NULLIFICATION OR COOL HEADED REASONING?

Seems state and congressional officials are pursuing nullification and a steady stream of violent verbiage to undo Federal Laws that meet the needs of people.

 Federal Laws that seemed to help overcome injustices in voting, in marriage, in the health and welfare of men, women, children and families, in a common sense approach to gun control, in penalties for pollution, in fair and equal taxation methods all are targeted for nullification by many state and congressional representatives. 

Thank goodness for those elected officials who stand up against such moves and encourage citizens to use reason and cool headiness in the face of threats and misinformation.

RESTAURANTS AND DR. SUESS' ADMONITION

In the 70s, many small family owned and operated restaurants opened in cities and towns across the country.  Some restaurants revitalized blighted areas. They offered eclectic menus. Locally- grown American fare was served along with dishes from around the world. The ambiance was often one that included music, poetry readings and wall hangings by local artists.

These restaurants became places to meet neighbors and people with like-minded interests. Politics, sports, the trials and tribulations of raising children, and  the complexity of human relationships all could be heard at tables or in booths sometimes placed close together.

Such a restaurant was Duff's which was opened in 1972.  Family owned and operated, it soon became the "in" place no matter the weather. In wintertime, the interior was plain and warmed by the sun as it streamed through the restaurant's stained glass front windows.  In the summers, outside tables and chairs were hard to get. Year round, writers and authors held readings and once in a while a violin could be heard.

Many restaurants here and throughout the country that were established in the years since the 70s no longer exist .  Now, this ever popular St. Louis spot  closed its doors too on June 21.  It will have its final literary reading on June 22nd.

Above Duff's front door hangs a quote from Dr. Seuss:

              "Don't cry because it's over... Smile because it happened."

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT MISTAKES?

Two small children and their mother came into my favorite coffee shop.  The children looked as if they might be brother and sister.  The boy was about three.  The girl about five. Both were beautiful, exuberant children.

The mother ordered breakfast while the children selected a table and then roamed about.  When the mother brought the food, they all sat down. I returned to reading  my paper until I heard the mother yell, "Say you are sorry!" When I looked up the mother was on her knees on the floor trying to clean up a mess and the little boy was running to the other side of the restaurant shouting, "I won't!"

I do not know what happened but the whole scene made me wonder.  Do we use "sorry" as an acceptable response to excuse our mistakes instead of doing the hard work of cleaning up the mess we sometimes make?