Hope Springs, A Kid and a Prank

       Yesterday I took a kid out for the day. We went to  raceway where he could race sprint like bumper cars. Watching his tightened face was a laugh a minute. I let him race twice. Four minutes just wasn't long enough and since he was the only one the first time, it was more fun the second time around as about six others joined in. After that I took him for ice cream. We rode around a little, then ended up at home. Looking up movies I asked if he wanted to go later in the afternoon and of course that was a yes.
      I fell asleep on the sofa watching an old Bonanza show and had a weird dream that a neighbor was stealing my fence. Issues for sure. Anyway waking up took some bit of strectching and even fell back down on the couch. Finally off we went to Frank Theaters . Isn't it enough to take a kid to a movie but you also have to be surrounded by video games and a lousy greasy diner with bar room lights? Seems not to be. But the movie was the focus, so he went to see Bourne Legacy and I went to see Hope Springs. I don't think I expected much and that's what I got. The movie which was to start at 4:50 actuially started at 5:20, had seven others in the theater.
     All I can say about this movie was it was a nice movie, just nice, more for maybe much older adults, and I consider myself to be an older adults, but even I like more action. Well finally over, I waited for the kid outside and planned to take him out for desert. In the car he asks to get a burger. I hate that. Why can't what you have already done for the day be enough? Yet we live in such a me and greedy society. I told him, don't ask, just don't ask for anything. He asked, and I said ya know if you didn't ask I might have, but since you asked, I have left overs at home. right away it was an uh but, I ,that's what I meant thing-BS
    Either way I rode as if going home and did tell him I was going to stop for desert but remembered he already had ice cream today.  Nothing. But I really wanted the day to keep going, actually wanted to ride and ride all the way until my tank was empty. Yet I had to keep some sanity so we ended up at TGIF, I ordered cheesecake which was awful, more like air filled something, and he got his burger. I looked at his burger and then I ordered one. He asked me to dance right there in the isle outside of the booth. I did, got up and did a quick five second shake of my bod. He wouldn't.
   We left and he asked me if I would play a prank, go through a drive through and order as if my speaker was broken, so I did, through Wendy's I order two----with a side of m---and one large----a single--- and the woman said she couldn't hear me, so I yelled it back. No, no I mean I can hear you, but not your words. I ordered again and this time she said can you drive to the window. The boy was busting a gut laughing. We drove past the window.
     Now almost home, I stopped at my local convenience store and asked Jacob if he had non-skid toilet paper. Poor guy. He looked so serious. looking directly at him as he answered, uh non-skid, I don't think we carry it but did you look back... and he was pointing to where toilet paper is and at that point I lost it, Apologizing to Jacob, we left. It was really a fun-filled day, and I'm sure we'll do it again, Those are the kind of pranks that don't hurt anyone. By the way, the kid I had with me recorded it on his PS Vita, played it a few dozen times and kept himself amused all night.

PS VITA Help someone....do you know

 Hello Everyone... Anyone, anyone at all who has knowledge of PS Vita's, please tell an uneducated person what she needs to know. Can you get on Face book if the Internet is blocked? But WIFi can be accessed and a kid can talk to people out of state. HELP!!! I am at a loss. I don't want this kid getting into trouble or losing his VITA because of temptation. We all know about that. Also can a kid can into x rated site by accessing WIFI Is there a recently deleted app? Not just history? Thank you for any wisdom.

Boy's Best Friend, Grandma

      I know a kid, yup just a kid, and he brags all the time about his grandmother. Isn't that nice. I think most of us have had that special connections with our grandmothers, but this kid, said, my grandma is my best friend. Now that's kool!

