What Now?

What Now?

by Gary Saffell

   It will be interesting to see what President Elect Trump does now that we gave him the Power of the Office.  I think we can pray that he follows through on his wish list of things to take care of, because, quite frankly, the is a TON of stuff that needs to be corrected.  We now have the perfect platform to get this country back to it’s Christian roots by the Presidency AND BOTH houses of Congress in the same Party.  Make some adjustments with Senate rules of majority, and we are good to go!  I am a firm believer that God has given this country a second chance.  We need to pay attention and get back on track with taking care of the many blessings He has bestowed on us through the years, and have squandered away the World leadership of providing peace, harmony and good will in the world.  Time will tell.  In the mean time we pray, elect Christian local government officials and see what happens.  No more chances do we have.

Now is the time to push back against the “I’m offended” people (mostly spoiled college brats and the “I’m going to collect a ‘check for my money’ folks, not to mention those that feel they are “entitled” not to work.  Getting the Federal Government out of the States business and quit playing the “you (state) can’t pass that law…[you pick the subject]….or we will cut your federal grants” game.  I think we need to drain the swamp by kicking out all the lobbyists so we can get our elected officials to buy the best product (military, etc.), instead of which company is giving them the best and BIGGEST kickbacks/favors.  Get the Federal Government back to protecting the shores of the United States and helping our FRIENDS [i.e. those who love us] with their challenges IF we can. QUIT funding the countries like Russia, China, Iran, Syria, Iraq, etc. [those that are sending us their warriors under the disguise of “immigrants, for instance]. While we are on this subject, I love Mr. Trump’s open border challenge plan…..build a wall that cannot be penetrated.  Add more staff to ensure that the border is secure….remember the Rio Grand River?  Then charge the Mexican Government the construction costs.  IF necessary, we can always deduct the cost of the building the wall from the foreign financial assistance we are giving them regularly. Will they be happy about it if it plays out that way?  Probably not, but drastic steps in critical times.

That is just the beginning of the Correction Phase that I see that needs to be done.  However, who am I?  Just one little citizen who really doesn’t make a national impact let alone a local disturbance, nor wants to, but when we were growing up . . . in the Country that had recently come out of the Great Depression, and World War II, our Government was in the “retooling phase, from war equipment to infrastructure/businesses/innovations to create employment of its citizens.  As a result, businesses were starting up, commerce was starting to boom, people were going to schools (colleges, trade schools, etc.) to get educated to be able to provide the “AMERICAN DREAM” for their families.  We (my wife and I) were born toward the end of that cycle.  We the people, DID learn values like honesty, work hard, play hard, provide for your family no matter what it takes, mentality.  Those were good times for quite a lot of the people who took advantage of learning a skill, a “work” mind-set if you will, to grow their families, paying their bills, buying their clothing, purchasing their homes, and the list goes on.  THEN we started accepting less than honorable actions by our citizens.  It started, very slowly, almost not recognizable, at a very slow pace, giving up our values that our parents had given us. Giving up our HONOR….one little concession at a time….not realizing what was happening.  It was indeed a slippery slope.  Things were happening that the average American didn’t understand, but our society was changing, it was being gnawed on from within!  It was a slow deadly resetting of values that many, many people succumbed to without even knowing it!  WE, as a Christian based Nation, had become a silent majority of our Great Country called United States of America! A couple days ago,  I have seen what I feel, have finally been awakened and will not stand for the laxness concept anymore!  We will now have BOTH houses of the Congress AND the President to get us back on track of being the greatest nation in the World.  To be a Christian Nation that helps others when in time of need.  To help our poor get lifted from their lives to provide for their families and regain the PRIDE that they once had.  To refuse to fund those that are able to work but demand to share in the benefits of doing an honest days work.  I just know that most of the folks living on the streets would give anything to be employed.  We need to identify them, give them their pride back, give the training to a level they can provide labor at a starting wage, and an imagination to be able to see that through hard work, increasing their skill level, working their way up the employment chain so they can provide for themselves and their family. THAT is the AMERICAN way.   Starting off at a fast food place, minimum wage (NOT $15 an hour) to learn how business works.  Then  while doing that, get more schooling.  Improve your “value”.  Do what needs to be done to support yourself without depending on “the check”.  Set your goals high.  This is how it used to be!  It was working fine.  People, workers and management alike, were growing businesses and people were happy.  Sometimes, people had several jobs at a time so they could make “ends meet”.  There was nothing shameful about that.  It was a sign to others that YOU are serious about providing for your family.  

