Though the current project started as a series of posts charting my grief journey after the death of my mother, I am no longer actively grieving. Now, the blog charts a conversation in living, mainly whatever I want it to be. This is an activity that goes well with the theme of this blog (updated 2018). The Sense of Doubt blog is dedicated to my motto: EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY. I promote questioning everything because just when I think I know something is concrete, I find out that it’s not.
Hey, Mom! The Explanation.
Here's the permanent dedicated link to my first Hey, Mom! post and the explanation of the feature it contains.
The climactic scene of The Lord of the Rings, when Frodo and Sam reach the Cracks of Doom, is one of my favorite scenes in all of literature. So I was very interested a little while back when noted Tolkien scholar Stephen Colbert laid out a neat little analysis of the scene. Frodo seems to fail at his appointed task – rather than throwing the ring into the fire, he claims it for himself, and the ring is only destroyed by the coincidental intervention of Gollum. Colbert then notes that Gandalf should have known that Frodo would fail. Back in the second chapter, Frodo demonstrated to Gandalf his inability to throw the ring into the much cooler fires of his own hearth, after having only possessed the ring for a few hours. Therefore, one may assume, Gandalf must have intended for one of the other members of the Fellowship to intervene and ensure the ring’s destruction.
Colbert’s analysis is clever, in the same way that the theory that Gandalf had intended all along to use the eagles to reach Mordor is clever. In its cleverness, though, I think such analyses risk treating LotR as a D&D campaign and thus losing sight of the real literary themes of the story.
One of Tolkien’s key themes is the Augustinian view of evil. Most genre fiction takes a decidedly Manichean view of evil – a view that holds that evil and good are two great opposing forces in the world, like the light and dark sides of The Force. In a Manichean view, good must triumph by opposing evil, either to eradicate it or to restore a balance to the universe.
Manichean views of evil lead to a very common type of climax to stories: the contest of wills. Our hero confronts the villain, and through superior courage, grit, love, or what-have-you, they overcome the villain and their evil power. It’s Harry going wand-to-wand with Voldemort, Thomas Covenant laughing at Lord Foul, Meg breaking IT’s hold over Charles Wallace, Luke facing down Vader and Vader facing down the Emperor.
Any other writer could have given us a very typical Manichean Cracks of Doom scene. Frodo approaches the fire, and the ring’s temptation overtakes him. He puts the ring on and begins to claim it. But a tiny voice somewhere deep inside him insists that this is wrong. Sam cries out, and thinking about Sam’s love and devotion rekindles a spark in Frodo. His Hobbitish desire for food and good cheer wells up, and he tears the ring off and throws it into the fire. A dramatic ending and a nice echo of the moral of The Hobbit.
But that’s not what happens. Frodo’s goodness – even the innocent goodness of a little old Hobbit – can’t go toe-to-toe with Sauron’s evil. Indeed, Isildur proved it. He defeated Sauron by opposing him with the force of good, and defeated him. But Isildur couldn’t destroy the ring, and within the year it had destroyed him.
Tolkien holds instead to an Augustinian view of evil. Evil, according to St. Augustine, is not a force of its own, but rather is the absence or corruption of good. We see this most explicitly in the idea that Morgoth and Sauron can’t create anything of their own, but only corrupt and warp what has been created by others. We also see it when Gandalf and Galadriel describe what would happen if they took the ring – it would warp their own desire to do good until they became evil.
An Augustinian climax can’t involve a contest of wills between good and evil. In an Augustinian world, evil can only exist by leeching off of good. So evil must be given an opportunity to destroy itself, much like the self-defeating band of thieves described by Plato (on whose philosophy Augustine drew heavily). Good wins by renouncing evil, not by overcoming it.
And that’s exactly what happens at the Cracks of Doom. The ring isn’t destroyed because Frodo’s force of good overcame the ring’s evil. Nor is Gollum’s intervention a coincidence or deus ex machina (like the series of disarmings that happened to make Harry the master of the Elder Wand). Rather, the ring’s evil collapsed in on itself by drawing Gollum. The very corruption of Gollum that enabled the ring to escape the river drove him to wrestle desperately with Frodo for it and ultimately fall to his doom, ring in hand.
