Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes

JUCO 2008 . . . Play Ball, Brett, Play Ball !

Here is a post from last year's JUCO tournament.  Clink this Link:  JUCO 2007

When these kinds of buses roll into Grand Junction every year for JUCO, it's hard to imagine how many stories they bring to us from all over the United States.

As I mentioned yesterday on the post below, the Connor's team from Oklahoma was my pick...but, the Cowboys were eliminated.  Even though I lived in Oklahoma most of my life, I was born in Texas, so I quickly latched on to this team: Alvin Community College.  The Grand Junction Lions' Club is the sponsor of this team, so that was another reason to root for them. (Someone who lives under this roof is a GJ Lion. Besides, I was the self-appointed, unofficial photographer for the Dolphins.)

I had to grab a map to see why a team from Texas would be called the Dolphins, but then remembered, Texas is a big state and does have a coast.   Alvin is not far from that coast.

 As I mentioned earlier, there are many stories associated with the young men who have all worked hard to get to this World Series, and this year is no exception...

Left to right:  Nanny, Mom, Brett, Nanny Bear

I'm not sure how many players at JUCO can boast that four (4), yes count them F.O.U.R. generations of his family have ever been represented at this World Series Tournament. Brett Kinsel, #6,  Alvin Community College's relief pitcher is one of them.  

During Shauna's pregnancy with Brett, she spent the better part of that nine months watching softball. She swore she would never sit at a ball field again. When Brett was six months old, a baseball magically appeared at their house, and he began pushing it across the floor with his face. When she would tuck him in at night, it wasn't with a teddy bear. It was with that baseball, and usually by morning, she would also find a bat in his bed. Later, after someone gave him a pair of cleats, it wasn't unusual to find those on him, too.  Shauna adds, "His first sentence was PLAY BALL BRETT, PLAY BALL."  She and his dad, Mark, started him in a parent-tot league at the age of three. Most of the kids at that age needed their parents on the field with them. Shauna and Mark sat in the stands. Brett had a natural talent and an unusual love for the game. A love that poured out onto the rest of the family. When Brett plays, there is an entourage that follows him.

Betty (Mi-Mi) and Jerry (Huney) Kinsel are two of Brett's grandparents who made the trip from Baytown, Texas, to Grand Junction to watch their grandson play. Mi-Mi smiles as she tells me that everyone in the family has been watching Brett PLAY BALL since he was three years old and continue to enjoy the games and support his love of baseball.

His dad, Mark, coached him until high school. Since then, he has watched quietly from the fence, hating not being on the field with him. Even though the fans in this photo are unidentifiable, for some reason, there is a person dressed in "Alvin Red" who stands out among the crowd. Mark says that they have had a blast chasing him from town to town. He married Shauna on March 16, 1990 when Brett was about three months old.

I made my way through the crowd down the third base line and found Mark 'quietly watching the game.'

Mark and Shauna both have served on the board of  their local little league for four years.

They laugh together and use the 'ole line, "Baseball is our life...it's been berry berry good to me."

   
 Brett's sister, 17 year-old Paige, nervously chewed on a green straw during the game. She did take a deep breath and flashed this pretty smile for me.

Mom explained that Paige grew up at the ball park and cut her teeth on the fence. Then she laughs and says, "That's not true. She was potty trained there."

Shauna says that Paige isn't the competitor that her brother is but spends as much time as any of the family members in the stands or in the dug out as a trainer for the high school team.

Betty (Nanny) and Archie (Pap-Paw) made the trip to Grand Junction from Onalaska, Texas. Nanny kept Brett when he was younger and shares this bit of information about Brett, "He always had two plans for every day:

1) to know when breakfast, lunch, and dinner were
2) could they PLAY BALL afterwards 

Just in case you are considering kidnapping this young man and taking him home with you, don't even think about it ! Pap-Paw is a burglary and theft detective for the Houston Police Department.

Mom says that Brett was the first grandchild on this side of the family, so to say that he was a little spoiled would be and understatement.

