Fog
‘Mother, what was it like before the fog,’ said the boy?
Photo by Pedro Figueras on Pexels.com
‘Well, sometimes the days were bright with sunshine and warm breezes,’ said mother.
‘What was snow like, mother,’ asked the boy?
‘Snow was a, brilliant, white…and it was cold to touch…and we made snowmen out of it, and had snow ball fights,’ said mother.
‘There were, actually, four seasons in our year, and each was unique and enjoyable…for different reasons,’ mother went on to say.
‘Mother, dad once told me that, occasionally, it rained so hard that the yards and streets flooded,’ said the boy.
‘Yes, the rains came heavily during the last year of America…before the great war and the bombs,’ mother noted…with her eyes full of tears!
We were all searching for our own facts and for the truth that was accepted by the people that we valued.
We sought a strongman and a leader and someone who would tell us what to do…and who would do the hard thinking for us!
Photo by Tookapic on Pexels.com
We christians compromised our, ancient beliefs of God raising up a righteous leader…and believed that he had given us a rough hewn man with a dull ax…to do the destructive work that needed to be accomplished,’ mother said, slowly.
Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com
‘But, mother, what of the old documents such as the constitution and the Declaration of Independence…and the Bible,’ asked the boy?
‘Insidiously and gradually…we laid the human rights that the Constitution guaranteed us…aside…for the, temporary, feeling of safety.
We, first believed that the Bible was revealing the justness of our cause, to us, and then we were convinced that God was really…only…interested in a small group of chosen people…and that the rest were, but, kindling for the fire of his judgment!
That is when the re-education camps began…and so many were gathered and placed in them…for the purpose of re-orienting them into what we were, convinced, was God’s will.
‘But mother…they took dad away and placed him in one of the camps…and we never saw him again, cried the boy!
Photo by Renato Danyi on Pexels.com
‘Your dad…was what we used to call a liberal,’ mother responded.
‘It seemed that we got mixed up and we could no longer see the difference between political parties and christianity!
What began as a, seemingly, reasonable exercise in christian people running for political office…for the purpose of having some, limited, influence in our government…or the government that we had…became synonymous with various segments of the christian faith!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
When a person proclaimed that they were a fundamentalist christian…they were announcing, as if a klaxon horn was blaring, that they were a republican!
Others who were liberal in their theology and identified with the democrats…often had a, faux, intellectual arrogance and perceived themselves to be enlightened followers of Christ!
All the while…the earth burned…and the glaciers melted…and the oceans rose and covered the land.
As times, progressively, worsened…we humans determined that, obviously, the others…were at fault…and the solution was to eliminate them, mother said as the tears streaked down her face!
‘When did the fog come,’ asked the boy?
‘It seemed to me…that it began…when we stopped standing up for people that were suffering…or who looked different than us…or who had a different way that they worshipped God,’ said mother.’
Photo by namo deet on Pexels.com
‘The fog settled in…when the golden rule did not mean anything anymore…and we looked to a flesh and blood leader…to be our god,’ mother whispered.
‘We decided that who a person loves…is the governments business.’
‘We decided that certain races were superior and other were inferior.’
‘We decided that God was only interested in a hand full of his creation…and that he hated the same people that we hated!’
‘We extolled our abhorrence of other religions law and rules…and created our own religious laws…that were most grievous and heinous… mother intoned…over long periods of silence.
‘What can we do…mother…to return to how things used to be, asked the boy?
Mother went to a dusty book hutch, and pulled the Holy Bible off of the, overburdened shelves. She began to read…
‘But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smites thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away they cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.’ Luke 6:27-30 KJV
‘But love your enemies, and do good, and lend hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also in merciful. Luke 6: 35-36 KJV
Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com
Spring Is Just Around The Corner!
Earl, my step-father, always said that the coldest portion of the winter was the last two weeks of January and the first two weeks of February. Well…we are almost a week into February!
I told my buddy, Ron, that it was my goal to spend January somewhere warm, but I have fulfilled that vow only half of the January’s of my retirement I recall, with bemusement, Mary Jane and my plans, years ago, to move somewhere north…once we retired.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
It seems that the cold wind of winter has an, extra bite, in it, as I have gotten older?
