Spirits of a Medicinal Kind

“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illness.” (1 Timothy 5:23) It is biblical that a little wine is good for your health. So with that in mind, the team was off in search of some home grown prevention. Our quest led us to Natura Vineyards and Winery ( http://www.naturawinery.com/ ). It is located conveniently just a few minutes south of Tulsa.

Upon arrival we drove through the well maintained vineyard to reach the winery itself. Once inside we were met by the winery’s vintner. Now I may not be a wine connoisseur, but I do know hospitality when I see it. We were greeted warmly and treated like family. Our hostess gave us a brief history of the winery and knowledgeably explained each wine we tasted. When the team decided on their collective favorite (Sunset Blush), we retreated to comfort of the covered patio. We were delighted by the complimentary plate of cheese, crackers, summer sausage and fruit. We were sad to leave, but vowed to return soon.

The team highly recommends this winery for all of you needing to get away for an afternoon to enjoy some good ole Oklahoma hospitality, and a little wine for the sake of your health!

And remember, moderation is a worthy virtue. Thanks for listening, R T

Thank a Teacher

Do me a favor and the next time you have a few minutes, try a google search for Oklahoma teacher’s pay schedule. Wow, the first site listed has a complete listing of teacher’s minimum pay scale for the 2005-2006 school year. Now, try one for Oklahoma state legislator’s pay schedule. I’ll wait……

Did you find a spreadsheet with Oklahoma’s state legislator’s pay schedule? What I found were numerous articles about legislation on education. Why is this? Teacher’s pay is widely publicized and scrutinized, even broken down to dollars per hour of each school day. Do we break down our state law makers hourly pay per hour in session. The teacher’s schedule has different levels of pay for Bachelor, Master, and Doctrate levels of education. If you find one, does the legislator’s pay schedule take into consideration their level of education? Teacher’s “benefits” (medical insurance and retirement) are added into their compensation package to get their pay up to the state minimum. Is it the same for the legislators? Teachers take part in hours of continuing education every year. Do our law makers?

Furthermore, what qualifies our state law makers to pass education legislation anyway? When was the last time any of them were in a classroom and held accountable for student performance? The teachers I know are professionals committed to their constituents and their constituent’s needs. Thank God, because it is not the high salaries keeping them here. They believe in educating the public and are committed to public education.

Unfortunately, some short sighted, soft-palmed law makers, with little or no understanding of education other than their own, are making utopian mandates for public education. I encourage anyone who disagrees to sign up to do a long term sub in one of our public schools. Then we will talk again about education, teacher’s pay, student/parent accoutability and maybe, just maybe state law makers pay.

Thanks for reading and if you were able to read it, Thank a Teacher, R.T.

Taser Twits

Well, I am stunned!! I couldn’t believe the news report I was watching this morning before work; Police Cadets as part of their “training” were being shot with a taser, you know 50,000 volts. The rationale was that it would make them aware of the effects this device has on it’s victims. Wait a minute here, does this mean the cadets are also going to be beat into submission with night sticks so they know the effects of that? Are they going to be required to be shot with their own weapon to know the effects of that? Is it just me, or this rationale a little weak? It sounds more like boyish bravado at best or an initiation hazing at worst. Niether of these is what I would expect from the professionals we count on to enforce our laws and protect us.

Please don’t get me wrong, I have the highest regard for our fine law enforcement men and women. I rank them right up there with others servinig the higher good, like teachers, but what purpose does this hazing…oops, tasing serve and does it make any sense?

Just something to think about. See ya, R. T.

80 Rude Drivers

Thats right, 80 rude drivers! I drive 169 South/Creek Turnpike West home from work each day. If you have been through there during the rush, then you already know what I am talking about. Through traffic has to merge to one lane to get through the construction at Memorial. We know it is coming, it has been that way for months. Yet everyday rude, self-absorbed, egocentric drivers ignore the warning signs as well as the throngs of considerate, patient motorist and speed by in the left lane, only to bully their way in at the front of the long and ever growing line. Yesterday, I counted 80 vehicles blow by as I waited in line, these drivers are the ones I want to address.

I have often wondered, while waiting in that line, what these left lane lepers must be thinking. Are they really self-absorbed and/or arrogant enough to believe they are more deserving than all those they are passing? Or are they just too busy chatting on their cell phones to notice what traffic is doing? And is it really the younger drivers fault that they have been raised with a sense of entitlement? Or are they actually just the innocent victims of those of us in the right lane patiently waiting on our turn?

That’s it! They are victims of our own kindness and compassion. It is now so obvious that they have become dependent on our acts of charity, letting them push their way in line. We right-laners are actually at fault, maybe the kind thing to do for them would be to refused to let them cut in …………..

No…then we would be just as self-absorbed and/or arrogant as they are. So I will continue to wait patiently each evening, and count the cars go by. Hope to see you in line, R. T.