Work Up This Morning

-
Got out of bed, gingerly, singing the lyrics to Bruce's awesome song Two Steps Up:

Woke up this morning the house was cold, checked the furnace but she ain't burning. Went out and hopped in my old Ford, hit the engine but she ain't turnin'. Giving each other some hard lessons lately, that we ain't learning, the same sad story, that's a fact. One step up and two steps back.

I always feel this way in February. It's sort of a let-down month. There's the excitement of Christmas followed by the promise of the new year...stepping up, but waiting to step backwards.

It's usually snowing. It's always cold. The tax information is being gathered. Football is over. Baseball is still a long ways off.

The other two sports suck.

Bruce's song is not a uplifting one. It speaks of heartache and a desire to believe things are working out, but realizing that they aren't.

Bird on a wire outside my motel room, but she ain't singing.

The dogs don't even feel much like going outside. Melky sort of told me this morning that she'd rather stay on top of the electric blanket.

We both got up.

The weekend is coming. A time to rest a bit. A time to hang with the boys and have a few laughs.

The two steps back are rough, to be sure, but the one step up is really cool each day.

March 6th the new Bruce comes out.

April 2nd the 27-time Yankees open up.

April 13th Bruce is at the arena.

Come on, Melky, let's get a move on.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more