The End Of The Line

This weekend I will make one final drive to watch my son compete in "youth sports", even though he is no longer a youth by any stretch, and there is a chance he won't be able to compete because of injury.  Doesn't matter.

I've been watching Stewart compete in some sport or another for about seventeen years or so now.  I remember those first soccer games at the YMCA.  Little did I know then what a monster soccer would become.  I remember him starting off in TBall and the way the little kids in the neighborhood got ready for opening day every year.  I remember the first basketball league at the Y, where you'd wear a colored wristband so you would know who you were guarding.  Stew would hide his arm behind his back.  And of course the first track "meet" in fourth grade--whole thing consisted of the mile run.

I have watched Stew in hundreds of events I guess.  TBall led to little league which led to select baseball which led to high school.  Three on three basketball led to rec league which led to select which again took us to high school.  Soccer, well soccer takes us from rec league to traveling all over the Midwest, indoor and outdoor, year round,  finally to a very nice high school career.  And of course running, from sixth grade cross country and track all the way through college. 

I remember lots of the coaches and parents.  Some good, some not so much so (myself included!).  Some have become friends to both myself and Stewart as well.  Some had good intentions, but were "overmatched".  Others really should have probably stayed in the stands.  And he has had some teammates.  All different levels of skill and ability, some good, some concerned with their own stats more than the team.  Lots of good teams in high school.

And I have traveled to watch Stewart.  Thousands of miles by now I would guess.  Weekend tournaments, travel teams, now of course away at college means I have to go a little further to watch Stew.  And every single mile has been worth it, although I may have had some misgivings at the time.  And I really have been fortunate to not miss that much.  Astute scheduling, vacation time, and down right luck enabled me to see most of his events, and to share in Stew's triumphs as well as the failures.  Never kept track, but I would suspect more ups than downs.

I have seen Stewart be the ultimate teammate.  He has always been encouraging to his teammates, tried to help them, respected his opponents, respected the game.  He has always respected his coaches and officials. I have never seen him get upset at a call or a result.  Obviously I have not seen every practice and contest, but I think I have seen enough and know him well enough to know the way he acts.  I am very proud of him, not only for the way he has competed, but also in the way he has interacted with his teammates, coaches, officials and opponents.

So now comes the end of the line.  I am packing up and making the drive to Massachusetts. I will watch Stewart's team compete one last time.  I hope he is healthy enough to give it a go.  I would love to see a few more left turns.  It's been a heck of a ride, and I may have had near as much fun as him. I would think there will still be some fun runs or beer league softball in his future, but it wont be the same.  But that doesn't matter either.  Hope he's enjoyed it and had fun with it.   I know I have.

SLU Billiken Track and Field

In 10 days or so I will cease being the parent of a college athlete.  Yes, Stewart will graduate at the end of the semester, and not only will his time with the Billikens be over, but mine as well.

And it has been a wonderful four years.  I have gotten to know some wonderful student athletes on the Bills.  I have watched them run and jump and throw.  I have seen them set pr's, set school records, and win conference medals.  I have seen their joy with their performances, as well as the disappointments along the way. 

I have seen the Billikens compete in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Kentucky, North Carolina, Massachusetts,  and Rhode Island.  I looked for them in Kansas (rock chalk Jayhawk, what the hell is that?).  They have also been to Tennessee, California, and Texas--at least--without me.  I have seen athletes from many other schools as well, of course, and have seen many amazing performances.  Indoors and out, in all kinds of weather, through all kinds of traffic I have followed the Billiken's track and field team.  I have dutifully planned out my trips, as well as waking up one morning and deciding to drive to Louisville to make sure the kids had at least one fan at the meet.  I have driven way too fast on more than one occasion, yet have never been stopped on my way to a Billiken meet.  Karma I guess.  I have watched the Billikens run on a track that has hosted the Olympics, and I have been to the Drake Relays.  I have been to schools both large and small, and have many great memories of them all.

And I have gotten to know some of Stew's teammates as well.  Some have made me their FB friends, and allowed me to follow them on the Twitter.  I have learned about their studies and future plans.  I have met some of their parents and learned about their families. Trust me, they are every bit as proud of their child as I am of mine.  They come from all over the country, and have quite the varied backgrounds. I have also watched how they interact with each other, and they truly seem to care for one another.  Always encouraging each other in their events, the team outings----I suppose when you spend as much time together as they do you care for each other.  Nice to see.....

I have read their blogs.  Boy do I miss Billiken A Day.  I am sure many (most, all?) of the younger Bills have no idea what this was, but it sure was interesting.  Some days it made you think, some days it made you laugh, some days I couldn't make any sense of it at all.  But I sure looked forward to it.  I hope somebody can get it going again---interesting to find out what is on younger folks minds.

