It was a mere 365-days ago when we book-marked a time period as 2019. In a blink of an eye we repeat our celebratory moment as we reflect on yesterday and embrace hope in tomorrow. As life continues to long for itself, we suspected interlopers tend to define this journey in self-serving terms. How did 2019 treat 'me' and what can 'I' hope for in 2020? In spite of our tendency towards self-desires it is obvious to most that our hopes, fears and experiences are similar.
This past year's journey undoubtedly exposed our human vulnerabilities, lifted our spirits, created anxiety, placed us in times of both joyous celebration and deep sorrow. We likely got caught up in current events and those debates that separate us in political philosophy and personal faith. I'm sure toleration and consideration for others was tested.
A new beginning perhaps will help us to re-shape our manner of engagement with those who share these times. I am reminded this final day of 2019: 'If it's machinery it will break; if it's animal it will die; everything else will change.' And...Only Father Time goes Undefeated.
Happy New Beginning...once again. I wish you peace of spirit.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Midnight Musings
During those thirty-seven high school basketball coaching seasons, I often woke up in the after mid-night hours thinking of some coaching strategy or if after a game the night before, my first awakened thought was 'Did we win or lose last night?' I don't do that any longer and it stands to reason for I no longer have a team and that remains the greatest thing I miss from my coaching years...I don't have a team.
I still wake up occasionally at those 'wee hours' but my thoughts are often on an array of other matters. Just last night, I woke up at 2:00 AM and could not get back to sleep. I wondered two things: 1) Who decided which Presidents' busts would be sculptured on Mount Rushmore and 2) If that decision was to be made today, which four busts would be chosen for The Black Hills of South Dakota?
Not to casually dismiss this thought process, I got out of bed and did some research. I discovered that President Calvin Coolidge signed off on Congress' funding of the Mount Rushmore project and the four Presidents chosen were done so at the discretion of sculpture Gutzon Borglum. George Washington, Borglum reasoned was the father of this new democracy. Borglum believed Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence that would serve as a democracy model for all nations. The talented stone carver believed Theodore Roosevelt represented America's development and Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union.
When my Wikipedia reading was complete, I settled back and gave personal thought to a re-design of Mount Rushmore. Since the time of Sculpture Borglum's decision there have been 15-additional American Presidents. I carefully considered those 15- Presidents since Coolidge wondering should any displace current Rushmore Honorees. My answer? Yes.
I would keep George, Abe and Thomas but replace Teddy with fifth cousin FDR. Honorable Mention went to Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman. I'd offer my reasoning but you need to do your own research...or you can wait until somebody tells you how and what to think on the Internet. I'm going back to bed.
Who's on YOU'RE Mount Rushmore?
I still wake up occasionally at those 'wee hours' but my thoughts are often on an array of other matters. Just last night, I woke up at 2:00 AM and could not get back to sleep. I wondered two things: 1) Who decided which Presidents' busts would be sculptured on Mount Rushmore and 2) If that decision was to be made today, which four busts would be chosen for The Black Hills of South Dakota?
Not to casually dismiss this thought process, I got out of bed and did some research. I discovered that President Calvin Coolidge signed off on Congress' funding of the Mount Rushmore project and the four Presidents chosen were done so at the discretion of sculpture Gutzon Borglum. George Washington, Borglum reasoned was the father of this new democracy. Borglum believed Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence that would serve as a democracy model for all nations. The talented stone carver believed Theodore Roosevelt represented America's development and Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union.
When my Wikipedia reading was complete, I settled back and gave personal thought to a re-design of Mount Rushmore. Since the time of Sculpture Borglum's decision there have been 15-additional American Presidents. I carefully considered those 15- Presidents since Coolidge wondering should any displace current Rushmore Honorees. My answer? Yes.
I would keep George, Abe and Thomas but replace Teddy with fifth cousin FDR. Honorable Mention went to Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman. I'd offer my reasoning but you need to do your own research...or you can wait until somebody tells you how and what to think on the Internet. I'm going back to bed.
Who's on YOU'RE Mount Rushmore?
Sunday, December 22, 2019
A Spirit Bruised but Not Broken
I pen these thoughts with two-fold reasoning: First, as an opportunity to cleanse my mind entering the New Year as I admit that I have guilt; secondly, I share the thoughts for your judgment of this writer or your personal examination, as you wish.
Each day, I read the news, listen to the national discourse and consider the pundints' analysis only to be left in a fog of societal divisiveness, bitter finger pointing and a greater separation from human decency and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I am a product of a youth that feared an imaginary boogieman. Today, my grandchildren face real evil at every turn. Youngsters cannot ride bicycles across town and spend endless hours with friends. Their school fire drills may be familiar to years ago as they practice orderly escape routes but these drills are not to be confused with 'active shooter' drills, which are more likely to be used. Too often mass shooting stories lead the evening news. I am saddened.