Worried about Christmas & Expectations from Kids

     A few days ago a kid came to me and said, Nancy, Can we talk, I'm worried. Looking at him I said sure and gave my full attention. As he played his psvita which was given to him by some adults who thought they were doing something nice as a bribe to make him behave in school, he said, well I'm worried about Christmas. Christmas!
    This child is worried I am not "giving" him what he wants and expects. We on two occasions talked about Christmas, the real reason for it, his age, and giving and yes, those parts came from me. His part of it was, but what about me and what I want? What about what you want? If I plan to spend two hundred on giving gifts, and you get four games, you will not be happy because you expect a lot more under the tree. He agrees. Yes, it is all about electronics and greed, at least that's how I feel.
    In talking with a few others I am told, but this is the age we live in, it's what kids get! So I have to go along with group think? No way, not this woman. We have the freedom in life to choose how to spend, live, love, worship, lose, win, help or walk away. So why do kids expect so much? Two reasons; their friends are getting it, and the adults are giving it. These kids who are getting these things, only want more, and more and...

Local Author,Zack's First day of Kindergarten (Bullies)

      This book was created by a local author from Dover, PA. who made it an easy to read and understand book with helps in the back for parents and teachers. I purchased mine a short time ago and enjoyed reading it. I think it gives the very young bully( who has probably learned from an adult or older sibling) an easy way out to change his or her ways. Showing and teaching children on both sides of the bully offense how to respond, this book works. Thumbs up Christie Cheetham!
    This book is sold on AMAZON, let your local school and book stores know.

Hey Parents, Get Ready, Christmas? Why?

      Christmas is for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus if you believe in Him, and for families. If not then why are people buying so many gifts for people who don't appreciate it, and all they think about is me, me , me.
       Do you give back during the year, or just take any time you can? What is good enough for some isn't for others. Some are happy to have a home to live in, rent to pay, groceries to buy, clothes to wear and some are never satisfied, no matter how much you give and give and give. Any time now the stores and ads on TV will be sending those endless greedy messages to children to put parents payroll checks in their hands instead of keeping it in the family.

      So do yourself  a favor, make sure you spend what you think you're going to on Christmas for those who deeply need it like, St. Judes, Cancer research, MDA, and many more. I know this all sounds so cliche, but Christmas is for Jesus and Church and families. Spend it with those you love and who love you, even with those you might just care about.
   Electronics? No way!!!

Help This Kid-New Foster Care Law

       I am acquainted with a kid who wants to make a law which makes it beneficial for states to save money on and for children in foster care. This law would entail attachments to wages, Tax refunds, disability payments and social security benefits, much like child support.
       Parents who are in a child's life but divorced pay support.  When they can't things get attached. So Why should a parent who loses custody through no fault but their own, not have to pay. Why? They go on and have more marriages, relationships and even worse, more children. They get off scott free. These parents get years of help from the state to try to redo their wrongs in order to keep a family together. When the children are finally taken and rights terminated, that state and taxpayers pick up the bill. WHY?
       Okay I know why as do you, but why does the state allow this? So please let me know how you feel about a kid trying to make a law to have biological parents pay into a system for their well-being, at least from the time custody was lost until a child is eighteen, and it should be retroactive. Once the state decides how much should be paid monthly or bi-monthly, if that isn't kept up until eighteen, then the amount and court order continues until the amount is paid. Just to be clear, as an example if a child is seventeen, parents lost custody and the court ordered one hundred a month, that child should receive into an account or the state for care, a total of twelve hundred by the time the child is eighteen. If the money isn't paid it stays on the books until paid in full.
       These people move, change names and have replacement babies, but what about the kids left behind? If you agree, please leave a comment so he can see he has support to achieve his long term goal.

That Tattoo Kid HYS 1368

      As I was leaving a store this morning and ready to switch hands to open the door, a kid was coming in at the same time. He steppd back and held the door for me. Right away I noticed his tattoos, his hair and his smile. I looked him in the eye and said thank you as I did very much appreciate it. He had a big tattoo running down his left arm and more on his right arm. He had very short hair, blond in color and a wonderful small smile. 
     The numbers and letters in the title are close to his license plate. When a kid does something like that, when he could have easily just walked in and let me hold the door, he should be noticed. He stood out to me today. He drove a small black four door vehicle and got off at the Delco plaza exit. How many of us think tattoos mean a certain kind of personality? Well not for me and not today. That gesture made me feel good all the way home and now again as I write this.
      Before I left the store, I noticed a girl and boy, not a man and woman although they may think so, standing in line with pajama bottoms on and a tank top, and the boy with a tee shirt. The girl had the boys name on her neck, high up so everyone could see it. Isn't that wonderful, now everyone knows she loves Eddie. I really wanted to tap her on the shoulder and tell her that too many Eddie's are, well.... just try to get that tattoo off. Isn't love great?
     

