Saint Jimmie Earl...NOT!
Teens of today don't have anything on us elder blokes in the "being ornery" department. There are some things that you don't want your children to know about their parents as they grow up for fear they wil do some equally stupid and then say, "well, you did it," But now that Prof and Lil Bro are all grown up, I must confess that I am not the saint that I always wanted them to believe. I actually excelled in ornery. So much so, that twice in my highschool career, I was threatened with "reform school" or " military school." Of course, I didn't know how much either would cost, and it was impossible for my parents to afford either, so they had me by the short hair. I just became a little sneakier.
Early on, I took the boat out (I grew up rurally on a nice lake) and the neighbor girl and I exchanged boats and each rowed the other back to shore. I could swim, she couldn't. She got a spanking, I got sent to my room. This was about age 8. Probably the same summer, my brother, the neighbor boy and I discovered that if we climbed on a bench in the mens dressing room at the public beach, we could see over the wall into the ladies dressing room. We never saw anything interesting, but it was "cool" to know that we could.
As I got older, the mischief got more mischevious. After the summer kids went home, and fall arrived, a bunch of us would cut dried cat tail stems and smoke them. Yes, we got high, but we didn't know it. We just thought the other one was acting dumb. Jr. High was mostly finding out all we could about the opposite sex. Copping a feel on the "tilt-a-whirl" or the "scrambler" at the county fair was permissible and possible cause we were being thrust together anyhow. Never got my face slapped, but got several dirty looks, then a coy grin. Many hour were spent trying to guess a girl's bra size and admiring female anatomy.
In high school, I was slightly more ornery. Yes, I wore pegged levis. A friend of my brothers pegged them for us We would go to her house, put the appointed pair of jeans on wrong side out and she would pin them from the cuff to about 3 inches above the knee. This was exciting in itself. In a few days she would deliver our jeans. I had to wear a sock and point my toes to get them on. I also rolled my pack of Marlboro's into my sleeve as soon as I got away from the house. Boy, was I cool. These were also the years that I got asked to leave a school dance because I was doing the "twist" and the "stroll" with too many pelvic thrusts. One summer evening several of us were driving by Krogers, which at that time was right across the street from the police station right down town. Krogers was closed, but there was a huge display of watermelons stacked right out front. You guessed it, my buddy and I got out of the back seat of the car, strolled by Krogers, casually picked up a watermelon, and when our driver appeared after driving around the block, again casually slipped back into the car's backseat watermelon and all. Warm watermelon never tasted so good!
Halloween was a fav time for us country folk. We threw shelled corn at people's windows, stuffed smashed pumpkins into their mailboxes, and filled kerosene soaked gunny sacks with fresh cow manure and set them on fire on a guy's porch. Of course, we all ran and hid just out of the light enough to see what each of these antics would cause. Only once did we get shot at, over our heads of course. I am sure that the people knew who was doing most of the mischief since there were only about six of us teens within a 2 mile radius of home. I once fell into a sunken grave in an old grave yard while running away after a dastardly prank. I also crashed my bike into a friend, fell off and she ran over my head with her bike in a frantic effort to get away from some of the pranks we played.
How about the time a group of guys stole an old ladies outhouse and took it up town. The very next day, that group of guys got called into the principal's office, were made to take the outhouse back, and reinstall it, and apologize enmasse. ( Note, I just remembered, that was my brother, not me!)
Mom taught in the same school that we attended, so we either had to behave or be careful. I usually chose the latter, and it always backfired. She usually found out what I had done before I even had the chance to tell her.
My dad was a neat guy, don't get me wrong, but he was strict. He thought everyone who rode a motorcycle was a "hood." Two of my friends had them, so I would walk a mile down the road, then get on back and ride for a while around the country roads, and then they would let me off, and I would walk the mile back home.
You already know what he thought when I pierced my ear. Imagine if either my brother or I would have showed up with a tattoo! HOLY SHITH!
So now, you see I was an A-typical teenager. After I began college, I began calming down. I began to take life more seriously. So really, have things changed that much. I think not. There are just more things out there to do to cause mischief. I don't think youth of today are too bad.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
What a Day!
Fridays in the public transit business are a bitch. Everyone suddenly remembers that we are not open on Saturday and Sunday, so they have to go somewhere right now, today, at this moment. When I arrived at work at quarter to seven this morning, the phone was already ringing. Now, our rule is that we don't answer it until 7 AM, but I don't know how you are, but to me a ringing phone demands to be answered! I resisted until about 3 till, and could not stand it any more.
EM was on there whining about having to get to the bank. She would only be in there a minute, and then wanted to go back home. I told her that I had an opening at 11, but she wanted to go earlier. Now here is a woman, alone, who is 67 years old, lives in a retirement community, has all the time in the world, but she had to go "right now". The bank doesn't even open until 0830, so I told her she would have to wait. I even suggested she call her daughter who lives 3 minutes away to take her if she couldn't wait. She waited, called back 3 times, to verify that we would not forget her, that she wanted to be picked up at her patio entrance instead of the main door, and finally that would we drop her at Krogers instead of taking her home, then make another trip back to take her home. HOLY SHITH lady! This was only one occurance. CC and JT who live 14 miles out in the county, and had made plans to come into to town to Wal Mart, called and tried to convince me that a driver could wait 45 minutes on them and take them "right back home." Didn't happen! Not because I was being a hard nose, but simply because we didn't have time.
Let me tell you, this was just a sampling of how my day at the dispatch desk went. Besides, my relief person had surgery earlier in the week, and is off until next week sometime, so getting out of the office to even go pee was a challenge.
Through all of this, I managed to get July and August scheduling sheets ready, and the first week of September is ready, too. At the end of the day, I was tired, both mentally and physically, but I was also proud. I had managed to get everyone where they wanted to go and back home. I had kept all drivers reasonably on schedule, and even managed to eat half a box of "Chips Ahoy" cookies, along with Curly's snickerdoodles.
I went home, took Tilly to Wal Mart and Burger King, and was again satisfied with life being good. But, boy, I can hardly wait until school starts. What!!!!! Am I nuts???
Fridays in the public transit business are a bitch. Everyone suddenly remembers that we are not open on Saturday and Sunday, so they have to go somewhere right now, today, at this moment. When I arrived at work at quarter to seven this morning, the phone was already ringing. Now, our rule is that we don't answer it until 7 AM, but I don't know how you are, but to me a ringing phone demands to be answered! I resisted until about 3 till, and could not stand it any more.
EM was on there whining about having to get to the bank. She would only be in there a minute, and then wanted to go back home. I told her that I had an opening at 11, but she wanted to go earlier. Now here is a woman, alone, who is 67 years old, lives in a retirement community, has all the time in the world, but she had to go "right now". The bank doesn't even open until 0830, so I told her she would have to wait. I even suggested she call her daughter who lives 3 minutes away to take her if she couldn't wait. She waited, called back 3 times, to verify that we would not forget her, that she wanted to be picked up at her patio entrance instead of the main door, and finally that would we drop her at Krogers instead of taking her home, then make another trip back to take her home. HOLY SHITH lady! This was only one occurance. CC and JT who live 14 miles out in the county, and had made plans to come into to town to Wal Mart, called and tried to convince me that a driver could wait 45 minutes on them and take them "right back home." Didn't happen! Not because I was being a hard nose, but simply because we didn't have time.
Let me tell you, this was just a sampling of how my day at the dispatch desk went. Besides, my relief person had surgery earlier in the week, and is off until next week sometime, so getting out of the office to even go pee was a challenge.
Through all of this, I managed to get July and August scheduling sheets ready, and the first week of September is ready, too. At the end of the day, I was tired, both mentally and physically, but I was also proud. I had managed to get everyone where they wanted to go and back home. I had kept all drivers reasonably on schedule, and even managed to eat half a box of "Chips Ahoy" cookies, along with Curly's snickerdoodles.
I went home, took Tilly to Wal Mart and Burger King, and was again satisfied with life being good. But, boy, I can hardly wait until school starts. What!!!!! Am I nuts???
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Q-Balled!
Well folks, I finally did it. Today I visited my friendly hair stylist. You know, the one who never can remember which rake she used on my head, remember? Well, I decided to go Q-Ball at least for the summer. I watched as she scooted those clippers over my head rendering me totally skinned, except for the "peach fuzz" which the clippers would not cut. That will come off in the shower with lather and a safety razor. It's been 5 hours now, and I can say that aside from my neck itching from the closeness of the clippers, it's cool.
Feeling air on my head in spots where I have always had hair is weird, but I kinda like it. My wife, Tilly, said she thought it made me look younger, EEEEEE HA!
