Do you remember when you were a kid and the anticipation you felt at Christmas? What about the smell of cotton candy at the fair or carnival? How about some time spent with someone special in your life? These are the types of things that can come rushing back to your mind at anytime. Sometimes they are triggered by another thought, a picture you see or even a smell that you experience. I remember sleeping in the bedroom above the living room and trying to peek through the vent in the bedroom floor on Christmas Eve. Hoping beyond all hope of getting just a glimpse of St. Nick as he delivered the goods. Trying our best not to make any noise for fear of Dad making that trip upstairs to straighten things out. I also remember when we lived across from the city park, the smell of the cotton candy when the fair came to town. You could smell that from a mile away, even though we were only a 100 yards or so. Another great memory for me is all the times working with my dad in the barn. Whether it was building a shelf for a wall in the garage or tearing the transmission out of an old grain truck, I really enjoyed those times together. I learned a lot about many things from my dad. These were all great memories from my past.
This past weekend I did something that I thought years ago, I would never do. In fact, I really stepped out of my "comfort zone" and allowed Abby, our almost 17 yr. old daughter, to experience this with me. Last November when our brother Mike died unexpectedly, it tore at the very fabric that holds our family together. He meant so much to each of us for so many different reasons. It's been an up and down year for me as well as other family members. Since his passing, I've been thinking about different ways we can honor his life. This past summer we had a golf outing raising some $$ for his kids education fund. That was a great time but I wanted to do something else. A few months ago, I started putting some ideas on paper for a tattoo. If you know me at all, you know I've never been a big fan of tattoos. Actually, I don't mind a discreetly placed tattoo that has some meaning or significance to the person. I really don't care for the "tramp stamps" or the "sleeves" and "full torso" tattoos. Especially the ones on the neck and sides of your face. That's just me.
So, exactly one year and one month after Mike's death I sat down with a very good artist and got my first tattoo. It's something that I put a lot of thought into and I feel it honors those in death and also those still sharing in our lives. My tattoo is not of some special image or photo. It's just words and letters. But these words and letters are very meaningful to me. At the top of my right arm it says "BAND OF BROTHERS". Below that is a "band" of letters that wraps around my arm. Between each letter is a red starburst. The letters are the first letter in each name of my brothers and some of my closest friends who have had an impact on my life. The red starbursts are a symbol of blood. Even though they are not "in the bloodline" these guys matter that much to me. I've known this for a long time, but getting through this past year helped me realize this again. That even though someone leaves your life well before you would expect, I have been surrounded by great friends, "brothers", who have made the journey a bit more barable. This tattoo honors them as well. Sometimes it seems awkward to express yourself in words, my brother Mike was not good in that catagory. But by his deeds and even in his quiet, gentle giant way, you knew where you stood with him. So, in his honor and in the "brotherhood" we share with those here on earth I got this tattoo.
I mentioned earlier, that I shared this time with my daughter, Abby. If you knew how I felt for a long time about tattoos, you would know how hard it was for me to allow her to get one. Several months ago, she had made a drawing that she wanted for a tattoo and had been talking to her mom {of course} about getting one. We have had that discussion in the past and my answer was an emphatical "NO". When she found out that I was getting one on Sunday she wanted to go with me. She said it was because "she didn't want me to chicken out" but I wasn't buying that ruse, I just didn't tell her that I wasn't.
I won't share with you here what her tattoo is because she wants some family members to see it first. I will say that it is beautiful and has some very significant meaning, just like her. I hope that for many, many years she will be able to look back on that day she got a tattoo with Dad, and it's as special a memory to her as it was and will be too me. I also hope that she understands just how much she is loved by her mother and I, her brother and sister and all of her family and friends. Sitting with her while she grit her teeth and made funny faces while the tattoo artist did his work was priceless. Without a doubt, the little bit of pain experienced was but a drop of water in a thimble compared to the realities of life. I have also learned that a tattoo isn't an "evil" thing and heck, I might even get another one some day. This will be my last post of 2009....so Merry Christmas to you all and a safe and happy 2010. That's my plan and that's the view from my stand!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Christmas Spirit
8 days till Christmas, are you in the "Christmas Spirit"? What is the most important part of Christmas to you? As I'm sure many of you are doing, our family is in full swing with all the different things we do at Christmas. There's the local organization, People In Need, that we work with every year on grocery bagging day. On Saturday, 2700 bags of groceries to feed more than 500 families in our county, were bagged for delivery the next day. Our family rings bells for the Salvation Army. We also take part in "adopting" young children through a friends business that are in need and providing a Christmas for them. I'm not telling you everything we do and I'm certainly not sharing these things to brag. I'm just saying, our family gets really busy this time of year and these are a few examples.
I really don't think our family is much different from many that we know. We all get wrapped up in the activities surrounding Christmas, but sometimes we allow ourselves to get "wrapped up" {sorry, I know..not funny} in them that we forget why we celebrate Christmas. No, I'm not going to preach a sermon. I'm just saying, that I hope Christmas isn't for you, all about the things you get. I hope it's a time of gathering with family, a time of peace, enjoying the company of good friends, sharing a meal with someone you know or even a stranger. I hope that it's a time where you can share the love you have for others and that they too will return that love.
For younger kids, Christmas is a magical time. Enjoy that time with your kids or even someone elses kids. I know my kids have provided many lists of the things they want for Christmas. The lists seem unending. But the reality is, these are all just things, objects of their affection, even if it's only for a short time. Kids tend to have short memories when it comes to the positive things but they remember the negative things forever. Actually, I think many adults are the same way.
As I think of all the things that are important to me, I've decided this year that the thing that I want most for Christmas, is that our children would love and care about others more than I. Barb and I try to do our best as parents to model this, but we are flawed and we know it. We don't always do and say the right thing and it seems that's when they {our kids} chose to pay attention. {It's usually me more than Barb, I'm just saying!}
So I found this little quote by Pam Brown I thought would be appropriate to share.
"We expect too much at Christmas. It's got to be magical. It's got to go right. All of the Feasting and Fun. The perfect present and all of that anticpation. Here's a thought, take it easy. Love's the thing, the rest is tinsel."
Merry Christmas, and may the love that comes from that little baby in a manger 2000 years ago, embrace your hearts as you in turn share it with others! That's the view from my stand.
I really don't think our family is much different from many that we know. We all get wrapped up in the activities surrounding Christmas, but sometimes we allow ourselves to get "wrapped up" {sorry, I know..not funny} in them that we forget why we celebrate Christmas. No, I'm not going to preach a sermon. I'm just saying, that I hope Christmas isn't for you, all about the things you get. I hope it's a time of gathering with family, a time of peace, enjoying the company of good friends, sharing a meal with someone you know or even a stranger. I hope that it's a time where you can share the love you have for others and that they too will return that love.
