Laurel's Observations

Welcome to 1967

2010-04-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

Last Monday night, I was preparing to go to a dinner party at a friend's. (Yes, I finally have friends here.) I heard a teaser on the local evening news: "Hear the latest on the rescue efforts for the West Virginia miners." When you hear that on a station outside of West Virginia, that is not good. I called my sweetie and asked what he knew. He told me the general location. "Don't tell me; let me guess. A Massey mine?" I asked. "How'd you ever know?" he said. "Just a lucky guess."

I was not the best of company at the dinner party. I kept excusing myself to check Facebook and the news to see what was going on. West Virginia is such a small place that even though it was not my area, I knew that friends of friends, at least, were affected. For that story, read Buzzard Billy's account. Later I heard that a sweet little boy that I had babysat did contract work at that mine a few years back. It could have been him.

That's why I was just sick. Today Upper Big Branch, tomorrow Robinson Run (where a friend that was like a big brother to me works) or someplace closer to home. Mining is a dangerous business.

But it doesn't have to be.

All explosions are preventable. When there is an explosion, that is an indication that something went terribly wrong. Those aren't my words: they are the words of Kevin Strickin, MSHA administrator for West Virginia. (They're not in quotes becuase I can't find the exact citation, but I'm pretty sure it's from the Charleston Gazette. Once you see the number of stories there, you'll forgive me.)

Yes, coal mining is a dangerous operation. It's not that the mines are located miles (yes, miles) underground. The very processes that form coal contribute to this danger. Coal and methane, a highly explosive gas, occur in close proximity more often that not. Even if methane does not explode, it is an odorless, colorless gas that can be inhaled but is not breathable. The proverbial canary's function in the coal mine was to warn miners of methane. If the canary passed out, the miners got out ASAP.

An obvious by-product of coal, coal dust,not only gets all over everything (including miners' lungs), but it also is highly volatile. The smallest spark from a mantrip hitting a steel track can spark an explosion. This is not a place for the overly fearful.

But these dangers can be avoided. After the Sago disaster, some rumors began to spread about methane in the area. I asked Dad, who had worked at a mine (not in a mine, which is an important distinction) about methane. The way to avoid a methane-related disaster is to measure methane and pull the miners out until it can be ventilated. That did not happen in this case. Why? Good question. Over the past two years (not even, as this covers 2009 and 2010), Massey was cited for over 61 major violations of MSHA code. On this mine alone. These are not violations such as a wastebasket in the wrong place or a report wasn't signed off on properly. No, these were the-mine-should-have-been-closed violations, including methane buildup, excessive coal dust, and excessive carbon dioxide.

Well, why was the mine not closed, then? One word: the owner. It's Don Blankenship, who is a coal baron in the old-school way. Scroll down past his accomplishments to "criticism," and you'll get some idea. Or better yet, watch this video originally aired on Rachel Maddow.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Rachel gets it as do few others from out of the area. It's all true. But it sounds too incredible to be true.

Which brings me to the title of this post. In November 1968, the Farmington Mine blew. You may remember when I wrote about the 40th anniversary. The only good thing to come out of that disaster was the formation of MSHA and the passage to laws to protect miners' safety. The four miners still in Upper Big Branch, much as I hate to say it, cannot have survived. Which makes this the biggest disaster since Farmington. You know, the disaster they said would be the last.

I hope this has been coherent, at least. I've been sad, worried, and angry in turn since Monday evening. I continue to pray for the miners and their families, but I think it's all done except for the recovery.

There is so much more I'd like to say, but I think I'll give it a few days.

Rejected Facebook Status Updates

2010-02-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

This past year has been a bit of a tough one, and I try to maintain a positive face in public. Since I have bunches of friends on Facebook, I consider that a public place. However, there are some things in Facebook that I dearly would have loved to have posted but didn't think they were appropriate.

In no particular order:

Mountain Laurel really hopes she's around to see when those bastards get what's coming to them.
Mountain Laurel now remembers why she broke up with that particular ex.
Mountain Laurel will never post another political update as she's getting sick of refereeing among her friends with varying viewpoints.
Mountain Laurel really wishes people would just show each other some respect.
Mountain Laurel misses home. A lot.
Mountain Laurel isn't sure that she can do this.
Mountain Laurel thinks the meat she cooked for dinner may have been bad. She's been sitting for a half hour and needs to again!
Mountain Laurel wishes that folks would watch Desperate Housewives instead of creating drama at work.
Mountain Laurel loves to see karma at work via football.
Mountain Laurel found a dead rat outside her back stoop.
Mountain Laurel prefers live rats to dead ones.
Mountain Laurel has enough drama in real life that she doesn't need it on Facebook.

Again, recall that these are rejected postings, meaning that the positive ones and more appropriate ones made it onto Facebook, and thus aren't here. So don't worry too much about me, folks.

And feel free to add your rejected status updates as well. Even if you don't use Facebook.

The Little Big City

2010-01-18T16:28:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, I've moved to Charm City. Yepper, Baltimore, Maryland, home of the Orioles, Ravens, steamed shrimp as only they can do it, and crabs. I was a little nervous about moving to the Big City, and I didn't quite know what to expect. The first thing that surprised me is how small it is.

Yes, small. You read that right. The city itself is big, 92.1 square miles according to Wikipedia, and they're generally right on target about stuff like that. I expected huge avenues surrounded by skyscrapers. There are some tall buildings around, like the Legg Mason building, in the new Harbor East area, but by and large what I found were miles and miles of charming row houses along narrow streets. Pretty small, when I grew up in a rancher and the folks now live in Grandma's two-story. The houses are narrow, some so narrow that I didn't think I could get my furniture in. (As it is, I have a mattress and box spring in my dining room. Free to a good home as I couldn't get it up my stairs.) It is spacious, though, and for that I'm grateful. When I was looking for a place to live, I bumped my head so many times that I took to putting my hand on top of my head before I went up or down steps. One of the hazards of being tall.

My house is precious, a 1929 rehab with the original oak floors and exposed brick. But it is small. Which leads me to the porch, about 8' by 3', but by city standards it's gigantic. And the yard. Yes, yard. Yards are uncommon in the city, so I feel quite lucky to be able to have a plot of 2 flowerbeds, about 6' by 2' each. I planted flowers in the lower one and plan on growing herbs in the upper one. Herbs don't take a lot of room and have a high yield. Again, small plants for the small plots.

The cars are small too. There are fewer SUV's and more Fits and SmartCars. They need to be small to fit in the parking pads (if you are lucky enough to have one) and the parking spaces. Around here, folks think that bumpers are for bumping, which leads to a lot of what we call "parking by Braille."

The stores and bars are also tiny. Although they tend to be bigger than the houses, they are still tiny by the standards I'm used to.

Even the wildlife is smaller. Back home, I am accustomed to seeing rodents, true, but they tend to be raccoons and possums. The most common form of wildlife (four-legged, not the wildlife at the bar down the street) I've seen is the rat. Currently, the Rat Count is up to four; three living and one dead. They all look like this picture below.

Really, I have a lot of respect for rats. They rid the area of garbage, and the ones around here are shy, running if they hear something coming. That is a welcome change from the raccoon, who will sit and stare at you. I prefer the live ones though. The dead ones don't move, and then you have to take care of them.

The one part of the city that isn't small is the people. Next time I'll talk about the people of this city, who from my experiences so far have quite large hearts.

What a year!

2010-01-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

Inspired by my dear friend Misfitina, here's a list of what 2009 was like.

I did things I never thought I could do:

Hosted a baby shower
Met a bunch of blog buds IRL
Watched a Polar Plunge
Got let go from work
Moved to Charm City, where I had exactly one friend
Lost a dear old friend, the first man that I thought was a cross between Superman and Mr. Rogers
Moved several hours away from my honey
Neglected this blog miserably.

Yep. Little country girl in the big city.and so far, doing fine. We'll see.

I have found Baltimore to be an interesting place, and not so dissimilar from Appalachia as I had suspected it might be. I plan to write a fw posts about this. I'm also going to link them to GossipDuck, a site founded by my friend.

The most offensive thing I've seen

2009-12-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make sure everyone knew about this piece of electronic manure, but my blog buddy Buzzardbilly beat me to it. West Virginia Discovers the Internet | NBC Washington

I'd say this is in the running for the Bigot of the Century award.

My Father, the Axe Murderer

2009-11-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

Buzzard Billy has asked us to share our critter stories. Growing up in the country, I had plenty of stories about critters. There was the time my brother caught the biggest bullfrog I've ever seen. Our hop toad family (Hoppy, Mrs. Hoppy, and the baby Hoppies...we were creative children) that lived under the back step. And the deer that wore a blaze orange vest all through hunting season. Since then I've blogged about Saddam the crawdaddy and the tomato-eating turtle.

But this one is the one that I will never forget.

I was about 10 or 12. Our dog Fido had gotten the worse end of the fight with a critter the night before. Though Fido was a small dog, he never backed down.

The next night, we heard Fido out back cutting up a shine. (That means barking like the Devil himself was creeping around for the hillbilly-impaired readers.) Dad ran, looked out the back window, and then ran back to his bedroom.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm going to kill me a possum," he answered. (In hillbilly, the dative case is still used.)

OK, dad's going to kill the possum that's messing with Fido. Makes sense. Except...

Dad didn't hunt and didn't own a gun. Possums, unlike the reputation they get with their "playing possum" reputation, are nasty critters with teeth and attitudes. Think of a double-sized rat whose mother you've just insulted, and you've got the picture. How in the world is Dad going to kill him without a gun?

This I had to see. I ran to the back window, where I saw my dad with his axe raised high over his head. That's when I realized that a gun wasn't necessary. I figured that I would be explaining this in therapy some years hence, so I turned away.

THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.

That was the end of the possum. And I don't blame him for it one bit. That possum had attacked our dog, a member of our family. What if next time it was me or my brother?

New Scripts

2009-10-11T08:41:00.001-07:00

THUD.

That's the sound that woke me up about 6:30 this morning. I knew instantly that there had been a car wreck, right in front of my house from the sound of it.

The American phrase "car crash" doesn't really fit the event. Trust me. I've been around many of them. The English get it a little better with their term "smash-up," but it's still a THUD. A large one, but a THUD nonetheless.

When I grew up, my house was on the main highway, between two rather dangerous curves. When we heard a crash, we knew just what to do. We'd go out, see if anyone was hurt, and offer to call the emergency car if they needed. We lived in the country, with neighbors that weren't all that close. If we didn't do it, who would?

So my first impulse was to get up, throw on some clothes, and see if anyone needed help. But this flower isn't in the country any more. And everyone these days has cell phones, so they probably wouldn't need someone to call the police. And at 6 a.m., tempers were likely to be a bit hot, and ever since I've moved here I've had "safety" pounded into my head. This town is known for violence, especially gun violence. Should I go and help? Or should I just stay inside? I looked outside again. Two people were standing next to the wreck, each talking on cell phones. Nah, they probably didn't need me.

By the time these thoughts went through my head (hey, I'm not at my best when awakened early in the morning from a dead sleep), I heard sirens: police, ambulance, and fire. Everything was all right, and I was off the hook.

But then I got to thinking. Sleep was out of the question, with all the sirens and voices, so the only thing I could do was to think. Am I becoming callous? Is Kitty Genovese syndrome hitting me? And if so, is it a good thing that I'm looking out for myself first? Or am I losing a bit of my compassion and humanity?

I've not worked that out yet. Any of your thoughts are welcome.

The problem that I'm facing now is new scripts. Scripts are patterns in which we behave in a social setting. When you are in a store, you stand in line. That's a script in the US. You hold open the door for someone directly behind you. And when you are the one behind, you thank the person who held the door for you. But there are some scripts that change. I've adopted a few new scripts, but I'm not sure if I have them all yet, which is one of the reasons that this is an exciting new adventure.

Laurel, transplanted

2009-08-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

This post will be quick, but I think I need to tell you what's going on. I've been a bit out of touch, and I'd like to thank all of you who commented to ask if everything was OK. It wasn't, but I think it's getting to be OK now.

To make a long story short, I've moved to Charm City, the land of the crab and Old Bay. Yepper, the city on the bay. I'm living right in town, in a row house if you can believe that! But I've still got my little tiny yard, and flowers are blooming brightly there.

