Sabbatical

This weeks LBC topic comes from Conrad - our old fossil pal who has in fact been on a sabbatical of sorts for quite some time.

Who could blame him - or anyone for that matter - for wanting some time to recharge the batteries and  tend to neglected  issues that bombard our daily lives.  There's even an anthem of sorts -



It's very easy these days to burn yourself out - change comes at a frighteningly rapid pace.  As Heidi Toffler said, "Change is the only constant".

The real meaning of sabbatical relates to the sabbath.  What better way to recharge your batteries than to revisit/re-evaluate the spiritual or faith based side of your life. I separate the faith/spiritual sides because frankly I am not one of the so-called faithful. I'm more like Thomas Jefferson in that regard.

While I've never really taken a sabbatical I suppose you can say I will soon be taking one as regardless of the bankruptcy courts decisions  I will be leaving RadioShack in about two months - if not sooner - and Texas shortly thereafter. I am currently seeking Sabbaticals for Dunmies to assist in the endeavor.  One must certainly be prepared, don't you think? I'm looking forward to this...



Now I think it's time tyo see what the other LBC gang has to say.  Hopefully they haven't all gone on a sabbatical this week.

Child abuse

This week's LBC topic comes from Ashok.

Everyone is opposed to child abuse - or it seems they pay lip service to being opposed to child abuse.  If, however, I had a nickel for every time I've read a comment like "If I spoke to my parents like kids thee days do to theirs I would not be here" - or something similar. Or "my parents used to beat me with a switch....".

So why is it that there was such hue and cry when professional football star Adrian Peterson was accused of child abuse for doing punishing his son by hitting him with a switch? I'm sure the fact that Peterson is a rich black athlete had nothing to do with it. Ahem.

My point is that definitions of child abuse vary widely among different cultures.  My exposure to black culture has shown black parents to be much more willing to engage in corporal punishment than white parents. White parents are much more likely to view corporal punishment as abusive in my experience.

Now - in steps the government to establish rules and laws.  It's what they do.  Whereas in my youth corporal punishment was accepted, these days - at least here where I live -  a child can have a parent arrested on a domestic abuse assault charge for the simple act of corporal punishment. Imagine that.  Back when I was 15 I could have had my dad arrested for assault when I chose to pick a fight with him, even though he hit me with my guitar and broke it. I deserved it by-the-way - but the fight ended when I held him against a wall and told him to back off before he got hurt. File it under stuff happens.
We need to use caution and utmost clarity when determining what constitutes abuse - for the sake of all involved.

Clearly our children are our future - and steps must be taken to protect them. But we need to be careful that we do not create a larger problem.  Statistics regarding child abuse are staggering. We spend vast sums of money on government assistance programs trying to feed children yet many people want the amount scaled back.  They cite fraud as the reason - along with the notion the assistance has created generations of people who expect nothing but hand outs from the government (states and federal).

I am of the opinion child abuse - in all its forms - is the most dangerous issue faced by this country today, ISIS and their ilk get all of the press and attention but they are pose much less danger.  W have much work to be done.

What is the most surprising thing about you?

What is the most surprising thing about me??  Well frankly I'm a what you see is what you get - or in the case of blogging, what you read is what you get kind of guy.  I'm a baby boomer awaiting my first SS check and have most traits associated with my age group.

Oddly enough though - or is it ironic - that considering I earn a living by writing and I love blogging, I am the world's worst typist. Yes I know - it is not an earth shattering surprise but a surprise none the less.  And the other that immediately comes to mind - I have NEVER  smoked an entire cigarette in my life.  I suspect that alone is the primary reason the multiple Xs in front of the L on my frame have not yet yet allowed Rube Sofer and his team of reapers to collect my soul as of yet.



I cannot make the same claim about that other herb but in general I was known for my spaghetti sauce with an oregano substitute I used - not smoking the stuff.

So there ya have it.  I'm pretty boring though a nickname change is likely in the works considering the plight of my employer.

Yesterday - February 10 - marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of my wife and companion of 45 years, Lynn.  It's been a long year in many ways, made even more so by the bankruptcy filing of my employer of 30 years - RadioShack.

Upon reflection, I have been very lucky to have spent such substantial portions of my life with one woman and one company.  Both seem largely at odds with our society these days and I think that's a shame. In these days of "what have you done for me lately" loyalty and commitment seem to have lost their luster.  More's the pity. Today it's cut and run at the first sign of trouble. And so today I salute my friends Ramana, Conrad, Marie (aka Grannymar), Maxi and the others who know or have known that level of commitment, loyalty and love in their lives.

For Lynn - well I wouldn't be me without some musical commentary so here we go.....







I sure hope my friends that say the hurt gets more bearable with the passing of time are right.

Sleep

Our topic this week comes from the sage of Pune - Ramana.

Sleep. We all need it.  Some of us enjoy it.  One of the reasons I enjoy sleeping is the chance to dream of people and things no longer available to me in real life. My preference is to be in a cold room with lots of blankets. Regular blankets - I never cared much for electric blankets.




Sleep is musically rich too -



And then there's this tune - Chris Bliss puts a nice spin on it (it's better live  - I have seen him)



Then there's the nap.  As I get older, naps are becoming more attractive.  There's nothing quite like catching a few winks when the opportunity presents itself. They can be quite energizing.

How about music that helps you go to sleep....



That's my quick take on Sleep.  Check out what the other LBC members have to say   - I'm headed there now.