School Days

No school today for the Grand kids. I checked the calender and it states," In Service/Transitioning."
This set me to wondering just what does that mean ? I never paid attention to the reason when I was a kid but I don't think we had transition days off or in service days. Must have called them something different.
Almost all the teachers have an aide these days so maybe that has something to do with it. The only aide my teachers had was a paddle. Barring that you were sent to the office !
I think teachers are underpaid given the responsibility they have and I applaud them just for being able to tolerate a bunch of kids all day but I think they have more than enough time off. I'm pretty sure the teachers will be at the school today transitioning or whatever but the point is the kids won't. The kids are the work and if I go to my job and there is no work what am I really doing ? It is the end of a marking period and maybe you have to transit to the next marking period but do you really need a day to prepare for that ?
The school had a half day last Friday couldn't you have transitioned or In Serviced then ? I'm just sayin'.
School budgets are in bad shape and funds are lacking. Should we not use the time allotted in a more productive manner ? We are paying the teachers to teach. They do have a summer break to refresh and prepare for another season of work. Most of us are lucky to get two weeks vacation.
I'll get off this soapbox. I'm just thinking maybe scheduling could be rearranged. The State sets a minimum number of days for a school year. What if instead of striving to meet the minimum we strive to accomplish the maxium?

Daydreaming

I'm thinking I would have liked to lived in an earlier time. I enjoy doing manual labor and seeing the fruit of that labor. Whether it be building a house or growing some vegetables it brings satisfaction. The simple pleasure of a warm fire and a good pot of stew. Freshly made bread and warm cookies.
I realize in earlier times life was more difficult. People didn't live nearly as long and many illnesses had no treatment or cure. Still I think by hard work anyone could survive without resorting to being a beggar. You could trade services for food. There was always a way. You could hunt or trap or fish without restriction. Something you can not do today.
A mans word was his bond and was taken as such until proven to be otherwise. Today you had best assume the worst and hope for the best. Society was generally more polite and accepted behaviour was expected. Unacceptable behaviour was quickly corrected. It wasn't tolerated by the town in general and the offender was asked to leave and in some cases forced out. At the very least you knew exactly where you stood within the community.
Oh,I know the world has always had its' criminals and never do wells. There are always those that would cheat and take advantage of others. Often times in the past human rights were abused. We were not as tolerant as we are today. We were not as aware of the world around us and tended to live in our own little communities. Neighboring States or Countries seemed so distant. Those with wanderlust did explore and come back to their communities to tell the tales. For those, life was an adventure.
Yes,I think I would have enjoyed living in a  simpler time. In a time where a man could stake a claim and prove up the land. To make gains by the sweat of his brow. In a time when community mattered. In a time when your actions counted more than your money.
The world was a lot smaller then. So too was our knowledge. Ignorance is bliss or so it has been said. There may be something to that. Maybe the earlier time I talk about only exists on old television shows and movies. Hollywood has a way of romanticising. Well its' a comforting daydream anyway. Todays' world is much too harsh for the most part. But then as my Grandmother was fond of saying," Better Days are Coming."

Celebrate

Off to my Grandsons' birthday party today. Or more properly Birthday Celebration. The actual date was last week but no matter we will celebrate today. He and a group of his young friends will be playing lazer Tag.
The facility has been reserved so let the mayhem begin. I'm anticipating a good time will be had by all.
I have been nominated to be the official photographer. I do enjoy taking the pictures and it is a built in excuse to be close to all the action.
Marks' birthday being in January does set some limits. The event has to take place indoors. With some thought and creativity activities can be found. He recently attended another party and they had rented an indoor pool. Good idea. Bowling and Roller skating are always popular themes as well.
There are several of his friends that all have birthdays in January so needless to say it is a busy schedule . It has gotten to the point where my son limits attending birthday parties to one a day. Doesn't seem likely but it has occurred on several occasions were two or more wound up on the same day.
I was telling my Grandson and Granddaughter about when I was little. I had one official Birthday Party . My sister gave me one when I was sixteen. Other than that it was always Mom made a cake and we had ice cream. Light the candles make a wish and eat. That was about the extent of it. It was the same for all of us kids. I went to one birthday party that I can recall. We went bowling and back to his house for cake and ice cream. I don't think as many people threw the big birthday celebrations as do now. Either that or I just never got invited ! Besides,we thought Birthday Parties like that were for the rich kids. The one I went to was on James Lane,UPTOWN BABY,and it was a large house. Remembering that I must correct myself and say I went to at least one other party but I was very young at the time. Then again his parents were not rich but he was an only child so that explained that.


Birthday Celebration circa 1958 I'm on the far left.

 Both of my grandkids living here in Maryland have parties for every birthday. I am pleased that they have so much fun. It is a wonderful thing for them. I'm sure they will remember their parties when they become adults.
Mark is ten so the days of Grandpa attending are winding down. Not from my part but soon he will not want Grandpa or Grandma hanging around cramping his style. This year it is still an all boy party with the only girls around his sister and maybe a hanger on. I love birthday parties !

Weather Watcher

Like most people in my generation I tend to watch the weather, alot. As you age you have a tendency to become almost obsessed with it. I'm not quite sure why this is . At my age I've seen just about every kind of weather there is,except for a tornado,and I don't want to see that first hand. As a consequence I tune the television into the weather channel and local news channels to catch the report. Given this experience I feel qualified to make a statement. There are an awful lot of attractive female meteorologists. Look I'm just sayin'.
The Guys are just normal looking Guys. Guess I'm not real qualified in that area but I know an ugly dude when I see one. The women however are a different story altogether. I wonder if they have to take modeling 101 and have been the winner of at least beauty pageant to gain entrance to school ?  I'm just sayin' there seems to be a disportionate number of good looking female weather persons.
Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not offended by this and in fact it is not unpleasant in any way to me. I just have to think that somewhere a; shall we say, less than attractive gal took an interest in meteorology. At the very least one would expect an overweight version. The traffic girls are in the same situation I think. Could it be that bias is being practiced in our on air personalities ? Or is it shear vanity on the part of the applicants ?
Now with the straight news reporter it is often different. Those ladies are more of a mixed bag (no pun intended). They range in age and appearance more on what I would call the normal scale. I don't want to wander into the dumb blonde theory but ? Why is it alright for news journalists to be average looking but the others not so much ?
I suppose the answer is very simple and we all know what it is. The truth of the matter is the show needs ratings. Ratings means viewers. Men are pigs ! Put a good looking broad up there and we will watch !
I'm just sayin' !
Disclaimer : Just for the record this doesn't work with me. I only watch for the most accurate forecast possible. And a woman's appearance means nothing,it is what is in her heart that counts !

