Goodbye, 2008

Well again we suffered thru another rockin New Year's Eve with Dick Clark. I like him but he must have had a stroke as he sounded like some old drunk. Obviously not his fault but why is he on my TV. Next the Jonas Brothers performed? They were awful. I hope it was the cold weather. Times Square in New York City had 1 million freezing people. The Temp. there was 19 degrees. Well the ball dropped I got my New Year's Kiss and then we resumed out regularly scheduled programing. My first task of 2009 was to flip thru the channels as if they would be different. Nope sam ol ----. A Jackie Gleeson Honeymooners marathon was on, and a Hooters swimsuit competition featuring the winner Sarah Hoots (is that her real name?). I went back to my usual football game that takes a year to play and the all-time Packers drilled the all-time Lions 41-28. Too many long passes by these guys. Bobby Layne passed for 289 yards and Bart Starr 317. Well its 2009, what'll we do now ?

TOP STORIES OF 08

Like most good news services we are going to report our top new stories in 08. However these are only those I deem important. Also this is my 10th post this month which is my most prolific month since July. Ok here we go.
1.Austin Joseph Tidrow is born. It was election day November 4 @ 1:52pm weighing in at 8lbs 15oz. Today at the Doctors office he weighed in at 14lbs 4oz. Keep going AJ.
2.Shawn Tidrow marries Tiffany Blackford on 9-22- at 5:17pm. The wonderful thing is They are blissfully happy. Further this full blown wedding was put together in 1 week. Even Rev. Davis was amazed.
3.Michael Douglas Tidrow Graduates HS Finally he made it. He graduated and went on to college at Ivy Tech majoring in Criminal Justice. He is also a Crew Leader at Penn Station.Way to go Boy.
4Susan fall at Kroger and breaks knee. This causes a 4-6 week healing process and a forced Knee replacement from which she is still recuperating. For further information please consult our attorney.
5.Ron Tidrow turns 60. Thats right born in 1948 to 2008 means on 8/28 I turned 60. I am old, slow, stinky, and grumpy. Ha.
6.Memphis Here I discovered Casinos, Shiloh, Abe Lincoln's birthplace and maybe most importantly Sonic drive ins.
7.Dice comes to la casa Mike adopts and 9 week old kitty this summer and named her Dice cause she is white with black spots. And now she still runs away from the big bad dogs.
8.I lose my 800th game I have been in this draft league for the seasons 1944 thru 1952. Over those years I have managed to lose 800 games. Draw your own conclusions.
9.Shawn wins ffl 2 The first season was 07 which Mike won. This year Shawn wins. Fantasy Football League runner up 2x,... yep lil ol me.
10.Gas prices fall to under $1.50 The economy fell apart this year which is bad, but the silver lining was that gasoline prices which at one point were over $4.00 per gallon have now fallen to less that $1.50 which is great since I may very will have 5 cars soon. Got 4 now.
Okay there they are.

MEMOIR 44

The day after Christmas was a day to go visit Tom and Patti for some war. Tom has a back pack full of WWII game. Its called Memoir 44 and is much like my Battle Cry which is a Civil War game. They have pieces like infantry, armour, and artillery. I am but a novice geek but tonight it was a fight to the finish. Everytime you wipe out an opponets unit you get points and 7 wins the game. This particular battle took place at Kursk. We battled tooth and nail until I lucked out and won 7-5 Russians over Nazis. Meanwhile the ladies played Christmas music on their piano. We topped that off with a special about LSTs. Then watched "A Bridge To Far".
I finished the night off with 4 cheesburgers and onion chips from White Castle. A superior night. Pat is at Disney World unitl next Friday. All is well now. Rumor has it the van is being auctioned next week. Shawn and I are playing for the fantasy championship this Sunday. Its my second trip to the game. I am happy just to be there. I finally got all my Christmas haul put away. Found a shot glass from ST Louis Budweiser Brewery. Don't know where it came from.

Christmas 2008 all done

Well, it took weeks to set up, days to wrap, hours to cook and in minutes it was done. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Jonathan seemed to most happy with his gifts. He got an mp3 player that he couldn't stop grinning about. Austin got a swing, teddy bear, and baby monitor. He was cute in his Santa outfit. Taylor looked grownup. Patti seemed to enjoy seeing everyone. Lynn autographed multiple copies of her first and second books. I got 1. baseball clock 2.To the Last Man by Jeff Shaara3.Pencils with my name of them4.Civil War armchair reader5.Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull6.1001 things everyone should know about the Civil War.7Play Station game CivilWar secret mission 8. extra large laptop desk 9 Reel Baseball by Les Krantz 10 Dr.Schols full massage cushion. 10 Som 11. Colts direct TV clicker 12. So you don't want to go to church anymore 13 microwave pasta cooker 14 Mikes old ipod and a gift card for itunes. I think thats it but Aunt Maryland and Patrick are yet to come. Wow did I mention I like to get stuff. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Central Park 150yrs old

This coming Monday marks the 150th anniversary of the Greensward plan’s adoption. It actually wasn't finished until 1873. It is one of the places I wouldn;t mind visiting. Another one Yankee Stadium is being torn down. Oh well I don't travel well anyway. Christmas is getting dangerously close. Must be time to strike up the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I thought we were going to have a quiet Christmas but we counted yesterday and about 16 alleged humans in attendance. And that doesn't include all the ghosts of Christmas past like Lucky who will be hanging around. I like Christmas, I like getting stuff, and giving stuff, but all those people at once is difficult because its so hard to give each one the proper attention they deserve. Oh you know what I mean, Maybe I've got a little Scrooge in me. Anywho there is lots to like, did I mention getting stuff, food, candy, loudness, babies, humor, and getting stuff. Pat called yesterday and they are at Disney World. He was wowed by a personal Lightsabre machine that allows you to design your own Sword. He also ate dinner at "The Hoopty Do Review" which sounds like a dinner theatre that is about Americana. They sat front center and I guess Vanessa was in awe of the dancers. She loved it, and Daddy taught her to clapp. Now shes in for a lifetime of putting her hands together for lots of lame shit. Oops I started to sound like Tom then, sorry. Speaking of my sister Jennifer she is in Md visiting Quinn and his daughter Jenna. Her other son Cory is a home and helping out the Hamilton Southeastern Wrestling team. If you remember he was a state finalist in wrestling, and he is working with a new heavyweight in their stable. By the way I like getting stuff. Susan let me out Saturday night and I got my big three. When I go shopping I get to buy 3 things usually ballcards, a hat, and a book or magazine. I just heard Mike say Ginger is like a no fun dog. Maybe I'll try out my singing fish.

I LIKE POCKET WATCHES

My Granpa "Ernest Sr." liked pocket watches, and I have developed a fondness for the Watch with a fob. I bought one years ago with an eagle on it, then a baseball scene, later Mike got me a silver one, I am not sure if I have one with a train on it. Of course my favorite one is the one at right. I don't carry it but I think its cool. Way cool. I also don't particularly like stuff on my wrist. Since I was a kid I always had what my dad called thick wrists. He thought they were good for hitting a baseball ( which was true), but I thought they were good for something else, eh like um holding onto a cane. Won't I look stylish with my cane, my pocketwatch, and one of my 200 hats. Kinda puttin on the ritz, cracker maybe. By the bye you never have enough watches or underwear. I just finished a book by Clive Cussler named The Chase, which is a murder mystery set in 1906. Can't help loving historical fiction. Now back to Herman Goering. I don't know I just like reacing in my pocket and grabbing my watch!

ONE LOST CHILD

You have heard the maxim that it takes a village to raise on child. Well we failed on this one. I have seen a few lost children. I call them children because at their young age they know nothing of the world, life, or how to get along. Sadly this one chose to leave school before his education was complete. To borrow from my favorite movie he was not yet a jedi and was seduced by the dark side of the force. By that I mean those pleasurable activities that take our young people away from us. They then follow a path of destruction rather than construction(of their lives). What fate awaits this lost child I do not know. but most likely it wont be pretty. I know of one case that took a lost one to jail, youth home, lockup, and a poor future. He would be the first to tell you that he pulled himself out by his boot straps and it was damn hard. This new lost child may not be so lucky. I truly hope he is, and I know that his Grandpa hopes he will. It makes me very sad to see a child wasted more so than almost any other thing because its so tragic and unchangable. I hope this child can fix it.

