The Little Things

Well, we had a great Memorial Day weekend.  The weather was great although a little hot.  We had our barbecue on Sunday at Grandpa's and the annual Pelham Memorial Day Parade on Monday.  Before the parade, we had a family meeting.  We sat the kids down and talked to them about the soldiers who have protected and fought for this country so that we could all have the things and freedoms that we do have.  We talked about the many who died fighting for us.

At the parade, we watched as Pelham resident veterans rode down 5th ave to applause and the regimens of soldiers who marched were also cheered loudly.  These were the men and women who symbolized all who died in battle and we showed our thanks and our pride. 

Gary was enthusiastic about the parade and found himself a front row seat on the curb to watch.  Katherine sat on my shoulders the whole time clapping loudly for everyone that passed.

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I love to be the bearer of good news.  It's been quite warm and even hot in the US Northeast the last few days.  Even Jenn up in Canada let me know she's got the AC cranked.  Summer is coming but there is hope.  From Universe Today:

Over the last few decades, scientists have been tracking the depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere. A large hole still opens up over Antarctica, but ozone levels worldwide have stopped declining. The question is why. The relatively recent reduction of ozone-destroying gasses shouldn't make an improvement so quickly. NASA scientists think that atmospheric wind patterns could be transferring ozone around the planet, helping with the recovery. At this rate, we'll return to 1980 levels between 2030 and 2070.

Cool!   OK I don't think it's any reason for us to start spraying our hairspray out the window or act irresponsible otherwise, but hopefully we all wont turn into lobsters any time soon.  Use your sunblock, don't spend all day at the beach, etc. 

That being said, I've added a wonderful, fun new feature to The Little Things.  It's a poll plugin.  Whoo hoo!  It's right there on the right sidebar, see it?  Just to the right there, under those Google ads….  Yeah, it's the "Poll of the Week"  I'll put up a new poll every week and hopefully entertain all of you peoples.  This weeks poll is concerning the one-time depleting, but now regenerating ozone layer that protects our lovely planet from all the harmfull UV rays.  The poll is, what did you really think would happen before the good news was announced?  Were we all going to be well-done humans or was there going to be some devine or other intervention to save the race?

Cast your vote, make a comment, start some buzz.  If everyone plays nice, I'll open up the poll for all to submit their own answers.  There are funnier people out there than me.

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Bloggers, especially you Canadian ones, listen up.  The owner of Canada based P2Pnet has been sued for defamation by Sharman Networks, makers of the Kazaa program that uses the same technology of file sharing that P2Pnet has championed for years. Even worse, he's being sued because of a comment that someone else made on his site. This is scary and should be a warning to all bloggers. Help Jon defend himself against these guys and keep his site alive. Read more about the "Stop the blogsuit" campaign.

Help Jon beat the lawsuit

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Happy Memorial Day 2006

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This Memorial Day weekend I will talk to my kids about all of the soldiers that have fought for THEM so that they could live better lives.  Sometime those soldiers don't believe their political leaders and question their orders but follow them out regardless.  Why? Because they do HAVE to believe what they're doing is for the good of their country, for the citizens at home.  Remember the fallen this weekend.  Think about them.  Don't ever blame them or shame them for doing their jobs because of your political convictions.  Bless them for doing their part to make a better life for you.

On thy grave the rain shall fall from the eyes of a mighty nation! ~Thomas William Parsons

They fell, but o’er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.
~Francis Marion Crawford

They are dead; but they live in each Patriot’s breast,
And their names are engraven on honor’s bright crest.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Life hangs as nothing in the scale against dear Liberty! ~Lucy Larcom

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou

The hero dead cannot expire:
The dead still play their part.
~Charles Sangster

We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them. ~Francis A. Walker

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I just left an amazing concert. There were no electric guitars, but the sound was powerful. There was no light show except for the sunlight shining through the windows. There was no screaming from the audience but they were enthusiastic as a Beatles audience.

It was standing room only.

It was inspiring.

It was at 9:30 this morning.

The concert that I went to was performed by the third, fourth and fifth grades of my sons school. He's in fourth grade and he plays the violin and he's in the chorus as well. His violin playing needs some work, but he's got a great voice, probably from singing so often at his grandparents church since he could open his mouth.  Overall, he was awesome!

These kids and others like them are the future of music. They are the ones that will have an understanding of music, of "the song". They will be the ones performing the music and/or buying the music they'll listen to. Some of them will continue to play and perform, fewer will be involved in some kind of organized music, whether it be grand orchestration or small garage bands. Fewer still, maybe one in a million will make a living from music but they will all have an appreciation of music.

I'm fortunate enough to live in a community where the schools don't have to be cutting their music and art programs, but there are many that have to in favor of teaching the Three R's. I contributed before to VH1's Save The Music Charity I think it's time I did again. The program helps fund these programs for less fortunate schools and students. They help to supply the instruments and instruction where necessary.

Why is this important? From the Save The Music site:

Research has shown that musical study develops critical thinking and self discipline skills and improves a child's early cognitive development, basic math and reading abilities, self-esteem, SAT scores, ability to work in teams, spatial reasoning skills, and school attendance. Also, researchers have found that children involved with music education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college, and are less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse.

Today I saw 6 percussionists sharing instruments not because my kids school couldn't afford more instruments, but because there isn't enough room to set up all of the equipment because there are so many kids wanting to be a part of the music program in some way. Like I said, I'm fortunate, because my son not only shows an interest and he's got some talent, but mostly because he has the opportunity in his school to expand his talent. 

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