Welcome

Welcome to my blog http://www.skegley.blogspot.com/ . CAVEAT LECTOR- Let the reader beware. This is a Christian Conservative blog. It is not meant to offend anyone. Please feel free to ignore this blog, but also feel free to browse and comment on my posts! You may also scroll down to respond to any post.

For Christian American readers of this blog:


I wish to incite all Christians to rise up and take back the United States of America with all of God's manifold blessings. We want the free allowance of the Bible and prayers allowed again in schools, halls of justice, and all governing bodies. We don't seek a theocracy until Jesus returns to earth because all men are weak and power corrupts the very best of them.
We want to be a kinder and gentler people without slavery or condescension to any.

The world seems to be in a time of discontent among the populace. Christians should not fear. God is Love, shown best through Jesus Christ. God is still in control. All Glory to our Creator and to our God!


A favorite quote from my good friend, Jack Plymale, which I appreciate:

"Wars are planned by old men,in council rooms apart. They plan for greater armament, they map the battle chart, but: where sightless eyes stare out, beyond life's vanished joys, I've noticed,somehow, all the dead and mamed are hardly more than boys(Grantland Rice per our mutual friend, Sarah Rapp)."

Thanks Jack!

I must admit that I do not check authenticity of my posts. If anyone can tell me of a non-biased arbitrator, I will attempt to do so more regularly. I know of no such arbitrator for the internet.











Saturday, April 26, 2008

My Books- I, God, & Country Intro

Introduction


I, God, & Country


My interview stories are an effort to emulate Studs Terkel. Mr. Terkel was ninety-five this past 16th of May. He has interviewed well over nine thousand people about a variety of topics and I have interviewed just under two hundred people about topics of my interest. I am a young seventy-four year old. Studs was interested in jazz and an early book of his was on jazz. My interests are more blue-collar in that I have played softball most of my life and still do. My third book was on softball in which I interviewed many players and managers who know the game better than me. I have also compiled posts on Kentucky basketball written by fans on internet forums.

I thought a long time before venturing into these interviews on I, God, & Country. My wife, Jeanie and I have always been Christians, although it has been several years since we have been members of a given church. She often goes with me, but her arthritis is such that she isn’t always up to the task of attending church. In my opinion, this country has wandered quite far from the Christian principles that have meant so much to it in our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. I am impressed that so many sincerely are continually worshipping God and showing that they believe in Jesus Christ.

I chose people who I respect in each instance and I knew that many of them would not have the same ideas as I do. In so far as I considered that they were honest and I was interested in their answers, I arranged the interviews. Now that I am wrapping up this my sixth book, I can honestly say that I have been blessed to learn the perspectives of the interviewees whose stories appear here. No, I have not been in complete agreement with many of them; however, I feel fortunate and very grateful that the individuals have consented to sharing their thoughts with me and you, the reader.

For my second book “Acquaintances With Integrity”, George Hyrmer, who was my sons’ mathematics teacher at Westerville South High School, was included. The boys respected Mr. Hyrmer and Jeanie and I knew him better for his work at the high school ball games. George did not disappoint me with his fine story but he did surprise me with a telephone call about a year after the book was published. He said:” You know that book makes such interesting review for me because I can just pick it up and review through any one of the questions or thoughts you posted to each of us and I get new perspectives. I think he is right. This book has only three separate areas for each interviewee, but one can look at the comments on God and Country and then look further into the backgrounds of the one who comments. The book can be read through completely, but it can also be a pick and choose adventure for the reader.

I have wanted very much to meet Studs Terkel, but his health is on the wane, and he is simply working on his memoirs from his home now. He has attended his office in the Chicago Historical Society until the last year. I faxed him several messages a few years ago, but I didn’t catch his eye among the many pieces of correspondence he continues to receive. Thanks to Ina Howard, , Director of communications for The New Press who arranged for his response to an e-mail from me this year, as follows:

My message- “I've been praying, and will continue to pray, that your life may continue to your complete satisfaction, Studs Terkel. Thanks for all of your good works. I'm just one of the many throughout this world, who have delighted in reading them.

With great respect,”

Sam Kegley



----- Original Message -----
To:
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 11:35 AM
Subject: not so hot


> Dear Sam,
>
> Even though how much I love to contribute to your project or share my
> ideas, I'm sorry that I can't do it anymore. I have been a little under
> the weather especially near-touching 95 and isn't really up for visitors,
> even over the phone. My mind only focus on my memoir that I'm writing.
>
> Thank you very much for your invitation and more power to your project.
>
> Yours truly,
>
> Studs Terkel
>

Believe it or not, that e-mail message from Studs means more to me than a signed home run ball from Babe Ruth would.

As a retiree, my books have not provided a profit to me, although I am fairly close to breaking even thanks to book signings in Portsmouth. I have met and continue to meet such fine people who consent to my inquiries.

Each of these stories is presented in alphabetical order of the last names of the respondents. Please credit me that I displayed honesty in writing my story here before I conducted the first interview for the book. I also sought diligently not to affect the comments of those I interviewed. I sought their perspectives.

I have asked each of these for the interview and made the following Intro available to them:

Intro for interviewees

I …, God …, and Country



I …,


Whatever you wish to say about parents, hometown, dwelling places, siblings, friends, etc.


God …,


Whatever you would like to say about God or your concept of God


Country


Whatever you want to say about the country you dwell in or were born in or both


I am so grateful for each interview and I believe the reader can enjoy these pages.

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