It would have been my mother's 87th birthday today. I was feeling sentimental about this, so I looked for my memorial to her today in my archives, and found it (written in January 2002 after she passed on 4 January 2002), and thought I would share it with you:
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A Wonderful Life -- by Randy Seaver
I celebrate the life of my mother, Betty Virginia Carringer Seaver, today with a sense of thanksgiving for her life, and gratitude for the love and encouragement she gave me.
The gravestone up at Fort Rosecrans will read 1919 – dash – 2002, but her life was much more than a beginning and an end. Mikel briefly summarized her life in his opening remarks, and the other speakers have remembered her impact on them.
To summarize the "dash" – she was a child of the Roaring 20’s, a Depression-era teen, a War bride, a 50’s and 60’s mom, a 70’s grandmother, and an 80’s and 90’s survivor. Obviously, it is impossible to cover a life of 82 years in just a few minutes.
The roles that my mother played in her life are many and varied – and typical of many women of her generation and throughout our history:
Daughter, grand-daughter, niece, student, friend, sorority sister, artist, teacher, wife, lover, worker, mother, encourager, coach, citizen, patriot, aunt, neighbor, mentor, reader, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother.
As a mother, she provided the family roots needed for her children to grow into responsible adults. She also knew when to give us wings and let us “fly away” from the nest. She emphasized education, and doing well in school. She helped us with our homework, encouraged us to try and succeed in our lives. It was quite a task to manage a home with three active boys and a demanding husband, but she did it extremely well - with grace, good humor, and love.
I am a bit of a family historian. In the last ten years, I especially enjoyed taking her grocery shopping, and afterwards sitting on the patio, listening to her life experiences, looking at family pictures and papers. I was thrilled when she found new treasures in her bookcase or in the cedar chest. I cherish this special time that I spent with her.
The “dash” between the dates on the gravestone covers quite a bit, doesn’t it?
My memories will always be of a woman and mother so patient, kind, encouraging, giving, helping, fun-loving, courteous, gracious, wise, honest, independent, organized, intelligent, articulate, confident, private, spirited, positive, good.
She enjoyed being with her family, and was very proud of them. One of her legacies is her genes. Looking at the big picture - she contributed her goodness and love to humanity and was a necessary part in the march of the generations.
Another legacy is the memories we have of her, as her family and friends, and the example of a life well lived – one of love, dignity and goodness.
This is expressed beautifully in this excerpt from “How Green Was My Valley” by Richard Llewellyn, which I’ve slightly modified:
“I saw behind me those who had gone before,
and before me those who are to come,
I looked back and saw my father and mother,
and their fathers and mothers, and all our fathers and mothers.
And in front to see my sons, and their daughters,
and the sons and daughters beyond.
“And their eyes were my eyes,
As I felt, so they had felt, and would feel,
as then, so now, as tomorrow and forever.
“Then I was not afraid,
for I was in a long line that had no beginning and no end,
and the hand of his father grasped my father’s hand,
and my father’s hand was in mine,
and my children took my hand
and all up and down the line that stretched
from time that was to time that is, and is not yet,
all raised their hands to show the link,
and we found that we were one, born of Woman, Son of Man,
made in the image, fashioned in the Womb
by the Will of God, the Eternal Father.”
Her best qualities live on in her sons and their children – and they are ours to treasure and share through the years to come.
Thank you all for coming today and blessing us with your witness and your caring.
And Thank you, Lord God, for blessing us with this wonderful woman, my mother. May she rest in peace.
==========================
Amen. Mom is up on the green hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Point Loma at Fort Rosecrans Veterans cemetery with my dad, under a big tree alongside the road. We don't visit them often enough, I think.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
What were they thinking?
All of these are legitmate companies dealing in regular products and services, but they didn't think their domain names through. Some of them are prime candidates for the "What was I thinking?" award....
ALL these websites actually exist, selling something totally benign (and work-safe, in case you're wondering).
1. A site called 'Who represents' where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name...wait for it... is www.whorepresents.com.
2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at www.expertsexchange.com
3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.penisland.net
4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.therapistfinder.com.
5. Then of course, there's the Italian Power Generator company - www.powergenitalia.com.
6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com
7. If you're looking for computer software, there's always www.ipanywhere.com
8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is www.cummingfirst.com
9. Then, of course, there's these brainless art designers, and their whacky website: www.speedofart.com
10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at www.gotahoe.com.
I got this from an email some time ago, I wonder if any of these links are still good? If not, they are still good for a laugh.
ALL these websites actually exist, selling something totally benign (and work-safe, in case you're wondering).
1. A site called 'Who represents' where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity. Their domain name...wait for it... is www.whorepresents.com.
2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at www.expertsexchange.com
3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at www.penisland.net
4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at www.therapistfinder.com.
