My Daughter

 More Lem Barney.

The Eagles drafted kicker Happy Feller in round four.

He rewarded them by making a whopping six of 20 field goals.

Love the taped shoes.

 Johnson Ferry kid.

 Mitchell & Ness is selling a cool hair of Hawks shorts. 

 Different colorways of Puma RS-X3

 Young Shaq, Matmud Abdul Rauf, and Stanley Roberts.

 Another recipe I want to try: trash can nachos.

Parenthood

No mere TV show is perfect and most far from honorable,

but I thoroughly enjoyed watching

the six seasons of Parenthood this winter.

Two grandparents, four siblings and their spouses, various grandchildren, and plenty of friends, lovers, issues, drama, laughter, and tears along the way. I shed tears during just about every episode, once I quickly became invested in the characters and their failures and successes.

Oldest son Adam often carried the weight of the entire clan, particularly in his own family: breast cancer, Asbergers, job loss, and helping out aging parents and problem siblings, nieces, and nephews.

One of the most touching scenes in the entire six seasons

was when Crosby asked his son Jabbar how to pray.

Joel and Julia survived infertility, job loss, adoption, and separation.

Hank worked to overcome his own case of Asberger's, developed relationships with Amber, Drew, and daughter Ruby, and marries Sarah in the series finale.

 A very touching series finale.

Get Your Head in the Game

At heart I may be a bit of an introvert, a type 9 enneagram, but I'm thankful glad my life forces me to engage in developing relationships and communicating with other people, face to face. So real, so hard. Far unlike social media.

Working in an office five days a week: relating, conversing, with give and take with dozens of people of various ages and backgrounds, attending Sunday School and meeting with three other guys most every week, discussing how God Jesus and the Bible work in my life, and the actions I should take with me, my family, and the others around me - and what I did and did not do...being accountable to others (and God) for my actions and words. Hard to do this without actually spending time with others on a regular basis.

Thinking about a couple of verses this morning:

Colossians 2:6: As therefore you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him

Ephesians 4:1: ...I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called...

The key word is WALK. Doing. Acting. not just existing but getting off the bench and getting in the game. I speak from experience - the first step may be tough, but the water is great once you jump in with both feet.

I've been out of town for four of the last six days (so the 2-1/2 days at work were super busy). Leaving town for the next three days as well. Can't wait, but work this Thursday and Friday will be slammed as well. Then no telling what will be going on next weekend. All this to say the old blog quality is likely to stay spotty for the next few days. 

ACTIONS

SPEAK

LOUDER

THAN

WORDS

Obscure Jerseys Part 2

Obscure Braves jersey of the week: 1969 Satchel Paige #65.

I don't have a road jersey from this era, so number 65 would be the one I'd choose. When I ordered a 1969 home pinstripe jersey I chose Sonny Jackson's 16. Should've gotten 35 for Phil Niekro.

In recent years the Braves have sold Paige #65 t-shirts.

https://www.oldest.org/sports/mlb-players-ever/


https://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2018/fall/2255/1969-satchel-paige-atlanta-braves-game-used-road-jersey/ 

Six Degrees of Coronavirus

Ever hear of the game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon"? Based on the "six degrees of separation" concept, which posits that any two people on Earth are six or fewer acquaintance links apart. Movie buffs challenge each other to find the shortest path between an arbitrary actor and prolific actor Kevin Bacon.

 

Looks like I just lost at the game "Six Degrees of Coronavirus." The Atlanta man who caught the virus in Milan passed the virus to his 15 year old son. Last Wednesday the son attended class at Living Science, the school my kids had attended back in the day. They didn't have to, but Living Science shut down the school for two weeks. Not sure if this 15 year old is in the same class as the children of David Cox, a guy in my Sunday School class. Last Saturday night at the dessert party I happen to talk at length with David Cox. I'd just learned he lives in the subdivision next to ours, where I had seen the fox.     

 

For those scoring at home: kid with virus > classmate > parent > me. Want to hang out?

 

https://www.11alive.com/mobile/article/news/health/georgia-coronavirus-woodstock-study-center-self-quarantine/85-5cab09c2-5448-438b-ae17-a498160fb99f

Dennison: "we are witnessing the rise of a new ruling class: the minority who insist on their rights so loudly that they are intimidating the majority." 

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/joe-biden-wins-super-tuesday-proving-our-faith-and-love-in-a-cancel-culture/?utm_source=The+Daily+Article&utm_campaign=a1bf7b9f50-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_16_05_39_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51f776a552-a1bf7b9f50-275051929&mc_cid=a1bf7b9f50&mc_eid=994fc5af9a

 

Are stamps 50 cents now? What, fifty five? Jeez.  

