Cole-ism

I've posted several pieces about five-year-old Courtney and her eight-year-old sister Brooke and the funny things they say. But I also babysit for Courtney & Brooke's cousins, Cole (age 4) and Nicholas (2) two days a week.

I make Cole & Nicholas take a rest time after lunch. Nicholas goes to sleep almost immediately but Cole plays for a while. Cole likes to tell me he doesn't need a rest time and he says he's not going to sleep. I say that's fine but within about 15 minutes of going upstairs, he's asleep.

Cole likes to come downstairs earlier than Nicholas-sometimes by as much as an hour-and-a-half.
He loves to spend that time with me without Nicholas being around.

Yesterday he asked me how old I was. I told him and also noted that I had a birthday coming up. He said since I'm going to be another year older, I would therefore be taller--maybe someday I might even be as tall as his daddy.

Someday I'm going to go through all my blogs and assemble a compendium of grand child comments heard over the years. I'll put them in a nice binder and present them to each kid on his/her 20th birthday. That means I have to live another 18 years putting me at almost 87.

Hmmmm....well, maybe not.

Yet another Courtneyism

Before going downstairs to play school yesterday, I told Courtney we better put the rest of her peanut butter and crackers somewhere where their yellow lab Lacey won't get them. She has been known to help herself from time to time to whatever morsel may be laying around.

Courtney, age 5, pointed out that that wouldn't be necessary since her daddy trained Lacey not to do that.

I expressed doubt at this but was told by Courtney in a very stern tone that she's lived in that house for 5 years and she ought to know what's going on.

I moved the food anyway.

Games grand children play

On previous occasions I've described at great length the games my 8-year-old and 5-year-old grand daughters love to play.

They've spent many hours with dolls, dance routines and playing school.

Cole (age 4) and Nicholas (age 2) also like to play games but not like the kind the girls play.

Instead, one of their favorite games is to take a large ball of Play Dough and using their mother's rolling pin spread it out into a large flat piece.

Then they assemble their collection of cars and trucks and pretend they get stuck in the Play Dough "mud hole". It's my job to get the toy excavator and pull them out of the mud.

They play at this for a very long time.

I readily acknowledge the role of cultural influences in the kinds of things that interest boys and girls but I am completely convinced that to a great extent they are hard-wired to like certain things.

Nature vs Nurture. They're both at work in the human species.

Winter is here

With the exception of a very unusual storm in October, we are now getting the first significant snow storm of the winter of 2011-2012.

I ventured out at about 7 A.M. to get the paper and there was already a good 2 to 3 inches accumulation of dry, powdery snow--perfect for a snow blower but lousy for making snowmen.

Accumulation is expected to amount to about 6-8 inches. Compared to where we were at this time last year, I'll happily take it!

Happy shoveling.

Happy Birthday, Brooke

Happy 8th birthday to grand child number one: Brooke Avery Sullivan.
Her birthday was actually celebrated on Sunday, Jan. 15 pictures of which can be viewed on georgeswebpage.com
Where has the time gone?!?

The key to a good workout

I've found the sure-fire way to stay motivated on the treadmill. Listen to Newt Gingrich on Meet the Press.

The more that pathetic, lying little weasel talked, the faster I walked. By the time David Gregory was finished with his interview, my cardiopulmonary system had the best workout it's had in weeks.

Thanks, Newt.

More Courtneyisms

Yesterday Courtney was sitting at the kitchen table drinking from a small container of orange juice.

As she sat there drinking she thoughtfully wondered why someone wearing pull ups couldn't drink from a container like that.

I was more than a little puzzled by that until I read on the carton "No Pulp".

In spite of occasional mistakes like that, she's an extraordinary kindergarten reader who is quick to remind me that she's the only one in her class who can read.

Back to the routine

It's always nice to get to our condo in Florida. The weather is perfect, there's plenty to do and it's even more fun when the whole family is there. But now we're home--and it's good to be back.

We've reconnected with all of our little sweeties, presumed the duties and chores that were awaiting us and best of all, unlike last year, we returned to a snow-free driveway.

So farewell until May, Naples, FL.

The hazards of golf

When one ventures out to play golf there can be a number of obstacles--especially if your game is anything like mine.

Water is my biggest enemy closely followed by sand traps, trees and tall grass.

But here in Florida, you have one more thing to contend with--alligators.

Yesterday we saw two of them sunning themselves on the banks of a body of water bordering the fairway. One of my shots got within about 100 feet of one who was fortunately sleeping and not interested in me.

