What's Your Excuse, Now?

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Brighter Days Will Come!

On days of sorrow,

one spirit sees a bright, sunny sky.

While another touches

a dark and lonely one.

 

One person rejoices that the inevitable is over,

no more suffering and pain.

Yet, another is wondering 

what is there to gain?

 

Joy will come one unexpected morning,

after moments of sorrow.

Long after the loss is gone,

there is still hope for today.

 

When you put people in their place,

remember yours.

Monday, September 11, 2023

Rest In Peace Anthony! You Are Loved!

Mr. Anthony Ray Litman departed this life on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at National Health Care of Anderson, SC.  Anthony Litman was born December 3, 1954, to the late Robert Litman and Willie Lee Crosby Litman.

 

He was a graduate of T.L. Hanna High School.  He worked in the textile industry.

 

He leaves to cherish his sisters, Teresa A. Hunt of Anderson, SC, Patricia M. Litman of Anderson, SC, Audrey Mattress (Jimmy) of Anderson, SC; brothers, Robert L. Litman, Jr. (Crystal) of Anderson, SC, Patrick B. Litman of Anderson, SC, Dewayne Litman of Anderson, SC, and Gregory R. Litman of Anderson, SC; nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jonathan Litman; aunts, Josephine McCullough and Mamie Gaines, Savannah White; uncles, Theodore Crosby, Kale Crosby, Frank Crosby, Elijah Litman, Dennis Litman, and James “Gent” Litman; grandparents, Hattie Crosby, Kale Crosby, Janie Rose Litman, and Elijah Litman.

 

Acknowledgments from the Family: Words cannot express the depth of our love and appreciation for the many acts of kindness shown during the illness and passing of our dear loved one.  Your prayers, food, visits, calls, cards, and kind words gave us great comfort and support.  May God’s blessings be yours forever.  Please continue to pray for our strength.

 

Family, friends, and others whose lives were touched by Anthony Ray Litman during his life’s journey are invited to celebrate his life on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Royal Baptist Church, Anderson, SC with the interment to follow at Westview Cemetery, Anderson, SC.

 

Public viewing will be on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at The Unity Mortuary of Anderson.

 

The family is at 508 South Jefferson Avenue, Anderson, SC 29621.

 

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Don't Let the Neanderthals Get To You!

            I had a very pleasant Labor Day Weekend.  People everywhere I went were kind and cordial, which was surprising.  I didn’t go to many places, but when I went to the grocery stores, I was greeted, and even in department stores, I was acknowledged.  I entered a battery store for my watch and was greeted and helped.  I thought of the song “Today Was a Good Day” by Ice Cube.  Even the streetlights were in my favor.  Heavenly Ham made my ham sandwich precisely the way I wanted.  I have to say that most of the people that I crossed paths with were considerate.

            

            All was well until I took my wife to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  Most humans hold the door for each other when they see another party following them into an establishment.  Out of respect for the woman, we usually hold the door until we see the man, if he is with her, reach for the door.  After all, we hold the door for our women, why not be considerate to others?  In this case, “Dorq,” the Neanderthal (I didn’t want to give him any name), waited until my wife got to the door to walk away.  My intuition told me that “Dorq” was not a human and moved quickly enough to catch the door in time before it closed in her face.  Either he wasn't aware that she was behind him or didn't care, I was prepared for a resolution.  Instead, my wife told me to let it go in such a way that I was not going to ruin her afternoon.  However, I watched closely where we were going to be seated because I did not want to be near “Dorq.”

 

            After a pleasant lunch, since it was a beautiful day, we went to the Riverfront to walk off the wonderful meal and my ire.  I felt 100% better after our 4-mile walk.  Yes, I still had a good day.  People will be who they are.  Don't let one "Dorq" ruin a good day.

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Train Riding in the Georgia Mountains on the Blue Ridge Scenic Rail Road!



 



After Storms Comes Fresh Air And Clear Days!


I am not surprised by the lack of empathy many Christians show towards foreign and domestic issues. We have become desensitized to crises and accept them as inevitable.  It often seems we will do nothing, and those with money and power use their influence to deceive the public.

 

People will always have concerns and issues.  We worry about family, new neighbors, jobs, politicians, traffic, and health, to name a few anxious moments.  Some of us worry about the radical right not addressing the violent threats made by the MAGA followers towards government officials involved with the Trump indictments.  I remember how concerned the radical right was about the liberal left Antifas and the Black Lives Matter Movement.  Are the Republicans afraid of the Nazi-like monsters they created by following Trump?  Or, more afraid of not being reelected?  The Klan was formed after Reconstruction to promote fear, hate, division, and superiority.  After the Civil War, the founder, Nathan Bedford Forrest, couldn’t disband the Klan; they had become too powerful, and the group was uncontrollable.  Hate can be overpowering in its darkness.  Trump tapped into that hatred, kept the Civil War regrets heated, and Republicans ran on his coattails to get elected.  Europeans left indentured servitude to come to America for freedom.  Ironically, their descendants put other people in chains and took away freedom that didn’t look like them.

 

I've heard that Trump is complaining about double standards, but he didn't consider this when pushing the "Lock Her Up" slogan about Hillary Clinton.  As President, he appointed Republican judges to the courts with support from Congress, using the Evangelicals as a shield.  Trump aspires to be like a dictator and clearly thinks he's above the law, yet he claims to be a victim.  He's an adult used to getting his way and well-versed in lying.  If you repeat a lie enough times, people will eventually believe it.

 

America has a growing peace movement as people unite against extremism.  Women are tired of old white men telling them what to do with their bodies, and the young are tired of seeing the same old men in positions of authority not listening to them.  People who have been ignored for too long are now standing up to be recognized.  Students want to know America's history, even if it is disgusting, humiliating, and embarrassing.  Policies should not be beneficial only for those who make the laws; they should be beneficial for all, and partisan beliefs should be kept out.


Malachi 3:5-7 Bible New International Version

 

5.  So I will come to put you on trial.  I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.

 

6.  “I, the Lord, do not change.  So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.  7.  Ever since the time of your ancestors, you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.  Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

This, Too, Shall Pass!

               I admit that living is complicated, but it’s all we have.  At least, we have several opportunities to improve it.  Nothing ca...