Decisions That Matter

"Carroll Boys" was intended to be a journal for and mostly about the two of you.  There are so many happy and funny things to write about.  But now and then, serious topics crop up.....  like this week.  Several times, Sasha, you've told me about kids who committed suicide.  It started with a boy in Nanticoke who took his life last weekend.  Since then, 3 more teenagers from our area have died.  We've talked about bullying, the challenges of high school years, mental illness, and about the current era of instant communication via Facebook, texting, etc.  And about the horrible consequences of suicide, including the trauma inflicted on family members.

The Citizen's Voice has an editorial that you should read.  

          How many children must die?

You've agreed with me that there is so much to live for.  Know that you are loved, and when things in your life do get difficult there are many caring adults who will help.  In appreciation for our beautiful world and the wonder of life, here's the dramatic beginning of Franz Joseph Haydn's oratorio "The Creation":

Family Time in Webster

In mid September, we spent a weekend with Edie and Jon.  Since Sasha was about 3 years old, we've been making trips to Webster to enjoy time together at Edie's house.  This property originally belonged to your great, great, great grandparents Mary Ellen (Tester) and Andrew Walker, who built the house.  Check out their 1880 marriage certificate, which is framed and hanging in the upstairs hallway here on Sharpe Street.  Some years of their marriage may have been difficult....  family lore holds that Grandfather Andrew lived in the attic for a time.  We've seen a section of the attic with nails along the rafters suggesting a curtain was hung there.  (GrandNana also mentioned that he often had pie for breakfast, so life wasn't all bad !!)  The duplex was built in the late 1800's and has been a home to Walker and John McCausland families.

Some highlights of our weekend:

• Went to a book sale at the Dudley, MA library.  Sasha got The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide and Steve got (Daniel Goleman's?) book on Emotional Intelligence.  
• Found a Webster MA t-shirt for Sasha, featuring the full name of Lake Webster "Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg".  You can read more about the lake here  -->  Lake Webster
• Went to the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA.  It was very interesting and included a Real Vikings program where we learned about Viking life, times and fighting techniques.  We also got to try on armor and helmets, play "Castle Attack", and walk through a huge display of armor from many different cultures and times.  Brock had a great time and got a fancy (although plastic) shield at the Museum Store, after we decided against various swords, spears, and $200+ helmets.  Here's a picture from the spectacular Great Hall, taken by our photographer Steve:

• Were hosted to a picnic in the beautiful yard at Hill Street.  Enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, beer and Brock's favorite - playing Frisbee.
• Spent a day at The Big E in Springfield, MA.  Its full name is the "Eastern States Exhibition", a New England states fair that I never heard of before.  You both especially liked the New Hampshire building, which featured chocolate milk and NH instant lottery tickets.  Steve found some aromatic soap.  Brock and I also spent some time on the Midway.  We went on a Ferris Wheel, which I thought was great and Brock thought went up too high.  AND of course, we munched on lots of tasty stuff for example corn dog on a stick (with ketchup..... hmm, who do you suppose ate this?), gyro, steak sandwich, cider doughnuts, cream puffs, and lemonade.  Steve's picture below shows a typical scene as we walked through the fairgrounds on a gorgeous day:

• Last, but certainly not least.....  Jon took you, Sasha, on a quick fishing expedition to a pond at a Connecticut golf course he frequents.  It was an early-morning jaunt, and you had very good luck catching sunfish, small-mouth bass, and calico.

We've always enjoyed treks to Webster, including time to relax in the comfortable Hill Street abode and visit with Edie and Jon.  Hope there will be many more trips!

Total Drama Island

One of Brock's favorite shows this summer has been Total Drama Revenge of the Island.  It's the latest season of the Total Drama Island series on Cartoon Network.  It really is ridiculous, and a funny spoof of reality shows in particular Survivor.  The theme song tells you exactly what to expect.....:



I learned when reading up about Total Drama Island that the series is Canadian, and set at Camp Wawanakwa on an island in Ontario.  The Revenge episodes continue to be based on team competitions & less popular/capable contestants being voted off the island.  I think the camper "de-brief's" are the absolute best part.  Interviews take place in an outhouse; each conversation is enhanced by perching on/near the toilet seat, and trying to ignore pesky bugs zooming around.  As an interesting development for this season, the island has been contaminated with nuclear waste, and has mutant inhabitants.  Some favorites to mention:

• Brock's favorite character -  Lightning

                                                   

• My favorite character - Chef Hatchet.  

                                           

• Brock's favorite mutant creature - Larry the Venus Fly Trap, a super-sized venus fly trap that walks around eating people.  

                                     

• Favorite episode - "Final 2012 season episode"  Sasha and Brock were both laughing hard at the final competition, where the audience includes Scott who has been incapacitated by Fang, a mutant walking shark.  

                                          

Assuming the series continues, I expect to hear lots more laughter!