The Monday Five – November 30, 2022

Posted on December 1, 2022 by jdteehan

Uf. We’re at the doorstep of Christmas. 

Are you ready? Because I’m not. I’ve barely begun any shopping. 

As the father of a six-year-old and the husband of a woman who enjoys Christmas, I’ll be partaking in all the usual hoopla. It’s already started, in fact, with attendance at the town’s Christmas tree lighting. 

But it’s also a hard year. This is our first Christmas without my mother-in-law Lilly and she had always figured big in our annual holiday traditions. It’s just not going to be the same. 

We soldier on, but it’s still going to feel a bit empty. 

Moving forward, though, we’ll try to make the most of the holiday spirit. I’m not a religious person, but I do like the yearly reminder to be of good cheer and to share that cheer. 

Anyway. On to this week’s post.

What I’m Reading

I honestly don’t know what drew me to this book or why I bought it. 

Each time we visit Long Island, we always make a point to stop in at Red Jacket Books in Westhampton Beach. It’s a tiny little place, but I have yet to walk out of there empty-handed. 

On our most recent trip, I picked up another volume of poetry by Charles Bukowski. And then I saw this book… Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility by James P. Carse.

I’ve gotten a good start, but am still unsure what the book is really about. It seems to be a philosophical/sociological discussion, of sorts, about two approaches to life—as a finite game and as an infinite game. 

This is not a book to skim. I often find myself rereading paragraphs just to make sure I get the gist of what the author is saying. It’s a little abstract at the moment—the author would have done well to include more examples to help define his explanation of finite and infinite games. Having peeked ahead a little, I think he makes up for that lack. 

Otherwise, it’s thoroughly engaging. I don’t know what I’m going to learn from this, but I’m interested in finding out. 

What I’m Listening To

Motion City Soundtrack

I first heard these cats on a Punk-o-Rama CD many years ago. I was immediately taken by their energy, lyrics, and musicality. 

They’re just fun to listen to.

I don’t really need to say more than that. I can’t even pick out a favorite album of theirs because they’re all good. 

If you’re looking for something different to listen to that’s fun, energetic, and thoughtful all at once, you could make worse choices than Motion City Soundtrack.

Quote of the Week

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” — Victor Frankl

The quote should be fairly self-explanatory. It struck me recently as an acknowledgment that we (and by that, I mean I) need to embrace and nurture change if we (I again) wish to grow and improve my lot. 

The same could be said for all of us. 

And Man’s Search For Meaning is in my to-read pile. 

What I’m Watching

I tend not to binge-watch shows often, but Netflix’s new show, Wednesday, really hooked and reeled me in. I was a big fan of the original The Addams Family TV show and of the cartoon work of Charles Addams himself. Wednesday (the show) is a worthy addition to the franchise, although I’m tempted to treat it more like fan fiction than canon. 

There are great callbacks to the TV show. And Guzman’s portrayal of Gomez Addams recalls more the Charles Addams illustrations than Astin or Julia. The only real reference to the live-action movies was Thing who existed mostly to help move the plot along, although it has some character development happening as well. 

The story does seem like it could easily have existed outside the Addams Family franchise, but it works better within it. I love the overall look of the show and all the actors were brilliant. 

So, yeah. Watch this. You won’t be sorry. 

What I’m Working On

I’m wrapping up the finishing touches of a collection of short stories inspired by Jules Verne. The project is being helmed by the good folks at the North American Jules Verne Society. I had a hand in putting together their Palik Series—a multi-volume collection of previously untranslated Verne works. They even gave me a nice plaque. 

Extraordinary Visions (the book) should be available just in time for the holidays. At worst, it will be available to enjoy during those bitterly cold months following when we have little else to do but stay indoors and read. 

I’ve finished most of my writing assignments for the month. I have a few short pieces for some Colorado publications due next week, but November is pretty much sewn up. 

It was a good month, work-wise. 

Like Poetry, Short Fiction, and General Oddness?

Check out my book, LIFE AMONG PSYCHOPATHS, available on Amazon or via The Merry Blacksmith Press. It features poetry (some of it quite good), short stories of fantastical sorts of things, and general odd bits like lists, letters, and warnings that should not exist. It makes for some great winter reading. 

