Then came the drive home...arrhh! We were about 30 miles from home when our car decided to go out on us. It started jerking & the rpm's went nuts. Then it got really hot! So, we sat on the side of the road for 40 minutes waiting for the car to cool enough for us to drive. Thank goodness we were able to get the car & us home. Granted, we drove 35 mph the rest of the way! We were all hot & exhausted when we got home, but we made it home. I praise God for getting us home safely. When we pulled in the driveway, Ryan said, "Thank you, Jesus!!" He wasn't saying it sarcastically, he was serious! We were thankful to our God for getting us home safely. Sydney then began saying, "Daddy, and Mommy, and Jesus!" We laughed and said, Yes, Baby, Jesus was with us & got us home!" It brought me to tears hearing that! 

So, prayers are requested! We take the car to the shop in the morning to see what is wrong with it. We know that when it rains, it pours. That's just how it goes. What we also know, is that our God is much bigger than any storm that could brew. We will praise him no matter what is given or taken away.

So, we head to Paducah tomorrow afternoon to drop Sam off at my parents' house. We'll hang out with them that night & then head to Champaign Monday morning. The cool thing is that they are giving him Monday and Friday as travel days since Champaign is 5 hours away. So, really, he only works Tuesday-Thursday! We will get him this weekend-Monday and Friday-Monday! AND he is between classes! We REALLY get all of him for that amount of time! Whoohoo!

On Friday, we will head back to Paducah. Ryan's brother, Kit, & his wife, Laura, will be in that weekend. Laura is pregnant with their first child and due in November. We're throwing her a baby shower on Saturday. I'm really excited to get to see her cute pregnant belly. I've seen pictures, but I'm excited to see it for myself. I can't wait until November when we get to meet our precious niece!! For now, though, I will be excited to hang out with her mommy & daddy for a few days. 

After that long weekend, we'll head back to Elizabethtown. Ryan will be in and out-of-town in September, but Sydney and I are planning on staying put...I think. ;-)

In May, our AC went out. Fun, fun! So, Sydney and I stayed in Paducah. Thanks, Mom & Dad!! It was a very fun 2 weeks full of playing in Sydney's little pool, visits with Grandma, and hanging out at the house. 

After that trip, we were home for a little less than a week before I went to Nashville to hang out with my TX girls. That girls' trip was exactly what I needed. I HATE that we don't all live closer now, but am thankful that we have such great friendships to where we can see each other after being apart for a year & have it be like we were together the day before. It was awesome!

I had just a few days after returning from that trip to get ready for our next trip: COLORADO! We were in CO with my parents for a little over a week. Ryan and I loved it so much there that we could have stayed! Since we didn't think we could convince either set of parents to move with us, we decided to come back home.

A few days after returning home from CO, Ryan and I were off to Chicago. I had such a good time getting some time with my hubby!! It was a very relaxing time for both of us. Of course, part of it was work for Ryan. I think he even enjoyed the work part of the trip. For me, it was all play! 

After returning home from Chicago, Sydney and I headed to Paducah. My bridesmaid dress for the wedding didn't fit & needed to be altered. While in that weekend, my mom kept making comments like "and then I need to...". She was not trying to get me to stay in until the wedding, but I could see that my assistance would help. So, I stayed. I had a great time those two weeks! It was all wedding the whole time, but it was a ton of fun! 

That pretty much sums up our summer!! We still have a few things planned from now until the end of September. Our sister-in-law, Laura's, baby shower is Labor Day weekend. Ryan will be in New York 2 of the 4 weeks in September. Then, the last week in September is his vacation week. We're not really sure what we're going to do for his vacation...maybe just stay home!! :o)

Oh...and I've lost 12 lbs since January...most of it this summer! Yeah!

Today our library completed the three-part reading and discussion series called the “Great Stories CLUB.” The McCracken County Public Library and McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center were selected as one of 173 partnering organizations nationwide to receive a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) to host this series, developed by the ALA Public Programs Office (PPO) and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Funding was provided for this program by Oprah's Angel Network.

The Great Stories CLUB is a reading and discussion program that targets underserved, troubled teen populations. The program reaches teens through books that are relevant to their lives, inviting them to read and keep the books, and encourages them to consider and discuss each title with a group of their peers. It seeks to show that reading can be a source of pleasure, a tool for self-exploration, and a meaningful way to connect to the wider world. Its ultimate goal is to inspire young adults who face difficult situations to take control of their lives by embracing the power of reading.

And believe you me, these students truly face difficult situations.

We met for four weeks, the first time to introduce the program and the following three weeks to discuss the books they had read. First was "Sold" by Patricia McCormick, next was “Hole in My Life” by Jack Gantos and finally we read “Tyrell” by Coe Booth.

Totally pumped and naturally high, each week I left the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center after our Great Stories Club book discussion eager to share my experience with a story on the blog here.

However, within an hour after my return from the facility, I was drained. Melted like a puddle of butter. So weak-kneed that I could barely stumble along. Reliving my discussion experience with the 11 young men serving detention time for murder, rape and drug dealing took everything I had out of me.

What a worthwhile feeling, truly.

