Happy Halloween Kiddies

No matter how hard folks have tried to make me grow up over the years, it just isn't coming easy. The trick-or-treaters at my door tonight only encouraged me to continue shunning total adulthood and to dig in my heels whenever life pulls me in directions where only grown-ups tend to tread. Maybe that's why I can relate so well to five-year-olds dressed as super heroes. I can vividly remember Halloween when I was in the first grade. Our real school, Midway Elementary, had not yet been finished so we spent much of that year at the Presbyterian Church across the street. My teacher, Miss Davenport, tried to explain the concept but I couldn't understand why Halloween wasn't a school's-out holiday like Christmas. It was just as important to me. After all, when else was it acceptable to beg for candy from strangers, stay up late eating stuff that was bad for you by the bag full, and then watch a classic monster movie on the late show until you crashed? Between the sugar high and being scared out of your young, impressionable mind it was a night second only to Christmas Eve in my book. Tonight I greeted several miniature Batmans and Spider-Mans, a zombie cheerleader (one of my all-time favorites along with the pregnant nun), a clown, a fireman, a couple of policemen, Dorothy and more fairy princesses than I can remember ever seeing in the same place at the same time. As an added holiday bonus there were even two stroller-pushing moms still dressed in their work outfits from Hooters. It was really cool . . . almost as cool as what I had planned on my front lawn for all pubescent revelers as they innocently approached to ask for a treat. You see my youngest step son and I are of the same mind when it comes to the real meaning of Halloween trick-or-treating. It's a well orchestrated plan. I am the lure, quietly, ever so meekly, drawing them in for a treat as he hides in the shadows dressed as a gorilla. There is no joy so sweet as watching an empty handed 13-year-old turn and run as Zach charges across the yard in full costume on all fours, occasionally stopping to beat his chest in a Kong-like manner. Trick-or-treating is for the little guys, so get over it and don't come back to my house at Halloween unless accompanied by a child; preferably one dressed like a zombie cheerleader or pregnant nun. Happy Halloween kiddies!

I Can Already Taste The Onions

For those of you who live in the Southeast, this probably won't seem like such a big deal. But, for those of us who moved away to settle down west of the Sabine River, the opening of Houston's first Krystal Restaurant is a dream come true. It seriously ranks up there with the first coming . . . of Krispy Kreme a few years ago. I can remember telling un-Kremed Houstonians that the circular bits of heaven were best when eaten hot from the fryer. From then on I was revered somewhat like Yoda, a sort of guru with gourmet wisdom from the far East . . . well, as far east as Biloxi, Mississippi where the closest Krispy Kreme could be found up to that point. And now the second element of my personal holy trinity of finger foods is coming to Houston . The little square burger on an onion steamed bun will be here on Monday and I plan to be in line with several UGA friends to welcome it to Space City USA. As a kid I can remember riding with my folks to the Krystal on Ponce de Leon Avenue in the shadows of the tall gray buildings of downtown Atlanta. On a really good day we'd cruise across the street afterwards to the green neon-fronted Krispy Kreme. Just the thought of that artery clogging combination from 40-years ago can still set off a Pavlov-like reaction. Yes, I'm a happy man; Krispy Kreme and Krystal. The only thing that could make this any better would be for The Varsity to set up shop here. Chili dogs, a frosted orange and a big order of onion rangs . . . whadaya have, whadaya have, whadaya have? I'll tell you what I'll have . . . a sack of little square burgers on Monday when the doors open at 10 o'clock. I can already taste the onions.

I'm Terrific, Thanks

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend from out of town. At the professional level she and I are business acquaintances, but over the years have become friends. While snacking on fried jalapenos and queso the conversation turned to family matters. I asked her how things were going in her life and she answered matter-of-factly, "Well, my nephew committed suicide." It seems that my friend's nephew, her brother's son, had been having problems at home. In his early 20s, the boy didn't want to go to school, had no job or job prospects, was in a disappointing relationship with an older woman, was suspected of stealing from his folks and was content to lay around the house all day. Having tried counseling, family interventions, and other avenues to reach the boy, the parents had been advised that it was time for some tough love. They changed the locks on the doors and told their son to move out, get a job and find a place of his own to live. For several nights the boy tried without success to get into the house. Then, one day several weeks ago, he doused his clothes with gasoline and torched himself in front of his father. I was speechless until my friend asked, "And, how are you?" Without hesitation, and giving no thought to any once disconcerting issues in my own life, I smiled and said, "I'm terrific, thanks..." http://www.baxwrtr.com

