Thursday, December 31, 2020






 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD

 

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of the greatest man I have ever known, my dad.  


He was, and is my hero.

 

His early years were spent as the youngest of two sons of a Lutheran School teacher and his wife, doing whatever a child did in the 1920s and '30s, attending school, Church, and generally learning about life during the Great Depression.


When his Nation called, he enlisted in the Army and served with the 87th Infantry in Europe.  His young adulthood was spent in places like France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Czechoslovakia, driving distant relatives back into Germany.

 

Shortly after he returned, He married Phyllis Blake, and then the real adventure began.

 

They raised 6 children, and, as you might expect, the chaos got intense from time to time.  But whatever the argument, there was always an undercurrent of love for all of us.  I like to think we were the reason he developed his wonderful sense of humor.

 

He was a wonderful man.  He taught me a lot of things that have stayed with me for a lot of years:

--To love unconditionally.

--To learn by observation. 

--To teach by example.

--To value others more than myself.

--To be kind and gentle, but to be prepared not to be if the need arises.

--To honor my wife, and love my children and grandchildren.

--To think outside the box.

--To seize failure as an opportunity to learn and improve.


I could go on, but you get the idea.


I miss his wise counsel every day.


Happy Birthday, Dad.  Give Mom a hug for me.




 

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

The 2020 Election

It's been almost 10 years since I had any inclination to write and post in this blog, but I feel I must say something about our latest Election.


Thoughts on the 2020 Presidential Election.

I've seen maps where Mr. Biden only won a handful of the most populous counties in the Nation, yet still won the popular vote, and, as of now, enough states to make him our next President.  The evidence that these counties had massive irregularities in their vote procedures, and in some cases more votes cast than registered voters is compelling, but not really at the core of what I have to say.

The Founders gave us the Electoral College in an attempt, which has worked quite well for over 200 years, to keep the more populous, big States from dominating the smaller States.  For many years, it has forced the candidates to appeal to a broad spectrum of America.  It has done more to reduce extremism at the Presidential level than any system devised before or since.  It works as it was designed.

When the country was founded, urban areas were small, scattered, and generally where transportation routes converged.  The food supply was local.  Most government was local, and news traveled slowly.  People were, for the most part, God fearing, moral, and had a better grasp of history than people today.  

Today, cities have become huge, people living there have little grasp of the labor required to produce the food that is plentiful everywhere.  I don't know if it's true, but I heard a quote attributed to a certain failed Georgia Gubernatorial candidate along the lines of "Why do we need farmers?  We have grocery stores."  This thinking is typical of people in large urban areas.  They assume the world is as well fed as they are, and with as little thought toward where their next meal comes from.

The problem is these people don't know how things work.  They can't be bothered to learn because they're too busy with their lives.

The people living in more rural areas are closer to the land, and have a better understanding of how things work, because their  livelihoods are more closely dependent on farmers.

City people look to external sources for solutions to their problems, rural folks tend to fix it themselves.

The divisions in our country today are generally between urban and rural.  There are other differences that divide us, but this is the essence of what we see.  There have been riots this year in the cities.  My little town had a few protesters on the courthouse square, but they were peaceful, and marched with the police, not against them.  They knew these guys were their neighbors, and acted accordingly.

The problem with the election this year was the dichotomy between rural and urban votes.  The big, more populous counties of most states simply overwhelmed the rest of the state with their large numbers of votes.

All of this brings me to Bob's Simple Solution for Electile Dysfunction.

The States need to adopt an Electoral College system for all Statewide candidates.  Any race that the all the voters of a State select would be covered.  Local elections, County offices, and U. S. Representative elections would continue to be by popular vote.

The others, President, Senators, Governors, etc., would fall under the new electoral system.

Each county would continue to count the votes for statewide offices, but the winner in each county would get the electoral votes from that county.  These votes would be determined as follows.  One vote for each county, plus one additional vote for each 100,000 residents (or portion thereof).  The minimum a county could have would be 2 votes. A county with 100,500 residents would have 3, and a county with 600,000 residents would have 7.  The candidate with the most electoral votes would win the statewide office, or the Presidential Electors.

The Benefits?

The majority of small counties would not be disenfranchised as with the current system.  Candidates for office would have to appeal to people throughout the State, not just in a few major counties.  They would need to moderate their rhetoric to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters.  Magical, middle of the night, vote dumps would only affect the county where they happened, not the results for the whole state.   A large county with 125% voter turnout would not negate my vote in a small county if I voted differently, and it would not enhance my vote if I voted with the magic votes.

The Drawbacks?

I don't see any significant ones.  But then I like this idea.

The Founders were wise.  They knew we had differences, regional, Religious, ethnic, and whatever.  They devised a system to cope with the differences, and it has worked well.  Maybe, after nearly 250 years it is time to expand on their wisdom, rather than try to get rid of it.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Life Lessons

I've learned a few this morning.

1.  It's always good to make sure all of the family is invited to a Birthday Party.  I. E., don't banish the dogs to the back yard.

2.  Otis can reach the middle of the dining room table - especially if there's a birthday cake on it.

3.  It's called "Marble Cake" for a reason.  It turns to something closely akin to real marble when mixed with dog slobber and applied to a hardwood floor.

4.  My bathrobe is made of the same stuff as the microfiber cloths I was using to clean up the aforementioned "marble".  At least they can go in the same load in the washer.