So instead of my own words, which I am sure you could barely comprehend or bear through my emotion, I will share their words instead.

Mrs. Mills, their teacher, had given them a writing assignment to work on before they read the books and had prompted them to write about a choice they themselves had made with these words:

Life is full of choices.
One choice can lead to another. Some can take us down the wrong path and others can lead us to glory. Our background leads us down a road that is chosen for us, but eventually we choose our own path.

Here are the words they shared, edited only to remove personal identifying names or dates and typed as nearly exact as I could possibly make them.

When my auntie have caught on fire I was I the shower and I saw smoke and II got out rapped my self in a towel and ran to the kitchen and saw my uncle with the sink sprayer trying to put the fire out the fire only got bigger so we called 911 and ran out side what I forgot was that it was winter and it was snow outside

***

One choice I wish I had not did was going arrest in get sent to mccracken

***

I made the choice to be immature and mess with a gun, and the outcome resulted in my killing one of my best friends.

***

Protecting my little Brother After I was drinking.

***

I was at the store and I had to choose a Snicker or a Hershy and I chose the Snicker and loved them every since

***

My Time Is when one Time I had to make a choice To go To Church and Try To Do what god wanted Me To Do But I Failed and now I am using god to Help me make Decisions Because I made a couple mistakes In my Life But I never gave up on god To Help me Through them.

***

A decision I had made in my life was to let my old friend alone. She is also my ex which I’ve been with for nearly two years. Things started to straighten up now but I still care for her in a way.

***

I got in a lot of trouble with the court system and I chose to go to a treatment Phacility on my own to get better.

***

My family was going through serious problems like different finances and my family needed money at that time real bad so we could eat and have decent clothes and not get kicked out the house because of not paying for the gas, light, water and rent. At that time my mom didn’t have a job because she was going through stress at court because of my brother and his behavior in life. So she lost him for a short period of time to a boy’s group home. We stayed in a house that barely had light, water, no gas in the winter and not enough food for all 5 of my momma’s kids including herself.

So I made a choice. A decision. A big heartbraking risk that I knew would hurt my momma because of her love for a child and I knew the possibilities that would occur on the streets and in the courtroom.

My “decision” at that time could of lead to death, Years of being incarcerated and heart broke family.

My “decision” at that time to secretely help my momma and brother and sister was me selling work “crack.”

My momma didn’t know when I started. I started by stealing things from the streets such as jacking cars and every criminal thought you could think of as a 14 year old hood rat. I sold them and was thinking that this is not enough money. So I turned my eyes on the things that I saw on the corners, in the houses, out the cars of ever block. Making, buying, and selling work. I went to a person I knew that was real cool to me and was down for any thing that came his way. I knew that he had it, make it, and everything. So he made me his right hand, his Ace, his “goon.” I watched day by day, night by night, how he ran his operations with his clientele’s. And to my imagination it was the hard “life” that was scary, exciting, exhilarating, and more feeling’s I never thought exist. So I was anxious to “start”, anxious to get in the game. He told me he would put me on and that I didn’t know him. I was like alright. The rist thing he told me was that all money ain’t good money and it’s not what you do, but how you do it. I wasn’t thinking about that at the time, but little did I no, I found out what that mean after leaving 1,000$ dollars in my momma’s mailbox, room and car. She was swearing it was a difficult scary feeling to find money like this. But little did she know it was me. I had got my momma and family moved into a different good luxury house within A month and my brother ”was” on his way home and we had food! We had expensive clothes and everything. But that say “All money ain’t good money” bit me so hard when I sold a lot of drugs to an undercover. I froze up but the toughness knew what it was and I was just waiting for that check-point to come. Se this is the decision I made that lead me on a bad road that I chose. But eventually I was lucky to choose my own path to life by not ever touching “crack” let alone any drug in my life. Thanks to my savior who forgave me. I turned my life around.

Believe me these young men now know ALL about choices and consequences. As do I.

And I choose to do this again and again, every time ALA, YALSA and Oprah's Angel Network can help me.

The Great Stories Club, a reading and discussion series, is a grant initiative of the American Library Association’s Public Programs Office (PPO) and Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA).

After a long, hot afternoon Saturday listening to political speeches, and a busy evening writing, sending in photos and preparing audio clips, three friends and I drove to Paducah for a late dinner. Aside from downtown Louisville, I doubt there's a more-hopping place in Kentucky on a Saturday night than downtown Paducah. The streets were blocked off for pedestrians, and a band was playing down by the Ohio River. Downtown Padacah has restored many of its old commercial buildings as restaurants, shops and lofts. It's a charming place.

I hope to get back there soon to take a closer look and see what Lexington could learn from Paducah about creatively reusing old buildings, bringing people downtown and using entertainment to pump up the local economy.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
~Joyce Kilmer, "Trees," 1914

We can learn a lot from trees: they're always grounded but never stop reaching heavenward. ~

Not only are my favorite rusty-crusty cars getting auctioned off (read my last post), but too many old, beautiful trees are being cut down for the sake of "development." These trees (pictured above) are in a newly developed subdivision, but I often wonder if the trees will remain or be torn down when more lots are sold.

