I’m imagining my life if I really won the lottery. Would I fix this house, or knock it down and build a new one? What kind of car would we get?
I’m imagining spending the worst months of winter in a warmer climate … like … Arizona maybe? I’m imagining getting my teeth properly fixed and Garry getting whatever is on his wish list. Being able to afford to get the dogs groomed — which would require that they find the time to take them. I don’t think more money would help with that!
What does Duke dream about?
I’m not imagining how this would change my body because — other than my teeth — it won’t. We are what we are. With all the money in the world, we aren’t going to be doing vast amounts of traveling, although I suppose flying first class might beat out Economy. Okay so maybe a little better.
The ultimate non-repairable problem is you can’t buy youth or health. These matters are in the hands of larger powers than the lottery.
This is my favorite form of dreaming — the one where we get all the money we need and imagining how we can use it. Who we can help. How many others we can help dig out of the holes getting older has pushed them into.
Then I realize we have a problem.
We never buy lottery tickets. We intend to buy them, but we forget. No danger of winning. Or losing.
When I discovered my favorite hanging flowers are officially “out of fashion” — meaning I can’t buy any, at least not in Uxbridge, I got depressed. I never imagined flowers could go out-of-fashion. It’s bad enough that I’m obsolete, but fuchsia? My glorious pink and purple flowers that I love … and which grow perfectly on our rather shady deck?
Isn’t it lovely?
So imagine this morning’s delight when I realized that somehow, without much thought or attention, I’d grown orchids. I’d seen the shoots, but I didn’t see any buds. Watered lightly, left them to the light and sent them my best hope for a rapid blossoming.
One of them is blooming and there are many more buds waiting. I think only one stalk will flower, but I could be wrong.
I’d like to say that while these are some of the most beautiful flowers to look at, they are amazing tricky to photograph. They are so translucent you don’t get the flower colors as much as you get the glow of the sunlight through them. And that is not a sunny window.
I will happily accept all congratulations, even though to be fair, I didn’t do anything except water them when they got really dry. Sometimes, that’s all you really need to do.
I sure hope that these don’t go out of fashion. Between my obsolete self, my crumbling home, and variously disabled body … well — out-of-fashion is possibly the kindest way to put it.
This is a roof in a non-mansion in little old Uxbridge. I’m just happy nothing has fallen off since I last wrote about it!
Photo: Garry Armstrong This is not a Beacon Hill mansion … and not owned by a super-rich person. Just a little breadbox of a house in Uxbridge.
Well, the theme is ROOFS (or rooves if you prefer!). Your roof can be;
A – any type, any condition, any size, and in any location. B – it could be a shot across rooftops, of one roof like today or even a macro C – you might prefer to spend some time under the eaves and in the attic, or enjoy the view from above as Brian has already done today.
I was going to do another tunnel, but I got pixellated by my roof. In case you didn’t realize it, Garry took this picture. I remember asking him why he took it and he said: “I don’t know, but you’ll find a way to use it.” And I have.
If you live in the continental United States and do not have Major League Baseball in your city, you are probably just a short road trip away from a stadium. For some you may need one over night stay, for a few locations it may mean longer travel plans.
The thirty MLB ball parks are spread across the country. If you count the 248 minor league teams, then I guess you can find professional baseball just about everywhere.
Center Field scoreboard from Sheffield AvenueFenway Park, Boston – Photo: Garry Armstrong
For our purposes, we will stick with the Major Leagues. Three cities are lucky enough to have two teams, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Only one has a third team close at hand. People in and around Chicago can also make the quick trip to Milwaukee to catch a game without needing an over night stay.
You might tell me that people in New York or Philadelphia can visit the other city with a quick trip since it is only a little farther than Chicago to Milwaukee.
Okay, start in New York City. Head down the New Jersey Turnpike, and get to Philadelphia. Then come back and tell us how long it took. What time did you have to leave NYC to get to a 7 PM game in Philly. Sorry, I digressed.
Game time 7:10 pm
Closest to home for those of us on the north side of Chicago is Wrigley Field, Major League Baseball’s second oldest ballpark. Built in 1914, the park tries to maintain its old-fashioned charm despite some major upgrades. Only Boston’s Fenway park is older.
