“O Say Can You See?”

Posted on by Claremary P. Sweeney

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This post is going to be about a few different topics – Charley and Me, Baltimore, Baseball, Brawls, Politics, Civility, the Media, National Values, Umbrellas and Flags because today is Flag Day here in the US of A.          I promise I’ll tie them all neatly together in the end and hopefully, you’ll still be with me when I do.

Last week Charley and I travelled to Baltimore, Maryland. We go there on a regular basis because Charley is involved in clinical studies to find a cure for cancer. He’s been in some amazing studies and although he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, after nine long years, he’s now in remission.

Camden Yards Shops & Museum
Eutaw Street Entrance to Camden Yards
Charley & his new umbrella
Food & Munchies
Free golf umbrellas!

Well, as some of you know, we try to make these trips more than just a hospital visit for tests and scans.  We love baseball. If the Baltimore Orioles are playing at home, we get tickets and spend a great evening eating hot dogs and drinking beer and cheering the players on. So, last Tuesday night we found ourselves at Camden Yards, the home of the Orioles. At the gates, they were giving away free orange and black (Oriole’s colors) golf umbrellas. The weather was beautiful and fans were milling around buying souvenirs and getting dinner  and snacks from the vendors before heading to their seats.  In the stands, a cool breeze blew in from the Inner Harbor. The game started off with The Star Spangled Banner. The tradition of  performing this National Anthem before every ball game began in World War II.

Warning: at Camden Yards, when you get to the line in the song, “O say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave”,  everybody hollers out the “O” as loudly as they can. (Because of the O in Orioles). It scared the crap out of me the first time this happened. I was not prepared. I now yell “O” right along with everyone else. I just make sure I’m in the Oriole’s Ball Park, as this would not go over very well at Yankee Stadium or Boston’s Fenway Park.

Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth Statue outside of Camden Yards – Home of the Baltimore Orioles

Now a very short American History Lesson for those of you still with me.

Charley on boat going to Fort McHenry
Clare on most going to Fort McHenry
Dragon boats in the Baltimore Harbor
USS Constellation docked in Baltimore Harbor
Artillery Cannon at Fort McHenry
US Flag Flying over Fort McHenry
Docent at Fort McHenry
Entrance to Fort McHenry

Five years ago, when Charley and I were staying in Baltimore for a few weeks, we took a boat ride through the Harbor to Fort McHenry. It was a beautiful April day and we took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather  to wander around the Fort and speak with the docents. Inside the building we viewed  a documentary of the famous battle waged there on September 13, 1814. The film  ended with the movie screen lifting slowly, revealing a window to the outside and a view of  the flag that now flies over  Fort McHenry.

US Flag flying at Fort McHenry
US Flag flying at Fort McHenry

During the War of 1812,  Fort McHenry was bombarded by British Ships. The Citizens of Baltimore and the US Army stationed there held off the attack and the next morning the American Flag was still flying over the Fort. A poet, Francis Scott Key had watched the battle from the vantage point of a British Ship where he was being detained. Upon seeing the US Flag flying  triumphantly over the Fort the next morning,  he was inspired to write a poem called “Defense of Fort McHenry”  which later became the lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner which was set to the music of a song by composer John Stafford Smith.

The original flag, known as the Star-Spangled Banner which was flying over the Fort that morning had been made by Mary Young Pickersgill and other seamstresses from Baltimore. It now is displayed in the National Museum of American History in the Smithsonian Institution.

Lesson done. Save your questions for later. I still have a blog post to finish before Flag Day, 2016 is over.

Here’s a riddle for you: When does a baseball game become a wrestling match?

The game started as Charley and I chowed down on our beers and hot dogs.The people sitting next to us were avid fans, interesting and fun. In the first four and a half innings, we saw some great defensive plays. Lorenzo Cain, center fielder for Kansas City, caught a ball headed out of the park by jumping like Superman taking flight; throwing himself  against the top of the back wall and catching it at the last second in his outstretched glove. It’s a wonder he didn’t break his ribs!  Fans from both sides whole-heartedly applauded the play.