BASEBALL DIGEST ONLINE

Google Books now has issues of Baseball Digest available for reading online, all free of charge. It appears a few issues from the 1940's are available, and practically all issues from 1950 through 2007 are there. Great quality for scanned images!

This is the message I got from one of my draft league buds and frankly it made my day. I have a small collection of BBD and I read it everywhere I am on the go, on the John, and in the car. I immediately selected an October 1952 issue (see pic) found an article reprinted from the Cleveland Plain Dealer by Gordon Cobbledick "Satch is a Natch for the Hall of Fame."So now I am going to be reading on line a lot as I love BBD. Further Saturday @9pm on ESPNHD is a program about the greatest football game ever played. It contains some colorized shots of the game never before seen. The game of course is 1958 Championship game Colts vs Giants. Players will also be giving their comments, like Pat Sumerall and Ray Berry. Well as John Bench says "Catch you later".

WISH LIST

Well its that time of year again. Usually I've made out a list that contains books, cds, dvds,cards and clothes. But not this year. Those things are on the shelf. First off let me remind me that I am sitting in one expensive Christmas chair. Second It will be an SOM xmas as Football, hockey and especially all-time franchise sets are already in Santas Sleigh. Just imagine Sid Luckman or George Blanda at QB. Gale Sayers and Walter Payton at RBs, with Harlon Hill, Johnny Morris and Mike Ditka at TE. Wow! Plus Bronko Nagurski, and Rick Caseras backing up at RB. Wow,Wow, Wzuby. Anyway thats not all. I still pine for a Play Station 2 game Civil War Secret Mission, and maybe a phone although Mrs Klaus has frowned at that idea. Well as if that wern't enough there is an outside chance that a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country might be coming our way. First know it originally was the property of Suzane Tidrows grandpa and was in She and Pats driveway until a drunk neighbor plowed into it.Her Papaw had willed it to her but the Insurance company insists on taking it. They then give it to an auction house who sells it for what ever it can get. The catch is that only dealers can bid on this nice car. We test drove it 2 days before they took posession of it. Well leave it to Shawn to find a remedy. He called Stanfield Auto in Greenfield. We have bought a couple of cars from them. They agreed to bid on it for us when it comes up for auction adding only a little for costs. The only strings are when it comes up for auction we don't know and what it goes for. Stanfield knows our top dollar and doesn't think it will get that high. I do not want to jinx it but lets keep our fingers crossed. Tim is back in Indy and starts to work at Blockbuster tomorrow. He has already talked to Ivy Tech ( where Mike and Devin go) about going back to school. He is currently staying with Pat, where he recently cooked Turkey meatloaf for dinner Monday night, yech. Austin was at Riley Hospital yesterday and they said he does not have a hole in his heart like previously thought but the tissue there is very thin and must be watched. Well if your still breathin se ya for Christmas.

THANKSGIVING DAY...DEC 8TH

Well this is called theme day. I decided that today 8 dec 08 is going to be Thanksgiving Day. To replicate that day Mike paraded around in his shorts. Then I had my Thanksgiving Day meal Turkey,Dressing, mixed vegies, and Cherry desert compliments of Healthy Choice. Next I love what used to be called bluebird pies which are a single pie about 3" diameter in a tin pan. I found a Pumpkin pie version and added ice cream. My bevridge of choice was non caffene diet coke. It was truly thanksgiving feast and only 280 calories for the dinner and 280 for the pie. So what happens after the meal, well football. Madden 09 sponsors this portion of out day. Mike now finished with his parade joins to play Detroit at Chicago. Soldier Field is the home for this years Turkey day game. Detroit jumps out to a 21-10 lead in the first quarter. By halftime Chicago comes back to lead 38-21. In the 3rd Mike leaves to check something out on his computer and I get the defense. Now I am below a novice kinda like a dork but I am smart enough to let well enough alone. I call my defence and put the controller on my stomach. Brian Urlacher intercepts a John Kitna pass and returns it for a TD. Mike returns laughing out loud take over da Bears win 58-40. The highlight is a glitch. For a long spell in the 4th quarter a second football lays idle on the field and Mike and laugh out loud for a long time as it appears the refree has squatted there and hatched this prize. Finally to simulate the big shopping day after Thanksgiving I order SOM football (particularly the oldtimers set) and hockey (with a sale purchase of 05-6 cards). Looks like a Strato Xmas.

INDIANA WANTS ME

Well somewhere near Billings Mt. one cold, tired, lonely man drives the main roads. He is trying to outrun a snowstorm. He is trying to outrun his life. For the last 6 years he has been trying to hold things together but no more. She turned on him, like a panther in the night hissing her warning "go away, far away." He tried to reason with her, but reason wasn't what she wanted. Her family simply stopped talking to her and turned their heads in shame. She didn't care. He wanted to rescue her but she was too far across the point of no return. She banished him away, so now he comes back toward the state where he has friends and family. He faced down his demon and stood his ground, nobly and valiantly. Now he has no home, and no desire for more. There are more questions than answers more grief than hope. The one thread of goodnes lies in the family and extended family he has in Indiana. They want him, they like him, they do not judge him. They offer him a place in the dark night of his life, hoping to give him the chance to get stronger, and better.

1952 world series

We had been out this evening but about 12:30 am I had a big water and settled in at my desk to enjoy a few moments. I noticed a post from a league bud named Dennis VanLangen that told of a free baseball channel at http://www.3liveTV.com where one could watch baseball in its entirety. I immediately tuned in used the drop down menu and sat back. I was rewarded with the 7th game of the 1952 world series now in the last of the 6th inning with NewYork leading Brookly 3-2. Allie Reynolds was pitching but laboring. Now this is every pitch one camera, maybe 2 and the commentary was all Mel Allen but he kept talking to his side kick Red Barber. Wow they had me after a couple of pitches. Vic Raschi relieved in the 7th but did not fare well and then Bob Kuzava came in. The bases were loaded Furillo on 3rd, Cox on 2nd and Reese at first. Allen kept telling about how tense the game was. In fact he said it was "past tense yet up to date".Kuzava retired Snider, then Robinson, and Hodges I think hit a tall wind blown pop up that at the last moment Billy Martin lunged for and caught. In the 7th McDougald was on 2nd and a young 20 year old Mickey Mantle became a hero with a sharp single to score McDougald score 4-2. Meanwhile Kuzava kept retiring players. Meanwhile Erskine had relievd for the Brooks. No one scored and when Kuzava retired the last batter Yogi Berra ran to the mound and leaped into Kuzava arms. Mel Allen said it was the best, most dramatic, and exciting World Series ever. I chuckled about that one since it has been 56 years since that game which until now I had never even paid any attention to. And at least for 3 or 4 innings it was that good. I won't forget that neat game.

WICK

As far as I'm concerned many government programs are marginal at best. They just seem to be ways of making something harder. However in these tough economic times they are probably necessary. One program is very good. That is wick which is a government help program for families. Now Shawn has a steady job with Indiana Mentor but he doesn't pull down a big salary. So he qualifies for assistance under the wick program because of his low salary. they provide food for families especially new borns. So Tiffany and Shawn get food like Milk and Cheese, and things like that. OOH Tom remember the Government cheese give away in the 70s.Shawn says nursing moms pretty much get tuna and carrots. Yech! Anyway little Austin gets free formula. Now up until yesterday he was on soy based formulas. Wick provides them with Enfamil Gentleeze. Which is formula that closely resembles nursing milk. It is specifically designed for gassy fussy babies which is Austins middle name. So not only are we hopeful for Mr. "Big Johnson" but it saves money. Shawn tells me that a 23oz can of powder can cost $25. WICK just gave Austin 10 cans of 15oz Enfamil. You do the math.