Many days find us watching television and praying for those in the path of some natural disaster, i.e. Floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes or earthquakes. Often times, our people lose sight of rescue assistance for the needy but instead become entangled in some angry attack of a government leaders. I personally feel frustration attempting to process and apply my professed Christian principles against the secular debate for action. I carry guilt regarding the landscape that will be inherited by my grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I have fallen victim to more close-mindedness and the self-serving desire to 'be right' rather than 'getting it right.' I often wonder if that comes with senior-intolerance or perhaps my allowing immature blaming of others to invade my once anchored Christian beliefs in goodness towards all at all times, in all circumstances.
I must re-think. I must remind myself at the dawn of each new day that I can stand for something without vilifying those who stand against me and go forth each day and live in a manner to exemplify that goodness, which I seemingly have ignored. My spirit is bruised but my resolve must keep it unbroken.
Each day, I read the news, listen to the national discourse and consider the pundints' analysis only to be left in a fog of societal divisiveness, bitter finger pointing and a greater separation from human decency and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I am a product of a youth that feared an imaginary boogieman. Today, my grandchildren face real evil at every turn. Youngsters cannot ride bicycles across town and spend endless hours with friends. Their school fire drills may be familiar to years ago as they practice orderly escape routes but these drills are not to be confused with 'active shooter' drills, which are more likely to be used. Too often mass shooting stories lead the evening news. I am saddened.
Many days find us watching television and praying for those in the path of some natural disaster, i.e. Floods, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes or earthquakes. Often times, our people lose sight of rescue assistance for the needy but instead become entangled in some angry attack of a government leaders. I personally feel frustration attempting to process and apply my professed Christian principles against the secular debate for action. I carry guilt regarding the landscape that will be inherited by my grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I have fallen victim to more close-mindedness and the self-serving desire to 'be right' rather than 'getting it right.' I often wonder if that comes with senior-intolerance or perhaps my allowing immature blaming of others to invade my once anchored Christian beliefs in goodness towards all at all times, in all circumstances.
I must re-think. I must remind myself at the dawn of each new day that I can stand for something without vilifying those who stand against me and go forth each day and live in a manner to exemplify that goodness, which I seemingly have ignored. My spirit is bruised but my resolve must keep it unbroken.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Random..."moments to remember."
In 1955, the Four Lads singing group released what would become a top hit song laced with nostalgia
recollections. The song lyrics enumerated a list of happy times labeled as "Moments to Remember." I suppose most adults can harken back to those high school days, which indeed render the sweet and perhaps bitter-sweet times of carefree teenage years.
I believe "moments to remember" don't end with our teen journey but continue throughout our lives. Many stapled-moments certainly continued for this writer and I gladly share some with you today as I offer each as a perceived blessing. Please know that my 'moments to remember' are both sweet and tender as well as sad and heart wrenching. Nonetheless, these moments have gripped my heart, shaped my journey and strengthened my walk with Christ. Speaking of Christ, I remember the revival meeting and the preacher the night I answered an alter call and committed my life to God; I was 12-years old.
I remember that sweet shared kiss after exchanged "I Do's," which culminated a seven year courtship with my now wife of 59-years. That remembered-moment is a springboard to a plethora of many cherished moments-to-remember... The birth of three children remain vivid as my anxiousness evaporated knowing a healthy child entered my world of responsibilities. There is no moment that offers a keener sense of a Creator/God than that midnight hour moment while pressing a crying baby against my chest while rocking it to sleep.
Oh my, I recall that moment my wife and I left a child on a college campus and drove away with tears. I was torn inside with mixed emotions with the knowledge that the parent-child relationship journey in that moment changed forever. As life continues to long for itself, I recall many moments of joy in the accomplishments of my children, their moments of wedding celebrations and the joys of grand-children and great grand-children and their experiences.
I remember heart-gripping family death-vigil moments as my wife and I held the hands of parents and grandparents who slowly slipped away from their respective earthly journeys. Those were perhaps the most reflective hours in my personal journey. Those quiet and sober moments conjured up endless joys, blueprints for living and the reality loss.
I have a post it at my bedside, which I read every morning. It reads: 'Today offers a chance to make ouch a life and make a memory.' You also have the same daily offer.
recollections. The song lyrics enumerated a list of happy times labeled as "Moments to Remember." I suppose most adults can harken back to those high school days, which indeed render the sweet and perhaps bitter-sweet times of carefree teenage years.