Today we have a large sector of our nation that expects things (clothing, food, job, spending money) to be GIVEN to them.  They expect the government to pay for their college fees.  Question: What are a lot of them doing with THAT opportunity?  Answer: Squandering their chance to get educated in useful subjects that will help them to be an ASSET not a LIABILITY to society.  I suppose I shouldn’t be too critical here, as it started in the early 1960’s, which was the end of my “schooling” years.  Was I a part of the ruckus in American Colleges of the 60’s?  No.  Did I do anything or say anything about all the protesters?  Not publicly.  Did I like what I was seeing and hearing on TV with all the college sit-ins, etc?  No.  However, I was busy serving my country so others, not so mature [my opinion] could show such disrespect to what they called “the Establishment”.  Looking back, I think that was the  beginning of what we have evolved into today.  

So now we have what we have, and have to deal with correcting it.  I am pleased that we all have the opportunity to support those that have promised to FIX IT!  Some of the fixes may not be what we thought it should be, but there is a lot to do, and now is the time to get started on it.  Those that stood by knowing and perhaps even supporting the selfishness, the “take all the FREE stuff because I deserve it theology”, have a second chance to get back on track where GOD had gifted us so many years ago, and allowed us to degenerate to what we have today.  It is time to get back to God, thank Him for the opportunity to save our country, and be an example to the world, instead of a laughing stock of the degenerates, that have been gloating over their successes in bring down the Great County of the United States of America from within!   

We have made some mistakes along the way.  There is still a class of individuals that believe that because they have a very large currency base (rich) that they can get away with most everything, and mostly do, but the heart of our country is the folks (individuals, businesses, organizations, that still believe in helping others through their companies, through supporting local organizations that feed, shelter, provide job skill training, and the list goes on groups.  They can only do so much though.  There will always be those that have that mind set of just collecting “the check”, and not contributing anything positive to the community. but we as Christians continue to reach out and do our part in giving hope and putting smiles on their faces.  We have our work cut out for us.  There IS hope.  There is a FUTURE available to everyone who listens to what God is telling them. The here and now is only temporary, but we need to share our faith with others while we ARE here and in the NOW.

Dear reader, please help us to use this time, this second chance that God has given us to bring our Country back to where He intended us to be.  To Honor, Praise and Glorify His Name….forever and ever.   

Peace and happiness to all

Gary

Using God's ever changing GIFTS

Today I start out with a sleep related experience, then go from there.

A month or so ago I was scheduled for what they call a "Sleep Study".  I am thinking it is something that quite a few people have experienced.  I also figured "This is no brainer, I got sleeping down to a science."  Seems, I am not as good as I thought I was.  What a downer that was!  A couple weeks later I tried again, and was a success.....I thought.  Well, they called me in late evening of the day before I was rescheduled.  Drove through a rain storm all the way to the Hospital and about 11pm or so got hooked up...all the electrodes working, extra pillow and three extra blankets and off to sleep I went again.  At 6:30 the technician woke me up and said they got what was needed so I was free to go home!  YAY!!!  My appointment with the lung doctor was made, and away I went.  A week my lung Doc says I had stopped breathing, as I remember, 100+ times during my test.  He didn't seem too pleased with that. So nothing has changed in my breathing capabilities to the positive, and am getting more easily winded, but I will continue to do my best to keep breathing and keep doing what I can to share music, guitar instruction, and sharing God's gifts that have been given to me. 

