Hunting My Lime Green Whale

Friday I made a rare visit to Marshall’s, since it was next door to Dollar Tree. Browsed their sneakers and clearance rack. Hadn’t been there in a few years. When I shop, there are a few things I always look for, that I keep in the back of my mind. Like a lime green pair of the early 1970’s Atlanta Hawks basketball shorts, like Maravich used to wear. Mitchell & Ness sells them for like $90 - far too expensive for an item that an old guy like me would look ridiculous in. So I usually look for things like that at thrift stores. A few years ago I found a similar size XXL pair, except in yellow. I passed.

When I walked over to the clearance rack there was one lime green pair, brand new, sitting there on the rack. My size. On sake for $20. I grabbed them. A no brainer. Still not sure where I’ll wear them. To grandparents day at the girl's school. I do have a matching lime green Hawks t-shirt, plus a pair of matching Stance socks. A full uniform!

Interestingly, I just stumbled across a rare photo I'd never seen before, of Julius Erving playing for the Hawks in these same uniforms. Probably the blue set.

Founds several nice pairs of sneakers for Ceil, including these fuzzy beauties. Nothing good in my size. 

Drove down the road to the 6 pm event at Beaver Mazda. By attending I secured extra entries to their SUV giveaway. Figured I’d go since C was out of town. They had a fancy spread of food: beef Wellington bites, grilled Hawaiian chicken, hamburger sliders with pimento cheese, and new potatoes topped with sour cream. A dessert table with various bite size treats. Free alcohol, but I opted for a Diet Coke. I didn’t win the car. Looked like there were 343 people in the giveaway, not sure. 

Friday night the Reds wore head to toe black uniforms. Tonight they’re wearing head to toe red. Actually it does look a little old timey, a look you’d expect from the Reds. 

Friday I was going here there and everywhere. I missed the gym but stayed on the go. Only 8000 steps and 4 miles, but when I got home at 7:45, I was bushed. I think I realized why: the thin socks I was wearing caused my feet to move around in my shoes. 

By the time I went to bed I was in pain. No matter how I laid, there was pain. I almost never take over the counter meds, so the one Advil capsule I took really did the trick. Nevertheless, I didn’t much sleep. 

Got up at 630 and walked both Winnie and Goose. Made it to Kennesaw Mountain by 740, and we were off on our hike by 8:15. Went a little further this time. From the top of the mountain we continued on down the other side another quarter mile, a rough rocky steep descent - and then we turned around and climbed right back up to the top, then on down to the parking lot.

Finished at 9:47 am. 2.56 miles with 800 feet of elevation, in 92% humidity. Hiked with Brian, Dan, Jim, and Robert. Used my new trekking poles, which supposedly takes 30 pounds of pressure off my legs. 

Drove home, walked the dogs again, and drove up to the gym. Sauna and treadmill cooldown. After lunch I took a nap. More furniture was delivered, so I went upstairs and finished configuring the furniture in the guest bedroom. Carpet, put together the bed, moved in the side tables, then did the same in the master bedroom. Did some laundry. Turned into a 14000+ step 6.7 mile day. 

First Bite: Brandi's World Famous Hot Dogs

Friday I had to go pick up Goose from Anna’s house. When I got close to their house I realized it was a good time to try out Brandi’s Hot Dogs, a humble but popular shack near Kennestone Hospital.

Lots of local flavor. Interesting clientele. The red hot dogs are spicy, with chili, an American cheese square, onions, and slaw that slightly cooled off the heat.

I found a seat at the counter, between two regulars. Ordered a loaded dog, onion rings, fried apple pie, and soft drink. They placed an order of fries by mistake, but told me to keep it.

The fries were crispy but tasted just so so. The rings were also crispy. The hot dog also just okay. They did have the real good shaved ice for my Coke Zero. My fried apple pie was super hot, similar to what you get at McDonalds - but better because of the way it was cooked. Several people topped their pie with ice cream, but I’d eaten enough. 

Some of the people around me were really eating a lot. One 80 year old regular ordered three hot dogs. Cash only.

In the back of the kitchen there was an old Sports Illustrated cover on the wall, featuring Marietta native Jim Nash, when he pitched for the Kansas City Athletics.

A Sprayberry High graduate, Nash pitched for the Braves from 1970-1973.

I spent an hour at Anna’s, holding baby Miller while A&C packed their pickup. Then I drove Goose home. Then I had more errands to run:

To Office Depot for a box and print a label to ship the vintage Broncos football helmet I’d sold on eBay. 

Then to Dicks Sporting Goods for some hiking sticks for Saturday’s Kennesaw Mountain hike. Wasn’t crazy about the cork handles, but they were on sale - and looked cooler than the dorky looking more expensive pair with rubber handles.

