Good Morning and who's out there this early?

The first memories I have as a Phillies fan is listening to the radio with my grandmother as they lost yet another game. Those Phillies teams in the early 70s, though, were soon to become World Champs.
They put out a lineup with Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski and Bob Boone. There was Steve Carlton on the mound, which pretty much meant a win every time.
Those winning teams, though, were short-lived. They Phillies that followed put a new spin on terrible teams. When your season is pretty much over in May, well, it's tough to remain a Phillies fan.
My children's first real memories of the Phillies is a championship team. I reveled right along with them. Yes, finally, the Phillies were the best in the league. The best players wanted to be here.
My children don't know what it's like to see a bunch of losers run out there every day, collecting a paycheck, then heading off to the golf course in October.
Now, though, I'm afraid we are heading that way.
This year is going to be a tough one for Phillies fans. Yes, we have to admit Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard probably have to be traded and replaced.
Yes, it's time, but I, for one, just want to hang on a little longer.
I'll admit it would be tough to see Rollins in, say, a Cardinals uniform. I don't want to see Utley (even an injury-riddled Utley) legging out singles for the Dodgers. I remember how weird it was for a young fan to see Luzinski with the White Sox or Carlton with the Indians.
I remember when the last strong nucleus of Phillies faded. I hope this time it doesn't take as long to get back.

Good Morning and welcome to a whole new year!

As he turns 11 today, I'd just like to say thank you to a boy named Brendan.
Sure, he can be a little tough at times. When it's time to put the video games away, well, let's just say I need a negotiator. When it's time to clean, well, let's just say it can get a little frustrating. When it's time to do homework, well, let's just say it's time to reach for the aspirin. When it's time to get up in the morning, well, let's just say it's better to count to 10.
When things get a little tough, well, let's just say Brendan's infectious smile makes things all better. When a bit of tiredness seeps into your brain, well, let's just say his energy is better than any coffee. When the rain clouds are gathering, well, let's just say his tenacious attitude clears it all up.
Saturday afternoon, after playing a baseball game, Brendan asked if he could practice catching fly balls. There were too many cars around the neighborhood, I said, let's eat dinner first then we'll see.
There's plenty of room, Brendan said.
He threw the ball into the air and it looked like it was on flight to smash through the window of the neighbor's new car. We all held our collective breaths. Instead, the ball fell just short, then bounced over the car. 
So, thank you Brendan, for keeping me guessing.

OK, so everybody who was calling on their Senators to pass an Internet sales-tax bill please raise your hands! Anybody? Hello? In a world where those running our government can't pass a gun background check that most of America thinks is pretty good, we get consensus on something that will cost us more money.
In the words of a great philosopher: 'Great. Just f------g great!'
Would somebody out there please explain to me how this is a great idea.
Instead of focusing on something that can get people back working, we have things like this.
Our government is so broken right now that common sense has no place in it. I fear most of our elected officials are just cashing paychecks and don't really know what's going on in the real world.
They focus on things like Internet sales-tax and ripping apart health care while the rest of us struggle to keep ends meet.
Then, if you try to contact them, you run into office workers who have an excuse why your Senator can't be reached today.
What's next from these fat cats? Regulation of the air?
Anything to take the focus off the real problems.

Good Morning or whatever this thing is!

I used to laugh at people who would complain about Monday's. The 'I Hate Monday' crowd didn't make much sense to me. I mean, after all, what's the difference? You have to get through Monday anyway, so just buck up and work.
Now, I might be coming around. Well, at least partly. I've decided the early-morning alarm is the work of the devil.
It always arrives too soon and it's never wanted. When that alarm starts ringing in my ear, the only thought I have is how to break it.
Now that I use my phone as my alarm, it would do no good to throw it against the wall, so I guess I have to get up (after hitting snooze about 10 times).
Yes, I hate mornings. Much like Monday's, though, it's just the way it goes.

Good Morning and how about those Clevelanders!!!
Really, I don't get into this too much because, well, there are certainly more important things in the world to worry about, but doesn't it seem odd that in 2013 we still see teams like the 'Indians,' 'Redskins' and 'Braves.' I mean, in Cleveland, there is still a guy who pounds a drum in the outfield (OK, he's no longer dressed like a Native American).
Just a little odd.
Anyway, I encourage the gang to get outside whenever possible. The usual retort is something like, "I've been outside all day in school. I want to watch TV/play video games/eat candy."
The convincing has been a little easier as the air has gotten warmer and more people are outside. Yesterday, the first question I got was "Can we play outside?" Sure, there's homework to do and stuff, but I can rarely answer in the negative to that question.
I don't know how long it will last, but it is nice.
Now, my next thing is to convince them it's really fun to cut the grass.

Good Morning and, man, those Phillies are getting hard to watch!

Anyway, with nothing much happening (I think we are in one of those weird world loops), I found these videos going around the Internet. Yeah, there's some foul language, but they are darn funny.

Cheech & Chong Count to 1 Minute from CheechAndChong

Michael Shannon Reads the Insane Delta Gamma Sorority Letter from Michael Shannon

Good Morning and hope everybody is doing well today!

