Christmas Mosaic

Christmas Mosaic, originally uploaded by pappy65.

The holiday approaches and all the preparations are ending. Now the anticipation begins. May all have a very Merry Christmas and realize the spirit of the holiday.

Merry Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas 2007, originally uploaded by pappy65.

Recent Edinboro Musical Events

On Sunday, November 11, the Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania under the direction of John Fleming played a Veteran's Day concert at Hirt Auditorium in the Blasco Library on the Bayfront in Erie, Pa. The concert honored veterans by featuring music from the time of the Revolutionary War to the present. Highlights were a trumpet solo by Bill Fairgraves and a musical homage to the heroes and heroines of flight 9/11 93, Flight of Valor, by James Swearingen Despite a rainy evening, the concert was well attended by an extremely appreciative audience. The Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania is made up of excellent area musicians and is a cultural diamond about to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary.

Last night, at Louis C. Cole Auditorium, on the campus of Edinboro University, the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra presented a Mostly Mozart concert. Howard Lyon played a well received Mozart Violin Concerto #3 in G. Patrick Jones, an outstanding saxophonist, performed William Alexander's Saxophone Concerto. Composer Alexander is an Edinboro Faculty Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Music. The final solo of the evening was by Christopher Rapier who played Mozart's Horn Concerto #4. It was definitely a treat to hear the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Guest Conductor Victor Yampolsky.

New Green Computer

Well, friends, I have purchased a new computer for less than $200.00. It's an everex gPC purchased at WalMart. The computer has no Windows or Vista of any of the usual pc software you expect on a new computer. Also, the computer comes without a monitor.

What is does have is gOS, "an alternative operating system that uses Google toolbar and its applications" including the online document maker I'm writing in now. I'll send this post to the blog from my doc.

Using an old monitor, I've been giving the computer and new OS a test drive and the results are fine. I'm using firefox. I'm still new to the whole package and have yet to learn the system's limitations. I'll report later on what I learn.

But think about it, a new green computer for under $200! I new challenge to the world of microsoft.

Bill of Rights: Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The purpose of Amendment IV is clearly stated as a right of the people to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures. A citizen may not be searched, nor may their houses be searched, nor their papers and belongings be searched without a warrant. A warrant will not be issued without: (1) probable cause. Arresting authorities must have support showing that the person has committed a crime and is hiding evidence of the crime, (2) that witnesses swear under oath to know that the evidence is being held by the person, or hidden in the house, or revealed within the paper or other belongings of the suspected citizen; or that there is credible substantiating evidence of the crime. Furthermore the warrant must describe where the search is to take place and identify the person or objects to be searched.

In summary, a citizen should be free from being searched unless a warrant is issued for a search that contains clear certainty, corroborated by witnesses under oath or substantiating evidence, that the suspected citizen is withholding proof of a crime, where the confirming evidence is contained, and what may be searched.

Among other things Amendment Four protects citizens from random searches conducted without cause or carried out merely because of suspicion, and it protects citizens from having evidence planted upon them, or in their houses, or papers, or personal effects. Furthermore, the fourth amendment protects citizens from being singled out and searched because of prejudice, profiling, and circumstantial evidence.

In recent years, the president and the current administration has been willing, after taking their oath to uphold The Constitution of The United States of America, to break the spirit and the letter of the fourth amendment under the pretext of national security. Ironically, breaking the amendment undermines our Constitution while giving Terrorists both opportunity and conditions for those who want to destroy the greatest possibility for freedom on earth.

People who think giving up our privacy to preserve our country is the thing to do, don’t understand the fundamental purpose of a government designed to uphold freedom, nor the natural rights of men and women. Terrorist win when we give away our freedoms.

Heart Attack: Rehab 3

Last Monday I had my first visit with Dr. Paul Kang after leaving Hamet Hospital in July. The results were very encouraging. Just previous to this visit I completed cardiac rehab, in half the allotted time, and returned to playing tennis. During a vigorous tennis match, my average heart rate was 105, the top of my target zone, and included a twenty minute cool down. My highest heart rate was 230. I asked Dr. Kang if this was OK for me, and he inquired about symptoms, including palpitations. I had none and felt fine. He concluded that I have an excellent tolerance for physical exercise.

In addition, my cholesterol numbers were 150 total cholesterol with excellent “bad” and “good” cholesterol numbers. Dr. Kang said, “I couldn’t have written them down any better.” My wife and I were very happy to know that the dietary changes and exercise we’ve been doing, supported by Crestor, my cholesterol medication, have done the job!
As luck would have it, I was immediately put to the test. Friday I played in a tennis tournament to raise funds for an Edinboro University Sociology scholarship. I played three hard-fought sets in unseasonably high 83 degree October sunshine. Early the next morning I arose to play clarinet for the Zem Zem Band at an Autumn Leaves Festival in Clarion, Pennsylvania. Two full days of activity tested my tolerance. I was tired and somewhat stressed at the end of Saturday, but a good night’s sleep and a forty minute walk around campus have returned my good spirits.