Until next time…

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The Monday Five – November 21, 2022

Posted on November 20, 2022 by jdteehan

We’re entering Thanksgiving week. 

I like holidays in theory, but I find them a nuisance as well. My work week will be well disrupted between people being home on days they aren’t usually, travel, more travel, recovering from travel, and trying to get back into the swing of things. 

It’s also the time of year when everything is suddenly more expensive, and I start fretting over the fact. I get over it eventually, but this year I’m going to try and take a more active role in destressing.

Writing. Cheese. Little stickers on my laptop. 

Yeah, we all have our little strategies. 

Anyway. On to this week’s post.

What I’m Reading

I’ve been on a big Hugh MacLeod kick. I’m currently reading the third of the three books he wrote. This one is called Evil Plans, and it’s about taking charge of your creative life. He spends a lot of time challenging the reader to be braver—gutsier—when it comes to seizing upon ideas and plans and pushing forward. 

These themes run through his other books, liberally interspersed with doodles MacLeod drew on the back of business cards and which launched his current career.

Inspirational stuff. Not always practical, but indeed inspirational. 

I highly recommend everyone follow him on Instagram and Twitter (while Twitter lasts). Look for him by name (Hugh MacLeod) and his business (GapingVoid.com). 

You won’t regret it. 

What I’m Listening To

Funkadelic

And why the hell not?

I’ve been trying to expand my music appreciation boundaries this year. Ska was one of those boundaries I explored. Funk was another. Give me more George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and others have been brightening my mornings.

If you don’t already listen to funk and are looking for something different, I highly recommend giving Funkadelic (and Parliament) a go. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be grooving in a way that will cause immediate concern to your family. 

Quote of the Week

“Anything can be a Christmas ornament if you put a little hook on it.” – Kurt Vonnegut

Okay, I don’t think this was anything Kurt Vonnegut ever said or was ever likely to have said. I don’t know who said it originally, as I came across the quote on an Instagram picture of some sign in an unnamed store. 

I’m just curious if this comes up when someone searches for “Kurt Vonnegut quotes” on Google. He’s one of those folks who is often misquoted, and I can be a bit of a gremlin at times. 

That said, I like the idea that anything can be a Christmas ornament. I’m not a huge decorating kind of guy. I tend to take part more for my wife’s and child’s sake than my own. Still, here are some things that could be Christmas ornaments if you put a hook on them but probably shouldn’t:

  • Cigarette lighter
  • Condom (used or unused)
  • Electric bill
  • Leftovers
  • CVS receipt
  • A body (living or dead)
  • Similes (metaphors are okay)
  • Social network passwords
  • Cauliflower

The list could go on and on. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments. Also, feel free to suggest things that could make good ornaments. 

Seems like this year is as good as any for a ridiculous holiday season.  

What I’m Watching

Not much this week, really. I’ve been busy working. 

Worth mentioning, however, is the fine work being done over at Dropout.tv.

I’m a big fan of their shows “Um, Actually” and “Make Some Noise.” Fun stuff if you’re a nerd and are into geek culture

What I’m Working On

A bunch of things. 

Much of what I’ve been working on is a continuation of last week’s work, although I did finish the first layout of a book on the late actor Marie Windsor. I also finished the book-length equivalent of a bunch of articles on industrial plastics. Dry stuff. In case you ever wondered who writes the internet…

It’s me. I write all that stuff. 

Hey, it’s a living. 

But I’m also writing for myself. I’m trying to finish up the final version of my book on tabletop roleplaying. (Cover presented here). And I have everything I need for a planned book on productivity. I just need to organize the chapters and give everything a solid, fresh editing. 

So I’m keeping busy. I have goals. I’m inching toward them. Sometimes I backslide, but, for the most part, it’s forward momentum.

Interested In Busting Through Creative Blocks?

Check out my book, THE CREATIVE BREAKTHROUGH, available on Amazon or in the Kindle Unlimited library. I talk about overcoming creative blocks with several strategies that have worked wonders for me over the years. 

Until next time…

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The Monday Five – 7 Nov 2022

Posted on November 7, 2022 by jdteehan

In keeping with the previous post’s spirit, I will stick with the “5 Things” format for this blog. 

