Musical Memories

 I don't listen to radio much anymore. Pretty much the only stations that gets played in the car is one of the Kid's Pop stations with the same ten songs on repeat. There are maybe two songs out of the bunch that don't irritate my ulcer. And that's saying a lot.

When I do get to listen to something I like, it's usually met with sullen silence from the progeny and I will eventually relent. You know how it goes; It's better for her to be happy and you suffer in silence than the other way around.

When I had my Google Pixel (original) I would listen to my 91X app through an audio plug into my dashboard. 91X is a station that's been around since 1983 starting on the Baja Peninsula and eventually moving stateside to San Diego. I was first introduced to them while I was stationed in San Diego for electronics training with the Navy. They played alternative which back then included my favorites The Cure, Oingo Boingo, and The Cult, just to mention a few. Unfortunately, since I've upgraded to a Pixel 4, I can't wire it to the dashboard because the Pixel 4 does not have a headphone jack. That's really the only problem I have with the phone though. Time to upgrade to a Bluetooth jack I guess.

I also listen to 91.7 KTX out of Denton, Texas. It's format is AAA (Adult Album Alternative). I've always been a fan of this format because it's playlist varies just like my tastes. This playlist is just a forty-five minute sample of what was played this morning. They also have shows that highlight World Music, Jazz, Blues and much much more. I can pick it up on the car radio on a good day, but if I drive down a hill I lose signal just a little. Fortunately, there's an app for that!

So, question of the day is this: Are you a radio listener? Apps? Or do you value your silence (there's a future blog post about this)? If you do listen to radio or apps, what are they? Inquiring minds want to know!

91X Alternative San Diego

91.7 KXT AAA Denton, Texas

First Impressions

So, I met Carroll and we had a date or three before I had my next shift DJing at the bar. Walked in and my best friend Dave looks up at me as I walk through the front door. Typical bartender pose, smiling at me over the glass he was polishing. "She's the one, huh." It was just a response to the big grin that I had been wearing since the first night I met her. "Yeah, it's a little early to tell, but I think she might be." He puts the glass down still wearing that grin on his face and says, "Thank God! For a while there I thought you hated women!" That was in response to the many times I had come back from a first date shaking my head "Nope, nope, nope, nope!"

And to any of the ladies that I dated and am still friends with (and there are some of you here) this story is not about you. Trust me.

The Ideas Behind The 'Defund The Police' Movement

I have to admit when I heard the call to defund police, I was like most and thinking that it was a crazy idea. Then I did a little homework and checked out some articles about the ideas behind the movement. 

The overall idea is to cut police department budgets and redistribute that money to outside agencies that would then handle certain areas that the police were handling before, but weren't qualified to do, such as mental health calls, homelessness, etc. Though there are calls to abolish police departments, I think that is very drastic.

It's crazy to think that the New York City police department's budget is $6 billion dollars. That's $2B more than the World Health Organization and greater than the GDP of 50 other countries.

Here are some links to mull over. Please read. Make your own judgement. Don't take someone else's opinion and make it your own without doing your due diligence.

Listen: Would Defunding the Police Make Us Safer? - The Atlantic

U.S. protesters call to 'Defund the Police.' What would that look like - Reuters

The 'Defund the Police' Movement Is Growing. Here's What It Actually Means - Newsweek

Cities Ask if It’s Time to Defund Police and ‘Reimagine’ Public Safety - New York Times

What does 'defund the police' mean? The rallying cry sweeping the US – explained - The Guardian

Brain Work

Idiocracy (2006)

We've always had to deal with rumors. Hearsay. Opinions pushed off as facts. The internet allows for the faster propagation of ideas, both good and bad. Critical thinking must be applied to weed through the chaff and we fail miserably at that.

I posted on my Facebook page about an article pointing out how photographers can take pictures a certain way that skews perception. Photogs will take a picture of a beach that shows it overcrowded and people not complying with social distancing, but when you look at it from another angle, everyone is pretty much compliant. The same thing happens with news articles and opinion pieces by media agencies. They'll spin a story in one direction, omitting important context and you've got people wanting heads to roll.

In the age of the internet, we've gotten lazy with thinking and when looking for answers. We reach for the article at the top of the page that has been positioned there by an algorithm. News articles show up in our Facebook feeds, chosen by algorithms and most of the time these algorithms don't pick it because it's factual. It's picked because it may have key words that might fit your demographic or you might find it interesting, though most of the time I don't think Facebook even really knows me.

