Everybody talks about it -- as have I, previously in this blog -- about what it is like when the last of your children goes off to college.
I was too lazy to do the research, plus I have no great love for birds, so I won't delve here into why it's been referred to as the empty nest syndrome, rather, than say, empty cave. But when it's just you and your spouse left at home, it is a big change -- especially when you've had at least one kid at home for 26 years.
This happened to us last August, when daughter Megan went off to William & Mary. That made two in college -- son Dan had transferred to nearby George Mason University but was living in an off-campus apartment -- and the other two, Dave and Katie, have been gone for a long time now.
It wasn't till this past week of ridiculous, historic snow in the Northern Virginia-Washington, D.C. area that the empty nest thing really hit home for me.
We've been enjoying our time together, going on trips to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon, taking last-minute day-cations to historic sites and wineries -- and just being the two of us. I have no doubt that will contineu to be true.
But suddenly having no kid at home to help shovel the snow, or to huddle with when the power went out, or to jump in and play a game of Monopoly to pass the time, I was struck as not before what it's like to be kid-less.
Mary and I did just fine -- with wine and cheese and a candlelight game of Scrabble while the power (and heat) were off Saturday for about five hours. In a way, it was even kind of romantic.
But it seemed so strange to be facing this bizarre winter tsunami without any of our kids there to experience it with us.
And it was no fun looking at those huge piles of snow and knowing it was all on us to deal with it.
We did -- Mary is a world-class shoveler and I'm not bad either -- but I have to admit I missed the help, and the kidding back and forth -- that used to be part of the storm dig-out process.
And I realized that that's they way it's always going to be from here on.
I know, I know. I'm a little slow and should have figured this all out before now.
But I didn't. Now I have.
I'm not sure I'm glad about that.
Later.
2.09.2010
2.03.2010
This and that -- TGIF! version (Thank goodness its February!)
It snowed again last night and it's apparently REALLY going to snow this weekend.
Ah, nothing like living in the sunny South.
Even long-time Virginians I've spoken to the past month or so agree this is more snow than they ever remember seeing.
Oldest son Dave came for a visit last weekend from Hoboken, N.J. and wound up shoveling snow. When he got back to N.J., the sidewalks and streets were all snow-free.
Ah, nothing like visiting the sunny South.
But enough griping about snow for now. There is good news.
It's February.
That, all by itself, is a positive.
That and the fact that it is no longer January.
With all due respect to my sister and friends who were born the first month of the year, January is without question my pick for worst month of the year.
You get past the moments after midnight celebrating the start of a new year, and all you've got staring you in the face are 31 days of cold days with snow, gray skies, single-digit wind-chill factors and ... well ... that's about it.
February brings the hope of baseball's spring training -- unless you are a Mets fans this year.
It brings those occasional teasing 50-degree days.
It brings Presidents Day weekend and Valentine's Day.
This year, it brings excitement for the George Mason University baseball season for us, as son Dan has made the transition from the Division III College of New Jersey to this successful Division I program.
Not that February doesn't also bring a lot of cold and snow and single-digit wind chill factors.
But it is a month of hope, of light and warmth up ahead.
It's not May or June -- my two favorite months if you're keeping score -- but it's a zillion times better than its predecessor.
Later.
Ah, nothing like living in the sunny South.
Even long-time Virginians I've spoken to the past month or so agree this is more snow than they ever remember seeing.
Oldest son Dave came for a visit last weekend from Hoboken, N.J. and wound up shoveling snow. When he got back to N.J., the sidewalks and streets were all snow-free.
Ah, nothing like visiting the sunny South.
But enough griping about snow for now. There is good news.
It's February.
That, all by itself, is a positive.
That and the fact that it is no longer January.
With all due respect to my sister and friends who were born the first month of the year, January is without question my pick for worst month of the year.
You get past the moments after midnight celebrating the start of a new year, and all you've got staring you in the face are 31 days of cold days with snow, gray skies, single-digit wind-chill factors and ... well ... that's about it.
February brings the hope of baseball's spring training -- unless you are a Mets fans this year.
It brings those occasional teasing 50-degree days.
It brings Presidents Day weekend and Valentine's Day.
This year, it brings excitement for the George Mason University baseball season for us, as son Dan has made the transition from the Division III College of New Jersey to this successful Division I program.
Not that February doesn't also bring a lot of cold and snow and single-digit wind chill factors.
But it is a month of hope, of light and warmth up ahead.
It's not May or June -- my two favorite months if you're keeping score -- but it's a zillion times better than its predecessor.
Later.
