The View from Here

I pledge....

 

Ten Things You Might Not Know About

The Pledge of Allegiance

1. It was originally written in 1892 for the 400^th Anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus. (Chicago World’s Fair)

2. It was written by a Baptist minister’s son working for a magazine called Youth’s Companion. He didn’t like the pledge in existence at the time: “I give my heart and my hand to my country; one country, one language, one flag.” His goal was to write something positive, unifying, and appropriate for children to recite in school.

3. Original text: “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands—one Nation indivisible—with liberty and justice for all.”

4. At the first National Flag Conference in 1923 “my flag” was changed to “the flag of the United States” so that immigrant children would clearly know whose flag they were saluting.

5. At the 1924 Flag Conference “of America” was added.

6. It wasn’t until 1942 that Congress adopted it as part of the national flag code: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

7. In 1943 the Supreme Court ruled that Jehovah’s Witnesses should not be required to say the pledge because it conflicts with their beliefs about idolizing a graven image.

8. Louis Albert Bowman, a chaplain for the Sons of the American Revolution, was the first to recite the pledge with “under God” added, at a meeting in 1948 . The DAR, Knights of Columbus, and other organizations backed a movement that culminated with the official addition of the phrase, by a Joint Resolution of Congress, in 1954.

9. Eisenhower defended the addition of “under God”: "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.... In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource, in peace or in war."
10. The Bellamy salute that accompanied the original pledge was so similar to the Nazi salute that it was replaced by the “hand over heart” salute in 1942.
    

Ironic that something as simple as a holiday promotion could lead to all the legal and religious and patriotic controversy we have today over who should say the pledge, and how and when they can say it.

In Search of a Shapely Figure

I noticed this ad when I was researching in the 1930s newspapers yesterday. I love to read issues from that decade because the editor included many “ten (fifteen, twenty, thirty) years ago today” columns. I guess he was just in a “history is good” mood. Or perhaps he was trying to remind readers of better times as the economy was failing. Anyway…this ad caught my eye and it reminded me that women have been looking for a “magic” weight loss product since the Greeks first realized their togas didn’t hide everything.

BTW the grapefruit diet was also promoted during the 1930s. It required you to eat grapefruit with every meal. Other plans included a dangerous insecticide that was prescribed by doctors until it was discovered that it caused organ failure. And of course the use of amphetamines began their popular rise in the 30’s. So I suppose drinking salts was pretty tame! Of course the sentence that I underlined is the secret.

 

The Caddo Herald

July 7, 1933

How One Woman Lost 20 Lbs. of Fat

Lost Her Prominent Hips-Double Chin-Sluggishness

Gained a Shapely Figure

If you are fat, how would you like to lose it and at the same time to gain physical charm and acquire a clean, clear skin and eyes that sparkle with buoyant health.

Why not do what thousands of women have done to get rid of pounds of unwanted fat? Take one half teaspoon of Kruschen Salts in a glass of hot water every morning before breakfast and keep it up for 30 days. You can help the action of Kurschen by cutting down on pastry, and fat meats, and going light on potatoes, butter, and cream. Then weigh yourself and see how many pounds you have lost.

Kruschen Salts are a blend of 6 salts most helpful to the body health. Best of all, a bottle of Kruschen Salts that will last you for 4 weeks costs but a trifle. Ask any druggist for a bottle and start to lose fat today. It’s safe to reduce, but be sure you get Kruschen- your health comes first.

Here is the “rest of the story”. This product is still being sold, but is not promoted for weight loss. Current marketing says “Kruschen Salts cleanse, detoxify and reduce the acidity of your digestive system. May help relieve joint discomfort, muscle cramping and tension. Promotes regular bowel pattern.” And for those of you who are wondering…the ingredient list:

Citric Acid 
Magnesium Sulfate 
Potassium Chloride 
Potassium Iodate 
Potassium Sulfate 
Sodium Chloride (table salt) 
Sodium Sulfate

 

As always…history is fascinating.

