Bill of Rights: Don’t Mess With Mom
(Note: Having raised 3 kids, I have memories that have remained with me for a long time. I am reminded of the time that my daughter was convinced by a friend of hers that being raised under the jurisdiction of CSD (as her friend was) would be much better than having to obey Mom & Dad’s rules. I read this poem one day and laughed over it because it hit so close to home.)
My son came home from school one day,
With a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
To put me in my place.
“Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
That’s taught by Mr. Wright?
It’s all about the laws today,
The ‘Children’s Bill of Rights’.
It says I need not clean my room,
Don’t have to cut my hair.
No one can tell me what to think
Or speak, or what to wear.
I have freedom from religion
And regardless what you say
I don’t have to bow my head
And I sure don’t have to pray.
I can wear earrings if I want
And pierce my tongue and nose.
I can read and watch just what I like
And get tattoos from head to toes.
And if you ever spank me
I’ll charge you with a crime.
I’ll back up all my charges
With the marks on my behind.
Don’t you ever touch me,
My body’s only for my use;
Not for your hugs and kisses
That’s just more child abuse.
Don’t preach about your morals,
Like your Mama did to you.
That’s nothing more than mind control,
And that’s illegal too!
Mom, I have these children’s rights,
So you can’t influence me,
Or I’ll call Childrens Services Division
Better known as C.S.D.”
Of course, my first instinct
Was to toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
Made me think a little more.
I mulled it over carefully
I couldn’t let this go.
A smile crept upon my face
He’s messing with a pro!
The next day I took him shopping
At the local Goodwill Store.
I told him, “Pick out all you want,
There’s shirts and pants galore.
I’ve called and checked with CSD
Who said they didn’t care
If I bought you K-Mart shoes
Instead of Nike Airs.
And I’ve canceled that appointment
To take your driver’s test.
The CSD is unconcerned
So I’ll decide what’s best.”
I said, “No time to stop and eat,
Or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
To make your own sack lunch.
Just save that raging appetite,
And wait till dinner time.
We’re having liver and onions
A favorite dish of mine.”
He asked, “Can I please rent a movie,
To watch on my VCR?”
“Sorry, but I sold your TV,
To put new tires on my car.
I also rented out your room,
You’ll take the couch instead.
All that CSD requires
Is a roof for over your head.
Your clothing won’t be trendy now,
And I’ll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
Will buy me something neat.
I’m selling off your Jet Ski,
Dirt Bike and Roller Blades.
Check out the ‘Parents Bill of Rights’,
It’s in effect today!
Hey, hot shot, are you crying,
And why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
Instead of CSD”?
Friday, January 19, 2007
Jungle Survival School
Prior to landing on Vietnam soil, the Air Force needed to teach us how to survive “in case….” “In case of what?”, I asked. “In case you are shot down”, they said.
My first school was 6 weeks in Amarillo, Texas, where we learned all kinds of things about survival, in a classroom setting. We learned about survival techniques from the steamy tropics to the frigid arctic weather; how to evade the enemy soldiers AND their bad dogs!
The second school was in Spokane, Washington where we went through some classroom work, then ran a night-time obstacle course to “evade the enemy”, which culminated in getting “caught” at the end of the obstacle course and thrown into a POW camp. We were “tortured” in the POW camp and we learned how to deal with mental and physical fatigue, POW organizational structure and non-cooperation with the enemy. From that we were sent out into the wilderness for a whole week with only 3 days food rations and were instructed to “survive off the land”. (I am here today to tell you that “I made it”.)
The third school was in the Philippines at Clark AFB. We learned jungle survival and how to “live off the land”. The whole idea of survival was to assume that our airplane was going down and we would crash land easy enough to survive the crash. We would have limited food supplies, weapons, ammo and other gear. We did have waterproof maps of Vietnam for survival purposes. I still have those.
The final day of Jungle Survival school was instruction to “fan out”, alone, unarmed, without anything except our clothes and a Poncho; it was Army green, like you remember seeing soldiers wear in the movies. We had 30 minutes to find our hiding spot before the military superiors “released” the enemy. The enemy was native Filipinos called Negrito. They were told they could hunt us down and if found, we gave them a “chit” that would be worth 2 or 3 pounds of rice to them. We carried 3 chits.
We could not move from our spot once darkness fell. The terrain was much too dangerous and soldiers have died from doing such things. My night alone was spent off of the “trail” about 100 yards in the trees on a sloping hillside. I positioned my feet against an old Banana tree so I wouldn’t slide down the hill much. The Poncho came in very handy when the heavy rains came. It seemed to rain all night! Water ran down the hillside and nothing was dry, except me inside the Poncho. I was curled up in the fetal position all night with my feet planted against the Banana tree so I wouldn’t slide down the now very slick, hillside!
I can’t explain much of how I felt because there are no words for it! Alone, in unknown territory, with unknown sounds, fighting my own imagination of all the evil things that were lurking just outside my Poncho, played tricks on my mind. I just KNEW I was about to be “eaten” any second by a Panther or something. I also felt insecure about sharing my Poncho with a large snake! All I can say is, it was a LOOOOOOOOOONG night alone and I wouldn’t EVER do that again!!
Friday, January 12, 2007
Memories....
With the approaching winter weather and my mind riding fresh upon the coattails of a recent ski trip to Timberline Lodge, thoughts of snows past come to my mind. I love beautiful snowfalls that are wet and heavy. To watch the big flakes falling to the ground, thick and heavy is perhaps one of the most awesome sights I know!