Fantasy Baseball Picks

One of my favorite hobbies is playing a cards n dice baseball game called Strat-o-matic. I have been enjoying this game since 1964 when I found some of school chums playing it. Over the years this hobby has evolved into a computer hobby and draft leagues. A draft league is a group of guys, sort of like my old school chums. Who also play this game and live across the country from
California to New York. I am in 2 of these leagues and they are in two different eras. The first has entered the 50s and is preparing for 1952, while the other is going thru expansion and getting ready for 1969. Now both teams that I own are not what you'd call good. In fact I had the 3rd pick of the draft in one and the 4th in the other. That means that I am near the bottom in the standings. Well I am excited to announce that my picks have rewarded me with 2 hall of fame baseball players. First is (pictured) Hoyt Wilhelm relief pitcher elected to the HOF in 1985. He won 144 game and saved 227 others in his 22 year career. Al Oliver is not in the hall yet but has over 2700 hits and a career .303 BA in his 18 year career. Those gus are the corner stones of teams building to be great. Well enough comercial. My grandson Austin was over last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He brought with him is brother and sister Jonathan and Lauren. By the way Lauren is a play for blood Old Maid card sharp. She kept saying "please don't let me get the old lady". Jonathan is a TV hound, he never say a program he didn't like. Austin is a gruntin, moaning,farting,cutie. He is a ringer for his dad at that age, and we have been to the video. He rips them with the best of em. He also can push his paci back in with one hand. He is good natured only fusses a little like when wet, or hungry, and sleeps sometimes 4 hours at a time. I have seen many moms but Tiffany Tidrow has the best bond with her baby of any I have ever seen. Shawn is experienced and that is a big help to this first time Mom. They are a great team. Now if only we could get the other kids a stable, safe home. They are currently without a permanent home and stay where ever they can, which is why Susan and I have had them 4 or 5 days in the last couple of weeks. My nephew Cory Cronk is a tackle on the St. Francis football team. They finished their season 10-0 and will have home field advantage in the NAIA playoffs. Cory is the starter and has been lineman of the week at least 2 times.

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day. It is a good time to recognize those people who fought for their country. At the top of my list is Mike Ebert. Mike was the fb on our Tiger teams when I played. He was a tought guy. He was Killed in Vietnam, and yes I have visited his name on the wall of the Vietman Memorial. Next is Ernest G. Tidrow Lt.JG. He was an officer aboard LST 719 during WWII. Quinn Dobbins Petty Officer USN, who served twice in Iraq. Looks like I will be able to include Timothy Stone, who is due to leave 11/24/08. Robert C Spillman served aboard ship in WWI. He is my Grandfather on my mothers side. The story goes he was on leave when WWI ended and by the time he returned to his ship all his stuff was stolen. He was forced to serve an extra 6 mos to pay for the things he lost. To these men and the millions more thank you for your service, we appreciate it.

What do we do now?

This not really a political commentary. In fact I bought the attached issue,and I will put it with my JFK issue of US News. However the real question is when all the celebration settles down, and the press turns bored again, and Osami makes his usual threats ( oh wait he already did). Then what do we do now. It is my contention that Obama, McCain, Bush, Clinton, Palin, or Pelosi will not be alble to solve all that is now expected of the new leader. He is supposed to settle several conflicts in the world, solve our economy( now in the throws of a mini depression), and deliver all that he promised and more. He has a favorable Congress, but gee whiz thats a task even Superman would blanche at. Oh and don't forget health care, gun control, and the car makers. I just dont think anyone can fix all this and when he can't, what do we do now? Well I know the answer just do one thing at a time. However will all the other folks be patient enough to wait????
In the home news nothing much going on. Austin, Tiffany and Shawn are at home at Castle Greyskull. Mike is enjoying his new "WORLD AT WAR" game. Tim is hoping to be sworn in on Friday. Pat says his father is Anakin Skywalker, and Tom is going to Las Vegas sometime soon. I would reveal the date but then it would negate my $1million dollar agreement. I just wanted to mention his name for my sister who is stalking him. The doctor said my palpitations were rare meaning they happen not very often and require no medication or treatment. My BP was 126/74, and I have had my flu shot. I am in last place 4-6 in the family fantasy league. I also finished last in the 1952 league and in the 1968 league. See a pattern here. Maybe Mike was right I am the father of a loser family. Oh well, fiddle de dee, I'll just think about that tomorrow.

Exhaustin Austin Arrives

First the picture to the right is of Susan holding Vanessa as we dont have pics of Austin yet. True to his name "Exhaustin" Austin Joseph Tidrow kept his mom waiting for 24 hours, then demanded a c-section delivery. However he is fine as is his mom and dad. Austin's Mom was dialated to 9, which is next door to go time, but AJ's heartrate dropped which necessitated an emergency c-section. So he was born at 1:52pm 11-04-08 on election day. Big Austin is 8lbs, and 15oz, 20.5"inches long. At the moment he is at Comunity North hospital (which is very nice) in room 4113. Shawn just told me that Tiffany was in recovery, and he had just given AJ 20z of formula. Not bad this is Shawns 3rd, while Tims has 2, and Pat 1. Mike has 0 and thats also good since he is still 18. Susan and I feel pretty good with 6 grandkids. We also heard today that Tim has joined the Army and leaves for basic training in 3 weeks. It is 13 weeks long and technical school is 19 weeks long. We are not sure but rumor has it that he is going to become a combat medic. Pat says the doctors told him that pretty soon Vanessa (15mos) will need to have tubes in her ears. I remember both Pat and Shawn needing them. One thing about being a grandfather with 4 sons and 6 grandkids, there is never a dull moment. I kinda like it that way.

Heart PVC

Premature ventricular contraction (PVC), also known as ventricular premature beat (VPB) or extrasystole, is a form of irregular heartbeat in which the ventricle contracts prematurely. This may be perceived as a "skipped beat" or as palpitations. The depolarization of cardiac myocytes begins in the ventricle instead of the usual place, the sinoatrial node. PVCs can be a useful natural probe, since they induce Heart rate turbulence whose characteristics can be measured, and used to evaluate cardiac function.Among the many different types of irregular heart beats, few have created as much consternation and confusion -- among both doctors and patients -- as premature ventricular complexes (PVCs). In various doctors’ offices, and at various points in history, PVCs have been regarded as either harbingers of impending death, or as completely benign phenomena that require no attention whatsoever. On occasion, eliminating caffeine intake, as well as tobacco and alcohol usage, may reduce the frequency of PVCs, and these measures should be tried. For some patients, using beta blockers (drugs that block the effect of adrenaline) might reduce arrhythmias.

Doc says I had a good heart test but that I got a few PVCs, which were described as occasional premature heartbeat or rare 2 couplets. She said I should come in for a visit. The above research was done shortly thereafter. Excess exercise,Caffine, and Anxiety were listed as possible causes.
I guess we will have to wait and see. Until then don't piss me off, hear me!

Wired

Well it finally happened, I got wired. For those of you who don't know I have been having extra strong beats in my heart rythm. I visited Dr.Vasilchek and she gave me an ekg in the office. It revealed that I was in normal sinus rythm. I also got the usual blood test that revealed my hemoglobin a1c is 6.6 and they want it to be 6.5. Almost there. My blood sugar was 170 and they wish it were 150, which is do able. Next came the appointment for a heart monitor to be worn for 24 hours. After they shaved part of my chest ( I looked like the guy from 40 year old virgin) and attached the sticky things which are hooked by wire to a monitor that I wore around my neck like a cow bell. Off I went for a day. I did want the palpitations to happen so I tried to make them do it. I was wildly successful. I ate a late supper (10pm)l and had 3 diet cokes with caffene. Sure enough about 12:ooam they hit. 22 the first hour, 13 the next, then 12, and 12 again, an 8 I don't remember any more. All toll I had 62 hits from midnight until 6am when I finally went to sleep. Now I won't get any news until late this coming week on first of the week after. If its something I can take it and if not then we better find out just what caused this mess. Oh the picture is a blurry vision of Shawn and Tiffany's Wedding.
In other news Tim is in Tacoma,WA and not having a good time. He and Eliz are having a problem. He is considering joining the Army to become an Information Tech. Grandad has his expanded Comcast channels and is like a kid in a candy store. Susuan had to show him how to get on demand movies which he loved. She is a real trooper because to teach a blind guy with no patience how to operate a clicker is simply beyond belief. I have an electric recliner which is an early Mrs. Claus present. Mike is working 30+ hours per week, going to Ivy tech, and doing work as a Lawrence Police Cadet in his spare time. Oh and keep quiet about it but my Sue is thinking about retiring at the end of this year. Tiffany was here today and her baby is 8 or 9 lbs now and she is 37 weeks along, so she can go any time. She is the nicest person ever, if you can believe this she actually can get along with my ex-wife Medusa. She is the only person alive I know who can do that. Pat just finished up with the FFA Convention. He reports that at the auction he bought a bundle of tools that include a hoe, spade, and bush rake( what ever that is) and some other stuff. Thats all for now see ya later.

