Day 212, July 31: America

My Top 10 Favorite

Songs by America

1. Ventura Highway

2. Horse With No Name

3. Don't Cross the River

4. Sister Golden Hair

5. I Need You

6. Lonely People

7. Only in Your Heart

8. Tin Man

9. Daisy Jane

10. Sandman

Day 211, July 30: Righties

My All-Time Top 10

Favorite Right-Handed Pitchers

Some great ones here, and almost all from the distant past.

1. Walter Johnson, Senators: From the early 1900s, this guy is consistently ranked as perhaps the best ever. Had 417 wins for bad teams and 110 shutouts.

2. Nolan Ryan, Rangers: Played for many teams, always threw hard and gave it his all. Threw an amazing 7 no-hitters - two while in his 40s!

3. Bob Gibson, Cardinals: Very intimidating and a nemesis for the Red Sox in the 1967 World Series. His 1.12 ERA in 1968 likely won't be matched again.

4. Luis Tiant, Red Sox: Shifty, talented pitcher who was instrumental in the 1975 World Series run.

5. Jim Lonborg, Red Sox: From the 1967 team, my favorite as a little kid.

6. Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cardinals: Love the name and the talent. "Old Pete" had 373 wins and 90 shutouts.

7. Cy Young, Cardinals: Played for five teams and put up numbers that will never be touched: 511 wins, 750 complete games and 7,355 innings pitched.

8. Jim Palmer, Orioles: The top pitcher on one of the greatest pitching staffs of the 1960s and 1970s.

9. Tom Seaver, Mets: Another great pitcher from the 1960s and 1970s when I was most impressionable.

10. (tie) Greg Maddux, Braves and Pedro Martinez, Red Sox: Besides Ryan, my two favorite pitchers of the past 20 years, the first for talent and class, the second only for talent.

An "Al" Honorable Mention: Moose Haas, Brewers 

Day 210, July 29: My Bro

My 10 Favorite Things

About My Brother Jeff

He's my only brother and it's his birthday. He's a year younger than me and we've come a long ways from when we didn't get along too well as kids. I was a sports maniac who also was pretty bossy as the oldest of four kids. He kind of liked sports, but wanted to do other things. As we got older, we became closer, even though we don't get a chance to see each other too often.

1. The other side of my dad: Our dad, Lee, loved sports but also loved making things with his hands. I picked up most of the sports side while Jeff is great at making and building things.

2. Laid back: Jeff seems to be everyone's friend. He doesn't judge people and he'll be there for you whenever you need him.

3. Hard worker: Both of us picked this up from Dad.

4. Hard partier: Like me, Jeff has scaled back a lot on his partying. But in his prime, he was a lot of fun over a few beers (a few too many?)

5. Fussy eater: I know when someone calls me fussy, I can always bring up Jeff as someone who is fussier :-)

6. Gift-giver: Jeff has a knack for picking out great Christmas gifts and is the best at picking out cards.

7. Woman's man: Finally, a woman named Julie has settled him down. She's a wonderful woman. In his prime, he seemed to be a chick magnet - at least that's what he always told me!

8. Risk-taker: When he was younger, it would be climbing the water tower or getting into fights. As he got older, he'd buy property or even a restaurant/bar. Had the economy been normal, his restaurant would be doing great.

9. Had Amy's back: Our youngest sister died just a couple of years ago after a tough life. Jeff always knew how to relate to her best and help her over some humps.

10. Mom's support: He lives closest to our mom, who has had her own issues in recent years. I appreciate his being there for her while I usually call or send her fun cards.

Day 209, July 28: No Sweat

Top 10 Most

Sweatiest Times

I like working up a sweat. It means I've done something other than sit around. It wasn't that long ago that I felt a day was wasted if I didn't at least work up a little sweat. I'm almost keeping up that goal, but not as much in my 50s. Today after work, I cut up and lugged out several wet carpets from our flooded basement. We got about 12 inches of rain in 24 hours and, though we didn't have standing water, the old, moldy carpets in our unfinished basement were soaked. And, man, did I work up a sweat! Wonderful!

1. Harvesting tobacco: Whether it was chopping, piling, stringing or hanging ... it was the sweatiest I ever got in a full day.

2. Racquetball: When I played someone my own speed, I was everywhere in those little courts. And, wow, could I work up a sweat.

3. Stacking hay in the loft: A second farm-related job. My friend, Al, will like this one. And, as bad as you sweat, you also get itchy. Ick!

4. Running on a muggy day: There have been many this such days this summer, and it's a pain because I like to run with my glasses.

5. Playing basketball in a hot gym: Don't need to say much else.

6. Taking wet, moldy carpet out of a basement: Explained above.

7. Chopping wood on a warm night: I did this often on Napier Street, especially after my first wife died. Another source of therapy.

8. Mowing on a hot day: Especially a big lawn without much shade (my lawn in Kieler).

9. Spinning: This is a class you take on a stationary bike. I took one for a few months two years ago, and it was very sweaty.

