My Way

Good Day, Bad Day, But Mostly Good

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:09:47 GMT

     So today was both good and bad. My position in this stupid online game that Ed got me involved in is falling apart. Knew it was coming. You have thousands of players from across the world playing at building virtual villages and alliances and attacking each other, and whatnot, sooner or later people will start getting knocked out. I'm still in there, but my village took a tremendous hit today. Oh well.
     I woke up this morning dreaming about ghosts and burying some old guy, and a haunted church, and I wondered who the hell is pregnant now? I just hope it is Annie, my nephew's girlfriend, and no one else. Anyway, in the dream, someone tripped me, or I should say some entity. I dreamed Becki came looking for me because someone or something was picking on her. She was in tears. We went to this old guy's Mass, and found that the Church we went to had a long history of hauntings. And it also had arena seating. This old guy, who no one seemed to know, had a lot of people attending his funeral Mass. Note to self: find dream book and look up dream.

     Speaking of dead guys. I heard a story today. My other nephew's wife, Kristin, got a job as a waitress. Her first day on the job she waited on a man who was by himself. He sat down and ordered a steak. She said he was breathing heavily, which she took to mean he had probably exerted himself while on his way there. Anyway, she turned in his order and brought him a salad. He was sound asleep. Kristin asked one of her coworkers what to do. The coworker said that he comes often, and not to wake him until his steak his ready. Only when the steak came up, Kristin couldn't wake him up. It's her first day on the job and she's dealing with a situation most of her coworkers won't face in their entire lives. Now enter my BIL, C. After Kristin explained what happened, C asked her if he stiffed her on the tip.

     This morning I said goodbye to my first baby as he started school again. That's right, today was Ed's first day at U.C.L.A. (the University Closest to LaGrange Avenue. Our campus is located in that white building at the end of the block in the photo above.) Luckily he has all his classes Uptown, because LaGrange Avenue is not that close.
     I had to laugh at him. He began primping last night. Now mind you he usually courts a full beard and mustache, that is until he has a reason to shave. He shaved last night before I went to bed, and twice while I slept. Except for the hair he left in the sink, I couldn't tell he shaved the first time. When I woke up, he had long, skinny sideburns, and a five o'clock and then some shadow. Not quite gone, but definitely not a full beard. He got all dressed up this morning, that is as far as what he thinks dressed up should be. He wore dark khaki painter's pants, a black t-shirt, walking shoes and a back pack.
     He joined us when I drove Becki and Mel to school this morning. The girls tried to tease him all the way to their school. He never heard a thing. He was lost in his novel. I dropped them off and headed home because my genius didn't look at his schedule to find out what room he was in.
     I dropped him and his book off Uptown across from school. He was early so he figured he stop for breakfast. I drove around the block and headed home. On the way though, I stopped for a stop sign. And here's this Hispanic kid. He's dressed in denim painter pants, a black t-shirt, walking shoes, with backpack. He also had thin sideburns and a heavy five o'clock shadow. He didn't see me. He tripped over the front of my vehicle because he had his nose buried in a novel. "Oh, my God," I said to myself. "There is a Mexican Ed on the lose." No doubt before the semester gets underway, this kid will join the Rainbow Coalition that forms in my backyard every other Saturday night.

      Speaking of which, Lawrence from across the street stopped over to visit with Bill for a few minutes. I give Lawrence credit. He and his wife are quiet and stay out of everyone's business. They're almost hermits. Lawrence, though, is not happy when others around him misbehaves. The one year when Jon bought fireworks for the Fourth, Lawrence picked up all the debris and laid them side by side on our lawn. He's done that a few times. Anyway, Jon and Ed had a few friends over last Saturday night. Lawrence came over to tell Bill how well they behaved. That kind of makes me wonder what he does on Saturday night. We usually have a yard full. If you didn't know this neighborhood was so incredibly mixed, you might be frightened considering there are as many Blacks and Hispanics in my backyard on Saturday nights as there are White kids. These kids all grew up together. They're quiet kids and they know who they can trust. I like most of them very well. There are a couple... Never mind. They never get into trouble. I'm happy with that.
     So Bill couldn't wait to tell me what Lawrence said. "He said they behaved real well."
     "Of course they did," I told him. "They always do."
     Someone says they're coming to our house on Saturday night, he usually gets hyper. We've had occasion to call the cops on a few of our neighbors' kids who were brawling after a night of drink. We've also had occasion when under aged kids would show up here. Jon usually sends them off pretty quickly. So far so good.

