Music is Better than Candy and Flowers: Make a Moment

As Valentine’s Day approaches, I go through my usual routine.  Someone at work will ask me “What are you getting your wife for the big day?”. I follow that with a solid, resolute, “nothing”.  Wait, before you gasp and think to yourself what a terrible person I am, let me fill you in on a few things.  I have been very happily married for seventeen years now and I am very deeply in love with this woman.  That is precisely why I do not need Hallmark or FTD to tell me I need to tell her so.  I bring my wife flowers unexpectedly (I hope) when I feel she needs them.  She may have had a bad day, so it is a pick me up or on a good day it’s a celebration.  I try to let her know every day how much she means to me.  So, I don’t need the guilt trip from my co-workers or the television to remind me.

What do I do?  Well, I try to show her by making her favorite dinner.  Yes, I can cook, I don’t just fumble around pretending to make a gourmet dish and coming out with a mess on a plate.  I will leave her a note or drop her an email in the middle of the day to let her know she is on my mind.  Yes, when you have found the right person this still happens after the six-month mark.  We also both really enjoy music, so we will leave musical reminders to each other.  Sometimes romantic, sometimes funny, sometimes it’s just off the wall. 

A song can be an overt love song, have only a line or two, or have no romantic intent whatsoever and it can still have meaning.  We probably have more or “our” songs than most people.  Some remind us of a particular day, others for what they say and some for completely unexplainable reasons.  Sorry, no explanation for the last one.  But music is one of the ways we connect. 

I will hear one certain song and always remember the way my wife sang it into my ear as we danced.  I will hear another and think of the dinner we were having when it played.  Sharing these moments with the person you love is what keeps you together.

In honor of the day that I hate more than any other (although there are some others very close, but that is another post.) here is my list of most romantic songs to play for your special someone, old school edition.  That’s pre-1980 kids.

So, without further ado and in no particular order:

1.      The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes for You

2.      Sam Cooke – You Send Me

3.      Nat King Cole – When I Fall in Love or Unforgettable

4.      Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – The Nearness of You

5.      Frank Sinatra – Fly Me to the Moon, I’ve Got a Crush on You, or You’re Getting to be a Habit with Me.

6.      Etta James- At Last

7.      Dusty Springfield – The Look of Love

8.      Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

9.      Aretha Franklin – (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman

10.   Elton John – Your Song

11.   Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed

12.   Hall and Oates – Sara Smile

13.   Billy Joel – She’s Got a Way

14.   Patsy Cline – Crazy

15.   Al Green – Let’s Stay Together

Is this the definitive list, oh no.  Did I leave songs out?  Sure, I did.  Some of these songs may not even seem romantic to you, that’s okay.  You may have heard another version and like it better.  That’s fantastic.  This is just the start. 

I made a point to go with older songs because those that get radio saturation lose meaning when it is everyone’s song.  Choose an older song and it can seem like yours alone.  The song that will mean something only to you and your partner. 

Here is my wish for you and your special someone.  That you should find a few songs with a deep meaning or connection for only the two of you.  If I helped you find one with my list above, great.  If I only gave you a direction that is fine with me.  Everyone deserves to have a moment that no one beside the two of you understand.  You hear the song on the radio, your eyes meet and you just know.  That is better than flowers, a box of candy or even a ring that someone else told you to buy.  This moment was created by you and it is yours forever and you don’t need a date on a calendar to know it is special.

I won’t tell you to have a happy Valentine’s Day. 

I will wish you a very romantic day for you and that special someone, every day.  Turn on the radio, your song may be playing right now.

The Itinerary,What's Left on My List?

Everyone has a list of things they want to do or places they want to go before they die.  I am no different.  I have to say I am not fond of the term “bucket list” but to avoid a diatribe that does not belong in this post, I will keep it moving.  So, my bucket list is more of a, places I want to go rather than things I want to do list.  I have no desire to jump from a plane, cliff, building or anything else for that matter.  I do not need to go through a military style boot camp.  I am an adventurous eater, but have absolutely no need to take a Bizarre Foods road trip.  I don’t burn to climb Mt. Everest or swim the English Channel. 

I have to say that I have had the opportunity to fulfill many of the items that would be on most people’s lists.  If you don’t see the typical visit the Grand Canyon or the observation deck on the Empire State Building, it could be because I was there already.  I have been fortunate to have traveled quite a bit, at least through North America.  I have quite a few check marks already.

No, my list is much more simple.  Most people would probably call it boring.  But I like it.  Please note that this is my list today.  It could, and probably will change in the future. So, without further ado and in no particular order…

Visit Poland.  This is the place of my heritage.  Growing up I listened to my grandmother speak Polish and a bit of Ukrainian.  I listened to the stories of my family and how they made the voyage to America in the early 1900’s.  My family has even been fortunate enough to have a few of our relatives living there come for a visit.  I would like to do the same.  Poland has a rich history and I would like the chance to experience it firsthand.

Visit Ireland and Northern Ireland.  This is the place of my wife’s heritage.  Her family hails from County Cork, County Down and County Armagh.  I would like to see Ireland for all of the same reasons I want to see Poland.  I want to take in the history and beauty of the country and the understand the personal connections to this place.  Plus, I would have a much easier time communicating in Ireland than I would in Poland.

Visit St. Andrew’s Scotland.  While I am in the British Isles, I want to make my pilgrimage to the birthplace of golf.  I have been a golfer since the age of five.  I have loved my time on the course playing the only game that can simultaneously be the most relaxing and frustrating one on earth.  I am not alone having this location on my list.  Anyone who has chased a little white ball around with a crooked stick has dreamed of The Old Course and the town itself.