Yet another reason to give up this stupid game.

What's the fuss?!

I'm sitting here, sipping wine and watching MSNBC. I can't believe the media--and politicians--are making such a fuss about the Iowa caucus.

It's not even a primary. The number of people voting in this thing amounts to a few hundred. Yet, here we are a nation of millions of voters.

In the overall scheme of things it doesn't mean a thing and even if it did as far as I'm concerned it wouldn't change anything. The field of candidates the republicans have put out there are the most pathetic group of hypocritical weasels I've ever seen.

Obama's got it made.

A sure way to make the elderly happy

My grand daughter went with me for the second time to the assisted living facility where I volunteer.

One sure way to cheer up people who are often very despondent is to let them interact with children--especially children like my little grand daughter (nearly 8) whose personality is extraordinary.

She made a lot of people very happy that day.

Christmas 2011 is over

Christmas 2011 is over. A great time was had by everyone--especially of course for children.

All four of our grand children are at the ages when Christmas morning is great fun.

The whole experience was marred however by an injury to my son-in-law's shoulder. He was playing touch football Saturday and as he was diving to catch a pass, he fell on his shoulder, tearing up ligaments and possibly causing other damage. He'll find out more Tuesday but in the mean time he is in a lot of pain and very uncomfortable.

Now it's on to a new year. More on that later.

The Elf is watching!

Of my four grand children two are solid believers in Santa, one is too young to really have an opinion one way or another and the oldest is developing doubts but still hanging in there. By next year, she will have grown out of it.

There are definite benefits to having children who still believe.

For example take the Elf on the Shelf strategy which my son and daughter-in-law have adopted.

They have a little model of the elf you see here and every day my daughter-in-law changes its location.

Their two boys firmly believe they're being watched and that he reports to Santa every night.

Yesterday, the older of the two boys-age 4-was upset about something, tossed a toy car across the room and slapped my leg. His frustration was then compounded by the fact that he realized the elf was watching so he thought Santa was going to get a bad report.

I calmed him down and explained that the elf always took into consideration the fact that if kids did something wrong but they were sorry for it and made up for it in some way, then it would be OK.

That seemed to do the trick.

The good news is by the time he no longer believes in the elf-on-the-shelf, his "internal" elf will have taken over.

Merry Christmas--and be good. You-know-who is watching!

Disappointing News Department

I recently saw a video clip of John McCain who was speaking about the end of the war in Iraq.

He was bemoaning the fact that we were pulling out too soon and complaining that this was the wrong thing for the US to be doing.

I just don't understand. Here's a guy who's been through a horrible ordeal as a prisoner of war in North Viet Nam and he's lamenting the END of a war.

Someone needs to explain this to me. This guy was very nearly our president. Thank God the voters chose wisely.

McCain needs to retire. Go back to Arizona, relax and quietly fade away. He's lost it.

NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving

The National Traffic Safety Board has come out with a recommendation that the use of hand-held cell phones while driving be made a federal offense.

I think that's a great idea. Connecticut already has the ban but it is widely ignored--to the peril of other motorists.

If the state or federal government is really interested in safety and law enforcement then the stakes must be raised.

Instead of fining people a hundred bucks for using cell phones for calls or texting, make the fines in the thousands. If you were to do that you'd see people responding more.

More on the death penalty

Word has just come down that a jury in the Joshua Komisarjevsky, one of the two convicted murderers in the Petit case, has returned with a death penalty.

There is considerable controversy surrounding the death penalty. Opponents contend that it doesn't deter crime and it isn't moral. How, for example, can a civilized society condone capital punishment? The death penalty for them is simply vengeance which has no place in a modern civilization.

Proponents argue that he is simply getting what he deserves and it will send a message to future felons that if "they do the crime, they'll do the time."

Regrettably, I tend to agree with the proponents. I say 'regrettably' because death is not to be taken lightly. Plus there are also ample situations where the wrong person has been put to death.

But where there is absolutely no doubt, none whatever, I think a case can be made for the death penalty.

The Petit Case was especially tragic and brutal. If ever there was a case that justified capital punishment, this is it.

Pearl Harbor Day

Today, December 7th, is Pearl Harbor Day. Although it was 70 years ago, there are a dwindling few who remember it like it was yesterday.

I hadn't been born quite yet when the Japanese attached Pearl Harbor but I remember my parents talking to me about it many times. It was a Sunday morning and they were listening to the radio when the bulletin came across announcing the attack.

