Alan Thicke

Until 1985, Alan Thicke was best known for his failure as a talk show host (The Thicke Of The Night), and for co-writing TV theme songs such as "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts Of Life".

That all changed when he took the role of Jason Seaver in a new situation comedy called "Growing Pains." With his passing on December 13th, we've lost another of our favorite TV parents. He credited his success to drawing on his own parenting experiences. In the '80's he was part of a fraternity of TV fathers, including Michael Gross of "Family Ties" and Bill Cosby of "The Cosby Show," who helped establish an ideal for supportive parenthood, one half-hour comedy at a time. During the show's run from 1985-1992, he said "The show comes from a reality base. When I'm out, one of the main comments I hear is 'My kid is just like that,' or 'My wife and I just went through that.' And I find myself coming home at night and saying, 'I just did this scene.'" 

His passing at age 69 comes as a shock to his family and millions of adoring fans. 

The Reason For The Season

Well, it's that time again. No, I'm not talking about hustle & bustle & finding the right gifts, decorating the tree, or all the weight I'll gain before the end of the year... though the spirit of all these activities is what I'll be writing about.

Each day it seems, another post starts circulating on Facebook, about people taking offense to "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." Some have even been so bold as to say, if you don't like it, go back to the country you came from. That's when I take pen in hand, or more appropriately, my fingers fly across the keyboard. While I am a Christian, and am not ashamed of saying so, I am ashamed that so many who call themselves Christians could post such atrocities! Even though I myself posted the following: "Sometimes, it is admirable to try and correct the ignorance of the uneducated. But sometimes it is even more admirable to just walk away..." (on the 'are Mormons Christians' debate), this is one argument I will not walk away from.

America was built on the principles of freedom of religion - and unless you are a Native American, we are all immigrants. Suggesting that someone leave the country because they don't believe the same as you, is NOT a Christian way of thinking. And then to imply I'm not a Christian if I don't repost? I agree with not being "politically correct" and saying Happy Holidays, but I also won't be offended if someone says it to me.

Likewise, none of my friends - Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Athiest, Lesbian, Gay, Black, Hispanic, or any other should be offended if I wish them a Merry Christmas. I believe in Christ, and without Christ there would be no Christmas, but my saying Merry Christmas isn't forcing my beliefs on them - it is simply my wishing them the same joy & happiness I feel at this time of year!

Here's A (Sad) Story, Of A Lovely Lady...

Here's a story, of a lovely lady... who passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady on the Brady Bunch for 5 years and through countless re-runs and specials, was probably America's favorite TV mom. While she had quite the career before and after becoming a "Brady", it is still this role for which she will always be remembered. I tried to think of a favorite Carol Brady quote - which would probably be her saying to Jan, who couldn't stop playing practical jokes - "If you know what you did was wrong, that's more important than any punishment." Which is probably at least one of the reasons why people would come up to Mrs. Henderson and say things like "You know, I really hated you because my kids wanted you to be their mother."

But Carol might be more remembered for saying something she might never have said. I got to be thinking of when Peter throws the basketball which breaks Mom's favorite vase. To which Bobby quips, "Mom always says, don't play ball in the house." Peter later has nightmares with the vase breaking, and Bobby saying over and over - "She always says, don't play ball in the house!" So anyway, a shout out to all true Brady fans -  there are 117 episodes - and I don't recall Mrs. Brady ever saying "Don't play ball in the house." Did she???

What Are You Thankful For?

"What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for last night."
What are you thankful for? Can you come up with 5 different things every day?

It is amazing how your outlook changes when you focus on what you have, instead of what you don't.

Call Him President-Elect

No one saw this coming?  For weeks, I'd been saying that the polls were wrong, that Hillary didn't have as big of a lead as we were being told. For months now, as I would scroll through my Facebook newsfeed, yeah, there would be posts from the far left denouncing Trump as a racist, womanizer, and any other label they could think of. But way more prevalent, were anti-Hillary, anti-Obama, anti-establishment, anti-government posts.  So did I think this was possible? Of course, in fact, I expected it.  What I didn't expect, was all the hate. Sure, we knew if Trump lost, he'd blame the media, Hillary's lies, voter fraud.... but I didn't picture Mrs. Clinton to be the sore loser she's turned out to be. Nor did I foresee America so divided that there would be such a thing as "Not My President" movements...protests...violence... all those who didn't and don't believe Trump can make America great again sure aren't doing anything to make it better themselves... in fact, they make America look like the joke they are sure Trump will make it.

Pawn Stars Revisited

Over 2 years ago, I wrote a piece on "Pawn Stars", after a visit to Las Vegas and the World Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop. It was a disappointing visit, especially for my wife, who had hoped to meet Chumlee. Well, on our anniversary weekend, we traveled to Vegas again, and her dream came true!

It was fun to meet him, but that wasn't all - we got to meet Mark Hall Patton, known as "The Beard Of Knowledge"

We even had him video chat with my mother-in-law, who was equally star struck!

Then, we got to meet Corey and hang out with him!

Our visit was topped off by visiting with the man himself. No need for the introduction 

"I'm Rick Harrison, and this is my pawn shop. I work here with my old man and my son, Big Hoss. Everything in here has a story and a price. One thing I've learned after 21 years - you never know what is gonna come through that door."

My wife was so star-struck she couldn't even pose in the picture!  He did sign her pawn slip for a ring she sold. Would have loved to meet the Old Man. Maybe next time!

Labor Day

So remind me again why we have this last "3 day weekend" before the end of summer? How many even know what we are celebrating? Labor Day was created way back in 1887, and dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers - a tribute to the contributions made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. A well-deserved day off, so to speak. Or, as many celebrated today - a day to go out shopping and eating, and make others work who aren't as fortunate as those granted the day off. Which sadly was most of the workforce in retail and restaurants, those who protect and serve, those driving trucks... For all of those working on Labor Day, a fitting music tribute was made over 30 years ago now, and it applies just as much today!