Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I give thanks to God for the blessings of good family and friends, a good job to provide for my family, and the freedom and liberty protected in our wonderful United States of America.

Spending the last week in Washington, D.C. provided some great perspective and interesting experiences on why this is truly the greatest nation in the world. I am also very thankful that our democracy works, and that the people have spoken in support of our President George W. Bush. Many disagree, but they are a very vocal minority. The election this year had a record turnout, so I think the results truly indicate the voice of the people.

For a history of thanksgiving, take a look at Bill Petro's articles:

• History of Thanksgiving
• Squanto
• First Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1676
• George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789
• Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1863

Happy Thanksgiving, and may God continue to bless America!

See also: General

Congratulations: 2 new arrivals!

Congratulations to my best friend, Don and Heather Morgan, proud new parents of Cora Posey Morgan. Born on November 18, 2004 at 2:23 in the afternoon, Cora weighed 6 pounds, 6 1/2 ounces, was 18 1/4 inches long, and already has quite a head of hair! She arrived about a month earlier than expected, too.

Congratulations also goes out to my friend, Zarella Rendon, with the arrival of Ryan James Goatcher. Born November 19, 2004 at 12:21 pm, he weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and was 20 inches long! We missed Zarella at the XML 2004 conference, but I'm glad she had the baby at the hospital, instead of during a conference session!

See also: General

XML as Artwork

As Frank Lloyd Wright said,

"Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art"

Hopefully my blog contains both. I'm exhibiting my blog design as an artwork piece at the XML 2004 conference in Washington, D.C. next week!

Samples from last year can be viewed at: http://www.xmlconference.org/xmlusa/2003/artworkpics.asp

And for my caption card:

<TITLE>Scotty's Engineering Log</TITLE>
<ARTIST>Scott C. Hudson</ARTIST>
<YEAR_CREATED>2004</YEAR_CREATED>
<COMMENTS>The blog covers a variety of topics, including: XML, Music,Weather/Storm Chasing, Sun System Handbook,DocBook, Astronomy/Space Program, Science Fiction, Legos and TopicMaps. Each topic entry is displayed as if wrapped in XML tags, using CSS styling.This piece is frequently updated as new entries are posted. Visit today at http://blogs.sun.com/shudson310</COMMENTS>

See also: XML

Frank Edwin Mason

It's been a week since I lost my "Papa", Frank Edwin Mason. He fought cancer for three years, and passed away Thursday, October 28, 2004 during emergency heart surgery. He was the last of my grandparents, and the one I was closest to. I miss him terribly.

He served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and later inherited and ran the Mason Candy Company in Trinidad, Colorado.

More of his history, in his own words, can be read at: http://www.trinidadco.com/101Families/Families/MasonFrank.asp.
He also wrote histories of my great grandfather Abe at: http://www.trinidadco.com/101Families/Families/MasonAbraham.asp and my great, great grandfather, George, at: http://www.trinidadco.com/101Families/Families/MasonGeorge.asp.

I'll be posting more of his experiences in future posts. He always looked to help and encourage others. He touched the lives of many people, and will truly be missed.

See also: General