No, this post is not going to be about Lady GaGa, and I will confess that I have not even heard her sing.  She would be pretty easy to pick out in a crowd I suppose, but then so are a lot of us…particularly our son Ben.

Tonight he was able to hold court, and by holding court I mean Skpe with his sister and all her friends at college.  It is really always more of a show or a performance that it ever is than a conversation with him, and he never disappoints.  He did not sing the famous “Bulldogs get your paws up,” which is apparently the Lapel Elementary Fight Song, but he did manage a song about the months of the year.  And he did it without any wild costumes or even a microphone.   (Although there WAS a costume for some of the “non-singing” parts of his show.

I always get joy watching them chat, but I also took great comfort in the evidence that he will probably never get caught up in the desire many young people have to be famous in the world of reality TV.  He has what I affectionately call “CD” or “camera dysfunction,” of which there is no cure.  You see, when he wants to make a point, whether it is showing her something or talking, he gets right up to her face.  The camera is filming (poorly) usually his forehead, and he is generally all put off at why Steph is getting is wrong.  So, if he ever does make it anywhere, he will most probably be the first voted off the island, and we have no problem with that…..none whatsoever.

But tonight’s picture is of our little monster showing off his fangs.  Yes, they are fake.  Tirman, in the native German tongue means “animal man,” which puts us really more in the Canis Genus rather than the Desodus Genus….but I scientifically regress.  He just doesn’t howl (much) and there is really no good way to catch that in a picture anyhow. So this will need to do.

And with that, I am off to bed!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Today I took the day to spend with my wife and many of her coworkers at their “Day of Service.”  People from all across her company are encouraged to go and take part in a community service project somewhere for the day, or at least for a half a day.

So today we went and painted at an animal shelter…..one for both dogs and cats.  And it was truly great to see all of the animals and to talk to them and to be doing something that really made coming to adopt one of them a more pleasant experience.  The fences around their enclosures were in need of a lot of paint, as was the roof on the porch of the office.  It took a long time, but it looked good, and certainly made a difference.  The people my wife works with were wonderful and overall it was a lot of fun.

But the picture causes me to pause (or pause if you pardon me) because it was of a dog who was there with his owner to make a pick up.  He was clearly angry, although pretty cute despite all that, but the deeper meaning came to me as I realized just what his master was picking up.  You see, he was taking cremated remains of euthanized animals out of the cooler and putting them in his truck.  And although the dog probably didn’t know what his master was doing, it brought to mind to me that if he did, he should have been angry…..in fact we all should.

You see, I met a lot of great dogs and cats today, and I watched helplessly as many people came in to surrender pets as well.  And I am not naive enough to believe that many of those cremated pets were probably great animals as well.  It was both heart-breaking as well as offensive.  I just wish it could be different, because it should be.

As a former breeder of Golden Retrievers, let me say that if you have a pet and you are not a professional breeder or show your dogs, you should have them spayed or neutered.  AND, if you feel the need to surrender your pet, please do not place him in a shelter, but try and find him a home…..in fact make sure you do.  These animals are scared, and rightly so.  Many do not find homes and end up on that truck.  It just should not happen.  We placed a LOT of pups, but we also made sure that people knew we would ALWAYS take them back with no questions asked.  We never had to, and we thank God for that.

But consider adopting a dog or a cat.  Or consider volunteering or donating to your local shelter.  It is a decision you will not regret.

And as for my growling friend, I have a great deal of admiration for him (or her…I wasn’t going to get any closer).  I am just thankful on this night that he or she is probably home after that terrible job, and now sleeping at the foot of a bed in a loving home.  (Viper is asleep with Ben and Puddy has helped me write this)

God created ALL living things….let’s take care of them.  If you send me a note I can tell you a couple of places that you can find that companion you have always wanted!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Yep, that’s right.  I bought yet ANOTHER exercise bike, and this one had absolutely no purpose other than I liked it better than my old one which was also quite new.  As regular readers may remember, I bought it less than a year ago to rehab a knee injury.  So both this almost brand new bike and a really nice Nordic Track Pro, in great condition, are posted on Craigslist.  And this new recumbent Gold’s Gym bike is in my office.

