"An Incredible Journey"

I am incredibly thankful today for the direction God is leading me in my life.

In the span of a year and a half, many here at CLF have suffered great loss.  Some  have lost their spouse, some their parents,  some great friends and mentors.  My own husband of 37 years died suddenly... no chance to kiss him goodbye...no chance to tell him how much I loved him.  For the past 18 months I have known the terrible heartache and sadness and incredible loneliness.

For months I questioned God as to why.  For months I sat at home or in my seat here in church and asked God to take away the sadness and loneliness.  I could not feel God's presence and continued in my sadness.  Every night i cried and wondered what was to become of me.

A few weeks ago i went to the ladies breakfast at Rachael's.  Some of us were sitting at the table and I was sharing that i have asked God over and over to replace my sadness and loneliness with happiness and joy.  I remember even pounding my fist on Rachael's table and saying "I want this sadness, loneliness , and pain to go away...NOW!!"   Suddenly I felt about a half dozen pair of hands on me and those ladies were praying down the power of God over me.  I knew something had happened, but it wasn't until the next day at church when I stood through all of the worship service and stood while praying for others at the altar.  It occurred to me after a fashion that I had been standing for an hour with absolutely NO pain to my lower back.  Before that I could not stand for more than ten minutes without pain.  Since then I have been able to walk through the stores,  do work around my house, and other things without lower back pain.  I am also able to stand up and walk without having to wait for my knee to unlock!!!! 

God is doing something in my life.  Yes, I still miss Bruce and still have periods of sadness, but I am feeling a new joy and happiness in the Lord I haven't experienced in a long time.  God is taking me on a journey.  I have no idea as yet where He is leading me, what I am to do, or where I am to go.  I don't know if I am to go alone or if God will provide someone to travel this journey with me.  I don't know anything except that I am enjoying the ride!!! 

I am so thankful for God's plan and direction in my life...even if I don't know where I'm going yet.  But I know that God has a plan for me.  He has answered my prayers and is beginning to replace the sadness and loneliness with happiness and joy. 

And I know that if it were possible for Bruce, and Gwen, and Pat, and others who have gone on before us to talk to us now, they would say "Be Happy!!!! Let God lead you on a new path....a new journey."   
I know the pain of loss, I know what it feels like to suddenly feel completely alone and cry out to God and hear nothing but silence.  It wasn't until I left it all...not on the altar.....but on Rachael's kitchen table that Saturday morning that I felt the presence of God is a miraculous way.  So far it's been an incredible ride!!! 

"A Day That Will Live In Infamy"

“A Day That Will Live In Infamy”

Seventy years ago the United States Naval base and Ford Island in Hawaii was attacked in the early morning by the Japanese Imperial Navy, thus launching our nation into the Second World War.  Up until that disastrous day, our country was severely divided between those who supported helping England defend against German invasion and those who were staunch pacifists.  After December 7, very few pacifists were left.  We became a passionately patriotic society as millions joined up to defend against our enemies on two fronts.

I wonder how many people actually remember the significance of December 7, 1941.  I’ve notice over the past several years, the media gives it only a cursory mention.  Since the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, the two disasters are sometimes mentioned together.  We remember 9/11 only because it is so recent in our history; but December 7, 1941 is 70 years in our past.  I wasn’t even born yet.  But I am a history major; it’s my job to know these things.



Seventy years ago the United States Naval base and Ford Island in Hawaii was attacked in the early morning by the Japanese Imperial Navy, thus launching our nation into the Second World War.  Up until that disastrous day, our country was severely divided between those who supported helping England defend against German invasion and those who were staunch pacifists.  After December 7, very few pacifists were left.  We became a passionately patriotic society as millions joined up to defend against our enemies on two fronts

At the time most people held to the concept that this war had to be won at all cost.  Hitler, Mussolini, and the Japanese military had to be pushed back and eliminated.  (Notice I did not mention Emperor Hirohito because the country at that time was actually ruled by their military).