In the next few days I'll have some views on as an Appalachian exile. Things look a bit different here than they do in the last places I've lived. I'm going to review Buzzard Billy's series "Hillbilly like me" to see what commonalities I've had in my experience.

to those who are still reading after all this time, thanks for hanging in there. I'm glad to be back, and I"m looking forward to hearing from you!

What if it had been you?

2009-07-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

Almost everyone has heard of the incident in which Henry Louis Gates, Jr., was arrested after someone called the police to investigate his breaking into his home. If you don't know the details, read this editorial from The Charleston Gazette. But let's put this into perspective. What if YOU broke into your house?

I know we've all done it. The door's been hard to open, or we've forgotten our keys, and we need to break in. Heck, Mother did it so often that my brother and I had a drill. Climb the picnic table into the bathroom window, walk around and let the others in. No big deal.

So if it had been me, a blond, blue-eyed Caucasian woman, I would have broken into my house. Sure! IF someone had called the police, they would have come in, asked me what was going on, I would have told them. Maybe they would have asked for ID, which I would have produced. They would have apologized, and I would have thanked them for doing their job and watching out for us. Don't believe me? Read Buzzard Billy's account of what DID happen when she, another Caucasian, refused to let a police officer into her home in the middle of the night. True story.

This is not what happened to Dr. Gates. OK, steps 1-4 would have been the same. Right up till Dr. Gates produced his ID. See, he's a black man. Never mind that he's a respected, graying professor and looks every inch the part. He's still a black man. Instead of an apology, he was given an arrest and put in handcuffs. The police said he was "agitated." Would I have been agitated? Oh, haell yes! Especially after I had produced ID and was still being questioned. Agitated wouldn't have begun to cover it. Sounds to me like he was restrained by my standards, according to both the police and his own reports.

Wrong is wrong. And racism is not dead in this country. Heck, it's not even close to terminal.

Stirrers

2009-05-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Chez has perfectly expressed one of my pet peeves. She says it better than I could.

I'm The Chez & You're The Macaroni: Mind Your Manners Monday!

Dedicated to the naysayers out there

2009-05-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

This article lists 15 Failed Predictions about the Future. So the next time someone says you can't do this, or that isn't practical, remember that Margaret Thatcher never thought there would be a female prime minister in her lifetime.

Also, don't be afraid to eat your words. I prefer mine with Worcestershire sauce and a hint of garlic.

WOW!! My own award!!

2009-05-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

WOO HOO!!! I got an award! Who'd'a thunk it, especially since my blogging lately has been sporadic, oh heck, let's call a dog a dog, nonexistant lately. I've been hit with a setback and it's been throwing me for a loop, hence, no mental energy for blogging, and precious little for anything else. But now, now, I'm starting to emerge from the fog and getting back to it. So, the first order of business is to thank the wise, learned, hysterical, and occasionally gross BuzzardBilly for this award. The second order of business is to thank the always interesting Muze Euterpe for it. Can you believe it? Two blog awards!! And during my hiatus. Maybe I should go on hiatus more often.....

Pretty spiffy, huh? But, as with all blog awards, there are rules....

The Bella Rules:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

So here goes..... in no order whatsoever....

I'm giving it back to Buzzardbilly as, well, she deserves it. She's a bright observer of human behavior, and a student of Appalachia and Appalachian behavior. Plus, she's damn funny.
And right back at Muze as well. Muze and I disagree on pretty much everything. We can both get very intense about our (opposite) politics, but we are able to discuss mostly rationally and always respectfully. That is so rare these days.
Next up has to be Maura at Maura's Bliss Adventures. She was my first friend in this town and is a terrific person with fascinating insights on lots of topics. Recently she had a beautiful baby girl. So, in essence, this blog has everything you need: lovely thoughts and baby pictures. What more could you want from a blog?
Sarah at The Putnam Scoop. She doesn't post often, but when she does it's either beautiful, profound, or something that really makes you feel good. Often all three.
Evil Twin's Wife, who is probably rolling in these awards by now. She's a faithful blogger in this area, and just a terrific person. Oh, and if you get her and the previous three together, you're guaranteed a good time.
The Neurotic Attorney. Interestingly, she is from my part of the state but now lives here. And she has a myriad of correct opinions (correct meaning, of course, that she agrees with me).
And, lest you think I'm a sexist blogger, The Film Geek. Film reviews, Jacknuts, local commentary, and reflection. Plus, Saturday morning cartoon memories!
Sagacious Hillbilly. He is both, certainly. Left-leaning politics, a healthy measure of common sense, and a dash of righteous outrage. Add gardening and you've got SH. He's on hiatus now but he certainly deserves this.
MadDaddy at daddyBstrong. A counselor, thinker, and poet from Atlanta that's transplanted to the Twin Cities, his series on blues and poets you should read soothe the soul.
Kit is on hiatus, but never mind. Go back and read her "Hard Rocks" series. And she predicted this current financial mess for a good year before it hit. And was scarily accurate.

I gave 10, but there are so many more than I could give. But the laundry is almost done, and I 've got other things to do. If you didn't get one, then you were probably number 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15.

And if you don't want to play along, no problem. I just want you all to know how much you are appreciated.

The economic case against Mountaintop Removal coal mining

2009-05-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

This article from West Virginia Blue is a must-read. It brings together (and backs with data) a lot of the arguments that I have had against mountain top removal. I am not anti-coal, nor do I have any intention to live in a cave, as some pro-MTR folks have suggested.

MTR is a blight upon the earth. Literally. We need to be aware of the facts, not just the propaganda by both sides, and this article does a great job of making an argument backed by facts, not emotion, which is sorely lacking in today's debate.

Hey Kids, Take Your Vitamins!!

2009-05-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

I just love this Quote of the Day from Larry Messina's Lincoln Walks at Midnight blog, focused on political news from West Virginia:

"(I)f people are consuming lower numbers of fish, that number in the fish tissue can be a little bit higher because they’re not taking as much in.”

-- Mike Arcuri, an analyst with Department of Environmental Protection, explaining to Public Broadcasting why his agency believes that West Virginia should allow more mercury in its waters than what federal standards recommend.

Because we have to make sure that we have our Recommended Daily Allowance of Mercury, and if we're not getting enough, well, by golly, let's let more mercury into the water so that we can catch up.

It boggles the mind.

UPDATE: Ken Ward Jr., arguably the best investigative journalist in the state, at Sustained Outrage continues with the story on mercury and fish in WV waters.

A lesson

2009-05-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I love about blogging is the ability for a do-over. First I'll tell you what happened.

My honey and I were at a local business on Sunday, standing in the checkout line. The checker asked the gentleman in front of us if he had served in the military. When he answered "yes," she gave him a white carnation from a vase set aside for that purpose. "How nice," I thought. "Even though it's Memorial Day instead of Veteran's Day, it's a great gesture."

I moved up to pay for my purchase. She asked my honey if he had served. Then she took my money and gave me my purchase.

Notice anything missing? That's right, she didn't ask the "girl" if she had served. Now, I look young, but not under 18!

Here's what should have happened: I should have said, "aren't you going to ask me if I served?" She would have asked, then I would have said, "No, but my best friend served for 20 years. And if it had been her instead of me in your line, she'd have ripped you a new one. Women have been serving in the military since World War II. I have a feeling that they'll not be pleased to have this service ignored."

What do you think? Should I have said it, or should I have just kept silent and let the female vet who wasn't asked tear her up?

Finally, A Voice of Reason

2009-05-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

I saved this about a week ago but never got around to publishing it. In this story, from The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia Retired Justice O'Connor cites Benjamin ethics case, saying that Benjamin should have recused himself from this case because of the perception of possible partiality (now try saying that one three times fast!).

Finally, someone is saying publicly what we always knew: if your best bud brings a case to the court, and everyone knows he's your best bud, it might be a good idea to recuse yourself from the case, even if you are, indeed, completely partial. Which is what we all knew anyway, right?

House Panel Says West Virginia Chemical Firm Withheld Information About Explosion - NYTimes.com

2009-04-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

You have heard the story, right? If you're in Wv, probably so. If you're outside, probably not. Last August there was an explosion at the Bayer plant about 40 miles away from me. No one really knew what was going on. Folks were furious with the County Commissioner for not telling residents what had happened. He blamed the chemical plant. Turns out he was right. And Bayer had a right to be scared. The blast came damn close to blowing up a tank of MIC. What's that? The same shit that leaked in Bhopal in 1984 and killed over 2000 people. Yeah, that.

At least the New York Times has picked up this story. House Panel Says West Virginia Chemical Firm Withheld Information About Explosion - NYTimes.com

Once again, if this happened anyplace else, it would have been major news. But since it happened here, no one's all that concerned.

What's an Affrilachian?

2009-03-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

How would you feel if you learned that you didn't exist? Ask Frank X. Walker. In 1991, he looked up the definition of Appalachian in Webster's Dictionary and discovered this definition referring to the inhabitants: "white residents from the mountains.” So Mr. Walker, a black man from Danville, KY, did not exist, according to definition.

What would you do? Mr. Walker and his fellow poets decided to create another word to describe them: Affrilachian. Not only was this a word but a movement. And it wasn't just African, or Appalachian. Affrilachian have a keen sense of the world around them. When you read an Affrilachian poem, you might read about social justice (or the lack therof), men, women, mountains, India, Cuba, you name it. What ties them together is their supportive community and their way with words.

If you're in the Charleton/Huntington area, stop on by to see them. Affrilachian poets should be heard if possible. If you can't, head on over to The Affrilachian Poets site.

Here's a teaser from Parneshia Jones, dedicated to the founding Affrilachians:
"
Anyone that walks these bluegrass lands
know the stories.
They know when thunder shakes the hills,
Affrilachians are writing."

Read the rest here.

The Affrilachians are Coming!

2009-03-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

If you're in Charleston or Huntington, try to make it out to see the Affrilachian Poet Tour. The press release follows:

Affrilachian Poets to appear at Marshall March 13

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University’s Huntington campus will be host to the spring bus tour of Affrilachian Poets at 4 p.m. Friday, March 13 in Marco’s in the Memorial Student Center.

The word “Affrilachian” was coined by poet Frank X Walker to reflect African Americans who are part of the Appalachian region, which has often been described as all white and poor. The Lexington, Ky.-based writing group has slowly established a regional and national presence with their collective publishing efforts, accumulated awards and reputations as accomplished teaching artists at some of the nation’s most notable institutions and writing programs.

While in West Virginia, the group also plans two appearances in Charleston on Thursday, March 12. They’ll be at the Capitol Market, 800 Smith Street, at noon and at the Tricky Fish, 1611 Washington Street East, at 8 p.m.

Members taking part in the various readings and events on the tour include Walker, Crystal Wilkinson, Ricardo Nazario-Colon, Kelly Norman Ellis, Ellen Hagan, Parneshia Jones, Mitchell L.H. Douglas, Keith Wilson, Bianca Spriggs, Tania James, Crystal Goodwoman, Norman Jordan and Amanda Johnston. For more information about the poets, visit www.affrilachianpoets.com.

The tour events will also introduce the new publication, “PLUCK! The Journal of Affrilachian Arts and Culture.” It is also available online at www.pluckonline.com.

The Affrilachian Poets’ appearance in Huntington is sponsored by the Marshall Student Government Association, Center for African American Students’ Programs, the English department, and the College of Liberal Arts.

For more information about the tour, call Walker at 513-375-7221 or e-mail Affrilachia@aol.com.

What is an Affrilachian Poet? See the next post.

MTR and Coalfield Justice Talk

2009-03-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

I'm finally emerging from my winter torpor. I saw a great lecture last week on the sister of Carter Woodson, Bessie Woodson Yancey, who was a fascinating writer in her own right. She would have been one hell of a blogger too, had she lived now. Her story needs to be told, and I had a wonderful post in mind, to be written tonight. Then I found that there is a discussion with a native filmmaker close by on the subject of Mountaintop Removal. And it's WEDNESDAY, which is day after tomorrow. So, Mrs. Yancey, you'll have to wait. My apologies.

Here's the press release:

Marshall University Graduate College (South Charleston campus) will host a Graduate Humanities Program event sponsored by Friends of the Humanities. It concerns a public talk by Catherine Pancake, a filmmaker and musician, called "Growing Up Without Television . . . Trials and Tribulations of Developing Visual Media in a Culture of Oral Tradition" on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 pm, in Room 319. A reception will follow.

