Who?

Well the weekend is over ... who authorized it being shortened. I know it was supposed to be longer. This one was short but we managed to have some fun and spend time with the family. Bowling was ok. The kids won and have 2 weeks to go and the Sunday Night crew lost with 3 weeks to go. This time next month I will have Sunday's free to have even more fun. But I am afraid my newfound free time will be occupied with chores of the non-paid nature. Miss GungHo is still at Camp Geiger with no time set for her to come home. Our prayers are with her, maybe she can come here for a short visit. Brother #1 and #2 are still running around Germany ... I guess they have been good since there has been no International Incident. With the bowling ending and baseball starting ... perhaps a few afternoon naps are in order.

Revised Upcoming Schedule:

- Bobby's Wedding (04/05)
- Youth League ends (04/14)
- Peanut's Baby watch (04/15)
- Sunday Night League ends (04/21)
- Lady heads for Indiana (05/09)
- Denver Trip (05/16)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Sonny-Do excursion (07/15)
- Cruise (01/09)

Items still on the burner:

- Weekend trip to Chincoteague Island
- Weekend trip to Cheat River

Lady wanted more weekend but had to settle for work today. The search for a wedding dress to wear this weekend to Bobby's wedding began. I hope the pocket book holds up. The week trip to Indiana starts to take shape with Lady and Lew taking a short road trip. She also ordered us a new treadmill. Mind you, we didn't wear out the last one we just upgraded to a model that exercises for you. It will run once a day whether you are there or not.

Wild Mom survived camp and now attempts to survive my sister's visit with the grandkids and great grandkids. Hmmm, cut down on the sonny-do's and have them do them instead. She is still trying to get a cruising partner for next years adventure.

#2 still looking. Perhaps he is magnetically opposite to work. Maybe he is living proof opposites don't attract.

Peanut spent most the weekend with us and we had a lot of fun. It is interesting sometimes to watch the expressions on her face when the baby starts moving or fighting for a better position. As big as she is you would expect the boy to have plenty of room like there is in the trunk of a 56 Dodge.

Lew spent the weekend with us and even managed to see "Horton hears a who!".

Lil Princess spent Sunday with me at the bowling alley. Now that was an adventure. She is definitely a babe-magnet. And those baby-talk conversations sometimes seem so real.

Weekend Hopes

Well, the weekend is here ... wow! what a short week. I like this. This weekend should be full. I hope I have enough energy to get everything done (spread the mulch, clean-up the yard, might even have to mow). I am looking forward to El Agave since it has been a while. Isn't there a law about missing a Mexican dinner for more than 7 days? I also need to find me a new movie partner ... too many of them that I want to see and no one to go with. Plus, Sunday I will get to use the new bowling balls on the house lanes and see how they do. I am thinking I will do good.

Upcoming Schedule:
- Bobby's Wedding (04/05)
- Denver Trip (05/16)
- Williamsburg (06/07)
- Cruise (01/09)

Lady is busy getting ready for tax time at work. I think it is close to a Cheat River trip. I also need her to start walking with me more ...

#2 is still looking. Won't be long till the last of the finances runs out.

Peanut - still getting bigger, but also getting closer to the big day. I can't wait to see what she does with her hair. Most of the preparations are done, at least the ones that can be done.

Lew and Lil Princess should be over this weekend. That should be fun as it has been a while since I have seen them and at their age they grow so fast.

Thoughts for a Friend

Recently, a friend asked a question and I finally found the article I wanted to reference.

The Father Challenge

Sam Keen challenges us to recognize that "there is no way for men ... to recover wholeheartedness, to become passionate and truly free, without rediscovering the central importance of the family." To rediscover the family, we, as men, must rediscover ourselves as fathers and parents, and place this role of the many roles we play at the center of our lives. It is within the context of the family that we live our lives, and it is here that we receive our deepest wounds and most profound joys.

