So Many Helpful Folks Out There

Reflect, if you will,  on your journey and the 'changing' sales-pitches, which came your way over the years?  When my wife and I first married, we had a number of insurance sales people contact us to tell us how we needed the obvious; auto coverage, health insurance and life insurance...remember those days? Soon someone was at my door wanting to explain how I needed an IRA and college savings programs for the baby.
When the kids were married & gone, the hawkers figure I deserved a reward so I began getting all kinds of offers to purchase some great property in the Arkansas woods; I could now plan for retirement.  A plethora of ocean cruise opportunities came for a number of years.


When I reached age sixty-five, I began getting all kinds of 'internment' offerings. My wife and I finally 'made' those life-ending plans. We did so for two reasons: First, we wished not for our children to be left with this responsibility and expenses and secondly, it is depressing to continue to get telemarketing calls reminding me that time is 'running-out.' Meanwhile, that actor guy, Fred Thompson keeps sending me mail telling me that I should consider a 'reverse-home-mortgage.' He claims that it's a great deal that began with Ronnie Reagan. Then there's two gals (Heather and Rachael) who keep telephoning telling me that they got a good deal on credit-card consolidation.
If you're ever near Decatur stop for a backyard swing-chat. Don't come THIS weekend, we have free a room at a Peoria casino; great offer...I spend money gambling and eating and they let me sleep there two nights!

'Don't Worry; Be Happy'--SURE!

Anxiety is a compelling word. I recognize my share and various anxieties during my journey. I still have some of those demons today, which cause anxious moments. I fought those parental anxieties and when I thought that time passed I welcomed grandkids to my world; crank up the anxiety. There was always anxious times coaching basketball teams in communities with high expectations of winning. I think that the only time I was never anxious in the sports' arena was when I took the mound as a baseball pitcher...I was 'in control.'


I suppose we all yearn for the day when we are emancipated from that mental-anxiety-bondages. I will continue to 'reach' for my personal freedoms yet I am captive to the ties of family love, which denies many of those liberties. I believe that only the lonely escape anxiety; who wishes to make that trade??

It's an Investment Thing

My wife and I are blessed with 15-grandkids and two great grandkids. I mean God has richly blessed us. All the off springs are strong of mind and body with apparent wonderful potential. I praise God daily for 'those' greatest blessings that we all wish and hope for our children but are incapable of securing. My hope is that the youngsters will one day realize these special gifts and seek opportunities to serve others in God's name.


I acknowledge that my grandkids are likely very much like most other grandkids; a little pampered and a tad bit self-centered. Some of those kids are very respectful to others while a few struggle mastering that trait. I truly love each child and pray and pull for them in their respective journeys.
My problem, well one of many, is I tend to 'preach' to the grandkids more than other grandparents. This likely places me in the rear when it comes to the 'grandpa' kids most like to be 'around.' So be it; whereas I intend to work on overcoming some of my problems, this scrutinizing and preaching to grandkids is one area I refuse to compromise. I wish to challenge those I love to reach out, push and be all they might be.

Thanks for the Love

I suppose that during my coaching career, I coached over 400 basketball players. As the years pass, I would lose contact with most of those players as they pursued their careers, married and raised families. perhaps a couple of dozen stayed in contact with Christmas cards and an occasional telephone call.
It always delights me to hear from one of my 'guys.' You can imagine my shear joy this Friday past when my cell phone rang and a voice at the other end said, "Coach, it's 'Hot Chocolate' and I am standing on your front porch in Decatur; where are you?" I was returning from another community where my grandson was playing in a baseball tournament.


'Hot Chocolate' is Michael Hammonds, a member of our 1976 Edwardsville high school State Basketball Team. Today, Michael lives in Houston, Texas. Michael got the nickname 'Hot Chocolate' from the singing group of the same name, which had a hit song, "You Sexy Thing" back in 1976. That song was constantly sung by Michael throughout the season; it became our team's rallying song, if you will. I am sure that anytime one of those 55-year old former players hear that tune (today) they pause and smile with wonderful recollections.


