Baseball At The Movies

  I have a new favorite baseball movie, Trouble With The Curve.
I won't tell you all about it, because you need to see it for yourself. The story line is great, the actors were perfectly cast, and it seemed to be written by someone who knows about baseball.
  Over the years, I have seen many baseball movies, some I liked, some I loved, and a few were forgettable. Most people will name The Natural as the best all time baseball movie. I think it is boring and way too long. I feel the same way about Eight Men Out, and Field Of Dreams. Now there's a movie that makes no sense. Field Of Dreams was probably a very good book, but I don't think it transitioned well to film. I can hear the groans and almost see your eyes rolling, but really, If you think about it, it was a stupid plot and an excuse for Kevin Costner to over act. I preferred him as the likable, "I'm only serious about baseball", character, Crash Davis, in Bull Durham.
  I must admit, when delivering quotes from great movies, I sometimes get Bull Durham and Major League confused. But they were both so funny, as was The Sand Lot. What movies do these lines come from?
 You're all a bunch of lollygagers!
 You're killin' me, Smalls!
  I look like a banker.
 I hope you had fun with that, and by the way, There's No Crying In Baseball!
  

Random Observations

 I was watching Fox & Friends this morning and noticed something peculiar. All the women, even the guest, had unusually prominent cheek bones. The only rational explanation is, the make up artist has found a way to accentuate cheek bones and was practicing on every female on the show.
 For those unfamiliar with Fox & Friends, let me say, this is a morning news show, about like The Today Show, except they interview far fewer liberals. Fox News is a very good news network, but they will never be taken seriously until they fire all the pageant make up artist. No one wants to see Miss Rhode Island, discussing poverty and crack babies at 6:00 o'clock in the morning.

  Driving to work the other morning, I passed one beautiful house and lovely, manicured lawn, right after another. Then suddenly, there it was. I couldn't really tell much about the house itself, with all the cars parked on the lawn. But, it had foil in the windows and very little paint. There was a child's wadding pool, filled with murky water, and a pitiful old dog was drinking from it. Posted on the trunk of an old dead tree, was a sign. NO TRESPASSING! Everything about this house said, stay away. I hardly think a no trespassing sign was necessary.

 If you're a Texas Rangers fan, have you noticed some of the players and all of the bull pen are growing beards? Around this time, every season, they do something for "good luck". Baseball players are notoriously superstitious. I am only superstitious about baseball, and after losing a one to one extra inning game on Friday night and getting shut out today, I think I'll send them a package of disposable razors. I'm just sayin'...
 

Elvis Got A Home Run

  Some crazy, out of the ordinary stuff has happened today. Laqueta got a new car, Stacie's engaged, Bill O'Riley said something funny and Elvis Andrus got a home run. And, of course, after a month long dry spell, I am,  finally posting something on my blog.
  I have had such a busy life the last few weeks. We have been trying to sell our house, and we've made multiple trips to East Texas. But most of my brain has been occupied by the worst bank conversion I have ever been through. Seriously, I thought it would be easier. After all, I go through bank conversions like Alex Rodriguez goes through aging starlets.
 I didn't watch any of the Republican convention,(convention, conviction, whatever..) last week, because the Rangers were playing great ball. I don't expect to watch any of the Dem's this week for the same reason, but now and then, Jon switches channels and I am simply amazed. Thank God we have baseball!
 

 We are remodeling a bathroom in our house, in hopes of getting it on the market in the next few weeks. So, of course, Jon and I are, for the first time in a very long time, sharing a bathroom. This is a hardship I'm not sure our marriage will endure.
  I shouldn't be so picky. Indoor plumbing is a blessing in some parts of the world. I grew up in a house with 10 other people, ( seven were boys ) and we had one bathroom. Of course we also had a full time maid. I think her name was Mom. Anyway, everyday, when we got home from school, that bathroom was spotless. I don't know how she did it.
 I cleaned out my closet and gave one 20 gallon and three 36 gallon trash bags full of clothes, shoes and purses to Goodwill. I know that makes me sound like a good and generous person, but truth is, I needed to unload some stuff. Things become a burden if you don't really use them. I had to quit torturing myself and accept the fact that if I am ever small enough to wear some of those things, they will be out of style. Also, I am a wasteful person, buying things I don't need. And as for giving them away, I'm just too lazy to have a garage sale or take them to a consignment shop.
 I need a beach and a glass of wine.

 

Blessed Are They Who Mourn For They Sall Be comforted

 It's hard to understand how someone could take another life. It's even harder to imagine what would make a person plot, plan and then execute a mass murder. Why kill other humans, folks who are just enjoying life?

  In the next few days, we will hear dozens of opinions on why a medical school drop out would take the lives of people he didn't even know. Most will rage on and on about gun control. You will hear conspiracy theories from the extreme right, and TV preachers will talk about the dangers of letting children watch evil movies. I'm sure some tabloid writer somewhere will write about "The Batman Curse".
 But, before it gets too crazy, let me offer my opinion.
 In a world where there is no God, there is no hope. Children raised without hope, grow up to be, well, hopeless.
  How sad to think this is all there is. To believe your life is in your own hands.
  I have known a sadness so deep, it took my breath away. All I could do was cry out to Jesus. He is my hope and the reason I live today. He has secured my future.

 
  
 

Changes

  Jon and I have always talked about doing something different. We have dreamed of calling a place home, not because AT&T said so, or because it's where our stuff is, but just because it's where we want to live.
 In the next few months, we will be working toward making that dream come true. We will shake off our fears, pack up our worldly possessions, our two dogs, my father, and God help us, his dog, and leave this place.
 It will not be easy to leave. My daughter is buried here.
 I know it's crazy and maybe a little morbid. This attachment I have to that grave is surely some kind of spiritual metaphor for my life. But, it hurts to think no one will leave flowers on her birthday or a Christmas tree in December. There won't be anyone standing over her grave updating her on the Texas Rangers progress toward a World Series pennant. But, then again, I know she's not really there.
 I recently became friends with a woman who, believe it or not, lost her 17 year old daughter in 2001, and her name was Lauren. We were talking last night about how she has carried a box full of her Lauren's things all over the country and she didn't know why. I told her I understood. I have trophies and dolls and even a baton bag that has not been opened in six years. I think the reason we do this is, these girls were so young when they died. They never were married or had children. I'm not sure if either of them were ever in love. So we keep their things as a kind of proof they ever existed. I don't know who we are trying to prove it to. Perhaps those who, themselves do not yet exist.
 Anyway, I know I have to keep on living and taking care of the ones I live for.
 Oh, and that sweet friend said she would take flowers to Lauren's grave for me. How can I leave a friend like that?

For My Baby Girl

Happy Birthday, sweet Lauren.

I hope you're having cake and ice cream with Jesus. I know there are no calories in Heaven.