That is not to say that I have not always used good judgement in practical joking . I wish to blame age but youth is not a good excuse . But for the most part my practical jokes hurt no one . Of course there are the standard " Your shoe is untied " and " What is theat spot on your shirt ? " as you flip your finger up to their nose . Most people do not fall for those any more . But they are funny when you ' get ' them . When I was in my early teens I was wandering around downtown when I came across a novelty store . By novelty I mean the kind of store that sold things like whoopie cushions and fake vomit . I must point out that every tow or three years my children and grandchildren receive whoopie cushions for Christmas as part of their stockings . So beware when visiting . Back to the store . I found all sorts of delights but was fascinated by the loads . I say loads because they were out of cigarette loads . All they had in stock were cigar loads . I had always wanted to try them because I had seen them on television . Besides they were extremely inexpensive and I had little money . My sister was with me . We planned and plotted . Who would be our victim ? We discussed our mother . but she might have a bad reaction to it . Who else did we know who smoked ? It had to be someone we had access to . It also had to be someone who would be around when the cigarette was lit so we could watch . There was only one other candidate . Daddy . When we got home from work we managed to grab his cigarettes while he was in another room . I carefully pulled one cigarette out of the pack . I then took the loads out of their wrapping . They looked like small pieces of straw . Even though they were made for cigars they were so small . I decided to put in three just to make sure they worked . Now all we had to do was wait . Only my sister and I knew what was going on . We were on pins and needles all evening waiting , waiting , waiting . . . Suddenly BANG ! ! ! ! That cigarette sounded like an M80 . It exploded right under my father 's nose . His eyes popped open wide and his whole head turned red with anger . He was mad ! I never did admit to Daddy that it was me and my sister . I think that even after a lot of years had passed he might have spanked us . Mom told me after Daddy died that she knew we did it . She never said a word . One of my dear friends was getting married . The best man was a notorious practical joker . When another friend of his got married he went to the honeymoon hotel the before the wedding and he and some other friends removed all the furniture from the room . Because of this the honeymoon destination was a closely guarded secret . About 6 of us waited an indecent amount of time . Then we went to the hotel and asked for their room . The clerk was wise enough to not divulge that information . However we had another trick up our sleeves . One of us was the bride 's sister . The clerk finally agreed to connect us to the room if we would go to a house phone . Sister was on the phone with the bride who did not believe for one minute that we were in the hotel lobby . Until sister began to describe the fountain , the entrance to the lounge , and what band was playing in the lounge . The newlyweds came down to see us . The poor things agreed to go with us to a little outdoor restaurant for a drink . The groom was in obvious discomfort and the bride was trying so hard to be gracious . I am sure it was the high point of their honeymoon . Halloween is one of my favorite holidays . I do not believe in violent of destructive mischief but it is a good time for people to be good - naturedly scared . I have assisted in planning many haunted houses . I was working in the cash office of a large department store chain . We were isolated from the rest of the store because we had all the money and records in with us . We often decorated for holidays . One year I got the bright idea to make tombstones for those of us who worked the cash office . Of course we needed epitaphs so I wrote funny little epitaphs for each of us . The others in the office liked them so much the invited people from other offices to see them . I had to make them for those people too . Another time those of us on the night shift decided to decorate the office right . We had access to merchandise from the store . All we needed was someone with the authority to write off the expense . We went straight to our friend and part time co - worker . The we set about getting our decorations . We built a scarecrow using things people left on the lanes when they were shopping . ( We held those items for 30 days to see if they would come back to reclaim them . ) There was a jacket , sunglasses , a hearing aid , a cane , false teeth , gloves , boots , and even a prosthetic leg . Add a mask and we had a proper scarecrow . We set up flying ghosts and bats to attack the cahiers when they came in for their cash drawers . If our inner office door opened there were shriels and moans . We has ghosts and bats hanging from th ceiling . In all the drawers ( of which there were many . Each drawer had a special use and each was used often . ) there were surprises . There were plastic worms and spiders and all sorts of disgusting things . But the best part of all was the little haunted house we had set up in the vault . At the beginning of each shift one person had to balance all the money in the office . That included going into the vault to count the money in there . When the