Just a "Good-Feeling" Experience

            Noise and heat aside, a NASCAR race is a “good-feeling” experience.

            The Duppster and I went to the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Saturday.  It was hot, hot, hot.  And it was noisy, noisy, noisy.  But, if the noise and heat can be overlooked, it was an event of warm, fuzzy feelings. 

            First, NASCAR is somewhat like apple pie: it’s all-American. It’s full of flag-waving and, yes, it starts with prayer.  Amen! 

            Of course, the way those guys drive, they NEED prayer.

  

          Four Congressional Medal of Honor winners were introduced, recognized and celebrated prior to the race.  True American heroes!

           

 There was an amazing fly-over by the Air Force in a B-52 at the end of the national anthem.  An enormous American flag covered much of the centerfield at the time. 

            And retired Coach Bobby Bowden had the honor of telling the racers to start their engines, except that he said, “Gentlemen, start your dadgummed engines!”

            Perhaps because this was the week of July 4th, there was a superb fireworks show at the end of the race.

           

                 Finally, there was a bold proclamation by one of the sponsors, and, even though I don’t usually write about particular companies, this sponsor deserves a mention and a gold medal of sorts.  Goodyear had every tire used in the race imprinted with “Support Our Troops.”  And, believe me, there were loads of tires used Saturday night.  

          

  Yes, it was noisy; yes, it was hot; but, yes, Saturday night’s race truly was a “good-feeling” experience. 

~                               ~                              ~

Where Were You on 9/11?

Where were you on the morning of September 11, 2001?  No doubt, you remember exactly, don't you?


I was driving by the Pentagon.  We were leaving Arlington to return to South Carolina, after taking my six-month-old nephew, Ryan, home to his parents. We spent the night of the 10th, then got up on the 11th to drive home. We had planned to leave between 8 am and 8:30 but it was more like 8:45 when we actually left my sister’s house.

As we approached the Pentagon, I wondered aloud why there were police officers everywhere and why there were roadblocks being set up on the entrance and exit ramps. People were scrambling, rushing to close of the streets.  In fact, I said that somebody important must be coming or going or doing something.

Because we were listening to an audio book, we didn’t have the radio on. Shortly, though, the cell phone rang. That's when we learned  that an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Immediately, we switched from listening to the book to listening to the radio.

We continued to drive south, trying to get news and trying to figure out what had happened. Soon, we learned of the second plane attack on the World Trade Center. And then the Pentagon crash. And then the news about the Pennsylvania crash.

These were hours of disbelief, shock, horror, confusion.  This was more than the mind could fathom.

During some stretches along I-95, it was difficult to get clear radio signals, but we picked up bits and pieces as much as possible. It became clear that the country was under attack.

We felt helpless.  Perhaps out of the helpless feeling came our desire to make a statement of sorts.  We started looking for an American flag to put on the car. We were determined to show our pride in America. At the first exit, we couldn’t find an American flag to purchase. Nor could we find one at the next exit. Or the next. In fact, it took us many stops and about 200 miles to find a flag. We bought several.

As we continued the drive, people honked and waved at the flag on the car.  Within days, in the aftermath of this tragedy, there were flags everywhere.
It many ways, it was a long drive home. My son lived in Arlington and worked at the Department of Justice in D.C. I couldn’t reach him by phone. I couldn't find anyone who knew where he was for about 48 hours.

It took a while, but a much shorter time, to reach my sister and brother-in-law also. I was anxious about family and friends in New York and in D.C.

As we’ve been reminded many times lately, it’s been ten years. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Somebody's Got It Right!!!

Well, thank goodness, somebody’s got it right!


In a recent news conference involving Wal-Mart executives and First Lady Michelle Obama, Wal-Mart announced that it would start selling healthier food products.

Not only is the giant retailer planning to have healthier choices available for shoppers, it also plans to make those healthy foods more affordable.

I say, “Hurrah.”

