December 15th, 2021

 Pride works well if it’s built on confidence and not cockiness.

Pride in your family, your career, your home, your country.

Humility often brings blessings after a lesson in humility is learned.

This quote doesn’t give me much room to create this morning.

Today is going to be warm. Later this afternoon it will be very windy. Pull your hat down tight….

December 14th, 2021

 It once was when I was a kid…. “Ohhhh when my parents find out about this I’m going to get killed.”

Since my parents are both in heaven now they see everything I do. There isn’t any WHEN my parents find out about this. They can see it in live technicolor!

Last week my parents had front row seats when I was called to the principal’s office. Yes….that’s right I said LAST WEEK!

Last Wednesday an IT guy put a battery backup on my work computer. Thursday morning when I got into work at 5:15am I couldn’t open it up.

At 7:25am when I was on the phone with Mr Dungeons and Dragons I wasn’t a very good Christian.

….and right away my oldman let me know I was being an assclown. My mom was embarrassed which meant I just embarrassed my boss.

I didn’t handle myself well and I got called into my bosses office Friday morning.

I think it actually fell on the same date in 1981 when I was in the Principal’s office getting a dozen detentions. That day I was making farting noises in Father Turner’s Religion class.

I figured a loud fart would be suitable while we studied the acts of the apostles. Father Turner thought otherwise.

Nothing has changed but the distance from 1966. Just an older version of a Catholic school kid.

e.e. Cummins was right… I took the courage to grow up and be me. Still getting called to the principal’s office after all these years!

The lesson learned… don’t question the sleeping habits of the guy who fixes your computer! They have a right to stay up late and watch “Star trek.”

esiree Scully

December 13th, 2021

 Many of us are looking at the Christmas ornament hanging on our tree that we made in third grade.

We made that ornament for our parents at school the week before Christmas.

They were more excited getting it than we were making it. From that Christmas and probably the next thirty years they proudly hung that ornament on their tree.

The ornament faded through time, the tree got smaller and our parents grew older.

Finally one day you opened a box of things that once belonged to them. Sitting proudly on top is the Christmas ornament you made for mommy and daddy all those years ago.

…and on your tree are the ornaments your children made just recently. Tucked away towards the bottom rear branches is yours.

The circle of life…..

Christmas is a time to look back. Look back and remember the time that made you who you are…. Sensitive, grumpy, sentimental or humbug.

We look back and remember the white snowy Christmas mornings and the rainy Christmas eves. The road trips to Gramma’s or the walk through the neighborhood to Uncle Joe’s.

For many of us our memories evoke the love of our parents. This is a good thing….

It was just yesterday my dad had WGN on and Muppets “Twelve Days of Christmas” came on the radio. He turned it up and said it was the best rendition of this song ever made…. Christmas Memories!

Or the Christmas I served mass and my mom directed the choir. She had children ring bells on “Glory of the Bells,” the whole church applauded my mom…. Christmas Memories!

Never forget to put the faded ornament on your tree and please, hug everyone that you love. It might be the last Christmas hug you have with them…

December 12th, 2021

 It is the third Sunday of Advent. Light your candle as it represents Joy.

I like today’s quote because it symbolizes where we need to be just before Christmas.

….Retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil. So face the warmth of the sun because that is good and the evil represented by shadows will fall away from you.

Now let us step away from Mr Obergfell’s religion class and celebrate Sunday Funday!

December 11th, 2021

 I am a true believer in the Guardian Angel system. I use it to explain my faith to myself and all the mysteries involved.

My Grampa John was my first Guardian Angel. He died when I was five and got me out of some close calls in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

My Uncle Charlie, My Gramma, my parents and just recently I received Wags.

All of the above I mentioned have a front row seat at keeping me safe… keeping the Shepkids safe.

Last night I watched one of my favorite Christmas movies, “The Bishops Wife.” Cary Grant plays Dudley, who God sent down to help the Bishop.

Another favorite Christmas movie that most Of us watch every year has Clarence working to become an Angel with the help of George Bailey.

Everyday angels visit us… my dad is here waiting for me to finish this post so we can meet Foley for breakfast.

My mom is sleeping close to the redheads this morning. My Gramma, she’s with my George.

This is how I twist the mystery of my faith around. It gives me an understanding of heaven, but it helps me to stay close to those who left me here all alone.

I love Clarence, but Dudley is my favorite…. Who do you prefer?

Do you have an Angel on the top of your tree or a star?

Those spermies up on the top of the chalkboard this morning depict a windy day! So keep snug and pull your hat down tight……

December 10th, 2021

 I look at todays quote and the first thing that popped into my mind was…. Not everyday is a trip to Disneyland! Sometimes it’s the day to let someone cut into your lane. As long as they use their turn signal.

I put 47 as the high for Chicagoland because that high of 56 doesn’t happen until late tonight.

When you are running around this afternoon it’s gonna be 47 and raining!

If you’re getting sick of my sunset times this month… summer starts in 171 days and ends in 269 days.

