Driving Progress

"It's futile to resist change, man."

~ Fillmore, Cars3

In the spring, I treated myself to a "new" car. It's actually three years old and was coming off a lease, but as the driver of a 20+-year-old car, that was new enough for me. In fact, it was too new for me.

This car talks to me. It beeps at me. If a tire touches the line separating lanes, the steering wheel shakes and the dashboard glows bright orange, announcing LANE DEPARTURE. As my mother would've said, it's a bit much.

In the early days, when I was still flailing with my newly acquired automotive challenges, I found myself talking back to the car. "I know, I know!" "Alright, I get it!" I learned inside a car wash that the car brakes automatically. Evidently, it was heading for a guard rail. "Okay, okay!"

Driving home one night the dash lit up with a message: "You seem tired, pull over and take a break." "Excuse me?" This is a bit too much automotive surveillance for me. 

On the plus side, the car looks good and rides beautifully. I've figured out how to use some of the features, but it's slow going. Take, for example, locking the car. This should be as easy as flicking a light switch, yes? Ha! Don't be fooled.

The locking mechanism is a keyless fob, of course. Try to lock it on the first try; I dare you. An extra five minutes is needed for every time-sensitive destination just to lock the blessed car. Please don't direct me to the user's manual, which is about five inches thick. There are no less than 14 pages detailing various means of locking/unlocking this automotive wonder. "Really?"

A new car was a practical decision. I was spending crazy cash on the old car, not so much on repairs as on replacement parts that were giving out with time. There have been no replacements or repairs so far on the newbie, but the increased insurance and registration costs even that equation.

I don't regret buying a newer high-tech car; it had to happen eventually. But I do miss the simplicity of my old beater. I especially miss that magical metal key.

From Disney's Cars movie series

A Fast Read

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”

― C.S. Lewis

Speaking as a constant reader, it has been many years since I finished reading a book inside two days. Recently this rare achievement recurred. Christian Craighead's One Man In was almost impossible for me to put down. I began reading it last Wednesday afternoon and was done by Thursday night. If you are a fan of action books, this true-life story is for you.

Having already viewed his lengthy interview with Shawn Ryan, it was surprising to find myself so absorbed in Craighead's written memoir of his harrowing day fighting terrorists. It continues to both fascinate and reassure me that we have such men as the author walking among us. We don't deserve them, but I'm grateful they are here.

My Native Land

Indigenous: 1. having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment; 2. INNATE, INBORN syn see NATIVE

Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

Originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (to)

Dictionary.com

Every day we are told by media, politicians, academia, social media, and the culture in general that the USA is a "nation of immigrants." People coming to America to establish new lives for their themselves, their families, and their posterity is our country's natural state of being.

By that definition, I'm a natural-born indigenous person. So were my parents. We were all born in the USA. According to the definition, we all originated, grew, and lived here. We occurred naturally; we're natives of the USA.

That being settled, I don't need a holiday such as "Indigenous Peoples Day" to celebrate myself. Much preferred is the longtime holiday to honor the man who discovered this amazing "new world," Christopher Columbus. His overseas journey, which took no small portion of guts to undertake, opened the American continent for the rest of the world. 

Did bad stuff happen in the centuries since Columbus discovered America? Yes, indeed. Show me a time in history when bad stuff didn't happen. As one example, read what the Aztecs were up to before Christianity converted the people of Mexico. Hearts cut out of living bodies? Hmm. It seems those particular indigenous people celebrated some terrifying customs that are not missed.

Columbus Day is a treasured tradition in the United States. President Trump made an official proclamation for Columbus Day to be honored on October 12. Indigenous people such as I applaud the recognition and respect the president has conferred upon our national history.

Statue of Christopher Columbus - Newport, RI

Defining Terms

 Geno-cide – the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.

~ Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

- Dictionary.com

Genocide is a strong word defining a brutal act. Yet, like “racism,” the word “genocide” is so overused and misapplied today that it has lost much of its true meaning.

