Visual Culture and Critical Theory

I think I have figured out what I will be studying in Graduate school- Visual Culture and Critical Theory. What is Visual Culture and Critical Theory? I have not really figured it out yet but i'm pretty sure of two things. First, I will end up hating all art. Second, I will end up Communist. A lot of the discussion in this field discusses the commodification of everything in this world which includes art. I love this stuff. I am glad to have found what I want to research as I continue my education.

Love you guys,

spence

Dad Returns From Alien Abduction

Hello, Family: Yesterday Mom and I adopted an 8 month old Yorki-Tzu or Yor-Shih (part Yorkshire Terrier and part Shih Tzu). His name was and is Brady. He is not a yipper like Mia was, but resembles her very much. He has an overcoat of black hair over tan. Jane, Daxton, and Pierce love him. Brady is very good so far (one day!) and appears to be trained to sit, come, and do his duty outside. We will get him neutered soon, but he already has his shots. Similar dogs are selling for about $600 to $700. Brenda gave him to us... She was given him by a patient of hers to find him a new home. We had been talking about getting a dog and this made our decision making easy. Brenda will care for Brady whenever we are out of town.

Mom, Julia, and I are intending to go to Missouri soon for Jenny's baby shower (I'll go rummaging... not to the shower). Mom and I look forward to visiting Joe and Alana in November. By the way... give Joe a call and learn some exciting news directly from him.

Nothing else too new to report. Spencer sounds good whenever we talk on the phone. Josh T. is selling windows, dating, and taking care of the ebay business. Grandma T. is fine, just unsteady and forgetful.

Love, Dad

P.S. The space trip with the aliens was wonderful.

Update by Dad

5 April 2011

Well, Julia, Josh, and the kids are in their apartment 1 block away on North Ave. for about 2 weeks now. Quite quiet here. Julia has done a wonderful job decorating. She and Josh are also cleaning up the common areas inside and out of the building. Doing such a great job the landlord will be paying Julia!

Mom is working herself to the bone. I am trying to get her to delegate more...

Yesterday I bought a pair of Rookwood candlesticks for about $1.50. Value: between $700 and $1,000. Good purchase.

By the way... our Victrola boxes sold on ebay for $426. Not too shabby.

Joe and Alana are in their new house in Columbus. A red brick four square. Beautiful!

Jenny Peterson (?), Rod's wife is 3 months pregnant. Keep her and her baby in your prayers. Jenny has high blood pressure.

Josh broke up with Haley. He would like to find a woman who will commit. Commit. He deserves such a wife!

Spencer is still in Europe.

Grandma Twelmeyer is doing fine. She will be at Luther Manor next week while Susie and Jeff are at a show in Ohio.

We need more help in our Ebay business and at Celestial Care.

The little Lynch kids are doing great! They are getting cuter and cuter. Luke (Lukey) Marks turned one year old a week and a day ago. He is a happy roly poly boy.

That's it for now.

Dad

ebay auction ended for record boxes

The closing price on the special boxes made for the Victrola which I bought was $406.00. The set sold is just like the ones in our Victrola...There were a lot of different bidders...i.e., a lot of interest!

Mom left for Utah and Las Vegas today

Mom and Meagan Olson left for a conference in Las Vegas today. Mom will also visit Spencer in Utah... She will be there to support him in his curatorial masterpiece. Wish I could be there, too, but there will be other shows...

A few days ago I bought a Victrola... the first model with an interior sound horn... came with about 120 records and is in beautiful condition. The record boxes themselves are worth over $200.00. I paid just $350.00 for everything... shall have to do more research on total value.

The little children are so cute to watch. Their sandbox was just put out on the deck. Watching them play together is great entertainment. Today Jane made me a surprise: a cake made of apple pie, apples, candy, dirt, butter, eggs... and a few other ingredients I could not quite catch. A very nice bowl of fresh sand!

Josh T. had 2 ebay workers working on his Subaru Brat today. Grinding and welding and painting the bed of the truck. Progress is being made. In a few days Josh will be going west and may visit an old friend home from her mission... Also, he may be visiting a temple to get some extra guidance from the Lord.

Josh Lynch and Julia are excited about their new apartment. Josh drove almost to Illinois today early in the morning to pick up a leather sectional sofa... Julia has been painting picture frames, a lamp, furniture... and has many more neat ideas.

Joe and Alana are still looking at houses, I believe. What an exciting time for them!

Ebay and Celestial are moving along... hopefully soon we will feel secure enough to spend some money on a few extras. I'd like a new suit, new garments, to repaint the house, refinish the floors, new furniture, new refrigerator, more plantings outside... possibly a newer car, a vacation... and... and... peace on earth... seriously, more of the personal peace which passeth all understanding. We always seem to be madly rushing to make money and "get things done." It would be better to lead more balanced lives...

Enjoy each shining moment! Love, Dad

A Message For Dad

Hello, I just looked at my gmail today and saw that we have a blog! I didn't even know that it existed.

Dad, that was a beautiful message about that you wrote about mom on Thursday. You are right. Mom is so wonderful and I look up to her and see her as an incredible example. But dad, you must know that you too are wonderful. Despite your short comings you have been a great example to us all. You are a man of integrity. I never once questioned anything you have said, wondering if it was true or not. You have helped me in so many ways...and I know that I can tell you anything and you will love me. You and I are so much a like and I have enjoyed our conversations, and all our time together. You seem to understand me, just as I can understand you. You are such a good grandpa and the kids love you so much!! I am so happy that they can get to know you. I know that I can count on you for advice and blessings thru the priesthood. I am blessed to have you as a father and I am grateful for all the love and support you give me! (and of course my little cuties!) Don't be so hard on yourself. NOONE is perfect and you don't have to be either. Don't let those times when you aren't at your best bring you down. We all have those days. You are my favorite daddy I love you more than infinity times and I always will!!

Life goes on... Tribute to Mom

Mom and I were married on APRIL 6, 1977 in the Washington Temple of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. On April 6, 2011 we will have been married for 34 years. Our best accomplishment, other than staying married, has been raising four magnificent children and helping to raise 3 delightful grandchildren in their early years.

Mom is one of the kindest and most non-judgmental people I have ever met. She has loved me, served me, cared for me, prayed for me, guided me, and stood by me all these years in spite of the difficulties of living with someone who is bi-polar. I have tried very hard to be "normal," but the sudden and dramatic changes in mood have frequently overwhelmed me, making it next to impossible to function at all, much less with a semblance of normalcy. Added to this has been my lack of control of anger and an unrealistic view of how the world operates (without should-haves, no could-haves, no crystal ball pessimism... not so many perceived slights, in other words, not as I see it) have made living with me most unpleasant for Mom, I am sure. I am glad she has stuck by me! If for no other reason than her loyalty to me, I love her.

I get melancholy thinking of life without Mom. Should she develop Altzheimer's (like Grandma Herriges and 4 of her sisters) I would miss her terribly. She still laughs at my jokes, likes praying with me, enjoys shopping with me, and gives good back rubs. I love to see her working in her garden. I love to see her dolled up! I love watching her with the grandkids. I hope she will live long enough to meet her great grandchildren. One of my major problems is that Mom seems to love our own children and grandchildren more than me. However, upon mature reflection I know that she has more than enough love for all of us. Her love for the Lord is deeper and more trusting than mine... here we are unevenly yoked. I am more selfish than Mom... I am trying to be motivated more by love of the Lord than by fear or duty. I learn so much from Mom's example.

Well, do wish Mom a Happy Anniversary. She deserves that and so much more! Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.

Love, Dad