How about another voting option

I think it would be great if they allowed voters the right to vote "present" in elections.

Lawmakers get to do such a thing.

Then they are not voting yes or no.

There have been many times during this election cycle that I have cringed when seeing a political commercial or reading a political mailer. Negative is just so not cool to me.

Give me the five-point plan to get the economy back on track, or how to end the budget fiasco in Springfield, Illinois.

I want substance.

Allowing voters the opportunity to vote "present" is like a no-confidence vote.

There is the option of not voting at all, but I want my vote to be heard.

I just do not want to give it to any candidates I do not deem worthy.

No more voting for the lesser of the evils.

Political parties and organizations just don't get it

While out of town last week, I saw a few political ads for races in other states.

Lots of negative spots.

One is similar to a spot running in my home state in the Congressional district I reside in.

It deals with a claims a candidate is going to cut Social Security. It has senior citizens telling a candidate he/she doesn't get it. Do not cut their Social Security.

The one in my district is better. The seniors are more agitated. I am not making fun of them.

It is just amazing that organizations and candidates pit one age group against another.

They say the media divides the masses on politics.

I think ads like these do just the same.

I am getting tired of political parties or organizations splintering us.

This is the United States of America. It is not the splinter the tired, poor masses that you do not think are smart enough to know better.

Like the one gentleman says in an ad, you just don't get it.

This Facebook comment deleted

Does anybody else out there wonder about a Facebook comment they post just seconds after hitting the comment button?

Was it the right thing to do or say? Do they think I am stalking? Do they think I am being a smart ass?

In recent weeks I have deleted comments because I thought some of those things I just said.

I think I am paranoid.

Yes, my friends, I am not sure of myself at times.

I do appreciate you all sharing your pictures, thoughts and comments.

I'll go back to my cone of silence now.

How about a little something for the effort

No matter how hard we bust butt, it just seems it isn't good enough.

It's not that we have a feeling we are more important than our co-workers. It is more we are running for our professional lives.

How many of us work not only at the office but at home, on vacations, maybe even at a family member's funeral?

It is not to get ahead, but to keep our heads above water.

It's bad enough knowing we are probably going to have to work until we are 76, if we make it that far.

Every so often, could the bosses throw us a bone.

We will keep our noses to the grindstone.

We promise.

How does the world see me?

Why do I care about what people think of me?

It's not about wanting a All-American image. Nope.

Not any where near that.

Many flaws in the character.

I am who I am.

But when I see a person roll their eyes at me, I wonder what it is that I did to them.

I am a bear, but I do not bite.

Inside this grizzly is a soft, cuddly, caring person.

While I wait for the world to change, I am going to work on toughening my skin.

You're never too old to do such a thing.

A simple question

When do you get the opportunity to cook the meal, if you buy the ingredients?

I realize what Bill Parcells, the former NFL coach, meant when he made this statement after leaving as coach of the New England Patriots.

Learn life's lessons, but remember reality bites.

Enjoy life while you can

Laura is a classmate of mine.



Her dad passed away last week. He waged a battle with cancer for three years.



But before he passed, Laura's parents were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.



One last gift to give a couple who raised five children.



When Laura informed me last Friday of her father's death, she wrote, "I hate cancer."



Laura was relieved her father was no longer in pain.



But the bastard disease just zaps the life out of a family.



Of course, Laura and her family will mourn and remember.



The family made so many memories.



It is hard to understand why death has to be so agonizing for all involved.



What will this pain do for those who remain?



Will they grow stronger, closer or wiser?



Only they will know.



I guess I would like to have reservations made for a loved one's departure, especially parents.



Then I could get all the questions to life answered. Say "I love" to Mom and Dad a zillion times.



Take them places to thank them for what they do and did for me.



As the wife of a co-worker told me Saturday, "You sure change your perspective on life after you have cancer."



She is a cancer survivor. A recent six-month checkup was good.



"You don't worry about things, and you do the things you want to do," she added.



So while we hate cancer, we can also look at the world in simpler terms.



Enjoy life while you can. You don't know when it will all be taken away.

Where are my campaign mailings?

Should I feel my current state representative is throwing in the towel this election?

Each week I have received at least three or four mailings from her opponent.

