Thunder and Lightening

In Gilbert, as I write, we are having a beautiful summer thunderstorm. It amazes me what a storm does to clean the air, cool things down and give one a fresh outlook. Summers in Arizona are notoriously hot and bland. Day after day, it is sun and heat, sun and heat. Occasionally, monsoon season brings a storm, but most often the storm teases a location and veers off in  a different direction. More often, the Phoenix heat island, a combination of cars, cement and whirring air conditioners, evaporates a storm before it can bring relief to even a suburb.

When it does come, the storm brings refreshment and entertainment. Storms are so rare that they always headline the local news. China could drop into the sea, but the dust, thunder and lightening would be the local headline: "...and our second story tonight, China just dropped into the sea. Now back to the storm coverage."

In fairness, summer storms in Arizona come from a mixture of hot air and cold air so they are usually violent. Where the cold air comes from I don't know, but it must come from very high up. They say hot air rises so go figure. Maybe the rising hot air and the cold air just trade places. I think the hot air from Arizona summers would be enough to heat the dark side of the moon, but scientists say I'm wrong.

At any rate, the storm is still going on. It put me in the mood to write. Now I feel better for two reasons.

A Movie Star

Count me as an old cynic, this doesn't matter, but it bugs me. Recently, Elizabeth Taylor died, may she rest in peace. She was a movie star and she made a lot of headlines in her life. I don't know much about her, so I don't really know if she was a good person or not so good. But I maintain that an accomplished actress she wasn't. She was simply a movie star.

I challenge any readers of this blog to list any great and wonderful Elizabeth Taylor movies.

"A Place in the Sun" is a classic, but I don't like it. She looked good in it.

"National Velvet" was a good children's movie, but not great.

"Taming of the Shrew" was very good, but not a classic.

The rest of Taylor's movies were downers. Very depressing films. I challenge anyone who reads this blog to make comment on a really great Elizabeth Taylor movie. Except for the ones I've mentioned, they don't exist. Elizabeth Taylor was carried along by multiple marriages and a great publicist.

I'll be waiting. No responses mean that either you agree with me or no one reads the blog!

Unbroken

Starting today, I will add some book reviews and later, movie reviews to this blog. I will start with "Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand. As you may have noticed, it is at the top of the best seller lists. "Unbroken" is the story of Louis Zamperini who lived several lives. He was a delinquent young man, Olympic runner, World War II captive and hero, as well as a husband and father. I could add several more lives, but that would take away from the book.

As the book progresses, one is certain that Louie will die or be killed at any moment, but the title isn't Unbroken for no reason. Louie is still with us and well into his 90's! Louie's story is amazing and inspiring. I read it while my wife, Brenda, was recovering from partial paralysis (she's still recovering) and Louie's story gave both of us tremendous hope.

I like reading books about people under unusual stress. It is interesting to see how various challenges are handled and gives insight and courage for the difficulties I face. Having read a number of biographies and non-fiction books,  I have acquired some wisdom on facing tragedy and disappointment. Louie perhaps faced the greatest challenges I have ever read about. The question arises, what sustains one individual while others crumble into failure or death? A list might be in order, but the most common characteristic I've noticed is the ability to keep one's emotions under control. Survivors are not smarter or more resourceful than those who do not survive, but they do have a certain perspective. Sometimes they are just lucky, but the ability to stay cool is a commonality.

We all react emotionally to pressure situations, but how far those emotions take us is a key. Of course, if one is on the top of the World Trade Center on 9/11 or deep inside of the battleship Arizona on December 7, 1941, one is going down. We do not hear the stories of those who die in the rubble, we only hear the stories of the survivors, so yes, part of surviving is luck, but there are still qualities that push certain individuals who are on the edge to survive.

A little over a year ago, I read a book about the Battan Death March. Most of the men were in the same situation. Some survived, some didn't. Why? It is an eternal question that is mostly unanswerable. I'm glad Louie survived. His story is great, heart breaking and gruesome. How those from any war return home to any sense of normalcy is amazing. I'm glad Louie did. Read his story.