My fondest memories of beautiful snowfalls occurred as I was growing up in NW Arkansas in the 50’s. Our farm of 360 acres would take on a coating of snow that transformed the landscape into something only imagined in a storybook. Pine tree b
ranches would be heavily covered, bending low beneath the weight of the snow. The cattle pen, thick with “muck and yuck” was covered by a pure white blanket of beauty that made you forget you should put the BOOTS on before crossing the pen!
Stacked snow was everywhere to be seen; fences and fence posts piled high, limbs of trees had all they could balance, clusters of Black Walnuts still hanging were now covered with a white cap of snow, as was the framework above the Well where we drew water. Today there would be no wind to blow away The Master’s handiwork.
Bundled up in warm clothes, coats, gloves and boots, double socks and caps, we boys were the first to disturb the undisturbed covering. We made tracks and snow angels and followed our own footprints back to the house, one adventure after another. We threw snowballs at each other and anything else that moved or sat still. We rolled up giant snowballs and made snowmen taller than we were, attaching hats, sticks, scarves, and anything else we could find to make them come alive. We hunted snow birds with our Daisy BB Guns and fed our kill to the cats, who eagerly dined on the fresh food.
We explored everything and left nothing unturned. Even the Barn was inviting and cozy. The cows and chickens were warm and dry in their stalls and nests. The hay was dry and offered a place to sit and play. It wasn’t long until we were back outside exploring and using our imaginations at being better Cowboys than the real ones!
I particularly remember us venturing way out on our property to select the perfect Cedar Christmas Tree to bring home to Mom. The longer we walked, the more beautiful each tree looked! At last, we decided and lay down in the snow to saw it down. We each helped or took turns at dragging the tree home across the snow, like we were pulling a sled. Mom would always tell us how pretty it was and there was much joy as it began to look more like a Christmas tree. We had fun decorating it with tensile, lights and bells. We popped
Popcorn, threaded it like beads on a string to make a garland for our tree. At the top, a beautiful Star crowned our tree, and we rested.
Being poor folks, the grownups took few pictures; even then they were black and white prints from a Brownie Camera. But the pictures we took with our minds, with our imaginations, are still, today, just as vivid and clear as the day we snapped them. They will forever remain, unfading, unblemished and in full color!
Occasionally I reach back into the archives of my mind and pull forward those memory shots of beautiful snows and rolling hills covered by Jack Frost. I feel certain that all of us have a place in our hearts reserved only for our fondest memories. To those of you, who are young, or young at heart, probe the minds of your parents and grand-parents and I believe you will be surprised at the stories you hear. Ask them about the good old days in their lives. Record their thoughts and pass them down as a heritage of adventure to your children.
With the approaching winter weather and my mind riding fresh upon the coattails of a recent ski trip to Timberline Lodge, thoughts of snows past come to my mind. I love beautiful snowfalls that are wet and heavy. To watch the big flakes falling to the ground, thick and heavy is perhaps one of the most awesome sights I know!
My fondest memories of beautiful snowfalls occurred as I was growing up in NW Arkansas in the 50’s. Our farm of 360 acres would take on a coating of snow that transformed the landscape into something only imagined in a storybook. Pine tree b
ranches would be heavily covered, bending low beneath the weight of the snow. The cattle pen, thick with “muck and yuck” was covered by a pure white blanket of beauty that made you forget you should put the BOOTS on before crossing the pen!Stacked snow was everywhere to be seen; fences and fence posts piled high, limbs of trees had all they could balance, clusters of Black Walnuts still hanging were now covered with a white cap of snow, as was the framework above the Well where we drew water. Today there would be no wind to blow away The Master’s handiwork.
Bundled up in warm clothes, coats, gloves and boots, double socks and caps, we boys were the first to disturb the undisturbed covering. We made tracks and snow angels and followed our own footprints back to the house, one adventure after another. We threw snowballs at each other and anything else that moved or sat still. We rolled up giant snowballs and made snowmen taller than we were, attaching hats, sticks, scarves, and anything else we could find to make them come alive. We hunted snow birds with our Daisy BB Guns and fed our kill to the cats, who eagerly dined on the fresh food.
We explored everything and left nothing unturned. Even the Barn was inviting and cozy. The cows and chickens were warm and dry in their stalls and nests. The hay was dry and offered a place to sit and play. It wasn’t long until we were back outside exploring and using our imaginations at being better Cowboys than the real ones!
I particularly remember us venturing way out on our property to select the perfect Cedar Christmas Tree to bring home to Mom. The longer we walked, the more beautiful each tree looked! At last, we decided and lay down in the snow to saw it down. We each helped or took turns at dragging the tree home across the snow, like we were pulling a sled. Mom would always tell us how pretty it was and there was much joy as it began to look more like a Christmas tree. We had fun decorating it with tensile, lights and bells. We popped
Popcorn, threaded it like beads on a string to make a garland for our tree. At the top, a beautiful Star crowned our tree, and we rested.Being poor folks, the grownups took few pictures; even then they were black and white prints from a Brownie Camera. But the pictures we took with our minds, with our imaginations, are still, today, just as vivid and clear as the day we snapped them. They will forever remain, unfading, unblemished and in full color!
