A Couple Notes

Just a few random thoughts at the end of kinda weird, sometimes crazy, week.

* The ex and I saw "Lincoln" last last night. We both loved it which was no great surprise -- we're both history buffs and fans of Steven Spielberg. (we raised two more so I'm guessing that our kids won't miss it either). Daniel Day Lewis), Tommy Lee Jones, and Sally Field were outstanding (gross understatement) in their roles as President Lincoln,Thaddeus Stevens, and Mary Todd Lincoln respectively and Spielberg's production appeared to be right on -- I especially liked the antique feeling of the film and there was a surprise ending -- which was a surprise in itself. It was a kick to see Lincoln wandering around D.C. without a cadre of Secret Service guys! What bothers me most is that we're still fighting over the same damn stuff. Sigh. Here's the trailer:



* I was appalled at the nastiness that went on here and elsewhere over my Rubio post and I finally deleted/refused a lot of them. I don't have a blog to have my character maligned, my intelligence insulted, and my life torn to shreds and if you came to my home and behaved that way, I'd throw you out post haste. I'm a pretty tough old broad but there's line that decent people shouldn't cross. Thanks to all of you who supported me -- especially Cop Car who ran excellent defense. Those Kansas women are tough and smart!!!

* Speaking of YouTube, in my wanderings there I tripped a pair of delightful, creative young Croatian men who have been taking the music world by storm. They call themselves TwoCellos and are classically trained. Before y'all start yawning, picture cellos hooked to amps and play good old Rock and Roll!!! I just love them -- as I do any artist who really love what they're doing. I don't want to say that they're good but Sir Elton John has become one of their biggest fans. Here's some short video . . . AC/DC and Vivaldi, too. Did you ever think you'd see teens screaming over Vivaldi? They do. Here two videos that show their versatility and talent . . .







Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

Quick Note: Food for Thought

This came in from Undernews -- one of my favorite and best sources. It's definitely food for thought -- especially for those of us who came of age in the Sixties before the GOP sold its soul completely to the Religious Right. None of today's candidates would dare to utter such words without committing political suicide.

Hope y'all enjoyed the blast from the past!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

George Washington (1732-99)

I don't hold much enthusiasm for President's Day. I think that Abraham Lincoln and George Washington each deserve their own day but obviously, it comes down to money -- as do most things in our country today.

Today is George Washington's birthday. "The Father of Our Country" had some excellent advice that has stood the test of time. I think they are worthy of consideration in these troubled times. (Too bad that the people who need them won't see them.) Here are some of his words that I've collected:

On government:

* The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

* Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

On hypocrisy:

* The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.

On honor:

* Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

On war:

* War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will

On the First Amendment:

* If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

On Patriotism:

* Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

On laws:

* Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.

* In general I esteem it a good maxim, that the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably is to promote their true interest.

On charity:

* Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.

On power:

* Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.

On honesty:

* I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an "Honest Man".

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

Tuesday Ramblings

The sturm und drang of politics that has been driving me nuts can only be superseded by bureaucratic paperwork (one of my favorite things -- not!) and I just spent this morning dealing with that. What part of I'm old, I'm poor and nothing changes in Kay's world don't these people understand?
I'm waiting for a call back as I type here. Another call came in and I've some other things to consider which in turn gave me a mental hot foot that I need to make up my mind and do some exploration of some things that I've been considering but that has to be on hold until the weather breaks.

I've been waiting for Sarah Palin to self-destruct and I think it's finally happening. Her behavior in the aftermath of the Tuscon tragedy is an embarrassment even to the Tea Party. The word from my favorite Alaskan blogger is that the denouement will be coming in a month or so and that it's a mind bender. Trust me in that when I know, y'all will know.

A quote from Julius Caesar that I memorized as a high school sophomore (Remember when kids had to memorize stuff?) sprung to mind yesterday as I was reading my blogs the past week and seeing so many people asking 'why?': "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings." -- Julius Caesar (I, ii, 140-141). I think we have to look at ourselves and the people we have elected to lead us either by intent or by neglect. (And yeah, I can still recite most of Marc Antony's funeral oration and The Gettysburg Address -- but I can't remember what I did last week. Sigh.)

I went out on Sunday and spent money. The good news is that I had it. I avoid the Evil Empire (Wal-Mart) like the plague but there are a few things that I can't get other places so I had to go there. I also went to the fancy grocery store out near the mall district for a change -- it's my regular locally owned grocer but it's near an affluent suburb and carries things that my close store doesn't and I picked up some things I like and can't usually get. I also finally went to the crafts/art supply store. Parapluie is a wonderful artist and has been encouraging me to try to do some drawing and/or painting so I finally went and got some materials. Who knows? I might do something that I like well enough to share but not until I finish getting caught up on some housework.

