How the States Got Their Shapes

I am watching the History Channel's How the State's Got Their Shape? http://www.history.com/shows/how-the-states-got-their-shapes.  I have seen this show before, and it is a fun way to hear about history stories.

Watching the part about Vermont awakened some nostalgia in me:  Seeing the very New England villages and houses.  Knowing how fun and nice it was to be able to cross over to Canada with little deterrence.  We did not do that often, but it was nice when we could. 

We used Canadian money interchangeably with US money, although the exchange was not exactly equal.  The only thing, the Canadian coinage did not work in vending machines.

So, those are some nice moments evoked by this show.

The Way We Treat Americans

I went to a book discussion group 4/21/11, and we talked about the book: "The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. http://www.jamieford.com/novels/.  It is a very good story about the Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans in America during World War II, when, if you remember, the Japanese were interred due to their heritage.

We talked about this a lot: Most of us were not exposed to this part of American history as we were growing up. We seemed to be aware that there was a period in history when children of immigrants were encouraged to learn the new language (American English) but we did not know about the overzealous atrocities of the government to confine the people of Japanese heritage, during the war.

Our government has treated other peoples, as a whole, unwholesomely.  Certainly, the Native Americans fit into this category.  So too, the African-Americans. Jewish Americans.  The Germans, especially during World War I.

Most of the book group echoed the same sentiment: we are now doing the same to the Muslims. This is sad. We do not need to treat people of different heritage as the enemy, just because they are different.

We need to learn from our past, that our differences do not make us enemies, and although we have differences, our similarities are more prevalent.

Veteran's Day or Armistice Day

World War I:  The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month:  Armistice for World War I...

This was the war to end all wars...

But then, World War II...

Now, we celebrate Veteran's Day as November 11... Formerly Armistice Day.  We commemorate the Veterans who have served. I hope we pay them homage that is appropriate.

Our nation has become more aware of commemorating, celebrating, and just plain acknowledging the people of our nation who serve in the Armed Services.  We can not thank them enough for what they do..

One day a year is not enough... If you know a veteran, let them know how much you appreciate them...

Remember to Vote Early

Remember to vote early.  In the State of Texas, in 2010 voting early is easy. http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/pamphlets/earlyvote.shtml  It is so amazingly easy, voting early in Texas includes "curbside voting."  Wow!

Voting early in Texas is not related to absentee balloting, which is still a part of the voting early option. Voting early may involve someone who is going to be absent during election time, someone who is elderly, disabled, in the Armed Services, or otherwise confined but eligible to vote.

There are lots of options, exceptions and aids to allow for voting.  Isn't this wonderful! 

What are the advantages of voting early: 

Many sights have early and late hours, including weekend hours, so voting can be accomplished around work/school schedules.

Many voting early sights are convenient: where you shop, go to school, go to church, or conduct government business.

County wide voting early means you can find a voting sight convenient for you, the voter, not necessarily the designated sight for your precinct, which, because of voting times on election day, may not actually be convenient for the voter.

If the voter will be otherwise unavailable on election day, voting early allows this civic duty to be accomplished.

Early voting, by reporting interest, can influence people to turn out.



However, voting early can be problematic:

Early voting requires the voter to make a decision before all the campaign information is in... Sometimes, there are last minute campaign activities that can reverse voters' decisions.

Early voting, by reporting interest and numbers, make voters assume that their one vote will not count nor influence an election.

Voting was not always an option for all the citizens of this country.  http://www.crmvet.org/info/votehist.htm

Texas has it's own timeline regarding voting:
http://www.google.com/search?q=The+history+of+voting+in+Texas&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBF#q=The+history+of+voting+in+Texas&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBF&prmd=iv&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=q0bGTNL0LIG8lQfGhYWaAg&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CEwQ5wIwCg&fp=966e4c99a803535a

The point is, voting access has changed, and citizens are encouraged to get out and vote!

Gozaic

I was watching PBS tonight, and they talked about the website Gozaic http://gozaic.com/Connect/.  It is supposed to be a website that can connect you with information about various cultural and historic events.  I have spent a few minutes on the site... It seems a little busy, and too overloaded to be much help, but maybe I will get better at refining my searches.

The Day the World Came to Town

I have written about Gander, Newfoundland before, when I watched the documentary about the international airline flights diverted there immediately after 9/11/2001.  Read about Tom Brokaw working on the story: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/09/17/brokaw-newfoundland.html



Read about it at the Gander Airport website http://www.ganderairport.com/911.htm


Well, I finally read the book: which Jim DeFede wrote: "The Day The World Came to Town."
http://www.harpercollins.com/book/index.aspx?isbn=9780060559717.  I will say that the book was everything I had hoped it would be:  It recounted the history of the attacks, gave a brief history of the Gander Airport, and then told the story of the town and the "plane people."  Not all was goodness and light.  It was a real story, with some less than positive moments, but what would we expect under such dire circumstances.  Overall, however, it was a most feel good, inspiring story of people reaching out and taking care of people...Just amazing!


I would highly recommend it, if you have not read it...

National Parks or Monuments

So, I am wondering what National Parks or Monuments I have visited: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm

I have toured Big Bend in Texas.

I have toured the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

I have driven part of the Blue Ridge Parkway both in North Carolina and Virginia.

I have been to parts of the Boston Historic National Park:  Fanuel Hall, Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, and maybe more...

I have been to Bryce Canyon, Cape Hatteras, Cape Cod, Capulin Volcano, and Carlsbad Caverns.

I have driven through Cumberland Gap, through Delaware Water Cap, and by the Devil's Tower, and along the Erie Canal, but never saw any National Heritage Corridor signs.

I have been to Fort Davis National Historic Sight, toured Gettysburg, been to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, the Grand Canyon, the Grand Tetons, the Great Smokey Mountains, driven through the Guadalupe Mountains, and driven along the Hudson River.

I have been to Lake Meredith and to the Minuteman National Historic Park. I have been to Niagara Falls, the Petrified Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park, Saguaro National Park,  one of the San Antonio Missions, driven through part of Shenandoah National Park, and toured the Springfield Armory.

I have driven through the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, been through Vicksburg, and been to the White Sands National Monument, to Yellowstone, and to Zion National Park....

Wow, I have been to a lot of places, but have a lot to go.....

The Seventh Inning Stretch

I am sure I have written about this before, but watching New York Yankee baseball always brings this to mind:  the seventh inning stretch.

As a salute to America, the weekend baseball games of Major League Baseball include a rendition of "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch. Many of the television stations that televise these games show this...

At Yankee Stadium in New York City, "God Bless America" is performed during every seventh inning stretch.

It is good that "America's Pastime" salutes America in such a patriotic, respectful way...

Adult Learning

Two years ago, I joined the Texas Tech Osher Life Long Learning Institute, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/outreach/ , which is a series of mini-classes, lunch and learn, reading circles, symphony and dinner for adults over 50.  The topics vary, there are no grades, no homework.  They take input regarding topics. 

I have really enjoyed the various classes I have taken: astrology, archeology of the Lubbock area, the reading circle, comparative religion, reading and mystery books seminars, printing, symphony and a pre-symphony meal, to name a few.

I will be signing up for more classes tomorrow: there is an orientation/sign up session at the Frazier Pavilion on the Texas Tech Campus. I am looking forward to more classes this fall and next spring... This is exciting.

I recently joined Elderhostel, which has changed it's name to Roads Scholar http://www.roadscholar.org/ . They have a large number of travel/educational experiences both in the United States, and internationally.  Many of the trips are longer than I want to take: I like 3-4 day trips, and many trips are 5 or more days. But some of them look very exciting.  I wish my travel budget was bigger.

Fireworks and Firecrackers

Fireworks and firecrackers are illegal inside the city limits of Lubbock, unless it is a permitted commercial show.   That did not prevent many of my neighbors from setting off their own many, many fireworks or firecrackers.  It started late evening, and lasted after mid-night. Sake hid out, and I did not see her until well after breakfast time this morning, when she was screeching in the kitchen at a moth which she was trying to catch.

I went out a couple of times last night, to be sure the heavy odor of smoke was from the noisemakers and not a real fire.  Otherwise, I sat in side, with a very affectionate, clinging Haiku...

