Mickey's Musings

Puppies

This is he stage of the whole packing/getting ready process where I get weepy over the dogs and cats.

Parenting, role models

Baldilocks
has a great post about parenting. One of the comments to her post got me a bit riled though and trying to be a polite guest, I tried to restrain my answer, I hope I succeed. But, here, I don't have to hold back *G*

To me, a good parent is a good parent, whether they be single, married, purple, blue, male or female. I came from a dysfucntional family, we just didn't realize it, because in many ways, we were very much like all the other dysfunctional families. No, we weren't a single parent family, we were the king sized dysfunctional family, the two parent kind. The kind where the fighting was only interrupted by the cold silences that could last for weeks on end. There's a lesson in communication. And although I hate to generalize, there's just nothing like a great big ole Irish two parent dysfunctional family. The cast of players didn't seem to differ much from family to family either. The Dad was a drinker, the mother a yeller and an Irish mother cornered the market on guilt, I don't care what anyone says. Heck, an Irish Caholic mother had the power of the saints behind her every world. Trust was never a factor, you were always doing the wrong thing, with the wrong people at the wrong time. And what would the neighbors think? I never understood this. An Irish woman that I worked with once explained to me that the Irish can't praise their children, that wasn't the correct or humble way to behave. So that's why praise was never very big in our neck of the woods. And you were never, never to air the dirty laundry, but one who suffers the wrath of a dysfunctional family can spot another a mile away. No one had to admit to it, you just knew. As an adult, I actually sat and listened to a woman tell us all about how she and her husband fought constantly, in front of the children no less and in the next breath, had the nerve to refer to my son as I as a dysfucntional family. No, we're a fixed family, you, my dear are the broken and dysfunctional ones. Staying together for the sake of the children, wonderful excuse.

I married a man from a family similar to mine, except the tales he told had violence in them, thankfully something I bever experienced....until marriage that is.

A good parent stands by their child through it all, divorce, separation, it doesn't matter. Marriage doesn't make a male or female role model, the parent does, whether they continue to live as a group or extend beyond. What an insult to all the war brides that functioned as providers and mother and father for their children when their husbands were lost in the war or return disabled. And what of the children being raised by mothers or fathers when teh other parent is off on active duty for extended periods of time. Do these children suffer from the lack of a role model, do they view men as less than masculine because they see women in the role of provider?

I just wish all the people who spout off about good family values and the horror of the single parent family would do more than generalize and give some decent examples. And so often, they are so quick to criticize what they don't know themselves first hand. Reminds me of the good church goers that try and run you over in the parking lot.

Isabel

Isabel just kind winked and waved at us here "da shore". The ocean was really stirred up yesterday and I had to have my son help me get out of the truck, because the wind at the oceanfront was so strong that I didn't want the thing come back at me, been there, done that back in the 70's with a big old Oldsmobile door.

Last night wasn't too bad, lots of trees down, but nothing major, only one into a house, for our shift anyway,

Da shore this morning

We went to the beach this morning, only a 5 minute drive for us. The front end loaders were out, moving the sand from the shore line up to the dunes to fortify them. Quite a few people were out in their swimsuits enjoying the beautiful day soaking up the sun ands staying clear of the water. The surf is kicking and the rip is very apparent. No surfers were in the water at all, which kind of surprised me. Very few houses were boarded up or even had their shutters closed.

One idiot, in my opinion was in the surf, about a little below his knees, holding a young child. You have to understand that the warnings are everywhere that the surf itself is dangerous and that caution is to be used and they stress that you should really stay out of the surf. My son's father took him out on the jetty one day when the wind was kicking up, not too serious, but enough for a big ole wave to come along and send them flying. Thank God he held on to him. He brought him home to me almost right away, my son's back was covered with cuts and bruises, as were his arms, he was about 3-4 at the time and was still crying from the pain. My ex's arms were ripped to shreds. This had been a fairly freak event. The man in the surf today was a freak event, he was just a freakin' idiot.

I'm one of those people who can't stand to be far from the ocean. I think I have salt water in my veins. I crave seeing the ocean and smelling the salt air. But, I respect it, it's a force to be reckoned with and it doesn't discriminate.

On the way back over to the mainland there was a Coast Guard helicopter flying low over the bay, on the mainland side of the bridge were rescue units and patrol cars and a Marine PD rescue boat. I guess I'll fnd out what it was all about when I get to work tonight.

I took some pictures, the ocean was absolutely beautiful today, I'll try and get them developed and scanned this afternoon.