     I have good news. I took Bill to Wound Care this morning. We do that three times a week. It's a therapy facility that is located at our local hospital. They are trying to close his wound from his last two operations by using whirlpool and electric stimulation. We were told it might never close because the wound hadn't shrunk in a couple of weeks. They changed his treatment last week. Today they told us that it might be closed by Friday. At that point I think I might just take a full breath of air. That's good news.

My Bad......

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:47:29 GMT

Lesser of two evils principle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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"Lesser of Two Evils" redirects here. For the Futurama episode, see The Lesser of Two Evils.

"Lesser evil" redirects here. For the 1912 drama film, see The Lesser Evil.

"Least worst" redirects here. For the 2000 rock album, see Least Worst Of.

The lesser of two evils principle, also known simply as the lesser evil or least worst, is the idea that of two bad choices, one isn't as bad as the other, and should be chosen over the one that is a greater threat. Some people consider the lesser of two evils principle to be an instance of the false dichotomy fallacy, and its enemies include both revolutionaries who oppose the system as a whole, and political moderates advocating that third parties be given equal weight in that system.

     Okay, last night in a fit of stupidity, I quoted Jesus. Only Jesus didn't say it. Still, my point was sh... happens and life isn't always cut and dried. The above Wikipedia entry refers to politics, but it rings true elsewhere. I've been called on to make some tough choices, and some of those choices had nothing to do with right and wrong, but who would be hurt the least or which decision would cause least damage. And that was where I was going with abortion. Under normal circumstances, I would encourage other ways of handling an unwanted pregnancy. But not all circumstances present easy choices. That's why I back Roe v. Wade, and always will.

     Now, as Cathy from Dare to Think asked about my misspellings. There is something about John McCain's name that causes a blockage. I don't do it intentionally. Honest. Most of the time I can't remember how to spell his name. And the more I think about misspelling it, the more likely it is I will. And last night, I couldn't spell Obama's name either.



     Thanks, Cathy, for the education. Only you could get me to look that up.

Warning! Warning! She found her soapbox. Again.

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:22:15 GMT

     Hurricane Gustav should land just west of New Orleans tomorrow. It's a relief to watch the news and see school buses come off of high ground to help evacuate those who can't do it on their own. I saw sick people being lifted into those buses, and I saw FEMA set up at the same athletic venue where thousands of victims waited 4 days for help after Katrina. The person who runs FEMA is now in New Orleans.
     Both candidates promised help. McKane will close down the Republican Convention after the important business is taken care of so that he and his supporters can keep abreast and react when needed. O'Bama promised to reach out to his email list of constituents, and ask for their contributions to help the victims of Gustav. Good. Glad to hear it that both are concerned and willing to help. One of them will be responsible for righting any major catastrophe to hit us in the next four years.
     I have only one complaint. Too many photo ops. Bush was criticized because he was taken by surprised after days of updates about levies holding. He seemed to be ignoring the situation, or maybe just wasn't informed enough. Days later he flew over New Orleans and looked out of the window. Today he, John McKane and Sarah Palin were out there shaking hands with FEMA workers. Yes, they need to be aware of what's going on, and they need to be ready to respond. But they need to stay out of the way. These people have a very important job to do and they don't need to pose for photos or shake hands.
     I'm from Chicago, and that I live in close proximity to the district Senator O'Bama represented in the Illinois State House. Please be aware that I am partial to Illinois's favorite son. I also give Senator McKane a lot of credit for picking a woman as a running mate. I have a lot of respect for Senator McKane and his war record. I don't think most of us could be that brave. (God help me if I ever learn to spell his name.)
     I have a problem with Sarah Palin. No, I take that back. I have a lot problems with her. Let's start with the idea that McKane has been claiming that O'Bama doesn't have enough experience to be President. He served four years in the U.S. Senate, and more in the Illinois State House. She's served less than 2 years as Alaska's Governor, as well as Mayor of a small town. Whatever experience McKane thinks is enough to be President should also apply for Vice President. What if something happens to him? Particularly in the early part of his term. What if he has a coronary and dies? He is 73 years old. That leaves us with a President who has less than 2 years experience as Governor of the State with the smallest population in the Nation. She also belongs to the NRA, she's for domestic drilling and she antiabortion.
     I'm Catholic, and I back the Church on the issue of abortion. Life begins at conception. Still I'm hesitant to take abortion off the table because sh... happens. This world is not black and white, but many shades of gray. There are times when one has to make a choice between one bad situation and another. Even Jesus said that there are times when one will have to chose the lesser of two evils.
     Now as far as the NRA is concerned, I'm not against the Second Amendment. People who use guns for hunting, collecting, protection, or as part of their employment, should have guns. Gangbangers who use hi tech assault weapons on each other and innocent bystanders don't deserve the same rights. There is no reason for hi tech weapons with armor piercing shells in an urban situation. Weapons like these must be made illegal. This will give law enforcement one more tool in getting them off the street. I don't want to hear about how only the violent criminals will have big guns if we make them illegal. Well guess what? Law abiding citizens don't brandish AKA47's and M1's
     As for domestic drilling? It's time to make changes. The only way to get out of the oil crisis is to find alternative fuel sources. If we don't the oil companies will continue making windfall profits while the rest of us continue to sink financially. Drilling a new hole today will not end our supply problems tomorrow. It takes years to make a well profitable.
     She's too far right of center for my tastes.

