why, oh why

why, oh why, do I find "The Backyardigans" so mesmerizing?

This is perfect (via stickycomics.com)

Link to Christian's Home Page:

Happy Birthday, Mom

My mother would have turned 71 today, leading me to all sorts of cascading thoughts:

• My original family is gone, for all intents and purposes, except of course for Pop, Mike and Titi Anna. I really don't know how to classify my cousins Ralph (with whom I grew up for a time) and Ray.

• On the other hand, my current family, although smaller, is wonderful. This is specifically due to Ting and Michael (my son, who turns 3 in two days). My mom would have been happy with this.

• Tomorrow marks 27 years since first entered the Air Force and changed my life in all sorts of ways irrevocably.
  

• I am close to completing my 5th year of teaching Math. I love my job and consider myself extremely lucky to be teaching at my school, where my mojo runs high, my opinions are valued, and my students are generally great. My methods, admittedly unorthodox, work for me. (I have another blog about this topic alone, which I neglect far too much.)

• There will never be enough time to learn all the things I want to learn, do all I want to do, and relearn all the things I want to remember. Sigh.

• I will never stop missing my mother, but I need to focus on my immediate family. Onwards into the future....and I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday.