More Writing....

During the time mom was ill after Labor Day in 2016 we all were awaiting the arrival of the newest addition to our family.  It seems that she waited to leave until Paxton Peter Kocsis' arrival on October 2nd of this year to blissful parents, Kelly and Jon.  She left us two days later and despite her diminished condition, she understood that her newest great grandson had arrived and was good and thriving.  I didn't mention this important event because I guess I was preoccupied on mom's departure.  Paxton's middle name should be Sunshine.  He wakes up happy and is easily amused. The smile rarely leaves his face.  Like Eli and Marie, he is a joy to be around.  We got to see him later in the day yesterday.  Katey was banging pot lids like cymbals and the belly laughs were enormous, real body shakers.  Paxton was everywhere exploring, in cupboards, the walk in shower and opening drawers.   He and Harry became best buddies with numerous toe licks and giggles.  Harry has turned out to be a pretty good dog especially with children.

On another topic, WDET was playing songs from the summer of 67 today.  I was 17 that year still in high school.  Detroit had a destructive uprising and many lives and much property was lost.  But still the music played on.  There was no FM radio back then.  We listened to CKLW from Windsor, ON. and WKNR (Keener) radio.  They played lots of songs from the era but the one that stuck out with me was "Heros and Villans" from the Beach Boys.  The intricate harmonies and layering of sounds still sounds beautiful to me.  Maybe Pentatonix might be able to match their singing eloquence. I have to say, I was moved listening to this composition.

all for now. (really)

Labor Day 2017 and other views

A particularly unflattering view of the writer taken after receiving a crown from my granddaughter yesterday.  The labor day celebration of 2016 was the last time my mother Dorothy was having a great day and time with her family.  She fell ill shortly thereafter and was deceased about a month later. This day was not an easy one for me.  All the folks that came yesterday were with us last year with one missing person.  She was missed.  For the first time, I made the potato salad just like hers.  She must be watching me.

Marie lost her two front teeth over the last week.  She looked better when they were both gone.  Still my beautiful girl really is stretching out, still with wild hair. She and Eli are both playing soccer this year, lots of games to attend.

I have had some peculiar feelings of late.  Because I have been retired for over a year, I am starting to feel like this has always been my life, without a full time career.  Now working a part time job has become my new normal.  Its kind of a new measurement of life.  Men are right or wrongly defined by what they do for a living.  That part of my life is now completed.  I am back to being a dad, grandpa, husband with little employment.

Walking the dog a lot now.  Really not noticed, having a one way conversation with Harry.  Aside from a few barks and growls he doesn't say much.  We review that neighborhood and see who is building what along with the disaray of some homes and their surroundings.  Why won't some people trim the edges of their lawn?  My age and grumpiness is showing.

With respect to our government, chaos seems to be the new normal. We have a president that has a rally at the site of a natural disaster and remarks on the crowd size.  I really am sick of looking at his face on the tube.

My wife went away last month for a week to visit her sister and family.  My big accomplishment was to keep all the flowers and plants alive for the duration.  Watering became my biggest concern.  If I was ever living alone, we would have plastic covered full size images of flora and fauna that looked good and needed no upkeep.

We actually have a day off today. My wife has beseeched me to call people, to reach out for coversation.  Will call a couple of old friends today.  Consider doing the same

all for now.