Sitcoms

Like most Americans I enjoy a good sitcom. Being an older American I have seen the subject matter of sitcoms change with the times. The earliest I remember watching because I wanted too and not my parents were The Andy Griffith Show,Gomer Pyle USMC,Hogans Heroes,That Girl and Leave it to Beaver.
All those shows were very tame compared to todays' situations. That Girl was a single woman living alone in the big city and was risque  in a minamilist sort of way. After all she did wear tight sweaters and go go boots ! One of the reasons I watched. There was always a moral to the story. Andy teaching Opie about honesty,Gomer always doing the right thing irregardless.Hogan making the Germans look like fools and The Beav always learning a valuable life lesson.
I have watched as the shows subject matter changed over the years to suit what was happening. Archie Bunker to show us all our prejudicies and how they are wrong. The Jeffersons, moving on up. Chico and the Man a show ahead of its' time given todays' social atmosphere. Lately we have sitcoms involving Gays,single parents,overweight people and interacial relationships. Jeffersons did that too.
I think that sitcoms are a way for us to adjust as a society to changes. It gives us a chance to adjust to what is becoming the new normal. They try to teach us tolerance through laughter. As a medium I think they have done a fairly good job at that too. The really good ones did it without upsetting too many people. They showed us what we all knew but never spoke of. Think Archie Bunker. Even Archie didn't believe the rheortic he spouted.
I don't watch nearly as much television as I used too. It is limited to mostly the history channel and the news.
A few game shows occasionaly. As far as sitcoms; reruns of Seinfeld,Two and a Half men and Everybody Loves Raymond are about it. Seinfeld because it was just silly,Two and a Half Men just because and Raymond is hilarious. Not sure what it is those shows are trying to teach me. I'm thinking the underlying message is,Let's all just get along and don't take life too seriously.

One big circle

I was listening to a news segment on television about Starbucks. They were talking about a new larger size cup that was available for take out. They went on to say in select locations you could pay for your purchase with your smart phone. Push in a few numbers and pass it in front of the register,bam it's done. I'm thinking it must be like those speed pass things at the Mobil station. Never have seen anyone use one of those however.
This set me to thinking. I remember many years ago the government was upset with the telephone company. Ma Bell we used to call it back then. Wonder if these kids today know that ? At any rate Ma Bell was getting too big and had a monopoly on the telephone business. It was time to deregulate that monster. After that we did have other companies. Of course most of them rented the phone lines from Ma Bell but at least it wasn't Ma Bell. No longer were we shackled to AT&T.
Then came the wireless networks. There are a few leaders in the industry. Verizon I think is probably the largest. They all use the same satellites and towers however. Interesting is the fact that Howard Hughes really started all this with the satellites. These companies learned from past mistakes and so far have avoided government regulation or rather deregulation. There are numerous providers for this service. The government will even provide you with  this service if you can't afford it yourself. It's considered essential !
You can get service plans of all types. Unlimited text,videos and calls. Free calls to friends and family. Calling circles. The phone itself is free.
And so it goes. I can use my smart phone to make purchases. Does this mean the end to credit cards ? What about cash ? Are we doing away with good old American greenbacks ? Science fiction ? Maybe ,maybe not. I'm thinking it is a conspiracy on the part of the phone companies to get back at the government.
Break up Ma Bell will you ? It has taken some time but we are coming back. We already have the majority of the population slaves to their phones (unknown to them) and the others want them. It's only a matter of time. Control the cash and you control the country.

Going Home

Anyone that knows me, or that has read some of my blogs knows I'm always speaking of home. Home to me is a dirt road just off Springy Banks Road in East Hampton,New York. This dirt road didn't have a name that we were aware of  until the post office people told my Father he had to put up a mailbox. Then it became Hunting Lane. To the best of my knowledge it is still a dirt road. I lived on this road for 18 years.
In the summer of my eighteenth year I joined the Navy and left home forever.
I was thinking about this the other day when it occurred to me that I have now lived in Greensboro,Maryland longer than my childhood home. I have two sons that because of my Navy career have lived  in various states.Virginia,Connecticut,Louisiana and then Maryland. They went to grade school and graduated High school here in Maryland. If you ask them they would tell you Maryland is home. One now lives in upstate New York and the other is still here in Greensboro.
So the question arises,where is home? I know all the cliche answers.Home is where the heart is,wherever I hang my Hat etc. I was just thinking what if you grew up in an orphanage or something like that,would that be home? If you moved a lot,like my sons,where is home? They say Maryland but could have justified saying any other state. I'm thinking home is wherever your childhood memories live. Mine all live on Hunting Lane.
That was my world. The place where I was most comfortable. The place I felt safe and secure. When the big old world tried to overwhelm me I just went home.
Throughout my Navy career I thought I would go home. When this hitch is over I'm going home. I even tried doing that once. I got out and went home. Problem was,home wasn't there anymore. The house,Mom and Dad were still there but it wasn't home anymore. I got a good job right on Main Street but had to rent a house. The key there was a "house" it wasn't home. Circumstances arose and I went back into the Navy.
Married with children and moving from place to place every three to four years I still thought about going home.Toward the end of my career ,about the last eight years,I wanted the boys to grow up in a nice little
town,like mine. Greensboro fit the bill nicely. A small town on the eastern shore close to the water. A good school and not too far from larger cities. Mostly farmers,a good wholesome place to raise kids.

I retired and have been here ever since. Went home for a visit some years back. Wasn't many there that I knew anymore. The old house was still there with strangers living in it. I did get to take a tour of it though and am grateful for that. Walked up that dirt road just like I had so many times in my youth. There were a few new things but mostly it was unchanged. I plan on making at least one more trip. Our high school class reunion celebrating forty years is coming up. I'm looking forward to going home.

My dog,waitin' for me.
He is buried under the pine tree !

Sharing a journey

Yesterday my Grandson was ten years old. It is hard to believe. I remember being at the hospital when he was born. I remember when he was an infant. And now he has reached the double digits. The old saying,Time Flies,certainly applies here.
His Mom,like most Moms nowadays,has a full time job. My wife has been watching him since he came home. Together we have seen his first steps,heard his first words,went with him to the first day of pre-school,put him on the big boy bus,watched t-ball,soccer,school plays,church plays and receive awards. We watched him when his sister was born and when she came home. We watched as he became a loving,caring brother who is very protective of his sister. We have seen his first attempts at reading and writing. Now he can read very well indeed and write as well as others his age.
Ten years,a decade,a lot has happened in that time. Advances in technology that to him will be old fashioned. A black president is nothing new and I'm sure a female president is in his future. His Mom got a Kindle for Christmas so he will grow up around that. An electronic book,who would have thought,but to him everyday stuff. Digital photography both still and video. Seeing these instantly are normal to him. I still marvel that it is possible.

As Grandpa I try to inspire and show him that you can do anything you want if you try hard enough. We talk about everything and I tell him about the "old" days. You know,when I was young. I have been blessed with a Grandson that is smart,caring,sensitive and for the most part well behaved. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm looking forward to the next decade with him and his sister. During the next decade he will grow into adulthood. You would like to see them stay little forever but that can not be. I'll be happy to share the journey with him as he grows into a man. Knowing Mark Gregory the way I do I know it will be a terrific time full of rewards and most of all full of love.

