Category: One for the Journal

Lots’ went on in the world while I wasn’t watching! Indeed, the headlines were grand!

I’ll start off with the Washington Nationals, the Professor’s beloved baseball team. It seems his team ‘Finished Their Fight’ winning Game 7 in a blaze of glory by taking the lead in the seventh inning, then breaking it open in the eighth with another run, and two more runs in the ninth for insurance. Apparently, it was a sight to see and even though it fell off my radar given my inconvenient relocation, I did, however, lend my support to the team. Yes it is true; I found the Hallmark Channel from my hospital TV line up and let it play on through my drug-induced coma! I had to stick to my winning strategy, right?

I was, however, back home in time for the television coverage of the deeply touching Washington Nationals Welcome Home parade. The speeches by team owner, 94-year old Teddy Lerner, the beautiful words of courage spoken by team’s general manager, Mike Rizzo, and the emotional thoughts of team manager, Davey Martinez, who told us about the gumption behind the Nats remarkable season. Davey said, “…there was no back biting, no finger pointing…from day 1 – I believed in the strength and courage of this team, I never quit, and they never quit on me, we stayed positive because we believed.” All season long, Davey and this remarkable team believed it possible that they could bring a championship to their hometown of DC. Davey summed it up when he said, “Often bumpy roads lead to beautiful places.” And he is right, it is a beautiful place to be when you have worked hard, shown relentless resilience and in reaching for the brass ring you snag it! Yes, that is a beautiful place to be!

Another huge attention grabbing headline during my hiatus, my 10-year old granddaughter published her first story! I cannot tell you how proud I am of her stout heart. The maturity it takes to write a story that has a moral and a teaching moment within its pages; the grit it takes to present your work, your story, and then let it go so that it reaches others; these are qualities that you don’t always see in a seasoned writer much less a child of ten years of age. I stand in awe of this incredible little human.

So, congratulations to the Washington Nationals and to my Princess Maddie Bella. Both of your accomplishments were born out of determination and a desire to bring something special to others.

I’m a big fan of this kind of positive true grit!

The Washington Nationals hosted Game 3 of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park last night. To all in attendance and those who were glued to the screen, the resulting loss was hard to swallow. Among that group of viewers was the Professor sitting perched on his seat edge as the game began with the Houston Astros at bat at the top of the first inning. Me? I was sitting comfy nearby buried in my iPhone blissfully unaware and not watching (gasp!).

The first inning was mostly uneventful with three easy outs coming to the Astros. In the bottom of the first, Nationals leadoff man Trea Turner thought he blasted a home run to left field, but the deep shot was caught at the wall.  A lot of nail biting was going on as the Professor and his cohorts sat transfixed. This drama continued throughout the bottom of the third as the Astros racked up two runs on the scoreboard against a goose egg for the Nationals. With all the fingernail spitting going on in the living room, I thought to myself, ‘time to take some serious action’. I rose from my supine position on the sofa and announced to the gang, “Looks like the Nats need some help. I am going upstairs and turning on the Hallmark Channel.”

Now, this may seem like an odd remedy, but hey ‘any port in a storm’. This methodology has worked beautifully throughout the Nationals season, so why not pull it out as a final card when they are in the race to FINISH THE FIGHT? And the Professor and his friends believe in my magic, too. So upstairs I go and turn on the Hallmark Channel, and let it gracefully fill the room with love and roses. Once settled, I hollered down, “Ok, it’s on, you should begin to see some results now as it is a double magic remedy – the Hallmark Channel is airing Christmas movies!” The Professor’s response was almost immediate as the 4th inning proceeded downstairs, “Its working,” he shouted up, “the Nationals just scored their first run!” Satisfied and happy that my magic method was once again applying itself miraculaously, I settled back and gazed at the characters on the screen. It was when the movie ended at 10 pm that I got in trouble.

The movie characters were all kissing and blissfully singing carols at the end of the movie when I shook from my reverie and decided to switch the channel. A new episode of Blue Blood’s was airing on prime time and I didn’t want to miss it! Changing the channel proved to be a Big Mistake! You see, when you are working with magic you need to stay the course. In my defense, I thought it ok to change the channel intending only to check-in with Commissioner Frank Reagan and then change back. But as I aired the episode, my eyes grew heavy and well, sleep found me. This fateful decision had the most unwelcome result. The Nationals lost to the Astros with a final score of 4 to 1.

There is not much conversation going-on in my household this morning, I can tell you that! One thing is for sure, I won’t make that mistake again! Game 4 airs from Nationals Park at 8 pm tonight. I will be up front and center watching from my perch on the couch, and STREAMING Hallmark from my iPhone!

