Oh, I've left lots of marks. It's not even about being remembered so much as it is about history. It's not totally about my name, it's about these events need to be remembered. Future historians are gonna need them. (Well, probably not mine - but just in case.)
I've got a Ph.D in the STEM field. In order to get our doctorate, we must do new research that "forwards the art" and is sound. It's also supposed to be useful. So, I've got published research. I've got time as a freelance journalist. I've got lots of journals, both research and personal, going back decades.
I have kids but my kids too awesome to have come from me. LOL Somehow, despite my best efforts, they're health and productive adults - they're even happy. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but they have done well.
Your eldest is 7, right?
And nothing is too personal with me. I'm pretty much exactly what you see. Judge away. I'm happy with who I am. Your history does explain your views a bit. A lovely family is awesome.
If I can give some unsolicited advice:
Don't let that family slip away. I've seen it before. It takes work, love, and dedication. But, it's lovely when they grow up healthy, happy, productive, and loving you in return. I still beam when my daughter hugs and kisses me, then bitches about my hair and beard. ;-)
I don't see them enough, which kind of sucks. But, that's the way life goes and they have their lives to lead.
Buddha your advice is always welcome I almost view you like a former father figure I lost(not my father I lost him long long ago believe it or not he is still alive just a sociopath) He was a older guy that gave me advice and I fixed his computers I never charged him but he always insisted on paying me. I took care of his wifes technology needs even though I had to drive eight hours to get to her when she moved until she passed. That guy made me who I am and you seem to be almost as wise as he was, and apparently at least as generous as you have invited me and my family into your home with out even meeting me, or my rowdy children for that matter.
That all being said my family my daughters and soon hopefully son (fingers crossed knock on wood it has to be a boy this time damnit) are more important to me than anything else, I have NO idea what life has in store for us at this point. Job uncertainty found this site all that life is up in the air like crazy we may not even stay in michigan. However no matter what I will take care of those girls(my wife included) they are everything too me. I was just thinking the other night I don't read enough books to my girls so I started reading them 2 books every day, its been about 3 days but I plan to keep doing it. So I get it. Also my oldest is 5 she will be 6 on the 15th and I could not be more excited. 6 years old she will probably be really reading this year how awesome is that!
I never got the chance to get a degree although I wanted one I thought the price tag made it a scam not one I could have afforded anyway. I was on my own at 16 and college was out of the question I had to work. I got my certs and started a company(it took a while as it turns out no one wants to trust a 17 year old with their business network) I managed to put my wife through a few years of college but she didn't finish. I do love learning and have always strived to stay educated as much as possible. I think I am rambling at this point so I'll leave it off here and if you want to know more feel free to ask.
Oh, sorry... Novella warning. That last one was long.
One of the secret reasons I also write is that I sometimes hope there's something people can take away from the stories I share.
And yeah, you'd not be the first people from the 'net to come to my house. You'd not even be the last. The pattering of little feet and the sounds of broken glass don't make me cringe.
Remember, I had two kids. I was the sole custodial parent. My kids were monsters. How they grew up to be adults is beyond me.
This may be a bit early a story to share, but it may never be early enough.
Also, I was dirt poor. My dad was a career Marine and my mother didn't work. Yeah... They did instill a lot of values - such as hard work and a desire to learn. So, I found a way to pay for school. Grad school was actually harder to pay for - as the GI Bill covered the first four years.
That's not important, what is important is this:
My daughter, at the age of 14, stole my car. She and some of her friends were to meet some boys at a convenience store across town. She stole my car.
They totaled my car. They crashed it into a ditch - long before they even got to the store to meet said boys. What they were going to do when they met said boys is still unknown, I didn't ask.
I got a tow, dealt with the parents, and she somehow managed to talk me out of calling the cops on her. I was livid. Somehow, she worked her magic, and talked me out of calling the cops. It involved tears, claims of lessons learned, and other things.
I'd already stopped picking her up when she fell over. I'd also never just walked over and pushed her down. So, I took her at her word and didn't call the cops.
Today, she's a real doctor. I'm just a mathematician, but she's a pediatrician who works on a children's trauma/ICU ward at a sort of famous east coast hospital. That's the little girl that didn't get the cops called on her when she stole my fucking car!!!
Forgiveness and trust goes a long ways. A hand up is harder than a push down, when someone's already on their knees and wobbling. I'm pretty sure she's still grounded, I think I grounded her until she was 60. I'm positive she still owes me money for the car. She, and her friends, painted my house - which still doesn't cover my car.
Which leads me to this...
I can't invite you without allowing your kids to come. I'm sure they're delightful monsters. I do have some pricey things, and things that can't be replaced, but most everything can be touched. Otherwise, it'll be out of their reach. That's my responsibility. If I leave something down and a kid does what a kid does, that's my fault.
You can't put a $10,000 guitar on the stand in the living room and say, "Don't touch it." I can put a cheap Fender acoustic and they can beat the hell out of it. I ain't scared. Kids make noise. That's what they do. They break stuff. They get into stuff. They also tell horrible lies, sometimes. Don't ever ask 'em "Why did you do that?" NO! Don't ask that question.
Even if they know why they did it, it won't make sense. It's just best to move on.
Shit, I'll dig out extra tambourines, bongos, and all sorts of other things to make noise. I used to set my kids down in the kitchen and give them wooden spoons and pots and pans to bang on. Kids aren't meant to be quiet.
If they're old enough, there's a farm they can visit. There's blueberries they can harvest and eat. There's ATVs they can ride on (with an adult driver) and appropriate sized head-gear for all riders. I have a nice collection of helmet sizes. If it's winter, I also have a small variety of heated snowmobile suits, snowshoes, and some cross-country skis. I even have DSL bandwidth (two lines) and you can even still check on this site.
The invite is there, but the question is logistics. When it a good time for all of us? I'm pretty booked but can move shit aside to make room for guests. I do warn you, you'll have a hard time leaving. I've been told I should run a bed and breakfast, but I don't need money - nor do I want to have to provide service to everyone who knocks. Really, it's hard to leave. Maine is beautiful and I've got a pretty nice spot.
Look carefully!
https://imgoat.com/uploads/45147dee72/115768.JPG
Tree bones, from a fall ago:
https://imgoat.com/uploads/45147dee72/115769.JPG
There be trout in here:
Oh believe me, come the end of summer if I still have a job, I'll be taking a week and coming out. Seems too good an opportunity too pass up. Beautiful things to see and exciting lessons to learn, maybe even learn a thing or two about playing a guitar. at this point my daughters are better than I am. Even if I don't have a job(I have enough to pay for this site for a few months while I find another) I'll try and make it out. Even if its just for a day or two I want to see that mountain.
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