Facing the people at work in the morning, will be a new experience, but it should be interesting. I am not usually a radical person, and this is probably the most radical thing I have done since getting my ear pierced about 20 years ago. (I pierced it myself in college with a needle and two ice cubes, but my dad about crapped, accused me of being a "hood" and I let it grow closed.) Oh, I did buy a lavender tee shirt the other day. My first venture into the "purple" part of the color wheel. I don't know how well I will like being without hair, but I do know I won't have to worry about buying shampoo or combs. I will just have to lay in a stock of hats and sunscreen. Maybe it's just a "post midlife crisis." Or maybe I am becoming more adventuresome in my older age!
Well folks, I finally did it. Today I visited my friendly hair stylist. You know, the one who never can remember which rake she used on my head, remember? Well, I decided to go Q-Ball at least for the summer. I watched as she scooted those clippers over my head rendering me totally skinned, except for the "peach fuzz" which the clippers would not cut. That will come off in the shower with lather and a safety razor. It's been 5 hours now, and I can say that aside from my neck itching from the closeness of the clippers, it's cool.
Feeling air on my head in spots where I have always had hair is weird, but I kinda like it. My wife, Tilly, said she thought it made me look younger, EEEEEE HA!
Facing the people at work in the morning, will be a new experience, but it should be interesting. I am not usually a radical person, and this is probably the most radical thing I have done since getting my ear pierced about 20 years ago. (I pierced it myself in college with a needle and two ice cubes, but my dad about crapped, accused me of being a "hood" and I let it grow closed.) Oh, I did buy a lavender tee shirt the other day. My first venture into the "purple" part of the color wheel. I don't know how well I will like being without hair, but I do know I won't have to worry about buying shampoo or combs. I will just have to lay in a stock of hats and sunscreen. Maybe it's just a "post midlife crisis." Or maybe I am becoming more adventuresome in my older age!
This Bird is a Slut!
This summer my wife and I have experienced the phenomenon of ultimate motherhood.
Right outside the entrance to our house, hangs a flower basket full of dead plants that I didn't get dumped last fall after frost did away with our flowers. When I decided to dump it, I discovered that a female mourning dove had made a nest in this basket. Mind you, it is right beside the door where I could touch her anytime, but for some reason Momma B felt very safe there. We soon discovered that she had laid two eggs there and was nesting and preparing for her young to be born. Every time we went in and out we would talk to her and ask her how her day was going, how's the incubating coming, etc. Of course, she just looked at us with those huge dove eyes, and remained still. She blended into the dead flowers, and visitors would come and go, and never notice her. Finally the day arrived that she gave birth, so to speak, of two of the ugliest little critters you ever saw. It was interesting to watch how Momma B kept them completely underneath her, and once a day Poppa B would come, light on the edge of the basket, and perch there while Momma B flew away to eat and probably just chat with the other new moms who were out on the town for a few minutes. Poppa B would sit and keep vigil until Momma B came back, then he would fly off. Momma B would open her beak and the little buggers would stick their heads into her mouth and feed. Boy did those little ones grow fast. Within two weeks they were so big that Momma B couldn't cover them anymore, but she was so careful to tend them, and kept them close to her. When they finally left the nest, they were kept under close watch by Momma B and if they strayed too far away, she would shoo them back under the hastas growing beside the porch. Too soon, the little ones left the toddler stage and began flying and took up roost in our flowering cherry tree. Her job finally accomplished, Momma B, who surprised us by being a slutty little tart, again nested in our flower basket and produced two more eggs, thus beginning the whole hatching cycle again. Last Friday, her second brood left the nest and stayed under the hastas. I watched them flit about on Saturday, and by Sunday they had both become expert pilots. I hear a lot of cooing coming from the flowering cherry, and suppose they are having a family reunion out there. I suppose Momma B is out plying her wares on some unsuspecting bachelor B and will come home to roost and expect us to welcome her back into the fold again. Well, we left the basket hang, dead flora, old nest and all. After all even "Birds of the street" need a place to call home.
This summer my wife and I have experienced the phenomenon of ultimate motherhood.
Right outside the entrance to our house, hangs a flower basket full of dead plants that I didn't get dumped last fall after frost did away with our flowers. When I decided to dump it, I discovered that a female mourning dove had made a nest in this basket. Mind you, it is right beside the door where I could touch her anytime, but for some reason Momma B felt very safe there. We soon discovered that she had laid two eggs there and was nesting and preparing for her young to be born. Every time we went in and out we would talk to her and ask her how her day was going, how's the incubating coming, etc. Of course, she just looked at us with those huge dove eyes, and remained still. She blended into the dead flowers, and visitors would come and go, and never notice her. Finally the day arrived that she gave birth, so to speak, of two of the ugliest little critters you ever saw. It was interesting to watch how Momma B kept them completely underneath her, and once a day Poppa B would come, light on the edge of the basket, and perch there while Momma B flew away to eat and probably just chat with the other new moms who were out on the town for a few minutes. Poppa B would sit and keep vigil until Momma B came back, then he would fly off. Momma B would open her beak and the little buggers would stick their heads into her mouth and feed. Boy did those little ones grow fast. Within two weeks they were so big that Momma B couldn't cover them anymore, but she was so careful to tend them, and kept them close to her. When they finally left the nest, they were kept under close watch by Momma B and if they strayed too far away, she would shoo them back under the hastas growing beside the porch. Too soon, the little ones left the toddler stage and began flying and took up roost in our flowering cherry tree. Her job finally accomplished, Momma B, who surprised us by being a slutty little tart, again nested in our flower basket and produced two more eggs, thus beginning the whole hatching cycle again. Last Friday, her second brood left the nest and stayed under the hastas. I watched them flit about on Saturday, and by Sunday they had both become expert pilots. I hear a lot of cooing coming from the flowering cherry, and suppose they are having a family reunion out there. I suppose Momma B is out plying her wares on some unsuspecting bachelor B and will come home to roost and expect us to welcome her back into the fold again. Well, we left the basket hang, dead flora, old nest and all. After all even "Birds of the street" need a place to call home.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Visiting "da Hube"
A few postings back, I asked all readers to please pray for my buddy "da Hube." Thanks to everyone all over the world who has been praying, Hube is awake and is now progressing towards full recovery. He has been moved to another facility in another city for intense rehab, and I went to visit him, along with Suse and Diva. (An aside here, we all sing together in a quartet)
Well, when we walked in, Hube was delighted. He gave each of us a hug and a high 5. He asked us what was going on out in the real world, and about each of our families and the general chitchat. The he began to talk about his near death experience. This guy actually survived a malady that up to now only has a 2 to 3% recovery rate. Making a very long story shorter, Hube is a changed person spiritually, and he shared that with us. He is so grateful to be alive. He said while he was comatose, he had awful dreams, but was also aware of his wife and daughter talking to him, but he was unable to answer. The cool thing about all of this is that he and his wife are going to write a book. He even asked us for some input when he starts this project.
We all cried together, laughed together, and guess what...we even sang together. Members of the hospital staff gathered in the hall and listened. We raised our voices in praise to the Lord. Hube hasn't lost his voice. He was able to hit those low, rumbly bass notes just like always. Of course we all would have sounded better with our accompanist, but we did alright a capella, too.
Suse, Diva and I all came away feeling better after seeing "da Hube" and knowing that before too long, we will all be together again on stages around our community sharing our music. Hube will be able to share his testimony with a new vigor, and we all will have another reason to be "raising the praise." Once again we have living proof that God is good, all the time.
A few postings back, I asked all readers to please pray for my buddy "da Hube." Thanks to everyone all over the world who has been praying, Hube is awake and is now progressing towards full recovery. He has been moved to another facility in another city for intense rehab, and I went to visit him, along with Suse and Diva. (An aside here, we all sing together in a quartet)
Well, when we walked in, Hube was delighted. He gave each of us a hug and a high 5. He asked us what was going on out in the real world, and about each of our families and the general chitchat. The he began to talk about his near death experience. This guy actually survived a malady that up to now only has a 2 to 3% recovery rate. Making a very long story shorter, Hube is a changed person spiritually, and he shared that with us. He is so grateful to be alive. He said while he was comatose, he had awful dreams, but was also aware of his wife and daughter talking to him, but he was unable to answer. The cool thing about all of this is that he and his wife are going to write a book. He even asked us for some input when he starts this project.
We all cried together, laughed together, and guess what...we even sang together. Members of the hospital staff gathered in the hall and listened. We raised our voices in praise to the Lord. Hube hasn't lost his voice. He was able to hit those low, rumbly bass notes just like always. Of course we all would have sounded better with our accompanist, but we did alright a capella, too.
Suse, Diva and I all came away feeling better after seeing "da Hube" and knowing that before too long, we will all be together again on stages around our community sharing our music. Hube will be able to share his testimony with a new vigor, and we all will have another reason to be "raising the praise." Once again we have living proof that God is good, all the time.
Friday, June 09, 2006
My Vanity Runs Amok!
Today while showering I decided to once again grow my moutache and goatee. I do this once in a while, just to relieve the motonony of being over 60. Now, let me digress for a bit, and clue you in to the fact that I have lots of facial hair. But very little on the top of my head. I still have the "fringe benefit" but the topknot is really thin and I can see scalp. I am seriously thinking about trying the "Q-Ball" look. So back to the vanity thing.