An Augustinian view of evil has definite moral implications, which are also shown throughout The Lord of the Rings. A Manichean world is a consequentialist world. To defeat the forces of evil, we need to think strategically. Sometimes we may even need to indulge in a little short-term evil in order to be able to achieve the greater good. But an Augustinian world can’t allow that kind of pragmatic approach. In an Augustinian world, any compromise with evil can only strengthen it, giving it an infusion of good that delays its self-destruction. An Augustinian world demands a deontological ethic, doing the right thing regardless of the outcome.
Again and again in The Lord of the Rings, we see that strategically pursuing the greater good fails, while remaining true to moral principles succeeds even when it looked foolish. On the cautionary side, we have Saruman and Denethor. Though they may point to the palantir as an excuse, they each ultimately made a thoroughly reasonable choice in the face of Sauron’s overwhelming advantage – to ally with him while playing the long game, or to give in to despair. Our heroes, on the other hand, repeatedly make foolish decisions based on hope. Aragorn is a good example – he decides to pursue Merry and Pippin because he owes them protection even though Frodo is the one who holds the fate of the world in his hands. Later, he decides to make a suicide attack on the Morannon rather than hunkering down in Minas Tirith, in the hopes of Frodo’s quest succeeding.
But the most important instance of doing the right thing despite the consequences comes from Frodo himself: he refuses to kill Gollum. Killing Gollum would have been an eminently reasonable idea – he’s a slinker and a stinker, and we know that he never redeemed himself or turned over a new leaf. Indeed, his main accomplishments were to lead Frodo and Sam into a death trap, then to try to kill them with his own hands at the Cracks of Doom. Both Sam and Faramir were right when they said that killing Gollum would have been a good idea!
But Frodo showed Gollum pity and spared his life because it was the right thing to do. And just like Gandalf could see Frodo’s unwillingness to destroy the ring back in Bag End, he also addressed this very issue. He instructed Frodo:
Frodo: It’s a pity Bilbo didn’t kill him when he had the chance.
Gandalf: Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo’s hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many.
And in the end, that pity was what saved the world. Frodo’s pity made it possible for Gollum to be there at the Cracks of Doom to take the ring. Frodo refused to give in to the small, reasonable evil of killing Gollum, and so he left the great evil of the ring exposed to destroy itself. That was Gandalf’s backup plan, not Aragorn’s strength to take the ring and destroy it. And so Frodo didn’t really fail. He succeeded at his quest back when he saved Gollum’s life, when he did the right thing even though it seemed foolish.
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2609.04 - 10:10
- Days ago: MOM = 4082 days ago & DAD = 736 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
A Sense of Doubt blog post #4217 - Letter to Dad #51 - Pressure Washing on Your Day and Puppies
Hey Big Guy,
I am actually writing this post two days late because of work. I have started my counseling practicum and am driving to Salem, OR twice a week. First week in the books, and it went really well. Not doing individual sessions yet and still learning the ropes. But I liked the people and the experiences I had this week. I am going to learn A LOT and already have been learning a lot. Challenging population, people experiencing substance use disorder.
I had my first faculty supervision class, two hours, Wednesday mornings. I like my instructor a lot, and my classmates are a very diverse group, which I love!
The week wasn't all that exhausting although I did a lot. However, I am kind of exhausted. Maybe changing my sleep schedule to get up an hour earlier has something to do with it.
I did get some writing done this week, though not as much the previous weeks.
Lots of rain so no porch time, but now, two days later, I hope to get some porch time.
I miss you, Big Guy.
I channeled you as I did pressure washing, more on that below as I curate a series of photos.
ABOVE: Satchel on August 25th on the floor near the kitchen.
I like to take pictures when the puppies spend time together. Essel loves her sisters, but she especially loves her sister Ellory as shown above from August 25th.
Because Satchel has congestive heart failure, she should not walk up hills or stairs. I cannot always stop her in time to carry her up the stairs in our home, especially when I am not home.
I can stop her from going up hills. So we are back to using the stroller we bought after her second knee surgery. I walk her down the hill and then push her back up. She always tries to walk up the hill, but once I force her to turn around, she often jumps into the stroller before I can help her.
It's not as if she DOES NOT like her ride. She likes it. Pictures of her in the stroller follow.
All taken August 28th.
Here's that picture again that I made the topper image. I really like it.
Here's the very clean driveway I washed after the back patio. Both were filthy. My friend's pressure washer also blasted weeds that were growing through the drain grate midway. The driveway is now cleaner than my car. August 28th.
