Gosh, it's been almost a year since my last entry. I guess tough medicine is hard to take. I'm still not over the real sense of loss from our most recent presidential election. I know you can't win them all, but I had expended a lot of time, thought and hope on this one. The loss stunned me.
I think it's time to pick myself up and go on with life. There are still things to be passionate about... and some of them are actually within my power to control. I'm not sure yet what direction things will go for the Basicguy in me, but I'm sure something will come. Could it be a photoblog? It could. How about a writer's blog? It could be that too. Gardening? Sure, why not. It's got to be hiking! Possibly. I do enjoy all of those things so why not?
For years my two loves have been politics and religion. They don't always mix so well, but both have fascinated me. My educational background in history has probably had as much to do with these interests as anything. So, will I never write about politics again? Well, I could never promise that. And what about religion... if it's such a love, why not try your hand with that? Thanks for asking. That's probably the most intriguing question of them all.
Time will tell.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Obama's Victory in Defeat
Well, it's been a while since I last posted. I've wanted to, but no profound thought has surfaced to the top. I know, you're thinking that nothing profound has ever risen to the top with me. That might be more accurate than I'd like to admit. Nevertheless, something finally surfaced and I'm going to share it.
I have thought about broadening my subject matter in this blog. I've tried it before, but it didn't last. I always keep gravitating back to one thing. Why am I so hung up on politics? I love photography, but I couldn't get that to stick for more than one blog. I love my family, but even that was hard to maintain in any consistent form. I even tried lessons learned from life and failed there also. I guess there is only one thing left to do... politics. I just wish I was more insightful.
Well, all I have to share today is this. Mr. Obama is going to lose the election this November (2012). I agree with Rush Limbaugh... I think he will lose by a larger margin than the polls indicate at this point in the race. Mr. Obama will lose because he deserves to lose. Misguided policies and the lack of real leadership and free enterprise know-how have doomed him. True blooded Americans, who have noticed such political weaknesses in the president and have largely kept their suspicions to themselves, will overwhelmingly vote against him in the secret confines of the voting booth.
Yet, even though I truly believe all of that, Mr. Obama, in the end, will still claim victory. In his self-ingrained arrogance, Mr. Obama will see victory in defeat. Why? Because he will glory in the fact that he successfully duped the American people. He'll declare that Americans are stupid and easy to manipulate. All you have to do is feed them lies and deny accusations; carefully spin your message so it looks like you are there to help them; pin opposing messages as intolerant; and fine-tune the blame game... it's always the other guys fault.
The sad part about this scenario, which will play out later this year and into 2013, is that he'll be right. As I've written before, Mr. Obama got where he is by being a convenient American, Christian, and black man. He used these things to manipulate voters to back him and he has used Americans and American institutions ever since as his personal play-thing. Why? Because he could.
I hope we as a nation and a people learn something from all of this. Our country is precariously close to a cliff constitutionally, financially, and politically. We cannot afford to let this happen again. Basically speaking, wake up America! If we don't, there will be no America as we know it left to awaken.
I have thought about broadening my subject matter in this blog. I've tried it before, but it didn't last. I always keep gravitating back to one thing. Why am I so hung up on politics? I love photography, but I couldn't get that to stick for more than one blog. I love my family, but even that was hard to maintain in any consistent form. I even tried lessons learned from life and failed there also. I guess there is only one thing left to do... politics. I just wish I was more insightful.
Well, all I have to share today is this. Mr. Obama is going to lose the election this November (2012). I agree with Rush Limbaugh... I think he will lose by a larger margin than the polls indicate at this point in the race. Mr. Obama will lose because he deserves to lose. Misguided policies and the lack of real leadership and free enterprise know-how have doomed him. True blooded Americans, who have noticed such political weaknesses in the president and have largely kept their suspicions to themselves, will overwhelmingly vote against him in the secret confines of the voting booth.
