The Mess We Amass

-
We are in the process of updating and painting a few rooms.

I’m out of the painting business - spoke with a younger man from one of the job sites.

A real painter. 

He’s also a young Dad and perhaps can use a little cash. So, we swung a deal and he’ll be by soon enough.

I have to get the crap cleaned out of the rooms!

Which isn’t easy because I live with a few people who are quite a bit less concerned about amassing a mess.

Mom did a hell of a number on all of us!

People think Dad was the reason that we are all a little off, but the intensity and the OCD stuff came directly via my Dear Mother and I wouldn’t change it at all.

“I love cleaning out rooms,” I said to Kathy.

She looked at me as if I had a huge forehead (I do).

“Why?”

“One, it’s getting cleaned up! And two, you find things!”

I found photos of my kids when they were young. There was the time we went to the wrestling matches. 

I also found a few photos where I was young as I was keeping an eye on them as they played.

I always looked more scared (and tired) than happy.

Then I found the holy grail of yesterday’s room cleanup:

A shot of Melky.

She was just 2 or 3 years old.

My barrel-chested pit bull!

She was healthy!

“Damn!”

I threw a lot of stuff - junk - out.

But I also traveled down memory lane a little.

We certainly accumulate messes along the way…

…but if we’re lucky we also string together some hits.

It was fun looking back on when we were young and strong, but man, I miss my doggy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more