Summer Solstice, and So It Begins

There was a story in the local newspaper this week, about a young 11 year old boy, who found a woman's purse on the beach, and he went out of his way, to return it to her. It was a nice story and surely deserving of some local press coverage. But the thing that struck me, was where he lived. Athol, Massachusetts.

What's the big deal about Athol? Nothing really. I've been out there enough times in my life, so I know what I'm talking about. It's great for hunting and fishing. But there's not much else going on. And there's something BIG that's clearly missing from Athol. And that would be, the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, you are a good two hours away from the salt water. Gulp.

I thought about how lucky those of us are, who have grown up in and around the ocean. We truly are lucky. For most of us surfers, it's hard to imagine living anywhere over an hour away from the ocean. That would be, a "living hell." Oh no I didn't just write that? Oh yes I did. I most certainly did. Because it's true.

When I was a young boy, my family lived 2 miles from the ocean. Not sure how far that is driving a motor vehicle, but I know it's a good walk on a hot summer day. Yet, that's how we went to the beach. My mother would pack us lunches, and she'd fill the baby carriages with towels, and beach toys, and then we would begin our long beach "death march."

The walk to the beach, was easier than the walk home.

I can still picture us, strung out in a long single file. Big gaps between siblings, some of who would teeter from pure exhaustion and heat stroke . Yet onward we marched. Not sure
if we sang any songs or not. I don't think we did. What songs would we sing? "High Ho Hi Ho it's off to the beach we go!" Or maybe we sang the Davey Crockett theme song. Doubt that too.

I just remember my mother barking out orders to close the gaps and catch up. There were six of us. And I was the oldest. My job was to make sure the younger ones did not falter.

Between my DI mother and I, we kept the train rolling.

Like I said, going to the beach was way easier. I mean what kid on this planet does not like going to the beach? My guess is they all like it. Can't imagine a child not liking the beach. In fact, what adult does not like the beach? I personally don't any. And, I wouldn't want to know anyone who disliked the beach.

This is the first week of summer. Get out to the beach. No matter how far you live from the ocean. Get your butt down to the
beach and relax. Or do something active. Either way, take advantage of what we have here. It's Summer!

[photo 1] Here's a photo from the early 1950's. That's me on the left and my late Uncle Ralph (WWII vet who served in the South Pacific in demolition) and my sister Donna on the right.

I caught and rode my first wave about 300 yards from where this photo was taken in the summer of 1964. Wow, next year will be my 50th year surfing? Huh? How did that happen? Time is how it happens dumb ass. Time, just ticking away. Oh right.

OK congrats to King James and the Heat for their 2nd consecutive NBA title. Like a lot of you, I'm happy for Ray Allen. Hey, he was Mr 3 point for us not to long ago. So I'm happy for Ray. The Spurs on the other hand, must still be stinging. Ouch.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry about the current Patriots nightmare. Are you kidding me? Aaron Hernandez possibly involved in a murder? Say what? Please God, wake me up from this bad dream. Oh it's bad alright. Think about it. They sign Hernandez and Gronkowski for close to $50 million each to catch footballs from Tom Brady. Looks good on paper. Right?

But, Gronk is in and out of surgery so much, that he's spending more time in rehab these days, than he is on the field. But wait now, we had a guy who would catch footballs in his sleep. In fact, some would say, that Wes Welka could catch a football while in a damn coma. We all know he had several concussions, and would always bounce right back up, and get in that huddle.

There was no one tougher than Welka. No one. But we let him go, over a million dollars? Really? A million? And we kept these two Tight Ends? Brilliant. Wait, it gets better. Because we go out and sign Tim Tebow? What the...? Can he catch a football? He better.

Let's all take a deep breath, and say a prayer for the Patriots.

Bruins are in a battle with the Chicago Blackhawks. No
question about it. It's down to a best of three games now.
The B's are down 3-2 going into game 6 back home in Boston Monday night. It's do or die time now. They are still in this.
But they must now win 2 in a row.

They can do it. But it's going to be hard. Very hard.
NHL Play-off hockey speed is incredible. Clearly the fastest game on the planet. I'm hoping the Bruins can pull this off. But only time will tell. Go Bruins!

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:

The entertainment world lost a true icon this week. James Gandolfini age 52 died of a Heart Attack . Known for his role as Tony Soprano in
the popular HBO series The Sopranos, Gandolfini was widely respected by his peers and his fans. The Sopranos became a hit series and now with "Tony" passing away, any chance for a reunion, or movie, has
gone the way of the Godfather without Marlon Brando. RIP Tony.