Monday, July 31, 2006
Reflections, part 2...
This post is about my father, Charles. Yesterday, July 30, was the four year anniversary of his passing from complications of diabetes and bone cancer.
When I was very young, Dad was busy as a railroad engineer. He would be gone 3 and 4 days at a time. When he was home, he did take time for me. I remember when I was six years old.....Dad bought a new riding lawn mower. This would not happen today...but he took the old one, and taught me how to operate it. He even let me have a small part of the yard to mow. I thought that was really cool.
From the previous post, you know that a new friend of Mom's began to have eyes for my dad. He moved out when I was seven. At the time I didn't know any other kids whose parents were split up. I thought it was my fault. It wasn't, of course, but that's what I believed......for quite a few years. And so from the time I was eight, I began the routine of so many other kids of divorce..........staying with Mom, visiting Dad basically whenever he was home. At ten, Mom and I moved away. So, being two hours away cut down a lot on the time I had with him....mainly alternating holidays and summer. There were times in summers that I would go to his house for maybe a week, and he would be gone four or five days. So I was left to reconnect with old buddies in town or hang out around my 3 stepsisters.
Five months after Mom and I moved, Dad married Dorothy. He told me in a phone call. It was the easiest way.....it was about two weeks before Thanksgiving in 1975. I was ten; turned 11 three months later. And so things continued in this manner up until Dad was involved in a train wreck in April 1981, which hurt his back severely. He was off work on disability when Mom died in July of 1981. After the funeral, I was told that I would be going to live with Dad & Dorothy, back in my old home town. I didn't want to go. I begged Aunt Norma to take me. In point of fact, my mother had written a will designating Norma as my legal guardian, and she would have taken me if Dad had died in the accident. But he (thankfully) was living, and as my natural guardian, he assumed responsibility for me. I was devastated and heartbroken. I went and finished my last two years of high school. At 19 I moved out on my own. I maintained a good relationship with him, and my stepmother, through my 20's into early 30's. Then, at 33, I met IE (my now wife). We became engaged on Valentine's Day 1998. When I took IE to meet them, it was apparent a problem existed. In a letter (written in Dorothy's hand, and signed by them both) I received a few days later, it was stated that they were against the marriage, and that I needed to consider their feelings. It concluded with "we will NOT be attending this wedding." IE is mixed race; white mother, black father. I am as white as they come. As a result of this I wrote back pleading with them to change their minds. No response.
August 15, 1998. The big day. Just before going to the place to prepare to begin the ceremony, I instructed the ushers (two of my older uncles) that if Dad & Dorothy came through the door, they were to be escorted to their place in church auditorium. I held out hope that I would see them when I entered.
I did not.
IE and I were married. For four years Dad & I didn't speak. Then, in 2002, my niece Kara was getting married. Her parents (my brother and sister in law) sent an invitation to both IE & me. We joyfully accepted. In the lobby of the church, after going through the receiving line, Dad and I spoke for the first time in four years. Dorothy said nothing to me. It was then that I realized, that I had punished my dad, when the problem was my stepmother. We all went to the reception afterward. Everyone who I introduced IE to could not have been nicer. Dorothy continued to ignore us. It was okay though; Dad sat with us and talked with us, and we got caught up. Dad treated IE so well that her opinion changed very quickly.
Seven weeks later, the call came that Dad was in home hopsice care. He was dying. I went home on Friday, July 26, and stayed till Sunday nite. Had to go to work. 9:30 Monday morning, another call. Could be any time....IE and I left immediately. Tuesday evening, 9:15pm.....Dad died, with family at his bedside.
After the funeral, I spoke once more to Dorothy on the phone, to make plans to gather to share the cards and remembrances each of Dad's kids had gotten. In addition to me, he had two daughters and a son from his first marriage. Dorothy said she would call to let me know. I waited, and waited,...............no call. If there was a gathering, I wasn't told. That's when I realized that she never had any use for me. Not really. To her, I was a reminder of my mom. Dorothy and I have not spoken since.
Regret #1: Not being at Mom's bedside when she died.