Each time a tree is torn down my inner soul cries out in mourning; much like losing a dear friend. Sigh. Trees, I feel, have so much beauty, personality, individuality, character, etc......if one will only take time to observe.

Just so you know, these copies, delivered today, are under lock and key, protected by snarling, fanged librarians who are SO drooling to get their own claws on them.

Of course, the "office work" that goes along with the ambitions of a young musician is something that should be difficult--if it weren't I would get into booking or promotions and forget about playing music altogether. As it is the labor of writing songs and performing comes with grace and joy, but the old cycle of promotion, support, writing grinds on with no one to help lighten the load thusfar. Boohoo, woe is me... the bills are all paid and nothing points to a slow-down of my progress--there's just alot of initial hurdles as I look ahead to bigger and better things. Blech...

• • •

Looking Down the Ohio, Bouncing off the Flood Wall

I got to play my home town of Paducah Kentucky last week at thier annual Summer Festival. It was something quite special as I used to go to "Summerfest" every year growing up--not really to listen to music, mind you--mainly to get wasted and talk to girls. (These things did not usually coincide well as most of the girls that were desirable were the more compliant types who frowned taking illicit drugs. I ended up marrying one. Chalk it up to opposites, I suppose.) The nostalgia was not running high (no pun intended) but it was quite gratifying to return to my home town for the first time as a musician to play one of the biggest festivals the city organizes. It was also nice to play right on the riverfront and look down at the steam boats coming down the Ohio, listening to the sound of my own voice (great sound-techs who gave me the rock-star treatment, by the way--thanks!) echo off the flood wall. I'd like to think it sounded nice in the distance as it echoed the rest of the way down Broadway past the coffee shop I'd meet friends at on hot summer mornings, the antique shops I would frequent with my grandmother and the guitar store where I would waste away afternoons talking gear with John and Rusty.

I could go on about my riverfront home-town, but I'll save it in hopes that I can give you another installment when I return for another event that's coming up there in September.

• • •

Amendment to entry - 9:55pm

Ok, so submitting press-kits isn't entirely masochistic after all. I suppose I can't describe anything in that light when the day after you submit to a reputable agency (via email, mind you--something that feels about as substantial as looking for jobs online) they get back to you with a phone number asking you to call. Even if it's only for friendly advice, you have to admit, that's a bit more of a friendly face than the oft icy reception an outsider like myself is greeted with.

❧

On another note, I'm packing...again! I head to Paducah this weekend. Sydney and I both need to get our dresses altered for the wedding. Since I've lost some weight, my dress is quite a bit bigger...not that I'm complaining!! :-) Besides that, we're just going to hang out and have fun. We should head back to E-town on Monday or Tuesday. 

Ryan is with the Navy Reserves this weekend. I honestly do not know how my husband stays sane! Every time I think I'm getting busy, I just have to think about all he juggles & am quickly reminded that I have a very easy life compared to his! Luckily, his pace will slow down in December. That's when his last class with University of Phoenix ends!! YAY!!!!!

That's about all I have to say for today. I hope you all are having a great week!

Why this sudden revelation?

I just had the pleasure of seeing them at the Atomic Cowboy following my open mic. In addition to having a great sound, they're all super-cool.

• • •

Tomorrow I will go to my home town of Paducah, KY, another riverfront town to play our annual Summer Festival. It's pretty cool to be invited for the first time and actually be paid to play a well-promoted event. I also get to see my parents and stay in my old room for the night--which will be a little weird, I'm sure--the room part, that is! More shows like this one need to happen.

❦

Ryan and I, that is. We are without child one more night. We pick up Sydney tomorrow in Beaver Dam. I have to say that I've hit the point that I am very ready to have her back. At about day 3, I start missing her like crazy. Don't get me wrong, I miss her the first day. I just really start craving having her with me by day 3.  

Our trip was g-r-e-a-t!! Ryan was able to get on my early flight going. We got in to Chicago, changed clothes, and hit the town. In Millennium Park, they were doing a tribute to Gershwin. It was pretty cool. We sat and listened for a while & then walked around. 

Saturday was the food show. It was huge...as I had been told it would be. My feet hurt by the end of it...as I was told they would. But it was well worth it. I found some new ideas for organic/natural products for our family. Hopefully, we'll have some samples coming our way so that we can test them out. :-)

Saturday night, we went to the Navy Pier. It was really cool. I had a horrible headache, so I didn't get to enjoy it quite as much as I would have liked. They have fireworks on Wednesday nights and Saturday nights. So, the fireworks started as we were leaving. I'm sure they were beautiful. Since my head was hurting so badly, I was ready to get back to the room.

Sunday, I was on my own. Ryan had to walk the food show with a few customers. So, I went to State Street to shop. There are MANY shops further north, but most are out of my price range. State Street is more me. It was nice to be able to leisurely shop. I ended up finding a dress for that night's gala for 1/3 the price of the dress I already had! Since i still had the tags on the dress I brought, I decided to get the new dress & take the old one back. Score! After shopping for a few hours, the sun finally decided to show her face (the only time she came out our whole trip). Once that happened, I headed back to the hotel, put on my bathing suit & hit the sundeck/pool! :o) For those of you that know me well, you know I LOVE being at the pool!! I was able to stay there for a good 2 hours before getting ready for the gala that night.