morning shift came in they would have to count the safe which is what we called it . And inside the safe sat our dear friend . We had a long cape and mask on him and he just sat there and waited . The head of the cash office was doing the counting this day . She counted the stamp drawer . Then she counted the safe drawer . The she counted the service drawer . Then she counted the cashier drawer . All the time she counted she was talking about how much she liked the decorations . We were smiling to ourselves and anticipating the moment she went into the safe . Then she began to talk about how afraid she was of haunted houses . She said she had never been able to go into them because she was so scared . I had a sinking feeling about her going into the safe . As I was trying to find a way to tell her not to go into the safe without betraying my co - workers she went into the safe . Nothing happened . Still nothing happened . I went over to see if she had dropped dead from fright when she screamed and came running out of the safe . I thought she was going to run me over and go right through the wall into the shoe repair . At the last minute she made a left turn at the coin counter and ran to a corner at the opposite end of the room . As she leaned against the counter panting I told our dear friend he could come out . He said he would as soon as he could move his legs . He had sat there for so long without moving that his legs would not work . When he was finally able to stand he came out and told us what happened . She had gone into the safe and started counting the boxes of rolled coin . She was so intent on her job that she did not even notice that he was sitting there . When she lifted her head a bit he slightly lifted his hand and gave her a little wave . That was when she screamed . She was such a good sport after she had ascertained that she was not going to have a heart attack . We laughed about it for the rest of the time that our shifts overlapped . She also promised that she would find a way to get me back . I welcomed the threat . I dearly loved school In one very small town ( as in most of them ) all grades were in one building . Elementary school had three grades to a room . There were only three girls in my grade . My grade was not the only one with a shortage of girls . Often the boys from another grade would need dance partners . Sometimes they would need additional girls for a play . So the girls were called upon to do many different things each time . It was fun I was in second grade and my teacher recognized that I had a good memory . In addition to the other things I was doing for the program she would often assign a long poem for me to recite . I remember them fondly but of course I can no longer recite them completely . I believe the first one was The Gingham Dog and The Calico Cat by Eugene Field . The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat side by side on the table sat . . . If you do not know the poem you can do a search for it . It is a cute little poem with a surprise ending . Another was Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley . It was originally titled The Elf Child then renamed to Little Orphant Allie . In a later printing there was a typo and it became Little Orphant Annie forever . It is meant to threaten children into good behavior with the admonition of An ' the Gobble - uns 'll git you Ef you Don 't Watch Out ! I Have A Little Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson is a description of a child 's shadow . It is light - hearted and fun . I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me , and what can be the use of him is more than I can see . Hiding by Dorothy Keeley Aldis really captures the way a child thinks . I 'm hiding I 'm hiding but no one knows where for all they can see is my toes and my hair . Then the parents begin to search . . . Have you looked in the inkwell . . . but I was not there . It is absolutely enchanting . The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt . " Will you walk into my parlour ? " said the Spider to the fly . The cautious Fly is seduced by the crafty Spider . Can you guess how it ends ? The patriotic Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is probably still taught in most American schools . While not completely factual it is exciting and rouses pride in our country . Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere . It sounds full of action from the beginning . The Owl And The Pussycat by Edward Lear tells of an owl and a pussycat who are eloping . The Owl and The Pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea - green boat . . . It is a beautiful love story . The Raven by my favorite author Edgar Allen Poe made my mother happy . She loved the alliteration . For those who do not want to look it up alliteration is when the first sounds of several words help convey a setting . And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain givers the feeling of being able to hear the curtain swishing against each other . It is a melancholy tale of a lost love . Most people remember " Quoth the raven , Nevermore . " Henry Wadsworth Longfellow also wrote The Song Of Hiawatha . It has such a rhythmic primal beat and it was fun to recite . By the shores of Gitchie Gumie by the shining Big Sea Water tells of Hiawatha observing the morning . There were others but I think you get the idea . I loved that teacher . All of her students did . She gave me an interest in