I had an interesting discussion the other night about being truthful.
The conversation started over a career opportunity that was being considered and once we pealed away the layers we got down to the basic question of:
Why don't we tell the truth when asked important questions?
Why, I began wondering in my mind and we pursued the discussion--apparently because we don't want to hurt the other person's feelings (OK--that is a good point). So maybe there is an upside? probably not.
When we are not honest in providing a response to a question, and the other person subsequently makes a decision based upon that answer--it is important to realize that we cannot and must not harbor ill will. One person makes a decision in good faith based upon the input from another--and somehow usually the decision-maker becomes the problem. How unfair is that when the problem is the person providing the defective answer.
It happens with a lot of things--purchases of big things like houses and cars, and washers and dryers. It also happens when dealing with vacation spots and finances. It is amazing how we play the martyr and not tell the truth and then expect compensation. Have you ever heard someone say: "I hope you are enjoying your vacation, because I didn't want to come here at all!"
That's wrong.
OK--note to self--there are a couple of things we probably shouldn't respond truthfully to if the results are bad and these are usually those leading questions from women about age, weight, and looks! So guys, keep that in mind--I'm reminded of the Geico commercial about Honest Abe trying to answer his wife in a leading question he was asked.
Despite these few exceptions though,we need to be truthful with each other--say what we mean and mean what we say.
And, tell the truth--really (mostly?)!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Dogs
I took a moment the other day to consider my dog, Makayla.
It was as I was selling an old dog crate which had been in storage for a couple of years and the person who was buying it brought his puppy along to check it out and give it her seal of approval--which she did. He had had the puppy for three days--and so was still getting used to its habits and was also in the middle of trying to get it trained. A never-ending process it seems.
As I was chatting with the puppy's owner, I mentioned a few of the dogs that I have had as friends in the past, specifically Meghan and Nufi; and how they were great, well trained companions, as is Makayla.
It was as I was selling an old dog crate which had been in storage for a couple of years and the person who was buying it brought his puppy along to check it out and give it her seal of approval--which she did. He had had the puppy for three days--and so was still getting used to its habits and was also in the middle of trying to get it trained. A never-ending process it seems.I allowed Makayla out to play with the puppy--who was very accepting of the bigger dog. And of course, Makayla was fantastic with the puppy and made her feel welcomed and safe.
 |
| Makayla: Duck Hunter! |
I love looking into Makayla's eyes--which I do nearly every day, and seeing the calm acceptance looking back at me from her furry face. I was also reminded of her as a puppy, and now a dog and how she in three short years has developed into such a faithful companion.
Where would we be without dogs to fill our lives with unconditional love and acceptance?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Lightning Bugs
It was kind of magical last evening as Chris and I sat outside talking about the day and our plans for the future and the summer ahead. On the calendar it is still officially Springtime, but given the temperatures of last week, and the length of the days we are experiencing right now--we know it is really more Summertime. And one little harbinger confirming the beginning of the Summer season was out to greet us last evening--a firefly or, if you prefer a lightning bug.
We had one lone firefly dancing in the cool evening air for our entertainment and enjoyment last evening. Being the first one of the season, it was especially significant as we both reminisced about summers past and chasing and capturing fireflies as children and putting them into jars so that we could enjoy their eerie light on demand--but releasing them, unlike so many other bugs which were summarily executed, back into the night so that their lights would continue to fascinate and entertain us.
The evening was cool--almost crisp , and the air had been cleansed of the oppressive humidity of last week. Some mosquitoes were also annoying us, as mosquitoes are born to do--but we engaged in a bit of chemical warfare to thwart their attacks.
But that firefly most certainly caught our attention. I remembered summer evenings past when the canopy of tulip poplars above us would twinkle by the light of fireflies, as if filled by thousands of stars, and smiled knowing we are still on the upside of summer--the season I dream of every day from October until April.
It is funny how one, lone firefly can help us to recall the good times of our past and help us to look forward to so many more--thinking of the grandsons chasing them in the yard on still to come summer evenings brings a smile to my heart.
We had one lone firefly dancing in the cool evening air for our entertainment and enjoyment last evening. Being the first one of the season, it was especially significant as we both reminisced about summers past and chasing and capturing fireflies as children and putting them into jars so that we could enjoy their eerie light on demand--but releasing them, unlike so many other bugs which were summarily executed, back into the night so that their lights would continue to fascinate and entertain us.The evening was cool--almost crisp , and the air had been cleansed of the oppressive humidity of last week. Some mosquitoes were also annoying us, as mosquitoes are born to do--but we engaged in a bit of chemical warfare to thwart their attacks.
But that firefly most certainly caught our attention. I remembered summer evenings past when the canopy of tulip poplars above us would twinkle by the light of fireflies, as if filled by thousands of stars, and smiled knowing we are still on the upside of summer--the season I dream of every day from October until April.
It is funny how one, lone firefly can help us to recall the good times of our past and help us to look forward to so many more--thinking of the grandsons chasing them in the yard on still to come summer evenings brings a smile to my heart.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday Musings - June 13, 2011
1. Weiner shouldn't have.
2. Storms remind us of the power of nature.
3. Note to friends: next time we hear the rumble of thunder, let's get out of the pool!
4. A bottle of wine, some cheese and crackers, and planked salmon--what could be a better evening?
5. Something that makes me appreciate the pace of life around the house on a day-to-day basis is watching two grandsons overnight! While they are a joy, they sure do turn up the energy level in the house.
6. I confess that I am not an NBA basketball fan anymore, but I was cheering for anybody other than the Miami Heat to win the championship--and it happened. Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks for putting the beasts of the NBA back in the box.
7. I watched a movie the other day and they postulated that riding the roller coaster of life and marriage is far more desirable than riding the merry-go-round.
8. A funny thing happened with the pool yesterday--I decided to add some heat so we could enjoy it better, but by the time the temperature got to the right place in the pool, storms came through and made it too cold to swim anyway. Thankfully, we did spend a couple hours in the pool, even in its cool state earlier in the day. These 60-some degree nights are taking a toll on the temperature of the water.
9. I am in shock thinking about the upcoming summer vacation. We leave in less than four weeks. It is funny--over a year in planning is coming to reality and I'm still going to be in the panic mode when it actually gets here.
10. It is supposed to be cooler this week--I miss the 90's already!
2. Storms remind us of the power of nature.
3. Note to friends: next time we hear the rumble of thunder, let's get out of the pool!
4. A bottle of wine, some cheese and crackers, and planked salmon--what could be a better evening?
5. Something that makes me appreciate the pace of life around the house on a day-to-day basis is watching two grandsons overnight! While they are a joy, they sure do turn up the energy level in the house.
6. I confess that I am not an NBA basketball fan anymore, but I was cheering for anybody other than the Miami Heat to win the championship--and it happened. Congrats to the Dallas Mavericks for putting the beasts of the NBA back in the box.
7. I watched a movie the other day and they postulated that riding the roller coaster of life and marriage is far more desirable than riding the merry-go-round.
8. A funny thing happened with the pool yesterday--I decided to add some heat so we could enjoy it better, but by the time the temperature got to the right place in the pool, storms came through and made it too cold to swim anyway. Thankfully, we did spend a couple hours in the pool, even in its cool state earlier in the day. These 60-some degree nights are taking a toll on the temperature of the water.
9. I am in shock thinking about the upcoming summer vacation. We leave in less than four weeks. It is funny--over a year in planning is coming to reality and I'm still going to be in the panic mode when it actually gets here.
10. It is supposed to be cooler this week--I miss the 90's already!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Calla Lilly Sunday
It has been in place almost a month and is every bit as beautiful a the day we planted it to bring some much needed color to that portion of the gardens. I enjoy looking at it almost as much as it enjoys growing there.
It makes me smile when I see it there with the butterfly bush busily growing in the background.
Summer flowers and butterflies, damp dew covered morning grass and a clear blue sky.
I love being able to enjoy mornings.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
When One plus One is One
I have been thinking about marriages and relationships--perhaps it is because two of my children are celebrating anniversaries this coming week, or that I have seen the drama play out on in the news media as another political person destroys his marriage, or maybe a part of a discussion that I had last evening. But I woke up this morning and was reminded that 1+1=1 is an equation that can be used to define marriage.
I love math, and using math to help understand the life is useful and this equation really helps me understand the concept of marriage.
When two people are in a relationship (but not married) they are a couple, but the equation is 1+1=2. They are still two individuals although they are together. If something doesn't go their way--they can and often do part company. That is the way it should be, until they find the person that makes them complete--that fills in the gaps and helps them to see what they have been missing from life and relationships. We were not meant to go through life alone. We are meant to be part of a team--the team defined by marriage.
The transformation between two people in a relationship and a marriage occurs through commitment to each other. The commitment to change the equation to read 1+1=1. It is not the ceremony that does this--the ceremony is the public profession that the couple is transforming from two individuals into a single new creation. I have seen marriages where the commitment wasn't there and they tried to remain two separate individuals living together. These were defective marriages and they failed. Ultimately, I believe selfishness played a factor, too.
The mystery of marriage is that each person brings everything that they are and that they have into the marriage. Nothing is held back. It is an "all in" situation, a selfless situation. It takes 100 percent of each person to make the new creation--the marriage. Even the thought process needs to transform--the two most dangerous words in a marriage are: "I want." The "I want" needs to be replaced with "I believe we." Whenever there is an "I" it should be followed closely by a "we." It is a hard idea--and I know that some people can't get by the idea that they are "giving up" their identity; but they are looking at it wrong. I confess--sometimes I still use the "I want" in my thinking and it usually gets me into trouble--sometimes it works to transform it into a "I want, do you think we" situation.
The idea behind the equation of 1+1=1 is that the new creation--the sum of one person plus one person, requires everything from both to be a one new creation. That means--using the individuality of each to improve and create the marriage. Don't lose it--use it. Don't hold back--give it all up to each other.
Since it is commitment that ultimately provides the foundation for a marriage--is it possible for people to be married without the ceremony? Sure. The ceremony is the public profession that lives are being transformed: two lives become one from this day forward. I know couples who have not made the public profession--and gotten the piece of paper, but they are married--because they are committed to each other and have fused their identities and their creativity into one unit. I would urge them to make that public profession to acknowledge the transformation that has already occurred.
Marriage reminds me that individually I am less than whole--and to be whole, I need to commit to another person. Hence--1+1=1. All of me, plus all Chris in full commitment to each other makes us a new creation and fully whole people.
I love math, and using math to help understand the life is useful and this equation really helps me understand the concept of marriage.
When two people are in a relationship (but not married) they are a couple, but the equation is 1+1=2. They are still two individuals although they are together. If something doesn't go their way--they can and often do part company. That is the way it should be, until they find the person that makes them complete--that fills in the gaps and helps them to see what they have been missing from life and relationships. We were not meant to go through life alone. We are meant to be part of a team--the team defined by marriage.
