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?

Comic Book Heaven

When I was a freshman in HS(1962) I was friends with one Bill Herod. He convinced me that I should have a hobby. We discussed the possibilities and I selected the Civil War. Before getting

out of HS my hobby had gained me attention in local newspapers and has been an area of intrest since that time some 46 years ago. This summer I completed one of my goals. Before I tell about my goal I must tell you how it came to be. In May I went to Conner-Prarie Civil War days. At the gift shop they had 4 of the pictured Comic Books. I bought 1 and it was the one about Gettysburg. The other three were Bull Run, Antietam, and Shiloh. To me they represent the 4 major battles of the Civil War. I have been to Bull Run and Antietam (Thanks Shawn). The last one I saw with Lynn and Russ. I told them it was only a 45 minute trip from Memphis (actually it was over 2 hours). We went, we saw and now I have completed the Comic 4 battles of the Civil War. Some how I must get back to the gift shop at CP for the other 3 as they are out of print. Imagine a 60 yr old dude buying comic books, just me and Peter Pan.

GranDad

Every Wednesday or more often if I can manage it I go see my dad, who I call "Grandad". That name came after years of raising Pat,Shawn,Tim, and Mike, who was their Grandad. He was born on 9-11-1920. He played basketball at New Castle high School and was voted to the coaches All-State team. He played basketball at Butler Univesity under Tony Hinkle. He was an officer aboard an LST during WWII and eventually became its Captain. He was a basketball coach, and Principal for over 40 years. Now he approaching 88 is blind and has leukemia ( which is managable with medication). Still he is my friend, and I enjoy going to seeing him. Yesterday as usual I was there and we talked of many things. Lots of time we talk about my Mom, who passed away in 1993. They got married just before he left for the war, and were married for almost 50 years. He told me once"When I am gone don't mourn my passing. I have done everything I ever wanted to do". Thats my dad!

THE BIG 1.0

Yesterday Vanessa turned 1. She crawls like a demon, can say a few words particularly "dada" and is pretty cute. The part that I like best is she isn't afraid of me. You see I remember back in the 50's my family and the Weger family were close friends. Dad was the basketball coach and Jake was the football coach. Legend has it the he briefly was with the Chicago Cardinals. Any way he was a very large man, in fact when he died that had to bury him in a piano case rather that a coffin. He would come over to our house and my parents would give Jeannine and Jennifer to hold when they were little and they would scream and wail. He then would sheepishly give them back to my Mom. I have had some of the same reaction so I am relieved that "Nessa" is not afraid of her Granpa. Since I am not ready to turn 60 can you imagine turning 1. What would be your thinking "wow am I glad to be one, those 0's were murder."or "well I am not happy about being 1, its so depressing to be so old."

Doggie Revenge

I have a friend and he has two nice dogs. One is a boy named Bosco and the other a girl, who is a retired dog show champion, named Smooch. They are Tibbettan Spaniels, mountain dogs. Now the other day Bosco the younger male peed on my friends shredder and as he says its ruint. He was very angry with the dog and groussed about it for a time. Now yesterday we met them for a Burger Basket at Culvers. During the conversation they told us that Bosco had gone wild(as in doggies gone wild, the video) and peed in 9 different spots in their house. We all confessed to being dumbfounded by this heinous action. Maybe thats penile action, oh well. I got to thinking about it and I have decided that I know why Bosco went on a pissing rampage. He was mad about so much criticism he took over the shredder incident that he decided to get his revenge. He reasoned that "okay I took out the shredder, didn't like it anyway. Wait till you see what I do next. ." Then he goes around and marks it here, and here and here. You get the idea. "now maybe you'll cut me some slack the next time, you bozo." Anyway he saw me tonight and climbed up on my lap and looks up at me as if to say "wait till you hear what I did, It was a scream." Better not upset the doggies!

Happy Second of July

This is taken from the pages of History Channel Magazine. It seems that the Continental Congress declared that we should be "free and independent states...absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown"The resolution was adopted thus creating the USA more than a year after hostilities had ceased with England. The next day John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that the second of July 1776 will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great annual festival. He got the date wrong. It is also a time that all generations of guadrapeds of my family do hate. They dislike the noise and explosions. They usually find refuge in the home behind a couch. I guess they just have no sense of history. This event is not one of my favorites. I don't like cooking out, too much work. I don't like charcoal food, tastes funny. I am not a fan of fireworks, if my dogs don't like it neither do I. Besides they are too short. My favorite was the time I had taken my young boys downtown Indy to see these festivities. Young Pat sat on my hood and stared into the night sky while I held a baby Shawn wailing at all the noise. Happy 4th of July!

Therapy

I hardly ever think of Jennifer this way. She is my friend and works with me. She made my shoulder the 88% that it is now. The legs are crampy, painful and limiting, so Dr. Vasilchek, who

is nice looking in her own right, said "Why don't you go back and see that cheerleader you liked so much." Today I went for my second visit. Being older things don't always work like they used too but their are perks. Jennifer is a perk. She and Dr Vasilchek help make me better, plus they aren't bad to look at either. She asked for a list of the medication I take, so this morning I listed the 8 pills I take. 1 pink round pill, 2 orange oblong ones, 1 oblong brown pill, 1 small white pill, 1 gold geltab, etc. They all made fun of my list. Why? If I were to go into the cabinet and look for them thats what I'd find. Oh well I still get to go see a former Colts Cheerleader, who is my friend and therapist and you don't. Hah