There are many things that I considered blogging about tonight, but since I've devoted other posts here to some of my baseball heroes, I couldn't let the night pass without paying homage to a genuine "character", Atlanta Braves broadcaster Skip Caray.
The soundtrack of my childhood includes the sounds of many, many Atlanta Braves games on television. My grandfather was a huge fan, and he passed that love of baseball along to, not his son, as most would assume, but to his daughter in law, my Mom. Some of my very earliest memories include the sound of a ball thumping into a cathchers glove, the crack of a bat connecting with a ball, and the voices of Pete Van Wieren and Skip Caray on TBS, and on Braves radio.
Those two voices, so very familiar to me, were a comfort to me the way a lullabye or a familiar song is a comfort to some children. In the "old days" when the Braves team of broadcasters would call half a game in the tv booth and the other half from the radio booth, my Mom and I used to watch half the game on tv, then, for the second half, mute the sound on the tv and turn on the radio so that we could hear Skip and Pete for the whole game.
Skip's sarcastic humor and dry wit could make even a rain delay, or a Braves loss, fun to listen to. When the Braves weren 't playing, I could always flip over the WGN and listen to Skip's Dad, Harry Caray, calling the games for the Cubs as only he could do. I loved listening to Harry and to Skip because I knew that they would make me smile.
I was surprised and saddened to learn that Skp Caray passed away in his sleep on Sunday afternoon, leaving behind a wife, four adult children, sevem grandchildren, and thousands upon thousands of fans.
I am not generally an "emotional" person, and I'm definitely not one to put my emotions on display. I am not a person to whom tears come easily. Even so, I couldn't help having to wipe my eyes when the Braves broadcast of tonights game, during wich they did a fine job of paying
tribute to Skip, ended with Skip's smiling face on the screen, and his deeply familiar voice giving his trademark sign off of "So long, everybody."
So long, Skip.
Vicki
This was originally written 2 years ago, when Skip Caray passed away, but I see on Facebook this morning that many folks are responding to Chip Caray's Fathers Day tribute to his Dad, so I thought I'd repost this :)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
My Turning The Tables Fantasy
I would never do this to anyone in real life. It just wouldn't be nice. But, in recent weeks, I have had the misfortune to be around people who think it's okay to give me flack about the fact that we homeschool our kids.
If you've ever homeschooled, you know what I"m talking about. The questions and comments like "Don't they want to make friends?" "What about socialization?" "I couldn't stand being with my kids all day." "How can you teach high school courses?" "Are you STILL homeschooling?" and on and on it goes.
Just once, just ONE time, I would LOVE to be able to walk up to a person whose kids are in traditional school and say "Oh, you're kids can ONLY make friends at school? What a shame!" Or, "Oh, my, how difficult it must be for your children, since they only know age-segregated, artificial socialization! I don't know how you cope with that!" Or, "Oh, you don't enjoy being around your children? How very sad!" Or, "Oh, you mean you DON'T learn along WITH your children?!! Really?! Imagine that!" Or, "Oh, your children are STILL in school? Aren't you going to homeschool this year?"
I won't ever do it. But it surely would be fun!! LOL
Vicki
If you've ever homeschooled, you know what I"m talking about. The questions and comments like "Don't they want to make friends?" "What about socialization?" "I couldn't stand being with my kids all day." "How can you teach high school courses?" "Are you STILL homeschooling?" and on and on it goes.
Just once, just ONE time, I would LOVE to be able to walk up to a person whose kids are in traditional school and say "Oh, you're kids can ONLY make friends at school? What a shame!" Or, "Oh, my, how difficult it must be for your children, since they only know age-segregated, artificial socialization! I don't know how you cope with that!" Or, "Oh, you don't enjoy being around your children? How very sad!" Or, "Oh, you mean you DON'T learn along WITH your children?!! Really?! Imagine that!" Or, "Oh, your children are STILL in school? Aren't you going to homeschool this year?"
