Thorns and Flowers

Had a moment this evening.  Took Annabelle down to the creek and we did some exploring.  I explained how some plants have flowers, but some plants have thorns. I showed her some bramble bushes and hedge to show thorns.  So one has to be careful when exploring in the woods.  She wanted to climb to to the top of the hill.  I decided to let her go on her own to see how she did.  She carefully navigated the trees and eventually made it to the top - where she exclaimed,  look at me - I did it myself!

And it brought back to mind a melancholy moment watching Vanessa learning to walk years ago and thinking that those little feet are going to walk her out the door someday.  It brought me to thinking that as parents we teach our children the pitfalls and rewards to watch for, but it is their little feet that have to make the journey on their own.  You can only hope that your lessons of thorns and flowers hold true and that they remember what they were taught on their lifes journey.

We did have another learning moment - by the electric fence.  I explained that the fence bites - it has electricity and electricity can hurt you.  She went over by it and I held my tongue. I knew what was going to happen - some lessons we have to learn on our own. She reached out and I saw her snap her hand back. "Did you touch the fence?"  "No, no I didn't"  I knew that she reached out and touched it, but I also wanted her to learn to listen to gramps.  The next time I give advice - I have a feeling that she will listen. In life we enjoy the flowers but we must be careful of the thorns.

Satisfying weekend

This past weekend was satisfying on several different levels.  Chelsea and Dan were in town for his birthday, so it was nice to see them.  He seems to be on the right track with his job as a customer service rep, and heading in the right direction.  We went to Golden Corral and then bowled after the dinner.  Everyone had a good time and we stayed up until like 1am.

Robert called - it was nice to chat with him. We touch base every so often and it was an expected call, but I am always happy to hear from him.  His company is coming off of it's best year ever.  Coca Cola resigned him as an agent for 2016, so that is a big account that he can rely on.  He is also an outsourced VP for an Aloe company that is developing a drink for nationwide release.  They wanted to formally hire him, but he told them that he had too many commitments and could not back out.  So they made him a sub contractor and he even has 2 direct reports. We had joked about this at work - companies are outsourcing IT jobs left and right, so why not outsource executives.  Looks like this is coming true too!

 He made me feel good - told me that he considered me more of a real Dad than anyone else.  So it feels good to have a positive effect on someone.  He works hard and is successful - glad that things are working out for him.  In turn he has helped my kids from time to time.  So I appreciate that this has gone full circle and he has been able to mentor and advise my kids from time to time.

The weekend ended up with Joe coming back home late Sunday night. He flew from Japan to Atlanta and finally to Dayton.  He got in around 10:35pm.  He said that he thought that the cat was dead in Atlanta - he picked up the carrier at the baggage area and cat didn't move a muscle.  He finally tapped on the cage and called his name and the cat slowly responded.  I imagine that cat was happy to finally be released.  Ryker was fine at the airport.  All surely slept well last night.

So it is satisfying to have spent time with family and also to see everyone doing well.

Independent Annie

Last night we celebrated Dan's birthday and we ended the night at the bowling alley in Richmond.  On one lane we had the children set up with bumper pads and for the little ones they had a little ramp where they placed the bowling ball and gave it a push.

So I helped out Annie initially. I carried the ball over to the ramp and let her actually put it on the ramp. It was a 12 pound ball and I did not want her to drop it on her foot or anything. But she wanted to do things on her own.  And soon she got the ball herself and carried it over to the ramp.  Didn't want grandpa to help her anymore.

But even that evolved - she saw that the grownups were not using ramps on the next lane over and so she began to scoot the ramp out of the way.  Then lugged her bowling ball over and rolled it down the alley on her own. Now she did not knock as many pins down, but she is learning to do things on her own - so you have to like that.  An independent spirit in that 3 year old.