The incumbent has sent very few.

I joked with a co-worker today that I would have to vote for the opponent because of all the mailings.

Seriously, I am all right with not getting so many mailings from the current state rep.S he has been a good representative.

I live in the southern fringe of her district.

Maybe her campaign team feels the votes are going to come from other parts of the district.

I just want them to know I do not feel slighted.

But could you at least drop off an Emery board?

Hawaii 5-0 rolls back on TV

I decided to do some studying tonight.

CBS network has a remake of "Hawaii 5-0".

As a kid watching McGarrett and Dan-o, it was a cool show. And it was based in Hawaii.

The theme song and visuals went well together.

As part of the remake, CBS has a contest on its website for the same theme song.

There are five finalist videos to watch and vote on. The winner will be announced Oct. 4.

In the remake, you get the depth of the character from their personal life. It is all right, but it would be great if the producers would just go back to the good guys and the bad guys in each episode.

Why do all shows have to add the dimension of personal life.

Can't it just be about making the bad guys pay?

I do not need to know McGarrett is trying to find the man who killed his father.

It's another sign I am middle-aged.

Book me, Dan-o.

Come on get happy with the Partridge Family

Hard to fathom that 40 years ago (Sept. 25, 2010) "The Partridge Family" debuted on ABC.

It followed another favorite of mine, "The Brady Bunch."

On a Friday night, it was a great way to spend an hour.

I believe my first TV crush was Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady). Then came along Susan Dey as Laurie Partridge. Oh, heart be still.

To this day, I do not think my Dad understands what I saw in those shows.

If I remember, he called the TV the boob tube. It had to do with it being mindless. Not like books, which made you learn.

Oh, the generational differences. But Dad didn't kick me out.

The shows were great getaways. Forget the crap going on in fourth grade. I have to learn the new song to impress my classmates come Monday.

Boy, I lived for those shows.

And I will catch an episode here and there from time to time. And YouTube makes it possible to listen and watch the Partridges perform their songs.

"I'll Meet You Halfway" is one song that made me think of a certain girl in the neighborhood who I was in love with. As a matter of fact, I still have a tender spot in my heart for her.

Enough for the trip down memory lane.

Back to reality.

Foundation shaken but can be repaired

How many of you have had your foundation shaken?

You are out there all alone.

There is family and friends, but you still are flying solo.

An empty feeling hits.

The fixing part doesn't seem close.

Doubt becomes that vulture watching you.

You would give anything to take the pain away, whether it is yours or someone you know.

I long for the days when I would be comforted by the hug from my Mom. Or Dad putting his arm around me and telling me in that matter of fact way that the dark will become light.

That feeling is there, but ...

I will continue to look for the magic wand or that hero.

Though the path is long, I know I am covered.

The pain I feel is not hurtful but growing pains.

These days I look in the mirror and the person I see I tend to like.

The guy is working on strengthening his foundation.

Coming out on the other side will be a wiser, stronger, more thoughtful man, co-worker, friend and stranger.

Reasons you haven't heard from your son in college

Ten reasons why your son hasn't contacted you since starting college:



I have a paper due every other day.



Still getting the hang of doing laundry in a co-ed dorm.



University servers are crashing because of all the music downloads.



Working really hard not to be homesick.



I forgot to tell you I have a girlfriend.



Ballroom dancing class involves a lot of video study.



We never had parties like this in high school.



Intramural croquet team plays the 9 p.m. game every night.



Trying to hack into the university's computer system takes a lot of time.



Streaking the quad takes a lot out of you.

Is the dream dead?

It is a question many have asked.



This time is was President Barrack Obama on the receiving end.



It came during a meeting Monday from a 30-year-old man who recently graduated law school.



"Is the American dream dead for me?"



Obama answered, "Absolutely not."



The president added the problems of many decades need to be addressed.



Maybe the dream is not dead, but it is being redefined.



People juggling two and three jobs is becoming a scary norm.



People have learned that living within their means is the new dream.



I hope the people we have as our leaders understand it. Stop building a house of cards and begin building a stronger foundation.



Then we can feel the dream lives.

A co-worker heads off to France and a new adventure

Today was the last day for one of my co-workers.