Yet, even though I truly believe all of that, Mr. Obama, in the end, will still claim victory. In his self-ingrained arrogance, Mr. Obama will see victory in defeat. Why? Because he will glory in the fact that he successfully duped the American people. He'll declare that Americans are stupid and easy to manipulate. All you have to do is feed them lies and deny accusations; carefully spin your message so it looks like you are there to help them; pin opposing messages as intolerant; and fine-tune the blame game... it's always the other guys fault.
The sad part about this scenario, which will play out later this year and into 2013, is that he'll be right. As I've written before, Mr. Obama got where he is by being a convenient American, Christian, and black man. He used these things to manipulate voters to back him and he has used Americans and American institutions ever since as his personal play-thing. Why? Because he could.
I hope we as a nation and a people learn something from all of this. Our country is precariously close to a cliff constitutionally, financially, and politically. We cannot afford to let this happen again. Basically speaking, wake up America! If we don't, there will be no America as we know it left to awaken.
Monday, May 28, 2012
A Day to Remember
Happy Memorial Day! At least my celebration can be happy. I'm sitting in my own home that I was free to have had built and to buy, looking out a window at a tree that I was free to plant with my own hands, in a yard that I am free to trim and mow, and will later today be free to grill chicken and burgers while the kids freely play games in the yard. I'm sure the redundant words have already made the point I'm trying to make.
We get so caught up in the fun and games of having a day off from the regular requirements of life and often forget the reason for the day. There are many such days that we often forget about their real meaning and purpose. With each of them, Christmas, Easter, Independence Day, etc. there is something to remember. Memorial Day is no different.
This was driven home to me recently in a conversation with my mother. She told me about an experience my father had on the USS Cleveland during WWII. My dad is no longer with us, and though he had told many stories about his experience in the Navy, he had never told this one. I guess he was either trying to forget a bad memory or shield his children from some of the worst parts of war.
They had received word of another vessel that had been attacked by Japanese war planes. The ship was disabled and had suffered horrific casualties. The Cleveland was dispatched to rescue and recover. They found it floating listlessly at sea. After survivors were brought aboard, a detail was sent to board the ship for clean up. My dad was assigned that detail. He reported to my mother that as they boarded the damaged vessel, death and destruction became immediately evident. Blood smeared the decks along with body parts strewn everywhere. Piece by piece they filled bags and then proceeded to wash the evidence of death off the decks and into the sea. Some really do make the ultimate sacrifice.
This experience apparently had a profound influence on my father. He told my mom that from then on he did all he could to become an officer so he could void such a detail in the future. He did eventually become a Chief Petty Officer, but never said whether he had suffered such a detail again. Obviously, war is a terrible thing and best to be avoided if possible. But sometimes there is no other option. My dad was a proud veteran. He fought in one of those wars that could not be avoided. He did his patriotic duty and survived as a patriotic American for the rest of his life.
So, again, Happy Memorial Day! If for just a moment, take a little time to remember what this day is all about. If nothing else, think about my dad and the many who sacrificed all for the freedom, liberty, and hope of this nation that we still enjoy.
And then, while you think of those who gave their lives for this most important cause... think of ways you can live for it.
We get so caught up in the fun and games of having a day off from the regular requirements of life and often forget the reason for the day. There are many such days that we often forget about their real meaning and purpose. With each of them, Christmas, Easter, Independence Day, etc. there is something to remember. Memorial Day is no different.
This was driven home to me recently in a conversation with my mother. She told me about an experience my father had on the USS Cleveland during WWII. My dad is no longer with us, and though he had told many stories about his experience in the Navy, he had never told this one. I guess he was either trying to forget a bad memory or shield his children from some of the worst parts of war.