If you have read my past posts, you know that I love golf, but I am obsessed with baseball.  To that end, I have a few baseball related places on my list.

Visit two Halls of Fame.  I have been to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY, as a child.  I want to go back as an adult.  I also want to go to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO.  The first museum will always have a gap in its history, the second fills that need.  I want to experience the entire story.  Yes, I love the game, I can’t help it.

I want to experience a baseball game in Japan.  The game is as big in Japan as it is in the United States.  However, since baseball has been there for close to a century, it has evolved differently.  The game is played with the same set of rules, but the traditions are different and unique.  The fan experience is also very different there. The same holds true for South Korea and Taiwan.  I want to take it all in.

I want to experience a baseball game(s) in the Caribbean.  Baseball is one of our sports in the US.  In much of the Caribbean, it is the sport.  They live baseball.  I want to witness this firsthand.  I dream of seeing games in Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic, Cuba, Curacao and while technically not Caribbean, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, and several other nations as well.

I want to visit all fifty states and a few territories.  I have visited forty states to date.  I have no particular location in mind, I just want to make it there.  I would also like to include a few of our territories like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 

I would like to do the same with our neighbor to the north.  I want to visit all ten Canadian Provinces and three territories.  I am a bit farther behind on this list.  I only have three provinces checked so far.

I want to experience the New Orleans Jazz Festival.  I have been a lifelong jazz fan dating back to when my grandmother first played her old 78s for me.  You can keep Mardi Gras, I will take the Jazz Festival.

I want to experience Philadelphia’s Mummer’s Parade as an adult.  I have been there but I want to see it through my adult eyes to better appreciate the spectacle of it all.

I want to look down into the crater of a volcano.  As a child, I wanted to become a volcanologist.  I am still fascinated by science involved with a volcano.  I would like to see one up close and personal.  I am not particular.  I would be satisfied with an ash spewing giant like Mt. St. Helens or an active cauldron of lava from Mt. Kilauea. 

I want to tour every Smithsonian Institution Museum.  Just limiting myself to the Washington DC area museums, there are eighteen.  I have made it to thirteen.  I was almost there but they opened a few more and that gives me a few new ones for the list.

I want to attend the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, NY and the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham, England.  I am an unabashed dog lover.  These are the Super Bowl and the Olympics respectively.  What else needs to be said here.

Then there is the one that I will never see come to fruition.  Space.  I, like most every other person on earth, has dreamed of traveling to space.  I did try to take it a step further.  I applied to Space Camp.  I did not make it, but in my mind, I always thought I could become an astronaut.  I follow NASA, the European Space Agency, the International Space Station, and several more.  I can still dream, can’t I?

Well, there you have it, my list. (For now) Like I said, not that exciting to the masses, but thrilling in my mind.  What does your list look like?  I would love to hear.  You can let me know in the comments or try me on Twitter @TWR_Individual.

Who's On Third?

As winter rolls on my baseball withdrawal worsens.  I search the internet for the latest hot stove moves.  I surf for the most recent prospect highlights from the Caribbean, Mexico and Venezuela.  I keep an eye on the Japanese Professional League whose season starts about the same time as ours.  I have even been watching the Australian League scores and Jim Kaat’s work in New Zealand.  My wife periodically asks me “How many days?”.  I can usually give her the countdown to when pitchers and catchers report, opening day and this year the World Baseball Classic.  Bonus! 

But as I look forward to the coming season, I find myself looking back to my own playing days.  No, you never heard of me.  I was not a hot prospect.  I was a good high school player with a plus glove and arm but only an average bat and little power or speed, although I was an excellent bunter.  Those tools may get you a chance to walk on for a college team, but no one was handing me any offer letters.  Thankfully, I have come to terms with my talent and I am definitely not one of those guys who’s past gets better as they get older.  If I did that, by my age, I would be ready to enter the Hall of Fame.

When I mentioned I was looking back to my playing days, I am actually referring more to my early days.  Specifically, to my inspirations in the beginning. 

Where I grew up in Pennsylvania, I was located in a small miracle like area of sorts for the new sensation of cable television.  We had stations from several major markets and I could see a ball game almost any time during the season.  I had stations that were either from or broadcast games for Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and Pittsburgh.  In the 70’s and early 80’s I was truly the proverbial kid in a candy store.

For those not as obsessed as myself, let me give you a little run down of the teams in those markets.  Pittsburgh was a powerhouse through the entire decade.  Even after the loss of Roberto Clemente, the Pirates, led by Willie Stargell, Dave Parker and a solid pitching staff were rivaled only by the Reds in the first half of the decade.  The Orioles had one of the greatest pitching staffs in the history of the game (only the second staff with four 20 game winners) and appeared in three series in the 70s and six in a seventeen-year span.  The Mets had the miracle ’69 season and another Series a few years later but were beginning to fade as the decade progressed.  The Yankees made three straight Series appearances and four in six years.  These were the days of Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Catfish Hunter.  The Phillies finally shook off twenty-five years in the doldrums with three straight division titles and their first ever world championship followed by another Series three years later.

 Needless to say, I had great games to watch at all times.  This was the fuel to my fire.  The spark however, that was my father.  My Dad grew up in Philadelphia, in the heart of the City.  He was a diehard A’s fan idolizing Connie Mack, always hoping he would find a way to bring back a string of championships like he had twice in the past.  It was not to be and the A’s joined the move west to Kansas City and eventually Oakland.  My father remained an A’s fan until he passed away.  Dad also loved the Phillies and knew every member of the Whiz Kids.  He made me the baseball fan I am today.  Even when I got older and we had our typical father son disagreements, we could always talk baseball.  (Yeah, I know, it sounds sappy but it’s true.) 

