Spring Ahead

I think I have always dreaded the "Spring Ahead" part of Daylight Savings Time - you know, losing that precious hour of sleep each spring?  Of course that means I LOVE that extra hour of sleep when we get to "Fall Back".  But this year, it totally caught me off guard.  I had no idea that the clocks jumped ahead one hour yesterday morning, until I looked at my cell phone and couldn't begin to figure out why it was one hour faster than my alarm clock. I understand the concept, giving us that extra hour of daylight during the summer months, and the obvious benefits and disadvantages; I just wasn't expecting it so soon.  Doesn't it usually happen at the beginning of April, or at the very least, no sooner than Easter, or the actual arrival of Spring (March 20)?  Arizona does not even have Daylight Savings, and I guess that makes sense- why would anyone living where the sun is always shining, want an extra hour of it?  To me it just seems like a waste of time.  Literally, a waste of time....  at least until I get my hour of sleep back in November :-)

Life Is A Book

With nothing better to do on a dark, dreary, rainy Saturday, I spent most of the day reading.  Much of what I read, is about other people's lives - whether they be real or fictional, it doesn't matter; each page unfolds a new mystery, a new outlook, a new insight...  And isn't that the same with our lives? Each new day is a new page, yet to be written, but the details on that page are the fabric of life.  As we read through our own "book", we hope that each new page will be as exciting as the last... that we will learn from the mistakes made on pages past... that when we die, it will be a book worth reading!  What will you write today??? 

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Every day when I visit my Facebook, I get a chance to turn back the clock.  Back to a more simpler time, when downtown was somewhere you looked forward to going.  I have fond memories of growing up in Easton, Pennsylvania, and going downtown with my Mom, whether to go shopping at Woolworth's, Orr's, or Pomeroy's, catch a movie at the State Theatre, have my picture taken at Jack and Jill studios, get new shoes at Siedels... the memories go on and on and are too numerous to list.  Those kinder, gentler days are brought back to life through a group I belong to on Facebook - "You Know You're from Easton...".  There, former residents, and those who still reside in Easton, post their favorite memories, photographs, and postcards.  It really is a virtual community, where those of us who share so many memories get together and reminisce about the past, and wonder where it went, and why it had to go.  We all have our memories of Bushkill Park, it's skating rink, the carousel, and picnics there each summer.  And it is sad to know that what once was, will never be again.  Years of decay and several floods have destroyed the park.  How sad that our children and grandchildren will never get to experience these things.  

Sadly, downtown will never be the same either, it's fate long ago determined by the invention of the shopping mall, and further deteriorated by the emergence of superstores such as Walmart.  Everything you could possibly need under 1 roof - a bank,  a barber, a nail salon, photography studio, bakery, delicatessen, clothing, shoes...  But shopping at Walmart is depressing.  America seriously needs what those of us who grew up in Easton wax nostalgic about - genuine customer service, from people who know their customers by name.  A friendly smile.  A handshake.  A feeling that their business is welcome and appreciated.  The lyrics to the theme song from "Cheers" come to mind: 

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

You wanna go where people know, people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

.

 

Spring Training

Although I haven't done it a very long time, over the last few weeks I've been thinking about playing baseball.  My old baseball glove has been sitting around untouched for at least 15 years, but I fondly remember hours on end spent throwing a baseball, catching a baseball, or seeing how far I could hit a baseball.  In fact, there was a time in my life when baseball was the only thing on my mind - either playing it, collecting baseball cards, or watching it.  In 1980, the year my Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series for the first time ever, I bet I went to 30 games.  And the ones I didn't go to, I either watched on TV or listened to on the radio.  Mike Schmidt was my hero, and in my wildest dreams, I could be as talented, hitting the ball out of the park and making the fans go crazy.

So last Friday, at the thrift store, I saw some baseball bats.  I picked one up and there was just something natural about how the bat felt in my hand.  Since the bats I've owned in the past have long since disappeared, I decided to go ahead and buy one.  I couldn't wait to get out and see if I still could hit for power.  I also was a bit scared, that maybe my eyesight had worsened to where I might not even be able to make contact with the ball.  Of course, the next several days, wouldn't you know - it was raining, cloudy, and overcast.  But today, the sun came out, and I headed to the park for a bit of "Spring Training".  Wow, did it feel good!  Throwing the ball, catching it, running... it all felt good.  I actually think I did quite well, except for being a bit slow at bending over to field the ball.  But I guess that's why there are designated hitters, right?  For us old guys who just aren't as fast as they used to be :-)
 

Gratitude Journal

Some of my friends started a "Gratitude Journal" last month, and with my being so negative lately, I think it is time I get to be thinking of those things that I truly am thankful for.  Basically, all you do is name 3 things you are thankful for each day, and write them down.  Once you get started, it may seem hard to come up with 3 things each day, but once your eyes are open to look for the many blessings that come to your life each and every day, it will become quite easy to do! 

Today I am thankful for my car, which may be old and high on miles, but still gets me where I need to go every day.  I am thankful for the knowledge that I am a child of God, worthy of every blessing I may receive.  I am thankful for my wonderful wife, who encourages me daily to follow my dreams.

I invite each and every one who reads my blog to start today, counting your many blessings and showing what you are thankful for! 

Texas Drivers

At the risk of my blog starting to get the feel of someone who always has something to complain about, I just feel the need to speak out on at least one more topic that irritates me to death!  First, let me start by saying, I think that I really have missed my calling in life.  I honestly feel I should have been a traffic cop.  Seriously!  I'd be the most successful traffic cop known to man!  Why am I so confident of my abilities?  Because I see so many traffic laws broken on a daily basis - so many it makes me want to scream!  (gentle smack from Samantha, reminding me that I do scream!) From no turn signals, to speeders, to crossing solid white lines...  I swear, no one here knows where the brake pedal is.  When traffic in their lane isn't going fast enough, their first option is always to swerve into my lane, with no turn signal.  Who else experiences this?  Is it just me going crazy?  Not to mention those who follow so close I can't see their headlights.  Seriously, people - back off just a bit!  And I am so thankful that it doesn't snow here in South Texas.  These people don't even know how to drive in the rain! 

Take It Outside!

Sometime last week, I shared my Facebook status as "It is not good to fart in the library."  I received several responses to this - such as "Yeah, they'll take away your library card!" and "Lol neither is the grocery store".  Well, today I would like to make a point that it is also not good to use your cell phone in the library.  Not good at all!  In fact it is downright rude & disrespectful, not just to hear your ringtone, but then to have to listen to your side of a conversation/argument while I am trying to enjoy some quiet time in front of the computer.  Take it outside!  And speaking of farting, this also applies to anyone with the nerve to be talking on the phone while they are sitting in the stall next to me in a public restroom!  This is my quiet time!  Leave me alone to my thoughts!