But my cheers aren’t specifically for Wal-Mart or for Michelle Obama or even for healthy foods. My cheers are for the concept.

What concept? It’s the idea that private industries and businesses can take positive steps to benefits consumers without being forced to do so by the government.

Although it’s a concept that we seem to have lost in recent history, I believe it’s the real “American way.”

I’ve always believed that government is not supposed to be the answer to every question, the solution to every problem. Government involvement, also known as government interference, should be a last resort, if used at all. Government assistance and government regulations shouldn’t be the first response to our needs and problems.

As someone once said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have.”

It seems that if business and industry didn’t have to spend so much time and jump through so many hoops to meet government regulations, there would be much more creativity and innovation in meeting needs and challenges.

It’s a concept worth bringing back, don’t you think?

                    *                                    *                                   *                                  *

It's About Balance and Drawing Lines

WARNING: This is a serious message, not my usual light-hearted scribbling.

Freedom of speech is awfully important to us, isn’t it? In fact, we hold dear all of our basic freedoms, liberties and rights.

Having the right to do something, though, doesn’t mean that “something” should be done.

For example, in our country, individuals have the right to burn “Old Glory,” our flag, the piece of cloth that is a symbol of our wonderful country. That doesn’t mean people ought to burn the flag, however.

Our citizens have the right to burn the Bible – or the Koran or any other book. Again, recognizing the right to carry out these activities doesn’t mean agreeing that it should be done or that we shouldn’t be repulsed when such takes place.


People have the right to demonstrate and picket, whether they are promoting something or protesting against it.

Yes, we have wonderful freedoms in this country as long as we don’t do harm to others and infringe on their rights.

But, just where do we draw the lines? It’s the figurative locations of those lines that concern me. What has brought up the concern this time?

It’s the Westboro Church members who protested with signs near the funeral of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green. Those church members have the right to speak their minds, both with words and with signs.

But what about the rights of family members during such unimaginable times of grief and sorrow? Not just Christina’s family but also the families of our military heroes who have given their lives? Where are their rights to privacy?



Do we take away the free speech rights of picketers? Or do we allow the demonstrations but instead restrict the time and place?

For example, should we allow them to march with signs but not within an hour prior to a funeral service until an hour after the service? Do we restrict them to an area outside close proximity to the funeral service and burial site?

This is another time when I have questions but no perfect answers.

What do YOU think?

~                    ~                  ~                   ~

Thank You to Our Veterans

America! America!  God shed his Grace on thee.

And crown thy good with Brotherhood

From Sea to Shining Sea!

Thanks to our veterans for our "sweet land of liberty."

May our liberties always remain and may they never be taken for granted.


A special thanks to some of my personal favorites:

Hubby, Karl J. Duppstadt a/k/a Dupp & The Duppster

 

 

 

Daughter, Tiffany Martschink - US Army

 

 

Dad, the late Ryan Shealy - USN

The Dawg, the late Carroll T. Smith - USAF

Numerous family members/relatives,

 including Ross Shealy, Ted Koon, Jack Buyer,

Steve Buyer, Pat Spence, Jud Spence, the late Judson Spence;

Veterans in my Sunday School class and church;

Countless other friends and acquaintances.

To ALL Veterans,

THANK YOU!



~    ~    ~    ~

 

 

 

A Penny for Your Thoughts?

Today is “Free Thought Day.”


And my free thought is, “Well, that’s about the only thing that’s still free. Wait a while and someone will want to tax that, too!”

Yes, this is one of those rare serious posts on this blog.

Sometimes it seems that we’re in a sort of endless cycle in our wonderful country. It IS a wonderful country; the government, though, isn’t so wonderful.

Our form of government is fine. There’s just too much of it.

As government has tried to be the answer for every question, it has burgeoned.

As “we the people” have asked the government to provide for us, government has increased.

As politicians have built their own little empires, government has multiplied.

As politicians have created jobs for friends, government has grown.

