Ale for the Soul

Certainly these are holidays I am very passionate about.  Nature conservation is a must for everyone as this is the only earth we have.  Good stewardship of our surroundings and of the resources nature produces for us is an essential toward great citizenship.  To act carelessly without regard to anyone but ourselves is to act recklessly and irresponsibly.  Many times I see litter strewn across the landscape, and it breaks my heart.  Sometimes I even see people in the very act of littering, and I become irate at their behavior.  The largest cause for tears is when I see the littering of our great state and national parks.  Most of the time is creates a response of utter disbelief as I must ask, "Really?  In such pristine environments someone can still taint mother nature with our throw-away mentality.  Unbelievable!"  Conservation and the stewardship of nature is so easy, and it doesn't take any more effort than what is already required o...

In 1880, shortly before he died, Dostoevsky gave his famous Pushkin speech at the unveiling of the Pushkin monument in Moscow. Dostoevsky delivered his speech on the last of the three days of celebration. Turgeniev had spoken on the previous evening, and in spite of his eminence had been coolly received. His assessment of Pushkin had been too detached for the taste of his emotional audience. Dostoevsky, in contrast, gripped everybody from the start with his fervour. A SPEECH DELIVERED ON JUNE 8, 1880 AT THE MEETING OF THE SOCIETY OF LOVERS OF RUSSIAN LITERATURE PUSHKIN is an extraordinary phenomenon, and, perhaps, the unique phenomenon of the Russian spirit, said Gogol. I will add, ‘and a prophetic phenomenon.’ Yes, in his appearing there is contained for all us Russians, something incontestably prophetic. Pushkin arrives exactly at the beginning of our true selfconsciousness, which had only just begun to exist a whole century after Peter’s reforms, and Pushkin’s coming mightily ai...

On June 25, 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, thus initiating a three year bloody war for total conquest of the peninsula.  Very quickly the United States secured a resolution from the United Nations for defense of South Korea.  This was the United States first experiment with the Cold War concept of "limited war".  It is because of this concept, General Douglas MacArthur and President Harry Truman conflicted, leading to the demise and eventual firing of the General.  As an aside, I firmly believe the General was correct in his strategy in attacking North Korea all the way in to Chinese territory.  Had the United States done so, the whole peninsula would have been set free from communist tyranny, and the world would not have to deal with the difficult issues from that region it faces today.  Roughly three years later, an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, thus ending military hostilities.  Some argue the armistice ended the war, but I do not b...

Unforgettable, that's what you are Unforgettable, though near or far Like a song of love that clings to me How the thought of you does things to me Never before has someone been more Unforgettable in every way And forevermore (and forevermore) That's how you'll stay (that's how you'll stay) That's why darling, it's incredible That someone so unforgettable Thinks that I am unforgettable too [Musical interlude] No, never before has someone been more Ooh unforgettable (unforgettable) In every way (in every way) And forevermore (and forevermore) That's how you'll stay (that's how you'll stay) That's why darling it's incredible That someone so unforgettable Thinks that I am unforgettable too.

As I watch you move, across the moonlit room There's so much tenderness in your loving Tomorrow I must leave, the dawn knows no reprieve God give me strength when I am leaving... So raise your hands to heaven and pray That we'll be back together someday Tonight, I need your sweet caress Hold me in the darkness Tonight, you calm my restlessness You relieve my sadness As we move to embrace, tears run down your face I whisper words of love, so softly I can't believe this pain, it's driving me insane Without your touch, life will be lonely So raise your hands to heaven and pray That we'll be back together someday Tonight, I need your sweet caress Hold me in the darkness Tonight, you calm my restlessness You relieve my sadness Morning has come, another day I must pack my bags and say goodbye.

These obscure holidays are getting better and better.  Today's holiday is very appropriate for a Texas summer; however, the temperatures haven't reached their full potential.  After a very mild winter, even for Texas, I figured the summer would be a scorcher.  Thankfully the temperatures and humidity haven't been all that bad.  All those years I lived in Houston, maybe I grew accustomed to the heat and humidity, but Fort Worth can get hot as well.  For the first five years of residence here, I lived in housing that did not have central air condition and heat.  As a result, I had to depend on fans and heaters as the seasons dictated.  Now I am blessed with an apartment that has both, and I use them when appropriate but certainly not in a wasteful manner.  The question is very timely, "Is it hot enough for you?"  Yes it is, but it could definitely become worse...and I've seen both extremes in temperatures.  Of course there are hotter place...

Hooray!  Vanilla Ice Cream finally gets the recognition and credit it deserves.  Growing up, people would give me a hard time about enjoying vanilla ice cream, and subsequently calling it my favorite flavor.  One vivid memory was in high school band class.  The director was trying to make a point about not becoming complacent with bland performances when what he wanted was pizzazz.  So he asked, maybe somewhat rhetorically, the question, "Who in here loves vanilla ice cream?"  Of course he asked the inquiry in such a way as to let the students know no one in their right mind would raise their hand.  Much to his dismay, I raised my hand.  Thinking it was a legitimate question, I figured it worthy of a response.  Anyway, there are other flavors of ice cream I also enjoy, such as: Cherry Vanilla, Cookies-N-Creme, and so many more; but I must confess the continuing love affair I have with Vanilla.  Is this indicative of leading a bland life?...

So this is supposed to be a leisure day?  Ha!  Someone should have told my boss(es).  Not only did I have to work at my regular job during the day, but I also pulled a shift at the smoke shop. In fact, toward the end of the work load for TNG, I was so pressed for time I ended up running a few minutes late in reporting to work this evening.  The day began rather leisurely, but I did have a full day.  Of course I had two extra stores thrown on me in addition to my regularly assigned stores.  Thankfully the assignments were easy.  To be honest, there isn't anything overly difficult about what I do in regard to employment.  I would say tedious and time-consuming, but not super labor-intensive.  Have you ever watched the movie Office Space?  A particular scene has the main character emphatically stating, "I know Lumberg will have me work tomorrow (Saturday), I just know it."  This is how I felt as I began to conclude my day at the apartm...

Vice President Cheney, Mr. Chief Justice, President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, reverend clergy, distinguished guests, fellow citizens: On this day, prescribed by law and marked by ceremony, we celebrate the durable wisdom of our Constitution, and recall the deep commitments that unite our country. I am grateful for the honor of this hour, mindful of the consequential times in which we live, and determined to fulfill the oath that I have sworn and you have witnessed. At this second gathering, our duties are defined not by the words I use, but by the history we have seen together. For a half century, America defended our own freedom by standing watch on distant borders. After the shipwreck of communism came years of relative quiet, years of repose, years of sabbatical — and then there came a day of fire.  We have seen our vulnerability — and we have seen its deepest source. For as long as whole regions of the world simmer in resentment and tyranny — prone to ideo...

  January 20 was a Sunday, and the President took the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice Warren Burger, in the Grand Foyer of the White House. Weather that hovered near zero that night and on Monday forced the planners to cancel many of the outdoor events for the second inauguration. For the first time a President took the oath of office in the Capitol Rotunda. The oath was again administered by Chief Justice Burger. Jessye Norman sang at the ceremony. Senator Mathias, Chief Justice Burger, Vice President Bush, Speaker O'Neill, Senator Dole, Reverend Clergy, members of my family and friends, and my fellow citizens:   This day has been made brighter with the presence here of one who, for a time, has been absent—Senator John Stennis.   God bless you and welcome back.   There is, however, one who is not with us today: Representative Gillis Long of Louisiana left us last night. I wonder if we could all join in a moment of silent...