SHERROD BROWN SPEAKS

A rally was held in Middletown at the union hall of the steel workers today. The featured speaker was Sherrod Brown, State Senator from Ohio.

In spite of the rain approaching, the crowd gathered, umbrellas in hand. A stage was originally set up in the parking lot, but after this cloud appeared, the work crew moved the podium and sound system to the picnic shelter house.

The news media was there to cover the event from Channel 7 in Dayton. They got a chance to interview Sherrod Brown briefly before his speech. Several other politicians spoke first.

Sherrod Brown spoke briefly with Neil Douglas, the current president of the steel workers union, and host of the event.

During his speech, Sherrod focused on the auto bailout reminding the crowd that the Chevy Cruse is built in Lordstown, Ohio, and named every Ohio city where the many parts for the Cruse are made here in Ohio, including the steel made right there in Middletown.

At the rear of the shelter house, a Chevy Cruse was on display so Sherrod could talk about it.

One of the speakers was Raymond W. Lembke, an attorney in Cincinnati, who is running for the 12th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was selected to Ohio Super Lawyers for 2012 and next year, and has been practicing law for at least 28 years.

I am hoping we will see both these candidates in Fayette County soon.

ELEPHANT TO CAT AND BACK

Last Wednesday evening, I began to feel the body aches, the runny nose, the sneezing, clogged sinus's, all the classic symptoms of a cold or flu, so I went to bed very early. Thursday morning when I awoke, I could hardly breathe, and my flu was in full bloom.

I am a person that almost never gets sick, like real sick. I have many backaches with accompanying headaches. But I haven't had the flu in many years, as in the past seven years, I have gotten my yearly flu shot every year around the first of October. Therefore, this bout with sneezing and sinus congestion is not usual for me. If I had known that the "bug" was going around, I might have gotten my flu shot earlier this year!

I spent Thursday and Friday in bed, trying to get better, and mainly to BREATHE easier. By Saturday at noon, I had a reason to get up, shower and dress. My favorite son/EMT came over to check my blood pressure, and I checked my blood sugar. I was still breathing, but not well. Then he reminded me that I should have an inhaler in the medicine cabinet. Sure enough, a new inhaler was found and he said it would take the elephant off my chest. I mentioned that the tightness in my lungs felt like the commercial where an elephant is sitting on the guy's chest. I took a few puffs and I was able to breathe easier.

Later in the evening, I was relaxing on the couch with my computer on my lap, playing a few games of solitaire. My dog loves to lie on the couch with me, so she was cozy at the other end. Along came the little cat out of the front window, looked at the cards moving around briskly on the screen, and walked onto my chest. She made herself comfortable by lying down under my chin and watched the cards for a while before putting her head down to nap.

It wasn't long before I started to cough, but she didn't move. Little Miss Kitty soon felt like the elephant back on my chest as I had to cough a few more times. I finally had to put her down on the couch and reached for my water.

I'm hoping the elephant in the room is soon gone, my breathing improves, and the stuffiness in my head disappears. Right now, the cat and dog are curled up together, a more rare sight, as they have been getting more friendly with each other. It was quite an adjustment for Ms. Dog to have Miss Cat join our family. She was so used to chasing cats outdoors. Now they realize I share my time with both. I just don't want to share my time with this cold!

BOOK TO READ

Guess I need to go to Amazon to get this book:

PEOPLE CAN HURT YOU

ONE DAY AT A TIME

TOMMY DORSEY RIDES AGAIN

Today being Sunday, I went to the first of the Fayette Area Community Concert Association concerts for the new season. We were entertained by the Tom Daugherty Orchestra Presents A Tommy Dorsey Tribute.

The 17-member band performs a "Las Vegas" style show with Big Band arrangements of music from the 40s, 50s and 60s. The band leader, Tom Daugherty, is known as The Big Band Keeper of the Flame. They originate out of Dayton, Ohio, but play concerts all over the country.


"Band Leader, trombonist, musical arranger, vocalist, and music educator, Tom Daugherty has been associated with the music business since 1979. Tom has been the musical director and driving force behind The Tom Daugherty Orchestra since its inception. Because of his skills as a band leader, solo trombonist, and arranger, the organization has soared to new heights, performing his arrangements and transcriptions of the original “Big Band ” swing music arrangements. He has formed and arranged music for the vocal group called the “Sentimental Singers” in the tradition of the original “Modernairs”. Tom Daugherty has produced several recordings, television shows, and “live” radio broadcasts."

