Jan
23
Trying to get my kids to be hard-core gamers.
We also let them play the Wii occasionally…
the turtle speaks
Luke Hartman's home on the web.
Jun
15
Isaac’s eye. I can nearly hear the CSI guys “Can you zoom in on the pupil and enhance?”
Feb
4
We went to Bricktown last summer on a hot July day, but the event we planned on attending wasn’t what we thought. So we sauntered over to the parking lot north of Chileno’s where a Bikers and Blues (or something) festival was going on. George sat in the heat watching the blues, and was probably wishing for a nap in an air-conditioned bedroom.
Dec
2
I have no doubts that I’d love girls, if I were so blessed.
I do, however, greatly enjoy having boys.
Nov
7
George, getting his camp on.
Oct
19
Me: [after searching fruitlessly through Lowe’s and several minutes in Home Depot] (mutters) dad-gumit.
Isaac: Can you say that?
Me: Well, I’m a little frustrated. It’s not good to say all the time. Your tone is very important.
Isaac: Can you say mom-gumit?
Sep
4
Demonstrated love fail
(At OU game tonight)
Me: George, this is great. I’m watching one of my favorite things with one of my favorite people. Do you know who that is?
George: Me?
Me: Yes. I have three favorite people I love a whole bunch. Know who they are?
George: Isaac, me, and [pause] yourself?
Me: No buddy, I was thinking of someone else.
George: [pause, then, questioningly] Is it mommy?
I may not be the best husband in the world, but I thought I was better than this… :-)
Aug
21
Summertime family fun at my uncle’s pool
Jul
14
Another Tuesday, another family game night. This edition included bagel bites, Skip Bo Deluxe, and homemade dessert bars.
It was also an excuse to see how well the 35mm 1.4 worked indoors as I try to determine whether I want to keep it or not.
Some of my best memories were playing ball/catch with my dad. I wouldn’t mind if it were the same for them
Jun
21
George, enjoying a summer afternoon, chalking up in our backyard, ready for some fun.
I love our backyard.
My entry in Mandy’s Fun Photo contest.
May
28
Easy words to say, scary to mean
My brother-in-law’s annual hey-here’s-newish-music-you-probably-haven’t-heard-since-you-have-kids CD contains the excellent (and previously unknown to me) Avett Brothers song I And Love And You. The song prominently repeats the lament/regret/lyric:
Three words that became hard to say
I and Love and You
After hearing it a few times, George interrupted and said “Those aren’t hard words!” While he was right, the disconnect was funny enough that I had to pull over for a few seconds before I could safely resume driving home.
Yes, George, the words themselves aren’t difficult. But as you’ll learn, words have meaning only in context and in relationship with each other. For this reason, ‘I Love You’ — usually a defining a nervous landmark in a romantic relationship — can be much harder to say than ‘I love Rhododendrons.’
There will probably be many words that you find difficult to say as life goes on. Here’s a few that have tripped me up from time to time (with varying degrees of difficulty and seriousness):
- I’m sorry
- I was wrong
- Are you busy Friday night?
- Sooners lost
- Will you marry me?
- He/she died
- No
Words like these are hard to say because they reveal a truth or a desire. Saying them makes it real. Don’t be afraid of the real; those afraid of the real never really live.*
As long as words are tactful (an important caveat), then they probably should be said, even if difficult. And the more you say such things, the easier they become.
* We’ll stop here before this sounds much more like Kierkegaardian existentialism (speaking of difficult words!)
May
1
Sure, meeting President Kagame of Rwanda and giving the First Lady a high-five was cool.
But not nearly as cool as the eagle ice sculpture. George watched it melt for so long he had to rest his hands on his knees. The Secret Service lady, however, showed no emotion. I think she was sulking because she couldn’t have any shrimp.
Apr
22
Weeds and questions you don’t ask a woman
(upon walking past newly-mowed field that was filled with dandelions yesterday)
-Daddy, the dandelions are gone.
-Yeah, buddy, I think they mowed it.
-So now they can grow back!
-Well, dandelions are weeds and most people don’t want them to grow.
-Yes, and you don’t ask womans their age
I’m not sure what the segue is for him. Maybe he just knew good info when he heard it and wanted to share a truth with me.
I took this opportunity to tell the three questions you never ask a woman. You don’t inquire about her age, her weight, or whether her jewelry is real.
I hope he remembers those. He can go far with that info.
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