Bullying, Mental Health, Teens & Blame

       A story about Phoebe Prince is well worth listening to, for everyone, not just kids but parents too, and as a matter of fact it would be good to watch it together. A platform to open up a topic, nothing like TV. I've had many kids say, that happened to me too, concerning anything they relate to. From ages eight to sixteen I have heard that same exclamation,"that happened to me too".
       Most of the time teachers have told me about it so I knew, but when I didn't know, as long as I made sure to act surprised which they want, they open up like a stuck zipper. Sometimes, well many times kids think they're ratting, which I know you know.
        A student who was on this TV show, Sharon said, as did her mother she is s best friend to others. Maybe so, but for me that kind of friend doesn't agitate a situation, but remains side by side to the friend. You don't go to the other person and call them filthy names. Is that a nice kid?
       Now on the other side of that we do have to take into consideration all of the peer crap and that s what it is. Why can't we teach our kids, and why can't others enforce the fact that it's okay to be your own person without getting involved in crime, drugs, alcohol, weapons and all things negative? WHY? Oh I know, It isn't cool. Some parents are just as bad as the kid and in many cases the kids get it from their parents.
        Yes this group of kids, and I don't know all the facts, but think if this was my child who is no longer here because they pushed a last button, I want justice, I want these kids to have some kind of punishment. According to reports this child who took her own life already had mental health problems, so that appears to lessen the bullying factor. It shouldn't!
       What about the educators who knew about this. Where does their responsibility lay? Phoebe did report that she was being bullied and harassed. South Hadley High School neglected the new young girl in this school, her reports of bullying, and have recently made a new policy as far as bullying reports and enforcement.
      Mr. Prince wants compassion for some of those kids who taunted his daughter as he states, isn't that what we wanted for our own daughter?
   Maybe we all , or most of us do teach our kids how to behave and show compassion, yet somehow between home and life they take on another persona and that's what we also have to address. Compassion? Walk in another's shoes. New kids in the neighborhood, in school? Walk with them, not on top of them.

Mega Millions & The Lottery

       You can't win if you don't play. Isn't that the saying to trap people into playing away their much needed every day money? Now we have the mega million up past a half a billion dollars. Maybe someone can bail out the national debt, after our government isn't doing it.
       We never think when we play how it all adds up. Some people say, this is my only vice. Well why have a vice at all if that's your only one? Smoking, drinking and gambling seem to be the worst of vices, seem to be. But the we have drugs, sex, porn, shopping, and alcohol. The end result is it costs. It cost money, lives and the destruction of families and self.
    My bad habit is I can't stop writing, and uh, I also play the lottery as much as I hate to admit it. I am doing it much less than I used to, aware of where and how money seems to trickle away. I'd also rather spend it on my kids and grandson. Now he is worthwhile for spending and hugging and taking off to just see for a day.
    Well I am working on the house, cleaning, arranging and hopefully ripping a carpet out. You know what "they say" An idle mind is the devils' playground, so I have to keep busy, at least occupied in a positive way. Making bags this weekend.
See my on artfire under Doozybags. I hope whoever does win this gross amount does a lot of sharing and giving to worthwhile causes, like St. Jude, Cancer, The Heart Association, churches that help people, neighbors in need and just do good with it. Congrats who ever you end up to be.

Crow Bar & kid on Spring Grove school bus-how?

