Abc
Because I just
can’t stop writing
Hi
The latest
Aug. 26, 2022
With NASA’s Artemis moon mission set for launch in a few days I’m reminded of the July 20, 1969, moon landing.
I was 17 years old — between my senior year of high school and first year of college — and had the good fortune to watch the moon landing with my Grandma Sue on a small black and white television.
She was born in Texas in 1895, so she was 74 years old when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.
I should mention that when my grandmother was a child, she traveled with her family across Texas in a covered wagon. She was in awe of the moon landing, and I am in awe of the number of changes she saw in her life.
And if I think about it, I’m also in awe of the number of changes I’ve seen.
I’m not quite as old as my Grandma Sue was back in 1969, but I’m pretty close. I think maybe I should try to get some of my grandchildren (I have nine) or great-grandchildren (six with one on the way) together to watch this next moon landing with me. I can tell them about how I had to walk a mile in the snow to get to my school bus stop when I was in the eighth grade (true story, but maybe it was a half-mile).
Maybe I can set up a watch party!
My Grandma Sue lived almost ten years after the 1969 moon landing, dying on July 3, 1979. She didn’t slow down until she flat had no choice. She continued to work through her 70s. It broke her heart when they took her driver’s license away. But her happy-go-lucky days ended entirely when she was banned from riding the city bus in Modesto, California.
There was this little matter about hitting the driver with her cane — but that’s a story for another day.
Until then, back to writing. I have deadlines!
“There’s always a story. It’s all stories, really. The sun coming up every day is a story. Everything’s got a story in it. Change the story, change the world.”
― Terry Pratchett, “A Hat Full of Sky”
Affiliations
Society of Professional Journalists
I am a professional member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. I do my very best to follow and uphold the SPJ Code of Ethics.
CNPA
I am proud to be a freelance member of the California News Publishers Association (formerly known as the California Newspaper Publishers Association). From my days as a student looking for a job, to my time as a reporter and later as an editor and publisher, CNPA has been a great resource.
First Amendment Coalition
The First Amendment Coalition is an award-winning, nonprofit public interest organization dedicated to advancing free speech, more open and accountable government, and public participation in civic affairs. I help support this organization because it works to advance one of the most important elements of our democracy, the people’s right to know. I encourage you to check out this resource.
Think globally, act locally
Good advice if you want to make a difference: “think globally, act locally.” One of the first things I did when I moved back to my hometown was to become an investor in the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council. In my little corner of the world, I think this organization makes a difference. Attending the monthly meeting also helps me keep up on what’s going on in the community and gives me great ideas for articles.