To save a nation, what will it take?

A good title is the start to a good discussion on critical matters. A matter that needs thorough discussing.

But before we get into it, because I don’t want any distractions when we do, let me tell you how much I have enjoyed the series that we have recently finished. The series about Louisa Naomi Kent Billings, the Cemetery series, and yes, even letting me get it off my chest about my personal views on that ugly topic called “Abortion.” In writing these subjects I’ve learned so much about people and places, especially in the story and the research that went into writing about the troublesome life of Louisa. And I learned so much about parts of the history and ancestors of this area when writing about Cemeteries. The most valuable thing that I learned in this journey is that people are helpful and interesting and I met so many and made new friends along the way.

But did I do the right thing by ignoring politics and the condition of our country while I wrote about the past and the good people of the past? I won’t answer that, I’ll just move on.

Not all of my readers, and the readers of the press and this column, will agree with me about the condition of our country. I shouldn’t expect less, after all, every one of us will have a unique prospective on not only the condition of the country, but on almost every other aspect of life and circumstance. We should join together on this one premise and agree that it is our differences that make the world go round. It also makes the world interesting and dynamic. Just think of all the great things that have been created for our pleasure and enjoyment, as well as our comfort and health, that were created, designed and made practical, simply because we are not all alike and we all think differently and have unique skills, attributes and genius.

To put it simply, we are where we are today because we decided not to stay where we were yesterday.

There are absolutely so many things in this world that are so great and so much for our benefit that I sometimes feel guilty when I complain. Yet, complain I do. While on the other hand, complaining just might be part of the cement and mortar that holds the bricks together.

Today I am complaining.

I’ve always been led to believe that the United States of America is the best place on this planet to live. I’m going to say that that is what I still believe. I say that with honesty because I’m not a world traveler so I don’t know much about any other countries. Sometimes I find myself wishing I had been more of a world traveler so that when I stroked our country or mention it in various terms of vocabulary, I would feel more confident where as I speak. But that isn’t the case, and I have to become intellectually competent based on other avenues of intellectual pursuit.

I always tell myself and use this example openly – “I only know what I’ve read, what I’ve been told, What I’ve heard and what I’ve observed.” Beyond that we know that fire is hot when we touch it and you can’t breath under water without scuba gear.

Get it? For the next few weeks I’m going to write what I think is right and wrong about our country and what I think should be done to put it in perpetual order based on my perspective, and I expect you to have your own opinions based on your perspective. It should be fun, and if I like your opinion better than mine, I’ll let you know.

One last thing before I completely get away from things of the past.

I and a few others have been researching a solitary grave out on the Separ Road. It’s in a lovely setting and seems to be cared for on a limited basis.

The small amount of information I have, so far, tells me that a twelve year old girl was trying to light a coal oil stove and apparently got coal oil on her dress. Her dress went up in flames. She impulsively ran from the house, which also burnt down. It is said that the family members could not catch her and she ran until the flames consumed her.

A terrible saga that should not be forgotten.

Gustava Glase, 1906 to 1918.

The family seems to have left these parts but no one knows for sure where.

Any information you may have to supplement what I have would be appreciated. I can be contacted by contacting “Editor, Silver City Daily Press.

“And That’s My Opinion”