tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113861522024-03-07T02:38:44.558-05:00Mets Guy in MichiganAdventures in baseball and lifeMets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.comBlogger775125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-34959523911295555192019-12-08T12:03:00.001-05:002019-12-08T12:09:07.814-05:00Sounds of December: Billy Squier, 'Christmas is the time to say 'I Love You'' and the best and worst of MTV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">MTV giveth and MTV taketh away. That’s pretty much the Billy
Squier story. And he contributed one classic Christmas song before things went
south.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Squier’s 1980 album was a huge hit, with four songs getting
a lot of airtime in the fledgling video channel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He popped a Christmas song on a B-side of one of the 45s. “Christmas
is the Time to Say ‘I Love You’” is a bouncy, happy singalong. There’s not a
ton to it, just two verses and a repeated chorus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Christmas is the time to say "I love you"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Share the joys of laughter and good cheer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christmas is the time to say "I love you"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And a feeling that will last all through the year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it’s fun and light, and it was a Christmas song by a
rocker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My first Christmas mix tape was recorded off a radio
special. I always had blank tapes ready to throw in the stereo and start
recording when something cool came on. This first tape stayed with me for
years, decorated with Christmas stickers and repaired several times. People surviving
the cassette era know the struggle of gluing back together a prized tape after
it was caught in a player. I still have the tape somewhere, saved for sentimental value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What was cool about this radio special was that it introduced
me to all kinds of rocking Christmas songs I didn’t know existed. Keith
Richards’ “Run, Run, Rudolph,” Robert Gordon’s “Blue Christmas,” Joan Jett’s “Little
Drummer Boy” – all of these were new to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Christmas is the Time to say ‘I Love You’” was one of the
songs discovered that day, and eventually I’d find a re-released 45 of the song
for future mix tapes. “White Christmas” is on the B-side, and it’s not as good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The song has a special place in MTV history, as Squier
filmed a video with the MTV on-air talent and much of the staff that seemed
like a rollicking good time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The website Ultimate Classic Rock quotes a Yahoo! Music interview
with original VJ Martha Quinn:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"If I had to go back in time and revisit one day, like
if I could get into the DeLorean and go back to one moment, it probably be this.
What you see in that video, it was recorded within months of our launch, and we
were all so starry-eyed, such believers. We were rebels with a cause. Everyone
you see in that video, they’re the technicians, the secretaries, the
executives, the production assistants. We were all one big happy family,
fighting for MTV. We believed so strongly in the power of rock ‘n’ roll. And
you can really see it there."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So Billy was an early MTV hero. But things went bad in 1984
when it recorded an over-the-top video for the hit “Rock Me Tonite.” Take the
goofiest parts of the 1980s, dial it up five or 10 notches, and you get this
video of Billy oddly dancing around his apartment, eventually ripping off his
shirt. It became a punchline, and pretty much destroyed his career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But 35 years after the disastrous video, people are still playing
“Christmas is the Time to Say ‘I Love You.’” It’s been covered by several
artists and appears on a bunch of compilations. It's been a staple of every Christmas Favorites playlist I've made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully Billy had the last laugh
– or the last “ho, ho, ho!”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-33283475340891254122019-12-07T16:55:00.002-05:002019-12-07T16:55:47.057-05:00Sounds of December: 'Perfect Light' is predictably unpredictable -- and brilliant! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOJKSSvJ6u-yWzHw4821Wb2vHNpeU3T79Axvf0mqiZpGsEMt5cI75dXcC9d3ee7jMrMPlVZP34DVWX_mknroLrkvsIrS_HkWtGAVPLBLw1mGPZLfWQQSTmSUGHW20N-nUHQlA/s1600/81J9fZjxGWL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOJKSSvJ6u-yWzHw4821Wb2vHNpeU3T79Axvf0mqiZpGsEMt5cI75dXcC9d3ee7jMrMPlVZP34DVWX_mknroLrkvsIrS_HkWtGAVPLBLw1mGPZLfWQQSTmSUGHW20N-nUHQlA/s320/81J9fZjxGWL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris Tomlin and David Crowder are alike in that they are
great at taking a traditional song we’ve all heard and enjoyed a million times,
making a couple changes here and there and make it something fresh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several songs from Tomlin’s 2009 release “Glory in the
Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship” are mix tape mainstays. None of Crowder’s
songs are on mix tapes because his Christmas CD is so incredible that it demands
its own playlist. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, immediately check out “Oh, For Joy.” We’ll get
there in the blog soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I augment the “Oh, For Joy” playlist with other Crowder songs
I found on other Christmas compilations. And it was building that playlist this
year that I stumbled across this 2015 song with Tomlin and Crowder joining
forces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t know how I’ve missed it these last few years. I knew
Tomlin’s “Adore” was out there but had not had time to give it a quality listen,
except for his version of “Hymn of Joy.” It’s awesome, though I still prefer Red
Collective’s effort just a bit more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Adore” was recorded live with a singing audience. It’s a
mixture of originals and rearranged classics, like “Perfect Light.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only predictable thing about Crowder is that he is
entirely unpredictable. I had no idea what to expect when I saw he was
collaborating with Tomlin. He moves effortlessly from rock to bluegrass to
techno to everything else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But never, I confess,
did I think he’d start the song like a beat poet, reciting verse as the music
swells behind him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Across the desert<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wrapped in scarves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One is brighter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a chandelier of stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tired and lonely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over miles of mountains and sand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The prophets tell of a Baby<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's born to save<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like graffiti on our hearts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The world will know His name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heaven like a highway exit sign<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Points to Bethlehem”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn’t “One is brighter in a chandelier of stars” brilliant?
Then Tomlin and the audience burst into the chorus of “We Three Kings.” You
know, “Star of Wonder, star of night.” It gets us to the song’s title. Then Crowder
is back, with increasing urgency and emotion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“When they saw the Child<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They dropped to their knees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The answer to a million prayers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a Newborn heartbeat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the words He would say<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Would be written in red<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the gifts they've carried<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They lay at His feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the eyes of Mary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tear runs down her cheek<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus, the Messiah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a lowly manger bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then Tomlin and the audience are back with the chorus, some
new lyrics and someone’s drummer boy pounding away with everything he’s got. I
hear a banjo in there somewhere, and that has got to be Crowder because the
instrument is a staple on his albums.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They hit the chorus again and collapse into cheers. It’s wonderful.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-15785073247979449702019-12-06T00:30:00.000-05:002019-12-06T00:30:01.840-05:00Sounds of December: Davitt Sigerson's 'Big Country' stands apart from a kind of scary album.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYT5SXsj7OIMBgxEdP4Hgg8_TNRAMaNFgUt-44yVQ7y-M3S4jjtpuxwgl09DXTviSqihDEu9vhI1sbfPEyACZvxoaVt_MMsI4YB0421ztAv6PvuEssqgzc6Kp_a9rZ_t9IrQb/s1600/Ze_Christmas_Record.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYT5SXsj7OIMBgxEdP4Hgg8_TNRAMaNFgUt-44yVQ7y-M3S4jjtpuxwgl09DXTviSqihDEu9vhI1sbfPEyACZvxoaVt_MMsI4YB0421ztAv6PvuEssqgzc6Kp_a9rZ_t9IrQb/s1600/Ze_Christmas_Record.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked up the “A Christmas Record” back when I was in
college because it was the only album at the time that had The Waitresses “Christmas
Wrapping.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn’t recognize any of the other songs, and I kind of
knew some of the artists. It was worth a chance, since I really liked “Christmas
Wrapping.” Plus, the cover was cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It turned out the artists were all from the same label. ZE Records
had a pretty eclectic collection of performers. It should have been a clue that
with bands like Suicide and songs like “Christmas with Satan” that this might
be my cup of tea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Working my way through the cuts I concluded that the album was
kind of like a Christmas album for people who hate Christmas. It was an album for people
who hate everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I trudged through to the last cut. It was by Davitt Sigerson.
I was unfamiliar with his work. But his song, “It’s a Big Country,” was
different than the others. It was happy. A bouncy tune with acoustic guitars and pianos, it was
like one of those Christmas year-in-review letters, only set to music, shouting
out to relatives spread out across the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Got a niece down in Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard to picture how she’s grown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s your uncle calling, Angel!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you put your mama on the phone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the chorus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“It’s a big country<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas, everybody<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a word from me and Ann<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To say we’re fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love it. And I was imagining Davitt sitting with the other
artists at the ZE Records staff meetings, sitting off by himself, very afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turns out Davitt is a journalist, record company executive and
songwriter with a couple CDs out there. Get this: One of his songwriting credits
is with Gene Simmons of Kiss. Davitt co-wrote “Good Girl Gone Bad” on the album
“Crazy Nights.” I just learned this part today, but it helps explain why I love
“It’s a Big Country.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naturally the song was a mix tape favorite. But the record
went out of print when the world moved from vinyl to compact disk and ZE Record
shuttered in 1984.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By this time, “Christmas Wrapping” was a hit and was
appearing on a bunch of compilations. But I was really missing having “Big
Country” as part of our holiday soundtrack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did find a record store that advertised it would convert out-of-print
vinyl to CD. It was a little pricey. And I really only wanted it for one song.
Goodness knows I was never going to play “Christmas with Satan” a second time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I went for it. I love "It's a Big Country."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, of course, a couple years later the label was
resurrected and reissued “A Christmas Record” on CD. And this year I was very
excited to see it was on Spotify – where you can select just one song from the
collection.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-7142090107680561872019-12-05T00:30:00.000-05:002019-12-05T00:30:08.161-05:00Sounds of December: Rend Collective adds two lines, and "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" is a great Christmas song<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GvPEXyoytEJ735WDIx8zMH5o0QILzMhqzjOiglF6UvKmxF-kUrKJepkrDcylZLBWbM8oNREsKisEmMIyPPk0uh-TTtRIedeicxNFwHwkFBnsbhJEDWXhjcKP9RQmsnEOz8vr/s1600/Campfire_Christmas%252C_Vol._1_by_Rend_Collective.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GvPEXyoytEJ735WDIx8zMH5o0QILzMhqzjOiglF6UvKmxF-kUrKJepkrDcylZLBWbM8oNREsKisEmMIyPPk0uh-TTtRIedeicxNFwHwkFBnsbhJEDWXhjcKP9RQmsnEOz8vr/s1600/Campfire_Christmas%252C_Vol._1_by_Rend_Collective.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes all it takes to turn a beautiful song into a
beautiful Christmas song is two lines of lyric and melody. Two lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned this when I found my all-time favorite hymn on a
2014 album from an Irish Christian band called Rend Collective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually it’s called “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” after the
first line. Technically it’s named “The Hymn of Joy,” written by Henry van Dyke
in 1907 and set to the “Ode to Joy” melody of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this hymn. I confess there are moments in church,
often during a hymn I don’t enjoy as much, when I flip to “Joyful, Joyful, We
Adore Thee” and mentally head to a hymn happy place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God of glory, Lord of love;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hearts unfold like flowers before thee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">opening to the sun above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">drive the dark of doubt away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Giver of immortal gladness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fill us with the light of day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't that a sweet pick-me-up? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the tune? Well, that Beethoven guy was really good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the Rend Collective took this amazing song and tweaked it
just a bit. It added a chorus, with the lyrics “Rejoice, rejoice our God is
here with us, Emmanuel, our God is still with us” to the tune from “O Come Emmanuel.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s perfect. And now it counts as a Christmas song. Check it out:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you can guess from the title, “Campfire Christmas, Vol. 1”
the CD is an acoustic, stripped down affair with many traditional songs with a
twist. It’s a fantastic collection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s another song on the disc that I like just as much, “Shining
Light.” It’s a cover of a hit from Ash, another Irish band. It’s probably not technically
a Christmas song. But you can make a case for it if you read into the lyrics.
We approach Christmas inclusively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here’s “Shining Light,” because it’s just too good to not
share.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-9037867587623563512019-12-04T00:30:00.000-05:002019-12-05T21:43:49.954-05:00Sounds of December: The Killers' 'Boots' lead us to reflect, regret and recover<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Reflection. Regret. Recovery.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">They’re the themes of today’s entry in our musical advent
calendar. “Boots” by The Killers gets me choked up every time I hear it. Every
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The song starts with a clip from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” where
George Bailey is at the end of his rope and asking for help before Clarence
arrives to set him straight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Our subject in "Boots" knows he’s made mistakes. We don’t know what he’s
done. But he knows he needs to change and is comforted by thoughts of Christmases
of his childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“I close my eyes,<br />
Think about the path I took.<br />
Just when I think these times,<br />
Have gotten the best of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I can see my mother in the kitchen.<br />
My father on the floor,<br />
Watching television.<br />
It's a wonderful life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Cinnamon candles burning.<br />
Snowball fights outside.<br />
Smile below each nose and above each chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Stomp my boots before I go back in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Then, like George Bailey, he asks for help.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“I wasted my wishes,<br />
On Saturday nights.<br />
Boy, what I would give,<br />
For just one more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">I’d soften my heart, shock the world”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Then Christmas bells kick in, and singer Brandon Flowers pleads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“Do you hear my voice?<br />
Do you know my name?<br />
Light my way,<br />
Lift my head.<br />
Light my way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">That’s when I get choked up. I just got choked up typing it.
