I read a book by Gerald Weinberg... and it was excellent!

Flowers rock!

On August 3rd a post showed up in my blogger window from a blog I follow called Weinberg on Writing. The post began, "If any of you are still out there, you're probably aware that I've been absent because I've been battling (and winning) a thymic carcinoma."

I was still "out there" and sent out an e-mail to Jerry. He was kind enough to respond. Jerry is an author, consultant, and much more. Wikipedia describes him thusly: "Gerald Marvin (Jerry) Weinberg (27 October 1933) is an American computer scientist, author and teacher of the psychology and anthropology of computer software development."

He's kind of a nerd with personality and insight. His blog states his life's purpose as, "Helping smart people be happy." He's made mine happier.

I own three of Jerry's works of non-fiction: An Introduction to General Systems Thinking, Secrets of Consulting, and More Secrets of Consulting. (I used to be a Systems Engineer, and Jerry, through his books, helped me become a better one.)

At CSUF Arboretum

Back in December of 2008 I did a post called "Let kindness rule" that mentioned Jerry, and he posted a comment! (I was elated, after I found out it wasn't a prank. I was suspicious!)

As a result of that post, I began to follow one of Jerry's blogs: Weinberg on Writing. And that brings us to the topic of this post: I read a book.

This time a read a work of fiction by Jerry called "First Stringers."

When I heard about Jerry's bout with cancer, I wrote him an e-mail, and he wrote me back. At the bottom of his e-mail there was a line, "Treat yourself to one of my engaging eNovels...

See free sample chapters at: link."

Buster 1 and Buster 2

I read the free chapters, and then I ordered one of Jerry's novels: "First Stringers: Eyes that cannot see." It was captivating. It was enthralling. It absorbed my attention almost non-stop for 36 hours. Dang. (It's a 614 page e-book.)

I could talk about the book: setting, characters, plot, and themes, but I don't want to give too much away. You can read the free chapters and see what you think.

The sub-theme that I most appreciated? Abilities and Disabilities.

Remember Jerry's main theme is "Helping Smart People Be Happy." Jerry's a smart guy. He knows stuff about stuff. But most of all, he knows that smart people, people who think, people who ponder... yes, even people who blog, need help. We need help in learning how to be happy: Learning how to view our gifts, our world, and our part.

Jerry's novel continues in that vein. He has created robust, smart characters, installed them in the present day Southwest (Four Corner States), and has given them meaningful problems to solve. Against that backdrop Jerry continues his quest to help smart people be happy, this time, as we are carried along with the main characters through a suspenseful plot that twists and turns on its way to a satisfying conclusion.

A double delight!

All this... and there is a sequel!

Happy Sunday.

(And thanks Jerry.)

Final Three Weeks of Vacation... Life is good!

I was thinking, Perhaps having a 10 week summer vacation has spoiled me? because as the final three week mark arrived, I felt sad. "Ahh..., only three weeks left!"

Family fun... for the fit!

But I appreciate my 10 week summer break, so am I spoiled or just... blessed?

I count the summer break as a blessing. It's very nice and I'm grateful.

Back in my life in the business world, I was elated when I hit the longevity mark (5 years) that earned me a third week of vacation. Now I sigh, "Oh, my last three weeks."

That's partially where I get my post's title, "Life is good."

If my biggest problem is "only" three weeks of vacation left, then "Life is good."


I'm happy that life ebbs and flows. I've had periods of my life when things were tough, very tough. But things change, sometimes for the better, and once again, life smooths out.

I'll probably face difficult times again. Job said, "As sure as the sparks fly upward, so man is born for trouble."

But for now, I'm grateful for the blessings I'm enjoying.

Happy Hikers! (Jimmy!)

Each day has its highlights and its troubles. Sometimes the mix is far from 50/50. (And I would be unhappy with 50/50... that's a lot of trouble!)

Happy Hikers! (Danny!)

It's been a great summer: one of the best of my life. Here's the chief blessing I'm grateful for:

Five weeks of bonding with grand-kids (and their parents).