At this point, I can say I feel as good as new, if not better. My biggest problems are mental, with slight cases of psychosomatic symptoms and occasional bouts with stress. The biggest change that has occurred is I feel less like an invalid and more like a normal person. I believe that the more I can put my heart attack to the back of my mind and view the present in clear, appreciative focus, the better off I’ll be.

I have an important Echocardiogram coming up on October 16. Hopefully I’ll learn that the pumping power of my heart has improved.

The Bill of Rights: Amendment III

“No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”

One of the “Intolerable Acts” imposed upon American Colonists by the British Parliament and King George III in response to the Boston Tea Party was the Quartering Act. The Quartering Act gave royal governors the power to quarter (billet) red coats in any town and house they chose without permission of the owner. Imagine having your house and property taken over by soldiers who are ostensibly living in your home to protect you, but in reality are being used by the government to coerce citizens into abject compliance and obedience. True to the American spirit, the Quartering Act and the other Intolerable Acts, of the Boston Port Act and the Massachusetts Government and Administration of Justice Acts, ignited the colonists’ impulse for self-government.

The third amendment of the Bill of Rights recognizes the oppressive nature of quartering soldiers in a home without consent of the owners during times of peace, and only through prescribed laws during the time of war. With our current National Guard, Reserves, and military forts and bases it is difficult to imagine a modern day “quartering act.” However, soldiers did commandeer civilian homes during the civil war and such things can happen without cause. We should retain the protection of the third amendment if for no other reason than as a reminder of our desire for liberty.

The Black Crook: William Wheatley

First in a weekly series of articles describing the people and events that brought forth a little known landmark in theatre history: America's First Musical: The Black Crook.©Forest Feighner 2005

"Beautiful bare-legged girls hanging in flower baskets; others stretched in groups on great sea shells; others clustered around fluted columns; others in all possible attitudes; girls - nothing but a wilderness of girls - stacked up, pile on pile, away aloft to the dome of the theatre, diminishing in size and clothing, . . . The whole tableau resplendent with columns, scrolls, and a vast ornamental work, wrought in gold, silver and brilliant colors - all lit up with gorgeous theatrical fires…" gushed Mark Twain in reporting his New York experience to his San Francisco readers. He described The Black Crook, the first American musical, then in the middle of a long run, having opened September 12, 1866. Since then, shows such as Showboat, Porgy and Bess, Oklahoma!, Westside Story, and A Chorus Line have established the American musical as a true and unique contribution to world culture.

William Wheatley (1816-1876)

William Wheatley, 50 when he achieved his greatest success, The Black Crook, dressed in dark fashionable clothes. A long frock coat covered a vest with watch chain, every bit the gentleman from his high collar and ascot tie with stick pin to his shinny shoes. His fashionably long hair, dark, and curly, gave him an artistic aspect along with his full, slightly unkempt, moustache. True to his actor's good looks, Wheatley spoke with perfect diction and rolled his rrrrs to give his voice dramatic affect. William Winter, who didn't much care for him said, "His bearing was pompous, yet urbane." In his appearance and manners Wheatley was picturesque. The very embodiment of both an artistic innovator and a businessman, Wheatley was a true theatrical entrepreneur.

Born in the proverbial actor's trunk in 1816 into a theatrical family, William Wheatley's mother and father were both actors. He first trod the boards at the age of 10. In October, 1826, Master Wheatley had a rare opportunity. Just one month earlier, in September, William Charles Macready, a star English actor, "sailed for America, and opened at the Park Theatre, New York, Oct.2, as Virginius." He needed a child to play young Albert in his forthcoming production of William Tell. Wheatley opened in the part on October 13. The child's performance impressed the famed actor, who praised his talent and asked "his parents to let him accompany him on his starring tour through the States, for the express purpose of personating the character of Albert." Following his first remarkable success, young William next made a strong impression starring in the popular play Tom Thumb. By the time he was eleven, Wheatley's life as an actor was assured.

However, acting became work rather than play and twice he temporarily retired from the stage. In 1849, the actor became disgusted with his profession, "He had labored in it long and hard, and rather than waste more of his years and energy upon labor so unrenumerative, resolved to leave it."

William Winter, the Tribune's critic, assessed Wheatley's acting,

"The parts in which he was best were showy, romantic, and pictorial. His Captain Absolute was a perfect embodiment. He was admirable in Claude Melnotte and in Doricout. His acting did not inspire affectionate interest, and it may be doubted whether any performance that he gave is remembered by any person with delight. . . . His influence upon the Stage was at times good, but it was neither deep, comprehensive, nor permanent. He was not a great actor, . . . "

Joseph Whitton expressed a different opinion:

"While he lived, the Stage knew but few better actors than William Wheatley, and since his time it has known but few so good. In 'juvenile' parts he was always acceptable, but 'light comedy' was the field better fitted for the show of his
ability. In such characters as 'Rover,' 'Young Rapid,' 'Bob Handy' . . .. and the 'Copper Captain". . . he had no peer--with the possible exception of James E. Murdoch."

