10 feet tall and bulletproof

This is the second time this year I have written about the death of someone young. I hate that. This one will not be long because frankly I am at a loss for words. I think I will try and discuss the reason why we thirty and forty somethings react to such deaths the way we do. It's simple really. We all have that feeling lurking inside of us that we are still 10 feet tall and bulletproof like we were in our teens and twenties. Sure the grief is there because of the loss of a friend and a loved one but there is a knawing feeling down in the pits of our stomach. "Damn, he or she was the same age as me." Or, "Good Lord, he was so young!" Trite as it may seem to some, when the Lord calls you home, age doesn't matter. It is hard to understand why God takes some of our loved ones. It is not in our power to understand all of God's works. I am not trying to come across as preachy. I was raised up in the church but the good Lord knows I am no saint. BUT, I am a believer in the fact that the Lord has prepared us a paradise and Brian, Danny, Cory, and all the other ones who have been taken from us just as their lives got started, are there waiting on us. We'll all be reunited with them whether it be tomorrow or 40 more years from now. When we all got together last Thursday night, it was like all of us had just talked a couple of days before, not twenty something years ago. Time seems to cure all ills as well because you are happy to see that person even though they may have made your life a living hell way back when. People may think I am strange sometimes when I tell them I love them. Well, sorry that is just the way it is. I love the fact that you are still in my life after all these years even if the only time we get to talk is on this newfangled computer facebooky thang. I love the fact that we can talk all about the way back when's until we're blue in the face. I love the fact that when one of us is hurting and going through immortal hell, 99.676% of us are gonna be there with at least a comforting note or embrace. That is what I have seen the past few days. I am sure this is not unique to the small little community of Seneca and the surrounding areas. I am more sure of the fact that I am so happy to be from this little small community because there is really love here! Let's keep it flowing to these families, our families, in this time of turmoil. Another two young loved ones, gone too soon.

T. Scott Sanders
12/27/2010

For God's Sake, it's not even Thanksgivin yet!

It seems to start earlier every year. This year, the Halloween decorations were competing with space next to the Christmas decorations in most stores. What's next? Live "fresh cut" Christmas Trees in September? As I write this, WYFF is reporting that a bunch of large retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving Day. Sacriledge. While Thanksgiving is not a "religious" holiday, isn't it typically a time to get together with friends and family to give thanks for the blessings you have received over the past year? Isn't it time for everyone to get stuffed, hit the den or living room for football, or just sit around and do some catching up? Oh well. "Thanks Grandma! I loved the turkey but I have to be at work in about 15 minutes. Oh I know I just got here, Grandma! I know. I know But I got to make a living somehow and I'll get blackballed if I don't show up today!" Orrrrrr "Oh my God. Wally World has got these coffee makers on sale today for $5. There won't be any left by the time we get there on Friday at 4:30am! Good to see ya'll but we have got to get moving. Mama, just keep that caserole dish and I'll pick it up when we come back for Christmas!"

Remember when people looked at you funny if you had your tree and house decorated before Thanksgiving? Remember when they didn't even turn the Christmas lights on in town until the MONDAY NIGHT (another change I'm not fond of) of the Christmas Parade? Now I am not becoming an Old Scrooge, Bah humbugging everything. But how about some "Remember whens" for this year.



Remember when:

You couldn't wait for the Sears, JC Penny, and Brendles Christmas Catalogs to arrive?



You took said catalogs and camped out in front of the fireplace or, in my case, that big ol' Seigler Oil heater to start dreaming about what Santa would bring you?



You actually got to take a trip to said stores along with TG&Y and Roses to gaze upon the acres of bicycles, dolls, games, trains, and slot car tracks?



You weren't worth a damn in school for the couple of weeks after Thanksgiving knowing that Christmas Vacation was coming?



Watching Rudolf, Charlie Brown, and all the other Specials were required veiwing for not just you, but the whole family?



Going to church and being in the Christmas Play the Sunday before Christmas and then going down to the basement or annex of the church to sing some hymns before picking up your bag of fruit and candy?



You rode around with the family and looked the Christmas decorations around town?



You made sure that the parents left the back door unlocked because you didn't have a chimney?



You walked in the living room to see that Huffy BMX bike in gleaming black sitting by the tree?

(I remember this one because my mom, my aunt donna, and I were all sick as a dog with the flu! the horror!)



You might have been a little disappointed you didn't get something you really wanted but you were really thankful for what you got?



You went to the big family gathering at your uncle's house on Christmas Eve then came home and opened some presents before going to bed?



You sometimes just laid down under the tree looking up through all the branches and lights listening to Burl Ives, Dean Martin, and the rest of the old greats sing REAL Christmas songs and read the REAL story of Christmas.