At least for now. It’s an accessible format, and going for a weekly Monday post means I can spend the Sunday before posting reflecting on what I’ve been doing.

Works for me. So, without further ado… 

What I’m Reading

Somewhere… maybe on my Instagram profile… I have the boldness to proclaim myself a bit of a coffee shop philosopher. 

I’m not sure what I mean by that other than to suggest I’m a dabbler in the study of philosophy without claiming to be any credentialed authority.

Of the various flavors of philosophy, I’ve always favored the Existentialists. Sure, Stoicism is enjoying a bit of a renaissance right now, and studying Zen taught me mindfulness and meditation. But it’s Existentialism that I always find myself returning—particularly the absurdist brand offered by Albert Camus.

I recently came across Sarah Bakewell’s so-far-excellent-and-engaging At the Existentialist Cafe: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, and it’s doing its job in helping scratch my Existentialist itch. It’s about the founding of, and the various personalities behind, the French school of Existentialism (Sartre, Beauvoir, Camus) with some side treks into its roots in German phenomenology (Heidegger) and more.

As with most books on philosophy, it’s dense. I’m only a couple of chapters in, with many more to go. I expect I’ll be reading this book for a while–partly because of its density and because I’m usually reading several books at once. 

In a month or more, I’ll report on the progress of this one. It’s a good book, and I don’t want to rush it. I want to soak in sections, then let them sit and stew before moving on to more.

What I’m Listening To

Kimya Dawson. 

I first came across her work in the movie Juno. Her music’s presence is apparently thanks to Elliot Page, who recommended her work for the film’s soundtrack and the songs sung with Michael Cera’s character. 

Kimya Dawson is an amazing lyricist. Her songs are, at the same time, beautiful and disturbing. There is also a raw honesty that is similarly beautiful and disturbing. 

Kimya Dawson’s music is not meant to be listened to in the background but listened to actively. It’s well worth it. 

Quote of the Week

“Every work of art is a culturescape of you, your memories, the moments you spent working, your hopes, energies, and neuroses, the times you live in, and your ambitions. Of the things that are engaging, mysterious, meaningful, resistant over time.” — Jerry Saltz, art critic

I think about art a lot. I’ve been thinking lately of the early Dadaist movement as a response to the horrors of World War I. Whatever you personally may think of Dada, Saltz’s comment is spot on. 

What I’m Watching

I’ve been a fan of the British comedy/current events panel show Mock the Week for years and years. It was recently announced that this is their final season (or series, as they say). We get six episodes, and that’s it. 

I’m struggling to understand how one of the funniest shows on British TV could be canceled. I understand it was/ a sort of high-pressure show for the participants. And they’ve struggled in the past for more inclusiveness—although recent seasons seem to have addressed that. And I don’t think this was a case of the host Dara O’Briain and never-missed-an-episode Dennis Hugh wanting to move on. 

The show, after all, helped boost the careers of many stand-up comics in Britain and introduced many new faces. 

But all good things come to an end, I suppose. And that the show lasted as long as it did—even through Covid—is something of a blessing. 

So I’ve been watching and rewatching the final series, plunging into past series, and even various “best of” presentations. It will have to do. 

Gonna miss you guys. 

What I’m Working On

I’ve kept busy this week. I’ve pushed out half a dozen freelance writing pieces and finished the layout and proofs of a few books for BearManor Media. 

In addition, I recently completed and sent in the final files for a CD cover, insert, and label for a new music CD from Brian Gari entitled Jeanne. 

And in the Merry Blacksmith Press arena, I’m in the process of publishing a new collection of cartoons by Timothy C. Lockley entitled And That Was the End of That. The layout is complete and has been approved. Files have been sent to the printer. By next week, I should have the ordering info ready. 

Coming up are books on werewolves, Marilyn Monroe, and Ed Wood. I’ll also be writing a lot about plastics, sales, commercial lighting, and real estate. 

Interested In Becoming a Freelancer?

Check out my book, THE FREELANCE CREATIVE, available on Amazon or in the Kindle Unlimited library. I talk about how a freelance career may or may not be suitable for you, how to get started, and how to flourish during your first year. It’s based on 25 years of freelancing experience and should be a great starting point for anyone who wants to be their own boss. 