The gala Sunday night was AWESOME! It was at the Field Museum. I wasn't very excited when we were talking about going. Things like that just aren't my cup of tea. When I got there, though, my attitude completely changed about the idea! They had tons of round tables in the big middle part of the museum (where the big dinosaur & elephants were). They had a live band that played all night. The decor was very cool, too. The tables were all different. Well, the table cloths & chairs were the same, but the centerpieces were all different. They had candles, flowers, lanterns, well, each table was different & cool. (I'm realizing that my words can't do justice to what I saw!!) They had spotlights giving color to the room. There were different stations to find food. Some were salad stations, some desert, and some main course. Each place was so elegantly decorated. After dinner, we were allowed to view most of the museum. It honestly is the coolest thing I have ever been to. I wish I could put into words what I saw & what the ambiance was like. It was a perfect evening! I know some major money went into making that night happen & it was a total success in my book!! 

Today we got up super early to get to the airport. I was scheduled to fly out 4 hours after Ryan, but luckily I was able to get on his plane. AND because it was raining in Chicago, they weren't charging to switch flights. I bought a discounted ticket, so I would have had to pay the difference between that and a regular priced ticket. Again...SCORE! 

After we got back to Louisville, we went to find lunch & then came home. It has been such a wonderful trip. I cherish the time I get with Ryan all to myself & this trip will always be cherished. LOVE YOU, BABY!!

Now, next weekend...off to Paducah! I have to get Sydney's dress and my dress altered for the wedding. The weekend after that...Paducah! I'm helping a friend give Kacey a personal shower. The weekend after that...you guessed it...Paducah! That's the big day...Nathan and Kacey's wedding! I'm already exhausted! Can we just skip to the wedding??

It will be nice when someday I actually get to focus on the work of music rather than the admin that must exist to support it. I can always tell when I'm in a sort of "season" of "office work". I can't really sleep well, nor can I take in a good book or short story or write many songs--it's just research, e-mailing, follow-up and adding up the bills. My best crack at taking in any sort of art or inspiration is a good film or getting loaded down at Mangia after a rehearsal... Living behind South Grand has several advantages.

The most ridiculous part of this month has been that not only have I received the biggest pay-out from music ever, but I've PAID more than ever in expenses, which, after everything has been said and done, leaves us with only slightly more than usual... spending money to spend it--or make it or something... Strings, gear-maintenance, paying a band (gladly), SOUND-SYSTEM, GAS, REHEARSAL SPACE. After all this, we're ahead with money to put in the bank thank god, but looking at more shows on the road I certainly don't have to wonder where atleast some of that moolah will have to be spent... And so it goes.

The bottom line is that I have to suck it up, stick it out and work my ass off now and in the future. No one can tell me that it was a cop-out to nix the day-job for music--as if the life of a working musician is one of sleeping until the sun is warm and thinking about butterflies all day strumming a guitar. I would've lost my ass a long time ago if I tried to live the so-called rock 'n roll myth.

Even after the aforementioned moments of despair when I believe that nothing is happening, the truth is that many things have been set in motion and it's simply a matter of patience and quite honestly keeping myself busy and distracted until the ball is thrown back in my court.

For right now, the "distractions" go something like this:

"Dear [record label and/or booking/managment agency],

My name is Caleb Travers. I am great. You can tell because of my flashy press-kit complete with quotes from people who think so. Enclosed is my record that I sort of don't even sound like or play anymore save for 3 songs. Also enclosed is a recording with a new band I have with a super-bad-ass guitar player. We like Tom Petty and hope you hear the potential so we can single-handedly bring back non-ironic masculine rock music. Give me some [money/support/publicity]."

•••

I saw my friend Ben Bedford and his lovely lady Kari on Saturday. He played the Tower Grove Farmer's Market--which I will play in August. Ironically, they were going to my home town of Paducah, KY latter that day!

Even more ironically, I will be be playing my very own home-town of Paducah, Kentucky in 2 days. Better yet, the show comes with a guarantee. Paid to play my hometown. I like. They can give me the key to the city while they're at it...

❦

Sue Henry Photography 2008. All rights reserved. Do not use without permission.

Texture credit - Liek http://flickr.com/photos/liek

The following information is taken from The Museum of the American Quilter Society - Paducah, KY

http://www.quiltmuseum.org/index.html

The Museum of the American Quilter's Society is proud to bring, On the Trail of Discovery, five life size bronze sculptures celebrating the Lewis & Clark Expedition, to historic downtown Paducah. The statues are donated by Bill and Meredith Schroeder, founders of the Museum. The Lewis & Clark Expedition statues provide exciting outdoor art, night and day, for downtown Paducah, while the quilt "Mapmakers," by Cassandra Williams, a quilt made in celebration of the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition is featured as part of the permanent collection inside the Museum.

