The winter of my discontent

This weather has caught us off guard this December as I gave away most of our winter coats in the heat of the summer in anticipation of 40's to 50's degree winter temperatures. Needless to say this was a wrong move on my part. It's a particularly cold season in Memphis this year.

Although there is no snow yet, the wind and rain are abundant. Masses of blown leaves have fallen to create a brown slippery surface on sidewalks and roads. Yesterday, it rained all day making the air biting cold. John and I negotiated which of us was doomed to walk the dogs in the morning as the rain poured. John caved to my whining so he donned his sweats, wrapped up in scarf, hoodlum hat and semi-heavy jacket and took the boys out. None of them liked getting wet. Fred was so against it that he refused to poop. The three of them scooted back to the house where it took ten minutes to dry off the little beasts. We all stayed close to the fire for the rest of the day.

But, when the sky clears as it has this morning, the air is clear and the wind crisp, its a perfect setting for a walk. With some urging (e.g., Get your lazy butt off the couch, my love!), John joined me this morning for a long walk with the dogs on the river in Lee Park. It was invigorating. In fifty minutes, we returned energized and refreshed ready to face a Sunday afternoon of small chores and last minute planning for our long awaited trip to the east coast for the holidays.

Like the disappointing weather, my opinion of Memphis was confirmed this morning and continues on its downward trend. The Commercial Appeal's editor, Chris Peck, who's only been in the city for five years, summed up the Memphis character well in an article titled, "Getting to know you, Memphis". He reports that he's been "let in just a little" because of his role as editor of the 167 year old paper, but still is not considered a "local" yet. Three images describe Memphis from his perspective. I agree with him heartily.

• First, the city is living in the past. The civil war is not over for Memphians, black or white. Many whites are of their proud southern heritage that focuses on the fact that Memphis was once a Union-occupied city. Many blacks still believe they are slaves. Underneath every one's pleasantries of "Yes, Ma'am", "Good morning" and waving, the citizenry seethes with hate and distrust.
• Second, there is a strange tension between between the Beale Street soul and blues music and sin scene and what he calls the "Bellevue Baptist" set that praises God on Sunday but allows Memphis to continue as one of the nation's most corrupt civic environments. Blacks used to complain about the Crump regime of control and corruption. Now, with its first black mayor, Herrrington, winning his fifth four year term, its the whites turn to constantly complain.
• That points up the third, and last outstanding trait about Memphis. Memphis is "stuck on race". It is a divided city where race is made "the issue" at the smallest challenge to a poltican's behavior. It is the contention always touted as the problem. The recent dispute about the National Civil Rights Museum, its board make-up and mission made me think I was still living in the 1960's.

I yearn to live in a place that has gotten beyond these character traits. Not that any city is pure or free from its past, corruption or racism, but there are places that have left these issues behind and moved forward, using them as lessons of what not to do. I remember living in Arlington, VA which looks forward with a 25 year plan that is carried out methodically, includes everyone, where public schools are top rated and integrated, and new comers are welcome no matter who is in charge. How I miss those character traits!

What Planet is this?

Every morning, after walking the dogs, I sit down to peruse the local paper, the Commercial Appeal. I need my daily dose of political shenanigans and corruption. The only difference between today's local politics and that of the twenty years ago is that the majority of the politicians are black instead of white. Now, I'm pretty used to interesting politics as I've experienced the wonders of the Chicago Daily Dynasty, the New Jersey Mafia Majesty and the Marion Barry Boondoggles, but this morning I really had to question whether Memphis is on the same planet as other cities.

Our mayor just won his fifth term in office after 16 years at the helm. So, we know he's surrounded himself and given business to his good "friends". It's part of the perks of office, right? Just ask anyone who grew up here. It seems one of his friends won a technology contract to provide computer services to the city when his company had no experience in the industry. Putting that small flaw aside, it seems that this dude didn't bother to pay one of his subcontractors for about $80,000 worth of work completed for the city. Rather than pay the poor guy, this friend of the mayor's says he doesn't owe the guy and when asked about it (the guy has sued) by the press, he lashes out saying he's only news because he's black. Well, duh, most of the city contractors and employees are black as well as 60% of our population. It's just a fact. It's like you can be incompetent as long as you are black. Maybe that's why Memphis is ranked the 8th most dangerous city in the US.

But let me be fair, it isn't just politics and race that makes me question where I live. On November 15th, the article "Topic too hot for WKNO/ Show on intelligent design didn't air here", PBS NOVA broadcast the highly regarded show "Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial" nationally. This trial clearly and completely put the intelligent design argument to bed and suffocated it with a pillow full of evidence. But, our local station, WKNO chose not to broadcast it on its network channel 10. When asked why not, the response was something to the effect that "we don't want to offend any of our viewers who may disagree with the outcome of the trial." What? That's like saying we won't write about the Holocaust because some people may not believe it happened, despite the evidence.

I can't stop there. It's too special living here. On November 13th, the front page article "Out of the Ordinary/Nail dispatches raccoon" reported that a teacher, in the state just two miles south of my house, was scheduled to teach his biology students how to skin a raccoon. But the farmer brought in the raccoon alive, rather than dead, to the class. The teacher, a right thinking guy, took the raccoon "out back" and killed it with a nail to the head. Then, he hauled it into class and proceeded with the skinning. How many kids really need to know how to skin a raccoon? How many need this as part of their biology curriculum? Is this what tax dollars go for in the name of education? No wonder Mississippi is ranked at the bottom of the pile academically.

Memphis is a very strange place, ladies and gentlemen. GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Fred's a Southern Dawg

Our Springer Spaniel, Fred, is a fine dog for a rescue dog. He's got a strong springer shape, clear black and white markings with few freckles, and a friendly, if not excitable personality. For the past four years, he's been on a leash to walk the city's sidewalks. Only the occasional visit to a park or friend's back yard gave him the opportunity to run in crazy circles, always chasing other dogs. Memphis has changed all that. Fred has a new personality -- that of southern dawg.

Not every dog around here is a southern dawg. In fact, most act just like dogs from anywhere. To be a true southern dawg requires that you attain a certain standard of looks and behavior. First, a southern dawg looks like a huntin' dog. This happened to Fred when he got his "summer do" in anticipation of the coming heat. No longer do his elegant show dog feathers emanate from his front legs and underbelly with long curly ears framing his face. He's sporting an all around crew cut and it just drives guys wild! I've see grown men get teary eyed fawning over Fred as they tell me about the dawgs they used to have. Yes, Fred looks like a huntin' dog now.

Second, a southern dawg has an attitude. Now, Fred's always had an attitude, but not a southern dawg attitude. Yeah, he still suffers some separation anxiety, but he no longer pees in his crate when home alone. He's gained himself some confidence. Before, he'd chase anything that moves and we were always fearful he would run out into the street. Now, down here in Memphis, he steps out on our front stoop and calmly surveys his territory -- the deep, grassy, tree lined boulevard. Once he spies a squirrel, he gives me that "Mom, can I PLEASE go get that squirrel for you" look. When I tell him, "Okay" only then does he leap to chase the sprite up a tree. With that accomplished, he relieves himself, then saunters back toward the house only to stop in the middle of the street and lie down to bask in the sun. He's very reluctant to come inside or run on a leash. That is a southern dawg attitude -- obedient on the front end and self satisfied on the back end.