For younger kids, Christmas is a magical time. Enjoy that time with your kids or even someone elses kids. I know my kids have provided many lists of the things they want for Christmas. The lists seem unending. But the reality is, these are all just things, objects of their affection, even if it's only for a short time. Kids tend to have short memories when it comes to the positive things but they remember the negative things forever. Actually, I think many adults are the same way.
As I think of all the things that are important to me, I've decided this year that the thing that I want most for Christmas, is that our children would love and care about others more than I. Barb and I try to do our best as parents to model this, but we are flawed and we know it. We don't always do and say the right thing and it seems that's when they {our kids} chose to pay attention. {It's usually me more than Barb, I'm just saying!}
So I found this little quote by Pam Brown I thought would be appropriate to share.
"We expect too much at Christmas. It's got to be magical. It's got to go right. All of the Feasting and Fun. The perfect present and all of that anticpation. Here's a thought, take it easy. Love's the thing, the rest is tinsel."
Merry Christmas, and may the love that comes from that little baby in a manger 2000 years ago, embrace your hearts as you in turn share it with others! That's the view from my stand.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I'm Holding On..No Matter What!
Wow! The year has ground down to the final few weeks of December. We're trying to get into the Christmas cheer and get all those cards/letters out to everyone. As well as carrying out all of our regular Christmas season traditions/commitments that we have started. Our church has had some great worship and messages leading up to Christmas. Last night, a memory of my youth come to mind as I was considering the past weekend and it events.
First, the memory: In my pre-teen years, my friends grandparents had a cattle farm in another town about 35 miles away from where we lived. We would spend a lot of time there and there was always something to do. Lots of rolling hills on the farm, a creek running through it, {where I almost died, another story for another time} woods for exploring and hunting, and of course a great camping/campfire area. One of my favorite times to visit was in the winter time after a big snow. The place was like a winter wonderland and we were about to go on the sled ride of a lifetime. I'm pretty sure most of you have never taken a sled ride like this. My friends Grandpa or Uncle would pull the old tractor out of the shed and let it get "warmed up". While the tractor was getting ready, he would chain {yes..a log chain to be exact} what looked to be the hood of an old Oldsmobile, painted/rusted side down, to the back of the tractor. My friend had lots of family that lived in the area and whenever we went to "Grandpas Farm" it seemed like everyone showed up. Cousins, friends, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, everyone, wearing every stitch of clothing that could find and put on, would pile onto the hood of that Oldsmobile. Being from a big family, I was used to this kind of craziness, but to the newcomer, this was INSANE! When the tractor reved up and started over the first hill, it was "GAME ON!" The object to this X-Games style sled ride was to stay on. With anywhere from 6-16 people piled onto the car hood, that was quite a feat. It didn't take long to figure out that the best position is on the bottom, even if there were two more layers of people on top of you to start. Because once the tractor got up to cruising speed in the snow, the driver would start doing figure 8's, whoop-tee-whoops and whatever he could do to throw children from the wrecked Oldsmobile hood. Now, in todays world, that would be a lawsuit waiting to happen. But when things were much simpler, and that what was you did for fun, I submit that this would be the best sled ride of your life.
After the first couple of layers of kids had been tossed in a snow bank or up against a haystack in the field, it was time to get down to business. Usually is was my friend, one or two of his cousins and myself as the "last men holding". That's when you had to get creative. Oh, did I mention there were "no rules" in this game? Now, while the driver is doing everything he can to throw you from the make-shift sled, the other passengers are trying to "help" you too. It's like a full blown WWF cage match taking place on the upside-down hood of an Oldsmobile in the middle of a pasture, and the only thing you can do is hold on for your life! Of couse, a swift kick or dislodging a passengers hand from the hood of the car could mean you have a little more space to battle. After a couple more guys peeled off of the hood it was down to a cousin and I. I decided right then, I'm holding on..no matter what! After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only minutes, I was able to apply an elbow just in the right place to see a dust storm of snow and carrhart overalls go end over end. I was victorious! Whenever we got down to the last person, they were declared the victor, and then we all piled on again and started all over. We would do this until the elements got the best of us, and we would retire to the farmhouse for hot chocolate. Those were fun times.
Flash forward to this weekend: This past week was the first part of the Ohio shotgun season for deer hunting. I've spent a number of days out bow hunting with my good friend Brad. The last 5 deer that I've killed has been with a bow. {If you don't count the truck. See earlier post} In fact, we have taped some hunts and posted them on my FB page. But on Sunday, I decided I was going to change the routine and head to the woods with a gun. Brad came along to video in case we called in the "big boy" we saw last time we were out. Usually, without even thinking about it, I would grab my Mossberg 500 "Deerslayer" with the huge scope that I've used to kill many deer. When I opened the gun cabinet, I took a minute to assess the plan. After calculating what my likely shot would be, I decided on taking the Remington 870 pump with the camo shoulder strap and open sights. {Old school} This is a familiar gun to me because I had one many years ago. But I have never shot this particular gun. This was one of my brother Mike's guns that he left to me in his will. I snatched the gun out of the cabinet and put it in a traveling case and headed out with Brad on the afternoon hunt. We got set up to hunt and started glassing the fields for any activity. While I sat in my stand I admired the dark wood stock on this 870, darker than most I've seen. It was mighty cold out and when I lifted my gloved hand up to wipe away a runny nose, I could take in the lingering smell of Marlboro cigarettes on the camo shoulder strap. That brought back a flood of other memories and I found myself looking down at the shotgun rather than on the fields and fence lines. I'm not sure how much time went by, but the noise of Brad moving above me rattled me back to the task at hand. As the day wore on, a couple of does moved along the fence line across the field and night seemed to be in a hurry to meet us on this over-cast day. We climbed down without getting an opportunity to shoot any video or deer. But for some reason my senses seemed so much sharper than normal. I told Brad that I could really smell the cover scent he had put on a dragline more now than when it was fresh 3 hours earlier. But I didn't tell him, that the scent of Marlboro cigarettes was still, somehow, in my nose and on my mind as I gripped the shotgun and we made the long walk back to my truck. I'm holding on..no matter what!
That's the view from my stand!
First, the memory: In my pre-teen years, my friends grandparents had a cattle farm in another town about 35 miles away from where we lived. We would spend a lot of time there and there was always something to do. Lots of rolling hills on the farm, a creek running through it, {where I almost died, another story for another time} woods for exploring and hunting, and of course a great camping/campfire area. One of my favorite times to visit was in the winter time after a big snow. The place was like a winter wonderland and we were about to go on the sled ride of a lifetime. I'm pretty sure most of you have never taken a sled ride like this. My friends Grandpa or Uncle would pull the old tractor out of the shed and let it get "warmed up". While the tractor was getting ready, he would chain {yes..a log chain to be exact} what looked to be the hood of an old Oldsmobile, painted/rusted side down, to the back of the tractor. My friend had lots of family that lived in the area and whenever we went to "Grandpas Farm" it seemed like everyone showed up. Cousins, friends, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, everyone, wearing every stitch of clothing that could find and put on, would pile onto the hood of that Oldsmobile. Being from a big family, I was used to this kind of craziness, but to the newcomer, this was INSANE! When the tractor reved up and started over the first hill, it was "GAME ON!" The object to this X-Games style sled ride was to stay on. With anywhere from 6-16 people piled onto the car hood, that was quite a feat. It didn't take long to figure out that the best position is on the bottom, even if there were two more layers of people on top of you to start. Because once the tractor got up to cruising speed in the snow, the driver would start doing figure 8's, whoop-tee-whoops and whatever he could do to throw children from the wrecked Oldsmobile hood. Now, in todays world, that would be a lawsuit waiting to happen. But when things were much simpler, and that what was you did for fun, I submit that this would be the best sled ride of your life.