We ALL have special God given Gifts.  It is our job to discover what they are.  Some are as simple as  a warm smile to those we encounter.  Others my be words of encouragement.  Some may be complex and training is needed, so be prepared to follow through.  I know of lots of instances where God has been leading people to areas that are needed, but few are accepting His "nudges".  There have been many times in my life when I can look back and see the workings of God even in my family!  Those "look backs" are heart warming and gives me assurances that no others can give or take away.  If you take the time in the quiet of the morning or evening, sit and look back on your life, perhaps you will be surprised to see it is God that has guided you to where you are at today.  Maybe not a physical location, but it could be that too.  Maybe not occupational, but, you may find it so.  Maybe it was something that someone who has entered your life has changed your course a touch and you are pleased with what you are because of it.  In the occupational part of my life, after looking back I realized I couldn't keep a job!  hahaha just kidding.  I have been blessed with a variety of occupations that provided me and my family with so much more than we could have imagined.  I was raised in the printing trade, and that has provided me stability through my life, but also allowed me to explore other areas.  I have been a shoe salesman at one time, and within the 6 months doing it, I was the top salesperson in the five store local chain.  The movie Heartbreak Ridge, Clint Eastwood said: "Adapt, Preserver, Overcome". That has been my motto since I heard it. In the few short times that I have been without a job, I found something to do that payed me enough to buy food, pay utilities and house payments.  Of course those were the days when that was what was expected and THAT made the difference between now and then. My family and I had decided to relocate to the Las Vegas, NV area where she grew up in.  Her folks were living there and we were able to stay with them until I could get a job and buy a house. During my time in Minneapolis, I had worked for my Dad in the family printing shop, managed an Aquarium store, worked as a motorized Night Security Officer, and a Transit Driving job with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Transit Commission after 12 years as a bus driver.  

So when we got to the Las Vegas area, I remember going in for an interview I got from the newspaper for a van driver job.  I was in my late 30's, early 40's.  The interviewer's first question was: "Are you retired?" my answer was "no".  Then he stated: "You realize this job pays $4.50 an hour. Why would you apply for this job."  My answer was, "Because it pays $4.50 an hour, which is better that $0."  He then said "We are looking for a younger person and a lady, to be our van driver."  Needless to say, I couldn't fill his requirements, so I continued my search. I even tried phone sales, but after two days, I knew I was NOT cut out for that type of work.  The State Employment agency finally gave me a lead for an interview with a private sector transportation contractor starting a Downtown Trolley Bus service for the City of Las Vegas.  At the interview they seemed pleased that I had mass transit experience and I was hired as one of three Driver/Supervisor position.  That was a good job.  About a year and 1/2 went by and the City of Las Vegas bought out the contract, hired most of the drivers and now I was a CLV employee.  That led to an opening a while later in the Graphic Arts Department.  

In addition, when I moved to the Las Vegas area, I continued my military (Army) Reserve career and found a local Army Reserve unit and became the Personnel NCO of that unit (Section 3) that was part the total Hospital (the rest of the Hospital Command (HQ + Sections 1 and 2) was located in Southern California.   My military experience continued to get even more interesting when our unit's Field First Sergeant retired and I was chosen to replace him.  When things heated up in the Kuwait area, our Hospital got activated to Desert Storm.  Six months later after the Doctors, Nurses and Techs. were on their way back (by that time I was the Unit's First Sergeant but wasn't  activated at the beginning) I got my orders to ACTIVE Duty to Saudi Arabia.  While there I had the honor of being part of LTG Pegonis' staff in Daharan, Saudi Arabia. Another job skill acquired.  My job was the Communication's representative in the Logistic Operations Center.  An interesting place to work.  Enough said, other that being in that Section gave me the opportunity to see places, others had only seen photo's of.  We were downwind of the Kuwait Oil Fires which had it's consequences. For instance: 4:30pm (1630hrs military time), you could look directly at the sun and in comparison, was duller than a 45watt bare light bulb, because of the smoke drift. 

When that active duty was over, and I reported back to my Unit, I was told that I had been promoted to Master Sergeant (E8) four months earlier and that I was transferred to a USAR School in Bell, California to be an Chief instructor. Of course when I returned, I also got my civilian job back at the City of Las Vegas.  When I returned there, I was surprised that the person who replaced me all those months had graduated from Minneapolis Vocational High School where I had graduated a year before him!  What a small world.  My job though had been changed (to keep Ron on staff) and I moved into the Camera/platemaking department.  I loved that part of the trade so everything was great with my new area, and became very good friends with Ron and his brother Wally (another graduate of MPLS Vocational High School) who had moved to the Vegas area also. Even with some residue from Desert Storm (VA challenges) I was glad to be home and my civilian work got even greater when a new position of Graphic Arts Customer Technician opened up and after beating out over 100 applicants, was awarded the new position.  THAT was the best of anything that I had ever done before!  I was the "go between" between the City department heads, directors, council and Mayor staffs.  What a fantastic relationship I was able to build with the most wonderful, fine, outstanding people.  That is the position I held until I turned 60 and was able to retire.  At that time we were my Wife's (Pat) Father's caregiver.  I kept myself busy supporting her and Dad and enjoying retirement which gave me more freedom to get more involved in our local church which I was the Lay Leader (keeping me pretty busy) and in addition, I had been asked to be the North District Director of the Desert Southwest Conference Lay Speaking Program.  I had a good friend and his wife that I sent out to the remote areas of our District (Central Nevada to the Arizona/Nevada border communities, like Winslow AZ, to Needles CA. and all in-between like Kingman, etc.)  That consisted of 44 United Methodist Churches.  With the help of my team, we were able to train and increase the Lay Speaker Program.  Personally it was very rewarding to watch the excitement of the program growth in numbers and activity results. During this time from the time I returned from Desert Storm, I had been asked to develop a Celebration and Praise Worship Service which is still very well attended 25 years later.

