Trying to get back in the groove.
Lynn's Wednesday What:
1. WHAT IN THE WORLD of candy-bars .... is your all-time favorite?
Three Musketeers...no...Milky Way dark...yum
2. WHAT IN THE WORLD of collecting do you collect?
I collect Angels (Collection started in 1969, I have over 100) and lighthouse pictures and statues and *big blush* Beanie Babies, but only the bears anymore...well, bears and frogs. Love those frogs.
3. WHAT IN THE WORLD of life's little pleasures (key word: little) do you enjoy most?
Sharing a meal with family. Better yet if it is out-of-doors.
Cerebral Palsy Association donation information is on this page.
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
Thank you, Mike Sanders. Thank you not only for what you posted today, but for the example you have set through your blog and the help you have given through your email.
Monday, July 29, 2002
Can't forget the Monday Mission...just because I don't know what day it is yet!!
PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.30
1. What is your favorite snack food? Does anyone you know have weird tastes in snacks?
Candy bar. My mother drinks hot water. Just plain hot water.
2. Ever caught yourself saying "well it can't get any worse" and it does? What's the story there? I try to NEVER say "well it can't get any worse" anymore.
3. I have a super-short attention span, and it always was my downfall in school, especially math class. What's your attention span like and how has it served you? Too good of an attention span, people can talk to me but if I'm focused on something else I won't even hear them. I also pay attention to what people say...most people would prefer that you didn't. *grin*
4. Do you believe in the existence of extra-terrestrials? Yes. I know Jeeeem.
5. What do you think of the whole "crop circles" phenomenon? Don't know enough to have an opinion, but I don't think I'm going to see Signs
6. Ever had a time where you begin visiting with someone you don't know all that well and just find you "click" like long lost pals? Tell me about how that came to happen, and who was it? What kind of things do you have in common? That happens quite often. Best time was my buddy David. We like the same things: computers, Out West, photography, and taking chances. Oh wait. He takes chances. I like hearing about them.
7. When I was at the cemetery a few weeks ago, I began to recall my Dad's funeral so many years ago. It is so vivid, sitting there in the family room as his friends passed by and paid their respects, the music, his face, the tears. What funeral do you remember most vividly?
Dad's. The minister knew Dad well, knew the family, so it was just totally tailored and totally perfect. It was a big enough funeral to need a police escort to the cemetery...Dad would have gotten akick out of that, cause he always liked processions. And I thought it was pretty cool for a "family man". That night, we were playing the balloon bat game, and it thundered and lighteninged in the middle of a snow storm. Dad must have been playing with the weather machine.
PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.30
1. What is your favorite snack food? Does anyone you know have weird tastes in snacks?
Candy bar. My mother drinks hot water. Just plain hot water.
2. Ever caught yourself saying "well it can't get any worse" and it does? What's the story there? I try to NEVER say "well it can't get any worse" anymore.
3. I have a super-short attention span, and it always was my downfall in school, especially math class. What's your attention span like and how has it served you? Too good of an attention span, people can talk to me but if I'm focused on something else I won't even hear them. I also pay attention to what people say...most people would prefer that you didn't. *grin*
4. Do you believe in the existence of extra-terrestrials? Yes. I know Jeeeem.
5. What do you think of the whole "crop circles" phenomenon? Don't know enough to have an opinion, but I don't think I'm going to see Signs
6. Ever had a time where you begin visiting with someone you don't know all that well and just find you "click" like long lost pals? Tell me about how that came to happen, and who was it? What kind of things do you have in common? That happens quite often. Best time was my buddy David. We like the same things: computers, Out West, photography, and taking chances. Oh wait. He takes chances. I like hearing about them.
7. When I was at the cemetery a few weeks ago, I began to recall my Dad's funeral so many years ago. It is so vivid, sitting there in the family room as his friends passed by and paid their respects, the music, his face, the tears. What funeral do you remember most vividly?
Dad's. The minister knew Dad well, knew the family, so it was just totally tailored and totally perfect. It was a big enough funeral to need a police escort to the cemetery...Dad would have gotten akick out of that, cause he always liked processions. And I thought it was pretty cool for a "family man". That night, we were playing the balloon bat game, and it thundered and lighteninged in the middle of a snow storm. Dad must have been playing with the weather machine.
Good morning!
Well, Blogathon 2002 is over, and what an adventure. I crashed immediately after the last post, thinking I had set my alarm for 11:30 a.m. I was supposed to follow my mom over to a cousin's going-away party at 12:30 p.m.
Oops. Forgot to set the alarm.
Big Oops. 12:30 p.m. I could hear a little voice calling "Shirl" from the sidewalk three floors below. By the time I roused myself, Mom was knocking on my apartment door. Dang! I'd made her walk up three flights of steps. So I gave her my no-bake cookies and sent her on her way, thinking I would go back to sleep. Then I remembered the directions from the 'thon....try to get back on a normal schedule as soon as possible. So I showered and went over to the picnic, had a good time, came home, did laundry, and THEN fell asleep. No "Sunday Night Insomnia" this week.
A round up of thank you's:
Lynn. Thank you for leading the way last year and for cheering me on this year.
Meryl. Thanks for the traffic! and the sponsorship and the kind words.
Eve Smith: Thank you for your sponsorship and for your presence. I checked my stats every few hours: thank you!
Wendy: Thanks for the sponsorship! And thanks for having a site that was mind challenging: you had to do a lot of running to keep those challenges coming. Your tribute to your uncle was wonderful.
Susan and Kathryn: Thank you for stopping by! And a thanks to all the others who stopped by.
And last, but NEVER least...thanks, BooBoo and crew, for stopping by with the Tupperware at just the right moment! That group hug, when I was so sweaty and stinky was perfection!
Y'all have a good day now! See ya.
Well, Blogathon 2002 is over, and what an adventure. I crashed immediately after the last post, thinking I had set my alarm for 11:30 a.m. I was supposed to follow my mom over to a cousin's going-away party at 12:30 p.m.
Oops. Forgot to set the alarm.
Big Oops. 12:30 p.m. I could hear a little voice calling "Shirl" from the sidewalk three floors below. By the time I roused myself, Mom was knocking on my apartment door. Dang! I'd made her walk up three flights of steps. So I gave her my no-bake cookies and sent her on her way, thinking I would go back to sleep. Then I remembered the directions from the 'thon....try to get back on a normal schedule as soon as possible. So I showered and went over to the picnic, had a good time, came home, did laundry, and THEN fell asleep. No "Sunday Night Insomnia" this week.
A round up of thank you's:
Lynn. Thank you for leading the way last year and for cheering me on this year.
Meryl. Thanks for the traffic! and the sponsorship and the kind words.
Eve Smith: Thank you for your sponsorship and for your presence. I checked my stats every few hours: thank you!
Wendy: Thanks for the sponsorship! And thanks for having a site that was mind challenging: you had to do a lot of running to keep those challenges coming. Your tribute to your uncle was wonderful.
Susan and Kathryn: Thank you for stopping by! And a thanks to all the others who stopped by.
And last, but NEVER least...thanks, BooBoo and crew, for stopping by with the Tupperware at just the right moment! That group hug, when I was so sweaty and stinky was perfection!
Y'all have a good day now! See ya.
Sunday, July 28, 2002
Okay. I'm old, kiddies. (Hey, I might be the oldest blogathoner!!) And I'm pooped. So...can I call it a 24 hours? Pretty pretty pretty please? Alarm is going off for the 9:00 posting. Yep. It's close enough!
See ya next year!
See ya next year!
And the last piece of what I was looking for fell into place a couple weeks ago, when I was emailing with Jeeem and he commented on how some people like to push the envelope, and occasionally the envelope pushes back. Well, that was J.R. to a tee. He had pushed the envelope and accomplished so very much.
I realized that there was a lot to share by switching my focus to J.R.'s life and times, not his end. So I signed up for the Blogathon, and made a list of headings of the "such good times" we had had.
I checked out the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Part of their goals are to:
For 50 years, UCP (a.k.a. United Cerebral Palsy) has been committed to change and progress for persons with disabilities. The national organization and its nationwide network of 111 affiliates in 39 states strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society - from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP's mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, through our commitment to the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination.
I checked out the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Part of their goals are to:
For 50 years, UCP (a.k.a. United Cerebral Palsy) has been committed to change and progress for persons with disabilities. The national organization and its nationwide network of 111 affiliates in 39 states strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society - from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP's mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, through our commitment to the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination.
Because this is the new millenium, here is where the story brings in the internet. I put up a home page in '98 and began surfing other home pages. The triumphs and sorrows I read there worked as a great big support group. When I switched to blogs in '01 the stories became even more personal and more moving.
And then, for the last year, I've been thinking about the blogathon and what I could do (and could I stay up 24 hours...I even did a practice run this spring, hehe.)
And then, for the last year, I've been thinking about the blogathon and what I could do (and could I stay up 24 hours...I even did a practice run this spring, hehe.)
Now because this is real-life, and not a movie, there is a sad twist to J.R.'s story. This part does not in any way pertain to cerebral palsy, not at all. But in December of 1988, there was an accident, and J.R. was dead.
And because it was an accident, and accidents by their nature create "if onlys" and "whys" and "maybes" that cannot be acted upon, the pain of loss was trebled. Throughout the 90's I coasted on my feelings about losing J.R., thankful for the nieces and nephew we still had to love.
And because it was an accident, and accidents by their nature create "if onlys" and "whys" and "maybes" that cannot be acted upon, the pain of loss was trebled. Throughout the 90's I coasted on my feelings about losing J.R., thankful for the nieces and nephew we still had to love.
Back up one more time.
The Next Brother Story.
Our Next Brother moved up north in the late 70's. On his first date with his now wife he beaned her with a softball. (Very accidentally of course.) Gentleman that he is, he waited at the hospital with her mother. Her mother was a strong advocate for Downs Syndrome, as one of her children had that condition. Next Brother told her about J.R. "Why, I've met him," she said, "at such and such conference".
We think that fact may have saved Next Brother's hide.
The Next Brother Story.
Our Next Brother moved up north in the late 70's. On his first date with his now wife he beaned her with a softball. (Very accidentally of course.) Gentleman that he is, he waited at the hospital with her mother. Her mother was a strong advocate for Downs Syndrome, as one of her children had that condition. Next Brother told her about J.R. "Why, I've met him," she said, "at such and such conference".
We think that fact may have saved Next Brother's hide.
1985...J.R. gets his boy.
J.J. is added to J.R.'s family. And this puts an end to the "I didn't know I could" line. You never know what's possible until you try.
J.J. is added to J.R.'s family. And this puts an end to the "I didn't know I could" line. You never know what's possible until you try.
Kid Number Two in 1982.
J.R. and wife have child #2, another girl named Kea. Kea looks like our side of the family, and her personality is more like mine: broody and a bit standoffish until she scopes out the situation.
Interesting tidbit to her birth: You can call things into Tiger Baseball Radio games and they'll announce them: things like births and marriages and stuff like that. My other brothers and sister were up-north when Kea made her first appearance, but they heard about it anyway...on the radio! Yay Ernie Harwell!
And yay, Wendy! Thanks for the sponsorship!
J.R. and wife have child #2, another girl named Kea. Kea looks like our side of the family, and her personality is more like mine: broody and a bit standoffish until she scopes out the situation.
Interesting tidbit to her birth: You can call things into Tiger Baseball Radio games and they'll announce them: things like births and marriages and stuff like that. My other brothers and sister were up-north when Kea made her first appearance, but they heard about it anyway...on the radio! Yay Ernie Harwell!
And yay, Wendy! Thanks for the sponsorship!
Okay, we've had a page turn. In the process, three make that six posts have somehow gone missing, but I expect they'll sheepishly show up in a couple of hours. They were about 1978 through going to University of Michigan, so if you see them wandering around, just shoo them back home.
Because we've turned the page, let me restate:
Hi. My name is Shirl (the Pearl) and I'm a blogger.