10. Raking a large lawn: Napier Street. The yard was full of trees, including several walnut trees. Ouch!

Day 208, July 27: ABBA Top 10

 My Top 10 Favorite

Songs by ABBA

I'm starting a new series of lists - though not on consecutive days. I would guess I have a dozen or so groups or singers that have at least 10 or more songs that I like. This will put me to the test as I will try to pick them in order. Try it with your own favorites - it's not easy.

1. Fernando

2. Chiquitita

3. I Have a Dream

4. S.O.S.

5. Mamma Mia

6. Honey, Honey

7. Waterloo

8. Hey, Hey Helen

9. Take a Chance on Me

10. Dancing Queen

Day 207, July 26: A Good Catch

My All-Time Top 

Favorite Catchers

Not too many make it into the Hall of Fame. The position just wears people down and the stats follow.

1. Carlton Fisk, Red Sox: I list him with my favorite team, though he played many years with the White Sox. Great player, nice guy.

2. Johnny Bench, Reds: I'd pick him the all-time best, though most go with Yogi Berra. Bench was awesome offensively and defensively.

3. Yogi Berra,Yankees: Solid, dependable player and a great quote machine.

4. Roy Campanella, Dodgers: Tragic accident at age 37 cut short his career, which was highlighted by many superb statistics.

5. Josh Gibson, Negro Leagues: The little I've read about Gibson makes him sound unbelievably good.

6. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers: Still playing, his longevity and talents earn him a Top 10 listing in most rankings (No. 1 in one I found).

7. Mike Piazza, Dodgers: Struck me as being very cool, he also was a great all-around player.

8. Joe Torre, Braves: Again, played for others, but I think of him in Milwaukee. Great player and guy.

9. Mickey Cochrane, Athletics: Not a whole lot of power, but had a .320 career average - best ever for catchers.

10. Gary Carter, Expos: The best of the rest to fill out this list. 

Day 206, July 24: Sent to the Showers

My All-Time Top 10

Most Memorable Showers

Strange list, but it came to mind the other day when Shawn told me the Bodine family sold the mansion on Lake Geneva. Never again will I be able to take a shower in my No. 1 most memorable shower.

1. Lake Geneva mansion shower: Not only was it spacious, it had the biggest shower head and flow of water I've ever seen. You literally were immersed. I wrote about its therapeutic power in my first book.

2. Napier Street, Dubuque: I took more showers there than any other place on earth. A solid, dependable place to clean up and also seek refuge after my first wife died of breast cancer. Spent some very tough times in there.

3. Current one on Hill Street: First off, Kris was nice enough to allow it to be put in before her kitchen! And now, one of our new kittens, Woody, hangs around outside until I'm done, then goes in and plays in the water (Tabby NEVER would have done that).

4. Stoughton, living downstairs of Jeff: For a few months just out of college, I rented the downstairs of my brother's house. It had the tiniest shower ever and was quite decrepit. (I didn't say these were my favorite showers.)

5. Trailer in Gillette, Wyo.: Believe it or not, bigger than the one at Jeff's. Actually pretty nice. In fact, the guy I roomed with, Joe, would spend 45 minutes or more in there per shower!

6. Stoughton, Page Street: My first shower ever (bath tubs up to then). As a young teen, I remember going in there one time crying after my mom gave me a short haircut and I tried stretching my bangs down further on my forehead.

7. Old Central School showers: Classic old showers we shared as junior high kids, where I actually picked up a case of athletes' foot. Years later, used them during an alumni basketball tournament. 

8. Kieler house shower: Part of the bath tub that I shared with my boys when they were infants. If I ranked just tubs, this one would be No. 1 or 2 for the same reason. It's a wonderful bonding thing for a parent.

9. Basement apartment in Stoughton: Lived downstairs of a little old lady while working at the hub. The second smallest shower ever, the floor around it was frigid in the winters.

10.Dubuque YMCA showers: Used them - only out of necessity - when I used to play basketball at noon hours 20 years ago. I'm one who thinks it's just weird showering with a bunch of men of all ages.

Day 205, July 24: Center of It All

One of my most prized baseball cards!

My Top 10 Favorite

Center Fielders

This list has a lot of Hall of Famers and several of my overall favorite baseball players. Note the honorable mentions!

1. Ty Cobb, Tigers: Greatest hitter of all-time and an above average fielder. My No. 1 overall, despite his faults.

2. Willie Mays, Giants: Probably better all-around than Cobb, but I like him second best.

3. Mickey Mantle, Yankees: If only he had treated his body better and not had a devastating leg injury as a young player, he'd have Ruth-like numbers.

4. Ken Griffey, Jr., Mariners: An awesome athlete, I sometimes forget already how good he was.

5. Tris Speaker, Indians: A legendary great from Cobb's era, might be the overall best "fielder" in history.

6. Kirby Puckett, Twins: The compact body, the enthusiasm and the talent made him very appealing.

7. Fred Lynn, Red Sox: Had one of the best rookie years ever and could have been much better had he also not suffered injuries.

