Unbridled Joy

What is it that moves us from being happy and care free children to prideful and judgemental adults? Don't you remember the summer days spent with your neighborhood pals running through the spray of a lawn sprinkler? What fun.

Hey, if you promise not to laugh at my lily white legs, beer gut and hairy back, I'll dance around the fountain pool with you. Just pretend we're kids again.

Beat It

God bless him, but come on folks, he invented the moon walk. Let's bury the guy and get on with it.

Photo not mine. Downloaded from internet.

Going for the Trifecta

Well, Saturday it was Mass and a wedding in Cleveland. Today it was Mass and a baptism in Detroit. Tomorrow dare I say, Mass and a funeral in Indianapolis?

"Say, beautiful casket you guys picked out. Mind if I take a couple of photos? Once it's in the ground, you'll never see it again! Think about it."

Kidding aside, it was extremely nice of the young family to let me participate in the baptism of their daughter, Nia Marie. The dad told me Nia means "purpose". A few in the party weren't familiar with the baptism ritual. Maybe Nia's purpose is to lead some of the family back to God. Good start, Nia!

Idea for a Movie

Hey, I got this great idea today to do a movie about a guy who goes to Mass on Saturday morning and then hides out in the church to attend a wedding later in the day. He's like a wedding mole, or something. What, they already did that movie? When?

Yeah, but the movie Hollywood produced was about 2 guys who were interested in crashing the wedding reception to pick up dames. My movie is about a guy who goes to the church to witness the wedding ceremony and participate in the Mass. I realize it might have a limited audience, but the scene where the bride and groom kiss after making their vows in a covenant with God has universal appeal.

Seriously, today I stayed after the daily Mass at Saint Paul's Shrine in Cleveland, OH to photograph a wedding ceremony. I didn't know the bride or groom, but I thought it would be a beautiful way to showcase the Shrine.

With camera in hand I thoroughly confused the wedding photographers who couldn't figure out which side of the family I represented. Before the Mass started I was photographing some of the stained glass windows. Their photographers would watch me carefully frame a shot and then come over take a similar shot. One of my shots was of a gray patch in the wall to help me adjust the white balance in my camera.

Just before the wedding started a nun from the parish brought me up the stairs to the choir loft so I could have an overhead vantage point. Sure enough, one of the two hired hands followed me up the stairs.

Clearly threatened by my presence, she pointedly asked, "Who are you with?"

"No one," I replied.

"You 're not with one of the wedding parties?"

"Nope! I just happened to be here."

She was thoroughly confused, but a little less threatened. Photographers are so competitive.

By chance in the bathroom, I did meet the father of the bride - nice fella about my age. I wished him and his daughter well. I'm sure at that moment I could have gotten a seat at the reception, but I had other plans for the day. I just wanted to see the kiss!

Speaking of the kiss, I think this might not be a marriage made in Heaven. While the photo shows the new Mrs. ready and willing, the new Mr. has got his hands down by his side. Not a good sign. The only thing worse would have been if he had yawned. Do you think they may have had too much pre-marital sex? Me, too.

Forgot to Pack a Few Things

4 days into a 40 day road trip and I'm longing for a few things already:

1. Someone to argue with; it's just me and the radio in the Honda Element. I don't really want to argue, but a civil debate would be awesome. Damn, I just want someone to talk to!
2. A homemade meal.
3. A goodnight kiss.

Patron saint of self-discipline, pray for us!

Retro Moment

When was the last time you saw a full service gas station? Well, the one I found today wouldn't have qualified as "full service" back in the 1970's (no window wash, no oil check, broken English), but with buckets of rain falling down I gave my little grease monkey a thumbs up! I felt a little guilty watching a steady stream of rain drops run off the bill of the station attendant's cap, but he seemed happy enough.

I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain!

What, Lord?

Today, on the Nativity of John the Baptist, I left home for a 40 day pilgrimage in faith. Following a loosely mapped out trip ticket, I began a cross country journey to listen to the Living Word and partake in the Eucharist every day. Confused with feelings in my own heart, I am a man in search of the truth.

