Simple joy of scrap-booking

March 18, 2018

“Three years I’ve thought of nothing except Titanic…” So said fictional treasure hunter Brock Lovett in the 1997 film about his obsession in finding that bazillion dollar necklace inside the infamously-sunken luxury liner. He was a man driven. Madly focused on the end prize. Completely obsessed, if you will, with the “Heart of the Ocean” diamond. And that’s exactly how it was for me last week. “Three days, I’ve done nothing but swim scrapbooking.” I said to... well, to me, who chided: “You knew Kyle’s swim scrapbook was due by the year-end banquet since ...

Swim team gets little love, but parents know truth

March 11, 2018

I was about 7 or so when it happened, I think. It was my own fault, really. There I was, stalking my big sister, as always, in a desperate attempt to hang out with the older, cooler crowd. #LilSisIssues On this particular day, we were at our family reunion picnic at a nearby lake. As I lurked not far behind Gina and her then-BFF Susie, who were a good clip taller than me, they began wading into some really deep water. Like, five feet. But being the shrimp that I was, it may as well have been 100. And before I knew it, I was literally in over my head... and sinking fast. Luckily ...

Recognize Spent Syndrome as real malady

March 4, 2018

You know how it is when you oversleep and... Jump out of bed and smack into the wall and zip into the shower and the water’s freezing but you’re late so you primp your entire body (including face) in like 45 seconds and then fall down the stairs (because you’re running) and simultaneously load the dishes left in the sink by your housemates, make two lunches and a breakfast plus a puppy plate and jump in the car only to realize you forgot to put on your grandmother’s cross ring (and are now convinced some horror will befall you within the hour) and it starts pouring buckets and ...

I’m sorry, the apologies started in the stroller

February 25, 2018

I’m an apologizer. Always have been. Always will be. My sister is equally apologetic. I believe it may be genetic, since we come from a long line of them. In fact, my first full sentence as a wee one was, “I sowwy, Mommy.” I think it was for being such a heavy sack for her to have to haul around. I was quite a little pudge. I digress. It’s tough to determine on which side of the family it originates because my considerate, wonderful Mom is so kind and gentle and offers apologies often, especially to soothe, encourage or support. #MomsASaint So it may come from me Irish ...

Hey, little liar, I believed me

February 18, 2018

In the mid-to-late 1980s, Joan Jett was all the rage. All angry and dark and shiny in her black leather gear and matching punk hair and sable, almost goth makeup, she was the epitome of bad girl cool. She well known for such hits as “I Love Rock & Roll,” “I Hate Myself for Loving You” and “Bad Reputation.” Another of her biggies was “Little Liar.” The song is pretty much: “Hey, little liar I believed in you.” Joan croons that 14 times during the course of the tune. “I believed in you,” she belts out 15 times and “Hey, little liar,” she utters a whopping ...

When did skijoring get booted from the games?

February 11, 2018

Finally, they are here. The games of the 23rd Olympiad or, as most of us say, Winter Olympics 2018, yo. Man, oh man how I love the Olympics! In fact, if being a fan of the Olympics was an Olympic sport, I would totally win the gold. And, shoot, as for being one of the most dedicated supporters of all U.S. Olympic teams, well, I don’t want to brag or anything, but I’d have to say I’d repeat in that event, too. Speaking of events, I always make it a point to scrutinize the list of official sports at the outset of each Olympics. I began doing this in 2005 when baseball and ...