Regret #2: Being mad at my dad for 4 years and almost missing the chance to reconcile. Looking back, Dad never mistreated IE, never. He was kind and gracious. At that time, and for the length of their marriage, Dorothy was in control. I could not have even seen my own father without her being around. It doesn't excuse what I did; I chose not to talk to him for four years.
In these posts I have attemped to follow the commandment to "Honor thy father and mother."
When I was very young, Dad was busy as a railroad engineer. He would be gone 3 and 4 days at a time. When he was home, he did take time for me. I remember when I was six years old.....Dad bought a new riding lawn mower. This would not happen today...but he took the old one, and taught me how to operate it. He even let me have a small part of the yard to mow. I thought that was really cool.
From the previous post, you know that a new friend of Mom's began to have eyes for my dad. He moved out when I was seven. At the time I didn't know any other kids whose parents were split up. I thought it was my fault. It wasn't, of course, but that's what I believed......for quite a few years. And so from the time I was eight, I began the routine of so many other kids of divorce..........staying with Mom, visiting Dad basically whenever he was home. At ten, Mom and I moved away. So, being two hours away cut down a lot on the time I had with him....mainly alternating holidays and summer. There were times in summers that I would go to his house for maybe a week, and he would be gone four or five days. So I was left to reconnect with old buddies in town or hang out around my 3 stepsisters.
Five months after Mom and I moved, Dad married Dorothy. He told me in a phone call. It was the easiest way.....it was about two weeks before Thanksgiving in 1975. I was ten; turned 11 three months later. And so things continued in this manner up until Dad was involved in a train wreck in April 1981, which hurt his back severely. He was off work on disability when Mom died in July of 1981. After the funeral, I was told that I would be going to live with Dad & Dorothy, back in my old home town. I didn't want to go. I begged Aunt Norma to take me. In point of fact, my mother had written a will designating Norma as my legal guardian, and she would have taken me if Dad had died in the accident. But he (thankfully) was living, and as my natural guardian, he assumed responsibility for me. I was devastated and heartbroken. I went and finished my last two years of high school. At 19 I moved out on my own. I maintained a good relationship with him, and my stepmother, through my 20's into early 30's. Then, at 33, I met IE (my now wife). We became engaged on Valentine's Day 1998. When I took IE to meet them, it was apparent a problem existed. In a letter (written in Dorothy's hand, and signed by them both) I received a few days later, it was stated that they were against the marriage, and that I needed to consider their feelings. It concluded with "we will NOT be attending this wedding." IE is mixed race; white mother, black father. I am as white as they come. As a result of this I wrote back pleading with them to change their minds. No response.
August 15, 1998. The big day. Just before going to the place to prepare to begin the ceremony, I instructed the ushers (two of my older uncles) that if Dad & Dorothy came through the door, they were to be escorted to their place in church auditorium. I held out hope that I would see them when I entered.
I did not.
IE and I were married. For four years Dad & I didn't speak. Then, in 2002, my niece Kara was getting married. Her parents (my brother and sister in law) sent an invitation to both IE & me. We joyfully accepted. In the lobby of the church, after going through the receiving line, Dad and I spoke for the first time in four years. Dorothy said nothing to me. It was then that I realized, that I had punished my dad, when the problem was my stepmother. We all went to the reception afterward. Everyone who I introduced IE to could not have been nicer. Dorothy continued to ignore us. It was okay though; Dad sat with us and talked with us, and we got caught up. Dad treated IE so well that her opinion changed very quickly.
Seven weeks later, the call came that Dad was in home hopsice care. He was dying. I went home on Friday, July 26, and stayed till Sunday nite. Had to go to work. 9:30 Monday morning, another call. Could be any time....IE and I left immediately. Tuesday evening, 9:15pm.....Dad died, with family at his bedside.
After the funeral, I spoke once more to Dorothy on the phone, to make plans to gather to share the cards and remembrances each of Dad's kids had gotten. In addition to me, he had two daughters and a son from his first marriage. Dorothy said she would call to let me know. I waited, and waited,...............no call. If there was a gathering, I wasn't told. That's when I realized that she never had any use for me. Not really. To her, I was a reminder of my mom. Dorothy and I have not spoken since.
Regret #1: Not being at Mom's bedside when she died.
