Cheap Entertainment

The financial situation in our home is not the best. We are not starving by any means, but it could be better. Let's just say the house is little too expensive and the cars are not paid for. Child support is killing me to, that is a story for another day.

Here is PA, it has been hot. Above average temps have pledged this area, if not most of the U.S. for weeks now. I live and work in it and it doesn't bather me a bit, but keeping the kids cool is important. The $150.00 "Quick Set" pool has been a favorite item for the second year now. But my son ask me the other day if we could get a slip and slide. Well, let dad's head work for a day and see what we get.

2 tarps.......$5.00

Hose spray thingy......$0.59

Time involved.....Less than 1/2 hour with trip to the store.

Hours of entertainment for less then $6.00..... Priceless!!!

Where did Noah put the dinosaurs?

This has been a real "tug-of-war" item for me for years now. I am involved in my church as Trustee Chairman as well as other positions. I believe in god and a higher power. But I also am interested in science. I have questioned many things that the bible has in it. Things that with today's knowledge and understanding, do not make since.

This morning on the way to work, I was listening to a radio talk show and heard about The Temleton Foundation. I have never heard of this organization before, but I also consider myself very sheltered these days. At least compared to my interests before I had kids.

I wanted to share this with everyone because I think it has a lot of meaning in today's world. An attempt to bridge this gap between science and religion is a difficult effort. From the sounds of it, things are working well. I will certainly be following be following this.

What is wrong with people?

My son was taking a bath tonight. He loves his bath and without intervention, would stay in there until he melts. He is also going though this phase of not hearing anything I tell him. So I am forced to go in and get him out.

I then proceed to dry him off because when he is in these moods, only an argument and a cryfest is the result. There I was, drying his naked body and I thought... What the hell is wrong with people. How could a person harm a child. Like pedophiles for example. How could someone actually get enjoyment out of molesting a 6 year old boy? Or girl, for that matter. Even the age is not important... 5..6..7..8..9..whatever. I quite honestly just do not understand! I just don't get it. I mean, can someone shed some light on this?

Now there are some cases out there where things are not what they seem. Just the other day this guy locally was accused of 'raping' a 16 year old girl. Upon digging a little deeper I found that she was infatuated with him. After her parents (clergy) made her break off the relationship, she was sneaking out of the house to be with him. This went on for months before the parents press charges. I forget how old he was, not that it really matters.

I have a 6 year old son and a 11 year old daughter. I look at them and see kids. Just kids! My daughter, being 11 going on 18, is starting to... well.... blossom. I guess you women would call it that. I look at her and... nothing. Just kid.

By the way. Does anyone out there know of a trick to keep her as a kid? Growing up fast! Holy crap!

I know it's not just the father-to-child connection either. Early on in this years baseball season, I was received the uniform shirts for my team. Now keep in mind I coach kids from the ages of 4 up to 7. (Moving up to the next level next year.. :-)..) During a break in a practice, I went around and gave the kids their shirts and helping them dress. I came upon a you girl on my team. Yes, our league is co-ed until you reach the minors (player pitch). I proceeded to pull the shirt off that she was wearing with intentions of placing the uniform shirt on her. Her mom tried to cover her so no one seen her naked chest. I had to apologize to the mom because in my haste, I was wrong. I had totally forgot she was even a girl. To me, she was just a player on my team. Her mom explained to me that is was ok and she just wanted keep her away from the weirdoes.

No harm done and the girl ended up loving me and wanted to come home with me after most games. I even made a special surprise visit after seeing her mom and her in the crowd waiting to watch the fireworks. "By coach" never meant so much.

Well, I have wasted enough of your time. Please, if anyone out there has some knowledge in this stuff, shear it with me. I just am confused and even angry a little. It all boils down to one question for me.

WHY?

Things

Just came back from a weekend at the cabin. Both kids. We had a good time. My daughter is now officially part of OUR family, as it should be. This makes things better, yet confusing. If my wife and I don't make it, this now effects 2 kids in totally different ways. Oh course, she will fallow me no matter where I go, but she is growing on my wife. I guess this gives even more reason to make things work in our home.

You tell me what this picture says. 

Looking back!!! This image was taken over 2 years ago. It is one of my favorites.
 

Season is over!

Well, baseball is over. The kids are gone. When I first started coaching, I never imagined the connection I would get to these kids. I almost feel like they are all in my 'one big family. There is almost some separation thing that goes on. I miss them. But I am moving up to the next level next year with a whole new set of challenges, disappointments, and excitements. And, as always, new kids.