Then, there is this fan of Brett's, Nanny Bear ! She made it clear that she was old enough to have five generations. She is the Mother of eight, Grandmother of nineteen, Great Grandmother of twenty-seven, Great-Great Grandmother of four with one more due in September.  Brett would tell you that she is amazing and share the story that five years ago she helped him build a deer stand on the back side of her land. That's the year he shot his first deer. They both share a love of the outdoors. She hunts, has her own four-wheeler that she loads into the truck, and takes it to the deer lease. Nanny Bear still loves to fish. She enjoys all sports and can even still swing a bat. She would tell you that Brett's love to PLAY BALL comes from her. She played ball for years as a first baseman and explains that if she could find a senior's team in her area she would still play. She loves to watch Monday night football. I wish I had thought to ask her who her favorite team is.

"She is our HERO and I can only pray that when I'm old enough to have five generations, I still get around like she does. I'm not sure that I get around as good as she does now," Shauna tells me.

Nanny Bear was thrilled to be here in Grand Junction even though she was certain that the people at the Friendship Center are really missing her. No doubt they are. She cooks for them.

This wonderful lady is very proud of all her grandkids, especially the ones who enjoy the same things she does. 

Her youngest grandson, David, is a Marine stationed in Iraq. This trip to the JUCO World Series was a good distraction to keep her from worrying about him.

In a day and time when our youngsters need real heroes, I wasn't surprised to see these two sticking very close to Brett as they watched. It also wasn't surprising to notice that his exictement was contagious as he encouraged his teammates during the entire game.

 

Even though the outcome of this game didn't end in favor of the Dolphins, these four generations had smiles for all the cameras.

All the ladies representing their three generations sported black t-shirts embellished with Swarovski crystals denoting who their favorite baseball player is.

 

Brett is a freshman for the Alvin Community College Dolphins and there is no doubt this family will make the trip back from Texas next year if he has anything to do with it.

After one of the games this week, Brett was quoted as saying, "This is the only team I've been on that never gives up. We keep battling until it's over."

I don't think any of us have to wonder where he learned that philosophy and who has passed it on to all of her children, and their children, and their children, and their children...

 

PLAY BALL, BRETT, PLAY BALL !
 

JUCO: Junior College World Series 2008

It was my intention to have a daily post about JUCO beginning last Saturday. My computers had different plans. I know just enough about "cornpooters" to be dangerous. My computer 'guru' had the nerve to leave town for the weekend...how dare him, so I set up at tent at the Best Buy's Geek Squad counter. This was just to make my cursor move. There's nothing worse than a cursor that won't respond.  Unless it's the fact that when I finally had the opportunity to create a new post, I find that Typepad has updated and I don't have the foggiest why my photos uploaded in such a haphazard formation. So, until I can reach Willowtree or figure this out myself, you will just have to follow along the best you can.

I'll not go into the history of JUCO on this post. As the old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. The following are photos taken during one of the Connors State College (Oklahoma) games. That was my team, but unfortunately has been eliminated.

The scoreboard tells the tale.

 

Fans in the stands at Suplizio Field.

 

Holding one's tongue correctly is vital when autographing a baseball.

Playing dot-to-dot on an unsuspecting on-looker's leg.

 

The culprint. How could anyone be so cute and so guilty at the same time?

 

The photo above needs a caption.
Can anyone help provide one?

 

Blue cotton candy is a requirement for the "littlest cheerleader" at the game.

 

There's nothing more fun than spending the day at the ball park with your best buds.

 

Can you hear me now?

 

Can YOU hear ME now?

 

Oh, to be young and blonde again.  Well, maybe young. I was never blonde.

 

Read my lips.

 

Rally faces.

 

This little one wasn't too concerned about the score.  Just don't try to take his Cheetos away from him.

 

Wouldn't you love to know what he's thinking?
(Get that camera outta my face, woman.)

 

 

 

This photo tells the story. Even though Connors State was eliminated from the JUCO World Series 2008 tournament, all these young men are winners.

Congratulations for making it this far and may you have continued success with your baseball careers.

A Cheap Post

If anyone out there remembers a friendly witch who at one time tried to post something new everyday, please let me know how to find her.

I'll not go into details about what's been going on but it involves computers: missing cursors, broken mouses, sprinkler systems, surprise company (which I totally enjoyed), JUCO...just to mention a few items.