Is Israel’s military trying to eliminate members of the Islamic terrorist group Hamas? Yes. A group that promotes the destruction of the Israeli people by any means needs to be eliminated. A group that attacks, tortures, and murders men, women, and children in cold blood for no other reason than hatred should be eliminated. That is what Israeli military forces are systematically doing.

That is not “genocide.” That is self-defense.

What has been happening in Gaza would never have transpired without the unprovoked atrocities of October 7, 2023. Critics of Israel like to skip over that part. Jewish families were attacked, raped, tortured, and slaughtered in their homes on their sabbath morning. Women’s breasts were cut off and kicked around the street like soccer balls. Infants were roasted in microwave ovens while mothers were forced to watch. People were burned alive, their charred bodies melded to the loved ones they were clutching. Children were murdered in front of their parents; parents were murdered in front of their children.

Yet there was no global outrage at Hamas. Almost immediately the world told the Israelis to stand down. “Cease fire” became the catchword.

If your family had been deliberately slaughtered for no reason except ethnic hate, would you stand down? I suppose no one knows exactly what they would do in such a horrific circumstance. But I like to think I would fight back. Kind of like Israel has been doing for three years.

Just for safety, I would want every single member of Hamas hunted down and killed to prevent the possibility of them ever attacking my family again. Genocide? I think not. Justice? Oh, yes.

 

By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
    O God of our salvation ~ Psalm 65:5

Going the Distance

“I have such pride in my husband’s work. I’m proud of my work, too, but most of all my marriage and family."~ Eva Marie Saint, 2018

Eva Marie Saint, Academy Award winner for her role in the 1954 film classic On the Waterfront, died today at age 102. Saint also starred in Alfred Hitchcock's iconic 1959 spy thriller North by Northwest. Her stellar roster of co-stars included Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, Montgomery Clift, Gregory Peck, Paul Newman, and George C. Scott. She sure knew how to pick her roles.

Saint's film catalog is not as voluminous as many of her contemporaries; she was open about wanting to put her homelife first. She achieved that goal. Her marriage to director Jeff Hayden lasted 65 years, until his death in 2016. Saint is survived by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In recent years Saint was revered for being the oldest living Oscar recipient as well as lauded for her screen work, which in later years included television. It's always sad to see a star from Hollywood's golden age leave us. Setting aside her honorable age, there's no doubt Eva Marie Saint was a star with staying power. Rest in peace.

Eva Marie Saint in the 1950s

A Heartfelt Story

“You can usually tell that a man is good if he has a dog who loves him.”

~ W. Bruce Cameron

Movie theatres aren't places I frequent much anymore. Years ago, I went to the movies regularly; there were usually good choices to make. In recent years the quality and content of the films offered has taken a severe downturn, just my opinion. And the price has skyrocketed. Not much out of Hollywood catches my interest.

I hadn't been to "the movies" in six or eight months, but today I decided to go see Heart of the Beast. It was a good call.

Heart of the Beast has been heavily promoted on social media. There were so many clips on Instagram that I almost felt I had seen most of the movie. But all the clips I saw looked intriguing. The movie seemed like a solid story worth watching, and I'm glad to report that it is.

Although set in Alaska, Heart of the Beast was filmed in New Zealand. The scenery is spectacular. Brad Pitt does yeoman's work as James Belmont, retired US Army Special Forces officer. But his character's military service dog, Odin (named "Uber" in real life), steals just about every scene. Even Pitt has said in interviews that Odin is the real star of the show. 

The comments on Instagram leading up to the film's release were entertainment in themselves. Innumerable times, the producers actually had to swear in writing that "the dog lives" in order to shore up attendees for the movie. Yes, Odin survives. But any dog movie is going to yank at your heartstrings, and Heart of the Beast does exactly that.

