It's a Dark Day in America

As racism runs rampant through our country, I have to wonder will it be our eventual downfall. We as human beings are increasing our technology capacity at a tremendous rate. The computer you buy at Wal-Mart today is out dated by the time you get it home. We have satellites that are on their way out of our solar system, and they are still working. Yes, we humans are pretty smart, but pretty stupid as well. For all the great things we have and have accomplished, we still haven’t figured out how to get along with each other.

 

From our political system, to our justice system, we have major issues that need to be fixed. We all know this to be a fact, but since we can’t do anything but argue and bitch among ourselves, nothing gets fixed. We seem to be so caught up in showing one group or another who is superior that we leave most of our problems unresolved. We gain nothing by doing this, instead we just simply waste a lot of time.

 

At one time America was a proud country. Our flag meant something; not only to us, but the rest of the world as well. Now we are seen as a sinking ship, caught up in our own pity and self-indulgence. We don’t have time for all that garbage. The rest of the world is passing us by while we just sit here idle and let it happen. Why does it take a national tragedy to bring us together as a nation? 911, for a short time did just that. Our neighbors became our brothers. We were scared for a while, not knowing the certainty of our future. It’s kind of sad that it has to take something like that, to make decent people out of us.

 

Can this serious of a problem ever really be resolved? Sure it can. But it will take many generations of parents, teachers, clergymen and other leaders, educating children as they grow and mature. Racism and prejudice will most likely never completely be wiped out but attitudes, morals, and values can be improved through lots of work. Americans used to be proud to roll up their sleeves and work through the tough times. Well, this is one of those tough times.

 

Choices

With a fresh cup of steaming coffee in hand I look at the blank page in front of me. Without a clear plan for today’s blog I’m not real sure where the path of words will take me. It all seems a little gray and fuzzy, like the scene outside my window this morning. The good thing about a blank page or a new day in front of you is that you have a chance to mold and shape them anyway you choose. Being that this is my last day off before I go back to work I feel the need to pack as much into it as I possibly can. I don’t like going back to work thinking I missed out on something.

 

For those that know me well know that I ride my motorcycle nearly everywhere I go. Motorcycle riding has been in my blood since my teenage years and will probably remain there for my duration. When given the chance to combine this passion with any of my other hobbies the enjoyment level really escalates. One example would be metal detecting. By strapping my detector on my bike I am able to combine two great hobbies into one day. Not only do I get to ride and hunt for treasures but I save gas at the same time.

 

Having a booth in the basement section of Finders Keepers in Cullman I am always on the lookout for items I think people will want to buy. Once again my bike plays a part in this venture as well. Since I ride all over the southeast anyway, I get to stop in at places and shop around, sometimes finding the coolest things. One man’s trash is most definitely almost always another man’s treasure. The trick is to get these two people together.

 

So where will this day take me? I haven’t a clue. Will I find a three or four thousand dollar coin today or become one of the great American pickers…not if I don’t get moving. You guys have a great day. Get out and do something…you won’t regret it.

Unforgettable Trip in The Boundary Waters

Unforgettable Trip in The Boundary Waters

Writers Block?

Well I’m about to end this day the same way I started it…listening to the rain. Kinda relaxing don’t you think? I’ve done more reading and researching today than actual writing. It seems that my mentors, actual published authors have quite a lot of advice for us wannabes. I can’t imagine a writer’s life before the internet. Just think if you wanted to research a subject and the library was closed you were out of luck. Not only that you had to take your own photos.

 

The internet has made our lives easier in more ways to count. As a writer these days there should be no such thing as “writers block.” If you are ever stuck just pull up some strange place or town on Google Earth and fly down to street level.  You can then roam about until you find something interesting to write about. Don’t think you’ll find anything, try it you’ll be amazed. Myself I like to ride and see the country on my Harley; but when that isn’t possible I don’t mind using the other tools I have available.

 

You guys have a great night, I’m gonna go listen to the rain a little more.

God bless you Newtown, Conn.

All across our country and the world for that matter, moms and dads sent their little ones off to school. For many this was the last school day before Christmas vacation. Now is a time for rejoicing and celebration and also time away from the daily grind of school and homework. But for twenty little innocent souls and eight grownups it would simply be their last day.

 

In the quaint little town of Newtown Conn. a deranged gunman would alter the lives of so many in a matter of minutes. Adam Lanza walked into an elementary school and committed the most horrible crime imaginable; he gunned down school teachers and an entire classroom full of kindergarten children. At the time of this writing no motive is known for what spurred this maniac into such madness. Not that it would matter, the terrible damage and devastation to these victims, their families, the community and even our country has already been done.

 

As Newtown searches for answers as to why such an atrocity took place in their town, I only hope the rest of the nation searches for a real way to prevent such events from happening. There has to be a solution for keeping the people that don't belong in school out of the school. This trend in school shootings is on the rise, we need to quickly send that trend in the other direction. Schools don't have to be patrolled by our military but they do need to be secure. Courthouses across our nation are becoming more secure every day. Why can't our schools where our most precious children go to learn and play adopt the same policy.

 

God bless you Newtown, Conn., the victims and their parents and the whole Sandy Hook Elementary School.