So, when I decided I wanted to start playing, dad asked me where I wanted to play.  Well, that was the easiest answer of my entire youth.  Third base, of course.  When I looked around at the men playing third, I knew where I wanted to play.  The Pirates had Bill Madlock and the Yankees had Graig Nettles.  But then there were two Hall of Famers in the Phillies Mike Schmidt and the Orioles Brooks Robinson.  Why look anywhere else?

When I started to play Little League, I begged the coach to play third and he gave me my chances, but he also moved me around to other positions.  I gave each one my best, but I always wanted to go to “my spot”.  Dad worked with me and the following year I moved up a division and my new coach put me at third and that is where I stayed for the next decade.    

Then one day as he was working with me in the back yard he mentioned a new name to me. He told me about another third baseman who grew up in Philadelphia and became an All-Star playing in Philly.  Judy Johnson.  Now, at this point I was about ten years old and the name stuck in my head for two reasons.  First, my father loved the game and he was telling me about an all-time great who came from and played in his hometown.  Second, my mother’s name is Judy, and his name stuck with me for obvious reasons.  He told me what he knew about him.  He explained he played in the Negro Leagues and that he retired before he had the chance to see him.  This prompted a whole new set of questions about the Negro Leagues and why these players could not play in the majors.  At ten, this was as difficult to grasp as it is for me today.  Dad even had an old book with two photos of Judy.  I wish I had that book today but I can still see both photos.  The next fall I went to the Library and found a book about the League and read it cover to cover.  I learned names and read stories I never knew existed.  A whole new part of game opened up for me.  I soaked in all I could about Johnson, Robinson and Schmidt and wanted to be just like them. 

To some extent I emulated the three of them.  As I mentioned I had a plus glove and arm.  I was very good in the field and could throw out anyone from deep behind the bag.  Unfortunately, that never carried over to the bat.  So, my professional career ended long before it started.  Even though I never made the show, I do have a few memories of my playing days I will always cherish.  As a twelve-year-old, I played in Howard J. Lamade Stadium, the home of Little League Baseball.  I played third base that day.  I went 4 for 5 with 4 doubles and 4 RBI.  It was and still is my favorite day playing the game.  Earlier that same year, I also had the chance to play on the home field of the Original League in Williamsport.  This was not my home league, but the man who was my second father was an officer of the league and he made the arrangements.  He also introduced me to Carl Stotz.  A man I firmly believe belongs in Cooperstown.  How many professional ball players would never have had the chance without Little League Baseball?

In the coming years, I would find new and better information about the trio who drove me.  I learned that Judy Johnson was not actually from Philadelphia but nearby Wilmington, Delaware. Years later, I lived in Wilmington and was able to see how the city now appreciates and celebrates the man.  Through events, I was able to meet and shake the hand of both Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson.  I never had the opportunity with Judy Johnson.  They say never meet your heroes.  I met two of the three and I have to say I am glad for it.  From everything I have read about the third, I would not have been disappointed. 

Recently, I stumbled upon a gentleman on Twitter.  He happens to be the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City.  After following him and seeing the wealth of information that he and his connections share, I was reminded of Judy Johnson.  That is what brought back all of these memories.  Thank you, Mr. Kendrick. 

Judy Johnson played his first professional season 98 years ago.  I am so glad my father introduced me to him so I could have the perfect man to round out the trio that I tried to emulate on the field.

If you are as obsessed with the game as I am and would like to discuss more about any facet of baseball history, please look me up on Twitter.  I am @TWR_Individual.  I may not have all the answers, but I will have a great time finding them with you.  I would also like to hear about who your on the field influences were.  Who did you want to play like?

Dear Santa - One Last Gift for Everyone

With the holidays upon us, I thought I would lend a helping hand.  Tis the season to pitch in and make yourself feel good about ignoring those in need for the past eleven months.  So, I thought I would volunteer my services to and finish up those last-minute gift ideas for you.  The ones that you forgot you needed or were just too shy to ask.  Everyone has their list for Santa Claus.  You may not want to admit it, but you do.  Some of these suggestions are semi-serious, some are light hearted.  None of these deal with particularly heavy subjects.  Without further ado, here are my additions to everyone’s Christmas lists.

Dear Santa,  

For every middle-aged office worker who goes to the holiday party thinking, “I can still tie one on like I’m in my twenties” I wish for them a little common sense.  The sad truth is, you can’t.  Slow down and realize, the consequences you are facing once you walk back into the office Monday morning.  Even if you can still bend your elbow with the best of them, you will probably make a complete ass out of yourself.  Then, when the holiday party is cancelled next year for “budgetary” reasons, everyone will be looking at you.  Moderation is the key my friends.

For the movie industry, I wish for a new idea so we can move on from super heroes.  Yes, I know the masked and caped dual identity do-gooders make billions for Hollywood.  I know there are millions of fans out there who wait with great anticipation for the next one, but come on already.  First, how many times can we go back to the well with the big three.  Batman, Superman, and Spiderman have been done to death.  Second, does every legend of comic book lore need to make it to the silver screen?  How long until the Wonder Twins are touching rings?  Please, studio executives, implore your writers to create something new.

For the music industry, I would like to gift you with forgetting you ever found auto-tune.  This device has made many a so-called singer a star.  If this is truly the music industry and you are supposed to have talent to succeed, then go sign talent.  I have grown so tired of hearing everyone’s voices digitally adjusted I want to scream.  A completely pitch perfect scream, mind you.  Let’s face facts here.  I can sing well enough to get close to a melody.  Should I be a rock star?  Hell no.  If your artist cannot sing on key, or in Randy Jackson’s favorite criticism, “A little pitchy”, don’t sign them.  Look a little harder, dig a little deeper and find singers.  By the way, if some of the stars currently on the charts can really sing, we can’t tell.  Let their talent shine.  Please.