The sculptures are a permanent addition to the front lawn of the Museum and link the Museum to the history of Paducah and to Paducah's historic riverfront. On the Trail of Discovery has the following life size figures:

Meriwether Lewis, Co-Captain on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. He is shown in military uniform like the one he wore on the expedition.
Seaman, Lewis' Newfoundland dog, who traveled the entire journey
William Clark, Co-Captain of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Clark was the mapmaker of the expedition and, like Lewis, was a military man, but was also a frontiersman, and is shown in the casual frontier clothing worn much of the time on the expedition.
A Native American man
A Native American child

According to the sculptor, George Lundeen, who designed these figures, the Native Americans shown here represent all Native Americans who helped Lewis and Clark during their journey. He purposely placed few decorations or designs on their clothing because he did not want to identify them with any particular Native American group. The man wears a "peace medal" with the likeness on it of President Thomas Jefferson. Peace medals were presented by the Co-Captains to the Native American chiefs they met along the way. If you look carefully, you will also find a "coin" similar to the Sacagawea dollar. The Sacagawea dollar was not created until 2000, but the image provides a reminder that Sacagawea, a Native American woman, traveled from Montana to the Pacific Ocean and back with the Expedition assisting the expedition in many ways. The child holds an American flag similar to ones that would have been carried by the expedition.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUES:
The bronze sculptures were designed by George Lundeen, a sculptor who was born in Holdredge, Nebraska, and now lives and works in Loveland, Colorado. Lundeen went to Florence, Italy, for a year on a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship where he was inspired by the work of master sculptors there to become a professional sculptor. Today, Lundeen is a nationally known sculptor of realistic figures. He has achieved the status of full Academician of the National Academy of Design in New York, the highest professional recognition bestowed on visual arts in America. George Lundeen's lifesize bronze statues can be seen in collections and locations around the world including the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC. Lundeen is quoted on the Museum of Nebraska Art website, saying of his sculptures, "As someone views and touches a piece of my work, it is my sincere hope that they will look past that hard surface of bronze to find the life which I try so much to capture within."
[Information taken from unk.edu/mona website.]

Lundeen's design was reproduced in bronze in Loveland, Colorado, at Deane Knox's Knox Galleries the nation's premier monumental bronze sculpture gallery. [Additional information about Knox Galleries found at their website at knoxgalleries.com]

BRIEF BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION, 1803-1806:
In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson gained the approval of Congress to create an expedition to explore the land west of the 1802 border of the United States all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The mission of the expedition was:
·To look for a "northwest passage" -a water route from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean
·To make an accurate map of the area they traveled
·To learn as much as possible about everything in the area west of our border, including the animals, plants, minerals, climate, etc.
·To make friends with, and learn about, any native people they met along the way, to let them know the United States wanted to trade with them and "be neighborly, friendly, and useful" to them

Members of the expedition were also to keep journals, collect samples, and document everything new they saw along the way. Meriwether Lewis was appointed by President Jefferson to lead the expedition and Lewis selected William Clark as co-captain of the expedition. Preparations began in 1803 with planning, gathering of information, purchasing boats, equipment, food, and other supplies, and selecting men for this trip into the largely unknown northwestern part of the North American continent. Meriwether Lewis brought materials by boat down the Ohio River to what is now the Clarksville, Indiana and Louisville area of Kentucky, where he joined with William Clark and added more men and materials. They continued on the Ohio River, passing what is now Paducah about November 10, 1803. At that time there were no people living in the area that is now Paducah; they arrived at Fort Massac on November 11, 1803, selected additional men and continued to St. Louis where they spent the winter. At least nine of the men who made the trip were from Kentucky or had Kentucky connections. During 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, making more of the land they would be exploring part of the United States. The trip took even longer than they anticipated. They did not find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. They had to leave boats behind and cross the Bitterroot Mountains on horse and foot. In mid November 1805, they finally reached the Pacific Ocean. They built a fort, spent the winter near the ocean and began the return journey in March 1806. They arrived back in St. Louis on September 23, 1806. On the return trip they did not pass Paducah on their route back.

Although they did not find a northwest passage by water to the Pacific Ocean, they did record information about vast numbers of new animals, plants, native peoples, rivers, and mountains unknown to the scholars in the east. William Clark made an accurate map of the territory they covered. They befriended and learned much about the Native Americans living in the northwest and were aided by them in many ways that helped make the journey a success. The expedition only lost one man and that was to an illness, probably appendicitis. The journals, scientific documentation and specimens, and the accurate map of the territory provided significant new knowledge to eastern scholars.

SIGNIFICANCE OF WILLIAM CLARK AND HIS CONNECTION TO PADUCAH:
Born in Virginia in 1770 (before the American Revolution), William Clark had 5 older brothers who fought for American Independence, including two who died in the process, and George Rogers Clark whose service to the country resulted in his being given the land on which Paducah exists. After the death of George Rogers Clark, William purchased the land for $5. In 1827 he drew the plat map laying out the city of Paducah and named the city after a tribe of friendly Native Americans he had met. The original plat drawn by William Clark is in the Market House Museum. William Clark founded the city, drew the plat map and gave the city its name. Even though William Clark had many accomplishments in his life of service to his country, being Co-captain of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is probably his greatest claim to fame. It is appropriate that he is honored in the midst of historic downtown Paducah by a bronze statue depicting him in his role as Co-captain, On the Trail of Discovery.