Earlier, Ceil’s plans changed again on Friday morning. At 7:50 am she said she was driving to SC herself, as soon as she got ready. Took her almost 2 hours to get ready. She even fixed herself breakfast and sat down and ate it.

That left me alone to move the bed and rug from one bedroom to another. While C was getting ready I straightened up the house, walked Winnie, and woofed down some leftovers for breakfast.

Five minutes after C had left, there was a knock on the door. The deliveryman was there with our new bed. I hadn’t moved the old one yet. He helped me, not initially realizing it wouldn’t take long. Then he and his coworker screwed together the new bed. Nice to be going from a double bed back to a queen. Winnie approved.

At the same time the water department was outside fixing the hole they’d left in my yard a few weeks ago. All the trucks just about blocked the street.

R.I.P. Bob Horner

Former Braves third baseman Bob Horner passed away this week. He was 68. 

The Braves drafted Horner out of Arizona State, and he immediately played for Braves, hitting a home run in his first game. He never played a day in the minor leagues, though Ted Turner once tried to send him down during a slump.

Horner is the most recent Brave to hit four home runs in a game. For years he played third base, but eventually moved to first base after suffering a series of injuries. In an effort to change his luck, Horner changed his number from 5 to 11.

Some thought Horner to be overweight, but it never affected his mobility.

One of the reasons I'm posting these photos: Horner wore some classic Braves uniforms - starting with the red pinstripes and the red BP jerseys from the late 70's, the 1980's home unis trimmed in red, white, and blue, and the powder blue road uniforms. 

Horner and Dale Murphy were rookies the same year. From then on the two were often mentioned together: Murphy and Horner, Horner and Murphy. 

Another thing about Horner - in his career he wore several different brands of cleats: Brooks, Puma, and others.

Gary Matthews, Horner, 1B Chris Chambliss, and Murphy.

Horner famously jumped to the Japanese league, and the fans there loved him. His nickname was The Red Devil. He slugged 31 homers in 93 games, threatening records set by Japan's home run king - causing quite the stir.

Horner finished his career with the Cardinals, but manager Whitey Herzog didn't get a long with him.

BOB HORNER [Wiki Bio] was the only player to hit four home runs in a game in the 1980s. On 06-Jul-1986, at home in Atlanta against the Expos, Horner went deep 4 times, three off Andy McGaffigan and once off Jeff Reardon. The most recent four-home-run game before his was Mike Schmidt’s in 1976.  The next one following Horner’s belonged to Mark Whiten in 1993. Horner was chosen #1 in the first round of the 1978 MLB June Amateur Draft. After a stellar college career, he bypassed the minor leagues entirely. His first professional game was in the majors. Horner was the first winner of the Golden Spikes Award. He debuted in the majors with the Braves on 16-Jun-1978, a mere 8 days since his final game at Arizona State University in the NCAA College World Series. In the 6th inning of his first game, Horner hit the first of his 218 career home runs off Bert Blyleven. Horner was voted the 1978 National League Rookie of the Year, edging out Padres shortstop Ozzie Smith. Horner was an All Star in 1982, and received MVP votes in 1979, 1980 & 1983. In 1982 Horner was an important part of getting the Braves into the postseason, winning their first NL West division championship since 1969.

National Hamburger Day

Today is National Hamburger Day. People on social media were telling of all these great deals, but it turned into a big dud. Supposed free burger deals at McDonalds, Wendy's, Steak & Shake, and Freddy's never materialized. A dollar off a $6.00 Dairy Queen burger wasn't worth it. Not worth it to spend $3-$10 for a free burger at Burger King, Sonic, or Shake Shack. Really only two decent deals: BOGO a $6 Hardees burger, or the usual free Whattaburger with purchase of fries and drink.

    

I drove all the way down to Sandy Springs for the Hardees deal - which didn't work when I got there. Drove 30 minutes up Johnson Ferry to Whattaburger. The funny thing about Whattaburger is that so many old white guys eat there. I think they're all getting the same deal I get. 

 

Braves: Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is batting .095 - 4 hits in 42 at bats. Kim's defense hasn't been great either. Not sure if Braves GM AA was desparate when he gave Kim a $20 million contract last December, but what's puzzling is that Kim's signing came one month AFTER the Braves traded 2025 weak hitting shortstop Nick Allen to Houston for SS/OF Maruricio Dubon, who's been playing great all year, as has SS Jorge Mateo. Kim was rushed back from injury, but if the Braves can't keep winning, something's got to change. What makes it worse is the lack of production from the catcher position, with Baldwin and Murphy both sidelined. 

