What's up?

Tuesday, June 8th, 2004 - "What's up?"



Hey, how's it going? For so long, this has been a one-way conversation, and for that - I apologize. I hope you know that we'd love to hear from you on email sometime, and hear your side of the story. If the idea of doing your own online journal intrigues you, you can do one for free at Blogger.com. A "blogger" is what you are reading now - an online journal that other people can read if they feel like it.

Did you hear about Smarty Jones? He was supposed to be another Seabiscuit - a triple-crown winner in horseracing. If you didn't see Seabiscuit, you should. I kept putting it off, cause I was like, "uh, it's a movie about a horse - don't we all have better things to do with our time?"

Actually, no, "we" don't. Especially when you watch television on a weeknight. Seabiscuit is better than that. Quality time with your spouse or a good friend is better than that.

I loved Ronald Reagan, and think our nation and our world is a much better place because of his leadership, personality, and love for people of the U.S. He's pretty much the first president I knew much about and grew up with. I heard the news of his death last week at a party where there were a bunch of kids, and thought, most of them don't even know who he is. But they benefit from his leadership decades later...

For those of you following the "countdown to Allison," there's just 12 days till Jennie is due, and of course I'm already dreaming up her next video. I did a web-search of songs with the name "Allison" in them, and let's just say Allie will have a "greatest hits" DVD by the time she enters pre-school. One of our friends recently wrote that "Allison is going to be one well-received child!"

So true, unless she begins to root for Michigan someday. But maybe that will be God's way of teaching me unconditional love. Love without conditions, requirements, bias, or expectations. I already love her like that.

But true, selfless "love" also implies that you want the best for someone. In other words, while I realize that good parenting involves more than just helping your children root for the correct team, I promise not to neglect proper guidance in that area. The total number of Ohio State outfits currently in Allie's closet? NINE. NINE!!!

We do have family members who inquire, "When is she going to get a Packers or Badgers outfit?"

Answer - "when you buy one for her."

We'll be glad to let her wear these things, of course, but so far the gifts are a plus-9 in favor of the Buckeyes.

(Note: this is the end of today's "blogger." I hope you enjoyed our "mutterings" as much as we enjoyed writing them. Meanwhile, the Lakers stink, and it's fun to watch.)