Issue XXI September 14th 2003
Editorial.
Hi Folks,
Summer seems to have disappeared here, can't complain though, it was one of the best summers we have had here for a very long time. There is even a rumour that any colour I have this year isn't solely due to rust. <S>
Well I've been driving my new baby for almost a month now and I love it even more! Maggs was very kind and bought me a wee Elvis doll to stick on the window, he dances as I move. I wonder if that means she really does think I am a nerd? nawwww...couldn't possibly be that! <S> I washed until I had it gleaming last Friday and some bird decided to leave a present on the windscreen. Was I mad!
I also got a new bed! Wish I could tell you all it was because I wore the last one out but alas it was simply old age. errr... the bed that is...not me! Now I can snuggle down to sleep without playing the "dodge the wonky spring" game.
Junior is back to school and normal life (well as normal as it will ever be here) has resumed. Back to laundering uniform and homeworks, lost pens and teacher appointments. I am also back to school in a sort of way, I am studying for my Network+ Certification. This networking lark isn't as easy as it looks you know.
The sprogs are still invading the house, enjoying their usual hobby of eating. I am almost scared to say but I don't think they've broken anything of significance this month, no doubt they will make up for it next month. Middle sprog is taking off to England again to work there for a while. So, I will be down to two sprogs for a while, not that that makes much difference to the food bills.
I have a dreadful cold this weekend, Junior very kindly passed his on to me. Guess I can't complain that he never gives me anything now. <shrug>
I hope you are all having a wonderful September and it doesn't get too cold too soon! We have an exciting bumper issue this month, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have.
I know you're all missing Patty2, so here is a little message from her.....
" I hope I get this off in time to go to the press. Just wanted
everyone to know I am having a great time in Maryland. Hang in their with me
cause I can't always get on line. The weather is great but I think I jinxed this
place cause we are having rain everyday now, guess the rain followed me. lol
At least something is following me.
My regards Patty2"
Lynda
Any comments. responses, articles, tips etc, please mail to LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com
Contents.
Editorial.........................................................................Lynda
Freedom Of Worship (Pt 2 of a 4-part series).............Cruise Air
Some things never change............................................Joanie
Tigger's Tails.................................................................Tigger
I can't believe we made it!.............................................Woolyback
Life in Toronto...............................................................Tracey
In Search of the Elusive Endangered WigWag.............Rascal
Lil' Bits from Ma'am......................................................Maureen
A Discussion of the Four Freedoms
Last month we discussed Freedom From Fear, one of the four
freedoms embodied in The Atlantic Charter and expressed by Franklin D.
Roosevelt. This month it seems logical to discuss Freedom of Worship, in light
of the recent controversy over the displaying of the Ten Commandments in an
Alabama public building by Chief Justice Moore.
Leaving aside the Constitutional arguments, consider the practice of former and
present day cultures and countries. Hitler burned bibles and banned all
religions. Under Communism, churches were closed and atheism decreed as state
policy. Today, if you are born an Arab, you will practice some form of Islam
with no choice except to leave the country. In China, there is no freedom of any
civil rights. Missionaries are banned.
Sounds pretty gruesome doesn't it? But wait. Before you gloat in your holier
than thou syndrome, consider this. What boy of Jewish parents was given the
option of circumcision? What child of Protestant parents was given the option of
baptism? What child of Catholic parents was given the option of public or
parochial school? Name me any Hindu, Buddhist, or any other Asian religion that
gave their offspring an option.
Didn't I read somewhere that all people are created equal and endowed, BY THEIR
CREATOR, with certain inalienable rights among them life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness Wouldn't liberty guarantee one's right to choose their own
religious beliefs?
But you know, by the age of twelve, most all children have been so indoctrinated
with their parents religious ideology, there is very little separation by that
child from their parent's religion. They are captive just as assuredly were the
Soviets, Germans. Arabs, and Chinese.
To me, it was a much simpler and peaceful world when all men believed that
thunder, lightening, stars, sun, moon, were gods. No one could claim them as
their own and no one fought over them. Just considering that fact alone, look
how many lives could have been allowed to fulfil their freedoms.
Cruise Air
Today September 9, 2003 ~~~ the 252d day of the year with 113
days left in the year. Thanks to the aide of one grandson, I remembered so many
times when growing up, hearing the elder folks in the family starting off with,
'when I was your age' and wishing they would hurry up and get on with the story,
I didn't care how it was when they were young, and this past Saturday, while
Jacob was here to
mow the lawns, I heard a comment from him and almost messed up, for I started to
say, wow Jacob when I was your age ~~~ then caught myself, thank goodness when
he is a grandpa, maybe he will not be able to remember anything bout when I was
his age.
