Spring activities

Ah March 12th and I proclaim no more snow even though we know this is Illinois and anything's possible. So what's everyone's plans for 2012? I generally don't look to far ahead therefore no disappointments arise, well usually. Spring training has arrived and it's 150 years or so but who's counting since the Cubbies last won a World Series or for that matter anything. March madness is now here and getting ready to begin. Should be exciting albeit no Illinois or Arkansas, bummers. I'm looking forward to umpiring and getting out a bit more often. This is my 4th year of umpiring through I.H.S.A. and I've met some wonderful people along the way. This year I'll be heading to Onarga and Monticello where I've never umpired but figures to be a positive experience regardless. This is also a good time to get the garden tilled and ready, home improvements and such. Limiting in an apartment kind of limits me there but never shying away from being the optimist hey why not. NASCAR if you like that I hear is gaining popularity. Sorry like watching cats chase there tail but that's just me. Gas prices may keep a lot of us from going to far but there's always the forest preserves to get away. Cookouts and getting friends together is what I'll enjoy the most since I'm not really able to get away to far due to my job. No complaints though. Getting out of debt will open more doors for my wife and I as we move forward and for that I'm grateful. Here's hoping a safe and happy Spring/Summer season brings happy surprises and many a laugh's to all and that everyone stays safe.

Some final thought's on Joe Pa.

You will be missed by many who've learned from you,listened to you,adorned by you and of course the people in your inner circle who loved you. You were an inspiration to so many. I certainly didn't follow his coaching career but am very aware of who this larger than life icon was and should always be known for. He was part of an institution for 61 years. How many people can say that about any job they've ever had? He was Penn States Head Football Coach for 43 of them. Again there are very few who make it that long at 1 School much less Coaching that long at something he loved doing. He was a man who lived his life and went about doing all he knew,Coaching mentoring,molding young men into something they can be proud of when there education is done. Joe Pa comes from a time most of my generation can only read about and wonder what it must of been like. Unless a final book is written about the life and times of this once proud Coach/Father..long time Coach we'll always remember him having been reduced to rubble because of something he didn't do, so they say. History will remember him most likely for what happen in the Jerry Sandusky case but I say let's never forget what he achieved over 1/2 a century. I know I will. R.I.P. Joe..You will be missed.