My New Boat

Well I finally have a boat! It is a 19 ft. Ken-Craft Challenger. I bought it yesterday morning and the family and I took it out today...or should I say, tried to take it out. Following my neighbors advice, I started it in the driveway to make sure it ran fine. We went to a town close by to the Roanoke River. I backed it into the water, had my wife sit in the truck and started to back the boat off the trailer. After I finally got it started and in the water, it cut off. Well, I finally restarted it after much praying and pleading, and drove up to the bank to get my kids and wife. The water was low so they had to walk in the red clay to get to the boat. Everyone got in except for my wife. And there she is, one leg over the rail and the other still on the bank and the splits begin. Then it chokes off again. I finally decide it better to not be at the mercy of the Roanoke River current and pulled it back to the trailer, loaded it and back home we come. Now, here is the kicker....I pulled it back in the driveway, hooked up the muffs and it started right back up, NO PROBLEM. It actually makes me feel better. I think that maybe I flooded it or did something else wrong. Better luck next time, but it will be somewhere with a better dock! Why did I want a boat so badly? Well, here is a picture anyway.

Single Parent

Well just for a couple of more days anyway. My wife and oldest child is at Centri-Kid church camp. I was really worried about my son because sometimes he does not like to try anything new...especially if there are a bunch of people around. So, it is just me and my youngest here at home. Well the first day was very full. We saw them off and then I took Evan to tennis workouts. None of the girls showed up, so Evan and I hit some tennis balls. I would throw them to him and he would try to hit them over the chain fence. When he hit a couple over, he told me, "This tennis stuff is easy." I did not have the heart to tell him that that was not the object...He had so much fun. Afterwards, we went to the pool and then he went with me to give blood...and fell asleep. Thank goodness for our preacher and his wife who cooked lasagna with pepperonis on top for us...YUM YUM! We finished the night with Evan watching movies with a friend of his.

Last night he spent the night with my parents while I went to Greensboro to the coaches clinic....Now let me stray....

Can you tell me why football coaches, "muscled up" and "fatted up" have to walk around like they are so studly they cant clap their hands. All morning long I heard, "Hey coach." I am not sure if they cant remember each other's names from one meeting to another, or if it is just a universal coach greeting. I don't remember doing that when I was a football coach...at least I hope I did not. Back to the story..

Well we ate with my parents and now we are home getting ready for bed...or at least I am. Evan is WIDE awake in the chair watching The Suite Life. I think he could stay up all night if I would let him. Tomorrow we will have to work on cleaning up the house. As you can imagine, this looks like a bachelor pad. The dishes need to be clean, we have thrown clothes on the floor and left our shoes wherever we took them off. (I hope my wife doesn't read this!)

Now to the obvious....IT IS QUIET AND BORING AROUND HERE WITHOUT MY WIFE AND MCCOY. They should be back Friday night and I CANT WAIT. Having a full family is the greatest!

Next post....Old Family Stories..

New Rant

I keep listening to sports radio and ESPN and they keep calling this the "steroid era" in baseball. I am sick and tired of it. By labeling this the "steroid era" you are hanging that moniker on every person that is playing or has played since 2000. Also, every "performance enhancer" is not a "steroid". And what is "performance enhancing"? Brian Roberts, once second baseman for the Orioles, was an average player until a few years ago. That is until he had laser surgery to correct his eyesight. Afterwards, he had an all star year. He batted well over 300 was the talk of all baseball. Did he not enhance his performance? How about if I take vitamins, energy drinks, or corrective surgery. Aren't they performance enhancers? Let me give you my take on it that I have not heard anyone else say. Stay with me now.

Steroids ran rampant in the NFL in the late 70s and 80s. NFL tested and caught many players, however, baseball did not. If there were so many professional football players taking steroids, why does everyone think that there were no baseball players taking them until 2000? Are we to think and believe, following the media like blind sheep, that baseball was 20 years behind football. Let's look at some players that have not and will not ever be accused of performance enhancing. Has anyone ever looked at Dave Winfield, Kirby Puckett or Bo Jackson? Do we think that those guys got that big naturally? And heaven forbid we ever accuse Reggie Jackson. Look at what these guys did and their size. Now I would never say that they were juicing, but if we look at players today who are muscular and accuse them, shouldn't we do the same for those prior to the 2000s? We have better nutrition and supplements today, but if a guy hits tons of home runs and has muscles, he has to be taking steroids.

Also, if the people who have been named lately like A-Rod, were being tested anonymously in 2003, why have there not been any investigation on who leaked out this confidential, anonymous information. I would be the first to start a lawsuit if I had been "outed". The tests were supposedly just to try to get a handle on what steroid problem there may be in MLB. Why were names even listed with tests.

Just thought I would give you something to think about today.

