Our Yorkie, Zachary Taylor-- A Rememberance

We did one of those real tough things last night--but something that was done out of love.

Our beloved Yorkie, Zachary Taylor had reached the end of his string. Quality of life was gone and he was just hanging on waiting for the end.

He was done and we could tell, so instead of waiting for him to suffer some kind of traumatic demise associated with pain and being uncomfortable we assisted him into peaceful rest.

And so we mourn the loss of Zach--who has been a faithful member of our family for the past almost 17 years. There is a spot waiting for his ashes on the shelf with our other faithful family members Hans and Meghan. He is the last of the gang of three that accompanied us 15 years ago as we moved from Pittsburgh to Maryland.

He had earned the names "auxiliary dog" and "skid mark in the tire track of life" due to his diminutive stature. He was nearly killed one day over twelve years ago when he was attacked by a Chesapeake bay retriever--but his tenacity overcame the size disadvantage of 4 lbs vs over 100 lbs; he defied the odds and lived.

He was a faithful companion to Chris for 16 and a half years.

His passing leaves a hole in our hearts and many tears in our eyes (like right now as I try to write this), but the memory of him is filled with joy and laughter.

You were a faithful friend and you are missed. Bye Zachary.

Orioles Baseball and Ethan

Ethan is a huge fan of Number 21, Nick Markakis--the right fielder for the Orioles.

Friday night I took Ethan to the Yards (as Oriole Park at Camden Yards is referred) to see Nick and the rest of the Birds.

It was going to be a great Poppop-Ethan bonding experience. One of our first outings alone in what I hope will be many more over the course of Ethan's lifetime.

Everything started out great. We escaped the pandemonium of the house where Chris and I were watching "the boys." They may also someday be called the "gang of two" or the "Haslup Band of Brothers" the way they work together.

Ethan was thrilled to be riding in my truck--since there is no backseat, he gets to ride in the front seat in his car seat. This is a treat for him and for me. And we were going to see the O's--so much the better.

The weather, as we were driving to the Park was fabulous. Breezy, cloudy and not too hot. This continued until we actually got into the park--where almost like the flood of Noah's days, it began to rain and storm complete with thunder and lightening. Rain delay. Words that strike fear into every baseball fan's heart. You never know how long it will last.

But no problem. We met up with Uncle Jer and his friends and hung out while eating pizza and drinking lemonade that Ethan reported tasted like water. I sampled it and agreed, the beer I was drinking was a whole lot better tasting. We were in a small bar area keeping dry and having fun with the other fans.

And then the rain stopped. We watched on the monitors around the stadium and saw they began to remove the tarps from the field and begin to get ready to play.

So Ethan and I started heading out to our seats.

And then it happened as we were walking.

"Poppop? I have a tummy ache. I want to go home." Complete with a tear. I could tell he didn't want to say this to me.

"Really?" I responded. "Is it bad enough to go home?"

"Ethan looked at me with his ever so cute eyes which were very big and sad and said "Yes."

This began a conversation which also led to a trip to the rest room to try to relieve the pressure all ending with the same, "it still hurts, I want to go home."

I explained to my young baseball fan that once we left the stadium, we could not return so he needed to be sure about going home. And he said that he was.

So we began the process of descending from the third deck of the stadium to ground level. Upon reaching the ground and nearing the exit gate, I asked again about the tummy ache and reminded him that we could not return once we went out the gate. He assured me that he needed/wanted to go home. And so we left the park.

The finality of that action descended upon my five-year old grandson about twenty steps outside the gate: "I won't get to see Nick Markakis tonight." And I reminded him that we could not return to the park.

The walk to the car was a long one--and very quiet as I am sure Ethan wrestled with his decision and I wondered--well, let's just say I wondered.

I think Ethan sensed I was not happy--although I tried in my usually ineffective way not to show it. But, I rationalized, he said he needed/wanted to go home and that is where he needed to be. So we went home.

I still made a memory and had a memory.

And so, in the spirit of those great commercials:

Pizza at the ball game: $23;
tickets to see the O's: $40;
spending time with your oldest grandson: priceless?

Iron Man 2: A Review

I went to see the much anticipated Iron Man 2 on Sunday afternoon.

Here's the short version: good movie, I thought the story line was stronger in the first movie, but the sequel was a thrill to watch.

The Story: Iron Man becomes a household word and the self-appointed protector of the country. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is synonymous with Iron Man. A particular senator (how true is this) is not happy that Iron Man is on the job and wants to secure the Iron Man "weapon" for the United States. Of course, he wants to militarize it and there is a lot of intrigue associated with this and of course the obligatory Senate Committee is involved. But, there are a couple of evil characters who provide the spice for the movie--when sparks are not flashing between Tony Stark and his assistant/aide/part-time love/future CEO of Stark Industries: Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow).

