5:58 a.m. - Yesterday wasn't too busy, which was nice. In the morning, Amber and I spent some time in the hot tub, and then we went for a bike ride on the Milan bike trail. The winds gave me a battle - about 40 minutes on that bike bath was a workout for the left leg, but it was good for it. That being said, I won't be doing any biking today. Then I spent the rest of the day at home. I did work on Amber's bicycle rack, and I did finish reading my book. Also, I watched Caroline beat Las Vegas for the Stanley Cup.
Yesterday, apparently the U.S. and DJT reached a "deal" with Iran. I'm still a little confused over the U.S. effort to spend billions of dollars, kill many people, and create high prices for Americans just to reach a deal. Apparently the strait of Hormuz will be open as a result of the deal - the damn strait was open before this whole mess started! So since February 28, what has been accomplished?
I finished reading my book yesterday, which I really enjoyed. For years, I had been curious about President Lincoln's role with Native Americans. I knew he had spent some time in the Illinois State Militia in the Black Hawk War, and I knew President Lincoln approved the hanging of 38 Dakota in Minnesota during the Civil War. I have been curious, though, why Lincoln seemed to be such a champion for abolishing slavery for African Americans yet didn't seem near as interested in assisting Native Americans in their issues with white immigrants through through westward expansion. I'm not suggesting that reading a couple of books helped me gain complete understanding, but the two books I read helped me get a better understanding of the Dakota War and Lincoln's role in it. To be honest, the Dakota War isn't much different than the Black Hawk War in principle. Members of the Dakota felt they had been wronged, just like members of the Sac Fox. Members of both tribes in both situations made a decision to stand up for themselves, even though not all members or even other tribes agreed with the decision. Both wars did include skirmishes with white settlers and battles with state militia and/or federal troops. And both wars end with pretty much extinction of both tribes. And Little Crow of the Dakota and Black Hawk of the Sac Fox end up as tragic leaders who basically lead their groups to dismal endings.
It seemed to me, though, interesting that President Lincoln's story of his presidency often doesn't even include his involvement with the Dakota in 1862. The recent biography I reread that was over 400 pages barely even mentions it. And what do today's Native Americans feel about the president? In the end for my perspective, I do feel that Lincoln's efforts with Native Americans should receive more recognition. He did make efforts, and his efforts were likely influenced by is family's experiences with Native Americans during Lincoln's childhood and what he viewed in the Black Hawk War. It seems to me that Lincoln felt that Native Americans would need to get with the white program, including and agriculture way of life that involved growing food versus traveling and hunting/foraging for food. It also seems to me that Lincoln felt that African Americans deserved the opportunity to get with the white program instead of enslavement. Keep in mind, it seems to me that Lincoln believed that white people were superior, and he understood that getting all the groups of people to live in harmony may not be doable. In fact, Lincoln explored options for Africans to have land/life in a different part of the world, just like finding different areas for Native Americans to live. I am wondering if Lincoln would have been able to make a different impact if the Civil War would have been different or if it wouldn't have occurred at all. And in regards to the biggest hanging in American history that Lincoln approved? Well, he actually intervened the situation which originally had proposed hanging over 200 Dakota that had been found to have participated in the war, but he reviewed all of those situations and his administration reduced the hangings to 38 and instead had the others imprisoned and later released. It seems that Lincoln knew that there needed to be accountability, but he also intervened to attempt to have each case reviewed for legality. The unfortunate reality seems to be that the United States wasn't doing a very good job in trying to maintain a positive relationship with Native Americans prior to and during Lincoln's presidency. The White answer was for Native Americans to get with the White Program, and that didn't sit well with all Native Americans. In reading the book, though, it was interesting to get the perspective of "full blood indians" that had gotten with the program and were sympathetic with the "white way", as well as "mixed blood folks" who found themselves in a difficult position of not being truly accepted by either group, which was similar to "mixed blood Africans" in the United States.
So in the end, can the total blame go on either side... no. Would it have been nice to see people just find a way to appreciate each other and get along?...yes. And here we are in 2026, and the "white America" sentiment still exists..."white America" still just wants everyone to get with the program.
What about today? I'll be heading to school for a bit, and I'd like to get the yard mowed prior to heading to Springfield this week. I also need to help mom and dad with some of their yard work. I'd also like to get at least a stretch in this morning. Let's see what else the day brings.
Things to do for School
- periodically check on mail at post office
- update attendance each week in SDS
- send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
OTHER THINGS
- Get items from Laura Hozak
- Kamp Komfort - campground for weekend if July 10-11
- https://kampkomfortcampground.com/
- made reservation for nights of July 9-10-11 on 5/28
- schedule dentist appointment when able
- use Dick's gift certificate
- a hood light switch for the Ford
- June 16 - 10:20 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 17-18 - trip with admin to Springfield
- June 20-27 - Shawn GONE - check on the house
- June 24 - 9:00 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein
- July 10 - 7 p.m. - Shawn's ceremony in Bloomington.
- July 19-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
- July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
- Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
- What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School? ugh.
- Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page
- March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
- April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
- April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
- April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
- April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
- April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
- May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
- May 5- returned home from hospital
- May 6 - home recovery
- May 7 - home recovery
- May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
- May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
- May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
- May 18 - noon - ORA PT
- May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
- May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
- May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
- May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
- May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
- June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
