making changes

 There are times when what we want is a change. Thing is, at the same time we want things to stay the same. Do you know what I mean by that? You don't want to be distanced from the people you love, you don't really want massive changes, you just want a change. That's why people go on vacation. Vacations give us that change. But vacations only last for a short time and there are times that just doesn't satisfy. We need a longer time frame, a more enduring change. It's a bit of a conundrum. I expect those with a lot of money just keep taking vacations, maybe that's why they buy several houses, I've always wondered about that.That way you are always going home. A change without changing.
 That's the whole problem with changing, you have to change. You have to leave the familiar, the comfortable, and put yourself in new situations. Part of that is being accepted into those new situations. You can't just barge in and interject yourself into situations. Well, you can when others in the group expect something from you in return. But the real issue is changing yourself to fit into those new situations. Can you change the nature of your character? I would think it is possible, but I also think it would take a major event of some kind to precipitate such. You have to allow it. That's where the saying, go with the flow, originates. It's a difficult thing to do when you are one that isn't used to doing that. That's change.  You can view it as a challenge or a disruption. It can also be a challenging disruption! It's all very confusing at times.
 There are time when we feel like a change but what we want is an escape. When we just want to walk away, but, we want to take everything with us too. Hey, I need my stuff. It's nice to dream about going off to the mountains or to the shore and taking up residence. A new way of living, an escape. And that way is always carefree. You may envision not having much, but you will have happiness. You don't need money or material things to be happy. Except you get hungry and need shelter, then money comes in handy.
 I think there are times when all we want is to be needed. Even when we go on vacation, to entertain ourselves, we feel needed. Certainly wherever you are vacationing the folks there need you. Tourist dollars are very important, essential in some areas. You are treated differently, if only while spending that money. Combine that with the knowledge that you are going somewhere, doing what you want to do, and you feel " empowered. " Empowered is the watchword of the day. I feel empowered, you feel empowered, we can even empower others! It's a wonderful thing. There are moments when I'm composing these blogs that I feel empowered! I can write whatever I like. The pen is mightier than the sword. Still, you have to guard against counter-attack. But I'm getting off track a bit.
 What I'm talking about is control. We all want to be in control. It is far more important to some than to others. Traditionally men were in control. That is surely changing, although it hasn't entirely disappeared. Governments are formed to exercise control over societies. You do need someone in control of it all. In your life how much control do you really have? In America we call that freedom. Freedom to act as we see fit! That's freedom, but even freedom has limits.
 What limits that Freedom? Laws, to an extent, limit that freedom to act. It is a necessity to avoid conflict. We all know these famous words, " all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men " It is the securing of your rights that ensures freedom, not the exercising of free will. Government acts as a restraint against that. And I say we all have our own internal government, controlled by the consent of the governed, just as the federal government is controlled by the consent of the governed. If we allow our own personal government to run unchecked, chaos will result. Soon our lives are out of control. And perhaps that is the greatest challenge of all, to govern ourselves. It can be a temptation, to just change our constitution, but that is not to be entered into on a whim or for convenience. When is it necessary to make a change? When something isn't working is the short answer. But let's not rush to judgement. If that something worked in the past, why isn't it working today? Do we need to change the " something " or do we need to change ourselves?   

surviving time

 I woke up thinking about this; today my grandson is going to his last day of high school. I remember being there when he went to pre-school, that very first day, when Mom had to let go. I have been there every step of the way and today that ends. It has been a very successful journey. Graduating as a member of the National Honor Society, scholarships in hand, he will be headed for Stevenson University in the fall. And judging by the last 18 years that will be tomorrow! A full range of emotion is circling in my head. But the one emotion that surfaces most often is Pride. I'm so proud of his accomplishments and proud to be his grandfather.
 Mark is a level headed your man, always has been. Not given to following fad and fashion or jumping on the bandwagon, he has always gone his own way. An amicable enough fellow he is well liked by all, notwithstanding a few old girlfriends. As I said he is not one to just go along with the crowd and when he stopped by last night I had noticed his car wasn't ready for that last day of school. I had anticipated that and bought some window chalk earlier in the day. Sure enough there was no writing on his windows, no graduate 2019, or anything! A few hours after he had gone home I slipped over to his house to correct that. I parked my car at the neighbors house and walked over, in stealth mode. Well, good thing I didn't take up burglary as a career, I was busted! As I started to write on the rear window of his vehicle out the door he comes. Grinning ear to ear he says, what are you doing?  Well, we both laughed and I continued with the plan. I think he enjoyed it anyway. Maybe he was even expecting such, he has always been a little suspicious of Grandpa. Never quite certain what I might do or say. I like it that way.
 There are a few more events to attend. A dinner and awards ceremony tonight. June the 5th is the big day, the day he receives that diploma. Oh, one day next week all the seniors will travel to their elementary schools for a graduation walk. I had never heard of that before but it sounds like fun. It would be fun to walk through and see your old teachers, and they would be older now, and thank them. It is also supposed to serve as inspiration for the kids. Yup, next week wraps up high school. I still have his younger sister and her cousin to look forward too.
 So that is what is on my mind as I sit here and reflect upon the past. I moved here and watched my own sons walk those halls. I watched as they graduated from that school. Now I'm seeing the grandson follow in those footsteps and it is a comfort. Roots are starting to run a bit deeper. History is being recorded. Two generations in the book. I wonder if there will be a third? With Mark going off to college with the goal of becoming an attorney will he return to Greensboro to raise his children? It seems unlikely. HIs sister Morgan is already talking of college and pursuing a degree in physical therapy. Perhaps she will remain in the area. The future is uncertain and there are no guarantees in life. I'll just have to be patient. Could be that God knows that and that is why time speeds up as you age. Another mercy. Time and relativity. Einstein thought a lot about that. Time, the longer you are here, the shorter it gets, and faster! The only way you survive is through your relatives, most notably grandchildren.

Mark, with Mom and Dad. 

changes

 The tide is changing. I can feel that in my soul. I am connected to the sea I have no doubt of that. My connection is not to the deep water however, but to the bay. Yes, I was in the Navy and have sailed the deepest oceans, I didn't quite circumnavigate the globe, but came close. I was as far north as to cross the arctic circle. I have crossed the tropic of capricorn as well. But it has always been to the bay that I was drawn. I love walking along the edge of the bay, smelling the sand, listening to the gulls and watching the horizon. No big crashing waves, no a gentle lapping sound, soothing in its' rhythm. It's a never ending cycle of advancing and retreat. The shoreline washed clean. 

 I believe that the whole universe has a tide. A rise and fall. Everything is interconnected. It's simple logic. They all have to be interconnected in some fashion as they were all created by one. Whatever you wish to label that one is not so important as the recognition of that fact. Current science talks about the big bang, a singularity expanding into what we know today. An expansion. It will be followed by a contraction. It's only a matter of time. True for the universe and true in our own little world, our personal world. And now I sense a change in the tide. It isn't the first time I have recognized that, it is, after all a natural thing. There have been times when I was caught unawares, I won't deny that, but there are times when I have just been waiting as well. 

 The tide is receding. I can feel the pull, the taking away. But with that receding tide I also feel the swell. It's a gathering of force. It will reach a peak and then rush back toward the shore. It may arrive as no more than a ripple but it will arrive. We often only notice the big waves, that crashing sound of the surf, but it is the ripples that travel the farthest. I don't know what to expect, but will be keeping a weather eye out. The tide is changing. Perhaps I am just feeling the approach of the perigee tide. The next one occurs June the 7th. The apogee was reached on the 26th so we are mid-cycle. Well, time and tide wait for no man, places to go, things to do. 

