Camp Carthage Completed

My daughter Lauren graduated from Carthage College, Kenosha, WI, last Sunday. It's one more of life's milestones for her. A small post-ceremony celebration was held back at Lauren and Becky's apartment with close family attending. I was impressed with the senior video production that initiated the ceremony. Lauren was part of a communications team that managed it's development and production and the final product was impressive. Carthage has been good for Lauren. She basicly has grown up. Yet she can switch from an adult woman to a whining thirteen yearold in a nano-second when the sun's in her eyes. I wish she had focused herself academicly in the first three years as she did in her last year. Maybe she would have finished on time. Yes, she needs two course credits to get her diploma so it's summer school here she comes. I am happy for Lauren, she's maturing well. But I worry about her as well. My fear is her dating relationship is far too serious at too young an age. Falling in love and saying this is the person for me forever at age twenty-two is a recipe for future disappointment. Been there, done that. I don't wear my EXPERIENCE baseball hat for laughs. Lauren has to realize she can do whatever she wants to do, only if she makes up her mind to do it. I wish she understood what self-discipline, planning, and work really consists of. She's getting there, but she has only touched on her unlimited potential for success.
On a side note, it was nice to see the ex-wife, my lawyer and my ex-mother-in-law. All looked fine and, of course, relished in the moment they had nothing to do with financially. But, hey, put yourself first, it's the only way to be happy. NOT. And, Patrick, tough day for the kid. Several attendees hit him hard about his decision to leave Loras College for the University of Iowa. I liked how he focused on 'his own responsibility' and 'doing it his way' as an argument, but the small college team won today's debate. Well, one down and one to go. I hope the well doesn't run dry. Peace, Love and, hopefully, future financial aid. Over, Ricky.

Once a Man, Twice a Child

Hello, again. The mind is on overload, a good time to re-visit my friend, Ms. Blog.
Home in Glen Ellyn, and happy to be here. Patrick has added some chaos to the equation...a messy kid for sure, night owl habits, and it's great to have him at home again. Sam and Charlotte are fine...or it appears, as I found my first real hairball yesterday. And I am rested after, believe it or not, sixteen hours in bed! I must have been exhausted, both physically and mentally. Saturday is here and I am determined to make the most of it...thankfully, I have my health and I'm ready!
Once a Man, Twice a Child...oh what an accurate saying...it happens to us all. My Dad is doing well, considering other options. He was just like a kid as we celebrated his 85th birthday with fifty of his friends from Willoughby and Palm City Presbyterian. It was a wonderful party, Pearl did a fabulous job organizing and executing the affair. She has the creative touch of an artist, the energy of a saint, and the heart of an angel. Between Sharon Singh, my dad's nurse, and Pearl, he is in good hands for sure. Ellis was just like a child this visit, so looking forward to the birthday celebration and so discouraged when I was leaving to return to Glen Ellyn. He knows everytime we say 'good-bye' it may be our last. He delivered the message 'your home is where Pearl and I are' and he truly believes what he says. Things are better for him mentally but he really is slowing physically. He's a fighter though, and his unfailing spirit to live could allow him to be with us for many full moons. Take it a day at a time and pray for the Lord's will to be done.
Now, to more mundane things. I was the biggest Loser in Stuart, for the week anyway.
I attended Weight Watchers and was immediately surprised at how fit the attendees were...many overweight but no one was obese. I smoked 'em all with a 4.4 pound decrease. That means I'm down 11 for the first three weeks on the program. So far, so good. Now it's time to build up some running mileage and get things moving a little faster. Ah, the motivation of a high school reunion, and the vanity of it all. Hey, if it works, embrace it!
Logical Information Machine...is it the way things work or could it be a minor dream come true...we will see next week. Lunch is scheduled to see what business prospects exist. Lord knows I could use a favorable break these days. Financially, I'm running on fumes. Paying $65 to fill your tank with petrol is going to make this summer a real headache. And, I don't see things changing in the future. If anything, times will be tougher for the remainder of 2008. Keep the Faith, you will find a way, Ricky. Tomorrow is college graduation for Lauren. We will write about that subject another time. It's time to run. May God bless and keep you in his Grace. Over and Out.

Florida Ramble

Greetings, I'm settled in to Stuart, FL, once again. Dad's stable and looking forward to his 85th birthday celebration on Wednesday. I'm finally rested after a grueling several days attending my Aunt Priscilla's two funeral ceremonies in Bartlesville and Bethany, OK. Florida is a little different this time. Hot and quite dry. So much so that many wild fires have darkened the skies with both ashes and smoke. In fact, the air was so poor today I decided to stay inside to prevent burning and tearing eyes. I had an interesting trip to Stuart on United sitting next to a Patrick White from Chicago. It was funny, he had hiked the world's most interesting places like Nepal, Borneo, Europe, and South America. Unbelievably, he had never heard of Glen Ellyn or visited Galena. We had several good laughes and the long trip was made considerably shorter.
Well the deal is done. My son has decided to quit playing college hoops. It's tough for me to deal with, but for him it is probably the correct decision. We are waiting for his first year grades at Loras, and then a possible transfer to the University of Iowa. Man, does that hurt. The Hawkeyes have never been my favorite team but Iowa is one of my favorite states. I sure hope Patrick misses the game. He could have been a very good college shooting guard if he wanted to be.
Confidence is building. Calorie counting and nutrition label analysis is becoming a habit. After two weeks on the Weight Watchers Flex program I'm down 7 pounds. Not bad, but will it become habit? I think so. Everytime I contemplate binging on Ruffles, I think of Al Lowry. Now he's what fitness is all about, 5'11, 165 pounds and toned. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get to that point in my life. It is a matter of life and death, if I really think about it.
Not much else breaking free, so it's time to close. Peace and Keep the Faith.
Ricky

A Sad Day

The Lord's Will be Done. Yes, another death in the Smith family. My aunt Priscilla left us last evening in Bartlesville, OK. One of seven brothers and sisters, she was my Dad's closest sister. Like the oldest Smith sister, Delene, cancer spread quickly throughout her body and she quickly declined over the last 6 months. Priscilla was my favorite aunt. She had a heart of gold, a smile that could actually make you feel better, and always made me feel a part of the family. I loved her dearly and she will be missed. Services are scheduled for early next week and I plan to attend. Hopefully, her passing will be handled successfully by my Dad.
I'm worried that depression will continue to creep over him as time diminishes.
Lord, please provide all of us your understanding and peace. Amen, and so long.

Habits and Momentum

Greetings, Ms. Blog. The spirit moved me to a quick ramble. I'm enjoying a slow Saturday morning after a light workout and cooking myself breakfast. Yes, me cooking again. Something had to change as I was beginning to feel like Arnie the Giant Avocado! Went out to run this morning and literally ran into one of my favorite people at the end of the driveway, Sol the 80 year old runner. He convinced me to hang with him until we met George and Randolph, two other Prairie Path favorites. Wow, did I feel young! Randolph must be 82 or 83, Sol is 80, and George is the baby at 73. Group dynamics, it's a great way to feel better about yourself. These guys have been out there on the path since 1988 when I moved to Glen Ellyn so it's always great to see them active again. That leads me to the concept of habits and momentum. They have it, I'm trying to get it back. Eating right is so easy, but you have to learn how first. Exercise is so easy, but you have to do it before it helps you. They say, I'm not sure who the hell 'they' are, but do something for three weeks straight and it will become a habit. Well, I'm 3 days into eating right, only 18 days to go! Momentum is so important, too. I weighed 239 on the Publix scale one week ago! Yesterday, it was 229! Progress, it's a beautiful thing.
Word from Florida is about the same. Plans are being made for my step-Dad's 85th birthday. We will celebrate the wonderful occasion, hopefully. I often contemplate whether or not I'll see my 75th considering my McDermott genes. But the key is I know what I have to do.
On another note, watching the Cubs is giving me some stress that I really don't need. This overpaid and underperforming prima-dona Soriano is driving me insane. Please tell me how you can look yourself in the mirror when you are paid $126 million and can't catch a routine fly ball? I must be sliding into 'old school' when things like this occupy my rambles. But, so be it. Over and Out.

McD's Month of May

Hello, friends. May, a good month when things are normal. An interesting month to face head-on. My step-Dad continues to decline, slowly. After spending several days with him, I returned to Glen Ellyn yesterday. The reality of my life right now is 'take it one day at a time'. It's hard, but I have to stay in the present and do my best to provide him with the quality of life he deserves. Right now, it appears his congestive heart failure symptoms are slowly progressing. Retaining more water, increased breathing difficulty, fatigue and difficulty walking are all apparent. On the positive side, his mental acuity is the best it's been since his stroke. My wish is to celebrate his 85th with my step-Dad and his friends from Willoughby and Palm City Presbyterian. I am confident we will accomplish this goal.

Speaking of goals, I made a positive step toward one of them today...weight loss. I joined Weight Watchers today and attended my first meeting. It was worth it. Informative, supportive, and worthwile would describe my first day. A lady from Faith Lutheran signed me in...she said 'I know you, but where I don't know'...we pinned down church. Since I haven't been there since 2005, she really has a good memory for faces. I will say this, I'm learning this thing called caloric consumption. It's the pitts with respect to counting points, caloric makeup, fiber content, but I believe it will work. Well, here goes nothing, I'm laying it out there...Day 1 weigh-in 229 lbs...wow, that's harder to type than 60 years of age!
The goal, lose at least 10% by my high-school reunion in late August. Good luck, big Dick! A mini-rambling, Peace to all and Out.