The Shadow Of Phil

The Shadow Of Phil

Being as it is February 3rd, we must all reflect on what Phil saw yesterday. The groundhog of note saw his shadow. Back into hibernation go the groundhogs, and we get six more weeks of Winter, six more weeks of Basketball.

The good news is that we have passed the median, and there are fewer days until Spring than there have already been of Winter.

Seasons are on more than just my mind: Dave [1] writes [2] about the sensation of Spring around the corner where he lives in California. I do envy those West Coast dwellers who get the experience of the coming of Spring a bit earlier than we do here in the East.

Susan [3] copied me on an e-mail to a friend of ours, in which she comments on how this seems a longer Winter than most. Maybe it is the colder weather as opposed to the recently more mild ones we've enjoyed, she muses. Of course, she also wonders if she is maybe crazy to think it is a slower and more drawn out Winter, and she notes that she is eagerly awaiting the beginning of The Baseball Season.

Who, of course, isn't?

Baseball is part of what makes our lives go 'round. Spring Training begins in a matter of days. Some of the players are already arriving in Florida camps, and invitations to "non-roster" players have become a regular baseball newswire item.

Among the most touching descriptions of the great game is that of former Commissioner Bart Giamatti's work, "The Green Fields of the Mind." If you are a baseball fan, or one who loves evocative writing, concise and from the heart, read it [4], and enjoy. Man, could Giamatti write!

Springtime means more than Baseball. My friend Alan and I went to dinner the other night. Alan, always one to plan ahead, clearly had Springtime events on his mind. He asked what my plans were for Passover this year, and before I could answer that I had absolutely no idea so far in advance, told me he would see if I was invited to his family's Seder again this year. Susan and I went last year, and had a wonderful time. One of these years I'll scan in a picture of Susan, Alan and me at the Seder table from that night.

It was Alan's birthday the other night, and we went to the best burger place in the area to celebrate. He ate heartily and had a great time. I ate not so heartily and got a case of the GI Blues. I am hoping it will go away by the time Spring arrives.

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In the spirit of trying to share creative, entertaining, or just GOOD websites, today I offer this [5]. Have you ever wanted to have a voodoo doll? Fancy the idea of sticking those pins of vengeance into it, to symbolize the need to put a curse on someone? How about sending someone an e-mail voodoo curse? Yes, by golly, it can be done! Please use it wisely and don't send one to anyone who might be too very freaked out at the concept. Unless, of course, they really deserve it! Heh, heh.