Sprintime, Hope, and the Orioles

I am getting excited.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 17th--and then, regardless of what our favorite February woodland creature predicts--it will be springtime!

Bring it on!

I wish I could go to Sarasota to ssee some spring training games--but, Tampa is a bit far for a weekend jaunt--prob 18 hours by car--each way. And Southwest just isn't offering those $49 each way specials, yet! But there is hope.

Fan Fest on Saturday revived me from the wintertime doldrums! Jeremy even said that he could feel the sun rising on the Orioles season.

It was good to be in a place with so much black and orange. Yeah, the O's are in the toughest division in baseball--but you know what--when we start winning this thing again the Yankees and the Red Sox will be wondering what hit them.

Springtime and hope springs eternal for the baseball world. Every new season there is the hope of a good year-- and here is my prediction: the Orioles will finish with a winning record for the first time in 12 seasons--and may be as good as 87-75 (but I'd be happy with 82-80).

Fire in de hole!

Sunday was grandson day at Hacienda Doan.

All three (Ethan, Jax, and Lucas) were present at the house for the weekly football and food orgy. (well, orgy may be a bit strong)

An interesting dynamic developed in the basement with the two oldest grandsons becoming involved in a major disposable drinking cup war! Yes--disposable drinking cups. The paper kind used for summer picnic activities and the red cups traditionally used for beer. They make great projectiles--similar to the "nerf" objects but far less expensive and far more numerous.

They throw pretty good, too. Especially sideways. And a four-year old can hold four cups in each hand and send them on their way towards the intended target with peals of laughter.

Even the 2-year old could play--although we did have to implement a "no head shot" rule for Ethan because he kept hitting Jax in the head and it began to hurt. Although, then there was the excuse: "Well I don't really aim very well" when a couple cups continued to hit Jax in the head.

And Lucas? Well, he was oblivious to the war going on in the basement as he slept peacefully in the arms of numerous family members.

Ah--the joys of children being creative with the most common items on a rainy, cold day.

Monday Musings - January 25, 2010

1. I woke up to an unexpected surprise this morning--56 degrees. Nice. Now if it wasn't raining at the rate of an inch an hour it might be something to get really excited about.

2. With only two weeks left to go, the football season is winding down and we will finally be able to get on with our regular sport--baseball.

3. And writing of baseball--the Orioles held their annual Fan Fest event this past weekend. We attended of course. Here is the truly amazing part--over 12,000 fans came out on a cold January day to see the Orioles and get excited about a baseball team which has not had a winning season is 12 seasons. There is a solid fan base here--imagine if we started winning more than losing. It was good to see orange and black everywhere. Jeremy remarked--he could feel the warm sun rising as we were watching the State of the Orioles--a presentation by the President of Baseball Operations and the Manager for the season ticket holders! Go O's!

4. We got a bit excited last night and finalized our plans for our Napa Valley spring break trip in April. But--I'm so excited I'm glad we finally got the reservations for air and lodging completed--now we can begin working on a winery plan.

5. All three grandsons were at the house yesterday for football. The family is continuing to grow. Who would have though two kids from Ithaca could be part of something so cool that started over 35 years ago and is still growing!

6. This is the last week of January 2010. And the year is already 1/12 over--Doesn't it seem like New Year's was just yesterday?

7. The pastor asked an interesting question of the church yesterday: What do you do when things aren't the way they're supposed to be?

Deep Pockets and a Giving Spirit

Haiti has become a daily concern for many of us. Not the country--but the people. The trials they face and all of their problems. We are all trying to figure out how we can help and support the restoration of life there.

Americans always come through for our fellow world citizens. We dig deep and provide not just aid--but our military--the best of our society, to help and reconstruct.

The concert on Friday night reminded me of how giving, as a society we are. We are willing to help everyone--even those who ideologically hate us and want to do us harm.

It is awesome that we can do this for people around the world--and we want to. I believe we recognize how blessed we are and are willing to share what we have with others.

Why are we so reviled then?

Do we make other people afraid because we have so much? Or are they worried about what we might do if we actually all agreed to do something rather than disagree among ourselves about everything?

Well--we need to continue to give and help everyone that we can--in the US and outside. That's how we roll.

My Three Grandsons: A Recipe for Excitement

A long, long time ago there used to be a show on TV called "My Three Sons." It was a comedy and followed the growth of a widower and his three sons in many different situations.

Well--here you have-- My Three Grandsons: Ethan, Jax and Lucas.

Two has been fun--and I know that three will be four times the fun!
Lucas will learn very quickly how to keep up with the other two--just like Jax (at only 22 months) has figured out how to keep up with his almost five-year old brother!

I have to tell you--it makes me smile just to think about it now. And even more--I'm the grandfather. When I get tired--place a call to 1-800-hey-parents!

Lucas' birth has drawn the family closer-- and the pictures (thousands of them) are documenting every adventure in his new life and interactions with his family!

Bring it on. In an interesting side note--it is apparent that there is a hole in the birthday months that needs to be filled. That would be February! Lucas was born in January, Jax in March, and Ethan in April. I think the next grandchild (maybe a granddaughter??) needs a February birthdate. There's still time for next year!! LOL!

The Winter Sky: A Love-Hate Relationship

I have a love-hate relationship with winter.

Basically, I hate winter. It is cold and snowy or raw and rainy. Yech!

I'd much rather be on a beach somewhere. Toes in the sand contemplating my next diving or snorkeling adventure and working hard to somehow stay away from Orlando and the painted-on disingenuous smiles.

But--as I was taking Makayla out for her evening stroll the other night, it was one of those rare (at least this winter) nights when the sky was clear and I could see the stars. I looked up into the heavens and there was Orion, my favorite constellation. I look forward to seeing my friend Orion every autumn and saying good-bye to him in the springtime. It is just one of those weird things I do.

The most recognizable stars of Orion: Betelgeuse and Rigel, I have long considered to be friends because I know their names. It is amazing how comforting it is to look up into the sky and see recognizable forms and named friends. Even during the summer there are so many constellations and stars that help make the vastness and solitary nature of space closer and more friendly.

I remember once when I was in Australia, I had the opportunity to spend a moonless evening in the outback which was illuminated with nothing but the stars. And they are bright there. It was amazing, how bright the landscape seemed illuminated by nothing other that stars. I felt very close to them, and comfortable bathed in their light.

So--although I hate winter, I love seeing my friend Orion as the great hunter watches over me during his sojourn across the sky. I also enjoy it when he finally disappears from the sky, because I know that summer is upon me again. I admit though--I know that Orion's return signals the end of my summer, and that is the hate part of our relationship.

Shopping with the "girls"

Can you think of a better way to spend a Wednesday evening than shopping?

Is this a trick question?

Welcome to Arundel Mills and the shopping capital of Maryland on a Wednesday evening and the mall is mostly deserted.

Note the different expressions--Chris is intent on the next purchase and the next store--and the next stop. I was accused of not showing enough interest in the clothes shopping event for Patrick in advance of him starting his new job on Monday!

Yeah--note Tina's expression. She's really enthused, too.

I was reminded of how much I just "love" to go shopping. I have to say--these two are fun to shop with--the intense one and the jokester!

Me? I'm just trying to find a way to get it over with and get home.

You know, "shop" is a four-letter word. Much like snow and rain and other detestable four-letter words.

Mother and Child

There is nothing more touching, I think, in all of the world than the image of a mother and her newborn infant.

The images are touching because of the hope and promise that are present at the same time in the image.

The hope--that the child grows up strong and healthy and achieves his or her dreams. The hope that the child is happy. Hope that the bond between the family remains strong and provides a solid foundation for this new life to build upon.

The promise--is love. Unconditional, eternal, unsurpassing love. A no "matter what" love that will work to ensure that despite every hurt, every tear, and every cut finger that there is growth and acceptance. This is a love that provides boundaries and discipline to facilitate growth. It is a love that recognizes there will be times when there will be shortcomings and consequences--but through love and understanding, they will get through them all.

So this is Nicole and Lucas--together. At the beginning of a new life--full of hope and promise.

GOP in the Valley of the Bastion of Socialism?

Hold the presses. Caution--this is a politically motivated blog entry. Reader beware!

Can it really be that the great socialist experiment of cradle to grave entitlement is facing its first challenge--and losing.

Way to go voters of Massachusetts. Vote your mind and realize that we cannot afford the current democratic agenda. The New York Times article, G.O.P. Senate Victory Stuns Democrats is especially enlightening--especially for such a liberal paper.

The first causality may be the health care reform--which, as I understand it we cannot afford. I can't afford it. Once everything is said and done I am convinced that health care for Chris and I will be significantly more expensive and less comprehensive. That is a combination that makes no sense.

It is kind of like when new software or equipment is deployed at work and while it costs a lot and takes a lot to maintain--it doesn't do some of the simple things that the old stuff used to do. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I think that it is somewhat ironic that the seat vacated by the great social health care advocate is the seat that is signaling--we've had enough! It is time to restore a bipartisan approach to governing this great land. The year-long experiment in single party rule of the nation has failed and the voters--"we the people" are making our voices known.

God Bless America!

Baby? He's around here somewhere

Sometimes pictures just need a caption.

The look on Jeremy's face just begged for a caption.

And this one came to mind.

Lot's of crazy things happen in the hospital just before the birth of a child--things can get pretty crazy!