The Dog

I couldn't resist, not like it was terribly hard. I only got the small one. Okay, okay, I *only* got the small one because they didn't have the BIG one that wags it's tail and barks. And I wanted to get a black lab ala D'Artagnan, but they didn't have any.

THE DOG see if you can resist! *G*

Isabel

So Isabel is thinking of visiting the Jersey Shore, how nice! This is a picture of the barrier island, part of it anyway. Pretty thin, isn't it. Loaded with million dollar + homes, heck, some of the lots sell for a mill without the houses. I grew up a bit further up the island, up 2 towns, we had a hurricane come through back in '66. We evacuated, but my parents said never again. At least my father said that *G* I don't think he liked leaving the boat moored in the backyard. I remember the water rising up so that the boat was above the bulkhead.

We live here on the mainland, I can see the lights of the beach on my way home in the mornings, but at least I don't anticipate flooding here. I just keep hoping it hits *after* I've come home from work. It's a tough one, you want to help and certainly I would stay, but I don't like the idea of leaving my son to take the full responsibility of everything at home. We get some pretty kick ass Nor'easters here, but this would be the first real hurricane in a long time.

Right now I'm not giving it too much thought. We'll make sure the lawn furniture is in and the garbage cans/recycling cans are secured. Make sure we have plenty of drinking water and utility water on hand and dry non-perishable food and that's about it. It seems that lately around here if you look the wrong way, the electric goes out, so I'm more concerned with that than anything else. We lost power 2 nights in a row last week at work and in a good portion of the mainland part of the town. There's been on going issues with JCPL (electric co) over the problems.

I imagine the next fews days at work will be hectic, people concerned over what to do and where to go and seeing as how everyone thinks they should call 911 every time their lights flicker, this shouldn't be any different. Need a plumber? Call the police! Afraid to let that bat out the door, call the police! Locked your keys in the car, washing machine overflowing, need your air conditioner turned on, need the cat to be let back in the house, yes, all true calls. Please, think before you call the police, somebody else may really need us. Oops, I've gone on a rant, sorry. No one should ever hesitate to call when they are truly in need, but many times, the need just isn't a police matter.

Drive Ins

New Jersey was the first state to have a drive in theatre. Now, they're aren't any left here. But, hopefully, that's all going to change real soon. The Wall Staduim raceway is hoping to bring back the drive-in theatre to NJ on the days that they don't have racing. The spot is perfect, open and set back off the main road, no houses around and these days the theatres can work the sound off the FM radio.

I took my son to drive-in when he was 3, they were getting ready to close the last one here in Jersey up in Hazlet, they wanted to build a big generic multiplex.
During a Mohers Day ride, we found this gem, Warwick Drive In and from there we found yet another, Fair Oaks Drive In, but they don't have a web page. There's an interesting site dedicated to drive ins Drive In Theater

I love the drive in. I like the fact that the puppies can come with us, we can bring our own snacks and I know where the head rest has been when I seink down and lean back in the seat. Besides, my seats recline better *G* and I can bring my own pillows and blankies. Got a drive in by you? Try enjoying it this weekend :)

Sleep

I managed to sleep most - ok, all of the day away. Got a good 8 hours in there from 12-8. That's one of the drawbacks of working mids, you can really screw with your sleep schedule. Thankfully, it isn't a rotating shift though, straight mids and yes, by choice.

Getting way out of hand

Defiant flag flier George Andres once again is facing the prospect of losing his Jupiter home after a Palm Beach County judge ruled Wednesday that his homeowners association could go forward with a foreclosure sale next month to collect legal fees.

A blog to myself

I'm not going to whine about "why can't we all just get along" because I know that we can't. My wish would be that we could at least have respect for each other's opinions. It amazes me how much name calling there is amongst the blogs that lean towards political blogging, yet right along side the posts about leftists and treasonists and morons, there are the posts that scream that we dare not forget! Never forget the tragedy of 9/11, remember the heroes, remember the victims. Which seems too often to blur right into the need for war. Not every police officer or fire fighter in America thinks we should be at war, they all didn't vote for the president either, should we still remember them? What if they were (gasp) democrats or even independents. Yes, yes, I know this is just crazy talk, of course we'll remember them and honor them. So, why can't we show at least a touch of respect for those who are living and we know don't share our opinions? Would you throw that barb if the person were standing in front of you in their FDNY gear? If we're willing to honor these victims, a diverse and I'm sure politically mixed group, couldn't we extend that same courtesy around the blogosphere? As it's being pointed out over and over, we are all victims, America was victimized on 9-11-2001. Well, maybe it's true, maybe I do wish we'd all just get along. Maybe I'm just disgusted at how quickly things can change and maybe I'm mad at myself for not saying anything.