4th O' July

Pleasant 4th of July weekend all in all.  Heather was in for the weekend, so I got to catch up with her.  I guess that there is a chance that her office may be moved to Texas and so I asked if that happens - will she make the move?  She said that yes she would go.  So that would be a big change.  Also her daughter Megan is a senior this year.  She plans to go to law school and be an environmental lawyer, so she still has more work in front of her.

We had lunch at Buckeye Jakes - always a good place to eat.  Grandpa Jack asked who Dan was - had never met him even though he has been married to Chelsea for 3-4 years...

Had fireworks out at our place.  Asa and Shane had fun setting them off.

2015 in Review

Well it was a year with peaks and valleys.  We had a great time on our trip to Japan to visit Joe and Samantha and Ryker. It was Becky's first trip overseas and she handled it well. So that was a highlight.  We also were blessed with another grandchild - number 8.  Young Sterling Howard made her entrance in Columbus in December.  So that was another peak.  But Becky lost 2 sisters this year.  Her oldest sister, Evelyn died of cancer.  Then her sister Nancy had a stroke and died in her sleep.

 My Uncle Vaughn passed away this year too.  He fought cancer for quite a while and thought that it was in remission, but it finally overcame him.  When I was younger, he was probably my least favorite uncle.  Always seemed grouchy and grumpy. But with the passage of time I learned to appreciate his directness and learned to like him.  In a sense, it seems sometimes. that life is a series of hello's and goodbye's and new folks arrive and the aged depart.  You hope that you can leave a positive impression inbetween the hello and the goodbye.

Chad's wife, Sarah, has a job as a junior high teacher over in Richmond.  Junior high is a tough age to teach.  Young'ish teenagers trying to push their boundaries.  So the first year is an adjustment for her I am sure.  Both Cash and Serenity are doing fine.  Cash enjoys tinkering and inventing little things.  Serenity seems to waffle back and forth between being a tomboy and a princess.  Chad rebuilt his Chevy Sprint for the umpteenth time.  He seems determined to keep that thing running as long as NAPA makes replacement parts for it.

Vanessa and Eric are doing fine in Covington.  When the kids start to do sports I will have to learn to sit in the stands on the home side and cheer without gagging.  Elaina is doing OK at school, hard to believe that she is 9 now.  Young Violet has started kindergarten and seems to be thriving.  She dresses loud like Chelsea did.  And I do see some athleticism in her.  Young Elliot is bringing up the rear, but I am starting to see signs that he does not like to be pushed around by his older siblings.  He is tall for his age. At some point his sisters will be looking up to him.

Chelsea has returned to school - taking bio-technology at Ohio State.  And if that weren't enough, she just had child number 2.  So a lot of change in a short period of time.  I wonder if she trying to out do wonder woman or something.  Anyway a lot on her plate, but she seems to be handling it.  Dan has a job with power company as a customer service rep.  Seems to like it, so he is bring home the bread for now.

Young Annabelle is adjusting to having competition for Mom and Dad's attention.  So she is having to adjust as well.  Dan has been working with her at softball and she seems to get it and is showing some athleticism too.  When we let them hit the ball off of the tee, she did as well if not better than the older kids.

It was a pleasure to see Joe and Samantha in Japan.  We let them be our tour guides and they showed us a great time.  They took the time to ask around and find the best places to go. We went to some unique places and even got to see the emperors palace.  Young Ryker was a trooper throughout our visit and we got to spend some time with him. He seems like a people person.

 Joe will be leaving the air force soon and coming back home.  He is unsure what exactly he wants to do.  He enjoyed doing automotive upholstery but he might have found something with his father in laws company - they are thinking of expanding into solar power.  So he might try that out.  He is still young and should have the GI bill - so if he doesn't find anything he likes, then he can go back to school and find something new.

And finally we will be feeding into the star wars frenzy by watching star wars next week.  So support the empire - the Micky Mouse empire that is...

cute kids - 2000

Cut and paste from the journal I kept on the kids for the year 2000.