After the first couple of layers of kids had been tossed in a snow bank or up against a haystack in the field, it was time to get down to business. Usually is was my friend, one or two of his cousins and myself as the "last men holding". That's when you had to get creative. Oh, did I mention there were "no rules" in this game? Now, while the driver is doing everything he can to throw you from the make-shift sled, the other passengers are trying to "help" you too. It's like a full blown WWF cage match taking place on the upside-down hood of an Oldsmobile in the middle of a pasture, and the only thing you can do is hold on for your life! Of couse, a swift kick or dislodging a passengers hand from the hood of the car could mean you have a little more space to battle. After a couple more guys peeled off of the hood it was down to a cousin and I. I decided right then, I'm holding on..no matter what! After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only minutes, I was able to apply an elbow just in the right place to see a dust storm of snow and carrhart overalls go end over end. I was victorious! Whenever we got down to the last person, they were declared the victor, and then we all piled on again and started all over. We would do this until the elements got the best of us, and we would retire to the farmhouse for hot chocolate. Those were fun times.
Flash forward to this weekend: This past week was the first part of the Ohio shotgun season for deer hunting. I've spent a number of days out bow hunting with my good friend Brad. The last 5 deer that I've killed has been with a bow. {If you don't count the truck. See earlier post} In fact, we have taped some hunts and posted them on my FB page. But on Sunday, I decided I was going to change the routine and head to the woods with a gun. Brad came along to video in case we called in the "big boy" we saw last time we were out. Usually, without even thinking about it, I would grab my Mossberg 500 "Deerslayer" with the huge scope that I've used to kill many deer. When I opened the gun cabinet, I took a minute to assess the plan. After calculating what my likely shot would be, I decided on taking the Remington 870 pump with the camo shoulder strap and open sights. {Old school} This is a familiar gun to me because I had one many years ago. But I have never shot this particular gun. This was one of my brother Mike's guns that he left to me in his will. I snatched the gun out of the cabinet and put it in a traveling case and headed out with Brad on the afternoon hunt. We got set up to hunt and started glassing the fields for any activity. While I sat in my stand I admired the dark wood stock on this 870, darker than most I've seen. It was mighty cold out and when I lifted my gloved hand up to wipe away a runny nose, I could take in the lingering smell of Marlboro cigarettes on the camo shoulder strap. That brought back a flood of other memories and I found myself looking down at the shotgun rather than on the fields and fence lines. I'm not sure how much time went by, but the noise of Brad moving above me rattled me back to the task at hand. As the day wore on, a couple of does moved along the fence line across the field and night seemed to be in a hurry to meet us on this over-cast day. We climbed down without getting an opportunity to shoot any video or deer. But for some reason my senses seemed so much sharper than normal. I told Brad that I could really smell the cover scent he had put on a dragline more now than when it was fresh 3 hours earlier. But I didn't tell him, that the scent of Marlboro cigarettes was still, somehow, in my nose and on my mind as I gripped the shotgun and we made the long walk back to my truck. I'm holding on..no matter what!
That's the view from my stand!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Great Weekend With Some Swell People!
Soo..this past weekend Kevin, Melissa, Austin, Avery and Anna Claire Place drove all the way over from Osman, Illinois to our home in Delaware, Ohio. The girls went out Friday night to some stupid movie about vampires and werewolves and KP and I hung out with the kiddos. Saturday started with a quick breakfast because Avery wanted to show me some of her fishing skillz. So Avery, AC, KP and I went out to the Gossing Pond to try our luck. Unfortunately, the fish were not cooperating and KP got the only bluegill that showed any interest. I'm pretty sure he foul-hooked it. He was also able to do something I've never seen before. Let me remind you that I've taken LOTS of children, including some handicapped kids, out to the pond to teach them to fish and learn about conservation. They sometimes beat the water to a lather with all the casting and "practice casts" it amazes me that we actually catch a lot of fish there. But KP showed them all up. Somehow,he managed to hang his line up in the very top of the willow tree that sits right on the water. Now, to be fair, I have caught a lower limb before trying to flip a Jitterbug under the branches to the waiting bass there. And I've taken the lines of many over zealous casts out of the lower branches as well. But KP gets the props for catching the top of the only tree right on the water.
After our little fishing expedition, we gathered up our party goods and headed down to Woodland for the OSU vs Michigan game party. Obviously our family didn't really care about the game, but the Places got to meet some of our good friends and hang out at one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy life. Later that evening, we took them to the Columbus Zoo to see the awesome display of Christmas Season lights they call "WildLights". The Zoo had more than 3,000,000 lights on display with other decorations and some of the animals were even enjoying all the hustle and bustle of the zoo goers. I think the kids really enjoyed the displays but it was pretty crowded and they were getting hungry, After a quick dinner at "Noodles" we went home for some hot chocolate and a Christmas movie. Yes, we watched a Christmas movie before Thanksgiving, twice!
We sent the Places off Sunday morning with a breakfast of scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, and my homemade pancakes with wild blueberries from Canada in them. It was quite good. We thouroughly enjoyed their visit and wished more of the family would take the opportunity to come see us sometimes. We love seeing everyone and the drive is the same distance whether we make it...or they do.
WE look forward to seeing everyone at Christmas and we hope that all our friends and family have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, especially if you're traveling. We all have so much to be thankful for and as for me, well, I'm thankful for all of you! That's the view from my stand!
After our little fishing expedition, we gathered up our party goods and headed down to Woodland for the OSU vs Michigan game party. Obviously our family didn't really care about the game, but the Places got to meet some of our good friends and hang out at one of our favorite places to relax and enjoy life. Later that evening, we took them to the Columbus Zoo to see the awesome display of Christmas Season lights they call "WildLights". The Zoo had more than 3,000,000 lights on display with other decorations and some of the animals were even enjoying all the hustle and bustle of the zoo goers. I think the kids really enjoyed the displays but it was pretty crowded and they were getting hungry, After a quick dinner at "Noodles" we went home for some hot chocolate and a Christmas movie. Yes, we watched a Christmas movie before Thanksgiving, twice!
