It Happened Subtly

Often, I observe my teenage grandkids struggling with social interaction and pressure, which are, for the most part, foreign to my personal experiences. I remember one of my children telling me that they really did not enjoy high school life all that much, whereas, I found those years fun times.

In any event, I find myself feeling sorry for grandchildren. I wish they could have the 1950's teen experience.

Recently, I read where a Cleveland high school has canceled all school dances because the students insist on performing 'dirty' dance moves publicly. With the decay of social morals, we have pushed the bad behavior envelope to unimaginable limits, which resulted in our youth being robbed of its innocence...how very sad.

Thank You

Wherever and whenever you can give a shout out to the many churches, civic organizations and volunteers that spent so much money and effort to reach out to the needy and homeless with food this Thanksgiving week...God Bless.

This effort sends a true Christian message of love.

It's Good to be Lucky

Personally, I view Thanksgiving two ways: It is a special day when family and love ones can gather to celebrate the bountiful blessings from our Lord God, Creator of goodness and Grace.

Secondly, I pause with acknowledgment that this Thanksgiving tradition also signifies the historical time when a bunch of 'refugees' DID begin to annihilate a native group.

Thank God those Indians did not build a wall or vote to put us back on the Mayflower.

Happy Thanksgiving, may God bless.

The Way We Were

My East St. Louis youth Thanksgiving recollections date back to the 1940's and 1950's. It was a tradition-rich predictable day. Please note that those years did not offer high school football State  Playoffs. Therefore, the East St. Louis high school 'Flyers' and Belleville-West Township high school 'Maroons' met for a season-ending contest. This football match up often decided the Southwestern Conference Title.

Naturally, the games was hosted by one of the two rivals. No matter where, a crowd in excess of 10,000 fans crammed together, regardless of weather, to cheer their respective teams. The Wednesday before this Thanksgiving football contest was a special school rally day for each school. The Belleville students called the rally, 'Hobo Day.' The East Side kids referred to that rally as 'Pep Day.'
Automobiles, not floats were decorated in school colors and paraded ceremoniously up and down the Belleville 'hill' near Edgemont...a border area between the two cities. Sometimes those parades became a tad bit continuous.

Before the East Side students headed out for parade activities,,we assembled in the school auditorium for a 'talent show.' Let me state unequivocally, East Side had some incredible singers, dancers and musicians. They all showed their stuff!

After the game, which East usually won. My family congregated at Grandma Roustio's house deep in the Washington Park area. Great food, especially pies. When I was very young, we wait later into the evening to hear a traditional broadcast from the North Pole where Santa Clause was telling us about his impending trip. When I was a high school age teen, I prepared for the annual Football Formal Dance. We are 'talking' FORMAL. The 'Football Queen' coronation was held and we danced till midnight at the Shriners' Ainad Temple.

As Archie said, "Those was the days!"

This Girl Lived That Life

The last season Bill Self was coaching the Fighting Illini basketball team, he was attending the Decatur Turkey Tournament, which was held on the Millikin University campus at the Griswold Center. This particular year, Self was hot on the trail of Shaun Livingston who was playing for Peoria High. I was coordinating the tournament and sitting at press row (Courtside) with Self and my wife (Gerry) during the Saturday night title contest.

The gymnasium was packed and all attending were being entertained by the nip n' tuck game between Peoria and Bartonville Limestone high school. With approximately three minutes remaining in a tied game, my wife, Gerry leaned around Self to tell me she was leaving and she'd see me when I got home. A startled Bill Self looked at me then turned and addressed Gerry, "You're kidding! Surely, you are going to stay and see how this thing (game) turns out?" Calmly and matter-of-factly Gerry spoke to Self, "Bill, I've seen hundreds of these games and I know how it's going to turn out. One coach's wife is going to have a fun relaxing Sunday and another coach's wife is in for a miserable Sunday!"

When Self stopped laughing, he said, "Lady that may be the best line I've ever heard from a coach's wife."

Great Game Inspite of ...

The IHSA boys' basketball season begins this week. Across the State, small towns and city schools will begin the five month grind. These kids will play 28-30 games while completing nearly 100 practice sessions.

There are prime time players, reserves who play significant roles and a few bench guys who see little action. All have ownership to the team. Sitting in the stands are a variety of folks. You will find the old time basketball buff, the parents and relatives of band members, cheerleaders and Pom teams and of course, many parents and some grandparents of players.

I am reminded of the military mother who was present at her son's parade-review. Her son is out of step as his squad passes the review stand and the mother notices something differently, "I wish the rest of those boys would get into step with my boy."