I would offer some advice to the Billiken athletes who still have some time to go on the team.  You have worked hard to get this far.  I am sure it is not easy being a student athlete, with the travel and training and school work.  But I think it will be worth it.  You will need to learn some discipline, but if you are able to stick with it you will be rewarded, not only on the track, but in your future.  Remember, it is STUDENT athlete.....

So that's it.  Not only is Stewart.s time on the Billiken's track team nearly over, mine is as well.  In a couple of years I won't even know anyone on the team.  I have had a wonderful time traveling around watching the completion through the years.  I have enjoyed the teammates, not only this years seniors, but the graduates of the past few years as well as the "Baby Billikens" who are new to the squad.  I wish nothing but good luck and good health not only with their time on the track team, but in their futures as well.  I am sure the discipline and successes they have achieved and will achieve on the track and field team will serve them well in their futures.  I will always plan on keeping an eye on the SLU track team, may even show up to a meet once in awhile.  It won't be the same, but it's been a great time.  Nothing but good memories for SLU Billiken Track and Field......

One Last Spin

As I continue my attempts to "lighten the load", I am face with the dilemma of what to do with all my record albums, or LP's for those of you in the know.  There are at least a couple of hundred of them just sitting in the basement, and they haven't been touched for years.  Time for them to go.

I don't think I know anyone who listens to albums anymore.  All music is pretty much available on ITunes or Youtube or whatever---well most things at least.  There is really no reason to have records anymore.  So my plan is to set up the turntable and the speakers (which could be an adventure in itself), crank 'er up and let 'er rip.

And I have lots of stuff to listen too.  Some of the stuff is in pretty rough shape---remember "The Cultavator"?  That put a pretty big hurt on some of the vinyl.  And some of the discs are warped a bit, but I'll make it work.  Might have to scrape some old spilt beer off a couple of the records, and I am sure there will be plenty of pops, hisses and scratches.  But that's part of the allure.  There are album's that have only had one side played, or even only one song on the album played.  They will be heard in their entirety.  There are records from when I was a kid, stuff that belonged to my folks, things that were left at parties, and some I picked up that friends were throwing out.

So I plan to give them all one last spin.  So I will hear most all of the Beatles.  And Willie Nelson.  I will hear Johnny Cash sing at San Quinton.  And Huckleberry Hound.  I will listen to all the crazy compilation albums, and the Christmas songs as well.  Everything from Frank Sinatra to Ray Parker Jr.  And I am sure they will all bring back memories, both good and bad, happy and sad, from childhood until my young adult days.  I'm sure I'll find some things I've forgotten about, and others that will be had to part with.  I'm looking forward to album art and liner notes.  And I'm sure it's going to be tough, but then that's it, they have to go.  Need to keep "lightening the load".

The Best Gift of All

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to everyone.

Christmas has passed for another year, and I was thinking about all the gifts both given and received over the years.  All the toys and clothes and books.  All of the electronic things from cassette players to camera to computers and tvs.  Dolls and legos and trucks and "things for the house".  The silly stuff you don't need, and the things you hold near and dear.  All the boxes and paper and bows.  There are many wonderful gifts from throughout the years, but I think I have finally realized the best gift of all.

I have decided that the best Christmas gift that I ever gift is just spending time with friends and relatives.  I look back through my life and the things I remember probably more than the shopping and the gifts are the times spent with the relatives.  Going to my aunt's or grandparents house when I was a kid.  Having people over to the Misses and my place after we got married.  I think I have finally realized that the getting together with people is much better than stuff.

I wish that I would have learned this sooner, because as we get older, we lose people.  Parents, aunt and uncles, friends move on or pass away.  It is always sad when those we love are no longer with us, and it always seems rougher around the holidays.  You know, once they're gone, they are gone. 

So I try to spend as much time as I can with he family as I can.  The kids are home from school so that is nice (who knows how much longer that will happen!), and grammas in from Florida (a great sacrifice for her during this time of the year).  We don't really do too much, but just being together is nice.

Looking back I should have spent more time with the people and been less concerned with the stuff.  In the hurry up right now get it done world we live in, I find that I would prefer just to spend my time with my family and friends.  You just never know when the chance will come up again.

I'm Back....

I am back.  Reenergized, revitalized, rejuvenated.  So what's on my mind today.......

Recently I've been reading about these walls and blackboards popping up letting people kind of list or write what they would like to do before they die.  Since I guess I'm heading into the fourth quarter of life here (if I'm not there already!), I decided to think about what I'd like to do before the end comes....

As I think I've stated before, I do like to travel.  And I really have no desire to leave the country, although the Misses may have something to say about that.  The family and I have been all over the country, but there are still a few places I'd like to see.  I would like to see New York City.  Think it would be interesting.  I'd like to see the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.  I like museums and historic stuff, so I'd like to spend weeks at the Smithsonian in DC.  Think it would be very interesting.  I'd like to see a glacier before its too late.  I have really enjoyed the southwest US and would like to go back sometime.  And it would be real nice to get back to the northwest one more time.