I won't ever do it. But it surely would be fun!! LOL
Vicki
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Masterpiece in Progress
The young man was a hometown hero. He had a passion for the game of baseball, and was blessed with athletic talent to go along with it. In high school, he was the "wonder boy"~an amazing athlete, destined for the Big Leagues. His family, his coaches, and indeed his whole hometown celebrated when the young man was chosen in the first round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft.
But, the young man had a secret that no one knew. By 2001, his promising career had fizzled, and he had dropped out of baseball all together. Why? The stronghold of drug and alcohol addiction had squeezed everything else out of his life.
By 2003, the young man had given rehab a try, more than once. He even met a girl, and got married. But there was something important missing from those rehab programs, and they didn't "take". In 2004, his wife left him. The couple did not divorce, but the young man was forbidden to see his wife, step daugther, and his own young daughter until he could "get his act together."
Then, in 2005, an amazing and wonderful thing happened. The young man finally found that "missing piece"~he met the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He has been clean and sober since that day, has re-united with his wife and children.
Fast forward to July 14, 2008. The young man's baseball career is not only back on track, but flourishing. He is a full fledged memeber of a Major League Baseball team. He's having a GREAT season, and has been chosen by the fans to represent his team in the All Star Game. He has also accepted an invitation to participate in the 2008 Home Run Derby, a home run hitting contest that raises money for charity.
The young man is Josh Hamilton, rookie outfielder for the Texas Rangers. Last night, he set a new Home Run Derby record by hitting 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby. He will have the honor of being a starter for the American League All Star team, and has a good shot at being the 2008 Rookie of the Year.
When asked by a reporter if he had any parting thoughts after last night's derby, Josh replied, "I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for making it possible for me to even be here tonight. I am amzed at the work that God has done, and is doing, in my life, and I hope that I have brought some honor and glory to Him tonight."
How much easier my own life would be if I simply lived in light of the realization that I am a work in progress. God is the ulimate artist, so I can rest assured that when He is done, His work will be a Masterpeice.
My job is to bring honor and glory to Him from down here on His potter's wheel.
Dont give up. Don't throw up your hands and quit. You are a work of art. You are being molded and formed into His Masterpiece. Praise His Holy Name!
Vicki
But, the young man had a secret that no one knew. By 2001, his promising career had fizzled, and he had dropped out of baseball all together. Why? The stronghold of drug and alcohol addiction had squeezed everything else out of his life.
By 2003, the young man had given rehab a try, more than once. He even met a girl, and got married. But there was something important missing from those rehab programs, and they didn't "take". In 2004, his wife left him. The couple did not divorce, but the young man was forbidden to see his wife, step daugther, and his own young daughter until he could "get his act together."
Then, in 2005, an amazing and wonderful thing happened. The young man finally found that "missing piece"~he met the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He has been clean and sober since that day, has re-united with his wife and children.
Fast forward to July 14, 2008. The young man's baseball career is not only back on track, but flourishing. He is a full fledged memeber of a Major League Baseball team. He's having a GREAT season, and has been chosen by the fans to represent his team in the All Star Game. He has also accepted an invitation to participate in the 2008 Home Run Derby, a home run hitting contest that raises money for charity.
The young man is Josh Hamilton, rookie outfielder for the Texas Rangers. Last night, he set a new Home Run Derby record by hitting 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby. He will have the honor of being a starter for the American League All Star team, and has a good shot at being the 2008 Rookie of the Year.
When asked by a reporter if he had any parting thoughts after last night's derby, Josh replied, "I just want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for making it possible for me to even be here tonight. I am amzed at the work that God has done, and is doing, in my life, and I hope that I have brought some honor and glory to Him tonight."
How much easier my own life would be if I simply lived in light of the realization that I am a work in progress. God is the ulimate artist, so I can rest assured that when He is done, His work will be a Masterpeice.
