"Special" Election Doesn't Quite Describe It!

Photo from The State newspaper

   


         This is gonna upset some of my Republican friends, but that’s certainly not the intent.

            It’s like this: for several years, I’ve been saying I’m tired of so much partisan politics and so much partisan bickering.  And I really, really am. 

            That’s the same thing I’ve heard loads of other folks fussing about also.  They’re tired of everything in Washington having to do with party lines.  They’re tired of partisanship in our state legislature.  They want what’s good for the people to be put before what’s good for one party or the other.

            But, have we looked at our own back doors or front doors or wherever we generally look?  Don’t we put party before consideration of individual candidates when we vote straight party tickets?

            And, now, here we are faced with a special election (May 7th) in our own first congressional district – a race pitting former Governor Mark Sanford (he of Appalachian Trail fame) against Elizabeth Colbert Busch, businesswoman and sister of comedian Stephen Colbert. 

            Guess what we’re hearing and reading now from people who are sick and tired of partisan politics?  Here are a few of the comments:

            “No, I don’t like Sanford, but he’s the Republican, so that’s how I’ll vote.”

            “Forget a third-party candidate or a write-in, because that would just hand the election to the woman instead of a Republican.” 

            “I didn’t want Sanford to be the Republican nominee; he’s a scoundrel but I just can’t vote for a Democrat.” 

            “Yeah, Sanford was wrong to leave the state, to lie about his whereabouts, to not leave anyone in charge.  Yes, he was wrong to violate a court order.  But he’s the Republican.”

            Those are just samplings.  In the last two weeks, people who used to talk about character, honesty, integrity and such, are listing reasons they don’t like Sanford.  They are not questioning Colbert Busch’s character and integrity --- yet, they’ll likely vote against honesty, character and integrity because of party loyalty. 

            What’s right for the country, what’s right for the citizens – these take precedence over what’s right for a particular political party. 

            Just callin’ it like I see it, folks.

"Foreigners" Eat Funny

       

            Eatin’ habits seem to vary based on what area of the country a person lives in, or at least grows up in.

            I think I’m somewhat of an expert on this subject since I’m married to a Yankee.  Oh, excuse me, a Yankee-transplanted-in-the-South-fellow, which is still pretty much a Yankee, if you ask me.  The Duppster hasn’t been in South Carolina quite long enough to learn how to eat southern.

            He finally tried that southern delicacy we call boiled peanuts.  Much to his credit, Dupp even had a second one.  It’s pretty safe to say, though, that he thinks he can live without ‘em.

            Now, I’ve never professed to be the best cook in the world, but, if I were, Dupp wouldn’t know it.  That’s because he adds ketchup/catsup to just about everything – without even tasting it first. 

            If I fix scrambled eggs and cheese, he adds ketchup.  If it’s scrambled eggs and salmon, he adds ketchup. 

            This past weekend I fixed a big ol’ pot of chicken bog.  First of all, chicken bog is rather peculiar to South Carolina; it’s not even a common meal anywhere else in the southeast, so it’s easy to figure that chicken bog is totally foreign to folks from above the Mason-Dixon line. 

            When this fine concoction of chicken, hot sausage, lots of onion, peppers, a bit of garlic, salt, bacon bits and a few other special additions was ready, what did Dupp do?  He pulled out something with a ketchup base and poured it all over the bog.

            Even as a ketchup-holic, there’s one thing he absolutely won’t put ketchup on, though: hot dogs.

            Go figure!

Just Like Old Times?

            We never stop learning, and that’s a good thing.  And sometimes we can be quite surprised by what we learned.

            Just recently, our high school class marked 45 years since graduation.  Many members of the Lexington High School Class of ’67 gathered, some with spouses, some without.

            Unfortunately, we didn’t have any of our teachers with us but we did have our principal, Joe Bedenbaugh. 

            What we learned – and what we were surprised about - was that our high school principal actually has a sense of humor.  Maybe it’s a new persona for Joe Bedenbaugh.  Then again, maybe he has had a sense of humor forever and we just didn’t know it.

            We were all scared to death of the man.  He was tall, always in a dark suit, and seemed quite formidable.

