I Get a Kick Out of You

I read where the 'World's Shin Kicking Championship' was recently held in England. This is a contest where two adult men grab one another by the shoulders and circle-dance about attempting to kick their opponent hard enough in the Shin to knock him down or cause painful submission. I would suspect beer and ice packs to be popular items at the event.

The Shin kicking championship reminded me of a family game reported by my father, which was popular with the Washington Park-East St. Louis Roustio-clan back in the 1930's. Since most of the French-descendant-Roustio's lived on 56th street, they frequently gathered in neighborhood activities. My dad said that the Roustio family often played a game called 'Shinney-on-your-Own-Side.' The equipment and rules were simple...their passion drove the spirited competition.

Here's the deal: Any number on a team. Each participant held a broom handle stick. A tin can was placed in the middle of the street. The objective was each side would strike the can with sticks attempting to advance the can past a designated goal line. The 'thrill' in the activity apparently came from the fact that should the tin can passby an opponent that opponent could be whacked in the shins with the broom stick. I asked my father if the wives got upset with that kind of game...he said, "No, the wives were also playing."

Dad said older family members who could not play enjoyed sitting on the sidelines 'making book' on how long the game would last before a physical altercation broke out. Like most families of that day...they may get into it with each other but 'woe be tide' the outsider to mess with kin folks.

Don't Crap Me

Several months ago, I wrote a blog, which pointed out some racial-strife concerns. I often do this because I feel strongly about this ugly American social cancer. A blog reader responded asking "Why do you (Mel) always make things out to be racial problems?"

Shall we all pull our heads out from our derrière, step back, take a deep breath and simply acknowledge a current reality. Donald Trump has amassed enough votes from Americans to become the Republican presumptive Presidential nominee. Trump has made numerous derogatory comments about minorities. Stop. If you are going to deny this then stick your head back up your derrière and have a nice life.

Just recently, Trump has doubled-down on racist statements as he suggests a sitting judge on Trump's 'university case' is 'Mexican.' The sitting judge was born in East Chicago, Indiana...he is an American. Trump says the 'Mexican' judge is making unfair rulings in this case because Trump plans to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. Sadly, we watch GOP leaders like Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell attempt to justify a continued support of Trump finding themselves in the middle of the roadway likely to become political roadkill.

Trump continues to appeal to the lesser spirit...his comments continue to be accommodated by pathetic leaders of the Republican Party. I know racism when I hear it and I will call it out!!

Finally, let me be clear: I do NOT believe that everybody voting for Trump is a bigot or racist. However, Trump's statements about Blacks, Hispanics and Muslims are ignorant and racist. Therefore, make no mistake...a vote for this man supports this man's attitudes and beliefs.

Can We Imagine Down the Road?

I'm not sure it's good or bad, I'm simply acknowledging the fact that family-life (dynamics) has drastically changed over the years. Perhaps it's just life's pendulum making adjustments for man's choices.

Many from my parents' generation quit school after the eighth or ninth grade to enter the work force and give financial help to the larger family or at least remove themself from the parent's money burdens. Of course, today's tech savvy demands requires more extensive education and consequently leaves a greater financial burden with young college grads. This financial burden is relieved by some young adults choosing to 'live' at their parents home for a time period to gain economic stability and personal traction. Perhaps this shakes out good; it reduces the long-standing mothers' moan, "You never call or stop by to visit."

I also recall vivid observations of the '40's and  '50's when many households embraced aging parents taking care of the 'old folks' until death. Today the nursing home is not the only choice for families dealing with aging parents fighting senior maladies and issues. Our society's landscape is dotted with independent living homes and assisted living homes along with the more demanding memory / Alzheimer's homes.

I have noticed another attitude change and again, no judgment intended. As a young married couple, my wife and I followed the trend of our peers gladly accepting used furniture and housewares from parents and other family members as we tried to get started in life. I watched my wife hold on to many such items that I wanted to toss. She would say, "When the kids get married they may want that." Didn't happen...the kids bought new stuff. Then she said, "We can save those items and perhaps the grandkids will want them when setting up housekeeping. Didn't happen...the grandkids don't want our stuff. It's NOT the kids fault. On their journey towards adulthood, many parents said, "We want our kids to have a better life than did we." I'm not sure those kids have a better life but they Do buy nicer things. Okay, now that the hand-me-down furniture issue is a thing of the past, I need to begin concentrating on this matter of looking for that 'senior citizens' final residence stop. BELIEVE me, my wife and I come with a warning: "Two Old Pain-in-The-Ass Farts!"

He Could be Quiet

News of Muhammad Ali's death caused me to recall a story that Jacksonville native boxing champ, Ken Norton shared with me many years ago. I was coaching at Jacksonville high school and Norton was in town visiting his parents, John and Ruth.

Norton telephoned my home one day and asked if I would meet him at the JHS Bowl (gym facility) where the Crimsons' Hall of Fame room is housed. Ken wished to see how his Boxing Championship Belt was displayed. Of course, I was happy to accommodate Norton's request. While waiting for Ken to arrive, I could not help but wonder how he would look since his near fatal auto accident in LA. When Norton stepped from his auto I could hardly believe my eyes. He was physically 'cut' like a man 15 years his junior. He obviously continued to 'workout.'