I was worn out from spending yesterday out in the sun, even though the stands at Rickwood Field are in the shade. Went to bed before 10 pm but Winnie was stretched out on our tiny bed. Since I was waking up early this morning to play golf, I went into Ceil's studio bedroom and slept on the twin mattress we have in there.

I got a "late" start this morning - didn't tee off until a few minutes after 7 am. Lots of dew, and with the 95% relative humidity, I was soaked with sweat. Played 3-4 balls. No one behind me.

1. Two drives sliced right. My fairway shots were worm burners. Two great chips, though both settled past the narrow green. Decent chips back.

2. Pulled one 6 iron left, then hit one straight. Chipped one of three onto the green.

3. Actually hit two straight 9 irons off the tee (then a third went left). Okay chips. I made one of the "par" putts.

4. Hit three 6 irons where I aimed - two toward the right of the green that didn't bounce left, then the third was straight toward the hole, but short. Three good chips. I made one of the "par" putts. 

5. My normal good 4 iron was failing me today - none of my four tee shots were good. Did hit a few good chips onto the green. Sank a long "par" putt. 

6. Decent drive off the tee, then scalded a nice line drive 4 iron just short of the green. Hit 4 decent chips. Couldn't sink a "par" putt.

7. Didn't hit a good drive. i was under a tree, so I hit a low 3 iron down the fairway - one was great but two not so good. Then all three chips in and around the green. Sank the 15 foot putt for another "par". 

8. Drives were okay but not great. A 9 iron was too much club. Flubbed two, and hit two off the back of the green. Three great chips from the back fringe, but I couldn't sink a "par" putt.  

9. My shirt and hands and arms were dripping with sweat, and my usual hybrid tee shot failed me. Hit four flubs. From the fairway and under a tree, the 3 iron was too much club. Hit one that rolled past the green, and two just short. Decent chips. Finished at 8:45 am. 

    

After golf I went to the gym. After the sauna I hopped on the treadmill, but got a text from Ceil about coming to see the girls. She didn't say where - at our house? At Anna's? I tried to call but no answer. I hopped off the treadmill and drove home. C wasn't there. Finally got a text saying she was at W&MC's. Guess I should've figured that out.

Freddie Freeman recently welcomed a baby daughter into his family. At 36, with a contract expiring in 2028, Freeman expects to play three more years, though his age 40 season. He'll need all of that to reach 3000 hits.  

DRAKE BALDWIN [Wiki Bio] went deep on 15-May & 16-May-2026 in Atlanta, both to deep center field. Both of these home runs against Boston disappeared beyond the shrubs in straightaway center. In college, he played for the University of Missouri Tigers. College highlights (First 6 minutes). Starting at DH in the 2024 Futures Game, he grounded out against Caden Dana, then hit a sac fly off A.J. Blubaugh, and homered off Fernando Perez.

Denison: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill) condemned a Memorial Day social media post by the Democratic National Committee  that featured the images and names of 13 soldiers killed during the current military conflict with Iran, because it read “Remembering the Americans who have died in Trump’s war with Iran.” Duckworth is a Purple Heart recipient who lost her legs and partial use of her right arm when the helicopter she was piloting was hit by an RPG in Iraq. She said of the post, “It is incredibly distasteful to use our heroic dead for a political attack on Memorial Day. I’m a Democrat and I condemn this post by the DNC.” After similar criticism on both sides of the aisle, the DNC deleted the post.

The Rickwood Classic

You’d like this game at Rickwood Field. Lots of offense. Four of five home runs. One almost hit my car. They made me park beyond the right field fence. 

Manual scoreboard (below). National anthem sung by a barbershop quartet. One of the singers liked the Stripers shirt that I wore. 

Barons wearing the Black Barons uniforms worn by Willie Mays. Pensacola also wearing throwbacks. A charter bus of fans drove up from Pensacola for the game. 

Pensacola piled on the runs. Final score 23-4. 

I left home right at 7 am. Stopped at McDonalds for a $3 bacon egg & cheese biscuit. Didn’t stop by my Birmingham office because my friend Danny wasn’t available. Stopped by some thrift stores and an early lunch at Arby’s - two chicken sliders for $2 total. 

Then I drove up to the big Vulcan statue that overlooks the city, and checked out the museum. 

Arrived at the stadium parking lot at 1130. Should’ve gotten there earlier. Took me 45 minutes to park. The old school turnstiles weren't in use. 

On the way home I gassed up at Buccees. Got a $2 Sonic milkshake.

On the way back from Birmingham, after I passed Anniston and Oxford my GPS was telling me of trouble ahead, and to exit I-20 east of Heflin. Two other cars exited ahead of me, but the big trucks stayed on the interstate. Took the country road from the town of Abernathy past Fireworks City on across the Georgia state line all the way up to Tallapoosa (A), then north and east to Buchanan (C). Had the window down and was getting 38.6 MPG. Then basically took highway 120 basically all the way home.

