16 The News-Press
LOCAL
June 14, 2018J
VOICES We have so many choices now — it’s too bad most are terrible
QUIET DESPERATION
Craig Marshall Smith
J
ennifer said, “Sip?” “What is it?” “Iced tea.” She handed me a plastic cup. I like iced tea. I was about to take a sip when I noticed a label on the cup with some suspicious looking words: “Three pumps, no water.” “What’s this?” I said. “Uh.” Iced tea used to be iced tea. But not anymore. Years ago, I wrote coffee’s obituary. Now it looks like I have to write one for iced tea. I drink black coffee. I make minor allowances for cream and sugar for others. And that is it. Your orders take forever, and sound like pidgin English. Half-this and half-that, with room for this and room for that. It comes with or without foam, with or without a spice, a sprinkle, a twig, a chant, a prayer, a poem, a
moment of silence, a glance at the sky. I asked about the label again. Jennifer said, “I think I should go outside and mow the lawn.” “I just mowed the lawn.” “Vacuum?” “I vacuumed.” She said, “Maybe you should sit down before try to I explain it.” I sat. “I ask for three pumps of sugar.” Oh, brother. The worst was yet to come. I said, “How can you have `no water’ in iced tea?” “It means no more water.” “Why would anyone want to order more water?” “Dilution index.” I leaned back, closed my eyes, and screamed
O LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Vote Holbert for commissioner Diane Holbert has the experience, professionalism and depth of character to represent Douglas County with excellence as commissioner. Diane clearly understands that we need to preserve our quality of life in Douglas County and she has a heart for protecting our open space and historic communities. As an expert in finance, Diane has proven her skill in the complicated world of government finance and has cut budgets without cutting services. She is a steadfast and trusted steward of your hard-earned tax dollars.
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Diane might well be the only elected official to lead and achieve the elimination of a tax that you know — certainly in Douglas County this is correct. She also understands that placing debt obligations on our children and grandchildren is not good governance. We can provide traffic solutions without burdening future generations. Holbert has never let us down, we know that we can trust her to keep her word and we know that she will SEE LETTERS, P17
as if I just woke up after a dream about Ethel Merman. The dog went out through the dog door. A painting fell off the wall. I held my head in my hands and said, “You too?” “Yes.” We ruin everything. At least that’s the way I look at it. Oreos used to be Oreos. I thought I came home with Oreos, but somewhere between the grocery store and my kitchen counter they turned into Swedish Fish Oreos with Double-Stuf. The complete list of Oreos now on the market sounds like I made up half of it: Mystery Oreos, Cherry Cola Oreos, and you can even get No-Oreos Oreos. No-Oreos Oreos are just the “Stuf.”
Being a father is opportunity to show unconditional love
ne of the greatest tributes to a as we approach Father’s Day, I often find father can be found in the Dan myself thinking about this song and Fogelberg song “Leader of the hope that my own children would think Band.” The last part of the song of me in a similar light, because as I has always meant somehave always tried to live up to my thing special to me … own expectations of being a father WINNING “I thank you for the while still being their dad. WORDS music and your stories of There are so many other songs the road that pop into my head especially I thank you for the freearound Father’s Day, like “Butterfly dom when it came my time Kisses” by Bob Carlisle, or “Walk to go Like a Man” by Bruce Springsteen. I thank you for the kindAnd whether they are listened to ness and the times when around Father’s Day or at any other you got tough time of the year, they remind me of And papa, I don’t think I just how much I loved my grandfasaid I love you near enough ther and how much I love my chilThe leader of the band Michael Norton dren, each one, all of them, in their is tired and his eyes are very own way. growing old Our children are a gift, a blessing, and But his blood runs through my instrua joy. They also come with challenges, ment and his song is in my soul drama, and parenting opportunities My life has been a poor attempt to throughout their lives. They truly bring imitate the man us joy with their silliness and they can I’m just a living legacy to the leader of bring us incredible pain with mistakes the band and choices they make. I am a living legacy to the leader of And whether it is joyful silliness or the band” drama and sadness, the one thing I do This certainly speaks to the love and know about being a father is the feeling admiration of his father and was sung of unconditional love. If we are lucky in such a way that it usually brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it. And SEE NORTON, P17
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SEE SMITH, P17
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Douglas County News-Press (ISSN 1067-425X)(USPS 567-060) A legal newspaper of general circulation in Douglas County, Colorado, the NewsPress is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9233 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree, CO 80124. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT LONE TREE, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 750 W. Hampden Ave., Suite 225, Englewood, CO 80110