Yes, It Is Amost November, And Time For A Few Updates And Observations ..

... but wow, what a day we're having today. It's sunny here, not a cloud in the sky for once, and a be-yoo-tee-ful day for football. I'm in my glory here today, since we live in the New York TV market and the featured game of the day are my Redskins at the New York Giants. I can't quite explain why Fox decided to offer up a tribute to Wellington Mara (the Giants owner who passed away this week) accompanied by a song by the band "Greenday". Maybe he rocked out, at 89. However ... I'm not happy with how this game is going. Good grief ... 36 - 0? This is just not right. The one ... ahem ... "bright spot" .... is Brandon Jacobs scoring a TD for the Giants. He is a graduate of SIU-Carbondale.

Speaking of Salukis, I'm sorry to hear of the RHHS Salukis' loss to Westville in the first round of the IHSA football playoffs, sounds like Westville stepped up to the plate (sorry for the mixed metaphor there - sort of a World Series overrun, I guess).

Some great news, here, however ... Joe and Joyce are coming to Connecticut for Thanksgiving. I will be doing the traditional "brined turkey" (no matter how much trouble it is). I'm hoping we can walk down to and watch at least part of the famed Manchester Road Race. This is a Connecticut tradition, a 4.748 mile course. They expect 12,000 runners this year. Typically it is won by a world-class marathon runner. It's a "tune-up" for these folks, and they run it seriously in cold weather. I do not run this race, needless to say. But, with Joe here, we can get into the Army/Navy Club (right down the street and a short walk from our home) and not worry so much about the weather.

If anyone wants to emulate the famed "Brined Turkey" ... here are the secrets -

(1) Use a large cooler, and fill it with enough water to submerge the bird, while adding about 1/2 pound of Sea Salt to the water;
(2) As you fill the cooler, use the remaining 1/2 pound of Sea Salt to coat the inside and outside of the turkey
(3) Submerge the turkey, and let it sit in the 'brine' overnight in a cool dark place (Yes, it sounds incredibly salty, but read on ... you will see it is not)
(4) In the morning, bring the turkey out, and completely wash ALL the salt from the outside and inside of the turkey
(5) Stuff the bird with carrots, leeks, onions, and celery;
(6) Use a V-rack, in a large roasting pan - pour three large cans of chicken broth in the bottom of the roasting pan, add cut-up carrots, leeks, and onions to the broth;
(7) Roast in the oven at 400 degrees ... turn the turkey a quarter turn every 45 minutes, and make sure there is plenty of broth (you can add water to it) in the pan. This is one of the benefits - it takes a much short time to cook the bird.

The turkey will get very brown, but don't worry.

The secret here is how well the Sea Salt makes the turkey retain moisture ... according to a university study, the brining actually changes the protein structure of the meat. The purpose of this is to make the meat of the bird retain water ... it makes sense. Trust me ... it sounds like an ordeal, but the white meat will be as moist as the dark meat ... no lie. Plus, what we've noticed, is that the bird has a sort of a very tasty and "nutty" flavor.

Believe me, enjoy the skin. Dad would love it. Mom, however, would think it was too much trouble. And, you know ... maybe it is ... but in her honor, I cook for Mom, I know she knows that, and I know she would love the "Brined Turkey". I think she would say "That's pretty good." What higher honor could we all aspire to?

Anyway, other than a T-day tip ... we had a good time last night ... we went to a party hosted by one of Janice's coworkers, Michael. I had a great talk with one of Janice's coworkers' husband about current and future-planned defense systems, who ended up sort of "recruiting" me ... Hmmmmmm ... Very, very interesting. (I can't reveal anything I learned ... I'm no "Libby")

Michael helped us quite a bit, a few months ago ... after the loss of Kazo Kuniko (Janice's 19 year, 4 month Ebony Oriental Shorthair, and my Sunday football buddy). Michael took on two "Seal Point Siamese" kittens (Nico and Nilu) and I think that meeting them helped Janice make a decision it was time to have another couple of felines in our lives.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the different variations of Siamese ... here is a picture of Nilu (Michael's "Seal Point Siamese" female) Sorry so blurry.
Now, contrast Nilu to our boys, who are "Chocolate Point Siamese" ... you can easily see the difference in their coloring - our boys are much lighter.
OK ... it's interesting, but enough on the differences between variations on the Siamese breed. Just wanted you all to know the differences. LOL

I got the invite from "Little Ann" for Aunt Martha's 90th. Unfortunately, Janice and I will not be able to attend, but please offer our congratulations for her achieving this momentous milestone. I fully expect Roscoe to forget to mention it in his upcoming edition of the Sumner Press, since he seems to forget everyone else's.