For Facebook, Twitter, and all other social media companies.  A series of pre-post buttons.  These buttons are created for the sanity of everyone OTHER than the person posting. 

1.      Are you sure you want to post this now?

2.      Did you check it for spelling and grammar? (Not that anyone cares about this any longer.)

3.      Is this a photo you will regret posting later? (Like when you interview for that next job.)

4.      No, really, you need to re-read this post. 

5.      Okay, but you will rue the day….

One can only hope this will still stop those who did not get the memo that duckface and deuces has gone out of style.  Maybe the complexity of the posting will eliminate some of the drunken 3:00 AM rants about how Tom Brady got screwed or how the draft (pick our sport) is rigged.  I think this one is a lost cause though.  This may be out of Father Christmas’ wheelhouse. 

For all students, I would like to clear a few things up.  Wikipedia is not a legitimate reference tool.  Pi is not 3.  Physical education does not involve video games.  There are fifty states. Benjamin Franklin did not “invent” electricity.  Not everything needs to be abbreviated.  If you are young and were offended by this because you know better, thank you.  You are the ones I want caring for me when I am old and cantankerous.  That may be in just a few weeks.

For the scientific community, no matter your field of expertise, my wish for you is patience.  Persons are smart, people are stupid, reactionary and unwilling to listen.  Keep working on the individuals and the people will come around.

For the sporting world, another year like the one we just had.  We saw long droughts end, old favorites ride off into the sunset, and unexpected champions the world over (yes, you Leicester City and Ottawa). The global community came together again for more successful events.  As long as you keep thinking of the fans in the seats, at home and in person, your game will improve.   Kudos to the NBA and MLB for keeping the peace and the game on the field.

For everyone who is addicted to social media, a book.  A book is like Twitter if you didn’t have a character limit, had spell check, full words, no hashtags, coherent thoughts, sensibility, and a point.

For people who do not text and drive, a forcefield to keep those who do away from us.  If you are a person who texts and drives, stop.  You are not as good at it as you think.  I know, you think you are the exception.  You are not, you suck at it.  Stop.

For all the people in any store who feels like they have the entire place to themselves, awareness.  No, you cannot park your cart on one side of the aisle, stand on the other and pretend that no one else is trying to get past you.  Wake up and smell the frustration. 

To certain hipsters, a bar of soap and some shampoo.  You know who you are.

For our heroes, the real ones, our first responders and members of the military, safety.  Enough said.

For every shelter animal, everywhere, a forever home.

For NASA, ESA, RSA, and every other space agency, courage to take the next step. 

For the medical community, more power to heal.  More and better research that will lead to cures and treatments. 

For all those celebrities who are famous for being famous, self-respect and humility.  Your self-esteem should not rely on us. Because we only need you until the next thing comes along.  Get a grip.

For Minor League Baseball, better name choices.  Jumbo Shrimp, Baby Cakes, really?!?

For those who take everything too seriously, a laugh.  You can still be a crusader and take a moment to smell the flowers.

For those who take nothing seriously, a sense of responsibility.  Some of us are getting tired of carrying you.

To everyone, a happy holiday.  No matter if it is religious or secular, I hope it is healthy and safe for you and your family.

Sincerely,

The Well-Rounded Individual

2016 - It Wasn't So Bad Afterall

 As we wind down 2016 and look back on what seems like a dumpster fire of a year, I want to stop and look around for a few moments.  We are all too familiar with all of the contentious, sad and maddening events of the past year.  You know what I am talking about.  I will not soil my post with mentioning even a one of them.  Instead, I want to take a look at what went right in the world this past year.  Believe it or not, it was some pretty great stuff.

I am going to fire off a long list of people and their accomplishments and achievements.  I am going to start with the most obvious place for celebration, sports.  I also want to cover many other fields that have achieved milestones that may have flown under your radar.  I am sure I am going to miss many, many topics and people along the way, but here is my list to make you feel better about 2016.

Athletic Achievements

Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian in his final games.  But, he handed the swimming torch over to Katie Ledecky who has a bright future.   

Brazil and Germany took home the Football (Soccer) golds.  Impressive wins for traditional powers. 

The US Women’s Gymnastics Team was spectacular.  Simone, Gabby, Aly, and the team, Brava!

Kimia Alizadeh whose sport is Taekwondo, became the first Iranian woman to bring home an Olympic medal.  Take the advances where you can find them.

Golf returned to the Olympics.  Justin Rose and Inbee Park brought an end to a century old drought for the game.

South African sprinter, Wayde van Niekerk shattered Michael Johnson’s world record for the 400 meters. 

Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, did what has never been done before.  He won the 100 meters for a third time.  He was so impressive in doing so, I would not be surprised to see him in his trademark bow pulling stance four years from now.

The Pittsburgh Penguins raised the Stanley Cup again adding another title for the City of Champions. 

Peyton Manning and a suffocating Broncos Defense brought a Super Bowl win back to Denver. 

Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers brought a championship back to the city for the first time in 52 years.  There is still hope Indians fans.

Leicester City FC broke through to take the Premier League championship in what could be the greatest upset in league History.

Real Madrid came away with an impressive and record setting eleventh UEFA Cup.

Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Ben Zobrist, and the Chicago Cubs broke the curse of the billy-goat and about a dozen other self-inflicted curses with a World Series victory.  They have a great foundation and have the opportunity to keep this going for a while.

Serena Williams added another Wimbledon title to her record setting collection of major wins. 

