Please welcome my son to the site!
My son, who is 18, has wanted to join the site for several months. I don't necessarily want him on the front page, but I think he would enjoy the various special interest groups that are here-- and I KNOW he would enjoy conversing with many of you-- and has met several of you.
His screen name is Rock Hound , and he will be requesting membership in several groups. Please be nice to him.
He is a good person, with a good heart. Please don't do your best to break his heart, he is still a senior in high school, and some of you can be quite cruel if you disagree... There is no need to be cruel to him, he is not the kind of person that means to be rude to anyone.
Yes, he has to grow up sometime, and learn to endure criticism, and this is a start for him... However, I don't want him to be 'picked upon' by others just because he is my son, or because he is what he is.
I love him, of course. I'm letting him try his wings on here, but am asking him to stay off the front page-- he can look, but please don't comment.
Much love to all here!
Thanks for welcoming Rock Hound!
That's my son, in disguise... He will be looking for special friends, and looking to follow several of you. If he requests membership in a group, please consider him! He can add a lot!
Thanks for being nice to him!
Welcome to the monkey house. (Vonnegut)
Thanks, dear Randy!
Dear Dowser and Rock Hound: Welcome to Rock Hound.
Rock you are most welcome to read and warmly encouraged to participate in my discussion threads, if you wish.
Your Mom can attest to the fact that my articles are original. I seek top promote peace, fellowship, sharing and caring in this on line community.
Your Mom also has my private email.
Feel free and encouraged to use it for personal matters if I can ever be of service.
"Baruchim Habahim".
You are most welcomed with blessings,
Enoch.
That's a clever avatar name . Welcome to the site ... Hope to see you participate in some of the venues .
Thanks, Petey-- He's a good person!
Welcome Rock Hound, good to have you aboard. BTW, the purple rock is glowing beautifully in the sun today.
Thanks, Kavika!
Thanks to all for the warm welcome!
I have already had the benefit of an enjoyable conversation with you, Rock Hound, and look forward to continuing with it. You are most welcome to join the two groups I administer, Classic Cinema, and Canada, if you're interested.
Thanks, Buzz-- I think he is trying to join your groups! He would have a lot to contribute, if he has the time! He really enjoyed talking with you!!! (You have a fan...)
Happy to have a fan besides these three. I actually have similar ones to these internet images. LOL
He will LOVE the first two! I have a wonderful collection of Chinese fans, thanks to him!
Love the Huskey! Welcome🎉
Thanks, Moonchild!
Welcome aboard. I hope he enjoys the site as much as the rest of us do. I'd recommend starting with the safe space group and gradually work his way out from there.
Thanks, Dean. He's still in high school, and so far, I have recommended that he do some groups...
He's a nice kid, and I don't want to teach him how to be snarky! Thank you for your welcome!
If he's a teenager in HS, I doubt we have anything to teach him with respect to snark...
Don't be so sure of that! He's a good person...
welcome to the combination Thunder dome / fight club , rules are avoid taking anything personally , if you get tired of the circular arguments with no resolution , just walk away , and don't eat the big pink mints in the mens room .
personally I never take my own advice , so be fairly warned.....
LOL, Mark. He is going to be in groups for a while, first. Among congenial company, I hope...
LOL I remember being a teen ager , and the parent of teen agers...... nuff said except best laid plans of mice and men .
Yeah, but being his mom, I can always boot him off the site...
Really, he's never been one to sneak around behind my back. Maybe this time he will. Right now, he can read the front page, just not comment. But, I think he has some valuable insights to offer in the groups...
While trying to offer him a positive experience, there are a lot of places I can't follow him... Having had the opposite of parenting from my own parents, I am trying to parent him based on trust. My mother was sure I was doing something wrong all the time. I don't want him to feel that I think that about him!!
I doubt you would boot him , the hardest thing for any parent is to realize , that the one they cared for is growing up and individuals in their own rights,and at a point , it is no longer possible for us as parents to shield them , because if we do , we risk them growing up in a bubble continuously protected from the realities of everything . And when the time comes that they , not us decide to take the steps , all we can do is be watchful . I watched 3 leave home , the hardest for me was the oldest , I trusted and hoped that the lessons I taught through childhood , some how sunk in , but I realized , it wasn't my life to dictate , to protect , that all of them had to make their own choices , even if I disagreed with them. Now the hardest and understandably so for the mom was the youngest , but she saw the other 2 making adult choices , and finally figured , well maybe we did something right and have to trust.
the best way I can put it , is how did we teach them to walk , we had to let them fall down at first , but as hard as it was not to rush and pick them up when they fell , we had to let them get back up and try again , until they took those first few steps , and before we knew it they were running , it all starts with those baby steps to get where they are today.
Absolutely! My mother never, ever, accepted that I was my own person, not an extension of her, like an arm or a leg. I will NOT do that to him! Besides, I trust him-- with my life.
He is going to learn to try his wings, here... Soon, he will fly on his own!
