It's getting to the point that some American kids just simply can not enjoy a full day of outdoors recreation. Now comes to my attention a June 23 article in the Wausau (WI) Daily Herald by reporter D.J. Slater that contends some Wisconsin kids are afraid to attend summer camp because they will not be allowed to use their iPods, email, Twitters and other techno devices.
Slater begins this summer camp story by relating how a 10-year old girl was puzzled by the task of handwriting a letter to her parents and mailing it. She wrote the letter well enough, then had no clue what do next. Hmmm - an elementary school child who has no clue how to produce and mail a simple letter.
Slater then writes in the Daily-Herald story the following:
Most camps in central Wisconsin prohibit modern technology because it distracts campers from daily activities such as kayaking, archery and crafts, said Pat Murphy, the camping service director at the YMCA's Camp Sturtevant in Weston."We focus on recreational activities ... and open their eyes to a world that is beyond the computer or TV screen," Murphy said. "Kids' lives these days are centered around texting and e-mailing."
The story then is concluded on a more upbeat note of how some children seem to enjoy a day of distraction away from their WiFi and other electronic gadgets by enjoying a day full of outdoors activities such as kayaking and swimming.
Now, I could share with you a very lengthy discourse on my feelings and opinions of the subject matter about kids being afraid to go outdoors or to summer camp for fear they will miss their technology. But instead, I will share this thought a good friend of mine shared with me recently, and that is "John, not everyone thinks like you do." It's the only truly decent statement I can recall each day in responding to seemingly endless thoughts about "Boy, how this world of ours has changed in the last thirty or forty years."
I seem to now remember today, at a comfortable mid-life age, that my parents and many others of their generation thought and said precisely the same thing about me and kids of my generation thrity and forty years ago. We weren't hooked then on cellphones, computers, Blackberrys and the like -- no, back then we just sang Beatles songs.
Indeed -- how times have changed.
You may read the full story in the Wausau Daily-Herald online at:
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20090623/WDH0101/906230544
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Camping Is Affordable Summer Vacation Option
One thing the current U.S. economy has done is to get many people again focused back on the basics.
When it comes to choosing an affordable vacation opportunity, many more people this year are looking to camping as their preferred choice for a summer vacation getaway. In Ohio, for example, Ohio State Parks reports its campground stays are up more than 20 percent over last year. And why not? Camping is a family-friendly activity that's not difficult to master for those who don't mind a few inconveniences.
Americans sadly, are not well versed on their recent American history. Part of this history goes back to the 1960s and 1970s when -- you guessed it -- people were suffering from a poor economy. Their preferred vacation option increasingly became summer camping trips as those were most affordable, especially for larger families. In fact, it then was about the only affordable type of vacation for a lot of American families.
Primitive tent camping was in style, but so too was the growing use of pop-up tent campers and travel trailers such as the Airstream. A whole generation of families, along with their children and their grandchildren discovered camping was wholesome and brought families together. One only has to remember some of their family photo slide shows with popcorn (of course) and the slew of guffaws, snickers and outright laughter when old camping photos were shared among family and friends.
Camping creates family memories and they last beyond a lifetime. They are priceless.
Yes, Ohio has a highly rated and much visited state park system. I grew up in Ohio State Parks. Michigan and Ontario also have excellent park systems as well and I grew up in those parks, too. In fact, my family so loved camping that we enjoyed it spring, summer, fall and winter. But again, many families now are coming back to discover the joys of summer camping.
It is summer and your regional park system is calling you. Ohio State Parks offers excellent camping and other recreational opportunities which can be found online at www.ohiodnr.com
And what's more, unlike my camping days of yesteryear, Ohio's state park reservation system today allows you to scout out and select preferred camping sites well ahead of your planned visit.
Camping is affordable and in this modern age of video games, Twitter and mobile communications devices -- camping is back in style.
Take a kid camping. Take a family camping. Invite co-workers, fellow church members, neighbors and others to enjoy a camping experience. For one year -- do something different and do it now this summer. Ohio State Parks does not sell hiking boots, portable grills or tents, but it does sell the camping experience and it's affordable and enjoyable. Summer camping trips -- among the most precious memories to enjoy with your family and friends for generations to come.
