It's New Year's Eve (Day) and what would have been my Dad's 89th Birthday.
He has been gone for a long time, and I still miss him every day. Aside from teaching me which end of a gun is the dangerous one (no, it's not the one with the little hole in it, it's the one with the operator attached) he imparted a lot of wisdom about family and life in general. Any of you who know me have heard most of this before, but I thought I would impart a few gems, derived from the other things he taught me, as a way to ring out the old year.
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There are only three things you need to do to successfully raise children: Love them, love them, and love them. Of course, you will need to deal with the inevitable "You did what?!" moments, but one of the three things listed above will equip you.
A father's main job is to provide his family with a safe place to learn how to deal with all the crud that life will throw at them. His secondary job is to impart what his father taught him, and what he learned while coping with being an adult, to his children.
Girls will mature faster than boys. Actually, girls will mature, boys will remain 12 years old at the core until they die of old age. The inner Peter Pan keeps old men from being lousy grandfathers.
If you want to learn how to love your children or your spouse, listen to your dog. He does not know how to not love unconditionally. You may have to make a few course corrections, but unconditional love of your family will give you a map to a happy life.
Government is like a laxative. Unless you are really lucky, you will need it every once in a while, but you will be up to your neck in effluent if you rely on it too much.
God will not throw anything your way that you cannot ultimately deal with successfully. You might not enjoy the trip, but arriving at the end of the problem will be worth the grief.
Life is like the little kid who dove into the stable full of horse crap because he knew there was a pony in there someplace. It may be unpleasant, but there's a reward at the end.
Never trust a cat.
Never pet a stray dog. Make him your friend first, but keep your fingers away from his front end while you're doing it.
Engage brain before operating mouth.
Y'all get the general idea. Life is a blessing, and how you deal with its little "opportunities" is entirely up to your own outlook. You'll be happy if you look at the good side of events, and Ebeneezer Scrooge (pre-ghosts) if you don't. It's your choice.
Thanks, Dad. I think you taught me well, and I pray that I'm up to the task of passing it along.
Stay well, and make the best of your opportunities in the New Year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas Wishes
Is 9:6 KJV
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:11-14 KJV
Just a quick note to wish all who see this a blessed Christmas full of wonder at the gift we celebrate on December 25. Do not forget the reason for the celebration. We are saved by the gift of Christ, entirely undeserved and given by a loving God. Isaiah foresaw it, Luke reported it, and I am blessed to have known it.
Merry Christmas from the Road Less Traveled
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday, Mom. I hope this 44th anniversary of your 39th birthday is as good as they get. We miss you and always hope to see you soon. Stay warm.
And to my nephew Paul, who officially joins the rest of us who are the same age as Jack Benny today, make it the best one ever. We're proud of your nearly 20 years of service with the Navy. (...and mark the last weekend of March on your calendar for Mountain Madness 2010.)
And to my nephew Paul, who officially joins the rest of us who are the same age as Jack Benny today, make it the best one ever. We're proud of your nearly 20 years of service with the Navy. (...and mark the last weekend of March on your calendar for Mountain Madness 2010.)
The More Things Change...
...the more they stay the same.
Last year it was Gracie the kitten in the Christmas tree. This year, it's George the cat. Same cat, same tree, different name, compliments of the vet, who had more practice at determining the sex of a kitten than my wife.
Stay well, and Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Climate Change
A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be. - Albert Einstein
It's been an interesting day on the Environmental Front. President Oh-Bummer is meeting with OwlGore to discuss climate change, the EPA has declared that CO2 is a threat to public health, and idiots are running around Washington like rats escaping a tenement fire.
Every time I hear a conversation about climate change, I hear the word "consensus", as in "Scientific consensus proves that mankind is contributing to climate change." 500 or so years ago, the "scientific consensus" was that the world was flat, and if you sailed too far, you would fall off the edge. The consensus was once that Earth was the center of the universe. The consensus once was that the proper way to treat a disease was to drain the "evil humors" out of the body with about half of the blood.
Scientific consensus is always wrong. Science is a search for the truth, and the truth is always unknown. Thomas Edison once said, "We don't know one millionth of one percent about anything." He was right. We will never truly understand all there is to know about anything. We have theories that seem to fit the way we observe things working, but the more we observe, the more we discover that our theories are lacking. One brilliant person will get a thought that leads to the discovery of a larger truth that proves the consensus wrong. He will be branded a heretic, denier, or worse, but eventually he will be proved correct.
I am more inclined to believe the one person who has a reasoned and researched objection to consensus, than to fall in line and blindly follow the dumb masses (say it aloud 3 times) who preach the party line. Historically, the heretics have usually been proven correct.
The fact that the EPA has made this "finding" is alarming. We're about to be slammed with regulations on everything that releases anything that might be considered a "greenhouse gas". Look for catalytic converters on cows. The alarming thing is that there is no check and balance mechanism in place that would allow us to modify this ruling. Congress is held in check by the threat of being voted out of office. The EPA can act like the Emperor of the Known Universe and ban things by fiat.
It is time to rise up and let our elected representatives know that we're tired of not being represented. It's time to unite and remind those in positions of power that this country was founded on the principle that "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed". It is time to remove our consent if common sense and freedom are not returned to the thought processes of those who rule us.
Take a look at the quote from Ayn Rand on the right of this page, and use it as a filter to examine this EPA ruling.
Stay well, and keep breathing, despite what the EPA says.
It's been an interesting day on the Environmental Front. President Oh-Bummer is meeting with OwlGore to discuss climate change, the EPA has declared that CO2 is a threat to public health, and idiots are running around Washington like rats escaping a tenement fire.
Every time I hear a conversation about climate change, I hear the word "consensus", as in "Scientific consensus proves that mankind is contributing to climate change." 500 or so years ago, the "scientific consensus" was that the world was flat, and if you sailed too far, you would fall off the edge. The consensus was once that Earth was the center of the universe. The consensus once was that the proper way to treat a disease was to drain the "evil humors" out of the body with about half of the blood.
Scientific consensus is always wrong. Science is a search for the truth, and the truth is always unknown. Thomas Edison once said, "We don't know one millionth of one percent about anything." He was right. We will never truly understand all there is to know about anything. We have theories that seem to fit the way we observe things working, but the more we observe, the more we discover that our theories are lacking. One brilliant person will get a thought that leads to the discovery of a larger truth that proves the consensus wrong. He will be branded a heretic, denier, or worse, but eventually he will be proved correct.
I am more inclined to believe the one person who has a reasoned and researched objection to consensus, than to fall in line and blindly follow the dumb masses (say it aloud 3 times) who preach the party line. Historically, the heretics have usually been proven correct.
The fact that the EPA has made this "finding" is alarming. We're about to be slammed with regulations on everything that releases anything that might be considered a "greenhouse gas". Look for catalytic converters on cows. The alarming thing is that there is no check and balance mechanism in place that would allow us to modify this ruling. Congress is held in check by the threat of being voted out of office. The EPA can act like the Emperor of the Known Universe and ban things by fiat.
It is time to rise up and let our elected representatives know that we're tired of not being represented. It's time to unite and remind those in positions of power that this country was founded on the principle that "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed". It is time to remove our consent if common sense and freedom are not returned to the thought processes of those who rule us.
Take a look at the quote from Ayn Rand on the right of this page, and use it as a filter to examine this EPA ruling.
Stay well, and keep breathing, despite what the EPA says.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Health Care
Warning: This is a political rant. Run away if you believe that government is the answer to everything.
The Story of Og.
Once upon a time, Og climbed out of his cave, and noticed that his club arm had a little twinge in it, so he went to Ooblek, the medicine man, and swapped some nice flint arrowheads for herbs, chanting, and smoke wafted around by an eagle's wing. Ooblek earned a nice living searching for herbs and bartering arrow heads in exchange for his knowledge as a healer. All was right with the Neanderthal world.
As he was going home, Og thought of the time it took to make 5 arrowheads, and that it was too much to pay for the treatment he had received. He rounded up a handful of his friends, and went to Oomlaut, the Chief with his grievance, and announced that he could no longer afford to pay for herbs and smoke, and what was Oomlaut going to do about it?
Oomlaut called the tribal council together (omitting Ooblek) and they decided that the services of the medicine man would be free to all of the tribe. Og and his buddies were elated.
Soon Ooblek was inundated with cave rats with runny noses, and as the word spread, troglodytes seeking aid from other tribes. His day was so full that he soon ran out of herbs, his eagle wing lost its feathers from overwork, and he took up flint napping and quit practicing medicine.
Winter came, and the tribe all died.
