Recycling the news?

--Making thing's stretch seems to be a full time preoccupation lately. Trying for better or worse to make thing's last as long as possible before finally letting it go.
--There's only so much you can do with food supplies, trying for the lest amount of waste. And then trying to find a use for the waste if possible. You know left over night.
--Appliances are hard. Because nothing seems to last as long as it used to. Thanks to the internet and a ready supply of information it is possible to find ways to repair some stuff. But major appliances are a different story. Your more or less at the mercy of the market place. Because again nothing's seems to be built to last anymore.
--It used to be you could save money doing some repair on you car yourself. But these days even those repairs have become so complicated that you need to go to a garage to have them done.
--There are still some home repair you can do so far, but who knows how long it'll be before they figure out how to make them beyond mortal man to figure out.
--I guess what I'm trying to say recycling is a way of life for most people. You could say our survival depends on it. But is it really necessary to recycle the news.
--I means sometimes it seems like some people get stuck on one topic and just won't let it go. It seems to me it's awfully big word out there, and I'm sure there’s a lot going on. Maybe they should try looking around little. I don't know about anybody else but I know I'd like to hear about it once in awhile...

Seeding a Garden before it’s Time…

--I know for a fact that I have told my children on more than one occasion that the only way to over came a negative is with a over powering positive. And they just shake their heads and look at me. Hoping to by pass another of a long line of soapbox sermons, and get away clean. In fact as they get older they tend to listen less, and run faster. Forgetting of course that their were seeds planted long before it was decided that parents were just people you had to put up with until you reached the magic age of 18.
--I’ve often been criticized for the way I talk to my children. It seems treating them like little people is frowned upon by the main stream. They would rather have you talk nonsense for the first 5 years and let the school straighten out the mess of mush.
--I on the other hand have always treated my children as little people. And talked to them constantly. Because I knew I only had a few years before they reached a stage when they would stop listening. Usually around their preteen years, it seems.
--Of course after starting in school as a parent I was constantly being reminded of just how little I did know. By the so called Teachers and school system. So it only made the race all the more important.
--Today my children are always reminding me in one way or another of the little things I used to say coming back on them to see the light of day. I just smile and say image that. Because there's really no point in mentioning seeds planted long ago. They'd just roll their eyes and try to get away....

Guardians of the Flame…

--I love holidays for the simple reasons it gives the family an excuse to come together. Not that we need much of an excuse, but sometimes a reminder or two helps.
--In our day to day lives we become so involved in just trying to survive the ups and downs of  this crazy old world, we forget the foundation  from which we grew. The Family.
--The one place where we know were always welcome, and theirs always plenty of room, and a light always on, in case we need to pop over in the middle of the night.
--Over the years my wife and I have tried to let our children know this for a fact. It’s been hard bucking the me me me trend as of late. But we keep trying.
--While our Holidays are not actually Hallmark moments it is nice to have everyone under the same roof for the few short hours the day last. Before they are once again off to their own corners of their own little worlds. Leaving my wife and I here as guardians of the flame of Family…  

Family needs…

--One of the first things I had to learn when my wife and I had children was there was no more me so to speck. It was all about us. The Family.
--I learned to put my needs, wants, or whatever on hold and concentrate on the Family. And our needs as a whole.
--And let me tell you it has been the most rewarding exhausting experience of my whole life. Learning to put the needs of others first instead of self seems to go against everything that we are told by society Even more so it seems in these past few years. Which is a shame, because nothing can compare to the feeling it gives of lending a helping hand even when you really don’t want to.
--But realizing that you no longer have that option, you gave that up when you stood before God, Friends and Family and made your vows on your wedding day. So you drag yourself of to fulfill the needs of your Family. And in the process, you find out that it’s not as bad as you thought. In fact, it really feels pretty darn good.
--Over time of course it becomes easier, and in the beginning, I’ll admit it was hard.
--But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years about vows before God, when you break them our just plain ignore them. He has a habit of keeping track and pointing it out at the worst time, or in the worst possible way. Usually it’s so much better to try to live up to them…

This to shall pass keeping the Hobgoblins at bay..