            Getting sent to the principal’s office was not a treat or a reward, of course.  No one ever bragged about making an assigned visit to see the principal.  No one ever wanted to take home a note to have a parent call the principal.  No student ever wanted to see a parent chatting with the principal at a football game or anywhere else.

            When Joe Bedenbaugh was recognized at the class reunion, he stood – still as tall as ever – and, lo and behold, he smiled!  And then he said a few funny things. 

            Could this be, was this really the same man who struck fear into our very beings in high school? 

            He told us he had attended a Newberry College reunion where someone told him he was looking more like himself than he used to!   (Go figure that one out!)

            As I ate my meal that night, someone came over to me, leaned down and said, “Mr. Bedenbaugh would like to see you.”

            Forty-five years later and, just like old times, those words still caused me to gulp.  Turns out, he just wanted to tell me he enjoys reading my weekly newspaper column, which is usually on my blog as well. 

            So, Mr. Bedenbaugh, this one’s for you! 

            And, by the way, thanks for reading.  That means we’re now up to about four regular readers.

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Just a Cheesy Discussion

            Not long ago, Mom asked, “What’s the thing with pimento cheese?”

            I wondered aloud what she meant by “the thing.”

            Her reply was something about so many people raving about pimento cheese as though it’s something newly discovered.

            I knew what she was talking about.   Pimento cheese seems to have popped up lately on menus in all types of restaurants.  There are magazine and newspaper articles promoting pimento cheese in and of itself and also as a “new” topping for hamburgers and hot dogs or something to include in meat loaves and various other staples.  Maybe it’s just a food fad for folks.

            Sometimes pimento cheese is placed in prominent displays near the front of grocery stores, a special of the week. 

            Yep, I knew exactly what Mom meant.  I don’t think I’ve ever  - and I do mean ever - been to a church picnic, a family reunion or a church covered-dish dinner where there was no pimento cheese.  Pimento cheese sandwiches are a staple of gatherings around these parts.

            Several South Carolina restaurants have included pimento cheese as a choice on hamburgers for a long time.  For many years, it was, in fact, the signature item at one Columbia restaurant. 

            However, I’ll admit that the jalapeno pimento cheese sold in many grocery stores  is relatively new to me, and I love it!  Of course, being a certifiable cheese-aholic, I don’t find many cheeses or cheesy items I don’t like. 

            Mom’s going to be real surprised when she learns that one of the newest food fads is another staple: macaroni and cheese. 

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Celebratin' - Novels, Horns, Peanut Butter & Banana Pudding

Have you celebrated yet? 

            November is National Novel Writing Month.  I’m guessing you probably didn’t hunker down and write a novel this month.  At least not yet.  I didn’t either.

            It’s also National Life Writing Month.  Now I’m not certain exactly what that means; after all, we can’t script our lives.  And we can’t rewrite our lives, although many of us might like to rewrite certain chapters in our lives.

 Perhaps this is supposed to be a time to write your autobiography.  Did you do that?  No, I didn’t either. 

But I did finally realize one of my dreams: I got a book published, so I’m officially an “author.”  Yippee!

Yes, it’s a small book.  It’s not scholarly (no surprise there, huh?)

May I share? 

See, I subscribe – at least today – to the old proverb: “He who tooteth not his own horn, his horn not get tooteth.”  So, yes, I’m sharing, i.e. tooting my own horn. 

But I’m also tooting the horns of 18 others.

The book is Don’t Pick Up The Ham With Your Fingers: A Little Book to Do Momma’s Naggin’ For Her.  (I’m better at naggin’ than at tootin’.  Did I just actually write that????)

The book of humorous and occasionally serious naggin’s is illustrated throughout by work from 18 talented folks, ranging from a sixth-grader to retiree.  I am overwhelmed by their talent.

These folks, all South Carolinians, are from Prosperity, Aynor, Chapin, Surfside Beach, Summerville, Greenville, Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Conway, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, West Columbia and Lexington.  Maybe there's a future Grandma Moses, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol or even Michaelangelo in there!

We’re doing our first book-signing this week.  It’s a new adventure for most of us and we’re having fun.  And, yes, of course, we hope YOU find a copy somewhere.

By the way, November is also National Peanut Butter Lovers Month and Banana Pudding Lovers Month. 

I celebrate those all year long!

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Summertime - And The Livin' is Easy

According to the words of “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, summer is the time when “livin’ is easy.”

