Battling Old Habits

I have been on Twitter here recently, and while scrolling through my feed, I noticed that many people I tend to follow were in need of prayers because they were falling into some past habits that were pretty self-destructive or conducive to living a productive life. I think that many of us during this time are prone to, at many times, falling back on or being tempted by old habits, such as smoking, drinking, meds of various legality, vices of the flesh, and other undesirable habits. It seems that no matter how hard we are trying to avoid them, or how long we have been avoiding them, they always sneak up on us at the least convenient or desirable time. Reading an article on CBC from back in March tells us how to divert our attention towards more productive habits. One of these habits is to get social online, whether it be on Social Media, a blog, or other means. What are you doing to get past old habits? I try to read or go on social media. 

YouTube Friday: Neil Sedaka - Little Brother

Today's edition of YouTube Friday comes from Ben Clevenger's YouTube channel. This is one of Neil Sedaka's songs from his comeback in the 1970s.  I have been intrigued with music from the 1970s since I was in the sixth grade in the mid-1990s. I heard the song "Love Will Keep Us Together", written by Neil Sedaka and performed by The Captain and Tennille, on a commercial touting a Compact Disc package with Top 10/number one songs of the 1970s. This song was on an album of Neil Sedaka's hits from 1974-1980, which included his comeback hit "Laughter in the Rain", along with songs such as "The Immigrant," "The Queen of 1964," "Rock and Roll Wedding Day," and this song, which is a favorite of mine since the 1990s. Neil Sedaka is currently on Facebook, where he performs Quarantine concerts for his many fans and followers.

Legion Centennial plus One

American Legion parade on Woodward '31 Wed, Sep 23, 1931 – Page 33 · Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) · Newspapers.com As I am working on my genealogy, I learn that my great-grandfather, my mom's maternal grandfather, was an active member of the American Legion, which celebrated its centennial in 2019. It was founded in 1919 through an act of Congress. Their annual convention came to Detroit for the first-and so far only-time in September 1931 and there were a number of activities for members of the Legion and the Ladies' Auxiliary, including a parade down Woodward Avenue, religious services at both Christian and Jewish houses of worship, and many other special events. My Great Grandfather was a member of the Charles Young post of the Legion, post 77 in Detroit. He was the chaplain at one time (he was a deacon at the church my grandmother's family attended, and possibly had a spiritual role in the masonic lodge he was a member of), and he was the treasurer of the post at the time of his death in the mid-1950s. Currently, the post is no longer standing. It has been replaced by the  John Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit's Medical Center. Are you or someone you know are related to a member of any veterans organization? How has this experience enriched you or their lives?

YouTube Friday: El villa entrevista al gran Aurelio Rodriguez

It's been quite a while since I have done a YouTube Friday entry, so I would like to start back today. Today's entry is courtesy of Carlos Rodriguez's YouTube channel. This is his interview with Aurelio Rodriguez, who played in the Mexican League and in Major League Baseball from the 1960s-1980s. I had heard of him occasionally, and it wasn't until I met Ron LeFlore, who played on the Detroit Tigers with him in the mid-late '70s, in the summer of 2019 (I mentioned that I give tours, and he asked did I mention Aurelio Rodriguez). I am currently doing my research so I can tell people about this former Tiger. Here is what I have discovered so far. He was born in Cananea, Mexico in December 1947, one of six children. His father, Aurelio, Sr.,  played in the Mexican baseball league and told his son that if he could throw the rocks in the sandlots of his hometown as he did, he could play anywhere. He arrived in the United States in the mid-1960s, and he played for numerous teams, including the Tigers from 1971-1979, and ending his stint in the majors with Chicago in 1983. It has been said that he was a very good fielder way back when. He was a frequent and popular visitor in the Mexicantown section of Southwest Detroit, meeting with fans, signing autographs and being a positive influence on all he encountered around the Detroit area. He was killed in September 2000 after being hit by a car while walking with a friend near the El Rancho restaurant in the Mexicantown section of Detroit. The driver of that car should not have been driving due to an Aneurysm. A memorial service was held in his memory at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Southwest Detroit, and a large funeral was held in Los Mochis, Mexico, where he is buried at Panteon Municipal de Los Mochis.

