To our beach. Worked hard today to be able to hit the road!!
Yippee.... :)
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
R.I.P. Private First Class Richard K. Jones
http://www.roxboro-courier.com/articles/2009/08/05/news/doc4a78c2ecebbd7361776304.txt
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Carroll Is...
Trying to get back into Meredith, to finish her Bachelors. Wish me luck - not sure how its gonna work with my work schedule and distance! Sent some e-mails today to find out more info. Wish me luck. :)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Its Been A While....
Had a "flashback" of this today!
Man - I studied and studied this thing... then CHOKED!!
All you MC girls know what I am talking about!!
From The Canterbury Tales:
General Prologue
Here bygynneth the Book of the Tales of Caunterbury
Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
5 Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,
And smale foweles maken melodye,
10 That slepen al the nyght with open eye-
(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages);
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages
And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes
To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;
15 And specially from every shires ende
Of Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende,
The hooly blisful martir for to seke
That hem hath holpen, whan that they were seeke.
Man - I studied and studied this thing... then CHOKED!!
All you MC girls know what I am talking about!!
From The Canterbury Tales:
General Prologue
Here bygynneth the Book of the Tales of Caunterbury
Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
5 Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth
Inspired hath in every holt and heeth
The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne
Hath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,
And smale foweles maken melodye,
10 That slepen al the nyght with open eye-
(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages);
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages
And palmeres for to seken straunge strondes
To ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;
15 And specially from every shires ende
Of Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende,
The hooly blisful martir for to seke
That hem hath holpen, whan that they were seeke.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
R.I.P. Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur
Thanks for ALL of the laughs from both of you!! You will be missed!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
"I Like Red"
Is what one my girls said to me today while we were huddled up, about to go into overtime for our second match! Today was SO fun. I am SO proud of my girls. They did not give up today - and came back to win. I'm kinda gettin' in to this whole coaching thing! GO RED!!! :)
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wow.
Stephanie told me about watching this on "The View." It makes me cry every time I watch it. How wonderful is this?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thought Of The Day.
For everyone who understands. Yay for today. :)
Papa Smurf (in French, "Le Grand Schtroumpf") is gentle, wise, and knowledgeable. He serves as the Smurfs' leader and as a paternal figure of which the Smurfs usually go to when they require counsel and he is always concerned about the Smurf's wellbeing and harmony. He is very altruistic and always ready to help somebody, whether he is a Smurf or human. Papa Smurf also has diplomatic skills in case they meet humans or other creatures, and usually manages to speak without using the "smurf" word.
In the original comic books by Peyo, Papa Smurf had a much more forceful personality, and had a short-temper (often seen getting angry with his smurfs when they did something wrong or were not obeying his orders).
Papa Smurf's duty is to ensure all the Smurfs of the village get along well, are nice to each other, and don't fight. When real chaos rises among them, Papa Smurf takes very drastic measures, often using magic, like switching bodies with Gargamel in order to pretend to attack the village ("Smurf Versus Smurf" issue) ("Romeo & Smurfette episode) or even creating a whole other village of evil doubles of the original Smurfs ("The Smurf Menace" issue).
While Papa Smurf would sometimes prefer not to have to constantly fix problems, he came to realize it was his calling. One time he said that because he may not be able to be the village leader forever, every Smurf should have a brief experience of commanding the village, which was signified by him handing over his signature red hat and having the designated Smurf wear it and direct others on a construction project. The Smurfs were then at different points wearing the hat and being referred to as "Papa Greedy", "Papa Clumsy" or "Mama Smurfette". While Papa felt it important that each Smurf gain leadership skills, his true purpose was to be always guiding the Smurfs and fixing their problems and mistakes.
When he is not doing his leader or "father-knows-best" job, Papa Smurf indulges in his favorite hobby: magical chemistry, or alchemy. He often makes elixirs to help out Smurfs who get themselves into trouble; the French comic portrays Papa Smurf constantly preparing magical drinks from white hellebore (the drawings in which the effects of these alchemical brews are shown are both turbulent and amusing). His house is a large laboratory containing several chemical devices, and he tries to create potions for the good of the Smurfs, yet sometimes fails - such as the time he accidentally created a substance that turned any living thing into a huge monster (see the album: "The Smurfs and the Cracoucass and the cartoon episode The Smurfs and the Howlibird"). Impassioned by this activity, he occasionally leaves the village in order to get the needed ingredients.
