Rise and Shine --- Long week

Good Morning and can the Eagles actually make the playoffs?!?

With all the Christmas lights twinkling and the tree decorated and the toy commercials showing children what they are 'missing,' it shouldn't be too surprising when the little ones get overstimulated.
It always does take me by surprise, though. They can see and smell Christmas morning and the presents and the trip to Gramdmom's for more gifts. They can feel the chill in the air and the thoughts of sugar plums (whatever they are) dancing in their hair.
They can't sleep, so they are always overtired. Add in the final week of school and, well, somehow I am surprised it's not worse.
Still, when they are at each others throats this week over little things, I have to remember what's ahead. I have to remember it's just a week before Christmas and everything is shaded.
Using the old Santa Claus is watching trick doesn't work anymore (did it ever?), so I'll have to just grit my teeth and let it roll off.
That and some rum balls. Lots of rum balls.

Rise and Shine --- Soup's on

Good Morning and, yes, that is frost again on the car windows!

The best part about this time of year (by that, I mean winter, not the holidays), is it is the perfect time for a big pot of soup.
My plan this year is to make a different one every week, then spread it out through dinners. Of course, thanks to the sophisticated palates around the table, that's a lot easier said than done.
Started out with some chicken noodle soup.
"Don't like it," said the toughest critic.
Well, I said, if you don't eat your dinner, you can't have dessert.
"OK, I don't want desert."
Last week, I went with a potato/leak soup.
"Don't like it," said the critic.
Wait a minute, you didn't even try it.
"It looks disgusting."
OK. What kind of soup will you eat?
"Vegetable."
We'll see when I make that this week.

Rise and Shine --- A new Low-es

Good Morning and I really don't like the cold!

So, I kind of glanced at a story yesterday about how Lowe's was pulling it's advertising from some show called "All-American Muslim."
Now, up until I read the story, a copy of which you can see HERE, I had never heard of "All-American Muslim."
Unless you are an avid watcher of TLC, you probably never heard of it either. It's apparently a reality show about, well, a Muslim family living in America.
Sounds like it's probably one of those shows that follows a family around, they talk to the camera, they argue, they hug. Much like any other reality show on TV.
Then, some wacko group out of Florida decided to protest the show because, well, basically they hate everybody.
For some reason, Lowe's saw this protest, must have agreed and pulled their ads.
What's next? They pull ads from reruns of "Good Times" or "Everybody Loves Raymond?"
Just one question, where's the nearest Home Depot?

Rise and Shine --- What happened today in history?

Good Morning and wasn't it nice not to see any white stuff on the ground this morning?

So, yesterday morning before school, I asked the 12-year old why Dec. 7 was a big day.
"I don't know," he said.
Come on, I prodded, it's one of the most important days in history.
Perplexed, he tried to remember, but finally can another "I don't know."
Really, I guess that's the way of the world. The further we move away from Pearl Harbor, the less likely it's going to be mentioned in school. It happens with everything. We don't talk about Appomattox the way they did in the early part of the 1900s.
In the year 2041, they probably will gloss over 9/11. It's up to us to keep the history alive. So, I recorded a couple of Pearl Harbor shows yesterday and will put them on today (as long as I can get past the whining).
Of course, history comes fast and furious in December. After all, we all know what happened Dec. 8.

Rise and Shine --- Too early for the tree?

Good Morning and isn't Global Warming pretty nice?

So, when the dishes were put away from Thanksgiving dinner and everybody was sitting on the couch, the question came for the first time: 'Can we get a tree?'
Of course, I knew that didn't mean taking a ride to the garden shop and picking up a peach tree.
It was time to start thinking about a Christmas tree. Growing up, we always had the artificial one, so timing didn't matter. Pull it down from the attic and start decorating.
With a real tree, though, you have to balance out how far in advance of the holiday you get one. I'm always afraid it's going to dry out and we'll be greeted Christmas morning with brown needles.
So, I've been able to put it off for the last couple of weeks. I somewhere along the line mentioned Dec. 10. They can't remember what was for dinner last night, but they remember that date.
So, we'll be out tree hunting this weekend.

