The other day, someone at a store here in Rochester read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farm house in Macomb County and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"  I replied, I had a drug problem I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents or told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the sisters or the priest, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline ,or chop some fire wood, and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me to the wood shed. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine crack, or heroin; and if today's children had this kind LOVE (drug problem) America would be a better place. GOD BLESS the PARENTS who drugged and loved us.

Please send this warning to everyone on your e- mail list.

This is the time of year to think of ticks once again.

If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT!! THIS IS A SCAM!! They only want to see you naked. I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

David Carradine, 72, actor (Kung Fu, Kill Bill), hanging. Bob Bogle, 75, guitarist (The Ventures), non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ed McMahon, 86, television host (Star Search) and announcer (The Tonight Show). Farrah Fawcett, 62, actress (Charlie's Angels), anal cancer. Michael Jackson, 50, singer, cardiac arrest. Gale Storm, 87, actress (My Little Margie, The Gale Storm Show), after long illness. Billy Mays, 50, salesperson and TV host (Pitchmen). Fred Travalena, 66, comedian and impressionist, non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

AND FINALLY...

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. 

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So, my fellow Metro readers... Take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free! I hope you will show your support by sending links to this page to as many people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.