My Profile (TSN style)

BORN: August 28,1948
STATUS: Married 22 yrs
ALMA MATTER: IUPUI
WHATSON TV: Law and Order
IN MY IPOD:Beatles,Shania Twain,and Mozart.
WHAT I DRIVE: 94 Oldsmobile Cutlass (moms car)
FAVORITE FLICK: Star Wars (all)
WORST HABIT: Gas
ON MY WALLS: Riverfront Stadium, Last pitch @Crosley Field,and GAB in Cincinnati
LOVE TO TRADE PLACES FOR A DAY: Hugh Heffner
FIRST JOB: Sports reporter for Indpls Times.
FORDINNER: Spaghetti.
TALENT I'D LIKE TO HAVE: Play Music
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTE I LIKE BEST ABOUT MYSELF: Sight
AND LEAST: Big Stomach.
FAVORITE ATHLETE TO WATCH: Ken Griffey Jr.
FAVORITE TEAM GROWING UP: Cincinnati Reds
FAVORITE VALUE IN OTHERS: Kindness
FAVORITE CITY TO VISIT: Cincinnati, Ohio
MY HERO: Patrick,Timothy,Shawn, and Michael
MY GREATEST LOVE; Susan my wife.
MY BUCKET LIST: 1. go back to Gettysburg, 2. visit Memphis, 3. Read all the books I own 4.watch all the videos I own. and 5.always have a good time with family and friends.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "the force will be with you always"

Tyson Chandler speaks

I've never known anything about politics before, never got involved. It was just too over my head, and it seemed like I could never do anything about it. I felt like my voice wasn't to be heard or anything. And for whatever reason, Obama makes you understand that you do have a voice and what you do effects this country, no matter how major or minor.He was saying that it's gonna take the whole country to make a change, and it's gonna be up to parents to cut the lights off a little earlier, put the video games away and help your kids study. And I felt that.Obviously, I haven't paid too much attention to politics, but to me, that's something I've never heard before. And the way he speaks, it's like he's really truly trying to bring the whole country together and help this country get better from the inside out, starting with our own children and our own families and taking that responsibility.It was just amazing to hear this man speak. He so much reminds me of my grandfather, the way he's so soft-spoken, and respectful, and poised, just a man of honor. I told my wife that he reminds me of an educated version of my grandfather. And that's not a knock on my grandfather. Obviously, he grew up in a time where he didn't get an education, but it says a lot about the way I feel about Barack, because I respect my grandfather more than any man walking on this Earth. And for me to compare Barack to him says a lot.It's funny, because when Obama was giving his speech, he said he was gonna give a tax cut to 95 percent of the people. He says, "If you make under $250,000 a year, raise your hand." And everybody there raised their hand, except for this one small section of guys. That was our section. And everybody around us was laughing.But you know what, it's a bigger cause. And the way I look at it is that I can afford to pay more in taxes. But my parents, my grandparents, my cousins ... with what they make, they can't afford to cut back in their household with what they're trying to survive with. I can afford to make cuts and still survive. They can't take that knock.I think that's what's going on now and the reason why the middle class is struggling so much. The upper class, we can take that hit. Obviously, nobody wants to take it, but we still can. And we can afford to live nice lives.I've lived in both situations. And not only that, I'm obviously the only one in my family that can say that I'm a millionaire. I've seen my entire family struggle. So, would I rather see my whole family struggle while I get a break, or have me not get a break while the rest of my family gets one? I'll take my entire family getting a break.

Thats what I read in my sports search this morning, and I thought it was important becasue here is this basketball player who is totally away from politics and here he is moved by Mr.Obama. I suppose there are just as many for Mr. McCain but I kinda liked what Tyson Chandler said.

BEST & WORST VACATIONS

As I was going to sleep last night I decided to recall my best and worst vacations ever, and as they say save the best for last. so here goes with the worst.

Worst Vacations Ever

1.Albuquerque n.m. This was a trip to visit my Granpa and it was highlighted with our car being struck by a bull on the interstate near Oklahoma City. It delayed us for 2 days while the car was repaired. Oh and by the way the car was a station wagon a Dodge Matador!

2.Springfield, ILL. It was Lynns fault. Our car brokedown near Mecanicsburg,Il. And there is no mecanic in Mecanicsburg. We had to be towed to Springfield. This trip was packed with unpleasant stuff as the car continued to act up. I didn't even get to go to Wallmart.

3.Cooperstown N.Y. My apologies to Gary Plunkit my partner on this misadventure. I got Homesick and had a terrible time. Gary never traveled with me again but remains a friend. It was so bad I don't remember anything except going thru the hall of fame.

BEST VACATIONS EVER

A little criteria here. It must be a place I have visited more than once, and still want to go back.

1.EastCoast Battlefields Shawn, Mike, and myself rented a Bronco to visit BullRun,Washington,Antietam, and Gettysburg. It was marvie. It is still talked about today and we would like to go back and do a Ghost tour in Gettysburg and the Tour in Washington, plus drive one more time over Washingtons Shawn Bridge. Never mind about the speeding ticket.

2.Gettysburg. It was fall and Susan took the family on Fall break. Not only was it terrific but beautiful. We literally did it all and met a Lincoln impersonator that ( named James Getty) was so good folks were calling him Mr. President. I tried to trip him up but he knew that Mr. L didn't put mail in his hat in New Salem.

3.Memphis. Thanks to Lynn and Russ for this one it was full of surprises. Like Hodgenville,KY, and Parkers Crossroads, Tunica, Memphis, Sonic, Gambling, and that short trip to Shiloh.It completed my quest to visit the best Civil War battlefields. Out of this came the ralling cry "I dont gamble my wife does!"Need to go back to see the Memphis Wallmart, and Sonic.

GRUMPY OLD MEN

I know that at my advanced age I qualify as one of the above "grumpy old men". However I hope that I can always find something to laugh at. Like Dice and Nutmeg playing tag late at night just before they go to sleep. Or playing TMG Pro basketball. Another thing I like to do is go shopping with my wife. It in some ways is like a date, and I like it. Another thing I laugh at is cartoons. I still like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Futurerama. The other night I watched a cartoon that had some puppets in it and the one said something very interesting. He said "In this world there are 3 kinds of people, Dicks, Pussies, and assholes." He said more but you get the idea. I began categorizing people I knew. It gave me a grin. This week we say good bye to Tim, Elizabeth, and Charity. They will be leaving on the 8th for Tacoma, WA. It seems to have plenty of scenery and some interesting places. I got some questions about my Grandfather. He was a pretty neat guy. He used to take me to toy stores until I decided to run away and hide in the womens restroom. Can't say as I blame him. He always had a new Chrysler product, and I am told was pretty good at Golf. Well its abot 3:34 am and I should be getting tired. Its too bad I'm not. I only get sleep in small doses. Like from 5 to ll in the am and maybe a 4 to 6 pm. It works out the same just not all at once. By the way before I go I will tell you that I hate night. When I was a kid I was afraid of everything, storms, Ghosts, monsters, my sisters. Now that I am a GOM I still hate night. First off your alone, second thats when I have most of my aches, pains, thumps, and hunger. I don't know why I get hunger at 3am but I do. Well we are talking about the sleeping habits of Ron it must be time to quit. Nite all

Bailout

Money in the Billions and Trillions to help Auto Makers,Banks,Wall Street,theHousing market,defense, education, farm, health, foreign aid

,and who knows what else. Then they tells us that this is needed to keep everthing going, too avert a shutdown, and avoid a recession. Well it seems to me that if all that needs help aren't we already in a recession. After all gas prices are cooko, your homes aren't worth didly, groceries are terrible, and medical insurance is unaffordable. I already have 2 parked cars due to economics. I have to stay where I am and My wife can't afford to retire. I don't see how this isn't a recession. I won't even go into the dildos in the picture. The country is in bad shape. It is going to take a lot to fix'er up. I don't know if all this socialism is going to help but its coming anyway. I say all this in order to get it straight in my mind. Plus small businesses are going to fail, jobs will be lost, and banks cant give out credit. I guess I will have to stay home not work and don ask for credit. Woa, I'm already doing that. I guess I am ahead of my time!

