A couple of items worth mentioning.
First, during a funeral the other day, Fr. Jeremy mentioned in his message, "the common good of man"   I kept thinking about the common good and realize how important that message is to our government leaders.   The common good should be the barometer we use to measure the value of any government program, spending, action, etc.   If it's not for the common good of all men, then it must be pork barrel special interest legislation and spending.    I believe our government could be so much simplier, smaller, and less expensive if we simply avoided the trap of helping every special interest group that asked.   Mitt Romney said something about saying Yes wins votes, saying no ends in concession speeches.   Maybe I should start writing my concession speech, but if I'm elected as state representative, I'm only interested in serving the common good of all men.
Second, one of the many items on my bucket list is to be a syndicated column writer.   Another is to be involved in state government.   Well, I've married the two.   I have started a column that will appear weekly in the Unterrified Democrat, Belle, Bland, and Vienna papers, and the Gasconade County Republican.   The column is titled, "On the campaign trail"   Please tell me what you think

Mother's Day

Mother's Day.    My Mom spent the afternoon with us at the farm.   One of the highlights was a wagon ride.   Mom is in good physcial health but suffers from severe dementia.   Just getting out the nursing home, into the sun and fresh air is good medicine for her.

Another week passed and another week closer to the primary election.

The picture I've posted is from last summer.   The youngest of the frog masters is my great nephew Morgan McFadden, the lady killer is my second cousin Daniel Bruton.   They were at the farm during a Leffler family reunion.

Back to the week past.   I attended a few more meetings, meet and greets, and dinners on the campaign trail.   I've crossed paths with some really talented, hard working people in this district.   Many who voluntarily sacrifice themselves for a host of worthwhile causes.   This process reinforces my belief in our greatest asset, the people.  The government I want is one that serves the people, not the one that makes a slave of them.

Its been a week since my last blog.   I wonder if blogging should be more like a diary of the day(s) past?   So ...   I'm trying to think back from last Monday.   John McKinney's funeral this week was my first priority.  John's son Greg was my classmate for 12 years.   And in the last 44 years, this is only the second time our paths have crossed.   It was good to see Greg again.
I've been working on some campaign printing.   Frustrating.  I know this will sound prejudice but I don't enjoy talking to some computer tech guy on the phone and he speaks in an accent that I can barely understand.   In this country, why can't I speak to someone that speaks English.
Wednesday noon was a working lunch at Meramec Regional Development Corporation in St. James.
Friday evening Amanda offered her turkey for a carry in dinner for friends at the farm.   Saturday morning Bryan Littrell arrived at the farm at 5:30 am for a turkey hunt.    Cooper Seaton celebrated his 4th birthday at the farm Saturday afternoon.    Saturday evening Jan and I joined our friends from Springfield for a crayfish boil.   Sunday begins with Church, then the Archery in Schools spaghetti fundraiser, a visit with my Mom, Jan attended a bridle shower, and finally leftovers.   Will Amanda hunt in the morning?

Amanda's spring gobbler weighed 26 pounds and had three beards.   But the best part is we got to hunt together.   It was a beautiful morning, there were turkeys everywhere.   Turkey season last for three weeks and we can go again next week and maybe harvest another.
We took Amanda's bird to a taxidermist.   The pose will match one of the turkeys on the cover of my campaign cards.

Sunday, April 15th was my Mother's 92rd Birthday. She has been living at Frene Valley Nursing Home in Owensville for the past 16 months. My mom is in great physical health but, she suffers from dementia. I have some great pictures of her working in the garden when she was 90.
On her birthday we took a drive through the country. Back to her own home place south of Belle, to Travis cemetery, to the Gasconade River, the road between Paydown and Summerfield, to the Prairie Star farm, and finally to Wal-mart. Traveling with her now is living with history. She remembers the distant past and not much else.
She was happy today. I wish she could be back in her garden.

Self introduction

Last night the candidates for state representative in the 62nd Legislative District were invited to the Osage County Farm Bureau meet and greet.    Each of the nine candidates were given two minutes to tell a little about themselves.    Unfortuneately, few told about what really matters.   No one tried to discribe how they think or what motivates them into action.   I went home and reflected on the self introductions and wrote this:

"I have always considered myself to be open minded. I explore ideas from several different points of view. I am respectful of other people’s opinion.

            My background is science based. My approach to life’s decisions are based on fact. They are not driven by raw emotion. I am not afraid to make a decision. I will not walk away from a problem.

I am future oriented. I am willing to sacrifice the here and now for the benefits of a prosperous future.

My weaknesses are impatience and obsession. I have a hard time waiting for someone else to find a solution to our basic problems. I want it done now. And, I don’t give up easily. If an issue is important, I will devote my time and energy to it.

The new 62^nd Legislative District is my back yard. It is where I grew up, where I live and work, where I invest my time and money. It is my past, my present, and my legacy.    My name is Bruce Sassmann, director of a 94 year old family funeral business. My family and I have been in your service for four generations and I am prepared to do more. It would be an honor to serve the citizens of this district your next state representative."