Monday, April 03, 2006
Red Sox: Schilling, Lowell off to good start
The Red Sox opened their season today with an impressive win over the Texas Rangers. Curt Schilling looked like the Schilling of old. That was very nice to see. One of this year's question marks is Mike Lowell, who had a lousy season at the plate last year, after 4 great seasons. He had a home run in today's game, which I see as a real good sign. He only hit 8 homers last year, after averaging 25 each year for the former four seasons.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Maine Hysterical Society
I had the chance to see the Maine Hysterical Society perform last night at a fundraiser for the senior Project Graduation trip at Belfast Area High School. I laughed until I cried.
The Maine Hysterical Society consists of three men, Randy Judkins, Barney Martin and Steve Underwood, doing sketch comedy, much of which is what I refer to as "Maine Humah" (Maine humor). They do a combination of singing, comedy sketches, juggling, and just all-'round silliness.
Judkins plays Sunny Day, who parents named him that because it was. Sunny Day is a juggling, singing, funny guy. Underwood plays Russell Spurwink, a Maine hick who sings and tells jokes and is as good playing the straight guy as the goofball. Then there is Martin's character, Emmitt Pickitt, who does. As in the guitar. This numb-nut can also by goofy, yet can play a wicked good guitar, can sing descent, and can even get into the physical comedy.
The show was a riot, as these three very talented nutballs kept the audience in stitches. It was a two hour show and when it was over I kept asking myself where the time went. I could have watched another hour, and this is coming from a real homebody. I even gave up watching "Deal or No Deal" to see these guys (although I taped it, if I programmed the VCR right).
I'd go see them again, even if it went missing Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. If you ever get the chance to see the Maine Hysterical Society live (mostly), don't pass up the chance. They were wicked awesome.
The Maine Hysterical Society consists of three men, Randy Judkins, Barney Martin and Steve Underwood, doing sketch comedy, much of which is what I refer to as "Maine Humah" (Maine humor). They do a combination of singing, comedy sketches, juggling, and just all-'round silliness.
Judkins plays Sunny Day, who parents named him that because it was. Sunny Day is a juggling, singing, funny guy. Underwood plays Russell Spurwink, a Maine hick who sings and tells jokes and is as good playing the straight guy as the goofball. Then there is Martin's character, Emmitt Pickitt, who does. As in the guitar. This numb-nut can also by goofy, yet can play a wicked good guitar, can sing descent, and can even get into the physical comedy.
The show was a riot, as these three very talented nutballs kept the audience in stitches. It was a two hour show and when it was over I kept asking myself where the time went. I could have watched another hour, and this is coming from a real homebody. I even gave up watching "Deal or No Deal" to see these guys (although I taped it, if I programmed the VCR right).
I'd go see them again, even if it went missing Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. If you ever get the chance to see the Maine Hysterical Society live (mostly), don't pass up the chance. They were wicked awesome.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
My Grandma, who just passed away
My Grandma, whose name was Mary Wilberta Falconer Mills, although everyone called her Mae, passed away today, January 15, 2006. I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but I think this is good therapy for me and will be good for me as part of the grieving process. If I am the only one to ever read this, I've accomplished my goal, which is to get down my thoughts about Grammy Mills.
First, the details about her death. She had been fighting breast cancer for years and for at least the last year we have known she was terminal. She had also been fighting Alzheimer's Disease, and I am actually grateful that it was not the Alzheimer's that eventually took her life, as I find that a cruel disease. At her worst, Gram tended to repeat herself and sometimes got relationships mixed up. Gram had been very lame for some time, but fell a week ago and needed to be helped in and out of bed, to the table and bathroom, etc. This past Friday, she was very uncomfortable and she suggested she be taken to the emergency room. They discovered she had pneumonia and admitted her. After further study, they discovered the cancer had spread to her lungs. They gave her just days to live. Friday night she was uncomfortable, but the doctor gave her something to let her sleep. Saturday (as well as Friday) she had numerous visitors, but she did not wake up all day (to my knowledge). Sunday morning, she woke up long enough for my Aunt Jan to tell her all the people who had visited her, she smiled, and stopped breathing.
