On a beautiful spring day (well actually, we lucked out...after a horrid rain storm cleared and the sky became illuminated by the sun...whew!), Tiff and I took the trio on a Luncheon Cruise on the River Queen on the Ohio River. the BB Riverboat Company boasts that is it Cincinnati's "Premiere" Riveboat Company.
I am here to tell you...it most certainly must be true!
We raced down Interstate 75 from Centerville, through Cincinnati, to the Port on the Ohio River! As my car panted and basically collapsed, the five of us broke all speeds set in the last 5K, knocked over, oh everyone and boarded the Paddle River Boat...The River Queen. Okay, I thought that we were late...
As we exhaled, a handsome "mate" certified the trio with testimonials declaring them fit to "captain" the River Boat. Their names were already imprinted and the Captain had signed their "credentials". (Okay, I'll frame them tomorrow.) After receiving "Captain Hats", the trio then posed at a wheel (with Mommie and Me) before boarding THE RIVER QUEEN.
Another "mate" ushered us to a window table decorated with red, white and blue balloons! The children were given their beverage of choice, shrimp to nibble and so we were off! As we cruised, we indulged in a five course gourmet meal, plenty of spirits and of course...ice cream!
There was a banjo player on our deck who played a popular variety of music. If one didn't like his enormous selection, there was seriously something wrong with the listener. The man was exceptionally talented, congenial, fun! We joined in with some old standards and were transported by the movement of the boat and the background of his banjo to a time when FaceBook didn't make us nuts!
We strolled the three decks. The Captain was a gracious, intelligent, well "sailed" man who discussed the Great Lakes with us, the Edmund Fitzgereld, various expeditions on the Ohio and other Rivers. The children could ask no question too small, or too large. His charm and intelligence were admirable!
The waitresses were amazingly "on it", the bartender was the percussion for the banjo player! Lunch, cruise, fun!
After a few games of bingo, prizes, we began to get ready to disembark. The last few selections played by the Banjo Player were of patriotic nature and for "God Bless America", some people stood, held hands and sang!
Then, as we packed up our "stuff", sad to leave, Mr. Banjo broke out into the Tennessee National Anthem...ROCKY TOP and there were old and young alike kicking up their heels!
The family next to us was there to celebrate a Mom's 98th Birthday. We were five beginning Spring Break. People were there for "Occasions", for "Fun"...to get away from 2012 problems, and all sorts of "insanity".
If you have an afternoon. If you have a thought about Cincinatti (hey, I never really did before)...I would recommend a Cruise on the BB Riverboats!
My "snaps" to the Staff and Administration of The BB RiverBoats and THE RIVER QUEEN!!!
THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!
(And Todd will be back to captain the next cruise! Tanner and Tess will be happy to "help"!
AHOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura Macy Author & Actress
Friday, March 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
IN SEARCH OF THE "BEAT" GENERATION (sort of)
Last week, the children, Tiff and I went shopping. I more or less finished up Todd for his First Holy Communion (May 6, don't rush to Confession right now) while Tiff took Tess to "Justice" to find the perfect outfit for:
THE COFFEE HOUSE
The First Grade at PVS graciously hosted a "Coffee House Poetry Reading"! Really! Students were encouraged to sensitively connect with themselves, their worlds and express themselves. The poems were to be created by the children, officially typed (Mrs. L) and then mounted on colorful paper, student illustrated and faculty laminated. Apparently, the First Grade had been in quite a tizzy for quite a while to prepare for this afternoon!
Let's back up...
So, Tess selected an adorable leopard print, maxi, with glitz and matching glitz sandals! Her hair was braided and then tied with a gold, glitz, happening do-dad! No Bongo...but at least FASHIONABLE!
One PM...start time!!!