We don't look to experts for guidance anymore, we look to Hollywood celebrities, athletes and Youtube stars. Facts be damned!

To weed out the bad ideas, we have to learn to become critical thinkers. Of course, critical thinking was never formally taught in school, at least not mine, but we are taught some critical thinking tenets. They just aren't labeled as such. After you grow up and get out of school you get lazy. You've got a job, family, kids. Or a nightlife. Or some other stress. Thinking! Ain't got time for that. So we rely on websites like Facebook and Twitter to do our fact-checking for us. As a society, a community, or a responsible citizen we should put on our big pants and do what it takes to form our own opinions and make our own decisions. That means search and find relevant articles from reputable news services. Apply a little critical thinking and come up with our own results. But that's hard work and few people are willing to put in the time to do that. It's just easier to share something that we've seen online.

I remember sitting across from a gentleman a few tables away at a restaurant recently and listening to him repeat pretty much everything I've seen on Facebook already. Not a single idea that was his own. Of course, he was a little liquored up but I'm sure it wouldn't have been any different if he was sober. We've become meme repeaters and we as a society are turning into the movie Idiocracy.

All I ask is that when faced with an article of news, just take a second to ask yourself a few questions. First of all, who published this? There are so many fake news sites that sometimes it's hard to distinguish them from the real news and it seems that some real news sites have an agenda. If it's a meme and it's touting that someone did something, then for Pete's sake, search and see if anyone else is reporting it. The first big clue is just that statement, "No one else is reporting on this!" Well, that's probably because it's not factual. Check it!

This has kind of turned into a rant, which was not my intention, but times have changed over the years and especially now, we need to embrace critical thinking and work our brains a little more. Below are a few articles to help you in this endeavor. One is a sort of cheat sheet and the other is for instilling critical thinking in kids. In fact, that one is just as good for adults as well. Enjoy!

Lifehacker - Improve Your Critical Thinking With This Cheatsheet

How to Raise a Kid With Critical Thinking Skills (But Not an Anxious Mess)

Murder Hornets Ain't Got Nothing On The Murder Frogs

Just look whose in this movie!

My daughter and I took a walk right after sunset. I've got a bad back and so when she decided she wanted to take the long way, I reminded her that I needed to take the short route.

"Honey, we need to go this way so if Daddy's back gives out I don't have to crawl so far. Plus, in that direction you can hear the Murder Frogs and they will eat you one leg at a time. Just like we do them."

No argument over direction.

Staying in Touch!

White square highlights my camera
used as a webcam with the
DroidCamPro app for Android.

With everyone staying home because of the present situation we find ourselves in, most people are either using their computers and webcams to do work from home, staying in touch with co-workers, or keeping in touch with family and friends.

Below are two articles that I came across that I think could benefit all parties. The first is from the Dropbox Blog and is about how to rock the conference video meeting, but can be of benefit to anyone using webcams for staying in touch.

A BBC reporter on how to be a video conference rock star


This next link is how to use an old cell phone as a camera. I have two webcams and a DLSR that I use as cameras, but that camera on my phone is pretty sweet, too. I use the free version of DroidCamPro and it works great.

Zoom, Google Meet, Teams: Can't get a webcam? That old phone in a drawer can help.

Hope this helps you when you are communicating with work or friends and family.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes . . . Again

Aside from major events like marriage and the birth of the Kid, we made a really big change last month. We moved out of the Dallas area, but stayed in East Texas. Kind of like shouting distance from DFW. We couldn't move any further than that, otherwise the grandparents, and the Girl Scout troop leader would have had my hide. We're still close enough that we can visit and not take a day to travel to do it.

But we're even closer to my parents now. Mom is just down the road about 10 miles and Daddy is about 35 minutes away, half the distance that he was. Hopefully, as they get older, I'll be close enough to help out around the house for them.

There were several benefits that we looked to capitalize on by moving to the country and a smaller town. The cost of living is way down. My apartment that I'm in now is about $500 cheaper and just as nice, if not nicer than the one in Dallas. We are approximately five blocks from downtown Winnsboro, Texas. I can get out and walk without having to cross hazardous streets. There are trees everywhere! No traffic! Lilly can ride her bike all over creation and I'm looking to get one for me and then we'll start our own bike gang. The stars at night are gorgeous and I'm preparing my telescope as the evenings warm up. There are several lakes in the area. Plus,  there is just something about the country. Yes, there is a train about five-hundred yards away and it passes at three or four in the morning, but it's a train. I love trains. The church down the street chimes every half hour or so. I love that sound. It's just a whole different world and I missed it and I'm glad that I'm back in it!

