Open Your Eyes That You May See

Okay, let me state up front that I believe Bobby Knight, former basketball coach at West Point, Indiana and Texas Tech is unquestionably one of the most brilliant basketball minds. When you start saying who may be the best basketball coach ever there pops up too many variables, which muddy any factual conclusions.

On the political front, I believe Trump getting Knight to visit Indiana to publicly endorse Trump was the smartest move of any Presidential Candidate this election cycle. The fact is obvious in Indiana, there's a helluva lot of blind allegiance to Bobby Knight. There's many 'Hoosiers' who would damn near do anything or believe anything Knight would tell them. Those people dismiss all logic and sound reasoning when Knight speaks.

I understand why Knight would be drawn to Trump's candidacy...they are both obnoxious, vulgar bullies.

Bobby Knight's mind belongs in any basketball hall of fame but I would not want his thinking or personality in the White House, neither would I want Trump there.

There is one myth about Knight's winning-style. After Knight won the NCAA Championship, I attended a Basketball Coaches' Clinic where both John Wooden and Bobby Knight were speakers. Before Knight was to conduct his session, Wooden was in the venues lobby autographing his Pyramid book. As the time approached for Knight to speak, Wooden glanced at his watch and said to those waiting for his autograph, "Coaches, one of our colleagues is about to speak in the auditorium. It would be unprofessional of us to remain out here. Shall we go listen to this presenter and afterward, I'll return to complete my visit with you." I remember going into the auditorium just in time to hear a vulgar-laced rant delivered by Coach Knight. I thought, how interesting the difference between these two basketball coaching icons. It does, indeed dispel the myth that somehow one must be a hard-nose ass to be a winner. Wooden was the ultimate classy gentleman who was undoubtedly a winner.

Had John Wooden ever endorsed someone for President, I'd pay attention to that one but then, John Wooden never dirtied his hands.

America's News 'IS' Comedy Central

The current American news is absolutely bizarre. To put it in a more simple vernacular; there's some 'crazy-crap' happening and being reported in the 'good old U. S. Of A.' My Grandpa E. V. Bennett would be totally 'confounded.'

A 'man' who won the 1976 Olympic Gold in the Decathlon representing America recently received another prestigious sports award for showing courage in declaring that 'he' wants to dress and be accepted as a 'woman.' This announcement fed the frenzy of many Americans who truly 'get into sexual matters' of their neighbor's. Of course, we now have a national debate about gender public restroom usage. Grandpa E. V. Bennett would say, "Well, I'll be go-to-hell if that ain't the damndest thing ever heard tell."

Just today, American newspapers report the 15-month prison sentencing of former high school wrestling coach turned politician and former United States Speaker of the House for bank fraud in connection to his raping of teenage boys he once coached. 'Hot Damn, that's right E. V.', the man could have been our President.

Speaking of President, Ted Cruz campaigning for that office has etched his name in Presidential politics history. Cruz has no mathematical chance to receive enough delegates going into the convention to get the nomination. Lo' & behold Grandpa E. V., the silly sumbitch announced  yesterday his Vice President running mate. Cruz thus becomes the 'only' mathematically eliminated Presidential candidate to pick a running mate. And...the lady he picked for his ticket was recently characterized by Cruz's opponent as 'having too ugly-a-face' to be President. I said bizarre!
I suspect by Mother's Day Cruz will announce his Cabinet appointments and Supreme Court Justice nominee.
'Dadgummit, I believe Grandpa E. V.  would 'reckon' today's news items are frightful and pathetic.
E. V. Bennett would also reckon life was much better when our President 'looked' like Abe and everybody used the outhouse. Actually, I'm always amused by Ted Cruz's speeches. Every statement he makes, he wishes it to be as profound as the Gettysburg Address and delivered with the speaking style and cadence of JFK.

Great Times with Great Folks

Went to Jacksonville (IL) yesterday. It was time for Toy Poodle, Yodie to have his teeth cleaned. Dr. John Alan Ebrey has been our family vet for better than thirty years. He has tended to Poodles, GiGi, Rueben, Percy and Yodie. Ebrey is an excellent vet and good man with a fine caring staff.