Caleb Benoit is taking a sabbatical and traveling to France. He will be teaching English at several schools in France.

The wiser than his years Benoit took French in high school and college.

I thought about giving him a bottle of ketchup for his fries. I thought better since he needs room for his tennis racket and hiking shoes.

The 27-year-old will be in France for nine months. Besides teaching, he will traveling to other European countries.

He has a fondness for tennis and auto racing, and Europe has both in abundance.

For the past eight years, I have enjoyed working with this young man.

He has a dry sense of humor and is not afraid to challenge even his older co-workers.

Caleb has made this middle age man think a lot more.

At times he has reminded me of a young person I knew.

Morning deadline lines at the newspaper will not be the same.

In a couple of weeks, Caleb jets off to France. His parents will sorely miss their son.

They should take heart in this -- they have raised a fine, young man. He is making the world a better place.

Safe travels my friend.

We will carry the torch for you.

Trying to slow down my life

Can anyone help?

I am looking for the pause or freeze button on life.

Here I am in middle age and life is passing me by too damn fast.

My folks are getting older. No way!

But I look at them and see they have aged some. I rub my eyes and I see them as they were 30 years ago. Then I blink and they are in the mid-70s.

Mom and Dad are still vibrant. But when did they lose the skip in the step? Where did that extra ounce of energy sneak off to.

I want to freeze them in time.

Then if you have children, they are probably now adults entering that stage of life's journey I would love to be back in.

Just tonight I was thinking, it was fun back in my 20s and there was three-quarters of my life ahead of me.

Accepting I am the age I am is not the problem. I just was hoping I had more time with family.

The older ones are heading off the stage, while the younger ones are taking their spots to grab the headliner role.

Damn. When did life hit the fast forward button?

Do you wanna dance?

The lineup of celebrities appearing on ABC Network's "Dancing with the Stars" was announced Monday.

Here is a bold prediction. Florence Henderson (Carol Brady on the Brady Bunch) will top former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner in the finals.

Actor David Hasselhoff will be eliminated when KIT his car in "Knight Rider" runs over the judges.

Sorry to disappoint and not go with actress Jennifer Grey as the winner. "Baby" will be left in the corner because her "Dirty Dancing" moves will be ruled to exotic.

As for "The Hills"star (Audrina Patridge) and Jersey Shore cast member (Mike "The Siutation" Sorrentino), they are toast.

Bristol Palin will opt out of the competition when she becomes engaged for a third time to Levi Johnston.

Yes, I am hurt they did not ask this chair dancer to take center stage.

To the friends taking care of loved ones or parents

When you think you have it bad because you don't get recognized for doing something, think of a friend or a neighbor.

One who is taking care of a sick loved one.

These are the people who wish they could have back the times that were wasted arguing over silly stuff. Just so they can say, I'm sorry and fill that time with questions or stories.

I do not have hard days. I have days that make me grow.

There will come a time when I have to make tough choices about parents.

For those of you already there, I wish you power and love.

Keeping the faith is what we need to do in these times.

The dream still lives

On Aug. 28, 1963, Martin Luther King stood at the top of the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

He used the moment to talk about a dream. It was and is a key moment in the civil right movement.

The Lincoln Memorial was again the site of a big rally on Aug. 28, 2010. Political commentator Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor rally was held with tens of thousand in attendance.

At the same time a rally celebrating the anniversary of King's speech was held by Rev. Al Sharpton.

Is Beck really wanting to restore honor and God in the United States? Or was he trying to steal from King's moment on the National Mall lawn?

I see it as a time for all to practice their constitutional rights, expressing free speech.

It will be up to you to decide what to make of the marches and rallies.

One thing is for sure, people are realizing we need to have our voices heard again. Our leaders seem to have earplugs in their ears.

Another important thing for us to do is research the facts.

I get nervous when we take things without questioning or looking into claims by anyone.

In this technology age, it is easy for us to look up information and research.

I recommend we do that.

A sunset that was a beginning

I watched a sunset Wednesday night. It dipped into the water and as it left gave me beautiful reds that painted the clouds that hid the fire ball most of the day.

It was not the end of a day, but the sign that another exciting adventure awaited in a few hours.

This morning my friend el sol is back with me.

