We went through the routine last week. The wife decided who would bring what and got agreement from the kids. We welcomed the out-of-town contingent (our former daughter in law, her husband, THEIR daughter and OUR grandkids). Some of our guests (mainly our kids and their families) came early. Others got here barely in time to eat.
Some ate and then helped clean up. Others ate and then dropped into comfortable seating in the family room to watch football. Others ate and left!
But it was still fun -- and one of those rare occasions when the entire family sits at table for a meal and when the entire family eats a meal over a single grace being prayed.
The kitchen table was cleared after the meal and all the girls gathered round -- advertisements in one hand and lists in the other. It was now time to decide about "Black Friday".
But things changed this year -- it was no longer "Black Friday" but "Black Thanksgiving". Store doors did not open at 5AM as in past years. Some store doors were open even as they pined about who was going to buy what.
The mass of female flesh piled into the van at 10:45 Thanksgiving evening just to wait in line at their first target -- yes, Target was their first stop. And they were gung ho until they approached collapse for lack of sleep at a little before noon on Friday.
I went to bed shortly after they left, adding a few sentences to my nightly prayer -- praying that the insane would regain a little sense and that they would have fun during their foolish frivolity.
Those of us -- especially Bobby, Ben and me -- who stayed at home arose the next more to the wafting aroma of fresh brewed coffee. After a couple of cups each, we dressed and went to a local eatery for Western Omelettes, hash browns (with onions), sliced tomatos, biscuits and buttered toast. Then we went home and awaited the return of the girls -- sore feet, tired eyes, frayed tempers et al.
They will never admit the reality of the situation. During all this, I kept thinking that Thanksgiving has lost its real meaning. It has morphed into Black Friday Eve. What a shame!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Christmas Is Coming
Are you like me -- salivating over some of the new "necessities" that didn't exist last year. Are you leaving hints around the house? Does every other sentence end with "...you know I could do that with a ..."?
The iPad is the one that's piqued my imagination this year. My mind says "...you can't live another day without one of those"; and the logical side of my brain says "...if you had one what would you do with it".
The left and right sides of my brain wage war for a while, with the arguement ending with "...I sure would love to have one of those...".
What's my assessment of the iPad? One side of my brain argues it's the best thing since sliced bread -- something you'll continuously use. The other side responds that I'll get it, use it for a week and then relegate it to the stack of devices I've gotten every year for the last "n" years.
My granddaughter got an iPod Touch for her birthday earlier this month. She spent the weekend with us this past weekend and I spent more than a little bit of time with the iPod in my hands. My reaction to the device was that it's a great device that can almost replace a computer. It's great for sending and receiving email, accessing the Internet and playing games. It's powerful and fast.
Another reality -- it's too darned small or my eyes are too darned bad! The other thing that bothered me was that it has WiFi but can't send and receive notes or access the Internet unless you're in a hotspot. Kudos to my Blackberry.
The iPad solves the major size problem -- it's big enough to read and can be used as a book reader. But which makes more sense for a lightweight device -- the iPad or a Netbook? That's a full function computer, excepting the excellent book reader component, that's been shrunk in size to the point where the keyboard can be cumbersome. It's also considerably less expensive than the iPad.
This is only one of the "toys". I heard this morning that there are going to be some really good prices on devices this year -- like WalMart having a 32" flat screen TV for $200.00. And it's not a Black Friday special where each store has exactly .6 devices on sale.
I'm learning to keep my wishlist realistic and then to analyze whether my "want" is a kneejerk reaction or for a device that I'll really find useful for more than a week!
The iPad is the one that's piqued my imagination this year. My mind says "...you can't live another day without one of those"; and the logical side of my brain says "...if you had one what would you do with it".
The left and right sides of my brain wage war for a while, with the arguement ending with "...I sure would love to have one of those...".