--The warm heat slowly filling the room while comforting is slowly putting me to sleep. it feels like I’m slowly binging lowered into a giant vat of jell-o. I struggle to keep my wits, by pulling a nonsense word out and repeating it.
--And as a back up out comes the mulberry bush tune. After a bit the two become interchangeable.
--I know sounds like a ball of yarn slowly unrolling.
--What it is in fact are little tricks I've picked up to keep the hobgoblin's at bay. You know the one's.
--If left unattended for long it's like an roaring Oktoberfest, in a minute or too. So on days like that I go fully prepared for anything.
--Some people look at me like I'm losing it but I stopped caring what people thought about along time ago. The only one I worry about now is the one in the mirror. And usually we get along just fine. Unless I forget my glasses, on the way to the bathroom at night, Then he scares the hell of me.
--When all else fails I take a deep breath and try to remember this to shall pass...

Listening to them...

--They say don't be afraid, but forget what is was like without the light.
--They say don't point it's not polite, but forget what is was like to see an unusual sight.
--They say don't say this, and don't say that, but forget what it was like just starting out when the world full and their were no boundary’s in sight.
--They say don't disagree, just go along. But forget it was the one's who questioned what was, that got us this far.
--Maybe it's time we stopped listening to them for a change, and started listening to our own little voices. After all they really haven’t had a suck good track record so far…

My little firefly..

--I love shopping with my wife. because sometimes it like trying to keep up with a firefly. especially when she on the trail of a really good sale. Her eye's light up and of she goes. By the time I get the cart turned around she's half way across the store. And usually when I get to where she is she only stops long enough to drop what she's gathered and off she goes again.
--I've tried to keep up her, and can't. So I usually go at my own pace, and keep my eyes open for any sales she might have missed. it's a weird system but it seems to work for us.
--I know most men would rather have a tooth pulled then go shopping with their wife’s. But let me tell you it's all in how you approach the thing that counts. If you go in with a doomed attitude then it will feel like your slowly having your teeth pulled. But if you try, you just might enjoy yourself. And besides where else can you take your wife and have a good time while getting something done that's needs to be doing...

--Yard sale Christmas light blues...

--First all I want to state I love my wife. She is without a doubt an original. She has blessed me with four wonderful children who have proven my mothers curse wasn't a joke put a foretelling of the future to come. "I hope you have children who are just like you." And like I said she got her wish. thanks ma.
--Now that I've cleared up that let's get to the point. Like I said I love my wife, expect around Christmas time when they put the lights on stuff and when it is yard sale season. Then something happens to that darn fool women that I just can't figure. it like she becomes possessed by another person. One who can be driving along one minute carrying on a conversation, and the next minute slamming on the brakes and backing up because she saw or thought she saw a yard sale.
--Which doesn't sounds so bad until you try riding with the fool. I mean sometimes my in sides are still bouncing around 5-10 min after we've stopped. Not to mention the rapid take of, if it should turn out it wasn't a yard sale, or if it was and she didn't see anything worth stopping for. And then it's off in search of another one.
--Christmas time it's just the opposite, it's not the stopping it's the wondering all over the darn road. It's not so bad if there on the passenger side then all have to worry about is a snow bank or to. But God forbid their on the drivers side, cause then I have to remind to stay on her side of the road.
--But that being said I love to see the light in her eye's when she sees the Christmas light's. Especially when the kids are in the car. or when she's on the trail of a real good sale. There's nothing like it. It's just one of the many reason's I love my wife....

