Last weekend, as I stood in front of those attending the celebration of life services for my brother Tom, I couldn’t help but notice the tears on the face of a dark-haired women among those attending. I had not yet met this beautiful women, so I had no idea who she was.
Knowing that some of Tom’s former students would be in attendance, I was not surprised when she came up to me after the service, with tears still in her eyes, and introduced herself — Ana Claudia, one of Tom’s former students. We embraced with the affection of dear friends seeing one another after years of being apart. For Ana, I was channeling Couch Turner, something that is second-nature for me since my brother and I are kindred spirits. We talked, drifting from the present to the past and back, her tears of joy still on her face.
As we talked and hugged, Ana shared something she had posted on Facebook after the death of Coach Turner:
I don’t often share my feelings on here,
but today I have a good reason to do so.
I’ve often thought about how blessed I am
for having had tough but kind coaches
and mentors throughout my life.
I am grateful beyond words
that good-hearted people took time
to help keep a poor immigrant kid from the hood
on a path towards a positive life
that included the desire to give back or pay it forward.
I know most of you didn’t know him but in honor of him,
I want to say that among all of those good people
none made more of a difference
in my life than this good man — Coach Turner.
He passed away yesterday and now,
here I sit openly weeping still, smiling,
and remembering him not only as a coach,
but also as a mentor, a defender, a family friend, and even a father.
I’ll never forget you Coach Turner. Thank you from my heart.
— Ana Claudia
I have no doubt that her words are shared by so many of his former students. He was a special man who liked using the power of his vocabulary to impress those around him, but for Tom his ability to share his feeling was more powerful the words. Like all of us, he had his demons, but above all, “Bobby”, my little brother, knew the value of caring and sharing.
In the form of a elegy, I share the last two stanzas from Federico Garcia Lorca’s, “A Dream of Life”:
No one knows you. No one. But I sing you — sing your profile and your grace, for later on. The signal ripeness of your mastery. The way you sought death out, savored its taste. The sadness just beneath your gay valor.
Not soon, if ever, will Andalusia see so towering a man, so venturesome. I sing his elegance with words that moan and remember a sad breeze in the olive groves.
A few postings back, I posted the above photo, which I took off Facebook, of daughter Kate alone the Del Mar, California shore. I did a little Photoshop work on the photo, but wasn’t pleased — still I posted it because I like the captured image of Kate.
Later, I ask Kate if she could send me the original, which she did — much better, containing more pixels than the one I got off Facebook. I know Kate uses filters on many photos she shares on Facebook and she may have in this case — I didn’t ask.
It’s so easy to capture the moment, but often the user is thinking about sharing the moment rather than taking a quality photograph to share. Once a quality photo is captured, which Kate’s friend did, then you can use filters and third-party camera apps to share quality images you have captured.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that whatever camera you may use to capture the moment, the best camera is always the one you have with you. So, think taking good photographs and not snapshots.
Those who follow my blog may not believe this, but I do work at improving my grammar and spelling — like I even get daily email’s from Daily Writing Tips. Still, at this elderly age, I remain what educators refer to as a “low potential, high achiever” student. My goal is to learn something new each day — a continuous process of improving.
When I was much younger I would become embarrassed when the Grammar Nazis would correct me. But, in time I learned that there is a positive side of embarrassment — now I urge corrective feedback.
Mistakes open the door to creativity, just don’t let your pride get in the way.
As an active social media user, I find this infographic very informative. Even though we may think that the use of social media is a youth thing, almost 50% of the users are over 45 years of age — interesting!
Nicholas & Katie – “28 Weeks” — Image created from Katie’s photo on Facebook
Katie has placed images of herself at various stages of pregnancy since the eighth week. In her 28th week she also did one with Nicholas, from which I created the above image. Click here to see her images.
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On June 6, 2009, posting on Paul Ruffin being selected as the Texas poet laureate, I wrote: “As a member of the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council (MCLAC) and close friend of founder, Dave Parsons, it was with mixed emotions that we received the news Paul’s being named the new Texas poet laureate, an honor for which both were finalists.” Although the irony of Dave having nominated Paul can’t go unnoticed, Dave would have it no other way. We are blessed to have both these great writers living in Montgomery County, fast becoming a literary hub.” So NOW MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAS TWO TEXAS POET LAUREATES! Yes, I just learned from a Facebook entry posted by Nancy Parsons, Dave’s wife, about this great news. This recognition is indeed a most deserving honor for my dear friend, Dave. CONGRATULATIONS!