Some of their Musical Selections Included,
“Getting Sentimental Over You”, “Opus One”, “Song Of India”
“Sunny Side Of The Street”, “Boogie Woogie”, “Swanee River”
“Marie”, “Blue Skies”, “I’ll Be Seeing You”, “Our Love Affair”
“Lets Get Away From It All”, “Hawaiian War Chant”, and many more!

Vocalist Mindy Meltzer has been singing with the band for over 16 years.

A "swingin' time was had by all!

TIME IS PRECIOUS

OPEN LETTER

I usually save my political news, views, and research for Facebook, but this is one I must share, because it is so important everyone should read it (Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, etc.). Please read this before you commit to make Americans flee to Canada or other countries for their own health and safety, life, liberty, and happiness.

OPEN LETTER TO REPUBLICANS
From AddictingInfo.org

"Dear Republican Voter,

We don’t always see eye to eye. Our ideologies, opinions, and approach to governing may differ, and occasionally our passions get the best of us. But first and foremost, I hope you will agree – we are both Americans, wanting what is best for our country.

It is in this vein that I write you this letter. As a Democrat, and out of respect to you, I want to explain why I’m so emotional this election, feel so passionate about the decision ahead.

Membership within the Republican Party appears to be increasingly exclusive. So before proceeding, let’s talk about you, the intended recipient of this letter…

Although more modern , you are an “Old School” Republican, predating 1980 revisions…

*You value freedom and equality, the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

*You are fiscally conservative. You support limited government, limited taxation, and a balanced budget.

*You are not conservative socially. Regardless of opinions and traditions, you recognize supporting small government includes supporting a woman’s right to choose, to make her own healthcare decisions.

*You support the separation of church and state. You believe Leviticus should not govern American policy and citizens. Consenting adults should be free to marry who they love, regardless of sexual preference.

*You are informed and decent. You believe President Obama is a Christian, born in the United States.

You, my Old School Republican friend, are not so very different from my parents, so please understand – I respect and appreciate your America. Although I am a Democrat, I share a similar dream.

It is because of our shared values that I am reaching out to you, specifically, why I am asking you to put party affiliation aside and hear my concerns with an unfiltered ear…

The 2012 Election is not between Republicans and Democrats. This election is a testament to the character of our nation, the behavior and deeds we choose to electorally reward.

As a liberal, I’m sometimes dramatic and verbose, but I am neither when I say – The Republican Party has been hijacked by extremists, and America is under attack. It is a problem we need to address together, or the problem is going to address us.

Something happened on the road from 1992 to 2012. You are no stranger to the extremists within the Republican Party. Your greatest generals have been plucked away, replaced with preachers hell-bent on dismantling a government we built together.

Republican extremists are not sons of Lincoln or disciples of Teddy. They lack Eisenhower’s pragmatism, Goldwater’s libertarian convictions, and Ronny’s charm. They are the RINO’s on a stampede, rabid on fear sponsored by special interests. Their American ideals are misguided, leading them to believe they are preordained by God and that all citizens are not created equal.

Respectfully, I ask you to consider the following…

In 2009, Barack Obama inherited:

*The worst recession since the Great Depression, caused by deregulations in the banking and mortgage industries

*A National Debt spiraling out of control, fueled by Republican tax cuts, binge spending, and poorly managed wars.

Despite triggering the crisis and recession, GOP leadership embarked on a “party first, country be damned” strategy throughout Obama’s first term.

*Republicans publicly acknowledged wanting to make Barack Obama a one-term President.

*In refusing to compromise, they engaged in record-breaking obstructionism: rejecting bills they once sponsored, turning the Senate into minority rule, and blocking job creating efforts that prolonged high unemployment, while conservative Supreme Court Justices sold America to the highest bidder.

*Republicans incited unnecessary panic by threatening to default on debt and shut down government, causing S&P to downgrade the US credit rating, which further depressed consumer confidence and impeded economic growth and hiring…

Now, Republicans in power are asking American voters to elect a secretive man on flimsy platform, built on positions that have all changed (abortion, gay rights, healthcare, climate change, immigration, stem cell research, tax policy, etc…), and another candidate with his fingerprints all over the binge spending, financial crisis, and obstructionism.

To solve America’s problems moving forward, Romney and Ryan dismissively propose: supporting more deregulation, making the Bush tax cuts permanent, and increasing defense spending, while picking fights around the globe and dismantling the government we built together.

