A Gratitude Post #4

Gratitude today is for the opportunity to be alive, and have the sick leave I need to stay home and rest, when I cannot function adequately.  That is a multiple blessing, acquired from years of  hard work, not using sick leave unless I really needed it, and having a supervisor who understands my health problems.  Plus being ready to retire soon. 

A Small Thing

So, yesterday at work, I sought the help of my co-workers to distribute a set of word puzzles to my patients for the Thanksgiving holiday.  It is a small thing, but if you have little, you appreciate everything. As I was leaving from my ward today, I got "thumbs up" for the puzzles.  We never know what a small gesture might mean.

A Very Nice Appreciation

This year, but not every year, I am a season ticket holder for the Texas Tech Lady Raider basketball team http://www.texastech.com/index.aspx?path=wbball.  Recently, the team had a home game against the New Mexico Lobos http://golobos.com/index.aspx?path=wbball, which is a very good team.  After the game, season ticket holders were invited to attend a meet and greet, and have a Fuddruckers hamburger meal http://www.fuddruckers.com/.  Each table at the event had a player or coach assigned.  I sat at Zuri Sander's http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/players/45994/ table. Ms. Sanders was a most gracious, gregarious giving and open ambassador of her team and her sport. It was a very pleasant experience, and I am grateful to Texas Tech Lady Raider basketball for sponsoring the event. It was really fine. We even were able to talk to and thank Coach Whitaker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candace_Whitaker for the event!  Thanks Coach

How Was Your Day?

My niece is posting these comments about "this is what I did today, how was your day?"  Some of her comments are almost trivial, although they do make a statement. Today, I responded as follows:

A was instrumental in resolving a conflict in management procedures for patients housed on one of my pods at work. When I went to work this morning, I really did not have any tasks to do today, but as this situation evolved, I knew that was why I went to work today! Being a social worker is like that. 

I did not include that, as it happened the mothers of two of those clients called to check on them today.  It was nice to be able to assure their mothers that they were being treated in the most humane and appropriate way we could in a prison!

And, I did not add, that this week, I met with a patient who has been struggling with values of self-worth. He is not the only patient I saw this week who heard my comments about "you have value because you are you, because you exist.  That it does not matter what you do, what your crime is, what your sentence is or what your relationships are.  You have value because you are you. You have value to me, because you are a human being.  My job is to help you to continue to be so you can grow your value for you." 

Another patient I saw this week repeated back to me that he understood what I said about feeling good about giving 100%. That 100% varies from day to day, some days is lower and some days is higher, but on any given day, you give 100%. And you can appreciate yourself for always giving 100%.  This patient said he did not believe the coping skills I suggested would help him, but he did them anyway, and he was surprised by the help he received!

And, I met with a patient who was eager for help, and ready to try anything!  He said he tried the suggestion we gave him to improve his sleep, and it did!  He studied the stress management, relaxation and anger management materials he was given, and he realized that he did not have to solve his problems with verbal arguments and physical fights.

Okay, so a couple of weeks ago, I basically chastised several patients who really do not need hospitalization, have done nothing to help themselves, and are taking up beds needed by sicker patients.  I told them that my vote for treatment team was discharge. 

Since then, I have seen an increase in requests to review the self-help therapy materials we distribute. And an increase in these kind of positive comments.

And, before I did the chastising, one of the patients in that category told me he was working on the materials (on my dare) and was surprised that it helped!

So, these patients might be "blowing smoke" at me, and not really buying into the self help program we provide.  But even if they are "faking it till they make it" they are getting something out of the program. 

This is why I do what I do.  Many of my colleagues who have been at the facility where I have worked almost 20 years, many who have been there less, talk regularly about the fact that they cannot wait to be eligible for retirement. Many admit to being burned out. Some often ask me how I keep fresh after almost 20 years, and I tell them it is my commitment to do 100% at whatever level that  is, and the satisfaction that gives me that keeps me going. And, I acknowledge that I have my highs and lows, and need breaks and need to be revitalized.  But I take revitalization in the small things.  

I admit that there are other things, than work, that I want to do in life, but that is what annual leave is for.  When I get this kind of feedback from my patients, and even my colleagues that I was instrumental in helping them, I know I am doing what I need to do to be helping mankind, one person at a time.



