Message Forum

Tomorow will be a special day for most Americans. But it wil be an even more memorable day for many folks in a small part of Georgia. In a country being overrun with rage and hatred (and Georgia has certainly it's fare share of that), there was a bright flicker of Justice and Hope today in Brunswick.

I was driving when I heard the news and immdiately pulled over to text this message to Rev. Dr. Jon Black, my new friend, and pastor of our local all-black "Campbell A.M.E. Church" - "Praise God!"

He texted right back. "To God be the Glory!"

He and I had been texting, emailing, and praying together about this day for the past few weeks.

p.s. he is one of the most interesting and likable guys I have ever met. Five degrees - plus a Navy Lt. Commander - plus a great sense of humor. Our world could use a whole bunch of Rev. Jon Blacks.

p.p.s. A.M.E. stands for African Methodist Episccopal, but Jon says it means "Always Meeting and Eating".

11/25/21 12:10 PM

#10218

To one and all. HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!

11/25/21 12:49 PM

#10219

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

We need to get you drunk at the reunion and have you sing that song, mm.

11/25/21 01:42 PM

#10220

John Maxwell

MM, read you post and looked at the photo. Two things came to mind. First, given your penchant for political speak, I thought its some kind of unkind of comment opposing the "liberal" infrastructure bill. Second, in the lower left of the photo looks like a guy in a ball cap scratching his head. That is a pareidolia, giving substance to something visual that resembles something familiar that is not really there. It happens a lot, to me, looking at photos of Mars landscapes, and reading political criticisms.
Dave, I'm not sure, but Georgia still has the death penalty. I'm betting executing those murderers will serve no real purpose save revenge for their senseless act. I personally believe that will eventually be their fate at the hands of their fellow prisoners in general population, givin the current trends in the world of incarceration. Being opposed to the idea of a death penalty, in this case those dudes will die a thousand times before it actually happens. Our culture demands retribution equal to the deed. The only thing left to ask is how many more innocent people will have to be put to death before our culture gets it? Keep your powder dry!

11/25/21 02:16 PM

#10221

Jack......,someone else shared the picture with the revised American Pie lyrics on FB I only posted it here because it made me smile. I never for a second thought thought to give it some hidden poltical meaning.

11/25/21 06:07 PM

#10222

Mark Schweickart

Dave – Well at least young Emmitt Till may be spared another rolling-in-his-grave response as our shabby race relations slowly evolve. "Imagine that," he would be thinking, "white men receiving a guilty verict?"

Jack – thanks for the vocabulary lesson. I had never heard the term "pareidolia" before. Good to know.

MM -- If there ever was a song to associate with Jack's hidden visual messages, what better one than "American Pie," the most mystery-laden allegorical pop song ever.

That being said, I hope you all have a bit of regular old Ameican pie with dinner today. Happy Thanksgiving!

11/26/21 11:22 AM

#10223

David Barbour

Joe MC. If you're interested in Pliny the Younger better look at Russian River's website.

11/26/21 12:23 PM

#10224

Dave B.

The locaal paper, yes Mike I subscribe to the local newspaper, had a full page article concerning Plinny. It will be available at both of their Sonoma County locations this year. If the weather is good , less than four inches predicted on the first day, you can expect to wait up to only sixteen ( 16 ) hours in line for a shot (pun intended) for your Plinny's, and a chance to purchase two ( 2 ) bottles to go of what is listed as one of the top ten ( 10 ) beers in the world. Yes they come from all over the world to purchase a taste each year of Plinny, a February event.

I will gladly RENT out my spare bedroom for up to ten people, who want to get VERY close, for only $1,500 per night, per person.

11/26/21 02:19 PM

#10225

James Hamilton, M. D.

Hey, Mike McL.,

We are in Albuquerque, NM for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend where we always enjoy the Hispanic and Native American cultures and food (my sister and her family has lived here for decades). As we drive around this city we see so many streets whose names reflect those and the Catholic heritage that comprise this area of the Southwest. San Pedro, San Francisco, Osuna, San Mateo, Paseo del Norte and hundreds of others. You can imagine my confusion as we passed the intersection of San Mateo and Mc Leod street.

So, Mike, how did your clan rate such an honor in The Land of Enchantment?