Patrick's Saturday Six - Epison 229

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:22:04 GMT

Saturday Six - Episode 229

Tag: Saturday Six — Patrick @ 8:44 am

1. What was the last meal you ordered in a restaurant?

Wednesday or Thursday we stopped at Johnnies Weenee Wagon and had a cheeseburger. They make the best. The last sit down restaurant we went to was Tenochtitlan. I ordered steak.

2. What was the last meal you cooked for yourself?

Last night Bill wanted sloppy joes with chips. (Not one of my favorites so I don't make it much.) I didn't have chips, so I made fries. We also had Campbells minestrone soup.

3. Who was the last person you shared a meal with?

My husband. My kids are never home anymore. Becki and Jon are usually working, and Ed is sleeping or socializing. (School starts this week, and he's running out of money. Mr. cheapskate will be looking for a job soon.)

4. Take the quiz: What Pasta Dish Are You?

You Are Lasagna

Compared to most people, you are open hearted and genuinely friendly.
You go out of your way to make sure everyone is comfortable and happy.
It's likely that you're a good cook, and you have a few signature crowd pleaser meals.
You enjoy entertaining and welcoming guests into your home.

5. If you could only have one pasta dish for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

Stuff shells.

6. Check your pantry: counting products like soups that contain noodles, dry pasta and boxed meals like Hamburger Helper, how many items do you have that contain some pasta?

A lot. I have Pasta and Noodle Roni, Kraft Mac & Cheese, soups, and all kinds of dry macaroni, noodles, spaghetti, etc.

Update and Then Some

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:46:28 GMT

     I'm not quite sure what to write about tonight. Only that's it's been a while since last posting. News around here is fairly quiet. I did get one significant piece of news though, that really set my week right. Tomorrow is Bill's last day on an I.V. As of Saturday, he will be taking an oral antibiotic. That will make all the difference in the world to me. Besides the fact that it means that he is finally healing, it means that instead of doing 10 to 13 doctors' visits a week, we will be down to 3 to six visits. Those seven visits each took 2 hours, and came right in the middle of the day. I will be glad to be rid of them. I have a hell hole to clean and catch up on.

     Jon and Gloria finally got the nerve to ask her Mom if Gloria could join him on his trip to Mackinac Island. At first Mom wasn't going to let it happen. I think it was Gloria who reminded her that if they really wanted to, they didn't need to travel all the way to Northern Michigan to do what Mom is so concerned about. I can appreciate where Mom's coming from. But Gloria is almost 22. I can't see Mom protecting her much longer. If only we could all do that. Gloria is a nice girl. I don't see that Mom has much to be concerned about. (I hope.)

     Before Jon's vacation is over, he wants to go camping. He has Eric and a few of his other friends joining him. He was upset though, because he wanted Ed to join them. Ed said, no, he had school. The one class is an accelerated class and he was afraid of missing even one day. He showed me his schedule as we argued it out about whether he should go or not. It turns out my son can't tell the difference between the 8th month and the 10th. That class doesn't start until October. He has the rest of his schedule beginning Monday and Tuesday next week. He can go camping, although I doubt he wants to spend the money. He's ungodly cheap.
     Not that I want to admit it to them, this makes me happy. Not only will my boys spend valuable time together, but I can get them the hell out from underfoot so I can clean.