I was reflecting on last autumn, that seems like last week, and thinking of, the apparent death of the leaves and plants and grass…and all things green.
When in reality, we are surrounded with a natural world… that goes to sleep each winter…but does not cease to exist….as it comes back in vibrant and exuberance…in the spring!
The rich tapestry of fall seems to be the, final Hail Mary Pass of life, before the drying and decaying and death of nature!
We live in fear of our demise and bemoan our short stay on our planet!
We grow up as a green shoot and blossom into full flower…only to soon wither and wrinkle and die.
I think that we should look around us… at God’s creation to learn of the permanence of life!
‘While he spake these things unto them, behold there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.’ Matthew 9: 18 – 19 KJV
‘And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame herof went abroad into all the land.’ Matthew 9: 23-26 KJV
‘What a Wonderful World’
The great Louis Armstrong reminded us that we live in a wonderful world.
‘I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world’
‘I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world’
‘The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you’
‘I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world’
Songwriters; George Weiss/Robert Thiele
As Jonathon and I were walking campus today, I thought of the beauty of life…the beauty of, seemingly, regular things and occurrences!
I read, on Facebook, that my good friend was riding with the top top down on their car and the music on the radio, tuned up loud, and the sheer joy of the narrative…took me back to the days when our sons were younger and the fun of, just, living!
We concern ourselves with who will win the next presidential election….and when will be purchase a new automobile…or take another vacation…when the miracle of life is surrounding us!
At times we receive lemons of life…and we think that all of life must be sour?
In reality…life surrounds us with the miracle!
Reflection is an enjoyable enterprise. When I interact with people who are younger than I…I travel back in time to their, approximate age, and remember what I was doing and thinking and feeling at that time.
I would say to the Millennials of the world…be not dismayed….we Baby Boomers had passions and ideals and plans and visions of the future….and were convinced that we were the generation to get the job done!
The history of a human life…is a short one!
In the morning of your life you are young and full of wonder….and everything is an adventure and a mystery and a challenge to be met.
In the afternoon you are in the midst of the struggle for career and parenthood and success!
In the evening…you say…let me make a difference and a mark and help someone along the path of life…you realize that it is all a plan…and you are a player upon the stage of, the grand performance of, life!
I can not imagine a greater failure than to not realize the, roll, that you have been assigned to play by the creator…or the thread that you are in the tapestry of life!
Sickness and suffering and hardship and death…often robs us of our joy of living. It is easy to feel that no one is going through the trials and tribulations that we are going through…I know, because I have felt this way…but in reality…all of it is but for a short time in comparison to God’s master plan for us!
When I was a youngster, I decided that a, brilliant maneuver to perform, would be to climb an extremely slick spillway to demonstrate to my friends, who were accompanying me, that I had some, wicked climbing skills!
Photo by Rodrigo on Pexels.com
As I climbed the mossy and, constantly, water soaked surface, I was reveling in my climbing prowess…and I was certain the my climbing buddies were amazed!
Suddenly…I fell…as if someone had pulled my legs out from under me!
I busted my upper lip so badly, that it retains a permanent mark, above it, too this day…that I cover with my 26 year old mustache!
I believe that when we enter, God’s heaven, we will recount our most grievous injuries, in this life, as little more than my fall on the spillway….in the, beautiful and majestic plan that God has for our life!
Project Blue Book
‘Project Blue Book was one of a series of systematic studies of unidentified flying objects conducted by the United States Air Force. It started in 1952, the third study of its kind. A termination order was given for the study in December 1969, and all activities under its auspices officially ceased in January 1970.’ Wikipedia
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
There is a dramatic recreation of, true, cases from Project Blue Book on the History Channel.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Dr. J. Allen Hynek became a member of Project Blue Book in 1952 and remained with the UFO study until its conclusion in 1969.
