Vehicle for photos

So really this is just a vehicle for me sharing photos.  Oh there will be the rare informative moment, such as I am all ready for Red Sox post season baseball.  In my sparkly hat, my navy blue hoodie and my Wakefield t-shirt.
But I also wanted to share views from the North Sea.

There was a storm last night, and this morning.  I don't know if it came in from the North Sea or from land.  But it was wild and wooly.  Cold too.  These are some views from yesterday on my way home via the Fife Coastal Path.  I do love that walk.  The first one is the famous pier.  From my view at the top of the hill and the Church of St. Mary's on the Rock.  The second is toward the Castle, and the third is the edge of the cliffs. And the last one is the East Sands beach at high tide. 

SPRING!!!!

Yes, it's not really spring yet. And from where I am sitting, probably won't be until Memorial Day. There's still feet of snow in my yard. I wish I could remember where the storm drain grate was, and I'd uncover it to help drain the melt water faster. There's a small pond in my driveway. All I need is koi at this point.

Did you all see that the groundhog said early spring? Yeah right. Poor rodent. Like there was any sun that day. Nobody saw their shadow let alone a poor sleep deprived groundhog. He had to get his sleep cycle all screwed up when everyone knows that the real harbinger(my word of the day)of spring is PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT!

Are there four more beautiful and hopeful words in any language? I can't think of any off hand.
I mean I get all excited when the Boston Globe does it's annual Truck Day reporting. Yes, a bit crazy, but pitchers and catcher report...that's joy. And any player who reports early? It's just an added bonus.

At this time of year I long for two things, bright spring flowers and baseball. I check my garden(when I can see it) for the signs of my bulbs popping and watch the sports channels for baseball reports.
Once my cable company started carrying the MLB Network, February got so much more interesting.
And March gets better when they start showing actual spring training games.

Baseball commissioner idea 1

Well, my campaign is off to a slow start. I suppose that's the problem with a grass roots campaign.
In order to be fully versed in baseball when I take over, I have learned how to score games. That's only the first part. I've got feelers out for salary caps and I am recruiting my staff.

I also have outlined my drug testing timeline. Every major leaguer must be tested 5 times a year.
The first time is when they report to spring training. The second is the beginning of the season. Not any later than the last week of April.
Then we have testing before the All-Star game. The fourth time will be in September. And of course after the season ends. If your team makes the post season you get tested for that too.
If you test positive then there's another test by an independent company to make damn sure it was a real positive not a fake one.
Then if it is a real one, Suspension and fines. For the player. The team gets a fine. And the player gets to go to rehab counseling.
Yeah, it seems harsh, and I fully expect the union and the owners to kick up a fuss, but as everyone keeps saying baseball isn't just a game it's a business. Well, every business I've worked for has a very strict policy about using drugs. Some you get fired for, others there is mandatory drug counseling and 'leave' time.
So if you want to be a relevant business in the 21st century you need to have 21st century business policies.
I ain't here to be anyone's hero. I am here because someone needs to play the heavy. Hey, Cardinal Richelieu wasn't anyone's hero, but no one argued with his organizational skills and his methods.

Boys of summer

Well, the boys of summer have entered into fall. I always have mixed feelings about October.
On the one hand I love the colors and the fact you don't usually have to turn on the heat or the air conditioning. Going apple picking and making apple sauce. It's also baseball playoff time. Which this year is one of the best. Don't believe me? Look who won the NL wild card. Hey, even the Cubs got into it this year. Although that was sort of a mixed blessing for Chicago.
But the fact that it's October means I'll have to buy veggies from the grocery store again. And rake leaves.

I love watching the baseball playoffs, (just not on Fox.) Actually I usually listen to the radio broadcasts with Joe C.
But soon 2007 baseball will only be a fond memory.

As A. Bartlett Giamatti so aptly said, "It breaks your heart. It was designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summertime, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone...then, just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops....and summer was gone."

But this year fall held off. Some days are summer warm here in New England. Shorter yes, but still warm and bright. My garden is still producing. Peppers, a few green tomatos here and there, and fall eggplants still have the taste and memory of summer. The trees are just starting to turn and not too many leaves are in the backyard yet.
And the boys of summer are still playing in Boston.

My Sox won the AL East for the first time since 1995. They swept the Angels in three games and the Cleveland/Boston games made the ALCS the best show on TV. It stands 3 games to 2 with Cleveland on top. But Boston with Beckett on the mound fought back, thanks to amazing pitching and a few timely hits. They forced Game 6. On their home turf no less.

So Game 6 of the ALCS goes to Fenway for Saturday night baseball. Boston baseball is an E-ticket ride from spring training to October.

So for one more weekend there are fresh garden vegetables, sunshine and baseball in New England.

Pampering

Three of my favorite Friday things. There is little to compete with the joy of having a good baseball game on the tube, a medium double cheese with mushrooms and beef and the current favorite ice cream du jour. Talk about bliss. Now, I don't do this every Friday. Maybe once a month. It depends on the game, what my ice cream mood is, when was payday. The usual variables. If you are ever looking for pampering and relaxation try it. It doesn't have to be baseball, pizza and ice cream. It could be Football, fondue and cheesecake. Or how about soccer, French onion soup and creme brulee? Combine your favorite sport, comfort food and dessert. Hang out in your most comfortable clothes in front of the tube. Invite some friends. Or not. It's up to you. Trust me. It's great.