So, the easiest and quickest way I know how to update any of you who may still be visiting The Asylum, is to use my cousin's way of posting. Steal it.

There is another new blogger in our family:

THE MARTIN DOCUDRAMA

You will recognize some of the characters featured here. Please tell them that someone named SwampGammy sent you.

As soon as I find my cursor, retrieve my mouse, locate a computer that works, and take a long nap...this will be my official post for awhile.

 

The Witch Has Landed

Obviously, blogging wasn't even on my list during my absence from home. It hasn't made it's way very high up on that list since I've returned home, (about 90 minutes ago), but I did want to post a few pictures to prove there were valid reasons for not posting anything.

On the Road Again

Message from the Emergency Swampcast System:  BlogBuds...you are the best ! I can  NOT believe ALL of you followed the "ONE-WORD PER COMMENT RULE." (Well, NLM fudged just a little.)  By now, I was expecting that someone would have used more that ONE word and written an epic-long comment.

It's is my plan to have a Fun Monday post...as for this one, just do whatever you want to with it. Let's see what happens when the "One word per comment rule" is lifted.  There should be at least one blogger on Sunday who makes his/her way over here to finish this thing up.

For now, I haven't seen a tornado yet, unless you consider that 3 year olds are little tornadoes.

Well, the old broom wouldn't start, so I had to use this goose to fly to parts unknown Oklahoma.  The problem is, this goose is heading west and I do believe the last time I checked, "Okrahoma" is east of The Asylum.

There is no tellin' how long it will be before I get back to bloggin', so I'm asking for your help to create some fun over here... AGAIN !

This time, instead of 20 or less words to create an on-going epic, only use ONE (1) word for the story.  In other words word, your comment will only be one word that continues whatever the person in the previous post said. You can post as many times as you wish.

I'll start it:   Swampy...

Have You Ever Held a Hummingbird in Your Hand?

Wordless Wednesday
It's only Wordless to here. If you don't want words, don't scroll down.
For the others who probably followed the rules, HERE THEY ARE !

There he was on my patio table. Lifeless. Lying on his side. His little feet tightly clutched the edges of the table. As if he knew he was going to blow away. The fierce winds swept down off The Monument that day. Carefully, I pried those delicate little claws loose. I held him in my hand. Tiny. And still.

His iridescent green feathers shimmered in the sunlight. They fluttered in the wind. The only things that moved on his body. His little head flopped over as if his neck was broken. Like my heart.

He deserved a decent burial. My green house shoe. It didn't exactly match his pretty regal feathers. But it was soft.  And it was warm because I took it off my foot. I laid him on my green house shoe. Just one more time. I wanted to hold him. Gently, I put him in my palm and wrapped my fingers around him. One more time. As if to tell him good-bye. As I stroked his little body, I could almost feel my heart beat in my index finger. Thump. The wind blew harder. We went inside the house where it was calm and quiet. Thump. Thump. His eyes were closed. Thump. Thump. Thump. Wait ! That's not my finger ! How do you give a hummingbird mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? Very carefully, I would imagine. Both hands were now cupped on this tiny being. Instinct. I breathed warm breath through my fingers. Nothing. I did it again. Then held my breath. Not moving or breathing, myself. In case there was a movement in my hand. I breathed into my hand again. Thump. Thump Thump. Thump Thump Thump. Quiver. My whole body shook. His body quivered. And quivered again. Do I dare open my hand?  I did. His eyes were still closed. A feather rumpled. Then his whole body rumpled.

He lifted his head. He opened his eyes. I think he looked at me.  I think he smiled. I know I smiled.

We went outside into the sunlight. Warmth. Shielded from the wind. We spread our wings. What a magnificient bird. A majestic bird. Majestic as an eagle.

More ruffled feathers. Iridescent purple feathers. Proud. Proud as a peacock. A purple peacock.

We moved to a safer place. On the table. Out of the wind. And then...just like that...we landed...

...here. Did the wind blow us there? Or did we fly to this chair?  There's no wind here. How did this happen?