Until next time…

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My Five Things This Week

Posted on October 30, 2022 by jdteehan

Today I am blatantly stealing a thing from entrepreneurial guru Tim Ferriss. His weekly newsletter is called “5-Bullet Friday,” which offers a few thoughts in a bullet format highlighting his recent interests. 

I will not steal all his bullet points, but I will copy a few. In the words of Austin Klein, “Every new idea is just a mashup or a remix of one or more previous ideas.”

What I’m Reading

I’m usually reading or listening to the audio versions of a few books at once. Right now, what’s getting most of my reading time is Effortless by Greg McKeown. 

I’d hesitate to call it a self-help book. More, it’s an interesting look at personal hacks for achieving goals. A little over halfway through, the main message I see is, “stop trying too hard.” Alternately, the message could be worded, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” or more, “don’t make things more complicated than they need to be.”

It’s all good advice. 

I think the most recent example of this sort of approach in my experience was in our recent return to the grand sport of bowling. 

My wife and I bowled somewhat regularly when we still lived in Providence—long before Jack was born. While we were never in danger of bowling a perfect game, we felt good enough to join a league. 

But life happens, and bowling wasn’t enough of a passion to withstand that, so our bowling balls and shoes went into the closet for the next ten years. 

Recently, we found a nice bowling alley not far from where Margaret works. We decided to try our hands again now that Jack was just old enough to play along a bit. 

I was terrible. Most of my balls ended up in the gutter. I didn’t remember being that bad, but there it was. I couldn’t understand it as I was trying to do the correct form, account for my grip, apply the right spin, and aim for the pins in such a way that I should have gotten a strike. 

Nope. Gutter balls. 

So I decided, fuck it. I rolled the ball down the lane and didn’t even try to be good. 

And knocked ‘em all down. 

Huh. 

So I did it again. I bowled without trying to bowl well. In the end, I did pretty well. I even got in another strike. 

And that’s my “secret.” 

I stopped trying too hard, and doing that improved my game (and enjoyment) significantly. 

Effortless talks a lot about this sort of thing and how you can apply it to business, creativity, or any other goal. 

In thinking back, publishing four books this year also had much to do with not trying too hard. 

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I worked hard on those books. But I didn’t weigh myself down with the heavy chains of trying too hard. 

Something to think about. 

What I’m Listening To

The Aquabats. 

I’ve been trying to get a bit more into ska—a genre I used to avoid for some dumb, young reason. The music of the Aquabats changes from album to album, but there’s a relatively consistent undertone of ska throughout. 

Another appeal is The Aquabats Super Show which I’ve only recently discovered. Great fun in a retro superhero show sort of way. 

Quote of the Week

We recently went to a Harvest Festival event sponsored by Jack’s school. As an older parent, I have little experience with young children in a large group. The running, shrieking, and general chaos took me aback. But the kids were having fun. 

One part of this festival featured a giant sandbox filled with dried corn. It became a magnet for the kindergarten-aged kids and reminded me a little bit of Lord of the Flies. 

Hence this William Golding quote. 

What I’m Watching

I got unexpectedly drawn into Nobody recently on HBOMax. I was intrigued because I wouldn’t have expected Bob Odenkirk to do a violent action movie role. He was surprisingly good. 

The plot was okay. Pretty by-the-numbers showdown with bad guys. I felt there were a lot of avenues left unexplored which, should they try for a series like Taken or John Wick, could be interesting enough to watch. 

Shout out to the Chekhov’s Gun setup. I thought that was pretty clever. 

What I’m Working On

Nothing at the moment. I’m writing this on my phone from the waiting area of a tire shop that is switching out some dangerously bad tires. It’s a bill I can’t really afford, but there was no question it needed to be done immediately. 

This morning I sent off a couple of articles on Veterans Day for some local-interest magazines in Colorado. I’ve got some pieces on plastics and SaaS sales to work on as well. And I have a pile of layout work I’ve fallen behind on. 

I try to leave weekends open for family and household chores. This weekend I’m going to have to squeeze in a lot of work-work as well. 

Wish me luck. 