What I also am, I have found, is this...I am the sister of a handicapper brother. That is the circumstance of my life that has affected me the most, that informs my decision-making process. And so it seemed appropriate that I choose the United Cerebral Palsy Association as my charity for Blogathon, and that I spend these twenty-four hours blogging about my brother, J.R. (Yes, those are his initials and they were his WAY before Larry Hagman made them famous *grin*.)
And you can still sponsor me here.
We had big storms in our area earlier, but the sky is clearing now, and I can see a few stars. The storm helped drop the temperature too...a mild 70 now.
And we're truly coming into the homestretch now. A big thank you to Cat and her team for a marvelous experience!
Because we've turned the page, let me restate:
Hi. My name is Shirl (the Pearl) and I'm a blogger.
What I also am, I have found, is this...I am the sister of a handicapper brother. That is the circumstance of my life that has affected me the most, that informs my decision-making process. And so it seemed appropriate that I choose the United Cerebral Palsy Association as my charity for Blogathon, and that I spend these twenty-four hours blogging about my brother, J.R. (Yes, those are his initials and they were his WAY before Larry Hagman made them famous *grin*.)
And you can still sponsor me here.
We had big storms in our area earlier, but the sky is clearing now, and I can see a few stars. The storm helped drop the temperature too...a mild 70 now.
And we're truly coming into the homestretch now. A big thank you to Cat and her team for a marvelous experience!
January 30, 1982.
Dad died today. It was the usual thing: shoveling, coming inside, not feeling well, the rush to the hospital. But a massive myocardial infarction had stopped that big heart, at the age of 56.
So many of the handicapper dads that we knew died in their fifties. Probably it was just a coincidence: that, and the fact that most of them did smoke. But we knew more handicapper Moms than Dads. The Dads tended to split rather than face a "different" reality.
My dad was a true family man. And the sweetest memory of that sad time was little Eva putting her boots on her hands and walking around among all the grown-ups saying..."be funny"
Yay Meryl! She has passed the $3000 mark. What a woman! Be sure to check her out.
Dad died today. It was the usual thing: shoveling, coming inside, not feeling well, the rush to the hospital. But a massive myocardial infarction had stopped that big heart, at the age of 56.
So many of the handicapper dads that we knew died in their fifties. Probably it was just a coincidence: that, and the fact that most of them did smoke. But we knew more handicapper Moms than Dads. The Dads tended to split rather than face a "different" reality.
My dad was a true family man. And the sweetest memory of that sad time was little Eva putting her boots on her hands and walking around among all the grown-ups saying..."be funny"
Yay Meryl! She has passed the $3000 mark. What a woman! Be sure to check her out.
Oops. Have to stay focused on cookies. Mind will not do divergent things.
Cookies are the old stand-by No-Bakes.
2 c. sugar
1 stick oleo or butter
3 T. cocoa
and something else. Oh yeah. 1/2 cup milk.
Stick them all in a 2 qt pan. Put pan on stove. Cook at med temp until boils. When hard boil ensues, continue boiling for three minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and three cups oatmeal. Stir.
Drop by spoon onto waxed paper.
Let harden. (Hopefully they will.)
Cookies are the old stand-by No-Bakes.
2 c. sugar
1 stick oleo or butter
3 T. cocoa
and something else. Oh yeah. 1/2 cup milk.
Stick them all in a 2 qt pan. Put pan on stove. Cook at med temp until boils. When hard boil ensues, continue boiling for three minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and three cups oatmeal. Stir.
Drop by spoon onto waxed paper.
Let harden. (Hopefully they will.)
Blue Period.
Oh, no! J.R. took a job at that OTHER Michigan School. I'm not even gonna link it! *grin*
I've lost it. I have to make cookies for a picnic later today. Wish me luck that I don't burn the apartment down.
Oh, no! J.R. took a job at that OTHER Michigan School. I'm not even gonna link it! *grin*
I've lost it. I have to make cookies for a picnic later today. Wish me luck that I don't burn the apartment down.
Eva was her daddy's daughter. She inherited the sunny disposition, the ability to shrug off unpleasant situations. J.R. had started using a motorized wheelchair, an Amiga, for speed. I have pictures of them from that period, Eva riding behind him, her hair flying, both of them with the wide wide grins.
Oh thanks! I like this from Gretchen. (At least I think it's Gretchen.)
Oh thanks! I like this from Gretchen. (At least I think it's Gretchen.)
You can be a good father, even if your old man was a jerk. J.R. had a super Dad, and when little Eva came along in September, J.R. was right there, hands on, completely involved. He even surpassed our Dad; J.R. could handle diapers.
Need some music? Head over to Peter's for some MP3s. Now the copy at the "hot list" site says occasional nudity. Oh really???
Meryl, now don't you fall asleep in that big comfy chair!!
There's a 50 % chance that I'll survive the 'thon.
Will you survive the Blogathon?
Need some music? Head over to Peter's for some MP3s. Now the copy at the "hot list" site says occasional nudity. Oh really???
Meryl, now don't you fall asleep in that big comfy chair!!
Will you survive the Blogathon?
1978
A very busy year, indeedy.
July 1, to be exact. J.R. gets married.
Bruce is his best man, and he actually does have to lend a hand when the spasms hit J.R.'s leg. But in the end, the rings are exchanged.
Hi, Meryl's Mom! Thank you for stopping by. This blogging stuff seems a little backwards at first, but you'll get used to it. When can we see yours? *grin*
Lots and lots of weather outside. Now that we've come this far, I sure hope I don't lose power. 2/3 in..YES!
A very busy year, indeedy.
July 1, to be exact. J.R. gets married.
Bruce is his best man, and he actually does have to lend a hand when the spasms hit J.R.'s leg. But in the end, the rings are exchanged.
Hi, Meryl's Mom! Thank you for stopping by. This blogging stuff seems a little backwards at first, but you'll get used to it. When can we see yours? *grin*
Lots and lots of weather outside. Now that we've come this far, I sure hope I don't lose power. 2/3 in..YES!
1978
One thing has to happen before the wedding though. J.R. has been in training. Our younger sister has been a sky-diver for four years by this time, and has over 100 jumps. J.R. wants to parachute.
The boy did like to push that envelope.
How do you parachute when your legs aren't strong enough for touch-down? The jumping part isn't hard, it is the landing. But if you land in water, well, you don't have the same impact.
So the jump was set...static line, as per usual for beginners. For a few moments, J.R. flew. And then he landed, exactly as planned, in a small lake near the airport. The boats were close, (and he missed the boats), and Next Brother pulled him out.
Sissy me, I couldn't bear to watch. How'd we get to be so different?
One thing has to happen before the wedding though. J.R. has been in training. Our younger sister has been a sky-diver for four years by this time, and has over 100 jumps. J.R. wants to parachute.
The boy did like to push that envelope.
How do you parachute when your legs aren't strong enough for touch-down? The jumping part isn't hard, it is the landing. But if you land in water, well, you don't have the same impact.
So the jump was set...static line, as per usual for beginners. For a few moments, J.R. flew. And then he landed, exactly as planned, in a small lake near the airport. The boats were close, (and he missed the boats), and Next Brother pulled him out.
Sissy me, I couldn't bear to watch. How'd we get to be so different?
I have to backtrack. (And I'm not sure why, but I do.)
That big blue car that J.R. had was named Ezra Pound.
J.R. loved to go to the Upper Peninsula to the Big Two-Heart and the Fox River with his buddy Diamond Jim. (Hemingway country, doncha know?)
And during this period we learned that lilacs signalled ruins in the area (they're not indigenous) and that elephant bury their dead. (Two of his poems.)
The shower seemed to wake me up. Glad I didn't slip and fall in it though, wouldn't that be a great headline..."Blogging is Bad for Your Health". Nine hours. uhhh
That big blue car that J.R. had was named Ezra Pound.
J.R. loved to go to the Upper Peninsula to the Big Two-Heart and the Fox River with his buddy Diamond Jim. (Hemingway country, doncha know?)
And during this period we learned that lilacs signalled ruins in the area (they're not indigenous) and that elephant bury their dead. (Two of his poems.)
The shower seemed to wake me up. Glad I didn't slip and fall in it though, wouldn't that be a great headline..."Blogging is Bad for Your Health". Nine hours. uhhh
Saturday, July 27, 2002
1978
The phone rings. "Hello?"
"Hi, Shirley, it's J.R. Guess what? I'm getting married!"
"No way....who??" Brothers and sisters don't stay quite as close after college.
He told me his intended's name. She was a nice woman, one of his "type".
"Oh, and Shirley?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna be a dad, too."
"WHAT???"
"Yeah, I didn't think I could, you know, but..."
Mmmmhmmm..right, little brother!
Hey, Jeeem, the fireflies are flying high tonight! Must be the boys, or the impending storm.
The phone rings. "Hello?"
"Hi, Shirley, it's J.R. Guess what? I'm getting married!"
"No way....who??" Brothers and sisters don't stay quite as close after college.
He told me his intended's name. She was a nice woman, one of his "type".
"Oh, and Shirley?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna be a dad, too."
"WHAT???"
"Yeah, I didn't think I could, you know, but..."
Mmmmhmmm..right, little brother!
Hey, Jeeem, the fireflies are flying high tonight! Must be the boys, or the impending storm.
1978.
J.R. has various after-college jobs. Most involve some sort of advocacy work, for groups and also for legislators.
We have weather, possible tornadoes to the south-east of us. Anyone live in Kansas? Or Oz? Not just sure where I'll be blowing.
Whew. Ten hours to go. Now it gets tough.
J.R. has various after-college jobs. Most involve some sort of advocacy work, for groups and also for legislators.
We have weather, possible tornadoes to the south-east of us. Anyone live in Kansas? Or Oz? Not just sure where I'll be blowing.
Whew. Ten hours to go. Now it gets tough.
Getting Dumped Hurts, No Matter What
Girls Women had entered the picture during college. Seems like there were a lot of them. Smart women, funny women, women with the requisite long hippie hair.
One of the girls from HS had J.R. tutor her in math. She was a cheerleader type and didn't fit the pattern, and apparently he didn't fit hers, because he overheard her making fun of him. Ticked him off right good, and he was all for hitchhiking to Boston to visit friends. Now that is one thing he did allow himself to be talked out of doing. (But I still get a chuckle when I think of him lifting a crutch to get a ride.)
One of the girls from HS had J.R. tutor her in math. She was a cheerleader type and didn't fit the pattern, and apparently he didn't fit hers, because he overheard her making fun of him. Ticked him off right good, and he was all for hitchhiking to Boston to visit friends. Now that is one thing he did allow himself to be talked out of doing. (But I still get a chuckle when I think of him lifting a crutch to get a ride.)
Speaking of Handicapper Parking.
Back in the 70's (boy, that was a long time ago, and things have surely changed) you could get handicapped licenses which entitled you to park almost anywhere. You had the option of getting a window sticker instead of the plates.
J.R. preferred the sticker. It was less noticeable, he was doing a lot of traveling, and he didn't want his car marked as having a disabled driver.
There was a problem with the sticker, though. It was so very much less noticeable that police officers would often ticket J.R. for parking illegally. (Now the fact that the ticket was often placed directly OVER the sticker would make one think...oops, let's not go there *grin*).
For some reason, J.R. and I were both staying at our folks' house while they were on vacation. I was up making breakfast, J.R. was crashed on the couch. A knock came at the door. I peeked out. It was a policeman. Uh-oh.
He came in, stating that he had a warrant for J.R.'s arrest for outstanding parking tickets. "Oh, okay," J.R. mumbled, hefting himself into a sitting position. "Just let me get my crutches."
The officer was gracious. "Oh, that's all right...you just come down to the station at your leisure."
Back in the 70's (boy, that was a long time ago, and things have surely changed) you could get handicapped licenses which entitled you to park almost anywhere. You had the option of getting a window sticker instead of the plates.
J.R. preferred the sticker. It was less noticeable, he was doing a lot of traveling, and he didn't want his car marked as having a disabled driver.
