The Joy of Six...

I've been a BAD Blogger.....

I'm feeling guilty AGAIN....

I've been meaning to post, but I just haven't found the time. I haven't been able to visit and comment on other blogs as much as usual either....I'm sorry.  I promise I'll make up for it. 

My daughter, Jory, has been in town since Monday night on business for BlogHer ; and well, I guess I don't have to explain do I?  In between our great chats, running her to the train for business meetings in Chicago, and sleeping....I've managed to squeeze some necessary work in. 

Of course even Jory knows there are some things you just don't 'mess with' mom about.  Like watching American Idol and Dancing With The Stars.  And really she loves watching them too....when she gets the chance.  She actually took a cab home last night from Chicago rather than bother me during my shows to pick her up from the train.  What a kid.  Albeit her day ended up going much later than she planned anyway.  Still....it was a sweetness on her part.

As wonderful as it is to have Jory home, she and I are very disappointed about one thing.  Her Aunt Heidi and Uncle John (my late husband's sister) are coming in town today for Heidi's class reunion on Saturday.  The whole DJ family....all of Jory's uncles, aunts and cousins in the area... are getting together tomorrow night for dinner, conversation and laughs.  Jory's schedule is so busy, that she won't be able to join us.  She comes home late tonight, has a conference in Chicago tomorrow, and flies out of Chicago and back to California later in the day.  She misses everything....and everybody.  What a bummer!  It's not often that we all can get together in the same place at the same time.  But hey, it is what it is....we'll sure miss her.  She brings a lot to the table and adds a whole lot to the conversation. So it will be just Joe, Jenna and I who will be representing our little twig of the DJ tree.

Okay, now that I've explained why I've been such a bad blogging buddy I hope you forgive me.  I really needed to let you know.  I was feeling so guilty.  I miss you, but I'll be coming by very soon.....Love and hugs, Joy

Why God Made Moms

With Mother's Day approaching next month, I thought this was just too cute.  As far as I'm concerned, anything 'out of the mouths' of children is well worth sharing. These answers were given by 2nd grade school children.  Enjoy!  Love, Joy

 
  
 
Why did God make mothers?
1.  She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2.  Mostly to clean the house.
3.  To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1.  He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2.  Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3.  God made my mom just the same like he made me.  He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1.  God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2.  They had to get their start from men's bones.  Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1.  We're related.
2.  God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1.  My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2.  I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3.  They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1.  His last name.
2.  She had to know his background.  Like is he a crook?  Does he get drunk on beer?
3.  Does he make at least $800 a year?  Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1.  My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.  And my mom eats a lot.
2.  She got too old to do anything else with him.
3.  My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1.  Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2.  Mom.  You can tell by room inspection.  She sees the stuff under the bed.
3.  I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1.  Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2.  Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3.  Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4.  Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1.  Mothers don't do spare time.
2.  To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1.  On the inside she's already perfect.  Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2.  Diet.  You know, her hair.  I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1.  She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean.  I'd get rid of that.
2.  I'd make my mom smarter.  Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3.  I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.  

Hey, it's not so bad being in the doghouse....

In keeping with my 'house' theme....

....and I thought it was insane to see the excessive extremes people went to for their kids with play houses in my last post.  Get a load of some of these doghouses for their pups.  Let me know what you think about these 'pooch palaces.'  GOOD GRIEF!! (Click on pictures to enlarge.)

 

This is the Asian style...

  

Some dogs live better than some people do.  It even has storm windows and air conditioning!!

 

This pup's palace is valued at $8,000.

 

A $10,500 doghouse with a lake view, flatscreen TV, and air conditioning!  This is the front view.

 

This is the inside.

 

How about a Spanish style? (Valued between $15,000 and $20,000.)

 

Interior of the Spanish style....

 

And lastly....for 'doggies on the move.'  I love this one.  It's so cute.

 

I wonder if any of these dogs are behind in their payments.  People are nutty about their pets....or just nutty.  Thanks to my cousin, Donna for sending me these pics.

The Way of the Treehouse

When was the last time you saw a treehouse?  I can't remember the last time I did.  I've never seen one in my neighborhood.  We have a lot of cute little playhouses in backyards all over the place.  As a matter of fact, Jenna, Joe, Jory and I gave Bella and Bastian a really nice one as a gift a couple of years ago for their backyard...and they loved it.