Pancake is most well known for her award-winning documentary *Black Diamonds: Mountaintop Removal and the Fight for Coalfield Justice*. http://www.blackdiamondsmovie.com/.

The event is free and open to the public.

Next post: "Here come the Affrilachians!" They'll be in Huntington WV on Friday and Charleston WV on Thursday. I've heard them read before and they are WONDERFUL. Maybe I'll even get the nerve up to speak to Frank X. Walker. (I'm quite nervous and shy when it comes to meeting authors I admire.)

What's in a name?

2009-03-06T10:48:00.001-08:00

A laurel by any other name would smell as sweet....

You Are Stable and Cheerful

When You Are Comfortable:

You are a hard worker. You need security and stability in your life, even if that means putting in long hours.

People see you as solid and dependable. You are always able to see the good in situations. Other find this comforting.

When You Are At Your Best:

You are a hyper, restless person. You need to keep busy, and you always are willing to take charge in life.

People see you as energetic and motivating. You inspire people to be the best they can be.

When You Are in a Social Setting:

You are enthusiastic and flexible. You are open-minded. You prefer to learn from others... not judge them.

People see you as kind and cooperative. You are very supportive when friends are down on their luck.

What Do Your Initials Say About You?

The Creation

2009-03-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

I've been having an odd day. A friend sent this to me and I'm amazed at how it lifted my spirits. I thought your spirits might could use it too.

The Creation

James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938)

(A Negro Sermon)

AND God stepped out on space,
And He looked around and said,
“I’m lonely—
I’ll make me a world.”

And far as the eye of God could see 5
Darkness covered everything,
Blacker than a hundred midnights
Down in a cypress swamp.

Then God smiled,
And the light broke, 10
And the darkness rolled up on one side,
And the light stood shining on the other,
And God said, “That’s good!”

Then God reached out and took the light in His hands,
And God rolled the light around in His hands 15
Until He made the sun;
And He set that sun a-blazing in the heavens.
And the light that was left from making the sun
God gathered it up in a shining ball
And flung it against the darkness, 20
Spangling the night with the moon and stars.
Then down between
The darkness and the light
He hurled the world;
And God said, “That’s good!” 25

Then God himself stepped down—
And the sun was on His right hand,
And the moon was on His left;
The stars were clustered about His head,
And the earth was under His feet. 30
And God walked, and where He trod
His footsteps hollowed the valleys out
And bulged the mountains up.

Then He stopped and looked and saw
That the earth was hot and barren. 35
So God stepped over to the edge of the world
And He spat out the seven seas;
He batted His eyes, and the lightnings flashed;
He clapped His hands, and the thunders rolled;
And the waters above the earth came down, 40
The cooling waters came down.

Then the green grass sprouted,
And the little red flowers blossomed,
The pine tree pointed his finger to the sky,
And the oak spread out his arms, 45
The lakes cuddled down in the hollows of the ground,
And the rivers ran down to the sea;
And God smiled again,
And the rainbow appeared,
And curled itself around His shoulder. 50

Then God raised His arm and He waved His hand
Over the sea and over the land,
And He said, “Bring forth! Bring forth!”
And quicker than God could drop His hand.
Fishes and fowls 55
And beasts and birds
Swam the rivers and the seas,
Roamed the forests and the woods,
And split the air with their wings.
And God said, “That’s good!” 60

Then God walked around,
And God looked around
On all that He had made.
He looked at His sun,
And He looked at His moon, 65
And He looked at His little stars;
He looked on His world
With all its living things,
And God said, “I’m lonely still.”

Then God sat down 70
On the side of a hill where He could think;
By a deep, wide river He sat down;
With His head in His hands,
God thought and thought,
Till He thought, “I’ll make me a man!” 75

Up from the bed of the river
God scooped the clay;
And by the bank of the river
He kneeled Him down;
And there the great God Almighty 80
Who lit the sun and fixed it in the sky,
Who flung the stars to the most far corner of the night,
Who rounded the earth in the middle of His hand;
This Great God,
Like a mammy bending over her baby, 85
Kneeled down in the dust
Toiling over a lump of clay
Till He shaped it in His own image;

Then into it He blew the breath of life,
And man became a living soul. 90
Amen. Amen.

What are you doing?

2009-03-03T17:37:00.000-08:00

Well, once again, Sagacious Hillbilly has got me thinking. After two thought-provoking articles on my last post, this post had to come out.

First, the second comment, because sometimes I'm just wild and break the rules like that.

He says (and please read the whole thing because I'm excerpting): "Stereotypes persist because of general impressions. That doesn't make them right, it just is....
When we begin giving the general impression that we are a suave, sophisticated, educated bastion of enlightenment, that's the stereotype that will emerge." Of course, he's exactly right on this one. However, there are some great things going on here: We have a surplus. how many other states can say that? We've got 2 small cities (Charleston and Morgantown) who were named on lists of Best Small Cities. Good things, all of them. And, as Buzzard Billy points out, the whole dental health thing has made a U-turn.

My frustration is that I see these changes, and still get questions on if I had to buy shoes to come to the conference. (Horrifyingly, it seems I get one dicky comment of just this sort every time I go to a conference.)

Which leads me to SH's first comment: "What are YOU doing to change WV?" Here's the answer: I'm being me. I talk like a newscaster (except when I've been drinking, but we won't go there) as I have been fortunate enough to have learned to lose my accent. Those who can't usually have a rougher time of it. I proudly say that I'm from West Virginia. I smile a lot, both to show that I do, indeed, have my teeth, and that I'm not likely to attack them when they're not looking. When I meet someone new,I try to judge them solely on their interaction with me, and not what notions I may have preconceived about their group. Hey, I'm not perfect. I have my stereotypes and prejudices, as we all do, but I try not to let them trump my logic and experiences. I attack stereotypes when I hear them, both to point out that

Professionally, I'm an educator. Specifically, I work with distance education, which means that I am helping folks from all over the state and world to increase their learning. SH said that folks' perceptions will change about us will change when we start to become more educated, less insular, and less ignorant. I think that his words are true not only of WV but of all of us as a whole. I cheered when President Obama called for every American to get more education and never stop learning, and it wasn't just because of the job security. Through my work, I'm trying to do help people to teach, learn, and reason. Maybe then we won't need to worry about stereotypes of any sort. None of us.

Hillbilly No More?

2009-02-27T07:42:00.000-08:00

I knew it was going to happen. After the Children of the Mountains special a couple of weeks ago, I knew it was only a matter of time before the national media would discover Appalachia again. Now Newsweek is reporting on one of Ol' Joe's new initiatives, Hillbilly No More? West Virginia's Image Makeover. It's an interesting read, but what he doesn't get is that we can't change the stereotypes. Only they can do it. They, the outsiders who are defining us.

I'll have more after a bit, but for now I'll just leave you with a correction: Joe Manchin is a registered Democrat and always has been. I can understand Newsweek's confusion in thinking he's a Republican, as his policies are pretty much Republican, but he' actually a Democrat, at least on the ballot.

An Open Letter to those in my new town

2009-02-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

who told me that I wouldn't have to worry about snow, that we don't get snow here like in the northern part of the state:

You lie. Lie lie lie. Like a rug.

Racism is dead! Long live racism!

2009-01-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

Many have said that with the election of President Obama, racism is now dead. I beg to differ. First of all, there is the resurgence of racist jokes that I've heard recently. And all the jokes about the new president relate to race. Yes, I understand that there will be jokes at the expense of President Obama. I'm fine with that. Joke about his smoking. Joke about his views. Hell, joke about his pool or basketball. But jokes about his race are off limits. And those are the ONLY "jokes" I've heard. The mildest is "can they still call it the White House?" They get worse from there.

If you care to read the story, a Greenwich Village bakery is selling "Drunken Negro Face" cookies. I just don't even know where to start on these cookies, yummy though they do look. Is it the drippy gobs of chocolate that form caricatured features? Is it the maraschino cherry eyes giving the appearance of someone who's been on a three-day bender? Or maybe it's the exaggerated grin that perpetuates the "they're such a happy people" stereotype.

The proprietor has apologized and insists he's not racist. He can't be, see, because he has a Cuban in his family.

However, I don't see this as the problem. I see it as a symptom of the problem. The problem is that racism is bubbling just beneath the surface of the psyche in the US. As we never address it, it just keeps getting pushed deeper and deeper.

Ever have a splinter? If you can get the splinter out right away, it's not too bad. If you can't get it out, it festers and swells with the growing infection, getting uglier and more dangerous to our health.

The splinter in the US is racism. And for over 40 years, ever since we "defeated" racism with the Civil Rights laws, the splinter has been festering as we have simply refused to deal with it and tried to define it out of existence.

Recently we've seen some places where the ugly infection has burst through, tragically. For descriptions of recent events, see Kit's blog. She sees these events as an "Open Season on Black Men," the title of her post. Her explanation is that there is white frustration and anger at President Obama's election. Perhaps Kit is right. I don't express as well as she does, obviously. I just see it a racism rearing its ugly head again. The festering sore coming to a head.

So what can and should we do? WEll, let's get that damn splinter out. When you hear a racist comment, speak up. "Oh, I don't think that's so," can be an effective phrase. I've said "I just don't see the humor in that" when told a racist joke. You'd be amazed how often white people are assumed to condone a racist joke just because we're white.

I'm often called hypersensitive. "After all, one of them is now in the White House." The fact that there is an "us" and a "them" is telling enough. I'm waiting and working for the time when there's simply an American in the White House, with no qualifiers.

That's all I know how to do. I'm certainly open to suggestions from my sage readers.

Are YOU addicted to social networking?

2009-01-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

25%

This quiz was provided by - Search & Social - Media Experts

Have We Made America Again?

2009-01-21T15:31:00.001-08:00

I'm doing a post in the fashion of MacDaddy, but I know I won't do as well as he does. You should read his poetry posts to get a feel for how it should be. Even his posts that are not about poetry are poetry themselves.

Yesterday I woke up with a poem running through my mind. "Let America Be America Again," by the inimitable Langston Hughes. If you're not familiar with him, you should be. If you are, his poems are always worth a re-read.

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed--
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek--
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean--
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today--O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home--
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay--
Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again--
The land that never has been yet--
And yet must be--the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine--the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME--
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose--
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath--
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain--
All, all the stretch of these great green states--
And make America again!

Does this sound familiar? Somehow, I think his spiritual descendant, President Barack Obama (GOD it feels so good to type that!), has read much of Hughes. And he has reclaimed America for us.

Last night I brushed past a gentleman at an Obama celebration. He reached out, patted my shoulder and said, "It's Obama Day!" "It's the day we take our country back!" I responded. Then we cheered.

Certainly, there will be struggles. As the President himself stated, we face unprecedented challenges. But America is America again. At least for me.

As I looked into the sky, I could almost see Hughes' face beaming down.

There Are Still Good People in This World

2009-01-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

As some of you may remember, I asked what you thought of a new idea for a blog celebrating the simple acts that people do for strangers. The response was favorable, so I launched it last weekend. Please stop by There Are Still Good People in This World to read the first story and to contribute your stories of kindnesses that you have experienced.

A Fifty-Year-Old Wrong, Finally Righted

2009-01-03T14:52:00.000-08:00

Did you catch the International Bowl today? I know, it wasn't one of the biggies, but in one way it was the most significant bowl of the season. Toronto in January isn't really a draw. But the story here isn't national championships or the draw of a warm locale.

You see, in 1958 the University of Buffalo football team (8-1) got a bid to play in the Tangerine Bowl. The only problem was that the Tangerine Bowl was in Orlando, in the south. And in 1958, the height of Jim Crow days, blacks couldn't play in that area. And UB had some black players. The bowl invitation was extended. The only catch was that the invitation was only open to the white players on the team. So what should the university do?

The coaches put the dilemma to the team. The vote came back unanimous. They were a team. If one member wasn't welcome, the team wasn't welcome. They declined the bid. That was the last bowl bid they got. For fifty years.

Until this year, when UB got a bowl bid to play against the University of Connecticut. UB was finally able to send their 1958 team to the bowl game. And they did. All surviving members of the 1958 UB football team attended the International Bowl, at UB's expense. Seeing those old men in the stands did my heart good. Not one of them regretted their decision.