We sent the Places off Sunday morning with a breakfast of scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, and my homemade pancakes with wild blueberries from Canada in them. It was quite good. We thouroughly enjoyed their visit and wished more of the family would take the opportunity to come see us sometimes. We love seeing everyone and the drive is the same distance whether we make it...or they do.
WE look forward to seeing everyone at Christmas and we hope that all our friends and family have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, especially if you're traveling. We all have so much to be thankful for and as for me, well, I'm thankful for all of you! That's the view from my stand!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Welcome New Followers!
Just wanted to say hello and thanks for reading to two new followers. Adam {BigNate} and Cindy Green Butler. Thanks for the kind words "Nate". Cindy is a HS classmate and always a classy person. Welcome again. There are fish in the pond named for each of you. Adams fish is purple and Cindys is Teahouse Blue...whatever color that is. LOL! To feed the fish, just move your mouse over the pond and click. It will leave "fish food" and they WILL come and get it.
If you're not signed up as a regular reader of this blog....why not?? Hope everyone has a swell weekend. Look for another post next week. Thanks!
"The Artful Dodger"
If you're not signed up as a regular reader of this blog....why not?? Hope everyone has a swell weekend. Look for another post next week. Thanks!
"The Artful Dodger"
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Some Anniversaries Suck
We are reminded, especially this time of year, that there a lot of reasons for us to be thankful. And I really try to be. There are also a lot of dates where we find ourselves celebrating anniversaries; such as weddings, birthdays, first dates, cancer recovery, addiction recovery, etc. Those are all great things to celebrate and remember. Especially your wedding date if you are married. {Just a helpful reminder guys}
Tomorrow is the 1 year mark {Im not calling it anniversary} of the day my brother Mike died. It's been a very tough year for many of us. Mike was not only my brother but also one of my very best friends. Almost a year later and the questions still invade my sleep. The "whys" "what ifs" "wish I would haves", all these things that are unanswered hang in my mind like a bad dream. But unfortunately, it's not a bad dream. As I had written earlier in another post, it does get easier with time but the hurt will never go away.
Earlier this week Abby was doing a journalism project where you had to interview someone about a place they have visited. Abby decided to interview me about our trips to northern Ontario where we go each summer for great fishing trips. On a last minute cancellation a few years back, I took Abby up with "the guys" when she was 14 so she knows how special this place is to me. One of the questions she asked was, "what is one of your favorite memories from this trip?" The instant I thought about it, well, I couldn't even talk for a few minutes. I was overwhelmed. Once I regained composure, I told her about the trip I took her Uncle Mike with me. Every since my first trip up there in 1998, I had tried to convince him to go. Finally, in 2005, we were able to make it happen. We were looking forward to this trip the entire year. {Like we do every year!} We had to schedule this trip earlier in July because it was the only time some of the guys could go. As luck would have it, the mayfly hatch came late that year and we found ourselves in the middle of it. If you're not familiar with walleye fishing, a mayfly hatch means the walleye have plenty to eat so they are probably not going to be interested in your bait. Well, fishing was tough but we still managed to catch enough fish for some shore lunches and bring fish home. But my favorite part of this trip was on the very first day Mike and I went out fishing. This was his first time fishing for walleye or pike. We headed out around South Island and we were casting and slow retrieving for walleye. It wasn't long before BAM, he had one on. I knew that whatever it was, it was BIG! As he fought this Canadian monster, we laughed and laughed. It took line out and he would get some back. It reminded us of another fishing adventure we had at Clinton Lake, "play it out, play it out!" I'll tell this story another time.
What seemed like a long time, but in reality was probably only a few minutes, he finally got it to the boat. We thought we had won as I was preparing to net this thing. My first thought was, I don't think our nets big enough. But when that huge pike finally got to the surface beside the boat, he had other things in mind. With the flick of his head and swish of his tail, the line snapped and like a ghost, he was gone. Back to the black depths of the lake. We were a little disappointed not getting it in the boat but man, was that cool. We sat down and lit up a smoke and talked about that fish for 10 minutes, not even fishing. Just talking. Yep, one of my favorite memories.
I guess it's memories like that that helps keep us sane when life happens. I miss Mike, a lot. I miss the talks we used to have; I miss riding along with him in his truck on an errand to help someone out; I miss watching games with him; I miss spending time outdoors with him; I miss sharing books with him; I miss the family time with him; I miss his smile and his laugh. I'm okay with remembering these things, I have to. No, I need too. But please don't ask me to call this an "anniversary" because I just can't celebrate a loss like this. Maybe someday, but not now, not yet. That's the view from my stand.
Tomorrow is the 1 year mark {Im not calling it anniversary} of the day my brother Mike died. It's been a very tough year for many of us. Mike was not only my brother but also one of my very best friends. Almost a year later and the questions still invade my sleep. The "whys" "what ifs" "wish I would haves", all these things that are unanswered hang in my mind like a bad dream. But unfortunately, it's not a bad dream. As I had written earlier in another post, it does get easier with time but the hurt will never go away.
Earlier this week Abby was doing a journalism project where you had to interview someone about a place they have visited. Abby decided to interview me about our trips to northern Ontario where we go each summer for great fishing trips. On a last minute cancellation a few years back, I took Abby up with "the guys" when she was 14 so she knows how special this place is to me. One of the questions she asked was, "what is one of your favorite memories from this trip?" The instant I thought about it, well, I couldn't even talk for a few minutes. I was overwhelmed. Once I regained composure, I told her about the trip I took her Uncle Mike with me. Every since my first trip up there in 1998, I had tried to convince him to go. Finally, in 2005, we were able to make it happen. We were looking forward to this trip the entire year. {Like we do every year!} We had to schedule this trip earlier in July because it was the only time some of the guys could go. As luck would have it, the mayfly hatch came late that year and we found ourselves in the middle of it. If you're not familiar with walleye fishing, a mayfly hatch means the walleye have plenty to eat so they are probably not going to be interested in your bait. Well, fishing was tough but we still managed to catch enough fish for some shore lunches and bring fish home. But my favorite part of this trip was on the very first day Mike and I went out fishing. This was his first time fishing for walleye or pike. We headed out around South Island and we were casting and slow retrieving for walleye. It wasn't long before BAM, he had one on. I knew that whatever it was, it was BIG! As he fought this Canadian monster, we laughed and laughed. It took line out and he would get some back. It reminded us of another fishing adventure we had at Clinton Lake, "play it out, play it out!" I'll tell this story another time.
What seemed like a long time, but in reality was probably only a few minutes, he finally got it to the boat. We thought we had won as I was preparing to net this thing. My first thought was, I don't think our nets big enough. But when that huge pike finally got to the surface beside the boat, he had other things in mind. With the flick of his head and swish of his tail, the line snapped and like a ghost, he was gone. Back to the black depths of the lake. We were a little disappointed not getting it in the boat but man, was that cool. We sat down and lit up a smoke and talked about that fish for 10 minutes, not even fishing. Just talking. Yep, one of my favorite memories.