The transformation between two people in a relationship and a marriage occurs through commitment to each other. The commitment to change the equation to read 1+1=1. It is not the ceremony that does this--the ceremony is the public profession that the couple is transforming from two individuals into a single new creation. I have seen marriages where the commitment wasn't there and they tried to remain two separate individuals living together. These were defective marriages and they failed. Ultimately, I believe selfishness played a factor, too.
The mystery of marriage is that each person brings everything that they are and that they have into the marriage. Nothing is held back. It is an "all in" situation, a selfless situation. It takes 100 percent of each person to make the new creation--the marriage. Even the thought process needs to transform--the two most dangerous words in a marriage are: "I want." The "I want" needs to be replaced with "I believe we." Whenever there is an "I" it should be followed closely by a "we." It is a hard idea--and I know that some people can't get by the idea that they are "giving up" their identity; but they are looking at it wrong. I confess--sometimes I still use the "I want" in my thinking and it usually gets me into trouble--sometimes it works to transform it into a "I want, do you think we" situation.
The idea behind the equation of 1+1=1 is that the new creation--the sum of one person plus one person, requires everything from both to be a one new creation. That means--using the individuality of each to improve and create the marriage. Don't lose it--use it. Don't hold back--give it all up to each other.
Since it is commitment that ultimately provides the foundation for a marriage--is it possible for people to be married without the ceremony? Sure. The ceremony is the public profession that lives are being transformed: two lives become one from this day forward. I know couples who have not made the public profession--and gotten the piece of paper, but they are married--because they are committed to each other and have fused their identities and their creativity into one unit. I would urge them to make that public profession to acknowledge the transformation that has already occurred.
Marriage reminds me that individually I am less than whole--and to be whole, I need to commit to another person. Hence--1+1=1. All of me, plus all Chris in full commitment to each other makes us a new creation and fully whole people.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Storm
Last evening some ferocious thunderstorms blew through the area.
I stood on the covered deck and watched the trees waving in the wind--it was a magnificent sight--the dark gray clouds and the trees punctuated by the flashes of lightening followed by the peals of thunder. This was an especially mean storm as the branches of the trees swayed above us--
The lightening flashed followed almost immediately by the thunder which really is a sonic boom crashing through the evening air.
Makayla, although a bit unnerved by the ferocity of the storm, stayed by my side as I sat on the porch watching the wind and rain. I was reminded of watching storms roll down the valley from the front porch of the house I grew up in. The smell of the air, cleansed and freshened by the rain is something which lingers in my memory even today.
The way the trees bend--even though we think of them as solid, is amazing in the face of the storm.
My pool was filled with the leaves torn from those trees--but all of the ones near our house weathered the worst the storm could dish out.
The lawns drank in the water from the sky--it has been hot and dry for a couple weeks.
Evening thunderstorms--I really enjoy them--and the temperature dropped 13 degrees--from 90 to 77.
And just a quickly as it blew in--it was gone and nothing but a memory, and the resulting clean up.
I stood on the covered deck and watched the trees waving in the wind--it was a magnificent sight--the dark gray clouds and the trees punctuated by the flashes of lightening followed by the peals of thunder. This was an especially mean storm as the branches of the trees swayed above us--
The lightening flashed followed almost immediately by the thunder which really is a sonic boom crashing through the evening air.
Makayla, although a bit unnerved by the ferocity of the storm, stayed by my side as I sat on the porch watching the wind and rain. I was reminded of watching storms roll down the valley from the front porch of the house I grew up in. The smell of the air, cleansed and freshened by the rain is something which lingers in my memory even today.
The way the trees bend--even though we think of them as solid, is amazing in the face of the storm.
My pool was filled with the leaves torn from those trees--but all of the ones near our house weathered the worst the storm could dish out.
The lawns drank in the water from the sky--it has been hot and dry for a couple weeks.
Evening thunderstorms--I really enjoy them--and the temperature dropped 13 degrees--from 90 to 77.
And just a quickly as it blew in--it was gone and nothing but a memory, and the resulting clean up.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Follow Up to Daily Fun
I was successful this morning in changing my attitude form a do or die match into recreational fun.
Did I win?
No.
Does is matter?
Thankfully, no--because I was enjoying the competition and the recreation and not so strung out about winning or losing.
Maybe this will work for me if I continue to focus on playing and the joy of playing and not be so concerned about winning. I think my desire for the Orioles to win is beginning to expand into other areas of my life.
Did I win?
No.
Does is matter?
Thankfully, no--because I was enjoying the competition and the recreation and not so strung out about winning or losing.
Maybe this will work for me if I continue to focus on playing and the joy of playing and not be so concerned about winning. I think my desire for the Orioles to win is beginning to expand into other areas of my life.
When Having Fun Becomes a Daily Trial
I firmly believe we need to have fun living life as much as possible.
Some areas of life are not much fun--but others need to be fun and when they stop being fun it is time to examine what's really going on.
I've been struggling lately on the racquetball court--and something that I love has become a trial every time I step onto the court. And it is not that I am losing--I know how to lose, it is that I continue to do dumb things and don't seem to be learning from making the same stupid shot over and over again. I am allowing my frustration with myself to take the fun out of something that I love doing and something that helps me remain sharp and in shape.
I hate running for running sake--the only time I apprecaite running is when I'm being chased.
And the are other areas of life which can become a fun black hole if we are not careful.
Perspective--that is what we need. remember why we do some of the things we do--because we enjoy them. And when the enjoyment is gone, then it is time examine a bit deeper what is going on.
So last evening as I was floating in the pool, I took a moment to examine the stress I'm putting on myself in areas that I don't need to carry stress and I resolved that I am going to start having fun again and not get so tight about these things.
i mean--I do some things because I enjoy them. So I need to enjoy them again, and have fun.
I have enough things in my life that are not fun and are really serious. So I need to really guard the line and not allow recreation activities to cross over into the the realm of life and death type of situations.
I'll let you know how this works out for me.
Some areas of life are not much fun--but others need to be fun and when they stop being fun it is time to examine what's really going on.
I've been struggling lately on the racquetball court--and something that I love has become a trial every time I step onto the court. And it is not that I am losing--I know how to lose, it is that I continue to do dumb things and don't seem to be learning from making the same stupid shot over and over again. I am allowing my frustration with myself to take the fun out of something that I love doing and something that helps me remain sharp and in shape.
I hate running for running sake--the only time I apprecaite running is when I'm being chased.
And the are other areas of life which can become a fun black hole if we are not careful.
Perspective--that is what we need. remember why we do some of the things we do--because we enjoy them. And when the enjoyment is gone, then it is time examine a bit deeper what is going on.
So last evening as I was floating in the pool, I took a moment to examine the stress I'm putting on myself in areas that I don't need to carry stress and I resolved that I am going to start having fun again and not get so tight about these things.
i mean--I do some things because I enjoy them. So I need to enjoy them again, and have fun.
I have enough things in my life that are not fun and are really serious. So I need to really guard the line and not allow recreation activities to cross over into the the realm of life and death type of situations.
I'll let you know how this works out for me.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Where Was That Again?
I read an interesting article the other day that reminded me bout the phantom Bible verses that people sometimes quote. The article is "Actually, that's not in the Bible" by John Blake of CNN.
The premise of the article is that most Christians have never read the Bible, nor are they well versed on what the Bible actually says.
He makes a strong case by pointing out a number of phrases which people usually believe are Biblical--but which do not appear anywhere within the Bible:
Some of the most popular faux verses are pithy paraphrases of biblical concepts or bits of folk wisdom.
Consider these two:
“God works in mysterious ways.”
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
Both sound as if they are taken from the Bible, but they’re not. The first is a paraphrase of a 19th century hymn by the English poet William Cowper (“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform).
The “cleanliness” passage was coined by John Wesley, the 18th century evangelist who founded Methodism, says Thomas Kidd, a history professor at Baylor University in Texas.
“No matter if John Wesley or someone else came up with a wise saying - if it sounds proverbish, people figure it must come from the Bible,”
He later writes about another popular non-Biblical phrase: spare the rod and spoil the child, which is often quoted in an effort to support physical punishment.
The bottom line for me after reading this article is to remind me that not everyone who quotes the Bible actually has read what they are quoting AND that that I need to continue to diligently question every teaching and check it against the source document for accuracy not only in word but context.
Christians also need to actually read the book that they haul around to meetings and church--what a concept. Open the cover and read and question and search the pages for the actual words of God.
The premise of the article is that most Christians have never read the Bible, nor are they well versed on what the Bible actually says.
He makes a strong case by pointing out a number of phrases which people usually believe are Biblical--but which do not appear anywhere within the Bible:
Some of the most popular faux verses are pithy paraphrases of biblical concepts or bits of folk wisdom.
Consider these two:
“God works in mysterious ways.”
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
Both sound as if they are taken from the Bible, but they’re not. The first is a paraphrase of a 19th century hymn by the English poet William Cowper (“God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform).
The “cleanliness” passage was coined by John Wesley, the 18th century evangelist who founded Methodism, says Thomas Kidd, a history professor at Baylor University in Texas.
“No matter if John Wesley or someone else came up with a wise saying - if it sounds proverbish, people figure it must come from the Bible,”
He later writes about another popular non-Biblical phrase: spare the rod and spoil the child, which is often quoted in an effort to support physical punishment.
The bottom line for me after reading this article is to remind me that not everyone who quotes the Bible actually has read what they are quoting AND that that I need to continue to diligently question every teaching and check it against the source document for accuracy not only in word but context.
Christians also need to actually read the book that they haul around to meetings and church--what a concept. Open the cover and read and question and search the pages for the actual words of God.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Heroes who walk among us
Did you ever think about the person behind you in line at the grocery store?
Or the person driving the car in the lane opposite you on the highway?
There are heroes among us who we never, or rarely, acknowledge.
Who am I writing about? Well--there are many different categories of heroes--but today I'm especially sensitive to cancer survivors. I have been face to face with many cancer survivors--I call at least three of them friends, and this weekend after I saw the scars of the battle on my nephew and witnessed his "it's not gonna beat me" attitude I realized that cancer curvivors are truly special people.
They are members of a very special fraternity.
Cancer is destructive--we all know that, but these heroes who take the full brunt of cancer's assault in their bodies which leaves them disfigured--but alive, know it far better than we who only read about cancer or talk to the survivors.
There is no living with cancer--no armistice. Cancer is either growing or gone.
And the threat of a new assault is always there.
The battle, the struggle for life after cancer is an all or nothing proposition. There is no just living or coexisting with it.
It is a life or death struggle--beat it or die. A person I respected greatly knew she could not win the battle the second time around a few years ago--and decided to cross over into eternity. But she had thought she had already beaten this insidious killer once before.