Interested in Creative Blocks?

Check out my book, THE CREATIVE BREAKTHROUGH, available on Amazon or in the Kindle Unlimited library. I talk about overcoming creative blocks with several strategies that have worked wonders for me over the years. 

Until next time…

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Here We Are – October 25, 2022

Posted on October 25, 2022 by jdteehan

It’s… It’s been a while, hasn’t it? 

Almost three years.

A lot has happened, as things tend to do. 

We all survived the COVID-19 pandemic, but we lost Jack’s grandmother earlier this year due to a crop of long-standing health issues. It was a devastating time for all of us, and the loss of Lilly echoes daily and deeply. 

We soldier on as best we can.

Jack has started school. After a year of part-time pre-K at Joyful Learning Academy, Jack is now in kindergarten full-time at The Compass School. It’s a charter school that focuses a lot on outdoor learning and growth. Jack is really shining and advancing there in ways we couldn’t even imagine. We were fortunate his name came up in the lottery. We did not care for the local public school, so Compass has been an absolute godsend.

It’s also fun for me, as I get to help take care of the goats and ducks once a week.

In other news, I’ve self-published three books. More on those another day, but if you’re curious now, check out Life Among Psychopaths, The Freelance Creative, and The Creative Breakthrough. All are available on Amazon as physical books or as ebooks through the Kindle Unlimited program.

I’m keeping busy with plenty of work. In the book creation department, I’m working on books about Marilyn Monroe, Jules Verne, Werewolves in film, and some fiction projects. Wearing my publisher hat, I’m wrapping up our 12th collection of Tom Lockley cartoons. And in freelance writing, I’ve recently turned in another piece for Longmont Magazine and am about to tackle articles on commercial plastics, industrial machinery, drywall, and sports lighting.

In personal writing, I’m putting the finishing touches on a book about roleplaying games and adding pieces to a new poetry collection. 

And there is, of course, this resurrected blog.

I’m still publishing pieces on Medium regularly, but my main focus is on the work that pays. 

A major car repair bill is looming as of today, so as soon as I finish this, it’s back to the paying work.

Why restart a blog that’s sat fallow for so many years?

Because I need to write, and this seems as good a place as any. 

Future entries may be slice-of-life stuff. Some may be work-related. Some might be reworked older Medium pieces I thought worthy of sharing here. 

I may do a Dear Jackrabbit letter now and then.

Am I expecting a big readership?

Lord, no. 

But I’m expecting this will do me good. If you feel like coming along for the ride, all the better.

I shall try to commit to once or twice a week. 

Talk with you again soon.

Cheers!

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My Diabetic Year #2 – You Can’t Eat That

Posted on October 29, 2019 by jdteehan

Last week I talked about my recent Type II diabetes diagnosis. One thing I didn’t dwell on was just what a huge change in lifestyle it required. In the space of an hour-long doctor’s appointment, I went from eating the same way I had been for my entire life to an almost entirely different way. 

That morning, I could have a bagel. A bowl of cereal. A blueberry muffin. 

You know… civilized food.

Later that morning, all of that was on the Forbidden List. 

Bagels especially. I think that one hurt the most.

I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.

FORBIDDEN!

When you have a A1C that’s over 14, you need to make a sudden and radical change because you’re already in pretty grave danger of organ damage. And my then-diet wasn’t doing me any other favors. (My organs are fine. We caught it just in the nick of time.)

What prompted the doctor’s visit, to begin with, was a frequent case of fatigue. Hey, high blood sugar does that. It explains why after eating a big ol’ bowl of ramen I promptly slept for several hours.

That’s no way to live.

So in the space of an hour, all sorts of carbohydrates were off the Approved List. No rice. No pasta. No grains. No potatoes. No corn. Obviously no sugar.

That was a huge change for me. This meant most of the Chinese and Indian foods I enjoyed was forbidden. No potato chips. No broiled potatoes. No boiled potatoes. No cake. No candy. No linguini with clam sauce. Okay, the clam sauce is okay, but without the linguini, why bother?

What was left?

Well, there was some good news. Meat was still okay, as was cheese. I could have green vegetables and many nuts as my black heart desired. While I’m not a big fan of greens, I’ve been choking down a little more salad when the need arises. 

