Good Morning All & Happy Saturday!
Happy Birthday wishes go to friends Becky, one of my daughter Andy’s college roommates at Whitworth University; to my wife Judy’s beloved college friend & roommate Janet; and to friend and former business associate Dave…all of whom celebrate their birthday tomorrow, August 9th. Here’s to all of them!
Also Happy Birthday to one of my all-time favorite tennis players, Roger Federer, who is 39 today and to the phenomenal actor Dustin Hoffman, who turns 83 today (Wow!, I’ll always remember him as a young man in the movie “The Graduate.”) How time flies!
Here is the fact for the day:
Did you know that Christopher Columbus brought the first lemon seeds to America? I’ll bet you were always wondering about that…
Do you find it frustrating that our U.S. Congress can’t show some common sense and agree to find middle ground on another round of needed relief to individuals and small businesses who are struggling financially during this coronavirus pandemic??? It just goes to show how dysfunctional our current two party system has been for some time now. We are all suffering big time for it. Both party’s leaders need to come to the middle and agree to a compromise measure now…not a week from now…not two weeks from now…not a month from now…but now! All of this, while we anxiously wait for a viable, common sense third-party alternative to emerge. When will we all rise up and say we need a better way forward? I’m ready for a third-party that promotes a middle ground approach to solving our country’s pressing problems…how about you?
I always look forward to the monthly edition of the magazine “Rural Montana.” It’s always filled with fascinating & inspiring human interest stories and great information about energy-related issues and this month’s edition is no exception. There’s a great article entitled “Memorial Markers” that features Missoula Electric Cooperative member and American Legion Highway Fatality Marker Program Chairman Jim Kelly. Montana has a unique program that places white crosses along roadways marking a spot where someone was killed in a crash. I know, for me, it’s a reminder to be careful when driving and at the same time wondering about who was lost in the accident that is represented by each white cross along the road. According to Jim Kelly, “it’s to make people aware that you need to drive carefully…It’s a warning sign, just like a curve sign. It’s a reminder that someone has died here, slow down and drive safely.” He has a binder with newspaper clippings of nearly every crash he has ever marked. Kelly says that he invites the family of the deceased to come with him when the marker is placed. “Every time I put a marker in, it’s someone’s dad, mom, brother, son,” Kelly said. Kelly is a religious man with Bible verses decorating his office and spread throughout his home and he some sometimes prays over the markers when they are placed. He recounted the story of a 3-month old baby who recently died while in the sleeper compartment of a tractor-trailer. The baby’s mother, who was driving, went in and out of a borrow pit and struck a tree, killing the infant. “That will be one I pray over,” Kelly said. Here’s to Jim Kelly and his labor of love with Montana’s special Memorial Marker program!
Another article in this month’s “Rural Montana” featured a remembrance of Harry Benjamin, the former rancher from Shelby, Montana who spent part of his personal fortune ($85,000) to bring a carousel attraction to Shelby. His selfless act of love for his community is now a reality and provides lots of enjoyment for children and families in that area of Montana. The writer of the article wrote: “It was impossible not to be inspired by his (Harry’s) enthusiasm. It made anyone who talked to him share his vision and want to help. I met with Harry several more times after that, and each time the spark in his eye and excitement in his voice made me believe in his dream.” The writer concluded his article with the following quote: “Once the pandemic clears, my family will still visit the carousel. And though my boys won’t get to meet the wonderful person behind the project, I have no doubt Harry will look down, see them smile on his carousel—and smile himself.” Here’s to Harry Benjamin and his dream of a carousel for Shelby that became a reality!
Here’s the word definition for the day:
Snuggery (Snu-ga-ree): An early 19th century English word meaning “A cozy or comfortable place, especially someone’s private room or den”…”Another term for a snug, a small, comfortable public room in a pub or inn.” Doesn’t everyone need a “snuggery”?
Here are some thoughts for the day:
“There are so many great songs yet to sing.”
“You say it best, when you say nothing at all.”
—Alison Krauss, American musician
“You can’t legislate intelligence and common sense into people.”
—Will Rogers, American humorist & Oklahoma native
Here’s to a great Saturday and lots of love and good wishes always!
Press on,
Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, Mark, etc.)