I believe "moments to remember" don't end with our teen journey but continue throughout our lives. Many stapled-moments certainly continued for this writer and I gladly share some with you today as I offer each as a perceived blessing. Please know that my 'moments to remember' are both sweet and tender as well as sad and heart wrenching. Nonetheless, these moments have gripped my heart, shaped my journey and strengthened my walk with Christ. Speaking of Christ, I remember the revival meeting and the preacher the night I answered an alter call and committed my life to God; I was 12-years old.
I remember that sweet shared kiss after exchanged "I Do's," which culminated a seven year courtship with my now wife of 59-years. That remembered-moment is a springboard to a plethora of many cherished moments-to-remember... The birth of three children remain vivid as my anxiousness evaporated knowing a healthy child entered my world of responsibilities. There is no moment that offers a keener sense of a Creator/God than that midnight hour moment while pressing a crying baby against my chest while rocking it to sleep.
Oh my, I recall that moment my wife and I left a child on a college campus and drove away with tears. I was torn inside with mixed emotions with the knowledge that the parent-child relationship journey in that moment changed forever. As life continues to long for itself, I recall many moments of joy in the accomplishments of my children, their moments of wedding celebrations and the joys of grand-children and great grand-children and their experiences.
I remember heart-gripping family death-vigil moments as my wife and I held the hands of parents and grandparents who slowly slipped away from their respective earthly journeys. Those were perhaps the most reflective hours in my personal journey. Those quiet and sober moments conjured up endless joys, blueprints for living and the reality loss.
I have a post it at my bedside, which I read every morning. It reads: 'Today offers a chance to make ouch a life and make a memory.' You also have the same daily offer.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
That's My Take
The recently completed House of Representatives impeachment hearings saw numerous witnesses called to testify. The preponderance of their testimony was an indictment of President Trump, which caused the House Democrats to settle on two articles of impeachment, which they will likely pass along to the Senate for a trial.
Finally, the GOP Senators who have constantly pointed out how the House process was flawed and noted that Trump was handicapped by not being able to 'call' witnesses, will be is a position of control and thus can exercise a proper process allowing Trump to call in witnesses to exonerate him of all bogus claims of wrong-doing.
I just can't wait to see this right-way process implemented and a constitutionally fair trial with witnesses.
Finally, the GOP Senators who have constantly pointed out how the House process was flawed and noted that Trump was handicapped by not being able to 'call' witnesses, will be is a position of control and thus can exercise a proper process allowing Trump to call in witnesses to exonerate him of all bogus claims of wrong-doing.
I just can't wait to see this right-way process implemented and a constitutionally fair trial with witnesses.
Monday, December 16, 2019
"A New Commandment I Give You..."
I suppose my wife is like millions of American women who enjoys the Hallmark Channel, which airs endless television Christmas love stories. She can lock into a marathon of those back-to-back chick-flicks. Occasionally, I watch the first three minutes of a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie just to irritate her with my sarcastic tongue-in check comments, i.e., "Oh boy, lots of snow, bet there's gunna be a snowball fight." Or "The brunette is my pick for the girl the fella's gunna choose." At some point, my wife quickly suggests (among other things) that I leave the room.
My wife is unlike many viewers who threatened to boycott Hallmark over the Zola wedding planner ad recently aired on the Hallmark Channel, which depicted two lesbians kissing after their wedding.
Go figure, eh? These far right conservative-Evangelical folks are the same people who fail to connect the dots of two parents named (Joseph and Mary) who fled their village with son, Jesus seeking refuge from violence to the (foreign) parents seeking refuge and safety at our Southwest borders. Personally, as a grandparent, I'm not bothered one iota by my grandkids seeing two lesbians or two gay men kissing. Nope, not as much as I am by the reality that my grandkids and great-grandkids must practice 'active-shooter-drills' periodically because it may save their lives between recess and lunch at their elementary school. Yet the same conservative-Evangelicals who get in a dither about sex don't give two-hoots about children in harms way in a society, which is permissive with automatic weapons ownership.
Seems anymore if you're not 'white and straight, you're subject to hate.'
..."Love one another as I have loved you." And..."Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
My wife is unlike many viewers who threatened to boycott Hallmark over the Zola wedding planner ad recently aired on the Hallmark Channel, which depicted two lesbians kissing after their wedding.