poetry and taught me that it is more than a sing - song group of words . She also told my mother that I was too young at the time but to make sure I was exposed to Shakespeare when i was ready . She was sure I would enjoy it . she was right . These are all good poems for children . If you like you can begin with shorter poems that they will not lose interest in because they do get wiggly if asked to sit too long . Look them up for yourself as well . They are all great fun . My goodness the weather has been giving us the dickens here for the last few days . It has been raining heavily with thunder and lightning . I love a good storm so I can enjoy all that . Tornadoes are another matter . Tornadoes are pounding this area . I do not worry too much where I live because we are sort of tucked into the hills . But all around the area has been hit hard with them . One of the worst was the twin tornadoes that hit a little town in Nebraska the first night . It almost leveled the whole town . So much loss . Two lives were lost which is two too many but it could have been so much worse . The twin tornadoes are two funnels coming down from one set of clouds . They are not unheard of but it is not a common phenomenon . Apparently these were about a mile apart . Just as soon as the first one was finished with the town the second one hit . How frightened those people must have been . The second night there were again tornadoes all around . I did not hear of any major touch - downs but I am sure it is all in the perception . Even if the loss is minimal it can be devastating if the loss is yours . All through this time the thunderstorms came and went . There was a lot of rain . Sometimes the wind was so strong that I could feel the house shudder . As we came over the last hill before turning off into my little town ( my son was with me ) , I saw the biggest mirage I had ever seen . I pointed it out to my son . But it did not seem to move like most mirages will do . We decided to drive down to the highway and take that way home . When we got there what a shock ! All the fields were under water . The fence posts showed about 6 inched from the tops so the water is deep . The fields looked like a big beautiful lake . The river is at least half a mile away at that point so it overflowed a lot . And I had just driven that highway the day before . I saw the river at several spots and it looked high but not ready to cover that much ground . It was not over the banks at all . The fields were growing so nicely too . The corn was between 6 and 9 inches tall in most places and the soybeans were spreading nicely . I hope they will not be too damaged . I was in my room watching TV when the lightning began to illuminate the sky almost continually . There was no thunder just the flickering in the sky . I got up and went to the front door to watch . I know I should not do that but it was interesting . Then I saw on the news that another twin tornado had hit a little town in South Dakota . Wow . So far I have not heard of fatalities but there were two injuries . Thank goodness . You always made me feel like I was the most special person in the world . I was the little girl you wanted . You were always there for me . I remember when my class took a roller skating outing . You went along as a chaperone . I did not know how to skate and was afraid of falling . I was also afraid that everyone would laugh at me . So there I stood against the wall looking as sorrowful as could be . You went to a couple of my friends and talked them into taking me for a couple of turns around the rink . You never admitted that you did that but I know you did . I still talk about the Sunday drives in the country that we used to take . You would drive slowly and point out things of interest like a squirrel or a sumac plant . Those drives are probably my favorite childhood memory . After I was grown and had my own children you loved them so much . It made me feel overwhelmingly happy to watch you with them . You treated them just like you treated us only with that extra little bit of love only Grandpa can give . Sometimes being a grown - up became tiring for me . That was when I would go to you . I could feel you emotionally let me sit on your lap and be your little girl for a few minutes . I always felt better and could go back to being an adult without the weights on my shoulders that I had before . It was such a luxury . Every one of your children and grandchildren adored you . You were the rock that our family stood on . My youngest son once commented that that was the reason every single house of a member of our family has your picture prominently displayed so anyone visiting could see it . I had a friend who asked me what I would say to you if I had another chance . I told him that there was nothing . He was shocked . He had a great many things left unsaid to his father . I gently explained that you knew how much I love you and I knew hown much you loved me . Nothing else needs to be said . Before your funeral the minister asked if there was anything specific we wanted him to say . I told him that I wanted everyone to understand how much you loved us and how much we loved you . He was so moved that he cried during the service . Have you ever watched a two - year - old see a butterfly ? The look of wonder and happy surprise lights up a little face just before the child takes off to try to catch the butterfly . That look of amazement as the child discovers something