Serendipity

I have always been grateful that many of my ancestors were writers. The words they wrote in journals, letters, newspapers, and magazines have provided me with information, encouragement, and entertainment. The records of their activities and celebrations are pleasant reminders that they were people who enjoyed life and loved their families. Their thoughts and ideas have given me insight into the hardships they endured and the problems they solved.

There were three people who wrote more than anyone else in the family: my great-grandpa, Calvin W. Banta, aka Rufe Bolts, my grandmother, Della Springer, and my mom, Colleen Simmons. In fact, they wrote so much that I’ve never actually read or recorded all of their writings. I have many samples of their writings, including some original manuscripts. They run the gamut from simple news reporting to inspiring poetry. Calvin frequently wrote about local politics. Della wrote about family and friends. Mom wrote about the problems that people face each day.

This morning I logged onto the local newspaper archives in search of information about the Liberty community’s clubs and associations. I knew that Della belonged to a ladies group and I have a couple of items about their meetings. I wanted more information about some of their projects for one of the articles I’m writing, so I tried searching a ten year period when I knew she was in the club. Well…..

A search using Della’s name resulted in so many items that I had to reduce the total by targeting each specific year. Wow! At least I know I won’t run out of reading material this winter!

I scanned a few years and discovered several bits of information that were totally surprising.  First of all, I didn’t know that Della had been to Hollywood to see “Queen for a Day” (old TV show). If she or mother ever mentioned it, I had certainly forgotten about it. In my own defense I was only seven at the time. I also didn’t know that she had survived a tornado! I’ll post that this morning in Family Ties. And I didn’t know she had written much about politics. Guess she got that propensity from her father. Here are two gems I found this morning. The 1967 one is in response to criticism of Kennedy.

October, 1961- “Until the American people forget their petty prejudices and face the world problem with fair-minded humility we are going to remain in pretty much the pickle we are now in.”

September, 1967- “Ignorant, unlearned, frustrated people blame the world situation on our leaders, but that kind is more to be pitied than censured. If they would go to work to bring about good fellowship between neighbors, between states, and nations, then world peace might not seem so far-fetched.”

Seriously…the woman was a genius. And I find myself saying a prayer of gratitude this morning for my ancestors who wrote words on a page, for the newspapers who deemed them worthy of publication, and for the tech wizards who have given me such easy access to them.

Reading through life...

 

I went to the library today and came home with two novels, a “how-to” book, and two books about pioneer women. Books, reading, and trips to the library were components of my life long before I joined my classmates for story time in kindergarten. Reading has been the foundation of my education, entertainment, and enlightenment, and often provided an escape from challenges I wasn’t ready to face. And though I know that younger people are reading in different ways on a variety of devices, reading continues to be a skill that everyone uses on a daily basis.

On the way home I passed by the college football field where a small group of young men were practicing their plays for the next game. As I watched them for a moment I thought about how eagerly they volunteer for a game that will occupy so little of their future. They learn the rules and practice the skills required for optimum performance. They run in the heat, listen to harsh criticism, and even endure pain in order to outplay another team. They are intent on perfecting the skills that will give them an advantage the next time they play and perhaps even make them the hero of the moment. Despite all this devotion most college football players spend their post-collegiate days as football fans…not professional athletes. And sadly, many of them avoid the one activity that would give them a lifetime of skills and advantages.

No, I’m not going to tell you that our boys should not play sports. What I’m going to tell you is that we are somehow failing them. It’s obvious from their reaction to sports that they have passion, motivation, aptitude, intelligence, and persistence. We need to do more as parents and educators to help our boys apply those qualities to academics, specifically reading, so they will be prepared for life beyond sports. We have to figure out why so many first and second grade boys already consider reading a “chore” or “obstacle” or “frustration”. We have to develop better ways to instruct, encourage, and support them. They may play sports through sixteen years of school, but they will be expected to read through the next sixty years of life.

Tell me now...

I feel guilty sometimes for not spending more of my day doing something profitable or practical or directly beneficial to others.  I tend to be somewhat reclusive at times and I could literally spend all day reading or researching or taking photos and not even speak to another person. However, I really do love people and most of my research revolves around their lives, so I end up connecting and communicating in a variety of ways.

