Cat happened to catch it during her 6 month Michigan vacation last year and dubbed me a "character". Now every time I do something that she finds interesting (or as Aunt Dorothy would say..."unusual") Cat simple says "Characters, Mom, characters!"
Ok, so maybe I am a character. Is that so bad? Don't think so. After all, what would the word be if we were all the same? Aren't we all characters in our own way?
My brother Ed is a character. Who else owns every weapon in the world and knows how to use them? Who else shoots dinner out the dining room window and can survive by walking to the yard to pick up dinner? He can rig a furnace to run that has seen better days, get electricity and water to flow against all odds and build a computer. His friends are loyal and he will share all he has. He's a God fearing, animal loving, patriotic man. Just remember to knock because he may have the door wired to blow. He doesn't like strangers much. However, if there is ever an invasion on home ground, I know where I am heading.
My brother Dave is a character. No one EVER knows what he will do next. He is truly the epitome of impulsive. Son of Gordy. Who else would get on a motorcycle and drive all night to buy lunch for his sick brother in law? Never mind the stop by the cops, the faulty tail light and the motel stay. He got here in time for lunch.
Who else would supply a horse and carriage ride for his neice on her wedding day? How 'bout coming home with a trampoline for his nephews on a spring day? Or maybe it's the Dave who loves to get behind the bar and start mixing...complete with beer bongs, that makes me laugh.
I can't describe my own version of "Character", but I'm sure my kids can. I know I become obsessed with my hobbies and my current hobby of knitting is now taking over the house. There isn't much room left to store things, thanks to the scrapbook hobby. Life is too short to sit still and do nothing. That is one thing I know. So I learn new things and if I like 'em....I go for it.
I do spend hours on end reading, learning and knitting. I am getting better than novice, but not yet an expert, so I have more to learn. I am sure once I am an expert, I will have to learn something new...or cycle back to the piles of scrapbook supplies. I almost bought a new photo scanner last night...
I come from a family of characters. We still repair things in this family by saying "Just Gordy it". Where there was a will, there was a way..and it wasn't the orthodox method. Dad taught Ed, Dave and Joe how to "Gordy it" and they all still do it. He took trips with 10 minutes notice, bought things because they looked like "projects" that we could learn from and maybe make a few bucks. He made us DO things. He taught us all how to go for it, do it and do it now...what a way to live!
I am sure we will just keep passing on the ability to become "characters", or at least I hope so!