Tiff, Tanner and I (Todd in school and unhappy to miss the "happening") arrived to be greeted by official "greeters" at the entrance to the "Coffee House". The Greeters were Tess and a sweet, shy little boy, Diego! We received our "programs" and were directed to Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, donuts in the "red neighborhood's hallway" before we entered the "Coffee House". Tiff wasn't looking (thank goodness), but I slipped some marshmallows (Tanner's line) into my coffee. I'm sophisticated, but, hey, when in Rome...etc. So, with Marshmallows floating in my coffee, I made my way into the "Coffee House". Mrs. L.'s classroom was transformed into a venue that my Aunt L. frequented, in the "Village" when she was dancing with the ABT in Manhattan. (Understand that the former Ballerina is now 88 years old and in amazing shape! My mom, so much younger was enthralled by the atmosphere, but not now, please)
The basic difference was that this is 2012 in Centerville, Ohio. So, bear with me...
Behind the "poets" as they took their turns, there was a slide show of the students at their daily scholastic activities (okay, and on the playground too). The adults sipped their coffee, nibbled donuts, took digital photos. Our tables were covered in snappy plastic table cloths, there were tissue flower centerpieces created by Tess and her committee.
The Children read, the music softly played, there was a good, good feeling all around. Even the class bully was Tess' new best friend and smiling! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Watch that! But, I stray!
There were two poets before Tess in the line-up. We were at the edge of our seats! Tiff turned around and whispered, "Mom, where's the camera?" I responded, "I left my phone charging in the car, Tiff! Where's your digital?" "Mom, it's in my purse, in your trunk...it didn't match my outfit and I didn't want to bring it in!" In otherwords, we were on time, we were enjoying the retro-afternoon, our little girl was centerpieces, greeter AND poet and neither of us had a camera!
I raced out of the "Coffee House", I ran through the halls (some little Kindergarten smarty told me, "No running in the halls!") I dodged cars in the parking lot. I threw myself on the locks of my car! I grabbed Tiff's camera, I grabbed my phone, I broke the speed of light to race back to the "Coffee House"...as I literally threw myself into my chair, tossed Tiff her camera, whipped my phone out of my pocket, "Meme...you missed me!" whispered Tess!
Where have all of the Beatnicks gone? Long time searching, bongo-ing.
THE COFFEE HOUSE
The First Grade at PVS graciously hosted a "Coffee House Poetry Reading"! Really! Students were encouraged to sensitively connect with themselves, their worlds and express themselves. The poems were to be created by the children, officially typed (Mrs. L) and then mounted on colorful paper, student illustrated and faculty laminated. Apparently, the First Grade had been in quite a tizzy for quite a while to prepare for this afternoon!
Let's back up...
So, Tess selected an adorable leopard print, maxi, with glitz and matching glitz sandals! Her hair was braided and then tied with a gold, glitz, happening do-dad! No Bongo...but at least FASHIONABLE!
One PM...start time!!!
Tiff, Tanner and I (Todd in school and unhappy to miss the "happening") arrived to be greeted by official "greeters" at the entrance to the "Coffee House". The Greeters were Tess and a sweet, shy little boy, Diego! We received our "programs" and were directed to Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, donuts in the "red neighborhood's hallway" before we entered the "Coffee House". Tiff wasn't looking (thank goodness), but I slipped some marshmallows (Tanner's line) into my coffee. I'm sophisticated, but, hey, when in Rome...etc. So, with Marshmallows floating in my coffee, I made my way into the "Coffee House". Mrs. L.'s classroom was transformed into a venue that my Aunt L. frequented, in the "Village" when she was dancing with the ABT in Manhattan. (Understand that the former Ballerina is now 88 years old and in amazing shape! My mom, so much younger was enthralled by the atmosphere, but not now, please)
The basic difference was that this is 2012 in Centerville, Ohio. So, bear with me...
Behind the "poets" as they took their turns, there was a slide show of the students at their daily scholastic activities (okay, and on the playground too). The adults sipped their coffee, nibbled donuts, took digital photos. Our tables were covered in snappy plastic table cloths, there were tissue flower centerpieces created by Tess and her committee.
The Children read, the music softly played, there was a good, good feeling all around. Even the class bully was Tess' new best friend and smiling! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Watch that! But, I stray!