They say that sports builds character. I've often thought that was just a saying, meant to justify obscene amounts of money spent on sports at the high school and college levels. But when I look at the 1958 University of Buffalo football team, I think they had more character than most of US at that time.

Today UConn beat UB in the International Bowl. But I don't think it much mattered. The University of Buffalo proved they were winners fifty years ago. And they could have taught the rest of us a few lessons, if we'd been of a mind to listen.

The Circle

2008-12-31T19:06:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I bought my honey an electric screwdriver like he'd been wanting (actually, close to coveting). The following weekend, he bought me a DVD player. A few days later, my dad bought me a TV.

So what? Well, I'll watch the DVDs on the new TV. And how did I put the TV together? With the screwdriver that I had bought my honey.

And so the circle of gifts, and of love, is complete.

My wish this year is that you may see your own circles of love, giving, and blessings.

Happy 2009, everyone!

Interview Answers

2008-12-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

Local artist, teacher, mother, and all around great person Rebecca Burch has asked me some questions for the Interview meme. If you'd like to be interviewed, please post saying "I'm in" and I'll email you five questions.

1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
How have your plans changed from childhood to now?

What didn't I want to be? I wanted to be an archaeologist, secretary, social worker, child psychologist, librarian, writer, reporter, diplomat, and politician. I kind of fell into my current job. I started in a liberal arts major, so I had to go to grad school, where I feel in love with teaching from my TAship. Then my class was scheduled in a computer lab, and I got interested in how to use these machines. I was sold! That's the direction my life's taken now. I thought I'd be a faculty member, but I'm doing something even better now: I'm helping them! it's pretty much been a ride rather than a drive. And an exciting one at that!

2. I know you're interested in educational technology -- what is the
most exciting development that you've seen in educational technology
in the last 5 years? What would you like to see in the future?

I think that would have to be the Web 2.0 apps like blogs, twitter, and especially social bookmarking! Most of education and learning happens best through connections amongst people. I have learned so much from reading my favorite bloggers. And I've extended my professional network around the world! How powerful if we can harness that for students.

The next big thing, I believe, is virtual worlds such as Second Life. The reason I got into educational technology in the first place was to bring my students in contact with people from around the world. Fifteen years later, the technology is finally catching up to my dreams.

3. If you could buy one really extravagant gift for your significant
other for Christmas, what would it be? What would you buy for
yourself?

For my honey, I'd buy a boat. He loves the water and loves boating. Since we're fantasizing, it would be a large sailboat or ship, perhaps a replica of the Santa Maria. We would travel the rivers and oceans, and I would give educational tours of the boat when we were in port.

For me, I have to quote Elton John, "Don't have much money, but, boy, if I did, I'd buy a big house where we both could live, with a dock for your boat, and where neither of us would have a bad commute." OK, I added that last bit. Bernie Taupin is safe.

4. Name a historical or literary figure who has inspired you. Explain.

That's tough for me, because my best friend and hero was always my grandma. I would have to say that my favorite goddess was Diana. (Grandma read and told me mythology when I was young.) In junior high, I learned of Mother Jones. I admired her as a woman who stood up for what she believed in and never backed down. My favorite quotes of hers are "When I die, I shall tell God Almighty about West Virginia." "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living." And I laugh every time I remember her referring to Gov. Glasscock as "Crystal Peter." Her legacy to me was to always speak out for what's right, and never to let anyone stand in your way. It's also that you don't have to be delicate or dainty to be a woman. In fact, it can be a detriment.

5. If you became President of the US, what are the 5 things you would
want to accomplish in the first year of your administration.

1. Universal Health Care, single-payer.
2. Economic Stimulus package in which money is distributed naturally in the form of government-sponsored projects, similar to the New Deal.I'd get this money by yanking troops from Afghanistan and Iraq ASAP.
3. Rebuilding our fractured relations around the world.
4. Creating viable alternative energy sources and re-deploying workers in traditional energy sources (hello, coal miners!) into these sources.
5. Immediately banning all versions of "The Christmas Song" except for Nat King Cole's. I mean, really, no one could ever do it better than he did. And I get annoyed hearing folks try.

New Blog Idea

2008-12-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

I've had an idea for a new blog rolling around in my head for a while. It's called "There are still good people in this world." It would be a blog devoted to the small, good things that strangers do for each other.

The title comes from my elderly aunt Lily's story. On her last trip to West Virginia, she was traveling alone and had to change planes in Cincinnati. She got confused by the airport (who doesn't these days), and a couple who lived in Cincinnati walked her to her gate and saw her safely on the plane. She was impressed by the fact that they'd take all this time to help her out when they didn't even know her. (They, of course, said that they weren't doing anything that day and were happy to help her out.) She concluded (and began) her story by saying "There are still good people in this world." She never even got their names.

I've been thinking about this for a long time and noticing actions that would fit in that blog. When I saw this post by the Film Geek last week, I was reminded of the importance of looking for these acts. And today, when Rebecca Burch retold a story of a good woman (see number 5), I started to think that this might just be the time.

The idea is that we see what we look for. When we look, we'll notice tiny kindnesses that people do for strangers every day. And that will serve as an antidote to the horrible things we see every day on the news.

What do you think? Would you read it? And would you contribute stories?

It's Official

2008-12-11T11:01:00.001-08:00

I've always suspected, but now I know I'm a nerd.

Tis the Season to be Tacky

2008-12-08T16:27:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I saw a commercial for "What Not to Wear" in which Stacy implores the victim (errrr... guest) to trash all her holiday sweaters. Nothing with glitter, sequins, bells. "You can look festive without being tacky."

Bullshit.

Stacy is never getting anywhere near my closet. Though I often agree with her and generally dress rather appropriately, there is one season in which all fashion reason is thrown out the window, and we're in the thick of it. There's a deep primordial reason for it, in my book.

We need light. We have to have light. And the shorter the days in the winter, the more people needed to have reasons to have more light in the middle of winter. The ancient Europeans had the pagan celebrations, many of whose traditions survive as our Christmas traditions (see Yule log, candles, etc.). The Jewish people had Hanukkah, a celebration of light. The Chinese had fireworks at their New Year celebration (usually in mid-January). I'm sure the folks in Australia and southern Africa had their midsummer celebrations as well.

And so, my usually rather conservative self (well, in dress anyway) throws caution to the wind. I dig out my jingle bell barrette. I pull out my Christmas earrings and pins. The bright metals, glitter, and sequins reflect the light, making more light. and I get my sweaters. I couldn't find a picture on the Internet that did them justice. None had quite enough sequins or glitter. Even when I narrowed my search to "Tacky sparkly Christmas sweater."

And an interesting thing happens. People smile when they see it. It's not because I'm a raving beauty. It's because I am providing and reflecting more LIGHT into our dark days.

Light! Light! Light! We seek it, we radiate it, and we reflect it.

So embrace your tackiness! Let your light shine!

"Deck your clothes with bells and glitter....Fa la la la la la la la la.
Tis the season to be tacky!"

More Craziness from Blankenship

2008-12-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Link changed to a Charleston Daily Mail article that, while not as in-depth as the original, is at least freely available. In this article, Coal CEO Don Blankenship calls environmentalists crazy and likens them to Osama Bin Laden.

This guy, who has no grasp on reality, makes me want to say "takes one to know one!" He is seriously delusional in so many ways. Unfortunately, manipulating public opinion is one way in which he's stone cold sane.

Too Many connections?

2008-11-24T15:36:00.000-08:00

Let me start by saying that I love love love being connected. I first got interested in the power of the Internet in the early 90's, when I was teaching Spanish in a remote area. Wouldn't it be great if we could use the Internet to give the students authentic learning experiences? So I packed up and went to grad school to learn how to use this great medium.

And boy, did I learn. What I learned most is that there are always more ways to learn with the Internet. Social networking is the biggie these days: connecting with people via Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and various others. And I've got spaces on them all (hey, I have to for work. I love my job.) I found old undergrad buds, elementary school chums, and even former teachers. My dad even found a place where he could reconnect with his service buddies. But is it always a good thing?

I ran into an old grad-school buddy on Facebook, my favorite. She's now on another continent, but Facebook lets us keep in contact. With our first few messages, she asked if I knew where an old friend of ours ended up. An unusual name and a web search meant that I found her in short order and emailed almost immediately. It was a while before I heard back. In that time, I wondered. Does she want to hear from me? Is it possible that hearing from me reminds her of some things that she'd rather forget? I remember the good times we shared. But there are also some other times that are quite difficult for both of us.

Fortunately, she sounded glad to hear from me. She'd been looking for me too. So I dodged a bullet on that one.

The bullet came back today. I got a friend request from someone I'd known most of my life but had not seen in over ten years. The last time I saw him was a rough time, and I wasn't really sure that I would or would even want to hear from him again. When I think of him, I remember not the good times but the last time that I saw him, which was difficult for us both. While curious to know what hands life had dealt him (which is probably the reason he wanted to connect with me), I was unsure about re-establishing contact. (And no, it wasn't dangerous or violent or stalker-ish. It was just...difficult.)

What are the implications of this global connection? Is it good? Or does it mean that we will never have closure?

What do you think? And, more importantly, would you have accepted the friend request?

Remembering Farmington

2008-11-22T18:20:00.000-08:00

Following on my last post, Larry Messina at Lincoln Walks at Midnight didn't forget. And a lot of other folks didn't either. His Remembering Farmington post gathers these all together, along with a few details I didn't know.

Thanks, Larry!

Remember: Forty Years Ago

2008-11-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I went to Local Diner and Watering Hole with Mountain Mother and Mountain Daddy. Mountain Daddy saw a man he knew and stopped to talk. I call it the old buddies' talk. "Hey, been a long time since I've seen you/ Yeah, must be since the mine closed/ You're probably right...so what are you doing now?/Working and trying to stay out of trouble, you?/Not me, I retired after the mine closed...enjoying it/Glad to hear; well, good to see you again/yeah, take care." I've heard it perhaps a hundred times.

Mountain Daddy, Mountain Mother and I moved to a booth across the restaurant. After the waitress took our order, Mountain Daddy said, in an almost-whisper: "See that guy I was talking to?"

"Yeah, I don't think I knew him."

"Probably not. I worked with him at the mine. They rescued him from the explosion at Farmington. He and two other men had been trapped for hours."

"Day...um! And he went back in?"

"Yeah, he went back in."

What were you doing forty years ago today? Remember? (To be honest, I wasn't doing much. I wasn't born yet.)

If you lived around Marion County, West Virginia, you'd remember. See, forty years ago the Farmington mine #9 (owned by Consolidation Coal Company) exploded, killing 78 men on the cateye (midnight) shift. Even if you weren't there, as I wasn't, you'd remember, as I bet Mountain Daddy's Miner Buddy remembers.

The disaster has touched the area ever since. One Marion County boy, Davitt McAteer, was in law school at WVU at the time. The explosion has marked his life ever since. He made mining safety his life's work and was the director of the Miners' Safety and Health Administration, the agency created in the aftermath of the explosion. In 2006, he completed a book on the disaster in Monongah in 1907. (That was my Christmas present. It's fascinating.)

Another Marion County boy later became governor and still is today. Though I disagree with some (OK, most) of what he does, he has always been a voice for mine safety. He should. Had MSHA been in place, his uncle Joe Gouzd might have been alive. Mr. Gouzd perished in the explosion. In 2006, Governor Manchin was one of the few that could really understand what the Sago Mine disaster families were going through. He'd been there.

It's also affected the kids my age. Fathers and grandfathers were killed, along with uncles and neighbors. I have heard so many stories: one girl's grandfather didn't feel right, so he called in sick. He was spared, while his entire crew perished. I remember seeing a friend's grandmother on a History Channel special. She recalled watching her husband walk to his car and drive to work, never to return.

We remember. We remember the stories and know the faces, recognize the names.

But we're in the minority. I just checked out the History Channel's This Day in History. You won't find a word there. You'll hear about the "Who Shot JR?" storyline on Dallas, but not about the 78 miners who lost their lives. Even the local paper, the Times West Virginian, is silent. This disturbs me. When we don't remember, we can forget. When we forget, we forget not only the event but the lessons of the event.

We're already begun to see the effects of the lessened MSHA codes. Just yesterday I read of the settlement in a wrongful death suit. I wish the wall had been there. And I"m sure the families would prefer their loved ones to the money.

So read this and remember.