In the Loop

Ever been involved with family,friends or co workers concerning a specific project or topic? Sure you have and then you find out some decision was made without you knowing about it. I call it being out of the loop.
I can't stand it when I'm out of the loop.I was just discussing this with you and then you went ahead and made a decision without consulting me further. I'm out of the loop !
There are a couple reasons you may wind up out of the loop. One being the person/persons have already  heard what you have to say and don't agree. So then rather tell you they just do what they want. You're out of the loop! The decision had to be made right away for some reason is another cause. This is a more understandable explanation but still leaves me outside the loop.
I've been in the situation were two or more have conspired against me purposely leaving me out of the loop.
Their intentions may have been good but the result was the same. I'm out of the loop. I hate it when someone asks you about something and you're only response is,I don't know I'm out of the loop ! I should know. I was involved with the situation but I don't know. Now this other person is giving me additional information that I don't know about ! How did they get in the loop ?
Most of us belong to several different loops. Family loops,business loops and social loops. Sometimes these loops remain completely separate and sometimes they become jumbled together. It can become difficult to keep all this straight in your mind. Occasionally information that belongs in one loop gets transmitted to a different loop and causes issues. The problem arises when I'm not aware of who is in your loops and add information to that loop. Oh,it gets complicated. Or perhaps you got left out of the loop altogether.
I like to be informed and I'm sure we all do. Being in the loop is an important aspect of our daily lives. Exclude us and the result is usually not a good thing. We become isolated. Most will seek to join a new loop.
I may find someone in this other loop that is also in your loop and find out what it is that you're hiding by not keeping me in the loop !
I'm not sure where all this loop business is taking me. I just know I like being in the loop.

Squeaky

We truly are creatures of habit. Good ones and bad ones. We all form these habits at different rates. Some form quickly and others gradual. Some habits even come and go. That happens a lot in kids. They form the habit of brushing their teeth when they are younger and forget it when they get a little older. Same with bath time .
I am one of those people that forms habits rather quickly. That is how I started smoking cigarettes. I was in the Navy and if you smoked you got to take a break. If you didn't smoke you had to keep working. Picked up the smoking habit pretty quick. Didn't stop that one for forty years. Now I'm in the habit of getting up,getting coffee and getting on the computer. First to check my e-mail. Seldom get any except offers and advertisements. Oh,I do get photo requests for the cemetery. Then go to Facebook. Try to fill the requests there and read what was written on the wall. I'm a bit of a gossip,I admit it.
Habits are funny things. Some you can quit easily others are much more difficult. And this is different for different people. Take me for instance, quitting cigarettes was no big deal . Decided to quit that habit and just didn't buy them anymore. Haven't smoked one since. Don't ask me to quit drinking coffee though.
Houston we have a problem.
When does a habit turn into a compulsion ? When does a habit turn into addition ? Those questions are very difficult. I guess someone with a PHD may have an answer to those puzzles. I don't think it is all that complicated. If you enjoy doing  it for whatever reason,it becomes a habit. We form habits as a response to our habitat. That sounds official now doesn't it ? We modify our behaviours to either satisfy ourselves or others. The motivation lies within. That is why no one can make you break a habit ! See told you it wasn't difficult. No matter how many seminars you attend,drugs you take or stop whatever programs you buy they will not work unless you want it to work.
I admire anyone that quits this or that or does whatever. It is a triumph that they earned. They may have had some sort of support system but in the end they had to do the work. Irregardless of any claims made by product manufacturers it is YOU that has to do it.
A real habit is something that you do not notice. If you notice it it probably needs some kind of attention.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Make a habit of listening to the squeaks.

Focus

I try to write something every day. I have been told that I have a lot to say. I'm used to sarcasm. This morning I find myself with little to talk about that makes sense. There are those who think I never make any sense but I'm talking about the inner voice that tells me things others won't. I have several half baked ideas rattling around but none have congealed. My thoughts are jumbled and keep wandering off somewhere.
It is not that I am preoccupied. I think it is because I'm not occupied. I've lost focus. There it is, I've lost focus. I'm always telling the Grandchildren, don't lose focus. Got that expression from some movie. Karate Kid maybe. I tell my wife the same thing when we go grocery shopping. Loss of focus there can become expensive ! I hate grocery shopping.
I got up early this morning and maybe the coffee is a little stronger than usual. This will definitely affect the creative process. Mind racing along way ahead of actual thoughts. Just fragments,like watching scenery from a speeding car. This will pass soon. The caffeine will wear down. I have to stop drinking coffee so much. But I did see Starbucks has introduced a giant sized coffee and I can pay for it using my Blackberry. This is just too easy. Focus !
Heard this morning that the President is meeting with the CEO of Walmart. I think he was disappointed with the sales of his Christmas ornaments at Walmart stores. Sorry.couldn't resist that one. The meeting is supposed to have something to do with jobs and job growth. Michele Obama is involved with this as well.
Not sure if the President and his wife should be endorsing a privately held corporation but what do I know ?
Hope it all works out well.
Like I said,I'm just not in focus this morning. I had better get up from this keyboard and get motivated . There is work to be done people ! Take care and be safe out there.

Taking the Heat

Wondering why as we get older we want our indoor temperatures to be higher. I've known a lot of older people,senior citizens as it were,and they always keep the thermostat at a rather high setting. I've noticed lately that my own thermostat is creeping up there a little. Even with that I usually have a light blanket or throw over me. My Great Grandfather wore a three piece suit every day and would still have it at least 80 degrees in his house.
I've heard it said as we age our blood gets thinner and that is the cause. I've heard our circulation gets bad and that is why. I've heard that our skin loses its' insulation value. I don't know about all that but I know I feel cold a lot. I'm beginning to sound like some cliche,I feel a draft in here !
I am lucky enough so far that I still have a full head of hair plus I usually wear a hat. So ,so much for the theory that you lose most of your heat through  the top of your head. I wear heavy socks and insulated boots and that is supposed to help. Can't prove it by me. Layers of clothing do make it tolerable though.
It is all very strange because then comes the summer. Then we complain it is just too hot outside. I can't stand the heat anymore. You hear on the news all the time about the elderly suffering from the heat. On goes the air conditioning. Then we will sit there,still wearing those layers of clothes,complaining about the heat.
Well,I for one,will not sit around without a least a pair of pants and a shirt on. Nobody needs to see my skinny white legs or bare chest ! I will spare the world from that sight.
A few other observations about heat. Why is 64 inside different that 64 outside ? At 64 it feels a little chilly in the house but go outdoors and it feels pretty good. 64 degrees in January is a regular heat wave,doggone hot,but in July it is rather cool,almost sweater weather. There is dry heat and humid heat. Dry heat is preferable I think you don't hear as many complaints. Humid heat is bad, you always hear the word oppressive associated with it. We always just called it,muggy.
The bottom line is,as a rule the older we get the hotter we like it. I sure hope this isn't the Lords way of preparing me for something !