As the days go on, I'll start introducing you to my new town and maybe you'll want to come and visit yourself.

Books Do Make a Difference

Came across this article from The Smithsonian about how if you had access to books in your home growing up, then you have an edge over those that didn't. Well, duh! Actually, it's a little more than that.

 The study, published recently in Social Science Research, assessed data from 160,000 adults from 31 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Turkey, Japan and Chile. Participants filled out surveys with the Programme for the International Assessment of Competencies, which measures proficiency in three categories: literacy, numeracy (using mathematical concepts in everyday life) and information communication technology, (using digital technology to communicate with other people, and to gather and analyze information).

The gist is in the comparison of a person who had few books in home and went to college vs. someone who had tons of books but only did 9 years of school, their literacy levels were roughly the same.

This article got me to thinking about my grandmother, Carmon Pickering. She grew up in the cotton fields of North Louisiana, went to a business school in Jones, La. but didn't graduate. She went on to get married and raise four kids taking care of the family.

(***Edit*** The school wasn't in Jones, it was called Draughon's Business College and was in Jackson, Mississippi. I misheard her when I talked to her to confirm it.)

I learned a lot from her over the years, including how to cook, but the most important thing was instilling in me the love of reading. My earliest memories are of me sitting in my grandmother's lap while she read aloud to me. As I grew older, a visit to my grandmother's would always lead me to her bedroom whose walls were lined with stacks of books on every topic from gardening to astronomy. I would go on to become an amateur astronomer and she fed that passion with subscriptions to Astronomy magazine and a membership to the Planetary Society which netted a newsletter from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

My parents provided my brothers and I with books also. We had a set of Britannica Encyclopedias in the house and I regularly got books for birthdays and Christmas with topics ranging from space and WWII to the Hardy Boys and The Man in the Iron Mask.

I strive to expose my daughter to these same types of books because I understand the importance of reading. It's also one of my joys of owning my comic book shop for a short time. I got to show other children the pleasure of reading comics and other books and what worlds they could open up for them.

Now, I pick up my daughter from school and she can't wait to show me the books that she has checked out of the library. She even wants to read to me as we drive home. Who needs audio books when you have that?

What were some of your favorite books growing up?

Growing Up Surrounded by Books Could Have Powerful, Lasting Effect on the Mind via The Smithsonian.com

Hello, Sunshine!

Yes, I'm posting to my blog. No, I'm feeling well. With the return of sunshine this weekend (as fleeting as it may be) Lilly and I have been a little active. Not that we haven't been active before, but this was the first time in a long time that we just hopped in the car and took off. Saturday, we gassed up the car in anticipation of "doing something" on Sunday. Didn't know what, but we were doin' it. 

Unfortunately, I had a little squabble with the concrete out front of the 7-11. The curb is a little higher than most and I was having a lively discussion with the Kid and not paying attention. Next thing I know, I'm a 747 skidding on a foam covered runway, a.k.a. the concrete. No bumps or bruises, but some nice abrasions below the right knee and above the right eye. Two very concerned gentlemen asked if I was okay and needed help. I answered with being more embarrassed and probably needing a drink, though most witnesses probably thought that I had already imbibed.

Upon waking Sunday, we both had the urge to get out and so decided to have a road trip to Burleson to visit our friends, Blake and Kim Ovard and Tugg the Wonder Dog. They have a wonderful shop called Geek Out in Downtown Burleson and is a must visit if you have time. Of course, Tugg was taking the day off and stayed at home, but we got to visit with Blake and Kim while browsing all of their geeky goods. Lilly found a great calendar for her room and found plenty to purchase on future visits.

We took a lunch break at Fresco's Cocina Mexicana on Blake's suggestion and it did not disappoint. Lilly had quesadillas and I took on the Brisket Chimichanga. As you can see, I'm not much of a food reporter as I took a bite before I took the photo. Be sure and try the table-side guacamole. Not exactly inexpensive but worth it. The table salsa is awesome, too

In addition to eating and visiting, we checked out The Market Emporium Gift Shop. Lots of Lilly stuff to be had and she settled on a manicure set in a cute little cupcake case. It's right up her alley.

Lots of fun on a wonderful sunny day. We hope that you got out to do something just as fun! In fact, share with us!

Back In The Saddle and The Journey Home

As dramatic as that title sounds, it's nothing big except to those who worried over our trip. That and the fact that the last time I posted on this blog was over three years ago. I've had the want-to, just not the energy or drive. I figured this was the perfect time to let all of those concerned know that the Bug and I were back home after driving to see Great Grandma in Georgia. We would love to see her more than once a year, but there and back in five days is a little too much on both of us.

