Deep Pockets and a Giving Spirit

Haiti has become a daily concern for many of us. Not the country--but the people. The trials they face and all of their problems. We are all trying to figure out how we can help and support the restoration of life there.

Americans always come through for our fellow world citizens. We dig deep and provide not just aid--but our military--the best of our society, to help and reconstruct.

The concert on Friday night reminded me of how giving, as a society we are. We are willing to help everyone--even those who ideologically hate us and want to do us harm.

It is awesome that we can do this for people around the world--and we want to. I believe we recognize how blessed we are and are willing to share what we have with others.

Why are we so reviled then?

Do we make other people afraid because we have so much? Or are they worried about what we might do if we actually all agreed to do something rather than disagree among ourselves about everything?

Well--we need to continue to give and help everyone that we can--in the US and outside. That's how we roll.

My Three Grandsons: A Recipe for Excitement

A long, long time ago there used to be a show on TV called "My Three Sons." It was a comedy and followed the growth of a widower and his three sons in many different situations.

Well--here you have-- My Three Grandsons: Ethan, Jax and Lucas.

Two has been fun--and I know that three will be four times the fun!
Lucas will learn very quickly how to keep up with the other two--just like Jax (at only 22 months) has figured out how to keep up with his almost five-year old brother!

I have to tell you--it makes me smile just to think about it now. And even more--I'm the grandfather. When I get tired--place a call to 1-800-hey-parents!

Lucas' birth has drawn the family closer-- and the pictures (thousands of them) are documenting every adventure in his new life and interactions with his family!

Bring it on. In an interesting side note--it is apparent that there is a hole in the birthday months that needs to be filled. That would be February! Lucas was born in January, Jax in March, and Ethan in April. I think the next grandchild (maybe a granddaughter??) needs a February birthdate. There's still time for next year!! LOL!

The Winter Sky: A Love-Hate Relationship

I have a love-hate relationship with winter.

Basically, I hate winter. It is cold and snowy or raw and rainy. Yech!

I'd much rather be on a beach somewhere. Toes in the sand contemplating my next diving or snorkeling adventure and working hard to somehow stay away from Orlando and the painted-on disingenuous smiles.

But--as I was taking Makayla out for her evening stroll the other night, it was one of those rare (at least this winter) nights when the sky was clear and I could see the stars. I looked up into the heavens and there was Orion, my favorite constellation. I look forward to seeing my friend Orion every autumn and saying good-bye to him in the springtime. It is just one of those weird things I do.

The most recognizable stars of Orion: Betelgeuse and Rigel, I have long considered to be friends because I know their names. It is amazing how comforting it is to look up into the sky and see recognizable forms and named friends. Even during the summer there are so many constellations and stars that help make the vastness and solitary nature of space closer and more friendly.

I remember once when I was in Australia, I had the opportunity to spend a moonless evening in the outback which was illuminated with nothing but the stars. And they are bright there. It was amazing, how bright the landscape seemed illuminated by nothing other that stars. I felt very close to them, and comfortable bathed in their light.

So--although I hate winter, I love seeing my friend Orion as the great hunter watches over me during his sojourn across the sky. I also enjoy it when he finally disappears from the sky, because I know that summer is upon me again. I admit though--I know that Orion's return signals the end of my summer, and that is the hate part of our relationship.

Shopping with the "girls"

Can you think of a better way to spend a Wednesday evening than shopping?

Is this a trick question?

Welcome to Arundel Mills and the shopping capital of Maryland on a Wednesday evening and the mall is mostly deserted.

Note the different expressions--Chris is intent on the next purchase and the next store--and the next stop. I was accused of not showing enough interest in the clothes shopping event for Patrick in advance of him starting his new job on Monday!

Yeah--note Tina's expression. She's really enthused, too.

I was reminded of how much I just "love" to go shopping. I have to say--these two are fun to shop with--the intense one and the jokester!

Me? I'm just trying to find a way to get it over with and get home.

You know, "shop" is a four-letter word. Much like snow and rain and other detestable four-letter words.

Mother and Child

There is nothing more touching, I think, in all of the world than the image of a mother and her newborn infant.

The images are touching because of the hope and promise that are present at the same time in the image.

The hope--that the child grows up strong and healthy and achieves his or her dreams. The hope that the child is happy. Hope that the bond between the family remains strong and provides a solid foundation for this new life to build upon.

The promise--is love. Unconditional, eternal, unsurpassing love. A no "matter what" love that will work to ensure that despite every hurt, every tear, and every cut finger that there is growth and acceptance. This is a love that provides boundaries and discipline to facilitate growth. It is a love that recognizes there will be times when there will be shortcomings and consequences--but through love and understanding, they will get through them all.

So this is Nicole and Lucas--together. At the beginning of a new life--full of hope and promise.

GOP in the Valley of the Bastion of Socialism?

Hold the presses. Caution--this is a politically motivated blog entry. Reader beware!

Can it really be that the great socialist experiment of cradle to grave entitlement is facing its first challenge--and losing.