As my grandma would say, “there is more than one way to skin a cat!”

I read an article on President Jimmy Carter, who at age 95 took a fall and fractured his hip. Reading this account, lead me to delve into some of President Carter’s accomplishments in his long tenure on this earth. I wanted to learn the less publized aspects of the great man, the qualities that summed him up as a human being. What an illuminating exercise, here is what I learned.

Jimmy Carter graduated from the United States Naval Academy and then served this country as a naval officer. After his father’s death, President Carter left the naval corps and returned to his family domicile to run and expand the peanut growing business started by his father. During this period, Jimmy became a voice for the opposition of Georgia’s political climate of racial segregation and the civil rights movement. Why? Because it was the right voice to raise. Through that motivation, he served in the Georgia State Senate and went on to become Governor of the state. These political positions lead to him being elected the 39th President of the United States even though he was a dark horse candidate.

In President Carter’s second day in office, he signed an order which pardoned all Vietnam Draft evaders. Why? Because it was the right thing to do. After spending four years as President, Jimmy Carter established a Center to promote and expand human rights throughout the world. He and his wife, Rosalynn, who remarkably have been married for more than 73 (yes, seventy-three) years have traveled extensively in promoting peace negotiations and efforts for the eradication of disease and under-education in developing nations. Why these crusades? Because the under-privileged that we share the earth with are the right beings to fight for; by giving voice to and dedicating oneself in these worthy pursuits a testament is created for us to see and be encouraged by in the practice of great humanity.

Jimmy Carter, despite his 95 year old age, continues to be active in American and global affairs. He is credited as a key figure in the charity, Habitat for Humanity. Why? Because it is the right thing to give a hand up to those less fortunate. President Carter has penned more than 30 books on topics ranging from political memoirs to poetry. Where he is known in the political arena for being an ‘average’ president, the accolades and evaluations for his post-presidential work are high in recognition and commendation.

To sum it up, I stand in awe of this octogenarian man who seemingly always KNEW the right thing to do. Despite any opposition he met with, he still followed the path for what he believed was right.

As you go along today, try to look at each encounter you come across for the right or wrong within it. Lend your support to the side that shines as ‘right!’ Just that small adjustment will lead us to a greater humanity.

We are under a deluge down here in Florida, Tropical Storm Nestor having paid us an unwelcome visit overnight. So, a story to warm the heart and elevate the gloomy mood by all the rain-rain-rain, is exactly what I felt was needed!

There are few things more endearing than that of a father and son sharing time fishing. This is a story about a father and son duo fishing near their Quincy, Florida home located outside of Tallahassee. The two caught more than just a big fish on that day, they caught the attention of the media who picked up their heartwarming story.

The young son, standing on the banks of a small lake, hooked himself a big one! Patiently, he fought and reeled in the 8 lb. large mouth bass! He exclaimed, “Wowee, this is my personal best!” Now, that little statement is sweet all on its own, but it was what this young boy said next that’s remarkable. Struggling to hold up the huge fish under his slight frame, he says to his father, “Look at this beauty, 7-8 lbs! Now, I’m gonna’ put him back in the water.” As his father looks on and captures the young man’s action with his phone video, the boy carries the large bass to the water’s edge and softly lays it down in the pond. Stroking the fish, he murmurs, “I knew I was gonna’ get one today, I hope you go back and do good things. Go on now, go on out there and BE BETTER. One day we gonna’ meet back up again!” Watching as the fish wriggles and scoots off the banks, the boy cries out, “Oooh wee! Go on, show me what you’re working with!” Once the big fish swam out of sight, the proud father says to his son, “Best catch boy!” I think this dad was speaking about more than just his son’s catch!

Giving one’s best effort and then finding a way to elevate it to an even higher level is what we all need to aspire to. I hope the heartwarming statements from this young boy inspire you to keep reaching further in delivering each day a personal best. This story is the perfect illustration of my ‘I Can Do Better’ movement!

No, I am not paying homage to late writer Tom Clancy’s blockbuster novel of the same title, but I am stepping up to the plate (pardon the pun) with a hardy congrats to the Washington Nationals, the Professor’s beloved baseball team. The ‘hunt’ for the ‘red’ did not evade them last night when they clinched the National League Pennant, and by that, have been invited to the dance, the coveted World Series!

