Harvest Moon

          (Photo of 2012 Bay Area Harvest Moon, photographer unknown) 

By Mark W. Danielson

In layman’s terms, the Harvest Moon is the full moon that is closest to the fall equinox.  I have many memories of them.  As a kid, I once pedaled my bike over a hill at sunset and unexpectedly came face-to-face with a huge yellow one that was at least a gazillion miles wide.  Petrified, I raced home and hid under my bed until my heart slowed.  Many moons later at age seventeen, my fifteen year old buddy and I were camping under the wing of my rented airplane at a small airport near Mount Shasta.  Since we had the only airplane on the airfield and it was quite dark, Dan and I swapped lies while star gazing and munching on the Kentucky Fried Chicken Momma June got for us earlier that day.  Suddenly all was quiet as a red glow appeared over the Sierra Nevada, silhouetting the mountains.  As the glow intensified, we anxiously spoke about fire season and how quickly fires spread this time of year.  Just as we were about to slide out of our sleeping bags and notify the authorities, the top of the full moon peeked over the ridge.  Relieved, we laughed and swapped more stories as the moon made its Heavenly ascent.

Like the sun, the moon also has a dark side.  On October 29, 2012, the full moon’s high tide, a cold front, and Hurricane Sandy created a perfect storm that bulldozed New York City and the New Jersey coast.  Soon after Sandy made landfall, the Manhattan skyline went dark, making technology on every level worthless.  Granted, this storm’s path was a fluke, but it should always remind us that our frail existence is far too dependent upon energy and outside help. 

On September 29^th, the east and west coasts both enjoyed the beginning of a Harvest Moon.  This particular moon will forever hold special meaning to my family.  On this night my father and mother admired it from the deck of their Napa, California, apartment.  For two hours they held hands, sharing memories of their sixty-four wonderful years together.  The next morning, the actual date of the 2012 Harvest Moon, Dad was gone.  He passed in seconds and never suffered.  We are all grateful for that.

Four weeks later, we celebrated my father’s life under another near full moon.  As fate would have it, this was the same moon that wreaked havoc on the east coast, yet in Napa, it shined as a beautiful reminder of my father’s life and his last evening with his bride. 

Heaven does not recognize east or west, political boundaries, war, devastation, bloodshed, or sorrow.  It is a peaceful place where Dad now lives.  I feel his presence every day, and in time I hope to join him.  Until then, Dad, God bless you, and thanks for everything.  I miss you dearly.

Recalculating!

By Mark W. Danielson

If you’ve ever snickered at the insurance commercial with the GPS causing an accident, then you can appreciate this article.  Today’s use of the Global Proximity System has become as common as a cold.  Thanks to our military’s toned-down version, cell phones can track kids, direct us to restaurants and entertainment facilities, and most of all, guide us in unfamiliar territory.  But unlike airplane or ship navigation systems that define courses by pre-programmed latitude/longitude waypoints, our portable GPS units rely on typed-in addresses or data-base locations.  If you selected your intended destination ahead of time, your GPS will likely be a valuable asset.  However, serious problems can develop if your navigation system never reset itself from a previous location or you are attempting to change your destination while steering your vehicle.  Any police officer will tell you that sending a text, talking on the phone, or fiddling with the GPS while driving can be as dangerous as driving while intoxicated.  This is why GPS lawyers added the requirement that you agree to only programing your GPS while your car is parked.  No doubt some will still blame their GPS for their ensuing accident and win. 

We have all heard the funny pronunciations from computer-generated voices when text is translated to voice, but when my wife and I were driving in unfamiliar territory and our GPS told us to turn left on “Wha wha”, all we could do was laugh and try to determine what “Bitchin’ Betty” intended.  Once we realized she was telling us to turn left on “Wolf Road” we were fine.  Soon after, when we were told to turn left on “Shelby” when the actual street was named “Shell Bay”.  A cautious turn kept us on the correct track.  Learning to understand your GPS’ voice is probably no different than understanding your children or your dog.  Personally, I find it easier to keep my head outside and listen to the voice commands rather than physically looking at the moving map.  At least I stand less of a chance of causing an accident that way.