Just the other day, I got to thinking about what all the word “summer” means here in South Carolina. It means bright red, ripe tomatoes and large, luscious peaches. And ice cream and watermelons. And lemonade and sweet iced tea.

It means picnics, swimming, water-skiing (although brother Shawn thinks this is a year ‘round activity; he always skis on New Year’s Day.)


The season is also one of long days, hammocks, no school, baseball, camps. And when there’s no school, no baseball, no camp, there’s often boredom and trouble-making.


There are mosquitoes, grasshoppers, gnats, ants, flies, crickets and more. By the way, did you know that most crickets chirp more when it’s hot? The higher the temperature, the faster the chirping.

Summer is often colorful and fragrant, with the blooms of hydrangea, gardenia, impatiens, sunflower, jasmine, hibiscus and more. It’s also semi-colorful with suntans and, too frequently, bright red sunburns.

Summer is the time of fans and air-conditioning. And lawn mowers and sprinklers.

With Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day, there’s even more flag-waving during our summertime.

More and more, it means a change of worship times and worship formats in congregations.

For many, it’s a season of vacations, family reunions and festivals.

Perhaps a guy named James Dent had the best observation about summer: “A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.”

 
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It's All About Delivery - but Not About Babies

This is about delivery but it’s not about babies.

It’s about deliveries, assumptions, politics, intellectuals, prejudices, Nikki Haley, blondes and more. Strange combinations, don’t you think?

That Nikki Haley becomes our new governor this week is what prompted my weird collection of thoughts.

Haley, of course, is our state’s first female governor. Of Indian heritage, she is our first minority governor. She becomes the nation’s youngest governor. Believe it or not, there are still – in 2011 - a few individuals who think a woman shouldn’t be governor, or that a minority shouldn’t be or that a relatively young person shouldn’t be.

It was in early January 40 years ago that I served my very first day in the state legislature, becoming the nation’s youngest lawmaker. There were many who thought I was too young and/or that a female had no place in the law-making process.

And there were then - and still are - folks who believe that a blonde can’t have brains!

Perhaps Nikki Haley overcame some of the prejudices by the way she delivered her message. Delivery is extremely important in the election process.

One of the smartest and brightest people I ever served with in government was the late Heyward Belser. He was so much the intellectual that most of us couldn’t keep up with him or even understand him.

At one point, Belser ran for lieutenant governor in the Democrat’s primary. Notwithstanding any of the attributes of other candidates, I’m convinced that he wasn’t more successful in that race because he was too brilliant and the brilliance showed in his speeches. His delivery was lacking when it came to relating to most people.

There are some who believe Sarah Palin isn’t very bright because of her delivery style, which includes smiling and winking. My point is not whether she is or is not bright but how we judge folks.

We should not judge or base our decisions on smiles, hair color, ethnicity, age or other such factors.

Forty years ago, there were many who thought I didn’t know much because of my age. Most definitely, there were some things I didn’t know. Now I’m 61, and there are still things I don’t know.

Lack of knowledge on some subjects is true for every human being, regardless of age, ethnicity, facial expressions, religion or education.

Or hair color.

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Here's What's Going On

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Click on the following link to see what's going on:


Send a Message: Write In Sherry

A new, time-limited blog.  We also have a new page on Facebook. 

All of this is under 96 hours old as of this posting!

Women Who Make a Difference!!!

ALL women make a difference.  Some make more of a difference than others and, sometimes, the difference made isn't positive, unfortunately. 

Today I'm writing about one particular woman who has made a tremendous difference in a very positive way. 

After church today, I went by the post office for the first time in a few days, and there was my very first issue of TOWN AND COUNTRY magazine.  Even though it's only January 10th, this is the February issue, and it features Cindy Crawford on the cover.

I quickly flipped through the pages, because I knew this issue was paying tribute to specific women who have had an extremely positive impact on others.  Finally, I found what I was looking for on page 44:

That woman is my baby sister, and she's one of my heroes - AND she's one of four women honored by Longines in TOWN AND COUNTRY as "Women Who Make a Difference."

