To Play With Sweetness
Posted By RichC on October 19, 2006
She was determined to be a figure skater and a concert pianist -– high ambitions for a young black girl from Birmingham, Alabama,
in the 1960s. In a way, her destiny was set for her when her parents named her after an Italian musical term that means to play “with sweetness.†“Sweetness†might have been her name, but do not make the mistake of assuming that she was fragile. She became quite used to adversity. As a young lady she was not allowed to use the dressing room of a department store – that was reserved for whites only. Her family attempted to eat at a restaurant after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. They were greeted with silence and stares. But Sweetness did not become bitter. Instead she resolved to make a difference in the world. And make a difference she did.
The girl named Sweetness had great parents, but she credits her faith as the greatest source of her strength. The apostle Paul wrote that God “works of everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.†(Ephesians 1:11, 12). Because of this hope, the bright young lady form Alabama approached each setback, each insult, and each failure as part of the wonderful script that God was writing with her. Each day she would start looking again for new opportunities. Sadly, figure skating never worked out. Becoming a concert pianist didn’t pan out either. But that’s because God had something else in mind for her. It’s fortunate for all of us that he did.
On September 11, 2001, a voice on the telephone informed the president that the United States was under attack. It was the voice of the women some consider the most powerful woman in America. This woman then immediately implemented emergency procedures to protect the president and his staff. She also assured the leaders of the world that the United States government was still up and running. It was the voice of the young lady form Alabama whose name is Italian means to play “with sweetness,†or Condoleezza. Yes, that woman was Condoleezza Rice, our nation’s National Security Advisor.
The disappointments, persecutions, and disadvantages in her life ultimately helped Condoleezza Rice find her way. The apostle Paul wrote that we “rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope†(Romans 5:3, 4). Maybe life isn’t turning out the way you wanted. But Condoleezza Rice would probably join the apostle Paul and plenty of others in saying “Don’t worry. You’re in training for something better.â€
Generally, don’t republish an entire story, especially when I don’t know exactly where it came from, but my daughter sent this to me thinking I would enjoy it. I did and thought others might too.
Diesel fuel pumps are now sporting new labels indicating the new Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel that is now 
A ‘deja vu moment’ hit me as I watch my son head off to school for “Nerd Dress Up Day.” Although I found his appearance humorous, I couldn’t help but think back a few decades (1960s) when I was in grade school — 
I’m surprised my photo wasn’t used in 
As for ambition, Jim doesn’t let much holds him back; neither his work as an engineer in a 
received only one overhaul since its manufacture in the early 1930s, that’s amazing!
plane was used for barnstorming during the 1920s and has a rich history including the common retrofit which added a more powerful French built 150 HP Hisso engine. The barnstorming pilot that once flew this airplane in the 1920s even paid Jim a visit and shared some 
As we wrapped up our day touring Jim’s shop and hangers, were bunches of photos and personal memorabilia that I would have enjoyed looking at too … some that would make aviation museum people drool. He pulled out several photos showing his airplanes and their history with previous owners a lifetime ago and although I enjoy my Sonex project, I also envy the idea of restoring a piece of disappearing history. I picked out a more recent hand scribbled note thumb-tacked to the door post that might offer some 2006 history for anyone familiar with antique airplane restoration.
President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld were on hand today to dedicate the new 
Late to the 
The issue of ‘gun control’ and ‘conceal carry’ came up while talking with a friend since she was planning to take a handgun class and wanted to be able to carry a handgun in her purse. As a supporter of a civilians right to bear arms, I was still somewhat concerned and hadn’t fully thought out the ‘conceal carry’ issue in my own mind. (I’m probably not alone?) My concern is ‘who’ around me is eventually is going to be carrying a concealed weapon on a daily basis? Its quite the responsibility and I was on the fence until I listened and thought it though.
I ‘m saddened by the loss Cory Lidle (and his flight instructor, Tyler Stanger – see 
Lidle’s plane left Teterboro Airport in New Jersey at about 2:30 pm, and that radar indicated it circled the Statute of Liberty before heading up the narrow uncontrolled airspace corridor of the East River. Radar tracks show the small private plane as it flew near the 59th Street Bridge, but then at 2:42 pm a 911 call came in indicating a plane had crashed into a building on 72nd Street. The single engine Cirrus struck at about the 40th or 41st floors of the Belaire apartment high-rise. Flames shot out of the building and smoke streamed up into the sky with what was a visible reminder of what happened in New York City 5 years and one month to the day. Thankfully this wasn’t terrorism and all emergency personal responded professionally to evacuate people were evacuated and the fire was put out. Early thoughts from some suspect that the noticeable lack of fuel or fuel smell could indicate that the airplane ran out of fuel; the NTSB will immediately be investigating those records as well as all other possibilities.