What One Does When There's Nothing To Do.......

Being that rain fell in Goodyear, Arizona yesterday (No kidding), canceling the Indians' spring training game, I grabbed a camera and headed for places unknown, on another gray day in northeast Ohio.  

29 miles and 1056 feet later, I came upon, "The Bomb Shelter." (No kidding again)

Being such a shy guy, I poked my head into the office and asked permission to shoot some photos.  When I said that I don't charge a cent, Kevin's face morphed into what resembled the beaming Strip, in Vegas!  Seriously, he welcomed the request and said others have done the same.  Off I browsed and I welcome you to share that visit by clicking the site below.  Once there, you can enlarge any photo by placing the cursor on it and clicking.

By the way, Kevin and gang were the nicest!!!

Saved from wallowing in boredome!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jajabob/

Memory Lane---What were YOU doing?

By: Mark Johnson, newsnet5.com CLEVELAND - During the week of Jan. 26, 1978, a major blizzard struck Ohio and the Great Lakes. Ohio, as well as several surrounding states, was shut down for a week. As OhioHistory.org describes it: "The worst winter storm in Ohio history struck before dawn on Thursday, January 26, 1978. The Blizzard of ’78 continued through Thursday and into Friday. Transportation, business, industry, and schools were closed statewide for two days with the normal pace of society not returning to the state for five days. Atmospheric pressure fell to 28.28 inches at Cleveland, the lowest ever recorded in Ohio, as the center of the blizzard crossed Ohio. This rapidly intensifying storm pulled bitterly cold air across Ohio on winds of 50 to 70 mph. These conditions, combined with heavy snow and blowing of deep snow already on the ground, caused extreme blizzard conditions all across Ohio. Enormous snowdrifts covered cars and houses, blocked highways and railways, and closed all airports for two days." While more than 5,000 members of the Ohio National Guard worked tirelessly to clear roads and help electric crews, 45 helicopters went on more than 2,700 rescue missions. Volunteers took stranded doctors and nurses to area hospitals on snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles. A total of 51 people died, making the Blizzard of 1978 the deadliest winter storm in Ohio. Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/winter/Blizzard-of-1978-34-years-ago-this-week#ixzz2J5jo2oye

NIGHT BEFORE CRISSMUSS IN WARSAW

Vos da nite before Crissmuss in my Polish howse.  I sneke downda stairs, yoost quiet like a mowse.

Da whole rest of famlee in bed all asleep, while visions of nut rolls trew heads of dem creep.

Wurk sox Mama hung by chimley with care, in hopes dat St. Stosh soon vill be dair.

While over in korner is silly to see, dumplings and kielbassa hang frum da tree.

Denn comes diss big bang making howse start ta shudder, an sum nut lands onna roof an breaks da rain gutter.

He wiggle downa chimley and swears cuz its tight.  I hides behind 12 packs way outta site.

He lands inna fireplace, skorching white hair, on bustid up bowling pin still burning dair.

He climbs out an I peaks to get good look.  Yoost like pichers in mine histree book.

He gots vodka glazed eyes an stummick like bubble, with 5 days old beard and soot onna stubble.

Wearing biggist tennis shoes I ever saw, he lost alla da buttins off his old Mackinaw.

He won't ketch kold, Polish Santa's no dope, cuz tying coat tagedder is old peece of rope.

I tries not ta laff but give a few snikkers, when I sees da big patch onna seat of his knickers.

Diss is shure Polish Santa I knows widdout fear, cuz he heads for da kichfin and opinz warm beer.

When finished wit 6 pak, he give a big smirk, reechiz inta potato sack an goes rite ta wurk.

Now, under da tree he is startin to set, most byooteeful prezzints a Polack kin get.

Dairs new bred baskit an shuvvil fer brudder, a bright red babooshka an pick-ax fer mudder.

6 quartz vodka to make papa gay.  Oy, might be big trubble in our howse to pay.

For baby I know he ain't missed her, when I sees pretty things he leaves for my sister.

