Dad's Will
In the morning I will be leaving to visit with family and to deal with the reading of my father's will.
I willl bring this poem to recite, as a reminder that though my relationship with my father was not easy, I am who I am today as a result of who he was. It was his love of politics, broadcasting, music and sports that have shaped who I am. It was his lessons and his work ethic who have influenced my sense of responsibility and the fact that I have always been gainfully employed. Thanks Dad, for molding me into who I am.
Those we hold most dear
Never truly leave usÂ…
They live on in the kindness they showed,
The comfort they shared and the love
they brought into our lives.
~ by Isabel Norton
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Good luck with this. I hope it is quick and painless, with as little hoo-hah from any relatives as possible.
Politics, broadcasting, music and sports. Sounds like a good guy.
Posted by: Cappy at April 28, 2007 03:50 PM (yUK6w)
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Hi Michele: Whenever somebody dies, my friend at work *always* prints out the famous "Bereavement Poem," which brought her a lot of comfort when her mother died in 2000. In that spirit...
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
e.
Posted by: Erica at April 28, 2007 06:13 PM (n1ABe)
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Recognizing from where you came is important - it helps you to understand how you get to where you are. Clearly, you grasp that.
Now that he is free, I'm sure that he will return to counsel you. And I'm certain that he is proud of the strong woman his little girl has become.
Posted by: _Jon at April 28, 2007 11:14 PM (cPJtC)
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Dang. I've tried writing this three or four times and couldn't get the words out that I wanted. Just know you are in my prayers at this time.
Posted by: Mrs. Who at April 29, 2007 01:19 PM (9FXen)
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
I woke up this morning from a deep sleep/dream, in which I was reciting the following Dylan Thomas poem. It has been with me all day, so I share it with you now hoping it will finally leave me.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Posted by: Stephen Macklin at April 26, 2007 08:57 PM (Z3kjO)
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Hmmm, my step father died three times.
He told of angels escorting souls away from their bodies the first two times. (He had a pacemaker installed).
He hasn't returned from his third and I doubt that he will.
I think that the process of dying (as long as it is relatively painless) is something I'll "enjoy" experiencing. Why? Because I'll only _really_ get to do it once. I'm not looking forward to it.
But then, I'm not a grave man, near death, who sees that blinding sight.
Macabre, I know, but I wouldn't be me without this odd perspective, no?
Posted by: _Jon at April 26, 2007 09:38 PM (cPJtC)
Posted by: Dazd at April 27, 2007 08:38 AM (JRVQu)
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One of my favorite pieces.....
Thank you for the refresher. It has been too long.....
Posted by: Tammi at April 27, 2007 02:09 PM (Bitcf)
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I have a MAJOR soft spot in my heart for Dylan Thomas. I may not always "get" him, but I love anything he has ever written because it is evocative of the best years of my life. If you are ever in the mood (because your comments do not seem to accept hyperlinks), type in "Dylan Thomas" in the search box up on top of my blog, and it'll go into more detail why.
Posted by: Erica at April 29, 2007 09:33 AM (n1ABe)
Sports Saturday
It's been kind of a quiet time for me. I've been spending a lot of time with my son and giving him more pointers on various sports while he teaches me about Nascar and car racing in general. He blew me away on Saturday, when I got delayed in the basement doing laundry and he called me up on my cell to do a play by play for me of a rally the Mets were having against the Atlanta Braves. It was both fun and touching. It reminded me how my friends used to do that with me on weekends when I was traveling on business and they wanted me to be able to share in the excitement.
This past weekend was absolutely wonderful, 'cause we watched/listened to a great Mets game, followed by a frustrating Yankee game, which was then followed by an intense Redwings game and topped off by a Nascar race. That evening, while saying his prayers, he thanked God for an incredibly fun day where he not only got to see all his favorite cartoons, but all his favorite sports too.
He's so excited about the prospect of a repeat this coming weekend, that he's already completed all his weekend homework assignments (a book report and a research paper) and started on his chores. He also offered to bribe me but not collecting his allowance but $2.00 doesn't go very far with me these days.
Now I ask you... as strict as I am about the amount of tv my son watches, how can I deny an A+ student who has wonderful manners and good behavior his one day a week of being a sports junkie? I'm torn I tell you, torn! And that folks is a welcome quandry for a change.
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How can you not allow your son to watch the greatest hockey team in the world this weekend?
That would just be cruel
Posted by: Quality Weenie at April 24, 2007 05:11 PM (BksWB)
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I agree! Hockey doesn't count against the limitation, it's automatically allowed. But, if he gives you *any* problems during the week, remind him that playoff hockey also involves raw octopus...
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As someone who hates TV, I wouldn't consider watching sports as "TV time" for a kid. It is more engaging than art presented on TV (e.g. movies, sitcoms, videos, cartoons). Just as educational programs shouldn't count as "TV time" because they are different.
Posted by: _Jon at April 24, 2007 08:01 PM (cPJtC)
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Oooh, do you think he'll be able to endure seeing the Mets swept by the Nats?