Check it out! You know you want to! I know you do! Click here--> Sue Henry Photography.  Or add her to your RSS feed!

I know you will love her graceful writing and thought provoking images.  She's on a journey through photography and constantly amazes and inspires me with her discoveries and captivating images!

If you stop by her blog be sure to leave her a comment or two!

Sue describes herself on her "about me" as:

A retired music educator and professional musician, Sue Henry is currently pursuing photography with renewed zeal and passion. She has received instruction in photography from well known and talented western Kentucky artists  Jennifer Dickson and the late Gene Boaz.  Henry additionally has informally continued her education by constantly surrounding herself with photography books, examples of works of others, and by taking advantage of a multitude of on-line learning opportunities.

Henry’s work is featured at Crooked Creek Gallery located in Carthage, Illinois  and in BeBe’s Artisan Gallery located in Paducah, Kentucky.

Through this blog, Henry shares links to works of other photographers she admires and who provide her inspiration; links to tips and techniques to enhance your own photography; and hopefully, some images made by Henry that YOU will find interesting, appealing, enjoyable, stimulating, or images that in some small way might bring you some pleasure.  You will quickly observe that frequently Henry will pair a thought provoking quote with an image; thus bringing a unique poetic side to a particular image.

Remember: Total pull-out from atomic power is in the making by the following countries: Austria, Sweden, Italy, Belgium and Germany (2000). Poland stopped it's construction of an atomic reactor (although they plan a new one in 2020), Ireland stopped the atomic program in their country.

17 of the E.U. countries do have plans for total pull-out.

Uranium is needed for atomic power plants. Uranium has a range of 60 years. If you renew Uranium for re-use in atomic power plants you get radioactive waste materials. The quarrying of 1 ton of Uranium causes 2000 tons of radiative material.

Atomic power is not environmental friendly and it cannot stop climate change.

It's just another money printer for the industry.

Prepare yourself with easy-reads and contra-atomic information (Made in Germany):

German Federal Construction Minister wants 30 new Wind Energy Parks of 25,000 Megawatt

German politician: Atomic energy is NOT green

German KiKK study proves higher risc of children cancer near atomic power plants

German chronological plan for setting atomic power plants offline

German radioactive waste disposal to be closed till 2014

German atomic power plants operated by Vattenfall - the 2007 accidents

More scientific information:

Into the Future without Atomic energy. Pullout in 10 years - Win for Environment and Working places. CAN (Anti-Atomic coalition, Sihlquai 67, 8005 - Zurich), December 1995.

Burlakova E.B.: Low intensity radiation: radiological aspects. Radiation Protection Dosimetry Vol. 62, No 1/2 pp. 13 - 18 1995, Nuclear Technology Publishing.

Gadekar S.: Conclusion of the health survey of villages near Rawatbhata. CANE 767, 36 Cross, 4th Block Jayanager Bangalore 560 041. April / May 1993 Anumkti Vol. 6 No 5, pp. 1 - 32.

Muller, H.J.: Genetics, Medicine and Man (1947). (Memo wordpress.tekknorg: HERE)

Nussbaum R.H. & Köhnlein W.: Health consequences of exposures to ionizing from external and internal sources: Challenges to radiation protection standards and biomedical research. Medicine and Global Survive De. 1995 Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 198 - 213.

Viel J.-F.: Consequences des essais nucléaires sur la santé: quelles enquêtes épidémiologiques? Médicine et Guerre Nucléaire, janv. - mars 1996 Vol. 11, p 41 - 44. British Medical Journal, January 1997, vol. 314, pp. 101 - 106.

Wolff Et.: Thesis on Teratology and X Rays, Arch. Anat. Hist. Embr. 1936, Vol. 22, pp. 1 - 382

More HERE [1] and HERE [2]

Life-Upgrade.com

Yucca Mountain, NV - the choice for U.S. high-level atomic waste - has been studied for over 20 years by the Department of Energy [web] - map - at a cost of US $ 4,000,000,000. Going to business in 2010, maybe. Could hold 77,000 tons of waste. Will be safe for 10,000 years according to DOE.gov. But the high-level waste is dangerous for a million years. Problem 1

Rocky Flats, CO - map - former U.S. weapons plant / closed 1989. Plutonium was slated elsewhere. Being transported with trucks over Interstate 25 to the waste isolation pilot plant near Carlsbad map - can be filled with 850,000 drums - full of transuranic waste by 2035. Pilot project - Problem 2

Officials from eight U.S. atomic power plants have signed a lease with Goshute Indians to store spent fuel in Skull Valley, Utah - map - it is planned to store there 44,000 tons of spent fuel. Is this a good deal regarding Problem 1 & 2? Problem 3

Paducah, KY - map - a gaesous diffusion plant for atomic-fuel processing. Groundwater is tainted because of 38,000 cylinders being stored there. Problem 4

Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM - map - haphazard disposal. Problem 5

Nevada Test site - map - craters by atomic bomb explosions - waste disposals for radioactive waste. More than 800 craters. Are these good disposals? Problem 6

Do you know the first underground disposal for radioactive waste? It's the Asse II in Germany - lately in the news with some serious scandal - click HERE for more - Asse II is called a ticking timebomb - with Plutonium measured 8 times above the limit. Oh, ehm, Problem 7 by the way. What does that mean for the U.S.?