More information is on the Wikipedia page. Unfortunately, several links are dead. We're beginning to forget already.

And look how it turned out for WVU

2008-11-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

Under New Management: "More university governing boards are hiring presidents whose career achievements occurred outside of academia as the task of running universities becomes increasingly multifaceted, experts say."

Need I say more?

(Image linked from The Fifth Column).

Proof that there is a God, and He is not happy.

2008-11-18T12:02:00.000-08:00

Breaking News: Focus on the Familiy lays off 149, eliminates 53 vacant positions

Subtitle: "you did WHAT in My name?????"

Yes We Can. Yes We Did.

2008-11-06T10:55:00.001-08:00

A friend sent this to me today. It brings tears to my eyes.

May the unity of the voices in the video be like the unity of purpose that we have after the celebrations as we settle down to the work of governing our great nation.

The article I wish I'd written

2008-11-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

This article from truthout is the blog post I've been planning for a long time. Fortunately someone did it for me. The writer outlines a good bit of what we've been saying about the ridiculous voter identification, the Bradley effect, the machines, and a host of other problems that I don't understand like he does. So go, read, and act!

WV Vote Flipping Caught on Tape

2008-11-03T12:27:00.001-08:00

This YouTube video demonstrates how the "out-of-calibration" machines are consistently switching votes to Republican candidates as well as to other candidates.

Look carefully at about the one minute mark, in which a straight Democrat ticket vote results in a McCain presidential vote.

Also note the number of views. Almost half a million. This is what I'd hoped for. The Internet has resulted in the democratization of knowledge. No more do we have to get our news from only approved sources. WE can state the truth and get it out there. As Mulder said, the truth IS out there. WE just need to keep looking for it.

How They Are Stealing the Election in West Virginia

2008-10-26T19:00:00.001-07:00

Note the tense. It's not future tense, because the stealing of the election is already in process.

First, they had to set the stage. This began way back in May, after the primary, when The Daily Show and later NPR did stories in which they seemed happy to get the most ignorant examples of life and parade them out. I'm not linking them as I'm sure you've heard about them, and a search of this blog will have the articles that we wrote on them at the time. The most recent story is from the New York Daily News, hardly a bastion of liberal thought. (Hat tip to Buzzard Billy for this story.) These ridiculous stories were all about how the ignorant hicks living in West Virginia were not going to vote for a black man and thought Obama was a Muslim. Both ridiculous. We've got problems with racism in West Virginia, but I've seen no worse problems here than in the rest of the US. We have problems with racism because we are a part of the US, and racism is a national problem, not one relegated to a particular region. But the point of these kinds of stories is to demonstrate that West Virginia is a racist state, beyond hope of enlightenment. And for this I consider the media to be at least complicit in this part of the rigging, if they're not downright aiding and abetting in this crime.

With the popular notion that a bunch of racist idiots is never going to vote for a black man, the scene is laid for the latest. Republican Secretary of State Betty Ireland went with the ES&S voting machines, a Nebraska-based company whose machines are known to have serious security flaws and being easily hacked. These machines were rejected by the state of Ohio (yes, OHIO, that handed Bush a second term in 2004). Yet they're good enough for the voters in West Virginia, according to Betty Ireland. She even gave an award for special services to an official from that company. This story details the whole nasty bit. Suffice it to say that Ireland is doing her job very, very well by choosing the easiest way to make sure that WV goes Republican this year. Conveniently, she's decided not to run for re-election, even passing up on an offer from Charles Minimah, the Republican candidate for Secretary of State.

And so, where are we now? Well, AG reported on the switching of Obama votes for McCain in Putnam and Jackson counties during early voting. The Film Geek reported on the same thing happening in Martinsburg. The same thing has also been happening in other parts of the state. I'll continue to update with links as I validate them.

Strangely enough, NO ONE knows about this. My parents had no idea, and they pay attention. So what can we do?

Well, Sagacious Hillbilly reported on a complaint that he made to the Secretary of State's office. So how did that work out? Not too good. Jennifer from AG has posted links to independent agencies that can help. Use them.

Finally, PLEASE, get the word out! Forward this post to anyone who needs to read it. Link to it. Heck, copy and paste it to your blog. I'd prefer attribution, but this issue is much more important than my own ego.

It may be a done deal. This has been orchestrated so carefully that it may be too late already. But as Atticus Finch says, "Just because we were beat a hundred years before we started is no reason not to fight." Stand up for your rights as Americans. If they take our votes, the other rights don't matter all that much.

UPDATE 10/27: Problems also in Berkeley, Ohio (Wheeling) and Monongalia (Morgantown) counties. I'm not sure of Berkeley, but Ohio and Mon counties are almost always Democrat. They went for Kerry in 2004.

UPDATE 2 10/27: This story hits Slashdot.

The Cruelest Month

2008-10-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

If T.S.Eliot had been a Mountain, he wouldn't have said that April is the cruelest month. For us Mountains, November is the cruelest month.

Work with me here. November 1968, Mountain Grandpa had a sudden and fatal heart attack. He'd been planning to go to visit my mother and dad, recently married, to have Thanksgiving at their house. Mountain Grandma made the trip alone.

November 1990. Mountain Grandma has a massive, sudden stroke at the age of eighty-five. two more months and she would have been eighty-six. At that point, we started the whistling in the dark kind of joking that they died in November so that they wouldn't have to go through another winter, as they hated winter so.

November 1992. After a struggle with congestive heart failure, Mountain Rose, Mountain Grandma and Mountain Grandpa's oldest daughter, dies. She was buried in December, but it still counts as she actually died in November. After the funeral, Mountain Daddy remarked, "November isn't a good month for the Mountains, is it?"

Mountain Daddy came from a flower of six. At this point, three of the six died in November. Mountain Hyacinth, his other sister, had died in June. Now there are two: Mountain Daddy and his sister, Mountain Lily. (Yes, we like to name after flowers. Or at least I do. ;-)

Last night Mountain Daddy called me to tell me that Aunt Lil is in the hospital, and that he's going to see her. It's a bit of a long trip, but I assumed that she would be back on her feet soon with nothing to worry about. After all, we Mountains are hardy. And Aunt Lil is well into her eighties, and has been healthy as a horse. But this morning I woke up and realized that this is the last week of October. And the next month is....November. I felt a cold chill at the realization.

Every year since 1992, as December crests and we prepare for Christmas, we have a little toast that we've all made it through the evil November. I pray that we can do it again this years.

(One of these names is not made up. Tell me which one, and you'll get a prize. If you know me IRL, you're not eligible, as that wouldn't be fair, now would it?)

Betty Ireland's Reaction

2008-10-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the official reaction of the Secretary of State to the voting machine, errrrr, anomalies from the

Charleston Daily Mail

And here's the unofficial reaction: from Sagacious Hillbilly. A commenter has left numbers to call on the national level as well.

We the people have a responsibility to be vigilant and to make it as hard as they can to steal this election. Steal it they may, but it will be while we are kicking and screaming.

And because there is humor in EVERYTHING....

2008-10-19T12:34:00.001-07:00

Sometimes our best weapon is laughter. Even if the very same thing is happening in the next county over. This will at least help to raise awareness.

Enjoy.

Are you Really Registered?

2008-10-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

Kit in her impressive blog Keep It Trill has posted a link to a valuable resource: canivote.org. Click there to make sure that you are actually registered. I was a little nervous as I've moved recently and not yet received my new card. Not only did it put my mind at ease, it told me where to vote.

Make your vote count!

Cross-posted at Appalachian Greens.

Racist Ohioan Mike Lunsford Hangs Obama Effigy from Noose in Tree

2008-10-19T07:07:00.001-07:00

I'd like to say I'm shocked, but I'm really not. Beneath the veneer, this is still a racist country in so many ways. What I love is that the guy is brave enough to do this in his yard, but not brave enough to show his face on TV. Coward. Kudos to his neighbors who are wiling to take a stand against this publicly by showing their faces.

If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying

2008-10-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

Ever hear that at a football game? I have, and it disturbs me. If you can't play fair and expect to win, then just don't play at all. Unfortunately, folks in the Republican Party don't hold with my philosophy. First Florida, then Ohio, and now right in my backyard.

This disturbing story in the Charleston Gazette
details how Democrat votes are being switched to Republican in Jackson County. Jackson County is an interesting one in that the folks around Ravenswood tend to be Democrat and the folks around Ripley tend to be Republican. Guess which one is the county seat? That's right...Ripley. Let's also note, for the record, that Betty Ireland, the Secretary of State of WV, is a Republican that chose not to run this year for personal reasons. So she has no recourse from voters. (Full disclosure: Natalie Tennant is running for Secretary of State on the Democrat ticket. I went to college with Natalie, like and respect her a lot, and will buy a drink for anyone who votes for her. Not that she needs it, because I think she's going to run away with it. Just saying.)

Now, in WV, especially southern WV, we have a long tradition of voter fraud that has been pretty much extinguished. "We are the most democratic state in the US," we boast. "your right to vote doesn't even stop when you die!" Every election day Dad calls me and tells me to "vote early, and vote often." But these are jokes pointing at a past we've left behind, such as saying "Wow, fancy new house! You've got the outhouse inside!"

We as West Virginians, and as Americans, have GOT to stand up and fight against stealing this election. Everywhere it happens. They've already started talking about the Bradley Effect (which I'll blog about later). They are setting up to steal this election too. Because, as every fan knows, if you can't win, cheat. And if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying.

UPDATE: It's happening right next door. Literally.

I am a Doris

2008-10-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.

* Share fun times with me.

* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.

* Let me know that I am important and special to you.

* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.

* Reassure me often that you love me.

* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends

* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better

* being generous, caring, and warm

* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings

* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

* not being able to say no

* having low self-esteem

* feeling drained from overdoing for others

* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish

* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should

* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them

* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism

* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding

* are outwardly compliant

* are popular or try to be popular with other children

* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention

* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)

* are often playful with their children

* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"

* can become fiercely protective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

The Tide Is Turning!

2008-10-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

Oh happy day! According to West Virginia 2008 Presidential Ballot, Obama is ahead by 8 points!! No, he didn't move ahead 8 points..he's leading McCain by 8 points!!

I thought I heard a big popping noise earlier today. I think it was my fellow West Virginians pulling their heads out of ... the sand. Hey, this is a family blog.

I am ecstatic. Now, it's still early and I know there are plenty of other factors, which I'll detail later. But now, tonight, I am celebrating.

Politics of Attack

2008-10-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

This is precisely what I'd worried about. This editorial - Politics of Attack - from the NYTimes.com lays out the problem in detail. The level of hate has been rising steadily over the past few years and has reached a fevered pitch. I wondered when the racist tendencies that have been lying just under the surface would pop up like bubbles in boiling soup. I guess we know now. The most recent thing that I've heard is "off with his head," referring to Obama. McCain referred to Obama as "that one" in a derisive tone. Now I don't think that is necessarily racist in and of itself (thought I suspect it might be, but that's another post**). For me it's just indicative of the level of partisan hate that's been rising.

I was in college in the 80s. My roommate (still a close friend whom I'm lucky to have) was a Republican. I was a Democrat. Both of us were active in our respective college groups. We'd often talk politics, she being a political science major and I a minor. We'd go to see politicians together, of both parties, and talk about their performances afterwards. The most memorable of these was seeing then-Vice President Bush. She drove and we discussed it on the way home, laughing and joking as we always did.

Let's compare that to the daughter of a friend of mine. My friend commented that her daughter would be glad when the election was over because then her roommates would speak to her again. See, Daughter was voting for Kerry. After the election, everything was fine.

I'm not sure exactly why we've had this decline in civility and polarization. All I know is that there are about two conservatives that I can talk to with respect and civility. WE need to get back to that point. The sooner the better.

** I have heard from some that "that one"is code for a person you'd like to call a n---- but you can't because that person in within hearing range. I can't confirm on deny that, but it's certainly worth thinking about.

Embarrassed Relief

2008-09-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

Mountain Mama called me at work today. I saw her cell number on my caller ID at work and got a little nervous. When she calls me at work, it's usually on my cell. I got more nervous when I heard her teary voice.

"Laurel, I've got some bad news," she began. My mind whirled. Not my dad! Or my brother or his kids! Maybe my only aunt? I sat down.