‘ There he discovered something he might never have learned from simply reading the files: how normal the people who reported seeing UFOs tended to be. ‘The witnesses I interviewed could have been lying, could have been insane or could have been hallucinating collectively-but I do not think so,’ he recalled in his 1977 book, The Hynek UFO Report.’
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
‘Their standing in the community, their lack of motive for perpetration of a hoax, their own puzzlement at the turn of events they believe they witnessed, and often their reluctance to speak for the experience-all lend a subjective reality to their UFO experience.’ History
The term, ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind,’ was created by Dr. Hynek.
Dr. Hynek was an Astrophysicist at Northwestern University.
Studies have shown that almost half of all americans believe in Aliens.
When I was a child, the Barney and Betty Hill Alien abduction…fascinated me.
‘ Barney and Betty Hill were an American couple who claimed they were abducted by extraterrestrials in a rural portion of the state of New Hampshire from September 19 to September 20, 1961. It was the first widely publicized report of an alien abduction in the United States.’
‘ According to a variety of reports given by the Hills, the alleged UFO sighting happened on September 19, 1961, around 10:30 p.m. The Hills were driving back to Portsmouth from a vacation in Niagara Falls and Montreal. Just south of Lancaster, New Hampshire, Betty claimed to have observed a bright point of light in the sky that moved from below the moon and the planet Jupiter, upwards to the west of the moon. While Barney navigated U.S. Route 3, Betty reasoned that she was observing a falling star, only it moved upward. Since it moved erratically and grew bigger and brighter, Betty urged Barney to stop the car for a closer look, as well as to walk their dog, Delsey. Barney stopped as a scenic picnic area just south of Twin Mountain.’
‘ The Hills claimed that they continued driving on the isolated road, moving very slowly through Franconia Notch in order to observe the object as it came even closer. At one point, the object passed above a restaurant and signal tower on top of Cannon Mountain and came out near the Old Man of the Mountain. Betty testified that it was at least one and a half times the length of the granite cliff profile, which was 40 feet (12 m) long, and that it seemed to be rotating. The couple watched as the silent, illuminated craft moved erratically and bounced back and forth in the night sky.’
‘ Approximately one mile south of Indian Head, they said, the object rapidly descended toward their vehicle, causing Barney to stop in the middle of the highway. The huge silent craft hovered approximately 80-100 feet above the Hills’ 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and filled the entire field of view in the windshield. It reminds Barney of a huge pancake. Carrying his pistol in his pocket, he stepped away from the vehicle and moved closer to the object. Using the binoculars,
‘ ….Barney claimed to have seen about 8 to 11 humanoid figures, who were peering out of the craft’s windows, seeming to look at him in unison, all but one moved to what appeared to be a panel by the rear wall of the hallway that encircled the front portion of the craft.’
‘ Barney ‘tore’ the binoculars away from his eyes and ran back to his car. In a near hysterical state, he told Betty, ‘They’re going to capture us! He saw the object again shift its location to directly above the vehicle. He drove away at high speed, telling Betty to look for the object. She rolled down the window and looked up. Almost immediately, the Hills heard a rhythmic series of beeping or buzzing sounds, which they said seemed to bounce off the trunk of their vehicle. The car vibrated and a tingling sensation passed through the Hills bodies. The Hills said that then they experienced the onset of an altered state of consciousness that left their mind dulled. A second series of beeping or buzzing sounds returned the couple to full consciousness. They found that they had traveled nearly 35 miles south, but had only vague, spotty memories of this section of road. They recalled making a sudden, unplanned turn, encountering a roadblock, and observing a fiery orb in the road.’ Wikipedia
When Mary Jane and I were returning with our history professor friends, from St. Louis, several years ago…I asked them if either of them had ever seen a UFO?
They looked at me in amazement…and responded that they had not…and inquired if I had?
I have seen flying objects that I could not explain…and I believe others have…also!
How could we accept the, infinity of our universe and the, incalculable galaxies that are beyond the Milky Way…and not believe that there is intelligent life out there…somewhere?
Do we really believe that, we, humans are the only game in town?
What do you think? Have you ever seen a UFO?
