Davenport’s Bright Idea

      There was a time when I was in love with the state of Iowa. Twice in my life, I had opportunity to ride my bicycle across the state on the largest organized bike ride in the country called RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa). The ride begins at the Missouri River on the west, and finishes at the Mississippi on the east. It takes seven days to complete the course. Every year the organizers route the ride through a different set of towns.  I have ridden my bicycle over one thousand miles of Iowa and have stayed in, or passed through forty towns.  I met a lot of great people. They are friendly, helpful, and cheerful.

     Most of Iowa is agricultural. I peed in many cornrows, and passed by hundreds of acres of soybeans. I rode quickly past many pig farms. The stench being, well let me just say distinctive. Just about every town had at least one church with a cross on the steeple

     Farmers are usually small businessmen. They are independent, and in my mind conservative.  . That is why I was surprised to see the big support Iowans gave Obama. It is also a surprise, that the city of Davenport, Iowa wanted to change Good Friday to “Celebrate Spring Day.”  It was their attempt to separate the church from the state.

     I have a suggestion for Iowa. If you want to separate church from state, do not celebrate the holidays. I believe government should work three hundred and sixty five days a year.  You pay the bill, and as boss it should be your rule for your government to follow. If you do not like it leave, and work for the private sector. The state will improve with fewer people working for it. Besides, by working an extra hundred and five days, you need fewer people to do the work.  Do not try to change two thousand years of tradition and the culture of Christianity because you believe in separation of church and state.

     For the farmers of Iowa, please do not get any more good ideas like Obama again.  I recommend that you get away from the pig farm regularly, and breathe some fresh air. That way when another Obama shows up you will be able to recognize what he really is by the odor.

Ronald Reagan’s reflection on God and morality: “Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience. Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive. Without God, there is a coarsening of the society. And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure. If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. I’m convinced more than ever that man finds liberation only when he binds himself to God and commits himself to his fellow man. Our liberty springs from and depends upon an abiding faith in God.”

The Gift (A serial, part 7)

The Gift (A serial, part 7)
” Let’s add the tinsel. It adds glitter to a tree,” he told the birds.
“We have to hang each strand carefully. I don’t want Connie to look like the bird nest that is in the top branches near the trunk.”
Morty placed an ornament into the nest. As they hung the strands they continued to hum Silent Night. When the last strand was in place, They stood back and admired their creation. It was Morty’s gift to the Baby Jesus on His birthday. Morty switched on the lights, and Connie came to
life.
“I feel so wonderful,” said Connie, “you made me look beautiful. I hope Baby Jesus likes me.” Morty said to rabbit,  “cover the tree stand to add the final touch.”
The next job was to assemble the nativity scene in a special place. Morty picked a small table right next to the tree. He wanted the nativity to be where he, and all of his friends would easily see it. He cleaned the table, and covered it with his best tablecloth. Lovingly, he placed the stable, and the figures into position on the table. He handled each figure with special care and gentleness. The nativity was complete when Morty put the last lamb near a kneeling shepherd.

To be continued . . . .

The Gift (A serial, part six)

The Gift (A serial, part 6)
Early the next morning, Morty got up, brushed his teeth, combed his curl, and ate breakfast. It was time. He found the tree stand and placed it in the corner of his tiny room. Next, he placed Connie into the stand, and filled it with sugar water to give him strength while he was on duty for the party. Before Morty started hanging the lights, he turned on the boom-box to play Christmas carols just as he promised Connie.
Morty sang with the music as he hung the lights onto each branch, making sure that the spacing was even. The rabbit and the birds helped decorate by hanging the popcorn garland. The sparrow held one end of the garland while the cardinal held it farther down the string. The Chickadee held a third spot. They flew up in unison carrying the garland. Gently, they lowered the popcorn garland onto he branches. The beads came next. Morty could have used Benjamin’s help with these because the beads were too heavy for the birds. Draping the beads to look pretty took great care.
As he worked, he hummed his favorite Christmas carol, “Silent Night,” and taught him the words.
“Si – lent night, Ho – ly night,
All is calm. All is bright.
Round yon Vir – gin Moth – er and child!
Ho – ly in – fant so ten – der and mild,
Sleep in heav – en – ly peace,
Sleep in heav – en – ly peace.”
They sang together as Morty, and his friends hurried to finish, because the celebration is tonight. What a happy group it was decorating the tree for Jesus.
Morty was proud of the way Connie looked when the trimming was done. He had one final ornament to place on Connie’s top stem. Morty asked the birds to carry the shiny star to the very top. He told them to place it on the peak of the tree.
“Well Connie,” said Morty, “you can be proud. You are beautiful and will make Jesus happy on his birthday.

To be continued. . . .