Friday, November 21, 2008

The Goose Story



Geese - Little Sodus Bay


This story appeared in Gordie Allen's Journal and Republican weekly column, Allen's Alley. Having just seen a flock of geese flying overhead during my morning walk, thought I would share this information.

The Goose Story


Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as
each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. People who share common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to do it alone and quickly gets into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way as we are going. When the goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It pays to take turns doing hard jobs.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. An encouraging word goes a long way.

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by a gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and
then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with the group. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.
- Author Unknown

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

"Yes We Can" ~ 125,000 people - Grant Park



Store Front - State Street


It has been a long time since I have been awake past the witching hour. But here I am watching the TV after the midnight hour. On the screen a throng of 125,000 people are gathered in Chicago's Grant Park. Then President-elect Barack Obama approaches the lectern and states, "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment, change has come to America."

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Election Day 2008



It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
~ Sam Cooke


In 1962, registered to vote. Have exercised this privilege ever since. Today leaving the polling booth witnessed a first. There in the Casey Park recreation center parking lot getting our of their car was a couple with their child. Their youthful faces brought to mind my first voting experience. But what was most amazing was that he was an Afro-American and she was a Caucasian. Perhaps change has come.