And it is dancing in a sky that is blue with a dash of clouds on the horizon.

It is a beautiful day.

The countdown to 50 has commenced

The countdown to the 50th birthday has started.

I quietly celebrated birthday No. 49 earlier this week.

It is the way I wanted it.

I said a birthday bash can be held in my honor when I turn 50. That doesn't mean I will be there. I could be wandering the Rocky Mountains in search of my real place in this world.

There are so many people I need and want to thank for helping become the person I am. So many who have been there at the time I most needed them.

It starts with Mom and Dad and includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, children, nieces and nephews, the parents of friends, teachers, employers, priest and pastors, teachers and people I only had the opportunity to meet once.

At times I wonder if I have let you all down. I have my moments.

But through those and the challenges and the battles, those lessons have helped me keep moving and keep living.

Over the next 300-plus days, I will celebrate all the lessons, journeys, adventures, heart break, triumphs and what the future will bring.

I am feeling fine at 49. I just forgot that when I was 25 it looked so far away.

Learning to be an ear

At the end of the work day, I talked to a co-worker.

He had been working on a project and doing another good job. He cares about his work.

I was looking over some of his work and kind of barked at him. I do it because he wants to get better. It was gruff people who taught me to grow and improve.

As I was explaining why I did something, I told him, "I know I can be an ass some times, but I am working on being a nose more often."

It drew a laugh from another co-worker.

As I was driving home, I thought about the statement.

It is true. I need to grow myself and that means learning to say tough things in a positive way. That does not mean to baby co-workers.

I am sure in time I will learn to be a big toe or even an elbow.

I feel I am a bad ass at times, but my bark is worst then my ass chewing.

I just have to learn more body parts.

These are the days

Here it is Sunday night. again.

Damn, where did my weekend go?

Oh, that's right, I slept part of it away. There was the yard work and then the lazy bug hit me.

No complaining.

I sat on the porch this afternoon looking out at the yard.

It was May just two weeks ago. My friends who are teachers were happy they were at the end of a school year. Other friends were making plans for vacations, baseball games and parties.

All right then. Who stole our summer?

As brutally hot as it has been this summer, I want to bottle up as much of this as I can for winter. Reports are coming in that it will be a snowy, cold one here in the Great Lakes region.

A 110 heat index will cut that 20-below wind chill as I am running the snow blower.

Again, no complaints.

A year after reconnecting with classmates and friends, I am very thankful to be here sitting at the kitchen table writing.

Life is marching on.

I just wish I could find the slowdown button.

Enjoy another work week.

Co-workers, friends and journeys

Friday was bittersweet at the newspaper.

It was the last day of work for a summer intern, who is the son of a co-worker. The day also marked the singing debut of another co-worker.

Both of these gentlemen I have worked with for 24 years.

We started in sports and one-by-one moved over to news side.

Through good and bad, we have been there.

This summer I had the pleasure of working closely with the one co-worker's son. The son is a gem.

Dad has been hard on him as an editor, but also has seen his son has talent that has helped us with our website. The young man is heading off to college for his freshman year.

For the first time, father and son will be apart. We will be there to get his father through.

As for the co-worker who is the aspiring singer, we in the newsroom have been entertained by him for years.

Now, with a web cast on the paper's website, he sings a song once a week.

Forget that he doesn't know how to read notes, or that he is three, four, five beats ahead of where the song is, he loves to belt it out. And he thinks a key is what you use to open a locked door.

We tease him but the entertainment value is priceless.

Friday was a good day.

I watched as our journeys continued and other ones were beginning.

Where do the weekends go?

Here is it almost 8 o'clock on Sunday night.

Can someone tell me what happened to my weekend?

They are just zipping by me.

Friday evening it was cut the grass and edge. Saturday to me was a blur.

Then Sunday rolls in and I start hearing the drums of Monday. Another work week starting.

Maybe, just maybe, I am relaxed and enjoying the time whether it is yard work or just sitting in the big lounger watching a movie.

Better yet, it probably has to do with reaching middle age. It is all down hill and that just speeds everything up.

Here's to another week of life, living and battling the evil empire.

Another place where leaks need plugged

Whenever they get done plugging the oil well in the Gulf of Mexico, the crew members are encouraged to head to Washington, D.C.

