Bits of Wisdom

During my reading in recent weeks I have garnered some great bits of "wisdom" that I wish I had learned much earlier in my life.

• Have Fun, be able to Laugh at Yourself!
• Ideas, Events and people.    I understand that it was Eleanor Roosevelt who stated:

"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people."

With this statement in mind I am confident that our World would be a much better place to live if we did not ever use the "Small Mind" option in our conversations. 

•   I have also read a quote from Peter Lencioni's Book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team."  He writes:  "In the context of building a team, trust is the confidence among team members that their peers' intentions are good, and that there is no reason to be protective or careful around the group.  In essence, teammates must get comfortable being vulnerable with one another."

If we all employed the Bits of Wisdom, and I am confident there are many more, in our daily interactions with our fellow people kind this Society would be much better off.

It would certainly end the struggles that so many endure when they must get along with such citizens that must always have their way and if they do not obtain their way, they simply insult their fellow people kind with all matter of statements.  Some such statements are even unkind; but they must be made so that some can continue having their way.

What a shame!!!!!     Well, I suspect that I must get ready to endure all types of non-team building opportunities during the upcoming political campaigns.  What makes the current situation so difficult for me to comprehend is some Families  have individuals who  have adopted the attitude/s that they only they are to be considered.  Teamwork be dammed!!!!

The Tale of Three Houses

Macon, Georgia

You may recall the three houses moving through the streets of Macon, Georgia on October 22, 2012.  I pledged to follow this project.  This is the status of the three houses as of 17 May 2012.

Abandoned Hero

or

Forgotten Hero

Several Years ago I observed this small Cemetery alongside of U. S. 80 just West of Roberta, Georgia.  I took some pictures at that time, but I do not know where I placed them.  Therefore I revisited this small Cemetery on May 19th.

Samuel A. Kendrick, of Company E, 6 GA INF - C.S.A. who lived from 1842 to 1862 is buried here.

The picture below is what this Cemetery looks like from U. S. 80.  It is located at the 4333 Block of U. S. Highway 80.  That is the address on the mailbox on the other side of the road. 

This Cemetery is about three miles West of Roberta, Georgia.  I publish this today with the sincere desire that someone may be looking for an long forgotten Hero in their Family.

U. S. Navy

Aircraft Carriers of the Future

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

I have recently conducted research on the future Aircraft Carriers for the United States of America.  The picture above is an Artist Version of this Ship which will replace the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in 2015.

This is a new class of Carrier and will have a crew of about 800 less than our current carriers because of technology advances.

The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is expected to replace the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in 2020

An unnamed carrier (CVN 80) is expected to replace the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in 2025.

The life span of a Carrier is expected to be about 50 years.  As you may know I served in the USS Ranger (CVA 61) in the early years of my U. S. Navy Career.  From my point of view our Carrier Program is essential for the future of the U. S. Economy.  A carrier can be deployed to any area of the world and launch aircraft without concern for base rights in any foreign country.  That is what makes the U. S Navy unique.  The Navy is a mobile force that can be deployed anywhere in the world, on the high seas of course, to protect the interest of the United States of America. 

Macon Cemetery Preservation Corporation

Memorial Day Program

Linwood Cemetery

The Memorial Day Program Attendees

The Presentation of the Colors

Retired Air Force Major Kevin Gunerman
delivered the speech which focused on
"Freedom Is Not Free!!"

Mrs. Alice B. Jackson, President of the Preservation Corporation
addressed the attendees

Mr. Ricardo Hamlin played TAPS

Westside High School
Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

The theme for this 2012 Memorial Day Program was "Remembering the Lives of Those Who Served in the United States Armed Forces."

Memorial Day

May 28, 2012

Memorial Day is a day when we honor our Heroes.  I visited the Historic Linwood Cemetery in Macon, Georgia.  

The L A Jones Plot Marker

Several years ago I took this plot as a project.  I removed the vines and weeds.  I visited it today and detemined that I must return and remove new weeds. 

This is the Marker for Macon, Georgia's Medal of Honor Hero,  SGT Rodney Maxwell Davis who perished on 5 September 1967 as he threw himself on a live grenade to save the lives of his fellow Marines.

The inscription on SGT Rodney Maxwell Davis' Tombstone. 

