I'm not much of a socializer, but I do like games. I like some on-line games like Jackpot Party, Words With Friends, and Fairway Solitaire to name a few. Only one of those games involves a social aspect. I also like poker -but, don't get invited to play much. I do get some of the kids together to play Texas Hold-em from time to time - that is a nice friendly social event. It just doesn't happen frequently enough.
I like golf, bowling, archery - they are some nice active sports and sometimes involves others and they do provide for some interesting socialization. Though, sometimes even in these activities I don't tend to socialize very much. My Myers Briggs type is INFP, that explains some of it. It isn't that I don't care about others, it is more like I'm at a loss for intersocial thoughts. Oh, I like fishing too, and darts.
I really like scrabble, bridge (but haven't played for years) - like most card games that involve 4 or more players - pinochle, spades, hearts, canasta, pepper - I used to play a lot of cards, but not much after marriage - my lady just doesn't seem that interested in card games The good news is that we are now playing scrabble pretty frequently and we do enjoy that time together.
I keep trying to talk Carolyn into letting me set up an archery target in the basement - I think we would both enjoy that a lot. Carolyn was very good at archery!
I'm not sure exactly why I'm writing about this - maybe, just maybe it has to do with my lack of socializing! A lot of times, even when I'm on a team or in a group - I feel alone - I think I'm participating, but perhaps I'm just not totally there and in the moment like I should be. There is a lot of room for reflection on this subject. I think sometimes I shut down because sometimes when I do talk - I can be very "blunt" and straight forward - not necessarily appreciated by many people. I think my dream home is still a two or three room cabin with a deck overlooking a pond - tall trees and remote access... Right now, and for the past 18 months or so, we've had our son and grandson living with us - sometimes that feels crowded! There is a lot of freedom and personal sanctity that is lost, but I'm thankful we are able to provide when there is a need. It just isn't the same as when Carolyn and I are alone! Just not the same. Part of it, I think is a lack of privacy and freedom. Yet I know they try as hard as the can to keep from being intrusive.
I think that grown-up kids living with parents or coming back to the nest is much more prevalent than it used to be.... thanks for listening!
So, once again, I'm delving into family history. This time, I'm working on birthdays. One would think what a simple project. But, Carolyn has 12 brothers and sisters and the many descendants there. I have 6 brothers and sisters - not so many descendants. As I put these into the calendar I tend to get a bit anal - like color coding the families, putting notes in about spouses, children, grandchildren, the celebrants relationship to us - like God-children, nephew, niece and other notes that may seem relevant at this moment. The result is that what should take 30 seconds to a minute for an entry takes more like 2 - 5 minutes or more per entry. The gift is that I really get to reflect and recall special things and moments that we've shared and times and moments yet to come. It really is a gift. Bottom line -- I've decided to limit the inputs to 1 month per day -- that way I should be able to wrap up this wonderful project in about a month. On to the topic of Scrabble.
Well, around here Valentine's day is just another manufactured commercial holiday on the calendar. I did reminisce a bit about gradeschool and handing out the cute little cards to all my classmates - the first few year's of marriage when I felt obligated to celebrate the holiday. Maybe today I give it some thought, but not much. Carolyn and I spent the day working on a family project, went bowling (our team mates were moving into their new home - congrats to John and Eunice) and we still managed to win 3 of the 4 points available -- might put us back in first place!
Today - is an immediate family day - us and our four children. We've been working on this get together since Thanksgiving 2018. That is one of the reasons we went to Aspen. It was a quiet together time for Carolyn and I to address Christmas cards and working on or Will Documents. It has taken us a couple of months to finish that task and prepare for this get together. We may have overdone the preparation a bit, but I think it is worth it. I saw what sister Lana went through when mom passed - and I've heard horror stories - even who the passing of parents have torn families apart. We are providing the kids with, what we think, is all the details to make things easier for them. Today we present the draft documents, get their input, have frank and honest discussion and do some celebrating - breakfast and lunch provided! Hugs and kisses and some tears shared. God knows we shed some putting this stuff together. 
But, they sure did seem to enjoy out, lasted a week or so. I know this picture arrangement is hinky, but I'm too lazy to get it right this morning. Enjoy your day - whatever day it happens to be when you view this!
My old Air Force Master Instructor badge, some of our archery achievements, one of dad's "Member Montezuma, Iowa Fire Department " badge, a tea set that belonged to mom, and much more. One item brought back a lot of Junior High "stuff" - some good memories, and some not so good memories. 
The one below was taken out our back window. It is our KOI pond. The fish have not eaten since October 31, 20 - that is when the water temp dropped below 51 degrees. They won't eat again until late March or Early April 2019. This will be their 8th winter and all 6 of them have done just great. I got a new thermostatically controlled surface heater to make sure there is always space for gasses and such to escape. However, this new one seems to keep the pond clear of ice. Not so sure that is a good thing - but I think everything will be just fine.
It helps me get a few things off my mind that seems to be ever churning with chaos! Today is going to be a great day - a very busy one as most Monday's seem to be. We have everything from Bowling to Physical Training. That covers a good part of the alphabet anyway. Today is BAMF's birthday. We celebrated at Lava Island. The kids have so much fun there and Bishop was "King" for the day in the Lego Land Room. He was excited, calm, sociable, and very polite.
Today's emergency - Carolyn ran out of BEANiTOS. We checked our usual online sources, i.e., Amazon and VitaCost. We absolutely could not find the 11 oz packages which she likes to get. Some of the suppliers were charging as much for a 6 oz package as we have paid for the 11 oz package. Prices for 1 bag of 11 oz size, were as high as 15 bucks -- I can go out to a fairly decent meal at a restaurant for that.
