Rad Dad: The Lawnmower Edition

I had to get someone new to mow my lawn.

A few days ago, I was talking to a man who lives near by, and he said he had a 14-year old son who could mow it for me. I was very grateful because my grass was getting really really really long. He said he’d send his son that same day.

So later, I heard the sound of a mower and my doorbell at the same time. The dad was standing out on my porch. Over his shoulder I could see his son pushing away at the lawn mower. The mower was almost as big as the kid (he was real small and skinny). I had a pang in my stomach, and I thought he’s working so hard I should pay him one hundred dollars.(I really wished I could afford to pay him one hundred dollars. He deserved it.)

Anyways, the dad said he’d come along to help make sure his son knew the system. I think this was his first “summer-job” lawn. I looked again, over the dad’s shoulder, at the skinny kid trying to mow through my jungle (up-hill). I felt so grateful to his son, and pleased to participate in the summer-lawn-mowing rite of passage.

Then the dad informed me that I have a really aggressive weed/vine growing that I need to be careful about controlling. He told me he’d pull it out for me, and that he’d trim back my bushes (the bushes were taking over the lawn…can you tell my yard is sort of a jungle?). He said I didn’t need to pay extra. He was just there to help his son.

I thanked him profusely (what else could I do?) went inside, and continued with my indoor-activities.

My back lawn is not huge, but it runs on a hill.

It wasn’t long before I noticed the dad was mowing the lawn uphill and his son was mowing the downhill.

I thought: that is a rad dad.

Showing his son how to work. Picking up the slack where his son just could not do it (the grass was so long). Also! Showing his son service and how to do a job right. The dad didn’t care about getting paid, he just wanted to make sure his son knew what he was doing.

I was always taught not to watch people work, so it was already hard enough for me to stay inside. But when I saw that dad mowing the uphill because his son couldn’t do it— I felt like I was witnessing something sacred. No one else saw. I only saw flashes. Back and forth. Switching off.

I left an envelope of money for the kid on the patio table. I wrote his name on the envelope. And “Thank You” with an exclamation mark.

But the price of that memory for that kid is irreplaceable. Irreplaceable.

I’m happy I got to witness even flashes of that kind of love.

——–

Technorati Tags: rad dad,lawnmower,lawn,grass,love,family,dad,son,thank you,work,summer

photo: old faithful

CA Sb572: Ask Schwarzengger to Veto Harvey Milk Day

Harvey Milk was no Martin Luther King, Jr.

If California’s Senate has it’s way, California’s public school children will be singing the praises of homosexual activist Harvey Milk, and his radical multisexual agenda every May 22nd.   In a non-opt out day— schools, children and parents will have no choice but to celebrate this man and the radical agenda of his political movement.

Sound familiar?  It is.  The governor vetoed this identical legislation less than a year ago saying that support of Harvey Milk and his policies were not a part of public school education.  He was right, but those pushing the same-sex agenda in our public schools are hoping that this is the year he’ll change his mind.

[For more info read Beetle Babee: Got Milk? Harvey Milk Day Bill Passes CA Senate Education Committee]

The opposition remains strong among the “silent majority.” A recent poll found only 1 out of 5 Californians want a statewide “day of significance” honoring Harvey Milk.

But homosexual-agenda advocates are turning up the heat. Sean Penn, who starred in the movie “Milk” about the late San Francisco homosexual activist, has talked to Schwarzengger to ask him to sign SB 572. So has Milk’s homosexual activist nephew.

Homosexual-bisexual-transsexual activist groups are working hard to pass “Harvey Milk Gay Day” into law. They’re generating calls and emails to Schwarzenegger urging him to sign this horrible bill.

This is a dynamic situation that could go either way. But one thing’s for sure. If Arnold Schwarzenegger receives more calls, emails and faxes supporting “Harvey Milk Gay Day,” he will be tempted to sign it.

What you Can do

Call Schwarzeneggers’ State Capitol office at 916-445-2841 right now. Listen to the recorded message and push the buttons to get to a live constituent services representative.

Kindly but firmly tell him or her, “I’m calling to urge the Governor to veto SB 572, “Harvey Milk Gay Day,” like he did last year.

Parents don’t want this, and children don’t need this. Schools should teach children academics, not the ‘lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender’ values of Harvey Milk.”

Beliefs/Quotes from Harvey Milk:

• Religion is DANGEROUS: “More people have been slaughtered in the name of religion than for any other single reason. That, my friends, that is true perversion.” (Harvey Milk, speaking at a homosexual rally in 1978.)
• All doors of sexual experimentation MUST be opened: “If a bullet should go through my head let that bullet go through every closet door.” (Harvey Milk quote)
• If you think you might be homosexual, you MUST declare yourself gay or lesbian: “Milk believed strongly that coming out was the responsibility of every gay man and woman.” (Source)
• Gay and lesbian “marriages” are good and natural: “So much of the spirit represented with the Supreme Court’s decision last week is the spirit of Harvey Milk and his legacy manifesting today in real change.” (San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on the unveiling of a bust of Harvey Milk at city hall, May 28, 2008. (Source)

For more info read Beetle Babee: Education, Not Indoctrination! Stop Harvey Milk Day in CA Public Schools

 

Technorati Tags: Schwarzengger,harvey milk,milk,mlk,sb572,california,education,schools,harvey milk day,children,family,politics

Michael Jackson Dies.