I am reminded of a parent of one of my players who would yell at games, "Roustio, put your first team in!" That parents first team was HIS kid and any four others to my liking.

The coach will be criticized for playing the wrong kids, using the wrong offense or defense, playing too fast or too deliberate. From the top of the bleachers the coaching job looks easy. It's always easy doing a job for which you are NOT held accountable. However, if that coach is successful teaching his guys to play to their strengths, teaching players to believe in each other and trust the coach, the team will likely play to its potential and have an enjoyable experience.

One common denominator is shared by every high school basketball coach. After every game at about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning the coach will roll over in bed a briefly wake up. He will quickly recall a win or loss...never fails.

Growing Up...not always fun

Today, my wife and I will travel to the Chicago Northwest Suburbs. We have made this jaunt dozens of times over many years. Always enjoy that trip because we see grandchildren, our daughter, Dawn and her husband, Shawn. Their home offers a busy schedule with seven of our 15 grandchildren holding court.

Today will be a much more somber occasion. Our son-in law's eighty-six year old mother's wake visitation brings our family together. LaLa, as the kids call her lived nearby and has always been a fixture at those gatherings. It will be a sad day; a particularly sad day for grandkids.

We all become so comfortable enjoying warm relationships. We give little thought to this end of life experience. We wish our love relationships could last forever but life longs for itself and begs the question.

The most difficult aspect of today's gathering will be the 'coming of age death experience' for young grandchildren. Harsh reality rules the day. Disney World and ball games seem far away.

...the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Shame on us. Shame on our non-acceptance of refugees. More than two dozen Republican Governors have said they shall refuse refugees. This attitude exposes two things about our Nation:  (1) We purport to be a Christian Nation but fail to walk the walk of Jesus Christ and (2) We have some shamefully sad leaders.

I simply make this point asking the question: Do those state Governors who wish to ban refugees think for a moment that refugees in a neighboring state might find it easy going from state to state in our 'free' society? Of course, never mind that in the first place those sad-ass Governors DO NOT have the power or authority to impose such bans.  OMG...how stupid!

It appears that a few GOP folks favor allowing 'Syrian-Christian' refugees into America but not non-Christians. This GOP continues to cloak itself in racist rhetoric. Just give it some time and these same cold-hearted souls will be talking about protecting the unborn.

America's Greed Prevails

In most sports, the total package of the athlete combines both the measurable and immeasurable factors impacting sports' performance. Those measurable factors would include size (height/weight), fast twitch muscle explosiveness (speed/quickness/vertical), agility, flexibility, lung capacity and nutritional relationship to performance objectives.

Of course, we could present a litany of immeasurable elements playing some role in sports' performance. For the sake of typing space, I wish to offer one significant immeasurable sports performance factor and then make my point, therefore you can get on with important life issues.

Immeasurable, as used here, means  too extreme to measure. My immeasurable athletic factor is 'game intelligence.' Smart execution of game plans can and often do negate the differential of 'team talents.' College coaches can recruit the physical and/or mental factors they value. High school coaches must play the DNA talent from their school boundaries. That said, I assessed my talent yearly and then embraced the mental/game smartness as I sold that approach to my players.

 The frustrating thing about being a sport purest today is the rules makers keep changing rules to please the novice fan and create television revenue payoffs. Most recently, the college basketball rules makers have again shortened the shot clock-time to create a faster pace game with higher scores. Therefore, if you are a University of Wisconsin basketball fan, you might want to attend more movies this winter. If you are the parent of a fat-butt, slow-moving high school player, hoping your kid is going to receive an athletic scholarship, you may wish to check out a nearby Junior College.

The good news is even if your kid is dumb as a sack of rocks your boy/girl still gets a free ride as long as the kid runs like the wind and has bunny hops.

A Message for The Neighbor Family

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer, Eddie Levert of the O'Jays has still 'got game.' The man delivers with a powerful voice and engaging entertainment personality. Attending the O'Jays / Gladys Knight concert at the Fox Theater (St. Louis), Levert spoke candidly to the audience near the shows end regarding today's youth. Before I paraphrase those comments let me preface by saying the audience of 4,500 people was perhaps 95% 'Black.' I make this point because it is right to do so considering Levert's philosophy about raising kids.

