Overcoming Temptation

I've done it again. Bitten off more than I can chew, eyes were bigger than my stomach, mind made a promise that my body can't fill. It happens all the time and it must be a sickness. Mark it down to not being able to overcome temptation. It starts with an email: End of the season clearance!Our favorite items on SALE! Well, it won't hurt to just take a look, I tell myself. So I click on the link. Then in about two seconds I've found an unbelievable deal on the most gorgeous shrubs that I can't live without. Where will they fit in the yard and when can I plant them? Not a concern- they're ordered and on the way. Now I've had a few days to think about it and I'm not sure where I'm going to put them. There are still six coleus sitting in the shade under the big oak tree because it's been too hot to work in the yard much. And I've got three shrubs on the way! What is needed here is a full time gardener who takes direction well. Since that's not going to happen this millennium, I guess I'm going have to work on my self control.

He's Leaving

Gentle Reader,

The week has finally come. It's sad foretelling came in July and the final days are now upon us. That's right-it's Dan Patrick's last week at ESPN. Even though he hasn't been at his microphone much since his farewell announcement, we we're looking forward to a week of reminiscing and story telling about the good ol' days. Remember the first time he used the catchphrase "en fuego"? What about the Big Shows before Keith Olbermann left Sportscenter and ESPN for Fox News. And all those crazy This Is Sportscenter commercials. Dan's radio show has been on every day at 1:00 for I don't know how long. His biggest concern on the show has been to maintain his street cred and he's gone to great lengths to keep it. At it's best when Rob Dibble was there to buffer Dan, it's still been chugging along with producer Phil acting as backstop. But Dan does the best interviews, bar none, in media today. He always lets the guest speak for themselves which sometimes gets them into trouble. Who can forget the day Tanya Harding had to give the phone to her bodyguard? That was good for a soundbite that still works today. And when Mickey Rivers speaks, it's anyone's guess what he's actually saying. For better of worse, Dan is off to greener pastures. Thanks for the memorable work at ESPN, Dan. It won't be the same without you.

Update

To keep up with Dan and follow his new project go to his website http://www.danpatrick.com/.

When You Wish Upon A Star

How about sixty shooting stars? That's how many you can see every hour as the Perseid meteor shower takes place around 2:00 AM Eastern time Monday morning. It should be visible in the northeast sky and of course the less artificial light the more you'll be able to see. Happy wishing!

That Ball Is Outta Here!

Milo Hamilton's announcement of Hank Aaron's record breaking home run has been heard by millions of people. His voice is so familiar because of that momentous night, but I remember it from summer nights growing up in Georgia. WSB was Atlanta's most powerful station and could be heard at night one hundred miles away at Lake Burton in Rabun County. The place at the lake was off limits to television and phones for sanities sake. The only connection to Atlanta was a black portable radio so we could listen to the Braves games. It sounded scratchy and whiny but was better than nothing. Names like Felix Milan, Felipe Alou, and Dale Murphy came over that radio. Phil Neikro and Hank Aaron were stars no matter where they played and they were always Braves to me.

As a dyed-in-the-wool Braves fan I've had very mixed feelings about Barry Bonds breaking the home run record. For years I haven't liked his smirking and scoffing manner. The way he would stand at home plate and admire his homers was so unsportsmanlike. Having his own area in the locker room and playing by his own rules doesn't add up to a team player. A sportswriter once summed up Bonds attitude as,"I'm Barry Bonds and you're not." He's the AntiAaron.

Much has been made of the hate mail Henry Aaron received while playing and going for the record. But far more people across the country loved him and his work ethic. Atlanta had to share him with the world, but we didn't mind. We were proud of the hard-working, kind, and noble man who wore the Braves uniform. The fans in San Francisco cheer for Bonds with a chip on their shoulder. They're saying, "He may be an sob, but he's our sob." Pretty sad when that's all you have to root for.

Maybe I'm too idealistic, but I like my heroes honorable. Everyone has flaws, some just don't wish to recognize theirs. Yes, Bonds has the record and will go into the Hall of Fame. But the best part of this season has been reintroducing Hank Aaron to young fans and letting them know that his legacy is still alive in baseball today.

What DoYou Collect?

Blue Willow china, cinnabar boxes, children's toy sewing machines? Maps, baseball bats, or old fishing lures? All around the house are collections of favorite things. Toy cooking utensils sit in an old tin box on the shelf in the laundry room. They are brought out at Christmastime to decorate a kitchen tree. Glass refrigerator boxes take up room in my pantry. They remind me of my grandmother's kitchen. There are baskets full of aluminum ice trays, wooden handled strainers, and melon shaped pudding molds. Some people say it's old junk-I think it's charming. We broke our own rule and had a garage sale once. It was amazing what people came up and asked for. The collectors were easy to spot. They knew what they were looking for. If they didn't see it they asked you if it was in the house. Things like old cameras, military equipment, and movie projectors were popular. Not for me, but someone out there loves them. Collecting is such a personal thing. My collections usually remind me of things my grandmothers had. Like the sewing basket I bought last fall in Greensboro, Georgia. They were both such warm, caring ladies, it gives me a connection to the feeling I had in their homes. I also love to see the toys I had as a child. None of mine were saved so it's fun to see that they are still around, undoubtedly been sitting in an attic- forgotten until the place is cleaned out. Then the find becomes a treasure for the collector.

How Old Are You?

Take the Real Age Test and find out. It's tough but if you're very honest about your answers the result is a thorough analysis of your overall health. It gives easy to follow advice on ways you can improve on your lifestyle and diet. The results are the same if you ask for follow up emails or not, so don't worry about lots of advertising clogging your inbox.

