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Journal Archive 4/21 - 4/30 2013
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Sunday April 21 Sacramento, California
Nothing Day
It was one of those days when nothing really happened. Well there was the grinding noise in the Explorer brakes that kept us from driving anywhere. There was a visit by Zach and his mom, but other than that nothing happened. Some days are like that. This was one of them.
Monday April 22 Sacramento, California
Mon-Day
Th Explorer went in for repairs this morning. A major brake job was needed. It may be several days until they can get it repaired. No problem as the shop is right next door to the RV park where we are staying, and a grocery store is the next building down the street. Sometimes things that could be a problem aren't.
We don't eat white potatoes, but we can understand why so many people do. $7 for 50 lbs., that is a lot of food for the money. And yes, we did walk to the grocery store. The secret was in not using a cart or basket, that way we made sure we could easily carry back whatever we bought. Smart Linda. Lucky Bob.
Zachary has an inspiring science teacher. I have been amazed at how much Zachary knows about things I can only remember studying in college. Here we are doing a little experiment with vinegar and sediment we got out of the kitchen faucet. A weak acid means a slow reaction, but it was a reaction. The term quality time doesn't even begin to describe what this was. They say grandparents are special, but really it is wonderful grandchildren who make grandparents seem special.
Things haven't always gone perfect for our daughter Megan, but that doesn't mean she isn't a good person. A good job isn't always easy to find, especially for a single mom, but she spent the entire evening filling out online job applications. You could see her self confidence growing. Good things do happen to good people, it is just that sometimes they aren't always readily apparent.
Tuesday April 23 Sacramento, California
Good Day
It is great to have a helper, and I know that Zachary really appreciated me helping him grill the burgers tonight. Talk about a sharp kid. He helped me last night, and tonight I found myself helping him. He was very patient explaining to me what we had to do, and there were only a couple of times I had to offer advice. The reverse threads on the propane hose were one thing that got him, but I know it will never happen again. Proud Grandpa.
We got the Explorer back, the brakes fixed, meaning we have wheels once again. It is amazing just how fast Linda gets cabin fever. And just how fast it gets cured when we once again can go out. Happy Linda.
Last night I mentioned how proud I was of our daughter, Megan, even though things haven't always gone her way. I know it is hard to believe that I could be even more proud of her, bit I am. Tonight she started making some positive changes in her life, small steps, but steps in the right direction. There is a saying: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Megan, it is wonderful to see begin your journey. Proud Dad.
Wednesday April 24 Sacramento, California
Track Day
Linda did some shopping today. Linda bought some things. Linda showed Bob what she bought. Bob changed the water filter. Smart Bob. Happy Linda. Happy Bob.
It's that time of year again, and this is one of the reason why we are back in Sacramento.This year Zachary is running the 1600, the 800, the 4x400 relay as well as the broad jump. It makes us tired just watching everything he is in. Let's just say he recovers far faster than we do.
Memories of why I never minded being called "a nice boy" when I was growing up, and neither will Zachary.
It's the fact you are running in the race that really matters. As Theodore Roosevelt said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” Proud Grandparents.
Thursday April 25 Sacramento, California
Something Special To-Day
I want to step back in time for a moment today. We lived in the Sacramento area from the early 80's till we took off on our great adventure. During our time there we were very active in a church. Among the people we were privileged to know during that time was a wonderful Man by the name of Kirk Stewart.
When cancer took Kirk far too early in his Life, mankind lost someone who made everyone he touched a better person. Soft spoken almost to a fault, Kirk was an encourager of all he touched no matter what their circumstances. There are people who make a real difference in people's lives. Kirk did that even by his mere presence. I make no apology for all this because Kirk truly was one of those special people God put on earth.
The photos today are of the Kirk Stewart Rose Garden which is located in front of the Church we attended those many years. Driving by the Church after taking Zachary to school this morning, I was compelled to stop. The colors first caught my eye, then it was the smell of roses, the finest perfume imaginable permeating the air. Kirk may be gone, but his memory lives on.
In light of what I experienced during those moments, I think the following quote from Dale Carnegie speaks volumes. "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
Do you merely dream? Or do you live your dream? Kirk Lived his and I and everyone he touched is a better person for it.
Friday April 26 Sacramento, California
Softball Day
This Daily Journal is going to be a little different. Our oldest granddaughter, Lindsey, has played softball almost since she was old enough to walk. All those years of year around nightly practices haven't dimmed her enthusiasm for the game, rather they have honed her skills and given her a love of the game. On weekends she umpires the younger age player's recreational league games. Even though she is a freshman she has started every game for her high school team, initially at third base, then when the starting catcher was injured she took over the catching duties.
So what follows is a group of photos of Lindsey. She is a very good softball player and I am not just saying that because she is my granddaughter.
In the end they won 13 to 3 over a much larger school. Note the green arm in the middle of the team's post game meeting. Justin is a welcomed part of the team, cast and all. He fell at school and broke his arm. Now he likes to show off the words everyone writes on his cast. Life, meant to be Lived.