     I mentioned not long ago that Ed had picked up this text book from a second hand dealer. It has seven short novels in it. He started reading it and then I picked it up. The first novel was Slaughterhouse-Five, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The second was a novel called The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, by Carson McCullers. It was a unique story, at least by my standards. I think this falls in the genre of Southern lit.
     The three main characters are a lady entrepreneur, her cousin who happens to be a hunchback, and her ex husband who is a convicted felon. It starts out quietly and unemotionally, turns happy and ends sadly. It is very well crafted, especially where the characters are concerned.

     The last novel I read was called Goodbye, Columbus. I know I saw a movie or something because the plot seemed vaguely familiar. It wasn't until the very last scene that it hit me that I read it while in high school. The story took place in the '50's and is a romance. I read it in the '70's. I think then I was interested because it was somewhat racy for the times, and that was enough to keep me reading back then. Rereading it 30 plus years later was a massively different experience. If anything, this second reading pissed me off.
     It is typical male bad behavior. The main character, Neal, begged girlfriend, Brenda, to seek protection by getting fitted for a diaphragm. She resists for whatever reason, I'm not sure. Maybe it was embarrassment because at the time the book was written, sex was still a very closed subject. It ended when Brenda's Mom finds the contraption in her drawer after she left for college. Mom was devastated. Dad was embarrassed, but offers Brenda everything in the world if she only comes home and puts the affair behind her. Neal is not embarrassed, but angry. How could Brenda let this happen? Was this a Freudian slip maybe? Did she really want to be caught? And then Neal just walks away.
     That just hit me as typically irresponsible male attitude. Neal was in love with her throughout the book. Neal wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Brenda was his everything. Then Brenda is in trouble. Her reputation is shot. And Neal wants to know why she did it. Never mind he was the one who initiated sex, and he was also the one who insisted she protect herself.
     Pity it didn't take place now. She should have gotten knocked up. I think a more suitable ending would have been an appearance on the Maury Show. The last line could have been when Maury opens the envelope and declares, "You are the father!" Or maybe not. The baby might be better off with someone more responsible as a sperm donor. My, how times have changed.

     My editor called me tonight. I had 'Meet the Teachers Night' at school, and being that we both wanted to listen to Barack's speech tonight, we hurried to get our business done. As will happen at times, the last City Council meeting turned into a political display of 'one ups-manship'. I reported it word for word. I let both parties speak for themselves, and believe me, it wasn't pretty. "I'm sorry I missed it," she told me. "You made me laugh." Good. I did my job then. A year ago I would have tried to tone this down. I would have been afraid that someone would be mad at me. Well, guess what. They already are. As hard as I try, I can't do this job and make everyone happy. Screw it. I hope I get some laughs from my readers, too. Funny how things have changed.

     (That's me in the giant body and the coat to match. It might be ugly, but it sure is warm! My editor and friend told me if it weren't for the boobs, I'd look a hell of a lot smaller. Uh, yeah. No doubt.)

     Last but not least, I have begun working on Christmas. Last year my canned food count was way down. I can't imagine that I would pull in more this year just because of how bad the economy is. I figured if I can't get my usual donors to donate more, I'd reach out earlier and further for more donors. I spoke at two places. I told them that I need food and I need scarves, hats and mittens for 240 preschoolers. I am ecstatic to report that not only have I found two new locations for food drives, but one commitment for a cash donation, and another for 100 pairs of mittens and hats.
      The mittens, hats and scarves will go to a preschool that is sponsored by a Government agency for the poorest children in the area. Many of them live with single Moms who are barely surviving on minimum wage. Many times a cheap pair of gloves just can't be squeezed into the budget. I can help here. And why not? I can't stand to see little ones shiver in the worst weather. I mentioned it to a woman I know from City Council. Her reaction was as much to say, give it to them and they won't wear it anyway. The kids that went to the same Catholic grammar school her son graduated from last year never wore their gloves and hats. And you don't know like I know. Those schools are populated with children of the school employees. Yeah. Here's a school, with Black, White and Hispanic students, and all 240 are related to the 20 or so Black people who run the school. I'm sorry. I still have visions of these little one's teeth chattering.
     I am also looking for bodies to shake cans in a week and a half. We are having our second annual can shake. Last year we made enough money by shaking cans to keep us open for nearly a full year. So if I'm not around much between now and Christmas, it's not because I'm bored with blogging. It's because I'm really busy. Please wish me luck with my endeavors, and please, please, please donate to your local food pantries. It is a bad year.