 

Hot Dog!

In the bottom of the fifth inning,  the  game suddenly turned into a melee. The Kansas Royals’  pitcher, Yordano Ventura, purposely threw a 90 mile an hour pitch right at the Baltimore batter, Manny Machado.  Machado reacted by turning quickly, causing the ball to strike him in the back. Ouch! He threw his batting helmet down and stormed the pitcher’s mound, getting in a few good shots before Ventura tackled him to the ground. The benches emptied. The area between the mound and first base became a pile of bodies on top of the two combatants, all this while the fans were in a frenzy standing and chanting,  “Manneee! Mannnee!” It took some time for the players to get disentangled. Manny was pulled off the field still yelling at Yordano  who was now surrounded by officials and players. Both were ejected from the game and replaced with subs.

They were later to receive suspensions for their actions. Machado must sit out four games (which he’s appealing) while Yordano will be benched for nine.

After the incident  Baltimore  scored four more times and the Orioles ended up winning 9-1.  It’s never a good  strategy to get the other side riled up. It almost always backfires. It’s a male macho thing having to do with pumped-up adrenalin that I don’t care to psychoanalyze at this time. (Or any other time for that matter.)  And even though Manny had played only 5 of the 9 innings, he was selected as Player of the Game.

The next morning we were walking through the airport with our new golf umbrellas and people were asking us to tell them about the “Brawl Game”.  Having some extra time before we had to board, we went to the Silver Diner for breakfast and sat at the bar looking up at a television monitor replaying the brawl.  On another monitor, Hillary Clinton was giving a victory speech to her followers after winning most of that Tuesday’s State Primaries.

Where's my lipstick?!
Where’s my lipstick?

Trump was on another screen whining about his racial slurs being misconstrued and how he expects the Republican Party to unite behind him and “Get over it”.  “It” being every stupid thing that has regurgitated from his “pie hole” since the beginning of this political farce. And then commentators turned to the topic of “Civility in politics”.  I turned and looked at Charley in utter disbelief.

Seriously folks! Civility in Politics?!!!! That pig’s been out of the barn for years! Doesn’t anybody remember Sarah Palin?

Just as “there’s no crying in baseball”,  “there’s no civility in politics. It’s just another Brawl Game. It’s the fodder which makes up our daily breaking news here in the states.

And elsewhere there are people trying to escape wars and disasters; parents trying to gain a better life for their children; women and men, like Charley, volunteering for clinical studies to find a cure for some of the horrible diseases that deprive us of our loved ones. Yet, these news items were what we were greeted with by the media on a Wednesday morning after the Tuesday night “wrestling matches”.

Please know that we have good, compassionate leaders in this country, just as there are in other countries around the world. People who have become our Statesmen and Stateswomen. People we are proud of who represent us with grace and good will in the best and worst of times. They’ve done this through acting civilly and truly caring about the needs of  the people. All people.

So, when does a baseball game become a wrestling match?

I would guess, the same time a political campaign becomes an ugly brawl. The consequences will be lasting for everyone. Just ask Ventura’s team mates, especially the ones who’ll be hit by  fast balls in retaliation for all of the players on all of the opposing teams he repeatedly has beaned now and in the past.

And so I ask myself: “Who will be the least civil, the most self-absorbed, obnoxious person to make tomorrow morning’s news and talk shows?”

When I was a child, I remember vividly that  the first thing on television in the morning was a test pattern and then the American Flag with the Star Spangled Banner playing in the background.

We used to be a country worthy of the words in that Anthem. Many of us still take these words very seriously. We want other countries to see we have leaders who are intelligent, trustworthy and compassionate.  Americans truly want these qualities in our leaders, believe me.