Lervert's random opinions are here paraphrased: 'Kids are out of control fearing nobody. They go to school and do not respect / fear teachers or the administration. In the streets they blow off law enforcement with an attitude of non-compliance and no fear of police authority. In fact, the police have greater fears that they may easily get in trouble when attempting to control the unruly youth. The kid goes home where the lack of respect and no-fear life style continues. Levert continued saying, "We parents need to knock some kids upside the head and beat the shit out of them so they no what it feels like to respect and fear."

Of course, the audience was on board with those comments because don't you just know that the few hundred white folks' attending thought Levert's comments were about 'black kids.' Give me a break...

I've got a flash for parents with doubt. Once upon a time children of all colors and ethnic background respected and feared. Today, African-American families continue to create privileged youth attitudes as have white families for decades. And if white parents for a moment believe the lack of respect/fear permeating our country is a 'black family problem only...those folks are full of crap or as Eddie Levert would say, "You need to knock the shit outta some people."

Seemed Like Old Times

De'ja' Vu. I had some old flashbacks, some moments of seeing familiar scenes but sensing something missing. This past Saturday night, I was walking the immediate area around the Fox Theater located at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Grand Boulevard in St. Louis, Missouri. I have often walked those streets before but it had been some 54 years when last my wife and I had been afoot in that neighborhood. The occasion to head to the iconic Fabulous Fox, a National Historical Landmark, which was built in 1929 was to attend the musical concert of Gladys Knight and the O'Jays.

Back in the day, (1940's & 1950's) that theater was a special date night destination to see the latest movie. Today, I still have photos of my teenage girlfriend (wife, Gerry) taken by sidewalk photographers as we walked towards the Fox Theater entrance. I also recall the intersection representing the final leg of a three-part journey from my East St. Louis home by city bus to Washington Avenue near the Eads bridge where I caught a St. Louis city bus to Grand Avenue for the last leg by streetcar to old Sportsman Park to root for the Cardinals.

St. Louis like many American cities has suffered the negatives of industrial decline, white flight, shrinking tax base and escalating inner city decay and crime. The proud folks appear to be fighting back to gain yesterday's look and feel.

Oh, the concert? You're kidding? A packed house of nearly 5,000 music lovers were brought to their feet time and again with the powerful yet sweet voice of Gladys Knight and the familiar songs and dance moves of the O'Jays. I thank our son, Steve and daughter-in law, Kathy for taking care of the old folks and allowing us to be young at heart recalling, 'The Way We Were.'

Stupid comes in all Colors

You know, I do understand. I understand how people can become so frustrated and angry with others whom they wish to support. Currently, I am very frustrated and angry with the behavior of some (black & white) college students. I'll make this simple. I have fought the racism battle for years. Your welcome to investigate that claim. That said, I am compromised with my arguments in behalf of blacks who suffer the slings and arrows of discrimination and injustices when some over-the-top stupid behavior hurts the cause.

Leaving the grocery store parking lot yesterday, I heard Rush Limbaugh in a high frenzy rant about this very issue. Of course, Rush was not upset with blacks' behavior (specifically) at the University of Missouri. Nope! In true Limbaugh fashion, he had already identified the college problem and determined the solution. I paraphrase Rush's comments and inferences: 'University students are taught by liberal wackos. These students should not be allowed an opinion expression on any matters of consequent nor should those students hold any voting rights. Actually, Rush with half his brain up his ass (or did he say, "tied behind my back?) concludes that America's political voting age should be changed to age twenty-five.'

Rush did not elaborate on changing the age at which young people can embrace a patriotic opinion motivating them to join the military and fight and perhaps die in a corporate America war.

Poor Me

How important can it be? Read the accounts of Nazi Germany before WWII. I'm talking about the 'free and open press.' No surprise these days, Americans find our 'free and open press' under attack by the wannabe government officials. On the one hand the Republicans would like the 'press' to investigate the hell out of Hillary Clinton's background but don't ask Presidential candidate, Ben Carson 'how that kid he attempted to kill is doing these days.' I'm  just saying, maybe that kid was not wearing a belt that day. Given today's 'bag & sag' fashion who wears a belt except some nerdy-ass white kid. Was it a white kid? Was it a racial incident? Did some white kid call Ben the 'N' word?

Our Poor politicians are America's newest group of victims. And playing the role of victim works. You folks having your Starbucks coffee this morning, in that Anti-Christmas cup, have gathered in the restaurant's corner chit-chatting about how awful you think it is how the blacks play that 'Race-Card' at every chance...well, if that is your cloak for they day then accept poor Ben's bitching about the press vetting everything he says. And also let's feel sorry for Cruz, Rubio and Bush for being held accountable by our press. These people simply wish to have your financial support, money and vote...other than that leave them alone to use the 'Party's credit card.'

