It used to be when a person talked about having extended family coming to live with them, they were talking about an aging parent or grandparent. Now when someone says they opened their doors to extended family, it's likely they are talking about adult children.
Why are we so bent on showing our children the door when they reach 18? In many (most?) cultures, families don't have that magical age when their child must pack up and leave. That to me makes sense. It's more humane and family friendly. I think, too, it can give the adult child that extra bit of time needed to grow up, giving them a leg up on life. Kind of like redshirting. Puts them in a better position to be successful at everything.
As an empty nester for some time now, I can look at this issue more objectively. I can see what value children, by children I mean grown children, bring to the household. For example, tech support. When you need to replace a computer battery, who you gonna call? Nobody because your adult child can do it with eyes blindfolded and one hand tied behind his back. If you have pets, adult children make wonderful animal and house sitters for those times you want to get away. And it's nice to have that extra someone in the house to let you know when you are acting strange. The other day Paul asked if it would be weird if he walked the dogs wearing his swim trunks. I said of course not. A third opinion would have been nice.
The point being, don't be ashamed of the number of generations living under one roof. The larger the number, the greater the pride. A truly extended family says there is love for family. It says that there is respect for the family unit. How can that be wrong?
Our son is graduating law school in May and, with his degree, he also will be getting a gazillion dollars of debt. My dear son, I just want to let you know, your room awaits. And, my computer needs a new battery.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
March Madness
March Madness is way living up to its hype this year - and I am not talking about the men's tournament.
Watched Baylor Bears get into the Final Four last night, beating the Lady Vols from Tennessee by almost 20 points. Although the point disparity says boring, it was anything but. Here's why:
- Britney Griner. The junior from Houston is the best women's college hoops player today with potential to be the best overall. She is a triple threat: she plays with skill and smarts and heart. Griner was one of three Baylor players who cleared the bench with LESS than a minute to play because one of their own was under attack. It was intense with a capital I.
- Passion and emotion. The above-mentioned incident happened because one Lady Vol fought with everything she had to deny another point by Odyssey Sims, the sophomore from Irving MacArthur. Sims already had scored 27 points and you can't blame the Vol for thinking enough is enough. But the Tennessee player was overly aggressive in her defense of the goal, which didn't sit well with Sims and her teammates. As both players were being separated, that's when the three Baylor players, Griner included, thought it was a good idea to help.
- Sportsmanship. End of the game, Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey stood a moment with the offending Lady Vol player. You could tell she was giving her encouragement of some kind. Coach Mulkey explained to a reporter that she understood the player's intensity, after all, as a senior it was her final game. She said her players deserved to be evicted because they knew better than to leave the bench. Coach Mulkey also asked the reporter to put cameras on the players from both teams who, it turns out, were standing together, arms linked. No longer adversaries as they stood in solemn respect for the game and for the Tennessee coach. Coach Mulkey said she asked the Tennessee player to "take care of coach."
- Pat Summitt, coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols. She recently made public that she has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer's. Last night's game was possibly her final courtside view. Coach Summitt is the winningest NCAA basektball coach of all time, in all divisions, men's and women's teams. She has been given every accolade, trophy, and award so far invented for the sport of basketball. She took the helm at Tennessee in 1974, before Title 9. People stood last night as Coach Summitt walked off the court. I imagine people watching at home, too, were standing. And crying.
There are three more games to be played before the championship game, which is Tuesday in Denver. Unless you have a gazillion dollars, you will likely be watching it from your living room as I will be. Tickets are sold out.
http://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-women/d1
Watched Baylor Bears get into the Final Four last night, beating the Lady Vols from Tennessee by almost 20 points. Although the point disparity says boring, it was anything but. Here's why:
- Britney Griner. The junior from Houston is the best women's college hoops player today with potential to be the best overall. She is a triple threat: she plays with skill and smarts and heart. Griner was one of three Baylor players who cleared the bench with LESS than a minute to play because one of their own was under attack. It was intense with a capital I.
- Passion and emotion. The above-mentioned incident happened because one Lady Vol fought with everything she had to deny another point by Odyssey Sims, the sophomore from Irving MacArthur. Sims already had scored 27 points and you can't blame the Vol for thinking enough is enough. But the Tennessee player was overly aggressive in her defense of the goal, which didn't sit well with Sims and her teammates. As both players were being separated, that's when the three Baylor players, Griner included, thought it was a good idea to help.