Papa Smurf (in French, "Le Grand Schtroumpf") is gentle, wise, and knowledgeable. He serves as the Smurfs' leader and as a paternal figure of which the Smurfs usually go to when they require counsel and he is always concerned about the Smurf's wellbeing and harmony. He is very altruistic and always ready to help somebody, whether he is a Smurf or human. Papa Smurf also has diplomatic skills in case they meet humans or other creatures, and usually manages to speak without using the "smurf" word.
In the original comic books by Peyo, Papa Smurf had a much more forceful personality, and had a short-temper (often seen getting angry with his smurfs when they did something wrong or were not obeying his orders).
Papa Smurf's duty is to ensure all the Smurfs of the village get along well, are nice to each other, and don't fight. When real chaos rises among them, Papa Smurf takes very drastic measures, often using magic, like switching bodies with Gargamel in order to pretend to attack the village ("Smurf Versus Smurf" issue) ("Romeo & Smurfette episode) or even creating a whole other village of evil doubles of the original Smurfs ("The Smurf Menace" issue).
While Papa Smurf would sometimes prefer not to have to constantly fix problems, he came to realize it was his calling. One time he said that because he may not be able to be the village leader forever, every Smurf should have a brief experience of commanding the village, which was signified by him handing over his signature red hat and having the designated Smurf wear it and direct others on a construction project. The Smurfs were then at different points wearing the hat and being referred to as "Papa Greedy", "Papa Clumsy" or "Mama Smurfette". While Papa felt it important that each Smurf gain leadership skills, his true purpose was to be always guiding the Smurfs and fixing their problems and mistakes.
When he is not doing his leader or "father-knows-best" job, Papa Smurf indulges in his favorite hobby: magical chemistry, or alchemy. He often makes elixirs to help out Smurfs who get themselves into trouble; the French comic portrays Papa Smurf constantly preparing magical drinks from white hellebore (the drawings in which the effects of these alchemical brews are shown are both turbulent and amusing). His house is a large laboratory containing several chemical devices, and he tries to create potions for the good of the Smurfs, yet sometimes fails - such as the time he accidentally created a substance that turned any living thing into a huge monster (see the album: "The Smurfs and the Cracoucass and the cartoon episode The Smurfs and the Howlibird"). Impassioned by this activity, he occasionally leaves the village in order to get the needed ingredients.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Team Name.
My girls have until Sunday to come up with ideas for their team name. I gave them the opportunity to decide on it themselves. BUT....... if "Coach Lewis" gets to decide, we are gonna be the "T-Birds."
Corn ball, yes. Me, yes. I already picked team colors and they are red, white and black because those are Currituck colors and everyone in Roxboro wears blue all the time!
They have their opportunity to come with ideas - I'm coming with mine. :)
Peace, hope, love.
Corn ball, yes. Me, yes. I already picked team colors and they are red, white and black because those are Currituck colors and everyone in Roxboro wears blue all the time!
They have their opportunity to come with ideas - I'm coming with mine. :)
Peace, hope, love.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
From The Wiki - My Inspiration.
The Vince Lombardi Trophy is the trophy awarded each year to the winning team of the National Football League's annual championship game, the Super Bowl. The trophy was originally called the "World Championship Game Trophy" in 1967, when the Super Bowl was originally named the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. It was renamed in 1970 in memory of legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi after his sudden death from cancer to commemorate his victories in the first two Super Bowls.
Since Super Bowl XXX, it is presented to the winning team's owner on the field following the game. Previously, it was presented inside the winning team's locker room. The trophy, created by Tiffany & Co. is valued at $25,000,[1] and depicts a regulation-size football in kicking position that is made entirely of sterling silver, standing 22 inches (56 cm) tall, weighing 7 pounds (3.2 kg), it takes approximately four months and 72 man-hours to create. The words "Vince Lombardi Trophy" are engraved and the NFL shield is affixed in a separate item onto the base. After the trophy is awarded, it is sent back to Tiffany's to be engraved with the winning team's name, the date and final score of the Super Bowl, and then is sent back to the winning team for them to keep. For the first four games, both the NFL and the AFL logos were in the center of the trophy. Starting from Super Bowl V through XLII, the NFL shield with more than 20 stars has been on the forefront. As of Super Bowl XLIII a newer, modernized NFL shield (with eight stars and a rotated football designed akin to that atop the trophy) replaced the older logo.
The team is allowed to keep the trophy at their own facility, with one notable exception being the trophy that the then-Baltimore Colts won in Super Bowl V. The city of Baltimore, Maryland retained the trophy the team had from that Super Bowl as part of the legal settlement between the team and the city after the Colts' infamous "Midnight Mayflower" move to Indianapolis, Indiana on March 29, 1984. Since then, both the Colts and the Baltimore Ravens have won the Super Bowl and earned their own trophies outright.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the most Vince Lombardi Trophies, with six. The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are tied with five Vince Lombardi Trophies apiece. The New York Giants, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins are all tied for fourth with three apiece.