When it comes to choosing an affordable vacation opportunity, many more people this year are looking to camping as their preferred choice for a summer vacation getaway. In Ohio, for example, Ohio State Parks reports its campground stays are up more than 20 percent over last year. And why not? Camping is a family-friendly activity that's not difficult to master for those who don't mind a few inconveniences.
Americans sadly, are not well versed on their recent American history. Part of this history goes back to the 1960s and 1970s when -- you guessed it -- people were suffering from a poor economy. Their preferred vacation option increasingly became summer camping trips as those were most affordable, especially for larger families. In fact, it then was about the only affordable type of vacation for a lot of American families.
Primitive tent camping was in style, but so too was the growing use of pop-up tent campers and travel trailers such as the Airstream. A whole generation of families, along with their children and their grandchildren discovered camping was wholesome and brought families together. One only has to remember some of their family photo slide shows with popcorn (of course) and the slew of guffaws, snickers and outright laughter when old camping photos were shared among family and friends.
Camping creates family memories and they last beyond a lifetime. They are priceless.
Yes, Ohio has a highly rated and much visited state park system. I grew up in Ohio State Parks. Michigan and Ontario also have excellent park systems as well and I grew up in those parks, too. In fact, my family so loved camping that we enjoyed it spring, summer, fall and winter. But again, many families now are coming back to discover the joys of summer camping.
It is summer and your regional park system is calling you. Ohio State Parks offers excellent camping and other recreational opportunities which can be found online at www.ohiodnr.com
And what's more, unlike my camping days of yesteryear, Ohio's state park reservation system today allows you to scout out and select preferred camping sites well ahead of your planned visit.
Camping is affordable and in this modern age of video games, Twitter and mobile communications devices -- camping is back in style.
Take a kid camping. Take a family camping. Invite co-workers, fellow church members, neighbors and others to enjoy a camping experience. For one year -- do something different and do it now this summer. Ohio State Parks does not sell hiking boots, portable grills or tents, but it does sell the camping experience and it's affordable and enjoyable. Summer camping trips -- among the most precious memories to enjoy with your family and friends for generations to come.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What An Idea: Overhaul The U.S. Health Care System
I've been obviously away from my blog way too long.
In a rather stunning announcement, the U.S. President has declared that now is time to work on overhauling the American health care system. What an idea. Why didn't any of us other 306 million Americans ever think of such an idea?
Well sadly, political leaders in the 1990s failed to tackle this issue, which IS the number one family issue in the U.S. Even more sadly, once many of these same leaders failed at their earlier attempts to adopt health care reform measures, they simply quit and walked away from the table. Guess what? The health care issue in the U.S. did not go away and it grew to become worse. Today, an estimated 45 million Americans do not have health care coverage. Many more can not afford their prescription medication.
The lack of effective health care reform is killing Americans.
Despite the President's suggestion for an overhaul, there are very few families who have not been negatively impacted by the sorry state of health care affairs in the U.S.
Yes Mr. President, the system needs to be fixed. Yes Mr. President, there virtually will be little consensus in this nation on how to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. And yes Mr. President, the successful pursuit of effective health care reform in this nation CAN NOT be based solely upon the potential outcome of future elections.
So when I read such statements that the U.S. President is calling for health care reform, I quietly laugh to myself with extreme cynicism. And when I think of the sheer number of American lives, families and yes, even voters, who have unfairly suffered because the health care reform issue was never very highly regarded as much of a priority say as --- defense spending, tax cuts for the rich and now climate change -- well then who among us does not cry a little every day?
I alone do not have the answer. I do agree health care reform is needed and long overdue. But without a viable plan and without an effective process, the idea that now is the time for health care reform is about like saying let's just voluntarily cut our U.S. oil imports by 50 percent or more and we all walk or ride a bicycle to get where we want to go.....for the rest of our lives.
In a rather stunning announcement, the U.S. President has declared that now is time to work on overhauling the American health care system. What an idea. Why didn't any of us other 306 million Americans ever think of such an idea?
Well sadly, political leaders in the 1990s failed to tackle this issue, which IS the number one family issue in the U.S. Even more sadly, once many of these same leaders failed at their earlier attempts to adopt health care reform measures, they simply quit and walked away from the table. Guess what? The health care issue in the U.S. did not go away and it grew to become worse. Today, an estimated 45 million Americans do not have health care coverage. Many more can not afford their prescription medication.
The lack of effective health care reform is killing Americans.
Despite the President's suggestion for an overhaul, there are very few families who have not been negatively impacted by the sorry state of health care affairs in the U.S.