Because we did get the lighted pathway. We’re celebrating his birth this month.
He hears our voice and knows our name. His love is unconditional, his arms
always open. He welcomes broken people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p>It's not an uncommon theme for Christmas. From Ebeneezer Scrooge to Ed Asner's character in "The Gathering," we see broken people asking for help and getting it at Christmas. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gathering_(1977_film)" target="_blank">"The Gathering,"</a> by the way, is pretty much the best Christmas movie ever and I get choked up watching that, too. </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The "Boots" video is very moving. It was directed by Jared Hess, who
directed “Napoleon Dynamite” and stars Brad Prowly, a New York street performed
who goes by “Super Bad Brad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Prowly is homeless in the video, weeping as he looks at a crumpled
photo of his estranged family. He appears in a church, looking for that lighted
way. He sings on the street to raise money to get back home. While his children
are decorating the Christmas tree, his wife opens the door, looking both
hesitant and relieved before embracing him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The Killers released a Christmas song annually as part of the <a href="https://www.red.org/" target="_blank">(PRODUCT)RED campaign</a>, with all proceeds going to charities fighting AIDS and supporting
people inflicted with the disease. The others are good. "Boots" is by far my favorite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "roboto"; font-size: 10.5pt;">It’s a beautiful song for a good cause.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-22990420986644408902019-12-03T00:30:00.000-05:002019-12-03T00:30:00.295-05:00Sounds of December: Martha's Trouble and stumbling on treasure<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-I7KswzGODnPayhqF9g_60dqoND1HlR9IDGFigglMGR6NQZNccbtvWuVMAM5T1dJDSsxm9bT8bwT76xkHOB-WCdrzZw9UQh-oKsHQEgllJ1WlXhP2Yr8iOjWpLSGLZ_opaM9/s1600/Martha%2527s+Trouble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="355" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-I7KswzGODnPayhqF9g_60dqoND1HlR9IDGFigglMGR6NQZNccbtvWuVMAM5T1dJDSsxm9bT8bwT76xkHOB-WCdrzZw9UQh-oKsHQEgllJ1WlXhP2Yr8iOjWpLSGLZ_opaM9/s320/Martha%2527s+Trouble.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m always on the hunt for new songs about Christmas in New
York.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hit the iTunes search bar with "Christmas" plus "New York," "Manhattan" or any number of terms that could lead to something new.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found this gem in a search. But giving a listen I discovered it’s about
Christmas in Toronto. But that’s OK. Toronto’s a nice city, too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was hooked. "Christmas in the City" is one of my favorites, earning a “first
five” placement in the Christmas Favorites playlist – the new version of the
Christmas mix tape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.marthastrouble.com/" target="_blank">Martha’s Trouble</a> is a husband-and-wife team of singer
Jennifer and guitarist Rob Slocomb who split time between native Ontario and
Alabama. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The duo issued a six-song Christmas EP in 2002 and a slightly longer
release called "This Christmas" in 2008. Both are solid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They have sort of a Sixpence None the Richer vibe, with bouncy
guitars. It’s a perfect blending of pop and country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We have spent many of winters in Toronto, making some of
the season memories,” Jennifer <a href="https://marthastrouble.bandcamp.com/track/christmas-in-the-city" target="_blank">told the site Bandcamp.</a> “We love being in the city during the holidays, there is a romantic energy in the air like no other time of the year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The chorus will pull you in, and it will remain in bouncing around
your head at least for as long as the tree has needles. Maybe longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“It’s Christmas in the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I’m with the one I love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the storefronts look pretty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone is in a rush<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For that perfect gift to give -- but you’re enough”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The best part is that I stumbled across the song looking for
something else. It’s like when you are searching for a perfect gift and find something
even more special!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-41136720499608557012019-12-02T01:00:00.000-05:002019-12-02T20:26:37.513-05:00Sounds of December: Yoko Ono and 'Listen the Snow is Falling'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm52KUZCZVrI7lUEekXcCg1aM5Cyx7WCSSLKJ1oxHJYIBMZVf_F-O9Jfn1Z0aStiqhLLsp5adNhTZkv82Tb2la671GV48Q3Ae-DyYh0i-lcW7c3De17WQLKp0jr9eUlesJuOM/s1600/john-lennon-yoko-ono-apple-1842-45-ps-happy-xmas-green-vinyl_44526427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm52KUZCZVrI7lUEekXcCg1aM5Cyx7WCSSLKJ1oxHJYIBMZVf_F-O9Jfn1Z0aStiqhLLsp5adNhTZkv82Tb2la671GV48Q3Ae-DyYh0i-lcW7c3De17WQLKp0jr9eUlesJuOM/s400/john-lennon-yoko-ono-apple-1842-45-ps-happy-xmas-green-vinyl_44526427.jpg" width="400" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are three kinds of Christmas songs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are carols celebrating the birth of Christ, such as “O
Holy Night.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">There are songs
celebrating the Christmas season, including “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like
Christmas.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there are winter songs that have nothing to do with
Christmas, but you wouldn’t dare play after New Year’s Day. “Sleigh Ride” and “Winter
Wonderland” are on the good end of this spectrum, and you also get stuff like “Baby,
It’s Cold Outside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yoko Ono’s “Listen, the Snow is Falling” is in the third
category. While I can’t say I’m a fan of much of Yoko’s work, I do love this song. And I found it by playing a b-side, something I didn't usually do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Listen" was released on Dec. 1, 1971 as the flip side of the
classic “Happy X-Mas (War is Over)” -- on green vinyl! I'm not sure what possessed me to play it. I might have just been curious what Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band sounded like. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yoko often makes abstract music the way some artists make abstract paintings. Sometimes the paintings connect with a viewer, sometimes you kind of shake your head and move to the next one. "Revolution 9" on the White Album is an example of abstract music. I've played it a couple times, because everyone should. Then I moved to the next song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't know what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised. "Listen" is a great song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not aware snow makes a sound when its falling. We would
have heard it for sure this weekend when we woke up to about four inches. And
there’s not a ton of depth in the lyrics, though Yoko gets points for
mentioning New York landmarks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Listen, the snow is falling o'er town<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Listen, the snow is falling ev'rywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Between Empire State Building<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And between Trafalgar Square<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Listen, the snow is falling o'er town"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s more of a mood thing. The music is light and moves
slowly, with distant bells and horns that could be a Salvation Army band and
kettle a block away. That might give it more of a Christmas feel. Phil Spector
produced and show much restraint. It ends with wind and sounds of someone walking through the slush.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a long time, I was pretty sure I was the only one who liked
the song. But I’ve started to see cover versions popping up. </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Galaxie 500’s
might be the best known. It has an extended instrumental part and is about 8
minutes long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Given the general lack of appreciation for Yoko’s music in
general, it’s a surprise that her version remains the best of the bunch after
48 years.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-68901885044847737482019-11-30T21:27:00.003-05:002019-12-02T21:51:22.264-05:00Sounds of December: 'Christmas Must Be Tonight' and a holiday mystery<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN44ozYY9JbkST0ejKXnzGEGXKqNyh2XYMNguLX6-NX2ZA0_WV7DeSmZrkJ44IqB13oAVYkIPQDwFCdSPNc0Vsx8vsVKMaBWvlamhH8KaPoM53yzjEO-AN5zsVV5TuiBPRM3NL/s1600/R-5370280-1484605959-9734.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN44ozYY9JbkST0ejKXnzGEGXKqNyh2XYMNguLX6-NX2ZA0_WV7DeSmZrkJ44IqB13oAVYkIPQDwFCdSPNc0Vsx8vsVKMaBWvlamhH8KaPoM53yzjEO-AN5zsVV5TuiBPRM3NL/s320/R-5370280-1484605959-9734.jpeg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank goodness for Spotify.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After picking up the streaming service this year, I’ve been
making lots and lots of playlists. This means I’ve needed to make playlists of
Christmas music to be ready for the holiday season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That also means I had a legitimate excuse to start listening
to Christmas music starting in October. Possibly in September. Maybe one or two
in August. All this transpired under the guise of doing research. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It will shock no one to hear I love listening to Christmas
music. And discussing Christmas music is almost as fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let’s create a musical advent calendar of sorts, spending
some time each day looking more closely at a favorite Christmas song. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are lots of Christmas songs covered by lots of
artists. You’ll find no shortage of “White Christmas” versions, all in different
styles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But here’s an instance of a song being rerecorded and
changed significantly by the original artist. There are three versions, and they all are wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remember coming across the cassette of the “Scrooged” soundtrack
in a cutout bin and pouncing because I love the movie, and there were songs by
artists I liked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Robbie Robertson’s “Christmas Must Be Tonight” jumped out as
an early favorite. I’d never heard the song and wasn’t familiar with his work with
The Band beyond the classic rock radio hits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the "Scrooged" version. It’s a slice of glorious 1980s synth pop with the Christmas
story told from the perspective of the shepherds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“How a little baby boy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could bring the people so much joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Son of a carpenter. Mary carried the light<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This must be Christmas, must be tonight”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a favorite and quickly became one of the first three songs
on any of my Christmas mix tapes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few years later I came across a compilation CD called “Winter,
Fire & Snow: Songs for the Holiday Season” and saw it had “Christmas Must Be
Tonight” and was excited because I wanted to upgrade from cassette to CD. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I popped it in and discovered an entirely different
version. It was still Robbie Robertson, but a slower, quieter version. It’s
different, but still really, really, good. The video photo shows the "Scrooged" cover, but the music is the "Winter" version.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We did finally find a CD version of the “Scrooged”
soundtrack, and now could include both versions on our mix tapes. The song is that good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few years later we were introduced to iTunes and discovered
Robertson’s original version. Recorded by The Band, this one is acoustic, and
Rick Danko takes the lead vocals. It was released as part of an odds and ends
album called “Islands” in the 1970s.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why did Robertson record<a href="http://theband.hiof.no/articles/xmas_must_be_tonight_viney.html" target="_blank"> three very different versions?</a> It’s
a Christmas mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are folks who think “Christmas Must Be Tonight”<a href="http://somethingelsereviews.com/2016/12/25/the-band-christmas-must-be-tonight-robbie-robertson/" target="_blank"> is anoverlooked classic.</a> But I’ve noticed it’s starting to get covered a little,
from artists including Hall and Oates, Train, Darlene Love, My Morning Jacket
and Joan Osborne. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favorite is still the first one I found, the 1980s synth-pop
that’s on the "Scrooged" soundtrack, though I’ve never been able to find it in
the movie itself – another Christmas mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-29265899820052364012017-12-30T20:41:00.000-05:002019-12-03T22:53:33.098-05:00Every signature tells a story: President Gerald R. Ford and a Christmas miracle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An amazing discovery at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
today, and a wonderful Christmas gift from Julie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We checked out the museum gift shop after touring the “Louder
Than Words” exhibit because, without fail, there is something cool in the Ford
Museum store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are often presidential history books signed by authors
who recently spoke at the museum, and I’ve obtained several them on sale over
the years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQggCLKAEpddrxHuXWqimYTMplgzzbUS2F94clg7ohNAShjfcShQH2vAuuJF0WGGHXvteInxuNSJEWWNW4a7unhsqkJm4lWPauphnGAUMmAKrkuS4uV0dys6ZzEOLCgyzyVa6i/s1600/IMG_3274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQggCLKAEpddrxHuXWqimYTMplgzzbUS2F94clg7ohNAShjfcShQH2vAuuJF0WGGHXvteInxuNSJEWWNW4a7unhsqkJm4lWPauphnGAUMmAKrkuS4uV0dys6ZzEOLCgyzyVa6i/s320/IMG_3274.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time we saw a small sign indicating there were
Christmas cards signed by President Ford – and for a very reasonable price. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, it’s important to remember that we’ve been without
President Ford for 11 years now. While he was alive, there were often signed
photos and books in the gift store, and I’ve lamented never purchasing a photo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A museum staffer told me once that the President would visit
the museum several times a year, and he’d be sure to sign a stack of 8x10s for
the store. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are still some copies of his book, but those are well
out of my price range.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I held up one of the cards to the friendly clerk behind the
register.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Were these signed by an Autopen?” I asked, having worked in
politics now and knowing how some things are signed with a machine -- a really cool machine -- when many signatures are
needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“No, the President signed them by hand,” she said. “Someone
working in the archives found a box of them. They kept some for the museum, but
said we could sell the rest in the store.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was a Christmas miracle. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the often sketchy world of autographs, a scenario like this would be cause for some concern. Will and I used to see tables at baseball card shows with stacks of photos signed by Mickey Mantle and wonder if the ink was dry. But I trust the Ford Museum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I looked at a couple of the cards, and noted that the
