Virtual-Doug

Can You Spell "Hot?"

This is not unusual in deep south Texas.

It was 107 on the 4th of July.

(Be sure to click on the image so you can see a bigger version and read it easier.)

EDIT:

I posted that way too early. Here is the temperature a little later.  It was 100 at noon.  Also, the temperature gauge in my car.

STILL ANOTHER EDIT:  Okay - I took the screen capture of the 107 temp too early.  It got to 108 today - the hottest day in ten years and the hottest day ever in the month of July.  Don't get me wrong - 100 plus days are not uncommon during the summers in deep south Texas.

New Photo Site

I got very bored with my old web site of photos – I wanted something with a little more pizzazz.  I also wanted to be a bit more selective of the photos I post.

Take a look – and let me know what you think.

www.dougyoungphotography.com

The Return

My Vietnamese friends have never seen me with one.

Most of my pre-retirement colleagues were surprised when I got rid of it.

And I suppose boredom has brought about its return.

I’m talking about my ponytail.  I wore the last vestige of rebellious youth until a few years ago.  A posting on this blog detailed how I had it cut off just before we went to live in Việt Nam.  Since our return from Huê three years ago,  I was beginning to tire of the conservative-keep-your-hair-short-because-you-are-an-old-man look, but yet I knew the expanding thin spot on the back of my head was accentuated by the old pony tail, so I decided to do something different.

Hence, the little wisp of a pony tail – and if need arises, I can tuck it into my collar.  I’ll let it grow as long as it wants to grow.

See how exciting my life is?

Father’s Day

He died way too young – in April, 1966 - when he was in his fifties.  I was just out of college, had begun my military service, and getting used to being married when he died.

But Dad had the impact on me that fathers are supposed to have.  He showed me what it meant to be a man.  And he loved his children’s mother.

I think of Dad fairly often now, prompted by my frequent visits to Mom.  I try to imagine them as a young couple – today we would describe them as “beautiful people.”

Just as we Christians and Jews are told to “Honor they father and thy mother”, the Vietnamese culture values filial piety – to love and care for your parents.  As I used to tell some of my students, I am a little bit Vietnamese.

Someday soon, Mom will be with you again Dad.  I just want to tell you how much I appreciate the love you had for your oldest son.

Happy father’s day!

This and That

Yes – I’m still here.

Lately, I have been rather busy with my mother.  She will be 93 this coming July, but I have my doubts she will make it.  Last week, I truly thought she was gone, but she is the original “Tough Old Broad.”  I have been trying to keep our far-flung family informed and I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family supporting me.

I need to say this – most of the emails and notes I get are very supportive and helpful.  I am not going to say this is easy, yet it’s also true that the mother who loved and raised me - was my mentor and strength - died sometime ago.  Nancy Reagan said it well when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s – it is indeed “The Long Goodbye.”  Mom has been in a nursing home for two years, but had Alzheimer’s long before that.  My visits with her now are for her emotional well being because she certainly has little cognition left.

The high school sports season is winding down – which means I will have a quiet summer until August when football starts.  I went to go shoot a baseball playoff game the other night, but a line of heavy storms came through, rendering the field unplayable.  The coaches called around, found another field about twenty miles away.  The first pitch was thrown at 9:50 pm, but as the teams ran onto the field for warm-ups, I had this photo opportunity.

Field of Dreams?

(Be sure to click on the photos to see a larger version.)

Finally, Trang is finished with her second semester as a graduate student.  I’m convinced she does more work by accident than I do on purpose – she is always studying.  She will take a course during the summer session, but right now she is in Houston enjoying the food and company of the large Vietnamese population there.

She’s also looking forward to having another grad student in Texas.  In July, Tuan will arrive for his doctoral work in San Antonio.  Tuan (but usually called T-Bone) was one of our regular visitors when we lived in Hue.  He would walk into our apartment asking if we had anything to eat.  The Mystery Guest Blogger became “Mom” to T-Bone.  We’ll see you soon, Tuan.

Remembering Karen

Last week was wonderful.  A family thing.  A good thing.

Angel Fire, New Mexico, has been close to my heart for years.  Along with Karen, the Mystery Guest Blogger and I bought a small two-bedroom condo there back in 1991 – eighteen years ago.  Back then, the MGB and I lived in Albuquerque and we spent a lot of time in Angel Fire – winter and summer.  Karen brought her kids and grandkids there to ski.  Last June, the MGB and I took two of our grandkids there.  I blogged about their adventures with horses, pueblos, baseball, and their being “unwired.”

Just before Karen died, she asked my brother to organize another family reunion.  She wanted the family to gather in Angel Fire, to laugh together, and maybe drink a few homebrews.  She also wanted us to ski down her favorite run and sprinkle her ashes on the snow.

And we did.  Karen was called Mom, Sis, mother-in-law, aunt, Grandma, sister-in-law and a bunch of other affectionate names.  On Tuesday, we gathered at the base of the mountain near the main lift to say a few thoughts and prayers.  Her two children hugged – and laughed – and were thankful for the gift of having Karen as their mother.  One of the Karen’s favorite poems was read – and she had written it on this same blog way back in April 2006, while the MGB and I were still living in Việt Nam. 

Did I mention that we partied too?  Karen was anything but a stick-in-the-mud.  One of her favorite toasts was “This is why we go to those sucky jobs!”  There was a lot of laughter – just as she wanted.  We enjoyed ourselves.

We also had a chance to celebrate the cycle of life.  Yes, Karen left us but we had a new addition to the family.  Having a baby around was a real treat – Paul and Kymberlee shared Evy with all of us.  A clearly emotional Grandpa Dick charged all of us with the responsibility of ensuring she be dedicated to God.

The condo is for sale now – another of life’s changes.  It has been a wonderful escape place over the years.  We drove home, through the snowy valley.  As I drove, I thought of having Karen and Evy there to teach me what gifts I have been given.

Thanx, God.

End of the Trip

We're home - and we all have colds!

But - Trang had a chance to see how Christmas is celebrated by a typical American family with kids and lots of relatives - she got to go to Disney World - and she saw the underbelly of America with its homeless.

Happy New Year!

In Memoriam

The Mystery Guest Blogger’s younger brother Bob passed away this morning under hospice care.  He has battled liver disease for many years and underwent a liver transplant four years ago.  The operation left him with slurred speech and poor balance.

The MGB and her two surviving brothers are in Ohio with their Mom and Bob’s wife.  We ask your prayers.

Its Official

According to the government, as of today, I am officially elderly.

I already have my Medicare card, so it must be true.

Now if I can just take my own advice and not get old.

Karen Has Left the Building

She left this morning.  Thanx to so many of you who left comments, sent emails, and made phone calls.