Father's Day 2009

Today actually started yesterday, if you can believe that. I went shopping with my son and ex-wife to buy my own Father's Day dinner. Since she was laid off last week, I decided to help her out, just a little. The stepson and her came to the conclusion that since our bill last time, eating out at Ruby Tuesday was about $85 for four adults, why not take that same money and spend it on groceries and therefore, get more bang for the buck. Capital idea! Finally, they caught on. This morning, before church, I had a drop off appointment at Petsmart for the family dog. After church, I was informed that he might have a cancerous growth at the opening of his anus. A very tender area, indeed. As I was changing my clothes in preparation to go to my son's and ex's for the day, I received a phone call from a former roommate. His father had passed away about 1:30 pm today, after being taken off life support a few days ago.
I guess I am just ranting, because today has been an emotional roller coaster. Happy at church and happy that it is Father's Day. Sad because a friend lost their father and the family dog (Spike) has cancer for the 2nd time in 2 years. We have had him since he was a puppy, for about 7 years now. Financially, we can't afford another $800 surgery and besides, what good would it do? It would be money wasted in what are already tough times. Sad really, but there it is.

Another Heinz 57 day

WOW, what a whirlwind of a day! Early in my work day, we find out that our site may loose 10% of our workforce due to layoff. Later we had a team meeting to discuss how we felt about the news. We were all speechless because even though we knew something like this was coming, we did not have a definite number or a date of action. We now have a time frame of not later than the end of this month. In order to avoid delay, our office is notifying some this week or next. Tomorrow I have off, because my ex-wife is taking her daughter to court, to ask for custody of the oldest granddaughter. I pray for God's mercy and protection in this, as in all things. It breaks my heart to see a daughter and mother fight as these two do. And as usual, I (along with a child this time) get caught in the messy middle. Both warn me of the other.
When I got home, the rednecks are celebrating a good day of work, in their traditional manner. Bon fire in back yard and beer. I am not sure about two of the guys, but one of them (my roommate) could never tolerate a 40 hour work week. He prides himself on being his own boss, runs a handyman service, and depends on someone else for transportion. He "claims" to make $80 per hour. Well, if that was true, he would own his own house and not being renting a room. Room....what a joke that is. It is really a den, made into a room by replacing the door leading to the outside with a board of plywood, more plywood covering the half wall leading to the living room, and a half curtain which closes the entrance from the kitchen. Oh and let's not forget the square cut out of the plywood leading to the outside for his window AC unit. Did he say he makes over $12k a month??? The bon fire is blazing, even as they cut more wood. Isn't this now summer? And to top it all off, they are cutting fire wood with a hand held circular saw in one hand and the board held freely in the other. Did I mention they have been drinking beer???

Labyrinth - The Walking Meditation

Labyrinths have been around for over 4000 years and are found in almost every major religion in the world, used as meditation and prayer tools.. They have been part of many cultures such as Native American, Greek, Celtic and Mayan. During the crusades, they were used to symbolize the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Today, labyrinths are used for reflection, meditation, prayer and comfort. The Chartres Cathedral in France had a labyrinth 42 feet in diameter in the stone floor, around the year 1200. That's nearly 300 years before Columbus discovered America. In fact, labyrinth designs are found on coins, pottery, or rocks dating back to 3000 B.C.
Many people make the mistake of thinking a labyrinth and a maze are the same. A maze has dead ends and many trick turns. A labyrinth has only one path leading to the center and back out again. There are no dead ends. The labyrinth symbol relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The object of the labyrinth is to journey to our own center and back again out into the world.
When you walk a labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time you enter a different circuit. As you shift your direction you also shift your awareness from right brain to left brain. This is one of the reasons the labyrinth can induce receptive states of consciousness.
Each person's walk is a personal experience. Each time is different. Some people walk for clearing the mind and centering. Others enter with a question or concern. The time in the center can be used for receiving, reflecting, meditating, or praying, as well as discovering our own inner peace. Most people focus on a question, a prayer or a thought to hold in their mind's eye. When you walk the labyrinth, your mind quiets, and you are able to hear your inner voice, giving you guidance and encouragement which you are focusing on. Hundreds of labyrinths have been created in America, in churches, hospitals, and work places. The beneficial effects include focusing the mind, slowing the breathing, inducing a state of peace, reducing stress, and healing diseases.