Have you experienced a strange encounter…that did not easily lend itself to a logical explanation?
Former President Jimmy Carter reported seeing a UFO in 1969 at Leary, Georgia.
During my 61 plus years…I have encountered more than one, strange occurrence, …and sought a logical explanation?
Are you satisfied that the reality of life is all contained in what you can; see, touch, taste, smell, and hear? While at the same time the Bible speaks of angels…….
Photo by Anastasia Zhenina on Pexels.com
Note: Pbotos of Dr. Hynek and Betty and Barney Hill and UFO’s are courtesy of Google search.
Arctic Cold!
Right now it is 10 degrees with a 4mph wind that causes the temperature to feel, on human skin, like 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mary Jane had a doctor’s appointment, with her spinal surgeon, but when we arrived we discovered that the clinic had no power and that the appointment would have to be re-scheduled.
At the time of the appointment it was 4 degrees!
Upon leaving the doctor’s office we traveled to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew a license plate…only to discover that they are closed due to the extreme weather.
Having no alternative…we, elected, to travel to Marion, Illinois to enjoy a Cracker Barrel breakfast! This, joyful, experience warmed a brutally cold morning!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
A large portion of the United States is undergoing Arctic temperatures that, in days gone by, have not reached the midwest and the southern states.
I have read that Global Warming is responsible for a, split, in the polar vortex and the subsequent, unusually, cold temperatures covering the majority of the country.
After our, wonderful, breakfast we decided that it was a good day to go chair shopping…as the arctic blast continued!
As we traveled to, various, furniture stores…we noticed that there seemed to be large portions of our little Southern Illinois towns without power?
It is a terribly cold day to be without power!
As we drove to; Herrin and West Frankfort…and then, back to Carbondale…we reflected that this is the biggest, travel day, that Mary Jane has had in several months, due first to her, severe back pain, and then her spinal surgery.
It was a fun and cold day…with our, finally finding a chair, in our town!
Photo by Armefaq on Pexels.com
In many of our states, the postal service has been canceled due to the bitterly cold temperatures!
Carbondale has opened emergency warming centers from 8:00 P:M: – 8:00 A:M:, as well as a daytime warming center in our town’s Civic Center.
I can not think of anything more important than this action by our city! Without it…people would die of exposure!
I am so proud to know, State Senator Dale Fowler and Mr. Kerry Camp, who were classmates of mine, as they have spearheaded and opened a meal for anyone who needs a meal, at the First Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, Illinois…each Tuesday evening! It is called Heaven’s Kitchen!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
And, so, while many of us go about our lives with being a bit uncomfortable…we are just an event… or a small slip of circumstance away from the devastation of lack of resources or natural disaster!
While our winter coats are warm and fleecy and our homes are, fully capable, of staying warm…in miserable cold…who is to say that it will always be so?
When our brother and sister or our mother or father is cold or hungry or in danger…we are in danger…because reversals of circumstances can happen in the blink of an eye!
During WWII the Jewish people were robbed of their homes and their possessions and their lives…due to the prejudice and bias and hate of the Nazi regime!
I am, currently, watching a captivating television series on Netflix entitled, Black Earth Rising, covering the Rwanda genocide of the Tutsi people by the Hutus.
Climate change due to Global Warming will not be a respecter of persons!
Photo by Ralph W. lambrecht on Pexels.com
The poor and destitute will suffer first, often due to the geographical locales that they live…but the callousness of climate change will not perform the politically expedient check of stock options and bank accounts…that the family of man is concerned with!
The artificial belief that, money, protects the frailty of human life…has often been revealed to be a false construct.
It has been said that the Roman emperor, Nero, ‘fiddled while Rome burned!’
Gated communities feel secure…until the gate is knocked down!
Hunger is a philosophical discussion…until we miss a few meals!
Health Is Wealth!
There must be a reason that so many of us, in the United States, are fat!
I began life as a skinny little kid!
Photo by Fancycrave.com on Pexels.com
When I look at an old grade school photo of me, I can not help but notice the narrow, little shoulders, and my svelte physique.
I, also, had a serious look on my face…I had a lot on my mind!