Between the 40 Yard Lines

I have a new blog! My political views are so diverse that I offend practically every one sooner or later. I have established a new blog for my political views at http://betweenthe40yardlines.blogspot.com/

The title of the blog comes from the fact that 40% of Americans are politically moderate, however, those on the extreme right or the extreme left control the two political parties. In doing so and in the refusal of the political parties to compromise, our country is going down the drain. I have been a Republican (mostly) and a Democrat (briefly), but now I don't like anyone very much (politically), so I'm an independent and feel very much at home.

I hope you enjoy reading the new blog. Feel free to leave a comment.

Men or Boys

Women are smarter than men. A great proportion of men are not men at all, but boys. They have never grown up. It seems a number of women, attractive, intelligent women, have been abandoned by "men." Arnold Schwarzenegger would lead the pack. He is no man. He is just an emotional boy pretending to be a man and he has a lot of company.

What separates a man from a boy?

A man takes responsibility for his own behavior. He can hold a job and improve himself to move ahead in that job. He is on time, respectful to his superiors and gives a little extra. When he is on company time, he give his best and does not fudge on his time. He knows how to work hard and be loyal.

He knows that 2+2=4. In other words, he can handle money. He doesn't cheat or steal, he knows how to live within his means. The attractions of possessions does not cause him to deny basics for his family.

A man knows how control his testosterone. A real man, will resist the temptation of what might look like the green grass on the other side of the fence. He doesn't fool around, only boys do that. If married, a real man will honor his commitment to his wife. He is willing to tell his wife that he is tempted by someone else, be open about it and take the consequences. He doesn't keep secrets from his wife. He recognizes that marriage is a continuing series of fallings in and out of love with one's spouse. He understands that the attractions of the day will not equal the rewards of a faithful relationship now and in future years.

He is honest. He is not afraid to be open and honest with his spouse and children. That does not mean he needs to reveal every fleeting thought that passes through his mind. He will cover the basics and be emotionally forthright.

A man will not try to dominate or overly assert himself in his relationships. He communicates and listens. He respects family members especially when conflicts arise, which they will. His ego is not so fragile that he cannot admit a mistake or be willing to do something differently for a change.

A man realizes those with whom he lives have needs that may require the sacrifice of his own desires from time to time. He is willing to give his spouse and children time and space to be who they are, not who he wants them to be. A true man will not force his will.

As women look for the characteristics of true men and not accept boys as they are, more boys will will want to grow to be men.

Payson Friends

In the last 10 days, I have had the opportunity to renew friendships with some of the people in Payson I am closest to (I hear now that it is alright to end a sentence in a preposition, but "to" is not a preposition, it is an infinitive, I think. Can you tell I received a C in English grammar? But I digress.). I have thought much in the last few days what it is about my friends in Payson that draws me to them. I love many who do not live in Payson, so no offense, but this is a tribute to those who do.

I like Paysonites because they are without pretense. What you see is what you get. The cowboys and cowgirls are not of the drugstore variety, they punch cows, ride, rope and wrangle. While living in Payson, I bought a cowboy hat and a couple of cowboy shirts, but was embarrassed to wear them because I am not the genuine article, like many of my Payson friends.

People in Payson tend to be doers rather than observers. The hunt for their own food, plant their own gardens, often to the benefit of elk and javalina. They are very independent. Some of them don't even need a grocery store.

The community of Payson is very generous and giving. The town sponsored food drives for the needy. While many may grouse about why the needy are needy, Payson just gives of food and money to make sure everyone is taken care of (Now there is a preposition!).

People in Payson have a sense of humor. After all, they let me live there and didn't laugh too hard the few times I did wear my cowboy hat, boots and shirts.

Just for the record, there are a couple thing I don't like about Payson people. The first is the funny little beards some of the men wear. Don't like 'em (The beards, like the guys.). The second is the guys who drive Dodge Ram trucks who think that gives them the right to follow 37 3/4 inches behind my Prius while going 75 mph. I've noticed Ford and GM truck drivers do not have the need to follow close behind a Prius. I think the Ram drivers take that icon on their hoods too literally. I'm sure one of these days I'll have to brake while being followed by a Ram driver and suddenly he'll be beside me having a nice visit with Brenda and I.

For any who have not visited Payson, take a jaunt up there. Spend a day or two. The local economy needs you! Stop in a Mackey's, the Beeline Cafe (ask for Linda to wait on you) or La Sierra. You'll enjoy the locals. You won't find better people any where! None of their women wear funny beards, so you are still in good hands.