Use It or Lose It

For the consideration of my media, government and political and plain old citizen friends:

More than 300 daily newspapers had committed today to run editorial or opinion pieces standing up for their -- and your, if you're lucky enough to be a U.S. citizen or resident -- First Amendment rights today. Here's what the Philadelphia Inquirer had to say as mounted on the Inquirer and (Philadelphia) Daily News' combined web site www.philly.com.

http://www2.philly.com/philly/opinion/editorials/newspaper-free-press-editorials-donald-trump-philadelphia-20180815.html

Here's a rundown of what some other media organizations were publishing around the nation, as compiled by the Microsoft Network (MSN).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/special-edition-supernumbersmartlist-op-eds-speak-up-for-press-freedom/ar-BBLYRXC?ocid=spartanntp

The Asbury Park Press, a Gannett paper, included this link to a USA Today piece that might prove of interest, too.

https://www.app.com/story/opinion/2018/08/14/what-our-investigative-journalists-expose-isnt-fake-news-column/992760002/

Additionally, here's the press freedom editorial from The Times Herald, the stalwart still covering the county seat where I was born, Norristown, Pennsylvania. It's not (yet) reachable from the home page of the paper's web site. You deserve -- and need -- to read the so-called deep link.

http://www.timesherald.com/opinion/20180815/editorial-president-trump-we-are-not-the-enemy-of-the-people

Please, oh please, use your freedoms for all and only good things and causes, people, but for Heaven's sake don't just roll over and give them up! This is who we are, the symbol we are to scattered nations around the world, the beacon that shows there is more to life than fear and division. Please stand up for your country so it can continue to function as our Founding Fathers intended.

Copland at St. James, Chicago

The Episcopal cathedral in Chicago, St. James, is presenting Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" as originally written (for 13 instruments) late this afternoon. Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera comprise the ensemble. The concert, which begins at 5:45, is preceded by a reception with light refreshments which begins a half hour earlier. Running time of the piece is twenty minutes and folks at the cathedral say the program is expected to wrap up by six fifteen p.m. St James Cathedral is located at 65 E. Huron Street, and the telephone number is (312)787-7360. The concert and reception are free and open to the public.

Found!

Late this afternoon my calendar emerged from way at the bottom of a decent sized pile of photo boxes I've been trying not to go through. I'm assuming it just got naturally stacked there: bottom line, I'm very glad to have it back in my hands. The very few things I need to jot down should make it in by the end of the week.

Have a great night, all.

Sigh -- an Entire Summer Down the Tubes?

Hold a thought for my paper calendar, which has gone South! I'm confident it's just under a pile of papers, but you never know ...

Meanwhile, if I've made a commitment to you that you consider crucial, please contact me by phone, email or in person so you can be sure I'll be where I said I'd be when I said I'd be.

Thanks.

The Quote I Never Used -- a Gutless Gut Check Time for a Former Reporter and Editor

"Give it to some crippled children." Respecting a man for what he says is important, not how politically correctly he says it.

The one I wish I'd never said: "You have enough bling to go with that?"

Oh, and don't tell me it's for a favor, or that it's a press release from somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody. Is it a story? Is it worth telling? Is it true??? That's all I want and wanted to know. That's what I used to write.

Overdue Thanks

I have not used the gifts, most of them, from the Christmas before my sister left to take a teaching job in Florida. They are sitting in a pile waiting for a slew of thank-you notes for which I simply do not have the words. I will say this, though: Rarely have I felt more cherished, more appreciated and more simply understood than I did on that day. I was surrounded by people who constitute my family -- not all of them, but the core minus Jackie and hers. I really felt everyone went out of their way to make that a memory we can all cherish. Maybe what meant most to me, besides being surrounded by Mom, Beth, Lauren & Joss -- and a bit of snow -- was that Joss (Jonathan) made it a point to come over so his mom could make him mashed potatoes. They were very tasty, and sometimes food does equal love, though one shouldn't stuff oneself overfull. I haven't even delved into the thoughtfully chosen book of novellas with critical essays: I think I felt the hand of both my sis and Lauren and Jonathan's dad in that. I'll never be able to explain how very much all of that meant to me. Sometimes it's the being there that is the most important thing, but the gifts, too, made me feel cherished. I love all of you family types of mine, and regret that I end up feeling so isolated from you for one reason or another.

-----

The unfortunate name which my little beastling dog ended up carrying (accidental insults abound through it -- she just didn't look like a "Gracie," and I didn't have the heart to fully change her name as I felt she'd already been through too much) calls to mind the first person for whom my own dad ever named a dog.

That man, Andrew I. Kane, is suffering the loss of his wife, Jean M. Kane, and we all suffer for loss of her. I was physically incapacitated as the undertaker's widow drove my mother through a bad, bad rainstorm to be there about two weeks ago at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church in North Wales, Pennsylvania. I'm not intent upon imposing my religion, culture or worldview on anyone, but I do want to capture the details of her service here if not for you, then at least for me to come back to at a later time to get an idea of Mrs. Kane's legacy and lasting impact on this world. We've all got 'em.