It is going to be rough on my grandfather, Ray. They had been married 61 years.
I have some incredible memories of my grandmother. The hard part is figuring out where to start. The best place to start is at Camp. Gram and Gramp own a camp on Center Pond, in Sangerville, Maine. That is the closest place to Heaven as I have ever been. I remember spending the night with them, sleeping in the bunkhouse. Gram would sleep in the big bed, and my brother Allen, sister Karen, and I would sleep in the bunks. The sounds of the water, the frogs and the loons would always put us to sleep, eventually. Grammy would always wake before us and by the time we would got up and went over to the camp, she would have French toast, bacon and sausage waiting for us. Camp consisted of swimming, playing cards (cribbage, Australian rummy, or 63), visiting, and eating, often on the picnic table out back. Gram had that unusual swimming stroke, swimming backwards to the float with her head and feet out of the water. Many of us tried many times to duplicate her stroke, and some of us can come real close today, after many years of practicing.
When it wasn't Camp season, we three kids would also visit with Grammy and Grampa for weekends, at their house in Dexter. I remember many a Saturday night, getting into our pajamas and watching Lawrence Welk, while eating popcorn drenched in butter, and I do mean drenched. Gram would usually take us out to dinner at least once while we visited, sometimes to the Log Cabin in Newport, or T.J.'s in Dexter, or, my personal favorite, the Wagon Wheel, in Guilford. I would always have fried clams, and Gram usually did, too.
Who can forget Gram's whoopie pies? And all the other sweets she would make. All the care packages sent to grandkids or nieces and nephews at college, always with plenty of whoopie pies. In fact, Grammy would not let one person she knew go without. If someone she knew died, she'd be at their family's doorstep with a casserole. If someone was sick or injured, she baked something for them. If they were not nearby, she'd send them a card. Birthdays and holidays brought cards from Gram. Grammy was always writing letters or postcards. When I started college, if I didn't get at least two notes a week from Grammy, it was unusual. After college, when I was living on my own, I'd get notes or phone calls from her several times a week. I can imagine what Gram and Grampa's phone bill was like, with all the calls she would make during the course of a week. Of course, her phone calls would never last more than 2 or 3 minutes. She just needed to check in with everyone, to make sure they were okay. It gave you a great sense of comfort when Grammy called.
I remember going to Grammy and Grampa's and visiting with Gram at Dr. Stewart's Office, where she worked for many years. Usually it would be for a few minutes while she finished up with work at the end of the week. She was the optometrist's assistant and secretary, and pretty much ran the place.
I remember running into people when we were visiting Grammy, and having not just a few, but many people tell me just what a wonderful person my Grandmother was. And I certainly believe them. Sometimes it was someone who had Gram in school back when she was a substitute teacher. Sometimes it was someone she had sent a card to, when they needed it most. It was always someone whom Gram had touched in some way. And we seemed to run into them everywhere.
At Christmas time, Gram and Grampa would make the trek from Dexter to Searsport early in the day on the 24th. We'd attend the Christmas Eve service, in those days in Searsport, always a candle-light service. Then we'd have Christmas Eve dinner, usually at Jan and Ron's. Gram and Grampa would always sleep at Mom and Dad's. Christmas morning, when most kids would be awake by 6:00 waking up Mom and Dad so they could open Christmas presents, with us it would be Gram waking us kids up at 5:00. Of course, she would say it was to see if we needed to use the bathroom. Of course, once we were up, Gram would suggest we might just take a little peak. Of course, once we took a little peak, well, you can imagine the rest.
I always thought it was funny, too, how Gram would always hint about what she'd love to have for Christmas, and after Grammy and Grampa got back to Dexter on Christmas night and they'd unwrap their presents to each other, she would get just what she had been saying she really needed. I know Mom suspected that Gram was telling Grampa what to buy her or perhaps even buying it herself, so the next year she would offer to pick something up for Grampa so that Grammy would have at least one surprise. Mom or Aunt Jan would pick it up, wrap it and send it up to Dexter, usually on an early December weekend visit from the grandkids. Low and behold, Gram would come down at Christmas hinting about how much she would like or how much she could use the very gift that was under their tree waiting for them to get back to Dexter. It was pretty obvious that Grammy liked to peak at her presents.