I am not looking forward to the months ahead. Just think of what we’ll be subjected to on the news when the National Presidential Conventions begin at the end of July – and then on into the November election? There will be no civility in politics, just a never-ending Brawl Game of epic proportions, providing the media with much in “entertainment value” to boost their ratings.

And blood will be spilled and there will be both whining and crying and gnashing of false teeth. And the consequences of it all will reign down upon the multitudes and no over-sized golf umbrellas will protect us from that downpour. The candidates will never be given the suspensions they well-deserve, but we will all be held in a state of suspension until we can find a path to disentangle ourselves out from under what this ugly brand of politics has piled upon us.

Oh, I can see it all now and I will say, I don’t like what I see.

A Peaceful Flag Day to everyone.

 

120 thoughts on ““O Say Can You See?””

  1. I also won’t like most of I see, but what can be done! You might hear that everything depends on you, but I hardly believe it, there are too many things we can’t control or avoid.
    Dear Claire, your post is a good lesson to me, since I know not much about US, it is a fard country mostly advertised in American blockbusters which are in our cinema fashion. We know most of your actors, but nothing about real life in USA. Such people like you can open the curtain and let us in. It’s treasure! Thank you!
    I would say that we have to find enough strength to enjoy every little moment of our lives! That’s important!
    Hugs and best wishes!

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    1. I really believe the dialogue that goes on after we’ve written our blogs is a way to reach out so that people see from another perspective. The news and all of its emphasis on drama does none of us any favors, as it is their ratings, not getting the facts straight that is of importance. Although I had never intended to blog about politics, I am glad that we are both learning about our countries together. This is the best part of my blogging experience. Wishing you a very happy and peaceful day, my friend. Clare

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  2. Some pretty heart felt sentiments, there Clare. Over here, we’ve got the referendum to decide if we stay in the EU or leave. Both sides are becoming increasingly vociferous in their outpourings of untruths, attacking the other side – and generally treating us, the electorate, as if we are stupid, unthinking, children.
    It is so utterly depressing.

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    1. I’ve been watching this situation as it moves along. The news seems to have taken our penchant for drama and made facts a secondary matter in its reporting. I had no intention to get anywhere near political discussions in my blog – but it’s obvious that this has gone way past politics here in the US. I think our leaders would do well to take some time to read a few blogs from people around the world who are thinking and communicating with each other about their leaders’ actions. We certainly are in need of leaders who do not just see themselves as sheep herders. It is depressing all around.

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      1. I think a major part of the problem is that the political leaders have no contact with ordinary people and have no idea of what it is like to have a take home wage that barely covers essentials or to be unable to buy a house or find a job… Nor do they seem to understand the majority of people want to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours (whether next door, next street or next door country) regardless of colour, race, religious persuasion or sexual preferences. Their main priority is to hang on to power and they are surrounded by people who tell them what they want to hear.
        I believe in the 1940s and 50s people went into politics in this country because they genuinely wanted to do good, to improve life for the people. Now, people go into politics purely to serve their own ends. I don’t know how we can begin to change things.

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      2. Mary, In our country, now, you must be rich to run for office. It entails taking time from work and millions of dollars fed to the media for advertising. Much of those millions are coming from our 1% and the money doesn’t come free. I have said before, “America is no longer a democracy, but it is a Corporatocracy”. The only way this can change here is if the people with the money begin to use it for the good of all the people, not just to gain power. Some billionaire and millionaires are doing this and it gives me hope. And yes, the core reason for all of this is that their money has put them into a social bracket most of us will never be in. They are now insulated from the real world and totally out of touch with humanity. Thanks for the points you raise in all of our conversations. Clare

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  3. I enjoyed sharing your trip to Baltimore. From the pictures of Charlie, it looks like he is very healthy. It must be a great relief to you and him. If you get a chance, please post at the Salon tomorrow.

