Susan’s Reflective MI-5

1 Comment

My beloved wife says “Since it is the week before New Year’s Day I thought we could do some reflecting on the past year.”

1. What one unexpected joy did you discover? I really do like raw oysters. I had had one years ago. It was mostly eaten just so I could say that I had tried one. It basically went down whole. And though I had had other opportunities to try one, I didn’t want to shell (haha!) out $3 to see if I really liked them. At a gig a few months ago, they served oysters on the free raw bar. So I tried one. I took my time, and chewed it thoroughly. It was good. I think, though, that I would much prefer them under better conditions. This one wasn’t very cold, and didn’t have any of its “liquor,” so it was a little dry. Still, it was good.

2. What  two things would you have done differently? Why? Hmm. I think I would’ve stayed on vacation in New Hampshire longer; it seems like we were really rushed. And, I would’ve called my plow people to let them know I would be out late on blizzard night!

3.  What were the three most significant events? My daughter started home school. My wife had surgery (minor). I had the flu, and was out sick for almost a week. (I haven’t been that sick in a long, long time.)

4. What four things did you do that were the most fun? Vacation. Christmas. The staff picnic with the kids. All the times the kids and I played “Jump on the Daddy.”

5. What five things are you most grateful for? Susan, Julia, Matt, Nat, and inumerable blessings God gives me.

Friday Fill In #104

8 Comments

1. I must travel abroad more before I die.

2. You can’t stop a bull moose with your car.

3. I wish I never had to buy diapers again.

4. My Fathers has have helped me change my life.

5. I know the song Happy Birthday by heart.

6. If I weren’t so afraid, I would put on some red longjohns and a mask, and turn myself into a superhero.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to getting home from my gig, tomorrow my plans include another gig, and Sunday, I want to not play any gigs!

To Jesus on His Birthday

1 Comment

I’ve been publishing this every Christmas eve day for years. I hope you’ll remember to keep the true spirit of Christmas, and not be like those described herein.

“For this your mother sweated in the cold,
For this you bled upon the bitter tree:
A yard of tinsel ribbon bought and sold;
A paper wreath; a day at home for me.
The merry bells ring out, the people kneel;
Up goes the man of God before the crowd;
With voice of honey and with eyes of steel
He drones your humble gospel to the proud.
Nobody listens. Less than the wind that blows
Are all your words to us you died to save.
O Prince of Peace! O Sharon’s dewy Rose!
How mute you lie within your vaulted grave.
The stone the angel rolled away with tears
Is back upon your mouth these thousand years.”

Edna St. Vincent Millay

The Good Samaritan and the Blizzard

5 Comments

By the time I got home from my gig Sunday night, it was nigh on 10:30. The snow in my driveway was higher than the hood of my car. (Those of you in Cali can read about the storm here.) I proceeded to shovel, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was never going to shovel a hole big enough to get my car in. It was snowing too fast, and blowing too hard. And, if the plow truck came by again, he’d probably just fill in all my hard work.

As I was working, a guy came by in a plow truck. I waved him down. “Would you mind making a hole for me just big enough to get my car in?” He agreed. About four swipes with his plow truck, and I had a place to park. I went back up to him, and said “Do you have a card?” He said “I’ve got one in here someplace.” I said “I’ll gladly send you some money for your time.” He said “Forget about it Bill. Have a good evening.”

Dear Mr. Samaritan; I don’t know who you were. I didn’t recognize you, and I didn’t recognize the company name on your landscaping truck. But the money you didn’t take from me on Sunday found it’s way to a Salvation Army kettle. Thank you for your kindness. It is sincerely appreciated.

Friday Fill-In #103

8 Comments

Fill in the lyrics…with the correct ones or ones of your own 🙂 Have fun with this, don’t worry if you don’t know ’em…just make up something silly or do a silly one and a serious one! The most important part is to have fun with it.