Sure, some of these time honored traditions have faded away as the world seemingly turns faster and faster. Perhaps we should all try and share some of these traditions with the youngsters this year. As all the Xboxes, Ipods, new cell phones, and laptops make all their noise on Christmas morning in some of your houses, take some time later on and lay down under that tree. Look up through those branches and lights and see if you can look back in time to a more simple age. Look up through all those branches and lights to the top of that tree, to the star, and thank God for sending us all that most precious gift of all.



T. Scott Sanders

11/15/2010

Remember when.....

Some summertime remember whens:

The only air conditioning in the house was that one window fan that pulled air all through the whole house.
You left the house early in the morning, came back or ate lunch at the neighbors, kept playing outside until supper.
Your parents didn't have to worry about you being abducted at every corner.
You got bored with the Atari and went back outside to really play.
Damming up a creek created a whole new world.
Getting a pool at TG&Y meant good times were coming soon!
Your family sat on the porch in the evenings while you caught 10 zillion lightnin' bugs in a pint mason jar.
That praying mantis on the front porch screen would spit at you if you messed with him (according to Granny)
Myrtle Beach had one amusement park.
Going to Six Flags was heaven and took the longest time to get there.
You went to Carowinds the first year it opened.
Oconee State Park was one of the most awesome places around.
You played backyard football or baseball in 100 degree weather.
Watermelon in the backyard in the evenings was awesome but hand cranked ice cream was always better.
Helping in the garden was fun although you didn't like to eat everything that was grown there.
The first time Grandaddy let you cut grass alone.
A one mile radius of your home had enough things to do in it to last you all summer.
Catching toad frogs only to have them pee on your hand.
Frog gigging.
Setting up ramps only to fail miserably at mimicking Knievel.
Spending the night in the clubhouse and staying up all night.
The Riverbanks Zoo and Greenville Zoo were really neat. (Still are!)
Vacation Bible School
Shucking corn or shelling butterbeans.
Waiting on the lighter fluid to soak in the charcoal.

Wasn't life a little easier back then?

Gone too soon,,,,

While I didn't know Brian Hilyer on a best friend basis, I do know one thing. The man was taken from us too soon. I write this viewing it from the sidelines of it all. Brian worked at our local ACE Hardware store here in Seneca. As I got to know him through the past 10 years or so, I found someone that was always helpful, knowledgeable, and would go the extra mile for the customer. It got to the point that I could call Brian for something and he would have it waiting for me when I got to the store because I was usually pressed for time. He also impressed my Mom who worked next door in the business office. If Mom called me and needed something, my first call would be to Hilyer and he would bring it over to her. Over the years I have learned that our good experiences with Brian were not out of the ordinary. They were pretty much the norm with him. I have talked with his fellow employees over the past couple of days and I firmly believe that it is like they have lost a brother or son. One of his coworkers who works at the Walhalla store had a hard time choking back the tears when we talked about him today.
The young ladies loved Mr. Hilyer too and it seems he had quite the following that thought he was a pretty handsome and nice dude. This coworker also mentioned that he had quite the customer following that considered Brian their personal "Helpful Hardware Man."

In a small store atmosphere, every employee considers the other family because you wind up spending more time with your coworkers than you do your real family. That doesn't mean you don't want to kill them sometimes but hell, you do that with your real family. I am still fairly close to the Tri County Family having spent many of my early years in the business there and of course with Mom being in the offices for 25 years or so. I haven't ever heard anyone say one bad thing about Brian. I really guess that's why I liked Brian and why his passing really bothers me. I guess we were kindred spirits in a way. I have always, no matter what company I worked for, tried to help my customer to the best of my ability and beyond. To my knowledge, Brian was the same way.

The other reason his passing bothers me so much is that he was so young. 36 years old I think. At 41, that's really hitting close to home. Look when you get to be 41, even people in their mid thirties are young. The point is you begin to question your mortality. NOBODY is promised tomorrow. That's why you must live life for the day! You must prepare for the future but let me tell you, things like this let you know real quick the future isn't a done deal. I am not the poster child for religion. I have done things in my past that would curl some hairs. BUT, I do believe in God's forgiveness and I do know that he has prepared a place for us. We will see all those we have befriended and loved in our lifetime that have gone before us when we arrive at those Pearly gates. My Grandaddy is waiting up there. Brian is up there waiting for us too.
Eric, Shannon, Emily, and the rest of the Hilyer family: If you are reading this, know that there are many prayers and many hands lifting your family up in this time of need. Brian was a great man. He was just gone too soon...

