William E. Dodd was the American Ambassador to Germany, living with his family, his wife Martha, son William Jr. and daughter, also Martha, in Berlin from 1933 until the end of 1937. His time there coincided with Hitler's rise to power. Dodd, who came from an academic background was not well supported by the the U.S State Department and was never included in the elite club of wealthy ambassadors. He tried in vain to warn his superiors of the threat that Hitler and the Nazi's were to Western Civilization. When he returned to the U.S. he actively tried to rouse the country out of it's dangerous isolation.
The full title of the book is In The Garden of The Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. The book, written by Erik Larson and a New York Times #1 Bestseller, clearly delineates how, when and by whom Hitler could have been stopped. There is plenty of blame to go around and a good reminder that democracy is always fragile.
Dodd's family, and especially his daughter, play significant roles in the story. Daughter, Martha, ends up a permanent exile from America because of some of the decisions she made.
It's a tragic tale, both for the Dodd's personally, but also for the world at large.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
'Canada' : A Reading Recommendation
Richard Ford's novel, Canada. published in 2012 is written as the reflection of a man named Del, now in his mid-sixties, on his life. Most of the action takes place when he is fifteen. The action is described and the author tells what Del was thinking and observing at the time. Del is separated from his twin sister when they are fifteen and their lives take very different directions.
One of the intriguing aspects of living awhile, or, a long time, i.e., of old age, is seeing how many people, decisions and events turn out. The recent school reunion that I attended was fascinating as I saw people with whom I'd no contact, sometimes for 50 years or more. Some of the early 'high fliers' had 'crashed and burned' while others whom I'd judged to have mediocre prospects had built successful lives.
In Canada the look back in time is the vehicle that transports the story. Del and his sister. Berner, have very inept parents. Their incompetence sets the twins on their separate lifelong paths. It brings to mind the Biblical injunction:
One of the intriguing aspects of living awhile, or, a long time, i.e., of old age, is seeing how many people, decisions and events turn out. The recent school reunion that I attended was fascinating as I saw people with whom I'd no contact, sometimes for 50 years or more. Some of the early 'high fliers' had 'crashed and burned' while others whom I'd judged to have mediocre prospects had built successful lives.
In Canada the look back in time is the vehicle that transports the story. Del and his sister. Berner, have very inept parents. Their incompetence sets the twins on their separate lifelong paths. It brings to mind the Biblical injunction:
"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me..." Exodus 20:5
While it doesn't seem fair to punish children for parent's sins, and it may not be the aim, children certainly often suffer for their parents misdeeds. That is certainly true in Canada. Del's parents do not set out to harm their children and, in fact, love them but their decisions have huge consequences.
I'm glad I read it and thanks to LN who gave it to me for Father's Day.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Automobiles
What would $300. buy in 1954?...my first car; a four door, 1948, Pontiac with a straight, six cylinder engine. Having just completed my sophomore year of high school I needed transportation to school because my brother had graduated and he would no longer drive me to school in his '41 Nash. There was no school bus service.
The seller was Tilford Nelson, one of two Nelson barbers in Arlington, SD. While not related, their barber shops were a few doors apart on Main Street. Tilford's shop was interesting because he also sold guns...in fact I still have a deer rifle and a shotgun I purchased from him in the '50s.
The '48 Pontiac was a good starter and it the windows and doors were tight meaning I could stay dry in the rain. These were not universal automobile assets in those days. Today when I drive in heavy rain I find myself grateful that I stay dry.
Automobile heaters were also often marginal. One of my brothers had a '36 Ford with a 60 horsepower engine. It was equipped with a gas heater that burned more gas than the engine but it kept the car warm.
Other cars I owned in those early years included a '46 Ford, '42 Chevy, '51 Pontiac Coupe and a '49 Oldsmobile 88 Coupe. Yes, of course I'd like to have them now. In fact a friend went looking for the Olds but was not able to track it down.
LN's care experience got me to thinking about automobiles. Her purchase may just maybe the most economical ever. She bought a new Toyota Echo in 2001 for $9,000. with 0% financing for 36 months. In 2009 a deer hit her and the adjuster assumed it would be totaled, but, reversed course when he discovered it's book value, so it was repaired.
Sixteen years of use and all that the Echo has needed are tires, a clutch, batteries and sway bar links all the while providing gas mileage in the mid-30s for 126,000 thousand miles. Oh yes it doesn't leak rain, starts well and has a good heater.
The seller was Tilford Nelson, one of two Nelson barbers in Arlington, SD. While not related, their barber shops were a few doors apart on Main Street. Tilford's shop was interesting because he also sold guns...in fact I still have a deer rifle and a shotgun I purchased from him in the '50s.