Essentially, I’m on a version of the keto diet now. Low carbs, high fat. Replace the energy once produced by carbs with energy produced by fats. This method has allowed many people to lower their A1C fairly quickly, and even lose significant weight. 

I don’t know how much weight loss I’ve had. People react to insulin and metformin different ways, but I don’t think I’m gaining weight. And as I mentioned last week, my energy levels are improved. It helps that I’ve added a multivitamin.

After three months of this, my estimated A1C is now 5.8. 

Not bad. Heck, it’s just about normal. All that work resisting temptation has been paying off.

Was it a hard change to make? The diet, that is.

Surprisingly, it hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be. Having my meats and cheeses has kept me sane. I think it’s a worthy topic for getting into more detail with, so I’m going to save the actual challenges faced for another blog post.

Now… all of this said… I’m off to my three-month follow up. It’s in less than an hour, in fact.

How will it go?

I’ll let you know.

Cheers!

–John

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My Diabetic Year #1

Posted on October 18, 2019 by jdteehan

If you’re looking for Jack-related content, be aware that I’m shifting the focus of this blog away from Jack for a bit and will, instead, discuss some things going on in my life. This is partly because I’ve realized I need to find a balance between sharing thoughts on being Jack’s dad and Jack’s own right to privacy.

And I need to write more, so hopefully, I’ll turn this into a weekly blog discussing—spoiler alert—my recent Type II diabetes diagnosis. 

Yeah, there it is. Huh. I think part of me figured this was inevitable, but a larger part was hoping it wasn’t. In any case, I had gone to the doctor about three months ago for a checkup and to look into why I was feeling so run down lately. I was hoping for something as simple as an iron deficiency or some other vitamin-involved solution. 

Turns out I had an A1C of well over 14 and a blood glucose reading of almost 700. For those who aren’t aware, normal is around 5 and 75 respectively. I think they were very close to sending me to the hospital because my readings were super-dangerous. How I wasn’t in a coma is a mystery. 

The weird thing is, I generally felt fine. Sure, I had some minor issues, but they were ones I assumed were just a natural part of being over 50. 

In retrospect, it should have been obvious. I mean, all the signs were there. Excessive thirst and urination. Excessive fatigue. Irritability. Low mood. Deteriorating vision. 

Each symptom I wrote off as something else. It was a hot summer, therefore, I was drinking (and peeing) more. I keep a weird sleep and work schedule. Of course, I was often tired. Irritable and depressed? Who wouldn’t be these days? Blurred vision? I just need a new prescription. 

Was that denial or an honest misunderstanding of what was going on?

Likely a bit of both. In any case, there was scant excuse for not taking care of it sooner. I had the insurance, finally. I had the warning signs. I just didn’t take any of it seriously enough. 

Do you want out-of-control diabetes? Because that’s how diabetes gets out of control.

The good news

It’s been nearly three months since my diagnosis and an A1C that was over 14. While I won’t have an official, doctor-tested A1C until the end of October, my estimated A1C according to my little glucose tracker says 6.03. That’s not bad. I need to get it lower, of course, but I’m out of the immediate danger mode. 

How do I feel?

Better, I think. I’m not as always overcome with fatigue as I used to be. That’s a huge plus. My general mood seems to be better. I’m more on top of things work-wise and feeling fairly productive. My vision even improved to what it was maybe six months ago. I need to get more exercise. No question about that. We’re thinking of a family YMCA membership and making good use of that. We had memberships years ago (before Jack) and made the most of it. I think our current insurance will help defray some of the cost for the Y, so it will become a feasible option once again.

Going forward

As I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, Dear Jackrabbit is going to be covering a lot of stuff now with minimum-weekly postings. Half or more of those postings will be labeled “My Diabetic Year” as I chronicle some of this journey–not just with diabetes, but health and maintenance overall. 

There will be bad days. Of this, I am certain. Days when my mood is low, or days when my blood sugar isn’t reading what I think it should be. It’s a one day at a time sort of thing, though. Keep moving forward and have faith that there will be more good days than bad. 