      Not sure why I haven't said anything yet, maybe because of trust, but with kids you don't know sometimes if they want you to tell, keep a secret and just sit back and see what you're going to do. They may also not want anything said because they don't want to get another kid in trouble.
      So this young adolescent brings home a crow bar one day directly from school. He walked in and showed me saying this kid asked me if I wanted it and I said yeah. I asked right away how did he get it on the bus and before I waited for an answer, I said, wait a minute, How did you get it on the bus. He laughed and said, I just walked on. No one said anything or stopped me. We wonder why things happen like kids getting into fights and then a crowbar appears and I am so guilty of being worse than lax. But as the subject came up again tonight I know I will do something about it as this crowbar has now gone to another persons home and I worry.
     I know as in many cases should someone get hurt, up will pop my name as in, she knew I had it, and she knew I brought it here. So now he is telling me again about where he has it. I am assuming he wants me to say something, and if not, I am following my conscience after all as parent or adults who take care of kids, it is our responsibility to safe guard as much as possible no matter how angry a kid might get. Verbal anger is much better than a crowbar across the head.

What it takes to be a Good Parent and Parents

      This is my opinion only and you know about that.
It takes teamwork, teamwork to do what is best for  a child. Some parents work non-stop figuring out how to handle an issue such as for example cloth diapers, religion, recycling, and take care of the environment because it always affects the present and the future. They have and love their pets and take care of them, making them as important as any family member. They have a conscience about who takes care of their child or children, knowing what's out there and who to trust. They trust themselves. Right on!!!
       Sure no one is perfect and there certainly aren't perfect parents, after all who gets the blame when a child acts up. But make sure to know this before you blame the parents. Has the child had a good foundation, stable parents, spiritually involved, involved in educational matters, made as many efforts as humanly possible to guide that child or children to explore careers and let the child know, it isn't always money that comes first. It is though a matter of self sufficiency, enough to become independent of parents. That's our job, to stick with our children until they need to, ready or not sometimes to fly the coop. If we have done our job, they will fly.
       It may feel at times like someone has clipped their wings, but the fact is they are probably learning all about life's mistakes and priorities and they will fly again. They will know how to bounce back, not feel sorry for them selves, although I think we all do that at times and most of all, know they were, are loved and can do anything weather on a mountaintop or in a valley. There will even be times we may say, why didn't I think of that? When they have turned the tables, becomes self supporting, giving and caring people, ridding themselves of old bad habits,  because they have become truly responsible setting an example for their children,you know you have done a good job.
 P.S. I'm still waiting for someone to raise me:)
   

Forget Jesus? M. Cycrus tweets-I say forget Miley

            I know, why do I care? Because kids look up to her, follow her, buy what she may call music, see her what she calls movies, because she is what they call a good actor(it's actually actress). I find none of that to be true, but then I'm not a kid.
   Too many music and child actors and actresses are admired by children and we need to watch closely who they watch closely. Turn the channel, don't see that movie, choose their clothes, give allowance if you can afford and if they earn it. Make them save 75% of it. Teach character and you can't go wrong.
   Who is she to say Forget Jesus? Who is she to tell your children something like Forget Jesus. I say Forget Miley. In the shape of the world today, do you want to take a chance and forget Jesus? Would Jesus forget her.. uh,what's her name?

Malls-Open Libraries, Kids and Vocations

       If you're a kid of course you'll jump all over this-maybe. I give them more credit than that. Maybe it's more "C" students who want the malls open, or kids whose parents just drop them off to meet up with who? They don't really know now, do they.
       We leave it up to mall security to babysit the kids, and store owners. Yes, I know if we let them go to the local libraries we are letting the librarians babysit, But what if it's done another way, parent and child go to the library. You can actually relax and your child will be on a computer with guards or reading or doing school book reports.
     Life sure has changed since the days of the cave man. Remember when stores were closed on Sundays? I know with the population increase and jobs of all shifts this is needed. No it isn't! Think of it this way. As parents we make things work;we just do. So Sundays would be reserved for what it's meant to be, a day of rest, family and church time, or time to practice what's preached no matter what your faith is. If your Jewish...well Close down on Saturdays. I know In Brooklyn on Sundays all of thirteenth ave. is open because that's the major Jewish neighborhood and a place of many stores and delicous foods.
    But imagine and really think about this. What if the library was open on Sunday where you live? Kids wouldn't be asking for money for the mall, they would have to keep a certain tone of voice and their little minds would be working in a positive way.(hopefully:) Hey, I know, there is a petition site. I think I'll start a close the Malls, open Libraries petition! Grades just might improve. One last thing to imagine. No driver's license until graduation, however you can have a permit during senior year if you have good grades. Kids worry about enough. They don't need to worry about money for a car, repairs, insurance too and a job to support all that. It should also be a little more individual according to maturity-okay still working that out. Bikes!
    Okay, one really last thing that bugs me-SERIOUSLY!!! Academics are not meant for every child in the traditional sense. All children should have an opportunity to learn vocational skills and not have to wait if they have better grades to get into a vocational school. We are short changing our children by treating them as if they are all the same. Will your child be a writer, doctor, work in a factory, own a lawn business, be a sculpter, build bridges, make furniture, work with mentally disabled, be a hair srylist, cartoonist and whatever she or he is able to do well, but possibly held back because they're academically not good enough for vocational school. What's wrong with the education systems?
     Wouldn't we have happier children and isnt that what everyone wants, happiness? Okay another petition:) Now go work on that hobby you love and may have made a life time career of, but couldn't because you weren't good enough according to the educational system. Imagine how your child feels?

