Tuesday Thoughts ...

Instead of Ten Thoughts I had planned on a blog entry about Single Son, and some of his activities with the Police Department and how proud I am of him for it. Then he goes and pulls something that takes sheer genius ... NOT ...

I smell something burning. Okay, I know he is in the kitchen. He tends to burn things as it is, so I'm not overly concerned. I lower the sound on my tv just in case he should scream out "Call 911 ... fire!". Instead he calmly comes into my room ... "Mom, how can popcorn sit in the microwave for one minute and forty-five seconds and possibly catch fire?" "Because, my dear, you're the one at the microwave." Yes, I really do call him "my dear". Especially when he's just pulled another blooper.

How does he manage to burn things all the time? We have no idea. But he does it. A lot.

I'm suspecting I'm going to have to replace that microwave soon. Anyone know where I can get a child proof microwave? Forget the fact the kid in question is 29 years old!

I wonder if the guys at the Station would like to hear about the private life of Sgt Son. No, I'm still NOT going to give his real name! LOL! At this point it's changing names to protect the guilty.

So ... the original blog was going to be about some of the things he's done in the past few months ... that's besides his normal responsibilities as a Cops & Kids officer, Youth Bureau Officer and his normal patrol duties.

The Department held their first annual "Shop with a Cop" event just a few days ago. This event helps underprivileged children shop for Christmas gifts for themselves and their family members. Through police department fund-raising, each child had $250 to spend with their Cop partner. Single Son's *child* was a very shy little girl that other cops couldn't so much get a name out of. Knowing the gentle way he has with kids, one of the Cops finally said "Sarge, we have the perfect child for you". Single Son not only got her to come out of her shell, but it turned out that once out of her shell she was a real talker. And it turns out the little girl is one hell of a comparative shopper. She would put things in the cart while she decided if it was worth the money or if she could find a better deal on a similar item further down the aisle. Normally Single Son has extraordinary math skills, but this little girl was to challenge them with her constant putting in and removing items from the cart. He was plum wore out by the end of their shopping adventure. Three Police Departments, one or two Fire Departments and an Ambulance Company took over the local department store for a few hours. They all left lights flashing on their patrol cars and emergency vehicles the entire time they were in the store. Funny side note here, my folks live right across the street from said store and had NO idea what was going on. Twenty emergency vehicles Mom claimed were there (Single Son didn't know how many participated). She was rather relieved to hear that it was Shop with a Cop.

The other event happened months ago. It was recorded by a local news station. I am still trying to find footage of it so I can post it. The male officers of the Police Department, as part of the local Leukemia Foundation fundraiser, had their heads shaved. Single Son was actually interviewed while he was in the barber's chair. The guys in the department did it as support to the Chief's son, who has leukemia. This young man is holding his own, but could use your prayers.

There's other events, but those are the two most recent. He's well known and much loved by the community he serves. He's a good *kid* ... even when he stinks the house up with his frequent burnt offerings to the Kitchen Gods.

Oh ... and did you know that left unattended Macaroni and Cheese will ignite? The flames had to have been about two feet high!! Really!