In men’s golf, Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson, and Jimmy Walker all became first time major champions.  Everyone had unique stories and are forces to be reckoned with in the future.

Not to be outdone on the women’s side, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, Brittany Lang, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Chun In-gee showed that they can do it too with four first time major winners.  The women’s field is opening up and getting much deeper than it has ever been.

Jimmie Johnson joined an exclusive club as one of only three men with seven NASCAR championships.

Nico Rosberg brought home his first Formula 1 championship for Mercedes and Germany.

Medical Advances

Johns Hopkins University is leading the way with brain controlled prosthetics.  New technology has been developed that will allow fine motor skills. They are also getting close to replicating the sense of touch through artificial limbs.

Nano Retina has developed a sophisticated chip that can restore eyesight to people who have been declared legally blind.  The can bring an individual with sight of 20/200 bac to near 20/20. 

Hongjie Dai and his team at Stanford University have developed long lasting batteries meant for use in internal devices such as pacemakers that will allow patients to live without replacements for up to several years more than current devices.

Researchers at MIT and Harvard University are closing in on what they believe is a potential cure for diabetes.

Scientific Advances

Computer Scientists at Brown University are developing technology that will allow robots to learn from one another.  This will remove the burden of programming each one individually.  Robots can be taught their own tasks and will in turn cross-train their peers. 

Paleoanthropologist Lee Berger took a random discovery of two South African spelunkers and proved their find was evidence of a new species of human beings.  This could fill in many gaps in human evolution.

Astronomers at Cal Tech presented evidence of a ninth planet in our solar system orbiting our sun every 15,000 years.

Researchers at Rutgers and Stanford Universities developed a means to inject healthy nerve tissue into the brain to treat Parkinson’s Disease.  Successes in mouse trials could lead to human trials within the next ten years.

NASA has completed the James Webb Space Telescope.  Launching in 2018 it will replace the Hubble Space Telescope and provide greater detail and a look even deeper into space.

Through conservation efforts the Giant Panda, West Indian Manatee, Arabian Oryx, Louisiana Black Bear, Amur Tiger and several other animals have been removed from the endangered species list.  There is still a long way to go, but these are positive steps.

Centenarians

Kirk Douglas turned 100 this week.  If a plane crash, a massive stroke and acting with Arnold can’t stop him, nothing will.  Happy Birthday!

The National Park Service turned 100 this year.  If you realize it or not, you have probably enjoyed time at a site run by the NPS.  Here’s to 100 more (at least).

The first Charlie Chaplin films were released in 1916.  Yes, they are silent.  Yes, they are black and white.  Yes, they are still classics.

The first modern grocery store, Piggly Wiggly opened 100 years ago, in Memphis.  Thank them every time you walk into your local mega-mart.

The San Diego Zoo turns 100 this year.  One of the world’s premier zoological parks.

Making it halfway to the century mark in 2016 are Batman the original television series, The Beatles first American concert, and Star Trek.  Also, celebrating 50 years are Adam Sandler, Halle Berry, Kiefer Sutherland and Janet Jackson.

You see, 2016 was not completely bad.  In fact, some really great stuff happened this year.  I know I have only scratched the surface and there is much more to add, but you get my point.  You can even extract light from some of the darkness.  I know we lost many wonderful people this year.  But after the initial sadness wears off, celebrate the lives of: Arnold Palmer, Glenn Frey, David Bowie, Prince, Florence Henderson, Gene Wilder, Kenny Baker, Harper Lee, Maurice White, John Glenn and the list goes on.   In the words of Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

In the case of 2016, I am not going to cry.  I am going to smile because of what we have done.  For those who know me, they will see this as a positive message from a usually cynical person.  It happens occasionally.  But maybe it is because the year is ending, I am choosing to look at what we have done to move society forward.  I challenge everyone to go find one new thing you did not know about that went well this year.  Hold on to it and carry it into the new year. 

America’s Stories Are Closer Than You Think

The other day I was talking with a co-worker who knew I had lived in Philadelphia.  She and her family were considering a trip to Philadelphia and she asked me about Independence Mall.  Is it worth it?  My immediate answer was “Yes, absolutely!”  Then I followed with don’t limit yourself to just that small area.  There is so much more to see if you are interested in history.  I then gave her a short list of other must see sites in the area from Penn’s Landing up to Valley Forge.  We talked for about ten or fifteen minutes, but that got my wheels turning. 

When we started talking she mentioned just the Independence National Historic Park.  As I told her about other places in the area I was hearing myself say the same thing.  National Historic Site, National Historic Landmark, National Historic Park.  After our conversation ended, I began to think about all of the places I have been that fall under the auspices of the National Park System.  Just from memory, quite a number.

When I woke up this morning, I found myself still thinking about where I had been and began to look at the National Park Service’s website.  I was surprised to find just how many places I really had seen and experienced.  I have even lived very close to several of these sites.  That is not completely shocking since there are currently 413 places that fall under the Park Service.  They range from the largest at over eight million square miles to the smallest being the size of one historic home.  They also vary from the well-known and much visited Blue Ridge Parkway and Yellowstone to Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  There are also less obvious but well known places that are managed by the Service including Mount Rushmore and the White House. 

I am throwing out what may be boring statistics to some to illustrate that National Parks are all around us and probably even close to you.  To that end, I want to tell you about a few of the ones that have made the greatest impact on me. 

The Grand Canyon – The name really speaks volumes.  I had seen pictures all of my life of the canyon, but they did not really resonate until I went there.  To say it is beautiful is an understatement.  We did not venture down into the canyon itself, but we did make a point to visit several points along the rim.  We were at the very crowded south rim observation point at Grand Canyon Village and the views were spectacular.  From there we drove east stopping several times at less crowded places.  We did this until we reached Lipan Point where you have what I think is the best view of the canyon looking down river instead of across to the north rim.  That is a memory I will keep forever.