Part 2 coming soon.

Life-Upgrade.com

Needless to say, this book isn't Strawberry Shortcake.

The premise of having to wait for a crisis has always stuck with me and how the protagonists know they are just going to have to wait because bad stuff is coming.

Sobering.

Why this novel reminds me of the floods plaguing the Mid West right now even surprises me, but loss is loss and I guess that's where I'm coming from.

Killa wrote a sobering thought recently that some of my coworkers and I were pondering this past week. I'll let her explain.

Paducah’s historic downtown is right on the river. In fact, an artist came and painted scenes from Paducah through the years on the levee. Paducah’s historic downtown is one of THE best parts of Paducah. Forget the super-huge Best Buy store or Old Navy. Go to downtown Paducah and walk around on the roads made out of brick.

snip

My grandfather on my mother’s side and his family used to farm a hell of a lot of land in Cayce, KY. At one time, Cayce was so big that they had their own school. But now everyone goes to Fulton Co. School. I just don’t want to see all their farm land underwater. Hickman and Cayce have a weird economic setting. You’re either dirt poor or you’re filthy rich because you have a gazillion acres of farm land. There’s really no in-between.

snip

So, while everyone, including me, is watching Iowa and how bad it’s going to flood, I have one ear and an eye pointed towards Hickman.

She writes about if the flooding will strike the areas which are less than an hour from here. Hickman has been devastated recently by the economy and tornados.

From WPSD,

Farmers in far western Kentucky are waiting to see whether the predicted flooding of the Mississippi River will harm their crops.

The Mississippi River is a beast to be reckoned with. Although local authorities don't believe that it will be horrible, there is still some trepidation that the biggest economic source which are crops in the Hickman/Cayce area would be impacted by flood rivers once it comes heads that way. Hickman, as I said earlier, has been devasted over the years. The downtown, well, there isn't much left of it and it sets on the river.

So, although the outcome may not be as devastating as "On The Beach", but from an economic standpoint residents are just waiting. I think that we forget sometimes that there are farmers in the world. If their crops are impacted for whatever reason, these men and women usually don't have a back-up plan. Not all farms are huge subsidized operations.

And it's that kind of wait that sits in the bottom of your stomach because there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it.

This morning we went to Handcocks of Paducah. I picked out just a few items and was ready to make my purchases, but my husband twisted my arm and encouraged me to buy a lot more. I can't wait to start going through all my new fabrics and stuff.

Tucked away in Marshall County, Kentucky is an unincorporated community between Paducah and Calvert City called Possum Trot.  Like a place imagined out of a script of one of those classic TV shows like the Beverly Hillbillies or the Dukes of Hazzard,  I found myself living and working in the area.  

That was back in late 1980 and early 1981.  I was assigned there as a Mormon Missionary,  a fairly new convert ( just about two years) from Guam.  

I grew up as a Catholic,  converted to Mormonism,  and was now in middle of Baptist and Evangelical country.   I was barely 20 years old.   Mormon missionaries are totally self-sustaining or supported by their families ( in my case by some members of my church group).  They are not paid by their church. It is volunteer service. For me , it was a privilege and an adventure.

Although,  I am no longer an active member of the church, my mission remains one of the greatest experiences of my life. Beneath the veneer of the white shirts and ties, the bicycles, the Book of Mormon, and teaching the gospel of Jesus Chirst...was this whole life experience. 

I was literally in the mode of service to my fellow human being in terms of assistance to the poor, service projects, youth projects, community service, family presentations, etc.  I learned to live out of myself and to embrace people different then I was and to accept them. I learned to live with adversity. I learned about prayer, faith, the human condition, God and Life. I learned about myself. I learned how to be a leader.

I kept a journal of my experiences and it is amazing to see the writings of the 20 year old young man that I was at the time and the lessons of that time that have carried me through life. It was the happiest time of my life and it was also the hardest time of my life.

Here are some excerpts:

" Struggles come within us that we may grow"

" We taught the Harpers tonight. Mr. Harper related how he prayed three times before going to bed last night to know if the Book of Mormon was true. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he recounted vocally what he felt in his heart was his answer.  He knew it was true."

"There were many negative reactions when we went door to door.  It amazed me to see all these people reject a message about Jesus Christ."

" Goals must be made, and then worked for continuously and diligently."

" We had Christmas dinner with a certain Price family. He's a doctor and his wife is Russian.  Mrs. Price said she felt impressed to invite two strangers to Christmas dinner. That is how we met them."

" Last night we got into a car accident. Elder Paxman was driving. We were heading from Possom Trot back into Paducah. Our car hit some black ice and started sliding. In the course of sliding, we hit a car, and ran over some street signs right into a ditch. The temperature was freezing outside. We were unharmed with not even one scratch. No one else was hurt.  A miracle."

" We each write the story of our lives."