Wheatley was a competent and popular actor, but unlike popular actors such as Edwin Forrest, he was unrewarded financially. Unwilling to continue suffering for his art, his interests turned elsewhere. He worked for a year on Wall Street. Then, he and Whitton opened The American Hotel in Virgin Bay, Nicaragua.

After an initial success, the hotel ventured turned unprofitable and Wheatley returned to the states to make his fortune. Naturally, he turned to what he knew best, the theatre. However, he did not return solely to act, but also to theatrical management, stage production, and, eventually, prosperity.

In the Spring of 1862, after an acting engagement at Niblo's Garden, he leased the theatre and started full-time management of all of the theatre's productions. A step that would lead him to the greatest triumph of his life.

Heart Attack: Rehab 2

A progress report.

When I walked into the Cardiac Fitness Center the other day, I was shocked to see an overweight man in his Sixties sitting in the waiting room happily munching a fast-food hamburger. Obviously, he dismissed the message his cardiologist gave him about a low-animal fat diet. While his action was extreme, many of my fellow patients at the rehab center are repeat heart attack victims who didn’t follow their doctor’s orders. For me, their errors are my inspiration to succeed.

Routine is the name of the cardiac fitness game. Upon entering the center, the first thing you do is sign-in and report your weight; current blood pressure; whether you’ve taken your meds; and how you feel, such as good, fair, or poor. Then you pick up and attach a heart monitor to your body, and record your monitor number, so the cardiac fitness staff can track you during exercise.

Three therapists and a dietician are available to seven of us, three women and four men, while we exercise. One therapists keeps constant surveillance of our heart rate, so we don’t exceed our target heart rate . The other two nurses help us with the machines, keep an eye on our condition, and answer questions we have about our therapy. Part of their routine is to take our blood-pressure during exercise, as well as before, and after a cool down period when we finish. Constant monitoring of our heart-rate and blood pressure helps the staff determine appropriate levels of exercise for us.

During my seventh day at Hamot Cardiac Fitness Center, I achieved new levels of difficulty for my exercise routine. My first exercise is on a stationary bike. After a five minute warm-up at 35 rpms. I increase my speed to 50 rpms for an additional fifteen minutes. Biking is the most taxing of my exercises, and I like to do it first. Blood pressure rises during exercise, and the bike gets my blood pressure and heart-rate pumped. Each outpatient exercises at a pace suitable to his or her condition.

After the exercise bike, the treadmill is next. Initially, I walked at a 2.2 mph pace. Now, my pace is 2.8 mph on a 3% incline. I walk for 20 minutes. My final exercise is ten minutes on a NuStep, a recumbent cross-training machine operated with legs and arms to work all the major muscle groups.

Overall, I’m currently doing fifty (50) minutes of cardiovascular exercise at a heart target rate compatible to my age and heart’s strength. My goal is to strengthen my heart’s pumping ability measured as an “Ejection Factor” (EF). A normal EF is 55. Through systolic failure my EF became 35. Heart muscle damage cannot be repaired, but I can improve my EF to above 40%. As a practical goal, I want to once again be able to play tennis at a high level for my age.

Heart Healthy Cheese Stuffed Chicken & Spaghetti

My wife came up with this recipe for a tasty dinner due to my low animal fat diet. However anyone would enjoy “Cheese Stuffed Chicken and Spaghetti,” a heart healthy dinner served with Montepulciano D'Abruzzo wine.

3/4 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or(1/2 teaspoon dried thyme )
I ½ tablespoons fresh chopped basil or(3/4 teaspoon dried sweet basil)1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

4 boneless chicken breast fillets (approximately 4 ounces each), skinned, all visible fat removed, or use already thin-sliced chicken breasts

4 ounces low-fat cottage cheese, drained

2 ounces grated part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 cups Prego Traditional Healthy Heart spaghetti sauce

In a small bowl, combine oregano, thyme, basil and pepper. Stir to mix well. Set aside.

Meanwhile, rinse chicken and pat dry. Place in a plastic bag and pound to 1/4-inch thickness. Set aside. If using thin-sliced breasts, pounding is unnecessary.

Combine spice mixture with cottage cheese. Spoon mixture onto centers of chicken breasts, leaving a 1/2-inch edge all around. From narrow end, roll each breast jellyroll fashion.