A short time ago I participated in a conversation by a small group of young people that led to the statement that America had never been attacked.  I had to step up to the plate and shove in my two cents worth.  I am not JUST referring to the attack on Pearl Harbor.  As early as 1897 German military planners were obsessed with naval operations against the east coast of the United States. That idea continued to evolve, and when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he wanted to set it in motion and attack New York City.  Germany did in fact have long-range bombers that could do the job, but the idea of attacking the east coast of the U.S. didn’t really come to fruition until after Pearl Harbor.

Admiral Karl Donitz, the commander of all U-boats based in France, placed into action “Operation Drumbeat.”  In January of 1942, over forty American tankers and merchant ships fell victim to Nazi U-boats…most of which were still in port!  By September 1942, 204 American ships were attacked and/or sunk off the eastern coast of the United States.

On June 21, 1942, a Japanese submarine float plane, the brainstorm of Warrant Flying Officer Nobuo Fujita, bombed Fort Stevens, a coastal defense base in Northwest Oregon.  In September 1942,  a float plane armed with two 170-pound thermite incendiary bombs designed to ignite thousands of acres of forestland in Oregon was launched…headed for the Cape Blanco lighthouse on the Oregon coast.  The mission was only moderately successful due to recent rains that had left the forest floor wet.

From December 18 to 24, 1941, nine Japanese submarines patrolled strategic points along the U.S. west coast, attacking eight American merchant ships, sinking two and severely damaging two more.  Six seaman were killed.

On December 8, 1941, Congress officially recognized the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, to organize coastal watches.  The mission was primarily to observe and protect American coasts.  By the end of the war, CAP pilots had flown over 500,000 mission hours.  Over ninety aircraft were lost and over sixty CAP pilots were killed.  The Civil Air Patrol is credited with sinking one Japanese submarine off the coast of California.  I am proud to say that I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for 7 ½ years.

So, as we are all getting ready for the Christmas season and festivities, please take the time on December 7 (actually, take the time every day) to pay tribute to the men and women who served during World War II…both on the field of battle, and those who were instrumental in protecting our coasts.  And the next time someone suggests that we reduce military spending or reduce the number of military personnel, remind them that without our military we most definitely would have not only been attacked more severely, but probably invaded during WWII.  The threat is even more prevalent today.

2012 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIATES

This is certainly becoming an interesting run for the presidency.  It’s difficult…or maybe impossible to keep track of all the Republican Candidates without a program.  Let’s see, we have Minnesota Congressmen Michele Bachmann, businessmen Herman Cain, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Governor of Utah Jon Huntsman, former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson, political consultant Fred Karger, Andy Martin, Jimmy McMillan, Tom Miller, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Tom Pawlenty, and three or four others who have no chance of even getting close to being nominated.  Then of course, we have the Democratic Party’s Barack Obama. 

When I taught US and Illinois Government, I tried to give a brief summary of each of the candidates in hopes I could give the students a better understand of the important issues facing the nation.  It would take me an entire school year I fear to get through the barrage of Republican candidates clamoring for the top seat!  So, I think I will take the lead from our current Commander in Chief as he humorously stated on Jay Leno a couple weeks back and “wait for most of them to be voted off the island.”

I have never claimed to be either a Republican or a Democrat.  I think I have only voted straight ticket once in my life.  I have tried to look at what each candidate stands for and determine whether or not he or she would be an asset or a liability to the nation.  It isn’t easy to figure that out however!  Many people rely on the mainstream media for their information.  That, in my opinion, is just plain dumb!  Congressional records are available that reveal how our elected officials have voted on various issues.  That is a good place to start.  Listening to their speeches and comparing what they say now and how they voted in the past is also another way of determining their credibility.  I also listen carefully on what each candidate has to say about their opponent or opponents.  I never quite trust public officials who sling mud at others.  It also raises a red flag in my mind when a candidate who is gaining points in his standing is suddenly accused of sexual improprieties that allegedly happened a decade before.  It would not surprise me if someone hired others to make false accusations.  Nothing surprises me in a presidential race.

Having said all the above, I will begin my analysis with the one person we all know will be on the ticket…our current president.  Please understand, this is MY opinion.  You may or may not agree with me.  I don’t have a problem with anyone voicing their own opinion; however, don’t become hostile with me because you may disagree with me.  Let’s agree to disagree agreeably.