GPS has its limitations, thus it’s always best to have basic orientation on where you should be traveling.  Doing so will avoid the “recalculating” commands.  For example, if you’re supposed to be heading south and find the setting sun in your eyes, you should know that something’s probably askew.  Nowadays, many cars are equipped with electronic compasses, so use them to your benefit.  And if you are in a big city such as Manhattan, know which way the streets and avenues run.  (Yes, Virginia, there was a master plan when they built this city.)  As a general rule, avenues commonly run north and south while streets travel east and west.  East/West Interstates run are even numbered.  North/South Interstates normally end with a “5”.  Big cities like LA have all kinds of designations so be prepared.  Most of all, remember that cruise control is NOT an autopilot, so keep your head outside and drive safe.  I truly enjoy meeting new people, but not as a result of a car wreck.    

The American Dream

By Mark W. Danielson

The American Dream is a way of life based on the principles of freedom and prosperity.  The immigrants who founded this country were collectively committed to learning a common language and building a nation, and welcomed all who were willing to work.  Imagine their elation as they steamed into the Hudson and spotted Lady Liberty for the first time.  All endured long delays at Ellis Island and extreme hardships afterwards, but most eventually saw the fruits of their labor and were proud of their contributions to this country.

But much has changed over the years.  Programs intended to bring our nation out of its Great Depression have been unintentionally passed down to subsequent generations.  Today our nation is in severe debt due to bad decisions, horrific deceptions, and too many people who do not possess the desire to earn a living.  As a frequent globetrotter, I marvel at how other nations operate.  China is of particular interest, not only because of its vast size and booming economy, but also because of its immense population.  With the exception of Hong Kong which still basically operates independently, few panhandlers are seen, and unemployment seems non-existent.  Those who cannot find work are given a job.  It may be a menial task such as polishing endless handrails or sweeping sidewalks, but they still have a job.  Government handouts do not seem to exist in China.  When comparing this to our system of paying people to stay home, our deteriorating work ethic becomes clear.  Mind you, I am not addressing the disabled who have no choice, but there are thousands of able-bodied people who are capable of working that receive taxpayers’ checks, and even additional pay for having more children.  Few, if any of these recipients have any regard for how these handouts affect our nation’s strength.  I challenge you to name another government that pays people not to work without having earned a retirement check.

I have always maintained that only those who can provide a solution have earned the right to complain, so here is mine.  Assign each and every able-bodied person that is receiving a government check a job to help rebuild our infrastructure and clean up our streets so they can take pride in our nation.  Doing so may also increase their incentive to find a better paying job.  And while we’re at it, why not code government debit cards so they cannot be used at gambling facilities or strip clubs, or to buy alcohol and cigarettes.  (Papers such as The Denver Post and The Los Angeles Times have featured these articles on welfare abuse.)    

Imagine how our early immigrants would view our nation now that is economically, religiously, and ideologically divided.  The government at all levels fails to recognize English as its official language, and instead print ballots in multiple languages to accommodate those unwilling to learn.  Political correctness has stripped God from our language.  How dare we impose our values on other nations when our own is falling apart.  When did our nation take this wrong turn?  What can be done to restore our basic core values?

During a recent Manhattan visit, I learned that 40% of its residents are foreign born, and many are living in subsidized housing.  Considering that our nation was built by immigrants, this comes as no surprise, but how many of these new settlers speak or are currently learning English?  How many are collecting some sort of government subsidy, whether it is reduced cost housing, health care, welfare payments, or a combination thereof?  Numerous cities are now declaring bankruptcy because their handouts have exceeded their income.  Our nation is in the same boat, but apparently has not realized it.  In spite of our debt, we are still fighting wars we can neither afford nor win.  Something must change, and making people who are receiving a government handout is but one solution.

I will gladly step off my soap box if even one elected representative considers what I’m saying here.  I love this country, I spent a career defending it, and I desperately want to see it united and once again prosperous.