5. Then of course, there's the Italian Power Generator company - www.powergenitalia.com.
6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com
7. If you're looking for computer software, there's always www.ipanywhere.com
8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is www.cummingfirst.com
9. Then, of course, there's these brainless art designers, and their whacky website: www.speedofart.com
10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at www.gotahoe.com.
I got this from an email some time ago, I wonder if any of these links are still good? If not, they are still good for a laugh.
The new car accessory I need...
My friend just got his new Lexus RX400H and returned it to the dealer the next day complaining that he couldn't figure out how the radio worked.
The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated -- "Watch this," he said, "Nelson." The Radio replied "Ricky or Willie?" "Willie" he said, and "On The Road Again" came from the speakers.
My friend drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time he would say "Beethoven" and he would get beautiful classical music, and if he said "Beatles" he would get one of their awesome songs.
One day, a couple ran a red light and nearly creamed his new car but he swerved in time to avoid them.
He yelled, "ASSHOLES!"
The French National Anthem began to play, sung by Jane Fonda and Michael Moore, backed up by John Kerry on guitar, Al Gore on drums, Bill Clinton on sax and Ted Kennedy on booze.
Damn, I would LOVE this car!
The salesman explained that the radio was voice activated -- "Watch this," he said, "Nelson." The Radio replied "Ricky or Willie?" "Willie" he said, and "On The Road Again" came from the speakers.
My friend drove away happy, and for the next few days, every time he would say "Beethoven" and he would get beautiful classical music, and if he said "Beatles" he would get one of their awesome songs.
One day, a couple ran a red light and nearly creamed his new car but he swerved in time to avoid them.
He yelled, "ASSHOLES!"
The French National Anthem began to play, sung by Jane Fonda and Michael Moore, backed up by John Kerry on guitar, Al Gore on drums, Bill Clinton on sax and Ted Kennedy on booze.
Damn, I would LOVE this car!
Great Moments in Physics
The following concerns a question in a physics degree exam at the University of Copenhagen: "Describe how to determine the height of a skyscraper with a barometer."
One student replied: "You tie a long piece of string to the neck of the barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal the height of the building."
This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was failed immediately. The student appealed on the grounds that his answer was indisputably correct, and the university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case.
The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display any noticeable knowledge of physics. To resolve the problem it was decided to call the student in and allow him six minutes in which to provide a verbal answer which showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles of physics.
For five minutes the student sat in silence, forehead creased in thought.
The arbiter reminded him that time was running out, to which the student replied that he had several extremely relevant answers, but couldn't make up his mind which to use.
On being advised to hurry up the student replied as follows:
"Firstly, you could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H = 0.5g x t squared. But bad luck on the barometer."
"Or if the sun is shining you could measure the height of the barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is A simple matter of proportional arithmetic to work out the height of the skyscraper."
"But if you wanted to be highly scientific about it, you could tie a short piece of string to the barometer and swing it like a pendulum, first at ground level and then on the roof of the skyscraper. The height is worked out by the difference in the gravitational restoring force T = 2 pi sqrroot (l / g)."
"Or if the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be easier to walk up it and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer lengths, then add them up."
"If you merely wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, of course, you could use the barometer to measure the air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper and on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the height of the building."
"But since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence of mind and apply scientific methods, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door and say to him 'If you would like a nice new barometer, I will give you this one if you tell me the height of this skyscraper'."
The student was Niels Bohr, the only person from Denmark to win the Nobel prize for Physics.
One student replied: "You tie a long piece of string to the neck of the barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal the height of the building."
This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was failed immediately. The student appealed on the grounds that his answer was indisputably correct, and the university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case.
The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display any noticeable knowledge of physics. To resolve the problem it was decided to call the student in and allow him six minutes in which to provide a verbal answer which showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles of physics.
For five minutes the student sat in silence, forehead creased in thought.
The arbiter reminded him that time was running out, to which the student replied that he had several extremely relevant answers, but couldn't make up his mind which to use.
On being advised to hurry up the student replied as follows:
"Firstly, you could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H = 0.5g x t squared. But bad luck on the barometer."
"Or if the sun is shining you could measure the height of the barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is A simple matter of proportional arithmetic to work out the height of the skyscraper."
"But if you wanted to be highly scientific about it, you could tie a short piece of string to the barometer and swing it like a pendulum, first at ground level and then on the roof of the skyscraper. The height is worked out by the difference in the gravitational restoring force T = 2 pi sqrroot (l / g)."
"Or if the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be easier to walk up it and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer lengths, then add them up."
"If you merely wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, of course, you could use the barometer to measure the air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper and on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the height of the building."
"But since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence of mind and apply scientific methods, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door and say to him 'If you would like a nice new barometer, I will give you this one if you tell me the height of this skyscraper'."