A man of incredible strength and courage, John the Baptist was a stalwart of truth. He foretold of the coming of truth, recognized the truth in front of him and died in the name of the same. Pray for me, John the Baptist. Give me an ounce of your courage so that I may accept and live in the truth.

Mass today was at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA. Off to Auriesville, NY tomorrow to visit the National Shrine of North American Martyrs.

New Family Logo?

Once reserved for drunken sailors, tattoos are everywhere. I've never been real fond of them myself. My youngest son, James hid his body painting from me for over a year thinking I'd disapprove. Poor kid, it looks good on him.

Anyhow, I found a tattoo I could live with today on the arm of a construction worker. An Irish-American moniker, it was a thing of beauty. Give me two bottles of rum and I'm there! Well, probably not, but I might look around for a bumper sticker.

Forrest Gump II

Jakers turned 5 last week. This fall he'll be sentenced to a minimum of 17 years educational labor before society forces him into another 40 years of institutionalized work. Where's the friggin' chocolates? Run, Nathaniel, run!

Just Add Water

Friday night we joined our good friends, the Robbins Family, for Nicole's graduation party.

Snapshots in time...and it's a good thing. So many memories. So many shared moments. The prospect of more to come. It's wonderful to have family and friends.

On Being a Father

Today at Mass two women sat in the pew in front of Julie and me. Both were beautifully dressed and accompanied by a handsome boy of 10 years old, or so. No dad in sight. As the priest wished all of us dads a "happy, Father's Day", I had a pang in my heart for the boys.

It's fun to teach your boy to hit a baseball, throw a football or swing a golf club - all good skills. And memories are made from a hike to the mountain top or fishing on the lake. Every boy needs a right of passage to becoming a man.

But if you want to teach your son about something with lasting value, teach him about God. Share you faith and help strengthen his. He'll swing his last bat before he's age 21. A relationship with God will last him a lifetime, and another to come.

Soaking Up the Sunshine

After days of raining water balloons, it feels so good to sit in the sun. Listening to the sound of the lapping waves on the ocean shore is better than a Lunesta. Life slows down.

All in Due Time

Our good friends' daughter is graduating from high school this Friday. We've known Nicole since the day she was born. She's a beautiful young girl. Julie is her Godmother.

I'm always a bit melancholy when it comes to sentinel moments in the lives of our loved ones, especially the children. Looking into my own rear view mirror, I can see a lot of what will be coming Nicole's way in future years. Lots of happiness, a bit of sorrow, definitely some growing pains. Part of me wants to protect her and give her all of the answers I have right now, but then again, I'd be taking all the fun out of life. Everyone deserves their own journey.

And life is a journey, Nicole. A journey of friendships and love, a journey of accomplishments and reward, a journey of spirituality and reunion with God. Look for people with similar ideals and the path you follow will be a little wider.

I'd give you more specifics Nicole, but I promised to let you live this one out on your own. I'm thinking in pretty short order, you'll be giving me a little advice. I'll surely listen.

Yours Forever

A good friend of mine sent me a letter this morning that his mom wrote to her departed husband. It encompasses a lot of feelings and thoughts, but one theme rings true - love is eternal. I was struck by the honesty of emotion from a woman in her twilight who is at once looking back on the path traveled in this world while yearning for the passage into the next. With thoughts of the day when I am separated from my own lover, I now share it with you:

PAUL J. LECLAIR SR. 6-12-1927 TO 6-13-2006

Dear Paul,

What a difference 3 years make. All those good people were right. It does get easier, but it never gets better.

Sometimes when I feel like it's me against the world, I ask God to make the world go away, but more often it seems all sunshine and roses. I long for the time when there will be no more goodbyes, no more wars, no more suffering, no more wealth, fame, power and greed, no more yesterday, today and tomorrow, just one long lovely Eternity Day, filled with laughter, music, flowers, you and God.

It's good to know that we are going to a place where there are no degrees of freedom. The lowest and the highest among us will be equally free, and freedom to love cannot be commanded or purchased. Life goes on. We are forever seeking the truth. He hides Himself in us, and waits for us to find Him. He gave our hearts freedom, and refuses to violate our freedom. May He grant us the Way to know, the Truth to keep, and the Life to win.

