to remember everything?
Needless to say, it all turned out OK. I explained why I called her what I did, we remained friends, and come Thanksgiving Day, I got a card in the mail reading, "Happy Thanksgiving Day. Signed, Thelma."
| Dr. Günther Eichhorn | Springer 233 Spring Street New York, NY 10013 USA, email me |