The student was Niels Bohr, the only person from Denmark to win the Nobel prize for Physics.
100 Game Padres Report
Well, my Padres treaded water for another 10 game stretch - winning 5 and losing 5.
They have been streaky - since the All-Star break - lost 3, won 2, lost 4, won 3. If they were obeying Randy's Law of Winning Baseball (which is Don't Lose Two in a Row), then they would be way out front. Alas, it is hard to not lose two in a row.
So after 100 games, the Friars are 53 wins, 47 losses overall, 25-28 at home, 28-19 on the road (only Detroit is better). Their last 10 games stretches have been 6-4, 6-4, 5-5 and 5-5, or 22-18 over the last 40, compared to 31-29 over the first 60 games. Pretty consistent, rarely far from first place, and generally mediocre.
They are hitting 0.265 overall (middle of the league), with 100 home runs (middle of the league) and an ERA of 4.21 (up from 4.02 10 games ago).
Scores for this 10 game stretch:
5-10 Atlanta Peavy started, lost. Atlanta busted us badly.
8-6 Philly Williams started, Trevor saved
10-6 Philly Hensley started, won
4-5 Philly Thompson started, Trevor lost it
3-9 at SF Park started, lost, wasn't even close
2-8 at SF Peavy started, lost, wasn't close again
3-4 at SF Williams started, lost
6-5 (12) at SF Hensley started, Trevor saved
7-6 (11) at LA Young started, Trevor saved
7-3 at LA Park started, won.
In this 10 game stretch, the Pads scored 56 runs, but gave up 62. The starting and relief pitching faltered until the last game, but the hitting and power picked up.
On the roster front, the Padres dumped Vinny Castilla, then immediately missed his 3rd base defense in SF. Bellhorn and blum are sharing 3B, but not hitting much. The Pads released reliever Brian Sikorski and sent Scott Cassidy and Brian Sweeney down to AAA, but added Doug Brocial from the DL and traded two scrubs to the Cubs for Scott Williamson. Termel sledge came up from Portland to spell Giles a bit, and won a game with a homer, but made a bad error in LA. Will the Pads trade for a 3B man? The rumor is we want Andy Marte of Cleveland, but they might want too much. The other rumor is the injured Morgan Ensberg from Houston, but they want reliever Linebrink.
Fortunately, while the Pads treaded water, the Dodgers lost 12 of 13, Arizona and SF went on streaks to challenge for first, and Colorado treaded water too. I think that this division can be won with 87 wins, which means the Pads need to have a few more winning streaks than losing streaks.
They have been streaky - since the All-Star break - lost 3, won 2, lost 4, won 3. If they were obeying Randy's Law of Winning Baseball (which is Don't Lose Two in a Row), then they would be way out front. Alas, it is hard to not lose two in a row.
So after 100 games, the Friars are 53 wins, 47 losses overall, 25-28 at home, 28-19 on the road (only Detroit is better). Their last 10 games stretches have been 6-4, 6-4, 5-5 and 5-5, or 22-18 over the last 40, compared to 31-29 over the first 60 games. Pretty consistent, rarely far from first place, and generally mediocre.
They are hitting 0.265 overall (middle of the league), with 100 home runs (middle of the league) and an ERA of 4.21 (up from 4.02 10 games ago).
Scores for this 10 game stretch:
5-10 Atlanta Peavy started, lost. Atlanta busted us badly.
8-6 Philly Williams started, Trevor saved
10-6 Philly Hensley started, won
4-5 Philly Thompson started, Trevor lost it
3-9 at SF Park started, lost, wasn't even close
2-8 at SF Peavy started, lost, wasn't close again
3-4 at SF Williams started, lost
6-5 (12) at SF Hensley started, Trevor saved
7-6 (11) at LA Young started, Trevor saved
7-3 at LA Park started, won.
In this 10 game stretch, the Pads scored 56 runs, but gave up 62. The starting and relief pitching faltered until the last game, but the hitting and power picked up.
On the roster front, the Padres dumped Vinny Castilla, then immediately missed his 3rd base defense in SF. Bellhorn and blum are sharing 3B, but not hitting much. The Pads released reliever Brian Sikorski and sent Scott Cassidy and Brian Sweeney down to AAA, but added Doug Brocial from the DL and traded two scrubs to the Cubs for Scott Williamson. Termel sledge came up from Portland to spell Giles a bit, and won a game with a homer, but made a bad error in LA. Will the Pads trade for a 3B man? The rumor is we want Andy Marte of Cleveland, but they might want too much. The other rumor is the injured Morgan Ensberg from Houston, but they want reliever Linebrink.
Fortunately, while the Pads treaded water, the Dodgers lost 12 of 13, Arizona and SF went on streaks to challenge for first, and Colorado treaded water too. I think that this division can be won with 87 wins, which means the Pads need to have a few more winning streaks than losing streaks.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
90 Game Padres Report
After 90 games (72 remaining), my Padres lead the National League West by 2-1/2 games with a 48 wins, 42 loss record. That's the good news.