Y'all know I'm a movie buff and an avid Netflix aficionado. Y'all also know that I only write about films that I really like and deem worthy -- otherwise Netflix would have to put me on payroll. I'm not big on war movies but the other night I watched "Glory" starring Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman. It's based on the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry which was one of the first units composed of African Americans in the Civil War. It was a beautiful film and a beautiful story that touched me because so little attention to the role of African American participation in that war. Here's the trailer:



Well, I'm about rambled out for today so I'll just close and say:

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!

Kay

Keeping On Keeping On

I'm still fighting with this cold/whatever and am seriously tired of it. Assorted other nonsense adds to the 'fun' and do rain by the buckets pouring on -- I've had fun and, my friends, this ain't it so forgive me if I'm a bit snarky.

I get assistance with my utility bill because I'm low-income and I dutifully re-certified last month and had a long wait in line outside (which I think is the source of my current illness) and waited inside nearly all damned day last month to get things right -- or so I thought. Wrong!!!! AEP has everything all screwed up and wants me to pay nearly double the amount I'm supposed to pay and shows electricity as my primary heating source -- WRONG! I called Columbus to the Ohio office and they said to tell AEP to fix it so I did and they say our local office has to fix it. Right. I held strong and she finally told me that I needed to talk to the Public Utitlities Commission which almost sent me ballistic but, fortunately, I managed not to lose it. I called the PUCO and talked to a really nice, very helpful young lady named Maggie who checked out everything and said yes, my local agency messed up so I needed to call them which I just did and left a message for them to call. We shall see if they call back. If they don't, I just had a light bulb go off in my brain
and might have an end run through the red tape. Pray, light a candle, think good thoughts or whatever y'all do to get through hell. Thanks!!!!! In my next life I'm gonna be rich.

(Vent mode off)

* I got this marvelous history lesson from Russ up in Wisconsin and it's wonderful food for thought and if y'all forgot what was happening here before the American Revolution, it's a excellent reminder and germane to our country today. Here's an excellent short excerpt:

Incorporated companies with proper limitations and guards,
may in particular cases, be useful, but they are at best a necessary evil only. Monopolies and perpetuities are objects of just abhorrence. The former are unjust to the existing, the latter usurpations on the rights of future generations. It is not strange that the law which will not permit an individual to bequeath his property to the descendants of his own loins for more than a short and strictly defined term, should authorize an associated few to entail perpetual and indefeasible appropriations…? – James Madison, March 10, 1817

* If y'all like to bake for the holidays, you can have some awesome new cookie recipe delivered to your inbox here. I get these every every year and it's fun!!!

* This group's website is self-explanatory and doing good works that are working: Glen Beck kas no sponsors for his program in the UK due to their efforts. Imagine what would happen if we all told his sponsors that we would no longer buy their products/services as long as they funded Beck's lies. It works for me.

& I swiped this video (and added it to my YouTube Channel) from my friend Colleen whose quirky sense of humor meshes with mine!!!! Thanks, girlfriend!!!



* Any weekend the Buckeyes win a nail-biter and I get to hear/see wonderful music, it's a good thing! Too bad such euphoria gets dashed when one returns to the real world. Sigh. Hence the today's song screamed for a sappy oldie. Sigh. Tomorrow I hope to be back to my regular nutty, rockin' self.



Whew!!!! I started this post at 2 PM while I was in 'hold mode' and it's 10 pm now. Can y'all say distractions and interruptions? The worst part is that I don't have the problem resolved there goes my day tomorrow. Sigh.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Wandering with Kay

With all the "sturm and drang" that's been occurring of late, last weekend I decided that I needed to get away from the you-know-what that I was experiencing and go a-wandering to see some of the wonders of flyover country. And I loaded up Miss Ruby and headed northeast. I don't like freeways much because I like seeing the little towns with their shops and that I can just ramble along at a leisurely pace. My days as Mario Andretti are long gone. Heck! Sometimes there are still Burma Shave signs which were a godsend as in playing what we called barnyard poker 'cause you got the 'u' and the 'v' and there are still a few barns displaying Mail Pouch logos.

As I headed north, my first stop was in a tiny village called New Baltimore -- don't blink -- for an cone of homemade ice cream. Serious yum. The challenge, as always was deciding what flavor I wanted but I'm a sucker for their fresh strawberry. It's one of those places that Miss Ruby goes into auto-pilot mode and always stops.

I continued through the little towns that dot the route north enjoying the scenery provided by the farms and other little towns. Our next stop was the village of Hiram, Ohio -- home of one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country and my daughter's alma mater, Hiram College. It's most famous alumni is President James A. Garfield who also served as its president. Poet Vachel Lindsay also attended Hiram. I have a soft spot for this excellent school because it was a godsend for Kate. After not fitting in well in high school, Hiram was the pond where my little girl found a home with the other nerds. I practically had to kidnap her to come home because she loved her life -- both socially and academically -- there so much. This building is typical of the architecture of the buildings on the campus which was founded in 1850.



