A seventh grade memory

So many of my memories about school involve the seventh grade and are unhappy.  The year 1938-39 was unhappy for the nation.  The economic depression worsened every year; the threat of war became a reality as Japan invaded China in 1937, and Hitler backed up his threatening speeches by invading Poland in 1939.

Years ago I concluded the seventh grade was made so tough academically not to prepare students for high school but to flunk a large percentage of students to avoid exceeding the high school capacity and making it necessary to employ more teachers.

I suppose the class was as boring for our teacher, Mr. Trout, as it was for us.  I've related how he spent a week building bird houses and how he became so angry when some people stole gum drops off  of his thorn Christmas  tree.

He related  stories of unusual events that he claimed he was involved in.  For example he coached a seventh grade football team that defeated the high school team.  That's the part of the story that is somewhat believeable. Then, he claimed, the seventh grade girls challenged the boys to a football game and won.

One of his typical stories was about the star hurdler who ran without opposition and still lost the race.  It seems that no other hurdlers qualified, but the star hurdler ran anyway, hoping to set a record.  At that time a hurdler would be disqualified if he hit three hurdles or the last hurdle.  In this race the hurdler had hit two hurdles as he approached the final hurdle.  He knocked it down so was doubly disqualified and lost the race although he had no opponent.  Whether that was true I don't know.  Today a hurdler can hit all hurdles and not be disqualified unless he knocks down a hurdle deliberately by foot or hand.

Name one good thing, Mr. Obama

A year ago President Obama promised that after he returned from his vacation he would reveal his plan to create jobs and if the Congress did not agree with his plan he would campaign against Congress. The president was asked "why wait, if you have a plan to create jobs why not reveal it now?" We are still waiting on that plan.

In the face of high unemployment,  the president claims he has created millions of jobs.  Where are these jobs?  I would like him to name one thing he has done that has created jobs and got us on the way to economic recovery and health.

The Congressional Budget Office is warning that if taxes are increased the nation will be on a "fiscal cliff." 
We could plunge into a recession that might last longer than the Great Depression and more people will be out of work.  Obama wants the government to control every facet of our lives. I fear that if he is re-elected the nation could fail so badly that recovery may be nearly impossible.

Thanks for birthday wishes

A number of people took time to with me a Happy Birthday yesterday, which I appreciate.  Most were posted on Face Book, which I seldom visit, but my Gmail informed me every time someone posted.  I wanted to thank each person individually, but, I screw up trying to take advantage of Face Book.  I  have my blog where I feel comfortable even though so much about it I  can't use effectively.

I'm 86 today

Yes, today is my birthday, and while I hurt in many ways I am thankful that God has given me these many days.  I hope that I will learn to take pleasure in those things I can do and refuse to lament the things I cannot do.

Obviously, I cannot remember the day I was born, but I heard about it several times from my mother. I think she never got over being angry at Dad and the doctor for eating watermelon while she was hurting.  I've mentioned how there were so many of us children that birthdays were barely noticed.  The kid whose birthday it was got to pick the kind of cake we would have on the nearest Sunday.

I have written before about missing my 19th birthday due to all the excitement about Japan surrendering and the USS Pickens heading for Japan but stopping in the Philippines.  I don't understand why I didn't receive at least a card from home, but they probably forgot it, also. They had to be overjoyed that Japan had surrendered and I would not have to invade Japan.  From the time I entered  the navy until my discharge, I never received a leave.

Several relatives and friends have birthdays this month.  I want to wish Frank Cascio, my brother-in-law, happy birthday Wednesday, August 22.  Mark White, a former shipmate who I have learned to know through his son John, would have been 99 tomorrow.  Oliver Roy Lowe, our youngest grandson, will be one August 31.  Jen and I plan to be there to help him celebrate.  He is such a happy kid, always smiling.

We must stamp out West Nile

The West Nile virus is a serious threat to our health and every possible way should be taken to combat it and eventually stamp it out. This past week Louisiana  reported 24 new cases, giving a  total of 92 cases  and six deaths this year.  The seriousness was brought home to us Sunday when a member of our class informed us that his daughter has the virus.

An all-out campaign to fight the virus includes destroying the mosquito breeding grounds by draining stagnant ponds, using larvicide,  and spraying with an effective insecticide.  I get angry every time I think about how environmental extremists got DDT banned, resulting in millions in Africa dieing from malaria.  We must demand that the most effective insecticide that can be made is used against the mosquitoes who carry West Nile and those who carry malaria.

Everyone supports a good  environment and one without mosquitoes will be just  lovely.

Memories of August 1945

August 1945 was eventful for the nation, the USS Pickens, and me personally.  We had arrived in San Francisco August 3; an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima August 6 and a second bomb hit Nagasaki August 9, with the result that Japan surrendered August 14.  We left August 24 with the Blackhawk Division on board, but instead of invading Japan we took them to the Philippines and took on board the troops that had been occupying those islands, then took them to Japan.  I have written the past two years about how all the activities and events caused me to forget my 19th birthday August 21.

We visited the Philippines several times but I have no memories whatsoever of any of the visits.  I even have a bunch of snapshots taken in the islands, but not only am I not in any of the pictures I have no idea who gave them to me or why.

I am no different from 95 per cent of veterans; we had no interest in remembering our experiences or talking to family about them.  Mark White, father of John White, was different.  He was the ship's photographer and kept not only pictures but other material and his own writings.  John has kindly made much of this available to Pickens crew members.

Best wishes to all as I observe my last day of being 85 years old.

I enjoy today's hymns

In the past I've found fault with the selection of songs for morning  worship, so today I should express my thanks for the hymns we sang. With the organist being ill, we relied on the piano, which may have  influenced the choice of hymns

Our opening hymn of praise was "Majesty, Worship His Majesty." This was followed by "What a Friend We Have  in Jesus," and the choir presented  a special arrangement of  "Love Lifted Me."  When we sang
"The Unclouded Day," the computer went crazy and the words on the screen were different from those we sang. The congregation took it with good humor and even applauded.

Our final hymn was "Marching to Zion," a song seldom sung in church now because some consider it to be "too militaristic."