There but for the Grace of God go I

     I used to wonder many times what Grace meant and only understood when it was said as in the title. More and more it seems I find myself saying, There but for the Grace of God go I.
     A few days ago, in a waiting room as I sat by the door, suddenly the door opened and an elderly woman walked in all bent over pushing a cart with wheels and holding a small oxygen tank. Behind her stopped and stood still her husband, no tank, no cart, but bent completly in half holding a cane to assist in his walk.
     Quickly, and that's something for me, I moved from my safe seat to as far away as possible, yet hesitating wanting to ask if they wanted help. Usually I would just help, but since the young woman behind the desk only said hello and are you okay over there "Bob" I stayed where I was.She knew them. My thinking was maybe they prefer not to have help and I understood that. It's a matter of pride and dignity. The man was well dressed, slender with a thin moustache, and his little wife, stocky, with short curly hair and fine glasses, wore jeans and a plaid quilted jacket.
      He finally, was able to sit without assistance and started to unzip his jacket. Again I felt myself lean over and about to get up, but his wife said, oh honey I'll get that. She wheeled her cart over to him and took zipper and jacket in hand and made it work. I was too slow. They were about late seventies.
      All of the time I wondered who drove and at almost the same time I thought-wow, just ya when think ya have problems. But how is it they drive? I figured out too that one disability didn't have anything to do with another. His vision seemed fine, but who knew about anything else? Maybe she drove. I was called in and left within a few minutes as they were called in and as we passed, I had to step aside to let them through. He led, she followed.
       Yesterday my daughter and I were in touch off and on as the weather was iffy. She was supposed to come up and we were going out to party with a few kids. There was a birthday to share the day with and get silly. But the weather worries me and I told her stay home. We have plenty of time to get together. We hope and pray that don't we?
         She called me later in the afternoon after leaving a friend at the hospital. Her friend a thirty-two year old, young woman was just found to be in stage four cancer. No children but she is married and an only daughter. She is a very large sized young lady. During the last three to four months she was seeing her family doctor who told her the pain she was feeling was Irritable bowel syndrome also known as IBS. Closer to the time he finally sent her for tests said, well maybe it's your gall bladder. She went for tests and is now where she is.
        Her name is Jen and she tells my daughter, I don't know how to be brave, all I want to do is cry. My Jenny tells her to be who you are, cry, don't be brave, it's more brave to be who you are and that she will be there for her friend, any time, night or day. Yup, that's what friends are for. Her prognosis isn't good, but Jenny and I talk, and we know as many do sometimes doctors say that when they just don't know, but fight, fight and fight some more. Never ever give up. Again we think as Jenny and I have talked about that phrase-There but for the Grace of God go I.
             Shortly after Christmas, my friends son in New York was diagnosed with AML and given possibly five years if they can get him in remission. He is still hospitalized on Chemo, and only thirty-eight years old. Hope is now renewed. His prognosis has changed with doctors saying it is possible for a cure, or permanent remission. There but for the Grace....
          Look at all the children who have cancers of all kinds at St. Judes. There but for the Grace of God go I.... Why are we as in the United States not finding cures for these cancers? I don't like to be a doubting Thomas, but look how quickly the US found medicine to keep under control and now even in so many people no signs of HIV and or Aids.Why? Politics.

