GO FLY A KITE!

Remember those days as a kid when you would rummage through the garage to find the small newspaper or cellophane kite you made at day camp the year before? Once you found it, you had to ask permission to go to the school yard with your mom or dad to fly it. And when you got there having a great time watching your dad run along with a kite dangling from his outstretched hand.

I do.

Kite flying actually became a big part of my father's life for the last 10 or so years of his life. He loved being out in the fresh air near the ocean (usually where the best wind is) trying new techniques to get his two line kite to fly its best. He was very good at teaching new flyers the ins and outs of the art of kiteflying...and yes it is an art. The intricacies of where the lines should be in regards to how strong the wind is can only be understoon by an engineering mind (which I do not possess).

There would be weekends when dad and I would go down to Harkness Memorial State Park to hang with his friends and fly kites. There was one day we got there rather early and I was able to put my single ling 'pink pig' kite up about 100+ yards up and then we flew the double line kites for a while. About 11 a.m. the wind died and no one was able to fly anything...but my pink pig was still flying strong. That is a fond memory I have with my dad.

If you are interested in finding more out about kiteflying as a hobby check out the following sites:

ConnectiKITERS
American Kitefliers Association
A Farewell to my dad, Jef "Sarge" Cleaves

Ugly is as Ugly does

As most of you know, I am a dog lover. We have 2 fun dogs and I don't remember life without them. And I don't want to think about the day where we won't have them anymore.

As much as I love dogs, I don't think I could care for this one. I am glad someone can...I just don't find that cute and cuddly! In fact, I find him kind of scary.

Have a great weekend.

Spoofs of Hazzard

I didn't really ever watch the Dukes of Hazzard as a kid, but I know who Daisy, Bo and Luke, Boss Hogg, Enos, and Cooter (*snicker* I always did find that name funny) are. And I do remember wanting the General Lee as my first car...until I actually got my license. Dukes was a 70's classic and its fun to watch reruns on CMT every once in a while.

The original Cooter doesn't have anything kind to say about the movie. And he has a point...in 2005, sex sells more then ever but it certainly can ruin a good 1970's thing.

I for one won't be attending this movie next month. But I may catch more episodes of the original in the near future.

Parents can be mean!

Choosing a name for your child can be difficult on a good day. But is there any reason that a parent should subject their child to a lifetime of ridicule and humiliation? The child has done nothing to you (yet).

I am talking about naming your child something like Jonathan Johnson, now you may think Jon Johnson sounds cool, but it isn't. That little boy is going to grow up having a complex because of the all important decision you made while he was in the womb. Think before you act.

There is a female student that I met named April May; A former minor league baseball player I met when I was in high school name Randy Randle (his real first name was Randle). COME ON PEOPLE!...give your kid a chance to have a seemingly normal childhood which will then give them the basis of a normal adult life.

Die Hard Red Sox Fans Unite!

Growing up in New England it is almost mandated that we must be Boston Red Sox fans (unless you are from Southern CT then the identity crisis between the Red Sox and the Yankees begins). I, being the dutiful Nutmeger, grew up a Red Sox fan in happy Manchester, CT.

After my parents divorced, my father moved to New Britain. One weekend he, my sister and I went to see a New Britain Red Sox game and my infatuation with baseball began. My visits with my father started to revolve around the NB Sox home schedule. I started to read the sports page to follow the box scores...this is at the age of 12 or 13.

I got a job working in the concession stand at Beehive Field - not the most glamorous job in the world, but I got to see any game I wasn't working for free from the owner - Joe Buzas' office behind home plate (a great view). During my time there, I was able to see the likes of John Valentin, Mo Vaughn and Jeff Bagwell, among others, when they were being honed for the 'show'.

I also have memories of Scott Cooper who played 3rd while I was there. He was traded and never really made a dent in the majors, but he was fun to watch. I recall many times that my father would yell at him from the 3rd base grand stands asking him "Why do you always take an extra step...you only need 1 step." You had to know my dad...

Great memories which are the basis of my love of baseball. That love has ebbed and flowed over the years, but I don't think I could ever be anything but a Red Sox fan - EVER!

Fun, Family Owned Businesses -

So this weekend made me think about family and family traditions. The one tradition I have very fond memories of is going to a warehouse to choose 'home-made' soda with my Dad and my sister. This didn't happen very often, but Avery Soda in New Britian, CT is awesome stuff. My favorite as a kid was the Lemon-Lime and the Birch Beer came in a close second. I have not been able to find a soda like it since childhood.

I challenge you to find a small, family owned business in your area that offers great service and a wonderful product like Avery does.

Good Luck!

Happy July! This weekend sparks a ton of overt patriotism around the country. Teri and I are no different...if you are around the area this evening or even tomorrow, drop by...I am sure we will have a cold or frosty beverage that will quench the thrist of even the most parched bear!

Have a wonderful weekend no matter how or where you celebrate.

Happy Birthday America!