Little bit of rambling

Good Morning and it really was summer the last few days!

Admit it, it's been nice sleeping weather this summer, but you do miss the heat. Right? I mean, we live here because we like the change of seasons. The winter was a pain, but at least it felt like winter. This summer hasn't been hot enough.
I have a prediction, though, when school starts next week, it'll be 98 degrees. Oh well, at least I won't have to deal with overheated youths.
I think in a lot of ways we have, for lack of a better term, lost our way. Our corporate society has decided we are all just robots and don't actually need to be talked to like adults. Send an e-mail. Don't actually look anybody in the eye. Changes are always made, just be up front about them. Hiding behind walls is never the best way to handle situations.
I'll freely admit that once again I felt lost watching the MTV Video Music Awards. It wasn't the music so much, it's just I didn't think MTV played videos any longer.
For some strange reason, I look forward to a new TV season starting. I'm probably justifying the price of cable in my mind, but I like watching the new shows. Sure, I can wait until they hit Netflix. I guess I'm just old-fashioned that way.

This is still pretty funny:

From the Phillies on down

Good Morning gentle readers!

How far have the Phillies fallen? Well, I had a couple of tickets for last Friday's game and couldn't give them away. Seriously, I was just going to give them to anybody who wanted to go.
Nobody wanted to go.
Just a couple of years ago, I probably could have sold them for double the amount I paid. Now, the market has died. I think it's gone and buried.
There is no market. There are completely empty sections in the stadium. You can sit where ever you want (provided you can sneak past the aisle guards).
The thing is, there's something great about the ballpark on a summer night.
It doesn't matter if the home team stinks. It doesn't matter if the visiting team stinks (the Cardinals are no great shakes this year either).
When you walk through the gates, it's like entering a different world.
The smells are there. The green grass is still there.
I was outpriced by baseball years ago. It's just too expensive to take everybody to the game on a consistent basis.
I remembered Friday night what was so right about the game, though.

Moving fast

Good Morning and welcome to another steamer!

Sometimes you feel like frozen shrimp, sometimes you feel like steamed ones. For those complaining about the weather, well, complain somewhere else.
I was looking at the calendar and saw we are almost into July and I haven't been to the beach, swimming in a pool or seen any kind of fireworks.
Better get started this weekend.

Making the most of the lazy and the hazy

Good Morning and, my, we find ourselves at the same place today!

I never believed the old saying "lazy, hazy days of summer" until this year.
Yeah, I know, it's not 'officially' summer yet, but we are only a few days away.
For some reason, this spring has felt lazy and hazy.
I try to keep up the daily workouts, but the couch has been calling more often than not. I want to go for a long walk, but sitting out back with the radio playing feels like a better idea.
I want to eat better, but burgers on the grill taste so darn good.
The thought of a 2-hour workout just isn't holding the appeal it did in the cold of winter (maybe it had something to do with conserving heat).
Anyway, I know I have to get back out there.
Wait, is that a cardinal?

It's not even summer and it's a long one

Good Morning and welcome to the last week of Spring!

I'm one of those Phillies fans that looks at (seemingly) bright spots before the start of a new season.
This year, I was talking about health. Ryan Howard was finally healthy. Chase Utley would be back in true form. Jimmy Rollins was playing so well at the end of last season, this one could only get better.
You know, with a fast start and some luck, the Phillies will be right in the playoff hunt. I mean, the Braves lost Brian McCann (to the Yankees no less), so they will be a little short.
The rest of the division has had injuries. Sure, the Nationals would be better than last year, but, I mean, come on, the Mets? The Marlins?
I almost felt young again. It felt like I was talking about how Ricky Otero could be our answer in centerfield (1996. He was not). Ken Howell is healthy and will anchor a great rotation (1990. Somehow, that rotation of Howell, Pat Combs, Jose de Jesus and Jason Grimsley didn't bring a division title). Signing Lance Parrish is going to put the Phillies over the top (1987. Don't remember a parade that year either).
So, this year, bringing in Marlon Byrd will anchor the outfield. Dom Brown and Ben Revere looked like players last year.
We are back, baby.
Yeah, back to those days when it's more entertaining to watch the 100th rerun of "Man vs. Food" than anything the Phillies are doing on the field.

It's coming! It's coming! Everybody duck!

Good Morning and welcome back to the rain!

When I was, I think 12, my parent's took the family on vacation to Disney World. Back then, there was just one park. The Epcot Center was being built, but, really, who needs more than one Disney park.
My favorite was 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.'
It was basically as advertised. You sat in a dinky old car and went through some crazy turns, jostling back-and-forth against your ride partner. The highlight was at the end where your car suddenly jumped on train tracks and was careening right in the front of an oncoming train. Everybody ducked before crashing through the doors to the end of the ride.
Sadly, they replaced the ride in 1998 with some kind of Winnie The Pooh thing.
Anyway, I started thinking about Mr. Toad this morning when I looked at the calendar.
It's June 10.
That means there's only a week left of school.
That means summer is coming.
I have a feeling it's going to be another wild ride.

Summer of ... what?

Good Morning and welcome to the sunshine!