My age was/is history and am able today to write thus so knowing that daily it
will change ~~~ dedicated to the patience of Jacob, who happens to love history.
Three days ago in 1903, Anderson was a important shipping point during the week,
filling 50 railroad cars with local products. In 1953 a 50 year old Eureka man,
his neck injured when his car plunged off Highway 299 near Buckhorn Summit, was
found sitting next to the road several hours after the crash. His car had
plunged 600 feet down a steep embankment, but the man managed to climb up to the
road. (NOTE:) I have driven up that road and it becomes don't look don't talk
and recall power grip on the steering wheel, my admiration to that driver of 50
years ago.
In 1978, a 27 year old Dublin man and his rainbow colored glider disappeared
after being caught in an updraft near Mt. Shasta.
And today's news in the year of 2003, in California~~~ A panel of three federal
judges refused Friday to postpone California's historic recall election,
rejecting claims that it could disenfranchise minority voters in Monterey
County. Hummm and this is enough, Jacob Paul surely do hope that when your old
like me you don't start conversations with your grandkids, "when I was a boy
like you" ~~ because I really don't believe things change from generation to the
other, at least not too much!
Joanie
Koalas are an Australian mammal that looks a lot like a teddy
bear. Often called a Koala Bear, it is not actually related to the bear family.
Koalas have thick, soft fur, large, round ears and no tail. The fur is gray or
brown on the animal's back and white on the belly. Koalas measure anywhere from
25 to 30 inches in length and weigh about 15 to 30 pounds .
They have curved, sharp claws and long toes. They spend almost all of their time
in trees and come down only to move to another tree. Koalas are active mainly at
night. They sleep much of the day in eucalyptus trees. Koalas eat mainly the
leaves and young shoots of eucalyptus trees. Their extraordinary sense of smell
assists them in finding suitable food trees. They get their liquids mainly from
eucalyptus leaves. Koalas that live in the wild rarely drink water. The word
koala comes from an Australian Aborigine word meaning no drink.
Koala Bears are marsupials. Female koalas give birth to tiny, poorly developed
offspring. The young koala, called a joey, is carried in a pouch on its mother's
belly until it develops more completely. Unlike many other marsupials, the koala
has a pouch that opens toward the rear of its body. It spends the next six
months riding on its mother's back.
Although they dwell primarily high in the trees and have the ability to move
from tree to tree by the interlacing upper branches, a koala can also move very
quickly on the ground. If it is being chased after by a predator, it will jump
approximately an inch at the first jump then make a series of upward jumps until
it's high enough to be out of harm's way. It then begins to find it's way to a
feeding or roosting spot.
Tigger
According to today's regulators and bureaucrats, those of us who
were kids in the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's or even the early 80's, probably
shouldn't have survived.
Our baby cots and wooden toys were covered with bright coloured lead-based
paint. We had no child proof lids or locks on medicine bottles, doors, or
cabinets, and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. Not to mention the
risks we took hitchhiking ...
As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the
back of a pickup truck or in the trailer on a warm day was always a special
treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. Horrors!
We made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it
would happen, we did not put out any eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's home and knocked on the door, or rang the
bell or just walked in and talked to them.
Local rugby, football and cricket teams had tryouts and not everyone made the
team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Some students weren't as smart as others, so they failed to make the grade and
were held back to repeat the same year. Horrors!
The 11 plus was taken and passed or failed tests were not adjusted for any
reason.
Our actions were our own. Consequences were expected.
The idea of parents bailing us out if we got in trouble in school or broke a law
was unheard of. They actually sided with the school or the law. Imagine that!
This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and
inventors, ever.
We had freedom, failure, success, and responsibility --- and we learned how to
deal with it. And you're one of them!
Congratulations we have had the luck to grow up as kids before lawyers and
government regulated our lives for our own good !!!