Jan.   3  Vanessa got to start against Stivers.  They are a pretty poor team,
          that we beat handily 43 to 20.  Vanessa has yet to score a point.  
          Her hip is giving her problems again.  X-rays show that her growth
          plates on the top of her hips haven't fused yet.  She hasn't hardly
          grown in the last year.  Doctors say it is just a manner of time 
          until they fuse.  They play Tri-County North on Thursday.  Tom Steck,
          a former classmate of mine, is coaching their team.  Vanessa's boyfriend,
          Mark, broke up with her so she was in a grouchy mood this weekend.  

          Chelsea has 2 games this weekend.  One against an undefeated 
          Brookville - should be a barnburner.  

         Joe said that it was his best christmas ever.  He is really enjoying the
         Rollercoaster Tycoon pc game we got for him.  It was a good investment.
         We have been playing Starcraft head to head on our 2 pc's.  

         Chad is putting another engine in his pickup truck.  Still has a ways 
         to go.  Has a new girl that he is seeing, she is 16.  She called several
         times this weekend, so she is serious anyway.  

Jan 24   Measured Chelsea yesterday and she is about 1/4 inch taller than Vanessa.
         Vanessa still hasn't scored a point this basketball season.  She is now
         going with John Martin, a friend of Chad's.  Chad is back at school, pulling
         good grades so far.    

Feb.14   Joe celebrated his birthday over the weekend. Went to Chuckecheese's with
         Michael, Anthony, Matthew, Allison and Chelsea.  The kids had a good time
         the parents choked down the pizza.  Joe got a gameboy with a pokemon game,
         clothes, cars.  Chad got good grades at Sinclair.  Two A's and a C.  Now he
         back at work.  Chelsea scored 15 and 8 points this weekend her team finished
         5-7 and got 4th place in the regular season.  

Mar. 8   Chelsea's team got 4th place in the tournament.  She got 2-3 pointers.  
         Joe did good at his last basketball game.  Pulled some rebounds, made
         good passes, and handled the ball OK.  Chad has an e-girlfriend named Sarah
         from Toledo.  Vanessa ran a 2:32 in 800m at a meet in Columbus, 10th place
         overall.  

Mar. 20  Chelsea has started tryouts for the Surge.  Both Joe and Chelsea are in the
         chicken business.  We bought 25 Rhode Island Red pullets.  Chad is getting
         ready to start another session at Sinclair.  Vanessa has started a writing
         portfolio.  

Apr. 18  Chelsea made Surge A team.  They are struggling but Chelsea has been scoring some
         points.  Best game is 6 so far.  Vanessa had a good meet 2:32 800m, but has sprained her
         ankle.  We hope that she recovers by this Saturday.  Helped Joe build a crane for
         cub scouts. Chad bought yet another car.  All the youngsters had good grades this
         last time around.  

May 03   Joe had a good time at camp Kern. Just got back today.  Chelsea is doing OK at 
         AAU Basketball - She got 6 points and 4 points in the two games she was at last weekend.
         Chelsea spent the rest of the weekend at COSI.  Vanessa is doing OK at track.
         Got 1st in 800m and 1st in 1600m in the Preble County meet.  Chad made the deans
         list at Sinclair.  

May 18   Chelsea's team got 4th place at state YBOA tournament and qualified for nationals.
         Tarheels coach wants Chelsea to play for him if we do not go.  Vanessa set school
         record (5:22) in 1600m run and tied school record for 800m.  She qualified in 4
         events for Regionals.  

May 23   Found out at sports banquet that the 1600m record had stood since 1978 and also
         that Vanessa is in second place for total points on the team.  She also got the
         most valuable runner award this year.  So she cleaned house at the spring sports
         award banquet.  Today is last day of school.