The special thing about that '76 team, aside from breaking a 20-year drought to make the 'Sweet 16" was that team's genuine respect, appreciation and caring for each other; an unusual trademark found in prep boys' basketball teams. It was Michael 'Hot Chocolate' who epitomized the group's up-beat personality. Michael was not the leading scorer nor the leading rebound guy but many 'Tigers' fans would make a case that Michael could be considered as an MVP candidate. We never 'started' Michael. It may sound corny or insincere but Michael was too valuable coming off the bench...the reasons: speed, defense and a guaranteed contagious spirited passion in his up-tempo play!


'Hot Chocolate, thanks for the effort and contribution back in the day and from the bottom of an old coach's heart God Bless you for giving the warmth of your love and respect. Michael, you should know that when I said goodbye to you in the front yard, I then walked into the house to see my wife and forty-seven year old daughter with tears in their eyes...you struck a nerve and touched hearts.

Considering A Thought

I notice that time spent recalling negative events of the past and mean spirited people tends to rob me of the potential in today's joy.
 I am much better served remembering the nurturing foundations in my life and do what I may to be that recollection for those who follow.

Don't Give In

I am convinced that aging brings on some degree of depression. Why not; our 'pill' box gets bigger, our personal calendar is inundated with doctors' appointment notations and no matter where we go we first scope out restroom location. Then there is that issue of the overwhelming feeling of  'fading' relevancy; we seem to feel that we 'count' less in the larger scheme.
Please don't lose your spirit and throw in the towel because there is hope. You just need to look for new outlets and new challenges and it doesn't hurt to substitute for something lost. Here's what works for me: A little over a year ago, I began cooking. Today, I prepare most of the meals for my wife and I as well as any guests. I love the cooking-activity and its accompanying new challenges. I am not talking hamburgers on the grill. Can you spell gourmet foods? My daughters are now asking 'me' for recipes...see, I recaptured relevancy! Oh, that 'substitute thing>> I bought a power washer hose-nozzle and recaptured THAT stronger stream!
I'd like to say more but I must stop and cook breakfast for a couple of grandkids and then I need to 'hose-down' the driveway.

Lost In The 21st Century

Recently, I had a computer  guru come to my home and set up a printer, cleanup my laptop and checkout my security. I am totally 'lost' when it comes to negotiating the Internet waters. Actually, I get derailed if the machine has more 'moving-parts' than a banana.


I will not make cry-baby excuses because I should get off my butt and take a computer course. I rationalize not taking such a course by saying, "Well, I only do email, write a blog and search the Internet." I must confess that I am a product of those days when you purchased a 'black & white' television, brought it home and plugged it into the electrical outlet. You turned the on-off knob and enjoyed a choice of three channels. Of course you also purchased 'rabbit ears' (antenna) and attached it to two screws in the back of the TV set. Then you went to the kitchen and got two strips of aluminum foil to wrap around the antenna...BINGO, Friday, Gillette boxing, Saturday morning cowboy shows and week day afternoon, Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Life was simple and believe me, television programs were a  hellava lot better.


A few months ago, I purchased a new $1200.00 flat screen television set and needed to have my cable network provider come to the house and hook up some little black box to the TV set. Before that, I was on the telephone with some one from Philippines getting my 'code' registered or some crap. This is the second time in my life that I depended on a person from the Philippines to assist my American experience. The first time was a few years ago when I had issues with my check book routing numbers; I telephoned my personal banker and he gave me the telephone number for someone in the Philippines to straighten out my American finances! What-a-country!

The Rest Of The Story

Today, my wife and I will travel to the Metro-East to meet and hold our one-week old great-granddaughter. Actually, we did have a 'ready-made' great grandson when our grand daughter married a gentleman who was previously married and had a son. The new born great-grand daughter is Juniper Grace; of course she will receive a 'Boompa-nickname,' which is a Roustio family custom regardless of the opinions of other family members! Suffice to say, some like their nickname while others despise their 'handle.'


First grandchild Amanda, who is the mother of Juniper has the nickname, 'Boofer.' Then comes Lindsay (Pookie), Kyle (KeKe), Caleb (Hootie), Loren (Mookie), Erica (Kitt), Colin (Gunner), Connor (Modie), Jake (Pops), Jamie (Pepper), Carter (Dink), Kaitlyn (Kizzie), Shannon (Meg), Alexa (Gus), and Ashlyn (Ashie). Oh, that great grandson via marriage Talin, I refer to him as 'Ready-Made.'
There you have it; all the grandkids' nicknames. And now comes the first great-grandchild's nickname: My maternal Grandfather's name was Emerson Vickers Bennett. Folks just called him 'E.V.' Well, E.V. and his wife Mary (Mammy) had five children and the baby of their family was my mother, Lucille Vickers. Lucille was E.V.'s 'Little Girl' and he affectionately called her "Luddie." And now you know the rest of the story...Juniper Grace will be my 'Luddie.'

