Irish Pride and Schoolhouse Rock on the 4th of July

I’m not too happy with some of the misconceptions about 4th of July out there on social media. America was formed because an unruly, righteously driven group of colonists would not accept taxation from Great Britain. My whole concept of being a proud American stems from this basic knowledge.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Familial Feasts.”

Damien_R_1909I’d like to have a holiday honoring the Irish immigrants. They were killed in the streets just because of their ethnicity. They were drive to America by the potato famine and were not prosperous at first. My Riley ancestors went through a lot of crap and struggle so I could enjoy the freedom of education and career I enjoy today. I’m grateful to them for that. But back to the 4th of July. I’m also not too happy with WordPress Daily Post for not creating a 4thn of July prompt. I hope that was not intentional. WordPress is right up there on my “proud to be” list along with being an American. I get most of that from how it was and still is largely an open source technology by the people and for the people. I am eternally grateful for the revolutionary rebel soldiers who won the war and enabled the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Moment of silence.

Onward and upward … the ribs, corn on the cob, and swimming in the 88 degree weather is calling me. As a teacher, I thought it proper to post for you these 3 minute videos to help your kids and other curious folks understand what the 4th of July means. Schoolhouse Rock says it better than I! Happy 4th of July proud Americans!

Irish Pride and Schoolhouse Rock on the 4th of July

I’m not too happy with some of the misconceptions about 4th of July out there on social media. America was formed because an unruly, righteously driven group of colonists would not accept taxation from Great Britain. My whole concept of being a proud American stems from this basic knowledge.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Familial Feasts.”

Damien_R_1909I’d like to have a holiday honoring the Irish immigrants. They were killed in the streets just because of their ethnicity. They were drive to America by the potato famine and were not prosperous at first. My Riley ancestors went through a lot of crap and struggle so I could enjoy the freedom of education and career I enjoy today. I’m grateful to them for that. But back to the 4th of July. I’m also not too happy with WordPress Daily Post for not creating a 4thn of July prompt. I hope that was not intentional. WordPress is right up there on my “proud to be” list along with being an American. I get most of that from how it was and still is largely an open source technology by the people and for the people. I am eternally grateful for the revolutionary rebel soldiers who won the war and enabled the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Moment of silence.

Onward and upward … the ribs, corn on the cob, and swimming in the 88 degree weather is calling me. As a teacher, I thought it proper to post for you these 3 minute videos to help your kids and other curious folks understand what the 4th of July means. Schoolhouse Rock says it better than I! Happy 4th of July proud Americans!

Don’t Worry About It

Since I tend to worry a lot, even subliminally and out of my control, I truly appreciate it when a stranger I run across in my life urges me to “not worry about it.” I need to be that way with strangers from my end as well.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Kindness of Strangers.”

peaceful-warriorIt can be as small as being short a few cents when checking out at a store. “Don’t worry about it” is like music to my ears. I actually had a checker once spot me one dollar when I was short. I told her I’d come back and repay her which I did. When I said thank you the second time, she said those magic words. If I’m nervous at the doctor or dentist, those words are so helpful. If I’m being evaluated at work, they are like a million dollars. To have an evaluator use them is heartening.

Stress is necessary in life. When a runner goes off at the gun, he needs to stress his muscles to win the race. In making a presentation with hopes of landing an account, a salesman must stress himself. Butterflies in the stomach are unavoidable sometimes but when you learn to not worry about it, you get those butterflies “flying in formation” and you can do great things. Would you like more people to tell you to not worry about it? I recommend you start telling others that. That’s my plan. We’ll see what karma can do for my struggle with worry.

Don’t Worry About It

Since I tend to worry a lot, even subliminally and out of my control, I truly appreciate it when a stranger I run across in my life urges me to “not worry about it.” I need to be that way with strangers from my end as well.

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Kindness of Strangers.”

peaceful-warriorIt can be as small as being short a few cents when checking out at a store. “Don’t worry about it” is like music to my ears. I actually had a checker once spot me one dollar when I was short. I told her I’d come back and repay her which I did. When I said thank you the second time, she said those magic words. If I’m nervous at the doctor or dentist, those words are so helpful. If I’m being evaluated at work, they are like a million dollars. To have an evaluator use them is heartening.