There are a lot of reasons not to set off fireworks and firecrackers in residential areas: the safety factor for those who are setting of the works, the fire safety factor (so many people mentioned it was so wet in Lubbock, that was a non-issue this year), and consideration for elderly, or ill neighbors, or family pets and small children who react adversely to the noise and smell of smoke....

Having said that, I love the oohs and aahs of reacting to fireworks....

Does England Have a Fourth of July

We have all heard the old joke "Does England have a Fourth of July/"  Well, of she does, and France, and Spain, and Italy.  They just do not celebrate Independence Day on the fourth of July.

Last night, as I was casting around looking for a television celebration (very late, after the really good one were done) I heard an announcer say she wants to call it Independence Day Celebration, not Fourth of July.  And, of course, she is right, that truly is what we are celebrating.

I did not do so good this year: many of the local activities were rained out, so I stayed home with a book, and did not think to look for any of the television celebrations.  I understand the Macy's display was excellent, and timed well to the music http://social.macys.com/fireworks/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-fireworks-_-n-_-n .  There is also the Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks http://www.july4th.org/2010_Program/Event_Schedule/.  And, there were others.

This year, I did attend a Memorial Day Service and a DDay Celebration.  I do not think that makes up for not celebrating Independence Day.... Well, the weather is good right now, so the least I can do is fly  the flag!

But, I really do want to be more observant of my country.  I vote regularly.  I just need to celebrate more.!

The Star Spangled Banner

I have to admit to a time in my life when my patriotism was at a very low ebb... Then I met Lisenby, and he was an ex-Marine, and Southern.  But, he was a patriot... and he explained to me how important patriotism is... And, he made me a believer...

Patriotism after the Vietnam War was not a popular thing. Sad to say.

Ronald Reagan, as President, made it okay to be a patriot again, and that was a good thing.

Now, when I hear patriotic songs, my heart swells, my throat clutches, and I want to cry. I love patriotic music. 

I am so glad that "The Star Spangled Banner" is played at the beginning of most sporting events in this country... I go to the West Winds Brass Band concert, and they start each concert with the Star Spangled Banner.  What other events begin with The Star Spangled Banner?  Gee, I do not know.  School children may or may not say "The Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag.  Where, except for sporting events, do we extol our country? I do not know... Oh my. 

How do we expect our country to persist and exist and maintain, if we do not include patriotic acknowledgements in our daily lives.   I am not a zealot.  I am not a fanatic.  I just think we need to recognize our patriotic feelings openly.

A couple of years ago, I was taking a train at an airport from one concourse to the next.  A soldier in uniform got on the car, and an elderly woman immediately spoke to him, telling him that she thanked him for his efforts.  The rest of us in the car echoed that... But, who amongst that group would have thought to do that without the prompting from that woman?  I do not know.

The American Flag flies outside the TDCJ prison unit where  I work... Maybe I need to start saluting that flag every morning, as an acknowledgement of my patriotism...

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

I was recently able to visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame http://www.hoophall.com/ . My first impression was the same as when I went to the National Baseball Hall of Fame:  there is too much information thrown at the viewer all at once. 

But, really, it was not so bad. And, the Naismith Hall of Fame was located in an area that had some shops with athletic clothing for sale, as well as the museum shop, and some restaurants. So, visitors were allowed (even maybe encouraged) to leave, to take a break like a sit down lunch, and return to view the museum.

The basketball hall of fame includes sosme interactive activities for children, and the opportunity to be on the basketball court. Since I was not interested, I did not explore the criteria to be on the floor. The kids on the floor were apparently having a great time...

As with the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the role of basketball in the integration movement is reported... Which, interestingly enough, provides SPORTS as a socially important role in our society... Frankly, I agree strongly with that...

The Chrome Diner Fad

I recently had opportunity to eat dinner at The Chuck Wagon Diner

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBF&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=The+Chuck+Wagon+Diner&fb=1&gl=us&hq=The+Chuck+Wagon+Diner&hnear=Siena+College,+NY&cid=2095122581951968505

The menu was not especially unusual, a combination of barbecue, hamburgers, sandwiches, general hot meals, fried fish, and the assortment of sides and salads.  The food was tasty, the portions generous, service prompt.

