Winning Words 7/28/09
“The Depression taught us a better way to live.” (Reminisce Books) While on vacation I read a book about The Great Depression. Here are some of the chapter titles. “We had everything but money…We didn’t know we were poor, but our parents knew it…When the banks closed, our hearts opened…Making-do was a way of life” I can relate to each one of them. I wonder if someone will write a book about The Great Recession? Do you have some chapter suggestions? ;-) Jack

FROM L IN ILLINOIS: Chapter 2 Descent into Socialism Chapter 3 America Begins to Wise Up MORE FROM L: Chapter 5 The Elderly: Too Costly to Keep Alive? FROM JACK: Does that go for your dad and me? REPLY FROM L: Some would say so. Fortunately, in the final chapter, America does wise up. And remains the gold standard for health care the world over. Another happy ending! STILL MORE FROM L: Good morning. I do admire your "fair and balanced" blog! Thank you. Heard an interesting story on TV last nite. They said health care costs have increased because the quality of health care has increased. Think of all the technology we Americans have access to now. And take for granted. For example, I just had a CT scan in the ER. I know for sure that my terrible pain was diverticulitis-- no aortic aneurism, no tumors, nothing serious. Found that out in a little over two hours. Went home with antibiotics. I'm fine. Costly? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Today I take my dad to have his eye rechecked. A shot can stop the bleeding of macular degeneration. Next on the scientific agenda? Macular RE-generation. The lady I elder-sit is speaking in sentences again. And using words long forgotten. The Exelon patch for Alzheimer's. A medical miracle. My daughter, a pre-med student, just got back from a research lab in Minneapolis. You
can't even imagine what's in the works to make all of our futures brighter.

FROM S.H. IN MI: Maybe it's pie in the sky, but some of us are thinking and acting in our lives, making choices that lead to "sustainable" lifestyles--trying to live today in a way that is also constructive for future generations. Actually, what happened to the values that were learned during the Great Depression? Like I wrote, maybe sustainability is a concept that is pie in the sky because maybe we're all programmed in some way to forget and get off track every few decades or something. My suggestion for a chapter is "The Great Recession brought back our memories and reinforced that there is a better way for us to live."

FROM MK IN MICHIGAN: My father in law often speaks about his Mom who had 14 kids of her own and how she always managed an extra loaf of bread or and extra pot of stew for any of the neighbors who may have needed it. I never met Grandma Hare I feel slighted about that! My Grandma who was born in 1903 a first generation German American it affected her and she lived the depression her whole life. She was practical and frugal but incredibly generous especially in gifts or time and love and wisdom. We called her a Kraut Head! Those Germans are very strong and straight to the point. I miss her terribly. I often think about how kind we were to each other after 911 sometimes I think we need to be shook up again. Wow I went off on that one!

FROM MOLINER G.S.: One of my best friends died last weekend. Born in 1924, he remembers his dad worked for the RR and out of work 5 years - used to pick up coal along the RR tracks for fuel for family of 6 at home.
They knew what thrift and hard work for little pay meant. FROM JACK: I remember being sent to the bank to cash a check for 3 cents. We could use the money.

FROM HILLTOPPER JOHN: Chapter Three...."How we got BUSHwhacked!"

FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: I could not agree more! I have been exposed to the concept my whole life and I know that I got it from my parents. Having my Mother here now for almost 4 years Rick can understand me more, I am sure. Our refrigerator overflows with leftovers. And they are always used up. He claims that there must be mold on some things and I just scrape it off behind his back. I rarely buy myself
anything as I just don't think I need it. I happened to catch a segment on Oprah the other day where different people were making a real effort to simplfy their lives. Their kids whined at first but soon became used to it
and were embracing the whole idea. I am seeing more examples of this all the time. As far as chapter suggestions. I actually had thought of writing something once called. AIways Rinse Out The Catsup Bottle. I have always done that and used it in making chili, spaghetti sauce, etc. But I came to the conclusion long ago that it also is a message about living life: Make the most of every day, etc. Incidentally, I just finished reading "The Last Lecture". Now I think I will try to find the video on the internet. Great stuff! FROM JACK: I scrape out the peanut butter jar with a spatula.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: I'd add a subtitle to "The Grest Recession"..."What's so Great About it?" FROM JACK: As you know, GREAT also means, huge. Sometimes those who are living through the bad time, scrounge around to find something good...like Tom Brokow in his book, The Greatest Generation.

FROM GUSTIE M.N.: I don’t have any suggestions, but I was at the Minnesota History Center today to see the exhibit of “The Greatest Generation”. There was a docent there telling a bunch of kids about rationing. He mentioned gas and tires, but I chimed in sugar rationing too. Those kids have no idea. And you are right, we did not know we were poor. We had gardens and ate like kings I thought. We were also very patriotic and
ALWAYS saluted the flag and said the pledge—and we DID NOT murder the Star Spangled Banner when we sang it either. I can’t listen to it the way the pop stars sing it.

FROM F.M. IN WISCONSIN: what is the title of the book you read on the Great Depression? I want to read it . . . before I suggest any chapters for the Great Recession. FROM JACK: It was from Reminisce Books. It may have been called, It Was High Time We Learned About Life by Phelan Beale It could have been called simply The Great Depression

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: A good title will be "What's next?" I have my own reasons for that title, but it's perfect for the next step each of us will take in this Recession. I remember hearing and reading stories of the Hobos and how they would mark a house...good food, nice people, etc. I dont' remember all of the markings, but it was a very interesting time of our life.

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: .....today's "Winning Words" resonate with me. Jack and I are old friends and served as Colleagues for 30 years. He was a member of one of my congregations for a short time as he developed a Mission Congregation near Detroit....I was born as the Depression ended, but during food, clothing and products Rationing and before World War 2 began and I grew up during Rationing and the War...in the City of
Baltimore.