What Place?
By Mona Lease

Hi, all! I was speaking to a friend the other day when a child's voice from an extension in another room started asking me what I meant by what I had said. Realizing it was her grandchild, I told my friend I'd let her tend to the kiddie and hung up the phone. The grandchild is 10.

Pondering as I cleaned up my mid-morning snack mess, questions and thoughts took their turn at the forefront of my mind. The one that kept appearing was "A place for everything and everything in it's place." Would that apply to people? I remember a time when children were not allowed to talk on the phone - except maybe to say "Happy Birthday" or "I love you" to Grandma or Grandpa. Now it seems to be accepted that a kiddie can ask about an adult's conversation...and we wonder why they are not interested in "mundane schoolwork?" I even know people who put their phone on "speaker phone" and everyone chats. What happened to a private conversation between friends - you know - a small break before you scrub the toilet - or some other distasteful task that needs to be done. On a good phone - speakerphone can be heard in the bathroom! I've been in homes where someone comes out of the john and has a comment for whomever was on the phone.

On a larger scale (scary to me!); Is this why we have the "time saving" devices? You know - dinner in the oven, we'll just put the phone on speaker and "relax?" We can't even hold the phone or show a friend they are special enough for a "one-on-one" conversation? Is this our mark for success? You know - my 10 year old has her own cell phone, we have satellite TV, a microwave oven, a self-defrosting fridge...and we still do not have time for the "social graces?" And here's one for you - the next time you are in line to pay for something or there's a stand where someone is selling something - watch how many people watch the person pull money out of their wallet or watch you take money out of yours! I thought you were supposed to politely turn your head another direction. Is this how money got to be the "little paper god" that it is?

And, on Jun 14th, I rode in the Sara Poker Run - all 80.3 miles. Also turning their heads away from the "little paper god" were people from Georgia, Illinois, and Iowa - along with our locals. Riders, farmers, bankers, and bikers turned their back to the "little paper god" and attended the Run. At Paws Bingo, 202 bikes of all makes and models, sat ready and waiting for the 300 people that would ride them. 45 people who did not care what the "little paper god" said or thought - cleaned, readied, cooked, swept, picked up trash, etc. No one was paid for this...the rider entry fee was $7. This is a labor of love and "doing the right thing" - the desire to help someone who might not otherwise have a chance to better themselves..socially, economically, etc. All of the money raised goes to the Hope Foundation which will soon be the Darke County Foundation - you can check the annual reports there.

My main thrust with this is - grades are no indicator of how good of a person you are or will be eventually. Scholarship money is awarded to those with a grade point average not to exceed a B. And the ownership of the "little paper god" is no indicator, either.

To all who helped out with the Sara Run - in every way - I clap my hands to you!! You have shown us that being there for each other is the real answer - the only answer.

Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever Toodles!! MONA