What prompted me to stop and eat at this place was that it was an old fashioned chrome diner. If you Google "Chrome Diner" you can see many examples, but not the picture of this diner.  I was not eaves' dropping, but heard the owner tell a customer about what was original, and what was replaced...  I was delighted that there were jukeboxes http://www.google.com/images?q=Chrome+Diners&um=1&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&rlz=1I7ADBF&tbs=isch:1&ndsp=20&imgtype=i_similar&sa=X&ei=QN8aTMuAE4OclgeBxInjDA&ct=img-sim-l&oi=image_sil&resnum=4&tbnid=G35K23QgJvACdM:
at the booths, and my quarter was among those that proved it worked.

This was a pleasant dining experience that included an invitation to return again, the next time I am passing through!

Checking the Weather

I do not get paid for advertising The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/index.html , but this is one of the instances that I really appreciate it.  I have had occasion to be in various parts of the country recently, and having access to The Weather Channel, has helped me to prepare the clothing I packed. 

Granted, the predictions made were not exact, but they were helpful.  Anything that assists with preparing for travel is much appreciated.

Rewarding Good Sportsmanship

If you read my blog, you will recall my writings of June 3, 2010 called "Owning Your Actions" about umpire Jim Joyce, who blew a call that cost Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game, and upon review of the video, revealed that Umpire Joyce blew the call.

He apologized to Galarraga, who was extremely gracious in his acceptance of the apology.  Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said nothing will change regarding the outcome of the game, based on the rules of Major League Baseball.

My thought, in case you did not read my blog, is that both Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga are heroes, the kind of sports figures  that we want to admire, and emulate in character... We can make honest mistakes, but upon doing so, we acknowledge them, apologize, and try harder in the future.

Okay, enter GM, who presents Galarraga with a luxury GM vehicle.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05corvette.html?th&emc=th

Now, the criticism begins.   Because GM had such financial problems that it was bailed out by the US Government, and is still indebted to the government, should spending  be allowed to give gifts or vehicles to certain peoples.

Hopefully, this link will bring you to the story about the gift to Galarraga and also the gifts to a woman who gave birth behind the wheel of a  Cheverolet Cobalt.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05corvette.html?th&emc=th

In my mind, much of the problem with corporate America is that it is self absorbed.  This is reflected in the effort to make "the bottom line" pay off, make the best profit regardless of employee risk or product acceptability; reward its corporate executives at the expense of production, staff compensation, customer satisfaction etc.

Corporate America seemed to have abandoned any awareness of values and character traits such as honesty, graciousness, benevolence, generosity, kindness, fortitude.  The gratuities granted by GM recently may be great marketing tools, but they are bestowed upon people who exhibit some admirable character qualities. 

Do I want my government monies to be spent on honoring good character qualities.  If I did not, I would not have attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the City of Lubbock Cemetery, honoring the veterans buried there.

What is the cost of recognizing good character?   I do not know.  If the gift from GM was truly magnanimous in regards to Galarraga's reaction to the the situation regarding the blown call, then  I say it was a wonderful investment in my country's character development...

Flags

Saturday morning, a friend and I joined the Audubon birdwatching group at the City of Lubbock Cemetery http://cemetery.ci.lubbock.tx.us/ .  As we waited for the group, the cemetery manager joined us and apologized for the Confederate Flag that flew over the Civil War Monument.  He explained that there were Union soldiers mentioned on the monument, and there was a group that came out and put out Confederate flags on the graves of the Confederate Soldiers.

We reassured him that that was not an issue for us, and that we were bird watching.  My personal thoughts on this issue is that I have enough respect, that I can and will respect the fallen soldiers on both sides of that war.  Having visited Gettysburg http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm and Vicksburg http://www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm I will say that I can honor the fallen on both sides of the war, and I am scarred by the horrors of the history of war that I saw.  It makes me believe even more that war is not the answer, communication and cooperation is the answer.

