It’s 715pm and 95% of the work is complete. All that remains with this 2013 Spring interior project is the organization of my bedroom. The front and backyards are Moad and trimmed, and I tidied up a few areas in the yard. Now, I am going to relax after a nice shower. I may go rent a movie or two, or find something interesting on Netflix. I think I pretty much scoured all the historical documentaries on Netflix that are of significant interest to me. I may even treat myself to some awesome yogurt tonight. I know I just had some yesterday, however, I feel as though I’ve earned it.
I’m getting a bit closer to being completed. The study is organized and put away, and all the containers in the living room are now removed. The kitchen, which often becomes the catchall during these projects, has also been cleaned. In about 20 minutes I had also reorganized the wrap-around attic. There’s always a bit more that I can do in there.
Right now, I am preparing to take a nap in the new guest and TV room. I really really like this sunny, airy room. I cannot believe how much was Kramden here what was my study.
After my nap, which will not be dictated by an alarm going off, I will tackle my bedroom upstairs. The closet is just aching to be organized and a ton of little things are waiting to be packed away that I don’t want sitting out anymore.
And I look out at the yard and see that it needs mowing terribly. That may happen later this afternoon, but I have a feeling it will be one of my morning duties.
This article by John Rosemond really resonated with me. I was one of those kids from “back in the day.” I am so glad I grew up in an era before entitlement ruled. So often I hear/read questions like, “What is wrong with kids today?” or “Where is our world heading?”
Too many chiefs and not enough Indians?
Back in the Day
by John K Rosemond
When I was a child, back in the Parenting Stone Age (a.k.a. the Parentocentric Era), your parents were the most important people in the family. They paid the bills, bought your clothes, prepared the food you ate, took care of you when you were sick, drove you to where you needed to be, tucked you in, and kissed you good night. They were essential.
Your parents acted like they were bigger than you were too, like they knew what they were doing and didn’t need your help making decisions. In fact, your opinion really didn’t matter much. When they spoke to you, they didn’t bend down, grab their knees, and ask for your cooperation in a wheedling tone. They spoke in no uncertain terms, and they thought you were smart, so they only said anything once. The rule was very simple: They told you what to do, and you did it, because they said so.
Your mom and dad paid more attention to one another than they paid to you. You didn’t think about that at all. It was just the way it was. But looking back, you sure are glad you weren’t the center of the family universe. You were a satellite, orbiting around their solid presence. They even told you, on occasion, that you were just a little fish in a big pond. You didn’t understand what that meant, of course, until you got out in the big pond and began to realize that putting oneself into proper perspective greatly improves one’s life and the lives of those around him.
They bought you very little, so you appreciated everything you had. And you took care of it. When your bike broke, you figured out how to fix it. Or your dad fixed it. In either case, you understood you weren’t getting a new one, not any time soon. You loved your mom and dad, but you left home as early as possible because you were absolutely certain you could make a better life for yourself than they were willing to make for you. And you were right!
Back then, elementary school classes often held more than forty children, most of whom came to first grade not knowing their ABCs. Back then, your mother didn’t give you much, if any, help with your homework. Yet at the end of first grade, and every subsequent grade in fact, those kids were outperforming today’s kids in every subject, and today’s moms think good moms help with homework.
Today’s parents still pay the bills, buy the clothes, prepare the food, and so on, but by some strange twist, they treat their children as if they are the most important people in the family. Parents don’t act bigger any more either. When they talk to their children, they get down to their level, like they’re petitioning the king, and they whine, as in, “Do you think you can stop what you’re doing for a minute and help Mommy carry in the groceries?” The rule seems very simple: Parents ask children to do things, and children take their requests under consideration.
Today’s typical mom and dad pay a lot more attention to the children than they do to one another. They also talk more to them, do more for them, and take more interest in them. It would seem that today’s parents are the satellites, orbiting around the children, who are obviously big fish and getting bigger all the time. And so, today’s kids leave home later, and many of them come back home (the so-called “boomerang child”) because they never learned certain fundamentals, as in don’t spend more than you earn.
Sometimes people accuse me of what’s called “Golden Age” thinking. I “idealize” the 1950s, they say. I disagree. I only say what is statistically verifiable: The 1950s was a better time for kids. According to mental health statistics, we were happier than today’s kids, by far. In that regard, the latest research finds that obedient children are much happier than disobedient children. The latest research also finds that kids from homes where their parents’ marriages are strong do better in school, regardless of IQ.