They had received word of another vessel that had been attacked by Japanese war planes. The ship was disabled and had suffered horrific casualties. The Cleveland was dispatched to rescue and recover. They found it floating listlessly at sea. After survivors were brought aboard, a detail was sent to board the ship for clean up. My dad was assigned that detail. He reported to my mother that as they boarded the damaged vessel, death and destruction became immediately evident. Blood smeared the decks along with body parts strewn everywhere. Piece by piece they filled bags and then proceeded to wash the evidence of death off the decks and into the sea. Some really do make the ultimate sacrifice.
This experience apparently had a profound influence on my father. He told my mom that from then on he did all he could to become an officer so he could void such a detail in the future. He did eventually become a Chief Petty Officer, but never said whether he had suffered such a detail again. Obviously, war is a terrible thing and best to be avoided if possible. But sometimes there is no other option. My dad was a proud veteran. He fought in one of those wars that could not be avoided. He did his patriotic duty and survived as a patriotic American for the rest of his life.
So, again, Happy Memorial Day! If for just a moment, take a little time to remember what this day is all about. If nothing else, think about my dad and the many who sacrificed all for the freedom, liberty, and hope of this nation that we still enjoy.
And then, while you think of those who gave their lives for this most important cause... think of ways you can live for it.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
All in the Family
Recently we had a family gathering at our house. All of our kids and their families came for dinner... all except our son and his family in San Antonio (but we even skyped them in for some of the festivities). It's always quite the experience to have the whole clan together like that.
Well, as usual, I was running late because of church meetings. Dinner was scheduled for 4 pm and I pulled into the garage at 5 pm. I hurried through the door into the kitchen hoping my wife had thought to save me some food. The first sight was the dining room table. Various family members sat visiting at the table having finished whatever had been served on their plates. I was crestfallen.
I hurried in to look for any leftovers on the kitchen counter. Luckily my wife had ensured that I'd have two of her famous beef enchiladas along with some trimmings. I settled in to a nice meal.
By then the grandkids were laughing and screaming and chasing each other around. Toys were scattered all over the house. My kids and their spouses had lively conversations going on. My wife was fully entrenched in the conversations also.
At one point I sat comfortably on a couch surrounded by my family. Though they were each busy doing something else, they were smiling; happy to be together. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my granddaughter Jenna walking along as happy as she could be gnawing on my toothbrush. Somehow she had reached above her head into a drawer and pulled out whatever she could find. All I could do was smile and hope that she didn't come down with something from grandpa.
Now, I'm sure if anyone was on the outside looking in, they might think that what they were seeing was mass confusion. But not to me... it was simply family. Isn't family simply food, fun, chatter, games, joy, laughter, in depth conversations, supporting each other, spending time together, and yes, even sharing toothbrushes? I think so.
Well, all I can say is, I look forward to our next get together. I hope everyone has such moments in their lives. There is nothing like a real genuine family. No wonder one religious leader once declared: "The earth was created, that families might be" (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 2000).
Well, as usual, I was running late because of church meetings. Dinner was scheduled for 4 pm and I pulled into the garage at 5 pm. I hurried through the door into the kitchen hoping my wife had thought to save me some food. The first sight was the dining room table. Various family members sat visiting at the table having finished whatever had been served on their plates. I was crestfallen.
I hurried in to look for any leftovers on the kitchen counter. Luckily my wife had ensured that I'd have two of her famous beef enchiladas along with some trimmings. I settled in to a nice meal.
By then the grandkids were laughing and screaming and chasing each other around. Toys were scattered all over the house. My kids and their spouses had lively conversations going on. My wife was fully entrenched in the conversations also.
At one point I sat comfortably on a couch surrounded by my family. Though they were each busy doing something else, they were smiling; happy to be together. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw my granddaughter Jenna walking along as happy as she could be gnawing on my toothbrush. Somehow she had reached above her head into a drawer and pulled out whatever she could find. All I could do was smile and hope that she didn't come down with something from grandpa.
Now, I'm sure if anyone was on the outside looking in, they might think that what they were seeing was mass confusion. But not to me... it was simply family. Isn't family simply food, fun, chatter, games, joy, laughter, in depth conversations, supporting each other, spending time together, and yes, even sharing toothbrushes? I think so.
