Notes on a self improvement project

This weekend, most of us in the United States celebrated the holiday of Thanksgiving.  It is the time of year when we, specifically, are supposed to reflect on our blessings and take time to be thankful.  And eat a lot of turkey and pumpkin pie.  And do our part to stimulate the economy.  But mostly, we're supposed to take time to be thankful for our blessings. My family and I had dinner with some of my parents' friends.  My responsibility was green bean casserole, which people seemed to enjoy.  There was a full house, as always, and everyone seemed to have a nice time.   Throughout the day, I did think several times of my friend Dave, who has just lost his brother.  Mike's funeral actually took place on Monday, just a few days before Thanksgiving.  It is so sad that they had to say goodbye to Mike, who was so young.  S o many of my friends have suffered losses this year.  This did make me appreciate so much more that I am enjoy...

Today, the 11th day of the 11th month, is Veteran's Day, a day to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and the men and women who served our county - fought and sometimes died - to give us those freedoms.  Many of my family members, colleagues and students have served, and I am proud of each of them for what they have done, and continue to do, for our country.  I am forever grateful to those who serve.   For the rest of the year, instead of reflecting on my self-improvement project (I don't have a lot to report about it anyway) I will reflect on a freedom I enjoyed during the past week.  And maybe something about my self-improvement project.  But mostly I want to do this small thing in tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed so that we all can enjoy both the small and big freedoms that make up our lives in this country, and that others in other parts of this world do not. To begin, I finished reading, for probably the dozenth time, Harry Potter and the O...

Tuesday, October 23...another farewell.  My uncle Ronnie (my mother's brother) died suddenly in a very strange and tragic auto accident.  He had hit a deer on the highway, and for some reason that nobody understands, he was crossing the highway to find the deer, and was struck by a car.  He died a few hours later from massive injuries.  On Tuesday, I attended his funeral.  It was a very sad experience.   I hadn't seen him or my cousins since college, except my cousin Denise, who came to my wedding.  My cousins all had children, most of whom I hadn't met, and some of those children had children.  Meeting family members for the first time in a situation like that is not ideal by any means.  It seemed as though there were dozens of cousins I was meeting for the first time.  My uncle lived a simple life, but he was very loved by many, many people.    I found out today that my good friend Dave's brother Mike is in hospice right ...