The Absentee Parent

       Without getting into specific people, this can pertain to many kinds of parents. Some parents who are not in a child's life may be due to serving our country. Others because of jobs move across the country and then financially have a hardship and still others in the midst of a divorce create so many bad feelings that one or the other parent makes it difficult. Yet we still have another kind of parent. When one spouse, or ex-spouse simply can't pay the child support ordered, the custodial parent holds visits. Okay I get the bitterness and I get needing support, but I don't get using a child to see a parent. That goes for any parent.
        Be fair, and try harder. There are more parents who are also absent, but I have to leave them out of here. But those of you who can't for whatever reason be with your children, stop damning the people who are with your kids.  Those who take care of kids yours or not yours, are doing so because you don't or can't. I know custody is a right and a privilege and sometimes one parent doesn't get custody simply because they don't earn enough. Yet while in a marriage it was always okay to earn less as long as needs were met. Then the road to destruction happens and suddenly names are called, accusations made and children get left out.
Then children come right back into it when it comes to support.
        The non-custodial parent needs by all means to support the custodial parent, unless of course the custodial parent is never home, leaving kids unattended, spending support on them selves, kids not going to doctors, being left alone etc. etc. Then you need to make a sure-fire plan on how to get your children back. You have to have a plan that says, I can afford to do this. If you can't afford it, talk to family and friends. Just get help and support and stop criticizing parents or caretakers when you're not doing such a hot job yourself.There is plenty of help to be found, just never give up, and I know these are your children so you do want to be particular and it may be easy for me to say. Think again. I don't mouth off unless I do know just what I'm talking about. Yes, it's hard, it's very hard. But what are your options? Give up? Walk away as if you never had anything to do with bringing a child into the world?
    Lots of parents do that, more men than women and both are just as guilty of neglect and should have their stuff all tied up for good, never to have another chance at bringing another child in the world just because, well one didn't work but I'll do better this time crap-screw you! Now go and make a difference with your children and do it right.

What is this Thing Called Happiness?

       Merry Christmas Everyone! When you hear that how do you feel? What do you think? Do you just smile and say the same to you but inside feel like you just wish people would shut-up and go away?
        We don't ever know what's happening with our neighbors, friends and even family much less the strangers who greet us ringing bells or serve us at Restaurants and eve the clerks behind a counter. They happily ask, May I help you? But inside are thinking, just go away, and what's so good about holidays. We're not even supposed to say Merry Christmas anymore in many places.
        But how do we contain that feeling of real happiness or should we? No I don't think we should. Be as real and as honest as you can. But be as sensitive as your inner self tells you to be. You might see a dad shopping and you can just tell he has very little, may not be working and maybe his wife is sick or has passed away. So many possibilities, so tread gently into a life.
        It's hard not to be overjoyed when things in your own life are so perfect. but what about the others? Sure many make their lives they way they are and are happy in their own misery. Heck, they may not even be miserable. It's all relative. Then again some are miserable through illness, poverty, loneliness, job loss and what I think is worse than anything at all, a sick and dying child. Instead of expecting, let's try respecting. Just respect a person's life the way it is right now.  Don't look down on them because of how they dress, wear their hair or the car they own, or the obvious poverty in how their kids are dressed, no haircuts, shabby shoes and more. Just respect they are doing the best they can. Don't feel sorry for them, but ask them if they can help you. Let them know how much or how you can pay, but make sure to let them know also, you need the help.
      A first reaction may very well be even if they don't say it-you're just feeling sorry for me. They retreat knowing, knowing you think you're better and this takes care of your conscience. If you really feel like that, take a hike. No one needs pity, they need help. Most do want to work for it, so have Merry Christmas, be joyful, healthy, happy, silly and a little kid-like, and most of all remember how good you have it if you do. This is the season for giving-from your heart, not just your wallet. Jesus said so!