June 5  Vanessa did not make state :- (  Didn't do as well at the regional as she would have
        liked.  Chelsea is doing OK at basketball, scored 10 points for her TVS team.
        Bought a cd-burner to make backup copies of cd's so that the kids would not 
        ruin them.  Made a few backups, but Joe - not be deterred, found a way to destroy a few games anyway.
        He put the originals in the burner and had music cds' in the cd player.  The
        games were overwritten with music. 3 cd games got clobbered by Joe before we
        figured out what was going on.

Jun 12 Joe is having a good time at basketball camp this week. The second day that

        I dropped
       him off, all the coaches knew his name - don't know if that is good or bad.  Chelsea
       celebrated her 12th birthday.  She is the proud owner of a .22 Savage rifle 

       and a toad.
       Allison, Heather, and Desma stayed all night.  They didn't get to sleep until 6 in
       the morning.  Chad has been seeing a girl named Sarah - still in the just friends stage.
       He has been helping Grandpa Jack with some odd jobs.
       Vanessa is playing softball, they run ruled a team from Lewisburg 55-2.  

Jun 15 Joe got into a fight at basketball camp, more of a scuffle than a fight.  He got the better of the other kid.  He didn't rat out Joe so they didn't get into trouble.  

Jul 5  Chelsea's basketball team was runners up at the buckeye state games regional finals.
       Joe was going to make his catapult into a cat-a-pult, 

       stopped him before any damage was done to the cat.

       Vanessa is taking pre-calculus classes at UD this summer - so far, so good.  Chad is
       still at Sinclair.  He is house sitting for grandpa jack this week.  

       Two cows were killed
       by lightening at Grandpa Jack's while Chad was there - go figure the odds.

Jul 19 Chelsea and Joe participated in the Buckeye State games Regional. Chelsea threw the discus
       50 feet and the shot 19 feet.  Joe long jumped 7'6"  Vanessa has started running for
       CC.  Chad has finished his summer term and is back at work.  Chelsea had a good time
       at the Baumgartner camp.  Said that they saw roaches in their dorm though.  

       Joe has been
       getting ready for football season. 

Jul 31 Joe has started football.  He is in the middle as far as size.  

       Currently he is playing
       offensive tackle.  Chelsea's summer basketball team had a good season. 

       Had a pizza party
       last night at the pool.  Fair is also going on.  

       Chad is working on a demolition derby car.

       Vanessa is at Ohio Business Week at Youngstown State Un. 

       When I picked her up, Jim Tressel
       gave a speech at the  banquet at the end of the conference.  

        He gave a rousing - motivating
       speech and at the end - he got a standing ovation from all the teenagers 

       that were there!

       I could not have gotten an ovation like that if I had been passing out $100 bills.

Aug. 3 Just got a call from home.  Joe was running around the house with his football 
       helmet on and busted the screen door window.  

       No casualties other than the window, for now.
       So I have something to do this weekend.

Aug 14 Chelsea went to Cedar Point with a church group.  

       She helped work on a shelter, then went to
       Cedar Point.  Joe is ill, has a fever and threw up.  

       Chad is still working on his demolition derby
       car - a lot of work for something that will be demolished in about 15 minutes.  

       Vanessa
       broke up with John, went on a date with Nick from Minster.  

        She met Nick at Ohio Business Week.

Aug 21 Joe's football has had two good scrimmages.  They beat Eaton 18-0 and TCN 6-0.  

       Next week they
       go against Valley View in their first game.  Joe has been doing OK so far.  

       Mike is staying for
       a few days.  Joe and he are sleeping in the trailer.  

       They seem to be getting along together just fine.
       Vanessa's Cross Country team is down to just 2 runners.  Chad is seeing Brittany now.
       Chelsea is waiting for the fall tuneup to start.

Sep 6  Vanessa got 3rd place at Northridge.  

       She ran the course in her best time ever - 20:31.
       Chelsea did well at the fall tuneup.  Chad is spending a bunch of time 

       at Brittany's still.
       Joe is doing OK at football.  
       
Sep 17 Joe was moved to safety.  So he is playing Tight End and safety.  