The Game Should Trump Ego

This past Saturday, I was watching the Cardinals-Dodgers baseball game on television. The broadcasters were Dan McLaughlin and former major league player, Tim McCarver. I was struck by a conversation exchange between the two and perhaps found that which was inferred more poignant than that which was said.
McLaughlin noted the astronomical combined salaries of the Los Angeles Dodgers and said the following: "Tim, considering that Dodgers' manager, Don Mattingly played the game of baseball all-out and intense and often back pain; I just wonder how difficult it is for him to manage this Dodgers' team?" McCarver said, "Well, all managers today must think young if they are going to survive."
The comment seems to acknowledge and accept that players today, do not play with the same intensity as their predecessor. It would also seem that todays' baseball managers must try to please twenty-five players instead of twenty-five players busting their collective asses trying to please the 'boss.'
For good measure throw this ditty into your brain-mixer: It is widely known that recently, the LA Lakers basketball team 'held-off' hiring a head coach waiting to see if they landed either LaBron James or Carmello Anthony. The reason: If those players may have wanted to name the coach in order to obtain them; ownership was giving them THAT power.
I began coaching high school basketball in 1962.  Thirty nine years later, I came home from practice one evening and spoke this words to my wife: "Gerry, over the years these kids (players) have changed and I have made some changes along the way. I cannot and will not change anymore without losing my identity; I am calling it quits after this season."

Struggling for Common Sense

Most of my life, I lived from pay check-to-paycheck; I am not complaining but stating a truth. In the early 1970's, I was coaching at Edwardsville high school. One August Sunday afternoon, I was driving through Missouri returning home with my wife and our three children from a week in the Lake of the Ozark's. While driving I passed a vehicle and crossed a portion of a yellow highway line.  I was arrested for 'illegal passing.'
The fine was $80.00. Had I given the officer the $80.00 on site, I would have gotten a receipt and continued my journey. Since I only had $60.00 on my person, I was escorted to Jefferson County jail where I was booked and photographed holding a number while my young children looked on in dismay and our family dog barked at prisoners who were cursing guards delivering supper. I am not making this shit up. It happened and you should not act surprised, we are talking early 1970's and Governor Kit Bond's Missouri.


My wife had luck when a State Troopers offered to drive her to a grocery store that would cash a twenty dollar personal check giving us the necessary 'get-out-of-jail' money.


This past week, a stalker broke into the private home of actress, Sandra Bullock and was approaching her bedroom when she locked the door and called 911. The police arrived at the home and arrested a 'White 'guy who thinks he is the father of Bullock's adopted 'Black' child. This deranged 'cat' also claims that God wants he and Sandra to be together...obviously his oars don't even touch the water. Within hours, this nut job was out on bail. Bullock should consider a move to Missouri.

A Tale of Talents

I do not personally know Derek Jeter, New York 'Yankees' shortstop or Bryce Harper, Washington 'Nationals' outfielder. My words, therefore are offered through observation and sport's reporting. It is my perception. Jeter is retiring from baseball after some 20 years playing while Harper is in the early stages of his career.


'The Captain' as Jeter is affectionately called epitomizes the positive role-model attributes that sports' advocates have always desired in those who play the games at the elite level. In an era of microscopic news coverage of all entertainers and athletes, we have become somewhat accustom to the negative events involving our would-be-heroes. Jeter has demonstrated an unwavering pristine persona, which allows us to applaud both the talent and the person. In an age of obvious 'greed,' which finds athletes jumping from one team to another seeking money versus any concept of commitment and loyalty, Derek Jeter is a throw-back to a more honorable American life-style.


Bryce Harper is struggling as he attempts to 'find' a personal performing comfort zone with respect for the game, an understanding of 'team' and a humbleness; the is no question of Harper's baseball abilities. The tale of two talents...one will be enshrined in Cooperstown Hall-of-Fame; the other is 'finding' the way.

