I'm going to skip another annual classic--the story about the first Thanksgiving dinner I ever cooked (for my future in-laws)--the message was don't stress about the food, it's the company that counts (even in Texas). Instead, this year I'm remembering a different Thanksgiving. A year that I was particularly thankful--I think I was 8.
My mom wasn't feeling well that November and that usually meant I would get shipped off to my grandmother's house. And I was. "Shipped" is just an expression--she only lived 80 yards away. The 2 bedroom apartment behind her little grocery store was tiny, but cozy. I didn't mind being there, but I didn't like being sent away, if that makes sense. I wanted to be with my family for Thanksgiving.
This is where the surprise comes in. My parents and siblings had Thanksgiving dinner with me at my grandmother's. I know that sounds like a normal thing--but, again, grandma's apartment was tiny (teeny, tiny). We never had family gatherings there. Never, except for that once.
Because it was so small, the three adults ate at the kitchen table and the kids scattered in the store. Two of my sisters sat at the counter on stools to eat their dinner. I hopped up on the ancient Coke box (I have a picture of a similar cooler, but it won't upload). My two brothers shared the large, flat freezer.
It was odd, but memorable. We were all together and I was thankful for that.
What am I thankful for today? Like every day, I am thankful for my immediate family and good friends--especially the very special people I've met through blogging. I appreciate the chance to know you and share a small part of your lives--and the chance to way over-share about my life. :)
Thank you!
PS - Let the Christmas music begin!!!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
"You shouldn't do something... II
...just because someone tells you to!"
In my last post I explained the memorable way in which my dad taught me this lesson. A few times my dad regretted teaching me so well. I almost always did what needed to be done. I went on SWAT maneuvers with him, stood on tree branches (far off the ground) while sawing off the tops of trees (with no rope, no protection), and listened when he explained the best way to get a German Shepherd to go for my throat--I never put that one into practice. :)
But there were a few things that were just too far outside my comfort zone-- DELETED
PS - This isn't a great post, just a few weird examples of the oddball stuff I did (and didn't do) as a kid. But it may be related to a question my daughter asked me this week. She heard me talking about a task that was going to be quite a physical challenge.
Her question was, "Why do you always just assume you're going to be able to do these things???" (my wife and I both laughed, but I'm not exactly sure why).
In answer to her question, maybe I'm an optimist. Maybe I'm delusional. Or maybe my dad's odd projects helped me learn what I can and can't do (along with what I will and won't). I probably should have pushed my kids harder when they were little so my daughter would know which one of the three possibilities is true. :D
Note: I deleted most of this post because it was too "blah, blah, blah". But the first paragraph isn't awful and I like the PS, so I left them in.
In my last post I explained the memorable way in which my dad taught me this lesson. A few times my dad regretted teaching me so well. I almost always did what needed to be done. I went on SWAT maneuvers with him, stood on tree branches (far off the ground) while sawing off the tops of trees (with no rope, no protection), and listened when he explained the best way to get a German Shepherd to go for my throat--I never put that one into practice. :)
But there were a few things that were just too far outside my comfort zone-- DELETED
PS - This isn't a great post, just a few weird examples of the oddball stuff I did (and didn't do) as a kid. But it may be related to a question my daughter asked me this week. She heard me talking about a task that was going to be quite a physical challenge.
Her question was, "Why do you always just assume you're going to be able to do these things???" (my wife and I both laughed, but I'm not exactly sure why).
In answer to her question, maybe I'm an optimist. Maybe I'm delusional. Or maybe my dad's odd projects helped me learn what I can and can't do (along with what I will and won't). I probably should have pushed my kids harder when they were little so my daughter would know which one of the three possibilities is true. :D
Note: I deleted most of this post because it was too "blah, blah, blah". But the first paragraph isn't awful and I like the PS, so I left them in.
Friday, November 14, 2014
"You shouldn't do something...
...just because someone tells you to!"
My dad taught me that lesson well. Here's how you do it...