So, as I was watching the early coverage of the bombing at the Boston Marathon Monday, I was struck with one thought: Why do people have to ruin everything?
I mean, in the end, whoever did this is one of the most selfish people alive. The Boston Marathon (or New York or Philly or wherever) is one of the purest events around. It's just people pushing themselves to their limit, then reaching for a little more. It's about family and friends feeling a sense of pride as the one they know crosses the finish line.
Last November, I attended the Ironman competition in Arizona to cheer on my brother. We were able to wander around the course, check on him at certain points and give him a bit of a boost.
There was security around, but you could just feel a comraderie among the 10,000 people watching. There was no thought that somebody would do something to harm anybody.
Also, everybody (I mean everybody from the 2-year old to the 90-year old) were carrying backpacks. You are out there for a long time. You need water. You need snacks. To check everybody's bag (or ban them completely) would cause a bit of a problem.
Now, we have some whack-job up in Boston yet a little bit more of our innocence away. Yeah, I keep being reminded we live in a different world every day, but there should be some things we can all celebrate without fear.
I hope it's really not all gone.

Good Morning and let's keep this up!!

Sunday mornings in the house are a little busier than most. We don't have to get out to school or work, but its the one day a week we make the 'Big Breakfast.'
We make bacon, bread, eggs and either pancakes or waffles. Everybody chips in, whether it be setting the table, pouring the juice (OK, chocolate milk) or just keeping out of the way.
I usually make pancakes one week and waffles the next. That was, until the old waffle maker started shedding (you know, the non-stick stuff on the bottom was coming off on the waffles). So, we've been sticking with plain, old pancakes.
This weekend, though, we were given an new waffle maker.
It put an extra step in everybody's morning. Sure, it was the same, but it was different.
The 8-year old said she had a hard time sleeping, because she was looking forward to making breakfast.
 So, with that kind of kitchen help, it made things go easy. We sat down to the usual, plus some chocolate chip/banana/peanut butter waffles (yeah, we like different kinds every week).
It doesn't solve world peace, but it's the little things that make the day go smooth.

Good Morning and finally some warm weather!

This weekend was the annual start of a busy spring. That's right, baseball/softball season officially began in our house.
We had the parade (why is it always so chilly?) and the first game.
The thing that always gets me is the enthusiasm. The players want to be out there on the field.
Here we have a group of 8 and 9-year old girls who want nothing more than to put on a glove and start playing.
Sure, there's the social aspect, but it's about getting outside. It's about breathing in some air after being stuck inside all winter.
The funny thing (at least I find it funny) is how the boys act the same way. For the most part, they would rather sit at home playing video games.
The spring, though, brings a change. Sure, they want to keep playing the video games, but they don't argue as much about going outside.
OK, they argue a little, but once they get there it's all smiles.
Yeah, it's only a couple nights a week, but it really sets things up nicely.

Good Morning and why has winter returned?

I was looking forward to the opening of the baseball season a little more this year. I don't know why. I think because it's a little bit unknown. I mean, if everything goes right the Phillies may be able to make the playoffs. I don't think they are good enough to win the World Series, but stranger things have happened.
I think it's just that the opening of the baseball season (no matter the weather) brings me thoughts of the summer and vacations and warm nights at the ballpark.
We can't afford to actually attend a game at Citizens Bank Park. The owners of baseball teams outpriced families years ago. Instead we'll hit the minor league circuit. I'm sure there will be more than a few trips to Wilmington. The plan is to get to the other stadiums within driving distance.
Now, if the Phils can win one game in Atlanta....

Good Morning and welcome to the beginning of baseball season!

For the first time I think ever, I got a flu show this year. The only reason I got one was because they were giving them out free during a community day.
Whatever, it seemed to work. I got a few stuffy noses and things like that during the winter, but managed to stay away from the flu.
That was until the shot wore off sometime last week. Then, I got knocked over. After a slow build up, I was knocked down by the flu. I had a sore throat, weakness in my bones, coughing, sneezing, you know, all the fun stuff.
The worst thing about it was we were on our annual trip to Ocean City for the Easter weekend. So, for the first day, instead of enjoying the beach (yeah, it was cold, but, come on, it's the beach), I was down for the count on the couch.
It's been a slow recovery though the weekend, but I might be able to see the other side.
Either that or it's time  for another shot.

Good Morning and welcome to the Internet!

So, I forgot my iPhone at home the other day.
I was already running late, so, instead of turning around, I figured I could survive the day. I mean, after all, I remember when there weren't any cell phones.
The first phone I got was in a bag and it only worked when connected through the cigarette lighter. I think I used it twice the whole time I had the thing.
Anyway, times change and now my phone is pretty much a little computer. I might get three calls a week, probably make about the same amount. Most of the time, I'm checking e-mail, texting, playing Words with Friends or just goofing around.
The day I didn't have the phone was actually kind of liberating. Not that it takes away from the work at hand, but do we really need every minute of every day connected?
I thought about leaving the phone at home while we went on an adventure Saturday, then thought better of it. The day I leave it home is the day I really need it (broken-down car, etc.).
Still, I think I'm going to start leaving it in the car each day. It's good to disconnect.
Now, I have to go. I have to figure out what kind of word I can make out of 'H-R-E-F-B-O-J'