"The minister's husband was killed in a car wreck yesterday evening. She was at a board meeting yesterday and hadn't heard from him yet. Then a few hours later, she found out about the accident. The wreck was so bad that it burned for 2 hours before they could get him out. Of course he was gone by then."

Mountain Mama and Daddy's minister is a really neat person whom I like a lot. I consider her my minister as I haven't yet found a church home here and my registration is still there, even though I can only make it a few times a year for services.

"Oh, my God! That's terrible. God bless her and the kids, and may He give them the strength they'll need. How is she?" I asked.

"Our friends spent the night with her. She's doing as well as she can be, and the kids will be coming today, which will help."

As we talked I looked it up online in the hometown paper, I felt an embarrassing sense of relief. Yes, it's terrible and I feel for the minister and her children, the youngest of whom started college this fall. But I breathed a little easier than I had before. My family was all fine. And then, of course, I felt guilty. I can't imagine what's like to lose my father so young. Actually, I can't imagine it now. I began my prayers for them.

Mountain Mama was still describing the horrific accident and memorial details along with the shock and disbelief. "I guess you just never know when your time will come," she said.

"Mama, Daddy's on the other phone. Let me call you back. I love you," I said, because Mountain Mama is right, as always. You never know. And when I called her back after I talked to Mountain Daddy, I ended the same way.

And that's why every time I talk to her, I tell her that I love her. Because you never know.

Prayers are appreciated for the minister and the congregation. They are used to being on the receiving end of her comfort. I'm praying that they, and I, will be able to comfort her half as well.

Would You Have been a Nazi?

2008-09-15T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a fascinating question: would you have been a Nazi? Take the test. It's quite interesting.

Here are my results:

Your result for The Would You Have Been a Nazi Test...

The Expatriate

Achtung! You are 31% brainwashworthy, 32% antitolerant, and 24% blindly patriotic

Congratulations! You are not susceptible to brainwashing, your values and cares extend beyond the borders of your own country, and your Blind Patriotism does not reach unhealthy levels. If you had been German in the 30s, you would've left the country.

One bad scenario -- as I hypothetically project you back in time -- is that you just wouldn't have cared one way or the other about Nazism. Maybe politics don't interest you enough. But the fact that you took this test means they probably do. I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt.

Did you know that many of the smartest Germans departed prior to the beginning of World War II, because they knew some evil shit was brewing? Brain Drain. Many of them were scientists. It is very possible you could have been one of them.

Conclusion: born and raised in Germany in the early 1930's, you would not have been a Nazi.

The Would You Have Been A Nazi? Test

- it rules -

Take The Would You Have Been a Nazi Test at HelloQuizzy

But the problem is that I'm not sure that I would have left. I think I might have tried to stay and work for change. I know, dumb, dumb. What with the current state of affairs financially, I'm even more scared of the way things are going around here.

I will be Starfleet Crew

2008-09-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Starfleet Crewperson

52% Intrigue, 63% Civilization, 65% Humanity, 51% Urbanization.

Coolness!!!

As Mister Spock would say: Fascinating. It seems you've managed to hit the edge of the curve on all metrics. An extraordinary life is almost certain.

According to your answers, you want it all, you want a lot of it, and you're willing to do what it takes to get it! Adventure! Romance! Technology! Challenge! You love civilization. You like people. You love the complications and joys of a big, weird crowd of humans plus lots of other beings wandering into dangerous and complicated corners of the galaxy.

There is an ideal place for you, and you are ideal for it: Welcome to the crew of the starship Enterprise. Captain Kirk would have welcomed you aboard himself, but his head was too big to fit in the landing bay.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

it woudl be so nice

2008-09-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

That's the name of the early Pink Floyd song I'm listening to now. After learning that Pink Floyd founder Rick Wright died today at age 65, I had to put on some early Pink Floyd to soothe my soul. I've always thought of them as my favorite group, from the early goofy, psychedelic side with Syd Barrett to the later heavier concept albums characteristic of the Waters years. I always hope they'll get back together, but now I don't think that will happen, at least not in this life.

Is he now with the departed Syd Barrett, jamming and creating treats for the ears? It would be so nice.

Sexism Bad. Racism Good. Or at least acceptable.

2008-09-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so mad right now I could just spit.

I just read that Georgia GOP congressman called the Obamas `uppity'. Now, quick quiz here: what word follows "uppity?" That's right...it's a six-letter word that starts with "n," ends with "r," and has ignorance in the middle. It is not acceptable on this blog or around me.

Yet Democrats have been so sexist because some have been wondering about Palin's family situation with an infant with Down Syndrome and a 17-year-old unmarried, pregnant daughter. I have been denouncing these under the "good for the goose, good for the gander" doctrine of "if you wouldn't say it about a man, it's sexist to say it about a woman." (My thinking on that is evolving as well.) I've heard no "don't worry your pretty little head" talk, which I've had directed at me in the past. So the sexism isn't the worst I've heard or even experienced.

But to say something so blatantly racist and THEN deny that was the intent, that's just beyond the pale. I've had plenty of lies this week watching the RNC so I should be inured, but this one takes the cake. For someone in rural Georgia to NOT know what follows "uppity" is like claiming to have never eaten a biscuit. it just doesn't happen. I lived in rural Georgia and am very well aware of the racism that can still exist there. (Doesn't everywhere, but it's there enough to be a problem.)

So, Senator Obama, go after them. Take off the gloves and make everyone see what kinds of folks these are. It's bad enough to make this "slip of the tongue." It's even worse to deny it.

Watch this space for updates as my thinking evolves and I cool down.

The Charleston Gazette - Latest News - Southern West Virginia women living shorter lives�

2008-09-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Charleston Gazette - Latest News - Southern West Virginia women living shorter lives�

In W.Va., Unexpected Riches

2008-09-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a fascinating article from washingtonpost.com about a place I've been meaning to visit for years, Bramwell, WV.

Bramwell (pronounced Brammel, not as it's spelled) was Grand Central of the coal operators back in the day. My home town was as well. In fact, the Watson mansion is a lovely, sprawling mansion in the center of town, now the home to two businesses, a rest home and a funeral parlor. With my morbid streak, I've often wondered if there's a two-fer deal if residents contract for services at both businesses.

But back to it. With my love for all things old and Victorian, I'd love to go to Bramwell to see the architecture. Plus, you've got to want to visit the location of the world's longest poker game (according to Ripley's Believe it or Not).

But nothing comes for free. While the operators were imbibing centuries-old Scotch and their wives were bathing in Chanel No. 5, miners and their families were suffering. The riches the article speaks of did not extend to the coal camps. Or the mines. Abhorrent safety conditions in the mines and dreadful sanitation practices in the coal camps (set up by the operators) lead to extreme mortality rates. That's not to mention the massive disasters. Don't worry...you'll hear personal accounts on the Monongah disaster of 1908 (OK, so I wasn't around then, but Grandma was) closer to the anniversary. These conditions were what financed Bramwell and the Watson mansion. There was a lot of money made those days. None went to the ones taking the risks and doing the work.

I just don't know if I can visit Bramwell and marvel at the architecture without seeing blood from my people dripping from the gingerbread.

What say you?

Sexist Attacks on Palin

2008-09-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days, I"ve seen plenty of attacks on Sarah Palin. I've got to admit, I don't like her, and I think it's a terrible choice for McCain to have made. On the other hand, I thank McCain for this choice as it's an obvious and blatant ploy for Hillary's supporters. In fact, I giggled most of the day on Friday when I heard. And it wasn't just because Friday was the first day I was able to smile or eat solid food (mouth infection last week...Mother warned me that it would happen if I keep saying dirty words).

But one item that concerns me is that there have been a number of sexist attacks on her over the past few days.
I know you've seen the allegations that her youngest child is actually the offspring of her daughter. There have also been attacks saying that, with a young Down Syndrome child at home, she should be taking care of him.

I have just one question. If Sarah Palin were Seth Palin, would these questions still come up? I don't think so. Is anyone asking who is taking care of Barack Obama's children? Or who is taking care of Jenna and Barbara? Or Chelsea Clinton? Nope, didn't think so. When we attack a woman on a topic that we wouldn't even think of attacking a man on, that's sexist.

"but Laurel, Obama has been subjected to racist and xenophobic comments for months!" some may say. And that's right. But I expect a higher standard from us. We know evil and injustice when we see it, and we fight against it in any instance we see. We don't perpetrate it. (In this case, WE=fair-minded individuals who haven't drunk the Republican Kool-Ade and actually have two firing neurons. Which means most of the folks who read my blog.)

Besides, attacking family lives indicates that there's nothing else for us to attack, and that's just not true. Take a look at this 2006 Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaire and especially Palin's responses. There is so much there to attack. As a matter of fact, last night my Honey and I sat here and picked apart these answers. Try it. It's fun!!

I'll get you started:

11. Are you offended by the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not?

SP: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I’ll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance.

OK, fact check here. Let's take a look at the history of the Pledge, shall we? The first thing you'll notice is that the pledge was written in 1852. That's a good 50 years after the Founding Fathers had passed. What did they do, dictate it by Ouji board?

But even then, that pledge didn't include the phrase "under God." That was added in the McCarthy era. And boy, oh boy, if there's a time that the Republicans love and would like to return to, it's the McCarthy era.

And funny, I've read the Constitution, but I didn't see McCarthy's name on it anywhere.

I'd like for my leaders to have at least a glimmer of an idea about the history of the US and our most important documents.

Your turn. Pick a ridiculous position and pick it apart. it's easy and fun!!

Crossposted at Appalachian Greens.

baROCK the Vote

2008-08-29T10:15:00.001-07:00

baROCK
Originally uploaded by burch25276

Rebecca, local art teacher, mother, blogger, and all around cool kind of lady, designed this Barock t-shirt. Click the image to get to her Flicker page with ordering instructions.

Two Answered Prayers

2008-08-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks in Laurel Land. Right in the midst of that were two answered prayers.

You may recall that I had an issue with my eyes on a recent trip to Las Vegas. Recently I went to a local retinal specialist who had the head of a buffalo on the wall and religious materials in the waiting room. The head of the buffalo was bigger than I am. I wondered if he had prayed for the buffalo before he shot it. I resolved to keep my mouth shut.

He did a through exam just as the doctor in Las Vegas had. He told me that I am indeed at greater risk. "You do not have a normal eye," he said. I held my tongue for I had figured that out when I was four and had eye surgery. But he said that my retina was in great shape. His diagnosis was that I had a migraine, despite my lack of a headache. My honey later told me that it was called an aura, and it could appear with or without a headache. I rejoiced and celebrated. I never though a migraine could be an answer to a prayer.

The other prayer was longer in coming.

Ever since I can remember, my best friend Sis had wanted to make a career of the Air Force. She didn't want to go join the military; she wanted to join the Air Force. She didn't want to do a tour; she wanted to make a career of the Air Force. She enlisted for six years on her eighteenth birthday. In retrospect, it made sense for the oldest of a divorced mother who probably couldn't pay for college. But what I always remember is her single-minded devotion to a career the Air Force.

The Air Force worked out well for her. But with her attitude, I can't imagine anything NOT working out for the best. She met and married her husband in the Air Force, and she had three beautiful children. We always have the same home base. I went to her weddings. She came to my graduation when I finally got my doc. I mailed her care packages. She sent exotic postcards. I visited her base when it was close enough. We were even on TV together.

Now, this is not a career path without risks. She did her time in the Middle East. I was nervous when she went in 98, and that was in peacetime. When I got the email in 2004 that she was being deployed and couldn't tell us where, I cried for two hours, worried sick about her. Yes, she is a trained professional, and I reminded myself of that. But she is also Sis, who hung upside-down from trees with me and cried over high-school breakups. She came back safe and sound, if a little thinner. She has lines on her face now. But then again, don't we all? We're not as close as we once were, sharing clothes and stories like we did when we were teens. But we still love each other and call each other "sis."

She retired after 20 years in, on the day after her birthday. Twenty years and one day. She didn't want to retire, but her next assignment was to "a place with b's and m's where they shouldn't be" (according to My Honey...neither of us caught the actual name), so she decided to retire and get a part-time job so she could be a full-time mom.

Her retirement is the answer to a 20-year series of prayer. She's had three children. Her marriage has had its rough spots. it's hard enough with one partner in the military: both makes it damn near impossible, in my view. She has been deployed to places that are a little too close to harm's way for my taste. And through it all, I prayed and she came through with flying colors. Maybe I'm giving myself a bit too much credit, but I think it was a joint effort.