Moms & Dads Everywhere, The Good Ones

       How do you know if your a good mom or dad? I think if you have it together mentally then you know you are. Sometimes we don't know just what kind of a parent we were and are until they grow up and are on their own. You can also be the best parent in the world and have your kids turn out completely opposite  of your parenting job. All the love you have at times just doesn't help. Personally I believe it's the foundation which is set early on. Kids may wander from your beliefs, your role modeling, work ethics, and all that right and wrong stuff we teach them, but as they develop and encounter peer pressure, get out into the world, well they just end up doing what they want to do as individuals.
       We all know about rotten parents and wonder when we know a kids story, how did his kid turn out so good? They just decided not to be what and who they saw in their own parents. Good for them for standing up for a better life. I sometimes think it's those kids who are more thankful for the successes in life. Those kids more or less do it on their own.
       To all of those Good, Responsible and Wonderful Parents, the world is a better place. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, live long and...well you already have prospered.

Example of a Father out of Control-Today

       Today I was to meet up with someone in North York. As I started to turn into a street from heavy traffic on George st. a man and two little boys, about five years-old were in the process of crossing. My car was at an angle waiting for him to move or not. But the man-oops male figure never saw me until his son looked at me. I noticed right away the boys cute coats, a blue plaid, but they were all looking down and walking at the same time. The father wore a black hooded sweatshirt and the hood blocked his view. You know when we see things from the corner of our eye? All he could see was his sweatshirt hood aka as a hoodie. I did notice he never stopped and turned to look like most do at corners.
     So here I was stopped, did start to go once when it looked as if they were stopped, but the first little boy stopped again, looked at me and backed up. I stayed still and waited for them to go, and before I knew it the man finally turns and looks and what happened next shook me. Never once was he holding his two little boys by the hand.

      He turned to stare at me and screamed, hood still up, skinny, frazzled looking, with a blondish goatee, like a young Donald Sutherland. Then his words came at me; what the F are you trying to do you stupid F'n B? Are you trying to run over me and my kids and kill us you F'n B? Then he spit. The wind took it away, but his face, his face so full of hatred and anger, flushed red beyond red, and so quickly.
      I waited wondering what would happen next as with every word he moved closer to the car. I had my phone, pushed 911, but not send, not yet. I thought if this guy had a rock or a gun, I'm sure the day would have ended much differently. His explosiveness came at such a rush as if he's been holding it in for a very long time.
That's what I kept thinking as he finally moved and let me drive on. I drove way past where I was to meet the other person, called them and changed the location to meet. If he went into Rutters I didn't want to give him another opportunity to continue, and me call the cops and have his little boys witness their father, out of control again.
       A few times today I wondered about that family. I wondered if possibly the father lost his job, my first thought, or why would someone act as deranged as he did today. Did he lose his wife, a parent or is someone in the family sick? I know how hard things are for parents but this guy, today he wasn't a parent. He was a person out of control. I'll think about those two little plaid coats for a long time, and just wonder.

Logan, Sheetz rt.30 York , The Announcer!

       Over time I've come to know many employees at Sheetz in York, Pa. Some are pure business, some fun and rarely will you see someone who really doesn't want to be there.
      More recently, when I had a kid in for a  spur of the moment late snack, I heard this voice and  remembering smiling. I walked to the back to the MTO area and here is this young guy announcing another order. As he was announcing, an older man stood near smiling as it was his order and he had the same opportunity as I did, to see and hear this kid, Logan. Sorry Logan, and excuse me, a young man.
     Logan doesn't just announce, he sounds like he's introducing a celebrity! Most people say for example, number 123 is now ready in a same monotone voice. Logan announces "Customer order number--- is now ready for pick-up. You can't miss this guy. Sheetz, he deserves a raise. Can you imagine how many people like to hear a pick me up like that when waiting for an order.  Make No Mistake when Logan announces your MTO! Thanks Logan! Your smile and attitude and the fact that you gave all credit to a lady named Deb for your training, shows what a good guy you are!