I am just a man. I am a father, a son, and a husband. I am a homemaker, caretaker, coach, writer, speaker, and photographer. I love God. I love my family. I love my country. God has blessed my family and I, and I am eternally grateful. Author of Generation Jumping: Losing those who are not lost. Downtime with my family is about as good as it gets for me. Being outdoors in nature, among the animals and the wilderness, the Created, comes pretty close. Baseball, followed by hockey, are my two favorite sports, with several others a close third. I would rather do it right the first time. Honesty, respect, and integrity are virtues that I hold dear, so I call it like I see it. Before we as a society attempt to re-define these words, I will be here telling the raw truth.
While I was away in Canada, surrounded by family as we paid tribute to my Uncle Vernon, the 2010 Flames were busy. They played four games over the weekend, one in Vermont, two in NH, and one in Massachusetts. They managed three victories, three for the road.
Thank you to our Veterans. Thank you. Seriously, what else do you say? They are willing to sacrifice their own life for the betterment of ours, based on a belief system that relies on fellow humans, many of whom would never lay down their life for another. Thank you.
The 2010 Flames played three games over the weekend. All three games were played in New Hampshire where some of us would still stand and fight for the right to “Live Free or Die”. Happy Veterans Day! I truly wish that all of our Veterans were/are happy. We should do much to make sure that they are.
November started with a thumping down at Boch Ice Center, as the Blazers handed out a 8-1 beat down to the Flames on Saturday. Then the Flames traveled up to the new and improved Pop Whalen arena to play Back Bay, and won, 7-2. So a split for the weekend, against a pair big, physical teams.
The 2010 Flames finished the month of October with a 6-1 win at JFK Memorial Coliseum. The win gave the Flames a 7-0 record in league play during the month, including a 6-game win streak since the trip to DC. They head into November following an impressive October run.
3 wins and 250 miles later, the Flames earned three victories, and puck possession, teamwork, and goaltending were the keys to the victories. Now it’s Monday night and the team is back on the ice for practice.
The 2010 Flames played their opening game in the Granite State League on Saturday against Hanover. The Flames got their legs going and skated to a 6-3 win in the GSL opener. Then on Sunday, the team made the long trip down to The Bog. The 2010 Flames played the Bay State Breakers Hoyle and they were able to erupt for 3 goals in 3 minutes in the second period, and earned a 6-1 road victory.
The 2010 Flames are made up of players born in 2010 and 2011. They are a U14 Minor 2 team (meaning there is a Minor 1 team ahead of them) in their home organization. I have called this team a development team for years. Yet, every year, this team seems to be a great place for players and families to land. Monday they played a very good team in the Congressional Cup Fall Classic SemiFinal, the Stamford Sharks (U14 Major), and lost, 9-1.
The 2010 Flames battled and found a way to win a tough game against the Delaware Ducks, 4-0.
During the game I was talking with an official for the tournament who was off duty for the game. He was a real nice guy, and we chatted some. He asked me about our team, our team dynamic. I told him how much the kids have had enjoyed playing with this group primarily due to the kids being able to play in all situations, line after line, shorthanded, power play, end of game, etc. installing confidence in the kids from top to bottom no matter how you slice it. I told him that we were fortunate to have a coach, one voice, that just let the kids play.
After all the players and assorted members of their families arrived in Washington, DC or Sterling, VA to begin tournament play, it was time to take the ice. The first game was scheduled at 1:50pm and started a few minutes late. The 2010 Flames took a 2-0 lead after one period and squeezed a third goal out of the second period, before adding three more in the final period. The Flames were off to a good start with a 6-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
September 30, 2023 – Five Sunrises There is something special, almost exciting, about being up before the dawn’s early light The day is not promised, but there you are, alive and wide-eyed, still attached…
“Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely…I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking” – General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander.
As it turns out, we had quite a bit of snow this winter, but that is also somewhat misleading. It was not a cold winter, and much of the snow was heavy, wet, damaging snow that was quickly compacted and mostly gone within hours of it falling from the sky. Temperatures overall were mild, and it made for a terrible winter to keep an ice rink skateable.
Monday morning, the rain fell softly and quietly in its overcast scene. The wet gray scene did not inspire anyone in our home to rise, shine, and hit the ground running.
My day started early with the threat of high heat and then cold front bringing storms and rain. But the morning was gorgeous. The sun climbed and another gift from God had dawned.
When it comes right down to it, no, it doesn’t get easier. We hugged and said our goodbyes. He got in the car to leave and we talked through the open window.
I was up early. I had things to do and miles to cover. But I was blessed to see the sunrise. The last May sunrise of 2023. I took three pictures just a few dozen seconds apart and the colors changed. God’s handiwork never ceases to amaze me.
Today was one of those days where the structure is in place, the schedule is accurate, and the necessary piece is the person hitting all the steps along the way. Not hard, but requiring perseverance. You know, just keep putting one foot in front of the other kind of a day.
While sitting in my backyard during the early morning hours this weekend while sipping hot coffee, I took time to pray, to ponder, and to slow down. I slowed down in order to embrace the quality of life I am fortunate to have.
A night of broken sleep led to another cool, early morning. I didn’t rest as well as I wanted to but I was better rested than when I went to sleep the night before. I started moving, and praying along the way, to go forward and go with the flow.
Is it me, or do long days seem to run together with more long days? Are long days just long because I am overtired, or are the days just really long? Either way, the day started cool, windy, and bright. Clean. Clear. Crisp. A fresh start.
A morning that started warm and tender suddenly turned. Like all of my plans were trashed, burned.