And so to the heroes in my life--Sue, Mary, and Fran; I shout out to you. I am in awe of how you live your lives every day under the shadow. And to Troy--you so impressed me this past weekend with your spirit and you courage. I wasn't sure what I was going to find when I arrived at the hospital on Friday--but I found a fighter who is facing the worst that life can toss at him and is still smiling.
Good on ya!
Or the person driving the car in the lane opposite you on the highway?
There are heroes among us who we never, or rarely, acknowledge.
Who am I writing about? Well--there are many different categories of heroes--but today I'm especially sensitive to cancer survivors. I have been face to face with many cancer survivors--I call at least three of them friends, and this weekend after I saw the scars of the battle on my nephew and witnessed his "it's not gonna beat me" attitude I realized that cancer curvivors are truly special people.
They are members of a very special fraternity.
Cancer is destructive--we all know that, but these heroes who take the full brunt of cancer's assault in their bodies which leaves them disfigured--but alive, know it far better than we who only read about cancer or talk to the survivors.
There is no living with cancer--no armistice. Cancer is either growing or gone.
And the threat of a new assault is always there.
The battle, the struggle for life after cancer is an all or nothing proposition. There is no just living or coexisting with it.
It is a life or death struggle--beat it or die. A person I respected greatly knew she could not win the battle the second time around a few years ago--and decided to cross over into eternity. But she had thought she had already beaten this insidious killer once before.
And so to the heroes in my life--Sue, Mary, and Fran; I shout out to you. I am in awe of how you live your lives every day under the shadow. And to Troy--you so impressed me this past weekend with your spirit and you courage. I wasn't sure what I was going to find when I arrived at the hospital on Friday--but I found a fighter who is facing the worst that life can toss at him and is still smiling.
Good on ya!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday Musings - June 6, 2011
1. Happy D-Day--please pause to remember the sacrifices of those who served to protect our freedom and the brave men who stormed the beaches of Normandy to secure freedom for Europe from the oppression of the Nazi's.
2. OK--his name is Jackson and he is a movie critic--and he was on the Today Show. I recommend him for family movie reviews. Family Movie Reviews
3. If you want a laugh--check out Nicole's random quotes of the day in her blog: Our Crazy Family
4. Family gatherings bring out the best and the worst in all of us. It reminds us why we like to get together and and also why we live apart!
5. Space, the final frontier seems to be slipping farther and farther from us when once we embraced it as the new frontier.
6. Highway driving can be exciting and boring. I'd rather it was boring.
7. I've had the chance to drive through long stretches of rolling green mountains during the past couple of days--and it reminded me how much open space there really is out there that we need to protect.
8. Ugh. My coffee pot continues to give me fits. Nothing puts a damper on a morning more quickly than coffee pot problems.
9. I visited some Finger Lakes wineries yesterday. Part of me would love to have a vineyard--but I'm sure the mystique of owning and trying to run it would soon wear off.
10. Driving home yesterday, we saw many old cars on the highway. It was fun to look at them and think of the era gone by and how far our cars (and our highways) have come in terms of MPG, safety, and comfort.
2. OK--his name is Jackson and he is a movie critic--and he was on the Today Show. I recommend him for family movie reviews. Family Movie Reviews
3. If you want a laugh--check out Nicole's random quotes of the day in her blog: Our Crazy Family
4. Family gatherings bring out the best and the worst in all of us. It reminds us why we like to get together and and also why we live apart!
5. Space, the final frontier seems to be slipping farther and farther from us when once we embraced it as the new frontier.
6. Highway driving can be exciting and boring. I'd rather it was boring.
7. I've had the chance to drive through long stretches of rolling green mountains during the past couple of days--and it reminded me how much open space there really is out there that we need to protect.
8. Ugh. My coffee pot continues to give me fits. Nothing puts a damper on a morning more quickly than coffee pot problems.
9. I visited some Finger Lakes wineries yesterday. Part of me would love to have a vineyard--but I'm sure the mystique of owning and trying to run it would soon wear off.
10. Driving home yesterday, we saw many old cars on the highway. It was fun to look at them and think of the era gone by and how far our cars (and our highways) have come in terms of MPG, safety, and comfort.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Sunday trips home
The problem with weekend trips is the return trip home. The adrenaline of the departure day just isn't there and traveling so much in such a short time is hard.
We need to make it more fun. But then we are usually so anxious to get home that we don't stop along the way.
Today we make the return trek from Ithaca to Elkridge. I look forward to getting home only to be confronted by the unmowed yard and everything else I failed to do around the house this weekend. Even the newspapers at the street will be there. Unmoved and unread.
But we have enjoyed the brief visit and I really appreciate everyone dropping their loves to accommodate our quick trip.
It will be good to get home.
Sent from my iPhone
We need to make it more fun. But then we are usually so anxious to get home that we don't stop along the way.
Today we make the return trek from Ithaca to Elkridge. I look forward to getting home only to be confronted by the unmowed yard and everything else I failed to do around the house this weekend. Even the newspapers at the street will be there. Unmoved and unread.
But we have enjoyed the brief visit and I really appreciate everyone dropping their loves to accommodate our quick trip.
It will be good to get home.
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Rhododendron in NY
One thing I have been noticing is the multitude of blooms on the rhododendron's around the area. They are just magnificent.
Even against the gray and rainy skies.
This one was at my parents house. Bit they seemingly are everywhere one chooses to look.
Even with the rain it is a good day for visiting and I have been doing some odd jobs around my parent's house as well as catching up.
I do miss the 90's of last weekend though.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Leaving New York
Traffic is bad!
We just left the hospital and are headed out of the Big Apple.
On the Road to NYC
Oh yeah. Let's go O's
Surfboard Poppop
The other evening I learned all about another great aspect of begin a grandfather. I became an underwater surfboard for my six-year old grandson Ethan.
Funny as it sounds--he spent most of Wednesday evening standing on my back as I crawled along the pool bottom imitating a slow speed surfboard.
I am told he was really getting into the idea of surfing on Poppop's back--although since I was underwater I really could not appreciate his enthusiasm until I surfaced.
We spend more than an hour with me crawling along the bottom for a bit and then backing up to get him off so I could surface for a breath.
I learned a couple of things: he has sharp toenails, he has sharp fingernails, and he is tireless when it comes to surfing Poppop's back.
I do have a few scratches as reminders of times when he lost his balance.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I decided to take him to our pool rather than spending the afternoon at his house watching Phineas & Ferb.
We also worked on his swimming skills and he is finally at least breathing when he swims and can almost reliably swim the length of the pool.
What a great way to spend some time after work--working with the grandsons.
Funny as it sounds--he spent most of Wednesday evening standing on my back as I crawled along the pool bottom imitating a slow speed surfboard.
I am told he was really getting into the idea of surfing on Poppop's back--although since I was underwater I really could not appreciate his enthusiasm until I surfaced.We spend more than an hour with me crawling along the bottom for a bit and then backing up to get him off so I could surface for a breath.
I learned a couple of things: he has sharp toenails, he has sharp fingernails, and he is tireless when it comes to surfing Poppop's back.
I do have a few scratches as reminders of times when he lost his balance.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I decided to take him to our pool rather than spending the afternoon at his house watching Phineas & Ferb.
We also worked on his swimming skills and he is finally at least breathing when he swims and can almost reliably swim the length of the pool.
What a great way to spend some time after work--working with the grandsons.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Endeavour's Final Touchdown from Space
As the era of U.S. manned space flight draws to an end, I need to comment about the final landing of the space shuttle Endeavour yesterday morning.
There is so much history caught up in the closing of the era of U.S. manned space--after the Atlantis mission in July, I do not reasonably expect to U.S. to launch a manned mission into space for at least the next 20 years.
And so--as the era of the Space Race comes to a close and we cede to the Russians and the Chinese the ability to place people into orbit--a sad day is coming. Manned access to space will no longer be possible form the United States. The source of national pride--which I was once able to witness in person, will no longer ply the vacuum of space carrying the US flag on its side and the Canadian Maple Leaf in the shuttle bay.
I have become so accustomed to our frequent missions into space that the loss may not be apparent for a long while. But at some point, we will wonder why we lost our adventurous spirit and become so entrenched in the mundane aspects of living that we have forgotten to refresh ourselves with the excitement and wonder of discovering the unknown and pushing the envelope of knowledge.
A bit of history about this shuttle from Wikipedia:
The orbiter is named after the British HMS Endeavour, the ship which took Captain James Cook on his first voyage of discovery (1768–1771).[5] This is why the name is spelled in the British English manner, rather than the American English ("Endeavor"). This has caused confusion, most notably when NASA themselves misspelled a sign on the launch pad in 2007.[6] The name also honored Endeavour, the Command Module of Apollo 15, itself also named after Cook's ship.
Discovery, exploration, pushing the edges of knowledge--all characteristics of the vessels named Endeavour!
And characteristics that used to define the United States.
Good-bye Endeavour--you served us well!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Bring on the Heat
I have heard people remark about the temperatures soaring from the 60's to the 80's and 90's without really visiting the 70's during the past couple of days. And it truly seems like we are enjoying those mid-July type temperatures for a bit.
Last evening after I finally made it home through some of the worst traffic I have experienced since the last three day weekend after being soundly spanked on the racquetball court, I fully appreciated my oasis in Elkridge. The pool was already in shade but the sky above was clear and blue. The trees were full and green standing tall against the sky. Every time I see the leaf filled crowns of the trees I remember the barren branches of the seasons past and I appreciate the trees and their leaves all that much more. The temperature was 90-something and the water was warm and inviting--almost too warm.
Chris and I sat in the humid evening talking about the day and the continuing struggles of life, and then I was onto a floatie in the pool with a glass of wine for some unwinding.
So--yea, when people talk about how hot it is, I sometimes forget that I am blessed with an oasis in the middle of suburbia where I can sit under palms (literally) and enjoy tropical hibiscus flowers while sipping an evening glass of wine before firing up the grill to cook the catch of the day.
My oasis is surrounded on three sides by tall and very green trees which separate us from the noise and clamor of life occurring around us. The house shields us on the fourth. Our solitude is pierced only by the incessantly repetitious noise of the ice cream truck--which I have to admit if I had the means, I would consider reducing it into a flaming pile of rubble. The sounds that single machine creates are the most offensive to my solitude that can ever be imagined. And the noise of the ice cream truck continues in my mind long after it has departed the neighborhood.
But I do so love this time of year--these first real days of summertime heat.
Bring it on--enjoy it. We all will too soon be wishing for summer again when the temperatures drop below 40.
Last evening after I finally made it home through some of the worst traffic I have experienced since the last three day weekend after being soundly spanked on the racquetball court, I fully appreciated my oasis in Elkridge. The pool was already in shade but the sky above was clear and blue. The trees were full and green standing tall against the sky. Every time I see the leaf filled crowns of the trees I remember the barren branches of the seasons past and I appreciate the trees and their leaves all that much more. The temperature was 90-something and the water was warm and inviting--almost too warm.