Occasionally I reach back into the archives of my mind and pull forward those memory shots of beautiful snows and rolling hills covered by Jack Frost. I feel certain that all of us have a place in our hearts reserved only for our fondest memories. To those of you, who are young, or young at heart, probe the minds of your parents and grand-parents and I believe you will be surprised at the stories you hear. Ask them about the good old days in their lives. Record their thoughts and pass them down as a heritage of adventure to your children.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
It begins: “Once Upon A Time”….
Being a Newlywed takes on a different meaning in the context of the following story:
"A little known fact is that it (newlywed) was named after a handsome man named John Newly, a devout bachelor from Atlanta in the 1800’s. For a long time, he had quite a chasing of lovely ladies vying for his hand in matrimony. Years of chasing passed by like a barefoot race along a rocky trail, until one day, a beautiful young lady from Iowa in Atlanta for a Corset Convention, accidentally bumped into John on a hurried trip to the Powder Room. Capturing his heart, they were soon married at his Grandfather’s mansion and moved to Iowa to become a corn farmer. For years, the lovely ladies of Atlanta continued to look for John, often coming to the mansion to inquire of him. Grandpa would always simply reply, “Newly wed”.”
Stories like this one are often times hard to swallow due to their ambiguous nature and from an often “suspect” source. It got me to thinking about how much we take for granted in life. Occasionally, we will be talking to a friend or acquaintance and hear things that are questionable. Choosing to believe everything we hear labels us with gullible, while disbelieving sometimes labels us just the opposite. Perhaps the answer lies with having a trusting nature. People we are close to might be easier to believe than strangers with a gift of gab. But not always.
I write this because I have recently dealt with a friend who has chosen to sharpen his “gift of gab” and tell some whoppers that seem genuine and honest. I am somewhat known as a "skeptic" and tend to analyze a lot of things that I shouldn't. But I believe that one cannot be too careful. First Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.” Perhaps we should be better listeners.
The above story is certainly ambiguous because I made it up entirely. So remember…. some sources are certainly “questionable”!
Being a Newlywed takes on a different meaning in the context of the following story:
"A little known fact is that it (newlywed) was named after a handsome man named John Newly, a devout bachelor from Atlanta in the 1800’s. For a long time, he had quite a chasing of lovely ladies vying for his hand in matrimony. Years of chasing passed by like a barefoot race along a rocky trail, until one day, a beautiful young lady from Iowa in Atlanta for a Corset Convention, accidentally bumped into John on a hurried trip to the Powder Room. Capturing his heart, they were soon married at his Grandfather’s mansion and moved to Iowa to become a corn farmer. For years, the lovely ladies of Atlanta continued to look for John, often coming to the mansion to inquire of him. Grandpa would always simply reply, “Newly wed”.”
Stories like this one are often times hard to swallow due to their ambiguous nature and from an often “suspect” source. It got me to thinking about how much we take for granted in life. Occasionally, we will be talking to a friend or acquaintance and hear things that are questionable. Choosing to believe everything we hear labels us with gullible, while disbelieving sometimes labels us just the opposite. Perhaps the answer lies with having a trusting nature. People we are close to might be easier to believe than strangers with a gift of gab. But not always.
I write this because I have recently dealt with a friend who has chosen to sharpen his “gift of gab” and tell some whoppers that seem genuine and honest. I am somewhat known as a "skeptic" and tend to analyze a lot of things that I shouldn't. But I believe that one cannot be too careful. First Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.” Perhaps we should be better listeners.
The above story is certainly ambiguous because I made it up entirely. So remember…. some sources are certainly “questionable”!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
36 Years
Today my wife and I celebrate 36 years of wedded bliss together. Yes, it’s our 36th Anniversary! Some say the traditional gift suggestion is Bone China. That doesn’t sound very good to me, however. It congers up thoughts of eating off of china made from the hind leg of a mad cow somewhere in India or something. Perhaps, renaming that piece of china with a name that could “whet” the appetite instead of “churning” it would be a better option.
Instead, I went shopping with one thing in mind, and two thoughts of possibilities; the second being an Emerald, her favorite birthstone.
Last Sunday, our preacher talked about the “Pearl of Great Price”, found in the Good Book, that says: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (NRSV) Matthew 13:45.
Armed with pearls on my mind, I set out with two “surrogate daughters” for the local Lloyd Center Shopping Mall to search for my pearl of great value. The parking lot was crowded but we managed to park nearby the “MACY’S” entrance, entering onto the main floor nearby the Jewelry Department. Following the scenic walkway, we couldn’t help but notice the brightly lit pearls in the glass case and the flashy 40% to 50% OFF signs. A very nice, more mature, lady (my wife’s age)….and just as charming….came over to ask to help. She showed me exactly what I was looking for; at “half off” it appealed even more so! I told her that I was going to go think about it and would return.
We stopped into 4 or 5 more Jewelry stores, always inquiring about pearls, and always finding smaller lengths and higher prices. MACY’S was looking good! One young lady in one particular store was showing us their line of pearls, named MIKIMOTO. These are supposed to be the ultimate heirloom quality of pearl perfected by Mr Mikimoto in the early 1900’s. They also boost a proud price tag! I asked the young lady about “sale prices”, as were common in other stores. She said theirs were very special pearls and no discounts were offered because of the “name”.
