SIGN OF THE TIME: SWITCHING GEARS

For a number of years, I have sent a small, plain Thanksgiving card to friends, family and colleagues at the start of the holidays.

This year I will send my greeting electronically by e-mail on the first of November.

I hope my verse will be as well received in this format as it was in the other.

IMPOSSIBLE! NEVER HAPPEN!

Just a few weeks ago, the St. Louis Cardinals did not seem to have a chance to take the Pennant, much less get to the World Series. And now, look at them!

I don't usually get excited over baseball, except when my grandson pitches. He's terrific! Yet, I found myself cheering the Red Birds and listening as their games were broadcast, even though I am loyal to the Phillie's. I joined in the announcer's "gt yp, gt yp, gt yp" when the ball was hit.

It was impossible! They were so far back. Beat the Phillie's? It would never happen! But beat them they did and became the National League Champs. Can they win the World Series? Well, I wouldn't bet against them.

NEW YORK'S TAPPEN ZEE BRIDGE

Recently I learned that New York's Tappen Zee Bridge, built in the 1950s, will be torn down. It is one of many bridges that need to be repaired or replaced because of neglect or because the structure can no longer safely serve ever increasing traffic.

Yet, understanding all this and agreeing that neglected structures are unsafe for man, woman or beast, I will be sad to see the Tappen Zee torn down.

Sometimes,when I visit New York, I go to Tarry Town where I stop at a dockside bar across the Hudson River facing the Tappen Zee. When I see her, she reminds me of a grand dame's elegant tiara. I know that if I had to use the bridge, as thousands do daily, the Tappen Zee's elegance's or lack of it would not be on my mind as I crawled along in traffic.

But sitting in Tarry Town facing the Bridge I wonder will she be replaced by an impossibly high, cold cement overpass? Will that overpass be as satisfying to the senses as watching an elegant tiara sparkle in the sun or moonlight. I think not, but everyone will get home quicker!

WHICH WAY AMERICA?

The Internet has made us aware of citizens and regimes around the world. As a result, I often wonder how did the ordinary person in England or France live with the fact that their country was no longer the greatest Empire it once was? How were people able to understand and make the necessary adjustments for a different kind of governance so that their national culture and values were not destroyed?

Here in America, right now, in the 21st Century, we are being pulled from one ideology to another as we try to find our footing in a world that is rapidly changing.

It seems to me that we need to put political parties aside. Check our emotional rhetoric at the door. Sit in the quiet of our home and ask ourselves am I prepared to make adjustments that will help this country meet the future in a fair and open way? Are we prepared as individuals to look at the greatness of this country without resorting to demagoguery or hyperbole and ask hard questions of ourselves as we face reality? Or do we accept the demagoguery and hyperbole?

MOVE OVER MEXICO OR WHEREVER

If Missouri is not known as the Salsa state, it should be.

On a perfectly beautiful day I attended the 20th Anniversary of the "Best of Missouri Market." It was held in large white tents on the grounds of Missouri's Botanical Garden. It attracted hundreds of people on the last day and probably thousands for the three days it was opened. There was plenty of food and wine sampling, but everywhere we turned we found a different variety of Salsa samples
sweet, mild and hot!

In terms of examples of Missouri crafts, I was disappointed, though three craftsmen did catch my attention. Joseph Farmer created metal sculptures out of ordinary things like hedge sheers, old cameras and musical instruments. Nena Galloway Potts designed imaginative and delicate jewelry. Vic Barr made colorful and sleek fountain pens out of wood.

Except for these few craft artists, Salsa samples seemed to steal the show.