signatures were all slightly different, clearly not the identical markings that
would come from the machine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wpTmzYEBTcUMshgs4d_P4iNfg1OXbxQqtNcEyYqVklp93sQ2dEyUeUpPPejXLFNYJ_sfZiP9og7i4ZZl5b2-JScN2TBHHUHz4ErwlV6HQwLmutZXBoL2RkQjoPqONEi8_luu/s1600/IMG_E3275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wpTmzYEBTcUMshgs4d_P4iNfg1OXbxQqtNcEyYqVklp93sQ2dEyUeUpPPejXLFNYJ_sfZiP9og7i4ZZl5b2-JScN2TBHHUHz4ErwlV6HQwLmutZXBoL2RkQjoPqONEi8_luu/s320/IMG_E3275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Julie’s urging, we looked through several of the cards to
select one that had the clearest signature, which was easy, as President Ford
had nice handwriting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later, after discussing how to display this new treasure, we
went back and purchased an unsigned version of a card, so we could frame them and display both the signature and the painting of the White House on the
cover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We stopped to buy a frame on the way home, and the cards are now proudly displayed on the mantle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This marks the third presidential signature in the
collection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in attendance when President George W. Bush visited
the museum for a discussion about his book “Decision Points” and signed copies
for the store to sell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5x0KVkMIHb4k1FgrCpnCmIpOrw6DB5oEvYis_CF_nm8mabSUQJmKpDthLwMG9fSVyDh9nP66fWtkDKqNJtStWH60CPdqitzT2TYm_RkYYoDfTPbG9YPFiOFXSnVHMJxAz84t/s1600/IMG_E3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5x0KVkMIHb4k1FgrCpnCmIpOrw6DB5oEvYis_CF_nm8mabSUQJmKpDthLwMG9fSVyDh9nP66fWtkDKqNJtStWH60CPdqitzT2TYm_RkYYoDfTPbG9YPFiOFXSnVHMJxAz84t/s320/IMG_E3276.JPG" width="273" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Julie was able to obtain a copy of President Jimmy
Carter’s book “A Call to Action” a few years back when he visited Grand Rapids
Community College as part of the school’s centennial. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The signature is on a
sticker with the college’s logo, making it extra special!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">President Ford is, of course, remembered very fondly here in
Grand Rapids. I never had a chance to meet him, but I did get to see him up
close several times, including a community celebration for his 90<sup>th</sup>
birthday. Andrew is in a group photo with the President.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And later, I had the honor of being on the team of reporters
covering the President’s funeral. I was the only reporter inside the museum for
a solemn arrival ceremony before he would lie in state, the first event in a
very moving local tribute for a national hero.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-61274925100710940712017-06-10T13:51:00.000-04:002017-06-10T14:38:49.425-04:00Every signature tells a story: Adam West and patient second-grade teachers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN3C5zehx6rIeUGH2t22WYvTeLdNpqlG2ceCelXEjj61ICzQmgOQBfmqJT9bc5FXGtShuu0skgBZNiLPnGUrqYaLtUsoZMxzlZ9ctHJMzFKf6xwMCYy-520KA3e_Q7XgmiM7y/s1600/Adam+West.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN3C5zehx6rIeUGH2t22WYvTeLdNpqlG2ceCelXEjj61ICzQmgOQBfmqJT9bc5FXGtShuu0skgBZNiLPnGUrqYaLtUsoZMxzlZ9ctHJMzFKf6xwMCYy-520KA3e_Q7XgmiM7y/s400/Adam+West.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">When I heard about the passing of Adam West today, my thoughts raced back to second grade and poor Mrs. Kellogg.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">West, of course, was the Batman by which all other Batmans -- Batmen? -- are measured. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have to understand that at age 8, I was all about "Batman," Reruns ran everyday after school and, remember, this was before VCRs and DVRs. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had the toys and the Halloween costumes. My Cub Scout Pinewood Derby car was carved into the shape of the Batmobile. And every day at 5 p.m. I was glued to Channel 11 to watch the Dymanic Duo battle the Riddler, Catwoman and, on a good day, the Joker.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">One day, Mrs. Kellogg announced she had an assignment for us. There was a new show called "The Electric Company" that was like "Sesame Street," but for bigger kids, like us. It was on early in the afternoon while we were still in school, but again at 5 p.m. And our assignment was to watch it every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I remember calmly raising my hand and stating that I would only be able to watch this show when I am home sick because 5 o'clock is the same time "Batman" is on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It's not like I was the only one thinking it. I fully expected Mrs. Kellogg to apologize for this obvious oversight. And I would have forgiven her, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Instead, I clearly remember moments of stunned silence, followed by, "This show will help with reading and all kinds of things. What will 'Batman' teach you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">"Crime fighting," I replied.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was now painfully obvious that if some colorful arch-criminal would suddenly appear in the door of Room 12, only one of us was going to have a clue what to do, and it wasn't my teacher. She was lucky to have me there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">This was followed by a look that could only have said, "I don't get paid enough to deal with this nonsense." Truthfully, it was a look I would come to know well over the years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I learned several things that day. Among them, that sometimes it best to remain silent and keep the truth to ourselves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDehBjihOn1u-ujAsmbNkzrB_lvfmUgFFsjUa2SGq3_X2MjZJzvZLXM7VZMRe-8BVANBl7zIFhHCuccy5FvcSB60pLBTaT_9vD6JNc_LFvrgetbjV4kcPRvKO9QiZMH91rGUs5/s1600/11091552_447947052037517_8209646764679386857_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDehBjihOn1u-ujAsmbNkzrB_lvfmUgFFsjUa2SGq3_X2MjZJzvZLXM7VZMRe-8BVANBl7zIFhHCuccy5FvcSB60pLBTaT_9vD6JNc_LFvrgetbjV4kcPRvKO9QiZMH91rGUs5/s400/11091552_447947052037517_8209646764679386857_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Naturally, Bat-fandom has carried on through the years, even as the parade of lesser, darker, growling actors wore the Bat-suit and drove greatly inferior Batmobiles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I had a chance to meet Mr. West once. He was appearing at a video store around the time of the first Michael Keaton movie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">He was very gracious and friendly with star-struck fans, and signed a copy of my Bat book. I did ask one important question:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.013em;">Why was your favorite </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.208px;">villain</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.013em;">? </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.013em;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.013em;">"Catwoman!" he replied, quickly and with a smile.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.013em;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.013em;">Of course!</span></span></span></span></div>
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Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-3280075494085063822017-05-08T22:35:00.001-04:002017-06-10T14:34:51.718-04:00Jim Abbott talks about believing in yourself, being determined -- and a little creative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzB9mQ5qkdOruaWwCBSW5-0Ha82hSg-nz8rMewi6N-EWlZOb5lsG-VRBAnHal1OpEab-UqULgS7jAUug1Mdl1V2NtRZPo_lXmRbX_zkyV5FVzjqjE1yGkcScaIXmnUsvbXEMY/s1600/IMG_5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzB9mQ5qkdOruaWwCBSW5-0Ha82hSg-nz8rMewi6N-EWlZOb5lsG-VRBAnHal1OpEab-UqULgS7jAUug1Mdl1V2NtRZPo_lXmRbX_zkyV5FVzjqjE1yGkcScaIXmnUsvbXEMY/s400/IMG_5618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the best parts of my job is that I get to meet really special Michiganders -- like Jim Abbott.</div>
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The pitcher, and Flint native, was in Lansing today, joining the Lieutenant Governor and a Supreme Court Justice on the Mi Hidden Talent tour. The events are aimed at employers to help them realize that there are people with special skills who might not get considered because they might have a disability.</div>
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Abbott, of course, is the former pitcher who didn't let being born without a right hand stop him from being successful in college, in the Olympics and in the Major Leagues. </div>
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His inspirational message was the people with disabilities can succeed if they believe in themselves, are determined to do their best -- and can be creative in finding ways to do things to get around their disability.</div>
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As an example, Abbott demonstrated how he learned to catch a ball in his glove and quickly be ready to throw it again. </div>
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Watching him demonstrate this brought back memories of the first time I saw him do this -- on the mound at Yankee Stadium.</div>
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I had some time with Jim today, and we talked about that day in 1989. I remembered the ovation he received -- and he remembered that he got the win.</div>
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He was gracious with his time, and a very nice person -- with an amazing story. </div>
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Here's a tale from the archives about one of my favorite baseball memories.:</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Only twice have I witnessed visiting players get a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium.</span></div>
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And one of those times <span style="font-size: 13.2px;">shouldn’t count. It was August 4, 1985, the day Tom Seaver won his 300th game, and we Mets fans pretty much took over the Yankees’ home that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">But the other time was May 24, 1989, coming when a rookie pitcher was doing something as ordinary as making warm-up tosses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Jim Abbott was already pretty famous. He was on the mound when the United States won the Olympic gold medal in 1988, was drafted in the first round by the California Angels and went straight to the Major Leagues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">What amazed a lot of people was that Abbott was born without a right hand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">The disability didn’t seem to hold him back at all. He pitched and was the quarterback at Flint Central High and played for the University of Michigan’s baseball team. There were stories about how an opposing college team tried to take advantage of him, sending the first four batters to the plate bunting. The team changed its strategy after Abbott fielded each attempt cleanly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">What amazed me was how gracefully Abbott would catch the ball and get ready to pitch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">He would wear a left-hander’s glove, catch the ball, tuck the glove under his arm, take the ball out and place the palm of his glove over the stump at the end of his right wrist. After throwing the ball he’d quickly slip his left hand back into the glove to be ready to catch the return throw.</span></div>
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Abbott could complete the cycle so smoothly and quickly that it looked like he wasn’t even thinking about it. It was completely natural to him.<br />
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So I was excited when the Angels rolled into town in 1989 – a month and a half into Abbott’s rookie season – and that he would pitch in the series.<br />
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I scammed seats in the lower level of the first base side so I could get a good view. There was polite applause for Abbott when the line-ups were introduced. But I was surprised by what happened when the Angels took the field in the bottom of the first.<br />
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There was quiet as he walked to the mound, at least as quiet as ballparks get. Then Abbott started taking warm-up pitches, making the complicated maneuvers with the glove.<br />
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It started with more polite applause, and it started to swell with each throw, building and building. Finally, everyone in the stadium was on their feet cheering. It was really emotional. And all he was doing was throwing warm-up pitches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq73c4iu0mqKAdQ59fmxEmHOBO3pFVQKCqYDXbD7WPXQojWefaJohKNhx5FF2F6FGeMcKyno7tEHXbCzEvJlG717ddSRgvcXaJbnc0qYP8h4Ypn6NXjQBBDmfPWZm-wDJH1mf/s1600/IMG_5621+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq73c4iu0mqKAdQ59fmxEmHOBO3pFVQKCqYDXbD7WPXQojWefaJohKNhx5FF2F6FGeMcKyno7tEHXbCzEvJlG717ddSRgvcXaJbnc0qYP8h4Ypn6NXjQBBDmfPWZm-wDJH1mf/s320/IMG_5621+%25282%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I think it was a sign of respect. This guy had a disability, and there he is standing on the mound in what is perhaps the most famous ballpark in the world. It wasn’t an Eddie Gaedel-like stunt. Abbott earned his way.<br />
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But keep in mind, this was the Bronx. As the applause died down, I remember a guy a couple rows ahead of me saying, “All right, you got your applause. Now let’s kick his ass.”<br />
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If there was any butt-kicking that day, it was done by the Angels, who beat the Yanks 11-4, making it a good day all around. Abbott got the win, pitching 5 and a third innings allowing three runs on 10 hits.<br />
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Abbott, of course, got another ovation from Yankee fans when he pitched for them several years later and threw a fantastic no-hitter, the high point of his 10-year career in the majors.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.2px;">A year after I saw Abbott pitch I moved to Michigan to work for the Flint Journal, and our coed softball used to practice at Central High, where Abbott once pitched. Occasionally I’d stand on the mound, look around and think of that day in Yankee Stadium.</span></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-19950830721353012142017-03-23T23:05:00.000-04:002017-03-23T23:25:03.787-04:00Spring training adventures, part three: Astros vs. Tim Tebow and the rest of the Mets at First Data Field<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9Of2Oiq11JDvRS1dz4b9tpzxlb9u35YPpgR4JMVmuBWCDUKyprJ4P5ncZRThd23XqDW9BUmCZUf7QsaUpj-6gm2LIfNGrX9v1hgNQBqqJmkH6tqaCbUwqCo71VDcjQ4XdDUC/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9Of2Oiq11JDvRS1dz4b9tpzxlb9u35YPpgR4JMVmuBWCDUKyprJ4P5ncZRThd23XqDW9BUmCZUf7QsaUpj-6gm2LIfNGrX9v1hgNQBqqJmkH6tqaCbUwqCo71VDcjQ4XdDUC/s400/IMG_5145.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After seeing the Mets on the road twice, we were very excited to get up to St. Lucie and our Mets on home turf. Or, at least, the Florida version of home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's hard to describe how rare a treat it is to be surrounded by fellow Mets fans. Usually I get to see the team on the road. But to be surrounded by people in Mets caps and jerseys cheering for the team is to be part of a community, as opposed to being an interloper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plus, this time I got to be with my Dad, my sister Jenny and niece Diana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ballpark: </b>The name is new this year, but First Data Field
has been the Mets’ spring home since 1988. It’s also been known as Thomas J.