Worth the Wait

It was sunny and in the upper 80s with a slight breeze as I stood in line this morning waiting to vote. The dream of popping in and marking my computerized ballot with the ease of the drive-thru at Chick-fil-A had vanished once I turned into the lot. There among the field of brightly colored campaign signs with snappy slogans was The Line . . . more than 400 early voters heal-to-toe around the building. With General Tommy Franks' book, American Soldier, under my arm, I took my place in line next to the dumpster. It was there that the neighborly conversations began. There was the casually dressed middle-aged mother of a kindergartener who joked about having such a young child at her age. Two elder black sisters were dressed as if on their way to church. One sister freely discussed her recent radiation treatment for cancer, while the other lovingly held an umbrella overhead to protect her from the sun. Senior voters outnumbered the younger ones ten-to-one today. It was inspiring to watch these gray-haired members of the Greatest Generation standing there in the unseasonable heat prepared to do their civic duty as they always had. Some stood tall, while others stooped with age. Many walked with the gait of someone much younger, while others used a walker or cane, or else leaned on a companion. It was during that 90-minutes of waiting that I read about Lt. Tommy Franks and his first weeks in Vietnam. From adjusting to the climate, the bugs and the military slang, to calling in his first artillery strike on the VC while under fire, Franks recounts how quickly he learned to see war on a soldier's level. The time passed quickly, and I cast my vote for the right man at the right time. But all politics aside, that 90-minutes shared with folks I had never met (and will probably never see again), and gaining a special insite on a war half-a-world and more than 35-years away made this a good day. It was certainly worth the wait.

It Was Still A Great Run

The World Series is under way and I'm at home on a Saturday night wondering what if? The Houston Astros came so close to winning their series with the Cardinals, but when that final out was called in the seventh game, it was the red birds who moved on to face Boston, not our hometown faves. Despite a thrill ride, roller coaster season fitting of the Astros old neighbor, Six Flags AstroWorld, the "Good Guys" put on quite a show in the end. Individual and team records were set, attendance was up, the dollar dogs were better than ever, and a city came together in support of their team. It was a beautiful thing to see. Of course it's a disappointment that the Astros didn't go all the way. Anyone who says otherwise is probably a sleeper Cub's fan. Many of us were already planning a midnight run after the final game to Academy Sports and Outdoor for the first ever Houston Astros National League Championship gear. But, that's a shopping spree now postponed for another time and probably with another crew of twentysomething in the clubhouse. But no matter, this crew of twentysomething made us proud to be living in Houston during a miracle season that made the rest of Baseball take notice. Congratulations to the Class of 2004! It was still a great run...

Who'd A Thunk It?

Is it destiny? One might wonder what else it could be having watched the Houston Astros' performance on Monday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. A one-hit shut out on both sides and then in the bottom of the 9th inning . . . . bam! Jeff Kent does what Jeff Kent does so well. A first pitch drive high against the left field facade. It was a beautiful thing to see . . . the hit, the celebration on the field, and the reaction of a Series-hungry, standing room only crowd in Minute Maid Park. It was Backe Ball most of the way. Then the Club's closer really put a "Lidge" on it by shutting down the Cardinals one after another at the end. Tonight, only one game separates the Houston Astros and Space City from an incredible year . . . The Super Bowl, the All-Star Game, and the World Series. Who'd a thunk it just ten weeks ago?

Well Done Gentlemen

Sunday's come-from-behind win by the Houston Astros over the St. Louis Cardinals continues to show that this club deserves respect. Sports commentators on the national level seem amazed that the boys from Space City USA have gotten this far in the play-offs. The truth be known, most Houstonians felt the same way given the team's record around the All-Star break. But, the times . . . they are a changin'. Granted, the press and many baseball gurus have dubbed Carlos Beltran the Golden Child of the series, but they tend to forget the other twentysomething men on the bench who continue to contribute to the cause inning after inning. This team has come together with a common purpose, and the City of Houston is their 10th man on the field. We're all in this together, win or lose. Well done gentlemen . . .

Baseball Fans Take Notice

The Houston Astros have always been viewed as a good team, but not until last night have they been viewed as exceptional. The team has had a winning record for more than half of its 43-year history. The problem was, they could never make that necessary jump from winner to champion on the National level. All of that changed on Monday night with a blow-out of hardball powerhouse Atlanta, and now title-hungry Astro fans are setting their sites on St. Louis. Some may call it a fluke. Some may call it a miracle. But, whatever label you want to tag it with, the Houston Astros have shown that they have heart and the desire to win this season. Always the underdog, though loaded with talented ball players, the 2004 Astros have now taken a giant step in gaining the respect denied them for so long. It's the right game, at the right time, in the right place . . . Go 'Stros!