Memorial Day 2010: The General

Wrote this last night...

The apparition appeared on the hillside out of the mist of the predawn morning. His snow white hair gleamed as bright as the sword hanging from the saddle of his steed. He removed his tri-fold hat and sat with his hands crossed over the saddle horn. He sat there on the hilltop and gazed over the rolling fields below him. As he closed his eyes, he began to hear the cries of his troops freezing in the cold of Valley Forge. The cries then mixed with the sounds of explosions and machine gun fire. The din of Biplanes roaring over the troops battling trench to trench caused the General’s eyes to clench shut and his grip on the saddle horn to increase. The sound of the Japanese Torpedo Bombers was deafening as they released hell on Pearl Harbor. They General then looked upward as if to heaven as the shivers of the troops in the winter of Korea racked his body. The wetness of the jungles of Vietnam where the enemy was seemingly behind each tree caused the General’s steed to shift nervously on it’s haunches. Cries of the men dying in a battle not known to the public in a land where we officially didn’t go forced the General’s hands to his ears as he began to tremble. The roar of an F-15 shook the hillside as the smoke and sandstorms of Iraq and Afghanistan swirled about the General. The General cried out as he opened his eyes. Beneath him, in the predawn light, the fields of Arlington with their simple white crosses began to appear. The General bowed his head and prayed as the breeze snapped the Star and Stripes to life on the pole behind him. He then sat bolt straight upright upon his steed and saluted the fallen below him. He turned and rode back into the misty fog of the Potomac as the city awoke……

T. Scott Sanders

941pm

5/30/2010

The Greatest Generation...

Today I attended a ceremony here in our quaint little burg of Seneca. The ceremony was to honor the veterans here in our town and Oconee County. It was a nice, well attended event and the weather was perfect. There was a soldier currently serving there as well as veterans of the current conflicts, the first Gulf War, and Vietnam. The group that I focused on were those who served in WWII and Korea. Tom Brokaw has included the WWII vets in what he calls "The Greatest Generation". I like to include the Korean vets in this group as well. This Greatest Generation is a quickly shrinking group. Some statistics point to the fact that we are losing close to 1000 of them each day.
My grandaddy, John B. Sanders, was part of this group. To the day of his death, he carried German shrapnel in his side. This left him with only one fully functioning kidney and probably contributed to his passing as he fought an infection in his last days. Grandaddy talked sparingly about the war. I remember sitting outside on the porch with him when I was six or seven during the summer. Back in those days, there was a cargo company or some small regional airline that flew a DC-3 over our house every evening. The DC-3 was the civilian version of the Douglas C-47, one of the main transport planes of early WWII. The C-47 was nicknamed the Gooney Bird because it's wings flexed up and down so much on take off. Grandaddy flew in these and even took the left hand seat a couple of times back in the war. Sitting on the porch each night, he would begin to look up whenever he heard the drone of the Pratt and Whitney engines. We would always find the slow moving bird and were disappointed on nights he didn't fly over. Grandaddy would talk about the P-47's as well. The "Thunderbolts", as they were called, screamed over Grandaddy and the rest of the troops as they fought hedge to hedge in Europe. The P-47 and the Gooney Birds were amazing planes because you could not kill them! Grandaddy told me stories of seeing both planes landing with half a wing shot off or their rudders almost gone.
Grandaddy also talked about Lindbergh and how he and his friends were wowed in 1927 as Lucky Lindy flew solo across the Atlantic. We talked about that alot. That's where I got my love of aviation. Many years later, in 1994, I went to the National Air and Space Museum for the first time. There was "The Spirit of St. Louis" suspended in forever flight. We walked to the second floor of the place and you could all most reach out and touch her. I stood there alone for the longest time, in tears. There was the plane of my hero. Most of all, my grandaddy's hero. I wished he was there with me.
Just like I wished he was there with me tonight. There to receive the thanks from all of us, given to all the veterans, for their sacrifices to keep this the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Hug someone from this Greatest Generation and thank them for building this country. They won't be around forever.
I love you Grandaddy.
SSGT John Benjamin Sanders
USARMY
Purple Heart Recipient
WWII

Kudos to Medics and since when do armed robbers become victims?