Woolyback
Well folks, somehow, Toronto pulled off one of the largest rock concerts in history on July 30th at Downsview Park. You all know we
’ve been hit with very bad press regarding SARS, so this concert was a way to try and help generate some tourist dollars, and raise some money to help the hospitality workers who’ve been laid off as a result of SARS. It was a huge success! 450,000 people attended to see Dan Ackroyd and Jim Belushi, Sass Jordan, The Guess Who, Justin Timberlake, RUSH, AC/DC and The Rolling Stones, just to name a few of the bands that were there. The concert lasted just over 11 hours. The Rolling Stones were the one’s who said yes we’d love to play Toronto, interrupting their European Tour to do so. They also bought a continental breakfast for the 50,000 fans who waited overnight before the gates opened. Class act.My six weeks on the night bus officially ended on the morning of Saturday, Aug 2nd. I couldn’t get the same crew again. We sign in seniority order, and someone way ahead of me took it. The only night bus left didn’t appeal to me, so it’s back to days for this bus driver!! The plus for that, I’ll be in the forum more often in the evenings. This board period is only four weeks, since it’s what we call "summer boards" with service reductions when school is out and folks are on vacation. I’ve got Sunday/Monday off and work from 9-8 basically, except Saturdays, I work until 8:30. Now, I just have to convince my body clock that it has to sleep at night again!! This is a long weekend in Toronto, so I’ve got an extra day, but I know it’s going to take me at least a week to get turned around.
I found a huge difference in the clientele at night. They are way nicer than the "day" folks, who think for $2.25 they own me!! Our "Blue Night" network of buses and streetcars run on major routes where there is a need for service. Some routes the buses run every 30 minutes, others it’s every 15 minutes. The other nice thing about nights…you don’t deal with traffic jams or construction during the day on the roads!!
Summer in Toronto has been fantastic so far. Normally we experience very hot, humid weather for weeks on end. This year, we’ve suffered through one week of it, and that was in June. Temps during the day have been in the high 70’s or low 80’s. I attribute this to the fact that I bought two window air conditioning units for the house!! One is in my bedroom, the other in the living room. They did the job just fine when needed!! Fortunately, they have "fans" on them to bring in the outside air, so that’s all they’ve done this summer!! Between my fans, 2 ceiling fans, and the a/c fans, it’s quite comfortable in the house.
I celebrated my birthday in July. First, at a friend’s place, then at my parents place. Friends of mine have a beautiful home about 15 minutes west of my parents place, with a swimming pool.
My parents live on a beautiful piece of property located about 1 hour north of Toronto, in a small town called Stouffville. I can’t believe they’ve lived up there for 20 years now. Their house is so big for just two people, but you won’t get my mother to move into something smaller. The nice thing is, they live in a subdivision, but the lot sizes are ¾ of an acre, so your next door neighbour isn’t breathing on you. Their backyard backs onto a farmer’s field, so there is no development at the moment, although I’m sure that will change within the next few years.
Our annual family summer party was held on July 26th. My Aunt and Uncle have a cottage that is a 2 hour drive north-east of Toronto. Each year, they have the family summer party there. It’s great for the kids. There is a water slide off the dock and the kids love to swim in the lake. This year, my 3 cousins, who live in Maryland came up for the party as well. It’s not often we get to see them anymore. My first cousin’s range in age from 49 to 11!! I have second cousins that are older than first cousins!! My Mom comes from a family of 8 kids, so there were over 35 at the party. I think my grandparents would be proud that the family has such strong ties. It’s a shame they aren’t here to see us all grown, and to see their great-grandchildren, although I’m sure they’re watching over us.
Well since I started writing this last weekend, I’ve now almost finished my first full week back on days!! It hasn’t gone too badly, and fortunately, my body clock turned around on the 2nd day!! I still hate getting up with an alarm, but what can I do?
I think I spoke too soon about the humid weather. Seems we’re in a bit of a heat wave, although we’ve had higher humidity than this. My air conditioners are being put to good use!! Summer flies by far too quickly. I notice that the days are getting shorter and before we know it, the winter clothes will be unpacked again.
That’s all from me this month. Hope you are all having a great summer!!
Tracey
Recently in the message section of our forum a member started a string about xthinking. I’m not sure what xthinking is, so I asked if it was something like xdressing. He never responded. But our message strings have a tendency to meander and the last message rarely resembles the original post. But that’s fodder for another article. Somehow xthinking evolved to R.R. Xing and to my post regarding Wigwags. Tallie, one of our forum assistant Sysops asked: Right!!! Rascal What are wigwags? I’m sure she thought she had me on this one and I gave her a detailed explanation of a wig wag and what’s it’s purpose was for. Thomas, our forum sage and mentor assured me that his daughter vaguely remembered them and was sure that they disappeared into oblivion 30 to 40 years ago. This is what started me on my quest to find the elusive wigwag.