I am thinking, if I would let my facial hair grow, use "Just for Men" haircolor to darken it, and then shave off the major gray on the top and sides, I would look younger. Not that my age bothers me, but looking even 2 years younger wouldn't hurt. I figure that if I try it over the summer, and I don't like it, I can always grow back head hair, shave off facial hair and then resume the same old look as before and my students will never be the wiser. If it looks good, and everyone likes it, the kids at school will think I am cool.
There is only one drawback! While the rest of the family will accept me any way I am, the lady of the house is being a bit resistant to the idea. I have to take this into consideration since she is the love of my life with whom I eat, sleep, make love, love and cherish, so I really want to keep her happy. I know that even if she doesn't like it or doesn't want me to do it, she will support my decision, crazy though it may be. I think she thinks I will look like I am ill. I figure that if I get out in the sun more, tan the scalp through what little hair I have before I shave it all off, it should work.
Oh what price vanity! Maybe I will just lose 30 pounds while I am at it! Yeah, right! This would mean me giving up chocolate. Me give up chocolate? Never!!
Today while showering I decided to once again grow my moutache and goatee. I do this once in a while, just to relieve the motonony of being over 60. Now, let me digress for a bit, and clue you in to the fact that I have lots of facial hair. But very little on the top of my head. I still have the "fringe benefit" but the topknot is really thin and I can see scalp. I am seriously thinking about trying the "Q-Ball" look. So back to the vanity thing.
I am thinking, if I would let my facial hair grow, use "Just for Men" haircolor to darken it, and then shave off the major gray on the top and sides, I would look younger. Not that my age bothers me, but looking even 2 years younger wouldn't hurt. I figure that if I try it over the summer, and I don't like it, I can always grow back head hair, shave off facial hair and then resume the same old look as before and my students will never be the wiser. If it looks good, and everyone likes it, the kids at school will think I am cool.
There is only one drawback! While the rest of the family will accept me any way I am, the lady of the house is being a bit resistant to the idea. I have to take this into consideration since she is the love of my life with whom I eat, sleep, make love, love and cherish, so I really want to keep her happy. I know that even if she doesn't like it or doesn't want me to do it, she will support my decision, crazy though it may be. I think she thinks I will look like I am ill. I figure that if I get out in the sun more, tan the scalp through what little hair I have before I shave it all off, it should work.
Oh what price vanity! Maybe I will just lose 30 pounds while I am at it! Yeah, right! This would mean me giving up chocolate. Me give up chocolate? Never!!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
The Letter G
Professor started this list making business. I got the letter G by responding to Maddogg. So here's my list of 10 words beginning with the letter "G" and what they mean and/or their relevance to me or my life.
1. Grandson: I have one. He is the nicest, smartest kid in the world. He has a fantastic sense of humor and is good looking. Obviously, he is the center of the universe for many.
2. "G-spot": A spot on your partner's body where they particularly like to be touched that makes them horny. I'll never tell where mine is, but I have one.
3. Group: A gathering of many really neat people. I sing in a group. I like group hugs.
4. Grace: The tenderness of God's mercy. I have felt it several times in my life, but especially as I grow older.
5. Gravy: A delectable, thick sauce that is poured over my favorites. Especially good is sausage gravy over biscuits, and of course, white chicken gravy over mashed potatoes. This latter has to served with corn. Just a little starch in a meal!!!
6. Green: The color of the outdoors. It should be kept outdoors. I hate green furniture, walls, and decor. Green plants inside the house are okay if somebody else takes care of them. Green is also the color of money. Who doesn't like or need more of it?
7. Grumpy: A feeling like I could pound the crap out of someone. Usually occurs when I haven't had enough sleep. I also get grumpy when someone takes advantage of me or someone I care about.
8. Grease: Could mean the oozy stuff you use to lubricate the important joints on your car. It is the stuff you drain off bacon and sausage. It is also the name of a really bad movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Greasy also describes almost all of the guys hair when I was a kid. "Butch Wax" and "Jeris" were two products we used to keep our D.A. haircuts in place.
9. Grand: As in piano. I always wanted one. I had one. It had a cracked string board, that would have cost a pretty penny to have fixed. So I got rid of it. Want another one. Someday I will have it.
10. Guilt: Being made to feel this really ticks me off. My kids always thought their mom was an expert at dispensing guilt. Like a Jewish Mother, only she is a Methodist. Guilt is something I feel when I sit on the porch when I should be mowing the lawn. But not for long.
Well, there is my list. For all 3 of my readers, I hope you enjoy. If you want a letter, respond to Professor, or Maddogg. I am sure they will be GLAD to GIVE you one. GOOD luck.
Professor started this list making business. I got the letter G by responding to Maddogg. So here's my list of 10 words beginning with the letter "G" and what they mean and/or their relevance to me or my life.
1. Grandson: I have one. He is the nicest, smartest kid in the world. He has a fantastic sense of humor and is good looking. Obviously, he is the center of the universe for many.
2. "G-spot": A spot on your partner's body where they particularly like to be touched that makes them horny. I'll never tell where mine is, but I have one.
3. Group: A gathering of many really neat people. I sing in a group. I like group hugs.
4. Grace: The tenderness of God's mercy. I have felt it several times in my life, but especially as I grow older.
5. Gravy: A delectable, thick sauce that is poured over my favorites. Especially good is sausage gravy over biscuits, and of course, white chicken gravy over mashed potatoes. This latter has to served with corn. Just a little starch in a meal!!!
6. Green: The color of the outdoors. It should be kept outdoors. I hate green furniture, walls, and decor. Green plants inside the house are okay if somebody else takes care of them. Green is also the color of money. Who doesn't like or need more of it?
7. Grumpy: A feeling like I could pound the crap out of someone. Usually occurs when I haven't had enough sleep. I also get grumpy when someone takes advantage of me or someone I care about.
8. Grease: Could mean the oozy stuff you use to lubricate the important joints on your car. It is the stuff you drain off bacon and sausage. It is also the name of a really bad movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Greasy also describes almost all of the guys hair when I was a kid. "Butch Wax" and "Jeris" were two products we used to keep our D.A. haircuts in place.
9. Grand: As in piano. I always wanted one. I had one. It had a cracked string board, that would have cost a pretty penny to have fixed. So I got rid of it. Want another one. Someday I will have it.
10. Guilt: Being made to feel this really ticks me off. My kids always thought their mom was an expert at dispensing guilt. Like a Jewish Mother, only she is a Methodist. Guilt is something I feel when I sit on the porch when I should be mowing the lawn. But not for long.
Well, there is my list. For all 3 of my readers, I hope you enjoy. If you want a letter, respond to Professor, or Maddogg. I am sure they will be GLAD to GIVE you one. GOOD luck.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Just Stuff I Think About!
Do You ever have one of those days when you want to write, but aren't inspired? I know I should just walk away from the computer, but I am determined to write something today. I marvel at the little insignificant things that people think about or wonder about or remember.
Have you ever wondered how they get the little "m" on M&M's?
What makes the sunsets so many vivid colors? (I know there is a scientific explanation, but I just am content to wonder)
If Jesus actually came from the Holy Lands, why is he always depicted as having white skin?
How many stars are really up there?
Just what made Henry Ford build the first Ford? What was his "driving" force?
Why do legals in the courts of England wear wigs?
Who ever really first tasted brocolli? (Were they nuts, or just really hungry?)
What kind of a mindset does the person have who writes the Hallmark TV commercials?
How many pairs of shoes does a woman really need?
Okay, enough of this nonsense. My lawn needs cutting and groceries need to be bought. I need to get busy. So, reader(s), what do you wonder about?
Do You ever have one of those days when you want to write, but aren't inspired? I know I should just walk away from the computer, but I am determined to write something today. I marvel at the little insignificant things that people think about or wonder about or remember.
Have you ever wondered how they get the little "m" on M&M's?
What makes the sunsets so many vivid colors? (I know there is a scientific explanation, but I just am content to wonder)
If Jesus actually came from the Holy Lands, why is he always depicted as having white skin?
How many stars are really up there?
Just what made Henry Ford build the first Ford? What was his "driving" force?
Why do legals in the courts of England wear wigs?
Who ever really first tasted brocolli? (Were they nuts, or just really hungry?)
What kind of a mindset does the person have who writes the Hallmark TV commercials?
How many pairs of shoes does a woman really need?
Okay, enough of this nonsense. My lawn needs cutting and groceries need to be bought. I need to get busy. So, reader(s), what do you wonder about?
Monday, May 22, 2006
Facing Death
Since Friday last, one of my best friends has been in a coma, and, quite frankly, at death's door. He has a strange blood infection which his body is having a real battle with. After cat scans, probes, prods and a multitude of other nasty tests, Dr.s have determined that he has strep pneumonia.