 

Fallen Officer Ceremony

Today at work we had a Fallen Officer Ceremony https://www.odmp.org/agency/3822-texas-department-of-criminal-justice-texas.  This is a simple ceremony recognizing officers who have died in the line of duty since the last year.  This year, two were highlighted: they died in a bus accident transporting offenders from Abilene to El Paso http://www.oaoa.com/news/traffic_transportation/article_ecb9a086-9c05-11e4-8b48-5bab3838995d.html.

Usually, this ceremony starts with Amazing Grace played on bagpipes.  One year, we had real bag pipes.  Often, the rider-less horse with the boots pointing backwards is present. This year, the ceremony was inside due to the weather, so no horse. One year, the ceremony was moved inside at the last minute, so the rider-less horse was out in the rain seen through the windows. There are prayers, a short speech, and the reading of fallen officers names.  This varies.  Sometimes it is historical. Sometimes it is the list that have died in the line of duty for the agency, the state and/or the nation. 

The agency also sets a fallen officer table http://www.ehow.com/how_8721497_prepare-fallen-soldier-table.html in the foyer.

Tradition and ceremony is important to the place I work.  It might be corny, but I respect, admire, and appreciate tradition and ceremony, when it is purposeful and meaningful. This is purposeful and meaningful.  It shows respect for our downed colleagues. It reminds us that correctional work is dangerous, and we need to be careful. It honors those who have gone before us. 

Thank you for that.

Volunteer Appreciation

Tonight was the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock annual Volunteer Appreciation.  Over the years, this has evolved into many things, but currently is a nice social networking time, dinner, and awards and appreciation presentations.  The group that attends has always been small, but the effort has been to reach out to more people to attend, and to volunteer or donate.

I enjoy the opportunity to attend this activity.  I was invited for years, when I became a regular donor, but did not always feel comfortable about attending.  But I am comfortable about attending now. I am on the board of directors.  I do not know a lot of the volunteers, but I know some.  I know some staff, and of course the Bishop and the board members.

It was a very nice function tonight. It started too early for my preference: 6 PM. But it was done by 7:30 PM, although, of course people could stay to socialize.  The early ending accommodates the elderly volunteers who do not like to drive in the dark.

It is nice to acknowledge people who put a lot of time and effort into volunteering at the agency.

Well done!

I Should Have Done This Last Week

As the title says, I should have done this last week, but I did not.  I am remiss.  The regular reader will recall my post about the very good Wal-Mart Associate
http://lisenbylines.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2015-03-20 T22:53:00-05:00&max-results=7 .

I did send in the email about my experience, and how pleased I was.  It was some days later, March 25, 2015, when I had a voicemail message on my phone from Leslie at Wal-Mart. She said that it was not very often that they receive messages like the one I sent, and they would recognize Taileigh at their next meeting.

That is as it should be.

A Very Good Wal Mart Associate

I did my weekly shopping today at the Wal Mart on South Loop and Quaker in Lubbock.  It was "big stuff stock up day."  When I got to the check out register, Taileigh, the clerk, immediately said to leave the big stuff in the cart. I usually do this, but she even meant some of the smaller stuff, like a gallon of milk!

I had my own bags, including an insulated bag, and she asked about the cold stuff, and even recognized the bag has a zipper.  (I usually have to tell the clerks to put the cold stuff in the insulated bag, duh!).

Taileigh also asked me if I needed  carry out assistance.  I thanked her but told her I was okay.

What Taileigh did not know is that I have back problems, and with therapy I can now lift up to 30 lbs. safely, but there was a time when that was a problem.  I am careful not to buy any "big stuff" over 30 lbs.

Anyway, I told Taileigh that I like how she did her job, and I wanted to let her supervisor know the same, and be sure to let Taileigh know that she did a really good job for me today!
Thank you.

I sent this message to Wal Mart tonight. I was very impressed with this young lady. Thank you, Taileigh

The Day The World Came to Town

The Day The World Came To Town by Jim DeFede.  I think I have written about this book before http://www.amazon.com/The-Day-World-Came-Town/dp/0060559713.  This is the story of the multiple international airline flights that landed in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, after the 9/11/2001 terroristic attacks on the United States resulted in the closing of the USA airspace.

We were talking about non-mystery books tonight at the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club. Somehow, I brought this book up.  I was amazed that none of the members had read or even heard about the book.  I will share it with them.

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/.  I generally try to do something to recognize the honorees on a patriotic holiday.  I did not today. I did not get the day as a holiday at work.