No spoilers, but I liked the ending. It's a movie worth seeing. Even though Odin is fine at the end, if you're a dog lover, bring tissues.

Scene from Heart of the Beast

A Blessed Day

 "Faith makes things possible, not easy."

~ Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979

My father was a huge fan of Fulton Sheen's television show, Life Is Worth Living. It first aired in the 1950s and was revived as The Fulton Sheen Program during the 1960s. I remember Dad watching the shows with studied focus. Some memories are forever.

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified today at a Mass in St. Louis, Missouri. He becomes Blessed Fulton Sheen, one step closer to canonization. The required miracle that advanced Sheen to this holy status is the 2010 resuscitation of a stillborn infant, dead for over an hour, who was revived and is today a perfectly normal teenager.

The boy's parents had prayed for Fulton Sheen's intercession during the crisis. No medical professional can explain this outcome.

Sheen had a commanding presence, a sonorous voice, and a magnetic gaze. Through first his radio show, which aired from 1930 to 1950, then television during the '50s and '60s, he educated millions about the Catholic faith. One of his most famous quotes is: "There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.” 

My favorite quote of Sheen's is from his Emmy Award acceptance speech: "I wish to thank my four writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.”  He had the gift of wry humor, often applied during his talks.

Fulton Sheen was also a prolific author. He wrote more than five dozen books, available at major bookstores and online.

Sheen was devoted to his daily Holy Hour, time spent in silent prayer and reflection in front of the Blessed Sacrament. It is said he never missed a day, and he always did it before he was to speak on the air. He died in his private chapel, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, in December 1979.

After the 1960s, there is a generation or two that lost out on Fulton's Sheen's teachings. But he has experienced a huge revival in the digital age, with his shows airing on EWTN and YouTube. I found his entire series on YouTube last night. I recommend watching Episode 1, Quo Vadis America. It is so relevant to current events that I got the chills.

Sheen believed that communism was the worst threat to our nation. Considering the dangerous trajectory our politics have turned to, the man has been proved prescient.

The family of that stillborn baby is jubilant at today's beatification of Archbishop Sheen. They call him "an old family friend" and eagerly anticipate the verification of a second miracle attributable to Sheen, which will be required to declare him a saint. 

My father would be very happy about today's events. Hopefully by now he and the good Archbishop are already "old friends" in heaven.

Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen ~ 1895-1979

Beyond Bravery

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

~ Isaiah 6:8

I do remember the news story of the 2019 Islamist terrorist attack on a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. But I knew nothing of the remarkable man behind the successful rescue of hundreds of innocent hostages. In Kenya's early efforts to organize a response to the attack, British special forces operator Christian Craighead went into harm's way alone.

Craighead's story is an incredible saga of epic courage. It is worth investing the time to watch the lengthy interview on The Shawn Ryan Show, Episode 339, to learn the details of what he accomplished on that terrifying day.

As frightening as the story is, it is equally chilling to learn of the United Kingdom's relentless efforts to silence Craighead. A highly decorated member of the British Special Air Service (SAS), he relates that he had to sell all his military service medals to pay his legal bills in Great Britain. During an early break in the interview, immediately before he began relating the events of the attack, Craighead received an email from the British government informing him that they have filed a legal injunction against him in the United States.

By any definition, this man is a hero. How could any country not be proud of such an individual? Who would want to prevent him telling his story, and why? One would need to ask the forces of evil those questions. As Christian and Shawn cover in their discussion, spiritual warfare is hard at work on the global stage. 

One of the rescued American hostages, Malee, appears during the interview to tell her story. She was trapped in her hotel room for 22 hours and is so thankful to be alive and so grateful to Christian for saving her life.

Shawn Ryan's interview with Christian Craighead has close to two million YouTube views in three days. I hope the count keeps going; everyone should watch it, especially young people. Craighead embodies all the good qualities our Western way of life has always needed to survive and thrive.