The bad news is that just when the hitting started to come around, the pitching went bad and Petco Park became a homer haven - and we have fly ball pitchers.
In the last 10 games, the Pads lost 3 in a row, won 5 in a row, and lost the last 2, ending with a 5 win, 5 loss record. The Pads scored 52 runs in these 10 games, but gave up 62. The record is 23 wins, 26 losses at home, 25 wins, 16 losses on the road. The team is 11th in HR and batting average in the National League, which are improvements over just 10 games ago. The team ERA is 4.02, second in the league to the Mets, but up a bit from 10 games ago (was 3.89).
The scores for Games 81 to 90:
1-4 (10 innings), SF here, Williams started
2-6, SF here, Young started
5-6, at Phi, Hensley started
6-3, at Phi, Peavy started, Trevor saved
5-3, at Phi, Park started, Trevor saved
3-2, at Wash, Williams started, Trevor saved
5-2, at Wash, Young started, Trevor saved
10-9, at Wash, Hensley started, came back from 7-1 deficit
12-15 (11 innings), Atl here, Young started
3-11, Atl here, Park started (worst game of the year?)
Trevor saved 4 games in 4 days on the road trip, then blew the All-Star game save and the save in the first loss to Atlanta.
Overall grades for the 90 games:
Starting Pitching -- B (will it right itself?)
Relief Pitching -- B (faded recently)
Infield Defense -- B+ (pretty steady)
Outfield Defense -- A- (real steady)
Catching -- C (decent but can't throw runners out)
Base Running -- C+ (not much speed)
Hitting for Average -- C (improving weekly)
Hitting for Power -- C- (improving weekly)
Coaching -- B (addition of Rettenmund seems to have helped hitters)
Doug Brocail came off the DL this past week, and Scott Cassidy was sent to Portland. It appears to me that Brian Sikorski will be sent out when Alan Embree comes off the DL. My guess is that Ben Johnson will go down to Portland when he comes off the DL. Who knows what will happen when Ryan Klesko comes off the DL in August? I can't see anyone wanting him for any reason until he demonstrates he can hit for power. He can't play anywhere in the field. A pretty expensive pinch hitter. Who would we trade or cut or demote to bring him back on the roster?
Will the Pads trade for a third baseman with pop? Maybe. Morgan Ensberg, Joe Randa, and several others are available, but at what cost? Everybody seems to want relief pitching, but I say don't trade Hoffman, Linebrink, Adkins, Meredith or Sweeney out of the bullpen. It is one of our strengths.
For daily Padres reports with lots of good insight, go visit http://ductsnorts.com for a daily dose of Padres madness.
The bad news is that just when the hitting started to come around, the pitching went bad and Petco Park became a homer haven - and we have fly ball pitchers.
In the last 10 games, the Pads lost 3 in a row, won 5 in a row, and lost the last 2, ending with a 5 win, 5 loss record. The Pads scored 52 runs in these 10 games, but gave up 62. The record is 23 wins, 26 losses at home, 25 wins, 16 losses on the road. The team is 11th in HR and batting average in the National League, which are improvements over just 10 games ago. The team ERA is 4.02, second in the league to the Mets, but up a bit from 10 games ago (was 3.89).
The scores for Games 81 to 90:
1-4 (10 innings), SF here, Williams started
2-6, SF here, Young started
5-6, at Phi, Hensley started
6-3, at Phi, Peavy started, Trevor saved
5-3, at Phi, Park started, Trevor saved
3-2, at Wash, Williams started, Trevor saved
5-2, at Wash, Young started, Trevor saved
10-9, at Wash, Hensley started, came back from 7-1 deficit
12-15 (11 innings), Atl here, Young started
3-11, Atl here, Park started (worst game of the year?)
Trevor saved 4 games in 4 days on the road trip, then blew the All-Star game save and the save in the first loss to Atlanta.
Overall grades for the 90 games:
Starting Pitching -- B (will it right itself?)
Relief Pitching -- B (faded recently)
Infield Defense -- B+ (pretty steady)
Outfield Defense -- A- (real steady)
Catching -- C (decent but can't throw runners out)
Base Running -- C+ (not much speed)
Hitting for Average -- C (improving weekly)
Hitting for Power -- C- (improving weekly)
Coaching -- B (addition of Rettenmund seems to have helped hitters)
Doug Brocail came off the DL this past week, and Scott Cassidy was sent to Portland. It appears to me that Brian Sikorski will be sent out when Alan Embree comes off the DL. My guess is that Ben Johnson will go down to Portland when he comes off the DL. Who knows what will happen when Ryan Klesko comes off the DL in August? I can't see anyone wanting him for any reason until he demonstrates he can hit for power. He can't play anywhere in the field. A pretty expensive pinch hitter. Who would we trade or cut or demote to bring him back on the roster?
