Will Rogers with Chutzpah

Art Buchwald, who satirized the follies of the rich, the famous and the powerful for half a century as the most widely read newspaper humorist of his time, died this evening in Washington. He was 81.

Buchwald came to the realization at the age of six or seven that the world was mad. He spent the rest of his life recording it. His column would not split your sides, but they would make you smile. Avoiding exercise because he felt it was dangerous to his health, Buchwald gravitated toward big cigars and rich pastries.

Known in the hospice as The Man Who Wouldn’t Die, Art Buchwald left us with a beaming joyful smile upon his face.

“Godfather of Soul”

James Brown, the singer, songwriter, bandleader and dancer who indelibly transformed 20th-century music, died Monday, December 25, 2006 in Atlanta. He was 73. Brown died of congestive heart failure after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

Through the years, James Brown did not only call himself “the hardest working man in show business.” He also went by “Mr. Dynamite,” “Soul Brother No. 1,” “the Minister of Super Heavy Funk” and “the Godfather of Soul”.

President Gerald R. Ford

Former President Gerald R. Ford, who gently led the United States out of the tumultuous Watergate era but who lost his own bid for election after pardoning President Richard M. Nixon, died Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

He was 93, making him the oldest former president, surpassing Ronald Reagan, who died in 2004, by just over a month.

The quote that I associate with President Ford is his statement --- “You can disagree without being disagreeable.”

Oswego’s “Historic Maritime District”

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Out for a Sunday drive, we visited the H. Lee White Marine Museum in Oswego for its annual “Christmas at Sea” Open House. Rosemary Sinnett Nesbitt was acting as Mrs. Santa Claus. Greeting Mrs. Nesbitt I disclosed how once she gave my class a tour of Fort Ontario. With a smile she said, “Oh yes, I remember you.” The museum is extensive and also houses an underground railroad exhibit.

Adirondack Shootout

Friday, December 8, 2006

Cold weather and a great, hardpack snowy base on the runway created perfect conditions for posting fast stock times at the Snow Week/DynoTech Research Shootout in Woodgate, New York.

Although the temperature never broke over 7, it was a great way to jump start the snowmobile season.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales

This evening at 7:30 Joan and I experienced A Child’s Christmas in Wales as adapted by Polly Hogan at the Auburn Public Theater. The play featured Ron Ritchell, Polly’s husband of 35 years, as the the narrator, the voice of the poet Dylan Thomas.

The cozy space of APT and the simple but charming set brought the essence of Christmas to all those in attendance.

Let’s hope APT makes this production a Christmas tradition for Auburn.

Leo Pinckney - A Handshake & A Smile

Leo Pinckney died yesterday morning a day after celebrating his 89th birthday.

My first introduction to Leo was when he labeled me the general in his sports column while covering the Mt. Carmel basketball team. This moniker would provided hours of amusement to my college roommates.

Later Leo as chairman of the March of Dimes enlisted me as a volunteer.

When I was chairperson of an annual men’s breakfast Leo was instrumental in getting Frank Maloney, then Syracuse football coach, to be the main speaker.

Over the years Leo would mention me in his annual Christmas column.

When I had political aspirations Leo assisted my mentors in Brennan's back room.

In recent summers Leo has acknowledged me from his box seat at Falcon Park.

For as long as baseball is discussed in Auburn, Leo’s trademark firm handshake and pleasant smile will be remembered.

John & Zoe’s Gala

Sunday, November 5, 2006

John and Zoe Cameron enter the ballroom of the Springside Inn to the applause of 150 invited guests. Clan Cameron under the direction of Jack, Bobby, and David Cameron arranged the ceilidh. The party celebrated John and Zoe’s 65th wedding anniversary and John’s 90th birthday.

Anytime You Feel Like Quitting

Recall the story of this person:

He failed in business in ‘31.

He ran as a state legislator and lost in ‘32.

He tried business again in ‘33 and failed again.

His sweetheart died in ‘35.

He had a nervous breakdown in ‘36.

He ran for state elector in ‘40 after her regained his health.

He was defeated for Congress in ‘943, defeated again for Congress in ‘48, defeated when he ran for the Senate in ‘55, and defeated for vice-president of the United States in ‘56.

He ran for the Senate again in ‘58 and lost.

This man never quit

He kept on trying till the last.

In 1860, this man was elected President of the United States.

'Maine' man

John Maine’s uncle, Dave Maine profiled.

MPNnow.com: 'Maine' man

A Lone Star State Progressive

Ann W. Richards died September 13th, at her home in Austin.

Richards, a champion of women’s rights, once told a television audience, “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.”

This silver-haired Texas activist declared, “... in politics, your enemies can’t hurt you, but your friends can kill you.”