Won't she be happy troo da spring anna summer, witt pipe rench an plunger, so she can play plumber.

Denn bote my eyes brighten an heart fills witt glee, wen I sees tings Polish Santa leaves ME.

Dairs wurk gloves and sledge hamnmer, my faverit tool, to wurk hard for boss when I flunks outta skule.

Witt new thermos jug, cabbage supe cannot spill, when I carries lunch onna way to stele mill.

He chugs 5 more beers an makes a wide grin.  I kin see ware da foam runs offa his chin.

Giving some burps, up da chimley he rose, while I quickly got inta alla my clothes.

I must see him leave, so's I rushes outside, an looks toward da roof, while in bushes I hide.

An what does I see as I looks troo da twigs, rusty old garbage cart pulled by 8 stinky pigs.

Polish Santa jumps in an gives dem a yell.  Come on alla youse, don't yoost sit dair an smell.

On Stella, on Stanley, on Walter an Joe, an alla youse whose names I don't know.

Fly over da junk yard an turn ta da right.  Let's visit all peeples before I gets tight.

Den I heard him say as he flew over me, "I'm da only old Polack who gives things for free!"

copyright 12-15-85 Bob Jaskolka

Got Milk?

Nope!

Mothers Day Serenade

Even if you've not been a genetic Mom, it's a good bet that you've nurtured children in one fashion or another.
Please enjoy some of those thoughts that I've collected over time.....


Real Mothers don't eat quiche; They don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mama to Mommy to Mom to Mother....
**********
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything,
She can fix nearly everything and that NEVER will change because she will ALWAYS try!!
THAT’S JUST THE WAY MOMS ARE!!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs up her hair.  The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.  It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
********
The good Lord has BLESSED us all with "our very own angel"
I called my angel "MATKA"
*************
Whether it's Ma, Mom, Mommy or Mother...Whether you have your own children or help raise the children of others...Whether you are a Mom to other than family or perhaps animals...The below is from one who knows about Moms. Althought THIS is Mother's Day, a Mom is needed EVERY day!
This is for those mothers...
Who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Meyer weiners and cherry Kool-Aid, saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end ,soothing crying babies who couldn't be comforted.
Who came to work with spit-up in their hair, milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purses.
Who run carpools, bake cookies and sew Hallowe'en costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.
Who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
Whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
Who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and meant it.
Who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
Who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the grand mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
Who go hungry, so their children can eat.
Who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."
Who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.
Who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
Whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.
Who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
Whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
Who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
Of the victims of recent school shootings, and the m! others o f those who did the shooting.
Of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
Who taught their children to be peacful, and now pray that they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good Mother anyway?
Is it patience?
Compassion?
Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sewa button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?
Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child ! when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...
And mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us.
Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.
"Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."
Please pass this to a wonderful mother you know.
(I just did)
***********************
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

PLAY BALL!!!

Everyone should experience the thrill of opening day at the baseball park. As is Easter, baseball is a harbinger of spring and all the new that comes with it.
I grew up a Cleveland Indians fan-atic. I never got to see Babe Ruth play, but I DID get to see so many of the good and plenty of the bad. Bill Veeck, as in Wreck, was the owner of my team. There wasn't a ton of money in his pockets back then, but Bill did so much to bring folks to the park. I remember promotions such as free nylons for the ladies, free admission if you were bald, etc.
It was a fun time to be a fan, even if the team weren't among the best. Cleveland Municipal Stadium had the visiting team entrance/exit that opened right at the parking lot. If you waited, you got to see the teams exit for the buses after they showered and changed into civilian clothes. Many a time, I was there, hanging on the rail and watching as the likes of DiMaggio, Mantle and oh so many greats and wannabes came out, rubbed our heads and said cool things, like, "Hiya kid!" A thrill and a half! We never thought of an autograph.
Back then, I had an afternoon paper route. No one had central air conditioning, Open windows provided cross-ventilation. Most everyone's radio was tuned into the game, and, as I delivered the Cleveland Press to all the front porches, I hardly missed any action. "Back in the day," if you showed ownership of a ticket, your school allowed you to leave early for opening day. Now, THAT was exciting!
Baseball probably catalogs more records than any other sport and as the game progresses, the announcers will impart those that were set or broken on opening day. I wish I could remember all of them, but, as time rolled along, other things took precedence and the memories are just that. And, dontcha know, on opening day, 2012, the following new record came into being: Text is borrowed from the web site of 93.1 FM, WZAK, Cleveland's R & B Leader..."CLEVELAND – J.P. Arencibia’s three-run homer in the 16th inning sent the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday in the longest opening-day game in major league history.

