Meet A-RON




Because that's what we call him, and that's what his teammates call him, because that's his name.






When your first name starts with not one, but two A's, and your last name starts with RON......there is no doubt what your first love will be. Even though you pitch, you are an awesome third baseman.

A-Ron is a power hitter scoring runs, the name and reputation stands. And even though he plays football and basketball.....he continues with baseball practically year round.

Of course his mom is his biggest fan who travels with the team when they go to weekend tournaments.



She helps with the scoreboard, even if it interferes with her texting.

Ride 'Em Cowboy

I pulled into a parking space in the crowded parking lot at H.E.B on Saturday afternoon. It's one of the only two places I can get fresh meat in this town. The other place is Walmart and "fresh meat" at Walmart means packaged and shipped in from some meat packing plant south of Disneyworld along the Kissimmee River. Really, all I wanted was some ground beef for my taco salad....just the thought of having to go to either crazy zoos gave me heartburn. But someone was looking out for me and my thirst for blogging material...yes they were.



If you are a Dallas Cowboys fan then please seek help don't read this. I love you, and Rowdy the Dallas Cowboys' mascot, and don't want you to desert me, but I wonder about people who do this to their car.

Now, I understand having a favorite team. I've been in a huge football pool with about forty other peeps for years, and I love watching football all day on Sundays. I have my favorite teams, and I have some sweatshirts and hats....but doing this to your car is a bit over the top.

The woman who stepped out of the car happens to be someone I recognized. She works at the local bingo hall. When I say she "works" at the bingo hall, I mean it's a paying job here, not all volunteers like California. Luckily she didn't recognize me when she got out of her car, and I kept my head down because I wanted to take pictures. I could only get two because my phone started ringing, and the only camera I had on me was the one on my phone. BTW, the back of the car had even better stuff including the woman's name! The inside was decked out too.

I'm curious.....just what kind of radius would be safe driving this car? Say I put that crap on my car...how far would I get on my way to Denver next month? Have you ever met a Broncos fan?

How about when I drive from Texas to Virginia in July? I'll be passing through Tennessee and maybe I'll stray into Falcons, Panthers and Redskin turf. So, I guess if you stay in your own hood, you can get away with sporting your team all over your car.

Of course I have some pretty nutty friends like this one back in CA. Can you figure out who her favorite football team is? She actually travels to their opening home game every year....and she still loves me even though I make fun of her Steelers wallpaper and shower curtain. Yes I do...and yes she does.

Just When Does A Bear.......

Wish he were a bird?

When it's Philip Johnny Bob watching Big Red, the Arizona Cardinals mascot.

Phil is a huge football fan....actually, he's a big Kurt Warner fan, and he loves cheering for the AZ Cardinals. Especially when they score. Especially when they score a....

..... "we're going to the Super Bowl" touchdown!



That's right. We are excited here in our family. The Arizona Cardinals are the hometown team for my son-in-law. Yes, the one who just left for Iraq. Luckily, he will get to see the Super Bowl because even if he were here, and even if he flew to Tampa Bay, and even if she offered her couch for him to sleep on.....he would have a total coronary seeing what the ticket packages cost. So, he will be front and center during the game, and probably on the phone with his son texting back and forth ....because that's what they do.

And of course, the Cardinals will be playing the Pittsburgh Steelers...


My girlfriend Jenny, who is one of my fellow Buyers back in CA, sent this picture to my phone during the game. Can you guess that she's a huge Steeler fan?

DOUBLE DUTY

I had a feeling Game 5 would be cancelled due to rain...but nope..a little bit of a delay here and there...with some work by the grounds crew, and then it was "PLAY BALL"

It looked like the Phillies had it wrapped up, then in the top of the sixth inning, the Rays scored....tying it up, 2-2.

The umpires called a rain delay around 10:30 PM, and the infield was covered...I don't know, it's after 11 PM, and the rain isn't letting up.

*****UPDATE*****

Game 5 will resume in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday on FOX at 8 p.m. ET, weather permitting.

So, when the Fat Lady sings, you know it's in the bag.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really got caught up in what could be the final game, and yet I was also watching Monday Night Football...and Dancing With The Stars.

I have to say, DWTS was extremely boring. I know, it was probably just me. I mean, I was really into both games.

When they got around to the Olde School Hip Hop group dance, I tried to give it my undivided attention....Then Cloris came bouncing out with a boom box the size of New Hampshire on her shoulder!

I love the woman, and there is so much to admire...but really, she's getting on my last raw nerve. I feel guilty saying that because I couldn't do what she does, and she's old enough to be my mother. Seriously, I try doing Richard Simmons, "Sweatin to The Oldies" vol 2, and after ten minutes I need a break.

It's sad, so sad because I really like her as an actress, and she's sweet. Please tell me I"m not the only one who feels this way?

**Now don't forget to submit a name for my little Bear. See him over there in the column on the right? The little slide show? The winner gets a huge Walmart gift card valued at $25. Contest ends this Friday at noon PDT.

FROM WHALES TO MARSHMALLOWS......

...which isn't a reference to me and John, or Gavin, or any neanderthal man. Hi Nick.