Will the Pads trade for a third baseman with pop? Maybe. Morgan Ensberg, Joe Randa, and several others are available, but at what cost? Everybody seems to want relief pitching, but I say don't trade Hoffman, Linebrink, Adkins, Meredith or Sweeney out of the bullpen. It is one of our strengths.
For daily Padres reports with lots of good insight, go visit http://ductsnorts.com for a daily dose of Padres madness.
Vodka
Who knew!!!! I didn't know that:
1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The alcohol dissolves adhesive.
2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a
trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew
3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.
4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after having. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.
5. Spray vodka on vomit stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.
6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.
7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.
8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle and spray bees or wasps to kill them.
9. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water in a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshable ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.
10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.
11. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.
12. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.
13 Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.
14. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.
15. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.
Silly me. I've only been drinking the stuff!!!
PS. Thanks to Ginny for passing this on.
1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The alcohol dissolves adhesive.
2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a
trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew
3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.
4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after having. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.
5. Spray vodka on vomit stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.
6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.
7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.
8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle and spray bees or wasps to kill them.
9. Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water in a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshable ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.
10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.
11. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.
12. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.
13 Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.
14. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.
15. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.
Silly me. I've only been drinking the stuff!!!
PS. Thanks to Ginny for passing this on.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Lauren was here
Tami and Lauren visited this weekend. We had a fun time doting on our 17 month old little princess. Here are some pictures:
She likes to sit in Grandpa's big chair and have a drink and a snack.
And she loves to figure out Grandma's Sudoku puzzles:
Lauren likes to play out in front of the house. She visits the frog, the butterfly and the angel windmill..
We went to the San Diego zoo on Friday night. Lauren enjoyed the Children's Zoo, the Skyfari Ride, the Polar Bears, the Hippos, the Panda Bears and the hamburger/fries dinner.
Why don't I have any pictures of Lauren with anybody else? Well, she moves awfully fast these days, and won't sit still very long. She is so much fun!
She likes to sit in Grandpa's big chair and have a drink and a snack.
And she loves to figure out Grandma's Sudoku puzzles:
Lauren likes to play out in front of the house. She visits the frog, the butterfly and the angel windmill..
We went to the San Diego zoo on Friday night. Lauren enjoyed the Children's Zoo, the Skyfari Ride, the Polar Bears, the Hippos, the Panda Bears and the hamburger/fries dinner.
Why don't I have any pictures of Lauren with anybody else? Well, she moves awfully fast these days, and won't sit still very long. She is so much fun!
Monday, July 10, 2006
We're Number 8!
The Major League Baseball rankings at ESPN are out, and MY Padres are now #8 (as of last Friday, record 45-40).
After sweeping the Gnats over the weekend, My Pads are 48 and 40, the high water mark of the year. They should be ranked a bit higher next week - perhaps as high as 6 or 7.
Go Padres!
After sweeping the Gnats over the weekend, My Pads are 48 and 40, the high water mark of the year. They should be ranked a bit higher next week - perhaps as high as 6 or 7.
Go Padres!
Who, Me, Worry??
This came across my email in-box today - I think every parent (and grandparent) can identify with it (author unknown at present, but very wise!):
WORRY
Is there a magic cutoff period when offspring become accountable for their own actions? Is there a wonderful moment when parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, "It's their life," and feel nothing?
When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my son's head. I asked, "When do you stop worrying?" The nurse said, "When they get out of the accident stage." My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher said, "Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them." My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, "They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry, in a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be adults." My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle. There was nothing I could do about it. My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing. I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments.
My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was
haunted by my mother's warm smile and her occasional, "You look pale. Are you all right? Call me the minute you get home. Are you depressed about something?"
Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?
One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, "Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered. "I was worried." I smiled a warm smile.
The torch has been passed.
WORRY
Is there a magic cutoff period when offspring become accountable for their own actions? Is there a wonderful moment when parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, "It's their life," and feel nothing?
When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my son's head. I asked, "When do you stop worrying?" The nurse said, "When they get out of the accident stage." My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher said, "Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them." My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, "They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry, in a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be adults." My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.
By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle. There was nothing I could do about it. My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing. I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments.
My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was
haunted by my mother's warm smile and her occasional, "You look pale. Are you all right? Call me the minute you get home. Are you depressed about something?"
Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?
One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, "Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered. "I was worried." I smiled a warm smile.
The torch has been passed.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Here's Logan (4 months)
Logan is our third grandchild, and is a real sweet-natured baby. He's obviously getting enough to eat. He smiles, blows bubbles, giggles and googles like all 4 month olds. We enjoyed seeing him again (see the summary three posts down).