I just found out I'm three years younger than my chronological age and they gave me lots of ways to improve on that. It's encouraging to hear about what you're doing right for once. Now I need to start flossing and eating more vegetables everyday.

Obsession

Soap is one of those things at the bottom of the grocery list lumped in with baking powder and paper plates. It's an after thought- grabbed off the shelf as the buggy speeds on it's way to checkout. Probably not much consideration for the color or scent. Maybe there's a coupon involved in the decision. Or it's the kind that Mother always used. Not for me! When the Caswell-Massey store opened in our town, I was the first one in line. There's a whole wide world of wonderful soaps out there just waiting to be discovered. Soap from France and Scotland and Switzerland. Soaps made with almond and ginger and honey. Shapes and sizes that confound the imagination. The soap aficionado is always looking for the most exotic combination of fragrance, color, and form. A golden octagonal made with beeswax and a bee stamped on top. A huge handmade oval colored green from the extra virgin olive oil inside. Dried flowers, leaves, and ground fruit pits are mixed into some. Bears, bunnies, and bird soaps can bring a collector to his knees. They simply must come home to fill jars and baskets in the powder rooms. Even if there's enough soap in the house to bathe the entire Chinese Army, a bar made of fig and cassis cannot be ignored. Right this minute there's an Alice in Wonderland collection out there calling my name.

Tattoo Number Four

My baby boy just came into the room a little too excited. Uh-oh, somethings up. He then starts telling me he has something to tell me and not to get upset. Bad sign. If he has to resort to emotional blackmail it's a bad sign. Next he leans over and lifts his right arm. There, on the inside of his bicep is an inky black circle. No it's a peace sign- that's worse. Inscribed around an outer band in block letters it says, "All you need is love." Baby boy proudly states,"It's a Beatles song. I've wanted to do this for a long time." Of course he has. His older brother has three tattoos. His best friend has at least one that I know of. Visit any college campus and you'll quickly see how mainstream tattoos are for this age group. But to me it looks like a scar on his perfect skin. All mothers carefully inspect their babies when they are newborns and everyday after. It's a maternal instinct to keep that baby as perfect as the day they were born. Every cut and scrape hurts a mother's heart. I immediately think even if he decides to remove it later, he'll have a scar. This is a permanent blemish. Of course, he sees it as a personal expression of a deeply held belief. He doesn't have the foresight to know that his mind will change hundreds of times in the coming years. His tastes and beliefs will change. Instead of just taking a poster down off the wall when that happens, he'll have a permanent reminder of what he thought when he was eighteen.

I Scream You Scream...

Time to pull out that old ice cream maker and make your own delicious ice cream. You'll kick yourself later if you don't do it while it's still summer. There are fresh peaches, strawberries, and melons to give it that fresh, sunny flavor. And making ice cream with your family creates the best summertime memories. If you're concerned about the calories use skim milk, skim condensed milk, and half and half. The best vanilla flavoring you can find and premium fruit will make it scrumptious.

Into a clean ice cream churn pour two cans sweetened condensed milk, one quart whipping cream(substitute half and half for low fat). Chill in the refrigerator. Whirl a cup of fresh fruit, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup of milk(skim for low fat) in the blender. Add this mixture and 1 cup chopped fruit to the chilled churn. Add milk to the fill line. Put in the dasher and put on the top. Churn with rock salt and ice until firm. Carefully remove and wipe off the container-salt will ruin the ice cream. Take out the dasher and place ice cream in freezer to ripen and freeze. If you can stand it, wait at least two hours. Then serve and enjoy.

A Boy's Room

Think of a boy's room and what do you see? Maybe blue walls, baseball pictures, and a red bedspread with checked piping. Or a cowboy theme featuring pony skin pillows and bandanna curtains. Plaid in shades of navy and burgundy red with vintage sailing prints on the walls is a traditional favorite. But what makes a boy's room is the boy who's in it; his treasures collected from a lifetime of adventures. Baseball cards, spent shotgun shells, rocks, and deer antlers begin to tell the story. A dog's bed in the corner and brown bear on the bed. Fish hooks and guitar picks in a cup on the desk. Photos from mountain tops in five states and two countries add more detail. Posters of rock bands, ticket stubs, and wristbands tell of nights out with friends. A bright yellow bike, skateboard gloves, and surf wax boxes whisper of exciting athletic endeavors. Listen... hear the echo of laughter at shared jokes and stolen kisses. The boy's room holds secrets and clues of a childhood lived well-a Bible on the table, histories of ancient battles on the shelf. Now it's time to wipe the dust off the dresser and close the door. The boy walked out of the house, but a man will return home.

Trade Deadline

Tuesday's trade deadline saw a classic John Schuerholz deal bring a big bat to Atlanta. Mark Teixeira was picked up from the Texas Rangers for the longest name in baseball: Jarrod Saltalamacchia. There were some relief pitchers thrown in for good measure. Salty was ready to be an everyday catcher and Brian McCann is already holding down that job for the Braves.

Teixeira started at first against the Astros on Wednesday night. Having played college ball at Georgia Tech, the Baltimore native feels right at home in downtown Atlanta. The crowd gave him a warm welcome and he returned the favor by walking and bringing in his first RBI as a Brave in the bottom of the first inning. Then in the bottom of the sixth he hit a three run homer for his first hit in a Braves uniform. It's his fourteenth of the year. By batting clean-up, he's giving some relief to Andruw Jones who can now relax and look at some good pitches to hit. It seems to be working for Andruw as he hit a solid single to left in his first at bat in the fifth spot.

The buzz about the Braves is that they should be back to pennant winning form this September. Bobby Cox is happy with the look of his line-up and Roger McDowell is more comfortable with his new bullpen regulars. With everyone staying healthy, this season should have a happy ending.