DOES FEAR CLOUD REALITY?

Clouds blocked our vision of the huge beautiful moon.

The night was cold but invigorating.  Though we could not see the moon, we knew it was there but it was of little help in navigating the unfamiliar road.

We wound around curves and had to drive through road construction that was poorly lit.  Through it all   there was no moon and little light yet there was no turning back.

For me that evening's ride was like a metaphor for my feelings about what is happening to our country.

We know and understand the opportunity that so many of us and our ancestors have had and enjoy.

Yet we are reluctant to offer these opportunities to others. Why?

We know that guns kill people.  But we are reluctant to give up weapons, once used for sustenance and protection in wide-open isolated homes and communities are now used to gun down people.  Why?

We are told the best protection we can have is with a doctrine that tells us we need not think for ourselves.  Why?

We have always respected and safe guarded individual religious beliefs and non believers alike. Now we are told that societies must make personal choices  which are contrary to what we believe.  Why?

We are told we represent one kind of ism or another because we question public policy.  Why?

We plead for civil, respectful dialogue on domestic, national and international issues.  Now we are told
that sensitive, complex issues which affect us are off limits.  Why?

Like my trip on an unfamiliar road from which there was no turning back, my experience that night
reminds me of the dilemma we face today.   Should we turn back in fear of what lies ahead or go forward?  Is it fear that clouds our ability to recognize reality?

The answer dear reader is yours to make.

FEBRUARY SKYWATCH

On this next to last day of February the moon rises high overhead

While elsewhere it hides behind clouds with rain, sleet  and ice

A mild breeze turns our attention away from gloom

Toward buds about to bloom and birds eager to sing for us

 As we call upon our determination to plan for the future with hope.

ANOTHER ENTREPRENEUR?

Recently on a trip to the state of Florida, I discovered the latest entrepreneurship on a coast teeming with tall palm trees.

We were going South, passing old railroad tracks that once hauled crates of oranges, coconuts and  pineapples proudly marked as being from"Sunny Florida", now carrying construction material like cranes and bricks.

As we traveled, huge billboards standing as high as the cranes we passed advertised local and national products, services and candidates who were running in elections past and current.  All these messages and the billboards  obliterated views of the Floridian flora and fauna.

When suddenly, a huge, black billboard loomed above us.  It advertised a company and appeared to be a truck stop. High on the billboard too were the words, "BARBER ON PREMISE."

I have seen "Showers " advertised at other trucks stops but "BARBER" was a first for me and I thought it was a great idea for drivers who make long hauls.

Be that as it may, it softened what might have been a long rant on my part against billboards
in general and on my trip to the sunny South in particular.

CIVIL RIGHTS AND RACISM

Less than a week ago the long-time nationally-known Civil Rights Activist Frankie Freeman died. She was 101 years old and worked all her life to achieve social,  legal and judicial equality for all people.  I was struck by the difference between the work Freeman leaves behind and the current furor over our President.

Charles M. Blow in today's New York Times describes our President as being "Racist Period."  Webster's dictionary defines "racism" as a belief that racial differences produce an inherent and  superiority of a particular race.

This country has a long history of nurturing people's dreams and opportunities. When justice is denied  to some of us it is incumbent on all of us to recognize it  and to work toward securing a fairer society.

When our President bullies and degrades others he reveals his own intolerance  for all of us and belittles all who have fought and worked to secure America's place in the world.

SO BEGINS 2018 ...

We are supposed to leave last year's "bad stuff" 

behind with the New Year.  We count the blessings of

friends and family and make resolutions for 2018.  

We turn inward to examine our short comings

and outward seeking new opportunities to do better.  

We dream of a world with greater

understanding for and between people.  

We hope in the words of a friend of mine,

"First things done that work at the start of the New Year 

means all things done the rest

of the year will work too." *

Perhaps we need to work harder in 2018 to make that so!

*Donald L.Snyder

NEW YEAR GREETINGS

AS WE TURN THE CALENDAR

WE CHRONICLE LAST YEAR'S EVENTS

NOW MAY WE MOVE INTO THE NEW YEAR

VIGOROUSLY MEETING INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGES

WHILE RECOGNIZING WE ALL SHARE THE SAME PLANET.

BRANDING AND TODAY'S CHILDREN

She is a beautiful child.  Long hair pulled back in a pony tail tied with a

big bow. She saw me and did a quick twirl holding out her skirt as she spun.

I asked her how old are you?  Six she answered with poise.


She wore a fancy dress,  bright white shoes with a small heel and white stockings.

I asked what was she doing up so early  and where was she going? 

She tells me, "to have my picture taken."


I tell her how beautiful I think she looks.  She points to her outfit.

With pride she points to her dress, to her shoes, to her stockings

and tells me the brand name for each.  


When she left,   I wondered.


When we, or children are so absorbed with keeping up with "brands" or

commercials  do we discourage curiosity or the enjoyment of each other?