I am praying for Aunt Maxine's family ... they have had too much to deal with in 2005. I haven't called Diana yet, but holy crap - five persons passing away in one year? That is unreal.

Anyway ... sorry for the long post ... this is what might happen when I write a blog post while watching my Redskins SUCK so terribly on a given Sunday (getting handed a 36-0 shut-out, no less), and I take the entire game to put together a post. They have been pathetic today ... but they are still "my team".

Well, there's always next week for the Redskins.

I Agree, Eric

There is now some time to sleep (I hate this time of year, what with Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and the World Series).

That was a terrific picture. It looks like the little guy was plumb tuckered out after Tuesday night's marathon. You're right, though ... who knows what the future holds for Chicago championships, although the White Sox have the backbone of next year's team already signed for next year. So ... maybe it will be "back-to-back". Or ... maybe next year it will be the Cubs playing the White Sox in "The Fall Classic" (I'm not betting on it, but anything is possible, and to quote Mike Myers, of SNL fame "Oh sure, and like monkeys might fly out my butt").

One thing is for certain, though ... the little guy will find something he likes, and you'll be there with him. Maybe someday we'll see him on the field at Wrigley, or the "new" Comiskey (sorry U. S. Cellular), or Soldier Field, or on the court at United Center.

The least you could do is buy him a White Sox WS Championship pennant, hang it in his room, and start him off with a "winner". :-)

OK ...

... watching the Series game at Houston, there was controversy over whether or not Houston should be allowed to close the retractable roof over "Enron Park" ... oops ... "Bill Clinton Friends Stadium" ... oops ... "In A Minute Made Park" ... oops ... another Clinton reference ... ok ... "Minute French Maid Park" ... ok, Bill ... stop ... "MINUTE MAID PARK"? I'd better not refer to Clinton any more, since I may be referring to someone on his last legs out, according to the National Enquirer - "Is Clinton Dying?".

This is OCTOBER. Just play the game. If it were July, perhaps you close the roof just to keep the elderly fans from having heat strokes, like GHWB and Babs. However ... don't we always call this "The Fall Classic"?

This reminds me of RC saying that the "elements" had a factor in RHHS kicking LHS's arse.

There are certain sports meant to be played in the spring. Track, for one.

There are sports really meant to be played in the summer. Swimming. Diving. Midget Bowling.

There are certain sports meant to be played in the winter. Basketball. Volleyball. Midget Bowling.

Then there are sports that are meant to be played over the fall. Football. Maybe "Cross Country" ... although that could be, in many urban areas, "Car Jacking Then Running From The Cops".

And finally, there are sports that are extended from summer into the fall ... hence "The Fall Classic". Baseball ... or... Beisbol. Whatever you prefer.

If you don't want baseball games played in October, shorten the danged season. 162 "games" of most players standing around scratching ... ? The NFL can do their regular season in 17 weeks, with one bye week. Why can't baseball?

Bud Selig, you should talk to Paul Tagliabue.

(Anyway, this is my most current "rant" ... feel free to disagree)

just an update

Hello All,

Sorry we have not posted in some time but we are stuck in some sort of apartment hell. The kids like it with flat land on which to ride their bikes and thousands of kids around for them to play with. They were very excited to learn that we will be living here for another month due to the construction.

While we are here we are "borrowing" an unsecured wireless network. Sue is not liking the idea but i find that there are no less than five unsecured in our small corner of the complex. I shall thank them all when we leave. The pic above is the view from our new living room. The island in the middle is the frame work for the kitchen island and all that is behind it will be cabinets and stuff. The other pic is the view from behind the island as if you were behind the sink. We can't wait until this is over our hope is that it will all be worth it.

In other news, the kids went to the elementary school fall fest. Sue was working so I had the pleasure of taking both myself. This pic is of Morgan enjoying the dance line. The kids danced all over the gym and Morgan was in heaven. The pic that i did not get was her in the freeze dance. She was one of 50 kids that danced until the music stops and then you freeze in your last position. Morgan was one of the last three kids left and when they told her they won, she would not move. They had to tell her three times to move to get her prize but before that she would onyl move her eyes. I was to busy laughing to remember to take a picture. Other than that we are all well and are hoping you are the same.