Goose & Gander

Remember the Nevada rancher, Cliven  Bundy? He's the fella that continues to graze his livestock on federal land and refuses to pay the Government one million dollars in grazing fees, which he has incurred. To protect his illegal-immigrant herd, Cliven and his armed buddies confront U S authorities when they show up at the site in question. Our Government backs down refusing to arrest the misinformed-law-breaking fool. I suspect should I ignore the laws of the land, my ass would be behind bars before you could say, 'What the hell was the woman thinking naming her boy, 'Cliven?'


Okay, let me toss out a goose and gander comparison for you readers: WHAT'S GOOD FOR CLIVEN BUNDY IS GOOD FOR THE THOUSANDS OF HISPANIC CHILDREN CROSSING OUR BORDERS ILLEGALLY!

The Beat Goes On

For several weeks, my wife and I were privileged to be up front and close to a pair of Cardinal birds. When you have the number of  backyard bird-feeders that we have, you can expect a plethora of wild birds visiting. Of course my wife's flower beds also attract the feathered-friends.
The male and female Cardinals were daily visitors to one particular feeder just off our sun room patio. We were amused by the attentiveness of the male Cardinal as he would take sunflower seeds, break them in his beak and carefully feed a portion to his female companion; cute to say the least. A few weeks passed and my wife pointed to a small flower pot next to the sun room door where the Cardinals had made a nest. I emphasize, it was a small pot. Few days later, we noticed three eggs were in the bottom of the nest. Over the next few weeks, we would watch from a kitchen window, which was perhaps five feet from the nest. The mother Cardinal tended to her incubation duty and periodically, the male daddy-to-be bird would bring her a snack.
It appeared to my wife that the mother was having difficulty getting 'down' on the small pot nest, so she addressed the issue one day when the mother was away and put additional lifting materials under the nest and eggs. It seemed to please the bird upon her return.
After the hatching of three chicks, we watched the feeding and protective methods. We watched both birds assume feeding duties and woe betide if a foreign bird approached the nest!
Finally, the day arrived. We looked out our window to see a young slightly feathered bird teetering on the edge of the pot trying to figure out the next move. Within hours the nest was empty. We had observed a courtship romance, lovers attentive concerns, fierce protection and worry about young off springs...Hum,  I've seen that story elsewhere.

Not All Can Go Home

The big sports' news this past week was the decision by  NBA basketball great, LeBron James to return to his 'home', Clevland and play once again for the Cavaliers. I must say upfront that I have never been a big James' fan but I do admit that this latest chronicle is truly a warm feel good story.


It is interesting to watch the reaction of basketball fans from the two cities, which were impacted by LeBron's decision to leave Miami, where he won 2 Titles in four years and Cleveland; his home. The word 'fan' is an abbreviation from the word 'fanatic.' Fanatic is defined as 'one who supports with unreasonable enthusiasm. Don't forget that the fan can also attack with the same unreasonable logic. Four years ago when LeBron left Cleveland, he was scorned, his jersey and images were burned as Cleveland fans expressed strong negative anger. Today those same fanatics are dancing in the streets. Miami was delighted when LeBron left Cleveland for South Florida but with news of his departure they are defacing LeBron's images. These fan expression are anchored in strong emotions and personal identity.


On a personal note, I am happy for the little boy inside the grown man named LeBron...that little boy can go home. Not all little boys can go back home; perhaps that's why they reminisce so much. Then again, I am an incurable romantic...truth be, a multi-millionaire businessman decided to relocate his home office.

You Can't Run Away From It

When I was perhaps 12 or thirteen my East St. Louis neighborhood buddies would join me summer evenings under street lights and story swap or decide to do some 'stupid' stuff. A few of the more popular juvenile engagements was telephoning local taxi cab companies for bogus pick ups. Of course it was usually a call to some girls house. Another summer-evening pass time was throwing hedge apples at city buses or water balloons at passenger cars stopped at intersections.