There was a problem with the sticker, though. It was so very much less noticeable that police officers would often ticket J.R. for parking illegally. (Now the fact that the ticket was often placed directly OVER the sticker would make one think...oops, let's not go there *grin*).
For some reason, J.R. and I were both staying at our folks' house while they were on vacation. I was up making breakfast, J.R. was crashed on the couch. A knock came at the door. I peeked out. It was a policeman. Uh-oh.
He came in, stating that he had a warrant for J.R.'s arrest for outstanding parking tickets. "Oh, okay," J.R. mumbled, hefting himself into a sitting position. "Just let me get my crutches."
The officer was gracious. "Oh, that's all right...you just come down to the station at your leisure."
English Major.
J.R., with his love of words, was a natural English major. Unfortunately, the English department was housed in one of the oldest building on campus. This was also before the days of accessibility. Curb cuts, handicapper parking...nice, but not mandated. Morrill had no ramped entrance. The main door was 18 steps up.
Most of the English classes were held in other buildings, but J.R. did have one at Morrill. So he scoped it out, and found an overgrown service entrance at the north end that only had five steps down. That became his entrance. Occasionally he would fall down the steps, and each time, a foreign graduate assistant who had an office nearby would come out and help him. J.R. said the student never acted worried about him, he would just smile as though that was a perfectly acceptable way to enter a building.
J.R., with his love of words, was a natural English major. Unfortunately, the English department was housed in one of the oldest building on campus. This was also before the days of accessibility. Curb cuts, handicapper parking...nice, but not mandated. Morrill had no ramped entrance. The main door was 18 steps up.
Most of the English classes were held in other buildings, but J.R. did have one at Morrill. So he scoped it out, and found an overgrown service entrance at the north end that only had five steps down. That became his entrance. Occasionally he would fall down the steps, and each time, a foreign graduate assistant who had an office nearby would come out and help him. J.R. said the student never acted worried about him, he would just smile as though that was a perfectly acceptable way to enter a building.
1971-1975.
Go Green!
J.R. beat me to MSU by one term. (It was terms back then, a whole different concept.) I transferred as a Junior winter of '72, he started as a Freshman in fall of 1971.
He got along famously in the dorm. Back then, freshmen couldn't have cars on campus...unless they had special needs. You can fit a lot of people into a big blue station wagon.
Go Green!
J.R. beat me to MSU by one term. (It was terms back then, a whole different concept.) I transferred as a Junior winter of '72, he started as a Freshman in fall of 1971.
He got along famously in the dorm. Back then, freshmen couldn't have cars on campus...unless they had special needs. You can fit a lot of people into a big blue station wagon.
1970-71.
Well, I'm off to college, and J.R. is in High School. And, he has decided that he will run for Student Government President. We both enjoyed the plotting and planning of politics, whether high level or local, so on weekends home we work out details. (Well, he lets me think I'm helping.) He's also on the debate team, and still in Orchestra. (I forgot to mention how he liked that he was 1st trumpet, and I had only made it to 2nd violin. (Even though he was the ONLY trumpet!!!) (Oh great, I'm doing Meryl's double parentheses now.))
Upshot of the election: J.R. was student government president.
Well, I'm off to college, and J.R. is in High School. And, he has decided that he will run for Student Government President. We both enjoyed the plotting and planning of politics, whether high level or local, so on weekends home we work out details. (Well, he lets me think I'm helping.) He's also on the debate team, and still in Orchestra. (I forgot to mention how he liked that he was 1st trumpet, and I had only made it to 2nd violin. (Even though he was the ONLY trumpet!!!) (Oh great, I'm doing Meryl's double parentheses now.))
Upshot of the election: J.R. was student government president.
Another Car Story.
Now I've told you that J.R. was smart, but you know how smart people can sometimes be a little...addled? We were camping (again) this time at Gun Lake. Aunt N. had come to visit us, and she had a new car. A red Maverick, if I remember correctly. Guys like to act cool about cars, right? So J.R. slides into the driver's seat, thinking he'll just start it to see how the engine runs.
It's a stick.
It took off in reverse.
Luckily, the NEXT BROTHER is quick on his feet, and gets the car shut down, but not before it nicked a small tree behind it.
Guys and their cars. Oh my.
Now I've told you that J.R. was smart, but you know how smart people can sometimes be a little...addled? We were camping (again) this time at Gun Lake. Aunt N. had come to visit us, and she had a new car. A red Maverick, if I remember correctly. Guys like to act cool about cars, right? So J.R. slides into the driver's seat, thinking he'll just start it to see how the engine runs.
It's a stick.
It took off in reverse.
Luckily, the NEXT BROTHER is quick on his feet, and gets the car shut down, but not before it nicked a small tree behind it.
Guys and their cars. Oh my.
1969.
Let's do the math. 1969 - 1953 = one 16-year-old boy-man ready for his wheels.
Cars can be equipped with hand controls. It's pretty cool. Down and away from you ... Accelerate. Down and toward you...Brake. I'm sure they are much more sophisticated now, but that's how my parents' car was adapted. (It was handy that Dad was a mechanic.)
As with pedals, there can be slip-ups with hand controls. One happened when J.R. was driving with the NEXT BROTHER, but not reported until years later. J.R. and N.B. were coming down a road that curved at the end, and if you didn't make the curve, you were into a cow pasture. Well, if you speed-up instead of slow-down on that curve, you're liable to find yourself in said pasture. mmmhmm. N.B. told us years later that he and Dad were working on the car a few weeks later, and Dad pulled a few strands of barbed wire from under the car. "How'd that get there???", Dad asked. N.B. shrugged. (Glad I was away at college by then *grin*)
Let's do the math. 1969 - 1953 = one 16-year-old boy-man ready for his wheels.
Cars can be equipped with hand controls. It's pretty cool. Down and away from you ... Accelerate. Down and toward you...Brake. I'm sure they are much more sophisticated now, but that's how my parents' car was adapted. (It was handy that Dad was a mechanic.)
As with pedals, there can be slip-ups with hand controls. One happened when J.R. was driving with the NEXT BROTHER, but not reported until years later. J.R. and N.B. were coming down a road that curved at the end, and if you didn't make the curve, you were into a cow pasture. Well, if you speed-up instead of slow-down on that curve, you're liable to find yourself in said pasture. mmmhmm. N.B. told us years later that he and Dad were working on the car a few weeks later, and Dad pulled a few strands of barbed wire from under the car. "How'd that get there???", Dad asked. N.B. shrugged. (Glad I was away at college by then *grin*)
Sibling Support Groups
SibNet is a National Sibling Support group for sibs of people with disabilities. They have a special group for younger children, and that is a good thing.
Back in the 50's and 60's we didn't have such a thing. We did, however, because of the special events held for handicappers, know other siblings. Again, there is always a bright side to everything. Sam was Jerry's brother. (Jerry had muscular dystrophy, which is a whole other ball game.) When Jerry's family moved to our neighborhood, all the girls were swooning over Sam. Ha! I got to go to picnics with him. (But I probably really screwed things up when I tipped Jerry over in his wheelchair pushing him from first to second base.)
SibNet is a National Sibling Support group for sibs of people with disabilities. They have a special group for younger children, and that is a good thing.
Back in the 50's and 60's we didn't have such a thing. We did, however, because of the special events held for handicappers, know other siblings. Again, there is always a bright side to everything. Sam was Jerry's brother. (Jerry had muscular dystrophy, which is a whole other ball game.) When Jerry's family moved to our neighborhood, all the girls were swooning over Sam. Ha! I got to go to picnics with him. (But I probably really screwed things up when I tipped Jerry over in his wheelchair pushing him from first to second base.)
This post will just be a filler...the nieces just dropped by. And nieces, what do you say about me? "You smell good, Aunt Owwee"...They're nuts. I stink.
1968
It finally happens.
J.R. and I are in the same school, after eleven years in the public schools. My senior year. His sophomore.
I had played violin since fifth grade and was second chair in the orchestra. Little bro decided to opt for orchestra instead of band. Yay!
What a year. We often kidded that year that we should go into law together. He was the sunny outgoing debater, I was the shyer, more brooding research type. (We both went into differentcareers
jobs whatever.)
When it came time for the Yearbook, guess who had the full-page picture? Mmmhmmm. Very good. It was little bro (of course, one of my best friends was the yearbook editor, so mebbe???)
It finally happens.
J.R. and I are in the same school, after eleven years in the public schools. My senior year. His sophomore.
I had played violin since fifth grade and was second chair in the orchestra. Little bro decided to opt for orchestra instead of band. Yay!
What a year. We often kidded that year that we should go into law together. He was the sunny outgoing debater, I was the shyer, more brooding research type. (We both went into different
When it came time for the Yearbook, guess who had the full-page picture? Mmmhmmm. Very good. It was little bro (of course, one of my best friends was the yearbook editor, so mebbe???)
Ain't No Mountain High Enough.
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are a natural attraction in West Michigan. (I just read where they are 1 1/2 miles wide and three miles long.) This was a great place to take a family on vacation. And if one of those family members had limited leg use? Why, DAD or, when J.R. got too tall ('cause Dad was kind of short and stubby), the NEXT BROTHER, would sling him onto their back in a modified piggyback, and away they would go. Reading that now just amazes me. We walked from Silver Lake to Lake Michigan, that's 1.5 miles, and back. Over hills. Sandy hills. This is the love of a father, this is the love of a brother.
Meryl has a special relationship with The Hulk. Youch!
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are a natural attraction in West Michigan. (I just read where they are 1 1/2 miles wide and three miles long.) This was a great place to take a family on vacation. And if one of those family members had limited leg use? Why, DAD or, when J.R. got too tall ('cause Dad was kind of short and stubby), the NEXT BROTHER, would sling him onto their back in a modified piggyback, and away they would go. Reading that now just amazes me. We walked from Silver Lake to Lake Michigan, that's 1.5 miles, and back. Over hills. Sandy hills. This is the love of a father, this is the love of a brother.
Meryl has a special relationship with The Hulk. Youch!
How Does a CP kid perform with the Marching Band?
Why someone pushes him in a wheel chair, that's easy!
And a proud proud moment.
Even though J.R.'s hands were slightly affected, he played a mean trumpet.
Why someone pushes him in a wheel chair, that's easy!
And a proud proud moment.
Even though J.R.'s hands were slightly affected, he played a mean trumpet.
1965
We get a late addition to the family.
This year BooBoo was born, making us a family of eight. Also made J.R. give up half his bedroom, as he was the only kid in a downstairs bedroom. The problem with sleeping with a MotorMouth? J.R. talked in his sleep. BooBoo soon learned to answer.
J.R. started Junior High this year. We still ended up at different schools (there was inclusion within the district by that time but only one of the five area junior highs was set up for special ed). There was special transportation for the handicapper kids, and that came with its own perc...Stevie Wonder was going to the School for the Blind at the time so occasionally he would ride with J.R. Not bad.
We get a late addition to the family.
This year BooBoo was born, making us a family of eight. Also made J.R. give up half his bedroom, as he was the only kid in a downstairs bedroom. The problem with sleeping with a MotorMouth? J.R. talked in his sleep. BooBoo soon learned to answer.
J.R. started Junior High this year. We still ended up at different schools (there was inclusion within the district by that time but only one of the five area junior highs was set up for special ed). There was special transportation for the handicapper kids, and that came with its own perc...Stevie Wonder was going to the School for the Blind at the time so occasionally he would ride with J.R. Not bad.
1964
This was the year of our first big out-of-state family trip. Kennedy had died, Washington D.C. was the place to go. There we were, a family of seven, schlepping through the Capitol City. (Someone please help me, is it capital or capitol?)
J.R. was using his crutches at this time. At the National Gallery of Art the guards found him a wheelchair. I remember thinking, “I’m tired, too.” Awful thing, I know, but I had just turned twelve and icky. I also remember feeling so odd when they let us go against the line-up for JFK’s grave because of J.R.’s condition. To my credit, I knew it was silly to feel that way and this was the last time I worried about our family’s “difference”.