At John’s office we are working on new audio CDs of John’s presentations. We are also working on new Study Programs for groups. Stay tuned for new product announcements!
When the dogs and I headed upstairs to go to bed last night I figured it would be the perfect night for sleeping. The temperature had dropped down into the 60s and there was a little breeze blowing through the windows upstairs. Within a few minutes I was sound asleep.
However, two hours later at 2 AM, I woke with a painful Charlie horse in my leg. I have been experiencing these painful little nudges a night for the past week or so. I kept forgetting to buy bananas when I was out at the grocery store. Yesterday, I did get a bunch of bananas. After a few minutes of walking around the painful not in my legs excited. I immediately fell back asleep. Within three or four minutes I was awakened again. This time, poor Flyer was experiencing a seizure. This one was very short-lived, lasting about two minutes max. I took flyer outside to potty a little more and by 215 we were both back upstairs for sleep.
This morning both of us were up and ready to go with this day. The dogs have been fed, I’ve been fed, and I am trying to decide just where to begin with this organization crap. Right now the dogs are all spread out across the study little tails wagging when I look their way.
My former study is now a new guest bedroom with two twin beds, and the TV room. I figured that the room might service my second bedroom on those nights when it is terribly hot upstairs. And it will also serve as a second bedroom for those times when flyer can’t get up the stairs.
I love this room. It is warm and inviting, and filled with some of my favorite Lincoln or presidential framed posters. One poster is of Pres. Lincoln’s home in Springfield Illinois and then I have another framed poster of George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
I am done for tonight. I am exhausted. Tomorrow, I will begin getting rid of a bunch of items that are no longer used, or pack things that are nice little treasures and momentos.
My chicken stirfry, which is become a favorite of mine, is finished cooking in the crockpot and I am ready to devour it. This is been a good day.
By noon, the new guest room was painted, mopped, and all the baseboards and woodwork clean. Now it is time to put everything in there and figure out the particulars. I bought some blue curtains about eight years ago but never use them. I think they will look great in this room. I also have two comforters that use the same kind of beach in the walls, and the blue that is in the curtains.
Once this room is complete I will settle in on my bedroom getting it organized. After that, there will just be a few odds and ends to organize and some of the rooms. And then, the interior project will be complete.
The rain began at 10 AM, and has not let up since. It looks like a little break may be coming, but it looks like more rain is to follow.
Today, Flyer is up-and-down. At times she is happy and and wagging her tail, and then she is lethargic and wants to sleep. I do so love to see her Wagner tail. I try to snuggle with her as much as possible. Even the students are keeping an ion her breathing. Her normal routine of coming out to greet students has been hit and miss this past week. Sometimes she will come out barking and wagging her tail, but most of the time she remains in the study napping.
This morning starts a much-needed four-day break. The first week of summer lessons ran smoothly. The students and parents really like the new study, and are eager to see the finished product of the guest bedroom next door.
This morning I’m going to start painting the guest bedroom which should not take too long. And I hope to get some yard work completed before any rain sets in. My goal is to have the guest bedroom completed by tonight, so I can enjoy the remainder of the weekend relaxing, reading, writing, and spending time outdoors with the dogs.
And the third day of my summer schedule has gone. Tuesday’s schedule seem to go off without a hitch. Well there was one little hitch but that was easily fixed. Moving nearly 60 students through three days is quite a challenge however, it is all working out smoothly.
Flyer is up-and-down. She sleeps even more, and seems less interested in the things that were always a significant part of her day. Sometimes she will rise to greet students another time she will sleep through their arrival. Still, she has that sweet loving spirit about her and I treasure each time she wags her tail for me.
This is another long day ready to commence. The studio schedule is full, and I will run 21 students through it today.
I am hoping to begin painting my former study tonight when the students are gone. If I can get an edge on this, hopefully by tomorrow afternoon I will have completed that room. This way I will have additional time to work on my bedroom upstairs. I also need to mow the yard, attended some of the plants, and lay the weed block in the hosta bed. I am not looking forward to that particular task.
Once I have this list of items complete, I think I can finally get down to enjoying my summer, and get back into the swing of writing. It’s time.
The first day of Monday teaching schedule ran smoothly. The students were all surprised, and quite pleased with the new study. I couldn’t believe how much more room there was.
