Coosaw Notebook

The “big 3″ car makers are in trouble again. I retired from GM almost 10 years ago but I could see this coming 10 years before that. The big gas guzzler SUV’s were the money makers and little attention was given to making fuel efficient cars or cars that used alternative energy sources.

Now they depend on a bailout from Washington for survival. I think we should do that but I see an opportunity here to do something that breathes life into the industry and meets national energy goals. I think the bailout should be with strings attached (maybe ropes or chains). The main string should be that these companies would provide a plan that includes dates and times for putting fuel efficient, electric, and gasoline free vehicles on the market.

The following is a video on GM’s development status on the hydrogen fuel cell car. This amazing technology is emission free and uses no gasoline.

Last year we finished painting all we could do before the weather got too cold and we put things away. The work was not complete and the 40 ft ladder is very hard to put up so we left it standing next to the little deck just outside our bathroom on the top floor. We discovered that our cat Covey would use the ladder to come up to that deck which has a cat flap into our bathroom. Peggy thought it was "cute" and requested that the ladder be left in place. Soon Covey taught his friend Clyde to also come up the ladder. All went well for the colder months but as Spring came creatures came back to life in the woods and the marsh. The cats wanted to "show their appreciation" by bringing "gifts". At first it was not too bad, a bird or a dead mouse. As the weather warmed it got worse, a large rabbit. We can’t immagine how they managed to get it up the ladder. Live birds and worst of all, live snakes. I think there were 3 of them. I had to use the pick up tool I use outside to grab them and take them outside. The last one was discovered when I got up one morning last week and put my feet in my bedroom slippers. The left foot felt fine but when I walked the right foot felt like I was standing on a piece of rope. You guessed it, when I shook it out a live snake fell on the floor. I rushed for the pickup tool and got the thing outside. I don’t think any of the snakes were poisonous. The first ones were black but the last one was a reddish brown on top and greenish on the bottom. We have taken the ladder down much to the disappointment of the cats. We hope there is nothing else that we don’t know about in the house but Peggy is a little worried. You are welcome to visit but, shake out your shoes.

John

Peggy’s younger brother Elmer and his wife Joan live in Denton, MD. They had not seen each other for a few years and wanted to get together but neither of us wanted the long drive. We decided to meet and have a day an two nights together in Oriental, NC. We thought it would be an interesting place and about half way. April helped us find a good deal ($25/day) on a rental car using priceline.com. On May 6 we followed the route recommended by mapquest.com that took us up I95 to mid NC then straight east to the coast. We arrived around 5 PM and Elmer and Joan were waiting. Our room at the River Neuse Suites proved to be unusual in a nice way. It was a 3 room suite so we had two bedrooms and a common living and dining area. The dining in and around town was OK but tend to be a little heavy on fried foods.

Oriental is known as the "Sailing Capital of North Carolina" and we saw sailboats everywhere. They were docked all around town and many were up out of the water on metal support stands. These were large expensive boats. The town has many businesses that support sailboats such as sail makers. Oriental is not on any main roads or routes but it has clearly been "discovered" with several new residential real estate developments.

Elmer took us on a scenic drive on Wednesday morning that featured a ferry ride. North Carolina has many ferrys as part of it’s highway system and must of them are free. We are looking at a possible trip next year to Oriental with a one day scenic trip that would include a ride on 4 ferrys. It was a great place to get together and talk, enjoy the food and the scenery.

While we were there we were thinking of our sailboat loving friend George. He called us the day after we returned. Strange how things like that happen sometimes.

On our trip home we choose to go by Route 17 and that proved to be just as good. There are more stop lights and small town along the way where you must watch your speed. We did not have a problem this time and got home by 5 PM. Our neighbors, Bootsie and Gerry, did a great job keeping our cats while we were away. We had a wonderful trip but we were glad to be back to paradise.

April is graduating with a masters degree in education technology. She has worked hard for it and she will graduate with a 4.0 grade average. You might say we are more than a little proud of her.

April in her graduation robe

An old fashioned winter chest cold had me in it’s grip for about 10 day. It’s not over yet but am feeling much better. Good enough to go for a short walk around the neighborhood with Peggy. The world has discovered this beautiful place and some bought lots and are building houses nearby. Our 5 acre lot will keep anyone from getting too close. I know this sounds like we are hermits and want to keep away from people. That is not true, we like people when it’s time to party but we also love our quiet time when we can be alone.

The the temperature was in the 60s today, perfect for a walk in the woods. We have had cold, wind and rain recently so this is a very welcome relief. I see lots of work to do outside as the days get warmer. One of my projects is to build a small ornamental pond using a hole dug out by a moonshiner back in the 20s. We also want to move our supply of scrap treated lumber to another place so we can make a circular drive. The delivery men will love that so they don’t have to back or see saw their delivery trucks.

Do you know the Preamble for your state? . . . interesting:
Be sure and read the message at the bottom!

Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

Arkansas 1874, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…

Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut , acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them tonjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance … Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties…

Louisiana 1921, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble . We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity . And imploring His aid and direction STRONG>

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence , an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction

Michigan 1908, Preamble le . We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution…

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution . 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common…

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance…

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…

South Carolina , 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man .

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God …

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution..

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out -of-control federal courts are wrong! If you found this to be "Food for thought" copy and send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.

( Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.)

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA

The stores have been pushing their Christmas merchandise since before Thanksgiving. The selling of Christmas takes so much away from the real meaning. Community Bible Church will have the Christmas musical program this Sunday and the Christmas Party in the afternoon. I hope that will get me back to the real meaning of this season.

Peggy and I drove up to the little town of Joanna, SC yesterday to visit my cousin, Pope. He is 81 and has been diagnosed with a very serious illness but we found him in good spirits and spent over an hour with him and his wife Jackie, a daughter and a baby great granddaughter. It was a long day, especially for Peggy but I am very glad we went.

The weather has been unseasonably warm, notice the new weather information at the bottom of the right sidebar. We are running air conditioning instead of heat. I think this warm sunny weather is partly why I am not in the Christmas spirit.

The weather in the lowcountry has changed from warm and muggy to cool and brisk. The summer birds are long gone and now we see migrant birds. Our neighbor took a picture of a pair of bald eagles in the oak near their house. We have enjoyed several of those fall social events unique to this area, the oyster roast. A lot of people come that don’t eat oysters but enjoy the fun and fellowship around an open fire. There are always other choices for food, chili, hot dogs, and sausage are standard fare.

It looks like this will be a big week for us. Peggy had to work today and she is scheduled to work Wednesday and Saturday. A tire on the Jeep is very low and I had to pick up a part for the air hose to be able to pump it up. Now is OK but I think it might have a nail in it so I will have to keep an eye on it. Thursday night we plan to go to Harold’s Country Club for "potluck" night. I plan to go to Cypress Plantation with the Prime Timers on Saturday afternoon. Peggy will have to work so she will not be able to go.