Memories and Meditations

About the Book

The title, Memories and Meditations in Poetry and Prose tells something about the book. The memories are those of an old man remembering his childhood and growing up in a time of hardship on a small farm. The joys and sorrows of that period are told with poignancy and evidence of a happy and positive outlook on life.

The meditations are the author’s thoughts and beliefs concerning many things—family life, religion, marriage, economics, children, parents, dogs and other animals, the wonders of the world and anything which might

come to mind.

It is three books in one. The first section is a collection of poems written over a long period of time. The second is a short autobiography, the memories of the author’s childhood and growing up in a rural area. The third, and largest section, is a collection of little essays, stories and records of his experiences. These were also written over a long period of time and dated as entries in his journal.

Much thought and time have gone into the writing of this book. In places it exposes the author’s intimate thoughts and beliefs, which he admits are sometimes different from those of many people. Over a long lifetime he has thought about what seems to be important in life, no matter what is popular.

About the Author

James Wallace Betts was born on a small farm in central North Carolina in 1921. He grew up during the Great Depression and knew the hardships of that time as well as the simple joys of a close family, friends and church. He learned to be improvising and thrifty. Wallace learned early in life to find pleasure in working with plants and animals on the farm. He became skilled in such things as planting, fertilizing and caring for crops and curing tobacco with wood fires. He came to understand that man is a part of Nature, and he learned about the grand order of the natural world called “the balance of Nature.” His philosophy of life has been influenced greatly by observing the wonders and beauty of the world.

After serving in the Army Air Corps in World War II and working as an accountant, he retired in 1986. In his long retirement he has tended a vegetable garden, propagated plants for his own yard and garden and to give to friends; and he has taught himself to play a saxophone. He is a member of the Buies Creek Lions Club, does volunteer work for his church and community, and has tutored adults to read. Wallace had a long, happy marriage with his first wife who died from cancer in 2002, and is now happy in his second marriage. His writings reflect a positive attitude. He believes that “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be,” as Abraham Lincoln is reported to have said.