 

Monday: stayed at work until around 545 finishing things up. To the gym to run four miles. Then to the library, then Kroger, then gassed up my car. Was 845 before I got home. Was cleaning up and hadn't even sat down before C came in from her women's ministry. Did different things before hitting the sack at 1030.

Wednesday: up early to drive to Macon. Tried out Wendys new breakfast. Frozen biscuit. At least the bacon was crispy. Only the drive thru was open, the inside remained closed until 9 am. Next door the Chickfila was packed – parking lot, long line at drive-thru, every table inside filled with customers. I had gone inside to hang out, but there was no place to sit.

 

Would be a challenge to keep my phone battery charged all day, so I took a book: Sandy Koufax. Rain and traffic driving down and also back. Long day at the hospital. Swung by CookOut on the way home for a burger and shake. Got home at 1030. Fell right asleep.

 

Thursday: crazy busy at work. Two meetings. Missed most of one meeting to take an emergency call. On the phone for an hour and a half on one topic. My mom has to keep her arm in a sling for 6 weeks. In the past she placed both hands on her walker, but going forward she will have to use a wheelchair. She is unable to walk with a cane. After 20 days at a rehab facility she will still need constant care to do just about every task. She won't be able to cook or get out of a chair like she used to, or anything requiring both hands.

 

Continued from earlier this week, some reasons why I blog and post on social media: (1) to develop and use the gift of creativity God has blessed me with, (2) to develop my writing skills, (3) to remind and instill various Godly principles that cross my mind, and (4) to explore and determine how I feel about various issues.

 

For instance: some people say everything they are thinking. No filter telling them what they're about to say might be hurtful, or that perhaps they shouldn't say what they're about to say. Do they not care that they're mean? Do they realize what they are doing? Are they so broken, so hurt, that their first and only reaction in life is to strike and attack? To always have to have the advantage? Does it really make things better to reply to every single comment someone else makes? Can they ever let someone else get in the last word, even if that comment is biting or derogatory? To be a peacemaker seems to be the furthest thing from their mind.

 

Obvious that some people don't listen to what the other person is saying. Instead they interrupt and start talking themselves. I might drop my guard and say something I shouldn't a certain percentage of the time, but with God's help far from every time.

 

Just because someone is mean to me or someone I love, is the solution to be mean to that person? What problem will this solve? Has this strategy worked in the past?

 

Jesus said: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, so also to them…" Matthew 7:12

Bert & Lenny (and Joe)

The facemask Moore wore late in his career was similar to that of future Colt Joe Washington (and QB Bert Jones). Well, not sure anyone had a face mask like Washington's.

 Goodness gracious.

http://www.helmethut.com/moore.html

Complaining and Arguing

This week in small group we’re studying one of my favorite passages: Philippians chapter two. It’s not that I say you shouldn’t complain, that you should be generous, that you show love to your wife and put her needs before your own. This is what God commands in the New Testament.

v 3: Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but with humility of mind consider others as more important than yourselves.

v 4: Let each of you look not only to his own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

v 5: Have this mind in you, which is also in Christ Jesus

v 14: Do everything without complaining or arguing

No I am not perfect. I type this to remind myself as much as anyone else. It’s easy to hear this stuff while sitting in the pew on Sunday morning, but much harder to practice when my wife needs me to do something, when I’d rather be watching TV.

It’s hard to not complain and feel sorry for myself sometimes, especially when I’m just hanging around the house. When I’m around other people I have to behave and watch my tongue. Just one reason why its better to not isolate myself. People may not all think like me, but face to face we’re trained to be more civil.

Am I so right, that I’d rather cut myself off from everyone else? What kind of life is that? Then I’d wonder why I don’t have any friends. Life is hard. Finish strong. Love other people. There is still time.

Happy Birthday Herschel Walker. Fifty-eight years old and still looks like he can play in the NFL. The greatest number 34 in Philadelphia Eagles history. Rarely complained or argued.
 

https://247sports.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/Article/Herschel-Walker-Eagles-greatest-No-34--133170337/ 

Monday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Egg McMuffin’s debut, McDonalds gave away free Egg McMuffins. In order to get the free Egg McMuffin (between 600-1030 am) you had to download the McDonalds app on your cell phone and place the order on line.

Saw where Hawks were playing Grizz. Trae looks muscular standing next to Ja Morant. After the game they took off their jerseys and traded them.