The day I took care of it…

--My wife and I are blessed with four great children. But not long after our fourth child was born the day came when we had to decide how we were going to proceed.
--Now I'd said right along that when the day came, I was going to be the one  who took care of it.
--Apparently no one thought I was going to go though with it. Not the doctor who wouldn't stop pushing at my wife with statement's like it's a simple proceed and as long as we have you here it'll take maybe five minute's. I told him that she'd done more than enough, she went though hell four times carrying and delivering four children. When the time came I was going to be the one who took care of it.
--And I'm not quite sure my wife thought I'd go though with it.
--Either way when the day came I could tell my wife was having second thoughts. Now I love my wife but if she seriously thought, I was going watch her go though nine months of hell again, or go into another deliver room with her again she had another think coming. I made it to the hospital in record time. All the while not trying to mention why we were going there or look at my wife to closely because I knew what would happen. She’d look at me with that hang dog look and I’d fold like a wet paper bag.
-- Deep down we both knew it was the right thing to do.
--When the nurse came to take me down to have the procedure I tried to help her along a bit by trying to row down the hospital corridor wall. She asked if I was in a hurry and I said no but I think my wife might be changing her mind.
--So she says well if you would rather talk about it. I cut her of with I would rather you got the lead out before she starts after us OK. I mean seriously, what I have to do find the room myself.
--Well she seemed more than little perplexed as she jogged down to the operating room, with me rowing along the wall.
--When we got there I told other nurse that was waiting she better put something up against the door, because my wife might be changing her mind. And she said well if you would rather talk about it. And I had to cut her off with look we already talked we got a matched set; If she wants anymore she will have to adopt. cause I'm not watching her go though nine months of hell then have to go into another deliver room with her again. OK now can we please get started? Man, what does a man have to do to get this thing done?
--They all looked at me as if I had totally lost my mind but I did not care. I'd rather try to wrestle a grizzly bear then go though nine months of watching my wife go though hell and another delivery room. I had never felt so totally helpless in my whole life. And I had had to watch it four times.
--The doctor was a little perplexed when I told him I wanted watch, and if anybody said whoop’s there was going to hell to pay. But he played along and moved the mirror a bit so I could see.
--The whole thing didn't take very long and I was up and about in no time. When I got back out to my wife she gave me little kiss and asked how I knew she was changing her mind. I smiled and oh, I don't know just a wild guess...

American pride...

--Oh when did we forget what a great place this really is?
--Oh when did we become afraid to speck of it? For fear that, we might offend.
--Oh when did we decide to rewrite our history, instead of trying to lean from it?
--Oh when did we stop reaching out to each other, to try and get things done?
--Oh when did we draw the line when it came to paying respect to the one's who paid the price to keep use free? And say no more you did not do it for me.
--oh when did we decide that being proud of who we are is such a great sin.
--Maybe it's. Time we started to remember, what a great place this really is.
--I'm proud to be an American, and proud of that old flag and land over which she waves. The only country on this earth were everybody’s welcome no matter who you are.
--God bless America, I'm proud to be an American..

Waiting for Winter to begin again...

--It  a pears to be a rainy gloomy day out at first glance. The leaves have just about all fallen of the trees. The grass is a little shaggy waiting patiently for the first cutting of the New Year.
--It's one of those days where winter takes a break for a bit before the next wave of cold hits.
--Myself I try to enjoy them, it's somewhat refreshing. And even though it's rainy and gloomy, it's almost like a sun shiny day before the start of the next wave of really bad weather.
--Maybe that's why we have them so we can count our blessings. Instead sitting around complaining about what we cannot Control...

The spirit of Thanksgiving Day…

--The time has come once again to sit around with family and friends and celebrate that of what we give thanks.
--Some us will not be there in body, but in spirit if we choose to see. And maybe that's OK to.
--Because even though a chair maybe not filled the air is every where, and on the day of giving thanks I'm sure the spirit of Thanksgiving day is everywhere to..

The best present ever...

--There once were a couple of parents, who thought and thought about each present they bought for there little ones on Christmas day.
--Trying for most best of the bestest for their little ones on Christmas day.
--The presents were in all shapes and sizes, from biggest to little. And back again. For their little ones on Christmas day.
--And come to find out it was all for naught, because the most played with present was the boxes the presents came in on that Christmas day...

I don’t feel good..

--If there's one thing I've learned time and time again rating 4 children, is that temper tantrums come in all shapes and sizes.
--You probably know what I'm talking about. Make the mistake of saying no in a store and a child will let's lose with a high pitch scream that will set dogs to howling in three counties. Making people stare at you like what is the matter with you? Why can't you breeder's find your own store to shop in. That one never worked on me unfortunately for my kids because I stopped caring how people looked at me a long time ago.
--But kids are persistent if one tactic doesn't work they quickly change course, and are able go on the fly.
--One of my favorites is the I don't feel good. It's a delayed one, it usually come 1 to 2 days after you've said no to something. Or quite possibly caught them in a lie. Either way I don't feel good works for just about anything. For the simple reason we as parents say no to, and catch so many white lie's in the first 5 years of a child life after a while we end up on no, and white lie overload. If we tried to remember each and every one we'd forget other stuff  like, name and address, or where you parked the car. And how would that look wandering around the park with a bunch of kids trying to remember where you parked. I can just image the officer's face as you try to explain that one. Why of course their my kids, it's just I was so busy remembering what I said no to, and who said what white lie I forgot where I left the car.
--One of the main reason’s I don’t feel good works so well it's kicks right into the parenting Dna. You look out for their well-being, keep them safe, and try to make them feel better when they are sick. And usually it's not until the whole thing is over that if you’re lucky you figure out you've been played. And if not well, I guess that’s one of the joys of being a parent. Watching them grow up and getting ready to face the world. In fact their have been times I’ve let my children win a few, for the simple reason it builds self-esteem. And nobody likes to loose all the time. Especially children…