What's my assessment of the iPad? One side of my brain argues it's the best thing since sliced bread -- something you'll continuously use. The other side responds that I'll get it, use it for a week and then relegate it to the stack of devices I've gotten every year for the last "n" years.
My granddaughter got an iPod Touch for her birthday earlier this month. She spent the weekend with us this past weekend and I spent more than a little bit of time with the iPod in my hands. My reaction to the device was that it's a great device that can almost replace a computer. It's great for sending and receiving email, accessing the Internet and playing games. It's powerful and fast.
Another reality -- it's too darned small or my eyes are too darned bad! The other thing that bothered me was that it has WiFi but can't send and receive notes or access the Internet unless you're in a hotspot. Kudos to my Blackberry.
The iPad solves the major size problem -- it's big enough to read and can be used as a book reader. But which makes more sense for a lightweight device -- the iPad or a Netbook? That's a full function computer, excepting the excellent book reader component, that's been shrunk in size to the point where the keyboard can be cumbersome. It's also considerably less expensive than the iPad.
This is only one of the "toys". I heard this morning that there are going to be some really good prices on devices this year -- like WalMart having a 32" flat screen TV for $200.00. And it's not a Black Friday special where each store has exactly .6 devices on sale.
I'm learning to keep my wishlist realistic and then to analyze whether my "want" is a kneejerk reaction or for a device that I'll really find useful for more than a week!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Happy Birthday To US Marines
November 10th is the 235th birthday of the US Marines. Join me on this special day in wishing these brave men and women a happy birthday. Be sure to thank them for their service and their willingness to put themselves in harm's way in order that we may be free.
I extend a "special birthday wish" to Taylor, our grandson and all of the men and women in the current class. He's about half way through basic training at Paris Island -- preparing himself to continue the brave tradition of the Marines. He'll make himself (and all of us) proud because of his career choice at this point in his life.
Happy Birthday Marines!
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I extend a "special birthday wish" to Taylor, our grandson and all of the men and women in the current class. He's about half way through basic training at Paris Island -- preparing himself to continue the brave tradition of the Marines. He'll make himself (and all of us) proud because of his career choice at this point in his life.
Happy Birthday Marines!
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Monday, November 01, 2010
Special / Important Day
Today is the eve of what I truly believe will likely be the most important day of 2010 -- the eve of our nation's mid-term election.
I remind you of something my father repeatedly told me -- "Son, if you don't vote you have no right to bitch about the results." Nothing he ever told me was more truthful than that simple statement.
My dad contended that voting is neither a right nor a priviledge. He saw it as a responsibility -- and I agree with him.
Years ago, I went to vote in a presidential election and found the line to be over 1 mile long -- that's right one mile, 5,280 feet long. I was tempted; but I did it. And after the fact I was proud.
I also remember two other things. I was reminded of this only in one of last night's newscasts -- the margin of Jimmy Carter's victory was less than ONE VOTE PER PRECINCT. Another from an acquaintance a good many years ago. He felt terrible afterwards because of what happened. He decided to drop out of line figuring that he represented only ONE VOTE. He really felt bad after election results were in and he found that his candidate lost by ONE VOTE!
I remind you of something my father repeatedly told me -- "Son, if you don't vote you have no right to bitch about the results." Nothing he ever told me was more truthful than that simple statement.
My dad contended that voting is neither a right nor a priviledge. He saw it as a responsibility -- and I agree with him.
Years ago, I went to vote in a presidential election and found the line to be over 1 mile long -- that's right one mile, 5,280 feet long. I was tempted; but I did it. And after the fact I was proud.
I also remember two other things. I was reminded of this only in one of last night's newscasts -- the margin of Jimmy Carter's victory was less than ONE VOTE PER PRECINCT. Another from an acquaintance a good many years ago. He felt terrible afterwards because of what happened. He decided to drop out of line figuring that he represented only ONE VOTE. He really felt bad after election results were in and he found that his candidate lost by ONE VOTE!
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