The passing of my great uncle on Thanksgiving morning has me musing on families. Not wives, sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers. I've been thinking more about great grandparents, great uncles, etc.
Ordinarily, the "great" relatives leave this earthly existence before younger generations really have a chance to know them. It's the simple mathematics of average life spans. Many of us probably remember meeting a great relative in our early years. Meeting them is probably about all remember.
My Great Uncle Lec was just a few months shy of 100 when he passed away. To me, he was always the elderly relative who lived on the other side of town - or, after I moved, the relative in the other town.
Reflecting on his passing, I think I missed wonderful opportunities by failing to know him better. Opportunities to hear about life in the early 1900's. Opportunities to hear about relatives even more "great' than my great uncle.
It's not often we are given such an opportunity to learn history first hand. I regret letting it pass me by.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Rock Tour
We weren't exactly Sly and the Family Stone - but we were close, and I'm thinking we should take our act on the road. Fame and fortune surely await.
Well, okay, maybe not.
But our family sure had fun hanging out in College Dude's apartment over the Thanksgiving holiday. College Dude introduced us to the video game Rock Star.
Remember singing along to your albums, er-ah, eight tracks, I mean cassettes, as a kid? Perhaps you used a pencil, hairbrush, of empty paper towel roll for a microphone. Almost assuredly you played a wicked air guitar.
I must confess to being a lip syncing junkie in my teens. All of the skills I developed during those teenage performances were put to good use the past few days as I rocked the house with songs by Boston, Jethro Tull, Steve Miller, Queen, and more.
My family saw a side of me that I don't think they've ever seen before. I think I can say in total confidence that they were overwhelmed.
Well, okay, maybe not.
But our family sure had fun hanging out in College Dude's apartment over the Thanksgiving holiday. College Dude introduced us to the video game Rock Star.
Remember singing along to your albums, er-ah, eight tracks, I mean cassettes, as a kid? Perhaps you used a pencil, hairbrush, of empty paper towel roll for a microphone. Almost assuredly you played a wicked air guitar.
I must confess to being a lip syncing junkie in my teens. All of the skills I developed during those teenage performances were put to good use the past few days as I rocked the house with songs by Boston, Jethro Tull, Steve Miller, Queen, and more.
My family saw a side of me that I don't think they've ever seen before. I think I can say in total confidence that they were overwhelmed.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
It's been a rough year for many people. Here's hoping we are all able to spend the holiday focused on something, however small, to be thankful for.
As we offer up our prayers of Thanksgiving, let us include those in dire straits as well as the men and women in our armed forces.
I'll be away from the internet for a while. Look for a new post on Monday, November 30.
It's been a rough year for many people. Here's hoping we are all able to spend the holiday focused on something, however small, to be thankful for.
As we offer up our prayers of Thanksgiving, let us include those in dire straits as well as the men and women in our armed forces.
I'll be away from the internet for a while. Look for a new post on Monday, November 30.
New Tradition
Along the turnpike and through the tunnel to College Dude's apartment we go.
Yes, it's a new twist on over the river and through the woods.
A new twist to the song is fitting because this year marks a new twist to our family tradition. Since College Dude's obligations prevent him from coming to us - Motivated Mom, Media Girl, and myself will be heading to him.
It's kind of exciting actually, like taking the first step on a new adventure.
The change in venue has me thinking about Thanksgiving evolution. For me, Thanksgiving memories begin with my grandparents' dining room table burdened with food and the smell of a slowly roasting turkey permeating the entire house. Later years saw my sister and I seated in my parents' dining room.
Thanksgiving then alternated between the families of Motivated Mom and myself. Now we are heading to our son's house. It occurs to me that, with a couple of exceptions, Motivated Mom and I have somehow skipped being Thanksgiving hosts. Perhaps our turn will come in the future - as grandparents. Now there's a scary thought.
Yes, it's a new twist on over the river and through the woods.
A new twist to the song is fitting because this year marks a new twist to our family tradition. Since College Dude's obligations prevent him from coming to us - Motivated Mom, Media Girl, and myself will be heading to him.
It's kind of exciting actually, like taking the first step on a new adventure.
The change in venue has me thinking about Thanksgiving evolution. For me, Thanksgiving memories begin with my grandparents' dining room table burdened with food and the smell of a slowly roasting turkey permeating the entire house. Later years saw my sister and I seated in my parents' dining room.