I think some JumboNogs and some Handel fills this weekend. Don’t worry if ornaments fall off the tree!

December 9th, 2021

 

December 8th, 2021

 Attention cancel culture, there is a fat guy in a red suit stalking children as they dream!

This Santa Claus guy bullies reindeer and elfs. I can’t believe his sleigh isn’t locked in a room with a Columbus statue and a VHS tape of “Blazing Saddles!”

Luckily the majority of us know what Santa brings… Peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light, so let’s give thanks to the lord above, ‘cause Santa Claus comes tonight!

Today is one of the Holiest Days in the Catholic Church. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Two things important to me all year long…. Santa Claus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. I talk to them both on a daily basis.

You can stop scratching your head! I believe in Santa and I say a “Hail Mary” with my mom and dad every Morning!

That reminds me…. I need to get my Santa suit pressed and cleaned….

December 7th, 2021

 The older I get the more past I pile up. The past is good, but it’s where it belongs.

I have twenty nine summers and thanksgivings to celebrate. I have thirty Christmas seasons to enjoy. Thirty more New Years Eves to avoid.

That’s the motivational tool that I’ve learned to use. If I can bang out thirty years, that will get me to 2051 and the ripe age of eighty five. Anything after that is either a bonus or God making me wait it out.

My responsibility is to raise my children and make them better than me. Basically leave the world a better place than when I showed up.

My responsibility to people is to cross their path without splashing mud on their outfit.

My responsibility to me is making sure I can put my socks on in 2051 without falling off the end of the bed.

Look at the past and history as two different things. You got drunk at your high school prom… that’s the past. Japs attacked an American military base in Hawaii… that is history!

Laugh at the past, Learn from history….

December 6th, 2021

 Quiet Monday

December 5th, 2021

 I’m sitting next to my Christmas tree at an angle that allows me to see the little red tree in the window across the street. This is my Advent wreath.

The second week of Advent and the end of Hanukkah. Not only is Christmas about ready to smack us in the face, but 2022 is poised with an uppercut.

Today we light the second candle on the Advent wreath. It represents Faith…. The message of Faith comes in many ways.

This late summer of ‘21 many of us had a friend who died twice. You read it right…. He died twice!

The first time he died he came back with the chance to talk about the Holy Spirit. He also talked about forgiveness and working hard at loving each other. The second time he died he went to heaven……

….this man was one of the best I’ve crossed paths with in my life. Probably why God let him come back for a couple weeks to strengthen our Faith.

Today is our friends first birthday in heaven. He left behind a ton of people that love him down here, but he has a fair amount up there to buy him beers today.

If you go out on this cold rainy Sunday to watch the Bears or the Colts game, buy someone a beer and lift it to heaven and sing, “Happy Birthday Wags!”

December 4th, 2021

 Not much to say today. Late start and I’m on pancake duty this morning.

Wish me luck….. I have to go to Petco later and look at frogs. Hazel wants Santa to get her a green tree frog.

Seems they are so cute when studying about them in third grade. She’s going to freak when she dissects the little jumper in high school.

Santa is watching…. Don’t be a dick today!

December 3rd, 2021

 You look at today’s quote and you think, “I don’t play sports anymore so this quote is worthless to me today.”

We take risk everyday. We either have a winning day or a day of defeat. From the moment your feet hit the bedroom floor in the morning until lights out at nighttime, it’s game time!

The daily grind of life doesn’t offer a “You had a great Day” Parade.

They don’t hand out trophies if you get every green light coming home from work and hats don’t fall on your bed after a love making hat trick.

I gotta think I’ve scored more points than fumbles since 1966. Though I think the people I’ve pissed off linger in my memory more than those I made happy….. ahh…..shit…. I’m just rambling…. Just Paul McCartney the fucking day!

….and in the end… the love you take is equal to the love you make!

Christmas movie with my daughter

 The Shepkids were over tonight. Hazel wanted to watch a Christmas movie.

“Die Hard” is a Christmas movie!

“Dad, can we watch this movie?”

I saw the title and I started to go into convulsions.

“Dad?”

“Sure Hazel, but I needs to get some work done.”

Hazel called Bullshit and sat on my lap and hit play. We watched the Mariah Carey cartoon from 2017 that was ninety minutes long.

Needless to say the message at the end was beautiful and yes…. Dad was crying again!

The crazy thing about it?

Mariah was unselfish at the end! Yes! Mariah! Unselfish!

Wish me luck getting Hazel to watch one of my Christmas movies this Christmas season…..

“jeez, this movie is in black and white dad!”

“Yes it is HayHay! That is Cary Grant. He’s an Angel who God sent down to help this sorry bastard, I mean Bishop…”

December 2nd, 2021

 Almost everyone that walks by you is dealing with a shitshow.

I was going to make a list of the probable issues that we all face, but some of you will think I’m mentioning your current situation.

Just another reason that we need to be kind and make sure everyone in our lives are safe and secure. Even the bastards that don’t use a turn signal!