If you want to play in their sandbox, you play by their rules...

--One day I took my children to the park so they could play. There was a bunch of other little kids playing, so I figured everything would be fine. They went about their way and I sat on the bench keeping a watchful eye on them.
--Everything went well until my son came over to let me no he could not play in the sandbox because the kids playing had made up a bunch of weird rules. I listened to what he had to say. I'm not sure what he expected me to say, but I'm sure this wasn't it. I smiled and said," well you can either play by their rules or find another sand box I guess."
--He gave me a big sad face and said,” But that's the only one"
--"I can see that, I guess that means you have to play by their rules,” I said. Well he wasn't to happy but he gave in and had a good time. Every one left happy and tired out.
--The next day we came and hour earlier and the first thing my son did was head for the sandbox because it was empty, and I guess he figured today he was going to be the one making the rules...

Seven Gates of Hell..

--In the course of having four children, I watched my wife go through the seven gates of hell that would have made Dante cringe. Morning sickness, Charley horse’s where no man of would have been able to handle them and still maintain His sanity. Not to mention trying to work while all this was going on. There was the kicking from within. The craving’s, and just all around discomfort of trying to move around with a bowling ball strapped to yourself from within. The crazy test’s the doctor’s came up with to test a women’s endurance.
--My favorite drink a gallon of water, hold it while they rub a cold wand on your stomach to try to take a look at how the baby is growing. Of course, this excites the baby to no end because he or she wants to make sure they get her or his good side. Which of course you guessed it presses against the bladder, which is very past, full. During this whole process, my wife was all smiles and complained not a bit. Me I drink a cup of water and five minute later I am running for the bathroom. And god help anyone who gets in the way cause their going to get wet…

Where was I...

--"It all started,"
--(Excuse me I thought I was going to tell the story?)
--"Were you there?"
--(No but I've heard you tell it enough I know it by heart.)
--"It's not the same, so be quiet, you igit."
--(There's no reason to get mean, I was just trying to help.)
--"You can help by being quiet."
--(OK have it your way I'm just going to sit here. I won't say a word.)
--"Now where was I?"
--(You were on it all started.)
--"I thought I told you to be quiet"
--(Just trying to help.)...

The Whisperer..

--For some reason  I’m reminded of a story I once heard. It went something like this.
--Back when everybody thought the world was flat there were a few who knew is wasn’t. But chose to keep silent because it gave the people something to talk about and worry about. And being thus occupied they didn’t bother to talk about or think about  just who started the rumor in the first place. Makes you wonder who whispered  what in the first place…

How can you smile when the sky if falling?..

--Sitting here with coffee in hand I stare out the window at the darkness covered land.
Everyone’s asleep, except the cat and me. And Even he watches with one eye.
--The floor creaks, the cat peeks and me I just sigh. It is the quiet time before the morning begins and that is the reason why...

Where in the Sam hill is Waldo?...

--Sometimes when I am out shopping with my wife, I feel like I am trapped in a giant version of where is Waldo. With Waldo being the reasonably priced items.
--I mean some store's to seem to want to make it such an adventure I keep checking. YouTube expecting to find a video titled man looking for the lowest prices.
--I am not complaining I like a good mystery just as much as the next fellow. But sometimes it seems like if they put as much effort into trying to lowering their prices, as they do trying to hide the items with low prices they would be getting somewhere.
--I am beginning to think maybe that’s the reason for the Where's Waldo game in first place. They figure we will get tired of looking and just grab what ever handy...

The Legend of the Squeaky Old Chair..