There is so much more that could be said about my Grandma, but I've hit some of the highlights.
I know exactly what Heaven is like for Grammy. It consists of a small, bright yellow camp, with a screened in porch that overlooks a pond, loaded with fish and loons. There is a bunkhouse off to one side, waiting for grandkids, nieces and nephews. Fishing poles are hung at the ready. There is an endless supply of baking ingredients, for making all kinds of treats, especially whoopie pies. There is the most well kept outhouse a short walk from the camp, which Grammy can make easily, as her legs no longer hurt her. Cribbage boards and cards are in good supply. In fact, I'm sure Gram has already played a game of cribbage with Uncle Johnny. Even though this is Heaven, the camp would still need to be cleaned from time to time, as it wouldn't be Heaven if Gram didn't need to clean. It would definitely be spotless after Gram got done with it. And there would be plenty of kids to bake for and swim with. I'm sure it won't quite be heaven until that day, hopefully not for many years, when her whole family joins her there. And of course, she'll make sure the cribbage board is ready for Grampa, when the day eventually comes for him to join her.
We all lost a little bit of ourselves when Mae Mills died. But we are better people for having know her. We love you, Gram.
First, the details about her death. She had been fighting breast cancer for years and for at least the last year we have known she was terminal. She had also been fighting Alzheimer's Disease, and I am actually grateful that it was not the Alzheimer's that eventually took her life, as I find that a cruel disease. At her worst, Gram tended to repeat herself and sometimes got relationships mixed up. Gram had been very lame for some time, but fell a week ago and needed to be helped in and out of bed, to the table and bathroom, etc. This past Friday, she was very uncomfortable and she suggested she be taken to the emergency room. They discovered she had pneumonia and admitted her. After further study, they discovered the cancer had spread to her lungs. They gave her just days to live. Friday night she was uncomfortable, but the doctor gave her something to let her sleep. Saturday (as well as Friday) she had numerous visitors, but she did not wake up all day (to my knowledge). Sunday morning, she woke up long enough for my Aunt Jan to tell her all the people who had visited her, she smiled, and stopped breathing.
It is going to be rough on my grandfather, Ray. They had been married 61 years.
I have some incredible memories of my grandmother. The hard part is figuring out where to start. The best place to start is at Camp. Gram and Gramp own a camp on Center Pond, in Sangerville, Maine. That is the closest place to Heaven as I have ever been. I remember spending the night with them, sleeping in the bunkhouse. Gram would sleep in the big bed, and my brother Allen, sister Karen, and I would sleep in the bunks. The sounds of the water, the frogs and the loons would always put us to sleep, eventually. Grammy would always wake before us and by the time we would got up and went over to the camp, she would have French toast, bacon and sausage waiting for us. Camp consisted of swimming, playing cards (cribbage, Australian rummy, or 63), visiting, and eating, often on the picnic table out back. Gram had that unusual swimming stroke, swimming backwards to the float with her head and feet out of the water. Many of us tried many times to duplicate her stroke, and some of us can come real close today, after many years of practicing.
When it wasn't Camp season, we three kids would also visit with Grammy and Grampa for weekends, at their house in Dexter. I remember many a Saturday night, getting into our pajamas and watching Lawrence Welk, while eating popcorn drenched in butter, and I do mean drenched. Gram would usually take us out to dinner at least once while we visited, sometimes to the Log Cabin in Newport, or T.J.'s in Dexter, or, my personal favorite, the Wagon Wheel, in Guilford. I would always have fried clams, and Gram usually did, too.