I can't make his choices for him. I can only be here and love him. But, for a while, I will keep a watchful eye out for him. He lost a good friend last week, to suicide, and was shaken. I don't want him to be shaken up again, by people being mean to him. If he sticks to the groups at first, he will have a more positive experience. I told him that he could read the front page, but not comment as yet. IF he maintains an interest, and IF he can handle it, he may participate on the FP more... But, later...
He is going to be in groups for a while, first. Among congenial company, I hope...
Assuming that the congenial company starts coming back now that the political nonsense is over, I know just the place. All we need is a nomination article and I know just the person to write it (not you or me; it should be someone who has met him but is not related).
That sounds great, TTGA! Bitey has met him, as has Gunny, Kavika, Mrs. D. I will leave it up to them!
Welcome Rockhound; it's a pleasure to have you here!
:~)
Thank you, dear Larry! He asked me if you were a nice guy and I said, "One of the best!"
I think you will like him-- he's a good person!
Ahhh gee Dowsey, you make me blush
...
...looking forward to getting to know young Mr. Rockhound.
:~)
If he feels he needs some outdoor experience, Dowser, I can get him a greenhorn job crab or salmon fishing. Only requirement: strong back and a weak mind!
Only requirement: strong back and a weak mind
Plus the ability to keep your lunch down when the ship starts standing on end.
UGH, TTGA!
I used to get sea-sick on our ski boat... And for hours, afterward, I felt like I was going UP, going DOWN, going UP, going Down...
He really wants to talk to you dd, about your experiences! He knows you, because of those wonderful Elk pictures you sent us! I had them up for a long time...
Thanks for the welcome!
Welcome, RockHound! Awesome name! I don't participate in any groups, but I'll be your NT friend. (Dowser has to approve first! HA!)
KatPen, thanks so much for your warm friendship and lovely welcome! LOVE you!
Love you too, Dowser!
@ KatPen: Just curious, but why DON'T you participate in any groups? They certainly cover a broad range of topics. I'm sure there are a lot of members who don't want to participate in the the Home Page these days, but they might participate in the groups.
Thanks for the question, Buzz. I tried a couple groups a while ago but it seemed that there wasn't much activity in them. I did participate for a while, until the activity/participation slowed way down. I read the comments on the front page almost daily, and "like" comments I agree with or that I think have a "good point" whether I agree with it or not. Maybe I should check out those groups again! Thank you.
I recently saw that Jerry Verlinger made this comment:
"As far as our Groups are concerned, a recent conversation with Perrie has informed me that participation in our groups is going to become very important in the near future."
I have just asked Perrie what she has in mind, but I assume that whatever it is should be to increase participation in the groups, a situation that both Jerry and I have long been concerned with. Both the Canada group and the Classic Cinema ones are administered by me. I know that the Canada group has limited interest because there are not many members who are Canadians or interested in news relevant to Canada, but more have contributed comments if not articles to the Classic Cinema group. Everyone loves the movies. I also contribute a lot to A.Mac's Creative Arts (mostly photography) group and I also frequent Kavika's group Anishinaabe, and once in a while contribute to Discovery group, Books, and KK. It does keep me away from the animosity that has been damaging the Home Page.
What topics interest you? Check out the current list of groups and I would be interested in knowing what piques your interest.
One of the groups I was in was the Tree Sanctuary. I just looked and now it's the Big Tent Sanctuary. It was more of a social group, rather than a Topic-related group. But you're right, Buzz. I should check out some of the other groups. (The open ones. HA!) Thanks for reminder.
Going to the groups is a fantastic idea! They are a place for congenial conversations!
Kat,
Especially don't forget to check out Peter Faden's Food and Beverage group. Last year, a number of us set up cookbooks using our favorite recipes. Some really good stuff there with practical (as opposed to theoretical) instructions in how to cook all of the dishes.
Thanks for the suggestion, TTGA!
Welcome RockHound! I was also a rockhound when I was your age. I still have my collection. I will make sure you have only a good experience here.
Thanks so much Perrie! He loves to hunt rocks, like his mother, but he isn't as wacky as I am-- give me a pile of gravel and I can be amused for days... Together, we probably have 25+ boxes of rocks...
He's going to have fun here-- talking with so many people who have so much to share with him!
"Thanks so much Perrie! He loves to hunt rocks, like his mother, but he isn't as wacky as I am....."
I think you guys are talking about a different kinds of "Rock".
My rock collection started at the beginning, with Bill Haley and the Comets and Chuck Berry.
"Rock Around the Clock" was a Bill Haley and the Comets movie that opened at an outdoor Drive-in theatre where I grew up and had just started to drive a car - and when leaving, the car behind me crashed into mine and pushed it into and damaged car in front of me - it was my first accident, one of those memories that remain with you for the rest of your life.
""Rock Around the Clock" was a Bill Haley and the Comets movie....."
The song Rock Around the Clock was maybe the first rock song ever published. It was something most of us had never heard before, I know the first time I heard it in the movie, it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
Bill Haley helped launch the Rock and Roll era, but Chuck Berry fine tuned it into a new art. His song, his "You Never Can Tell" was written in the fifties and is still played today. See the incredible job Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Horns did with the song at a concert in 2013 (also look at the size of the crowd)
I know Rockhound, "the fifties" is ancient history to you, but I was your age when Berry wrote that song.