There has been a little “drama” in the lives of some of my friends and family members lately and I’ve done a lot more communicating than usual. There are changes and transitions and new opportunities ahead that will eventually bring joy and peace, but in the meantime…a little chaos and uncertainty.

In the middle of a discussion with a friend this morning it occurred to me that we are all SO blessed to be able to communicate as easily and frequently as we do. I remember many tears shed by my mother when we were hundreds of miles away from her family and dear friends. We didn’t often have a phone so she wrote letters and waited weeks for a reply. When I left home I did the same. I still have many of the letters she wrote to me and some of the ones she saved from me. I suppose the only advantage of letters was our ability to save them and re-read them. But I have to wonder how many problems could have been quickly solved and how many misunderstandings could have been prevented and how much heartache could have been avoided if we had been able to communicate immediately as we do now.

I know people who spend far too much time on the phone and FB and whatever social media is popular at the moment, but we all make choices about how we use our time. I’m happy to be able to tell you what I need or think or have now…and then go back to my solitary pursuits.

No Place Like Home

You know that I’ve moved and traveled and wandered around all over the country.

No matter where I’ve lived before or where I go from here, Caddo, Oklahoma will always feel like home.

It holds the history of generations that have gone before me and reminds me that I’m just one member of an enormous family. The museum, the school and the cemetery contain the names of family and friends that are as familiar as my own.

It has traditions that make me feel secure and grounded.  I love participating in events and activities that I know my parents and grandparents also enjoyed.

It has people who are inspiring, encouraging, and motivating. They are role models for all of us and examples of the rewards of hard work and perseverance.

It has some problems and it is definitely beginning to show its age. After all, most of the buildings have been standing since before my grandmother was born. But there are also signs of growth and change. New homes and a few new businesses are noticeable here and there.

The future of the community is uncertain. Much of what happens next depends on the younger residents and the growth of the towns around it. I pray that they feel proud of their town and work together to make sure their children consider it a great place to call home.

I hope to be around to take pictures in another ten years and I pray that it will still feel like home.

Beg, borrow and bond...

When I was a young student I had the mistaken notion that states built schools according to the needs of each community. If a town had lots of kids and needed another school, the state department of education built one for them. Seemed perfectly logical to me.

Well, it turns out I was wrong.  Each community has to figure out a way to build their own school, maintain it, and add to it if they get more students. It’s all based on taxes and property and votes and money. So of course it makes sense that if you live in a big community with generous people and lots of money you get to build big fancy school. And if you live in a little community with very few people and not much money, you build a simple little school, or maybe you don’t get to build one at all.

It all depends on something called a school bond:

“Section 313. School Buildings - Bonds. Whenever it shall become necessary for the board of education of any school district to raise sufficient funds for the purchase of a school site or sites, or to erect or purchase and equip a suitable school building or buildings, either or both, or for the purpose of making repairs to an existing school building or buildings, or for the purchase of school furniture and fixtures, or for making improvements to any school site or sites, either or both, it shall be lawful for such board of education to borrow money for which it is hereby authorized and empowered to issue bonds bearing a rate of interest not exceeding seven percent (7%) per annum, payable semiannually, at such place as may be shown on the face of such bonds, which bonds shall be payable serially as otherwise provided by law in not more than twenty-five (25) years from date; and the board of education is hereby authorized and empowered to sell such bonds at not less than their par value; provided, before any bonds shall be issued, the board of education shall cause an election to be held in such district as herein provided; provided, further, bonds may be voted in one issue and at the same election for any or all of the purposes hereinbefore enumerated. (70-15-101)”

This week one of our local communities is holding a school bond election for the construction of a new high school. As a former teacher from that district I can attest to the fact that a new building is desperately needed. It is my fervent prayer that the voters will turn out in record numbers and pass the bond and enable the community to provide a better future for its students.

Any bond election makes me ask the same question that I’ve asked in the past. In a land where so much money is spent on entertainment and amusements why are schools always forced to beg, borrow, and bond in order to provide the basic necessities for the education of our children? I know other districts that have serious needs, needs that probably won’t be met because their communities have already voted “no” on bond issues. Maybe someday we’ll figure out a more equitable system.