My job is to bring honor and glory to Him from down here on His potter's wheel.
Dont give up. Don't throw up your hands and quit. You are a work of art. You are being molded and formed into His Masterpiece. Praise His Holy Name!
Vicki
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
What Is Your Parental Batting Average?
It's a shame that we can't all be professional baseball players! Why, you ask? Well, think about this. If a baseball player goes to the plate 10 times and only gets 5 hits, that's a .500 batting average, which is absolutely UN~HEARD OF!!
The best hitter in the Major Leagues right now is Chipper Jones, third basemen for the Atlanta Braves. He currently has a .400 batting average.
A .400 batting average means that Chipper gets a hit 40% of the time. That, of course, means that he does NOT get a hit 60% of the time. THAT is why we should all be baseball players! In what other job can you mess up 60% of the time, and still be the best in your field?!
But, I"m not a professional baseball player. I"m a parent. I wonder what my "parental batting average" looks like in God's record book?!
I"m not saying that we, as parents, should aim for .400, mess up 60% of the time, and be content with that. But, we will all have a lot more joy and peace if we head to the plate realizing that we are NOT going to bat .1000.
Don't throw the bat away in disgust and knock over the dugout cooler when you strike out as a parent. Just go to your manager ( God) and ask His advice ( through prayer and Bible reading) then, when you head back to the plate, take your cut and swing for the fences :) You won't bat .1000, but you'll get enough hits to keep that average up there! :)
Have a great day!
Vicki
The best hitter in the Major Leagues right now is Chipper Jones, third basemen for the Atlanta Braves. He currently has a .400 batting average.
A .400 batting average means that Chipper gets a hit 40% of the time. That, of course, means that he does NOT get a hit 60% of the time. THAT is why we should all be baseball players! In what other job can you mess up 60% of the time, and still be the best in your field?!
But, I"m not a professional baseball player. I"m a parent. I wonder what my "parental batting average" looks like in God's record book?!
I"m not saying that we, as parents, should aim for .400, mess up 60% of the time, and be content with that. But, we will all have a lot more joy and peace if we head to the plate realizing that we are NOT going to bat .1000.
Don't throw the bat away in disgust and knock over the dugout cooler when you strike out as a parent. Just go to your manager ( God) and ask His advice ( through prayer and Bible reading) then, when you head back to the plate, take your cut and swing for the fences :) You won't bat .1000, but you'll get enough hits to keep that average up there! :)
Have a great day!
Vicki
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Letter To Me
I heard a song recently, in which the singer speaks of what he would say if he could write a letter and send it back in time to himself at age 17. I was inspired to give it a try.
Lets see...my 17th birthday fell on the last day of school of my Junior year in high school, so my 17th year included my last summer between school years, and my Senior year of high school. Looking back now, I would say....
Dear Blessed,
You have absolutley no idea how truly blessed you are!! But, you are also completely unable to see that right now.
This terrible thing that happened to your family, the lies that caused your whole world to change, WILL pass. I promise, it WILL get better. Just trust the Lord. Stay in your Bible each day, and pray. What God has in store for you and your family is so much better than what you have lost!!!
Now, on to more practical things. Be thankful for J. She is a TRUE and dear friend, and her friendship is something you will come to treasure throughout your life.
PLEASE don't be a mouse. Give that guy who insults you when he sees you in the halls at school a piece of your mind. DON'T let anything he says bother you in the least. He has absolutely NO character. It shows now, but his adult life will bear this out even more.
?? IS an adult, and your teacher, so it's GOOD that you show her respect because of that, but PLEASE understand, her opinion of you does not have to be, and SHOULD NOT influence your opinion of yourself. Her opinion is just that~an opinion, and nothing more. Trust me, once you graduate, every day you will care less and less what she thinks, and you will know that the words she said to you mean nothing.
Say thanks to RJ and JC. Their wonderful influence on you will be there throughtout your life.