There were two poets before Tess in the line-up. We were at the edge of our seats! Tiff turned around and whispered, "Mom, where's the camera?" I responded, "I left my phone charging in the car, Tiff! Where's your digital?" "Mom, it's in my purse, in your trunk...it didn't match my outfit and I didn't want to bring it in!" In otherwords, we were on time, we were enjoying the retro-afternoon, our little girl was centerpieces, greeter AND poet and neither of us had a camera!
I raced out of the "Coffee House", I ran through the halls (some little Kindergarten smarty told me, "No running in the halls!") I dodged cars in the parking lot. I threw myself on the locks of my car! I grabbed Tiff's camera, I grabbed my phone, I broke the speed of light to race back to the "Coffee House"...as I literally threw myself into my chair, tossed Tiff her camera, whipped my phone out of my pocket, "Meme...you missed me!" whispered Tess!
Where have all of the Beatnicks gone? Long time searching, bongo-ing.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL, OR AT LEAST BETTER THAN YOU ARE RIGHT NOW!
There has been a massive push AGAINST BULLYING! I wholeheartedly agree that society should not tolerate bullies in any shape or form, at any age. Young bullies grow up to be dangerous teens and anti-social adult specimens that have no place in polite society, or any society, for that matter. What is wrong with "keep your hands to yourself" and "if you can't say anything nice, say nothing at all" ?
Tragically, our children have gone to extremes to avoid bullies...such as suicide. How is it that monsters can rule the earth? Schools then say..."Oh, we were not aware. It should have been brought to our attention." and so the party line goes. SMARTEN UP!
From the time children begin in school, there might be jealousy, conflict. If we teach our children the two points I mentioned above and try to have them understand that "everyone is different and should be respected" and that "some people have more, some less", chances are being an ignorant bully just might not be vogue!
I know of a little second grader. Petite for her age, pretty little girl, who's Mom is raising her to be a lady. There is a monster, oh, excuse me, a girl, in her class who has kicked Petite Lady in the stomach, tries to take ANYTHING from her, threatens her, to a point that Petite Lady really would rather not go to school...SECOND GRADE! Monster child lies and says that Petite Lady hits, etc...are you kidding? Monster Child has also tried to make other students "slaves" to do as she pleases! So, when Petite was asked, "Did you tell the teacher?" The response from the rule obeyer..."Oh, Mrs. L doesn't want us to tattle tale".
I know that educators must educate and don't have time for petty, "he's looking at me" sorts of complaints. However, when a Monster repeatedly is a monster, the teacher should take time out, or the principal be made aware, or Monster's Parents called in to discuss this anti-social behavior!
The parent who choses to raise her daughter as a lady, as an honest, well-behaved, rule abiding, smart, talented individual should not be tormented by animals who choose to raise their children as mean animals. There has to be accountability and RESPECT instilled at a young age. Why should Petite Lady's Mom possibly plan a pre-mature, unnecesary funeral in a few years for a youngster while a school says, "No tattling" or lies..."We had no idea!" A first grade bully grows into a First Class Offensive Bullying Monster!
PVS, you do have an idea! If the requirement to be a student in PVS is to be a bully and monster, tell parents at registration so that they are aware that they just might not want their child to attend a hot house of pain, suffering, lies and misery! Shame on the administration for the "no tattling" policy in the first grade! Shame on the teacher's insensitivity and ignorance of the dynamics in her classroom!
We are in a twisted society. We try to be "correct". Really? Sometimes, just sometimes defensive logic and immediate attention works.
In the City where I grew up...
Marvin B. used to pick on me. He used to pull my hair. The teacher immediately called Marvin's parents, my parents and principal in for a tete-a-tete one morning. Marvin never, never, never touched another student, nor did he touch me ever, ever, ever again. By the end of the meeting, he clearly feared that if he pulled a strand of my hair, his hair would be pulled from his one at a time! Clearly bullying was not acceptable.
I no longer feared Marvin. I was a happy student and achieved.
