But We've Got High Hopes

Our youth now love luxury, they have bad manners,

contempt for authority,

they show disrespect for their elders

and love chatter in the place of exercise;

they no longer rise when their elders enter the room;

they contradict their parents,

chatter before company,

gobble up their food and tyrannize teachers.

Ok youth of America. We have been beating up on you the last week. But, it's not just us. We promise. It's been a universal anthem for centuries. Torch wielding villagers have long marched on that misunderstood Frankenstein of puberty and rebellion-teenagers.

There is a song from the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" that has the late Paul Lynde lamenting the downward spiral of the 60's teen generation. "Kids! What's the matter with kids today?...Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way...what's the matter with kids today?" Officer Krumpke in the 1950 era "West Side Story" knows them juvenile delinquents teens are just plain bad. And of course those Elizabethan lovers, Romeo and Juliet, defy their parents, break their rules, have passionate sex and use stupor inducing drugs. (however, things did not exactly work out too well for the star -crossed lovers)

See. It's not just your generation. Everyone older thinks those younger are going to hell in a hand basket. In the 60's, flower children with their "make love mantra" and long hair made the FBI's secret lists.When Elvis Presley wiggled those famous hips, editorials around America forecast the fall of civilization. James Dean rebeled with no cause and before him, Frank Sinatra sent infamous "bobby soxers' into fits of passion and adults into fits of concern. F Scott Fitzgerald wrote of jazz age twenty-somethings without a goal or a conscience and Mark Twain penned the following; " when a child turns thirteen, you put him in a barrel with only a hole to feed him through. When he turns eighteen, plug the hole."

However, there are some things you might think about as you read this blog. Your present choices determine your future. Attitude makes a huge difference in opportunities. Success later demands some sacrifice today. Do not accept negative circumstances in your life-identify them and rise above them. Don't let them drag you down. Choose the right friends and the right diversions. You are not stupid. Stay out of trouble. Plan ahead and work toward that plan. Make good grades. Communicate with teachers and let them know it is important to you and that you are really trying. If you and your parents are not communicating right now, discuss with them how to remedy the situation. Allies are much better than enemies.

One more thing. The quote that opened this piece? A Greek named Socrates. Fifth Century B.C.

Here is an easy dish for this cold, icy weather.

Drip Beef Sandwiches

Dump in Crock pot

1 roast- rump, arm or chuck

1 or 2 pkg's pkg Lipton Dry onion soup (depending on size of roast)

1 or 2 cans of beef consomme

1 cup red wine or water

garlic

Lee and Perrin

salt and pepper

Cook all day. Two or three hours before serving, shred with fork and cover again.

Serve with good hard rolls-toasted with au-jus on the side.

Horseradish, mustard, mayo as desired.

Note: you can change the flavor by adding Bar-B-Q Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Liquid Smoke