She told me her name was billie jean, as she caused a scene

I am very sad right now. Sometimes I think, if he wasn’t famous, he’d be living a normal life, dealing with normal tragedies and hard things without that harsh harsh spotlight of famousness making everything crazier than it needs to be.

He made some rad music. But I would sacrifice “Billie Jean”, if it meant he could have had some real peace and happiness in this life.

Thank you Michael Jackson. For being born. My prayer for you: peace.

Read news article here

—————

 

Technorati Tags: michael jackson,billie jean,michael jackson dies,death,famousness

Jim DeMint: Hate Crimes Legislation and Religious Liberty

I just found this over at A Banner is Unfurled:

A letter from Jim DeMint:

Religious Leaders,

The long debate over the "separation of church and state" has convinced many religious leaders that their opinions are not welcome in political debates. Many pastors hesitate to explain that government policies have helped cause the decline to America’s culture, morality, and spirituality. Many people of faith have given up their freedom of speech and the freedom to practice their religious principles in all areas of their lives.

I am writing you today to remind you that religious principles and biblical teachings produced the values and policies that made America exceptional, prosperous, and good.

In recent decades, Congress and the courts have adopted policies that have proved destructive to faith, families, and freedom in America, but no one action has been as damaging as the "hate crimes" legislation will be. This hate crime legislation will replace "equal justice under law" with arbitrary justice based on the race, religion, or sexual orientation of criminals and their victims. More importantly, it will lead to the criminalization of biblical truth as "hate speech."

Under this legislation, a pastor who teaches that homosexuality is wrong could be accused of a hate crime or charged with "inducing" a violent crime against a gay person.

Please tell your congregation this legislation is not about "hate" (all violent crimes are hateful); it is about taking away your freedom to speak and preach biblical truth. It takes away your right to say that some things are wrong. We need millions of Americans to call and email their Senators, especially Democrat Senators who are pushing this legislation. Majority Leaders Harry Reid has promised to pass this legislation in the next few weeks (the House already has).

To learn more about the "hate crimes" legislation, refer to Family Research Council’s reference page on the topic, www.frc.org. And to find the email addresses and phone numbers of your Senators, link to www.senate.gov. or call the Capitol operator at 202-224-3121. Please act this week.

Sincerely,
Jim DeMint
U.S. Senator
For more on Hate Crime Legislation check out: 
Why Unnecessary Hate Crimes Laws Deny Equal Protection.

 

—-

Technorati Tags: jim demint,hate crimes,hate crime,legislation,politics,religious freedom,religion

I’m a New Soul I Came to This Strange World

Happy Father’s Day to My Friend Jimmy James. and happy birthday to his son.

I’ve had a friend for several years now. His name is Jimmy James. There was a period of time when everyone in my apartment had a crush on him. He is a good man, (we really couldn’t resist).

With TONS of delight, and a few tears (because remember the crushes?) we watched him date, and then marry one of the sweetest and smartest girls we knew. Oh how we loved them together!

We have stayed in touch over the few years he’s been married. And! They just had a baby. Looking through some of the photographs, I wanted to ball my eyes out.

1. The baby is so gorgeous. So brand new and gorgeous.
2. The baby is so quite frankly an expression of their commitment. A physical, tangible link of their covenant with society, themselves, and God.
3. The baby is such a miracle! Even in the still-life photographs, the impossible miracle of a living human being born can’t hide itself.

And then I wanted to cry a little bit thinking of how anyone could want to kill a baby before it’s born just because they don’t want it. I thought of all the couples who want a baby so desperately. I thought: abortion is so sad.

So on the occasion of this little birthday, I just want to thank all people who get married and a contribute joyous brand new souls to the planet earth. It’s the ultimate creative contribution.

I’d like to thank all people who are careful and make sure they are protect a child’s right to a mom and a dad.

It’s a big beautiful deal.

I think we should celebrate with a little song…

Yael Naim: New Soul

—————

Technorati Tags: yael naim,new soul,abortion,families,family,father,fathers,babies,birth,marriage

Celebration of Dads: finale

on dads and growing things

I know father’s day was yesterday, but I don’t care. I feel like it’s perpetually father’s day and mother’s day on this blog anyways. Go mom and dad!

My dad loves growing things. I love this about him. There is this sweet sweet line of love across my heart because I know my dad can grow plants. I love all the memories I have of working in the garden with him. He could weed a flower patch in no time. He had such huge hands, and I would just be struggling along with my little kid hands. Now that I’m grown up and weeding my own flower beds, I always wish he was around to walk past, see my pathetic attempts, and reach over top of me and weed half of it for me. Just to give me a little boost.