Who can forget Gram's whoopie pies? And all the other sweets she would make. All the care packages sent to grandkids or nieces and nephews at college, always with plenty of whoopie pies. In fact, Grammy would not let one person she knew go without. If someone she knew died, she'd be at their family's doorstep with a casserole. If someone was sick or injured, she baked something for them. If they were not nearby, she'd send them a card. Birthdays and holidays brought cards from Gram. Grammy was always writing letters or postcards. When I started college, if I didn't get at least two notes a week from Grammy, it was unusual. After college, when I was living on my own, I'd get notes or phone calls from her several times a week. I can imagine what Gram and Grampa's phone bill was like, with all the calls she would make during the course of a week. Of course, her phone calls would never last more than 2 or 3 minutes. She just needed to check in with everyone, to make sure they were okay. It gave you a great sense of comfort when Grammy called.
I remember going to Grammy and Grampa's and visiting with Gram at Dr. Stewart's Office, where she worked for many years. Usually it would be for a few minutes while she finished up with work at the end of the week. She was the optometrist's assistant and secretary, and pretty much ran the place.
I remember running into people when we were visiting Grammy, and having not just a few, but many people tell me just what a wonderful person my Grandmother was. And I certainly believe them. Sometimes it was someone who had Gram in school back when she was a substitute teacher. Sometimes it was someone she had sent a card to, when they needed it most. It was always someone whom Gram had touched in some way. And we seemed to run into them everywhere.
At Christmas time, Gram and Grampa would make the trek from Dexter to Searsport early in the day on the 24th. We'd attend the Christmas Eve service, in those days in Searsport, always a candle-light service. Then we'd have Christmas Eve dinner, usually at Jan and Ron's. Gram and Grampa would always sleep at Mom and Dad's. Christmas morning, when most kids would be awake by 6:00 waking up Mom and Dad so they could open Christmas presents, with us it would be Gram waking us kids up at 5:00. Of course, she would say it was to see if we needed to use the bathroom. Of course, once we were up, Gram would suggest we might just take a little peak. Of course, once we took a little peak, well, you can imagine the rest.
I always thought it was funny, too, how Gram would always hint about what she'd love to have for Christmas, and after Grammy and Grampa got back to Dexter on Christmas night and they'd unwrap their presents to each other, she would get just what she had been saying she really needed. I know Mom suspected that Gram was telling Grampa what to buy her or perhaps even buying it herself, so the next year she would offer to pick something up for Grampa so that Grammy would have at least one surprise. Mom or Aunt Jan would pick it up, wrap it and send it up to Dexter, usually on an early December weekend visit from the grandkids. Low and behold, Gram would come down at Christmas hinting about how much she would like or how much she could use the very gift that was under their tree waiting for them to get back to Dexter. It was pretty obvious that Grammy liked to peak at her presents.
There is so much more that could be said about my Grandma, but I've hit some of the highlights.
I know exactly what Heaven is like for Grammy. It consists of a small, bright yellow camp, with a screened in porch that overlooks a pond, loaded with fish and loons. There is a bunkhouse off to one side, waiting for grandkids, nieces and nephews. Fishing poles are hung at the ready. There is an endless supply of baking ingredients, for making all kinds of treats, especially whoopie pies. There is the most well kept outhouse a short walk from the camp, which Grammy can make easily, as her legs no longer hurt her. Cribbage boards and cards are in good supply. In fact, I'm sure Gram has already played a game of cribbage with Uncle Johnny. Even though this is Heaven, the camp would still need to be cleaned from time to time, as it wouldn't be Heaven if Gram didn't need to clean. It would definitely be spotless after Gram got done with it. And there would be plenty of kids to bake for and swim with. I'm sure it won't quite be heaven until that day, hopefully not for many years, when her whole family joins her there. And of course, she'll make sure the cribbage board is ready for Grampa, when the day eventually comes for him to join her.
We all lost a little bit of ourselves when Mae Mills died. But we are better people for having know her. We love you, Gram.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Johnny Damon, Drawn to the Dark Side
You know, I really enjoyed watching Johnny Damon play center field for the Red Sox these past four years. His defensive skills, except for his below-average throwing arm, were incredibly impressive. His bat was incredible some years, like 2005, and fair others, like 2003. But he was definitely a fan favorite.
I would have been upset if Johnny had jumped to another team, but I would understand. I would have been really upset if, several years down the road, he had ended up playing for the Yankees, but I would have gotten over it. But to be drawn to the Dark Side, months after playing four years with the Red Sox, fighting the Evil Empire in so many classic battles...