My best recollection of that trip, though, was strolling down some street, eating bananas and potato chips, J.R. loaded over my dad’s back. It was a tough neighborhood, but we never worried. So that was a GOOD thing about being different.
This was the year of our first big out-of-state family trip. Kennedy had died, Washington D.C. was the place to go. There we were, a family of seven, schlepping through the Capitol City. (Someone please help me, is it capital or capitol?)
J.R. was using his crutches at this time. At the National Gallery of Art the guards found him a wheelchair. I remember thinking, “I’m tired, too.” Awful thing, I know, but I had just turned twelve and icky. I also remember feeling so odd when they let us go against the line-up for JFK’s grave because of J.R.’s condition. To my credit, I knew it was silly to feel that way and this was the last time I worried about our family’s “difference”.
My best recollection of that trip, though, was strolling down some street, eating bananas and potato chips, J.R. loaded over my dad’s back. It was a tough neighborhood, but we never worried. So that was a GOOD thing about being different.
If you liketh cats, then this is the place for you.
Eve cracks me up. She's gonna be wide awake at 3:00 a.m., so let's all hit her then. She's blogging for America's Second Harvest.
Oh brother! It's already time to post again. Well, I finally had my first food of the day, a chicken caesar salad from Mickey D's that I got last night. I was so wound up with the Blogathon this morning that I totally skipped the sausage and eggs I was going to do for breakfast. Oh well, they'll be needed tomorrow more, probably. (and I really could do without them, anyhoo.)
Eve cracks me up. She's gonna be wide awake at 3:00 a.m., so let's all hit her then. She's blogging for America's Second Harvest.
Oh brother! It's already time to post again. Well, I finally had my first food of the day, a chicken caesar salad from Mickey D's that I got last night. I was so wound up with the Blogathon this morning that I totally skipped the sausage and eggs I was going to do for breakfast. Oh well, they'll be needed tomorrow more, probably. (and I really could do without them, anyhoo.)
All right, I know I said I would put blogathon and miscellaneous comments in green but I have seen the error of my ways. If I do that, the links in them don't show up (duh, Shirl), so from here on brown will be my non-J.R. colors. (I like green because I'm a graduate of a certain University right over there <----.)
My next two posts are going to be about Blogathon sites. It is super to see what folks are doing, but I need to break from regularly scheduled posts so I can surf a bit.
Once again, thanks to Meryl Yourish for her kind words. She has company coming, and has written about how much harder this is to do than she thought. I HEARTILY agree, Meryl...but at least time is flying. (Check back in again with me at 3:00 a.m. and see how much it is flying, hehe.)
Carrotgirl is one of my ring neighbors. She's blogging for Bookaid, which seems like an excellent charity.
The Picture Puzzle Project is here, and it is fun (I'm not getting any of them right, but oh well). Wendy is blogging for World Cancer Research Program.
Progression of Walking Aids
Let's try a few more pictures, but as clicks.
Wooden Crutches, 1961
Sugarloaf Lake. (There were 11 sites back in 1962. I just looked at their web page: there are 180 sites now. So okay, we were a little ahead of the curve on that one.)
Everyone in the family went camping. Everyone in the family had chores. J.R.'s? Remember, I said he was a motor mouth. He got to blow up the air mattresses!
I have to give a spot of applause to Lynn here. Lynn wasn't able to blogathon this year due to time constraints posed by family, but she was and is my role model from last year's 'thon. Thanks, Lynn!Best to you and your family.
Let's try a few more pictures, but as clicks.
Wooden Crutches, 1961
Sugarloaf Lake. (There were 11 sites back in 1962. I just looked at their web page: there are 180 sites now. So okay, we were a little ahead of the curve on that one.)
Everyone in the family went camping. Everyone in the family had chores. J.R.'s? Remember, I said he was a motor mouth. He got to blow up the air mattresses!
I have to give a spot of applause to Lynn here. Lynn wasn't able to blogathon this year due to time constraints posed by family, but she was and is my role model from last year's 'thon. Thanks, Lynn!Best to you and your family.
1961
Now there are five of us, an older sister, three boys, and a little sister.
And J.R. is in the thick of things.
Being special ed has a few perks. The Rotary Club always throws a party for the handicapper kids, and each kid gets a special gift. One year J.R. wanted one of those remote control cars. He got it. And I'm embarrassed to say that the home movies from that period show me pouting because I couldn't play with it. Hey..I was just a kid *grin*.
We liked going to the special party though, and I think that's where I first learned "Up On the Housetop". And yeah, I remember Santa coming out of the fireplace at the school. Cool memories.
Now there are five of us, an older sister, three boys, and a little sister.
And J.R. is in the thick of things.
Being special ed has a few perks. The Rotary Club always throws a party for the handicapper kids, and each kid gets a special gift. One year J.R. wanted one of those remote control cars. He got it. And I'm embarrassed to say that the home movies from that period show me pouting because I couldn't play with it. Hey..I was just a kid *grin*.
We liked going to the special party though, and I think that's where I first learned "Up On the Housetop". And yeah, I remember Santa coming out of the fireplace at the school. Cool memories.
1957
This may have been the year I realized J.R. was different. (I'm the slow one, hehe.)
I started kindergarten in 1957. J.R. started school too, pre-school for special ed. We had to move from our little town to Lansing to get the right education for him. This was before the days of inclusion and mainstreaming.
So while I walked three blocks to my new school, J.R. went three miles over to his school. We wouldn't meet in a school until I was a senior and he was a sophomore.
This may have been the year I realized J.R. was different. (I'm the slow one, hehe.)
I started kindergarten in 1957. J.R. started school too, pre-school for special ed. We had to move from our little town to Lansing to get the right education for him. This was before the days of inclusion and mainstreaming.
So while I walked three blocks to my new school, J.R. went three miles over to his school. We wouldn't meet in a school until I was a senior and he was a sophomore.
1956.
Some big kids who lived on the street behind ours built a rocketship out of a big refrigerator packing box. (Well, at least I think it was a packing box. At the time I thought it was a rocketship.) You would enter the box, the door would shut (I think they put us in two at a time) and then it would roll from side to side. (Picture the big kids outside moving the box.)
J.R. loved it.
And I suspect from that incident was born his love of space and aeronautics. By the age of six he had all the planets down in order. (Did I mention his IQ was um, er, ah... a little high?) A little later he discovered The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, which tickled us because it had our cousins' names in it. And think about it...weightlessness for someone who couldn't walk. What a trip.
Some big kids who lived on the street behind ours built a rocketship out of a big refrigerator packing box. (Well, at least I think it was a packing box. At the time I thought it was a rocketship.) You would enter the box, the door would shut (I think they put us in two at a time) and then it would roll from side to side. (Picture the big kids outside moving the box.)
J.R. loved it.
And I suspect from that incident was born his love of space and aeronautics. By the age of six he had all the planets down in order. (Did I mention his IQ was um, er, ah... a little high?) A little later he discovered The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet, which tickled us because it had our cousins' names in it. And think about it...weightlessness for someone who couldn't walk. What a trip.
Well, that's a crappy scan too.
Anyway, that's my dad, and J.R., and lil ole me through the fog. and snow
My parents were determined that J.R. would do whatever the rest of us did. (There were four more kids to come.) He might not do it the same way other people did, and he might not do it as fast as other people, but can't really wasn't in their vocabulary. Advances in technology have created even greater opportunities for people with CP.
Anyway, that's my dad, and J.R., and lil ole me through the fog. and snow
My parents were determined that J.R. would do whatever the rest of us did. (There were four more kids to come.) He might not do it the same way other people did, and he might not do it as fast as other people, but can't really wasn't in their vocabulary. Advances in technology have created even greater opportunities for people with CP.
Hang on, that picture didn't work at alll all all.
Just to prove this is all RT, eh?
Is this one any better?
Oops, busted! Ms. Meryl says I need a pledge link. Can I put it here, Meryl? Thanks for the link and the sponsorship, kiddo!
Meryl is a terrif writer and person. She's blogging for Shaare Zedek Medical Center and you can sponsor her here.
Sometime
I don't remember when I first hear the word Cerebral Palsy. This link defines it the way I came to know it:
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before, during or shortly following birth. "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture. It is neither progressive nor communicable. It is also not "curable" in the accepted sense, although education, therapy and applied technology can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive lives. It is not a disease and should never be referred to as such. It can range from mild to severe.
J. R. had been a breech birth, and of course, this WAS the 50's. His legs were affected most severely, and there was a certain spasticity with his hands, but he didn't have ANY of the speech problems that can sometimes be related to C.P. The kid was a MOTOR MOUTH!
I don't remember when I first hear the word Cerebral Palsy. This link defines it the way I came to know it:
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by damage to the brain, usually occurring before, during or shortly following birth. "Cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" to a disorder of movement or posture. It is neither progressive nor communicable. It is also not "curable" in the accepted sense, although education, therapy and applied technology can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive lives. It is not a disease and should never be referred to as such. It can range from mild to severe.
J. R. had been a breech birth, and of course, this WAS the 50's. His legs were affected most severely, and there was a certain spasticity with his hands, but he didn't have ANY of the speech problems that can sometimes be related to C.P. The kid was a MOTOR MOUTH!
Sometime in 1955.
Once a week Mom and J.R. and I would go to Lansing to a place called a Curative Workshop. Dad had made a little seat for J.R. to sit on so he could see out the window. (hey, this was a LONG LONG time ago). It was a snowy day, we slid, and J.R. hit the dashboard with his mouth. He split his lip, left toothmarks in the dash, and there was blood everywhere. I was sure he was dead. The famous line from that incident was "we used to have such good times together".
He was fine. And still a chatterbox.
Once a week Mom and J.R. and I would go to Lansing to a place called a Curative Workshop. Dad had made a little seat for J.R. to sit on so he could see out the window. (hey, this was a LONG LONG time ago). It was a snowy day, we slid, and J.R. hit the dashboard with his mouth. He split his lip, left toothmarks in the dash, and there was blood everywhere. I was sure he was dead. The famous line from that incident was "we used to have such good times together".
He was fine. And still a chatterbox.
March 25, 1953
Letter from Mom to Grandma and Grandpa, who were wintering in Florida.
Shirley is such a little helper. She dusts and washes dishes and thinks that J.R. is much better than her dollies. J.R. is still having trouble rolling over. His shoulder goes, but his legs just don't make it. The doctor says he is a little overweight for his age and told me to cut him back to skim milk. Perhaps that will help.
Okay, okay, I used to be a good person *grin*.
Letter from Mom to Grandma and Grandpa, who were wintering in Florida.
Shirley is such a little helper. She dusts and washes dishes and thinks that J.R. is much better than her dollies. J.R. is still having trouble rolling over. His shoulder goes, but his legs just don't make it. The doctor says he is a little overweight for his age and told me to cut him back to skim milk. Perhaps that will help.
Okay, okay, I used to be a good person *grin*.
August 1, 1953.
From the G.L. Weekly
Shirley P. is spending the week with her grandparents, Chris and Bea S. When she returns home, she will welcome her new little brother, J.R., born July 30. Congrats to all!
(Do hometown newsletters still publish those little blurbs?)
From the G.L. Weekly
Shirley P. is spending the week with her grandparents, Chris and Bea S. When she returns home, she will welcome her new little brother, J.R., born July 30. Congrats to all!
(Do hometown newsletters still publish those little blurbs?)
So Blogathon 2002 begins.
Hi. My name is Shirl (the Pearl) and I'm a blogger. I've been blogging since May of 2001. Last year I was fascinated by the Blogathon. I didn't hear about it until it was too late to register, but I followed several sites that were involved, and made a mental note to keep an eye out for a repeat in 2002.
Blogging for me has been a way to gently explore who I am. Yeah, even at my *tender* age, hehe. I'm a political person, but not rabidly left or right (except on some issues). I enjoy reading the political blogs but don't really identify with them. I'm a religious person, but not very good at attending church, so I enjoy reading some of the religious blogs, but identify more with the searchers' writings. My ethnicity is a mumble-jumble, with a grandpa coming from the Netherlands and the rest of the ancestry being long-time American, including a couple of Native American great-great-grandmas. So there is no strong identity with ethnicity. And being single and childless, well, that means I can't blog about dear old hubby and kids.