Excitement was pervasive in my household last night. From the very first inning when the Nats pitcher, Patrick Corbin, struck out the first three players to bat – 1-2-3 YOU’RE OUT! Then taking their turn at bat in the bottom of the 1st, the super-charged Nats delivered a clean offensive outburst and scored an astounding 7 runs! And, this was just the beginning! The crowd was wild. And speaking of the crowd, the Professor and his friends were having a field-day spotting their doppelganger celebrities – I heard names shouted out like – Marilyn Monroe, Mickey Rooney, Gerald Ford, and Peter Falk! Wait a minute – I thought those people were dead – did they rise up to witness the magic of this most exciting game? Could be!

Most of you know the rest of the story here, the Nats went on to win the Pennant with a final scoreboard reading 7-4, even conquering the top of the 8th inning through a tense time with the St. Louis Cardinals at bat with the bases loaded.

You see, I probably know more about baseball than I ever let on, and that to some of you is shocking news as I am an openly declared non-sports fan. But I unabashedly admit, I got caught up in the excitement last night. I even left the living room during the high-strung 8th inning to go upstairs and turn on the Hallmark Channel which I superstitiously maintain to the Professor that by taking that action it ensures a Nationals win!

And, so now the Washington Nationals will DANCE. And not just in the dug-out, their dancing shoes are polished for the big gala! Congrats to this team that is deep in skill, and whose members all possess the heart it takes to deliver! This Franchise, whose last visit to the Fall Classic was in 1933, now know the joy and glee of a Pennant win. The wait has been long but their success is so sweet!

Political diatribe aside, this morning I am proud to be a native Washingtonian!!! Born and raised!

Well, its playoff season for the Washington Nationals and that can only mean the Professor is glued to the telly screen each time there is a game being aired. Now, you may think that all the fun is from the ‘at bats’ and ‘no hit pitching’, but you would be dead-wrong. The Professor and his friends add a bit of zany to the regular occurrences making these games of ‘boys rolling in dirt’ a true comedic experience!

Many of you know, I am not a sports fan choosing to spend my time sequestered in my studio surrounded by creative stimulants of all kinds – be it music or writing or dreaming. But if there was ever a time to get on board for a sporting event, it is during a pennant run (the victor, of course, playing for the World Series). Like I said, there is so much excitement already in play, what could possibly add to the electrification that already exists…celebrity sightings, that’s what!

The name of the game is Who’s That, and it is a crowd scanning skill the Professor and his friends evoke every time a player comes up to bat. Tonight, I heard Reese Witherspoon was in attendance, along with Matt Lauer and Tony Shaloub! Really, you ask, these three random celebs attending a game in St. Louis? No, this does not mean that the ‘actual’ celeb is sitting front row and center, it means a doppelganger is! Here’s how this hilarious and ridiculous game is played:

• Each time a player comes to bat, the cameras are focused on him. Directly behind his plate position is the crowd. Given the crispness of hi-definition watching, you get a rather good scan of the crowd seated directly behind home plate (next time you see a baseball game on screen, take a look, you will see what I mean).
• The first person to spot someone in the crowd that’s a look-alike shouts out a name and prompts the others in the room to quickly spot the ‘celeb’, and so on and so on….
• Since there are about an average of four or five at bats per team per inning, and there are two teams, you can understand there are a lot of famous people names being shouted out in the course of one game. This silly behavior goes on ALL night, and by the end of the evening the Professor and his friends are weak from hysterical laughter.

So, if you are ever wondering what kind of merriment I am subjecting myself to, you do not have to ponder that thought too long. Because during baseball’s seven month long season, the entertainment is supplied – it’s all about WHO YOU SEE!

This is a story of a true gentleman with his heart in the right place. It is an exemplary lesson of my mantra ‘I Can Do Better’. His name is Guy Bryant; he is a single man, 61 years old and a native of New York. Remarkably, Mr. Bryant is known as ‘Dad’ to more than 50 foster children, the majority of them young males.

Mr. Bryant grew up in a community-oriented family in Brooklyn New York, so it is no wonder that his adulthood turned out to be no different. “It’s a big population,” said Bryant. “There’s definitely a need for this service because what happens is when a youth gets into his teen years, a lot of times they feel lost, many having lived in at least 10 other foster homes during their short life time.”

 Mr. Bryant’s life of fostering began in 2007 when one young man he was mentoring asked, “Will you be my father? Will you take me?” After some thought, Bryant decided to take the chance, but he didn’t stop there. Bryant also decided to foster the young man’s friend, as well as the friend’s brother. Before Bryant knew it, he had nine young men in his home making it necessary to rent the floor above his apartment to have additional space.  This was a huge undertaking for a single man, who by making this choice, became a single father.