- Sportsmanship. End of the game, Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey stood a moment with the offending Lady Vol player. You could tell she was giving her encouragement of some kind. Coach Mulkey explained to a reporter that she understood the player's intensity, after all, as a senior it was her final game. She said her players deserved to be evicted because they knew better than to leave the bench. Coach Mulkey also asked the reporter to put cameras on the players from both teams who, it turns out, were standing together, arms linked. No longer adversaries as they stood in solemn respect for the game and for the Tennessee coach. Coach Mulkey said she asked the Tennessee player to "take care of coach."
- Pat Summitt, coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols. She recently made public that she has been diagnosed with early Alzheimer's. Last night's game was possibly her final courtside view. Coach Summitt is the winningest NCAA basektball coach of all time, in all divisions, men's and women's teams. She has been given every accolade, trophy, and award so far invented for the sport of basketball. She took the helm at Tennessee in 1974, before Title 9. People stood last night as Coach Summitt walked off the court. I imagine people watching at home, too, were standing. And crying.
There are three more games to be played before the championship game, which is Tuesday in Denver. Unless you have a gazillion dollars, you will likely be watching it from your living room as I will be. Tickets are sold out.
http://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-women/d1
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Bath time is FUN!
Finley at 6 months. Bath time in Jenny and Michael kitchen sink. Her mommie is making her smile while Grandma Mare takes picture.
there's no place like... Austin
You thought I was gonna say "home." While that also is true, I just came back from Austin. Daughter Andrea and granddaughters Addie and Finley and I spent a wonderful couple of days with daughter Jenny and son-in-law Michael.
Highlights:
Highlights:
- Introducing Wonder Pets to Jen and Michael.
- Lunch at the world famous Salt Lick barbecue in Driftwood. Live music there was a bonus. Addie liked it almost as much as she LOVES Wonder Pets.
- Zilker Park.
- Austin Nature Center
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Before a Rush to judgment, consider these facts
Context: Days ago on his radio show that boasts 13-20 million listeners, Rush Limbaugh called a law student a slut and prostitute for wanting her insurance carrier to cover oral contraceptives. So much already has been written. It would be way too easy to go after Rush. So instead, consider these facts:
Fact: June 23, 1960 is the date oral contraceptives were approved by the FDA. My now 84-year-old mother was among that first group of women to first use oral contraceptive. I know this because she once sent me to the store to get her medications and I brought back this odd circular contraption containing tiny pills. What are these for, Mom? She wouldn't tell me. It took me years to figure out what they were. My mom was on the Pill!!!!!
Fact: The number of women now using the pill is about the same as the number of Rush Limbaugh listeners: 16 million.
Fact: It took at least a decade after the discovery of an oral contraceptive to get FDA approval.
Fact: In 1957, the FDA approved a drug that treated menstrual problems. Called Enovid, it was in fact the Pill, but not sold as a contraceptive. Doctors were flooded with women seeking help for "menstrual problems." By 1959, more than half a million American women were taking Enovid, most presumably for its contraceptive value.
Fact: In 1959 President Dwight Eisenhower cleared the way for Enovid to be approved as birth control. He says in a press conference that birth control "is not a proper political or government activity or function or responsibility." Even more clearly, he adds, it is "not our business."
Fact: President Dwight Eisenhower was a Republican.
Fact: June 23, 1960 is the date oral contraceptives were approved by the FDA. My now 84-year-old mother was among that first group of women to first use oral contraceptive. I know this because she once sent me to the store to get her medications and I brought back this odd circular contraption containing tiny pills. What are these for, Mom? She wouldn't tell me. It took me years to figure out what they were. My mom was on the Pill!!!!!
Fact: The number of women now using the pill is about the same as the number of Rush Limbaugh listeners: 16 million.
Fact: It took at least a decade after the discovery of an oral contraceptive to get FDA approval.
Fact: In 1957, the FDA approved a drug that treated menstrual problems. Called Enovid, it was in fact the Pill, but not sold as a contraceptive. Doctors were flooded with women seeking help for "menstrual problems." By 1959, more than half a million American women were taking Enovid, most presumably for its contraceptive value.
Fact: In 1959 President Dwight Eisenhower cleared the way for Enovid to be approved as birth control. He says in a press conference that birth control "is not a proper political or government activity or function or responsibility." Even more clearly, he adds, it is "not our business."
Fact: President Dwight Eisenhower was a Republican.
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