Firefly

Firefly to begin airing in Canada

Web cams

I went cam surfing today. First, the usual suspects - cams in Maine

Ellsworth Cam at the Treasure Island toy store

Next hopping across and up the street a bit to the Ellsworth City Hall cam

And last but not least, the Tide Cam at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound where the lobsters are delicious!

Then all the way across to the Live Kat cam in Vancouver BC

Niagara Falls is looking particularly misty today!

And last for our tour this evening - Toronto

Who knows, I may change this again, I really need to get bolder I suppose. But I just like a clean, uncluttered appearance. Odd really, 'cause I'm a pretty cluttered type person. I don't mind most clutter, it's dirt I can't stand.

I have to get the rugs professionally cleaned before we head to Canada. I can't stand the fact that people will be in and outta here and the rugs look...icky. Why there are white berber rugs in here is beyond me....(yeah...right) I wanted to get tile put down in the TV room, but the roof was a tad more important. I really do need to win the lottery *G*

Either that or stop watching Changing Rooms!

My mother passed away over 4 years ago, yet I still have trouble throwing away a lot of her things. I'm not even sure why, but I do. I see as I go through some of her things, that she saved things from my father, "silly" things, like his razor or a comb.

I just went through her vast eye glass collection, interesting to see the fashion changes and I could picture her in them.

When the woman across the street passed away, her relatives (I'm guessing that's who they were) descended on the house with a big dumpster and they emptied out the place, furniture, everything.

I think I like my way better, it may not be as efficient, but I still like my way better.

I think it's interesting that illegal aliens in California may be able to get a *legal* driver's license (based on what illegal information, I'm not sure) But, myself, a law abiding US citizen can't change my name back to my maiden name without paying $175.00. (Now look at who's getting cranky! *G*)

People fascinate me and they often disgust me too. I find it wonderful that people who have such diverse viewpoints can still see the beauty of the individual, yet I'm perplexed at how they can still be friends when they have such different views.
I'm confused too as to how some people will opt to gossip about someone rather than talk to that person about the very hardship in many cases, they are gossiping about....
How they can smile and be seemingly so kind, yet can't bite their tongue when a snarky comment comes to mind about that same person.
I wonder sometimes how they have been robbed of their compassion, when it doesn't seem that life has dealt them too bad a hand. And yet others, smile and when their hand is revealed, it makes you want to weep.

I think sometimes that I am far too naive, which as usual with me is in such contrast. I often think that I am a exercise in opposites.

I'm still perplexed at the level of hostility that seems to be present in many people's blogs. Are they really that angry or does it just give them something to talk about if they rant. Does an angry blog draw more traffic than one that just discusses the weather, how a person's day went and their aspirations? Is being angry and unhappy the new fashion face?

I don't know.

Isn't this getting just a little ridiculous?

From this morning's news

Abercrombie and Fitch has filed a lawsuit against the apparel retailer and competitor American Eagle Outfitters. A&F claims that Hollister apparel stores has the exclusive rights to the number 22, yes the very same number that comes after 21 and before 23, and is seeking to prevent American Eagle?s use of the number on its clothing and advertising. Though A&F has not registered the number for a trademark, the company believes that it has established grounds for the common law rights to the number, as 22 has appeared on Hollister?s clothing since the Hollister chain of stores opened its doors in 2000. Additionally the number 22 references the fictitious 1922 founding date of Hollister. In order to win a ruling in its favor A&F will likely have to prove that consumers associate the number 22 with Hollister, so if one buys a shirt with a 22 they are assuming that the it is a Hollister brand shirt and furthermore that another company featuring the number on its shirts or in its advertising would be misleading to the public. In 1998 the A&F company filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against American Eagle Outfitters in 1998 claiming that American Eagle had copied its clothing styles, colors, marketing, advertising and stores, the case was dismissed as having no merit and went to a court of appeals, which upheld the lower courts ruling.

Strawberries with sugar, freshed baked cheese bread, fresh corn...yum

It's raining today, I suppose a fitting end to the summer here at the Jersey Shore. Of course, this pretty much means I'm sitting on my a** today not doing a lot of anything. I did do some wash, did some bidding on E-Bay and made my bed. Thrilling!

What's everyone else up to?