8. Joe DiMaggio, Yankees: Can't help but admire him, he was an icon of his time.

9. Hack Wilson, Cubs: A power hitter with a first name of Hack? What's not to like?

10. Jim Edmunds, Cardinals: An excellent fielder who also could hit pretty well.

Honorable mention: 

* Oscar Charleston, Negro Leagues. I had never heard of him until seeing his name on several lists of all-time best CFs.

* Jim Swenson, Vikings/high school: I prided myself on my defense. My dad used to hit me dozens of fly balls for practice. Had they just created a Designated Fielder, I might have made it up through the ranks!

Day 204, July 23: Recently Added

 10 Recently Added

Songs to my iTunes

I like the variety in these 10 new downloads. Hope you do, too.

Frosted View, by Fiona Joy Hawkins:  

A great piano ditty.

Harper Valley P.T.A., by Jeannie C. Riley: 

A spunky country tune.

Ida Engager, by of Montreal: A little strange and quirky, 

but a catchy 2000s tune.

Indian Reservation, by Paul Revere & the Raiders: 

One of my favorites as a kid.

Leave Me Alone (Ruby Red Dress), by Helen Reddy:  

Your typical fun 70s song.

Normandie, by Shout Out Louds: A percussion-laden, 

rough-around-the-edges current pop tune.

Nothing Ever Happened, by Deerhunter: Fairly hard-rock 2008 

song that has a great ending refrain.

Scar Tissue, by Red Hot Chili Peppers:  

Pure hard rock from 2000.

Tammy, by Debbie Reynolds: I love it when this gentle, 

beautiful 1957 song comes on after Scar Tissue!

Tane Mahuta, by Ruby Suns: It means "Lord of the Forest." 

An almost choir-like song out of New Zealand using accoustic guitars, lots of drums and cymbals and many voices. 

Makes me want to jump up and shout!

Day 203, July 22: Re-Boot!

10 Things I Miss

When I Can't Sign On

Our wireless Internet didn't work last night, so I didn't do a blog post. I also didn't stress over it. I knew I'd eventually do a post. That fact makes me believe I am slowly gaining some wisdom. Still, I wouldn't want to be without the 'Net for too long. This list is probably boring compared to most surfers, but what can I say? It's me.

1. Fantasy sports: It's the first - and often the last - thing I check when I sign on (regardless of the season).

2. Email: Though it's most often junk, I still check it out fairly quickly - especially if my Fantasy League check reveals bad statstics.

3. Intellicast: My choice for online weather, 

I usually check out the radar.

4. Rotten Tomatoes: My choice for movie sites, I tend to call it up quite often during my day at work as the features editor.

5. Facebook: This used to rank higher. I just don't get into it too much. It's usually just to play Kris or Cathy in Scrabble, though I'll scroll down a ways to see if there's anything interesting. I seldom post.

6. Dictionary/thesaurus: I don't keep the book versions nearby at home. Sometimes I'll use a real dictionary at work.

7. Find a Person: Though I'll still use a phonebook, this Internet tool comes in handy for out-of-the-area questions.

8. Iowa and Wisconsin high school stat resources: Though I've used these immensely during the past year-and-a-half for my book, I also tend to check them out periodically for personal pleasure.

9. Scrabbleblast: It's the one online game 

I enjoy playing once in a while.

10. Swen's Tens: It ranks No. 10 because it's a one-year deal. But I mostly have enjoyed doing it.

Day 202, July 21: Bug Eyed

 My Top 10

Favorite Insects

I don't necessarily "like" to have all of these around, but they're the ones that fascinate me the most and hence are my favorites.

1. Praying Mantis: Just beats out the walking stick. Rarely have I come across one, but when I do, it's a momentous occasion.

2. Walking stick: I've probably seen more of these than I realize - unfortunately.

3. Monarch butterfly: So beautiful and majestic. I like a lot of butterflies, but around here, the monarch reigns.

4. Dragonfly: They really look like their name. I've caught a few in my time and stared at them as I held their wings together.

5. Grasshopper: They're so cool, leaping and flying from one place to another. Also tough to catch, it's been awhile since I grabbed one.

6. Lady bugs: They're so dang cute!

7. Stag beetle: Identifiable by their huge chompers. I've held some by the back and let them latch onto a twig with those chompers.

8. Black and yellow garden spider: As kids, we always thought they were poisonous. Biggest spider that is easy to spot, usually on a bush right by the front door. Creepy!

9. Wasp: Speaking of creepy. But the way they glide and make their nests is pretty cool.

10. Centipede: Perhaps the ultimate creepy, these harmless pests really enjoy old homes. Another fascinating bug with all its legs and speediness.

Day 201, July 20: Stuck in Right Field - Again

 My All-Time Favorite

Right Fielders

When you're a kid, the last place you want to be stuck is right field. But if I could have grown up to be like any of these right fielders, well, I would have gladly played there every inning of every game.

1. Babe Ruth, Yankees: I guess I'm just amazed by this man. He never took care of himself, looked overweight and didn't seem very dedicated. Yet, he could hit for power, average, run when young and even pitch.

