Pulling Deep Down from the Pensive

This week began the segmented essay for English 226 and I had writers block, I just could not think of anything to talk about.  So, I just started writing, not knowing where I would go.  I started writing about my grandparents and my family working at my grandparents farm.  Ended up bringing back memories that really took a toll on me emotionally.  Assignment draft finished on time, but  I’m still hurting over what I guess I had buried for awhile that being how much I miss my grandmother.  She died eight years ago the three days after my Dad passed away.  Grief is a funny thing, for I know now that my grief for my Dad, I worked through, but not for my Granny.  Next week during Thanksgiving, I plan on visiting her grave and take some flowers.  She loved daisies the most.  They are a common flower for such a remarkable women, she never had fancy clothes, she sewed her own, nor any jewelry other than a plain wedding band, it wasn’t her style.  The family bought her a circlet broach with all the grandchildren's birth stones that she wore on special holidays.  She was proud of it not for its monetary value, but because of what it represented, her accomplishment for bringing us, her grandchildren, into the world.

I apologize for being so melancholy, but my grandmother told me many times, when we were alone working together on the farm that I  wore my feelings on my sleeve for everyone to see.  Thank you, Granny for helping me, be me.

Not the Last Pensive

This blog is the last for my English 226 creative writing class hoorah; however, I have enjoyed doing it so much that I plan to continue.  Before creating this blog I thought it would be difficult, but turned out to be simple.  I am thinking I might learn how to tweet, and create a MySpace page…Oh my! 

In another class I had to create a sonnet about LSUS, so here it is:

At LSU Shreveport I doth attend
A devotion to reading, writing, and thought
Sweaty brow furrowed to comprehend
Seeking better employment to pay for that bought
Comparing dates, long past, to present in history
Hoping one day to teach and fill young minds
Finding turning points by others a mystery
To paddle not misbehaved teenage behinds
Spending my time at LSU Shreveport
To endeavor to learn more each day
Seeking knowledge and things of import
In hopes of earning a higher pay
My goal to graduate at LSUS
To earn my degree will make my success

I wish everyone that has followed my blog best wishes and may God bless you in all your endeavors……….

Pulling from the Pensive

This week started with me having 18 shots in my mid-to-lower part of my back.  The lumbar in my back have degenerated over the years, and the shots are part of a procedure to see if the nerves that come from my spine can be burned (severed) to alleviate my pain for 4 to 6 months.  This weeks test was unsuccessful and I will have another next week. I have  been on heavy pain relievers, and still am.  Please forgive me if my writing goes wild!

I am not trying to make this weeks blog so negative, but it seems that I am headed in that direction.  My wife and I went to see “The Fourth Kind,” which was somewhat entertaining.  I you liked “The Blair Witch,” and the new “Paranormal Activity,” you will probably enjoy seeing it. I am a SyFy buff, I watch “Sanctuary” and “Star gate Universe”.

My yard has a bunch of leaves that have fallen and I plan to rack them and put them in my compost pill.  I love today’s weather especially after getting so much rain in the past week.  I have some pecans that have fallen, but not many.  The rain prevents them from drying in the shell and makes them hard to pick out and the taste not as robust as I like.  Ben, my son, lost there game last night, so he is down in the dumps.  Until next week…

Select Pensive

Last blog I spoke of studying for my upcoming test for CISSP on Halloween day.  I have been allowed to reschedule until January 2010, thank goodness.  I have been working no less than 12 to 14 hour days this past week.  My birthday is today, nothing special planned just hopefully study time:)

I will be working the concession stand for my Son’s football game this coming Friday at Riverdale Academy.  I enjoy working this.  I like meeting the other parents & helping to make money for the school.  My Son did very well the past nine weeks on his school work.  He is in 8th grade and I give him $20 for every A and $10 for every B, as incentive.  

I continually look for ways to improve my organizational skills, whether it is a new gadget or changing the way I do things.  In "The Quest for the Perfect Morning Routine," there are some good tips for managing our day-to-day lives.  If you have the time check-it-out.  Until next week…

Pensive Thoughts Abound

It is Monday for me and I am trying to get my blog in early, so I can concentrate on my upcoming CISSP (see earlier posting for info).  The test is at the Regency in Houston where I will stay the night before the six hour exam at the hotel.  It is hard working full time and going to school part time, and trying to get ready for this test.  My wife and I ate Chinese food today for lunch and my fortune cookie said, “Stop looking for adventure, for it will find you.”  I was not certain if this is a good thing are not, because I need to find some down time sooner than later.

My work has not been very enjoyable, lately.   The person that is supposed to train me has been out on convalescent leave for the past three weeks.  Things that go wrong and questions that I get asked do not have solutions and I am the one that everyone expects to have the answers.  It is like a slow drain in a kitchen sink.  I keep everything held-up awaiting this individuals return with the waters pressure weighing on my back & shoulders.  It is very frustrating and I contemplate retirement almost daily, especially of late.  I try to be optimistic and say things will get better…but it may not.

My wife and I want to start looking for a home out in the country, where we can get away from the excitement of the Bossier City.  There is a place that a coworker says has 24 acres with 2 stocked ponds.  The owner did deer hunt there, but he died and his wife wants to sale it.  It sounds very promising.  We would have to build our house though and I am not sure how much this will cost.

Well until next time……smiles, with a wave of my hat <):0 

Follow-up to Previous Pensive

If you read my last blog, you will remember that my Son wanted a mohawk haircut for his home coming football game.  The jury is in and my wife & I will not let him this year.  As my wife says, “He needs to be told no, sometimes”.  Yes, he does, which I do let him get his way to often.  He still has five years before he graduates, so maybe next year.

I am glad midterms are over at LSUS, but reprehensive about how I did.  My Son, Ben played Claiborne high school last night and won, which means that they will go on to compete in the play-0ffs for state.  Riverdale Academy is a 1A school.  He is only in the 8th grade.  I look back and can still remember holding him in my arms not so long ago.

I will retire in 1 year & 8 months and Ben will still have 2 years to go before he graduates.  He will begin eligibility for TOPS next year and hopefully he will continue making A’s and this will help me with the expenses for his college years.  I have not mentioned it before, but I am married to a wonderful woman.  She does have a lot of medical problems that keep her from working and she mostly stays in bed.

Additional Pensive

Here I sit today at my oldest son’s house, trying to finish up a midterm paper, which is due tonight by midnight. I have two grandsons.  The oldest is three years and the youngest is three months.  My wife and I are enjoying our sitting duty, while our daughter-in-law is host a baby shower for a friend.

My eldest watched “Nemo,” this morning and colored in his “Cars” coloring book.  He is taking a nap, while I type this.  My oldest, Zachary work the graveyard shift and is trying to sleep.  I do love my grandsons, but I do remember why I did not go to school to finish.  It is almost impossible.

On the subject parenting my youngest son, Ben.  He attends Riverdale Academy, and wanted to get a mohawk-haircut for the schools homecoming football game.  My wife refused to allow him this.  I on the other hand, thought this would be ok.  I think the reason for this is that while I went through military basic training my hair was all cut off.  The purpose for it is to break individual identity, and establish group cohesiveness.  The jury is still out on the haircut.