There are several lessons to be learned here. Health care is not a right. Government leaders don't want to know how something works before they change it, and excessive demand leads to shortage and eventual disaster.
There is no right to health care. We have a right to seek and purchase health care, but no right to obtain it. You may wonder "Why do you say that?". Rights are actions we can take without infringing on the ability of others to act as they choose. Rights proceed from God's gift of free will and his admonition to love others as we love ourselves. If you are alone on a desert island, you have a right to do anything you want. If there are other people present, your actions carry responsibilities and your rights are diminished when they have an effect on others.
Health care cannot be a right because there has to be a provider of the care. The act of demanding health care places a restriction on the action of the health care provider since the service requires the time of the person providing it.
The Beneficent Oz (A. K. A. Congress) after listening to the wailing and gnashing of teeth from constituent land, decided that health care is broke and needs to be fixed. No one has asked how it got broken because the answer is that Oz broke it, with mandated coverage and free medical care for people who won't pay (but will vote). It's broken because of the self interest of Congress. They will do whatever we let them if it will help them stay in their powerful jobs.
The only thing that is certain about the bills before Congress right now is that, if they are passed, they will create shortages, rationing, and eventual calamity. Our doctors will be overrun with patients, overworked, and eventually will change careers or retire. The possibility of financial reward from Medicine will decline, fewer bright young people will seek medical degrees, and the situation will feed on itself until our country is populated by people who have a life expectancy of 40 years.
Winter is coming, folks. Call your congressmen and let them know how you feel. Tell them your vote will go elsewhere if they ram this abomination down our throats. If you really want to stir the puddin', ask which article of the Constitution gives Congress the ability to force individuals to purchase anything, let alone health insurance.
Live long, and prosper, while you still can.
The Story of Og.
Once upon a time, Og climbed out of his cave, and noticed that his club arm had a little twinge in it, so he went to Ooblek, the medicine man, and swapped some nice flint arrowheads for herbs, chanting, and smoke wafted around by an eagle's wing. Ooblek earned a nice living searching for herbs and bartering arrow heads in exchange for his knowledge as a healer. All was right with the Neanderthal world.
As he was going home, Og thought of the time it took to make 5 arrowheads, and that it was too much to pay for the treatment he had received. He rounded up a handful of his friends, and went to Oomlaut, the Chief with his grievance, and announced that he could no longer afford to pay for herbs and smoke, and what was Oomlaut going to do about it?
Oomlaut called the tribal council together (omitting Ooblek) and they decided that the services of the medicine man would be free to all of the tribe. Og and his buddies were elated.
Soon Ooblek was inundated with cave rats with runny noses, and as the word spread, troglodytes seeking aid from other tribes. His day was so full that he soon ran out of herbs, his eagle wing lost its feathers from overwork, and he took up flint napping and quit practicing medicine.
Winter came, and the tribe all died.
There are several lessons to be learned here. Health care is not a right. Government leaders don't want to know how something works before they change it, and excessive demand leads to shortage and eventual disaster.
There is no right to health care. We have a right to seek and purchase health care, but no right to obtain it. You may wonder "Why do you say that?". Rights are actions we can take without infringing on the ability of others to act as they choose. Rights proceed from God's gift of free will and his admonition to love others as we love ourselves. If you are alone on a desert island, you have a right to do anything you want. If there are other people present, your actions carry responsibilities and your rights are diminished when they have an effect on others.
Health care cannot be a right because there has to be a provider of the care. The act of demanding health care places a restriction on the action of the health care provider since the service requires the time of the person providing it.
The Beneficent Oz (A. K. A. Congress) after listening to the wailing and gnashing of teeth from constituent land, decided that health care is broke and needs to be fixed. No one has asked how it got broken because the answer is that Oz broke it, with mandated coverage and free medical care for people who won't pay (but will vote). It's broken because of the self interest of Congress. They will do whatever we let them if it will help them stay in their powerful jobs.
The only thing that is certain about the bills before Congress right now is that, if they are passed, they will create shortages, rationing, and eventual calamity. Our doctors will be overrun with patients, overworked, and eventually will change careers or retire. The possibility of financial reward from Medicine will decline, fewer bright young people will seek medical degrees, and the situation will feed on itself until our country is populated by people who have a life expectancy of 40 years.
Winter is coming, folks. Call your congressmen and let them know how you feel. Tell them your vote will go elsewhere if they ram this abomination down our throats. If you really want to stir the puddin', ask which article of the Constitution gives Congress the ability to force individuals to purchase anything, let alone health insurance.
Live long, and prosper, while you still can.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Oh, Give Thanks....
...unto the Lord, for his mercy endures forever.
This Thanksgiving week has given me pause to reflect on the things for which I have good reason to be thankful. A brief list follows.
Marilyn and My Family. I have been truly blessed to be married to the most wonderful woman on earth for over 40 years. She's a constant source of delight and wonderment, and has given me 4 exceptional children who have grown into adults anyone would be proud of. I'm looking forward to spending some time with all of them (and totally blowing my diet :) ). Mention of family compels me to specifically include the people my children have chosen to spend their lives with. Without exception, they've chosen well, and I'm proud to have them and their children as part of the family.
America. She may be on the down side of middle age, but she's still the best place on the planet to raise a family. May God guide her people and our leaders to keep her that way.
Our Service Men and Women. Those who serve in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy are worthy of our most heart-felt gratitude. Their sacrifice to keep us safe and free should be cause to personally thank every one of them that you see in uniform.
My Parents and Grandparents. They sacrificed a lot to make me the person I am, and I am always grateful to have learned from them. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Brockmann, Grandma and Grandpa Blake, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wisdom and values you have shared with me. Your wise counsel guides me every time I interact with my Grandchildren. I hope I can pass on what you gave me.
My Friends. I have been blessed to hang out with some of the best people who walk the planet. I've rarely seen any of you when I did not learn something, or been outrageously amused. You, collectively, are proof that growing older is mandatory, but growing up is highly overrated. Stay young, regardless of how many birthdays you celebrate.
My Health. I may have a few (well deserved) defects, take enough pills each morning that I sound like a castanet when I come down the stairs, and am becoming more high-maintenance, but I am healthy enough to enjoy life, and can still make the leap into my Jeep when I want to go somewhere.
There are a lot more things I could list here, but I think I've hit the high spots.
Stay well, and take time this Thanksgiving Day to give truly heart-felt thanks to our God, because he truly is unendingly merciful and loving.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Jobu Smiled
It was a terrific camping trip, despite the fact that Jobu tried to sabotage it from the start.
Jon and I were planning to depart early on Thursday morning, following a Wednesday full of preparation. Jon had taken my vintage Dodge Dakota 4x4 and loaded it with all of his stuff: A couple of pop-up canopies, sleeping bags, and about a ton of aged cedar and cherry fire wood. It was sitting in the driveway ready to roll. My trailer was loaded to the roof with another ton of stoves, cots, tents, my 12x24 PVC cooking shelter, the flag pole, and enough flammable material to vaporize a good size mountain. There were axes, mauls, food, chairs, tables, sleeping bags, lanterns, and water. We were set.
Then Jobu got nasty. Jon jumped in the truck, and tried to start it. We got a low groan from the starter, and nothing else. OK, I said, we'll jump it off. The jumper cables were strung from the Jeep to the truck, and we tried again. This time, the headlights came on when Jon turned the key, and smoke billowed out from behind the grille. It seems that the wiring for the driving lights had, as most home mechanics will understand, found the one sharp edge in the engine compartment where a short would cause the most damage. After a frantic round of unwiring the driving lights, and several more attempts to start it, we abandoned the truck in the driveway, threw Jon's gear on top of the stuff already in the trailer, and hit the road in the Jeep.
By 1:30 we were on the mountain, having greeted Ted who had secured the campsite the previous evening, setting up camp. The tent, dining canopies, and assorted other junk were soon where they would remain for the next several days. Shortly after all this was completed, Pete arrived with his tent, and the keg. Things were looking up.
The weather forecast for the weekend did not look good. Thursday morning, the disaster loving freaks at the Weather Channel were gloating over an ugly orange mass over Missouri and Arkansas which was slated to drop a rain of biblical proportion over north Georgia on Friday and Saturday. Thursday was beautiful, though, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Pete threw some ribs in the smoker, and as evening approached, we steamed some broccoli, and fried some sweet potatoes to go with the ribs. It was a great evening, and just after dinner, Kevin, and Joe arrived, and got their goodies set up. Bob arrived shortly after.