--Listen my children and you shall hear the legend of the squeaky old chair.
--Every night at the stroke of midnight it would squeak and no one would be there.
--It had everyone living in fear.
--Until one night a little one noticed, that the reason it was squeaking was a little tiny mouse was moving that squeaky old chair…

Bug-a-boo's peeing in my ear..

--We all probably have self-doubt that plagues at the worst times. You know little thing's like aches pains and just plain old self-doubt. You know the ones. I know I have my share, and then some. On some day’s it feels like they all have little hammer’s and their just whacking away at me.
--On days like that I carry a little alarm clock with me and set it for 5min. When it goes of, I hit the snooze. Its purpose I guess is two fold,
            1. I made it another 5 min.
            2. Time to get up and get moving.
-- Because sitting around whining about how bad thing’s are just seems to make them little bug-a-boo's down right happy. And that is something I try not to do, cause then that's when the fun really starts. The aches and pain's all start to go off all at once, and then the self-doubt kicks in, and before long, you feel lower than a snakes belly after a full dinner.
--My wife at first figured I'd stared into abyss once to often and it was a starring back. However, over time she came around because I was getting a lot done. And I was not spending all day on the couch not being able to move.
--Oh I have still have days where I feel like somebody has been a wailing on me with a bag of rocks. But as long as I keep moving I, keep the bug-a-boo's from peeing in my ear's…

The Helping Hand…

--When my children were first trying to figure out how to navigate through life's many obstacle’s they were more than happy to have a helping hand.
--Then they became Teenagers, and were more than happy to have a helping hand, after trying it their way for a while of course.
--Next came Adulthood and a helping hand although appreciated was not sought until all other resource's were checked and rechecked first. And then and only then did they look for the helping hand..
--I guess I'm partly responsible, or maybe it’s all my fault. Maybe I should have let them stumble around in the dark when they were little just learning to walk. Rather than pointing out the light switch and explaining how to use it. Or maybe I should have let them fall down the stairs rather than pointing out the handrail and explaining why we use it.
--Or maybe just maybe I should have said well I got you this far the rest is up to you. Give me a yell if you get in trouble when I dropped them of at school.
--But of course, I did not do any of that. It fact I always make it quite clear to each everyone of my children, if you get in trouble don’t worry Mom and Dad have Always got your Back…

Lessons learned?…

--Why is it that we are constantly given opportunity’s to relearn lessons that we thought that we have already learned?
--In my case I am finding the problem seems to be becoming to set in my ways. Blindly following a set routine that although allows me to accomplish much in my day, Set's me up for a mind numbing shock whenever something very much unexpected happens.
--Slowly I am remembering that change is good. And something to be embraced, rather than feared. I mean how many times do you walk into a wall before you realize a change of direction might be in order....

Don't upset the apple cart…

--Some people are quick to point out it's easy to smother by hanging on and doing for your children for to long. Because it seems society as a whole is in a hurry. We as parents should adopt that attitude as well, there by forgetting the whole parenting thing in the process. Becoming a way station for our children where we fulfill there basic needs food, shelter,and Safety. Leaving the whole parenting thing, you know preparing them for life for society to teach them.
--Over the years I‘ve had it pointed out to me by a number of well meaning people that this was my job so to speak. And I should learn it. So as to not upset the apple cart.
--Needless to say in the last 25 years, I‘ve been buried under a lot of apples. Never could follow direction’s very well I guess…

Cat have feelings to..

       Nobody likes to be laughed at, how often we seem to forget. One time our cat fell asleep lying on the coffee table in our living room. Which probably wouldn’t have been bad except he was leaning forward at the the time. Which ment when he fell asleep his head ended up hanging over the edge of the coffee table. And yes, virgina as the saying goes gravity works you don’t need to test it. In the course of his nap, he slowly work himself forward and fell of the coffee table. Not realizing [oh who am I kidding] what a mistake it is to laugh at a cat I laughed. I mean it was funny. Little did I know then that catnap’s were not short naps but short mediation session to plot there revenge.
       A few days later getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night it happened. Apparently while I was asleep the same coffee table ended up being moved just a little so when I was going around the corner of the couch blamo. And of course, it was at this time the opposite legs knee decided to go out. And you can probably guess the rest. I ended up the floor cursing and complain about having too much furniture in the house. When I happened to look over to find our cat sitting there licking his paw with a very satisfied look as if to say you thought I forgot didn’t you…   

Cats are like kids...

