Lincoln’s birthday

Personal Note: Sampling March Madness in February

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Crawford tourney champs, 6th grade girls

Crawford tourney champs, 6th grade girls

March Madness arrived early in Crawford on Saturday.  Two of our three kids played in a basketball tournament hosted by our school.  This meant we had six games between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with a pair of games going on simultaneously in two different gyms.

Since my kids have banned me from cheering (loudly) for them during games – “mom, your voice carries over everyone else’s!” (my mom’s did too!) – I’ve gotten in the habit of bringing earbuds with me so I can listen Hillsdale online courses on demand.  Whether you’re a history buff or concerned citizen I highly recommend these lectures.  Hillsdale College is a liberal arts college founded with principles that connect it to the American founding and these guys know their stuff!  The online courses are free, though I try to make a donation each time I register for one, because the college does not receive any federal funding.  (No strings attached to further the indoctrination of the bureaucratic state).  These lectures have become a staple of my daily routine, replacing Fox News and El Rushbo.  I do, occasionally, tune into these media outlets but when I feel myself becoming too depressed, despairing, or anxious, I switch to one of my favorite Hillsdale lectures as they help me focus on the positives actions I’m taking to improve the current state of affairs.

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Watching the kids’ basketball games Saturday presented me with such an occasion.  I find that if I’m listening to a lecture during a game I’m able to keep my emotions in-check and my voice in the appropriate “decibel range” (all the while learning and being inspired) – a “win-win” for everyone!  In doing so, I was reminded of what some of our best presidents (hint:  they have February birthdays) had to say about liberty, America, and the human heart.  Given it’s February, with both Valentine’s and President’s days looming, it seems fitting to highlight some of their thoughts.  Subsequent blog posts will do just that.

By the way, both teams took first place in their respective basketball divisions!

p.s.  I’ll have to forfeit the competition for “Mom of the Year” as I can only find a picture of my daughter’s team! Sorry Ty:(

Personal Note: Amazing Coincidence or Divine Sign at Office Depot Today?

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I ran into Office Depot today to get some nice, resume quality paper – something I like to keep on hand .  Though I didn’t have a particular brand in mind I wanted it to have a good look and feel, preferably 100% cotton and ivory in color.  I found a box that met my requirements, grabbed it, and rushed over to checkout.  As the cashier bagged my purchase, the box flipped over and I caught a glimpse of Abraham Lincoln printed on the back of the packaging.  I was instantly transfixed but snapped out of it as I felt the cashier’s impatient gaze.  I hurriedly paid, while commenting that I was a history buff and couldn’t wait to find out why Lincoln’s picture was on the box!

When I got in my car, I pulled out the paper and feasted my eyes on the following:

Inscription on a box of Southworth paper I purchased today.

Inscription on the box of Southworth paper I purchased today.

The message beside Lincoln’s image reads:  “WHAT MESSAGE DOES YOUR DOCUMENT CONVEY?  For generations, people have been relying on Southworth papers to provide greater impact to their ideas.  In fact, President Lincoln chose Southworth paper to accept Stephen Douglas’s invitation to debate, documenting the seriousness and historic nature of the event. . .”

While I recognize that only those closest to me – those who have shared the 2 1/2 year journey of bringingThe Liberty Brand (TLB)  to life- can fully appreciate the impact of this revelation, I , nevertheless, couldn’t resist sharing and noting it.  That it occurred in February, mere days away from Lincoln’s birthday, amplified its impact.  Lincoln’s understanding of the relationship between the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence is central to The Liberty Brand’s message.

Canvas of promotional poster highlighting the choice America faces today

Canvas of promotional poster highlighting the choice America faces today

In fact, at Christmas my sister-in-law presented me with a canvas of a promotional poster designed to capture these sentiments and serve as a focal point in TLBCo.’s flagship shop.