Passed through Draketown and on to Dallas (D), then Macland Road (E) to Powder Springs Road into downtown Marietta - then east on 120 to the house. Took about the same amount of time it would've taken fighting traffic on 20 east, 285 north, and 75 north. A fun, relaxing trip. 

Whenever I take a road trip somewhere like Birmingham, it brings back all sorts of memories from previous trips, memories that I hadn't thought of in years. Above: the view of downtown Birmingham from Vulcan Park. Below: tickets weren't that cheap - but they were only ten bucks.

Tomorrow: National Hamburger Day.

The Good Old Days

Being a young adult these days is tough, especially financially. I get it. But. Back in my day it wasn’t exactly a bowl of cherries. 

Yes, houses were cheaper - but we weren’t earning much. When I finally landed a real job in 1985 my starting salary was $15000 - $1250 per month. Instead of traveling and buying a new car, I saved for a down payment for a house. I was single. Went on retreats with the youth and singles at my church. I was a frequent visitor to the numerous dollar theaters around town. 

Ate 19 cent macaroni and cheese, sometimes with a can of Kroger tuna fish mixed in. Canned chili or peanut butter with saltine crackers. Canned BBQ. Frozen pizzas. When I ate out, it was the fast food dollar menu, the Pizza Inn buffet, or the Western Sizzlin potato bar. But at least 4 days a week I’d take my lunch to work - usually keeping a pack of hot dogs and buns in the fridge at work. I don't see many young people doing this.

Didn’t play golf. When I finally took up the game, I cobbled together used clubs from my in laws and played at the cheapest course in town - which I still do to this day. General admission tickets to Braves games. 

This was before thrift stores became more prevalent. Not sure how I looked, but I rarely shopped for clothes. What I got for Christmas and my birthday usually got me by. For a couple of years my only jacket was the free windbreaker I received for coaching Mighty Mites. I wore that sucker out. 

When we got married we spent a lot of time renovating the 40 year old house we’d bought, doing a good bit of the work ourselves. We rarely took vacations, thankful for the annual beach trip paid for by my in laws. 

These days I see so many younger people not scrimping and saving, but going out to eat lunch 4-5 days a week, spending sometimes $15-20 a day. Arriving at work with a cup of expensive coffee. Going on lavish vacations. I’d hear about everything they’d spend money on, then them complain because they can’t afford a house. Some don’t seem interested in getting married, and even fewer are interested in having children. For sure it’s a different world.

Not talking about any one person in particular. Not just coworkers, but relatives, and some of the kids of friends and acquaintances. 

Thankful and blessed that so far two of my three kids have gotten married, bought houses, and have children.

Monday evening and this morning I was sore from the Kennesaw Mountain hike. This morning C dressed for the gym but said she didn't want to take her usual class because her hip was hurting. I suggested we left weights together, since she had recently mentioned that she wanted me to show her how to use the machines. So we did. She had 30 minutes, and after she left I did some stretching, sat in the sauna, and cooled off on the treadmill. 

Listening to the Vince Flynn novel Oath of Loyalty, number 17 in the Mitch Rapp series. Very good, but lots of shooting and stuff. Not sure I've read all 17, but I've read several.

Ceil cooked lasagna tonight. Very good. Also grilled squash with onions, and a tossed salad.  

Memorial Day Hike

This morning I climbed Kennesaw Mountain, with several guys from Sunday School. Nice and not too misty. About 1-1/8 up and down. Brian, Dan, Steve, Jim, and David. Also Brian's dog, Winston. When we got to the top it was too cloudy to see anything.

The plan is to hike the mountain every Saturday morning, stretching it out to go up Kennesaw, then continue over to Little Kennesaw Mountain and down the other side, then hike back - a total of 6.6 miles. It’ll be good for me to add in a different kind of training. Gotta get some hiking poles. 

After the hike I stopped by the Goodwill just west of the Marietta Square, then across the street to McDonalds for a bacon egg & cheese biscuit. Then straight east back to the gym, for the sauna and treadmill. 

Stopped by the house, then made an afternoon excursion. Stopped by three more thrift stores looking for those hiking poles. Got a frosty from Wendy’s and a BOGO chicken sandwiches from McDonald’s.

Drove up to Beaver Mazda in Cumming for a presentation on their new CS-5 SUV. Those who attend are entered to win a 3 year lease. I was the only one at the 2 pm presentation, but they said about 50 had attended throughout the day. The drawing is Friday. 

After church yesterday we just hung around the house, watching golf and the Braves.