My parents are gone now but my 96 year old friend, Ed, who I visit from time to time at an assisted living facility is not and his recollection of that day is quite clear.

I've written of it before but briefly, he was on board the USS destroyer Helena when it was struck by bombs. Ed was in the shower at the time. When the attack occurred, he quickly dressed and dove out a port hole in the ship-just making it through.

Thanks to you, Ed, and all the other members--those of you who are left, that is--of the Greatest Generation for your service.

Go Newty!

Democrats have got to be loving it.

Cain=gone.
Perry=gone.
Bachmann=never was there.
Romney=flip flop.

So who's the GOP rising star? None other than sleazy little weasel Newt Gingrich. Outstanding!

We're baaaack!

What do you get when you put 6 adults and 4 children ranging in age from two-and-a-half to almost 8 in a relatively small 3 bedroom condo for ten days? A good time with lots of laughs, that's what.

That's exactly how we spend the last 10 days. My wife, me, son and daughter, their spouses and children.

Fortunately the weather was perfect so there was plenty to do. The only source of conflict was over which of the grand children got to use the iPads and when.

Other than that and an occasional over-tired child, the 10 days went remarkably smoothly.

This is the second year we've done this and I hope it's a tradition that continues for many years to come.

Now it's on to the holidays--and winter!

Ten days of great fun

Here we are, Naples, FL, where the day-time highs are reaching 85 and night-time lows about 68--all ten of us (six adults, four kids ranging in age from 2 to 7)--for Thanksgiving.

This is the second year of what I hope to be a very long tradition.

Naples is a beautiful part of Florida. It is in my considered opinion much nicer than the east coast which is quite a bit more crowded.

This trip represents an opportunity to charge the batteries before winter begins in earnest in CT and more important, it's a time to spend with family.

Where ever you may be, I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. I know I will.

Loving the GOP Meltdown

While I'm a registered Democrat, I do vote across party lines. I only registered in the democratic party because many years ago I wanted to participate in a Connecticut primary and I never bothered to change.

Having said that, I admit that I almost always vote democratic in national elections.

Even if you're not particularly interested in politics, it's impossible not to notice the struggles of republican party in trying to settle on a candidate to run against a very vulnerable Obama.

Rick Perry is a joke. Herman Cain is in way over his head and Michelle Bachmann is just plain crazy.

So what about the rising star of Newt Gringrich? He's a pathetic little weasel who, should he get the nomination, get torn apart by the democrats.

All this means Obama, in spite of his failings, vaults and vulnerabilities, could coast to reelection.

But there's a full year to go. Anything can happen.

Say it ain't so, Joe!

Legendary Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno, has been fired.

It's a shame that one of the most successful football coaches in history has to end his career in this way but Penn State did the right thing. He failed to take appropriate action in the face of reports and knowledge of the worse form of abuse there is.

What puzzles me--besides how he handled this--is the reaction of all those Penn State students rioting because he was fired! What are they thinking? Do they seriously condone the way he conducted himself? If so, this nation is in more trouble than I originally thought.

Shameful!

Back to normal

Early winter storm Alfred is long gone. Power (for most) has been restored. Internet, phone and TV up and running.

It's the start of a new week with sunshine and temperatures expected to reach into the 60s. In just 12 short days we'll be in sunny Naples, Fl for 10 days.

Spending the day with my two little buddies. Then later today two little sweeties coming over and staying over night.

Life is good, BUT don't think I'm going to stop bugging you in my Patch columns, CL&P! You've been dropping the ball big time. You need to clean up the trash in your front office.

Autumn storm Alfred

Here's a little quiz for you. What do you get when you combine a heavy, wet snowfall with trees that have been weakened by a hurricane and are still partly or in some cases fully in leaf?

Right! Limbs, branches and even whole trees crashing down everywhere--roads, houses, power lines, etc.

That's exactly what happened on Saturday, October 29th. By Sunday morning there was anywhere from 8" to over a foot of very wet snow on the ground--along with lots and lots of wood!

The storm crippled the entire state--especially the town where we live.

In fact as I write this there are still thousands of people in the dark.

The silver lining is our particular household did not lose power. That made it possible for my son and his family--wife and two little boys and their boxer--to stay with us.

I'm sure they can't wait to get back to their own house but I know that when they do, my wife and I are going to sit there wishing they were back!

