Rim Of The Wheel

Heat. [music] [music] [music] [music] Heat. >> [music] [music] >> Heat. [music] Heat. >> [music] >> H nowaday seems like everybody's riding round and round on the rim of the wheel. Me, I like to ride close to the axle. That way you don't get shook up so bad. Can't understand why so many folks spend so much time and energy on the rim of the wheel when it's so much simpler and easier to stay right close to the axle. I know time is flying, so many things to do today, but just how important are those important things [music] nowadays? Seems like some folks are always on the go. Always in a hurry. Always in a hurry to get somewhere. Always in a hurry to get nowhere. That's just the way it was with Virginia Sutton. [music] Rosalie, look at these clothes. How many times must I tell you not to hang the colored pieces with Mr. Sutton's white shirts? Can't you ever learn? >> I'm sorry, Mrs. Sutton. I scrubbed the colored pieces so hard I forgot what you said about the white shirts. >> Well, it's inexcusable, Rosalie. I don't think I'll be needing you any longer. >> Mrs. Sutton, you when my mother passed on, you told me I could take her place. >> I know I did, but I have to have efficient help, Rosalie. I'm too busy to be here all the time to show you how to do everything. >> Good afternoon, Virginia. How are you? Hello, Mrs. Hammond. Oh, what a day. This morning I had to help Kent out at the office. Then I dashed over for PTA. After that, there was a committee meeting. Tonight it's Hobby Club. And I still have to get dinner ready. Virginia, you're all upset. It's been such a hot day. Let me make you some lemonade. >> Oh, that sounds so good. But I just don't dare. >> It'll be another half hour before your boys come home from school. Just long enough to relax a bit. Do come. >> I think I will. Thank you. You sit down, dear. Oh, relax. M. That looks good. Have a cookie. M. These are delicious. You must show me how to make them. >> Well, I'll be delighted. But you're always so very busy. >> Oh, you can say that again. Frankly, I just don't know where my time goes. By the way, I've been wanting to talk to you about some plans for our Bible classes, but you're not up to it now, are you, dear? >> Please, not today, Mrs. Hammond. I'm sorry. It's just that things seem to pile up. So, frankly, I've even been thinking I might have to give up some of my church activities in order >> Virginia, it can't possibly be that bad. Well, you just don't realize I never have a minute to myself. Tell me, how did you ever manage when your four girls were growing up? Oh, by putting first things first. You know, [music] Virginia, many of us spend most of our time doing things which really don't matter. >> That's almost a sermon. >> Well, I didn't mean it to be, dear. It's just that well, it has helped me, and I'd like to pass it on to you. I could never have managed without that formula. I couldn't manage now without it. not a day ever passes, but that I have a quiet period [music] of communion with God. And whatever the amount of time I've spent has been more than compensated by >> gave me some lemonade. >> Of course, Dad, come sit here with us. How are you, Mr. Dickerson? >> Oh, fair of middling. >> Please sit down, Dad. >> No, I'll take [music] mine with me. I can't abide women, especially Calivatan women. I'll be back for dinner. >> Well, that's the first time I've ever been called Gallivant. Oh, you mustn't take what Dad says seriously. Honestly, I don't know which is the harder to manage, 80-year-old Dad Dickerson or 9year-old Tommy. Tommy's your husband's nephew, isn't he? >> He was orphaned when he was two. You know, it's very kind of you to make a home for both your father and Tommy. Well, after a house full of girls, it's nice having a boy to raise. Which reminds me, it's [music] time for Billy and Johnny to come home. I've got to run. >> Johnny, you slice that while I cut this. >> Yeah, let's have Jackie, huh? >> Okay. Johnny, >> can't you boys leave things alone? Johnny, that loaf was for supper. Can't we have a teeny weeny piece? Please, Mom. >> No, dear. No. Look at this mess. >> Let me tell you about the ball game, Mom. >> Not now, honey. Not now. >> What's wrong, Mom? Don't you feel good? >> Of course I do, dear. It's just that I'm in a hurry to get supper. Here, this should hold you till then. Now, scoot outside and play. Ken, I wish you wouldn't whistle in the house. >> Okay, darling. >> And you must talk to the boys about messing up this kitchen. When I came in, here they were with immense knives trying to cut some bread. You should have seen the mess Johnny made with the ketchup all over the floor. >> Oh, Jenny, you're taking it too seriously. How'd it go this afternoon? >> Oh, what a day. >> Whole afternoon, huh? >> So full on. I'm going in circles. Here, give me a hand with this, will you? >> What's the big hurry, Jenny? But it isn't even 6:00 yet. >> I still have to hurry. Hobby club tonight. >> Why not pass it up? >> Oh, I can't. Not tonight. Jean Silva will be