Papa

On the front row of this picture at the extreme right end is my Grandfather Ernest G Tidrow Sr. In fact if my dad hadn't disagreed my name would have been Ernest G Tidrow III. Yech but then I don't like Ronald either. He was about 6-1 and usually 205lbs. He came to Indiana from his home of Cannon Mills,TN, which is just across the KY border. He had 3 brothers and 3 sisters all of which were younger as he was the eldest. He settled in New Castle and married a 19 year old girl named Pauline Kay Fletcher. They lived happily until my Grandma died of a hearattack in 1955. Ernest Sr. worked his way up thru the Chrysler Plant until he was paymaster. Lots of times he would take Jr(my dad) to the plant while he signed the checks. You'd never see him without a hat (even in the office) and usually with a Cigar (Dutch Masters). He liked to read Argosy magazine and had a basement with an easy chair, workbench,Radio, and refrigerator ( that was completely filled with long neck Budweiser). I remember listening too the 500 mile race with him, especially the time Bill Vukovich was killed. I felt his presence at Shawn and Tiffany's wedding. It was the first time I had felt that he was around.

RRRRH

Welcome Pirates
I just finished my 8th season as manager of the Orange Co. Titans. They are a simulation game team rather than fantasy. My record is 520-779 over that period. It averages out to 65-97. I have had 4 seasons losing over 100 games. This all began with the 1944 campaign and just finished with 1951, which I finished 62-100. I am pretty sure that makes me the leagues biggest loser. I have been playing Strat-O-Matic baseball for 45 years now and only in the last 8 season has my hobby made me feel like a loser. The problem is I like the team. It has guys like Richie Ashburn,Lew Burdette, and Bob Turley. Susan is back to work full time now and she is verry tired.
Mike is working split Shifts at Penn Station while going to college. I beat Tim 97-95 in fantasy football this week and am 2-2 so far this season. My biggest question is wheather to keep O'Sullivan or go back and get Rothlesberger. Tiim,Elizatbeth, and Charity leave for Tacoma on the 8th. They say its a 33 hour drive and will take them 3 days.

Exhaustin Austin

Its rare that an unborn baby gets so much attention. Maybe its because I see Tiffany Ann Tidrow every Sunday at our football bash. At any rate Austin Joseph Tidrow has been growing in her Tum Tum these 7 mos and he is legendary. First as has been previously noted he was caught holding a large sized winky in an early utlrasound or polishing his kickstand as Dad notes.. Now Tiff tells me that all the doctors and nurses call him "wild thing" because he moves so much and constantly. He streatches from one side of Tiff to the other which isnts hard due to her 5'3" stature. She and Shawn certainly make a Mutt and Jeff couple. However they seem much in love which is nice. Austin wont let anything on her belly and kicks or punches at anything left there. Like at the wedding last week T rested the wedding bouquet on her stomach. Exhaustin Austin kicked at it making it jump up everytime he did this. Shawn has been kicked for putting his hand there like "Hey Da this is my territory buzz off." This afternoon she told me he is particularly active in early morning and early afternoon. In the early evening he settles down a little but seems to be up all night which is now taking her sleep away. She giggles about this but is firmly convinced that AJ will be a very active boy. I am kinda glad in a way because at least we know he is in there and doin fine. The doctors say that toward the end he will settle down some because of his limited space. Just now it is not uncommon to see Tiffany rubbing her tummy or gently pushing AJ around trying to get him off her rib or away from some other sensitive body part in there. Wow am I glad I am a guy I don't think I'd like that much. Its still pretty neat to see this go on and its one time I am sure that this is the miracle of birth. see ya later.

28 SEPT

I guess I have been busy this month because I have only 4 blogs. But with Shawn and Tiffany's Wedding, the trip to Rascals in New Whiteland and Sunday Football my plate has been full. The attached is a picture of Mickey Vernon, he passed this week at the age of 90, God Bless. I have apair of blue dice from the Argosy casino. Both have holes drilled thru them, think they will roll true? These blogs are full of random thoughts but thats how I think most of the time. I'm not saying I'm ADD but oops there goes a bunny rabbit. I am finishing 2 more seasons of draft league baseball. I am in almost last place in both of them. Since this is my 14th season and I only have 1 winning season I guess that makes me a loser but I enjoy playing my guys. Mickey Vernon is a favorite at first. Nellie Fox was my hero as a kid, and I had his club to hit with then. Hamner is cool at Short. Dr. B.Brown is at third. Ozark Ike Zernial is neat in left. The list goes on from there even including Hal Jeffcoat my all time favorite player. So losing isn't so bad when you like your guys. Lovable Losers? The real baseball season ends tomorrow and my Reds are 74-87. Curiously enough the Cubs are the Division Champion. Very odd. Well this is the first year I haven't been to a game since sometime in the early 80s. I guess you could say its been a loser summer except of course for our short trip to Memphis. But as stated in the begining some things were good. Catch ya later.

Wedding

It was 5:17pm when the bride and groom placed the rings on each others fingers. Subsequently they were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Tidrow. The week long blitzkrieg was over. On Friday morning 12 September 2008 at about 3am Shawn told me he was going to see Rev. John Davis to see if the Church could host a wedding. Not long after that a friend of Tiffany's volunteered to plan the wedding for free. All week long little miracles like that happened. Lauren the flower girl got a new dress which was priced at $30 but marked down to $7. I bought a new suit in 10 minutes at Casual Male. The wedding dress was located and shipped in from Missouri. Shawn rented his Tux in just under 30 minutes. The rings were found bought and sized in a couple of days. Kim(tifs mom), Susan, and myself helped plan the horneymooon in 1 day. The newly weds are spending 2 fun filled days at Argosy casino in Lawrenceburg,IN. Rev.Davis commented to me in view of the great success of this wedding, maybe they should make a rule that all wedding should only take 1 week to plan. The reception was great. Ham, Turkey,Mashed potatoes,green beans and of course a 3 tiered wedding cake were served. In stead of rice the bride and groom were pelted with bubbles courtesy of little jars of bubble stuff(don't know the real or scientific name). It was a great day for all and as I exited the church I said hello to a photo of my mother that hangs in the chucrch. I told her "good job Mom". Because it was evident that someone had worked a small miracle.

Ol No 88

Well I made a big deal out of turning 60 so I guess I should mention that on last Thursday my father turned 88. He is just fine and told us many stories especially the one about the "Minnesota Shift". You have to ask Susan about that one. In 7 days Shawn will leave the ranks of the Singles and become two or is it 3. on Saturday at 5pm at the Greenfield Christian Church he and Tiffany Blackford will get Hitched. What started out as a simple JP weddin has blossomed into a full fledged store bought Wedding. Yes rings have been purchased, dresses located(shipped in from Missouri),Tuxedo rented, Cakes prepared, Photographers lined up, and pastures no wait Pastors hired. Thanks to my former high school mate John Davis for committing the Church to this extravanza. This here city weddin is shaping up to be full blown. See yall at the church by the way yall are invited especially Tom and Patty(mentioned him again Jennifer), Russ and Lynn, and anyone else who thinks we forgot to invite them. Now ya know I get most of my news off the internet these days. I used to subscribe to many magazines and newspapers but now the internet takes their place. I read three newspapers every day (Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Chicago). Plus there are blogs like this one and oh lets see, I will name 3 I particularly like. 1.red hot mama(its about the cincinnati reds) 2. indy cornrows (its about the indiana pacers) 3. visit-gettysburg blog (i'll leave you to guess what its about). Uh, well I guess thats about it cept I saw Tim yesterday and he is pining for his wife Lizabeth, cause shes in San Antone withe Army. He brought over a movie I really enjoyed called "The Count of Monte Cristo" good romantic adventure. I give it an 8. Just in case you need help about what an 8 is well, Star Wars is a 10, and Jump is a 1. Well as they used to say see ya in the funnypapers.