5.  When you come into a room that looks either like the Three Stooges staged a pie fight or some terrorist put an IED in a birthday cake, all you can do is laugh and start cleaning it up.

Hope y'all have a great day.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

The World's a Better Place


A long time ago, in a place far away, the world became a better place when you came into it.  I am honored that you chose me to be the one to share your life, and I love you with all of my heart.  The 44-odd years that we've known each other have flown by, filled with more joy than anyone has a right to expect.  I'm looking forward to a bunch more.  

I hope this day is as special for you as all of the days I've known you have been for me.

Happy Birthday, Marilyn.

Friday, January 14, 2011

George the Cat

This morning we lost our long time companion George.  As you can see from the picture, he had a tough life.

When we got him as a kitten, he had trouble getting around on our hardwood floors, so we called him Gracie because he was the most graceless kitten you would ever want to see, and Marilyn thought he was a she.

She became Queen of the House, terrorizing Wally, and shredding hands whenever she felt a need to exercise her claws.

Imagine our surprise when we took her to be spayed, and the vet told us she was really a he.  It was at this point that he became George.

When he graduated to being an outdoor cat, he took to it like a fish to water.  He was king of the yard, and kept it free of birds, squirrels, and whatever else he took a dislike to.  He would sit by the front door, or on one of the porch chairs waiting for us to return from where ever we were, and would bound down the front steps to greet us like a dog.  He would patiently wait by the front door for us to feed him, except on those days when he would scratch at the storm door to get our attention and demand his food.  On those rare occasions when he could come into the house, he would occupy whatever lap was available and sleep until someone had to get up.

I'm not particularly a cat person, but George was OK in my book.

George, rest well in whatever feline heaven you've gone to.  Be the lion that was in your heart.  You will be missed.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Prayer

2700 years ago Isaiah wrote:  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  Tonight we've gathered to celebrate the fulfillment of this prophesy in the birth of Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You:
For the incredible gift of your Son.
For the blessings of family and home.
For the freedom we enjoy in this most blessed country.
For the men and women who defend her.
For the gifts we are about to share.
For the food we are about to eat.

We ask that You:
Bless all here, and keep us ever mindful of why we have gathered.
Bless those who are distant, but always close  in our hearts.
Send your healing Spirit to those who are sick or in pain.
Be with us always to guide us to do what is right and pleasing to You.

In the name of our newborn Savior,

Amen.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Happy Birthday and Welcome Home

This is just a quick note to wish my Mom a Happy Birthday.  You're a long way off, but not ever out of our thoughts.  We love you and pray you may have many more birthday celebrations.  I wish I could be there.

Birthday wishes also for my nephew Paul.  He just retired after 20 years as a Navy Corpsman.  I hope this year brings you all of what you want and need.

And a "Welcome Home!" to my son-in-law Slade.  He's here for about 8 days, then back to Ft. Drum, NY.  It is great to have you home for Christmas.  You've been missed, and much appreciated for what you are doing.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Congratulations Paul


My nephew is retiring today from the Navy.  He's been a Corpsman for 20 years, deployed numerous times with the Marines, and has dedicated his adult life to the service of his country.  I am proud beyond words at his dedication and selflessness and wish him and his family all the best life has to offer as he transitions to a civilian life.

**********

Paul,

Unfortunately we can't be with you to celebrate, but rest assured, we're with you in spirit as we have been for the last 20 years.

As your Grandfather might have said, "Ya done good."  Aunt Marilyn and I pray you will be as successful in civilian life as you were dedicated in the service.

Thank you for all you've done.

Much Love, Gratitude, and Respect to you and your family,

Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Bob

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Psalm 100

Psalm 100

 1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
 2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
 3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
 4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thanksgiving

Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good:  and his mercy endureth forever.  Ps 136:1

Around our house, this is the prayer used to return thanks at the end of a meal.  It's been tradition for at least 5 generations that I have witnessed, and I hope will remain one for many years to come.  Prior to my grandparents, it was probably recited in German.

Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought I might list a few things for which I'm thankful.

I am thankful for:

God's mercy.  We wouldn't be anywhere without it.  His gift of His Son, and forgiveness of our sins is the greatest gift imaginable.

My parents.  They taught me well, I think, and taught me how to teach my children and grandchildren.  I'm forever grateful.

My wife.  She's more patient than any woman I know, and never ceases to impress and surprise me.  I'm looking forward to a lot more years with her.  43 (41 married) years are not nearly enough.

My children and their spouses.  Despite the normal frustrations associated with raising 4 kids, they're, without exception, a blessing.  They're more help than anyone could imagine.  I'm fortunate to have all of them in the immediate area.

My grandchildren.  All 4 of them are a never ending source of delight.

My country.  Despite its problems, The United States is the best place on earth to live and raise a family.  I pray my grandchildren will know the freedoms I knew as a boy.

The brave men and women who wear the uniforms of our Armed Forces.  They go into harm's way on a daily basis to protect our freedoms.  All of them are worthy of our praise and thanks.

My friends.  I have but a few close friends, but any of them are worth knowing.  There's nothing I would not do for them.

Otis and Wally.  Our dogs are like children.  They help keep us young and give us someone to care for on a daily basis.  Wally's good at warming up my side of the bed, too.

Thanksgiving, and all the other excuses we have to get together as a family.  Time spent with any of them is never wasted.  

There are a lot of other things I probably should put in this, but, you get the idea.  I've been blessed, and am appreciative beyond words.

Thank you, Lord.