Great to see you here Rock Hound! I've heard a lot about you and I'm looking forward to seeing more of you!
Uppy - are you invisible right now?
Close
It's my new super power!! What's yours?
Thanks, dear friend Uppy!!!
Welcome, Rock Hound. Pardon my language and salty comments to others. I love your mom to pieces, so to that end, I'll try to clean up my act when you are around.
Have fun, and try to remember, we're harmless...For the most part...On Sundays...In the afternoon...From 4:25 to 4:30.
Dear sweet sister, you are fine as you are! Thinking about you!
Love you!
There is no need to be cruel to him, he is not the kind of person that means to be rude to anyone.
Assuming he has been brought up to behave in the same manner as you, and I know from first hand experience, it is a bad idea to underestimate your level of dignified and respected membership in The NewsTalkers.
(I came down a little hard on Dowser one time, and did I get a whole lot of criticism about my negative attitude. If you don't already know it, Dowser is one of NewsTalkers most respected members. and I suspect Rock Hound will become the same)
So I respectfully say, Welcome to NewsTalkers Rock Hound!
As far as our Groups are concerned, a recent conversation with Perrie has informed me that participation in our groups is going to become very important in the near future. So, I advise Rock Hound, and everyone else, to get involved with whatever groups that represent the issues that interest you the most.
I will be sending RH some invitations shortly.
Thank you, dear Jerry! You are still my friend forever!
Thanks for welcoming Rockhound!
I will be sending RH some invitations shortly.
NOTE: Invitations can only be sent to members that have accepted our "Follow" indications by clicking on the "Follow" but on the sites of anyone he wishes it Follow.
Rock Hound is off-line at the time of this posting, so I will just have to wait.
Jerry, his computer is glitching out, he'll be on in a minute...
You are still my friend forever!
You're welcome Dowser, and the feeling is the same from here.
Jerry, his computer is glitching out, he'll be on in a minute. ..
My 'puter was freaking out just a minute ago, this comment wouldn't post (the "Post Your Comment" button disappeared, I had to click the Reset button to fix it )
( Btw, I thought from your article that Rock Hound is spelled with two words, am I wrong? ).
You are absolutely right-- we're sitting across the room from each other and I misspell his name... Typical "mom" garbage, right?
Typical "mom" garbage, right?
Moms are universal.
I thought my name was "Jesus Christ" until I was 6 years old. She would always say things like, "Jesus Christ, did did you do this??!!"
She passed in August of this year, one month short of her 92 birthday.
I'm sorry for your loss Jerry. Losing a mom is unimaginable.
On a lighter note, Mom's taking a break for the night so we wanted to say that was hilarious!
I started thinking about this Robin Williams skit. I hope you don't find it offensive but it's hilarious!!
I'm sorry for your loss Jerry. Losing a mom is unimaginable.
Thank you. Unimaginable, but expected. She was 92, I was beginning to think she was going to outlive me.
Thanks also for the hilarious Robin Williams video. The guy is incredible.
I'm coming up on one year of losing my mom this New Years Eve. She died at 80 of bone cancer. Today (the 21st) is 18 years since my father died of lung cancer at 63. Even though my mom died less then a year ago and I am still going through all of the "firsts" (her first birthday without her, first Mother's day, first Thanksgiving, etc) I still miss them both equally. They say that you are eventually supposed to deal with and accept their deaths. I never reached that point with my father. It is still as raw and painful as if he died yesterday and I believe it'll be the same with my mother.
My condolences on the loss of your mother. It is a terrible thing. I hope you find your peace.
Randy, I'm so sorry for your loss! Your mother must have been a very special lady-- to have you!
Using correct English it would be "Rock Hound" but as a nom de plume (French for pseudonym or pen name - but I'm sure you know that) it could also be "RockHound" or "Rockhound" - whatever you wish.
I'm not suggesting you change your avatar, but I thought this would have been a good avatar for your NT user name, or for your mother for her profession.
To me it's a symbol of digging for the truth.
Just don't get into the trouble that Andy Dufresne did - he was a rock hound too. (sorry - I like to speak in terms of classic movies)
I've moved mine and can't find it... I can't find anything these days... My house is like an archaeological dig, my stuff, then Mama's stuff on top. Someday, I'll find it again!
Good quality Stanley leather handled masons hammer. Looks like it hasn't been used very much.
Send it to Dowser, she can't find hers.
I can always go buy another one-- it may still be in the car... Mine is not in such great shape, but it's handle is padded and that is important! I once broke my finger when I was banging on a granite rock, and the hammer bounced back, trapping the finger between the rock and the handle. OUCH!!
We may expect our parent's deaths, but we're never 'ready' for it! I'm so sorry for your loss-- I still grieve for my Daddy, 31 years later... And, of course, I'm still grieving for my mother, who has been gone almost 2 years.
The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree so I'm sure your son will be as valuable an addition to the site as is his mother. Welcome rockound.
Thank you, very much!!!