Here's a not very good shot (sigh) of the central campus:



The college is surrounded by a village wonderful old houses that have been maintained beautifully. It's really a picture postcard town and campus.

I headed north to Burton, Ohio home to a an Amish community so it isn't strange to see buggies along the highway. It's also where a lot of antique shows and flea markets are held. I was glad that it wasn't one of those days because the traffic would have been insane. One of it's interesting points is that the center of town is a traffic circle and in the center of the circle is a lovely park with big log cabin mandated by the city fathers for making maple syrup. Sugar maples abound in the area and maple syrup and candy and other local products as well. I bought a half pint of syrup ($9 -- yikes!), some candy, and a pint jar of fresh apple butter. Below is a photo of the inside of the log cabin and the nice Amish lady who was a font of it's history. (I swear I took an exterior shot but I guess not -- LOL)



The homes around the traffic circle are fabulous examples of Victorian architecture and this one was my favorite:



I'm definitely going back there to check out more of the area -- prolly next summer.

My next destination was to find a little known sight in NE Ohio. It's located on a farm northeast of Burton and I had scanty directions. It's a fifty foot tall statue
of the Virgin of Guadalupe. She is one of my favorite saints and I really wanted to see this wonder and much of the work was done by volunteers. The story is here. And yes, I do believe in miracles. I have to because I am one. I never did find it so I swiped the photo below from the 'net. I did stop and ask for directions but after well over an hour looking for it, I gave it up as a bad job. I do plan to try again another time but it was getting late and I wanted to get up to the lake and find a place to stay overnight.



I headed further north and stopped in a little town called Orwell because I was starving and grabbed a sandwich and coffee and a downpour began. I talked to my waitress and she told me rain was in the forecast for the next couple days from there up to the lake. Yikes!!!! My plan was to go to the beach up at Geneva-on-the-Lake to revisit scenes of my misspent youth's crimes and misdemeanors!!! I bought a newspaper and checked the weather and found my information was correct. I was disappointed and I decided that I would head home. So I did. Sigh. There's always next year.

All in all, it was a nice trip and I enjoyed it immensely. I love trips that don't have a fixed destination or itinerary. I'm going to do some more.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Ohio History: Fort Laurens

I went a-wandering again on Thursday with my new toy (camera) and visited Fort Laurens -- Ohio's only Revolutionary War Fort -- about twenty miles south of me just outside Bolivar. You can learn more about it here.

For now there's the museum and the cemetery as well as markers of the fort's dimensions and reproductions of its excavation. And yes, the re-enactment people use
the grounds now and again.

Do remember that clicking on any of the photos will enlarge them.

Here's the museum: It's not very large but every time I go they've added new displays and great videos on the Fort and its inhabitants.



This map shows the layout of the original Fort.



Here's a reproduction of the living quarters at the fort when construction began in the fall of 1778:



I found the mannequins (is that the right word?) fascinating because they're so lifelike. Here are photos of an American soldier and his enemies: the British and the Native Americans. (Please note that not all the tribes sided with the British and many Native Americans were decorated for their heroism in supporting the Patriots' cause.) And yes, the uniforms are authentic.





I got a chuckle out of these two plaques in the museum. I'm glad to know that these brave men and women kept their sense of humor through an Ohio winter.

Questions:



Answers:



Hope you enjoyed the first leg of my road trip. Tomorrow we'll be heading a few miles down the road from the fort to a lovely and fascinating restored village founded in 1817.

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Ohio History: Schoenbrunn

Last week I took some time to take my new camera for a "tryout" and where better to do it than one of the many historic sites in my neck of the woods? One of my favorite such destinations is a mere 45 minutes south of me -- or less if you don't drive like an old lady -- (grin)! Schoenbrunn was founded as a mission to the Delaware Indians.

I've watched it grow over the years to its current state of reconsruction and restoration. I'm only showing a couple pictures because I wasn't used to the camera and software yet. In fact, I was wandering about the village snapping my little heart out and suddenly message appeared: Out of Memory. I hadn't bothered to look at the card and later discovered that it really didn't have very much memory on it. That is being remedied as I type but it did cut my photographing short.

Here's a typical cabin that the Native Americans built -- quite rustic with a fire pit in the center. That changed as the missionaries introduced them to the tools they used.



Here's a cabin (and interior) typical of the missionaries living quarters:





I had the good fortune to meet the candlemaker. She's one of the many volunteers who give their time to the village and was a font of information about the village and its history. (I also learned that weekends and Thursdays are the best days to see the artisans.) Alas!!! It was Friday.



The schoolhouse is one of the few buildings that almost totally restored. The missionaries not only taught their converts religion -- they educated them.



