Friday, November 19, 2010
Welcome to our world, Baby Boy!
Welcome, Ranger! You have finally arrived and life will never be the same for this crazy bunch of people who will collectively be known to you as your family. You came through a little rough patch getting here, but now you're all settled in, snuggled between two warm little gel packs in a heated crib in the NICU, sucking down the FOTG, i.e., your mother's breast milk. That prick on your foot when the nurse checked your blood glucose made you squinch up that sweet little face and howl bloody murder. Sweet one, I hope that is the worst pain you ever feel. All your relatives are eager to meet you, but let me prepare you a little for just a few of the people who will be important characters in your life story.
First of all, that wonderful vehicle you sloshed around in for nine months that provided everything you needed, sacrificed pain relief and an occasional glass of wine to make sure you didn't get anything yucky in your system that you didn't need? That was Mommy. You can do no wrong in Mommy's eyes- I mean absolutely none. You must always be perfectly honest and open with her. This is the person whose eyes will fill with tears more times than she ever thought possible, at just the thought of harm coming to you. You will never know how much power you have over her. There's a wise saying, "With great power comes great responsibility." Take heed, little man.
Then there is the other major player in your life: your dad. He will be the best dad ever. Unlike a lot of other dads, this one is still a little boy at heart. There are so many fun things he can show you. Wading in streams, climbing trees, playing games, taking care of animals, and loving the outdoors. He will be tempted to go to great lengths to give you anything you could possible want, but money can't buy the gifts he has in store for you. He has a huge, kind heart and a great sense of justice. He will protect you from the big, scary world until you are able to manage it for yourself. Lucky you!
I can't wait for you to get to know Grandma Rosie. She's the one for stories, poems, tickles, hugs, and popcorn. Wait til you hear "Little Orphant Annie." I'll warn you in advance: it's kind of scary! But in a good way. If you ever want to know how Grandma feels about something, just wait - she'll let you know without having to ask. She will also let you know how much she loves you. You'll be her favorite grandson named Ranger!
And Uncle Curt! What a cool uncle. You can believe anything Uncle Curt ever tells you. He will be your source for comic books and videos. He will give you good advice. He will play with you for as long as you want him to; he will swing you around and around, let you "beat" him in wrestling, and he will always be there for you. I think the two of you will be good playmates.
And I want you to know and love me. I don't know what you'll call me, but whatever it is, I'll come running when I hear it. You are so much like two other sweet little baby boys that I used to know, but I know that you are a new person, with a new spirit - a precious unique gift from God.
Welcome home, Ranger. We thought you'd never get here.
First of all, that wonderful vehicle you sloshed around in for nine months that provided everything you needed, sacrificed pain relief and an occasional glass of wine to make sure you didn't get anything yucky in your system that you didn't need? That was Mommy. You can do no wrong in Mommy's eyes- I mean absolutely none. You must always be perfectly honest and open with her. This is the person whose eyes will fill with tears more times than she ever thought possible, at just the thought of harm coming to you. You will never know how much power you have over her. There's a wise saying, "With great power comes great responsibility." Take heed, little man.
Then there is the other major player in your life: your dad. He will be the best dad ever. Unlike a lot of other dads, this one is still a little boy at heart. There are so many fun things he can show you. Wading in streams, climbing trees, playing games, taking care of animals, and loving the outdoors. He will be tempted to go to great lengths to give you anything you could possible want, but money can't buy the gifts he has in store for you. He has a huge, kind heart and a great sense of justice. He will protect you from the big, scary world until you are able to manage it for yourself. Lucky you!
I can't wait for you to get to know Grandma Rosie. She's the one for stories, poems, tickles, hugs, and popcorn. Wait til you hear "Little Orphant Annie." I'll warn you in advance: it's kind of scary! But in a good way. If you ever want to know how Grandma feels about something, just wait - she'll let you know without having to ask. She will also let you know how much she loves you. You'll be her favorite grandson named Ranger!
And Uncle Curt! What a cool uncle. You can believe anything Uncle Curt ever tells you. He will be your source for comic books and videos. He will give you good advice. He will play with you for as long as you want him to; he will swing you around and around, let you "beat" him in wrestling, and he will always be there for you. I think the two of you will be good playmates.
And I want you to know and love me. I don't know what you'll call me, but whatever it is, I'll come running when I hear it. You are so much like two other sweet little baby boys that I used to know, but I know that you are a new person, with a new spirit - a precious unique gift from God.
Welcome home, Ranger. We thought you'd never get here.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Hurrah, it's 2009!
Wait! Are you telling me that I am a year behind? What happened? It seems like I was just getting used to being in the 21st century, never mind a whole decade in.
