Swinging on Birches

Ok. I'll try and keep these types of posts to a minimum, especially for those of you without children who don't appreciate hearing cute kid stories all that often...sort of like I am with dogs. I don't really think dogs are cute. Some puppies, maybe. But, overall, I don't like your dog and I really don't want to hear about the stories that include the adorable things he does. But, back to the topic. One thing I've learned as a parent is to never say "never" about behavioral topics. You can say that you'll never let your child jump off a cliff, but don't say you'll never say the things your parents said. Because at some point in the future when your child pushes that button of yours just one more time and you are tired and annoyed and frustrated and wondering where he possibly learned this particular ridiculous behavior, you will say that dreaded phrase. Now, my wonderful son is honestly one of the greatest joys of my life. And, luckily...

I was watching an episode of "Who's the Boss?" (remember, old 80's/90's sitcom?) while crocheting last night (yes, I am that big of a dork) and it actually got me thinking about how one choice in life can completely change our path in such amazing and surprising ways. The turning point, the tipping point, a fork in the road, stuck between a rock and a hard place, crisis, an ethical dilemma. We all have them. But, have you ever really stopped to think about those choices and all they lead to? Movies like the Butterfly Effect and The Family Man have been made to explore the notion of how looking at the past and making changes would affect the present and/or future. Robert Frost's famous poem, The Road Not Taken , really addresses that key moment when you make the decision of which path to follow. I read a sci-fi short story once about a man who returned to prehistoric times in a time machine, but he stepped off the path and crushed one bug and it totally ...

Ok. I know. I said I was going to keep up my end of the bargain and I've already fallen off the wagon. But, I'm back on, I swear...maybe there's some sort of Bloggers Anonymous that I can go to for some accountability...but, I digress. I thought one of the first things I should do was to explain the title for my blog which comes from a great song by one of my very favorite singer/songwriters--Bob Dylan. May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all come true May you always do for others And let others do for you May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung May you stay forever young May you grow up to be righteous May you grow up to be true May you always know the truth And see the lights surrounding you May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong May you stay forever young May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of change shift May your heart always be joyful May your...