But what I want to be clear about is the picture.  Ben is ONLY seated like this because he was being a smarty pants because he could not reach the pedals.  It is very important for me to express that he is NOT doing ANY SORT OF IMITATION of my exercise style.  I in fact will use this, and quite surprisingly to many, my feet do indeed touch the pedals!  The other bike was great when I needed it, but this will be a regular friend.  Even Amanda likes it.  It is a win-win.

But I will confess that I am not nearly as efficient in losing weight as I was when I was in bootcamp.  And I miss it too. I am not sure I can justify the cost, as money is tight here and I went the first time on a special rate.  In addition to that, it was about 2 gallons of gas each day and 3 days a week.  Now that adds quite a bit more to the cost.

Of course, the old “emergency open heart surgery” argument is a good one.  It is probably more expensive than bootcamp and gas, but I am still losing weight without it.  It just is not nearly as fast.

So this is to say that I am still at it, and still working hard.  No, Ben is not….but I am.   I still intend to greet my Marine in December close to 180.  Pray for me that I succeed.  But I will do so by not imitating Ben.  What a weenie he is!  AND, he can’t even reach the pedals either!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Yep, these are Ben’s rocks.  They will be joining all of his other rocks too.  He actually comes home with them in his pocket.  Where he gets them we do not know.  Of course my mind often goes to all the articles I read about people who have had strange, life-long habits, but this life-long habit is more than an anomaly……he is truly all boy.

Of this course it means that hoarding rocks is just one of many things he does to claim his identity with us men.  He is a crime fighter, although rarely ever the same one.  He thinks he will be a Marine, and likes everything about his brother.  He is in love with his mom and his big sister, and though most boys have that adversarial relationship with sisters, Ben would instead defend her to the end.  Even at 5 he sees himself as every one’s champion.

With that comes a variety of superhero sounds, none of which make much sense to anyone but him.  But who cares?  I figure a kid who goes to school each day and collects rocks as diligently as he does must have some sort of plan.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Well I have been trying ALL DAY to take today off, but work keeps popping up that I HAVE TO DO!  It has been pretty discouraging and difficult, as I really do need a rest break.  It doesn’t seem today is the day to get one!

So today I have been looking for something that makes me happy, and tonight’s picture is one of those things!  My wife and mother-in-law finally finished Scotty’s room, and the real blessing is that they did it without the help of a hazmat team, which means they saved a lot of money.  It was a mess, and it is now so very clean that even Scotty’s dog doesn’t want to go in there.  I am sure Scotty will however in December after sleeping for months in barracks and on a bunk.

So I now look ahead to tomorrow with the intention of moving some of the mini-sabbatical stuff from today into the day.  I do hope it works out.  I am exhausted and just trying to catch a quick bit of rest.

Scotty’s room is also however too clean for me.  I hope to find my old familiar bed sometime though….it will be the one with that Golden Retriever snoring next to it.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

What a marvelous day!  Bishop Roger was here for his Visitation, and we were able to see him Confirm two, receive the Novitiate vows of one, and ordain one to the diaconate and another to the priesthood.  It was kind of a busy day!!

But I have to confess, I was really relieved to get to my bed (which I did not sleep in last night as I bunked with Ben and my mother–in-law bunked with Amanda).  And I actually got just shy of a 2 hour nap!!!  It was WAY TOO SHORT, but the good news is that I am back here now typing!  Sleep WILL come soon, and I will need a ton of it!!  With being in Akron last week and the very quick turn around, it is going to be a blessing.

Sadly however, with all the chaos and all the people staying here, I did not have my phone to take pictures, nor has anyone sent any to me or posted any I can mooch!!  So tonight’s picture is just one of the Bishop last week!!!   The bad news is that it has nothing to do with today.  The good news is that it is really him.  And he is not just our Bishop, but he is also my friend.  It was a real blessing to have him here with us today!

But for now I am heading to bed.  Ben is in his bed and Amanda is far less wiggly!  I think I will actually get some rest….Lord knows, we all need it!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Yes, today we sold Scotty’s car (being very aptly shown in the picture for the ad by Scotty’s dog Viper).  It had been in our family from before he could drive, and it was the car that his sister FEARED we would give her, but he loved it.  He put a ton of miles on it and as it left it was adorned with his beloved USMC decals and such.  It was hard to see it go, because to us it really represented part of him……but it did go to a good home.