The '48 Pontiac was a good starter and it the windows and doors were tight meaning I could stay dry in the rain. These were not universal automobile assets in those days. Today when I drive in heavy rain I find myself grateful that I stay dry.
Automobile heaters were also often marginal. One of my brothers had a '36 Ford with a 60 horsepower engine. It was equipped with a gas heater that burned more gas than the engine but it kept the car warm.
Other cars I owned in those early years included a '46 Ford, '42 Chevy, '51 Pontiac Coupe and a '49 Oldsmobile 88 Coupe. Yes, of course I'd like to have them now. In fact a friend went looking for the Olds but was not able to track it down.
LN's care experience got me to thinking about automobiles. Her purchase may just maybe the most economical ever. She bought a new Toyota Echo in 2001 for $9,000. with 0% financing for 36 months. In 2009 a deer hit her and the adjuster assumed it would be totaled, but, reversed course when he discovered it's book value, so it was repaired.
Sixteen years of use and all that the Echo has needed are tires, a clutch, batteries and sway bar links all the while providing gas mileage in the mid-30s for 126,000 thousand miles. Oh yes it doesn't leak rain, starts well and has a good heater.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Sinai, SD All School Reunion 7/1/2017
Sinai High School, Sinai, SD., closed since 1961, was never very large. Of the 160 attendees at the reunion most did no graduate from the school. The reunion has become a community event attracting spouses, others from the community who attended other schools and many who were too young to attend. It's a time to return with the best chance of seeing others one has not seen for a long time.
Our class of 1956 started out to be the largest in school with eleven students...Yes, eleven; which tells you how small it was. After the first year one of our classmates transferred to Augustana Academy, Canton, SD. Two others dropped out so we powered on with eight students. Three of us were at the reunion. Four are deceased; Roger Husby, John Reinhart, Wayne Risty and Glen Englesgaard.
Three teachers taught all the subjects with a part time band instructor, usually from SD State College in Brookings. Discipline was simplified becasue each teacher knew every student by name. Instruction was questionable...such schools do not attract the cream of the crop. The superintendent/principal was also a teacher and, for three of my years, the basketball coach.
The school in Sinai was open for 81 years. There were 36 graduating classes and 302 graduates. The first class graduated in 1926 with 13 students and the last class graduated in 1961 with 8. The elementary school continued longer. The district never consolidated so now 3 districts send buses to town to pick up students; Volga (known as Sioux Valley School), Arlington and Rutland.
When I graduated in 1956 I enrolled at SD State College. That was a shock! From 30 students to 3,200 and some expectation that students would study! It took awhile for me to adjust.
Reunions are a source of fascination. Some who seemed destined for greatness peaked in high school. Other's, who I'd judged as having modest prospects, did very well. Too many died prematurely. At this age I increasingly value those with whom I share memory. Much of what I grieve as family and friends die is the loss of those shared memories.
Our class of 1956 started out to be the largest in school with eleven students...Yes, eleven; which tells you how small it was. After the first year one of our classmates transferred to Augustana Academy, Canton, SD. Two others dropped out so we powered on with eight students. Three of us were at the reunion. Four are deceased; Roger Husby, John Reinhart, Wayne Risty and Glen Englesgaard.
Three teachers taught all the subjects with a part time band instructor, usually from SD State College in Brookings. Discipline was simplified becasue each teacher knew every student by name. Instruction was questionable...such schools do not attract the cream of the crop. The superintendent/principal was also a teacher and, for three of my years, the basketball coach.
The school in Sinai was open for 81 years. There were 36 graduating classes and 302 graduates. The first class graduated in 1926 with 13 students and the last class graduated in 1961 with 8. The elementary school continued longer. The district never consolidated so now 3 districts send buses to town to pick up students; Volga (known as Sioux Valley School), Arlington and Rutland.
When I graduated in 1956 I enrolled at SD State College. That was a shock! From 30 students to 3,200 and some expectation that students would study! It took awhile for me to adjust.
Reunions are a source of fascination. Some who seemed destined for greatness peaked in high school. Other's, who I'd judged as having modest prospects, did very well. Too many died prematurely. At this age I increasingly value those with whom I share memory. Much of what I grieve as family and friends die is the loss of those shared memories.
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| The entire school in the assembly hall with the teachers 1956-57. |
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| The 2 storied building housed highs chool on 'garden level and elementary upstairs. The WPA built gym has the rounded roof. |
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Running Out Of Gas: A True Life Mystery!
A few years ago, on one of our frequent trips to see family in Chicago, at a point of boredom I suggested to the Curmudgeonette that running out of gas could be viewed as an adventure. How would I get gas? Who would I meet? Who might be the agent of mercy. The Curmudgeonette thought it was one of my dumber ideas so I never did run out of gas...until today, that is. I'm very glad she was along because with out her presence to verify the reality I would have seriously questioned my sanity...though perhaps many of you do have doubts if I'm sane.
