Family Blogs (544)

....corresponding to those in a sense of responsibility. Just was at the ex's, checking her vintage vehicle for an upcoming 600 mile trip to visit her family. We are both the oldest of many siblings, and with time parents are leaving us, so we were named estate executors/principal trustees. Sort of an old school decision on parents' part.
So very old school, that in both families, through hard work, they were able to acquire some rental property, to help with retirement, and to pass on to the kids. Some might say white privilege, as well, until they take a look at the realities of large working class families. Neither of us, both health care professionals, who have been in the roughest clinical trenches, the military and so on, could have done the same. Digressing once more.
Even without the family curse of the drink, there tends to be a fair amount of dysfunction in some such nuclear families. And in our honored administrative tasks, we're seeing our share.
Years ago, when many deals were sealed with a handshake, and renters were often friends, and even family, a damage deposit, first and last prepaid month's rent, and a lease, were often the exception in such circumstances. To make this short, in spite of free or low rent, every thoughtless act as tenants seems to come up. Arrears on rent, lots of damage, unannounced midnight moves and leaving things still there, drug sales in the apartment, police visits for same, and much more.
I know more modern and woke landlords are evolving with the sad changes in the times. But all the shenanigans bring anxiety and tears to the 93 YO one remaining great granny parent, Yet no one seems to want to change old ways.
Fairness in helping out is appropriate. But being mindful of the need to let go a little, and to realize our limits, sometimes have their places.

...creepy things adults say to little kids, to keep them in line...
---If you swallow watermelon seeds, or your chewing gum, watermelons will grow in your stomach, and the gum will stay there for seven years.
---If you stare cross-eyed in the mirror, you'll see the devil, and he'll make your eyes stay crooked.
---Girls who don't trim their hair and go out at night, will have the bats come and make nests on their heads.
---If you swim right away after a big meal, the cramps will make you drown, and big fish will eat you.
Lots more, but the one that petrified me was,---

---If you play with yourself in bed, you'll go blind, and hair will grow on your fingers and palms. So, everybody will know. And as a frightful corollary---
---if you keep dirty magazines under your mattress, God will find out, and will keep you from being buried in a Catholic cemetery.

Don't really know how any of us, ever made it past early childhood.

I'm not a football fan (I was when my son played though) but I come from a strong football loving family. Mom, Dad and my baby sister have long held season tickets. Of course Mom and Dad had to give theirs up when old age started stripping life from them.

Tampa's team is the Buccaneers and Tampa is hosting the Super Bowl. Ironically the Buccaneers are playing in the Bowl. The Bucks color is orange. I will always have the memory of anytime I visited my folks they would always be dressed a like in supporting the Bucks on TV.

I don't know how long football has been going on but my folks were at the start . Last week when the Bucks played in the playoffs they watched it together, Mom watched from home with the phone and Dad with his phone in his hospital home. One with their mind, one with a wandering mind but both experienced some joy or happiness during that short span of time. I'm sure today will be special for them.

Today is Super Bowl - I only get excited about the commercials. I bet my family is going to have a specially fun day and if the Bucs win - not only my family but this whole town is going to be Mardi Gras HAPPY.

I just may throw myself a tailgate party while I watch a movie during the bowl.

.... and his plugs for respect for our elders/ancestors..
I began to like this guy, when I read that he used his leather bound I Ching so much, that he had to replace it several times.
Culturally time period stipulated advice, sure enough. But doubt he would turn his parents in to the authorities on the basis of politics, or anything else. But who really knows?

Oye Weh! WTF?
Texas teen reportedly turns Dad into the corrupt Fat Bald and Ignorant, for his illegal trespassing on January 6 in the Swamp. Lionized as a hero by the deep statist deep syndromic left, VERY deep. But we ask, was he indoctrinated to do so in our government schools? Soon a go fund me page, and a rich kid? And a book? Doubt it?
In my travels, speaking with every day folks, in the Anscluss Austria, the PRC, former USSdR, and post WWII fourth Reich, the latter was part of my undergrad degree in German, folks told me this sort of thing was once quite common, and encouraged by the Party. Rat on neighbors, and family.
Chairman Mao's Red Guard, Stalin's Komsomolkaya Pravda, Shickelgruber's H youth---what an interesting history. Calls for re-education camps, as for Uighurs, for us deranged Trumpsters, are not the only cautionary tales, peebles.
As always, don't just take my words for it. Just read.

