Happy Birthday Dad!

I have been thinking about my father a great deal the last several days. Today is my father's birthday. He would have been 90 years old today. At one level it *is* so very long since he has been a physical presence in my life, but in the same vein, he has been a mental/emotional/philosophical presence in my life every day. With he now being 90, it is so odd to think about. I miss him so very much.  I wish I could have him here physically today. 

It is ever more striking how I can see in myself more and more ways in which I am very much like my father and other ways in which I am very much like my mother. The characteristics I have that are especially like that of my father include a general quietness to my demeanor and a rather contemplative personality. Physically, my teeth are like my father's. My eyes are much like my father's and my ears and forehead are very similar to that of my father's. Of course, my enjoyment of pipes and pipe tobacco is something I learned from my father as well.

I will be traveling to the other end of the county today to visit my father and mother's grave site. Even though it is quite cold outside (below freezing), I am planning to sit at the grave site for quite a while and talk to (with) my father on this his birthday. I am also planning to take with me, one of his favorite pipes that I inherited from him. I shall smoke that pipe while I am visiting with him at the grave site.

I miss you so very much, Dad! I wish you a very Happy Birthday.

PipeTobacco

At Mass

A passage from the Gospel heard at Mass today gave me pause to think:

"Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us."
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
"Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said,
"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise."

In what way have I committed crimes?  Unfortunately, I can think of far too many.  Most of my crimes are those of not being compassionate enough towards others, especially those I love.  I regret all the missed opportunities I have had to be more "present" with those I care about.  I do not mean just the general, physical presence... but more the opportunities I have missed to be more emotionally with people.  I do keep asking forgiveness for this and for all my many sins, and I do try to work each day to become better, although it is often hard.  I do so very much try to understand and find ways to not miss out on these opportunities.  I wish I would be stronger at it and better at being "there" more deeply.  Actually, I want to be more deeply intertwined with all aspects of my life as well.

PipeTobacco

1894

Today marks the 1,894th day in a row that I have walked (sometimes jogged) each and every day for approximately 5 miles.   It is an endeavor that now is very much a habit and is second nature to me.  It has been very helpful for me physically (normal BMI) and emotionally (helps me to reduce stress.  I am glad I do this, and I am glad I have the motivator of being able to get such a large number.  Even though the number plays a less crucial role these days as the habit is established, I still like the idea now that I am approaching a close milestone (1900) and also moving towards a really big milestone number of 2000.  I hope I keep up my consistency.

PipeTobacco

Under the Weather

I have figured out that I must have gotten the virus that has been running rampant both at work and at home.  I have felt a little run down last night and today.  The clincher was when I took my temperature.  I had a low grade fever (99.5 degrees) which is rather high for me as I typically have a temp of 97.4 degrees when feeling well.  

Hopefully, it will be a brief malady.  I must be in pretty good shape as I frequently do not get these maladies as they are passed around or if I do, I am typically the last one to get it.  

Keeping my fingers crossed for a shedding if the symptoms. by morning.

PipeTobacco

The Old Pipe

I found an old pipe of mine today while doing some cleaning out of a drawer filled with a bunch if odds and ends.  Usually, when I find a pipe I have not used in a while, it gets me reminiscing and feeling eager to try it.  Not this time, surprisingly.  To facilitate the cleaning. I simply moved it out to my truck and put in the ash tray.  I am wondering if perhaps I am getting into the right mindset to try quitting again?  It has been on my mind a bit.  We shall see. 

PipeTobacco

Quiet Day

Today, other than lecturing for three hours, I sat at my desk all day writing questions for a test bank.  It was a good, productive day free of hassles.  I am mentally exhausted from thinking of creative questions.... roughly 15 pages of various questions, but it was good.  Now I feel the need for some physical activity. Perhaps my wife will be willing to indulge me?  Let is hope so . :)

PiprTobacco

About Time

My wife and I played hooky again this afternoon and went to see a film. The film we saw was "About Time".  It was a romantic drama/comedy and was beyond excellent.  It was a sleepy little British film, that really described and pointed out how fragile and beautiful life is.  We both loved the film, and gave it a grade of A+ from both of us.  It is well worth seeing if it comes to your area.

PipeTobacco

Whiskey River On My Mind

I have been humming the Willie Nelson song through my mind this afternoon as I allow the beautiful elixir to permeate my being.  It is a pleasantly grand afternoon.  I have visited my elderly father-in-law and all seems right with the world.  Let us hope that this contentment stays with me through the weekend! 

PipeTobacco

Last Vegas

My wife and I played "hookey" a little bit and met up to watch an afternoon movie together at our cineplex.  We saw "Last Vegas" with  Robert DeNiro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Klein.  We both greatly enjoyed the film and both gave it "A" grades.  When asked, my wife said she enjoyed DiNiro's character (a somewhat bitter retiree) the best, and I enjoyed the Klein character ( a pseudo-lothario) the best.  It was a wonderful afternoon.  DiNiro's character was my second favorite, and Freeman was my wife's second favorite.  Mary Steenburgen played the love interest and was absolutely delightful as well!  If you have a like for light comedic movies, this is a true winner!

PipeTobacco