Rosa Parks and Franklin

Some small news service ran a story about a few people on social media upset that Franklin, the black character on Peanuts, is sitting by himself on one side of the picnic table on the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving TV special. Three white characters are sitting on the other side of the table. Nothing about how Peppermint Patty has a crush on Charlie Brown so she’s sitting near him, or that Sally likes Linus so she’s sitting near him. Then someone else has to point out (thereby giving the story further credence) the audacity of the racist claims. People, everyone has an opinion, right or wrong. No need to make a huge story about it – especially when all it is a minute percentage of the population. 

 

Kids today don’t realize the story of Franklin, how Charles Schultz added the character in the 1960’s after MLK was assassinated despite the protests of newspaper editors. They don’t even realize the comic strip no longer runs, or that Schultz passed away years ago. Or that in other TV specials and comic strips Franklin sat at the place of honor or played a key role in a play or story.        

Did you know: Alex Groza, the star basketball player from the 1950’s, is the brother of Lou Groza, the hall of fame guard/kicker for the Cleveland Browns. One year Alex led the NBA with the highest field goal percentage, and Lou led the NFL in the same category. Groza was before my time but I liked Blanda and Kilmer, who played for SF, Saints, and Washington. Liked his single bar face mask. And you know I kicked straight on like Blanda and Groza. I still have my square toed kicking shoe!

 

 

Speaking of retirements, Bryant Wright is stepping down as the pastor of JFBC. They’ll form a search committee in January. Wright said he’d planned on serving for 40 years, but after he’d led the charge to get rid of all of JFBC debt people started asking what the next big thing would be. That’s when Bryant realized he didn’t have a vision for anything else. I think he’s been at JFBC for 37 years.

 

Late last week we received a message from our Sunday School teacher, who’s on staff at JF. He encouraged as many as possible to attend the early service so we could the discuss Bryant’s message in Sunday School. C and I were on the way back from SC so she brought up the message on her phone.

 

In related news, this Sunday C and I are attending a special membership class for people interested in joining JFBC. Might as well.

 

For lunch Tuesday my coworkers dragged me out for Chinese. You would’ve been proud – I ate almost everything on the buffet: orange chicken, my usual sweet & sour chicken, meatballs, egg roll, fried rice, and one other meat dish. Very good. Still stuffed.

 

I recently learned that Danny Morris once had a date with actress Kim Basinger.

 

Stopped for gas on the way home Tuesday night. Turned on the ESPN college football ratings show but it went off at 7:30 so the Duke/Indiana game could start. Flipped over to Jeopardy, The Voice, This Is Us, and New Amsterdam. Many of these shows grouped together don’t accurately depict real life.

 

Been busier than usual at work. Things had slowed down a little but then when something happens it takes up most of the day. Worked past 6:30 Wednesday night, but I’ve been dragging in at 7:30 am instead of seven lately.

 

Ceil had here small group so I was in no hurry. M fixed himself Brussel Sprouts and mac & cheese. I ate some of his pumpkin cake and also leftover black beans. Watched Jeopardy and the first 30 minutes of Independence Day Resurgence. Ceil came home and we replayed New Amsterdam and Chicago Med.

 

Heard this morning that Elton John had to cancel concerts this week in Orlando and Tampa due to sickness, but he’s scheduled to perform tonight and tomorrow here in Atlanta. You ought to go!

 

I hear GT AD Todd Stansbury has scheduled an interview with Ken Whisenhunt. Wouldn’t be the worst choice. He’s a good fit for Tech, but has never coached college ball. Would rather have someone young and dynamic.

 

Worked until almost 6:30. Ceil fixed pot roast for dinner, plus a tossed salad. I always eat the beef, carrots, and onions and pick around the potatoes. Watched “The Kids Are Alright.” Like many shows, after five episodes they run out of ideas and start talking about sex. Then the Hallmark Channel and Cowboys/Saints. As usual M came in from work with a bag of groceries.  

 

Doing much this weekend? Might go to a Sunday school birthday party tonight. Small group in the AM. Need to rake leaves and car shop, but its supposed to rain. Then GA/AL and Pitt/Clemson. Eating Sunday lunch at SunTrust Park.

 

Two coworkers have decorated their cubicles for Christmas. Every day John brings in more. Two others will decorate on Monday. The lobby has poinsettias and purchasing decorated as well. I joked that I was coming in to decorate this weekend, and Sunday night at 8 pm WSB was televising the lighting of my desk, with choirs and Kellie Pickler singing Oh Holy Night.