If you'll indulge me, I'm just going to type:

Jean M. Kane

Entered This Life: October 6, 1935

Born to Eternal Life: May 10, 2014


Those we love remain with us/for love itself lives on,/and cherished memories never fade/because a loved one's gone./Those we love can never be more/than a thought apart,/For as long as there is memory,/they'll live on in the heart.


Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church

North Wales, Pennsylvania

Friday May 16, 2014

10:30 a.m.


Footprints

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord./Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky./In each scene I noticed the footprints in the sand./Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,/other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed/that during the low period of my life,/when I was suffering from/anguish, sorrow or deteat,/I could only see one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,/"You promised me Lord/that if I followed you,/you would walk with me always./But I have noticed that during hte most trying periods of my life/there have only been one set of footprints in the sand./Why, when I needed you the most, have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,/"The times when you have only seen one set of footprints in the sand is when I have carried you." -Mary Stevenson


Funeral Mass

Reverend William J. Teverzcuk

Entrance Hymn: How Great Thou Art

First Reading: Revelations 21:1-5a,6b-7, read by Matthew A. Taormina

Responsorial Psalm

Second Reading: Thessalonians 4:13-18, read by Patrick J. Taormina

Gospel

General Intercesions read by Kathryn K. Taormina

Presentation of Gifts: Amazing Grace

Communion Hymn: I Am the Bread of Life

Meditation Hymn: Ave Maria

Words of Remembrance delivered by Andrew J. Matin

Recessional Hymn: On Eagles Wings

It is my shame and mine alone that I was not strong enough to make it there, and my worse shame still that I do not have the words that can console Andy or his daughters. I am unafraid to say that I love them; that they were an indelible, sparkling part of my childhood and that I feel the lack of them sharply. It's like losing two pints of blood each time someone I love passes or someone I love suffers loss.

I will deal with the death of my own father one of these days, one of these days soon I hope. I know for certain that he wouldn't be pleased at how hard I've taken his passing, though of course everybody needs to be remembered and everyone likes to know they're missed -- that they've made an impact.

For my part in the meantime I will do my best to be cheerful and to be good. Most importantly, I will try not to be such as Cassandra -- though I will warn people and admonish them as conscience dictates. Hypocrisy is a always a risk when one feels the need to share one's views with another: that is something I'm going to strive to minimize, too. Sometimes there's a veritable sheet of sheetrock covering both of my eyes that I really should peel away before I presume to tell the rest of the world, if I even do, how to conduct its business.

Try to be patient with me if you read these words. It may not always look like it from where any one given person is standing, but I really am trying my best here in all I do.

The New York Post's Take on Bergdahl

the New York Post's take on last known POW

U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Berghdal, taken by the Taliban in 2009, has been freed according to multiple media sources. Our only POW of the Afghanistan war, his release was effected by a swap for several Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Don't Blame the Chicken!

Thanks go to Paul Cantin for sharing this knockout Little Feat mellow goodness. Gotta love "Dixie Chicken," especially with a lineup like this -- live in 1977 on The Midnight Special.

Thanks -- Christmas 2013/2014

Too much! That is all I can say to those who felt the need to spoil me this year. TOO much. But thank you.

Last year, I missed one sis as I was spoiled with attention and great kindness while snowed in with the other. This year, there wasn't much of me to go around -- and Mom and Pete did too much! Much of it is going back. I missed seeing the Marches and only saw one Pirkey (LOVE her!!), but I did split the day among time spent traveling with Pete, hanging with Mom and convalescing alone. Jackie made my day by sending back the sweetest pie from the celebration Mom was, I am so glad to report, well enough to attend!!!

I'm only a small part of what is essentially an opportunity to rekindle love in our hearts, tenderness in our relationships and peace in our communities and the world. I need for nothing and want for little. That having been said, I was happy to be able to buy myself a planning calendar and Santa Barbara (ha -- I wish) is only going to have to fill in from the extravaganza by picking up some indigo or navy Rit dye, some ink refills and looseleaf paper and dropping off or mailing a few late gifts. That's an embarrassingly short list, and there's nothing there I cannot live without! Sadly, only a few cards went out and those were a dog's breakfast, so please consider this yours and consider yourself lucky if you didn't get one. In addition to the family around me, I am grateful that 2013 was the first year I was able to knit a hat, and I was thrilled to be able to take two small trips out of the area -- one to Lake Placid (cool place, and I want to go back) and one to Chicago (I feel the same way about it). I do wish the joy of Christmas to hold you close all year long, and I hope that you, wherever you are, have a new year filled with friends, family, freedom and fulfillment.

The best gift from any of you would be actual snail mail correspondence -- a hobby I hope to revive, at least for myself, throughout 2014. If you don't have my address and would like it, please reach out through the contact link on this blog.

Help Wanted -- Storm Edition

For your practical help and general edification it might help to know this: If you're out of work, there is some work out there to do. Terra landscaping and hardscaping employees report that their company pays $20 an hour and often there's a need to hire when crews cannot or do not show up during snow and ice storms. Other companies are likely in the same boat and willing to take on capable hard workers. Check your Yellow Pages for landscaping companies. If it's Terra that you want, its local address to my part of the Delaware Valley is 3481 Germantown Pike; Collegeville, PA 19426. My sense is that showing up or just talking to the guys in the landscaping truck might be the best way to snag one of these jobs. Terra's number, though, should be in the book.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and much health and happiness to all in 2014!