Regret #2: Being mad at my dad for 4 years and almost missing the chance to reconcile. Looking back, Dad never mistreated IE, never. He was kind and gracious. At that time, and for the length of their marriage, Dorothy was in control. I could not have even seen my own father without her being around. It doesn't excuse what I did; I chose not to talk to him for four years.
In these posts I have attemped to follow the commandment to "Honor thy father and mother."
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Reflections...
Today marks 25 years since the passing of my mother, Ruth. She was born in 1935 in Warsaw IL, the seventh of eight children born to Raymond & Lulu, and the fifth girl. Two older brothers died in infancy. The family barely survived during the Great Depression. Lulu (my grandmother) died in 1943, when Ruth was only eight.
Times were tough, but the family did survive. Ruth grew into a beautiful young lady. She married a man named Lester, and the marriage was rocky, to be kind. During this time, a daughter was stillborn. She was named Janice Lynn.
Lester and Ruth divorced. In 1962, Ruth married Charles, a railroad engineer, in Warsaw. On June 2, 1963, twins were born, nearly three months prematurely. After about five hours of life, Jerry Lee and Julie Ann died within minutes of each other. On February 27, 1965 a son, Robert William (me) was born. In 1967, Dad transferred back to his home area near Beardstown, IL.
Ruth struggled for several years with the fact that Charles, as a railroad engineer on the road 3 to 4 days a week, had "lady friends" in a few cities that he went to. She knew, but tried to work through it. In 1971, they became acquainted with a couple with five kids. The lady became friends with Ruth. The friendship ended when the lady, and Charles, began seeing each other. Both couples eventually divorced (Charles & Ruth in 1973) and Charles moved in with the lady, Dorothy, and her five kids.
In the summer of 1975, Mom and I moved back to her hometown of Warsaw IL. Leaving the town where her marriage had ended was an easy decision for her. Not so much for me; I was ten, but didn't remember ever having lived in Warsaw as a baby. Surrounded by family, however, the transition was made easier.
Mom did date; none of whom I thought was worthy of her. She was everything to me. She was the one who raised me. Then in April 1980, she became very ill with what was diagnosed as hepatitis. Her condition worsened, and she was rushed to a hospital in Quincy IL. In surgery, her gall bladder, spleen, and pancreas were removed. She went to the hospital at 160 pounds; she returned home weeks later at 109. She was diabetic, and needed to have daily insulin shots. I was fifteen years old. I was stunned. I tried to be a better son. She wanted me to learn how to give her the shots. I just couldn't...I couldn't do it. On good days, Mom was able to be up and actually do light housework until about noon; after that she was forced to bed, sapped of strength. In the beginning she slept in the bed in her bedroom at night, and spent afternoons on the couch. As her illness progressed, the hideabed in the couch became her sleeping place, and I left my upstairs bedroom and slept in her room. A few months later, even in the midst of fighting with greatly varying levels of blood sugar, and unbeknownst to me, she began chemotherapy for cancer. My Aunt Norma heroically cared for us both from the day Mom first became ill, and took care of me when Mom couldn't. Mom had to go to the hospital several times during this period of about fourteen months in order to stabilize her condition. Then in late July, 1981, she went into the hospital for what would be the last time. The first day, her sugar level was 155; in less than 24 hours it was 376. At that point she went into a diabetic coma from which she did not emerge. However, when you spoke to her, she could hear you. We were told, (this was a Friday) that she would not live throught the weekend. But she did. On this day, 25 years ago, a Monday, after getting off my summer job for the day, Aunt Norma and I went to the hospital. I told Mom that I had not forgotten that her birthday was the next day, July 28. I said that I would have something for her to mark the occasion. Then Norma took me to her home.
Just after seven o'clock that evening, the phone rang. It was the hospital. Norma needed to go back. She asked if I wanted to go............I said no. What I didn't know, and Norma didn't say to me, was that Mom's death was imminent. At 9:45 pm, Mom passed away. I had gone to bed just after 10. Norma came into the room where I was sleeping at 12:45 am, and told me that Mom was gone. To this day, I regret that I was not at Mom's side when she passed away.