Now, being from backwoods Northwest Arkansas, uncouth, unrefined, and often unappreciated for my humor, I said, “Mikimoto….I’ve heard of that name! Don’t he live in Disneyland”? The previously nice saleslady quickly straightened up, turned her mostly artificial head sharply to her right side and said, “Oh my god!”
Well, in the first place I was only making a wisecrack; certainly not serious! In the second place, I don’t appreciate anyone using that kind of disrespectful language to my God….so I was definitely finished with her at this point! But it was the funniest thing of the day!
So, two more stores later and I was on a pearl trail back to MACY’S, where the same nice lady asked if I was ready. I told her I was and bought the necklace, as well as a pair of earrings for my honey of 36 years. Add to that, 3 dozen of her favorite flowers and I went home, invincible!
Today my wife and I celebrate 36 years of wedded bliss together. Yes, it’s our 36th Anniversary! Some say the traditional gift suggestion is Bone China. That doesn’t sound very good to me, however. It congers up thoughts of eating off of china made from the hind leg of a mad cow somewhere in India or something. Perhaps, renaming that piece of china with a name that could “whet” the appetite instead of “churning” it would be a better option.
Instead, I went shopping with one thing in mind, and two thoughts of possibilities; the second being an Emerald, her favorite birthstone.
Last Sunday, our preacher talked about the “Pearl of Great Price”, found in the Good Book, that says: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (NRSV) Matthew 13:45.
Armed with pearls on my mind, I set out with two “surrogate daughters” for the local Lloyd Center Shopping Mall to search for my pearl of great value. The parking lot was crowded but we managed to park nearby the “MACY’S” entrance, entering onto the main floor nearby the Jewelry Department. Following the scenic walkway, we couldn’t help but notice the brightly lit pearls in the glass case and the flashy 40% to 50% OFF signs. A very nice, more mature, lady (my wife’s age)….and just as charming….came over to ask to help. She showed me exactly what I was looking for; at “half off” it appealed even more so! I told her that I was going to go think about it and would return.
We stopped into 4 or 5 more Jewelry stores, always inquiring about pearls, and always finding smaller lengths and higher prices. MACY’S was looking good! One young lady in one particular store was showing us their line of pearls, named MIKIMOTO. These are supposed to be the ultimate heirloom quality of pearl perfected by Mr Mikimoto in the early 1900’s. They also boost a proud price tag! I asked the young lady about “sale prices”, as were common in other stores. She said theirs were very special pearls and no discounts were offered because of the “name”.
Now, being from backwoods Northwest Arkansas, uncouth, unrefined, and often unappreciated for my humor, I said, “Mikimoto….I’ve heard of that name! Don’t he live in Disneyland”? The previously nice saleslady quickly straightened up, turned her mostly artificial head sharply to her right side and said, “Oh my god!”
Well, in the first place I was only making a wisecrack; certainly not serious! In the second place, I don’t appreciate anyone using that kind of disrespectful language to my God….so I was definitely finished with her at this point! But it was the funniest thing of the day!
So, two more stores later and I was on a pearl trail back to MACY’S, where the same nice lady asked if I was ready. I told her I was and bought the necklace, as well as a pair of earrings for my honey of 36 years. Add to that, 3 dozen of her favorite flowers and I went home, invincible!
Friday, December 29, 2006
MISSING CLIMBERS ON MT HOOD, OREGON…This headline is not new news. These guys have been missing for several weeks. The three climbers, from Texas and New York, were experienced at conquering mountains much larger than Mt Hood, at 11,243 feet elevation. It was unusual that they should attempt to
climb the north face of Mt Hood in December, as we frequently have many ice storms and high winds on the mountain in December. One man has been found deceased. Apparently he had dislocated his shoulder and his two buddies left him in an ice cave about 300 feet below the summit, to strike out for help. They have not been heard from or found. It is an unforgiving mountain.This Wednesday afternoon, my son and grand-daughter-of-the-heart made our way to Timberline Lodge to go skiing. Timberline Lodge is a beautiful place, located at 6000 feet elevation on the South slope of Mt Hood; www.timberlinelodge.com.
At a place less than 4000 feet elevation we had to stop along the road and install tire chains on my 4WD, 2004 Dodge Crew Cab, before we could proceed.
The traffic was heavy. Apparently, most everyone else had the same idea to ski that we had!As we neared the top, the snow was falling heavily. The wind had picked up on the upper East side of the mountain and was whipping up the snow so bad that we could barely see the road. The parking lot was crowded, but we managed to find a spot as far away from the Lodge as we could. We put on our ski pants, sweaters, coats and gloves to protect us from the cold. The ski goggles came
in very handy because the hard blowing snow stung our faces like tiny needles.The near “white-out” conditions made it difficult to see very far. At times, visibility was only a few feet. Naturally, we chose not to ski under these conditions as we could become disoriented or “lost” (it’s hard for a guy to say that word!). Instead we walked up the hill to the main Lodge and went inside to look around, opting to “wait out” the storm until it cleared a little or to go back home without ever skiing at all.
The white-out got me to thinking about the missing climbers and how the search parties looking for them could have been within only a few feet away and never saw them. The conditions were much worse on the North face, with 80 MPH winds blowing into their faces. The searchers must have been roped together in order to not become “lost” themselves! What courageous men they were to confront the odds and brave the elements in order to help strangers!
We did manage to find a window of opportunity and ski for a couple of hours before the lift closed for the night. We had a great, but short, time skiing!
After turning in our rented equipment and hiking back down the parking lot to the ice covered black Dodge truck, we proceeded to warm up and clear the windshield. As I started the motor and warmed the heater, I looked up and noticed my outside temperature gauge read 18 degrees. No wonder Alyssa’s
cheeks were rosy!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
What can you say about the “DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS”?
* It’s GREAT to be back to work!
* We can stop listening to Christmas Music and go back to the same old beer drinking, trailer stealing, bar hopping, divorce dealing, gutter girls and who done me wrong songs we so much love to hear!
* Huge sales on valuable stuff we forgot to buy last week!
* Standing in lines to return valuable stuff we got for Christmas presents!
* Saying goodbye to all the visiting relatives!
* Recovering from “O-D-ing” on Fudge, Peanut Brittle, sinfully chocolaty layered cakes, stacks of pies, brownies and sweets of all colors and flavors!
* Preparing for the annual New Year’s bash!
* Getting a head start on our New Year’s Resolution List!
* Dieting………seriously dieting!
* Trying to figure out how we’re going to pay for last week!
* Dreading the arrival of the 4th of July when they start playing Christmas Songs all over again!
Yes, it seems like it comes earlier and earlier every year. I dread to hear the first advertisement of the Christmas season when they start singing their products to the tune of Christmas Songs! Fortunately, there is much time to pass before we reach that day and it’s time to focus in other holiday directions!
But, it is UNFORTUNATE that much time will pass before we can get another paid holiday off! Valentine’s Day, for some reason, just can’t muster the clout needed to become a National Holiday! Totally a Bummer (to mix two generations of slang).
For now, all we can do is pray for a deep snow where everything closes down for a day or two!
* It’s GREAT to be back to work!
* We can stop listening to Christmas Music and go back to the same old beer drinking, trailer stealing, bar hopping, divorce dealing, gutter girls and who done me wrong songs we so much love to hear!
* Huge sales on valuable stuff we forgot to buy last week!
* Standing in lines to return valuable stuff we got for Christmas presents!
* Saying goodbye to all the visiting relatives!
* Recovering from “O-D-ing” on Fudge, Peanut Brittle, sinfully chocolaty layered cakes, stacks of pies, brownies and sweets of all colors and flavors!
* Preparing for the annual New Year’s bash!
* Getting a head start on our New Year’s Resolution List!
* Dieting………seriously dieting!
* Trying to figure out how we’re going to pay for last week!
* Dreading the arrival of the 4th of July when they start playing Christmas Songs all over again!
Yes, it seems like it comes earlier and earlier every year. I dread to hear the first advertisement of the Christmas season when they start singing their products to the tune of Christmas Songs! Fortunately, there is much time to pass before we reach that day and it’s time to focus in other holiday directions!
But, it is UNFORTUNATE that much time will pass before we can get another paid holiday off! Valentine’s Day, for some reason, just can’t muster the clout needed to become a National Holiday! Totally a Bummer (to mix two generations of slang).
For now, all we can do is pray for a deep snow where everything closes down for a day or two!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
All I want for Christmas is a Root Canal….
Wednesday afternoon I reclined in the Dentists’ chair while a masked man with noisy tools began working inside my mouth. He kept saying, “Open wider….wider….wider” as if I could actually DO that! It appeared that my lower jaw tooth was “dead”, as he had previously tested it with an instrument that did electrical prodding. He wasn’t certain his prod tool was working until his lovely masked assistant told him to try it on a good tooth; which he did! As I came down off the ceiling I said, “Yes, the tool is working!”
So with the tooth being “dead” the masked man thought he would try the drilling part without pain killer; which he proceeded to do. We were fine the first couple of inches; then he struck a nerve! Yes, a live nerve! He said, “Okay, so there’s some life left in that one…but I can’t understand why”. At the same time, his lovely masked assistant was preparing a syringe of Cobra venom, or something, which would paralyze my face.
The needle was looooong and ominous. He began telling me to do the “open wider” part until it cut off the air supply to my lungs and I had trouble breathing. He went away and soon returned to inquire about the tingling feeling. I could still feel my face but my ear was beginning to hurt. As I rubbed my ear he asked if it hurt and what about my lip. I told him my lip still had feeling, but I had lost it to my ear lobe. I told him that the needle went so deep that it came out in my ear. He didn’t think that was possible. I told him I had no feeling in my ear lobe and asked if he could go ahead and pierce my ear and sell me an earring.
After more drilling, the masked man struck another nerve and, of course, I jumped like the weenie that I am. He said “whoa” and removed the drill, only to pick up a small sharpened probe and poke the uncovered nerve. Another, more serious, jump this time confirmed his suspicions that a second nerve occupied the “bad” tooth. At that point the lovely masked assistant handed him another syringe of Cobra venom and we waited some more.
By now my face was so numb a rat could chew it off and I wouldn’t feel a thing! A few more days of drilling and another 3 or 4 inches of excavation and we had arrived. He took a couple of X-rays along the way, packed the long root and smoothed it over. He told me it looked good and sent me on the way by telling me to be sure to call him at home if my face started swelling up.
I’m pretty sore today but my face looks like mine.
