On Death

This is not one of my normally light, fluffy, buttery posts.

Some of you will recognize the following quote as one spoken by Tasha Yar from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”, in her holo-will after she was killed during the episode called “Skin of Evil”:

Death is that state where one lives only in the memory of others, which is why it is not an end. No goodbyes—just good memories.

But what happens to those good memories when you’re the one who finds that person dead?

I could talk about the fear of finding your loved one of many years dead when you’re both old and gray.

I’m not talking about that particular fear. At least not today.

What happens when you find a person dead, when that person didn’t die from natural/expected causes but because they took their own life?

What happens to those good memories then?

I received a call from my sister early Friday morning. Never a good sign to begin with, one because she called, and two because she called.

She had distressing news to relay to me.

A little background. My father owns a plant nursery in Central Florida. My two brothers have followed in my father’s footsteps and work at the nursery. My sister did as well, until her husband started his own, where she now works. Definitely a family affair, sans me. That’s a different story for a different time.]

Most of the employees at the nursery have been there for years. Many since I was a child. So many of the employees are/were like family. I guess my dad pays well.

Back to the story in progress.

Thursday, my two brothers found the foreman after he had hung himself. At the family nursery.

From what I gathered from conversations with each of the three siblings, my brothers acted admirably. And did the same things I would have done to handle the situation.

But now my siblings, especially my brothers, are bouncing around all the thoughts and questions one would expect.

And they all start with “Why”. And both brothers have said in separate conversations, “I just wish i hadn’t seen it personally.”

There was a note, but it’s contents are unknown. The investigators haven’t divulged it’s content. Maybe when and if that happens, then some questions *might* be answered.

All I could do was tell them I’m here if they need someone to talk with.

But that still won’t erase that image from their minds, nor rid the feelings my brothers have surrounding what happened.

Thoughts?

Until next time...
Erik

Ain’t No Son

Emily Robison and Martie Maguire from the Dixie Chicks will be releasing new music this spring under the name Court Yard Hounds.

Yea!

I love the Dixie Chicks, so I’m curious to see how the sisters do sans Natalie Maines. (I know, technically they were together BEFORE Natalie was part of the Chicks, back when they had a different lead singer, but still.)

The girls are definitely sticking to their guns with writing music covering topical and taboo subjects. Here’s one of the songs off the album, called “Ain’t No Son”.

“Ain’t No Son” by the Court Yard Hounds

I’ve got something to say
I’m scared and so afraid
Can you take me as I am
Come what may our blood is all the same
I’m still your little man

He said you ain’t no son to me
You ain’t no son to me
Eight pound baby boy I bounced on my knee
No, you ain’t no son of mine
You ain’t no son of mine
Aw, forget it girls there ain’t no use in trying
Don’t expect to get my love for free
And don’t blame me

Well this ain’t no fun for me
This ain’t no fun for me
Oh boys should be boys
That’s how it should be
You ain’t coming home
No you ain’t coming home
Til you walk the straight line
You’ll be out on your own
Don’t expect to save your soul for free
When you’re the one who turned your back on me

Aren’t you a sight to see
Yeah, you’re a sight to see
What you call freedom makes you look like a freak
You must get around
Cause it sure got around
Don’t you know that I can’t show my face in this town
Don’t think I’m gonna get you up off of me
When you’re the one who turned your back on me
Stranger, stranger on the wall
When the neighbors come to call
I just don’t know what to say
So I’ll put you away
This time I won’t leave a trace
I’ll fill up the empty space
When I put you, I put you away
I put you away

He said you ain’t no son to me
You ain’t no son to me
Eight pound baby boy I bounced on my knee
No, you ain’t no son of mine
You ain’t no son of mine
Aw, forget it girls there ain’t no use in trying
Don’t expect to get my love for free
When you’re the one who turned your back on me
Don’t blame me
Don’t blame me
Don’t blame me
Shame on you
Shame on you
Shame on you

Been there. Maybe I should write about that someday.

Oh, and I preordered their CD. Based off the music on their website and their performance at SXSW 2010, I’ll love it.

UPDATE: I find it curious that they went with Sony Music Entertainment, especially after the long court battle they had as the Dixie Chicks with Sony. I guess there’s only so many record companies out there these days….

(Hat tip to Joe. My. God..)

Until next time...
Erik

What Started As A Leak… One Month Later

It has been a month since we started the “forced” remodel thanks to the old pipes finally giving out. The old pipes in the house. Not in me. Those aren’t that old yet.

So far:

  • the water line has been entirely replaced from the well to the house, and all the water lines throughout the house have been replaced;
  • a filtration system has been installed at the well (What it’s filtered so far has been NASTY! I hate to think we’ve been drinking that for the last 8 years.);
  • a new water heater has been installed;
  • a raised concrete footing/pedestal has been poured to set the new water heater and washer and dryer upon, and a portion of the slab floor that was once sloping has been leveled;
  • new electrical lines have been installed (In doing so, I found three lines coming into the service panel that appear to not be connected to anything! What the Hell?);
  • new ceiling joists have been installed in place of the existing joists;
  • new lighting has been installed;
  • gaps have been filled and insulation has been installed!;
  • the existing HVAC duct has been diverted and tapped in to for the new area;
  • a dryer exhaust vent has been installed.

Hopefully I’ll be able to start sheetrocking the first area this weekend, if the weather cooperates. Once that is done I can move the washer and dryer from their existing location to the new pedestal, after which I can start the demolition of the area they were in so the new walk-in shower can be installed…. eventually.

Yea!

And to think we’ve only really touched about 1/3rd of the area that needs to be remodeled.

Until next time...
Erik