We'd been in SD for a few days for farming, my five year all school reunion, visiting and entertaining family and the annual 4th of July celebration. As we headed back to Minneapolis my gas gauge showed about a quarter of a tank so I stopped in the first town, Volga, for a fill. While the gas was pumping I washed the windows. The pump stopped, asked if I wanted a receipt and, as I always do, pressed 'No', bought the Curmudgeonette a bottle of water and we were on our way.
After driving a few miles the 'low gas light' came on and I noticed that the gas gauge was close to empty. Perhaps it was a failure of the computerized gauge I thought. When I came to a stop sign at Ivanhoe, MN I shut the car off, waited 20 seconds and restarted it, thinking that might reset the computer. It did not.
Driving on I was bummed about the failure of the gauge. The gas monitor registered the decreasing range of miles left and soon reached zero. Mile after mile with the monitor on zero we drove...perhaps 40 miles.. offering me proof that the gauge was kaput.
About 80 miles from Volga the car stopped. The starter worked but the stoppage showed all the symptoms of running out of gas. A quick crawl under the car showed no sign of tank leakage. Wondering about my sanity I took out my smart phone and verified a charge on my credit card in Volga. While washing the windows I had not paid much attention to the pump but did notice that the pump showed $15.++ which seemed about right, given the gas in the tank and the price of gas.
To avoid traffic I've found a route of county roads that parallel #212 and avoid most of the towns. Now, stalled beside the road, the lack of traffic seemed less helpful. So, what's next on our little adventure? The Curmudgeonette pointed to mailbox and driveway about 50 yards ahead with any buildings obscured by a grove of trees. As I walked up the driveway I saw a man working on his pick-up. Explaining my plight to him, he, without even casting a skeptical eye when I told of filling up 80 miles previously, grabbed a gas can and drove me out to the car and put in three gallons. The engine sprang to life and the Good Samaritan refused payment telling me to "pay it forward." I'd certainly found my agent of mercy!
With the 20-20 of hindsight I should have gone to the station a block from where I had restarted the car by Ivanhoe and verified the gas gauge. Filling with gas at that juncture would quickly have verified the accuracy of the gauge. Following up with Volga gas station is the only way I know to solve the mystery. Perhaps in the future I'll always take the receipt and pay more attention to gas as it is pumped.
But, as our friend, JJ, points out, it is of such adventures stories are born.
We'd been in SD for a few days for farming, my five year all school reunion, visiting and entertaining family and the annual 4th of July celebration. As we headed back to Minneapolis my gas gauge showed about a quarter of a tank so I stopped in the first town, Volga, for a fill. While the gas was pumping I washed the windows. The pump stopped, asked if I wanted a receipt and, as I always do, pressed 'No', bought the Curmudgeonette a bottle of water and we were on our way.
After driving a few miles the 'low gas light' came on and I noticed that the gas gauge was close to empty. Perhaps it was a failure of the computerized gauge I thought. When I came to a stop sign at Ivanhoe, MN I shut the car off, waited 20 seconds and restarted it, thinking that might reset the computer. It did not.
Driving on I was bummed about the failure of the gauge. The gas monitor registered the decreasing range of miles left and soon reached zero. Mile after mile with the monitor on zero we drove...perhaps 40 miles.. offering me proof that the gauge was kaput.
About 80 miles from Volga the car stopped. The starter worked but the stoppage showed all the symptoms of running out of gas. A quick crawl under the car showed no sign of tank leakage. Wondering about my sanity I took out my smart phone and verified a charge on my credit card in Volga. While washing the windows I had not paid much attention to the pump but did notice that the pump showed $15.++ which seemed about right, given the gas in the tank and the price of gas.
To avoid traffic I've found a route of county roads that parallel #212 and avoid most of the towns. Now, stalled beside the road, the lack of traffic seemed less helpful. So, what's next on our little adventure? The Curmudgeonette pointed to mailbox and driveway about 50 yards ahead with any buildings obscured by a grove of trees. As I walked up the driveway I saw a man working on his pick-up. Explaining my plight to him, he, without even casting a skeptical eye when I told of filling up 80 miles previously, grabbed a gas can and drove me out to the car and put in three gallons. The engine sprang to life and the Good Samaritan refused payment telling me to "pay it forward." I'd certainly found my agent of mercy!
With the 20-20 of hindsight I should have gone to the station a block from where I had restarted the car by Ivanhoe and verified the gas gauge. Filling with gas at that juncture would quickly have verified the accuracy of the gauge. Following up with Volga gas station is the only way I know to solve the mystery. Perhaps in the future I'll always take the receipt and pay more attention to gas as it is pumped.
But, as our friend, JJ, points out, it is of such adventures stories are born.
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