The Boston Red Sox - In Memoriam: Johnny Pesky

Johnny Pesky (1919-2012) Photo credit: The Boston Herald

Very saddened by the news that Johnny Pesky's died.

One could not have asked for a more charming native guide.

Pesky was a Red Sox legend...  Stories by the score

Shared with younger players about glory days of yore.

Over 7 decades now that Johnny's been the heart;

Known as Mister Red Sox, he will always be a part

Of the park that was his life - the fabled Pesky Pole;

Obstacle which home-run hitters' hopes so often stole.

Never made the Hall of Fame - the war got in the way -

Though he hit .300, behind Williams, in his day.

Played 10 years but never left.  He managed for awhile

(Pesky was well noted for his ever present smile)

Was a coach, announced a bit, as manager - rehired.

Johnny Pesky lived to see his number get retired.

Not as if his death's a shock...  The man was 92.

Even so, I find the news has left me feeling blue.

Seems like something vital - a connection to the dream -

Gone, like Johnny Pesky.  'though the current Red Sox team

Needs a shot of something that is missing from before.

Now that God's called Pesky home, please - someone - get  Bob Doerr.

Race for the White House - Democrats Happy With Romney's VP Choice?

Photo Credit - Win McNamee, Getty Images

President Obama's team has greeted - with great joy -

Romney's choice of Ryan, the Tea Party's golden boy...

Think he chose a running mate like Sarah Palin, but

I'm afraid that people won't perceive him as a nut.

I think independent voters want to see a change;

Whether in New Hampshire or out west, home on the range,

Folks are sick and tired (that's my mother's favorite phrase)

Of the lack of action out of Washington these days.

I don't think the President can only blame his foes,

Even though Republicans reliably oppose

Everything he tries to do...  And, clearly, Harry Reid

Doesn't plan to compromise. Obama needs to lead.

I don't care for Medi-Scare (though Romney Hood was good.)

On the air the ads aren't fair. I think that both sides should

Have a real discussion about what their visions are.

I've seen little evidence of that - at least so far.

Across the Pond - Afghanistan. Fool Me 21 Times?

Afghanistan.  (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Fool me one time, shame on you... And two times? Shame on me.

In Afghanistan this week, they fooled NATO times three.

So much for us helping out.  We're target dummies now?

Someone has to stop this awful killing spree - somehow.

Forces we are training to step up as we draw down;

Teaching to defend the laws and streets of their own town,

Have a dreadful tendency to harbor in their midsts

Taliban extremists we do not have on our lists.

Men who open fire, killing everyone they can...

Seems to me the screening process hasn't gone to plan.

Maybe we should change the ammunition? Give them blanks.

When we have the chance to stand in front - decline, with thanks.

'though I know we plan to go and bring our people home,

Let's remember lessons learned as long ago as Rome;

When you deal with tribal customs things are slow to change.

Everyone's related and all families are strange.

Across the Pond - The London Games

All the local heroes from hometowns around the world:

Running, swimming, leaping, fighting, get a discus hurled.

Athletes cry on podiums and mouth their anthems' words.

Londoners remain polite despite the roving herds.

There have been some moments when I've shed a happy tear;

Caught my breath in worry with disaster looming near,

Or in awe as human bodies hurtle through the air.

People doing things that I would not do on a dare.

'though I've not seen all the Games - 'cause we were at the beach -

Even there (Perhaps the air?) Olympics news would reach.

No, I didn't watch it live when Phelps made history,

(I, instead, watched silver moonlight ripple on the sea)

Still, within the hour, I was told that he had won...

Watching the Olympics' what my nieces did for fun.

Now we're home and tuned in every night I have to say;

Even though I know the network has big bills to pay,

T.V. ads so often make the Games no fun to watch.

Wish that NBC'd agree to tone it down a notch.

Shows us sports we never see.  Perhaps some rowing heats?

Give us more Olympics. I don't care what Mike Phelps eats.

Happy Birthday! Love, Mom.

I remember when he was much, much smaller.

Happy Birthday darlin' boy - You're 17 today,
And I thought I'd use this opportunity to say
Parents hope their children know how much they're truly loved
(Probably forget to say so when you've lately shoved
Your clean clothes back in the wash when cleaning up your room

But, now's not the time to speak of things that make me fume.)
I can still recall - so clearly - that night you were born;
Realized from that day on my heart was truly torn...
Two parts where there once was one (and now, of course, there's 3)
Hope that you'll take care of what you're keeping there for me.
Don't take stupid chances... Make risks you do take count.
Always know we love you an unlimited amount.
Yes, of course you'll make mistakes. You're not the only one;

All around you, evidence that people make them son.
Don't want to control your life.  We're here to help you out...
And, if you are honest, not like either of us shout.
Make the most of all your blessings. Go and seize the day.
!

Mom and Dad and Andrew love you more than we can say.

NASA Fan Club (Neil deGrasse Tyson for President)

(Photo Credit:  Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / August 6, 2012 )

Actors have their fan clubs, as do athletes and rock stars...

I've just gone and joined one for the folks who've conquered Mars.

Watched the room erupt in joy: high fiving, pumping fist.

Wish that I'd grown up to be a NASA scientist.

Human Curiosity propelled us in to space,

Once again advancing the entire human race.

(Only thing I ever liked about the younger Bush

Was his plan to give the drive for Mars an extra push.)

President Obama, forced to implement some cuts,

Plans to take from NASA's budget...  I believe that's nuts.

Think of all the jobs created racing to the moon,

And, although it makes me sound like some old, Star Trek loon;

Space is where our future lies - the fabled, last frontier.

Maybe with a fan club we could make it loud and clear

Trim the budget somewhere else.  Leave scientists alone.

Boldly go tell Congress; "Not until the pigs have flown."

We're Back.

Hello everyone. We're back again; vacation's through.

Hope that, in my absence, things have been okay with you.

I am just now catching up...  I find I've missed so much.

At the beach I chose to stay completely out of touch.

Didn't read a paper.  Didn't see the evening news.

Only sat and stared out at amazing ocean views.

If I owned The Lookout I would never want to leave.

Everyday I was away would be a day I'd grieve.

Once we watched a lightning storm streak bolts off to our right.

To our left a shooting star trailed through the starry night.

Tide came in and tide went out. I watched it with our dog.

Didn't see another soul while sitting on our log.

Dr. Seussilitis symptoms seemed to disappear.

Now we're home I fear my brain's no longer feeling clear.

Watched the news; read magazines.  I felt it starting then.

Must have had a relapse 'cause I'm rhyming things again.