Danny's Desk

Heading Home

I’m heading out to my old stomping grounds in Kentucky later this month. If you know me at all, you know nothing makes me happier than going home to do some work and to see family and good friends.

A big highlight will involve a visit to my alma mater, Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, and being inducted into EKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni. It’s a great honor and somehow one I know I wouldn’t have received if it hadn’t been for the people who supported me back then and the ones who support me today (that means you Dr. Adams and Kathy!).

After that, I’ve got a few business trips, a few family outings and even a horse show lined up over the rest of the summer. The biggest thing on my calendar, though, is my retirement next fall after 30+ great years with Woodmen of the World. It will be hard leaving, but I’m so proud of our entire Field and Home Office team and know that the organization will be in very capable hands.

With the busy months ahead, I’ve decided this will be my final Danny’s Desk update. Thanks to all of you who’ve read what I had to say here. I’ve enjoyed staying connected with all of you and sharing everything from the super fraternal work that’s happening to what we are working on here in the Home Office. If you’ve got any final thoughts for me (or just suggestions on how Kathy can keep me out her hair after I retire), leave me a comment below.

Tornadoes Hit Home

Kentucky Fraternal Coordinator Amanda McNew sent me this picture of the Woodmen of the World Lodge 722  after last week's tornado. Members will pull together to clean it up just like all the rest of the survivors will pull together to rebuild their community.

I'm still a Kentucky boy at heart, so this loss hits too close to home.

Tornado Victims in Our Thoughts

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee whose lives were changed forever by the terrible tornadoes. The photos are frightening and some of the stories are both heartbreaking and amazing. http://kykernel.com/2012/03/04/photos-west-liberty-tornado-damage/  Times like this remind us how fragile life is…tell your family you love them.  

Did these storms touch your life? Share your story of kindness, courage, or hope with us here. Or share your photos or stories of how people in your community came together to help one another.

 

Top Chef Award

This Top Chef award was presented to Woodmen of the World Area Manager Todd Wiley's Field Force in North Georgia. They haul mobile cookers to schools, churches and every kind of event you can imagine about 3 times each month. Todd estimates that each cooker can prepare between 300 and 500 chicken breasts in 3 hours.

What's Todd's secret for perfect chicken that's not burnt or discolored by rotisseri cookers? Leave a comment and we'll share his secret with you. Or share your favorite recipe with us.

 

My Favorite Valentines

Here are my favorite Valentines! Just thinking of them makes me smile!

The Things We Do for Love

When my daughter Ella got engaged, the first question I asked her fiance was if he was a Woodmen member. (Seriously. That's how I think.)  If Michael was going to marry my daughter, he had to have life insurance to show that he could provide for their family. Michael's got life insurance, so I don't have to worry about my daughter or the two most beautiful granddaughters in the world!

For Valentine's Day, check out the LIFE Foundation website and take the Romance-O-Meter interactive quiz. http://www.lifehappens.org/insure-your-love/

Leadership Conference -

Associates from the Home Office and Field have great working relationships. Lots of hugs and smiles at the Leadership Conference reception. Here are Brett, Jacque and Ronnie sharing a laugh. We really do treat each other like family!

Woodmen of the World Leadership Conference in Omaha

All Woodmen of the World State and Area Managers are coming to Omaha for a Leadership Conference this week. Their first test is just getting to Omaha; we had about 9 inches of snow this weekend. We like to order up snow to impress our southern associates. I'm looking forward to seeing our Field Force leaders with their boots on!

This photo was taken from my back door on Saturday.

Black eyed peas on New Year's Day

When we lived in Texas, it was tradition to eat black eyed peas – Texas Caviar – on New Year’s Day.  They were supposed to bring good luck and prosperity.  

I’m not a big believer in luck (I prefer preparation!), but I still ate them on the first day of every year.  If you tasted black eyed peas made the way my wife makes them, you’d feel lucky, too…

I’m sharing Kathy’s recipe before New Year’s Day so you have time to make it and enjoy any of the luck it may bring you in 2012!

Black Eyed Peas & Ham
The recipe is not precise because the seasonings depend on your taste, but here are the makings that you let simmer all day:

About one pound of black eyed peas rinsed and drained
Bacon grease
Country ham (salt cured)
A LOT of onion cut up 

This may not be very healthy, but it sure is good served with pork roast, cooked cabbage and corn bread. 

Share your good luck charm or tradition (or recipe) below.

What's on your list?

 

Someone gave me a sheet of paper with lines numbered to 20 and asked me to list 20 things I’m grateful for. Easy.

Right off, I thought of my family: my wife, my children and my two beautiful granddaughters. (That’s #1, #2 and #3.)

On the drive home from work (#8: Woodmen of the World; #9: my career; #10: friends at WOW), I kept adding to the list (#26: great dogs I’ve had; #27: my hobby of raising horses) and each thing made me think of another until I got home (#73: garage door openers).

This Thanksgiving (#127: living in a free country), spend some time counting your blessings. It’s heartening and humbling to note all of the gifts we’re given daily.

What are you grateful for? To let me know what’s on your list, add a comment below.