I no longer affiliate myself with the Church.  However, my mission and its experiences contributed to who I am today.

I wish that every young man and woman in our country could have the opportunity to dedicate at least one year of service in a worthy cause after graduating from High School. It will change their life.  It will change our country.  

Possum Trot was just one of the areas that I served in during my mission. I was assigned to other towns and cities in Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia also.  However, Possum Trot stands out in my mind as one of the most significant places of my life.

The next big quilting show is to be in Des Moines, Iowa this fall. And, then, of course, back in Paducah, next year in the spring. This years grand prize winner was from the Netherlands and chose not to exhibit the winning quilt (forgoing $20,000). Evidently the quilt was too near and dear to be left behind for a full year.

I had told the people at my part time job I was going to see the quilts but Monday when I returned to work, not one person asked me about them. Hmmmmmm. Perhaps they have about as much interest in them as I do!!! B.

Confluence of the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers at Cairo, IL.

White Haven, an historic site in Paducah and rest area. And for Huckleberry at Spring City Chronicle, a ghost story, although not the one we were told about by a visitor to the rest stop, who says a man is seen sometimes in one of the upstairs windows. I, of course, didn't see one.

Samantha was one of the winners in the Get Fired Up for Reading Challenge!

]]> http://imalwaysthinking.wordpress.com/?p=47 Fri, 23 May 2008 22:01:13 +0000 lpbw http://imalwaysthinking.wordpress.com/?p=47 On a very serious note, most of you have heard about the tragic death of Maria Chapman.  Maria is the daughter of Contemporary-Christian artist, Steven Curtis Chapman.  She was struck by an SUV driven by her older brother, in the driveway of Chapman's Tennessee home.  Please visit this family's personal blog to leave your condolences. 

Love and prayers are with the Chapman family as they have a tough road ahead of them.

"Wonder if he'll be on time?" Was the talk on Friday, May 17, 2008.  I along with several other bloggers, photographers and reporters, waited in anticipation to see former President, Bill Clinton.  Very rarely have I been to hear a politician speak, that they arrived on time.  While waiting, I heard tale of Govenor Rod Blagoevich giving reporters and onlookers a 2 hour wait at an outdoor event in the middle of June.  Only to arrive and have his platform position changed because the wind was blowing in the direction of his hair!  WOW, how would you write that story?

"He's here, Secret Service is in the building!"  A talk radio personality calmly, but with excitement, announced to me.  Immediately I made my move for a good photo position.  Introduced by Benton notable, Mike Miller, Dottie Barkley, granddaughter of former Vice President to the United States, Alben Barkley, made entrance stage left, to introduce the one and only....President Bill Clinton.

The crowd went nuts!  Us photographers did as well, each trying to capture the perfect shot.  I don't know if I accomplished that goal or not, but it was very interesting none the less.  Talk about the press pin was more conservative and general.  I spoke with 2 reporters who had been listening to Rush Limbaugh before leaving their cars.  I also noticed no applause from the press pin, realizing their need to stay neutral.  There were a few chuckles at times and also some snickers, and also moments when I could tell applause was imminent but never occured. 

After Mr. Clinton gave his campaign speech, for Hillary Clinton's candidacy, he exited stage right to meet and greet a few folks in the audience.  I immediately made my way to the stage, following that plume of white hair through the crowd.  After much mass confusion and lots of "excuse me-s", I was there.  Front row, face to face with the infamous Mr. Clinton.  Those of you who read my blog, know by now I am a Republican, so I have to admit I do own a copy of "My Life" by Bill Clinton.  (only because i feel a responsibility to inform myself of all sides of politics)  Anyway, I had my book jacket and sharpie ready for that autograph.  What a wonderful collection addition this would be!  "You'd better write your name on it, or you'll never get it back!"  I was told by an onlooker.  "Are you sure about that?"  I had to ask.  "Oh yes, positive", was the response.  So with 5 seconds, and counting down, I pulled out my sharpie, scribbled my name on the cover and handed it over with this request, "Mr. President, could you please sign this for me?"  He looked me right in the eye and said, "I'd be glad to, just let me take it and I'll make sure you get it back."  That sealed the deal, my onlooker friend was correct in her observation. 

While waiting for my autograph, I encountered a group of teenagers who informed me they had left school early to be there.  I asked them if I could take their picture, they agreed with excitement.  In the course of our conversation, I found out 2 of them are supporters of Barack Obama and the other 2 of Hillary Clinton.  I asked why they chose the candidates they chose, and was this their first election to vote.  The response was unanimous, they both gave the same reasons for both candidates.  Reason being, pulling out of Iraq.  I asked why they all gave that same reason for both candidates, but had picked one over the other.  They had no real answer.  I told them it was great that they chose to vote and exercise that freedom, but that everyone was entitled to their own opinion and that's what makes us great!  They agreed whole heartedly, and I gave them the link to my flickr.com account so they could view their picture. 

Needless to say, it was a great experience, and I wouldn't have changed a thing.  On to the next stop, Mayfield, KY to hear Mrs. Clinton's point of view.  Hopefully, also to get that perfect shot and story.  Thanks Bill for some great material, hopefully your wife's up to the challenge ;)