Well, all I can say is, I look forward to our next get together. I hope everyone has such moments in their lives. There is nothing like a real genuine family. No wonder one religious leader once declared: "The earth was created, that families might be" (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 2000).
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Let the Wind of Change Blow
The wind blew like crazy last night. Our windows rattled, screens shook, and sounded ominous. The lights flickered and interrupted our reading for a moment. I looked at my wife and assured her we had a working flashlight nearby. Then I thought of the new generator I got for Christmas. Would we have to use it so soon? I hadn't even unboxed it yet
Well, fortunately it didn’t come down to dealing with an emergency. Though the winds continued to howl and whine, we soon fell asleep and missed the rest of the winds assault on the Salt Lake Valley.
The morning, though cold, brought sunshine and blue skies. It was absolutely gorgeous. Quite a contrast from the weeks before. Salt Lake Valley often sports an inversion in the winter. It’s a murky layer of not so pleasant smog... best not breathed in large doses. We’re told to cut down on our driving and to stay indoors if possible. For some the smog can actually be on the deadly side. But today was bright, clear, and beautiful... what a relief.
As I thought about the needed change in this new day, I remembered the wind from the night before. What seemed threatening the night before actually cleared the smog from the valley. The murky atmosphere that tended to affect our moods and trap numerous particles in the air was gone... blown away by the wind.
So it is with winds of change. We all experience a certain murkiness in life. This murkiness can affect our moods and attitudes. If it gets thick enough it also affects how far we can see. Sometimes it can be filled with things that are dangerous to us... impeding our essential progress in life. That's when the storms of life or the winds of change actually do us a favor. With life's murkiness blown away, we can see clearly again and feel hope and excitement. Life is once again gorgeous and beautiful.
So here we are, the end of yet another year... the turning of another page in our lives. Have you experienced any murkiness in 2011? Has it been hard to “see” clearly? Are you ending the year with a discouraging mood or attitude? If so, maybe 2012 can provide a needed wind of change and blow away life’s murky smog. I have a feeling though that whether the wind blows is up to you and me. So this New Year, let the winds blow.
Well, fortunately it didn’t come down to dealing with an emergency. Though the winds continued to howl and whine, we soon fell asleep and missed the rest of the winds assault on the Salt Lake Valley.
The morning, though cold, brought sunshine and blue skies. It was absolutely gorgeous. Quite a contrast from the weeks before. Salt Lake Valley often sports an inversion in the winter. It’s a murky layer of not so pleasant smog... best not breathed in large doses. We’re told to cut down on our driving and to stay indoors if possible. For some the smog can actually be on the deadly side. But today was bright, clear, and beautiful... what a relief.
As I thought about the needed change in this new day, I remembered the wind from the night before. What seemed threatening the night before actually cleared the smog from the valley. The murky atmosphere that tended to affect our moods and trap numerous particles in the air was gone... blown away by the wind.
So it is with winds of change. We all experience a certain murkiness in life. This murkiness can affect our moods and attitudes. If it gets thick enough it also affects how far we can see. Sometimes it can be filled with things that are dangerous to us... impeding our essential progress in life. That's when the storms of life or the winds of change actually do us a favor. With life's murkiness blown away, we can see clearly again and feel hope and excitement. Life is once again gorgeous and beautiful.
So here we are, the end of yet another year... the turning of another page in our lives. Have you experienced any murkiness in 2011? Has it been hard to “see” clearly? Are you ending the year with a discouraging mood or attitude? If so, maybe 2012 can provide a needed wind of change and blow away life’s murky smog. I have a feeling though that whether the wind blows is up to you and me. So this New Year, let the winds blow.
