Memoria

Posted by Sheldon |0 comments

The storied Greatest Generation
Who battled dark oppression and foul tyranny
Now contend with cancer operations
Glaucoma, arthritis, asthma, and other malady.

As once they walked with heads held high
As all the people cheered their courage and unmatched humility
So now they are stooped with age, and die
Quiet now the people; our heroes lost in anonymity.

But when for a moment, a moment’s pause we find
Amid the chaos of life’s little inconvenience
May we each turn a grateful heart and mind
To those who offered their whole selves in liberty’s defense
And for them hold a moment’s reverence.

Perfection

Posted by Sara |0 comments

Every day brings us a little closer to our big summer vacation. Last night Sheldon and I sat down and planned what we are actually going to do in Washington. At first I dreamed this trip would relive all of my favorite childhood experiences, but I've come to recognize how impractical that would be. I'm still excited about our plans. We're doing some of my favorite activities and adding things I've never done. We are most excited to see Ann and Bill, especially to be there for their sealing.

We were so glad this Friday to have Sharisse's brother Jesse stay with us. We got so much accomplished before his stay. My favorite accomplishment was getting the lawn mowed before the rain started to flood again. Sheldon was so thrilled when he came home. It made my day. Then on top of that he helped me clean the bathroom among other projects. I felt very loved.

Saturday the girls and Sheldon and I worked on a few Mothers Day presents. We opened the house and had a nice breeze blowing and everything was peaceful. Joe spent almost all day researching Civil War songs and poems. It was a small miracle that we didn't have to sit on him to get his work done.

Jesse made the comment when he was here that Missouri reminded him of Washington. I've always wanted to live in Washington. Now if Missouri were filled with all the people I love and we could somehow get a little ocean nearby I would have to call it perfect.

And the rain rain rain came down down down...

Posted by Sheldon |0 comments

So we got some rain this weekend. And when I say "some" I mean "I'm afraid to look at my gutters or my garage". We've had 3 inches or so since Friday night - a big moist system came up from the Gulf states and dumped on us, and has now been shoved off by a big cold system from up north - it's supposed to get into the upper 30's tonight. My lawn's in serious need of mowage, but I don't see it happening.

Josh decided to develop a late reaction to the antibiotics the kids just finished for the strep they had a couple weeks ago - he was covered in a hive-y rash on Saturday. He's not real happy with the consequences of that visit - the steroid they prescribed doesn't taste as good as the antibiotics did.

Have you ever noticed...

Posted by Sheldon |0 comments

Listening to the radio on the way home the other day, I noticed (not for the first time, surely) that almost any song that uses the word "baby" mangles it terribly. So, musicians everywhere, I have a few questions for you:

1. Why is "bay-beh" the way to sing it? Why not "bee-bee" or "bibby"?
2. Why is "bay-beh" invariably rhymed with other words which then catch the same disease - "lay-deh", "cray-zeh", etc.?
3. What's so special about "baby" that you get to funkify its vowels? Can you do the same with other words, e.g. "Bay-beh, when I thank aboat yo, I thank aboat luve..."?

We've got questions, musicians. We want answers.

Off we go...

Posted by Sheldon |0 comments

So the Slades have now spread to 6 states (California, Idaho, Missouri, Southern California, Texas, and Utah) and 2 countries. Our plans to take over the world are proceeding apace. (Mwahahahaha!)

I discovered this past weekend that as time goes by I'm becoming increasingly allergic to grasses. I had to mow the lawn; zipped through it at light speed, thought I'd escaped any difficulties and came inside. Half an hour later I had the whole delightful "can't see, can't breathe" experience. I'm thinking it's about time Joe learned to mow lawns.

Busy-ish times. Various of the kids have strep and/or pinkeye, Sara's been doing a fair bit of Etsy stuff and some flowers for a prom this weekend, and I've got a camporee with the Scouts. Theoretically we'll get the garden in at some point...

We are here!

Posted by Sheldon |0 comments

So, Sara's been after me for a while to start us up a blog. From now on, we promise to bring you only the finest in navel-gazing, existentialist philosophical and political drivel, and nerdery!

Oh, and whatever Sara decides to post. Probably pictures and stuff.