The movie is a bit long, and the five-year old I went with found some of the non-action scenes a bit boring. But, the story line development was excellent. And needed.

The acting is great. I thought Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow reprised their roles in admirable fashion with strong believable performances. In addition newcomers to the script Scarlette Johansson who played Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff, Sam Rockwell who played Justin Hammer a villan, Mickey Rourke who played Ivan Vanko an especially nasty villan, Don Cheadle who took over the role of LtCol James "Rhodey" Rhodes all did great jobs and were very strong and believable. One of my favorites was Samuel L. Jackson who reprised his role as Nick Fury (from the trailer on the first Iron Man) and was especially fun to watch.

I was saddened that Terrance Howard did not reprise his role as Rhodey from the original Iron Man--but sometimes change is a good thing. Once I got used to Don Cheadle--it all worked for me.

The mix of action and story was good for adults. There are a lot of double entendre jokes and quips which make the movie just a bit more interesting. The interplay between Tony Stark and Pepper continues to be one of the highlights of the movie and provides a unifying theme.

RECOMMENDATION: See this movie. It is worth the time and the money. It won't win an academy award, but the thrill is back. And if you saw the first one--you will enjoy this one just as much.

Monday Musings - May 17, 2010

1. Five-year olds and major league baseball make for an interesting mix--the unexpected always happens.

2. Glorious weekends make me wish that would never end.

3. Sitting around the table near the pool on a cool but enjoyable evening with family listening to the sounds of the animals in the forested area near us is one of the reasons we live where we do.

4. Watching Iron Man 2 on Sunday afternoon with the same five-year old grandson (Ethan) I took to the ballgame on Friday night, was an awesome way to close out the weekend.

5. Finding a car wash that is three dollars less expensive ($4 less with a fill up and the gas was $.02 less per gallon) than the one in Elkridge was one of the highlights of my weekend. Cat, my XK8, doesn't like to be dirty. That could be an issue as the summer progresses.

6. Summer vacation is coming. I can feel it. It is only two months away. Yup--July is only two months away!!

7. It isn't hot yet!

8. And the second swimmer of the year for the pool is none other than Louis, the cat. He fell in trying to get a drink. it was pretty funny actually he fell onto a step. It is true what they say about being "mad as a wet cat."

9. I got my electric bill the other day--I love this weather! Take that BGE!

10. And so another week begins.

Jackson--Update and Frustration

Bring him right in we need to admit him immediately at 8:30 pm in infectious disease.

And so a two-day ordeal began for Jax (and his mother and father and the rest of the clan) as he became a representation of a human pin cushion.

Lot's of doctors and poking and prodding looking for something related to his frequent fevers.

But no answers.

And lots of tests confirming things he doesn't have--like really bad things we are really happy he doesn't have like leukemia. TB, DiGeorge syndrome and a bunch of other things.

But there was no Dr. House running in with the ultimate solution. In the end, he was released and they said he has a low functioning immune system, with some defects in some of his T-cells.

OK--that is great news!

It doesn't seem like it--but it really is great news. But our little hero was subjected to some horrific tests and blood draws. And of course doctors coming in at really weird hours of the night while he was trying to sleep.

And of course there will be more testing. Sometime.

The good news is that I spend a lot of yesterday with him--and he seems no worse for the wear.

I was humbled by the responses from my friends for prayers and I believe I can report that the prayers were answered.

Thank you all for your support to our little guy!

I Wonder Why These Things Continue to Happen

I read a terribly sad news story yesterday about a very cute four-year old boy who was brutally murdered by his step-father with the acquiescence of his mother.


Read the story at the link Ethan Stacy or here.

I was totally disgusted with the entire occurrence--especially how the mother went to marry her son's killer and kept the kid locked in a room at home because he was too disfigured to go out in public. And she took pictures of him on her cell phone.

And why was Ethan with his mother to begin with? Because the courts demanded she be allowed visitation over the protestations of his father who has custody--but could not protect young Ethan from his mother.

Why do people do these things?

Maybe I'm just very sensitive this week having been able to spend time with our own Ethan and watching Nicole and Jackson go through such horrific testing in the hospital. We are working out of love to protect and nurture our children and grandchildren.

Isn't that the way it should be?

This situation just sickens me and reminds me in no uncertain terms of the depravity in our world today that we must consistently be aware of.

Pray for all of those involved in this situation and especially for the father.

Then find and hug your kid/grandkid and/or loved one and make a promise to protect them against the deepening depravity in this world.

And That's how They Fall

Sports represents life.

You never really know how things are going to end and unless you actually play it out, you can only wonder at the outcome.

On paper--it may look like a certain outcome is all but assured; but when it all actually plays out something very different may be the result.

For instance, the NHL playoffs and the series between Montreal and Pittsburgh. Clearly, on paper the defending Stanley Cup Champions were the better more balanced team. But last night, Montreal proved that anything can happen during a seven game series and ushered the Penguins from the playoffs and off to an early Spring break. I was stunned. The Pens lost last night, 5-2 in the deciding game seven of their series.

Similarly, the Orioles, who have reached new levels of ineptitude this season ruffled their feathers a bit and actually won a game--with a combination of both good pitching and timely hitting. Both something that have not occurred simultaneously very much at all this season. As a result, the O's crawled over the Seattle Mariners to win 5-2. The O's now have 10 wins for the season--the fewest in the entire of major league baseball, but only one game less than their traditional rival for the worst team in baseball, Kansas City.

Two games in different sports ending with the same score with similar implications: the underdog won. While I would have hoped the Pens would have won and continued on to the Stanley Cup again this year--that is why the games have to be played and we don't use computer simulations.

Life is like that. No matter how much an underdog we believe we are--we need to play it out and do our best. Why? Because we may just surprise not only ourselves but those around us. And if the score ends in our favor--great; and if it doesn't, well at least we took the risk and tried.

I believe that half of winning in life is trying to convince the other side not to play. And so the odds are really in our favor when we walk onto what ever field it is we are asked to play on--be it the board room, or the briefing room, or the sales room, or the squad room.

It really only matters that we showed up, tried out and gave it our best.

Just like in sports--underdogs do win in life. But---

you have to play to win!

Jax-Prayers Needed

I am putting this into my blog for all of you who follow my family. One of us needs your support--our little miracle baby is in need of another miracle.

What follows is the note from my daughter, Nicole about Jax:

I am a bit uncomfortable sending this out, but here goes. Jax has been having some ongoing health issues that have now required him to be admitted to the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore for some tests. He is not super sick at this time, but as you can imagine this has been a very difficult time for our family and espeically Jax. If you could please keep us in your prayers, specifically that we find some answers we would greatly appreciate it. You can stay updated with what's going on via my twitter updates which I have on the right side bar of our family blog http://www.haslupfamily.wordpress.com/ Thank you! Nicole:)

Rain Delay

Nature provided a means of respite from the mini-projects last evening.

The unseasonable cold and rain precluded attacking the many projects on the list before the big day arrives in June.

But not to worry--they will all get accomplished.

It was kinda good that it rained last evening since I had a racquetball match and really couldn't devote my attention to any but the most menial of the tasks.

Writing of rain delays, the O's sure could have used one last night losing to the Mariners 5-1. Ugh. Is every team in baseball going to use the O's to get well? Except for maybe Boston which has a losing record against them this year-- 2-4.

Well, Friday night I'll be off on my own to witness yet again the "agony of defeat."

It is supposed to be warmer and a bit drier today cruising in to the end of the week. Maybe more will get done. But who knows. Life has a way of happening while we are busy making plans.

I heard that somewhere.

And here is the quote of the day:

The conception of two people living together for twenty-five years without having a cross word suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep. - Alan Patrick Herbert

I guess since we are getting ready for a wedding, this one resonated with me.

Lights Around the Pool

Well it is crunch time at the house.

Why, you ask?

We are in party mode!

Wedding in about 37 days--not actually at the house, but festivities and guests will be at the hacienda, as I sometimes refer to it, and so actions must be taken to be taken to spruce it up.

Call it more than Spring cleaning and routine maintenance--I have those actions too--like fixing the Winter damage to the pool and changing filters in the heating/cooling system (which I did last night, BTW).

No--now we have the upgrades--the little projects that make and transform the house form a home into a B&B.

Hosting events always gets those little upgrades done--and it really makes the house look better at the same time.

So the little upgrades include adding a fountain to the pool--all of the materials to complete this task are in hand; and adding lights around the fence line of the pool to make it nicer at night. Forget that we will be hosting the events during the Summer solstice period when the daylight is the longest and it doesn't get dark until after 9:30 pm (at which time I usually turn into a pumpkin anyway).

I actually got half of the new lighting installed last evening and I must say--it creates an interesting ambiance.

If only there were a way to get rid of the mosquitoes!

We have some bats--maybe we can import bigger bats from South America! No, some of the guests might get "creeped" out when they start dive bombing the pool for water--which is really cool to watch in the evening light.

I guess I will destroy the ecosystem and start spraying toxins into the environment to control those little blood-suckers during the festivities.

Bring it on though! Although it is work--the house really looks good after we get these little upgrades done.

Project one is 50 percent complete--lights around the pool. Next up--the fountain, which has been on my list for about five years (see my blog about lists). After that--it is anybody's guess (but Chris's decision)

Oh yeah, did I tell you, that as the time draws closer the list will grow exponentially?

Well, let me get the first one done and then I'll tackle the next one up until I get as many accomplished as I can.