…And then depression set in.

Hello again. The movie Stripes starring Bill Murray was the inspiration for today’s title. As those of you who know me are aware, I’m not a fan of winter. Everything is harder to do when it’s cold outside. Simple things like going to the grocery store become major trips that require advance planning. Does everyone have their hat and gloves? Try to park near the door so we don’t have to walk so far. And what about trying to push a shopping cart full of stuff through the snow. I can’t stand even thinking about it. Plus, there are no brat frys outside the store in the winter. A total bummer. So, when the weather took a turn for the colder this week I was less than happy. I know, I know, it was going to happen eventually but I don’t have to like it. My girls are very excited about winter and the inevitable snow that come’s with it. Kids like snow. Kids are crazy. I don’t believe anyone really likes winter. Oh sure, some folks do like to do things that can only be done in the winter like snowmobiling or ice fishing, but as an overall season, I believe winter is the proverbial red headed step child, no offense to any actual red headed step children out there. I’m sure you are fine people. But I digress. Maybe if winter only lasted for three months instead of six, I might cut winter a little slack. Thank goodness for college basketball and March Madness which we all know is the true beginning of spring, for giving us some hope that it can’t last forever. Well winter is here and so am I, again. It sure felt good to get that off my chest. Now if I just knew the top seeds in the NCAA basketball tournament.

I ran across an interesting news item the other day, and at the risk of being controversial, I wanted to share a few thought about it. Conservapedia.com is a conservative online encyclpedia. The folks at Conservapedia have decided to rewrite the Bible with a decidedly more conservative slant to counter the bibles liberal bias.

Now I’m not a Bible expert but I wasn’t aware that there was a liberal bias, or for that matter, a conservative bias to the Bible. Really, how seriously can anyone take this? The text of the Bible has been interpreted many time throughout history and the most traditional translations were at least overseen by scholars of conservative Christianity.

Now, an online encyclopedia is rewording the Bible to support their own political and social agendas. I think this is why the founding fathers thought it necessary to have a separation of church and state in the first place. Just my opinion.

Now a word about Facebook. Facebook is a great way to keep up with friends who are far away and also to make new friends and share experiences, play games, and all of the other things that you can do on Facebook. Unfortunately, Facebook has also become the way you can let someone know that you are no longer friends by simply deleting them. No need to talk about what’s wrong in your relationship. No need to listen to each other and try to find common ground. Just push the button and you’re gone. This happened to me recently, twice. Now I was aware that there were problems with the two people involved, but I was using this time as a cooling off period, from which hopefully we could start to find some answers to the many questions the three of us have. But evidently that’s not the case.

I have to admit to being a little hurt by being so easily erased, but I still believe I was right in the things that I said and wouldn’t have changed a thing. And while I still care deeply for the other two of our three, I am not about to change the way I feel to salvage whatever relationship we have left. But rest easy. I would never delete you as a friend. You are my son and daughter. And even though we are at odds, I hope that someday you will choose to think for yourself (Andy that’s for you) and finally realize that giving people ultimatums can make for very sad and ugly endings.

On Saturday, we had a very rich, full day. It started with lunch at Waverly Beach with my mom and her husband George. They had never had the opportunity to meet my girls before so this was a pretty big deal for me and my mom too I expect. We had a great time, took some pictures, talked and shared stories, and finally got to cross one more thing of my list of things I need to do. Here’s hoping we can get together more often in the future (don’t ask about the mustache and goatee on the girls, lol).

After that, we headed back to Manitowoc for my wife’s grandmothers 75th birthday party. The party was hosted by a very close friend of the family, Mary Melberg, at her beautiful Victorian home. Just about everyone was there. It was wonderful to see people we haven’t had the chance to see in many years. The food was wonderful and the birthday girl looked beautiful. Although she’s had some significant health issues recently, Mitzie really enjoyed herself and it was great to see her have some fun for once. Happy Birthday Mitz, and here’s hoping you have many more.

Well, that’s all for now. Back to work tomorrow and another long week ahead. But I’m not complaining. I’m thankful for all that I have. You should be too. Let’s try to make every season the season to be thankful.

See you next time I’m playing in quicksand.