One my many passions is cooking, although rarely posted about in this blog. Last year, I shared my recipe for Bologna Supreme. It turned out to be a very popular post. Not to be outdone, this year I will tell how to make the perfect omelet. I sense a breakfast theme.
I know it is a tease. How could I stoop so low? Well, the idea is still “perfecting” in my kitchen. So…
Stay tuned.
Our well known snowstorm of 2011 has past. Most people around here follow the forecast religiously in case a repeat performance any time soon. So far, no severe winter weather is expected. Yesterday, my wife Angie entered a local supermarket in order buy a few items for a soup recipe she recently discovered. On her way inside a (presumably) mentally challenged grocery bagger forcefully grabs and vigorously shakes her cart loudly exclaiming, "You'd better stock up! The ice is coming back!" According to Angie the poor girl truly believes the next snow apocalypse is eminent. It seems my wife gets all the crazies while she's out. Baby, next time a would-be prophet proclaims the sky is falling, shop on.
Stay tuned
During all this downtime in Atlanta with all of this snow and ice Aircheck should have more posts. In a word: no. Over the past 4 days this dad has been keeping the kids entertained. They have no desire to go outdoors and enjoy the snow (too many electronic distractions). Today, Angie and I have had enough. The kids are going to make a snowman, like it or not.
Stay tuned.
Merry Christmas to everyone from the Aircheck family. We've got some great ideas for posts coming very soon, so keep it here for the details.
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Later, in the evening performance, the first through sixth graders had their Christmas play, Arrest These Merry Gentlemen. My two middle kids then had a turn. My daughter Abbey, 7, delighted us with an uninhibited solo of an original song, He is the One, from the play. My son Luke, who is six, played multiple roles singing and signing (as in, using American Sign language) like an expert, without fear. I can’t wait to see how these talents develop over the years; their dad (just like my baby daughter) never mustered up enough courage to perform live, especially as well as they. Congratulations, little ones.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden, Aircheck blog. All rights reserved.
A short while back in the Whistle I wrote about a job interview that I participated in. It has come to my attention that the individuals who interviewed me for the position had done very few, if any, of these sessions where a panel of four would ask questions. They were pre-written inquiries that each department head asked. With due respect to the job, its requirements were less of a challenge to me than almost anything I had ever done. I believed that the job would be a shoo-in.
My qualifications were more than enough. My answers were quick, concise and honest. But the company, call them “Acme”, went another direction. They didn’t even have the courtesy of a return phone call. In times past, I was on the other side of the interview being the one who hired. My training dictated that we remain neutral during the process—not giving up hope or despair to an interviewee, no matter how good or bad he seemed. We were instructed to say to each applicant at the close, “Thank you for coming in, we are interviewing others and we will make a decision soon. If you have not heard from us in five days then assume that we decided to hire someone else.” That is one policy my former employer got right. Finding a good job seems impossible these days. Acme Corp needs to get their act together. In fact, corporate America should invest in the best person for the job without regard to age (especially) or any other factor. I say damn the quotas! Get some experienced individuals in position.
Now I’ll step down off my Acme® Soap Box.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.
Yesterday on the other side of the house we shared an article that was written by a family friend about my parents and their new baby. It spotlights the challenges faced by a blind couple raising a child in 1960’s Atlanta. Obviously, this blogger is the baby in question. Today, Gospel Aircheck presents the article, reformatted, with corrections in the footnotes. Although generally accurate, the original got a few minor facts incorrect. Link over to read or download the whole article here.
Stay Tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. Gospel Aircheck Blog. All rights reserved
Here is a article written in 1966 from an Atlanta newspaper by a friend of my dad’s. It gives some background into my story. It is clippings such as these that provide some great family history research for my book project (in the making.) View and download here.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All Rights reserved.
Last weekend was a blast! The kids had the best Halloween, ever. With the three youngest ones now all old enough to truly enjoy the holiday, they have really been a pleasure to watch. First on Saturday, the 30th was dress up for “Trunk or Treating”; then, on the 31st they found a—ahem—well to do neighborhood for traditional “trick-or-treating”. They all made out like bandits. Special thanks go to our 15 year old who helped mom get them there.
Our middle daughter was positively giddy going as Frenchy from her favorite movie, Grease. Our boy and baby girl were a hit as Mario and Luigi from the popular Mario Bros. Nintendo video games.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved
Every other year Dobbins Airforce Reserve base in nearby Marietta, Georgia, puts on an awesome air show. In 2008 we didn’t get to attend the show, but living within a few miles of the base we were able to get a glimpse of the jets’ acrobatic displays. I was very excited this year when my son, Luke, went with me to get up close to the action. The best thing of all, the show was free. My best buddy and I packed our lawn chairs 7:00 this morning and bounded for Wings Over Atlanta. Off site parking was available with free shuttle buss service to the base. I had not seen the Navy Blue Angels since 1979 when I was 13, so I was probably more excited than my 6 year old. 
The first show was at 10:00. It turned out to be only a preview. The Blue Angels would not perform until 3:00 in the afternoon. Luke had become bored by this time, so we left and were shuttle-bussed back to our car by noon. The show we saw did not compare to the one I attended in ‘79, but Luke was thrilled nevertheless. We had a great time. I missed the Blue Angels this time; we’ll try again in 2012.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved.
This weblog provides a great hobby for me. But, it does not pay the bills. I’m ok with that. With my last little one in school Mister Mom is compelled to go back into the workforce.
A couple of years ago Angie and I decided to switch roles. She would work while I kept our four babies in check at home. Guys, being a house-husband is not easy! On Monday I reported for an interview that I believe will produce a j-o-b for this blogger.
I have worked most of my teens and all my adult life, so returning to work should be a breeze. The thing is this is only the second time I have had a panel interview. The company that is considering me had four, count them four, supervisors drill me on work related questions. None of the inquiries were yes/no, I was expected to give in depth essay answers. when I was younger thinking on my feet was second nature. The problem is that a majority of my days are spent with the kids. I have fallen out of practice conversing with adults. Quickly I acclimated to their questions: I felt grown-up again. We’ll see…
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle blog. All Rights reserved
Call me an old fogey, but I just don’t understand what is all the hubbub about phones these days? I just want to talk. I don’t need my telephone to take pictures, display email or repave the driveway. I remember a time when only private eyes, doctors and rich guys in Rolls Royce Silver Shadows had a mobile phone, now everybody has a cell (unrelated to the old fashioned mobile phone.) The first cellular phones were the size of a small suit case; thank God for miniaturization.
Although I got my first cell phone in ‘96, I’ve been resistant to getting on the “smart phone” bandwagon. And, I have refused to let go of my landline—until now.
Angie and I have agreed to drop landline service forever and go total wireless. Now you can have a home phone and a cell through Bluetooth® technology. New to me is a base unit phone that has two extensions than run via your wireless provider as long as your Bluetooth enabled phone is within range. So cutting the cord will be less painful. Now this old fogey can talk on a conventional home set (with talking caller ID, mind you) while permanently freeing myself of Ma Bell.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved.
Meet my new brother-in-law, Nathan, a four year old long hair Dachshund. My mother-in-law brought him over today to see how well he will play with the kids. So far, so good. My middle daughter is spooked so easily by his bark. All Abbey needs to do is learn that he is only trying to say hello. The other kids have acclimated to him fairly well. Welcome to the family!
Usually when someone says, “I know what you’re going through,” there is no possible way he can without experiencing it. For example, when I was much younger I would hear parents complain about their kids’ destructive uncooperative behavior. Up until that time my only experience with raising kids was watching my sister babysit. Now with four children of my own I fully understand what other parents go through. I comprehend the mysteries of child rearing in a way that was impossible as a single when I empathized but lacked any depth of experience.
As a child I fought—sometimes literally—with my siblings. Now I am getting back the behaviors in my own young ones. A lesson that I have learned: yelling does not work. Each child is an individual and responds differently to correction. I am increasingly more aware of this as we raise our four. Keeping mindful that most kids aim to please; these little folks have fragile egos as well, so handle with care. Since becoming aware of these principles I have seen subtle, but appreciable changes in all our babies. It seems obvious now: my behavior effects theirs in every way. Now if we could solve the bedtime blues.
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle. All rights reserved.
Man, with the economy in the dump how does anyone, of a certain [middle] age, get a job? God only knows. If I hadn’t been depressed before, then the time is now. Strangely enough, I am not. The cure for my melancholy moods has seemed to be effective for over eight months. The answer: stay busy. The summer has been a blast with the kids; water parks and all sorts of amusement has kept us busy. Now it’s time for a new school year. My first and second graders are eager to get started. I never enjoyed school; maybe they get their smarts from Mom.
Whatever the case may be, I am so proud of all my kids: ages 4 to 15. I have three beautiful girls and one rambunctious boy. Now that all but the four year old have returned to their studies, I am getting back to The Peanut Whistle and my endless search for a job. I am a full time Mister Mom. What’s next?
Stay tuned
©2010 Neal Rhoden and The Peanut Whistle. All right reserved