I'm going back again soon and I'm also planning to visit some other favorite sites so watch this space. LOL

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

Updates and Mid-Week Random Thoughts

It's Wednesday and the middle of the week and the Kay is working on a serious case of tired from dealing with some frustration and lots of busyness. I do appreciate y'all coming by and your unflagging support. Things are not all skittles and beer these days. I'll spare you the gory details and just say that it will be all right once I get my head wrapped around the problem and a satisfactory explanation. Groveling is in order. (I'm joking here.)

* I appreciate your kind remarks on my new template. I've decided that I like it, too, although orange is probably one of my 10 least favorite colors so I may do a little tweaking here and there as I add things.

* Y'all who have hung out here for a while know that I love words so the first paragraph's reference to 'skittles and beer' set me off on a Google search to learn it's etymology. It's roots are in Merry Olde England. Skittles was a bowling-type game played in pubs and of course y'all know about beer. Thus, the phrase refers to a having a good time. My times these days aren't all good but I shall prevail.
Here's a clip from a movie y'all might recall that sorta sums things up in a mere 38seconds and yeah, everything will be all right:



* I've been to two workshops on fiber art at Lynda's gallery and it's really interesting. I'm not really very artistic but Lynda is thrilled with what I've done because I adapted the technique and added "dimension and interest" in her words. God forbid that I do anything by the book!!!

* Russ' Filtered News debunks the cries of "Socialism!" from the GOP and it's toadies at Faux News (talk about "lamestream media"!) very nicely. It's his usual well-documented commentary and, as always, worth a look.

* I'm working very hard at some projects that have languished far too long which is hardly making a dent in all stuff the I want/need to do. Hey!! It's a start!

* I was stunned and amazed at a genealogy site I tripped across that dealt with my forbears on my dad's side. It was truly interesting and I really learned a lot about our family history since we left Scotland. It confirmed what I had long suspected: I'm definitely a candidate for membership the D.A.R. since my great-grandfather (4-5 generations back) was General Washington's water boy at the tender of fourteen and his dad and older brothers all fought in the Revolution. However, I'm with Groucho Marx: "I don't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member." Still, there are a couple good stories that might make good blog fodder.
We'll see.

* I'm hoping to get out of town this weekend with my new camera and visit some of the historic sites in the area and maybe look in on what the Amish are up to these days but we'll see how things go. Either/both are great de-stressors.

* Here's a blast from the summer of '66!!!!!



I tried mightily to get around to visit y'all and hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Snowy Saturday Thoughts and Updates

Wow!!!!! It's Saturday and we're in the midst of our first real snow -- I actually had to get out my snow brush and I put on what I call my stomper boots. I'm not certain how much we're due to get but I brushed over an inch off Miss Ruby this morning because I had to go to the bank to deposit a check which seemed rather surreal.

I realized how rare my visits are to that institution -- I have my SS check on automatic deposit and do most of my banking online but I recall the days when my appearance there at least once a week was almost mandatory and all the tellers knew me by name. I sort of miss that. The computer is making the comfort of human contact a thing of the past and de-personalizing us. Sad. I have whole weeks where I have no real contact other human beings other than my computer. I'm not certain that's a good thing -- convenience isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

* I got my Part D fixed for the coming year and am keeping my current provider. I'm going to pay the $7.66 (which works out to sixty-three cents a month) that Ohio wouldn't pay. Letters have gone out to my state senator and state representatives asking how much the lobbyists paid them because there doesn't seem to be any benefit for us elders. I also mentioned that my vote will be damned hard to get next election and won't hesitate to pass on what I've learned.

* Saw Dr. Maria this week and I have a new scrip -- she said my potassium was a little high and not to worry about it too much but my daily banana has got to go. Sigh.

* Dr. Krishna's (hare hare) PA called and there was no mention of potassium so I guess the diet is off but he ordered another scrip that Medicare doesn't pay for and that's twelve bucks I can't afford every 2 months. He sent me for a thyroid scan last evening so I'm sure they'll call next week with results. Pray.

* I actually felt human a couple days this week and got some things done. I think I have put my finger on part of my health problems.

* Tuesday I see my favorite doctor -- Dr. Jamie, my ophthamologist, for my annual exam and follow-up on my eye infection that I'm pretty sure has healed. He is handsome and fun so it's always a joy. He always pats me on the head because I've done so well since my cataract surgery and always asks about my blog. He thought it a riot that I wrote about it on my blog. His office is a happy place.

* My stepmom sent me a small check for Christmas. I am grateful -- she isn't rich so I, in some ways, wish she hadn't. It also means I can't say I got nothing for Christmas. I have had an itch all week to head up north but the white stuff this morning sorta was a gentle reminder that I really don't want to take that risk. And my undone dental work is also a factor. Sigh.

