Tag Archives: family

General Growlings

In Which Learning Golf Was a Gift

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Growing up, my parents were two of the best people around. They got married when they were 15 and 17; they were 16 and 18 when my sister was born; they were 21 and 23 when I was born. They were great parents to my sister and me. They taught us right from wrong, and they helped lead us to become the people we are today. They were still married, still mushy, and still went on dates until my father passed away at the too young age of 45.

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Dad’s Army days in Germany

I remember as a child when I first began wearing glasses. I was holding my mother’s hand as I walked, and I looked down to my feet. I noticed that my feet were a lot closer to my face than normal, which caused me to think I had magically shrunk. My family members have held my hand, literally and figuratively, for as long as I can remember. 

Today is the 15th anniversary of my father’s passing. I’d like to share one of the the most important lessons my father taught me as child:

Play Golf.

My father was the most intelligent person I have known. He taught me how to play golf. This lesson has been one of the most important lessons I have ever learned. This may sound like an irrational thought, but I have fully considered this. Through golf, my father and I became friends. Spending time on the golf course allowed me to know the man I have called Dad. From golf, I learned the value of “family”.

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Dad, my sister, and me in my grandmother’s kitchen

As I remember Dad today, I remember the fun he had in life. I remember his stories, his adventures. I remember how he and Mom met. I remember the speeding tickets and the police officers asking to see what was under the hood. I remember watching the Braves with him. I remember rooting for Dale Earnheardt and Dad rooting for Jeff Gordon.

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Dad in Atlanta, with Jeff Gordon’s car

I remember Dad.

I love and miss you Dad. We think of you every day, and know you are looking at us from Heaven, encouraging us, laughing with us, and crying for us. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being Dad.

Anyone feel like playing 9 holes?

Creative Writing

Liquid Sunshine

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Please feel free to link this little writing of mine, but remember to give proper attributions. 🙂

The sun was shining brightly – the sky empty of any clouds. By all accounts, including the ones of the two children jumping on the trampoline, the day was magnificent. Clearly the children believed the day to be nearly perfect, but what the day really needed to reach that perfection was rain. And not just any rain, no. The day needed a downpour, a true soaking was called for! Being children, they had the answer. An Indian rain dance. They were 6 at the time, and had been taught about how the Native Americans would dance when the crops needed watering, and so that the crops would grow tall and strong. Being children, a downpour would make them just as tall and strong as the crops. So they danced. In circles they moved, bouncing on the trampoline. Hollering and laughing and dancing.

At first, the sky refused to acquiesce. In truth, though, who can deny a happy child? The sky, being tolerant of children (in truth is was much more than just “tolerant”,but the sky didn’t like for anyone to know), eventually gave in. At first, it was a single cloud on the horizon. Then, there were more and many. Clouds of all shapes and sizes. Suddenly, the children are met by the blazing thunder and the deafening lightning.

The rain had come.

For hours in child-time, the rain came and showered them with happiness and joy. They were happy then, these children. A boy and girl. Cousins destined to love each other as brother and sister. They were closer than most, and they were innocent of everything that happened around them. They lived, and they laughed, and they loved. And they were drenched.

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Eye of the Beholder

Uncles are Fathers Too

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My Uncle - Jesse

I loved my uncle Jesse very much. He passed away in December, and we all miss him quite a bit.When I was looking through my pictures today, to decide what to post, I found a couple of my uncle taken at the same time and at the same place as The More Things Change. I thought that I would let you all see the man who was like a second father to me in many ways, and a man who was my friend.

My Uncle - Jesse - B&W

I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t show off my other uncle too. My uncle Eugene has been as big of an influence as Jesse was. I love him just as much. Both of my uncles are fun-loving men. Until recently, Eugene still had a motorcycle!

My Uncle - Eugene - Vroom!
My Uncle - Eugene - Vroom! # 2

I would post a picture of my mom going “vroom” too, but I would fear for my life. I will leave that one to your imaginations.

General Growlings

Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.)

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Love is being stupid together.

Paul Valery

Image courtesy of http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2011/02/18/10-tips-to-mend-a-broken-heart/

Today is a singular day every year – it’s the day when the world stands up and says “I love you”. A bunch of lemmings, that’s what we all are.  One person says it and then another. Reflex, that’s what saying I love you is. Bah, humbug. (Note: for those who don’t actually know me, sarcasm is my stock in trade.)

I find myself one half of nothing this year – I’m flying solo. For years, I’ve realized that today is a day that millions of people dread, and sadly no one is around to notice that they do. Those of us who are single on this day, if we are thought of, are thought of with pity and sadness. Today, dear readers, is Singles Awareness Day (S.A.D.).

Many years ago, when I was a reckless teenager, my friends and I suffered a day unlike any other. My girlfriend had just moved to Florida; Stacy’s boyfriend broke up with her, and Melissa was single unexpectedly as well. That  year, I coined the term Single’s Awareness Day, because if you are single on February 14th you are aware of it.