1.25.2010
Wait till next year -- but now there is hope
OK, yes the J-E-T-S blew it yesterday. They had the lead, then let it slip away in the AFC title game with the Colts.
I'm a little surprised by this, but for some reason, I don't feel all that badly about it.
Considering how far they -- and their rookie coach and quarterback -- came this year, for the first time in Lord knows how long, Jets fans can actually feel good about the future.
So now it's time to pull for the Saints in the Super Bowl, and to enjoy the fact that at least Brett Farve didn't make the Super Bowl either.
That interception late in regulation, by the way, was so reminiscent of how Farve played for the Jets at the end of last season.
Coming into next season, the Jets know they are set at QB with Mark Sanchez who greatly matured as the season and the playoffs wore on.
They know they have a coach who showed he knows how to lead them.
Their defense, despite their disappointing performance in the second half on Sunday, is solid. One more strong cornerback, perhaps a little more help on the D-line, and another big-play receiver would help. But I like the way we stand.
And with Leon Washington and Kris Jenkins back from injury next season, they could be even better -- assuming the unit stays otherwise healthy.
So thanks, Jets, for a great, fun run. And now let's get the Saints that long-awaited Super Bowl victory.
Later.
I'm a little surprised by this, but for some reason, I don't feel all that badly about it.
Considering how far they -- and their rookie coach and quarterback -- came this year, for the first time in Lord knows how long, Jets fans can actually feel good about the future.
So now it's time to pull for the Saints in the Super Bowl, and to enjoy the fact that at least Brett Farve didn't make the Super Bowl either.
That interception late in regulation, by the way, was so reminiscent of how Farve played for the Jets at the end of last season.
Coming into next season, the Jets know they are set at QB with Mark Sanchez who greatly matured as the season and the playoffs wore on.
They know they have a coach who showed he knows how to lead them.
Their defense, despite their disappointing performance in the second half on Sunday, is solid. One more strong cornerback, perhaps a little more help on the D-line, and another big-play receiver would help. But I like the way we stand.
And with Leon Washington and Kris Jenkins back from injury next season, they could be even better -- assuming the unit stays otherwise healthy.
So thanks, Jets, for a great, fun run. And now let's get the Saints that long-awaited Super Bowl victory.
Later.
1.15.2010
Haiti
Having spent the past three days immersed as one of the editors involved with USA TODAY'S coverage of the devastating earthquake, it's hard to think about anything else.
The stories and photos and videos emerging from Port-au-Prince are so tragic and disturbing. None of us can begin to imagine what it is like, how much life the quake has taken and how long the road to recovery will be.
For every story of heroism and miraculous discovery of a loved one who has somehow survived, there are many more stories of devastation, death and despair.
I commend to you our stories from today, which do a good job capturing snapshots of what life is like in this island nation now, and how much help is needed and is already flowing in.
Here are a few links:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-01-14-haiti-cover_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-01-14-haiti-usa_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/sharing/2010-01-14-Haiti-donations_N.htm
The third link is to the most hopeful story, about the enormous amount of money coming in from all sectors.
There are any number of ways to contribute. here is our currently list in case you are still looking for the best one:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/kindness/post/2010/01/how-to-help-victims-of-the-haiti-earthquake/1
This is one of those no-option situations, in my opinion. Any contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.
These people, already among the world's poorest, need every bit of our help and prayers.
One last thing. I cannot believe the nonsense about this tragedy that have flowed from the mouths of evangelist Pat Robertson and radio's Rush Limbaugh. if you haven't heard about their idiocy, here is one last link to make you wonder why they have any followers at all.
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/nation/pat-robertson-rush-limbaugh-draw-fire-over-haiti-remarks
Later.
The stories and photos and videos emerging from Port-au-Prince are so tragic and disturbing. None of us can begin to imagine what it is like, how much life the quake has taken and how long the road to recovery will be.
For every story of heroism and miraculous discovery of a loved one who has somehow survived, there are many more stories of devastation, death and despair.
I commend to you our stories from today, which do a good job capturing snapshots of what life is like in this island nation now, and how much help is needed and is already flowing in.
Here are a few links:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-01-14-haiti-cover_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-01-14-haiti-usa_N.htm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/sharing/2010-01-14-Haiti-donations_N.htm
The third link is to the most hopeful story, about the enormous amount of money coming in from all sectors.
There are any number of ways to contribute. here is our currently list in case you are still looking for the best one:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/kindness/post/2010/01/how-to-help-victims-of-the-haiti-earthquake/1
This is one of those no-option situations, in my opinion. Any contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.
These people, already among the world's poorest, need every bit of our help and prayers.