What I am, I have found, is this...I am the sister of a handicapper brother. That is the circumstance of my life that has affected me the most, that informs my decision-making process. And so it seemed appropriate that I choose the United Cerebral Palsy Association as my charity for Blogathon, and that I spend these twenty-four hours blogging about my brother, J.R. (Yes, those are his initials and they were his WAY before Larry Hagman made them famous *grin*.)
As the day moves along, I'm sure I'll be wanting to comment about other Blogathon sites, what I'm doing (I do have to go to work for a little bit), how sleepy I am (I feel that way already, darn), and such. Those comments will be posted in green. Go Green!
Hi. My name is Shirl (the Pearl) and I'm a blogger. I've been blogging since May of 2001. Last year I was fascinated by the Blogathon. I didn't hear about it until it was too late to register, but I followed several sites that were involved, and made a mental note to keep an eye out for a repeat in 2002.
Blogging for me has been a way to gently explore who I am. Yeah, even at my *tender* age, hehe. I'm a political person, but not rabidly left or right (except on some issues). I enjoy reading the political blogs but don't really identify with them. I'm a religious person, but not very good at attending church, so I enjoy reading some of the religious blogs, but identify more with the searchers' writings. My ethnicity is a mumble-jumble, with a grandpa coming from the Netherlands and the rest of the ancestry being long-time American, including a couple of Native American great-great-grandmas. So there is no strong identity with ethnicity. And being single and childless, well, that means I can't blog about dear old hubby and kids.
What I am, I have found, is this...I am the sister of a handicapper brother. That is the circumstance of my life that has affected me the most, that informs my decision-making process. And so it seemed appropriate that I choose the United Cerebral Palsy Association as my charity for Blogathon, and that I spend these twenty-four hours blogging about my brother, J.R. (Yes, those are his initials and they were his WAY before Larry Hagman made them famous *grin*.)
As the day moves along, I'm sure I'll be wanting to comment about other Blogathon sites, what I'm doing (I do have to go to work for a little bit), how sleepy I am (I feel that way already, darn), and such. Those comments will be posted in green. Go Green!
Friday, July 26, 2002
Coming...Saturday, July 27, 2002....Blogathon 2002.
Thursday, July 25, 2002
I'd like to be the first to wish lil brother Jeeem a very happy birthday. May all your wishes come true!
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
I'll be watching PBS tonight. That's hard to believe! They are doing a series on the Great Lodges of the National Parks, and tonight they are doing Glacier Park, where I'll be in August! I'm not sure which I like most, Michigan's Lake Michigan or Montana's Rocky Mountain Front. Sigh. **9:00 p.m....good show!**
This week's WEDNESDAY'S WHAT:
Congratulations on week 5, Lynn!
1. WHAT IN THE WORLD of enlightenment gives you a sense of security? My sense of security comes from knowing that we're not in this alone.
2. WHAT IN THE WORLD of employment opportunities do you view as truly absurd? Manure scraper at Mackinac Island. Absurd, but very very necessary.
3. WHAT IN THE WORLD of refreshments (alcoholic or non), do you find the most thirst quenching on a hot summer day? This summer I'm a sucker for SoBe drinks.
Congratulations on week 5, Lynn!
1. WHAT IN THE WORLD of enlightenment gives you a sense of security? My sense of security comes from knowing that we're not in this alone.
2. WHAT IN THE WORLD of employment opportunities do you view as truly absurd? Manure scraper at Mackinac Island. Absurd, but very very necessary.
3. WHAT IN THE WORLD of refreshments (alcoholic or non), do you find the most thirst quenching on a hot summer day? This summer I'm a sucker for SoBe drinks.
Peeking at work.
The problem with being away from the computer for four days is that when you come back and use it all day, your eyeballs start doing realllllly weird things.
Back to work.
The problem with being away from the computer for four days is that when you come back and use it all day, your eyeballs start doing realllllly weird things.
Back to work.
Tuesday, July 23, 2002
What is the most frequently blogged statement on the web?
Blogger is fritzing up again. Insert your own "f" word!!!
Sheesh.
Blogger is fritzing up again. Insert your own "f" word!!!
Sheesh.
A little more traveling around the blogworld:
Oh yeah! Steve's Diner has reopened for business. What a treat! He serves up words and pictures, not soup *grin*
Kathyrn is working on 100-word essays, a concept she borrowed from here.
And Jeeem has the single man's guide to cleaning, right here. Visitors, you have been warned! *grin*
Oh yeah! Steve's Diner has reopened for business. What a treat! He serves up words and pictures, not soup *grin*
Kathyrn is working on 100-word essays, a concept she borrowed from here.
And Jeeem has the single man's guide to cleaning, right here. Visitors, you have been warned! *grin*
Monday, July 22, 2002
Intermittent blogging tonight...intermittent storms.
Let me get the Monday Mission going first.
1. Do you remember your first encounter with computers? Tell me about that. That would be an old Texas Instrument 16 or whatever it was. I still have one in the closet.
2. How late can you stay up and still be functional the next day? Do you do that very often? 1 a.m...arising at 6:00 a.m....I do that probably twice a week. Mebbe I should check with the boss on how functional I am *grin*.
3. When was the last really good hug you got from another adult? Who was it and what was the situation? We're a family of huggers, so it was on the good-byes when we left "up north".
4. One thing about children is that they all like to draw. We all shared the same ability and skill level at one time. Do you still like to draw? (Not do you think you draw well, or do others, but do you like to?) If not, how come? Did you get discouraged at some point? Yep, I still do like to draw, and yep, I've been discouraged. *shaking fist at Mr. Burdett from WAY back when*.
5. I way overslept today. I had to head to work with no shower (don't get too close), and I am not in the best of moods. Have you ever overslept on a day you had something important going on? What's the story there? I'm anxious and fidgety, so if something important is going on I'm more prone to insomnia. *sigh*
6. Ever go shopping for something you know you can't afford? You look at it and even think about how it will look when you get it home, somehow you justify the cost and believe it can happen? And just before you get to the counter come to your senses? What was the last thing you almost bought, but thought better of it? And why the heck do we do that to ourselves? I'm bad. If I get to the counter, it is bought.
7. (It begins again...) It's all such a blur now. I'd asked you to help me wake up but the alarm didn't go off. It was 10 till and just I knew I'd be late. Somehow you got me here on time. How did you do that? Tickled your toes.
BONUS: Can't you see, you belong to me? Can't see, don't have glasses on.
Let me get the Monday Mission going first.
1. Do you remember your first encounter with computers? Tell me about that. That would be an old Texas Instrument 16 or whatever it was. I still have one in the closet.
2. How late can you stay up and still be functional the next day? Do you do that very often? 1 a.m...arising at 6:00 a.m....I do that probably twice a week. Mebbe I should check with the boss on how functional I am *grin*.
3. When was the last really good hug you got from another adult? Who was it and what was the situation? We're a family of huggers, so it was on the good-byes when we left "up north".
4. One thing about children is that they all like to draw. We all shared the same ability and skill level at one time. Do you still like to draw? (Not do you think you draw well, or do others, but do you like to?) If not, how come? Did you get discouraged at some point? Yep, I still do like to draw, and yep, I've been discouraged. *shaking fist at Mr. Burdett from WAY back when*.
5. I way overslept today. I had to head to work with no shower (don't get too close), and I am not in the best of moods. Have you ever overslept on a day you had something important going on? What's the story there? I'm anxious and fidgety, so if something important is going on I'm more prone to insomnia. *sigh*
6. Ever go shopping for something you know you can't afford? You look at it and even think about how it will look when you get it home, somehow you justify the cost and believe it can happen? And just before you get to the counter come to your senses? What was the last thing you almost bought, but thought better of it? And why the heck do we do that to ourselves? I'm bad. If I get to the counter, it is bought.
7. (It begins again...) It's all such a blur now. I'd asked you to help me wake up but the alarm didn't go off. It was 10 till and just I knew I'd be late. Somehow you got me here on time. How did you do that? Tickled your toes.
BONUS: Can't you see, you belong to me? Can't see, don't have glasses on.
If you like words, this is a great place to visit. You can also sign up for a new word-a-day emailed to you.
Well, back to work today. I've got the requisite fudge stashed in the fridge. The "Up-North" folk always call the tourists fudgies, as that is the favored treat to take home. Though now that there is a Kilwin's right here in East Lansing, it doesn't seem quite the same.
Well, back to work today. I've got the requisite fudge stashed in the fridge. The "Up-North" folk always call the tourists fudgies, as that is the favored treat to take home. Though now that there is a Kilwin's right here in East Lansing, it doesn't seem quite the same.
Sunday, July 21, 2002
Okay...first stop at Lynn's. She's been posting lots and lots AND she has the most precious pictures of her grandson. Wow.
Oh, earlier I had asked which state in the United States had the most lighthouses? Well, the answer is Michigan. Here's one source, but I think they're a little shy on our numbers...I've heard that we have over 100. (Maybe they were only counting the lower peninsula.)
Jeeem has a fine story on his aunts' nicknames. I happen to really appreciate that story...my nickname is Aunt Owwee. And Eve, bless her heart, may start a new decorating style! Great story, Eve! I like to remember to always pair Eve and Jeeem *grin*!
Speaking of grandbabies, Elaine has a new arrival! Congratulations, GranE! Elaine is caretaker of her mother, and now has to scoot out to help her daughter. Sound familiar, anyone?
Fred has set forth his blogging standards. YAY Fred! I'm one of your AOL visitors. And Susan, well, Susan has the funniest car disaster story I'VE read in a long time.
More visiting and commenting to follow, but...I got up at 4:30 a.m. this morning to go elk hunting WITH THE CAMERA! and I have just faded.
Night!
Oh, earlier I had asked which state in the United States had the most lighthouses? Well, the answer is Michigan. Here's one source, but I think they're a little shy on our numbers...I've heard that we have over 100. (Maybe they were only counting the lower peninsula.)
Jeeem has a fine story on his aunts' nicknames. I happen to really appreciate that story...my nickname is Aunt Owwee. And Eve, bless her heart, may start a new decorating style! Great story, Eve! I like to remember to always pair Eve and Jeeem *grin*!
Speaking of grandbabies, Elaine has a new arrival! Congratulations, GranE! Elaine is caretaker of her mother, and now has to scoot out to help her daughter. Sound familiar, anyone?
Fred has set forth his blogging standards. YAY Fred! I'm one of your AOL visitors. And Susan, well, Susan has the funniest car disaster story I'VE read in a long time.
More visiting and commenting to follow, but...I got up at 4:30 a.m. this morning to go elk hunting WITH THE CAMERA! and I have just faded.
Night!
She's baaaaaaaack!
Having left her bathing suit and cords for the charger for the cell phone and the digital camera..."up north". Guess this means she wants to go back!
WHOOPS! and needing to resize that picture...sheesh!
There. Did that do it? If so...around the blogworld we go!
Thursday, July 18, 2002
Oops. Not gone yet. Lynn points to this beauty from Noah Grey.
Hehe...Long Week-end, YAY!
Leaving in a couple hours to go here to hear niece #3 sing with the international choir. They just got back from a tour of The Netherlands and Germany. Color me a proud auntie!
Tomorrow we'll visit this lighthouse. It will be a new one for my collection. Which state in the U.S. has the most lighthouses? Why, I'm not sure *giggle* but Michigan is right up there with our vast Great Lake coastland.
Rest of weekend will be spent visiting Boyne City brother and family. They always provide a good r&r time.
Y'all have fun now, and don't say anything TOO naughty behind my back while I'm gone!
Leaving in a couple hours to go here to hear niece #3 sing with the international choir. They just got back from a tour of The Netherlands and Germany. Color me a proud auntie!