I guess a playhouse on the ground is a lot safer than a little wooden house perched in a tree somewhere.  I get that concept.  I wouldn't feel completely comfortable with that either by any means.  How in the world did mothers deal with it.... way back then?  I never really had a treehouse, but I did play in a couple of them from time to time.  And you have to admit....treehouses were 'the bomb.'

Of course there are always those who have to go to the extreme with their children......and their playhouses.  In a time in our economy where people are struggling, I actually find the houses below a little offensive.  When a child has a playhouse that costs more than some people can afford to live in; and is nicer than a lot of people DO live in.....something is very wrong. And what about those people who have lost their homes?  What do you think?

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

 

 

 

  

 

  

I realize this is all relative, and these houses were probably purchased by people who are pretty well-off and probably won't be standing in line for food stamps any time soon.... and they can certainly choose to do what they want with the money that they earn; but I can't help how I feel about it.  It's tough out there for a lot of people.

Child…. You Make My Heart Cry

                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, after a day of teaching classes in New York City, my daughter Julie, attended a small reception held in honor of the Whiting Award recipients of last year from Baruch College.  The Whiting Award is a teaching award given to two professors in which they are given a six month paid leave of absence to work on their personal projects. 

In attendance at this reception were the President of the College, the Dean of the College, the Provost of the College, and the President of the Whiting Foundation, among others.  The two recipients of the award from last year were Julie and a male professor, whom I don’t know.  They were asked to speak at the reception and explain to those attending how they made use of their award time. 

                                   

In Julie’s case, she had been writing her second book and made great use of the time to further work on it every day with the goal of completing it.  She gave the audience all the background on the book, editing updates and answered any questions that they had.  She felt it was a wonderful opportunity to explain just where everything stood regarding her book.  The people from the Whiting Foundation seemed very pleased with how Julie used her award time.  Julie’s book, 'The Madame Curie Complex', will be out around this time next year.

                                                      

When Julie called to tell me about this reception and how well everything went, she also asked if she could read me the rough draft of the introduction to her book.  It’s not unusual that she asked to do this.  She’s read parts of her book to me before to see what I think.  She did this with her first book too.  Of course, I’m always eager to hear every word.

                                                             

However…I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to hear.  From the moment she spoke the first sentence, I did nothing but cry.  She took me completely by surprise....because she dedicated this book to her father.  Her dad.  He was her inspiration to write this book…..from a very long time ago.

 

This was no ‘mushy’ dedication.  Julie doesn’t do ‘mush.’  And especially not here.  This was beautiful.  Perfect.  Just right.  Joel would have loved this.  He would have cried his eyes out.  HE WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS BOOK.  Maybe that’s why I was crying like a complete baby.  I was crying for him. 

                                                                           

Out of all of my kids, I think Julie felt tested by Joel the most.  I think she felt she had to prove herself to him all the time.  He was one of those 'tester' dads...always keeping his kids on their toes. Throwing quizzes at them all the time, asking questions, debating with them.  He was a tough cookie at times, but he loved his kids.  I’ve never been sure if Julie really knew just how very proud of her he was…he didn’t always voice it.  But let there be no doubt; that man was incredibly proud of that child…..as he was of ALL of his kids.  He said a lot more to me than he said to them.  That’s where he and I were different.  I think I over-compensated for him all the time.  That’s not hard when you’re a mushy marshmallow of a person like me.  

 

So I found myself trying to keep my composure while Julie was reading the rest of this wonderful introduction to me.  It was great...and touching in a way that Joel would have so appreciated and admired.  And it wasn’t all about Joel by any means.  It was laced with a lot of things about Julie, about her book, about the women in her book and their stories, expectations, etc.  It really was so beautifully written.  It wasn’t lost on my emotional meltdown whatsoever.  I absorbed every bit of it.  She didn’t even read the whole thing to me, but I asked that she e-mail it to me.  I wanted to read it again…maybe sans tears….maybe.

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can relate it back to six years ago when Julie wrote her first book, “Women & the Historical Enterprise in America…Gender, Race, and the Politics of Memory, 1880-1945.”  I took a trip out to Boston, where she was living at the time.  She just had my first grandchild, Bella.  A new baby, a new book…and Boston in July.  How perfect is that? 

