Do you remember?
The mister told me Monday night that on his drive home he heard on the news that a community in Nebraska got pounded by volleyball-sized hail. He didn't get the name of the town. Bet the editor of that local newspaper isn't driving around frantically looking for a front-page photo. (Not that I would wish volleyball-sized hail on any of us, but you have to admit there is a photo opportunity there!) "Volleyball-sized hail is pretty big, isn't it?" he asked. Hmmm — yes, I would say it is on the large size.
Every year after the July Fourth parade, I hear from members of the American Legion color guard. They say that people along the parade route don't stand when they march by leading the parade and bearing the American flag. I have commented on this before, but it is worth mentioning again. Our Fourth celebration is fun and the parade is an enjoyable part of the festivities. But the meaning of the day is to celebrate our freedom and to honor those who have given all so the rest of us might enjoy what we have. Please stand as the colors pass by. Remove your hat. Place your hand over your heart. Teach your children to do the same. Those are the only colors we have and we all owe them something. It doesn't take much effort to show our respect. Just do it.
I ran into an out-of-town reader at the Legacy Park open house a week ago and stopped to visit. He made mention of my job with the newspaper, then asked me why I am "always so mad" in my opinion column. I was taken aback by his question.
Yes, I know I get a bit cranky from time to time, but I try to balance that with opinion pieces about people and groups that do good things, too. And I try to do humorous commentaries like the one about the old guys in the drug store or personal ones like my tale about being sick from Denver to Peabody. However, I will admit that his comment has stayed with me.
I think I really am not ALWAYS "so mad" in my opinion column. The only restriction on this column is that I not do "Afghanistan commentaries." If I am going to comment on anything, the powers that be want me to comment on local issues. And I don't mind doing that. Goodness knows I certainly have opinions about what is going on in our community — the good and (in my opinion) the bad.
So for all of you who think I always have my knickers in a knot about something that is going on, consider this: Peabody ain't Heaven. But I have lived in other places and they aren't Heaven either. We have good things and we have not-so-good things, as does every town.
At least we don't have volleyball-sized hail.
— SUSAN MARSHALL