I guess it's memories like that that helps keep us sane when life happens. I miss Mike, a lot. I miss the talks we used to have; I miss riding along with him in his truck on an errand to help someone out; I miss watching games with him; I miss spending time outdoors with him; I miss sharing books with him; I miss the family time with him; I miss his smile and his laugh. I'm okay with remembering these things, I have to. No, I need too. But please don't ask me to call this an "anniversary" because I just can't celebrate a loss like this. Maybe someday, but not now, not yet. That's the view from my stand.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Deer Hunting Season..... With A Chevy!
The picture you see on my blog page is actually taken from my favorite deer stand. On Wednesday November 11th, I was up early on my way to that very stand. Why, you might ask? Well, as many of you know I'm both an avid reader and rabid outdoors man. I love to be outside! Two of the monthly publications I receive said this about the hunting season in the Midwest. "Your best chances of taking a deer this season will be on Nov. 11th. They believed that the date is when the deer are really moving into the rut. The "rut" is best described as the time when bucks throw all caution into the wind and get out of their comfort zones and chase the does with reckless abandon. Much like most males get when they leave the "nest" of their parents home after HS graduation.
Well, one such buck met his fate that early morning on the 11th. I had left home heading to my stand only to find another hunter had moved into my general hunting area. Not wanting to miss my chance at a deer this perfect morning, I got back on the road heading to another hunting spot. No sooner than I was back on the road, this vehicle in front of me decided to drive 20 mph out on an open country road. Didn't this moron realize it's THE perfect day to be hunting and he was impeding my success. So, being the patient driver that I am, I stomped on my accelerator shooting me quickly past the oaf who was daydreaming behind the wheel. I had no more gotten by that vehicle and back into the correct lane and...BAM!! Out of nowhere came this 8 pt. buck running north to south. He proceeded to bounce across the front of my truck bumper, the grill, and then tearing off most the trim and the headlight on the passenger side. What an impact!
It's hard to believe with all the time I've spent in the country, and in the outdoors from the time I was a teen, this is the very first deer that I have hit with a vehicle. Needless to say, the deer did not walk away from such a wreck. Unfortunately, neither did my truck. It's currently at the repair shop and it's hard telling when it will be fixed. The good thing in all of this is this, I DID walk away from the wreck. I've been sore the last couple of days, but considering stories from other deer/vehicle collisions, I was pretty lucky. I also have been reminded something that I've known a long time, but apparently I needed this reminder. When traveling in the dark through the country in the fall, erpecially during the rut, slow down and be cautious. Sounds simple enough, but like a buck in rut, I threw all caution into the wind and the results were costly. I'm very thankful that I'm here to share this lesson with you. Please be safe and aware of your surroundings when driving through the rural areas where you live. You are loved and you matter to your family. Nothing, even hunting on the PERFECT day, is worth more than that! That's the view from my stand!
Well, one such buck met his fate that early morning on the 11th. I had left home heading to my stand only to find another hunter had moved into my general hunting area. Not wanting to miss my chance at a deer this perfect morning, I got back on the road heading to another hunting spot. No sooner than I was back on the road, this vehicle in front of me decided to drive 20 mph out on an open country road. Didn't this moron realize it's THE perfect day to be hunting and he was impeding my success. So, being the patient driver that I am, I stomped on my accelerator shooting me quickly past the oaf who was daydreaming behind the wheel. I had no more gotten by that vehicle and back into the correct lane and...BAM!! Out of nowhere came this 8 pt. buck running north to south. He proceeded to bounce across the front of my truck bumper, the grill, and then tearing off most the trim and the headlight on the passenger side. What an impact!
It's hard to believe with all the time I've spent in the country, and in the outdoors from the time I was a teen, this is the very first deer that I have hit with a vehicle. Needless to say, the deer did not walk away from such a wreck. Unfortunately, neither did my truck. It's currently at the repair shop and it's hard telling when it will be fixed. The good thing in all of this is this, I DID walk away from the wreck. I've been sore the last couple of days, but considering stories from other deer/vehicle collisions, I was pretty lucky. I also have been reminded something that I've known a long time, but apparently I needed this reminder. When traveling in the dark through the country in the fall, erpecially during the rut, slow down and be cautious. Sounds simple enough, but like a buck in rut, I threw all caution into the wind and the results were costly. I'm very thankful that I'm here to share this lesson with you. Please be safe and aware of your surroundings when driving through the rural areas where you live. You are loved and you matter to your family. Nothing, even hunting on the PERFECT day, is worth more than that! That's the view from my stand!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Taking It All In
It's been an incredible couple of days if I do say so myself. I'm talking quality time with those I love and of course this beautiful fall weather. Thanks again to Ed & Toni for sharing the house on Lake Erie with us this past weekend. It was refreshing to "get away" from everything and just relax with no agenda. {outside of eating and fishing} It's a great reminder, for those of us who sometimes take things for granted, just how blessed we are by those around us.
The lake was a little windy, but beautiful. I caught myself a couple of times, my mind wandering while just staring out at the water or looking at the horizon. Some things that were going through my mind; Lake Erie is HUGE, this is a special place, I'm with special people, wonder what the kids are doing? how many slimey fish can I put in Ed's tackle bag? man I really miss my brother Mike, what am I going to do that will make a difference? holy crap there's a lot going on in my head and that was just a start.
As I'm taking in the sights, smells and sounds of all that's around me I realize just how incredibly lucky I am. The love of family and friends is so overwhelmingly taken for granted at times. What have I done to deserve such love? Wow..that's a tough one. But it's one that if we were honest, we have all struggled with that question at one time or another. There have been times when I've not felt worthy of such love.
When I read the last couple of sentences that I typed I can't help of being reminded of a verse from 1 John. "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!" Think for a minute how precious your children, or even any children you know, are to you. Imagine that same kind of love being lavishly placed on you. Again, I think sometimes the love God has for us, as his children, is also taken for granted. I know that I have been guilty of this from time to time. Even with a pretty good understanding of that kind of love, there will always be questions, doubts, fears, etc. just because of our human nature. It's how we approach or deal with these kind of things that continues to chisel away at our character and makes us who we are. We are always going to have questions about life and some of them will not get answered this side of heaven. But in my case, it seems that a lot of these questions are taking a lot of my attention lately. I'm not sure if there's a reason for all of this, but for now, I'm going to keep on keeping on; loving like I was created to do, and accepting the love from others as they were created to do. I'll be here taking it all in, and hopefully some questions will be answered soon. That's the view from my stand!
The lake was a little windy, but beautiful. I caught myself a couple of times, my mind wandering while just staring out at the water or looking at the horizon. Some things that were going through my mind; Lake Erie is HUGE, this is a special place, I'm with special people, wonder what the kids are doing? how many slimey fish can I put in Ed's tackle bag? man I really miss my brother Mike, what am I going to do that will make a difference? holy crap there's a lot going on in my head and that was just a start.