truth

 It's been said that if you tell the truth you don't have to worry about remembering. I can see that logic and agree one hundred per cent. When I'm writing these blogs of mine I strive to be as honest as possible with my observations and opinions. There are times when I just don't say a thing not wanting to offend unnecessarily. I'm not writing these posts for the sensational, that would be too easy. Yellow journalism isn't my thing. But often when I begin to write I am concerned about repeating myself. Having been posting these blogs for over nine years, almost daily, that will happen. Sometimes I remember and go back to have a look. I wonder if I am contradicting myself. What were my thoughts back then?
 I guess the question to be answered is, does the truth change? Or more correctly, does your truth change? Yes we can certainly change our opinion on subjects, see it from a different point of view, but does that change the truth? If we are in search of truth, truth must be a constant. I am a believer in fact. There are indisputable, eternal, unchanging facts. I also believe we must decide upon those facts or be forever lost and wandering. In the end you have to decide. I find that a recurring theme for me. It isn't because I have doubts, it is because others apparently reach completely opposite views. I am left wondering how that can be, when what is decided is based on facts. Indisputable, irrevocable, universal truth. When facts are combined with logical reasoning I expect the conclusion to be the same. Is that what troubled Spock in Star Trek? It isn't logical? Yes, I guess that it is and what is missing? Emotions, human emotion. That is the variable that troubled Spock and a variable that enters into all our thinking.
 Emotions certainly influence everything I write or think. I do tend to be a bit sentimental. At the same time I was raised in New England, with those New England sensibilities. Stoic is the word that best describes that. New Englanders are traditionally known for that quality. Many times that stoicism is mistaken for a lack of emotion. That isn't the truth. New Englanders are just as emotional as everyone else. What we are talking about is culture. It's a cultural thing. A learned behavior. I was taught to set aside emotion when making decisions that didn't directly affect an individual. I was taught we should react, for the common good. Remember it was the New Englanders that started a revolution! Had those New Englanders only been concerned with their own fortunes I'm certain things would have gone quite differently. But it was decided, a revolution was best for the common good. A revolution is what we got. That revolution wasn't entered into by a bunch of emotional hotheads. Those that orchestrated that revolution were stable, steady, merchants, landowners, and leaders. The emotional response, the theartics of the whole deal was left to the common man. And the common man had been influenced by what? The media of the day, just as the common man is influenced today. It was that, that mobilized the masses to revolt. The common man fought and died. That has ever been so and will no doubt continue.
 The whole problem as I see it, centers around emotion. As I like to point out emotions are great motivators but seldom great leaders. Emotions can get you labeled and quickly. There are a number of names applied to the emotional man, most not very favorable. At least not favorable until after the fact, when the result is known. Then praise is heaped upon them. An emotional response! So just how do we combine emotion and logic? I say that we can't. Emotions often have no logical explanation. That doesn't mean they are wrong, just that there is no fact to base that on. Like a piece of art, where one sees beauty, another sees nothing at all. And then I realize a simple fact, I get emotional about the truth! My truth. A contradiction? Not to me it isn't. If your truth doesn't agree with mine, then it's a problem. But is the problem mine or yours? That is where the truth will be found. 

Duty

 Happy Memorial Day. That phrase will be repeated and repeated today. It's something that we do automatically. As we all know Memorial Day is to remember the fallen. That is what this day is all about. Most will talk of sacrifice. I say, Duty is not a sacrifice, Duty is an obligation. Since WW1 over 650,000 service members died fulfilling that obligation. Lincoln expressed that sentiment best when he said, " they have given the last full measure of devotion. " That is a sentiment that echoes across time. An obligation fulfilled. There are no words I can type that would express that any better. I am inadequate to the task.
 In today's political climate I hear much talk of change. When I hear some of those proposals I am reminded of just what our soldiers died for. The preservation of freedom. And just what is that freedom? Is it solely what was declared in the Declaration of Independence? Is that freedom? Was freedom codified in the Constitution and its' subsequent amendments? Certainly those documents express the ideals of freedom , the ideals of man. Based in Judeo-Christian values and tradition, it is the best we have to offer. That constitution wasn't arrived at easily. That convention lasted one hundred and sixteen days. And remember they didn't start out with a blank sheet of paper. The revisions and rewrites took that long.There was much debate. Yes, it was well thought out!
 Prior to the Constitution and its' ratification the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation. From 1781 to 1789 that is what we had. The biggest issue with that document was it was weak. More specifically the Federal Government was weak and couldn't enforce its' laws. A better system was needed. Why was it so weak? To put it simply it was because the individual states didn't want to relinquish their power. A struggle that continues to this day. Think about sanctuary cities and now sanctuary states! The individual states do pass legislation in opposition to the central government. Issues like abortion and pot smoking are at the top of the list these days. But in the past there were other concerns, most notably slavery. But it was understood, by everyone, that a strong central government was necessary to the survival of the nation. Allow me to repeat that, a strong central government is necessary to the survival of the nation! For that reason at some point during that convention the " great compromise " was reached.
 Just what is that great compromise? Well to put it simply it was the establishment of the house and the senate. Collectively known as Congress. The senate is to be composed of two representatives from each state in the union. That means, one hundred people today. The reason for that was to appease the smaller states, population wise. Each state equally represented. But that left the states with larger populations feeling cheated, after all we have more people! And so the house of representatives was created and those members would be determined based on the population of the state. That was the great compromise. Putting the good of the nation before their individual wants.  Once that issue had been settled the convention moved forward.
 Why do I mention all of this on Memorial day? I mention it because that is what our citizens have fought and died for. One Nation! Our duty is to that nation. Yes, the nation is comprised of fifty states. Yes, each state retains a degree of sovereign power. But collectively they form a nation. It is that One nation, Under God, that provides the freedom we all seek. Indeed , in the beginning those patriots put their lives and fortunes on the line for that ideal. Patriots have continued to do that ever since. Everyone mourns the loss. Most choose to celebrate the gain. And in that we find sacrifice. Personal sacrifice. Doing what is best for the nation. Compromise. It was and is my duty! My duty is to my country, it is not a sacrifice. It's simply doing what needs to be done. You don't need to sacrifice your wants, needs, or desires, just set them aside for a while.
 All those that have died in defense of our nation did that. Their desire was to return home and pursue those dreams. They fell in battle, defending your freedom and theirs. They acted for the collective good. A great compromise? It was a risk they assumed. A duty fulfilled. There was no compromise when it came to that. It was an obligation. Our obligation is to remember and to commemorate. Nah, it is our duty!  

remembering

 A good friend of mine heads up the honor guard that goes to the cemeteries on Memorial day and renders honors to our veterans. It is a noble task and one I'm certain he is proud to do. I am proud to say he is a friend. He tells me they will visit thirteen cemeteries this Memorial day. A fitting number I would say. Thirteen like the thirteen original colonies and the thirteen stripes on the Flag. Coincidence? I'm guessing that it is. Where there more cemeteries in the town I'm certain they would all be visited.
 I began thinking about that yesterday. I tried naming those thirteen cemeteries in what was my home town. Sadly, I was unable to do so. I thought some more about that and began to realize how little I was told about any of that. East Hampton was the first English settlement in America. Folks have lived and died there for a very long time. Soldiers from every war are buried there. Our military members have been honored ever since the founding of the town. I remember with a touch of sentimentality the parades and speeches on the village green. I remember seeing my friends fathers marching in those parades. It was an impressive sight. There was no doubt, no question that the United States of America, in her righteous might, would defend freedom forever! Yes lives were lost but no one questioned that, it was a part of war. When old glory passed by, hats came off, hands over hearts and our heads were held just a little higher. God Bless America!
 The majority of my family lie in Cedar lawn cemetery. A place visited often when I was young. Every holiday we went and visited. I knew the headstone of my paternal grandfather, with its' anchor and rope engraved upon it. I never knew Grandfather Reichart as he passed long before my birth. I was familiar with others in there as well. Oh, I have ancestors buried all over the town of East Hampton but I didn't know that then. In the old north end cemetery lies my great great grandmother Sarah, her daughter buried next to her. They lie in the shadow of the mill. Old Hook mill it is called and sits atop a hill, a part of the village green. It is beside this mill that ceremonies are held. How many Memorial days have they witnessed? They have been there for every one! I have ancestors that lie in Northwest woods, their markers are there and little else remains. They were there during the revolution, they were there when independence was won.
 Sadly there is little ceremony here in Greensboro, Md. We did have a parade for Veterans day, once. Even the VFW closed its' doors some time back, lack of interest. I asked for volunteers, veterans who would march, and received no responses, none, zip, zero. I admit to being disappointed and disgusted. I haven't mentioned it since. Memorial day will come and go once again and taps will not be heard over the cemetery. No 21 gun salute. The historical society will place flags on the graves of all known veterans and that will be the extent of it. I can't play a bugle or a trumpet. But perhaps I should just go there Memorial Day, in the morning and play Taps on my phone to honor the fallen. It does have to start somewhere. 

Celebration

 In recent years I have heard about celebrations of life instead of funerals. At first I didn't understand what that was and had mixed feelings about that.Then my sister passed. A celebration of life was held for her and it was a wonderful thing. All those that knew and loved her gathered together. Her life was celebrated, her accomplishments and contributions recognized. I celebrate her still. She remains with me always.

 This being memorial day weekend I am reminded of those that lost their lives in defense of our freedom. As we all know, or should know, memorial day was originally called decoration day. It was a day to decorate the graves of those that had given their last full measure of devotion. Was it a celebration? Yes you could say that was the intent. Families gathered in the cemeteries across this land to remember, to commemorate those lives. Speeches were given , picnics enjoyed, and the old stories told and retold. There names were spoken and their accomplishments recounted. An annual celebration of life. The funerals had been held, and this was a promise to be kept. We will never forget. A promise made once again when the twin towers fell. 9/11 is what we say and it is a date. A date I will never forget. Sadly there are many today that don't remember the year of that event, of that tragedy. All that is remembered is 9/11. I'm grateful we remember those that lost their lives that day, their names are spoken. 

 Decoration day, memorial day was established following the civil war. It was a form of reconciliation. The underlying cause of the conflict was to be set aside and the lives lost remembered. Brother had fought brother, families torn and the nation wounded. Much in the same way the nation had been wounded on 9/11. Initially it was the cause of the tragedy that was remembered. Today we are being told to set that aside and just remember the lives lost. A reconciliation, a forgiveness? Consider another date that lives in infamy. December the 7th 1941. What is remembered now? The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. But it is remembered as an event from history, not a personal experience. Have the Japanese been forgiven? Have those that supported slavery and the southern cause been forgiven? For some, history haunts them. 