I remembered seeing the wiley elusive wigwag deep in the bowels of downtown Los Angeles in recent history, and I even remembered where. So, with trusty digital camera in hand, I headed toward L.A. Upon arrival I found that the Alameda corridor has gone through a renovation. It seems as though the Los Angeles port expansion created a burden on the existing rail traffic between the port and the Los Angeles Southern Pacific Railroad hub. The increased container traffic necessitated rebuilding the rail lines in the Alameda corridor and moving them underground to eliminate conflicts with motorist traffic and increase their transportation tonnage per hour. Well, with the railroad going underground, there was certainly no longer a need for above ground crossing signs. The wigwags had disappeared. Sadly I returned home sure in the knowledge that Tallie would continue to think I was kidding her.
On a whim, I typed wigwag into my GO bar and was astounded I got a return. Furthermore I was amazed at the amount of wigwag information that is available.
In 1856 Albert J. Myer an officer in the army, drafted a memorandum on a new system of signals and obtained patent letters on it. In 1860 the United States Army adopted the use of the Myer system for signaling. Because Myer’s signaling system used flags and the waving of these flags seemed random to the untrained person , the term wigwag was given to the flags. This system was abandoned with the introduction of Morse Code but the term wigwag made the transition to the railroad crossing signals. Today the term wigwag is still in use on Police and emergency vehicles and refers to the alternately flashing headlights and emergency lights.
After recovery from the dismay of driving all over L. A. in my quest for a wigwag sighting with no success, I decided I would have to make the 30 mile drive to Perris, Ca. Where I had been informed that a wigwag existed in the Railroad Museum there. A trip to our local hardware store takes me close to a no longer spur of the railroad that used to service downtown Redlands in it’s glory days. Reluctantly, (and with little hope of success) I decided to check it out. I was shocked to find a wigwag still standing so close to home. (Picture attached).
So, my search for the elusive, endangered wigwag comes to a close. I can now say: Tallie, I wasn’t lying to you, wigwags do exist!!! ………… Maybe my wife is right……….I do have too much free time.
Rascal
P.S. After talking about and writing about wigwags, I did some further research. It appears that there are only 104 known railroad crossing wigwags left in the United States and only 34 left in California. To find one, virtually in my backyard, is akin to the proverbial needle in the haystack. For my own reasons, I'm glad it's still there.
Greetings from the Reno Air Races. The RV is back on the road and Tech and I
have met my brother and a group of RV'ers here in Reno. We have pit passes and
race tickets for all five days. Tech is excited about all this flying stuff but
I may handle two days tops. <grin> September and October are packed full of
events and business trips we have to make, overlapping on that dang calendar on
several days. The weather is gorgeous and not going to be too hot here.
I think the Fall season is finally upon us. It is getting much cooler and the
crisp air is refreshing. I love the Autumn season, the beautiful colors and the
fresh air. Tech on the other hand hates to see Summer over. He loves the heat
and gets a bit grumpy with the weather change.
News in the forum, Not much to report this month. Are we there yet? is on
vacation for a few weeks while Becca visits her darling granddaughter. The Roost
is picking up a steady crowd and lots of fun in there. All our games are doing
well and thank you to all Casual Hosts for doing such a fine job, and for
stepping in and helping out when needed. We really do appreciate all the work
you all do. I would just like to remind all our members that the staff and
management are volunteers and we do this because we care..
We have a pirate that has been keeping a lively thread going in our message
boards. Several years ago Casual had a message section and chat room DAS BOOT
that was a wee bit similar and for all of us that participated in that message
board that ran about six years, this has brought back fond memories and I know I
have been having fun.
Nanny has submitted a suggestion for a Fantasy Isle type of message or chat
area. We are looking at this proposal for the forum and as soon as I am home and
settled errr well at least home <g> and Trish returns from a trip we will be
working hard to keep Casual as much fun as always. Details will be available
soon <crossing fingers>
We are trying to find interests for all our members. Some of us like message
boards, some like chat, some love both area's. We have had very serious topics
discussed and silly topics as well. Casual Staff really is looking out for all
our members and hope that there is something you all enjoy and if you have any
suggestions, please let us know.
This is going to be a short message this month, I am just hoping OZZIE
cooperates and let me send it!! <LOL>
Hugggs,
~Ma'am~
That's it for another month Folks! I hope you enjoyed this exciting issue! Be safe and keep well, until next month!
Come on Everyone! Get those pens busy for next month. Lets have another bumper edition! Mail all your contributions to me at LyndaAtCasual@Compuserve.com
We want all your contributions, don't be shy! This is a paper by the members for the members......that means YOU!
Please remember, this is a fun/interesting/informative addition to the many features on offer at Casual Chat, critique is welcome but nothing that attacks members, personalities or other fora will be.
Lynda [Editor]