Spray skillet with non-fat spray and preheat over medium heat about I or 2 minutes.Arrange chicken rolls in skillet seam-side up. Cook about 15/20minutes, then gently turn chicken breast over so seams are on the bottom. Pour 2 cups Prego spaghetti sauce over chicken. Cover skillet and cook another 15/20 minutes, or until chicken is tender. During last 5 minutes, sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.

Serve on whole grain spaghetti . Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Adapted from a recipe for Chicken Manicotti from American Heart Association Cookbook, 5th Edition

The Bill of Rights: Amendment II

“Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

One of the great images of the revolutionary war is that of the Minute Man, a farmer, or any colonial citizen opposed to King George and the Red Coats. The Minute Man was ready in a moment’s notice to stop his work, run for his musket, and engage in the battle for freedom. The Minute Man represents an individual’s right to fight for a new government by taking up arms to oppose unfair, oppressive, and uncaring authority. The image of a farmer’s revolution sprang to life on April 19, 1775 at the Lexington, Concord Bridge when the Minute Men fired upon the red coats and a skirmish ensued The colonist’s strong statement for self-government was immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his poem, The Concord Hymn. The first stanza reads:

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;

Here once the embattled farmers stood;

And fired the shot heard round the world.

With less poetry, but with greater legality, the framer’s of our Constitution immortalized the Minute Man and the free citizen with “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, . . .” Moreover, the second amendment states that the right to bear arms shall not be denied (infringed).

Citizens have a right to fight for fair, equal, and representative self-government along with the right to have weapons. Amendment II is a precious right that must not be abolished.

However, there is a disparity between the Minute Man and the automatic weapon wielding criminal. We have a large, rapidly expanding population, and our popular culture, as seen on television, at the movies, and in video games, is a reflection of our societal condoning of violence. Criticism of the second amendment has focused on controlling crime, especially murder, without proper regard for the fundamental meaning of the amendment. In turn, the NRA opposes efforts at gun control without enough concern for the lives that are being lost to violence with guns. We need ways to monitor our use of weapons, so that innocent lives may be spared from violent crime. The challenge to those who cherish our second amendment right is to find a creative solution that eliminates killing school children with guns, while protecting our fundament right to bear arms.

Boodlies

A classic rock group, The Boodlies, is hitting the Erie/Edinboro area with great rhythm and high energy lyrical leads. If you like classic rock in the style of Led Zeppelin, and you like listening to music that makes you want to stand up and dance, then follow the Boodlies.

Erie is famous for Train, but there is a high quality garage band renaissance going on that is reminiscence of Mo-town and Chi-town in the late Sixties, when this style of driving psychedelic rock was revolutionary. The Boodlies have recreated this style and make it their own. Classic Rock is as alive now as it was back in the days of The Fillmore. This is no dead head resurrection this is the real thing. These guys are alive and can play! Take it from somebody who’s been there.

Caught The Boodlies at the Fox and Hound. Their fans are young, hip, and dynamic and they mirror the group.

Boost the Boodlies.

The Birthday Girl

Today is my beautiful wife’s birthday!

We picked up at the Bagel shop, and breakfasted while enjoying the view of Lake Edinboro from the beach at Lakeside.

I’m lucky to have such a wonderful wife and mother to my children.

Happy Birthday!

Heart Attack: Rehab

Three and a half weeks ago I was released from Hamot Hospital after suffering a heart attack. My doctor told me at that time that I should be able to return to normal activities, including tennis, in six weeks. This is a progress report.

My rehabilitation has centered on four basic areas: (1) a daily weigh-in, (2) a low-animal fat & low sodium diet, (3) taking my medications, and (4) a gradual return to physical activity. The hospital has provided some educational guides for me including a “Heart Owner’s Manual: Your Personal Guide to a Healthy Heart,” and “Strong Hearts: An Educational Guide for Heart Failure Patients.” While I was in the hospital I received healthy heart education and dietary guidelines. All of this information has helped me understand and follow four basic areas for rehabilitating my heart and my life.

The principal reason for weighing myself each day is to be alert to the possibility of congestive heart failure (CHF). An indicator is a sudden weight gain of two pounds over my weight as I left the hospital. My weight the morning after returning home was 203. Today, after a little Saturday night celebration, it is 200. I have been as low as 198. So, far my weight is doing fine.

Since I had a clot in my left ventricle, the hospital emphasized the importance of following a low animal fat diet. In addition, the “Strong Hearts” book recommends a low sodium diet. Fortunately for me, the transition to a heart-healthy diet has been reasonably easy. Partly because of changes my wife introduced to our diet over the years, and partly because of her devoted effort to prepare food that meets my guidelines and tastes great. Another help is that we both enjoy a variety of foods and like fish. When eating out or choosing food it is easy to make mistakes, especially by eating foods that are too high in sodium, a hidden ingredient in most prepared foods. It’s important to read the Nutrition Facts on pre-packaged foods and choose wisely. Learning the foods to avoid and the foods that are recommended eases the decision making process. I’m still learning, but for the most part I’ve been able to follow my low animal fat-low sodium diet.