Celebrating a 40th Birthday

It was a great celebration near Dublin, Georgia last evening as Friends and Family gathered to celebrate the 40th Birthday of Shield L. Bozeman III.

"Andersonville"

A 1994 Television Movie

I was a movie extra for this film about "Andersonville."  I was cast as a scabbie and this is what I looked like after I arrived home from a full day of filming near Senoia, Georgia.  It was a fun day and enjoyed a delightful October day in 1994 seeing how a made for Television movie was made.  It was a Ted Turner project.

This movie is sometimes played during the Memorial Day weekend.  I know that I will be checking out the Television Schedules to see if it will be aired in 2012.

Bond & Beyond

an

Evening of Delightful Music

performed by the

Macon Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, May 5, 2012

It was my good fortune to acquire tickets to this delightful performance.  My Bride and I enjoyed a wonderful evening of "Movie Music" performed by the Macon Symphony Orchestra.  The Orchestra was let by a Guest Conductor, C. David Keith who is the Director of Graduate Studies for the Townsend School of Music at Mercer University.

Conductor Keith gave very informative introductions to each selection and then led the Orchestra to an outstanding performance.  Selections included:

Goldfinger

A James Bond Medley

Raiders March

Born on the Fourth of July

Selections from Phantom of the Opera

The Forrest Gump Suite

Diamonds Are Forever

in addition to several other compositions.  A wonderful Concert to conclude a wonderful day of exciting events in Middle Georgia. 

Life Can Be Difficult

No Matter Where You Live

This story was passed to me and while I cannot vouch for the accuracy I suspect that it could happen.  A young Arab student enrolls in a school in France:

"Mohammad entered his school classroom. What is your name? asked the teacher.

Mohammad, answered the boy.

Here in France, there is no Mohammad. From now on your name will be Jean-Francois, replied the teacher.

In the evening, Mohammad returned home.

The day went well Mohammad? asked his mother.

My name is not Mohammad.   I am in France now and my name is Jean-Francois.

Ah, are you ashamed of your name?   Are you trying to disown your parents?   Your heritage? Shame on you!

...And she beat him.
Then she called the father and he beat him very hard.
The next day Mohammad returned to school.  When the teacher saw him with all the bruises she asked:

What happened my little Jean-Francois?
Well, Madame, two hours after becoming French, I was attacked by two Arab terrorists."

Camera Club Field Trip

Saturday

May 5, 2012

Several Members of the Middle Georgia Camera Club took the opportunity during the morning hours of 5 May 2012 to acquire a few pictures at the home of Dick and Rusty Georgia here in Bibb County, Georgia.  I edited several of my pictures using Picasa and share them with you here.

Self-Centered

Dangerous Drivers

It is that time of the year when once again, self-centered young citizens think they have the right to destroy property by showing just how skillfully  they can operate operate vehicles.

I would suggest that if any concerned parent noted their children's vehicle with grass and/or mud in the wheel wells they would attempt to find out why!!!

Here is a fairly accurate tire print.  If my own dear children had arrived home with mud in the wheel well I would have at least asked how this happened.

I am confident that there are some among us that feel that they have a "right" to drive.  I would submit that in order to drive a motor vehicle one has to prove they know what is right and wrong.  They have to pass a knowledge test on the rules of the road, etc. and also demonstrate to a license examiner that they can be trusted to operate a motor vehicle.  Based on the destruction that I observed and photographed there are those among us who do not understand that it is a priviledge to operate a motor vehicle.

Some where among our fellow citizens we have parents who may not have instilled a sense of responsibility in their offspring.  Or, even worse, these offspring were properly trained; but took the opportunity to show off to themselves and/or their peers just how much destruction they could perform during the annual "Rites of Spring."

In the end, one has to feel sorry for anyone who would damage other people's property just for the fun of it. 

Pain at the Pump!!!!

Recently we here in the United States of America experienced very high prices for a gallon of gasoline for our Automobiles.  I must admit that we in this Country have it quite nice when compared to gasoline prices in other parts of the World.  That stated, recently gasoline approached $4.00 a gallon.  In recent weeks the price has dropped considerably.

