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.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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!
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