Can you see our wings? We FLEW here. We sat on the chair for several minutes. Trying out our wings. I think he looked at me. I think he smiled at me again.

Then we sat here. On this rock. Breathing. Living. What a big world it is when you're a little bird. A little hummingbird. A majestic little hummingbird.

Come to the edge, he said.
They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came.
He pushed them.
And they flew.

---Guillaume Apollinaire

How Does One Get from Steve Martin to Bubble Gum ?

Sauntering Soul is our hostess this week. First of all, it is necessary that I totally understand the meaning of sauntering:
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Saunter \Saun"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sauntered; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Sauntering.] [Written also santer.] [Probably fr. F.
   s'aventurer to adventure (one's self), through a shortened
   form s'auntrer. See Adventure, n. & v.]
   To wander or walk about idly and in a leisurely or lazy
   manner; to lounge; to stroll; to loiter.

         One could lie under elm trees in a lawn, or saunter in
         meadows by the side of a stream.         --Masson.

   Syn: To loiter; linger; stroll; wander.

Sauntering Soul's sub-title: Full of scrambled wisdom and defunct fantasies.  Does this make you feel like we may all be just roaming around loose today because Sauntering Soul is our leader? 

If not, keep reading. This is our challenge:   "I know we all try to be sweet and kind to people the majority of the time. But let's face it....we also know that sometimes we can be a big jerk. It could be that you experience road rage from time to time. Perhaps you empty the coffee pot at work some mornings and don't feel like taking the time to start a new pot for the next person. Or maybe you don't return phone calls on a timely basis when you know someone needs a response from you. Have you ever "accidentally" ruined a favorite shirt of your spouse just because you didn't care for it? Come on - it's confession time! List the small things you do that make you a jerk and elaborate just a bit on each one. Please tell me I'm not the only jerk around here!"

UPDATE ! Message from the Emergency SWAMPcast System: Someone is stealing Fun Monday Posts. Beware ! I've done some investigating and came up with THIS CLUE.  (P.S. The definition of a funny little "jerk" is waiting for you there...also, defined is plagarism, copyright infrigement, and whatever else you can think of when someone is this crafty. He mentions, "having his pants down." What he fails to remember: I'm 10 years older than he is. I"ve changed his diaper. There were photos. I have a scanner. I know how to use it...

Now on with the show:

Here's what hit my brain, in the order of whacks:

1)

The Jerk is the 1979 rags-to-riches-to-rags comedy film of belated self-discovery. This was Steve Martin's first starring role in a feature film. The film also features Bernadette Peters, M. Emmet Walsh and Jackie Mason.

In 2000, readers of Total Film magazine voted The Jerk the 48th greatest comedy film of all time.

This film is number 20 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies", and number 89 on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs.

2)  Jerky is meat that has been cut into strips trimmed of fat, marinated in a spicy, salty or sweet liquid, and then dried with low heat (usually under 70°C/160°F) or occasionally salted and sun-dried. The result is a salty, stripped, semi-sweet snack that can be stored without refrigeration. Jerky is an early application of food preservation techniques. It is also very expensive. On a recent road trip with my cousin, Nekked Lizard Man, we ate our weight in jerky. My teeth were sore from gnawing on that leathery substance. We tried every flavor from teriyaki, to peppered, to liver flavored, to sweet and spicy, Jamaican jerk jerky, Cajun, and, my all-time favorite: hot enough to melt your tongue and fry your brain. My digestive juices are still working overtime.

3) This one, I TOTALLY understand, Yes, I do. You know I do !

It is well known that the first derivative of position (symbol x) with respect to time is velocity (symbol v) and the second is acceleration (symbol a).  It is a little less well known that the third derivative, i.e. the rate of change of acceleration, is technically known as jerk (symbol j).  Jerk is a vector but may also be used loosely as a scalar quantity because there is not a separate term for the magnitude of jerk analogous to speed for magnitude of velocity.

In the UK jolt has sometimes been used instead of jerk and may be equally acceptable.

Doo-whut??