new is priceless . I have tried not to lose the feeling of wonder completely . Sometimes it takes work so it is not quite the same . Many people think I need to be institutionalized . But I find my enjoyment of new things is enhanced by allowing the wonder of the newness to envelop me . The nice thing is that it does not have to be limited to something entirely new . A beautiful flower is a good place to start . Take a real look at its shape . Can you see the artistry ? Then there is its color . Is it soft and soothing or is it bright and exciting ? The smell can be strong or softly sensual . When you touch it it can be soft , or slightly fuzzy , or sleek and smooth . Is it delicate and in danger of losing its petals when you touch it ? Or is it one of those sturdy flowers that fights back if you try to pick it ? See what I mean . And this is just for a flower . All things have an excitement about them . All we have to do is be open to them . Try to see one thing each day that makes you feel awed . It becomes easier as you get in the habit of doing it . Then when you see a child with a look of wonder on its face you can enjoy the wonder of that little one 's face . My second grandson is my daughter 's oldest child . You have already read about his rabbit funeral and his adventure with my nephew and the go - cart . From that you might think he is a " quirky " child . You would be absolutely right . I was fortunate to be with my daughter and the baby 's father when he was born . It was an extremely difficult delivery . My daughter had to stop working early because her blood pressure was too high . She felt fine but the doctor said it was just too dangerous for her and the baby . They decided to induce labor because her blood pressure had risen anyway . During the last stages of labor she was having a difficult time and the baby was in distress . But as I could see him being born I could see what a pretty baby he was . He looked just like his grandfather . When I called my mother - in - law to let her know the baby was here I said , " He 's a real pretty baby . He looks just like John . " She said , " Well now you know Emma that Johnny always was my prettiest baby . " He was a tiny baby and they did not let him go home for a few days . He needed to weigh at least five pounds . They would not allow my daughter to stay with him and she suffered so . She wondered if she had done something wrong . She was at the hospital each day for as long as they would let her stay . After a few days he came home . I stayed with them to help with the baby . I was able to sing to him and tell him stories . He seemed to be an appreciative audience . The first song was of course The Unicorn and the first story I told him was Three Billy Goats Gruff . Even before he could get up onto his hands and knees to crawl , my grandson could propel himself around the apartment with amazing speed . When we put him on a blanket on the floor he wiggled like a little worm and went wherever he wanted to go . One day I was talking to my daughter on the phone . We were having a thunderstorm and she was looking out the window to watch . All of a sudden a huge crash of thunder sounded . She was laughing because my grandson started to cry . He did not like storms at all . I asked her if she was sure he was ours . We all love a good storm . My grandson was fascinated by ceiling fans . It was one way to keep him in place at home . If he lay on his back he would watch the fan and become mesmerized . Any place we went he would spot the ceiling fan if there was one then stare seemingly hypnotized the whole time it was in sight . That was a blessing in the store because he was also a screamer . He seemed to think that rather than be placed comfortably for all in the cart he should be carried . If we insisted that he stay in the cart he would scream . We never gave in to him but he did not care . He could screech as long as we left him in the cart . Once my son , my daughter with my grandson , and I were shopping in a department store . My grandson was screaming . Suddenly I could take it no more . I took off . I hid among the racks of clothing . I could hear my son and daughter looking for me . When they would get too close I would move . Finally when I composed myself I reappeared and we continued shopping . He was so very thin . He looked like a child from a third world country but he was perfectly healthy . I used to tease him that if he turned sideways he would disappear . You should see the way my grandson sleeps . He lies on his back . He then folds his arms on his chest the way a vampire is shown at rest . That is the way he sleeps . Like a dead man . My grandson could sing the theme song to every television program he watched . He could also do quite good impressions of a lot of the characters . For a while Popeye was his favorite . He had funny eating habits too . He sort of naturally ate a low carb diet . He loves vegetables . He liked pancakes but nothing on them . No syrup , no butter , no jam , no sugar , nothing . And he ate them strangely . He would pick up a pancake and peel it open Then he ate the inside of the pancake When he and his sister were small they would come to my house while their mother worked . I believe in outside activities so we would go to the back yard . One day the phone rang . I told them I would be right back . They practically beat me into the house . They were afraid the wind was going to blow them away . On hot summer