To be a true Red Sox player, one must have a true understanding of the rivalry. One must have a sense of right and wrong. A sense of good vs. evil.
Johnny Damon was a hero to many in Red Sox Nation. He had a cult following. He was an icon. But so was Anakin Skywalker, before he was lured to the Dark Side by greed. Mr. Damon sold his services to the highest bidder. I thought Johnny was beyond that. Apparently not.
I have never been more disappointed in a baseball player in my life. Johnny Damon, a Yankee. How can it be so? Who would have guessed? But some people are not strong enough to resist the Dark Side. Luke Skywalker resisted, but it wasn't easy. George Bailey almost accepted a job from Mr. Potter in It's A Wonderful Life, but good won out. In Stephen King's The Stand, the whole story was about those who would give in to the Dark Side of Randall Flagg, and those who chose a harder life and to follow Mother Abigail and the side of Good.
Johnny is siding with Emperor Palpatine, Mr. Potter and Randall Flagg. He is choosing the easy way out, the evil way. But evil does not always win out. It seems to me that Johnny will someday see the error of his ways, but, by then, it may be too late.
I would have been upset if Johnny had jumped to another team, but I would understand. I would have been really upset if, several years down the road, he had ended up playing for the Yankees, but I would have gotten over it. But to be drawn to the Dark Side, months after playing four years with the Red Sox, fighting the Evil Empire in so many classic battles...
To be a true Red Sox player, one must have a true understanding of the rivalry. One must have a sense of right and wrong. A sense of good vs. evil.
Johnny Damon was a hero to many in Red Sox Nation. He had a cult following. He was an icon. But so was Anakin Skywalker, before he was lured to the Dark Side by greed. Mr. Damon sold his services to the highest bidder. I thought Johnny was beyond that. Apparently not.
I have never been more disappointed in a baseball player in my life. Johnny Damon, a Yankee. How can it be so? Who would have guessed? But some people are not strong enough to resist the Dark Side. Luke Skywalker resisted, but it wasn't easy. George Bailey almost accepted a job from Mr. Potter in It's A Wonderful Life, but good won out. In Stephen King's The Stand, the whole story was about those who would give in to the Dark Side of Randall Flagg, and those who chose a harder life and to follow Mother Abigail and the side of Good.
Johnny is siding with Emperor Palpatine, Mr. Potter and Randall Flagg. He is choosing the easy way out, the evil way. But evil does not always win out. It seems to me that Johnny will someday see the error of his ways, but, by then, it may be too late.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Christmas Movies and Specials
When I was a kid, I could not wait to see those Christmas specials. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Santa Claus Is ComingTo Town, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Frosty. I absolutely loved them! I'd know exactly which ones would be on when and I'd plan my schedule (not that it was too busy at eight years old) around them.
Yet, here I am an adult, and I still can't wait. Only now, I have them all on DVD or video and I can watch them whenever I want. Thank God, I married a woman who loves them as much as I do. We spend from Thanksgiving to Christmas watching specials and Christmas movies every night we are home.
I'm not sure if watching them brings back memories of being a kid, or if it is something else. Watching them brings a sense of peace, a sense of goodwill toward mankind, a sense of family. It's hard to explain why I enjoy watching the Christmas specials so much. I like to sing along with the songs: "Put One Foot in Front of the Other", "I'm Mr. Heatmeiser", "Holly, Jolly Christmas", "Silver and Gold", "Christmastime Is Calling", "Thank You Very Much", and many others.
Here are some of our favorite Christmas Specials:
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Twas The Night Before Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fat Albert Christmas
Frosty The Snowman
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Here are our favorite Christmas movies:
Scrooge (the musical version of A Christmas Carol)
Christmas Vacation
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Ernest Saves Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with Jim Carrey)
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
If You Believe
A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version)
Polar Express (a new favorite of our's)
And finally, here are a few of our less thought of Christmas "things" we like to watch:
Are You Being Served Christmas video
The Night They Saved Christmas
Little House On the Prairie: Christmas At Plum Creek
Little House On the Prairie: A Christmas They Never Forgot
Roots: The Gift
West WIng Christmas episodes
White House Christmas (an annual Christmas show on HGTV)
Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special
The Homecoming (the pilot movie for The Waltons tv series)
In closing, I have no idea why I love these shows and movies so much. But I do.
