First, two disclaimers:
(1)I am not a Letterman fan. I just don't feel like watching a cranky old man cracking wise at a musician at 11:30. (I could play the piano for Dad and get the same feeling.) Only he and Seinfeld have thumbs down on my TiVo ( Read more... )

ED. NOTE: Names have been randomly initialized. Also, this digs a little deeper than usual into my personal religious philosopohy. Enjoy.On several occasions, I've spoken at church about life post-Mom. While most everyone has had personal experience in the matter, S in particular has been a wonderful sounding board ( Read more... )

I suspect that you are the kind of person who rips a Band-Aid off: There is initial pain (and possible swearing) as your now-healed wound is revealed. You move on, but the memory of the pain lingers ( Read more... )

Mom's eulogy, delivered May 13 2007:

I remember the first time I saw Betty. She was carrying an infant whose legs were bound in a cast -- and walking down the aisle of this very church. I have since watched her care for this individual for the past 30 years -- always on the alert for silent health problems, pushing him -- ever so gently towards ( Read more... )

First off... Me
I've learned that Mom perhaps loved me the least -- if only because I was lowest maintenance. Here's why.

DadHe's now been getting home around 5:00 so he can scrounge up dinner. (I come over about 5:30.) Well, Thursday, he whipped up some instant mashed potatoes. He put the pot on the stove, stepped away to read the mail, and ( Read more... )

It started a week ago Saturday. Duke's funeral was that morning, and I needed a change of pace.

So I decided to go see Hot Fuzz at the movie theater. I'm not normally an action-movie kind of guy, but it was done by the same guys that did Shaun of the Dead, so I knew it was gonna be a fun ride ( Read more... )

Mary Jo ( Ana & Ruth's grandmother):
If you can't find a woman with your Mother's qualities, don't get married. She set a high goal for you.

Carol (mamallama's mama):
Knowing your mother (and all of you) has been one of the blessings of my life. I will always remember her support of you two boys during your school years. And my fondest memory is of her at ( Read more... )

The first woman I ever loved died today ( Read more... )

We had a family meeting this evening -- which, of course, is never good because we never have family meetings ( Read more... )

While Valentine's Day has never been a favorite of mine, it did provide some interesting occurrences today ( Read more... )