days I would turn on the sprinkler for them to run through . My older two grandchildren 's cousin lived a couple of doors away . She is about the same age as my second granddaughter so she was usually at my house while they were there . My grandson had to go to the bathroom . I could not leave the girls outside alone because they were too small . My grandson needed to have me with him when he did what he needed to do . I told him to go in the bushes . He balked at first but finally went in the bushes . Then he proudly came out and urged the girls to come see the puddle he had made . After that he could not wait to play outside so he could water my bushes . My grandson was not thrilled to have a sister . When she was first born he was very proud and very protective but that wore off quickly . When he was old enough he would request " only child " days . His little sister would come to my house so he could have his parents all to himself . One of my grandson 's testicles did not descend . The doctor advised waiting because that is rather a normal thing and often it will move into place when it is good and ready . But his did not . He needed surgery which was completely successful . My daughter and her family went to visit my mother - in - law . Everyone was sitting in the living room talking . My daughter urged my grandson to go tell Grandma about his operation . He walked over in front of Grandma , dropped his pants , and held up parts so she could see his scar . My second grandson was just like my first grandson in one way . They both would come in the door at my house and begin to shed clothes . He would strip down to his underwear and socks . Then he would head for the computer and that would be the last peep out of him . He played basketball for several years before he realized that he was never going to be tall enough to make most teams . But I loved to watch him . He was defense . He could confound the player for the other team better than anyone I have ever seen . I once saw him slap the floor with both hands and come back up with a roar . The player opposite him just stopped and stared at him in shock . He actually was awarded a trophy for defensive player of the year . One year he decided for Halloween he would be Moses . He encouraged his friends to dress in similar characters . Most people thought he was dressed as Jesus . That upset him . " Can 't they see that I 'm Moses ? ! ? " My grandson graduates this year and will be off to college . He has a job . He used to have a car but after a couple of accidents ( just like his older cousin ) his parents only allow him to drive under specific conditions . My friend 's grandfather was a janitor at the auditorium where such things were held . Sometimes he could get free tickets for us . It was there that there was a country / western revue . It was called country / western at the time instead of country music as it is now . The headliner was Skeeter Davis . She had a marvelous stage presence . No wonder she was so loved by her fans . This was before she had her big hit of " End Of The World " so she was not known throughout the country as she became later . Then there were Gary Lewis and the Playboys . He was the son of comedian Jerry Lewis . They had a huge hit with " This Diamond Ring " . They seemed a bit bored and I believed they performed only in order to boost sales of their record . It showed me that not all performers care much about the audience . At school Dear Abby and Ann Landers visited and gave talks to the assembly . They were twins who had attended the school so they were warmly welcomed . Their talks were always based on advice for teenagers who as we all know are tempted to all forms of evil . I have to say though that the talks were not as dry as one might think . I rather enjoyed them . After I married I moved to a large city . There were concerts all the time with a lot of famous artists . My husband was not interested and we could not have afforded to go even so . But as my children began to get older I allowed them to go with my younger brothers and sisters . For them I could find the money . After my husband left I felt like I could do more of the things I enjoyed . So I did . KISS was a favorite of my brothers and sisters and my kids . That was probably the first concert any of my children went to . I like KISS well enough but not enough to pay for a ticket . My oldest son was out of school and working . There was to be a KISS concert in a smaller city nearby . The kids wanted to go . As they usually did they asked if I would like to go . I said no . They bought me a ticket anyway . As usual we had a niece and a nephew who went too . So here I am driving a small car with me and six young people filling it . It was not a fun trip . We stopped for dinner at a small restaurant . With all the boys ( four of the stinkers ) a food fight was inevitable . Of course the girls joined in . Did I mention that I am a girl ? I left a very generous tip . It is customary for ticket holders in that part of the country to be searched before entering the concert area . They were looking for cameras and liquor mostly . Unfortunately now they also look for weapons . Anyway I decided to be cute when I got to the check point . I pulled my coat open and told the guards ( a male and a female ) to be careful . All those big boys behind me were mine and very protective . One wrong move and there would be trouble . The boys obliged by leaning forward and