     I wanted to add photos from St. Francis Park. I don't know why I like it, maybe it's just the name. But after describing it in another post, I wanted to show it. This is the park they was created in our downtown district, which we call Uptown, after two buildings were demolished because they were no longer safe. Rather than rebuild, they made a park. There are picnic tables all over where they hold city wide lunches during June and July each year, and there is that new sculpture. It's called 'Energy.' I thought it should be called 'Propeller.' But I guess modern sculpture is not my forte.
     There are other shots of the buildings surrounding the park, including UCLA, Ed's school. It's a large building at the intersection across from St. Francis Park. This is a second smaller campus. They also hold classes at the high schools throughout the south suburbs. The great thing about Ed going to school this semester, is that he has all his classes at the Uptown campus, or at Becki's high school. He left town only long enough toregister.
     Next store to U.C.L.A. (that's the University Closest to LaGrange Avenue,) is the bakery I worked at for 2 years. Every night I'd go home smelling like sugar and butter and everything sweet. The place was so clean you could eat off the floor. Also, although because I frightened the heck of the owners grandchildren, I had to take it back after declaring the place haunted. I used to stand in the middle of the kitchen area, and watch these translucent images out of the sides of my eyes, as they moved from refrigerators, to ovens, to preparation tables, over and over and over.

Patrick's Saturday Six - Episode 228

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:46:37 GMT

Saturday Six - Episode 228

Tag: Saturday Six — Patrick @ 3:41 pm

1. On an average night, do you tend to get more sleep than you need, less sleep than you need, or just about exactly how much you need?

I don't get enough sleep. Never have, never will.

2. Do you have trouble sleeping well in a bed other than your own, i.e., a hotel room?

Not until recently.

3. Do you have trouble sleeping in a sleeping bag or tent?

I usually sleep better when I'm outdoors.

4. Take the quiz: What Does Your Bed Say About You?

What Your Bed Says About You Outward appearances aren't important to you at all. You think that the over emphasis on looks to be shallow.

You are an organized and disciplined person. You do the right thing because you want to, not because people expect you to.

You are not very high maintenance in general, but you are high maintenance about a few things.

In relationships, you tend to kick back and let the other person be in charge.

You tend to be a down to earth, practical person. You think in terms of what is actual.

You are a bit of a homebody, but you can also make yourself at home anywhere.

5. Has anyone ever told you that you snore? Did you believe them at the time?

I've woken myself up from my own snoring.

6. When was the last time you woke up in the middle of the night thinking you had overslept? How many hours did you have left to sleep before you had to get up?

That happens a lot. I usually have an hour or two yet to go when it happens. Part of that is because I used to oversleep a lot. I never had enough sleep and would catch where I could.

Funny Email

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:52:22 GMT

And Then The Fight Started...

My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping channels. She asked, "What's on TV?"

I said, "Dust."

And then the fight started...

===========

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary. She said,

I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds.

I bought her a scale.

And then the fight started...

=========

When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her someplace expensive... So, I took her to a gas station...

And then the fight started....

=========

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's license to verify my age. I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home. I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later. The woman said, "Unbutton your shirt". So I opened my shirt revealing My curly silver hair. She said, "That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me." She processed my Social Security application.

When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office. She said, "You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten Disability, too."

And then the fight started...

=========

My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table. My wife asked, "Do you know her?"

"Yes," I sighed. "She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."

"My God!" said my wife. "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

And then the fight started...

=========

I rear-ended a car this morning. So, there we were alongside the road and slowly the other driver got out of his car. You know how sometimes you Just get soooo stressed and little things just seem funny? Yeah, well I couldn't believe it... He was a DWARF!!! He stormed over to my car, looked up at me, and shouted, "I AM NOT HAPPY!"

So, I looked down at him and said, "Well, then which one are you?"

And then the fight started...