I subscribe to the blog, Scriptor Obscura. This morning she shared a video posted on the Facebook page, “The Sagan Series.” If you are looking for some “food for thought,” this just might be more than many can chew. This series was first broadcast on PBS in 1980 and it is still generating plenty of discussion today — sometimes, with little civility. Like almost all of Sagan’s work, it’s a great video.
The Houston music community is in shock over the sudden lost of Mean Gene Kelton. Not only will talent be missed, but even more so will be his rare ability to give of himself and share his passion for life. This is way those of us who loved his music also loved the man — a combination rare among many artists.
Now it’s our turn to show our respect and love by demonstrating our ability to return the favor. Like so many musicians Gene didn’t have insurance to cover the expenses his family will incur.
This blog, as well as Gene’s friends on Facebook will pass on information on how you can help. For starters, the Die Hards will be playing the previously schedule New Years Eve afternoon party tomorrow at Rowdy Bucks.
Stay tuned!
kenne
P.S. FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MEAN GENE:VIEWING: Tues. Jan 4th @Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home: 6123 Garth Rd., Baytown 12-7 family will be there from 4-7…..SERVICE: Wed. Jan. 5th 6:00 pm @ Houston Raceway Park, 2525 FM 565, Baytown Uncle Dave Lancon Presiding…In lieu of flowers; Donations can be made to one of the 4 Die Hard Charities:Harley’s Angels, St. Jude, BACA (Bikers against Child Abuse) or Texas Equusearch.
Everyday I ask people to become “friends,” “follow-me,” etc, resulting in, “Why?”
One of the groups I belong to is a book club, The Society of The 5th Cave, and now we are Twittering — well, some of us are. Since we are mostly older generation guys, it’s not easy to Twitt just because one of us puts 5thCave on Twitter.
Today I received another one of those “Why?” questions. What following is my response:
Good question. Here are some reasons why you need Twitter:
1. Easily link with people sharing common interests i.e., reading, book clubs, etc.
2. Quickly share club information and history.
3. Have interactive dialog on books selections.
4. Others can follow the 5thCave and learn about our reading list and reviews.
5. The social media group provides an element of trust because of our knowledge of one another.
6. Provide avenues for choosing to link (follow) other like minded people.
7. The are many other reasons for using Twitter, i.e.:
• Identify potential clients, news sources, leads, etc
• Find a job
• Build brand awareness
• Make money
• To get news and information
• Drive viewers to blog or website
. . .but may not apply to 5thCave.
To be a part of the Twitter 5thCave, one needs to register on Twitter.comand start following 5thCave.
Twitter is just one of many social media sites that allow people to network, which is fundamental to being human, but make use of technology to network.
The real negative of Twitter is you will need to check your site, which will contain postings on 5thCave if you are following 5thCave. What shows up on your site are the posting of those you are following — so the choices are all yours.
Hope this is helpful.
I would like to hear your comments on why you use social media.
Thinking out loud today, “what is bad is good,” and “what is good is bad” — good reports out today and the market goes down. Maybe to understand this game, or to be able to play it successfully, you have to be a Pinball Wizard —
“That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball.”
Ana Claudia 
Coach Turner
Turner with some of his track students
Original Image of Kate in the Surf
Facebook Image
Becoming is Superior to Being 
t
Source: Bob Lucas Facebook Page
Source: wikimedia.org
Those who follow my blog may not believe this, but I do work at improving my grammar and spelling — like I even get daily email’s from Daily Writing Tips. Still, at this elderly age, I remain what educators refer to as a “low potential, high achiever” student. My goal is to learn something new each day — a continuous process of improving.
When I was much younger I would become embarrassed when the Grammar Nazis would correct me. But, in time I learned that there is a positive side of embarrassment — now I urge corrective feedback.
Mistakes open the door to creativity, just don’t let your pride get in the way.
kenne
(Dedicated to brother, Thomas R. Turner.)
Grammar Nazi
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