When I was 10 I helped my dad work on a lawnmower. It was my grandfather's old riding lawnmower. Dad removed the spark plug and looked at it as I pulled the rope. I didn't know why he was doing that. How could the mower start if the spark plug wasn't in the little hole???
After I'd pulled the rope many times, dad wanted to switch places with me. He said "Hold this" and went to pull the rope. What happened next set me free, in a way. When my dad lightly pulled on the rope, my left side exploded in pain. I jumped (or was thrown) back from the mower. I felt like I'd been shot in the left elbow and shoulder. As I rolled in the grass, I heard my dad chuckling. Then he said, “Now I know the spark plug is getting power and you know not to grab a spark plug wire. That could kill you.” Through gritted teeth I said, “But you told me to!” Dad shook his head and said, “You shouldn’t do something just because someone tells you to.”
Those words made perfect sense! Why should I do something just because someone tells me to??? Of course I shouldn't! Learning that lesson helped me a LOT--especially during the teen years. It allowed me to laugh at peer pressure--which doesn't mean I didn't do dumb things. It just means I only did the dumb things I wanted to do. :D
In my next post I'm going to share a story about why my dad later regretted teaching me this lesson so well--BTW, it had nothing to do with how he taught the lesson. :)
PS - In case you think it was mean for my dad to have me hold that wire: 1) he knew not to pull the cord hard enough to do any damage; and 2) this is a classic, 3 Stooges kind of funny to guys. Not to me, but to any guy who wasn't holding the wire. I've shared the story with several friends over the years and each one busted out laughing. So it's okay if you smiled--and okay if you didn't.
PS II - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!! I wasn't hurt because my dad was an experienced mechanic. To quote him, "That could kill you."
My dad taught me that lesson well. Here's how you do it...
When I was 10 I helped my dad work on a lawnmower. It was my grandfather's old riding lawnmower. Dad removed the spark plug and looked at it as I pulled the rope. I didn't know why he was doing that. How could the mower start if the spark plug wasn't in the little hole???
After I'd pulled the rope many times, dad wanted to switch places with me. He said "Hold this" and went to pull the rope. What happened next set me free, in a way. When my dad lightly pulled on the rope, my left side exploded in pain. I jumped (or was thrown) back from the mower. I felt like I'd been shot in the left elbow and shoulder. As I rolled in the grass, I heard my dad chuckling. Then he said, “Now I know the spark plug is getting power and you know not to grab a spark plug wire. That could kill you.” Through gritted teeth I said, “But you told me to!” Dad shook his head and said, “You shouldn’t do something just because someone tells you to.”
Those words made perfect sense! Why should I do something just because someone tells me to??? Of course I shouldn't! Learning that lesson helped me a LOT--especially during the teen years. It allowed me to laugh at peer pressure--which doesn't mean I didn't do dumb things. It just means I only did the dumb things I wanted to do. :D
In my next post I'm going to share a story about why my dad later regretted teaching me this lesson so well--BTW, it had nothing to do with how he taught the lesson. :)
PS - In case you think it was mean for my dad to have me hold that wire: 1) he knew not to pull the cord hard enough to do any damage; and 2) this is a classic, 3 Stooges kind of funny to guys. Not to me, but to any guy who wasn't holding the wire. I've shared the story with several friends over the years and each one busted out laughing. So it's okay if you smiled--and okay if you didn't.
PS II - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!! I wasn't hurt because my dad was an experienced mechanic. To quote him, "That could kill you."
Monday, November 3, 2014
More poetry
If you let me take your heart
I will prove to you
We will never be apart
If I'm part of you
Open up your eyes now
Tell me what you see
It is no surprise now
What you see is me
Big and black the clouds may be
Time will pass away
If you put your trust in me
I'll make bright your day
Look into these eyes now
Tell me what you see
Don't you realise now
What you see is me
What do you think? Is this one a winner?
I won't be offended it you don't like it. I'll be shocked, but not offended. Because I did not write this. John Lennon and Paul McCartney did. It's the first half of "Tell Me What You See" (a Beatles' song).
It goes really well with music. :)
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