4) And FINALLY, my very own Jerk Story. Yes I know you're excited to know this is THE END. Here is the reason AnodeMan is more than willing to do his own laundry:

He had this favorite pastel yellow windbreaker. (Notice HAD is past tense. Why he had a pretty, yellow pastel windbreaker... I do not know.) How was I to know there were holes in the pockets and everything that was supposed to be in the pockets was actually nestled between the lining and the sweater-like stretchy fabric along the bottom?  How was I supposed to know that there were about seven (7), count them SEVEN pieces of "Dubble Bubble-Bubble Gum" that were supposed to be in the pockets, but weren't. Do you know the damage that SEVEN pieces of Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum can do to a pretty pastel yellow windbreaker...the entire washer-load of clothes...not to mention, what they can do to the washing machine?

So, if you ever don't want to have to do the laundry ever again, try my method. I promise. I didn't do it on purpose. I promise. I wasn't a jerk on porpoise.

5) Which makes me think of this:

Never swallow bubble gum
and discreetly try to expel
air while working out.

6) You've just been given the Six or Seven Degrees of Separation between Steve Martin and Bubble Gum.

7) I never said I could count. The End.

8) Oh, yeah. And Sandy was shocked and appalled that I forgot an important JERK. She reminded me of This One. Thank you, Sandy for bringing back embarassing moments that I had blocked from my memory of trying to do this in high school...Step #7: You should look like a jerky money conducting a band...   "Well, I did."

***********************************************************************

Update on Bill: He has been moved to a smaller facility and is continuing to improve. The laceration on his forehead has healed nicely and his eye is no longer swollen shut. He will be in the neck brace for a while longer. You can bet on two things that haven't changed: his smile and positive attitude.

If you don't know who Bill is, here are the links:
One
Two
Three

Thanks to all of you who have mailed get well cards for me to deliver to him. He certainly enjoys receiving them.

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About the puppy pictured below...His name is Cassius (as is Cassius Clay the "boxer"), and, no, he did not come to live at The Desert Swamp. His home is in Denver and he is being spoiled rotten by his new owner as we speak.

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Mountain View, California:  You win with the most looks "lurks" this week.

Happy Mother's Day

Can't you just hear this Boxer baby howling, "But MOM..."

And when I'm not howling, I look like this...

To all the Mom's out there, have a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend.

Beautiful Boy

OK, I went looking all over the Internet for baby gifts and was amazed at what's out there...I found a stroller for $3,500. My first car didn't cost that much...neither did my WW I army-barrack-of-an-apartment. So, instead of linking to gifts like a live-in-nanny, expensive nurseries with all the trimmings, I decided to be serious today.

Here are my gifts for Karmyn and her family who are waiting for the birth of their baby boy.

1)

The first gift is the song, "Beautiful Boy," by John Lennon.

2)

"I'll Be a Rose Someday"

The second gift is this photo. For some reason, it makes me realize how delicate life is...whether it's a baby growing in his mommy's tummy or some leaves that will someday be a rose.

3)

The third gift is another song: "A Mother's Prayer" sung by Celine and Josh.

Here are the lyrics for one of the versions:

I pray you'll be my eyes
And watch him where he goes
And help him to be wise
Help me to let go

Every Mother's prayer
Every child knows
Lead him to a place
Guide him with your grace
To a place where he'll be safe

I pray he finds your light
And holds it in his heart
As darkness falls each night
Remind him where you are

Every Mother's prayer
Every child knows
Needs to find a place
Guide him to a place
Give him faith so he'll be safe

Lead him to a place
Guide him with your grace
To a place where he'll be safe.

4)

The fourth gift is a wish that he learns to take the time to enjoy the sunrises...

5)

...and the fifth gift is a wish that he learns to take the time to enjoy the sunsets...

6)

...and the sixth gift is a wish that he learns to take the time to look for even the smallest of rainbows and to never give up looking for that pot 'o gold at the end of them.

7)

And those of you who have been reading here for a while know that I just can't mention the word rainbow without posting this song...

So, beautiful baby boy...here is Aunt Swampy's favorite song for you.

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Here is the guest list for KARMYN'S Shower.

PAMELAJAMELASPAMELAGRAMELA at The Dust Will Wait

JOY T Who Signed Up a Long Time Ago. OOPS !
Have I missed anyone else ?  Sorry Miss Spot 'o Tea !