So what is incorrect or wrong abou that?  The electronic media (both network and cable) continually remind us that the price has dropped considerably.  While I am confident that most of us appreciate that fact I am concerned about the attitude that may be developing.  While decreases in prices are appreciated I would like to discuss this situation.

Most of us know that we have a vast source of fuel here in our own country and we for some reason refuse to develop it.  Yet we are being misled that the current price reductions are to be appreciated.  What will the prices go to this Summer, the Summer of 2012?  No one knows, yet we can safely assume that they will go higher.  That is just the nature of the business.

While the recent price spike in gasoline may be compared to attempting to shower or bathe in water with a temperature of 212 degrees (which is boiling here in the U. S. A.) I remain confident that most of us would not appreciate being told that with the water at 180 degrees that we should enjoy the opportunity to shower or bathe in cooler water. 

While this example may appear drastic, I would submit that it is a fair comparison in view of the recent spike in the price of gasoline and the recent reductions that are being touted by the electronic media.  These price reductions are welcome; but of little comfort for those who do not have employment.  Even at $3.50 a gallon for gasoline it requires a fair amount of funds to participate in an active manner to seek employment.  I know much can be done online; however I remain confident that most employers still consider it quite appropriate to conduct on location in person interviews before they hire a potential employee. 

So, I submit today, would you appreciate a shower or bath at 180 degrees when you recently had to endure temperatures of 212 degrees?



"As You Like It"

Garden Arrangements

for

Modern Home Entertainment

and

Enjoyment

The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc. is conducting a Spring Flower Show this weekend, May 4 through 6, 2012.

The hours are:    Friday - May 4 - 10 am - 5 pm

                         Saturday - May 5 - 10 am - 5 pm

                         Sunday - May 6 - 2 pm - 5 pm

In addition to the Spring Flower Show there will be a Pass-Along Plant and Vase Sale.  You will also be able to tour this 1910 Neel Reid designed home at 730 College Street in Macon, Georgia.

The show is advertised as an opportunity to experience and enjoy the designs for Modern Home Entertainment and Enjoyment.

Admission is $5.00 Per Person.  The various Federated Garden Clubs in Macon provided the decorations.

This Table is decorated for a "Mother's Day Brunch" and is located in the Breakfast Room at the Garden Center.  The flower arrangement consist of plants currently in bloom in Bibb County.

These two flower arrangements are placed on the Mantle of the Fireplace in the Parlor. 

This arrangement is also in the Breakfast Room and was designed for a small table for "Coffee for Two."  This type of arrangement could also be used on the Terrace, Deck or Patio of a home for that morning cup of Coffee.

This floral design is placed in the "Neel Reid: Georgia Classicist" display room on the Second Floor of the Garden Center. 

This arrangement is on the Buffet of the Dining Room and features items available in the Produce Section of your Grocery/Market.

As you can see, this show is focused on Arrangements/Designs that anyone can do to add beauty and enjoyment to their own home.

School Call

"Presentation to the Bibb County Board of Education"

A Summary of the requirements of Georgia's Open Meetings Act and Open Records Act.

Today I attended this School  Call which was conducted by a member of the Georgia's Attorney General's Staff.  This School Call included recently enacted revisions to the Open Records Act.  The power point presentation was thorough and the presentor asked for and received questions during the presentation.  From my point of view it was a very worthwhile presentation for anyone who is concerned about transparency in our various Governments.

While this event was billed as for "The Bibb County Board of Education" the officials and duly elected leaders from other local governments were welcome to attend.

I arrived early, as is my mantra, to insure that I would have a seat at this well publicized event.

I was shocked that only Mr. Tom Hudson, who called the meeting to order and Ms. Lynn Farmer of the Bibb School Board were able to attend.  Dr. Dallemand was also present.

I did not observe than any duly elected leader from the City of Macon or the County of Bibb was in attendance.  Now to be totally fair, I may have missed someone, but I can honestly state that I know these individuals by name and face.  I did not see any from the City or County who was elected to serve "We The People."

I did observe one School Board Candidate, Jason Downey and one County Commissioner Candidate, Mallory Jones in the School Board Meeting Room.  Again, to be fair, there may have been other candidates there.

The concluding comment from the presentation was:

"We look to citizens and officials to act in good faith under the law and to work first together to resolve disputes.  It is not our Office's role to become involved in petty or political squabbles."