And I thank God for it! Two big old answered prayers in one week! At times I have doubts. But now is not one of those times, and I'm celebrating it.

It's Official

2008-08-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

When a man tries to rob a video store with a Jello box, the world is too strange for even me to deal with.

It's coming....

2008-07-31T13:45:00.001-07:00

And I can't wait!

It's been too long since the last Harry Potter movie. To prepare, I think I'm going to have to go back and re-read the series.

Finding God in the Desert

2008-07-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

I was in Las Vegas last week for a conference. Since I like to get to know the landscape of the area, we rented a car so we could drive through the desert.

It was a forbidding place, desolate and absolutely lifeless. There were plants, desert grasses and bushes and cacti, but no animals of any kind. Not even the dead ones on the side of the road. My Honey remarked, "I can see how you could find God here."

I said, "Not God. Satan maybe, but not God." How wrong I was.

Wednesday I woke up and started watching the Today show. All of a sudden I saw bright flashes of light. Matt Lauer's face was mostly obscured by bright yellow flashes. Thsi wasn't good. I had My Honey walk me back to the bed as I couldn't trust what my eyes told me. I thought if I laid down for a while, the feeling would pass. Maybe it was lack of coffee. My Honey went downstairs to get the coffee (another reason I thought this was Satan's country...no in-room coffee) while I laid down with my eyes closed and waited for it to pass. it didn't.He asked me if it was both sides or one. When I determined that it was on the left side only, he said "we're going to the emergency room." I knew he thought I was having a stroke. I thought I was going blind. I don't know who was more scared.

While he was driving me to the hospital, I spied a Redi-Care. We decided to stop there and see what it was. If it was nothing, we'd spend less than an ER visit. If if was something, they'd refer us on. Which is exactly what happened.

They asked for my driver's license, which I must have left in the room. They took my work ID instead, I think seeing how scared and upset I was. The doctor said that something was pressing on the optic nerve or the retina was detaching. Either way, I needed to get to a specialist quickly.

I cried when he left the room. The only thing I knew about detached retinas were that they prevented you from flying. And how was I going to get home? A Mountain Laurel is not a desert flower. I had found that out.

The Redi-Care staff was great. They reassured me and worked hard to get me to a doctor as fast as they could. As I left, they said "don't est anything. If you need surgery, you'll have to have it on an empty stomach." Which wasn't all that reassuring, but I was glad they were honest with me. I had already thought the same thing myself.

Turned out that I didn't have a detached retina, thank God. Which is what I said when the specialist told me. Actually, it was more like "Thank you, thank you Jesus." And I didn't even care who heard. I still need to follow up as I'm at risk for a detached retina, but I didn't need surgery that day.

When I got back to the room, I laid down to wait out the dilation. When I got up, I turned the room upside down for my license. Nothing. So I went down to the hotel security and my conference, where I figured I must have left it. Nothing. But I did file reports and leave my phone number. Not knowing what else to do, I went back up to the room and began turning it upside down again, planning on calling the airlines once I got finished. There, between the couch cushions where I thought I'd looked, lay my license. Once again I thanked God.

See, the thing is that without the doctor visit I wouldn't have needed my license. I might not have noticed it missing till I went to get on the plane. And THAT would have been ug-ug-ugly. So things do work in mysterious ways.

Could all be coincidence, right? I thought that too. Till I read Kit's post about miracles. Go ahead and check the date. That's right...last Wednesday, when I was going though my drama and finding God in the desert.

Answers to my question

2008-07-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I asked the question "What does this say about us?" Today I got two answers. One is a direct and insightful answer from The Film Geek. The other is an indirect one reproduced below.

I got this message in email today. It's a lovely answer to my question. Apparently the Taco Bell where young Ms. Gravely was killed is holding a benefit for her tomorrow, Thursday, July 10. If you're anywhere in the area, please consider supporting this effort.

*Friends,*

**

*Most of you have surely heard of the tragic shooting of the young
mother at our local Taco Bell Restaurant on Patrick Street this past
Saturday.*

**

*Taco Bell management has allowed the store to stay closed until
tomorrow, Thursday, at 10AM in the interest of their employees.
Management invited several pastors and counselors to meet with all of
their employees yesterday. We spent much of the time with them as a
group and also broke up for individual ministry. It was a powerful time
that surely will aid the healing process in their lives.*

**

*Taco Bell is going to contribute the total proceeds of Thursday's sales
toward the needs of the family of the young woman. We are encouraging
all who read this e-mail to purchase at least one meal there tomorrow.*

**

*It was a blessing to Nancy and I to find out that the Area Manager of
Taco Bell had been part of our congregation twenty years ago!*

**

*The management is to be commended for their interest in doing justice
for their employees and for the family of the young woman.*

**

It's A Great Day to be A Mountaineer

2008-07-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

This must be WVU's week. First we name an interim president who's actually qualified, then Rodriguez , the slimy POS, agrees to pay WVU $4 millionAs Jack Fleming would say, "It's a great day to be a Mountaineer, wherever you may be."

What does this say about us?

2008-07-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

This article from the Charleston Gazette follows up a story that has been bothering me. A young black woman was killed this past weekend. It's a tragic story. A teenage girl with a three-year-old son was killed by her ex-boyfriend. A tragic case of domestic violence that has reached a bitter end, leaving a three-year-old motherless and essentially, an orphan.

What disturbs me is that the police were quite familiar with this relationship. There were about 20 cases of domestic violence on the record. Violent, violent behavior, including kidnapping and weapons violations. Yet he was walking free, his restraining order apparently just a suggestion.

What does this say about domestic violence? That it's her fault? That she would leave when she got tired of it? Well, she did leave. And she was shot down as she was hiding from him.

Perhaps it's part of the Appalachian ethos that we don't interfere in family matters. West Virginia has a very low murder rate. But of these murders, most are related to domestic violence. If you're killed, you're most likely to be killed by a member of your family. Perhaps it's that we think that women who get in these situations and can't get out shouldn't have gotten into them in the first place. Perhaps it's that she's poor. Her family conducted a fundraiser today to pay for her funeral. Nothing about a college fund for the boy as a proper burial for the mother is more pressing. Perhaps it's that she's black. I'm not saying that we're burning crosses in yards. But there is a part of racism that suggests that a black person has less value. It's deeply embedded and harder to face.

Perhaps for Nalisha Fiona Gravely, the combination of being a young poor black woman trying to end an abusive relationship was the perfect storm that ended her young life.

Rest in peace, Nalisha. Your troubles are over. Now we need to face our troubles and see what we can do to see that your story is not repeated.

Crossposted at Appalachian Greens.

Are we Barking Down the Wrong Holler?

2008-07-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

SagaciousHillbilly's Hillbilly Review Board series is well worth reading. His latest post has really got me thinking. Actually, it's probably that he has found a way to help me organize my thoughts that were taking root like the doggone locusts that I just pulled out of my yard. Try to pull them out by the roots and they grow from a piece of root you've missed.

He's referring to the blog initiative that a Better West Virginia spearheaded to replace WV stereotypes with something more positive. I was all over that idea. Personally, I'm tired of the stereotypes. I guess I'm one of those educated folks that he describes as "white urbane pseudo sophisticates who want WV to be some socially hip mixture of urbane and rural culture. . . bluegrass and REM, pulled pork with demi-glace, corporate board rooms and ramp festivals. . . you get the idea." I've done some time in board rooms, I live for ramp season, and I listen to both REM and bluegrass. But you can hold the demi-glace on my pork. I prefer that straight up and mixed with beans of some kind.

I guess I'm what my parents hoped I'd be. I'm educated, much more than they hoped for. Take that for good or for ill...there's both there. I'm damned smart. I lost my accent. I'm fine in my field. Not one of the top, but not scraping the bottom either. But then again, I'm young and there's a lot of time for me to rise, or to find the place where I'm comfy. Whichever.

But that brings to mind my major grief. While I love West Virginia, I just get tired of the misconceptions. The "oh, that's where they don't wear shoes." The "how interesting that you live so close to the land and to your family." The "I have cousins in Richmond." The "haven't you heard of Deliverance" jokes. The "isn't it great that you have overcome so much to be successful." I grew up pretty middle class. Aside of the huge garden Dad and Grandma raised, my high school days would be pretty indistinguishable from anyone else's. I guess I get tired of the fact that when I mention where I'm from, everyone thinks that they know everything about my life and who I am. I get tired of seeing the Hatfields and McCoy commercials. I get tired of hearing how friggin racist everyone in WV is because Hillary Clinton won. I get tired of hearing folks react to atrocities such as the Megan Williams case with "what can you expect from a bunch of hillbillies?" And believe me I heard a lot of that.

SH also mentions his annoyance with Appalachian folks claiming prejudice: "If you had any fucking clue about what prejudice is like for people who REALLY have to fight it on a day-to-day basis, you’d shut your fucking pie holes." He's right. I think I have felt a tiny little bit of it from some of the shit folks have said. BUT I think that on my worst day, I experience maybe one percent of the racism and prejudicial attitudes that a black person experiences on a good day. So maybe I have one iota. Probably not even that much.

His solution to this "image problem" is that we need to foster it. We don't want everyone knowing what paradise we live in because we don't want the turkeys here anyway. For many turkeys he's right. We'd rather they not come. WE don't want endless suburbia. We've got enough of that as it is. We don't want crime. But we do want to be respected as individuals. As people, not as a hillbilly label.

Beginning to heal

2008-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

My alma mater is beginning to heal. West Virginia U. Hires Former Chief of Land-Grant Association as Its Interim President

Charleston Rally for an Oil Free President

2008-07-03T10:45:00.001-07:00

Crossposted at Appalachian Greens:

I have been saying for months now (or is it years?) that if a Democrat were president, people would be rioting in the streets if gas reached $2 a gallon. Well, after 8 years of Shrub and Cheney we've got gas twice that. It's time for us to take a stand and spread awareness of what another 4 years of this will do to us.

If you're in Charleston, join some like-minded people in getting the word out.

Greenbrier and Washington Street (near the State Capitol)
Wednesday, 9 Jul 2008, 4:30 PM
Oil has reached $140 per barrel, gasoline prices are soaring, and the Republican oil buddies just keep getting richer. It's time for us to get the message out - a vote for McCain is a vote for higher gas prices! We'll meet at the corner of Greenbrier and Washington Streets (near the Exxon) at 4:30 pm on July 9. We'll hold signs and pass out flyers to remind people where McCain really stands on this issue.

Even though I can't go, I'm officially a host, so if you want to RSVP, email me and I'll get it done. Or follow this link.

Address:
Greenbrier and Washington Street (Map)
Charleston, WV 25301
Directions: I-77 to exit 99 (Greenbrier Street/State Capital). We'll be at the bottom of the hill, at the Exxon station.

Please feel free to re-post on your blogs.

How West Virginia sees the United States

2008-07-03T05:38:00.001-07:00

Got this graphic from Chris at A Sour Apple Tree, and it's cracking me up! Click the image for a larger picture.

Am I a Blagger?

2008-07-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

I'm reading All Click's post Outside the comfort zone, in which he draws some conclusions about new blogs he's been reading. One of these is actually one that I contribute to. He observes that "not all bloggers post something every single day." Shoot, I don't always even post every week. Does that make be a bad blogger (or, my new word, a blagger)?

I could use all the excuses, some of which are even valid. I've got a new job, in my field that means a move, and I'm still not sure which end is up in my new town.

It isn't that I have no topics. I could blog about my growing Judge Judy and America's Got Talent addiction (shame that it is on both counts). I could post about how one of Ohio's typical drivers finally nailed me yesterday. I could post about what my favorite bloggers had to say about George Carlin's passing (hint: has nothing to do with the Seven Words)and what that says about why I like them. But all the posts seem to demand more time and energy than I currently can muster.

So where is that energy going? Well, I've been reading and commenting. Lots. I've been getting into Maura's blog and MacDaddy's blog, and of course there are my perennial favorites of Just Judith, Jedi Jawa, and all my co-contributors at Appalachian greens. These blogs certainly provoke thought, and I think that I'm still mulling over what they're saying. Perhaps I'm trying to get my groove back. I certainly hope so.

So what do you think? Have I been a blagger?

