History

Today I watched President Barack Obama sworn in for his second term in office. Our first African American President now joins the ranks of those Presidents who actually were voting in for a second term. As I watched this event I did  not lose sight of the fact that it was also being conducted on the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday this year. So history is joined between the man who led the civil rights movement and gave his "I Have A Dream" speech on the same platform as our first President of color.

While watching the ceremony and listening to the President's speech I began to think about all the history I have been privy to during my lifetime. Some things I thought I would never see or believed could happen.  Though I was born after the end of WWII I can remember when Ike, President Eisenhower, was elected president and the tales of his military accomplishments. I remember the manufacturing that came with and after the war. There was a big munitions plant in St. Louis, along with car plants, pharmaceutical plants, coal companies, and many more jobs available. My father died when I was eight, leaving my mother with three sons to raise. It was a poor working neighborhood, the few white families moved away and I worked for the Jewish grocery owner on the corner as a kid. 

Then John F. Kennedy years, with the cold war,the peace corps, the race for space. How can I forget when America placed the first man on the moon and how proud we were to beat the Russians. I remember the beginning and the end of the war in Viet Nam. Now years later, under different circumstances and leaders I have witnessed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I witnessed the assassination of several leaders who would have changed the course of history had they lived. When President Kennedy was assassinated did the country feel the same pain as those who experienced the assassination of President Lincoln? How painful it was to then see his brother Robert Kennedy killed while trying to continue a legacy. And during that same period the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, a man of peace and a leader of the civil rights movement.

I lived through the civil rights era of the 1960's. Witnessed the brutality, the struggle for equal rights for all, and experienced the racism that existed. While not in the south, but in Missouri, racial prejudice existed strong everywhere. Busing, housing, schools, and the workplace. I remember and had a change to see great change in history come about through marches, sit ins, riots, boycotts, and then legislature.School desegregation, voting rights acts, interracial marriages, and now something I never thought I would see in my lifetime, a black President.

With so much history behind me, and this is just a small portion, I wonder what is in store for my grand children. What history lies in store for them? Hopefully this inauguration will be the start of their memories and history will be good to them. Perhaps universal health coverage, new energy sources, the advancements of technology will lead the way. I remember the first super computers and how large they  were, and now I can send this message around the world from my phone in the palm of my hand.

Peace on Earth

With the Christmas season upon us the phrase "Peace on Earth" is spoken a lot. After the mass killing of innocent children in Newtown CT. just days before the birthday of the Prince of Peace, one has to lean on their faith. My faith in Christ is stronger than ever these days, but my faith in man continues to weaken. Mankind continues to engage in war, violence, and in many cases senseless acts of evil. Only God can create a brain and no one has found a way to understand how it works and what messages it sends, since each one is different. We are not in control, but whether we do good or bad is based on choice not chance, in almost all situations. We have created and live in a world of violence towards our fellow man, and in the U.S. where people use guns as protection versus faith. The NRA says let the teachers or administrator have guns in the schools to protect themselves. Schools are not a place for guns period. Their answer is to arm everyone, then we will all be safe. Peace on Earth will be hard to come by if they get their way. Merry Christmas.

Getting Old

I don't know who wrote this but I didn't want to lose it so I'm keeping it for myself and anyone else who feels the same way......

 

" I would never trade my amazing friends, wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

 

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 a.m. and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love....I will.

 

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and I will dive into the waves with abandon if i choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. they too, will get old.

 

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken; How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

 

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

 

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think..I don't question myself anymore. Ive even earned the right to be wrong.

 

So to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if i feel like it). "



The Apprentice Part 2

Last year I posted a story at Christmas time about my grand daughter, Makayla, titled "The Apprentice. It was Christmas time and she was learning from the best, my wife, on how to shop and get those Christmas items she wanted. As she emulated her idol, Donna, she has become skillful in the ways of the mall, sales, and high finance. It is Christmas time again and already she is entering into level 200 courses, that began on Black Friday and will continue I'm sure until New Year's. The only thing that is slowing her down is the fact that her family is attempting to move into a new home and her base location is not stable.