As Texas governor, Richards underestimated her Republican challenger George W. Bush and was upset in 1994. Later, Richards acknowledged that Bush had been much more effective at “staying on message” and made none of the mistakes that her campaign strategists had expected.

A voice for "New Texas" has been silenced.

What should I do with all the time on my hands?

Well. Allow about a year and a half for planning, building and photographing. Lay out your 75,000 Lego pieces. Build a Lego Church.

Once completed your Lego Church will be 7 feet by 5 1/2 feet by 30 inches. It will seat one thousand three hundred seventy-two Lego church members. It will have three thousand nine hundred seventy-six windows. It will feature a balcony, a Narthex, stairs to the balcony, restrooms, coat rooms, mosaics, a nave, a baptistry, an altar, a crucifix, a pulpit and an elaborate pipe organ.

Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. - Will Rogers

Keep an eye on your license plate!

Have you checked your license plate lately? It seems people are stealing the plates to get free gas.

With gas prices soaring, people are putting stolen license plates on their car, filling up at the gas station, and driving off without paying. When the license plate is reported as the "drive off vehicle", guess who gets a visit from law enforcement.

Are your license plates where they are suppose to be?

Remembrance

Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.

One’s spirit accepts God’s dealings with us as good. This meekness before God is a fruit of power. Meekness places the infinite resources of God at one’s command.

Classroom Inquiry and Teacher Response

"What are we doing today?" After being in the system for years, as a student should realize that this lesson is the activity for the day.

"Why do we have to learn this?" Using vast statistical reviews, educational textbook editors have determined this information to be a basic necessity for your growth.

"When am I ever going to need this in real life?" While skepticism maybe the door post of your adolescent viewpoint, one cannot always anticipate a future need.

"Will this be on the test?" Only if grades are due.

"Can I go to the bathroom?" Of course.

Let the fun begin.

Welcome back.

As the school doors open, the schoolhouse seems to be little changed. This might be the year to accomplish those things that you previously only dreamed about attempting.

Why not begin by putting some fun in your classroom. Sign up to participate in an Online Project.

Senator Eugene McCarthy

"There is only one thing to do
- take it to the country!"
Former Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy (D-Minn.), whose surprisingly strong showing in the 1968 New Hampshire presidential primary dramatized deepening public opposition to the Vietnam War and effectively ended President Lyndon B. Johnson's political career, died yesterday Saturday, December 10th. He was 89.

Several years ago I was present at Wells College when Sen. McCarthy read his poetry.

Sitting there in a floral print wingback chair Sen. McCarthy shared his poems with the Wells women and a few men. I recall feeling that I was in the presence of a man who was comfortable in his skin.

While Sen. McCarthy was viewed by peers as something of a ruminator and a curmudgeon. I remember him as a most civil man driven by his conscience.

Robert Kennedy's brother, Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, said in a statement yesterday: "Gene's name will forever be linked with our family. In spite of the rivalry with Bobby in the 1968 campaign, I admired Gene enormously for his courage in challenging a war America never should have fought. His life speaks volumes to us today, as we face a similar critical time for our country."

Sen. McCarthy often proclaimed his dependence on Thomas More as "the first modern man, the first political man."

"He was forced to make a kind of individual and personal choice at a time when there was great upheaval," Mr. McCarthy noted with satisfaction as he tried to explain himself to a nation also in upheaval.

Wisdom

Maya Angelou

    Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

    Maya Angelou said this:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled
Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

"Mother, what was war?"

‘... I tell you, war is hell!’

Publishers Weekly describes The March by E.L. Doctorow as “a ... Civil War Canterbury Tales.” In this powerful story, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman is affectionately called "Uncle Billy" by his troops. Nevertheless Sherman's name may still be the answer to the Alex Trebek question, "Who was and still is the most hated and despised man in the history of Georgia?”

Doctorow offers this stunning climactic statement from Sherman's lips: "our civil war . . . is but a war after a war, a war before a war."

Will today's war in Iraq replace the war in the fictitious Sherman's statement? If so, who will history scorn?

Sit Still - Just Sit Still

"I got on the bus to go home."

The famous U.P.I. photoactually taken on Dec. 21, 1956

Robert Fulghum on page 112 of his bestseller, It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It, quotes the words heard at the pearly gates Monday evening 24th of October 2005. “Ah, Rosa Parks, we’ve been expecting you. Make yourself at home---take any seat in the house.”

Nearly 50 years ago, Dec. 1, 1955, Parks challenged the South's Jim Crow laws -- and Montgomery's segregated bus seating policy -- by refusing to get up and give her seat to a white passenger.

Impressive - how doing nothing could cause so much activity.