Tomorrow we'll visit this lighthouse. It will be a new one for my collection. Which state in the U.S. has the most lighthouses? Why, I'm not sure *giggle* but Michigan is right up there with our vast Great Lake coastland.
Rest of weekend will be spent visiting Boyne City brother and family. They always provide a good r&r time.
Y'all have fun now, and don't say anything TOO naughty behind my back while I'm gone!
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
And it's the Wednesday What, by our own Lucid Dreaming!
1. WHAT IN THE WORLD of musical delights are you currently listening to? (radio, CD player, tape, and what artist) Awww, nothing right now. It's early in the morning and I live in an apartment and, well, ya know, ya gotta be kind to your neighbors. Usually CD, Enya.
2. WHAT IN THE WORLD of everyday conversations is your most used colloquial expression? I'm bad about "whatever". "Oh dear" is another one (I get mocked for that now and then). Ummm...there are others, but I can't think of them right now.
3. WHAT IN THE WORLD of acceptable societal norms is the most annoying thing done publicly, that you you just bristle at? Young men wearing those baggy pants with their underwear showing. Now the young women are doing it too. *sigh*
Good questions, Lynn!
1. WHAT IN THE WORLD of musical delights are you currently listening to? (radio, CD player, tape, and what artist) Awww, nothing right now. It's early in the morning and I live in an apartment and, well, ya know, ya gotta be kind to your neighbors. Usually CD, Enya.
2. WHAT IN THE WORLD of everyday conversations is your most used colloquial expression? I'm bad about "whatever". "Oh dear" is another one (I get mocked for that now and then). Ummm...there are others, but I can't think of them right now.
3. WHAT IN THE WORLD of acceptable societal norms is the most annoying thing done publicly, that you you just bristle at? Young men wearing those baggy pants with their underwear showing. Now the young women are doing it too. *sigh*
Good questions, Lynn!
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Just TOO MUCH fun!
As a little refresher, I work for a heating and air conditioning company. We do new house, commercial and retrofit work. When the temperature goes above ninety our installers really feel the heat. (We're way up here in Michigan, and humid hot is just hard on us northerners!) So Jane and I decided that on 90 degree days we would use our lunch hour to take ice water to the installers.
Well, today was the day. We loaded up a cooler and took off with "Mario" er um...I mean Jane at the wheel. We had to call the guys for directions to the first place. It was about 40 minutes out...a great drive through some farmland and down a road that had great canopy cover which we noted for fall time. We were behind a student driver for awhile...that had to be fun for him *grin*.
There were two crews working at the first subdivision, a single and a double. The single was on the porch of the house he was working on, making a phone call. He was very glad to see us. The double were up on a roof installing B-Vent. It was an eye-opener to see them scampering up there, and then when we pulled up they jumped down to the garage roof and scooted through a window and then were quickly down in the drive for their treat. Okay, this crew had the cute hottie that was calling me a couple months ago. Yum yum. why does he have to be soooo much younger????
Now the OTHER installer is a big NASCAR fan. He dared Jane to lay rubber and race around the circle at the end of the cul-de-sac. "I don't even know how to do that," Jane said as we got into the car, oh she of the speedy reputation. "Just raise the engine a bit and peel out," quiet lil old me says. And she did. She laid a good one, sped around the circle, and we took off.
Here's the irony. I thought it was a hoot. SHE got nervous about it. Go figure. *grin*
Anway, we made it to two more sites before we headed back to the office. And because it was "good for morale" the boss didn't even fuss about our tardiness.
As a little refresher, I work for a heating and air conditioning company. We do new house, commercial and retrofit work. When the temperature goes above ninety our installers really feel the heat. (We're way up here in Michigan, and humid hot is just hard on us northerners!) So Jane and I decided that on 90 degree days we would use our lunch hour to take ice water to the installers.
Well, today was the day. We loaded up a cooler and took off with "Mario" er um...I mean Jane at the wheel. We had to call the guys for directions to the first place. It was about 40 minutes out...a great drive through some farmland and down a road that had great canopy cover which we noted for fall time. We were behind a student driver for awhile...that had to be fun for him *grin*.
There were two crews working at the first subdivision, a single and a double. The single was on the porch of the house he was working on, making a phone call. He was very glad to see us. The double were up on a roof installing B-Vent. It was an eye-opener to see them scampering up there, and then when we pulled up they jumped down to the garage roof and scooted through a window and then were quickly down in the drive for their treat. Okay, this crew had the cute hottie that was calling me a couple months ago. Yum yum. why does he have to be soooo much younger????
Now the OTHER installer is a big NASCAR fan. He dared Jane to lay rubber and race around the circle at the end of the cul-de-sac. "I don't even know how to do that," Jane said as we got into the car, oh she of the speedy reputation. "Just raise the engine a bit and peel out," quiet lil old me says. And she did. She laid a good one, sped around the circle, and we took off.
Here's the irony. I thought it was a hoot. SHE got nervous about it. Go figure. *grin*
Anway, we made it to two more sites before we headed back to the office. And because it was "good for morale" the boss didn't even fuss about our tardiness.
THIS is the 21st Century?
Glad Callahan has no chance of representing me, I'm in a different district.
During the AP interview, Callahan said Levin's religion wasn't an issue in the old district, which has a large Jewish population. But the new district includes mostly Christians, he said.
"I mean, that man has never owned a Christmas tree. He's not a Christian. And I'm thinking, `Jeez, how can he represent me then?'" Callahan said.
He added: "I really feel that in order for somebody to represent you, they should be pretty much like you, and Mr. Levin is not."
Glad Callahan has no chance of representing me, I'm in a different district.
During the AP interview, Callahan said Levin's religion wasn't an issue in the old district, which has a large Jewish population. But the new district includes mostly Christians, he said.
"I mean, that man has never owned a Christmas tree. He's not a Christian. And I'm thinking, `Jeez, how can he represent me then?'" Callahan said.
He added: "I really feel that in order for somebody to represent you, they should be pretty much like you, and Mr. Levin is not."
Monday, July 15, 2002
PromoGuy.net Presents:
Monday Mission 2.28
1. Have you ever sold anything through an online auction? What did you sell and did you make very much? No.
2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience?Yes. Good experience. I bought...oh quit shuddering, guys...beanie babies. And then I bought six broken guitars from mr.twistyneck. Yep, that's right, six of them. My brother, the upnorth luthier, rehabs them and then sends them to PNG where his friend Petrus passes them out to folks who can use them. Six of 'em. I wasn't home, so they left them at the office. I had to go pick them up, stuff them in the back of my car, and then take them to Mom's, where they were later transferred to brother luthier.
3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn? Sun is one of my top ten favorite words. I try to get a moderate suntan (had to stay out of the sun last year after some neck surgery, so it feels good to sit in the sun). Never had a bad sunburn.
4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it? I'm not, and I occasionally consider it when I pass roadkill on the highway.
5. Suppose you are getting into your car after you've just made your purchase from a store you visit twice a week. You suddenly realize you had a .35¢ item in your hand and you forgot to pay for it. What would you do next? (what *would* you do, not what *should* you do) If I'm still in the parking lot, I would go back in and pay for it. If I didn't find it until I got home, I'd probably forgeddabout it.
6. Sometimes it seems that there is just not enough time to do everything that must be done. Was there anything you wanted to accomplish this weekend that didn't get done?Yes. but I think it is something I'm conflicted about, rather than the lack of time.
7. What is your favorite game to play with a group and/or an individual? (board game, computer game, athletic, etc.) Hearts. Fabulous memories, great fun.
BONUS: One headline why believe it ?Um. I probably wouldn't
Monday Mission 2.28
1. Have you ever sold anything through an online auction? What did you sell and did you make very much? No.
2. Have you ever bought anything through an online auction? How was your experience?Yes. Good experience. I bought...oh quit shuddering, guys...beanie babies. And then I bought six broken guitars from mr.twistyneck. Yep, that's right, six of them. My brother, the upnorth luthier, rehabs them and then sends them to PNG where his friend Petrus passes them out to folks who can use them. Six of 'em. I wasn't home, so they left them at the office. I had to go pick them up, stuff them in the back of my car, and then take them to Mom's, where they were later transferred to brother luthier.
3. Do you like the sun? Getting a suntan? Have you ever had a bad sunburn? Sun is one of my top ten favorite words. I try to get a moderate suntan (had to stay out of the sun last year after some neck surgery, so it feels good to sit in the sun). Never had a bad sunburn.
4. Are you a vegetarian? Why? If not, have you ever considered it? I'm not, and I occasionally consider it when I pass roadkill on the highway.
5. Suppose you are getting into your car after you've just made your purchase from a store you visit twice a week. You suddenly realize you had a .35¢ item in your hand and you forgot to pay for it. What would you do next? (what *would* you do, not what *should* you do) If I'm still in the parking lot, I would go back in and pay for it. If I didn't find it until I got home, I'd probably forgeddabout it.
6. Sometimes it seems that there is just not enough time to do everything that must be done. Was there anything you wanted to accomplish this weekend that didn't get done?Yes. but I think it is something I'm conflicted about, rather than the lack of time.
7. What is your favorite game to play with a group and/or an individual? (board game, computer game, athletic, etc.) Hearts. Fabulous memories, great fun.
BONUS: One headline why believe it ?Um. I probably wouldn't
Sunday, July 14, 2002
Well, good evening, folks!
Traveling around looking at some of the great photos from the photo gang. There is Bobbi's, ever so artistic and thoughtful, and John's, with the delightful beginning at dog:30 and ending at cat:30, and Lynn's, combining artistic and funny and of course grandson Noah.
There are many more of course, which you can find here. Enjoy!
In other blog news, Jeeem and
Susan is working out a way to turn Sunday night into Friday night. I sure hope she finds that switch. And Meryl is feeling at home.
And Shirl...well, Shirl just finished making cupcakes for a workmate's birthday. (Actually, mine are for the installers who get to work early and usually miss out on the birthday doings. Diane is bringing the actual birthday ones.) I had an unsettled week-end, but that seems to be about par for this summer for some reason. Oh...and I'm going up north Thursday for next week-end. Maybe that will straighten me out...go chasing elk through the Pigeon River Country.
They're Playing!
The "take a picture an hour" gang are playing! Lynn's pictures are here. John's are here. Looks like fun, you guys!
The "take a picture an hour" gang are playing! Lynn's pictures are here. John's are here. Looks like fun, you guys!
Saturday, July 13, 2002
Got home late last night to a message on my machine from little brother (whom we refer to as BooBoo). He's having a yard sale today, do I have anything to sell? *sigh* If only I had had a little more warning. But, I'll grab a few things and maybe make a few bucks! Later!
Friday, July 12, 2002
Just a quick..."hi". "Hi" again. Is blogger working now????
Yes, Shirl, blogger is working now. (I can't believe I'm talking to myself....and answering myself. Sheesh!)
Scott has some great pictures from his vacation in Minnesota. Beware the tilted horizon...he says it is part of the Minnesota experience.
Yes, Shirl, blogger is working now. (I can't believe I'm talking to myself....and answering myself. Sheesh!)
Scott has some great pictures from his vacation in Minnesota. Beware the tilted horizon...he says it is part of the Minnesota experience.
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Okay, Susan, I'll play too.
Google! DayPop! This is my blogchalk: English, United States, East Lansing, Spartan Country, Shirl, Female!
Google! DayPop! This is my blogchalk: English, United States, East Lansing, Spartan Country, Shirl, Female!
And please send Elaine a good thought. She's recuperating from surgery.
Ok. This has been a frustrating stupid week. So...what's a girl to do?
1. Drive.
2. Go Shopping.
3. Partake of adult libations.
I drove to the QD by the mall to ransack the ATM machine. In the little strip mall where the QD is located there is a Wild Birds Unlimited and Our Favorite Things that's a scrapbook store. I hit both.