Chris and I sat in the humid evening talking about the day and the continuing struggles of life, and then I was onto a floatie in the pool with a glass of wine for some unwinding.
So--yea, when people talk about how hot it is, I sometimes forget that I am blessed with an oasis in the middle of suburbia where I can sit under palms (literally) and enjoy tropical hibiscus flowers while sipping an evening glass of wine before firing up the grill to cook the catch of the day.
My oasis is surrounded on three sides by tall and very green trees which separate us from the noise and clamor of life occurring around us. The house shields us on the fourth. Our solitude is pierced only by the incessantly repetitious noise of the ice cream truck--which I have to admit if I had the means, I would consider reducing it into a flaming pile of rubble. The sounds that single machine creates are the most offensive to my solitude that can ever be imagined. And the noise of the ice cream truck continues in my mind long after it has departed the neighborhood.
But I do so love this time of year--these first real days of summertime heat.
Bring it on--enjoy it. We all will too soon be wishing for summer again when the temperatures drop below 40.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Reflections of Memorial Day
The family gathered and we played and we ate.
We ate a lot.
The day was hot, the water perfect and we gathered to celebrate the beginning of summer and to remember the service men and women who lost their lives in service to this great nation.
Country music was blaring on the radio and the day would have been perfect had only the Orioles been able to stop their losing streak. But they weren't.
It was a full day of family and swimming and the pool got a great workout.
It was fun and hot and trying. Jax took a header going into the house on a slippery floor. Lucas again demonstrated his interior design abilities by rearranging the chairs, and Ethan really got the knack of swimming.
The drink of the day is something we call an Almond Joy--coconut rum and diet Sierra Mist. It goes down a bit too easy for some in the crowd.
Memorial Day 2011. God Bless America.
We ate a lot.
 |
| Dinner on Memorial Day 2011 |
Country music was blaring on the radio and the day would have been perfect had only the Orioles been able to stop their losing streak. But they weren't.
 |
| Ethan Airborne off the Board |
It was fun and hot and trying. Jax took a header going into the house on a slippery floor. Lucas again demonstrated his interior design abilities by rearranging the chairs, and Ethan really got the knack of swimming.
 |
| How Many Pool Toys do We Need? |
The drink of the day is something we call an Almond Joy--coconut rum and diet Sierra Mist. It goes down a bit too easy for some in the crowd.
Memorial Day 2011. God Bless America.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Summer Begins--Finally!
I decided to skip the Monday Musings this week--and to enjoy the holiday and write a bit about the weekend.
The pool received a welcome work out yesterday. I had it heated to 84 degrees and the water was simply awesome.
The day was bright and by the end of the day the entire family had visited to partake of the fruits of summertime. The pool has been open since late April but we just have not, with one exception, been able to spend much time and enjoy it.
Even I got to enjoy the pool--which was nice--since we had been busy planting and cleaning around the yard for the entire morning.
The heat of the day was very enjoyable after weeks of cold and dreary days--and today, with temperatures into the 90's promises to be even better.
The surprise of the day was Lucas--who it seems has a knack for decorating--he spend quite a while arranging the three brightly colored Adirondack chairs that we keep ready for the grandsons. He never did seem to get them exactly the way he wanted them--maybe he will do better later today.
And so, as today begins with the promise of summer heat, the thoughts of vacations and time off and excitement also begins to build. The planned trip to St. Lucia is becoming more of a reality and is not only weeks rather than months away. And there are other trips and vacations planned.
Summertime--bring it on!
 |
| Lucas The Designer |
The pool received a welcome work out yesterday. I had it heated to 84 degrees and the water was simply awesome.
The day was bright and by the end of the day the entire family had visited to partake of the fruits of summertime. The pool has been open since late April but we just have not, with one exception, been able to spend much time and enjoy it.
 |
| Me in the Pool |
The heat of the day was very enjoyable after weeks of cold and dreary days--and today, with temperatures into the 90's promises to be even better.
The surprise of the day was Lucas--who it seems has a knack for decorating--he spend quite a while arranging the three brightly colored Adirondack chairs that we keep ready for the grandsons. He never did seem to get them exactly the way he wanted them--maybe he will do better later today.
And so, as today begins with the promise of summer heat, the thoughts of vacations and time off and excitement also begins to build. The planned trip to St. Lucia is becoming more of a reality and is not only weeks rather than months away. And there are other trips and vacations planned.
Summertime--bring it on!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Coffee Crisis Escalates
It is amazing how a seemingly minor thing can really cause the day to get off to a bad start.
Coffee--or the lack of it.
As I rolled out of bed this morning Chris announced she was having an issue with the Keurig--it wasn't brewing. I made a glib comment about her always having problems with the electronics in the house and proceeded to the kitchen where I fully expected the sometimes temperamental machine to function perfectly.
It didn't.
It sat there humming--it sounded constipated. But no coffee was coming out.
I ran through the short troubleshooting checklist--put it back together and expected success.
Nope.
Nothing.
Time to bring in the serious guns--the white vinegar for descaling.
It remained constipated at which point Chris told me to go out for coffee since we were out of whole beans to press the old tried and true coffee pot into service. And out I went. To the Super Fresh store which will be closing in July to buy beans.
When I returned home--the Keurig was still constipated--seriously. Nothing was running through it. I was beginning to thing it was dead.
And then the next crisis--"Bob, what did you do with the plastic part that I told you went to some coffee cup?"
"Well, since it was broken, I threw it out," I replied. Turns out, it was a critical part of the back up coffee pot which allows the coffee to flow out of the basket and into the coffee pot. Ugh! It isn't even 8 AM in Sunday morning and already I have two worthless coffee brewers and no COFFEE!
The crisis level of the day was reaching Cuban Missile Crisis levels.
And then, magically two things happened--
Vinegar began coming out of the Keurig (finally) and I figured out how to make the old coffee pot basket drain onto the pot.
The mood in the house improved dramatically and the sense of impending doom subsided. Coffee began brewing in the old coffee pot and the smell of coffee began to help with the caffeine deprivation that was beginning to cloud our reasoning capabilities.
As coffee happily brewed, we began the four-hour (yes, 4 hour!) descaling process in the Keurig.
That first cup of coffee never tasted so good--actually it was awful! I was immediately chastised for the beans I bought with the statement--And when did Super Fresh become a coffee boutique?
But it was coffee! And it smelled good.
Crisis solved! And the Keurig should be back in service about noon!
And it is only 9AM--what is the rest of the day going to hold?
Coffee--or the lack of it.
As I rolled out of bed this morning Chris announced she was having an issue with the Keurig--it wasn't brewing. I made a glib comment about her always having problems with the electronics in the house and proceeded to the kitchen where I fully expected the sometimes temperamental machine to function perfectly.
It didn't.
It sat there humming--it sounded constipated. But no coffee was coming out.
I ran through the short troubleshooting checklist--put it back together and expected success.
Nope.
Nothing.
Time to bring in the serious guns--the white vinegar for descaling.
It remained constipated at which point Chris told me to go out for coffee since we were out of whole beans to press the old tried and true coffee pot into service. And out I went. To the Super Fresh store which will be closing in July to buy beans.
When I returned home--the Keurig was still constipated--seriously. Nothing was running through it. I was beginning to thing it was dead.
And then the next crisis--"Bob, what did you do with the plastic part that I told you went to some coffee cup?"
"Well, since it was broken, I threw it out," I replied. Turns out, it was a critical part of the back up coffee pot which allows the coffee to flow out of the basket and into the coffee pot. Ugh! It isn't even 8 AM in Sunday morning and already I have two worthless coffee brewers and no COFFEE!
The crisis level of the day was reaching Cuban Missile Crisis levels.
And then, magically two things happened--
Vinegar began coming out of the Keurig (finally) and I figured out how to make the old coffee pot basket drain onto the pot.
The mood in the house improved dramatically and the sense of impending doom subsided. Coffee began brewing in the old coffee pot and the smell of coffee began to help with the caffeine deprivation that was beginning to cloud our reasoning capabilities.
As coffee happily brewed, we began the four-hour (yes, 4 hour!) descaling process in the Keurig.
That first cup of coffee never tasted so good--actually it was awful! I was immediately chastised for the beans I bought with the statement--And when did Super Fresh become a coffee boutique?
But it was coffee! And it smelled good.
Crisis solved! And the Keurig should be back in service about noon!
And it is only 9AM--what is the rest of the day going to hold?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Saturday Sunshine Memorial Weekend Kick-off
The storms of last evening--which were at times ferocious, have given way to a beautiful dawn with the birds singing and the breaking of a great looking day to start Memorial Day Weekend.
We spent last evening with friends--after I arrived at the airport I went directly to have dinner and wine with our friends to start the weekend--I can't think of any better way to begin any weekend, let alone a holiday weekend.
I am becoming a bit frustrated with Southwest Airlines though because it seems the on every flight lately they are securing the cabin for landing earlier and earlier--meaning I can't read my Kindle or play on my iPhone. I'm not sure it is really necessary. Last evening they secured the cabin a full 55 minutes before we actually landed--they said due to turbulence, but there wasn't any turbulence. And I am also noticing that the seat belt sign is staying on longer and longer--which means that people are beginning to ignore it more and more.
But it is the weekend--the pool is ready, the lawns need to be mowed, there is mulch to spread, a dump run to make, and I am sure groceries to shop for.
I would remind everyone that Memorial Day was a day to honor and remember those military men and women who died while in service to our country. It used to be called Decoration Day. And while the scope of the remembrances have grown, and the activities associated with the day which really also marks the beginning of the best season of the year--Summertime, the holiday is a day to remember those who we have lost and to celebrate their accomplishments.
Last evening, as I was returning to Baltimore on the flight, the crew announced that there was an honored veteran of WW2 on the flight--and we all clapped and recognized his service. It was great the way the entire cabin of the aircraft took a moment to remember the accomplishments of this veteran while he was still alive.
I am still haunted by an image I saw in the paper a few weeks ago of a small boy--4 years old I think, hanging onto his Dad's casket at the military funeral. He was saying good-bye in the only way he could. It was a touching image--and I could not find it, to share it.
And so, I am reminded--there are lots of families in our country this weekend who are mourning the loss of sons and daughters, and husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters--and we need to keep them all in our prayers, for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved one is far greater and more real than many of us can imagine as we stuff ourselves with hamburgers and beer from the grill around the swimming pool.
We spent last evening with friends--after I arrived at the airport I went directly to have dinner and wine with our friends to start the weekend--I can't think of any better way to begin any weekend, let alone a holiday weekend.
I am becoming a bit frustrated with Southwest Airlines though because it seems the on every flight lately they are securing the cabin for landing earlier and earlier--meaning I can't read my Kindle or play on my iPhone. I'm not sure it is really necessary. Last evening they secured the cabin a full 55 minutes before we actually landed--they said due to turbulence, but there wasn't any turbulence. And I am also noticing that the seat belt sign is staying on longer and longer--which means that people are beginning to ignore it more and more.