I did go to a patriotic concert last Friday. And, I did think about the veterans and their sacrifices today.   That is weak.  It is what it is.

My Best Friend

I just spent a couple of hours talking to my best friend on the phone on Saturday. I met her when we were freshman in college, in 1970. 

While our communications have waxed and waned over the years, our friendship has not, and if there is a break in communications, we seem to pick up where we left off.  I am so thankful and grateful she is my friend.

She reads my blog, so I know she will see this.  I am glad.  I hope I am not ever remiss in telling her how much I appreciate and love her.

Memorial Day, and Honoring Our National Heroes

This was on PBS on Memorial Day:  http://video.pbs.org/video/2318014363/  If you did not see it, it is well worth watching.  It talks about how there was not a way to bury and acknowledge the war dead during the The War Between the North and the South (I purposefully chose not to call it the Civil War or the War of Northern Aggression), and how, out of that grew the national recognition we now have for our veterans, deceased and serving.

Amazingly, but understandably, the recording, remembrances, and honoring of the dead was most attributed to the slaves and freed slaves. Honoring the dead, black or white,  was more important to them than to the Anglos at the time.  Also, it was due to the hard physical labor of the blacks that the bodies of the deceased were dug up and re-interned or otherwise recognized.  We had much to learn from the culture of the Afro-Americans, even then, that we ignored.

But this time resulted in the establishment of National Cemeteries.  And the acknowledgement of the war dead as national heroes.  President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address: http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm contributed so much to this recognition.

I agree with my niece it would be nice if we did not have to recruit and send our citizens in harm's way for the protection of our country.  Sometimes, as with the Native Americans, our efforts have been less than honorable.  Yet, also look at how many Native Americans have served the greater good of this nation.  Sometimes, with our more recent wars and conflicts, we have been the aggressors, often in an attempt to keep the aggression off our continent, or so we think. Do you want more attacks like the ones on the World Trade Center? Or the Pentagon? Or the airplane over Pennsylvania?

Although I would like to not have a military force and see us send our citizens in harm's way, I am a realist, and I am not sure that is possible.  And, harm's way can be recovery and rescue missions in the face of other types of tragedy as well as war: natural disaster, internal disruptive incidents of horrific result.  And, I am glad those forces are there to help when these incidents occur.

I am not ashamed to thank people for their military service on behalf of our country.  I also thank policemen, firemen, EMTs, and corrections officers.  We do not appreciate how important that is. I called the fire department a couple of years ago: At about 10 PM, my furnace motor burned up, and I was concerned that it might have started a smoldering fire in the heater closet. 911 dispatch  told me to vacate the house, and sent 3 fire trucks.  The firemen swarmed through my house, checked the heater closet, the pump outside, the electric line connections, the roof, the back yard, the fuse box (I had to go back inside to show them where it was) and the attic.  I apologized for the false alarm when nothing was found.  They told me they would much rather I call before I had a problem than wait till I woke up in the middle of the night with a problem. I took that sincerely.  I did not get a bill.  

Local police, county, state and national police (FBI) are the equivalent of the military forces in our country. What would happen if we had none of that in place, last year, on April 15, 2013, at the end of the Boston Marathon.  How do you prevent further destruction?  That broke my heart.   

We do not want to put lives on the line. But the reality is, lives are constantly being put on the line. Sometimes it is military, sometimes it police, fire, EMT.  Sometimes it is people who work on ambulance services, helicopter ambulances, and even teachers and social workers.

What I came away within from watching this show is that we are a nation that has learned a very difficult lesson, and have had to learn it more than once, that it is very important to acknowledge, recognize, honor and revere our public servants, no matter what role they have. We have learned to acknowledge them by monuments, cemeteries, ceremonies, rituals, medals.  Most recently, our communities have reached out and are starting to acknowledge them by special programs, services, and commerical and business options. 

Also, most recently I am aware of the scandal of the problems in the Veteran's Administration regarding of the veteran's health care system: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2014/05/15/a-guide-to-the-va-health-care-controversy/.  I do not know the truths of the Veteran's Administration Health Care System.  I want to believe it is well intentioned. But this is not the first time the VA has had a black eye regarding veteran's health care. Note this story about Veteran's Health care in 2003 http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/05/25/loc_VAhealthcare.html.  The point is we constantly need to strive to be sure that our Veterans receive the benefits and assistance they truly deserve.