* Boston Tea Party anniversary responses: From my Congressman: 'We have received your email. Thank you for contacting our office. Due to the increased interest in how Congress is working for Ohioans, please know it may take some time to respond to your particular inquiry'; from Senator Voinovich: nada, zero, zip -- he's retiring and hardly did anything useful anyway-- I liked him when he was governor here; from Senator Brown: "We have received your email. Thank you for contacting our office. Due to the increased interest in how Congress is working for Ohioans, please know it may take some time to respond to your particular inquiry." No one even read it. I have never voted for this idiot and never will. At least Boccieri was polite. I was heartened when I saw 'increased interest in how Congress is working for Ohioans'. It tells me that I'm not alone in my frustration -- we're all mad as hell and want answers! I hope y'all had better results than I did. The phone calls went slightly better but not great.

* Word to the Wise: Y'all may be having teen visitors during the holidays, be careful about letting them use your computer. I don't care how good they are, they go to junky sites the collect all sorts of crapola. Brice was over the other day and he screwed up my computer to a fare-thee-well! I had to do a system restore and assorted other nonsense that I hate to do. And I'm still not sure I have everything right yet.

I hope y'all are ready for the holidays! My decorations are up but my heart really isn't in it. I got my Straight No Chaser CD and it's a delight -- it almost cured my malaise! If you missed my post on them, check it out!!!!!

Here's a video that I found that is a definite mood brightener. It's a blast from my misspent youth and it actually got me out of my chair and dancin' around the house! Enjoy!!!!!!



Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

Escalate in Afghanistan?

I have been a great fan of author James Michener since I was about fourteen -- that's fifty years of reading and re-reading but who's counting? I loved the wonderful, well-researched lessons in history, culture, and geography that he taught in his novels as he wove "can't put it down" story after story of people and places both here and abroad.

And it's one of his novels that is very much on my mind these days and it causes me to look askance -- to put it mildly -- at President Obama's plan to increase our presence in Afghanistan.

Published in 1962, Caravans gives an excellent perspective of post WWII Afghanistan. It is, even now, a nation that holds tightly to its old ways. Change comes at a snail's pace. Tribal infighting and haggling for power among the varied Islamic sects are the norm and women and children are still chattels. The 21st century hasn't taken a foothold there.

This country has been in a state of civil war since the 1970s. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and and spent nearly 10 years fighting there to no avail.
I would think that there would be a lesson for our leaders in that. These people don't appear to want change or freedom.

So why are we investing our money and our sons' and daughters' lives there? Ask your Congressman. I may be over-simplifying but the bottom line is that we can't afford to keep playing policeman to the world when there are pressing issues here at home.

Just my take.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Update: She's Baaaaaaaaaaaacccccckkk!!!!

I am back home, I always love getting out of town for a few days and I always love coming home. I suppose that makes sense if you want it to and I do.

I had an excellent trip to Toledo. I skipped the Ohio Turnpike this time because I simply couldn't cope with driving eighty miles per hour surrounded by trucks too close for comfort. It's draining and I was driving during daylight instead of in the wee hours as I did when I used to head to Motown for weekends. This was better although it took a bit longer.

It was raining fairly heavily when I began my journey and that continued as I made my way to Greenwich, Ohio (don't blink) where my parents and grandparents lived when I was born.
I drove about town and it seems the house where our apartment was is gone. I didn't take many pictures as a result of the rain. As I left town, the rain finally stopped and I headed north to Route 20 to keep a promise I made to an old friend and make sure I got to Toledo at a time when the traffic was manageable. (The huge, very high new bridge over the Maumee River scares the bejaysus outta me! Can you say acrophobia?)

Route 20 is a nice drive through the northwestern farming communities. I call it the flatlands because it so flat. It was once The Great Swamp of Toledo and home to the Shawnee, Delaware (Lenape) and Ottawa Indians and where General "Mad Anthony" Wayne met the great Chief Blue Jacket at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in Maumee and claimed the Ohio Country for the United States. The road is dotted with farms and pretty small towns. When I got to Bellevue, I stopped and had supper with a sorority sister who lives in one of the fabulous Victorian homes on Main Street. These homes are really gorgeous and some of the owners have taken to using the "painted lady" color schemes popular in San Francisco instead of the white or greys I remembered from my childhood when we drove south to visit my grandparents. Again, I didn't take pictures because we yakked too much getting caught up and I needed to get back on the road. I promised Ellie I would come back and stay for a couple days later this summer.