looking fierce . The guards were unimpressed . After my search they passed me through . Grease is one of my favorite music . So many of the things that happen in the movie remind me of my high school days . And the music is great . There is a scene in the movie at the drive - in theater . Danny and Sandy are in their car . Danny finally manages to jerk his class ring from his finger to give to Sandy . In the process his elbow hits her in the chest . I flinched because I know how that can hurt . After she accepts it and gushes about how she knows that he really respects her , he treis to make his move . She shrinks from under his grasp and jumps out of the car . She slams the door in anger and hits Danny in the groin . I jumped up , right there in the theater and groaned . Loudly . My sister and her friend both slid down in their seats , embarrassed to be seen with me . You would think my sister would be used to me by this time . I decided that my children could handle whatever they saw in the movie . I saw it as often as I could . I watch it when it comes on television . I have several DVD 's all gifts from my grandchildren . If they replay it at the theater I make an evening of it with my granddaughters . I have even seen Grease On Ice . Grease began as a play . It was so popular that a movie was made . In the meantime the play is constantly being redone . It tours the country periodically . Each time the cast is different . I have seen ( to name a few ) Mackenzie Phillips ( daughter of John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas ) , Sally Strothers , the winners of a reality show that chose the Danny and Sandy for the tour , and FRANKIE AVALON ! After the play Frankie Avalon came out and sang most of his big hits . My granddaughters got to see this . Christmas and a ballet just seem to go together . My friend got tickets to The Nutcracker and invited me to be her guest . I quickly accepted . It was the final year that Mikhail Baryshnikov was touring . It was a fairy tale come to life . One of my granddaughters has the nerve to have another grandmother . ( Of course they all do ) Her grandmother was taking her and her cousin to see The Nutcracker . She graciously invited me . We all had a marvelous time . It is a good piece to introduce little ones to ballet . The tradition has continued without me in attendance . The girls even had backstage passes one year . They were able to meet the stars of the show . I love the magic of a song like The Unicorn . And it is the best lullaby I know . It is the first song I sang to all my children and grandchildren . I had wanted to go see The Irish Rovers who sang it for a long time . I even looked into taking a trip with a group from one of the community colleges one year . Then I discovered that my daughter was due to give birth during that time . Plans cancelled . My granddaughter was born the day of the concert . I noticed one evening that they were coming to town again . My daughter 's son and daughter were spending the weekend with me . I was lamenting to my son that I wanted to go . He told me to go ahead and go . But I lamented that it would be no fun to go alone and even my friends did not want to go with me . ( Some friends ! ) My granddaughter said , " I will go with you , Grandma . " I was shocked . I asked if she was sure . She was . I checked the date , got permission from her parents , and bought the tickets . We made an evening of it . We dressed up and went out to dinner . Then we went to the concert . Because we got the tickets late we had seats in the balcony but they were good ones . We could see very well and the acoustics were good . Before the intermission the band announced that they would be staying after for a " meet - and - greet " . My granddaughter asked if we could stay . Of course we could . Besides a fun show that appeals to everybody , these are truly nice guys . As they sign autographs they speak to the person they are signing for . They especially take time with children . We made a yearly trip to see the Irish Rovers . Each time it was dinner first . Each time the band members spoke to her and made her feel special . After a couple of years they recognized her and made little gifts to her , like a shamrock from the table where they sat . Little touches like that have made her a fan for life . As you can see I still did not attend many concerts . I do not like the crowds . I do not like waiting in line to get in . I really hate the rush of people who are in such a hurry to leave . But my oldest son is a huge fan of Queen . He was too young to see them when they toured the United States years ago . He regretted not being able to see Freddie Mercury perform . When Queen + Paul Rogers announced their tour my son received a pre - order offer that he could not refuse . He asked if I would like to go and I accepted . He could get four tickets for an extraordinarily low price so he asked if my son and his wife would be interested . She was not but my granddaughter was so my son and his daughter were with us . My oldest son was warning me when we left our house that my youngest son seemed to be a violence magnet at concerts . Usually all he would have to do is tell the offender to " sit down and shut the * ^ # * up ! " Then he said , " Do you know what happens then ? " I said , " They sit down and shut up . " *^ # * is not a word I say . And he said , " Yep . " with a certain amount of pride in his voice . My granddaughter was 14 