The Man on the Wall

When I was about ten, I guess, and in the fourth grade I drew stick figure men everywhere. I had them on my book covers,school papers,on scraps of paper,tee shirts and sometimes on me ! I don't know why I took such an interest in making these stick figures. I'm thinking maybe it was because I couldn't draw any better, and still can't for that matter. At any rate, they were abundant.
It was about this same time my father was doing some remodeling at our home. He was putting new wallpaper on  the walls in the stairwell. Wallpaper was a more expensive choice than paint and more difficult to work with. As you can imagine doing it in a stairwell presents its' own challenges. When it was finished and he was inspecting/admiring his handiwork he saw it ! One of those stick figures was drawn on the wallpaper;with a pen ! Well,let me tell you the Inquisition was convened immediately. I was the prime suspect. I protested my innocence. Evidence was brought forth. Exhibit number one being those book covers. It was definitely a match. Or so the Inquisitor found. No matter how much or how often I declared my innocence it was to no avail. I was found to be the guilty party;period.
I don't recall what the punishment was but whatever it was I suffered through it knowing I didn't do it. The man on the wall was  in ink so it could not be removed. It remained there for years, mocking me. Over time it became somewhat of a family joke. My father would say, "and you didn't draw the man on the wall."I had to endure this sarcasm.
As time went by and I grew into adulthood I began to think maybe I had drawn that man on the wall. I had so often been accused of it and I did draw them a lot. I don't remember doing it but maybe? Still,I would laugh and deny ever having done it each time it was mentioned.
Many years later my father was in the hospital. I was visiting along with the other family members.
He was gravely ill and we were trying to lighten the mood by talking about the old times. As so often happened the man on the wall was brought up. I denied it again. My father says to me,you can tell now,I sold the house a few years ago. Laughing he says,quit living a lie ! My brother is standing there grinning like a Cheshire cat. I say to him,whats' so funny? Then it all came out. He told how he had drawn that man on the wall . He couldn't remember what my alleged wrongdoing against him was but the motive was revenge. He told how he had copied that figure,an easy task,and placed it right were he knew it would be seen. An evil plot.

About ten years later,after my Father had passed, I went back to my hometown for an impromptu reunion. While I was there I went to my childhood home. I introduced myself and asked if I could look around. She agreed and said, take your time. As I walked through that home all the memories came flooding back. All the Christmases,Birthdays and good times. I walked up that stairwell and to my surprise the same wallpaper was on the wall. Yes,you know that little man on the wall was still there. I silently said hello to my nemesis and touched it. I was finally vindicated. I think the shrink would say I found closure.



As I remember



Staying in Touch

Given today's technology it sure is easy to stay in touch. Was a time not long ago when it was a great deal harder. Remembering snail mail. Not many letter writers out there anymore. Text messages and e-mail sure are flyin' though. As few as ten years ago who would have thought to put a keyboard on a telephone. Who would have thought a telephone would take a picture or record video ?
There was a time when writing a yearly report on your family and sending it to your friends,usually at Christmas,was a popular thing. Now you can just check facebook. A lot of us receive updates on every little detail. Sometimes it is too much information.
The writing of letters to ones friends and relatives was a sort of obligation. It was undertaken seriously and much thought went into what was being said. The telephone had an impact on that I'm sure. Once you could call and speak directly to the person. Letters were often saved and read over and over again. There is something personal about them. Children still love to get a letter or any piece of mail mailed to them. Makes it special somehow. I never received a telegraph. The only ones I heard about people getting did not bear good news so I should be grateful. I'm not sure if you can even send a telegraph anymore. Will have to check on that.
Most people still send actual Christmas cards,although a few sent E-Cards. Birthday cards are still commonly mailed. My Mom always saved her Christmas cards and Birthday cards. I'm not sure why. She kept them in a box under her bed for years before they would finally make that final journey to the trash can.
I seldom save mine. I am more likely to save the envelope with the return address then I am the actual card or letter.
We pretty much stay connected nowadays. With so many options available to us it is quite easy. I sometimes wish all this had happened earlier so I could be in touch with some of my old Navy buddies. Have no idea where some went. Not enough information to locate them either. One is Russell Smith and he lived in Maine. Thats' about all I know of him. Try doing a search on that ! I know it is possible but a great deal of time and effort would be needed. I'd bet now a lot more stay connected over the years. It isn't much effort to send an e-mail. More effort to write a letter and actually mail it.
Yes,we live in an age where it is easy to stay in touch with one another. Up to the minute information is available to us just about anywhere at anytime. I think it is a good thing. When I want it to be personal though I still mail a handwritten letter or note. I'm wondering if this option will remain available to future generations at all. Or perhaps it will remain as a novelty thing. Either way,stay in touch !

Up to Speed

Ever wonder why they make cars that go 140 miles per hour when the speed limit is 70? Speeding ,they say, causes almost as many accidents as drunk driving. The faster you go the more likely you are to crash and to die as a result of this crash. The manufacturers are always bragging about how fast their cars can go and how quickly they can accelerate from 0 to 60. Fuel economy is always a big topic of concern. Would not fuel consumption drop if we calmed down just a little. Sure I can accelerate to 60 in 4.5 seconds but I use a whole lot less if I take ten seconds.
Watch the ads on television and they drive those cars like stunt men in a movie. Well,they are stunt men making a short film. Think you will ever need to drive that fast and power slide your car into a parking spot ?
Even the luxury cars tout how fast they are. They have people getting out of bed early in the morning just to drive their cars on winding mountain highways at breakneck speeds. Thats' realistic.
If we really wanted to make driving a whole lot safer we would make the cars differently. Max speed about seventy. No drag racing to get up to speed. Smaller engines with a larger range in gearing would do the trick.
In the real world however that is never going to happen. Right after man invented the wheel he invented racing. It is in our DNA. We must travel faster. Until we figure out how to "beam me Up" I can't see that changing. Even the Starship Enterprise wasn't fast enough some times, Captain,I'm giving her all shes' got !
No you are not going to get people to slow down any. That is a sure thing,as sure as taxes and death. I do think that one of the contributing factors nowadays is how well made the cars are. You can drive them at sixty and barely know you are moving. Higher speeds are not as evident in the cars now as they were twenty years ago. Lulls you into a false sense of security. Plus the amount of distractions available to the driver.
Some of it is an age thing too. I'm old enough now to understand about driving too fast and the risk involved. When you are young these things never enter your mind. Just floor it and go ! Did my share of irresponsible driving thats' for sure. Before Automobiles I'm sure parents hollered about kids racing those damn horses around. And the wagons ! They are going to kill themselves if not somebody else !
A safe sensible car that will not rapidly accelerate to light speed and break the sound barrier will not sell !
In fact they would be a hazard. Slowpokes causing  traffic jams. Would lead to road rage. We all know about that. We need to drive wherever it is we are going as fast as possible. Speed limits are only a suggestion anyway.

Names

Do you use your given name or a nick name?Do you use a contraction of your name ? Really,you had little to say about either. No say in fact ! Hence,your given name.
I was given my fathers' name. Austin Bennett Reichart. A rather formal sounding name. My Dad never used that name and neither have I. He was always called Ben. I was little Ben. I still use Ben to this day. After all,it is my name. I can remember looking at some cards,similar to baseball cards,that had pictures of cars on them. One was an Austin Healy. My Mom told me that was my name,Austin. I learned how to spell that name from that card. I remember being somewhat fascinated by the fact I had another name. I continued however to call myself  Ben.
All through school I was know as Ben or Benny. Occasionally a teacher would call me Austin. I would correct her quickly and hope no one else heard. I didn't want to be Austin. I wanted to be Ben. Little Ben perhaps,but Ben. Like most boys I wanted to be my father. He didn't like the name Austin and so I didn't.
Then I joined the Navy. In the service you almost always go by last names. So for the most part I was just Reichart. Those that you formed a friendship with would call you by your first name. I always used Ben.
I'm sure some of those friends never knew my true name.
The other day I was thinking about all this and wondering how this came to be. Seems as though my father got his name from a friend of his father. His father was great friends with a man named Austin Bennett. I looked this name up in the U.S.Census records and he did in fact live next door to my Grandfather. This man went by the name Ben most of the time as well. So my Grandfather named his son ( second born) Austin Bennett Reichart. His first born son got his name,Elwood,so I'm undecided as to who got the better deal.
At any rate,my Dad was out when they asked my Mom what my name would be.She replied Austin Bennett Reichart Jr. So there it was. My father always said he would not have named me that but never offered any other name. His best friend was a George, maybe I should have been George.
I wonder if I would have been a different person had I used the name Austin. It wasn't a very popular name then but I hear it a lot now. My Grandson goes to school with at least two. I don't remember meeting any Austins until this occurrence. I tried to emulate being Ben. What if I tried just being Austin. I think it may work like the Emperors New Clothes. Well, a leopard can't change his spots now can he. I'm Ben,always will be. Maybe if I win the lottery I could buy an ascot,wear a blazer with a fancy emblem and call myself Austin. It is a matter of perception is it not ? But the question remains, why do your parents name you one thing and then call you another ? Happens all the time. Don't we all subconsciously form a judgement about a person as soon as we hear their name ? ie: Poindexter,Bart and Leslie.  Which one is the nerd,the cowboy or the girl ?
I have thought about going somewhere where no one knows me at all. I will call myself Austin. Make a fresh start. An interesting social experiment. Problem there is I need a time machine to develop the Austin persona.
It is fun to think about. I have no regrets in being Ben.

Reporting the News

Watching the news.It is a dilemma for me. On one hand I like to be informed and on the other it can be upsetting. All the violence and senseless acts being reported upon make me wonder what direction humanity is traveling. Then you hear about crooked politicians,global warming and tax increases. Even our sports heroes misdeeds brought to light.
Occasionally however, I see something that should be a serious issue being reported upon but I wind up laughing. Such was the case last night. I confess I wasn't paying real close attention to the entire story and only caught a portion. There was this lady complaining about Gay rights of some sort. I think it had to do with their rights to get married or whatever. As I was half heartily listening to this she makes this statement," I don't think the majority should vote on the minorities rights." At least it was very close to that if not an exact quote. This caught my attention. What,did I hear that right? This person is supposed to be a spokesman for this group and is on television being interviewed. Is this some kind of joke ? The majority should not be allowed to vote on the minorities rights. Duh,isn't that what democracy is all about or did they change that along with the new math ? Of all the lame brained statements. Sounds a lot like something Yogi Berra may have said. ( Love ya Yogi)
I understand your cause and whether or not I support it is not the issue here. If you wish to persuade me to your point of view you are going to have to do a little better than that. You apparently think the majority opposes you so you propose not allowing them to vote. That is a perfect plan I admit. I want a raise but the boss opposes that.Well I just won't allow him to vote on that issue. Problem solved. 
Well,it did provide me with a few moments of laughter in the midst of all the trauma going on in the world. Maybe we should have more of that in the news.

It isn't fair

Whatever happened to the saying,"sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me "
I keep hearing about bullying going on. The other children are saying and writing bad things. They are making fun of me. Waa  Waa. Quit crying and get over it alright ! I was told to just ignore them and that they, in fact where the ones that were objectionable people. Now it seems like the attitude is, we need to sue them and somehow bring them to justice. Is this what we should be teaching our children. Instead of teaching them to stand up for themselves and develop a little self esteem,by their own efforts,we will litigate the issue.
I hear them say,but it is different now. They post things on facebook. Used to post stuff on my hall locker,gym locker and a couple times to the back of my jacket. I just threw them in the trash. If you don't like what is on facebook,don't read it ! But I have a right to use facebook too. Yup,they have a right as well.
I didn't go where I wasn't wanted or welcomed,just common sense. Had nothing to do with rights.
It isn't fair ! Reality check; life isn't fair. A lot of things aren't fair. Get over it. Take what is given to you and what you can earn with your own efforts and be happy. Isn't this the lesson we should be teaching.
Maybe I'm just getting old and don't understand the problem. There were bullies when I was young,my parents told me there were bullies when they were young. We all handled it in our own way. The key phrase being "we handled"  If you can't teach children to fend for themselves in this world we have a problem.
Yes,we all want to protect our children. And that is just and right. To para phrase a verse, "teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime" Teach them to deal with these bullies on their own terms. Whether it is to just ignore them altogether or a direct confrontation. I know the direct approach is a little risky but life itself is risky. Stand up for yourself people. No,I'm not condoning violence. Violence can solve some problems but it is only a temporary solution that generaly leads to more of the same. We are doing no favors by coddling.
I think what I am trying to say is this, everytime something happens it isn't always someone elses' fault. Sometimes children make bad choices,just like adults,and there is no one to blame but themselves. Quit trying to make excuses and looking for others to blame.

Freetown

Isn't it something how things change over time. What was bad is now good. In and out of favor. History does repeat itself of that I am certain. The only real changes are attitudes. Attitudes that were the norm and acceptable become a reason for concern.
This was brought to mind by a recent occurrence,at least recent to me. In my hometown there is an area being referred to as Freetown. Historically this name has existed for quite some time. It was supposed to be a hamlet but never really materialized. The original inhabitants of this area were freed slaves and Indians. Opps, Native Americans. Growing up I seldom heard the name of Freetown being used in any way. I recently asked my Mom,who is 82, about this. She told me her father would use the term,and not in a good way, but she never did. She also told me the reason for this.
As I mentioned this area was inhabited by freed slaves and Native Americans. For many years these two social groups did not enjoy favor in the community. You may be aware of the social injustice that was practiced. That is the very reason one did not want to be associated with that area of town. Although the area became populated with every social group in town the stigma remained for a very long time. Just when it changed I do not know. As late as the 1970's you just didn't hear people refer to it. I don't live there so I can only guess that now it is a source of pride to belong to this neighborhood. What was bad is now good. The only change was in attitude.
I wrote about this change in attitude as it concerned social classes in town as well. What was once not such a good thing,unless you belonged to that group,now gives you a certain amount of status. They have even formed a club around this so I hear. A definite change in attitude.
You can see this all the time if you pay attention. It goes beyond what is in style and what is not. It becomes a matter of social identity. Beatniks,Hippies,Rednecks and Preppies have all enjoyed favor and rejection.
In the last few years it's cool to be a redneck. I'm always amused by those people that change their identity to conform to the latest"in" group. You know the type. Some want to be identified with the group enjoying favor and others with the "bad" bunch. I think we are all guilty of this to a certain extent. I blame that on human nature. We all want to be accepted.

