OK, Jarred 1!
The gig is up! I am commenting on your fantastic blog about "Respecting your Parents".
This is one of the best blogs ever! I am so fortunate and blessed that I have wonderful children and they NEVER disrespect me. But for those children that have no time for their parents then maybe this will wake them up.
And I am also fortunate and blessed that my parents were so wonderful, too. I am ashamed that I cannot say I wasn't a rascal with my Mother, though. But like the old man in the film she was patient and she NEVER held it in my face when I was sassy with her.
When she was 95 years old I was again fortunate and blessed to hold her in my arms and tell her how much I loved her. By this time her age clouded her memory and sometimes she would ask me who I was! Hee Hee! I was fortunate and blessed that God gave me this wonderful woman as a Mother!
When I would tell her who I was she would open her eyes wide and say. "Gee, Eddie! You sure are old". This darling comment Mother made has become a family traditional joke that we all get a good chuckle over.
Jarred, thanks for this. We all needed it!!
I'm an admitted people person but I won't stare at people to "size them up". I mean, like who cares what they look like, what they're wearing, how they appear ,i.e., are they rich or poor or what kind of car they have!
I'm an old dude and I don't really "dress to impress". During the week I get off of work where I have a dirty job since I'm a janitor. On the weekends I dress with cut-offs if the weather is warm or just plain old flannel pull ups. The shirt is usually a T-shirt.
It makes me laugh to hear people say, "Look at that silly old man and his outfit". Stuff like that and whether I look homeless because my clothes are dirty and messy. Or as you cross the street in the crosswalk your getting the look over by someone who is talking to their fellow passenger and now they're both staring.
I love it. I look right at them give them the peace sign and smile. Yes, I need a shower and I need to change my clothing but, later man later!!
I once met this beautiful young woman who said to me when I complimented her because she was so nice. She replied, "I know what I look like but one day I will be old and ugly. That's why I treat people like I hope I will be treated in my old age".
A very wise young woman. When I see people smirk at me I think about what this young woman said.
Wowser! A few weeks back my brother Johnnie had another stroke. He's has several since then and he is in pretty bad shape. He's blind in one eye, confined to a wheel chair and the usual paralyzed side.
My sisters here in California are making plans to get back to Colorado if necessary. I will not be going back because I simply do not like to attend funerals because the inevitable looks very likely.
I know I have stated this many times but my family was very dysfunctional. Most of them were bullies and me being the youngest one I usually got the muck from them. It was not pleasant and for that reason I stayed away from them alot.
This brother used to call me all kinds of demeaning names. One was "snafu". He used to call me a "sissy" which in the late 40's was akin to being called a "fag". The irony of this bullying turned out to be against him as 2 of his son's were gay.
One day when I was 14 I bought a razor because I wanted to be cool and shave. He walked into the bathroom while I was "shaving" and he ridiculed me and said to me, "What are you shaving for. You'll never have a beard". Hah! I had the last laugh because I have a full beard something that my bully brother never had.
All of this has crossed my mind and I have been pondering it not to laugh or feel smug about anything but only to understand that in the last few years, and I mean about 3 or 4, we have finally made peace simply because they have mellowed out. My brother and sisters are not as mean and surly as they used to be. And now that we are old, me being the youngest I am 74, we are finally close.
I think alot about my brother and I just wish we had been better with each other.
Again, I am stating this just to get my thoughts in writing.
For several years now we have had a Robo person speak at us when the person we called is not answering.
I don't know about others but this Robo thing is getting too old. It's the the same ol' thing, i.e., "The person you have called is not available" and then the yak yak begins about pushing this button and then pushing that button and on and on and a button for more options as if I am really impressed with the over long "greeting". But then the clincher. When the Robo person tells you that "you can hang up".
I am getting so tired with this. Phone companies just need to get back to the basics. The number of rings set by the recipient is followed by "(Name), please leave a message and I'll call you back". Period! Things can be simple if these phone companies weren't being so "fancy wancy" (Thanks to Gilda Radner)!!
Give me your peeve about this!! I'll bet there's some good ones!!
I love my Grandkids, but unfortunately 2 of them live quite a ways so I can only see them maybe twice a year.