there. Think of all the pointers I can get from her on my painting. Hey, would you get the boys in now and have them wash up for dinner? And don't dillydally with them. I can't be late for this meeting. >> Okay, honey. >> May we please be excused? Can we go watch television, Mom? >> I suppose so. >> Go ahead. You're excused. >> Come on. By the way, we'll need another girl. I had to let Rosalie go. >> You what? >> Kent, I simply couldn't stand her any longer. She just can't do anything right. >> You'll find it hard to get another girl as honest or as good with the children. Besides, Rosal Lee's Dela's daughter. >> Honey, I can't help it if Dela's been with your family and Rosalie happens to be her daughter. I simply couldn't put up with her inefficiencies any longer. >> But couldn't you be a little more patient? Couldn't you try to teach her to? >> Honey, I haven't the time. >> Yes, I know. Maybe you ought to slow down, Jenny. Maybe you're putting too much emphasis on some things, not enough on others. >> Another sermon. That's twice today. What do you mean [music] another sermon? I don't get it. >> All right. It's nothing. I guess I still have to dress. Honey, would you stack up the dishes, please? >> Yeah, sure. I'll wash them after I put the boys to bed. >> Oh, you don't have to do that. I can do them in the morning. And don't let the boys stay up too late. Huh? >> [cheering] [screaming] >> Groan and grunt grump and grown groan and grunch. Groan and grunt crank and groan. Virginia Sutton, where were you last night? >> At a club meeting. Why? >> Well, if you ask me, I think you're doing too much silly galvant. >> But I didn't ask you. >> But I'm telling you, you're a >> Sorry, I haven't the time. I'm in a hurry, >> haven't I? Always in a hurry. So much time spent on the flesh, but nothing on the spirit. >> Now look here, Dad Dickerson. I think >> now don't you look here, Dad Dickerson, to me, young lady. It's about time you realize that life's something to be appreciated, to be lived, enjoyed. You can't do it when you're always on edge, always wearing a snap at something. Now you've got a fine husband and young ones, too. Now, it seems to me that you want to get me. THAT I CAN'T. >> BILLY, JOHNNY, look at this. >> I'm sorry, Mom. It was only an accident. >> Accident? It was just plain carelessness. Inexcusable carelessness. Now, you'll get back in the house and sit in a chair while I tell you you can get up. >> [music] >> Hi, sweet. >> Oh, hi honey. Here. >> What's for dinner? >> I didn't have a chance to go to the store. You said catches catch cans. >> So, I see. More can than catch, huh? >> Don't be like that. After all, I can't do the impossible, you know. Besides, we'll be having a snack later at the country club. >> At the country club? >> Oh, I made a date with the Tylers. We're meeting them at 8. >> Well, could we phone the Tylers up and call it off tonight? >> Well, we can't do that. You know, we need all those social contacts for your business. >> Yes, I suppose so. But there are times when I'd like to stay home and relax a bit just with you and the children. >> Well, so would I. But in this day and age, you've got to keep going. >> I wonder. We're on the go so much, I'm beginning to feel like a kangaroo on a pogo stick. >> Well, would you rather be like the Davis's, always struggling to make ends meet? >> No, I guess not. I know we have to think about the children and their future. AND >> SAY, what about the children? >> What about them? >> Well, since you let Rosalie go, who's going to stay with them tonight? >> Oh, Mrs. Hammond next door. She's going to babysit with them. Oh, >> well, if you can stand the pace, I guess I can. [music] Hey, you all right? Yeah. >> Good. >> Now, don't you boys give Mrs. Hammond any trouble. It was very kind of her agreeing to come over, so I don't want to hear any bad reports. And I told her that you were nice. >> That must be her now. >> Evening. Good evening, >> Dad Dickerson. Isn't Mrs. Hammond coming? I >> had unexpected company. Told me to come home and look after the young. She'll be over just as soon as she's free. >> Well, do you think you can handle the boys? All right. >> Well, now that's a mighty fine looking western village you have there. Mighty fine. All except maybe that uh post office. >> What's the matter with it, Mr. Dickerson. >> Well, now I never saw a post office like that when I was out west. >> Was you out west? Did you fight Indians and bad men? >> I sure did. Fought lots of bad men. >> Will you tell us about it? >> Whoa. >> What kind of guns did you shoot them with? >> Well, now son, I didn't use a gun. I fought him with a book. >> A book? How can you fight wrestlers and bad men with a book? Well, there's one book that's more powerful than all your gun shooting. That's the Bible. You see, you can shoot a bad man, but you can never kill whatever it is that made him become bad in the first place. But the Bible can do more than bullets can. Now you be good boys and remember [music] in bed by 9. >> YES, YOUR