Verdun - A Century On

Today is the 100th anniversary of start of the Battle of Verdun. Over the next ten months some 800,000 men would become casualties.

 Margaritas perfectly blended, kids confined, movie on stand by... Great way to bring in the 21st anniversary of the night I met my bae

convenient excuse to celebrate half way in between wedding anniversaries - Lisa

Dance and the Hip

 I did something stupid to my hip last night while shopping at the pet store and it's been getting worse all day. Almost ready to grab the cane again. Almost. Can't sleep more than a few hours at a time and took my prescription for the first time in weeks. Ugh.

I did however take Smiley to his dance recital practice today, where 13 boys make up the largest male class in the 36 year history of the studio. #ProudPapa

 Holy Moley is my second born on thin ice tonight. Parenting is rough.

True Dat

 

Jeb is Out

 The NY Times is reporting that Jeb Bush has suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination. It was expected, but I won't pretend it doesn't upset me. He was the only candidate I considered worthy of my vote. I l knew he wouldn't win in this crazy year, but I hoped he would stick it out and be the '64 Rockefeller to Trump's Goldwater and represent the soul of our party. What a shame.

Umberto Eco and Tony Phillips

 Author Umberto Eco, 84, and former MLB'er Tony Phillips, 56, have passed away. RIP.

Air Hockey

 I'm playing air hockey with Smiley while waiting for an AWOL bowling team. 

Unacceptable

We got fish from Culver's for lunch, and when we opened it up at home the potatoes were covered in chicken gravy that leaked all over the fish. It's a Friday. It's Lent. I'm Catholic. I called and complained and got nowhere. But hey, I'm sure they'd put pork all over a matzo ball and stonewall the complaints too. #YouLostMyBusiness #Culvers

 The high today is expected to be 56 degrees. Last year on this date? -7

 Back to back appointments two days in a row, plus work and school, means sleep has been in short supply. The hip is progressing fine. I've abandoned the cane and the pain is only notable - meaning rehabilitating - maybe twice a week. The physical therapist complimented my progress and work ethic, saying I'm ahead of where he and his coworkers thought I'd be by this time. Aiming for medical clearance on April 5th.

Wow, the wind is crazy. There are tree branches everywhere. I tried to walk and meet the kids halfway on their walk home from school, but I only made it a couple blocks. Still nice to get out there and hobble home with the youngins.

Harper Lee

RIP Harper Lee. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is the rare classic that is every bit as good as its reputation, and Atticus Finch a character we all wish we created. I'm genuinely sad.

Music Box Dancer

 She's dancing to "music box dancer" in this year's recital.... Grandma Jeanne's favorite song . The recital is April 30th at 1 and 7 and May 1st at 2, both at Pius. Tickets are usually $13 each - Lisa

I find it appalling that the President will not attend Justice Scalia's funeral - and won't rule out a game of golf at the time instead. 

The Swarm

Despite being ranked as of the 100 worst films of all time, I liked it. I did! Lol It certainly has quite the cast: Michael Caine, Henry Fonda, Richard Widmark, Ben Johnson, Katherine Ross, Fred McMurray, and Richard Chamberlain.

Vote!

 I was proud to show my ID. #OnWisconsin

Crimson Peak

I thought this was an excellent horror film that relied on atmosphere and the quality of the actors instead of cheap thrills. You could have eliminated the ghosts completely and it would have stood on its own. Lisa, for the record, thought it was good but not great. She is wrong

Don't Blame the Tools

Blame technical difficulties all you want for Adele's performance at the Grammy Awards, but I smell a trend: her live performance on the (British) X-Factor finale was el-crapamundo too.

I don't think I agree

My evidence professor put forth an interesting idea today: character is not a moral or psychological construct, but a stereotype; a label assigned to us if we comply with the expectations of society.

A Visit to Louise

 Went to visit Lisa's stepmom at the nursing home. Here's a drawing Junie made for her. Kudos to YaYa for stepping up: she not only picked out a Valentines card for Louise, she got nail supplies and offered to do her nails, (Louise said no, preferring to get acrylics), and pushed her wheelchair.

Miscommunication

We're watching "Married by Mom and Dad" and it seems patently obvious that one of the grooms is in the closet. The wife suspects him and calls him out.

Lisa: About time.

Me: Right? It's obvious he likes [bleep] in his mouth. I mean, how could you not.

Lisa:???!??

Me: I mean, how could you not *tell* he's gay. Not that . . Shut up.

It's What's For Dinner

Artichoke and ricotta ravioli for dinner. Ab-so-lutely delightful.

Lisa: Yeah, but the kids won't eat it. I won't be able to add it to our regular menu.

Me: They eat cold hot dogs from the fridge. I don't think they should set the bar for our table.

Yup

My physical therapist and I were talking about TV shows of our youth, and who we thought were hot. Daphne from Scooby Doo (naturally), and Jo from Facts of Life; those were givens. We disagreed on the Brady Bunch. He liked Jan.

Me: Jan?? Why Jan? Marcia was the hot one.

Him: I don't know. She'd blush, you know? I liked girls that blushed easily.

Me: Not me. I liked the girls that made ME blush.

100 Years Ago Today

100 years ago today a young Dwight Eisenhower proposed to Mamie Geneva Doud, his - and our - future First Lady.