Back to School, Movies, Mackinac Island, Ken Griffey, Jr., and Stuff

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:09:03 GMT

     It's been a busy day. Tomorrow threatens to be worse.
     We finally managed to hit KMart and Target for back to school supplies. Becki starts tomorrow. It'll be her last year before going to COLLEGE. I can hardly believe it. I prayed so hard that somehow or someway my kids could go to college or trade school. Jon is done. He finished with driving school almost a year ago. Within days that is. Now Ed is starting and Becki has another year.
     Of course this afternoon, I went looking for bargains and Becki decided since she's paying, she's buying cute. I said something about thank God I don't have to worry about buying her crayons and markers any more, or any of the other art supplies she needed in grammar school. "You won't be doing any more coloring."
     "What are you talking about?" she asked. "I'll be coloring the rest of my life."
     Oh, I forgot about that. She's going for a degree in commercial art. I don't know how many times I've told her how proud I am of her. I know her. She can turn this into something spectacular. But then she overheard a remark I made to Bill and she wasn't so thrilled. I asked him, "So what if our daughter goes to an expensive school for four full years and she becomes a tattoo artist?" I mean it isn't that these people aren't very talented artists. I just can't see her covered in tattoos.

     This weekend, Ed, Art and Luis from Guatemala went to the movies. Luis used to work there. They saw 'The Scorpion King' on Friday. "Bad movie," Ed told me. "Really bad. Just rehashing the same plots, but in a different location."
     Luis walked out and demanded his money back. "When I worked there," he said, "We went through an orientation film showing people walking out for all kinds of reasons. And how we had to honor their demands for their money back. So I figured it sucked so bad, I'd get my money back. I told them I had a family emergency. Then I sat in the lobby and waited for Ed and Art to finish watching."
    Saturday they saw 'Tropic Thunder.' Ed said it was one of the funniest movies he's seen in a long time. Knowing Ed, it's probably hysterical. That is if you like dark humor.

     Jon has been reminiscing about our last trip together as a family. We drove around Lake Michigan. Ed was 15 at the time and did not want to be there. Being hyper, he can't sit in a car for any length of time before losing his mind. We got in the habit of stopping often. Although at the first stop in Wisconsin, he refused to leave the car because there was a bee outside. Becki and Jon went swimming and we ate before piling back in and taking off again.
     We had fun in spite of Ed. We've made a habit of picnicking, both for the fun of it, and because it's cheap. We found a beach along the Lake Superior shore a day or two later. Ed pouted. Bill cooked. I served and the other two went swimming. The natives, who were out that day said it was unusual to see people swimming there because usually the water is just too cold.
     We made it all the way up to Mackinac Island. We stayed in the Upper Peninsula because of the expense. We went once before and stayed on the Island. Personally I enjoyed the second place more. They didn't have air conditioning. We were told just to latch the screen doors on the front and back of our room and we'd have a wonderful breeze all night long. It was wonderful. It felt better than air conditioning.
     Ed finally got into it when we visited Fort Mackinac on the Island, and also when we sent the kids into the Haunted Theater. We bought fudge and homemade ice cream, and we took the ferry back and forth between the Island and the Upper Peninsula. There are no vehicles with the exception of emergency equipment on the Island. It is hilly, and really beautiful. There are bikes to rent and cart tours to take, and other attractions.
     We did what we could, and we picnicked some more, we crossed the Big Mac into the Lower Peninsula, and then we drove down the Lower Peninsula. Bill says he like to take his time and enjoy the scenery. He does. To a point. I planned to drive along the coast and see the lighthouses and visit maritime museums. He connected with I-70 and drove down the center of the State.
     To make a long story short, Jon decided that his vacation is coming up. He went on line and made reservations. He plans to take Gloria next month. He got a bargain for a room on the Upper Peninsula for two nights, and for ferry tickets. He's been talking about nothing but how they will visit Fort Mackinac, and how when we went, we stood at a look out and watched as a clipper chip passed us by. It shot off it's cannons as a salute.
     Before making the reservations, he asked me about the difference in staying on the Island and not. Bill told him to check out the Grand Hotel. It was featured in an Esther Williams movie, and it has the largest veranda in the world. I reminded him that some of the hotels on the Island don't have rooms with bathrooms. The Grand is beautiful, and they welcome tourists. But I'd rather save the money and stay elsewhere.

