Thursday, November 28, 2013
IT WAS JUST 57 LITTLE WORDS
More than any other day of the year, today is special. Many of us will gather with family and close friends to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Many traditions will be followed and new traditions will begin. It is our favorite holiday.
As she does every year, Penny will go overboard with the meal. She has been busy in the kitchen for the past two days. Since we have been dieting since February, we will get our first taste of mashed potatoes and pie in a very long time. My friend and I will relax in front of the big screen and enjoy a bit of football.
The sounds and aromas coming from our kitchen will be the highlight of the day.
As our chilly morning begins, I got to thinking. "What am I most thankful for?"
You can be thankful for good health, employment, and your friends. You can even the thankful for world peace. The usual items that of course I am thankful for. Life is good.
But this morning as I poured my first cup of coffee. I noticed a small, yellowing piece of paper affixed to our kitchen freezer.
Picking it up and gazing at the old and faded piece of paper caused me to smile. That is what I am thankful for. It was just 57 little words.
"Are you tired of the dating game as I am ? Were your holidays lonely too. Seeking sincere, honest girl to share long walks, old movies, dinner and good conversation. If you love to cuddle, this college educated, professional in his late thirties would like to meet you. New to the area. Send letter to BOX xxx Star Banner.
How I came to write this prose all those years ago, is another long story best saved for another time. Let's just say that come next January it will be 24 years since it appeared in the local paper.
It was just 57 little words that would change my life forever.
I must have put them in the correct order, as we were married the day after Thanksgiving in 1990. It makes it easy to remember, so we celebrate the day after Thanksgiving. Maybe I should send a thank you note to the Ball State School of Journalism.
Just 57 little words. That's what I am thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!
Friday, November 22, 2013
A GREAT AMERICAN TRAGEDY
The dictionary describes a 'defining moment' as a noun meaning very crucial, critical, decisive, a point of no return and a turning point.
Every generation has them. For my parents, it was December 7, 1941. It was a day that would live in 'infamy.'
For today's generation it has to be September 11, 2001 when those towel headed bastards killed three thousand of our citizens on our own soil.
But that's another story.
Defining moments are moments that we never forget. We know exactly where we were and what we were doing when that moment occurred.
For my generation that defining moment happened fifty years ago today,. November 22, 1963 when a lone gunman fired shots from the Texas School Book Depository and snuffed the life out of the President of the United States.
Sometimes I may forget someone's birthday or an anniversary. Hell, last week I couldn't remember where I put my car keys.
But I remember that day in November like it was yesterday.
I was a twelve year old seventh grader at Hickory Junior High School in Hickory, Pennsylvania. I had gone down to the gymnasium to purchase a book for the weekend.
I was walking towards the book table when a class mate ran up to me. She said "I just heard that someone shot him." "Shot who?" I asked. "The President." was her reply.
By the time I got back to my home room, word had spread. We didn't have cell phones and internet in the olden days, so word did not spread at the speed of light. In those days it was more like the speed of sound. Our teachers did everything they could to keep us calm. The Cuban Missile Crises occurred the year before and was still fresh in all of our young minds. We were all certain that the "Ruskies" had something to do with it and the missiles would soon be flying.
But that was not the case.
When I got home that afternoon, mother had the TV on. I will never forget those three days. Everyone was glued to the TV watching those black and white images.
Certain images from that long and dreadful weekend are permanently etched upon my brain.
The plane unloading the casket back in Washington, where we saw the blood stains on Mrs. Kennedy's dress. I remember being glad that we didn't have a color TV.
The images of that nut case bar owner stuffing a gun in the gut of the assassin. (Notice I did not use the word "alleged")
The riderless horse and the flag draped casket as it went down Pennsylvania Avenue.
But the image I remember best, and maybe it's because we see it so often is that of a young boy almost three years old saluting his father.
Those few moments 50 years ago, changed the course of history. Just like December 7 and September 11.
I wonder what would have occurred had those shots not been fired on that November day in Dallas.
JFK would have certainly been re-elected in 1964 and would have paved the way for his brothers election in 1968.
Just think: No Nixon. No Watergate. What would have happened in Vietnam? Would he have pulled us out? We will never know.
Our history is dotted with defining moments, some huge like that day in Dallas, some so minor we don't even notice them. Maybe a car accident that claims the life of a young man that would have gone on to discover a cure for cancer. Or a college choice gone wrong that may have led to another great discovery.
It makes life interesting and unpredictable.
As I took a few moments this morning to remember, I got to thinking, "No matter what your politics are, we have to agree that it truly was a "Great American Tragedy"
Have a nice Thanksgiving
Every generation has them. For my parents, it was December 7, 1941. It was a day that would live in 'infamy.'
For today's generation it has to be September 11, 2001 when those towel headed bastards killed three thousand of our citizens on our own soil.
But that's another story.
Defining moments are moments that we never forget. We know exactly where we were and what we were doing when that moment occurred.
For my generation that defining moment happened fifty years ago today,. November 22, 1963 when a lone gunman fired shots from the Texas School Book Depository and snuffed the life out of the President of the United States.
Sometimes I may forget someone's birthday or an anniversary. Hell, last week I couldn't remember where I put my car keys.
But I remember that day in November like it was yesterday.
I was a twelve year old seventh grader at Hickory Junior High School in Hickory, Pennsylvania. I had gone down to the gymnasium to purchase a book for the weekend.
I was walking towards the book table when a class mate ran up to me. She said "I just heard that someone shot him." "Shot who?" I asked. "The President." was her reply.