I’ve established a routine for taking my medications and have yet to forget. My medications include asprin as a preventive measure; Plavix to prevent blood clots; metoprolol for myocardial infarction; Crestor, for cholesterol; and a blood pressure medication. Within a week I developed a cough from taking the ace inhibitor, Altace. My family physician changed my blood pressure medicine to Diovan, an ARB, two weeks ago and my cough is nearly gone. I cough only occasionally, and this is a great relief to me because coughing is a symptom of congestive heart failure. Now I know my cough was a side effect of the ACE inhibitor. The cough was also constantly annoying and made some of my activities more difficult, especially playing the clarinet. I take my blood pressure daily and have achieved a desirable range. My medications are doing their job.

In addition to the basic three steps to survival of diet, medications, and weigh-ins, I’ve started exercising. On the day after leaving the hospital I took a slow, twelve-minute walk. I gradually increased the tempo, length, and time of my walk. Today I walked three miles. Last Wednesday, three weeks to the day after leaving the hospital, I started therapy at the Hamot Cardiac Fitness Center.

“A medically supervised, insurance based, monitored exercise program designed to restore one’s strength and stamina. Walking, biking, strength training and education on heart risk factor reduction are offered. Physician referral required.”

A monitored exercise program restores my confidence that I’m progressing at an appropriate pace. I’ve started doing more chores around the house and yard, and I’m gradually returning to normal activities.

My rehabilitation appears to be progressing according to plan. I’ve been fortunate in my health care from the time I left my front porch with the medics dispatched from our 911call through my restoration at Hamot Hospital, one of the best hospitals in the nation for cardiac treatment, to my wife’s loving care at home. Half of the people who have a heart attack, such as the one I experienced, die. The care I received has already extended my life, and by following the “doctor’s orders,“ I will have more good years to come.

The Bill of Rights: Amendment I

The first in a series

"Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Constitutional scholars, politicians, lobbyists, and lawyers will tell us what “Amendment I” means, but we should all read, understand, and interpret the entirety of the Bill of Rights for ourselves. With this in mind, I’ve decided to put forth my own understanding of each amendment, starting with the first.

The first amendment says a lot, perhaps, too much for a single amendment given the great significance of every part. However, each component makes sense as part of a comprehensive whole concerned with thought, communication, and the law. To me, the words and meaning of the amendment are straight forward and should need no interpretation, but, alas, nearly every section of the first amendment has come under attack in recent years. My understanding of the first amendment is as follows.

First, congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. In it’s simplest terms, this means that their will not be, by law, an official national religion, ether in general, such as Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, or specifically, such as The Episcopal Church or The Baptist Church, of The Catholic Church, or any church you can name. Further, the lack of establishing a national church, is linked with the thought that congress shall make no law “prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” meaning you may freely practice your faith, even if is not shared by the majority. Therefore, one individual has just as much “right” to worship according to his religious beliefs as anyone else does. So, if you are Jewish, you have the same right to your religious beliefs as a Catholic, and so forth. Furthermore, by not establishing a national religion and by further allowing the free practice of religious thought, even the belief that religion is irrational is protected, and an individual has the “right” to be an atheist. Therefore we each have the right to be Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Mormon, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Atheist, etc, without fear of having the practice of our religion denied, or by being subjected to a religion of the majority.

Government sponsorship of Faith Based and Community Initiatives are attempts to make laws that establish religion, in incremental amounts, and, as such, are against our First Amendment Right to be free of religious government. The First Amendment is sound in conception and clear in language. As citizens we must guard against politicians who take advantage of our faith to obscure their purpose of establishing a national religion, even if it seems a harmless charitable service asking us to love our neighbors. There are government programs that can and do offer the same service. As individuals we are free to practice the religion of our choice. Let us keep this precious right.

Congress shall make no laws abridging our freedom of speech. Certainly, this part of the First Amendment is equally clear, although modern interpretation has tended to obscure our important right to express our thoughts regarding political issues. Our Founding Fathers had just freed a new nation from the tyranny of a King, and understood the importance of being able to speak their minds about government without fear of reprisal. As citizens we have a “right” to express our opposition to laws that appear to be against the best interests of ourselves and of our country, or to speak up for those we believe will best serve us as a nation. Furthermore, our freedom to speak is extended to our “press.” (media) so that our opposition or support may receive widespread circulation and discussion.