1. The President on foreign policy:  I really don’t have an opinion one way or another.  He’s met with a lot of heads of state, done a lot of talking, and probably has done some positive things.
2. The War:  He’s promised to bring the troops home.  I agree.  It’s time.  Enough said on that point.
3. The economy: This could make or break this president.  People around this country and around the world have sent our government a very loud message on jobs and housing.  Big government and big business have duped the American people royally!  I am not referring to those who expect something for nothing; I am not interested in people who choose to collect welfare rather than work; I don’t give a rip about students who expect a free ride to college; and I am totally opposed to illegal immigrants who come into this country and expect free health care and free education.  My concern is for those who have lost their jobs and their homes because of corporate greed and the excessive spending and salaries in Washington.

Are you aware that members of Congress can vote and have voted big raises for themselves without our knowledge?  Do you know that members of Congress keep their salaries for life even after they are out of office?  You know those laws that Congress passes for us dealing with health care and such?  Well, they are NOT obligated to abide by those same laws!  Why is it that we, the American people, don’t hold these government officials accountable?  Well, for one, we would have to contact our local Congressmen to voice our opinion.  Think about it!

 4. Health Care:  This is a difficult one on several levels.  I have a friend who had a transplant.  Her medication is very costly and she just lost her job.  She is single and lives on a very fixed income.  National healthcare could be the answer for her.  However, national healthcare where anyone can get medical care for nothing is not the answer.  Why?  Because there is no such thing as a free lunch.  Why do you think our country is in the financial fix it’s in?  Too many freebies!!!  Do you really want the government forcing national healthcare on you?  I don’t.  I feel bad for those who cannot afford health insurance.  No one should have to raise children with healthcare.  No one should have to live without healthcare.  But a national healthcare system is NOT the answer!  So what is the answer?

1. Federal laws regulating the high cost of medical care.  One cannot even get sick without paying hundreds of dollars.  Several years ago I spent four days in the hospital.  When I got my bill, I noticed that I was charged $12 for every Tylenol I was given.  We noticed other ridiculous charges on our bill.  This is just dumb.  The last time I had to spend time in the hospital (the infamous spider bite), I brought my own Tylenol!  I didn’t tell the nurses or they would have taken it.  Whenever the pain got too bad, I took one of my own!
2. Federal laws regulating the high cost of medication.
3. Tort reform!  Stop these ridiculous law suits that cause doctors to pay high costs for malpractice insurance…which they pass on to you and me!

This is an easy fix.

5. Finally,  this president during this past summer threatened to withhold social Security checks and military checks if the two sides of the congressional isle didn’t come to some agreement on the budget.  Why not withhold their OWN paychecks?

So, those of you who read this who are either in the military or who are retired….I certainly hope that you remember point #5 when you go to vote next November.  This president is NOT a president for the people.  This is a man devoted to himself.  “We the People” is not a part of his agenda.    I certainly hope that the over 40% of the voting eligible populace of this country get off their duffs and vote!!!!

I will make commentaries of the Republican candidates when they are whittled down a bit!

Paying It Forward

I have told the following story many times.  A dear friend suggested I put it in a blog.  There are two things I hope people get out of our story:  #1...Trust in God for everything.  Even in our situation, we continued to tithe.  It wasn't much...sometimes only a few dollars...but we loved and trusted God enough to put Him first...believing that He would provide for us.  #2....Listen to God.  Pay Him back by helping others when He lays them upon your heart.   Here is our testimony:

Bruce and I were married in May 1975. Within a couple months of our marriage we both lost our jobs. We decided that since the girls were small, that I would be a stay-at-home mom for a while. By fall bruce had not found a job and we were running out of money. Fortunately we had enough saved to pay the rent and utilities, but not much else. Moving ahead to September, we had run out of food....literally. no milk, eggs, flour, sugar....nothing but condiments in the fridge and spices in the cabinet. not even one can of veggies. All we had to eat for over a week was what I could make from corn meal. (to this day I am not a real fan of corn bread!)  Winter was coming and the girls badly needed winter attire.  There simply wasn't any money.

 

We belonged to a Church of God in Battle Creek, and of course, were too proud to tell anyone of our plight. We prayed that Bruce would find a job and be able to support the family.