Yes Mr. President, the system needs to be fixed. Yes Mr. President, there virtually will be little consensus in this nation on how to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. And yes Mr. President, the successful pursuit of effective health care reform in this nation CAN NOT be based solely upon the potential outcome of future elections.
So when I read such statements that the U.S. President is calling for health care reform, I quietly laugh to myself with extreme cynicism. And when I think of the sheer number of American lives, families and yes, even voters, who have unfairly suffered because the health care reform issue was never very highly regarded as much of a priority say as --- defense spending, tax cuts for the rich and now climate change -- well then who among us does not cry a little every day?
I alone do not have the answer. I do agree health care reform is needed and long overdue. But without a viable plan and without an effective process, the idea that now is the time for health care reform is about like saying let's just voluntarily cut our U.S. oil imports by 50 percent or more and we all walk or ride a bicycle to get where we want to go.....for the rest of our lives.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Australia Fires Change Lives Forever
More than a decade of severe drought, prolonged daytime temperatures in excess of 110 degrees and an unknown amount of deliberate intent led to ignition of hundreds of fires in and around Melbourne in southeast Australia during early February. As many as 400 separate fires, some which investigators believe were intentionally set by arsonists, killed nearly 200 people. Approximately 850 square miles of land were scorched beyond recognition resulting in the destruction of 750 homes that have left 5,000 people homeless.
The death toll, property damage and number of homeless is expected to increase.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was visibly upset during more than one television interview and said the actions of any alleged arsonists constituted an act of mass murder. Ironically, the country's Institute of Criminology says arson is quite common and responsible for nearly half of the 60,000 or so fires which occur across the country each year. Officials also said large sections of the scorched land represented crime scenes.
News accounts reported that some people were burned alive in their vehicles as they attempted to flee many of the fires which erupted without warning. Farms and forests near Melbourne were left in piles of ashes as flames up to 100 feet high swept across the vast area.
The unfortunate tragedies are sure to affect many thousands of Australians whose family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers perished in the fires. Many of us who live "in the States" need perhaps to remember how lucky and how blessed we are each day, but to also pray for those who are made less fortunate by the tragedy they endure.
JW
The death toll, property damage and number of homeless is expected to increase.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was visibly upset during more than one television interview and said the actions of any alleged arsonists constituted an act of mass murder. Ironically, the country's Institute of Criminology says arson is quite common and responsible for nearly half of the 60,000 or so fires which occur across the country each year. Officials also said large sections of the scorched land represented crime scenes.
News accounts reported that some people were burned alive in their vehicles as they attempted to flee many of the fires which erupted without warning. Farms and forests near Melbourne were left in piles of ashes as flames up to 100 feet high swept across the vast area.
The unfortunate tragedies are sure to affect many thousands of Australians whose family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers perished in the fires. Many of us who live "in the States" need perhaps to remember how lucky and how blessed we are each day, but to also pray for those who are made less fortunate by the tragedy they endure.
JW
Thursday, January 15, 2009
All Were Saved: After Jet Lands In Hudson River
There is goodness in the USA and there are miracles. This one played out on live TV in front of an international audience during the mid-afternoon of January 15 in New York City.
As thousands of commercial airline flights depart from U.S. airports each day, one would not think anything was particularly special about US Airways Flight #1549 that departed at 3:26 p.m. of January 15 from LaGuardia Airport in New York City en route to Charlotte, North Carolina.......except for one thing.
Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.
"He is the consummate pilot," Sully's wife, Lorrie Sullenberger, told the New York Post shortly after his crew of four fellow employees and 150 passengers were rescued alive after he set the plane down upon the icy cold waters of the Hudson River near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan in a flight operations procedure known as a hard-water landing. Pilot Sullenberger, an airline safety expert and NASA consultant, today was hailed as a hero by the 154 other souls on board that aircraft and also recognized by other observers for his training experience.
"He did precisely what he was trained to do," one aviation expert said in the hours immediately following the accident.
Good training? Experience? The intervention of angels, or a Higher Being?
I believe what the world saw occur the afternoon of January 15 was the product of professional training, the wisdom of experience and the hand of Divine intervention. What a blessed moment it was indeed for the crew of five and the 150 passengers aboard Flight #1549. And to think of their many family members, the co-workers and neighbors, the fellow church goers and literally hundreds if not thousands of lives that were, directly and indirectly touched in such a positive manner on this magnificent winter day in New York City.