But it is the weekend--the pool is ready, the lawns need to be mowed, there is mulch to spread, a dump run to make, and I am sure groceries to shop for.
I would remind everyone that Memorial Day was a day to honor and remember those military men and women who died while in service to our country. It used to be called Decoration Day. And while the scope of the remembrances have grown, and the activities associated with the day which really also marks the beginning of the best season of the year--Summertime, the holiday is a day to remember those who we have lost and to celebrate their accomplishments.
Last evening, as I was returning to Baltimore on the flight, the crew announced that there was an honored veteran of WW2 on the flight--and we all clapped and recognized his service. It was great the way the entire cabin of the aircraft took a moment to remember the accomplishments of this veteran while he was still alive.
I am still haunted by an image I saw in the paper a few weeks ago of a small boy--4 years old I think, hanging onto his Dad's casket at the military funeral. He was saying good-bye in the only way he could. It was a touching image--and I could not find it, to share it.
And so, I am reminded--there are lots of families in our country this weekend who are mourning the loss of sons and daughters, and husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters--and we need to keep them all in our prayers, for their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved one is far greater and more real than many of us can imagine as we stuff ourselves with hamburgers and beer from the grill around the swimming pool.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Stuck in the Airport on a Friday
Probably not going to happen.
My flight is delayed over an hour.
Ugh.
I know it happens. But why today at the start of a three day weekend?
A Reminder of Days Forgotten
It was in another time and in another place. The past and the present mingled yesterday during a retirement ceremony for a USAF colonel who retired after 25 years of service.
The day was sobered by the arrival of the remains of 25 year old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan about a week ago enroute to his final resting place in Centennial, Colorado--a juxtaposition of time and space. On hero retiring after 25 years of service with his wife and family present--the other hero returning home after giving his all for this nation to be greeted by his family and friends and remembered for his sacrifice.
And there in the middle was me.
For it was 25 years ago that both the colonel who was retiring retiring and the general who was the officiating officer at the retirement ceremony were my students at school at the now closed Lowry AFB, and remembered me and the school to everyone during the ceremony. I felt very conspicuous.
I was at the same time honored and felt old.
For I too have served our nation, retiring after 21 years of service--and I still serve in a different capacity.
It was a very different experience for me to see students remembering me at the end of their first and the beginning their second career.
I recalled those days a quarter century ago--of teaching and managing courses for the Air Force and trying to be the best instructor and instructor supervisor possible, while also being creative with the curriculum. It was during the middle of my career in the Air Force.
As I listened to 25 years of service recounted for the assembled people there to celebrate the turning of a page of life, I reflected upon my own Air Force career--it seems so long ago and yet it was only yesterday. My family was still young--and I had dreams of making my mark on the world without fully realizing then that making a mark is not something done in a splashy way--but by what we do every day.
It was truly another time and another place.
Memories and reality. Celebration and mourning.
It was a very different day, after all.
The day was sobered by the arrival of the remains of 25 year old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan about a week ago enroute to his final resting place in Centennial, Colorado--a juxtaposition of time and space. On hero retiring after 25 years of service with his wife and family present--the other hero returning home after giving his all for this nation to be greeted by his family and friends and remembered for his sacrifice.
And there in the middle was me.
For it was 25 years ago that both the colonel who was retiring retiring and the general who was the officiating officer at the retirement ceremony were my students at school at the now closed Lowry AFB, and remembered me and the school to everyone during the ceremony. I felt very conspicuous.
I was at the same time honored and felt old.
For I too have served our nation, retiring after 21 years of service--and I still serve in a different capacity.
It was a very different experience for me to see students remembering me at the end of their first and the beginning their second career.
I recalled those days a quarter century ago--of teaching and managing courses for the Air Force and trying to be the best instructor and instructor supervisor possible, while also being creative with the curriculum. It was during the middle of my career in the Air Force.
As I listened to 25 years of service recounted for the assembled people there to celebrate the turning of a page of life, I reflected upon my own Air Force career--it seems so long ago and yet it was only yesterday. My family was still young--and I had dreams of making my mark on the world without fully realizing then that making a mark is not something done in a splashy way--but by what we do every day.
It was truly another time and another place.
Memories and reality. Celebration and mourning.
It was a very different day, after all.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Out the Hotel Window - Denver May 2011
It is amazing what a difference a few months make in hotel window scenery. Of course--this certainly isn't Sarasota, Florida and I am not headed to the beach later today.
The last time I was at this hotel, though, I was treated to a great view of the bus station--which isn't all that pretty and of course was a bit loud.These pictures are from last evening when I arrived--the big black building is directly in front of my view--blocking out the horizon even though I'm nine stories up.
And last time I stayed in downtown Denver it was really cold and all I could do was dream of going to a baseball game--I did go to a hockey game then though and saw the current Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks lose to the the hometown Avalanche. That was memorable since Vancouver will be playing for the Stanley Cup starting next week. I remember I could just see Coors Field in the distance.And longed for the Boys of Summer.
This trip was warmer and I got the chance to experience a baseball game. And I do love baseball.
The two hour time difference is killing me.
And wouldn't you know it, there are two clocks in my room and I didn't notice they were an hour apart. So I felt bad when I hopped out of bed at 6:15 thinking I had missed my morning check in with Chris. Then I noticed the clock I set the alarm on was an hour behind.
So I actually got up early and had my first cup of coffee in my hand earlier than I had planned.
Important safety tip--make sure the clocks in the room have approximately the same time on them.
So, now I'm ready for the day--earlier than planned. And the dawn has broken--another day is set to begin. And after peaking out my hotel window, I'm ready for it.
The last time I was at this hotel, though, I was treated to a great view of the bus station--which isn't all that pretty and of course was a bit loud.These pictures are from last evening when I arrived--the big black building is directly in front of my view--blocking out the horizon even though I'm nine stories up.And last time I stayed in downtown Denver it was really cold and all I could do was dream of going to a baseball game--I did go to a hockey game then though and saw the current Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks lose to the the hometown Avalanche. That was memorable since Vancouver will be playing for the Stanley Cup starting next week. I remember I could just see Coors Field in the distance.And longed for the Boys of Summer.
This trip was warmer and I got the chance to experience a baseball game. And I do love baseball.
The two hour time difference is killing me.
And wouldn't you know it, there are two clocks in my room and I didn't notice they were an hour apart. So I felt bad when I hopped out of bed at 6:15 thinking I had missed my morning check in with Chris. Then I noticed the clock I set the alarm on was an hour behind.So I actually got up early and had my first cup of coffee in my hand earlier than I had planned.
Important safety tip--make sure the clocks in the room have approximately the same time on them.
So, now I'm ready for the day--earlier than planned. And the dawn has broken--another day is set to begin. And after peaking out my hotel window, I'm ready for it.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Rockies Basball
 |
| Coors Field, May 25, 2011 |
Addendum:
The Rockies lost to the visiting Diamondbacks 2-1. But a favorite former Oriole did his a double--Ty Wiggington for the home-team.
Mist in the Trees
Driving to work yesterday morning, I looked out over the trees
Blue-tinged mist was hanging in the green leaves
As the humid day got off to a full throttle start.
The dampness was everywhere, palpable
the smells of the maturing springtime into summertime were sweet
to my nose as I noted that the fully now green trees
were standing tall against the gray dark rain swollen clouds
waiting to drench the land yet again with rain
which to vast areas of our country has reached damaging flood levels.
And I thought of the tornadoes which ravaged Missouri
my sister and her husband live there, not too near but still there,
the trees I am enjoying this morning would be reduced to toothpicks
in the face of these horrific storms.
The mist was still--hanging in the motionless air
reminding me that the days are longer now
a short couple months ago I would be driving to work in the dark
with my only my headlights to illuminate the world
I never would have noticed the mist hidden by the darkness of the night.
I snuck a final glance at the mist in the trees
as the road dove down taking me beneath the canopy
where I could no longer enjoy the rolling green
which stretched out to the horizon,
undulating, like waves upon the land
happy that the springtime was blossoming into summer.
Blue-tinged mist was hanging in the green leaves
As the humid day got off to a full throttle start.
The dampness was everywhere, palpable
the smells of the maturing springtime into summertime were sweet
to my nose as I noted that the fully now green trees
were standing tall against the gray dark rain swollen clouds
waiting to drench the land yet again with rain
which to vast areas of our country has reached damaging flood levels.
And I thought of the tornadoes which ravaged Missouri
my sister and her husband live there, not too near but still there,
the trees I am enjoying this morning would be reduced to toothpicks
in the face of these horrific storms.
The mist was still--hanging in the motionless air
reminding me that the days are longer now
a short couple months ago I would be driving to work in the dark
with my only my headlights to illuminate the world
I never would have noticed the mist hidden by the darkness of the night.
I snuck a final glance at the mist in the trees
as the road dove down taking me beneath the canopy
where I could no longer enjoy the rolling green
which stretched out to the horizon,
undulating, like waves upon the land
happy that the springtime was blossoming into summer.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Poolside Frustration and Holiday Weekend Planning
It had a funny thought last evening as I was standing in a very long line at my favorite pool supply store on an emergency run to get the compound I needed to affix the couple of ceramic pool tiles that had fallen off during the winter. I had suffered though rush hour traffic to get to the store which is a few miles from the house and so I was not too amused by the long waits to check out.
It occurred to me that the line was far longer than usual and the store seemed to be amply staffed by eager assistants. Usually, there my be another one or two customers in the store on a week night, but last evening the store was full. The lines were ten people deep and the staff was clearly frazzled.
And then I understood--here it was, the Monday before Memorial Day and we were all trying to get the pools ready for that first big party of the summer. I turned to the guy behind me in line, who was loaded with pool stuff and made that very comment. He smiled and said, "You got that right, bub."
I felt validated.
To pool owners, Memorial Day is the beginning of the reason we all own pools anyway, to enjoy the summer sun in a cool piece of resort living right in our own backyard.
Pool ownership is not for everyone--it is a project that requires care and planning and effort and not a little bit of cost. But, I so enjoy my pool and watching the family enjoy it too.
But pool maintenance can be frustrating, too. After I left the pool store and began the trek through traffic back to home, I noted the clouds getting darker and more ominous. I really wanted to get the tiles done so I could mentally say that the pool was fully ready for the onslaught of family expected during the three day celebration of a holiday weekend.
But alas--the rain started even before I got home. Not a lot of rain. but enough to make everything wet and to make doing the tiles an even more unpleasant job than it is to begin with. I decided to wait foer everythign to dry out--which it did by about 8pm.
But by then--I was at Best Buy and then Lowe's on another shopping mission and the pool work had slipped into today--ugh!
