Too Bad and Very Sad for One Family

Knowing very well that my long time family-veterinarian will be disgusted that my blog today is once again about 'education,' I nevertheless make NO apologies. Word rolled into Decatur yesterday from the West with a 'smell' not unlike the stench on occasion rolling in from the Staley Plant to the South. It seems  that Jacksonville high school did not renew the 'coaching contract' of their veteran baseball mentor. Perhaps there are good reasons for this dismissal; I cannot argue against the decision because I am not familiar or aware of circumstances.

I do know that their was a previous attempt to dismiss this coach and I was very aware of the situation back a few years ago. I would suspect that won-loss record is not the driving reason nor winning or sharing conferences championships; the coach meets those criteria.

Let me speak to a frequent aspect of the issue of which I am well versed and can stand on certainty in my comments. Most high school coaching dismissals (firings) come as the result of one of two reasons; first, lack of winning games or secondly and the most frequent cause by a substantial margin, parents who are mad because they believe their kid (s) have not been treated fairly. Take this to the bank!

During my 39-year coaching tenure, I had a couple of parental vigilante groups, on a mission from hell, orchestrate schemes to get me fired but in both instances, I had strong administrative support that had my back. Personally, I believe that there are two kinds of high school coaches: (1) those who 'want' to coach and those who 'must' coach. I belonged to the latter fraternity. When I felt that my administration was weak, I packed my mule and moseyed on down the road...I was looking for a job when I took THAT one!

I recall vividly that my sophomore year at East St. Louis high school, I was complaining at the supper table about my high school coach. My Dad jumped my crap in a heart beat saying, "Listen, Boy, if you don't like the way things are with your team then YOU do something about it but don't bring your problems to the supper table; your Mom and I don't!"

Thanks Dad!!

Parting thought for the weekend: If you think there is some good in everybody, you obviously haven't met 'everybody.'

It's a Moral Responsibility

The American Red Cross, March of Dimes, United Way, UNICEF, Goodwill, Salvation Army, American Legion, Lions Club International, Military of Purple Heart, Vets of Foreign Wars, Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude Research Hospital, Make a  Wish Foundation, and on and on and on!

All the aforementioned charity organization, I am sure do wonderful work and much needed service to mankind attempting to improve the human condition...I commend all. My personal dilemma is this; which should I support, should I rotate my giving because it is obvious, I cannot contribute to all needs all the time while tithing at church and giving an occasional handout to the chap who sets up camp each day at the intersection opposite Wal Mart / Sam's and Radio Shack; even if he is the lazy- drunk and doper my neighbor claims. Bottom lime, I'll run out of money before our society runs out of 'causes.'

My wife has her own method of giving; she rotates $5 buck contributions to all those organization that send those unsolicited return address stickers. We are both turned off by the telephone solicitors and usually tell them 'not this time.' Hell, anymore you never know if that fella on the opposite end of the phone line claiming to be a policeman seeking monies for the police benevolence is a local cop or some body miles away in another community or state.

I was very involved during my coaching life with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and I was for two (2) primary reasons: First,  I liked the orchestration of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon as it unfolded during the Labor Day Weekend, which seemed to galvanize our country around a worthy cause. Secondly, I insisted that all my high school basketball players at every grade level secure pledges for shooting free throws. Our teams, for over twenty years, raised an annual-average of $1,300.00 for the MDA. It was important to me to have 'healthy kids' capable of playing sport to be part of 'giving' to children unable to play. Let's agree that most teens today are spoiled and self-centered due to parental-pampering; this does not make them bad kids but they sure the need to step forward and be part of giving to those with less and those disadvantaged.

I suppose that I will continue some rotating my charity contributions but I gotta be honest the children being at St. Jude Research Hospital pull hard at my heart-strings.

I must keep alert to help those in need for it is that charge from my Savior's lips that haunts my mind: "That which you do for the least of my people you do also for Me.." Can I get an Amen out there?

It Has Merit

My neighbor is upset; seems recently his second cousins married each other and the neighbor told me that such a  marriage was against Biblical scriptures. I spent the better part of last evening searching the Bible for that passage...no luck. I am certain that Cain married his sister. Okay, I take back the 'certain' part; I'm a mostly uncertain about every thing... Nevertheless, we who believe in the Biblical 'creation story' must agree that Adam and Eve's kids married each other. This means that the world's 'family tree' is a trunk!

I came across another passage that got my interest. It is the verse speaking of wars and talk of wars always being in our lives. I cannot argue that premise; I am 74 years old and during my life time, we have either been fighting a war or 'talking' about fighting a war. I began thinking that if that is going to be mankind's 'deal' until Armageddon, I wish to have a inter-national conversation and agree to Rules of War.

I would like to see all nations agree that only men and women over 65 could actually comprise armies and  'fight' wars. Hear me out; this idea implemented could solve many social and economic problems!