In the meantime be sure to vote!

Getting Things Done

I’m slowly but surely working on a “to do” list that primarily consists of small projects that no one else really cares about. However, the completion of each one gives me a sense of clearing my mind and my environment of distractions so that I can work on something bigger and more important. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to do that very soon.

I’m also dealing with the fact that although I’m stronger and healthier than I was last year, pain is still a constant part of my life. I’m not whining, simply stating the facts in order to encourage those of you who face similar issues. Each day I just try to manage my pain and get things done! This morning I woke up at 1am and had to sleep on the couch in order to get comfortable. That lasted an hour and I moved to the recliner. That kept me comfortable for almost two hours and I got up. I managed to go through most of my morning routine and even worked in the yard for half an hour.  In a couple of hours I’m going to go to the movie with my husband. I may or may not be able to sit there in comfort, but I AM going to sit there.

I enjoyed hearing a report this morning that “sedentary thinkers” generally have high intelligence and can learn to balance their lives with more activity.  It also explained that we tend to shy away from social activities because they distract us from our intellectual pursuits. We like people, but we need extra time to think. LOL I need extra time to get things done!

One of the projects that I completed this morning was changing my photo albums here on the blog. Look in the left column and you’ll see the new ones. I have one more that I plan to add. And yes, for those of you who are from Caddo, I am also working on updating that website. I’ll be taking new photos next week.

I’m also learning to use the new camera so I can take more bird pictures here at the house. The distance from my window to the feeder is a little far for the shorter lens on the old camera. It takes me quite a while to learn anything new, especially anything techie, but I’ll get it done…

Things Happen

Watching the Olympics has been entertaining, encouraging, and enlightening. I’ve said before that I needed a break from my daily dose of political rhetoric and the games have certainly provided that. I commented to Gary just a few days ago that I think we have watched more of this competition than any other in past years. That is partly due to our more relaxed schedules, but much of it is due to the drama created by the world records and career goals being met and exceeded by the athletes. Who doesn’t love a great story with a happy ending? And of course everyone has more of a sense of global unity since more and more of us have family and friends in other countries.

But watching the Olympics has also served as a reminder that “things happen” and despite careful planning, years of dedication and practice, and the very best effort…a gold medal is not a sure thing. We’ve watched this week as feet slipped, bodies waivered, and hands lost their grip. I was stunned when an experienced rider fell off her horse, horrified as a talented athlete broke his leg, fascinated as a runner dove across the finish line…something I didn’t even realize was allowable. Things happen… surprising, unexpected, unpredictable things.

Of course the lesson for us all is what happens after the unforeseen event. Most of these well-trained athletes just go on to compete again, and again, and again. They may need to analyze their performance or listen as their coach explains what they did wrong or simply accept that it wasn’t their day for greatness. But they don’t quit. They don’t assume that they have lost their ability or suddenly become a failure. They just assume that things happen…

Monarchs Matter

We went to the “second Saturday” presentation at Hagerman Wildlife Refuge yesterday. This month the topic was Monarch butterflies and the speaker was Alex Ocanas, coordinator for the Center for Environmental Studies at Austin College. Her presentation was informative and enlightening, as are all of the presentations sponsored by the refuge. However, hers had an underlying message that I think gets overlooked by the general public. Monarchs and other pollinators are part of a system and that system is being threatened by our success.  Yes, our advances in agriculture are contributing to the demise of the very creatures we rely on to maintain our crops. Crazy when you think about it. And it’s a complicated issue that you’ll want to explore for yourself. However, the thing I want you to remember this morning is that word system. Our world is wondrously made and every little thing in it works together for the good of all. The extinction of one animal, one tiny insect, affects the whole world in ways we cannot begin to understand. Think of a factory that is running efficiently and turning out products and providing those products to customers and supporting a number of employees. Now take away one ingredient, one component, one machine, one worker, and the whole system suffers and must be adjusted. Monarchs matter…go to Monarch Watch and find out more.

And while we didn’t see any Monarchs in the butterfly garden, we did enjoy watching these beauties!