Of course, most young boys don't think through consequences of their actions. I certainly recall one such evening when I failed to do a quick study of the groups individual break down of 'foot-speed.' Let me take you back to that moment. Me and two friends were hanging out at a major intersection one evening. We decided to get some rubber balloons at Gruber's Drug Store and then climb through the bathroom window of Leo Klimas' Tavern and fill the balloons with water. We then stood at the corner of Kings Highway and Caseyville Avenue and blast open window autos as they made their stop. One of the guys did not pay attention to the occupants of one car. That car was occupied by three guys perhaps three or four years our senior. As we realized who was 'hit,' we took off running from some pissed of older stud boys. As I am chugging down the alley, I could see the headlights turn in after me. I began cutting through yards attempting to elude a certain ass-kicking. Suddenly, I realized why these guys are chasing me and not the other two friends...I was the slowest runner. I did not think things through ! Finally, I tripped over a wire about ankle high placed around a garden. I fell flat into the mud between some corn and tomato plants. I knew those pursuing could not hearing me breathing because I believe I had stopped; I was afraid they hear my heart pounding.


This brings me to my point. Recently, the nutty political right-wingers have been calling for President Obama's impeachment. Never mind that a President must be guilty of high crimes or treason before he can be impeached. Those Tea Party idiots enjoy throwing hedge apples and water balloons. What they have not thought through is the consequences awaiting in 2016; a ass-kicking is coming !

Wake Me For One But Not The Other

The bogus bull crap around our lives is enough to make your head-swim. Okay, your head does not actually swim without the rest of the body. Forgive me, I'm stuck in a time warp with 'hill-folks' jargon. Mammy Bennett would tell people, "I need to sit a spell, my heads swimmin'"
Writer, James Lincoln Collier wrote an article for the local New York City's West Village last week, which was entitled "Nigger In The White House." Needless to say, the shit hit the fan. Both the writer and newspaper are under fire for using the racist term. Even though  the article was supportive of President Obama and attempted to explain that the 'headline' was representative of a large segment of America's prejudice population who reference our President in such racist remarks.  If you have been a frequent reader of this blog you must know that this writer has been telling readers that America's greatest problem is likely racial, ethnic and religious prejudices and intolerance. Perhaps those who are upset with the 'N-word' in the headline have cause. I'll join that debate when Black entertainers (rap singers & comics) stop using the terms nigger and honky in routine and song.
We need to stop chasing disingenuous peripheral junk and tackle the crux of our Nation's race issues.. It's somewhat like the 'safety' concerns in sport. Please, if you will: The NCAA recently considered the idea of having football teams engage in only two days a week of physical contact practices. I suppose this is going to reduce concussions.
 A few years ago, a professional baseball coach was struck in the head with a line drive batted ball and died. Immediately, Major League Baseball enacted a rule requiring all base coaches to wear protective helmets. This means the batter, catcher, umpire and base coaches are all wearing protective gear. The pitcher, however is approximately fifty feet away from the batted ball and wears NO REQUIRED protective armor. The batted- ball is coming towards  the pitcher at 100-plus miles per hour and he is off-balance, which places him in a very vulnerable position. This scenario is repeated approximately 250 times every game. Everyone who has ever pitched 'rolls-the-dice.'  Head and chest trauma is a real possibility each time the umpire yells, "Play Ball!" There are no rules attempting to protect the most vulnerable...the problem is complicated and don't you know money & greed interferes with common logic.
So we continue to have endless conversations about bullshit, instead of talking 'turkey.' Whoops, 'turkey' is one of those racial terms...we need to get down to real conversation and call a spade a spade...whoops, there I go again! I guess we best let it be and continue to point fingers of blame? Wake me when everyone accepts part of the blame...don't wake me for the riot.

Hot Damn, What A Country !

When a good deal or pleasant occurrence fell in Grandpa E.V. Bennett's lap you would hear him exclaim, "Hot Damn!! This throw-back phrase flashed in my mind when I heard the news that there WILL BE self-service beer taps at this 2014, Major League All-Star game slated for 'Target Field,' home of the Minnesota 'Twins.' A chorus of 'Hot Damns' echoed across this beer drinking nation.


Stop and write a thank note to your Congressman and express appreciation to him/her for this continuation of 'pampered' and addictive enabling treatment. Just think...several years ago, the American gamblers had to find those back-room slots and table games; finally, the Bible Belt folks were convinced some money from the gambling boats would be earmarked for education and boy that was going to be a 'wind-fall' for schools; a hot damn moment for gamblers and education. Today, we have those gambling opportunities 'online,' Hot Damn! Sorry teachers and school children; life's a bitch for some.


Shit fie and save matches, was another Kentucky colloquialism used by Grandpa E.V. Well, shit fire and save matches, we now have medical marijuana...getting the family doctor to prescribe pot for patients requires little arm twisting...Hot Damn!