Friday, December 23, 2011
The Sixty-Nine Cent Christmas
One Christmas I’ll never forget happened many years ago in Southern Idaho. Early in my career as a religious educator I found myself teaching at a small high school near Blackfoot. We had three young sons at the time, which made it hard to pack everything needed to travel for the holidays. Money was tight and it was looking like a meager Christmas.
As a dad, I really wanted to make this first Christmas at our own home a special one. The new technology that year was the VHS player. I thought it would be great to record shows off the TV and play videos for the kids. As new technology arrives it usually comes at a cost, at least until competition helps drive prices down.
So it was on a lark that one day I stopped by a local TV and electronics store hoping beyond hope that something might fit into my price range. It didn’t take long to realize how far off the prices really were. I searched for damaged or scratch and dent VCRs, but didn’t find anything—so much for following a whim and hoping for some good luck.
A bit discouraged I headed for the door when something caught my eye. On the wall near the door a homemade sign announced: “Christmas Fun only $.69.” Below the sign hung a long red plastic sheet. It had two rectangle holes cut near the top of the sheet. I stopped in my tracks and wondered what it was. I asked an employee about it. “It’s a sleigh, you know, for the snow,” I was told. Now, that sounded cool… especially to a guy raised in Southern Nevada.
I thrust my hands into my pocket and determined that this was something I actually could afford. I slapped coins down on the counter and walked out with my Christmas surprise. As I drove home, I found myself hoping it worked and that it would be something the boys would enjoy. It didn’t look like much and so I worried into the night how the family might receive it. It didn’t take long to find out.
On Christmas day, of the few presents opened, the one that provided the most fun was a red plastic sheet that cost $.69. We dashed to the Seminary building that conveniently sat on a hill. All day long we made runs down the hill only taking breaks for hot chocolate. We threw snowballs and sleighed and laughed all day long. Who would have thought that something so simple would provide so much joy? What a Christmas!
So this Christmas, if you find yourself short on cash, remember that the best gifts aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones. Try simplifying your Christmas by giving simple gifts. Most of us would rather enjoy family and time together than things anyway. So, from this basic guy, I wish you a very merry, but basic Christmas.
As a dad, I really wanted to make this first Christmas at our own home a special one. The new technology that year was the VHS player. I thought it would be great to record shows off the TV and play videos for the kids. As new technology arrives it usually comes at a cost, at least until competition helps drive prices down.
So it was on a lark that one day I stopped by a local TV and electronics store hoping beyond hope that something might fit into my price range. It didn’t take long to realize how far off the prices really were. I searched for damaged or scratch and dent VCRs, but didn’t find anything—so much for following a whim and hoping for some good luck.
A bit discouraged I headed for the door when something caught my eye. On the wall near the door a homemade sign announced: “Christmas Fun only $.69.” Below the sign hung a long red plastic sheet. It had two rectangle holes cut near the top of the sheet. I stopped in my tracks and wondered what it was. I asked an employee about it. “It’s a sleigh, you know, for the snow,” I was told. Now, that sounded cool… especially to a guy raised in Southern Nevada.
I thrust my hands into my pocket and determined that this was something I actually could afford. I slapped coins down on the counter and walked out with my Christmas surprise. As I drove home, I found myself hoping it worked and that it would be something the boys would enjoy. It didn’t look like much and so I worried into the night how the family might receive it. It didn’t take long to find out.
On Christmas day, of the few presents opened, the one that provided the most fun was a red plastic sheet that cost $.69. We dashed to the Seminary building that conveniently sat on a hill. All day long we made runs down the hill only taking breaks for hot chocolate. We threw snowballs and sleighed and laughed all day long. Who would have thought that something so simple would provide so much joy? What a Christmas!
So this Christmas, if you find yourself short on cash, remember that the best gifts aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones. Try simplifying your Christmas by giving simple gifts. Most of us would rather enjoy family and time together than things anyway. So, from this basic guy, I wish you a very merry, but basic Christmas.
Friday, November 4, 2011
What's the Hurry?