Governmental wiretapping, listening in on private conversations, and reading private emails are examples of abridging freedom of speech. The Patriot Act reads, in part, as follows: “Title II: Enhanced Surveillance Procedures - Amends the Federal criminal code to authorize the interception of wire, oral, and electronic communications for the production of evidence of: (1) specified chemical weapons or terrorism offenses; and (2) computer fraud and abuse.” True patriots will note that such acts are against our “Amendment I” rights. Those who attempt to muzzle our right to speak and write about the issues that are meaningful to us, diminish our freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Finally, we have the right to peacefully assemble and let injustices be known and to petition the government to redress our grievances. We have the right to protest and petition for change to make our laws fair and equal. The Civil Rights movement led by Martin Luther King is an excellent example of this right put into practice.

All in all, the First Amendment protects our right to think freely, without religious or political constraint, and to freely express our thoughts without fear of governmental reprisal. Moreover, when we have found inequity, and others are in agreement, we may assemble as a group to express our concern and to request that fundamental wrongs be addressed and made right.

The First Amendment stands first in our minds and our hearts as a right worth fighting for and a right that goes toward making the United States of America the greatest country on earth. Let’s keep it that way.

Wind Turbines

Wind Turbines are not the final answer to our long-term fossil energy problems, but they do offer an encouraging alternative that can lessen dependence on non-renewable resources and offer a cleaner, healthier environment.

The initial cost of the mechanisms and its installation is high, but that cost is balanced by low priced maintenance.

The negative environmental impact has to do with issues like visual appearance, noise, and bat and bird mortality. Each of these issues has been dealt with, resulting in less noise and fewer birds and bats dieing by running into the blades. Visually, the appearance of wind turbines depends on the eye of the beholder. If you like windmills, they don’t bother you; if you don’t like them, they do. They are certainly no more of an eye sore than the giant electrical power poles we now have.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services has developed guidelines minimizing the impact on wildlife, and the service usually gets involved with the intention of following environmental guidelines when wind turbines are being installed on public lands. Once installed, there is little impact on fish or wildlife at all.

According to the Wind Energy Environmental Impact Statement, “in 1990, California's wind power plants offset the emission of more than 2.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide, and 15 million pounds of other pollutants that would have otherwise been produced. It would take a forest of 90 million to 175 million trees to provide the same air quality.”

The good far outweighs the bad environmental impact. The cost is at worse equivalent. If the windmills are situated at a reasonable distance, noise is minimal, or no worse than what already exists in most communities. Farms are a good location for windmills, because they don’t disturb sheep or cattle and can provide some income for the farmer. While windmills won’t become the answer to urban electrical problems, small cities and towns can benefit from their use, and feel secure in the knowledge that they’re getting electricity from a renewable source while improving the environment.

Heart Attack

Pappy recent suffered a heart attack, and is now home recovering.
He feels fortunate to have had excellent care from the moment the medics arrived at his front porch to his exit from the hospital.

A five frame visual story of Pappy's heart attack is on a flickr group he administrates.

The Beer Can Muskie Lure

One evening, Pappy was sittin’ around with some of his fishin’ buddies and began to explain his idea of the beer-can muskie lure. The idea came to him while observing muskies exploding out of the water to hit floating beer cans.

“The first problem one faces with the beer can muskie lure,” says Pappy, “is to make sure the beer can is empty.”

All nod knowingly in agreement.

“Once this is achieved, attach the hooks with small metal screws, then glue to seal the can and further secure the hooks. A similar procedure is used to cover the tab hole with a small aluminum disk with an eyehook for attaching line. The beer cans that I saw muskie hit appeared to be Budweiser, so that would be a reliable place to start. I think the LaBlatt Blue is fine color worth experimentation. Rolling Rock green is another possibility. After working with the primary colors further experimentation will be forthcoming.”

Fishin’ Magic laughingly says, “I’ve got a suggestion! Use the Bud cans for the "everyday" muskie; Maybe some trendy import brands for the "upper crust" muskies, and of coarse you'll need some Old Milwaukee cans for the "low rent" muskies. Oh, and you’d better call the patent office before some one steals your idea!”

Pappy replies, “Good idea, Magic. Now here’s the way to fish this lure: Wait until dark and then take the beer can with attached green meanie line out in a boat and throw it overboard with a casualness that would make the WCO want to arrest you for littering. Then row to shore while spooling out your line and set your pole high so as to keep as much line off the water as possible. Go home and get a good night's sleep. In the morning creep down to the lake's edge, hide in the bushes and watch your empty beer can float and bob. By now a few muskie have been attracted to the beer can's colors and have picked up the scent. The next think you know, a muskie strikes! Carefully pickup your pole, allowing the muskie to run with the line while savoring the lingering scent of beer. Then, when he’s goood and satisfied, set the hook! Now, the fight is on.

Everyone, chuckles in satisfaction, then they head off to start in making beer can muskie lures

7/07/07

Will this be your lucky day?

The Fourth of July!

Americas Greatest Celebration of Freedom and Independence!