Last time I was home, I mentioned I wanted to plant some marigolds and some sunflowers. I was wondering if he had some seeds. He took me out to the garage and showed me his secret stash. Marigold seeds he’s saved from past flowers. Some up to five years. Then he opened the top of a garbage can, and inside were all the heads from last year’s sunflowers! I had no idea those were inside!

He took one of the heads, ripped it in half, and let the seeds fall into a little zip lock baggy I was holding. It was one of the most bounteous moments of my life.

I heart rad dads!

Every kid deserves memories with their dad!

—–

Technorati Tags: fathers,rad dads,plants,seeds,daughters,gardening

Celebration of Dads 5: Every Child Deserves a Moment on a Carousel With Dad (and a Sword).

 

!Happy Father’s Day!

Another submission from a facebook friend. Thank you EDM! Every child has a right to a dad*. Society should do everything it can to protect this right:

“I was at the county fair and snapped this shot of this kid with his father on the carousel. The little boy is holding his sword so seriously, and his father is standing there right next to him. I imagine the father isn’t perfect, but he’s giving his son a magical moment. I think that counts for a lot.”

—————

 

Technorati Tags: father’s day,fathers,sons,swords,county fair,carousel,children’s rights

*Every child also has a right to a mom and society should protect this right also.

Celebration of Dads 4: Postcards from Dad

Every Child has a right to experiences and love from a dad

I got this from a facebook friend. She also sent a picture of the actual postcards her dad sends her, which I love because we can see the red heart her dad actually draws on the back (by hand!).  Thank you for sharing LC!

“Each Monday I feel like a giddy schoolgirl waiting for the mail to come.  I know there will always be one, sometimes two postcards from my dad.  Since we were young children, my dad has given us postcards.  He has a massive collection of them…more than he can actually ever send to anyone in a lifetime.  But he loves them.  And I love getting them!

On Saturday mornings, when we were trying to keep our mom asleep (it was a game to try to keep her asleep as long as possible on Saturday mornings), David and I would spread out all of our postcards on the living room floor in patterns, grouping them together, and adoring our favorites.

Now one of my favorite things about getting postcards is the little red heart that he draws on the back of each of mine.  He loves me!   I love you, Papa!”

 

Technorati Tags: father’s day,fathers,postcards,daughters,red hearts

Celebration of Dads 3: from the lovely lovely Nie Nie

Fathers and Husbands and the Garden of Eden.

We can’t really discuss fathers without discussing husbands. Good husbands usually make rad dads. I love it when women openly love their husbands. That means their kids see their moms appreciating their dads. And that is rad. One thing I love about Nie Nie is that she makes her life a Garden of Eden. Before her crash, and after the crash. She is recovering from burns over 80 percent of her body. And what does she think about when she’s sitting on the couch? Her awesome husband. From “Love”:

“He was in his white shirt and jeans watering the flowers. He stood on the front porch, behind him dark thunder clouds gathering and the wind ever so slightly blowing his blonde hair. I had complete and utter love for that man. Partly lustful too. (I can say that) My heart swelled big and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Ohhh how I love him!

[…]

My love for him is not of this world. It can’t be broken by anything, not by and worldly ideas of what love is. Not by death. Nothing. Love is Godly, God is love. And we are his children. Our bond will carry us to the eternities and beyond. It’s not cheesy, it’s truth.

Mr. Nielson just happened to turn to the window and give his trademark smile to me on the couch. I think he knew I was thinking of him.

And Jane still continued to talk to me about making a picture of the day and one of the night. Then she asked what I was going to color and I told her:
’daddy’.”

[Read entire post here]

——-

Technorati Tags: father’s day,fathers,dad,dads,nie nie,love,husband,children

Celebration of Dads 2: from the Salt Box Girl

Singin’ in the Rain, Emily Dickenson Poetry, and Dad

The Salt Box Girl writes one of my favorite my blogs: Mostly Martha. When I read this the other night, I couldn’t resist posting it as part of the Father’s day celebration. Every child deserves the opportunity of having good memories with their dad:

“The other night Dad and I opened the back doors to watch the rain fall.

I quoted Emily Dickinson until I couldn’t remember any more.

Big heavy drops splashed up from the deck nearly reaching our knees. I love the sound of a summer storm.

A pipe broke at the house, so the water is off inside today. Strange that there’s no water inside and so much of it outside.

Once, during a summer storm like this, Dad went outside with the big red umbrella. Between our house and the R’s, he splashed and danced in the puddles just like Gene Kelly in "Singing in the Rain."

I bet I’ve seen that movie a hundred times, but I’d never seen my Dad dance like that. I’m sure he was singing the words, too. ‘I’m dancin’ and singin’ in…the rain.’"

[Original Post here]

————————–

Technorati Tags: father’s day,dads,dad,fathers,emily dickinson,rain,summer storm,gene kelly,singing in the rain