Draymond 1,000 Rebounds

Tonight Draymond Green had another double-double and got his one thousandth career rebound for MSU in their win over Nebraska. That makes Draymond the 4th Spartan to do so.  Tom Izzo could get his 7th Big Ten title with a win in the last 2 games. I have been substituting as para-pro for Scott at Herbison Woods and following him through his day of half work, part play, mostly pain in the ass.  My laser surgery came out fine and is looking good. I lost power last night by putting my foot on the surge protecter switch so this is a 2 day blog. We are currently tied for the 4th mildest winter for temperature at 30.4 degrees due to the jet stream as the 6" snow Friday put that total at about normal.  President Obama's healthcare mandate of forcing benefits on religous groups who oppose abortion gives the freedom of religion an unfortuate challenge. As much as people need better healthcare it cannot be forced unwillingly upon everyone against their conscience on moral issues.  Just as their is freedom from religion where I would not force my religion on anyone, including having my own family to go to church with me. So too this mandate is endangering the freedom of many to participate in medical procedures they morally oppose. Freedom makes this  great counrty what it is and belief in a life giving God cannot be ignored  by public policy that dosen't protect human dignity and rights.  I trust the legacy of Draymond Green at MSU and his dedication to doing right will follow him throughout his life and future career. No one is perfect but we must do right by all to be remembered long beyond our time on earth as being a positive influence in leaving the world as a better place.

Mild Winter So Far

On  Saturday January the 21st there was a mass for Uncle Tomas at Christo-Rey and a dinner.  There was an excellent meal attended by about a 100 people with rolls and cookies donated by Paneras', along with chicken and rice from the church funereal group. Money found in Uncle Tomas' safe paid for his funereal though there is a question as to what happened to his monies.  I had my laser surgery done on my forehead to remove the mass of veins that looked like a pimple by Dr. Landis last Monday. Lukas' surgery on his nose seems to have helped with his breathing , and Phillip is doing an internship with Christman's downtown this term and is keeping busy.  The weather has been very mild for late January and early February with little snow or temperatures below 20 degrees.  Thoughts are evasive in this political year that leaps into corrections that weigh our futures.  The Super Bowl was won by the NY Giants with a boring halftime show by Madonna.  I watched the game sporadically and even missed the commercials which are the major purpose for this diversionary game.

Uncle Tomas' Final Walk

 Late Saturday night Uncle Tom was discovered on the basement floor, again and was taken to the hospital.  He had bleeding in his brain and this time his prognosis was not good so no surgery was done and he died the next morning at 8:30, with his family present before they took off the life support he was on.  He was cremated as he did not leave money or clear directions for a funereal. His daily walks have come to an end on this earth, but many will remember the man who walked to the mall for so many years as a religious routine.  On Tuesday I met Gabor Hardy at his friend's place in Okemos for dinner and reminiscing. We had a good visit talking about people and places we had shared memories of from school.  On New Years Eve we went to World Buffet with the Hokesema's and then to their house for games and the ball drop. Luke and I went to midnight mass at Christmas for the first time in many years, as we earlier had dinner with the family here. Jane found out from a customer of Fabiano's, she ran into at Panera, that she no longer worked there any more. Luke had nose surgery and they have begun their new term at MSU as Phillip is on the Deans List for last term. Life is a walk and one day it will be our last but like Uncle Tom we should cherish them until we no longer are capable.  The walk of life is our journey uniquely made by us.

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.