"We heal from tragedy in our lives," a friend reminded me earlier today.
The miracle near 48th Street could have occurred anywhere in the world, but instead it occurred where it was most appreciated and perhaps where it was most needed -- near the site of the terrible tragedy of September 11, 2001.
In the days ahead, many of us likely will be preoccupied by winter weather, the outcome of sporting events, the economy, the news of the day, a petty jealously, a stupid argument with a partner or family member --- maybe even preoccupied by the driving habits of others, what to select from a restaurant menu and which TV program to watch next?
Before today's Miracle on the Hudson is forgotten -- think if your loved one, your co-worker, your family member, your friend, your neighbor, your distant relative, your jerk in-law were on that plane January 15 -- how would you feel knowing they survived? How would you feel had they perished? This is the reality we need more often to quietly embrace within our hearts and our souls and to periodically keep in our thoughts --- the interaction and quality of relationship we want to maintain with another. There remains goodness in this world and we need to look perhaps a little closer within ourselves and toward one another to see it --- and maybe, simply to remember and to acknowledge that miracles do happen and we are that miracle in someone's eyes and in someone's life.
As thousands of commercial airline flights depart from U.S. airports each day, one would not think anything was particularly special about US Airways Flight #1549 that departed at 3:26 p.m. of January 15 from LaGuardia Airport in New York City en route to Charlotte, North Carolina.......except for one thing.
Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.
"He is the consummate pilot," Sully's wife, Lorrie Sullenberger, told the New York Post shortly after his crew of four fellow employees and 150 passengers were rescued alive after he set the plane down upon the icy cold waters of the Hudson River near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan in a flight operations procedure known as a hard-water landing. Pilot Sullenberger, an airline safety expert and NASA consultant, today was hailed as a hero by the 154 other souls on board that aircraft and also recognized by other observers for his training experience.
"He did precisely what he was trained to do," one aviation expert said in the hours immediately following the accident.
Good training? Experience? The intervention of angels, or a Higher Being?
I believe what the world saw occur the afternoon of January 15 was the product of professional training, the wisdom of experience and the hand of Divine intervention. What a blessed moment it was indeed for the crew of five and the 150 passengers aboard Flight #1549. And to think of their many family members, the co-workers and neighbors, the fellow church goers and literally hundreds if not thousands of lives that were, directly and indirectly touched in such a positive manner on this magnificent winter day in New York City.
"We heal from tragedy in our lives," a friend reminded me earlier today.
The miracle near 48th Street could have occurred anywhere in the world, but instead it occurred where it was most appreciated and perhaps where it was most needed -- near the site of the terrible tragedy of September 11, 2001.
In the days ahead, many of us likely will be preoccupied by winter weather, the outcome of sporting events, the economy, the news of the day, a petty jealously, a stupid argument with a partner or family member --- maybe even preoccupied by the driving habits of others, what to select from a restaurant menu and which TV program to watch next?
Before today's Miracle on the Hudson is forgotten -- think if your loved one, your co-worker, your family member, your friend, your neighbor, your distant relative, your jerk in-law were on that plane January 15 -- how would you feel knowing they survived? How would you feel had they perished? This is the reality we need more often to quietly embrace within our hearts and our souls and to periodically keep in our thoughts --- the interaction and quality of relationship we want to maintain with another. There remains goodness in this world and we need to look perhaps a little closer within ourselves and toward one another to see it --- and maybe, simply to remember and to acknowledge that miracles do happen and we are that miracle in someone's eyes and in someone's life.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Holiday Cheermeister
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
In most recent years, it was simply enough and quite acceptable to greet everyone with a simple Merry Christmas. Times have changed, however, and most of us now are asked to make a better personal efffort to embrace diversity and realize that a "Merry Christmas" greeting is no longer so simple a greeting this time of year.
Again, the many Christmas specials were broadcast on television throughout much of December. Unlike decades past when viewers often had but one, perhaps two opportunities at most, to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" or "It's A Wonderful Life", the existence now of cable TV, DVRs, TiVo, and other gadgets, makes it possible to view any Christmas special at any time. One of these Christmas specials, in fact was not about Chritsmas at all, but aired on network television once each December for many years. It's ultimate message though ("there's no place like home") serves as an excellent interpretation of at least one specific meaning of Christmas. It is theme of the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz".