Skeletons in the Closet

I'm sure you have all heard of skeletons in the closet. Those little family secrets that people don't speak about. They can range from the funny to the sad even good and very bad.Most find their way out of the closet sooner or later because it is just human nature to talk and gossip. Everyone loves a good secret,insider information. It is empowering somehow.Over the last few years I have uncovered a secret,actually two of them,while doing research into my family tree.The first secret I found was my Grandmother had lost a child.
I found her in the census records. There is still more to discover about her. My Mother is the last living sibling and knows nothing about this. The older sisters and brothers may have known but never spoke of it. I don't know where this child is buried but do hope to locate her one day.
The other secret was kept quiet mostly due I think to the old adage,it is not nice to speak ill of the dead. This policy was followed by my parents and I follow it myself. The secret concerns my maternal Grandfather. He passed away at home on Christmas Eve 1949. My sister and I hadn't been born yet. Growing up my Mother seldom spoke about her father and when she did it was usually to tell an amusing story about him. His occupation was a mystery as Mom never said what he did. As a child I don't remember asking either. From what I can gather he worked on the water some and generally did odd jobs here and there.
Now,in doing research into the family tree, I knew my Grandmother was born in Sweden and had come to America to care for a very ill Aunt. After her passing my Grandmother got employment with a wealthy family. This family is the Gardinier family. This family owned,among many other properties,an Island in Gardiniers Bay off of Long Island,New York. While employed by this family she met my Grandfather. They married and set up housekeeping in Northwest woods in the town of East Hampton. My Grandmother,whether she remained employed by this family or not I don't know,did remain friends with them at the very least. Here is where the skeleton comes into the picture. It seems as though my Grandfather was a man prone to drink. He would make a few dollars and spend it mostly on liquor. The story is he would go on the legendary benders we hear about. Sometimes lasting several days. While engaged in one these episodes my Grandmother was seen walking,with three small children,into town. Now it is a good three miles from Northwest woods to town. One of the Gardinier family saw her. To make a long story short they took pity on her situation. This family provided her with a home much closer to the town. This property was put in her name only. One more little skeleton was uncovered as well. Once,early in their marriage,my Grandmother took her children and went to a brothers house in Pennsylvania. Her intent was to leave my Grandfather. He followed her and convinced her to return home with him. I'm sure he promised to change. The brother offered to pay for her passage,along with the children,back to Sweden. When she told him of her decision to stay he informed her this offer was only good this one time.
She returned to the little home that had been so graciously provided by the Gardinier family. She went on to raise ten children in this home. She did laundry as a means of support. Grandfather passed in that house. She lived there until taking a fall and breaking her hip. I'm sure it was not the life she envisioned as a young girl coming to America. Good thing she stayed though or I wouldn't be hear to tell the story.

Visiting

Along with writing down my thoughts I enjoy taking a picture or two.I am no professional photographer and make no pretense that I know what I'm doing. My son and daughter in law gave me a new camera and a tripod for Christmas so my capabilities just increased. It is a digital camera of course and has that nice big screen on the back so you can see the picture before you shoot.

The other day it had snowed during the night. It was a light snow with an accumulation of maybe an inch to an inch and a half. This was an chance for me to try out my new camera. Off to the cemetery I went with camera and tripod. Setting it up I took a panoramic shot. Returning home I downloaded this and wound up cropping some of the ends off to make the picture fit the screen right. The picture was taken in full color but I was taken by the fact it looks almost black and white. It is a rather stark picture. After having cropped it and looking at it closely I was inspired to write a little verse.

They lie in silent slumber beneath the freshly fallen snow
and I can't help but wonder if they ever know.
Do they know when it rains or the ground is dry?
Do they know when the snow falls gently from the sky?
And when I come to visit and say a little prayer
Can they hear my thoughts and know that I am there?

If you have read previous blogs of mine you already know that I have an interest in genealogy.With that interest you are naturally drawn to graveyards. The inscriptions on the stones are fascinating and full of information. If it is written on the headstone you can be pretty sure it is the truth. Mistakes made are usually corrected.I know no one nor am I related to anyone interred in the cemetery where the picture was taken. Some of the stones are quite old and I'm sure have not been visited in some time. Perhaps their descendants have moved from the area or perhaps they have become lost to time. As a young man I had no interest in such things and thought it strange for anyone to visit a cemetery except maybe to leave a flower at Christmas or place a flag on Veterans day.I now wish that I had searched out my ancestors final resting places. Oh I knew a few,the ones one or two generations back. Now thanks to the Internet and the availability of documents I have discovered the resting places of many more. Unfortunately I no longer live in the area where I was raised. Perhaps I'll be able to travel back there and visit some of these places. Some are in well established cemeteries and others are tucked away in the woods. One can only hope they have not been destroyed by development. I discovered just down the road from my childhood home lies my first cousin six times removed and his family. It is in a small family plot now in a grove of white pines. Not far from the shore of the bay. The date of the last interrment was 1915. I can't help but wonder who was the last of the family to visit. Perhaps their children or Grand children. If possible, the next to visit will be me. I'll introduce myself but somehow I think they will already know who I am.

Looking at History

I love history. Can't say that I always have but in recent years I become increasingly fascinated with the past. Maybe it is because I'm a part of history now. I have been there for some significant events that they teach in school now. The Kennedy assassinations,man landing on the moon,the Vietnam War and tearing down the Berlin Wall to name a few. Even though I was pretty young when Kennedy was shot I knew that it was a history making event.
Used to be history was recorded first by eye witness accounts to the event. Their views and opinions shaped what we knew about the event. It often included prejudiced judgements. As time passed the event usually changed just a little in the telling as these opinions were left out. The judgements became less harsh and less condemning. With the advent of Newspapers this changed somewhat and has continued to evolve into what we have today. In most cases we have eye witness accounts and video and audio taken either during the event or closely thereafter. Almost every conceivable angle receives some coverage and it is analyzed repeatedly.
All this does however have to be looked at in conjunction with the times and social attitudes of the day. This is the part of history that requires some research to fully understand the significance of the particular event. A big question remains unanswered, why was Kennedy shot ? There are several answers that have been proposed but we may never know the truth behind it. Conspiracy abounds. Same with his brother. Was it retribution ? Maybe. We put men on the moon to what purpose. Mostly because we could and President Kennedy said we would. We had to show the Russians our technical prowess to keep them at bay. That is the short version of it anyway.
When we are young history just doesn't seem relevant. Old stories in a book. Tales old people talk about.
Hindsight is indeed twenty twenty and I sure wish I had paid more attention to the old stories. History told from someone who was there is often different than what we read about. Motivations can be complex and deceiving. Even our own history becomes distorted over our lifetime. Have you ever wondered to yourself,now why did I do that ? The answer is not always pleasant and just might need a bit of editing.
History,we never know the truth of it and the lessons learned from it may or may not be relevant. Something to consider the next time someone asks you why ?