It took me so long to get used to the 60's that I still want to use those numbers! Of course, the 50's comprised my whole life at that time, so it was a lot tougher to let go. The 70's were just surreal. I thought they were temporary; I didn't know that that was how things worked - change, constant change! And the 80's. I liked that decade. I thought I looked really cute in those shoulder pads and curly hair. Who made the decision that we were a little over the top? Not me, I can assure you. The 90's slipped up on me - a new life experience, growth ( me AND my children) that I kicked and screamed my way through. 2000: it's hard to believe that we were so absorbed in the changing of the century. What a marketing coup for the bottled water and battery people! The 2000's have only been a minor part of my life - what, 15% or so? The more years I have under my belt, the shorter they are, as a percentage of my life. No wonder they are flying by. I regret that I never mastered the pogo stick or the accordion. Is it too late?
I wonder how we'll refer to our new year. We now say oh-nine. I have heard some people say oh-ten; but that doesn't seem right for some reason. Maybe twenty-ten? Do you think the people of 1910 had this problem? Or were they too busy worrying about war, economics, families, disease, and spiritual matters? Hmm, we always need a backup worry, don't we? In the event that all our real problems get taken care of?
Here's hoping that your New Year finds you with nothing to worry about except what to call it!
It took me so long to get used to the 60's that I still want to use those numbers! Of course, the 50's comprised my whole life at that time, so it was a lot tougher to let go. The 70's were just surreal. I thought they were temporary; I didn't know that that was how things worked - change, constant change! And the 80's. I liked that decade. I thought I looked really cute in those shoulder pads and curly hair. Who made the decision that we were a little over the top? Not me, I can assure you. The 90's slipped up on me - a new life experience, growth ( me AND my children) that I kicked and screamed my way through. 2000: it's hard to believe that we were so absorbed in the changing of the century. What a marketing coup for the bottled water and battery people! The 2000's have only been a minor part of my life - what, 15% or so? The more years I have under my belt, the shorter they are, as a percentage of my life. No wonder they are flying by. I regret that I never mastered the pogo stick or the accordion. Is it too late?
I wonder how we'll refer to our new year. We now say oh-nine. I have heard some people say oh-ten; but that doesn't seem right for some reason. Maybe twenty-ten? Do you think the people of 1910 had this problem? Or were they too busy worrying about war, economics, families, disease, and spiritual matters? Hmm, we always need a backup worry, don't we? In the event that all our real problems get taken care of?
Here's hoping that your New Year finds you with nothing to worry about except what to call it!
Friday, February 27, 2009
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.....
Can I consider myself a regular blogger if I only blog every 2 years? How the time has flown! Maybe it's just that an election year ignites a special kind of fire in me that must be expressed in sharing my somewhat screwy opinion. Since my last post I have survived state and national elections, and here I am, about to wallow in the discomfort of municipal elections. What a country.
These municipal elections are the hardest to endure. Unless your mayor or alderman is an out and out cad, you can probably stand him for one more term. But there is almost always someone who can do a better job. Sometimes we're put in the same position as the designee in a durable power of attorney: it's up to us to pull the plug. Regardless of what some elected officials believe, their positions are not entitlements. Don't ask us to vote for you because you need to support your family, or because you need the health insurance, or for any other reason except that you will do a better job than any of the other candidates. For a political challenger, there is nothing harder to overcome than incumbency. What does that say about us as voters? "Better the devil we know than the devil we don't know"? The problem is that not many smart, capable people are willing to hang themselves on the cross of public examination.
You'd think that the dearth of candidates would make the decisions easier, but that hasn't been my experience. One way that the powers that be have tried to "help" us decide who to vote for is the bipartisan election. Do you want a Democrat or a Republican to fix your bridge? I'm sorry, but I could care less about the political affiliation of my local office holders. One sure way to get on my wrong side is to try to ride on a national politician's coattails. How much money are we wasting on party primaries? We live in a well-funded county, but waste is waste. If every single person in our town is well provided for (they're not), let's help out the hungry people in the next town.
A sad truth about these elections is that we don't really study the issues enough to make an informed opinion. As long as we're sailing along in a comfortable boat, let things stay the same. Let a few waves crash over the side, and we're looking for a new hand at the tiller. Never mind that there is a huge hole in the floor of the boat, plugged with bubble gum and newspaper. Or that the boat has only sailed a few feet from the shore. Okay, that's enough of the boat metaphor.
Here's what I want to know: are all the citizens getting a fair shake? Or are some groups getting preferred treatment? I mean all citizens, not just the ones who supported the winner in the last election. Is business being conducted fairly? Are jobs put up for open bid? Or do you have to know someone to get a job? Are all the branches (even a town has those 3 divisions: executive, legislative, judicial) relatively independent? I won't even pretend to know the right answers, and I am not here to endorse anyone or promote an agenda.
