As you grow older, memory seems to slip. I have certainly found that to be the case and I have resorted to all sorts of gimmicks to help me remember something from yesterday or for that matter — an hour ago. I can remember who sat behind me in the first grade and I can even remember the names of hundreds and perhaps thousands of people and events that happened years ago. But I cannot always remember what I had for lunch yesterday or the names of the folks I met last night. It's devastating.

I have always had an exceptional memory. I can remember the most obscure details of conversations held years ago but my short-term memory is shot. I understand that I am not alone.

I have taken to writing notes about upcoming obligations and appointments. But then I can't remember what I did with the notes.

One trick I learned early on was if I found myself away from home when something came up that I did not want to forget — I called home on my cell phone. My answering machine at my house would pick up and when I got home a message was waiting to remind me of the important facts. The only problem with this system is when I then write down the message — I lose my note.

For Christmas, and at my suggestion, one of my sons gave me a tiny digital recorder. This little instrument, no larger than a half-deck of cards, fits easily in my shirt pocket and can record up to two hours of dictation. I thought this would be the ticket to aiding my fading memory. But, alas, whenever I need the blasted thing, I discover that I have forgotten to take it with me!

There are many methods available to help one remember things. The best known one is the “association” trick. For instance if you really want to remember someone's name, just associate it with another word. To remember the name of someone you have just met, say a John Byrd. Just think of a bathroom commode with a bird perched on top. Sheer genius! Right? .

It worked pretty well until even this method caused me much embarrassment. Upon meeting a Mrs. Womack, I associated her name with “stomach” and the very next time I saw the dear lady, I called her, “Mrs. Kelly.”

Then there was another occasion that occurred before I stopped the practice altogether. I had just met Mrs. Booker and made the proper association standing on the street outside a book store. Imagine my embarrassment when upon the next time of encountering Mrs. Booker, I called her “Mrs. Hooker”.

So much for associations. But what do you do?

Political Correctness lives!

I promise I am not making this up. The color Red is falling out of favor with teachers when it comes to “correcting” test papers and the like.

If this insane “Political Correctness” ever comes to a halt, which doesn't appear likely in the near future, I am afraid I will run out of outrageous items to write about. Check out the latest in the sad saga of Political Correctness.

We all know that throughout the modern history of education, teachers have marked (corrected) student papers with red pen or pencil. No more! The Politically Correct people have declared that the color Red is too “stressful” for the students. Red has been declared to have a detrimental effect on the kids. I pity poor Johnny who sits in the first row with bright red hair! Many teachers across the nation have taken to utilizing other colors in marking up test papers and homework.

Some administrators say that the color Red has become symbolic of negativity and they won't touch it with a ten-foot pencil. One public school principal in a “Blue State” has instructed his teachers to grade with colors connoting a more “feel good” hue. He claims this will make their grading of papers come across as less derogatory and/or demeaning — more warm and fuzzy. Purple is the color of choice in this outlandish environment.

Frankly, I think it is a “Blue State” conspiracy to denigrate the “Red States.”

What's more, the whole idea that kids no longer have to face anything negative in life is at best rather ill-preparation for the real world. Truth in correction has been replaced by self-esteem at any cost.

It's time we got back to the real job of educating our children to the actual fact that life ain't easy. We must illustrate to them, “You've got to face reality and sometimes reality involves correction (perhaps even with red pencils) on the rocky road to learning.”

John Brock is a retired newspaper editor/publisher and college professor who lives in Georgetown County. He can be reached my mail at the newspaper or by Email at: brock@johnbrock.com