Denver 23 Chicago 17,9/10/1962

So Mr.Tidrow, what do you do with your time. Well for over 40 years I have been playing a dice and cards game known as Strat-O-Matic Sports. It has been great fun and keeps me out or trouble. Todays result takes us back to the year 1962, the year before the Bears won the championship and when the Colts were in Baltimore,plus the Packers were very good. Mrs T the owner of fantasy football's Butler Bazookas told me that my annual SOM order would have to wait until Oct 6. So what to do? Well the answer was 1962 pro football. To begin I selected the AFLs Denver Broncos who were 7-7, while the Bears were 9-5. Gene Mingo ran 6 yards for the first Bronk TD, while Frank Tripucka threw(no not up) to Lionel Taylor for a 7 yard score and the Broncos led 14-3. Being an exhibition game I decreed that backup Rudy Bukich be the QB in the first half while regular Billy Wade get the second half. Bukich was 9 of 15 for 148 yards and Wade wass 7 of 13 for 73. Rookie Ron Bull ( I have his autograph) ran 11 times for 38 yards. The Broncos had 293 yards of total offense, while the Bears had 294. Besides the games first TD Gene Mingo booted 3 field goals for a total of 15 points. Next up for Chicago is the 11-3 Houston Oilers and former Bear George Blanda...In other news a trip to the foot doctor leaves my piggies in fine fashion. Diabetic foot care is covered by medical insurance and got me clipped and medicated to perfection. Oh and a bit of advice from Dr Loveins says dont spend thousands of dollars on lamasil for foot fungus, just use Vicks Vapo rub on the tootsies it will do the same job. So there we have saved you millions of dinero. Shawn and Tiffany are talking about tieing the knot and we are very happy to welcome her to the family. She is the owner of the FT.Walton Falcons and a real nice gal. Olinda Wheatly who with her boyfriend Russ are the owners of the Beechfield Sharks called from Tunica MS where she won $75 big ones. They also gave me a belated birthday present a t-shirt that says "I don't gamble my wife does". The trip to Rascals in New Whiteland for the birthday party of Jonathan, 10 and Lauren 7 was a big success. The biggest kid award goes to party organizer and financier Shawn. He was seen streaking around the track in his go-cart. Then getting soaked in the bumper boats. He also won the indoor go cart challenge. Last place went to Tim who tried to wipeout Mike in a backstreatch accident. Shawn was also seen the day before at the Circus with the Kids. No he was not kidnapped and forced to play the bearded lady in the sideshow. That was Pat (ha). By the way little Jonathan rolled a 136 in the duck pin bowling event. Mike and Devin won the cheapo award for winning many tickets at the arcade and then turning them in for birthday presents for Jonathan and Lauren. Well see you next time when we will answer the question what happened on 9-11-1920.

MAYBERRY CAFE

Okay there is this place in Danville,In(picture) that when you walk in you'd swear Andy,Barney, and the gang will be coming in anytime now. The food features standard homecookin fare and its pretty decent. I hope my and some of my friends can make a road trip there soon its someplace I would like to visit again. They also sell souverniers, games and other very important stuff.
This new paragraph is brought to by the Tom Mink good english service, where good english is not only our busines but our pleasure. I still haven't recovered from the virus scare of last Sunday and Monday. This little bastard told me several times that my laptop was in grave danger of being infected by viruses, spyware, bogus drivers and blue gremlins that eat your computer and hardware. My computer son told me to wipe my hard drive, and Iwas in panic mode. "I am old worthless, a computer wiene, and will be doomed to a life without a laptop." I persevered feeling like I had nothing to lose. I found something called Superanti Spyware that kicked this virus who pretended to be spyware in the Kabukie. Later my good friend Tom Mink (second time mentioned if you are counting Jennifer) told me to go to my providers web site and they would have free spyware to help. Well Comcast came thru this time and set my up with McAfee. I still flinch when I turn the puter on but it seems fine now. I gotta say computer troubles, car troubles, and health issues really push my fubar button and make me panic. It however is much less trouble than having bad hair. Oh and good luck to Russ and Lynn who are back in Tunica to strike it rich again, enjoy the Sonic burgers.

BIRTHDAY NO 60

Okay I made it into the 60s generation. What did I do?Well I talked to my Dad who told me that on that day they were in New Castle visitin his parents when in the moring Mom said "Ernie, we better ge to the hospital" At the time Dad was a football coach at Tipton and was on a cane becasue he threw his Knee out teaching a kid to how to kick. Now 60 years later I am on a cane due to being old. During that telephone call my sister Jennifer called to wish me a happy and during our conversation Jeannine called to say the same. I recieved 4 birthday cards. One from Susans aunt Mairlyn, Jeannine, Lynn, and Russ( the last two played music). We went out to eat, it was Thursday and we dined at Buca di bepa. We had Spaghetti and Chocolate Cake. I won't mention the 2 two other deserts I tasted, Yuck. Now for the goodies. Here is a list of my presents
1.Book "Rebels of Ireland"
2.Book"Ultimate Sacrafice"
3.Book"The Steel Wave"mdt
4.Book"The Gashouse Gang"
5.3 Comic books (Shiloh,Antietam,and BullRun)Sjt
6.replica 1948 Ford f1 pickup with 1955 Ford truck.(see pic)
7.Joh Wayne movie CD
8.CD of tv show "Bronx is Burning"
9.Chicago Cubs baseball cap
10 Budweiser Dale Earnhart Jr ball cap
11.Big Stick cane named Mr.Lucky skt
12 Cane named Hercules egt
13 1 pair blue crocs
14 1 red tab from shirt
15 1 mouse pad
16 14 packs of 2008 Topps FB cards
17 Book "an Army at Dawn"trm
18 Argosy Poker ball cap trm
19 1 magazine "Fantasy Football"
20 1 paperback book "Great Baseball feats, fact and firsts"
21. 2 dragon tee shirts from Gen Con 08 pat
Wow I'm worn out just lisitng this stuff. It was bought or given to me all week long. It was great day. Thanks to all to to all a good night as its 3:05 am Saturday 8-30-08

LAST DAY ON EARTH AS A 59 YEAR OLD

Young people like me don’t know the meaning of “age”. Maybe because we think we have eternity in front of us: “ We have time to become old” is an old (!) song. Among the members of the generation born in 1800, only a third overtook 60 years old and 6 % only reached the age of 80. Among the members of the generation born in 1900, 55 % were still alive at 60 years old and 26 % at 80. In other words, to be 60 in the 19th Century meant to reach the old age, those who reached it were called “survivors”. It was already less common a century later and a large majority of the baby-boomers generation will reach their 60’s. I put this in here because tomorrow I am going to be 60 years old. My brain tells me I'm still in my 20s but not my bod. This little snipet makes me feel special. Abe's picture is here because he was 56 when JW Booth shot him. Today my wife told me " you have been rehearshing being a dirty old man all your life. Now on Thursday you become a classic dirty old man." What a fine compliment, it made me feel like all my work wasn't for nothing. I felt old then I went to see my dad, who will be 88 in 15 days!!

