Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I almost got involved in a soap opera at this evening's game between the Bradenton Marauders and the Palm Beach Cardinals.  It was Cancer Awareness Night and pink Marauders jerseys were up for auction.  I was bidding on Willy Garcia's jersey for Debbie L., his future mother-in-law, who lives in Beardstown, IL.  I had placed in a bid of $200 for her and, as the bidding was about to close, I went to check on her bid.  A friend of mine, Mike S., put up a $230 bid, so I upped the bid to $240.  A mutual friend, Keith, asked me what I was doing and I said I was bidding for Garcia’s future mother-in-law.  Keith got really incensed, telling me Garcia was not engaged to anyone—that he had a girlfriend he is living with here in Bradenton.

He then went over and told Mike what I had said.  Apparently the “girlfriend” was hovering near him and heard what Keith told Mike.  Perhaps she was in the group with Mike, Keith and their wives—I don’t know.  Anyway, Keith comes over to me, a bit pissed off telling me the “girlfriend” was in tears and that there was no one else in the picture.  He told me I had to come over and let her tell me the situation, to which I replied I was not going to get into Garcia’s domestic affairs and to please don’t kill the messenger.  I then called Debbie to tell her she had the winning bid.

A little bit later, I called Debbie and asked her what her daughter’s name was (Robin) and was she down here, living with Garcia.  She said no, that Robin lives in Pennsylvania.  She asked why I was inquiring and I told her there apparently is a situation down here involving Willy and another girl.  She asked me if the girl has long dark hair and is a bit on the chunky side, which I confirmed.  She told me the girl’s name is Heather and that she is a “cleat-chaser”.  Apparently Debbie and Robin had a confrontation with Heather when they were down here in June (when I first met Debbie).  In the meantime I could see Heather sitting, rather stoically, over near the Marauders dugout, apparently stunned over the entire episode.  Garcia hit a double and all Heather could do was sit there with her arms crossed and had no reaction whatsoever.

While I didn’t feel I owed Keith an explanation, I told another mutual friend, Pat, that if he wanted to relay the truth to Keith, he could feel free to do so.  He did and reported back to me that Keith was a bit taken aback by the situation.  No doubt Willy is in deep doo-doo this evening.  If so, that’s his problem.  One might say he made his own bed and now has to sleep in it (if not on the couch).

Archie...

Archie, a foundling Shih Tzu, came into Pam's and my life in November 2007.  Both she and I are quite interested in fostering and adopting special needs dogs.  Archie, although he was not a special needs doggy until the past few months, became a very special pet to the two of us.

We were helping out at Canine Christmas, an annual event involving various dog rescue groups that is held each November here in Bradenton.  While she was assisting the South Florida Shih Tzu Rescue, I was working at the snack bar and hardly saw her for a few hours.  As things were winding down and the snack bar was cleaned up, I headed over to help Pam and her friend, Dianne, load up Dianne's car.  Sitting nearby was a decrepit looking black and white Shih Tzu.  Pam asked me if we could pleeeeease take him home.  He had been brought by Underdog Rescue, which was located next to Dianne's shih tzu rescue.  To me it was love at first sight, and I replied yes.  Pam was thrilled at my agreeing to adopt him, as I had declined to adopt other dogs in the past.

We brought him home and started to care for him.  He had an eye inflamation at the time and, after taking him to our vet (and neighbor), Mary Smart, she referred him to an veterinary opthamologist who, as it turned out, studied under a very good friend of mine, Dick Dubielzig, at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.  He underwent several treatments but whipped the infection and kept his sight.  He was such a joy to have as a part of our lives.

He was so laid back--in fact, the most laid back--dog we have ever had.  He took things one day at a time, never snapped at or bit anyone or any other of five the dogs we also care for.  He only barked when he wanted to get up on the bed and, occasionally, when he needed to go O-U-T to take care of business.  Usually, he'd either walk into the great room and park himself in front of me or would just go to the front door and let out a muted "woof!".  Archie was pretty good about going for walks in the morning but, over the past year, they became few and far between.  Finally the walks ended and he would only go so far as the yard.

Pam and I have had many pets throughout our marriage, but none compare to Archie.  I have often noted to folks that Archie was "...the neatest dog we've ever had".  I truly mean that.  Chloe is the friendliest--one who has never met a stranger--but Archie was in a class by himself.  He'd snuggle when he needed to, but the most favorite thing to do was get laid out on a body pillow at the end of the bed.  He claimed ownership of it when were visiting our best friend, Linda, in Miami a few years ago.  Linda had it on the guest bed and Archie got comfortable on it and refused to get off it.  Gracious as Linda was, she insisted we bring it home for him to lay on.  He and the other dogs loved laying on it so much, that I had to lay in a second one a couple years ago--the second one for the great room, where he spent much of his time.  Right now, one of our other foundlings, Bella, is curled up on top of it.

R.I.P. Archie.  You were a wonderful companion and we know you'll be waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge when our times come.

Opposition email re: Long Bar Pointe

Local developers are wanting to build a large, hoity toity waterfront project along one of the last remaining wild areas along the shore of Sarasota Bay here in Bradenton.  In fact, it is one of the few mangroves and breeding areas left along the west coast of Florida.  Being unable to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, next (Aug 6th), I send the following email to my own County Commissioner, John Chappie, as well as the two at-large commissioners.  Chappie called me upon receipt of the email, telling me it went to all commissioners and is now a part of the public record.  Thankfully, he is opposed to the development.  I am pleased to share it with my family, friends, and followers: 

 

Dear Commissioner Chappie:
 

I am writing you since I won't be able to attend Tuesday's county commission meeting in Palmetto, due to a doctor's appointment.  I wish to express my feelings on the proposed amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, an amendment submitted by the developers of Long Bar Pointe, that will forever destroy one of the last remaining natural, undeveloped areas along the south Florida Gulf coast—all for a  mega-sprawl complex that no one wants, but the developers.

Long Bar Pointe provides refugee for countless manatees, dolphins, seahorses, fish, and other species, as well as providing breeding and nursery areas for smaller fish.  Not only will such a development destroy this area, it will also have an adverse economic effect on those who depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods—commercial fishermen; charter boatmen; and just about anyone who depends on the tourist industry.  If there is no sea life to support these businesses the historic way of life, especially in Cortez, will be gone forever.  Even beyond the economic matters, environmental concerns such as  flooding, wind breaks, natural water filtration, and protection against aquifer depletion must also be considered.  With such a major development, these factors must also be addressed by many more people than Carlos Beruff or Larry Lieberman.

 

For these reasons, I plead with you to reject this self-serving amendment that benefits no one but Messrs. Beruff and Lieberman.

 

Sincerely,

 

David P. Hilsheimer