Saturday April 27 Sacramento, California
Linda Day
I don't want to belabor the point, but I was informed that a certain person, she will remain un-named, that she did not appreciate what I was proposing to write about in today's daily Journal. While I will not divulge this person's identity, let me say that she has a million watt smile. Furthermore let me say that she was without a doubt the prettiest girl in her high school class. That said she will remain anonymous so as to not cause any problems in my Life. I trust you understand the difficult line I walk with this post.
That said, Linda was really excited to receive an Amazon Prime delivery today. A hummingbird feeder and some Dr. OZ recommended ointment made her a happy girl. There is nothing like a package from the mailman to lift a young woman out of the doldrums and bring a major league smile to her face.
What a beautiful woman I married, I continually shake my head wondering how I ever got so lucky. Beauty and brains, she has them both and while I might be slightly lacking in both departments, she more than makes up for me. Okay, so that I have now hopefully buttered her up to the point of not eviscerating me, let me move on.
This was the photo that got me into major trouble. All I did was carry a towel and several shirts she had washed over to the park's clothes drying racks. There being two racks full of clothes and one empty, I hung the clothes she gave me on the empty rack. Looking at the other two racks I could see something that, shall we say, caught my eye, and I took a photo of it. Bad move on my part I discovered after I informed Linda what it was that caught my eye.
As I was to learn, this was an even worse photo than the earlier one. For the life of me I can not figure out why. It has the same articles of female clothing as the previous photo. All I did was point out that there was no way those dainties could hold Linda's bounty. You would have thought I had committed the crime of the century. I'll not say what all she did to me, but I certainly know not to talk about such things in the future.
You'd think that after being married to this woman for over 45 years I would know what I could say, and what I couldn't say. Unfortunately, today that was not the case. Fortunately she smiled when she let me know what I could and and could not say. Lucky Bob for marrying someone so special. And knowing what is good for me. I will say no more. And I will be very glad that I have such a wonderful wife. Smart Bob.
Sunday April 28 Sacramento, California
A Great Day
We took Meg and Zachary to Church this morning. We'd never been to this Church, so when the question, "Where is the sanctuary?, was posed, we didn't have the answer, or at least the expected answer. Just like the other mega type Churches we like to attend in cities we have never been to before, we simply followed all the people and went where they went.
We felt very welcomed, the service was very uplifting, and even Zachary wasn't bored the way his mom and aunt and uncle always were when then were dragged to Church by Linda and I when they were young. And the old mainline Churches wonder why they are losing members and Churches like this are experiencing growing pains. In case you were wondering, the Church was Bayside of Citrus Heights. And yes, we will be back, it was one of those kinds of experiences. I love it when a Church has signs directing you to their parking lots, it speaks volumes.
Yesterday I wrote, "What a beautiful woman I married, I continually shake my head wondering how I ever got so lucky." Today I recalled that there is something called beauty and the beast. The problem was, I was under the impression that the beauty and the beast were separate people. This morning I was taught the error of my ways when Linda read the Daily Journal. What can I say, sometimes I can be a jerk, but she has to admit that I am her jerk. Poor Linda. Lucky Bob.
This one of those, "What is it?" photos. Photo by Linda. Model by Zach. Setting by RV. Puzzlement by Bob. Some things are best left alone. After this morning I realize this is one of them. Smart Bob. Beautiful Linda. Awesome Zachary. Life is indeed very good.
And not to brag but our daughter Meg, who is Zachary's mom, is a new person. I love you Meg, keep going girl.
Monday April 29 Sacramento, California
Not Much Day
Not every day is filled with one thrill packed adventure after another. Some days are best described as a day when not much went happened. Today was one of those days, though I do have to compliment Linda on the awesome dinner she put together. Nothing like a little something special at the end of the day to bring a smile to ones face. Wonderful Linda. Lucky Bob.
Tuesday April 30 Sacramento, California
A Good Day
I finally found the special screw I needed to fix the rear air conditioner. I put it in, replaced the cover, turned on the rear air conditioner, and told Linda it was as good as new. Unfortunately the air conditioner didn't come on. I checked the switch and it was set to a low enough temperature that it should have come on. Turned the switch off and on again and still no air conditioner. I was muttering something about maybe setting the switch wrong when Linda asked, "Did you turn the circuit breaker back on?" Smart wife. Dumb husband.
It was another track meet day, but unfortunately Zachary was plagued with side stitches, still he had his best time this year in the 1600.
It isn't all running and jumping. Sometimes it is just sitting beside grandpa and relaxing.
Then after you rest you jump some more. It was a bad day all around as the long jump found Zachary only making one good jump, and even that wasn't up to his normal distance. Some days you do good and some days you don't do so good, but at least you competed and tried to do your best.
A growing boy. A foot long barbecue chipotle chicken sub and a chipotle chicken salad. No wonder he didn't do so good at running and jumping. If he eats lunch like he eats supper, he weighs so much he's lucky to move at all. The memory of youth. Why could we eat like that and not gain a pound, and today if we even look at that much food the pounds just seem to flow on?
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