Photo by Mustafa ezz on Pexels.com
When Mary Jane and I married on March 24, 1978…I weighed 169 pounds. Being six feet and three and one half inches tall…I was, rail, thin! People told me that I looked ill!
Members of the little church that we attended told MJ that she had a mission to put some lb. on me…she accomplished her mission!
The first year of our marriage…I gained 50 lb.!
As my colleague, Lena Wade, told me, ‘Brooks…your additional weight looks good on you…you look like a man…but do not gain anymore!’
I was in Wal-Mart today. I saw both a husband and wife, driving motorized carts, through the checkout line. Have you noticed how many people that you encounter that are obese?
When we visited Rome…we saw many, even the majority, of the thin citizens of Rome!
When we visited France…we did not encounter many obese people.
During our, over one month visit to the United Kingdom…I did not see any morbidly obese people on motorized scooters!
The American people’s diet…is failing them!
I, recently, read a statistic that 66% of American adults are overweight or obese.
It has been said that the only effective plan for loosing excess pounds is to increase exercise and decrease calories.
I recall being in a Health Class in university and being amazed that carbohydrates were at the top of the food pyramid while proteins were close to the bottom.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Also, I am, shocked, at the amount of calories that are in fast food!
Finally, there is a, significant, denial, in our diets, of the value of fruits and vegetables!
It goes without saying that much of our food is, shot full, of preservatives and chemicals and additives that we have no idea what they are…and they are not, real food, bur rather created in a lab…they are chemicals!
We have been Juicing since Christmas, when we began using our Christmas gift from Aaron.
I feel better…already!
Sugar is deadly!
It is incredible how much sugar is consumed by the American people on an annual basis!
‘Today, the average American consumes almost 152 pounds of sugar in one year. This is equal to 3 pounds (or 6 cups) of sugar consumed in one week! Nutritionist suggest that Americans should get only 10% of their calories from sugar.’ Google
We have been eating less salt, at home, for some time. Recently, Aaron, Jonathon and I had dinner at a, favorite barbecue establishment, and I was, almost sickened, by the amount of salt that was on the food!
‘Today, Americans consume an average 3,400 mg per day-almost 50% more than is generally recommended.’ Wikipedia
Eating…should not be entertainment…on a regular basis!
Most of our holidays and special events and birthdays and special remembrances…center around food.
I think that we must seek moderation in our diet and our exercise. Why not eat for health and exercise for the endorphin rush that it brings and the enlightenment of our soul that occurs?
More fruits and vegetables are good…and they are joyfully consumed by juicing!
We Americans love meat! Meat is good…but in small quantities.
Shun sugar!
Eschew… not chew…salt!
Drink plenty of water…it is God’s soda pop!
When the compelling desire to eat, consumes you, seek other entertainment!
I Refuse to Sing the Blues Over Bipolar Although “Blues Over Bipolar” Could be a Catchy Song Title
Another great blog by, my son, Jonathon!
A good friend of mine was once telling me about a professional athlete who’d recently been open about having bipolar disorder. My friend asked me, “Do you think it’s hard to be in professional sports and have mental illness?” I replied, “It’s hard to just be a human being and have mental illness.” I’ve known I had bipolar since I was the young age of 19. Although I’ve had bipolar since April 12, 1984, my birthday.
I refuse to sing the blues over bipolar. And I hope you refuse to sing sad songs without hope about whatever ails you as well. Yes, it is hard to be a human being with mental illness. But it’s difficult for all of us to be good humans, full of humanity and love, to ourselves and to our fellow mankind.
What doesn’t destroy us makes us weaker. What makes us weaker causes us to…
View original post 178 more words
Life In The Slow Lane
I have never been fast.
Photo by Gabrielle Ri on Pexels.com
Due to a heart murmur, in my youth, I was instructed not to run, and I did not care for the activity, anyway!
However, upon entering the world of work, at the tender age of 17, it quickly dawned on me that I was going to have to speed up to succeed.
