Letters From Home
Remembering Mom and Her Music
I was fumbling around on youtube this morning and found this Patti Page rendition of Tennessee Waltz. My mother introduced me to this song. She was not trying to – this was one of the songs she sang while wringing out the laundry in her wringer wash machine. Hearing Patti Page sing this old song […]
10Dec2024 | Gary Clark | 1,045 comments | Continued
“Let It Begin With Me”
Occasionally we hear quotes, slogans, sayings, something that seems innocuous on the surface, but resonates with wisdom upon further inspection. Al-Anon, a program for the families and friends of Alcoholics, has official slogans which are raised to the level of proverb, of wisdom, of scripture in the program. One such saying is “Let It Begin […]
8Dec2014 | Gary Clark | 4 comments | Continued
U. S. Postal Stamp Price Increase – Who Suffers?
This past week the United States Postal Service announced plans to raise the price of a postage stamp by $.02. What is two cents? Two Cents is virtually nothing to most of us. But to those who depend on the Postal Service that two cents can be an increasing burden on an already difficult life. […]
9Jul2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on U. S. Postal Stamp Price Increase – Who Suffers? | Continued
Drug Court – Systemically Flawed
A quick check of the court briefs in the local newspaper gives startling evidence of losing the war on drugs. The paper reported six people sentenced to prison – all for drug charges – five methamphetamine and one cocaine. We are talking about rural northwest Missouri. The first Drug Court was established in Dade County […]
21Dec2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Everything Happens for A Reason
Son, “Everything happens for a reason.” How many times have we heard that? And how many smart people have we heard make that comment? The statement is usually made in the context of spirituality or religion – seldom in the context of science. But the statement is only true in the context of science. And […]
16Dec2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Everything Happens for A Reason | Continued
Ron Paul – the Physician Metaphor
Son, Ron Paul is a physician, a doctor, a M. D. Some folks think that qualifies him to be President. He is obviously very intelligent and very well educated. I suspect he knows a thing or two about health care issues. His physician experience is as a flight surgeon in the U. S. Air Force […]
29Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Piling Snow on Snow
Son, I live in the Midwest. We have been in the bullseye of weather systems for several weeks. The Great Ice Storm of 2007 took away our electrical power. Now we are inundated with snow on snow. I have about 250 feet of sidewalks to be shoveled. And I shovel with my little red […]
29Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Piling Snow on Snow | Continued
The Point of Leadership
Son, Leadership is not personal. Leadership is not about what I do at home in the evening, when no one is watching. Leadership is about what one does when everyone is watching. I really don’t care about the televangelist who privately has a couple of mistresses on the side. Who cares – what is the […]
29Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Point of Leadership | Continued
The Christams Aftermath…
Dad, Christmas is over, and my house is a wreck. I have been doing laps around the kitchen and living room with my son getting geared up to clean. I have had two cups of coffee and have checked my email twice, trying to get through the neglected part of my inbox. I started some […]
27Dec2007 | bryan | Comments Off on The Christams Aftermath… | Continued
Chris Matthews on Morning Joe
Son, Chris Matthews has lost complete touch with reality. Matthews is the host of the MSNBC program Hardball. They call it Hardball because Matthews is supposed to be asking the hard questions. That was probably true – a couple of years ago. On Morning Joe this morning, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, Joe and Matthews were talking […]
29Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Chris Matthews on Morning Joe | Continued
Creativity, Spirituality, and the Golden Compass
Dad, I believe that creativity is a natural result of spirituality. The two are intrinsically linked, and you can’t have one without the other. The creative process, though, much like lifestyle choices or world views and paradigms, is a result of a lifetime of experiences and degrees of nurturing. Everyone has a different life experience, […]
28Nov2007 | bryan | 2 comments | Continued
Family Life and Family Values
Son, I respect the values you and your spouse have adopted. But life is not all or nothing – your choices have actually provided your family opportunities that others will not have. This is not criticism, this is a compliment. The ideas of no debt, of frugal money management, of thrift store shopping, of minimal […]
27Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Family Life and Family Values | Continued
Simplicity and the Five Person Family
Dad, As you now know, my wife and I are having another baby. We are leaving the two child paradigm and entering into a new phase of family life. The idea of three children is a little daunting, but I think it will be good for us. The question becomes, “How do we maintain a […]
27Nov2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Simplicity and the Five Person Family | Continued
MU and OU – A Trail of Tears to the Dust Bowl
Missou went into hostile territory a few weeks ago without their star running back – and with their weakened offense took the game to the Sooners. Mizzou is on the march, they are stepping in cadence, they are at full strength.
26Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on MU and OU – A Trail of Tears to the Dust Bowl | Continued
Philip Pullman – The Golden Compass
Son, Get ready for another wave of hoopla about literature and Christianity. Philip Pullman is a writer. He makes up stories. Like C. S. Lewis, he has written children’s stories of other parallel worlds. His trilogy, “His Dark Materials,” is viewed by many as a response to “The Chronicles of Narnia,” by Lewis. One of […]
26Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Cronyism – It Never Works
Son, Good Old Boys, buddies, cronies, buds – terms of endearment. Harry Truman had a bunch of cronies. He gave some of them jobs in the White House. Not important jobs, just a paycheck to hang around and play poker at night. The important jobs of Vice President, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense […]
26Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Cronyism – It Never Works | Continued
Old Dogs and Progress
Son, Your sister had a dog, Sadie. Sadie is half schnauzer and half cocker spaniel. A pain in the ass combination. At 14 pounds that dog thought she was the boss of the world. She had springs for legs and was always jumping around, growling and barking at something – she had the disposition of […]
26Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Economies of Scale and Dumpster Diving
Son, There is great interest in recycling. And there should be – we are probably experiencing the most wasteful society in history. Global views of business and economy have distracted us from understanding individual need. But mass production outweighs, or at least minimizes, waste. I remember when I went to work in the world of […]
23Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Freegans and Hippies: Counter Culture Movements
Son, I read your post on Freegans with great interest. The interest of a father and grandfather, and the interest of one who was once called a hippie. Back in my hippie days many of us thought of ourselves as the first great generation to “change the way we think about our culture,” to quote […]
19Nov2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Cabela’s Deer Camp – no Assault Rifles
Son, There is a big advertisement inserted into this morning’s newspaper. The title is catching: Cabela’s countdown to Deer Camp. Cabela’s is a big outdoor paraphernalia producer and marketer. The colorful ad is four full pages. One entire page is dedicated to arming oneself for the foray into the wild – the firearm must be […]
25Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Electoral College: Protecting Minorities
Son, The race is heating up. The next year will see more debate on the value of the Electoral College, the process of electing the President of the United States of America. It is sort of a big deal. The Founding Fathers established a process based on their immense knowledge and understanding of history. They […]
24Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Electoral College: Protecting Minorities | Continued
Hicks visit Manhattan
Son, I had my first paper delivery route exactly forty-four years ago next month. I took over the route two days after John Kennedy was assassinated – I remember both events very well. Forty-four years of work history and my place of employment was never more than two miles from my home. If I drove […]
17Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Hicks visit Manhattan | Continued
Fathers and cloth diapers
Son, You are bringing back some really old memories. I changed your cloth diapers, and those of your older sister. When your younger sister came along we had pretty much made the transition to disposables. I read your commentary and pondered your financial analysis of cloth versus disposables. The idea of our throw away society […]
17Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Fathers and cloth diapers | Continued
Ghost in Your Genes
Son, I like to watch NOVA, a PBS program on public TV. Last evening they had a program on called Epigenetics, Ghost in Your Genes. It was funny that I was thinking of home made baby wipes while watching the program. Just before I sat down to watch the program I had been looking at […]
17Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
To the solicitors of pornography: What do you want with us?
