POST 9/11

Yesterday...there were a number of programs on TV all day...commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. As well...there were a number of channels replaying the events of that day 10 years ago...as they happened. I have to admit...I watched several of them. Much like the proverbial train wreck...I just couldn't look away.

Even without the recap of events...I still remember that day...and some of the thoughts that raced in my mind back then.

One of them was...just knowing...that the price of gasoline would go up...and I wasn't wrong as some unscrupulous dealers saw an opportunity to raise it $2 or $3 a gallon. Only after they were told they would get in trouble...did they lower the price back to a more reasonable figure...the next day.

I was also convinced that we would be going to war with someone. Our nature seems to be that when we get sand kicked in our face...we go get big brother to kick some ass. Little did we suspect...that we would still be fighting that war...10 years later.

But...the main thought that was on my mind back then was...'what kind of world had my new grandchildren been born into?' My granddaughter was just 10 days old on 9/11...and my grandson would be born in 2 weeks. What had I let them get into? With the success the terrorists had achieved right in our own land...what else might they try next? Were these acts on 9/11...'the beginning of the end?' Had the world come to a point in time...that my grandchildren would be the last generation on this earth?

Those initial questions...have eased...to some extent...as we eventually found out who was behind the attacks and our attempt to 'make them pay for it.' But I can't say that I feel a whole lot better now...than I did then. The fact that we're still trying to... 'make them pay'...10 years later is disheartening. The news gives us the daily reminder...that they aren't interested in giving up or giving in anytime soon...if ever. They just don't like us...and what we stand for.

For that reason...I'm still concerned for my grandchildren. I hope that kindness...and a desire to truly help someone...without an ulterior motive...will prevail...and my grandchildren can grow up in a world ...that they can someday watch 'their' grandchildren grow old.

I sure hope that for them.


Dan

PIZZA...THE COMMON THEME

This weekend...Cindy & I made a trip to Vincennes to visit her mom. While there...we got a pizza from Bobe's. I don't know exactly what it is about their pizza...but we think it's maybe the best pizza around.

Earlier this week...one of my Facebook friends also said they were heading to Vincennes for the weekend...from their home in Ohio...and they too commented they were gonna be getting some pizza from Bobe's.

One of the pizza joints in Lafayette is Arni's. For many people who have grown up in Lafayette...and moved away...each time they come back to Lafayette...the conversation includes...we gotta get some pizza from Arni's.

Daughter Joni lived in Chicago for a number of years and I'm pretty sure she has a favorite pizza joint up there...that they return to when they get to Chicago.

When I visited my brother in San Francisco years ago...one of our meals was at a pizza joint...I assume one of his favorites.

I suppose we 'all' think...that the pizza that we grew up with...or that we've found during our years of living some place...is the best pizza there is.

Maybe we're all right.


Dan