All wars fought by 'seniors' would reduce casualties due to poor eye- sight and compromised 'aim.' We could save tax monies because we would pay the 'old-time' soldiers military pay and do away with social security and health care for these old farts. Another positive in this plan is the very fact that old retired people have the time and inclination to travel and 'see' new places. The military would be paying for these quasi vacation trips. Sign me up!

Now if you are still on the fence about endorsing this Old Folks War Plan let me offer two final items to consider: With old people off to other lands fighting our wars, doctors' offices would not be overcrowded and there would be more 'up-close' parking spaces at Wal Mart, not to mention waiting IN A CHECKOUT LINE for some elderly lady with 'blue hair' looking through her purse for EXACT CHANGE TO PAY HER BILL.

Oh, one other thing to 'rule' in my Old Geezers War Plan...Every nation on this planet must agree to put a 'MOTHER' in charge of it's country's military decisions. Wish to place odds on just how many wars would occur??

Play It Forward

Yesterday, May 27th was the nineteenth anniversary of my Father's death. Strange thing about the death of a family member, some times it seems as if  I shared a conversation with Dad just days ago but it mostly seems forever when we last talked. I seldom shed tears any longer but I sure do have a heart ache at times; usually in those mid-night hours when sleep is difficult. When I reflect about my Dad, I am satisfied that I maximized the father-son relationship; we were close and he knew of my love and respect. It is dangerous to share thoughts about deceased  love ones because one often makes the love one bigger in death than they were in life; I continue with that thought in mind.

My most precious memories of my Dad were those times, as a young nine/ten year old boy, I would eagerly await his coming home from Monsanto Chemical Company (East St. Louis) where he worked in the late 1940's. I hurried through my supper eager to play catch or shoot baskets in the backyard; Any time I could compete with my Dad was the greatest of times. I often had to wait until Dad helped Mom with dishes. She would wash and he would dry. He was always playful with Mom at those moments. There was no doubt about how much they loved each other; what a secure comforting feeling for a child.

I suppose that there were many kids my age (back then) that enjoyed competing in backyard games with Dad. As I grew older and overcame some physical awkwardness, I began making those contest with Dad closer and closer. One day when we raced each other to the telephone pole down the alley, I won...it was the first race of hundreds that I won against Dad; it was a feeling I did NOT relish as I thought I would. He was my hero, a giant of a man. The victory held no warmth.

"Hey boy, shape-up." "Any job worth doing is worth doing right." "If you are wrong, say your sorry; if the person does not accept sorry, then dig in for the fight." "I'm proud of you but don't be satisfied; you can reach deeper and DO BETTER." Those are just a few quotes from my father. I can close my eyes and hear those reminders and encouragements. Oh, how I appreciate his blueprint for life.

Last week, I watched a father and young son playing catch beyond my backyard fence at the nearby Catholic Grade School. I stopped my work for a moment and listened to their conversation. It brought back a flood of memories. I thought to myself,whether the lad ever plays the sport of baseball is not the important thing. I just hope their moments together become treasured...it will serve them well until the end of their days.

A footnote opinion: I believe that the automatic dishwasher should be outlawed; perhaps couples sharing the 'wash/dry' gig would be less likely to ever divorce.

What Will My Grandkids Watch/Hear on T.V.?

Yesterday as my television 'kicked-on' the first words I heard were: "Do you have an erection problem?" You got it...it was one of those Viagra-type product commercials. I immediately recalled the late George Carlin's famous comedy routine in which he enumerated the 'seven words' that cannot be said on television; 'erection' was not one of those words but you can bet my grandparents never heard the word 'erection' on their 1951, black & white PHILCO T.V. Lately, I have heard 'one' of Carlin's suggested forbidden words spoken on television...'piss.' It is most often used to explain someones anger, i.e., He was pissed.

Actually, today's television words, story themes and commercial content is a far cry from what I remember from televisions beginnings, circa 1949, until this present day. Red Skelton's characters, 'Freddy-the-free-Loader' and 'Clem Kadiddlehopper' would never be found in a 'Modern Family' episode or a  'Two and a Half Men' show; the scripts would be too 'shocking!'

More innocence is lost with story content and visual affects. It is no longer enough to 'suggest 'a romantic love; today's programs must depict and show some physical sensuous touching and gyrations so the imagination deficient viewer is certain of  understanding the nature of a relationship. Moreover, our 2013, television commercials were unheard of back-in-the-day. Those so-called 'professionals,' i.e., attorneys, doctors and insurance companies would never advertise services in the 1940's and 1950's. The same professionals, today encourage folks to 'Sue the Bastards!' Why not, advertising pays big dividends. A family-practice doctor recently told me that 60% of the prescriptions that he writes is requested by his patients after the patient 'sees' the drug advertised on television. Of course, we are now noticing many of those drugs tied to 'cancers' and other illnesses and the lawyers now must assist the public to become aware and prepare to sue those medical people and pharmaceutical companies responsible.