Pat's father went home to the Lord at the age of 92.  It was a big loss for us, but he went home where there is no pain, no age problems, but with peace, comfort and Joy.  It was shortly after his leaving us that we felt that God was telling us it was time to move one last time.  Our Daughter Amy had attended Lambeth University in Jackson, TN.  After she graduated she married a strong Christian man and a year later we came out to see our new granddaughter.  We loved the area so much, we sold our house to the incoming Pastor at our home church, and moved to Rutherford TN about 10 minute drive from Amy's home.  Once we were settled, we started attending the local Methodist Church here in Rutherford and I was blessed to be able to assist in their music program.  After a while, I contacted the UMC District Office and began filling in the pulpit when various Methodist Churches needed.  I enjoyed that time to spread the Word of Jesus Christ and got to where I was traveling quite a lot, which was very spiritually rewarding.  There was a group (charge) of three churches that I was able to fill in for two months, and got a pretty firm feeling at what being a Pastor was like.  Shortly after that experience, I was sent to a church south of my home about a 45 min. drive for three weeks to fill in for their Pastor who was on a sabbatical leave. After the second week, I was called into the District Superintendent's office and he asked me if I would like to be their Pastor.  I was floored!  What an experience that was for me.  I felt I was a pretty fast learner.  I had been assigned as a part-time Pastor, but I tried to make visitations when my Lay Leader was available. (Man Pastor-Female church member situation) required that I be accompanied for each of our safety. We had a Youth program every Wednesday night and one of our Youth Leader's would pick up the younger ones in the church van and those that had "wheels", drove.  It started out with a nice meal that was furnished in rotation from the congregation, and the numbers were usually in the 20's which for a small country church was outstanding!  After 10 months, my life changed.  I ended up in the hospital Sunday night and found out I had a lung condition called Pulmonary Fibrosis which is incurable.  It is a slow developing condition that continues to make breathing more difficult as the elasticity of the airways stiffen.  I was shown equipment that would be a part of my life from then on.  It was a startling time and almost overwhelming emotionally.  I was in the pulpit the following Sunday, not missing a Worship service.  It was my last Sunday at that church.  The Biggest Achievement I feel I had during my rather short stay was the children.  I had given them half sheets of a "grading paper" to fill out and write down some important parts the sermon that they understood or liked. and to score (A, B, C, D, F).  Every Sunday I had several sheets from the kids completely filled out including a score (never had one under a B!) and most had some great looking pictures drawn as well.  I had told them that if THEY didn't understand what I was preaching, I FAILED them, and so I needed their help.  Wonderful results.

I have gotten my breathing challenge to where it is not as scary as it was, but am not kidding myself that I will live to reach my goal of 115 years old either! ha ha ha

So in the meantime, I have opened up myself to offer FREE Basic Guitar lessons for those Church friends that I have to friends I haven't met yet to learn how to play guitar learning the basics of chord progression, strumming patterns, etc. using predominately Gospel Music and some Country & Folk thrown in for variety.

The main point of THIS issue is being open to understand that God's work in us continues on throughout our personal lives.  Keeping an open mind and a willingness to learn new things, is very important. You have read what a plethora of occupations, etc. that I have done and I am sure I have left out some jobs, tasks that I have forgotten. In my opinion: There is little excuse to NOT have a job.  Realizing that today's economy is a little different, but God provides for those that are sincere and ASK. It may not be that CEO position you THINK you DESERVE, but with some effort, I have experienced success in supporting my family, and raising my three WONDERFUL children to be very well supporters of their families.

