Opinion

Barbara France

Managing Editor

bfrance@lassennews.com

I’m pessimistic by nature. The saying about seeing the glass half empty definitely pertains to me. Try as I might, I can’t seem to sustain unspeakable joy and a thankful heart for long without giving into worry and gloom.

“Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me.”

I hope someone reading those words can remember where the lyrics came from. If not, shall I remind you? They are from a weekly skit on the popular 1960s and 1970s syndicated TV hit “Hee Haw.” My parents watched the show religiously and I never forgot the words to that song. It’s not my theme song, but at times I could seriously relate, which is a sad state of affairs for anyone.

However, the truth of the matter is that most Americans, and let me emphasize, most, including pessimistic me can find something to be thankful for. Sure, I think we can all think of someone who has it rough or downright bad. Some of the readers of this paper probably have it bad right now and I am not discounting that. But, even on my worst day, I can still find something to be thankful for. I am just too stubborn at times to want to admit it.

Barb France

Managing Editor

bfrance@lassennews.com

Nov. 16, 2010 — I was recently asked the question, “Why do I always have to be the one to pay for my mistakes?” I answered, “Who do you expect to pay for them?” The reply was the person did not have a job. I didn’t feel like arguing about something that was irrelevant. Some how the person I was conversing with would have to pay for the mistake made. Figuring out how will be the hardest thing this person has done in a while, but in the long run, I think it will be beneficial.

Barbara France

Managing Editor

bfrance@lassennews.com

Nov. 9, 2010 — I love reading. Every night I read no matter how tired I am. My daughter has often turned off my bedside lamp and taken my glasses from my face and laid my book or Kindle aside. I tend to enjoy light reading late at night because after a day at work, helping with homework and reading several newspapers, I want to escape into a world that suspends reality. My favorite reading material is mystery/suspense without a lot of blood and gore.

However, this fall and winter, I plan to explore the autobiography genre, again. In high school I read a lot of biographies and autobiographies. I became fascinated with the lives of celebrities. I am not fascinated with celebrities any longer. I rarely watch TV, and movie stars bore me. But, I do want to read the recently released “Autobiography of Mark Twain.” I loved his novels when I was growing up, and Hannibal, Mo. isn’t very far from my hometown of Moline, Ill., that sets on the Mississippi River.

Barbara France

Managing Editor

bfrance@lassennews.com

Nov. 2, 2010 — I received an e-mail from my parents a few weeks ago reminding me to vote today, Nov. 2. It wasn’t the typical e-mail on whom I should vote for or how it was a privilege to vote. It was a summary on what some of the women of the suffrage movement endured to get the Congress to pass the 19th Amendment.

I was surprised at what I was reading and decided to do more research. Many of the women who were called the Silent Sentinels endured the Nov.

15, 1917 Night of Terror at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia. I still am trying to figure out why I never learned about these women in high school or college.