 The day was chosen carefully. May the 30th. In the four year conflict we know as the civil war no major battles were ever fought on that day. That was the reason the day was chosen, so as not to commemorate one side or another. All lives are equal in value regardless of the cause they may support. All life is to be celebrated. No matter the conflict, no matter the reasons behind those conflicts, lives were taken. We often speak of sacrifice. I don't believe that is the case in combat. Lives are taken, violently and without thought. It has to be so, the only way a soldier can cope with the horror of war. A sacrifice is freely given in the hope of a return. The object on the battlefield is to survive. And Memorial Day? A day to remember, a day to celebrate those lives taken! A celebration of life, for those that had their lives taken in exchange for my freedom, shall never be forgotten.  

showing respect

 When I was growing up I was taught to show respect to your elders. All your elders. I know sounds like an old fashioned idea these days. It's like I would never call an older person by their first name. In my part of the country they were either Mr or Mrs, or if close to the family, Aunt and Uncle. No, they weren't related but that is how you would address those folks. But back in the distant past we only interacted with those people in person. Oh, we may answer the phone and call for our parents, Uncle George wants to talk to you, but that was about it. And when you were speaking about those folks to other adults you had best use the proper form of address as well. You would quickly be corrected, put in your place, as we used to say.

 As I scrolled down my Facebook wall and read some comments I became aware of something. The respect your elders rule doesn't seem to apply on social media. I read comments directed from young folks to elders that are extremely disrespectful. It's almost as though there is no recognition of age. Now, I realize there are those that really don't know, hard to say with strangers, but I'm talking about the ones that do know. I know who some of these young folks are, and they know me. Makes no difference to them whatsoever. I'm not complaining when it is done to me, I'm just making an observation. These kids do seem a bit bold! Some are that way in person as well. But whatever the case I can't help but notice these changes in society. I can't help but think if they were taught more respect as children, they would grow up to be more respectful adults. 

 It is a different time I'm well aware of that. The information age some have called it. The kids today certainly receive a great deal more information than we did. I distinctly remember being told, it's none of your business, mind your own business, and when you are old enough I'll tell you. And they were all acceptable responses to your inquiries. Children were to be seen and not heard. You would be summoned if your presence was required. 

 When it comes to Facebook I suppose the question is really, how old do you have to be? The terms of use agreement states 18 years of age. I know many that are not. But I'm not thinking about that part. I was wondering how old do you have to be before you are old enough? I still address those folks I knew as children as Mr. Mrs. Aunt or Uncle in that fashion to this very day. I never outgrew respect. That is what I believe anyway. My school teachers would still be Miss Edwards or Mr Ryan should I meet them today. Yeah, I know, they would be quite old by now but that's not the point here. Now speaking about them to my contemporaries I may use their first name, just as we did behind their backs all those years ago, but never to their face. Still when telling my own children or grandchildren about those folks the formal title is applied. The reason is a simple one, a show of respect. 

 I don't know perhaps it's a little thing but perhaps it isn't. These young folks today are presented with adult information at a very early age. As a result they often discuss adult themes. The problem with that is the lack of context or experience. Information is of little value without the ability to process that information. I don't want to use phrases like, back in my day, but it's true. Back in my day you were not exposed to adult themes until it was felt you were capable of handling them. In many cases you were never told a thing! You did have to figure some things out for yourself. Personally I believe that is the best way to learn, figure it out. If you are constantly told how to think, or act, you will be dependent upon that. The very reason we learned respect as children, and the very reason many are not these days! Perhaps allowing children to be children, shielding them from adult issues, and forcing them to act on their own wasn't a bad thing. Perhaps parental intervention into everything they do isn't a good thing. Perhaps parents showing their children how to respect one another was beneficial. Perhaps parents showing that respect was the key to it all. 

just old

 My grandson graduates high school in less than a week. Where has the time gone? It is another marker on the road, another signpost passed. He will be going off to college in the fall. He has enjoyed much success in his school years, academically and socially. Fact is, he's a good kid. He was voted most likely to become President. Yes, I can see that, his interest in government and politics in general has always been strong. But Greensboro, in Caroline county, is a small world and it is that I am thinking about this morning. Soon he will leave this world and enter into a much larger community. My concern is not that he will be influenced in a bad way, but rather that he will be unyielding. You do have to bend a bit if you wish to grow.
 Now Mark has been away from home before, it's really nothing new. He went, as a younger man, to a conference in Washington, D.C. for an entire week. He was on his own, a great deal of independence for one so young, and handled it wonderfully. He has gone to camp in the summer and done exceptionally well. He is ready for independence, that is not my concern. I am concerned about the actions of others. Are the others ready for independence? How will the others respond to unrestricted freedom? That is what I am concerned with.
 I think about that because I remember. I remember boarding the train and heading out into the world. I had joined the Navy and when I boarded that train you could say the lines were " cast off " to coin a Navy term. I was free from parental control, free to do as I pleased. But the reality was it was a structured environment. There was much guidance! It surely wasn't like going off to college, of that much I am certain. Meals, housing and medical care was provided. All you had to do was, as you were told. Not a difficult proposition for me, although it did seem difficult for some. Perhaps they had enjoyed more " freedom " that I had and felt stifled, I can't say for sure. Whatever the case, I didn't have an issue with any of that, I just breezed through. I can say I didn't leave basic training filled with patriotic spirit, I was just glad that was over. Next was school, and although I did have a bit more freedom it was still structured fairly tightly. Real freedom didn't arrive until I reached my first command. There, when granted liberty, I was free to do as I pleased. All I can say is I didn't make the best use of my time, or resources available to me. I had some aging to do.
 It was the interaction with others that I struggled with. I had come from a small town, much like Greensboro, and so was naive in some ways. I like to believe I wasn't as jaded as some of those boys from the big cities. There was much I had only heard about, but never experienced. Thing was, I never spent much time trying to fit in, I was there, take it or leave it. As a result I was often, odd man out. I did have a few friends, the others I just knew. It didn't really bother me much. Still it is something I remember. But that is what concerns me with Mark. He isn't one to go along with the crowd either. I know he isn't concerned at all. But I'm sitting here thinking about all of that. I have made that voyage and know the sea can be rough. I'm worried!
 I suppose this is all just the worry of a concerned grandparent. I do have to remind myself that I'm a grandfather! Just how that happened is a bit of a mystery, it kinda snuck up on me. I mean, sure the kids I went to school with got old, its' been 45 years, but I didn't think I had. And now I have a grandson heading out to college! I worry about those places! Yes they are places of higher education. Thing is I also understand that education has little to do with maturity. Some pretty foolish things happen in those places. Not that Mark would get involved in any of that, but he will be there. Sometimes you are guilty by association! Well, I felt the same way when he was going off to kindergarten. He'll be fine. I just wondering if I will be. All this maturity is making me worry! At least that is what I'm calling it, maturity, some say I'm just old. 

Not fooled

 It has become my habit to write my thoughts early every morning. I just write about whatever happens to be on my mind. The past few days my mind has been occupied by the same few thoughts. I don't have anything new to add to those thoughts having stated my opinions on several occasions already. My mind hasn't changed at all, I stay fixed on my conclusion. Abortion is premeditated murder. I make no apology for that, as I believe that firmly. No matter how one wishes to redefine that action, under what circumstance or condition, it is not changing the action. The premeditated taking of a life. 

 I understand this issue is on my mind because it is in the news so much. The media will call it reporting, social awareness, and any number of things. The truth, as far as the media goes is that it increases sales or viewership. It's sensational stuff! I was aware of Roe V Wade when that legislation was passed in 1973. Many warned us back then that it would turn into a form of birth control. That is exactly what has occurred. 98.6% of all abortions performed are elective. Nothing wrong with the mother or the baby, just that the baby is unwanted. But why has this issue risen again? What forces have brought this once again into the consciousness of society in general? 

 It is my thinking this has resurfaced solely as a political tool. It is another device to divide the nation. It has been said what is tolerated today will become the norm tomorrow. Since 1973 there have been legalized abortions. I'd say it has become the norm, wouldn't you? That's not to say whether it is right or wrong, just that it has become the normal thing. And now, the threat has been issued, we will withdraw that permission! Something is to be taken away. And no one wants things taken away right? No, once we have something, become accustomed to it, accept it as a part of normal everyday life, we must retain it! There are even laws that say so. Consider a divorce, the woman must be allowed to live the life she has grown accustomed to! You hear that all the time. Hey, she is used to that, you can't take it away. If the government takes that away, what else might they take away? Why having an abortion is a right! The Supreme Court said so! No matter what Roe V Wade actually ruled the belief is that it legalized abortion and confirmed it as a right! But it is as John Adams pointed out, " the abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party faction, and division of society. " 

 What did he mean by that? Changing the meaning of words to suit the situation you wish to create. Yes, we can abuse words and politicians do that as their stock in trade, along with salesmen. Sophistry is a word I had to look up, I wasn't familiar with that. It means using subtly deceptive reasoning or arguments that appears correct, but are actually wrong. The intent is to deceive. Consider the word terminate. We are going to terminate a pregnancy. What we are really saying is, we are going to kill the baby. (Sophistry) Chicanery is using trickery to achieve a goal. Party faction is a subsection of a political party, ie: the power bloc or voting blocs. And division of society is self explanatory. Amazing how John Adams was able to describe exactly what is happening today. The basics in life really do not change much over time. The character of man remains basically the same. It is what all our Gods talk about and instruct us in.

