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Off Topic with MuskyHopeful
The Slippery Slope
7/18/2007 2:52:14 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2...

How on earth can this type of behavior be justified? Here's a guy that makes untold millions, has a legion of fans, and is under the public microscope. Yet somehow there was something in his life, his upbringing, his social status, etc., that gave him a sense of entitlement, or a sense that his skills put him above the law or above simple acts of common kindness to another living thing.

I heard reports on the radio today that he is allegedly involved with this to the point of being a party to the execution of losing or injured dogs by hanging, electrocution, or drowning.

I guess he'll get his day in court. Lets hope law enforcement has their T's crossed and I's dotted. If the charges are true I would hate to see him get off because of a bad search warrant, etc.

How do you guys that freak out about a kept musky or a vertical hold feel about people that would train and fight dogs to the death? And then hang, electrocute, or drown them?

Talk about giving the PETA type crazies of the world another reason to scream their nuts off.

6/17/2007 9:20:20 AM
From Son to Father.

I find myself waking early (for me) on this, my tenth and seventh Father's Days respectively.

Those that have read my posts throughout my time here are most likely aware of my feelings regarding being a father to my ten year old daughter, Grace. She's a special and wonderful kid. She came into our world when I was already a fairly well ripened 36 years of age.

I've struggled with fatherhood at times due to some of my shortcomings. I''m sure I've struggled less than some, more than others, and the same as many. Alcohol, too much focus on my business, selfishness; these things have contributed to my imperfections as a father. I do my best and hope for the best. Is it enough? Only time will tell. I try to teach, discipline, and care in a way that hopefully will lead her to a happy and fulfilling life. Having a terrific spouse has made this job much easier. I became this type of father naturally, I think. I've let the world flow around us, and so far I give myself a passing grade.

I'm also another kind of father. This type of fatherhood does not come as naturally to me, and my struggles with it have been more pronounced.

Almost seven years ago to the day my Father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 79. His first surgery revealed the cancer had metastasized to his liver. There would be no recovery, only a battle to be comfortable and wrestle what joy could be had out the rest of his life. Like me, he struggled with a number of shortcomings as a father. Basically the same exact shortcomings, which I guess is not unusual.

He also taught me by example how to be fiercely loyal and true to your family, to work hard, and be honest with yourself and others. His illness required the son to become a father. In the year that he battled his illness, my sisters and I became parents to our parents. Though my mother was his primary care giver during this period, it was necessary to take responsibility for many aspects of their lives. He passed six years ago to this day. During a family meeting not long before the end, as he performed his final duties as a father by telling us his wishes regarding his home, money, what he hoped for my mother, etc., I volunteered to increase my role as father to parent by accepting my mother into my home with my family.

This type of fatherhood turned out to be much more difficult. It did not come as naturally. My Mother, spent from caring for my Father, soon began experiencing many health problems of her own. Caring for her was difficult as she will not complain and does not communicate well, preferring to suffer silently.

She lived with us for 3.5 years. During that time my shortcomings as a father to Grace were exacerbated, as well as my shortcomings as a husband. Without the patience and understanding of my wife, and the help of my sisters, it would not have been possible to hold myself together during this period. As Son as Father, I was not a great success.

Eventually her health problems increased, and it became necessary to move her to an assisted living facility. Here she flourished. The interaction with peers improved her health and spirits, and she was happier (at least it seems that way to me, or perhaps I need to think she was happier), than when she was living under our roof.

Unfortunately, 2.5 years later and she is noticeably fading. My sisters and I find ourselves more and more in the role of parent. She has severe problems with her lungs and her vision is greatly deteriorated. Her memory is inconsistent, and she no longer can be relied upon to take her medications. It is difficult to help her, because she won't communicate how she feels either physically or emotionally. I'm sure she's terrified if she does, she'll end up in a nursing home. Something that will never happen.

Tuesday night my sisters and I are going to try and talk to her and explain our concerns. We'll try to indicate how difficult it is to help her if she won't communicate. We'll try to indicate to her how willing we are to increase our roles to make her life easier. For her to accept more help, she'll have to be willing to become more the child to our parents. This has to be very difficult for anyone who has spent the majority of their life as the parent.

I take my two roles as a father seriously, but have to be honest enough to admit that I sometimes feel like I'm fishing muskies out of a canoe, on a windy day on a huge lake, with ultra-light tackle.

I think it's all right to feel that way, as long as I keep casting.

Happy Father's Day.

Kevin

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6/15/2007 9:52:36 PM
I love books. Rarely does a day go by that I don't read. I read various genres in streaks. Lately I've been reading some hard science fiction. I'm a huge fan of hard boiled detective fiction. History, science, it's all good.

I've a strong recommendation for anyone that reads. Recently I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. So powerful in its starkness and despair, yet so moving in its underlying hope that I'm not ashamed to say that it brought me to the brink of tears. When my wife finished it she was sobbing.

Quite simply one of, if not, the, most powerful book I've ever read. McCarthy ranks with Faulkner, Styron, Chandler, Hemingway, Bellow, Roth, Banks, Ford, or any other American author heavyweight IMHO. I went to college for almost seven years and racked up enough English credits for two separate English undergrad degrees by the time I graduated. I have read A LOT of books. The Road is one of the best.

If you like to read fiction, read The Road.

Kevin

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6/14/2007 11:22:14 AM
It's been a while since I've seen a dentist. I take good care of my teeth. Haven't had a cavity since before I had braces put on in 8th grade, back when dentists still traveled town to town in a covered wagon. It's not like I'm a hillbilly.

I've had a sensitive area and last night bit into a piece of caramel corn. Should have stuck with the melted cheese I guess.

Crack. Broke a tooth. It's not too painful, but Monday I'm going in for a temporary crown to get me through the Rhinelander outing.

Luckily the area has been a bit sensitive so I'm well practiced chewing on the other side of my mouth. Don't worry about me. I'll still be able to eat.
6/13/2007 4:54:20 PM
Look at me, I'm blogging.

Why is cheese so damn good? I would have a hard time gettin' on in life if I could never eat cheese.

It's my anniversary, 15 years. I might take my Wife and daughter out for a meal that includes some type of melted cheese.

Enchiladas would work fine, or a chile relleno oozing all over the plate.

Gotta go. Time to watch ten year old girls play softball.


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