Monday: I logged off by computer at 1130 am. Stopped for gas and a free drink. Atlanta traffic was heavy and misty making it hard to see. Got better south of town. Had considered meeting Anna for lunch since I had 4 hours to make it to my meeting, but with the rain I kept driving. Stopped for a bathroom break and drink. Then a late lunch at CookOut: milkshake of the month (chocolate chip cookie) and double burger loaded with lettuce and onions. Much better than the comparable burger and frosty at Wendys.

Stopped by a thrift store and bought a Macon Bacon cap. I had a similar cap but this one fit much better. Later I picked up an Arbys fish sandwich for my mom and tried their turkey slider, on special for a dollar between 2-5 pm. The slider was tiny with hardly any meat. Can’t believe they charge more than a dollar for that small thing.

Hung out with my parents for a while before heading back. On the way out of town I stopped by CookOut again for supper. More rain and traffic on the way home. That drive to Macon is really tough. Going back tomorrow.

Got home. M had cooked a cheese pizza. C had eaten black eyed peas. M was watching cooking shows. Later I watched Parenthood. The final season is so good. For the most part everyone gets a happy ending.

Grabbed my backpack to get my laptop – and realized I had left my laptop at work, something I never do.

Why do I list everything I eat? Several reasons. (1) some of my readers like it. (2) maybe by listing what I eat, I will eat less. (3) it’s my damn blog, so I can write about what I please.

Would it be nice if I had more readers? That’s not the top reason I keep up my blog. Sure I could share blog posts on my social media (should I?) but right now I’m just fine not doing that (with a few exceptions).

Today’s Denison: trust in God because He knows what is best. Don’t assume our faith obligates God to answer prayers as we wish.

https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/second-us-patient-dies-of-coronavirus-three-responses-to-a-challenge-weve-not-seen-in-my-lifetime/https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/what-i-learned-about-pandemics-how-to-be-a-person-of-gods-own-heart/?utm_source=The+Daily+Article&utm_campaign=2c317ede9a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_16_05_39_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51f776a552-2c317ede9a-275051929&mc_cid=2c317ede9a&mc_eid=994fc5af9a 

The World at my Doorstep

Hung around people from all around the world all weekend: Indonesia, Cairo, the Dominican Republic, and the Far East. Good time to be going that.

Friday: left work at five. Bought an Under Armour quarter zip and Nike gym shorts on the way home. Been needing more workout clothes. When I got home from work, C was giving Barney a haircut. C likes Barney’s hair short. I like it longer.

Drove C to IKEA, then we ate a late supper at Jalisco. We enjoyed talking to the waiter for a long while, who seemed to take a liking to Ceil.

At IKEA they have 24 checkout lines. Very impressive. Friday night only three of them were open. Long lines, long wait. Last month it was the same deal. I tagged IKEA in an Instagram post. They’re raking in money at that place, you’d think they’d be able to hire more uncaring employees. The service level there is like McDonalds.

Saturday AM small group at Rob’s. I cooked the scrambled eggs. Rob was hosting Indonesian missionary Adam for the JFBC missions conference, and Adam sat in with our group. He’s a big basketball fan, and was later meeting with a buddy who coaches high school ball. 

Later back home. Housework upstairs and down. Laundry, dishes, then yardwork. Cleared debris and mowed the yard, and cleaned off the driveway. Looks tons better.

Saturday afternoon we were watching the US Olympic marathon trials on NBC. Ran in downtown Atlanta. Mens and women on the same course, but with a different start time. Every now and then they’d pass each other going the other way. Up and down Peachtree from Five Points to Pershing Point three times, then under the 1996 Olympic cauldron – lit for the first time since 1996. Then past Mercedes Benz Stadium and the Congress Center to the finish line in Centennial Park. A good crowd lined the streets the entire way. Connie Morris took pictures.

After a grilled chicken dinner, C and I Picked up my other friend Reid and drove to northern Woodstock for a Sunday School dessert party. About 35 in attendance. Nice new house on Lake Altoona. A missionary couple from Cairo spoke. A nice evening.

In Sunday School a missionary from the Dominican Republic spoke. His wife had grown up at Johnson’s Ferry. In worship our missionary friend from the Far East spoke. New pastor Clay Smith announced that the previous week 26 people had made decisions for Christ. Walked back to the car talking to Reid about doing crazy things outside our comfort zone – so I started talking to the associate pastor Thomas Nelson walking near us. Thomas asked if a missionary had spoken in our Sunday School, so we told him about the four missionaries we’d met that weekend. Spaghetti for lunch. Nap. Played on laptop. Bed.

Monday: a half day, then heading out for an appointment. I should’ve gotten up early to work out this morning. These next two weeks are gonna be hit or miss.

