Out and About – Week of July 23rd

I feel that I must apologize for the actions of some individuals of my generation. We are the ones responsible for raising children who were never taught manners or responsibility. Now I’m not saying that all of us failed at parenting, because most took the responsibility seriously. What I’m saying is that many things have changed over the years, which is expected. Back in the day, families spent more time together. We had meals together, because there weren’t that many fast-food eateries. I seriously doubt if there is a child out there who asks permission to leave the table after a meal. How many families have dinner together? Everyone is busy with their own lives. There are parents too busy with their own activities to spend time raising their children with the attention that is needed. There are parents who are afraid to properly discipline their child for fear of having the authorities show up at their doorstep.

Schools have the same problem. There are parents out there who think their child does no wrong. If there is a problem, it’s the teacher’s or the school’s fault. “My child wouldn’t do such a thing.” Basically, our children are not taught to be responsible for their actions, because their parents were never taught to be responsible. It falls back onto my generation for not doing a good job in raising their kids.

I’m all for a child questioning their parents on a decision, but every child needs guidance and needs to be reminded of who the parent is from time to time. By the way, last Sunday was Parents’ Day.

To those moms and dads out there who spend quality time with their children and teach them responsibility, I applaud you. Every child doesn’t need their own cell phone or high-tech device at the dinner table. There is a time and a place for everything. Parents should lead by example. It’s amazing how many couples I see at a restaurant who spend the time checking their e-mails or Facebook. We have all forgotten how to talk to each other.

If I have offended anyone with the above four paragraphs, I probably should apologize. I sometimes forget how easy it is to offend someone. The purpose of this column is to make people feel a little better about themselves. There is enough negativity in this world without me adding to it.

At one time, if you wanted to legally gamble you had to go to Nevada or Atlantic City, New Jersey. We can now travel an hour or less and visit a casino and have a great time losing money. There is only one city in Nevada where gambling at one time was illegal. Boulder City was constructed to house workers in an effort to divert them from gambling. It seems the workers were busy building the Hoover Dam. I’m not sure if it is still illegal to gamble there. An added tidbit you might like to know is that Nevada first legalized gambling in 1931.

I think Jeff Foxworthy is a pretty clever comedian. He has taken the time to come up with some interesting comments regarding the state of Michigan. He once said that you know you’re a true Michigander when…..

You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.
You often switch from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day.
You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to use them.
You drink pop and bake with soda.
“A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” ~ Tom Hanks

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stuesman

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