WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?

Reading a few headlines in the news for the past month or so sure makes one wonder if we live in the same world that our parents did. A few examples:

• Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit
• Homeowner Association Threatens to Tow Vietnam Veteran's Car Over Marines Decal
• Texas Woman Told to Remove 'Offensive' American Flag From Office

What is wrong with this country? Well as this old prospector sees it, the family unit, the educational system, and plain common sense all need to be repaired. Neighbors used to help neighbors, adults used to be able to correct unruly children without fear of a lawsuit, and teachers used to be able to swat a rowdy backside without fear of causing a school district crisis. Oh well, I have lots more to say about this subject. It is like a soap box. Stay tuned unless you are feeling really liberal, then don't bother... you wouldn't understand anyway!

Fireworks, parades and picnics.

Well, we just came through another 4th of July with its assorted parades, fireworks, department store sales, final garden plant offerings and, of course, picnics. The latter always makes me think of my father. Although he has been gone thirty years, his love of backyard picnics will live on forever in my memory. He loved nothing more than a yard full of relatives and neighbors gorging themselves on hotdogs, hamburgers, bratwursts.... all cooked over a limestone grill which was a hand-built permanent fixture in his backyard. For those who liked to be less adventuresome, he even kept a spot on the back of the wire where he fixed strips of steak grilled to personal perfection. Yeah, he even wore an apron that said "Official Cook".

You see, my dad loved being a grillmaster, but he loved to eat even more. Probably next to cigarettes, eating was his worst habit. But he sure made it look like a Norman Rockwell painting when, after all other guests were served, he filled up his own plate with a hamburger smothered in fried onions, a couple of bratwursts barely visible beneath a mound of sauerkraut and diced onions, big helpings of baked beans, potato salad, and topped off with a couple of deviled eggs. A tall glass of sweet iced tea completed the picture.

So whenever I go by a yard full of people at a picnic, 4th of July or not, I can't help but reflect back on those days when my yard was that scene. Rose bushes in full bloom, grass mowed to a perfect height to play croquet, two sand pits for pitching horseshoes, a red and yellow swing set full of noisy little cousins, and dad standing by his grill yelling "Come and get 'em while they are fresh". Priceless!!