Yet, here I am an adult, and I still can't wait. Only now, I have them all on DVD or video and I can watch them whenever I want. Thank God, I married a woman who loves them as much as I do. We spend from Thanksgiving to Christmas watching specials and Christmas movies every night we are home.
I'm not sure if watching them brings back memories of being a kid, or if it is something else. Watching them brings a sense of peace, a sense of goodwill toward mankind, a sense of family. It's hard to explain why I enjoy watching the Christmas specials so much. I like to sing along with the songs: "Put One Foot in Front of the Other", "I'm Mr. Heatmeiser", "Holly, Jolly Christmas", "Silver and Gold", "Christmastime Is Calling", "Thank You Very Much", and many others.
Here are some of our favorite Christmas Specials:
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Twas The Night Before Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fat Albert Christmas
Frosty The Snowman
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Here are our favorite Christmas movies:
Scrooge (the musical version of A Christmas Carol)
Christmas Vacation
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Ernest Saves Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with Jim Carrey)
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
If You Believe
A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott version)
Polar Express (a new favorite of our's)
And finally, here are a few of our less thought of Christmas "things" we like to watch:
Are You Being Served Christmas video
The Night They Saved Christmas
Little House On the Prairie: Christmas At Plum Creek
Little House On the Prairie: A Christmas They Never Forgot
Roots: The Gift
West WIng Christmas episodes
White House Christmas (an annual Christmas show on HGTV)
Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special
The Homecoming (the pilot movie for The Waltons tv series)
In closing, I have no idea why I love these shows and movies so much. But I do.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Little Dogs vs. Big Dogs
I have always been a fan of big dogs, never liking little dogs at all, until recently. I always considered little dogs to be nothing more than cats in disguise. In fact, it wouldn't have surprised me if a scientist somewhere had discovered that little dogs were not even part of the canine family, but were actually their own species, or maybe even closer related to felines.
When I first got my dog, Washington, 11 years ago, I wanted a bog dog. A friend told me his dog, a German Shepard-Wolf hybrid, had just had puppies. He said he thought the father of the pups was a Saint Bernard. I thought wonderful, you can't get much bigger than a St. Bernard-German Shepard-Wolf mix. So I told him I'd gladly take one of the puppies. Later he told me he was wrong about the father, that it was a Golden Retriever. By this time I had already had my heart set on the puppy, so it did not disuade me.
Washington, as I found out on the day I moved into my first house, ended up being the largest of the litter, and also the gentlest. She was the only pup that crawled up into my lap when I went to pick her up. She has been a true blessing to me, a companion and friend, ever since. I was married 4 years ago and my wife and stepson joined my family, meaning myself and Washy. Washington is a 95-pound bear of a creature, who has never growled at a single person, and only barks when extremely excited.
This past June, we added another dog to the family. My wife wanted a lap-dog. Now this took some convincing in arder for me to accept a little dog into the family. But finally, I agreed. Washington was nearly 11 at that time, and had long wanted another dog for companionship, plus I knew she would not be around for too many more years.
After considering pugs and Jack Russells and cairn terriors and several other breeds, we settled on a miniature pincher. After answering an ad in Uncle Henry's magazine, we purchased Harrison. Harry, as he quickly became know, was 2.9 pounds when we picked him up. And he quickly became a joy to us, and by us I mean my wife, myself, and Washington.
Harry is both the lap-dog my wife wanted and the companion Washy has wanted. He is now six months old, closer to 10 pounds, and he rules the house. He'll go from chasing Washington (and vice-versa) around the house to sleeping in your lap, from barking at the slightest sound to crawling on top of you while you are laying on the bed or couch and licking your face. He is a joy and has quickly become a valuable member of the family. Washington loves him and he has helped Washington find the puppy inside herself once again.