 The object here is to change the social conscience. There are those that will employ sophistry and chicanery to achieve their goals. Even those that so adamantly support the idea of abortion on demand feel a tug at their conscience. That is because they inherently know that it is wrong. It goes against the nature of man. For that reason they feel the need, the absolute desire, to change the words. To seek some justification. But what these folks fail to realize is that is not the real issue being addressed. The real issue is power and control. The real issue is obtaining the vote. That will be pursued by all means necessary. All this is nothing but a distraction, a bit of chicanery. I'm not fooled a bit.    

The character of Congress

 " Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of Congress. If that body is ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. " James Garfield U.S. President assassinated July the 2nd, 1881.
 I just thought I would leave his comments here this morning. The words were true then and are resoundingly true to this day. I would add this thought, " what we tolerate today, becomes the norm tomorrow. "
Then, having adopted a behavior as normal, there is no turning back. Is the Congress a reflection of the character of the American people? They are supposed to be our representatives. Or has Congress just become a group we petition to fulfill our wants. Who is directing whom?

a progressive temperance

 It's been said that those that can't play, coach. It does seem to be the case a great deal of the time. At least it seems that way with head coaches. Retired players are often position coaches or skill coaches. You can coach without having played because you know the fundamentals, the rules of the game, and the best course of action to take in response to others actions. Certainly you won't always win, but you can coach with integrity. Aren't they the most admired coaches of all? Those coaches which genuinely care for their players and for the game. Sure in the short term we all want a winner but in the long term, we want respect. Respect is earned through hard work, dedication and unwavering devotion.
 I would say that is true in life as well. There are those that can coach although they don't play very well. We are, after all, mere mortal men. We have failures in our lives despite knowledge to the contrary. We can't always practice what we preach. Isn't that what a coach does? He preaches to the players, hoping to guide them to success. The reward for the coach is that he shares in their success. And that is all he wants, just to have directed others in a positive way. Yes, the coach often has to absorb much abuse, abuse from the fans, abuse from the players and abuse from whomever owns the team. Still a good coach will persevere. He will be judged on the actions of others. If the team loses, who is to blame? The coach. But I would suggest that perhaps the players weren't listening. It's that way in life as well.
 How often do we blame the coach for our shortcomings? I'd say we do it all the time and the trend is only growing. Many have abandoned the original coach and his playbook in favor of less restrictive play. We have decided we can bend the rules, make exceptions and justifications for cheating just a bit. We'll call it progressive temperance. We have to allow the breaking of the rules in order to follow the rules! If we don't, we are not being fair. After all, everyone has a different view and a different definition of right and wrong. In our progressive temperance we must embrace them all! It's a no judgement zone, only an acceptance zone.
 Of course the issue with that is there is no one to blame. Well no coach to blame anyway, so we have to blame the other players. The problem with that is, every player is using a different play book. There is no unity, only division. With no one to turn to for guidance, we turn on each other. Don't judge me! Who do you think you are? You're not the coach! And the real question in all of this is what is the object of the game? I mean, to what end are we playing this game? How do we define a winner?
From the coaches point of view it is a team, not an individual. And that is where we are losing our way. We have begun to believe that winning is an individual thing! It is not. We are only here for a short time. Our job is to move our heritage forward. Without a common heritage, that becomes somewhat of an impossibility. That, to me, defines the American dream, a common heritage. All were invited to participate, all are welcome to share in that heritage. But you have to play for the team, the American team, and have no allegiance to any other. We kept the coach off the field from the beginning, but we took his direction. Seems to me some have fired the coach altogether. A progressive temperance? I say, bring back the coach. 

bound

 It's a topic I often touch upon; home. The place were we were raised is the place we call home. I think that is true of most of us anyway. I'm thinking it was our grade school years that constitute that time frame. It is during those years that we make our lifetime friends. It isn't a lifetime if you didn't know them then. And then I often talk about leaving that home. In my case I never went back, Well, that's not exactly true, I did return for a short time only to leave again. It was for economic reasons that I left in the first place, and economic reasons I left the second time. It is economic reasons that kept me from returning as well. A fact I find sad considering how often we speak of the " ties that bind. " The ties that bind are supposed to keep us together but economics undo that knot. That is what I find sad about all of that. 

 I believe that applies to all the little rural communities throughout the land. Whatever the industry of those towns and villages are it is that industry that keeps the folks there. But today, in this modern world where the family farms, family fisherman, and mom and pop stores are fading from the landscape, there is little to bind the next generation to the land. Can they stay home? Only if Mom and Dad have something to pass on, a business of some sort, some economic vehicle for their children. Barring that, most will leave those towns, much as I did. The American dream is over the horizon somewhere. It has always been over the horizon, truth be told. America and the westward expansion, the quest for a dream. Has that dream been realized? It may have been, for a short time anyway, but dreams are ever expanding and can never be completely fulfilled. 

 I began thinking about that when I received an invitation to my grandsons' high school graduation. It's time. He will graduate and off to college he goes. Oh, it's only about an hour or so from here, Stevenson University, but still, he is leaving home. He'll be back for long weekends and holidays; for a visit. And that is the key point here, it will be for a visit. After college and law school, his intent is to become an attorney, the likelihood of him coming back to settle in Greensboro is remote. No, he will have to go elsewhere for economic reasons, if nothing else. Even if he had all his education paid for, he would still be forced elsewhere if he wished to advance in his career. Yes there is a possibility for his return " home " should he desire that because of that profession. What I'm thinking about are all those kids that really have no other option, economics will drive them from home. They either join the service or go seek employment elsewhere. 

 I wonder if that isn't an underlining cause of what we see happening in America today. Chevrolet motors has a famous ad campaign saying they are the heartbeat of America. What is the implication there? That those that drive pick up trucks and work the land in small towns across America are what gives life to America! And by extension that means all the small town folks doing whatever it is their families do. Coal miners, woodsmen, farmers and fishermen, makes no difference. Each  succeeding generation keeping the dream alive. But now it seems to me that America is being starved. What tie binds us today? The economy. That is because we have become dependent. We have surrendered a great deal of our independence in the favor of security, prosperity and the acquisition of goods. We do " need " so much more today. What we consider as the basics where once the things of the wealthy. I'm thinking we are out-pricing the dream! We are setting ourselves up for failure. Yes, a return to the basics is in order. But it's hard to go back. And that is something I have learned, it is hard to go back. Some say you can never go back. I understand that sentiment and would have to agree. Still, something I don't know for a fact, but something I suspect, given enough money I could fool myself for a while anyway. Is that the dream? To accumulate enough money to return? Is that the new American dream? To have enough money? 