As I'm taking in the sights, smells and sounds of all that's around me I realize just how incredibly lucky I am. The love of family and friends is so overwhelmingly taken for granted at times. What have I done to deserve such love? Wow..that's a tough one. But it's one that if we were honest, we have all struggled with that question at one time or another. There have been times when I've not felt worthy of such love.
When I read the last couple of sentences that I typed I can't help of being reminded of a verse from 1 John. "See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!" Think for a minute how precious your children, or even any children you know, are to you. Imagine that same kind of love being lavishly placed on you. Again, I think sometimes the love God has for us, as his children, is also taken for granted. I know that I have been guilty of this from time to time. Even with a pretty good understanding of that kind of love, there will always be questions, doubts, fears, etc. just because of our human nature. It's how we approach or deal with these kind of things that continues to chisel away at our character and makes us who we are. We are always going to have questions about life and some of them will not get answered this side of heaven. But in my case, it seems that a lot of these questions are taking a lot of my attention lately. I'm not sure if there's a reason for all of this, but for now, I'm going to keep on keeping on; loving like I was created to do, and accepting the love from others as they were created to do. I'll be here taking it all in, and hopefully some questions will be answered soon. That's the view from my stand!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The Election Buzz
I guess I can say for sure that I wasn't surprised by the election results on Tuesday. Although, I was a bit disappointed. I worked hard on canvassing neighborhoods, talking to people at downtown events, and doing a pretty good job at answering questions at the Candidate Nights. It was a learning experience in the local political arena as well. I had a number of yard signs stolen and an advertisement that was supposed to go in a local publication that prints 56,000 copies, somehow got "misplaced". It was amazing because the 2 incumbents who also "advertised" got there ads in. Oh well, the people voted, sort of. The election turn out, like the Candidate Nights turnout, was also disappointing. People get to complacent and forget that it's their right to voice their opinion by voting. I guess life is just to busy to take the time to exercise that right. If life is to busy to vote, are your priorities in the right order? {rhetorical}
It looks like the next time that I may possibly run for city council is, at the earliest, 2 years. If I decide to run again. In the meantime, I plan on continuing to voice my opinions and letting people know that Delaware can and should run better as a city. I hope that someday I get the opportunity to serve before it's to late.
Winter is trying to sneak into the picture in Ohio and I've only been out deer hunting twice. So, after this weekend of relaxing up in a cabin at Lake Erie with my lovely wife and dear friends, I will get after my deer for this year.
A big thanks again for the support of my family and friends. Failing doesn't hurt as bad when you're still surrounded by people that love you. I'm pretty lucky that way. That's the view from my stand!
It looks like the next time that I may possibly run for city council is, at the earliest, 2 years. If I decide to run again. In the meantime, I plan on continuing to voice my opinions and letting people know that Delaware can and should run better as a city. I hope that someday I get the opportunity to serve before it's to late.
Winter is trying to sneak into the picture in Ohio and I've only been out deer hunting twice. So, after this weekend of relaxing up in a cabin at Lake Erie with my lovely wife and dear friends, I will get after my deer for this year.
A big thanks again for the support of my family and friends. Failing doesn't hurt as bad when you're still surrounded by people that love you. I'm pretty lucky that way. That's the view from my stand!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Family Therapy
Two weekends in a row we've gotten to be with some of our family in Illinois and I am thankful for that. Yes, our family is big. Yes, our family is quite crazy. And YES, our family is also quite amazing. Getting to share life together is what makes us who we are. I love the times we get to laugh together. Laughter is indeed..good medicine. As you know, I was hoping for some sort of peace or understanding to come from our visit this last weekend. I'm still not sure if I received that, but what I did receive is this...it will all be okay. We need to understand that we have very little control over the events or story that plays out in our life. Sure, we can make decisions, good and bad, and there will be consequences. But none of us are promised tomorrow. We can make plans for a summer trip, but that doesn't mean we'll all be here to enjoy it. Life is funny this way and we forget just how precious it really is.
I feel the very same way about my family and close friends. As much as I never want to lose any of them, it's totally out of my control. I've been blessed first of all with great parents; then some great siblings and their spouses, great wife and kids, and great neices and nephews. Not to mention so many super friends who have touched our lives in one way or another. But for me, there's nothing like some good ole family therapy. I'm not talking about lining everyone up on the couch with a counselor telling us what we're doing right and wrong. I'm talking about the kind of therapy that happens over a cup of coffee, out around the fire pit, or on the back patio enjoying a good cigar. Spending time with my family is healthy for me, physically and mentally. We spend a lot of time laughing about the craziest things; sweet potatoes, Pujols, "brothers get cancer too", aluminum can stashes. I've come to the conclusion that I not only want these Family Therapy sessions, I need them. I need them for a number of reasons, some selfish I suppose, but again, I'm okay with that. These times with my family bring me much joy. Although we've had our share of crying moments, I really prefer to laugh. Even laughing at myself and some of the really goofy things that come into my mind. But for me, the mental health that comes from being with those that I love dearly and laughing at whatever, is a huge boost. Especially this past year. So, if you're in need of some serious therapy, if life has you down and you need a lift, get together with some of your favorite family or friends. Let your guard down and share your heart with them. Love, laugh and live like there is no tomorrow, because the reality is, there's no guarantee! That's the view from my stand!
I feel the very same way about my family and close friends. As much as I never want to lose any of them, it's totally out of my control. I've been blessed first of all with great parents; then some great siblings and their spouses, great wife and kids, and great neices and nephews. Not to mention so many super friends who have touched our lives in one way or another. But for me, there's nothing like some good ole family therapy. I'm not talking about lining everyone up on the couch with a counselor telling us what we're doing right and wrong. I'm talking about the kind of therapy that happens over a cup of coffee, out around the fire pit, or on the back patio enjoying a good cigar. Spending time with my family is healthy for me, physically and mentally. We spend a lot of time laughing about the craziest things; sweet potatoes, Pujols, "brothers get cancer too", aluminum can stashes. I've come to the conclusion that I not only want these Family Therapy sessions, I need them. I need them for a number of reasons, some selfish I suppose, but again, I'm okay with that. These times with my family bring me much joy. Although we've had our share of crying moments, I really prefer to laugh. Even laughing at myself and some of the really goofy things that come into my mind. But for me, the mental health that comes from being with those that I love dearly and laughing at whatever, is a huge boost. Especially this past year. So, if you're in need of some serious therapy, if life has you down and you need a lift, get together with some of your favorite family or friends. Let your guard down and share your heart with them. Love, laugh and live like there is no tomorrow, because the reality is, there's no guarantee! That's the view from my stand!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Broken Heart Will Mend...It Just Takes Time
So..when you read these posts have you been feeding my fish. As you see, there's another fish in pond. An orange one for my newest follower, Lauren. To feed the fish just run your mouse over the pond and click. It will leave fish food. When you become a "follower" then I add another fish to the pond. Will you be next? What color might your fish be?