Don't trust any person more than you trust the Lord. People will fail you. HE won't.
Skip the Junior/Senior Banquet. In a word? LAME!!
B doesn't seem like such a nice guy right now, but when he grows up, he actually GROWS UP for real, and he's a good friend. Be sure to smile and say hello when you see him.
Give E a little more of your time and attention. She really needs a friend.
A lot of people will tell you that these are "the best years of your life". Trust me, they are SO NOT!!
The Lord has chosen a wonderful man to be your husband. It will take some patience, but when you find him, you'll KNOW.
Don't take that first job that you are offered. You would be better off never to have had the other people who work there in your life.
Take it easy, enjoy today, and don't sweat it. These may not be the BEST years of your life, but they'll be full of some great memories that will bring you smiles later on.
Oh, and by the way, DON'T rent Dirty Dancing when you invite the kids from church over. Daddy WON'T take too kindly to that! :)
Love,
ME
Lets see...my 17th birthday fell on the last day of school of my Junior year in high school, so my 17th year included my last summer between school years, and my Senior year of high school. Looking back now, I would say....
Dear Blessed,
You have absolutley no idea how truly blessed you are!! But, you are also completely unable to see that right now.
This terrible thing that happened to your family, the lies that caused your whole world to change, WILL pass. I promise, it WILL get better. Just trust the Lord. Stay in your Bible each day, and pray. What God has in store for you and your family is so much better than what you have lost!!!
Now, on to more practical things. Be thankful for J. She is a TRUE and dear friend, and her friendship is something you will come to treasure throughout your life.
PLEASE don't be a mouse. Give that guy who insults you when he sees you in the halls at school a piece of your mind. DON'T let anything he says bother you in the least. He has absolutely NO character. It shows now, but his adult life will bear this out even more.
?? IS an adult, and your teacher, so it's GOOD that you show her respect because of that, but PLEASE understand, her opinion of you does not have to be, and SHOULD NOT influence your opinion of yourself. Her opinion is just that~an opinion, and nothing more. Trust me, once you graduate, every day you will care less and less what she thinks, and you will know that the words she said to you mean nothing.
Say thanks to RJ and JC. Their wonderful influence on you will be there throughtout your life.
Don't trust any person more than you trust the Lord. People will fail you. HE won't.
Skip the Junior/Senior Banquet. In a word? LAME!!
B doesn't seem like such a nice guy right now, but when he grows up, he actually GROWS UP for real, and he's a good friend. Be sure to smile and say hello when you see him.
Give E a little more of your time and attention. She really needs a friend.
A lot of people will tell you that these are "the best years of your life". Trust me, they are SO NOT!!
The Lord has chosen a wonderful man to be your husband. It will take some patience, but when you find him, you'll KNOW.
Don't take that first job that you are offered. You would be better off never to have had the other people who work there in your life.
Take it easy, enjoy today, and don't sweat it. These may not be the BEST years of your life, but they'll be full of some great memories that will bring you smiles later on.
Oh, and by the way, DON'T rent Dirty Dancing when you invite the kids from church over. Daddy WON'T take too kindly to that! :)
Love,
ME
Thursday, April 24, 2008
One More Story About My Nana
I just have to share this story. I was there when this happened, but I had forgotten about it until my Dad told this story during Nana's funeral yesterday.
If you know me IRL and have met my Dad, you know that he is quite "a character". He loves to amuse and entertain people, and he LOVES a good practical joke. But, when it comes to practical jokes, my Dad met his match 18 years ago when he met Nana.
I'm not sure how it all got started, but during the first 2 or 3 years that Papa and Nana were married, my Dad and Nana got into a little friendly competition of sorts, trying to see who could give each other the WORST Christmas gift. They would buy each other the cheapest, ugliest, most worthless thing they could possibly find, wrap in something awful, like the label off a can, or some toilet paper, and present their gifts to each other every Christmas.
