We're doing our best but so many are fine with keeping Americans in chains by lack of education or "bread and Circus' " ~ I'm amazed at hos well that works and how many swallow the B.S. hook line and sinker .

We gave each boy his allowance Tuesday and then one was willing to help with a $2 tip, the other had a hissy fit, sigh .

Then today Friday, this same boy was waiting for me in the store and when he realized I had no change and so was going to break a $20 bill, he quickly handed me all the change in his pocket so maybe I'm getting through .

I understand better than many how important it is to teach kids the little things in life so the don't get blindsided or made fun of .

I'm flabbergasted at how little I knew when I left home at 8 Y.O., I make sure our boys know, they're still typical teenagers and so on but failing to teach them the basics is un American and cruel IMO .

I so envied foster kids when I was young, three hots and a cot sounded pretty good to me .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

You appear to have made an excellent life for yourself.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I tried to make a better life for our boys......

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

So ;

I heard from Eric, who left us some years back, his first two kids are a pair of twin girls, now 13 years old and doing well, he's in constant contact with them .

His other two kids, a boy and girl, about 3 or 4 years old each only have him ~ their mother decided she needs 'to find herself' or other B.S. excuse, she can't be bothered with them in any way and abandoned them .

So, his Aunt in Las Vegas told " him move here, I'll help you raise them, during the day, you can get a job ".

So, he'll be moving soon, I always like to hear about our boys moving forward .

Sadly, his two younger brothers have disappeared into the streets and rugs or alcohol .

If they ever call us again (the will sooner or later) we'll tell them about Eric .

Their mother finally gave up and decided to be a crackhead full time, no more rehab, no more seeing any of her kids .

Sad as all three of these brothers tried so hard to remain a family with their mom .

Our two remaining boys are doing okay, on target to graduate high school .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

vwnate1,

Reading some of your comments on caring for foster children really makes my problems shrink to nothing in comparison. I pretty much handle any continual bad unchangeable thing by avoidance. Even willing to move 1000 miles away if required to separate me from one of the toxic family members. I avoid the few that have repeating drug related problems or are ' mental '. One is a verbal abuser, materialistic, anti-vaxxer, far right, narcissistic, and a total ' joy sucker ' that is lucky to have a husband with a high income. She can't let either of us have a good day when she's around.

I can't imagine day after day of dealing with problem kids that have repeating bad behavior.

Just finished some reading on the internet about foster parenting, foster kids, andgovernment agencies assigned that resposibility.

You probably know this already, but this link seems to be one of the more professional ones:

https://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/survey-shows-frustration-with-foster-care-from-within-the-system/65190

Also has a link so you or the kids can voice their opinion on foster care.

The author has several articles on the subject:

https://imprintnews.org/author/john-kelly

This is one of the ones I thought was informative:

https://imprintnews.org/foster-care/new-study-suggests-ending-group-care/57073

Thank you Sir .

Yes, whatever issues I have pale in comparison .

My Sweet says I'm to drive them and our 6Y.O. great grandson to a pizza buffet in a little while .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Of course, but in doing so you have improved yourself. Nothing selfish in that.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Well ;

The truth is : I'm old and so not very important in the big picture .

I'm just paying it forward / back, for those coming up and for those who took the time to help me when I was a bewildered kid .

To me, this is part and parcel of being Conservative ~ not lying or doing things for my immediate gain .

I've had a much fuller life than most , that's enough .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Keep up the good work!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm doing the best I can......

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

It is obvious you are a value driven man.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

vwnate1

If you lived closer, I'd invite you over for a breakfast or dinner.

Recently told myself I was going to spend quite a bit of the few years I have left
' thanking ' the few good people I know and meet for being the way they are.

Too me, there are too many ' aholeys ', most days I feel like I'm surrounded by them and really appreciate the few people that go out of their way to ' genuinely ' care and help and not show an attitude while doing so.

Recently invited the dental hygienist I've used for over 20 years down for a weekend stay at a lakefront cabin we have access to. She's always been very professional, thorough, and pleasant. We were able to share a couple of meals with her and her male partner. Turned out to be a really pleasant time. Hoping to make that happen a few times more.

Got the idea of doing that after trying to get the local newspaper or the Texas Roadhouse to ' honor ' an exceptional real estate attorney that had consistently shown
the same high character. Regrettably she died a year ago from cancer.

Newspaper said they wouldn't because it would be ' favoritism', never heard back from the local Texas Roadhouse. I was hoping they would do a ' monthly ' honor meal for nominated ' good people ' and put a photo plaque on the wall for a while.

Yeah, I have thoughts about thanking folks who have been big influencers in my life. Also have the urge to apologize to folks for stupid thinks I said to them 50 years ago.

Right now a goal in my mind is to meet Peter Brock. (Designer of the Cobra Daytona Coupe.)

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I really appreciate the kind words .

I used to travel a lot more and every time I mentioned another road trip I'd get invites to meet my internet friends .

I too am concerned about the major @$$holes that feel free to bloviate and lie endlessly these days .

I wish I could have a say in how children are educated ~ they need more exposure to the outdoors and the rest of the world .

I try hard but it's not easy .

I'm having difficulty getting up our of my recliner more and more, I miss being 50 years old greatly .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Ohhhhh yes. Fifty looks like childhood all over. I have a kid that age.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.