or 15 at the time . She is tiny and asked if she could sit on the aisle seat so she could see . Of course . I sat next to her , then my oldest son , then her father . In came " Mr Super Cool " . He sauntered and surveyed as he walked . His seat was right in front of mine . He removed his leather jacket with a great deal of ceremony and placed it over the back of his seat . He then sashayed ( I know . Men are not sashay - ers but he wanted to be noticed ) away until the concert began . When he came back he noticed my pretty granddaughter . He noticeably noticed her . My antennae went up . I felt my son 's blood pressure go up . At about the middle of the concert the man in front was turning often to look at my granddaughter . She did not seem to notice so I said nothing . My son came over and said he wanted to sit behind my granddaughter . I told my other son to be ready just in case . He already was . " Mr Super Cool " quickly and nervously apologized . He meant nothing according to him . The show went on . Then I saw him eying a little girl of about twelve across the aisle . Worse than that her mother seemed pleased . Ick . When this indescribably wonderful concert was over the lights went up . The man was gone like a thief in the night . He was probably lucky . By the way the little girl and her mother were still there so she was also safe . My granddaughter held her father 's hand all the way to the car . He told me that she always did . That way he could protect her . It was so sweet . So this is my concert experience . I missed seeing Ricky Nelson not long before he died . My boss would not let me have the night off . Since he was my all - time favorite I was more than disappointed . I love baseball . Other sports I need to have a person to cheer for . When my uncles played football and basketball and ran track I yelled as loud as anyone . But for baseball I can follow a team . When I was a little girl there were no professional baseball teams near us . We could get games on the radio or sometimes on television on the weekends . But we only got games involving the St Louis Cardinals or the New York Yankees . For some reason I have always preferred the American League as opposed to the National League . That means I rooted for the Yankees . Today I still have a soft spot for the Cardinals . I remember listening to Dizzy Dean doing play - by - play . He had such a great voice with a touch of a southern twang and a laid back good old boy way . He had humorous stories about a lot of the players both past and present . And at the end of the game he would say something like , " This is your old pal , Dizz , saying goodbye till next time . " A favorite activity in the summer was to get a bunch of kids together to play baseball . We would choose sides and play in a yard or field . To decided which team would bat first the captain of one team would toss the bat to the other captain . then they would hand over hand to the end of the bat . Whichever captain was the final one got to choose whether they would bat first or take the field . I was a mediocre fielder . I did okay but nothing fabulous . I had to learn to hit the ball often and far . I could not run so I needed the time to get to base . I was also notorious for tossing the bat when I hit the ball . Until one day when my brother was playing catcher while I batted . I tossed the bat and hit him in the mouth knocking his front teeth ( permanent ) loose . Luckily the damage was not permanent . The boys played little league baseball . There was nothing like that available for girls then . One town wwe lived in had a player in the older division that eventually went on to be chosen by the Yankees . He mostly played in the minor leagues but was called up in the fall many years to play with the majors . My father would not coach my brothers because he did not want to be accused of favoratism . But he liked to umpire the games . And we watched all the games . It was an event in town . When we moved to the big city after I was married there was a major league baseball team there . Unfortunately I married a man who had no interest at all in baseball . When my parents and siblings moved to the city I was finally able to go to some of the games . We lived a few miles straight down the street from the ball park . All we had to do was hop on the bus to get there . And that was cheaper than paying for parking if we could find it . And little league was available for my kids . My youngest brother played for the same league as my boys in the beginning . He is quite a bit older so he played with the older teams . My daughter was almost as interested in baseball as her father so she did not play . The city park system had a park in our neighborhood . It had been allowed to rundown over the years . There were baseball diamonds that were overgrown with weeds . There were no organized activities of any kind . We formed a committee to make things happen at the park . Crafting classes and art classes were presented inside the renovated building . Games and sports were made available outside . But no baseball . We had no coaches . At a community meeting we found that fathers felt they did not have time to devote to coaching for their children . I suggested that perhaps some of the mothers would be interested . On e father was vehemently against that . After all baseball is a BOYS ' sport . Mothers could not possibly know how to teach boys . My argument was that if we could teach