Snow-driving idiots

Snow can be beautiful, as evidenced by this photo taken by Reporter Online Editor Chris Stanley.
But early this morning, few of us were thinking along those lines as we were trying to make our way over snow- and ice-covered roadways before 6 a.m., taking it very slowly and carefully.
Except for the "gentleman" who decided to tailgate me and attempt to pass a few times as I navigated Route 113 between Harleysville and Franconia.
I was extremely glad I was making a turn onto Allentown Road, so this menace could barrel his way unimpeded.
Really, folks, where are you going that you have to throw all safety to the wind, while the rest of us are simply trying to get there in one piece?
The roads were in no shape at that hour to be taking the situation lightly.
I hope this moron got where he was going without doing harm to anyone else.

Tuesday ushers in hope, hard work

Where will you be when Barack Obama is sworn in as our new president on Tuesday?
If you’re like millions of Americans, you’ll either be in Washington, D.C., or glued to your television set.
The excitement over this inauguration is unlike any we’ve seen in many, many years.
And with good reason.
Our country is in crisis mode on many fronts these days: wars still rage on, service people are dying, the economy is caving in around us, our futures seem shaky at best, jobs are disappearing, businesses are closing and there are so many vital environmental problems that we face.
Many people have been gravely disappointed — well, really, disgusted — with the current administration and what has been wrought during the past eight years.
And so they are pinning their hopes on Barack Obama.
It’s almost as if they are elevating him to savior status, and that is both dangerous and unrealistic.
But the swearing in of our first African-American president, coming the day after we commemorate Martin Luther King Day, is most definitely a momentous occasion.
People have every right to be excited and filled with hope, regardless of political leanings.
We need someone who will bring this country together and lead with fairness and integrity.
We need someone with a vision of how we can once again secure our place as a leader on the world stage.
We need someone who will prioritize the issues plaguing us, work to right the state of our economy and relate to the people he serves.
Obviously, at this point, the voters have stated loudly and clearly that Barack Obama is the man who can best handle a job of this magnitude.
No, he is not a miracle worker.
No, we will not see the economy turn on a dime the day he takes office.
No, he will not be able to end the war in a week and bring peace to the world.
But he offers us hope that he will do his very best to bring America back to the status of a country that cares about its people, does not initiate war, does not torture war prisoners, creates jobs and pays down its debt.
The list, needless to say, goes on and on.
Obama will need to be surrounded by wise counsel and supported by the American people as he tackles these issues.
We’ll all be showing that support on Tuesday, as we, the American people, watch in hope while he takes the oath of office, cheer as the inaugural parade passes by and drink in the pomp and circumstance of the day’s events.
A momentous day awaits us all on Tuesday.
And years of hope — and hard work — stretch out ahead.

Reflect and look ahead

When I was writing this, Christmas was still a few days away.
Since my family and friends all agreed to scale back on the “material giving” portion of the holiday, I didn’t experience any of the panic or last-minute “must shop” angst that sometimes hits.
But we at The Reporter again “adopted” a family through Community Housing Services, buying presents for each of the family members, and I also helped out with a child where my daughter works.
If you’ve never participated in an “adoption” program or angel tree, I highly recommend it.
Buying for those who otherwise would have nothing on the holiday, for those who are truly in need, is much more satisfying than combing the stores for some silly little knickknack that most likely will wind up at a yard sale or thrift store.
How many grass-growing pets or singing/dancing Santas can one person use, anyway?
Yes, this holiday season — as many of us hunker down for what may be an even more challenging year ahead, economically speaking — seems to be bringing many people back to what really counts: their faith, their family and friends, helping others.
Facing our own challenges may also help us to think of those for whom the holidays are not a happy time of the year.
Perhaps they have gone through the loss of a loved one this year or are dealing with a major health crisis.
Maybe they’ve already lost their job or know that, unless a miracle occurs, that will be their fate in the new year.
Major expenses may have hit their family’s wallet this year or there may be some other crisis in their lives.
If we think more about reaching out to others, finding comfort in our spiritual beliefs and realizing that being with family and friends all are much more important than how many presents are under the tree, we may find this holiday to be the best we’ve experienced in years.
And I truly hope that people who are convinced that there is some kind of “war” on Christmas will come to their senses.
Just because more people are recognizing the diversity of this country and deciding to say “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” does not mean that the religious aspect of this holiday is in danger.
If they consider that most scholars agree that Jesus was not born in December and that many of the traditions we observe have nothing to do with Christianity, they would realize that no one can destroy what is in a person’s heart and soul simply by what greeting they extend at a store or in passing.
There are so many more important issues we should be concerned with and so much more we should be focusing on than something this silly.
How about following the Golden Rule? How about staying firm in your particular faith and living that faith? How about getting your priorities in order and following through all year long — and not just at Christmas?
By the time you read this, Christmas will have past, many presents will already be exchanged, most of us will have eaten too much and many will be focusing on New Year’s Eve plans.
But I hope you’ll take a few moments to reflect on this year, how you have lived it and how you would like to live in 2009.
Reach out to others. Mend a quarrel. Comfort someone who is hurting. Aid those who are in need. Show your love in word and deed. Live your faith.

No White Christmas

OK, we didn't have a white Christmas ... again. But it's not too late to rent "Holiday Inn" and see the movie where this great song debuted. It's a favorite holiday tradition ... corny, but wonderful.
Enjoy...

The Spirit of Christmas

If you've lived in the Philadelphia area as long as I have, surely you know "The Spirit of Christmas," that great old show that was sponsored by the telephone company and included "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told."
The Mabel Beaton marionettes acted out the two stories, and old commercials were included.
You can still catch it on Channel 12 from time to time, and I have an old VHS taped copy.
But a few years ago I stumbled upon it on DVD and had to get it.
We always watched the show at Christmas, and for years had to rely on my old tape. We jokingly called it the "Bell Puppets," since Bell Telephone had been the sponsor.
Now we can just pop in the DVD and enjoy, which we do every year. It's part of our traditions.
So if you remember the "Bell Puppets," I hope you've discovered this DVD too.
It's a great tradition to pass on!

Merry Christmas

May we someday enjoy the gift of peace on Earth...
Merry, merry Christmas... all good wishes to everyone, regardless of what you may celebrate.

cat lovers can relate...

Thought you might enjoy this little video, if you're a cat person, too.
Certainly we can relate!