Howard Park
Every year, either on Memorial Day or Independence Day I walk the nature trail at a nearby park. It's not a very big park Just a few acres, but it has a baseball diamond, two playgrounds and a bunch of picnic shelters complete with charcoal grills. For those who like to just hang our by the water, it is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Over the course of the day, you'll be treated to fish jumping out of the water, various types of cranes, turtles and crabs. It is America in a teacup. There are Hispanic families, Asian, African Americans, as well as a pretty good representation of the melting pot.Music is blaring from several different boom boxes as the aroma of grilling hamburger and more exotic ethnic foods fills the air. For the last 25 years, I have enjoyed this tradition. There's no anger, no signs, just people enjoying a holiday. I am now limited to how far I can walk, so I'll park over by one of the playgrounds and watch the little kids go down the slides, and up and down on the see-saw. The park is what humanity should be to me. I wonder how long it will remain.
most of us could not name one like that in our neighborhoods.
live long and prosper, sir, and thank you for the great
trip to the way the u.s. should be. -- j
I am always reminded of my Grandma who had a strong Ayn Rand accent. I think the thing she was proudest of was getting her citizenship papers. She had me quiz her whenever I came over to visit, so I wound up learning everything they didn't teach you in school.
little business, and how long it will last I don't know), so I did not go to any of the memorials, although there is one here. The true American does not have to have been born in this country
(look at Ayn Rand, and Irving Berlin, the Russian-born composer of "God Bless America"), but is the one who understands and
embraces the basic American ideal of Freedom.
We have a little park by my house like that, along a beautiful river. We go there regularly. I made the observation to a colleague this morning that about 1/4 of the boys who come to this park have autism. I figure it will be closer to 1/2 in ten years or so. Just last week we had a couple hobo tweakers who took over the park playground to stash their stuff, and then they had a big cussing argument next to the kids in the playground. The cops did finally clean that up, though. We have, for some reason, a large contingent of Pacific Islander families who come and BBQ and play volleyball. I like them and they are really nice to my son (the one toe-head who can be found amongst them on the b-ball courts). Beautiful place, though. We're just seeing signs of more Californication.
talking!
I do love corned beef where ever the cow comes from. If Moses bellybutton wants to come over I'll share some MD20/20 and if he cooks I
Accept feeling brenenish later. BTW did chi chi's originate in Mexico?
Send 'em over and don't forget the chopped liver.
Keep the burritos. ;^)
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