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Month: March 2011

ONE PERSON, WITH COURAGE, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

ONE PERSON, WITH COURAGE, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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When the rebellion against the dictator of Tunisia was reported by the media, the name of Mohammed Bouazizi was a central part of the reporting. Bouazzi was one of the poor young men in the town of Sidi Bouzid struggling to make a living in a country of unemployment and poverty. Bouazizi's income was from selling vegetables, something he had done for 7 years. He was one of many who operated an unlicensed vegetable cart because the license was so expensive. He supported his family of eight…

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MURRAY “MOE” NORMAN “THE KING OF SWING”

MURRAY “MOE” NORMAN “THE KING OF SWING”

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Probably the greatest golfer who ever lived is someone you are not likely to have ever heard about. Murray Norman was born July 10, 1929 and died at age 75 in Canada September 4, 2004. Known throughout his life by his nickname "Moe" he was brought up in Canada and played golf his entire life. This is a man who won fifty five Canadian tournaments, was the Canadian PGA champion two times. He set thirty three course records. His records include three  scores…

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HOLLIS BARNETT MARCH 22,1990

HOLLIS BARNETT MARCH 22,1990

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My father in law, Hollis Barnett died on March 22nd 1990. He was a unique and wonderful man. You can read about his extraordinary wife Betty Barnett and more about this couple who I grew to love.   https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2010/03/i-write-this-in-memory-of-my-wifes-father-hollis-hall-barnett-whodied-in-puyallup-washington-on-march-22-1990-at-the-a.html  Hollis Hall Barnett died in Puyallup, Washington on March 22, 1990 at the age of 83. Hollis  was born in Buckley, Washington on May 3, 1907 and spent his younger years at Mt. Rainier National Park where his father, Herman "Herm"  Burke Barnett, was a ranger. Her man was…

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HACHIKO THE WORD’S MOST LOYAL DOG

HACHIKO THE WORD’S MOST LOYAL DOG

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Japan has been in the news because of the destructive earthquake. The news has described the calmness of the Japanese people and discussed their character in crisis. That brings to mind a Japanese dog, Hachiko who is famous in Japan. In fact, the people of Tokyo commissioned a statue of the dog which they placed in a popular location. Even Japanese children’s books make this dog a hero. Richard Gere starred in a 2009 movie of about the dog: Hachi:…

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“THE FLYBOYS” A HISTORY OF AIR POWER IN THE PACIFIC WAR

“THE FLYBOYS” A HISTORY OF AIR POWER IN THE PACIFIC WAR

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I’ve finished an excellent book The Flyboys – A True Story of Courage by James Bradley who also wrote Flags of Our Fathers, a best selling account of the battle in World War II in Iwo Jima. The Flyboys is about the war in the Pacific in World War II involving airplane warfare. While the entire book is of historical interested, I was very moved by the description of our bombing of Japan. The real horror of war is revealed in the description of…

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THE BULK OF MILLIONS IN PAPER MONEY

THE BULK OF MILLIONS IN PAPER MONEY

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I was interested in Graham Bowley's writing about where world dictators "hide" their money in Sunday's NY Times. He notes that el Qaddafi has stashed away billions in U.S. and other currencies in Libya and the problem he would have moving it out of country in bulk.  Imelda Marcos was charged with trying to move 22 crates of Philippine pasos when they fled to Hawaii in 1986. Jean Claude Duvalier and his wife took $33 Million from the Haiti bank…

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SHAKESPEARE AND THE FORCE OF MOVING WATER

SHAKESPEARE AND THE FORCE OF MOVING WATER

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 As I watched the devastation in Japan I thought of one of my favorite quotes from Shakespeare dealing with missed opportunities. Yes, I know he wasn't talking about a tsunami,  but it still came to my mind because of the reference to tides: Brutus:There is a tide in the affairs of men.Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea are we now afloat,And we must…

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A LESSON FROM A POEM ABOUT DEDICATION & BEING LOST IN THE MOMENT

A LESSON FROM A POEM ABOUT DEDICATION & BEING LOST IN THE MOMENT

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The great twentieth century poet W.H. Auden wrote a poem called "Sext" in the 1950's which captures the idea of dedication and being lost in the moment of what you are doing. In athletics it's called "being in the zone" or being "hot" or "on a roll." Whatever you call it, this poem captures what happens when someone is doing what they love to do and are doing it with utter concentration. it's when we think about what we are doing…

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BASEBALL PLAYER GREG GOOSSEN

BASEBALL PLAYER GREG GOOSSEN

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This Sunday’s New York Times had an article about the death of Greg Goossen, a baseball player I confess I had not heard of before. What caught my attention was that he was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers for a six figure bonus, was then sent to the Mets for $8,000 and then acquired by the Seattle Pilots. He lasted one season and was dealt to Milwaukee. The Pilots no longer exist but Goossen led the team in…

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PETER BABAROVICH 1861 – 1935

PETER BABAROVICH 1861 – 1935

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 My maternal grandfather Peter (Petar) Babarovich was born April 12, 1861 in the village of Splitska on the island of Brac in the Adriatic Sea. He died in Anacortes, Washington March 5, 1935. Peter was the second child Ernest Babarovich and his wife Louise Setelich. The family exported wine and olive oil which they grew in their vineyards and olive orchards. He married Marija Mattia Vulic) in 1888, who was also born in Splitska. Peter's wife, my grandmother, was born September…

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