Mr. Toad Went a Travlin'

Our froggy friend, known as Mr. Toad, has gone a travlin'. Once again, Mr. Toad appeared in my wife's flower basket. Despite my suggestions that Mr. Toad was only looking for a nice place to hide out during the day light hours, my wife thought it was time for Toady to move on. To the extent that she believed this, she drove him over to new more suburban area, Mallory Lake.

Hope Mr. Toad likes his new home.

Mr. Toad

A loud chirp, almost plaintive, alerted me as I stepped out onto our front porch. Just the day before, my wife found a toad in the flower basket mounted by our front door.
We released the toad into a ditch. Could this be another toad? Or, was it a bird in the evergreen next to the porch where the robins hatched their eggs and raised their young?

A little detective work led to the discovery of Mr. Toad, once again in the flower basket,
and once again released. This time, my son carefully hand carried him to one of our flower gardens.

As my wife went out to water the plants, she found Mr. Toad in the basket again this morning.
Other than water, flowers, and ants,
not sure why he keeps coming back.

Father's Day

My father was a quiet man. Although he offered few words, he had a hardy recognizable laugh. The most advice he ever gave me was when I got on the bus to join the Army. His counsel, “Don’t volunteer.” Meaning, if a Sergeant is looking for a volunteer, don’t. His only other recommendation was, keep a good credit rating. Both suggestions have served me well.

In other ways, he quietly supported my interests. He came to band concerts and took me to solo contests.

Didn’t tell me what direction to take my life. Also, although I did play basketball and football, not well, but I was on the team. He never attended a game. His favorite pass time was fishing; he passed on to me his passion for the simple pleasures of patience, being in nature, and taking pleasure in the catch.

More can be said, but that’s enough to honor a well remembered father on his day.

Mother Made

One of the privileges of age is thinking backwards in time to days now long gone that were once a vividly important present. What once seemed commonplace, we now recognize as unique. Such a time is represented in the memories I have of my childhood neighborhood. There were boys and girls I played with everyday and who were the center of my social life, that I haven’t seen in many years, as most were not members of my high school graduating class. My neighborhood gang doesn’t have a periodical reunion.

Recalling some of the games we played is a pleasure. In our yard was an old gnarled box elder tree, thick in trunk with humps and bumps, that made a perfect home base for games of hide and seek. Our gangs favorite version of hide and seek was “Mother Made.”

The person who was “it” leaned against the tree with their forearm covering their eyes while all the others gather round “its” back. One person drew a continuous circle with his or her finger on ’it’s back and slowly recited, “Mother made a chocolate pie, and someone stuck their finger in it.” At that point, one of the gang would stick their finger in the middle of the imaginary pie on “its” back. “It” would then have to guess who was the guilty person. If “it guessed correctly, whoever stuck a finger in the pie was “it.” If “it” was wrong, he or she was still “it.”

At that point, whoever was now “it.” had to again lean against the tree on their forearm with eyes closed and count to one hundred, while everybody else ran off and hid.

“It” could venture off of home base while searching for the others, but needed to return to the base before the person he or she spied. So, while venturing out to seek the others, when “it” saw someone hiding “it” called out the person‘s name, “ I spy Johnny!“ Then they both ran as fast as they could back to home. If the hider returned first, that person was home free. If the seeker returned home first, “it” said, “One, two, three on Johnny!” Then, Johnny was “it,” and all of the others could return. In fact, they were called in by yelling, “Ally, Ally, Outs-in-free! The gang all returned home free to start play all over again.

“Mother Made,” was a great game to play in the twilight hours of a summer evening when we children had the run of the neighborhood.

Tellahveeshion

Could I waken in the morning
Not caring what Paris Hilton
Did last night?
Or, what she might do today?
Yes, my life’s not that boring.
Why then, do the airwaves feel that
I crave to know her flight or
Fright? While they mock
Their own coverage and
Blame her because she’s rich
And yells, “Mom!” when
Dragged in jail.
Who wouldn’t? Woeful TV
Get a better coverage for me.

Bike Ride

I bought a new camera Sunday. My old one still takes pictures, but the LCD screen doesn’t work. You can check online to see how much it costs to repair your camera….price $111. Called Wal-Mart to see how much a bottom of the line camera went for, and found one that seemed comparable for $99.00. Bought the camera, then took a bike ride to take some pictures.

Started across campus and stopped at Mallory Lake. Took a picture of the lake and fountain (why they put a fountain in this lake I’ll never understand), and

captured some Canadian Geese swimming in formation.

Peddled over to the old side of campus and took a photo of the base of a new sculpture that will appear in front of the art building.
You can see Memorial Auditorium in the background.

Biked toward town and met a couple of my old colleagues, one riding his bike in the opposite direction, and another sitting on his porch, studying the score for “The Full Monty.” He’s playing in the pit orchestra for the Erie Playhouse. I’d like to post their pictures here, but haven’t yet asked them for permission.