Across town, a wonderful church lady was out in her garden when God spoke to her, told her to change her clothes and go shopping. She immediately got up, told her husband they needed to go shopping. He asked her "for what?" She replied, "God will tell us when we leave." Never even questioning it, they both got in the car. God told her to go to a certain grocery store. They continued to put stuff in two shopping carts until God said ok. Then God told the woman to go to the children's section of the store where she purchased two winters coats, shoes, socks, boots, pants, and shirts, hats, gloves, and scarves......ALL THE EXACT SIZE of our two girls.

After they had loaded up the car, the husband said, "where do we take this?" The woman said "God will direct us." They ended up at our front door! I asked her how she knew. She replied, "The next time you run into trouble, don't be so proud as to ask for help. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and are here to help." (all the while shaking her finger at us in a lovingly...and scolding...manner). She gave us both a big hug and told us they loved us. I asked her "How in the world can I ever repay you for this?" Her answer to me was "Some day you will be in a position to help someone else who is in need. On that day, you will pay us back."

We have never forgotten those lovely people who have since gone to be with their Lord. And dear Sis. Cornell was right. God has blessed us over the years and given us an opportunity more than once to help those whom God has placed upon our hearts....some annonymously...some not. And whenever someone asks how they can ever pay us back, we tell them this story.

Oh yes, and Bruce found a job within a week after this incident! 

The Importance of Family

“The Importance of Family”

 Webster defines “family” as….

              “A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two

              parents and their children; two or more people who share goals and values,

              have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same

              dwelling place; all the members of a household under one roof; A group of

              persons sharing common ancestry.”

Pre-World War II families generally lived together under one roof or at least in the same town.  Soldiers returning from war were no longer satisfied with status quo and set out to seek their own fortunes…going to college, seeking professional employment, moving away.

I am a nostalgic.  Family is important to me.  As I get older and I realize that two-thirds of my life is now behind me, family becomes increasingly more important to me.  Sometimes I find myself looking back over my childhood (older people do that you know).  I was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a niece.  It was a simpler time.  As a child my family consisted of me, my siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins we visited often in Skokie and Oaklawn.  I remember my grandmother sitting in her chair carefully cutting the skin off of an apple with a paring knife…paper thin skin…one long strip of skin…never breaking it once!  I don’t think I ever remember my mom when her hands weren’t busy with something….sewing on buttons, knitting, crocheting…her hands were always working.  And sitting next to her on the table was a large cup of coffee…never empty…coffee pot always going.  Dad making his Sunday night trip to the Dairy Queen in Wauconda to bring back ice cream…one quart soft and one quart hard…one can of Hershey chocolate syrup. 

Annual family picnics at 522 Rose Avenue brought family from far and wide. Dad roasting chickens….lots of chickens….on the brick bar-b-que he painstakingly built when we moved in.  The patio, and I suspect the brick bar-b-que is still there, although the original house has been remodeled and expanded.  The men would sit around and play poker and drink beer; the women enjoyed rousing games of pinnacle, while the kids ran around the yard, went down to the beach, or played badminton in the side yard.  

Fast forward.  I am no longer a daughter, granddaughter, or niece.  My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, great-aunts and uncles…all gone now.  I am the mom, grandma, aunt, and great aunt.  I am still a sibling, but our numbers are cut in half.  A new generation is growing up around me…growing up and adding more generations to the family.  With the exception of a few, our family still lives close by, but as they grow and seek new adventures, I fear they, too, will want to seek fame and fortune in places I probably will never see.  My heart will break as I say goodbye.  I wish I could keep them all close, but know in my heart I must let them fly. 

Many look at the Christmas season with a sense of dread and foreboding…the chaos of shopping, baking, and cooking.  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities where the young folks must split their time with two sets of family.  I no longer do that, but their family obligations dictate they must.  It is difficult and tiring.  The noise, the crowd, everyone talking at the same time…picking up a conversation here, a conversation there, men watching television and dozing after a hearty meal. 