Rise and Shine --- Shoot the messenger

Good Morning and what do we have here?

You know, most years I kind of ignore all the Christmas shopping commercials that pop up on TV. I'm going to buy what I'm going to buy and no commercial is going to change that.
This year, though, there's something different. This year, I secretly hope Godzilla makes a pre-Christmas run and crushes all the new Lexus' people seem to be buying.
Really, is there anything more annoying than a car commercial where somebody does some 'cute' way of showing how good they are by buying somebody a new Lexus. First of all, let's get past the whole personal choice thing. A car is, after all, something deeply personal.
Who has that kind of money sitting around. Certainly not the people they show in commercials. How does the woman who reprograms the elevator music to play the Lexus jingle get the money to buy her boyfriend a new car while working at Starbucks?
Meanwhile, those people who apparently shop at Target, WalMart, Best Buy or any of the other places that exist in these commercials need to be attacked by zombies. I mean, really, if I saw somebody singing the praises of WalMart while shopping, I might turn into a zombie. Then again, I have a feeling the zombies would starve since there doesn't appear to be a brain anywhere.
Don't even get me started with the jewelery dealers. Yeah, 'Every Kiss begins with Kay' but you can't spell bankruptcy without that same 'Kay.' So there.

Rise and Shine --- Is it cold in here?

Good Morning and welcome back to reality!

So, it started Saturday night, was full blown yesterday afternoon and I can still feel it today. It's the flu. Whether I really have it or not, doesn't matter. It certainly feels that way.
So, this is what I have:

Rise and Shine --- Crazy, or...

Good Morning and how about those stars coming out for the Philly Thanksgiving Day parade!?!

A couple of years ago, my brother said he wanted to compete in an Ironman competition. You know, the one where you have to swim a couple miles, ride a bike for like 122 miles, then run a marathon.
To which, I said he was crazy.
A year ago, he volunteered to work along the route of the Ironman in Phoenix. He handed out water, helped competitors, did whatever was asked. He volunteered for the sole purpose of being able to register for the next Ironman.
To which, I said he was crazy.
For the past year, he's gotten up early in the morning (like the same ungodly hour my alarm goes off) and ventured to a pool to swim laps. He's rode his bike ridiculous distances (like the time he pedaled from his home in Conshohocken to the Ben Franklin Bridge, then to Phoenixville, then back home). He's jumped off the bike and run mile after mile. He blogged about it all RIGHT HERE
To which, I said he was crazy.
He booked the flight. Packed up the gear. Got on the airplane and, last weekend, landed in Phoenix.
To which, I said he was crazy.
This past Sunday, he jumped into a river with 2,500 other people and swam nearly three miles. He jumped out of the water and hopped on his bike. More than six hours later, he hopped off the bike and started running. My mother sent along a photo as he started the run. He was smiling.
To which, I said he was crazy.
It took six hours to finish the marathon part of the Ironman. He said yesterday he walked about 13 miles of the marathon, but was never going to stop. He said he was sore Sunday, but felt great Monday. He also said he signed up again for next year's race.
To which...well, he's crazy, but pretty damn impressive.

Rise and Shine --- Birthday present

Good Morning and isn't it nice to have these 60 degree days in November!

So, about this time last week, I started asking a 6-year old (turning 15 this week) what she would like for her birthday.
We went to the toy store. Looked at the usual suspects. I didn't know there were so many doll accessories.
Even though she said she wanted this and that and this and that, I could tell her heart wasn't really into anything special. Sure, it would be nice to have that new version of the LaLa Loopsy, but where's last year's? Another doll house, really?
So, over a hot chocolate, I asked: What to you really want?
She smiled and said, "It's a secret. Come closer.
"I want to go ice skating in New York City."
Well, we did that around Christmas last year and it certainly left more of an effect on the young mind than I thought.
So, we got in the car Saturday morning and made the trek North to Bryant Park in the heart of New York City.
The amazing thing, to me anyway, was how much easier it was this year to go around the rink. Last year, most of the time was spent crawling along the wall. If the hand came off, well, let's just say it seemed like the rest of the rink was enjoying the comedy.
So, we skated for close to an hour (before her brothers practically demanded we leave).
On the way out, a little voice came from the back of the van: "Thank You, Daddy. Can we we come again next Saturday?"

