AFTER the first installment of the “Mr. Benisms,” I was advised by more than one person that I had missed more than a few. Hence, the second installment, subject, most likely, to even more additions:
1. I’m not as young as I used to be...
2. I’m glad you asked me that question...it’s a long story
3. I remember it well, my friend, as if it were only yesterday.
4. If you insist...
5. In God we trust, in Saipan, we rust.
In addition to the statements, Ben also had a way with the language. Most notably, Ben used to mangle any word that commenced with “kn,” such as knife, know, knot. To Ben the “k” had a separate meaning, and a knife would be pronounced “kuh- nife,” and a knot similarly be a “kuh-not” if you “kuh-no” what I mean.
Ben also coined a unique term for the island cows, when he warned me one day when we were boonie stomping that a “dung-maker” was coming our direction, after I had previously stepped in something generously left behind on the ground by the territorial animal. The name stuck, as did the stuff on my sandals.
It is now time for Brenda and I to return to Alaska. We will be back next year but, even as we leave, Ben and Saipan will be forever in our memories. It is truly our home away from home.

BILL and BRENDA SATTERBERG
Aquarius Hotel, Saipan