Lori is an expert at changing diapers now.
Grandpa loves talking to Logan - we both smile a lot.
Grandma and Logan have a fun time together.
Lori is an expert at changing diapers now.
Grandpa loves talking to Logan - we both smile a lot.
Grandma and Logan have a fun time together.
Lucas and Logan
Lucas is 33 months old and is a real fun child - full of energy, a little mischievous, and he loves to read with Grandma and play outside or on the computer with Grandpa.
Logan is only 4 months old, but has started to react to faces and he smiles and googles and bubbles on command.
Here is Lucas in a busy moment.
Grandma managed to catch them both sitting still for a second.
Lucas and Logan sitting briefly in a chair. Logan wonders why the bright lights are always flashing.
Lucas can't keep his hands off little Logan - we have to watch him carefully.
Logan is only 4 months old, but has started to react to faces and he smiles and googles and bubbles on command.
Here is Lucas in a busy moment.
Grandma managed to catch them both sitting still for a second.
Lucas and Logan sitting briefly in a chair. Logan wonders why the bright lights are always flashing.
Lucas can't keep his hands off little Logan - we have to watch him carefully.
Lauren pictures
Lauren is 16 months old, and a real cutie. She will sit still for several seconds.
Lauren loves to sit with Grandma and play.
Lauren and Grandma have a secret.
Linda had a hard time getting both Lucas and Lauren to sit still for even a second.
Lauren loves to sit with Grandma and play.
Lauren and Grandma have a secret.
Linda had a hard time getting both Lucas and Lauren to sit still for even a second.
The Zoo and Train trip
We had a great time at the San Diego Zoo last weekend.
Here's Linda and Lauren talking.
And the crew on the miniature train in Balboa Park.
Here's Linda and Lauren talking.
And the crew on the miniature train in Balboa Park.
A Fun Weekend - I'm Tired!
I'm not complaining - we had a great weekend (June 23-26) with both daughters and the three grandchildren here. Lori flew in with Lucas (33 months) and Logan (4 months) and Tami drove down with Lauren (16 months).
We all went to the Padres game on Friday night, and saw the Padres beat the Mariners 2-1 in 10 innings - a pitcher's battle supreme. We got 4 seats in the handicapped section and were able to corral the kids well. They loved watching people and eating all the goodies.
On Saturday, we went to the Zoo for several hours, saw the monkeys, elephants, rhinos, owls, and koalas before having lunch and going over to the Balboa Park miniature train.
That night, Tami went to the Padres game with her hubby, and Lori went off to see her friend, leaving Linda and I with the three kids. Logan slept well. Lauren also slept well. Lucas went down then was up and down until 11 PM. Tami and Lauren went home this night.
On Sunday, Linda and I went to church in the morning, then we all went to the Ice Cream Social at church in the afternoon. all of our friends goo-gooed over Logan and watched Lucas run and play. It was fun showing them off.
We all went to the Padres game on Friday night, and saw the Padres beat the Mariners 2-1 in 10 innings - a pitcher's battle supreme. We got 4 seats in the handicapped section and were able to corral the kids well. They loved watching people and eating all the goodies.
On Saturday, we went to the Zoo for several hours, saw the monkeys, elephants, rhinos, owls, and koalas before having lunch and going over to the Balboa Park miniature train.
That night, Tami went to the Padres game with her hubby, and Lori went off to see her friend, leaving Linda and I with the three kids. Logan slept well. Lauren also slept well. Lucas went down then was up and down until 11 PM. Tami and Lauren went home this night.
On Sunday, Linda and I went to church in the morning, then we all went to the Ice Cream Social at church in the afternoon. all of our friends goo-gooed over Logan and watched Lucas run and play. It was fun showing them off.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
My First-Place Padres - 80 Game Report Card
I've been analyzing the San Diego Padres season in 10 game blocks - the earlier posts are in the Archives of Genea-Musings.
After 80 games (the 49.4% point), My Padres stand in first place in the NL West with a 43 wins, 37 loss record. They have had their ups and downs, which has been related mainly to the offensive lack of production in long stretches, especially in April. They are 23 - 22 at home, and 20 - 15 on the road.
Games 71 to 80 looked like this:
won 3-2 at Texas (Chris Young started)
lost 3-5 at Texas (Clay Hensley started)
won 2-1 over Seattle in 10 innings (Jake Peavy started)
lost 5-9 to Seattle (Chan Ho Park started)
lost 4-9 to Seattle (Mike Thompson started)
won 3-0 over Oakland (Young started)
won 8-1 over Oakland (Hensley started)
lost 5-6 to Oakland in 14 innings (Pavy started)
won 6-5 over San Francisco (Park started)
won 7-4 over San Francisco (Thompson started)
For the week, we won 6 and lost 4, scored 46 runs and gave up 42 runs. We finished 7 and 8 against the AL West, but we were 1-5 against Seattle and 6-3 against the Angels, As and Rangers.
