Horse Manure Park

I spent the day at home with the Boy today.  He was sick and I wasn't all that well myself.  I got up with him at 2:00 AM; he was sitting in his bed crying for no apparent reason (which is highly unusual for him).  I knew there was a problem, but I didn't know what it was. Yet. It took him about an hour to "prime the pump" (so to speak) and he finally upchucked. I'll give him credit, he made it to the bathroom.  But he puked in the sink (he takes after his mother, but that's a whole other story).  No worries, however.  Nothing a little Liquid Plum'r couldn't handle. At 3:00 AM.   Blech. He seemed fine afterward, so back to bed we went and at 7:00 AM he seemed as spry as usual.  We ate breakfast, we loaded up the truck to go to school and... ...all of his breakfast came up in the back of the truck. Oh, the frickin' joys of parenthood.  A great start to the week.   Obviously, it had to be Monday. ~ On a bright

No one ever seems to have a problem when you say you need to "vent." "You go, girl!" they say (if you're female).  They say venting is a healthy.  They say it's good for your blood pressure and your immune system. Everybody should vent, they say. The dictionary definition of "venting" is: To express one's opinions or feelings, especially forcefully. Odd, because it sounds perilously similar to "complaining," which is defined as: To express feelings of pain, displeasure or resentment. Nobody likes a complainer, so I will take this moment to be a venter. Warning: my vents have been known to turn into rants, which is an altogether different animal. ~ Most of you know I am repulsed by WalMart and I frequent the place only in moments of despair. Yet every time I go there, I end up with awesome writing material; WalMart never fails to deliver the goods -- something that just drives me over the edge. A recent adventure

If you have a child with a relentless cough, rub Vicks VapoRub on the soles of their feet, then cover them with a pair of socks. It really works .   I don't know why it works, and perhaps the better question is why anyone even think to try it?  But it works. Anyway, more about that later. It would appear it is time for what seems to be my monthly installment here at "The Park."  Don't get me wrong, I write frequently, but that's all done over at my other site, The Lone Pylon . And if you aren't interested in football, that ain't for you. I should at least write something  weekly , like an Andy Rooney piece.  Except I'm not Andy Rooney.   Heck, I'm not even Mickey Rooney.   I'm much taller.  And I'm not dead yet. ~ Since last time I joined you, school has started and the Boy and the Girl have entered yet another new chapter in their lives.   The Girl is now in third grade and the Boy has sta