Smiley's Senior Prom

 I think the pictures speak for themselves! Smiley was decked out in a well tailored blue suit, white shirt, pale green tie, and brown shoes. He looked great. 

He graciously stopped and posed for pictures, even though he's usually quite ornery about spending time in front of a camera. 

He's a great kid and I hope he has a blast!

RIP

About the beautiful young woman found in St Francis: I hope the person or persons responsible for taking away a 15 month old baby's mother away from them forever are swiftly brought to justice and forever haunted. RIP mama.  - Lisa

May the Fourth

May the 4th be with you? I prefer the 3rd or the 10th, but OK.

20 years of tragic uncertainty

I can't believe it's been 20 years since she disappeared. I pray that one day her family has closure, or better yet she returns alive. 

On this day in 1791

On this day in 1791 Poland established Europe's first national constitution - only the second such document in the world (after our own). Konstytucja Trzeciego Maja

 

Roe v Wade Overturned?

Yes, this was just a leaked news story that may or may not be true; moreover, it was allegedly a preliminary vote, and not a "done" deal.

But my first, surprising reaction? Dismay over the division and civic unrest that would surely follow in its wake. 

Yes, Roe was a poorly reasoned case that seems to have survived mainly because of what it represents, not the strength of its logic, but as of this moment abortion has been the law of the land for nearly half a century. Without double-checking my demographics, I'd say the majority of Americans are too young to remember a world without it; I certainly don't. 

Roe no longer represents only the legality of abortion: in the minds of friends and foe alike, it involves gender, religion, morality, generational differences, political affiliation, Constitutional interpretation - it's a litmus test, and a catch-all of the American psyche. And if the summer of 2020 showed you anything, the American psyche can be a messy and violent place.

I don't have much else to say right now. Not until the veracity of this news "scoop" is proven. 

 But I'm worried.

A Morning Traffic Jam

Left at 7:15AM...was supposed to start at 8. Here we are..almost 8:30...still haven't passed the accident? Just past Moreland on west....any news? - Lisa

My Thoughts (so far) on the USFL

So far, in its three week history, I've managed to catch the better part of two games and almost the full length of todays Tampa Bay-Houston game. I would have watched the whole thing, but the local station interrupted to spend half an hour talking about a potentially dangerous weather system SW of Milwaukee. If social media is to be believed, I missed a heck of an ending. Certainty the league thought so:

I was excited to hear that a professional, well funded summer football league would add to the available sports mix of my weekends. It's not the NFL, for sure, more the equivalent of watching AAA teams in baseball, but whatever; it's still football. And the game play IS improving, with today's game a doozy.

I'm not a fan of the saturation of mic'd up officials, players, and coaches, all being broadcast in real-time. At some point it stops being information and descends into white noise. You can eventually tune it out, but it grates on you, it really does.

I wish the USFL success and a long tenure. Give it a watch!

RIP Naomi Judd

County star Naomi Judd has passed away at 76. My mother was a big fan of The Judds in my childhood.  Rest in peace. 

For real

Sometimes I re-read my old posts and think "Bruh, why so angry? Chill. Egbar."

Oh No!

For Father's Day many years ago now - it was, by my recollection, 2004 or '05 (it was referenced here in 2008) Lisa bought me a bird feeder. It was an odd gift, as I would never have bought it for myself, but my word was that a great gift. I've used it ever since, and enjoyed the heck out of the local bird population. 

And then, a few weeks ago, after a night of 50 mph winds, I found this on the front lawn:

I was devastated, but comforted that it happened in a spring where birding groups are encouraging you NOT to feed, so as not to spread the current Avian flu epidemic that recently cost the life of a bald eagle in my neighborhood.

A one year old YaYa, and a Lisa 8 months pregnant with LuLU

Walking the Dogs in the Park with Lisa

A great quote for weddings

"Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they can't be separated; often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them." - (Adam Smith) I used this quote in the best man toast at my sister's wedding.

Yup

 

This bleeping hip

I gave up complaining online about my hip because it sounds so repetitious and attention-seeking (in the wrong way), but I feel I *have* to document the last 24 hours. 

My hip has been aching, and in response I've unconsciously adjusted my walk to compensate, which in turn has thrown off my other leg, and my back, and my side . . . I woke up midway through the night, and again an hour after that, and after that, and after that. 

 My entire body aches. It's been miserable. I feel like I fell off a truck.

My YaYa's blog - Age 8

 From August of 2009: From PrincessYaYa's blog:

"we had to go too the fire darpartment becase i got a braslet , we triyed to get it off but it got tighter and tighter and soon my hand went purple! they cut it off then we (stacey & I) got a candy bar . I got butter finger Stacey got a rice crippey treat ,yumm . i was cool threre so cool!"

My Grand Niece

What a game!

 THAT was a great comeback by the Celtics. After being down 17, they win 114-107 against the Nets!

Mountain Dew Flaming Hot

Mountain Dew flaming hot, found @ pick n save on holt. Get ‘em before they go on eBay… again… for $25+ - YaYa

Happy Easter everyone!

 

Father Stu

Today Lisa and I went on a double date to see Father Stu, the new movie with Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson.

Based on real events,  it's the story of a former boxer, failed actor, and staunch atheist who initially attends a Catholic church only to woe a devout woman,  but eventually finds himself called to the Priesthood.

It's a movie that doesn't shy away from a sincere depiction of and affection for the Church,  so know that going in. Both Gibson and Wahlberg are staunch Catholics who have atoned for troublesome sins and no doubt empathize with their subject. But unlike typical "Christian" movies, Stu doesn't avoid foul language and sexual innuendo; it was part of Stu, and so it's part of his movie. 

I really liked the movie,  and I was happy to support a positive portrayal of my faith. 

Go see it for yourself. 

Lizzo!

Music star Lizzo retweeted YaYa today. TWICE.

RIP Gilbert Gottfried

Comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried, known for his exaggerated, shrill voice, died today at 67 after a long illness. RIP.