--When you tell a child no, it usually means the battle lines are drawn and the contest has begun. Their response if you haven’t explained your reasoning is to ask for more explanation. Or my favorite to spend the next few days trying wear you down to the point where forgot just what in Sam hill you said no to in the first place. And in a second of confusion say yes.
--Cat‘s are pretty much the same. Only slightly different tactics. Tell a cat no and they'll go out of their way to do it anyways. Of course making it appear that it's all your fault.
--I once made the mistake of telling our cat to stop playing with my computer mouse. It seems He liked to bat it around because it lit up when He moved it. I tried everything but to no avail, to get it through His head. He tried to convince me that he wasn't doing it. It was in fact the dead mouse that I found their every morning where the computer mouse was supposed to be. After a week of this I tried a different tactic.I hung an old computer mouse next to my desk, and there. This is your mouse play with that. His response to that was of course continue playing with the one that lit up.
--Finally I gave up. After I was done with the computer mouse, I opened the drawer under the desk and slid the mouse into it. He quickly lost interest and went on to something else to become fixated with. Oh every once in awhile I still find a dead mouse on my desk where the computer mouse is supposed to be. But I figure that's just His way of letting me know he has forgotten...

Building a Mountain out of Nothing...

--Why is it that we take something so simple and build a Giant Temple of complexity to Worship at. When really all we have to do is remember most of the time the simplest answer is usually the right one….

No means no..

--Sometimes I wish people would take the amount energy they put into finding ways to get what they have been told they can't have, into getting what they can have. It would make life so much simpler.
--Instead they come up with the most hair brained scams to justify getting what they wanted by saying it’s for the betterment of everybody. Thinking that as long as it’s for the betterment for everybody nobody’s going to realize or care. Because everybody is to preoccupied to remember what it was they were after in the first place.
--I guess some people never figured out no means no…

No time for being Polite...

--I often hang my and sigh, at people I see passing on by.
--Some have their phones pressed to their ear, and other have do dad's in their hand's, as they make their way about.
-- It used to be you nodded or tipped your hat, when you passed on by. But now I guess you text sorry about that.....

Some assembly required…

--Jolly old Saint Nicholas, delivers toys and what not on Christmas Eve each year.
--Sometimes I hang my head and sigh on my way to bed on Christmas Eve night. Please Santa this year would you please get it right. Each year I ask and each year you mange all but one.
--Now I'm not really complaining but could you please leave the one that needs to be assembled to somebody else’s son…

The legend of the Gabriel's angel

--It was on a cold snowy Christmas eve in a little mountain village that the story begins.
--A young couple sat hovering over two cups of hot chocolate quietly whispering to themselves.
--"they say all the roads are snowed in, how are we going to get the toys delivered for Christmas morning?"
--"I don't know",he sighs and hangs his head in despair
--At a table not far away a man sit and shakes his head, trying to sip his cold tea. Mumbling to himself. Thinking back to Christmas and what it meant to him perhaps. After a few more moments of muttering he sighs and drains his cup. He gets to his feet and starts preparing to go out and face the cold all the while mumbling to himself. On the way to the door of the warm diner he pauses at the young couple's table and learns over and asks by way of introduction," where bouts did you-all say them toys need be taken?"
--The young couple looked up answered "Gabriel's orphanage out in Gabriel"
--The man gave what passed for a smile and said," well ain't that something. that's just so happens to be where I'm headed. If you want I can drop them off for you?"
--The young couple started to perk up and then remembered the storm. "but what about the storm. they say all the roads are closed. how would you even get through?"
--The man smiled "dog sled. Me and the boys. We don't plan on spending Christmas in town when we got a nice warm cabin not 25 miles up yonder. So like I said if an you want we could drop them of for you. But you got to decide the boys waiting and they don't like waiting In the cold."
--The young couple looked at each other and pushed the bulging bags of toys to the man. "thank you Mister we'd like that a lot."
--The man picked up the bags and threw them over one shoulder and promptly left the diner.
--Making his way across the snow covered streets he was still mumbling to himself. when he got to his dog sled on the edge of the mountain village he gave a low whistle and 9 piles of snow seemed to come to life. Taking the forms of 9 very eager and excited dogs, rip roaring and ready to go.

