Why is it the older we get the more pessimistic we become?
And not only do we become pessimistic but we also become opinionated as well. Now I have written several times about how I am slowly becoming an Ebenezer Scrooge. My paternal grandmother has always been that way. For instance, years ago she discovered that wrapping gifts in newspaper saved her a few dollars because she didn't have to buy wrapping paper. The concept is good save the blackened hands after the gift was unopened.
This woman probably has the first dollar she ever made and has worked hard for everything she has. From her I learned that when we finance something we are giving someone else control of our money. When you think about that powerful statement you realize the old girl is right.
A couple of weeks ago we were on the way home from work and school when the radio station I was listening to reported the death of a police officer during a traffic stop at Virginia Tech earlier that day. The news broadcaster announced the officer’s name and I shook my head.
I didn’t know his name, of course, but it still hurt.
Then I noticed the loud sniffling coming from the back seat. I looked quickly into the rear view mirror to see huge tears raining down the cheeks of our 6-year-old daughter, Sara. She was absolutely distraught. I asked her what was wrong and she repeated what she’d heard.
“They said that someone shot a police officer and killed him,” she sobbed through the tears. “Why would somebody do that?”
I had known the time was coming and had tried to prepare myself for it, but it seems one can never be fully prepared for such things. I had originally thought November would be the month I’d make a change, but more things came up and I was looking at maybe February or March.
But then, a couple of weeks ago the noises became louder and there were more trips to the “car doctor” and I could foresee even higher repair bills. For those who don’t know me, Barney was my trusted 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, so named because of his purple “Barney” color. A toy stuffed Barney always rode in the back seat. It may seem strange to some, but I’ll miss Barney.
He came into my life at a very low point and he was the answer to a prayer.
This came to me from a friend who was asked the question: Where was God on 9/11?
His answer is an excellent one, and I share it with you as we all remember, wonder and even question God about that awful day.
"... 9/11 represents the best of us and the worst of us.
Before we ask where God was, we should ask, where were we, or more salient, where ARE we?
The trouble with sin is it doesn't just harm those who commit it but it splashes all over the innocent as well – like burning jet fuel.
Before we ask why, we should remember: Self-righteousness is the opposite of Humility. Love is the opposite of Pride and Independence is the opposite of Faith.
Edgefield County Council Chairman’s Update September 9, 2011
Redistricting Update on County Council Districts
County Council has begun the process of redrawing County Council districts. We started the process in a special meeting on August 30 to hear from the S.C. Office of Research and Statistics, the state government office tasked with drawing maps for the state, counties and cities.
When the topic of abuse comes up, the most likely image we get is that of a woman in dire need of help in many forms. They’re usually victims of, and often times not the first, an abusive boyfriend or husband. And granted, we have the right to think of this as always the situation. A total of 54-percent of all documented and reported abusive relationships are in fact males being the abusers.
But there’s a huge gaping hole on the other side of that pie chart – or the 46-percent of all those abusive relationships in which women are doing the abusing.
There are a slew of reasons you don’t hear about female on male violence, and many of them have to do with social standards and double standards. Men are supposed to be these rock solid, unfeeling, providing beings unhurt by anything anyone really does.
On behalf of the Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce we are gearing up for our “Fill-A-Bus” school supply campaign. We have received the Teacher’s Wish List for the 2011/2012 school year and with your help we can fill their wishes.
All citizens of Edgefield County can help with the needs of the students and also help the teachers further the educational opportunities of the students in their career fields. With these supplies we will help all students K-4 thru the 12th grade. No child will be left without supplies.
So, if you are the sort of entity that doesn’t appreciate light being thrown your way you are one of a few things – a vampire, a cockroach, the U.S. Government, a school district or a Wall Street executive.
Why is it the older we get the more pessimistic we become? 
A couple of weeks ago we were on the way home from work and school when the radio station I was listening to reported the death of a police officer during a traffic stop at Virginia Tech earlier that day. The news broadcaster announced the officer’s name and I shook my head. 
Well, Ole Barney finally bit the dust. 
This came to me from a friend who was asked the question: Where was God on 9/11?