Here's the pressure washer and some of the patio in its filthy condition.
I used a lot of water, but here I still had to go close over all the cement.
The nozzle oscillates the water, and I was warned to take care as it could cut my foot or shred 2x4.
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2609.03 - 13:40
Letters to Dad will now be published at 13:40 if I can remember.
- Days ago: MOM = 4081 days ago & DAD = 735 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
Me and Dad at Trattoria Stella at the State Hospital development 1508.31
A Sense of Doubt blog post #3485 - Hey Mom Reprints - 2015 Traverse City Trip Collected
About two months after my Mom died, Dad and I took a trip to Traverse City where we had lives when I was three-six and then visited for summer vacations for most of my childhood.
I am collecting all those posts here for the first time.
#59, the third part, has music that qualifies this post as a Music Monday post.
Lots of reprints!!
There were nine posts in this sequence about the trip.
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #56 - Arrived in Traverse City Hi Mom,
Here we are in Traverse City. Dad and I have taken a trip to stay at my old haunt the Neahtawanta Inn on the Old Mission Peninsula.
I will have more pictures and stories tomorrow as it's getting dark and I am getting ready for bed.
But, so far, we have been having a very nice time.
Of course, we're talking a lot about you, Mom.
I feel you watching over us, approving of what we do, though we're not doing nearly as much shopping as you would have done. However, we did walk around Fish Town in Leland in your honor.
We miss you.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Days ago = 57 days ago - Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1508.30 - 21:05 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Me and Dad at Trattoria Stella at the State Hospital development 1508.31
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #57 - Traverse City 2015 pt. one
Hi Mom, I will finish this one later this week. Having too much fun. Need a little vacation from daily writing regimen.
When I started this blog entry (I am days behind), I thought I would pack more in. But I think it makes sense to milk the trip for more entries, so this one is just going to be about dinner at Trattoria Stella at the State Hospital development in Traverse City.
We had some expensive dinners in your honor, Mom. Above is a picture of Dad and I at Trattoria Stella. I have eaten there several times, once with Liesel, though for lunch. Dad and I had dinner Monday, August 31st. We started with a grilled octopus with a mixture of vegies and a sausage. I had a field greens salad and then a rib eye steak, 16 oz. with shitake mushrooms. It was huge. Dad had fish, I think it was halibut or maybe Alaskan Salmon. We were too stuffed to even contemplate dessert.
Here's the sign outside for Stella. By square footage, the state hospital renovation is largest historic renovation project in the world. You can see the corner for the building, and what was once a porch for a ward.
Looks very much like an asylum basement, eh? Except with art and better lighting and looking into a boutique or a restaurant. I just liked the corridor. We walked around a bit. I bought a gift for Liesel of personal care products with Lavender. Liesel likes Lavender.
They call it the arches. I call it the catacombs or the terminal ward. Anyway, this is the part of Stella where we ate. You can see that I caught Dad taking off his glasses.
I had to take a picture of this movie poster as I have the disc from Netflix at home on my coffee table. I have been meaning to watch this film for some time.
The grilled octopus with beans and tomato and some kind of sausage.
The rib eye steak with the shitake mushrooms and potatoes. The broccoli in garlic butter to the right.
Food documentation is important to my wife, and to you, Mom. I know you would have loved this.
Wish you could have been there.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you. Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Days ago = 58 days ago - Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1508.31 - 21:30 and 1509.04 - 19:36
Bower's Harbor Cove beach of the Neahtawanta Inn Morning, 1509.01
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #58 - Traverse City 2015 pt. two - the Neahtawanta Inn
Hi Mom, Grading like crazy now that I am home. More tomorrow.
they have a peace pole too so do we
I am sorry we did not shop Front Street.
That's how this one originally started and that's how it stayed until today (1509.05). I was in massive catch up mode after the vacation and taking two and a half days off work. Really, a day and a half, as I should be able to take off Sunday, though not this week. I had my vacation already for the week, so Sunday is going to be a big work day.
Mom, I know you would have liked us to shop Front Street. But I had to get home to work. I promise. Next time. I can feel your tsk-tsk. Thanks. So much guilt.