       They lost a close one to
       Springboro 12-6.  Their record is 1-2.  Vanessa is having hip problems again. 

        Her times
       are creeping up.  She got a letter from Murray State's track coach.  

       Chad is staying over
       at Brittany's, her parents gave him permission to move into their 

       basement at their new
       home... Don't understand their logic.  

       Chelsea has started girl scouts and also is doing the fall tuneup for basketball.

Sep 25 Chad is no longer a teenager - turned 20 this weekend.  

       Vanessa had a great finish at the CC Invite
       at Brookville.  She had a great kick at the end and beat Ivy from FM 

       for second place.  Her 
       time was fair - 20:43.  

       Joe's team is still close, but no cigar.  They lost 16-8 against BellBrook.
       Joe had some good blocks at tight end.  

       Bought Chelsea a new pair of shoes for BB - mens size 8.5.
       She is around 5'6" now.  

Oct 6  Vanessa got a call from Branden.  She is still seeing Nick from Minster.  Chad has
       more or less moved in with Brittany.  We generally see him on the weekends anymore. He was contacted by Guyler Buick in Middletown.  So he may go back to work for them.  

      Joe's football team tied
       an undefeated Dixie team 6-6. Chelsea got good grades on her midterm report. 

       She is helping to
       run the concession stand for the volleyball games. 

Oct 15 Vanessa went to her homecoming last weekend, then went to Nick's homecoming. Had a good time at both. 
       She finished in 3rd place at the league meet.  

       Chad fixed the frame on his car and did 
       some work around the house.  Joe had a good game against Tipp City.  

       Got a tackle, plus did
       a good job blocking. Chelsea had a 6th grade sleepover at school.  

       Played basketball and 
       watched some movies. Stayed up until 5am - she slept all day.  

Oct 19 Chelsea went to her first Middle School Dance last night. 

       Had a good time.  Tomorrow night
       they go to the haunted cave in Lewisburg.  

       Vanessa went to the opera, it was better than expected.
       Mr. Flory and Mr Mabry's wife were in the opera.  

Oct 30 Joe's football is over.  The team was 3-4-1.  

       Joe had a good season, made some tackles, blocked well.
       They won their last game against Middletown Madison 6-0.

       Vanessa got second at district and qualified 
       for Regionals.  She got 31st at Troy.  So her season is over.

       We went to eat at Ryans to celebrate
       her success.  Now it is time for basketball and winter track. 
       Chad is back at Sinclair, he is working at grandpa Jacks - 

       helping him to fix the old house.  
       Chelsea is getting close to Becky in size.  

       Maybe by next spring she'll be the tallest female
       in the house.     

Nov 2  Joe got third place for most original costume at West Alex during Halloween.  

       He made his own paladin outfit.
       Used paper, glue, reflective tape to make a nice outfit complete with 

       gauntlets and belt.

Nov 11 Vanessa has a lot of options for college next year.  

       She is looking at Wright State, Wittenburg,
       and Lake Erie.  But a girl from Defiance called and asked 

       Vanessa to spend a weekend at their
       school. She had a good time, I stayed in an ancient room at a decrepit hotel.  

       Looked like the décor was from the 1950's.  
  
      Joe had his football banquet tonight. Joe is proud of his trophy; 

      he fell asleep with the
       trophy in his arms on the way home.  

      He wanted to take it to show and tell at school, but we were afraid
       that it would get broken.

Nov 14 Vanessa got a standing ovation at the awards banquet last night for the 

       great job she did at
       Cross Country this fall.  2nd in district, 4th in league, 

       and qualifying for regionals.  The boys
       on the CC team had secretly agreed to do it ahead of time. 

       When they stood and starting applauding -
       the whole auditorium joined in. Definitely a moment to remember.  

       She got her 4 year trophy and a nice plaque. 
       Joe is getting poor grades in school, so he is banned from watching cartoons.  