Way to go voters of Massachusetts. Vote your mind and realize that we cannot afford the current democratic agenda. The New York Times article, G.O.P. Senate Victory Stuns Democrats is especially enlightening--especially for such a liberal paper.

The first causality may be the health care reform--which, as I understand it we cannot afford. I can't afford it. Once everything is said and done I am convinced that health care for Chris and I will be significantly more expensive and less comprehensive. That is a combination that makes no sense.

It is kind of like when new software or equipment is deployed at work and while it costs a lot and takes a lot to maintain--it doesn't do some of the simple things that the old stuff used to do. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I think that it is somewhat ironic that the seat vacated by the great social health care advocate is the seat that is signaling--we've had enough! It is time to restore a bipartisan approach to governing this great land. The year-long experiment in single party rule of the nation has failed and the voters--"we the people" are making our voices known.

God Bless America!

Baby? He's around here somewhere

Sometimes pictures just need a caption.

The look on Jeremy's face just begged for a caption.

And this one came to mind.

Lot's of crazy things happen in the hospital just before the birth of a child--things can get pretty crazy!

Monday Musings - January 18, 2010

1. I love holidays and days off from work. They allow me to recharge my batteries.

2. Lucas, my newest grandchild, is cute, is home, and is doing great. Amazingly, last week at this time none of us had any idea that his arrival was so close. Now, he is part of the family.

3. I never realized how jealous dogs are of other dogs. We have been watching Ben, Jeremy's dog and Makayla always works to be closest to me in every situation she can. It is pretty neat to watch.

4. Well the football season unofficially ended. Both the Cowboys and the Ravens lost this weekend. Interestingly, they each scored only 3 points in going down to lop-sided defeats. Just in time for Oriole fan fest! Pitchers and catchers report soon!

5. Haiti is in shambles. I urge everyone to assist in whatever way they can. Our church already has been supporting agencies shipping goods to Haiti with water, baby formula and other supplies.

6. The senate seat election in Massachusetts may provide a barometer of the mood in the country. I didn't realize that that seat had been held by Ted Kennedy since 1962. Tuesday should be an interesting day.

7. The weather has been warmer--and there has been more sun. Maybe we are finally moving into a time of more mild weather. Maybe we can get some outside work done yet this three day weekend--if the rain would just stop.

8. Still looking for a new rim for the Lexus. Who knew it would be so hard to find one?

You are what you eat--proven by science!

You better be careful what you eat!. I recently read a news item about sea slugs who get the ability to produce their own food from the algae they eat.

Yes it is true. Here is a link to the story: Sea slug surprise: It’s half-plant, half-animal



Here is an excerpt from the article:



The sneaky slugs seem to have stolen the genes that enable this skill from algae that they've eaten. With their contraband genes, the slugs can carry out photosynthesis — the process plants use to convert sunlight into energy.

"They can make their energy-containing molecules without having to eat anything," said Sidney Pierce, a biologist at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

So the phrase-- "You are what you eat" is really true, it seems. The permutations on this are endless.

I have played with sea slugs in the warm Atlantic Ocean waters off Key West. Who knew that such a seemingly passive creature could be so devious?

So next time you want to have one more piece of that high calorie pie--remember the sea slug--you really are (or become) what you eat!

Riding the Bull

Sometimes life can be like bull riding.

Ever think of it that way?

A bull rider only needs to stay on a bull for 8 seconds to win. That seems like a relatively short time. Most of the things we do--the activities of life, are of relatively short duration. Longer than 8 seconds--but still short in comparison to a lifetime of activity.

In the bull riding competition, the bull is trying to get the rider off him as soon as he can using every trick in the book to dismount the rider. The rider is hanging on just trying to stay on the bull.

In terms of relative size--the bull is many times greater than the rider--yet a good rider can actually ride the bull.

I noticed something interesting about bull riding while I attended the Professional Bull Riders Association meet in Baltimore a few weeks ago. Riders are not alone. It takes a team. There is a team of people who assist in getting the rider onto the bull before the ride and then there are some very specialized people who help the rider get out of the ring after he either successfully rides the bull or is dismounted.

Life is like that.

We are the riders hoping to hang on for 8 short (lifetime seemingly long) seconds. Life (the bull) is doing everything in its power to unseat us.

But we hang on. For dear life, we hang on. Better than to be trampled under the feet of the raging bull.

Successful "hangers-on" in life know they are not doing it on their own. They have help--family, neighbors, friends staying on top of the bull of life. Our team helps us prepare for the ride and then either picks us up after we are thrown or celebrates with us if we successfully ride the bull.

To take a snap shot from something that happened recently--Lucas' birth. Although it really was Nicole doing the work, she was supported by her husband and a larger family, and medical staff throughout the pregnancy and birth of Lucas. And from Lucas' perspective--he went from being uniquely bonded with his mother, to being part of a much larger family and it is a family that he will continue to be part of for his whole life.

Wow--I'm riding the bull!