As I drove in on Route 280 and glimpsed the skyline of Toledo, tears welled in my eyes and I got a lump in my throat. I haven't lived there since I was twelve but it will always be home. I got off the expressway at the exit for Ottawa River Road and in a few minutes I was wandering around my old neighborhood recalling the days when life was simpler and I rode my bicycle all over our hood. It's changed a lot. A lot of the landmarks as are many favorite places are gone -- like the Sugar Bowl and Kunkel's where we bought penny candy after school. And I drove by the house where I grew up. No one was home so I didn't get to see what had changed inside. Funny thing though -- the exterior still is painted the same way fifty years later. The big thing I noticed is how small everything seemed. It felt like everything had shrunk: the streets, the houses. the shops -- only the bay and the rivers seemed to feel the same. I guess God's creations have more stability than man's. And yeah, I took pictures a lot but I haven't uploaded them yet. They'll be in future posts after I've gone through them.

It was getting late so I went and found my hotel and crashed for the night after I called Barbara, my step-mother, to let her know I had arrived in town safely and she said that she and Anne (my step-sister) were looking forward to our spending the next day together.

After breakfast provided by my hotel, I checked out and headed to Barb's apartment in a nice senior citizens complex. (I think the apartments are too damned small --I'd die of claustrophobia -- and took issue with that what was supposed to be a computer lab was sitting empty.) My step-sister, Anne, age 63, is a hoot. She lives in Alamogordo, New Mexico and we hit it off just fine and exchanged addresses, etc., so we can keep in touch. I have a standing invitation to visit there. Barb's friend Dolly is simply that -- a doll -- and she was my hostess for the night as there wasn't room for Anne and I both to sleep at Barb's place. We spent the day talking and getting acquainted mostly and wandering around Toledo so Anne could see her memories. One of the reasons, I went a day early was so I could do my exploring on my own with as much time as I wanted as well as adding the stop in Bellevue.

Thursday night, we celebrated Barbara's eightieth birthday at the Amvets post with all her nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews and their spouses in attendance. Barb is the last of her generation in her family and it was nice to see such a good turnout. Again, I took pictures and told Barb that my birthday gift to her was going to be photos of the party and that I was going to have one of the cousins take a photo of her, Anne and I and have it enlarged and framed. I promised to send prints to Anne, too. One of the cousin's wives took a lot of pictures, too and she's emailing them to me and I'm emailing mine to her. Cool, huh? It was really a fun party and I have a boatload of new cousins with standing invites to visit.

Friday Dolly took us out for brunch and I headed south after we talked some more. The best part of my visit was when Barb gave me a 12" by 12" cardboard box. It was filled to the brim with pictures that belonged to my dad. It had pictures from my grandma of his childhood and even some of Grandpa and Grandma's childhood! It also had my parents' wedding pictures, his high school picture and mine, and more. I have to make a trip up north to Cleveland to see one of my uncles who might be able to tell me who some of the people in them are. And that. my friends, reminds me that I have to go through my own box of photos and write what/where/who on the back of them in case anyone is interested somewhere down the road. If y'all haven't done so, I recommend y'all do the same. I am going to have all these photos copied to CDs and will share many of them with y'all.

When I got home, I was supposed to meet Marcia downtown for First Friday and see the
Budweiser Clydesdales. I was soooooooooo tired that I simply couldn't so I unloaded the car and crashed. It was a good trip but it truly drained me so I'm going to rest and recuperate.

I hope y'all have been having fun and feeling fine and I am sooooo glad you enjoyed Nancy's excellent grooooaaannn on Friday!!!!!!!!!!! I thought it a truly great one.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

We Aren't There Yet.

Today, April 4th is the forty-first anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. The night before his assassination, he said, "I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the promised land." We aren't there yet -- racism, sexism, and all the other "isms" are still very much with us. Don't get me wrong, things have improved but we still have a long way to go.

Here are some of my favorite words from Dr. King. I think they're worth thinking about in the difficult times we are facing in this country today and hope you do, too.

* Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

* Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

* Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

* In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

* The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

* Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

* Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

* The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.

I hope y'all take a moment and remember this good man and his mission today.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

The Founding Fathers on the The Right to Bear Arms

Here are some more words from the Founding Fathers on The Bill of Rights of our Constitution. Today the Second Amendment which has been derided and criticized greatly in modern society. I have mixed feelings about it. I don't think the Founding Fathers were thinking of AK-47s, Saturday Night Specials and bombs when this was written. They lived in a different world. I'm sure my ancestors, who helped settle Ohio, had weapons for hunting and to defend themselves in the French and Indian Wars as well as the Revolution although Ohio and western Pennsylvania didn't see much of the latter.

Many Americans feel that the Second Amendment should be repealed. As I said above, I have mixed feelings. However, if you are one of them or one of the fanatics who are rabidly in favor of it, please stop reading now because this post is not to open a forum for debate but to show the thoughts and intent of the Founding Fathers. Disrespectful or abusive comments will not be published.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

As usual, I went into research mode to see what the Founding Fathers had to say about this now controversial amendment. I think you'll be interested to see what they had to say. I know that I was as it gave me a better understanding of this amendment. In my not so humble opinion, I think Thomas Jefferson stated the intent of this amendment best in the first quote.