During Craighead's recounting of what happened on that day of terror, I was literally on the edge of my seat, so tense I ended up with a knot in the side of my neck. I had to laugh; Christian Craighead was sitting right there telling his story. Obviously, he survived. But the story is paralyzing in its intensity.

After doing some neck rolls, I went online and bought Craighead's book, One Man In. Last night when I ordered it, it was nowhere on Amazon's bestseller list. Today it's at #5.  Craighead makes several statements about the importance of "momentum" in battle. I'll do whatever I can to contribute to momentum for One Man In. At the risk of spoiling surprises, Christmas shopping isn't too far off. 

The interview is long and worth every minute.

Available on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com

History Lessons

Teach your children well
Their father's hell did slowly go by.

~ Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

"Never forget" is a fine slogan for those of us who were old enough to remember September 11, 2001. But a generation later, Americans born since the late 1990s have no memory of that day. It's time to pass on the knowledge of the terrible evil inflicted upon our country.

Share with the young people in your life your experience of 9/11. We who remember all have our stories, seared with vivid detail into our memories. Do not spare the details of the massive carnage wrought by Islamist terrorist hatred directed at innocent American citizens. Talk about the heroes of United Flight 93 and the American Flight 77 attack on the Pentagon as well as the attacks on the World Trade Center. 

Many American families are suffering to this present day from the destructive effects of 9/11. More Americans have died from 9/11-related illnesses than were murdered on that day. More victims of these illnesses undoubtedly will continue to die. That's worth open discussion and remembrance, too.

Explain also how our entire country came together and supported one another during that unbearable time. In these days of domestic division and political vitriol, that part might be the most difficult to convey to a younger generation steeped in our current societal strife.

We must not allow the 9/11 attacks to become merely two annual beams of light. Nor can we allow altered narratives to be constructed around the stark reality of 9/11. Tell the story that those who died that day deserve to have passed on.

Beams of light commemorate the 9/11 attacks on NY's Twin Towers.

While We Have Time

“Brothers, while we have time, let us do good.”

~ St. Francis of Assisi

This quote from St. Francis of Assisi, drawn from Galatians 6:10, became the mantra of the Siller family following the 9/11 sacrifice of their youngest brother, Stephen.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T.org) was founded by his family in Stephen Siller's honor. Stephen's story has become a legend. Coming off duty, he was on his way home when he heard the news. Stephen called his wife to say he was heading back to the city.

With tunnels and bridges shut down for security after the planes attacked, Stephen was stopped in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. He donned full gear and ran to the World Trade Center. He was among the 343 firefighters who sacrificed their lives that day in their efforts to save others.

Let Us Do Good, a book by Stephen's brother Frank Siller, CEO of T2T, has been released in honor of this 25th anniversary of 9/11. Siller relates his family's story and all the wonderful work that has been achieved in memory of Stephen. T2T provides aid not only to firefighter families of 9/11, but to first responders who have since died or are still suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, Gold Star families, and disabled war veterans. This year, in honor of this 25th commemoration, the symbolic number of 343 mortgage-free homes will be presented through the Foundation's Smart Home Program. 

Tunnel to Towers Foundation is one of the charitable organizations I'm proud to support. They have helped thousands of family members of American heroes, from 9/11 and the years following. It would be difficult to find a more worthy cause.

While we have time, let us do good.

      

End of Watch

The radio transmissions capture the last moments of men about to die but thinking only of doing their job.

Battalion Chief Orio Palmer, Fire Marshall Ron Bucca, and the FDNY Ladder 15 team had reached the 78th floor of the South Tower. They were working hard in this burning hellscape and calling on their brothers for immediate help. They didn't have time to think about dying.

Click the FDNY transmission links in the Orio's Story page of the Orio Palmer Foundation website to hear the final few minutes of one hero's life. We didn't deserve such men but were so blessed to have them.

A total of 441 first responders, including 343 firefighters, were killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. May each and every one rest in eternal peace.