This guy is one of my singing buddies. We have sung together for almost 30 years. He is also a confidente and just a good friend. We still have many more songs to sing and praises to raise. So, I ask any and all of you to pray to the God of your choice for "da Hube." Today, maybe, just maybe, he has made a "baby-step" towards improvement. Which proves to me ("oh ye of little faith") that once again, God is good!
Keep fighting, Hube! We love ya!
Since Friday last, one of my best friends has been in a coma, and, quite frankly, at death's door. He has a strange blood infection which his body is having a real battle with. After cat scans, probes, prods and a multitude of other nasty tests, Dr.s have determined that he has strep pneumonia.
This guy is one of my singing buddies. We have sung together for almost 30 years. He is also a confidente and just a good friend. We still have many more songs to sing and praises to raise. So, I ask any and all of you to pray to the God of your choice for "da Hube." Today, maybe, just maybe, he has made a "baby-step" towards improvement. Which proves to me ("oh ye of little faith") that once again, God is good!
Keep fighting, Hube! We love ya!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Confessions of a Home Shopper
I wrote this a few years ago, and was always going to submit it to "Reader's Digest," or even send it to QVC as a spoof with the hope that they would read it on the air sometime. Well, I didn't and I found it tucked in a flap in my dresser caddie. So you all get to read it.
Okay, I admit it. I'm a home shopping TV junkie. Quite by accident I caught the bug while channel surfing. (You must admit, today's TV lineup leaves a lot to be desired, so surfing the channels has become a new sport.) I've tried watching the Home Shopping Network, but is too "high pressure" and that dumb horn they squeak is maddening. QVC, on the other hand, is soft sell. The hosts broadcast from beautiful sets and are so at ease with their products that soon you are convinced that you can't cook another meal without T-Fal cookware, or wash your hair again without Susan Lucci's shampoo. All the time the host is hocking his wares, he's becoming your friend. His eye contact and expressions let you know that this Craftsman tool belt will not only let you get your handiman jobs done more efficiently, it will make you look thinner while doing them.
Celebrities of course add a certain flair to the programming. Though I haven't purchased any of Annette Funicello or Marie Osmond's dolls, it's good to see these gals of my teen years and see that they are aging just like the rest of us. (yeah! right.!) Talk show host, Gary Collins does endorse a terrific line of men's sweaters, and who could resist Charleston Heston's video series of the Holy Lands? I mean it's like God himself offering the tour!
The quality of QVC's products are first rate, and the selection is vast. Why, one afternoon, they even sold breast and fanny enhancers, followed immediately by cresent wrenches and tool boxes! Who does the scheduling, anyway?
I'm on a first-name basis with several hosts. I know that when Bob, Kathy, Judy and Steve are on, I will be entertained as well as enlightened. They schmooze with their unseen audiences and take calls from buyers at home, while imparting vast amounts of knowledge about the products they are selling.
I'm convinced that people weill buy anything! Helen from Rhode Island has every piece of S.G. Sportswear ever made in steel blue and Kay from North Dakota collects cookie jars. She has about 148 of them sitting around, though she keeps many of them in storage in their original boxes!
This is live, all-American entertainment at it's best. Let's see, next is an hour called "for the home." Maybe I'll find the perfect mop, or rug or doorbell or.....
Well, you get the idea. Best rest assured, I don't buy. I just watch. I have noticed, while surfing, (yes, I still do that, much to my wife's chagrin) that some of my faves are gone on to other endeavors, but the hype is still the same. I still stop and watch once in a while, maybe someday I will find the perfect wrench, or maybe not!
I wrote this a few years ago, and was always going to submit it to "Reader's Digest," or even send it to QVC as a spoof with the hope that they would read it on the air sometime. Well, I didn't and I found it tucked in a flap in my dresser caddie. So you all get to read it.
Okay, I admit it. I'm a home shopping TV junkie. Quite by accident I caught the bug while channel surfing. (You must admit, today's TV lineup leaves a lot to be desired, so surfing the channels has become a new sport.) I've tried watching the Home Shopping Network, but is too "high pressure" and that dumb horn they squeak is maddening. QVC, on the other hand, is soft sell. The hosts broadcast from beautiful sets and are so at ease with their products that soon you are convinced that you can't cook another meal without T-Fal cookware, or wash your hair again without Susan Lucci's shampoo. All the time the host is hocking his wares, he's becoming your friend. His eye contact and expressions let you know that this Craftsman tool belt will not only let you get your handiman jobs done more efficiently, it will make you look thinner while doing them.
Celebrities of course add a certain flair to the programming. Though I haven't purchased any of Annette Funicello or Marie Osmond's dolls, it's good to see these gals of my teen years and see that they are aging just like the rest of us. (yeah! right.!) Talk show host, Gary Collins does endorse a terrific line of men's sweaters, and who could resist Charleston Heston's video series of the Holy Lands? I mean it's like God himself offering the tour!
The quality of QVC's products are first rate, and the selection is vast. Why, one afternoon, they even sold breast and fanny enhancers, followed immediately by cresent wrenches and tool boxes! Who does the scheduling, anyway?
I'm on a first-name basis with several hosts. I know that when Bob, Kathy, Judy and Steve are on, I will be entertained as well as enlightened. They schmooze with their unseen audiences and take calls from buyers at home, while imparting vast amounts of knowledge about the products they are selling.
I'm convinced that people weill buy anything! Helen from Rhode Island has every piece of S.G. Sportswear ever made in steel blue and Kay from North Dakota collects cookie jars. She has about 148 of them sitting around, though she keeps many of them in storage in their original boxes!
This is live, all-American entertainment at it's best. Let's see, next is an hour called "for the home." Maybe I'll find the perfect mop, or rug or doorbell or.....
Well, you get the idea. Best rest assured, I don't buy. I just watch. I have noticed, while surfing, (yes, I still do that, much to my wife's chagrin) that some of my faves are gone on to other endeavors, but the hype is still the same. I still stop and watch once in a while, maybe someday I will find the perfect wrench, or maybe not!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Birthday Thoughts
Yesterday I turned another year older. Ugh! Now at 61, I am starting to have thoughts about retiring. Thanks to Pres. Bush, people of my age group are having to work even longer before drawing Social Security and if he doesn't quit screwing the American people, I won't have any Soc. Sec. after paying into it since I took my first job at age 15.
Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to retire and sit on my duff every day doing nothing. But it would be nice to be able to slow down and enjoy my last years on earth. I can't forsee this in the near future, so best I quit griping and get on with it.
It is a real eye opener to know that I am on the "downward" side of my life. I have never been one to dwell on dying, but I do notice that there are an awful lot of men dying in their 70's. Ugh, again!! That means that I may only have 15 to 20 years left. I find that I look at cemetery plots with a whole different attitude, and my wife and I have finally settled on which cemetery and where we want our plots to be located. Not quite ready to make that purchase yet, though.
At this age, there are some benefits, though. We can eat off the "senior menu" and also get an extra 10% off if we go on Tuesday nights. I get 10% off of coffee at a local "drive thru" any time and we can attend the movies on certain nights at a savings.
My students asked me how old I was on my birthday. I was honest, and told them. Their gut reaction was "boy is that old," but some were gracious enough not to say so. Others just let 'er rip. I took it all good naturedly. One of my coworkers baked me a cake, and others on the second floor stopped in for cake and well wishes. I got to figuring it up and I think I am the oldest staff member in our school. But that's okay. I am still able to keep up with the students, even a step ahead of them. Any maybe some of the younger staff can learn somethings from my experiences.
At home, I like to tell myself that I can still do everything I could do when I was 21. Just not as often, and it takes me longer. All this aside, life is still good!
Yesterday I turned another year older. Ugh! Now at 61, I am starting to have thoughts about retiring. Thanks to Pres. Bush, people of my age group are having to work even longer before drawing Social Security and if he doesn't quit screwing the American people, I won't have any Soc. Sec. after paying into it since I took my first job at age 15.
Don't get me wrong, I am not ready to retire and sit on my duff every day doing nothing. But it would be nice to be able to slow down and enjoy my last years on earth. I can't forsee this in the near future, so best I quit griping and get on with it.
It is a real eye opener to know that I am on the "downward" side of my life. I have never been one to dwell on dying, but I do notice that there are an awful lot of men dying in their 70's. Ugh, again!! That means that I may only have 15 to 20 years left. I find that I look at cemetery plots with a whole different attitude, and my wife and I have finally settled on which cemetery and where we want our plots to be located. Not quite ready to make that purchase yet, though.
At this age, there are some benefits, though. We can eat off the "senior menu" and also get an extra 10% off if we go on Tuesday nights. I get 10% off of coffee at a local "drive thru" any time and we can attend the movies on certain nights at a savings.
My students asked me how old I was on my birthday. I was honest, and told them. Their gut reaction was "boy is that old," but some were gracious enough not to say so. Others just let 'er rip. I took it all good naturedly. One of my coworkers baked me a cake, and others on the second floor stopped in for cake and well wishes. I got to figuring it up and I think I am the oldest staff member in our school. But that's okay. I am still able to keep up with the students, even a step ahead of them. Any maybe some of the younger staff can learn somethings from my experiences.
At home, I like to tell myself that I can still do everything I could do when I was 21. Just not as often, and it takes me longer. All this aside, life is still good!
Moms
Today being Mother's Day, I feel like I should be writing a glowing tribute to my mom. Well, I could do that. My mom has been gone for 13 years last week. I miss her every day. She was a good person who taught me a lot of profound stuff. She was what I always refer to as a "quiet Christian" and was always doing for others. My life hasn't been quite the same since her passing. There are so many memories of her to share, that this could become a book. Maybe it's one I will write someday.
There are other mothers in my life now. My wife is the mother of my children. She is the kind of mom that every kid would like to have. As our kids were growing up. all the neighborhood kids wanted to congregate at our house. We had the homemade cookies, and other goodies that other moms didn't make for one reason or another. Our kids, now adults in their 30's, still ask for the homemade stuff, and of course, Mom tries to cook what each one of them like. She is a good listener, and loves with all her heart.
Then there is my mother-in-law. Well, what can I say about her? She is a different sort of an individual. We are NOT close, nor are we on the same "wave length." She is, and always has been, extremely critical of me, my wife(her daughter) and our kids. She masks her criticism in her old line, "I am just trying to be truthful." This is pure B.S. She is just being manipulative and hurtful. She does have her moments, though. She is a wonderful cook, and honestly likes to have us to her house for meals. It's too bad that we try to think up excuses for not going, or for leaving after being there for a short time. It's too bad that her last years have to be spent like this. I share part of the blame for this "distancing" but certainly not all of it.
I have to mention both of my grandmothers in this blog about moms. They were as opposite as night and day. My maternal grandmother was a soft spoken, tiny woman. She was a plain farm wife, and a kindly, Christian woman. I remember he as an excellent cook and as always wearing a hat. My paternal grandmother was young when she had my dad, so was still relatively young when I remember her. She was made of tough stuff, having been a single parent for a long time, when divorce and single parenting was not common. She was a factory worker. She loved "big." None of her grandchildren ever doubted that they were loved. She was generous with gifts and praise. One thing I remember about her was that no matter what she wore, she always wore earrings. Even with her hair in pincurls or "spoolies," she would have on her earrings. My mom always said that when my brother and I stayed with this grandma, if we didn't think of doing it, Grandma did, and helped us do it. What a good time we had!!
On this day to remember moms, I have delved in to the memory bank and come up with some very fond memories. It's been good for the soul.
Today being Mother's Day, I feel like I should be writing a glowing tribute to my mom. Well, I could do that. My mom has been gone for 13 years last week. I miss her every day. She was a good person who taught me a lot of profound stuff. She was what I always refer to as a "quiet Christian" and was always doing for others. My life hasn't been quite the same since her passing. There are so many memories of her to share, that this could become a book. Maybe it's one I will write someday.
There are other mothers in my life now. My wife is the mother of my children. She is the kind of mom that every kid would like to have. As our kids were growing up. all the neighborhood kids wanted to congregate at our house. We had the homemade cookies, and other goodies that other moms didn't make for one reason or another. Our kids, now adults in their 30's, still ask for the homemade stuff, and of course, Mom tries to cook what each one of them like. She is a good listener, and loves with all her heart.
Then there is my mother-in-law. Well, what can I say about her? She is a different sort of an individual. We are NOT close, nor are we on the same "wave length." She is, and always has been, extremely critical of me, my wife(her daughter) and our kids. She masks her criticism in her old line, "I am just trying to be truthful." This is pure B.S. She is just being manipulative and hurtful. She does have her moments, though. She is a wonderful cook, and honestly likes to have us to her house for meals. It's too bad that we try to think up excuses for not going, or for leaving after being there for a short time. It's too bad that her last years have to be spent like this. I share part of the blame for this "distancing" but certainly not all of it.
I have to mention both of my grandmothers in this blog about moms. They were as opposite as night and day. My maternal grandmother was a soft spoken, tiny woman. She was a plain farm wife, and a kindly, Christian woman. I remember he as an excellent cook and as always wearing a hat. My paternal grandmother was young when she had my dad, so was still relatively young when I remember her. She was made of tough stuff, having been a single parent for a long time, when divorce and single parenting was not common. She was a factory worker. She loved "big." None of her grandchildren ever doubted that they were loved. She was generous with gifts and praise. One thing I remember about her was that no matter what she wore, she always wore earrings. Even with her hair in pincurls or "spoolies," she would have on her earrings. My mom always said that when my brother and I stayed with this grandma, if we didn't think of doing it, Grandma did, and helped us do it. What a good time we had!!
On this day to remember moms, I have delved in to the memory bank and come up with some very fond memories. It's been good for the soul.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
My list of Dreams
As you all know by now, I love chocolate. This morning, as I ate my Dove dark chocolate “Promise,” my “promise” said to make a list of my dreams. So I thought I would try it.
1. World peace.
2. Stamp our world hunger
3. Have my children care enough to stay relatively close by.
4. More grandchildren
5. Fewer bills, more money
6. That log house on a wooded lot
7. Be thinner and in better physical shape.
8. Less stress, more fun in life
9. Never lose my singing voice
10. Strengthening of my faith in God
I think I could sit here for hours, racking my brain, but these 10 seem to automatically pop into my brain. They must be the most important.
As you all know by now, I love chocolate. This morning, as I ate my Dove dark chocolate “Promise,” my “promise” said to make a list of my dreams. So I thought I would try it.
1. World peace.
2. Stamp our world hunger
3. Have my children care enough to stay relatively close by.
4. More grandchildren
5. Fewer bills, more money
6. That log house on a wooded lot
7. Be thinner and in better physical shape.
8. Less stress, more fun in life
9. Never lose my singing voice
10. Strengthening of my faith in God
I think I could sit here for hours, racking my brain, but these 10 seem to automatically pop into my brain. They must be the most important.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
This is What I Believe...
That beer and Chocolate were made to go together
That there is a reason you have your children when you are young
That Social Security is not the only "fixed" income
That if a state has sales tax, it should abolish property tax
That the Federal Government is corrupt
That most Jr. High schoolers are spawns of satan
That the sacrament of marriage should be honored
That summer is designed for the young
That store managers who claim their stores are handicap accessible should have to ride a wheel chair up and down every aisle.
That there hasn't been a "real" actress since Elizabeth Taylor
That "Dances With Wolves" is worth watching 19 times.
That Tory Spelling is the worst excuse for an actress in the history of film
That no body looks good in Spandex
That Speedo needs to rethink
That Blue Jeans should be considered "dress" clothes
That "breaded, stewed tomatoes" should be erased from every recipe book
That brocolli is a weed and should be treated as such
That one's faith in God is what sustains me
That there is nothing like singing with my friends
That adult children can drive you nuts with worry
That Alaska and Hawaii are not really states
That it's too hot to go to Florida in the summer
That Michigan is an ideal state for summer vacations
That if women wear skirts and sandals to work, men should wear shorts and sandals.
That having gray hair is better than no hair
That naming a child after a dog is dumb
That football is just plain stupid
That the Home Shopping Network is responsible for America's high consumer debt
That grandchildren are wonderful
That our Native Americans really got a raw deal from the "white man"
That Carole King could never write a bad song
That "Designing Women" was great TV
That rap music is not music. It is just noise with a beat
That getting older is better than the alternative
That there are people on the road that shouldn't be
That having family close at hand is reassuring
That improving our nation's educational system should be a government priority
This is what I believe and I'm sticking to it!
That beer and Chocolate were made to go together
That there is a reason you have your children when you are young
That Social Security is not the only "fixed" income
That if a state has sales tax, it should abolish property tax
That the Federal Government is corrupt
That most Jr. High schoolers are spawns of satan
That the sacrament of marriage should be honored
That summer is designed for the young
That store managers who claim their stores are handicap accessible should have to ride a wheel chair up and down every aisle.
That there hasn't been a "real" actress since Elizabeth Taylor
That "Dances With Wolves" is worth watching 19 times.
That Tory Spelling is the worst excuse for an actress in the history of film
That no body looks good in Spandex
That Speedo needs to rethink
That Blue Jeans should be considered "dress" clothes
That "breaded, stewed tomatoes" should be erased from every recipe book
That brocolli is a weed and should be treated as such
That one's faith in God is what sustains me
That there is nothing like singing with my friends
That adult children can drive you nuts with worry
That Alaska and Hawaii are not really states
That it's too hot to go to Florida in the summer
That Michigan is an ideal state for summer vacations
That if women wear skirts and sandals to work, men should wear shorts and sandals.
That having gray hair is better than no hair
That naming a child after a dog is dumb
That football is just plain stupid
That the Home Shopping Network is responsible for America's high consumer debt
That grandchildren are wonderful
That our Native Americans really got a raw deal from the "white man"
That Carole King could never write a bad song
That "Designing Women" was great TV
That rap music is not music. It is just noise with a beat
That getting older is better than the alternative
That there are people on the road that shouldn't be
That having family close at hand is reassuring
That improving our nation's educational system should be a government priority
This is what I believe and I'm sticking to it!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Me and my Music
I know, grammatically the title is not correct, but this is my blog, so I can write what and how I feel. By now you readers know that other than my wife and family, music is the most important aspect of my life. I sing. I play the piano (sort of) the guitar (enough to get by) and organ (basic skill only). Singing is what I know and do best. I love to sing. My family would say that I'd rather sing than eat! Often they are right and rightly so. Sometimes my schedule doesn't leave enough time to eat. Tonight is a classic example. By the time I get off work at 6"ish," and race home, don my performance tuxedo, and head out to tonight's performance, I won't have time to eat.
I sing in four different groups. Let me tell you about all of them.
The first one is my church choir. We are about 35-40 strong when everyone, including our "snowbirds" are there. Ages vary from 16 to 87. We have a director whose musical skills are beyond phenominal. She demands quality from us and gets it Sunday after Sunday. It is a pleasure to sing in this group and I have learned so much about singing, blending and breath control since joining. Besides, they are a wonderful group of Christians, and I am glad to call them "family."
Then there is the mens's quartet. We have been singing for four or five years now, but have really gotten "serious" about our sound and performing in the last two. We sing gospel music. And we do it well. When I am singing with those other three guys, I am closer to God than any other time. Our music transports me into God's hands. The others in the group are fine men have each contributed greatly to my Christian walk. They are truly my "brothers in Christ."
My third group is a mixed quartet. We sing contemporary Christian music and have ventured into the secular genre a few times. We have a good sound, and a heck of a lot of fun. We don't perform too often, and try to practice at least twice a month. We are always learning new music and polishing up the songs we already know. Our soprano, a young mom, is the life of the group and some times we laugh more than we sing. It is a time for sharing and caring. There is no doubt that we all care about each other.
Then there is the other group. I have been in this group since its formation eight years ago. We formed for a one-shot performance at a New Year's Eve gala, on short notice. We received rave reviews and have been singing around the community ever since. We sing everything from "big band" to 50's and 60's rock and roll, to Broadway hits. We even throw in a few patriotic and religious numbers. We are at 16 members right and the number varies. I love it, but it takes the most work. We practice every week, and seldom does a month go by that we don't have at least one performance. I know in June we have three performances in one day, in three different locations. Whew!
I have contemplated giving up at least one of these groups. But why should I? My wife has never complained about me being gone, and has alway been by biggest fan. And I love singing, and I also know that at my age, sometime the voice will start to go. When it does, I will give it up willingly, but until then, I will keep on singing. Singing is my life. The rest is all details.
I know, grammatically the title is not correct, but this is my blog, so I can write what and how I feel. By now you readers know that other than my wife and family, music is the most important aspect of my life. I sing. I play the piano (sort of) the guitar (enough to get by) and organ (basic skill only). Singing is what I know and do best. I love to sing. My family would say that I'd rather sing than eat! Often they are right and rightly so. Sometimes my schedule doesn't leave enough time to eat. Tonight is a classic example. By the time I get off work at 6"ish," and race home, don my performance tuxedo, and head out to tonight's performance, I won't have time to eat.
I sing in four different groups. Let me tell you about all of them.
The first one is my church choir. We are about 35-40 strong when everyone, including our "snowbirds" are there. Ages vary from 16 to 87. We have a director whose musical skills are beyond phenominal. She demands quality from us and gets it Sunday after Sunday. It is a pleasure to sing in this group and I have learned so much about singing, blending and breath control since joining. Besides, they are a wonderful group of Christians, and I am glad to call them "family."
Then there is the mens's quartet. We have been singing for four or five years now, but have really gotten "serious" about our sound and performing in the last two. We sing gospel music. And we do it well. When I am singing with those other three guys, I am closer to God than any other time. Our music transports me into God's hands. The others in the group are fine men have each contributed greatly to my Christian walk. They are truly my "brothers in Christ."
My third group is a mixed quartet. We sing contemporary Christian music and have ventured into the secular genre a few times. We have a good sound, and a heck of a lot of fun. We don't perform too often, and try to practice at least twice a month. We are always learning new music and polishing up the songs we already know. Our soprano, a young mom, is the life of the group and some times we laugh more than we sing. It is a time for sharing and caring. There is no doubt that we all care about each other.
Then there is the other group. I have been in this group since its formation eight years ago. We formed for a one-shot performance at a New Year's Eve gala, on short notice. We received rave reviews and have been singing around the community ever since. We sing everything from "big band" to 50's and 60's rock and roll, to Broadway hits. We even throw in a few patriotic and religious numbers. We are at 16 members right and the number varies. I love it, but it takes the most work. We practice every week, and seldom does a month go by that we don't have at least one performance. I know in June we have three performances in one day, in three different locations. Whew!
I have contemplated giving up at least one of these groups. But why should I? My wife has never complained about me being gone, and has alway been by biggest fan. And I love singing, and I also know that at my age, sometime the voice will start to go. When it does, I will give it up willingly, but until then, I will keep on singing. Singing is my life. The rest is all details.
It Was Just One of Those Days
Last Saturday dawned a beautiful day. Cool, but sunny. One of those spring days so full of promise that you don't want to waste a moment of it.
I arose relatively early for me. I had to go to the bank and I also had an appointment to get a haircut.
First stop: The ATM. I pulled up behind the car in front of me, leaving a courtesy space between us and waited. When it was my turn, I pulled up and stuck in my ATM card. Absolutely nothing happened! No prompt to continue, no warning message saying "out of order." NOTHING! I sat there waiting for the machine to give me back my card. I could see it in the slot and was sure it would be coughed back at me any second. I even pressed the "cancel" button: still nothing.
Finally I gave up and drove to the drive-up window. Since when does a reputable banking institution hire immature smart alecks to serve the public? I explained my situation to the young woman at the window. I think she took one look at my gray hair and the somewhat wrinkled skin around my eyes, and thought, "senior citizen." which to someone of her age and IQ would mean "feeble minded."
"Are you sure you put it in the right way?" she asked in a patronizing tone. "Yes," I answered.
"Has your card expired?" was her next question. "No," I replied trying desperately hard to be patient. She smiled that smile of false sympathy, and said that the ATM people only serviced the machine on weekdays, and if I came back on Monday afternoon, and brought my drivers license I could get my card back. So off I went speeding to my haircut. (Note: by now I was running late.)All went well with the haircut, thought I still wonder why, after several years, the gal who cuts my hair, still askes me every time I go, "now, how did we cut this the last time?" To my recollection, "we" didn't cut my hair, she did. How the heck do I know what size 'rake" she used. I thought a rake was used on leaves, and gardens, but after all, I am "feeble minded," so what do I know?
After the haircut, I went home. I told my wife about my ATM disaster. She immediately called the bank to have them stop any charges on my card in case it was found. The bank said my card had been coughed out when the next person tried to use the ATM and that person had turned it in. (Thanks for your honesty, whomever you are.) The bank "hot carded" it anyway and now I would have to apply for a new card. So, back into the car I got, went to the bank, filled out an application for another card, and endured yet another patronization by a teller young enough to be my granddaughter. I am sure that I have underwear and socks older than she is!!!
By this time, I needed to "cool off," so I went to work in my yard. Bear in mind that I have not pulled that first weed or picked up that first fallen limb since spring began, so I raked, pruned and mowed my way back to whatever state-of-mind I deem normal.
After four hours of manual labor, I was exhausted, but a lot happier. I also discovered how horribly out of shape I am. My muscles screamed and my joints were creaking. Now I realize that it's my body that is growing feeble: not my mind. But I am still able to function. Damn the arthritis, full speed ahead. After I hung up my rake, peeled off my gloves, and closed the garage door, I took a nap. All was right with the world once again!
Last Saturday dawned a beautiful day. Cool, but sunny. One of those spring days so full of promise that you don't want to waste a moment of it.
I arose relatively early for me. I had to go to the bank and I also had an appointment to get a haircut.
First stop: The ATM. I pulled up behind the car in front of me, leaving a courtesy space between us and waited. When it was my turn, I pulled up and stuck in my ATM card. Absolutely nothing happened! No prompt to continue, no warning message saying "out of order." NOTHING! I sat there waiting for the machine to give me back my card. I could see it in the slot and was sure it would be coughed back at me any second. I even pressed the "cancel" button: still nothing.
