The Baseball Field- A Microcosm For Real Life
July 16, 2010
A coach once said to me that everything that happens on the baseball field is an example of issues we all have to deal with in real life. But I think Dave Barry’s baseball quote is more apt to our family’s relationship with baseball: “If a woman had to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant’s life, she’d choose to save the infant’s life, without even considering if there’s a man on base.” This pretty much sums up our family theme in the summer.
Baseball Rules. My daughter and I try to be suitably worshipful. After a decade of baseball summers, we know what to expect (and more importantly what NOT to expect) and we are usually happy to HAVE a staycation rather than TAKE a vacation.
And this year more than most, we couldn’t afford to fly a family of five anywhere anyway, although we did drive more than 600 miles (in a row-which equals 11 hours in an enclosed space with 5 teenagers) which reinforced what Nora Ephron says, “The empty nest is underrated.” But in spite of all the baseball and in spite of making blueberry pancakes every day and constantly hanging beach towels out to dry, we are having a fabulous summer. One thing that my husband and I remind each other when our house gets loud and messy is that since our kids are all in their last few years of high school, we both know the day will soon come where there’s too much silence and not enough mess and it’ll be me and him swishing we had a baseball game to go watch.
I try to keep my attitude about baseball, and life in general, really, as close to Stephen Still’s “Love the One You’re With” because if you can’t be on the beach you want, Honey, love the field you’re on.
Speaking of sports reminds me of exercise which reminds me of working out, so I have to ask- Are you? The heat is a bit of an inconvenience but I hope you are still getting your 30 minutes or so of some brisk movement. In weather like this I often recommend just incoporating small stints of power moves into your day. Just 20 push-ups (knee-length is fine) and 50 crunches has lots of value over time if you are consistent about doing them everyday.
Some of you have been in my kitchen and know that we have a pull up bar on the dining room doorway. My kids think it’s a utensil and are surprised when they go to friend’s houses and there’s no where to hang from while waiting for the cheese on the nachos to melt. And there’s nothing like a few pull-ups to make you change your mind about the second bowl of ice cream. Pull ups go with ice cream about as well as orange juice and toothpaste; or tuna and peppermint.
Plus it gives me something to do when I come into the kitchen and forget what I was going to do.
My pull up bar is a good friend. I had a big break through a few years ago when we hosted a 3 day training workshop at my gym for a strength training program called Body Pump. On Friday, when it started, I was still unable to make it through my pull-up attempt, same as the past five months. My motto of never, ever, ever give up was starting to get on my last nerve.
By Monday, I could do almost three full pull-ups. This conditioning program using a barbell and high reps is a great program for those of you who can’t find your way around the weight room and need the guidance of a group-led class. I’ve seen many women redefine their max after years of exercising by adding a new, hard challenge.
Anyway, I’m only midway through my stay-cation so if you don’t hear from me in August, you’ll know our son’s teams are still winning, but that I’ll be back soon with lots of annoying toning tips and fascinating fitness facts .
Stay toned and tuned.
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I like prince lol. However, there was once where he fell from a stage. Michael Jackson and James Brown was there too ;D
guide2prince.orgs last blog post..1-800 New Funk – Various Artist Album – NPG – 2Gether
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