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  4. Hooray for Charley’s remission after 9 years battling 🙂 A big hug and thanks for participating in clinical studies and helping the research teams ❤
    Liked the photos and the history lesson … you made it a very interesting read 🙂
    But as a non-American I'm clueless about baseball 😉 and I shall not comment on the other matter as much as I might agree with your words 😉
    Turtle Hugs

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    1. 🐢I promise not to write another baseball post. It there had been no brawl and it had not coincided with our primary election’s resultant speeches, this would have only been about Baltimore and its role in creating our Flag. And today is flag Day in the US. The analogy of the Brawls was just too glaring to avoid – and so another baseball post came to be. I am going to study up on soccer and maybe my next sports piece will be a bit more interesting. Or maybe I’ll just stay away from sports pieces and let Roxie, who hates baseball and anything else that takes us away from home, write about life from her perspective. Loads of Hugs to you, too. Clare

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      1. I will gladly read everything written by you (it’s a very enjoyable “lesson” for me) 🙂
        And I do understand the U.S.A. fascination with baseball (even if I don’t understand the game 😉 ) . And yes it is a bit like here with soccer (Futebol) and the madness just started a few days ago with the EuroCup – something we will have to endure for a few weeks still 😉
        Always looking forward to Rosie’s talks 🙂
        Turtle Hugs

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  5. Over here in Britain, and as regards our participation in the European Union, we’re going through many further displays of evidence that politics is in a degenerative state. People have lost trust in the institutions and the established political parties, and no longer know to whom power should advocated. The Centre Right no longer so much seems the place where the mass of people instinctually gravitate, and so we see, just as in the U.S., more of a polarization to what by comparison are the extremes. My own view is that things will get worse before they better, as the birthing of new paradigms is seldom painless.

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    1. I agree, it will get worse and either we learn from history or take our consequences. And I realize the problems with our leaders and potential leaders here in the United States are also world-wide problems. I can only hope we have a rebirth and it makes us united within a better, kinder nation (world).
      Hariod – Obviously, when I wrote this piece, I was not in a very contented state. I will now return to your site and read again your words to lead me back to a better place. Clare

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  7. Of course I loved this post. The history, which I am largely ignorant of (and the British bit is told a little differently in my old country – that’s the way with history – it’s all in the telling and by the way I rather think the American telling is more accurate in this case … after all we were fighting all-comers at the time and needed to keep convincing ourselves it was worthwhile); the ball game – I saw the brawl on the news … I’d have waved to you if I’d known); Baltimore itself where I have a cousin and his little family and fully intend on visiting but had no idea really what to expect; the politics of it all. It is a Brawl Game, you are right. And this particular election will be bloody and foul mouthed because one of the candidates is nothing more than a trumped up street fighter. But don’t be alarmed. Really the rest of the world (or the little bit that I am most familiar with) has it’s own farce’s being played out. In France we have le panda geant – M. Hollande is the most unpopular president of all time and has made some quite farcical errors of judgement (though I do think he handled the crises of Charlie Hebdo and the second Paris massacre with dignity, decorum and all round appropriateness) but the truth is that if France swings next year it may well elect itself a fascist leader in the shape of the most odious Marine le Penn. Sarcozi who was outed in 2012 may well yet step back into the arena with a chance of being reunited with the presidency. A farce indeed. And in the UK – the European in or out referendum …. do NOT get me started on the appalling drivel that the exit brigade are spouting which is all about immigration. In fact in a marvellous moment my husband, in full cry about Trump and Boris called them collectively Doris. So they are now Doris Trumpton in our house – both bigots, both fools, both utterly self-serving and neither of them worthy of the title ‘statesman’. The USA has much to be proud of, including in its great leaders. And I am proud to be here. So there!