White Stadium, Digital Domain Park and Tradition Field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s more of an old-school ballpark, but I like it. There
have been improvements over the years, and there have been improvements over
the years to make it seem less like a poured concrete mountain among the scrub
pines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a fun park with a lot of energy. Lots of photos of Mets
heroes have been added over the years, along with Tiki bars and other party
spots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Stamping:</b> In the team store, and, again, the folks knew
exactly what we were doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have to say, this was a pleasant surprise at all
three ballparks. I’ve been to minor and major league parks where folks have no
clue what I’m talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cap Quest: </b>We actually came to Data First Field on Tuesday,
an off day, to buy tickets for the Friday game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was happy to see the team store was
open and pretty empty, and it was nice to have all the time in the world to
check out all the Mets stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naturally, I went right for the wall of caps. I wasn’t
optimistic after the experience at Roger Dean. But there, on the top shelf,
shining like a beacon of spring time glory, was the cap with the Mets logo and
the Florida outline. There was much rejoicing! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I looked for the price tag, and it was $20 – among the
lowest-priced caps in the wall. There was even more rejoicing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we came back to the team store on Friday to get the
stamp, I noticed that there were no more of the caps of glory. I did see that
there were two left on the “Cool Stuff” trailer outside the stadium. But I was
pretty happy to get the cap on Tuesday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naturally I wore the cap to the Wednesday game in West Palm
Beach, and one of the nice gentlemen working at the park commented on the cap.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0Xn3xwFz8kQjagwXvzqjmrrv7BQ_JmaGBHTMvC94eKaXVYKO8pIdRrRfammTbNp9HlLbx31Rc3ZbJRsitpCXptAwtBjxx7tarKoNZpNnO0ld2Ne1X5u7xFTrAczweKT9YBGc/s1600/IMG_5131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0Xn3xwFz8kQjagwXvzqjmrrv7BQ_JmaGBHTMvC94eKaXVYKO8pIdRrRfammTbNp9HlLbx31Rc3ZbJRsitpCXptAwtBjxx7tarKoNZpNnO0ld2Ne1X5u7xFTrAczweKT9YBGc/s400/IMG_5131.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The Mets play under the watchful eye of Gil Hodges.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“That’s a nice one,” he said. “I see all the caps passing
by, and I’ve never seen one like that. What did that set you back, $40?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I happily told the story of the Cap Quest and the low price.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Program:</b> Or, in this case, programs. The Mets were selling
two versions of the program, one with cool portraits of pitchers, and the other
with fielders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some curious choices. The pitchers had four portraits –
Thor, Harvey, deGrom and Matz. Guess no one wanted to speculate on who was
going to win the fifth spot in the rotation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we could note that the closer
just led the league in saves and set a team record in the process. Would have
been worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn6CAq8LYmmwooOC1sySQVr1_bauWSo55j2nDLEzmePgriTVOFUYWO_Atmx8ir4i5uYnk-0GXb7mIcwoNw40H6aYQTW2cq31J9GSRxzpqUYwCF2n1kMkqsrDSJbO9L76lQ-G8/s1600/Blue+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn6CAq8LYmmwooOC1sySQVr1_bauWSo55j2nDLEzmePgriTVOFUYWO_Atmx8ir4i5uYnk-0GXb7mIcwoNw40H6aYQTW2cq31J9GSRxzpqUYwCF2n1kMkqsrDSJbO9L76lQ-G8/s320/Blue+cover.jpg" width="232" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the blue cover had five players. The Captain, Cabrera,
Cespedes, Neil Walker and Jose Reyes. Reyes surprised me, as he was slated to
be a part-time player. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where’s Curtis Granderson – winner of a nice
humanitarian award during the off-season?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But that’s a minor quibble. These are the best programs of
the spring, even though the scorecard was a little tight and didn’t include a
spot for pitching stats. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s actually a thing, because my niece Diana was
attending her first Mets spring training game and I was teaching her to keep
score. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ballpark food:</b> I was looking for some wonderful, New York
food. The Mets were selling authentic Italian ices, and you had a choice of a
regular blue helmet cup or a pink one. I snagged a chocolate Italian ice and
the pink helmet cup, neither of which are available in Michigan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cup: </b>Outstanding spring training souvenir. Colorful, with
the spring training schedule.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Autographs:</b> None. This was a slight disappointment. The
stadium is configured in a way that players could be accessible, and a bunch of
folks were gathered in proper spots. But no players came over. We left Florida
with new signatures from Terry and Travis, and I was very happy to get them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Souvenir hunt: </b>We visited the team store on Tuesday when we
got the tickets. Once the giddiness of finding the glorious cap subsided – this
took a while – we explored the rest of the store. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik95RA6F-888WxAwWh5GsOCSeOZDBhjO-elK0IR1XKsUPNfuZb_KZHj-liDNTAsOScA9xdLRG3hpk-12X4s8lGVxk-NoGOWY535kvMSlfwMxgXFd92gnQEj388mY8vIthCtPbW/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik95RA6F-888WxAwWh5GsOCSeOZDBhjO-elK0IR1XKsUPNfuZb_KZHj-liDNTAsOScA9xdLRG3hpk-12X4s8lGVxk-NoGOWY535kvMSlfwMxgXFd92gnQEj388mY8vIthCtPbW/s400/IMG_5148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Tim Tebow taking a mighty cut.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a lot of Tim Tebow
stuff. I’m OK with that, though I didn’t buy any. I did pick up a cool “I was
there – Spring Training 2017” pin for my work bulletin board and several
stadium postcards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here’s something the Mets do that is very cool. There’s a
prize wheel, with two spins for $5. Some of the prizes were pretty cool –
actual caps! – and other assorted souvenir things. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEG0yyAySnF4gN4BjFZaZe5Lqdf_RkRZPd5s5URiPwNyF6yJ2J4WhxK-r2Ct4SziYdHXn9uu4xe9jh5vAtfOG23l3UJuR3eHD0DI4tene4LteVFjrFxwbOTRG3o2oG7xsVCxi/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEG0yyAySnF4gN4BjFZaZe5Lqdf_RkRZPd5s5URiPwNyF6yJ2J4WhxK-r2Ct4SziYdHXn9uu4xe9jh5vAtfOG23l3UJuR3eHD0DI4tene4LteVFjrFxwbOTRG3o2oG7xsVCxi/s400/IMG_5122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My sister, niece and I all
took turns and landed a St. Lucie Mets team set, Mets earbuds, thunderstix and
some other things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Game time: </b>We were excited to see Matt Harvey pitch, and got
some decent photos while he was warming up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matt pitched pretty well, but he was constantly getting his
heat up in the zone. When major league batters see heat consistently up in the
zone, they deposit baseballs on the wrong side of the fence. Which is what Reid
Brignac did in the third inning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’m not sure what Addison Reed’s issues were, but he gave up
six more runs in the following inning, giving the Astros a lead they were not
going to give up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPfohu8qv9RNfNOe300-NzjvN8Cc1acTkh6Dzge0pEbLGiPrIZed6hgjDNaR9kGBK6_CSdQdC-5GQbR3aIQAwnU4ZwOeU8QOmGXUoKoyKUhyphenhyphen2ULKduE4cfRPtryweFeqJZSQK/s1600/IMG_5149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPfohu8qv9RNfNOe300-NzjvN8Cc1acTkh6Dzge0pEbLGiPrIZed6hgjDNaR9kGBK6_CSdQdC-5GQbR3aIQAwnU4ZwOeU8QOmGXUoKoyKUhyphenhyphen2ULKduE4cfRPtryweFeqJZSQK/s400/IMG_5149.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we came close! Cespedes launched a bomb, and so did
Lucas Duda. Mets players not likely to see Citi Field this season hit a series
of doubles that brought the team within a run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then came the moment of drama. Tim Tebow, still looking for
his first spring hit, came up with the game on the line. He worked the count,
but, like the Mighty Casey, wiffed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tebow drew the loudest cheers during the pre-game
introductions, and his successful catch of a can of corn drew quite the
ovation. I’m OK with Tebow. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6QWxNFrkqp5AiBI6Sm6fuOhh6UgdmayV7W7jERdgrXw-v1URLxBUJPuQM7NhxjS28hs8Ui9c6knaDApTOIh17ZdB-JhDa7xyla1pSka91GZm_EGJDIoZbqIKi9RFri9LzXG7/s1600/IMG_5129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6QWxNFrkqp5AiBI6Sm6fuOhh6UgdmayV7W7jERdgrXw-v1URLxBUJPuQM7NhxjS28hs8Ui9c6knaDApTOIh17ZdB-JhDa7xyla1pSka91GZm_EGJDIoZbqIKi9RFri9LzXG7/s400/IMG_5129.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Gnome of Victory and Celebration was joined by Grrr for the big game.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s a no-risk, high-reward situation for the Mets
and everything I’ve heard and see makes me think he’s a nice enough guy. I’m
pulling for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Final score:</b> Astros 7, Mets 6 – a great day at the ballpark
with Dad, Aunt Jenny and Diana.</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-50144391072437189192017-03-18T13:39:00.000-04:002017-03-18T13:42:38.053-04:00Spring training adventures, part 2: Mets vs Astros at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7pnOPcD-z44MtcMWqxHnCR1HTmj-8ZVWkl1pUNXMDv0mdPx6q_uFN1qlLbFU2hJWsFBIh-ajhl87kSzBafSuqfsTNTG1Z_yKsOw77Aw-O1PRFp9jezqYT8bbFSbHMPXADbzd/s1600/IMG_5060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7pnOPcD-z44MtcMWqxHnCR1HTmj-8ZVWkl1pUNXMDv0mdPx6q_uFN1qlLbFU2hJWsFBIh-ajhl87kSzBafSuqfsTNTG1Z_yKsOw77Aw-O1PRFp9jezqYT8bbFSbHMPXADbzd/s400/IMG_5060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A fastball hisses in the nanosecond before it reaches the
plate and lands with a loud pop in catcher’s mitt. It hurts your palm just
listening to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You learn this when you are sitting four rows behind home plate.