Around 6:00 Friday morning the sky opened up. The rain on the tarp over the tent sounded like hail on a tin roof. I was bummed. Jobu had raised his ugly head again. But, as usual, I was wrong. It rained about a 10th of an inch, and turned to partly cloudy for the remainder of Friday. Jerry, Matt, his dog Buddy, Jason, and Blake arrived during the day. Our group was complete.
Just before dinner on Friday, a strange dog wandered into our camp, followed by a couple of young men who were camped a few hundred yards downstream from us. They were there to check out our campsite, and warn us to be on the lookout for any of their charges that might wander out of their campsite during the night. The charges were 14 troubled kids on an "Outward Bound" type wilderness weekend. We told the counselors that we would hog-tie any wayward kids who invaded our camp, and parted with two new friends. I really admire the work that these guys are doing, and pray that they are successful.
Friday evening's meal was Burgers and whatever else we could cook in a skillet. Very tasty, and the conversation around the campsite was lively, to say the least.
I cranked up my NOAA weather radio after dinner, and "Stephen Hawking" was telling us to search for gopher wood and round up two of every living thing. Typical. When Ted, Joe, and I are all in camp together, there's always a monsoon.
It rained about 1/2 inch over night, and Saturday dawned overcast and gloomy. I knew we were ready to be drowned. As usual, I was wrong. The clouds started to develop breaks, and things were looking up.
Pete, Jason, Matt, and I all had Jeeps. Joe, Teddy, and Bob had 4x4 trucks. We decided to seek out the nastiest roads we could find and make sure the 4 wheel drives were all in working order. We assembled our convoy and started out for Earl's Ford. The road is paved for about the first half mile, then turns to gravel, mud, and large rocks, with a substantial stream crossing thrown in for good measure. Just before the end of the pavement, we came upon an old Toyota pickup stopped in the middle of the road to allow a squirrel to cross. Wrong. A sunburned arm, camouflage cap, and a single shot 12 gauge materialized out of the passenger window. Kaboom! A clean miss, and Rocky the Squirrel made a hasty exit to the left. Redneck #2 ejected his empty and the fore arm of the shotgun at the same time. While he was retrieving the parts of his shotgun, our little group went around them, and pulled over on the shoulder to await the rest of our group. My comment as we got out of the cars was "Now THERE'S something you don't see every day!"
Arriving at the water crossing, we decided that 2' of fast flowing water was too much for some of our group and headed for rougher roads. The one we found was about a mile of trash can sized rocks, mud, wet leaves, and fallen limbs that climbed to within 300 feet of the summit of the second highest point in Georgia. Nobody broke anything on the way up, and when we reached the clearing at the end of the "road" 5 of the group (and the dog) took off on foot for the observation platform at the summit. In light of my recent encounter with a wasp, I stayed behind and visited with Dan Brown's latest book.
The report from the top was that the 30-mile view was down to about 30 feet due to the cloud that had settled over the summit. Moses, call your office.
The trip down the mountain had one interesting event. I was about 50 yards behind Matt and Buddy, picking my way over the rocks when I noticed Matt had stopped. He was trying to coax Buddy back into the Jeep. Somewhere in the foggy recesses of his canine brain, Buddy had decided to catch one of the sticks that were flashing by the window at about 2 MPH. He finally caught one. Matt said he looked over to see how the dog was doing, and saw a tail disappearing out the window. Buddy was OK, but a little bewildered and considerably enlightened to the dangers of grabbing stuff from a moving car.
Back at camp, we were sitting around the fire anticipating another great meal (pulled pork barbecue) when a green truck with a DNR sticker on it, and a trailer pulled into our camp. Oh Crud! It was the notorious Ranger Dan. But one more time, Jobu smiled. The young DNR officer had a rather sad looking bear cub in the trailer, and was planning to release him just beyond our campsite. He said if he let them go along Walnut Fork, they all headed upstream and wound up in North Carolina, where they weren't his problem any longer. We had a nice chat with the officer and decided that maybe Ranger-you-must-be-doing-something-I-can-bust-you-for-Dan was the exception to the rule. This guy was cool. We mentioned our encounter with the squirrel "hunters" to him, and he asked if we had a tag number. We said no, but described the truck. He said he didn't need the tag and asked if the guys looked drunk. Considering that they were shooting from a vehicle in a public road, in front of a residence, with 3 witnesses behind them, the odds were pretty much in favor of inebriation.
After he left to release the bear elsewhere, we had another great meal, and sat around bemoaning the drubbing UGA took from Tennessee that afternoon. I looked up, and saw stars. Maybe we would make it through the weekend without being washed down the Walnut Fork.
Sunday dawned partly cloudy and perfect for breaking camp. The tents were dry, and most of the stuff packed away, could stay packed until the next trip. Perfect.
The trip home was uneventful, and Jon and I both spent way too much time in the shower (separately, you perverts!) scrubbing campfire smoke out of our pores.
The trip was Mental Floss, and Jobu truly smiled on us for a change.
Stay well and be safe.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Holy Smoke! Our Baby's 30!
Happy Birthday, Jon. I hope you have a great one.
It's hard to believe that you're 30 today. It seems like yesterday that we were watching you march with the elementary school band, or attending football games where you played.
Over the years you've made us proud you are our son. You've been an athlete, musician, student, husband, father, and one of the best kids a parent could hope for.
God bless you and yours in everything you do.
Love ya much.
Mom and Dad
Monday, September 28, 2009
Happy Birthday Purple Child
Today is Violet's second birthday. I hope it makes her as happy as she has made us. We love you V. God keep you safe and well.Grandma and Grandpa.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Rights and Responsibilities
Over the last several years there has been a lot of talk and demands for various rights: the right to medical care, the right to affordable housing, the right to marry whoever (or whatever) you choose, the right to stand on your head and spout wooden nickels. The one thing that stands out when you look at these demands is the fundamental ignorance of the people who are demanding these rights. They really do not understand exactly what a right is. They do not understand where rights originate. They do not understand that rights and responsibilities are opposite sides of the same coin.
At its most basic level, a right is any action a person can take that will not cause harm to another individual. This comes from our basic ability to make logical decisions. Our Creator gave us the gift of free will, and with it the requirement that we be responsible for our actions. P. J. O'Rourke said it well: "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." Every other right we have is derived from this gift of free will and our obligation to act responsibly. Free will is not free. There will be a Judgment.
When I hear mention of "Constitutional Rights" I get hives. The proper term should be "Constitutionally Guaranteed Rights". The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights does not grant anything to the people. It was designed to be a limit on the power of the people we chose to be our leaders. The purpose of the Bill of Rights was to constrain the government from infringing on the rights that the people had as a gift from their Creator. The right to free speech, assembly, and worship does not derive from the First Amendment, it comes from the nature of human beings as designed by God, and requires that you speak responsibly. The right to bear arms does not proceed from the Second Amendment, it is as basic as the ability to pick up a rock to protect yourself from an attack by a wolf. The Second Amendment guarantees the right to be able to defend yourself, and imposes the restriction that you act responsibly with your arms.
Since I mentioned the Second Amendment, let me expound a little. The amendment mentions "militia". In the time of the men who wrote the Constitution, "calling out the militia" meant to notify all able bodied men to assemble in a place that had been previously designated, to defend the village or to march to meet with other members of the militia to defend a larger area. Citizens knew that they had an obligation to defend their homes. They accepted this responsibility as a reciprocal to their ability to live in a certain area and conduct their lives as they saw fit. The freedom to choose the place they lived carried the responsibility to band together to defend it if necessary.
Our rights come from our Creator. Our Creator expects us to exercise them responsibly, and not infringe on another's rights in the process.
I know I will raise the ire of some readers when I state that there is no right to medical care. There is a right to seek medical care and a responsibility to compensate the provider for his skill and time. Medical care cannot be a right since there has to be a provider of medical assistance. The provider must give of himself to perform the service. To claim this as a right places a claim on part of the life of the provider, which restricts his ability to choose whether or not to perform the service. No man has a God-given right to control the life of another man to improve his own life.
Similarly, there is no right to affordable housing. As it is popularly defined, "affordable housing" means "I make $30,000 a year, have 8 kids, no husband, and can't live in a $500,000 house, so somebody has to give me one." This would require a major sacrifice on the part of the builder of the home in question. He would have to sell the house at a loss to get the person in question into it. This, at it's core, is theft. I think there was a Commandment someplace about theft.
Rights are God's gift. He expects us to use them wisely.
Be well and happy, thank God for your rights, and remember your responsibilities.
