A Day Full of Good News.

Just got an email from the rescue folks.  They decided I was good enough for Leroy.  We get to pick him up on Saturday after he's snipped on Friday.  Time to scramble and get a kennel and stuff for him to tear up.

Other good news came from the doctor.  My blood pressure is good, my blood sugar and A1C were good, the diabetes seems to be under control, and she told me to go away for a year.  It's always good to leave the doctor smiling.

Still more good news came out of Washington D.C.:  Otis McDonald won his case before the Supreme Court.

There was, however, some not-so-good news.

First, was the news from my doctor that it is time for another colonoscopy (it has been 5 years since the last one).  I get to visit with the surgeon tomorrow, and we'll schedule the alien abduction after I get to talk to him.  For those of you who winced at this news, my last one was about 45 minutes of my life that I missed.  I remember nothing from "roll over on your left side" to "wake up, it's over".  All things considered, that's how it should be.  It's nothing to fear.

Secondly, the news that Sen. Robert Byrd died leaves me with a sense of emptiness.  While I disagreed with almost everything he did as a Senator, he was the longest serving member of Congress, ever.  And had the courage to change from a KKK member to a supporter of civil rights.  The Senate has lost an unforgettable member.

I'll leave you with this thought:  Getting older stinks, but it's still way ahead of whatever alternatives really exist.  :)

Stay well, and take care of yourselves.

Trial and Error

Well, I tried. 

I asked for suggestions for names for Leroy. 

Here's a list of the errors received so far:

Kitty, SicEm, Dogchow, Buford, Rufus, Dumbass, Chomper, Steve, Fang (a little too obvious), Joe Mamma, Bud, Sit, Stay, Lamar, Zeke, Shantonia (from a local newscast), Jedidiah Dirt, Francis, Percy, Bubba, Catfish (an homage to Lewis Grizzard), Butch, Benny, George, Juan, Rodney, Buster, Edsel, and Baxter.  Specifically excluded was Sue.

Personally, I like Jiggs, but he's not a bulldog.  As an alternative, I could leave his name Leroy, add Jethro, and call him Gunny.

Stay well.

Volunteers Needed...

...to be references on Leroy's adoption papers.

While you're at it, suggestions for a new name (for the dog) would be entertained.

Leave a comment.

Seriously considering...

...adopting Leroy from the local rescue folks.

I'm going to drop by the shelter tomorrow and see how we get along.

Father's Day 2010

I wrote this last year, but can't think of any way to improve on it.  So, in the spirit of being green, I'm going to recycle.  Enjoy.

************************************************************

Father's 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.

Tempus Fugit

Sitting where I am now, it's hard to believe that 41 years have passed since Marilyn and I stood in front of a huge church full of people neither of us knew very well and exchanged vows to love, honor, and cherish each other for the rest of our lives. 

41 years may seem like a long time to most folks who read this, but from my perspective, it's felt like just a few weeks.  But, those few weeks have been eventful.  We've had 4 wonderful children, made a home for ourselves, worked like dogs to keep that roof over our heads, had quite a few triumphs, some defeats, wept, fretted, and loved a lot.

Marilyn, I love you now as much as the day we wed.  I pray God will grant us a lot more years to enjoy each other's company, and watch our children and grandchildren grow.  Thank you for all you've given.

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

My grandson, Tyler, is 15 today.  This morning his Mom took him to the DMV and they got his Learner's Permit.  He drove home from the DMV and later rode to town with his stepfather and then drove home.

Nobody was even remotely harmed.  I have much hope for him.

Seriously, I wish you a wonderful Birthday, and the best in the year to come.

And you can come over any time to help me work on "your" truck.

Much love,

Grandpa, and Grandma, too.

Surprise, Surprise!

Just in case some of you thought I fell off the edge of the Earth, was abducted by aliens, or hit by debris falling from space, I thought I would post a few random, intemperate thoughts.

Grandchildren are a blessing and a curse.  Our oldest grandson will turn 15 tomorrow, and the youngest, who will be 3 in September visits regularly and keeps us honest.  She also keeps us picking up puzzle pieces, stuffed animals, dolls, blocks, and occasional bits of food that the dog missed.  I wouldn't trade any of them for the world, but sometimes, the noise when they're all here is a bit much.  I know I'm glad they're grandchildren, and have to go back to their parents occasionally.  I'm way too seasoned to have any young ones of my own.

Plants grow entirely too fast in this part of the world.  It's a constant struggle to keep the ornamental stuff separate from the weeds (invariably with thorns, or poisonous).  The azaleas were beautiful this year, but are threatening to take over the front yard.

I don't do nearly enough fishing.  I guess my fear of being stung while out in my boat alone has kept it sitting next to the house.  An encounter with a wasp could put me in the ground (my blood pressure drops to nothing when I'm stung), so I don't go unless I've got company.  I miss it.

I think I committed some sort of multi-religious voodoo misdeed the last time I grilled pork chops.  I hope seasoning them with Kosher salt didn't do any bad things to a Rabbi somewhere.

Spring in this part of the world is entirely too short, and the summers are entirely too hot and muggy.  I'll bet the South was a much more fragrant place before air conditioning.

Another milestone will be passed on Monday.  Marilyn and I will celebrate our 41st Anniversary.  The woman has the patience of a saint, and I still love her as much as the day we were married.

One thing that has been working around here is our camera.  I'll try to post some pictures later today.

Enough of this mind-dump stuff.  I think I'll go build something.

Stay well.