Reflections of Me

It's been a tragic beginning to this new year of 2018, with so many major stories piling up, day to day, but immigration reform has been one of the constants.  The classification of 'illegal' versus 'legal' immigrant has been yet another issue leading to great divides in our country, with a mass of social media rants and supports, most substantiated by misinformation, skewed facts, or downright stupid conspiracy theories. The last are the most fun, as they reveal some of the most stupid among us. Now, one thing we all are in agreement on: 'illegal' immigration has been, and could be, a problem.  Something should be done, but, I know I have no solutions.  I do know that, whatever we come up with, we have to strike a decent balance between regulation/documentation, and humane action.  Not everyone feels that way, although, the ones who don't really aren't worth talking to, about, or among. One of the least of the issues is people entering the U.S...

In my lifetime, February has meant only one thing to me: the beginning of Baseball's Spring Training.  Other than that, it has been always a rather dull and boring month of continuing Winter. Cue modern technology and social media, and suddenly each February day seems filled with breathless news about the latest political scandal, tragic event, bombastic statements from political leaders across the spectrum, constant overwhelming fodder for serious comics around the globe, the decline of American democracy, and, Wall Street. Our current President, who has surrounded himself with some of the worst examples of humanity since the decline of the Roman Empire, continues to issue impossible declarations, insults, deranged visions, and some of the most outlandish conspiracy theories, all in a fashion designed to make even the most lax grammar and spelling student cringe.  Members of his crew are abandoning his ship in near record numbers, and he is finding it increasingly more di...

I started out as a child. Not exactly what one could call a talent.  A trait, perhaps.  We all started out as children. Well, most of us.  There are some I do occasionally wonder about. Among some of my earliest memories, in no particular order, are Hopalong Cassidy, Davy Crockett, The Lone Ranger, and---baseball.  Not clear memories, mind you, but I found something fascinating about baseball, beginning with the equipment.  My Mother, and her Father, were both fans of baseball.  My Dad, not so much; he was the football nut.  I do recall playing catch with him, and my Mom, and my Grandfather when we would visit.  I loved the feel of the ball in my hand, the glove and how it was used.  Of course, this was during the 50's, when baseball was still  the sport America followed most.  I had already, even before the age of 5, been exposed to baseball on the television and the radio.  As my interest grew, so did my time spent listen...