2. Roberto Clemente, Pirates: As awesome a baseball specimen as there was - in the field and at bat. Tragically died young, after reaching exactly 3,000 hits.

3. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: A present-day Ty Cobb, who also is a nice guy. Tough combination to beat.

4. Hank Aaron, Braves: Like so many others, I probably under-rate this great player. Maybe it was he just didn't have the flair of some of my other favorites.

5. Mel Ott, Giants: Hit more than 500 home runs using a batting approach that saw him life his front foot way off the ground. Very unique.

6. Frank Robinson, Orioles: Another guy who was much better at the game than he was at catching your eye or attention. Hit for the Triple Crown in 1966.

7. Tony Gwynn, Padres: Just a hitting machine and very interesting person to listen to.

8. Al Kaline, Tigers: One of my favorites during the 1960s and 1970s. Have several of his baseball cards.

9. 'Wee' Willie Keeler, Orioles: Just a little guy who could really hit the ball. Love the nickname.

10. Sam Crawford, Tigers: Great hitter who played alongside my all-time favorite player, Ty Cobb, who also will be my all-time favorite center fielder (obviously).

Day 200, July 19: 20x10s Movies

My All-Time
Favorite Movies

Nobody else's Top 200 in the world would be the same. Pretty neat. 

*Possible Top 25, if I was pressed to narrow it down.

Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

*A Christmas Story (1983)

*Airplane! (1980)

A League of Their Own (1992)

Ali (2001)

All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

American Graffiti (1973)

A Mighty Wind (2003)

*Annie Hall (1977)

Apocalypse Now (1979)

*Apollo 13 (1995)

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Avatar (2009)

*Babe (1995)

*Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

*Big (1988)

Blazing Saddles (1974)

*Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Braveheart (1995)

Brian’s Song (1971)

Bruce Almighty (2003)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Caddyshack (1980)

Casino Royale (1967)

Cast Away (2000)

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Cinderella Man (2004)

*Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Cocoon (1985)

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Crash (2005)

C.S.A. The Confederate States of America (2004)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

*Dances With Wolves (1990)

Deliverance (1972)

Dial M for Murder (1954)

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Fargo (1996)

Fatal Attraction (1987)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

*Forrest Gump (1994)

*Gandhi (1982)

Garden State (2004)

Gettysburg (1993)

*Ghost (1990)

Ghostbusters (1984)

Gladiator (2000)

Glory (1989)

Good Hair (2009)

*Groundhog Day (1993)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

*Heaven Can Wait (1978)

High Noon (1952)

Home Alone (1990)

Honeymoon in Vegas (1992)

Hoop Dreams (1994)

*Hoosiers (1986)

Inception (2010)

Invincible (2006)

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

*It Could Happen to You (1994)

*It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Jaws (1975)

Juno (2007)

Jurassic Park (1993)

*Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Life is Beautiful (1998)

Little Big Man (1970)

Live and Let Die (1973)

Lost in Translation (2003)

Man on the Moon (1999)

Man on Wire (2008)

Mama Mia! (2008)

Men in Black (1997)

Miracle (2004)

Monkey Business (1931)

Moonstruck (1987)

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Network (1976)

Napolean Dynamite (2004)

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

North by Northwest (1959)

O Brother Where Art Thou (2000)

On Golden Pond (1981)

Once (2007)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Paper Moon (1973)

Patton (1970)

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)

Planet of the Apes (1968)

Platoon (1986)

Pride of the Yankees (1942)

Psycho (1960)

Rain Man (1988)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

*Raising Arizona (1987)

Ray (2004)

*Rear Window (1954)

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Remember the Titans (2000)

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Rocky (1976)

*Rudy (1993)

Safety Last (1923) Harold Lloyd

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Schindler’s List (1993)

Seabiscuit (2003)

Serendipity (2001)

Sergeant York (1941)

Shane (1953)

* Shawshank Repemption (1994)

*Sixteen Candles (1984)

61* (2001)

*Sister Act (1992)

Sleeper (1973)

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Some Like it Hot (1959)

*Somewhere in Time (1980)

Stand by Me (1986)

*Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1977)

Strangers on a Train (1951)

Terms of Endearment (1983)

That Thing You Do (1996)

The African Queen (1952)

The Alamo (1960)

The Birds (1963)

The Blind Side (2009)

The Blues Brothers (1980)

The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)

The Dark Knight (2008)

*The Dirty Dozen (1967)

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

The Fighter (2010)

The Fugitive (1993)

The Game (1997)

The General (1926) Buster Keaton

The Godfather (1972)

The Graduate (1967)

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

*The Great Escape (1963)

The Green Mile (1999)

The King’s Speech (2010)

The Majestic (2001)

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

The March of the Penguins (2005)

The Music Box (1932) Laurel & Hardy

The Nativity Story (2006)

The Nutty Professor (1963)

*The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)

The Poseiden Adventure (1972)

The Red Badge of Courage (1951)