sometimes it's no

  It's a big day in and around Baltimore. Today they run the Preakness. The local news stations are in full on hype mode. The excitement is at a fever pitch. Today a ton of money will flow into the coffers at the race track. The sport of kings. At Pimlico race track the ladies are wearing their bonnets, it is a tradition there.There are bands, food and drink, beginning at 9:00 am. Yes, it is a full day of gambling! 
  I expect folks raced their horses as soon as they had two of them. I also expect people bet on them. The horse racing industry has been around a very long time. It has been legal to bet on the horses since the beginning. The wealthy folks always get their way. It's nothing new but I do find it a bit amazing that a full day of gambling is being celebrated. " I'm going to the track " is not generally thought of in a positive light. But today, it's something folks are fighting each other to do. In fact, it carries some prestige on this day. I'll be attending the Preakness. We'll be overlooking the seedier side of the business on this day.
 Next year in Florida greyhound racing will be banned. The voters decided that it is cruel to those dogs. There were abuses, no doubt, justified by business concerns. What to do with an old race dog or one that just doesn't win me money. Do you think horse racing will ever be banned? I can't see it happening simply because too much money is involved. But, I can see the same argument being used to ban it as was used to ban dog racing. After all, is a horse superior to a dog? Does one animal deserve more respect than another? Of course I have no vested interest in either and can make a judgement totally unbiased. Those horses are bred to run. But is right to do that? I mean selective breeding, what about the right of the horse to choose its' own mate. The Nazis advocated for selective breeding with human beings, to create a master race. Those rich folks have done that with horses, to a degree, perhaps we should react to that with the same disgust as we did the Nazis! Or, are they only animals? It does seem a bit hypocritical doesn't it.
 I remember when the Catholic churches started the whole Bingo thing. Well, them and the volunteer fire companies. It was gambling, no doubt about it, but harmless enough and for a good cause. It was either for God, or the community at large, depending. That was followed by the Indians building Casinos. Seemed only fair to allow them to build a Casino on their land, take the white mans wampum. They started with Bingo and worked their way up. Now, we have chartered trips to all these venues, aimed, to a great extent, at the elderly and those in the inner cities. I'd suggest they are targeting those that can least afford to gamble, but it's a harmless diversion right? Another questionable activity in my opinion. But, it's legal. If there is revenue to be had, we will get around to legalizing that activity sooner or later. The thinking being, people will do it anyway, it's safer to do it in the open. Yes, I can understand the logic behind that, all it takes is a surrender. If you once decide that man is not capable of controlling themselves, of conducting themselves within the confines of society, that would be the only option available.
 I don't know. I guess if people want to gamble, let them gamble. It can lead to all kinds of trouble but that's their problem. Currently the narrative is; allow others to do whatever they want to do and you had best embrace that! We are not supposed to even suggest that there may be a problem with their choices. Nothing is more stark to me than the decision that killing babies is a choice. Abortion solely for the sake of, I don't want a baby. But I'm not going to rant further about that. I'm just saying we started with Bingo and look what we have today. Gambling is main stream, fully endorsed and indeed promoted by government. Let yourself Play is the byword of the day.
 None of this is meant to say you shouldn't gamble. I've been known to place a bet or two myself. I'm not saying they shouldn't race the horses. I'm just looking at the progression of time and general sensibilities. Seems to me the American Dream was a bit more idealist in years past. The bar was set quite high. God Bless America! Our soldiers returning from WW2 were asked what they fought for. They answered, for Mom and Apple pie. That gave rise to the familiar saying, " As American as Motherhood and Apple pie. " I'm thinking that we have forgotten the American dream. I'm thinking we are surrendering that dream, giving up on it, with the excuse, man will do it anyway. And as a result I find myself feeling like a modern day Don Quixote, tilting at windmills. I just can't let go of the dream. We can do it! You can do it! It's just that sometimes you have to say no! No to others, and No to yourself.
 Do dreams come true? Yes they do, but they come true far more often through hard work and perseverance than by happenstance. Additionally if we are to remove God from our country, as many advocate today, just who will make that dream come true? What do we have if not a prayer? I can only say God Bless America, Motherhood and Apple pie! And I don't mean gluten free apple pie either!  

being home

 I grew up in a small town. The cliche of everyone knows everyone else's business did hold a bit of truth. There were few secrets. At least that was the impression. If there are secrets you wouldn't know it, so. But I was thinking about all of that yesterday as I chatted it up on the Internet. I did spend some time interacting with strangers. That is possible if you observe certain rules closely. Say very little, agree with everything, and don't mention the President. And so I was reminded of what it was like growing up in that small town. It all had to do with relationships.

 When I was growing up and interacting with people it was best to know the relationship between yourself and them. Yes, there was us and them, depending upon your social status in the community as a whole. It's that way everywhere, just more pronounced in smaller towns. That is the result of relationships. In those small towns it is often familial relationships that define that dynamic. What family do you belong too? You are judged according to that, there are expectations. I know your father, or I know your cousin, and you are all alike! We've all heard those lines before. When you are small you are defined by your ancestors, even when that ancestors is just a distant relative. Thing is, those ancestors run deep in those small towns and memories are long. 

 There is an upside to all of that however, and I believe it is often overlooked. Being aware of our relationship(s) within the community changes our interaction with that community. I'd say as a general rule it serves to temper our countenance just a bit. We are less likely to act the fool! Word will get back to those closest to you, and quickly. There is no place to hide. Depending upon whose toes you stepped on, your only refuge may be your side of town, with your clan. Step on the toes of a relative however and that refuge may not be so understanding! 

 My mother was one of ten children. As a result I have cousins galore. I wasn't always aware of who they were, even though they lived in the same town. That did lead to a few, shall we say, awkward moments. My fathers family was about as well, mostly unknown to me for reasons I won't go into. Suffice to say it was known about town who my father was and I was judged according to that reputation. That's not to imply that it is a bad thing, just that it is a thing. And so growing up we have to learn to navigate our way through this field of ancestors and whatever preconceived notions others have of us. It is wise to know the players in the game. There are allies and there are foes. Just like the " hillbillies " of folklore, feuds go from one generation to the next. Mix with the wrong bunch and there is likely to be trouble. 

 I left that small town over forty years ago. Two generations have arrived in my absence. Many cling to their ancestors as a validation of their birthright. That has always been so and will continue. It is a source of pride, and to a lesser degree, power. Birthright entitlement is a strong force, but no match for money, a reality in life that is often a source of anger. I cling to my ancestral heritage as well, I'm no different than most. But, that heritage holds no sway in Greensboro, Md. It means nothing. Strangely I can say I come from East Hampton, New York and that is often met with, " you come from the Hamptons? " " Your family must have a lot of money. " I can only smile at that, and mutter some nonsense. It's strange because even here, people hearing that immediately form an opinion on you. It's like saying I'm from New York, folks immediately think of the city. Those ideas are preconceived notions by others. You do have to overcome them. I've been in Greensboro going on twenty five years but people will say, he's from New York. It's a fact, no disputing it, and a judgement. I have no relatives here, other than descendants, and so no refuge for me. I'm not complaining about any of it, just explaining. It's one of those observations I am wont to write about. 

 After giving it some thought yesterday I arrived at this conclusion. If we all knew our relationship with one another the world would be a kinder and more understanding place. That is simply because we would change the way we interact with one another. We are less likely to be aggressive with a relative, even distant ones. They are a member of the clan. To risk alienating them is to risk alienating yourself from the group. It isn't always worth it. But get on this Internet, this social media and the gloves come off, it's every man for himself. Yes, like minds gather together in the attack and like minds gather in the defense. It's us and them taken to a new level. And another observation I have made is people tend to be more understanding of their relatives than they are of strangers, even when they suffer from the same affliction. That's because it is closer to home, as the saying goes. And a final thought is, wherever we go in the world, when we are threatened, we always go home. Home is our default setting. Home isn't a place, but an attitude. Being home is a comfort even when it is only in our mind. 

dreaming

  Yesterday I posted a favorite quote: A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. " ( John Barrymore ) It is a thought that has lingered with me for some time and surfaces every now and again. Yesterday was one of those times. The wisdom in those words impressed me and the truth of it is sobering. If we allow regrets to replace dreams we do indeed become old!  The number of years has little to do with that. If you believe that life is eternal, years matter not at all. Can our dreams only be fulfilled in this life? Do our dreams die with us? If they do, then eternity would have to be consumed with regret. Is that the hell spoken of by so many?
 The secret lies in defining our dreams. Or, should I say, understanding our dreams. Just what is it that you want from this life? Is it wealth, fame, property or something else. I think it is a safe to say that everyone wants to be remembered. For that reason we should strive to be memorable. It is the pursuit of that, that will define our dreams.
 Is your dream something to be accomplished? If it is, what happens when you achieve that? Wouldn't you then have to have a new dream? Absolutely, and I think that is pointed out in that statement. Notice it says the place of " dreams." A man should have many dreams. But if the goal is to be remembered, and I think it is, how can we ever know that? We would have to be here to know that. Isn't that what popularity is all about? If you are a popular person will you be remembered? Well at least you feel like you will be, certainly you are recognized. So what is the goal? To be recognized or remembered? Are they the same thing? No, I don't think they are.
 It is the holding of the dream that is important. It isn't the fulfillment of your dream. That's because the best dreams benefit others, not yourself. It is the benefit to others that will be remembered. In that way, you are remembered. That happens whether you are aware of it or not. Regrets are the result of perceived failures. What we need to understand is that things aren't always what they seem to be. What is the root of that regret? Is it because you failed to satisfy someone else, or because you failed to satisfy yourself? What is your dream? Understand that and you will have found peace. Perhaps, eternal peace. 