But don’t despair or pity me this year, as I sit alone at the computer in the dark listening to the cars drive by and the puppy play. You see, I am content being alone. I have my friends and I have Riley. I am loved, even if I am not in love. And the truth of the matter is, I’ve learned something about myself. I can live, and live happily, without being in a relationship.It’s a important lesson, I think.

Maybe, just maybe, Single’s Awareness Day is not so sad after all.

The point is this – don’t despair when the stores remind you what today is. Don’t despair when you feel sad today. Don’t despair.

Love yourself, and know that your true friends don’t pity you, they love you. And isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about? Now, if you will excuse me, I have some small candy hearts to deliver to some wonderful people at work who are like a second family to me.

Hobbies & Technology: Why Opposable Thumbs are Cool

In Which Multi-Million Dollar Satellites are Used to Find Tupperware in the Woods

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Mankind. Humanity. We have come a long way as a species. We have traveled to outer space, and we have explored the depths of the oceans. We have created quadrotor robots that look like bugs but fly like synchronized swimmers.
We have even created what amounts to cybernetic implants (i.e pacemakers and robotic limbs like the i-Limb).

Truly, technology is amazing.

And I, for one, greatly enjoy the ability to use Multi-Million Dollar Satellites to find those ever elusive plastic containers hiding in the world around us called (get this) Tupperware.

If you prefer a more catchy name, I enjoy Geocaching.

You’ve never heard of that before? Well Tupperware is… Oh you meant you’ve never heard of Geocaching. That’s understandable.

The question to ask yourself: do you like scavenger hunts? If you answer yes, then Geocaching may be for you. The basic premise is that people hide things in the world. The “thing” in question might be anything from a mini M&M tube, to a 35mm film cylinder, to an ammo can, to (yes) Tupperware. In these containers are logs that you get to sign informing the next visitor that you were there. If you remember to bring some swag (you know that old silly key chain you found once, or that coin from France that you have no need for?),  you can even trade it for something else that is just as silly but new to you. All the while, you must use your ninja skills to keep from being seen – the whole point here is that you are trying to find something hidden after all; who wants to go to the trouble of searching for something that has been vandalized? All of this is tracked online through a free website.

Yes – I said the “f” word. Geocaching is free to play.

The real appeal, though, is not signing the log and tracking your find (though there is a certain pride you feel when you get to 50, or 100 caches found). Like anything worthwhile, the joy comes from the journey. I have found countless spots that I never would have known existed before. I have spent time with good friends digging through a bush (happily). Geocaching is another great way to bond with friends and family.

Another fantastic part to this hobby are the Travel Bugs. Travel Bugs are small items that have been tagged and tracked. They have goals, which might be as simple as “I want to see everything there is to see” or very complicated such as “I want to travel to London by way of Australia”. It’s fun to find these, and help them on their way. Be sure to log a fun anecdote about how you found the bug, or some other story that matches the theme of the bug. The owner will appreciate it, as will anyone else who finds and logs the Travel Bug after it leaves you.

And of course, you can hide your own caches in the world. Have a favorite spot you want to share with others? Know a place in the park across the street you can see from you window – and like to watch people try to be sneaky? Have a special connection with the place that you had your first kiss? All great places to hide a cache.

Now, with all great fun comes great responsibility (thank you Uncle Ben for making phrases like this possible). There are some rules to consider:

  1. Hide the cache better than you found it;
  2. Be like a ninja and don’t let the muggles see you at your game;
  3. If you take something, leave something in its place; you can always leave something without taking as well;
  4. If you find a Travel Bug, remember that it is not yours and you cannot keep it – be sure to help it on its journey; and
  5. Pick up trash! Part of the fun is seeing new places – no one wants to see an empty soda can in a park.

In conclusion, Geocaching is a great hobby. Give a try and let me know what you think. I’d love to hear your stories. You can either add a comment here or email (thedingowashere@gmail.com).

For more information, visit Geocaching.

General Growlings

In Which the Super Bowl Really Means Friendship

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If you were to ask me who my favorite football team was, my first instinct would to be to ask who the Dallas Cowboys were playing this week. In all honesty, though, if I lived in Chicago I would ask who was playing the Bears, or in San Francisco who was playing the 49er’s. I’m a strange bird for whom picking on someone is my way of showing affection, and I’m just not a big football guy. I grew up in a baseball family.

Every year, though, I look forward to the Super Bowl. I joke about watching it only for the commercials, but the company is the real appeal. I know some good people who are always ready with a joke, and I love to watch them scream at the TV and each other. This year was no different. Phil’s disappointment over the loss by the Patriots this year aside, even he had a good time. The game was fantastic and well played – the food was very good as well. Our host, Mary, did a great job. Even Monica’s baby was cheering.

This is my third and final football post of the year (maybe I’ll post another next Super Bowl), and what I want to say is this – to all my friends, thanks for the camaraderie and laughs.

Now, when is Spring Training? The Braves have some atoning to do for the September collapse last year!