Labor Day

The original plan was to take the kids to a park before lunch and then to the beach after lunch. I slept in until about 10 and we didn't end up leaving for the beach until closer to 2pm. Evan and Nathan spent most of the morning watching humorous Zelda videos on You Tube.

Here in Michigan there are laws against loitering. You can be as lazy as you want to be in your own home and no one is going to arrest you unless you become public health concern. Which means you have chosen a life style that well exceeds the parameters of laziness. Anyway, you can be arrested and charged with a fine for loitering, or you can pay an entrance fee at a State Park and loiter all you want.

The people who were at Holland State Park today were very creative with their loitering styles. Some set up tent like enclosures to keep the heat of the sun off of them, most of the people were loitering under beach umbrellas, and the rest of us were lying on blankets or towels on the sand.

The sand was very hot and inflicted pain on the delicate naked feet. Although, my feet aren't delicate the sand still hurt like a, well, it hurt a lot. Lake Michigan was between 69-70 degrees colder than yesterday, but very refreshing from the hot air and sun. Adam didn't even swim but the three of us did and we had a great time.

On the way to the beach, I stopped at the Wesco station (I wish I got paid to mention Wesco) and got 5 gallons of gas, four bottles of water and three bags of snacks, one for each of the boys who picked out their own snack. I knew we were going to be there a while, and water would be essential to have. There were given a $1 limit, because money is tight here.

Adam picked out a bag of Jay's Pretzels which he pointed out to me is now owned by the Snyder's of Hanover. Evan got a bag sunflower seeds, and Nathan got Flaming Hot Cheetos.
I just got water. After we swam for a while we went back to the beach blanket. The kids ate their snacks, except for Adam who ate all his pretzels while we were waiting to get into the State Park.

While we were waiting to get in, the line of cars being quite long, I saw many cars parked on the side of the road where No Parking signs are clearly posted. Behind all the cars was a Deputy Sheriff SUV with the lights flashing, apparently writing parking tickets. As we made our way to the beach blanket, I heard one guy say, "I can't believe I got a $50 parking ticket."
I had to laugh to myself.

All summer long we used a bottle of spray sunscreen. It has kept us from getting sunburned even at Michigan's Adventure Water park. Today, it was used up and I threw it away when we got home. I knew it was low and brought a backup sunscreen lotion. I did not want today to be the day we get sunburned.

After we had our water and snacks. I mooched some Cheetos and sunflower seeds from Nathan and Evan respectively. They were complaining that their water wasn't as cold as it was when it was purchased at Wesco (another unpaid plug). So, they dumped out the water and headed for the drinking fountain by the pavilion.

Sand on a beach, who would have thought that going to a beach means that you would get sand on your feet and legs? Well, there I was trying to fill these plastic water bottles with water from the drinking fountain. With full water pressure it wasn't too difficult, but when the faucet was being used to clean sand off of feet and legs of OCD families the water pressure was very low. While I was there attempting fill these water bottles, five families were washing of sand. It is my sincere opinion that if you have a problem with sand, don't go the beach.

My rusty Chevy Blazer has sand on the seats and the floor. Friday, I am vacuuming out the truck. I didn't care about the sand. It doesn't bother me. If I were so concerned about having sand in the Blazer, I wouldn't take the boys to the beach. I felt sorry for the little boy whose mom had pulled down his shorts and was cleaning his bare bottom by the faucet. Don't these people have showers at home? I was persistent and got our bottles filled, expect mine was 3/4 full.

The technique I used was to fill my bottle as full as I could and then pour the water into one of the other bottles, that way, Evan and Nathan had full water bottles. Nathan never drank his. He left it on the blanket and it got warm again. Right now it is in the refrigerator.

On the way to the drinking fountain, we saw Adam walking toward us from the pavilion. He said he was bored and wanted to go home. Our plan was to walk on the pier and then swim again. The look Adam gave me told me that he was really feeling bad that he even came along with us. So, I gave him the keys to the Blazer so that he could open the windows, relax and wait for us.

We walked through the scorching sand to the pier and walked to the end of the pier where many High School/College students were jumping in the water. Nathan said he wanted to jump in, but then changed his mind. I held his hand and was going to jump in with him but he backed away. I told him, "if you want to jump in, I will jump in with you. Don't feel you have to, but if you want to, we should." He said when he is older. So, that has become next year's goal.

We got back to the blanket, again, and all of us were hot and feeling a little tired. Evan was so hot and tired that he didn't even want to go back in Lake Michigan. I talked him into going in one more time, telling him that the Lake is refreshing and he will feel better. I walked with to the water and stayed with him past the sand bar where he lunged forward started swimming. He instantly was invigorated and was smiling again.

