Family
Remembering Mom and Her Music
I was fumbling around on youtube this morning and found this Patti Page rendition of Tennessee Waltz. My mother introduced me to this song. She was not trying to – this was one of the songs she sang while wringing out the laundry in her wringer wash machine. Hearing Patti Page sing this old song […]
10Dec2024 | Gary Clark | 1,045 comments | Continued
I Wrote My Own Story
This whole series of essays has explored the nurture and nature of my life. Some attempt to sort out nature and nurture necessarily meant writing less than favorable events in my family. All has been true. Which brings us to a sticking point, a conflict of philosophy – that of individual accountability and responsibility. There […]
20Feb2018 | Thomas Franklin | 1,020 comments | Continued
Immature, or Mentally Ill?
Anyone following this string of articles about my mental health might be growing weary. I struggle to find the correct words. I am generally fond of words and know how to use them, but exploring mental health is difficult terrain to cross. It finally comes down to this: I am a senior citizen – what […]
8Feb2018 | Thomas Franklin | 1,052 comments | Continued
The Individual, Mental Health, and Maturity
Previous posts have explored my personal mental health from both nature and nurture. Clearly it is difficult to sort out cause and effect. How might we look at any adult and determine cause of poor behavior? Individual humans throw a curve ball at stereotypes. We do not know why two soldiers experiencing the same trauma […]
7Feb2018 | Thomas Franklin | 1,373 comments | Continued
Family As A Barometer – The Highs and Lows of Life
Most of us do not like to talk publicly about our families. When we do we are praising someone for a public accomplishment, like being on the honor role at school or getting a promotion at work. The underbelly of family life generally is taboo. And why not? It is nobody’s business what our family […]
1Feb2018 | Thomas Franklin | 1,119 comments | Continued
Chemical Changes To Behavior
Mental health is a concern to many. In our modern world we see acts of unstable mental wellness often. These episodes come in the form of mass shootings, the killing of innocent children, tent cities of homeless people along river banks, road rage, and other acts of humanity that are less than humane. Even so, […]
14Jan2018 | Thomas Franklin | 37 comments | Continued
Older Brothers and Pranks
Whether I come by my fascination with pranks honestly or not is sometimes irrelevant. I say ‘honestly’ because I come from a family of pranksters. And my two older brothers often tested their pranks on me. What was I to do, I passed the pranks on to my younger siblings. Like the time when I […]
30Dec2016 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
A Vet on Jules Street
From a facebook post by my Brother’s son: A Vet on Jules Street (A haibun) It seems like an odd duality really, in regards to time. Memory can do this. I’m taken back to when I was a boy sitting on my Grandparent’s front porch on Jules Street; so many years ago, but just yesterday. […]
23May2016 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
When Sadness Overwhelms Us
All of us experience grief. As children we see our grand parents pass. We lose our pets, great aunts and uncles. We lose games of school sports. We fail to make the team. These are the experiences that help prepare us for the more grave loss of parents, siblings, spouses. Sadly some of lose our […]
11Jun2015 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on When Sadness Overwhelms Us | Continued
When Seniors Look For Love
OK – right off I have to admit that I am a senior. That is the demilitarized zone between middle age and elderly. This is but one account of love in a life well lived, and the hope for love yet to come. Life has bestowed many blessings on this old man. Good women have […]
10Jun2015 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
“Let It Begin With Me”
Occasionally we hear quotes, slogans, sayings, something that seems innocuous on the surface, but resonates with wisdom upon further inspection. Al-Anon, a program for the families and friends of Alcoholics, has official slogans which are raised to the level of proverb, of wisdom, of scripture in the program. One such saying is “Let It Begin […]
8Dec2014 | Gary Clark | 4 comments | Continued
Father’s Day – 2013 – Notes on My Father
My father was a tough guy – a product of both nature and nurture. His formal education consisted of six grades in elementary school. He landed on Omaha Beach at age 21, marched across France and Germany, earned six battle ribbons, a purple heart, and four bronze stars for valor. He worked thirty-six years […]
16Jun2013 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on Father’s Day – 2013 – Notes on My Father | Continued
The Cruel Hoax of Fanatics
Our dog is something of a rescue dog – she was turned over to a veterinary clinic with a gash on her head and one eye-ball literally hanging out. We took responsibility for the dog ($800 over two years). We do not know her age. Obviously we know she suffered some trauma in her life. […]
18May2013 | Gary Clark | Comments Off on The Cruel Hoax of Fanatics | Continued
The Demise of Ohg Rea Tone
Ohg Rea Tone has passed nine months hither. His demise was non-dramatic, no violence or accidents, just worn out. Some say he was haggard, a value judgment Mr. Tone would have found appropriate. Mr. Tone was a son, a brother, a father, and a grandfather – yet he had no family. Mr. Tone was well […]
26Jan2013 | Gary Clark | 2 comments | Continued
Who Am I? Searching for the Modern Identity
I am liberal, angry, Aries, impatient, intolerant, loving, forceful, kind, intense, educated, brother, son, father, grandfather, friend, forgiving, humble, proud. Which defines me? Any? All? Am I modern? Post-modern? And who are you? To whom do I answer? What philosophy? Religion? Country? Club? We live in a complex world, a fast world requiring quick judgement […]
13Oct2012 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Can Hatred Counter Love?