Finally I gave up and drove to the drive-up window. Since when does a reputable banking institution hire immature smart alecks to serve the public? I explained my situation to the young woman at the window. I think she took one look at my gray hair and the somewhat wrinkled skin around my eyes, and thought, "senior citizen." which to someone of her age and IQ would mean "feeble minded."
"Are you sure you put it in the right way?" she asked in a patronizing tone. "Yes," I answered.
"Has your card expired?" was her next question. "No," I replied trying desperately hard to be patient. She smiled that smile of false sympathy, and said that the ATM people only serviced the machine on weekdays, and if I came back on Monday afternoon, and brought my drivers license I could get my card back. So off I went speeding to my haircut. (Note: by now I was running late.)All went well with the haircut, thought I still wonder why, after several years, the gal who cuts my hair, still askes me every time I go, "now, how did we cut this the last time?" To my recollection, "we" didn't cut my hair, she did. How the heck do I know what size 'rake" she used. I thought a rake was used on leaves, and gardens, but after all, I am "feeble minded," so what do I know?
After the haircut, I went home. I told my wife about my ATM disaster. She immediately called the bank to have them stop any charges on my card in case it was found. The bank said my card had been coughed out when the next person tried to use the ATM and that person had turned it in. (Thanks for your honesty, whomever you are.) The bank "hot carded" it anyway and now I would have to apply for a new card. So, back into the car I got, went to the bank, filled out an application for another card, and endured yet another patronization by a teller young enough to be my granddaughter. I am sure that I have underwear and socks older than she is!!!
By this time, I needed to "cool off," so I went to work in my yard. Bear in mind that I have not pulled that first weed or picked up that first fallen limb since spring began, so I raked, pruned and mowed my way back to whatever state-of-mind I deem normal.
After four hours of manual labor, I was exhausted, but a lot happier. I also discovered how horribly out of shape I am. My muscles screamed and my joints were creaking. Now I realize that it's my body that is growing feeble: not my mind. But I am still able to function. Damn the arthritis, full speed ahead. After I hung up my rake, peeled off my gloves, and closed the garage door, I took a nap. All was right with the world once again!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Happy Birthday, Honey!
For 39 years now I have been helping celebrate your special day. Each year it gets harder to buy gifts, sometimes because the coffers are barer than others, and sometimes just because a the perfect gift just doesn't come to mind. This year you hinted that even though we weren't celebrating your birthday, you wanted something "green" and alive. Now, I know we have bare spots in the back yard, but a bag of grass seed didn't seem too good a gift, so I opted for African Violets. These bring back a lot of memories, don't they. Remember the little, old Violet lady that raised beautiful plants for sale? How many trips did we make to her house to buy plants down through the years?
Remember when our grandson was little and he just didn't like the violets? No matter how hard we tried to convince him that they were pretty flowers, he would wait until our backs were turned, and then would tip them over, on purpose. I still wonder what there was about them that he didn't like.
Remember when my mom was with us still and alway took us out for dinner on our birthdays? It was always a big deal. Maybe that is why we still go out to eat on birthdays.
Remember the little gifts that the kids made for you? Hand prints, plaques, etc? I think we still have them all in a box in storage, only because we don't have space to display them all.
So, on this birthday, remember all the fun, and memories that we have had down through the years. It is those memories in the making that will sustain us as we grow even older.
Happy day! Remember that I love you!
For 39 years now I have been helping celebrate your special day. Each year it gets harder to buy gifts, sometimes because the coffers are barer than others, and sometimes just because a the perfect gift just doesn't come to mind. This year you hinted that even though we weren't celebrating your birthday, you wanted something "green" and alive. Now, I know we have bare spots in the back yard, but a bag of grass seed didn't seem too good a gift, so I opted for African Violets. These bring back a lot of memories, don't they. Remember the little, old Violet lady that raised beautiful plants for sale? How many trips did we make to her house to buy plants down through the years?
Remember when our grandson was little and he just didn't like the violets? No matter how hard we tried to convince him that they were pretty flowers, he would wait until our backs were turned, and then would tip them over, on purpose. I still wonder what there was about them that he didn't like.
Remember when my mom was with us still and alway took us out for dinner on our birthdays? It was always a big deal. Maybe that is why we still go out to eat on birthdays.
Remember the little gifts that the kids made for you? Hand prints, plaques, etc? I think we still have them all in a box in storage, only because we don't have space to display them all.
So, on this birthday, remember all the fun, and memories that we have had down through the years. It is those memories in the making that will sustain us as we grow even older.
Happy day! Remember that I love you!
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Mind flashes!
1. I need: More free time, less stress
2. Sex: What's that?
3. Relationships: if they are good, they are a must. Bad ones..get out fast!
4. Your Last Ex: Never had an ex, unless you count old girlfriend: ugly and her mother dressed her funny!
5. Power: Micromanagers give me a pain in the keester.
6. Marijuana: should be banished from the earth
7. Crack:glass ruined
8. Food: Diet
9. This president: Haven't has a real one since J.F.K.
10. War: will always be a threat
11. Cars: Vette
12. Gas Prices: A few getting rich off the masses...pisses me off!
13. Halloween: worst holiday of the year
14. Bon Jovi: Rather listen to grass grow!
15. Religion: The basis of who I am.
16. MySpace: Cool
17. Worst Fear: Losing my family
18. Marriage: Happen to be in a good one. Ain't I lucky!!!
19. Fashion: I like what I like, fashion be damned!
20. Brunettes: Liz Taylor, once upon a time!
21. Redheads: Maureen O'Hara...what a bombshell! They don't have actresses like her anymore!
22: Work: Sustains the purse, robs the body and soul
23: Pass the time: Get out there and enjoy life!
24: Football: Stupid, stupid, stupid!
25: One night Stands: Never been there, but close!
26: Pet Peeve: Supressed anger
27: Pixie Stix: I could buy 2 for a penny as a kid
28: Vanilla Ice: What?
29: Porta Potties: Necessary, but have very thin walls.
30: High school: A good start on life, but can be hell on the underdogs.
31: Pajamas: Never heard of 'em!
32. Wood: add an "s" and it's a good place to walk and hunt mushrooms
33. Surfers: Sidewalk junkies with extra-bad hair
34. Pictures: good to look at, just don't put me in them
35. First Love: I still remember her after 49 years, good person, had a neat bike!
I "borrowed" this from Babble From Babbler, who stole it from another innocent blogger!
But it was just for fun...enjoy!
1. I need: More free time, less stress
2. Sex: What's that?
3. Relationships: if they are good, they are a must. Bad ones..get out fast!
4. Your Last Ex: Never had an ex, unless you count old girlfriend: ugly and her mother dressed her funny!
5. Power: Micromanagers give me a pain in the keester.
6. Marijuana: should be banished from the earth
7. Crack:glass ruined
8. Food: Diet
9. This president: Haven't has a real one since J.F.K.
10. War: will always be a threat
11. Cars: Vette
12. Gas Prices: A few getting rich off the masses...pisses me off!
13. Halloween: worst holiday of the year
14. Bon Jovi: Rather listen to grass grow!
15. Religion: The basis of who I am.
16. MySpace: Cool
17. Worst Fear: Losing my family
18. Marriage: Happen to be in a good one. Ain't I lucky!!!
19. Fashion: I like what I like, fashion be damned!
20. Brunettes: Liz Taylor, once upon a time!
21. Redheads: Maureen O'Hara...what a bombshell! They don't have actresses like her anymore!
22: Work: Sustains the purse, robs the body and soul
23: Pass the time: Get out there and enjoy life!
24: Football: Stupid, stupid, stupid!
25: One night Stands: Never been there, but close!
26: Pet Peeve: Supressed anger
27: Pixie Stix: I could buy 2 for a penny as a kid
28: Vanilla Ice: What?
29: Porta Potties: Necessary, but have very thin walls.
30: High school: A good start on life, but can be hell on the underdogs.
31: Pajamas: Never heard of 'em!
32. Wood: add an "s" and it's a good place to walk and hunt mushrooms
33. Surfers: Sidewalk junkies with extra-bad hair
34. Pictures: good to look at, just don't put me in them
35. First Love: I still remember her after 49 years, good person, had a neat bike!
I "borrowed" this from Babble From Babbler, who stole it from another innocent blogger!
But it was just for fun...enjoy!
Friday, April 21, 2006
Another Day in Paradise
It's finally spring! The jonquils are already done blooming and the lilacs are about to burst into their beauty. But, damn! the grass is growing. I hate mowing the grass. I love digging in the dirt, planting, and weeding the flowerbeds. But, I think I will hire a high school kid to do the mowing. In fact, I think I found someone today who is willing to do that nasty job once he gets the cast off of his arm!
Another thing I love about spring is going out for ice cream. Our local ice cream parlor, (and I mean local, as it is only 2 blocks away from our house.) has added several new flavors. The other night when we stopped, I told the owner that I thought I would start at the west end of the freezer case and work my way East!