NEWS AND NOTES

Today is the 23rd only 5 more shopping days of 59 left. Today was rather eventful so here we go. First I went shopping got a book, beach towel, soft blankie, and a tab front shirt. They all play into my gift a day until the big day. Yesterday the big cane came in, but more on it later. Mike and Devin were at Pat's house last night and played the magic game. They came home with the card bug so they both join the family of card loving geeks which I started. When we went shopping we ate at Logans and everyone had a good meal (see Shawn only you get cheated there). I noticed on a sign where the waitresses pickup their food for delivery to the customers a sign that said they actually have "pickled Hog parts" and "boiled raccon neck". They sound like a delakacy that only Russ and Lynn would like. In the car going to the restuarnt and at the resturant the kids played the magic card game. Then when we went to mejiers they bought a bag o cards and stuff. Greedily opening them upon our arrrival at home. Sue got her cat cane and deemed it okay but a little skinny for her taste. I guess she likes bigger, rounder, uh canes. Thomas called and informed us what we had already guessed he has an irregular heart beat. He has been sentenced to two new types of medicine and exercise and a diet. If that doesn't work they will jump start him like they did Grandad a few seasons ago. Being old means talking about your ailments and pills, looking foward to social security and medicare, and being called "Honey" by most waitresses. Or at least those who want a tip. Shawn brought me my 4 historical comic books, Pat gave me 2 nice t-shirts from Gen-Con. Bothe Sue and Dad gave me canes. So my birthday is looking good and a trip to a nice resturant is also in my future. Should anyone think of coming over this weekend know that the Ind Air Show is at the Mt.Comfort airport for the 23rd and 24th. So avoid the rush if you can. I watched a comic named Ralpie May last night and I will leave you with his words of wisdom. he said in a relationship with you wife or girlfriend for that matter you can be one of two things, but never ever both. You can be right, or happy. So guys when your wife says she is from Mars just nod and say "Wow thats sure interesting!"

BASEBALL CARDS

My oldest son Patrick called me yesterday. He is now 32 years old. He wanted to tell me that he bought some cards, plastic sheets to put them in and had 6 binders for his cards. Now in his case these are "Magic" cards which is a game he enjoys. He wanted me to know how he had become a little like his old man, me. As I enjoy my final 10 days of being 59(naw doesn't bother me a bit) I am reminded of how for the past 48 years I have collected baseball cards. And yes my mother gave away me baseball card colection to a poor family ( Mom I will never forget this terrible insult). The attached card is from my first set, 1960 Topps. Oh and Frank Torre is Joe's older brother. If you look closely you can see his pose is in the LA Coliseum, a rare place baseball was played. In selecting this card I visited a site and looked thru the complete set. I did this becasue I like cards and always will. Now Pat feels the same and so to some degree do the rest of the boys. Its not about how many you have or how much they are worth, but how much you like them. My favorite cards are the 1957 Hal Jeffcoat, 1960 Nellie Fox, and 1980s Dick Tidrow. I have a couple of autographed cards like Paul Moscau, and Champ Summers. I also have a great deal of Strat-O-Matic cards for a game that I like to play. Nothing like a 3-4 Homerun on the 1964 Frank Robinson cards. I remember Pat sitting on my lap rolling the dice for me in my room on DeQuincy.

Hercules

I got a notice today that "hercules" has been shipped via Fed Ex. Its a sign of the times that as I come dangeroulsy close to 60 years old, my newest "Spy Camera" is a Walnut handled, German Beechwood cane know as Hercules because it can support up to 500lbs of weight. I will be able to hobble in style with this 37 and 1/2 inch beauty at my side. Kinda lets everyone know that I am old an feeble, but with style. A further development is that as Gen Con approaches I will not be going. Unless some unforseen event comes along. I mean like a naked wench calling my name and demanding to have me meet her at the convention. Not going to happen because I am grandfather clock but with a fine cane. I am looking foward to this cane but hate the fact that I need it. Well at least I have a fine family to comfort me in my reclining years. Well this year maybe I will send out my minions to gather for me the finest treasures at Gen Con.

SISTER JENNIFER

Ha... I like that photo much better :) So you are scared of me ya NANCY. There is power in scared :) I have not shot in a few years so you could tell Tom he is safe but I am not letting up on the brother stealer... Send him this picture :) Hey I think I am cool I got mentioned in a BLOG that is a first for me and I thought I had done it all, heard it all and seen it all. Learn something new every day. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt "DO ONE THING EVERY DAY THAT SCARES YOU". How about it Tom, I want my brother back... Shall we dual over him :) Well your adoring public told me that I must print the picture sent so here it is Pat. By the way FFA gave its employees the afternoon off to go to the fair and $10 to eat lunch. Pat said he was having corn on the cob and a hero samich. I heard that there was a family picture of the Kellys that I don't have. I hope I don't have to steal Grandads copy, HINT

GRANDFATHER CLOCK

As I tumble all too quickly toward 60 years on this good earth I am reminded of one thing. I am old, OLD,Ronold. I have new eye lenses, a plate in my shoulder, and pains everywhere. I have a female optometrist, therapist, family doctor, and much more. I have always thought of myself as a well lets be honest a"stud muffin". Well no more. I have realized these wonderful ladies see me as a grandfather type. Woe is me. They think I am funny, and old. I am the granfather clock on Captain Kangaroo's show. He fell asleep a lot, much like me. I am not handsome or sexy or a hunk as my sisters used to say. And lets be honest I probably never was. I Know I am whining but tough, this is my blog. I have 5 and 2/3 grandchildren so naturally I am a grandfather. Oh and since Jennifer wants mentioned she better at least get me a card on the 28th for my birthday. Women seem to drive the world and as I get older the pool of sexy ladies gets bigger each year, but not us guys. We lose hair, get pot bellies, emit sounds that are frightening, and are no loner sexy. Oh well not much I can do about it maybe I'll take a nap, "goodnite grandfather clock".

MY LITTLE SIS

love your blog....BUT ONE SMALL PROBLEM, PLUCKING TOM IS MENTIONED IN YOUR BLOG AND NOT ME....THAT RAT BASTARD SQUIRLED HIS GOL DARNED WAY INTO MY FAMILY AGAIN...THIS IS HIS FINAL WARNING...GET THE BUCK OFF MY BROTHER HE WAS MINE FIRST!!!!

Ok now I feel bettter :) Oh yea you also need to put favorite sister on your blog and it better be me :) I enjoyed the part about the intelligent women....because after all in case you did not know (sorry this blows your little men theory) GOD IS A WOMAN. Ok now it is out, how else could she care for the world and keep everything going and answer prayers and heal people. We all know that men can not multi task. So cudos to your blog and THANK GOD for us woman, we are amazing clones to GOD...haha

Love ya, favorite sis, gollibushy xo PLUCK U TOM!!!

After an email like this how can I even begin to say more! Thats who the boys call "Aunt Jenny"

and would you be surprised to find out that she is a 911 operator. She takes those "I've fallen and can't get up" calls all day long. She is also the only one who will give Grandad any crap, the rest of us are scared of him. Shoot lets be honest the rest of us are scared of her! She is a marksman with the police department. "Yikes". She could shoot off your nuts at 50 paces and then laugh! Tom beware???

GRIFFEY ERA OVER IN CINCY

Baseball is my favorite sport. I have rooted and continue to root for the Reds since I was a child in the 50s. I have liked many players, Hal Jeffcoat, Frank Robinson,Vada Pinson,John Bench, Tony Perez, Pete Rose, and most recently Ken Griffey Jr. It was very cool when the Reds traded for him. I have seen him play and loved every minute of it. Today he was traded to the Chicago White Sox. I am sad about this. Even though he is 38 and on the down side of his career. Yesterday he hit homerun number 608. I am glad that he is going to a team that I like, but I hate to see him go. However as I look at my favorite player list everyone on that list except John Bench has been traded so I should not be surprised, but its still sad. Marty Brennaman was in the elevator at 5am this morning with Junior who said "I want to thank you. You have been very fair to me." he said "I've been traded." Obviously Marty was stunned, and so were we all.