After 80 games, the team batting average is .257 (which is up from .253 two weeks ago); the team ERA is 3.89 (down a bit from two weeks ago). The HR gap has narrowed to 74 (Padres) 88 (opponents). It is still very much a good pitching, good field, weak hit, and average speed type of ball club.
The grades for the year:
Starting pitching: B
Relief pitching: B
Infield Defense: A-
Outfield Defense: A-
Base Running: B-
Hitting for Average: C
Hitting for Power: C-
Coaching: B
There you have it. Come back in about two weeks for the 90 game report.
Are you a Padres fan? If so, tell me about your best Padre memory or favorite ballplayer.
After 80 games (the 49.4% point), My Padres stand in first place in the NL West with a 43 wins, 37 loss record. They have had their ups and downs, which has been related mainly to the offensive lack of production in long stretches, especially in April. They are 23 - 22 at home, and 20 - 15 on the road.
Games 71 to 80 looked like this:
won 3-2 at Texas (Chris Young started)
lost 3-5 at Texas (Clay Hensley started)
won 2-1 over Seattle in 10 innings (Jake Peavy started)
lost 5-9 to Seattle (Chan Ho Park started)
lost 4-9 to Seattle (Mike Thompson started)
won 3-0 over Oakland (Young started)
won 8-1 over Oakland (Hensley started)
lost 5-6 to Oakland in 14 innings (Pavy started)
won 6-5 over San Francisco (Park started)
won 7-4 over San Francisco (Thompson started)
For the week, we won 6 and lost 4, scored 46 runs and gave up 42 runs. We finished 7 and 8 against the AL West, but we were 1-5 against Seattle and 6-3 against the Angels, As and Rangers.
After 80 games, the team batting average is .257 (which is up from .253 two weeks ago); the team ERA is 3.89 (down a bit from two weeks ago). The HR gap has narrowed to 74 (Padres) 88 (opponents). It is still very much a good pitching, good field, weak hit, and average speed type of ball club.
The grades for the year:
Starting pitching: B
Relief pitching: B
Infield Defense: A-
Outfield Defense: A-
Base Running: B-
Hitting for Average: C
Hitting for Power: C-
Coaching: B
There you have it. Come back in about two weeks for the 90 game report.
Are you a Padres fan? If so, tell me about your best Padre memory or favorite ballplayer.
The Genealogy of ... Rock and Roll
Now for something different!
Look at this great chart of the Genealogy of Rock and Roll.
You can use the magnifying glass to see the details of the chart - put your mouse arrow on the glass, keep your finger on the mouse button and move it around.
I spent an enjoyable 10 minutes checking out all my favorite artists. It's interesting to see whole genres of music die out and sprout up. And some genres hang on by a thread and then blossom. Kind of reminds me of my ancestral families.
Look at this great chart of the Genealogy of Rock and Roll.
You can use the magnifying glass to see the details of the chart - put your mouse arrow on the glass, keep your finger on the mouse button and move it around.
I spent an enjoyable 10 minutes checking out all my favorite artists. It's interesting to see whole genres of music die out and sprout up. And some genres hang on by a thread and then blossom. Kind of reminds me of my ancestral families.
Music Faves of 1960 to 1964
Continuing with my list of rock and pop music from my youth ... today we'll deal with 1960 to 1964.
1960 to 1963 saw Elvis back from the Army, more country crossover songs, the emergence of the "girl groups," and surf music. The pop music world got a jolt in 1964 with the Beatles and the British invasion that followed. Naturally, I liked all of the above, plus more.
My four favorites by year are:
1960:
* Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - Shirelles
* It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley
* Wild One - bobby Rydell
* El Paso - Marty Robbins
1961:
* I Love How You Love Me - Paris sisters
* Runaway - Del Shannon
* This Is Dedicated to the One I Love - Shirelles
* Blue Moon - Marcels
1962:
* Do You Love Me? -- Contours
* Breaking Up Is Hard to Do - Neil Sedaka
* Sherry - Four Seasons
* The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tokens
1963:
* Heat Wave - Martha and Vandellas
* Surf City - Jan and Dean
* Surfin' USA - Beach Boys
* If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul
1964:
* She Loves You - Beatles
* Glad All Over - Dave Clark Five
* You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - Righteous Brothers
* Where Did Our Love Go? - Supremes
I'll do 1965 to 1969 sometime soon, and maybe even my own Top 20 of all time.
As you can see, I pretty much like high energy pop and mellow dreamy ballads.
What songs did you like from these years? Does anyone have links to the songs themselves - to play them, not download them?