Upon arrival the first thing she put in my arms was sweet baby Bella.  I could barely stand it.  Tears filled my eyes.  She was so perfect and precious.  Then she gave me a copy of her book…dedicated to me.  Who knew?  She never tells anyone anything.  I don't think I did anything but cry that first day. 

                                                                                    

In honesty, if it’s possible, dedicating this new book to her father trumps mine. And if tears were a way of communicating with someone from above, my husband heard every word right along with me.

Home Sweet Home

These are unbelievable! A lot of these houses just won't do for any gardener.  There are no yards or gardens.  Could you go to sleep at night and not wonder if these houses would even be there the next morning?  (Click on picture to enlarge)

#1 Don't want visitors?....Just unhook the cable! (I'm sorry, but the cable is NOT the only thing I'm worried about here.)

   

#2  Most people use trees for a windbreak. (But I guess mountains of rocks will do.)

   

#3  Consider the panic if you hear a branch crack! (Roots don't fail me now!)

 

#4  How did they get that car in there? (I bet they don't run a whole lot of errands.)

 

#5  Long climb after a day's work! (Does anyone even see that ladder? That's one home I won't be visiting.)

 

#6  Tree below....flowers above...some people are just weird. (That's some glorified treehouse.)

 

#7  Not during hurricane season, thank you! (Or any other season.)

 

#8  Got a little problem with dampness at your house? (How about mold?)

 

#9  I've heard of people's bridgework, but this is ridiculous! (I wonder if they have their own troll.)

 

#10  Better talk to Al Gore about Global Warming. (What happens when they have to turn up the heat?)

I can't imagine residing in ANY of these homes.  Can you?  Living in one of these domiciles makes my humdrum little hovel and it's little problems seem pretty tame.  I guess I won't complain about my leaky roof anymore.  Oh who am I kidding....yes I will.  Have a good week everyone....and count your blessings for the nice, normal, sturdy roof you have over your head.  Love, Joy

The Last Straw

     The day after my lawn service came for my 'Spring Clean-up'.....we had snow.  That was last Sunday.  I was joking with one of my neighbors about just putting my snow shovel away the week before and jinxing us. Ha, some joke. You can NEVER put your snow gear away too early here in the Midwest.  I'm still not convinced; even though the snow is gone again...and here we are entering April.

So, the snow didn't really amount to much and I ran an errand to Jewel Foods for a few things.  As I'm parking my car in the lot and opening my door I hear....

"Hey Lady, you know where you can stick that finger don't you?  And I'll be happy to get out of this car and help shove it up your ass myself you f----ing moron. Who taught you to drive?" Blah, Blah, Blah......$%&%$####@$$@^%$&%#@(&%$##!!#@$%"

By now I was blanking everything else out and looking at my hands and fingers.  Nope, it wasn't me. All my fingers were where they should be.  Noone was misbehaving. I swiveled around to see some guy in a van still going at it two aisles behind me.  I didn't even see the lady or the car he was aiming his anger at.  I just saw him hanging out his window letting it fly.  I have no idea what happened.  I can only venture a guess that she may have tried to back out of her spot at the wrong time when he was passing by and almost caused an accident; flipped him the bird (not always a good decision), and the rest is history.  He may have been perfectly justified.  Who knows.   All I know is....he really let her have it; and he wasn't quiet about it either.  His language was brutal.  Even the parts I had blanked out came through pretty clearly. 

  Maybe she just got to his 'last straw.'  We've all been there. Where one final act of stupidity or nastiness puts you over the edge....and all hell breaks loose.  Maybe that's what happened to that man right there in the Jewel parking lot.  His last straw was reached.  The dam broke....and he just lost it.  I don't know why I felt a strange compassion for this guy, but I did.  He seemed earnest in his anger.  Does that sound strange?  Even with his fowl language, I didn't feel he was a loose cannon or a crazy person.  Heck, he was the one who got flipped off to begin with.  Maybe I would have been incensed too.

Would I have reacted in the same way?  Probably not publicly and certainly not with that same language; but I can see me having plenty to say privately in my car.  But, that's just how I am.  It would have to be a pretty major deal for me to make a public scene.

Haven't we all been angered by someone's insensitivity, stupidity or cruelty?  We all have our limits...our last straws.  Sometimes we're at work when it happens. Sometimes we're at home.  Sometimes we're behind the wheel of a car.

By the way, I happened to run into this very same man when I was checking out at Jewel.  We started up a conversation.  He was the nicest man.