At its most basic level, a right is any action a person can take that will not cause harm to another individual. This comes from our basic ability to make logical decisions. Our Creator gave us the gift of free will, and with it the requirement that we be responsible for our actions. P. J. O'Rourke said it well: "There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." Every other right we have is derived from this gift of free will and our obligation to act responsibly. Free will is not free. There will be a Judgment.
When I hear mention of "Constitutional Rights" I get hives. The proper term should be "Constitutionally Guaranteed Rights". The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights does not grant anything to the people. It was designed to be a limit on the power of the people we chose to be our leaders. The purpose of the Bill of Rights was to constrain the government from infringing on the rights that the people had as a gift from their Creator. The right to free speech, assembly, and worship does not derive from the First Amendment, it comes from the nature of human beings as designed by God, and requires that you speak responsibly. The right to bear arms does not proceed from the Second Amendment, it is as basic as the ability to pick up a rock to protect yourself from an attack by a wolf. The Second Amendment guarantees the right to be able to defend yourself, and imposes the restriction that you act responsibly with your arms.
Since I mentioned the Second Amendment, let me expound a little. The amendment mentions "militia". In the time of the men who wrote the Constitution, "calling out the militia" meant to notify all able bodied men to assemble in a place that had been previously designated, to defend the village or to march to meet with other members of the militia to defend a larger area. Citizens knew that they had an obligation to defend their homes. They accepted this responsibility as a reciprocal to their ability to live in a certain area and conduct their lives as they saw fit. The freedom to choose the place they lived carried the responsibility to band together to defend it if necessary.
Our rights come from our Creator. Our Creator expects us to exercise them responsibly, and not infringe on another's rights in the process.
I know I will raise the ire of some readers when I state that there is no right to medical care. There is a right to seek medical care and a responsibility to compensate the provider for his skill and time. Medical care cannot be a right since there has to be a provider of medical assistance. The provider must give of himself to perform the service. To claim this as a right places a claim on part of the life of the provider, which restricts his ability to choose whether or not to perform the service. No man has a God-given right to control the life of another man to improve his own life.
Similarly, there is no right to affordable housing. As it is popularly defined, "affordable housing" means "I make $30,000 a year, have 8 kids, no husband, and can't live in a $500,000 house, so somebody has to give me one." This would require a major sacrifice on the part of the builder of the home in question. He would have to sell the house at a loss to get the person in question into it. This, at it's core, is theft. I think there was a Commandment someplace about theft.
Rights are God's gift. He expects us to use them wisely.
Be well and happy, thank God for your rights, and remember your responsibilities.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Happy Birthday, Sam!!!
It's hard to believe you're 12 already. It's been a pleasure to watch you grow from a little kid to a fine young man, and I'm sure you will continue to grow into a wonderful adult. Your wit and good humor are an inspiration.
I hope you had a great birthday and have an even better year ahead.
Much love, Grandpa.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Lie Clock
This is stolen, without a bit of regret, from the Patriot Post Humor email. If you don't know this web site, I strongly recommend you check it out.
The Lie Clock
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter's desk at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. He asked, "What are all those clocks there for?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie Clock. Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa 's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's George Washington's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Washington told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's Barack Obama 's clock?" asked the man.
"Obama's clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
The Lie Clock
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St. Peter's desk at the Pearly Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him. He asked, "What are all those clocks there for?"
St. Peter answered, "Those are Lie Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie Clock. Every time you lie the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa 's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St. Peter responded, "That's George Washington's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Washington told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's Barack Obama 's clock?" asked the man.
"Obama's clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Week In Review
It was a pretty good week, all things considered. A mix of tedium, joy, and sorrow, interspersed with a lot of time behind the camera. (Follow the links in the text to see the pictures.)
It started with the Low Country Boil at Jon and Missy's place on Saturday. There was a ton of work put into the staging of this annual event, and everyone who was privileged to attend had a wonderful time. I personally talked to more than one person who was unsure as to whether or not they would like it. The universal comment was that it was a terrific get-together. Nearly everyone stayed longer than they had planned, a sure sign of a great party.
On Sunday morning (barely) we set sail toward Missouri. After only one false start, we had successfully loaded Sandy, Sam, and ourselves into Marilyn's Commander and started toward the worst part of the trip, Atlanta. After a day or so of Cracker Barrel restaurants, gas stations, rest areas, and (not really all that many) idiots on the road, we found ourselves in Calvert City, KY for the night. After a night's rest we hit the road again, and pulled into Concordia at around 5 on Monday evening.
Tuesday we went to the Anderson House and Civil War museum. If you're ever in Lexington, Missouri take the place in. If nothing else, you'll learn where Rooster Cogburn's cat got his name.
Wednesday, we visited with Grandma's attorney to go over some nuts and bolts about the trust, and then had a nice visit with Marilyn's sister to celebrate Marilyn's Mom's 78th birthday.
The farm is looking great, and Missouri is a lot greener than it has any right to be in the middle of July. It's been a wet year.
Thursday morning, we made our tearful goodbyes and pointed the Jeep Southeast. When we got to St. Louis, we stopped to visit the Gateway Arch. I've been driving past it for 40 years, and finally got to see the inside of the thing. The Museum is nice, the shops are as overpriced as you might expect, and the "elevator" to the top is, well, interesting. Imagine riding to the top of a 630 foot tall stainless steel pipe in a dryer drum. The tram cars are 4' 4" tall, and seat 5 people. I'm not sure if I was supposed to be a load of socks, or Mork, but the egg took us to the top where the view was spectacular. If you have vertigo, like me, rest assured that there is plenty of "hang onto" space when you look down on the river and the city. If you're claustrophobic, I would recommend not riding in the tram, and enjoying the arch from the ground.
After about 2 hours at the Arch, Aunt Sophie (our GPS) put us back on the interstate with a minimum of fuss, and we made it back to Calvert City, and the world's best Super 8 Motel. (Really.)
Friday morning, we were on the road again, and aside from a little stop and go trying to negotiate Atlanta again we were home by 4:00.
Saturday morning we again loaded the Commander with people and headed for Demorest, GA and Piedmont College to watch Jon get his MBA. Congratulations Jon, you've made your entire family proud.
Saturday evening, we got some sad news. Sparky, Tyler and Sam's Jack Russell was hit by a car and killed. Boys, I know how it feels to lose a pet, and my heart goes out to you. All I can recommend is that you remember all the good times you had with him, and be thankful that he was a part of your life that you'll never forget.
Today, we had the nervous breakdown that had been building all week. I took a 3 hour nap, and feel like I could do it all again next week.
God's been good to me and the family, and I thank Him for every blessing we've received, and pray that he will continue to bless all of my loved ones.
Stay well.
It started with the Low Country Boil at Jon and Missy's place on Saturday. There was a ton of work put into the staging of this annual event, and everyone who was privileged to attend had a wonderful time. I personally talked to more than one person who was unsure as to whether or not they would like it. The universal comment was that it was a terrific get-together. Nearly everyone stayed longer than they had planned, a sure sign of a great party.
On Sunday morning (barely) we set sail toward Missouri. After only one false start, we had successfully loaded Sandy, Sam, and ourselves into Marilyn's Commander and started toward the worst part of the trip, Atlanta. After a day or so of Cracker Barrel restaurants, gas stations, rest areas, and (not really all that many) idiots on the road, we found ourselves in Calvert City, KY for the night. After a night's rest we hit the road again, and pulled into Concordia at around 5 on Monday evening.
Tuesday we went to the Anderson House and Civil War museum. If you're ever in Lexington, Missouri take the place in. If nothing else, you'll learn where Rooster Cogburn's cat got his name.
Wednesday, we visited with Grandma's attorney to go over some nuts and bolts about the trust, and then had a nice visit with Marilyn's sister to celebrate Marilyn's Mom's 78th birthday.
The farm is looking great, and Missouri is a lot greener than it has any right to be in the middle of July. It's been a wet year.
Thursday morning, we made our tearful goodbyes and pointed the Jeep Southeast. When we got to St. Louis, we stopped to visit the Gateway Arch. I've been driving past it for 40 years, and finally got to see the inside of the thing. The Museum is nice, the shops are as overpriced as you might expect, and the "elevator" to the top is, well, interesting. Imagine riding to the top of a 630 foot tall stainless steel pipe in a dryer drum. The tram cars are 4' 4" tall, and seat 5 people. I'm not sure if I was supposed to be a load of socks, or Mork, but the egg took us to the top where the view was spectacular. If you have vertigo, like me, rest assured that there is plenty of "hang onto" space when you look down on the river and the city. If you're claustrophobic, I would recommend not riding in the tram, and enjoying the arch from the ground.