Here's the introduction in the magazine: 

At Longines, "Elegance is an attitude."  It reminds us that grace, style, and soul are the qualities that make a women elegant.  Nowhere are those traits more on display than when a woman devotes herself to making a difference in someone else's life.  The following four women are the epitome of elegance.  They champion those less fortunate and tirelessly work to make this a better place to live.

The four who are recognized are these: 

1)  tennis star Stefanie Graf as the founder of of Children for Tomorrow, an organization which helps children and families who are victims of various kinds of violence; she is the Longines Ambassador of Elegance; 

2) Deloris Jordan, mother of basketball great Michael Jordan, as founder of The James Jordan Foundation, which supports academic opportunities and academic excellence through several of its programs; 

3) Leila de Bruyne, founder of Flying Kites, an organization which provides care for Kenyan children who have been abused, orphaned and/or abandoned; and

4) Lorri Shealy Unumb, my above-pictured hero.

And because she is, of course, my favorite honoree, I'm sharing what was published about her, for fear of doing too much gushing on my own:

Lorri Unumb is the driving force behind Ryan's Law - the single most influential piece of legislation for families living with the hardships of autism.  Lorri's son Ryan was diagnosed with autism in 2003.  Early in their journey, Lorri learned that insurance companies did not cover treatment for autism.  Lorri, a practicing lawyer, soon began her historic battle with insurance companies and state governments to get autism treatment covered.  Her first victory was in her home state of South Carolina, where insurance companies are now compelled to pay for the treatment of autism.  

Lorri has played an active role in changing legislation in other states, and today 15 states have enacted their own versions of Ryan's Law.  In 2008 Lorri joined Autism Speaks as its senior policy advisor and counsel, a role in which she supports and advises other activists in this worthy cause. 

 
Lorri and the many, many volunteers she recruited worked hard for over two years to get Ryan's Law passed in South Carolina.  Then, when it was finally passed, Governor Mark Sanford vetoed it!  Once again, Lorri and troops rallied; the House of Representatives voted unanimously to override the governor's veto!!   As of former state legislator, I know that it is very unusual for a legislature to do much of anything unanimously and almost unheard of for a legislative body to override a governor's veto unanimously.

During this same time period, she was voted "Professor of the Year" by the student bar association at the Charleston School of Law and was honored with the Jefferson Award by The Post and Courier, Charleston's daily newspaper.  All the while, she was traveling to other states to help with legislative efforts in those places AND she and Dan added to the family with Christopher and then Jonathan. 

If you ask me, Lorri should have been on the cover instead of - or along with - Cindy Crawford! 


I used to take care of Ryan a lot.  This collage shows several pictures of us together. The second photo is a close-up of Ryan a few years ago; the third is about two years ago at Jonathan's baptism, then one of Lorri and Ryan, followed by shots from the Autism Walk in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Visit http://www.autismspeaks.org/ for more information about autism.

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WW: Such a Little Church

Photo selections for this week's weekly display in the world of blogging are these two of a small church I just happened to see a few months ago just above McCormick and Hickory Knob near the Savannah River, i.e. the South Carolina/Georgia line.  Perhaps I was intrigued because I'm used to worshipping in a much large church building.

Other Wordless Wednesday participants.

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Uh-oh! We Made the News Again - and Again - and Again

To be such a small state, South Carolina has certainly made its share of the news this year.  And here we go again!

Yale University (through its has just released its list of the "Top Ten Quotes of the Year."  Yep, there's a quote from a South Carolinian in those ten.  There's even a second one - and even a third one.  Three of the ten.  Can this be a good thing?

The top quote of the year was at a town meeting in Simpsonville, SC, from a constituent of SC Rep. Bob Inglis:  "Just keep your government hands off of my Medicare."  (I understand this sentiment; I want the government to keep out of a lot of what I do.)

Fourth on the Yale list was the shout heard 'round the world.  This was SC Rep. Joe Wilson's "You lie" during President Obama's address to Congress. 

And, finally, another one that seems to have gotten world-wide coverage.  It was from Gov. Mark Sanford's spokesman about the governor's whereabouts when he couldn't be located in June:  "The governor is hiking the Appalachian Trail."

Fortunately, there's other news today about a South Carolina native.  Ben Bernanke, a Dillon native, has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year.  (Another tidbit of information: you may not be familiar with Dillon, South Carolina, but if you've ever driven on many parts of I-95, you've probably seen signs for a Dillon tourist trap attraction - South of the Border.)

