NEW DIRECTION

February 14, 2012

  Blogs don't have to be about a specific topic, the content can be whatever is on your mind at any given moment.  Some people blog to use as an online diary of their own lives or someone else's, that they may refer back to at a later time.  If you have followed my blog, you've probably noticed that's it's been a little bit of everywhere and everything since I've started.  I suppose one could say that my blog, "Science of my Mind", is still in the eary stages of development, but will find the nature of it's calling.  Believe me, I've researched other people's blogs and even more successful blogs, but I'm not 100% satisfied that those are the directions that I want my blog to follow.  Starting tomorrow, and I will have to work out the kinks, I'm going to be trying something new, I will be commenting on past and current events, and if I'm able to and have the correct answer's, give advice to people that have issue's their facing.  Please, I ask everyone, your comments are just as important as anyone else's, do not hesitate to give your view on a matter.  Your opinion matters!!!  I feel as though we can have some good discussions and debates and always remember, "there is no bad question," so if your unsure about something we're discussing, please ask, and I will try to find the answer for you by the next day, or I'm sure someone involved in the discussion will find the correct answer.  This blog will also be a place where you can talk about anything that's on your mind, if you need to vent, and don't want your identity known where the world can see it, you can post anonymously, or send me a private message on Facebook.  I'm really looking forward to it.  If you ever have an idea for a topic, please drop me a line, I will research it, fill you in what I've found out, and with your blessing, publish it.    Your my family, friends and neighbors, let's have a good time with this thing.  Thank you all the opportunity to be able to do this, and I want to let you know how grateful I am that people are reading my blog. Thank you everyone, goodnight, God Bless and may we all have a better tomorrow.  Until tomorrow.  Love.

 

ALL CHANGE IS NOT GOOD

February 13, 2012

  I am sitting here thinking and this overwhelming sense of sadness just filled my entire body, kind like a WHOOSH sensation.  I don't know why this feeling waited until now to hit me, maybe it's because I was thinking of something to blog about, or maybe I've just let stuff build up inside me for so long, the WHOOSH was my body's way of telling me it's time to get rid of that stuff, or at least some of it.  At first I thought maybe I was once again feeling sorry for myself, poor George, but I can tell you, that's not the reason I'm sad.

  I was born in 1959 and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York until the age of 13 or 14.  I really don't remember a whole lot of my youth in New York. I do remember hanging out with my cousin Rich, he was the big brother I never had.  I also remember having fantastic tackle football games with my other cousin's at my Aunt Janet's and Uncle Jack's house.  We moved quite often when I was younger, and never stayed in the same school more than a year or two.  Then, when I was 13 or 14, my Mom and Dad moved us to Nashville, Tennessee.  I loved Tennessee, besides being the center of attention at school for my Yankee accent, Nashville was just a great place to live.  The southern hospitality and charm was present every where you went.  Nashville was still small enough in the 1970's to be able to be on the street at 9pm and the only thing you had to worry about was whether or not you could pedal your bike faster than a dog could run.  Fast forward to 2011, while Nashville still has bits and pieces of it's 1970's Southern charm, I don't think you'd want to ride a bike at 9pm.  Don't misunderstand me, there are still parts of Nashville that are safe and retain the southern hospitality it is ever so famous for.  Nashville has gotten too big for it's own good, population wise, it has become a mini Atlanta. The crime rate is outrageous and there are murders there at least a couple of times per week, sometimes more.  Rare is it safe for a lady to walk through a Walmart parking lot unescorted.   That's right, this is Nashville, Tennessee that I speak of, home of the Grand Ole Opry, and home to the Tennessee Titans.