Marvin became a top notch defense attorney of hair pullers...nothing personal, just business.
Tragically, our children have gone to extremes to avoid bullies...such as suicide. How is it that monsters can rule the earth? Schools then say..."Oh, we were not aware. It should have been brought to our attention." and so the party line goes. SMARTEN UP!
From the time children begin in school, there might be jealousy, conflict. If we teach our children the two points I mentioned above and try to have them understand that "everyone is different and should be respected" and that "some people have more, some less", chances are being an ignorant bully just might not be vogue!
I know of a little second grader. Petite for her age, pretty little girl, who's Mom is raising her to be a lady. There is a monster, oh, excuse me, a girl, in her class who has kicked Petite Lady in the stomach, tries to take ANYTHING from her, threatens her, to a point that Petite Lady really would rather not go to school...SECOND GRADE! Monster child lies and says that Petite Lady hits, etc...are you kidding? Monster Child has also tried to make other students "slaves" to do as she pleases! So, when Petite was asked, "Did you tell the teacher?" The response from the rule obeyer..."Oh, Mrs. L doesn't want us to tattle tale".
I know that educators must educate and don't have time for petty, "he's looking at me" sorts of complaints. However, when a Monster repeatedly is a monster, the teacher should take time out, or the principal be made aware, or Monster's Parents called in to discuss this anti-social behavior!
The parent who choses to raise her daughter as a lady, as an honest, well-behaved, rule abiding, smart, talented individual should not be tormented by animals who choose to raise their children as mean animals. There has to be accountability and RESPECT instilled at a young age. Why should Petite Lady's Mom possibly plan a pre-mature, unnecesary funeral in a few years for a youngster while a school says, "No tattling" or lies..."We had no idea!" A first grade bully grows into a First Class Offensive Bullying Monster!
PVS, you do have an idea! If the requirement to be a student in PVS is to be a bully and monster, tell parents at registration so that they are aware that they just might not want their child to attend a hot house of pain, suffering, lies and misery! Shame on the administration for the "no tattling" policy in the first grade! Shame on the teacher's insensitivity and ignorance of the dynamics in her classroom!
We are in a twisted society. We try to be "correct". Really? Sometimes, just sometimes defensive logic and immediate attention works.
In the City where I grew up...
Marvin B. used to pick on me. He used to pull my hair. The teacher immediately called Marvin's parents, my parents and principal in for a tete-a-tete one morning. Marvin never, never, never touched another student, nor did he touch me ever, ever, ever again. By the end of the meeting, he clearly feared that if he pulled a strand of my hair, his hair would be pulled from his one at a time! Clearly bullying was not acceptable.
I no longer feared Marvin. I was a happy student and achieved.
Marvin became a top notch defense attorney of hair pullers...nothing personal, just business.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
HAS COMMON SENSE LEFT THE BUILDING?
You know, I am not particularly political. I did discourage Priscilla (my cat) from running for President in 2012, but beyond that, I am generally, well, general. I have had no desire to participate in lawmaking, lawbreaking and generally bending the norm...BUT...
SOMETIMES, JUST SOMETIMES...
I JUST DON'T GET IT!
I would venture to say that every other day for the past two weeks at least, the newspaper has been writing and re-writing "what do we do with dead beat Dads?" Some "powers that be" suggested revoking drivers' licenses (hey, these $10,000 behind by court order wouldn't e-v-e-r drive without their licenses!) There have been "threats" of garnishment...REMEMBER...SOME OF THESE GUYS DON'T WORK, or work for family members for CASH! They don't care where the former spouses find cash for shoes, etc. Now, if a child is barefoot in school, Children's Services won't say, "Hey, support your kids so that Mom can buy them shoes!" Instead, Children's Services slap Mom around for not having the resourses to purchase the shoes from Dead Beat! Possibly their children could be taken away, but Dad can still buy his beer and mouth off, thumbing his nose at the "system".
