Words of the Week

Remembering those who helped despite the dangers.

“I am not a hero. I stand at the end of the long, long line of good Dutch people who did what I did and more — much more — during those dark and terrible times years ago, but always like yesterday in the heart of those of us who bear witness.”

- Miep Gies, a protector of Anne Frank who died Jan. 11 at the age of 100

Money Maker

On New Year's Day, a police officer pulled over a motorist right in front of our house. The second-grader saw the cop write a ticket, and a brilliant idea (so he thought) came to his mind.

"Dad, I know how you can make a lot of money," Rob said.

"How's that?"

"Just become a police officer," Rob said. "You know, you can write them a ticket and then the people give you money."

"Well, that money goes to the government," I said.

The second-grader did not miss a beat.

"I know, Dad, you can work for the government," he said. "That way you can make a lot of money."

Resolutions

The Washington Post's On Parenting blog has a helpful post on new year's resolutions for parenting. I think all five are noble goals, particularly spending more time with the children. My only quibble, though, is the lack of concrete steps on sticking with those resolutions. Yes, the author says she will spend less time on e-mail and Facebook, but will she put time limits on those activities? How will she achieve it?

Personally, I'd like to read more to my kids. I used to read to Alex much more often, and I read to Alex and Rob much more than I have to Matt.

How can I make this happen? Old Wahoo vows to read to Matt every morning when we get home from dropping the big kids off at school, and I'll read an extra story to the kindergartner after lunch every day. As for the oldest, I'm not sure what to do. Any thoughts?

And any thoughts/suggestions on your own resolutions? How are you going to follow through?

Words of the Week

Here's to the end of 2009.

When life gives you lemons, make scrambled eggs. I make terrible scrambled eggs.

- Stephen Colbert

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone!

Old Wahoo thanks everybody for taking time to read the blog, and I'd like to thank all the guys who answered some questions for Another Father's Thoughts: Allan Barmak, John Richardson, John Clexton, David Meeks, Marcus LaPratt, Lacy Lusk, David Kazzie, Mike Ramsey, Ron Bernas and Steve Hetzler.

Old Wahoo vs. Old Man Winter

Winter arrived today, and Old Wahoo is ready for Old Man Winter. Lately, I've taken a passive-aggressive approach to the old, cold dude, but this year I vow to bring back my old short-wearing, fist-shaking, ice-defying ways. I can't stand winter, from hockey to WWJ's Winter Survival Team to the two worst words in the English language: wind chill. 

This year I will prevail. Some may say it is folly to challenge nature, but I have a unique combination of stubborness and stupidity to take Old Man Winter down. 

Words of the Week

Old Man Winter arrives today. He's not always a welcome guest at the Hetzler household.

Now commences the long winter evening around the farmer's hearth, when the thoughts of the indwellers travel far abroad, and men are by nature and necessity charitable and liberal to all creatures. Now is the happy resistance to cold, when the farmer reaps his reward, and thinks of his preparedness for winter…

- Henry David Thoreau