  Another reason for the sadness.  What in God's name has happened to our country?  I have alot of the younger generation telling me, "things change, get used to it."  Guess what younger generation, I wasn't born yesterday, I know things change, and I welcome change, when it's for the good of our country.  I am still alive, and am still entitled to my opinion, some of the change that I'm seeing today , well, let's just say I'm glad I'm 53 years old.  Hey, you want to go with the flow, and make change happen every time someone suggest's it, you go for it, it's your God given right, doesn't mean I have to, doesn't mean I'll agree with you, but I will respect your choice.  All I know is that I miss those days being out at 9pm at night and people waving at you from their front porch. I miss the innocence, when a child of 13 or 14 didn't have to worry about walking down a street a night.  Some things my family and friends, are better just to left alone.  Until tomorrow.  Love. 

FOOD

February 12, 2012

  This is one of those nights where I am sitting here and can't think of a single subject to write about.  So I'm going to be writing about things randomly as they pop into my head.

  Here in recent weeks I have a new addiction that I'm battling with.  It's growing worse and I believe the only way I'm going to be able to stop is cold turkey.  As hard as cold turkey can be emotionally and physically, I have to stop and stop soon.  This addiction is forcing me to do several extra insulin shots per day, which gets tiring in it's own way.  They say the first step in conquering an addiction is to admit that I have a problem, and I am man enough to do that, right here, right now.  Everyone, my name is George, and I'm addicted to Tootsie Rolls.  I first started a few weeks back by purchasing a small bag in case my blood sugar dropped while I wasn't at home, just to carry them in my pocket, just to have them.  Then one day when my blood sugar bottomed out, I ate my Tootsie Rolls to bring my numbers back up, oh my God, were they good!  Even better, they lasted because they were thick and chewy, I'd let that Tootsie Roll sit in my mouth for a minute, get soft, then slowly chew and taste that chocolate goodness until there was no more.  Now, the Tootsie Rolls are no longer for my diabetic emergencies, now I have to have my Tootsie Rolls.  As I said, my name is George, and I am addicted to Tootsie Rolls.  I  will be seeking help after I finish one more bag that I have in my cabinet.  I promise.  In the voice of Homer Simpson- Mmmmm-Tootsie Rolls...

  I suppose since the subject is food, you know, I'm not exactly sure at what age it happened with me, but I've started to become burned out on eating.  I could honestly care less what I eat, as long what I eat keeps me alive.  I've mentioned before that I attend the food bank for assistance until my disability get's finalized, so I'm actually grateful for whatever it is that I get to eat. it's as though eating is a requirement now, not a joy.  Honestly, I could care less if I eat a bag of Ramen soup or if I'm lucky enough and on a very rare occasion, meat, to me they serve the same purpose, filling the belly and keeping me alive.  I'm not trying to glorify myself by saying this, but I  would much rather see someone who is truly hungry eat before me. I'd be happy with the scraps, and I really do mean that.

  Remember folks, if you do have something that has been sitting in your food pantry for a while, please find in your heart to donate it to your local food bank.  It makes my blood boil to know that some people take advantage of the food banks, and it only hurts those that are really in need.  There are those in need though, that could really use the help.

  Thanks for reading everyone.  I really do appreciate it.  Until tomorrow.  Love. 

JIM

February 11, 2012

  I don't know if this comes from growing older, being sick, or both.  Lately, I am so grateful for every one that I have met through out the course of my life, (those that I can remember) and for the little things that I have always taken for granted.  I witnessed something two nights ago that I have witnessed dozens of times before, but for some reason, this time it affected me differently.  It was kind of like I was crying, but only on the inside, no visible tears.  I know this gentleman because I volunteer at the facility he resides at.  As I said, I've crossed path's with him on and off for a while now.  For his privacy, I will not use his real name.