Arencibia was 0 for 6 with three strikeouts before connecting off Jairo Asencio.
The marathon eclipsed the previous longest openers — 15 innings between Cleveland and Detroit in 1960 and 15 innings between Philadelphia and Washington in 1926.
Luis Perez, Toronto’s seventh pitcher, pitched four scoreless innings for the win and Sergio Santos got two outs to end the 5-hour, 14-minute game.
Jose Bautista homered and hit a sacrifice fly for Toronto, which rallied for three runs in the ninth off All-Star closer Chris Perez to force extra innings."

Not so many years ago, I took a date to what I recall was her first game. The day was absolutely the worst and would have been bad for even a football game! The wind was brutal, some flakes of snow fell and the wind chill was 13 degrees. Momma Mia! With my frostbite, courtesy of travels via Uncle Sam, I mentioned that there was no way I could sit through nine innings of cold hell. My date's exact words were, "Could we at least stay until they get a point?" (THERE ARE NO POINTS IN BASEBALL!) Having brain freeze, I acquiesced, went into extreme prayer mode, a "point" was quickly scored and we got the hell out of there! Management so loved us that they gave all ticket holders of that weather fiasco a freebie for a game in July!
Yes, Virginia, the game HAS changed...$7 beers, high salaries, betting, drugs and Lord knows what else. BUT, none of that exists...on opening day!

Everybody Has An Angela

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me begin a statement with, “I’m not easily impressed, but……….” The births of my children, puppies, experiencing Sedona, finding a truly good ice cream shoppe, a Lake Erie storm, the friendly folk of Appalachia and poor people who continually give are but several examples. Yet, I doubt if anything is more impressive than the day we discover a new emotion called Love. Regardless where life takes us, we never shake that part of growing up. Few of us bond and stay together forever, while most move on and eventually find another person. Some of us will marry several times and a small percentage will remain single. As time passes, that magnificent “moment” becomes a bit foggy while we pursue what we feel will make us happy.

I wonder if Messrs. Rosenberg were aware of the fuse they would light while penning, “Stand Alone By Me”, the March 3rd installment of ABCs, “October Road.” Angela, the only girl in a tight circle of 6, moved away when they were all 10 years old. Eighteen years later, Angela’s death rekindled memories of how each of 5 boys loved her in his own special way.

We’ll find many loves, but none more significant or even magical than our first, as THAT love opened a new kind of door for our hearts. It’s the first time we could actually see into someone, well beyond the physical and into the soul. We were in awe of a mere presence…the world stopping for us and nobody else, in that microcosm of time…a time when absolutely nothing else mattered…our lives forever changed. Can you remember trying to understand that feeling…the futility of explaining any of it and the blissful, utopian confusion of it all? There WAS no way to understand or explain the euphoria. It just WAS! On that day, during that nanosecond, we bid good-bye to innocence and boarded the train to adulthood.

We will experience much in life. Occasionally, the mind will go back to recall how special a time it was because it was OUR world and for a very short period, there was nothing else!

Go to abc.com, click “Watch Full Episode”, then click, “Stand Alone By Me.” Sip a comfort beverage and---go find, or, at least, remember and cherish YOUR Angela.

I did…..and that’s what I saw from MY porch!