Is hate more powerful than love? Does hate match love dollar for dollar? Hate is proportionate to love – the more one loves, the more one can hate. The comparison is not one for one. Have you ever been consumed with bitter hatred for many weeks, stretching into months, or years? Hate does that. Hatred […]
15Jul2012 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
“Never Brag On Your Children”
A relevant post revisited: December, 2009. Parenting can sometimes feel like a complex endeavor – especially when the child is not cooperating. When the child is failing to meet expectations, to make the grade in school, to make the basketball team, to identify future aspirations – whatever – parents can become frustrated. And that frustration […]
22Apr2012 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
People at Wal-Mart Video
I can not help it. Most of these pictures were taken at the South Belt Wal-Mart in St. Joseph, Missouri. Two of the people are my siblings – but I will not say which.
1Mar2012 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Schizophrenia – A Family Affair
I am convinced that mental illness permeates my family. There are no diagnosis – no testimonials of counselors or case workers. There is fear. Fear of venturing to ask any questions. Fear of unknown possibilities. Fear of helpless damnation. Families keep secrets because families are ashamed. And that, my friends, is the problem. Ignorance abounds. […]
13Dec2011 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Schizophrenia – A Family Affair | Continued
Cisco – A Tale of Addiction, Justice, and Redemption
People are dying. Our Prisons are full. Families are being destroyed. Government sponsored religion in the Criminal Justice System is not working. Federal, State, and Local funds are rewarding bad behavior. We are talking about the Criminal Justice System sanctioned treatment programs for alcohol and drug addiction – substance abuse treatment. Cisco, A Tale of […]
1Dec2011 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Bryan – 37
As it turns out, we spelled Bryan’s name correctly. The majority of Brians in the world use an ‘i’ – some use a capital ‘I.’ We used a ‘y’ and it has come to symbolize the namesake. When Bryan was young, like three years old, I taught him some silly youth songs. He sang with […]
21Jun2011 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
A Father Reflects on Father’s Day
Father’s Day. A day for celebrating our fathers, and a day for fatherly reflection. I am in the later category today. I was not a particularly good father when my children were small – and that gives one pause for reflection. Young and foolish, temperamental and energetic, smart and dumb-as-nails, motivated and selfish, educated yet […]
19Jun2011 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on A Father Reflects on Father’s Day | Continued
Hunting For Jesse James Gold
When I was a child my parents would often take our family on picnics at Houston Wyeth Park in St. Joseph, Missouri – we just called the place Wyeth Hill. Wyeth Hill runs along the top of the Missouri River Bluffs in northwest St. Joseph. The hill overlooks downtown St. Joe to the south, the […]
25Aug2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | 14 comments | Continued
What Would Peter Think of Wendy At Victoria’s Secret?
One of my favorite stories is the tale of Peter Pan. As an actor, I have always wanted to play Peter, but I grew too tall. I loved the way Peter was committed to remaining young, not following the establishment and becoming a man. His conviction of youth impacted his relationships with everyone, especially Wendy. […]
7May2010 | Dawn | 1 comment | Continued
Reflecting On The Music Of My Mother
I was fumbling around on youtube this morning and found this Patsy Cline rendition of Tennessee Waltz. My mother introduced me to this song. She was not trying to – this was one of the songs she sang while wringing out the laundry in her wringer wash machine. Hearing Patsy Cline sing this old song […]
1Apr2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Reflecting On The Music Of My Mother | Continued
Children of War – The 20th Century Bleeds into the 21st.
The sins punished for generations are War, Poverty, Hunger, Ignorance, Physical Illness, and a general disregard of others by society. These sins compound daily – the accruing interest to be paid by succeeding generations.
12Mar2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Children of War – The 20th Century Bleeds into the 21st. | Continued
Tiger Woods Statement (Video)
Tiger has spoken – now the analysis begins. What did he say? What did he mean? Is he in denial? Is Tiger covering something? Has Tiger been completely honest? We have our own thoughts on these matters – but we will wait for an opportunity to speak responsibly on the subject of Tiger Woods, Tiger’s […]
19Feb2010 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Tiger Woods Statement (Video) | Continued
Middle School, Learning to Say NO!
The adventures of grandpa as the driver for my thirteen year old granddaughter continue. Her family moved to Texas or Wyoming, I can never remember which, and she is staying with her Nana to finish out the school year. She was not ready to punch cows, and lasso boys. Anyway, my job is of after-school-driver. […]
9Mar2009 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Middle School, Learning to Say NO! | Continued
The Two Nap Dilemma
My children are in different stages of development. That makes life hard when you are trying to be appropriate with them and maintain your own sanity. My son doesn’t really need two naps during the day. He has been sleeping for about an hour in the morning and for a little over two hours in […]
6Dec2008 | bryan | Comments Off on The Two Nap Dilemma | Continued
Bubble Wrapped Kids
Halloween has got some of us all reflecting on our childhoods when we would gather with our friends and run around the neighborhood in our plastic masks. Or like the times my friends and I would play baseball using the four street corners as bases. Today people would hardly let their kids walk to a […]
31Oct2008 | Cole James | Comments Off on Bubble Wrapped Kids | Continued
Police Pursuit – Losing Humanity
Son, This has been a sad week for me. As you know I have worked in the social service industry, after retiring from a career in information systems and finance. It is one of those thing us ‘baby-boomers’ do – giving back something that was given to us. The social service field is really tough. […]
27Oct2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Police Pursuit – Losing Humanity | Continued
Housewives; House…Husbands?
My wife was reading a book a while back and there were some interesting points about language and the way that we relate to our family. I only read the parts that she showed me, so i don’t have an entire picture of the subject material, but a couple of things stuck with me. One was that we have moved into a culture of “stay-at-home moms” and even “stay-at-home dads,” and we have vilified the idea of a “housewife” as being derogatory.
21Sep2007 | bryan | 4 comments | Continued