OK, I'm a little worried about this summer and I have to do something about it.
I have to make sure this summer is more than just sitting in front of a computer and playing games.
That didn't go over so well with the group at home, but, darn, I'm going to make sure it happens.
If it means taking drives to far away parks, so be it. If it means finding an empty tennis court, we'll be there. If it means hanging out in the backyard playing RISK, well, that's going to have to be.
See, I'm worried about the constant barrage of electronics. Now, I'm not one of those who sits there and tells everybody about what it was like before cell phones (actually, not so bad).
I don't talk about riding my bike for hours on end or just throwing a ball against the wall.
I know it's a different time. Things change. Where I used to walk to a friend's house, they can now video Skype. That's fine, but sometimes it's just as much fun to walk over.
It won't be an easy task, but, hey, somebody has to do it.

Bouncing off the walls

Good Morning and it sure was nice to pull out the light jacket this weekend!

So, the warm weather over the past two days (yeah, it's changing back today) got me to thinking about a few things.
I remember my mom packing and unpacking different clothes throughout the year. We'd get the winter ones out around November and the spring/summer ones would come out sometime in March.
I used to look forward to the day my T-shirts would emerge from the box in the attic. I knew it was almost the end of another school year.
In my own home, we don't pack up clothes. In fact, we wear pretty much the same ones all year long (sure, the sweatshirts don't leave the drawer, but still).
I wonder if anybody still packs clothes away for the seasons?
Also, even though it was nice to turn off the heat in the house the last couple of days (yeah, it will go back on today), I still felt like the walls were closing in. It was nice out, but there was still too much snow (and now mud) to deal with.
Hey, at least we have the first Phillies game Wednesday. So, things must be changing.

Speed

Good Morning and I think the summer is going too fast!!

I just glanced at the date in the lower right of my laptop and (WHAT!!) it's already August 12.
Where did the summer go? What happened to July? I still have too much I want to do this year!!
I've seen the commercials and the ads pushing 'Back to School.' I've been to Target and I get the feeling they hope to clear out the pencils and crayons so the Christmas decorations can be displayed.
I know time moves on. I know it. I can feel it. Doesn't mean I have to like it.
I'm not one of those parents who looks forward to the school days with glee. Sure, it will be good to get everybody back into a structured environment, but I like the free-form of summer.
I like waking up late and saying, "Hey, lets drive down the shore."
I like waking up late and asking, "Who wants to go swimming?"
I like waking up late and hearing the snores from the next room.
OK, mostly I like waking up late, but that's another story.

Rise and Shine --- Water. It's always water

Good Morning and I don't care if it's raining, the sun is shining!

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. A nice breeze was blowing. Everybody was having a good time.
Then the water guns came out and everything changed.
Sure, the girls of the Pink Ladies softball team were laughing and chasing each other around, but the water was getting perilously close to the parents.
Watching the water being sprayed (and dumped) on and between screaming children is one thing. It's entirely another thing to get it on the table, because then you'll be in trouble.
Well, fun trouble, anyway. In previous parties, once the adults started getting sprayed, the hose came out. Think you're wet now? Oh, you don't know wet.
This time, the water stayed on the children (for the most part). I guess there is a certain age where walking around in wet clothes is fun.
For some reason, though, no matter the temperature or the sun, the water makes an appearance.
Oh, well, I guess it could be worse.

Rise and Shine: What's next?

Good Morning and it always seems odd when the Phillies are playing on the West Coast!

The question came moments after the everybody was in the house: "What are we going to do today?"
Uh, we were at the beach all weekend, how about a rest day?
"Yeah, but I'm bored. What are we going to do today?"
OK, we'll go see a movie. It's pretty darn hot out anyway, so how about that?
"Sure. At the theater?"
So, we trekked out to the Regal Cinema in Marple. Saw 'Monsters University' and started to go home.
(First, here's a quick review of 'Monsters University:' Kind of cute in a Pixar way. Kind of odd in a cartoon way. I kept being asked if that was what college was really like. 'Monsters Inc.' was much better, but Billy Crystal is still funny, so the movie works).
No sooner did the air conditioner go on in the car when I heard: "What are we going to do the rest of the day?"
Yes, summer is here. Yes, it is!

Rise and Shine --- Of life and death

Good Morning and welcome back to summer (at least for a few days)!

OK, tell me today how there isn't something wrong with our weather. Last week, I had to pull out the jackets and sweaters. This week, I'll be searching for a pool (or at least a sprinkler).
Speaking of last week, a few interesting things happened.
A friend of mine had to deal with the loss of a sister. Another was sitting in a hospital room with a child. A third is trying to deal with cancer.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Then I looked into the eyes of a boys celebrating his 14th birthday and the sun shined.
Sure, he's a handful at times (although not as much as other 14s I'm sure). He likes to get under the nerves of his sister and brother (especially his brother, no his sister, OK both).
He likes to pretend he doesn't hear me when I say simple things like: "Put away your socks" or "Set the table" or "Put your book bag away."
He plays too many video games and spends too much time texting (well, so I've heard).
If I leave him in the house alone for even like five minutes, all the cookies will be gone (so will everything else that isn't tied down).
Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Rise and Shine -- Get on out

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.

