I just spent the last half hour or so reading through Ian’s blog, realizing that I haven’t touched mine in over a month. It’s just been that so much has been going on, with a visit from Joyce, and then from my parents and grandparents…
…followed shortly there after by a whirlwind trip to New York/New Jersey for a wedding, a visit from Matt & Amy, and then some crazy karaoke…
And that was all in about the span of a single month! And that doesn’t even cover the Half to the Hook or my trip to China… from which I’ll post pictures eventually. I’ve already been up too late posting all of these pictures tonight, and I have got to get ready for book club tomorrow. Looking forward to talking about Candy Girl. :)
I finally finished Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique. I don’t believe that I’m overstating when I say that this book has made an impact on my life greater than any other work of non-fiction I’ve read. I found myself amazed, shocked, confused, and simultaneously enthralled at various points in time. I think that is mostly because it led me to question my own beliefs and upbringing. It also made wonder at the experiences of my mother and grandmothers. Would they find themselves summed up in Betty’s words? Would they agree that they have suffered through the trials and tribulations of being “only a housewife”, never free to become themselves? Would they see the same effect of the mystique on their children and grandchildren as Betty does? I can only wonder at this point.
Continue reading ‘Humanity & the Mystique’
I’m a fan of the unquestioningly bold and bullshit driven personality type. People who are built to commit acts both loud and lewd with gusto and pride, if nothing else, provide much entertainment. Particularly when the yarn they spin wrt their exploits isn’t especially based on reality.
Continue reading ‘boy, howdy’
My Aunt Sue and my mother came to visit about three weeks ago and I’m just now getting around to getting the pictures up and blogged about. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t exactly stellar for their visit, but the time we had was super. I kept the ladies busy by taking them out hiking through the wet hillsides of King County and wondering the required tourist trap that is Pike Place market. I think they had a great time. There were a number of firsts to be had on this trip, including what we think was my Aunt’s first ever martini. I find that hard to believe, but I was glad to be part of showing her the error of her ways. You’ll be able to tell from the pics that she certainly enjoyed it.
Continue reading ‘Entertaining the Ladies’
Pa passed away peacefully this morning. I really appreciate the thoughts and concern that all of you have shown to me this week. It was a little tough being at work today, particularly because most of my coworkers knew why I was away and would ask how things were, went, etc. They would say things like “I hope you had a good trip” and “I hope things worked out”. I appreciate their good intentions, but it’s hard to say “he died” without making them feel bad for asking.
I’m doing alright, however. I would rather be with my family right now, but that’s just not possible so I’m dealing with it other ways. Mostly I’ve been thinking a lot about the life that Pa led, and how much he meant to our family and his friends. He lived an amazing life. He served in a World War, raised a strong family, continual gave back to his community by volunteering, and always took care of others and never wanted to be a burden to anyone. He was active in his church, the American Legion, volunteered as a school crossing guard, and spent hours at the local nursing home visiting residents up until the last year or so. At 93, the majority of those he was visiting were younger than him! He was quite the man. I hope that I can look back on a life that was fulfilling and meaningful as his.
Recent Comments