feeling amused

 I do get a kick out of some things, like posting a comment on the New York Times, and watching those liberals go crazy. I know, it's rather like teasing the animals at the zoo, but it is amusing. Yesterday the big topic was the trade tariffs. I did a little reading to educate myself just a bit and left my comment. My comment was, I'm betting 99% of the people making these comments know as much as I do about international trade. It was then the comments started flying my direction. I was immediately labeled as a Trump supporter and an ignorant ape! Found that amusing and answered with my new favorite quote, " If you can't answers a mans' question, all is not lost, you can always call him vile names. " It was then I was told that I'm probably not a man. Well, I let that slide as liberals often have trouble with the whole gender thing, so. But I restrained from making any further comment and just kept reading the comments as they rolled in. And they kept coming in most of the day. It's rather flattering really, so many people agitated about my opinion. Surely they feel my opinion held some merit or they wouldn't waste time responding, defending their opinion. The funny part was I hadn't given an opinion on the tariff at all. All I said was, I'm betting 99% of the people making these comments know as much as I do about international trade. I didn't say how much I felt I knew or how little, for that matter.
 I do read and try to get informed a bit about things I have no experience with international trade agreements, tariffs, taxes. All that has never been a concern of mine. That's probably because I'm not in the import/export business. I just buy goods as I want or need them. Like the majority of the population I try to find my items at the best possible price. I'll say I won't buy Chinese products, or this company, or that company, but I still do when the price is right. That's just the reality. Guess maybe I'm in the minority after all if those comments on the New York Times are all true. All those folks seemed to be experts on that stuff! Just why they haven't settled the whole world trade issue is beyond me, they sure had all the answers!
 Now I've already said I really don't know much about this stuff. I do know a few things though. The first thing I know for sure is, we buy stuff made in China because it is cheaper than making it here. Don't have to have a degree in business to understand that, people want the lowest price. I also understand why China can produce those products cheaper. It's because of their government regulations, they don't have many. Workers are not the top concern either, they are replaceable. Another thing I know is, we can make anything here that China can make. That's why China is always trying to steal our technology, it's cheaper to steal it, than develop it. Only problem is, making it here costs more and as a result the American consumer is going to pay more. So, we buy the cheaper Chinese product. Damn, that's an inconvenient truth isn't it? Those liberals sure get upset about that fact. And now, because of the tariffs the Chinese aren't going to buy our soy beans! Yeah okay, but the thing is they can't manufacture them either. Just where are they going to get them? People need to eat. Bottom line is, I can live without the toy in my Happy Meal but you can't live without food! Damn, another inconvenient fact. Well call it American exceptionalism if you like but I think we can do just fine without China! China needs us, we don't need China! If they don't want to play fairly, I'm taking my ball and going home. It's really simple. But, of course, as I said I really don't know much about all of this.
 These liberals are an amusing bunch. Every one of them is an expert in international trade agreements. They can't decide on gender issues, that's too confusing, but tariffs, now they know about that! Is a fetus a baby? Liberals don't know or can't decide on that. They do know it is a choice to kill that baby though, it's a right because a woman has a uterus! The man has nothing to say about any of that because, well, he has a penis! That negates any opinion he may have. It's a rule. Another liberal rule is, if anyone opposes you, call them names. Ignore the facts, ignore all of that, just call them names and accuse them of vile acts! Of course those same liberals support the very same vile acts as a choice when it is convenient to do so. Heck we will even hold a parade to celebrate that if you promise to vote for me. Well that's the thing with liberals, it's all about the individual. Pay no attention to the needs of the many, focus only on what you want. Government by appeasement. That's the liberal agenda. As long as I can keep you quiet, I can control you. The easiest way to do that is to give you whatever you want. Works every time, as long as you believe you had a choice. You don't need to know anything, just choose what sounds good. I want my cheap Chinese stuff! Trump is destroying the economy! He's probably making a fortune on this. Better investigate. Ah, liberals, they are like the animals in the zoo, a curiosity. They can be dangerous though. 

what's the situation

  Is there such a thing as situational morality? I don't believe there is, yet I sure hear a lot of folks defending just that. I have to say it leaves me a bit confused. If I believe an action to be wrong, it is always wrong. It is especially true with those things we all agree is wrong, like killing another human being. I think we all agree that everyone has the right to life. Is it ever a choice to kill someone? No, I don't believe it is, although there are times when you have no choice. And that is where I get confused. If someone is attempting to kill me or someone else I will attempt to kill them first. Is it a choice? No, I think it is a reaction. I believe it is an inherent reaction, the will to survive is in all of us. The reaction varies with the individual some acting heroically and others cowering in fear. Is either of those actions a choice? No, I don't think they are. That is the purpose of training, to ingrain a specific reaction into the individual. Responses can be taught! Are our moral values also learned? Yes they are, they are taught. Some will adhere to those values, while others will practice situational morality. 

 So I'm thinking maybe what we are talking about is not morality, but legality. There are situations when killing another human being is a choice. Situational legality. Sometimes the action is right, sometimes the action is wrong. The only difference being the ability to justify ( provide justice ) for the action in any given situation. The death penalty is an example of that. If a person has been shown to have killed another, in a premeditated fashion, should they also be put to death? Is that a viable option? Situational legality comes into play here. In what situation would the death penalty be an option? The modern thinking is never. It is never a choice to execute anyone, no matter the severity of their crimes against humanity! Yet, in contrast, it is a choice to kill an unborn baby. What is the justification for that? It's a legal precedent, Roe V Wade. Morality ( religious belief ) is dismissed altogether in this situation and the legality vigorously defended. It's a situational legality.

 Is it possible to separate morality and legality? The question is better known as, the separation of church and state. In America that is the dream isn't it? That was the premise clearly stated in our founding documents. The Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, etc. That's amendment one to the Constitution ratified in December of 1791. But we won our independence in 1776 right? Why did it take fifteen years for Congress to decide amendments were required to the original document? Short answer, politics. The Bill of Rights were added by demand from certain states. In fact, it was the promise that a Bill of Rights would be added to the Constitution that gained its' ratification in the first place. The preamble to the Bill of Rights explained that the purpose was to; " prevent misconstruction or abuse of its' powers ( the federal government ) , and to extend the grounds of public confidence in the public. " Even then the lawyers were well aware of situational legalities. They insisted the federal government make a list of specific rights, guaranteed to the people! Rights were not to be confused with morality! The reason is a basic one. You can not write " laws of morality " as they pertain to government because in doing so you would be writing an ideology! The perfect example of that would be Islam. Their " religion " is intermixed with their government and therefore is an ideology. Think Sharia law! 

 And so after two hundred and forty three years we are still debating morality vs legality. There is no doubt the United States of America was founded on the basic tenets of Christianity. The protestants  were the dominant faction. Catholics, Jews and yes, Muslims were represented in America during its' founding. There was much debate about Article six. That's the one that says there shall never be a religious test in order to hold office. The concern then was a Muslim could one day become President. The thinking was it would take four or five hundred years. As you know that article remains and I don't think it will another two hundred years before a Muslim takes the office of President, some believe he already did! And just what was the underlying fear in that happening? The understanding that Islam is not a religion but an ideology. An ideology in opposition to the American dream. Remember what that dream was? The separation of Church and State! In Islam the church is the state! Is there situational legality in that system? Nope! No Bill of Rights.  

what we leave behind

 I was talking with my Mom on Mothers day, she is near 90 now, and remembering the things of my childhood. She was remembering about the flowers I would bring her for Mothers day and other occasions. Those flowers were always picked wild. We didn't have money to go to the florist shop! That was a luxury reserved for very special occasions, like getting your date a corsage. And that didn't happen often. But anyway, I had mentioned to her about picking those flowers we called lady slippers. They bloom between the months of May-June. We were told it was illegal to pick them but that is only applicable on federal land. Depending upon the state, the rules vary. 

 From that grew a conversation about the various plants and bushes that grew " back home. " Mom lives in Georgia now and I in Maryland so some of the plants are different. Mom was feeling a bit sentimental I think as she described the plants that grew in her yard when she was a child. I could remember a few of them from going to Grandmas' house. I remember the grape vine, the lilac bushes, dandelions and some strange plant that looked like immature bamboo, still not sure what that was. After Grandma passed the house sat empty for some time. Eventually it was set on fire by some vandals, that's what I heard. Whatever the case, the house no longer exists and the lot sits empty these days. I'n betting some of those plants still live there however. I'm betting they could be located.

 It's been more than fifty years since I was at Grandma's house. I'm not certain what year that house met its' demise but I'm thinking that was forty years ago or more. I thinking if I were to go there today it would be like an archaeological site! I wonder what I could uncover there. I could search for the plants and use them as markers. The lilacs were by the front door. I would like to spend some time there with a metal detector, never know what you might find. My imagination is leaping forward. I wonder how many sites from my childhood would be explorable today? Surely many have been built upon or bulldozed over. We tend to think of archaeology in ancient terms but that's not what it is. It is simply the study of history and pre-history by digging stuff up. My backyard could be an archaeological dig site! The current residents probably wouldn't be too pleased by that. I know two places that I definitely wouldn't be digging though, the septic tanks. I know exactly where they are and would avoid them, others wouldn't be so fortunate. You never hear about that when they uncover other archaeological sites. 

 Well, it is a strange thing to think about. Your childhood haunts could reveal secrets from the past. They wouldn't be a secret to you but to the one uncovering it. There are mysteries to be solved. Back up in northwest woods, about a mile so in, you could find the bones of a rather large tuns fish. You may wonder how it got there, so far from the shore. My father took that skeleton there after having cleaned the flesh off it. Wouldn't want that stinking carcass close to the house, and to dig a hole big enough to bury it would be too much work. Under that pine tree you could find the skeleton of a small dog. His name was Laddie, he was fifteen years old when he died and that was his favorite spot to lie. I buried him there in 1973. What items may be shifted from the dirt? Old toys, tools and discarded objects. No telling what could be found. 