Some in the media industry this year have hinted that a truer meaning of Christmas may have emerged as many families have been forced to severely reduce their holiday spending and gift giving. A deeply recessed global economy this year has in some respects for many people put a damper on what is perceived to be the collective Christmas spirit. However, I quite agree that Christmas does not come from a store, but perhaps means something more.
Be joyful this Christmas Day and holiday season. Be thankful, be spiritual and share at least one kind moment with a family member, a friend, a stranger, and an animal.
In most recent years, it was simply enough and quite acceptable to greet everyone with a simple Merry Christmas. Times have changed, however, and most of us now are asked to make a better personal efffort to embrace diversity and realize that a "Merry Christmas" greeting is no longer so simple a greeting this time of year.
Again, the many Christmas specials were broadcast on television throughout much of December. Unlike decades past when viewers often had but one, perhaps two opportunities at most, to watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" or "It's A Wonderful Life", the existence now of cable TV, DVRs, TiVo, and other gadgets, makes it possible to view any Christmas special at any time. One of these Christmas specials, in fact was not about Chritsmas at all, but aired on network television once each December for many years. It's ultimate message though ("there's no place like home") serves as an excellent interpretation of at least one specific meaning of Christmas. It is theme of the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz".
Some in the media industry this year have hinted that a truer meaning of Christmas may have emerged as many families have been forced to severely reduce their holiday spending and gift giving. A deeply recessed global economy this year has in some respects for many people put a damper on what is perceived to be the collective Christmas spirit. However, I quite agree that Christmas does not come from a store, but perhaps means something more.
Be joyful this Christmas Day and holiday season. Be thankful, be spiritual and share at least one kind moment with a family member, a friend, a stranger, and an animal.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Some Common Sense Returns
Following a precipitous decline in global stock markets recently, it appears some of the emotional mania created largely by the news media has subsided. Stock markets have shown a modest rebound worldwide, but undoubtedly remain upon an unstable platform due largely to the fact they can be readily upended by irresponsible reporting.
Several industry observers have come out to say publicly that in fact now is a good time to invest in stocks as there now are plenty of bargains to be had here in the USA and in foreign markets. Energy prices have sharply declined as well and it appears some stability may be returning to the economy.
The truth is that families and individuals are affected by economic downturns in various ways. A tightened credit market, job losses, higher overall energy costs and a generally poor attitude about economic matters serve collectively to help shape a personal economic reality. Much of the reality too, is that Americans certainly as a society, have been living well above our means. We had succeeded in creating our own perceptive economic realities that grew farther and farther from the truth. In other words, we created a lot more economic prosperity for ourselves that actually was affordable and now we are paying the price in a massive economic readjustment.
Becoming informed and knowledgeable through a diversity of resources is the key in attempting to assess an economic conditions -- in your home, in your state, in your country and across the world. It takes a real effort to get informed as opposed to say opening oneself to the emotional windfalls and pitfalls of simply reading something on the Internet or watching a news broadcast. And yes, it is easier to be an emotional person without intellect instead of an intellectual person without emotion which explains why so many Americans are victims of their own wayward emotions rather than masters of their own collective intellect.
Several industry observers have come out to say publicly that in fact now is a good time to invest in stocks as there now are plenty of bargains to be had here in the USA and in foreign markets. Energy prices have sharply declined as well and it appears some stability may be returning to the economy.
The truth is that families and individuals are affected by economic downturns in various ways. A tightened credit market, job losses, higher overall energy costs and a generally poor attitude about economic matters serve collectively to help shape a personal economic reality. Much of the reality too, is that Americans certainly as a society, have been living well above our means. We had succeeded in creating our own perceptive economic realities that grew farther and farther from the truth. In other words, we created a lot more economic prosperity for ourselves that actually was affordable and now we are paying the price in a massive economic readjustment.
Becoming informed and knowledgeable through a diversity of resources is the key in attempting to assess an economic conditions -- in your home, in your state, in your country and across the world. It takes a real effort to get informed as opposed to say opening oneself to the emotional windfalls and pitfalls of simply reading something on the Internet or watching a news broadcast. And yes, it is easier to be an emotional person without intellect instead of an intellectual person without emotion which explains why so many Americans are victims of their own wayward emotions rather than masters of their own collective intellect.
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