Zion National Park – This was a hidden gem.  When we left the Grand Canyon, we drove up through Utah and were heading to Las Vegas.  We both knew of Zion but had no plans to stop there.  I cannot tell you how glad I am that we decided to take it in.  If I am honest, it is more visually stimulating than the Grand Canyon.  Being at the bottom looking up does give a different perspective, but the rock formations and colors are amazing.  The Three Patriarchs, the Narrows, the Subway, the Pulpit and many other formations are worth the drive.  Among all of the parks I have been to where nature is the focus, Zion is my favorite.

Fort McHenry – The place that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen a poem that would become our national anthem.  The fort is on a point that is now in the center of Baltimore. To get there you need to travel the busiest of streets and find your way through some industrial areas, but once there, it is a little oasis in the city.  The site is well preserved and pristine.  The guides here are some of the friendliest that I have encountered in my travels.  They tell the story so well and at all times there is an enormous 15-star flag used as the focal point of the story.  If you are in a patriotic mood, this is a must.

The National Mall – Where do I begin with how great this is to visit?  It can be a little hard to define since it is not strictly the strip of land running from the US Capital Building to the Lincoln Memorial.  It is much more than that.  It includes all of the monuments from the iconic Washington Monument to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial, the African American Civil War Memorial, and several more.  Then there are the buildings under the Park Services care including Fords Theatre and the Frederick Douglas National Historic Site.  I would also be remiss if I did not mention the Smithsonian Institution.  Although the many museums are not part of the Park Service, they frame the National Mall and provide endless days of enjoyment and education.

Shenandoah National Park – Blue Ridge Parkway – Great Smokey Mountains National Park – I group these together because essentially, where one ends the next one continues.  If you love nature this is a great place to visit.  It is a large part of the southern half of the Appalachian Trail, a hiker’s delight for longer than it has been a defined trail by the Park service.  If you are not that into hiking but still want to enjoy the park, this is one of the best driving parks we have.  In the fall the Blue Ridge Parkway is a foliage lover’s destination making it the most visited park in the system.  I have driven just about the entire length several times. These three parks are friendly to just about every level of outdoor aficionado. 

Gettysburg National Military Park – I saved this one for last as it is my absolute favorite.  My parents brought me to Gettysburg almost every summer for a few days and we would explore new parts every year.  Later in life, my wife and I lived there for about three years.  We would spend hours on the battlefield.  We rode our bicycles around some trails walked with our dogs down others.  Many of the monuments are beautiful and tell a tragic story of our history.  Yes, there are many monuments to the men who fought for the Confederacy, but the town also has a deeper history.  Gettysburg was home to a community of “free blacks”, African Americans who made a life for themselves and were a part of the greater community in a very contentious time.  Everyone knows about Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg, but George Washington also came through and stayed just outside of the town on his way to put down the Whiskey Rebellion.  There is so much more to learn about this great place.  I know the battlefield as well as some of the guides, but I learn new things all the time. 

I want to mention a few more that I have visited and have left a definite impression on me.  They are in no particular order; Saguaro National Park, Boston National Historic Park, Everglades National Park, Petroglyph National Monument, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Colonial Historic Park, Antietam National Battlefield and of course, where I started this train of thought, Independence National Historic Park.  There are more, but these are at the top of my list.  I have an entire other list of places I could go into but I have kept this to our National Park System.  You can find many just as fascinating place in National Forests, State Parks and private sites all over the country. 

Why did I limit this to the National Park System?  Because on August 25^th of this year, our National Park Service celebrated their 100^th birthday.  On a rough count, I am nearing a quarter of the sites visited.  I want to see many more.  I invite you to send the Service a birthday gift by visiting any one of the sites under their care.  You may learn something.  You may see things you have never seen before.  You may just sit and enjoy nature.  Take a look.  I bet you have one near you. 

I hope you have had the same wonderful experiences.  I would love to hear about your favorite National Park visit.  Please leave a comment.  You may give me my next excursion idea.

It’s Summer, How Bad Could It Be?

Here we are in early November, signs of change are all around.  Where I am, the leaves are in full red and gold.  The air is getting crisp at night and the days are getting cooler.  Some parts of the country are well past this point now.  The leaves are already on the ground.  Each night brings a new frost.  The thought of snow will be creeping in very soon.  In other areas, the oppressive heat of summer gives way to milder more comfortable temperatures.  Everywhere we look, it is Autumn.  The sporting world has changed over for another year.  Baseball gave us another great fall classic and handed the baton to Football.  Tailgating, the art form that it has become, is the pregame ritual for millions this time of year.  There are still many harvest and craft fairs to be celebrated and long fall foliage drives to be taken. 

I do enjoy all of these things.  But I am a summer kind of guy.  I always have been.  Growing up, summer meant endless baseball games.  What inning is it?  It’s not dark yet, keep playing!  That’s what inning it is.  It was swimming with my friends.  It always meant a family vacation.  (Not the Griswold family kind.)  It was snow cones and cookouts.  I loved it.  As I became an adult and no longer had the free time I used to have, summer was still my favorite time.  I was an umpire for baseball and softball from the Little League level through high school and college.  I became pretty good at it and I was even recruited to work a top level wooden bat league for college players.  Now that I had a yard of my own, I found myself enjoying what used to be a chore.  Mowing and landscaping became an enjoyable getaway for me.  I would make time to get to the golf course and backyard barbeques were still an important part of the season. 

