I learned something this weekend.
On Saturday, I was taking a desk apart and delivering the parts out to the trash for the garbagemen to pick up on Monday. In the process, I noticed that our neighbor across Ridge (the red brick house with the large hickory tree in front) was raking his yard and bagging it up. The first time I offered to help him rake and bag, he told me that he had it but thanks anyway. The second time, he took me up on the offer. I grabbed my rake and snow shovel (Snow shovels are great for picking up the rakings) and went to town. We worked hard for a couple of hours, bagging and shovelling. It was a blast. As we talked, he told me how much he appreciated this. I asked him if this wasn't the norm and he said that it wasn't. Most people wouldn't do that. I really didn't realize that.
I think more people need to crawl out of their comfort zone and do more for each other. I am sorry that, as a society, we have crawled into mini cocoons and fester there. There is a lot of hurt today and it can (often) be taken care of by personal interaction.
November 29, 2004
November 28, 2004
Deep Thought
If a racial slur (fill in the blank as there is no need to use examples) is now racist to use, was it always racist? Or was it, at one time, just insensitive to use but not racist?
My outlook on it is that any racist slur/epithet is/was/always will be racist. But I have met people who feel that, at a previous time, the same slurs were just insensitive but didn't indicate racism. I have to be honest in saying that I don't understand this line of thinking. Despite the popularity of those words, racism is/was racism.
My outlook on it is that any racist slur/epithet is/was/always will be racist. But I have met people who feel that, at a previous time, the same slurs were just insensitive but didn't indicate racism. I have to be honest in saying that I don't understand this line of thinking. Despite the popularity of those words, racism is/was racism.
Random Thought
At one of my places of employment, I have heard various descriptions of people that have worked there previously. I was told of one civilian lady who was heavily into Civil War memorabilia. Another description was of a boss who was kind of dingy and would climb through ceilings (in a skirt) to get into locked rooms.
All of which brings me to this thought: I have wondered what people will describe me as when I do one of the following: a. Move the family to either Washington or Maine.
b. Die
c. Get a job somewhere else.
All of which brings me to this thought: I have wondered what people will describe me as when I do one of the following: a. Move the family to either Washington or Maine.
b. Die
c. Get a job somewhere else.
Church
It rained all night (very hard) which kept me up most of the night. So I didn't know if I could make it to church today (as I haven't made a full service in 3 years). Both girls were sick, so Cindy and I went alone. I still nodded off several times, but I made it through the service. I was so proud of myself that I had a donut in celebration (not too bright for being a diabetic, eh?). But it is still cause for happiness. Now if I could just continue. Week by week, that is how I will take it.
November 26, 2004
Random Thoughts
Our family is known for random and unusual thoughts that we may toss in from time to time. Please feel free to answer as we appreciate everyone's outlook:
RANDOM THOUGHT
If someone dies from your family that you don't really know and haven't seen in years, are you obligated to go to the funeral?
RANDOM THOUGHT
If someone dies from your family that you don't really know and haven't seen in years, are you obligated to go to the funeral?
November 25, 2004
Thanksgiving Day
I am thankful that we are able to share the love that we have with people who love us.
In 2002, we shared Thanksgiving with Cindy's sister Julie and my cousin Bob Shutt and his family. It was a very fun loving time that we had that year. Bob and his family came over from Fort Wayne IN and Julie came from Norwich CT. We borrowed a neighbor's picnic table (our dining table was too small) and had an absolutely wonderful time. I could almost say that it was like Norman Rockwell-like, even though we added our own touches to it.
I remember the Thanksgiving dinners I had the honor of going to when I was MUCH younger. The crush of people, the way that it would rotate between houses (I am sure my parents hosted one once, but I am not entirely sure)., and seeing my cousins (most of whom I have lost contact with, unfortunately). Just like on TV and the movies, I remember all the men gathered around the TV watching some football game (I still don't understand that one. But I have no interest in televised sports).
In almost 19 years of marriage, we have only had three or four times where we spent any holiday with family, on any side. At times, I would say that it is sad. I love my family (both my biological family and my in-laws). But we have drifted apart in many ways. I am now re-learning my father, who I have always loved with all my being, regardless of anything that has happened. I have maintained contact with my mother, but am still trying to get to know her even though we have maintained contact. The rest of the family I love dearly, but have come to realize that I don't really know. That is what time does, makes the mind grow absent. At other times, I know that I have done the best for our children. We have given them good memories of their own and that is the best thing that we could do. I am PROUD that they have had the holidays that they have had.