Just as my last student was leaving, magical mechanic Mike Rogers showed up to fix the vans starter. It was at this time I noticed Flyer singing to take a fast downhill slide and health. She refused to walk out to the front porch until I coaxed her out. Finally, I carried her off the front porch and she wobbled over to the parking lot where Mike and neck were working on the van. She mostly just laid there, with her eyes closed, however, when a neighbor walking her dog passed by Flyer was alert and ready to chase it. It was rather quite hilarious. The remainder of the evening she just laid in my study with her eyes closed barely moving. I lay down beside her and playing solitaire on my phone while petting her. When was time to go upstairs to bed, she readily got up and made her way up the stairs. After a few minutes all the dogs were settled in and I was sound asleep.
Several times that of the night I turn the light on the check on her breathing. This morning she bounced up and was ready to start her day. Flyers tail was wagging as I prepared her breakfast and she eagerly joined the other dogs outside for the morning potty break. Just returned to her favorite corner in the study where she is slept for the past hour. That seems to be all that she does most of the time, sleep and occasionally go greet a student with resounding barks tail wagging.
It’s almost time to start round two of summer teaching schedule. This is another long day and instead of 19 students I have 23 students. Fortunately there is a great mix of voice, saxophone, and piano students where I am actively playing the piano the entire time. That would do me in.
For me, summer has officially begun today. I started my summer teaching schedule this morning. For the next three months I’ll only teach Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, packing in 19 students each day. And right now the studio is completely full with 11 on a waiting list. I could add another day, however, I simply cannot add any more time. There are other things I need to get done, especially writing. Three extra long days in a row is quite enough. I feel like a nurse or a volunteer fireman.
Night #2 of sleeping upstairs went a little smoother, but the dogs were still a bit restless at the start. Flyer seems especially confused but tends to settle down faster than the pups.
Yesterday, while out shopping in Beavercreek, I left one store to find that the van was not running. I went to AutoZone nearby and they came out and tried to start the battery. Nothing. The manager came out to try it and figured out that it was probably the starter. Sid’s towing company just return the van to the parking lot next door and my mechanic will check it out after he gets off work tonight.
Now it is time for a very quick nap. After lunch, I will have 16 students to teach. I long afternoon and evening awaits me.
Tonight I intend to organize my bedroom a little bit more. I hate living with this lack of organization and a slight mess. At least the first floor, with the exception of my former study, looks pretty nice.
As of midnight last night, my bedroom was moved in, its entirety, upstairs. The dogs seemed a bit unsettled with this change, but they did finally wind down.
By 630 this morning I had already started moving my study into my old bedroom. There are four major chunks that this particular move; two large bookcases that house all my music, the piano, and my workstation, a.k.a. computer desk.
I am excited for this change. The study is a little larger and a little more roomy, and my bedroom is huge. The best thing is I have a walk in closet after all these years of having a tiny 3 x 3 closet.
Time for some lunch and then back to the grind of getting the study completely moved. I am hoping that I will have the new guest bedroom/TV room all set up as well. Since I am starting my brand-new summer schedule of teaching the first three days of each week, I would like to have everything ready to go.
There are three dogs that don’t know what to think about this new bedroom. Flyer moved upstairs and took her place on a blanket laid out for her, and settled in for the evening. Chief and Navi, however, right bit unsettled. It took them about 15 minutes of walking around sniffing everything and trying to figure out where their place was now.
It is 130 in the morning and all the furry creatures are snoring loudly.
My day began at 6 AM. I kept busy with some chores downstairs on the main floor for a while, and then returned upstairs to add the second coat of paint to the bedroom. Once that was done I cleaned the floors thoroughly, and began moving furniture up from my downstairs bedroom around 6 o’clock in the evening. This is the first time that I’ve had a bedroom this large since I lived a 25 Main St. in Elwood, Indiana.
There’s still quite a few things to do in the upstairs bedroom but at least 95% of it is complete. Tomorrow, I will begin the process of moving my study into what used to be my downstairs bedroom. My current study is 10′ x 10′, and my old bedroom, now emptied of everything, is 12′ x 12′. This will be a massive undertaking. However, I am excited about the larger study.
Monday begins the long three-day span of teaching which will last the remainder of the summer. I will begin at 9 AM each day, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and end at 7:30 or 8 o’clock in the evening. They are incredibly long days, but I have four days off and that is what I love most. This will hopefully allow me to get yard work done, as well as a lot of writing.
A very cool breeze blows through the two windows in the upstairs bedroom, accompanied by the rustling of leaves and the dancing wind-chimes. We’re supposed to get thunderstorms, however, they were supposed to begin at 10 o’clock.
Now it is time to sleep. Tomorrow will be another long day, followed by the adjustment of three very long days of teaching.