Thanksgiving then alternated between the families of Motivated Mom and myself. Now we are heading to our son's house. It occurs to me that, with a couple of exceptions, Motivated Mom and I have somehow skipped being Thanksgiving hosts. Perhaps our turn will come in the future - as grandparents. Now there's a scary thought.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Lights and Colts
It was a near thing today. My neighbor almost stole my coveted position of being the first person in the neighborhood to decorate for Christmas.
I had come home from work, popped a cold brewsky, and was settling in to watch the Indianapolis Colts hopefully continue their perfect season - when across the street there arose such a clatter that I sprang from my recliner to see what was the matter.
My neighbor was putting up his Christmas decorations.
Oh my, said I.
This cannot be.
Someone decorating earlier than me.
I turned from the window
Looked back at the T.V.
I sorely wanted to watch Peyton throw for T.D.s
But my decorating title was in jeopardy
There was really no choice
I cranked the volume so from outside I could hear the announcers voice.
Outside I hung colored lights from the eaves with care,
Fixing my neighbor with a murderous stare
I went up and down the ladder more often than I should
Sometimes to fix wires, sometimes to check the Colts were still good.
All in all it was a celebratory day
My title was not lost - though it now will be shared
My team marched onward with hardly a care.
I had come home from work, popped a cold brewsky, and was settling in to watch the Indianapolis Colts hopefully continue their perfect season - when across the street there arose such a clatter that I sprang from my recliner to see what was the matter.
My neighbor was putting up his Christmas decorations.
Oh my, said I.
This cannot be.
Someone decorating earlier than me.
I turned from the window
Looked back at the T.V.
I sorely wanted to watch Peyton throw for T.D.s
But my decorating title was in jeopardy
There was really no choice
I cranked the volume so from outside I could hear the announcers voice.
Outside I hung colored lights from the eaves with care,
Fixing my neighbor with a murderous stare
I went up and down the ladder more often than I should
Sometimes to fix wires, sometimes to check the Colts were still good.
All in all it was a celebratory day
My title was not lost - though it now will be shared
My team marched onward with hardly a care.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Significant Absence
Motivated Mom is absent this weekend - visiting friends in the mountainous terrains of upstate Pennsylvania.
There's something about one's significant other being away that makes the house feel different. A quiet settles in that is both relaxing and unnerving.
The relaxation comes from things like choosing to wait for a couple hours after a meal to wash the dishes, choosing not to return the dozen decorative pillows to the bed after rising, or choosing to set the volume on the surround sound to levels that would preclude conversation if Motivated Mom were around.
Yet the absence of Motivated Mom's footsteps in the hall, or her yawn coming from the bedroom, or the fizzling in the kitchen as she pours Caffeine Free Diet Coke into a glass of crushed ice results in an unnatural silence. A silence so loud that I cannot help but realize an important of me is missing, that I am incomplete.
There's something about one's significant other being away that makes the house feel different. A quiet settles in that is both relaxing and unnerving.
The relaxation comes from things like choosing to wait for a couple hours after a meal to wash the dishes, choosing not to return the dozen decorative pillows to the bed after rising, or choosing to set the volume on the surround sound to levels that would preclude conversation if Motivated Mom were around.
Yet the absence of Motivated Mom's footsteps in the hall, or her yawn coming from the bedroom, or the fizzling in the kitchen as she pours Caffeine Free Diet Coke into a glass of crushed ice results in an unnatural silence. A silence so loud that I cannot help but realize an important of me is missing, that I am incomplete.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Pruning and Samwise
I was pruning bushes today. Today being one of my weekend days that isn't really a weekend.
While I was attacking the shrubbery with assorted shears, pruners, and clippers, I recalled a scene from the first Lord of the Rings movie. In the scene, Gandalf hoists Samwise Gamgee through an open window and accuses Sam of eavesdropping. Sam insists he was simply attending to his gardening duties - even though his eavesdropping takes place in the middle of the night.
I can't get that scene out of my head. So, now that dusk has fallen and I find myself alone in the house for the evening. I guess I'm going to have to drop the DVD in the entertainment system, crank up the surround sound, and lose myself in the goings on in the Shire.
While I was attacking the shrubbery with assorted shears, pruners, and clippers, I recalled a scene from the first Lord of the Rings movie. In the scene, Gandalf hoists Samwise Gamgee through an open window and accuses Sam of eavesdropping. Sam insists he was simply attending to his gardening duties - even though his eavesdropping takes place in the middle of the night.
I can't get that scene out of my head. So, now that dusk has fallen and I find myself alone in the house for the evening. I guess I'm going to have to drop the DVD in the entertainment system, crank up the surround sound, and lose myself in the goings on in the Shire.
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