Wednesday afternoon I reclined in the Dentists’ chair while a masked man with noisy tools began working inside my mouth. He kept saying, “Open wider….wider….wider” as if I could actually DO that! It appeared that my lower jaw tooth was “dead”, as he had previously tested it with an instrument that did electrical prodding. He wasn’t certain his prod tool was working until his lovely masked assistant told him to try it on a good tooth; which he did! As I came down off the ceiling I said, “Yes, the tool is working!”
So with the tooth being “dead” the masked man thought he would try the drilling part without pain killer; which he proceeded to do. We were fine the first couple of inches; then he struck a nerve! Yes, a live nerve! He said, “Okay, so there’s some life left in that one…but I can’t understand why”. At the same time, his lovely masked assistant was preparing a syringe of Cobra venom, or something, which would paralyze my face.
The needle was looooong and ominous. He began telling me to do the “open wider” part until it cut off the air supply to my lungs and I had trouble breathing. He went away and soon returned to inquire about the tingling feeling. I could still feel my face but my ear was beginning to hurt. As I rubbed my ear he asked if it hurt and what about my lip. I told him my lip still had feeling, but I had lost it to my ear lobe. I told him that the needle went so deep that it came out in my ear. He didn’t think that was possible. I told him I had no feeling in my ear lobe and asked if he could go ahead and pierce my ear and sell me an earring.
After more drilling, the masked man struck another nerve and, of course, I jumped like the weenie that I am. He said “whoa” and removed the drill, only to pick up a small sharpened probe and poke the uncovered nerve. Another, more serious, jump this time confirmed his suspicions that a second nerve occupied the “bad” tooth. At that point the lovely masked assistant handed him another syringe of Cobra venom and we waited some more.
By now my face was so numb a rat could chew it off and I wouldn’t feel a thing! A few more days of drilling and another 3 or 4 inches of excavation and we had arrived. He took a couple of X-rays along the way, packed the long root and smoothed it over. He told me it looked good and sent me on the way by telling me to be sure to call him at home if my face started swelling up.
I’m pretty sore today but my face looks like mine.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Merry Christmas 2006
Dear Friends & Family,
Each year I am amazed at how the past 12 months have flown by. It’s December already! Now, you know what that means!? Yes, the coveted, Christmas Letter. It’s the way to communicate, often because we didn’t communicate!
Debby & I celebrated our 35th Anniversary in January, rather quietly, with a few friends. She was very busy planning our 3-week trip to Europe! So following the intensive planning and creating an itinerary, we flew out of Portland just before school turned out. We met up with Ron & Nancy Pinkerton in NYC and shared a plane to Rome, Italy for 4 days in a
Villa. We visited many wonderful sights in Rome, Florence, Venice, Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirken (German Bavaria…you know, oom pah pah, lederhosen, Wiener Schnitzel, bratwurst, yodeling, etc.), Frankfurt, Darmstadt (where I spent 2 years in USAF), a quick day trip to Innsbruck, Austria, then a week i
n Paris with a visit to Normandy. Flying back from Paris, we stopped in NYC for 2 days to enjoy the sights, sounds and graffiti. You can read about it in my blogs.
My daughter, husband and the 3 are doing okay, although it’s been
hard for them. Our grand-daughter continues to run away, often gone weeks at a time before she is found and returned. No one seems to be able to “fix her”. Today she is home (I think). She is only 14. 
Our youngest grandson is 11 and is doing okay. He has been out of school so much this year that I’m thinking about giving him an application to work at Taco Bell !
Our heartbreak this year is worrying about Aaron, our oldest grandson (13). He was diagnosed with Leukemia this year and has been undergoing Chemo Therapy treatments. The treatments have been hard on him but he has a great attitude and stays positive. The treatments will last another 2 ½ years. Please keep him in your prayers.
Eric moved to Texas to work for Sherwin-Williams in an assistant manager training position. He has an apartment, car and freedom! Matt continues to work for Oklahoma Christian University; still travels a lot. He recently returned from a cruise with several friends and had a great time. He is also coming home for Christmas. The Lord willing, all of us will be together for Christmas this year.
Debby is sharing her First Grade teaching responsibilities at Columbia Christian School with her co-teacher, Ami. They each teach half a week. It’s a great working relationship and frees her up to do other interests. She loves Columbia Christian School and will have a hard time retiring
someday! She’s not ready yet, because she wants “Dawson” to be in her class! She flew back to the mid-west a couple of times this year to be with her Mom & Dad as they were going through some health issues. Debby & I enjoy traveling to various places and enjoying our “empty nest” time together.
I am still working for a Mechanical Contractor as Service Manager. I turned 60 this year and plan to retire in 2 more! Yea! I am still active and healthy. I enjoy the great outdoors and find time to do plenty of hiking and backpacking in this part of the country. We have lots of friends and are very busy with extended family and friends. Dawson, our grandson” (Ami’s) turned 2 this year! Whoa!! He’s BUSY! He’s also a wonderful blessing to us. They have 3 other boys.
We continue to be very active in church. As an elder, I am busy with more things than I can talk about. We have been having a Bible Study in our home. We facilitate a “Homebuilder’s” marriage class of 6 of the most amazing couples! We also host a wonderful “Care Group” of 12. We meet nearly every Sunday at noon. We all bring food and share together, family style. We
spend time writing encouragement cards to people who have expressed a need for prayers at church and for those going through family health struggles. Our “Fellowship Group” of 6 meets monthly, inviting 6 others each time to join us for dinner. Our “Leadership Group” of 24 (soon to be 26) meets monthly to fellowship and eat together. We are very encouraged! We both teach classes and serve at church in many ways. It’s all good! We have no family out here who wants to share in our life, so we supplement with those who do!