When we left, something was trying to tell us not to go. Just outside of Marshall the gates were opened and a downpour of Biblical proportions descended. With hazards and 45 mph speeds we made it til it cleared the other side of Shreveport. One fellow didn't make it easy when he decided to hydroplane from his lane to mine while I'm sitting beside a big rig. A little tension during that moment. We had credit card problems, also. Seems someone spoofed my personal card up in Iowa, so I had to cancel that one and use my business card for transactions. No big deal, but I transferred money after business hours and though it showed available in my account, it wouldn't let me get a hotel room for the night. So, here's a grown man having to call his mama and use her credit card to get the room. Sure enough, the next morning it was fine. We had the same problem with it on the way back, but I had some cash on me, so it wasn't a big deal, just a pain in the rump.

We got to spend time with Great Grandma Carmon and Uncle Kenneth Earl. Lilly had the best time entertaining them. She love her G-Grandma Carmon. Also got to see my cousin Angeline and her husband, plus saw her daughter on the way thru West Monroe where she has a game shop. Stopped at several comic shops on the way back and then finished with a visit with my brother Kelly all over a Sweep the Kitchen at Johnny's Pizza.

I'm very glad to be back at home now and get back to work. How was your weekend/week?

Emperor Pawlpaltine at Southern Realms in Ruston, La. My
home where I grew up. An array of helmets at a truck stop!

Plastic Bag Tax Makes No Sense

This is what chaps my behind about the plastic bag ban in Dallas. They've voted in a new ordinance that makes you pay 5 cents a bag at the check-out beginning in January. The city's complaint was about how many of these single-use grocery bags get thrown away and end up in water ways and the streets. I never knew how making you pay for a bag was going to keep anyone from throwing it away, but I don't guess I'm as smart as they are. Then, I saw the latest little flyer from the city that was included in my water and trash bill. It was a friendly looking piece of paper that asking if I recycled the right items.

For the most part, I was. Until I saw what you couldn't recycle and topping the list was the same plastic bags that they were griping about littering the city! Am I wrong for thinking that if they recycled these items, there might now be so many floating around? Probably. Because, if a person isn't going to stop throwing them away after they've paid a nickel for one, they're probably not going to put it in the recycle bin, either. BUT, now I, the man who recycles, can't recycle the number one big trash item! So, now it goes into the main dumpster, where it “might” make it into the back of a garbage truck and go to a landfill to sit and wait for a 1,000 years. I don't know about ya'll, but my garbage men have very low accuracy for getting things into the back of a truck. I find more trash in my back alley on trash day than I do any other day of the week. So, much for going green Dallas. If you ask me, it’s just another way to add money to the coffers while not solving the problem it was supposed to fix.

My two cents, thanks for reading.

The Amazing Skidboot

I've mentioned to several people over the years about Skidboot. Smartest dog that you'd ever meet. Unfortunately, he's in Heaven now, but his owner has trained several of his offspring and they are just as smart. This is the original Texas Country Reporter video from about 10 years ago, but it’s still fun to watch.

 

Does your dog, or any other animal for that matter, do cool tricks? Show photos/videos or it didn’t happen!

Choosing Your Battles

***WARNING*** GRAPHIC IMAGE OF FINGERNAIL BRUTALIZED BY LAUNDRY BASKET! Not a lot has gone right in my life as of late. Don’t get me wrong. I’m very thankful for the time that I had with my wife and my little brother and I am so very thankful for the beautiful daughter that I’ve been gifted with. It tends to be the little things that stress me out. Lawyers taking their sweet time, rude people in traffic, trash can too big and bags too small, and the laundry basket just not wanting to cooperate while you fill it with three weeks worth of laundry. It’s those little moments when you wish you had a sledge hammer and a quarry to wail on. Me? I just tried to slam the basked through the tile. It paid me back in a bent fingernail. You can’t really see it in the photo, so I don’t expect you to feel my pain, but trust me, I do. I’m gonna go get one of those squishy stress relievers and see if I can squeeze the poop out of it!

Christopher Walken Dances Right Into Your Heart

Christopher Walken already rates pretty high in my book, but this moved him up a few notches. Makes me want to sit down and marathon his entire catalog!