Good rainy Monday evening to all. Where to begin...
So I am driving home from work down Hwy 28 when I notice a slight backup ahead just past Parkway Products near Paesanos. It looks as if a car has stalled in the right lane directly in front of Plumb Perfect's shop. As I go around to pass, it looks as if the driver is slumped over the wheel. I watch in my mirror to see traffic almost rear-ending the guy. I turned around in CVS's driveway and flew back up there, pulling down the side street and putting on my flashers. Nobody else has stopped to check and see what is going on. I go to the drivers side and beat on the glass, yelling at the man in the car. He is well dressed, around 40-50, and thankfully still breathing. No response though and the doors are locked. Just then a pickup pulls over in the median and a gentleman jumps out. He is off duty Highway Patrol. I tell him I am getting no response and for him to try while I call 911. After giving the specifics to the dispatcher, we both attempt to awaken the man or at least elicit a response. I head to my truck to get a tire tool so we can pry open the door when a first responder pulls up. He has a small tool and the HP guy busts the back driver side window out. The HP guys also notices the car guy reaches up and cuts the car off. A little suspicious now, we look through a bag in the back seat for a name or perhaps any medical alert items. We find a name and it matches the owners name called back for the tag. Yelling his name now. Still no response.
OMH medics arrive and the initial thought is Diabetic problem. As time wears on, it becomes more and more evident that this may not be the case. As the medics try and get the guy out of the car, the first responder says we should try and stop the passing lane of traffic because he might fight the responders. Sure enough, as soon as they try to get him out to put him on the stretcher, mister man goes UFC on the medics. He squirms, kicks, swings as they try and get him on the stretcher, all this and eyes are still closed and not a sound uttered. The medics see now that the guy is probably either high or just being an ass. They try and tell him if he keeps struggling that he may be tasered. The Deputy nearby confirms if he continues and strikes another, that will be considered an assault and he will be tasered and handcuffed. No response from Sugar Ray as he continues to struggle. Finally, the exasperated medic calls for a Reeves Sleeve. Now this Reeves fellow either designed this apparatus or was the first stubborn SOB to require it. It is like a stretcher board with flaps. Everyone grabs an arm or leg and they get him on this board and over come the flaps, strapping him down like shrink wrap onto the board. While I suppose this is utilized more to keep the severely injured stable and immobile, it works like a charm here, too. Since nobody has a broom on their truck or car, another deputy and I try and clear the glass off the road with our feet. As I leave they are searching the car for drugs and other evidence that might explain why Johnny Dumbass was sitting in the road taking a siesta.
My whole point of this ramble is to give Kudos to the medics, responders, and law enforcement. When these people receive a call, they really have no idea what to expect! I have heard stories that would curl your hair but today I witnessed it first hand!!


Also a round of Kudos goes out the employees of the diner in Gaffney that fought back. After being robbed for the second time in just a week or so, the employees opened fire on the robbers as they left, hitting all three and killing one. The family of the suspect who was killed is demanding "justice" and that the employees should be charged with murder. Solicitor Trey Gowdy is standing firm saying that the employees were well within their rights to defend themselves. Hats off to ya' Trey! To the dead suspect's family, I am sorry for your loss. I am also sorry that your 16 year old son put himself in that position by choosing to be a thug and commit an armed robbery. BUT! If you think that your dead son deserves some sort of justice please remember this, HE put himself in that position. Good student. Great Athlete. Doesn't matter when his Dumb ass decided to hang with some thugs and commit a crime. How did those employees know whether or not the thugs weren't going to return with a bigger gun and mow them down? They defended themselves because their lives were threatened. Again, to the parents of the dead suspect, I am sorry but perhaps you should look inward for that justice and see what you could have done different to have prevented your son from heading down this road.
Peace.

Were we terrorists when we T-P'd a house?

Wondering if somewhere here in the upstate, there's a homeowner/parent that is feeling a bit ridiculous for causing three twelve year old girls to be charged with a FELONY for putting a box with a balloon inside of it in his mailbox. The actual charge is "possession/distribution of a hoax device of destruction." I would bet that one of the little girls is sweet on the man's twelve year old son or said twelve year old was "goin with"(remember that term ol' timers?), broke up with her, and this is what led to this "act of terror."
Know what I think, I think he should consider himself lucky.
Back in our day, the mailbox would have had the hinges blown off with an m-80 in the middle of the night. He could still be cleaning up the toilet paper out of the trees in his front yard. Eggs would continue to be found late into summer in various spots on and around the house.
But no. Little no balls Johnny probably whined a little and when Big no balls Johnny saw what pain this box caused his son, he called the Po-Po. Great job Dad! Now these three little terrorists will get what's coming to them. I would hope the juvenile justice official will see the merit or lack of merit in this case and throw it out, expunging these girls' records. Going to look nice on the college applications if the judge doesn't expunge them.

"Ms., what does this felony charge actually mean?"
"When I was twelve, I put a box with a balloon in it inside a mailbox. Yes Sir, I am a convicted terrorist."