Stress is necessary in life. When a runner goes off at the gun, he needs to stress his muscles to win the race. In making a presentation with hopes of landing an account, a salesman must stress himself. Butterflies in the stomach are unavoidable sometimes but when you learn to not worry about it, you get those butterflies “flying in formation” and you can do great things. Would you like more people to tell you to not worry about it? I recommend you start telling others that. That’s my plan. We’ll see what karma can do for my struggle with worry.

Work Your Fingers to The Bone, What do You Get? Bony Fingers!

We’ve been working our fingers to the bone over here at the Riley house, most specifically, my inlaws have been but my family is helping however we can. The vision is for a retaining wall at the back of our property, done, a pergola, almost done, and a paved stone area with a firepit, also almost done. I’ve been keeping my pool up. It had some really aggravating algae in it after sitting all year. Now that temperatures up to 106 some days here in the high desert, it’s great to have it cleaned and balanced with chemicals.

My father in law is doing the mainstay of the work on everything else. I’ve even been teased for being the lazy one on the computer but I’ll tell you that is an out and out lie. At any ratem just to get the pool ready for the summer I’ve spent close to $1,000 on various sundries and chemicals for the pool. After a couple months of fighting the pool, can I tell you I’m done? Almost. Actually with pools, you’re never done. You just get smooth spots.

I had a 6th grade teacher who brought bluegrass instruments and players into class one time. They played a song for us called “Bony Fingers.” That’s where I got the line for the title. If you thik about it, it’s easy t get a bad attitude about physical labor. It can physically hurt. Most the time it’s just uncomfortable. Looking back at the weeks we’ve been working on the backyard, I can tell you it has been quite uncomfortable at times. My wife’s birthday was in May and in lieu of a gift she asked her parents for a new backyard. They rose to the occasion.

They’ve been great but of course there is a small element of strain with your inlaws in your backyard. If were anyone but them, I might have objected. As it is, it feels like a trip to the lake every weekend, we even jump in the water most every day. When the process is complete it will have been worth all we put into it. My wife will have her wish of a new backyard and I can make me up some roasted marshmallows and hot dogs in the firepit.

See all the photos at my living album on flickr.

There’s something to say for relaxation. But there’s something much more important to say about bony fingers!

This post is in response to Stream of Consciousness Saturday and The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Festivus for the Rest of Us.”

Work Your Fingers to The Bone, What do You Get? Bony Fingers!

We’ve been working our fingers to the bone over here at the Riley house, most specifically, my inlaws have been but my family is helping however we can. The vision is for a retaining wall at the back of our property, done, a pergola, almost done, and a paved stone area with a firepit, also almost done. I’ve been keeping my pool up. It had some really aggravating algae in it after sitting all year. Now that temperatures up to 106 some days here in the high desert, it’s great to have it cleaned and balanced with chemicals.

My father in law is doing the mainstay of the work on everything else. I’ve even been teased for being the lazy one on the computer but I’ll tell you that is an out and out lie. At any ratem just to get the pool ready for the summer I’ve spent close to $1,000 on various sundries and chemicals for the pool. After a couple months of fighting the pool, can I tell you I’m done? Almost. Actually with pools, you’re never done. You just get smooth spots.

I had a 6th grade teacher who brought bluegrass instruments and players into class one time. They played a song for us called “Bony Fingers.” That’s where I got the line for the title. If you thik about it, it’s easy t get a bad attitude about physical labor. It can physically hurt. Most the time it’s just uncomfortable. Looking back at the weeks we’ve been working on the backyard, I can tell you it has been quite uncomfortable at times. My wife’s birthday was in May and in lieu of a gift she asked her parents for a new backyard. They rose to the occasion.

They’ve been great but of course there is a small element of strain with your inlaws in your backyard. If were anyone but them, I might have objected. As it is, it feels like a trip to the lake every weekend, we even jump in the water most every day. When the process is complete it will have been worth all we put into it. My wife will have her wish of a new backyard and I can make me up some roasted marshmallows and hot dogs in the firepit.

See all the photos at my living album on flickr.

There’s something to say for relaxation. But there’s something much more important to say about bony fingers!

This post is in response to Stream of Consciousness Saturday and The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Festivus for the Rest of Us.”