 

Since I hope you can look at the post from last year, I won't go into the techniques again. I did want to point one interesting item this year. And that is the Christmas List. MaKayla, who is now 9 years old came up with some very interesting items on her Christmas List for us to work against this year. Usually, you would think that the children in this age group would want items like games, toys, clothes, etc. No my grand daughter, the Apprentice. She went straight for the high price spread. Number one being a Tablet or IPad, moving down to a flat screen T.V., Bike, Angry Birds watch, hat, shirt, and pajamas, Shoes (Greffes..which I don't know what these are) and the universal gift...Money.

I have no idea what was on "Santa Clause's" list or that of her mother's. However, the most interesting item on the our list was, believe it or not,  a "Passport". The nine year old wants a passport, so that she can be prepared to take vacation and trips with us when we go out of the country. This is the  obstacle that she is planning to overcome now, so we cannot use it in the future.

 

Her graduation will come before she even gets to Middle School!!



Thanksgiving 2012

I've been trying to post something about Thanksgiving for a while now. For some reason I keep losing the post. Here is my last try. Thanksgiving is a day where we gather with family and friends to be thankful for our blessings.

 

In the tradition of our forefathers we have a big feast to eat and celebrate th bountiful blessings we have received. Men and women see this holiday completely different. Women spend hours preparing dishes and getting ready to receive company. Men see it as a day to watch football and eat till their hearts content

 There are some ground rules for this occassion if it is held at my house. 1.) I have six TV's in my home, so don't even think of changing the channel on the one I am watching. 2.) I am a simple man so I like cranberry sauce from the can, regular turkey, and cornbread dressing so don't think of bringing me some new age cooking from Whole Foods. 3.) If dinner is set for 3:00 don't expect us to wait till 5:00 when you arrive. You will have missed the blessing. 4.) If you bring your new boo to dinner don't expect me to entertain them. Visitors need a pass to eat. 5.) If you can't cook don't try to impress me today. Just bring the drinks or some bread. 6.) If you are new age parent and you can't control your kids I will check them. I am from the old school of children should be seen and not heard, especially if they are screaming. 7.) I am from St Louis and hate the Cowboys, so don't root for them if they are on TV. 8.) It is OK to take food when you leave but use a paper plate. Don't even try to walk out with my dishes or tupper ware. 9.) Don't bring your kids Christmas lists over with you. This is Thanksgiving and I will not be discussing Christmas at all. And last but not least 10.) If you have a problem with you sister, cousin, mother or whoever check your drama at the door!

 

Enjoy the day and remember how blessed you truly are everyday. While we always say the blessing before the meal we should always say it after each meal too.

Heath Care Open Enrollment

It is that time of year when companies and the government have open enrollment for health plan coverage. If  you are lucky enough to still be working, and you company offers these benefits, you may have what is called a Cafeteria Plan. This is where you go down a long list of possible dishes and pick the ones you like. Those folks on who are retired or disabled will need to look at their Medicare, Medicaid, Supplement Plan A, B, or C and various other options that are available. If you watch TV this is presented as a easy and non threatening event. Just turn on your laptop and go to the government website and begin reading and choosing the best option for you. Right!!!!!!!!!

 

While sitting in my open enrollment session this year I reviewed the various forms that were sent for me to review in advance. The 2013 Insurance Rates, Dental Plan Summary, Dental Plan Enrollment Form, Vision Plan and Summary, and copies of the various Health Care Plans available, based on the contract that my company had signed. First of all there is the issue of what is a PPO, the HDHP (High Deductible Health Plans) both Standard and Enhanced, the HSA (Health Saving Account) and their various options, along with a Salary Redirection Form, so they can get the premiums taken out of my check.