The twins turned eight months while they were here. This was the first time I'd seen them. I wasn't there (Illinois in November) when they were born.

Abby and Rachel are having birthdays in August: I won't be there for the fun. (They're now in Maryland.)

I could be sad and depressed about all that I've missed and will miss in watching these children and their parents mature. But I choose not to.

Mimosa blossom on the trail.

Instead I choose to be grateful for the five weeks we had together: 24/7. That's a huge chunk of time that many grandparents never get to have. But I did, and I savored it.

 Hopefully, there will be more time... all in due time.

I think that's been the biggest lesson I've learned this summer: "All in due time."


Projects, relationships, and even problems have a pace. It's a wise man/woman who can adjust to the pace gracefully.

We all have projects, relationships, and problems that weave through the tapestry of our lives. Some are quickly resolved, some... not so much.

If we learn to adjust to the pace (fast or slow), life becomes much easier to navigate and even enjoy.

Looking up... See the red-tailed hawk?

I'm enjoying my summer. I hope you are too!


Happy Saturday!

Tuesday: Summer Part Two begins...

One advantage of teaching in the public schools is summer vacation. (This is only true if you budget for them, and you don't have to work. Otherwise it's a disadvantage.)

Summer vacation for me runs from June 18th to August 30th... some kind of sweet retreat.

Part 1 of  "My Summer Vacation"  was playing host to my oldest daughter, Joanna, and her family. They left last Saturday after a five week stay.

On a day hike!

"Five weeks!" you say. "Ouch."

I say, "Five weeks! Awesome!"

My wife and I went to lunch today, and I was asked by a waitress we know how my summer was going. I said, "Great!" and then told this story to illustrate it...

Joanna and her husband John planned a short (4 hour or so) day trip to a local park and small zoo. Irvine Park is the oldest regional park in California. It boasts among other things a small kiddie train, a small lake with paddle boats, ancient oaks and elms, plus the zoo.

I was invited to tag along, so I did. After the 30 minute drive, we arrived. The twins were sleeping so I volunteered to stay in the mini-van while Joanna, John, Abby (7), and Rachel (4) rode the train. They left the van running, the A/C on, and Grand-pa Don in charge of the sleeping twin boys (7 months).

The boys soon awakened, and I spent the next hour entertaining them with smiles, noises, songs, and empty water bottles. You might say, "How boring!" But I say, "Golden moments to treasure."

New sun glasses for the girls!

The rest of our visit to the park included the zoo and a picnic. Both events contained many golden moments. Some men may have been bored to tears. I was almost moved to tears as I recounted to the waitress one small part of the day.

Why?

Because I'm that guy.

Fun on the Slip 'n Slide!

I enjoyed raising my own kids, and now to have the opportunity to get to know them again as grown-ups with their own spouses and families is indeed.... priceless.

That was Part 1 of my summer. Now I'm making to-do lists and getting things to-done. I'm enjoying that too, but I do miss the Haan family bustle.

I mowed the backyard yesterday, and I missed my two helpers who would rake the grass into haystacks and play in the piles.  Abby and Rachel are enroute to their new home in Maryland, but the memories of their visit linger...

Good times. Good times.

The Trip to Maryland Begins!

Sunday the 11th of July

Time for a weekly update?

Life at Camp Evans Summer Resort is chugging along. My oldest daughter and her clan continue to keep us entertained. I have a new appreciation for anyone who has raised twins. The first two years (pre-language and pre-potty training) are killer. The twins turned 8 months on the 15th of July.

My days are filled with tea parties and catch with the 7 and 4 year-olds; plus, holding or entertaining the twin boys (or which ever one is fussing the most). It's all good.

My cousin sent me a link about a virtuoso violinist who played a free concert (incognito) at a DC train station during rush hour. He was mostly ignored.

One moral of that story is that some of the greatest moments available to us go unnoticed and unappreciated. I'm attempting to buck that trend... treasuring the days (now weeks) of quality time with family: daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and wife.

If we miss the golden moments... we'll miss the best that life has to offer.