     So the White Sox are back in first all by their lonesome. What a season. I don't know how much I can handle if they are going to play footsies with the Twinkies the rest of the season. Minnesota has a great team this year. Damn if I want to give them an inch though. Not against my Sox.
     And did anyone notice? We have Jr.! Now that's cool. He looks so natural in a Sox uniform. He's not doing really well yet. I have no doubt though, when he's needed, he'll step up big time. All good hitters get a lot of strike outs, and they go into slumps. If a team is successful, the hitters stagger their slumps.
     I thought a lot of Cincinnati for giving him up like that. They took two minor leaguers and promised to pay 1/2 of Jrs. salary. During the years he spent with either Seattle or Cincinnati, he hasn't been to the World's Series. Someone on the radio said that this was a gift to him at the end of a great career, to allow him an opportunity to maybe get a ring. With that said, I pray Chicago goes back to the Series, and wins one more time. (Especially if they beat the hell out of the Cubs, who are also in first.) I say that's one hell of a gift. Especially considering he has a higher on base percentage this year than either of the last two years.

     Before I call it a night, I wanted to go back to my last entry, and that's Patrick's Saturday Six of this week. Question number six read: If you, as a high school student, could visit yourself today and see what you’re up to now, what would be the biggest surprise? I said: I expected to do more than what I have at this point: Travel more; Advance further in my chosen field.
     Several very dear readers chided me about what I've accomplished so far in this life. Let me just say this. I had a lot of dreams in high school. By age 53 I expected to be a published author. I expected to be on the New York Times Best Seller List week after week. And I expected to travel the world. It all sounds so silly that I would be down about that because realistically, most of us won't meet goals that lofty.
     I'm not. The fact is I had to make a lot of choices because of Bill's illness and because I have 3 children I dearly love. A lot of those decisions had to do with my working. Rather than return to my job in Chicago's Loop as an administrative assistant at an insurance company, I chose to stay home and raise kids. Rather than returning later when money got tight, I chose a job at a local convenience store. I made a lot of other decisions. At this point, there are very few I'd take back. I love to write. I will continue to write. And one day I will be published. It just hasn't happened as quickly as I thought it would. Still, I have what is most important to me. I have my family.

Patrick's Saturday Six - Episode 226

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 21:01:16 GMT

Aug 16 2008

Arch-a-thon Post #3: Saturday Six - Episode 226

Tag: Arch-a-thon, Saturday Six — Patrick @ 1:00 pm

1. Which feels more like “the new 20” to you: 40, 50, 60 or 70?

How about 15? Kids are maturing younger and I feel a hell of a lot older.

2. How many school reunions has your graduating class held? Of those, how many have you actually attended?

As far as I know, they've held 3. I haven't attended any of them, just because I couldn't. I wanted to be at each so badly.

3. What is the biggest age difference between you and the youngest person you work with?

Don't know.

4. Take the quiz: What is your REAL age?

Compared to other takers

97/100 You scored 50 on Age, higher than 97% of your peers.

How everyone did

Your result for The What is your REAL age Test ...

You are 50 years old!!

5. Do you feel more like your real age or the age in the answer to the quiz?

I feel older at times.

6. If you, as a high school student, could visit yourself today and see what you’re up to now, what would be the biggest surprise?

I expected to do more than what I have at this point: Travel more; Advance further in my chosen field.

Stuff

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:12:36 GMT

     I'm not so sure I want to call this an update. It's just a lot of stuff going on in my head.
     First off, I'm kind of down. A friend of mine just lost her husband. He had been ill for a long time, so it wasn't a surprise. We were surprised when her eldest son passed after an accident. He was out of State at the time. She left her husband in the hospital to go bury her son. Once back here, she and her family held a Mass in his memory. Her husband passed very soon after. As I said to a friend of mine after hearing her story, "There's that passage from the Bible. I cried because I had no shoes. And then I met a man who had no feet." Ruth reminds me of the man without feet. If you have an extra moment at prayer time, please say one for my friend.

