A Baseball Homecoming

It has been said by so many American men that it is nearly a cliché. Had it not been for baseball my father and I would not have had anything at all to talk about. In my case because of baseball we had a lot to talk about. At least until Alzheimer's Disease took away all his interest in the game. Then the complexity of what was happening in a game in front of him was beyond his grasp. This, I know, was frustrating for him. He refused to watch at all during his last years. Even worse from my point of view, he no longer had any interest in reminiscing about the games he had seen in his life.

At Peace with The Painter of Light™

I almost dropped the April issue of ARTFORUM when I scanned the table of contents. Almost lost my grip on it. ARTFORUM is a big, glossy magazine that will hurt you if it lands just right on the top of your bare foot. I quickly tire of holding it and move to the kitchen table to read it. Let the kitchen table hold it.

Love Train, That's the Answer

Soccer on the Rancho

One of the greatest negotiators whom I have ever encountered is named Fortino. I came to Mexico two years ago thinking that I knew something about negotiating. This man has taught me a think or two. I could get my truck washed much more cheaply at one of the many car wash stands in town. I would rather pay more to Fortino to do it out of a bucket at curbside just for the experience of negotiating the price with him. He is relentless. In fairness, he waxes the truck, too, which would be additional cost at one of the stands. Nevertheless, every time I walk away to get some coffee while he goes to work on the truck, I walk away certain that I have been skinned.

Jacaranda

Keith Richards's Libraries

Keith Richards is quoted as follows in The Sunday Times of London and other sources as follows:

When you are growing up there are two institutional places that affect you most powerfully: the church, which belongs to God, and the public library, which belongs to you. The public library is a great equaliser.

Episode 29: Maxi Priest and Billy Ocean :: Live From Daryl's House with Daryl Hall :: Current Episode

Episode 29: Maxi Priest and Billy Ocean :: Live From Daryl's House with Daryl Hall :: Current Episode

Tequila Sunset

I am reporting in from the city of Tequila in the state Jalisco some miles short of Guadalajara and about half the way home. Yes, this is the city that sits amid those fields of blue agave, headquarters for the distilleries authorized to label their product "tequila." La Mexicana and I are laying over for the night in the Hotel Maria Isabel.