I Know This Will ...

... tick a few people off, but hey, here goes.

OK, so I like Tim McGraw, because he is Tug McGraw's son, and he wrote that really good song "Live Like You Were Dying" in honor of his father. Tug was one hell of a pitcher in the 1980 World Series, when the "Fleas" last won it all.

But, one thing bothers me ... the "countryfication" of the NFL at halftime on Monday Night Football. What I would like to see on Monday Night Football are arch-rivalries set to "Du Hast" by Rammstein. Leave the "countrifycation" to NASCAR, since it already "is" (and I already know I will hear 'That Michael Schumacher and Ferrari didn't have too great a year, eh?').

Let's hear something raw and edgy for once.

An Observation ...

... about the World Series.

I spoke to a number of people at Midway, both on Friday night and Sunday night. The fever is there in Chicago, and we're not talking just a polite fever ... more like a rampant one.

While I am a die-hard Cardinals fan, always have been and always will be, I'm putting aside my personal preferences to back the Sox, especially since I hate the Asstros, their being the Cardinals' arch-rivals. (I don't count the Cubs that way anymore ... sorry Eric).

In fact, I don't eat quiche. A die-hard Sox fan coworker from Chicago's Southside says "The Cubs fans eat quiche and drink wine. White Sox fans drink beer and eat brats." Personally, I subscribe to the latter theory of fandom. A good bratwurst is something to have a beer with, and beats an egg-based ballpark snack substitute anytime.

I only hope the White Sox throw the next two games, win one, then win the whole enchilada at the "new" Comiskey. Oops ... is that a "curse"?

Well, Jane, To Answer Your Question, We Were ...

... in Missouri, this past weekend. In what has become an annual tradition, we flew out to STL Friday night to travel to Columbia and catch a Mizzou Tigers football game. Janice's nephew Dan (Susie's son from Columbus) is a sophomore there now. Last year, Janice flew out solo to watch Mizzou play her alma mater, Kansas. This year, I went along and we watched Mizzou play Nebraska (their biggest rivalry). We spent the night with Joyce and Joe, and had a nice little visit with them. Here we are, getting ready to depart for Columbia on Saturday morning... It was very nice weather there on Saturday morning, but turned out a bit raw and chilly for the game, or as anyone knows, perfect football weather!


Dan was really happy to see his Aunt Janice, and the game turned out to be a good one (at least if you are a fan of Mizzou - they kicked Nebraska's butt 41-24).

The fans, as you can see here, were very happy, and in their joyful exuberance, tore down both goalposts. This was heartening to see, since a couple of years ago, Janice and I took Liz and Rhys to the final game at UConn's Memorial Stadium, before they tore it down to move into their new home at Renschler Field. The kids there wanted to tear down the goalposts but were turned away by Connecticut State Troopers, attack dogs and tear gas.

Bummer.

After the game, we did a walking tour of part of the Mizzou campus, in the cold rain, and had a little shopping spree at the bookstore in the new Student Union.

Then, later, we met up with some of Janice's cousins at a local hangout for some drinks and dinner.

Here are Dan and I back at his new "bachelor pad" apartment off-campus, showing off his new tumblers and acting ... well ... like a couple of Urkels.

Sunday was a bit laid back, and we just hung out at Dan's apartment until it was time to go back to the airport and come home.

We did have a chance to stop by and say our goodbyes to Joe and Joyce, and to drop off a couple of Mizzou logo-ed merchandise we had picked up as little presents for them.

All in all, it was a really fun but quick weekend, and it meant a lot to Dan for us to get out there.

It was also great to check in on Joe and Joyce and to see his good progress after his surgery.

And Last But Not Least ...

Just to catch everyone up, Joe (Janice's dad) underwent surgery for a hernia repair this Tuesday. All is very well, or as well as could be expected for an 80-year-old. Thank God. I have to say, Joe is a tough guy.

I count him as a huge blessing to have as a father-in-law.

As another aside, there was a gentleman at the 67th Seabees Reunion who had been stricken with Parkinson's Disease a few years ago. Harvey Wilshusen spent the past four years or so in a debilated state, much as in a coma. They tried a new drug on him, and his story is much like that in the movie "Awakening". He has come "to". For how long, his wife Margaret, is not sure.