This is my time of year.  Just not this past summer.  For the first year in my life, I was looking forward to summer ending.  This one started off like most other ones.  Spring came and the weather warmed.  Sweatshirts and jeans gave way to tee shirts and shorts.  I began to spend more time outside.  I cleaned up the remnants of winter that littered the yard.  I began to mow and trim the grass.  I took time to carefully prune the shrubs by my front porch.  It all seemed like the start of a very normal summer.  Then just before the official start of summer, June 16^th happened.

It started out like any other Thursday.  I woke up early.  I went to work for a completely uneventful, unmemorable day.  I came home and ate dinner and settled in for an evening with my wife and dog.  I thought a little television and pleasant conversation was all that was in my immediate future.  Then as the evening progressed, we each received a buzz on our phones.  We looked to see we had thunderstorm warnings.  Okay, we are inside.  We are dry, the air conditioning was keeping the heat at bay.  I expected nothing more than a light show and some noise.  In fact, I rather enjoy a nice thunderstorm.  I know that seems odd, but I always have. 

Little did I know, this one would be different.  This was not a hurricane.  It had no name.  We were not watching it approach for days.  But it did bring a new word to my vocabulary. 

When it hit, it came all at once.  Within minutes, we had a torrential downpour and a very active storm.  Lightning flashes were only seconds apart followed by the accompanying thunderclap.  Then we heard it.  A cacophony of sound.  There were multiple flashes and a continuous roar of thunder to the point the house shook.  Almost at the same instant, the power went out.  With the violence of what had just happened, I began to go to windows on each side of the house checking for damage.  The only thing I saw in the glow of another lightning flash was one very large branch that had been ripped from the top of one of our back-yard trees.  In a few more minutes, the storm would be just like any other.  So, we sat, waiting for the lights to come back on, entertaining ourselves with the remaining batteries in our phones.  When the power did not come back on, we went to bed, hoping by morning it would be back.

The next morning started at my usual 5:15 AM.  It was still dark when I looked out the front window.  With no light in the neighborhood, I became annoyed as to why we were still in the dark.  I readied myself for work, skipping the cold-water shave.  I figured, it was Friday, my boss won’t mind.  I walked out our side door around 6:15. The sun was just beginning to rise and I could now see around our yard.  Oh, my God!!!  I looked into the back yard and the largest tree we had was torn out by the roots.  This was a tree forty to fifty feet high.  One of the tallest in the neighborhood.  I would come to discover the diameter of the trunk at its base was nearly five feet.  This was a huge tree.  When it came down, it also took out five or six other trees as if they were bowling pins.  This would explain the house shaking thunder.  It was more than that. 

I immediately woke my wife and briefed her on the situation and headed into work.  As I began to leave my block, I realized, this was not just my yard.  This was much larger.  The more I had to weave through debris the more I knew this was serious.  A few blocks from my house, it hit me how truly lucky we were.  A tree, about the size of the one in my yard, had split a home in two.  I took a moment to hope the family who lived there was safe and I continued to work. 

When I got there, I found the generators working properly.  Maybe I could find out what the hell happened.  As people arrived, I heard the stories of downed trees and powerlines.  I pulled up the website for the power company and the magnitude of the storm hit.  Tens of thousands of people were in the dark, the same as us.  I spoke with my boss and decided I would leave for the day to try to deal with the situation. 

The situation was the after effect of what I came to find out was a weather phenomenon known as a derecho.  Maybe you have heard about this, but up until now, I had not.  I won’t get into meteorological creation and mechanics that I would come to learn.  That is for another time.  For now, my concern was the damage.  By the time I arrived back home, the sun was up and I could see the true damage.  Along with the other smaller trees that a knew about, this tree completely crushed a garden shed like a beer can.  It had also taken out a fence and the power lines behind us.  I also knew how lucky we were.  After seeing the devastated house that morning, I realized, it could have been much worse.  This tree stood near four houses and fell in a way that it did not damage any of them. 

As fate would have it, the week after the storm was a scheduled vacation week for me.  Unfortunately, we sat without power for a full five days.  So much for the relaxing time off.  We lost all of our perishable food.  We had to go out to eat for every meal.  Then there was the cleanup.  First there was the insurance adjusters, then the experts for the estimates, finally the actual work.  By mid-July, the tree itself was gone.  The stump had been ground down leaving an enormous mound of dirt and mulched wood.  This work was mine to do. 

I spent a few days working on it and had apparently gotten into some poison ivy.  I have never had too much of an issue with that before.  A few days of itchy skin, a little Benadryl and it would be gone.  Not this time.  This time it would not clear up.  It only seemed to get worse.  By the time I finally went to the doctor, I was beginning to wonder if this was something much worse.  No, it was poison ivy.  It was eating into my right forearm to the point that the doctor said it had penetrated through to my muscle.  I was now on a three-week steroid course and some antibiotics.  Slowly, I got this under control.  By early August, I was feeling better and back out on the lawn.  Time for the weekly mow.  Think again.  Eleven hornet stings later, I was back inside.  I had ice packs on my legs and using language that made my dog blush.  More time to heal.  I was tired of this summer now.  I want it to end.  For the first time. 

Here we are in early November, signs of change are all around.  My stings are gone.  I still have scars from the poison ivy visible on my arm.  I also still have a small mound of dirt left to move.  Now that it is cooler, it will be less taxing to finish.  I have leaves falling that will need to be cleaned up.  Far fewer this fall than last.  Winter will be here soon.  Winter is the time when the earth heals itself.  Spring is the time of renewal.  I know by the time the grass begins to grow again my wife will give me that look, the one I get when spring training starts.  It is the time I begin to look forward to summer.  Although I am now happy that the summer of 2016 has ended, I know I will look forward to next summer. 