As you read last week, we were in Illinois for a wedding. Tomorrow, we're heading back to Illinois for some family stuff. Saturday night there will be a Halloween Party at my brother Steve's house. I also mentioned last week that last year at this Halloween Party, it was the last time family was together before the unexpected death of our brother, Mike. We were not able to be there last year. Since his death I've struggled with a few things, but most of all with my memory of our last conversation. I really don't know what else to do too try and remember something like this. I know I want to remember, there's no question about that. I wish I had the ability to turn back time, I wish we had been at the party last Halloween, I wish I had talked to him in early Nov. but of course wishing this is silly, right?
I guess that somewhere deep down inside, I'm hoping this weekend will help in the healing process of losing someone you love so much. Not just healing for myself, but for other family members as well. His wife, his children, the other sibs, we all miss him very much. I sat down with some of his children during the holidays last year, and we talked about the hurt, the lost sleep, the boxes of tissues losing him has caused. I told them that as each hour, each day, each week, each month goes by, it gets a little easier to deal with it. And it really does, but it will never go away. WE don't want it to go away because he really meant that much to us. I'm sure each of us have had our "rough days" over the last 11 months, I know I've had mine. But I try to keep the faith and take heart in knowing that there's still a part of him here; in his children, in his wife and in me.
It may sound a bit selfish, but I really want to remember our last conversation. I know that it wasn't bad or anything like that, but I need this thread. I guess what I hope for this weekend, is a trigger, something that will help jog my memory. If that doesn't happen, I will be happy in knowing that just getting together with his wife and kids and some of our siblings will somehow help in the healing process. The reality is we don't have all the answers and probably will never have them. Another reality is, the love of God and family is strong enough to combat all the doubts, fears, shortfalls, and hurts that our hearts endure. Of this I'm sure. That is the view from my stand!
As you read last week, we were in Illinois for a wedding. Tomorrow, we're heading back to Illinois for some family stuff. Saturday night there will be a Halloween Party at my brother Steve's house. I also mentioned last week that last year at this Halloween Party, it was the last time family was together before the unexpected death of our brother, Mike. We were not able to be there last year. Since his death I've struggled with a few things, but most of all with my memory of our last conversation. I really don't know what else to do too try and remember something like this. I know I want to remember, there's no question about that. I wish I had the ability to turn back time, I wish we had been at the party last Halloween, I wish I had talked to him in early Nov. but of course wishing this is silly, right?
I guess that somewhere deep down inside, I'm hoping this weekend will help in the healing process of losing someone you love so much. Not just healing for myself, but for other family members as well. His wife, his children, the other sibs, we all miss him very much. I sat down with some of his children during the holidays last year, and we talked about the hurt, the lost sleep, the boxes of tissues losing him has caused. I told them that as each hour, each day, each week, each month goes by, it gets a little easier to deal with it. And it really does, but it will never go away. WE don't want it to go away because he really meant that much to us. I'm sure each of us have had our "rough days" over the last 11 months, I know I've had mine. But I try to keep the faith and take heart in knowing that there's still a part of him here; in his children, in his wife and in me.
It may sound a bit selfish, but I really want to remember our last conversation. I know that it wasn't bad or anything like that, but I need this thread. I guess what I hope for this weekend, is a trigger, something that will help jog my memory. If that doesn't happen, I will be happy in knowing that just getting together with his wife and kids and some of our siblings will somehow help in the healing process. The reality is we don't have all the answers and probably will never have them. Another reality is, the love of God and family is strong enough to combat all the doubts, fears, shortfalls, and hurts that our hearts endure. Of this I'm sure. That is the view from my stand!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Life...sometimes there are no answers!
This past weekend has been a mixture of all kinds of feelings in such a short time. Traveling to Illinois for a family wedding without 2/5ths of our family just didn't feel right. The event was wonderful and we're very happy for Joe & Elisa. They will have a long, happy life together. But I guess I've gotten into the habit/groove of sharing all things with Barb. So, it was great, but not perfect for me.
I did get to have some good conversation with a few family members over the weekend. I always look forward to talking with Joyce, my brother Mike's wife. It's less than a month from being a year since Mike left us unexpectedly. We all miss him greatly, but for me, I want answers. That probably sounds selfish and I'm okay with that. I feel as though something happened that shouldn't have. Mike was not in terrible health. Todays technology and training of personnel in the EMS/First Responder/Medical field is of high standards and created to sustain someone until the trained/qualified help arrives. Let me be clear, I'm not blaming anyone, I just need answers. There was a nurse on staff and present when he collapsed. What did she do when she arrived on the scene? WE can't seem to get any answers, or at least consistent ones.
Halloween is next weekend and it was Halloween last year when some of the family was together with Mike for the last time. We weren't there. I rack my brain and try to remember when I last talked to Mike on the phone before then. I'm sure we laughed about something, talked about fishing, asked about each others kids, and closed with our regular good byes. But I can't remember...and I want too. I feel cheated and I want some more answers, but they are not there.
Yesterday, we had returned home from Illinois for only a short time when we received the message that Melissa's Dad {brother Jim's Melissa}had lost his battle with cancer. They are a close family as well and the next few weeks will be difficult for them. He had Hospice care and they were preparing themselves for this day. But are you ever really ready? Doctors are wrong all the time. I guess as I get older I'm also getting more cynical. I hope not, because I believe that most people are good. I just need some answers. Many of my friends have the same beliefs as I do. "Life, in all it's glory, will continue to be a mystery. There are just some things we won't have answers to until our time here is over."
I guess until that time, I'll keep wondering why, I'll keep searching for the answers that will bring some sort of peace, and I'll keep loving my family and friends the way they love me. That's the view from my stand!
I did get to have some good conversation with a few family members over the weekend. I always look forward to talking with Joyce, my brother Mike's wife. It's less than a month from being a year since Mike left us unexpectedly. We all miss him greatly, but for me, I want answers. That probably sounds selfish and I'm okay with that. I feel as though something happened that shouldn't have. Mike was not in terrible health. Todays technology and training of personnel in the EMS/First Responder/Medical field is of high standards and created to sustain someone until the trained/qualified help arrives. Let me be clear, I'm not blaming anyone, I just need answers. There was a nurse on staff and present when he collapsed. What did she do when she arrived on the scene? WE can't seem to get any answers, or at least consistent ones.
Halloween is next weekend and it was Halloween last year when some of the family was together with Mike for the last time. We weren't there. I rack my brain and try to remember when I last talked to Mike on the phone before then. I'm sure we laughed about something, talked about fishing, asked about each others kids, and closed with our regular good byes. But I can't remember...and I want too. I feel cheated and I want some more answers, but they are not there.