Ruth was a wonderful woman who wanted those around her to be happy. She worked hard at whatever she did. She believed in God from a young age, but became a child of God during her initial stay in hospital; a young minister who also taught at my school, showed her the way from the Bible, and she was saved.
It has been 25 years. I am 41 years old. I still miss her every day. But I know I will see her again! Praise be to Almighty God!
Times were tough, but the family did survive. Ruth grew into a beautiful young lady. She married a man named Lester, and the marriage was rocky, to be kind. During this time, a daughter was stillborn. She was named Janice Lynn.
Lester and Ruth divorced. In 1962, Ruth married Charles, a railroad engineer, in Warsaw. On June 2, 1963, twins were born, nearly three months prematurely. After about five hours of life, Jerry Lee and Julie Ann died within minutes of each other. On February 27, 1965 a son, Robert William (me) was born. In 1967, Dad transferred back to his home area near Beardstown, IL.
Ruth struggled for several years with the fact that Charles, as a railroad engineer on the road 3 to 4 days a week, had "lady friends" in a few cities that he went to. She knew, but tried to work through it. In 1971, they became acquainted with a couple with five kids. The lady became friends with Ruth. The friendship ended when the lady, and Charles, began seeing each other. Both couples eventually divorced (Charles & Ruth in 1973) and Charles moved in with the lady, Dorothy, and her five kids.
In the summer of 1975, Mom and I moved back to her hometown of Warsaw IL. Leaving the town where her marriage had ended was an easy decision for her. Not so much for me; I was ten, but didn't remember ever having lived in Warsaw as a baby. Surrounded by family, however, the transition was made easier.
Mom did date; none of whom I thought was worthy of her. She was everything to me. She was the one who raised me. Then in April 1980, she became very ill with what was diagnosed as hepatitis. Her condition worsened, and she was rushed to a hospital in Quincy IL. In surgery, her gall bladder, spleen, and pancreas were removed. She went to the hospital at 160 pounds; she returned home weeks later at 109. She was diabetic, and needed to have daily insulin shots. I was fifteen years old. I was stunned. I tried to be a better son. She wanted me to learn how to give her the shots. I just couldn't...I couldn't do it. On good days, Mom was able to be up and actually do light housework until about noon; after that she was forced to bed, sapped of strength. In the beginning she slept in the bed in her bedroom at night, and spent afternoons on the couch. As her illness progressed, the hideabed in the couch became her sleeping place, and I left my upstairs bedroom and slept in her room. A few months later, even in the midst of fighting with greatly varying levels of blood sugar, and unbeknownst to me, she began chemotherapy for cancer. My Aunt Norma heroically cared for us both from the day Mom first became ill, and took care of me when Mom couldn't. Mom had to go to the hospital several times during this period of about fourteen months in order to stabilize her condition. Then in late July, 1981, she went into the hospital for what would be the last time. The first day, her sugar level was 155; in less than 24 hours it was 376. At that point she went into a diabetic coma from which she did not emerge. However, when you spoke to her, she could hear you. We were told, (this was a Friday) that she would not live throught the weekend. But she did. On this day, 25 years ago, a Monday, after getting off my summer job for the day, Aunt Norma and I went to the hospital. I told Mom that I had not forgotten that her birthday was the next day, July 28. I said that I would have something for her to mark the occasion. Then Norma took me to her home.
Just after seven o'clock that evening, the phone rang. It was the hospital. Norma needed to go back. She asked if I wanted to go............I said no. What I didn't know, and Norma didn't say to me, was that Mom's death was imminent. At 9:45 pm, Mom passed away. I had gone to bed just after 10. Norma came into the room where I was sleeping at 12:45 am, and told me that Mom was gone. To this day, I regret that I was not at Mom's side when she passed away.
Ruth was a wonderful woman who wanted those around her to be happy. She worked hard at whatever she did. She believed in God from a young age, but became a child of God during her initial stay in hospital; a young minister who also taught at my school, showed her the way from the Bible, and she was saved.
It has been 25 years. I am 41 years old. I still miss her every day. But I know I will see her again! Praise be to Almighty God!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
I am humbled and honored.