And, I am so proud that this is a part of our national heritage.  I am not familiar with other countries. I wonder how this is handled in other countries.  It may be better, and we may have more to learn from other countries.  It is my dearest hope we are doing everything we can to help and acknowledge our service providers.

Memorial Day Commemoration

I went to the Memorial Day Service at the City of Lubbock Cemetery http://www.kcbd.com/story/25611710/memorial-day-service-to-be-held-at-city-of-lubbock-cemetery. There were 3 ceremonies at 10 AM today, and a Catholic Mass at 11 AM.  It is unfortunate they plan the ceremonies to conflict with each other, but it is good that there are plenty of options for people to attend.

The crowd was small today.  That may be a function of the other available options.  I think it may also have been a function of the overnight rain, and the continued rain clouds in the sky.  People in West Texas do not do rain well. 

The ceremony was brief.  A prayer, the posting of the colors, "The Star Spangled Banner", the Pledge of Allegiance, the featured speaker, who was on an Honor Flight, closing remarks, including recognitions, and the singing of "God Bless America."  The group was invited to join in, and we did.

The rains was noted as a blessing.  Veterans and their families were recognized.

I am watching the Red Sox vs. Braves on TV.  At 3 PM, Eastern Time, the game was halted for a moment of silence, and a commemorative video, per order of President Obama.  I thought it was a nice touch.

I will watch the Yankee vs. Cardinals game next.  

It is pretty out: grey, cool, but nice.

Premium TV - We Did it To Ourselves

When the "premium channels" for TV came out however many years ago that was, people bought into the idea.  They could get new movies and special programming for an additional fee. So, they paid.  Maybe the mentality was that it was like paying for going to a movie.  I remember that mentality. We did it a few times when there was a special sporting event in the late 70's or early 80's.  We would generally have a party, and everyone chipped in to cover the fee.  We did HBO for a while, but found the selections too limited for the price.

So, more and more, many of the sporting and special events on TV are on premium channels.  You have to subscribe to the "sports level package" or the higher than basic satellite package. Or some other subscription service. The NFL channel. The Yankee channel. The NBA channel. The MBL channel. And, stupid, we do it. 

What would  happen if people stopped paying for these extra premium channels, and said, "No thanks, I'll stick with the basic, and when you do not offer quality programming, I will turn to alternative entertainment: board games (not online premium games), card games, dominoes,  books, music, conversation, or hobbies that do not involve media.  Or, I will go to a movie at a movie theater. Or a local concert. Or play. Or, whatever.

Well, of course, this will never happen.

I often question if I really get my money's worth of the Cable service I use.  I like the access to NASCAR events, which, so far, do not require a special network access, and the Weather Channel, the programming of which has gone done hill, now that they do not offer continuous weather but they offer canned programs (yuck).

I blame the consumer.  The supply is out there, and we watch this schlocky stuff instead of tuning out and finding something better to watch.

I am as guilty as the next person.

Over the last 8 or 9 years, I have become more discriminatory about what I watch on TV. I do not have the TV on for background noise, as I used to do many, many years ago.  I use other media including books (they are media) CDs, DVDs, and because I have a good turntable, vinyl, for my entertainment.

The Countrymen

I recently finished reading the book, The Countrymen by Bo Lidegaard.  This is a story about the Jews in Denmark during World War II. It tells about how the Danish people responded to the German threats against the Jews. It tells about how the Danish non-government responded to the German threats against the Jews. And it tells about how the country came together to help the Jews escape, as best they could to Sweden. And how Sweden opened its arms to the Jews, and offered material assistance to those who helped them to escape Denmark, when the Germans were trying to deport them to the concentration camps.

Years ago, I had heard what I learned was a myth, about when the Germans decreed that the Jews wear a gold star, as they had in other countries, everyone in Denmark, including King Christian, wore a star. Well, others smarter that I thought that to be the truth. It was not, but it exemplified the Danish attitude: they were countrymen all.

This is an amazing story about democracy, attitude, defiance, and politics. 

All of the countrymen who helped the Jews were so brave. And, as the story is written, it seems most of them did not think about being brave. They seemed to think about doing the right thing and being humanitarian. 

What a lesson we can learn.  There are still so many mass injustices in the world.  This is a lesson for us that when people step up, and do not back down to bullying and tyranny and hatred, but do the right thing, that something good can happen.

Mariano Rivera

Today was Mariano Rivera day at Yankee Stadium http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=121250#gameType='R'&sectionType=career&statType=2&season=2013&level='ALL'.

