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Thoughts on Independence Day

Everyone in America is from somewhere else.  Back in the day, it used to just be European colonists, but now we have people from China, Japan, India, Russia, South America and a host of other smaller nations.  From the 1600’s until now, people have been coming here to make a better life for themselves, to  find opportunities that didn’t exist at home, to escape political persecution, and to escape communism, tyranny and despotism.  I really can’t blame all of the Mexican people that are trying to flee their country to come to the Disneyland of the world, the United States, especially when we’re within walking distance.  They are just trying to do what all Americans before them have done and that is to make a better life for themselves and their families.  There is a lot of talk about how to control the southern border which seems to be a gargantuan task if you ask my opinion.  What should be done about it?  It’s too big a question for me.  It’s definitely something that needs to be debated wisely and judiciously with the best of our best to come to some kind of decision through the political process. Side bar.  I think of my wife’s grandfather.  He came here in the early 1960’s from Australia.  In conversations with him, it came down to the fact that he didn’t think he could make a good living in Australia due to lack of opportunity,... [Read more]

It Actually Works!

I liken parenting to running a marathon.  There is  nothing short, fast speedy, quick about being a mom or a dad.  Parenting is a long journey.  In a marathon, you may feel great at mile three, crappy at mile nine and great again at mile thirteen.  In a marathon, you may feel dehydrated, tired, pull a muscle and maybe collapse. As a parent, all the business distracts you from the passage of time.  You live in a world of carpools, homework, science projects, essays, church activities, sports, piano lessons, tap dancing or whatever it maybe.  Time takes on the dimensions of do this and don’t do that.  Did you say please?  Did you say thank you?  Look the person in eye and say hello.  Sit up straight.  Eat your vegetables.  Stop crying.  No biting.  Time is moving at a much faster rate than you realize when you’re parenting.  All the business of parenting makes the years go by fast and pretty soon you look in the mirror and say what the hell happened to me?  You just hope and pray that everything you have tried to teach them will sink in and they will grow up to be good people. Every Sunday morning, Karen and I go swim for an hour and a half.  We then race home, change clothes, eat something real quick and then race to church with the kids.  On Mother’s Day, before Karen and I left for the pool, I told the kids if they didn’t have anything for their mother,... [Read more]

My Oldest Daughter

The nature versus nurture argument is a great topic for conversation especially when it comes to family members.  It’s relatively easy to understand why your hair is black and your eyes are blue.  Developments in personality and mannerisms are a different story.  Am I that way because of the way I was brought up? Karen and I have always agreed that our oldest and youngest seem to have my personality and our middle one Jennifer, the oldest daughter, has her personality.  I’m more of the goofball and liking to joke around.  My wife is more of the serious and determined nature.  Due to her shyness and guardedness, she comes off as aloof at times.  This is also how I would describe my daughter.  It’s hard to get them to laugh.  They can be a tough crowd, but when they do laugh, you know you were truly funny and it’s the most wonderful sound to my ears. It hasn’t been that I’m disconnected from my oldest daughter.  At times, I haven’t felt as connected to her as the other kids.  Her interests and mine are at other ends of the spectrum, similar to her mom and I.  For husband and wife it is opposites attract.  For father and daughter, it can be challenging.  Jennifer is very feminine.  There is not an ounce of tom boy in her.  I really can’t have a conversation on scrapbooking, shopping or fashion and she can’t watch a minute of football... [Read more]

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