Happy Halloween!

One of the most exciting nights of the year for children – and one that evokes great memories for most adults.  I always loved Halloween as a kid – second only to Christmas as the annual candy bonanza!  My parents probably never had to think about as many dangers as do parents today.   I remember tearing through the neighborhood in my Mighty Mouse costume at about age 5, thinking that if I just ran fast enough down the hill, maybe my cape would actually allow me to fly.  Didn’t worry about candy tampering, and happily accepted caramel apples, homemade popcorn balls and cookies in my treat bag. 

The last time I wore a costume for Halloween was in 1978.   In a fit of nostalgia, I went to the local Woolworth store in Toledo and bought a (large) child’s Bullwinkle costume to wear to a party, which seemed hilarious to me.  Two friends joined me, tossing on sheets at the last minute.  So two ghosts and Bullwinkle set off for the party.   As soon as we walked in, we realized we’d overlooked a critical bit of information:  it was a THEMED costume party, and everyone else there was dressed in Victorian period garb…. lots of velvet, wigs, etc.  Ah well – we provided a few laughs for everyone in the “drawing room.” 

Happy Halloween.  Be safe, but enjoy all the excitement and your traditions.

One week to go…..

It’s a bonus for businesses like ours that survive by selling advertising.   But hasn’t this seemed like the loooooongest presidential campaign ever?  And no matter which side of the political spectrum you find yourself on, like most people you’ll probably be glad to see the barrage of ads and attacks end. 

It’s interesting to come to work across the street from the Board of Elections.  Gridlock reigns most of the time here lately at E. 30th and Euclid, as voters take advantage of early voting, or come in to sort out their questions.  It’s an encouraging sign during this important election that early and absentee voting is way up.  Up to one third of voters in the U.S. may vote early during this election.  I’ve always been disappointed by low voter turnout in this country where our right to vote is taken for granted.

A federal judge in Ohio just ruled that homeless people can use park benches and other places that are not buildings as their address when they register to vote.  While many people question this, it does say everyone – regardless of circumstance – has the right to be heard. People have a lot of questions and concerns about how and how many times voters have been registered, whether every single vote will be counted.  Problem-free elections have been a rarity in recent years and these are issues that need to be resolved. But don’t let questions and problems keep you from exercising your right to vote.  Because that’s the one decision only you can make.

Teenage Drivers

We have all been talking in the newsroom about the terrible accident yesterday in Eaton Township that killed two teenage boys.  Every single one of us is saddened by this enormous loss for their families and community.  And all of us who are parents of young drivers or soon-to-be drivers are talking about how in the world to convey the real potential for deadly consequences behind the wheel.

My son is now 14 years old, and he reminds me frequently that he’ll be old enough to get his temporary license when he’s 15 and a half.   The prospect fills me with fear and anxiety over the new dangers to which he’ll be exposed.  Schools generally offer programs designed to encourage safe behavior behind the wheel.  Parents have new technology available to help track a son or daughter’s whereabouts and driving habits.  But what more can be done?  Because when you look at the numbers, we’re not doing enough. 

Since April, our newscasts have covered at least six crashes involving teen drivers with five fatalities.  But here’s an eye-opener:  1,173 fatalities involving 16 and 17 year old drivers in just five years – in Ohio alone.   Sobering.  Scary.

When my Tyler expresses his excitement about learning to drive, I well remember my own anticipation when I turned 16.  The driver’s license represented freedom, and a new level of responsibility.  But not all teens are ready for that responsibility at the age when the law says they are.  I like to say – “there’s the state law, and then there’s Mom’s law.”  I don’t know if he’ll be ready when the law says so, but I do know I’ll be looking at every possible way to protect him, even as I know that when he’s alone in that car, the choices made will be his.

What are you thinking about this issue?  What more can be done to help teen drivers be better drivers?  I’d like to hear from you if you care to comment.  Thanks for reading.

Tiger couldn’t have played it better…..

What a fantastic Sunday!  And quite an accomplishment for my golf buddy.  We returned to the 9-hole course in Newburgh Heights, and while most of our play featured the usual erratic ups and downs (and a couple more lost balls) the 9th hole was HUGE!  “Viv” set her drive up – and set the ball down about three feet from the cup, then proceeded to make the perfect shot.  In – in two!  I told her she played the hole just as well as Tiger Woods could have.  The crunching leaves and low angle of the sun remind us that these golden afternoons are about to end.  But we can always hope for those exceptional days that surprise us in November, even December for a chance to return to the links.

’tis the season…..oh no!