The deadline for filing for candidacy is drawing near. I hope all the positions have at least 10 candidates and I can't wait to see whose hats end up in the ring.
These municipal elections are the hardest to endure. Unless your mayor or alderman is an out and out cad, you can probably stand him for one more term. But there is almost always someone who can do a better job. Sometimes we're put in the same position as the designee in a durable power of attorney: it's up to us to pull the plug. Regardless of what some elected officials believe, their positions are not entitlements. Don't ask us to vote for you because you need to support your family, or because you need the health insurance, or for any other reason except that you will do a better job than any of the other candidates. For a political challenger, there is nothing harder to overcome than incumbency. What does that say about us as voters? "Better the devil we know than the devil we don't know"? The problem is that not many smart, capable people are willing to hang themselves on the cross of public examination.
You'd think that the dearth of candidates would make the decisions easier, but that hasn't been my experience. One way that the powers that be have tried to "help" us decide who to vote for is the bipartisan election. Do you want a Democrat or a Republican to fix your bridge? I'm sorry, but I could care less about the political affiliation of my local office holders. One sure way to get on my wrong side is to try to ride on a national politician's coattails. How much money are we wasting on party primaries? We live in a well-funded county, but waste is waste. If every single person in our town is well provided for (they're not), let's help out the hungry people in the next town.
A sad truth about these elections is that we don't really study the issues enough to make an informed opinion. As long as we're sailing along in a comfortable boat, let things stay the same. Let a few waves crash over the side, and we're looking for a new hand at the tiller. Never mind that there is a huge hole in the floor of the boat, plugged with bubble gum and newspaper. Or that the boat has only sailed a few feet from the shore. Okay, that's enough of the boat metaphor.
Here's what I want to know: are all the citizens getting a fair shake? Or are some groups getting preferred treatment? I mean all citizens, not just the ones who supported the winner in the last election. Is business being conducted fairly? Are jobs put up for open bid? Or do you have to know someone to get a job? Are all the branches (even a town has those 3 divisions: executive, legislative, judicial) relatively independent? I won't even pretend to know the right answers, and I am not here to endorse anyone or promote an agenda.
The deadline for filing for candidacy is drawing near. I hope all the positions have at least 10 candidates and I can't wait to see whose hats end up in the ring.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Getting Started
How wise am I to post my private and public thoughts here? Probably not very. However, here I am.
January, in a state election year in Mississippi, and locally, in DeSoto County. What a strange place in time. We will begin seeing all kinds of initiatives and photo ops from all the elected officials, reminding us of how important they are, and how important the work is that they do. Keep in mind, dear reader, that most of the time we want them out of sight as well as out of mind. But now we will see pictures of them in all the local papers (and we have 4) as they hand out (our) money to communities and non-profits, conveniently in the presence of photograpers (what a coincidence!) They will begin to remind us of how they are ALWAYS there for us, and that they wish more than anything that we would all call or write them if we have ANY questions or concerns that they might address. They are TOO good to us. They will begin to question, very seriously, all expenses that might cause our taxes to be raised, because, more than anything, they want to save us from being subjected to HIGH taxes. It is our God-given right to have every amenity at lowest possible cost to ourselves.
Yes, you probably detect a hint of sour grapes, since I was an unsuccessful (read LOSER) candidate in the last election. But I have been reformed, re-born, if you will, and now realize that aspiration for political life is a disease, a drug that some folks get hold of and just can't get out of their systems. They will do anything to get it, from lying to changing parties. ( Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to see the light!! )
Let's watch the news and see if any new contenders arise.
January, in a state election year in Mississippi, and locally, in DeSoto County. What a strange place in time. We will begin seeing all kinds of initiatives and photo ops from all the elected officials, reminding us of how important they are, and how important the work is that they do. Keep in mind, dear reader, that most of the time we want them out of sight as well as out of mind. But now we will see pictures of them in all the local papers (and we have 4) as they hand out (our) money to communities and non-profits, conveniently in the presence of photograpers (what a coincidence!) They will begin to remind us of how they are ALWAYS there for us, and that they wish more than anything that we would all call or write them if we have ANY questions or concerns that they might address. They are TOO good to us. They will begin to question, very seriously, all expenses that might cause our taxes to be raised, because, more than anything, they want to save us from being subjected to HIGH taxes. It is our God-given right to have every amenity at lowest possible cost to ourselves.
Yes, you probably detect a hint of sour grapes, since I was an unsuccessful (read LOSER) candidate in the last election. But I have been reformed, re-born, if you will, and now realize that aspiration for political life is a disease, a drug that some folks get hold of and just can't get out of their systems. They will do anything to get it, from lying to changing parties. ( Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to see the light!! )
Let's watch the news and see if any new contenders arise.
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