AAARRRRGGGGG!

I HAVE TO HAVE A BOAT!

I have the fever worse than ever! I really want a boat like a crack head wants a fix! There is just something about being on the water I love. (must be another "it" Heather) My boys have even developed a love for it and McCoy, my oldest, used to be petrified of boats and the water. I have looked at a few, a Swan Point 16 foot....too small; and today, a 18 foot Key Largo....JUST RIGHT! It is large enought for my family and the sides are high enough to be safe. I am afraid, however, that once I get one that I may not have the time to go when I want....Wait, who am I kidding? I have all summer off and holidays. There is no excuse not to have a boat.....oh wait, yes there is...her name is Rebecca, my logical side of the brain. She always slows me down and makes me think of it from another point of view. I will keep you up to date on the boat situation.

I Know Something Makes You Do It!

And that "it" is just makes you smile! It can be anything that causes you to relax, smile or harken back to days gone by. At that moment, the stars are lined up and all is right with the world. Let me tell you what one of those "its" is for me....IT'S A BASEBALL FIELD! Sometimes, I dont have to even be there. For example, I am watching Field of Dreams now on TV; to me one of the top three baseball movies ever made. (The other two being The Natural and Summer Catch) When it showed the baseball field Ray Kinsella, Kevin Costner's character, created, I had that feeling. I love going out on the baseball field at North Pitt and just walking. If I can take my shoes off and go barefooted, that's even better. There is something about the green grass, red clay and lights that I love. There are many nights and days when I coached, that I would just take a bucket and go sit out in center field and take in the sights and smells of the field. In 1998, the baseball team went to the state playoffs and made a run all the way to the eastern regional championship. After each home game, Preston Bowers and I would sit at home plate and just take it all in. Everyone would be gone and we would sit and talk, taking in the "feeling of the field". Now let me tell you, its not just the field either. It is the feel of a baseball in your hand, the glove as it wraps around your fingers or how a bat feels as you grip in and prepare to hit the ball....MAN!
For those of you that have your own "it" you understand what I am saying.....And if you are saying to yourself, "He has lost it and call in the white coats!" I tell you to get out and get passionate about something. Find something that makes your heart beat stronger, your stomach get butterflies and makes you smile!

Late Night Ramblings

Ok, lets talk about kayaking. For the past couple of years, I have grown to enjoy the sport of kayaking. I caught the bug a couple of summers ago when I spent a week in Montana on the Missouri River. I went with NCCAT and paddled around 50 miles and hiked another 30 or so. Afterwards, I bought a 14 foot Wilderness Pamlico "sit in" river kayak and a 14 foot Hobie "sit on top" ocean kayak. There is a huge difference between the two. Other than the obvious of "sit in" and sit on", is the purpose for which they are created. The river kayak is much less sturdy than the ocean kayak. You could turn yourself over in the river kayak, but it is very difficult to turn yourself over in the ocean kayak without help from a wave. Also, the ocean kayak is "self bailing", that is to say it has holes in the bottom that will let water out but not in.
Kayaking is a very peaceful pass time. Usually there is nothing but the sound of nature and the splash of a paddle. You also tend not to scare animals as much is a kayak as any other watercraft. I am not sure if it is because you are so close to the water or the lack of noise you make. My advise to anyone is to give it a try...and if you need a partner, give me a call.
Goodnight

Let's See What Happened Today

I have had a good week. My garden is doing great. I have picked about 40 tomatoes, 70 jalapenos and a handful of cucumbers. My wife and I made some salso tonight and it is hot! I put 10 jalapenos in there and I should have only put in 6 or so. My grape vine is full too. I think we may try to make some grape jelly from them.
My boys and I just got back from an allstar game at North Pitt High. Greenville allstars beat Nash County and Pitt County (our area) beat Ayden Farmville Grifton. It was a great game. My next door neighbor catches for the Pitt County team. The score was 5-4. The game seemed to drag by.
Now I am sitting here in my favorite room of the house, the sunroom watching TV. Steve Harvey is on and he is hilarious. I really enjoy him and George Lopez...but why do they have to talk so nasty all the time. I think they would be just as funny without it. Steve Harvey claims he is trying to be a good Christian, but he still talks. I think it is all about the character. They are afraid to lose money. I love when he talks about his family! Let me go and listen to him some more. I am about to bust a gut laughing.

The "Experiment"

Well this is my new "toy". A great friend of mine has turned me on to blogging and we will see where it goes. She even helped me with the title. It is a reference to me being a history teacher and my goofy spirit. It is from William Henry Harrison and the Battle of Tippecanoe against the Native Americans. It also became his nickname (Old Tippecanoe) and campaign slogan during his presidential campaign. I hope those of you who read this will enjoy.....and thanks friend.