So, to borrow a line from Phineas and Ferb: I know what I'm going to do tonight!
It occurred to me that the line was far longer than usual and the store seemed to be amply staffed by eager assistants. Usually, there my be another one or two customers in the store on a week night, but last evening the store was full. The lines were ten people deep and the staff was clearly frazzled.
And then I understood--here it was, the Monday before Memorial Day and we were all trying to get the pools ready for that first big party of the summer. I turned to the guy behind me in line, who was loaded with pool stuff and made that very comment. He smiled and said, "You got that right, bub."
I felt validated.
To pool owners, Memorial Day is the beginning of the reason we all own pools anyway, to enjoy the summer sun in a cool piece of resort living right in our own backyard.
Pool ownership is not for everyone--it is a project that requires care and planning and effort and not a little bit of cost. But, I so enjoy my pool and watching the family enjoy it too.
But pool maintenance can be frustrating, too. After I left the pool store and began the trek through traffic back to home, I noted the clouds getting darker and more ominous. I really wanted to get the tiles done so I could mentally say that the pool was fully ready for the onslaught of family expected during the three day celebration of a holiday weekend.
But alas--the rain started even before I got home. Not a lot of rain. but enough to make everything wet and to make doing the tiles an even more unpleasant job than it is to begin with. I decided to wait foer everythign to dry out--which it did by about 8pm.
But by then--I was at Best Buy and then Lowe's on another shopping mission and the pool work had slipped into today--ugh!
So, to borrow a line from Phineas and Ferb: I know what I'm going to do tonight!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday Musings - May 23, 2011
1. Just as a reminder--I'm still here. The rapture didn't happen--I'm not sure if I'm happy or not.
2. I'm sitting here in front of a big bouquet of peony's--they are beautiful and fragrant. I picked them yesterday and they are still fresh looking today.
3. There was something not quite right when the phone rang as I was leaving the house 30 minutes before her scheduled arrival to retrieve Chris from her bus ride back from NYC. "Where are you?" she said. "Just leaving," I replied. "Well I'm already here so don't get a speeding ticket on your way." Really? 30 minutes early on a 3 hour 20 minute planned bus ride from NYC? I didn't know they made supersonic buses.
4. Just for the record--the O's beat the Nats yesterday 2-1 in a tightly played game that I was sure would wind up in the loss column for the Orioles. Miracles happen and for the first game in a long time, the relievers did not give up a run. The game ended on a dramatic strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play. Which was very exciting, more so in that it was the second such play of the game.
5. Sitting around the pool last evening with a bottle of wine and dinner was probably the best meal I've enjoyed in over a week.
6. A busy week is planned--more travel, but the three-day weekend at the end will definitely be welcomed.
7. May is winding down. It is amazing how quickly the month seems to be soaring along. All too quickly summertime will be upon us--and then gone.
8. The stinkbug plague is back. We found stinkbugs yesterday. They all met with a watery grave.
3. There was something not quite right when the phone rang as I was leaving the house 30 minutes before her scheduled arrival to retrieve Chris from her bus ride back from NYC. "Where are you?" she said. "Just leaving," I replied. "Well I'm already here so don't get a speeding ticket on your way." Really? 30 minutes early on a 3 hour 20 minute planned bus ride from NYC? I didn't know they made supersonic buses.
4. Just for the record--the O's beat the Nats yesterday 2-1 in a tightly played game that I was sure would wind up in the loss column for the Orioles. Miracles happen and for the first game in a long time, the relievers did not give up a run. The game ended on a dramatic strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play. Which was very exciting, more so in that it was the second such play of the game.
5. Sitting around the pool last evening with a bottle of wine and dinner was probably the best meal I've enjoyed in over a week.
6. A busy week is planned--more travel, but the three-day weekend at the end will definitely be welcomed.
7. May is winding down. It is amazing how quickly the month seems to be soaring along. All too quickly summertime will be upon us--and then gone.
8. The stinkbug plague is back. We found stinkbugs yesterday. They all met with a watery grave.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Warm Temperatures and Nice Evenings
I sat outside last evening and enjoyed the end of the day. Good friends, wine, and munchies. Even an occasional mosquito--which brought out the bug spray for the first time this year.
I watched the bats come out to play in the twilight sky and enjoyed the trees fully covered in deep green foliage.
It was the perfect ending to a great day.
It had been a day of mowing and cleaning and working outside even pulling up an occasional weed form the gardens. One of those early summer days which we usually have a few more of by this time of the year--but this year has been cool and rainy.
I checked out the herb garden and determined that it actually does receive good sunlight during the middle of the day--which is why the weeds seem to be doing better than the cilantro and rosemary.
The most frustrating part of the day was my continuing battle with Comcast to ensure consistent internet service--they were having some issue and my internet kept dropping out, which really wasn't a problem because of everything else I was doing--but it was an annoyance.
We sat around late into the evening chatting about the day and the week and life. A fitting end to a day which saw sun, blue skies, and 80 degrees all on a weekend for a change.
Oh and did I mention that the pool even saw some action, too. Yeah--it has been open a month and this was the first swim.
I watched the bats come out to play in the twilight sky and enjoyed the trees fully covered in deep green foliage.
It was the perfect ending to a great day.
It had been a day of mowing and cleaning and working outside even pulling up an occasional weed form the gardens. One of those early summer days which we usually have a few more of by this time of the year--but this year has been cool and rainy.
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| First Swim of the Season Patrick, Tina and Chewie |
The most frustrating part of the day was my continuing battle with Comcast to ensure consistent internet service--they were having some issue and my internet kept dropping out, which really wasn't a problem because of everything else I was doing--but it was an annoyance.
We sat around late into the evening chatting about the day and the week and life. A fitting end to a day which saw sun, blue skies, and 80 degrees all on a weekend for a change.
Oh and did I mention that the pool even saw some action, too. Yeah--it has been open a month and this was the first swim.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Flowers of Springtime
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| Peony in the Evening Light |
I love the smell of the peony, its sweet perfume like fragrance is intoxicating and the blooms are complex and full. I think many other flowers try to imitate the peony in terms of bloom fullness or fragrance--but truly, the peony is the the king--if only the stalks were stronger and they would stand straight up.
I can almost smell the one that is in the picture that I took last evening.
And the cascading clematis which we planted last year has not disappointed, either.
Its blooms are full rising up from the ground in a dark blue/purple mound.
I am enjoying the Springtime more and more this year as I experience again the rebirth of summer--and everyone knows that I am a summer-type of guy.
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| Clematis Mound May 2011 |
Although, I am sitting here waiting for the morning temperature to rise above 60 degrees so that I can begin my outside work after a week of storms and rain.
There is so much to do.
Butt the flowers make it enjoyable because every so often I can stop and enjoy their blooms and experience the moment just marveling at how diverse and awesome the world is--if only we allow ourselves to see it a bit.
I note that the magical temperature of 60 degrees has been met--and so it is off to labor in the yard and do the business of the day.
Happily--because good weather and the weekend are not terms which usually go together around here.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thoughts and Musings
A home improvement project will always take twice as long as the guy thinks it will. Sadly, it will take four times longer than the wife thinks it should.
Why do cats always puke up their hairballs on the carpet and not the wood floor?
Who knew that my dog would hate getting her feet wet--except when she is playing in the stream behind the house.
Why did the house sound so empty when I came home yesterday--and it was the same as when I come home any other day? But I knew I was alone yesterday.
Darkness is not the opposite of light, it is the absence of light.
Cold is not the opposite of heat, it is the absence of heat.
Why do I worry about losing seconds when I am driving, but don't worry about losing hours when I am home?
New technology is fun--until it becomes enslaving.
Who developed that new car smell and why do we all seem to be infatuated by it?
We do not appreciate our health until we lose it, nor our lifestyle until it changes. I need to be content where I am and enjoy the now.
So what's wrong with dreaming about having a dive boat in Key West?
Why do cats always puke up their hairballs on the carpet and not the wood floor?
Who knew that my dog would hate getting her feet wet--except when she is playing in the stream behind the house.
Why did the house sound so empty when I came home yesterday--and it was the same as when I come home any other day? But I knew I was alone yesterday.
Darkness is not the opposite of light, it is the absence of light.
Cold is not the opposite of heat, it is the absence of heat.
Why do I worry about losing seconds when I am driving, but don't worry about losing hours when I am home?
New technology is fun--until it becomes enslaving.
Who developed that new car smell and why do we all seem to be infatuated by it?
We do not appreciate our health until we lose it, nor our lifestyle until it changes. I need to be content where I am and enjoy the now.
So what's wrong with dreaming about having a dive boat in Key West?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Storms and Sun
This week has been stormy, rainy, and generally gloomy.
And that assessment is not only for the weather.
As I write this, one member of our extended family, Troy, is recovering in a hospital in NYC after having extensive surgery in his battle with cancer. And this is not minor surgery. But he is doing well--and the surgery had better than expected results.
So this week has not been a lot of fun.
I know the sun still shines above the clouds--I have witnessed the impressive spectacle of breaking through dark clouds and into bright sun and blue skies. We need to keep ourselves above the storms in the sunlight.
But it is hard.
Slogging through rain drenched streets and paths makes me wet.
And muddy.
It is hard to keep the mud off when it splashes everywhere--and so I have determined that being in bright sunshine is a state of mind which transcends the mud on my shoes.
But every time I look down--I see the mud and forget the sunshine.
And that assessment is not only for the weather.
As I write this, one member of our extended family, Troy, is recovering in a hospital in NYC after having extensive surgery in his battle with cancer. And this is not minor surgery. But he is doing well--and the surgery had better than expected results.
So this week has not been a lot of fun.
I know the sun still shines above the clouds--I have witnessed the impressive spectacle of breaking through dark clouds and into bright sun and blue skies. We need to keep ourselves above the storms in the sunlight.
But it is hard.
Slogging through rain drenched streets and paths makes me wet.
And muddy.
It is hard to keep the mud off when it splashes everywhere--and so I have determined that being in bright sunshine is a state of mind which transcends the mud on my shoes.
But every time I look down--I see the mud and forget the sunshine.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Early Morning in the Yard
She stood, still, along the edge of the lawn in the dawn light. Her dark eyes were locked on Makayla and me as we went about our business a short distance away.
She was so still--not even her ears twitched--every one of here senses were focused upon the dog.
Makayla noticed her standing there. Her brown coast almost fading into the green underbrush where the lawn turns into forest. I thought for a moment she might begin barking and wake the neighbors--but as she was on a leash (for which I was thoroughly grateful), she turned away without making a scene at the deer--still frozen in place.
I know that had she not been on a leash--the chase through the brambles would have been on resulting in hours of cleaning her coat of the prickers she would have picked up. The deer would have crossed the stream and up the hill faster than Makayla could follow--but the noise of the barking dog and crashing deer would have broken the stillness of this early morning wake up slowly time.
I probably would have just taken her to PetSmart for a grooming.