The final transmission of FDNY Battalion Chief Orio Palmer
Full video on Instagram

The Hero in the Red Bandana

Welles Crowther lived two dozen years. That's a short life. Yet during his final earthly hour, on 9/11, he saved 18 people from certain death in the flaming heights of the South Tower.

Covering his nose and mouth with the red bandana he always carried, Welles guided people to the one stairway that led down to safety. Then he turned around and went back upstairs into the blazing hell. His body was found months later in the Tower lobby, near those of other firefighters at the command station. It's clear that Welles wasn't planning to leave as long as he could assist in the rescue efforts.

His family established the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust in 2001, bringing forth ongoing good from the depths of tragedy and evil. In 2006, the FDNY Commissioner named Welles an honorary New York City firefighter. This week, President Trump posthumously awarded Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

It would be hard to top his heroic achievement on 9/11, no matter how many years Welles may have otherwise lived. We'll never know. But one thing is certain: it would be far better for us to have more such men as Welles alive today. May eternal light shine upon him.

Full documentary: Man in Red Bandana
The 9/11 hero who saved lives - Welles Crowther

The 9/11 Boatlift

 "A hero is a man who does what he can." 

~ Romain Rolland

I must have heard about this sometime within the tsunami of media coverage following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but I'm ashamed to admit I had forgotten it.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a call for "All available boats" to assist in the evacuation of lower Manhattan. The maritime response undoubtedly exceeded expectations.

Within nine hours, approximately 150 boats evacuated close to 500,000 people to safety. The nautical heroes of 9/11 should be remembered with honor and respect, too.

Click to watch the 12-minute video
BOATLIFT: An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience

Uncommon Valor

Do you ever ask yourself what you would do in a life-or-death situation that would demand action of you?

Whenever I think of United Flight 93, that thought occurs to me.

I hope I would be as courageous as the passengers and crew that decided to fight back against the terrorists. But I'm in no way sure that I would have done so; I doubt that anyone can be sure of what they would do. That's what makes their actions so extraordinary. 

United 93 crashed in rural Pennsylvania, as everyday American men and women successfully thwarted the terrorist mission of attacking another target in our nation's capital. These were people just going about their lives and jobs, thrust suddenly into the path of a terrifying death. They chose to devote the remaining minutes of their lives to mount a defense against incomprehensible evil.

Because these brave men and women succeeded in their courageous battle against the terrorists, the United States was spared untold additional loss and suffering on September 11, 2001.

The Flight 93 National Memorial Park is a place I hope to visit one day. The story of United Flight 93 is one of uncommon valor, a legacy of incredible bravery. It should be an enduring inspiration to every American.

Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania, USA

Struck to the Core

Amidst the enormity of the World Trade Center attack in New York City and the drama of United Flight 93, the attack on the Pentagon is sometimes overlooked. This is unfortunate for many reasons.

The Pentagon is the seat of our nation's defense apparatus. The dark symbolism in this building being a terrorist target is obvious. There were 184 deaths at the Pentagon on 9/11, including 59 passengers and crew on American Flight 77. These people ranged in age from 3 to 71 years old. Aside from military deaths, the victims included children and teachers on a school field trip, civilian employees, scientists, pilots, and government contractors. They were there that day from all across America and the world.

The Pentagon attack underscored the totality of the nation's vulnerability to terrorist hatred. Although I live on the West coast, I was employed by a defense contracting company. There were coworkers of mine in the Pentagon for a meeting that day; thankfully, they were unharmed.

An engineer I worked with, who was very soft-spoken and mild-mannered, came storming into the office on September 11, visibly upset. He told me that the parents of his childhood best friend had been passengers on American Flight 77. He slammed his backpack onto his desktop with a fierce outburst: "I'm angry!" In that moment, he spoke for every American.

There was a unity in our shock and grief on 9/11 that I'm sad to think would be elusive today. In remembering 9/11 we can strive to rekindle that spark of solidarity among our countrymen. As in any healing process, it will be slow going. But to survive as the nation we love, try we must.

 

9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon

Climbing to Honor

To mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of September 11, the San Diego 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb takes place today. There are similar events all across the USA this weekend. But in years past, when my son climbed, I've attended San Diego's Stair Climb. It was always an emotional experience yet a wonderful day.

There are local, regional, and out-of-state firefighters who sign up to climb, usually wearing full turnout gear. Registration is open to the public also, so there are hundreds of climbers lining up early in the morning. There are also hundreds of family members, friends, and spectators to cheer them on. Besides the ceremonies, introductions, and acknowledgements, a special guest speaker who is personally affected by 9/11 addresses the crowd before the climbing begins.

The climbers are grouped into teams, which begin their journey in stages. Each team is assigned a start time commemorating a significant moment on 9/11:

1. 8:46 AM - American Flight 11 hits the North WTC Tower.
2. 9:03 AM - United Flight 175 hits the South WTC Tower.
3. 9:37 AM - American Flight 77 hits the Pentagon.
4. 10:03 AM - United Flight 93 crashes in Pennsylvania.
5. 9:59 AM - The South Tower falls.
6. 10:28 AM - The North Tower falls.

Each climber can choose or is given the headshot and name of a 9/11 fallen first responder to be displayed on their climber badge. At the conclusion of their 110-floor climb, each climber rings the fire bell in honor of the fallen they have represented.

The San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel has 32 floors, and the climbers make three trips to the top floor, then climb 14 floors more for a total 110 floors to correspond to the height of the Twin Towers. The annual memorial stair climb is a salute in honor of all the more than 400 emergency responders who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

At the climb's conclusion the climbers are tired, sweating, and aching. But it gives them a good feeling to know that they've paid proper homage to their fallen brethren. It's a good enough feeling that today's heroes can then head over to the beer garden and toast the heroes of 9/11. I think the 9/11 heroes would like that.

Movies for the Week

“The past beats inside me like a second heart.” ~ John Banville

There are many films commemorating the events of September 11, 2001, and rightly so. This coming week, which will mark the 25th anniversary of that terrible day, is a perfect time to revisit the films that tell so many personal stories of the people who were there, suffered, and sometimes survived.

I still keep the DVD of 2006's World Trade Center, starring Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena. The movie depicts the true-life ordeal of the two New York City Port Authority police officers trapped deep within the rubble. Their rescue was nothing short of miraculous. 

Another disk I won't part with is the riveting 2002 documentary, 9/11, in which film makers capture real time events as they unfolded for firefighters and other first responders on scene at the Twin Towers. For many years it has been my tradition to watch this video every year on September 11. The footage recorded inside the Tower, in the midst of the initial chaos, is incredibly powerful.

United 93 is a gripping dramatization of the brave actions of the flight crew and passengers who thwarted the terrorist hijackers in their goal of attacking Washington D.C. I saw it in the movies upon its release, and it's very well done. But that was a film too sad to own or even watch again. Yet in honor of this occasion, 9/11's 25th anniversary, I'll watch United 93 on YouTube this year. 

Browse the list of 9/11-themed films and find your own selections. That's just a suggestion of one way to mark this significant anniversary of a tragic day that changed all our lives. September 11, 2001, will always be worth remembering.

Best Friends

"All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog."

~ Charles M. Schulz

It's almost the 25th anniversary of the day that roiled our national history. September 11, 2001, is eternally memorable for millions of reasons. During this week leading up to the 25th memorial year, it's worth marking a few moments of what's come to be known simply as "9/11."

Being a dog lover, I'm starting with the search and rescue dogs that tirelessly traversed the ruins of the Twin Towers in the days following the terrorist attacks. These dedicated animals are trained to find living human beings to be saved. The dogs actually become depressed if they do not succeed in their mission. 

