LDKBox

Well, we made it another year.  We fooled them all and I am not going to tell anyone.  I have a habit of scanning the pages of several newspapers that I receive on line as I set at the computer at our kitchen table.  It is my early morning ritual to garner information on my already formed opinion that somehow lean the way that I think,  rather than people I know that use the same sources to help make them come to an informed opinion by reading opposing views.  In other words at this point I know what I know.  (sounds a little like Popeye does it not?)  Admittedly,  one must take on new ideas to be fair but as I fought with my Father’s ideas when I was young I still am my Father’s son I must say that having been there I know what does and doesn’t work even if I didn’t do it correct the first, second, or even third time.  All that says is that I am stubborn…kinda…sorta….maybe a little bit…?  Can anyone spell denial?  LOL!!

So in the process of getting news sources I do happen upon the informative side of the Internet.  That would be my horoscope.  I never have been one to have any faith what so ever in astrology but I must admit that I read them all the time and laugh.  I would say to myself. “This stuff is so general in its meaning that it could apply to anyone.”  Then I would read it.  Think about it.  Then cast it off with a whim.  I gotta say that this little snippet of astrological information must be right!  This is no generalization of information but hits the nail right on the head.  This was written for me.

quoted text from an astrological reading found on the web while surfing the Internet today.

Your renowned intellect has been strained the last couple of years, as it’s been forced to find solutions to the many issues you’ve been dealt. In 2010, you’ll finally be gaining some traction on your biggest challenges, and solutions will flow to you with ease.

So armed with this knowledge from such a reputable source(the Internet) I submit to my readers this wish for a Happy New Year and rest my case.  It must be right.  It was on the internet.?!

Comments (0) Dec 31 2009

This weekend my son, Kellen and I participated in a Cub Scouts function at Arrowhead Lake just 20 minutes from Harker Heights.  I had mentioned to my wife that I would not let Kellen down and be prepared for the outing.  I am happy to say that we attended and had a wonderful time.  It is our third year in Scouting and Kellen is learning things that I know will help him today as well as into the future.  In three years I have been very pleased with the growth that Kellen has shown in attitude and interest. 

It was a typical function with many dens gathering up to spend a little time outdoors but the full intent seems to be to let the kids have  fun all under the guise of learning how to orientate in the woods.  The boys spent a lot of time sitting around whittling on sticks.  All trying to produce that elusive perfect stick to place marshmallows on for Smore’s.  I was surprised at the attention span that the kids had.  You would think that seven young Cub Scouts with knives would be sort of dangerous.  Each Cub Scout knew, that with a knife in hand,  everyone needs to be on their best behaviour.  After questioning Kellen so often as to why he is not listening to me I was glad to see that Kellen is listening most attentively to the Pack leaders.  He made me proud many times during the outing.  His, “Yes, sir,” and “No ma’am,” responses to each pack leader during the day kept me happy.

Since the boy’s were constantly kept busy with one activity after the other it was not surprising that Kellen requested that we hit our bunks around nine o’clock in the evening.  Although I was not particularly sleepy I was glad to see that Kellen was tired.  In events like this if the child is wanting to go to sleep it is a sure sign that he wants to get a good nights sleep to be able to do it again in the morning.  Which we did.

It was dark, wet, and rather cool on the outside of the tent but inside we were two toastie tenderfoots resting within the confines of the tent.  Kellen laying on an air pad and his Father laying on an even bigger air mattress.  I was somewhat embarrassed with the use of the air mattress until I saw a neighbor pull out a full size Queen air bed which both he an his wife were to sleep on.  I am a big fan of being comfortable but a full size queen airbed is a bit much for this old duffer.  My wife has a cot that she uses made with canvas and a sturdy aluminum frame.  When I had a pickup to haul things around it did not matter what one carried with them to the camp.  Now that those days are gone it makes a difference to me what I carry since the HHR made by GM Chevrolet truck division has a lot of fun inisde the cabin of the truck but it does not have a lot of storage space so Kellen and I have to be picky about what we take to camp.  Although as long as he is warm I am sure that it really does not matter to my young tenderfoot Bear Cub Scout. 

