6 minute read
Traveling across state
I am sure farmers everywhere are rolling their eyes at the new quarantine craze that is blowing up Instagram. A tank originally designed as a cattle watering trough has become Americas new way to pamper without the expenditure of an in ground pool. These are so popular right now that if you try to hit up Tractor Supply you will be put on a waiting list. Sorry cattle farmers, millennials may be hurting the supply and demand of these products right now. Commonly called hillbilly pools, these tanks are anything but that. In fact, the cost on a stock tank pool with pump and supplies can run around $1500. I don’t know many hillbillies that think that is cheap.
Stock tank pools are really cool and make for some pretty neat conversations around the neighborhood, but they aren’t actually new. Generations before us filled them up on hot summer days as a way to cool off. Unfortunately, their photos didn’t make the paper. Amazing it took more than 50 years to look cool. I am sure those old ranchers are sitting on their front porch rolling their eyes in the back of their heads at the fact that we are now adding pumps, chlorine and blow up swans to these old galvanized tanks.
So why are these galvanized tanks so popular? With school hours looking like they may never be the same again, it is no wonder why parents are searching for a way to entertain through the pandemic. This is surely a good way to do that without risking exposure to Covid-19 in public pools. Sure, they have their problems. With chlorine tablets in the water they do eventually corrode, but it takes a few seasons for that. They also make a
Hillbilly pool ready for summer fun. Photos by Allison Bansen
chlorine float that holds the tablets so you do not have to place them on the bottom of the floor. You can get slime buildup if you aren’t running
Jack, Ben, and Lane Bansen enjoying their hillbilly pool.
Meditations
Don’t stereotype others
As a black woman in America, I know what it is like to be categorized and stereotyped. It denies me of my existence and uniqueness. When someone is categorized and stereotyped, it usually comes from persons who have not taken the time to get to know the person as an individual.
What causes us to stereotype another person? It can come from our experiences. If the experience has been negative, we assume everyone in a particular group is the same. Also, stereotypes are learned thought patterns. We learn from our family, peers, and culture around us. Children may hear comments in their homes, “That’s how those people behave and live.” Many of us were impacted last week by the cruel death of George Floyd. As a result, I have seen remarks against Law Enforcement across our country. As a black woman, I do not like being categorized or stereotyped. And, neither do I like to see my brothers and sisters behind the badge stereotyped. There are many of our officers who are just as angry about what happened last week. I know countless officers who care significantly about all people in the community they serve. They, too, are angry when they receive a call from someone saying, “There is a suspicious character in my neighborhood.” When they arrive on the scene, they discover the person lives in the neighborhood and is out walking their dog. They were deemed suspicious because they were black. The person making the call never took the time to get to know their neighbor because they were of different skin color. No, all blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, whites are not the same. And too, all law enforcement is not the same. Behind the badge are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, grandparents. Behind the badge are men and women with compassion and love for the communities they serve.
the pump enough and keeping the water crystal blue can be hard if do not have your pool sitting on concrete away from trees and grass. When our southern weather hits one hundred degrees, just place an umbrella over the top and you are in business.
These hillbilly pools can get really fancy. There are even people adding decks to them. Can you believe that? And by people, I mean me. Why not bring back a piece of history that in my opinion was absolutely genius. Its going to be a long summer parents so hit up the Tractor Supply. You will not regret it. I promise.
Check out www.Stocktankpool.net for more information on how to assemble your own.
How can we reach across the aisle? How can we begin to build bridges to meet? Many of our comRev. Angela Pleasants munities have District started Barbershop Superintendent Rap Sessions. Barof Catawba Valley bershop Rap SesMethodist Churches sion is a facilitated dialogue between Law Enforcement Officers and the diverse communities that they serve to help resolve conflict, reconcile relationships, and restore, build, and maintain trust. While engaging in the rap sessions, we have barrier-breaking moments; we develop a safe, open, and diverse environment for all. Rap sessions see an increase in community engagement with Law Enforcement and citizens working in collaboration. And, it helps citizens and Law Enforcement be proactive instead of reactive.
“For He, Himself is our peace who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” Ephesians 2:14 NKJV. Jesus tore down the wall of hostility. Let us not put the barrier back up between us.
Having conversations in a contained environment helps to build trust and awareness. It is important to begin these conversations now so that when something happens, we can be proactive together rather than reactive against one another. We cannot make a difference while keeping our distance from each other. We can only make a difference through collaborative efforts. Law enforcement does not have all the solutions, but they have some of the solutions. We do not have all the answers, but we have some of the answers. So, what would happen if we join bringing what we do have, our gifts, visions, and solutions? We will build a greater community together.
Memorial Day was observed in Belmont when Captain Matthew Hanks played Taps on May 25, at 3:00 PM. The event was a moving and solemn tribute. Photo provided
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