Next!

OK, celebrations at the recovery of my sweatshirt continue, of course, but they are dampened upon learning two mementos -- one quite precious to both Mom and me -- have been misplaced or Heaven forbid "cleaned up" by an overzealous would-be helper. Somewhat less precious to me but perhaps intrinsically with value is the Arlen Specter yard sign I asked the senator to autograph during a 1998 campaign event at Cedar Crest College during the cycle that saw Pat Toomey first elected to the U.S. House and saw Charlie Dent become a state senator. It holds fond memories, and I hope it's just tucked behind furniture. Of more importance is the fact that Mom can't lay her hand on the last recording we had of Dad's voice, in this case as he was offered the mic at a Gene Belletiere concert and said on cue in a deep croony voice: "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" Charlie Brown indeed!! Mom would like to hear the tape again, and I sure would, too. This Fall marks 17 years since my family lost its patriarch. Fingers crossed the tape can somehow be recovered, especially since Mom recently pulled out of her ear a little boom box that could play it. Have a great one, everyone: excavations on the second floor of our residence continue. All kinds of things may be unearthed. Who ever knows?

Good Neighbors at Montco

Amazing!!!! A HUGE thank you to the unknown person who put my sweatshirt on a hook in the back of the classroom in Montgomery County Community College's Parkhouse Hall -- and to all those who left it on the hook for more than a week. I'm so glad to have it back, and you are all wonderful!!

(One advantage of no longer having a direct boss is that I can use exclamation points wantonly. Don't try this at home, kids.)

THANK YOU!!

Um, has anybody seen my white zip-up hoodie? It's chilly out this morning, and it's almost time to walk the dog. A little help here?

Images of Freedom

Reuters is reporting that China has reversed its 17-year band on displaying images of the Dalai Lama at a Tibetan monastery: let's hope this means greater religious freedom all around in China!

Arrest in the Slaying of Daniel Pearl

CNN and The New York Times are reporting an arrest in the 2002 slaying of kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

What She Said

Enjoy.

Big Thanks for Service

I'm glad to give a shout-out to Adam, a help-desk tech at Comcast who got me back up and running online in fairly short order and to the customer service representative whose name I did not catch who transferred me quickly to him. Both were able, professional and patient. I will consider whether I can justify replacing the Netgear router we purchased through the ISP to set up wireless access here. In the meantime, I just want to offer many thanks for a well-handled call and for the service.

The Want Ads -- Take 294

Nonna Rosa's has a slightly worn sign on its front doors advertizing that it needs front-counter and delivery help. No phone number is listed. Might be best to enquire within, but here's the website for more info on the place: http://nonnarosarestaurant.net/website/

Christmas into February

I was so touched to have been spoiled by my family and by my love this Christmas, and getting snowed in for a few days without t.v. with part of them may have been the biggest gift of all. Mostly it was just nice to be listened to and to be remembered. I felt loved.

But Christmas has extended past its calendar for me, and not just because Mom is still clinging to the decorated tree (and I'm secretly loving it). I feel awful that our little bits of snow, plus the "superstorm" and the usual string of cold and 'flu-like irritations that came this year put me behind the curve for Christmas cards. Believe it or not, I wrote the few that I'm managing to send on SOTU night, and I'm mailing them this week. They were bought for being late, so they don't reference Christmas -- but I wish you and those on my of necessity small Christmas card list the joy, love and peace that comes with that season to light your entire year.

"Santa" also came late as well as right on the day to me, and I hope he stays all year: not only did I find the entirely logical and good place where I had stowed my trusty and rarely-used ceramic heater, but I also noticed that someone (presumably Mom, but who knows?) purchased a little heating fan that we can use to backstop ourselves if we ever have the need to do so! Both those things made me feel relieved and pleased, to say the least. There's one more item I'm going to find or replace, and that's my collection of bylined work, college poems and published editorials. Likely a member of my family is archiving them, although it's possible that they got lost in that last, most chaotic move. I still owe a newspaper librarian $20 (Canadian -- though I guess the two currencies are at near par at the moment) for the work she did photocopying my stuff from Ottawa. Part of me is hoping I actually get to go back and retrace my steps to create my own archive, although that may be a lengthy, lengthy process. I may never do any more work of value, but I'm planning to examine what I've done and see how it measures up, at least in my own eyes.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue to strive to better myself -- not in the financial sense, but rather the personal one. I want to live the kind of life that doesn't necessarily need to be recorded but would ring true and good if it were, accurately. If all else fails regarding my former line of employment, I'll refer you to my former boss (and a friend I miss), Bill, who said as countless editors no doubt did: "You'll write it better the second time."

May the rest of winter be kind to you, Northern Hemisphere, and may Spring come soon enough for your liking. Oh, and thank you notes are forthcoming.