Fortunately, my purchases at Wild Birds were birthday presents, so that was justified spending. I got a butterfly book and a bird cookbook, My Recipes are for the Birds for Mom. (That's how to cook stuff for the birds, not how to cook birds.) For one of the ladies at work I got a Baltimore Oriole from the Backyard Birds Series, with real calls.
Then, on to Our Favorite Things. There were new stickers by Mrs. Grossman. And...there is a grab-bag box. I've avoided it up until now, but today, in such a mood....so I plunked down my 5.00. And now, here I go, seeing what my five bucks purchased....rustle, rustle
Not bad. I have:
20 sheets of 12x12 paper, and I think I can use them all.
3 border strip sticker sets.
8 miscellaneous sticker sets.
Ants. (the Sticker variety).
2 page headers.
1 set of letters (the A's are ripped, bummer. But they are white snowy types, which will go well with my winter pictures....we do have a lot of winter pictures up here in Michigan.)
So...somehow the frustration leveled off, and I DIDN'T go to the mall. I came home, I'm typing, now I'll go eat a soy burger and start laundry and MAYBE get down to #3. Or maybe not.
Later, gators!
1. Drive.
2. Go Shopping.
3. Partake of adult libations.
I drove to the QD by the mall to ransack the ATM machine. In the little strip mall where the QD is located there is a Wild Birds Unlimited and Our Favorite Things that's a scrapbook store. I hit both.
Fortunately, my purchases at Wild Birds were birthday presents, so that was justified spending. I got a butterfly book and a bird cookbook, My Recipes are for the Birds for Mom. (That's how to cook stuff for the birds, not how to cook birds.) For one of the ladies at work I got a Baltimore Oriole from the Backyard Birds Series, with real calls.
Then, on to Our Favorite Things. There were new stickers by Mrs. Grossman. And...there is a grab-bag box. I've avoided it up until now, but today, in such a mood....so I plunked down my 5.00. And now, here I go, seeing what my five bucks purchased....rustle, rustle
Not bad. I have:
20 sheets of 12x12 paper, and I think I can use them all.
3 border strip sticker sets.
8 miscellaneous sticker sets.
Ants. (the Sticker variety).
2 page headers.
1 set of letters (the A's are ripped, bummer. But they are white snowy types, which will go well with my winter pictures....we do have a lot of winter pictures up here in Michigan.)
So...somehow the frustration leveled off, and I DIDN'T go to the mall. I came home, I'm typing, now I'll go eat a soy burger and start laundry and MAYBE get down to #3. Or maybe not.
Later, gators!
I really am lucky.
Sometimes I forget that, so this is a reminder to myself.
I work for a small company. We have three owners, one on site and two others located in another city.
I really like our on-site owner, but there are times when we just really aren't on the same wavelength. It's nobody's fault (well, maybe a little bit mine) but he tends to make me feel inconsequential. (I know, I know, no one can MAKE you feel a certain way, but you know what I mean.) Anyway, whenever that happens, the other owner calls and makes me feel like a million bucks. And there is absolutely no way he could know I'm down...the owners only talk every month or so. It just happened again yesterday. So this is a reminder to self...you are lucky.
Sometimes I forget that, so this is a reminder to myself.
I work for a small company. We have three owners, one on site and two others located in another city.
I really like our on-site owner, but there are times when we just really aren't on the same wavelength. It's nobody's fault (well, maybe a little bit mine) but he tends to make me feel inconsequential. (I know, I know, no one can MAKE you feel a certain way, but you know what I mean.) Anyway, whenever that happens, the other owner calls and makes me feel like a million bucks. And there is absolutely no way he could know I'm down...the owners only talk every month or so. It just happened again yesterday. So this is a reminder to self...you are lucky.
Okay, Eve...now I need a translation...a confused nut?
Via Jeeem....the Insanity Test.
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Well, it looks like I'm a Prairie Dog.
Here it is...the Wednesday What! This is week three...GOOD questions, Lynn! Now folks...go visit and grab some questions for yourself!
1. What in the world of insects, gives you the worst "willies"?
hairy spiders...big hairy spiders....ugh
2. What in the world of the mundane, (everyday stuff) would you change, if you could?
I would like to have money without having to go to work????
That's probably not very good. Ummm. I would like clothes to stay everclean.
3. What in the world of epicurean morsels, are you least likely to sample? Snails
1. What in the world of insects, gives you the worst "willies"?
hairy spiders...big hairy spiders....ugh
2. What in the world of the mundane, (everyday stuff) would you change, if you could?
I would like to have money without having to go to work????
That's probably not very good. Ummm. I would like clothes to stay everclean.
3. What in the world of epicurean morsels, are you least likely to sample? Snails
Tuesday, July 09, 2002
Here and there:
My long lost brother Jeeem has a picture of an ugly piece of fruit that he says is also the stinkiest fruit ever. This is the sort of thing Jeeem learns on his world-wide trips. Can't wait to see what he learns in South Africa after his visit to Eve. Speaking of Eve, Jeeem has had her so confused lately that she doesn't know night from day.
Meryl has moved. Not her blog (thank goodness) but herself...moving from New Jersey down to Virginia. She has some lovely posts and some funny posts about moving.
Ava is having a "whatever" day, and for some reason that just tickles me no end! You go, girl!
Lynn handled her tooth extraction with her usual good cheer. She's ahead of me lately in finding quizzes...I need to get up earlier in the morning, I guess! She's participating the the 1000 word project, which is the posting of a new picture each day, and I enjoy seeing where she is pointing her camera each day. Lynn's friend Joni has a fun site that I've been visiting, also.
I've always felt that you could tell quite a bit about bloggers from their writings. Mike Sanders writes about serious things, but I always pictured him good-looking. hehehe...right again! And he's the #1 Mike on Google.
My long lost brother Jeeem has a picture of an ugly piece of fruit that he says is also the stinkiest fruit ever. This is the sort of thing Jeeem learns on his world-wide trips. Can't wait to see what he learns in South Africa after his visit to Eve. Speaking of Eve, Jeeem has had her so confused lately that she doesn't know night from day.
Meryl has moved. Not her blog (thank goodness) but herself...moving from New Jersey down to Virginia. She has some lovely posts and some funny posts about moving.
Ava is having a "whatever" day, and for some reason that just tickles me no end! You go, girl!
Lynn handled her tooth extraction with her usual good cheer. She's ahead of me lately in finding quizzes...I need to get up earlier in the morning, I guess! She's participating the the 1000 word project, which is the posting of a new picture each day, and I enjoy seeing where she is pointing her camera each day. Lynn's friend Joni has a fun site that I've been visiting, also.
I've always felt that you could tell quite a bit about bloggers from their writings. Mike Sanders writes about serious things, but I always pictured him good-looking. hehehe...right again! And he's the #1 Mike on Google.
Opening of Anne Tyler's Back When We Were Grownups:
Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person.
She was fifty-three years old by then--a grandmother. Wide and soft and dimpled, with two short wings of dry, fair hair flaring almost horizontally from a center part. Laugh lines at the corners of her eyes. A loose and colorful type of dress edging dangerously close to Bag Lady.
Give her credit: most people her age would say it was too late to make any changes. What's done is done, they would say. No use trying to alter things at this late date.
It did occur to Rebecca to say that. But she didn't.
What do you think...can we "alter things at this late date"?
Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person.
She was fifty-three years old by then--a grandmother. Wide and soft and dimpled, with two short wings of dry, fair hair flaring almost horizontally from a center part. Laugh lines at the corners of her eyes. A loose and colorful type of dress edging dangerously close to Bag Lady.
Give her credit: most people her age would say it was too late to make any changes. What's done is done, they would say. No use trying to alter things at this late date.
It did occur to Rebecca to say that. But she didn't.
What do you think...can we "alter things at this late date"?
Monday, July 08, 2002
PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.27
1. Have you had to repair anything lately? Did you do it yourself or have someone else do it? Can't think of anything that I've had to repair lately, knock wood. Usually the problem is my car...I take it to my good friend Sam.
2. Do you work out or exercise? Or is there anything you do each day for your health? I swim 4 times a week and walk 5 times a week...and I always park away from entrances to stores.
3. Are you a modest person? That is, would you be embarrassed for someone (an acquaintance, a friend, a stranger) to see you nude?yep
4. Some smells that I just can not stand are bags of grass clippings that have sat in the hot sun for a few days, burned hair and vomit (although, thankfully, I have not had to smell them all at the same time). What are some odors that you just can not stand to smell? Cooked cabbage
5. Are there any social situations that make you uncomfortable? MOST of them
6. Has a friend or an employer ever asked you to do something you felt was unethical or? What was it and what happened? I can't remember what it was (that's what happens when you get old, but I didn't feel comfortable doing it...so they had someone else do it.
7. (continued) Well, we are not yet at our destination, though the way you described it, it sounds simply amazing. What is the first thing we should do once we get there? set out the beach blanket and just sit and enjoy.
BONUS: In this whole world, what is fair? Weather. It's fair because it doesn't care.
1. Have you had to repair anything lately? Did you do it yourself or have someone else do it? Can't think of anything that I've had to repair lately, knock wood. Usually the problem is my car...I take it to my good friend Sam.
2. Do you work out or exercise? Or is there anything you do each day for your health? I swim 4 times a week and walk 5 times a week...and I always park away from entrances to stores.
3. Are you a modest person? That is, would you be embarrassed for someone (an acquaintance, a friend, a stranger) to see you nude?yep
4. Some smells that I just can not stand are bags of grass clippings that have sat in the hot sun for a few days, burned hair and vomit (although, thankfully, I have not had to smell them all at the same time). What are some odors that you just can not stand to smell? Cooked cabbage
5. Are there any social situations that make you uncomfortable? MOST of them
6. Has a friend or an employer ever asked you to do something you felt was unethical or? What was it and what happened? I can't remember what it was (that's what happens when you get old, but I didn't feel comfortable doing it...so they had someone else do it.
7. (continued) Well, we are not yet at our destination, though the way you described it, it sounds simply amazing. What is the first thing we should do once we get there? set out the beach blanket and just sit and enjoy.
BONUS: In this whole world, what is fair? Weather. It's fair because it doesn't care.
Sunday, July 07, 2002
Okay. Got the reservations for the 18th so we'll have someplace to go after Nina's concert.
Weird.
My dreams (that I can remember) tend toward the pedestrian. The one this morning was different for me.
I had lost something on a beach. I finally found it, only to realize that the tide was coming in, and the only way out was up a straight cliff. And of course the tide was coming in really really fast, and really huge (like tsunami huge). And the cliff was very tall, with few handholds. Try climbing, knowing that it will most assuredly end up with a fall back into the surf, or ride the wave that was coming? It was wave for me, a pretty blue strong but not thrashing wave. I didn't hold my breath, and I was swept away. And that is all I remember.
My dreams (that I can remember) tend toward the pedestrian. The one this morning was different for me.
I had lost something on a beach. I finally found it, only to realize that the tide was coming in, and the only way out was up a straight cliff. And of course the tide was coming in really really fast, and really huge (like tsunami huge). And the cliff was very tall, with few handholds. Try climbing, knowing that it will most assuredly end up with a fall back into the surf, or ride the wave that was coming? It was wave for me, a pretty blue strong but not thrashing wave. I didn't hold my breath, and I was swept away. And that is all I remember.
Hmmm. another good thing to do at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. Thank you Lynn, who got it from Kat.
A - Animals: None
B - Best Friend(s): Sheryl
C - Cohabitants: None
D - Desire(s): Peace
E - Eye Color: Hazel
F - Favourite Foods: Potato Salad
G - Games: Trivial Pursuit
H - Habits: Drinking Pop
I - Interests: Reading, Writing, Photography, Camping, Hiking, and computers
J - Job: Information Specialist
K - Kitchen...wonder or blunder?Used to be wonder but now I just blunder
L - Languages: English.
M - Most valued possession: family photographs
N - Name (named after?): Shirley. Named after my grandfather, or maybe after my father's ex-girlfriend, or maybe after that curly-haired moppet. Anyway, one of the last so-named. That name died out in the early fifties.