We take a tremendous responsibility for our own lives. Not all teaching is confined to classrooms. In the end we've learned that the only things that really matter are not what we bought, but what we built, not what we got, but what we gave, not what we learned, but what we taught. All our sacrifices and acts of courage were not wasted. They built character along the way.

Our young grandchildren like to ask me, "How am I going to find you from so far away?" I tell them, "One fine day, when my tomorrow never comes, with great confidence, I'll climb the Stairway to the Stars, hop aboard the Starlight Express and somewhere, way up high, when I arrive at the Footbridge, you'll take my hand and cross me over to your side. It will be very easy." Then they smile with a little doubting and start to laugh. I love it when they laugh. They're so full of all things beautiful and somehow understand that Love is Everything.

Of course, I know that you're only a moment away; but that moment sometimes seems so far. I truly try to hang on to happiness. Happiness is most definitely a gift from God, as God is the fountain of all happiness. How do I pretend I'm happy when I'm blue? I close my eyes and think of you. I no longer need you like I need to breathe; but I know that sometimes when I'm sad and blue, somewhere from time and space, you reach back, and from a zillion miles away you still light up my life. I hope you know that far beyond forever, no one else could love you more.

Please, dear Paul, ask God to pardon our mistakes, forgive our enemies, without restrictions, and grant us peace, knowing there will never be true peace until it is found in the heart of every man. In peace, all the earth's inhabitants could pool their energies to save this Great Planet, which once was Paradise. I believe in that wonderful tomorrow, when God has saved the best for last.

Actually, I just wrote to say I Love You, and of course to wish you a Happy Birthday.

Gratefully enjoying life at the Lake House, precious life on Earth, Jackie and your still growing family: (all 31 of us), missing you more than words can say.

DNA Rubber Stamped Part II

Shea and Ayva had their own version of cousinly love that didn't involve ramming into a wall or jumping off a couch. Instead they gave each other a simple, but warm hug. Shea then made them paper crowns and deemed the two of them, Queen of the Cousins.

A mind toward others, resourceful and creative, aiming for the top - is there any doubt women will soon be ruling the world? Be good to your sister Nathaniel, someday you might need a job!

Summer Camp?

I want to be a bagpiper. I photographed the regal man to the left at a recent church event and thought to myself, "I could do that!" Great looking uniform, and at least for a song or two, everybody loves the bagpipes.

Years ago I thought playing the banjo would be cool. So I bought a banjo and self-help guide, How to Play the Banjo in 30 Days. A month later, and 1 verse into Red River Valley, I bought another instruction book, Seriously, I Can Teach You to Play the Banjo in 30 Days. Two weeks later I hawked the banjo to a pawn shop.

Given a bagpipe cost over a $1,000, maybe I'll just stick to taking photos of someone who already knows how to play. Look for a post with a banjo player coming up soon!

DNA Rubber Stamped

Alisa's family came north from Texas to visit with us this weekend. She has a beautiful family.

Alisa is my niece and goddaughter. Her son Tyler is 4 years old. My grandson Nathaniel is also 4 years old going on 5. Nathaniel is my son John's son making him my grandson. I guess I didn't need to tell you that. John and Alisa are cousins as Alisa's mom is my sister Jeanne. All of this makes Tyler and Nathaniel 2nd cousins.

There is something about a cousin that makes you instant friends even if you've only met once and live 1,953 miles apart.

"Hey guy, you're my cousin. Me and you is cousins," Nathaniel giddily proclaimed.

"Yeah, weeze cousins," confirmed Tyler!

And then they ran around the room and bounced off the walls a few times. Not thoroughly evolved in the ways of expressing themselves, this is a common substitute for saying "I really like you" among 4 year old boys.

Best friends forever.

My New Quija Board

I think filling the car up with gas is akin to taking out the garbage - nobody likes to do it. We have 2 cars in the driveway and no matter which one I get into, the gauge leans towards empty. It's been such a common occurrence I twitch when turning the ignition key.