Simply Jenn at Simply Not Simple
Chris B at Ms Cellania
Karisma at Karisma's Kids
Robin the Pensieve One
Sandy at Myanderings
Molly at Return of the White Robin
JulieBug at Another Chance Ranch
Alison at RDH Mom
Mike Golch at Rambling Stuff
Kila at Mom to 3 Cubs
Stephanie our Resident Nurse at Mama Drama
Kaytabug at Momma 3 Lil Men
Robinella at Not a Stepford Wife
Forgetful Min at Somewhere in Houston (that's two blog links)
Anglophile the Football Fanatic
Bethany at Ice Cream Mama
Nikkeroo at Antics of a Crazy Mom
Katie at Kitten's Home School
Wendy at Wender's Blog
Karina at the Candid Blog
Beckie at Give It a Try
Janet Who Lives on Her Own Planet
WILLOWTREE at a Dingo's Got My Barbie 

A Baby Shower

Be sure go visit all the participants at our Baby Shower for KARMYN tomorrow. There will, no doubt, be a wide variety of gifts on display.

Remember when we had a virtual House Warming Party for JulieBug and Tiggerlane?

Well, now, we're going to have a virtual Baby Shower for Miss KarmynR.  She is due on May 23. I'm not going to tell you what they are having, you'll just have to go see for yourself.  The clue is there, just scroll down and look for it.

(That's the closest I could get to a flying SwampWitchStork.)

Everyone is invited to join the fun. Go call all your neighbors and tell them we are going to 'meet up' on May 9 for a  A Fabulous Frolickin'-Rolickin' Fun Friday at Swampy's Place.

This is how is works. Think of something you want to "give" KarmynR. It can be a fabulous gift you have found on the Internet...Words of Wisdom... Poetry...  Photos... Cartoons... Jokes... Personal Stories You Want to Share...  Remember, all baby showers need cakes, appetizers, libations, baby games, videos, party favors...Anything your little heart desires to post that day to let Karmyn know we love her and want to be a part of this joyous event. I know all of you, and I know how VERY creative you are. Now, get busy with those off-the-wall ideas and start your "shopping" early.

If you want to get some ideas, clink the House Warming link above to see if you can find those gifts we posted for JulieBug and Tig.

For those of you who are new to this little corner of the Blogosphere, PamelaJamela, is Karmyn's mom. Both Pamela and Karmyn have been visiting and commenting here since my Alter-Ego emerged. This is just a small way I can express how much I've appreciated their supporting my GlobbingBlogging.

Let's see how many bloggerbuds we can have at our BABY SHOWER on Friday, May 9.

Sign up today !  (It works just like Fun Monday...except it's Friday and it's a Par-TEE !)

Here are the guests for Karmyn's Party: (so far)

PAMELAJAMELASPAMELAGRAMELA at The Dust Will Wait
Simply Jenn at Simply Not Simple
Chris B at Ms Cellania
Karisma at Karisma's Kids
Robin the Pensieve One
Sandy at Myanderings
Molly at Return of the White Robin
JulieBug at Another Chance Ranch
Alison at RDH Mom
Mike Golch at Rambling Stuff
Kila at Mom to 3 Cubs
Stephanie our Resident Nurse at Mama Drama
Kaytabug at Momma 3 Lil Men
Robinella at Not a Stepford Wife
Forgetful Min at Somewhere in Houston (that's two blog links)
Anglophile the Football Fanatic
Bethany at Ice Cream Mama
Nikkeroo at Antics of a Crazy Mom
Katie at Kitten's Home School
Wendy at Wender's Blog
Karina at the Candid Blog
Beckie at Give It a Try
Janet Who Lives on Her Own Planet
La Vida Claudia at Skipping Stones

WOO-HOO ! Guess WHO else signed up and already has his gifts posted. You don't want to miss what is on display at his place.
WILLOWTREE at a Dingo's Got My Barbie 
(who says it goes against his macho IMAGE ?)
Dontcha know...Real Men Eat Quiche Attend Baby Showers?  Don't worry DubYaT, Mike may be there, too.

Be there or be square !