One Century

What an honor it was to be able to meet this gentleman while shooting a wedding last weekend. In November he will be 100 years old. Although he is almost 100, he looks more like 80. He still maintains his own house, does all of his own yard work, shopping, and cooking.

He came to America from Italy as a teen. When asked his secret to a long healthy life, he will not tell. He did say that he eats lots of fresh vegetables and drinks a shot of homemade liquor everyday. Can you image that years ago in New York City he paid $5.00 for a new CAR! What a gift to live a Century. I am sure he is full of wonderful stories. My grandfather will be 94 this year. Maybe six years from now I will be writing about him! Here are a few facts about life during his 100 years:

In 1906 there were only 8,000 cars in the US, 144 miles of road, canned beer had not been invented, and 90% of US doctors had NO College Education!

He has lived through WWI, Russian Revolution, WWII, The Depression, Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War, The FIRST Walk on the MOON!,

He has witnessed the invention of the lightbulb, telephone, automobile, frozen food, antibiotics, and computers.

A Little Venting and A Little Lesson In Sportsmanship

What is sportsmanship? Webster’s dictionary says “Sportsmanship is: Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports, especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing”. This is what I expect my coach to teach my child as well as all the other coaches of all youth ball teams. As adults each one of us should act in a way that teaches children to be respectful, positive, and honest. This baseball year we have been blessed with a great coach that instills sportsmanship in our players. Our team is not the best team, in terms of winning, we aren’t the worst either. The important lesson to be learned here is that we are a team who is proud whether we win or loose. We are proud because we played an honest, respectful game. We kept our heads held high. I remember our first game we lost 14-1. Our boys were jumping up and down because we scored one point. Victory! This season has been full of paper losses but most importantly full of winners in our hearts. Tonight was no different. We were up against the most rotten coach in the league. Coming into the game we knew that he holds a bad reputation not only in the baseball league but also football. Parents were bellowing how he cheats, is unsportsmanlike, yells bad names at opponents team players (children), and broke rules to stack his team. You all know what I am talking about. How come every town has one of these coaches and how do they get away with it? The game was gut wrenching for the parents, many calling out in frustration. After awhile I saw that our boys were oblivious to the entire situation. They were in the dugout turning their hats inside out and cheering on their teammates. They made errors and they shook their heads. The coach yelled, “Do better next time”. Isn’t this what baseball is about.

Shame on this other so called “Coach”. I do not believe he is worthy of the title. Shame on him for teaching his team how to be unsportsmanlike. Shame on The City of Rock Hill for continuing to let this happen every year!

Knights Baseball Game

The Homeschooligan's are hosting a Knights Baseball Game! So far we have over 72 homeschool parents and children attending. If you haven't given us your RSVP please do so right away!

Spring is here

A few shots I LOVE that Steve took this weekend.

Hamel's joined the Patriot Army!

Just in... the Hamel boys signed the Oath of Allegiance to join the Patriot Army of The Revolutionary War! (thank goodness that this happened over two hundred years ago!)

Great history lesson today from a special program at Brattonsville.

The Minchin's Cooter

Yes, that's what I said, "The Minchin's have a Cooter". Fortunately I am talking about their sweet dog, a Boston Terrier, who they acquired with the given name "Cooter". What a sweetie she is. Her pet name is "Cootie". Grin.

The Minchin's also have another dog, a French Bulldog, that is named, "Spike". Just look at that face.














Dave with the kids~ LOOK AT SPIKE'S SMILE!!!!!!!!!













Me with COOTER- OMG look at that tongue!

One can enjoy a fire worthily only when he warms his thoughts by it as well as his hands and feet. ~Odell Shepherd

Magical

Disney isn't called the Magical Kingdom for no reason! Cody had a wonderful opportunity to spend a week with his Uncle Chris and Aunt Lee and two cousins at Disney. I never had a desire to visit the Florida Theme Park World. I envisioned thousands of screaming kids with irritated parents pushing strollers in 110 degree temperatures. Now after hearing about Cody's "Magical" trip I cannot wait to take our family next year. (Hopefully I can go during a slow period with fewer screaming kids or maybe just take ear plugs or my IPOD to drown out the sounds.) Cody says that my idea of Disney is wrong, the screams are of joy, and that Disney is magical.

Cody says he did not have a favorite ride, he says, "All of them are my favorites!". I think MGM was his favorite park (Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster). He says the Rock N Roller Coaster goes 60mph in 2.8 seconds. He also loves Animal Kingdom (Mount Everest ride). He cannot wait to take his brother to the Monsters Inc. Joke Room, where you spend 30 minutes listening to jokes. I bet we won't be able to get Nolan out of there! Cody was excited that he got to drink coffee and swim in a pool with a slide and waterfall. He also got to go to the Mets vs. Braves Spring training game. I think most of all Cody enjoyed spending a priceless week with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins.

Crowded classrooms and half-day sessions are a tragic waste of our greatest national resource - the minds of our children.

Walt Disney

Baseball Schedule

Our Baseball Team Schedules:

5-6 year old Yankees: All games at Cherry Park @ 5:15 pm

April 3, 17, 23

May 1, 8, 15, 29

Major League TSS: All games at Hargett Park @ 7:00 pm

April 3, 16, 17, 24, 30

May 1, 5, 7

Hope to see you there!