O - Outfit you love: Black skirt, red top
P - Pizza toppings: ham, bacon and pineapple
Q - Question asked to you the most: Is there a way that the computer can....?
R - Relationship: Old maid amanuensis.
S - Sport to watch: Michigan State University Spartan Football
T - Television show(s): CSI, Survivor
U - Unsavory characteristic: Too touchy
V - Video: A River Runs Through It
W - Webpage: dreamwest.org
X - Xylophone (or other instrument): Piano, violin, and a little bit of gittar picking
Y - Year born: 1952
Z - Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
A - Animals: None
B - Best Friend(s): Sheryl
C - Cohabitants: None
D - Desire(s): Peace
E - Eye Color: Hazel
F - Favourite Foods: Potato Salad
G - Games: Trivial Pursuit
H - Habits: Drinking Pop
I - Interests: Reading, Writing, Photography, Camping, Hiking, and computers
J - Job: Information Specialist
K - Kitchen...wonder or blunder?Used to be wonder but now I just blunder
L - Languages: English.
M - Most valued possession: family photographs
N - Name (named after?): Shirley. Named after my grandfather, or maybe after my father's ex-girlfriend, or maybe after that curly-haired moppet. Anyway, one of the last so-named. That name died out in the early fifties.
O - Outfit you love: Black skirt, red top
P - Pizza toppings: ham, bacon and pineapple
Q - Question asked to you the most: Is there a way that the computer can....?
R - Relationship: Old maid amanuensis.
S - Sport to watch: Michigan State University Spartan Football
T - Television show(s): CSI, Survivor
U - Unsavory characteristic: Too touchy
V - Video: A River Runs Through It
W - Webpage: dreamwest.org
X - Xylophone (or other instrument): Piano, violin, and a little bit of gittar picking
Y - Year born: 1952
Z - Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Saturday, July 06, 2002
Ah, yes. Today a picnic at Gun Lake. My paternal grandmother's childhood stomping grounds. My father's childhood stomping grounds. My childhood stomping grounds. Dang! I should have had kids, if only to pass on the tradition. Oh well.
Friday, July 05, 2002
Well, we're halfway through the long holiday weekend. The store was open today, but with minimal staff, so I was fortunate to have time off today. First time I've done the extend holiday thing in a long time...feels good!!
Sharp Park has fireworks on the third. We usually go to those fireworks, as Mom's Great-Grandma is the Sharp for whom the Park was named. Old Elizabeth was quite the girl. She came to the United States from England with her two sisters in 1855. She married Edward and had two sons. He died (caught cold building the capitol) and she married a Mr. Huxtable. She had two sons with him. Mr. and one of the sons died in the 1860s.
But our Elizabeth kept on. She and the boys cleared the land, and until her dying day she cherished her physical strength.
Come to think of it, Elizabeth represents for me the best of America: a land of opportunity, a land of people who don't quit, a land of people who think outside the box.
I'm messing up big time this morning...better go back to my book.
Second Hand, by Michael Zadoorian.
This is a GREAT book! It is a first time novel, about a second hand dealer, set in Detroit, and it illuminates human nature superbly! Highly highly recommended.
Second Hand, by Michael Zadoorian.
This is a GREAT book! It is a first time novel, about a second hand dealer, set in Detroit, and it illuminates human nature superbly! Highly highly recommended.
Wednesday, July 03, 2002
Gonna go see fireworks tonight at Sharp Park.
KaBoom!
KaBoom!
and it's...tadah...the Second WEDNESDAY WHAT. Hop right over to Lynn's and pick up YOUR copy!
1. WHAT in the world of the Internet, do you find most fascinating about it? The fact that you can interact with real people through the internet, that you can see how the man or woman on the street is coping with life and gather encouragement to carry on. I thought the internet would be more about information, but it actually is more about people.
2. WHAT in the world of phobias do you think would be the worst one to have?Phobias are tough. I think the worst would be agoraphobia though. To not be able to go out at all...argh.
3. WHAT in the world of truths is the strangest "fiction" you've ever heard? Ummm...ummm...can I get back to you on that?
Lynn also points to the 1000 words a day site. All you photographers might want to check it out!
1. WHAT in the world of the Internet, do you find most fascinating about it? The fact that you can interact with real people through the internet, that you can see how the man or woman on the street is coping with life and gather encouragement to carry on. I thought the internet would be more about information, but it actually is more about people.
2. WHAT in the world of phobias do you think would be the worst one to have?Phobias are tough. I think the worst would be agoraphobia though. To not be able to go out at all...argh.
3. WHAT in the world of truths is the strangest "fiction" you've ever heard? Ummm...ummm...can I get back to you on that?
Lynn also points to the 1000 words a day site. All you photographers might want to check it out!
Umm. It may be one of THOSE days. Woke up this morning, grabbed my glasses, shut off the alarm, and went to the bathroom. Noticed things were awfully gray. Dang! I thought. Is something the matter with my eyes? You've probably already beaten me to the punch line. I had put on my sunglasses. Yeesh.
Tuesday, July 02, 2002
Not to be crass, but there actually is a market for fireflies. That luciferin is pretty valuable stuff.
My Chevy doesn't shimmy anymore.
And that's a good thing.
Except I guess we're not supposed to say "and that's a good thing" any more, now that Martha has a problem??
And that's a good thing.
Except I guess we're not supposed to say "and that's a good thing" any more, now that Martha has a problem??
Monday, July 01, 2002
Monday Mission 2.26 via promoguy.net, naturally
1. In the United States of America, it was recently ruled that the phrase "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. Do you agree with this ruling? Should the phrase "under God" be removed? Why? I haven't read the ruling to understand the fine points of it. However, I believe there is a lot of precedent for leaving it in (and I do understand that it was added in 1954) starting from the original Declaration of Independence and moving right through our history. But again, I haven't read the specifics of the ruling. I also have to ask...why now? Why did this lie dormant for 48 years and all of a sudden pop up? And to me, it seems that the people who object to the phrase also object to the pledge as a whole. So...why don't they just not say it? Anyway.....
2. When was the last time you took a road trip? Where did you go and what did you do? Up to Boyne City to see the relatives in February. Stopped at Hartwick Pines on the way up, Jordan River Valley on the way back. (oh yeah, we say up for north and down for south here in Michigan)
3. Do you have any vacations planned for this summer? Already gone? Where to and what? Going to Montana, In August, Can't wait. Glacier Park, Great Falls, The Start of the Missouri...you know, good old Lewis & Clark stuff.
4. What is the most drastic change to your appearance that you have ever made? Are you brave enough to post a photo? Accidentally when I had surgery on my neck. Here, but try not to be scared.
5. Tell me about something to which you are committed? I am committed to helping people learn to read better. I am a Literacy Volunteer. Oops, that reminds me, I have to call my new victim tomorrow.
6. Now tell me about something you just flat-out gave up on.Figure Skating.
7. (new saga) I've had it, this place is just wearing me out. You too? We need a break! Let's head out and go someplace new. You make the plans, I'll get things ready. So what do you have it mind, and did you want me to pick up anything special to pack for the trip? Oh, yes, let's go to Good Harbor Beach up in the Little finger. It is so beautiful, overlooking the Manitou Islands in Lake Michigan, and so ... so.... uninhabited. Do lets go. I'll pack a hamper of finger food, would you bring the frisbee and the suntan lotion?
BONUS: Where is my hairbrush?
Wherever you left it.
1. In the United States of America, it was recently ruled that the phrase "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. Do you agree with this ruling? Should the phrase "under God" be removed? Why? I haven't read the ruling to understand the fine points of it. However, I believe there is a lot of precedent for leaving it in (and I do understand that it was added in 1954) starting from the original Declaration of Independence and moving right through our history. But again, I haven't read the specifics of the ruling. I also have to ask...why now? Why did this lie dormant for 48 years and all of a sudden pop up? And to me, it seems that the people who object to the phrase also object to the pledge as a whole. So...why don't they just not say it? Anyway.....
2. When was the last time you took a road trip? Where did you go and what did you do? Up to Boyne City to see the relatives in February. Stopped at Hartwick Pines on the way up, Jordan River Valley on the way back. (oh yeah, we say up for north and down for south here in Michigan)
3. Do you have any vacations planned for this summer? Already gone? Where to and what? Going to Montana, In August, Can't wait. Glacier Park, Great Falls, The Start of the Missouri...you know, good old Lewis & Clark stuff.
4. What is the most drastic change to your appearance that you have ever made? Are you brave enough to post a photo? Accidentally when I had surgery on my neck. Here, but try not to be scared.
5. Tell me about something to which you are committed? I am committed to helping people learn to read better. I am a Literacy Volunteer. Oops, that reminds me, I have to call my new victim tomorrow.
6. Now tell me about something you just flat-out gave up on.Figure Skating.
7. (new saga) I've had it, this place is just wearing me out. You too? We need a break! Let's head out and go someplace new. You make the plans, I'll get things ready. So what do you have it mind, and did you want me to pick up anything special to pack for the trip? Oh, yes, let's go to Good Harbor Beach up in the Little finger. It is so beautiful, overlooking the Manitou Islands in Lake Michigan, and so ... so.... uninhabited. Do lets go. I'll pack a hamper of finger food, would you bring the frisbee and the suntan lotion?
BONUS: Where is my hairbrush?
Wherever you left it.
New Pacman high score: 20,050 22,750 on 7/7. See what happens when the Monday Mission isn't ready when I am????
Rabbit Rabbit worked. I slept until just now. Yay!
Oh great, I seem to have a problem here. I seem to have developed insomnia, but ONLY ON SUNDAY night?!?!? I've been in bed for 45 minutes, but no dreamland yet. ARGHHHH!!
I tried cutting out caffeine for the weekend, thinking that would might be the problem. No such luck.
Maybe it really is that I just can't face Monday Monday!
Well, friend Google has something to say about Sunday Night Insomnia.
There is this from MedBroadcast.
The common experience of "Sunday night insomnia, Monday morning blues" is caused by ignoring this rule. The sleeper goes to bed at progressively later times during the weekend, and sleeps in the following morning. By Sunday night, the adapted circadian rhythm is expecting to begin the sleep period beginning at, say, 1:00 a.m. and end at 09:00 hours. However, on Sunday night the sleeper wants to go to sleep at 11:00 p.m. and awaken for work at 07:00 but is unable to fall asleep until the reset time of 1:00 a.m. Thus, he or she awakens, relatively sleep deprived, at 07:00 with "the blues." Ruhro...they may have caught me.
Sleepnet has the same suggestion.
And DoctorJob takes a smiling look at the problem.
The joy of the 'net...the answers are only a click away.
Oh, and a reminder from Q...first day of the month.
Rabbit, rabbit. There, that should do it.
Good night!
Do not believe that post-time over there -->
It is really 1:11 a.m. on Monday. The wizard can't tell time.
Good night again!
I tried cutting out caffeine for the weekend, thinking that would might be the problem. No such luck.
Maybe it really is that I just can't face Monday Monday!
Well, friend Google has something to say about Sunday Night Insomnia.
There is this from MedBroadcast.
The common experience of "Sunday night insomnia, Monday morning blues" is caused by ignoring this rule. The sleeper goes to bed at progressively later times during the weekend, and sleeps in the following morning. By Sunday night, the adapted circadian rhythm is expecting to begin the sleep period beginning at, say, 1:00 a.m. and end at 09:00 hours. However, on Sunday night the sleeper wants to go to sleep at 11:00 p.m. and awaken for work at 07:00 but is unable to fall asleep until the reset time of 1:00 a.m. Thus, he or she awakens, relatively sleep deprived, at 07:00 with "the blues." Ruhro...they may have caught me.
Sleepnet has the same suggestion.
And DoctorJob takes a smiling look at the problem.
The joy of the 'net...the answers are only a click away.
Oh, and a reminder from Q...first day of the month.
Rabbit, rabbit. There, that should do it.
Good night!
Do not believe that post-time over there -->
It is really 1:11 a.m. on Monday. The wizard can't tell time.
Good night again!
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