The cemetery manager mentioned the Memorial Day ceremony and a friend and I both said that this year, we wanted to attend.  He commented that this ceremonyhad only occurred for the last 7 or 8 years. I try to keep in touch with what happens in the city, and he is right: except for a few private church ceremonies, the city of Lubbock did not have a ceremony for Memorial Day until the last few years. So sad.

Where I grew up, we had a parade, a gun shot salute, Taps, and flags at the cemetery.

The ceremony today included the information that the City of Lubbock had about 3000 veterans, including 3 Medal of Honor recipients... After the ceremony, the Girl and Boy Scout troops helped to put out flags. The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America were sung. The Marine contingency did the gun salute, the County Sheriff's Department presented the colors (the flag.) We drove around the cemetery, while the scouts were putting out flags.

Tonight, I went back to the cemetery on my way to go kayaking in the same general area.  There were no flags to speak of in the cemetery... There were a  few that were obviously privately placed on tombstones, but beyond that, there were no American flags nor Confederate flags.

I am not sure what to think about that. 

I am interested in your comments.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day weekend.  A friend and I were discussing our failure to fly flags on a regular basis, just waiting for holidays.  And we discussed the fact that there are Memorial Services for this holiday, although I have not attended any of them in Lubbock.

When  have been in Millers Falls, I made a point to attend the parade.  In years past, it was a grand thing, but as the years have passed, it has become less prominent... But the meaning and intent is there.

This year, in Lubbock, there are multiple ceremonies to attend.  Additionally, in commemoration of D-Day, the Silent Wings Museum http://silentwingsmuseum.org/ has a commemoration event for the weekend. 

I am so glad that our country supports, respects and acknowledges our military personnel. I may not agree with the military actions in which they are involved, but I want every person in the various military services: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard how very proud I am of them, how thankful I am of their sacrifices, and I hope I am worthy of their efforts.

The Good Soldier

My niece told me about a video depicting the story of veterans and their understanding about war. The Good Soldier  http://www.thegoodsoldier.com/.  It was hard to watch, but it was important to watch.

I would refer you to the post of 4/30/10 called "A Sickening Sensation" about my reactions to discussing the war, and the comments who would not talk about their experience in war.  We need people to talk about their experiences in war. We need to face the horrors of war so someday, maybe we can find alternatives.

My niece is trying to find alternatives: Her service in Habitat for Humanity, International, for example is an alternative to military service.

I am not saying we should not support our military.  Not only should we support our individual military members, we should so support them that they have what they need when they are in service, and then support them when they return from service.  But the biggest support we can offer to our military is to pray for peace.

The biggest support we can offer to our military, and our country is to work for solutions that recognize this is a small world, one world in which we are all together.  The sooner we understand that our well being is inter-related to the well being of every other individual on this earth, and our efforts to take care of each other will accomplish more than our efforts to dominate each other, the sooner we will learn that our fight is one for survival, not for destruction.

Thanks to my neice for sharing.

A Sickening Sensation

We had a gathering at work today, and the talk turned to the various ways our country shows support for the military. And there are many, personal, and corporate...It is amazing and touching.  It made my heart swell.  And it makes me proud to be an American!

Talk then turned to the difference between the way it is now, and how very different it was during the Vietnam War Era.  We talked about the civil rights climate, the political climate, the way minorities were funneled into the military, the way rank vs. soldiers were treated and behaved.
We also talked about how the returning soldiers were not supported or respected.

I am typing this now quite calmly, but as we discussed these things, I had a visceral reaction that included a churning stomach and weakness in my knees... The physical symptoms persisted for several hours, including an upset stomach for quite some time.

It was amazing to me that the younger members of our group did not have a sense of the political and emotional climate of the times.  But, I am sure I did not have that sense of the 50s or 40s or the Depression Era...

I had no idea I would react like that... I do not think of that era often, and I guess I know why.



Years ago, my 6th grade class asked a member to ask his father if he would talk to us about his experiences on Iwo Jima, when we studied World War II.  His response was there are some things you do not talk about.  When my uncle, who was in the Navy during World War II, was asked about what he did in the war, he would say "I went to England."  After his death, we found a commendation letter for his efforts during D-Day, signed by Admiral Nimitz. 

I have to think it is true, that real soldiers do not want war.  They know the horrors of war.