I said to him, "five minutes ago you didn't want to leave the blanket and no look how much better you feel." We swam, played tag and splashed each other for awhile and then Evan was tired and wanted to go home. He went back to the blanket to play games on my Trac Phone and Nathan started throwing wet sand at me.

At one point, I grabbed his hand to stop him and his nose got bumped and it started bleeding. I had him lie back in the water as I tried to stop the bleeding. It took sometime but it finally slowed down and we got back to the blanket, gathered everything together and headed for the Blazer.

Adam says he likes to travel light at the beach. Getting him to take a small Walkie Talkie with him as he walked around by himself was like pulling teeth. He took it with him. I tried calling him as we headed to the Blazer but he didn't answer. He told me that the rechargeable battery way low so he turned it off. What was the point?

I tried calling Lori on my Trac Phone to tell her that we were leaving and I couldn't get a signal, not even standing on a sand dune. I gave up after 7 minuets of trying to call her. If it weren't for the digital clock on the Trac Phone, I would be asking, what was the point?

We got home. I husked corn, grilled steak and after dinner, I gave Nathan a shower. It was a good day and a good summer vacation.

Last Day of August

Tuesday, Summer vacation ends for the children. August ends tonight. After church, I made lunch for myself and then for the kids. I started to feel a headache coming on. I was on our bed, relaxing and saw the sunlight on the trees. The kids were playing downstairs and didn't seem interested in doing much of anything.

So, I went for a long walk in the heat of the sun. I got sweaty and tired but I felt good for taking the walk. My shirt was sweaty. After I was home for about a half hour, I took a shower and then grilled the chicken for dinner.

Then during dinner, Nathan said he wanted to go the beach, and Adam and Evan said they wanted to go too. So we got there before sunset. Evan,Nathan and I went into Lake Michigan and played tag and splash tag. Then we walked on the pier and saw my pastor and his wife.

We managed to make it through summer vacation without poison ivy attacks nor major sunburns. I guess I did learn something from last years mistakes. The children learned the benefits of sunscreen. Nathan carries the bottle of sunscreen to the beach every time we go to the beach and asks me to spray it on him.

We managed to develop a routine when we swim which makes it easier for me. Everyone carries something.

Day of Wine, Birdseeds and Heavy Lifting

I haven't met a glass of wine, yet, that I haven't liked and this afternoon was no exception. It was at Megan Hunt's wedding reception. I wasn't invited to the wedding, but I made it to the reception. The appetizers were delicious and I was able to impress a few of my fellow Peace Lutheran members with my self taught chopstick skills. Megan's students made chopsticks with Chinese poetry inscribed on them. She asked that everyone take a set. I took one set but before I left I saw that many were left, so I took two more sets and brought them home for Evan and Nathan who like to use them as well. Evan really tries to use them and has some success with them. They were really happy that I gave them real, authentic Chinese chopsticks.
The wine I drank was white and chilled and tasted really good. I was teased for taking several trips to the table where the wine was and even more for pouring it myself, when Julie would have gladly poured it for me. I demonstrated my wine pouring skills by turning the bottle as I finished pouring to prevent dripping. Dave Barnett thought that I did well.
It was a good reception. I didn't dance though as I have at other wedding receptions mostly because Lori wasn't there. Megan had a laptop set up with a camera. The idea was that everyone was to write a message to them and then they could put the message in their photo album along the message. I just wrote something out to Megan and Kyle and decided to forgo the photo. I don't like getting my picture taken and I really didn't think they wanted my picture anyway. They don't have to keep my message but I hope they read it.
I left soon after Megan and Kyle left. We through bird seed at them; the bird seed was kept in red sacks with Chinese print on them.
At 9 am this morning I walked to Jennifer's trailer to help her pack up all her belongings. Jennifer has moved to Grand Rapids. It was humid and I and the other guys loaded all her worldly possessions in under two hours. I walked home hot and sweaty, took a shower and ate lunch. I made lunch for Evan and Nathan and then took a nap. I woke up around 2. I groomed myself, got dressed and then drove to Target where I purchased a gift card for Megan and Kyle.
Like I said, the wine was good.

Latest compostion

You do what you want, go where you want to go.
You can take me along for as long as you like, or can leave me here on this dry dusty road.
I will get along.
I will get along and will find my way and get there OK, even if I have to walk down this dry dusty road alone.
Sometimes it's good to be alone and lost. You need to do that to find yourself.
I know who I am and what I want and where I want to go. Weren't we getting there together?
Then again, maybe not, who knows.
Maybe we were both going the same way not together but alone.