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    1. Osyth, you have put it into perspective so well. I never thought I would blog about anything political, but this has really touched me to the bone and I am ready to burst. We are so in need of good and good-hearted leaders and we are in need of good and good-hearted followers. I am glad that one more sane voice has arrived on our shores and happy you are here, too. Clare

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      1. Thank you – you have made me so welcome here. Politics is a crazy business that turns the most normal into power-crazed morons so there is little hope when you are one to start with! Sadly, I think it is impossible to avoid talking about politics just now even when you (and I) have a vow of silence on the matter. I am deliberately keeping my feelings about the European vote to myself but when i see what people I thought were intelligent friends of mine back home are posting on facebook … it makes me weep.

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      2. Oh, I’ve learned to stay as far away from Face Book comments as possible. Blogger conversations have an element of sanity to them that leads to making me “Thinks” deeper into a topic. I am always open to someone else’s perspective, especially people of different backgrounds and nationalities. I realize there is so much I don’t know and want to know. In my own heart, I know what’s right and what’s wrong for me, but I welcome the opportunity to listen to what is in other people’s hearts.

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      3. I would banish FaceBook from my life except that I have four daughters on different continents and they like me to be on it. That said, I am like Ming in Flash Gordon – viewing the world from above on my frightfully high-tec (!) screen and never making any comment. YOu are right though, here in the blogsphere one can have a far more in depth and searching conversation that stretches one and educates. I likee very much!

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      5. The Bean and I are off for a toddle round one of the lovely conservation woods within a spit of the house so I shall meditate and cogetate and she will spin around like a loon and all will be well in our little world. Love to you too 🙂

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    2. The problem with Boris is that he’s such a very clever ‘fool’, Osyth. In fact, he could be Prime Minister before the summer ends, as I’m sure you’re aware. Tell me, is it really possible that Le Penn could be elected next year? That’s a very worrying prospect if it’s true – far moreso than Boris being PM here.

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      1. I think Boris is highly educated, highly articulate and highly manipulative man, Hariod. And of course I am aware he could get the prize he so shamelessly seeks. Le Penn is a possibility for sure. The French are angry – even where I live which is about as laid back a place as you could possibly imagine. A backwater in the nicest way. But hopefully, like the moment when it looked liked Nigel might make it to Number 10 they will see sense before they go down that road. Sarkozy is likely to be the voice of reason. We have less than a year to go and I imagine that as the US wraps up so France will be ratcheting up and things will be a little clearer. All in all it feels a little like living through a Grimms Fairy Tale at the moment … not pretty and with severe lessons to be learned if we are not careful. Only my opinion of course 🙂

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  8. I love the pictures and the stories! It is so wise and so much fun that you make the trips about other things and have some fun and adventure!Charley is amazing and an inspiration and so are you! Sounds like a great time going to see baseball games! You are a gorgeous couple Clare!

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    1. I think we go very well together, but remember, we re-met very late in our lives with lots of experience behind us.But, I really don’t suggest that everyone waits until they’re 50 to get married. It could have a drastic effect on our population growth! Thanks, Lynn

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  10. This is a lovely piece, Clare, well-told and nicely tied together at the end. I am thankful for people like Charley who experience clinical trials for the betterment of all. My hat is off to you, Charley. I can appreciate your parallel between the baseball fight and politics…maybe I’ll call it Brawlitics (me thinks I just made up a new word). This anger is pervasive and downright frightening. Never before have I feared an election. Not only am I afraid, I am horrified at what we’ve seen in this country over the past several months. And, like you, having said that is far more than I want to discuss about the current state of affairs. But, as you stated, blogging fosters dialog on a different level. Great post. Have a great day. 🙂

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  11. Whoa, Clare that was a mouth full! I did read it all and you never loss me along the way. I very much enjoyed reading and I am thankful Charley is doing well and participating in what could be something good for all of us. I appreciate you and Charley – have a happy day my friends! 🙂

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    1. Hi, Kate – We’re doing really well right now. But we have had some tough times in the past. I like to think it’s made us better people and given us a stronger relationship. I believe we have a holiday here in the states for just about anything you can imagine. We are a regular Hallmark Country bringing much glee to anyone who can make a buck. I’m rather jaded about holidays myself and what they’ve become in the US of A. I tend to quietly celebrate every day we’re give and hope there’l be more. I was really happy to see your smiling face this morning! Clare

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  14. I always wonder how many more good people would go into politics if it were not such a nasty, ugly business.

