JDog's Journal

[Jdog]

Thanks for both , DB!!

[Wattlebird]

Hope ur cold is gone now hoping u have a great holiday season jdog and a healing happy new year 

[Jdog]

Wattlebird/

Cold not exactly gone but I am better, thanks.  I am well enough to take my car in for routine maintenance this morning, and I hope to do one or two other errands as well.

Thanks for your concern.  I love your bird picture, BTW!

[Hope67]

Hi Jdog, I hope you're continuing to feel better as time progresses, regarding your cold.  I hope it will leave you alone soon, so you can breathe clearly.    to you.
Hope 

[Three Roses]

Hope you're feeling better! 

[Jdog]

Friends-

Yes, my cold is nearly over.  Wishing all a very Happy New Year!

[Deep Blue]

 

[Wattlebird]

Happy new year jdog hope it's a good one for you, glad you are feeling better.

[Jdog]

I have been kind of morose lately, feeling as though my decision to disconnect from most members of my FOO years ago was a mistake since I am on the cusp of 60 and feeling the loss of family.  Even the two cousins with whom I once freely corresponded have distanced themselves.  I am actually about to snail mail yet another cousin, hoping for connection.  You see, I learned a couple of years ago that my own father told a group of cousins on that side of the family that I was a "*" who wanted nothing to do with him or basically with them.  A lie.  I was young, feeling alienated, and often chose to read or play my musical instrument rather than be subjected to my father's teasing and bullying.  But I would have liked to have had a good relationship.  And, being different in my sexual orientation - though I didn't know it at the time, exactly - did nothing to ease family tensions.

But the great thing that happened today was this:  A very old friend texted out of he blue and said she was in town from another state where she and her husband and kids live, and wanted to get together.  It was fantastic seeing her, and reminded me that the love of those whom I have chosen to let into my life can make up for what I don't have from distant family.  At least some of the time.  Definitely, today.  Thank you, Universe.

[sanmagic7]

i'll echo that 'thank you, universe'.  those disconnect decisions can be tough at times, especially around occasions that are touted as 'family' affairs.  personally, i think you made a healthy decision about foo.  very glad a friend stepped up to connect with you. 

happy birthday, early (in case i forget).  may i just say that my 60's were some of the most productive of my life, no matter what else was going on with me.  i hope you enjoy yours.  love and hugs. 

[Three Roses]

  So glad you had fun with your friend!

[Hope67]

Hi Jdog,
Sending you a hug  - I hope that your attempts to contact your cousin will be positive for you.  Whatever happens, wishing you the best for today - and your Birthday will be soon - I hope it will be a good one for you. 
Hope 

[Jdog]

Thanks, Hope.  I have not decided whether or not to send the card to my cousin, after all.  I want to be sure I am not just feeling external pressures to connect following the holidays.  I dont want to beg to be let back into the family, as I am worth more than that.

[Jdog]

My wife and I just got back from three nights out of town, during which we intended to visit a national park here in the U.S.  However, once I heard about the terrible littering and abuse of the natural resource happening due to there being few rangers (we are in a partial government shutdown), I could not, in good conscience, become a further burden along with the many free loaders who are going because there is no collection of fees happening.  If we had gone, I would have spent the entire time picking up trash left by the "poorly brought up" portion of society,  Not a great birthday gift to myself, I thought.  My wife agreed, and we did small shopping and sight seeing adventures rather than visit the park.  It may sound like a let down, but I feel that I upheld my principles by not becoming a further burden to the already strained resources. 

I so very much hope this government shutdown is lifted soon, as many workers across our nation are suffering. 

[Wattlebird]

It's lovely to see some people who have real integrity, I applaud your decision, I live in a small country tourist destination, and over holiday season there's so much rubbish left everywhere, bags dumped on the side of the road, beach littered etc etc
It's so frustrating to see people come to enjoy natures beauty but dumping on it. Good for you