Always be alert for foul balls!

December 1st, 2021

 The first day of December and the first day of the twenty four day advent calendar.

Is that right?

I haven’t done my own advent calendar since the Carter Administration.

Advent really started Sunday when we lit the candle of hope! I actually twisted a bulb.

I twist bulbs on my Advent wreath and my Menorah. My faith has changed from lighting candles to twisting bulbs.

Back to the Advent calendar…. In 1979 I had shitty little chocolates shaped like something. Years later when I had kids the advent calendars had Legos, gummy crap, more little toys for me to step on and something called Pokémon.

“Hey Baby Jesus! Thanks for coming to save us! I gotta Lego Rocket launcher in my advent calendar today!”

I wouldn’t be surprised if they had participation trophy advent calendars.

I do like walking down the Advent Calendar aisle at Costco.

The range of daily presents is amazing….. for adults!

Twenty four bottles of craft beer, Twenty four bottles of Australian wine, twenty four bottles of Kentucky Bourbon and Twenty four chocolate shot glasses of liqueur.

I wonder if you can go to The Lovers Lane Store in Westmont and get an Advent Calendar?

24 teddy bear nightgowns, 24 edible undies and by all means the number one seller… 24 sex toys to prepare you for Santa Claus and Baby Jesus.

I’ll stick to my egg nogs and Christmas Carols while the rest of you tear open your daily box of Christmas Joy!

Don’t forget it’s National Pie Day!

Pecan, Blueberry, Hoosier Sugar, Two legged peach and apple pie!

These are a few of my favorite things!

November 30th, 2021

 I’m not going to sugarcoat this or bullshit anyone today. This quote is a tough one to live by.

It might bring in the theory about how integrity is the way you act when nobody is watching. When my kids are around I treat everyone kind. Even the Mother Fucker that doesn’t know how to use his turn signal!

Well I just lied to you!

My kids think Fucking Directional is one word! Used in a sentence- “Hey buddy, nice fuckingdirectional!” Or “how about using a fuckingdirectional?”

It’s hard to be nice to everyone. If your not nice to a black person, you’re a racist. If you’re too nice to a woman, you’re a creep. If you’re too nice to a gay person, you’re gay. If you’re not nice to a gay person, homophobic! It’s a fine line for a fat white boy to walk!

As a dad….. everyone from a waitress to the drive-thru person. Cashiers, butchers, strippers, cable repairmen, Amazon driver….People walking by… even people in Cub hats and packer jackets! I gotta set an example! Be nice…..

The biggest assholes on the trading floor were always the nicest guy on “Bring your daughter to work day.”

So good luck with the quote today! I don’t have my kids on Tuesday’s so you better use your fuckingdirectional!

One last thing….. Liverwurst/Braunschweiger?

I don’t care what you call it!

Put it on rye with brown mustard, slice of tomato and a slice of onion…. Yeah Baby!

I am in the Liverwurst/Braunschweiger fan club!

November 29th, 2021

 Over the weekend I discovered two people that I love dearly are not speaking to each other. A brother and sister. Two family members I’ve known for over fifty years.

I gave myself too much credit thinking I’d have this schism healed by Monday. It hasn’t been fixed.

Twenty Six days until Christmas! Just about four weeks. That’s not to far from now and it’s not guaranteed!

Hell, I’ve lost several dear people this year. They all hit the “Like” button daily on the Chalkboard.

They don’t hit the “Like” button anymore! They’re gone!

One of us could be gone before Santa’s journey on Christmas Eve!

Our time together is short as it is. Why do we shorten it even more over petty bullshit….. AND it’s usually PETTY!

Time is an expensive price to heal all wounds when love and family is in the equation.

I’m not the only one that has this happening in my life! Suck it up! Like Don Shepley always said, “Not many people in this world think your fucking special son!”

So if you’re not speaking to someone who is special in your life…. FIX IT! Tick tock tick tock tick tock……………….

November 28th, 2021

 Maybe putting up the Christmas tree will help my hangover!

Don’t forget to light the first candle on your menorah!

All of us are Maccabees this week!

November 27th, 2021

 I was never able to master the pro level on that hand held electronic football game that came out in 1978. I always kicked ass on level two, but never on level one.

Not one victory on level one of that plastic piece of crap!

I did hold my ex wife’s head in my hand and her leg on my shoulder three times during birth. Glorious!

I did have both my parents tell me they are proud of me before they died. Glorious!

I did have a 25 year old man tell me that he has lived by many of my quotes from when I coached him in 7th/8th football. Glorious!

Before I die I’m going to beat those little red LED bleeping lights on that

Little piece of crap!

Last night the high school that I graduated from won state, again! Congratulations goes out to The Indianapolis Cathedral Fighting Irish.

Today the high school I should have graduated from (parents divorce) the Fenwick Friars are playing in their first state championship. Play well today Gentlemen.

Life is difficult as it is… Glory finds your way everyday! Everyday!

Go be you on this last Saturday of November…. It will be glorious!