This is my favorite time of the year.  Getting together with my children, grandchildren, my sister’s daughter and her family on Christmas Eve.  Then on Christmas Day getting up early, packing up the car, and doing it all over again with the other side of the family.  Yes, it is crowded.  Yes, it is noisy.  Yes, it is chaotic.  But I love it!  After it is over, there is a sense of disappointment because I have to wait a whole year to do it again.  I don’t think my children understand how important this time is to me.  It is a time of family…of giving to one another….not just gifts…but of time and love of family…of establishing and re-establishing family bonds.  It is a time of joy, of putting aside all the problems and issues of the year and loving one another.

Thanksgiving is a tie for thanking God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.  In spite of the economy, the high cost of gasoline, high unemployment, and upside-down mortgages, God has given me a wonderful family and extended family and reasonable good health.  The rest of what is going on in the world is unimportant.   Christmas is a time we celebrate the birth of our Lord.  It is a time of gathering of family members. And yes, it is the time of year when chaos and noise seem to be primary.  I love it!!

Paul Revere's ride....or not!

"Paul Revere's Ride"....or NOT!!"

I do not consider myself an expert historian and certainly do not rank myself in the same literary category as those including Shelby Foote, James McPherson, Michael Shaara, and Daniel Martinez.  However, I do believe that I am learned enough to hold my own in any kind of historical dialogue regarding various portions of American history.

One of the most frustrating and annoying aspects of studying and subsequently teaching American history…(ok, I admit….it makes me downright MAD!)….is the misinformation, inconsistencies, and LIES that have been printed and continue to be printed in history curriculum and taught to our children over the past century.

The dictionary defines the term “ignorant” as “lacking knowledge or information.”  We are all “ignorant” of some things.  Only when we become “knowledgeable” about things do we cease to be ignorant.  Simple concept.

For decades those who write the curriculum have relied on previous information from previous textbooks or from those who loosely “verified” documentation.  Unfortunately, as members of academia began doing extensive research on various topics, discovering the inconsistencies and misinformation in the nation’s textbooks, very little was done to correct the wrong.  This is doing our young people a great disservice.

Recently my grandson was learning about Paul Revere and his famous “ride.”  In case you aren’t aware, the current info we have been taught is really as a result of Longfellow’s famous poem.  Read that poem and one gets the impression that Paul Revere did all this by himself.  So, that is how history has presented the event.  Anyway, when his teacher said that Revere made the ride, my grandson stepped up and said “No he didn’t!  He didn’t finish it.”  Long story short, the teacher said his grandmother was wrong.  Now, I take that personal!!!  So, if by chance that particular teacher ever reads this blog, I have one thing to say to you….DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!!  (ok, I feel a little better now.)

It’s not that I am this super intelligent human person, it’s that I do research! And I try to verify and re-verify that research!! Below is just an excerpt from something I Googled just a few minutes ago.

In 1774 and the Spring of 1775 Paul Revere was employed by the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety as an express rider to carry news, messages, and copies of resolutions as far away as New York and Philadelphia.

On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was sent for by Dr. Joseph Warren and instructed to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them. After being rowed across the Charles River to Charlestown by two associates, Paul Revere borrowed a horse from his friend Deacon John Larkin. While in Charlestown, he verified that the local "Sons of Liberty" committee had seen his pre-arranged signals. (Two lanterns had been hung briefly in the bell-tower of Christ Church in Boston, indicating that troops would row "by sea" across the Charles River to Cambridge, rather than marching "by land" out Boston Neck. Revere had arranged for these signals the previous weekend, as he was afraid that he might be prevented from leaving Boston).

On the way to Lexington, Revere "alarmed" the country-side, stopping at each house, and arrived in Lexington about midnight. As he approached the house where Adams and Hancock were staying, a sentry asked that he not make so much noise. "Noise!" cried Revere, "You'll have noise enough before long. The regulars are coming out!" After delivering his message, Revere was joined by a second rider, William Dawes, who had been sent on the same errand by a different route. Deciding on their own to continue on to Concord, Massachusetts, where weapons and supplies were hidden, Revere and Dawes were joined by a third rider, Dr. Samuel Prescott. Soon after, all three were arrested by a British patrol. Prescott escaped almost immediately, and Dawes soon after. Revere was held for some time and then released. Left without a horse, Revere returned to Lexington in time to witness part of the battle on the Lexington Green.