After about 2 hours at the Arch, Aunt Sophie (our GPS) put us back on the interstate with a minimum of fuss, and we made it back to Calvert City, and the world's best Super 8 Motel. (Really.)
Friday morning, we were on the road again, and aside from a little stop and go trying to negotiate Atlanta again we were home by 4:00.
Saturday morning we again loaded the Commander with people and headed for Demorest, GA and Piedmont College to watch Jon get his MBA. Congratulations Jon, you've made your entire family proud.
Saturday evening, we got some sad news. Sparky, Tyler and Sam's Jack Russell was hit by a car and killed. Boys, I know how it feels to lose a pet, and my heart goes out to you. All I can recommend is that you remember all the good times you had with him, and be thankful that he was a part of your life that you'll never forget.
Today, we had the nervous breakdown that had been building all week. I took a 3 hour nap, and feel like I could do it all again next week.
God's been good to me and the family, and I thank Him for every blessing we've received, and pray that he will continue to bless all of my loved ones.
Stay well.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Downhill Run
Well, we're back in Calvert City, KY, and just about ready to start our downhill run toward Monroe and Jersey. We've got about 7 hours on the road (God and traffic willing) and should be home around 4 PM.
I know I still owe you a load of pictures, but my laptop battery is on it's last leg.
Stay well and be safe.
I know I still owe you a load of pictures, but my laptop battery is on it's last leg.
Stay well and be safe.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Parting is Such Darned Sorrow
Even though I have been practicing this for 40 years, this is the most difficult day of the trip. This morning we get to say "Goodbye" to Violet, Princess, and the farm, and point the car Southeast. Marilyn, Sandy, Sam and I have all had a wonderful, if all too short, visit, and need to be on the road back to Monroe so we can see Jon get his MBA on Saturday.
Everyone we've talked to here is doing well. Last night we celebrated Marilyn's Mom's 78th Birthday with Lois, and spent the evening going over things remembered. I will miss all of this more than I can say in a blog.
I've been extremely lucky to have married into a family of solid, hard working, God fearing folks who went out of their way to make me feel like I belonged in this part of the world. If heaven is anything like Concordia, Missouri, it couldn't be better.
We've got a long ride ahead of us, and the postponed (due to a late start) visit to the Arch, so I'll quit for now.
I'll try to get some more pictures uploaded when we stop tonight.
Stay well, and stay safe.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Concordia, At Last
We made it to Concordia last night around 1700 CDT with little drama. The trip was long, as usual, but thankfully, uneventful.
Grandma is doing well. The quilts are still beautiful, and the farm looks fantastic.
Sam switches back and forth from completely bored out of his mind to stoked. He had a great time stomping around on hay bales, and watching the bat planes fly over head. Special thanks to the folks at Whiteman AFB for the B-2 flyover in his honor. :)
Sandy and Marilyn are gradually recovering from their saddle sores after 2 days in a car, and I'm (finally) well rested after a night at the Travellodge.
Today, we're going to visit the Anderson House, and make sure Gen. Sterling Price still whupped the Yankees in the Battle of Lexington in Sept. 1861.
More to follow.
Stay well, and keep smiling.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Over the River and Through the Woods
Some time in the next 2 hours, we will depart for Grandma's house. I am looking forward to seeing Marilyn's Mom and the farm.
She's been busy making improvements over the last couple of years. The old pond has been rebuilt, the picturesque but decrepit brooder houses have been removed. The dirt floor in the machine shed is now concrete. The old pond that was full of cattails (and at one time, catfish) is gone, and turned back into pasture. It will be good to visit with her and see her latest crafts. She's a world class quilter, and a pretty fair hand at china painting, too.
I know Sam is chomping at the bit waiting for us to show up, and Sandy is running around like a headless chicken doing all of the last minute stuff that seems to be necessary before a road trip. Marilyn is busy doing her getting ready, and I'm dreading the drive, but looking forward to the trip.
I'll post again tonight or tomorrow morning and let y'all know about our progress.
Stay well, and keep smiling.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Let the Craziness Begin!
This looks to be an interesting week.
In a couple of hours I'll be off to a) find some stakes for horseshoes, b) deliver a 12x24 tarp, lanterns, chairs, the aforementioned stakes, coolers, and other equipment necessary for a good party to my Son and Daughter-in-Law's home for their annual Low Country Boil. They sent out over 100 invitations, and are expecting a boat-load of friends.
After this evening's festivities it will be home to pack. We're leaving in the morning for a whirlwind tour of Mid-America to help Marilyn's Mom celebrate her birthday. We'll be leaving Sunday morning, and arriving in Concordia on Monday afternoon after an overnight stop in Illinois, a tour of the Gateway Arch, and visits to numerous Cracker Barrel Restaurants. Accompanying us will be Sandy and Sam. It's his year to come to the farm with us.
Following an all too short 3 day visit to the heartland, it's back on the road again and a mad dash for home to be able to attend Jon's graduation from grad school on Saturday. Congratulations Jon! You've (again) made us proud.
Then comes the nervous breakdown.
I'm hauling the laptop along, and will publish updates and pictures as I can.
Who ever said retirement was boring?
Stay well.
In a couple of hours I'll be off to a) find some stakes for horseshoes, b) deliver a 12x24 tarp, lanterns, chairs, the aforementioned stakes, coolers, and other equipment necessary for a good party to my Son and Daughter-in-Law's home for their annual Low Country Boil. They sent out over 100 invitations, and are expecting a boat-load of friends.
After this evening's festivities it will be home to pack. We're leaving in the morning for a whirlwind tour of Mid-America to help Marilyn's Mom celebrate her birthday. We'll be leaving Sunday morning, and arriving in Concordia on Monday afternoon after an overnight stop in Illinois, a tour of the Gateway Arch, and visits to numerous Cracker Barrel Restaurants. Accompanying us will be Sandy and Sam. It's his year to come to the farm with us.
Following an all too short 3 day visit to the heartland, it's back on the road again and a mad dash for home to be able to attend Jon's graduation from grad school on Saturday. Congratulations Jon! You've (again) made us proud.
Then comes the nervous breakdown.
I'm hauling the laptop along, and will publish updates and pictures as I can.
Who ever said retirement was boring?
Stay well.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Things That Rub My Fur the Wrong Way
Hair. If it's going to fall out, why doesn't it quit growing first? And why don't balding men get a discount at the barber shop?
Telemarketers. If they have to call, why do they start the call with "Please hold for the next available representative"? An uninvited interruption of my day should at least have a real person on the other end of the line so I can vent. And robo-calls where you never get to hear a live voice are even worse.
Grass. You cut it, and it gets mad and grows faster.
Georgia clay. Red, sticky, and doesn't drain worth a darn. Creates bogs for the aforementioned lawn mower.
Things that are designed to wear out. Tires, brakes, and my body. Some days I wish I could jack up my glasses and run a new chassis under them.
Blood chemistry. My total cholesterol is about 140, but my lipids and HDL to LDL ratio are screwed. I take 5 pills a day and eat like a squirrel to keep it in check.
Insurance companies. My health insurance is better than screwing the public out of my health care, but only slightly.
Congress. If there ever was a bigger collection of idiots under one dome, I challenge anyone to point it out to me.
Politics. From the Greek - Poly meaning many and Ticks - blood sucking insects.
The people on the Weather Channel. The world's largest collection of disaster loving ghouls.
People who hate other people because of differing political convictions. Hate the sin, but love the sinner.
Michael Jackson. Living or Dead. The media has turned someone who gave every indication of being a self loathing freak into a saint. Enough already.
I'm beginning to depress myself, so I'll quit for a while.
Stay well, and keep smiling. It confuses the heck out of people who are out to get you. :)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
More Ketchup
It's been a good couple of weeks.
A lot of it has been spent with Marilyn, Missy, and the ever charming Violet. Yesterday I met them at Hobby Lobby in Athens after spending the day trying to find a stem for the shower. After 35 years, it finally got to the point where no amount of teflon tape would keep it from leaking. I visited every home improvement center within a 25 mile radius, 3 old fashioned hardware stores, and 3 plumbing supply business in Athens before the good folks at Carson Plumbing Repair Company ordered a new set for me. Hopefully, I'll have them in time to stem the Chinese water torture going on in the bathroom before it drives me completely bonkers.
