Mark Knows It All

We all know the old joke about Ohio’s four seasons: Almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction. Yes, it’s a groaner. But for the most part, it’s true; especially the construction part. For the past years, the construction season has been particularly aggravating, and it is getting worse. For the last five years, there hasn’t been a summer when I have had to dodge major construction projects getting from my house to work. I have reached the limit. The root of the problem is in the bridge improvement projects that seem to be multiplying like rabbits. For awhile, the bridges were collapsing around us. Now, they are in a continual state of repair. Not that that is a bad thing. After all, who wants to go wahoo off a bridge if it collapses? But can’t they get some sort of a plan where they don’t detour you from one bridge repair to another bridge repair to an intersection widening to a sewer project? Last summer in particular, you just couldn’t get anywhere from here…or there

When I started writing my web page articles several years ago, there would be weeks where I would have to struggle to find a topic. Political discourse was routine stuff, and much of it was boring. No more. America is changing before my eyes, and its citizens are blind to the dangers as long as the change is done to rock beat bumper music. If my generation screamed for drugs, sex, and rock n’ roll, we should be happy. That is all that will be left. The headlines are scaring me. When I hear Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, commenting on CNBC that he is scared, then there is reason to be concerned. What would have been taboo just a year ago, is the norm today. America voted for “change” this past election, but I don’t think it will like the change that it gets. Frightening headlines are ignored by the body politic. "FEDS TELL BANK OF AMERICA TO CHANGE ITS BOARD." "OBAMA FIRES GM CEO." "AUTO ADVISORY BOARD TELLS CHRYSLER TO CUT ITS ADVERTISING BUDGET BY

I received an email from a friend of mine last week reminding me to visit Poland Woods…NOW…because the Blue Bells were in bloom, and the peak time was limited. I have heard about this event for a number of years, and never remembered or had the chance to check it out. I had never even visited Poland Woods. I have to tell you, it was a real treat. My wife is the nature person in my family. For me, the outdoors is nice to look at through picture windows. Even when we go to Florida, the beach is best viewed from the balcony of a room serviced hotel room. But I have been feeling a tad blue (no pun intended) lately, and my wife said it would be good therapy to get some fresh air. What a treat it was. Poland Woods itself is a picturesque place complete with a suspension foot bridge over a lovely creek. We paid our respects to Mother Nature on Saturday morning, and pretty much had the entire place to ourselves, except for the guy walking his very large dog. To get to the Blue Bells, you have