Broken Branches and Bark

Last week I proctored at Cooley and read some new books. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time/Mark Haddon, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?/Phillip Dick, Olaudah Equaino, and Of Love and Other Demons/ Gabriel Garcia Marquez. These books deal with autism, futuristic robotism, an educated slave, faith and religion.  Christmas break comes early this year so I have until the third of January off but I have been busy teaching, a lot of kindergartens.  The boys are on break and did well with their classes. Jane got her unemployment extension and still no call back to Fabianos.  Helen Reck died 11/19/11 and we attended her funereal in Dewitt, the day before Thanksgiving, and worked at Christo-Rey Center for their Thanksgiving dinner before our family gathering in the afternoon.  November 30th we had 8" of wet snow that broke many limbs over night and making a snow day from school. The branches are still around our yard and both Riches next doors probably to wait until spring like the dead tree out front. The war in Iraq was declared over for us on 12/15/11 with an $800 billion cost as well as 4,500 US lives and we pray the best for the people of Iraq on their own.  On the 18th St. Vincent's burned destroying the store and contents. The world goes on and we must persevere until our time of accounting is celebrated or pretended to be passed on.  There is a meaning out of our reach now but to be revealed in time and sweat or tears.

11/11/11

It's Veteran's Day, 91 years ago my father and family set foot in Lansing, after an all night trip by train from Ellis Island.  Lukas spent the last 2 weekends at the Eaton County Jail and has a new outlook on his future.  Jon is settled into his new job in Gary and has an apartment in Merrillville, as well as a new silver Malibu, he drove up in today for the weekend.  I went to a night of reflection at St. Gerard's with dinner and a talk on service by Fr. Osborn.  We got our first snowfall yesterday but it's not going to be cold enough for it to stay.  The economies of Italy and Greece threaten the global monetary situation, as the occupy Wall Street groups face winter and growing apathy of no return.  America is still the blueprint for good government for a world filled with turmoil and mistrust of humanity.  In God we trust comes from belief and only faith can sustain it to completion.  Honor our veterans, always have hope and belief in the greater good attained together, not on hidden agendas.  Number eleven, number eleven, number eleven!

Occupy Lansing Supporter

     September was a busy month for substituting and it keeps on going strong.  Lukas messed up on his start date for his probation and spent last weekend in the Eaton County Jail.  He will get 7411 on his conviction if he is successful with his 12 month probation, keeping it out of public records.  They both are busy with school and Phillip is getting involved in research projects.  Jane still has not heard back from Fabianos and her unemployment will be running out soon and she will need an extension.  On October 15, I went to the state capitol to support the Occupy Wall Street movement.  We listened to numerous speakers expressing their concerns for our country's future and the need for the 1% to make sacrifices to save our way of life in the USA.  Free of individual greed and taking concern for the hard working and continuously under appreciated majority who keep this nation great.   The weather has been very mild and Indian summer lasted well into October.  We had 3 trick-or-treaters tonight as the East coast is digging out from a snow storm, that followed the earthquake and hurricane before that. A ball of confusion that's what the world is again.

New Computer 9/9/11

     I am now working on a new computer, a HP Pavilion from Walmart.  I worked 40 hours at Cooley and read 4 books. We went to Grand Haven the next week and Jane and I were alone most of the week that had excellent weather. It was the 10th year at the cottage. We went to the Eastern/Dewitt football game and watched Brandon and Mandy perform with the band. The 27th reunion of the Alvarado family was on the 28th at Hawk Island Park. Luke had to make an appearance in Charlotte at the courthouse for a use charge with his friend Al. Both boys are at MSU and Phillip's classes are at 8 Monday through Thursday requiring a ride. Jane had her meeting with the owners of Fabiano's who offered her and Sharon part time retail sales positions with new work rules and no vacation or sick time. After going over his handwritten rule list Jane asked for that written handbook before she decides if she will return. Bad management is a major problem with our economy and attempts to bring decent jobs. Jane's cousin Rudolf Rosales died last month at 65 and our good friend Bob Tellner died at 82 this week. This summer was the 2nd hottest nationally on record at 74.5 degrees with only 1936, the Dust Bowl year higher. The Detroit Tigers are leading their division and unless there is a total collapse should be in the playoffs. We wait congress' work on the president's jobs plan to stimulate the economy. Hoping there are Americans dedicated to making and keeping this country back on to a fair road of opportunity.

65 Years of Marriage

The Ybarra's celebrated their 65 years of marriage with the renewing of their vows at Christo-Rey at the 5:30 mass on July 9. Then on Sunday they had a party at the Delta Community Center from 3:00 to 8:00.  Jane spent months preparing and except for some lack of help from the nieces it was a great day.  It was hot as 11 days in July were 90 or higher in the 3rd hottest July. Parts of Texas and Oklahoma have had more than 30 days of 100+ temperatures and no relief is in sight for them, Dust bowl return?  At the end of July we had two days of rain exceeding 5" causing flooding in some low lying areas in South Lansing. The congress waited until the last day to compromise on the budget setting the stage for major economic crisis world wide due to prideful politics. The USA was downgraded to AA+ credit rating by Standard and Poors and the stock market took a nosedive creating fear to the middle class of America. We are at a crossroads that will lead to new America for the better or the worse. Slip sliding away, the closer to our destination the more we slip slide away.  65 years of marriage is a long and eventful time of ups and downs so maybe life is good and worry will make us older than we need to be.

