Philippe

Rupert has no fears…in fact, he’s run a betting pool on that same exact idea.

Holiday Drama is an understatement. What a huge change to this family at every turn. Though suffering the loss of their dear wife/mom, Joanna, Myles and Grant are dealt another hidden surprise from Joanna. This surprise is double edged blessing in that it is only now revealed and it is so very large and personal…especially to Myles. Yet, there is hope. Family has already promised to stand together, and this family is so true to Myles and Grant that they should find a unknown to them blood son/brother that mom was unable to share, except to share with her barren sister; Now young Sebastian will apparently learn a unique perspective of family and love. ****** Preston, I understand so very well the ups and downs with health challenges, sometimes my drugs make it so difficult to remain focused, while pain denies me rest; yet, I’m still out and working projects and do things my way when time and conditions allow me. I wish you all the best in this process of dealing with what takes your attention. Hopefully you may fine returning here to revisit us here an exercise in focus and relaxation. I look forward to the opportunity where I get to continue to read your updates and perhaps read where you have blessed us with your moving stories once more.

Oh yeah, he is the same basic age and that storyline and his voice was so very impactful and easy to identify with…and love.

There’s the fashion statement and declarations within the song, but then there’s still the sixties conservities to be respected. So short shorts and leg boots was still forward leaning east of the west coast. Which brings up another great throwback…

Oh that airy voice of Robbie Benson… ❤️

My father grew up at the tail end of 14 kids, but with great local affinity for Hank Williams, Senior. His hay fever would flare in just two notes from many of his old 45s. The Grand Ole Opry, The Porter Wagner Show with young Dolly Parton, and then the stars known as Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, etc. were all a Sunday afternoon family event before Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Bonanza, and The Wonderful World of Disney played out the evening. The special weekends were when granddad would be talked into picking on his own Banjo, an old 1894 Silver Gem…that had been to many an ole barn dance at the lumber mill.

Oh goodness, you have me flashing back to my young teen days… I was the youngest of three boys to then be followed by a several years later sister. My dad was from a conservative family and old conservative community tradition of no PDA; meaning and/or including raising children innocent. No one was expected to be showing over than a peck on the cheek except a child could do the simple peck on the lips of parents/granparents. When observing my older brother’s classes of how you behave, taught by my parents. I remember their questions and challenges that other kids are able to kiss boyfriends/girlfriends in their parent’s house, even in front of them…oh no, no, no. Cringe… My dad’s response was that you will not see your mom and dad, or grandparents acting in such a way in front of children, family, or guests…that is inappropriate. PDA is not allowed here or elsewhere until you’re older and we’ve been properly introduced, first to this young girl, and then to her parents. PDA was a term more broadly applied as parents with young kids and/or minors. Just as TV ratings didn’t exist but anything more risqué wouldn’t dare be aired until late night television. 📺 Of course it was easier times and easier to control without internet and with only 3 over the air channels to choose from…btw, kids these days never see the fat lady sing, as signing off the air at 12-1 is a long forgotten thing, as well as warming the old tubes with the test pattern and possibly music until the broadcast started again for everyone to get morning news and programming. So, I couldn’t help but chuckle as you reminded me of the old bygone days of innocence…PDA was strictly enforced in, around, and away from the house; yes, the Harper Valley PTA would be aghast if those window shades were not pulled completely down! 🤣

Poor Levi, confused by his past meeting the present, yet his trusted guardians of past are no longer there to answer his deep seated questions of what, why, and how. Thankfully he has made leaps towards embracing his new familial identity and accepting that they aren’t just fulfilling obligations, but are true family that cares…and wants him to be a part of their lives. From Levi’s perspective we get a glimpse at what may have been either her or her family’s relationship with their religion. Either way, Levi is allowing big changes into his life in questioning his own beliefs and how he fits into his environment much as Luke and Matt have asked. I have a feeling the learning curve is still going to have Levi hanging on to prevent a spin out as he learns the real depth of friendships and chosen family love. His discomfort with Tim and Guy, in their own house, is a potential problem. While you could ask that they be more discreet, one must remember this is their own home and safe zone where the expectation of their privacy is to also be respected. So while there are no guest in the house, Levi also needs to learn how to not focus on or let their interactions preoccupy his attention. Maybe a respectful get a room announcement can make them aware that someone has joined them in the room, but likewise can respect that his “family” also needs their space respected too. So if outnumbered and it’s not interfering with family time togetherness, then perhaps announcing he’ll be outside or in his room will help re-define respectful boundaries.

Shhhh…not many know of their partner swapping, open relationships.