;-)
Funny Political Music Video by Tony Blair
This was sent to me by someone trying to cheer me up. Its Tony Blair covering one of my favorite songs by The Clash - Should I stay or should I go in regards to his deciding to run for office in 2008. Thanks Derek, humor is indeed the best medicine. It made me smile and it made me chuckle. Thanks!
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Method: Combine ingredients slowly in a tall glass half filled with crushed ice. Add hugs and lovability to taste! Though addicting, do not overindulge as hangover may occur!
"As Jews worldwide honored on Monday the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust, a 76-year-old survivor sacrificed his life to save his students in Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech College that left 33 dead and over two dozen wounded...
Several of Librescu's students sent e-mails to his wife, Marlena, telling of how he had blocked the gunman's way and saved their lives, said Librescu's son, Joe.
"My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," Joe Librescu said in a telephone interview from his home outside of Tel Aviv. "Students started opening windows and jumping out."
Posted by: lisa at April 17, 2007 02:25 PM (8qkcK)
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I read this earlier today and just sat there and cried. What greater love has a man...God bless him and his family.
Posted by: Mrs. Who at April 17, 2007 09:55 PM (9FXen)
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Thanks for the reference to my site. An amazing and ironic story of courage. After all is said and done with this story, this is what I will remember the most.
Posted by: The Dark Knight at April 18, 2007 12:15 PM (CZWOq)
Back Home
Not feeling particularly inspired since I returned from my dad"s funeral. Thank you to those who extended a messages of condolence. I'll return when I have something to say. In the meantime, I've set up auto-content to propagate for those that want to read something interesting.
Musical Interlude - Hillsong
Yesterday I heard this beautiful song. I enjoyed it so much I decided to share it with you. It even stayed with me and comforted me after I received the news that my father had past on. I believe he's in a much better place. Being the oldest by a considerable margin, it falls on me to make the phone calls and help his current wife make arrangements, so I'm very busy. I'm okay though, sad but okay.
Just wanted to let you all know what's going on since I won't be posting for a few days. I have closed comments 'cause I'll be travelling and really don't want to deal w/a mountain of spam when I return. Sorry about that.
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Life Coach? Advisor?
I think this is so wrong on so many levels. The day I ask a 10 or 11 year old for advice, is the day I move into a mental institution and throw away the key and abdicate responsibility!
Would you seek out and take advice from your 5th grader?
Posted by: Wried at April 06, 2007 02:45 AM (8pDhO)
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And here I thought that nothing could surprise me about some parents...
Posted by: Lemon Stand at April 06, 2007 04:04 AM (+Y0gP)
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And this is their right! Nobodt forces you to do the same!
Posted by: aubrey at April 06, 2007 05:04 AM (OmPxo)
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Geeze! No wonder there are so many people in so much trouble. I see even the author is effusive about asking children to make adult decisions and be a life coach. Good Lord! Of course, if your kid is that much smarter than you are - the world must be a very scary place indeed. One wonders what these people did before they had an 11 year old to tell them how to run their lives effectively...
Posted by: Teresa at April 06, 2007 10:47 AM (gsbs5)
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Sigh. It is one thing to listen to your children and let them help make choices in their lives... it is another to let your child make that kind of decision. Scary.
Posted by: vw bug at April 06, 2007 04:32 PM (cudDU)
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I think taking advice from those 5th graders that were having sex in a classroom recently would be a terrific idea. All parents could benefit from their sage advice in matters pertaining to all aspects of their lives...
Posted by: Mark at April 06, 2007 09:20 PM (sS1gd)
Posted by: Mark at April 06, 2007 09:21 PM (sS1gd)
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Not for the issues that are the responsibility of us grown-ups, but I got guidance from my older daughter when I went shopping for clothes.
She has that gift.
Jimmy Carter caught grief for taking political advice from Amy when she was like, ten years old.
I won't go to the kids for the nuclear launch codes, I promise. But, "Does this shirt go with these?" Yup, I'll give weight to their advice.
One of my favorite yummy passover treats (yes, my brain knows I'm not Jewish, but my tummy doesn't) which I used to make for my elderly neighbor & co-workers from time, was cocunut macaroons. I made a batch last night, with my son's help, using a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa cookbook noted below, that also happened to be online.1
I needed the online version to send my co-workers the link, who threatened me with bodily harm (after eating my macaroons) if I didn't share the recipe with them by tonight. A word of caution: these babies are sinfully delicious because they commit major transgression against all nutritionally sound principles.
My favorite Easter dish and recipe will be posted later on today. Okay, now it's your turn to share with me, what's your favorite Passover/Easter dish?
1. Barefoot Contessa Family Style 2002 Clarkson Potter/Publisher
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The Easter Basket!!!!
I give up Chocolate for Lent so by the time Easter roles around everybody knows not to get between me and the Easter basket!!!!!!!