You’re welcome to read. Or not. To be honest, I’m writing these more for myself than anyone else. In the original spirit of “Dear Jackrabbit,” I am also thinking of future Jack reading these journal entries so he can understand his old man better at this particular time of Jack’s own life. 

So it all comes together. Nothing is really wasted.

Until next time.

Cheers!

P.S. I hate WordPress’s newest version. Jeez.

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Dear Jackrabbit #44 — Sleeping On Hot Nights

Posted on July 2, 2018 by jdteehan

Dear Jackrabbit,

It’s hot out, boy. Super hot. The first heat wave of the year. We’ve had it pretty easy so far this year, but the past few days have been awful for someone like me who hates being too warm.

You seem to be weathering it okay. Must take after your mother in that regard. You two have gone out a few times—albeit to get wet in pools—but as for me, I elected to stay indoors where there is air conditioning readily available. (The trade off was a weekend of chores, but I really can’t complain. All needed to be done.)

Right now, you’re asleep on the living room floor in a rather undignified position. You started out in your little bed (a fold-out kiddie couch) in a proper positioning, but have since shifted and shifted into the state you’re in now.

So damn cute.

Last year when it got like this, and your bedroom was too hot to let you sleep in, we set you up in the living room with the Pak ‘n Play. This year, you’re a bit big for that and you seem to like your little fold-out. I’m up working until around 3:30 anyway and a light sleeper, so I can doze on the couch nearby until you awaken and all is hunky-dory.

I suppose we’ll have to bite the bullet and get an air conditioner in your room and pay to cool another room, but for now this is working and you were up this morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

So, carry on.

We’re lucky you’re a good sleeper. You don’t do the middle-of-the-night waking thing often. I know a lot of parents who aren’t so fortunate.

I imagine at some point we may even try/allow co-sleeping or whatever it’s called nowadays. You’re still a bit too small for us to feel safe about that. Give it some time.

Short note today. Been busy working lately, so no time for Deep Thoughts. Maybe next time.

Something unrelated to think about before I sign off… you’re going to start enjoying your own music someday. Let me tell you now that your taste will likely suck. It’s just one of those things that happens. It’ll get better, but for most of your young life your taste in music is going to be… going to be just awful.

Just a heads up.

All my love,

–Dad

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On Children

Posted on June 27, 2018 by jdteehan

Getty Images

I came across this recently. It’s the poem “On Children” by Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

I like this view of children and our relationship to them. Is far superior to the biblical one which treats children like property. I’m thinking if we saw children in this light then perhaps there would be fewer people okay with the current treatment of refugee and immigrant children in this country. I think there would be fewer people okay with churches protecting child abusers.

I think this world would be a much better place overall.

Cheers!

–John 

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Dear Jackrabbit #43 — Happy Father’s Day (Remember Me?)

Posted on June 17, 2018 by jdteehan

Dear Jackrabbit,

Happy Father’s Day.

Your mother takes great pictures of you, boy.

Let’s cut your old man a break and we’ll pretend that there hasn’t been an inexcusably long gap between posts and letters, shall we?

Thanks, champ. You’re a superstar. I’ve been, like, super busy lately and my original schedule for posts just got to be too overwhelming and once it slid it got hard to un-slide.

Hopefully I can get back on a schedule again–maybe just twice a week instead of three times.

We’ll see. Be patient.

Okay, that out of the way…

Happy Father’s Day.

It’s a weird day. I try not to make a big deal out of it because it really does seem like every day is Father’s Day with you around. Just the same, there’s a big box on the back porch with my name on it, and a little gift bag as well. And I understand there will be food as well. It’s all very nice and greatly appreciated. I should be giving you and your mother presents today.

Wonder what’s in the box and bag? Hmm. I suppose I should wait until everyone is up and present when I do so.

You’re a great kid, Jack. You’ve done a lot of growing since I’ve last written. You’re not just walking, but running at times. Maybe not gracefully, but you’re surprisingly quick. You seem to enjoy the beach. You like your blocks. You have fun at the playgrounds. You’re being a picky eater.

You’re awesome.

Okay, it’s 3am. I need to knock off soon so I can get some sleep. I expect we have stuff to do tomorrow. It’s your day as much as mine.

All my love. Will write again soon.

–Dad

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