 Wouldn't it be neat if you go back in time. Go back to your childhood and explore. How many items have you forgotten about? You know there are things you had just lying around that would be interesting things to have today. They would be interesting not so much for their monetary value, but for the memory. I have collected a few things like that over the years. Some objects were mine, some belonged to others, but all have a memory associated with them. Like an archaeologist studying the smallest fragment looking for an answer, I hold onto those things. I am trying to leave a record of what these things are. I do want future generations to know. Consider this. A hundred years from now someone finds the key fob for your car. You know that little thing that unlocks the doors, will they know what it is? Maybe, but I had a lava lamp and today they are " nostalgia " so I wouldn't be so certain. I had a " pet rock " and a " rat fink " doll. Remember those? Artifacts. Someone may uncover them all in an archaeological dig one day, digging where my bedroom once sat. Discovering the artifacts of my past. What could they find in yours? Would it be commonplace, or a " shocking " discovery? All depends upon what we leave behind. 

in the rear view

 Yesterday morning I was thinking about my grandson graduating from high school and all that entailed. It is the end of a childhood. And so I was feeling a little bit pensive about the whole situation when my granddaughter calls. Can I come over, are you guys hone? Yes, we're here and of course you can come over. Grandma and I are wondering if she is hungry, that's usually the reason for a visit. But, it's Saturday and she can drive now, maybe she just wants to drive the car. I remember making all kind of excuses to drive after I first got my license. So, that's probably it.
 Some time went by and we began to worry, Grandparents do that a lot, and sent her a text. I thought , in my day I would have had to mail it and wait a few days! She answered right away and assured us everything was fine and she would be here soon. True to her word she arrived, with her mother in tow. I say, in tow, because mom was a passenger this time. Yes, a passenger because Morgan had purchased a car! That's correct, my granddaughter has her own car. Now, I was proud of her when she got that drivers license. I thought it was cute when her parents allowed her to borrow their car. Yes, a sense of pride is what you would call it, me feeling I had contributed to all that in some way.  But now, now it struck me that she had a car of her own, she was free! OMG, my granddaughter has a car of her own, that she drive anywhere, at anytime, with anyone! What? That doesn't sound right. Yes,yes, I know there are restrictions but they are only temporary. And it is that thought that entered my mind, temporary, like childhood. My grandson is going off to college and now my granddaughter is driving her own car! I remember all too well buying her a bicycle and teaching her how to ride that, this can't be right.
 The more I got thinking about all of that, the more I came to a realization. I am a bit of a chauvinist! At least when it comes to granddaughters I am. I didn't think much about my grandson driving around on his own. I felt pride for his accomplishment and that he would no longer be dependent upon others to get to work or school. Yes, that was all good. But my granddaughter; now I've got a different view about that altogether. There could be boys in that car. I'm not liking the idea of that. Yes I immediately placed trust in my grandson driving his own vehicle everywhere. Heck I even encouraged him. You can drive on the interstate, it'll be fine. You'll be fine and get used to driving in traffic and the weather. My immediate reaction with the granddaughter is one of concern. Why? Because I'm a bit of a chauvinist! A young lady shouldn't be out riding around in her own car unsupervised! Doesn't seem right. And then I have to laugh at myself. I'm just being silly. This is 2019 after all. The times they are a'changin'.
 I am happy for her. I remember the excitement of getting your first car. It's a milestone of some importance. My first car was given to me by an uncle. All I had to do was a minor repair. I still have fond memories of that car and Morgan will always remember her first car. I'll try not to worry about her out driving about. I've promised to show her how to change the tire, check the oil and jump start it should that become necessary. I  know she will most likely never do any of those things but I feel obligated to show her. Chauvinistic? Nah, just protective. Men are supposed to be protective of the womenfolks. That's what I was taught. It's just the natural order of things. And that is what bothers me most, the natural order of things. I don't want to think about that. Guess I'm afraid I'll just be seen in the rear view from now on.

Morgan and her new car. 

Reflections

 My grandson showed us his graduation pictures. That has sure come a long ways from when I had mine taken. It was a series of thirty five shots and they were excellent. As I admired them I couldn't help but think, these are going to be some of the last. Yes, there will be ones on the actual day, taken my mom and dad, taken by grandpa, but these are probably the last professional school photos. It's another marker of time. It is a bit sad in a way. No more school pictures.
 You know I was there when he had his first school pictures taken. Grandma and I would go to the elementary school on those days to watch and place our order. We saw him when he was excited to get his picture taken, we saw him when he could have cared less.Then came middle school and high school. You got yearbook pictures. All of that was low key, no big deal. Ah, but those senior pictures, they are a big deal. It's their first chance to wear a cap and gown. Mark belongs to the National Honor Society and so wears that extra collar, or whatever they call, it that signifies that honor. These pictures are special, these pictures mark a milestone in life. They also mark an ending. An ending to a childhood, I can see it no other way. Mark has graduated! Bittersweet is the word that fits this moment.
 Mark will be going to college in the fall and I'm certain lots of pictures will accompany that. Those pictures will be taken by proud parents and grandparents. I expect there will be some opportunity for professional photos, after all there is money to be made , but these aren't kids anymore. Having never attended a college or university myself I'm not sure of the protocol in that regard. But, what I was thinking about are the formal pictures that accompanied our grade and high school years. It's true that many pictures will be taken, probably more so today than at any time in the past. Almost everyone carries a camera with them, everywhere these days. I saw an advertisement on television for the new I-phone. The selling point was the camera! It struck me at that moment how things have changed. Are you selling me a phone or a camera? So, yes there will be plenty of photos but it's not the same thing. Perhaps it's only a feeling, perhaps it's just nostalgia on my part, but it's what I perceive. I looked at those graduation photos and saw a young man, not a child. It's the first time I have seen Mark in that fashion. I've been seeing glimpses for some time, but now, there he is!
 This morning I as sit here writing these thoughts a particular verse comes to mind, " when I was a child I spoke as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish thing " The time has come for Mark to put away childish things and he is well on his way. That time is different for all of us. For some coming sooner and others later, much later. Mark has always had an " old soul " and for that reason set aside childish things rather quickly. I don't know, seeing those pictures, cap and gown, did stir something inside me, a feeling of loss. But then I see the young man he has become and I had a part in that, we all did! You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Where I to attempt to write the words to accompany those pictures it would take volumes! I look at those pictures and hear the voice of a child but the picture is of a man.
 Strange how that works. When you are young you are always looking forward.But when you become a grandparent you spend more time looking back. At first at the life of your grandparents and parents. Then your children and grandchildren. You begin to see the world in reflection. You discover that the reflection isn't always the same as what you saw! Strange indeed. It's an emotional time for many. Mark graduates in 14 days! Two weeks and childhood ends. There is no looking back, not yet anyway. That'll come for Mark later on and the cycle continues.
   

Life is good

 An old friend I hadn't seen in twenty three years passed through my neck of the woods yesterday evening. It wasn't unexpected, I had been anticipating his arrival for some time. I surely wasn't disappointed. We took a quick trip back to the late sixties, early 70's. Yes, I realize that was in the last century. We talked of the old times and better days. We did pick up the conversation from where we had last left off. As I said I hadn't seen him in twenty three years and that was at our twenty fifth high school class reunion. Fact is, there weren't many of us there, and now I know we are fewer still. It's always sad to hear of the passing of old classmates and old acquaintances. Still it is all a part of life and I am fortunate to be around, I remind myself of that every now and again.
 I think that everything happens for a reason. We don't always know what the reason is and may never know but it isn't important. I wonder sometimes if our lives aren't just a series of random events. Sure we think we have it all under control, we have our plans and our dreams. Truth is, it seldom goes the way we expect it to. But old friends add stability in an otherwise uncertain world. That is especially true when you discover that things haven't really changed all that much. Whatever force it was that brought you together with those old friends, remains strong. The old bond holds on like gorilla glue! It's a comfort. And I have to say I came away encouraged. The world is as it should be; for a few moments anyway.
 And so we made some plans for the future and said goodbye once again. For whatever reason fate brought us together for a few hours. It was just a brief exchange, an acknowledgement of a friendship. It is good to know that our friendship endures. Perhaps that is all this meeting was supposed to be; this time. I am looking forward to a longer visit one day. We are both retired now, and that is a revelation in itself. Who would have thought it all those years ago. We certainly never gave any of that a thought. When we were young we believe we are going to live forever and life is just something you do. And now you understand that life is something to treasure. It is good to meet with a fellow traveler, another that knows where your journey began. It is only when you know where you began that you can appreciate where you are now. Ah, old friends, a reaffirmation. Life is good. 