I think the "object" of this game was to get the other person to FINALLY say "Oh, my word, that is the UGLIEST thing I have EVER seen!" or " Where in the world did you go shopping, the dump?" but neither of them would crack!
Nana would give Daddy the ugliest tie on earth, or a hideous hat, and he would put it on immediately, and wear it for the rest of the day. Daddy would give Nana some trinket that looked like it had been run over by a truck, or a wall hanging that looked like a pit bull had used it as a play toy, and Nana would exclaim that it was beautiful, and immediately put it on display. Neither one would "give in" to the other.
Last year, 4 or 5 months before Christmas, Daddy lost his favorite jacket. My Daddy loses things quite often, so none of us were terribly concerned about his jacket, as we asssumed it would turn up somewhere, sooner or later. But, Daddy really like this jacket, so he looked for it EVERYWHERE. He turned his house upside down, and even looked at my house and my sisters house. He tried to remember when the last time was that he remembered having the jacket, and attempted to retrace his steps, but he never did find that jacket. Finally, he gave up, and bought another jacket, but every time he wore it, he complained about how he just didn't like it as much as the one he'd lost.
When Christmas came around, we went to visit Papa and Nana. Nana opened Daddy's ugly little present for her, and proudly displayed it on her living room shelf. Then, she slipped out of the room. The children continued opening their presents, with much oohing and aahhing, but everyone got quiet when Nana walked back into the room with a big, beautiful box.
This box had been wrapped in gorgeous paper, complete with ribbon and bows. It looked lovely! Daddy, having expected something wrapped in toilet paper, was, for once, speechless. He began to open the box, looking quite confused. Then, he opened and looked inside, still not saying a word. No one else could yet see what was in that box. It seemed that Nana had finally "gotten" Daddy by letting him present her with his piece of junk, then giving him a "real" present!
The look on Daddy's face was priceless as he stared into that box and said "Well, Jeanette, I don't know what to say! What a nice jacket!"
Nana had a huge grin on her face and looked as if she were about to bust.
For my part, for just a minute, I was disappointed. What on earth was up with Nana giving Daddy a "real" present? That's no fun!
Then, Daddy slowly began to lift the jacket out of the box and hold it up for everyone to see. The room erupted in laughter as we all took a look. And we laughed even harder when it took several minutes for Daddy to be the last one to realize that he was sitting there holding HIS OWN JACKET, that he'd driven himself crazy over for the last several months!!! LOL!!
He'd left it at Papa and Nana's house, and instead of returning it, she decided to keep it and wrap it up for Christmas. Daddy had no choice but to admit defeat. Nana had gotten him, and she had gotten him good. I know she relished the moment when he stood and bowed to her, and decleared himself conquered by the joke master.
I don't know if the Lord ever lets His saints see what's going on down here on earth once they are in heaven, but if He ever does, I KNOW Nana was grinning again as Daddy told that story during her funeral yesterday.
You got him, Nana, and you got him GOOD! LOL!
Vicki
If you know me IRL and have met my Dad, you know that he is quite "a character". He loves to amuse and entertain people, and he LOVES a good practical joke. But, when it comes to practical jokes, my Dad met his match 18 years ago when he met Nana.
I'm not sure how it all got started, but during the first 2 or 3 years that Papa and Nana were married, my Dad and Nana got into a little friendly competition of sorts, trying to see who could give each other the WORST Christmas gift. They would buy each other the cheapest, ugliest, most worthless thing they could possibly find, wrap in something awful, like the label off a can, or some toilet paper, and present their gifts to each other every Christmas.
I think the "object" of this game was to get the other person to FINALLY say "Oh, my word, that is the UGLIEST thing I have EVER seen!" or " Where in the world did you go shopping, the dump?" but neither of them would crack!