 

I don't know when heath care became so complicated, but I image he probably occurred when the politicians and capitalist, decided that private industry could do a better job of providing it that the city, states, and federal government. If I got hurt or sick i went to the hospital, they took care of me , and then sent me the bill. Once all the hospitals became "for profit" establishments. insurance became almost mandatory for service, the cost sky rocketed, and the ability to take care of ourselves went down the tubes.

 

Now I have to figure out my contribution to pay for the insurance plans and also know what the company is kicking in. Some plans have co-pays (what does this really mean?) and deductibles like car insurance. Once I reach my deductible the insurance kicks in at some rate 70%,80%, or maybe even 100% of the cost of health care for the rest of the year. But wait there is a catch. I have to use a doctor or service "in network". So now I have another manual to go through to make sure I going to the right people or facilities that want to pay ball with the health care provider. Also, one must look at the prescription drug clauses, since you can get cut rate costs on some drugs, or generics, depending on which plan you take.

 

Now I can have one of these plans, but I also need to see if dental or vision coverage is included. If not I need a plan for these. I have to remember these have yearly caps on them, plus some have higher deductibles, may or may not cover the braces or frames fro the glasses I want. Timing is everything  here in terms of when you get things done. There is also the HSA, which is like a saving/credit card account where you can save up money just pay medical bills. This is a way to get enough money saved up pre taxed to pay your deductibles with. Yeah, assuming you have the money. Anything that you don't use is yours to keep, but watch out for Uncle Sam, since there are a variety of tax implications. Since I am over 55 I can even add an additional $1,000 over what most people can have as a maximum contribution. Wow, they call that a "catch up" contribution.

 

Unfortunately I don't have the time or inclination to scour through all the pamphlets, brochures, and notebooks to learn all I need to know about the plans and health care.  I'll pay the minimum amount for the medical premium, dental, and vision and hope this year that I don't reach my deductible. This year my wife has her own plans from her job so I don't have to pay for a couples plan which would be eight times as much as the single plan. Who would have thunk it.

 

And some of the people in our government want serior citizens to go out into these shark infested waters and negotiate for the best deal on health care with vouchers? Surely you jest.

Pray for the President

As the election draws near it becomes abundantly clear that we all need to pray for the President. Whomever that may be after next week, they will need our prayers. The bible teaches that we should pray for our leaders, because they will have the responsibility to lead. I can't imagine how, we as a country, could allow those people that represent us to ever voice goals to see the President fail, or to do anything to ensure that he does not see another term, because of who he is or his beliefs. This is the person that the people of the country have giving the authority to lead. To want him to fail is to say that you don't care about the results, and its impact on all those who follow his lead. Would this not be considered traitorous, or at least dispicable behavior during any other times?

 

The problems that we face as a nation did not start with this President and the last four years, or the last President and those eight years, or even the two Presidents before that. Our problems began in the sixties, beginning with the decision to stop prayer in schools and the taking down of the ten commandments. The very core of our country is established as one nation under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all. Yet we started to turn away for God. God was no longer wanted in our lives, outside of the church. Not in school, or work, or business, or the home itself. People were berated for using the term Christmas as a holiday we celebrate. People began to look for ways to satisfy their own inward needs under the name of "my freedom" to do so. We could say whatever I wanted, and do whatever I wanted, whenever we wanted , because we are free to do it.

 

Just because we can, does not always mean it is right to do. As the country has slide down this slope things have only gotten worst. No politician of government will be able to make our country right, until we look at the core values of our country, and move back towards them. Through the establishment of Christain values, in our homes,schools, justice system, and just by being on the side of right versus might.

 

All great nations of the past have risen and then fallen. I only pray that we can have a leader who see this, and lead accordingly. We talk about what kind of America we will be leaving for our children. If there is not a change in our culture I can't even imagine. I pray for whomever God "permits" to become President based on our request (votes). One must always be careful for what you ask for, because you may get it.