Lest you think my research comes only from the Internet, in doing this search years ago, I was able to get a photocopy of a handwritten letter from Paul Revere to General Washington verifying the entire event.  SOOOOO,  Paul Revere, one of MANY members of the Sons of Liberty, was joined by two other riders and were ARRESTED by an enemy patrol It was Dr. Samuel Prescott who managed to escape and it was HE who finished the ride.  This information is documented and verified by the U.S. Library of Congress; and if I was able to acquire it, anyone can.  Nuff said!!! 

Oh, and one more thing…it is highly unlikely that anyone yelled “The British are coming; the British are coming!!”  Think about it…this was PRE-war; they were ALL British subjects.  It would be like them riding through town yelling “I’m coming, I’m coming!”  In all likelihood, they probably used the term “Regulars” since British troops were generally referred to by that name.  “Redcoats,” a derogatory term for the regulars, was also used.

It is my goal to cover about four or five major discrepancies found in our history books, but this Paul Revere thing has been an irritation to me for a long time….that and the Betsy Ross story…which is another blog. (she didn’t sew the flag, folks!)

"It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"

   “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood”

I was going to discuss my years in the Civil Air Patrol this week, but thought I’d put that on hold for awhile.  CJ Rose jogged my brain a while ago with a Mr. Rogers comment, so while it is fresh in my mind, I’ll just share a little on how it came to be that I celebrated Mr. Rogers’ birthday in my classroom every year.

My first year of teaching (1989-90), I was getting ready for school one day in March.  NBC Chicago news at that time used to announce celebrity birthdays and I heard that it was Mr. Rogers’ birthday.  Now, since March is typically a “dead” month…no real holidays, not quite spring, and winter won’t go away…I decided to have a little fun.  Stopping at Jewel in Round Lake, I bought a plain frosted cake, a tube of decorating frosting, some ice cream, streamers, and other stuff.  I put up my meager decorations in our little classroom with no windows, one door and half a wall.  At lunch time I brought out the cake and ice cream and made the kids sing the Mr. Rogers’ theme song.  I’m sure they thought I had finally gone over the edge, but they wanted the cake and ice cream….so they sang. 

I thought that would be the end of it. But when the next school year started and I had a whole new flock of 6^th graders, they reminded me of the previous year’s party and asked if we were going to do it again.  So began a tradition that lasted every single year I was there.

On MY birthday one year, I received two birthday cards from students with a picture of Mr. Rogers on it.  I still have those cards on my bulletin board in my office.  I remember one time a certain science teacher at CCS kidnapped my card and held it for ransom.  I subsequently lifted his little plastic skeleton and mailed it back to him piece by piece. Yes, sometimes even I questioned the stability of the teachers from time to time!!!

One day I received a letter from a former student who had graduated, married, and had a couple of kids. She and her family were visiting California and she took a photo of Mr. Roger’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  I still have that photo on my bulletin board in my office.  I really do treasure these little mementos.  When Mr. Rogers passed away I put up a little memorial wall in his honor in the hallway outside of my classroom.  I posted some of the newspaper articles from that day’s paper.  It really was a sad day.

So, what began my fascination for Mr. Rogers Neighborhood?  I used to watch the show with my two children when they were growing up. When our oldest grandson, Michael, was little (around 2 or 3), I used to baby-sit him.  We had a regular routine of watching Mr. Rogers, Lamb chop with Sheri Lewis, and Barney.  Yes, Barney.  I never really liked Sesame Street because I thought the activity was too rushed.  Mr. Rogers’ program was slower paced…something that was needed in order to put a toddler down for a nap.  Michael learned the words to all three theme songs and we would sing them together.  (I’m sure he is going to appreciate my saying this!)  he he.   .

Now, when many of my former students think of me, they remember the crazy teacher who used to celebrate Mr. Rogers’ birthday every March 20^th.

As I was typing this little walk down memory lane, my mind started to remember lots of little tidbits of info from my wonderful days at CCS.  Thanks CJ; I believe you have created a monster here.  The topic ideas are coming faster than I can write them down.  I think I’m going to enjoy this.  One particular topic is associated with the song “Aura Lee.”  Ah, but that’s another blog at another time.