Sunday, October 26, 2008

Do I have the wrong calendar..is it Easter and not Halloween?

The leaves are filling the neighborhood lawns, the days are getting shorter, and the chill has started to fill the air. It must be time for Halloween.

Opening today's newspaper's plethora of ads I was drawn to the local supermarket chain that is proudly announcing a Sale on Large Eggs. Can these folks have thought about the placement of this ad.

Maybe it is a sting that the local police are having to try to stop neighborhood vandalism. I do not think this is the case but you never know.

Remembering the many pranks of Halloween the sale of Eggs in 1/4 of your front page ad just did not seem to be responsible.

Guess I am old fashioned, but watch out for those sale Eggs flyong off the shelves and onto siding and cars near you.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Early Voting

Saturday I took advantage of the early voting opportunity. The place was packed.

As I looked at the line I tried to picture who they were voting for. It was a fun little quiz. In talking to people in other states this seemed to be the norm. My line was 45 minutes to get to the voting machine. In talking with someone in GA they had people waiting as high as 2 hours.

It will be an interesting year to see how the voting continues as we get nearer the election.

It would be great if somehow your cable or satelite provider knew that you voted and you did not have to see any of the commercials.

Well we have a extra window to vote. How many will not exercise their right.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Birthday's a time of reflection

I went to a friends Birthday Party yesterday. It brought back memories of the many things that have happened over the years. Made me pause and think about the early years of our friendship.



The pickup baseball games in the schoolyard and at the ball field down by the river. The basketball games after we had removed the snow off the baskeball court. The time we had spent together playing, laughing and doing things together.



I guess it is the values that we shared as youngsters and how those values are pretty much the same today. Maybe a few tweaks..he still likes the Cubs .. I have changed from the Pirates to the Cardinals. (Thanks to Dick Groat) That age was a lot different than the activities and mindset of today.



At that time the most important thing in lfe was items like What was the batting average of Kenny Hubbs or the ERA of Ray Sadecki. And trying to figure out if the reliever had a save. This was during the time that baseball statistics would change forever. The dreaded asterisk associated with Roger Maris's Home run Acheivement.



Looking around the room at the party interacting with the yougsters I saw a different picture. One was at the far end of the table removed from conversation as he was engrossed in a handheld video game. The other youngsters were talking about their school challenges and the dreams of their future. Most were still in Grade School. If we had turned on Mr. Peabody's way back machine the conversation would have been about how soon all of could be outside playing a game of football, or whatever activity we would have as a group. The kids today seemed to have become more Goal oriented at an earlier age. Is this a natural evolution?

It was great to see all the kids and the grownups and how our lives has progressed. The basic values have not wandered far for my friend and I.

Last night after the party I ran into a friend that was sort of in a Funk about their upcoming Birthday. She was upset over her lack of meeting certain goals she had imposed upon herself. She was not able to focus on the present. The many great things that have happened to her those few short years that she was looking back across. The kids, the many accomplishments she has had. The fun and joy that seems to surround her.

Yesterday was a great day seeing many friends and many interesting thoughts and shared journeys. Birthdays are just a day on the calendar. Another bit of wax that has turned into energy and spent. We need to make the best use of that wax.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Road Projects...a conundrum.

Have you noticed recently how some road projetcts just drag on and on....Example Pekin Bridge ramp work, Airport Road project between Alpha Park and the Limestone High School. While other projects are just minor inconveniences. Example Bartonville resurfacing on RT 24.

It just seems that there must be a common denominator that will predict the length of the project. Maybe it is how much money is thrown at it. Or possibly the engineering behind it. With the current economy we probably should be happy that these projects even get started.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Richwoods Peoria Central Game

The Peoria Richwoods game was a great experience. The Richwoods Band was Fantastic. So many of the games you go to you hear the same music since this is there competition. Give the Band Director credit and they are playing new music at the games. The played Music made popular by Foreigner and some other great songs during half time. Unlike most other High School Bands they stayed the entire game.

The did a great job and had an Big Impressive Sound. Probably the best Trombone section I have heard in a High School band in some time. The last game I heard them at the drum section seemed to over power the band. Last night they band was ON. It is great to hear a Great Pep Band. Richwoods should be proud. A Great Football team and an even better Band to accompany the game.

The other thing that I was impressed with was the diversity of the school. The Football team has a young man who is hearing impaired. During time outs they have a person sign for him in the huddle and on the side line. This is great that this young man can have this experience in his High School days. He was injured in one of the final plays. Hope he will be back on the field next week.