My backpacking venture on the Wonderland Trail around part of Mt. Rainier this summer was
the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken! (See my blog). I had a crew of 8 backpackers this year. We had a wonderful experience.
Natasha, a local college student has
“adopted” us and lives with us while going to school. She is a lot of fun and keeps us entertained. We have been chosen to be her guardians while she goes to Cascade College. We’re proud of her! She breaks up the silence when it gets too quiet around the house and we try to encourage her in her school work.
God has been gracious and we are filled with an abundance of His blessings. Even with all the “not so good” things that happen, we can always open our eyes and see “the blessing” that God gives us. We hope your hearts are also filled.
Dear Friends & Family,
Each year I am amazed at how the past 12 months have flown by. It’s December already! Now, you know what that means!? Yes, the coveted, Christmas Letter. It’s the way to communicate, often because we didn’t communicate!
Debby & I celebrated our 35th Anniversary in January, rather quietly, with a few friends. She was very busy planning our 3-week trip to Europe! So following the intensive planning and creating an itinerary, we flew out of Portland just before school turned out. We met up with Ron & Nancy Pinkerton in NYC and shared a plane to Rome, Italy for 4 days in a
Villa. We visited many wonderful sights in Rome, Florence, Venice, Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirken (German Bavaria…you know, oom pah pah, lederhosen, Wiener Schnitzel, bratwurst, yodeling, etc.), Frankfurt, Darmstadt (where I spent 2 years in USAF), a quick day trip to Innsbruck, Austria, then a week i
n Paris with a visit to Normandy. Flying back from Paris, we stopped in NYC for 2 days to enjoy the sights, sounds and graffiti. You can read about it in my blogs.My daughter, husband and the 3 are doing okay, although it’s been
hard for them. Our grand-daughter continues to run away, often gone weeks at a time before she is found and returned. No one seems to be able to “fix her”. Today she is home (I think). She is only 14. 
Our youngest grandson is 11 and is doing okay. He has been out of school so much this year that I’m thinking about giving him an application to work at Taco Bell !
Our heartbreak this year is worrying about Aaron, our oldest grandson (13). He was diagnosed with Leukemia this year and has been undergoing Chemo Therapy treatments. The treatments have been hard on him but he has a great attitude and stays positive. The treatments will last another 2 ½ years. Please keep him in your prayers.
Eric moved to Texas to work for Sherwin-Williams in an assistant manager training position. He has an apartment, car and freedom! Matt continues to work for Oklahoma Christian University; still travels a lot. He recently returned from a cruise with several friends and had a great time. He is also coming home for Christmas. The Lord willing, all of us will be together for Christmas this year.
Debby is sharing her First Grade teaching responsibilities at Columbia Christian School with her co-teacher, Ami. They each teach half a week. It’s a great working relationship and frees her up to do other interests. She loves Columbia Christian School and will have a hard time retiring
someday! She’s not ready yet, because she wants “Dawson” to be in her class! She flew back to the mid-west a couple of times this year to be with her Mom & Dad as they were going through some health issues. Debby & I enjoy traveling to various places and enjoying our “empty nest” time together.I am still working for a Mechanical Contractor as Service Manager. I turned 60 this year and plan to retire in 2 more! Yea! I am still active and healthy. I enjoy the great outdoors and find time to do plenty of hiking and backpacking in this part of the country. We have lots of friends and are very busy with extended family and friends. Dawson, our grandson” (Ami’s) turned 2 this year! Whoa!! He’s BUSY! He’s also a wonderful blessing to us. They have 3 other boys.
We continue to be very active in church. As an elder, I am busy with more things than I can talk about. We have been having a Bible Study in our home. We facilitate a “Homebuilder’s” marriage class of 6 of the most amazing couples! We also host a wonderful “Care Group” of 12. We meet nearly every Sunday at noon. We all bring food and share together, family style. We
spend time writing encouragement cards to people who have expressed a need for prayers at church and for those going through family health struggles. Our “Fellowship Group” of 6 meets monthly, inviting 6 others each time to join us for dinner. Our “Leadership Group” of 24 (soon to be 26) meets monthly to fellowship and eat together. We are very encouraged! We both teach classes and serve at church in many ways. It’s all good! We have no family out here who wants to share in our life, so we supplement with those who do! My backpacking venture on the Wonderland Trail around part of Mt. Rainier this summer was
the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken! (See my blog). I had a crew of 8 backpackers this year. We had a wonderful experience.Natasha, a local college student has
“adopted” us and lives with us while going to school. She is a lot of fun and keeps us entertained. We have been chosen to be her guardians while she goes to Cascade College. We’re proud of her! She breaks up the silence when it gets too quiet around the house and we try to encourage her in her school work.
God has been gracious and we are filled with an abundance of His blessings. Even with all the “not so good” things that happen, we can always open our eyes and see “the blessing” that God gives us. We hope your hearts are also filled.