{Disclaimer: If you disagree with these quotes, I'm sorry. I'm only repeating what the men who founded this nation said.}

* The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. -- Thomas Jefferson

* A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks. -- Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785. (The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.)

* One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them.
-- Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1796. (The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, [Memorial Edition] Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.)

* We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles. The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves, in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved,) or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; --Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 1824. (Memorial Edition 16:45, Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.)

* No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. --Thomas Jefferson: Draft Virginia Constitution, 1776.

* They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. --Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.

* To model our political system upon speculations of lasting tranquility, is to calculate on the weaker springs of the human character. --Alexander Hamilton

* [The Constitution preserves] the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation...(where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. --James Madison, The Federalist Papers, No. 46.

* To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws. --John Adams, A Defence of the Constitutions of the United States 475 (1787-1788)

* Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. --George Washington, First President of the United States

* The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand arms, like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside … Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them. --Thomas Paine

* To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them. --Richard Henry Lee, American Statesman, 1788

* The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun. --Patrick Henry, American Patriot

* Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands? --Patrick Henry, American Patriot

* Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not. --Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States

* The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that . . . it is their right and duty to be at all times armed. --Thomas Jefferson, letter to Justice John Cartwright, June 5, 1824. ME 16:45.

* The best we can help for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed. --Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 184-8

* The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution. --Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States

* There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Noah Webster, American Lexicographer

* What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms. --Thomas Jefferson, to James Madison

I think I understand better what the Founding Fathers meant in creating this amendment. They had just fought a difficult war to rid their lives of the tyranny of British rule and were determined to never let that happen again. I see a certain amount of merit in that.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!

The Founding Fathers on Religion

Throughout the recent election, I've heard a lot of cr . . . er . . . ah . . . rhetoric -- yeah, that's it -- about this country being founded on the Christian religion. I also got the idea that my flavor of Christianity is not the Christianity that these people believe in which immediately makes anything I say suspect so if you feel that way, stop reading now. The Constitution's Bill of Rights clearly states:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I put on my Thinking Cap and went into research mode. The results below are the fruits of this endeavor. It's a series of quotes from our Founding Fathers on religion. Enjoy!!!!!!! And if you don't like them, I don't want to hear about it. You can't re-write history and if you try, you're writing lies. I was both fascinated with and very proud of their words.

* If Religion consist in voluntary acts of individuals, singly, or voluntarily associated, and it be proper that public functionaries, as well as their Constituents shd discharge their religious duties, let them like their Constituents, do so at their own expense. (James Madison, memoranda, 1820)

* That religion, or the duty we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience. (Patrick Henry)

* I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction. To this consideration we ought to ascribe the absence of any regulation, respecting religion, from the Magna-Charta [Constitution] of our country. (George Washington, 1789).

* It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it was by the indulgence of one class of the people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that those who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it, on all occasions, their effectual support. (George Washington, letter to the Touro Synagogue 1790. )

* We should begin by setting conscience free. When all men of all religions ... shall enjoy equal liberty, property, and an equal chance for honors and power ... we may expect that improvements will be made in the human character and the state of society. (John Adams)

* As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of government to protect all conscientious protesters thereof, and I know of no other business government has to do therewith. (Thomas Paine, the Rights of Man)

* All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish [Muslim], appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. I do not mean by this declaration to condemn those who believe otherwise; they have the same right to their belief as I have to mine. But it is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving; it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe. It is impossible to calculate the moral mischief, if I may so express it, that mental lying has produced in society. When a man has so far corrupted and prostituted the chastity of his mind as to subscribe his professional belief to things he does not believe, he has prepared himself for the commission of every other crime. He takes up the profession of a priest for the sake of gain, and in order to qualify himself for that trade he begins with a perjury. Can we conceive anything more destructive to morality than this? (Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason)

* "The legitimate powers of government," he wrote, "extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." (Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia,)

* And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in shewing that religion & Govt will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.
(James Madison, Letters, 1822)

* I will never, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance, or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others. (Thomas Jefferson, Letters, 1803)

I think these words above make it pretty clear what the roles of government and religion were meant to be in this country. If you've studied some of the horrendous persecutions of religions in history and some that are going on today, you know that the Founding Fathers had it right when they wrote the First Amendment.

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Road Trip to History

I, as I told y'all Sunday, decided to go a-wandering so I fed Miss Ruby and headed northeast up by Lake Erie. I met old friends at a pub from our college days when summer holidays were celebrated at Geneva-on-the-Lake and shared a wee pint and lunch before heading south to Rock Creek to spend the rest of the day at The Great Lakes Medieval Faire and Marketplace. My daughter, a long-time member of The Society for Creative Anachronism, introduced me to the Faire about a decade ago and while I try to work in a visit each summer, it's been a few years since my last visit so it was fun to see how it's grown. My friends had never been there before and enjoyed it immensely.