To date, Guy Bryant has fostered more than 50 young adults. Bryant says his success is attributed to gaining their trust, “The difficult thing about building trust is getting around the past interactions these young people have had with adults. By spending more time with these children and ultimately getting to know them better, I develop a bond with them over time. Their need for constant reinforcement is met by my saying ‘I am here. I am going to do what I say.’ My kids will tell you whenever I say, I’m going to do it, I always do because I don’t want them to look at me like one of those adults who let them down.”

Bryant has zero plans of retiring anytime soon, especially when he sees so many children still in need of a place to call their own. 

“The Mr. Bryant approach is I love you regardless,” he said. “Once you come into my home and you’ve been with me and you’ve been here, you’re my kid for life.” That’s my approach. “You’ll always have a bed to come to, a clean bathroom for a shower — you’ll always be able to come home. My home is your home.”

In a world riddled with strife, I am so warmed by this story. I can not wait to hear stories about the accomplishments and life successes that come from the young men Mr. Bryant has nurtured.

I am sure by now you have heard the story about Ellen DeGeneres attending an NFL game where she and Portia were seated beside former President George W. and Laura Bush.

Ellen, in her delightful comedic-style, quipped that she was surprised
her Twitter feed chose to discuss her friendship with the Bushes’ and their
opposing views, over her possession of the new iPhone 11! She garnered a lot of
laughs to that wise-crack!

More important than just the fresh face Ellen showed on that day, it was her very wise words that struck a chord within me. Ellen said, “I know people think it is strange that I am friends with the Bushes’, yes we are different, but when I preach ‘Be Kind’, I don’t mean be kind to those people who think like you, I mean be kind to EVERYBODY.”

Some of Ellen’s followers on social media jammed up the airwaves with scorn over Ellen’s retort citing that George W.’s gay marriage views and his part in US activities during the Iraqi war as a huge issue. Where I respect the freedom of speech for all, I just think we all need to stop and let the healing of past discretions begin and move forward. There was one brave soul whose tweet summarized this best, “Seeing George Bush and Ellen together makes me have faith in America again!”

Well said!

What the hell is that, you say? And, I totally get that response. So, let these photos be known as the most inventive ‘selfie’ anyone has ever taken. Yes, I took this selfie, but it is of my back. It was NOT an easy shot to get, but I persevered.

This morning, as I was in the powder room washing my hands, I caught a glimpse of something attached to the back of my shirt. I turned in the mirror and saw it was a fluffy feather firmly attached just below my shoulder blade. I thought it resembled an angel’s wing. But there was only one, I thought wings came in pairs!

In Hebrew liturgy, angels are known as seraphim (or singular: seraph). These beings were said to have had six wings. In Christian scripture, angels are depicted with two wings, but I have never heard of a one-winged angel. Could it be manifestations that I am destined to “angel-hood” and to date have only earned the one? Or is it just a gentle reminder from the universe to keep my thoughts, actions and work as ‘good and wholesome’ and directed to the betterment of others? I am thinking it must be the latter, as I am not certain that in a review of my 67 years on this earth that I would qualify for the first notion!

At any rate, this little phenomenon stayed affixed to my shoulder most of the afternoon. I kinda’ liked looking back to see if it was still there! Eventually it dropped off; I guess I must have fallen from grace!

To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something to really increase the happiness, welfare and virtue of mankind, this is a choice that is possible for all of us; and certainly it is a good life goal to sail towards. — Henry Van Dyke

Choices. There is the ‘obvious choice’, the ‘logical choice’, the ‘people’s choice’. There are decisions for ‘opting out’, ‘tossing a coin’, ‘reaching a conclusion’. In fact, there are so many choices that we face throughout our lifetime it can seem daunting at times. But the remarkable thing is one of those decisions that we are served each day is our choice regarding our attitude. Beginning each day with positive thinking and affirmative words and actions can and will enhance goodness in the world.

In politics – our country’s security and stability, our infrastructure and the quality of our services are all affected by the choices made by our leaders. Just think, if the powers that be would begin each day with an affirmative outlook for the betterment of the people they govern, instead of making choices that create dissention and discord, I believe that we could gain greatly in bi-partisan actions and restore an optimistic attitude.

In marriage – choices made in the course of a relationship are not made on a wedding day or from the vows spoken in a church or synagogue, they are made over and over again every day in the way one treats their husband or wife. In order to achieve and sustain optimism in a marriage, one’s choices need to take place from a considerate and hopeful heart.

Mindset is a choice we are given, and probably the greatest choice we have every day we wake. In striving to maintain a fixed mental attitude and a sunny disposition which predetermines our responses and interpretations of situations that we come face-to-face with during our days on earth, we can (and will) achieve a more gracious world; a warmer and kinder world that we will pass to our children.