As Ken walked towards me, I noticed his gate was uneven and when he spoke, there was a need to pause and measurement in his speech. The accident had left some telltale signs. After surveying the Hall of Fame room to his delight, Norton sat for a visit. We talked about a number of things regarding his JHS days and then the topic turned to Ali.  Norton began to tell of his long hospital recovery from his accident. He spoke of the struggle to gain clarity coming out of his coma. Ken paused and tears filled his eyes when he shared the following: "Mel, he said, one evening early morning, I noticed a figure in my hospital room chair. I knew it wasn't my wife but I couldn't make out who it was. I'm sure I drifted in and out of sleep but when there was more light in the room I saw Ali sitting in that chair. I later found out from some nurses that Ali came up the service elevator to sit in my room a couple of nights. But he told the hospital staff he did not want the press ever to know he was the there."

What a story! What a special bond between two champs...two warriors.

And SOME Worry About Muslims

I am a Christian. That means I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent to earth with God's message of salvation. Ultimately, the sacrifice of Christ crucified on a cross takes the sins of the world and the 'message' IS: Confess your sins, ask Christ's forgiveness and you will have eternal life. This is the basic fundamental anchor of Christianity...you must acknowledge Christ as the Son of God, ask forgiveness of your sins before you can have life eternal. The aforementioned is embraced by folks who call themselves evangelicals.

Before Christ left earth he gave His final command: "Love one another as I have loved you. Therefore love one another."

A large percent of evangelicals support the Republican presumptive Presidential nominee, Donald Trump. Trump on the other hand states that he does not need forgiveness from Christ for any of his transgressions. He says all Bible verses are his favorite and when pushed to name one verse Trump said "It's personal." Trump refers to 'First Corinthians' as "ONE Corinthians."

A quick check of Donald Trumps "loving others:" Makes fun of Carly Forina's face. Makes fun of a physically disabled reporter. Makes vulgar remarks about a female reporters "bleeding from wherever." Demeans Hispanics. Suggests banning people of the Muslim Faith from entrance to America. Suggest that any military personnel captured in war is "not a hero because they were captured." Calls a reporter a "sleaze." I am blown away that people who would claim to be followers of Jesus Christ (evangelicals) would embrace such a mean spirited, vulgar talking and Un-Christ like figure for the Presidency of America.

In the near future, the evangelicals support of Trump appears to be a greater threat to America than  the Muslim Faith.

Acts of a Commissioned Love

I have a 26-year old granddaughter who teaches fourth grade, attends night school seeking her Master's Degree and is planning for her September wedding day. Most folks would think that this young girl has much on her plate. Well, add another commitment. A few years ago, she took the time and made the effort to have her Shih Tzu/Bichon pup, Baylee trained as a Therapy Dog. I guess in the girl's 'free time' she takes Baylee to visit the hospitals and nursing homes.

Granddaughter, Lindsay telephoned yesterday (she calls her grandparents at least four times a week) to share a recent hospital visit with Therapy pup, Baylee. Lindsay approached the hospital room of an elderly lady and spoke as she stood near the door. "Excuse me, can my puppy and I come in to visit?" The senior lady answered, "I don't understand what you're saying." The patient's  tone sent a signal to Lindsay that the senior woman was likely not interested but still Lindsay edged forward leading with the puppy as she placed the pup on the woman's bed. The old woman's feeble-shaking crooked fingers began stroking the dog's luscious coat. The woman's wrinkled faced cracked a warm smile and she spoke only these words, "I can now leave this world."

It is said that the old and sick much like the poor are always nearby giving unlimited opportunities to those who claim to be Christian.

P.S.
You should understand that each day I give thanks to God for His wonderful blessings upon our 15 grandkids and two great grandchildren. As I close that prayer each day, I always ask Christ to lead those children to serve others in His name. Excuse while I kneel to give thanks for answered prayer.

A Fun Morning Bedroom Game

Yesterday, I was sitting on the backyard swing with a cup of coffee and remembered a few years ago, my wife and I stopped playing what had been a favorite morning bedroom game. We simply quit doing it without any discussion. As I pondered the reason for our losing interest in this activity, I realized it was our advancing age, which had compromised our abilities to perform. Let's be honest. We are blessed to have these senior years together but the fact remains that some things couples once enjoyed doing together becomes problematic with the passage of time. Stay with me and I'll explain.

Early in our retirement years, I would bring a breakfast to our upstairs bedroom each morning. (That continues this day.)  Soon, my wife and I began the daily game. She would be on one side of the bed and I'd be seated in a chair on the opposite side. My wife would have one section of the newspaper and begin. She would read the celebrity birthdays. As she went through the names, I'd guess the ages. The next morning we would trade positions. If you guessed the celebrity's age within 3 years you were a winner. We kept a weekly score. We're both competitive.

How's that?  You want to know what our aging has to do with the discontinuation of our morning-bedroom-game?  Well, more and more of the celebrity birthday personalities were becoming 'strangers' to a couple who once embraced celebrities such as: Elizabeth Taylor, Burt Lancaster,  Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Doris Day, Bob Pettit, Stan Musial, Johnny Unitas, Bob Hayes, Dave Galloway and 'Buffalo' Bob Smith.

It appears celebrity-hood is much like glory...fleeting. And so are the games people play. The only thing, which transcends the years is 'dirty minds'...agreed?