One last thing. I cannot believe the nonsense about this tragedy that have flowed from the mouths of evangelist Pat Robertson and radio's Rush Limbaugh. if you haven't heard about their idiocy, here is one last link to make you wonder why they have any followers at all.
http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/nation/pat-robertson-rush-limbaugh-draw-fire-over-haiti-remarks
Later.
1.07.2010
A touch of procrastination
I thought I might do it on Jan. 1. I was off with little to do but flip between college bowl games that I didn't care much about.
Then I figured I'd at least get around to it over the weekend of Jan. 2-3. But again, I put it off for no particular reason.
So here I am -- at least still within the first week of 2010 -- putting words to this blog.
I've decided this year that big resolutions with big goals don't make a whole lot of sense.
It's the little things you adjust that really matter -- as long as those things are for the better.
Little things are easier to track and remember, I think.
For example, I decided the first day back to work I was going to say hello to a few people I too often just breezed by on the way to my desk each morning.
Like the security guard at the front desk.
And the early morning web page guy.
So far, so good. As of today I'm 4-for-4, and each time I walk in I have remembered I want to be sure to say hello. They seem to like it. At least they've said hello or good morning back.
I also decided I wanted to pay attention to the money I spend on unnecessary things. So each time I take Route 7 to and from work and avoid the toll road, I am marking down in a little book the $1.50 in tolls I save each way. I am also keeping track of all the days that I bring my lunch instead of buying it, all the times I make myself a cup of tea or coffee at work (it's free) instead of buying something and all the times I make myself a cup of ice water instead of plunking $1.25 into the soda and water bottle machine.
It adds up. First three days I figured I saved $12.75.
Of course, I continue to make sure I walk every day or at least ride the exercise bike in the basement when it is too cold. I'm on a 10-day in a row streak since Dec. 29. (Yea! An early start.)
And, as usual in January, I am eating better, having a few less glasses of wine and generally taking better care of myself.
I dropped about 30 pounds last year and hope to drop more this year. The key, I have learned long after so many other smart people, is that taking it one day at a time is the only way to succeed.
Long-term goals and big plans are less effective for me, I have found.
Still, I do have a few larger ones.
To find new volunteer opportunities.
To get back into the freelance writing market and try to break into doing voice overs now that I've had the training and done a demo.
To spend as much time enjoying family and friends as I can.
And to not let weeks go by before I put a few thoughts down on this blog my daughter Megan created for me last Father's Day.
For now though, I'll drink water, avoid the donuts that are sitting on the counter and plan to take Route 7 home to save another $1.50.
Later.
Then I figured I'd at least get around to it over the weekend of Jan. 2-3. But again, I put it off for no particular reason.
So here I am -- at least still within the first week of 2010 -- putting words to this blog.
I've decided this year that big resolutions with big goals don't make a whole lot of sense.
It's the little things you adjust that really matter -- as long as those things are for the better.
Little things are easier to track and remember, I think.
For example, I decided the first day back to work I was going to say hello to a few people I too often just breezed by on the way to my desk each morning.
Like the security guard at the front desk.
And the early morning web page guy.
So far, so good. As of today I'm 4-for-4, and each time I walk in I have remembered I want to be sure to say hello. They seem to like it. At least they've said hello or good morning back.
I also decided I wanted to pay attention to the money I spend on unnecessary things. So each time I take Route 7 to and from work and avoid the toll road, I am marking down in a little book the $1.50 in tolls I save each way. I am also keeping track of all the days that I bring my lunch instead of buying it, all the times I make myself a cup of tea or coffee at work (it's free) instead of buying something and all the times I make myself a cup of ice water instead of plunking $1.25 into the soda and water bottle machine.
It adds up. First three days I figured I saved $12.75.
Of course, I continue to make sure I walk every day or at least ride the exercise bike in the basement when it is too cold. I'm on a 10-day in a row streak since Dec. 29. (Yea! An early start.)
And, as usual in January, I am eating better, having a few less glasses of wine and generally taking better care of myself.
I dropped about 30 pounds last year and hope to drop more this year. The key, I have learned long after so many other smart people, is that taking it one day at a time is the only way to succeed.
Long-term goals and big plans are less effective for me, I have found.
Still, I do have a few larger ones.
To find new volunteer opportunities.
To get back into the freelance writing market and try to break into doing voice overs now that I've had the training and done a demo.
To spend as much time enjoying family and friends as I can.
And to not let weeks go by before I put a few thoughts down on this blog my daughter Megan created for me last Father's Day.
For now though, I'll drink water, avoid the donuts that are sitting on the counter and plan to take Route 7 home to save another $1.50.
Later.
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