Fantasy Football

Its about time that true nuts begin their quest for fantasy football.
However I am not one of them. Yes I am in a league, and no I do not need to be. You see mostly participants in these leagues are always saying "Its helps me keep interested in football". I do not need such a motivation. I already watch football and enjoy it in its many faceted levels of enjoyment. Why? Because I played the game. For 5 years I trudged out on the gridiron lost 10 pounds per practice in the August heat, endured nagging injuries, like the time I told coach I had a bruised lung. I remember the camaraderie like the time I hung a sign on the locker room door demanding "Play me or trade me". I remember the goal line stand that seemed to take years on the 5 yard line at Little Flower. I also remember watching 3 of my boys play football. One in college, one made a tackle at the Hoosier Dome, one was all county, and one played on an undefeated team. So when I tune in on Sunday, prop up my feet, and perch my submarine sandwich on my belly I truly watch the line play, enjoy the route run by the tightend, see the defensive end fight off the block. I enjoy the game from many different vantage points, one of player, one of proud pop, one of sports reporter, one of proud uncle, and even one of fantasy player. However I don't need artifical stimulus cause I really like the game, understand the game and respect the guys who lay it on the line every Sunday.

Little Men

I was watching the first episode of John Adams. His youngest son Charles was playing on the floor with some Redcoats and a cannon. They were toy soldiers and it reminded me of when
I was young playing with my army men. It was nice to know that kids from
180 years apart played with roughly the same toys. Now as adults my family
and friends still have our little men but they are incorporated in board
games and rules are present. Tom has nearly all the ships and planes in
World War II and I have my Civil War guys, plus Fort Apache, while Pat has
his dungeon and Dragons men. My grandkids play video games and their
little men are in their games, but still they have them. Today one of my therapists, Don gave me a video game that his kids couldn't use. It was "Lego Star Wars" for my PC
and since it has lego little men I can't wait to give it a try, plus the reviews were great. I guess for boys little men has some psychological meaning, like maybe we feel like God.

Boo Boo Kitty

I have a room, it is my sanctuary. It is like "I am in my room, safe within in my room, I touch no one and no one touches me, I am a rock". In my room are my favorite things. My Books, my computers, a television, my pictures, my boble heads, and way too many knick-knacks. I spend many hours per day here. I eat in here, and most nights I sleep here too. Oh and my baseball cards are here too. Well today a little white and black furry ball came in to explore. Her name is Dice due to her resemblance to a die. She explored the perimiter first then tried out my recliner. She stayed there a while but then scampered back to her room, or rather Mikes room. After a while she was back sitting on my tool box in which I keep stationery supplies. Pretty soon the quadrapeds Nutmeg and Ginger came to see whatsup. She (Dice is only 9 weeks old) gave them both a stern hiss, which they took to mean "beat it" and they did. Next I felt somthing on my foot. I am one of those people who move their feet constantly. Well she took this to mean that it was okay to play and she spent some time batting at the moving monsters that are my feet. "Boo Boo Kitty" as I call her, from the Laverne and Shirley TV show, was startled by my loud squeaky chair and again retreated to Mikes room. Well it looks like another animal has joined our family. We now have two dogs and a cat.

SHE IS HOME

Before I start the picture has nothing to do with the blog, I just liked it. Sue is home from the Hospital. We brought her home Sunday afternoon the 20th. Every one is glad. The dogs have not left her alone. Nutmeg is still sleeping on the bed with her. Mike with an assist from Devin cooked dinner (hamburger-macarone casarole). The phone calls have begun and we don't have to drive across town to see her. She has walked around on her walker, she has gone up one step ( they make you do this backwards), she has exercises and has been released to our favorite therapist Jenny. I was concerned about her blood preasure which yesterday was 89/41, but then today it was 116/77. The doctor said not to worry. By the way the people at Indy Orthopedic hospital do a fantastic job, we were very impressed with them. Also I have no idea why my font changed. She is to remain down for 2 weeks not letting her leg down for more than 30 minutes at a time. She cannot drive for 6 weeks and Dr. Vasilcheck will take out the staples. You know when people have been married for a long time like 22 years you get used to someone and when they are suddenly in the hospital you tend to miss them. I know I did, and I am glad to report Susan particularly wanted to hold my hand when she got home. It was so nice. So very nice.

SURGERY WENT FINE

I got up this morning at 4:30am and we (Mike,and myself) were at the Indy Ortopedic Surgery Center on W. 86th st by 5:27. Not long after that Susan was in a room preping for a full knee replacement. At 7am they took her back to surgery. At about 8:37 we got a call that she was fine and in a recovery room. Very close to that Dr.Fisher came to talk to us. He said the surgery went fine and he had some worn out pieces of metal that looked like he was working on his faucet in the bathroom. He showed me just how worn out these pieces were, kinda like a mechanic showing the parts he replaced and why. These were the parts in Susans knee. From there it was around 11am that we were told she was in a room.(no 216). They good part was that she had no restrictions, like no cathiter, no eating restrictions, and could go ahead and rest. At about 2:30 the therapist Stuart helped Susan move her knee around for about 30 min and again said she could do whatever she felt like. Sue had a grilled cheeze and pretzels for lunch with a Diet Coke, She had a Blt and macaroni for dinner with Diet Coke. We were visited by family Shawn, Pat, Tiffany, Devin, and Lynn. Rita was our nurse and she took good care of Susan and the Hospital staff seemed very organized. We are happy that all is well and Sue is on the mend.

The Women of the Family

The boys and I have selected our mates. This group is very interesting to look at as a whole. To see what kind of females these boys prefer. Now we have a core group, who we can call wives. They include Susan (the matriarch), Suzanne, and Elizabeth. The others are less permanent, include Tiffany and Devin. First one notices that intelligence is very important to us ( well manly men). We have 4 degrees ( 3 ba's and one ma). These degrees are in Education, Psychology, and Nursing. Next we all prefer beautiful women. Thirdly these ladies are by no means afraid of our collective genius, and have no qualms about telling us that there is a better way to get things done. These ladies all seem driven to accomplish something. They all seem pretty handy at child rearing. They all have an acute sense of humor, and are more than willing to poke fun at us men. I wonder if the choices made reflect the first,Susan. They seem to all have a lot in common. Next time I get them all together I want a picture of them and me. I think this group is above the norm as far as women go, by that I mean we get the cream of the crop.

Reds Yearbooks 1954 to ???

I collect many things one of which in Cincinnati Reds yearbooks. I have a run from 1954 to now not including this year. It looks like my collection is going to stop as I see no way to get the pictured yearbook this year. Susan is having surgery this thursday and I don't get around so good anymore. By the way I really do read and use for information these yearbooks. Now in case you have not been paying attention I have left 3 suggestion for my birthday no.60 which I am not celebrating. Any one of my four sons (Shawn,Patrick, Tim, and Michael) should have no trouble acquiring these for dear old dad( hint, hint, hint). Thats right comic books, thirt, and yearbooks. And in case you need a fourth suggestion I saw a paperback book on Amazon . com named The Steel Wave by Jeff Shaara. Its the second volume in a WWII trilogy, just bought vol 1 this weekend....Today is 14 July 08 in 6 weeks you'll be singing "happy birthday to me".So get busy.

I don't gamble my wife does

This summer we went on a vaction. We met Lynn(Devil in center of picture), and Russ (l. bradshaw) in Memphis Tn. I dare not mention that it took 13 hours to arrive and 11 to get home. We visited Hodgenvill KY, Parkers Xng, TN, and Memphis ( Home of Elvis). However most of time was spent in Tunica, Ms home of no less than 6 casinos (Bally;s,Fitz,Gold Strike,Harrah;s, Hollywood,Horsehoe,). We had several meals at Sonic drive in, where the food is delivered by girls on roller skates, oh and it tastes good ( the food I mean). We also stopped at Shiloh. We stayed at Samstown casino and had a wonderful time there. I gambled 2 of 3 times, really loved the Hollywood casino which had sets from several movies like Speedway. I spent $7 and played the penny slots for abot 2 hours all toll. Susan however won $11 spent about $40 to get that win and really had fun. I would go around telling everyone who would listen "I don't gamble my wife does". Which would make a great logo on a tshirt. You know Gray shirt, Black letters?