I know I never thought I would like a little dog, but I was wrong. They can definitely be as loving and fun, and as much work, as a bog dog. I'm not sure which type I prefer. It is really a toss-up. Dogs are dogs, whether they weight 95 pounds or 10 pounds. They are truely man's best friend and I am truely glad to have both Washington and Harry.
When I first got my dog, Washington, 11 years ago, I wanted a bog dog. A friend told me his dog, a German Shepard-Wolf hybrid, had just had puppies. He said he thought the father of the pups was a Saint Bernard. I thought wonderful, you can't get much bigger than a St. Bernard-German Shepard-Wolf mix. So I told him I'd gladly take one of the puppies. Later he told me he was wrong about the father, that it was a Golden Retriever. By this time I had already had my heart set on the puppy, so it did not disuade me.
Washington, as I found out on the day I moved into my first house, ended up being the largest of the litter, and also the gentlest. She was the only pup that crawled up into my lap when I went to pick her up. She has been a true blessing to me, a companion and friend, ever since. I was married 4 years ago and my wife and stepson joined my family, meaning myself and Washy. Washington is a 95-pound bear of a creature, who has never growled at a single person, and only barks when extremely excited.
This past June, we added another dog to the family. My wife wanted a lap-dog. Now this took some convincing in arder for me to accept a little dog into the family. But finally, I agreed. Washington was nearly 11 at that time, and had long wanted another dog for companionship, plus I knew she would not be around for too many more years.
After considering pugs and Jack Russells and cairn terriors and several other breeds, we settled on a miniature pincher. After answering an ad in Uncle Henry's magazine, we purchased Harrison. Harry, as he quickly became know, was 2.9 pounds when we picked him up. And he quickly became a joy to us, and by us I mean my wife, myself, and Washington.
Harry is both the lap-dog my wife wanted and the companion Washy has wanted. He is now six months old, closer to 10 pounds, and he rules the house. He'll go from chasing Washington (and vice-versa) around the house to sleeping in your lap, from barking at the slightest sound to crawling on top of you while you are laying on the bed or couch and licking your face. He is a joy and has quickly become a valuable member of the family. Washington loves him and he has helped Washington find the puppy inside herself once again.
I know I never thought I would like a little dog, but I was wrong. They can definitely be as loving and fun, and as much work, as a bog dog. I'm not sure which type I prefer. It is really a toss-up. Dogs are dogs, whether they weight 95 pounds or 10 pounds. They are truely man's best friend and I am truely glad to have both Washington and Harry.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Stunned by Theo Epstein's Decision with Red Sox
I was absolutely stunned by Theo Epstein's decision not to accept the Red Sox's offer of $4.5 million over 3 years to continue as their general manager. He did an absolutely incredible job in his previous 3 years, and I have heard it said several times that this was considered his dream job. Why would he walk away? He has denied it had anything to do with a conflict with Larry Luchino, as was rumored. He said he just could no longer put his heart and soul into the job. I just can't imagine that could be all there is to the story.
I'm sure the hours are horrible, it is probably a 24-7 job. But come on. It's the Boston Red Sox. And he was in charge. He made all the decisions. It's every true diehard Red Sox fan's dream job. All of us who play fantasy baseball, or online or computer baseball games, its what we dream of doing. How could anyone who is that much a fan of the game of baseball, in particular the Boston Red Sox, walk away from their dream?
I'm also worried that the timing on this is horrible. The Sox have free agents to try to re-sign. Spots to fill, both on tthe field and in the coaching ranks. The timing could not be worse. And the Sox's assistant GM was just signed by another team. This has me worried. They need to find someone fast, for a position that they should not rush trying to fill. With this dilemna, I'd say the only choice is to get an experienced interim general manager. One with experience, but who might or might not be interested in the position beyond temporary. They need someone with a lot of experience to come on board fast, knowing it might be temporary, but knowing there is a lot of work to do in the weeks ahead.
Maybe Theo would available?
I'm sure the hours are horrible, it is probably a 24-7 job. But come on. It's the Boston Red Sox. And he was in charge. He made all the decisions. It's every true diehard Red Sox fan's dream job. All of us who play fantasy baseball, or online or computer baseball games, its what we dream of doing. How could anyone who is that much a fan of the game of baseball, in particular the Boston Red Sox, walk away from their dream?