So, that brings me to the close by Grandchild, Leo. Leo was born almost 2 years ago and he's quite a little dude. His relationship with his parents is so beautiful and healthy. They adore each other.
So, yesterday when I went to go see Leo his Dad, my wonderful son, tells me I am going to be a Grand Dad again!! Seems like it's going to be a little girl. I am so happy. My life is so great! And I give the Almighty God all praise, credit, honor and glory, Amen & Amen!!
Recently I moved to a new city and I had to rent a room because I gave my trailer away! I go to the local library and use their computers. I sit here for the 2 hours of free computer time allotted to me and I just while away looking at all the stuff I did before when I had my own computer up.
Sometimes it's boring, sometimes it's annoying but I don't have to go to a room and just sit there. Besides, I have to keep up with the happenings on CS too!!
Today is really special. On my right is a young man about 6 years old. On my left is a young girl about 4. Time has flown and the kids are starting out younger "logging on". They are precious as they sit here playing the video games and the little girl is intermittently coloring and playing some game.
I'm not looking at what they're doing on the computer but I am enjoying the sweetness of these 2 kids just having fun. I can see them out of the sides of my eyes and I see them fidget, type, color and most of all just being kids albeit they have entered the cyber age at this young tender moment.
I am also wondering. Will these 2 kids one day be looking for Mr. Right and Miss Right. Hee Hee! It's just precious wondering and "looking" at these 2 future CS'ers!!
As I was pumping some gas into my car I was approached by this young man, probably about 25 or 30, on a bicycle. He didn't ask me for money he came out and said to give him a dollar.
I didn't answer him right away because I looked at his "position". He wore real nice jeans probably in the $50.00 price range. His pullover shirt was also looking pretty expensive as were his shoes. The kind you can look stylish in that are about $200.00 or so. And his bicycle was no cheap version, either.
I looked at him and told him. "I just spent my last dollar on this lottery scratcher. If I win some money I'll give you that dollar"! In a disgusting manner he looked at the ticket in my hand and just pedaled off without saying anything.
I didn't win anything but that was ok. My answer to him was what my intentions were, i.e., to make him go away. The disgusting look and all. No, I didn't think anything bad at all about him but in life no one needs to put up with rudeness and this DOOOOD was just that. Pretty rude.
And being calm always works!!
Over the years a sister that has since past away met many people in her lifetime that she helped in various ways. One such man was this fellow from "Cabo" that was trying to gain a foothold in a handyman business he had started in Pasadena, CA.
The man from "Cabo" did several odd jobs for her and my sister also referred her to others that hired him too. Years passed and he did well and the purpose of his working here was to improve life for his family in "Cabo" surely succeeded.
My sister finally retired and she moved back to our hometown, Ordway, CO. I have mentioned this before but for clarity I will mention it again. My family had a group of about 5 siblings (there were 12 of us) that always had to bully the rest of us around. This sister and I were the main recipients of this absurdity.
My sister would take it and take it. I did when I was a child but as I grew up I got back in "their faces" and defended myself. I never interfered with the tongue lashings the other siblings gave this sister because her humility overshadowed the "tongue lasher's" stupidity.
As the years went by the man from "Cabo" moved to Florida. He respected my sister and I am sure that my sister invited him to visit if he was ever passing through. It was apparent that he did not know this sister had passed away. But in remembering the invitation to visit one day, recently, he passed through Ordway and he looked my sister up. He spoke to a nephew.
Well upon hearing of her passing away he asked the nephew for directions to the cemetery and he apparently visited her grave. When I heard this I was happy because if our siblings didn't think too much of her the man from "Cabo" certainly did. I was so happy when I heard this.
My thoughts about this meandered about this nice gesture and my sisters passing on. You see, I didn't go to the funeral. I couldn't go because all the brothers and sisters that used to rip her apart when she was alive attended the funeral. I didn't want to be present because I knew they would carry on with the trash talking.
I am certain of this: I knew my sister would understand my not attending and she would be happy once again to see "The Man from Cabo San Lucas" once again. Her face smiling and talking to "Cabo Man" in her sweet voice!
HA HA HA!!!
Just kidding! Everyone!
I just moved from my old trailer so now I am officially NOT trailer trash anymore!