In my limited, sheltered mind, I once said, " Gee, if a guy doesn't pay, why does he get visitation?" That ol' "Money doesn't buy love" thing is the song sung by either 1. someone with buckets of cash hoping that they are not going to the cleaners, or 2. someone WITHOUT ANY MONEY AT ALL! or 3. Someone with money with no desire to spend it.
I am inclined to believe that if a Dead Beat Dad can't dumb their children down for a certain amount of time (by insane, uninformed, uninterested
court orders) unless they are current, a few positive possibilities will erupt: 1. fewer Dead Beats, because they really do want a relationship with their offspring; 2. no need for the vast amount of money spent on social programs (welfare, heat assistance, WIC, Medicade, etc)from the working poors' pockets to support the children that DBDads should!
I've been told that "Child Support has nothing to do with Visitation" Why not? If a man working on the line, in an office, etc. in any job has a portion of his wages (taxes) contributing to the above mentioned social services...That poor individual is working, supporting his family and just why should he cover Dead Beat? He has nothing to do with the situation or that guy's visitation. He goes home FROM WORK and sees his kids just fine!
If all of the coddling, revoking, incarcerating methods have not worked, WHY NOT TRY AN APPROACH FROM THE SOURCE? Why not even a tiny "trial" period to Pay to Play? That, or those who contribute to the care of the Dead Beats children have a play date with Dead Beat, taxpayer and the children?
You want to see your kids? Catch up, then we'll talk!
Sometimes, just sometimes, the Dead Beat hates the ex more than he loves his children.
Where has commons sense gone? Take for instance, a single Mom struggling with three little children. After six years of failure to have her ex-husband learn that heat vents were not urinals when he was drunk, besides being unemployed, she ended the party. He is at least $10,000 behind in child support, her Father pays taxes and helps support the children. He is faced with a double fee, because, D.B.Dad sits back clearly saying, "Ah, hell, they got money...Money can't buy love." Hey chucklehead, money can buy a pair of shoes! The court ordered the children to attend activities (paid for by Mom) that Dead Beat only has to have a person drive him and the children (supervised visitation, no less). No cooperation without a battle!
It is evidently a Man's World out there, no matter what NOW has attempted or no matter how many bras have been burned! Face it! I triple dog dare any woman to engage in attempted "justice" or "intelligence" in Miami County, Ohio.
The majority of men, who are divorced, pay their alimony and child support to the last penny and beyond. Many divorced couples cooperate in order that their children have full, fun, enriched lives without spitefully keeping them from their activities, friends, fun. I salute you! I salute and smile at gentlemen, who are that, gentlemen, who care for their children even "after the loving". The couples might have fallen out of love, but they treasure their children and will see them through school, through activities, through religious education, through life to be the absolute best that they can be!
My children are grown. They were raised in a two-parent household. Their Dad took care of us with pride, with dignity, with humility, with intellegence and we (now with grandchildren) are never from his heart. (Okay, I know, or wallet...I know, I know). He had moved on to another ex-wife, and child. She is the very pulse of his being.( Yeah, the heart and wallet thing too) His children are intelligent, successful, well-rounded, educated, interesting. Both of the mothers of his children have been encouraged to thrive in our pursuits and though we are "different" he is supportative. He is synonomous with the the Ideal Dad.
SO SMARTEN UP LAWMAKERS, FAMILY SERVICES, COURTS, MAGISTRATES (stop trying to demonstrate the ineptness of Boss Hog)...IF DEAD BEAT DADS CAN'T/WON'T STRAIGHTEN OUT...THINK,THINK, THINK, COMMON SENSE IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE (The key here...is there ANY commons sense left today?)
SOMETIMES, JUST SOMETIMES...
I JUST DON'T GET IT!
I would venture to say that every other day for the past two weeks at least, the newspaper has been writing and re-writing "what do we do with dead beat Dads?" Some "powers that be" suggested revoking drivers' licenses (hey, these $10,000 behind by court order wouldn't e-v-e-r drive without their licenses!) There have been "threats" of garnishment...REMEMBER...SOME OF THESE GUYS DON'T WORK, or work for family members for CASH! They don't care where the former spouses find cash for shoes, etc. Now, if a child is barefoot in school, Children's Services won't say, "Hey, support your kids so that Mom can buy them shoes!" Instead, Children's Services slap Mom around for not having the resourses to purchase the shoes from Dead Beat! Possibly their children could be taken away, but Dad can still buy his beer and mouth off, thumbing his nose at the "system".
