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.

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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.

It Was a Full Weekend.

I am truly blessed.  This past weekend was full of Family, Friends, and Fellowship.

On Saturday, we met at my son Bob's home to celebrate his 40th Birthday (which was actually on Sunday).  He has always been a delight and a constant source of wonderment.  Over the years he has continually amazed me with his wit and quick humor, his love for his wife, daughter, siblings, and parents, his energy, and his willingness to work for what he wants.  A man could not hope for a better Son. 

Another cause for celebration this weekend was today's birthday of my daughter Gretchen.  She's always been our wild child, and kept us hopping with her antics.  She's the kind of person who will speak her mind when she encounters something she likes, and also when she comes across something she dislikes.  Her honesty and love for her brothers and sister, nieces, nephews, friends and parents knows no bounds.  I am fortunate to have her in my family.

 

The primary cause for celebration this weekend was the gathering of the clan at our home to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.  Easter has always been a special time for me, because it reminds me of how much I am actually loved by God.  I am saved, through God's grace, because I believe in the promise He made thousands of years ago and fulfilled with the blameless life, death and resurrection of his Son.  

There were 14 of us running around, eating good food, searching for plastic eggs, and generally enjoying each other's company for most of the afternoon yesterday.  This morning, the house is quiet, but the echos of love and family ring loud.

Stay well.

A Lesson in American History

Two hundred and thirty five years ago, following several speakers in favor of peace at any cost with the British, Patrick Henry rose to speak  to the Virginia house of delegates:

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.
This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?
Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation -- the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?
No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing.
We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.
Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.
Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.
If we wish to be free -- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending -- if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

 I wish I had half his courage and ability.