Poor 'woe-is-me' Ben, if he could just capture that magic carpet ride of 'racial' victimization and that evil press victimization, the chap will soon move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC.

Thank Goodness Fox News is 'Watching Out for Us.'

I hate-a-say but I told my mom and dad in 1958, that I feared a conspiracy to take 'Christ' out of Christmas. Okay, that's not exactly true. I didn't say any of that. However, it was 1958 when the first artificial Christmas tree was manufactured in Chicago. As Archie Bunker would say, "If God wanted us to have them fake trees He'd grow'em in da woods for us to cut down."

Today, we got people saying, 'Happy Holidays' as they intentionally rip at the fabric of Christianity, which if not for the likes of Hannity, O'Rielly and Rush we'd never hear those sacred words, 'Merry Christmas.' Why, I recall that freshmen year at the State University when that liberal professor tried to fill our heads with that notion that Christmas was a Pagan celebration. I sure didn't tell any of my kin folks back in East St. Louis about the prof's crazy propaganda; they'd likely tarred and feathered the guy.

Lo' & Behold, this Christmas season, we can't even buy our $5.00 Starbucks' Latte and enjoy the Christmas greetings inscribed on the cup...nope, the cup is all 'red.' Probably some Communist message.

I've decided to keep an open mind on this presidential run. The first candidate that comes to their senses and prioritize ideas placing this 'War on Christmas' #1 ahead of gun control, immigration, healthcare and the economy...well, he's getting my vote.

I recall back at Lansdowne junior high school, East St. Louis in the early 1950's. We used to get a long Christmas vacation from school. My good Jewish friend, Alan Stienman told me that his parents were going to complain to the school district that the Jew's should get the same vacation length to celebrate Hanukkah. Hogwash! Next thing you know, we'll be allowing black people to stay in our white neighborhoods after dark The following fall, I put my two cents in to have half-days during afternoon World Series Games.

He What?

I was recently in one of those 'gun debates' at a family gathering. Add that conversation topic to that of religion and politics as topics, which should not be publicly aired. Those three topics: religion, politics and gun ownership are issues with profound misconceptions about other views laced with one's ethnocentric beliefs and intolerance.

When the second amendment was scribbled into the United States Constitution, we countrymen owned muskets and yet today, some argue the right to own assault weapons. This  represents a growing number of people left behind in the American formal educational process.

One family member told of a gun debate issued resolved between he and his wife. It appears she is fearful of a loaded gun in the home. However, he wants the perceived gun protection assurance. They have compromised. He keeps the gun in the master bedroom but it is empty. The bullets are kept downstairs in a kitchen cabinet.

If you give thought to this arrangement it becomes clear how truly frightening it is living in America and even more scary being a member of my family. Now look, many family members read my daily blog. I need not disclose which side of our family-hodgepodge this debate involves. In fact, I will never mention if it's the 'good guts' or 'bad guys.'

Liar, Liar Pants On Firer

Truth be known, I suppose we are all guilty. Guilty of some exaggerations about our past, guilty of a few lies, yep simply guilty of telling tall tales. Perhaps it's our nature to overstate and glorify our history. I recall reading somewhere that America's college campuses were fertile ground for high school graduates to gather and flat out lie through their front teeth about past escapades.

Most people don't believe that those overstated stories about our past experiences will come back to bite us. Recently, we saw the fall of NBC News anchor, Brian Williams because he exaggerated a war experience as a journalist and some folks checked it out. Williams made matters worse when he did not come clean. Ultimately the man was disgraced and fired from a very prestigious news position of public trust.

Republican Presidential candidate, Dr. Ben Carson told some 'tall tales' about his supposedly troubled  youth and angry violent behavior. He told of having a robber place a gun in his ribs at a fast food restaurant. He explained how he chased folks with hammers with intent to do bodily harm. He recalls in his early teens stabbing another teen who was saved from death because the knife broke when hitting the belt buckle.

These stories would never be checked out had Dr. Ben not enter the Presidential race. Wow! Wouldn't it be fascinating to talk with the grown man who Ben nearly killed with his knife. Maybe the man also became a Doctor. Then perhaps he is a successful rap singer. We'll never know because the evil liberal-media, all of which are descendants from Satan cannot locate this phantom cat.

Ben, you and that other politician who has thievery tendencies make Trump look honorable. Now THAT'S a frightening thought.

