Home and In the Sun Archive March 2009

JstATht - Steve and Ivan

Thought of this the other day while thinking of Steve Jobs.

Except for some time at the post-Apple Computer (NeXT), Mr. Jobs has spent his whole life at Apple computer.  Does he (or do any of us) ever have an Ivan Ilych moment or realization?

[Tolytoy's] Mr. Ilych on his soon-to-be-deathbed:  "Maybe I did not live as I ought to have done," it suddenly occurred to him.  "But how could that be, when I did everything properly?" he replied, and immediately dismissed from his mind this, the sole solution of all the riddles of life and death, as something quite impossible.

Link to Original Post.

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PS: Yes, this is not an Apple or NeXT computer - just a picture of a computer for filler and visual appetites.

PixTht Tue - Missing Tooth

Another one bites the dust - he's been working on this one for weeks!

Tooth is missing!

PixTht Sunday - Pancakes in the Spring


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JstATht - Chocolate Milk Camping Trip

When I was in elementary school, we could buy hot lunches on a tray with a mini-carton of white milk

In fifth grade, my class went on an overnight trip with all of the other fifth grades in all of the district's schools.  During that trip, I discovered that the other elementary schools cafeterias had chocolate milk -- not just white milk -- with their lunches.  During the three lunches we received over the trip, I got -- and loved -- the chocolate milk.

After we got back to our school, we were back to plain white milk.  It was ok -- but it was also not ok.  We had seen how things could be.  We had gotten a glimpse of something better.  It was difficult to return to normal lunches knowing that Chocolate Milk was still out there.

Chocolate Milk

It is an interesting part of life that once one can see how it could be, it is difficult to imagine how the past (which may have then been acceptable) actually was acceptable.  Part of striving and thriving, I suppose.

JstATht - It's Okay.

Not only is it okay, but it is expected, needed, and valuable to be:

Sad, Dirty, Angry, Lonely, Tired, and Frustrated because those allow one to feel Joyful, Clean, Peaceful, Loved, Alive, and Connected.

Muddy Hands Summer DayOK, mud is fun by itself, too.


For a comment on My Parenting Source

For a comment on My Parenting Source

Thought from the Bleachers - Crying

Last month, my older (10 yo) daughter said something in passing . . .

"I've seen you cry only twice.  Once was at your Dad's funeral. . ."

That was apparently a big enough statement that I wrote it down in my journal. As I reflect upon the facts from her eyes, I can't help but wonder if it is a good (strong) or perhaps a poor (stoic) thing.

Girl on a Bike

JstATht - Direct v. Indirect

This morning while putting pancakes on the table, my older son (while migrating to the table) asked if he should go wake my older daughter.  I said no.

As the very loud migration of the three younger siblings continued, I thought about his question a bit more.  Directly, I asked that he not wake his sister, but Indirectly, he accomplished the same feat.

So the JstATht part comes to mind.  Direct communication of what one actually wants and needs and longs for is so, so, SO superior to the Indirect communication of "Why can't you tell from my actions what I want?".

My thought, you must have direct, well-articulated requests to at least initiate communication attempts.

Jumping on a trampoline.It'll be up to the receiving ear if true communication will occur.

JstATht - Unsticking Stuck

The only way that I know to get unstuck . . . is to take one step at a time out of the muck.  But the hardest step is that first.  I usually make it easier by tying that first step to technology.

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This picture has nothing to do with Stuck - I just like that I can see the ping pong ball as a smudged line.

PixTht Sun - The Fridge - Take 2

A lot of competition in this house.  This time it revolves around being able to sip some pink chalk twice a day for ten days -- another is added to the casualty list competition.

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If you have only one child, you really can't appreciate this shot.

PixTht Sat - The Fridge


By glancing in the fridge, one with refrigerator rights can tell when something is going around.

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Liverpool Station 11:00 a.m.

Although I've seen this on the web before (I stole it from Taste Life Twice. There is some universal truth which just strikes a cord with me.

PixThtMon - When Strep Hits

The one on the right had strep for four days before the results were provided.  The one of the left was diagnosed after this picture.

The Dad taking the photo was correct -- twice -- in his diagnosis.

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BkTht Mon - No More Mondays

From "No More Mondays". . .51FLsi1bgGL._SL500_AA242_PIkin-dp-500,BottomRight,-21,38_AA280_SH20_OU01_

"Francis of Assisi counseled his brothers: 'Preach the gospel at all times.  If necessary use words. "

Link on Amazon Kindle.





PixThtSun - Dog Poop

If you're going to be picking up dog poop, you need to be prepared to plug your nostrils.  One preferred method.

Plugging nostrills.

Yes, this is really why she is doing this.

PixThtSat - Urgent Care 

At the urgent care center, waiting for the strep results - partially hoping that it is strep so that this evening's and tomorrow's doses will permit school's attendance on Monday.

At urgent care waiting for the results.Turns out that it is "just a virus - come back if he still has a fever in five days."

h-z. Stop Blogging and Start Doing

Yep, I'm stopping this series.  Mostly because it just doesn't seem to fit.


JstATht - Dante's Hell

Dante wrote (and I'm paraphrasing):

"There is a special place in Hell for those that sit by and do nothing."

g. 1SmlThg - Cash only

Cut up your credit cards.

Use cash only, it is more personal and there is a feeling of loss when you use it. Plastic is just different.

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f. 1SmlThg - List of 10 Names thrice

Get out a sheet of paper (perhaps even in a journal) and write the first names that come to mind:

· List of 10 people you look up to and admire.
· List of 10 people you would like to spend an extra hour with sometime in this month.
· List (gasp) 10 people you would like to spend less time with.

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Some Appreciation

I'm stealing this from Scribbit, yes it is worth the four minutes and twelve seconds..