Dad, So far, we have managed to create a nice blog that people read, without soliciting the help of sex or pornography. We talk about issues, faith, about our children and our family, we even share recipes and kitchen tips. We seem to be able to manage our blog with a reasonable readership without prostituting […]
16Oct2007 | bryan | 4 comments | Continued
Visiting the doctor
Son, Do you remember Dr. Peterson? He was our family physician for about twenty years. Years ago I was standing at the top of a ladder, trimming a tree with a hand ax, when the ax slipped and I cut my knee. I went to see Dr. Pete. He walked into the exam room and […]
16Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Visiting the doctor | Continued
Old Sayings – and thoughts
Son, I am still cleaning my office. I found this paper that I will share. I don’t know who wrote these things – some are cute – some are profound. Here goes: To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. Going to church does not make […]
11Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Old Sayings – and thoughts | Continued
Ben Afleck on Hardball
Son, Writer, actor, director – So he gets to comment on world events. Chris Matthews is asking him about Senator’s votes for or against the Iraq War. Afleck notes the Youtube video about Cheney arguing against an invasion of Iraq. So Chris Matthews plays some clips from the Republican debate and the authority of the […]
11Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 9 comments | Continued
Barack Obama – Mr. Cool
Son, I’m watching Morning Joe again. They are talking about Barack Obama – Mr. Cool. The reference is to his image versus the manner he is displaying. Barack Obama hit the national scene with the stature of remembered charismatic leaders of the past. People talked about the intelligence of Bill Clinton, the charm of John […]
11Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Garth Brooks on Ebay
Son, We have watched the interest in Garth Brooks with mild fascination. I just went to ebay and entered ‘Garth Brooks Concert Tickets.’ There are 1043 items. So I clicked on ‘1 lower level ticket.’ The bid started at $35 and after eight bids was up to $46.00. So I went to another item – […]
9Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Garth Brooks on Ebay | Continued
Terrorism disguised as intelligence
Dad, This morning I read an article on what is being called Islamo-fascism Awareness week and is being put on by the Terrorism Awareness Project. I was interested because I thought that understanding the difference between an Islamic Extremist and and Islamic Pacifist would be valuable, and that Terrorism Awareness could be a helpful conversation […]
9Oct2007 | bryan | 6 comments | Continued
Fred Thompson, typical modern conservative
Son, Fred Thompson smugly announced his candidacy for president on the Jay Leno Show. I think he was expecting a coronation the next day. It did not happen. I don’t know a great deal about him – mostly what the talking heads report. I do know that he was a United States Senator and then […]
9Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Fred Thompson, typical modern conservative | Continued
Parenting – locker rooms and restrooms
Son, Public restrooms are again in the headlines – they are seldom in the headlines to reveal their innate cleanliness. The whole Senator Larry Craig-in-public caused me to reflect back on raising-children-in-public. As you know I have always been a big YMCA supporter. You and your sisters learned basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and swimming at the […]
8Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Blackwater – responsible killers!
Son, There is some sort of bizarre debate happening in the mainstream media. Blackwater is a security company that has contracts to guard United States government employees in Iraq. The debate is around the notion that shooting people is sometimes less responsible than at other times. Civilization has often debated the nuances of ‘justifiable homicide.’ […]
2Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Blackwater – responsible killers! | Continued
Show Me State Jeep Club
Son, I went for my daily walk today. It is a beautiful fall day here in Northwest Missouri. I walk four blocks to the extensive hiking/biking trail that runs through our picturesque parkway system, then I walk three miles along the trail. I turned onto the trail at one of our local parks. The park […]
30Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Show Me State Jeep Club | Continued
Living Without Debt
Dad, My wife and I are making an effort to be out of debt and to stay that way. We have made a commitment to not borrow money for anything. For any reason. The first thing that people shout when they hear that is, “What about a house? You have to borrow money if you […]
29Sep2007 | bryan | 3 comments | Continued
Sarcasm – a toxic elixir
Son, I can be thoughtful – and I can be sarcastic. The sarcasm is a strategy learned many years ago while growing up. It is an old recipe, handed down through generations in my family. I have used it well to win fights – and I have lost many wars. You have heard me say […]
28Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Sarcasm – a toxic elixir | Continued
Father and Son chatter