Dad snagged the best seats I’ve ever had for a Major League game for our second
Mets game of the spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JsyObHnIau40ewycrtHp88PoZbc65OpAbMOpHuPWwGIEb7fkS_pqSySDIdugpxmekidZtixkEIa_NU1eoBot8oGs7Vp1cZ2hbCSusOlo7xXgxokzpOdOELXzbQQUAf3nwjcw/s1600/IMG_5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JsyObHnIau40ewycrtHp88PoZbc65OpAbMOpHuPWwGIEb7fkS_pqSySDIdugpxmekidZtixkEIa_NU1eoBot8oGs7Vp1cZ2hbCSusOlo7xXgxokzpOdOELXzbQQUAf3nwjcw/s400/IMG_5047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Game two: Mets vs Astros, Ballpark of the Palm Beaches</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ballpark:</b> The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches is the brand-new
facility and home to the Astros and Nationals. It’s a sprawling complex in a
park-like setting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some neat design elements, and some quirks. For
example, the parking is on the fringes so you have to walk through the practice
field area to get to the main stadium, which is in the heart of the complex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5dVallg7ju3A2hWBBctVz-nCFea7r_coW6NhVXFBInegU8AjMb7lLNpTaKlUlBrKk_W8iWtly7uN4e-WVOTiyJHoTaRLNHXdPZBdvWgjjoB0jUSFnqu69Mh7vKIRFfQQ74dE/s1600/IMG_5082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5dVallg7ju3A2hWBBctVz-nCFea7r_coW6NhVXFBInegU8AjMb7lLNpTaKlUlBrKk_W8iWtly7uN4e-WVOTiyJHoTaRLNHXdPZBdvWgjjoB0jUSFnqu69Mh7vKIRFfQQ74dE/s400/IMG_5082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The stadium itself isn’t very distinguishable from the
outside, but there are giant cap logo structures for both the Astros and
Nationals on the approaches. It’s a neat touch that I’ve never seen before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve also never seen signs warning fans not to get too close
to the retention ponds because of alligators. Good to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aW6kvms61rlUCtQ1TjyupEb8-6h0f0ysxf1-8xT4oQCyPJ-4s78v-dfUPjj0UbuLnO7l-K9R_AYdriNwT_VWb9yGgamCvYLJ1-7Ljss4RNpIHG0-O4aZ8ymdlxmXK9OVtsRW/s1600/IMG_5084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aW6kvms61rlUCtQ1TjyupEb8-6h0f0ysxf1-8xT4oQCyPJ-4s78v-dfUPjj0UbuLnO7l-K9R_AYdriNwT_VWb9yGgamCvYLJ1-7Ljss4RNpIHG0-O4aZ8ymdlxmXK9OVtsRW/s400/IMG_5084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inside the park seemed a little sterile. Now, to be fair,
the park had been open just a week at this point and as we learned from Citi
field, it will takes a little time to build character and add color. There was
a scramble to get the park completed by the spring opener and I’m sure we’ll
see things added in the years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Stamping:</b> In the team store. The clerk knew exactly what we
were doing and let me do the stamping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRJ0EAB8ET2imw2XHRP2g8Fbgyr0ExL9nn9m4DZNuk4CAkJj5BlXkOHvFwExYBM2BUkCDLIdW3uov-uNfKKQH0TV8Mnf0s6iDLiT_XcGsw3O9axwIZ59NnyPwnPubz_QfgrzR/s1600/Stamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRJ0EAB8ET2imw2XHRP2g8Fbgyr0ExL9nn9m4DZNuk4CAkJj5BlXkOHvFwExYBM2BUkCDLIdW3uov-uNfKKQH0TV8Mnf0s6iDLiT_XcGsw3O9axwIZ59NnyPwnPubz_QfgrzR/s1600/Stamp.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cap quest: </b>There were many, many kinds of caps in the store
for the Nationals and Astros – even one with the iconic rainbow stripes on the
brim. But as with the Jupiter store, the sweet caps with the Florida outline
were nowhere to be found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Program:</b> They were available for $5 on the concourse and in
the store, with versions for both the Astros and the Nationals. I snagged one
of each. Both came with a page-sized Jeff Bagwell card on heavy stock
commemorating his recent Hall of Fame election. It has a very nice scorecard
with special spaces for the pitchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cup: </b>This is a bit of a letdown. This is a souvenir cup in
name only. It’s translucent plastic with the ballpark logo. Not the inaugural
season logo, mind you. The vendor said he was filling it up to the very top because
there are no reduced-price refills. Everyone has reduced-price refills when you
buy the stadium cup. I suspect this policy will change soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqS48nbSWDi71UHpb7eeOOFFK3cnb5ItS8YKtEQHZew2nOZoBVzujKZu1_WPuSSxdkdyZ0msqUfXWofqXL-qA3sGg6f8BvieUHeSiZZiUt0IO-58Wo71N8F9M6jeIrvP5YnMu/s1600/IMG_5052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqS48nbSWDi71UHpb7eeOOFFK3cnb5ItS8YKtEQHZew2nOZoBVzujKZu1_WPuSSxdkdyZ0msqUfXWofqXL-qA3sGg6f8BvieUHeSiZZiUt0IO-58Wo71N8F9M6jeIrvP5YnMu/s400/IMG_5052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Autographs: </b>None, and this is one of the park’s flaws. I get
a sense that it’s not designed for fans, but rather to attract group outings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Usually the best place to get autographs in the spring – at games,
anyway – is the first row from the dugout to bullpen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But at Ballpark of the
Palm Beaches, that whole area is dedicated to party boxes, and the netting
extends practically all the way down the line, because goodness knows people
sitting in those seats aren’t paying attention to the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnVURf6HzN1jhZmFDKdxa3k8v_Oizp9hSHmJu7pnrlqvV04Eqgww19UqXRrBR1l3FOGWVj2OxJLU6iRIl8VxHz9_WoxW6iJ36lWUFuaqCidPETqCXHTJWMR7A1AdBy9-zItWS/s1600/IMG_5057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnVURf6HzN1jhZmFDKdxa3k8v_Oizp9hSHmJu7pnrlqvV04Eqgww19UqXRrBR1l3FOGWVj2OxJLU6iRIl8VxHz9_WoxW6iJ36lWUFuaqCidPETqCXHTJWMR7A1AdBy9-zItWS/s400/IMG_5057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Party boxes dominate the space between the dugout and the left field foul pole.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was one spot far down the line in the corner without
netting. I went there, and an usher told me I couldn’t stay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was different along the third base side, with the more
traditional setup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cool stuff: I</b> hung out in the grassy berms watching batting
practice and had some nice, brief conversations with players. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me: Hi, Sean. How you doing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sean Gilmartin: Great!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Me: Hi Frank. How is Zach Wheeler doing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frank Viola: Zach’s doing well. He’s starting on Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So armed with inside knowledge of the Mets’ most pressing
pitching question of the spring, I was content to sit back and watch batting
practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYVqxBMQAmlY6iVBm7rOFkKhFRZgHrrk9A4gWHzVz0wr103pZx58jxHhbKfREZw9HBrZC_ebY4EAlajX5SuOf68YAOMnEu5dJyviuDv_BSdaa99igCztKvQzAv0xg1ss1008C/s1600/IMG_5058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYVqxBMQAmlY6iVBm7rOFkKhFRZgHrrk9A4gWHzVz0wr103pZx58jxHhbKfREZw9HBrZC_ebY4EAlajX5SuOf68YAOMnEu5dJyviuDv_BSdaa99igCztKvQzAv0xg1ss1008C/s400/IMG_5058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At one point I head Mets infielder Peter Alonso shout “Heads
up!” to the handful of us standing on the berm, and in fell a baseball from the
bat of either Peter Biondi or John Mora.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To say I “caught” the ball isn’t exactly accurate. It hit
the berm and I triumphantly picked it up, showing all my first-ever batting
practice homer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ballpark food: I was looking for something less complicated
than our Cardinal Dog at Roger Dean and was relieved to see your basic hot
dogs. Slight complaint: It was a dog in a foil bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTA6AS3nJZLBctH3UEvI5JRvaMI6FUqi2ck6wDG9ZFpMisAIoFDtLpOzEIDz6HsDqUbfDDhRKJg0id1h6Bi-_AglVJMOqHsMgnPcSyRycceGt3r_xNPRJ3uhJgpa4AkFew5nY/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTA6AS3nJZLBctH3UEvI5JRvaMI6FUqi2ck6wDG9ZFpMisAIoFDtLpOzEIDz6HsDqUbfDDhRKJg0id1h6Bi-_AglVJMOqHsMgnPcSyRycceGt3r_xNPRJ3uhJgpa4AkFew5nY/s320/IMG_5066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, I’m not a concessions expert. But I don’t know anyone
who likes a dog in a bag. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a sign that the dogs are prepared long in
advance, will be lukewarm and the bun will be very soggy and sticking to the
hot dog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Game time: </b>With these spectacular seats, I didn’t want to
miss a moment of the action. We were just off the plate and close to the Mets
on-deck circle – or at least the place where the players stand when they don’t
want to stand in the on-deck circle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not a ton of starters made the trip. We again enjoyed Juan
Lagares, Michael Conforto, Matt Reynolds and Wilmer Flores. They were joined by
Asdrubal Cabrera, which was nice!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWPIQLM6e3V1UzXBvkTKdQez-geVBdpZ0T9kGPogmIcgbPww11Y3_wIzHSXpke8u6xr9vuN1KUvnJ6nBxMSB-BfEUQc3jKg391D5YmVfE0gXzciQzWDtjNRwX13Zivo-wxKEz/s1600/IMG_5073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWPIQLM6e3V1UzXBvkTKdQez-geVBdpZ0T9kGPogmIcgbPww11Y3_wIzHSXpke8u6xr9vuN1KUvnJ6nBxMSB-BfEUQc3jKg391D5YmVfE0gXzciQzWDtjNRwX13Zivo-wxKEz/s400/IMG_5073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR_9cXv3lkyYKzDiDO_lENmOEJ6jY4QVx_fNnIMpMgqjo4cVaep8JVBPqdj5tao_RDgtGuvqfiAnpW1-TeNNUR3bcETIrgJCpjeH448r-31x6h61z05D9CE2UyWqCELS5j9HO/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR_9cXv3lkyYKzDiDO_lENmOEJ6jY4QVx_fNnIMpMgqjo4cVaep8JVBPqdj5tao_RDgtGuvqfiAnpW1-TeNNUR3bcETIrgJCpjeH448r-31x6h61z05D9CE2UyWqCELS5j9HO/s400/IMG_5074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Robert Gsellman started for the Mets, and was a little
rocky, giving up a couple runs in the first. Logan Taylor got hit pretty hard
and give up 5 runs, three of them earned. The Mets defense was not at its best
this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Astros tacked on more runs in the seventh, with my new
friend Sean Gilmartin giving up 3. Astros first baseman A.J. Reed hit a monstrous
homer in the eighth, but the game was well out of hand at that point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the Mets side, Cabrera led off the fourth with a homer
that just cleared the fence in left. It looked like awkward swing and everyone
seemed surprised that it left the park. The Mets other run came on a Lagares sacrifice
fly in the fifth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Final score:</b> Astros 12, Mets 2. But still an awesome day at
the park with Dad.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-64424794895114734342017-03-15T09:17:00.000-04:002017-03-18T13:43:02.762-04:00Spring training adventures, part 1: Mets vs. Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggykINZdk8_Lqy3abIvp4Olt1Slvw6QTn_VOyH3Rwq2VcFndSjvhtXCmb29PF0Yr4g8lCCvwV3VgbX0R8gSyVbOsz1YNaE0IQsd2K9an_4c6s1cIrJz3AMXYdyaLpMpCgm6xDv/s1600/IMG_5033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggykINZdk8_Lqy3abIvp4Olt1Slvw6QTn_VOyH3Rwq2VcFndSjvhtXCmb29PF0Yr4g8lCCvwV3VgbX0R8gSyVbOsz1YNaE0IQsd2K9an_4c6s1cIrJz3AMXYdyaLpMpCgm6xDv/s400/IMG_5033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Steven Matz on the hill against the Marlins in Jupiter.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here’s how to spend a pretty cool spring break: Three Mets
games in one week, each at a different ballpark!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I spent last week with my family in Florida and my Dad
snagged seats for the Monday game against the Marlins in Jupiter, the Wednesday
game against the Astros in the new West Palm Beach park and the Friday game
against the Astros in Port St. Lucie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84p_9h1pYblX9p0o4Z9bivWq6XiqnjCxns9gEGyGkOHcWS-rg1bebbWjTCgwAsjRqnFe07ceodJS-qbmOUJMKenDdrddEgB07KqvIOb8zprqPcJbjM60rKOu3KQSu1mvfxxbC/s1600/Mets+cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84p_9h1pYblX9p0o4Z9bivWq6XiqnjCxns9gEGyGkOHcWS-rg1bebbWjTCgwAsjRqnFe07ceodJS-qbmOUJMKenDdrddEgB07KqvIOb8zprqPcJbjM60rKOu3KQSu1mvfxxbC/s320/Mets+cap.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Naturally, we have rules and a routine for attending games. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this year we had a special quest. I saw online a really
cool Mets spring training cap, with a blue bill and white crown. The
traditional Mets cap logo was atop an embroidered outline of Florida. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s just
a really cool cap, and apparently there was one for each team – with the Cactus
League teams instead getting an outline of Arizona.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I set out to purchase the cap online once we confirmed the
trip – and all traces of it seemed to vanish. I couldn’t find the cap – any version
of the cap – on any website. This is very odd, and I placed all hopes in
finding one in one of the stadium team shops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is essential equipment for all spring games. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LJgVVwFCq7czDbwpsGlK_mz8m0HM1eqIzruUm356hhZ1T_lidxSv-wtpOCgbe6lFIto2oPGMuvDWR4la9i58-1yV1m1f4g16A29Nov4AvrEt_wDxl7L3LeO-qGqhQ6eNKGF7/s1600/quarter+century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LJgVVwFCq7czDbwpsGlK_mz8m0HM1eqIzruUm356hhZ1T_lidxSv-wtpOCgbe6lFIto2oPGMuvDWR4la9i58-1yV1m1f4g16A29Nov4AvrEt_wDxl7L3LeO-qGqhQ6eNKGF7/s320/quarter+century.jpg" width="241" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, is the brand new MLB Spring Training Pass-Port.
Getting stadium stamps has become an essential activity, and it is fun to be a
part of the greater “Stampeder” community. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have the MLB and minor league
versions off the books, and ordered the spring training edition in anticipation
of this trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next, we make sure the blue backpack has my book, “The New
York Mets, the first Quarter Century.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whenever I meet someone who played for
the Mets, I ask them to sign the book. There are several hundred autographs in
there, and the relaxed spring training atmosphere is a great place to ask
players and coaches to sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And, of course, the battle-scarred Gnome of Victory and
Celebration made the trip for those special photo opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are our adventures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Game One: Mets vs Marlins, Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtMgxsiDEQ8nUO9F6M__3OmuxV4OXYcg-LDJM0qZwNWsORqhkP1Tqljxoh_gZT5tChTm4_SS-0rTcq7rQtzhnl2xhC-VzIjsUGXxuBQPpk01XORZ0anlIUjKB7vu4xFNYa70H/s1600/IMG_5030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtMgxsiDEQ8nUO9F6M__3OmuxV4OXYcg-LDJM0qZwNWsORqhkP1Tqljxoh_gZT5tChTm4_SS-0rTcq7rQtzhnl2xhC-VzIjsUGXxuBQPpk01XORZ0anlIUjKB7vu4xFNYa70H/s400/IMG_5030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ballpark:</b> Roger Dean is a nice park, built in 1998 and originally
hosting the Cardinals and Expos. The Expos departed and Marlins arrived in 2002.
