Washington--The Actions Make the Man

"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy."

– George Washington

"The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and respectable stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions."
– George Washington

While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case they are answerable.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Benedict Arnold, Sep. 14, 1775

Remember that it is the actions, and not the commission, that make the officer, and that there is more expected from him, than the title.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Address to the Officers of the Virginia Regiment, Jan. 8, 1756

(Born February 22, 1732, Westmoreland County, Virginia [U.S.]—died December 14, 1799, Mount Vernon, Virginia, U.S.) American general and commander in chief of the colonial armies in the American Revolution (1775–83) and subsequently first president of the United States (1789–97).

1. February 22nd is National Be Humble Day...what makes you proud? What keeps you humble?

My children make me proud. Although they had many problems financially, emotionally, and with family they have all turned out to be honest, productive citizens. I am humbled by the constant reminder that I fall short and fail so many times in my quest to be more Christ like.

2. Where is the catch-all (aka dumping ground) in your house?

Unfortunately the kitchen table.  Since I don't eat at the table, it just is so convenient to put the mail, clothes to be folded, and magazines that I need to review on it.

3. Do you make it a point to visit State/National Parks when you travel or even in your own hometown? What's your favorite?

I love visiting parks.  I have visited many in the state, and a lot of national ones.  My favorite--Yellowstone.  Even though I grew up just 25 miles from the east gate, I never tire of the natural wonders there.

4. How would you define honor?

Honesty, fairness, and integrity in one's beliefs and actions, a person who does not take advantage of others and a person who does not only what is expected but more.

5. Angel's food or Devil's food-which cake do you prefer?

Devil's food, I mean after all it's chocolate, do I need to say more?

6. What's the most recent road trip you've taken? Where did you go and how many hours did you spend in the car? Do you like to zoom to your destination without stopping or leisurely wind your way there with stops along the way? What is your car snack of choice?

I love road trips, and I love to drive. I meander to my destination, stopping along the way to check out whatever interest me.  For snacks trail mix with no M&M's are my favorite--they don't get your hands dirty and hold off hunger.until dinner time.  I took a small road trip a couple of weeks ago. The last major one was in the summer of 2010 when I drove 5,000 miles all over the west to visit my brothers and sisters.

On the road again--Border between Oregon and California

7. Recent headlines told how a preschool child in NC had their packed lunch from home taken away and a school lunch substituted by a school inspector who deemed the homemade lunch unhealthy. Reportedly the parent was then billed for the school lunch (chicken nugget meal) although an update to the story says the parent was not billed. The inspector was conducting a routine inspection of the classroom-he/she was not there solely to peek in the lunchboxes. The packed lunch contained a turkey and cheese sandwich, an apple juice box, a bag of chips, and a banana. You can read the story here. Your thoughts?

I think that the government has gone way too far, now they are the lunch police.  I agree that if a child has no lunch then it's fine to give them one. My first thought, this mom packed a healthy lunch.  What if the child was allergic to peanuts and the healthy lunch with fried nuggets was made with peanut oil?

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I just made my flight reservations for this summer's vacation, I'm flying to Portland, Oregon then renting a car and driving for two weeks touring Olympic National Park and Victoria, British Columbia, with visits to daughter and brothers and sister.  It still is five months away, but I have prices locked in before they go up for the summer.  And besides, I love to plan, organize, dream.