The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)

The Rookie (2002)

The Sandlot (1993)

The Shining (1980)

The Sixth Sense (1999)

The Social Network (2010)

The Sting (1973)

The Straight Story (1999)

The Ten Commandments (1956)

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

*The Truman Show (1998)

The Waitress (2007)

*The Wizard of Oz (1939)

There’s Something About Mary (1998)

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Tombstone (1993)

Tootsie (1982)

To Sir With Love (1967)

Toy Story (1995)

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Toy Story 3 (2010)

12 Angry Men (1957)

Up (2009)

Vertigo (1958)

Walk the Line (2005)

Wayne’s World (1992)

What About Bob (1991)

Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Working Girl (1988)

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

Zulu (1964)

Day 199, July 18: Top 200 Trailer

10 Trivial Items

From My Top 200

Movies of All Time

I love statistics and movies, so this was a fun - but time-consuming - post. Here are 10 interesting facts about my Top 200 movie list, which comes out tomorrow. I was very honest about how I felt about movies, resisting temptation to rank critically acclaimed films if I honestly, truly liked other ones better.

1. The 2000s leads the decades with 44 films. I call that the "Kris Effect." We've seen lots of movies the past seven-plus years together.

2. There are nine Tom Hanks movies. But one of them was NOT "Bachelor Party."

3. The oldest movie was "The General," a Buster Keaton silent picture from 1926.

4. The Godfather (1972) just made the list; The Godfather II did not.

5. The year with the most movies on my Top 200 was 1993, with eight.

6. There are eight Alfred Hitchcock flicks on the list, but none before 1950 (I need to see many of his early ones)

7. I did not include any 2011 movies yet. A couple could break into the list come Jan. 1.

8. Jim Carrey is represented in five movies, but none are from his stupid, silly days. 

9. As I was making out the list, I put an asterisk by films I thought could be in my Top 25. I ended up putting asterisks by 33, so I'm pretty secure on my all-time, all-time favorites.

10. There are only 26 movies on my list from before 1960. If I ever do another year of blogging some day, I hope that number increases.

Day 198, July 17: Veggies

My Top 10

Favorite Vegetables

I'm not sure, as I start this list, that I like 10 different vegetables. I'll find out. And I'm guessing each one has a prerequisite.)

1. Carrots (raw, but cooked OK in a mixture)

2. Corn (especially on the cob)

3. Potatoes (without the skins)

4. Lettuce (in almost all varieties; and people say I'm fussy)

5. Celery (especially with wings)

6. Peas (the smaller the better)

(6. tie: Tomatoes, if they count. Some say they're fruit, and tomatoes were not on my Top 10 of fruit: Jan. 10 post)

7. Green beans (long and stringy preferred over short and fat)

8. Cabbage (in cole slaw)

9. Cauliflower (not cooked)

10. Broccoli (not cooked)

Honorable mention: Kris has gotten me to eat asparagus (especially at fancy restaurants), some uncooked spinach (mixed with lettuce) and more cucumber (thinly sliced) than I used to.

Day 197, July 16: Out in Left Field

 My All-Time Favorite

Left Fielders

1. Carl Yastrzemski, Red Sox: He's my second-favorite player overall. He was perhaps the best ever at playing the Green Wall in Fenway Park, and he was our last Triple Crown winner (1967).

2. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, White Sox: Unbelievable all-around player from the early 20th century. He's No. 10 on my all-time list (Feb. 20 blog). Naive country boy who got caught up in an unfortunate Series scandal.

3. Ted Williams, Red Sox: Predecessor to Yaz, was a better hitter but couldn't have been much better in the field. He was our last .400 hitter (.406 in 1941). Will there ever be another?

4. Stan Musial, Cardinals: Called "The Man" for a reason. He could outright hit. Gets lost in the shuffle of all-time greats because he didn't play on a coast.

5. Rickey Henderson, Athletics: An arrogant player I didn't like a whole lot in his early days, he seemed to mature as he started breaking records. Probably best lead-off hitter ever.

6. Jim Rice, Red Sox: What can I say? This quiet leader got it done at the plate and in the field. Fierce competitor with lots of pride.

7. Willie Stargell, Pirates: Consistent power hitter, I recall him being more animated and outgoing than most of these others. Part of the talented "Family" teams of the 1970s.

8. Joe Carter, Blue Jays: In his prime, he was fun to watch. Very good clutch hitter, he played for other teams but I remember his World Series-winning homer for the Jays in 1993 vs. the Phils.

9. Kirk Gibson, Dodgers: Again, this emotional athlete played for other teams, but how can you forget his World Series HR off of Dennis Eckersley in 1988.

10. Monte Irvin, Giants: I knew little about this talented and determined player until reading about him in a Willie Mays book this summer. He's the real deal.

Day 196, July 15: Live, from Dubuque!