I cannot believe the 'shit' on T.V. these days; oops, there's one of Carlin's 'you can't say words.' Well, as Red Skelton said at the end of each of his shows, "If I have offended you with any thing said, I apologize; good night and GOD BLESS."

Of course, when I become dissatisfied and long for my youth, I 'think' of algebra.

He Was A Treasure---I Enjoyed Friendship

Each of us can quickly offer names of people we would champion as 'great story-tellers.' Personally, I could mention four or five names from my life's journey who could mesmerize others with tales or have listeners in belly laughing-stitches with stories. One such fable fella was the late, Elvin Tappe. El was a Chicago Cubs' baseball catcher from 1954-to-1961 and from 1961-through-1962 he was one of the five 'rotating' mangers employed by club owner  P. K. Wrigley. El retired from professional baseball and returned to his home-town, Quincy, Illinois to enter the sporting goods business with twin brother, Melvin. I became good friends with Elvin while I coached basketball at Jacksonville high school from 1977-to-1998. My wife Gerry and I dined with El and his wife, Donna on many occasions. Elvin died of pancreatic cancer in his early 70's, about four years after twin brother Mel succumb of the same disease.

When telling his many baseball stories, Elvin would take his time making special mention of intricate details. Once when elaborating on the pro baseball players' propensity for being superstitious, El told the following story on my WLDS Radio 'Sports Spotlight Show:' He was the starting catcher for the Cubs and Chicago pitcher, Glenn Hobbie was scheduled to pitch. Hobbie was on a win streak and during that win-streak, Elvin Tappe had been the guy behind the plate. On this particular day, Tappe was somewhat under the weather with a stomach flu, which had him running to the toilet instead of running the bases; Tap had a bad case of diarrhea. Hobbie, a most superstitious gent went 'nuts' when he learned that Tappe was not going the catch him this day. Hobbie pleaded his cause with the manager and with Tappe. Finally, Tappe reluctantly agreed to give it a try and be Hobbie's catcher.

Tappe's first at bat found him rounding first base and heading towards second stretching his clunker hit into a sliding double; problem was when Elvin slid into to second he said, "I 'messed' my pants." Elvin was convinced that the 'do-do' stains of the diarrhea would be noticeable in the 'home-white' uniforms. Perplexed, Tappe laid motionless at second base. His manager and team trainer rushed to his side anticipating that Elvin had injured his ankle. The manager quickly inquired, "Is it your bad ankle, Tap?" Tap relied, "No Skip, I 'pooped' my pants." Some 17,000 Cubbies' fans gave Tappe a standing ovation as he was carted from the field on a stretcher. The Chicago Tribune sports page captured the moment with a photo-caption: "X-rays of Tappe's ankle are negative."

When Elvin told me this story, I suggested that he was lucky the sports reporter did not interview the Cubs' equipment/laundry man. Tappe said, "Oh, he was a good friend of mine, he'd had 'no comment.'"

I Want 'do right' Kids

We are familiar with the saying, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child.' If you think that saying comes from the Holy Bible, you would be correct to a degree. In Proverbs 13:24 it says, "Those who spare the rod from their son hate the son...Those who give punishment to the son love him." After digesting and processing those words, I now think I understand my Dad's bogus rationalization when he said (while spanking my five year old butt), "This hurts me more than you."

I am convinced that many parents today, not only spare the rod but they attempt to shield their kids from any negative consequences. Why else do youth sport-organizers decide NOT to keep contest scores and declare winners? The key word here is 'negative.' It is normal for parents wishing not to witness their children suffering the slightest setback or disappointment. Nevertheless, we should wonder how can we possibly measure the good and enjoyable, if we do not feel the sting of near-miss and loss?

I believe that most parents wish essentially the same things for their children: health, love, success and happiness. Of the aforementioned four desires, a parent can only offer 'parental' unconditional love and I would bet the farm that our kids will be looking for another 'kind' of love, which is on them to FIND. If your kid is going to have good health it is going to be dictated by DNA, personal care and the Grace of God; not any thing parents can insure. Success is difficult to measure; material accumulation is highly pursued by many whom obviously equate 'things' with being successful. Happiness is that 'state' of contentment; inner satisfaction, if you please. Every individual is pretty-much on their own to find these life's anchors. I can give you strong advice in your pursuit of 'happiness;' work at some thing for which you have great passion and serve others during your journey...happiness follows this approach.

Finally, regarding marital success, I will speculate that the youngest child from one family marrying the youngest child from another family will be just a tad bit more successful than two 'only children' marrying! Lot's of 'rod-sparing.'