For now, I will start planning a new Thanksgiving dinner with my family.  Christmas and New Year will come and go.  February rolls in next with three wonderful events; my wife’s birthday, our anniversary, and the look.  Then it is only a blink of an eye until the grill is fired up, and evenings are spent on the back patio enjoying a glass of iced tea and a summer breeze.  I think next summer will be better.

Hello My Old Friend, I’m Glad You’re Back

About a week ago, my information stream was brought to a screeching halt.  My trusted old Samsung Galaxy 4 decided it had given me its last email, box score and instant message.  The screen went dark and alas, it was no more.  Before you judge me for not having upgraded sooner, I felt no need.  My Galaxy 4 had been reliable and performed every function I asked of it.  So, I had no burning desire to keep up with every new version that hit the market.  I am now up with the latest technology having received my new Galaxy 7.  Yes, I know the 8 is only months away, I am okay with that.  In another three and a half years or so, I look forward to the 11 or 12 or whatever 2019 holds in the marketplace.  But enough with this tangent.

I mentioned the passing of my old friend because my typical routine was disrupted during the time I was forced to revert to the dark ages of the twentieth century.  During my lunch break, I typically go to the café in my building and sit with my phone and do a little personal multi-tasking.  I will check my email, read a little news, peruse my Twitter feed and hold a text conversation with my wife.  We are not exactly on the same schedule.  I leave for the office around 6:30 where she works from home starting at eight or so. Needless to say, she is not up with me in the morning.  I wouldn’t be either if the tables were turned.   This time allows us catch up and say hello.  I will remind her to print out the form she needs and she will remind me to pick up my prescription on the way home.  It is a peaceful little getaway in the middle of an otherwise hectic day. 

On the day after the catastrophic event, our new phones on order, I was getting ready to head to lunch and realized, I have nothing to do.  Without a second thought, I grabbed a notebook and walked down to the café.  I sat down, opened the notebook and put pen to paper.  Yes, kids, this is how we made notes, conveyed information, and even told stories before the ever-present devices.  As I began to write, I started off with an old exercise of just making a journal entry.  I jotted down my thoughts on what had been going on that morning.  I quickly moved into ideas for new posts, including this one.  I wrote out opening paragraphs and followed with a few key points that I could use to expound on my premises. 

Before I knew it, my hour was about done and it was time to head back up to the sixth floor and jump back into my other routine.  The one that pays the bills.  As I was walking back to the elevator, several thoughts hit me.  I missed my daily conversation with my wife.  After nearly seventeen years, I still enjoy every conversation be it in person or via text.  I did not really miss my email, news or Twitter feed.  I did however, fill nearly five pages and I felt satisfied.  I noted that nothing I wrote would ever have me compared to Hemingway much less see the light of day.  The flexing of the manual muscles made for an enjoyable hour though.

That evening, as I was ready to go to bed, I again realized another routine was broken.  I usually end my night with a quick recap of the evenings scores, one last check of my email and maybe a few minutes playing a game then it is off to sleep.  What would I do this evening?  Here is an idea, how about reading a book?

I used to be a voracious reader.  At any one time, I would have about three books in progress at once.  I would usually have a novel.  My book of choice would be something new from Dan Brown or John Grisham or it could be from one of my favorites, James Michener or Tom Clancy.  My second book would be historical in nature.  Usually a biography or a history of a country or people.  Third, being the hopeless fanatic that I am, I would have a book on sports.  I am happy with either fact or fiction here.  However, I seem to have gotten away from reading the way I used to.  The pitfall of endless information and I fell into the trap.

At that moment, I looked over to my nightstand to rediscover what was sitting there.  I had a book that I had been meaning to start reading for some time.  A history of the Vikings (the real ones, not the show) if you are interested.  I cracked the cover and went to town.  About two chapters in, I felt my eyes getting heavy.  I place my bookmark in the page and drifted off to sleep.  When I woke the next morning, I spent my time over morning coffee thinking about what I had read, rather than getting my first look at my email and the overnight news cycle.  How wonderful was this?  I was beginning my day happily thinking about the origins of a people and their culture and the misconceptions surrounding their reputation. 

I repeated my daily writing and reading for one more day before my new phone arrived.  While I sat on my couch, loading all of the apps I was sure I needed, I made a decision.  Yes, I would still keep most of what I used to have.  But, I want to finish my book.  I want to read another.  I realize that every book I read can be had in digital form.  I embrace that.  I don’t want you to misunderstand what I am trying to say.  I do not want to go back to a time without our devices.  For the most part, they make our world a better place.  I am all for it and I love being connected.  What I realized I missed was the time I spent with the words.  I made certain I have a reader app installed.

In the week or so that has passed since I received my new friend, I have inevitably fallen into some of the same habits.  I still rely on my phone in the morning and at lunch.  I still keep up with ball games while we watch something else.  I have however, kept up my time reading in the evening.  I may only get through a few pages, but I am reading again.  Will I get back to keeping three books going at the same time?  Who knows?  For now, I will focus on one.  Thanks to the brief blackout I revisited an old friend and I am better for it. 

I am already planning my next few reads.  I know what is next.  I have a Christmas gift that has sat idly for far too long.  After that, maybe a re-read of “The Source” or “Poland” from Michener.  I have not read the latest Stephen King thriller and I still have a Dan Brown on the shelf I have not read.  Doris Kearns Goodwin always has a great history ready for me or I could reach back to one of my early favorites, H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine”.  Maybe I will look forward and download something brand new.  But now, what is important is, I have found my way back.

I would love to hear your thoughts.  I would also like to hear any recommendations you have for my next book.  I am always looking for something new.