  I stopped by two nights ago to say hello to everyone and Jim was sitting at the kitchen table.  Jim is my age, maybe a year younger, or a year older, I'm not sure.  By looking at first sight, one could tell that Jim had been a very physically fit man during his life, but his muscles were now showing signs of degeneration.  I had heard that Jim was also a very handsome, ladies man, but recent weight loss had begun to make him look sickly and gaunt.  The way I understand Jim's reason for being at this facility started with a motorcyle accident that caused brain trauma, he was not wearing a helmet.  Soon after he started to heal, Jim developed Huntingtons Disease. Jim always had  Huntingtons, but it didn't rear it's ugly head until after his accident.  For those of you that don't know, Huntingtons Disease is inherited and causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.  Everything that you and I do on a daily basis is affected and wiped away by this disease.  Jim can't even say hello any more, he can only say two words, food and hungry.  Jim can only walk now with assistance, his food has to be blended, because a side effect of Huntingtons Disease is difficulty swallowing.  A few years back, Jim was as average as you and I, today his condition worsens on a daily basis.  Three months ago when Jim needed assistance changing his clothes, while saying nothing, you could see the look on his face was one of embarrassment, and he would resist being changed. Today, it's a blank stare, no resistance, no embarrassment. 

  As I said earlier, Jim was sitting at the kitchen table, I said "Hi Jim", he looked up at me and said "Food".  I  told him "Jim, you look good tonight", he again said "Food," that's when it all hit me and on my inside I started to cry.  I don't know if it was my heart breaking for this man that was an average guy a few, short years back, or whether I was crying for all people like Jim, I believe it was both.  The reason that we as a society don't see many people like Jim out and about is because they are put into these homes and forgotten about.  I understand that people with disabilities sometimes can only recieve the care that they need by being placed in a home that can give them the attention that they need. The being forgotten about, even by their own family is the part I just don't understand, and that breaks my freaking heart. 

  There are so many other stories to tell.  Today I'm grateful for having met and being able to mingle with these fine, fine people.  Please, for all of those forgotten people across the lands, keep them in your prayers.  Until tomorrow family and friends.  Love.

TAKING A NIGHT OFF

  Hi everyone. I'm not going to do my standard blog tonight, I just wanted to touch base and say hey.  I'm brain storming trying to make this blog something everyone wants to read on a daily basis.

  The snow hit me by suprise today, I can't beleieve how bad the roads got with the minimal amount of snow that we had. (I believe we got two inches, varied around the state)  When I first moved here in 2000, driving in the snow absolutley petrified me.  Living in Tennessee from the age of fourteen, I had never driven in it.  I'll never forget it, my first time driving in a Wisconsin winter, I had people passing me and for some reason, they were showing me their middle finger.  I had these huge orange snow plows passing me while laying on their horns.  I honestly thought that the 20 miles per hour I was driving was a bit fast for the conditions, I know now that I was wrong.  I still play it safe, but at least I can keep up with the rest of the traffic while driving in the snow.
  Hope everyone has a great Friday night.  I'm going in the living room and watch Blue Bloods with the wife.  I'll be back with my "Science of My Mind" tomorrow.  Until then.  Love.

I WANT TO SHARE

February 9, 2012

  Today was an ok day.  I've been thinking about subjects to blog about all day.  I dropped my grandson off fairly early, so I had part of the day to myself.  I don't care who you are, time to yourself is a necessity.  If it's catching up on a delayed project, pampering yourself, or just reflecting on what's going on in your life, past, present or future.  Today was a reflecting day for me.  I've got all of these years of experience, hard knocks, lessons and wisdom at the game of life.  Now at the age of 53, I know what people mean by saying "Old people have wisdom."  I don't consider myself old just yet, but I feel like I'm old enough.  If there is a specific age classification for old age, I'd be knocking on the door to enter the club.  I want to start sharing some of my hard learned lessons, some not so hard learned lessons and some of the knocks I've had to experience to make it to the ripe old age of 53.  Please scroll down, hope you enjoy, you might or might not agree with all of them, but that's ok.  Feel free to comment at the end.  Please tune in to my blog tomorrow, I am going to say a short something about every friend I have on Facebook.  If you get an opportunity to like my "Science of My Mind Blog", I would really appreciate it.  Once again, I thank everyone for reading.  Until tomorrow.  Love

My List of a few of My Life's Lessons.

