A lot can happen in a couple of weeks
A lot can happen in a couple of weeks. Last week’s column fell victim to the woes of technology – more precisely, technology not working. Something buggered up my Microsoft Word – (it wasn’t me, I’m sure of it!) and despite several efforts to work around the issue, things just did not fall into place like I thought they would. Thus, no column.
Fast forward to later last week – around Thursday if memory serves – and with some technical support from folks smarter than me – Microsoft Word is back up and running. So, let’s get to it.
During this two-week period and lapse from writing, I celebrated another birthday for which I am grateful. I also appreciate all the kind thoughts and birthday wishes from family and friends across our community. I am blessed to live here in Coshocton County with most members of our family being close. I often reflect on when we lived away and my parents and in-laws would make the long trek to wherever we happened to live at the time.
It was not until later in life that I considered the sacrifice they made to make those trips and enjoy a few days with our family. They were not old, but they were not young and an eight- or 10-hour drive can be challenging, but they did it. There was always a project or two to keep my dad and my father-in-law occupied. Sometimes it was something simple like repairing a fence or sometimes a more challenging task, like digging a ditch for drainage. Mostly we kept things simple. But regardless, they dug in with gusto and those are fond memories of both men.
The battle for major league baseball supremacy this year may come out of the National League west as both the Giants and the Dodgers are impressive as they stand one-two, respectively. While the dominance of the past few years remains with LA, the Giants, Houston and the like, several other teams could easily appear in the October classic and stand tall this year. The Indians are well within striking distance of the White Sox and the Reds have climbed into third place just ahead of the Cardinals. That is after only winning three games out of their last 10. Believe it or not, the halfway point of the 2021 season is just around first base.
Who will it be in the NBA playoffs? Phoenix or LA in the West and Atlanta or Milwaukee in the East? My prediction is Milwaukee and Phoenix in the finals. Is the dominance of Golden State and any team that features LeBron over as age and endurance start to overtake talent? Time, the enemy of health and longevity, will tell.
Our community lost a beloved resident and huge fan of Coshocton last week with the passing of “Pooch” Blackson. Consider yourself fortunate if you knew Pooch. He always had a smile, he always had something positive to say, a funny story or two, or maybe even three and was a cheerleader for our community. You will be greatly missed Pooch. Rest in peace.
Category: Mark's Musings