 My Favorite Live Concerts

By Not So Well-Known Groups

While Living in Dubuque

Just got back from The Business, a Chicago-based group that was playing at the second Dubuque ... And all That Jazz. Wow! I know I have three beers in me, but its disco-related medley was awesome. "Car Wash" alone would have been worth the price of admission (free), but The Business added a Michael Jackson tune and a couple of other recognizable tunes that I just can't remember the names of right now. It's a fact of life, but most of these came after my first wife, Jane, died because before that, we were raising the boys and didn't have as much time to go out and see concerts.

1. Wayne Hancock: Kris and I saw this country singer right up front at one of the many outdoor Dubuque "fests." He was so cool, so much like Hank Williams. It caught me by pleasant surprise and I even bought one of his CDs.

2. C.J. Chenier: A zydeco group, its use of an accordion reminded me of Stoughton. The All That Jazz concert just a week or two after Jane died was the first time I smiled in months. Music can be a healer.

3. House of Large Sizes: I went to this concert with Tim Manning, a friend at work. Very loud. Very hard rock. But creative and catchy.

4. The Bent Scepters: Early in our friendship, Kris and I were just hanging out downtown on a Saturday night and were invited to a birthday bash in the warehouse district. This Iowa City band rocked!

5. Gaelic Storm: Two of its concerts stand out. The first time I saw them was with my good friends Bill and Merry. Then, a year or two later, I organized a tribute to Jane and invited about eight of our best friends to see them perform outside at Loras College.

6. Andrew Bird: An eclectic singer with unusual instruments, he performed at the Grand Opera House for Kris, me and a few hundred others.

7. Okham's Razor: I honestly don't remember who I was with the first time I saw this mellow duo, but it left a great impression. I also have a CD by them.

8. The Business: Tonight's effort moved the eight-person group - full of horns and keyboards - into my top 10.

9. Orquestra Alto Maiz: I've seen this Chicago salsa group several times at All That Jazz and they always put on a good show.

10. The Salsa Band: The local version of No. 9, this group used to play at one of Kris and my favorite local joints, Bartinis. They did a great version of "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps."

Day 195, July 14: Jane Alice

Things I Loved

About My First Wife

I'm an unfortunate man whose first wife died of breast cancer, on this day (her birthday) eight years ago. And, while I'm very fortunate to have God send me another beautiful wife, my two sons and her close-knit family never were likewise blessed with a mom, daughter or sister. But this is a tribute, not a sob story. She has left a lasting legacy to all who knew her. 

These are things I loved about her:

1. She cared about everybody more 

than she cared about herself.

2. She loved bunnies.

3. Her courage and determination.

4. Her laugh, especially when it got out of control.

5. How she loved her sons more than anything in the world.

6. She always seemed to misplace our car keys, then I'd get mad 

at her and feel bad about getting mad.

7. Her family, and its unbelievable devotion to each other.

8. She was able to put up with my immaturity and childishness.

9. She loved dairy cow figurines, posters, photos or anything involving them.

10. She believed in God and Jesus as her savior, so I know 

she is in heaven.

Day 194, July 13: A Kid in Summer

10 Things I Miss

About Being A Kid 

in the Summer
I'm not really that old, but too old to do these things. And, for whatever reason, I'm feeling a bit melancholy tonight, so this is my post.
1. Climbing high into a tree
2. Doing a full hand spring, or even two in a row
3. Clothes-pinning baseball cards in my bike tires
and riding as fast as I can
4. Getting a neighborhood game of tag or kick-the-can going
5. Going to the swimming pool and splashing the girls I thought I liked
6. Playing catch with Dad
7. Catching fireflies and putting them in a jar
(or night crawlers in a can)
8. Running around in the rain until I'm soaked
9. Scraping my knee, crying a bit and then showing it off later
10. Cuddling in my mother's arms after a long, hard day

Day 193, July 12: Fixing the Deficit

10 Things We Could Do

To Fix the Budget

I don't belong to a party, so I'm not beholding to constituents or to pressure from lobbying groups. I believe that's what we need right now, someone with no affiliations who would use fairness and common sense. Some of these things have been suggested, but they always immediately get knocked down by the other side. I think you'll agree that this list crosses party lines because neither party has it ALL right.

1. Eliminate class warfare. Rally everyone to the cause to save America. Rich or poor, young and old. It would take a solid PR effort, but it could be done because everyone knows we're in trouble.

2. Simplify the tax code so that the rich don't have so many loopholes.

3. Raise taxes even just a little bit on EVERYBODY. The lowest salaries would be be taxed a half-cent on the dollar. A higher salary, one cent, and so on. This would add up and not really hurt even the lowest salaried people. But they could feel they've done their part.

4. Cut government spending - period! Some people/programs used to getting a certain amount won't get as much. It's just got to happen. I could do this because, again, I don't have to worry about getting re-elected.

5. Raise the minimum age for early and late retirements to save on Social Security costs. This is so obvious, I can't believe we're hedging. We live longer, people, and there will NOT be enough working people contributing to the fund when all baby boomers are in retirement age.

6. Give less Social Security money to people who don't need it because they're rich enough.

7. Require ALL public union members to contribute at least a LITTLE bit of their own money for their own retirements.

8. Cut back on the wars we're in by at least half. 

They just aren't worth it.