With this humongous intake of ice cream, I should put walking on my list of things to do since the weather is getting nice. We have two lovely walking trails in our town, but finding the time to walk is nearly impossible! After all, I am busy weeding and eating ice cream.
I love hearing the birds sing. I love the warm breezes and being able to open the windows and air out the house. I love riding with the windows down in the car. When it gets a little warmer, we will put the top down on our old convertible and tool around town. I like to play the radio loud on some oldies station and have people smile and wave.
I love going for drives in the evening, and finally our state has adopted Daylight Savings Time, so we have plenty of driving time when I get home from work. Damn those high gas prices, though.
I love sitting on the screened in porch and watching the world go by. If only the teenager next door would turn his stereo down. I pray for his parents daily!
It is now time to go out and check out the flower beds, plan what plants to buy, lay in a supply of mulch and fertilizer. I wonder if the garden center has something that will keep the grass from growing so darn fast!!!
It's finally spring! The jonquils are already done blooming and the lilacs are about to burst into their beauty. But, damn! the grass is growing. I hate mowing the grass. I love digging in the dirt, planting, and weeding the flowerbeds. But, I think I will hire a high school kid to do the mowing. In fact, I think I found someone today who is willing to do that nasty job once he gets the cast off of his arm!
Another thing I love about spring is going out for ice cream. Our local ice cream parlor, (and I mean local, as it is only 2 blocks away from our house.) has added several new flavors. The other night when we stopped, I told the owner that I thought I would start at the west end of the freezer case and work my way East!
With this humongous intake of ice cream, I should put walking on my list of things to do since the weather is getting nice. We have two lovely walking trails in our town, but finding the time to walk is nearly impossible! After all, I am busy weeding and eating ice cream.
I love hearing the birds sing. I love the warm breezes and being able to open the windows and air out the house. I love riding with the windows down in the car. When it gets a little warmer, we will put the top down on our old convertible and tool around town. I like to play the radio loud on some oldies station and have people smile and wave.
I love going for drives in the evening, and finally our state has adopted Daylight Savings Time, so we have plenty of driving time when I get home from work. Damn those high gas prices, though.
I love sitting on the screened in porch and watching the world go by. If only the teenager next door would turn his stereo down. I pray for his parents daily!
It is now time to go out and check out the flower beds, plan what plants to buy, lay in a supply of mulch and fertilizer. I wonder if the garden center has something that will keep the grass from growing so darn fast!!!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Driving The Bus For My Friends
(The people are real; their names are not!)
Our county has a public transit system. I drive a bus for the system part-time to help bolster the family coffers. Driving has been an interesting "ride." Some of my riders are daily routine riders; some just ride periodically. Then there's the "newbies" that ride for the first time.
All are an interesting mix of ages, genders, and philosophies.
Let me introduce you to them.
Toby is a regular. He is middle aged, mentally challenged, and a very hard worker. He has been a "merchandise handler" in a local grocery store for several years. He probably has the mental age of a 12 year old, but is able to function as a productive adult in today's world with assistance. He lives alone in his own apartment, is clean and tidy and funny. We laugh and joke with each other, and he worries about me if I don't show up right on time. He talks to himself, mumbles, and I can always tell if there is something wrong. He is caring and sharing.
CeCe is a regular rider, too. She is middle aged, gray-haired, and has a good sense of humor. She lives with and is caregiver for an older handicapped sister. She washes dishes at a local restaurant, shovels snow in the winter and mows lawns in the spring and summer. She also cares for an elderly lady that lives close to her. She loves to gamble. Four afternoons a week, I deliver her to where ever the hottest games of Bingo are being played, and on night five, she bowls. She loves going to Vegas! She recently saw her dog get run over by a car. She was heartbroken. She shared that experience with me, and before we knew it we were both in tears and sharing "lost dog" stories.
Another regular rider is Tia. Tia is one of the happiest people I know. She has Downs-syndrome, but does that hold her back? No! She works in the laundry department of a local children's home. A job she does with much pride. She has a younger sister who plays basketball at her local high school. Tia is her biggest fan. She told me the other day that they are moving this summer. She will be missed.
Bob is an elderly gentleman who rides with me daily. He retired 15 years ago, but when his wife died, he hated staying home all day, so he got a job working with his daughter in her pet-grooming business. He is 81 now, is almost blind, but his spirit is an inspiration to me daily. He always has a dog story to tell, and his Christian light is always shining. He still loves life and all that is in it. That is apparant every time I talk to him.
Jen is a student at our local community college. She has shared her ups and downs with her boyfriend with me. She has asked my advice. I think it is wise for her to seek her own way, so I keep my remarks to a minimum. But I do act as a good listener.
Mary is a single mom with three teenagers. I haul her too and from the grocery and let her exceed the "4-bag-limit" on my bus. She cannot possibly haul groceries for four people in 4 bags! She is struggling with raising the kids alone, working full time, and going to college, too. What an admirable person she is. I know her children, too. They are good kids, with lots of respect for their mom.
Of course, not all of my riders are Mr. or Mrs. Pleasant. No, some are crabby and try to tell me how to drive. Constance doesn't like to have anyone else on the bus when she rides. Berneice doesn't bathe often enough, so I get out the air freshener when she exits the bus. Ann thinks we should "drop everything" whenever she calls to schedule a ride, but seems grateful when we do go to haul her to the store or post office.
One lady, an invalid, calls the transit office and visits, just because the dispatcher is nice to her and she has no one else to talk to. When she rides with me, she is so cheerful, you would never know that she is confined to a wheelchair full time.
I could go on and on. Someday, when I am old and gray, I am going to write a book by the same title as this blog. But for now, let me just say that these people have taught me what caring is all about. These people are my friends. My good friends!
(The people are real; their names are not!)
Our county has a public transit system. I drive a bus for the system part-time to help bolster the family coffers. Driving has been an interesting "ride." Some of my riders are daily routine riders; some just ride periodically. Then there's the "newbies" that ride for the first time.
All are an interesting mix of ages, genders, and philosophies.
Let me introduce you to them.
Toby is a regular. He is middle aged, mentally challenged, and a very hard worker. He has been a "merchandise handler" in a local grocery store for several years. He probably has the mental age of a 12 year old, but is able to function as a productive adult in today's world with assistance. He lives alone in his own apartment, is clean and tidy and funny. We laugh and joke with each other, and he worries about me if I don't show up right on time. He talks to himself, mumbles, and I can always tell if there is something wrong. He is caring and sharing.
CeCe is a regular rider, too. She is middle aged, gray-haired, and has a good sense of humor. She lives with and is caregiver for an older handicapped sister. She washes dishes at a local restaurant, shovels snow in the winter and mows lawns in the spring and summer. She also cares for an elderly lady that lives close to her. She loves to gamble. Four afternoons a week, I deliver her to where ever the hottest games of Bingo are being played, and on night five, she bowls. She loves going to Vegas! She recently saw her dog get run over by a car. She was heartbroken. She shared that experience with me, and before we knew it we were both in tears and sharing "lost dog" stories.
Another regular rider is Tia. Tia is one of the happiest people I know. She has Downs-syndrome, but does that hold her back? No! She works in the laundry department of a local children's home. A job she does with much pride. She has a younger sister who plays basketball at her local high school. Tia is her biggest fan. She told me the other day that they are moving this summer. She will be missed.
Bob is an elderly gentleman who rides with me daily. He retired 15 years ago, but when his wife died, he hated staying home all day, so he got a job working with his daughter in her pet-grooming business. He is 81 now, is almost blind, but his spirit is an inspiration to me daily. He always has a dog story to tell, and his Christian light is always shining. He still loves life and all that is in it. That is apparant every time I talk to him.
Jen is a student at our local community college. She has shared her ups and downs with her boyfriend with me. She has asked my advice. I think it is wise for her to seek her own way, so I keep my remarks to a minimum. But I do act as a good listener.
Mary is a single mom with three teenagers. I haul her too and from the grocery and let her exceed the "4-bag-limit" on my bus. She cannot possibly haul groceries for four people in 4 bags! She is struggling with raising the kids alone, working full time, and going to college, too. What an admirable person she is. I know her children, too. They are good kids, with lots of respect for their mom.
Of course, not all of my riders are Mr. or Mrs. Pleasant. No, some are crabby and try to tell me how to drive. Constance doesn't like to have anyone else on the bus when she rides. Berneice doesn't bathe often enough, so I get out the air freshener when she exits the bus. Ann thinks we should "drop everything" whenever she calls to schedule a ride, but seems grateful when we do go to haul her to the store or post office.
One lady, an invalid, calls the transit office and visits, just because the dispatcher is nice to her and she has no one else to talk to. When she rides with me, she is so cheerful, you would never know that she is confined to a wheelchair full time.
I could go on and on. Someday, when I am old and gray, I am going to write a book by the same title as this blog. But for now, let me just say that these people have taught me what caring is all about. These people are my friends. My good friends!
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