There are a few blogs that I check and read on a fairly regular basis. You will find several of them listed to the right. This morning I went to one of my favorites, Tim Ellsworth's blog. I encourage you to read his posts. He has done some updating, and has seen fit to include THIS BLOG on his list of links. I am humbled, honored, and thankful. During the first incarnation of this blog (January-August 2005), I was added to the links list of a blogger from the UK. It really is cool when someone takes the time to add your blog to their links list. Thanks, Tim. You made my day.
This past weekend........I got to be a kid again,........for a little while. IE (my dear wife) and I joined our friends Darryl and Karen and their sons, along with Karen's parents, in a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's in Bloomington IL. If anyone is wondering, it's a pizza place with lots of games for kids, like you would find in an arcade. The kids loved it, and IE and I played some of the games as well.
Beginning this Thursday, July 27, I will be reflecting on my parents. To offer a bit of explanation, July 27 is the day 25 years ago that my mother passed away. July 28 of 1935 was the day she was born. My father passed away on July 30, 2002. Since the passing of Mom, the 27th and 28th of July each year have been tough. Four years ago, July 30th was added to that list. More on this subject is coming.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
This past weekend........I got to be a kid again,........for a little while. IE (my dear wife) and I joined our friends Darryl and Karen and their sons, along with Karen's parents, in a trip to Chuck E. Cheese's in Bloomington IL. If anyone is wondering, it's a pizza place with lots of games for kids, like you would find in an arcade. The kids loved it, and IE and I played some of the games as well.
Beginning this Thursday, July 27, I will be reflecting on my parents. To offer a bit of explanation, July 27 is the day 25 years ago that my mother passed away. July 28 of 1935 was the day she was born. My father passed away on July 30, 2002. Since the passing of Mom, the 27th and 28th of July each year have been tough. Four years ago, July 30th was added to that list. More on this subject is coming.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Think about it................
Seen on a church's outdoor sign:
"If you stretch the truth, it may snap back at you."
"If you stretch the truth, it may snap back at you."
Midweek Musings
*It appears that bragging about the seven game win streak of the St. Louis Cardinals has put a jinx on them. The Atlanta Braves came to STL and have soundly defeated the Cards by scores of 15-3, and 13-5. And yet, the Cards somehow manage to remain in first place in their division. And so, I must keep any "bragging" to a minimum.
*The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues. I don't claim to know all about what is happening. I do know that the Bible talks of "wars, and rumors of wars," and I sometimes wonder whether IE (my lovely wife) and I will grow old together here on earth. Whether we do or not, we know that we both are children of the most high God.
*Speaking of which, did you hear the one about the judge in Hawaii who found a man in contempt of court because the man said "thank you Jesus" when he was found not guilty of child abuse. It stems from the charge that the man struck his 15-year old son with a broom handle. The truth, which came out in court, is that the younger brother hit the 15-year old with a car door. The judge had instructed the counsel for both sides not to display emotion at the time of the verdict. The defendant's attorney evidently did not have opportunity to inform his client of this instruction; thus the man cried out in praise to Jesus. The judge ordered him held in contempt; six hours later, the judge dropped the contempt charge. The Bible says that the name of Jesus causes offense.............
*High temperatures and humidity continues in central Illinois. It's July; no surprise about that. Might get a break this weekend; temps fall to 85.......................
*Anybody else absolutely SICK of TomKat, Brangelina, and Paris Hilton?
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
*The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues. I don't claim to know all about what is happening. I do know that the Bible talks of "wars, and rumors of wars," and I sometimes wonder whether IE (my lovely wife) and I will grow old together here on earth. Whether we do or not, we know that we both are children of the most high God.
*Speaking of which, did you hear the one about the judge in Hawaii who found a man in contempt of court because the man said "thank you Jesus" when he was found not guilty of child abuse. It stems from the charge that the man struck his 15-year old son with a broom handle. The truth, which came out in court, is that the younger brother hit the 15-year old with a car door. The judge had instructed the counsel for both sides not to display emotion at the time of the verdict. The defendant's attorney evidently did not have opportunity to inform his client of this instruction; thus the man cried out in praise to Jesus. The judge ordered him held in contempt; six hours later, the judge dropped the contempt charge. The Bible says that the name of Jesus causes offense.............