It seats nearly 7,000 and Dad knew where there was free parking. We’ve been
there many times for spring and minor league games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Stamping:</b> In the team store. The clerk knew exactly what we
were doing and let me do the stamping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fKF4OUPTGWlIxUFvnkwp_l3MrhlZ873rZtzEHwER-EUi4HzIvpxEZMDqDCqj5GYOt2SHL9loubnqbmVqa0yA03y1WO68QGfyBinSkgJJ1Glr1q6UN1pE7ritDW8zzaSOHkOw/s1600/Stamp+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fKF4OUPTGWlIxUFvnkwp_l3MrhlZ873rZtzEHwER-EUi4HzIvpxEZMDqDCqj5GYOt2SHL9loubnqbmVqa0yA03y1WO68QGfyBinSkgJJ1Glr1q6UN1pE7ritDW8zzaSOHkOw/s320/Stamp+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cap Quest: </b>Since we were in the team store, I headed to the
large display of caps. The stadium stocks Cardinals and Marlins gear, of
course, but usually has some Mets items, too, given the proximity to St. Lucie
and the vast number of New Yorkers now living in South Florida. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I figured that
if I saw the Cardinals and Expos versions of the caps, I’d eventually find the
Mets version. The store had many caps, but none resembling the one we were
searching for. This was not a good sign.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Program:</b> We always get a program because keeping score is an
essential part of the game experience. It cost $6, which is a little high. But
everything at Roger Dean is a little high. But it is a pretty good program, and
the scorecard is large – perfect for substitution-filled spring games – and a spot
to record the pitchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQHYkRWGUc3kcO6RdMAyznOPFXHsr-qsy1YbRLgswscA9AAYdXw43FevLfJzl38Q3TUSw5dfXNUB2fEOCzvDUpai8htSR_8ALI2bH8TQ2J_kjctzSbqCBCoOMhSQolmh5w58S/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQHYkRWGUc3kcO6RdMAyznOPFXHsr-qsy1YbRLgswscA9AAYdXw43FevLfJzl38Q3TUSw5dfXNUB2fEOCzvDUpai8htSR_8ALI2bH8TQ2J_kjctzSbqCBCoOMhSQolmh5w58S/s320/IMG_5021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Ballpark food:</b> I went searching for a basic hot dog, but the
concession stands had only specialty items. My “St. Louis Dog” was wrapped in
bacon and buried in pulled pork and cold slaw. It was made fresh and was very
filling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Cup: </b>I like to buy the souvenir cup, and Roger Dean has a
very nice, full-color cup with Marlins and Cardinals – including future
hall-of-famer Ichiro. And it was good for discounted refills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Autographs:</b> Roger Dean is pretty accessible and we arrived
early. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud and Manager Terry Collins came by and became the
latest signatures to the book. I had not been able to add an active player since
Scott Hairston in 2012, so they were welcome additions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKdxhH-XH8W0udcnKdJHvYgChbb2Ya_QoGRczxwv2Io-L7cr_uEyeTCOjDqn5BI5RBIsUXBnBeVFlbTiLNUIN0HAz_NZGb67BLwha44om68LVNpZtyT-h2qvaWuc-Sk6xp4cB/s1600/Autogrpahs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKdxhH-XH8W0udcnKdJHvYgChbb2Ya_QoGRczxwv2Io-L7cr_uEyeTCOjDqn5BI5RBIsUXBnBeVFlbTiLNUIN0HAz_NZGb67BLwha44om68LVNpZtyT-h2qvaWuc-Sk6xp4cB/s400/Autogrpahs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That's Terry Collins on the left and Travis on the right</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing I did notice. People don’t just want a signature
these days, they want selfies, too. This takes forever, and I can understand
why a player might be reluctant to get close to the stands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Game time: </b>You don’t count on the road team to bring too
many starters to a spring game, but I was very excited to see the posted lineup
include Travis, Juan Lagares, Michael Conforto and have Steven Matz on the
mound. The Mets also brought their top prospect, Amed Rosario, which was
unexpected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Marlins seemed to have most of their starters, plus old
friend Mat den Dekker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matz pitched two scoreless innings, aided by two great
catches by Gold-Glover Lagares in center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Travis continued his hot spring with a homer in the fourth,
and the Marlins responded with a Giancarlo Stanton blast off Rafael Montero in
the sixth. The Mets second-stringers put the game out of reach with a 6-run
eighth, including a homer from L.J. Mazzilli.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPE4aHhoDPjfxczd0jakdJNR31I4rwToXVEv5rnKianjsOSgqPWhX2kMe3cysA_0ADT7zu6VBSYdzHpNCqHJIz7ng4tF9nO3CF5zEsk7f0BNsZFKpiMcAYx3StbDvo-HgTbCN/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPE4aHhoDPjfxczd0jakdJNR31I4rwToXVEv5rnKianjsOSgqPWhX2kMe3cysA_0ADT7zu6VBSYdzHpNCqHJIz7ng4tF9nO3CF5zEsk7f0BNsZFKpiMcAYx3StbDvo-HgTbCN/s400/IMG_5029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Final score:</b> Mets 8, Marlins 2. A great day at the park!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-78986373673827992052016-12-25T22:19:00.002-05:002016-12-25T22:19:41.550-05:00Something Special About December: Nativity scene gift reminds us of the focus of the day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYC3V7UauGH5hIzZYVOCCLYWXnJwcWbFbk8tQaSIiF_BqIlYg8bJetFAWDp9-LiRGL808VQtrXXaaYW76ncPYbEfkfITr-0wFaGWipofjeftsZMwOSxcx4VeBf7inii2WJyFG/s1600/Nativity+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYC3V7UauGH5hIzZYVOCCLYWXnJwcWbFbk8tQaSIiF_BqIlYg8bJetFAWDp9-LiRGL808VQtrXXaaYW76ncPYbEfkfITr-0wFaGWipofjeftsZMwOSxcx4VeBf7inii2WJyFG/s400/Nativity+big.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Merry Christmas, everyone!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Today's Something Special About December is our family nativity scene, a gift from my parents years ago. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">My Dad built the stable, complete with the light. </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /><br />We always display it front and center in the living room.<br /><br />Today we are surrounded by family, celebrating this joyous day together. And you know the kids are older when the adults must wait for them to wake up!<br /><br />I hope you all have a wonderful day!</span>Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-3553032482142193452016-12-24T22:25:00.000-05:002016-12-25T22:25:51.298-05:00Something Special About December: The traditional reading of the glorious 'Santa Cows'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMCXlXSJIPsfWit5svM8L6fAQ88hiM8SHeb4czB_VuBw1nII-Rd8axI_icQqLmgBjxxr5e7IfKnjPV5hpjdwb-1lWtw5ParU16-KMF0FbkekXH8kg-c7qXpTFWdoz48jMpr1F/s1600/Santa+Cows+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMCXlXSJIPsfWit5svM8L6fAQ88hiM8SHeb4czB_VuBw1nII-Rd8axI_icQqLmgBjxxr5e7IfKnjPV5hpjdwb-1lWtw5ParU16-KMF0FbkekXH8kg-c7qXpTFWdoz48jMpr1F/s400/Santa+Cows+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seems like every Christmas movie we see includes a scene where the family gathers around for a reading of "The Night Before Christmas."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's an OK story, I guess. But our tradition -- and today's Something Special About December -- is the reading of "Santa Cows."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep in mind that we love baseball and cows. Our Rotisserie baseball team years ago was named Bovines.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
So in this epic story, the family on Christmas Eve is visited not by Santa, but by the Santa Cows. And their sacks are filled with baseball stuff. And we're not talking about generic baseball stuff. They're unwrapping authentic MLB jerseys, caps and jackets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
And on Christmas morning, they go out and play baseball in the snow.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
This is pretty amazing! A perfect Christmas story!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
There are two sequels. They're nice, but without the baseball.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDMBb3Av6TaZbpTqcA5t9QMuM-xKOREBKJt41CJ8LoSZ0B8en4E0P4JudmUZXS3tQwtN6LrWxDlrhJudHdRp7asH303cLkfgwwCyG0k1cjwp1P4FdTCmlOY0cUsFnl39uebCv/s1600/Santa+Cows+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDMBb3Av6TaZbpTqcA5t9QMuM-xKOREBKJt41CJ8LoSZ0B8en4E0P4JudmUZXS3tQwtN6LrWxDlrhJudHdRp7asH303cLkfgwwCyG0k1cjwp1P4FdTCmlOY0cUsFnl39uebCv/s400/Santa+Cows+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</span></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-25297128744044939472016-12-19T23:22:00.000-05:002016-12-19T23:22:36.084-05:00Something Special About December: Rocking and rolling all night with the Kissmas Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNaXpJAq_J5nDxEZz_sNaFB1qePWG57zelJnyavKEZ5GycuCpBcVQI6ODrOXdWbed6JvXDD15uEz0zsREhU4HkQqv-pXiy-JfYLPFvOxtGCzB7p3R5I325HcHHjfQCKEEXpw6/s1600/Kiss+Tree+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNaXpJAq_J5nDxEZz_sNaFB1qePWG57zelJnyavKEZ5GycuCpBcVQI6ODrOXdWbed6JvXDD15uEz0zsREhU4HkQqv-pXiy-JfYLPFvOxtGCzB7p3R5I325HcHHjfQCKEEXpw6/s400/Kiss+Tree+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If there is room in the Christmas songbook for both Mahalia
Jackson singing a majestic version of “Ave Maria” and the Singing Dogs barking
a silly “Jingle Bells,” then there is space among the holiday treasures for
what we call the Kissmas Tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not sure why, but I’m drawn to the goofy battery
operated, music-playing Christmas electronics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And today’s Something Special
About December is about the best one I’ve ever found.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the Christmas items hit the shelves, I start hitting
buttons. Most of these dancing Santas, reindeer or whatever seem to play “Jingle
Bell Rock” and they’re fun for a moment or two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then one year at the local Meijer I came across this pudgy
Christmas tree with sunglasses and a guitar. I hit the button and what to my
wondering ears did I hear, but not “Jingle Bell Rock” but the opening chords to
Kiss’ “Rock and Roll All Nite.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And sure enough, there’s a voice that sounds somewhat like
Gene Simmons – and kind of looks like him, too -- bursting into Christmas
lyrics to the tune of the Kiss classic, leading to a chorus of, “I wanna
rocking Christmastime and rocking, rolling New Year!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mind you, I’m not looking for anything too deep here. There’s
plenty of time to reflect on the big stuff. This is a blinking, dancing,
guitar-strumming evergreen busting out a Kiss song, ending with “Merry Christmas,
and rock and roll! YEAH!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love it. As Bono says, three chords and the truth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cat doesn’t. That’s Tug yowling in the background in the
video. Or maybe he’s singing along. There’s a Cat Man in Kiss, after all.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-38989806621430933012016-12-18T23:00:00.003-05:002016-12-18T23:00:44.552-05:00Something Special About December: A simple nativity scene is a holiday reminder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfb5S5eNwin52v2T47gxbn7HkZdE9qEe-endCuPvZI4Q3z-4gruNhga41xPla5obFGW9NFmMQl0S5iGjACFiQ3m7oiDelaLibORwpWS81mrwmdIAeecBerR58zpR9nqCpFBG-/s1600/Nativity+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfb5S5eNwin52v2T47gxbn7HkZdE9qEe-endCuPvZI4Q3z-4gruNhga41xPla5obFGW9NFmMQl0S5iGjACFiQ3m7oiDelaLibORwpWS81mrwmdIAeecBerR58zpR9nqCpFBG-/s400/Nativity+scene.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christmas treasures don’t have to be expensive to be
special. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today’s Something Special About December is about something I picked
up as a University of Missouri student to have in my dorm room, and it’s been on
my desk at work each Christmas season ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember finding this simple nativity scene in a downtown
Columbia store, and think it was about a dollar. It was something nice to have
on my desk as a reminder of the season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn’t stand more than a couple inches tall, and doesn’t
have angels, cows, sheep and many of the other things we expect. It’s pretty
subtle, and appropriate for a newsroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After graduating, I’d keep it on my desk in the newsroom
along with a plastic tree that stands maybe a foot and a half tall that I’ve
had since childhood. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tree started appearing a little rough, losing branches
and getting a replacement strand of lights every couple of years. As if that
mattered, because I am loyal, even to plastic trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But together they moved with me from Connecticut to Flint and
Grand Rapids. As for Lansing, the tree stays home now that we have the
much-larger tree from Nana and its Michigan ornaments – and now a Michigan tree
skirt that Julie made for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the nativity sits on my desk next to the computer
monitor, a gentle reminder to focus on what’s import both for the holidays and
life in general.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-67962995564937743402016-12-11T22:01:00.000-05:002016-12-11T22:01:28.704-05:00Something Special About December: Cookies and pretzels, covered in chocolate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWpzXxNekVeWyY-OHngKEupaxHgdBr45AiTVobDYPGgUj2R9HHblrhyphenhyphen_Ey1e11kwrNEJ1T0MSa3g8Y0RSS3Ylk4_cxQl51AUfQmmRaauqgGo8F7FOYMZ1VSUAIYhFr_n77Nsr/s1600/Cookies+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWpzXxNekVeWyY-OHngKEupaxHgdBr45AiTVobDYPGgUj2R9HHblrhyphenhyphen_Ey1e11kwrNEJ1T0MSa3g8Y0RSS3Ylk4_cxQl51AUfQmmRaauqgGo8F7FOYMZ1VSUAIYhFr_n77Nsr/s400/Cookies+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today’s Something Special About December is a tasty treat
and a daddy-daughter tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Years ago I was looking for something fun to make to slip
