What I should have blogged about

Here are the top 5 things I should have been blogging about during my hiatus ...

5. Goofy things I find on the Internet

Like sweet-tea flavored vodka. Or the coyote who got on an airport light rail shuttle. 

4. The economy

And how newspapers are cratering around the nation. Every other industry is getting federal bailout funds, why not newspapers?

3. The Steelers

Another Super Bowl victory should have given me license for dozens of posts about the Black & Gold.

2. My grandmother

Her death was pretty traumatic for me. Not because it was unexpected, she'd been in poor health for years and years. Instead, it was because I'd gone so long without a death in my immediate family. My paternal grandfather died before I was born. My paternal grandmother died in 1992. Both maternal grandfathers (biological and step) are still alive. A couple of uncles died in the meantime, but it was nearly 17 years between deaths in my direct bloodline.

On top of that, my grandmother helped raise me. I spent a lot of time at her house when I was a kid. Summers and after school and every Sunday after church for more years than I can remember. She was a constant in my life.

I'm glad she held on until Paige was born. I'd have been heartbroken if she didn't get to see her great-granddaughter. 

1. Paige

OK, I know I said I don't want to become one of those parents who talk about their kid constantly. But, seriously, she's the No. 1 thing in my and Jen's life right now. Everything else fades into the background thanks to her.

Kung Fu Panda

Took my niece to see it last night so mom could go play bridge.

I give it a C.

An older kid probably would have liked it better. Erin spent most of the movie playing with her bracelet that lit up when you press a button.

(Sorry for the lack of posts, but this Fort Smith Classic drama is wearing me out.)

R.I.P. Mac

OK, first Dad cuts off the tip of his finger on Thursday night.

Then, Sunday, I get word my dog Mac isn't doing well. (I've left him at my Mom's house all these years because she's got a big backyard. And a Golden Retriever/Rottweiler mix that weighs 80 pounds needs a big backyard.)

Anyway, I go over there tonight and he's barely able to stand. It's come on pretty suddenly. He just lays there on his side, looking at me with these sad eyes. He always was a very active dog, chasing tennis balls from one end of the yard and back, so seeing him like this is very difficult for me.

Mom told me to be optimistic, it might be a virus he caught. But I'm pretty sure tomorrow morning's trip to the vet will be Mac's final one. He's old. I can't remember exactly how old he is. Mom said 13, but I'm pretty sure he's 14. For a dog that size ... well, he's outlived his life expectancy.

I still remember bringing him home. He was just weaned from his mom, a Golden Retriever. He was so small, I put him in the chest/belly pocket of a pullover windbreaker I was wearing. He snuggled in and fell asleep while I drove him home. I kept him inside for several months. I'd let him sleep with me until he was nearly fully grown.

Over the years, I spent less and less time with him. I'd got weeks without seeing him, even though Mom's house is only a mile away. I regret that. He deserved better from me.

This photo is from about two weeks ago. He's waiting on me to throw a tennis ball ...



He's gone. Vet offered to run tests, but said he was pretty sure it was kidney failure. I didn't want my big fella to be in any more pain, so I opted for ... you know.

Just the tip

At the Fort Smith Classic last night, I get a phone call from Dad. He tells me I need to come to Crawford County Hospital when I get a chance, because he's there ... for cutting off one of his fingers.

WHAT!?!

When I got there, I got the full story.

He was trimming the hair on the lower leg of one of his horses. To do that, he was holding one of the hooves in his left hand. The horse lost its balance and leaned against Dad. That caused Dad to lose balance. As he was falling, the horse stepped on his left hand.

He lost the tip of his ring finger on his left hand. By "tip" I mean from the cuticle on the top angling backwards to the knuckle on the bottom.

Anyway, he'll be fine.

The joy of living in your hometown

It's great having family around. It really is.

Unless various family members keeping winding up in the headlines for getting arrested for various crimes. Here's the latest ...

http://www.4029tv.com/news/15970713/detail.html

Jen suggested we drop the "F" and become the Aldons. Mark called said the River Valley branch of the family is giving the NWA branch a bad name.

More details here ...

http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2008/04/24/news/news03.txt