Welcome to My World, Mr. President

Well, Hallelujah ! I finally have a 'strange bedfellow' in a staunch Republican. Of course, I must point out that 'the' Republican was slow coming around to my way of thinking. The Republican is none other than our 41st President, George H. W. Bush. Thank you, George, Sr. Doesn't it feel cleansing to speak such candid truth. Those two cats you called out remind me of faces at the Nuremberg Trial.

Former President George H. W. has a new book ready for release and in the book the daddy of 'W' blast his son's Vice-President and Secretary of Defense. Papa Bush calls Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld too 'hawkish,' talking too harsh and inflexible, all of which tarnished America's reputation around the world. Senior Bush referenced Cheney as a "hard-ass"'and Rumsfeld as "arrogant."

The War Hawk defenders, John McCain, Cheney and Rumsfeld are already dismissing George H.W. Bush's comments by subtly hinting that the senior Bush is likely senile and his opinions hold little validity. I shall sit back and listen to the hawkish, trash talking, inflexible pundits such as Hannity, O'Rielly and Limbaugh gingerly distance themselves from old man Bush while continuing to promote  uncompromising Republican arrogance as they spin their divisive hatred.

Yodie Delivers the Goods

Normally, I take breakfast each morning to my wife in our upstairs bedroom. The AM menu usually consists of cereals both hot & cold or the occasional pancakes or French Toast. The daily breakfast moments permits visiting, newspaper reading and 'Today Show' snippets.

The aforementioned routine documented, you can imagine my surprise when yesterday morning, my wife was rattling pots and pans about 40 minutes ahead of the normal schedule. She yelled to me in the family room where I was reading, "Would you like a couple of scrambled eggs?" WOW! What's going on, I'm wondering. We don't have a mid-week breakfast of eggs at 7:00AM.

Moments later she called out my name again to tell me my eggs were ready. As I entered the kitchen things suddenly became clear. I walked past Toy Poodle, Yodie who was bent over gobbling up his morning breakfast. Lo' & Behold, Yodie was eating a scrambled egg mixed in with his dry cereal.
I was tempted to call my wife out on her obvious ' guilt eggs' but I bit my tongue. Why look a 'gift dog in the mouth?'

Book is Available

This past Monday evening, my wife and I paid our respects attending the wake visitation of a lady whose son I coached on the Assumption high school baseball team (Assumption, Illinois) in 1963. It was my first varsity coaching position at that high school of 225 students, which is now consolidated with Moweaqua, Illinois forming Central A & M. The 91 year old, Barb Cazalet was a delightful person who demonstrated unbelievable faith in the face of losing two sons at young ages; one with muscular dystrophy and a second son with cancer.

While standing in the outer foyer of the funeral home, Tony Woods, another player from that 1963 baseball team walked up to me and opened his mouth wide and then smiled. I quickly said, "One thousand one, one thousand two..." Tony winked and said, "And we picked him off second base." Tony was recalling a 'timing play' we ran over fifty years ago on that Assumption baseball team. Woods, playing shortstop would open his mouth wide as the pitcher stretched. He and the pitcher would then count to one thousand two then the pitcher would whirl and throw behind the base runner to the shortstop breaking for second base.

I tell this story for two reasons: It is both amazing and frightening what people recall over the years. Secondly, those recalls were most often very funny.

I have recently authored my fourth book, which is entitled, "Game Laughter" (The Sunny Side of Sports). In the book, I recall a total of 115 stories. Most of these humorous recollections came from my personal playing days in East St. Louis and Illinois State University but many more from coaching stops at the following Illinois high schools: Assumption, Mason City, Washington, Edwardsville, Jacksonville and Decatur. Also, I was blessed with radio hosting opportunities that opened doors to more sports' humor.

The book cost is $12.00, which covers postage. You may send a check or money order (payable to TEPCA) to Mel Roustio 3991 Greenridge Dr. Decatur, IL. 62526 or telephone Mel Roustio @ (217 358-7574.

Think About It

One of the reasons I pass on morning coffee with 'the fellas' centers around my desire to keep the few friends I have. I know that those AM coffee gatherings presents a multitude of topics and I am positive politics is one. That said, most old farts, like me are Republicans whereas, I am not. You see the picture developing?

Recently, a high school age neighbor kid stopped by the house asking me to participate in a political science project. It seems his class has a lesson requiring students to gather political philosophies or attitudes and after collecting data they discuss opinions expressed against factors such as gender, age, amount of formal education, etc.