*High temperatures and humidity continues in central Illinois. It's July; no surprise about that. Might get a break this weekend; temps fall to 85.......................
*Anybody else absolutely SICK of TomKat, Brangelina, and Paris Hilton?
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
Monday, July 17, 2006
"Feelin' HOT HOT HOT!!!!!"
My oh my. Is it ever hot here in Illinois!! Good thing it's slow at work, and my office has central air conditioning. :-)
The Middle East is heating up again. Wars and rumors of wars............sometimes I wonder how long, O God? How long?
The STL Cardinals are riding a seven game winning streak. WHOO HOO!
IE (my lovely wife) attended an education conference on Saturday. She is working toward certification to teach pre-school children. She earned nearly half the hours she needs to put toward her application to become a CDA (child development associate). She is already a CNA (certifed nurse assistant). I told her both of those would look good on a business card. :-)
Take care, stay cool, and until next time.......keep your stick on the ice.
Mmmmmm,................iced tea.......................
The Middle East is heating up again. Wars and rumors of wars............sometimes I wonder how long, O God? How long?
The STL Cardinals are riding a seven game winning streak. WHOO HOO!
IE (my lovely wife) attended an education conference on Saturday. She is working toward certification to teach pre-school children. She earned nearly half the hours she needs to put toward her application to become a CDA (child development associate). She is already a CNA (certifed nurse assistant). I told her both of those would look good on a business card. :-)
Take care, stay cool, and until next time.......keep your stick on the ice.
Mmmmmm,................iced tea.......................
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Time Passes.............................
1976:
Going to a new hip joint.
2006:
Getting a new hip joint.
1976:
Going to a new hip joint.
2006:
Getting a new hip joint.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Pieces of history
It was a good weekend. On Saturday IE (my lovely wife) and I joined six others in journeying to Springfield IL to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum (www.alplm.org). It is simply outstanding. The complex is made up of two buildings, the museum to the north, and the actual library to the south with an above ground walkway adjoining them. We spent nearly six hours in the museum. The buildings are impressive and very clean. There are reproductions of Lincoln's boyhood cabin in KY, a reproduced facade of the front of the White House, two very impressive theatres with shows that cover the life of Lincoln, and many other features. If you are near Springfield, or will be going there soon for any reason, I highly recommend a visit. They do presell tickets, and since the complex is just over a year old, they will have large crowds for a while, I'm sure. Use the above website for more information.
After leaving Springfield our group had dinner at Cracker Barrel in Decatur IL. The group of eight became ten, as IE's birth mother Sue and our nephew Brandon joined us for dinner. A good time was had by all.
Sunday..........of course was worship at my church. It was a baptimal service. A former Muslim, who has renounced Islam and embraced the claims of Christianity, was baptized in the morning service. His wife had come to Christ several years ago, and she has been fighting cancer for at least the past 2 years. The man's four daughters, along with grandchildren and other family members, were present for this special time. The glow on his wife's face spoke volumes. She had prayed for this day for YEARS. In our church's understanding of baptism, we baptize by immersion, full body, in a large tank. We believe that the Bible teaches that baptism is an act of obedience following conversion to Jesus Christ. Baptism itself does not take away sin. Baptism is a public declaration of a person's salvation through Christ, and his desire to forsake his former way of life in order to follow Christ in obedience.
Have a good day, and as always...........................
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
After leaving Springfield our group had dinner at Cracker Barrel in Decatur IL. The group of eight became ten, as IE's birth mother Sue and our nephew Brandon joined us for dinner. A good time was had by all.
Sunday..........of course was worship at my church. It was a baptimal service. A former Muslim, who has renounced Islam and embraced the claims of Christianity, was baptized in the morning service. His wife had come to Christ several years ago, and she has been fighting cancer for at least the past 2 years. The man's four daughters, along with grandchildren and other family members, were present for this special time. The glow on his wife's face spoke volumes. She had prayed for this day for YEARS. In our church's understanding of baptism, we baptize by immersion, full body, in a large tank. We believe that the Bible teaches that baptism is an act of obedience following conversion to Jesus Christ. Baptism itself does not take away sin. Baptism is a public declaration of a person's salvation through Christ, and his desire to forsake his former way of life in order to follow Christ in obedience.