Nana would give Daddy the ugliest tie on earth, or a hideous hat, and he would put it on immediately, and wear it for the rest of the day. Daddy would give Nana some trinket that looked like it had been run over by a truck, or a wall hanging that looked like a pit bull had used it as a play toy, and Nana would exclaim that it was beautiful, and immediately put it on display. Neither one would "give in" to the other.
Last year, 4 or 5 months before Christmas, Daddy lost his favorite jacket. My Daddy loses things quite often, so none of us were terribly concerned about his jacket, as we asssumed it would turn up somewhere, sooner or later. But, Daddy really like this jacket, so he looked for it EVERYWHERE. He turned his house upside down, and even looked at my house and my sisters house. He tried to remember when the last time was that he remembered having the jacket, and attempted to retrace his steps, but he never did find that jacket. Finally, he gave up, and bought another jacket, but every time he wore it, he complained about how he just didn't like it as much as the one he'd lost.
When Christmas came around, we went to visit Papa and Nana. Nana opened Daddy's ugly little present for her, and proudly displayed it on her living room shelf. Then, she slipped out of the room. The children continued opening their presents, with much oohing and aahhing, but everyone got quiet when Nana walked back into the room with a big, beautiful box.
This box had been wrapped in gorgeous paper, complete with ribbon and bows. It looked lovely! Daddy, having expected something wrapped in toilet paper, was, for once, speechless. He began to open the box, looking quite confused. Then, he opened and looked inside, still not saying a word. No one else could yet see what was in that box. It seemed that Nana had finally "gotten" Daddy by letting him present her with his piece of junk, then giving him a "real" present!
The look on Daddy's face was priceless as he stared into that box and said "Well, Jeanette, I don't know what to say! What a nice jacket!"
Nana had a huge grin on her face and looked as if she were about to bust.
For my part, for just a minute, I was disappointed. What on earth was up with Nana giving Daddy a "real" present? That's no fun!
Then, Daddy slowly began to lift the jacket out of the box and hold it up for everyone to see. The room erupted in laughter as we all took a look. And we laughed even harder when it took several minutes for Daddy to be the last one to realize that he was sitting there holding HIS OWN JACKET, that he'd driven himself crazy over for the last several months!!! LOL!!
He'd left it at Papa and Nana's house, and instead of returning it, she decided to keep it and wrap it up for Christmas. Daddy had no choice but to admit defeat. Nana had gotten him, and she had gotten him good. I know she relished the moment when he stood and bowed to her, and decleared himself conquered by the joke master.
I don't know if the Lord ever lets His saints see what's going on down here on earth once they are in heaven, but if He ever does, I KNOW Nana was grinning again as Daddy told that story during her funeral yesterday.
You got him, Nana, and you got him GOOD! LOL!
Vicki
Friday, April 18, 2008
A Few More Reasons to Homeschool
If I want to, I can call a "snow day", whether it's snowing or not!
We have a school holiday on OUR birthdays, and not necessarily on the birthdays of past presidents or other political figures.
Vacations in May and September are WONDERFUL!
The only time my children raise their hands is when they are trying to reach something on a high shelf.
My children are allowed to go to the restroom without announcing to the whole class that that's what they need to do.
Bugs that you find in your front yard are WAY more interesting than pictures of bugs in science text books.
I get to be teacher, lunch lady, guidance counselor, AND recess monitor!
I get to talk to myself and call it a "parent-teacher conference". :)
Vicki
We have a school holiday on OUR birthdays, and not necessarily on the birthdays of past presidents or other political figures.
Vacations in May and September are WONDERFUL!
The only time my children raise their hands is when they are trying to reach something on a high shelf.
My children are allowed to go to the restroom without announcing to the whole class that that's what they need to do.
Bugs that you find in your front yard are WAY more interesting than pictures of bugs in science text books.
I get to be teacher, lunch lady, guidance counselor, AND recess monitor!
I get to talk to myself and call it a "parent-teacher conference". :)
Vicki
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