Halloween, not my cup of tea

I'm not sure why, but I've never cared for Halloween. Even as a kid, it was far from my favorite holiday. As an adult, I really don't like it at all.

Now, before you go calling me Scrooge or the Grinch, you need to know that I absolutely love just about every other holiday going. To me, the Christmas season begins in mid-November, encompassing Thanksgiving and lasting until well after New Year's. If my wife would let me, I'd leave the Christmas lights up until the snow has melted, which here in Maine is sometimes late March. I listen to only Christmas music during the Yuletide season. To me, a sense of peace comes over me during that time of year.

But Halloween is an invasion of privacy. Imagine the nerve of people forcing you to give out candy, or be forced to have a trick played on you. I have no problem with the origins of Halloween, but the modern Halloween has developed into a begging for candy festival. It is time someone revamp Halloween.

Red Sox Win the World Series!!

Red Sox fans are beginning to get spoiled. Here the Boston Red Sox go 86 years between World Series titles, from 1918 to 2004, and they go and win another one 3 years later. We are definitely being spoiled... and LOVING EVERY MINUTE!!

And there could be more.

The 2004 team had a lot of veterans who were in the last year of their contract or their contracts were expiring the following year. The 2007 team certainly has its share of veterans whose contracts are coming to an end, but they also have a number of players that will be with the team a long time, as well as some very talented young players.

With Dustin Pedroia, Jaboby Ellsbury, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, and Clay Buchholz as young as they are, the Sox are set for a very long time. Papelbon, Ellsbury and Pedroia were key to the World Series win. Lester won game 4. Buchholz had the no-hitter this year in his second Major League start. Delcarmen is a force coming out of the bullpen.

The following players can file for free agency this year: Mike Lowell, Curt Schilling, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Timlin, Eric Hinske, Eric Gagne, Bobby Kielty, Matt Clement and Julian Tavarez. These are my feelings on who to sign and who not to. Mike Lowell is a must-sign. They have to. They should. I believe they will. I would not pay one cent to try to get A-Rod. No way, no how. He would destroy team dynamics, he can't hit in the clutch, and he simply is not worthy of being a Red Sock. I would offer Mike Timlin a one-year contract and see if he is interested. I would not re-sign Curt Schilling, as much as he has been a force for the Sox over the years. I would tell Gagne not to let the door hit him in the butt on the way out. Clement, no way. Tavarez, nope. I'd let Mirabelli go (Kevin Cash did an admirable job catching Wakefield this year). I would defineitely re-sign Eric Hinske, who fills such a valuable spot being able to back up first, third and the outfield corners. Bobby Kielty, I would probably let go, although I would not argue too much if they re-signed him.

Besides all that, I would trade Coco Crisp. Jacoby Ellsbury has proven he is ready for the big show, and Coco is too good a player to put on the bench. Out of respect to him, I would trade him. I'd renew Wakefield's contract for another year, as you can't argue with 17 wins, despite the health problems.

Lastly, I will address this to Theo Epstein and the owners and repeat what I stated earlier: you MUST re-sign Mike Lowell. Do not pull a Yankee and attempt to sign A-Rod. I honestly could not respect a team that would jeopardize team chemistry to sign one of the best and most expensive players in baseball, this player also being one of the most disfunctional and greedy. That would be a completely disresectful thing to do to Mike Lowell. Give Lowell three years at a great salary. You will not regret it.

Rainy Days

I am sitting at my computer, staring out the window on a Saturday, as the rain pounds down. There is something I love about rainy Saturdays or Sundays, especially if you don't have to go out in them. I spent most of the morning reading. (I am currently reading the late Robert Jordan's "Eye of the World", the first of his epic fantasty series "The Wheel of Time".) I have no desire to do anything today, nor any obligation. What a great day.

The sound of the rain, the dark skies, the laziness of the day. Peace.

Red Sox Win Game 2

Two game, two wins. So far, so good for the 2007 Boston Red Sox. And they have really looked good in those two games.

First, the 13-1 blow out. Josh Beckett looked outstanding in his 7 inning, 6 hit performance. He allowed just 1 run, 1 walk and struck out 9, including the first 4 batters of the game. Right now, I strongly believe he is the best pitcher in baseball. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez each had 3 hits and 2 rbi. Dustin Pedroia, who absolutely should be rookie-of-the-year, had a home run. Julio Lugo, who has struggled in the post season, belted out 3 hits. Jason Varitek and J.D. Drew each had a couple hits. It was a very impressive performance by the Red Sox.