I was a small boy when GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER came out on the big screen. I don’t recall seeing the movie, but I do remember the subject matter concerning many of the adults.
How could a young, educated, privileged white girl marry a ‘colored’ man? Oh, yeh, he was a medical doctor from an upstanding, hardworking family. This was big stuff 45 years ago.
The movie, though one of my all-time favorites, is dated. In many ways, it is a grand old history lesson of our country’s reality from that era.
This past Tuesday, Cheerios launched a commercial that has become a magnet for racism and pure hatred. I am floored. I know there are branches of racism out there, but I honestly thought we had grown past this.
I love the commercial! To be quite honest, I’d seen it several times and actually did not even notice. Why did I not notice? Who knows! I am a natural blonde. It was not until I heard some of the hostility toward the Cheerios’ commercial that I realized, while watching an episode of THE COSBY SHOW, that these television sitcom family members did not match up in color.
Heck, in my own birth family we don’t match in color! I am blonde and fair complected, while my baby brother is dark haired and darker complected – and we came from the same parents. I am, myself, the adoptive father of two sons who are not Caucasian – one son is Hispanic and Eastern Indian, and another Navajo Indian. It is quite obvious they are not my biological sons.
Yesterday I went through closets and pulled out a bunch of items that are no longer in use. They’re a ton of things to give away, and the things I have not promised are going to Goodwill.
Thursday evening I drove the van back to Mike Rogers’ house, and he spent a good hour repairing the van steering column. Magic Mike is just absolutely wonderful. I cannot think this man enough.
Back at home I began painting around 9 o’clock. So it’s a good not have a clock upstairs, I had no idea what time it was getting to be. When I finally did go down stairs I figured the clock would read midnight or one in the morning. However, it read 4 AM. Since I had just a little bit to complete with the first coat, I went ahead and finished it. I made it to bed roughly around 5 AM. The next time this happens, I should probably take my cue from the birds that had begun singing. It’s a shame the little critters couldn’t be like the ones in Snow White or some of the other Disney movies where they come in and help.
And now at nearly 930 in the morning, I am headed to the license bureau to get the title changed over to me, and to secure a new title for the car that will be leaving the driveway this afternoon. I am hoping everything is done correctly. I do not wish to wait any longer, nor return to the license branch until I absolutely have to. The past 10 years or so, I’ve purchased my registration online. This is a eliminated some visits to the license branch, however, every four years I need to go back just to have my picture taken for them. Their work is not as fashionable as most portrait studios but they are quick.
One great thing about venturing down to this neck of the woods, Centerville, as the Bill’s Donuts is right on my return home. I think I deserve a treat today.
But first, I must go in and slay a dragon. I am now at the license branch.
Tonight, I was so excited to hear my saxophone students from the Beavercreek Middle School jazz bands perform outside the Dayton Dragon’s stadium at 5th/3rd Field. I grabbed some music books from Hauer Music, and then proceeded down Patterson to park. Amazingly, I found a parking spot immediately.
The key would not come out of the ignition.
I tried several things I knew from other experiences. Nothing.
I posted on Facebook, and tried some of the suggestions. Nothing.
Pati Rogers, my friend and wife of my mechanic, called me and had me try several things. Nothing.
I contacted Mike Rogers who took me through several more suggestions. Nothing.
I was to meet my friend, Suzanne Grote, at the concert and then we were going to eat to catch up on some personal matters. We went to The Greene for dinner, and then I drove by Mike’s house. I figured that within 15-20 minutes Magic Mike would have it fixed.
Three hours later…
I drove it home, only after Magic Mike showed me how to pull some metal piece down with needle-nose pliers to get the key out, and how to use them to move the metal item in the opposite direction to get the gear shift to move.
God bless Mike Rogers who is a gem.
However, this van is turning into a damned pain in the ass, and costing me more and more money.
It is now the official start of my summer break. I have five days to enjoy my summer. I will also have five days in July, but this is the start of my summer break.
My plans include painting the upstairs bedroom, moving my bedroom upstairs, moving my current study into my current bedroom, and turning my current study into a guest bedroom and TV room. I also hope to clear out all the weeds and grass in the hosta bed and lay down the material I purchased last night to keep weeds from growing. If there is enough time my goal is also to paint all the fences in the backyard and finish the raised flower bed by the fire pit.
This is quite an undertaking, I realize, but I am ready to git er done.
Today is my last day of teaching for the regular school year. I just left the middle school for the last time. I finish teaching a few special lessons tonight with several former students returning from college, and will have five days off to relax, work in the yard, enjoying my pads, and perhaps do things with some friends. I would also like to schedule some writing time in there so I can get back in the groove of writing.