Go figure, eh? These far right conservative-Evangelical folks are the same people who fail to connect the dots of two parents named (Joseph and Mary) who fled their village with son, Jesus seeking refuge from violence to the (foreign) parents seeking refuge and safety at our Southwest borders. Personally, as a grandparent, I'm not bothered one iota by my grandkids seeing two lesbians or two gay men kissing. Nope, not as much as I am by the reality that my grandkids and great-grandkids must practice 'active-shooter-drills' periodically because it may save their lives between recess and lunch at their elementary school. Yet the same conservative-Evangelicals who get in a dither about sex don't give two-hoots about children in harms way in a society, which is permissive with automatic weapons ownership.
Seems anymore if you're not 'white and straight, you're subject to hate.'
..."Love one another as I have loved you." And..."Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Keeping My List to Groceries
I have never been one to seriously focus on New Year's Resolutions. I believe my reluctance to itemize such thoughts is anchored in two realities: first, I likely won't keep these grandiose pledges and secondly, this time of year already holds enough pressure without producing a document that confirms my weaknesses and failures of the past 365 days.
Look, I've been under the gun to complete a coordination-responsibility of a sports' tournament, meet numerous year-end medical appointments for both my wife and me, when I no sooner return from tossing that gross Thanksgiving turkey carcass and I hear my wife's voice telling me to get the Christmas decorations from the attic and blah, blah...
After putting up far too many decorations, which few people notice, I must have enough energy to be a pleasant host to our family gathering of 25+, watch an endless number of college football games and then put away all those decorations before heading South for a couple of months. I don't have time to give serious thinking to a New Year's resolution list...but should I, the list would resemble something like this...with a rationale:
1) Reduce my weight from 200-to-195...because most people put weight reduction on this list.
2) Stop dissing on Republicans who support President Trump...because it makes no difference.
3) Think calming thoughts when a baseball analyst mentions 'launch angle'...my blood pressure!
4) Look for a morning coffee group to join because my wife says I need some buddies.
5) Remember to take the dog for morning walks...therefore avoiding resolution #4.
6) Watch more movies on television...thus avoid depressing news.
7) Do more cooking...it's a fun passion trying new recipes.
8) Reshape backyard landscaping...because it's barren after removal of two 85-year old Ash trees.
9) *Try to figure out the following statements:
February 17, 2016..."I think he (Trump) is a kook. I think he's crazy. I think he's unfit for
Office." Lindsey Graham
November 30, 2017..."The media tries to paint Trump as a kook and unfit for office."
Lindsey Graham
*Note: Do you see the futility in this New Years resolution list? I've already broken #2
Look, I've been under the gun to complete a coordination-responsibility of a sports' tournament, meet numerous year-end medical appointments for both my wife and me, when I no sooner return from tossing that gross Thanksgiving turkey carcass and I hear my wife's voice telling me to get the Christmas decorations from the attic and blah, blah...
After putting up far too many decorations, which few people notice, I must have enough energy to be a pleasant host to our family gathering of 25+, watch an endless number of college football games and then put away all those decorations before heading South for a couple of months. I don't have time to give serious thinking to a New Year's resolution list...but should I, the list would resemble something like this...with a rationale:
1) Reduce my weight from 200-to-195...because most people put weight reduction on this list.
2) Stop dissing on Republicans who support President Trump...because it makes no difference.
3) Think calming thoughts when a baseball analyst mentions 'launch angle'...my blood pressure!
4) Look for a morning coffee group to join because my wife says I need some buddies.
5) Remember to take the dog for morning walks...therefore avoiding resolution #4.
6) Watch more movies on television...thus avoid depressing news.
7) Do more cooking...it's a fun passion trying new recipes.
8) Reshape backyard landscaping...because it's barren after removal of two 85-year old Ash trees.
9) *Try to figure out the following statements:
February 17, 2016..."I think he (Trump) is a kook. I think he's crazy. I think he's unfit for
Office." Lindsey Graham
November 30, 2017..."The media tries to paint Trump as a kook and unfit for office."
Lindsey Graham
*Note: Do you see the futility in this New Years resolution list? I've already broken #2
Friday, December 6, 2019
Well, That's My Three Picks
Sure you do. As do I. Once in awhile you think in terms of like-lists. Somebody may ask you what is you favorite pie or candy or movie, etc. We have all experienced a variety of things and consequently, we begin to categorize favorite things and a list is born. So here goes with some of my 'listed' favorites: (I'll keep it to a 3-pick list).