1960 to 1963 saw Elvis back from the Army, more country crossover songs, the emergence of the "girl groups," and surf music. The pop music world got a jolt in 1964 with the Beatles and the British invasion that followed. Naturally, I liked all of the above, plus more.
My four favorites by year are:
1960:
* Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - Shirelles
* It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley
* Wild One - bobby Rydell
* El Paso - Marty Robbins
1961:
* I Love How You Love Me - Paris sisters
* Runaway - Del Shannon
* This Is Dedicated to the One I Love - Shirelles
* Blue Moon - Marcels
1962:
* Do You Love Me? -- Contours
* Breaking Up Is Hard to Do - Neil Sedaka
* Sherry - Four Seasons
* The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tokens
1963:
* Heat Wave - Martha and Vandellas
* Surf City - Jan and Dean
* Surfin' USA - Beach Boys
* If You Wanna Be Happy - Jimmy Soul
1964:
* She Loves You - Beatles
* Glad All Over - Dave Clark Five
* You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - Righteous Brothers
* Where Did Our Love Go? - Supremes
I'll do 1965 to 1969 sometime soon, and maybe even my own Top 20 of all time.
As you can see, I pretty much like high energy pop and mellow dreamy ballads.
What songs did you like from these years? Does anyone have links to the songs themselves - to play them, not download them?
I Love 50s and 60s Music
I love the music I grew up with - from about 1955 to about 1967 - essentially my teenage and young adult years. I love to sing along (unfortunately, in the key of J Sharp most of the time) to songs on the radio.
I decided I would try to identify four favorite songs from each year. Here are my lists from 1955 to 1959:
1955:
* Earth Angel - Penguins
* Maybelline - Chuck Berry
* Only You - Platters
* Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and Comets
1956:
* In the Still of the Night - Five Satins
* Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon and Teenagers
* Young Love - Sonny James
* Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins
1957:
* Come Go With Me - Dell Vikings
* At the Hop - Danny and Juniors
* Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
* Oh Boy - Buddy Holly and Crickets
1958:
* All I have to Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers
* Do You Wanna Dance - Bobby Freeman
* Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
* Chantilly Lace - the Big Bopper
1959:
* 16 Candles - Crests
* I Only Have Eyes for You - Flamingos
* Misty - Johnny Mathis
* Love Potion #9 - Clovers
I'll do the '60s in a later post.
As you can see, my teenage years were dominated by love songs - they were tough years for someone who was really small, really shy and didn't dance well. But hope always sprang eternal!
What were your favorite songs in these years? Tell me why!
I decided I would try to identify four favorite songs from each year. Here are my lists from 1955 to 1959:
1955:
* Earth Angel - Penguins
* Maybelline - Chuck Berry
* Only You - Platters
* Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and Comets
1956:
* In the Still of the Night - Five Satins
* Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon and Teenagers
* Young Love - Sonny James
* Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins
1957:
* Come Go With Me - Dell Vikings
* At the Hop - Danny and Juniors
* Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
* Oh Boy - Buddy Holly and Crickets
1958:
* All I have to Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers
* Do You Wanna Dance - Bobby Freeman
* Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
* Chantilly Lace - the Big Bopper
1959:
* 16 Candles - Crests
* I Only Have Eyes for You - Flamingos
* Misty - Johnny Mathis
* Love Potion #9 - Clovers
I'll do the '60s in a later post.
As you can see, my teenage years were dominated by love songs - they were tough years for someone who was really small, really shy and didn't dance well. But hope always sprang eternal!
What were your favorite songs in these years? Tell me why!
Welcome to Randy's Busy Life
After spending so much time on my genealogy blog at Genea-Musings, I decided to put my personal life posts, pictures and opinions on a new blog - Randy's Busy Life.
My life seems busy to me, but perhaps not to others. I seem to have a lot of free time (hence two blogs...) to go out with my wife, enjoy my kids and grandchildren, read books and the Internet, pursue my genealogy obsession, watch my Padres in person or at Petco Park, etc. Right now I work two days a week as an aerospace engineer, after 35 years of full-time work at Rohr (which was bought by Goodrich).
I'll try to capture some of my personal life posts from the other blog so that they'll be in one place for posterity.
Please let me know, by writing comments, how you like my blog, and if you want something special, let me know.
Away we go!!
My life seems busy to me, but perhaps not to others. I seem to have a lot of free time (hence two blogs...) to go out with my wife, enjoy my kids and grandchildren, read books and the Internet, pursue my genealogy obsession, watch my Padres in person or at Petco Park, etc. Right now I work two days a week as an aerospace engineer, after 35 years of full-time work at Rohr (which was bought by Goodrich).
I'll try to capture some of my personal life posts from the other blog so that they'll be in one place for posterity.
Please let me know, by writing comments, how you like my blog, and if you want something special, let me know.
Away we go!!
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