I'd like to get to retirement so I can do absolutely nothing if I feel like it.  Read a book, walk in the woods, go for a swim, whatever.  Sometimes I just like to sit and watch the world go by.  Wouldn't mind just having some time to just sit.  Everything goes right were looking at six years, two months, three weeks and two days.....not that I'm counting or anything.....

Finally, I'd like to be around long enough to see the kids get graduated from college and kind of get settled into their lives, whatever that may be.  Don't know exactly what the future will hold for them, but I would like to at least see them settled in and started down the roads of their lives.

So that's about it.  Don't really need anymore stuff.  And if I'm not able to do any of this stuff, well I've been awful lucky and blessed as it is.  Can't wait to find out what the future holds.......

Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: That's Home......

Random Rumblings of a Middle Aged White Guy: That's Home......: I was thinking recently that I have lived nearly my entire life within about 20 minutes of the same place.  Although I was born in the state...

That's Home......

I was thinking recently that I have lived nearly my entire life within about 20 minutes of the same place.  Although I was born in the state of Washington, I have always lived here in the Milwaukee area, and for a good portion of it no more than 10 minutes from one place to the next.  So I decided to take a little trip down memory lane.....

This is 2115 S. 68th street in West Allis.  Mom says I lived here.  I have no memory of the place.  None.

My first memories of my entire life are from here, 3270 S.98th Street, in Milwaukee.  This is where I had my growin' up years.  We had great neighbors--Tony and Isabelle, The Bauers, the Thomasers, all my childhood friends, like Henry and Barry and David.  My grandparents lived about 10 minutes away.  I walked to grade school, rode my bike all over town.  It was a great place and time to live in this neighborhood.  Everyone seemed to watch out for everyone.  I lived here until about 1973, when I was in 7th grade, and we moved to....




 
 




7000 W Plainfield, in Greenfield.   It's hard moving when you're in your middle school/high school years, and I was no different.  But we made new friends like the Champagnes and the Wehrs and things weren't bad.  So this is where I spent my high school days and was the mailing address of record when I was away to college in Oshkosh.  I also lived here after graduation for awhile.  This is about 10 or 12 minutes from the house on 98th.  Must have lived here until '84, when I moved about 5 minutes away to....

 

3660 W. Loomis.  Don't remember too much about this place except that I could walk to the golf course for a little pitch and putt, and that it was close to the freeway.  Never knew any of the other tenants there.  I was on the second floor.  First and only time I ever lived alone.  Oh, and I got engaged...which led to.....

The first placed I lived with the Misses.  American Colony (this is the back door, the one we used most of the time). Not even 5 minutes from my place on Loomis.    Big apartment complex, 2 bedroom and 2 bathrooms.  It had a big pool.  I was in it once I think  Not a bad place to start out, but after a year they wanted to raise the rent.  Didn't sit well with us, so for the first time in my memory I moved north of Oklahoma to....

1631 N. 57th Street.  We had the lower, with the landlords--the Coopers---living upstairs.  That is, when they were around, which really wasn't that often.  The Jahn's were the neighbors to the south, and they were great.  We enjoyed living there, were close to things, it was a nice situation.  This is where the Misses and I really started getting on our feet.  So much so, that it was time to buy our own place.  Since Cath was teaching in Milwaukee, we had to live ....so back to the south side and our first house, at

2911 S. 45th street.  This was a real nice starter home for us.  I was basically back in my "neighborhood".  It was easy to get to places.  We put a lot of work into the place, and I truly enjoyed our time there.  My children were born here.  We didn't really know a lot of the neighbors--except for George and Isabelle (again!) and the Ciganceks, but everyone was friendly. Soon Cath had left MPS, and although the kids were less than 2 yrs old, we were already thinking about their schooling.  I really didn't want to be moving them once they started school, so we decided to start looking for a different place.  One day in the mail came 3 different ads from realtors, so after one told us the price she could get for our place, I told her if she could get that for this house to sell it.  Thee days later it was gone.  After a lot of looking and a couple of months of our buyers not being able to sell their place, we got lucky and moved to....

...Rolling Ridge in Menomonee Falls.  When I think of all the places we looked and all the places we could have ended up I am amazed this is where we landed.  It was a brand new subdivision with lots of young families, plenty of kids to play with and neighbors to hang out with.  The schools were great for the kids in every way.  It's typical suburban living, and I feel fortunate to have had it.  The neighborhood has started to change over again, and we are seeing a lot of kids around here again.  Kind of makes me nostalgic.  I've been here almost twenty years now, the longest I've ever been in one house.

 

So these have been "my home".  I have really been very lucky to have nice, safe places to live.  I have memories from most all of them, some better than others.  I said when I moved into the present place  that I'd be moving out feet first.  When the kids went off to college, I told the Misses we had to "lighten the load" for our next move.  Is there going to be another?  You never can tell.....