Posted by: Quality Weenie at April 05, 2007 07:31 AM (BksWB)
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Hmmmm... I just searched my site for my version of macaroons - less meringue-y and drizzled with chocolate ganache. Apparently I've never posted it, being a semi-secret recipe and all. Any kind of macaroon is heavenly.
Try adding some finely diced dried pineapple to the mix before baking.
Coney Island, a historic amusement park that has always been a cross between a carnival and a freaky circus side show, gave the strip of beach in Brooklyn it's famed name. Well, this much beloved amusement park and the birthplace of the hot dog in the US (1867), was sold a week ago to a group of developers for over 30 million dollars. As a result, Astroland will be shutting down it's rides for good at the end of this summer. What will come in its place? A glitzy, Vegas-style complex that includes condos and upscale shops.
I'm sure Brooklynites will have plenty to say on this when they get back from their holydays. As a New Yorker, Coney Island was where I went as a child during hot summers for some sand, surf and sun, a lot of fun on the 15 different kiddie ride (including a kiddie roller coaster) and interesting food. ThatÂ’s where I had my first taste of cotton candy, caramel corn, corn on the cob, candied apples, ices, fish & chips and where my taste buds grew up by eating my all time favorite: Fried Calamari with spicy marinara sauce!
For the past 3 summers IÂ’ve taken my son there, starting in the spring and ending in September, hoping to stretch out the summer as much as possible. On hearing the news I got a bit wistful, because a bit of my past will be gone when it's demolished. It will only live on in film (over 200), novels, and photographs. IÂ’ve done my share by taking pictures and posting them whenever IÂ’ve been able to at my NYC Postcards site and here (can't find the pics right now). Actually, without the amusement park there really is no reason for me to visit Brooklyn. Sorry Erica, but as they say from where I live, "that's a long-ass trip from Queens!"
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Pardon me, but this sucks balls. I will always remember CI as the place where I had a Nathan's hotdog and my father stove ion the roof of a rental car standing on it to take a picture. Funnier shiot you can't make up. I'll have to blog about that.
Posted by: Mark at April 04, 2007 09:38 PM (sS1gd)
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I cannot imagine a more shittier thing happening to Brooklyn. This is one of the most pivotal aspects of our glorious history, along with the Dodgers and Ebbets Field, and they're stealing it from us. Bastids!
My memories of Coney (it hurts just to start off a sentence with those words, knowing that soon that's it's all I will have) number in the hundreds. The Cyclone, Wonder Wheel, the beach, the Boardwalk, Nathans, the Funhouse, the Log Flume...they're making a huge mistake, and I'll never forgive the developers for it.
Coney Island is something I'll just have to tell my kids about one day, just like my dad telling me stories about walking over to Bedford Avenue to watch Gil Hodges and Duke Snyder smack homeruns into the Abe Stark sign, and Jackie stealing home...I'll just have to take his word for it, that it was something very awesome, but something I can never experience myself.
A frickin' shame. History never teaches us a damned thing.
Posted by: Erica at April 05, 2007 12:52 PM (cs95G)
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Awwww... And I never got to go. :-( For no good reason, it makes me a little sad.
Posted by: Richmond at April 05, 2007 06:30 PM (e8QFP)
Posted by: Dazd at April 03, 2007 01:14 PM (FdWOz)
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Yes I did, with a borrowed camera no less. I'm saving my pennies to buy a really nice digital high-end quality (read hopefully 10 megapixel) compact camera. I finally saw a nikon that would be perfect for me. So I'm waiting for either the price to come down or my funds to go up before I buy.
Posted by: michele at April 03, 2007 02:04 PM (FJ2Bh)
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Wow...if that was a borrowed camera, you're pics with a new camera will rival this one.
Posted by: Dazd at April 03, 2007 02:44 PM (FdWOz)
Posted by: Dazd at April 03, 2007 01:14 PM (FdWOz)
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My present state of mind.
I love this group! If you go to my music category you'll see that I've posted several of their songs.
Posted by: michele at April 03, 2007 02:08 PM (FJ2Bh)
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I am not happy with this album of hers.
I cannot sing along with the lyrics.
In my opinion, she carries too much.
Another way of saying that is that she bridges single words (multi-syllable) across the beat, which is very hard to sing along to.
I love her voice.
I loved her last one.
I even bought an imported disc and liked that.
Posted by: _Jon at April 03, 2007 03:48 PM (cPJtC)
Quote of the week
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of
getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks
into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
~ Mark Twain
OH MY GOD!!!!
Mark got so upset over some comments left by munuvians & bloggers on his website that he posted all their personal information (full name, home addy, tel. number and place of emplyment along with their address) on his site as a way to retaliate. Doesn anyone know how to contact Blogger Officials to have his site taken down?
Sunday Funnies
Still recuperating from laryngitis, pharyngiitis, and a mild case of bronchitis. Now that I'm able to keep food down, I'm as hungry as an elephant. Last night I dreamed of coconut macaroons and potato pancakes with apple sauce again. I'm salivating from just writing that! Must leave to forage for food. For now I leave you with some funny stuff, Calvin style.
) Hope you are feeling MUCH better!