While working at Essex International factory, making wire harnesses of Chrysler trucks, I saw that I had to become fast enough to perform my duties on the carrousel that held the harness, that we were constructing, when it came to my station in the circle.
I noticed that if I drank a cup, or two, of coffee on my ten minute break and thirty minute lunch, that I could accomplish the job duties with ease. In fact I got so fast that the lead person on the carrousel called the time study man to ‘watch my smoke!’
Photo by bruce mars on Pexels.com
He commented that he had never seen a person perform the job that I was doing so quickly…and he subsequently sped up the line!
While working at the university I, regularly, was compelled to turn up my speed of job performance…especially during staffing shortages…which were unending.
Modern life is much like a 24/7 marathon!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
I was a manager in my department for twenty-five years…and I was never out of touch!
I have been called on every holiday and anniversary and birthday…as well as on cruises.
I received work related telephone calls when I was in the theatre on the weekends!
When you consider the, extreme demands of employment coupled with the demands of parenthood…it can quickly become overwhelming!
I remember trying to find time to mow the grass!
Then…the expenses of our life, such as housing and food and clothes and education and sports, or other activities, for our children…cause many parents to take a second job or to work, unceasing, overtime…to make ends meet.
Most adults require eight to ten hours of sleep per night…and in reality get five to six.
Photo by bruce mars on Pexels.com
It is possible for your life to be happening all around you…while you are too tired to either appreciate or notice it!
There is much to be said for a minimalist philosophy of life.
None of us can do everything…and certainly not everything at once!
It is possible to have a faux life of work…and believe that it is the genuine article.
I have known many people that identified with their work-place much more readily than their home. They knew the minute intricacies of their career…and they had a defined position in their shop…and their closest friends were their colleagues!
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com
When you place the work obsessed person in their home with their husband/wife/partner and their children…they are in a foreign country.
The question is…life for work…or is work for life?
So many of the most beautiful components of life…will not pay you a cent!
Does reading a novel…from cover to cover…sound like a luxury?
Photo by Joy Deb on Pexels.com
Does travel to somewhere that you have never been…seem impossible to conceive?
Does writing…simply for the joy of the process…seem like a plan for retirement?
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com
Being able to think…and taking the time to enjoy the activity fully…is a life enhancing activity!
Many years ago, I determined that I was going to think for myself and not live my life to fulfill, another person’s, agenda!
Whether it is your faith…or your employment…or your financial decisions…or your diet…moderation is the key to success!
We humans are not constructed for constant frenetic activity.
We need, ample, time for; contemplation and meditation and moderation… to put our ideas to a mental test… and ensure their validity and benefit for our lives.
Good People Make Good Things Happen!
As I partook of a, chilly, walk, today, on campus I thought of the countless, good, people that had labored and striven to build such a marvelous institution of higher education.
I recall, as if it were yesterday, my passion for excellence for all things that are SIU!
My inspiration for excellence was the, wonderful, custodial staff that I was privileged to work with!
Building Services was, and is, a department that knows that they are vital to the success of the university.
Often I feared that I was asking too much from my dedicated staff….but discovered, time and again that they had such a fervent desire to ensure their school’s success…that there was, simply, no end to their efforts of produce immaculate buildings and mentor their, beloved students!
I was watching a news item, the other day, and was saddened to see that there are many homeless students that are attending universities across the country.
I remember the daily/nightly activity of our full time staff bringing food for their student staff.
The greatest event of our year was the annual Thanksgiving Dinner that was began by one of our foreman, Gerald Davis.
This was an event that all of our 200+ student staff attended and the looks of joy on their faces…said it all!
I wonder if university administration understands the dedication of their civil service staff? I know members of the staff, right now, that work for the betterment of SIU…24/7!
I emailed, my friend, Chancellor John Dunn. He replied with a warm response and I am very pleased that he has been chosen in this critical, interim, position…at this ‘page turning’ time for our campus.
There is a rooted sense of place and a, intrinsic passion for the Carbondale Campus!
The success of SIUC…is held in the hearts of the members of the university community! If they are rallied to the paramount cause of our university and our region and our alumni and our emeritus….we can rebuild a school that is, desperately, waiting for the clarion call of, collaborative, success!