It soon became apparent to first responders and all those working on the wreckage that no one was left alive. It is established that some of the dog handlers occasionally hid themselves under debris so the search dogs could be rewarded by discovering them and thus gain a sense of satisfaction in achieving their purpose.

As is their canine way, the dog heroes of 9/11 became a brief but enduring part of a much larger human story.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
~ Will Rogers

Goodbye to a Dream Come True

 "I'm not near where I dream of being." ~ Dolly Parton, in a 1977 ABC TV interview

Dolly Parton, a completely unique musical talent and celebrity presence, died today at age 80. To say we've lost an American icon is a weak statement, but it's a start.

No matter how outlandish her appearance might have been, Dolly Parton was as real as they come. Whenever she spoke, she was honest, guileless, always cheerful, often surprising and sometimes even shocking in her openness. 

Dolly Parton, "Queen of Country," achieved the goal of her music crossing over into pop culture with such film hits as the theme song for1980's 9 to 5 (in which she also starred) and her classic I Will Always Love You, which became a massive hit for Whitney Houston from 1992's The Bodyguard movie soundtrack. Dolly wrote the song in 1973 and had a well-established tradition of closing her concerts with it.

One of my favorite anecdotes about Dolly is that, upon hearing Houston was objecting to Dolly singing that song so often, was "I wrote it, it's my song, and I'll sing it any dang time I want." Or words to that effect. As noted, Dolly was real.

Her music has resonated worldwide for more than half a century. She not only wrote her own music, over 3,000 songs; she sang those songs and played guitar accompaniment, too. Among her many roles, Dolly was a singer, musician, actor, comedian, philanthropist, businesswoman, and founder of the theme park Dollywood. It's important to note that she was also a dedicated Christian and devoted to her large extended family. Dolly would probably have mentioned those qualities first.

Her hair, nails, and some notable body parts might have been fake, but Dolly was genuine. She embodied our true American ideal, a rags-to-riches story that stretched from the poverty of an Appalachian cabin to worldwide wealth and fame. Dolly worked hard and earned her way up, something worth remembering in our modern age of entitlement. By her own talent, effort, and determination, she got to where she dreamed of being. Rest in peace, Dolly. You deserve it.

The rude interviewer thought she could rattle Dolly Parton. 
Dolly's grace and charm did not waver.

Trading Up

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

~ Thomas A. Edison

Everyone in the market knows by now that new jobs are hard to come by. In these inflationary times, belt-tightening companies make do with current staff at best or huge layoffs at worst. The meteoric rise of AI doesn't help the employment dilemma. Numerous entry level jobs, even mid-level jobs, in all business sectors have been eliminated by the implementation of AI. 

So, what do the high school students of 2026 look ahead to when planning their post-graduation education? I think it's time to resuscitate the lucrative alternative to the crushing debt of today's often useless college degrees. I'm referring to jobs in "The Trades."

Careers in the trades span a dizzying array of industries: construction, energy, aviation, transportation, and mining are but a few. Armed with a high school diploma, a young worker can begin on-the-job training and earn a livable salary. The opportunity to advance and increase income is built into trade jobs, and the high need and demand for these jobs ensures employment security for the foreseeable future.

Think about it. We need skilled workers who can understand, build, repair, and manage the many facets of our modern societal infrastructure. My grandchildren leap to mind, all of them Lego wizards as preschoolers. What amazing electricians, avionics technicians, or construction supervisors they would make!

I'm not dissing college; my kids and I all have bachelor's degrees. College has its place, despite today's ridiculous price tag and often vacuous course offerings. But today is a new and different time in the job market, with specialized technical skills in pressing demand.

Today's high school graduate can go on to college for several years, often incurring formidable student loan debt along with uncertain job prospects. Or they can jump right into a position in the trades and soon begin earning serious money in a stable job. That sounds like a good trade to me.

Wood jointer at work