We All Must Make The Call

I recall grandpa, E. V. Bennett telling Mammy Bennett, on occasion, "Mary, you best tend to your own knitting." I suppose that was some kinda Kentuckyism for admonishing one to keep one's nose out of another's business. Good advice most often, wouldn't you agree?

Our problem usually lies in our passion for something or someone. Occasionally, we will notice someone going bezerk on some mission from hell. Suddenly, we note another placed in jeopardy and we are left with a choice: If we elect to come to that individual's defense, we run the risk of condemnation, personal attacks and or rejection.  However, if we decide to 'do nothing,' to be apathetic, we run the risk of losing our connection with the human condition and our compassion for the less fortunate.

Look, everyone is running their own race in life's journey, I get that. Given the challenges we face it usually takes all our energies and full attention to negotiate and finish our own race. However, we are told that "You are your brothers' keeper." Therefore if someone runs into another's race lane should we not come to the victim's defense? Should we not 'tend to another's knitting?'

I prefer to call out perceived wrong. I was never deterred by fear of failure nor rejection from others. I always hope to sleep well.

Throwback Times with Simple Joys

As the grandkids piled out of the auto at the fast food restaraunt, I heard them calling out to one another their respective sandwich choices. I meandered behind with thoughts of my own sandwich pleasure. However, I realize that no restaraunt has my choice on its menu board.

There is only one sandwich that can possibly top two thin slices of all meat balogna with a single American cheese slice tucked between. It would be blanketed by two whole wheat bread slices with condiments of mayo, tender lettuce and garden fresh tomato slices sprinkled with a bit of salt. Yes sir, buddy boy. Find me on the backyard swing washing down that luncheon-sandwich delicacy with sweetened tea.

Oh, oh...that other sandwich, the best sandwich of all; the only one to top the balogna sandwich delight, that would be a 'cold (navy) bean' sandwich on all white bread, which is best eaten late night.

Not My Grade School

Several months ago, I was on one of those educational committees. While visiting an elementary school to get an overview of current classroom environment and teacher-pupil interaction, I found things very different from those yesterday classrooms.

There were no individual desks but instead students were sitting at group tables, which seems to eliminate note-passing. A few students were laying on floor mats eating 'ding-dong cakes.' I don't recall eating food in the classroom back in 1947...things have changed. I looked around the room and saw no evidence of the Palmer Method writing books or multiplication tables-chart. I suppose kids today text message and use calculators. I noticed that there was a number of children who were rather 'chubby.' This is likely attributed to 'ding-dong' breaks.

When I went to the gym to check out physical education classes, I did not notice any calisthenics or running, instead the class was playing 'kick ball.' Actually, just a hand full of students were playing kick ball, most students were standing around in small groups chatting. I noticed four kids hiding behind wall mats eating 'ding-dong' cakes.

I think if I was a parent today, I'd attend a school board meeting and ask these questions: Is my kid required to memorize anything? Could my child make change if employed as a cashier at Walmart?
Is my child ever required to run a mile in physical education class? Finally, who the hell is bringing all the 'ding dongs' to school?

I know, I'm out of touch, clueless; I'm old fashioned.

I left the school at the close of the school day and noticed none of the kids 'walked' from school going home. They either got into automobiles or school buses. So much for this generation telling their kids about walking three miles to and from school, up hill both ways.

If You Compete Don't Cry

I have been out of prep basketball coaching for 14-years and I continue to miss two things. First, I miss not having a team. You must understand that for thirty-seven varsity basketball seasons, I had names of players, combination lineups and offensive/defensive schemes rolling around in this otherwise empty head. The second thing I miss is knocking mental 'crutches' away from young players to lean upon while creating a team culture.

I was big on both physical and mental preparation. I was absolutely convinced that no opponent would out work our teams in pre-season preparation and our practices would be extremely intense because I constantly explained to our teams that the actual game begs for both teams to experience 'game-slippage.' The team with the least slippage usually wins.

We were also explicit reminding our players that no single play in a basketball game will win or lose the contest...impossible. Too many variables in a thirty-two minute game, which is laced with turnovers and officials calls. On the latter matter, we did not permit players to ever talk about officiating. It was out of our control as was the 6-point home court advantage in high school basketball.

Had Donald Trump walked in my shoes, he would have undoubtedly screamed "Rigged," when playing at Quincy, Collinsville and Mater Dei.

There you go, Brian...you didn't think I'd post a blog without mentioning your crybaby candidate, did you?

Good Idea, Don't Ya Think?

Donald Trump refuses to release his tax information claiming he is under audit. There is nothing against the law, which prohibits tax filings released by an individual or company under audit. I heard billionaire, Warren Buffett state that he is under a tax audit and would gladly release his tax information in a joint effort with Trump. I doubt that the GOP Presidential nominee will agree to that offer. However, he should.

We know that Mr. Trump has business dealings in China and Russia. He has stated that fact. Stop for a moment and ask yourself this very serious question. Do you believe that there should be a concern electing a person President of the United States who possibly has heavy debts with people holding strong ties with your Country's adversaries such as Vladimir Putin of Russia and / or China's leaders?  Come now, you know very well that possesses serious issues for America. Only Rush Limbaugh can 'spin' out of that absolute!

In fairness and full disclosure for the safety of our Nation, Donald Trump needs to release tax filings information. If not, it's a 'deal breaker' for voters.

The Coach Reflects

I suppose many make a rhyming attempt from time to time...that poetry try.

                       Coach or Caretaker

A lifetime of coaching perched on a bench,
My mentor once told me it would not be a cinch.

Season after season would come and leave,
The mission unchanging, we had to achieve.

Some teams so talented blessed with skill,
While others would struggle like climbing a hill.

Winning many games was never enough,
So often you hear, you're using the wrong stuff.

An angry shout from a frantic dad,
Made family and friends uncomfortable and sad.

Tournament pressures and game of the week,
They were not designed for the tender or meek.

Nearly one thousand games now gone by,
The old Coach reflects and wonders why?

Surely not for glory, trophies or wins,
He was simply a caretaker making boys into men.

We All Know It

 I know that I have demonstrated frustration, anger and harsh words regarding one particular matter; a matter due to my perception. Please understand that over several years, I have felt offended by the implied and sometimes stated belief that somehow a liberal-Democrat cannot be a Christian nor can they be patriotic.

Rather than state a litany of accusations or comments to confirm my perception, let me visit the following: Often, we hear political pundits on the right accuse Democrats as fanning some fire on their imaginary 'war on Christmas' by not saying "Merry Christmas" but promoting "Happy Holidays." And never mind that Roe vs.Wade is the law of the land and while Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was living it gave the conservatives a 5-4 advantage those right-wingers yet they did not overturn a woman's right of choice. No, it's those evil non-Jesus loving liberals who only want that law.

Now, on the aftermath of the Democratic National Convention we hear Rush Limbaugh and others saying that the Democratic Convention looked like a Republican Convention with all the Red, White and Blue colors, talk of patriotism and invoking of God's name.

Gee, for once in my life my perception IS a reality!

As the late great New York Yankees' broadcaster would say, "How about that, fans?!