In my limited, sheltered mind, I once said, " Gee, if a guy doesn't pay, why does he get visitation?" That ol' "Money doesn't buy love" thing is the song sung by either 1. someone with buckets of cash hoping that they are not going to the cleaners, or 2. someone WITHOUT ANY MONEY AT ALL! or 3. Someone with money with no desire to spend it.
I am inclined to believe that if a Dead Beat Dad can't dumb their children down for a certain amount of time (by insane, uninformed, uninterested
court orders) unless they are current, a few positive possibilities will erupt: 1. fewer Dead Beats, because they really do want a relationship with their offspring; 2. no need for the vast amount of money spent on social programs (welfare, heat assistance, WIC, Medicade, etc)from the working poors' pockets to support the children that DBDads should!
I've been told that "Child Support has nothing to do with Visitation" Why not? If a man working on the line, in an office, etc. in any job has a portion of his wages (taxes) contributing to the above mentioned social services...That poor individual is working, supporting his family and just why should he cover Dead Beat? He has nothing to do with the situation or that guy's visitation. He goes home FROM WORK and sees his kids just fine!
If all of the coddling, revoking, incarcerating methods have not worked, WHY NOT TRY AN APPROACH FROM THE SOURCE? Why not even a tiny "trial" period to Pay to Play? That, or those who contribute to the care of the Dead Beats children have a play date with Dead Beat, taxpayer and the children?
You want to see your kids? Catch up, then we'll talk!
Sometimes, just sometimes, the Dead Beat hates the ex more than he loves his children.
Where has commons sense gone? Take for instance, a single Mom struggling with three little children. After six years of failure to have her ex-husband learn that heat vents were not urinals when he was drunk, besides being unemployed, she ended the party. He is at least $10,000 behind in child support, her Father pays taxes and helps support the children. He is faced with a double fee, because, D.B.Dad sits back clearly saying, "Ah, hell, they got money...Money can't buy love." Hey chucklehead, money can buy a pair of shoes! The court ordered the children to attend activities (paid for by Mom) that Dead Beat only has to have a person drive him and the children (supervised visitation, no less). No cooperation without a battle!
It is evidently a Man's World out there, no matter what NOW has attempted or no matter how many bras have been burned! Face it! I triple dog dare any woman to engage in attempted "justice" or "intelligence" in Miami County, Ohio.
The majority of men, who are divorced, pay their alimony and child support to the last penny and beyond. Many divorced couples cooperate in order that their children have full, fun, enriched lives without spitefully keeping them from their activities, friends, fun. I salute you! I salute and smile at gentlemen, who are that, gentlemen, who care for their children even "after the loving". The couples might have fallen out of love, but they treasure their children and will see them through school, through activities, through religious education, through life to be the absolute best that they can be!
My children are grown. They were raised in a two-parent household. Their Dad took care of us with pride, with dignity, with humility, with intellegence and we (now with grandchildren) are never from his heart. (Okay, I know, or wallet...I know, I know). He had moved on to another ex-wife, and child. She is the very pulse of his being.( Yeah, the heart and wallet thing too) His children are intelligent, successful, well-rounded, educated, interesting. Both of the mothers of his children have been encouraged to thrive in our pursuits and though we are "different" he is supportative. He is synonomous with the the Ideal Dad.
SO SMARTEN UP LAWMAKERS, FAMILY SERVICES, COURTS, MAGISTRATES (stop trying to demonstrate the ineptness of Boss Hog)...IF DEAD BEAT DADS CAN'T/WON'T STRAIGHTEN OUT...THINK,THINK, THINK, COMMON SENSE IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE (The key here...is there ANY commons sense left today?)
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