I left La Verne yesterday and i already miss my cool neighbors! Even the 2 drunk bigots that sit out in front of their trailers everyday just getting sloshed. They do about 50 beers a day and they gossip about everyone and they don't like people of brown skin and they think they own the trailer park because, after all, they have been there about 20 years each. Hee Hee! I feel so sorry for them and despite their feelings about me I made sure I had a bright and sunny hello for them each day!!
I will miss all of them including the 2 above.
The landlady is a sweetie and she will definitely be missed.
Isabella and the greeting cards she left me will be missed.
Sharon and her leftovers she gave will REALLY be missed!!
Janet is one of the most darling women one could ever know. We both grew gardens and we exchanged veggies. We would oooh and aah about each others veggies!
There are more but it would be a too long blog.
I am now in Riverside, CA and I am renting a room from a single dude and his 2 sons. The house is really fantastic and I know I will enjoy the patio.
I am now 5 miles from work and that is definitely a blessing. There are tons of good places to eat and everything like the P. O., the DMV and all the imprtant things in life that you will need once in awhile are close by. AND the library is right across the street from the P. O. so that's really a plus!!
OK, everyone have a great Resurrection Day even if only do the eggs and the chocolate bunnies!
I hope all the people that have kids are truly blessed have a great time with their children. Peony Jenny and the rest of the nice crew!!
My oldest daughter is down from Oregon. She and the family spent the week visiting relatives and stuff. The kids were in Spring break and so was her husband. He is one if the chairs in the Pharmacology Dept. Last night was Dad's turn.
Me and my twins went to visit them and to have some dinner. Her son is quite an athlete and excels in basketball. Gramps (me) used to spend alot of time playing and shooting hoops with him as a young boy. Shooting hoops became our passion so now when he's down shooting hoops is a must! And last night was no exception.
e went to the park and my son took his son along with us and my new grandson got totally excited with the basketball. Hmmmm! It appears there's a new basketball player on the horizon.
I went to a church event today and when I got home my son had bought his son a basketball just big enough for him (He's 1 yr and about 7 months old). I was so happy when I saw my little grandson playing with the basketball trying to dribble it.
As I sat at the computer I heard them dribbling the ball. It made my heart swell with happiness. and I got a few tears in my eyes. You see, when my son was his age he didn't let me hold him and when I trIed to get him interested in sports he would pull away from me. And now here he is. He's close to his son and they were outside dribbling the new basketball.
Dribble ... dribble ... dribble!
A tear came to my eye and a lump gathered in my throat as I remembered how my son shunned me and here he was now with his son. No, I'm not hurt or mad. I'm very happy!
I have not always liked reading books. I don't know why but I suspect that it was like everything else when I was young. I didn't care to. I just liked sports and band where I played the drums! Homework could always be done another day.
I grew up, went to college and when I got married, to a Hungarian girl, she was an English major and she loved to read. She read and read and read. One book in particular, "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, was an assignment and she was really getting into it. She smiled as she spoke about it but she didn't in great detail. She merely told me it was about the meat packing industry way back when and how unclean it was.
It got me interested but I never bothered to read it. As I have grown older I have started to read more and this book is one of them. I'm barely in the first chapter and I really like it. The author describes how he came about picking this subject.
It seems the author came upon a wedding and he just walked into the hall to join the festivities. They were a Lithuanian family and friends that worked in the meat processing plant that was the subject of the book. Many of the men, in their drunkenness, began to tell the author the horror stories and that's how the book took off!
I began to think about my ex-wife and her facial expression, she was smiling and appeared to be deep in thought as she told me about the book, and that always made me wonder why and what! I mean, this was 55 years ago. Her smile. Why would I even dwell upon it? Then it hit me. She was probably reminiscing about her own family life in Hungary before the Russian invasion made the family flee. How they celebrated weddings could have been the reason for the smile and pensive mood. Upton Sinclair even gave me a warm feeling because I could see a lot of Hispanic "mood" in such festivities.
Hee Hee! Naw, it's not a matter that's so important but it's still kinda neat to look back and think about happy thoughts.
Well! Back to the book!
I have been in a moving transition and I will be on again real soon.
Hello to everyone!!
Ed1941 Blog (151)