SQUASH

                                                                               
                                                   SQUASH
                                                    
                                 Prior to becoming the twentieth President
                                 of the United States, James A. Garfield
                                 served as the president of a small college
                                 in his home state of Ohio.

                                 One day a prominent businessman came
                                 to Garfield's office and asked if his son
                                 couldn't delete a few of the college's
                                 required courses so he might graduate
                                 in a shorter time, so he could get on
                                 with life and making a living.

                                 President Garfield studied his visitor
                                 for a few moments and then said, "You
                                 know when you plant an acorn, it takes
                                 about a hundred years to grow a strong,
                                 sturdy oak tree, but it only takes two
                                 or three months to grow a squash."

                                 Okay, my fellow students (in and out 
                                 of college) grow deep roots and maintain
                                 sturdy ideals throughout your educational 
                                 pursuits.
                         
                                 Don't grow up to be a squishy squash.

                                 (Written on September 5, 2014)