Below is the 2009 roll of quotes from Yale:

1. "Keep your government hands off my Medicare."  Rep. Bob Inglis at health care reform town hall meeting in Simpsonville, S.C., commenting on the government-created Medicare program, quoted by The Washington Post on July 28.

2. "We're going to be in the Hudson."  Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, responding to air traffic controllers asking on which runway he preferred to land US Airways Flight 1549 on Jan. 15 before he landed in the Hudson River.

3. "There's an app for that."  Apple's advertising slogan for the iPhone.

4. "You lie!"   Rep. Joe Wilson's shouted retort to Obama's address before a joint session of Congress September 9.

5. "The Cambridge police acted stupidly." Obama, commenting on a white police officer's arrest of black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home in Cambridge, Mass., at a news conference July 22.

6. "I'm going to let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!"  Kanye West, interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 13.

7. "Um, you guys said that we, um, did this for the show."  Falcon Heene, during an interview on CNN about his parents' balloon hoax on Oct. 15.

8. "The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel.'"  Sarah Palin, posting on her Facebook page on Aug. 7.

9. "The governor is hiking the Appalachian Trail."  Spokesman for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford regarding Sanford's disappearance on June 22.

10. "You give me a water board, Dick Cheney and one hour, and I'll have him confess to the Sharon Tate murders."    Jesse Ventura, during a CNN interview May 11.

Do you remember most or all of the above utterances?


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WW: Football and Musings from the News - Comas and Autism

Just a few days until THE football rivalry in South Carolina.  It's the Carolina-Clemson game, or, as some folks say, the Clemson-Carolina game.

I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina.  So was my dad.  Several other family members are USC grads also. 

Daughter Mandy, however, left the "religion" and married into a die-hard Clemson family.  I believe their blood literally runs orange.  :)

And, now, look at what they've done to my grandson, Harrison. 

How in the world can I be on a different side from this cute little one?   

Based on the season so far, the orange team is likely to prevail.  

And, just for the record, I wouldn't trade my orange-blooded son-in-law, Adam, for any number of USC grads. 


Now, for musings on recent news:

1.  I am totally amazed by the news this week concerning the man who was in a coma for 23 years but now has let people know that he has been alert all along or practically all along!  He could hear what was going on around him and was aware but couldn't let anyone know!!!  Does this make you wonder how many times this has happened with others?

2.  There were two stories about children with autism.  Since I have a nephew with autism, these stories always catch my attention. 

One has to do with the mother who said she helped her son and actually saved his life by baking medical marijuana into his brownies.  She and one of the doctors say that this treatment has made a major difference in the boy's health and behavior.  It has also lessened his need for many of the medications he was taking previously.  Critics say this means the boy is constantly drugged or "stoned."

The other item is about the boy with autism who survived for 11 days on the NYC subway system.  He says he survived on snacks and water. 

Both of these stories are truly "food for thought."  One thing I know is that people with autism cannot be judged the same as others.  Perhaps "judged" is the wrong word.  Regardless, especially for those with more than minor autistic symptoms, their world is different.  And so is the world for -  and daily lives of  - their families.


 Other Wordless Wednesday participants here.                                           Other Wordful Wednesday participants here.

WW: Scenes from Litchfield

Just a few shots from Litchfield Beach, South Carolina.

Marsh/Waterway

There are many large oaks at Litchfield and along much of coastal South Carolina, including this one, known as the Broken Oak.

According to the marker, the Broken Oak has been like that for centuries.

More Wordless Wednesday participants here.
Wordful Wednesday participants here.

Just Got a Phone Call - Guess Who?

Just got a phone call from Joe Wilson. 

Yes, THAT Joe Wilson.  The congressman who yelled "You lie" - the yell heard 'round the world.

He is actually a long-time friend.  (More about our friendship of several decades HERE.)

Joe called to remind me that he had been reprimanded before, or perhaps chastised is a better word. 

It was back in 1970, back in the "ancient days" when we both were younger.  At that time here in South Carolina, our political party was small although growing fast, but small enough that we nominated by convention rather than by primary.  Also at that time, the minimum voting age was still 21.