In case you do not know, Mariano Rivera has been the stellar closer for the New York Yankees, and his career with them has continued since 1995, with a lay by in 2012 for an injury.  He is retiring, and at Yankee Stadium today, there was a tribute to him.

This year he has done a farewell tour, and has been honored at each baseball stadium during his last scheduled game at the stadium. He was honored at the All Star game, also.

Mariano RIvera, affectionately, called Mo, is a gentleman of class and and high moral characer. Outside of baseball, he is devoted to improving his home town, Puerto Camito, in Panama.  

Mariano Rivera is the last baseball player who wears the number 42, which was Jackie Robinson's http://www.jackierobinson.com/ number. You will remember that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1947, being the first black player to play Anglo professional baseball.  His number was retired April 15, 1997, and every April 15 is celebrated as Jackie Robinson day.

It was fitting the the wife and daughter of Jackie Robinson, Rachel and Sharon,  were at the ceremony today, and their on field escort was Robinson Canó  If Jackie Robinson had not broken the color barrier, Mariano Rivera would not have been able to play professional baseball, and be revered as a hero.  And, Robinson Canó http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson_Can%C3%B3 was named after Jackie Robinson.

The baseball game was aired nationally on TBS http://www.tbs.com/?SR=tbs&SR=tbs.  Frequently, when there are pre-game activities honoring people, the highlights of these ceremonies are broadcast.  TBS broadcast most of the pre-game ceremonies live, which is a statement regarding the reverence the sports industry has for Mariano Rivera.

What a man!

Context is So Important

I know I have mentioned before how much I enjoy the movie "Desk Set" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050307/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm.  This is the story of a research department for a network facing computerization in 1957, and being concerned about computers taking over jobs. It is also a romance, and a story about not discussing take overs to prevent changes in stock values.  Do these issues sound familiar?

There is a line in the movie that did not make a whole lot of sense to me.  Peg Costello, the Joan Blondell character, is describing Richard Sumner, the Spencer Tracy character, who is the computerization fiend. She makes the comment that she thinks he is one of those men who had recently started drinking vodka. 

Today, I was listening to a story on NPR about soju, an alcoholic beverage from Korea http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/09/22/224522548/move-over-vodka-korean-sojus-taking-a-shot-at-america. The story reflects Korea's efforts to increase the market for soju in the United States. The story comments on the fact that until the 1950's, vodka was not very popular or common in the United States. I grew up thinking vodka was a common alcoholic beverage. What do I know.  But it explains the comment in the movie.

I think about this.  I wonder how much more rich a literary or cinematic  experience would be if the consumer has a thorough knowledge of the customs, habits, and culture of the times. If historical information and events are known by the audience. We miss a lot otherwise, but sometimes, it cannot be helped.

Reminiscing

Sadly, the father of a co-worker died last night. He had been ill for quite some time, and he had been in Hospice care.  He had been in a care home, as my co-worker needed to work, but needed him tended to. Some few weeks ago, she moved him back home.  He perked up for a while when he first moved home, but most recently went into a coma, and peacefully, as she described it, died.  For that, I am thankful.

That, and the sharing at work today of how my ancestors Anglicized their names, has awoken in me some very wonderful memories about my parents and grandparents.  I have been sitting here, listening to some very good music, and telling myself stories about my family.  Memories that I cherish and exemplify the best of my family. 

I do not go down memory lane very frequently.  But when I do, I try to find the pearls and gems that I most appreciate. And those have come to me tonight.

I am so thankful that I have a warm, full, rich store of memories of my family. 

Jackie Robinson, A Biography

As I have previously mentioned, I went to see 42: The Jackie Robinson Story twice at the movie theater. This from someone who rarely goes to see a movie.  I was very interested in the accuracy of the events, and found myself picking up a book at the library: Jackie Robinson, A Biography by Arnold Rampersad.

As I read about his entry into baseball, I was pleased to see that the incidents depicted in the movie were fairly well depicted in accord with the book.  And, now, as I have finished the book, I was really, really struck by the fact that Jackie Robinson really was the right man, a man with a mission, to integrate baseball.

The incident that lead to his court-martial in the US Army indicated he was will to fight for integration and racial equality.  The life he lived after baseball demonstrated to what an extent he took that on as his life's mission. It is a part of the Jackie Robinson story that most of us do not hear about.  

This was a very good book. 