My parents were pretty forgiving to me and my brother. Sure, kids make mistakes, normal things like forgetfulness, procrastination, etc. We weren't liars and if we did something that required punishment, most of the time it wasn't severe.
Both my parents were literal... no hidden agendas. If we were asked (or told) to do something it was a good reason.
Some of my friends had parents who got angry at the slightest thing... probably because it was the only pleasure in their miserable lives. Arriving home 15 minutes after curfew would be no privileges for a month. Yeah... maybe that why so many turned to drugs... escape their parents for a while.
Anyway, I remember opening a soda bottle getting ready to pour a drink then my mother asked if I would pour some for her. "Sure mom, how much do you want?"
She asked for a mouthful.
Okay... the only way to properly gauge a mouthful was to...

well with the season of good will now past , i had a interesting message from my sister ,,which was that she had received a christmas gift that has caused her concern ,,,, why well this gift being electronic requires a certain app to use it ,,but the catch is that this app requires a monthly fee ,
so this gift can now be a burden especially as my sister lives on a pension ,,
over to you folks what gifts have you received that have been of no use to you or what gifts have been well thought out and have delighted you ,,,,,

Ha ha my son left his 12 yr old son with me for a week. I haven't watched a boy child in almost 50 years. When the divas were little I was younger and still in the working force with much more energy or patience than I have as a retiree. I was a bit scared at first. The family left ALL the Christmas leftovers with me since my man child eats a LOT. That actually does my heart good is having a good eater in the house since I have to fight with the tiny furball to eat, she hates to be bothered with eating.

So far it's been fun. I give him an early morning chore and when he is done he can do anything he wants all the rest of the day. Mostly he wants to game, which gives me time to game. Him on the comupter and me mine. Then we watch a movie together. I get to enjoy his laughter. At dinner time he cleans his plate, that makes me very happy. Also nice to have someone to cook for.

He also talks my ear off but I can deal with that, harsh as it is. Crappy Pandemic keeps me from taking him places so we are stuck in the house with each other. He begged to stay with me which makes me feel mighty special.

One day my son texted to tell me to make sure he joined a zoom program for learning and I said No Way Jose - I'm not a practicing disciplinarian, I'm just a Nai Nai that gets to spoil her grandchild and I"M loving it.

I'm only 3 days in - hope it keeps going this well. Today I'm going to teach him how to play backgammon.

Tag..) .flat as a pancake / head East..}
..point of know return.../ Kansas..
..the Wake../ I. Q.
... Left . Wing. Astrophysics....[ ©Ontrol.
.. Elements / Atheist.....
What if.? / Dixie dregs....
... . lightbulb Sun / porcupine Tree
...part 2..) banging the Family * $tar.

Z. Watershed / 0 p e t h.
...y..D A R W I N ! / banc of M Soccorso.
X...pelagial. / O C E A N.
...A R ] ...fragile Art of Existence / control denied.
..b.) ...radio gnome invisible / Gong.
......bored Certified....Chart Spelling...music Facing...

Part 1.. perfect Element/ pain of Salvation
..you better think twice../ Poco....
Eli's coming./ 3 dog night
4 horsemen / Metallica
.. everywhere A sign../ 5 man Elec.band.
6% of inner Turbulence / dream Theater
... synthesis.} 7 churches / possessed
A R ] ..this might ] Hurt./ 9" nails.
.. church of the Machine / symphony X.
....he has early warning...
....... ....he got jew- Jew eYeball...- Lennon

Lately my brain has been dealing with flashes of chaos which goes both good and bad ways at almost the same time.

Both of my granddivas live out of state but one, the flight attendant, flew into town Friday. I got to see her in all her beauty for lunch. Both her parents faced timed her during our lunch because it was her birthday but her Dad didn't want to talk to me because he was having a bad hair day.

However he faced timed me the next day to explain and to have a pleasant chat. It was a happy chat with my ex son-in-law . We both said "I Love You" at the hang up. Sadly he was in a very bad car accident that night. He had to be revived Twice.

I found out the next day when my hysterical granddaughter (also our little drama queen) called to tell me. Her Daddy was on life support but her sister in Calif already flew in. So both divas are in Orlando which is 100 miles from me.

Yesterday Daddy got the tubes out, is doing better and out of ICU. Turns out both Divas are driving up here for breakfast just to eat with me then run by and see my Mom, their Nana.

Not too many people get to live to see their GROWN Great-grandchildren worship them. It is so nice seeing these young people being so responsible because most the millenials are not.

In the background Mama is having her house made hospital friendly and is bringing Dad home right after Christmas. She falls and gets hurt a lot. Not sure how this is going to work out but Dad will have 24/7 care from health workers to family.

What a world.