Michigan is getting hammered by snow today and the weather reports reminded me of the snowball throwing in my youth. When you’re kid, and there’s snow, you’re making snowballs. You have to. The kids in the neighborhood had snowball fights all of the time. We made snow forts in our backyards and went to “war”. …
You Can’t Make This Up
Ruth has been having some serious health issues over the past couple of weeks. As a result I have missed my last three blog deadlines. Things are moving forward and most of her health problems are resolved. We are hoping for a resolution to the remaining issue in the very near future. As we have …
Trust
We all know the “trust game”. One guy stands erect, crosses his hands in front of his chest, falls back, and trusts that his friend will catch him as he falls. The test is “do you trust your friend” to catch you? Over the years I’ve been comfortable being the catcher, but I’ve never …
A Thought Sparked By Christmas Past
Ruth and I listened to Christmas music as we awaited our Christmas guests this past Christmas season. Most of our family was with us for a few days. The Christmas music helped with the spirit of the season because there is no snow in Florida and snow helps with the spirit as well. We’d …
Lost Not Found
Ring number three. When I was a senior in high school I joined the local junior achievement program. My friend, Bill, and I went to the organizational meeting in the fall of 1964. Several new junior achievement companies were formed that night. Students from high schools throughout Oakland County were invited to attend. …
Lost and Found
Several days ago an associated press news article was written about a lost wedding ring. A woman from New Jersey “accidentally flushed” her wedding ring down the “toilet”. The article went on to say that she “noticed it was missing while she was cleaning her bathroom”. I question the connection between “accidentally flushing” and “cleaning …
If I Were You I’d
As I entered my adult years, my dad had a habit of offering up the phrase, “If I were you I’d…” The words that completed the phrase were his unsolicited advice. He’d tell my sisters, or me, what we should do given a certain situation. “If I were you I’d save the money until …
Traditions
I expect that most, if not all, families have traditions. The holidays are filled with them. Growing up my family had ours. I don’t know how they originated, but they were truly a part of our annual holiday celebration. My Grandpa Barner made homemade custard. It was rich with eggs and cream. We …
Our Santa
One Christmas afternoon, while we were at our Grandma and Grandpa Barner’s home, my cousin, Gene asked if I “still believed in Santa Claus.” I was about nine or ten. (maybe eleven) I lied. I said ,”No.” I have never questioned the existence of Santa Claus. He’s real. When I was growing up, I …
Brady and B
My first Christmas I received a teddy bear from my dad. He’s not a handsome bear, but he’s mine. We’re celebrating our 71st Christmas this year. While he remains in Michigan, I am writing about him in Florida. Distance doesn’t change anything. I expect that I played with him when we were …