Have a good day, and as always...........................
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
"INFERNAL MACHINES!!!!!"
This morning, when I came to work at 6 am, I thought it would be like any other day. I opened the door to my office, entered, and turned on the computer. Or at least I thought I did. The CPU unit would not turn on. Even when I contacted our tech support for help. Their suggestions did not work. Finally, at 10 am, one of them came over and, after almost dismantling the entire unit, found that the power source was defective. He replaced it, and I was in business.
Very slow here at the plant. We are in the first week of a seven-week slowdown period, which is common in the automotive parts industry. I still come to work and get paid, and for that I am thankful. Thursday is typically the slowest day of the week, and today is no exception.
Yesterday I read that two officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are getting married. So what, you say. What's the big deal? Their names are Jason and David. Go to www.mensnewsdaily.com and scroll down till you see the article intro in the middle of the page.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
Very slow here at the plant. We are in the first week of a seven-week slowdown period, which is common in the automotive parts industry. I still come to work and get paid, and for that I am thankful. Thursday is typically the slowest day of the week, and today is no exception.
Yesterday I read that two officers with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are getting married. So what, you say. What's the big deal? Their names are Jason and David. Go to www.mensnewsdaily.com and scroll down till you see the article intro in the middle of the page.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The long weekend is over, and so back to work. I can't believe how quickly four days can go by. Started out badly with an infestation of japanese beetles on Saturday morning. IE (my lovely wife) was attempting to hang laundry out on the line. These rotten excuses for flying critters immediately landed on the wet clothes AND WOULD NOT LEAVE until I started waving a fly swatter at them like a crazy man. Ended up, since our dryer is not heating properly, going to the local coin operated laundromat. That afternoon, we attended our niece Lexi's ninth birthday party. Kids ran through the water sprinkler, adults sat under the shade trees with their chosen beverages. Sunday of course was worship, with lunch at a local Ryan's buffet restaurant. Monday kinda sucked though. We have a minivan....and the storage for the spare tire is underneath the vehicle. Seems that you have to turn a bolt on the very back floorboard in order to raise or lower the apparatus which holds the tire in place. After much struggle, the nut/bolt stripped out, leaving the tire dangling under the vehicle about four to six inches above the ground. No amount of turning the bolt would move it in ANY direction. A friend of mine came over with some bolt cutters and snipped the wire. So now the spare tire will be stored inside the van behind the very back seat. Unless...........I can use bungee cords to hold it in place in the luggage rack on TOP of the van.........? (suggestions welcome)
My dear friends Darryl & Karen (along with their 2 young sons) arrived Monday night from their home in British Columbia, CANADA, where Darryl is a pastor. In fact, he now pastors the church where his father pastored when Darryl was a boy. He is a gifted musician and computer techie, and as nice a man as there is. Karen is like a sister to me. We have known each other for 16 years, since she moved with her family to the town where I live. Being from Canada, and homeschooled, the prospect of her senior year being spent in an American public HS was a bit disconcerting to her. She credits me with tutoring her through American civics. She is a gifted pianist, teacher, and most importantly, wife and mother. They will be here until August 2. It's good to have them home.
July 4 was spent watching our town's parade, a cookout with games at our church, competitive karoke at a friend's house, and watching fireworks at dark.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
My dear friends Darryl & Karen (along with their 2 young sons) arrived Monday night from their home in British Columbia, CANADA, where Darryl is a pastor. In fact, he now pastors the church where his father pastored when Darryl was a boy. He is a gifted musician and computer techie, and as nice a man as there is. Karen is like a sister to me. We have known each other for 16 years, since she moved with her family to the town where I live. Being from Canada, and homeschooled, the prospect of her senior year being spent in an American public HS was a bit disconcerting to her. She credits me with tutoring her through American civics. She is a gifted pianist, teacher, and most importantly, wife and mother. They will be here until August 2. It's good to have them home.
July 4 was spent watching our town's parade, a cookout with games at our church, competitive karoke at a friend's house, and watching fireworks at dark.
Until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