So, keep on Smiling, Laughing and Singing

May God Bless YOU
Gary

There is Music in the Air

Welcome back dear reader....or if this is your first look, Welcome dear reader, I hope you read something you can take away from here and think about a while, ponder it and maybe crack a smile or nod your head.

Today's issue is something that I do quite a lot of lately and enjoy very much.  The topic is MUSIC.  Specifically aimed at Guitar music/playing.

For me, it started a long time ago now, about when I was 14 years old.  I had a job at a local Super Valu grocery store.  I was able to work on Saturday's as a bag boy.  In those days, grocery stores used paper bags and job as "Customer Service" as they call it now, was to bag up the newly purchased products and take the bags to the customer's car.  NO TIPPING!  It was my start in the world of self sufficiency.  I rode my bicycle to and from (about a mile or so from home) and put in a full day at $1.00 an hour.  I was in hog heaven making that much money.  I even started a savings account! 

To backup a bit, I had bought my first guitar from Sears Roebuck.  It wasn't the top of the line by any means, but it was a start. It was an arch top acoustic guitar and came with a case, a pick and a strap. I bought a cord book to so I could learn what it was all about, and started to learn what was what in the guitarist world.  The house we lived in was a two story with partial vertical sidewalls then peaked.  My sister had the front room, the only bathroom was at the top of the stairs (tub and sink only) and "the boys" room was in the back. Dad built my bed in the side wall and was like a ship's captains bed with storage underneath.  My brothers slept on trundle beds.  Mom and Dad's room was on the main floor. Dad loved remodeling so it wasn't long before he knocked out some walls, closed in half the porch and did some knotty cedar tongue and groove boards in the living room and it's new extension (from the porch acquisition).  

I practiced my guitar in my room and of course I got to keeping time by tapping my foot.  I learned pretty fast that sound carries throughout the house!  Mom would call up to me "Gary! Take your shoe off and put a pillow under it!"  I got a chuckle thinking about that. It got to where I was getting the chord patterns down pretty good, so I saved some more allowance and bought a songbook. It had chord diagrams over the words, so it was pretty easy to understand. Folk music was coming into popularity by then, so I used Peter, Paul, and Mary songs, and what was to become my all-time favorite group, the Kingston Trio.  I had a couple friends down the block that I would hang out together some.  One day Tom Pederson came over and asked me if I wanted to join their new folk group.  After an over-the phone-audition, I was approved.  Then Tom asked if I could teach him how to play! ha ha ha  I was not really advanced enough to teach him, but said I would.  So after a couple lessons, I had taught him absolutely ALL I knew. Within weeks he had bypassed my abilities.The upside was, our group now had two guitar players!  We had so much fun. The leader Dan Nelson was our spokesman and lead singer. He couldn't chew gum and walk at the same time, so we let him to the talking.  Our fourth member was Alan Benson who lived next door to Tom, wanted to learn to play guitar also, so I let Tom teach him.  That was the start of "the Northstar Singers".  Throughout our high school days we had a blast. One day at practice I showed the guys my new Kay 5 string banjo!  Since we had Tom and now Alan playing guitar, we could use a banjo.  After that practice, Tom asked if he could borrow the banjo.  I said "sure".  The next practice he was playing the (my) banjo like a pro!  So I went back to the guitar and let him play banjo.  Needless to say, Tom is a gifted, very talented musician. He can play anything with strings attached.  The boys all went to the local High School and I went downtown to Minneapolis Vocational Trade School.  Dan got us into a few places we were not really ready for, but for the time, he got us into the Minneapolis *Aquatennial Summer festival. It is really a big thing for Minneapolis, with all it's lakes, and parks.  We got into the roving entertainment unit and played at Hospitals, Prisons, and even played regularly at the Festival's "Skippers Club", that was set up downtown in the Radisson Hotel in the evenings.  It was a great time of growth, and becoming friends with other folk groups, watching what they were doing and how they were doing it!  Tom had started watching the other groups banjo players to learn how they were doing as well.  I think it was that fall, we entered the State Fair Folk Competition.  Again we were excited and having the time of our lives.  Turns out, as an added bonus, it was a competition.  Can't remember what the prize was, but we were happy and excited to just be a part of the program!  We played some outdoor afternoon "gigs" and the night of the competition came.  We had two songs to sing.  We brought out our best.  Started out with "Shanandoa".  For you guitar players, I was using a capo on the 2nd fret. Both Tom and Alan were playing guitars as well.  It went off very well.  We were excited.  So much so that I started the next song (Ride Up) it was a galloping, spirited song with Dan the singer of the verse's and the rest of us came in on the chorus.  Oh....Tom changed to his Banjo (of which he had an banjo instrumental break in the middle of the song) Tom didn't use a capo....the song didn't require one....for anyone....
Not realizing that my capo was still attached firmly in place and that by starting out the song in a higher key and Tom wouldn't be able to play his rousing and spirited break, I lead out with my guitar intro.  Well, right away Tom and Alan figured it out and grabbed their capos and put them on to match where I was. Unfortunately, Dan didn't know anything because he was playing the room with his booming voice not noticing that his back up instrumentalist guys were sweating bricks on the inside, but we all had a smile on our faces.  It came to the break where Dan shouts "RIDE!"  Tom stayed chording his banjo as banjoist do, Alan and I are doing what we do, and smiling up a storm.  Dan tried again, and then again on final time with a question mark attached to his voice, we then continued on with the song to the finish. We were laughing the whole time, and the officials (of the competition) were standing in the back with their clipboards and pencils smiling (a good sign).  We got a nice round of applause, and didn't smell any tar or see any bags of feathers being prepared for us, so I figured we weren't THAT bad. As it turned out, we came in the top 20 in the State, so we called it good and continue doing what we were doing.   Lesson learned: If you make a mistake when on stage, just keep moving on and keep smiling.