To quote another great man, Yakov Smirnoff, "Whata Country!

Change Came to My World

These days, I wait in a fast-foot drive thru lane or inside at the counter to purchase processed packaged foods likely prepared thousands of miles from my belly. Once I jumped from my front porch to purchase hot tamales from some push-cart fella who lived blocks away from me. I can close my eyes and hear the roving newspaper boy winding his way up & down neighborhood streets calling out, "Paper, Morning Globe! Today, I extract a few news items from the television and my smart phone.


Two days ago, I needed gasoline for the auto and drove a few blocks to a 'convenient store,' which offered gasoline and a variety of  tobacco products, beer/liquor and edibles....the experience did not resemble 'convenient' in any fashion ! That evening I took my wife to a movie  and heard some actor tell her grown children (characters), "Your late father was really HUNG." I suppose that Deborah Kerr thought that of her leading man Cary Grant; why else did they spend so much time in their ship's cabin, in the movie, An Affair to Remember," however she never mentioned it to the movie goers.


Multi-millionaire pro baseball players are a far kin to those players of my childhood who worked at off-season jobs to make ends meet, i.e., today's school teachers. It's been many years since a preacher-man has told me that you go to hell for eternity if you don't repent and live right. Today's pulpit-prophet knows better than to say something so negative and bold, why, if he should suggest that he could 'color-me-gone-from-my-back-row-pew the next Sunday!


I see all kinds of depictions of "REAL Housewives" played out on television shows. Those ladies don't resemble the REAL housewives I knew growing up. I recall ringer-washers and my mother hanging clothes on a line in the backyard to dry. That was part of Monday's real life and Tuesday found her standing for hours over a hot iron pressing starched shirts and other clothing. She had a great supper for all the family around 5:30PM and by the time she hand washed and hand dried the dishes it was about 7:00PM just in time to sit a spell with the family and watch television shows; 'Father Knows Best, 'Red Skelton and Milton Berle. I recall Red Skelton telling viewers at the close of each show that "If I hurt anybody's feelings or offended anybody, I am sorry." Today, I see prime time 'dry-humping' and hear language once reserved for pool rooms and back alleys. I wonder what my grandchildren will remember fifty years from this morning?

Happy Birthday America & Congrats Big Weenie Eater

After my early Saturday morning 40-minute walk, I checked out the local Farmer's Market and then returned home for a quick shower and then fixed a seafood (shrimp) salad for supper . I landed in my easy-chair to read the morning newspaper and check out television programing. The latter indulgence offered a conflicted decision. Let me explain.


One television channel was showing the replay of the annual fourth of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championship while another station was broadcasting a World Cup Soccer game between Argentina and Brazil. It seems that defending wiener-eater-champ, Joey Chestnut proposed to his girlfriend on July 4th and 90-minutes later won his eighth hot dog eating championship by consuming 61 dogs in ten minutes. This means the American fans have been chanting USA, USA, USA for the last 12-consecutive years as Americans boast the top Winnie-eaters of the world!


Since I find watching a gorger stuff as much food as possible into their body within 10-minutes is disgusting behavior under any pretense and I could not pronounce any players' names from Argentina or Brazil, I opted to watch the John Wayne cowboy classic  'Rio Bravo.' Tell you what Pilgrim, you'd never catch 'The Duke' eating Hot Dogs, NO Sir, we'd bet he was a T-Bone Steak guy !

Birdies and Backyard Dilemma

My wife and I love our large backyard. It contains several flower beds. My wife is a flower-freak. I know little about caring for flowers but I do appreciate the beauty of our Roses, Daisies, Flags, Tiger Lillie's, Peonies and several other varities, which I cannot identify. We have birds-a-plenty; Robins, various Sparrow varieties, Blue Jays, Golden Finches, House Finches, Doves and Cardinals. In fact, in a rather small flower pot just two feet outside our kitchen window and next to the back door to the yard, a Cardinal couple is caring for three baby birds only four days old.


Another wonderful aspect of our backyard is the fact it is fenced. We can just open the back door and Poodle, Yodie can head out, explore and do his things. The only time I must be vigil when Yodie in the backyard alone is during the winter months when the Coyotes are closer to our neighborhood seeking food.