--He secured the bundles, and with a flick of the reigns he let out another short whistle and told his boys "let's go home guys"
--They slowly put the mountain village behind them, and entered the almost total whiteness of the night.
--The man didn't push his boys because he knew they knew the way if not better then he did. He let them pick the pace, and slowly they moved through the night. After about 10 miles they slowed to a stop for a short breather.
--The man went down the line ruffling fur and patting heads letting them know he appreciated their efforts. They responded with nudges of content, and love that needed no words.
--When it was time to go they started again slowly like before, but with a greater caution because rather then letting up the snow seemed to be falling with an almost blanket of vengeance. They could only see about a foot in front of them, and even that was more wishing then sight.
--They went maybe a mile or two when the man pulled and told the boys" that's enough we need to wait a bit. No since walking of a cliff. you and I both know we can't see enough. And if we keep it up old man Murphy’s going to be following just a waiting to say I told you so"
--The boys weren't happy but the man was the boss so what could they do? They stopped and waited
huddling together under an old wool canvas for warmth and comfort.
--Off to the south there seemed to be a soft glow in the falling snow that was slowly making it's way towards them.
--The leader of the boys was the first to spot it. He was the only one watching. The rest were all under the tarp. and he had his head out to keep his eyes on the night because he was a very good leader and he took his job very seriously.
--When the glow got closer it appeared to be an old man holding a lantern pointing south. The leader let out a soft whine to alert the man. , "what is it boy?"
--He whined again, and the man threw the trap off to have a look at what was up.
--Spying the old man with the lantern pointing south. He rose to his feet gathered up the tarp. and started hooking up the boys. And the boys well they were rip roaring and ready to go. Even though they loved the man with all their heart he had very funny thoughts about how to stay warm in the middle of winter.
--Once the boys were ready, he let out a low whistle," here we goes boys it appears we have a Guide".
--For what seemed like days they made slow progress. When the snow became too thick the old man would appear through the mist with his lantern pointing the way.
--Finally they reached the little Hamlet of Gabriel's, and found the orphanage where they promptly left the presents after knocking on the door. All that could be seen by the some 30 or so sets of eyes peaking out the windows, was a man on a dog sled disappearing into the snowy night...

The Abnormal American

--While waiting for my wife to finish checking out at a local store the other day a young man with a clipboard came up to me and asked if he could at me a few questions for a survey he was taking. Not having anything better to beside wait I said sure why not. I mean many times can read the store flyer before you bored out of mind.
--So while I patiently waited he fiddled with his papers. and after a bit began his questions.
--"what race do you consider yourself? White, black, Hispanic, Asian, Muslin, Latino, or other."
--I smiled and said, "American"
--This seemed to shake his up so much he almost dropped his clipboard. “I’m sorry sir perhaps you didn't understand the question? I was asking about what race do consider yourself?"
--Well not wanting to upset the guy any more for fear he'd drop his clipboard. I tried once again to answer his question. “I guess you could say other than"
--This seemed to satisfy him some what until he came to the next question which was trying to nail exactly what race it was I considered myself.
--He rattled of another list of races. Half of which I couldn't pronounce let alone remember. and then stood there patiently with pen poised ready to write down my answer.
--I smiled and said,” I afraid I'll have to spell it for since it seems to a dying race A-m-e-r-i-c-a-n."
--Well he started write when I guess he figured out what I'd said, because he sort lost control of his fine motor skills and dropped his clip board scattering papers all over.
--I got up to give him a hand, when I noticed my wife was finally done checking out. And figured I better head on over.
--As I was walking away I said, "I'm sorry I can't help you pick your papers. My wife's done and I really need to help her with her cart. Walking away I could hear him muttering to himself about people being to stupid to answer a simple question.
--I guess it probably would have been better for him if I'd just went along with the norm and picked from the list.....

Juggling buzz saws

--as a parent I try to keep in mind action and reaction. Cause and effect. Trying of course to find a balance that ends up on the plus side of the chart. With a minimal amount on the negative side. Sometimes I swear it's like juggling buzz saws...

Car Inspections...

--sitting in the garage waiting for you're annual car inspection, is like waiting for the other shoe to drop after your father gets home. You know it could go well, and you try to go over everything that might be possible to go wrong. And of course how much it's all going to cost you...