*The Minneapolis Aquatennial is an annual outdoor event held in the U.S. city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, during the third full week of July. Originating in 1940, the Minneapolis Aquatennial celebrates the city's famous lakes, rivers, and streams.

In our senior year, Roosevelt H.S. (where Tom, Alan and Dan attended) was having their Annual Talent Show.  At one of our practices, Tom mentioned our group needed a Bass Fiddle.  I then talked to one of my shop instructors (and counsellor) about our folk group and mentioned that we were looking for a bass for the Roosevelt talent show.  He told me he has one, and would be able to loan it to me if I needed it.  What a God thing that was.  So the night of the show, I drove across town in my Dad's station wagon, loaded up the Fiddle and took it to the green room where Tom pluncked around on it a little bit hearing what it sounded like and when we were called to the stage, here Tom comes with a Bass Fiddle, never before played anywhere, and played it like he was a master.  Folk music sounds so much better with a Bass Fiddle holding down the bottom of the music.  Like I said, Tom Pederson is a gifted and master of making music.  

It was shortly thereafter that school was out, we graduated!  YAY!!!  And I had commitments with Uncle Sam and His Navy, so off I went to the Philadelphia Naval Receiving Station and ultimately assigned an Aircraft Carrier USS Shangri-la CVA-38 to be deployed to the Mediterranean Sea.  I was assigned to the Print Shop (my specialty) which was very rewarding. I was blessed to see places most folk either read about or see in the movies, like Mt. Vesuvius (easily seen from Naples, Italy) and the Leaning Tower of Pisa to name just a couple.  While I was gone, the Northstar Singers finagled their way with one of the local TV stations to host a Sunday afternoon music show spotlighting other local Folk Groups.  Those that we had played along side during the Aquatennial events.  The show played out it's 13 week run and everyone was happy.....except me.....I wasn't there! 

After I returned from the Med. Deployment, I was transferred to Norfolk, VA to Commander-in-Chief US Atlantic Fleet HQ. It is a short distance off of the Norfolk Naval Base in it's own smaller base. That is also where the Navy has it's own, all Navy staffed Printing Plant. I came to it as a Third Class Lithographer Petty Officer.  While there I decided to go to night school at Old Dominion College and start working on a college degree. There was a personnel office on base so one day decided to see about the Tuition Aid program. THAT is where I found my future wife.  She helped me to navigate the maze of paperwork to get my request submitted.  She did a wonderful job, too good of a job, because after several weeks (it seemed like days) I asked her to marry me, and she said yes! Actually, what I said was "If I asked you to marry me, what would you say?"  After some thoughtful time she responded this something like this: "If you were to ask me to marry you, I would probably say yes."  So now after 49 years, and neither of us have either asked nor answered "the" question.  Just before this happened I had another band ramping up for a square dancing gig.  That was our last job as a band, as my focus was changed forever (as the vows say) I have never been happier.  We made some very nice Navy friends and because I had been advanced to 2nd Class Lithographer, I qualified for Navy Housing. 


