#HatofSummer goes downtown and gets some culture

I didn't get as much work done while the kids toured as I anticipated (and they didn't stay focused on the art as long as I had hoped).

So, in the end, I'm counting it as a half-day afternoon vacation. And that is certainly the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

My #NFLetter

June 17, 2016

To the Honorable __________:

My name is David Martin. I live in Westerville. I am writing to you today to express my feelings on the current conversation happening in the United States about gun control and mass shootings. I wish we could confine this to the tragic events in Orlando last Sunday--but we must also not forget what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in San Bernardino, and in many other places and towns across America--and within several presidential administrations.

I believe that passing legislation to end commercial sales of high capacity bullet magazines is an important step in trying to reduce gun violence--and will not infringe upon the rights of well-meaning gun owners.

I hope you are receiving many letters from people urging you to consider this position. We need more citizen engagement on critical issues--especially during an election year.

I work in the textbook industry and have helped produce several books on U.S. government and United States history. I also studied U.S. history in graduate school. So, I recognize that it can be difficult to drive the nation in a particular direction.

But you have chosen to serve as a member of Congress.So, I know you are compelled to make a difference for this country.

I pray that you thoughtfully consider this letter and take up the effort to make us all safer by ending the sale of these high capacity magazines.

Thank you for your service,

David Martin

Random Access Memories

When you've got no ideas, you throw a bunch of ideas together into something.

Traveling to Georgia

Here is another "Thoughts from Places" type of video chronicling the families recent trip down to Georgia in early June.

First days of summer

I need to put together a list of books that I want to complete this summer.

Currently being read (when I'm not wasting my time with TV and making videos):

1. Ransom Riggs, Hollow City
2. Suzanne Collins, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (still . . . will never end)
3, The Autobiography of Mark Twain, volume 1 (so long . . . )
4. The aforementioned Chuck Klosterman book--as soon as I buy it, which will justify ignoring all fo these other books some more.