Looking Ahead

Walked over to the post office yesterday afternoon and noticed all the Towns Christmas trimmings are gone. Looked around and saw only a single wreath still clinging to someones door. It was a little brown and getting sparse but still there. Went inside and opened my box and removed the contents. A few pieces of junk mail and a bill. That's when it hit me, the holidays are over ! No card from friend or family. No circular urging me to act quickly on this Christmas sale or that. Met a couple of people coming and going and the only exchange was excuse me. No more Merry Christmas or Happy New Year. Back to the real everyday world.
The radio was playing some sad old song and it was just cold outside. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground but of course no speculation of snow for Christmas. About the only time I ever look forward to snow.
Funny how it seems like it was a long time ago now. Preparations were made in anticipation weeks and months in advance but the day just comes and goes in a flash. Some trappings hang on a few days and some for a week or two then one day,bang, it's over. Christmas and New year done. Let's get on with it. Nothing much on the immediate horizon to look forward to on my part. Yeah there is Martin Luther King Day and Valentines day but they aren't much for holidays in my opinion. Memorial day is the next one of importance to me. Signaling the beginning of summer along with remembering those fallen,always a good thing !
So now we head into the doldrums of winter. Cold and monotonous A little more light each day gives us hope for the spring. When you see the first buds on the trees and the grass starting to green up you know you are almost there.
Yes,the holidays are behind us. I'm looking forward to spring ! 

One Mans' Treasure

We have all heard the saying One Mans' Treasure is another mans' junk and it is certainly a true statement.
I enjoy the shows on TV like American Pickers,Pawn Stars and the Antiques roadshow. It is always fun to see what items are worth what. I'm afraid I wouldn't do very well as my estimates are usually way off the mark. It is an educational experience that's for sure. I think the Antiques roadshow probably gives you the best idea of value because they have so many experts and no interest in the object themselves. The Pawn guys are out to make a buck and they say so but I think they are a little more honest because they are being closely watched. I'm a little skeptical about what happens if you go there without a camera crew. The pickers provide insight into what may be valuable. The key point here being "may be."
As with anything you have to find a buyer. Fortunately we have E-Bay. This alone has changed the whole complexion of things. I can pop it on there and ask any old price I want. A lot of people see it and I might get lucky. Problem is a lot of others are doing the same thing. The market can get flooded. I have never purchased anything from e-bay nor sold anything either. My older brother has his own e-bay address and website. He sells coins,paper money and collectibles. I assume he does alright.
The thing with me is my Treasure has little to no value to anyone except myself. My treasures are old photographs of the family and some old knick knack items handed down. Other treasures of mine include a good book,some good music and some things the grand children have made over the years. I have some good stories to tell,at least in my opinion they are good,and even a recipe. The later being a closely guarded secret. I have a gravy boat (circa 1993 K-Mart) which I have promised to my daughter in law. (Inside Joke)
I would have to say my Treasure is definitely junk. Some of my items do have a collectors value I am sure. Nothing over maybe one hundred dollars on a great day at the auction. But my treasures are just that; Treasure to me. I enjoy and admire them for the memories that they hold. They are personal items. When they no longer become personal they lose their value and might as well be sold. It is a sad thing. Something once held dear and important put up for sale. You can argue it is going to a great home where it will be admired and taken care of but I don't think it will be treasured. For something to be treasured it has to come from the heart. Let us not confuse treasure and money. All the money in the world can not buy my treasure.
Given enough I will part with some of my possessions that is true enough but I will retain the Treasure.

Baffling

Just something I've noticed in recent years. Trends change and so too do manners and speech. I see a lot less manners being used in public settings. People are more prone to be pushy and aggressive in their actions. I just see less and less of behaviours befitting Ladies and Gentlemen. In time I'm certain it will again become the normal thing to act in a more civil manner.
The other trend; in speech, I find amusing and sometimes annoying. No it isn't the use of vulgar terms,which is rampant,and totally inappropriate but rather the use of abbreviations and acronyms. I get amused when an individual starts spouting off terms used in a persons occupation when they have no knowledge of that occupation. You know what I mean ? Went to the doctor and had to get a ps-3 test stat ! Hemoglobin levels are critical. Then when you ask just what that is either they really have no idea or they go into some big explanation. I find this in all areas. I guess it makes people feel like they are an expert or something. Was on the computer and the ram was driving a program for defrag. Uh ? Oh you mean the computer was messed up,why didn't you just say so. All these abbreviations and acronyms are fine among the people that use them daily and understand what they are but to start using them as everyday speech is pretentious. It gets annoying to me when I have to continually ask what it is you are saying. I work on automobile engines and use certain terms all the time but when speaking to someone that has no knowledge I try to explain the problem so they will understand. I understand a professional can forget this and just start talking about the issue but when a non-pro just starts parroting these terms to others I find it amusing. I am not impressed !
Maybe this trend comes from the use of computers and text messaging. We feel like we are in such a hurry that we must condense our speech. Whatever the reason I find it amusing when I know the person well enough to know that they haven't a clue but are trying to put on airs. You can fool strangers sometimes with this although I don't understand why you would want to. Guess it goes back to an old adage I learned awhile ago, If you can't dazzle them with knowledge baffle them with bull****.

Time Marches On

Time marches on ! How many times have you heard that expression? It was one of my Mothers favorites. Still is truth be told. This old earth keeps on spinning and making its orbit around the sun. Man can only marvel at the wonder of it all.
Each time an event takes place be it good or bad I  hear: time marches on. Thinking back upon it though, it is more likely a bad event that took place. Someones passing or the loss of something dear.
Maybe a new road was built through the woods. Time marches on. A glance in the mirror and the notice of gray in my hair. Time marches on.
There is nothing to be done about time. You can't stop it,delay it or change it. Its inevitable. So too the events that shape our lives. We like to fool ourselves into thinking we have some control but we do not.
Choices made and courses set. The journey doesn't usually come out as we envisioned it. Other influences often change everything. We are pleased when things go our way and congratulate ourselves on our own wisdom and knowledge. When things don't we seldom blame ourselves and start looking for another cause.
Be it good or bad Time marches on.
It is the beginning of another year. A new block in time. As people we often reflect upon the past. Choices we should have made differently. The good things that happened and the bad. In the final analysis there is only one thing to say; Time Marches On.

Whats' Next

Although I didn't stay up to watch the new year come in I did check it out on you tube. Dick Clark was hosting along with Ryan Seacrest. It was great to see him and he looked fantastic. I read that Howard Stern thinks he had a face lift,so what. I don't think much of Howard Stern,the shock jock ! He is mildly amusing in a idiotic sort of way. Trash humor never really did appeal to me. Enough about him.
Dick Clark did suffer a stroke some years ago as we all know. One of the effects is slurred speech. I saw a poll taken and an astounding 50% of respondents thought Dick Clark should not have been on TV. They thought it painful to watch and demeaning. I don't agree. The man is an icon. He is fortunate enough to able to speak,or breathe at all for that matter,following a stroke. He is 80 years old give him a break. He was expected to remain a teenager for 50 years. Did a good job at it too. We all age. Does that mean we shouldn't be seen or heard anymore ? It is a little sad to see anyone getting on in years with disabilities but only because it reminds us of our own mortality! At least that is my analysis. It can be an uncomfortable experience. I am not very good around anyone that is sick or disabled. That is why I'm not in the health care field. I don't feel however that they should be sequestered somewhere and never seen or heard from again.
I would be interested to know the ages of the respondents to this poll. I'm willing to bet that the majority of those voting he should not be on where younger people. Many may not have even known exactly who he is except for stories from their parents. I was never a big fan of Band Stand. Wasn't a very manly show to be caught watching in the sixties. I did occasionally watch when someone I wanted to see made an appearance.
Maybe it is because I'm aging myself but I found the poll results disheartening. I thought the people would support an icon such as Dick Clark. Sadly half do not.
I certainly hope Dick will be with us next year. I hope he is able to co-host the show. I don't care if he has to use sign language or flash cards I hope he does the countdown. For those that remember Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadiens always played the New Years Gig and after his passing Dick Clarks' New Years Rockin' Eve. After Dick we get what ? Ryan Seacrest ?  Oh how sad that will be.

