Monthly Archives: July 2017

MIAGD: Make it a great day Foster bags. They accompany foster children on their Tour: a tour of moving from one foster home, or group home, to another. Each son came with a TON of bags. Many, many, many back … Continue reading →

It’s 12:43 AM, and we’ve finally arrived to the last day of July, 2017. August will be greeting us in about twenty-three hours, and I always feel the weight of my fun summer schedule waning into the full school year. … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day The past 48 hours have been interesting, fun-filled, and quite soul-defining. The van has completely died.  Despite the fact it was sold to me under the guise of the engine having been fully overhauled, … Continue reading →

For over fifteen years, this Methodist boy has been a huge fan of Father Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town. In 1917, Father Flanagan took in about six young boys, offering them a permanent home.  This was the beginning of … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day Oh, how miserable I should be…. But, it’s all life.  Bumps. Blessings. Enterprise Car Rental @ Loop Road = D-, you don’t just give my points away. Enterprise Car Rental Agent at Corporate = … Continue reading →

Four years ago, we were anticipating the long, drawn out process as Flyer reached the end. Mother spent four days with me, adding comfort, and holding back her own tears.  Friends and students stopped to visit for "that one last … Continue reading →

Some family friends are on vacation, and their first stop was this afternoon at Campobello Island, the summer retreat for the Franklin Roosevelt family. Franklin’s parents had a cottage on the island between Canada and Maine, and spent many summers … Continue reading →

Today, July 25th, my great-great-uncle, Raymond Daugherty, would have celebrated his 96th birthday, four months ahead of his nephew, my grandfather, who would have turned 96 years old this November. Uncle Raymond was born in Boone Township of Madison County … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day When I was a little boy, my grandmother had the most beautiful flower garden in her backyard. I wish there were existing photographs to document her work, and devotion to this natural artistry. She … Continue reading →

My study is finally tidied, and organized. I spent several hours organizing music, and putting all the copies from on-line music purchases into binders.  That process ended at 2:30 AM. I rose at 6:30 AM to complete another organizing-project.  The … Continue reading →

48 years ago… Wow! I was seated next to my great-grandfather, John William Garrett Clary, on his Davenport (sofa) in Elwood, Indiana.  My great-great uncle, Alpha Jones, was seated on the other side. Grandpa Garrett was five years old when … Continue reading →

Washington, DC; July 12, 1974. I am standing between my grandparents, Leroy and Donna Barmes, and our Indiana 6th District US Representative, Elwood “Bud” Hillis on the steps of the United States Capitol building. We had just returned to the … Continue reading →

The pure, the bright, the beautiful That stirred our hearts in youth, The impulses to wordless prayer, The streams of love and truth, The longing after something lost, The spirit’s yearning cry, The striving after better hopes — These things … Continue reading →

Elwood, Indiana; 1971 “Here’s your letter to Santa as I copied it down in cursive. Now, you can copy this using your own cursive.  When you’re finished, fold up your letter, and place it in the envelope and Mommy will … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day This is the view from the bus window this morning. It feels like we are looking out into a world-sized Claude Monet painting.  Here are days when our world feels blurred, entirely without focus. … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day  The entire house is being freed of things no longer needed. It’s amazing how having additional, no longer needed things around the house can serve as anchors.   People can also be anchors to … Continue reading →

It’s nearing midnight, and I am ready to drag my self up to my bedroom for complete slumber. Most of my days start only a few hours after the previous day ended.  Tonight doesn’t seem to be one of those … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” ~ Nelson Mandela My son, on a number of occasions, has commented on how comforting the basement … Continue reading →

It’s nearing 1:15 AM, and I’ve now belted two mornings together with my day.  I was wide awake at 7 AM, Sunday morning, and by 10 AM I was on the bus to downtown Dayton with my camera, and he … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day… “Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is.”  — Ansel Adams I love photography. I’ve always loved capturing moments, not just to later pull them up to remember, but just … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make it a great day! When I begin adopting my sons, I knew I wanted to make their experience, and my experience, even when not so well received, memorable.  I try my best to be a creative teacher, so … Continue reading →

True leadership… Like many folks I know, I have elected to identify my self with one political party; however, I am not a party person, I am a people-person: I am for the candidate. Yesterday, in the Centerville Americana Parade, … Continue reading →

MIAGD: Make It A Great Day “Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out!  Strut down the street and have your picture took, dressed like a dream, your spirits seem to turn about:  that Sunday shine is … Continue reading →