May 12th

Today is my father's birthday. He was 4 days younger than my mother and never let her forget it. It is also their wedding anniversary. The day they got married was Mother's Day, too. That was alot of cards in 1 week!
Pop died June 10th, 1983. Hard living took a toll on him. At 65 he was an old man. My fondest memories are of the two of us working together on a well drilling rig. He taught me how to work hard and enjoy it. He also taught me how to install and service hangovers. Although I swore I'd never be like him, it's obvious that we were cut from the same cloth. Today I don't think that's a bad thing. He had his faults but I know how hard he tried. Love you, Pop, happy birthday.

Signs of spring and Mama

My mother would have been 91 today. She died just over 2 years ago. She was always thrilled, even giddy, about springtime. I am remembering her as I admire the beautiful activity in my yard. Everything is turning green. The apple and pear trees are in full bloom. The bluebird I mentioned in an earlier post has found his mate. Yesterday I peeked into their house and they have 2 babies! The oriole is not around today but I saw him both Wednesday and Thursday. We also have several mockingbirds, which I had never seen before this year. The hummingbirds are back, too. Mom got so excited over this stuff. She loved the lilacs, forget-me-nots, violets, even the dandelions. Lindsey and I were bird watching this morning and it felt like we weren't alone. Miss you, Mama, Happy birthday!

Four dead in Ohio

I have never forgotten this date. When I was 15, four students were shot and killed by National Guard troops at an anti-war protest at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Nine others were wounded.
I remember wondering who's army I should be more afraid of.
Don't get me wrong, I'm as patriotic as they come. But this was senseless. The guardsmen (who joined to keep from being drafted and sent to VietNam themselves) were more scared than the protesters. No one in the crowd even thought the guns were loaded. Just a terrible tragedy.
Every year I remember the dead and pray something like this never happens again.

Experience, strength, and hope

Some people think that because I no longer drink that I won a battle against alcohol. Nothing could be further from the truth. I fought the battle alright, but lost miserably. Only when I declared myself the loser could I have my life back. There was no victory, only surrender.
I was surfing the blogosphere for bloggers who share common interests with myself and came across the attached video.
Craig's story is not alot different from my own. If you know people like us, you know it's real. Here's a few laughs about a very serious subject.
Thanks for sharing, Craig.

Camera shy

I got pretty close to a bluebird in our yard yesterday. We have 2 bird boxes on the north lawn and a beautiful male has built a nest in one of them and sits on top waiting for his mate. I walked to within 10 feet of him and he didn't move so I thought I'd get the camera and share this gorgeous sight with you. Nothin' doin', the little fellow is obviously camera shy. He would not stay put for a picture. He is back today, patiently waiting for the female to arrive.
A tree swallow has claimed the other box and is very bold. He does not flee from anything, and will chase any bird or other animal (including humans) that comes near.

Is it over?

Winter, that is. I sure hope so. It certainly feels like it. Finally! We did lots of outdoor stuff this weekend. Jennifer and I pruned 15 apple trees and 3 pear trees, I cut down alot of brush, raked a little, and hauled branches to the compost heap. Lindsey "helped", too.
The crocuses are blooming, the lilac bush has buds on it, dafodills are sprouted, the song birds are back. I think it's really spring!
Now all I have to do is cut alot more brush, pick up the leaves I didn't get last fall, clean up a winter's worth of dog s#%*, trim the willow trees, plant a garden, set up Lindsey's sand box, mow and mow and mow... oh,yeah, then there's 6 or 8 cords of firewood to cut for next winter.
I love my yard and I love working in it. As long as I'm here, I'll never be bored

Night shift

I did my first overnight at the halfway house last night. 11 to 7. I worked overnights at an inpatient rehab a long time ago and hated it. But that was full time, this is one night a week, I think I can handle that. The structure is pretty lax at this place, especially on weekends, so the first couple hours I spent playing pool and BS-ing with the residents. The rest of the night was really boring. I made a couple of head counts, read a book, and tried to stay awake. Staying awake was the hardest part. I ended up making a pot of coffee at 5 AM. My relief came in at 10 till 7 and I went home shortly after. I took a couple of 2 hour naps during the day. I'm still a little tired but will stay up so I can sleep tonight.
Tomorrow is my first day home with Lindsey. We have a Dr.'s appointment in Albany with her pediatric pulmonologist in the morning. After that we're touring another daycare on the way home. Jennifer goes to work after that and then it's Lindsey and Daddy!!