Son, I copied our chat from last evening. The purpose of this post is it let our readers better understand us. Readers: This blog really is a conversation between a father and a son. Sometimes we chat in the evenings – included in this blog is our chat from last evening. Enjoy 7:13 PM me: […]
28Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Father and Son chatter | Continued
Michael Moore – Sicko on Oprah
Son, Love him or hate him, Michael Moore has struck a nerve in America. He is on Oprah as I write. I am trying to capture the essence of what they are saying. Oprah has people in the audience from previous health care encounters with Presidential Candidates. There are some disturbing and very emotional stories […]
27Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Responding to Christians
Son, Lay off the Betty Bowers web site – your judgment is beginning to drift. Just kidding. I am extremely pleased with you. I am pleased with your ability with the written word and with your willingness to tackle tough issues. I fear that your interpretation of my post was based more on how you […]
27Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Responding to Christians | Continued
Bill O’Reilly – friend to Blacks
Son, I am watching Al Sharpton on MSNBC. Talk about conflicted! A couple of days ago Bill O’Reilly, the Fox News Pit Bull bred and trained for news media dog fights, said after visiting a Harlem restaurant, “I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it’s run by blacks, primarily black patronship,” Al Sharpton […]
27Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Halo 3 and good neighbors…
Dad, I live in a duplex, upper and lower, and my downstairs neighbor is a video gamer. Some people play their music loud, he plays his x-box. Sometimes he will have a success and blow something up and my daughter will run to the window to see the storm, thinking that she is hearing thunder. […]
27Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Halo 3 and good neighbors… | Continued
Betty Bowers: oh, so clever…
Dad, I sent you that link about Harry Potter. I didn’t really read it because I have heard enough of all that, but I knew you were reading one of the books. You are right, though, it is funny. Actually, its very funny, and it is powerfully real. Betty Bowers is one of my new […]
25Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on Betty Bowers: oh, so clever… | Continued
Cursed by Clever Harry Potter Humor
Son, Someone got to us. That web site previously referred to as some wacko fundamentalist is actually a spoof on on wacko Christianity – it is very well done! Here it is again! I love a good joke – even if it is on me. Now why would I be so ready to believe all […]
25Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Cursed by Clever Harry Potter Humor | Continued
Michael Vick and anger
Son, I really comes down to this: What is the basic principle on which you place value in another human? My answer – the simple fact that he or she is human – no more is necessary. Is the value less stringent for other creatures on this earth? The sadness I feel over the Michael […]
25Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Michael Vick and anger | Continued
michael vick: de-humanizing a public figure…
Dad – “I am confident that the hottest places in hell are reserved for the souls of sick and brutal people who hold God’s creatures in such cruel and brutal contempt.” – West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd, on those who participate in dog fighting and raise dogs for dog fighting I fear that the world […]
25Sep2007 | bryan | Comments Off on michael vick: de-humanizing a public figure… | Continued
Family systems
Son, Our family system is one of intelligent people. We don’t always act like it – but most of us have the intellect expected of 21st Century educated Americans. Every now and then you will hear a nugget of wisdom from someone close to us. So why is it not consistent, and why is there […]
24Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Family systems | Continued
politicians and politicking
Son, I did an experiment with two political campaigns. I copied two of our ‘posts’ and then went to two different Presidential Campaign web sites. I ‘pasted’ the copied material into the comments section of the two sites and sent it off. I used Hillary Clinton and John Edwards as my test subjects. I should […]
24Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on politicians and politicking | Continued
Iran and War/Diplomacy
Son, Are we on the path to war with Iran? Even the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is saying, “We have to prepare for the worst, and the worst is war.” Robert Gates, the United States Defense Secretary, said, “…all options are on the table.” I hope that means the option of diplomacy. So what […]
24Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Iran and War/Diplomacy | Continued
Publishing A Novel
Son, I have written a novel. Now – how do I get it published? I finished the novel last February. I wrote a goofy synopsis and sent it to about fifty agents. Most of the agents curtly responded, ‘Uh…No thanks.” Some of them wanted to see more samples of the story. I have received several […]
23Sep2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Publishing A Novel | Continued