To be honest the best thing about the weekend campout for this old duffer was when my son woke up in his sleeping bag feeling a little cold.  I had heard him sit up in bed so I pulled my bedroll from over my head and opened up my sleeping bag.  Nothing else needed to be said.  Kellen scurried over to my bedroll and curled up under my arm and blanket.  There were no more heating problems for Kellen and we both slept several more hours very comfortable and warm.  I treasure the complete trust that Kellen displayed to his Father.  Every parent knows of what I speak.  Some things cannot be described credibly.  The one thing sure is that I want more of those experiences in my life and know that they will come less and less as Kellen grows older.  Hopefully, even as they become less and less he will remember them as fondly as this “old goat.”

Comments (0) Oct 12 2009

I woke up this morning thinking of a long time friend from my youth.  He was a very smart and talented guy.  He really was very philosophic.  Give him a beer, a bar, and some locals of the town and he would soon have everyone in stitches.  Together, Jerry and I had many conversations about farming, local politics, and family.  In one of those conversations it had been mentioned about the responsibility that parents endure for the shaping of a human mind.  When this information came to the fore I did not have any children.  I admit that I was wishing and hating all at the same time for Jerry’s lifestyle.  I am now in Jerry’s spot just 30 years later.  My thoughts run parallel to Jerry’s musings during the 70’s.  Mostly,  we have kids as the common denominator.  I remember this quote from Jerry as if it were said  a minute ago.  He said, “It is a heavy responsibility to mold a child’s mind.”  Who would of thought that a thirty year old quote from a deceased friend of my youth would be the topic of the day for my blog?

Shaping a child’s mind, body, and soul can be daunting, demanding, and challenging.  Yet the return yielded by the investment into a child’s body, mind, and soul  are off the charts.  My friend Jerry was a very smart man.  I went to school with him.  Some things you can’t hide and Jerry being smart was one of those things.  Now I,  on the other hand,  while not being dumb I can honestly say no one ever said that I was tooooo smart either.  This morning I really relate to what Jerry was trying to convery to me.  If Jerry can question his own abilities on shaping his own child’s life then surely I may,  as well.  

Last night my son”s chest was congested.  His stomach was a little upset and he was feeling  over all.  pretty bad but not bad enough to lay down during the day when it was play time but  bad enough to make it uncomfortable breathing when he found the lights off and it was time to go to bed in his room.  He ended up sleeping with us last night.  He couldn’t sleep in his room.  It took 30 seconds after the lights were turned out in our room and he was asleep.  There was no doubt that his breathing was difficult.  One could hear the congestion as he coughed and sniffeled.  I fell asleep worried about the health of my son.  I found it very difficult to rest last night.  Consequently I arose earlier than usual.  With in minutes Kellen was in the kitchen with me.  Sitting in the kitchen with my son on my lap is an experience that will never to be equaled.  He felt so bad physically and was very comforted as we sat for a moment with my arms around him while  at the kitchen table.  The feeling is a culmination of giving, sharing,trusting, caring, and loving the one your with.  If I could bottle it I would.  For I would be a millionaire  monetarily immediately.  I will non the less be content with being a millionaire mentally.  The experience of bonding with my son can not be anything other than priceless. 

My son woke up this morning rubbing his eyes.  He always triesto rub the sleep away.  As he entered into the kitchen he padded through the entry with an accumstomed gate of an experienced dirt hand heading to his dozer to start his shift on the road crew.   As he plopped down unto my lap.  (Notice I said down…he is almost as tall as his Mother) We both had a deja vu’ moment from the previous nite.  As he hugged me he whispered in my ear,”Thanks for taking care of me, Daddy.”     PRICELESS!   Need I say more?

Comments (0) Sep 09 2009