No Church Today

Today at Peace Lutheran Megan Hunt and her finance, Kyle gave a presentation about their missionary work in China, there was an informal wedding shower for a newlywed couple who lost their belongings in a house fire, and the church picnic was today.

I wasn't there.

We are low on finances, and it has caused a lot of stress between Lori and me. What would make that stress worse it to argue about it in front of the children. Children can be aware that parents disagree and get into arguments, but the real painful matters should not be discussed when and where the children can hear that. It is important for children to know that there is security and stability, which brings me to yesterday.

Since Christmas, Nathan has been saving money, actually he has been begging change from all his relatives, including his parents. His goal was to save enough money to go Michigan's Adventures. He saved enough money and the set date to go was August 16, yesterday. In spite of low funds, Lori and I decided to keep our promise and go to Michigan's Adventure. We got to the Russel Road exit to find ourselves in a long line of cars all headed to the amusement park. Adam was driving and we insisted that he turn back to Holland.

Once we arrived at home, looked at the Michigan's Adventure website and the weather forecast we decided to try again the next day, today.

We got up early, and headed for Muskegon. I insisted that Lori drive, because she is the most determined driver in the family, that is the one who looks at the posted speed limit as a guideline not a law.

We got there shortly before the park opened and traffic was light. We were headed for a great day.

I wanted to do whatever Nathan wanted to do, which we weren't able to do. But, most of his requests were honored. We did not ride the Thunderhawk as Nathan really wanted to do. The line was too long; we should have gone to that ride first. Adam went off on his own and rode several rides by himself that I didn't. Nathan and I spent a long time standing in line to ride the Funnel of Fear, a water slide ride. It was a thrilling ride, but it wasn't worth the two hour wait. I was glad I rode it with him, because he really wanted to do it.

The Funnel of Fear is water raft ride which takes you through a dark turning tunnel and then into a sharp drop into a large funnel. Your raft slides high back and forth in the funnel. It is is thrilling, no denying that.

The ride that Nathan and Evan enjoyed the most were the wave pools there. These are large pools that gradually get deeper to simulate Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan conditions are further simulated when the wave motion begins. You feel like you are swimming in the large waves in Lake Michigan but in chlorinated water and a traditional pool floor. It was fun.

We all had a good time at the park. Lori read while the rest of us were in the water park. Nathan and I had at least another three hours left in us, but Adam and Evan were ready to call it a day.

Money levels are still low, but the children's confidence in us his high.

Peace Lutheran can survive one Sunday without me.

Haven't done a bloody thing all day.

Well today I woke up after 11. I felt like my character Lynda in the book that I can't seem to finish who wakes up slowly and shortly before noon. As I stepped out the bedroom and into the kitchen my lovely wife greeted me with, "it's alive."

I ate lunch, made Nathan lunch. Lori and I watched The Other Boleyn Girl. Lori went grocery shopping while I watched Penelope.

I showered around 6 pm and shortly after we had dinner.

Clearly, I haven't done a bloody thing all day.

Past and Present

Telling my children about the day my mom and I got splashed by a large wave while wearing our Sunday Church clothes made me think a lot about the St. Joe Pier and Tiscornia Park.

Today, I took all three boys to the beach where I used to go when I lived in Benton Harbor. The waves were really high, the water was warm and the sky was clear. The place is called Tiscornia Park, and I have deeply fond memories of swimming, walking on the pier, playing Frisbee, walking in the beach grass covered dunes and even napping in them.

We can not relive our childhood and we can't go back into our pasts. The best we can do is to cherish the best of our memories as the priceless gifts they are, and pass on something similar to our children. I told my three sons "this is where I would swim when I was your age." They love swimming in Lake Michigan; we usually swim at the Holland State Park.

Holland State Park has a pier that we walk on and a long and wide beach, whereas, Tiscornia has a shorter and more narrow beach, but a much longer pier. The youngest didn't quite realize that I was taking him to a different beach as we left my mom's house. He said, "it's going to take too long to go to the beach."

We went to my mom's house to use my step-dads automatic coin roller. Nathan, the youngest has been saving change since Christmas. He has begged it from all his relatives and managed to get enough to take all of us to Michigan's Adventure. My plan was to go there roll the coins, go to the beach and then go back to my mom's house.

We did that, but our stay at the beach was longer than expected because the waves were great and everyone was having a fun time. St. Joe Pier is longer and more intimidating than the Holland State Park and Adam, the eldest, went swimming or more like wave jumping, which is something that he normally doesn't do.

As we left the beach, I looked around and admired the view and remembered my childhood days at the beach there. I was glad that I could show my children where I used to swim and the pier I walked on. We didn't have a blue Frisbee, but we had an afternoon of fun and adventure.

I was glad I took them.