So, hey Mom, how are you doing? I sense that you're doing very well. I can feel your smile, your hugs and kisses. I know you like my picture here. Morning at the Neahtawanta Inn. I was going to Jam pack these two (today's and yesterday's) blog entries with all the pictures from the trip but that seems like a lot, and I can spread this content out a bit. Does that sound like a good idea, Mom?
After all, there's a lot of pictures of the Neahtawanta Inn and TWO videos. I hope you enjoy them Mom. Videos and pictures with comments to follow.
I wanted to capture the sound of the surf that I was listening to all night with the windows open.
This one is from the day before in the afternoon when it was windy.
I never tire of pictures of the Neahtawanta Inn.
I love to think that all the people whom I have introduced to the Neahtawanta have gone back often. I don't think this is true, but I like to think it.
The most gorgeous view in the Traverse area.
The glimmer of the dawning sun on the water in the morning. The cove at the Neahtawanta is often more serene, shielded from the greater rough waters of the open bay or of the left-most coast and Lake Michigan open to Wisconsin.
This is my spot. Where I spent the majority of my days so many times in the almost 15 years that I regularly vacationed at the Neahtawanta from 1993-2007, See my computer screen in the lower right corner. I am sitting on the same couch where I have always sat, enjoying the gorgeous view.
Thank you, Neahtawanta Inn. You have been a healing, spiritual, and serene presence in my life since 1990 when I visited you for the first time.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you. Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Days ago = 59 days ago - Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1509.01 - 20:25 and 1509.05 - 9:31
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #59 - Phonogram and Traverse City 2015 pt. three - plans
Hi Mom,
I just brought the two Phonogram graphic novels with me on my vacation (such as it is, two days, three depending on how you count) as an after thought. I was planning to read the book I started a while ago, The Girl in the Road by Monica Bryne, and I spent the whole time I was up north reading Phonogram. (I was also going to read more of my Java text book but that didn't happen either.)
This is a theme of my life: plans that do not come to fruition. I have learned over the years to plan fewer things and that when I fail to do everything that I have planned to do that I do not beat myself to a pulp for being a failure. But it's difficult. I plan too much. I hold myself to a high standard, and then I have trouble not being disappointed in myself. You know this about me, Mom. In fact, I think I learned this behavior from you because I sure did not get it from my Dad.
Anyway, Phonogram.
Phonogram is a comic graphic novel about Brit Pop, such as Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Oasis, Suede, The Long Blondes, Dexys Midnight Runners, and The Pipettes, among many, many others.
There are two books published in 2007 and 2008, and with a new volume starting, called Phonogram: The Immaterial Girl, I had been wanting to read the previous volumes before I read the first issue, published last month. Also, I have become quite a fan of both creators: Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. Gillen and McKelvie currently produce a comic called The Wicked and the Divine, which is sort of related to Phonogram, though not directly.
I previously wrote about The Wicked and the Divine on this blog in an entries called
as I hotly and eagerly anticipated the release of this comic after enjoying Gillen and McKelvie's collaboration on The Young Avengers.
Anyway, in Phonogram, characters are phonomancers who can use music to cast magic. There's a grander plot with relationships and tons of music trivia but that's essentially it.
What really hooked me was the entry into music that I knew about but did not own and have not listened to much or at all, and Gillen wrote very detailed glossaries for all the quoted song lyrics and music references in the comic book. I was fascinated. Sitting on the porch of the Neahtawanta, I realized I could dial up music via You Tube on my phone and give a listen to several of the songs right there. And... WOW. For instance, I had only ever listened to Dexys Midnight Runners' song "Come On, Eileen." The other stuff is amazingly good. Also, I had seen the band name, Manic Street Preachers, on British music magazines for years and had never explored their work. I did not know that one of their original members, Richey Edwards, had disappeared in 1995 and is presumed dead by suicide (jumping off a bridge).
I was mesmerized.
Other than great time with Dad, and with your spirit and presence, Mom, the greatest thing I got from the vacation was a new love for Brit Pop and the comic Phonogram.
A better explanation than the one I gave can be found here:
I took the following picture for Liesel as there had been some discussion about her coming with us to Traverse City, but then she picked up some work hours. She has been wanting to kayak or paddle board all summer. So I took this picture and sent it to her with the message: "this could have been you."
Likewise, Liesel took a picture of this salad, and wrote me the same message: "this could have been you."
