California Bound

So the funeral is over but not the tears. I realized one thing from this funeral. You're never really gone from peoples lives. There are always stories to tell and pictures to look at. You live on and on and on. It's comforting to know this. If you really want to understand what bad shape this country is in then take a trip to Detroit or go online and read the Detroit paper. Especially the houses for sale. My sister in law had at least six houses on her street that were foreclosed and vacant. Reading the paper I realized that I could buy a house for $1000. For three thousand I could get a three bedroom and two bath. There was one listed for around $60000 that was a 6 bedroom and 4 1/2 bath. It is very depressing back there. We're in bad shape as a country.
Tomorrow we're heading to California. Actually, we're going to La Jolla which is the real rich section of San Diego. We stay at a Travel Lodge and walk on the beach and go to the aquarium and hot tub and enjoy the people. Of course we'll hit the thrift stores too. We once saw a woman pull in to one in a Rolls Royce and then bitch at them because they didn't give her the senior discount! HA I guess that's how she got the Rolls. I like California, 8 lanes of traffic and everyone going way fast! My kind of driving. But there is also something about the people. Everyone seems to be out walking or jogging and smiling. Is it the weather or is it a combination of that along with having the ocean there too. Why is the ocean so calming?

What Happens?

So what happens to you when you die? My mother in law died yesterday in her sleep. What a wonderful way to go. Lately old age had caught up with her and her quality of life was lacking. Here was a woman who had only recently gone to a hospital for the first time in her life. She even had her babies at home. I will miss her terribly but I'm glad that she isn't suffering anymore. She was truely a blessing of a person. I believe that her essence is now with her husband and two sons. We are bringing her to Detroit today so I'll be out of touch for awhile. I hope that when I go, to what ever happens to you when you die, that someone feels a loss for me as I feel such a loss that she is gone. God rest, Mom.

Valentines & Birthdays

My wife and I have been married 29 years this summer. Over all that time we have developed our own little quirky traditions. Like on Valentine's day. We do0n't do anything. Nada, zero,zip! Oh my,you say, how cold and insensitive. Au coutriare! Long ago we decided that valentines day was nothing more than a gimic that someone thought of to part you and your hard earned money! You know if you love someone so why send them flowers that get marked up right around that day. Bunch of crooks! Christmas, we do a little differently. If there is something we want for the house like a new stereo or TV then that is when we buy it. Other than that,nada. However, when it comes to a birthday, now that is another story. Think about it. On that day the world was changed because of your presence. Also, it continues to change as long as you are alive and maybe even after you are gone. So we have birthday week. For the seven days leading up to your birthday you get to choose some presents morning and night. They always aren't big things or expensive. Sometimes it is a favorite candy or CD. Sometimes it is some very expensive jewelry! But the whole point is to make that week YOUR week with presents everyday. So do the Valentines thing if you will but I'm waiting for birthday week to become the next best latest craze! Now it's time to go to work. On my birthday no less! HA

Recycling & a wood fired hottub

So I want to know. Do you recycle and why? I recycle my beer cans and that is it. Does anybody really care about recycling. I just do it because my garbage company supplies me with this cute little container that I can throw them in and then I can keep score as to how many times I miss. Other than that I use paper plates and paper towels and plastic bags like they are going out of style. I am in this world for the convenience. If someone really wants me to recycle then they can put a price on my beer cans and bottles like lots of states back East do. Out here in the wild West where mining and logging are king we really don't care about those things as we rape and pillage the earth. You don't want me to use plastic then quit making it. Same goes for paper towels and plates.
One thing I do though is to have a wood fired hot tub. There is nothing better than cooking up a tub with wood and then lounging around with an adult beverage. When you're done drain it or let the local cattle come over for a drink. Nothing like low maintenance to soothe the soul.

Nature vs. Nurture and the Superbowl

So how do you think you got the way you are today. Was it all nurture( the way you were raised and your life's experiences) or was it nature( your inherited genes) or was it a combination of the two. I happen to find this quite fascinating lately as I get to know my 35 year old daughter. It absolutely astounds me to find so many of my traits in her when I didn't have anything to do with her upbringing. She is smart and beautiful and moody and so many other aspects of who I am. That part was of course all nature. If there are any things that she does that I don't like I blame her mother for the way she raised her. Probably not fair but then again life isn't necessarily fair. I can see lots of nature stuff in me. Like I get my fondness for alcohol from my mother's Irish side and I inherited some of her artistic bent. I got my grandmother's laugh from my father's side and my poor memory. Things like my work ethic and my making my bed I got beaten into me from childhood.
Which brings me to the Superbowl. I watched it and it was good but that was probably the only game I watched all year. Are people nurtured into being sports fans by their parents or is there a gene for that. Maybe a couch potato gene? I wonder about the players. Were they nurtured to be athletes or was it in their genes. Maybe they just saw an easy way to get rich and decided to play football cuz they were huge. I really don't know but I do wonder. Thank God it doesn't keep me up at night!