For What It's Worth II

Many years back when the kids were little, our black lab, Holly, ran off and was lost for a few days. We put a "Lost Dog" sign on Collister Road after a couple days. The phone rang one evening and one of the kids answered it. A lady had called and had seen our sign, and, she had also seen a sign in the neighborhood from someone who had found a black lab. The lady on the phone explained seeing the 2 signs and wondered if the found dog could be our dog. To which my child said, "It can't be our dog, our dog's lost".  I took the phone and called the other number and went and got our dog.

 

Quote for the day:

"Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later... that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could... adopted a role called 'Being a Father' so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life." -Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities

This is very true as I watched my mother die and as I watch my father age. I once heard it explained that the human spirit doesn't age. It changes due to experiences, but you feel young at heart as your body ages

For What It's Worth I

While organizing some of my computer files, I came across the following from about 1995.

Brayden came up to Sue one day and said:  Mom, Shaun said a bad word.

Sue: How bad was it?   Brayden: It was really bad. Sue: Well, what did she say?

Brayden: She said "Tiddlywinks."

 

Quote for the day:

It is said that one day the Buddha was walking through a village. A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him, saying all kind of rude words. The Buddha was not upset by these insults. Instead he asked the young man, “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to whom does the gift belong?” The young man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me, because I bought the gift.”  The Buddha smiled and said, “That is correct. And it is exactly the same with your abuse. If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you. You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not me. All you have done is hurt yourself.  I do not accept your abuse, keep it for yourself.”

There's several different versions of this story but it is helpful in dealing with people. Don't accept people's anger, don't respond with anger, and don't let it bother you. Angry people are always around and have their reasons.  When I was younger I would get caught up in other people's anger and want to get revenge or respond with anger. It's never worth it to respond this way, or to stew over their anger.   A few years ago when a neighbor put a note on our door about what bad neighbors we are, I took it back over to her and gave it back and told her she was wrong and I wasn't going to accept her note or criticism. 

Veteran's Day Photoshoot

Katie called and wanted to take pictures of the boys on Veteran's Day. It was a sunny day so we went to Kathryn Albertson's Park to see the fall colors and to take some pictures. Spencer wasn't that used to being a model for pictures so Lincoln and Porter told him what he needed to do. All he had to do was to look cute and smile at the camera. They said it was as easy as falling off a log. Spencer said that sounded like fun and that he wanted to try it. Falling off a log that is. Lincoln and Porter both thought he did a pretty good job of it.

 

 

Here's a few pictures of the boys not falling off a log. Everett joined in for a couple pictures too.





Porter always wants to be just like Lincoln and do everything his big brother does. Porter liked smiling for the pictures with Lincoln, Spencer and Everett. But when Lincoln fell down and scratched his hand, he was sad and grumpy. He wasn't about to smile anymore. Here's Porter looking perplexed with the situation. He wants to smile but Lincoln isn't smiling and he always wants to do what Lincoln does.

Here's a picture of the whole group

 

The entourage and security detail

And here's Everett at almost 2 months old

 

My second post of 2014. The first was about 9 months ago. I could have had another grandkid in that time. Oh wait, I did.

President's Day

 Katie and the boys went on a little hike with me on Monday. The sun was shining and it was the nicest day we've had in a long time.  Look closely at the second picture and see if you notice anything unusual. Don't scroll down below the second picture until you take a good look at it.

 

The boys were more interested in the sticks and rocks they collected a long the trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, we just happened to see the Albino deer hanging out in her usual hillside.  We sat and watched her quite a while and she laid down and watched us.

 

There were at least 2 other deer with her and you can see one of them in these 2 pictures.

 

 

I haven't put anything on here for a long time and after reading Lindsey's blog, I figured I better start putting things on here. This was all I could think of in my recent boring past. Although I did draw another permit to The Wave in May.

 

 

HEY EVERYBODY, LET'S DO THE WAVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flu Shy, Don't Bother Me

I made this lovely cartoon that you won't be able to read on the computer.  It chronicles my life and the highlights from each day; things like going to the doctor to laying in bed all day to coughing my brains out and laying in bed all day (all while forcing my children to watch hours of TV).

Oh yeah, its a 2 part series because I'm on day 12 of being sick.  Though, I am starting to feel better.  AH CHOO!  Maybe I should have made one of these of the first 9 months I was pregnant with Lincoln and all the different lunches Lincoln helped me spew.

This is from Mike Rowe, the Dirty Jobs guy.

“The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge”

(Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo)

1. I believe that I have won the greatest lottery of all time. I am alive. I walk the Earth. I live in America. Above all things, I am grateful.

2. I believe that I am entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more. I also understand that “happiness” and the “pursuit of happiness” are not the same thing.

3. I believe there is no such thing as a “bad job.” I believe that all jobs are opportunities, and it’s up to me to make the best of them.

4. I do not “follow my passion.” I bring it with me. I believe that any job can be done with passion and enthusiasm.

5. I deplore debt, and do all I can to avoid it. I would rather live in a tent and eat beans than borrow money to pay for a lifestyle I can’t afford.

6. I believe that my safety is my responsibility. I understand that being in “compliance” does not necessarily mean I’m out of danger.

7. I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to show up early, stay late, and cheerfully volunteer for every crappy task there is.

8. I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them. If I am unhappy in my work, I will either find a new job, or find a way to be happy.

9. I believe that my education is my responsibility, and absolutely critical to my success. I am resolved to learn as much as I can from whatever source is available to me. I will never stop learning, and understand that library cards are free.

10. I believe that I am a product of my choices – not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will never accept the credit for something I didn’t do.

11. I understand the world is not fair, and I’m OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.

12. I believe that all people are created equal. I also believe that all people make choices. Some choose to be lazy. Some choose to sleep in. I choose to work my butt off.

 

Meet Nate & Lou

 

 

I couldn't get this to upload so here's the Link, pun intended

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UNldhiKjEo