       Nick may be breaking
       things off with Vanessa.  Said he wanted to slow things down and

       'just be friends'.  Vanessa has 

       been calling John again these past few nights... 

Nov.27 Joe is banned from Toon Network and Nickedeon until his behavior and 

       grades improve.  If he gets another note
       sent home then, no computer either.  Chad is back home.  

       He and Brittany broke up.  April 
       is back in contact with him...  Vanessa is seeing John again, 

       but they are just friends.
       Took Chelsea and Joe to the Sports Center in Oxford, we played basketball and swam.  
       Vanessa is helping organize a dance to pay for a trip to New York. 

       She is going to visit Defiance College
       in a few months.  
        
12/12  Chad is in his work cycle with his automotive program at Sinclair.  

       He is getting close to the end of school.
       He is on track to graduate this spring.  

       His car broke down the other night and fortunately 
       a truck driver let him borrow his cell phone.  

       Vanessa just completed her college tests.  We are waiting for the results.
       I guess a lot of colleges are already filling up. So we are going to hustle
       and start narrowing down her choices.  She is going to Defiance in January.
       Then we need to schedule Wittenburg and Lake Erie College for visits.

       Chelsea started her basketball season.  She got off to a slow start with just
       3 points against Brookville, but got 11 points and 11 rebounds against Northridge (1 - 3 point shot).  
       She is really bugging me for a new Nintendo this Christmas.

       Joe is doing better in school.  Blocking out the cartoon channel had an impact.
       He had his first basketball practice last Saturday.  This year the YMCA is co-ed.
       When he got there, he was the only boy for the first 15-20 minutes.  He wanted 
       to leave - told Becky that he didn't want to play with a bunch of girls.  But 
       she got him to stay and a few boys finally showed up.  She said he was about
       average compared to the rest of the team.    

12/17  Vanessa is seeing a guy from Eaton, Thomas.  They both work
       at the Country Cafe. Chad has been seeing April again.  Joe got a lego tank at the
       Christmas party and worked the whole afternoon putting it together. 

        Also got a remote 
       control HumVee that he has been running around the house.  Chelsea is turning into
       quite the reader, has been reading a lot of books this fall. Her team got 2 wins
       this weekend against Dixie and Preble Shawnee.      
 

The Assyrians and ISIS

Listened to a podcast on history the other day and the host talked about ancient history this particular time.  As I listened I realized that history just repeats itself.  ISIS has to work a little harder to match the inhumanity and savagery of the Assyrians.  And ISIS would do well to look at what happened to the Assyrians when their state was finally defeated.  As the bible says as you sow so shall you reap.

The Assyrians were in power something like 1500 years BC.  They were viscous as they built and maintained their empire. Some examples include one Assyrian king who pickled the head of a defeated king and put it in a jar.  Then he took the wife of the defeated king as his own.  Another killed all the children of a defeated king in front of him and then gouged out his eyes so that this was the last thing that he ever saw.  Another time a Kings corpse was left out to picked clean by vultures, then his sons made to grind his bones into dust. Another time rebelling nobles were skinned and their skins left on the walls.Enemy Soldiers impaled on stakes.  And well this is just a sample - certainly a bloodthirsty folk. And very much like ISIS in their desire to instill fear in their subjects and enemies.

But today one does not hear much about the Assyrians.  An ancient Greek army retreating through the area of this former civilization reported vast abandoned cities that had been laid waste some time in the past. And the capital was razed to the ground - no trace was left. An alliance was formed and attacked the weakened Assyrians.  And as they gained ground they massacred the Assyrians as they had done to them over the years.  Finally the last Assyrian fortress fell and the empire was no more - ground to dust as they had done to that long dead king from long before. And as you can see they sowed hate and cruelty and in the end that is what they reaped.

So a day will come for ISIS when their enemies rally and bring down them down as well and as history repeats itself and it will - they will reap what they have sowed...