Johnny Phoenix, whose specialty is "dangerous comedy", is of the many artists who entertain throughout the day. He is, in addition to being really funny, a fire eater and a fire walker and he walked that beam in his bare feet while making jokes! I never lose my awe and wonder for such feats.

Above Sir Gawain chats with the crowd after the human chess game. My camera was giving me fits so my attempt to show y'all how handsome he is failed.

The Faire, aka The Village of Avaloch, features all manner of medieval entertainment: jousting, rides, the human chess game, troubadors, fooles, pipers, musicians and food -- lots of food! It's set in a beautiful woods so it was a perfect refuge on a 90 degree day! The staff dresses in costume and they appear to enjoy their work. I giggled a lot as I was greeted by knights and princes with a deep bow, "Good day, fair lady!!!"

The Marketplace features all sorts of things Medieval and one can even rent costumes to really get in the spirit of the faire! My favorite was The Alchemist -- a charming little man from London who makes beautiful hand painted porcelain talismans for everything one can think of and provides you with a printed explanation of its powers. I chose Joy. It denotes happiness, success and creative expression. I hope it works!

I was delighted when I and my tired legs found a lovely young artisan who makes excellent quarterstaffs of all types of wood. Below is a picture (in which I think I look fat -- so what else is new? Just remember that I dressed to be cool and comfortable not stylish!) of moi with my brand new quarterstaff! It's a beauty crafted from hickory and topped with a crystal ornament. I told him about the Quarterstaff Revolution and he thought it wonderful. When I mentioned that canes signified infirmity, he interjected, . . . "but quarterstaffs denote power." What a great young man!!! And yes, I sent the photo to Ronni for posting on the site!

My favorite of the fooles and jesters is Axel the Sot. His PG-rated songs are bawdy and fun and his shows are always standing room only. I took pictures of him but decided that, in Axel's case, a picture isn't enough so I went to YouTube and found a videos to share with y'all!

It was a fun and interesting day and y'all can believe that I got my exercise in -- I swear we walked a couple miles which I needed badly! The good news is that my ElderExercise program is paying off -- I wasn't aching all over yesterday!!! Come join us -- we're a friendly, very supportive support group!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

A Visit to the Henry Ford Estate

When I was a kid in Toledo, at least once each year there was a Sunday visit to Greenfield Village or the Henry Ford Museum. My dad was a great history buff and visiting such places was common, if not a must, for us on family outings and I inherited his interest. My own children joke that a sign reading "historic site" was like waving a red flag in front of a bull for their history major father and I. One place we never visited was Fair Lane, the home of Henry and Clara Ford, as it was never open to the public until 1963 so the visit there was an absolute delight for me. (And now y'all know where the Ford Fairlane got it's name.)

The Man grew up in Dearborn and the Ford estate was part of his newspaper route as a child and came to know the family and he and his buddies were known to sneak on the property to swim in the hidden lake as they called it. As a teenager, he caddied at Dearborn Country Club and carried the clubs of Henry Ford's sons and as an adult he was a research physiologist at Ford Hospital. His esteem for the Ford family is high and he has many interesting stories of their kindness and commitment to the community. He knows the estate quite well and likes to go there to write and is extremely knowledgeable of its history.

When we visited, the estate wasn't open for the summer yet but we wandered the grounds with others who also wanted a nice walk on a pretty day. As always, The Man brought his camera and insisted upon taking pictures of me. Sigh. Of course, I was having a bad hair day and was sans makeup but I'm including some them--he took twenty-five!--anyway. LOL!! Here are some photos of Fair Lane with me cluttering up the landscape.

Here is a sign that gives a bit of the history of the estate:

This a view of the rear of the mansion. Lovely, huh?

The entrance to the mansion. The doors were open because they were getting ready for a wedding reception. Yes, it's available for events! How cool is that?

These beautiful gates are the entry to the Ford's favorite garden.

This lovely gazebo was built for Clara Ford and is where she spent her mornings after she became ill. It is also where Henry Ford held private meetings. Some historic decisions were made in the auto industry.

Here is the Ford grandchildren's treehouse. It is built around an enormous tree! Henry Ford would camp out with them there and was heard to say he felt more comfortable there than the big house.

This little house not far from the front door of the mansion was the playhouse of the Fords' grandchildren.

This is the place I liked best on the estate. These lovely rapids powered the generator designed by Henry Ford's best friend, Thomas Edison and provided electricity to the estate.

I absolutely fell in love with this wonderful historic site and hope one day, I can see more of it and its grounds. I hope y'all enjoyed it, too!!!! If you're interested, check out the links to learn more about it.

Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay