Opening Day in Da Bronx

Ah yes. Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.

Well, I'm not actually in the stands. Right now I'm about 90 or so miles away, comfortably watching it from the sunroom of the weekend house. Nice.

Got up here last night, so waking up on the mountain was a great way to start the day. It started out colder than the middle of January, but soon enough the sun brought out the warmth of the day.

I was able to get a walk in before the start of the game. There's a different feeling in doing something fun on a weekday, that makes it even more enjoyable than on the weekend. As I reached the top of the first hill around the lake, the music shuffle played "Girl Can't Help It" by Journey.  The kiss of the sun on my face while listening to the voice of Steve Perry was delicious, to say the least.

Back in time to see just retired Yankee catcher Jorge Posada throw out the first pitch, I grabbed some pistachios and an early afternoon beer (hey it's a baseball game). Fourth inning now, we are up 4-0.

Just a lazy day..but so far, so good.
And it's technically not even the weekend yet.

Can it get any better?
Well there is a Mega Millions drawing tonight...

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All Through The Night...It's Easter Morning

Just as there are truly wondrous moments in the time of the rising sun, so too can magic be found in the middle of the night...thanks to the light of a full moon.

Sleeplessness is a giant pain in the ass. For the most part, as long as I get more than two hours of sleep, I can function the next day. Eight hours? I don't think has happened in the past 30 years. Generally I average five...on a good night six hours. Though more and more less is the norm. Sure at some point it catches up to you and I might have a seven hour night...if it's the weekend, but otherwise you learn to live with it.

Last night as 2 o'clock became 4, thought it might be time to harness the activity in my brain instead of letting it run wild with aimless thoughts and no direction. That for me, means getting back on the computer. Checking emails...one in particular woke me up even more, and for that I am grateful (an inside joke, yes). Now for sure I'm not getting back to sleep...so I start looking out the windows.

Back home, this time of the night is the same as it is at 10 or 11. Street lights on, a few cars going past, never really "black as night." But at the lake, night is night...unless there's a full moon. As I walked around at four this morning, the woods were perfectly illuminated.

Every tree has a shadow, the back field has enough light to play a game of ball and the moon itself is graced with a beautiful sideshow of thin clouds. For me, enjoying this display of nature in solitude is a true joy and one of those moments to hold on to...for as long as you can.

As the night colors of blue and white fade into the pink and yellow of the sunrise, it is now Easter morning. A new day, the ultimate day of rebirth...one with a choice of paths ahead. Count your blessings and choose a road filled with purpose and delight.

Happy Easter..

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Looking For Signs In All The Wrong Places

Must have really pissed off the powers that be yesterday...it happens.

The day began normally enough.Tweets, texts, IMs, emails...a little work, a lot of music. Damn, no wonder I get tired. But I digress.

The ride up to the weekend house was an easy drive, kids off from school means a lot less cars on the road when we travel. Unload, unpack...time to hook up the new router to replace the one that crapped out last weekend. Now, IT is not my thing, but I hooked up the first one in 15 minutes, no problem. So when I pulled the new one out of the box, I didn't expect to be doing it an hour and a half later. Everything hooked up easily, it said I was connected, but no internet access.

After a while of cursing and losing my temper with those around me (not unusual), I call up my go-to person when I run into trouble. He offers a few suggestions, but at the end of the day, he says to call the tech support line. I hate doing that, but I cannot go through another weekend with only one computer connected and especially not having my iPhone hooked into wireless. So I look all over the directions and every piece of paper that comes with the router...no phone number. Apparently it was on the box, but never looked at that until later.

Annoyed...and I haven't had any alcohol yet, I decide to use the iPhone to go to the website and get the phone number. Soon as I hit the internet button on the phone, it starts to connect to the router...hmm. Laptop number one, not yet. Start up laptop number two...yes. Ok, not sure what is happening but let me restart number one and see if works now...indeed it does.

Back to the real world...cyberspace. All the household technology is connected and I now have a beer in my hand. I'm hoping things are looking up.

This morning when I walk the dog, I see a heads-up penny in the street. Big deal you say...well normally I wouldn't give it a second look. But here in the lake community, you never see coins in the street. Everyone either drives or walks around in sweats...no one ever carries money. So, I take it as a good luck omen and pick it up...thinking it might be really bad karma if I don't. Get back home and the "other" has found the crystal which broke off  the necklace I wear. hmmm, another piece of good luck.

Where's my mega million ticket, let me check it NOW. One freakin' number. 

So as much as I would like to believe all my good luck signs will actually turn into good luck, I guess it's just another day with small joys and medium sized disappointments. It still is Saturday, the sun is shining and the whole day awaits. Time to consider the possibilities and jump in.

Still, another few mega numbers would have been nice. Maybe the next drawing...

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Taking Time To Give Thanks

During the course of a lifetime, there are so many things we take for granted. Family, health and time...being the top three. Last night I was able to remind myself that none of the three is a given.

Spent the evening with some old friends who had moved quite a distance away some years ago...mainly I believe for a better climate for one of them.  As it turns out, that was a great decision. Physically, she is in so much better condition than the last time I saw her, it is astounding. Better lifestyle and better living through pharmacology.

On the other hand, her husband developed a life-threatening and life-changing illness. The road has been long and difficult, but hopefully the worst is behind him. In any case, this previously imposing figure is now a shadow of what he was. But he is the same wonderful man with a dry sense of humor, and a man who always brings a smile to my face.

As we sat around my brother's dining room table eating Chinese takeout, the talk never really addressed the illness that is the 800 lb. gorilla in the room. We didn't need to. We all know what he had gone through, what lies ahead and what we don't know might lie ahead.

No, last night was just a chance to see the faces that, just like ours, have changed so much over the years. A time to drink a glass a wine and to share a meal. A simple night, with simple conversation. A time to catch up and enjoy the trash talk and humor which defines our "family."

A time to remember that family, health and time are not to be taken for granted. They are to be taken as gifts meant to be appreciated daily.

This is my way of giving thanks.

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First The Wildcats, Next The Yankees

Oh yeah.

Time to plan for the championship parade.
Yes indeed, Kentucky has won the 2012 NCAA Basketball Championship, but that's not the parade I'm talking about. No, my friends...I'm referring to the 2012 World Series Championship parade which if the past is any indicator...will he held in NYC this fall. YANKEES Baby!

 Apparently the World Series win is in the bag because of the connection with the Kentucky Wildcats winning the NCAA tournament. In the years 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996 and 1998, Kentucky won it all. Jump to the fall of those years, so did the Yanks. It was only when the Wildcats won their first title that the Yankees were not crowned as well.

Now, do I want to skip the entire season and watch the parade pass me in the Canyon of Heroes...no.  I have too much love of the sport to give up my 162 games of heaven. But it does send me into this Friday's opening day with a bit of a chip on my shoulder (ok a bigger chip). It's like Yogi said "Deja Vu all over again."

I think I hear Aunt Bethany singing..
"O say does that Star Spangled banner yet wave
o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave...Play Ball"

ah yes, the Boys of Summer...batter up.

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