After all the drama with the shower, Marilyn, Missy, and Vi were a welcome change of pace. Violet and I patrolled the store while Missy and Marilyn bought fabric. Vi just walked along beside me, stopping to admire every squirrel, birdie, and kitty she passed and jabbering away in whatever language 21 month old toddlers speak. After we had crossed the entire store and began to admire the Christmas decorations (in June?!?) she realized that her Mom was missing. She did an about face, ran to the end of the aisle and realized that she didn't know how to get back to Mom, so I carried her back across the store, and she lit up like 10,000 Christmas lights when we turned the corner and she saw Mommy.
After the Hobby Lobby, we all went to Jason's Deli where I had the world's best Ruben, Marilyn and Missy had the soup and salad bar, and Violet disassembled a turkey sandwich before eating it in small bits. Then I came home, and promptly passed out in the Recliner of Death.
This morning I tempted fate by using the shower (it didn't blow out, so my rigging is holding) and then went to visit my doctor. 90 minutes later I left with a pat on the back (A1C is 5.9, so diet is controlling the diabetes, heart is good, BP 115/69), a 12 month renewal on my prescriptions, and orders to come back in a year.
Life is good.
A lot of it has been spent with Marilyn, Missy, and the ever charming Violet. Yesterday I met them at Hobby Lobby in Athens after spending the day trying to find a stem for the shower. After 35 years, it finally got to the point where no amount of teflon tape would keep it from leaking. I visited every home improvement center within a 25 mile radius, 3 old fashioned hardware stores, and 3 plumbing supply business in Athens before the good folks at Carson Plumbing Repair Company ordered a new set for me. Hopefully, I'll have them in time to stem the Chinese water torture going on in the bathroom before it drives me completely bonkers.
After all the drama with the shower, Marilyn, Missy, and Vi were a welcome change of pace. Violet and I patrolled the store while Missy and Marilyn bought fabric. Vi just walked along beside me, stopping to admire every squirrel, birdie, and kitty she passed and jabbering away in whatever language 21 month old toddlers speak. After we had crossed the entire store and began to admire the Christmas decorations (in June?!?) she realized that her Mom was missing. She did an about face, ran to the end of the aisle and realized that she didn't know how to get back to Mom, so I carried her back across the store, and she lit up like 10,000 Christmas lights when we turned the corner and she saw Mommy.
After the Hobby Lobby, we all went to Jason's Deli where I had the world's best Ruben, Marilyn and Missy had the soup and salad bar, and Violet disassembled a turkey sandwich before eating it in small bits. Then I came home, and promptly passed out in the Recliner of Death.
This morning I tempted fate by using the shower (it didn't blow out, so my rigging is holding) and then went to visit my doctor. 90 minutes later I left with a pat on the back (A1C is 5.9, so diet is controlling the diabetes, heart is good, BP 115/69), a 12 month renewal on my prescriptions, and orders to come back in a year.
Life is good.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fathers Day
While sitting here in the den, with the lights off, playing on the computer, it occurred to me that I ought to say a few things about Fathers, since this is the day that we celebrate them.
A very wise man told me as a young person that nearly any male can father a child, but it took a real man to be a Father. Over the years, the my appreciation of the truth in this statement has continually grown. When I first became a father I was young and too dumb to know what I didn't know. Now that I'm older and less ignorant, I can see that he was correct. Life and fatherhood have tempered me into the man that I am.
Being a true, good father requires the love and assistance of a wonderful wife. I'm blessed to have Marilyn who has been a rock for more years than I care to think about. It also requires courage to face the unknown and un-thought-of challenges that crop up while raising your children. It requires you to sacrifice some of your dreams for the betterment of those who are still dreaming. It requires a lifetime of hard work, sometimes at a job you dislike, to provide for those children who you helped bring into the world. It requires you to love without reservation, even during those Bill Cosby moments ("I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out of it and make another one just like you!") that are certain to occur from time to time. And it requires Faith and help from God and places where you didn't ever expect to find help.
There is also a terrific up side to fatherhood. You get to play with little kids, and watch them grow into strong, responsible adults. You get to show them all the neat stuff their Mom would disapprove of (insert big grin here). You get to go camping with them, fret over their campfire antics, and wonder if you remember enough first aid to stop the bleeding from the anticipated accident with the ax. You get to build (and wreck) go-carts, ride bikes, become a Den Leader, drive them to where ever it is they need to be, and you get to impart whatever wisdom you picked up in your life to them, not by preaching, but by example. You get to watch your blessings multiply through the joys and challenges that having children bring.
God has blessed Marilyn and myself with 4 children (they're all from Lake Wobegone where all the children are exceptional :) ). I can see that they've all learned these lessons well, and that the fathers (and mothers) among them have exceeded their teacher. I hope that one day they will all remember me as I remember my Father, as someone who cared for and loved them, their families, and their Mother with all his heart.
Thanks, guys. It's been a great ride so far.
God bless you all.
A very wise man told me as a young person that nearly any male can father a child, but it took a real man to be a Father. Over the years, the my appreciation of the truth in this statement has continually grown. When I first became a father I was young and too dumb to know what I didn't know. Now that I'm older and less ignorant, I can see that he was correct. Life and fatherhood have tempered me into the man that I am.
Being a true, good father requires the love and assistance of a wonderful wife. I'm blessed to have Marilyn who has been a rock for more years than I care to think about. It also requires courage to face the unknown and un-thought-of challenges that crop up while raising your children. It requires you to sacrifice some of your dreams for the betterment of those who are still dreaming. It requires a lifetime of hard work, sometimes at a job you dislike, to provide for those children who you helped bring into the world. It requires you to love without reservation, even during those Bill Cosby moments ("I brought you into this world, and I'll take you out of it and make another one just like you!") that are certain to occur from time to time. And it requires Faith and help from God and places where you didn't ever expect to find help.
There is also a terrific up side to fatherhood. You get to play with little kids, and watch them grow into strong, responsible adults. You get to show them all the neat stuff their Mom would disapprove of (insert big grin here). You get to go camping with them, fret over their campfire antics, and wonder if you remember enough first aid to stop the bleeding from the anticipated accident with the ax. You get to build (and wreck) go-carts, ride bikes, become a Den Leader, drive them to where ever it is they need to be, and you get to impart whatever wisdom you picked up in your life to them, not by preaching, but by example. You get to watch your blessings multiply through the joys and challenges that having children bring.
God has blessed Marilyn and myself with 4 children (they're all from Lake Wobegone where all the children are exceptional :) ). I can see that they've all learned these lessons well, and that the fathers (and mothers) among them have exceeded their teacher. I hope that one day they will all remember me as I remember my Father, as someone who cared for and loved them, their families, and their Mother with all his heart.
Thanks, guys. It's been a great ride so far.
God bless you all.
Friday, June 12, 2009
OK, It's Friday.
So I think I'll clean out the cobwebs in my cranial attic with some quick observations.
Young children are too quick to learn to enjoy other people's discomfort. :) Witness the glee of my granddaughter observing one of my son's co-workers giving up his hair. Several of the folks in Jon's department "volunteered" to get a boot-camp haircut if a certain number of cans of food could be donated in one week. Vi obviously enjoyed the shearing.
Side bars with step pads are a great thing if you're 61 years old and drive a Jeep where the door sill is over 30" off the ground. Think stepping onto a table every time you get into the car. I should have done this a long time ago. Marilyn can ride now, too without toting a step stool around to get in and out.
It's great to have the drought over with, but only the weeds in my lawn seem to have realized that it's raining at least once a week.
My family is my greatest blessing. Despite doubts when they were growing up, my kids are all solid citizens, and the grandchildren are a delight.
I've got to get busy on the truck. Tyler just turned 14 and I only have a couple of years before I have to turn it over to him. It needs to look like a truck instead of a pile of paint chips deciding where to fall. 21 years in the weather, 450,000 miles, Chrysler's late-80's problem with paint adhesion, and a couple of traffic "Oh Crap!"s have taken a toll on the exterior. No rust, but every time I wash it, there's less color on it. It's time to start exercising the hammers, dollies, welder, grinder, and sanders in preparation for new paint.
The garage has become a perpetual disaster area. Too much stuff in too little space. Volunteers needed to help excavate the area for the shed. :)
George (formerly Gracie) the cat has taken to the outdoors like the wild animal that he is. I have not seen a bird or squirrel in the yard since he got the bum's rush and became an outside cat.
I've spent enough time at the computer. There are things to do and people to see, so I'll close with...
Stay well, and try not to grow up!
Young children are too quick to learn to enjoy other people's discomfort. :) Witness the glee of my granddaughter observing one of my son's co-workers giving up his hair. Several of the folks in Jon's department "volunteered" to get a boot-camp haircut if a certain number of cans of food could be donated in one week. Vi obviously enjoyed the shearing.