My daughter and her family--son-in-law Mike, girls Brooke and Courtney and yellow lab Lacey--lost their power too. They stayed with us one day but for the rest of the time they were able to stay at Mike's brother's house.

One thing's for sure. We've become a nation reliant on electricity.

My question is why haven't the utilities made more of an effort to go around putting power lines in the ground so that at least some of this can be prevented in the future?

A very short, disappointing Autumn

Here it is not quite November yet and they're talking about snow--as much as 8"-starting tomorrow.

I just finished blowing a significant accumulation of leaves out of the driveway since a snow blower's biggest enemy is a mix of heavy, wet snow and leaves.

Generally, it's been a disappointing autumn here in Newtown, CT. Many leaves fell from the trees before they turned and the colors on those that stayed were not as vivid as usual.

Oak and beech leaves are the last to turn and fall. Right now they're pretty much at their height and look nice enough but not like past years.

The maple and birch trees have been bare for a long time now.

I think the problem is a combination of the hurricane and other heavy rain storms that hit our region in rapid succession.

So here it is, winter bearing down on us. At least the snow blower is serviced and running and I have an ample supply of wood with more waiting to be picked up but the usual fall cleanup will have to wait until spring. What a mess it's going to be!

Happy Halloween!

Coldest morning of the season

This morning the temperature in Newtown, CT was 35 degrees at 6:30 A.M.--the coldest morning of Autumn so far.

There are frost warnings for later in the week.

Thus far it has been a disappointing season.

Fall colors were not up to their usual standards. Many leaves have already fallen leaving all the maples and birches bare.

The Farmer's Almanac is calling for winter with below average temperature and precipitation. I hope they're wrong!

Another one of life's little annoyances

First, let me state unequivocally that I am very grateful for my good fortune. I am blessed beyond any expectations.

Yet...I like many of you are constantly encountering little annoyances here and there that tend to put a cloud over what would otherwise be a fine day.

Take this morning for example. Yesterday, first thing in the morning I called my doctor's office to make an appointment and arrange for blood work.

The secretary said she'd fax the blood work prescription to the lab so that when I showed up there it would be ready.

Past experience made me emphasize that I'd be going first thing in the morning (today) and please, please don't forget. Oh, no, Mr. Stockwell. As soon as I hang up I'll tend to it!

You guessed it! I get there this morning and surprise, surprise, no scrip from the doctor's office.

I left a short, terse message on their answering machine leaving no doubt that I was quite annoyed.

I'm not going to be able to get there now until Tuesday. I hope it gets there by then!

Back to being a student

I recall during my teaching days that I used to emphasize over and over again that my students could expect to be and should be life-long learners.

No one knows everything and in a changing world there's always something to be learned.

I don't just pay lip-service to that advice. I follow it myself.

Last night was the first class of an Adult Ed course I started on photography--a skill I hope to develop (excuse the pun).

I'm not only interested in photography. I also know I could be doing it better. I have an iPhoto library of about 2400 pictures and at least half of them could be much better shots.

The camera I have can be used in either auto mode where I do nothing or manual mode where I configure all of the settings as I see fit.

As I learned last night, my camera isn't a particularly good one--but it's good enough--for now.

This is about my 6th Adult Ed class. I've taken other classes on landscape architecture, Adobe PhotoShop and web design skills.

I've also taught Adult Ed--or as it's now fittingly called "Continuing Education".

It's a great, no pressure, inexpensive way to learn new things.

I've posted many pictures I've taken on my web site (georgeswebpage.com). There will be more. Check them out.

Three years and counting.

This being the third anniversary of my kidney surgery, the CT Scan and blood work results are in and all is well.

No more CT scans or contrast dye. For the next two years it will be a renal ultrasound and a simple chest XRay.

When I've reached 5 years out, I'll be officially released.

I'm one of the lucky ones (so far).

More lunacy from the right

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Baptist minister from Dallas, has started a firestorm on the right. His claim that Mitt Romney is not a Christian due to his Mormon faith is of course absurd.

Here's yet another example of far right, lunatic fringe thinking that we run into over and over again in politics.

Perry was of course right to quickly distance himself from the remark, but... It's that 'but' that's going to be his downfall. Moderate republicans don't like the 'fringe' any more than the rest of us.

These people are the most dangerous force in this country today. They will use every opportunity to jam their religion down our throats and think nothing of labeling those who resist as evil sinners.

The media needs to stop giving them a voice. Ignore them. They won't go away but at least they won't be bothering us any more.