into Christmas packages heading out of state, and to share with co-workers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We started by dipping Oreos in melted chocolate chips, using
a double boiler, carefully carrying the dripping cookies over to the counter,
where Caroline could smother them in sprinkles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This created a pretty big mess, with a trail of chocolate from
the stove to the counter. Then there was the burned fingertips from trying to
keep a double boiler going. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When there wasn’t enough chocolate left in the bowl to cover
a cookie, we started dipping mini pretzel sticks, just because we didn’t want
to waste chocolate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We learned several things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">First, Double-Stuff Oreos don’t work because the center
melts while the chocolate coating cools, sending the top cookie sliding off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then, we found that while people liked the covered cookies,
they loved the pretzels. There’s a neat sweet and salty thing going on, and
they’re easier to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We’ve improved our technique over the years, discovering melting
chocolate in the craft stores and switching to an electric fondue pot, which
makes a world of difference – and keeps the floor a lot cleaner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdCLo9L2nZnMviw29EPRQwM4H68tYRTi1AUU2r7Rq9qrAqSGLniRg14DhQ01SuwNPADhedzz1ZCJ7NQTdvzDFGmZph5ABlAimRJhMrjrcOTblE4wzA8veqOAOejo-5jUpq3q8/s1600/Cookies+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdCLo9L2nZnMviw29EPRQwM4H68tYRTi1AUU2r7Rq9qrAqSGLniRg14DhQ01SuwNPADhedzz1ZCJ7NQTdvzDFGmZph5ABlAimRJhMrjrcOTblE4wzA8veqOAOejo-5jUpq3q8/s400/Cookies+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And we’ve switched from making a lot of dipped cookies and
some pretzels to some cookies and a whole bunch of pretzels of varying shapes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This year was a little different, with my sprinkle applier
off at college, so I was pressed into double duty. They might not look as
pretty, but should still taste good!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-43489876671507837082016-12-10T21:56:00.002-05:002016-12-10T21:56:43.943-05:00Special Things About December: The Great Tree Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7A3_bVMarQCUeakixdz2DRXD7zzzOWRqdQcjqjGi3t3xAiQk_EtPA7isFlzg3hJfLEnSriBexTxqJvIGNOXXtF4e12KjoWvnkZOCGD5shymi-HFIIGpkPX8YUbAs3OsvhMDQ/s1600/Tree+Hunt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7A3_bVMarQCUeakixdz2DRXD7zzzOWRqdQcjqjGi3t3xAiQk_EtPA7isFlzg3hJfLEnSriBexTxqJvIGNOXXtF4e12KjoWvnkZOCGD5shymi-HFIIGpkPX8YUbAs3OsvhMDQ/s400/Tree+Hunt+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some Special Things About December are things, and others
are beloved rituals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today we enjoyed the annual Christmas Tree Hunt Adventure.
We’re still devoted to real trees – Michigan is the nation’s No. 3 producer of
Christmas trees – and for years we’ve headed to the same <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For years, we’ve been heading to the same family owned tree
farm outside of Rockford. They have nice trees and other things going on that
make the afternoon fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We grab a saw then head off into the rolling white fields,
dotted with evergreens of varying size. Some families opt for the tractor ride,
but we head out on foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeeCh8JMgmADoH_hXynzf8G_f_fzHmiT4w0Yw-VINbSsSXI9zweDMJRwmP2QkErABsTsuMuQKAuLDo8kg8ZybgwmUstPFhLL8x8OSVsU5gn5R-IGUgK0Amm3x1OcoM_DcJwsp/s1600/Tree+Hunt+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeeCh8JMgmADoH_hXynzf8G_f_fzHmiT4w0Yw-VINbSsSXI9zweDMJRwmP2QkErABsTsuMuQKAuLDo8kg8ZybgwmUstPFhLL8x8OSVsU5gn5R-IGUgK0Amm3x1OcoM_DcJwsp/s400/Tree+Hunt+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The length of the search varies depending on the
participants. Andrew, if he had his way, would grab the first tree he’d see.
Caroline would like to explore every square inch of the farm, make a mental list
of contenders, carefully consider the merits of each, review them a second
time, then make a selection. And we have done this regardless of temperature
and snow depth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">With the kids away, Julie ventured out with me today, and we
decided upon a beautiful balsam fir in about 20 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There seemed to be an abnormally large number of families
bringing dogs today, and Julie made the astute observation that we should beware
of any tree circled by dog paw prints.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZh-aEZpvf32hGVYRefPMllmK_bSh5WZLzIsyHjghqa2YXc6VSmo8FajFkbESfdFLZR7fMy-S74Nu1TEAOfiSqWzmxx1jRLc99jeOJ5NonwdF_3-j-jOdUgvhZz8w5qPCvGrw/s1600/Tree+Hunt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZh-aEZpvf32hGVYRefPMllmK_bSh5WZLzIsyHjghqa2YXc6VSmo8FajFkbESfdFLZR7fMy-S74Nu1TEAOfiSqWzmxx1jRLc99jeOJ5NonwdF_3-j-jOdUgvhZz8w5qPCvGrw/s400/Tree+Hunt+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Once we’ve knelt in the snow and saw through the trunk, we
drag the tree through the through the snow back to the buildings where crew
stands it into a machine that shakes the heck out of the tree to remove loose
needles and potential squirrels before sending it through a different machine
that ties the branches close for easier transport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzfCJlX5ThVrIbFcIQSvGjU1W5bCsYyP3PQBdjfdpy1WlzzfaN6azZs7TLPybMCVK3t9tLV3dY_irjD7-AtLXjDsl7vAsmUlD4HqwgP6BTbe-PqlmkGTnODemNygpjXXHbDm3/s1600/Tree+Hunt+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzfCJlX5ThVrIbFcIQSvGjU1W5bCsYyP3PQBdjfdpy1WlzzfaN6azZs7TLPybMCVK3t9tLV3dY_irjD7-AtLXjDsl7vAsmUlD4HqwgP6BTbe-PqlmkGTnODemNygpjXXHbDm3/s400/Tree+Hunt+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then we stop by
the animal area to visit the sheep and the bad ass goats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I’ve never felt secure about stringing the tree to the roof
of the Civic, so we fold down the back seats and manage to get most of it in
the trunk. No matter how I try to wrap the tree in blankets, needles still get
embedded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx3xwt8NCTwWr7uQ1Lp95VnjJcxkbmHLN_k3rmYZi-i5K4StDG9I6dUFkMuqrsjG7Z_rHJ0lsVpLNeOx6pkLqyeyxyCMFUDZQrUOkd42Cmzj0u6u3LEN252C70o8XTlaAfg3J/s1600/Tree+Hunt+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx3xwt8NCTwWr7uQ1Lp95VnjJcxkbmHLN_k3rmYZi-i5K4StDG9I6dUFkMuqrsjG7Z_rHJ0lsVpLNeOx6pkLqyeyxyCMFUDZQrUOkd42Cmzj0u6u3LEN252C70o8XTlaAfg3J/s400/Tree+Hunt+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The lining of my trunk is like a visit with the Ghost of
Trees of Christmas Past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“Hey, is this needle from the balsam fir of 2013?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“Nope, looks more like the blue spruce of ’15.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is OK; a reminder of Christmas, and our fun family
rituals, throughout the year.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ud9B8I0PHRHcLA6n_GMIxRiMpRq5FAOU2LF4SiKrpQdQ4SN4ASJJGCLF4nM_aaTqTyl0qG0GkW4ZfuF44AMwH06w-5y8GToOSz-pTQhbsvG2JCecthCH7SWWdX2hqjjGwVa2/s1600/Tree+Hunt+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ud9B8I0PHRHcLA6n_GMIxRiMpRq5FAOU2LF4SiKrpQdQ4SN4ASJJGCLF4nM_aaTqTyl0qG0GkW4ZfuF44AMwH06w-5y8GToOSz-pTQhbsvG2JCecthCH7SWWdX2hqjjGwVa2/s400/Tree+Hunt+8.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-65771111667601765672016-12-08T23:20:00.000-05:002016-12-09T10:28:34.190-05:00Something Special About December: Frank's magical Christmas tie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAfo-OkSZ2gdSQyJOIep9gAZEMYBvhqEDTy34k7Dn8Na8qJVX0toOte7-7juff37__E9XCwV2XSPyyPBgLN6I9itx1nAb9fi4VjrGoWYpFI8aw3sCRWpztM0gptEH9SHb8vWf/s1600/Franks+Tie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAfo-OkSZ2gdSQyJOIep9gAZEMYBvhqEDTy34k7Dn8Na8qJVX0toOte7-7juff37__E9XCwV2XSPyyPBgLN6I9itx1nAb9fi4VjrGoWYpFI8aw3sCRWpztM0gptEH9SHb8vWf/s400/Franks+Tie.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I love classy Christmas ties. They’re a fun way to celebrate
the Christmas season at work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have some nice ones. I wore one with Charlie Brown on it
this week to a special work party. But that’s only because I needed to change
the batteries in my favorite Christmas tie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Yes, today’s Something Special About December is about the
best Christmas tie ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I thought I was pretty festive at one of the Flint Journal’s
annual Christmas parties. That is, until I saw Frank Ruggirello’s neckwear
glowing from across the room at the Davison VFW Hall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">You see, Frank, married to colleague Linda Ruggirello, had a
tie depicting a string of Christmas lights -- that actually light up. Different
lights illuminate at different times. It is mesmerizing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It’s a beacon of glad tidings, glimmering like a
Christmas star attracting Wise Men. It brings joy to the world with a simple
press of a button. It is, unquestionably, the best Christmas tie ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you
think that you have the best Christmas tie, let me assure you, you do not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And I know there are no others like this, because I spent
the next several years searching. I could not pass a holiday tie rack without
looking for one with bulb designs. I’d find one occasionally, but none of them
ever lit up. They were inferior Christmas ties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There are actually plenty of ties that play music and they
are cool, until you are at a serious work meeting, lean forward on the conference
table and suddenly hear and “Jingle Bells.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And once it starts, the song does
not stop until is it is done. And everyone in the room looks at you as you
clutch your tie hoping to muffle the sound. They do not break out in song. They
just look at you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Or so I’ve heard. It’s best not to dwell on such things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyway, I’ve never found another light-up tie like Frank’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then, one Christmas season, a package arrived from the
Ruggirellos. Frank had decided it was pass on the tie and he knew only one
person would appreciate its glory. Needless to say, that was a very merry
Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So now, any time we have an important Christmas gathering, I
know that my outfit is not complete until I add Frank’s tie, press the button
and stride confidently into the party, joyfully – but silently – blinking Christmas
cheer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you, Frank!</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-6402294651752338082016-12-07T23:18:00.002-05:002016-12-07T23:18:50.507-05:00Something Special About December: The sacrificial snowman and the worst Christmas song ever! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are good things about the Christmas season. There are bad things about the Christmas season. And sometimes there are things that are so bad that they are good.</div>
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Today’s Something Special About December takes us to what I consider the worst Christmas song ever. This is a tale from the blog archives.</div>
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We’re not talking about the intentionally bad stuff, like “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."</div>
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I mean the kind of stuff where someone sat down intending to create some holiday warm-and-fuzzy, completed the task and said, "Whoa, this is . . . awesome. I now know the true meaning of Christmas."</div>
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Years ago I stumbled across an album called "T.V. Family Christmas." It’s filled with, you guessed it, songs that were either included in very special Christmas episodes of sitcoms, or holiday albums that were rushed out to cash in on a show’s popularity.</div>
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And you’ve got some sad stuff, like Gene Autry’s "Nine Little Reindeer," an obvious sequel to his Rudolph hit that is as good as "Caddyshack 2" and about as welcome.</div>
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But included in the schlock is "A Crosby Christmas," which is the "Billy Don’t be a Hero" of Christmas songs.</div>
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It’s a medley of mostly some bland stuff like "I’d Like to Hitch a Ride with Santa Claus."</div>
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Things go completely off the rails when some of the Crosby kids break out with something I think is called "The Snowman." Here are the lyrics:</div>
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"On a Christmas Eve<br />A happy snowman<br />Stood and dreamed beside<br />A cottage door</div>
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How the children loved<br />Their friend the snowman<br />And the funny fedora<br />That he wore</div>
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When they said "Good night,"<br />They told the snowman<br />That a gift for him<br />Was on the tree</div>
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So he called himself<br />A lucky snowman<br />Just like one of the family<br />Was he"</div>
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OK, this is pretty lame so far, but nothing too freaky. We’ve all made snowmen and added hats. Once I made a cool one with a Wiffle ball bat and Mets batting helmet. And for the sake of holiday cheer I’ll buy into the premise that this snowman can think and dream. The snowman might be somewhat delusional if he thinks he’s really part of the family, but they did promise a gift.</div>
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But things are about to go horribly wrong. Back to the lyrics.</div>