I slept horribly last night. I was experiencing a great deal of stress and sleep was not easy nor comfortable. Now that a few things were resolved this morning, I am feeling much better.
Today has been one of those days were everything seems to be in multiples. And those multiples have not been pleasant.
The day started off smoothly but by 1130 or 1145 that all began changing. There was absolutely no air movement coming through the vents in the new van, and I learned today that the motor on the blower is going out. Then, I learned that the title should’ve been notarized before I even left the city from which the van was purchased. It looks as if I may have to travel all the way back to Indiana to have this completed which will be an eight hour trip. This news alone seemed to set everything off and went into a downward spiral the remainder of the day. The domino-effect was kicking in fast and furious!
Generally, I can keep my perspective when things begin tripping me up. However, right now that does not seem to be part of the game plan.
The first time I went to Minard was about 2008 and that was up near Fowler Indiana. I absolutely loved the place. However, the nearest Minard’s to Dayton was about 20 miles away and seemed a bit too far to drive.
Last summer Minard’s opens near the Dayton mall. Quintin and I spent quite a bit of time exploring the gigantic store. They’re always great sales or regular deals on various items which I love.
We always seem to leave the pet section and turn left toward the cash registers. However, today I ventured to the north side of the store which is where all the lumber and everything I love from Lowe’s department store is located. This is like Disneyland for me.
On this Monday Memorial Day 2013, it is cold at 54° and raining. I always hate to see you rain and cooler weather on days like this when there are always going to be tons of families and friends gathering for cookouts and pool parties. And I especially hate to see this kind of weather when there are numerous events planned to celebrate Memorial Day.
I woke up at 6 AM and spent a good deal of time looking through pictures of my uncles who both served in the military. The dogs are fed and now I am off to Menards. They tend to have some of the better deals on breakfast cereal. And, I never know what else I might find a reasonable price.
At 11 o’clock I will take the van to my mechanic so he can check out the air and heating system, and hopefully give me an appraisal on everything else. By 2 PM I will be in my study teaching lessons. And there you have my day.
Enjoy this day and keep in mind those who have served our country.
I was blessed with two very adored uncles, siblings of my parents, who served our nation in the US Army and US Navy:
Garry Jolliff (1944-2002)
Ronald Barmes (1952-1987)
Uncle Gary, brother of my birth-father, Danny Jolliff, served in the Vietnam War. Uncle Garry was more of a surrogate father in my early years, and for this, a candle is always lit for him on Father’s Day. Thanks to Uncle Garry (and my Grandpa Leroy) I learned how to play baseball, went to my first Reds baseball game, spent fun weekends fishing, going to Kings Island or Indiana Beach, or just enjoying times spent around our hometown of Elwood, Indiana. Sadly, the wounds he received paralyzed him before he was 30 years old. His spirit remained strong until his death in June 2002.
Uncle Ron, brother of my mother, Diana Barmes Haas, served in the US Navy, and being twelve years older than me was more like an older brother. Uncle Ron bought me my first piece of sheet music, “Anchors, Aweigh,” which I promptly learned despite the fact it was a bit advanced for me at the time. To this day, any time I hear “Anchors, Aweigh” I tear up.
I was blessed with two wonderfully loving men who inspired, taught, laughed (and Oh! could they ever laugh!), shared their time, and shined as a wonderful example of how to be an uncle.
Today, our nation celebrates their contributions as veterans who served their country.
Every day, I celebrate the fact I had these two men as my uncles.
May military bands of angels continue to sing Thee both to Thy rest, Uncle Garry and Uncle Ron. Know you are loved…
Currently enjoying the concert band music at Carillon Park. In a while, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will perform, followed by a spectacular firework display.
The back yard was mowed, and then I completed the little fence around the lilac bush. The roots have spread out a good deal, making it difficult to mow near the bush, and Navi loves to rip up branches so she can chew on the sticks. Sometime this week I hope to paint all the fences in the back yard.
After teaching a lesson, I returned to the yard to tidy up some other items.
Then, it was time for the dogs’ first van ride. The dogs did fine, and seemed to enjoy the larger space. Chief, however, seemed miserable.
And the van… no air conditioning or air. I am a little beyond peeved right now.
To soothe my aggravation, I went to Awesome Yogurt.
I had planned on going to the Dayton Heritage Fesitval at Carillon Park, but I don’t know if I am up for it this year. We shall see.
The Haasienda on Shroyer... 