While waiting for Yodie's procedure to be completed, my wife, Gerry and I went to Hardee's for a breakfast bite. It was great to see long time franchisee owner, Dennis Hayes. Dennis took care of many Crimsons' basketball team meals during my 21-year stint as the coach.

It was wonderful to have a lengthy visit with Bob and Pat Neff. I suspect everyone in Jacksonville know the Neff"s. They are two of the best JHS Crimsons' basketball fans. More to that story gives it legs...you see Bob Neff is 93-years old and it was his construction company that built the beloved, iconic Basketball facility for the Jacksonville School District, which is called 'The Bowl.' That structure was completed in 1952 and stands proud today as one of the finest high school basketball venues in the Midwest.

One more quick Neff remembrance. During my final four years coaching the JHS Crimsons, I also had a four-hour daily morning show on WLDS Radio. No it wasn't a sports program but a DJ 50's Music format and call-in program. One morning I mentioned on air that when I was a young boy at home, I loved when my mother had ham & beans because late at night I'd make myself a 'cold-bean' sandwich. In less than 30 minutes, Bob and Pat Neff walked into my studio, while I was on the air, to deliver a 'cold bean sandwich.

I'm sure many of you reading this blog can identify...It's the little endearing moments that makes life's journey delicious.

Seems Like It Was Just Yesterday.

Perhaps it's just me but I'm missing some sights and sounds of days gone bye especially those of my youth...

I no longer hear the voice of a kid yelling out from under a street light, "1-2-3 on Terry behind Mrs. Leroy's porch." In fact, I don't hear kids yelling names of playmates to come out and play. The sound of a wooden bat falling to a side street pavement seems gone forever.  Can't think of the last time I heard a young girl gladly tell the neighborhood boy, "No! You forgot to say Mother May I?"

I don't hear street corner evening paper boys shouting, "Paper! Morning Globe!" Never does a push-cart street-vendor pass my home yelling out, "Hot Tamales, Get your Red Hots!" I don't hear parents calling out children's name to come in from play for supper...I suppose kids are mostly inside anyway. The 9 o'clock evening factory whistle seems to have echoed a final time across the night time sky.

I drive by parks and never notice the young playing sandlot baseball. Blacktop basketball courts are sparsely populated. I don't see young boys walking down streets with the family dog following behind. As I drive through many neighborhoods these past many years, I've noticed the 'alley' have disappeared from the suburban landscape. On various days of the week,  front yard views are compromised by garbage cans lined along manicured lawns. Fill me in...did the Federal Government legislate against the auto makers producing 'whitewall tires?'

I cannot help but wonder where have the lightning bugs and Caterpillars gone? Do young kids still put playing cards near the rear bike wheel to create that 'flapping' noise? Don't see hop scotch drawings on sidewalks I frequent. As the summer months bring the warmer temperatures, I will miss seeing adults sitting on backyard swings catching an evening breeze.

I remember when I was perhaps eleven years or so, I'd often fall asleep on a hot August East St. Louis night with a warm breeze filtering into my bedroom while listening to the clanking of nearby neighbor, Red Miller's horseshoes as they hammered home a 'ringer.'

Where have all those sights and sounds gone along with the wonderful stories and precious memories? What replacements now leave memories for later recall of my children and grandchildren? Will those rememberances bring a comforting feeling of security and love? I can only hope and pray...but I do more praying than hoping these days.

I Think He Knows What I Know

The past several days, I've spent time engaged in yard work. Completing a block front-yard fountain,  I moved to the backyard to till the garden. Toy poodle, Yodie follows me about wanting my attention. Also vying for attention is the next door neighbor's German Shepard, Tommy. I walked to the fence and waited for Tommy to hobble slowly to greet me. I suppose the Shepard is ten or eleven years old and his hips are giving him problems.

I remember vividly those days not long ago when Tommy the young pup would jump that three foot fence to visit with me. He also had a tendency to 'run.' Many times over the years, I'd drop what I was doing to chase Tommy down and bring him back to his yard.