Happy Sunday!

Another Sunday... and a Happy 4th!

Twelve years ago, my fiance arrived on a plane from Chicago with my son. She had left Long Island by car to pick him up in Newark, New Jersey. (They were meeting for the 1st time. He was 16.) I had sent my son via airplane to help Leslie drive her car to Champaign, Illinois where she was going to give her car to her future step-daughter. (The car didn't meet California smog requirements, so Leslie decided to give it to Joanna, a student at the University of Illinois.)

Joanna then drove Leslie and Joel to Chicago where they flew to LAX. They arrived July 4th, 1998. That December Leslie and I married. Six months or so later, Joel went away to college. That left Leslie, I, and 11 year-old daughter Danielle to be the new Evans family. Six year later, Danielle left for Florida. She returned a year or so later and lived back at home for about a year before setting off to complete her four year college degree.

Now, all the kids are out and about: Oregon, Maryland, and British Columbia.

Now, it's "just" Leslie and I holding down the home front.

Today, in addition to celebrating the start of a country... I'm celebrating the start of a new life with Leslie: by the grace of God... my second chance. I'm very grateful.

Happy 4th of July!

(Here's some pics of the visiting grand-kids. Oh yeah!)

The Second Sunday of My Summer!

Woo-hoo! Summer's here.

For me, that includes Summer vacation. As much as I love teaching, I also love the time off... even in gigantic 10 week chunks.

What has made this a great summer so far has been the arrival of my oldest daughter and her family. I had enough time between the students' departure and the family's arrival to take care of most of the preparations for welcoming a family of six into our day-to-day world. The entourage of family includes my daughter, son-in-law, two girls (6 and 4), plus... twin boys (7 months)! Oh, yeah!

The boys, Danny and Jimmy are first time visitors to California and their arrival marked day 20ish of a family road-trip from Illinois to Maryland to California. Yikes!

After the long road trip, the Haan family was ready for some chill time and trying to get the small ones back on some sort of sleeping schedule. My wife and I have enjoyed lots of play-time with the kids, especially enjoying seeing the twins for the first time. Sometimes you think you're seeing double. It's very fun... and double the work. (This is where being a grandparent is a bonus. You can help all you want, but the late nights and crying kids are not really your direct worry.)

I've had to neglect reading everyone's blogs: too much action going on here, and my computer actually lives in the twins "bedroom." I did pen three or four entries over on my other blog, but that was mostly just to free my mind of the information and emotion. Blogging is a lot like journaling, which doctors recommend for relieving stress? Anyway, it's worked for me. I have a few more entries I want to do over there, but I can't totally neglect this blog! (This is my other baby.) ;-)

Hope each of you are enjoying your Summer beginnings, including better weather, more outside time, and a slower pace? (Or two out of three?)

Bucket List Bonuses

I don't really have a bucket list. I've pretty much done things I've wanted to as life unfolded.

However, just recently I've had two personal highlights that put a grin on my face just thinking about them:

1) Getting to be the "front man" in a school talent show. The teachers put on a dance. Each grade level (all ladies) had nice choreography. I did the intro and refrain and just free styled. We had a laughing and adoring audience of 400 plus elementary school students. It was hilarious and fun. (Did I mention most of us wore wigs?) Me in a dance number? Bucket-list stuff.

2) Grand-slam with two outs... Today was teachers vs. the 6th grade. We're talking big fish in a very small pond. The first few innings were close, but in around the fourth I came to bat with two outs and bases loaded. The stuff of dreams. No real pressure, but what an opportunity. I took a nice high pitch and sent it within two feet of the center fielder's glove. She missed it, and I trotted the bases. I'd be lying if I didn't say that was a kick in the pants.

A few weeks ago I applied for a job in a neighboring district. I didn't even get an interview, and weeks like the last two, make me glad. What fun! (I'm one lucky guy to work with such a great staff and great kids.)  I'm also glad I love and live by such songs as "I hope you dance." (And... play ball!)

Two more days and this school year is in the history books for me. ;-)