This blog contains the random thoughts of a guy named Tommy. We'll share thoughts on writing, photography and anything else I want, because it's my blog and not yours.
“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room”.-- Anita Roddick
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Our aging parents
For some time now, I’ve been watching and listening from-a-far as my mother has been aging. I guess about 3 years ago we first started noticing some memory problems. As time has passed, it has been getting worse and worse. I’m not going to bore you with the details of what is happening, I just wanted to put something here on the issue.
I returned yesterday from my mother’s home. Currently she still drives and lives in her own home, but I’m getting real concerned because if something were to happen I’m 4 hours away and just can’t be there if she needs me. This was the trip that I was not looking forward to at all. It started the conversation of her moving out of her home and into an assisted living facility. Also, the financial situation certainly was part of the talks. Her reaction was, as I expected it to be, “kicking and screaming”. She was saying stuff like, you’re trying to steal all of my money, you’re putting me in a home, etc, etc.. You get the picture.
I’ve talked about the situation to great extent with her friends, the family, her doctor and I know, intellectually, that I’m doing the right thing. I’m trying to keep her safe and to prevent any harm from coming to herself or anyone else. Of course, she doesn’t see it this way and that’s where the problem comes in. How do you remove the emotion from these decisions so that you just let the “kicking and screaming” slide off of you back and not be affected by it? How do you just put on a happy face while you’re changing someone’s life forever? How do you take away the one thing that she has in life, her independence?
I returned yesterday from my mother’s home. Currently she still drives and lives in her own home, but I’m getting real concerned because if something were to happen I’m 4 hours away and just can’t be there if she needs me. This was the trip that I was not looking forward to at all. It started the conversation of her moving out of her home and into an assisted living facility. Also, the financial situation certainly was part of the talks. Her reaction was, as I expected it to be, “kicking and screaming”. She was saying stuff like, you’re trying to steal all of my money, you’re putting me in a home, etc, etc.. You get the picture.
I’ve talked about the situation to great extent with her friends, the family, her doctor and I know, intellectually, that I’m doing the right thing. I’m trying to keep her safe and to prevent any harm from coming to herself or anyone else. Of course, she doesn’t see it this way and that’s where the problem comes in. How do you remove the emotion from these decisions so that you just let the “kicking and screaming” slide off of you back and not be affected by it? How do you just put on a happy face while you’re changing someone’s life forever? How do you take away the one thing that she has in life, her independence?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas and Cars
I have a question for you all. At this time of the year (Christmas) the number of advertisements for cars increases unbelievably and one question always comes to mind. You see, I have NEVER known anyone nor have I ever heard of anyone buying a car because it's Christmas.
Do any of you know of anyone that has actually bought a car because of these car commercials during the holidays? Thanks, in advance.
Do any of you know of anyone that has actually bought a car because of these car commercials during the holidays? Thanks, in advance.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Birthdays
Ya know, people get all sorts of stuff for their Birthday, but when this box arrived even I was shocked.. I just feel so much better driving around town now.. :-)
Monday, December 13, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Crash pic's - only in Durban!!!!
Got this email today and thought you'd enjoy a laugh...:-)
"Pictures of accident on St Johns Bridge on Thursday.
The ambulance driver wouldn’t let the female paramedic out of the ambulance because she couldn’t stop laughing, he said it wasn’t professional.
The people in the blue car had the 25 litre bucket of paint on the back seat."
"Pictures of accident on St Johns Bridge on Thursday.
The ambulance driver wouldn’t let the female paramedic out of the ambulance because she couldn’t stop laughing, he said it wasn’t professional.
The people in the blue car had the 25 litre bucket of paint on the back seat."
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Because of Love
I received the following, in an email this morning from a friend. I appologize, as it's kind of long. But, I felt that I'd like to post it here after hearing Ray's good news. Also, for my friend and neighbor that has survived through 3 boughts with cancer. I don't know where this came from, but I put quotes around it because I didn't create it.
"Because of Love
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm.
Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside... The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, "Yes, I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks.. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back.
He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now.
The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.
Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---
Because of love.
Only Because of love...
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise
and joy... and again the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle
This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.
A small request.
Cancer is a strange cell Going along for years in remission and then one day it pops it head up again.
Pray for the day there will be a permanent cure. A SMALL REQUEST... 93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You Will...
A small request... Just one line...
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. In Jesus Name,
Amen
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating even if it's only to one more person. In memory of anyone you know who has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it."
"Because of Love
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm.
Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside... The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, "Yes, I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks.. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back.
He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now.
The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.
Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---
Because of love.
Only Because of love...
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise
and joy... and again the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle
This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.
A small request.
Cancer is a strange cell Going along for years in remission and then one day it pops it head up again.
Pray for the day there will be a permanent cure. A SMALL REQUEST... 93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You Will...
A small request... Just one line...
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer. In Jesus Name,
Amen
All you are asked to do is keep this circulating even if it's only to one more person. In memory of anyone you know who has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it."
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