Mom's stories

Mom, we have a book with Dad's stories. Why not write a story from your own childhood here once a week, say every Sunday afternoon, so we can all have them as well....

Gods Hairy Children

You guys remember I lost my sweet Wunky over a year ago, but I've missed him so much since. I decided to take in two oldsters named Chippe and Birdie and foster them. They were dropped off at the pound in the overnight box, they are both 8 and have lived together for years so they need to be adopted out together. They were put in a kennel owned by a lady who works with Paws and Prayers (the shelter I foster for once in a while) because no foster home was available. I felt so bad for these two old timers to be homeless in a noisy kennel and plus Im a sucker for dogs in sweaters, so Im off to buy two more Christmas stockings for the newbies. Im very excited and am picking them up tonight to get them all settled and comfy before Monday. I've included their pictures at the kennel for you to see, I'll add more when they are all settled and wearing their santa hats. I figure since they like clothes hats might be ok too! tee hee

diverticulosis attack. PAINFUL!

You must permit a proud Father his moment of reflected glory. Last night at the Parsippany High School Football banquet, Joe won the most improved Freshman player award. This is no small thing. It is the award the coaches value most. Three boys were given it this year. There was no MVP award.

No one knew who would win the Freshman award, but as the coach described what this player had done to deserve the award, the players quietly began to whisper Joe's name among themselves while the reality dawned on speechless, embarrassed Joe. The coaches were all nodding their heads and grinning in affirmation of everything that Joe had achieved during the year, and the team heartily applauded and congratulated Joe as he went up to the podium to receive his award. It was awesome. I'm sure Joe will never forget that night.

Melanie and I are deeply thankful for everything God has done in Joe's life. In 6th grade at the Christian school in Nutley, he was personally devastated by rascism, hypocricy and violence, all while the clueless asst. principal tried to brow beat him into taking the blame, essentially for being a white kid. This was a confusing and very painful time for Joe and for us. We eventually took him out of there before finishing school, feeling that his very identity was at risk. The aforementioned asst. principal informed us of his belief that Joe's troubles will follow him into the evil public school. I nearly slugged him. What we had hoped to avoid from the urban NJ public schools ( fights, youth-race gangs, and bad academics ) Joe endured in the Christian school, What we hoped to experience in the Christian school ( personal safety, mentoring and high academics ) we have discovered aplenty in the public school. I cannot say how proud and thankful I am.

Yes, I do claim him.

Tonight the Cub Scouts had to give a three minute speech as part of their Communication Badge requirements. The other fellows chose skateboarding, sports, drum lessons...you know, normal stuff. Will's topic of choice? Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague. Too much History Channel!

The Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya

My dream is to go here someday guys!

The Giraffe Manor is an elegant, personally hosted, small and exclusive hotel, famous for its resident herd of giraffe. The Giraffe Manor offers a rich blend of welcoming accommodation, highly trained and friendly staff, as well as one of Nairobi's finest kitchens.

Travellers from all over the world now make The Giraffe Manor part of their East African safari, the only place in the world where you can enjoy the breathtaking experience of feeding and photographing the giraffe over the breakfast table and at the front door.


The Giraffe Manor is surrounded by 140 acres of indigenous forest just outside Kenya's capital, Nairobi. As well as the giraffe, the property is also home to many species of birds, large families of warthogs and the elusive Bush Buck.


© Giraffe Manor telephone +254 (0)20 891 078, fax +254 (0)20 890 949, email giraffe@giraffemanor.com

Yes, I did find something way back the railroad tracks, but it wasn't a mine. It was the handmade cistern at an old homestead, made of small stones, that appears when the water recedes. I was walking back the railroad tracks, about 1/2 mile before the trestle where the small little bays and coves begin to emerge, when I saw to my right what is usually a sort of island with trees and vines etc. I walked over to it on dry ground ( about this time of year I think ) and something told me to get a stick and feel my way through the vines. Sure enough I poked through the vines into emptiness. I removed the vines carefully so I wouldn't fall and discovered a cistern about 8 feet deep and 5 feet across. I explored further and found the foundation of the old house as well. It was really quite a find. If I had fallen in, I would have been lost for a while before someone ( hopefully ) found me. Although the opportunity to eat my pork chop at home would have slowed the search efforts for a few days I am sure.