Coaching a sport, or sports as it has been, takes a lot of your time. Much more than I ever expected. But in this time of trouble that I have found myself in, it has become much more of a stress relief then a burden. I see coaches out there, and play some, that push the kids hard. They have this aggressive attitude to winning and nothing else seems to matter. I take things totally the other way. Have fun!!!! Winning is not the most important thing here. Wait untill the majors for that. At this level, make the kids want to be here and have a good time. Let them enjoy the game, even when loosing.

Please look at the image and leave a comment telling what you see in it.

A Great Night!

Finding good times in life is rare these days, but tonight was one of those night! First let me set the stage.

It's playoff season in baseball. After a long season, tonight was the first of 2 games for us, assuming we won. Our league only plays 3 inning games, due to the age. 4 to 6 year olds have trouble with any game lasting longer than this. So we cream the first inning, wiped them off the field. I think it was 13-3 or something like that. I know, sounds like a football score, but at this age the kids can hit much better then they can field the ball. Or pay attention for that matter.

The second inning was different. They all but tied the score. The other team was the underdog to say the least. Plus the coach has turned into a real.. well... let's just say he is a real 'sweat heart'. But my team just could not field the ball. The only kid on the team really making things happen was at first base. This kid has an older brother in the 'major league' (that is 11 to 14 age group) and wants to be like him in the worst way!!!

So here we are, in the bottom of the 3rd (9th), we are in the field. There are 2 outs. The gap is closing with every moment. A hit to first! But Nathan cannot get the ball in time and the runner makes it to first. Oh then the runner on second base runs for third. Nathan runs across the field and tags him out about 2 feet from the bag.

Weooeoeoeooeeee!!!!!!!!

Some smiles were had tonight! I love this job!

Don't get me wrong, winning is not the primary goal here for me. I have always believed that having fun is more important and I install this into every kid. Praising the good plays and just saying side notes for the bad ones. But, it felt really good tonight! It's good to feel good!!!!

If anyone is interested: Take a look.

Blogging lingo....... What gives?

As I said before, I am fairly new to this blogging arena. I will once again, display my ignorance for the world to see. :-)

I read these comments and don't get some of the jargon. Like "lol", what does that mean? Can anyone layout a list of these acronyms and their meaning?

Thanks!

After a weekend at the cabin running around with all the kids and his doggie friends, we have one dead dog! 

The group 

More on the tunnel

This was so cool. So much history is to be found here, if you take the time to look.

About 20 years ago, this tunnel was collapsing into itself and was in disrepair. To preserve it for hiking and biking, the east end was closed in with blocks and stone and an eight foot drainage pipe was lied in.

It looks smaller that it is. Very deceiving when you enter it. I found myself walking my bike through the first part because I got very disoriented.

I am very short on time this morning so I will do it like this. The next 3 images can be found:

here

here

and here

I hope to on another ride today. We'll see if any stories come home with me.

The camera is unable to capture the true beauty of this place.
 

The tunnel has been found

I was determined to go on this bike ride myself. I wanted to get some time alone. But, as we pulled in front of our cabin, some local friends (drinking buddies of mine) met up with me and asked if I was going 'on the ride'. This tunnel ride has been a topic of conversation before.

So the four of us set off. The others had been there before and two of them had some history to share. Long story made short: The last train to ride on these tracks was in the early 1960's In the early 1970's, the tracks were pulled up and it was made part of the Mid State Trail (MST).

The ride we took was about four miles of near level ground. After all, it was a railroad bed at one time. Here is an image of the only party present that was already 'buzzed'. Mike's hard lemonade does wonders for him. Ok, time for a disclaimer. I may sound like a drunk, or that I hang out with drunks, but this is not the case. You really have to be part of the community where our cabin is to understand.

Anyway, the next image is of an old train station. I am told by the locals that this was the 'watering hole' for this run. The train would stop here for water and other supplies. Obviously, someone has kept this building in good shape over the years. I was informed that the state does not maintain this trail on any frequency and the locals do most of the work.

Finally, the tunnal that I have been searching for.

I have many other images that I took today, but it is getting late. Also, please keep in mind, I only have a 2.0 MP camera and I am not a photographer in any sense of the word.

It felt good to feel happy today. I just may post another image yet tonight. We'll see!

Side information: :-)

Bike rides and Helmets :-)

I plan to go on a ride this weekend looking for this mysterious old train tunnel that I have yet to find. Without my helmet, of course. I may have some cool images to post.

Maybe if some people can send me some images of cool looking people with helmets on, I will go out and buy one. The whole helmet thing just has a 'geek' stigma to it.