A friend told me she had been going through boxes of old photos. As she did so, she discovered hand written letters from her children when they attended summer camp for the first time during the 60s.
In one letter her son sent a dull pencil and requested that she "sharpen it" and "send soaks."
Another child that she had taught to iron clothes said he was having a good time but had "scotched" (instead of scorched) his pants.
In another letter, a religious ornament worn around the neck and meant to protect the wearer was returned because "a mouse and a snake ran across the cabin floor."
As she told me all this, I was reminded of Allan Sherman's parody about letters from children at camp. The song was called, "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" and was a big hit.
The 60s was a time when summer camp may have marked the first time young children were sent away from their home. Nothing more than an obligatory letter connected them to family to say they were O.K. and were having a good time, no matter the spelling.
Allan Sherman's parody on camp life captured both the universally felt anxiety of parents and the innocence of children who were separated from each other for the first time.
I wonder, is the electronics age able to capture the warm humor of such human feelings as well?
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
WORDS AND JUSTICE SIRICA AND LAW
The Affordable Care Act, with all its flaws and problems has many supporters and users. However, its opponents have now taken the Act to the Supreme Court.
In a well-researched article in the May 26 edition of The New York Times, columnist Robert Pear
says the opposition may be based on an error in the use of words. Pear bases his assessment on interviews with members of Congress, their staff, committee members and the process of drafting and reviewing the Law.
If Pear's assessment is correct, it seems to me the words which may have been written in error
could indeed cause legal scholars, and politicians grounds for debate.
The dictionary defines the word "law" in six different ways. Each definition is broken down in several different categories and usage. Synonyms for the word are also listed.
One of the main definitions is that law is the basis for civil and communal behavior. Even so
our history as a nation reminds us that sometimes laws can be less than just or fair.
Mr. Pear concludes his article with a quote from Justice Antonin Scalia who said "it is not what Congress would have wanted, but what Congress enacted." With all due respect to Justice Scalia, I wonder as a nation are we unable to admit mistakes and correct them?
Sunday, May 17, 2015
SO WHAT IS SHELL'S OIL DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN REALLY ABOUT?
Even in the face of one failure after another less than three years ago, Shell still plans to drill in the Arctic Ocean.
The reason given? We need the oil to provide the energy Mr. & Mrs. America, and the world needs. Say what?
Have we come to a point in our civilization that neither fish nor foul nor the lives of people who will work in one of nature's most awesome and unpredictable environments are worth little? Are we about to be taken in once again by false promises that we can beat the will of Mother Nature?
Are we so enticed by prospects for pay-offs, for returns on the dollar that this lark by Shell is a must-have for the benefit of humanity? Or is it another futile effort to benefit a handful of investors?
Have we become so greedy or so disrespectful of human limitations that we can now accept that the environment of which we are a part is now to be considered as fodder for unworthy endeavors?
I do not know why the Obama administration gave Shell and the Petroleum industry a green light to go ahead with this folly in face of the drilling, fractoring and other sure-fire remedies that have failed and created more chaos than benefits in our hunt for energy.
I do know that I wish I had a kayak and a paddle so I could join the activists to block Royal Dutch Shell from using the port of Seattle for their drilling fleet.
The reason given? We need the oil to provide the energy Mr. & Mrs. America, and the world needs. Say what?
Have we come to a point in our civilization that neither fish nor foul nor the lives of people who will work in one of nature's most awesome and unpredictable environments are worth little? Are we about to be taken in once again by false promises that we can beat the will of Mother Nature?
Are we so enticed by prospects for pay-offs, for returns on the dollar that this lark by Shell is a must-have for the benefit of humanity? Or is it another futile effort to benefit a handful of investors?
Have we become so greedy or so disrespectful of human limitations that we can now accept that the environment of which we are a part is now to be considered as fodder for unworthy endeavors?
I do not know why the Obama administration gave Shell and the Petroleum industry a green light to go ahead with this folly in face of the drilling, fractoring and other sure-fire remedies that have failed and created more chaos than benefits in our hunt for energy.
I do know that I wish I had a kayak and a paddle so I could join the activists to block Royal Dutch Shell from using the port of Seattle for their drilling fleet.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
DESPITE CONTROVERSY AND DISASTER SPRING ARRIVES!