  

Old friends and old memories

 Today I'm looking forward to seeing an old friend. Following high school we both went into the service, he an Army man and myself the Navy. I'm only seen him a few times since. Yes, we exchanged Christmas cards but not much more. Occasionally I would hear of his fortunes and misfortunes and I'm certain he heard of mine. It's always that way with old friends, other friends will report on those things. The accuracy of the report is often questionable. It will be interesting to hear some of the story, from the horse's mouth , so to speak. It is amazing how little I actually know about his life considering our long friendship. Well, they say true friends can go years without speaking and pick the conversation right back up. I believe that is true. I don't feel nervous or like I'm meeting a stranger. No today I'm hoping to see Bill.
 Now I realize I will be visiting the past. That's what old friends do in these situations, relive the past.The old stories will be told once again, memories shared. We did share some good times. I have a few memories that I'm certain will amuse him as I'm certain he has a perspective that will amuse me. We were both there, but the filter of time will have altered things a bit. Should be amusing. I'll be interested to hear of his family, his children and what his life has been like. It'll be like seeing how things turned out. It's not the end of the story by any means, but there are quite a few chapters I need to read! If you know what I mean. The best part about old friends is you don't need to be concerned about being judged. Those folks already know you and so there are no surprises in the things that really matter. I don't believe our basic " essence " has changed over the years. We are still who we were, just more seasoned, dare I say matured? Well, we will have to see about that won't we?
 I am flattered that Bill has chosen to stop by, taking a detour from his travels, just to meet with me. It's a comfort to know that you are still thought of. Is it sentiment or curiosity? Does it make a difference? No, it makes no difference whatsoever, what is important is that he has chosen to stop by. To question motivations isn't a wise thing, although we are always being told about that. Questioning motivations can cast doubts. I have no doubt that Bill just wants to visit with me, as I do with him.   An Opportunity has presented itself and we will take advantage of that. There is nothing more to it. You know some folks worry about meeting their old friends after years of separation. They may be concerned about their material possessions, their careers, what have they accomplished in life. The worry being their pride. As for me, I'm just proud to call Bill a friend, that is enough. I'm not a bit concerned with anything else. Life is far too short to be concerned with such things, it is the friends we make along the road that count. Even when that friend lives mostly in your past, it is always a pleasure to visit them. I have visited Bill many times over the years, he just wasn't here. For that reason I feel secure and comfortable. Old friends and old memories are a comfort in a changing world. Just look at us now! 

Vicarious?

 I was watching the show PD live, at least that is what I think it is called. But I'm sure you know what I mean. Anyway one of the officers is a guy they call Sticks. Apparently he was/is a Police officer of some note. I couldn't help but notice one of his arms is covered with tattoos. I think they call that a sleeve, I'm not cool like that but believe that is what I have heard it called. Seeing that got me to thinking.
 Before I continue let me say I don't have anything against anyone having tattoos. Fact is I have two small ones myself, I was in the Navy after all. My son, the Mayor, has a number of them and my wife has one. So, just to be clear I don't object to them although I do think one should exercise discretion in obtaining them. All that being said I will continue.
 I 'm certain almost everyone has heard the idiom Clothes make the man. The premise being we will be judged on our appearance. It is a very old idiom, often attributed to Mark Twain. What Twain said was, " Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. " I'd agree with that assessment. Naked people may prove to be interesting, but are seldom taken seriously. Clothes do make the man, or woman. Our first impression will be based on that. First there is what is fashionable. That says something about the person. There is the quality of the clothing, designer or Walmart? There is the cleanliness and general appearance of your clothing. Yes, it's true many judgments are made based upon those factors.
 Then we come to the question of uniforms. Uniforms tell us a lot! We can tell the occupation of the person from those uniforms. There are all types of uniforms too. Uniforms aren't limited to professional occupations but to lifestyles as well. Consider the stereotypical biker. What is he or she wearing? What about a hippie? Aren't they all wearing uniforms of a sort? I'd say they were. A uniform gives us authority! Isn't that the idea behind them in the first place? If I'm in uniform, I'm legit!
 So, what does that have to do with tattoos? What does having a tattoo say about you? Does it say anything anymore? Or has a tattoo become a societal norm? I'd say it has to a degree. There are still plenty of my generation around, the baby boomers, that have a different outlook upon that. I can't speak for an entire generation but getting a tattoo was something quite different in the 1960's than getting one today. What I mean is, the shock factor was higher back in the day, a little more dangerous! At least that was the perception. Only tough guys and criminals had tattoos, or you were in the Navy. I believe it proves out another axiom I am fond of using, " what is tolerated today, becomes tomorrows norm. "  In my time I have seen the whole tattoo thing go from frowned upon, to tolerated, to accepted as the norm. As I said earlier, it is not a judgement, just an observation. Are we using those tattoos as subconscious signals? Well, that is something for the sociologists to write about. It takes a PhD to understand that! That professional may be in debt a few hundred thousand in student loans, but they will know about that. But, I digress a bit.
 Have tattoos gone from sending the message that I'm a " rebel " to, I'm cool bro. Is that the meaning these days. Conforming to rebellion? Hmm, another for the Phd to figure out. I used to think that many of these folks would come to regret their choices. Now, I'm not certain about that as so many will have tattoos as to make it insignificant. It will be a common regret. And common regret is easily dismissed. Most will just laugh about that. I wonder though if it isn't a reflection of the degradation in societal norms. Was a day when we were held to a higher standard. Now, we just lower the standard. But that has been said of every generation and is likely to remain that way. The days of chivalry and proper manners are long gone and not likely to return. Societal norms are ever changing. Piercings and gauging are becoming popular. They are tolerated, the piercings anyway, I'm not certain about the whole gauging thing. If the axiom holds true, they will become the norm. Something to think about. I wonder what is next?
 I do wonder though about the rise in tattoos. I hear many talk about how personal they are. They talk about getting inked. But why exactly do people get tattoos? I got mine while in the Navy, a way to fit in, a way to be accepted. It was almost a part of the uniform! And the selection of a Tattoo was influenced by those around you, at least it was in my observation. There were " standard " tattoos in my day, I expect I could tell about the year they were obtained by that. I wonder though if tattoos aren't obtained in response to insecurity. You can make a statement without having to speak a word! It was that way, to a degree, when I was growing up. If a person had tattoos, they were probably some rough characters. So I wonder, are tattoos today a sign of rebellion or a sign of insecurity? A conformity to society does make us feel more secure. By getting inked are we subconsciously projecting that tough guy image? Living vicariously through ink? Well, maybe some PhD has that answer.
 I will add this much. If you are getting a tattoo that you feel necessary to keep covered, you probably shouldn't get that tattoo. Our sensibilities do change over the years. Tattoos, not so much.    

Whining

 Well the Kentucky Derby has been run and apparently there is a bit of controversy. The first horse across the finish line was disqualified and a 65-1 long shot wins the race. Now the owner of the horse that was disqualified is filing an appeal, he is protesting the results. Not only that his horse will not run at the Preakness Stakes! Guess that'll show 'em. Not sure what it is supposed to prove but that is what they said on the news. I wonder if that horse, Maximum Security, is a Democrat. Sure can't seem to accept the results.
 I know nothing about horse racing, the sport of Kings. Only the wealthy folks fool around with that stuff, while a bunch of seedy characters bet on it. That is the perception I have always had of that. Going to the track wasn't a good thing in the social circles I traveled in. Going to the track meant gambling, something respectable people didn't want to be associated with. Oh, it was alright as long as you made it clear that is was an amusement, you didn't really know anything about it, and was just going to " throw away " a few dollars. You weren't serious about it.
  Well, all that has certainly changed over the years. I vaguely remember the emergence of OTB in New York. Off Track Betting was something new. I even bet two dollars on a horse and won! It was the Derby, I was watching the hype on television and got wrapped up in it. I went to the newly opened OTB and placed my bet. I've never been to an actual race track. I read that OTB is no more, ending in 2010. I don't know why but expect the Internet is somehow responsible. But the rise of gambling certainly hasn't stopped. Scratch offs, what was spoken of in hushed tones  ( the numbers ) are advertised on television these days. Casinos aren't just for Vegas anymore, they are everywhere. All this gambling is the normal thing these days, nothing unusual about any of it. Quite the change since the fifties and sixties. The same could be said about pornography. The magazines back in the day were, by today's standard, cute. Of course there is the Internet that provides all of that stuff a person could ever imagine. I read once were there are literally millions of pornographic websites, more than anything else on the web. And like gambling, it has become an everyday thing, no big deal right. Even the respectable folks just wink a bit and grin about it. Societal values have definitely shifted!
 I understand the owner of that race horse is upset. After all we are talking about millions of dollars. As I said I really don't know much about the game. Are there still seedy characters lurking in the background? When money is involved I would have to say, yes! They say power corrupts and money is power. From what I understand this is only the second time in the history of the derby that a horse was disqualified, the last time a few weeks after the race for a failed drug test. That should tell you something, they were drug testing horses back in 1968 why? There was cheating going on. This time the race stewards made the call. Were they influenced in some fashion? Well, I don't think we will ever know the answer to that question. Perhaps a two year investigation into the matter is called for.
 Well, like I said I know nothing about horse racing and have no vested interest in any of it. Makes no difference to me who won or lost. I'm just listening to the news and all I hear is, I'm protesting! I am not happy with the official result and therefore I am filing an appeal! That's what we have legal teams for. If we can't win in the prescribed fashion we will find a legal loophole! We will sue somebody you can be sure of that! I haven't heard much from the winner, other than that horse will be at the Preakness. I don't know why Maximum Security isn't running, I would think they would want to prove a point. Could it be something isn't quit on the up and up? Makes me wonder. If I was the owner I'd be running that horse and saying, in your face! Well, I guess gentlemen handle these things differently than us paupers. The bottom line to me is, the race has been run, you lost. Tough break now get on it with will you. Is that horse whining? I always thought a horse whinnied.