Tilted

I'm going out on a limb here but am I the only one that thinks the situation is getting a bit tilted ?
We have a growing Hispanic population,a sizable portion that are arriving illegally,and the predominant reaction I hear is, Lets' give them more.
I have written about this before and I will restate my position. I do do not oppose LEGAL immigration.
Seems like almost on a daily basis I hear a new proposal to provide benefits and incentives to the illegals.
One plan would have the taxpayers fund college for their children so they can become productive citizens .
The latest I read about would have us hiring them for intern positions in Government. The fact that a lot of them already collect numerous benefits from our government doesn't seem to matter. I hear this big outcry that we need to do more.
Some years ago I was a Navy Recruiter. The qualifications were not equal then and I would bet they are not now. Back then the minimum score required for entrance to the military was a 32 AFQT. That was a test score. You could however get in with a 18 if you were Hispanic or female. Thats' right twenty years ago Hispanics in our country were getting exceptions to the rule. By law a set percentage of the military population had to be Hispanic. They did however have to be in the country legally ! Sound like a familiar policy ? Anyone that lived threw the seventies knows about the policy to hire a percentage of different ethnic groups. Even if we had to put the average American at a disadvantage.
I harbor no ill will against any group of people entering my country legally. I do not like it when benefits are provided to them and favoritism is shown. Our country is based on the premise that all men are created equal.
Not very equal when they are given advantages others don't have.
I know,I know it is not very correct to say these things. I'm just an old man complaining about everything. Well maybe that is true but I can say this: I have Grandchildren. My son and his wife are expected to pay the expense of raising them. They are expected to pay for their college education. They are expected to pay their taxes. They are expected to pay for automobile insurance. They are expected to pay for their own cell phones. They are expected to pay for their own groceries. They are expected to pay for their medical care.
Along with all this they are now being told to fund illegal immigrants in our country. The position seems to be they are here illegally so let them stay. Well I robbed the bank so just let me keep the money !

Leaving a Mark

Some years back I took an interest in genealogy. I subscribed to Ancestry.com and joined a number of other sites. Some are free and others are paid. Armed with some basic knowledge about my ancestors I dove right in. I quickly filled in some blanks. I also had a number of old photographs and a limited amount of old correspondence. On the back of some of the pictures was invaluable information. Who the people where and in some cases were the picture was taken. My great grandmother was especially prudent in putting down the information. I later learned she worked closely with a group of ladies researching their ancestors and compiling that information. I was told she had baskets full of old newspaper clippings and other documents. Sadly all this information was lost after her passing. It was casually thrown in the trash as so often happens with this sort of material.
There is one site called Find-A-Grave which I refer to often. This site is completely free and is dependant upon contributors for the information they display. I have found several of my ancestors resting places using this database. You just type in who you are looking for. I joined the site as a contributor and occasionally receive requests from others seeking a photograph of their ancestors monuments. Just this morning I received two and because the weather has changed and the snow melted I will try to locate this monument. I always feel good about filling a request. With our digital photography is can be done so quickly and at zero cost there is no reason not to. If the picture is clear enough you can read the inscriptions. Even if it only contains the name and dates it is somehow touching to see it. At least that is the way I feel. My Grandmother on my fathers side was lost to us and I found her final resting place. I then obtained a picture of her marker. It was quite satisfying. Later I even got a picture of her.
I think every person should have a marker. Something to say,I was here. I think that is the reason man has marked the places of those passed for centuries. Death doesn't seem so final somehow if there is a monument. Should anyone see your monument and read your name you are not forgotten. As I walk through the cemetery looking for these persons to photograph I read each tombstone. It is interesting what some say and just as interesting what some don't say. In older times a lot was often inscribed,some funny,some very somber indeed. In more modern times this is rare. I wonder if it is because of the cost involved or is it something else ? As one who is interested I love it when they add information. Like beloved Mother of and give you the name. Maiden names are really good information to have and often difficult to obtain.
Maybe in the future each monument will have a short video that will play telling you all about the person. Wouldn't that be great ? A quick synopsis.
At one time it was a popular practice to photograph people in their coffins. A ghoulish practice in my opinion.
At another time they would braid the persons hair and then wear it as a bracelet or necklace. Some people keep the ashes in a urn at home.
A persons final resting place should be marked. The family should make a record of this location and record it somewhere for future generations. Used to be the family Bible was the repository for this type of data. I don't think that happens much anymore. Guess now your last record is the Social Security Death Index !
That is a sad thought.

Spending Time

A new year and new milestones lie ahead. This year I will be 58. Not too bad. My Grandson will be ten. What ten ? A decade,Holy Cow where does the time go. It will have been forty years since I graduated high school. Forty Years ! Now that is a long time. Doesn't seem all that long ago. It will be 18 years since I retired from the Navy. Now that really doesn't seem possible. You can retire after twenty years of service and I've almost doubled that ? Man or Man. The cars I grew up with and drove in high school are all antiques now. Classic muscle cars. 2001 a space odyssey is ten years behind me and I vividly remember it being somewhere in the future.
Time. Man has tried to measure it since the earliest days. First it was light and dark. Then man divided up the daylight time by watching the sun,the night by the moon. Time. It never stops and we don't know when it began either. Wonder if you know when your time stops ? We chose to measure time in years,cycles of the earth,a beginning point and an end point something our mind can grasp the meaning of. As we age we become more aware of time. Remember when you were a child ? You could play until evening and never give a thought to time. Then came school and being on time. You got a job and had to be on time. All your adult life time plays a major factor in every decision. If you are lucky enough to retire then you wind up with time on your hands. Almost sounds like a bad thing now doesn't it ? Something dirty. I've got time on my hands. Don't waste time. You can never replace it. Do something with it but don't waste time. I don't want to be guilty of wasting time. Time marches on ! The time and tide wait for no man. Time is relentless. Time takes its toll on us all. Someday your time will come. Doesn't that sound ominous ? Almost threatening in nature.
The ravages of time have scarred the face of the earth. Time can be brutal !
On the other hand,take the time to smell the roses. Time is on your side. Its' only a matter of time. In time,this too will pass. Time heals all wounds. I love to spend time with my friends. Spending time,a precious commodity. We all only have so much time. Problem is we have no idea how much we do have.  Only one  man knows and he is not telling !
A new year and a new time. Take your time and spend it wisely ! That is my resolution for this year. To try to spend time more wisely. Spend a little less on myself and more on others ! Spend more time being positive and less being negative. Spend more time listening and less talking.
That doesn't mean I won't be writing this blog however. I've got a lot to say and a short time to say it. Maybe. Maybe Not. Time Flies when you are having fun.