At dinner, Margaret mentioned he had taken a large number of notes, during his service to his country as a part of the 67th. However, she needed someone to help with these notes, and wanted to have them transcribed into something that would better "define" him as a person, before he dies.

I didn't waste a second. I offered my services.

I have begun the transcription of Harvey's notes. Margaret is sending me scans of his handwritten notes (written in fading blue ink, in 1944 and 1945). There are also a number of exclusive photographs Harvey took that are "priceless".

It's been a good experience, and an extremely rewarding one, since there is no guarantee as to when Harvey might slip back into a comatose state. Without his input on some of these notes, there is no way to discern what he actually wrote - I've been able to sort of pick up on his handwriting style, but not totally ... his handwriting is ... umm ... challenging. Margaret has confided in me that since we have begun this project, she has said to Harvey - ""You know, you were thinking that your life was over - you have more work to do, so stick with us!" I've explained to both Margaret and Harvey that this is MY honor, to do something to commemorate his life and his service to our country.

I also hereby volunteer to do this same thing for Uncle Sam or anyone from Uncle Sam's outfit.

Folks, we are in danger of losing the history (as told by those who were there) of World War II. We lose about 1500 of these folks a DAY, nationwide.

Let us all refuse to adhere to Santayana's rule : "Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it."

Let us preserve our history, and remember it by the words of those who preserved our history, and thereby preserved our future for us.

One More Thing ...

While I'm on the "local sports" theme ... what is up with this "LTHS Hall Of Fame"?

Why is there not a "Lawrence County Hall Of Fame" instead?

John, I think you'd have to be in there.

Greetings From Waterlogged Connecticut

We are now on our ... hell, I don't even remember, so let's call it our nth day of rain here. We've had over a foot of rain in the past week, this much I know. Janice and I are safe, since we're at or around 200 feet above sea-level, here in Manchester.

I thought I'd have a chance to try out the new golf clubs at some point, but the starter set we bought did not include a snorkel, mask and fins.

A while back, I mentioned an afternoon Janice and I spent at Harbor Park, in Middletown on the Connecticut River, and lunch with Frank (yours truly's best male friend ... Janice is always my best friend, of course). In the Hartford Courant's web site (I don't subscribe when I can get it online) there was a photo of Harbor Park taken on Tuesday. See below. The waterline as shown in the picture, is approximately 10 feet above where it normally would be. The area to the right of the restaurant is the lower deck. Where boaters dock is to the right of the lower deck, and is deeply submerged in this picture. Where the people are standing is at the top of a grassy area, and I don't think they are going to swim out to the gazebo.

All in all, I feel like I'm in Ray Bradbury's "All Summer In A Day", a short story in which he describes the lives of children in a school on Venus, where it rains for seven years and then the sun comes out for one day.

Last but not least ... GO SALUKIS ... in honor of their beating IHSA 2A 6th-ranked Cumberland last week, and earning a spot in the field of 32 for the 2005 football playoffs! I'll be sending RC an email urging him to spark a county-wide surge of support in their post-season efforts. (as an aside - did RC publish my email-to-the-editor after the "Oil Field Trophy" comments he made? LOL)

I've Been Bitten By ...

... the golf bug. After much discussion over the past week of my debut performance at last Saturday's outing, I've been convinced by a committee of my peers (who perhaps see skins money in the making) that I should take up the game. Even my mother-in-law has gotten into the act, herself having been an avid golfer (and I've seen her trophies to attest).

I've received numerous tips from Darrell at work (who shot a 76 last Saturday, so I guess that makes him the resident "pro"), the most valuable being to go to Golfer's Warehouse here in Hartford. I did just that, last night, thinking I would just take a look at what they have.

Without further ado, I present to you, my fellow readers, my new golf clubs - the Tiger Shark TS 960 set. It's a entry-level set we got for $200 (early Christmas present), which made a great deal of sense to me. As the club consultant at Golfer's Warehouse said (either wisely, or knowing he might make future sales), there are two ways I could go ... either with a "set" like this, or go up in price for better clubs that who knows if I would ever get an ROI on.