    As for Baltimore, I would have been one of those people asking about the game in the airport! Funny enough, I have been to about half of the ballparks. One of the ones I haven’t been to is Baltimore, despite many trips to the city (and regularly flying in and out of there to visit Paul’s family). Paul even had his bachelor party there! I guess it’s just an instance of it being so easy to go, that I never do!

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    1. I know what you mean. The town where I was born is the home of the Paw Sox and we live a little over an hour from Boston .I’ve never been to a Boston Red Sox Game at Fenway! I’ve been to a Giants Game in San Francisco, Diamondback games in Arizona, Yankee Games at the old stadium and lots of Games at Camden Yards. But I’ve never been to Fenway!

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      1. That’s exactly my Orioles issue!

        Funny enough, I’ve been to Fenway – but for a football game, not a baseball game. I don’t get to count it until I see an actual baseball game! There are a couple other baseball stadiums like that – I have been to the stadium, but not for baseball.

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      2. Well, I’ve signed Charley and me up for a game and a tour of Fenway Park next week! Yay! It was organized by the OLLI group at the University of RI. Now it’s your turn. We’re thinking of taking in another game in early August at Camden Yards.

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      3. Oh, that sounds like it will be great – the tour alone would be fun, but add in a game and it’s even better!

        I don’t think we’re going to be back in Baltimore until the end of July at this point. I will have to see if the O’s are in town!

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      4. I thought it was a good idea. Usually it is really too expensive to attend a game at Fenway. That’s why we love Camden Yards – reasonable and great seats! But this was a package for seniors, so I jumped at it. Hopefully the O’s will be going strong. And maybe Manny will be out there. Maybe they’ll be playing Kansas again? Yikes!

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  15. American politics has become really a wearing situation and I shudder at the coming months, on the positive side, it’s such good news that Charly’s cancer is in remission and he’s using the experience for positive things. Brilliant photos.

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    1. Thanks Jacqueline, We are really feeling the pain of embarrassment here in the US every time he opens his mouth. He picks on people he feels are inferior to him and that is just about everybody because he is rich and entitled. If the rich 1% in this country used even a small portion of their money to help with education or the arts or medical research, all of our problems would be well on the way to being solved. Greed is their religion! Yes, Charley is doing well and that is a relief as you can imagine. I hope all is well and very peaceful in Dubai. We’ve had another mass shooting this week in Florida. My head aches with the thought of all the things that need to be changed in this country.

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    1. Thank you. I’m usually very optimistic and I enjoy using humor, as you will notice in many of my posts. But, it’s been difficult to do when discussing US politics. I never intended to ever touch upon this subject on Face Book or Twitter or my blog posts, but to be silent when there are people from all over the world watching and listening may send out the wrong message- A message that I am giving my tacit approval to the disrespect, incivility, the misogony and the bigotry that is spewing forth in the media. This week, I intended to write a little travel piece and because of events I did not anticipate, it ended very differently than my original intent. I thought I would go with the piece and am glad I did.Again, thank you for the feed back, it is much appreciated. Clare

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  17. I’m sorry to hear of Charley’s condition but so happy to hear he is in remission…I will pray he stays that way! I don’t understand why pitchers must hit the batters do they never learn it’s not a good idea! I love the name of the restaurant…Ole Mole…that’s funny!! Happy Flag day to you too, loved the history lesson! I don’t watch the news because as you said they leave out the facts…they make it seem that the only thing happening in this world is bad! From all the great people I have met hear on WP I know for a fact that that is untrue! I knew it before WP but this community just reinforces that the good people of the world are out there!!! I bet that 90% of what happens daily is good, and they go and find that ugly 10% and talk about it and glamorize it…blah blah blah! Don’t even get me started on politicians!! 🙂

