Christmas 2018 and further

It's Christmas Day 2018.  We had all the crew over for dinner last evening with the opening of presents and enjoyment by all.  Today has been a perfectly lazy one watching "Home Alone" in the morning.  There are parts that never fail to crack me up, mainly the bungling burglars Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.  I may be my age but physical comedy still gets me, and of course, John Candy is flawless.

We watched "Its a Wonderful Life" on December 22nd.  Even though this film has been around for a long time,  it moves me.  The desperation of Jimmy Stewart is played so well, the viewer with any empathy feels his pain.  All fathers, if they're honest with themselves, know failure and the guilt that goes along with it.  His redemption is redemption for us all.

Shannon got some movies from Santa and we have been seeing them all afternoon.  She is enjoying even though the films are new to her.  She has seen and memorized Beauty and the Beast countless times along with Snow White.  With every Saturday visit, we absolutely have to play this film and she really liked these new ones,  Santa made good choices.

I had some family historical guy items that I gave to my sons with great explanation.  Surprisingly, they enjoyed that stuff and the stories.  One more thing, my youngest grandson Paxton, said his complete name, first and last on Christmas Eve.  Wherever my father is, Paxton's declaration mad him smile. 

The world is a mess.  The president is tweeting sad and sorrowful tweets and demanding his border wall.  The stock market is in free fall and many Americans probably went into serious debt to over spend on holiday gifts.  There are still immigrant children in detention.  A couple have perished.  All the politicians are departing that could inject some sense into our situation. 

All we can do is to affect our little piece of the world and bring about positive effects and changes.  In my opinion, we all need to find a way to reduce the amount of plastics we consume.  It seems that every product that is on a shelf is encased in material that can not be destroyed within hundreds of years.  My 2019 resolution is to reduce my participation in this pestilence.  Not really sure how this will be accomplished yet.  Further, I am going to continue to get repairs on my body that are needed, and not ignore doctors suggestions.

All for now

So far this year

Hello again, we have had an interesting year so far since my last posting, reconnecting with old friends.  Most recently had group dinner with a friend that I hadn't seen in about 45 years.  She looked wonderful and all of us left over from Wayne State in the 70's had a great time catching up.

 My grand kids have had birthdays with loud celebrations at  kid friendly venues and I went to the Michigan Brewers Guild event at Eastern Market having my picture taken with our Senator

sometimes to the chagrin of my more right leaning friends.  She seemed pleasant and of course always campaigning.  We were all drinking together.

Now contemplating the Christmas holiday and more realizing that our friendships and connections are the most important gifts we have.  Put up decorations this year to make myself feel more festive and want to offer my kids some things that are kind of family history items.  They not really holiday gifts but mementos of the past. Will test the waters on this.   I think we need to know that we all came from somewhere and are connected to our relatives that have gone before us.  I will struggle to not tell long verbose stories that will bore the listener.  My wife will keep me in line.

Also attended my 50th high school reunion.  As I approached this crowd of old people, I realized that I was one of them. It was sad to see all members that had left us, a couple of which I wish I could speak to again.  But the condition of my classmates was decent with some in ill health but good spirits.  Attended with my best friend from the 5th grade forward and our wives.  I guess this is another milestone.  In that it is another reminder of the aging process, I am glad it is completed.

Well we are experiencing a rare day of somewhat sunny weather.  I have to get out there and enjoy it with at walk with the dogs.

And now we move into fall

It's difficult to know where to begin on this post.  The warm months of summer seem to be over and cooler temps prevail.  Frankly I am now sick of the heat and and enjoying the crisp mornings.  The grand kids are back at school and we are back to more of a routine doing Planet Fitness on a regular basis which is good for our health and architecture.  

Today is my lovely wife's birthday which she hates to be reminded of.  She attended a meeting at the school for my grandson this morning and looked beautiful as she departed.  I really do not know why she puts up with me, my bad habits and inability to change my ways.  But I am glad she does.  Relationships mature after this many years.  We learn our partners likes and dislikes and what they are passionate about.  Our kids and grand kids are on the top of the list.  It's wonderful to see how they have all grown and personalities have developed.  

This month (October) Judy and I will be attending my 50th high school reunion.  I go to see my former classmates but with some trepidation because through not fault of theirs, my high school career was not the happiest point of my life.  I felt I was fat and unattractive and not the most charming.  Like all boys that age, wanted girls to like me for more than a friend mostly without success.  I lost a younger sibling to illness when I was sixteen and her illness mostly removed the happiness from our household.  But, my parents soldiered on and did the best they could.

1968 was a tumultuous time in America.  Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were both assassinated in the spring of this year.  Bobby was killed the morning after my senior prom.  The Viet Nam war raged on, bringing great discord to our country.  Many wondered what our purpose was there.  On the political spectrum the Democratic National Convention in the summer was the site of civil disobedience with the National Guard attempting to restore order.  Richard Daley the mayor of Chicago (site of the convention), anointed all presidential candidates if they expected to win.  His city was in shambles. There is a book "Miami and the Siege of Chicago" written about these events.  I had to read for a college course and still worthwhile.

My friends and I were still amazed by "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" the epic Beatles album released in 1967. Still listening to it now 50 years later loving all the nuances of the music.

Today is a rainy one with the local roads underwater hoping the pumps work.  Went on a dreary trip to Kroger's.  Having a birthday party for my remarkable grandson Elijah tonight after school.  We love him to pieces and he is still happy to see us most of the time.  He has had some challenges in school but is moving ahead. We are very proud of him.  Post party there is to be a soggy soccer game that nanny and poppy will attend.  Was pleased to learn that he shares his birthday with my friend from the fifth grade thru high school, Jerry. 

I am going to start my Roses lawn work this month helping more needy seniors with household chores.  Judy's only requirement is for no ladders and both of my feet need to be planted on the ground.  Sometimes the work is strenuous but recipients are most appreciative.  

 




 

Time to change things up.

Now I'm two years into retirement.  It seems time to change my attitude.  I shared a post on FB recently that quoted "I'm between 65 and death".  That statement had some effect on me, along with the advice that followed, basically to live life to the fullest, forgive indiscretions, maintain independence, and laugh a lot, among other things. 

I now feel like I never had a career, being so removed from my past.  My work now is namely child care, a little part time gig at Staples, and home maintenance.  I have two friends that are retiring this year.  One has a very specific plan to move forward, the other does not.  I have tried to advise to allow time for the transition into the new life.  We will see what happens.  I am volunteering at the 1st grade end of year picnic, serving chow to the kids.  Should be fun.  They had a field day at the elementary school last week.  One little toe headed boy came up to me a told me I looked like his grandpa, only I was older.  With white hair and mustache, its hard to disguise.  Had a laugh.

I am going thru some some body repairs this summer.  First it was work on veins in one leg.  I have learned more about the vascular system than I ever wanted to know. But that's done now.  Sadly my days as a hosiery model are probably behind me.

Now on to teeth.  All the details are not needed but it will be some time before my smile is completed.

Shannon is home for the weekend.  She loves the Wiggles (and Australian singing troupe for kids).  I am about to overdose on their songs and antics.  They still make her very happy and full of laughter. Will put up with it.

We are heading to the Garden State later in the month for family visiting and other fun.  I miss these folks and it will be good to see them again.

all for now