Group Working to Inventory West Virginia’s Assets | a Better West Virginia Blog - Culture | Arts | Economy | Government

2008-06-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

A new effort, the
a Better West Virginia Blog has started a new effort to highlight the great things about West Virginia in hopes of creating a new, positive image of West Virginia to counteract the negative stereotypes. I'd love to see as many bloggers take part in this event.

Here's the way it works: On West Virginia Day (that's Friday, June 20, tomorrow) write a blog post highlighting the positive about West Virginia. Then, post a comment at the A Better West Virginia blog (linked above). The owner will post a link to your entry.

Even if you can't participate, be sure to read the blog posts made by other bloggers.

I hope to read your work there!

Words I never thought I'd say

2008-06-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

These words I never thought would be on my blog: "I'm voting Republican."

This video outlines all the reasons:

(and yes, folks, it's sarcasm, all around!).

A Cicada's Life

2008-06-10T17:23:00.001-07:00

Cicadas in the Apple Tree
Originally uploaded by Happy Monkey

"Sure are loud, aren't they?" I said.

"Yep, and that's just he half of them, just the guys," My Honey said.

As we continued this discussion, we came to realize that cicadas don't have a bad life. Sleep for 17 years, and then get up, eat, and try to reproduce. Of course, that dying after only one summer of experience kind of sucks, but otherwise it sounds like quite a pleasant summer.

We also noticed that we could hear their song change. After a while, it reaches a crescendo, and then it dies down to just almost nothing. Kinda of like a football game right after a long, but not quite long enough, third down run when the stadium quiets to let the quarterback concentrate. After a while, we were calling plays based on the cicada song. "That's a first down, at least, and as they measure....YES! YES! TOUCHDOWN!!"

So the summer of the cicadas seems to be a lovely time. They eat, drink, and try to reproduce. They make A LOT of noise. Just like a bunch of 17-year-old boys at a football game. And as they have no fake ID's, they can't get beer either.

As if there were any doubt

2008-05-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

According to this test, I am a geek. Who'd'a thunk it?

Your Score: The Geek

You scored 50 anxiety, 60 awkwardness, and 64 neuroticism!

You stick out like a sore thumb, with your social awkwardness and mildly neurotic behaviors--but you don't let it get you down! You are The Geek, and are here to prove that people who know the first 1000 digits of pi and try to woo dates by talking about calculators can be happy too! You have friends...and they are probably just as odd as you.

Your low anxiety score implies that you are able to relax, can enjoy the here and now, and have a healthy amount of self-confidence.

Your high awkwardness score implies that you are socially inept, probably stick out from the crowd, and perhaps feel uncomfortable in large groups of people, such as at parties.

Your high neuroticism score implies that you exhibit neurotic behaviors--probably fanatic obsessions, counting compulsions, or other geekish tendencies. You may know every word to LOTR, or draw anime of all your friends.

__

See the other results!

Well-Adjusted

The Neat Freak

The Dork

The Geek

Phobic

Obsessive-Compulsive

The Subtle Neurotic

The True Neurotic

Link: The Neurotic Test written by littlelostsnail on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test
View My Profile(littlelostsnail)

New Game: Guess the Context!!!

2008-05-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Since I've been out of touch for ages, I thought I'd bring you a game: Guess the context! I'll give you a few phrases overhead (or said) during the move, and you guess who said them: me (ML), my honey (MH), or someone else. Ready?

Follow the toilet seats.
I've never seen you so happy to have a dumb waiter, and God knows we've had plenty.
This should only take a few minutes.
I've never been so happy to see a Cracker Barrel in my life!!
Bears are blind. They're born with cataracts.
If anyone asks, we don't know how this line fell down.
What were they thinking?

There may be more later, so check back. Post your guesses in the comments and I'll post the answers in a few days.

Updates

2008-05-13T09:47:00.001-07:00

It's moving time!! I've been crazy busy with the packing. The movers come tomorrow, and with any luck I'll be a couple of hours downriver tomorrow!

Voted today, for Barack and against ol'Joe. I just wish he'd spent more time in WV. We vote in the national too.

got calls from Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. I agreed with what Hillary was saying, but she needs to work on her listening skills. Two real people called me to tell me to vote for Hillary.

If you are of the nature, please fling a little prayer that life isn't too crazy the next few days!!

Updates from Green Town next week.

The Cowhaus Lady

2008-05-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is one of my closest friends. Not only is she a ton of fun, but she's very intelligent, loyal, and interesting. Golly do I miss Morgantown!

The Chinchilla Interviews: Mountain Laurel

2008-04-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have been interviewed by the chinchilla. Which chinchilla, you may ask? Why, it's the most famous celebrity chinchilla interviewer, Mr. Chinchilla. Interview With The Chinchilla: The Chinchilla Interviews: Mountain Laurel

The Monty Hall problem

2008-04-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Am I an idiot because I just don't get this? This page, The Monty Hall page, is a cyber-equivalent of Let's Make a Deal. (I hold Monty Hall personally responsible for the amount of junk I carry in my purse.)

It just seems counterintuitive to me that the odds should not change when the problem changes.

If anyone can explain it to me, I'd appreciate it. Logically I can understand it, but I just can't "get" it.

Accent Test

2008-04-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that I like these tests. Here are my results for the accent test:

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
Boston
North Central
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

My question, though, is where is Appalachia in this test? I didn't see it in any of the questions, and I"m not sure where an Appalachian would fall in the list of results? Are we Midland? Or is this an idiosyncratic anomaly for me? What about the rest of you?

Mood of the Day

2008-03-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

I just got a job offer from a major university not far from here! And even closer to my honey! Close enough that we could even live in the same house after we get married. It's a great position and the next logical step in my career. It's just, great.

The only bad thing about it is packing up the office, packing up the house, trying to find a place to live, figuring out how to get all this done in only 6 weeks, etc., etc....

But for now I'm celebrating!

What I've learned

2008-03-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

I've lived here in the Mid-Ohio Valley for about six years now. Here is what I've learned:

the difference between flash flooding, backwater flooding, and river flooding
the river height which makes it impossible for me to get home via my favorite bridge
that "Ohio State University" has a "The" in front of it, but
TOSU is not an acceptable abbreviation for the school. Only OSU is.
OU does not mean Oklahoma University.
Just being from a decent area doesn't mean you'll turn out to be a decent person. Just pay the money, Rich!!
Ohio has a moral objection to using salt on the roads.
the joy of driving a stick shift, especially on ice. Seriously. I'll take a stick over an automatic in bad weather any day.
every turn in the road on I-77 between Marietta, OH and Charleston, WV.

All in all, I've learned a lot!

D'oh!!

2008-03-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

At my last job, I was in a Powerball pool. As a matter of fact, I stayed in it a while after I left (the pool coordinator emailed me to ask if I wanted to play, and I paid him when I saw him). After a few years, I dropped it. I always wondered what would happen if the pool at my old job hit the Powerball.

My close friend has a similar story. Except that the last place of employment for my friend was here. Said friend is now feeling pretty sick.

I think you call that "irony." Or perhaps you should file it under "things that suck."

Appalachia Class

2008-03-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

I'm preparing for a new class that I'll be teaching about Appalachia. It consists of eight 2-hour sessions. I'm not sure where to go on the planning as when I teach about Appalachia I usually have a lot more time that just 16 hours. So I thought I'd ask the elite of Appalachia: namely, my loyal readers:

What would you most like to learn about Appalachia?

or, if you don't like that question,

What is most important for people to learn about Appalachia?

I've got my own ideas, but I'd like to hear yours first.

www.MyRecordJournal.com - Boy, 12, gets response to W. Va. coaching inquiry

2008-03-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

www.MyRecordJournal.com - Boy, 12, gets response to W. Va. coaching inquiry

Extreme Makeover, Appalachian Edition

2008-03-07T12:13:00.000-08:00

For those of you who watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition, this Sunday's show (8-9 p.m. on Sunday March 9 on ABC) will hold particular interest. The family who gets the new house is not only from my home town, but I knew the father when I was just a little bud. We were never really close, but I remember that he was a good guy with a great sense of humor. I'm pleased that they got this opportunity.

I'm also going to be interested in how they portray West Virginia. This blog post indicates that the crew was pretty negative about the location during the filming. I wonder if any of that carried over into the show itself. But I've seen other reports that suggest the opposite. It will be interesting to see.

Albino Deer Sighting

2008-03-04T17:20:00.001-08:00

My brother was able to get these pictures of an albino deer near his house in southern Virginia.

Here she comes!

Note the normal colored deer next to her for contrast.

On this one you can see the pink eyes.

I think I'm insulted

2008-03-04T08:41:00.001-08:00

Did this Blogthing just call me an asshole??

You Are a Colon

You are very orderly and fact driven.

You aren't concerned much with theories or dreams... only what's true or untrue.

You are brilliant and incredibly learned. Anything you know is well researched.

You like to make lists and sort through things step by step. You aren't subject to whim or emotions.

Your friends see you as a constant source of knowledge and advice.

(But they are a little sick of you being right all of the time!)

You excel in: Leadership positions

You get along best with: The Semi-Colon

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Just A Thought -

2008-02-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

The Heisman Pundit had a Thought -just how much of a tragedy do you need to have till ESPN shows up on your campus ad nauseum? I'm with the Pundit on this one. The family and friends of the victims at NYU are hurting no less than the family and friends of the VT victims did, yet you don't get that kind of outpouring of support from ESPN. Better yet, let's have ESPN stick to what it used to do best...SPORTS!!!!

Grandma would be proud

2008-02-27T11:40:00.000-08:00

Your Language Arts Grade: 98%

Way to go! You know not to trust the MS Grammar Check and you know "no" from "know." Now, go forth and spread the good word (or at least, the proper use of apostrophes).

Are You Gooder at Grammar?
Make a Quiz

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T13:29:00.000-08:00

What's Valentine's Day without a LOLcat? Or a LOLmonkey? Or even a LOLbabboonbutt?

Book Meme

2008-02-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

In response to SagaciousHillbilly: Sagacious Hillbilly (who certainly is both), I bring you what I call the Book Meme.

Here are the rules:

1. Pick up the closest book of 123 pages or more
(No cheating.)
2. Find page 123
3. Find the first five sentences
4. Post the next three sentences

Miller, D.L.; Hatfield,S.; and Norman, G. (2005). An American Vein: Critical Readings in Appalachia. Ohio University Press: Athens, OH.
In this extremely complex work, the device succeeds in providing a dramatic and objective focus to what otherwise might have devolved into an opaque interior monologue. Hannah, younger than Settle and more unsure of herself, wins the sympathy and interest of the reader as shes searches for and finally discovers the answer to the questions that have inspired the writing of both cycles. If Hannah is a fictional construct as Rosenberg maintains, she is also an autobiographical construct. In this work fiction and autobiography merge in a unique way.

When the Beulah Quintet and the Canona Cycle are considered together, as The Killing Ground demands that they must be, Settle's accomplishment becomes even more awesome.

Now tagging
Banewood
JediJawa
Geeky Mom
Muze Euterpe
Rebecca
Elvis Drinkmo
Kayak Dave (he knows where he is)
Buzzard Billy
Anne Johnson
Ms. Jamie

Who'd'a Thunk it?

2008-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

Apparently I'm an old-school Democrat.

Bob's House -- Pepsi's new Super Bowl Ad

2008-02-05T08:02:00.001-08:00

This was my favorite Super Bowl ad, even though it didn't make it on during the actual game.

The last Christmas present

2008-02-03T10:43:00.000-08:00

What do you get someone when you know it will be the last gift you ever give him? That was the question I had to deal with last Christmas. My honey’s Pop wasn’t doing well and we all knew that this would be the last Christmas together. So what should I get him? A memento probably wouldn’t be good, and, as my honey pointed out, this just wasn’t the time to get him a savings bond. So after much consternation, I settled on a box of sugar free chocolates, which he loved. At the last minute, I found a lovely group pic of my honey’s pop, his 2 sisters, his stepmom, his brother-in-law and, of course, my honey and me. I printed out the picture and put it in a frame for the present.

That picture sat by his chair and later his hospital bed. Last week, the picture was in his casket as we said our last goodbyes. I think the present was OK in the end, but not nearly as good as the one he gave me.

Rest in peace, Pop. And thank you for the greatest gift I’ve ever gotten: your wonderful son.