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
- Days ago = 60 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1509.02 - 21:55 and 1509.06 - 19:57
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #60 - a reflection for throwback Thursday
Hi Mom,
This is what I wrote when I started this entry: "I am behind on my posts. I have been grading like a maniac to meet deadlines. Readers, if you come across this page, it's still under construction as are the last three posts. Catching up tomorrow and this weekend."
In two days, it will be a week later since I started this entry, and I am not yet caught up, let alone ahead, which is the goal. But I continue. I press forward.
Check out this image left. It is mostly white space but that will make sense as my text runs along side it. It's the text of what you wrote, Mom, on the back of the picture at the top of this blog entry. You are very precise. Although you did not know the exact date the photo was taken, you knew it was mid-late July of 1972, which would put my age at 10 and 1/2 years and Lori's at two years and 11 and 1/2 months, as it would have been just before her August 9th birthday.
I love this handwritten note. First of all, I love your handwriting, Mom. You wrote in cursive all her life. Dad, Lori, and I all took to block printing, but not you, you stuck with cursive. I had so many notes from you over the years in your delicate scrawl. I wish I had saved more of them.
Because after the meningitis, we worked on handwriting. You were all right in the first years after your recovery, and then you started to decline.
Probably the palsy that took your life, even then.
I saved so many hand writing samples from the post-meningitis period.
I promise, Mom. I will re-learn cursive and use it for notes that would make you proud, like on birthday cards to Dad.
Anyway, this is a picture of us all (minus Dad who is taking the photo) on the beach at ou rLong Lake home and later summer vacation rental. I will write more about that in a few days because Dad an I got go in the old house!! But for now just this picture and memories of your handwriting.
I love you, Mom.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Days ago = 61 days ago - Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1509.03 - 19:37 and 1509.08 - 20:11
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #62 - More on Traverse City pt. four - Leland and Suttons Bay
Hi Mom, Here's some more photos from my trip to Traverse City with Dad.
Riverside Inn, Leland
Riverside Inn, Leland
Tip jar, ice cream place Sutton's Bay
Sutton's Bay
Sutton's Bay
Fishtown, Leland
Fishtown, Leland
Fishtown, Leland
Fishtown, Leland
Fishtown, Leland
Fishtown, Leland
Fishtown, Leland
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Days ago = 63 days ago - Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1509.05 - 20:00 and finished 1601.01 - 9:37
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #63 - our house - Traverse City pt. five
Hi Mom,
Still running behind. Have to get this posted, but first, I have to take the dog for a walk.
During our trip to Traverse City, Dad and I went to look at our old house on Long Lake. We showed up right at the time that the owner was cleaning the place, and so got to go in and look around.
It was amazing to see our old house where we lived from 1967-68 but then stayed many summers there after (most summers of my growing up years).
Here's some photos.
Damn, my paunch is too prominent
the entrance
my old room
closet in my room is just the same
stairs to my room are unchanged
cubby desk in my room is much the same
The porch is very different though
COMPARE above photo TO THIS:
Other cabins on the property
the Neighbors
the beach and the cove
the point
down the shore to the left
another shore view, left
Long Lake
up the shore, right
Above is the beach where my father filmed my sister and I running every year. We need to splice those film clips together to show us growing up.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #64 - whiskey time! Traverse City pt. six
Hi Mom,
I worked most of the day, but I am now lapping up some delicious bourbon that Dad and I bought in Traverse City. Dad bought one bottle, and I bought the other, but somehow, I now have both. Most peculiar.
I was hoping to not only catch up on the under construction items in writing to you by today, Mom, but also get the comic book stuff posted before the start of school (tomorrow). But I have learned my limits. I can only do so much. I can only work so much. There's a point at which I must stop to avoid certain misery.
More soon.
In Traverse City, Dad and I visited the Traverse City Whiskey Co.
Here's some photos.
I now am the proud owner of a classic bourbon and a cherry infused bourbon whiskey from this fine establishment.
Rang in the new year with some!
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you. Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #65 - Ends and Odds - Traverse City part seven
Hi Mom,
A week ago today, we stopped at this place in Cadillac for pasties. I also bought a raspberry pie that I ate at the rate of one piece a day and finished Sunday. Five pieces? That's not bad.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you. Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ - Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2409.02 - 10:10 - Days ago: MOM = 3349 days ago & DAD = 005 days ago - New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2609.02 - 13:40
- Days ago: MOM = 4080 days ago & DAD = 734 days ago
- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