I understand the lure of being a Republican, wanting a government that is fiscally responsible and accountable to the American citizens. That is why I am asking you to vote Democratic, to re-elect Barack Obama.

Being an Old School Republican, take comfort in the following…

*In addition to the stock market rebounding, President Obama has had 30 months of consecutive job growth, adding 4 million jobs to the private sector.

*Under President Obama the rates of annual spending, revenue, and budget deficits have all decreased to levels not seen since before Eisenhower.

*Despite reports to the contrary, President Obama has cut taxes for middle-class families and small businesses.

Imagine where the United States would be, if Republicans had supported the elected President. If Obama’s foreign policy is any indication, we’d be in much better shape.

If you value the Republican brand, vote Democratic on November 6, 2012. Be escorted to the ballot box with the conviction of Lincoln and the bravery of Eisenhower… Reject extremism and intolerance, a government that intrudes into the lives of citizens and regulates the pursuit of happiness.

Thank you for your Republican pragmatism and consideration.

Your friend,

A Democrat"

REMEMBER TODAY

We shall never forget
We shall keep this day,
We shall keep the events and the tears
In our minds, our memory and our hearts
and take them with us as we carry on.

OH TO BE 6 AGAIN

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed observing his wife looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off, he asked what she’d like to have for her birthday.

"I’d like to be six again", she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.

He then took her to a McDonald’s where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M’s. What a fabulous adventure! Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well Dear, what was it like being six again?"

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. "I meant my dress size, you dumb jerk!"

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he’s gonna get it wrong.

NATIONAL WAFFLE WEEK

National Waffle Week is the first week of September.

Ever wonder where waffles came from?

Waffles got their start in the Middle Ages as wafer cakes or crisps made of flat bread.

Waffle cones filled with ice cream started at the St. Louis World Fair in 1904 when an ice cream vender ran out of cups and asked a nearby waffle maker for help!

Thomas Jefferson brought a waffle iron from France and held parties known as “Waffle Frolics” in the White House!

General Electric invented the electric waffle iron in 1911, making waffles an easy, at-home meal made from cheap ingredients like flour and eggs!

Americans enjoy waffles today because they are the perfect mix of warm sweetness with a crisp outside and a soft baked inside! They can be served at any meal or as dessert!

“Belgian Waffles” are actually an American creation! Based on Brussels Waffles, the U.S. version is denser and thinner than the Brussels version.

Have a waffle this week and celebrate. Top it with your favorite fruit and have a great breakfast treat.

I imagine the Waffle House is having a great week!

HAPPY LABOR DAY

I read and agree with the following quote from Keith Olbermann:

Today is Labor Day. Many of our friends, family, and even foe are out of work, [due] to no fault of their own. They struggle every day of their lives trying to find work. Some are forced to live in the streets, while others sleep in shelters, or some have to move in with family or friends. The Republican Congress has an approval rating of 11%. They got that rating from the majority of the people. They are off work more than they are on. They have done nothing to help improve our economy. Obama has done the best he could, but we all know, who understands how the houses work...that without a FUNCTIONAL Congress, the President's hands are tied behind his back. "Untie his hands we ask"...you [Congressmen] work for us. We expect you to do your job that you get a fine salary for. Personally, I didn't agree or applaud Clint's debacle at the convention...but he did say something that most of us feel. If they're [Congressmen] NOT doing their job, it's time to let them go.

People hunger literally for work, in order to take care of their families. They cannot reap the benefits of their labor, unless they are laboring at a job. They cannot celebrate this day, being unemployed. You [Congress] have stolen that from them. You are a shameful bunch of people. And, we should punish those who decided that getting Obama [making him look bad] was a far better choice, than putting people back to work. Betting against the people, because of one man...is no way to behave. Because when you bet against the people...you are essentially betting against America. And, that my friends is as unpatriotic as one can get.

BE YOURSELF

HISTORY

Today is the first of September. There are only four months left of 2012. It's hard to believe the year has gone so fast. So many things have changed in just eight months.

I was wondering what happened on this date back in history and I found the following:

Aaron Burr was acquitted of treason by a circuit court in Richmond, Virginia, on the grounds that he was not present when an overt act was committed, 1807

The city of Atlanta, Georgia was evacuated by Confederate forces commanded by General John B. Hood, 1865

World War II began with the Nazi invasion of Poland, 1939

Japan's formal surrender ending WW II, 1945 (September 2 in Tokyo due to time change)

The Wreck of the Titanic was found off the coast of Newfoundland, 1985

Who knows what will happen today - besides rain!