Yesterday, we had returned home from Illinois for only a short time when we received the message that Melissa's Dad {brother Jim's Melissa}had lost his battle with cancer. They are a close family as well and the next few weeks will be difficult for them. He had Hospice care and they were preparing themselves for this day. But are you ever really ready? Doctors are wrong all the time. I guess as I get older I'm also getting more cynical. I hope not, because I believe that most people are good. I just need some answers. Many of my friends have the same beliefs as I do. "Life, in all it's glory, will continue to be a mystery. There are just some things we won't have answers to until our time here is over."
I guess until that time, I'll keep wondering why, I'll keep searching for the answers that will bring some sort of peace, and I'll keep loving my family and friends the way they love me. That's the view from my stand!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fall...yeah..my favorite!
This has been a pretty crazy year if you're paying attention to our local weather. We had a very wet spring, a week or maybe two of summer, a week of fall, and now we're already experiencing low 30's degree nights in mid-October. Where have all the global warming zealots gone?? I remember a birthday {Oct. 8th in case you missed it} when I was young, where we had snow flurries. Crazy, huh? The late summer/fall season has bought about plenty of rain as well. So much so, that the farmers still have lots of crops still in the fields. I don't mind hunting over a bean field, but standing corn is another issue.
I don't know about you, but my thoughts are this; our seasons year-to-year are cyclical. Yeah, maybe in the last 500 years we've had a shift of temps somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.7 degrees. Can we blame the cows/pigs/horses/sheep for passing to much gas? That's ridiculous. I think man is inherently bad for the environement. But, I also believe that God pretty much has this thing under control. He made the earth, the sun, the moon, he brushed the stars across the sky like an oil painter working on his canvas. He created all the animals and yes, he created you and I. So, if he's really that good at making these things, I think I'll trust Him in making them last for us until He's ready to be done with them. That's the view from my stand!
I don't know about you, but my thoughts are this; our seasons year-to-year are cyclical. Yeah, maybe in the last 500 years we've had a shift of temps somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.7 degrees. Can we blame the cows/pigs/horses/sheep for passing to much gas? That's ridiculous. I think man is inherently bad for the environement. But, I also believe that God pretty much has this thing under control. He made the earth, the sun, the moon, he brushed the stars across the sky like an oil painter working on his canvas. He created all the animals and yes, he created you and I. So, if he's really that good at making these things, I think I'll trust Him in making them last for us until He's ready to be done with them. That's the view from my stand!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
What Is Your Sign?
I know...you thought you would sneak onto my blog and I would have your Horoscope for the week posted. Not exactly. You see, I think most of that stuff is bogus crap that people only use when the posting applies to what they are dealing with that day. The reality is, you could make general assumptions every day {like they do in the local paper} and it will apply to almost every Aquarius. "How did they know I was going through this?"{big eye roll}
The signs that I'm talking about are the signs your body gives you. After you reach a certain age, you just know somethings going on by how your body reacts. For example, when I get nervous or become stressed, I get "fever sores" on my lips. Weird, huh? But it's totally consistent with the times that I feel anxiety. Now you are thinking, what is Tim anxious about? No?
Well. as many of you know, I'm running for City Council in our beautiful town of Delaware, Ohio. Delaware is a town of about 40,000 people and we really love it. It's a great town to raise a family and the people here are awesome. Tomorrow night is "Candidates Night" and this is set up so the people in the community that don't know you can come out to see what your platform might be. I know what I want for the city, but this is still an unknown to me. I've never run for a political office before, so I don't know what to expect in the way of opposition. I have heard a few horror stories of what some local candidates have done during a heated race. There are 3 seats on Council up for election and there are 7 candidates.
I'm confident that I can serve the city well in this capacity, I'm just worried that I will stutter or answer a question from out of left field, poorly. Probably normal to have these feelings of doubt but neverless, they are there. In the mean time, my upperlip is beginning to look like the Hindenburg and there is nothing that can stop it! Aaarrrrggghhhhh!! That's the view from my stand!
The signs that I'm talking about are the signs your body gives you. After you reach a certain age, you just know somethings going on by how your body reacts. For example, when I get nervous or become stressed, I get "fever sores" on my lips. Weird, huh? But it's totally consistent with the times that I feel anxiety. Now you are thinking, what is Tim anxious about? No?
Well. as many of you know, I'm running for City Council in our beautiful town of Delaware, Ohio. Delaware is a town of about 40,000 people and we really love it. It's a great town to raise a family and the people here are awesome. Tomorrow night is "Candidates Night" and this is set up so the people in the community that don't know you can come out to see what your platform might be. I know what I want for the city, but this is still an unknown to me. I've never run for a political office before, so I don't know what to expect in the way of opposition. I have heard a few horror stories of what some local candidates have done during a heated race. There are 3 seats on Council up for election and there are 7 candidates.
I'm confident that I can serve the city well in this capacity, I'm just worried that I will stutter or answer a question from out of left field, poorly. Probably normal to have these feelings of doubt but neverless, they are there. In the mean time, my upperlip is beginning to look like the Hindenburg and there is nothing that can stop it! Aaarrrrggghhhhh!! That's the view from my stand!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Cruising
This is one of those posts I warned you about. I was just talking to some close friends and we were discussing places/things we would like to go/do. They had mentioned that for years they had no desire to go on a cruise, then they took one. My mindset has been pretty much the same as theres. But now they say that it was their absolute favorite vacation. Hmmm....so I'm watching this show on the Queen Elizabeth II cruise ship. Did you know that on a cruise ship in a 24 hour period, 3,000 people generate the same amount of garbage that a small town of 40,000 people do in a week? Does that say something to you? My first thought was, Holy Crap!! Then is showed the wasted food, paper products, what happens when there's a spreading illness on board, the salt water turned into drinking water...etc. The things are floating cities!
Now, I've always been one for adventure and I'll probably take a cruise someday, but you have to wonder how these cruise ships get away with that waste? Think of the Third World countries just one 7 day cruise could feed just with its left-overs or "waste". Surely they could keep the food sanitary enough for sharing at a later date. I can remember tucking a bologna sandwich back into the inside pocket of a winter coat to eat at a later date and I didn't die from it.
Here's another thought...how many of these ships leave a port every week..with the same amount of waste? That number has to be staggering. Will this keep me from ever taking a cruise? Probably not, but I know that I'll be thinking about that when I order 2 whole lobsters and a plate of fresh fruit for room service! That's the view from my stand!
Now, I've always been one for adventure and I'll probably take a cruise someday, but you have to wonder how these cruise ships get away with that waste? Think of the Third World countries just one 7 day cruise could feed just with its left-overs or "waste". Surely they could keep the food sanitary enough for sharing at a later date. I can remember tucking a bologna sandwich back into the inside pocket of a winter coat to eat at a later date and I didn't die from it.
Here's another thought...how many of these ships leave a port every week..with the same amount of waste? That number has to be staggering. Will this keep me from ever taking a cruise? Probably not, but I know that I'll be thinking about that when I order 2 whole lobsters and a plate of fresh fruit for room service! That's the view from my stand!
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