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.

Sweet, sweet Victory!!

The winner takes all

It's the thrill of one more kill

The last one to fall

Will never sacrifice their will

Don't ever look back

on the wind closing in

The only attack

were their wings on the wind

oh the daydream begins

And it's sweet, sweet, sweet victory,

And it's ours for the taking

It's ours for the fight

And it's sweet, sweet, sweet victory,

And the world is ours to follow

Sweet sweet sweet victory ---------Spongebob Squarepants

Finally, after almost 1-1/2 seasons, mini me's team emerged victorious, defeating South Piatt 30-12. Countless repetitions, situps, wind sprints in 90 degree weather, and they've finally been rewarded with the taste of victory. They're only 10, so it's probably not as sweet a vintage as the draught the coaches are sipping. When you're ten, a new sun rises every day. Hope springs eternal. You're not burdened by a litany of failures and almosts and coulda beens. When you're ten, you can still dream of playing in the big leagues. You can dream of having a house full of snakes and Rottweilers complete with a guest house so your mom can still come visit. As a dad, I hope that my kids' days are always filled with snakes and rottweilers, or kitties kept upstairs so they don't make daddy sneeze when he visits. So innocent. So perfect.

FOOOOOOOTTTTTBAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!

Cookie's first game was last Saturday against Unity, and they played very well. As is tradition, a few of the second year guys move down and play with the first year team, and he made several tackles. The team lost 6-0, but Unity's team is comprised soley of 5th graders. He then got to play with the lightweights, and they fell 12-0 after fumbling twice inside the 20. The junior high team then beat the rockets 32-20, after being up 32-8 at the beginning of the 4th quarter. I'm confident that the little guys are going to win some games this season. Next up, Monticello at home at 3 pm. That will probably be a tough one, but then the rest of the games are very winnable.

It's funny, but I take great comfort in knowing virtually everyone in attendance at these sporting events. VG isn't wonderful, but it's home, and there's just something about that small town closeness that I think I'd miss elsewhere.

The boss has been getting up at dark thirty to walk with me, and #1 son then does a 1/2 hour work out twice a week. Today, I threw in a 10 minute lifting session and worked the heavy bag for 5 more. Great workout, and my arms are fried.

Work is crazy busy as we push toward the September start. lots of long days, but ultimately rewarding.