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    1. Deb, I’d first written about Charley’s journey in my “Right to Brag” post. He’s really been a Miracle Man as they refer to him at Johns Hopkins. But I have sat with him through these operations and treatments and I can tell you, the journey has been difficult and painful. We’ll take every day we get and be thankful knowing the alternative we were faced with a few years ago. Thank you for your prayers. There can never be enough of those. Clare

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      1. I will read your post to learn more of Charley’s journey. I like his title. I have seen my mother go thru breast cancer twice so I know of what you speak, fortunately she too is still with us. You’re most welcome and you are right, there can never be enough prayers. May the miracle continue.
        Deb

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      2. Thank you, Deb. My father died of prostate cancer and my mother had breast cancer twice, just like your mom. We are truly hoping that Charley helps in finding a cure which will benefit all cancer patients so we don’t have to lose people we love to this disease.

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      3. I’m sorry for you losing your father to cancer! My gratefulness to Charley for helping. I too hope he helps in finding the cure so we no longer lose our loved ones!! Bravo Charley!!! xo

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      4. We’re getting very close to a cure, but the fact that Charley’s been in remission for 2 years is enormous right now. My Dad died in 1977 and there were no clinical studies as there are today. We’ve come a long way. Thanks

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      7. Thanks Clare, wishing you, Charley, ZuZu and rollicking Roxie an adventurous weekend too!! I’ll be by to read some stories.. 🙂

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      9. It’s always nice to make the rounds and visit others…there’s never enough time!! I have your older posts to catch up plus I have a post myself that I’m working on too! I look forward to your visit as always!! Please bring Roxie, ZuZu and Charley if you’d like..the more the merrier…xo 🙂

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      10. Roxie is right here watching me visit you. She thinks you may have some cat videos on your site and is very excited!
        I’m going to take a break from reading now and at least try to get a short post out there???????

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      11. Hey Roxie…I’m watching Ghost Adventures right now…do you like ghosts? I’ll have to put up a widget with cat videos just for you!! xo
        I just posted a post that took most of my day…and I still have my Daily Grateful Post to do…but I want to read some too…so I’m taking a break from posting for a bit to read some of your stories!! And Roxie’s… 😉

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      12. Deb, I’m just finishing up my post and hopefully it will get published today – because it’s about Dads and today is Father’s Day! I’m looking forward to visiting you later and reading your post. Have a peaceful Sunday. Clare (& Roxie D)

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      13. Oh I’ll stop by to read! What did Roxie get Charley for Father’s Day? A mouse or some other lovely present? 😉 Thank you…wish Charley a Happy Father’s Day and all of you have a relaxing day too!! 🙂

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      14. She’s been hysterically happy because we’ve spent most of the day in the gazebo. She sits in the chair and stares adoringly across at him. She does have a gray felt mouse she brings to him every day and he woke up with it next to him this morning. It’s filthy! But I guess that makes it even more special !

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      15. Lol…oh yes the dirt is the best part because she put it there herself! Well I’m glad she’s in her glory and not in your hair!! What a beautiful day too!! Continue to enjoy it!! xo 🙂

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  18. It’s just another Brawl Game. Isn’t that the truth!!!
    Oh Ethel, I loved this whole thing! you’re so right, we WANT civil leaders again!! We WANT to be proud of them again!
    I miss the Star Spangled Banner first thing in the morning!!
    How exciting it must have been to see the flag revealed at the end of that movie!! Did you get chills??
    Love, Lucy

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    1. Lucy, Charley and I didn’t realize the screen was in front of a massive window. When the screen slowly rolled up at the end, revealing the flag outside the building, the Star-Spangled Banner was playing . And yes, it was one of those Ah ha moments !

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      3. No! I did not!! That is quite a cool perk!! Getting older DOES have some advantages!! For instance, I just found out Tues. that I can now get free drink at Wendy’s!! If I dine in, that’s all the Peach Fanta I want!! (Oops, I just remembered, I was supposed to have given those up.)