Side bars with step pads are a great thing if you're 61 years old and drive a Jeep where the door sill is over 30" off the ground. Think stepping onto a table every time you get into the car. I should have done this a long time ago. Marilyn can ride now, too without toting a step stool around to get in and out.
It's great to have the drought over with, but only the weeds in my lawn seem to have realized that it's raining at least once a week.
My family is my greatest blessing. Despite doubts when they were growing up, my kids are all solid citizens, and the grandchildren are a delight.
I've got to get busy on the truck. Tyler just turned 14 and I only have a couple of years before I have to turn it over to him. It needs to look like a truck instead of a pile of paint chips deciding where to fall. 21 years in the weather, 450,000 miles, Chrysler's late-80's problem with paint adhesion, and a couple of traffic "Oh Crap!"s have taken a toll on the exterior. No rust, but every time I wash it, there's less color on it. It's time to start exercising the hammers, dollies, welder, grinder, and sanders in preparation for new paint.
The garage has become a perpetual disaster area. Too much stuff in too little space. Volunteers needed to help excavate the area for the shed. :)
George (formerly Gracie) the cat has taken to the outdoors like the wild animal that he is. I have not seen a bird or squirrel in the yard since he got the bum's rush and became an outside cat.
I've spent enough time at the computer. There are things to do and people to see, so I'll close with...
Stay well, and try not to grow up!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
YeeeHawww!!!
Forty years. Holy Smoke! We've been married for 40 years!
Marilyn, you've been my rock, my love, my helper, and my best part for more years than I could have ever imagined. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want to tell the world that I would not trade 10 seconds of our time together for 100 years without you.
I love you with every fiber of my being, and hope that we have at least another 40 together.
Bob
Marilyn, you've been my rock, my love, my helper, and my best part for more years than I could have ever imagined. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, and I want to tell the world that I would not trade 10 seconds of our time together for 100 years without you.
I love you with every fiber of my being, and hope that we have at least another 40 together.
Bob
Friday, June 5, 2009
Happy Birthday Tyler!
I hope it was a great one!It's hard to believe that you are 14 and will be starting high school in a couple of months. It seems like yesterday that you were sitting in a basket in our living room, playing with blocks.
But, you've grown into a fine young man, and I pray that you will continue to grow and to remember the things your parents have taught you. They've given you a good foundation on which to build your life. Where it goes from here is pretty much up to you. Make good decisions and enjoy every day as the gift that it is. Never lose the little kid inside, do what is expected of you, remain true to your beliefs, and you will be a man we can all be proud of.
Your Grandma and I love you a lot, and wish you all the best in life.
Make 14 the best year ever!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Memorial Day
This is the biggest weekend of the year for gearheads like myself. There's the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, the Indy 500, and the Coca Cola 600 at Lowe's. It's the unofficial start of summer. People are vacationing at the beach and the mountains, fishing, camping, cooking out, and enjoying their families, friends, and life in general.
But there is a very serious side to this holiday. When I was young, my Grandmother refered to it as Decoration Day. It was the day when the survivors of fallen service men went to the cemeteries across the country and hung bunting and flags on the graves as a sign of gratitude and respect. As a Boy Scout sometime in the middle of the last century, I took part in a parade each Memorial Day. We marched through town to the local cemetery where there was a ceremony, speeches, and a rifle salute honoring the fallen heroes.
Today it has become something different. As with many things in our society, it has morphed into a celebration of thanks for all who served. While I have undying gratitude for all who wear or war a uniform, Memorial Day should be reserved to honor the fallen. It is the day we should reflect on the sacrifices made by our fallen service men and women, and honor those who gave all that we might enjoy the blessings of Liberty. It is the day we should remember those who gave the last full measure so others could live free. It is the day that we should honor those who's love for Country and comrades was greater than their love for life.
These heroes should have our undying gratitude and be honored as the most revered patriots that our country has produced. My nephew said it very well here.
Please do not think that I am trying to slight the serving Military. They are doing a service so great that every day should be reserved to honor them. I personally thank every service man or woman that I meet. Do not think that I am trying to slight those who served in the past. We have Veteran's day to honor them. But Monday is Memorial day, when I will remember and honor those who gave everything to ensure our freedom.
Fly your flag at half staff (or lowered to horizontal) until noon tomorrow, and remember those who made it possible for the races, family gatherings, and barbecues to continue. We are blessed to live in a country where patriots abound.
Stay well, and offer a prayer of thanks for those who fell and comfort for those who mourn their loss.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
Best wishes for a truly happy Mother's Day.
To my Mom for giving me life and teaching me the value of family.
To my Mother-In-Law for giving me Marilyn.
To my Wife for giving me nearly 40 years of happiness, support, companionship and 4 beautiful children.
To my Daughter and Daughters-In-Law for all the happiness you and your families have brought me.
I hope you all are as blessed on this Mother's day as I am to have you in my life.
Ketchup...
...or Catch Up if you prefer. I've been a little slack in my reporting lately, so I thought I would bring y'all up to date with a recap of the last couple of weeks.
As you probably know, I spent the last 2 weeks in Michigan visiting with my Mom, Madison, Rufus, Chester, Jack-Jack, Shaggy and Jag while Amy and Geoff went off on a cruise. It was quiet, hilarious, gross, and great by turns. The quiet times were when the dogs were kenneled, the cats were asleep, Mom was reading, and Madison was at school. I occupied my time by photographing the fauna in the koi pond and reading, too. The hilarious times were when Madison was decorating the house for the return of her parents. Rufus, the yellow lab, is afraid of balloons. Chester, the Nova Scotian Duck Tolling Retriever, on the other hand, loves them. He leaps in the air to snap at a stray balloon, and occasionally succeeds in popping one. The gross parts involved cleaning kennels. Chester had over-indulged on the rawhide bones, and truly looked distraught at what had happened overnight. The great times were everything else. It was high spring in southern Michigan, and the trees were blooming, the tulips were up, and the azalea in front of the house exploded while I was there.
Tuesday of this week, I, sadly, had to leave to come home. A couple of observations about the nature of drivers in the various states. The less traffic there is, the better the drivers behave. If the car has a Michigan plate, the odds are about even that the driver thinks he is Mario Andretti, and takes an attempt by a car on cruise control to pass as an insult to his manhood. I played leapfrog with one car all the way from Dundee, MI to Piqua, OH where I stopped to eat. The bozo couldn't hold a steady speed to save his soul. Once I got out of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee were a breeze. The drivers were polite and few and far between. Georgia, on the other hand, is like Michigan. I think the Interstate route numbers are really a warning of the number of Idiots per mile. I-75 is right up there.
After a brief decompression on Thursday, I spent some time at the range yesterday. Two weeks had not significantly degraded my ability with the pistols. It was a good time, despite the fact that Jon had to cancel at the last minute.
I promise to be more interesting the next time.
Stay safe.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Happy Birthday, Laura
I hope it's a great one.Everybody in Saline (especially Grandma) sends their best wishes for a truly happy birthday.
I plan to celebrate by heading for home.
See you soon.
Dad
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Happy Anniversary, Missy and Jon
Has it really been 4 years? It seems like yesterday we were commuting back and forth to Stone Mountain to get ready for the wedding.It is obvious that you have grown closer and your love has deepened in the time since we dodged rain showers at your wedding.
I wish you all the best and many, many more.
May you always have enough.
Love,
Dad
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Saline
Well, I arrived yesterday around 10:45 after a 2 1/2 hour drive from Piqua, Ohio where I had spent the night. For those of you who are interested, I have discovered that LaQuinta really means "Behind the Cracker Barrel".The afternoon was spent trying to get my land legs back after a couple of days in the Jeep. Entertainment was provided by two cats, three dogs, a niece, Mom, and Amy all trying to adjust to a new face in the house. Around 4:00 PM, Amy tried to turn into someone who looked like they were going to a party at 5:00. At 4:55, Geoff called and said they were blowing off the party. Amy took less than a minute to change back into her comfy clothes and de-stress. By 8:00 PM, they were on the road toward Florida and their cruise.
Dinner was ordered from the local Pizza Joint, and Mom and I had salads while Madison ate pizza.
This morning, I was up at 5, skulking around, and letting the dogs take a turn on the leash in the back yard. I don't think I'm quite up to chasing them down, and I'm reasonably sure they would ignore me once they got out of rock-chucking range.
The weather is great, but they're predicting thunder this afternoon and evening, then cooler for the next few days. It's been around 80 and breezy so far.
As you can see from the pictures, Mom, Madison, Rufus, and Chester are all doing well. I'm adjusting, too. I miss all of the southern folks, Marilyn especially.