These last days of April brought controversy to another city here in America. We seem to have a difficult time understanding that injustice is like a nasty contagious disease that affects all of us.
In spite of national turmoil and natural disaster, Mother Nature blessed us with a glorious day today. The kind of day that we look for excuses to be outside. Even though parts of the country are dealing with drought, while other parts are concerned with flooding, St. Louis enjoyed a cloudless day.
Date and weather conditions are registered by weather people, I prefer to keep track of Spring's arrival by the buds that are suddenly in bloom and the noisy sound of birds.
Today, both showed their presence and were welcomed.
Monday, April 27, 2015
TOP TEN: WHY ARE THE POLICE SO ANGRY?
TOP TEN REASONS WHY POLICE ARE ANGRY IN AMERICA.
1) Congress gives community police departments surplus war equipment
and then tells them, "No rough stuff!"
2) States and communities do not provide programs to train police what
to do when there are protests.
3) The Federal Government makes and has laws to register guns and provide
oversight for the gun and ammunition industry. State governors and legislators
tell local police they will be arrested if they implant Federal Law.
4) The Chamber of Commerce and tourist industry urge open carry laws to attract
gun toting conventions and visitors. A visitor gets drunk and creates a threatening
commotion. We call the police.
5) We vote for representatives and officials who buy war surplus guns and
ammunition to help police maintain the peace and then find it adds to chaos.
6) We claim qualified people do not apply for police jobs. We do little to
attract young men and women who want to serve their communities as police
officers.
7) We engage in busy work designing and redesigning guns and equipment for
safety as men, women and children are shot each day on our city streets. The police are faulted.
8) We allow and invite vigilantes with concealed guns and shotguns to protect our
families rather than regulate the weapons industry.
9) We cringe from anything that smacks of gun registration as police are shot
by unknown assailants.
10) And finally, a policeman is held for murder and we run out to buy still more
guns, legal or not to protect ourselves.
Maybe these are some of the reasons police officers are angry and take out
their hostility on the people they are sworn to protect.
1) Congress gives community police departments surplus war equipment
and then tells them, "No rough stuff!"
2) States and communities do not provide programs to train police what
to do when there are protests.
3) The Federal Government makes and has laws to register guns and provide
oversight for the gun and ammunition industry. State governors and legislators
tell local police they will be arrested if they implant Federal Law.
4) The Chamber of Commerce and tourist industry urge open carry laws to attract
gun toting conventions and visitors. A visitor gets drunk and creates a threatening
commotion. We call the police.
5) We vote for representatives and officials who buy war surplus guns and
ammunition to help police maintain the peace and then find it adds to chaos.
6) We claim qualified people do not apply for police jobs. We do little to
attract young men and women who want to serve their communities as police
officers.
7) We engage in busy work designing and redesigning guns and equipment for
safety as men, women and children are shot each day on our city streets. The police are faulted.
8) We allow and invite vigilantes with concealed guns and shotguns to protect our
families rather than regulate the weapons industry.
9) We cringe from anything that smacks of gun registration as police are shot
by unknown assailants.
10) And finally, a policeman is held for murder and we run out to buy still more
guns, legal or not to protect ourselves.
Maybe these are some of the reasons police officers are angry and take out
their hostility on the people they are sworn to protect.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
NOW IT'S OUR TURN! VOTE ON TUESDAY!
We may have spent this weekend in celebration and contemplation of religious holidays or we may have simply communed with nature or been lucky enough to gaze upon a full moon in all its glory.
One thing for sure, not many of us are necessarily in the mood for the serious business of dealing with non glamorous, local elections. No star candidate. No punditry or polls of state or national interest just the hard work of making sure candidates and issues like bonds and propositions are offered in keeping with our democratic process.
Small local elections are the bedrock of our society. Who we elect to school boards, who we elect to judicial offices and who we elect as sheriff is important to each of us and to the community in which we live.
Some may say voting is an exercise in futility. Others may ask, why bother? And still others may believe the very process of voting in wards and districts is weighted in favor of one party or the other, and they may be right.
What to do then? Your vote in this election is the first step in righting unfair decisions.