American Museum of Agriculture

Sort of on the spur of the moment, I decided to go to the American Museum of Agriculture http://www.agriculturehistory.org/  this afternoon. I say, sort of on the spur of the moment, because I have not been through the inside of this museum, nor the American Wind Power Center and Museum, although I have walked their grounds previously.  So, I have been thinking for years, that at some point, I will tour these museums.

Because I found myself with some time, and the American Museum of Agriculture is not open on Sunday or Monday, I opted to tour this museum today.  I am on vacation, so touring a museum is a vacation sort of activity.

The last time I toured the grounds of the museum, it was next door to the American Wind Power Center and Museum (which was then The American Windmill Museum.)  It has moved north, across Broadway Avenue.  It sits on a hill,  with an imposing winding drive to approach it, and is in a large barn like structure with lots of old farm machinery placed on the very large grounds.  The drive is lined by old farm equipment, much of it rusting, and mostly, tractors. Touring the grounds, technically does not require an entry fee.

The building is expansive.  It is not air conditioned per se, but had big "porta cooler" fans that sit on the floor and ran periodically.  It also had large overhead ceiling fans. One of it's garage doors was partially open, as was the entrance door.  Although Lubbock was hot today, there was a good cooling breeze, and even in my back yard, in the shade, it was almost comfortable. The building was comfortable.

This was an interesting experience:  Much of the museum is devoted to tractors, and many old but restored tractors are on display inside. There is a lot of other farm equipment on display, mostly dealing with cotton farming.  So, why was this not called the American Museum of Cotton Agriculture.  Doing a Google search, there are other museums that highlight cotton farming.  Hmmm. I did not see a museum called "The Cotton Farming Museum."  But there were some displays about harvesting and bundling wheat at a the AMA.

Well, anyway, the experience was good.  In addition to the farm equipment, there is a room to depict tractor repair and another that depicts "blacksmithing" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacksmith which has evolved today to not be horseshoeing, which is done by a farrier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farrier, but is wrought iron and/or steel forging.  Yet, Google blacksmith, and three horseshoeing sites show up in Lubbock.

I digress.  I enjoyed 8 of 10 of the short videos they have (2 were not working.)  Some were historical. One demonstrated cotton from field to finished bale. I love watching shows on The History Channel http://www.history.com/ that show how things are made.  I think factory tours (or operating winery tours, bottling company tours, etc.) are interesting.  I like to see how things are made or done.   Again, I digress.

One of the videos was some 31 minutes long: It was produced by John Deere http://www.deere.com/wps/dcom/globalhome/deerecom/global_home.page many years ago. It was about delivering a tractor and instructing the farmer on its use and care.  It reminded me what I learned in college as a pre-veterinarian major that farmers had to be more than  horticulturists or animal husbandryman.  They had to be mechanics, woodworkers, fence builders, economists, scientists, businessmen, recyclers, and who knows what else.  But the care of this tractor was a little complex to me.  But it was fun to watch the video.

There was a room filled with pedal tractors and miniature tractors.  I had completely forgotten that we had a pedal tractor and attachable trailer when we were growing up.  I looked, and saw one that looked close to what I recall, but not exactly.  I know ours was red. I was amazed at how many pedal tractors there were.

There was a corner of farm "paraphernalia."  Old china, old kitchenware, quilts, utensils,  including butter chruns, laundry day utensils (washtubs and washboards), flat irons, and pictures of chores on the farm.  It was just a hodgepodge, and maybe someday, someone will make a real display of this aspect of farm life. 

The museum sparked a controversy when they used two stuffed mules http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2012-09-17/stuffed-mules-be-used-museum-exhibit for one of their displays. This is said and done. What can I say.

So, overall this was a pleasant afternoon.  There were very few other visitors, and most came and went while I was still there. I have to believe the museum makes its keep on field trips from schools.  I was there a very long time.  So long, the volunteer docent came back to check on me.  He and another docent answered my questions and asked me to sit with them while I asked my questions.  And gave me a tutorial of the economics of modern farming.  Which is really kind of sad.

This was a fun afternoon for me. If you live in Lubbock and have not been to the American Museum of Agriculture, I will say it is worth one visit, if not more, depending on what might change in the exhibits. If you are not a resident of Lubbock, but will be here at some time, and are looking for something to do, this might be fun. The entry fee is $5, or $10 for a family of 4, so it is not expensive.  You can spend 40 minutes or several hours, as I did.