I'M WORRIED!

I'm beginning to worry about us. Who's us? My people, my neighbors, my fellow Pike Countians. I'm starting to wonder if we are losing our respect for others, our Hillbilly Way.
Whether it be driving, eating in a restaurant, standing in line for something or just cruising the aisles of whatever "Mart" it may be, I'm seeing a difference and I do not like it.

Here's what I don't like; the lack of common respect. Giving someone a break in traffic, having 10 items in your grocery buggy and the guy behind you has 2 and you don't say, "hey go ahead and you can get gone", foul language in a public place, giving a minumum wage cashier the benefit of the doubt in a store when they follow policy to protect their job and it inconviences us for 30 seconds. I'm put out.

I love Pikeville and Pike County. I was born here, make my home and living here, and I hope when the time comes to be given back to the earth, it will be on the side of a Pike County hill. I think we are a model for small communities throughout the nation. No, we are not perfect, but we have a lot going for us. I know everyone doesn't have city water, sewer, paved roads and the like, but I honestly believe we are ahead of the game for areas as geographically challenged as we are. What worries me is that I remember when Lexington was a tremendously "southern" city. People would make eye contact and smile, they spoke with an accent that was predominantly southern, they would give you a break in traffic and be courteous in general. Now, Lexington had might as well be any urban area in the country. It has lost its' charm. It's just another city. The more modern we become, the more we are acting like urban dwellers.

I consider myself tuned into these things because of my job. I'm bad to get lost in my thoughts and not speak to people in places where I should, or to wave at them in traffic. I don't do it intentionally, I just get lost in my head. Before I would have anybody think I'm stuck up or arrogant, I would go out onto the side of one of these hills and expedite my return to the earth. I wasn't raised thay way, I don't think that way nor will I conduct myself that way in any lucid moment. However, in trying to correct my own shortcomings I'm noticing that more of us are losing common respect. The more I drive, the more I shop, the more events I attend, the more I notice it. I'm bothered.

Look around. See if you don't agree. I could set here and write about specifics for hours, but it would only illustrate my experiences. How about yours? Are you seeing this? I guess the bottom line is this; clean up your own backyard like I'm trying to do. You'll notice in the beginning of this deal I said "us" not just "you or them". I guess that if I'm lost in my thoughts then I'm concentrating on me. I need to be even more considerate of others. I've often thought myself to be considerate, but the more of the words and thoughts I pour onto this page the more I realize that I am guilty too.

I will do better.

Will you? Please?

Stay tuned
Randy

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE!

Folks tell me that a blogs are supposed to be updated on a regular basis. O.K. agreed, but what do I write? I'm very surprised that management hasn't had anything to say about my tardiness in entering things here. I read other people's blogs on other sites and all I see is either stuff that's readily available on the internet or sophomoric ramblings that appear to be from Seventeen magazine.

I'm an expert rambler, but I always wonder who gives a hang about what I want to ramble about. What the heck; here goes.

Rambling #1. I stopped at a convenience store today. I just wanted a Gatorade, some smokes and a can of lighter fluid. Gatorade, no problem. Smokes, no problem. Lighter fluid...Holy God! Security has been breached! They told me that they didn't carry it anymore. Can you believe it? Just good ol' Zippo or Ronsonol or whatever? Said something about young people sniffing it or something like that. If they did carry it I would have to show I.D and all that crap. For a freakin' can of lighter fluid? I'll bet it's the meth manufacturing crap instead of the young people thing.

Rambling #2. Drugs. I hear it everyday until I get sick of hearing about the drug problem. It doesn't matter where I am or what setting I'm in, people are ranting about the drug problem. I am tempted to ask, yet afraid of coming off like a smart ass; what are you doing about it? I've done that a couple of times and the answer is always the same; nobody'll listen or I don't want to get mixed up in it or I have and they didn't do a doggone thing. Folks, we are becoming more empowered everyday with ways to do something about it. People will listen. If you don't want to get mixed up in it, then talk about the weather. You won't get mixed up in it either, you'll just suffer its consequences and move on, with your trap yapping all the way. UNITE and law enforcement agencies have ways to report drug activity anonymously. If you're afraid of the guy up the holler who is dealing death to the tune of thousands of dollars a day then report him anonymously. It can be done. 1-800-DOUNITE. Free call.

Rambling #3. I'm going to use this rambling to revisit rambling #2. A lot of the time the reason authorities don't do anything about the drug problem is because they are overwhelmed. It is like trying to control the gnat population. You can spray around the picnic table or on the front porch, and do some temporary good. You might get your hotdog eaten, but before long the gnats are back. When it comes time for the watermelon, the gnats are back again. All they do is fly over to the neighbor's picnic and when the smoke clears, they're ready for more action. If you and all the neighbors don't do something, then the problem just keeps buzzing.

Rambling #4. UNITE has a new concept that I find intriguing. Court Watch. It is citizens going to the local courts and observing the proceedings. What good does it do? In my opinion it does a couple of thing. First, it lets local officials know that citizens are watching what's going on. I happen to be acquainted with the four judges in Pike County that conduct matters involving drugs or crimes committed directly involving drug dealing. I respect and trust all four, having known them for many years. I think they are as appalled, if not more so, than most citizens with the state of affairs involving drugs, and they need to know they have support.

Secondly, it's kind of like when someone is in the studio with me, or maybe when someone is watching you do your job. You know your job, you're experienced at your job, you don't much care who watches you, but maybe just maybe, in a moment with an interested party viewing, you might take a little more pains to see that things are done right. I guarantee you that to a man these honorable jurists are doing exactly what they think is right and within the law, but they see hundreds a week, and no doubt, at some point their guard may be dropped, if only for a moment, yet dropped just the same. You may be the one set of eyes in that courtroom that they make contact with, and it may remind them that the citizens care for and appreciate the effort they give and the judgment they render.

If there's a subject, serious or not, that you want me to ramble about just send an e-mail to wdhr@wdhr.com. I'll ramble about it sooner or later.

Stay tuned
Randy