Harold Farnam 6/26/11

    When Uncle Tomas was at Tendercare West his roommate was a retired Oldsmobile Post Office supervisor.  We found him more talkative than Uncle Tom and learned many interesting stories about his head on motorcycle crash, where he was left in the hallway awaiting the morgue when someone looked at him and declared he wasn't dead. He died at the age of 95 this week and his is a story of resurrection. We went to Houghton Lake last week for 2 days at a cottage Sandy and Andy invited us and the Ybarra's to. We also went to Jim and Betty's for the last Sunday of June as Jane busies herself for the 65th anniversary party. We've went to 2 plays at LCC that have been very good as everything remains green with the rain. I've discovered Dirty Bastard from Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids which is making this blog possible or in need of direction and correction. I ended the school year working a half day at Pleasant View for a teacher who had a baby and her sub having jury duty that day. She had a parent there and she came in at about 11 to say goodbye to her kindergartners. Taking life a day at a time makes for less stress and more peace.

Rainy Daze

May had record rain here as tornadoes destroyed Joplin Missouri and reeked havoc across the South and the Plains. Spring was cool and rainy and the warm weather is just now taking hold. Jane unexpectedly was laid off April 26, after the tip-jar controversy. April bought a house on South Washington and is in the process of fixing it up and moving in. For Mother's Day we went to Christo-Rey, Saturday night with the Ybarra's and then grilled on Sunday. Jane had her birthday at Sharp Park and has been busy planning the Ybarra's 65th anniversary.The boys are done with school and I've been busy subbing everyday. The grass has been growing with all the rain making green and mowing a norm. Knowing what tomorrow holds is no longer a priority as time becomes more fleeting with age. If I'm here to share a thought again, you'll find me here, but no one is looking.  A weather alert is surely on the horizon flashing back to some yesterday.

Easter Rising

The day after the last blog we had a record 83 degree temperature followed by the return of the 30-40 highs. We hit the 50's today with the promise of a late spring starting with the glory of Easter. I'm back at Riddle subbing for Mrs. Mathew's doing reading recovery for 2 weeks. I proctored at Cooley and read C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and Surprised by Joy, which was fitting for lent. Good Friday was also Earth Day as green is quite fashionable now for profit. Gas has been hitting the $3.99.9 mark to help keep the masses wondering about what tomorrow will bring. We tore the rest of the carpet up in the family room leaving bare floors to collect dust and the waste of felines. My right foot has been paining me for 3 weeks now and rest has not relieved it. Easter will gather part of the family and the hope of reward draws closer with each breath for complete life in faith with Christ. Jane took Friday off work to protest about the loss of their tip jar and lack of appreciation of the job she and Sharon do. Letters keep piling up everyday and I fall behind more time being of the essence.

Tracking Spring

February set a new record for snow as a second 10" snow day came on President's Day. We have only had a day of 70 degree temperature so far as 50's are the norm. Spring break was this week and Jane and I went to Frankenmuth overnight for the first time in years. The Ybarra's went to Florida for a month and we fed Uncle Tom breakfasts on the weekends with Andy and Sandy. They flew back on Tuesday and Grampa is glad to be back as he said it was too long and hot. I also began my 6th decade which definitely makes me a senior citizen. The Earth quaked in Japan at 8.1 on March 11 and radiation will increase on our planet. A 7.1 aftershock yesterday further stressing the nuclear plants damaged at Fukushima. Gas prices keep going up as panic over Libya and the Middle East in general leads to greed and speculation. I've been busy subbing and was at Riddle all last week in Mrs. Crutcher's first grade. Lukas and Phillip have only a month of school this term as they drift in or out of the house. Without love where would we be now? Take one day at a time and the tracks of spring will follow in time with or without us.

Midwinter's snow

On Groundhog's Day we had 12.2" of snow which closed the schools for 2 days. The storm system that brought it started in Texas and finished up in Maine covering one third of the USA with snow. The day before I picked up a new Malibu at Bud Kouts for 39 months on lease of $149.65 a month. I traded in the 98' Malibu which was on its downhill slide with 127,170 miles. I've been working steadily since break including the week after New Years at Elmwood for Ms. Sartor who had come down sick at her parent's. The boys are busy with school but had a snow day which MSU has few of. The turmoil in Egypt may be the precursor to a downward cycle in history but I'm not a prophet and only note things of possible importance. We must go on living and trusting for the Lord has plans that are beyond our understanding. Love one another and create peace in your daily life.