Archive of posts tagged Family

Check your doors when you leave

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Got an unusual text from my sister — the Mean One — the other night.

Mean Sister (8:54 PM):
Are you in town?

Me (8:54 PM):
Yes
 

Mean Sister (8:55 PM):
Can you come to my house with your gun. I just got back in town, and my front door is open.

Me (8:55 PM):
On the way
 

Mean Sister (8:55 PM):
Thank you.

That’s not a very common request from her … or from anybody, actually. At least, it’s not a request I get very often.

I threw some clothes on, grabbed the gun, got my sister on the phone, and rushed that way.

A room to room search determined no one was there … or had been there. The front door was locked, but wide open. The conclusion was that she had pulled the locked door to but didn’t properly close it, and that it has blown open.

She admitted that she never checks the door when she leaves because she “always keeps the door locked.” I tried not to be too much of a jackass, but I did suggest that she change her habits. And, just in case you have … well, sloppy, to be honest … habits regarding securing your residence, rethink things.

Always check your doors when you leave. Go to every door, and make sure they’re locked. Check your windows regularly. If you ever open them, check them before you leave or before you call it a night.

When you leave out a door and you pull it to, turn the knob to ensure it’s locked. Push on the door to ensure it’s latched. And, if you have a deadbolt, use it. Sure, it’s a pain to do every time you leave. And it takes anywhere from 2 – 6 seconds. Take that extra time. Please.

The problem isn’t that my sister didn’t do these things and get me out. It’s that she wasn’t being safe. I’m hoping she changes her habits. I want her to be safe.

You be safe too, okay?

U. S. Air Force Blue

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DWDThinking of Uncle Doug

They took the blue from the skies and a pretty girl’s eyes
and a touch of Old Glory’s hue,
And gave it to the men who proudly wear the U.S. Air Force blue.

The U.S. Air Force Blue

Oh, they are men with a dream on America’s team,
They’re a rugged and ready crew.
And you can bet your boots the world looks up to U.S. Air Force Blue.

To U.S. Air Force Blue!

They know where they’re goin’, they’ve set their course,
the sky’s no limit in the Air Force.

They took the blue from the skies and a pretty girl’s eyes
And gave it to the men who proudly wear the U.S. Air Force Blue.

Uncle Doug
2 February 1938 – 28 November 2014

Why you don’t let the 17-month old play with your iPhone

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I’ve used the Guided Access feature on my iPhone for when the grandchildren want to play with it. I have some games that one grandson really likes, but although he’s only 17 months old, he knows perfectly well how to use the Home button to get out of the game and get to the rest of the phone.

That is why I use the Guided Access (triple-click Home) feature to lock the app and protect areas of the screen. If you have an iPhone and aren’t familiar with this, it’s Settings > General > Accessibility > [Learning] Guided Access. Once you set it up, you triple-click Home to activate it, and triple-click Home and enter the passcode to turn it off.

My daughter taught me that one. And, I use it when I let my youngest play on the iPhone. I also stay with it and watch, so he doesn’t hide it behind the couch or flush it down the toilet. I mean, he’s 17 months old. That what boys that age do.

So, I am thankful that my daughter taught me that trick. I’m thinking that she should have taught her husband the same trick. Because the boy got hold of his father’s iPhone. Here’s how it looks now:

iPhoneDisabled

Yes, that’s in November 2057, nearly 44 years from now. Do the math if you don’t believe me. (And just why don’t you believe me?)

The child got his intelligence from his parents. And his sense of humor from his grandfather. I am so proud.

1 Corinthians 13

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Note to IMAO readers: While we’re awaiting news about Frank’s son, due to be born, well, last week, here are some words I penned for my son, who was married this past weekend:

Son, you’re now married. Whether you realize it or not, your world has changed.

Yes, this is the dreaded “Dad’s giving me advice and I didn’t ask for any” situation that arises … well, all the time. It’s kinda what I do.

I’m gonna suggest you go read 1 Corinthians 13. Almost any translation will do. If you use the King James Version, it’ll say “charity,” but that word from 1611 would today be rendered as “love.” Anyway, go read 1 Corinthians 13.

Now, why would someone with my marriage track record be someone you’d listen to? Maybe I’m not someone you need to listen to. Then, again, maybe I am. Hear me out and decide.

Go read 1 Corinthians 13. Yes, that’s the third time I’ve said that. Maybe I think it’s important. And maybe you need to go see why I think it’s important. So go read it.

Now, about the wedding. It was beautiful. Yes, the rain kinda made things wet and sloppy and just plain rotten at times, but that was nothing but stuff around the wedding. The wedding itself was beautiful. Your vows to each other brought tears to my eyes. Everybody was looking at the two of you, so I got away with it.

Remember when it was all stressing you out, and in the elevator, when it was just you and me, I said to let those that are wanting to do their stuff do their stuff? I wasn’t telling you anything you didn’t already know; you were already doing that. But, I said it anyway, to reinforce what you were doing. You were doing the right thing for the circumstances, and I wanted you to know that.

See? You already know what to do. You’re a grown man. Now, you’re a grown married man. I’ll be offering advice, but, like the “let ’em do their stuff” advice, it’ll often be things you already know. When I do that, I’m trying to reinforce what you know. I can’t teach you much anything new, except by example, and then, it’s often examples of what not to do.

Kinda like, “Huh. Look what Dad did. Look where it got him. I need to not do that.” So, yeah, I can be of some use, even if it’s an example of what not to do.

But, I also have some good advice on things to do. Like what I mentioned earlier: go read 1 Corinthians 13.

Oh, and this next bit isn’t easy, but it’s necessary: After you’ve read it, go live it.

The break-up

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I’m not sure I expected this day would come, but it has. And break-ups, despite their necessity, are never easy.

I fell in love at first sight. We were so compatible, it seemed. We went many places together, and I found the whole relationship to be very satisfying.

Oh, sure, there were the occasional problems. Many times, it was because when the situation required my input, I would totally screw it up. But, on those situations, I’d realize my mistake and make it right.

However, the misleading things from the other in the relationship began to gnaw at me. And, one day, I had simply had enough. I knew a break-up was inevitable.

And, being a guy, I did what any guy would do: I began looking for … well, let’s just say I wasn’t entirely faithful.

Now, I’m moving on. The relationship is over and I’ve severed ties.

Despite everything, I’m not bitter, and I truly believe I would be welcome back. But, I really don’t think it’ll happen.

So, Waze, you were a pretty good GPS for my iPhone, but I’m now with Google Maps. Still, I truly do wish you the best.