Thanksgiving Day Is On The Way!

Thursday, November 27 is Thanksgiving Day

Do you have plans for Thanksgiving Day this year? With the price of gas dropping down to a cost not seen for three years, early reports from AAA say travel will once again be up. People are discovering that even in the midst of shaky economic times, with the price of gas dropping, now is a good time to spend with family. Of course Thanksgiving also signals the start of the holiday season which takes us right through to the New Year. The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, will soon be upon us and many people will hit the stores in search of those early holiday specials.

What exactly does Black Friday mean?

Really, it’s not a bad thing. Black Friday got it’s name because it marks the one day when retailers will determine if they will actually get out of the red into the black for Christmas holiday sales. Of course it comes on the heels of Thanksgiving Day when people stuff themselves with turkey, and then stuff themselves with sales the following day.

Read on …

Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day — Remembrance Day

This is the day set aside to remember our Veterans who fought, and in many cases gave their lives, so we might enjoy freedom here in this country.

What are you doing to remember those who fought for our freedom today?

As for me, I got up this morning and made sure I put my poppy on my shirt collar. It’s the least I can do in order to show respect, honor, and remembrance for those who bravely fought in past wars, and are currently fighting in wars today. However, as I, along with many others, choose to remember our veterans today, some schools have decided to not teach about Veterans Day. They say the topic is no longer relevant for our young people. This is an outrageous claim, and it’s a news story pretty much flying under the radar.

Students today need to understand and know this is not just another day off from school. This is a day to remember those who fought for our freedom.

Read on …

Where were you on September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center was attacked?

I’ll never forget where I was — having breakfast with a friend at the Log Cabin in Macedon, New York. As my pager went wild receiving news bulletins of a plane hitting the World Trade Center, it was like we were numb and in some kind of a time warp. I casually mentioned to my breakfast appointment that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. He said, it must be a terrorist attack. But, the words didn’t really sink in. Not until we started seeing the images on TV did it sink in what was really going on.

This year marks the 6th anniversary of that terrible day when an enemy of the United States, and really an enemy of any free country, lashed out against innocent people with no regard for human life. On this anniversary of that fateful day, lets put aside the political grumbling and mumbling, and remember those who died in the senseless attack, and those who continue to die while fighting to defend our freedom.

Keep encouraged,
Dr. Rus

It’s funny how in such a disjointed world where families seem tossed and split apart by many miles, the passing of a relative suddenly makes the miles seem shorter.

I have a favorite Uncle, he’s always been my fav, and he’s really more than just an Uncle, he’s a Great-Uncle. Not only is he a “great” Uncle, but he really was a “Great-Uncle”. He was my Dad’s Uncle, which made him a Great-Uncle to me. Even that is rather surprising in a world of dysfunctional and broken families. Many people stand in awe when I start telling them of the many relatives I at one time had. However, now with the passing of Uncle Jack, the number of relatives, at least in the area of Aunt’s and Uncle’s is rapidly diminishing.

Uncle Jack was around 90 at his passing yesterday. He lived a good long life, and if there’s one thing I learned from Uncle Jack, it’s the fact that no matter what the circumstances might be around us, always take time to have fun. Uncle Jack had many pains throughout his life, but no matter what, he always had fun. Whether it was slipping me a glass of wine in my younger years at a Christmas family gathering, flirting with the girls around him, or simply picking on my Mom in a loving and joking way, Uncle Jack exemplified a man of integrity, a man of passion, a man of committment, and yes, a man who looked at life and laughed, no matter what. He’s also the one who told me my wife was a “keeper”.

This week we’ll shorten the miles separating our family ties by crossing the border into Canada. Suddenly the 4 or 5 hour drive seems like nothing, so we can come together, cry together, and yes, even laugh together, as we remember the “Passing of a Friend”.

I’ll miss you Uncle Jack — my Great-Uncle in many ways.