I think I almost killed someone this morning. Now, I wasn’t angry, bi-polar, or out of sorts, nor am I a hit man or terrorist. I’m simply a normal Joe who was happily on my way to work. It was dark out because I like to be in the office by about 7:00 am.
I had just turned onto the main road that leads to the Community College where I teach. Now where I live we have two lanes of traffic going both directions separated by a center lane used for turning across traffic or merging into traffic. I was traveling in my formidable SUV in the lane next to the center lane when a little compact car darted across traffic on my left. A city bus barely missed the young lady and let her know it. Because of the speed she was going, she was unable to turn into the center lane. Instead she made a wide arc into my lane.
Now, I have to admit, my reflexes are not as sharp as they once were. Luckily for both of us, I was able to slam on my breaks and avoid a collision. She of course accelerated up the road, probably wondering just how close the grill of my SUV got to her little car as she eyed me in her rear-view mirror. Of course, I was relieved that no one was hurt… OK, I have to admit, the episode did not make me happy… alright, I was ticked. But there was no road rage.
As I reflected on the experience for the remainder of the drive, I came to a couple of conclusions. First, the young lady was probably in a hurry to get to work on time. Who knows, maybe she has a demanding boss that monitors her every move. She came out of a shopping area that only has one business open at that hour of the morning: Starbucks. Well, all of that made sense to me and I began to settle down.
However, the second conclusion that came to me gave me pause. Is there any job, appointment, or destination so critical that it’s worth testing your vary life to make it? What’s the hurry? It seems to me that the last thing you want to hurry to is the unintended end of your life. This young woman came within seconds of such an unfortunate end… twice! I hope she felt it, because if she did, maybe it will serve as a warning. Maybe next time, she’ll hurry less and count her blessings.
What’s the lesson? Well, life is dang fast. It moves almost effortlessly through its twists and turns, highs and lows, and good times and bad. Too often we slip into the flow of things and let life control the pace. Wouldn’t it make more sense to choose the pace ourselves as best we can? In doing so, we’ll have more control over our own lives. So, what’s the hurry?
I had just turned onto the main road that leads to the Community College where I teach. Now where I live we have two lanes of traffic going both directions separated by a center lane used for turning across traffic or merging into traffic. I was traveling in my formidable SUV in the lane next to the center lane when a little compact car darted across traffic on my left. A city bus barely missed the young lady and let her know it. Because of the speed she was going, she was unable to turn into the center lane. Instead she made a wide arc into my lane.
Now, I have to admit, my reflexes are not as sharp as they once were. Luckily for both of us, I was able to slam on my breaks and avoid a collision. She of course accelerated up the road, probably wondering just how close the grill of my SUV got to her little car as she eyed me in her rear-view mirror. Of course, I was relieved that no one was hurt… OK, I have to admit, the episode did not make me happy… alright, I was ticked. But there was no road rage.
As I reflected on the experience for the remainder of the drive, I came to a couple of conclusions. First, the young lady was probably in a hurry to get to work on time. Who knows, maybe she has a demanding boss that monitors her every move. She came out of a shopping area that only has one business open at that hour of the morning: Starbucks. Well, all of that made sense to me and I began to settle down.
However, the second conclusion that came to me gave me pause. Is there any job, appointment, or destination so critical that it’s worth testing your vary life to make it? What’s the hurry? It seems to me that the last thing you want to hurry to is the unintended end of your life. This young woman came within seconds of such an unfortunate end… twice! I hope she felt it, because if she did, maybe it will serve as a warning. Maybe next time, she’ll hurry less and count her blessings.
What’s the lesson? Well, life is dang fast. It moves almost effortlessly through its twists and turns, highs and lows, and good times and bad. Too often we slip into the flow of things and let life control the pace. Wouldn’t it make more sense to choose the pace ourselves as best we can? In doing so, we’ll have more control over our own lives. So, what’s the hurry?
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