Seasons Greetings 2014

I want to make sure this does not come across as an insensitive rant about the meaning of the season to anyone. I have been paying attention to the various comments blasting social media and I have noticed an imbalance in the acceptance of others' traditions and beliefs. 

For example, there have been many posts defending the right to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays." I wish more people would just say what it is that they want to say and not have to feel it needs defending. Part of the problem, in my humble opinion, is too many people believe that saying "Happy Holidays" is a negative greeting. To be fair, any phrase that starts with "happy" shouldn't be viewed negatively. 

The month of December has several holidays within the month. Hanukkah is eight days in length that falls in the calendar somewhere within the month and has been celebrated for more than five thousand years. Christmas is always on the 25th and has been celebrated for a little more than two thousand years. Kwanzaa starts on the 26th and lasts until January 1st and it has been celebrated for almost fifty years. And, even though it starts at midnight of January 1st, we traditionally have included New Years Eve and New Years Day, which have been going on for more than two thousand years. 

If you celebrate any of these or none of these, you are not any less American. That is what is supposed to separate us from the rest of the world. It is in that view that I wish it would just be accepted when someone says "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays," without having to worry that someone will be upset or feel slighted. 

The reason of your celebration is important to you. Remember, it is important to everyone, for their reason, even if that reason is not the same as yours.

I saw this post back in November on Facebook and I have not been able to find its origin, but I believe in its message and that's why I am sharing it here:

To my friends and family all over the world:

For the last eight days I made it a point to share a photo posted from one of my cousins, Rivkah Hamer. She displayed many menorahs with the appropriate candles lit each night. "Happy Hanukkah!"

To my friends and family all over the world:

Today is December 24th. It is Christmas Eve. Tomorrow is Christmas Day. The next twenty-four hours have meaning to many. They deserve to have and share it without feeling guilty for expressing it. "Merry Christmas!"

To my friends and family all over the world:

On Friday the 26th, a holiday I know very little about, but I know it's important to those that include it in their culture. "Joyous Kwanzaa!" 

In the spirit of the season to all of you,

Love and Light

Thank you.

that's the Brick Way...

thanksgivings

This time of year it is a custom to share what we are grateful for. I could easily just say thanks for my health, my family, my friends, having a job, being loved, etc... All of which I am truly thankful for. 

This year I wish to thank Vint Cerf and Robert E Kahn (for bringing us the Internet), Steve Jobs (for the innovative iDevices), and Mark Zuckerberg (for Facebook). These guys, along with the many developers of the apps that make social media accessible, make communication seamless and common place. So, it is for them that I am thankful for. They make it possible for me to stay in touch with all my family and friends no matter how far away they may be. 

I recently started classes towards finishing my bachelors degree. So I would also like to recognize teachers. Without teachers, none of the afore mentioned would have been able to accomplish their achievements. Moreover, teachers make it possible for society to appreciate these innovations. 

To all the teachers of my past and the ones in my future, thank you for pushing me to succeed. 

Happy thanksgiving to all! If you can read this, take a moment and thank a teacher!

that's the Brick Way...

My TGIF Experience

We hear it all the time. "Thank goodness  it's Friday!" I know some people substitute their religious higher power, but I am not writing this about that. This is what "TGIF" meant for me today. 

First, it started with knowing I wasn't going to work. I made a plan to do the things I don't often have time for any other day of the week. Let me first say it's all possible because, even though it is the week before Thanksgiving, today had an abundance of sunshine and a temperature that hovered above 60 degrees by 10:30 this morning. Definitely a pro to living in South Georgia. I had it all planned out. I packed a couple of cigars, a couple packs of peanut butter crackers, my iPad, and a charger. 

I grabbed my helmet and jacket, along with my gloves, and went outside. My motorcycle has been under cover, so I removed the cover and unplugged the trickle charger I use to keep the battery ready. The StreetBob cranked with one try. I backed out of the driveway and headed out. 

Usually I don't have a destination in mind, but today I knew exactly where I wanted to go. I maneuvered through the neighborhood and got on the highway heading south. I took the exit I take twice a week to get  to the country. I rode until I made it to Plains, Georgia and pulled into the Welcome Center on route 280, about 3 miles past Jimmy Carter's compound. I parked, applied the kickstand, and shut off the bike. 

I unpacked my iPad, my hat, and my cigars and found a nice stone bench that sits right near the pond. The geese were sunbathing on the far side of the pond. I sat down and lit a cigar. Once I was confident it was properly lit, I opened the cover to my iPad and tapped on my kindle app.

I sat for about an hour reading and smoking while life was going on around me. I finished the page I was on and took the cigar to the nub and then put it out.

I noticed the geese were now on the same side of the pond with me. I took the opportunity to go inside the welcome center and make a pit stop.

Then I went to sit at a picnic table drenched with sunshine and snacked on my peanut butter crackers. Then I lit a second cigar. 

I opened my iPad and continued reading. Time passed more quickly than I thought. I hurried to get everything packed up because I needed to head home. All packed and ready, I started the Harley and rode out to the main road. I noticed the bike was almost out of gas. I stopped and got fuel in Preston. The tank really was close to empty because I put 3.7 gallons in what I thought was a 3.5 gallon tank. Anyway, that finished I was on my way home.

I got home and parked the bike. I went inside and was greeted by Levi. He makes Friday afternoon exciting and always entertaining. We played  and sang and made all kinds of strange noises. We watched television until he got tired.

 I gave him his bottle and he finished it and then he took a nap.

When he woke from his nap I had most of this story typed. This was my "TGIF" experience, today.

I hope yours was as enjoyable as mine.

that's the Brick Way...