1.   I've learned that when I smile at people, they always smile back.

2.   I've learned that jealousy only hurts me.

3.   I've learned that forgiving eases the burdens of my heart.

4.   I've learned to admire the beauty that God has blessed us with.

5.   I've learned to accept people as they are, for who they are.

6.   I've learned that I must let go of all bitterness and resentments to have a  

      happy heart.   

7.   I've learned that when I fall off of the ladder, I get right back on.
8.   I've learned that no matter how bad it get's for me, someone else has it way
      worse.
9.   I've learned that it's always good to see my old friends.
10. I've learned that there's nothing I hate more than to see a woman cry.
11. I've learned that all babies are beautiful.
12. I've learned that there is something beautiful about every individual.
13. I've learned that my wife grows more beautiful as the years pass.
14. I've learned to call my mother every day and tell her I love her.
15. I've learned that step children are awesome.
16. I've learned once words are said, they can't be taken back.
18. I've learned a dog or cat does become part of your family.
19. I've learned that teenager's know everything.
20. I've learned that I'm never too old to hold my wifes hand.
21. I've learned to talk less and listen more.
22. I've learned we as a nation don't treat our elderly right.
23. I've learned not to judge anyone because of sexual orientation.
24. I've learned not to take people for granted.
25. I've learned that I cherish my relationship with Jesus Christ.
    

WHATS THAT?

February 8, 2012

  Two days in a row now to be awakened at 5:30 am.  Here of late, this is a world's record for me.  I should be standing high on the podium, with the 2nd and 3rd place awakener's on each side of me, the applause drowning out the announcer as I bend over for them to place the gold medal around my neck.  The category being "People who get up at 5:30 am two days in a row, I am the champion.  Once again, it was the sweet sound of my wife's voice waking me.  If there were an alarm clock that had my wife's voice saying "George, it's 5:30 am, time to get up, I would be the first in line to buy it.  Today my rising early was for a completley different reason than yesterday.  My grandson Anthony spent the night last night.  When my wife has to work at 7 am, Anthony and I bring her to work, then we head to Walmart in Neenah to continue the tradition I started with him several months ago.  I place him in the cart, push my grandson around Walmart for about an hour as he asks me "What's that?", inquiring about each of the several hundreds of thousands of items that Walmart carries.  If there is an item bearing the Scooby Doo logo or trademark, my grandson can spot it from several hundred feet away, behind shelves and underneath piles of other toys. 

  After walking until my legs and feet ache, it's time to check out what ever Anthony was able to win me over with the "I love you Papa" look that he knows melt the old mans heart until I buy it for him.  As long as his items aren't over the two or three dollars my wife leaves me, we head to the check-out.  From the check out, it's to the car, from the car starts the two mile journey home from Walmart to our apartment.  Now normally, on a regular day, when I'm by myself, it takes me about five minutes to get home, traffic included.  With Anthony as my passenger, he ask's me about all years, makes and models of every passenger car, pick up truck, cement truck, garbage truck and tractor trailer that frequent the roads of Neenah, Wisconsin.  I had to purchase a Chilton book of all vehicles (LOL) to keep up with the question and answer  sessions that my grandson initiates.  So my five minute trip turns into a twenty minute trip by the time I get all the answer's to all of the "What's that?" questions that my grandson thrust's upon me as I drive through the streets of Neenah.

   I suppose the point that I'm trying to bring home is that February 8, 2012, has turned out to be a pretty, darn good day.  Not a whole lot happened, I did get up early, continued a few tradition's with my grandson that I can only hope he remembers when I'm finally gone from this earth.  I don't think there will ever be a day to pass when hearing my grandson call me Papa won't melt my heart.

  To the outside world looking in, George Kuchenmeister had a pretty ordinary day, but for George Kuchenmeister, the day meant the world.  I'm a blessed man.  Until tomorrow.  Love.