I truly was amazed at Makayla's lack of interest.
I was more fascinated by this creature on the edge of the yard than she was--they are so beautiful when seen alive and not the mangled corpses strewn I normally observe along the highways.
She was so still--watching me watch her. I wondered when she would make her move.
I looked down at Makayla and then back to where she was. Mesmerized.
I am glad the deer are still around the house--they remind me of my past and growing up in the rural area of Central New York State. Where I know life was simpler, the speed slower, and the wildlife more abundant.
The two-lane road that connected us to civilization was a lifeline and a a protection from the hectic life I now live.
I sometimes am reminded of those times by the scents--especially after the rain, like yesterday as the warm, humid air rolled up out of the small creek behind the house loaded with smells of plant matter and fresh growth.
I close my eyes, and remember standing in front of the house I grew up in looking across the fields to the hills in front of me and thinking they seemed so big (I had not yet seen the Rockies) and I had to conquer them (which I did). And seeing a herd of deer on the edge of the fields--just at the forest line.
And in the short time it took me to remember the sights and the smells, when I looked back to where the deer had been standing, so silently she had made her escape.
And I realized--so had I.
She was so still--not even her ears twitched--every one of here senses were focused upon the dog.
Makayla noticed her standing there. Her brown coast almost fading into the green underbrush where the lawn turns into forest. I thought for a moment she might begin barking and wake the neighbors--but as she was on a leash (for which I was thoroughly grateful), she turned away without making a scene at the deer--still frozen in place.
I know that had she not been on a leash--the chase through the brambles would have been on resulting in hours of cleaning her coat of the prickers she would have picked up. The deer would have crossed the stream and up the hill faster than Makayla could follow--but the noise of the barking dog and crashing deer would have broken the stillness of this early morning wake up slowly time.
I probably would have just taken her to PetSmart for a grooming.
I truly was amazed at Makayla's lack of interest.
I was more fascinated by this creature on the edge of the yard than she was--they are so beautiful when seen alive and not the mangled corpses strewn I normally observe along the highways.
She was so still--watching me watch her. I wondered when she would make her move.
I looked down at Makayla and then back to where she was. Mesmerized.
I am glad the deer are still around the house--they remind me of my past and growing up in the rural area of Central New York State. Where I know life was simpler, the speed slower, and the wildlife more abundant.
The two-lane road that connected us to civilization was a lifeline and a a protection from the hectic life I now live.
I sometimes am reminded of those times by the scents--especially after the rain, like yesterday as the warm, humid air rolled up out of the small creek behind the house loaded with smells of plant matter and fresh growth.
I close my eyes, and remember standing in front of the house I grew up in looking across the fields to the hills in front of me and thinking they seemed so big (I had not yet seen the Rockies) and I had to conquer them (which I did). And seeing a herd of deer on the edge of the fields--just at the forest line.
And in the short time it took me to remember the sights and the smells, when I looked back to where the deer had been standing, so silently she had made her escape.
And I realized--so had I.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Why are the Drawers Empty?
Mornings can be hectic--made more so when Chris is away. I gain a real appreciation for how many things just magically get done in my life--like laundry. When the drawers get low, magically they seem to fill up.
It doesn't happen like that when she is away.
So this week I am again experiencing the joy of life alone--Orioles Baseball on the TV, laundry piling up in the hamper, cleaning the litter box, feeding the cats (why exactly do we have cats?), trying to keep a sense of normalcy in the face of abnormal activity.
The hardest part is trying to ensure Makayla doesn't have to goo too many hours without human contact--12 is about the longest I've ever pushed her bladder.
Wednesday could be a problem! E-day.
Ethan may have to take a ride with me to fetch the dog. He hates going places after school. He would prefer to eat and veggie out after a hard day of Kindergarten learning.
I don't blame him, either. I don't really like going out after work. I become the world's greatest homebody.
Absence makes the heart grow finder, they say.
I find that I just have to work harder.
Oh, and did I mention the blasted rain? What another downer on life.
But the pile in the hamper isn't going to magically disappear this morning--so I need to get moving or the cats will probably take matters into their own paws and the dog may revolt. I sense a coup coming on.
It doesn't happen like that when she is away.
So this week I am again experiencing the joy of life alone--Orioles Baseball on the TV, laundry piling up in the hamper, cleaning the litter box, feeding the cats (why exactly do we have cats?), trying to keep a sense of normalcy in the face of abnormal activity.
The hardest part is trying to ensure Makayla doesn't have to goo too many hours without human contact--12 is about the longest I've ever pushed her bladder.
Wednesday could be a problem! E-day.
Ethan may have to take a ride with me to fetch the dog. He hates going places after school. He would prefer to eat and veggie out after a hard day of Kindergarten learning.
I don't blame him, either. I don't really like going out after work. I become the world's greatest homebody.
Absence makes the heart grow finder, they say.
I find that I just have to work harder.
Oh, and did I mention the blasted rain? What another downer on life.
But the pile in the hamper isn't going to magically disappear this morning--so I need to get moving or the cats will probably take matters into their own paws and the dog may revolt. I sense a coup coming on.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday Musings - May 16, 2011
1. Every week has its own rhythm--and this one is already off to a fast start.
2. It is sad that the weather has been too cold for pool activities--it is open and wanting people to play in it, but at 65 degrees--it is just a tad (OK 15 degrees) too cold.
3. Dogs are constants in life--they love and then they love some more no matter what craziness is going on around them.
4. The lawn got mowed yesterday despite the weather forecast--and I got sunburned, too.
5. The swing set saw some brief use yesterday--it still took me longer to trim around it than the kids played on it.
6. It was youth Sunday at church yesterday--how can I bottle some of that energy for later use?
7. Trains, planes, automobiles and buses--the winner in the NYC round-trip is: Bus at $17 each way. That is less than the tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike.
2. It is sad that the weather has been too cold for pool activities--it is open and wanting people to play in it, but at 65 degrees--it is just a tad (OK 15 degrees) too cold.
3. Dogs are constants in life--they love and then they love some more no matter what craziness is going on around them.
4. The lawn got mowed yesterday despite the weather forecast--and I got sunburned, too.
5. The swing set saw some brief use yesterday--it still took me longer to trim around it than the kids played on it.
6. It was youth Sunday at church yesterday--how can I bottle some of that energy for later use?
7. Trains, planes, automobiles and buses--the winner in the NYC round-trip is: Bus at $17 each way. That is less than the tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Staying busy
Let him chase the pool cleaner. Was good for almost 15 minutes.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Something to brighten a gloomy day
Rainy and overcast.
I saw this iris in my garden changing its whole area from gray to color and I realized that while the skies may be rainy and overcast, we still carry sunshine in our hearts.
Friday, May 13, 2011
O's Fantastic Finish
I just have to say--I had the joy of watching a 12-inning baseball game that lasted less that three hours Thursday evening which saw my beloved Orioles come from behind in the bottom of the 12th inning to win.
I saw, for the first time in my life live--two pitchers throw shut-outs for nine innings and neither got the victory or loss. They were magnificent--although, and I'm biased, the Oriole pitcher Zach Britton was better facing only two batters over the minimum of 27 for 9 innings.
The game was scoreless through 11 innings.
And short--efficient and crisp. I have suffered through nine-inning games that took longer to play.
I saw, for the first time in my life live--two pitchers throw shut-outs for nine innings and neither got the victory or loss. They were magnificent--although, and I'm biased, the Oriole pitcher Zach Britton was better facing only two batters over the minimum of 27 for 9 innings.
The game was scoreless through 11 innings.
And short--efficient and crisp. I have suffered through nine-inning games that took longer to play.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Random Photos from Mother's Day
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| I Know It is Here Somewhere |
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| Sharing! Remember? |
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| Got It Together |
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| I Am Smiling |
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| Don't Make Me Laugh--I'm Near the Water |
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| Mothers |
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| Mother and Children |
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| Thinking of Sailing Away? |
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| And Poppop gets Stuck Carrying the Driftwood |
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Zero Tolerance is an Abuse of Justice
There, I wrote it.
I have written it before, although maybe not so direct in Zero Tolerance is for Computers.
In the name of zero tolerance, mindless people in positions of authority blindly apply directives without regard for what makes us different from any other animal or plant on the planet: the ability to reason.
Today, I submit an article from yesterday's Baltimore Sun titled: Two Easton lacrosse players suspended under zero-tolerance policies.
Let me summarize the article for you--but I encourage you to read it for yourself.
Two high school lacrosse players were found to have contraband--a pen knife and a lighter in their lacrosse gear bags during a search of the players for alcohol before a game. The items, as confirmed by the coaches, were used to repair their sticks during matches. The boy with the pen knife, Graham, was handcuffed and charged as a juvenile with possession of a deadly weapon and suspended for 10 days. The other boy, Casey, was suspended for one day for having a lighter which was classified by the school as an explosive device.
Another Baltimore Sun article summarizes the situation as follows:
"Talbot County residents are no doubt sleeping easier after the school system used a policy of zero tolerance for deadly weapons to crack down on two high school lacrosse players who were caught with a small penknife and a lighter used to repair their sticks. However, we feel it important to warn them that they still may not be safe. After all, we hear that the baseball and softball players bring dozens of long, aluminum clubs with them to games and practices. For that matter, children as young as kindergarten routinely carry sharp, wooden sticks, and there are even special machines in virtually every classroom to hone these "pencils" to murderous points."
Here is the problem--on the sidelines of lacrosse matches coaches and officials considered these to be tools of the sport. In the equipment bags on the bus headed to the game they were considered contraband by a school official.
The ramifications of the actoons of the principal on these boys' future college careers could be significant, by having to report a suspension on their applications. Further aggravated by the school superintendent's letter to Graham's parents which read: ""Given the severity of this violation expulsion is warranted," she wrote to the family in a letter in April. But because of extenuating circumstances, she said, she would allow the student to return to school after 10 days."
Really?
This is mindless application of rules without engaging the brain.
And people wonder why educators (think about this for a moment), are held in low esteem by many people. The very people who should be advocating for the application of reason and common sense are the very ones mindlessly applying rules without thinking--is a pen knife in a lacrosse bag really a dangerous weapon for which a high school senior should be suspended? Especially when it is used as a tool and has been approved for use as a tool by other educators (the coaches)? And then the superintendent writes a letter like what was written.
And don't forget--Graham served the entire suspension (missing valuable teaching time) while his parents attempted to appeal after being given erroneous information about not being able to appeal. So whether he is cleared or not and ultimately gets his record expunged--the punishment was served.
Casey is also working to get his record expunged, too. The school handbook, reportedly, does not define a lighter as an explosive device.
What is the message here?
Maybe going to college makes people dumber?
No the real message is that we need to be able to apply rational thinking to situations and not hide under a zero tolerance policy.
I have written it before, although maybe not so direct in Zero Tolerance is for Computers.