Rise and Shine --- Trees, lights, ahhhh

Good Morning and welcome to another brilliant morning!

Now, I know I'm behind the eight-ball on this, but I really don't want to see any more Christmas stuff right now.
It all started a few weeks ago when I went into the Home Depot to search for some Halloween lights and could only find reindeers.
Then I noticed every other commercial on TV was pumping up pre-Black Friday sales or Lowest Prices of the Season.
The season? What season is that? Late summer?
Anyway, it all hit this past weekend when we decided to take a trip to King of Prussia. It wasn't so much the piped in holiday songs. It wasn't so much seeing Santa on his couch. It wasn't so much seeing workers at one store being forced to wear elf hats.
No, it was the attitude of many walking through the stores. You would have thought we were sitting a few days before Christmas instead of the beginning of November.
People were buying all the junk in the center of the aisles (do you really know somebody who needs a desk nose-hair trimmer?). They were pushing, wrinkling shirts, knocking things on the ground.
All I could think was, thank goodness for Internet shopping.

Rise and Shine --- Joe Must Go!

Good Morning and welcome to a brilliant fall day!

Since it is Fall, the next head to fall at Penn State should be head football coach Joe Paterno.
Sorry, all you apologists out there, Paterno had to know what was going on with his former defensive coordinator. Anybody who's ever witnessed the Paterno show during the week before a game knows that nothing, absolutely nothing, goes on around the football program without the head coach's knowledge.
Paterno knows who is using the weight room, who is using the offices, who is walking around campus with a football shirt.
So, when he comes out with a statement last night saying, Jerry Sandusky "fooled us all," the only real person Paterno is trying to fool is the public.
The Penn State board should sweep the whole program clean right now. Get rid of all the old guard before this week's game with Nebraska. Don't let Paterno walk back into the stadium. Don't let him near the football offices.
If those that run Penn State buy into the whole lilly white program thing, well, this is the chance to show it. Any other response makes Penn State no different than any other bandit program.

Rise and Shine --- Come on now!

Good Morning and we are really lucking out this Fall!

Let's get real for a minute here, folks. Saw the results of a survey yesterday that said 52 percent of businesses can't find people to fill open positions.
Really? Unemployment sits at 9 percent and those responding to this poll say they can't find workers?
The poll also said 42 percent of businesses say those applying for jobs are under-qualified.
Really? I know people with college degrees (some with masters) who are unemployed. They would certainly be over-qualified for any job, but can't get a hit.
Why don't we just say what it is? These places don't really want to hire people or if they do they don't want to pay a fair wage.
It's in the best interest of some places to keep unemployment high right now to try and force a change in the White House. If there is a fundamental change in government, maybe those tax perks and what-nots will continue to stay around.
So, when you hear polls about jobs and how there aren't people to fill them, well, let's really look around at reality.

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 --- How's it going?

Good Morning and, that's right, here we are again!

So, how is everybody doing today? Everybody feeling OK? Well, if you're under the weather or above the clouds, this should bring a smile to your face.

Clinton Foundation: Celebrity Brainstorm from President Bill Clinton

Rise and Shine --- Fall

Good Morning and wouldn't it be nice to have a week without rain?

While we could skip winter and it would be OK with me, I really do look forward to the changing of the seasons.
It's tough to give up the summer and all that comes with it (trips to the beach, swimming), there is something special about the Fall.
The vibrant colors of the leaves as you drive from here to there are very cool. The temperatures isn't so bad as long as you can convince everybody to wear a jacket.
On Saturday, we (along with seemingly the rest of Delaware County) decided to take a ride up to Linvilla Orchards for our annual pumpkin-hunting quest.
Each one is put under scrutiny. OK, this one is a little flat on the back, but it's perfectly round on the front. Perfect for a Jack O'Lantern. Wait, that one over there is pretty good too. Hey, can't we all get a pumpkin.
Getting caught up in the season, well, of course.
So, this year, we ended up with a record-breaking 81 pounds of pumpkins (breaking the old record of 72 set in 2009).
Now, who's going to start cutting?