Since this mud and cement solution is pushing oil back, it appears this stuff can help plug the leaks that come out of the nation's capital on a daily basis.

This might just do the trick.

It has also been suggested they use this goop to clog the pipelines of special interest groups and lobbyists.

It's just a thought.

Pulling weeds

Late Sunday afternoon, armed with a small spade, I took to weeding the lawn.

Forget the weed killer.

Not only was it a way to go green. It was a way to sweat and enjoy quality time.

Some of the weeds can be pesky, but it reminds me that some times we have to be patient.

Then there are those weeds that have a strong root system. Taking time to get to the root of a problem makes us understand and maybe educates us.

Those weeds that are like an octopus challenge us to round up all the arms or shoots to corral the beast.

For an hour, I battled the weeds.

In that time, I also thought about life. We have to take time to clean things up to give us a better picture.

That's the lesson for today.

Wait until I prune a tree or two. Now that is some heavy lumber to talk about.

Thinking about the future

Two days ago, I learned someone I admire will be leaving his job and trying something new.

It was a good thing I was posting updates about a cold air funnel being spotted in the area. His news blew me away.

Why?

I have come to enjoy his fellowship at work. And I found him to be a wise ass like me. That is in a good way. He uses it to make a point and get others to think.

With that in mind, I have to think about the future.

Working in the newspaper business for 25 plus years has been wonderful. There have been many ups to go with a few downs.

But big change in making its way in the industry. Much of it I have embraced. A few minor things have been hard to grasp.

A reason for that may be that I am one of those long timers in the business.

What I have seen in the last seven to 10 years is a different type of person coming into this business.

Not that you have to sell your soul or family, but it appears people really like turning off the job when they step out of the building.

The news business is a monster that doesn't allow that.

You have to be there to answer the bell sometimes.

Many different industries have 40 hour weeks that are called that in name only.

More than ever employers are doing more with less.

It is hard, but I am one for answering the bell. Sure, I get the house in order if I have to go, but the blood still flows when we have to be there to tell a story.

I guess time will tell. For that person I admire, the young, up and coming and me.

Wondering how I fit into this world

Closing in on my 49th birthday and I am still trying to find my place in this world.

I have a parent who will tell me I am being too hard on myself. A few others will say I am being irrational.

It doesn't matter.

What have I done to make things better?

I find myself asking that question a lot.

As a journalist, I have written about other people and their accomplishments.

I am not envious. I am not jealous. I am searching.

Maybe I need to be on a reality television show, or do some outlandish stunt.

Or maybe, I just need to keep on doing what I do best.

Listening. I don't have any answers.

For me, just being there for others is a big thing.

Thanks for listening. I feel better.

I'm unretired ... I think

I decided to steal some of actress Amanda Bynes' thunder.

It has been several months since I posted on my blog. It is time to unretire.

Or maybe I am more like Brett Farve. Is this my third or fourth time to end a retirement?

In actuality, I just got caught up with work, my cat Smokey's blog and was a little lazy.

Whatever these stars want to do, go ahead.

I've got enough baggage and crazy stuff to keep me busy. Especially the whacked out Russian Blue cat, Smokey.

I cannot believe how much I talk and yell at him.

OK. He's a cat.

But some how he has me wrapped around his paw.

I wish i had time to discuss this more, but I need to post on his Twitter page (smokeybonty). He came out of retirement earlier Monday.

Hmm. Maybe that is how Ms. Bynes came up with the idea.

So long to transparency

Sorry for the long dry spell on the blog.

Let's talk about transparency.

The word was banned by the Lake Superior State University's Word Banishment Committee along with "shovel-ready," "czar" and eight other words. Check out the 2010 list.

Thank you to the committee members.

Transparency is a crock, or better yet a gimmick.

Politicians should be honest and forthright. Same goes for companies and people.

When the 2008 election was going strong, transparency was the catch word. Then when it came time to talk health care reform, it became just another promise tossed to the side of the road on the way to governing.

Meetings were held behind closed doors. They told you what they wanted us to hear.

It would be nice in 2010 and beyond to be there for the constituents instead of the lobbyists and other hangers-on.

At least that is what I believe.