brothers

Though you are in your shining days,
Voices among the crowd
And new friends busy with your praise,
Be not unkind or proud,
But think about old friends the most:
Time's bitter flood will rise,
Your beauty perish and be lost
For all eyes but these eyes.-----Yeats

There's a guy who lives in VG who was my stepbrother for 20+ years. Great guy, really. Loves his wife and loves his kids and loves their kids, but I don't really know him. We live two miles apart and see each other twice a year, and we're not bitter about it. There's no latent animosity. We're just at vastly different places in our lives and neither of us have the time or desire to mend what really isn't broken.

then there are those four rowdies whom I consider to be my true brothers....

I know that we've had our disagreements...about women, and 40th birthdays (sorry bro', sincerely) and gun control, (it doesn't work, TSE!), and Michigan football tix (I can't believe the whiff took a stand on the issue, Mikey!) but I know that when I truly need you guys, you'll be there for me, and vice versa. I appreciate all that you do for me, and I wanted to say it publicly. I still find it hard to believe that it all started with a summer job at Hardee's. (no offense, Melbs) Here's to the next 44 years, fellas!

Porches, hangovers, etc

The refuse from the porch has been hauled away and now it's time for Soffit, fascia, siding & gutters.

The plan was to get to it on Sunday, but that went to Hell in a handcart when I stayed up way late, playing Mexican dice and drinking with my sister unit & her hubbie, plus #2 sis & the madre. I've felt worse than I felt on Sunday, but not often! The boss, being sage beyond compare, ditched me around 11:30 and was into blissful repose long before I staggered in, grazed on whatever presented itself in the fridge and then collapsed on the couch. I must admit that it was a great time, one I want to repeat, just not any time soon, and preferably without the side effects monopolizing my Sunday.

Cookie's JFL B team won their second game in a row Saturday, but the lightweights lost. Soccer is in full swing, with all three kids having their first game this Saturday. I'm excited to see if their hard work will be rewarded.

We'll have to run concessions for three home games while the Princess plays in Tuscola, so it will be interesting, to say the least.

Bears!

No. Not the decidedly mediocre monsters of the midway, who snatched almost certain defeat from the jaws of victory yesterday. I'm not talking about the baby bears who reside at Waveland and Sheffield and who clinched the division at the expense of my beloved redbirds, either.

I'm talking about Ursus Americanus. The American Black Bear. A half mile from my deer hunting spot in the wilds of Hugo! Crazy, right? Rumor has it that one of the locals struck it with a vehicle in Pennsylvania and brought it home to play a trick on someone, which if it turns out to be illegal, will mean that Cubby could end up biting the guy after all.

I swear there's a world series metaphor in all of this, but I'm damned if I'll say that the Northsiders hopes will probably end up road kill, just like the Hugo Bruin. That would be too easy.

lessons

A few weeks ago, without prior notice, the school dismissed early due to excessive heat. I can't remember ever being prouder of my children and their subsequent actions. Mini-me immediately went to the princesses' classroom, found her and kept her with him. He then returned to his class and used the classroom phone to call the boss for instruction. #1 son, having been dismissed a few minutes later, then found his way to them and together they proceeded to the bosses' workplace. It makes me think that the underlying themes of family, togetherness, and looking out for one another that Jules and I stress ad nauseum just might be sinking in. Or we're extremely lucky to have such GREAT kids!

#1 son is now playing soccer with mini me. This is his first real foray into organized team sports, and he seems to be enjoying it. He's got innate talent, but has to think about every move rather than letting instinct dictate.

The Princess is going to be a beast, if she chooses to continue. She's fast, tough and fearless.

Mini-Me is excellent, but he needs to remember to play within the rules...he gets a little chippy at times....probably a bi-product of playing football.

After two weeks my fantasy league team, the VGBuffones, is on life support. My QB sucks and the two receivers I counted on most are hurt. Kinda funny, but not being versed in Chicago Bears history, two of my opponents mis read my team name. One thought I had misspelled buffoons, and the one I liked most was the Fabulous Redhead thinking I was saying Buff Ones!

Doug, they're sorry. They know not what they do!

She gone!

The porch is gone. Long live the porch. We cut it into pieces and hauled it to the recycling center. (made a righteous $30, too) So now I have to repair/replace soffits & fascia, put up a few pieces of siding and gutter, and call it done! It dramatically changed the appearance of the house from the drive/alley. Pictures will be posted when it's completed.

In JFL news...VG returned to their losing ways on Sunday. the B's lost 12-0 and the lightweights were anihilated, 34-0. Mini Me isn't getting to play much...not sure why. He certainly wouldn't do any worse than the product we've been putting on the field. He's really shining in soccer. I'm beginning to wonder if his future lies in a sport other than football. He's so small compared to everyone else. It will be his decision, ultimately.

The princess seems to really be getting into soccer this season, doing everything asked of her by the coaches. She's going full speed, running and sweating and not shying from contact.

#1 son continues to practice HRD. As he advances in belt rank, the materials become more and more complicated & physically demanding. I can't wait to see how far he takes it. He's adjusting well to junior high.