Jim

11/26/21 02:47 PM

#10226

Donna I want to be the first to remind you that Sunday is "torrija" National Day. For the rest of us, Sunday is National French Toast Day. And the story is that "French Toast" can be traced back to the Roman Empire "aliter dulcia." In Germany it is known as "Arnie Ritter" (poor knight). the French call it "tostees dorees" or today as "pain perdu", and the portuguese call it "raabanadas."

The term Fench Toast came about when Chef Joseph FRENCH came up with his own version and forgot the apostrophe ( Mike pay attention) when he named it "French Toast" instead of "French's Toast."

Happy National French Toast day Sunday.

11/26/21 03:44 PM

#10227

Jim: You got me there. But I'm sure just to be reminded of me made your trip that much more enjoyable.

My kin, from what I can tell, settled in appalachia then from there to the midwest.

11/28/21 10:25 PM

#10228

Shhhh. The silence is deafening.

(must be that "Ann Arbor Hangover")

11/29/21 11:03 AM

#10229

John Maxwell

Every so often in history there is an event that creates a condition for overall change. A course correction if you will. Saturday in Ann Arbor was one of those moments. What happened, was an overall strengtening of a pre-eminent rivalry. In a sense think of it as a merging of two great powers into one. The only thing left is to bask in its warmth. Think of it as a win for both OSU and UofM. Just a perspective from a true fan of the greatest rivalry.

11/30/21 11:15 AM

#10230

Jack:

Your age is showing. And I mean that as a compliment.

Years ago I would have just been angry and frustrated and bitter over the kind of loss we had to sit and take last saturday.

But after moping around a bit after the game I had an impulse to drive down the street and knock on the door of a Michigan fan I've been teasing for years.

I congratulated him. I told him I knew exactly how he felt, which was exactly how I felt years ago when OSU broke out of a long losing streak and beat Michigan. I was happy for him. And I sincerely, sincerely was. Swear to God. It's a Christmas miracle. I never could have risen above my own frustrations, in years past, long enough to let go the way I had to let go to have a moment like that. I enjoyed it. He enjoyed it. The guy had tears in his eyes as he shook my hand, and I had to do a little blinking myself.

I'm still surprised that I did something like that - not just that I did it but that it came to me so effortlessly. Then I realized it reflected changes in me that I hadn't registered until that moment.

Anyway that's what your post reminded me of. It made me suspect you and I - and lord knows how many of our classmates - have gone through similiar transformations.

The more we pay attention over the years the more we open up a different perspective on things, one that will, on occasion, take us by surprise.

11/30/21 04:42 PM

#10231

Joseph Gentilini

I have some good news. While some of my doctors were sure I had pancreatic cancer, all the scans and the latest biopsies are negative for cancer. They now think I have an auto-immune pancreatitis problem and are going to treat it with steroids. This will really mess up my diabetes, but it can be managed. The liver enzymes are coming back in the right direction. They will take more blood work next week and another scan of my body in two months or so to make sure this is the correct diagnosis. They tell me that this type of pancreatitis mimics pancreatic cancer and is difficult to diagnosis. One doctor told me that I was a miracle child and dodged a bullet. I very much appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts for me - more than you will ever know. Please pray that the treatment works and I will finally start getting better. Joe

11/30/21 05:07 PM

#10232

James Hamilton, M. D.

Joe G.,

Really good news as that is a very treatable condition. Hope any further testing confirms it and the treatment will end this nightmare!

Jim

11/30/21 05:28 PM

#10233

Joe,

Keep your hopes up.

And we'll do some of the praying for you.

11/30/21 05:33 PM

#10234

Mike and Jack,

A very wise old friend (by the name of Keith Groff) once expained to me that there really is life after the Michigan game.

(I think he is still wise and even older now - much older)

11/30/21 06:37 PM

#10235

Julie Carpenter

Joe, I am so happy for your good news. It truly feels like a miracle. Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing. Also, if there's anything you need, please let me know--I'll help if I can. Merry Christmas!

11/30/21 07:44 PM

#10236

great news Joe!

11/30/21 08:32 PM

#10237

John Jackson

Joe, so happy to hear of the new diagnosis - it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!

11/30/21 11:20 PM

#10238