So true, and aligned somewhat with the way Martin has pointed out. However, I can be persistent as it’s my birthday party so with Justin by my side, and not to be separated, I would let those that love me support me…those that don’t, well they won’t bother you in the future. If all hell breaks loose then Martin can protect the kids long enough that the 18yo will be able to have the cases dismissed as independent adults, having been making decisions of their own choices with the help of a guardian parent. It’s rather foolhardy to try forcing a >16yo back into an unhappy custodian parent home; usually the child protective services will just insure the kid is safe and provided for and let the custodial parent know the kid is ok. Sure legal steps are taken to formally place the child, but even those take time if the kid is with the parent of their choice and is properly provided for. Besides, I want to see Vanessa go supernova, only to realize Martin is beyond her touch.

"Cursive isn't a single handwriting style. It's a whole family of scripts, each shaped by the tools, culture, and era that produced it." Amazing how many different styles, terms, and training techniques are under the same umbrella for cursive, running, string, or any other term we may use; I even wonder how many of these are generational though the latest generation is a question mark. There seems to be a resurgence in the US as many school districts and even states or now either requiring, or they are re-evaluating, cursive to be taught. Ironic that it’s recognized as the oldest and most widely used written communication; viewed as necessary for formal invitations, wedding, certificates, etc., yet we have left a generation that struggles to even read it. Does Google translate have a cursive to block letter translator? 🤦‍♂️

Beware of objectives that have outer rings, navigating those rings could be hazardous.

Don’t fear, only half of the horse laid dead and beaten, half is still in the …

Nope, just shaved nuts…no wait, that was SNL But the better option is that Potbelly’s sandwich; god I love those sandwich shops.

Oops, I read this too quickly to say…keep it up, Cane, keep it up. Well, no doubt were my mind was.

Given the monsters quip, I’m not sure if the seeing was the problem as much as they may have been having a bit of a cock fight that kinda shocked Grant; maybe he’s just not talking about the whole situation vs a simple sighting of Nessy and the double..

Given the “close” relationship of skinny dipping and insisting on doing their own laundry makes me wonder if the ole incest is best for learning is not in full swing of those ding-a-lings .

Hey now, maybe zippy needs a face lift to get that eyelid out of the way. 🤣

Interesting that the meaning of a House of God has too often excluded the very beginnings and foundations of shared worship…maintaining and living in a house of god…keeping, and living, your own house and life as one of god. I’m not big on churches telling me or anyone else that you have to worship in a House of God, a church and that according to them is the only true house of god. I feel a house that welcomes god and lives in the best image of god then has a house of god. Just my simple mind, I guess. 🤷‍♂️

Nicely said; tell ten people a story, then ask them to share it; there will be ten stories. From the 12 Disciples we got 12 churches that have continued to split until we now have thousands…with translations, interpretations, and understandings from one’s own life experiences…all sworn to be the holy words.

Come now, I still believe in Santa…my parents never lied to me. 😇 As I commented earlier, I think there may have been more to Julie’s story and motivations; but we may or may not ever learn the full truth…at least from her perspective.

Ironically I find many in these last generations that haven't learned to swim, how to ride bikes, work to buy their own cars, work on their own cars, or how to change a fat tire. One young fellow was frustrated when I asked for help reading the description of what I needed as the lighting wasn’t too good and the script smaller. Yup, cursive writing…and the kid literally said “ oh, this is cursive…ah, let’s see if I can make sense of it…ah…” We moved to more lighting and at that point I was helping him read the words, but he was actually curious and didn’t give up; having never been taught in school or home.

Unfortunately we may never know Julie’s motivations for living her own lie. It does seem she was freed from part of living that lie when her father passed, continuing when reckoning with her own circle of life. I’m not saying her actions were justified nor correct, but they were made as a young pregnant teen, that apparently had religious parents, and may have even feared for the safety of her pregnancy under scrutiny of teen pregnancy by a gay guy. Her dying wishes portray no resentment; so change of heart or freedom to let the natural course of family/blood bonds be taken…and faith that the boy she knew then was indeed worthy of her most treasured gift. We may yet learn more of her story and motivations but, without her own words to tell the story, it’s hard to judge those that can not defend or explain themselves…a complicated perspective of “don’t speak ill of the dead.” I always thought that was somewhat logical that if it wasn’t known, shown, or owned before their dead…then there’s no point to piling on the dead while acting innocent 😇 within the one sided tale.

Oh my, from a part of the world where not everything is sexual…oh but to wonder if the contact is more or less; if the compass needle points north then perhaps a trip to the North Pole is magical 🧙‍♂️.