By the time I got back to my home room, word had spread. We didn't have cell phones and internet in the olden days, so word did not spread at the speed of light. In those days it was more like the speed of sound. Our teachers did everything they could to keep us calm. The Cuban Missile Crises occurred the year before and was still fresh in all of our young minds. We were all certain that the "Ruskies" had something to do with it and the missiles would soon be flying.
But that was not the case.
When I got home that afternoon, mother had the TV on. I will never forget those three days. Everyone was glued to the TV watching those black and white images.
Certain images from that long and dreadful weekend are permanently etched upon my brain.
The plane unloading the casket back in Washington, where we saw the blood stains on Mrs. Kennedy's dress. I remember being glad that we didn't have a color TV.
The images of that nut case bar owner stuffing a gun in the gut of the assassin. (Notice I did not use the word "alleged")
The riderless horse and the flag draped casket as it went down Pennsylvania Avenue.
But the image I remember best, and maybe it's because we see it so often is that of a young boy almost three years old saluting his father.
Those few moments 50 years ago, changed the course of history. Just like December 7 and September 11.
I wonder what would have occurred had those shots not been fired on that November day in Dallas.
JFK would have certainly been re-elected in 1964 and would have paved the way for his brothers election in 1968.
Just think: No Nixon. No Watergate. What would have happened in Vietnam? Would he have pulled us out? We will never know.
Our history is dotted with defining moments, some huge like that day in Dallas, some so minor we don't even notice them. Maybe a car accident that claims the life of a young man that would have gone on to discover a cure for cancer. Or a college choice gone wrong that may have led to another great discovery.
It makes life interesting and unpredictable.
As I took a few moments this morning to remember, I got to thinking, "No matter what your politics are, we have to agree that it truly was a "Great American Tragedy"
Have a nice Thanksgiving
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
WHAT THE HELL IS A DRUM CIRCLE ?
I love living downtown. One block from City Hall and three blocks from the downtown square.
There is always something to do. There is an art gallery, old fashioned movie theater, plays, and too many bars and restaurants to mention. Summer Jam sessions and Ghost tours to name just a few.
http://www.feeldowntownocala.com/2013/09/19/start-your-weekend-in-downtown-ocala-5/
Recently the city built a "Citizen's Circle." Located next to City Hall, it is a gathering place for many local events. The sounds of the free concerts from all genres of music can be heard on our front porch.
Last Friday night as I settled into my easy chair to watch a re-run of "Big Bang," my wife says to me, "They are having a drum circle down at the Citizen's Circle. You wanna go?"
So I thought to myself, "What the hell is a Drum Circle?"
Being the curious type, I could not resist.
I discovered that a drum circle is exactly that. A group of people sitting in a circle banging on some drums.
Sounds silly doesn't it?
I am here to tell you. It was a blast.
I am not much on audience participation or anything "woo woo." I leave that up to my wife. I am more grounded. Being an Engineer by trade, I tend to go with facts and figures.
There were people of all ages. Some were dressed as a throwback to the sixties. I could not tell if they were hippies or gypsies. But I could tell that they were all having fun. I wondered if Cher was going to show up and start belting out "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves."
There did not seem to be a leader. Someone would start a beat and then every one would join in. I was amazed at how everyone seemed to join together as one.
At one point I swear I could hear the intro to Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk."
As I sat there on the ledge with some dear friends, I realized something.
These were happy people. The work week was over for many of them.
They weren't thinking about paying bills, Obama Care, or who at work was out to get them. They were sitting in their chairs enjoying their spare time with others.
The kids were dancing. Everyone was smiling. I think they have the right idea.
Maybe there is more to this 'woo woo' stuff than I thought.
So, your assignment for this week. Go out and enjoy something.
I hear that this Friday night, 'The Little River Band' is giving a free concert. Maybe they can talk Ocala's own 'Royal Guardsmen' into stopping by with their dog 'Snoopy'.
I know where I will be.
There is always something to do. There is an art gallery, old fashioned movie theater, plays, and too many bars and restaurants to mention. Summer Jam sessions and Ghost tours to name just a few.
http://www.feeldowntownocala.com/2013/09/19/start-your-weekend-in-downtown-ocala-5/
Recently the city built a "Citizen's Circle." Located next to City Hall, it is a gathering place for many local events. The sounds of the free concerts from all genres of music can be heard on our front porch.
Last Friday night as I settled into my easy chair to watch a re-run of "Big Bang," my wife says to me, "They are having a drum circle down at the Citizen's Circle. You wanna go?"
So I thought to myself, "What the hell is a Drum Circle?"
Being the curious type, I could not resist.
I discovered that a drum circle is exactly that. A group of people sitting in a circle banging on some drums.
Sounds silly doesn't it?
I am here to tell you. It was a blast.
I am not much on audience participation or anything "woo woo." I leave that up to my wife. I am more grounded. Being an Engineer by trade, I tend to go with facts and figures.
There were people of all ages. Some were dressed as a throwback to the sixties. I could not tell if they were hippies or gypsies. But I could tell that they were all having fun. I wondered if Cher was going to show up and start belting out "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves."
There did not seem to be a leader. Someone would start a beat and then every one would join in. I was amazed at how everyone seemed to join together as one.
At one point I swear I could hear the intro to Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk."
As I sat there on the ledge with some dear friends, I realized something.
These were happy people. The work week was over for many of them.
They weren't thinking about paying bills, Obama Care, or who at work was out to get them. They were sitting in their chairs enjoying their spare time with others.
The kids were dancing. Everyone was smiling. I think they have the right idea.
Maybe there is more to this 'woo woo' stuff than I thought.
So, your assignment for this week. Go out and enjoy something.
I hear that this Friday night, 'The Little River Band' is giving a free concert. Maybe they can talk Ocala's own 'Royal Guardsmen' into stopping by with their dog 'Snoopy'.
I know where I will be.
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