Jenkins:You think about things. About the first time you met him, when he was five and about to turn six. Blond hair and a big smile and a high kid's voice that was full of fun.

Jenkins:Our theory is that things like this happen because of ethics reform. See, your average North Carolina legislator gets used to those huge lobbyists' buffets and all the special interest campaign contributions, and while in Raleigh, he or she dines fine.

Jenkins:It was one of the first times we at Daniels Junior High (now Middle School) were actually given a choice in courses. In this case, the choice was to get a head start on high school and take a foreign language course, or take shop.

Jenkins:Last week's column on Jim Blackburn, who as a federal prosecutor put Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald in prison in 1979 for the 1970 murders of his wife and two young daughters at Fort Bragg, brought a variety of responses.

Jenkins:I saw Jim Blackburn coming through the restaurant and rose to speak to him. A buddy was with me, and I introduced them. Blackburn's a most affable man, courtly, silver-haired and ready with a smile.

Jenkins:Someday, we tell ourselves, things will be easier and simpler. Isn't that the point of all this scientific investigation and discovery going on all over our little third rock from the sun?

Jenkins:Excuse us, please. We will be with you in just a moment, but we've been through a week's worth of hankies already, and it's only Thursday. The tears just will not stop.

Jenkins:It may be the highest compliment that can be paid to anyone in public service in North Carolina, but Martin Lancaster has earned it.

Jenkins:Those of us in the news and commentary biz hope that you know it's Sunshine Week, wherein we celebrate the virtues of open government and talk about the access -- and sadly, sometimes the lack thereof -- that we Americans enjoy to the dealings of our government leaders.

Jenkins:Our nominee for the most frightening place in Raleigh, at least for your average motorists and pedestrians, is Five Points.

Jenkins:News item: Mayor Bill Purcell of Nashville, Tenn., on Monday vetoed a measure passed by his city's Metro Council that would have required all government documents to be in English, with a few exceptions.

Jenkins:Well, it just tears you up, yes it does, to read about the loneliness of Sen. John Kerry. The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, reports The New York Times, is rather forlorn these days.

Jenkins:In the play "Twelfth Night," William Shakespeare wrote: "Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them." Your correspondent understands this.

Jenkins:Bless their hearts. Yes, as Tennessee Ernie Ford used to say, "Bless their little pea-brained hearts." What? Oh, sorry. That was "pea-pickin' hearts." Of course.

Jenkins:The federal courtroom in New Bern was spectacular, grand and darkly paneled and huge. I was there, some years back, thankfully not on trial for anything, but for a naturalization ceremony, wherein a friend of mine from Belgium was becoming a United States citizen.

Jenkins:The mentally ill and the elderly over the years have had many a crusader in state government, and that's good.