Well, I trekked by pack mule into the cozy little town of Skagway this morning to post about yesterday. The thought of Chesapeake Bay Woman selling the family estate to pay my Internet cafe fees on ship just for a picture of an old man made me scared for her children feel compelled to comply with her wishes.



Tuesday was an early morning rise in Juneau, capitol of Alaska. We were up at six, and of course I headed outside to take a picture of early morning Juneau, then on to nice sit down breakfast at seven, then head on out for a day of whale watching, tour of the Mendenhall Glacier, a nature walk then a salmon bake.

While waiting for the dining room to open, I was pleasantly surprised to see Kristie, a fellow blogger. I'd started following her daughter’s leukemia journey in October 2005, right after my grandson was diagnosed. Thankfully, her daughter has been off treatment for almost three years…..yeah, Kendrie.


We went by bus to Auke Bay, where we boarded a tri-level catamaran. This is the sun coming up as we heading up the inland Saginaw Channel. The weather was in the high fifties which was warm for Alaska.

Of course John was thrilled to be up run

ning on his umpteenth Alaskan whale watching excursion.

The girls were ready too. One nice thing is the boat had a snack bar with free beverages and snacks like bagels, salmon and pastries.

The tour guide would announce the sighting of a bald eagle, or hump back whale and the whole pack of tourists would scramble to the side of the boat with cameras and binoculars.

I caught a few pictures of humpback whales.

Today there were three of them having a feeding frenzy, which shouldn't be confused with Grandma J.in the buffet line. They were blowing bubbles underwater, causing the schools of fish to scurry away from the light and up into the darkness, which was the open mouth of a whale. The whales would surface as they scooped them up. The tour guide said it’s not that common for whales to orchestrate a “bubble feed”, and it was a rare opportunity to see. BTW, Humpbacks eat about a ton of small fish a day.

We saw Killer whales which are smaller and are actually in the dolphin family. They travel in pods, and are hunt prey twice their size, such as humpback whales. We saw quite a few killer whales, but they surface and dive back so fast, that it’s hard to get a good picture. I was going to draw one in with a sharpie…


Next we headed to the Mendenhall Glacier. It’s a fantastic sight to see. There are waterfalls, ice masses, majestic mountains and bears…lots of bears. We weren’t allowed to bring food into the area because it attracts the wildlife.

We topped the day off with a salmon bake that included ribs, chicken, corn bread, wild rice, beans, salads and a marshmallow roast. We headed back to the ship in time for a nap before dinner. Tomorrow, Skagway. Life is good in Alaska

Thank you Postcard Cindy for the BB update. If anyone who watches BB and doesn't want to know what's going on, please be forewarned that this is the only way I can keep up. I don't have access to network TV. Sorry, Heartshapedhedges. Please don't put any ideas in Beauty's head. We aren't going to the American Girl Store this time around. We will have fun getting our pedi/mani and shopping. We also have a hotel sleepover and a Disney Birthday celebration with her BBF William. Carol Z, thanks, I can't believe I won the first week of the pool, and next time I invite you to come on a cruise....just know the boys will survive! I'm also hoping to connect with Pumpkin Delight sometime today.....You there Pumpkin?

A TWO - FER, JUST FOR YOU

I didn't forget about my regular Friday Matinee on Monday. Just because it's Labor Day, doesn't mean I would let you down. Nope, it take a lot more than a silly Holiday to make me break my promise.

My daughter and her family invited me over this afternoon. I figured we were just going to hang out, watch some TV, and wrestle with JJ. Especially since my daughter already took me out for my birthday Friday night, and I spent the night Saturday. But I was surprised.

My granddaughter made me this nice cake in her Susie Homemaker Oven all by herself, proving once again, she can be productive and still punch out 600 text messages a day.

Then my middle daughter and JJ invited me to join the family for a movie of my choice. I chose Long Shot. Luckily, everyone was happy with that decision except JJ, so he stayed home.
Ice Cube was fantastic as the unemployed uncle in a depressed town whose factory has closed, leaving the towns people struggling to make ends meet..including him. He didn't have much motivation to do much of anything, and gets roped into watching his niece Jasmine, a few hours a day to help out while her mom worked late at the cafe.

The relationship blossomed, but not without a few bumps in the road. Keke Palmer was fantastic as Jasmine Plummer, the first girl quarterback in Pop Warner Football. True story!

I loved this movie...everyone did! We laughed and wanted to cry at times. The acting was exceptional, and the story wasn't corny. I recommend it for all ages.

I won't be able to do a movie review the next two weeks unless there is one on the ship I haven't seen, and I can talk one of my friends to watch one with me. I will do my best....you know I will.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
...because it's August..and that's all he's talking about.


Because he's a Dorsey...and Dorseys play football.

Dede Dorsey plays for the Cincinnati Bengals

Glenn Dorsey plays for the Kansas City Royals

Ken Dorsey plays for the Cleveland Browns

........fast forward seven years. And this Dorsey JUST PLAYS! Football takes on a whole new meaning in the Mile High City when this Dorsey suits up. I've been told the Denver Broncos are already saying "We have dibs!"

And these guys....they know who dominates. Ty Dorsey dominates!

...and there is another Dorsey, a soccer playing Dorsey

...Zachy Dorsey! I can't wait to share his FUTBOL pictures!