More later.
Stay well.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
On the Road Again
In about 3 hours, I will be drudging through the remnants of Atlanta's morning rush, heading toward Saline, Michigan. Some time tomorrow, I will be there to visit with my Sister and Brother-in-law briefly before they head south for a cruise to Belize and the Carribian.
Once they're gone, I'll be visiting with my Mom and niece, Madison until they return.
I'm going to miss all of you while I'm gone, but it will be good to see my Mom for more than a couple of days.
I'll keep y'all posted.
Once they're gone, I'll be visiting with my Mom and niece, Madison until they return.
I'm going to miss all of you while I'm gone, but it will be good to see my Mom for more than a couple of days.
I'll keep y'all posted.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Surprise! Surprise!
This morning, bright and early, we crammed Gracie into the cat carrier and took her to the vet to be spayed. The plan was to have her fixed and let her roam around outside since she spends a great deal of time sitting by the storm door twitching at the birds and squirrels.Well, friends and neighbors, the phone rang about 10 minutes ago from the animal hospital. It seems that Gracie, despite 2 or 3 previous trips to the vet, is actually George.
Potential psychological damage to the cat aside, (from 7 months of calling him her) the plan stands. The vet said they would neuter him, and we still plan to let him roam and hunt small animals.
Like I told Marilyn, the only sure ways to be sure about a cat's gender are to witness the birth of kittens (thankfully, we won't have to be living through that), or to pick up a scalpel. I guess even experts can be fooled.
As long as I'm on the subject of psychotic cats, I guess I should update y'all on Gizmo. She (yes this was confirmed by the vet) has been outside for about 4 months. She spends her time sleeping on one of the chairs on the front porch, or driving the birds in the front yard to the back, then chasing them to the front again. She's doing quite well, and waits patiently by the front door each evening until we feed her.Stay well.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Happy Birthday, Sara!
Twelve years ago today, we were in a hospital waiting room anticipating the birth of you, our first granddaughter. You were a very special little baby, who had major surgery six hours after you were born, and spent the first six weeks of your life in the neonatal unit at Children's Hospital in Atlanta.That sick little baby has blossomed into a beautiful young lady, who is a joy to be around. You brighten our lives with your enthusiasm and smile. We are truly blessed to have you in our family.
Grandma and I love you a lot.
I hope today is your best birthday so far.
V
Things are never dull around here.Yesterday we were blessed with a visit from our youngest Granddaughter, Violet. Her mom had to find a dress for a formal function tonight, and shopping with a 16 month old has been described to me by people who know, as being akin to the innermost circle of Hell. Marilyn intervened, and the result was that we spent most of the afternoon entertaining and being entertained by Vi.
The weather was beautiful, and we spent a lot of time in the back yard just goofing around. I had spent a couple of hours prior to the visit riding around on the lawn tractor, sucking debris from the last round of thunderstorms out of the yard. I was on the mower when Vi arrived, and she looked at the tractor like it was some sort of really loud toy. When we got around to playing in the yard, she took to the tractor like it was the big red toy that it is. That's when the inspiration hit. There was a box in the shop that contained a pink pedal tractor that was purchased before Vi was ready for it. She's still too short to push the pedals, but she can shove the thing in circles with the best of them.
With considerable help from Miss Violet, I managed to get the thing assembled, and she loved it.
The visit ended later that evening when Missy came to retrieve her daughter. I think she had been away from Vi just about long enough to start going into withdrawal. It must be tough to be a child who's unloved. :)
I've truly been blessed by my family.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Why do you seek....
...the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!
I hope all who read this can celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, with me. It is a day for Joy and rebirth. If you don't believe me, look outside at the rebirth of the world after a long winter, and thank God with me for a promise fulfilled.
God's blessings on all of you.
Luke 24 (NIV)
The Resurrection
1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Happy Birthday Gretchen!
You are a delight to be around. I've learned a great deal from you over the years, and I hope this one is as good for you as you make it for me.Love you a lot.
Dad
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Happy Birthday Bob!
You've been a wonder for a long time. Sometimes I wonder what the heck you're up to. Sometimes I wonder what wonderful thing you will come up with next.Regardless of what the pictures might imply, you've made me proud over the years. You've done well with your life and family, and are definitely up to any challenge life can throw at you.
I'm proud to have you as a son.
Love ya much.
Dad
Friday, April 3, 2009
Bats!
It's been an interesting week. Beginning on Monday, Sara and I have spent a good part of it building a Bat Habitat (everybody builds a birdhouse). According to "The Queen of the Known Universe", one little brown bat can eat 500 mosquitoes per hour (I think I got that right). If that's the case, I'm going to start hanging these things around my yard by the dozens. One of the side effects of getting old is that if a mosquito bites me I develop a welt the size of a quarter that itches like an ant colony was trying to tunnel out of my skin for about an hour, then it disappears. The more mosquitoes that are converted to bat guano, the better I will like it.
Sara did most of the work, assisted by me when the blade of the saw was too near fingers, or the power screwdriver ate it's batteries. Most of the construction was done on Monday, with the rest of the week waiting for caulk, stain, primer, and paint to dry.
Property values may be falling everywhere, but the bats wherever this thing is hung will have four star accommodations.
Well done, Sara.
Your grandma and I love you a lot.
Springtime in the South
The rain has (temporarily) stopped, the wind is picking up, and the pine trees are spewing golf-ball-sized pollen all over everything. My eyes are itchy, my nose is runny, and my oldest son is busy mixing up some sort of concoction to allow him to function in this annual assault on our immune systems. So, for your entertainment, I offer another old/recycled essay.
Springtime in the South
Since we have just observed the vernal equinox, I thought I would update y’all on the progress of Spring in my neck of the woods. Things are progressing nicely. The weeds in the lawn are in full bloom, and growing like, well, weeds. I’ve already cut the lawn twice to keep the little tufts more or less even.
I’m not one of those people who try for Yard of the Month. My idea of a good lawn is 1) cut, 2) green, and 3) it doesn’t cross the driveway between cuttings.
Stuff grows fast down here. About the fastest growing stuff is Kudzu. It is a vine, originally imported from China as a decorative plant. Well, it’s not really decorative. I believe that God is using the stuff as punishment for letting all the Yankees move into Atlanta.
Picture dinner plate sized furry grape leaves that can climb utility poles, and cross roads on the wires. You cannot kill the stuff. Fire has little effect on it. If you cut a leaf off, water drips out of the stem. It is some kind of mutant Ivy-from-Hell that thrives on Roundup. Cutting the stuff just makes it mad, and it grows faster. The stuff can overwhelm an abandoned house in less than a week. One Monday there’s a derelict building, the following Monday it has become a lump in a seething mass of green.
It’s nasty stuff that shelters all sorts of slithering critters, and consumes entire pastures chokes trees, and generally creeps over anything that is not in a high traffic area. It gives a whole new meaning to “the quick and the dead”. You’ve got to keep moving around it or it will choke you.
Another botanical blessing of Spring is the Loblolly Pine. It has needles so long and plentiful that they are raked, baled, and sold as pine straw to be used as mulch. Another springtime feature of these remarkable trees is their pollen. Slightly smaller than bb’s, the pollen is a sure sign that spring has reached Atlanta. It falls from the trees in a yellow fog that coats everything with a gritty layer of stuff that mixes with the dew to form a coating that will adhere to your car at 80 mph. There is so much of it that there will be little pollen drifts in the driveway where the lawn creates a windbreak.
Those of you with hay fever are probably cringing. Not to worry, the stuff falls out of the air like #8 shot. It’s so big that you can actually see the individual grains with the naked eye. The real problem for those with allergies is the 375 other species that release their pollen at the same time. A while back, we had days where the pollen count was over 4600 (not a typo, four thousand six hundred). A pollen count of 120 is considered extremely high. 4600 is ludicrous. My oldest son has tried every allergy remedy known to man, and has come up with a combination that would get you 5-10 at Club Fed if you tried to sell it on the street.
By now, you should be convinced that Spring in the south is actually the outer circle of hell.
Not so. It is the most beautiful time of year. The trees are sprouting little leaves, and the hills are a riot of pastel yellows, reds, greens, and grays. It’s just one man’s opinion, but the views are the best of the year. The forsythia has about bloomed out, the irises are in bloom, and the dogwoods and azaleas are about to pop. Spring is a time when the earth renews itself and a sign from our Creator that we are not forgotten. It’s a living metaphor for resurrection, a promise of better things to come.
For me, for now, that’s plenty.
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