Rode downtown past the funeral home, where I saw a sad sight, a funeral for one of two young children who drowned in a farm pool while their babysitter slept. You might have heard about this tragedy on the national news. Cars were parked everywhere. The funeral for the child was the largest turn-out for a memorial service I’ve seen in our small town.

Biked home to count my blessings and be thankful that I’ve not had to bury any of my children.

Pappy's Pet Peeves Revisited

The following was originally posted on my old blog. Once more for your consideration, I offer my pet peeves; this time with annotation.

Normally we try to look on the sunny side of life’s events to find the inherent joy of our unique experience as human beings. However, even pappy’s patience can be tried upon occasion, so he’s decided to create a feature disclosing his pep peeves. Pappy’s pet peeves will appear periodically until he runs out of peeves. Hopefully, this will be soon.

1. Hypocrites. We’ve taken notice of religious hypocrites for a long time. The kind of person you see in a prominent pew on Sunday morning after spending a week treating his neighbors in unchristian ways. Lately, the political hypocrite is arousing pappy’s ire. The political hypocrite comes in all shades and hues and is not a leader, but the worst kind of follower. I mean the person who bends in the blustery winds to find favor for himself or his party without concern for the common good.

The 2008 Presidential race started out early this year, so we have to be alert to smiling faces, hand shakes, and poll followers.

2. The Know-it all. Persons who know what’s best for everybody and try to control our lives are know-it-alls. We find the know-it-alls on television, talk radio and on the streets. These people believe that they’ve discovered the one true path to spiritual, political, social, or economical enlightenment. The know-it-all wants you and everybody else to behave in his or her prescribed manner. We could use a lot fewer know-it-alls. Present company excused.

Television now boasts more punditry than news, and many viewers can't seem to separate one from the other.

3. Too Many Laws. When you read the Ten Commandments, you realize how few laws we really need to keep everyone in line. Don’t kill; don’t steal, and don’t betray people are laws at the top of my list. We have too many laws with too many interpretations to be a truly free people. If we could govern ourselves with kindness, tolerance, and understanding we’d be well on the way toward fewer laws.

Guess we need to vote for more legislators who don't know the way to the state and federal capitols, oh, we did!

After reading my pet peeves, I realize I’m guilty. Upon occasion, without provocation, I’m hypocritical. And, of course, I think there ought to be laws against things I don’t like. Finally, just writing all this stuff makes me a know-it-all. Turns out I’m my own pet peeve!

Some things never change.
.

Deana Mosaic in Purple

A Memorial Day Symbol

Memorial Day is a good time to spend a few moments remembering loved ones and the men and women who have served our country.

Got an interesting reminder of this today. Next to our piano are shelves that hold memorabilia and family collectibles. For instance, on one top shelf is an old kewpie doll in the shape of a Drum Majorette that I won at the Lake County, Indiana, Fair about fifty years ago. On one of the bottom shelves there's an old Kodak Box camera and a "modern" art deco clock that dates back to at least the 1930s. This afternoon when I walked in the house, my wife showed me where the shelf and all of its contents fell.

Miraculously, the Kodak seems none the worse for wear, and the clock, that hasn't kept time for twenty or more years, started ticking and is now showing the correct time! The old clock was in my boyhood home, and serves, now more than ever, as a reminder of those wonderful times and my loving parents.

A Plus

Decided to add a word (plus) to the title of my blog. One reason for the addition is to enable people searching for some of the frequently read stories or items in pappy’s paradise to distinguish the old and unavailable from the new, pappy’s paradise plus. Doing a search still brings up the old site, but leads to a cannot display webpage. I plan on republishing some of the favorite stories, such as The Black Crook: America’s First Musical, and hope that reader’s will find what they want at “pappy’s paradise plus.”

Also, I hope to add some features, that will bring a “plus” to pappy’s paradise. For instance, you can watch some excellent clarinet videos or visit some interesting blogs. More items will be added in the future, so come on back to “pappy’s paradise plus” for stories, photos, videos, and other features.

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On Turning Seventy

Whoever thought I'd live to see

The diminishing of the bird's and bees?

Avian flu and like disease,

Poisoning lawns and cutting trees.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Oh, how sad it is to enter my Seventies,

And see fewer robins and chickadees.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Went down to the lake today,

Caught two largemouth bass.

Nice sized they were; fun to play.

Pulled them up to the Spring green grass,

Then put them back to swim away.

Once Again

After a few years of writing a fairly successful blog with wordpress,
my blog failed because of hosting problems. I'm now trying a new version of blogspot. This present post is experimental, a test drive to see how everything works, and to discover if this new pappy's paradise will meet my blogging needs.

Here is a picture taken in February at Red Reef Park in Boca Raton, Florida My wife is
standing on the boardwalk that weaves past the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a nine hole golf course on the other.

Thanks for reading this small experiment. Look for posts of greater interest in the future.