     I haven't really felt sorry for myself because of dealing with Bill's illness. I have help and I know others who don't. It hasn't been easy taking him to have his I.V. each day because I know I could be doing something else that would be productive. Like clean. Still, I can see him getting better just by how he's behaving. He's allowing himself to do things. He's done a few loads of laundry, which is good. It's just that I haven't got the heart to tell him that all my pretty, brightly colored tops can't be washed with blue jeans or someone's black socks because they will no longer be pretty and bright.
     I'll tell you what though. The extra stress of driving here and there, especially since I hate driving like I do, and knowing how easy it is for him to pick up is an infection is screwing up my stomach. This is embarrassing, but I was late for work the other night because of it. To my overwhelming embarrassment, the City Clerk called my editor to complain because I walked in late. "I can understand Ruth," she said. "Not Jude." Ruth is an alderman.
     My editor wanted to me put it in my article about how much trouble I am having with my stomach. So I wrote a 'Dear Editor letter, explaining it. Then I begged her not to publish it. I mean "sorry, boss. I couldn't get to the meeting on time because I was stuck in the bathroom.." It's more than a little embarrassing. I'd rather live with the criticism.

     Okay, I will now stop whining.

     A funny thing happened to us this past weekend. I've been having dreams of late where someone dies. It isn't always the same person, or a person I know, or even by the same method. One time a stranger will die from a gun shot wound, and the next time, it will be a close relative who passes in his sleep. Well a long time ago I found this dream book. (Actually I borrowed it off my SIL, D, and never returned it.) Accordingly, when someone dies, it means that there will be a birth soon.
     When D's youngest son's girlfriend was expecting, and when Jen was expecting, I had the same dreams. Last week when we went out to dinner with C&D, I mentioned it. "I just hope it isn't one of mine," I said.
     After a dream about someone dying because of a food allergy, I corralled my kids in the living room. I told the boys. "Keep it in your pants. I don't want any grandkids yet." And then I pointed at Becki. "Keep your pants on. No babies." Needless to say we were all blushing by the time I was done.
     Later that day we went to C&D's for dinner. Their other son sought me out. "Aunt Jude," he said, "I told Grandma, so I can tell you now. Annie's pregnant." (His girlfriend.) I didn't respond. He just smiled and said, "You know I've seen an awful lot of those looks lately." I don't doubt it.
     "You know something," D said later. "It almost killed me when you told me about those dreams and I couldn't say anything yet."
     "What kills me is the last time I talked to Annie was about a year ago. I told her then not to get pregnant," I said. "I thought about that today when I walked in the house and saw her sitting there."
      One of my nephew's friends joined us for dinner. We were laughing, and joking around when Pete asked me if I really knew what dreams mean. "I know what mine mean sometimes," I said.
     "Well, could you look up one for me? I had this dream about me vomiting up frogs. What does that mean?"

      "I don't know what's with you lately," Becki told me later. "If you aren't dreaming about me crying, you're dreaming about babies."

     Yeah well there's lots of things I don't dream about. Like what to do about Sheeba. She found a hole in the fence where she can just squeeze out. Most of the time she behaves. Sometimes though, I will put her out, and then walk into the house and pastthe front window. And there she is, lying in the middle of the street.
     Just to be sure I bought her one of those engraved tags with her name and phone number on it. It's a good thing I did. I got a call the other day. A man asked for my address and if I owned a white dog. "Yeah, I do." I was just waking up at the time.
     "I'm right outside your house," he said, "And I have your dog. Meet me outside."
     "Sure. Just let me get dressed."
     I finally opened the door and here's this cop. Young and almost the spitting image of my nephew, the expectant father. "She afraid of me," he said. "As soon as I pulled up, she ran for the porch." I explained to him that she's been picked up before. Each time has cost me $25 and she gets stuck in a cage, outside by herself. She's either figured out that I'm cheap, or she realizes that she gets picked up again, she's back into that cage. Anyway, I'm giving the dog too much credit here. I thought she'd learn her lesson.
     Not quite. Yesterday I thought I had the hole problem corrected. But after leaving her out and returning to the living room, I saw three cars backed up in the street. She planted herself in the middle of the street again, and only moved when she realized that one of the vehicles had an open window, and maybe if she jumped high enough, she could jump in.

     One quick comment, and then I'm off to bed. So John Edwards was sleeping around. And here he is, one more politician standing before the public, apologizing for bad behavior. Only this time his wife wasn't standing next to him, grinning like a fool. It's about time. It made me sick to my stomach to see Elliot Spitzer's wife at his side, or when the governor of New Jersey admitted he was gay, it was worse seeing his wife. Haven't these women been humiliate enough? It's as if while he unburdens his soul, she assuming half of his guilt. No one, man or woman, deserves that kind of treatment.