1. Said the night wind to the little lamb “Where is your coat? Don’t you realize it’s winter!”
2. The first Noel, the angel did say, “My Tom-Tom isn’t working. Anyone know the way to Bethlehem?”
3. There’s this brown stuff oozing, Over the hills and everywhere.
4. It came upon the midnight clear, dropped 14″ of snow, and all the Mainers had to shovel out the next morning.
5. Just realize that in a few days, the days will start getting longer, so, Let your heart be light.
6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing in the shower.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to playing Santa at the Salvation Army Christmas party, tomorrow my plans include an early gig (6-10pm) and Sunday, I want to get my afternoon gig out of the way before the storm hits! (I don’t think that’s going to happen.)

Shot On the Spot

2 Comments

Amber tagged me to play Shot On The Spot. I was supposed to take a picture of myself. I wasn’t supposed to edit it in any way. Here’s how it came out:myface1

After I took that shot, though, I was better able to figure out the camera holding angle and what not. Photo #2 came out better, I think.myface2I’m supposed to tag five people to play along. Play along if you want. If you don’t, no worries. The following people rarely, if ever, post their photos online. Maybe now is the time for Pastor Dave, Jim, Amy, Susan, and Aunt Ginny.

Props to Cam

Leave a Comment

Props shot out to Cam “Shaft,” assistant sys/admin at www.midcoast.com. He upgraded the server I’m on to the very newest WordPress release–the one just release on 12/10! The layout is much different than the old 2.0.5 version I had been using. This newer version allows me to do all kinds of new things. Let’s see what wonderifics I’ll install!

The Christmas Meme

2 Comments

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer paper. I resort to bags.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Though I prefer real, I hate dealing with the needles. Susan and I have always had a fake tree.
3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever Susan tells me too! Usually, when she clears a space of toys.
4. When do you take the tree down? ASAP! By the time we get all the kid’s presents home from three different opening locations, we really need the room!
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes! Uncle Ade’s recipe (now duly made by Aunt Ginny) is the real deal. I’ve opined about its loveliness on many occasions. The downside is, his version is so delicious, nothing else comes close. Remotely close. Same city close.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? It’s hard to pick a favorite, but the real memorable ones would be the drum cases I received from my family, the bass drum microphone from Mom and Susan, and the .22 from Father. I still have all of them. The drum cases, especially the snare case, get used frequently. The mic gets used weekly.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Mom.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My boys. (I just get them the cool toys I’d like!)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I don’t. Susan does.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can’t think of one. I can think of the worst one I’ve ever given, though!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? “A Christmas Carol.” I like them all, but some versions are better than others. I’m searching for an old B/W version I saw as a child at my grandfather’s house. I haven’t found it yet.
13. When do you start shopping? About Thanksgiving.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. This year, even!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Peanut butter bon bons. Those ones in the gold wrappers you get at Wal-Mart.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. I like them multi-colored. I don’t like them to play music.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Nat Cole’s version of “The Christmas Song.” Or maybe “While By My Sheep.” Or maybe “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” It’s hard to choose.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We travel. I don’t like traveling far, though.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Not only can I name them, I can name them in Latin!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? It doesn’t really matter, but we have a star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve? Christmas? Both!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The business.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don’t have one.
24.Favorite Ornament on tree? See a post or two below.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Oh, this and that.
26. What was your most memorable magical Christmas memory from your adulthood? Probably the year Julia got the doll that talked, and she just couldn’t take her eyes off it!
27. Have you ever been involved in a Christmas gift prank? I was the butt of a prank once. I learned some important lessons. 1) Don’t expect to get anything at Christmas. The gifts you receive are gifts–they’re not things you deserve. 2) If you don’t get what you want, don’t be disappointed. You could hurt someone’s feelings.
28. Favorite Christmas Cartoon? The Grinch, I guess.

Flair and Facebook

3 Comments

I may not have mentioned it, but I joined Facebook a few weeks ago. I must’ve mentioned it, ’cause I mentioned finding Heather Armstrong. Anyway, on Facebook, you can send people flair. Flair, for those of you not in the know, are the little things that waitstaff wear on their uniforms to make them personal. Well, at least according to Office Space. Anyway, you can send people little pieces of “flair” they can add to their profile. Here’s mine:

One of them I really, really like. Well, Lots of them I really like. But one is particularly “me.” See the one that says “Coffe, p.o., prn”? Anyone have any idea what that means? Leave me a comment with your guesses.