I’ve passed it by on my last several trips to the grocery store.  Those very clever shelf-stockers strategically place it front and center.  Inevitably, I’ll have to put some in my cart and take it home.   And that’s where all the trouble will start.  You know what I’m talking about.  The Halloween candy.  All of our decorations are up, the candy supply is all that’s missing.  But for me, the presence of that stuff in the house is the beginning of a slippery slope, one that slides right into pumpkin pie with whipped cream and on through eggnog and Christmas cookies.  Oh, help.  I have a reasonable grasp of just how many trick-or-treaters will show up at our door.  Yet, one never knows, right?  Could be that this year thirty per cent more will turn out.  And one definitely doesn’t want to run out!  Of candy.  SO, ticking off my favorites, in no particular order…..Butterfingers, Almond Joys, Milky Way Midnight, Kit Kats, I could go on.  Fun size, less guilt-inducing when consumed.  No, running out of candy at our house is not going to be an issue.  Running out of will power – that’s another story.

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Here’s the Pumpkin Walnut Bread link – it’s quite a good recipe! It was reprinted in this month’s Gourmet Magazine from The Art and Soul of Baking by Cindy Mushet.  

http://www.gourmet.com/cookbookclub/recipes/2008/10/pumpkin-walnut-bread

Autumn Leaves, Pt. 2

(Sing it to the tune of …you know…)

“The autumn leaves……will hide your golf ball…….the autumn leaves…….of red and gold……..I lost 5 golf balls…….on nine short holes……..the autumn leaves…….are getting old……..”

RIght.  FIVE lost golf balls, on an otherwise spectacular golf outing.  Wow, what a gorgeous day to enjoy the Washington Golf nine hole course.  It’s a beautifully laid out par 29 course in Newburgh Heights.  Sue – a viewer who has commented on this blog – happened to pull up in the parking lot at the same time we did, so it was fun to meet in person!  “Viv” and I had a great outing, and felt pretty pleased with our performance.  We think hitting a new course “freshened up” our game. 

Meanwhile, with all of the fall pumpkins on the front step and perfect October weather, it’s a great time to pull out favorite seasonal recipes.  I tried a recipe for Pumpkin Walnut Bread from the October issue of Gourmet Magazine that is outstanding!  Love the smell of the pumpkin and spices as the bread is baking.  I’ve been trying to find it on the Epicurous website, and if I do I’ll put a link here so you can try it too.

AUTUMN LEAVES

A lot of rain today, but in spite of this gray Wednesday, we are into my favorite season of the year.  What is it about autumn?  Nature’s glorious annual display evokes so many memories and emotions.  And from now until the end of the year, there are all of those predictable and treasured traditions that we participate in with our friends and families.  My son’s birthday is at the end of October – and for those keeping track, he’ll be fourteen!  And I love all of the holidays soon to come.  But it’s the crisp temperatures, the mind-boggling blue skies and golden light of the sun in the fall, that slightly smoky and sweet fragrance of the falling leaves – all of it sends my energy up, and sets my mind to daydreams and memories of autumns past.  Fall brings new beginnings, poignant endings and the prelude to winter’s cold solitude. 

Last weekend we made our annual trek to one of the area’s excellent apple farms for fruit and pumpkins.  The Halloween decorations are out, and soon another page of the calendar will turn.  What are some of your favorite fall traditions?  Please share, I’d love to read about them.

…….SIGH!……

Okay, here’s another golf issue that I’m grappling with – TIME!  Through all of the years I didn’t golf, I knew plenty of people – mostly women – who harbored unhappiness because their partner disappeared for large chunks of time on the weekend to golf.  Meanwhile, those same women were the ones who kept all the wheels turning on the homefront, managing children, appointments, grocery shopping, dry-cleaning, other household chores etc. 

This weekend, the chores claimed me.  On an otherwise choice A-1 day for playing golf  Sunday, the teetering mountain of tasks at home demanded attention.  Now, it’ll be three weeks until I can play again, and that’s if it doesn’t rain. 

Please – I know that these issues pale in comparison to real problems.  But in between the responsibilities and requirements of our daily lives, missing out on the time devoted to pursuit of pleasure is disappointing and occasionally frustrating.  Even adults need their play time!  So I guess I’ll take a few chip shots in the backyard, spend some minutes on the faux putting green, and hope for good weather next Sunday.

It’s Friday!

Whew!  What a week, stressful news all around.  SO,  time to shake it all off and enjoy a beautiful weekend.  Don’t  you love free golf balls?  My colleague Andy Baskin just handed me a half dozen awesome Callaway HX Hot golf balls, said to have “blistering distance!”  Alright!! Give me some of that!  Andy also gave me some nice freebies from the Cystic Fibrosis golf tournament he hosted earlier this year.  This is an important part of the equation in golf, I’ve discovered.  It is good to receive new replacement balls – preferably free – to replace the ones you lose.  (See “Golf Ball Eating Trees”) 

Wishing you a weekend free of stress, some sunshine and “blistering distance.”  (By the way, I’m interested in knowing what some of your favorite short courses are in the area?  I’ve heard about the one in Newburgh Heights.  Which others do you like?)