Had to go for my regular dental check up and cleaning this morning. All is good and it was great to have some good news this week.

For years I had a cavity or problem with every dentist visit. I blame bad genes for the lousy teeth and also too much soda as a teenager. I finally wised up and ditched the soda in my 20’s and my teeth are better for it.

The dentist sends out an email reminder of the next appointment and also has a girl call 2-3 days before the appointment to confirm. I suspect that is the smart thing to do to avoid a lot of missed appointments with the excuse of “I forgot.” Now the schmucks who don’t show up have to make up more vivid excuses, like being sick or hurt or something dramatic.

Speaking of brothers, one of my other brothers called to tell me that he’s had Lasik surgery done on his eyes. He says it was quick and easy and the best thing he’s ever done for himself.

I wish I felt comfortable abut doing it - I’ve worn glasses or contacts ever since I was a kid in grade school and couldn’t see the blackboard even from the front row.

I remember my dad telling me that when you get older your eyesight reverses. He was referring to the way your eyes get worse for close up work and eventually needing bifocals. I have to admit I fought the idea of bifocals for a very long time, but eventually the headaches from not being able to read the newspaper or see the computer screen won out over vanity.

The youngest of my brothers is having a birthday today. Happy birthday, bro!

I still remember my mom being pregnant with him and the night she left the house in a hurry to get to the hospital. Back in those days, new mothers were kept in the hospital for a week to be watched over and cared for by the nurses. Of course, in today’s world you can leave the same or next day.

He was a good kid - all boy. Loved to get outside and ride bikes, play in the dirt or take a small boat out to the river for hours at a time.

He’s never had any of his own kids, but he’s got a good woman at his side and he’s been a father figure to her two kids for a long time - the only real father those kids have known. I’m proud of him for all he’s accomplished and for being a hard working, loyal man.

An article in this morning’s USA Today newspaper highlights the trend toward being and living “green.”

Chuck Failla has written a book called “The Scuppie Handbook,” which will be released later this year. It talks about being “socially conscious upwardly mobile persons.” They are the organic eaters, drinkers and thinkers. They was to make green the norm instead of the expensive alternative.

Love the idea. There was a mention in the article of a website that promotes artisans from all over the world, called Novica. The site is in association with the good folks at National Geographic. If you are looking for handcrafted furniture, wall hanging, pottery or other art from other countries, this is the place to shop. I was only on the site for 2 minutes and found something to buy. Check it out.

How many adults have a box of crayons in their homes?

I do - I have a small box of 8 of the fat crayons for preschoolers and a big box of the regular crayons in 64 different colors. We break them out of the crafts box when kids come over for a visit. I can teach young ones how to draw several different flowers with stems and leaves, a duck and a rabbit. My grandmother taught me how to draw a pansy - they were her favorite flowers- when I was just a little kid. I hope some day in the future a grown kid will think of me and the flowers I taught him or her how to draw.