JUAN PIZARRO  [SABR Bio] whom former Milwaukee Braves outfielder Hank Aaron write, ““I’ve always felt that we would have won some more championships if we had hung onto [him]. We needed young pitchers to take over for Spahn, Burdette, and Buhl, and we never came up with them. … I’m not sure I ever saw a pitcher with more ability than [he] had when he came to us out of Puerto Rico at the age of nineteen.” Aaron’s quote to Lonnie Wheeler in, I Had a Hammer: The Hank Aaron Story. In his major league debut, he lost 1-0 to future Cy Young Award winner Vernon Law. Pizarro went 7 innings in his debut for the Milwaukee Braves, striking out 6, walking 1 and surrendering the game’s solitary run. Law went the distance. In his entire professional career, he won in excess of 400 games. His regular-season count is 392: 197 in the US (131 in the majors and 66 in the minors), plus 38 more in Mexico in his late 30s and 157 while playing winter ball in his homeland of Puerto Rico. His nickname come from an old comic strip character. His nickname was ‘Terin’ (Pronounced “teh-REEN”) because he liked “Terry and the Pirates” so much. He admitted later in his career that he was two years older than originally listed. At age 34, he fessed up and admitted he was 36.

Saw pictures of Queen Elizabeth with every US President going all the way back to Truman. Here’s a link to photos showing a photo during WWII in 1944, then the same place 70 years later.

http://interactive.guim.co.uk/embed/2014/apr/image-opacity-slider-master/index.html?ww2-dda

Greatest Running Backs?

The 40 greatest running backs in NFL history, according to newarena.com. Decent mix of “old-timers” and more recent backs, though there are more than a couple of active and recently retired players who don’t belong. How young Christian McCaffrey ranks ahead of luminaries Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski, and Jim Thorpe is beyond me (let alone how he made the list in the first place). 

 

The list included “only” 26 hall of famers, but left off 22 HOF backs in favor of the likes of McCaffrey and LeSean McCoy. The writer must be from Buffalo, for at least a tenth of the list are Bills.   

 

Sure its hard to compare backs from different eras. Hard to rank by stats when other factors also come into play: era, injury, etc.

 

Nice that Herschel Walker was named, though as a pro he completely outperformed the player just ahead of him: Bo Jackson. Herschel also had a better career than #20 Edgerrin James, #22 Shawn Alexander, #23 Marshawn Lynch, and #24 Frank Gore.   

 

40. HOF Lenny Moore

39. RET Ricky Watters

38. ACT Christian McCaffrey

37. RET Eddie George

36. RET Tiki Barber

35. RET Fred Taylor

34. ACT LeSean McCoy

33. RET Ottis Anderson

32. RET Ricky Williams

31. RET Herschel Walker

 

30. RET Bo Jackson

29. HOF Ollie Matson

28. HOF Jim Taylor

27. HOF Larry Csonka

26. HOF Marion Motley

25. HOF John Henry Johnson

24. ACT Frank Gore

23. ACT Marshawn Lynch

22. RET Shawn Alexander

21. HOF Joe Perry

 

20. HOF Edgerrin James

19. HOF Terrell Davis

18. HOF Jerome Bettis

17. HOF John Riggins

16. HOF Franco Harris

15. HOF Thurman Thomas

14. HOF Curtis Martin

13. HOF Marcus Allen

12. HOF Tony Dorsett

11. ACT Adrian Peterson

 

10. HOF Earl Campbell

9. HOF Eric Dickerson

8. HOF Gale Sayers

7. HOF Marshall Faulk

6. HOF OJ Simpson

5. HOF LaDainian Tomlinson

4. HOF Emmitt Smith

3. HOF Walter Payton

2. HOF Barry Sanders

1. HOF Jim Brown

 

https://newarena.com/nfl/ranked-the-40-greatest-running-backs-in-nfl-history/?amxt=obdt_nar_nofl_15

 

Hall of Famers not listed: Cliff Battles, Tony Canadeo, Bill Dudley, Frank Gifford, Red Grange, Joe Guyon, Clarke Hinkle, Elroy Hirsch, Paul Hornung, Leroy Kelly, Tuffy Leemans, Floyd Little, George McAfee, Hugh McElhenny, Johnny Blood McNally, Bronko Nagurski, Ernie Nevers, Fritz Pollard, Ken Strong, Jim Thorpe, Charley Trippi, and Steve Van Buren.  

 

Notable non-HOF omissions: Chris Johnson. Roger Craig. William Andrews was better than some of these guys. And what about Todd Gurley? Shoot, might as well add Saquon Barkley to the list. 

 

As usual, this list exists solely to generate web clicks. Guess it suckered me in, huh?