Elections Next Week

One week from tomorrow is election day, and politics in South Carolina have gotten even dirtier. Even the "good guys" are doing attack ads now. As the Sunday school teacher said yesterday, even the Republicans are fighting among themselves. Wonderful! I love it when a plan comes together.

Too many of our politicians (and we noted in Sunday school that there are few statesmen, or "statespeople" these days) seem bound and determined to take my native state even farther back in time. Isn't it bad enough that we are at the bottom of the list in education, live births, and the like and at the top of the list for single-parent homes, DUIs, prison population per thousand, etc., etc., etc.? And then to fear that a majority of my compatriots may vote for Mark, the governor a major news magazine recently characterized as one of the three worst governors amonst the 50 in the whole Newnited States? How can we attract more industry and provide better and more employment for our citizenry when we get this kind of press nationwide? And Andre doesn't help the cause any either. Damn, we look like a bunch of idiots!

Thank goodness for John Spratt and Kent Williams and Lindsay Graham (yeah, there are such things as decent Repubs). I like Grady Patterson and Jim Rex too.

I am certain that I will depress the "Democrat" button next Tuesday and vote straight ticket. At least most of them are in the mainstream and not out there in Never-Never Land! It's no wonder that so many young people do not vote. What have we done to deserve such poor leadership and such gullible electors? It certainly testifies to the low education results we seem to be doing our damnest to reduce even more.......

Yeah, when it comes to politics, I have become a cynic.

"Still Falls the Rain...."

Weather man promised rain by evening as a front moves through. He was wrong. It was raining when I awoke around seven this morning. Maybe it is moving through faster and will clear up in time to ride the Harley some later today.

Went to a funeral yesterday in Dillon (SC) for Tommy Dean. "Skeeter" was my son-in-law Tim's step-brother who was in a motorcycle accident during a poker run last Saturday. He was 42 years old with two sons and a grandson. It was a large and sad funeral. The minister had much to say about Mr. Dean's good works and what scripture has to say about good works. The motorcycle club to which he belonged provided an escort for the procession. That in inself was to me very moving.

My son Kevin worked more on the old bread truck this week. He has replaced most of the lighting and done extensive rewiring. We still have a lot to fix----brakes, exhaust system, steering, for example. Kevin and Christine moved to Easley this week as they began Wednesday with the Powdersville EMS/Convalescent Services as full-time employees. I miss them already. Kevin said Wednesday night that their first call was a code from a nursing home, but that they had seen and done a lot that first day and were enthusiastic about the work.

Guess that's it for now......pd

FMU's Second President Dies

Dr. Thomas C. Stanton, my boss from 1983 until 1994, the president to whom I reported here at FMU, passed away on October 9 after a courageous battle with cancer. Shortly after Mrs. Stanton's death this past winter, doctors detected a lung tumor, and Dr. Stanton had been through chemotherapy and was currently beginning radiation. The cancer had spread to his brain, and he lasted less than a week after that discovery. Dr. Stanton was a prince among academic administrators and among men. He was the epitome of a southern gentleman, and he always provided a worthy role model to his colleagues and students. When I spoke to him at the visitation for Mrs. Stanton, he grabbed me and gave me a big bear hug, which really surprised me. I was touched by his warmth and genuine friendship. During my 2003 divorce, he helped me sort through some of the financial issues . With a doctorate in economics, he became an expert witness in court cases for valuation of closely held corporations. At the lowest point in my financial situation relative to the divorce, which cost me approximately $190,000, he offered to sign a note for me at the bank I use and for which he was a board member. One does not forget such friends!

Dr. Stanton, you stood tall amongst us, you gave us much, and you are already missed. I am grateful for how you used the years God gave you. Go in peace. Your friend, Paul

Practicing What You Preach

Well, I can hardly fuss at my students for not keeping their blogs current when I am setting such a poor example. It has been almost two weeks since my last post. Much has happened.

Today was pizza day for the class. Rainy weather caused us to eat on the porch of the nursing building rather than on the lawn as planned. Twelve showed up, so there was ample pizza and sodas. The only class meeting remaining is today week, and it is the advising session. I have enjoyed this class of pre-nursing students, and they were kind in their evaluation comments.

Last Friday was the "Class of '62" luncheon at our farm. There were thirteen of us present, and the group appreciated the food Mom, Jeannie (my sister) and I had fixed----Hawaiian chicken salad, congealed salad, deviled eggs, marinated vegetables, hot rolls, ham for the rolls, and a pickle tray. On the back porch was a table with Mom's lemon meringue pie, pineapple pie, and strawberry cake. Hopefully no one left hungry. The group tried to get together twice a year for lunch and catch up on each other's lives.

I spent last Thursday mowing yard at the farm house (Lebanon community) and Saturday mowing the hay field nearer town. Drove Mom and two other ladies to their Saturday afternoon Woodbine Garden Club meeting at a nursery in Monticello (western Fairfield County). The only other times I have ever attended a garden or book club was when I was the speaker! Interesting...... Learned a lot about "composting."

Kevin (son) and I continue to work on the old Merita bread truck I acquired several weeks ago. He is replacing much of its wiring, lighting, etc. I paid taxes on the truck yesterday---all $17---and picked up SC tags, so now am legal, at least in terms of the truck! It still needs new muffler and tail pipe, rearview mirrors, oil and filter change, clutch adjustment, engine cleaning, brake work and clearance lights replacements. Then a paint job! And interior shelving for tools, etc. Great project truck.

Am feeling a bit puny after last week's flu shot. Thought my cold was over but appears to be hanging on. Anybody out there want a free cold?

Stay healthy and be good. Until next time-----------pd

Myrtle Beach Fall Bike Week

And I can't go. Came down with a head cold middle of the week and don't think an outing on the bike would be advisable in this weather---it has drizzled on and off today and turned cooler. Would love to ride down tomorrow (Saturday) but probably will not. Harley probably thinks I don't love it anymore.

Had to make quick trip to Marion during my lunch hour, and there were bikers everywhere on their way to the beach. Yeah, I was a little jealous. While I was in Marion I saw a guy pulling a bike on a trailer and the bike had fallen over. I stopped and helped him right it and tie it back down. He was pulling a really sharp Triump. Did not hurt the bike, but I know it must have scared him. That's one of the reasons I don't like to trailer my bike---I spend as much time watching it in the rear view mirror as I do watching what's ahead.

Son Kevin worked on my new old truck yesterday (acquired a 1971 Ford p-450 delivery van for the farm). I was too sick and weak to help but enjoyed sitting down watching him rework the dashboard with new wires, etc. He knows a lot about that sort of thing from his work with the place that wired law enforcement vehicles. It was great to spend that kind of time with him, even if I was puny and honking a lot.

Be safe out there this weekend. Fall is just around the corner............