The holidays are upon us in full force. I went to Walgreens this morning to pick up a few stocking stuffers and received an amazing brainstorm regarding some items to put in Jan’s stocking late tomorrow evening. Of course my latest idea will necessitate a special trip to Ft. Worth, but what can I say? When inspiration hits, you have to act on it! I love spontaneity. I have a couple of other stores in Granbury to hit today as…
Confession is good for the soul. I must admit that the Grinch is my all time favorite character in the reporitire of characters that Dr. Seusss so cleverly created. Here is the problem: I like the Grinch before his heart grew. I am serious. Perhaps it is not entirely true. Actually I am a reformed Grinch. The My own heart has actually grown. But I used to despise the Christmas holidays. Thus…why I like the small-hearted and unreformed Grinch. During…
Someday I want to build a home out in the country. I have a vision of its design in that little twisted head of mine. It will be two story with Granbury stone on the outside. It will also include a full basement and a large front porch. The kitchen will be roomy with plenty of counter space to prepare meals for large groups. My thought is this: I need three guestrooms with their own baths. Each son can come…
I have taken courses on ethics in graduate school. The study of human behavior and choices at that level is a stretch for most anyone. Sometimes it is helpful to return to the basics. I had that experience today. We had an area meeting for one of the law agencies I serve today. The newly appointed captain came out to meet those working under his command. He is an impressive leader both in stature and in attitude! He told those…
I don’t know if I am a stereotypical Baby Boomer or not, but I did grow up in the ’60’s and ’70’s. I rode a Schwinn bike and watched the Brady Bunch at 7:00 every Friday evening. Love American Style came on at 9:00, but that was off limits unless my parents happened to be gone. My sister failed to monitor what racy shows I might be viewing on one of the three network channels available to us during those…
When my older boys were in middle school, the campus always named a student of the month. That student’s picture would be featured in the local newspaper. The school would list academic and extra curricular accomplishments to accompany the photo. I never had to worry about being student of the month. I attended school everyday simply because my parents forced it on me. I was not one to play up to the teacher either. So student of the month awards…
An absence of trouble or just an absence… I would love to raise my kids in an environment that factors out trouble. I wish there would not destructive forces that posesses the capacity to change the course of their entire life. I further wish that I could steer them away from areas where trouble lurks in the shadows. I have been down many of those dark alleys myself. I hate to see my children venture down such areas. Today in…
He doesn’t look very good on paper. The documentation on him reveals a pattern of truancy, fighting, and a few other delinquent type behaviors. Consequently he has scared off moreht than a few prospective foster families. The future for a big strapping six foot plus 15 year old kid with that kind of record in the foster care system is not real bright. In a few short years, he will age out of the system, and be on his own….
Well that is no big deal! What is your problem? Get over it! Those are among the top ten phrases not to use when someone has been impacted by a traumatic event. I would add these common quips to that list as well: I have seen a lot worse. That is just life. That should not bother you. Why are you still talking about it? People process trauma differently. The same event can affect a group of involved individuals in…
A friend of mine duly noted on his facebook status this morning that he was tired of hearing about the troubles of Tiger Woods. I imagine he is not the only one. An early morning car crash soon led to rumors of domestic violence and marital infidelity. The media has been relentless in their coverage. Tiger finally conceded on his website earlier this week that he regrets his transgressions with all his heart. Is Tiger sincere? Does he have a…