9. Raise the age limit for Medicare (see No. 5).

10. End the Bush Tax cuts for the wealthiest. Who's wealthy? Let's pick $250,000; that's pretty wealthy.

Note: Not everyone will agree with all of this. Tough! It's impossible to make everyone happy when fixing the mammoth problem we have now. We need a leader who will say "tough!" as well because if we keep putting these things off, it will be unbelievably worse in a few years. I don't want that on my grandchildren. I want ALL of us to sacrifice a little for them.

Day 192, July 11: The Hot Corner

My Top 10 Favorite

All-Time Third Basemen

I found no black third basemen listed on all-time best lists. Dick (Richie) Allen is the only one on my list. Weird.

Wade Boggs, Red Sox: What a hitter! He had to be, since he wasn't very fast. 

George Brett, Royals: Ranks up there with Boggs as a hitter and with a little more power.

Paul Molitor, Brewers: Part of those great teams of the 1980s, this was a class guy.

Pie Traynor, Pirates: My only guy from the early 1900s, I like his name as much as his skills.

Ron Santo, Cubs: I thought he was cool when I was young, but jumped on the announcer bandwagon in recent years.

Mike Schmidt, Phillies: Probably the top third baseman ever, he could hit for power and average.

Chipper Jones, Braves: He just keeps going and going, even after injuries. Another class guy.

Dick Allen, Phillies: His tough personality intrigued me and one of his baseball cards is my all-time favorite (March 31 post).

Eddie Mathews,  Braves: Overshadowed by Hank Aaron and Warren Spahn, this guy hit 512 home runs!

Brooks Robinson, Orioles: Not a great hitter, his defense - though maybe over-rated - was fun to watch.

Day 191, July 10: Animal Stars

 My Top 10 Favorite

Animals on Television

I meant to keep this to "real" animals, but couldn't find 10 that I really liked. So one "unreal" one snuck in. 

1. Mr. Ed: The only real one who could talk. Of course he's going to be No. 1.

2. Arnold Ziffel: He almost could talk - his parents from Hooterville understood him in "Green Acres."

3. Lassie: Man, I loved this dog as I was growing up. "What's wrong, girl? Did Timmy fall down the well?"

4. Duke: Laziest dog in the history of TV, but the Clampetts put up with him on "The Beverly Hillbillies."

5. Kermit the Frog: Funny, lovable "animal." And I love the song, "Rainbow Connection."

6. Spot: Most terrifying (supposedly) pet ever. But most of "The Addams Family" characters are not as bad as they look.

7. Flipper: Though the theme song is my all-time favorite (March 19 post), Flipper's voice just gets on my nerves. (It's the same one as the gopher on the movie "Caddyshack." Listen once.)

8. Morris the Cat: There aren't enough cats on television. And this one, only in commercials, was a smart-aleck. But I love cats, so he's No. 8.

9. Gentle Ben: A bear as a pet? Gotta make the list.

10. Tiger: About as spoiled as the kids on "The Brady Bunch," but I must admit I liked 'em all.

Day 190, July 9: Casey Anthony

10 Observations From Someone

Who Hasn't Paid Attention

1. Why care? If she really did it (I couldn't avoid learning that she was found not guilty; it was on all the front pages), she's not the first mom to ever kill her child (sadly).

2. I ignore Nancy Grace, who hypes everything.

3. It was too much like a stupid reality show, and I don't like them, either.

4. I've got so many better things to do with my time - and I'm not even that exciting of a person!

5. I can't believe how many people I know and respect have gotten caught up in the trial.

6. If she ultimately makes a lot of money because of this, everyone who have paid so much attention to her have indirectly contributed. You've made her a household name. Don't act so shocked. 

7. Many of you same people will pay to buy her book or go to the movie. Shame on you.

8. It's the female version of Charlie Sheen, another waste of time I skipped through when channel surfing or reading a paper.

9. I'm proud to say - and this is the truth - I don't believe I would recognize this Anthony woman if I saw her for longer than a second (I skipped through TV channels and newspaper stories/photos quicker than Sheen's)

10. Refer back to No. 1: Why did all of you people give this woman so much attention? According to the American Anthropological Association, more than 200 women kill their children in the United States each year. Grace & Co. and multiple media outlets decided to sensationalize this, and you fell for it.

Day 189, July 8: Shortstops

My All-Time Favorite

Shortstops

Good mix of American and National leagues here, with a slight edge to the AL and the past.

1. Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles: The endurance, the class and the talent all combined to make him my No. 6 all-time favorite player 

(see Feb. 20 post).

2. Robin Yount, Brewers: He broke into the majors at age 18. I was only 16. It was amazing to think somebody two years older could do that. He was an old-school, hard worker who also played a lot of outfield.

3. Honus Wagner, Pirates: A superstar from the early 1900s, he and Ty Cobb met up a memorable 1909 World Series. He won eight NL batting titles and hit .329 for his career. Famous for an old baseball card, too.