In game 2, the Red Sox squeaked past the Rockies, 2-1. Curt Schilling, who most people say is near the end of his career and who is running with a near-empty tank, pitched masterfully. He went 5 and a third innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, while walking just 2 and striking out 4. Mike Lowell was the standout on offense. First, he went first to third on a J.D. Drew single, in a brilliant baserunning move, after noticing the Colorado right fielder had backed up on a ball hit to him, just barely beating the throw to third base. He scored on a Varitek sacrifice fly to center field. Later, Lowell doubled in Big Papi, putting the Sox on top in the fifth inning. Another big play was when Jonathan Papelbon picked Matt Holliday off first base to end the 8th inning. Todd Helton was at the plate at the time. This was humungous! It was not as much a fantastic play on Papelbon's part, as it was a bonehead play on Matt Holliday's part, as he seemed to fall asleep on first. This was Papelbon's first pickoff in the Major Leagues ever.

With a 2-0 lead, the Red Sox appear to be in the driver's seat. However, the next three games are in Colorado. Anything could happen at this point. However, all the pressure right now is on the Rockies.

Autumn in Maine

I'm not really sure why Fall is my favorite time of year. Maine has such great seasons. Summers are warm and comfortable, without too many hot and muggy days. Springs are great because the air begins to warm up and the black flies and misquitoes that "bug" people all summer have not yet arrived. Nothing beats a Maine winter evening as the snow lightly falls, while you watch out the window. Fall, however, is still my favorite.

There is something about the sound and smell of Autumn leaves that I love. The sound the leaves make as the wind blows them is so soothing. I love to walk through the fallen leaves, and listen. And the smell! Oh, how the smell of Fall leaves sets one's mind at ease, and brings a feeling of peacefullness.

You know, I'm finding it hard to explain why Fall is so fantastic. The chill in the air, the color of the changing leaves, the anticipation of... what? I just can't explain it.

Maybe it's just the changing of the seasons that I like. And Fall is perhaps the most drastic. Again, I'm not sure. I just know that Autumn is my favorite season, for reasons that escape me. It just is.

World Series Anticipation

As an avid Red Sox fan, a diehard fanatic some would say, I have waited for and anticipated this day since 2004. Today, the Red Sox will return to the World Series, this time playing the Colorado Rockies. This is something I've waited all season for. I try to watch every game all year. Although I was not able to see every single one, I didn't miss more than a dozen, I would guesstimate.

These are my reasons why I think the Red Sox will beat the Rockies.

1. The curse was broken in 2004, so no more blown opportunities, a la Bill Buckner or Bucky Dent.
2. The Rockies do not have the experience the Red Sox do.
3. Terry Francona.
4. Big Papi and Manny.
5. Josh Beckett, the best pitcher in baseball currently.
6. 4 games at home.
7. The Rockies have had 8 days off, which is good for their pitchers, but very bad for their batters, which is where their strength is.
8. The Red Sox rarely have slumps, and they just got over one during games 2, 3, and 4 against Cleveland, so they won't be due again for a long time.
9. Jacoby Ellsbury. This young man is electrifying those who have seen him play, including his own teamates.
10. The American League has won, like, the last gazillion World Series.
11. The Red Sox defense.
12. The Red Sox won the 2004 World Series on the night of a lunar eclipse. Game 6 happens to be scheduled for Halloween. Thus, my prediction: The Red Sox win in 6.
13. My lucky shirt will be clean and ready to wear if the Sox get behind in the series, as it was for games 5, 6, and 7 of the Cleveland series.
14. The Rockies have won 20 of the last 21. Their luck is due to change, and at just the right moment.
15. Because I said so.

The Washington Years

I recently had to have my dog of 13 years put to sleep. Her name was Washington.

As I was driving back from the vet after having to do the most difficult thing I believe I have ever had to do in my life, I turned to my wife and said, "This is the end of an era. The end of 'The Washington Years'." We got a chuckle out of that, which felt good, especially since we were both in tears at the time. But it was true. It has only been about 24 hours since Washy's death, and everything seems different. I can't put a finger on it either. Things just seem different.

You know, thinking back, I believe Washington picked me, not the other way around. When I went to a friend's to pick her out of the litter 13 years ago, I sat on the floor. All the puppies raced over and crawled in my lap. After 30 seconds, they got bored and reaced off. All except one, that is.

Washington was a gentle soul. She never harmed a flee. She never once barked in anger and I never ever saw the hair on the back of her neck stand up. It was not in her nature. Considering she was part wolf (less than a quarter I was told), that is amazing. Although, it is true she shed enough in any one day to make up a small chihuahua.

I am not saying Washington was a perfect angel. I remeber the first time she had trouble with her legs, about a year ago. She spent 36 hours not rising. I thought this was probably the end for her. She finally got to her feet and I decided I had better get her outside ASAP, since she had spent those 36 hours NOT using the bathroom. I thought to myself, she's sick and feeble, so there is no sense to hook her. She wasn't going anywhere in her condition. Next thing I knew, I was chasing her down the street.

Washington has been a part of my family since before Cara and I were married, twice as long actually. I got her on the very day I moved into my house. She was just a little pup at the time, with great big paws. She has been my faithful companion for 13 years. That good natured, smelly dog with the big smile and lots of hair, who left great big brown treats all over the yard will be missed.