Rise and Shine --- World gone to pot

Good Morning and how come it seems like every team can hit except the Phillies come playoff time?

So, a neighbor A didn't like what Neighbor B was doing on his own property. Neighbor A becomes so enraged, he kills Neighbor B.
Uh, OK. Sure, that's the logical conclusion. Get your gun and shoot down somebody you don't like. Of course, we need to have said guns handy in case aliens attack or some such ... stuff.
The more I see this kind of stuff happening, the less I can listen to gun right's advocates make their argument.
I've seen neighbors do plenty of annoying things. I've had neighbors make a lot of noise. I've been so annoyed with neighbors that I looked out the window to make sure they weren't there before I left the house.
Getting a gun and shooting them dead? Never once ever crossed my mind.
Now, I believe most people have that ability to differentiate between crazy and sane. There is a large group that can not, though.
So, next time somebody tells me they need a gun in the house, I'll give them a feather.

Rise and Shine --- Oh boy, what a day at the beach

Good Morning and welcome to another blue Monday!

The best thing about having these warm, sunny October days is you can ignore such a pathetic performance by Philadelphia sports teams.
Truth be told, if I wasn't in the office yesterday, I would have found something better to do than watch the Eagles.
Anyway, I was here, having left Ocean City, N.J., early Sunday morning. With the sun gleaming off the water, that was no easy task.
Even though we went through a warm summer with plenty of sunny days, it's something special when that weather sits around for a weekend in October.
Sure, the cold air will be here soon. That's going to happen in Pennsylvania. It's not like we were suddenly transferred to San Diego or something.
So, we enjoyed the weekend and will enjoy the next couple of days before the rain comes in to ruin the party.
For now, though, we can only dream.

Rise and Shine --- To heat or not to heat

Good Morning and it's time to change the pitcher!

As this wacky weather year took a chilly turn this week, the first thing I heard after school yesterday was 'It's cold in here.'
OK, you might need to put away the shorts for the season, but it's not cold. Maybe a sweatshirt instead of the T-shirt would help.
One thing that's not happening is the heat is not going on yet. Maybe I'm still stuck in the summer or maybe I'm looking for one month of a decent PECO bill, but the heater will not kick in this week.
Or next week.
My rule is the heat doesn't go on before Halloween. Yeah, yeah, yeah, things could change. The way the weather has been going, would it surprise anybody if we saw snow in October?
Now, though, the after-school crowd is going to have do deal with it. After all, there are plenty of blankets.

Rise and Shine --- Taking a tour

Good Morning and welcome to the beginning of another long week!

As the minutes ticked away while not being able to fall asleep last night, I kept thinking "I could have gone to bed at 10 and it wouldn't have made any difference."
That's what happens when you stick through a Phillies playoff game that stretches past midnight and is one of those frustrating games the Phillies always seem to play.
Well, at least the rest of the weekend (despite trying to battle through an early-Fall cold) was busy but fun.
It all started Friday morning when I was invited by one of the Delcotimes.com bloggers, Chef Jacquie (CHECK OUT her web site here), to take her culinary tour of the Italian Market.
Now, I've been to South Philly's Italian Market. I like to get down there maybe once a month or so to pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables.
This tour was a little more, though. There was history (one of the businesses had been there since the early 1900s), there were stories (one shop was opened in the 1930s when a competing shop wouldn't let workers take a day off Jan. 1) and there was food. Lots and lots of food.
We started out with a caramel and chocolate covered apple, followed with a couple of different cheeses, a cheesesteak, a hoagie, pizza and finished with cannolis.
Now, I have to figure out when I can get back.

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: