Give Thanks...Dentists

 Years ago, I cracked a tooth eating popcorn. I love popcorn. I even had an air popcorn maker in my office my first job after graduating. I'd eat unbuttered, unsalted popcorn as a snack.

I guess those days are over.

Last week, I was having popcorn after lunch, being careful to not eat the grannies, and it happened. A whole opened up on a molar. Crap. I immediately called our dentist to see if they had any openings. Thankfully, they did...the next day. I hung up the phone and thought how blessed I was to have access to dental professionals.

Last year at my semi-annual check-up I was told I had two cracked teeth. They recommended getting a crown on the worst of the two, but said the other could wait. As I drove to the dentist after the popcorn incident, I hoped the busted tooth was my other cracked tooth. Turned out it was. So, the popcorn just sped up the repair process.

I left the dentist after the temporary crown was installed and once again, felt thankful that I went from hole in my tooth to temporarily fixed in less than twenty-four hours. To be honest, I have no idea if this is something rare in other parts of the world. I'm thinking many countries a person can get a tooth fixed as easily as we can. I don't know. I do know that I'm fortunate enough to have a good dental plan because of my job. That definitely helps.

As a kid, I didn't take care of my teeth. My kids have done much better. I try hard to keep them healthy now...I guess it's that maturity thing kicking in. I'm thankful for all the help available to me now. I'd like it better if I never have to call them for a similar procedure ever again.

Flew The Flag...Glad I Did

 Yesterday was a federal holiday. Though not a federal employee, I do work for an employer that recognizes Columbus Day as a holiday. We had the day off. I had planned to fly the flag, but forgot.

My mother-in-law reminded me. 

I went into the garage, retrieved the flag, and set it up.

I'm glad I did.

The world is a crap hole right now...makes me think it's always been a crap hole--we just either didn't see the crap or chose not to accept it. A flag is a symbol. Other than a pole and colored fabric, that's all it is. Since the birth of our country, our flag has meant many things to many people. In a way, it's a testament to what the flag represents. 

It's supposed to represent a place where people can believe different things, say different things, do different things. The facts, however, sometimes fail to live up to those standards. Some people can believe/say/do things that others cannot...Orwell nailed it.

Still, the flag still stands. The flag never changes, only how people perceive what the flag represents does. Yesterday, I flew the flag because of what it means to me, what the country means to me. I imagine others are looking at flags from across the world in a different light lately.

I Live In...Americana

 The other day I stepped outside and looked north. I saw three homes, and three flag poles on which hung four flags...three of which were American flags--the third flag is hard to spot...it's above the bed of the truck.

I live in Americana.

I also live in an instant neighborhood. The house farthest away was the first to be built. I think it was built in 2019. The other two were built last year...as we ours. There are three houses behind ours that are being built right now with dozens more planned. Like I said, instant neighborhood. We spoke to the family developing the entire hillside. They said they couldn't sell anything in 2019. That changed the next year.

The three homes have new yards with new grass, new fences, new landscaping. In one house lives a young family with small kids. The other house has an older couple, and the last are recent retirees. We live in a small neighborhood in a small town in Northern Utah. We've come from all over, lured by cheap(er) land and home costs, clean air, wide streets, and almost non-existent traffic.

As more and more people come and build and live and put down roots, there'll be more lawns, more streets, more sprinklers, and more flags...

American, and otherwise.