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"The cottage porch<br />Looked beautiful and bright<br />The holly wreath<br />Was hung up for the night</div>
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When all at once,<br />It caught on fire and fell<br />He couldn’t knock<br />He couldn’t ring the bell</div>
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He couldn’t run for help<br />He couldn’t call<br />But then he had<br />To save the children after all</div>
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He knew he’d melt away<br />But then the snowman<br />Threw himself across<br />The burning floor"</div>
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What the heck was that?</div>
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First we have a Christmas wreath that is hung on the door "for the night" as if it hasn’t been hanging there since the week after Thanksgiving.</div>
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Then, this wreath spontaneously ignites? How? Why?</div>
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We established earlier that this snowman can somehow think and reason. But he can’t speak?</div>
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And how come he can’t run for help or ring the bell, yet can somehow drag his icy butt up the stairs and hurl himself on the flaming wreath, regretting that he had but one life to give for his family?</div>
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It’s just not consistent. Either he’s a magical snowperson or he’s not.</div>
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And how are we supposed to feel happy about all of this? "The Gift of the Magi" story is all about sacrifice — and really isn’t one of my favorites — but this downer ditty takes it to a new level. It’s one thing to give up your hair or watch, but another to accept a fiery death.</div>
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Back to the story:</div>
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"How the children missed<br />Their friend the snowman<br />But they’ll always remember him for<br />A heart that was brave<br />And the joy that he gave<br />And the funny fedora he wore"</div>
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And then Bing, looking to transition to the next part of the medley, says:</div>
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"Ohhhh, great little guy, the happy snowman. I’ll never forget him."</div>
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"Great little guy, I’ll never forget him?" That’s what you say about a neighbor who helps you dig your car out of the snow bank. Bing, the snowman took an early exit — sacrificing both his life and the gift on the tree — to save you and your family. And that’s the best you’ve got?</div>
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And technically they still have the funny fedora, though soggy, to give to the next snowman — unless the kids are too traumatized to build another one.</div>
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Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-17891774086163564302016-12-06T23:34:00.002-05:002016-12-06T23:34:13.331-05:00Something Special About December: Lansing's Capitol Christmas tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HX_3WpON6a0cO8fyHlDKCg7hkWpdOwHnxl0XzX9yr00XOv6-w86ziOjPSvcb5ix7WQrQC7pob1oymZ25EYkUig3EozbGUybw0AV56Q4M6hSNK21x5LMDz2FtanSY1GiU027y/s1600/CapTree+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HX_3WpON6a0cO8fyHlDKCg7hkWpdOwHnxl0XzX9yr00XOv6-w86ziOjPSvcb5ix7WQrQC7pob1oymZ25EYkUig3EozbGUybw0AV56Q4M6hSNK21x5LMDz2FtanSY1GiU027y/s400/CapTree+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today’s Something Special About December has us thinking
about Christmas trees, but this time they’re much bigger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the best parts about working in Lansing is seeing the
gigantic Christmas tree placed on the east side of the state Capitol. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Starting in 1987, the tree lighting ceremony became part of
Lansing’s Silver Bells in the City celebration, which has grown into an event
that includes an electric parade and fireworks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xp8AZRb5hw6sNI4huTtARyF93SVlJwW5KmGCSh2b9GbhbpTMIrPSbjmKl9LkMgkwCRhKlisvHeKf7J5E0i6Gic_7MysygHEJBrOxUXEmt9XwcyYgsiAo3rJs4OWsDcSnGlPK/s1600/CapTree+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xp8AZRb5hw6sNI4huTtARyF93SVlJwW5KmGCSh2b9GbhbpTMIrPSbjmKl9LkMgkwCRhKlisvHeKf7J5E0i6Gic_7MysygHEJBrOxUXEmt9XwcyYgsiAo3rJs4OWsDcSnGlPK/s400/CapTree+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, normally with civic trees, there is a lot of oohing and
aahing when the switch in flicked, but the tree pretty much looks the same year
in and year out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not so in Lansing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m not sure who gets the credit for this, but the lighting
theme is different each year. Sometimes the bulbs are all white, sometimes they
are multi-colored, and sometimes there are limited colors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One year the tree had different sections of colors, and that
wasn’t especially popular. But I give them points for trying something new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, there is a brilliant white star atop the tree –
the first time I’ve seen that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like to pause on my way home and walk under the tree and
look up at the lights and over to the Capitol dome, bathed in light and
gleaming, a year after its restoration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MQ8ufKmsYs1pZOQZCtI7LJMlSkI-CsEqlEsmOgZKrFIpmoE4-LhgKf0Zd7oGN892L5KdLqMn_txd9p8J5pEA6ilDjNbjXDBi8s7flMmqcmSwZy4uiqMPecJtjcpW1Y_Mbv-I/s1600/CapTree+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MQ8ufKmsYs1pZOQZCtI7LJMlSkI-CsEqlEsmOgZKrFIpmoE4-LhgKf0Zd7oGN892L5KdLqMn_txd9p8J5pEA6ilDjNbjXDBi8s7flMmqcmSwZy4uiqMPecJtjcpW1Y_Mbv-I/s400/CapTree+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a sight I try not to take for granted. I don’t know
what the future holds or how long I’ll work in Lansing. It’s a special place.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-47887575247298577492016-12-05T22:54:00.001-05:002016-12-08T23:17:36.842-05:00Something Special About December: Nana's Tree<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCK2Lv2getIPCm9uVnaS8wpCCFSb7fQGjKryJ0WwELDROOYoco_zk1Jj00QYaN1OXC_GY9xDqLPEa9RtOo-QUpVSdWtiVi5cVOmEj-3AGW4616s6kUlrLIZ4BzGReHlK3jqov/s1600/Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCK2Lv2getIPCm9uVnaS8wpCCFSb7fQGjKryJ0WwELDROOYoco_zk1Jj00QYaN1OXC_GY9xDqLPEa9RtOo-QUpVSdWtiVi5cVOmEj-3AGW4616s6kUlrLIZ4BzGReHlK3jqov/s400/Tree.jpg" width="300" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Today’s Special Thing About December comes from my awesome
mother-in-law and is becoming an office tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In 2012 Mom Nelson – otherwise known as Nana to the kids -- wanted
to downsize her tree a little and we wondered what to do with the suddenly
available six-foot tree that had been set up in her living room for years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was in my new role as community engagement specialist at
the Grand Rapids Press, and was looking for a way to bring our team together
for the holidays. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nana’s Tree became the newest addition to the newsroom, and
everyone was asked to bring in an ornament that represented them in some way.
And, we had cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The next year I was working in the Governor’s Communications
Office, and we definitely needed some holiday spirit. Nana’s Tree reappeared,
and we decided to use some Michigan-themed ornaments to decorate. We didn’t
have too many, and the tree looked a little bare. But we had some cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">People on the team liked the tree and the Michigan
ornaments. One of the coolest parts about my job is that we get to travel
around the state seeing things and meeting people. Everywhere we go, I try to
slip into a store and see if there are ornaments that we can add to the
collection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">From the Upper Peninsula to Detroit and all points in
between, I’ve been able to find ornaments. You’d be surprised how many are out
there once you start looking for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Some are mass-produced decorations, usually depicting the
Detroit sports teams. Some are craft-show creations. Some commemorate special
places or events, and some are just the shape of our state. All of them are Pure Michigan fun!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We had a Communications Office open house last year. The
team brought in treats – including cookies – and we had the ornaments on a
table. People from throughout the building were invited to come on down, have a
treat, spread some holiday cheer and hang an ornament on Nana’s Tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_3QMxJvt7omFZrm-xy_aT2l9PQtf6ZzYIH5sTNhgINqQFuf3227Yv7JXz1LMIKNXFX0b582GqWXKSNJB4hZUuxPK16DOWQLbm8cr9Y4GxkbXZNKLI1JtEUQLpf8tvZHMcI0b/s1600/Tree+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_3QMxJvt7omFZrm-xy_aT2l9PQtf6ZzYIH5sTNhgINqQFuf3227Yv7JXz1LMIKNXFX0b582GqWXKSNJB4hZUuxPK16DOWQLbm8cr9Y4GxkbXZNKLI1JtEUQLpf8tvZHMcI0b/s400/Tree+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I’m in a new role in a new building this year, and I wasn’t
quite sure what the new crew would think about the tree and the ornaments. The
new guy is a little quirky. But they’re a pretty festive bunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So late Friday afternoon we set up Nana’s Tree in our
third-floor waiting area. By this morning, colleagues brought in some of their
own – two beautiful Pewabic tiles and a perfect Petoskey stone snowman – and
promises of more to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And, the folks who are in charge of our Angel Tree decided
that the gifts would be collected and placed under Nana’s Tree until it was
time to distribute them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And, we’ll have cookies.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11386152.post-85806532390512611852016-12-04T19:20:00.002-05:002016-12-05T22:50:24.663-05:00Something Special about December: Learning to shine through advent devotionals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazFaBBAObD1w2dEnWu9NnUgIqIIV_2m8PiDIfA4vvkCD6hfnXflH4GAp9krgORpNew1IbnUfTy51yabhp9-2zo3rgPcRt0L5rcZlHnXjrqbAONa-nJc64U3SYLaLYxIxObBcn/s1600/Advent+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazFaBBAObD1w2dEnWu9NnUgIqIIV_2m8PiDIfA4vvkCD6hfnXflH4GAp9krgORpNew1IbnUfTy51yabhp9-2zo3rgPcRt0L5rcZlHnXjrqbAONa-nJc64U3SYLaLYxIxObBcn/s400/Advent+cover.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I attend an amazing church. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Even though it’s pretty large,
it finds ways to include everybody and provides opportunities to get to know
congregation members who you might not get to encounter too often.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So today’s Special Thing About December comes from my church
– and I got to help! Each year Trinity publishes an advent devotional booklet.
Every day there is a Bible verse, and a different member of our congregation
writes a few paragraphs about what the verse means to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">People share things about their lives – their challenges,
their reasons to cheer and how they look to their faith to give thanks for their
blessings or look to it for strength in the tough times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It’s inspiring and a nice way to share with our church
family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We’re supposed to read one a day until Christmas. I’m not
that patient. My entry isn’t until Dec. 22, but if you want a sneak peek, read
on:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Psalm 96: 1-3: Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the
Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless the name of the Lord, and proclaim
God’s salvation from day to day. Declare God’s glory among the nations and
God’s wonders among all men.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I enjoy Christian rock music and love hearing it played
live, be it in a big arena or during our Rejoice services – especially when
Faceless performs! I’m inspired by the energy and fellowship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Matthew West is one of my favorite artists, and I have the
lyrics to his song “More” taped to my monitor at work. I think about these
words often, and I like to think they change the way I approach people and
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>“I love you more than the sun<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>And the stars that I taught how to shine<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>You are mine, and you shine for me, too”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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I’m a flawed person, and despite these flaws, the Lord loves me and I can shine
for him. I’m not great at evangelizing, but people seem to think I’m an upbeat
person – which is easy when you know that God loves you despite your flaws. My
hope is that folks who might not have embraced a faith see that positivity and
realize the source, and be inspired to learn more. We all can be an example.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I also remember that if God loves me despite my flaws, then
he loves other people despite their flaws. And if he loves them, well, I can be
a little more accepting and try to be more understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Heavenly Father, may we always bask in your warm embrace and
shine like beacons in the night on your behalf. May our eyes be opened to the
challenges faced by others and give us the strength to reach out and assist in
this time of celebration – and throughout the year.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Mets Guy in Michiganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04048899230969074579noreply@blogger.com0