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    1. Throughout all of this it has become very apparent to both of us that battling an illness alone must be devastating. I’m not the one who has to go through the physical pain, but we both have shared the emotional and mental anguish together. My job is to be the advocate and to make sure he is getting the right treatments, asking the right questions,understanding all of the information being thrown at him- especially when it has become just too much for him to deal with. And yes, love has everything to do with it. Love, Your friend, Ethel

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      1. Oh Ethel, Charlie is so blessed to have you at his side, thru everything!
        Patients in any healthcare setting need an advocate! That is so important! As you said, the patient is bearing the physical pain, and sometimes that takes all your energy.
        Love is all important!
        Love, Lucy

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      2. No one should ever have to deal with any kind of illness alone. I am very blessed to go on this journey with him, but it’s not what I envisioned when we married. I thought we’d travel the world although we do try to make adventures at every opportunity.

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      1. Hope you guys came out here while we had some of our great weather patterns. Some folks come out right after a nice hot spell and only so the foggy side of the city. You picked a great game to go to with Bum pitching.

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  22. I love the photos and the way you share the places you go. It’s also good to hear another person’s thoughts, although we may not all agree. Our blogs are the place where we should feel free to say whatever we please. Awesome post, Clare!

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    1. When other bloggers write a post about where they live or a trip they’ve taken, I can’t get enough. I want to know everything about that place. It’s the reason I started writing about my yard and gardens, home town and the trips we take.It seems other people feel the same as I do and love learning more about the people who we chat with on a regular basis.

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  23. Just catching up on some of your posts I missed. What a great post, Clare! I have been to an Orioles game, actually. It was years ago when I was in high school, and while it wasn’t a “brawl game” I did love it. It seems to me that back in the dark ages of the 60s baseball was more civilized. Not that tempers never flared, but it was more rare for the benches to empty or a fight to be cheered on by the crowd, if I remember clearly. And certainly, as Doug reminds me, politics have always been ugly (at least back to Adams and Jefferson who started as friends…and sort of ended that way.) But at least in my lifetime I can recall nothing like Trump. The Rage post I just added to the Salon sort of echoes this one…without the baseball, lol! I keep thinking America is better than this. Doug thinks I need to either chill down a bit…or run for office (not!) Now, that would be a career change…but probably would be easier than when I played catcher on a softball team! Love, Jo

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    1. Jo, I would love it if you ran for office . You are a true optimist and would drop kick us all into the right end zone! I am losing my optimism every day at this point. It isn’t so much the dummy as the people who follow him blindly and don’t realize he could care less about the middle and lower classes. The people who cheer the bully on, joyful that they are not the victim of the moment. But they will become his next victims and they can’t even see it. Stepford!

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      1. You are so right, Clare. It really has explained to me the appeal of Hitler. I have been doing lots of Facebook posts about him, but in reasoned ways woo over some conservative friends. The poor blue-collar folks will truly lose under him. He has no clue what their lives are like and just parrots Hannity, Beck, and Limbaugh and wants the benefits for millionaires like him. Don’t love Hilary but hope she will follow up on some of Bernie’s ideals.

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      2. My faith in Hilary is gaining. Or maybe it’s just a residual numbing effect caused by my disgust of the other candidate? Jo, do you have an escape plan if he gets in? Rio’s looking good right now in spite of all their internal problems!!!!!

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      3. Canada? At least we’d be able to drink the water! I have to admit they really have been out to get her. But I don’t like the Foundation “favors.” On the other hand Bengazi lawsuit now? Purely evil politics! Yeah, Canada!

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    2. I was thinking of McCarthy and George Wallace and how they led people on with their hate until the saner minds stood up and said “Enough!” Do you realize that we are now the saner minds and your blog posts are part of that “Enough”! which may put a halt to all of this stupidity?

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