The neighborhood ballpark still lacks parking, however. But who drives to the park? The busy “Wrigleyville” is well served by the Clark and Addison bus lines. The Chicago Transit Authority “Red Line” is just a few doors east of the ballpark, so you can take the “L” train.
After the game, buses are lined up all along Addison and leave in a “load and go” fashion. When the bus is full, it takes off and the next one pulls up to the bus stop. Years of anguish taught us how to get 40 thousand people in and out of a neighborhood with little parking. In fact, Wrigley Field gave up its tiny lot along side the park on Clark Street for one of its renovation projects. More seats, less parking!
By the way, people here bristle at any suggestion that naming rights should be sold for the park. The park was originally Weeghman Park. From 1920 to 1926 it was Cubs Park. After that the Cubs owner, chewing gum king William Wrigley Jr., named it Wrigley Field. Legend has it he wanted to popularize the name to help give gum sales a boost. And we are against naming rights?
On the south side of Chicago fans can visit Guaranteed Rate Field. Built in 1991, it originally carried the name of the stadium it replaced, Comiskey Park, which was located just across the street. In 2003 it was named US Cellular Field. This year it got another new name.
US Cellular Field
When it was first built, before the wave of “retro-style” ball barks, it was massively criticized by just about everyone in town. There were lots of things to dislike. Starting in 2001 the park has undergone renovation every year since, except 2015.
The South Side structure had the highest upper deck of any stadium in baseball, and loomed large above the old park before that was torn down. Few wanted to sit in the top rows of the steep upper deck. There was no roof and only a wind break at the top. In 2004 the top 8 rows and 6600 seats of the park were removed and a roof added, covering what became the top 13 rows. It now has a smaller capacity than its north side rival.
Baseball on the South Side
Unlike Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field has copious parking. Located right off the Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 90/94), it is easy to find. It is well served by Public Transportation by train and by bus. The Red Line train runs close to the ballpark, the same line that runs past Wrigley Field. If the Cubs have a day game, followed by a White Sox night game, you can grab the Red Line and easily go from one ballpark to the other. If you have to go to Soldier Field for a football game, just get off at Roosevelt and take the bus.
From the north side of Chicago, we made it to Miller Park in Milwaukee in 90 minutes. We got on the Interstate close to home and did not get off until we spotted Miller Park.
Home of the Brewers
Fortunately for us, the park has a retractable dome which can open and close in 10 minutes time. There were intermittent showers the day we went. A roof that opens in good weather and glass panels allow for a natural grass field. It is the best a domed stadium can offer.
The park was scheduled to open in 2000, but was delayed a year due to a construction accident. A large crane collapsed while lifting one of the massive roof sections. The park was built behind the old County Stadium, one time home of the now Atlanta Braves.
Domed stadium, natural grass
If you like bratwurst, pretzels and cheese curds, this is your stadium. There is no shortage of concession stands featuring the typical Wisconsin fare. Of course, Miller beer is easily located as well.
With all of the renovations since the new Comiskey park opened, it may be the best of the group. It can be the least expensive. Wrigley Field continues its historic attraction, despite the many changes in recent years. Miller Park is the newest and will have baseball rain or shine.
“It’s a bit stuffy in here,” I said. “Maybe I should turn on the air conditioner?”
“What’s stuck in my ear?” Garry looked alarmed.
I collapsed and I just couldn’t stop laughing. I couldn’t even answer him. All I could do was howl. Tears were pouring down my cheeks. “I … ” and then I’d laugh some more. “I mean …” More hysterical laughter.
Eventually, I managed to tell him that the air conditioner was not stuck in his ear and what I’d said was “It’s a bit stuffy in here …”
And that is why he needs that cochlear implant.
The surgery is scheduled for July 20th with pre-op on July 9 and surgical followup August 6. With a lot of audiologist visits in between.
There was no air conditioner stuck in his ear. It’s too big.
When I took my excursion earlier this month, I took a lot of pictures of the ground. I had no idea why. The grass, the roads, the concrete. A gravel path. Our sidewalk.
Marilyn asked me why I’d take so many pictures of the ground and I said it was going to come in useful one day. Today seems to be the day!
Gravel path to the riverDogs in their yardGreat green lawnShipping parking lotGround in the woods
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Then I realize we have a problem.