As Keen and many others have observed, we men tend to view ourselves as independent actors. As warriors, controllers, providers, protectors, and occasionally as lovers. We peg our self-worth on our tax brackets or how much we've published or how many women we've been with. We constantly look to the outside world for our valuation. Within the "men's movement" there is a tendency to talk about how I was treated by my father, about the lacks I had in my life, about my own confusion and pain and grief, about initiation (without any idea of what we want to initiate our children into). These are legitimate experiences that afflict our lives, but there comes a time when we men have to look beyond our own suffering and recognize that we are also causing suffering.

About a year ago I attended a symposium on fathering in Eugene, Oregon. One of the things that I learned, deeply, was how I was continuing to wound my own children in the way I was wounded. I was foisting the expectations and demands that my father laid on me onto my sons and daughter. It was a painful realization, but confirmed what I already knew intellectually about the "sins of the fathers," and how I needed to honestly and directly deal with what I was doing. I can't say that I've done as well as I'd like to on this or most accounts in my life. But one thing I have realized is that in as much as I consciously work to avoid wounding my children, and in loving them for exactly who they are, I am healed of my wounds. We receive our deepest and subtlest wounds within a family context, and it seems that here is the best place to heal them. This is not easy, as it requires a level of emotional courage, honesty, and sheer perseverance that few of us ever learn. Beginning what often seems to be a sisyphean task is a gift in itself, for it opens the door to our own hero's journey.

As fathers, we give our children many gifts along with many wounds. Paradoxically, the wounds and the gifts are two sides of the same coin. When we give time and attention, we heal the wound of abandonment. When we acknowledge a child's accomplishments, we give the gift of confidence. When we support the free expression of feelings, we give the gift of self esteem. In essence, if we show with our time, love, attention, nurturing, touch that we truly value our children, they will come to value themselves and us.

We have to be willing to be available to our children as often as we can, and to be with them as often as practicable. There is no substitute for time with children. They know it and so do we. As fathers, we can no longer afford to use such excuses as "college funds," "personal growth," "bigger houses," " more cars, gadgets, or other toys" to justify our abandonment of our children. For at a deep and profound level all men are the fathers of all children whether they are biological or not. We have to go beyond the personal to the communal, and work to heal all of the damage our forefathers still perpetrate through us.

Where to begin is the question I usually get asked when I talk about these issues. Where do we begin? The trite answer is still true - where we are. The process of change begins with the awareness that change is needed, then what needs to be changed, and , lastly, what options are available. As a movement, we're still back at step one, having realized changes in how we fathers are needed; however, we haven't begun to examine the options. I believe it is past time that we join together as we can to support and assist other men in re-creating what a father is and does.

firstborn

you were the golden child
framed by the sun that was your hair
my phaestos to grab the reins of my chariot
and be the child
and young man
my father wanted me to be
and still to be as you (me) are
i bind you in chains
teach you to fight your dream
witness the rising of your anger
and grief
i have held you
and held you apart
i have wondered at your neediness
and not seen
that it is not yours
but mine

Copyright © 1995 by Kent Cumbo

Most Excellent Adventure - Final

Well, things came to an end and we headed for home. Wild Mom flew home while Curious George and I rode the train back. We even managed to get a sleeper for the Albuquerque to Chicago leg. The countryside was beautiful especially through Raton Pass in New Mexico. We even had snow as we went through the pass. Antelope, Mule deer, coyotes, turkeys, hawks, eagles, wolf, and regular deer highlighted that passage through the remote mountains at 7500+ feet. The train ride was pretty uneventful and not very late in arriving home on Tuesday afternoon. We managed to get quite a bit of rest. Now it is time to start planning Las Vegas (2009) next year. There is a rumor that Baton Rouge La. will change to Orlando Fl. in 2011. Now it is time to see how the rest of the crew did while I was gone. Questions such as; when are you coming home (#1), got a job yet? (#2), baby hanging any lower? (peanut), will you share some of that energy? (Lew) and how's the tongue doing? (lil princess). I have a few other questions but they are for another day and another forum.

Work hasn't changed a bit. Today, while I was cleaning out some 30,000+ spam emails --- one person called to complain about their 12 spam messages. Get a Life!

Getting home I saw where the grass was growing and greening up. How I hate what comes next. Even the pixies didn't come and spread the 15 bags of mulch in the front yard. Sheesh, how much do I have to pay?

Wild Mom's shopping sprees required us to procure a 2x2x2 foot box to send everything home. It was a sight seeing her bouncing on the luggage trying to squeeze everything into it. She arrived home safely on Sunday and immediately started planning the next excursion.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 5

Well, like all things good ... it is time to return back to life. The tournament for me is over until Las Vegas next year. Though I wished I could have done better I have nothing to be ashamed of ... I am average. The day was spent getting the bowling balls being worked on at the Visionary booth. Wild mom went to the historic old towne and of course ... shopped. It is fun watching her stuff it into the luggage. Dinner was at the Texas Land & Cattle restaurant. That was some great beef. The sirloin was smoked and very tender. Wild Mom ordered fried pickles and took half of them with her as a snack while we bowled. The rest of the day was spent packing (stuffing in Wild Mom's case) and resting up.

Wild Mom continued her rampaging ways. First thing this morning she pulled the towel bar down after they unclogged the tub drain. Must of been her hangover from the Pina Colada's last night.

Do we have to come home? It is so nice out here. But if we do come here ... bring the body lotion for my poor skin is dry.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 4

It is Friday and the real work begins ... later. We went sightseeing and the weather was beautiful. Sunny, no clouds, and in the 60`s. We visited the Indian reservation and spent some money in the gift shop. There was a small herd of buffalo next to the Indian Center and that made for some good pictures. Even managed to not run over a Road Runner that crossed in front of the car. The rest of the day was spent checking things out at the Convention Center. In all cases Wild Mom helped the economy and made sure she needed another bag to haul stuff home.

Bowling was ok ... nothing to brag about but good enough to feel satisfied. The team was really different with 3 subs. Sure miss the old gang but that is life. Curious George did ok and his knees have held up pretty good so far. Tomorrow is doubles and singles and that should prove fun if not tiring since we start bowling at 11:30 pm.

Wild Mom is out checking out the Pina Colada's down at the lounge. Especially appealing is the tickets that makes them free. And yes, she has my tickets as I write this blog.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 3

We have arrived in Albuquerque. The day was filled with sights of wild animals as we passed through some beautiful country. There was even snow on the ground at the higher elevations. Breakfast was spent with a gentleman from from Minnesota (Highway patrol) and his daughter. They were on a father-daughter excursion for the weekend. We spent almost the whole day watching the terrain pass by and cat-napping in between the good sections. Unlike last years ride, we never got more than 15 minutes behind. Unlike the eastbound train from LA that was 25 hours behind. However, those train seats did get hard by the time we reached Lamy New Mexico. The train was full and I am glad we got off when we did because at our stop 28 people got off and 100 people got on. So there was no extra room.

Albuquerque is a beautiful town and even with a GPS system we managed to get turned around a few times. Curious George and I have had a blast chatting back at the GPS which we have named "Wanda." Kritty would love the rental car ... 2008 Ford Taurus ... and it is loaded. We had dinner tonight at Sadies, a southwestern Mexican restaurant. The food was great and if it was closer to home, El Agave would have some major competition. So if you ever come here ... make Sadie's one of your stops. The air is very dry and I can't drink enough water ... but I am trying.

Wild Mom made it without getting thrown off. She did manage to chat on the phone every time she had 3 bars.

Curious George met some new friends and one turned out to be a nun returning to her work in Raton New Mexico. A mild surprise when she changed into her habit just before she reached her destination. Go figure!

Sure miss everyone .. but I wouldn't miss this trip.

Top Speed: 82
Highest Elevation: 7852 ft.

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 2

Full of chili dogs and Cinabun rolls we left Chicago ... dragging Wild Mom from a sweet talking vendor. Like yesterday's train ... this one was full too. By Kansas City we were already 30 minutes late. Dinner was good and of course Wild Mom got onto the wait staff. With the train being full ... there were no sleepers available. But the coach seats are big and comfortable ... so it will be tolerable. There has been plenty of wild life to observe both in and out of the train. What a few beers will do to a perfectly normal (?) person. Don't sweat ... it isn't Wild Mom and her Long Island Ice Teas. Getting bumpy and dark ... until tomorrow ... we love you all.

Wild Mom buys craft stuff at every stop. Time to buy another suitcase.

Top Speed: 92

Most Excellent Adventure - Day 1

The adventure begins. Just getting to the train station was fun. We sat through two different traffic backups plus a side trip to Sterling. The train left on time but immediately got behind. First for a generator that wouldn't stay on line and then some guy who hit a lady. We had to wait for the paramedics to show up. So we were 90 minutes late and never made it up. Arrival in Chicago was uneventful. Good thing we didn't head south from Chicago ... the train track was washed out and under water south of St. Louis.

Wild Mom is flirting away with anyone that talks sweet. She gets a bit feisty when the waiters get slack.

Top Speed: 65

Strike!

Well, all reservations are made and everything is ready for New Mexico. Wild Mom arrives on Thursday and we leave the following Tuesday. Lady is deeply involved with the candy Easter Egg project at church ... they are very good and loaded with calories but also a lot of work. Work is the same but tolerable since I know I have a break coming up. The kids bowling is going well as they hang onto 3rd place. The adult league in the evening is challenging. We are tied for 4th. This week we went 5-2 and it took everything we had. I averaged 207, Pete averaged 208 and George averaged 204 and we just squeaked by a crew of 140-150 average bowlers. They were hot and almost caught us. I was very happy because with one week to New Mexico, I finally bowled like I wanted too and to the level I know I am capable of. I need to start figuring out what kid I will bowl with for the next league. I doubt I will bowl with the current one again. Some kids will listen and want to learn. This one loves to argue and doesn't learn. So the search begins again since it is still 4-5 years before Punk is ready to bowl in a league. The guest room is finished for the time being. The walls are painted (sea foam green) and the trim and doors is what is left. But that will be a project for another time.

Peanut continues to get bigger ... only about 6 weeks till the wee lad pops out. Gee, in 2017 I will be able to bowl with him.

#1 is ready for Virginia but has to wait for the lease to run out in June. Who knows maybe he isn't too rusty to bowl with us once again. But then again, that is what handicap is for ... to compensate for his inability to keep up the pace. :)

#2 is still looking.

Punk and Lil Princess didn't make it over this weekend because of our hectic schedule. I am suffering from withdrawal. I wonder if I need to pay them to show up this week? Oh, Lil Princess overcame her virus and is doing well ... she even managed to let mommy have a taste of it. How Sweet!

Points to Ponder

HERE IS AN EYE OPENER TO START OFF YOUR DAY OR PERHAPS STIMULATE A BIT OF INTELLECTUAL PONDERING ... CAN A MUSLIM BE A MUSLIM-AMERICAN?

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT --

• IS MUSLIM-AMERICAN REALLY AN OXYMORON?
• CAN A DEVOUT MUSLIM BE AN AMERICAN PATRIOT AND A LOYAL CITIZEN?
  

I FORWARDED THAT QUESTION TO SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR 20 YEARS. THE FOLLOWING IS HIS FORWARDED REPLY:

• THEOLOGICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE IS TO ALLAH, THE MOON GOD OF ARABIA.
• RELIGIOUSLY - NO.
• BECAUSE NO OTHER RELIGION IS ACCEPTED BY HIS ALLAH EXCEPT ISLAM (QURAN, 2:256)
• SCRIPTURALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE IS TO THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM AND THE QURAN (KORAN).
• GEOGRAPHICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE IS TO MECCA, TO WHICH HE TURNS IN PRAYER FIVE TIMES A DAY.
• SOCIALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HIS ALLEGIANCE TO ISLAM FORBIDS HIM TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH CHRISTIANS OR JEWS.
• POLITICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HE MUST SUBMIT TO THE MULLAH (SPIRITUAL LEADERS), WHO TEACH ANNIHILATION OF ISRAEL AND DESTRUCTION OF AMERICA , THE GREAT SATAN.
• DOMESTICALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HE IS INSTRUCTED TO MARRY FOUR WOMEN AND BEAT AND SCOURGE HIS WIFE WHEN SHE DISOBEYS HIM (QURAN 4:34).
• INTELLECTUALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE HE CANNOT ACCEPT THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SINCE IT IS BASED ON BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND HE BELIEVES THE BIBLE TO BE CORRUPT.
• PHILOSOPHICALLY - NO.
  
• BECAUSE ISLAM, MUHAMMAD, AND THE QURAN DO NOT ALLOW FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND EXPRESSION. DEMOCRACY AND ISLAM CANNOT CO-EXIST.
• EVERY MUSLIM GOVERNMENT IS EITHER DICTATORIAL OR AUTOCRATIC.
• SPIRITUALLY - NO.
• BECAUSE WHEN WE DECLARE "ONE NATION UNDER GOD", THE CHRISTIAN'S GOD IS LOVING AND KIND, WHILE ALLAH IS NEVER REFERRED TO AS HEAVENLY FATHER, NOR IS HE EVER CALLED LOVE IN THE QURAN'S 99 EXCELLENT NAMES.
  

THEREFORE AFTER MUCH STUDY AND DELIBERATION ... PERHAPS WE SHOULD BE VERY SUSPICIOUS OF ALL MUSLIMS IN THIS COUNTRY? THEY OBVIOUSLY CANNOT BE BOTH 'GOOD' MUSLIMS AND 'GOOD' AMERICANS. CALL IT WHAT YOU WISH ... IT'S STILL THE TRUTH.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF INTELLECTUALLY IN AGREEMENT WITH THE ABOVE STATEMENTS, PERHAPS YOU WILL SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS. THE MORE WHO UNDERSTAND THIS, THE BETTER IT WILL BE ... FOR THE RELIGIOUS WAR IS BIGGER AND MORE COMPLEX THAN MOST AMERICANS CURRENTLY KNOW OR UNDERSTAND.

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, A MAN WITH A MUSLIM UPBRINGING, WANTS TO BE OUR PRESIDENT ... "I THINK SOME RED FLAGS ARE GOING UP HERE"?

Decisions!

I just love this time to year. My sinuses stay screwed up all the time. Maybe I should move to the South Pole ... there it is cold all year around. Not much happening except for work. Tomorrow I get to come in early to move computers since the sales manager decided to play musical chairs with the sales offices. Not that we have enough work as it is ... let's screw engineering with more work.

Wild Mom is getting excited about New Mexico in a few weeks. She just returned from the Western Caribbean where she had a blast on a cruise line not to take ... Holiday Cruise Line. Now we just have to find her a cruise partner for the January trip.

Lady is working and having fun as tax season approaches. She is ready for another vacation going anywhere. We are still figuring how to get her to New Mexico this month. Next week she will be busy making Easter Eggs for the church. The coconut ones are the best! It is like having a Almond Joy that weighs almost a pound.

#1 is planning and working. It looks like he will come back to Virginia this summer. I guess he misses the butt whippings on the Bowling Alley that I use to give him.

#2 is hoping today he gets notified he was selected for another job. He is finding that having no money sucks. It seems all his girl friends are high maintenance and have expensive tastes.

Punk and Lil Princess are a blast. However, Lil Princess had a virus this weekend and had to visit the doctor, so her stay was very short. However, Punk made up for her. They grow so fast ... I wonder if there is a slow down pill available?

Tired of the elections yet? I am. Lets get down to the real thing and quit all this posturing. Look at all the money that is wasted doing this. We could feed a lot of people by skipping all these Primaries and Caucasus's.

Tough decisions to make now that Spring is here ...

1. Do I fertilize the grass? How much mowing do I want to do is the question.
2. Work hard and plant expensive flowers or just let the free weeds grow.
3. Wash the windows clean and let more blinding sunlight in ... or leave them dirty as a natural sunshade.
   

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Baseball is almost here ... once again. Will the Nationals win or just participate?

Bye Brett Favre ... thanks for everything.

Hey, Clemens ... only a few more weeks to get pumped up ... if you need help Juicer Bonds can help you.