Ode to Uncle Ray

My only uncle passed away yesterday.

I come from a small family. I once had two uncles and now I have none. Both of my uncles were very unique men. Quirky, smart guys. I thoroughly enjoyed them both while I had them.

Uncle Ray was the textbook Southerner. He was from Louisiana. His people landed in this country back in the 1600's. They came to America from the British Isles. Uncle Ray retired early due to a buy-out offer that was too good to turn down. He was 50 years old at the time. With all this sudden free time, Uncle Ray picked up his small family (Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Carl) and moved back to Bogalusa, LA. There, he took up living his dream - being a cattle rancher. By day, he tended the herd, built his dream house, gardened, fished, and hung out at the firehouse. By night, he did his family's genealogy. For many years, he compiled and published their lengthy existence in this country and the homeland. Much of his work was done before the Internet, so it was a painstaking labor of love.

Uncle Ray had a PH.D in Agriculture. He worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. It was in the DC area that he met Aunt Ruthie - my side of the family. Uncle Ray was an Entomologist - he studied insects. I remember his huge bug collection at their house in Alexandria, VA. Lot's of large, medium and small bugs suspended via long pins in glass cases. I recall my initial reaction was to repel away, but a second look revealed the lush colors and sleek designs of the creations on display. Uncle Ray knew all their Latin names. It was pretty cool.

What I really liked about Uncle Ray was his keen intellect and his cantankerous nature. In other words, he was fantastic to argue with. Oh yes, Uncle Ray reveled in being ornery. We were usually on complete opposite sides of the issue or topic being discussed, but that only made the debate more lively. He never got mad, but he always looked for an opening to illustrate the point he wanted to make. And, if he could make you admit to his point, he'd kick up his heels and give a good ol' knee slap, with a big grin and twinkle in his eye. Uncle Ray liked to win arguments.

Uncle Ray fell victim to Alzheimer's. But, he kept his wit pretty much to the end. Aunt Ruthie took care of him at home up to the last month when he needed close medical attention. His last words - spoken nine days before he died - "how much longer will this last?"

My mother, brother and I will be heading to Louisiana to help send off Uncle Ray at his Fireman's funeral, Southern style. There's nothing more we can do, but comfort Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Carl. Uncle Ray is now at rest and getting ready to take on the greatest minds in history in some rambuncious endless debates. I can hear him now - laughing with glee at finding some seriously worthy opponents to take on in a battle of the minds.

Happy Birthday Son

It's my son's birthday (September 17) and I must acknowledge it.

The day he was born was the happiest day of my life. I'd never experienced such a complete feeling of love as when he was put into my arms immediately after the delivery. He wasn't exactly beautiful - his head was cone shaped, earning him the short-lived nickname "Cornelus Conehead." I was lucky to be able to stay home with him until he was nine months old. These were the best days I ever spent. I lived on the baby's schedule. It was so peaceful. For the first few months, there wasn't even the sound of the TV in our house. We had what our friends in California termed "Baby Vision." That's when you sit and watch the baby, together.

(For my daughter's sake, I want to state here that we were also very happy when she was born two years later. But it was different, because we then had a toddler and things were less peaceful around the household at that point in time. It was a completely different experience, but one no less special. So don't pout! On your birthday, I'll tell your story. I promise.)

There are so many wonderful memories of my son (and daughter) growing up. I have truly been blessed by having them in my life. And, I continue to be so. It's different, but I really like the people my children are becoming.

Tomorrow my son turns 19. He'll be celebrating away at college where he's in his second year. I suspect he will have a pretty good day, and that makes me happy. So, Happy Birthday to my young man. And, don't do anything I wouldn't have done when I was a carefree student on my special day. (wink, wink)

September 13 - Postive Thinking Day

Positive Thinking Day (PTD) 08 is September 13th! We are planning for a bigger and better event this year! The 3 main purposes of PTD are to make the world more positive, find the most positive person, and to raise money for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. We hope that you will join us to change the world... one thought at a time!

COME CELEBRATE WITH US AND HELP US RAISE MONEY TO CURE SPINAL CORD INJURY:

Positive Thinking Day - September 13th - is a day to celebrate the benefits of positive thinking. We believe that by helping people change their thoughts we can make a lasting and positive difference in this world. We hope you will join us in this effort (see list below for ways to participate).

We are also raising money for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation as part of the celebrations. According to Positive Thinking Day organizer, Dr. Harrell, “Christopher Reeve represented the best of positive thinking. It is because of his unwaivering positive attitude that we are proud to be raising money to benefit this foundation. He showed me that we really can choose a positive mindset no matter what the circumstances are. For that I will always be grateful.”

30% of the ipopin.com proceeds from Positive Thinking Day events will go to the Reeve Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH POSITIVE THINKING DAY:

**Affirmation - You can help us change the world by focusing on the following affirmation on Positive Thinking Day - I choose to create a great day! (Click here to download this ipopin one minute affirmation for free!)

**Raise $ - When you make a purchase at www.ipopin.com between September 6-14, 2008, 30% your purchase price will be donated to the Reeve Foundation! That's right, ipopin.com will donate 30% of proceeds to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation!

**Pariticipate - Share a tip for staying positive by emailing me between now and 9/13/08 and you will be entered in a drawing to win 3 ipopin CD's. Your tip may be selected to appear in a post on this site.

**Spread the word - Help us spread the word by adding the PTD logo link on your website or blog AND mention PTD in a post between Sept 1-13, 2008. Email me once you do so that I can add a link to you in our PTD Supporter section. You will be entered in a drawing to win 3 ipopin CD's.

**Nominate - You can nominate someone for our Most Positive Person Contest.

Let the fun begin!

Labor Day and the Last of Summer

I come from a place where we celebrate the laborers. We have a big parade and a weekend-long carnival to recognize the laborer's need for two important things: relaxation and recognition.

The Labor Day Festival is our traditional way of having one last summer fling before getting back into the swing of our "routine" for the other three seasons of the year. The festival has everything you'd expect - food, music, games, community service, rides and beauty contests. It's as American as you can get, especially considering it takes place in the country's first planned community that was built during the Great Depression of the 1930's. This is another reason why we take Labor Day so very seriously. Our city was designed to give the working poor their own homes and to give them that sense of pride that comes from being an engaged member of a community. It was (and still is) a place where people live and work together for the common good, blind to their social-economic, racial, religious differences, bound to the shared sense of community.

This was exactly what FDR and his advisors sought to create. And, I've have been fortunately to have grown up in this environment and to retain my ties to the community through family and friends (for I've moved up the road 15 miles.)

So, I wanted to give praise where it is due. Also, thanks to this year's festival planners. It was better than ever!