Have we really made it to this point, people? God help them if they lit a bag of dog poop in the door step, rang the bell, and ran. Father would have soiled his slippers. "Oh Buffy. I have had enough! Our lives are in danger. Call the authorities!"

No sir! I bet little Johnny isn't going to catch one bit of hell at school because of what Daddy did. Nope not one bit.

If you believe that and agree with what Big no balls Johnny did, send me your address because myself and a bunch of my sane friends are coming to blow up your mailbox and T-P your house. If they let "Tricycle Bitch" out on bond, we'll bring her and her tricycle with us.

A shout out for the teachers in the house....

Bill proposed in South Carolina for tax payers to fund up to 15 million dollars in potential losses that Southwest Airlines may initially incur with a move to GSP.

The much ballyhooed Boeing incentive package will cost SC up to 540 million dollars when Boeing was already planning to move here without such a large incentive package.

Then our fine state's government has the gall to tell educators across the state to get ready to swallow the burden of $85 million dollars in budget cuts?

Our state continues to languish in the bottom half of the national ranks as far as education goes. As of 2008, SC teachers ranked 33rd in the nation in avg. annual salaries. We now expect these teachers to succumb to layoffs and those still employed to incur larger class sizes? It is sad that most teachers have to pay out of their own pocket for classroom supplies. Now our legislature wants to freeze salaries and possibly even cut them? The larger class size means less chance of one on one time with a student if needed.

Some have noticed an increase in a general sense of apathy from today's students, especially in the high schools. There are still kids out there eager to learn! Kids today aren't dumb though and they can see that our government apparently has no interest in improving their education so why should they care about it? It's a vicious waterfall effect that is passed down to younger siblings who see that apathy and adopt it at a younger and younger age.

I have many dear friends who have dared to enter the teaching profession. A noble profession it is. Their goal for their careers is to teach a child everything they need to know to prepare them for life's journey. It is infuriating to me to see those goals stymied by seemingly dozens of standardized tests and other dog and pony shows forced upon them by the so called leaders in the state and national boards of education. Let's cut some of these useless items out of the budgets and use that money to let the teachers TEACH. Ask your high schooler if they have ever read such classics as Orwell's 1984 or Silas Marner. More than likely you will get a bewildered look on their face. Better yet, ask them to write a few paragraphs on any subject you choose. Then tell them they have to do it with no computer, putting the old pen to paper. The results in some cases would be staggering. Lack of penmanship, sentence structure, and misspellings would stun you, coming from your supposed B+ student.

I know it is a different world now. Kids today have seen an emergence of technology even us kids of the 80's could have never dreamed of. But let the teachers get back to teaching the fundamentals. Our educational failings are not the fault of the teacher. It is the fault of the powers that be tying the teachers hands so they can't do the one goal they have: molding young minds into smart, functioning, future members of society.

Someday, if you can catch it for free on Comedy Central or another channel for free, watch the first few minutes of perhaps one of the worst movies ever made, IDIOCRACY. If not, try and catch a few clips on YouTube to understand the premise it presents. Sadly, I can see this premise coming true one day. You take a look at it and see if you agree.
Goodnight all and thanks for the ear! - Sandman 8:08pm 4/29/2010

Ok. Let's get some things straight....

This is not a political blog although some political issues may be discussed here. Writing is relaxing for me and I enjoy it. I have always enjoyed putting mind to keyboard with everything from poetry, short stories, and just observations on the world around me. I was born and raised in a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Upstate SC near my beloved Clemson University. I am a college graduate and am gainfully employed as a Site Manager for an upstate industrial supplier. I am an avid Clemson Tiger Fan and have loved them since near birth. I am a Harley rider who is Harley-less at the moment but look to change that soon. The freedom of two wheels provides inspiration for some of my observations. I am blessed to live in an area with four distinct seasons and some of the most beautiful landscapes in America.
This area is also home to some of the nicest, caring souls on earth. With the influx of people from outside our region, things have changed in the past two decades. Changes mostly for the good. Some things aren't to my liking but the souls of our communities are still here. Many of the new residents have embraced our slower pace of life. That is what brought them here in the first place. Some...well, let's just say I don't care how you did it in Florida, Washington, New York, Texas, Louisiana, or wherever you may hail from. Bring and voice your ideas and thoughts but do not try cramming them down throats. That gets the community nowhere.
I lean mostly to the right in my political views but will also consider any viewpoint that will help this country. Our country is in a sad state of affairs at the moment. No side left or right can shoulder the full blame for the mess we are in. They are responsible, left and right, for cleaning the mess up.
Ok. Enough for this first post. I look forward to sharing my thoughts. That is if anyone reads this thing! Peace!
Sandman - 4/28/2010 9:39pm