In the name of zero tolerance, mindless people in positions of authority blindly apply directives without regard for what makes us different from any other animal or plant on the planet: the ability to reason.
Today, I submit an article from yesterday's Baltimore Sun titled: Two Easton lacrosse players suspended under zero-tolerance policies.
Let me summarize the article for you--but I encourage you to read it for yourself.
Two high school lacrosse players were found to have contraband--a pen knife and a lighter in their lacrosse gear bags during a search of the players for alcohol before a game. The items, as confirmed by the coaches, were used to repair their sticks during matches. The boy with the pen knife, Graham, was handcuffed and charged as a juvenile with possession of a deadly weapon and suspended for 10 days. The other boy, Casey, was suspended for one day for having a lighter which was classified by the school as an explosive device.
Another Baltimore Sun article summarizes the situation as follows:
"Talbot County residents are no doubt sleeping easier after the school system used a policy of zero tolerance for deadly weapons to crack down on two high school lacrosse players who were caught with a small penknife and a lighter used to repair their sticks. However, we feel it important to warn them that they still may not be safe. After all, we hear that the baseball and softball players bring dozens of long, aluminum clubs with them to games and practices. For that matter, children as young as kindergarten routinely carry sharp, wooden sticks, and there are even special machines in virtually every classroom to hone these "pencils" to murderous points."
Here is the problem--on the sidelines of lacrosse matches coaches and officials considered these to be tools of the sport. In the equipment bags on the bus headed to the game they were considered contraband by a school official.
The ramifications of the actoons of the principal on these boys' future college careers could be significant, by having to report a suspension on their applications. Further aggravated by the school superintendent's letter to Graham's parents which read: ""Given the severity of this violation expulsion is warranted," she wrote to the family in a letter in April. But because of extenuating circumstances, she said, she would allow the student to return to school after 10 days."
Really?
This is mindless application of rules without engaging the brain.
And people wonder why educators (think about this for a moment), are held in low esteem by many people. The very people who should be advocating for the application of reason and common sense are the very ones mindlessly applying rules without thinking--is a pen knife in a lacrosse bag really a dangerous weapon for which a high school senior should be suspended? Especially when it is used as a tool and has been approved for use as a tool by other educators (the coaches)? And then the superintendent writes a letter like what was written.
And don't forget--Graham served the entire suspension (missing valuable teaching time) while his parents attempted to appeal after being given erroneous information about not being able to appeal. So whether he is cleared or not and ultimately gets his record expunged--the punishment was served.
Casey is also working to get his record expunged, too. The school handbook, reportedly, does not define a lighter as an explosive device.
What is the message here?
Maybe going to college makes people dumber?
No the real message is that we need to be able to apply rational thinking to situations and not hide under a zero tolerance policy.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Reflections on Annapolis
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| Annapolis Statehouse |
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| Annapolis |
The streets were crowded with shoppers and walkers and the occasional Navy-whites clad academy students making their way through the crowd.
It was pleasant.
The traffic was snarled, as it usually is but no one seemed to mind to much--that is just the way it is. Annapolis is like that. Don't go there is you worry about getting snarled in traffic--you will.
Sunday, Mother's Day, a day to remember.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday Musings - May 9, 2011
1. A day to remember Mother's. And I realized--for a lot of people there is pain associated with the day. Raw emotions of loss and emotions of not being able to have. Yet we are all children and it is a necessary time to remember Moms.
2. A week later and he is still in the news--Osama bin Laden-that just tells me how much he affected all of us in his hatred for our way of life and the threat he posed.
3. I saw the locust trees were in bloom along the road and I remarked to Chris that I hadn't seen them around the house yet. But, as we returned last evening after the day in Annapolis, I smelled their sweet fragrance on the breeze and knew that while I hadn't seen them, they were still there.
4. Chris and I remarked while driving yesterday that the leaves have fully filled in the blank spaces of the trees. Spring has done its job and we are ready for summer. If only the temperatures would cooperate.
5. I have to brag a bit, as Chris and I were driving to Annapolis yesterday with the top down on the convertible, she looked at me and remarked: "I love this car on days like this."
6. I love the car every day--yesterday was just the icing on the cake.
7. Another reflection on yesterday's adventure: the day had every marking of a catastrophe in the making, nine people in four different vehicles with occupants on four different missions all coming together in a small crowded city to spend time together shopping and wandering around. BUT--amazingly, it worked, really well. Congrats to all. And dinner was a good choice, too. Next year, let's try to be a bit more green! But, maybe it worked because everyone knew they could pull out at anytime and no one felt trapped in a bad situation they could not extricate themselves from. And as it turns out--it wasn't bad.
8. Just a note on the Orioles. That sucking sound coming from Camden Yards is the Orioles season going down the drain unless they can figure out how to score more than 2.3 runs per game (last three games). For the season, the pitchers ERA is 4.77 and the batters are only scoring 3.91 runs per game--someone tell me how that is going to work out at the end of the season. I'm not a genius--but I can see that the math does not add up.
9. Discovered while shopping yesterday: there is one thing I do like to shop for and that is wine. Especially when samples are offered!
10. Coolest thing discovered when shopping yesterday--Himalayan Mineral Salt--it is a nice shade of pink.
2. A week later and he is still in the news--Osama bin Laden-that just tells me how much he affected all of us in his hatred for our way of life and the threat he posed.
3. I saw the locust trees were in bloom along the road and I remarked to Chris that I hadn't seen them around the house yet. But, as we returned last evening after the day in Annapolis, I smelled their sweet fragrance on the breeze and knew that while I hadn't seen them, they were still there.
4. Chris and I remarked while driving yesterday that the leaves have fully filled in the blank spaces of the trees. Spring has done its job and we are ready for summer. If only the temperatures would cooperate.
5. I have to brag a bit, as Chris and I were driving to Annapolis yesterday with the top down on the convertible, she looked at me and remarked: "I love this car on days like this."
6. I love the car every day--yesterday was just the icing on the cake.
7. Another reflection on yesterday's adventure: the day had every marking of a catastrophe in the making, nine people in four different vehicles with occupants on four different missions all coming together in a small crowded city to spend time together shopping and wandering around. BUT--amazingly, it worked, really well. Congrats to all. And dinner was a good choice, too. Next year, let's try to be a bit more green! But, maybe it worked because everyone knew they could pull out at anytime and no one felt trapped in a bad situation they could not extricate themselves from. And as it turns out--it wasn't bad.
8. Just a note on the Orioles. That sucking sound coming from Camden Yards is the Orioles season going down the drain unless they can figure out how to score more than 2.3 runs per game (last three games). For the season, the pitchers ERA is 4.77 and the batters are only scoring 3.91 runs per game--someone tell me how that is going to work out at the end of the season. I'm not a genius--but I can see that the math does not add up.
9. Discovered while shopping yesterday: there is one thing I do like to shop for and that is wine. Especially when samples are offered!
10. Coolest thing discovered when shopping yesterday--Himalayan Mineral Salt--it is a nice shade of pink.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Annapolis on Mother's Day
 |
| A Mom is Always "On Call" |
Cameras flashing and the mothers in the group were enjoying their special day.
It was a beautiful day
Mother's Day - 2011
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere.
I had the experience of going to the mall yesterday to get a gift for my love and the mother of my children--and I can report that even though I was there early--the mall was under siege by hundreds of other men, many with small children, who were similarly trying to find the perfect last minute gift.
The store I was in actually was using a sign in sheet to control the crowd and ensure fair service.
I got a bit behind the power curve this year and I was reminded why I like internet shopping better. No lines and I don't have to leave home.
But I procrastinated.
Ugh.
Even so, happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere.
I hope your day meets all of your expectations.
I had the experience of going to the mall yesterday to get a gift for my love and the mother of my children--and I can report that even though I was there early--the mall was under siege by hundreds of other men, many with small children, who were similarly trying to find the perfect last minute gift.
The store I was in actually was using a sign in sheet to control the crowd and ensure fair service.
I got a bit behind the power curve this year and I was reminded why I like internet shopping better. No lines and I don't have to leave home.
But I procrastinated.
Ugh.
Even so, happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere.
I hope your day meets all of your expectations.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday
What is it about Saturdays?
They seem to be full of so much promise and potential that I hate to waste even a moment. But then, I also love the idea that I don't have to be anywhere in the morning and can watch the Today Show, drink coffee, rread the paper, surf the web, and take a couple hours to just soak it all in befire charging off on some mission to buy stuff to complete a project and keep myself busy the rest of the day.
Of course if i get bored, I can always go shopping. Like that is something I would ever look forward to doing.
But I am lucky.
The rhythm of my week is generally Monday to Friday with weekends off. So I can plan my weekend inactivity.
Others, do not have such a luxury. Someone has to work weekends, and nights. Their weekly rhythm is very different and perhaps changes every week or so. I wonder how they adapt to the differences and if they feel as if the world does not consider their contributions since they are outside the normal view of work and life? Although--from my experience being on vacation a couple of weeks ago I can report that shopping on a Tuesday is far more pleasant than fighting the Saturday crowds.
So as I sit here planning my Saturday, oblivious to the sacrifices of those who allow me to be relaxed and complacent, I need to pause for a moment to consider the health care professionals, the police and firemen, the military and civilians in the DoD who are standing guard or who are on watch protecting our borders, and even the postal person who will bring the mail later today so I can get my weekly edition of Time magazine before it goes on sale in the stores--I have it good.
The birds are cheering the dawning of the day outside my window--so I really need to get moving.
I love Saturdays.
They seem to be full of so much promise and potential that I hate to waste even a moment. But then, I also love the idea that I don't have to be anywhere in the morning and can watch the Today Show, drink coffee, rread the paper, surf the web, and take a couple hours to just soak it all in befire charging off on some mission to buy stuff to complete a project and keep myself busy the rest of the day.
Of course if i get bored, I can always go shopping. Like that is something I would ever look forward to doing.
But I am lucky.
The rhythm of my week is generally Monday to Friday with weekends off. So I can plan my weekend inactivity.
Others, do not have such a luxury. Someone has to work weekends, and nights. Their weekly rhythm is very different and perhaps changes every week or so. I wonder how they adapt to the differences and if they feel as if the world does not consider their contributions since they are outside the normal view of work and life? Although--from my experience being on vacation a couple of weeks ago I can report that shopping on a Tuesday is far more pleasant than fighting the Saturday crowds.
So as I sit here planning my Saturday, oblivious to the sacrifices of those who allow me to be relaxed and complacent, I need to pause for a moment to consider the health care professionals, the police and firemen, the military and civilians in the DoD who are standing guard or who are on watch protecting our borders, and even the postal person who will bring the mail later today so I can get my weekly edition of Time magazine before it goes on sale in the stores--I have it good.
The birds are cheering the dawning of the day outside my window--so I really need to get moving.
I love Saturdays.
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