If you haven't tossed the Voters Guide written by The St. Louis League of Women in the recycle bin, sit down and read it. If it is nowhere to be found go to your local library and read it or go on line to STLtoday.com/votersguide. The Guide, prepared by 40 members of the League, is non-partisan and published by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it lists your area, your candidate and the Proposition or Bond Question now before voters.
Candidates are asked to respond to the same two questions. The Candidate's answer is listed, along with "no" response when appropriate and Questions are explained briefly. When you see a "no response" answer, ask yourself why?
Weather you live in Ferguson, University City, or Franklin County, the only protection we have in a democratic system is to make sure the process of law is protected, not by guns or false rhetoric but by the power of our vote as citizens.
Use it on Tuesday!
One thing for sure, not many of us are necessarily in the mood for the serious business of dealing with non glamorous, local elections. No star candidate. No punditry or polls of state or national interest just the hard work of making sure candidates and issues like bonds and propositions are offered in keeping with our democratic process.
Small local elections are the bedrock of our society. Who we elect to school boards, who we elect to judicial offices and who we elect as sheriff is important to each of us and to the community in which we live.
Some may say voting is an exercise in futility. Others may ask, why bother? And still others may believe the very process of voting in wards and districts is weighted in favor of one party or the other, and they may be right.
What to do then? Your vote in this election is the first step in righting unfair decisions.
If you haven't tossed the Voters Guide written by The St. Louis League of Women in the recycle bin, sit down and read it. If it is nowhere to be found go to your local library and read it or go on line to STLtoday.com/votersguide. The Guide, prepared by 40 members of the League, is non-partisan and published by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it lists your area, your candidate and the Proposition or Bond Question now before voters.
Candidates are asked to respond to the same two questions. The Candidate's answer is listed, along with "no" response when appropriate and Questions are explained briefly. When you see a "no response" answer, ask yourself why?
Weather you live in Ferguson, University City, or Franklin County, the only protection we have in a democratic system is to make sure the process of law is protected, not by guns or false rhetoric but by the power of our vote as citizens.
Use it on Tuesday!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
A WALKER'S INFORMAL TOUR OF SUNDIALS IN ST. LOUIS
Sundials have always fascinated me. One of the people I walk with is something of a sundial historian.
He has developed a unique map for a Sundial Trail here in St. Louis. A member of the North American Sundial Society, he offered to provide an informal tour of some of the locations listed on his map.
We visited six different sites. Each sundial was quite beautiful and unique. Most were located in St. Louis' Forest Park and in gardens dedicated to historical figures or events like the Korean War Memorial.
The Missouri Botanical Garden has an unusual sundial modeled after one located in the Topkapi
Palace in Istanbul Turkey, The St. Louis sculptor Abraham Mohler made the marble pedestal and engravings which display American, Italian, Babylonian and Islamic prayer times.
One of our stops was at the Long Elementary School in the suburb of Crestwood where we found a large sundial made to be on the ground, lined with flower boxes filled and maintained by students.
The Sundial Trail Map locates other interesting sites like the Cahokia Mounds Historical Center, Jefferson Barracks and the St. Louis Arsenal. Each is properly displayed and described on a readable road map.
When you want something to do on a lovely Spring Day try walking outside and hunting for sundials. More information at dls-website.com
He has developed a unique map for a Sundial Trail here in St. Louis. A member of the North American Sundial Society, he offered to provide an informal tour of some of the locations listed on his map.
We visited six different sites. Each sundial was quite beautiful and unique. Most were located in St. Louis' Forest Park and in gardens dedicated to historical figures or events like the Korean War Memorial.
The Missouri Botanical Garden has an unusual sundial modeled after one located in the Topkapi
Palace in Istanbul Turkey, The St. Louis sculptor Abraham Mohler made the marble pedestal and engravings which display American, Italian, Babylonian and Islamic prayer times.
One of our stops was at the Long Elementary School in the suburb of Crestwood where we found a large sundial made to be on the ground, lined with flower boxes filled and maintained by students.
The Sundial Trail Map locates other interesting sites like the Cahokia Mounds Historical Center, Jefferson Barracks and the St. Louis Arsenal. Each is properly displayed and described on a readable road map.
When you want something to do on a lovely Spring Day try walking outside and hunting for sundials. More information at dls-website.com
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