Monthly Archives: November 2000

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. – Alexander Graham Bell One of my sons said … Continue reading →

Do men listen differently than women? My wife pointed out this AP story on a study to me: Men – Unlike Women – Use Only Half Of Brain When Listening I told her that most men suffer from M.A.L.L.A.R.D.S. – … Continue reading →

Forgiveness is simply love put into action. – Kent Nerburn This seems to be a good way to frame what I’m doing when I take 3 or 4 hours out of my day to go feed my dad. I’m just … Continue reading →

I played the best racquetball of my life last night. I’ve been patiently practicing for about 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a week for several months, ever since I attended a 3 day camp in May. I’ve improved some … Continue reading →

I sent an email to Kent Nerburn yesterday, thanking him for ‘speaking to me’ through the chapters of his book. I don’t expect a reply, as he’s not tech literate, plus I think he might be thinking I’ve got some … Continue reading →

I brought my thank you gifts of flowers and pastries to the staff of my dad’s nursing home last night. They were very appreciative and I felt good about it. I had to go out of my way to buy … Continue reading →

I’ve linked all the weblog entries related to my dad’s hospitalization to a right hand sidebar next to the Dying a Good Death piece I wrote a couple of months ago. It seems to be the best place for it … Continue reading →

I walked into my office this morning with bit of glumness. This is unusual for me, as I’m usually bursting with ideas and energy in the morning. My wife Robbie noticed it last night and asked me if I was … Continue reading →

How can we remember our ignorance, which our growth requires, when we are using our knowledge all the time? – Henry David Thoreau This is a quote that’s fallen on deaf ears in this digital age. One of the nifty … Continue reading →

It occurred to me yesterday morning that I’ve not really prayed for my Dad. I’ve said a few Our Fathers and Hail Marys by his side, but that was just to try and wake him up. So what would my … Continue reading →

A seed of hope can become the flower of forgiveness. – Kent Nerburn I don’t fully understand why I’ve forgiven my dad for all his behavior over the years. And I seem to be forgiving my mother, too, despite my … Continue reading →

It’s 3 PM as I write this and I’m here in the nursing home that Dad got tranferred to today. He was late getting here and evidently Mom couldn’t handle the nursing home atmosphere and left before he got here. … Continue reading →

Acquaint now thyself with God, and be at peace, thereby shall good come unto thee. – Job, 22:21 Job said this? Hey, if he can do it (be at peace) after all the crap he went through, true or not, … Continue reading →

My dad’s going to be transferred to a nursing home today. Another chapter begins. I had a dream last night that my mother called to let me know he died overnight, before he even got to the nursing home. Strange.

The phrase “my faith is being tested” comes to mind as I struggle with our financial situation, but I’m not sure that’s quite it. I’m trying to keep this thought going through my head: “I don’t know how this will … Continue reading →

Jesus and Elvis, the two Kings I loved this when it was reprinted in Utne Reader way back in the early 90s. It’s a hoot, whatever your beliefs.

If you’d like an exercise in frustration, try taking the What’s Your Spiritual Type? quiz at Beliefnet. I have to cook up something better than this at some point.

What is the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth? Laziness… – Shankaracharya I’ve not heard any gurus of the spiritual development movement say anything like this, but I’ve found it to be true. This shit takes self-discipline. But that’s true of … Continue reading →

The hospital wants dad moved to a nursing home quickly, as they say he’s plateaued. So now the financial wrangling begins. I’m trying to convince my mother to dispute the diagnosis of “plateau” as he’s definitely improved since Monday, though … Continue reading →

I talked to my brother last night who said that Dad’s got to be moved to a nursing home of some kind… and that Mom’s not up to doing it. I’m trying to decide whether I should take over, or … Continue reading →

I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. – Louisa May Alcott Yeah. This is a good way to frame all this shit that’s been happening to my family members. It’s just a … Continue reading →

No man can reveal to you ought but that which already lies half asleep in the dawning of your own knowledge. – Kahil Gibran ‘Ought’? I guess in this case it’s meant to be a variation of ‘aught’ which means … Continue reading →

Cartoon of the day CARTOON ID: 43960 CAPTION: “My goal is to die before there’s a technology breakthrough that forces me to live to a hundred and thirty.” CARTOONIST: Barbara Smaller PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YORKER: 6/19/2000 I love this … Continue reading →

No man is more cheated than the selfish man. – Henry Ward Beecher The more selfish I am, the more I miss out. Hmmm. This is a great way to define selfishness because it doesn’t directly preach. I’m getting screwed! … Continue reading →

They gave dad 300mg of Triceptal last night after we left and again this morning before mom and I got there. It was news to her and she said she wasn’t up to fighting with his doctor. So I’m hanging … Continue reading →