The vision of success that catapulted Southern Illinois University was a dream of raising up those who had not had a hand extended to them before.
Former university president, Delyte Morris, was a visionary in many areas…but two were profound…or really three!
His, groundbreaking dedication to diversity.
His commitment to access and opportunity to individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
His inclusion of all of the members of the university community in the vision of the Carbondale Campus.
Have you ever encountered someone who made you feel so welcome and included and a part of their world…that being with them enhanced your life experience and expanded your mind and enlivened your zeal to become more than you currently were?
That is what being a member of Southern Illinois University did for me for over 32 years…up until and including today!
SIUC has always been as strong as it’s people! When the university community is empowered and provided with the tools necessary to succeed…it will draw students to it…like a magnet!
If we focus on what is missing…we will continue to search.
If we focus on common ground…we will build together!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
‘Let Them Pay Interest.’
‘Let them pay interest, ‘Trump’s multi-millionaire commerce secretary Wilbur Ross tells federal employees who are running out of cash they should BORROW some – and he did not ‘quite understand’ why they are going to food banks.’ Daily Mail
The last queen of France before the French revolution, Marie Antoinette, is purported to have said, ‘Let them eat cake,’ after being told that the peasants did not have bread to eat. Wikipedia
‘On Wednesday night, unions representing aviation workers-including air traffic controllers, pilots, and flight attendants-released an ominous statement warning that the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 33rd day, posses serious safety risks for its members and for the larger traveling public.’ Mother Jones
‘We cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play.’ Mother Jones
President Trump’s, daughter-in-law, Lara Trump said that the government shutdown is a, ‘bit of a pain,’ for federal workers…but that the future of our country was bigger than any one person.
How about 800,000 persons?
Many years ago I was caught up in a political game or two, that reminds me of our current government shut-down crisis.
The university was experiencing a financial shortfall due to declining enrollment, which was over 20,000 at the time, and, thus, administration decided that they were going to lay-off 80% of the housekeeping staff.
When I requested an emergency meeting with the vice chancellor of administration, to inform him about the, physical devastation, as well as the level of risk to our most critical priority which was the recruitment and retention of students, I was granted a meeting that same day!
I explained that I was aware that our financial instability was directly caused by the precipitous drop in our enrollment and the, ongoing challenge of retaining our students, that we did succeed in convincing to attend our wonderful school.
I promised that the university, with the loss of 80% of our cleaning staff…would immediately become unkempt and filthy…and that there would be no chalk for the chalkboards and debris blocking the doors of the classrooms as well as rest rooms that would not pass a board of health inspection!
I told the vice chancellor to not attempt to call me with the plethora of complaints that he would received, from the first day, because I would, personally, be dedicating 16 hours per day in the project of putting toilet tissue and paper towels in the rest rooms…as there would be no one to accomplish this, vital, task!
I asked the vice chancellor if he did not think that someone should inform the chancellor, who is the CEO of the organization, regarding the impending devastation?
He not only agreed with me but, telephoned the chancellor and went to meet with him while I was in his office. When he returned he told me that the chancellor had said that he may have to go through with the, severe cut in Building Services budget…to make a point!
Simply put…the obliteration of the custodial staff did not have to be made due to fiscal exigency…but for political expediency!
And, so we face the devastation of 800,000 federal employees…and the lack of protection at our airports by the TSA…because they do not have the gasoline to get to work or the money to pay for their childcare…or food to eat…
We state that our air traffic controllers are undergoing, ‘a bit of pain’, but their pain is not as important as the…wall…what if a airliner crashes due to the. ‘bit of pain’…that the controllers are undergoing for the…political point?
If your child is hungry…and you do not have any money to feed her/him…and you think of the, obscure, concept of a wall, of which we have more than one along the 2,000 mile southern border…and if you consider that the wall that your child is going hungry for…will not be built for years, if the money is obtained….and that it will never be built from sea to shinning sea……try explaining that concept to your hungry baby!
The Happy Traveler 