After my return the guys had moved on to their careers.  When we returned to Minneapolis our traveling days were over for a while, as I returned to work with my Dad at the printshop.  My brothers, Guy and Greg and a friend of the family Mike, decided to get a group together with Tom (who was still hanging around Minneapolis...even to this day) and a female singer.  That was a fun time.  We now had a drummer, female voice, a bass guitarist, and three guitarist. I did some of the singing, and we all had fun.  Got a few gigs, and enjoyed making music...which at this time was more on the popular side, nothing radical. So that is one more band to "hang my hat" on.

So we will leave at this point and will take up from here in my next "issue".  

I hope you enjoyed reading about how music has been a part of my life since I was a young teenager. The music continues everywhere I go.

The Point of this story is:  Follow your dreams.  It may not be what you make your living at, but it will manifest itself in your lifestyle to enhance the quality of your life. 

So Keep on smiling, keep on laughing, and keep on singing.

Blessings,
Gary

Values, Freedom, Family, Choices

I was reading an email a very good friend of mine sent me today.  It was about the up coming election and the immense affect it had on our county's future.  The next President of the United States will most likely be choosing the Supreme Court Justices do to retirements, or death, as there are FIVE vacancies that will likely come up over the next 4-8 years! That would affect the Highest Court in the United States to be skewed in the ideology of this next Presidential election.  That is pretty scary when considering we are a conservative family and naturally associate primarily with like minded people.  That got me thinking about my childhood (again...don't we all at times?) and how I grew up with this outlook on values, standards, goals, etc.

In our family when I was young, we lived in Minneapolis/St. Paul area.  I grew up with both sets of Grandparents and were very close to both of them.  My first memories were when Mom, Dad, Suzanne (my older sister of 2 yrs.) and I lived in a 28', canvas roofed trailer in Dad's folks back yard. No bathroom in the trailer, so we went into the house for that. I remember going to Hiawatha Grade School until the end of third grade (I think) at which time we moved out to the northern suburbs of St. Paul. That was a good time to be little and growing up.  Our community was a new housing development called Circle Pines.  We were bused into the next town a couple miles away, called Lexington, where the grade school was. If I missed the bus (which I did a couple times), I ran to school through "the woods" (scary times for a little kid, but exciting too!) and got to school on time anyway.  Don't remember Mom ever finding out about it, but it wouldn't surprise me if she did and not talk about it. After World War II, Dad came home and went to Dunwoody Trade School and learned the printing trade. With the help of his Dad, they started a small print shop in South Minneapolis where he worked until he passed away at the age of 65yr. We will continue this part after I fill in the rest of the family.  My sister Suzanne and I always looked forward to spending time with our Grandparents for a weekend here, and a weekend there, during the summer. So I became very close with both Grandma and Grandpa Saffell and Grandma and Grandpa Rockart.  We took turns with our visits and each time was a special time.  I remember Grandma Saffell's silver dollar pancakes.  Mouth watering and a true culinary treat!  Too bad the recipe was lost. They taught me a lot about respect, having a sense of humor, how to treat others, and the value of family.  Not necessarily by teaching, but by observation and listening how they spoke to others, treated others.  A lot can be taught without "teaching", it you can understand.  We are teaching those around us all the time by how we ACT.  That's the "what" and "how" I learned from my grandparents as well as my Mom and Dad.  I cannot remember a time when my Dad raised his voice to me...not that I never deserved it, but how I learned was from his face.  Disappointment.  THAT is how I got quickly straightened out.  Never, never, never get that "disappointed" look. That was enough to get me back in line, for sure.  So I was blessed to have my grandparents to go to, usually during the summer when my sister and I would make the Grandma and Grandpa stay overs.  Everything was great in my life
until I was around 10 when we lost my Grandma Saffell in a car accident. That was in 1956.  The next to go was Grandpa Saffell in the early '60's.  He had retired early at 63 so he could fulfill his dreams, but was cut short with a heart attack.  While they were alive, they were a big part of my life as we were FAMILY.  They helped shape my thoughts and reasoning capabilities, as well as my values.  My Mom’s parents were both with us until I was in Viet Nam when Grandpa died (65years old).  BUT, while he was still alive I spent lots of time at his house where he taught me things like woodworking. He helped me build a old West fort by cutting 1x2’s into smaller pieces and making   the forts sides with eye hooks on each end so I could disassemble it and store it flat.  Pretty nifty since it was a school project.  It had a working swinging gate, ladders to get to the walkways to defend against indian attacks and stuff for the inside. He taught me a lot about life too.  I remember his telling me once "When you apply for a job and they ask if you can do 'such and such', tell them YES, then learn it."  He was an immigrant who came over from Europe and became a part of the American Dream.  His brother was one of the architects the designed the Minnesota State Capital.  Grandpa went into the Engineering profession and as I understand it, was a large part of designing the heating systems for the Minneapolis School District.  Grandpa was a LARGE influence on my understanding about responsibility and education.  Grandma Rockart was such a blessing also.  I remember once they had me overnight and took me to a restaurant in St. Paul that had an "all you can eat" Chicken dinner special.  Bless their hearts.  She told me that They wanted to see how much fried chicken I could eat.  We were there for quite a while.  For a small, skinny kid, I ate like there was no tomorrow!
In our house, we were fed well, but there were not a lot of leftovers. If there were any my Dad had first "dibs" then Mom, then Suzanne, then to me.  After my brothers were born the progression went do to them, in order.  We were never starving, but we treasured the rare treat moments we had.  Those were teaching times as well, that stuck with us.  We valued our family members and after Grandpa Rockart passed, and Grandma got to the age and infirmity that she couldn't live in her home, my folks helped her transition to their house, where she could be taken care of and watched over. Grandma ended up dying at 86 years old.  She got to see our children and they loved it when she would come over and stay with us when Mom and Dad would take a weekend break and head up north for their “get-away”. ha ha  My kids loved having her stay over, as well as seeing her at other family picnics, etc.