I'm also worried that the timing on this is horrible. The Sox have free agents to try to re-sign. Spots to fill, both on tthe field and in the coaching ranks. The timing could not be worse. And the Sox's assistant GM was just signed by another team. This has me worried. They need to find someone fast, for a position that they should not rush trying to fill. With this dilemna, I'd say the only choice is to get an experienced interim general manager. One with experience, but who might or might not be interested in the position beyond temporary. They need someone with a lot of experience to come on board fast, knowing it might be temporary, but knowing there is a lot of work to do in the weeks ahead.
Maybe Theo would available?
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Going to Conferences
As a teacher, one of the things I hate the most is going to a conference. For one thing, I hate being away from my kids. (This is how I refer to my students.) All I do all day long is think of all the things I could be accomplishing if I was back at school teaching my kids. I watch the clock and think, "Oh, right now I'd be in the middle of first block math," or "Now I'd be walking the kids to exploratries."
Besides that, there is the hassle of making sub plans. This takes a long time to put together, first of all. Second, it's always busy work, because you can't expect even the best subs to teach a lesson and not end up doing it over again after you get back. So instead you give them something to keep them busy, so they won't give the substitute a hard time. Then, after you get back, you have all the correcting to do, the follow up on misbehaving kids, the room to clean up, etc.
All in all, I would much rather be at school. It makes my life easier and, besides, I rarely get much out of the conferences, anyway.
Besides that, there is the hassle of making sub plans. This takes a long time to put together, first of all. Second, it's always busy work, because you can't expect even the best subs to teach a lesson and not end up doing it over again after you get back. So instead you give them something to keep them busy, so they won't give the substitute a hard time. Then, after you get back, you have all the correcting to do, the follow up on misbehaving kids, the room to clean up, etc.
All in all, I would much rather be at school. It makes my life easier and, besides, I rarely get much out of the conferences, anyway.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Halloween
You know, I really hate Halloween. I consider it a horrible holiday. Think about it, kids go around from house to house begging for candy, and playing tricks on people who don't have any. Doesn't this sound like it should be illegal? In fact, any other day of the year, other than October 31st, it would be. Why then is it okay to do this on this one day of the year?
Don't call me a scrooge for disliking (loathing, actually) Halloween. I love Christmas, I can't wait for Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day is awesome, but Halloween just bugs me. Before I was married (4 years ago), I used to plan to not be home on Halloween. Some years I'd hide in my classroom at school until very late correcting papers (I teach sixth grade). I'd arrange to get home well after the last "trick-or-treat-ers" had stopped knocking on people's doors. I'd let my sister know she could stop by the school with her two little boys to pick up their Halloween candy, but no one else would be able to find me.
Now, my wife makes me help her pass out candy. I'm in charge of grabbing hold of the dogs so they don't get out and she gives out the treats. I hate it. It's not like we get that many kids, either. Last year we set a new record: 4. But I still hate it.
School will be interesting tomorrow. The kids will either be riding sugar-highs, or sugar-lows. Either way, it will be nuts. I think November 1st should be a national school-day-off.
Don't call me a scrooge for disliking (loathing, actually) Halloween. I love Christmas, I can't wait for Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day is awesome, but Halloween just bugs me. Before I was married (4 years ago), I used to plan to not be home on Halloween. Some years I'd hide in my classroom at school until very late correcting papers (I teach sixth grade). I'd arrange to get home well after the last "trick-or-treat-ers" had stopped knocking on people's doors. I'd let my sister know she could stop by the school with her two little boys to pick up their Halloween candy, but no one else would be able to find me.
Now, my wife makes me help her pass out candy. I'm in charge of grabbing hold of the dogs so they don't get out and she gives out the treats. I hate it. It's not like we get that many kids, either. Last year we set a new record: 4. But I still hate it.
School will be interesting tomorrow. The kids will either be riding sugar-highs, or sugar-lows. Either way, it will be nuts. I think November 1st should be a national school-day-off.
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