The backyard contains an arbor, which highlights a ice cream table-set salvaged from days gone by from the 'Gas Light District' in St. Louis, Missouri. We have a comfortable three-seat-swing, two wrought iron tables on patios and a pond with fountain. Our backyard is shaded by three large Ash trees. Needless to say, the backyard is a peaceful and serene setting, however it is off limits to me. My wife tells me that as soon as the mother Redbird has her chicks grown and ready to leave the nest, I can go to the backyard. Meanwhile, I sit in the sunroom looking out the window envying that, which I cannot embrace. Hope those baby Redbirds, 'Ducky, Dizzy and Daffy' are quick learners.

Different Strokes for Different Folks

Many years ago, I was asked this question: 'If you could say but one sentence to children and grandchildren before you die, what would that sentence state?' I said, "Accept Christ's gift of salvation, recognize your mother as life's greatest gift and work at that which you love while serving others." That represents my philosophy in concise terms.


I have three children, fifteen grandchildren and soon a second great-grandchild.., the older off springs have heard this sermon more than once. This stated, I embrace tolerance for those of other religious faiths. I will not relinquish by beliefs regarding your mother as your greatest gift and let me say that I have noted the happiest people on earth are those doing work for which they have a passion and serving their fellow man along their journey.


This brings me to the reaction by many people when 41-year old actress, Cameron Diaz stated publicly that she has made a conscientious choice NOT to have kids. When others heard that many immediately attacked the announcement as if Diaz was some kind of sic-monster. She is being honestly forthcoming telling others how she feels about 'herself and motherhood.' It's okay not to have children as a carefully thought out decision. If this is not okay, then those who cannot conceive must be less than fulfilled; hogwash !
Perhaps Cameron Diaz decided not having children would eliminate the need to explain to her kids why she did so much nude posing.

Family Fun / Family Foolishness

The 65th Annual Roustio Family Reunion is in the books. This Sunday past nearly 90 folks gathered in the hall at Shiloh Community Park near O'Fallon, Illinois. The food was terrific and the sharing conversations were more fun and enlightening; mostly about our family's history and the way each present was connected. Some may have found out for the first time that the original spelling of the name, 'Roustio,' was 'Rousteau.' This name is of French origin, not Italian as many believe.  The attendance was doubled from a year ago and our goal next year is to surpass that century mark; we will be offering some interesting incentives via email and telephone calls, which will help meet that objective.
I learned of two family members who chose not to attend the family reunion because someone offended them in the past and they remain 'mad' thus they stay away. This type of behavior never surprises me but always saddens me. It would seem that most families have some fractured relationship issues. Most often this situation require sacrifice and as Dr. Phil says, "Needs a hero." A 'hero' to heal the hurt. Sometimes the individual who may have offended the person 'staying away' does not even know they said or did some  thing to cause the anger; that's rather pitiful and funny.
In all cases, the person who opts to discontinue the family-relationship usually hurts only those who care about him-or-her, the others don't notice the absence. Oh, before I close this thought, I did miss cousins Dee Dee Elbe and Dick Roustio, they did not stay away because they are mad...they both died... I really missed them.
I have noticed that the best way to travel life's journey is ego-light.

Mystery or Obvious?

Ricky Ricardo would ask Lucy to "'splain it," when he did not understand something Lucy did. I wish someone would 'splain' the following things to me:
1. How did it happen that today, seven out of ten youth are unfit for the United States Military?
2. Is there any other profession that finds its workers collectively spend $91 Billion dollars of their own money annually to aid the company's mission? That's the case with American teachers who spend that sum on their students.
3. Why do prisoners no longer 'do hard physical work-time?' Did they not forfeit their rights when they violated others' rights?
4. Why don't we perform a vasectomy on new born male children and reverse it when the child reaches age 21, has $3 thousand saved and can recite 12 nursery rhymes? Think about the notion before dismissing it as crazy !
5. Why doesn't my family doctor insist that I have my teeth cleaned 'twice' a year when it reduces heart attacks by 24%?
6. F#*k it ! Don't freak out...it is proven that pain is reduced when stumping a toe or hitting your thumb with a hammer if you curse. You do not have to 'slain THAT to me because every time Dick Cheney appears on television I call him a f#*king phony and I feel better.
7. Another thing you NEED NOT 'Splain ...it is a proven fact that suicide rates among white people is higher in areas where country music is the most popular; I understand !!