them to use the bathroom without making a mess we could certainly teach them baseball . Finally we had enough coaches for four teams . I was one of them . The others were fathers . I did not want to make a bad showing . As long as my team did not come in last I would be happy . We drew players . I had two of my sons who were automatically on my team . I then was incredibly lucky in drawing some of the best players in the other little league my boys played for and some really good players who had never been in a league before . The first game came . We lost miserably . After the game I called my team together because I saw some things I did not like . I had some really good players but i also had some inexperienced players . All had the right to play . But the more experienced players were not good team players . If someone made a mistake or was unsure of how to make a play the experienced players would belittle them on the field . So I told my team that I knew why they lost . If another player makes a good play tell them so . If they make a mistake tell them they will do better next time . Between games teach them some of the things they need help with . I saw lights go on over all their heads . They had not realized that boosting each other might help them and they understood what I was telling them . Our next game we won . There were congratulations all over the place and a lot of " That 's okay . You 'll do better next time " all through the game . As a matter of fact we did not lose a game the rest of the season . We were a team . Now back to my major league team . For years we were underdogs . . . the perennial 4th place team . Then came a new manager . My father was very upset . He did not like this manager at all . His nickname was The Hook . Daddy thought he did not give pitchers a chance before he would pull them from the game . The Hook was Sparky Anderson . He came to the Tigers and made a statement to the press that we would be champions in 5 years . Five years after that we were the winners of the World Series . We had players like Alan Trammel , Lou Whittaker , Lance Parish , and so on . We had a pitcher before that who was the biggest phenomenon in baseball . He talked to the ball as he pitched . He got on his hands and knees to shape the pitcher 's mound to his liking . He had energy that kept him moving all the time . If another player made a good play he would run up to that player and congratulate him . He was Mark Fidrych also called The Bird because he reminded people of Big Bird on Sesame Street . We saw him pitch his first game in a major league game . Before that we saw him pitch in a charity game with another major league team . Now we have the best hitter in baseball . Miguel Cabrera is so far above all the others . He has won the batting title the last three years in a row . Two years ago he was a triple crown winner which is nearly impossible to do . He was voted the Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) the last two years in a row . We also have the best pitcher in baseball today . Justin Verlander won the Cy Young award for pitching . He also won the pitching triple crown as well as MVP . Another Cy Young winner from last year is on our team . Max Scherzer is our number two pitcher . Anibal Sanchez is last year 's ERA ( earned run average ) player . These are just a few of our players . We had one of the most beloved managers until this year . Jim Leland retired at the end of last season . I miss him but I think Brad Ausmus has done a fine job so far this year . I hate when players are traded away . I grow attached to them . Even if I understand the logic in the trade I feel bad . I follow them too . Some of the players we receive in a trade are players I did not like before they came to the Tigers . Sometimes I never like them . Sometimes I come to like them a lot . But I cheer for my team . Most summer days you will find me glued to the television watching my Tigers play . They play 162 games in a regular season . I watch them all . I scream at the television . The dog took a while to be comfortable with my shouting but she sleeps through it now . My children have always laughed at me watching baseball with my yelling . My mother and I would watch and yell and all the kids would sit outside and make fun of us . Rotten kids . I realize that logically my team will not win every single game . But WHY NOT ? ? ? I hate it when we lose . I call them names . I pout . All things I would never do if I were at the game . I am full of glee when we win . That I would do at a game . I hate it when fans at the game boo players or teams . I hate the Cleveland Indians drum player who pounds that thing all through the game . I know he is supporting the team but he gives me a headache . I hat cheating of any kind . That includes chemical cheating . I hate it when fans throw things on the field . I hate when fans throw back a baseball they caught when it came from a home run ball from the opposing team . Are they stupid ? If they do not want it give it to one of the children waiting for a souvenir of the game . I love when players toss a used ball to a cute little kid . The smiles on those faces are priceless . I love watching players sign autographs . I love watching a player who is happy for making a good play or who congratulates another player for making a good play . I love the good natured interactions between players from opposing teams when they are together on the field .