Wake up with the sunrise, say my morning prayers, eat a bowl of Cheerios, brush my teeth, shine the shoes, straighten the tie, grab a cup of coffee and walk out the front door to a choir of songbirds. Unlock the car door, hop in, turn the key and then...the gas gauge flashes a bright yellow light in my eyes to remind me I'm devoid of content.

Okay, so maybe I'm too superstitious and it really just means I need to give myself another 15 minutes head start in the morning and pick up my coffee at the Shell station. Yeah, that's it. An inanimate object can't pass judgement on a person, can it? Hal?

Just to be sure, I'm going to begin checking the gauge at the end of the day.

I'll Have Them for You Tomorrow

On Memorial Day weekend, of last year, I took photos of my niece's wedding. I finally finished editing them today. I didn't even meet the 1st Anniversary deadline - what a shit bird. Thankfully, Alisa and Billy are a patient couple and any pressure I felt for the past 13 months was purely my own.

The delay was caused in part because I was too lazy to clean my camera before the wedding and there were about 50 dust bunnies on the digital sensor. Were I a male model, it would have been the equivalent of wearing dirty underwear to the fashion show. The pictures were a mess.

Two new software programs later, and roughly 2500 clicks of the mouse, the photos are like new. Amazing what software can do. Alisa, I moved the tattoo to your left arm; I hope you don't mind.

Well, now that I'm done, who in the family is getting married next? I have some free time and my camera is spotless. Call me!

Truffle on Suicide Watch

The dog tried to kill herself this morning, and the cat helped out. Truffle almost overdosed on a prescription drug meant to help her arthritic condition. While Dora hasn't confessed to the assisted suicide attempt, we've been able to reconstruct the incident. It went down like this:

7:00 A.M. - Dora (the cat) jumps up on our bed and walks across my forehead. When I don't budge she moves to an overstuffed chair and begins to attempt to declaw herself by ripping into the upholstery. I throw a pillow in her direction and she meows. Disgruntled she walks out of our room and heads towards the kitchen.

7:10 A.M. - Dora jumps up on the kitchen counter and finds an empty can of cat food. Angry there isn't a fresh can opened, she begins knocking items off the shelf. Cooking spices, a box of Jello, the empty can of cat food and a plastic container. The cat is hungry...and impatient.

7:12 A.M. - Truffle, having heard the tin can hit the floor, shuffles out to the kitchen in hopes of leftover cat food. An opportunist, the dog has a collection of cat food cans stashed behind the couch. Her routine includes licking the can clean in search of a morsel of chicken liver pate before beginning to shred the metal with her teeth.

7:13 A.M. - Truffle leaves the cat food can where it lay and instead goes to investigate the plastic container that has spilled open. Jackpot! The container is her prescription bottle of PhyCox JS, a soft chew joint support formula to help reduce inflammation and discomfort due to normal daily activity.

7:45 A.M. - Julie rises and goes out into the kitchen to put on the coffee pot. She notices the empty PhyCox container on the floor and picks it up to read the label - In case of accidental overdose, contact a health professional immediately. "Rob!" I'm not a health professional.

8:10 A.M. - Julie ushers Truffle into the Animal Medical Clinic where they rush her into an operating room to pump her stomach. "Why, Truffle, why?"

8:30 A.M. - Truffle throws up 52 pills. The vet pulls Julie aside and warns that she may not be out of trouble yet. If enough of the PhyCox got into her system it could cause kidney or liver failure and prove fatal. Julie begins to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

10:30 A.M. - Animal Medical Clinic gives Truffle a clean bill of health and discharges her with a caveat of nothing to eat for the remainder of the day. Julie calls home to give me the good news. I stop making The Life and Times of Truffle Mullen slide show. The cat meows and walks away.

So you ask, why in the world would a dog want to eat a bottle of pills? The answer is not depression. No, the answer is they taste good. Unlike the bitter pills we swallow for our own maladies, canine drugs are often disguised as a tasty treat to fool a dog into digesting the prescribed dosage. Having once witnessed my chocolate lab poop out a kotex, I don't think it's necessary to coat her medication with artificial beef flavoring. We're thinking of suing the manufacturer for emotional distress...and $159 medical bill. Frigin' dog!