Tales of the Ordinary Days

Ben joined me for my 100th movie of the year Last year I finished the year with what I thought was an impressive list of 52 movies I had seen in movie theaters. At the close of 2017 I decided that although I loved my movies, it was time to refocus some of this time on reading. I equally love books. So I set a reading goal of 52 books for 2018. My belief was that I would be spreading the time I spent in the movie theater to book reading. I have gained book reading success by just completing my 52nd book (Becoming by Michelle Obama...VERY good). But the funny thing is that yesterday I also watched my 100th movie in a movie theater for the year. Yes, that is correct. I almost doubled my movie intake while reading a book a week (previously I was averaging just over a book a month). I love books and movies. I especially love those that make me think. The ones that stay in my brain and heart. Ones that I find myself avidly researching later or those that turn into great discussion t...

Selfie attempt at Hy-Vee to memorialize Matt's last purchase as a Nebraska resident (note that Matt was supposed to be in the picture) My brother, Matt, moved out of Omaha this morning. He began his 20 hour road trip to Kingman, Arizona at about 5:30 a.m. With car loaded to the hilt and fresh off of a going-away party from last night, there were few words between us. Just a quick hug and wave. And then he was gone. Life changes just keep marching on in my life and this is another biggie. My brothers and I grew up close in age and close in life. Matt is the oldest and I am the youngest. There is only 28 months between our birthdays with our brother, Mark, born in between. Being so close in age, we shared friends, teachers and experiences through our childhood years. I have often said that birth order rules don't apply to us. There is one thing the three of us share and that is a sense of humor. We fought our way through childhood, constantly trying to outwit each o...

The picture above is from Remsen Kids' Days in the bi-centennial year of 1976. Kids' Days were an annual event, but the 200th birthday of our country made it an extra-special celebration in my little hometown. I remember this picture like yesterday; the warmth of my grandma's arm around my waist and my concern for my brothers’ misbehaving antics when they should have been smiling nicely. My mom sewed my outfit of festive red, white, and blue (unfortunately my colorful shorts aren't showing). I was nine years old. Too big for my grandma's lap, but she didn't mind. And to me, it didn't matter at all. The capturing of my grandpa's smirk in response to my older brothers' shenanigans perfectly depicts the phrase 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.  This picture is now my computer screen saver. And I smile every time I see it. A reminder of what truly matters. The people and moments we never forget when we take the time to enjoy them...