4. Rico Petrocelli, Red Sox: The starter on the 1967 World Series team that set the stage for them being my favorite team. Also had Yastrzemski, Conigliaro and Lonborg, to name a few.

5. Ernie Banks, Cubs: Hit 512 home runs and oozed enthusiasm for the game. His biography is on deck behind the Willie Mays book I'm reading right now.

6. Luis Aparicio, White Sox: A great baserunner and slap hitter, I just have fond memories of him from the 1960s and early 1970s.

7. Ozzie Smith, Cardinals: Whether he was the best defensive shortstop ever or not, he was fun to watch - those flips and all.

8. Derek Jeter, Yankees: I'm a Red Sox fan who isn't against picking particular Yankees as favorites. As Jeter approaches 3,000 hits, I admire him from afar (you'll notice A-Rod isn't on my list).

9. Alan Trammell, Tigers: He was a terrific all-around player who spent all 20 years with the same team.

10. Bert Campaneris, Athletics: Like No. 6, I have fond memories of this consistent shortstop. He once played all nine positions in a game (1965).

Day 188, July 7: Songs of the Senses

Favorite Songs That

Deal With Our 5 Senses

"Beautiful Noise," by Neil Diamond
"Blue Eyes," by Car Brothers
"Can You Hear Me?" by Alan Yates
"Dialogue," by Chicago
"Double Vision," by Foreigner
"Eyes of the World," by Fleetwood Mac
"Hands," by Jewel
"Have You Seen Her?" by the Chi-Lites
"Hooked on a Feeling," by Blue Swede
"I Can See Clearly Now," by Johnny Nash
"I Saw the Light," by Todd Rundgren"Invisible Touch," by Genesis
"Jive Talkin'" by the Bee Gees
"Lovely to See You," by the Moody Blues
"Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin," by Journey
"My Eyes Adored You," by Frankie Valli
"Ooh That Smell," by Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Stop and Smell the Roses," by Mac Davis'
"Talking Out of Turn," by the Moody Blues
"Wasted Words," by the Allman Brothers
"You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet," by BTO

Day 187, July 6: Wisdom

 When Will I 

Achieve It?

I'm 54 and still unwise. If I could accomplish these 10 things, perhaps I will know the comfort and satisfaction of wisdom.

1. Be more patient: I know from experience that things I truly need will eventually come to me. Yet, I still become impatient.

2. Hold my temper: Often linked to impatience, I get very angry when seemingly simple things don't happen. Then I say or do things I regret.

3. Relax: I am a very antsy person, so I find it difficult to just take it easy and do nothing.
4. Stop being judgmental: I go through stretches of judging others and it impacts my outlook on life.

5. Stay in the moment: Often, my thoughts are on tomorrow or yesterday. I am working at experiencing this moment - writing this blog :-)

6. Proving my faith: I deeply believe in God and Jesus. Yet, I by not believing things will turn out the way they're supposed to, I show that my faith is lacking.

7. Stop worrying: An aspect of No. 5, it does me no good to worry about things I can't do anything about - at this moment.

8. Being more tolerant: Though I consciously try to do this, I could be better at it. Certainly Jesus was.

9. Getting more sleep: A very practical and "wise" thing to do, I sometimes waste waking hours watching a tube.

10. Following the Golden Rule: If I - and everyone else - would do this more often, what a wonderful world we would have. Alas, we're human and must work at it. The reward is worth the effort.

Day 186, July 5: Old Movies

 My Top 10 Films

From the 1930s-'40s

While researching, I was surprised to find that I didn't like as many movies from these decades as I thought I would. Of course, there are many that I haven't seen, so there's time to add to this list.

1. "Sergeant York," 1941: Wonderful film based on a true story (those always sit well with me). Gary Cooper, as Alvin York, was perfectly cast.

2. "Grapes of Wrath," 1940: Another movie that looks at a piece of our history, this one really puts you in the Great Depression. Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell (Ma Joad) were awesome.

3. "The Wizard of Oz," (1939): This would have been No. 1 on this list a few years ago. (Maybe I've seen it too often, too.) Definitely one of my favorite "musicals!"

4. "All Quiet on the Western Front," (1930): This one tied for 6th with "Sergeant York" on my Favorite War Movies (April 4 post). 

5. "Monkey Business," (1931): It's a close call with several other Marx Brothers films, most notably "Duck Soup," "Horse Feathers" and "A Day at the Races."

6. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," (1948): Probably my favorite Humphrey Bogart movie, just beating out No. 7 on this list.

7. "Casablanca," (1942): I know, I know ... should be higher. At least it made my list, more than I can say for "Citizen Kane" and "Gone With the Wind."

8. "It's a Wonderful Life," (1946): Ditto No. 6.

9. "The Best Years of Our Lives," (1946): Really shows what it was like - even in World War II - to come home from war.

10. "Modern Times," (1936): A Charlie Chaplin film that really left an impression more than causing laughs.

Honorable mention: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," (1939) and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," (1937).