I say it again. I am very thankful for the loving family that I have lived with and shared 18 years with (even though Cindy would be quick to point out that it has been OVER, yes she would emphasize that, bless her heart, OVER 18 years). Not many people have been so blessed. We have had a heckuva ride on the roller coaster called life, but it has been worth it.
We were invited over for dinner to Pam & Ken Wohltmann's house for dinner. Cindy met them at First Baptist Church, Lansdale. Very nice couple. He slept a lot and she is just silly. But it was a good time. Cindy and Natalie and the Wohltmann's played Pig (not to be confused with the basketball game of the same name). Meredith and I watched several episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. Our family enjoys that show because it reminds of my family (my father is Peter Boyle, only with a LOT more love and compassion).
In 2002, we shared Thanksgiving with Cindy's sister Julie and my cousin Bob Shutt and his family. It was a very fun loving time that we had that year. Bob and his family came over from Fort Wayne IN and Julie came from Norwich CT. We borrowed a neighbor's picnic table (our dining table was too small) and had an absolutely wonderful time. I could almost say that it was like Norman Rockwell-like, even though we added our own touches to it.
I remember the Thanksgiving dinners I had the honor of going to when I was MUCH younger. The crush of people, the way that it would rotate between houses (I am sure my parents hosted one once, but I am not entirely sure)., and seeing my cousins (most of whom I have lost contact with, unfortunately). Just like on TV and the movies, I remember all the men gathered around the TV watching some football game (I still don't understand that one. But I have no interest in televised sports).
In almost 19 years of marriage, we have only had three or four times where we spent any holiday with family, on any side. At times, I would say that it is sad. I love my family (both my biological family and my in-laws). But we have drifted apart in many ways. I am now re-learning my father, who I have always loved with all my being, regardless of anything that has happened. I have maintained contact with my mother, but am still trying to get to know her even though we have maintained contact. The rest of the family I love dearly, but have come to realize that I don't really know. That is what time does, makes the mind grow absent. At other times, I know that I have done the best for our children. We have given them good memories of their own and that is the best thing that we could do. I am PROUD that they have had the holidays that they have had.
I say it again. I am very thankful for the loving family that I have lived with and shared 18 years with (even though Cindy would be quick to point out that it has been OVER, yes she would emphasize that, bless her heart, OVER 18 years). Not many people have been so blessed. We have had a heckuva ride on the roller coaster called life, but it has been worth it.
We were invited over for dinner to Pam & Ken Wohltmann's house for dinner. Cindy met them at First Baptist Church, Lansdale. Very nice couple. He slept a lot and she is just silly. But it was a good time. Cindy and Natalie and the Wohltmann's played Pig (not to be confused with the basketball game of the same name). Meredith and I watched several episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. Our family enjoys that show because it reminds of my family (my father is Peter Boyle, only with a LOT more love and compassion).
November 24, 2004
Just Another Day
I had a wonderful talk with my father today. I have learned so much about him lately. I don't know if I have missed this side all these years, he is getting older and changing, I am getting older and changing, or what is going on. He sends me all these whacked out websites about cockroaches and Space Elevators and things like that. Of course, I have returned the favor with a Burnt Food Museum and a Twinkie test site. I finally feel closer to him than I EVER have.
I had an especially good time with Natalie today. I took off of work early so that we could correct a problem that she had. Then we went shopping in the new Asian food store (Assi International Food). After watching Super Size Me with Morgan Spurlock, it has been determined that our family will no longer eat at McDonald's (if only because of the French Fries that never mold). Cindy and I are also hooked on the shows Dead Like Me and Arrested Development.
I had an especially good time with Natalie today. I took off of work early so that we could correct a problem that she had. Then we went shopping in the new Asian food store (Assi International Food). After watching Super Size Me with Morgan Spurlock, it has been determined that our family will no longer eat at McDonald's (if only because of the French Fries that never mold). Cindy and I are also hooked on the shows Dead Like Me and Arrested Development.
November 23, 2004
Our First Blog
I have decided to take our family into blogging. This will basically be an online diary, so that we can share ourselves with other family members and they can share their thoughts with us. This is quite daring, since it leaves us vulnerable to other family members. But, since you are ALWAYS vulnerable 100% of the time, it really doesn't matter. We are learning how important family really is.
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