MOM. >> OH, MOMMY. LOOK WHAT you've done. >> I'm sorry, honey. It was an accident. >> But you ruined it. >> But uh your mom said it was an accident, didn't she, son? >> Oh, come on now, boys. Don't be such cryb babies. Why don't you and Mr. Dickerson go in [music] the kitchen and get that cardboard box and make another one? >> Sure. And while we're about it, we'll fix that post office, too. Then I'll tell you about rawhide Pete the day that he and I had the battle. He was two sick shooters and me was just a Bible. You know he rode through a street just like that head for my mining camp. [music] When he got there he looked up and all he saw there are son. >> You know something Mr. Dick said he is a slow babysitter. >> Well thank you. Yeah, I'm glad you came instead of Mrs. Hammond. >> Well, that's nice of you, boys. >> Hey, hey, wait a minute. Don't you boys say your prayers? >> Yeah, after we're in bed. >> Oh, after you're in bed. Supposing tonight we say them the way they ought to be. This day is over, Lord, and we thank you for the blessings. We thank thee for saving us from our sins and sorrows. Save us by day and guide us by night and lead us ever onward through the mercy of Jesus Christ. Amen. >> Amen. Mr. Dickerson, if it hurts, why do you pray on your knees? >> Well, that's the only way to pray, son. At least wise for me. She keeps reminding me to be humble and submit myself to the will of the Lord. All right, now in a bed. Come on. That's it. Tomorrow is another day. There you are, John. Now wrap yourself up and I'll tell you about rawhide peach brother Pinto. >> Eastern night. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> I called to get the knitting my daughter left here last night. >> Oh yes. I'll get it for you. And I want to thank you for staying with the boys until she could come over. >> Oh, don't thank me. It's a pity you couldn't have stayed here last night. and see the pleasure I got out of it. By the way, what time did you get home last night? >> Now look here, Dad Dickerson. I >> Now don't you look here, Dad Dickens, to me, young lady. I know what I'm talking about. Now you listen to me. My daughter was just like you are, always gallivanting, >> Mrs. Hammond. >> That's right. Years back, she was just like you are today. Always running after something not worth running after. Always on edge, always on the go, trying to gather a little quick. Now, don't you think that you ought to stop all of this and get off the rim of the wheel? >> The rim of the wheel. >> That's right. Get off the rim and get closer [music] to the axle to be close to God and at peace. How can anybody be at peace nowadays? This is a troubled world. And >> troubled world, fiddlesticks. This same old world has been troubled for the last 2,000 years. But Jesus was at peace, wasn't he? Don't you think that you're paying too much for what you're getting? >> Maybe. But in this day and age, you've got to keep going or you'll be left by the wayside. It's the modern tempo. Well, even our minister is always urging us to do more than we can. >> But doing more for God and [music] the church is a heap different than riding that merrygoround. >> But our business and social activities are part of our lives, too. >> True. True. But there's a [music] happy medium to everything, young lady. Look at you. You're all tuckered out. One step ahead of a fiddle. Soon you're going to have that man of yours with the same fit and thems too. Now you don't want that, do you? You know something? Get off the rim of that wheel and get close to the axle. You won't get shook up so much. Now look at me. I'm an old man, but I've always lived close to the Lord, close to the center, the actual. and he's blessed me with many years, happy years of peace and contentment. You too can be at peace with the lost and the world now. There's no need of There's no need of Well, maybe there is too. You just have a cry. A good cry. You tell the Lord all about it. >> How long is it going to take now? >> Oh, just a few minutes. >> Oh, boy. That looks scrumptious. Dad's going to like that. >> I'm sure he will. >> No, I think that's all right. Go ahead and start. [music] >> Hello, honey. I'm a boy. Hey, what's for supper? >> Supper super tonight. Supper swell. >> Why don't you take a look? >> Let's go, Johnny. Come on out. >> Things seem different around here lately. Everything seems more uh peaceful and quiet. >> Well, that's because the Sutton are no longer riding the rim of the wheel. >> The rim of the wheel. It took me a while to make up my mind to get off the merry ground, but believe me, from now on, we're putting first things first. >> You know, I like the way things are working out around here. So do I. Thanks to old Dad Dickerson. Bless his heart. >> Dad Dickerson? >> Mhm. He's the one who helped me get off the rim of the wheel. As he puts it, stay close to the axle. >> Yes, sir. Stay close to the axle. That way you don't get shook up so bad. That way you too can be at peace with God and with the world. >> [music]