Movie (drama): To Kill a Mockingbird / Godfather / Gone With The Wind
Movie (comedy): Christmas Vacation / Blazing Saddles / No Time For Sergeants
Movie (suspense): Rear Window / Silence of the Lamb / Psycho
Movie (Western): Tombstone / Rio Bravo / Unforgiven
Movie Actresses: Meryl Streep / Katherine Hepburn / Elizabeth Taylor
Movie Actors: Tom Hanks / Marlon Brando / Jack Nicholson
Baseball Position Players: Ozzie Smith / Brooks Robinson / Willie Mays
Baseball Hitters: Ted Williams / Stan Musial / Pete Rose
Baseball Pitchers: Sandy Koufax / Bob Gibson / Warren Spahn
Basketball Players: Michael Jordan / Wilt Chamberlain / Pete Maravich
Football Quarterbacks: Johnny Unitas / Joe Montana / Tom Brady
Football Running Backs: Barry Sanders / Walter Payton / Jim Brown
Football Linebackers: Dick Butkus / Lawrence Taylor / Ray Lewis
Best Presidents: Abe Lincoln / FDR / George Washington
Best TV Dramas: The Sopranos/ ER / St. Elsewhere
Best TV Variety Shows: Ed Sullivan / Show of Shows / Carol Burnett
Best TV Comedy Sitcom: All In The Family / Big Bang Theory / Friends
Best Male Vocalist: Frank Sinatra / Ray Charles / Elvis
Best Female Vocalist: Rosemary Clooney / Etta James / Celine Dion
Best Male Group Singers: Temptations/ Four Seasons / Platters
Best Female Group Singers: McGuire Sisters / Supremes / The Shirelles
Saddest Scenarios: Trump pretending to be Presidential / Evangelicals pretending to be Christian and
Rudy Giuliani pretending to be a Statesman.
Movie (drama): To Kill a Mockingbird / Godfather / Gone With The Wind
Movie (comedy): Christmas Vacation / Blazing Saddles / No Time For Sergeants
Movie (suspense): Rear Window / Silence of the Lamb / Psycho
Movie (Western): Tombstone / Rio Bravo / Unforgiven
Movie Actresses: Meryl Streep / Katherine Hepburn / Elizabeth Taylor
Movie Actors: Tom Hanks / Marlon Brando / Jack Nicholson
Baseball Position Players: Ozzie Smith / Brooks Robinson / Willie Mays
Baseball Hitters: Ted Williams / Stan Musial / Pete Rose
Baseball Pitchers: Sandy Koufax / Bob Gibson / Warren Spahn
Basketball Players: Michael Jordan / Wilt Chamberlain / Pete Maravich
Football Quarterbacks: Johnny Unitas / Joe Montana / Tom Brady
Football Running Backs: Barry Sanders / Walter Payton / Jim Brown
Football Linebackers: Dick Butkus / Lawrence Taylor / Ray Lewis
Best Presidents: Abe Lincoln / FDR / George Washington
Best TV Dramas: The Sopranos/ ER / St. Elsewhere
Best TV Variety Shows: Ed Sullivan / Show of Shows / Carol Burnett
Best TV Comedy Sitcom: All In The Family / Big Bang Theory / Friends
Best Male Vocalist: Frank Sinatra / Ray Charles / Elvis
Best Female Vocalist: Rosemary Clooney / Etta James / Celine Dion
Best Male Group Singers: Temptations/ Four Seasons / Platters
Best Female Group Singers: McGuire Sisters / Supremes / The Shirelles
Saddest Scenarios: Trump pretending to be Presidential / Evangelicals pretending to be Christian and
Rudy Giuliani pretending to be a Statesman.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Can't Help The Anticipation
Frequently there are settings, circumstances and scenarios that cause us to have some additional expectations. When I go to a religious church service, I expect there will be an offering calling.
When I hear the trumpet sound, Dada, dada, da dot da dah!...I expect sports fans will yell, "Charge!"
If I walk into my favorite bakery, I anticipate the inviting aroma of baking dough.
Recently, I have viewed several television interviews with United States Senator, John Kennedy from Louisiana. Now Kennedy is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. Kennedy, like his President wants others to believe that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 American election...not just Russia as reported by our various intelligence agencies.
When the marshy bayou-mush-mouth Senator speaks in his high-pitched tone, I cannot help but to expect at any moment that bib-coveralls-wearing, Junior Samples will pop-up behind Kennedy and yell out, "HEE HAW!"
When I hear the trumpet sound, Dada, dada, da dot da dah!...I expect sports fans will yell, "Charge!"
If I walk into my favorite bakery, I anticipate the inviting aroma of baking dough.
Recently, I have viewed several television interviews with United States Senator, John Kennedy from Louisiana. Now Kennedy is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. Kennedy, like his President wants others to believe that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 American election...not just Russia as reported by our various intelligence agencies.
When the marshy bayou-mush-mouth Senator speaks in his high-pitched tone, I cannot help but to expect at any moment that bib-coveralls-wearing, Junior Samples will pop-up behind Kennedy and yell out, "HEE HAW!"
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