Christopher Walken Dance Now - YouTube

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My Blog Name

A Voice From My Childhood

I was surfing the internet killing time when I came across an article on the most watched Super Bowl ads of all time. One of them was the Ram Truck ad called “Farmer.” It was narrated by the late Paul Harvey and it talks about God creating a caretaker for the Earth. It’s a very poignant portrayal of the American farmer and it almost makes you want to go out and start busting some sod.

But, then again, Paul Harvey’s voice does that to you. I was first introduced to his voice when I was little boy. My grandfather, Thurston Adcock, would listen to him every day at the same time and if you happen to be visiting during that time, well, you just had to listen to. For the duration of the show, time stopped, no sound other than the resonance of his tone and the stories that sucked you in and made you feel warm all over. It’s no wonder that when I think of my grandpa who passed away in 1987, I also think of Paul Harvey. Take a listen to the ad, and then do yourself a favor and track down some of his shows and treat yourself.

"So God Made A Farmer"

Here is a link that will take you to archives for THE REST OF THE STORY. You can also go to his website, run by his son, Paul Harvey, Jr.

2013 In Review

You know, I’m gonna cut to the chase. 2013 sucked. That’s as blue as I’ll get with it, because one day my Grandma or daughter might read this and I respect them enough to leave it at that. But, 2013 did suck, so 2014 shouldn’t have too many problems outperforming it.

We knew it was going to be that way when Carroll’s oncologist gave us the news that there was nothing left to do in December of 2013. Worst case scenario gave Carroll only three months to live, so we knew that it would be soon, but we always thought that she would degrade slowly. Carroll went from looking as if she were in perfect health to gone in less than twenty-four hours. We expected a slow decline with family having time to come see her and pay final respects, but instead, she passed in agony from excruciating headaches. In a way, that was better than the long, slow process. Though her death certificate says February 4th, she passed at around 11:20 pm on February 3rd. It was within a thirty minute time frame of when her dad passed a year and a half before on the same night of the week and in the same spot on the bedroom floor that he passed. My mother says that it is why Lilly kept seeing Grandpa Jim’s spectre around the house. He was waiting to take his daughter home. Over the last year, I’ve heard things. Whether they are Carroll or not, I don’t know, but we talk to her nonetheless. We say our prayers, we yell “I love you, Mama” to the ceiling, and we tell each other how much we miss her.

I moped for a good few months, entertaining myself by going to conventions and staying active on my blogs. Some days, I would just sit in front of the computer and stare and then there were days that I would sleep. Some days were amazing. Lots of energy, lots of ideas, then the next day would leave me lethargic and not wanting to do anything.

As the holidays approached, I spent more time with family and less time on the computer. I’d still hop on Facebook and say something, but most of the time just lurk. Both Lilly and I took the holidays rather well. No breakdowns, no collapses. Yet, we still haven’t reached the one year mark.

Lilly has been doing well in her day school and she loves it. She has friends that she loves and talks about on a regular basis. I’m hoping to put together a play date when the weather warms up. She’s precocious, quick witted, a tom boy and a princess at the same time. I know her mother smiles down on her with a smile from one side of the universe to the next.

I am gearing up to make 2014 a knockout. I won’t give details, but I am starting my own business. Carroll always told me to do what I love. She was my biggest supporter and I miss her so much for that. So, within the next few months, I’ll have huge news on that front.

Last, but not least, we raised over $6000 for the National Brain Tumor Society in November. I plan on becoming a big part of the event to honor Carroll’s name and giving spirit, so be prepared to get sick of me.

If you have not heard from us personally in the last year, please do not take it to heart. We have been fighting daily with our emotions and sometimes forget the little things. Know that we do love you and you are still a part of mine and Lilly’s lives.

So, here’s to a 2014 that won’t suck!

Where Has Halloween Gone?

I may be the only one that feels this way, but Halloween just doesn’t seem to be fun anymore. I dread neighborhood kids coming to the door. It’s not that I don’t like having to buy three $20 bags of candy, I just don’t like having to hand it over to kids who aren’t from my neighborhood or are too old to be trick-or-treating to begin with. And of course, their parents are standing right behind them like it’s perfectly fine! Really? How about me and some of my adult friends dress up and come to your neighborhood and knock on your door? Uh, oh. I’m starting to sound like that guy.

