EARTH DAY 2023

 On a DC 9  Airplane, our pilot, did a slow dip to the East and we were able to

see a large river below.  We asked our flight attendent wether or not it was the 

Mississippi.  She wasn't sure but said, "I'll ask the captain." Shortly there after, she 

returned to tell us, there would be a delay coming into St. Louis because of cloudy 

weather.  The flight captain identfied the river below.  It was called,"Driftwood."

When Shazia and I came back home, I looked for "Driftwood" on my computer.

I did not find "Driftwood" but what I did find was extensive information about the great rivers

that feed into the North American Continent from Canada, and South to Mexico.  For me, as

I look forward to celebrating EARTH DAY 2023,  I feel sure that "Driftwood" was among the great

 rivers.  This small story began a 4-day trip we made to St. Louis to attend the Memorial and Life  

Celebration for Donald L. Snyder.  During our time away, we met with Don's family and many 

of his friends. Don was survived by his sons Richard (Elspeth Keller) and Philip Snyder (Carol) and 

three grandsons, Owen, Alex and Elias.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Carole.

In the next two weeks, I shall be celebrating EARTH DAY and ARBOR DAY.  I will do so

reminded of the beauty and value of all life.  So, even as "Driftwood" seems unlisted among

the great rivers of this continent, it remains near and dear to many who know it.

beverlyrehfeld!@gmail

Wear your mask.  Take your shots

And VOTE!

 

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DONALD L. SNYDER MEMORIAL AND LIFE CELEBRATION

THE PROGRAM DEPICTS DON EXPLAINING SOMETHING TO A YOUNG STUDENT.  THE PHOTOGRAPH, WAS TAKEN AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY,  IN LOUIS. DEPICTING DON'S DEVOTION TO TEACHING MATH, PHYSICS, ENGINEERING, AND SCIENCE. 

YET HE HAD MANY CONTRADICTIONS AS WELL. 

A MAN OF MANY HABITS, HE WANTED THE FRONT ROW SEAT WHERE EVER WE WENT. WETHER AT THE WOODWORKERS GUILD PROGRAM of "SHOW AND TELL", OR AT JOE'S,  THE SCIENCE CENTER, OR HERE FOR SATURDAY MORNING LECTURES. THOUGH HE DID HIS SHOPPING AT SUPER MARKETS; HIS LOVE OF "THE HILL" IN OLD CITY, ST. LOUIS, FORTIFIED HIM. HE WAS GENEROUS TO A FAULT. REMEMBERING THE NAMES OF MANY WORKING PEOPLE AND OFFERING HIS HELP IN TIME OF TROUBLES. YET, HE WANTED TO YELL, "GET A JOB," TO HOME LESS PEOPLE. HE WAS A SHY MAN TO MYFAMILY, YET ENJOYED THEIR COMPANY WHEN THEY VISITED.

HE INSPIRED MANY PEOPLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE EARTH AND THE MOON. HE WORKED HARD TO BRING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SIGNIFICENCE AND PLEASURE OF BUILDING SUN DIALS AND LOCATED MANY OF THEM IN CEMENTARIES AND IN SCHOOL YARDS. DON INSPIRED MANY PEOPLE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THIS COUNTRY AND SOMETIMES AROUND THE WORLD.

I SAW A GREAT DEAL  OF MISSOURI'S NATURAL BEAUTY AND
MEET SO MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE DON HAD SHARED MUCH OF

IT AND THEM WITH ME.  HE DELIGHTED IN SO MUCH OF LIFE

AS DID I WITH HIM.  

 

SUNDAY MORNINGS WE WOULD ENJOY BREAKFAST AT CHRIS'

DINNER WHERE PEOPLE WAITED IN LINE WITH CHILDREN.  WHEN

WE CAME IN, DON PULLED OUT A HAND FULL OF COINS.  HE GAVE

 THE CHILDREN COINS TO DROP INTO A POT.  THE CHILDREN

WATCHED THE COINS SPIN AROUND AND DROP OUT OF SIGHT.  DON 

WATCHED THE CHILDREN TURN TO HIM. THEN HE SAID, "WHERE DO YOU THINK

THOSE COINS WENT?"  AT THAT POINT, I UNDERSTOOD. WE WERE ABOUT

TO LEARN ABOUT GRAVITY.  DON WAS PLEASED.  AFTER THAT WE WALKED

AND HAD A LOVELY AFTERNOON

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com/

Wear your mask.  Wash your hands

And VOTE