PERSPECTIVE

Some years ago on Veterans Day I was filling up my car at a gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I went inside the store to pay for the fill up and the young man behind the counter asked me if I was a veteran. I told him that I was and he applied a Veterans Day discount to my purchase, for which I was very grateful. He asked me when I had served and I told him “during the Vietnam War”. Incredulously, he had a befuddled look on his face which told me that he was not aware of the war. I then took the liberty of giving him a twenty second synopsis of what the war was about, finishing with “and there were about 58,000 Americans killed over there”. To which he replied:

“Yeah, whatever.”

This apparent dismissiveness bothered me terribly and still haunts me to this very day. To think that the loss of that many human lives over the years 1961-1975 should be disrespected is, in my opinion, unconscionable. 

In a related matter I read a headline in the newspaper a few days ago that, during the month of December, 2020, there have been over 63,000 COVID19 deaths in our country, thus exceeding the total U. S. Vietnam War deaths. 

The unspoken response from many of our elected politicians:

“Yeah, whatever.”

Readers, take care and stay healthy. 

MISSOULA PADDLEHEADS

What? 

You mean you’ve never heard of the Paddleheads?

Truthfully, until I read this morning’s Seattle Times, I was similarly ignorant. The Paddleheads are a Montana baseball team that is part of the Pioneer League which consists of eight teams in Montana, Utah and Idaho. The Pioneer League, unlike some other leagues scattered about the U.S., is not affiliated with any specific major league ball club. 

In short, this is raw baseball. Don’t expect to see a Paddleheads game being announced by Joe Buck or other well-known announcers. Nor will you be able to turn to the New York Times sports section to catch up on the standings of the Pioneer League. 

Despite the lack of awareness of the Paddleheads, they do have a corner on the enjoyment of the game of baseball. Just take a look at one of their merchandising items:

I mean, what says fun more than a moose paddling an inflatable raft? Furthermore, I’ll bet that you can buy a 16 ounce beer at a Paddleheads game for less than one at Wrigley Field. Do they have a nickel beer night? Probably not but we can all be hopeful.

So, let’s all get to the Missoula Paddleheads Ballpark (Ogren Park at Allegiance Field) next summer and support these guys. Keep in mind that the play probably won’t be on the caliber of the New York Yankees. But it will be very enjoyable.

Readers enjoy your day.

MISUNDERSTANDING

 I was doing not much of anything today when the wife approached me and said very clearly:

“I want a Cowboy!”

This statement caused many images to rush through my head. I could picture her wanting to run away with her cowboy heartthrob Sheriff Walt Longmire, headed for a life in a 200 square foot cabin in Wyoming, eating venison, moose and black bear and drinking 16 ounce Rainier beer for the rest of their lives. 

I quickly dismissed this crazy idea because Walt doesn't have cable TV and a life without “Days of Our Lives” just won’t cut it. 

Sensing my complete confusion about the matter, the wife cleared up the confusion:

“It’s Tuesday and Cowboy pizzas at Papa Murphy’s are only $12”.

So, readers, it looks like the wife is going to stick around for a while, hopefully until our 36th wedding anniversary on the 22nd. That is, unless she decides to run off with Walt Longmire before then.

Readers, enjoy your (Cowboy pizza) (Tues)day.