Where has Emily Post gone?

I often wonder what has happened to etiquette and manners nowadays. Some feel it cramps their style or "freedom" to express themselves. Maybe it is yet another lost art and a sign of the times. However, I expect some things in everyday dealings with my fellow man/woman. I expect a cashier to thank me, make eye contact, and (God forbid) even put my groceries into my shopping cart BEFORE starting on the next customer in line. When I am on the interstate and I am driving in the far right hand lane, I know I have the right of way. But I was taught that if a car is coming onto the interstate in the "on" ramp, that I should move over, if I am able, as a matter of courtesy. It's called an acceleration ramp, but they must yeild the right of way. Sounds like a conflict, but there it is. As with most things today, everyone has rights. Most have forgotten that responsibilty goes hand in hand with rights. People don't care about your rights, only their own. Should I move the unattended shopping cart in my way, as I go down the grocery aisle? Should I ask the parent of a annnoying child in church, to please make them be quiet? Cell phones open up a new era in manners and etiquette. It use to be, people had to go to where the phone was and have a conversation in relative privacy. Now they let the whole world in on their conversation at the bank, in line at the store or fast food joint, even in public restrooms. And if you dare say something to them, they are outragged that you stuck your nose into their "private" conversation. How rude of me???

Two poems from my childhood

Does anyone know, does anyone care Where you go or how you fare? Whether you smile or whether you sigh? Whether you laugh or whether you cry? Glad when you're happy? Sad when you're blue? Does anyone care what becomes to you? I do, pal~~~I'll say I do!

I wish I was a little rock A-sittin' on a hill, Doin' nothin' all the day But just a-sittin' still; I wouldn't eat, I wouldn't sleep, I wouldn't even wash~~ I'd just sit still a thousand years And think of you, b'gosh!

My Redneck Roommates

I have two male rednecks, that both work their separate jobs for cash under the table. Their idea of a good day of work, is how much beer and food they can buy for that night's consumption. In their words, they earned a right to get their buzz on. Their favorite spot to party is in front of the house, on a small square of stone bricks, we call a porch. A big yellow boom box is blaring as they try to sing along with either some country or classic rock songs. We use to have a fire pit in the back, but they abused the privilege. More than once, someone called the fire dept. because the "boys" were stoking the fire, getting the flames to go as high as they could. Add loud music, loud talk, and beer......all at 11:30 pm. Despite several warnings by the senior roommate, they continued, usually when he went out of town. Finally, he simply took it away from them. That's when they moved the BBQ and parties to the front yard.
Once, they found some old golf clubs and golf balls. So the made a hole in the ground (one hole) and said they were "playing golf". Imagine watching 4 men, drinking beer and batting a ball around the yard, all for the glory of claiming the best shot of the day! All this amidst loud music and loud talk. And OMG......why in the name of all that is holy, can these guys think they can sing or carry a tune while they whistle? Hurts my ears and probably a few near by dogs.
This blog will continue as long as they push the envelope of stupidity.

My Religion

Since my mother died March 2007, I have been taking a closer look at my religious beliefs, with some info from my sister. She suggested a New Age religion called Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind. Not to be confused with Christian Science or Scientology. My sister told me that the church of our childhood (Prebyterian) was ancient and out of date. No wonder I fell asleep at service. So I embraced my journey to find and better understand religion by online readings, going to various church services, and Edgar Cayce' s Association for Research ..and Enlightenment. So of course, being excited with any new found endeavor, I told my ex-wife and stepson, who are deeply into Rock Church. And like all blind sheep, they follow every word said by their pastor, without question. Even at my slightest hint of suggesting they come with me on Sunday to one of "my" churches, is met with a harsh disagreement of all religious issuses. Today, for example, I told them that The WAVE Church was having an Easter egg hunt for the kids, with over 30,000 eggs. My "X" said the easter bunny and egg hunts were "pegan". Gee, I guess she forgets all the easter baskets she made me buy and the pictures of my son on the Easter Bunny's lap. Hypocrite....look it up and you will see my "X"'s picture.