by Al Van Dyk | Aug 21, 2016 | Family and Friends
“They seem to have been gone for a long time; longer than usual.” With no one to wake up in the morning, she is less motivated to get on with her day. She started to adapt to their absence; sleeping in a little longer and spending time in her crate even when the door was open. She was just not herself, milling around the house looking for something to grab out of the laundry to carry around to remind herself of them. From Ivy’s perspective, they have been gone for almost two months. Dogs are not meant to be alone.
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by Al Van Dyk | Aug 14, 2016 | Attitude is Everything
I will be the first to admit that I have given Lisa a lot to worry about over the years; after all, I was a self-employed contractor most of our married lives. You would think that she would be used to a bit of uncertainty by now. After all, it was she that left me home alone for the week. This morning, Lisa, our son and oldest daughter went on a vacation without me. Yes, it’s better that way. Still, I can see the worry in her eyes! Will he be okay? What will he do if…?
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by Al Van Dyk | Aug 7, 2016 | Family and Friends
I am still humbled by the many different ways that Lisa demonstrates patience and compassion. I don’t know if she knows that I am watching but I am. A kind gesture, a listening ear; it’s no wonder that there are always people in our house that are drawn to her. She has the ability to look past the hurt in others to make them feel that everything will be all right. It really is amazing to watch. She has a way of helping others see beauty in their brokenness.
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by Al Van Dyk | Jul 31, 2016 | Vault
I must not be as old as I think I am. A few nights ago, I heard some songs that I thought were long forgotten but I was able to remember the lyrics and sing along as if they were still current. That says a lot from someone who rarely listens to music; I am a talk radio guy. The songs of summer are working their way through the gray matter thanks to an invitation from our neighbor. Maybe it’s because the lyrics are remarkably simple,
“Close my eyes, she’s somehow closer now. Softly smile, I know she must be kind…
I’m pickin’ up good vibrations; She’s giving me excitations (Oom bop bop).”
I am not completely sure what an excitation is, but I hope that it isn’t anything vulgar. After all, this was written in the 60’s. The “Oom bop bop” must be for added emphasis.
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by Al Van Dyk | Jul 24, 2016 | Attitude is Everything
Even my wife Lisa is into the game. Thankfully, not to the levels of obsession that my son and his friends are exhibiting. At our house, the daily quest for Charlizard, Squirtle and Metapod, and the rest, is topic of many a conversation. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you are in good company because neither do I. In case you haven’t heard, Pokémon Go is all the rage, a game where you “collect” characters and battle someone else’s characters through your smart phone. I am sure there is more to the game, but that is all I know for certain and my son is not here to explain it to me. Much to the chagrin of the millions around the world playing at any given time, these characters, heroes and villains alike, are not real. They are counterfeit.
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