May the Spirit of Christmas dwell in your hearts. May the gift of Blessings be yours in abundance. May God hold you in the palm of His hand, near His heart, as He cares for you and blesses your children.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Insect Repellant…
Growing up in NW Arkansas on a 360 Acre farm provided 5 kids with plenty of land to run around on. The Ozarks is an area of rolling hills, small mountains, lakes, streams, caves and cool stuff like wild Plums, Muskadine Grapes, Persimmons, and Hickory Nuts. We loved to explore the old abandoned homesteads, weathering farm implements, and natural cold springs while searching for animals, birds, reptiles and every sort of living creature we could find. As we grew older, it was common for us to hunt Squirrels and Rabbits and to have Mom cook them for our supper table, as we lived rather meager lives. We never had much money but we did raise most all our food supplies on that land.
The one thing I remember the most; the single most things that stand out in my mind were the biting insects; the Ticks and Chiggers. We hated those critters with a passion! The Seed Ticks were a serious infringement upon our comfort! It was very common to brush our leg against a single blade of grass and be set upon by a few hundred Seed Ticks in a bunch! The ticks would attach themselves together in a big ball and transfer themselves in unison from the grass to our leg as we brushed by. At that point, they would begin crawling in all directions to find themselves a place to dig in and start feeding!
Someone told us about a certain plant, a “magic weed” that grew on our property in a certain location that was great at repelling insects. Once we learned that, we would make that our first stop on the way to hunting or exploring. The plant was a certain style, one we could recognize if it was to grow anywhere else. But, it didn’t seem to grow anywhere else than down the hill from our house, next to the big Oak Tree, not far from the Barn.
We would pluck some of the leaves, crush them in our hands, and then rub that on our pants and all over us. We used to “test” the leaves by brushing against a glob of Seed Ticks and letting them get on our pants. They would immediately crawl off and drop off our pants very quickly. Large Ticks would do the same. With this “poultice” on us, we never concerned ourselves with Chiggers, as well. Chiggers are small, tiny pin-prick-size of a red colored critter that loved to suck blood like the ticks! These things were so tiny that you could barely see them if you had GOOD eyes! They lived in the grass and loved to bite. They would itch us like crazy!! So we were never able to lie around in the grass and relax, or wrestle with each other, or pick the sweet, juicy Blackberries without ending up with a few dozen itchy bumps.
Over the years I’ve often thought about that “magic weed” and how it was a naturally effective insect repellant. We have long since moved away from the old homestead. The new owner built a Turkey raising empire on the old place. Turkey’s tend to pick the vegetation clean, as so many are raised in such a small enclosure. I don’t know if they have picked the ground clean around that old Oak Tree, but I’m certain so much has changed with the land; trees have died off, new ones sprout up and take over in a few years and alter the land so much that this old guy would never be able to go back to find the “magic weed”. Perhaps a marketing fortune awaits a young entrepreneur who, someday, discovers the secret of the “magic weed”.
Growing up in NW Arkansas on a 360 Acre farm provided 5 kids with plenty of land to run around on. The Ozarks is an area of rolling hills, small mountains, lakes, streams, caves and cool stuff like wild Plums, Muskadine Grapes, Persimmons, and Hickory Nuts. We loved to explore the old abandoned homesteads, weathering farm implements, and natural cold springs while searching for animals, birds, reptiles and every sort of living creature we could find. As we grew older, it was common for us to hunt Squirrels and Rabbits and to have Mom cook them for our supper table, as we lived rather meager lives. We never had much money but we did raise most all our food supplies on that land.
The one thing I remember the most; the single most things that stand out in my mind were the biting insects; the Ticks and Chiggers. We hated those critters with a passion! The Seed Ticks were a serious infringement upon our comfort! It was very common to brush our leg against a single blade of grass and be set upon by a few hundred Seed Ticks in a bunch! The ticks would attach themselves together in a big ball and transfer themselves in unison from the grass to our leg as we brushed by. At that point, they would begin crawling in all directions to find themselves a place to dig in and start feeding!
Someone told us about a certain plant, a “magic weed” that grew on our property in a certain location that was great at repelling insects. Once we learned that, we would make that our first stop on the way to hunting or exploring. The plant was a certain style, one we could recognize if it was to grow anywhere else. But, it didn’t seem to grow anywhere else than down the hill from our house, next to the big Oak Tree, not far from the Barn.
We would pluck some of the leaves, crush them in our hands, and then rub that on our pants and all over us. We used to “test” the leaves by brushing against a glob of Seed Ticks and letting them get on our pants. They would immediately crawl off and drop off our pants very quickly. Large Ticks would do the same. With this “poultice” on us, we never concerned ourselves with Chiggers, as well. Chiggers are small, tiny pin-prick-size of a red colored critter that loved to suck blood like the ticks! These things were so tiny that you could barely see them if you had GOOD eyes! They lived in the grass and loved to bite. They would itch us like crazy!! So we were never able to lie around in the grass and relax, or wrestle with each other, or pick the sweet, juicy Blackberries without ending up with a few dozen itchy bumps.
Over the years I’ve often thought about that “magic weed” and how it was a naturally effective insect repellant. We have long since moved away from the old homestead. The new owner built a Turkey raising empire on the old place. Turkey’s tend to pick the vegetation clean, as so many are raised in such a small enclosure. I don’t know if they have picked the ground clean around that old Oak Tree, but I’m certain so much has changed with the land; trees have died off, new ones sprout up and take over in a few years and alter the land so much that this old guy would never be able to go back to find the “magic weed”. Perhaps a marketing fortune awaits a young entrepreneur who, someday, discovers the secret of the “magic weed”.
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