Since Super Bowl XXX, it is presented to the winning team's owner on the field following the game. Previously, it was presented inside the winning team's locker room. The trophy, created by Tiffany & Co. is valued at $25,000,[1] and depicts a regulation-size football in kicking position that is made entirely of sterling silver, standing 22 inches (56 cm) tall, weighing 7 pounds (3.2 kg), it takes approximately four months and 72 man-hours to create. The words "Vince Lombardi Trophy" are engraved and the NFL shield is affixed in a separate item onto the base. After the trophy is awarded, it is sent back to Tiffany's to be engraved with the winning team's name, the date and final score of the Super Bowl, and then is sent back to the winning team for them to keep. For the first four games, both the NFL and the AFL logos were in the center of the trophy. Starting from Super Bowl V through XLII, the NFL shield with more than 20 stars has been on the forefront. As of Super Bowl XLIII a newer, modernized NFL shield (with eight stars and a rotated football designed akin to that atop the trophy) replaced the older logo.
The team is allowed to keep the trophy at their own facility, with one notable exception being the trophy that the then-Baltimore Colts won in Super Bowl V. The city of Baltimore, Maryland retained the trophy the team had from that Super Bowl as part of the legal settlement between the team and the city after the Colts' infamous "Midnight Mayflower" move to Indianapolis, Indiana on March 29, 1984. Since then, both the Colts and the Baltimore Ravens have won the Super Bowl and earned their own trophies outright.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the most Vince Lombardi Trophies, with six. The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are tied with five Vince Lombardi Trophies apiece. The New York Giants, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins are all tied for fourth with three apiece.
Nervous.
I'm nervous about tomorrow. I don't normally get nervous; so, I am not sure how to react to it. I hope my girls like me - and I can be a good coach to them.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Keys
I locked my keys in the car today at lunch. Thankfully, my neighbor and Stephanie came to my rescue and broke into my care in about 30 minutes!! Glad they have good carjacking sills!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Motto For The Coming Weeks:
They call it coaching but it is teaching. You do not just tell them... you show them the reasons." "Having the capacity to lead is not enough. The leader must be willing to use it."
- Vince Lombardi
****************************************************************************************\
I got my roster for my volleyball team yesterday. The first name on the list was Lou's(my good friend at work) granddaughter. I thought it was kind of ironic but offered me a sense of security that I would at least know someone. I'm kinda nervous, which is an odd emotion for me to feel - I normally don't get nervous.
I hope the season will be a fun, if not successful one!
Peace, hope, love.
- Vince Lombardi
****************************************************************************************\
I got my roster for my volleyball team yesterday. The first name on the list was Lou's(my good friend at work) granddaughter. I thought it was kind of ironic but offered me a sense of security that I would at least know someone. I'm kinda nervous, which is an odd emotion for me to feel - I normally don't get nervous.
I hope the season will be a fun, if not successful one!
Peace, hope, love.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Just Cause I used to just Sing The Words....
But now I know what they mean!
What a beautiful day it was today!!!
What a beautiful day it was today!!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Today
Today I won one. Someone - who before today didn't think about the legal morality of what "marriage" brings. Its not about validation, its about equal. Equal for ALL. One person got it today.
We will fight and fight we will.
Peace, Hope, Love.
***************************************************************************************
This morning, before the California Supreme Court, Ken Starr will argue for the forcible divorce of 18,000 loving same-sex couples who married before Proposition 8 passed.
Starr has said the marriage ban should stand because of the state's role in protecting the welfare of children.
The hypocrisy of "protecting" children by divorcing their parents is unconscionable. Yet this is just one in a parade of outrageous lies by right-wing extremists.
So HRC is launching a new campaign to expose this dishonest fear-mongering against equality – to counteract the lies with respectful dialogue and grassroots action.
Sign our first petition at EndtheLies.org – Tell Ken Starr to stop using lies about child "welfare" to divorce loving parents.
Since it's no longer as acceptable to display open bigotry against LGBT people, the right-wing has resorted to lies and fear tactics. Take Ken Starr's statement that same-sex marriage amounts to "seizing and hijacking the marriage relationship in order to achieve apartheid-type values."
HRC's EndtheLies.org campaign will help us combat these untruths in the media, in Congress, in our statehouses, schools, workplaces and faith communities. And that will be key during the brewing battle over hate crimes legislation – which the right-wing is already trying to drag into the gutter.
*
They say that hate crimes laws will criminalize pastors and "do away with our freedom of speech."
*
They spent millions during the Prop. 8 campaign telling Californians that marriage equality was corrupting schoolchildren and eroding their "moral character."
*
They're running absurd ads that suggest transgender anti-discrimination measures will lead to men attacking women and girls in public restrooms.
We've exposed dozens more outrages at EndtheLies.org – check it out and sign our Ken Starr petition today.
Right-wing extremists will keep spreading these lies as long as no one holds them accountable. They will continue to raise money hand-over-fist and use lies to block hate crime and workplace protections, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS funding, and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
That's why YOUR action is so critical. These lies aren't just offensive – they stand in the way of basic fairness and equality.
End the Lies – starting with Ken Starr's!
Last night, HRC joined with other groups to sponsor Marriage Equality USA's "Eve of Justice" vigils across California. Today, hundreds of protestors will gather outside the courthouse in San Francisco during the oral arguments. The court will issue a ruling within 90 days. This is one of those rare moments in our movement when we can shine a light and change hearts and minds – please spread the word to family and friends.
We will fight and fight we will.
Peace, Hope, Love.
***************************************************************************************
This morning, before the California Supreme Court, Ken Starr will argue for the forcible divorce of 18,000 loving same-sex couples who married before Proposition 8 passed.
Starr has said the marriage ban should stand because of the state's role in protecting the welfare of children.
The hypocrisy of "protecting" children by divorcing their parents is unconscionable. Yet this is just one in a parade of outrageous lies by right-wing extremists.
So HRC is launching a new campaign to expose this dishonest fear-mongering against equality – to counteract the lies with respectful dialogue and grassroots action.
Sign our first petition at EndtheLies.org – Tell Ken Starr to stop using lies about child "welfare" to divorce loving parents.
Since it's no longer as acceptable to display open bigotry against LGBT people, the right-wing has resorted to lies and fear tactics. Take Ken Starr's statement that same-sex marriage amounts to "seizing and hijacking the marriage relationship in order to achieve apartheid-type values."
HRC's EndtheLies.org campaign will help us combat these untruths in the media, in Congress, in our statehouses, schools, workplaces and faith communities. And that will be key during the brewing battle over hate crimes legislation – which the right-wing is already trying to drag into the gutter.
*
They say that hate crimes laws will criminalize pastors and "do away with our freedom of speech."
*
They spent millions during the Prop. 8 campaign telling Californians that marriage equality was corrupting schoolchildren and eroding their "moral character."
*
They're running absurd ads that suggest transgender anti-discrimination measures will lead to men attacking women and girls in public restrooms.
We've exposed dozens more outrages at EndtheLies.org – check it out and sign our Ken Starr petition today.
Right-wing extremists will keep spreading these lies as long as no one holds them accountable. They will continue to raise money hand-over-fist and use lies to block hate crime and workplace protections, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS funding, and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
That's why YOUR action is so critical. These lies aren't just offensive – they stand in the way of basic fairness and equality.
End the Lies – starting with Ken Starr's!
Last night, HRC joined with other groups to sponsor Marriage Equality USA's "Eve of Justice" vigils across California. Today, hundreds of protestors will gather outside the courthouse in San Francisco during the oral arguments. The court will issue a ruling within 90 days. This is one of those rare moments in our movement when we can shine a light and change hearts and minds – please spread the word to family and friends.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Seriously?
Why are people so concerened with who I want to marry. If you don't like gay marriage then don't marry a gay person! God forbid ALL North Carolinians have equal rights under the law??
This type of thing makes me sad because it shows how FAR we have to still go.
Gay marriage opponents rally in Raleigh
Posted: Today at 4:01 a.m.
Updated: Today at 4:26 p.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Thousands of supporters of a ban on gay marriage in North Carolina lobbied the Legislature for the second time in a week.
Capitol Police estimated between 3,00 and 4,000 people were at a rally sponsored by Christian conservative group Return America in downtown Raleigh Tuesday. A similar outdoor event attracted thousands in 2007.
North Carolina law defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. But social conservatives want specific language added to the state constitution, arguing that a voter-approved amendment banning gay marriage would push back court challenges.
Thirty states have such bans. Gay rights supporters argue the state shouldn't write discrimination into the constitution.
*************************************************************************************
We will fight and fight we will.
Peace, hope, love.
This type of thing makes me sad because it shows how FAR we have to still go.
Gay marriage opponents rally in Raleigh
Posted: Today at 4:01 a.m.
Updated: Today at 4:26 p.m.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Thousands of supporters of a ban on gay marriage in North Carolina lobbied the Legislature for the second time in a week.
Capitol Police estimated between 3,00 and 4,000 people were at a rally sponsored by Christian conservative group Return America in downtown Raleigh Tuesday. A similar outdoor event attracted thousands in 2007.
North Carolina law defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. But social conservatives want specific language added to the state constitution, arguing that a voter-approved amendment banning gay marriage would push back court challenges.
Thirty states have such bans. Gay rights supporters argue the state shouldn't write discrimination into the constitution.
*************************************************************************************
We will fight and fight we will.
Peace, hope, love.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Like A Lion
This was my road this morning - I still worked half a day. Hopefully I got some brownie points.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Inspiration
I had to sit through a two hour staff meeting on Thursday because our director had us watch "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. I was surprised at how much I liked the lecture.
If you need a little inspiration - go check it out. I was shocked our director would get this personal with us. Most of the time she is all business.
Peace, hope, love.
If you need a little inspiration - go check it out. I was shocked our director would get this personal with us. Most of the time she is all business.
Peace, hope, love.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Yep.
"Fund schools. Not wars." - Any questions?
Thanks to President Obama - the county got their money's worth out of me this week.
Peace, hope, love.
Thanks to President Obama - the county got their money's worth out of me this week.
Peace, hope, love.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Five Years Later
Today is a day that five years ago changed my life in so many ways I am still realizing them even now.
I hope I don't cry ALL day long, I am gonna try not to anyway.
R.I.P.
Edith Delores "Dee" Lupton Lewis - March 13, 1941 - February 23, 2004.
Mammaw - I still miss you today and wish you were here to see that I've gotten me together. I hope you have found some peace.
Peace, hope, love y'all.
I hope I don't cry ALL day long, I am gonna try not to anyway.
R.I.P.
Edith Delores "Dee" Lupton Lewis - March 13, 1941 - February 23, 2004.
Mammaw - I still miss you today and wish you were here to see that I've gotten me together. I hope you have found some peace.
Peace, hope, love y'all.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Eating Lunch Alone
Usually Stephanie is home for lunch when I am; and, we eat together. For today's lunch, I was by myself alone with the dog and it was super lonely for me. It made me realize how much I love having her at home during my hour away from work. Anyway - I guess I am just a sucker when it comes to her. I just need to accept it. Nonetheless, I love having her in my life.
Peace, Love and Hope Y'all.
Peace, Love and Hope Y'all.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Resume's
I read a resume today that had this as a position title:
"Executive Domestic Engineer" - I read it again and thought what the hell? Then it hit me.
This was the most creative way I have ever heard someone describing their job being a housewife. Gotta love it. My laugh of the day.
"Executive Domestic Engineer" - I read it again and thought what the hell? Then it hit me.
This was the most creative way I have ever heard someone describing their job being a housewife. Gotta love it. My laugh of the day.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Stephanie's Birthday
How will today change our world?
We'll have to wait and see.
Happy Birthday Bubba.
We'll have to wait and see.
Happy Birthday Bubba.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Food For Thought
I read this article at work today, just as I was beginning my day. For the rest of the day I thought about how I was perceived by the person across the desk from me. All day I thought to myself, "how would I rank among social workers?" It helped me to have a positive and successful day - and love that I have a wonderful job to go to. This will be my inspiration for the coming week and I wish I could find something that made me think like this every Monday morning.
It's been 145 years since Abraham Lincoln appeared on a ballot, but admiration for the man who saved the union and sparked the end of slavery is as strong as ever, according to a new survey.
Abraham Lincoln, seen in an 1861 photo, tops the list of former presidents in a new survey of historians.
Abraham Lincoln, seen in an 1861 photo, tops the list of former presidents in a new survey of historians.
Lincoln finished first in a ranking by historians of the 42 former White House occupants. The survey was released over Presidents Day weekend.
The news wasn't quite as good for the latest addition to the nation's most exclusive fraternity: George W. Bush finished 36th in the survey, narrowly edging out the likes of historical also-rans Millard Fillmore, Warren Harding and Franklin Pierce.
James Buchanan -- the man who watched helplessly as the nation lurched toward civil war in the 1850s -- finished last.
"As much as is possible, we created a poll that was non-partisan, judicious and fair-minded," said Rice University professor Douglas Brinkley, who helped organize the survey of 65 historians for cable television network C-SPAN.
The survey -- which asked participants to rank each president on 10 qualities of leadership ranging from public persuasion and economic management to international relations and moral authority -- was the network's second since 2000. See which presidents ranked highest and lowest »
The hero of Springfield, Illinois, finished first nine years ago as well.
Don't Miss
* Historians: Bush presidency 'battered,' 'incompetent'
* AC360 blog: The test of time
* Why Lincoln still matters
* C-SPAN: Presidential Leadership Survey
"It's fitting that for the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln that he remains at the top of these presidential rankings," Brinkley said.
"Lincoln continues to rank at the top in all categories because he is perceived to embody the nation's avowed core values: integrity, moderation, persistence in the pursuit of honorable goals, respect for human rights, compassion," Howard University's Edna Medford added.
Founding father George Washington finished second in the new survey, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry Truman, in that order.
Bill Clinton registered the greatest gain among recent presidents, jumping from 21st to 15th in the survey. Ronald Reagan edged forward from 11th to 10th overall, while George H.W. Bush moved up from 20th to 18th.
The prize for the greatest jump in approval from historians over the last nine years, however, went to a president who has often sat near the bottom of such rankings: Ulysses S. Grant. The Civil War general jumped 10 notches, from 33rd to 23rd.
Grant has traditionally received poor marks for corruption among people in his administration and the failed postwar reconstruction effort he presided over. But the nation's 18th president may be getting a bounce from all of the recent attention focused on Lincoln, Medford said.
"Grant won the war for Lincoln," she noted during an appearance on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal." "A new look at the totality of his career may be improving his presidential stature," she said.
"Bill Clinton and Ulysses S. Grant aren't often mentioned in the same sentence -- until now," historian Richard Norton Smith said. "Participants in the latest [survey] have boosted each man significantly higher than in the original survey conducted in 2000. All of which goes to show two things: the fluidity with which presidential reputations are judged, and the difficulty of assessing any president who has only just recently left office."
In his final news conference before stepping down last month, George W. Bush made it clear he wasn't concerned with poor initial judgments of his presidency.
advertisement
"There is no such thing as short-term history," Bush said. "I don't think you can possibly get the full breadth of an administration until time has passed."
The survey's participants ranked Bush 41st on international relations and 40th on economic management -- ahead of only Herbert Hoover.
It's been 145 years since Abraham Lincoln appeared on a ballot, but admiration for the man who saved the union and sparked the end of slavery is as strong as ever, according to a new survey.
Abraham Lincoln, seen in an 1861 photo, tops the list of former presidents in a new survey of historians.
Abraham Lincoln, seen in an 1861 photo, tops the list of former presidents in a new survey of historians.
Lincoln finished first in a ranking by historians of the 42 former White House occupants. The survey was released over Presidents Day weekend.
The news wasn't quite as good for the latest addition to the nation's most exclusive fraternity: George W. Bush finished 36th in the survey, narrowly edging out the likes of historical also-rans Millard Fillmore, Warren Harding and Franklin Pierce.
James Buchanan -- the man who watched helplessly as the nation lurched toward civil war in the 1850s -- finished last.
"As much as is possible, we created a poll that was non-partisan, judicious and fair-minded," said Rice University professor Douglas Brinkley, who helped organize the survey of 65 historians for cable television network C-SPAN.
The survey -- which asked participants to rank each president on 10 qualities of leadership ranging from public persuasion and economic management to international relations and moral authority -- was the network's second since 2000. See which presidents ranked highest and lowest »
The hero of Springfield, Illinois, finished first nine years ago as well.
Don't Miss
* Historians: Bush presidency 'battered,' 'incompetent'
* AC360 blog: The test of time
* Why Lincoln still matters
* C-SPAN: Presidential Leadership Survey
"It's fitting that for the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln that he remains at the top of these presidential rankings," Brinkley said.
"Lincoln continues to rank at the top in all categories because he is perceived to embody the nation's avowed core values: integrity, moderation, persistence in the pursuit of honorable goals, respect for human rights, compassion," Howard University's Edna Medford added.
Founding father George Washington finished second in the new survey, followed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry Truman, in that order.
Bill Clinton registered the greatest gain among recent presidents, jumping from 21st to 15th in the survey. Ronald Reagan edged forward from 11th to 10th overall, while George H.W. Bush moved up from 20th to 18th.
The prize for the greatest jump in approval from historians over the last nine years, however, went to a president who has often sat near the bottom of such rankings: Ulysses S. Grant. The Civil War general jumped 10 notches, from 33rd to 23rd.
Grant has traditionally received poor marks for corruption among people in his administration and the failed postwar reconstruction effort he presided over. But the nation's 18th president may be getting a bounce from all of the recent attention focused on Lincoln, Medford said.
"Grant won the war for Lincoln," she noted during an appearance on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal." "A new look at the totality of his career may be improving his presidential stature," she said.
"Bill Clinton and Ulysses S. Grant aren't often mentioned in the same sentence -- until now," historian Richard Norton Smith said. "Participants in the latest [survey] have boosted each man significantly higher than in the original survey conducted in 2000. All of which goes to show two things: the fluidity with which presidential reputations are judged, and the difficulty of assessing any president who has only just recently left office."
In his final news conference before stepping down last month, George W. Bush made it clear he wasn't concerned with poor initial judgments of his presidency.
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"There is no such thing as short-term history," Bush said. "I don't think you can possibly get the full breadth of an administration until time has passed."
The survey's participants ranked Bush 41st on international relations and 40th on economic management -- ahead of only Herbert Hoover.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Tried To Think of The Name of This Song FOREVER.
Heard this today - couldn't remember the name of the song, or the group. But, I knew every word.
Love this song - even though I haven't heard it in years. It totally took me back today.
Radio cranked up..... t-bird windows down, sunroof open and jammin' across the Currituck Sound Bridge.
I couldn't wait to get out into the world.
Oh, those were the days when I was SO naive!!
Hope y'all are well.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
In Case You're Wondering... - An Old Post :)
Friday, October 03, 2008
Full Circle
So most of you who will actually even read this know how dear my grandmother was and will always be to me. Most of you know how haunted I am by her death.
This past week, I had an entire new perspective as to why God put me through all of that part of my life. The older I get the more I realize how much that time in my life changed the direction of my life. Had those few days in February 2004 not happened to me, I don't know where I would be today - if I would even be alive.
One of my dear, dear friends, a lady named Lou - someone who I have really become close with since I got my job at Social Services - dealt with a tremendous loss this past week when her baby brother took his life. A lot of her family I have gotten to know by playing ball with a majority of them this summer and fall. September 25, 2008 will be another day that will remain marked on my memory for my life. When I heard the words of her brothers death, I remember feeling shocked. Then when I asked the simple question of "how?" and the answer was "suicide" I realized the reasons that Lou had come into my life and the reasons I had come into hers.
I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I knew exactly how she was feeling because I had felt that way before. All the questions that run through your mind, all of the emotions that I felt back then, I felt again that day. The shock that someone you love and adore could be in such a dark place that they felt there was no way out and you were totally unaware they were in even in that place is a crushing emotion to feel. I offerred my heart, my ears, my tears to Lou and her family. I hope that the perspective I could offer her in the days after that day comforted her, just in the fact of knowing that someone else had felt that pain. Of all the conversations Lou and I have had about my family, my parents, my issues, never had we talked about this part of my life until that day.
I thank God for bringing us into each others lives. She won't ever know how much all of this has helped me to deal with my pain, that - yes is still in my heart. I have come to conclusion it will probably always be there. I took a baby step to having some sort of closure this past week because I understood another one of the reasons why I had to suffer that way. I understand now that Lou and I will always have a bond that is rooted in grief and pain, but at the same time just knowing that you aren't the only one who's feeling that pain is a comfort. I am glad that I could be there for her, to offer some insight. To let her know that I know how she feels. And trust me y'all until you've been there, you cannot know how it feels.
I have acquired lots of adoptive family along this journey called life - and Lou and her family are the newest members. Its amazing how much I care for all of them, only having known them several months. I am just glad that something I had experienced in my life could actually bring something good out of something so bad.
Anyway - to one of my deepest blogs ever!! :) Good night y'all - make sure you tell the one's you love, that you love 'em!
Peace, Love and Chicken Grease my friends!
Currently listening:
Reba Duets
By Reba McEntire
Release date: 2007-09-18
Full Circle
So most of you who will actually even read this know how dear my grandmother was and will always be to me. Most of you know how haunted I am by her death.
This past week, I had an entire new perspective as to why God put me through all of that part of my life. The older I get the more I realize how much that time in my life changed the direction of my life. Had those few days in February 2004 not happened to me, I don't know where I would be today - if I would even be alive.
One of my dear, dear friends, a lady named Lou - someone who I have really become close with since I got my job at Social Services - dealt with a tremendous loss this past week when her baby brother took his life. A lot of her family I have gotten to know by playing ball with a majority of them this summer and fall. September 25, 2008 will be another day that will remain marked on my memory for my life. When I heard the words of her brothers death, I remember feeling shocked. Then when I asked the simple question of "how?" and the answer was "suicide" I realized the reasons that Lou had come into my life and the reasons I had come into hers.
I felt like I had been run over by a truck. I knew exactly how she was feeling because I had felt that way before. All the questions that run through your mind, all of the emotions that I felt back then, I felt again that day. The shock that someone you love and adore could be in such a dark place that they felt there was no way out and you were totally unaware they were in even in that place is a crushing emotion to feel. I offerred my heart, my ears, my tears to Lou and her family. I hope that the perspective I could offer her in the days after that day comforted her, just in the fact of knowing that someone else had felt that pain. Of all the conversations Lou and I have had about my family, my parents, my issues, never had we talked about this part of my life until that day.
I thank God for bringing us into each others lives. She won't ever know how much all of this has helped me to deal with my pain, that - yes is still in my heart. I have come to conclusion it will probably always be there. I took a baby step to having some sort of closure this past week because I understood another one of the reasons why I had to suffer that way. I understand now that Lou and I will always have a bond that is rooted in grief and pain, but at the same time just knowing that you aren't the only one who's feeling that pain is a comfort. I am glad that I could be there for her, to offer some insight. To let her know that I know how she feels. And trust me y'all until you've been there, you cannot know how it feels.
I have acquired lots of adoptive family along this journey called life - and Lou and her family are the newest members. Its amazing how much I care for all of them, only having known them several months. I am just glad that something I had experienced in my life could actually bring something good out of something so bad.
Anyway - to one of my deepest blogs ever!! :) Good night y'all - make sure you tell the one's you love, that you love 'em!
Peace, Love and Chicken Grease my friends!
Currently listening:
Reba Duets
By Reba McEntire
Release date: 2007-09-18
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Glad For Tonight
Tonight has been wonderful. We hit up a old school eatery in Roxboro; got a little second hand, hot coffee, steak and eggs. What more can you ask for?
Ready for the weekend.
Ready for the weekend.
Friday, January 23, 2009
1-800-799-SAFE.
R.I.P.
Kimberly Dawn Smith a.k.a "Red"
I'm glad you'll never have to hang siding again. Neither will I.
heart,
c
Kimberly Dawn Smith a.k.a "Red"
I'm glad you'll never have to hang siding again. Neither will I.
heart,
c
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Passion
Because your passion is your passion.
I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Glad it came on... on the eve of my birthday.
I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Glad it came on... on the eve of my birthday.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Finally.... it's over.
WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush will give a farewell address to the nation Thursday night, billed by the administration as a chance to reflect on his tenure and welcome Barack Obama without fighting old battles one last time.
Bush will deliver the speech, expected to run 10 to 15 minutes, from the ornate East Room of the White House. He will have a small audience of people in the room, chosen for their stories of personal courage.
White House press secretary Dana Perino said Monday that Bush will "uphold the tradition of presidents using farewell addresses to look forward _ by sharing his thoughts on greatest challenges facing the country, and on what it will take to meet them."
The president also will defend his record, Perino said, but will show graciousness toward Obama and not attempt to revisit the old battles of his presidency.
Bush will speak in prime time, although no specific time has been set. The White House has requested airtime from the major television networks.
Perino said the speech will be the last scheduled public event for Bush as president until he appears on the North Portico to greet Obama on Inauguration Day, which is Jan. 20. Bush held his final news conference on Monday.
The White House says the ritual of a farewell address dates to the time of George Washington. Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan delivered goodbye speeches from the White House; Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford gave a final State of the Union address on Capitol Hill, Perino said.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Work
My work lately has been swamped. There have been more and more people pouring into my office everyday looking me dead in the face and asking me for help. It's one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, personally or professionally to look back at them and tell them that I can't help them because of the rules I am forced to follow. Many of them want very badly to go to work. The reality is there is no work here for uneducated, poor people with kids to take care of. Sometimes it just breaks my heart. My job is a stressful one; but, it can be a very rewarding one some days as well. I am so thankful for it. To just know that I have a job to go to every morning. To know that its one where you are rewarded based on the quality of work you do, not who you do. I try to go in with a smile on my face everyday and know that with my job means keeping my life just the way I like it. :)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thought of The Day:
"Terror is not a new weapon. Throughout history it has been used by those who could not prevail, either by persuasion or example."
John F. Kennedy in a speech to the UN in 1961.
Shannon - your blog had me googling "JFK."
John F. Kennedy in a speech to the UN in 1961.
Shannon - your blog had me googling "JFK."
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