The survey was a breeze for me. Question: Mr. Roustio, if you were a Presidential candidate what would be your main 'talking point?' (I wished I'd videoed the lad when I spoke these words):
"I would push for legislation that mandates every new born males must have a vasectomy. When the male reaches the age of 21+ he may have the procedure reversed IF he has steady full-time employment, has fifteen thousand dollars in savings and knows 12 nursery rhymes."

I would not suggest all our country's problems would be solved through this legislative enactment but a hellava lot would go away.

...okay, okay, I jest. I recognize the silliness in my political platform. I told the student as much. However, let me tell you readers this: I was an educator for nearly forty years, I have a son, daughter daughter-in law and two granddaughters teaching in the public schools today. Collectively, they have taught for approximately 75 years (give or take). The stories they share does not paint a positive picture about accountability being taught in the American homes today.

Men & Women Age Differently

My wife is a better person than her husband. She is more genuine, kinder, engaging, pure and sincere. I don't mean to suggest that I am a bad person...my wife is simply better. That said, she parents differently and relates differently. She also makes boys mentally weaker with her nurturing.

Follow my logic: Last week, I had a16-year old grandson and his 16-year old friend at my house. I fed them very well and gave them free advice on things like responsibilities, being accountable for your behavior and respecting others. As I said, no charge for these informational life-staple morsels.

I also paid these two boys $10.00 per hour per person for raking and bagging yard leaves. Lots of leaves but that is immaterial because the $10.00 per hour negates all questions and moaning about the amount of leaves. I explained to them that while working no cell phone and no standing around bullshitting. If they want to do that then the pay is $5.00 per hour. With ground rules established, my wife interrupted the boys to give them gloves. My wife worried that the 45 degrees and wind made things tough on the boys. My wife interrupted the boys to give them hot chocolate, which ultimately created a situation to stand, check cell phones and bullshit. My point: At every turn whether it is school grading systems, sports participation or manual labor, we adults are making the next generation 'SOFT.' Too soft! I'm right on this and my wife is wrong.

Look, it's simple, I'm trying to 'Make America Great Again' like Trump. If these homegrown people can't cut the mustard then I should hire some illegal immigrants to rake my leaves before that wall is built.

Perhaps, just perhaps it's the aging process. As women age they become even more caring while old males simply become more cantankerous.

Cry Me a River

There certainly is much hullabaloo amongst the GOP presidential candidates over these ongoing televised debates. It appears the Republican candidates feel they are being asked loaded, mean-spirited questions by those evil left wing-leaning media folks. Again, we have boogieman conspiracies.

 GOP Tea Party guy, Ted Cruz has a solution to this debate debacle. Cruz suggest that the Republican debate should be moderated by Republicans. Now this approach to competition should sound familiar to you readers. It is much like 'coach-pitch little league baseball.' For those who may be unfamiliar with 'coach-pitch' let me explain: The pitcher is one of the fathers of the team batting. The pitcher wants the batter to be successful.

Clown Cruz has to be one of the biggest 'wimp-asses' in America. He wishes to be THE LEADER of the free world as President of the United States and YET he does not want to face unfriendly questioning. He must be crapping us! I'm sure Putin and other adversarial world leaders are going to play footsies with Cruz or his other GOP hopefuls.

I find it amusing that the political party, which pontificates free market competition and deregulation wishes to reduce competitiveness and regulate the Presidential debates.

The 'Impact' Boys

Last week when my grandson and his friend visited from Wednesday evening until Saturday morning with the expressed purpose of leaf-raking; they filled 31 lawn bags with leaves and mulched that many bags for the garden. In the wake was two broken rakes. I understand how a wooden handle breaks but how do two metal prongs go missing from an all-metal rake?

Other revealing statistics from the two 16-year old lads' visit are as listed: Food and liquid consumption...two extra large pizza, two gallons milk, 11/2 loaves of bread, one box Fruit Loops, one box Cheerios, 21/2 gallons of orange juice, one gallon of tea, 13 sodas, 1/2 box crackers, eight large chili-pasta servings, 7 hot dogs, 4 hamburgers, 1/2 gallon ice cream, one apple pie, one cherry pie, two large bags-potato chips, undisclosed amount of cheese, 2lbs hamburger patties and 17 pancakes and a three roll sleeve of toilet tissue, which makes sense.

I overheard the following contemporary teen language-expressions: "I'm good." (37 X),
"For Sure!" (21 X), "What S'up?" (19 X), "When we gunna eat?" (15 X), "Hey Bro." (13 X).

My Toy Poodle, Yodie, although happy to see the boys each morning, appeared more neurotic each night.