Each time government grows – with new employees, new programs, new responsibilities, new regulations, new buildings – the amount of money needed for funding has increased as well.

We are saddled with higher taxes and new taxes.

Somehow, we must stop this endless cycle. What’s the answer?

That’s something I’ll have to think about – while our thoughts are still free.

Gives new meaning to that familiar line about a penny for one’s thoughts, doesn’t it?

~                 ~                ~                ~

Lindsay, Michael, Brian, Matt and More

This is what my oldest daughter, Tiffany (pictured on the left), posted on Facebook several days ago: Can you believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20-something this week? Lindsay WHO? Here are a few 20-somethings worth knowing about: Justin Allen, 23; Brett Linley, 29; Matt Weikert, 29; Justus Bartett, 27; Dave Santos, 21; Chase Stanley, 21; Jesse Reed, 26; Matt King, 23; Chris Goeke, 23; and, Sheldon Tate, 27. These 20-somethings gave their lives for you this week.

Tiffany hit the proverbial nail on the head, didn’t she? Where ARE our values? Far more people know the name of Lindsay Lohan than the names of those young members of the military who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Has the loss of life in the military become something that is just a number, just a statistic in the news? And are our values as a society such that we idolize celebrities like Lindsay Lohan?

Similarly, does the name of Brian Bradshaw ring a bell for you? No? He was the 24-year-old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on the same day Michael Jackson died – June 25, 2009. A Pacific Lutheran University graduate, Bradshaw was, according to his aunt, "…a search-and-rescue volunteer, an altar boy, a camp counselor … [who] carried the hopes and dreams of his parents willingly on his shoulders. What more than that did Michael Jackson do or represent that earned him memorial 'shrines,' while this soldier's death goes unheralded?"

I am not questioning Michael Jackson’s talent or that of Lindsay Lohan. What I question is the attention given to them and the lack of attention to our young people who are true heroes.

There's More to Celebrate than Independence

Ah, July 4th - that good ol' American holiday in the heat of the summer.  Fireworks, food, families, friends, music, flags.  And, today, since the 4th falls on a Sunday, faith is one of the words to include.

We Americans are proud of our independence, as well we should be.


Sometimes, though, I think we ought to recognize and celebrate our interdependence as well. We wave our flags and celebrate independence, but, in reality, we are truly an interdependent nation, an interdependent people.

In other words, we depend on each other.

We depend on the military to protect our freedoms and independence.

Think about just any one routine day. Most of us depend upon the person who delivers the paper, the person who delivers the mail.

Perhaps we depend on those who write the news articles in the newspaper. We depend upon those who deliver the news on radio and TV.

We depend on other drivers to travel with care.

We depend on teachers, firefighters, law enforcement officers. We depend on farmers, wholesalers, retailers.

And baby-sitters, nurses, doctors, pharmacists.

We depend on friends and family to be there for us, in good times and in bad. We rely on retailers and clerks; bankers and advisers; cooks and chefs in restaurants; employers and fellow employees.

We depend on architects to design and engineers to build safe buildings, bridges and roads. We rely on inspectors to look out for consumers. We depend on bus drivers, pilots, train conductors.

We trust and depend on counselors and religious leaders.

We depend on others and others depend on us. We depend on our own prayers and on the prayers of others, just as others sometimes depend on our prayers for them. 

It’s fine to celebrate our independence, but perhaps we ought to take time to reflect on just how interdependent we are as well. Can you think of several people who depend on you? How about people you depend on? Who are they and why do you rely on them?

This interdependence is a trust in others to do their jobs well, to be real friends, to be supportive family members.

We can’t do without each other, can we? As John Donne wrote, “No man is an island.”

How fortunate we are to have each other! How fortunate we are to have not only our independence but also our interdependence.

                                                                   ~    ~    ~    ~

Oh, No! I Missed It!!

                                                                
              

Oh, no!
I missed one of my very favorite annual observances this year.

Saturday, December 5th, was Bathtub Party Day – and I missed it. Did you?


This celebration reminds me of one of my all-time favorite poems. It’s by the creative genius/poet Shel Silverstein (1930-1999):


                                                       Crowded Tub

                                                       There's too many kids in this tub.
                                                       There's too many elbows to scrub.
                                                       I just washed a behind
                                                      That I'm sure wasn't mine,
                                                     There's too many kids in this tub.

For years I read stories and poems weekly to elementary school students. They all loved this poem, as well as most others by Silverstein.

Now that I’ve missed one of my favorite observances, I am hereby officially reminding myself of another favorite that comes up next Wednesday, December 16th: National Chocolate-covered Anything Day.




Those are both fun days and observances, one in the past, one in the future.

Today, though, is another special day - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It’s a day to be reminded of Pearl Harbor but also a good time to say “thank you” to all veterans and to all current members of our military.

So, a big “THANK YOU” to all!

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

How Could You Miss Something SO Big????

Did you hear or read about the airline pilots who missed the Minneapolis airport by 150 miles? Just in case you haven’t, here’s an excerpt of the AP story:

Controllers on the ground, pilots of other planes, even a flight attendant back in the cabin tried to alert the crew as the Northwest airliner zoomed past Minneapolis at 37,000 feet. Worried about who was actually at the controls, officials asked the crew to prove who they were by executing turns after they finally were contacted….With no response from the two pilots Wednesday night, the plane flew 150 miles past its destination before turning back…

On the ground, police and FBI agents prepared for the worst, and the Air National Guard put fighter jets on alert at two locations as the drama unfolded…..the Airbus A320 was over Eau Claire, Wis., and the pilots had been out of communication with air traffic controllers for over an hour. They turned back and landed safely in Minneapolis, the plane's scheduled destination.

Commentators on TV and radio, talk show hosts, newspaper writers and others have made a big deal out of this. How in the world could pilots miss the airport by 150 miles???

What were those pilots doing? Were they asleep? Involved in a deep conversation? Arguing? What? After a couple of days, they said they “had been having a heated discussion about airline policy.”

Whatever they were doing seemed to defy belief. There was an air of incredulity in the news reports.

It seemed odd to me also, but, unfortunately, I also could identify with it – somewhat.

We were on a family trip to California years ago and were scheduled to compete on “Family Feud,” which we did twice, by the way. On this particular trip, we used one day to visit one of Mom’s co-workers, a friend in Marina del Ray. I was at the wheel of the rental car on the return trip from Marina del Ray back to Hollywood.

From the interstate, I totally missed Hollywood. I missed Los Angeles. I missed all of those exits. I remembered seeing a sign for Burbank, but didn’t think that’s where we were supposed to go. All of a sudden we were seeing signs for places far north of Los Angeles. How could this be? How could one just pass by Los Angeles?

How does one miss a city the size of Los Angeles? I don’t know. I wasn’t napping at the wheel. But I was arguing. And I was being stubborn. (This is the first time I have admitted that!)

Maybe because the city is SO large, there were no exits marked simply “Los Angeles” or “Hollywood.” Perhaps they all just had names of streets and of small communities – names I wouldn’t have recognized.

Yes, the pilots who missed Minneapolis are professionals; I was just a regular driver. Just the same, I understand that sometimes you just don’t see the big things right in front of you!

WW: Presidential Portraits and More

These are pictures I took last year in the Smithsonian's presidential exhibit.  Some of the artwork is truly amazing.

Have you ever had your patience tried?  Did you have to wait a long time for something?  Read this that was displayed next to one of Thomas Jefferson's portraits.  Yes, that was a different time - before people were used to getting things right away.

This is a close up of a section of the previous portrait.  The hands are so life-like, don't you think?

These are life masks of Abraham Lincoln.  The one on the right was done two weeks before his death.

These sculptures are of President George Herbert Walker Bush.  He's throwing horseshoes.

Click the links to view other participants in Wordless Wednesday and Wordful Wednesday.