Feather

I cannot think of the word feather without thinking of goose down. I own a down sleeping bag, a pair of booties, a goose down vest, and a goose down coat. Whenever a quill sticks out of the nylon shell, I know that feathers were used instead of down. Ounce for ounce, down is the warmest material I have ever known.

Several years ago I got the bright idea of starting a goose farm. I figured I could get all the feathers I needed, all the down I would ever need, and make some extra money at the same time. I didn't get very deep into this business plan before it was pointed out to me that, here in Henry County, we have much too mild of a climate. If I wanted to produce good down, I would have to move somewhere like upper Minnesota. My thoughts of having a feather farm went away that very evening!

Courageous

The people that are courageous in my eyes are the little ones who have cancer or some other terminal disease, who are fighting with all they have. Life has dealt them a crushing blow, yet through sheer willpower, they are determined to live their life to the fullest. Compared to these 'chillins, there is nothing in my life that can ever resemble the pain, the heartache, the frustration, that these courageous kids go through! I salute them, their courageous parents and grandparents, their caregivers, and their doctors!

China

This week's word, China, as in 'made in China', brings up special thoughts. We, as the United States of America, have lost what made us great to begin with. Born in 1955, my parents wanted the best for me, but they didn't make me earn it. Had the people of my generation had the strength, the fortitude, the moral compass of my Dad & Mom's era, things would be different in the good ol' USA, today.

Instead, 'made in China' or 'made in wherever' is very prevalent today. I was one of the last people I know to give in, my union heritage being the reason, but, none the less, I did give in. It started slowly. If I got Christmas presents from my family, made in China, they would be thrown away. If Jean would buy me a coat or a dress shirt, not made in the USA, they would hang in the closet, never to be worn. My actions finally made Jean start looking at all the labels. It would have been nice, 20 years ago, if she had never had to start.

Automobiles were the first foreign items I can remember noticing. Nearly forty years ago I wanted a Volkswagen Beetle real bad, and my Dad said 'no way'. I didn't understand the whys and wherefores for several years, but I understand perfectly now. With the demise of the United States electronics industry, and the onslaught of the 'computer age' almost all “gadgets” were made offshore. Almost all cameras came next. Then the textile industry went south, and there was no stopping the flood of manufacturers heading toward cheap labor.

What once made America great, our manufacturing expertise, has now gone the way of our many manufacturing skills. I fear that it will never return. We used to be able to design anything. Now, we look to China. Even the making of some of the defense systems has been relegated to foreign companies. How safe is that? Instead of a “nuts & bolts" country, we are now a “service” country.

I feel real sorry for the generations after mine. The men & women of the United States proved their mettle during WW1 & WW2. The countries that wanted to defeat us could not because we were too mighty. Now, my generation & those after mine are just handing our country over to the powers that be. We have record deficits with China, in the BILLIONS of dollars. We have borrowed against our children & grandchildren's future until they will have no future. The demise of the United States of America is next. In one thousand years our country will be known as another civilization whose prosperity was their downfall.

Diamond

I cannot hear the word diamond without thinking of the song “Diamond in the Rough”. It is an old John Prine tune that has meant a lot to me over the years. The gist of the song reminds me that we are just a work in progress, and as we go through life's experiences we are polished a little more, then a little more.

Some people reach a certain stage of their life and it seems they start coasting. Many, many are way too young, but through drugs, or a lost love, or through a perceived slight, they just quit trying. Others, after going through too many trials & tribulations just hunker down and stay in “protection” mode. Still others, having reached a plateau where they are content, are happy to stay where they are.

In this game we call life, I believe we should never quit. We must always strive to master new things. We must challenge ourselves to reach to new heights. We must always polish on that ol' diamond!

Camp

Camp is another word that brings back extraordinary memories. Some of my camping excursions could be likened to staying at the Ritz-Carlton, without the roof over our heads, or the plush carpet under our feet! I think my buddies & I kept trying to one up each other, so our camp kept getting nicer & nicer. We had a kitchen area that was nicer than many homes of the day. Our camp cuisine was just hamburgers & hot dogs, with an occaisonal chop thrown in, but we would have all the condiments & all the side dishes to make the meals very tasty. We had nice, roomy, tents, with goose down sleeping bags, with Therma-Rest mattresses under them, & candle lanterns. Our fire pit & fire were always the nicest around, and there was always an endless supply of beverages. I had a hammock I would carry with me that was big enough for two, & I had a rain fly mounted above it. When the temperature got the least bit cool, the goose down vests, coats, & booties would come out. We camped year round, but when it got down right cold, there was a cabin in LBL that we would go to. It didn't have any glass in the windows, but we would build a roaring fire in the fire place and stay warm as toast!

Tourist

With Memorial day being tomorrow this is a very fitting time to think about the word tourist. Paris, Henry County, & the lake area really benefit from tourism and the tourists who enjoy the relaxation and the recreation that Henry County affords.

Strategically located, Kentucky Lake is really coming in to its own as a vacation destination. Whether fishing, swimming, water skiing, camping, antiquing, genealogy, shopping around an old court square (just like you did when you were a kid), or golfing, Paris & Henry County has it covered!

I am mighty proud of our “community”. I am glad to see the many people working together for the common good. I believe Paris & Henry County are weathering the bad economic climate as well as anyone, and am real excited about our future.

Cradle

The thought I have on the word cradle is the Harry Chapin song entitled “Cats in the Cradle,” from the seventies. That song has so much truth to it. When you are a kid, it seems your Pa' is never doing things with you, is never at your ball games, is never there to take you fishing, is never there at your important events.

Your Dad is the reason you have a roof over your head, food on the table, and clothes on your back, and he is busy earning the money that makes those things happen. If he is lucky enough to make his living where he gets to spend the night where you are, you are mighty fortunate. There are many, many Dads who cannot. The song tells of the Dad making excuses as to why he can't play with his boy right now.

Then the boy grows up, has his own son in the cradle, is busy working to provide for his family. And has no time for his Dad. It is all kind of sad, but it is a story that plays out countless times. I guess it is just the way life is. Maybe it is even the way life is supposed to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etundhQa724&feature=related