Anyway, I found a very interesting website. In this day of “sexy” this and “naughty” that, it’s kind of hard for a girl or woman to find a really cool costume. But, Take Back Halloween aims to fix that by giving girls of all ages ideas for strong female characters. You get historical, mythological, and literary figures to draw from and if a guy tries hard enough, he can get a few ideas for his own costume. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Ramblings and Wishes

I don’t know why I do it, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. How I found the first video I couldn’t tell you, but before I knew it, I had watched about ten Daddy-Soldiers-Reuniting-with-Their-Kids videos. I guess I wanted to see someone get their parent back, when I know that Lilly and I won’t. It’s okay, folks. I’m not going mental. It made me feel good. And it cleared my sinuses.

I got in the photos that I had printed. Most of them are from the memorial, but I added some of Lilly and family members. I wanted to have them to put around the house, so that Lilly and I will have reminders in front of us. When they’re on a computer, you have to voluntarily search them out, but if they’re on a wall, you see them all the time.

I was thinking one night while I was out about all the things that Carroll and I didn’t do. Not big trips and the such, but little things like going out to dinner. The few times that we got a baby-sitter, we didn’t know where to go. Here’s our date would go:

Silence for the first 10 minutes of the drive and then we look at each other. Carroll: smiling “I want to go home and pick her up right now.”

“I do, too, but we’re not. We’re going to go and enjoy ourselves. Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know. How about you?”

“I don’t know. You decide, because you don’t always like the places I pick.”

“I do, too!”

“Okay, Pappadeaux’s.”

“That’s Cajun. Everything is too spicy, even the chicken.”

“Ha Ha, see? So, how about some place we’ve never been?”

“I don’t know any places.”

And so on . . . . .

While I was out one night a few weeks back, I stopped by Barnes & Noble and then hit this little pizza place with a patio. The weather was perfect. I got a pizza, sat on the patio, watched traffic, and thought that Carroll would love this place. Of course, now, I’ll just have to tell her about it, but while I sat there, I thought why couldn’t I have found a place like this before and then we would have a place to go?

My only answer to that was something that I had heard before. You have to plan. If you don’t plan, then it doesn’t happen. Even little things like dinner with your spouse have to be planned. Especially, when you both are fighting a disease together. But this doesn’t have to just apply to the sick. You healthy folk could use a stress reducer like this. So, plan your date. Write it on a sticky note and put it on the fridge or the back of the front door. Then, when a miracle does happen and you get a free night, it’s already planned.

If it ever comes a time, and you’re the only one enjoying a great pizza, you won’t feel so guilty.

National Brain Tumor Walk 2013

It’s fund-raising time again and the date has been set for the 2013 National Brain Tumor Walk at Trinity Park in Ft. Worth. I lost my wife, Carroll, in February after a three-year battle with the disease. She never lost hope and never lost that smile and I want to continue to wage the battle, so that no one else will have to go through what we did.

It’s so easy to help, too. You can join us in the walk, donate, and spread the word by going to the Team Kiwi site. Once you are here, you have several options and I go over them in the videos below. The team goal is $10,000 this year and I think it is very doable. Our goal was $2,000 last year and we beat that by a few hundred dollars.

So, I ask. Go to the site. Register to walk with us, if you can. If you can’t, donate and help spread the word.

Video – How to register to walk

Video – How to donate to team or team member

Video – How to set up personal page to fundraise

2-year-old is walking again!

This came across my web this morning and I just had to post it. It started with a most horrible accident, but ends in hope. In April, the father of little Ireland was mowing the yard on a riding lawnmower and backed over her. She lost both legs below the knees.

Now, I’ve had to come to terms with death when I lost my wife back in February due to brain cancer. There is a big hole that will never be filled and I deal with it daily. I know that it will get easier; it’s a long hard road. But this father has to see his little girl everyday and be reminded that he was the one that was in control when the accident happened. I don’t know if that would ever get easier for me.

I’ve actually thought about things that could go wrong here at the house. Things that I have control over. I put a lot of thought into a task before I ever start doing it, because I couldn’t live with myself if I ever hurt my child. I think that’s the most stressful part of being a parent, worrying about the safety and health of you child.

I’m like most parents. I think “what was she doing in the back yard when he was mowing? She’s only two for Pete’s sake! Where was Mom?!” But, you know what? We don’t know, so we shouldn’t be judgmental. I’m sure he wasn’t hot-rodding around the yard with a blindfold.

The good news is that little Ireland got her new prostheses and took to them like they were the genuine deal. Check out the video and see what I mean. I love the cape with her initial on it. The story goes on the way it should, living happily ever after.

Do you torture yourself over what-ifs? What are some weird fears that you have that might befall your little ones? Do you know of any little superheroes like Ireland?

Ireland Nugent walks on her new prosthetic legs on June 17, 2013.WTSP.COM