Of course we still have his dog, and we even still have his little brother.  His room now is completely changed, and by changed I mean CLEANED.  He did apologize in advance for all that we might find there, yet I will confess that there was nothing at all that would incriminate him in any way.  (Other than the fact that he is a bit, a very very very large bit, messy)

Ironically, even though we do not hear from him, I am certain his area of the barracks is spotless and always will be.  He will listen intently to that Drill Instructor, and my best guess is that when he comes home for leave in December he will listen to Amanda too, at least about his room.

I guess that is the blessing for me for the day.  For although a little piece of me died today seeing his car leave our driveway today, I know the real Scotty will be returning up that drive himself in December, and as a Marine.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Holy Smokes!  I am SO VERY THANKFUL to be HOME!!!  And I drove through a monsoon to get here!  The drive however was pretty good and full of lots of singing and good conversation (with myself).  I had a good and productive time in Akron, but as Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home.”

But it is not that there is nothing to do here.  The Bishop, who I just left in Akron, will also head this way tomorrow where all our clergy are converging (to our house) for a informal get together before he ordains and Confirms and hears the vows of yet another Brother on Sunday.  So it was a “Hi honey, I love you, welcome home, let’s hurry and go to the store” kind of night.  Not ideal, but did I not mention it is HOME and I am delighted to be here.

And oh yeah, in my INFINITE BRILLIANCE I also scheduled a “Blessing of the Pets” tomorrow morning in Muncie from 9am till noon.  Yep, I am on it for sure!  If only I could fill up the afternoon before everyone arrives with heart surgery or something like that.

But the bottom line is that I came home to what family still lives here and it has been a real blessing.  I will sleep on Sunday afternoon and take Monday to catch up.  But right now it is go go go!  But at home, it makes these types of times not all that bad at all.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Well I am here for my last night in Akron and it has been a productive day.  I have heard from a ton of people who regularly read this blog, and the overwhelming consensus it to continue it and do so daily.  Cutting back will require a pretty amazing strategy, like posting pictures from the meeting I am attending, but I have decided to post a cool one instead.

What I am learning reminds me of the end of one of my favorite movies, “It’s a Wonderful Life” (the B&W version, not the color one).  Jimmy Stewart takes a hard look at his life and discovers the joy and wonder in it was not found exactly in the places he was looking.  It has surprised me at how many people connect with me and my life via this blog.  It really honors me in a most humble way.  It really is not a detailed account of my life by any means, yet people seem to know me from it.  I suppose in a way they do.  It just reminded me of how much joy I get from living my life, and how perhaps I need to re-read what I write in order to pick up more of that joy for myself.

I can’t promise for certain I will blog daily, but then again I never have.  I just did.  But I come at it now with a renewed sense of purpose and desire.   There is enough stress and tension in this life to last us all a lifetime.  But almost everyday something cool or wonderful happens to me, or I think of something, and I really DO feel committed to share.

So tonight’s picture is NOT of my meeting, but a gratuitous picture of my wonderful family on my anniversary.  It IS a wonderful life……and I am truly blessed to be living it!

Goodnight my faithful friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Well, I am in Akron and in a hotel, and although it is great to be among great friends (no, they are not all here with me at the hotel) my thoughts are focused on home.  I was able to speak with Ben tonight on my way here, but only from the cars.  He goes to bed so early that speaking to him after I arrived and had been through my meeting here was impossible, impossible that is because HE becomes impossible the next day without the right amounts of sleep.

I did get to do our daily renewal of vows (with Amanda, don’t worry she is my wife) after I returned to my hotel.  We were able to do it via Skpe, which was nice, but I always worry that her being able to see me in the light might just spoil it for her!  She always looks great, and that seems to be amplified whenever I am away from home.  What I can say though is thank God for technology! (when it works) We were not only able to renew our vows, but via her IPad, I was able to see the progress she and her mom made on Scotty’s room AND she took it in to show me Ben sleeping.

Now that is where things kind of fell apart, and although I would like to blame it on the technology, I am pretty sure it was me.  For as she was showing me sleeping I said something like “how cute” or something like that.  But this was no picture, it was live!  So all the sudden I was hearing “go back to sleep, it’s okay, go back to sleep.”  I believe (read into this HOPE) he did.

After all, he can be impossible when he doesn’t get the right amounts of sleep.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+