Yesterday, before giving Tommy a treat, I patted his head and looked into the old dog's eyes. He's greying about the face these days. I pulled a treat from my pocket and gave it to him. Tommy hobbled towards a shady spot to enjoy the gift and I went about planting my tomatoes.

Spending much time on my knees, I grunted as I used a shovel to lift myself to an upright position. As I did, my right hip gave away, as it often does and I had to pause for a moment before hobbling around the shed towards a resting chair. As I took my second step, I saw Tommy sitting at the fence starring at me. I thought, there's a good friend. Tommy and I are the same age (77) nursing similar maladies...we're likely on the same train schedule.

I'm glad Tommy can no longer bolt that fence because his buddy's chasing-down days are long gone meanwhile, we both shall hobble to that fence from time to time and share a moment...not to forget Tommy's treat.

Hokey Pokey Guys

"You put your right foot in you put your right foot out you put your right foot in and shake it all about, you do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around that's what it's all about..." The Hokey Pokey is one of those late-in-the-night party dances that seems easier to do for the fellas, much like the 'Bunny Hop' because enough beer has been consumed.

Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump and his advisors are 'doing' the Hokey Pokey thinking the American voters are intoxicated. It would be difficult even for the staunchest Trump supporter to deny that 'The Donald' has been a whining, bullying asshole with his attack-hate rhetoric for the entire campaign. Now, his advisors are pleading with the RNC to embrace their guy because "he is evolving into a more Presidential-style persona." In other words, every thing about Trump up until this time is untrue, false and some kind of act. However, just give him a chance and he will turn on a dime and begin acting more like Ronnie Reagan and Abraham Lincoln..."and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about... Hokey Pokey and Hocus Pocus!"

Not to be out done by Trump's total disregard for the American people's common sense, Former  U.S. House Majority Leader, Tom Delay wrote a support letter in behalf of Former U. S. Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert to the Judge who will sentence Hastert this week. You'll recall Hastert, when coaching high school wrestling sexually violated young boys and later paid hush money, which violated some banking rules. Delay said in his letter, "He (Hastert) is a good man that loves the Lord and he (Hastert) gets his integrity and values from HIM. He (Hastert) doesn't deserve what he's going through." ...."You put put your whole self in you put your whole self out, you put your whole self in and you turn yourself around, that's what it's all about...Hocus Pocus!" Excuse me, I need another beer.

Looking for Abe

When he was frustrated or perturbed, Grandpa E. V. Bennett would often say, "Dadgummit!" Well, I say, "Dadgummit" to all this 2016 political campaign poppycock. I am weary of the constant 24/7 news coverage of the clowns running for the United States presidency.

Instead of talking about the foolish nonsensical subjects such as candidates' wives, the size of one's hand, a wall, which will never be built, racist comments about minorities and religious groups, using phrases, i.e.  Bomb the shit out of them or bomb then until the sand glows, I prefer my next President to be of a different ilk. I'd like that leader to be so cerebral that he/she sleeps with one eye open reading government reports.

You readers know that person. He was the 'nerd' sitting next to you in high school chemistry who on the first class meeting memorized the Periodic Table while the teacher was taking role. He was the guy who walked the college campus oblivious to homecoming. I want my next Nation's leader to be a person who answers the 'Red Phone' on the first ring at 3 AM because he/she is sitting up in bed playing Sudoku puzzles. We are in trouble.

It is easy to see that our American voters are also lacking in brain power. How else would we explain that voters are motivated, by in large, by hate messages rather than substantive messages. The nature of the beast is to first process 'how does it affect me?' That said, most people feel angry with circumstances and wish to assign blame while rallying around the candidate who vents with ugly verbal attacks. Go figure. In a country whose philosophy is based on Judea-Christian principles, it's people surely embrace the voices of separation and hate.

Of course, the next President must hit the pavement running. That person must address the ISIS terrorist problem and convince Congress to develop a PSA...that is a Potty Security Administration similar to the (TSA) Transportation Security Administration. The PSA Agents will be assigned to public restrooms to body scan crotches before entering public pottys.