All of this is to say, us kids learned values of living.  We understood that we were blessed to be living in the United States of America because we learned that in History class in school.  We learned to respect our elders because our family taught us that, and we understood.  We understood that when one member of our family was in crisis, we came together and helped however we could.  We understood there was strength in having a family. 

I think America, on a large part, has forgotten our VALUES.  They have lost their RESPECT of both others AND themselves. America has lost GOD, in a massive way.  Why?  Because we, as Americans have FAILED to teach our children the things most important to ourselves, our communities, and our COUNTRY.  We have failed to accept our responsibilities to our children to teach them that life is not about ME, it is about US.  Us as that neighborhood, community, county, state, and NATION.  Without the basic knowledge of VALUES, TRUTH, RESPECT, FAMILY and most importantly GOD, we have FAILED.  And we will not be able to regain what we have lost without the help of GOD.   It is through God, it is Because of God, that this country exists.  It is because of the FACT that we are God's creation and that because of our founding Father's FAITH, is why we are what we used to be.  That's sad isn't it?  "what we used to be"  It is not too late.  We still have a chance.  All we have to do is forget about our selfishness. Forget about your HATE of others.  Step back and take a hard look at your life.  How many folks have you helped?  Have you considered doing someone a favor without thinking of a reward?  Have you smiled at anyone lately....just because.  There is so much we can do still that needs to be done to get our country back on track.  I think it hinges on FAMILY.  I know I am proud of my family.  I am proud that I knew and experienced my grandparents and value their efforts to guide me to the person I am today.  Did I ever fail?  Yes, but with what they gave me, I was able to move forward and try again.  In my wildest dreams, I never imagined the wonderful life I have today.  The many wonderful experiences I have had.  The places I have seen.  The occupations that I learned...and was actually good at!  What a wonderful journey.  If wishes were fishes we would all have enough to eat.  That saying goes a long way in the way you live. In the choices you make.  I the upcoming election, your vote matters to the life or death of our great country.  Did you know that Communism does NOT work?  That Socialism is a FAILURE!  Do you want to have the opportunity to do the things you have been dreaming about?  Most likely, that won't happen unless we can maintain our FREEDOMs.  That is the FREEDOM of thought, FREEDOM of speech, FREEDOM of choosing.  FREEDOM of earning as much money as you want instead of having to give 70-90% to a government that will "tell you what to do, what you can eat, what you can say, where you can live, where you can . . . . and the list of lack of freedoms goes on and on.    Learn what VALUES are.  Learn what RESPECT truly is.  Learn what COMPASSION is.  Most importantly, get to know who GOD is.  Ask, and you shall be given that very important information.