Rise and Shine --- It's a marathon

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....

Rise and Shine --- Summer's here

Good Morning and welcome to another one of "those" weeks!

OK, school's done.


Summer, maybe not officially until Wednesday, is here.

Now, what am I going to do.

It would be very easy to let the children run free. Have a "Do what you want" kind of summer.

I think that would last about a day. Besides, if I really let them do what they wanted, it would be hiding in the basement all summer playing video games.

Sure, it would make the rest of the house quiet, but, you know, it's kind of nice outside.

How about we ride bikes? "No"

How about we throw a Frisbee? "No"

How about we put on the sprinkler and run around? "Water's too cold, so No"

OK, this is going to be a bit harder than I envision every June.

So, I'm in the process of planning out as many activities as possible. Keep them busy and they can't complain.

Yeah, right.

Rise and Shine --- School days...

Good Morning and do we really need a remake of the 'The Munsters?'


So, here we are about a week and a half away from the end of school and the homework wars continue.

I get it, homework is of the lowest priority. I know it ranks below sitting around on the couch or sneaking a couple of cookies out of the jar or even fighting with your brother, but it still has to get done.

It's not like the middle of the school year where you were burdened down with homework. The teachers understand it's getting near the end of the year, so they aren't giving as much.

That project weeks in the making? Yeah, that doesn't need to be done the night before.

The math worksheet? Uh, all that time you just spent arguing with me about doing the work could have been used to get it done.

Reading? Shouldn't we all be reading every day anyway?

So, let's just work out a truce, OK? Get the homework done and everybody will be happy.

Rise and Shine --- Two wheels!

Good Morning and welcome to the week before Halloween!

One of the things we like to do in the summer is ride bikes. So, with everybody getting a little bigger, two new (actually used) bikes were purchased last spring. The problem for one was that meant no more training wheels.
So, we tried in the spring. We tried at various times throughout the summer. We tried before school started. Still, the one couldn't get over the fear of falling.
That's OK, I kept saying, you'll get it. Until then, we'll put the training wheels back on your little bike.
"No," was the answer. "I'm not a little kid. I don't need a little bike."
So, the Not Little Kid used a scooter instead. Road up and down in front of the house. Mile after mile throughout the early fall.
Then on Saturday, the scooter went away and the bike came back out.
"I can do it now," the Not Little Kid said. "Watch."
So, moments after jumping on the bike (her brother's, but let's not quibble), it was back and forth on two wheels.
"I can do it! I can do it! Look Daddy! I Can Do IT!" the Not Little Kid yelled with joy.
Yeah, you can do it. You're right, you're not a little kid any more. :(

Rise and Shine --- Shaky, shaky

Good Morning and, yes, here we are again!

So, isn't it a sinking feeling when, after shaking somebody's hand, they say, "Yeah, I'm just getting over a nasty cold."
Come on now. Really? You just had a cold and think it's a good idea to shake hands. Couldn't you have prefaced the hand shaking with that information? Now I know why Howie Mandell gives that fist pump all the time.
All right. I know there are a lot worse things than a late-summer, early-fall cold. When the chills start hitting and the only thing you can think about is soup, well, you know it's going to be a long couple of days.
So, to help out, how about this:

Rise and Shine --- School excitement

Good Morning and why is Anthony Weiner still in the news?!?

OK, I said yesterday morning, it's you last day of kindergarten, how does it feel to almost be a first-grader?
"Dad," the 6-year old who actually sat through a graduation ceremony Monday, but had to go back for one more day Tuesday (thanks, snow!), "it's no different. I'm still the same person. I like kindergarten."
So, I tried my question two more times first with a third-grader, then a sixth grader.
How does it feel to be almost done school and be a fourth-grader?
"Same as yesterday," said the younger. "Can I play (a specific videogame)?"
First tell me what it's like to almost be done school?
"What's the difference? I still have to go back after the summer."
Once more, how does it feel like to be just about done your first year of middle school.
"I don't know," said the almost teenager.
You like school, though, will you miss being in sixth-grade.
"I don't know."
Yeah, but how was the last week of school?
Shoulder shrug.
Hey, at least we have the summer.

Rise and Shine --- End of Days?

Good Morning and here we are again!

Now that we are winding down the school year (and doesn't it go faster every year?), it's time to really think about the summer.
Every year at this time, I try not to look too far ahead. I don't want to think about what's going to happen in a couple of weeks (trip to Disney) or what might happen in July (swimming) or even August (maybe another trip). I want everything to slow down for the summer.
I want to enjoy the nice, hot days. The playing the backyard. The catches. The drives to Grandmom's pool. The cooking on the grill. The lighting of the Tiki torches. The spraying of water guns.
While many may be bemoaning the end of the school year, I revel in it. I want the voices around me. Sure, it's going to be frustrating at times (No, you can't have any more cookies!).
The summer, though, is my time. It's time enjoy these little things.
OK, by the end, I'll be looking forward to the start of school once again, but that's down the line. I want to feel and remember every minute of this summer.