Helping Out

I had told the coach that I was more than happy to help out with the t-ball, but thus far he’s seemed somewhat resistant to having any assistance. The fact is, he’s completely capable of running the show, but I always thought, the more the merrier. Either, it’s made it easier for me, because I can it and watch from the sidelines.

The last practice, I even brought a chair to sit in, but the coach was out sick, and the other coach asked if I’d be interested in helping. I was happy to, but again, was struck by the lack of willingness from the other parents. Maybe it just takes asking them, but many of these guys are good athletes, so helping out would be a breeze for them. I heard some parents wishing they’d focus more on skills and drills, and to that I would encourage them to either step up and say something or take the matter into their own hands. It’s easy to criticize when you’re standing on the sideline.

Either way, it was fun, and they have the drill down. We just play a game, and the kids get to hit and stand around the field bored until it’s their time to bat. I have to confess, I’m struck by the level of disrespect the kids display. When I played Little League, the coahces word was gospel, and we did as we told. I find these kids completely ignore the coaches directives. Granted, they’re very young, but even still, it’s amazing how they respond to their own parents. Then again, that tells the whole story right there.

The reason I bring this up is because as I was helping out and trying to maintain order, I found certain kids would completely ignore me. Don’t they realize that they’re only supposed to ignore their own parents?

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Nathaniel :: Tutvid.com for the pic.

Ticked Off

I got my first tick, first ever in my whole life. I’d never had a tick bite before, though as a parent in New England, you’re acutely aware of them and vigilantly on the lookout for them on yourself and especially the children.

The bummer of it all was that I saw it the day before on my shoulder, and thought it was a small scab or something, and ignored it, though something wasn’t quite right about it. The next day, I looked at it again, and it was fatter. Then I knew, and pulled the sucker off and dropped it into the freezer for safe keeping, just in case we need it for analysis.

I was bummed, but what are you going to do? Summer in Vermont, and I think it’s going to be a bad one for bugs because we had an amazingly we Spring, so things are primed and ready to grow. The mosquitoes thus far have been the worst I’ve seen for this time of year, so we’ll see how it goes.

Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to sergio venturi for the pic.

Aftermath

We survived our first market, on a number of levels. We’d made some changes and weren’t sure how the response would be, but so far, so good. The biggest change was that we didn’t have my Mentor’s Explorer, which was good for the market because it was so big, you could fit a house inside that thing.

This year, all we had were our two sedans, both of which were small. We worked it out by using our Thule roof rack, which worked out beautifully. Between the two cars, we managed to get everything for the market, even our massive sign, which is hard to transport because it’s so long, albeit flat. In fact, I would almost go as far as to say that it was easier, because our limitations forced us to be more organized, and that made the process smoother. With the Explorer, there is so much space, it’s a free for all and I end just throwing things in and making a mess of it all.

We were a little anxious getting ready because we weren’t sure what to expect, and it had been a long time since the last one, so we were a bit rusty. However, we managed to get to the market in one piece, and I had not forgotten anything, which must have been a first. It was nice seeing all of our friends and neighbors, and we got to be neighbors with NL of the alpaca farm, whom we really like and love having right next to us.

The kids were also very much involved this time around, and they did an awesome job, working hard and taking it very seriously. They indicated that they wanted to help, and I personally think it makes it more interesting for them as opposed to sitting there bored and disinterested. A took the helm at helping customers, and N was the treasurer. Truth be told, I think the customers got a bit of a kick out of it all, and who can blame them. Not only are the kids cute, but they are courteous and do a good job. Plus, they have incredible amounts of energy, and the positive vibe really connects with people. R and I were so proud of them.

The weather also cut us a break, because it was slated to be stormy and windy, the kiss of death for a market. It not only drives away the customers, but it’s a nightmare for the booth. It’s just no fun standing in the wind and rain, and several of the other vendors were debating if they should even set up. The sky was filled with dark clouds, and the wind was a constant presence, but in the end, it worked out for the best because the breeze keeps things cool, and the clouds give you a break from the sun. Eventually, the sun came out, and the weather was great.

All in a all, it was an amazing first day, you couldn’t ask for anything better. The crowds were good, we sold our dumplings, the kids had fun, and we made it out in one piece.

I love when that happens. Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Ultimate Frisbee

We had a busy weekend last week, and after spending a long day at FF, we went back to the field and played ultimate Frisbee after supper. Talk about a workout, exacerbated by having a full stomach, not to mention an old body that is falling apart.

The reason we went in the first place was because A&N’s buddies were going to be there, and once they’d heard about it, A&N wanted to go. I was hoping that they would have forgotten about it by the time we finished supper, but those guys have memories like elephants, and there was no way they were going to miss this one.

To be clear, I had every intention of sitting in my chair and watching the game from the sidelines, but of course, when we got there, they asked us to join. The more, the merrier. I was so bummed, because N was itching to play, and I couldn’t make him go out there by himself. So I got up out of my comfortable chair and joined in.

I have to confess, it was fun, but what a workout. We were just running constantly. It reminded me of soccer, but not nearly as strenuous. Plus, it was hot out there, and I hadn’t brought much water because, as I mentioned, I had zero intention of playing.

The other players spanned the range of skills, some of whom were like pros out there. Pretty impressive stuff, and they were all very nice about including N in the play, encouraging him and making sure that he felt like a part of the game. True gentlemanly gamesmanship, which I can totally appreciate.

Best of all, I didn’t throw up, which I was sure I was going to do since I’d just eaten supper. N had a blast, and is hooked, I believe. Looks like we’ll be attending more games in the future.

My legs are still sore, though I have to confess, I really enjoyed it. If the kids are having fun, I’m having fun.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to hk hjgk for the pic.

Farm Fest

Last weekend was the first big festival weekend, Farm Fest (FF), and it was a really nice time. We lucked out big time with the weather, because not only did the forecasted thunder showers not show up, but it was actually reasonably cool. The cloud cover really makes a big difference.

I was surprised, however, at the lower turnout. In the past, this was a big event, maybe because it’s the first one of the season. The other summer fairs and festivals happen later in Summer, and by then people have complete burnout and stay home, or are away on vacation. FF is popular, but even still, the turnout was smaller. When we first got there, the crowds were tiny, though as the day progressed, it really filled up a lot more, which is good.

In the past two years, we have helped out with various booths, but this year, I hadn’t given it much thought. They have tons of volunteers, and I figured they didn’t need our help. This way, we could come and go as we pleased, and simply enjoy the festivities. However, at the last minute I got an email from the volunteer coordinator, who happened to be YKW’s mom, asking if I was interested in helping. I said sure, and they stuck me on money collecting detail for the carriage ride, which was only for a couple of hours, but I always hate taking money from little kids.

FF was fun for everyone, we got to see lots of our old friends that we haven’t seen for awhile, and eats lots of junk food, though there was, like last year, a noticeable absence of cold drinks. By the time it was over, most of A&N’s friends were gone, and we were free to take off since we weren’t there in an official capacity.

One last interesting note, A&N actually spent a lot of the time apart, doing their own things, which is a very cool thing, because it shows that they’re pursuing their own interests, and making their own friends.

It was an exhausting day, but we still had ultimate Frisbee to play after supper. The things you do for your kids.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

The Return of YKW

We had a visit from YKW the other day, and it sure took me by surprise. I don’t quite know where it came from or why it happened, but I was working in the yard and the kids were playing when lo and behold, she pulled into the driveway with her mom on their bikes. It was actually a pleasant visit, and the kids went crazy for a brief moment, so much so that she was actually pleading with her mom to stay, but they had to go.

I’m guessing that they were riding the trails and as they passed our house, they heard the kids playing and wanted to visit. Or rather, she heard the kids playing and asked her mom to stop and visit, because somehow I doubt if Mrs. YKW was that into it, but what do I know?

Either way, it was convivial, and initiated a rekindling of the friendship. I’m not sure where this one is going, but I’ll try not to overreact. Yeah, right.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Hockey Heaven

I just wanted to mention that for the first time in a long time, the Stanley Cup Finals involve two teams that I want to win. Usually in the past there was one team that I really wanted to win and another that I not only did not care for, but couldn’t understand why it even existed. Or, I was ambivalent about the end result.

For example, for about three years there were teams from cities that couldn’t care less about hockey, and they were playing teams where hockey is revered, i.e., Canada. Personally, I’d like to see the Cup go back to Canada, where they truly love hockey. In the US, there are teams in places that don’t even like hockey, like Tampa Bay, North Carolina, and Anaheim. To compound the injustice, these teams all beat teams from Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa, respectively), and their respective cities don’t even support their teams. Let’s face it, the south is football and basketball country, not to mention baseball. Hockey is just not that popular.

Anyway, this year, two teams that I’d love to see win are in the final, Boston and Vancouver. Sure, Boston isn’t Canadian, but they’re an original 6 team, and they haven’t won it in nearly 40 years. Vancouver has never won it, though they played one of the greatest series against the Rangers.

This should be good. The only question is, who should I root for? I’d have to go with Boston on that one, as part of my training to be a New Englander, right?

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Jason Antony for the pic.