However, I like the descriptions of the clubs (to which I've added a few notes):

Woods -

• Forged 420cc oversized driver with deep face and huge sweetspot (this may be like the Shroud of Turin - I've yet to see a "face" on this club)
• Lightweight graphite shafts for increased distance (I'm hoping this is "increased distance" for when I hit the ball, not throw the clubs in dismay)
• Oversized fairway woods with lower center of gravity for easy launch and solid contact (sounds suspiciously like technology used for the Space Shuttle)
• 1-3-5 woods with matching headcovers (it's very important that your headcovers match, I guess)

Hybrid -

• Easy-to-hit (this is a plus) hybrid technology
• Replaces #4 iron for smoother transition from woods to irons (I think this is what sparked the Industrial Revolution!)
• Lower center of gravity gets the ball airborne quickly (I hate when the ball just kind of floats up into the air) for maximum carry
• Tour quality steel shaft (I'll need that when I go on tour)
• Also includes matching headcover (I haven't actually found that in the box yet)

Irons -

• 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 irons, sand wedge, pitching wedge (batting helmet not included)
  
• Deep cavity design for maximum perimeter weighting effect and incredible forgiveness (I suppose that means these clubs will accept my apology for wrapping them around a tree?)
• Tour quality steel shafts for consistency from club to club (once again, watch for me on tour ... I'll probably be a caddy)
• Wide sole technology assures solid contact from any lie (I wonder if this covers lies about one's score?)

Putter -

• Expanded perimeter weighting for solid feel and contact (in case you mistake it for a driver, I guess)
• Putter alignment system for easy setup (I haven't found any way yet to setup the putter - it seems already put together)
• Steel shaft for positive feedback (I'm presuming it will give me compliments if I hit a nice putt)
• High-tech rubber grip (always a nice thing, since it would probably be uncomfortable with a low-tech steel grip, or one made from the outer skin of a cactus)

Package Also Includes -

• Lightweight stand bag with dual-sling strap for easy carry and transport (also a nice thing to have, so you don't have to just carry all the clubs around by themselves)

What the Tiger Shark Golf Company didn't advertise was that the box makes a very handy tunnel for cats to play in. This has been one of the most entertaining things about it, so far.

I think with clubs like these, I'll be out there like that guy Tiger Palmer in no time!

Personally ...

... I'm rooting for the White Sox in the ALCS. HOWEVER ... it's the year of the Cardinals!

And, I'm quite happy RHHS beat LHS in their only meeting this year.

All those who live in Lawrence County, please give RC some hell on that, will ya?

I Know He's Lost It, Now ...

This direct quote just in from the online edition of the Sumner Press:

"St. Louis: National and American League playoffs are underway. Cardinals are playing the San Diego Chargers. Winner will play winner of Atlanta Braves vs Houston Rockets series for NL pennant. In American, Yankees play Los Angeles Angels; Boston Red Sox take on Chicago White Sox. Predicted "world Champions", Cardinals over Yankees in next week's world series."

If this were fact, it would probably be a pretty interesting National League Championship Series, since the San Diego Chargers are in the NFL, and the Houston Rockets are in the NBA.

I'm surprised the Yankees aren't playing the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, and the Red Sox aren't playing the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL.

What I am not surprised at is that Roscoe has finally managed to alter the Space-Time Continuum, and has thereby moved up the World Series by about 14 days.

Whoa ... Reggie Jackson is going to have to turn over his "Mr. October" title to Roscoe.

And no, Eric ... I predict the Atlanta Black Crackers are going to beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the Super Bowl.

And no, folks ... I am NOT making that up. Click the link.

My sources tell me that "Cool Papa" Bell will kick the winning free-throw, after a record-setting home-run attempt by Annika Sorenstam and a no-hitter pitched by my favorite, Katarina Witt.

Heck, I could write a sports page for the Sumner Press and get everything wrong. Dang.

Well ...

... there were no fatalities on the golf course yesterday. There were no injuries, either, other than experiencing a great deal of stiffness and sore muscles today.

For a first-timer, I was told I did very well with my score - 114. Surprisingly, I hit the ball off the tee well, and kept those shots pretty much down the middle (at least I kept them all on the fairway, which was something not always done by two of the other experienced golfers in our foursome).

It was a beautiful day, and it was nice being outside for that.

Of course, the second half of the festivities were pretty fun too ... although we lost the "Battle Of The Beer Pitcher" by one stroke, so we had to buy the beers. LOL