In February of that year, I announced as a candidate for the SC House of Representatives.  I was a junior in college and only 20 years old, not yet old enough to vote, although I would turn 21 eight days before the election in November. 

Joe is the one who made the nominating speech for me at our county's political convention.  He did a great job. 

In his phone call today, Joe reminded me that he was chastised, fussed at, berated, etc. after his nominating speech.  Didn't he know I couldn't win? he was asked.  Didn't he know I wasn't old enough to vote?  And, worse yet, didn't he know I was a girl?  

Thanks to Joe and hundreds of other brave, energetic volunteers, we pulled through and won the election.

A lot has happened in the ensuing years, but some things haven't changed.  Joe is still getting fussed at, and I'm still a girl, although a much older one.

News Clipping from February 1970

How Close is Too Close for E-mail???

New neighbors are moving in next door.

When I met the husband half of the couple two days ago, he mentioned that his wife was looking for employment. I suggested a particular link on the web that might be beneficial and said I would e-mail the link to them, which I did.

I just received a reply from the wife half of the couple. She thanked me, then said she felt silly e-mailing someone who was just next door.

This reminded me of something.


My ex-husband and I met on the internet but not on one of the dating sites or anything similar. Somehow, we just ran across each other accidentally when we were involved with or researching the same topic somehow – history, politics, government; I don’t remember exactly what.

Shortly, we were e-mailing each other back and forth about things going on in South Carolina, where we both lived. This went on and on – about state politics, shipwrecks (his ventures), word oddities and more – for hours and hours, then days and days, then weeks and weeks. We figured we logged over 500 hours chatting with each other on-line before we ever had a first date.

After we got married, we sometimes e-mailed each other from within the SAME house! Isn’t that crazy? It’s much sillier than neighbors e-mailing each other.

Of course, this may be one of the reasons we are now exes; we communicated much better online than in person, I guess.

(In case you’ve read much on this blog, yes, he’s the same one who is now married to my cousin, so he is now my cousin-by-marriage!)

WW: Marsh Views at Pawleys Island

Pawleys Island is home to world-famous Pawleys Island hammocks made by local artisans/ropemakers.

The resort town's slogan is "Arrogantly Shabby."

Pawleys Island, South Carolina, located 70 miles north of Charleston and 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, is

known as one of the oldest summer resorts on the East Coast. 

(information taken from Town of Pawleys Island web site.)

The families of rice planters who owned plantations on the nearby rivers first settled Pawleys Island in the early 1700's. The planters knew that it was unhealthy for their families to remain on the rivers during the summer and that the seashore was much healthier. Even though they didn't know about malaria in the 1700's, they knew enough to get away! They moved their families, horses, cows, bedding, provisions and furniture to Pawleys in May of each year, where they remained until the first frost in November!


From this leisurely existence has developed the charm of Pawleys that still remains. Also still remaining are 12 residences in the historic district, which date from the late 1700's to the mid 1800's. Pawleys continues to be known for its shoeless, carefree, laid-back life style, which includes crabbing in the adjacent creeks, fishing, the stories of ghosts, the rope hammocks and the unspoiled, unsophisticated, casual, delightful stretch of wide beach and sand dunes.

More participants in Wordless Wednesday and Wordful Wednesday.

I Remember Hugo: Twenty Years Later

Twenty years ago tonight, Hurricane Hugo came ashore in coastal South Carolina and then moved inland.

At the time I was a member of the SC state senate. The district I represented bore the brunt of Hugo. It was a long but relatively narrow district along the coast, including McClellanville, Awendaw, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, Mt. Pleasant, Folly Beach, James Island, Johns Island, Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island and surrounding areas.

As much as I like to write, I just can’t think of the words to adequately describe how ravaged the area was, how extensive the damage was. It was just beyond comprehension.  In South Carolina, 13 lives were lost.

Where there used to be a home, there was a single chimney or perhaps just the remnants of a bathroom. Another house was literally split in two. There were mattresses in what used to be front yards. Thousands and thousands of trees were upended. Trees made holes in rooftops – where rooftops remained. The only bridge leading to Sullivan’s Island and on to the Isle of Palms was damaged and could not be used. People could not return to their homes, or even visit to find out if their homes remained. Water flooded many homes that actually remained standing.

I could go on and on and on about the devastation, because it certainly went on and on; it was widespread and far-reaching. Instead, I want to share three particular remembrances.

Within days, I went up in a Black Hawk helicopter with Billy Graham, Gov. Carroll Campbell and Rep. Harry Hallman. We looked at the destruction from the air. What a view that was! Billy Graham, who certainly has traveled throughout the world, said it was the most extensive destruction he had ever viewed.

A second vivid memory is the spirit of community that came out of this terrible event. People helped each other. People worked together. There was a charitable, giving, caring, helping spirit among all. For weeks many of us didn’t have electricity and water. We were all dirty together. Neighbors shared food, chain saws, the much-treasured ice and water. It was a heart-warming experience.  At our home, since we had a large outdoor grill, families gathered nightly for food.  People brought food from freezers that were no longer working and we all cooked and ate together.  And churches that could be used were used.  People returned to worship services in tremendous numbers.

The third memory is of a sight in the small fishing village of McClellanville. In the midst of piles and piles of rubble that used to be homes, someone had planted a large American flag. It represented the epitome of the American spirit. It said, “We are going to be okay.”

It took many, many months, even years, but, yes, we eventually were okay. People joined hands and made it through those times which, at first, seemed overwhelming and almost insurmountable.

 
 
 
Flickr photos by scmikeburton, band4atl, japee and michelinecallicot.

O, Civility, Where Art Thou?

What has happened to us as a society? Why are we, generally speaking, no longer civil to each other?


Look at the last 10 days or so. Kanye West’s tirade in the midst of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, Joe Wilson’s outburst during the president’s speech, Serena Williams’ obvious crude language directed toward the referee, Federer’s display the following day. 

Since all or most have apologized, it seems they knew they were out of line - at least after the fact.

For decades, presidents have talked about the need for civility. So have others – poets, authors, entertainers and more. Look at the following quotes:

As citizens we have to be more thoughtful and more educated and more informed. I turn on the TV and I see these grown people screaming at each other, and I think, well, if we don't get our civility back, we're in trouble. Emmylou Harris

There can be no high civility without a deep morality. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Civility costs nothing, and buys everything. Mary Wortley Montagu
All of civility depends on being able to contain the rage of individuals. Joshua Lederberg

When once the forms of civility are violated, there remains little hope of return to kindness or decency. Samuel Johnson

Just a few years ago, the SC Supreme Court adopted an “oath of civility” that attorneys are required to take to practice law in South Carolina. How in the world did we get to such a point that the court has to require such an oath?

Is it television? Movies? Is it lifestyle? Is it the lyrics in today’s music? Is it the mudslinging in politics? Is it the 24-hour coverage of everything under the sun? Is it a feel-good society or a lack of personal responsibility in society?

Is it money or greed?  Is it the need to win - at sports, politics or whatever?

I don’t have the answers but certainly do welcome your comments, thoughts and ideas.

PH: ORANGE - in Sports, Recreation, Nature and Even Politics???

What fun I had with this week's Photo Hunt theme.  It's orange.  What in the world would I find that was orange?

As it turns out, there's a whole lot of orange around us.  And I even came across a picture that's over 25 years old that has orange in it. 

Sometimes there's orange in beautiful sunrises and sunsets. 

Do you see the orange halo around this Summerville street lamp?

I just happened to see an orange bike in a local parking lot.

Heavy machinery might be orange, like these two pieces of equipment at a local rental place.

The name of my blog might be "EX Marks the Spot" but, in these next three pictures, orange marks the spot - or spots - for work to be done.  Orange paint, orange flags, orange signs.

Okay, here's the really old photo - over 25 years old.  Tree, my son (now an attorney in DC who will kill me if he sees this photo) is wearing an orange life jacket.  Behind him are nephews Ross and Rodney (partially hidden) and daughter Tiffany.  Yep, they'll ALL kill me!

Yes, I'm being grandma again.  Orange gave me the opportunity to share another picture of grandson Harrison.

Quite a few sports teams have orange as one of their colors.

In South Carolina, orange means the Clemson Tigers.  Their blood runs orange.

And speaking of South Carolina, here's a picture from The State newspaper of Mark Sanford, our "Luv Guv."  If you're not from South Carolina, "orange" you glad he's not your governor?

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To see other Photo Hunt participants and their orange posts, click here.