Quarantine Virtual travel and memories

During this time of quarantine brought on by the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, I am comforted at times by scanning and looking through some old pictures from past travels and experiences, both here in Detroit and out of town trips to various destinations. Here are a few that I have found that have brought back memories

This picture was from my trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland last summer. I couldn't go until the end of July due to work obligations and the need to help my father out. This was part of an exhibit about music on Television. American Bandstand was one of those shows that really showcased multiple styles of music during its run on TV. 

I went through an old photo album from February/March/April 2006, and ran across this picture of the late Coleman Young, who was mayor of Detroit from 1973-1993. He was Detroit's first black mayor, elected the same day as Maynard Jackson in Atlanta. He passed in November 1997, and is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit. 

From January 2007, this was located in the Grand Circus Park People Mover station, on the doors of the now refurbished David Broderick Tower, which is the site of a Marriott Aloft hotel. The Tigers had just made a remarkable run to the World Series in 2006, and excitement was high for anything to do with the team. This was the start of a run of decent success for the team, which stretched from 2006-2014. 

From my trip to Chicago in September 2018 to see my favorite baseball team, the Detroit Tigers on the road for what was my tradition of seeing the Tigers on Labor Day during even-numbered years from 2010-2018 (Detroit in 2010 and 2012, Cleveland in 2014, Chicago in 2016 and 2018) This is the iconic Chicago Theatre on State Street between Lake and Randolph. Seen while doing some evening sightseeing. 

A Thanksgiving fun picture, from 2019! This is Paws, the Detroit Tigers mascot, and Roary, the Detroit Lions mascot, feeling rebellious and hitching a ride to their float to ride in the parade. After the Parade, Roary headed to the Den at Ford Field for the Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day game. 

Sweet Meds

I'm out and around here lately, and while doing some grocery shopping, I run across some Sugar Cubes, and it reminds me of how Immunizations were administered to young people way back when, especially the Polio Vaccine, developed by Jonas Salk. Before the polio vaccine was even conceived, many schools had to close due to Polio going around. In many cases, if you had a severe case of polio, you were in an Iron Lung (this article from 2018 is one of the last)  In the mid-1950s, many baby boomers and people born during World War II  remember being given the vaccine on a sugar cube by their local Health Department and the nurse at their schools. Here in Detroit, the Health Department gave the vaccine to all children depending on which school they attended. Families went to either a Detroit High School or a branch of the Health Department to get their vaccines. With all going on nowadays about many people not vaccinating their children, it seems like many diseases, such as measles, mumps, whooping cough and other communicable diseases thought to be eradicated are now making a comeback. I remember when I was in middle and high school in the mid-1990s to early 2000s, many of my classmates were put out of school until their immunizations and/or Tetanus shots were up to date.

Memorial Day Travels

Yesterday, I took a road trip to Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio for a respite and time to relax, since I have some time off from work, and my father is doing a bit better and is being cared for.  I visited the Louisville Slugger Museum and also went to see my first National League baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates (Don't get to see the National League very often, as my team, the Detroit Tigers, are in the American League). Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure,

The Louisville Slugger museum is located on Main Street in downtown Louisville. I remembered to bring my Ballpark Passport with me, as there is a page in the leather bound book for it. The giant bat can be seen from I71 as you are coming in.  

The black tiles are of all the MLB Hall of Famers who used Louisville Slugger bats during their careers,  Over 8,000 names are listed on the wall overall. 

The hallway leading to the ticket windows and other areas of the museum is line with logos for many Major League teams. 

There are life sized statues of baseball players who used Louisville Sluggers, such as Jackie Robinson (shown here), Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth and Derek Jeter. 

This is the actual "Notched Bat" that Babe Ruth used in 1927 to hit 21 of his 60 home runs. 

Here are the 2014 Silver Slugger awards that are presented annually. Also included in this case are the Living Legend award, given out since 2007

The Ivy covered wall of the museum reminds me of Wrigley Field in Chicago, 

I arrived in Cincinnati about 1:30 PM after experiencing some traffic and parking issues on my way in. As I walked to Great American Ball Park, I encountered this Ferris wheel, and thought of the Millennium Wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago. 

 When I got to Great American Ball Park, I was enamored about the statues around the outside of the park, especially this one of the legendary Pete Rose, known as Charlie Hustle for his work ethic. Many people have opinions on whether he should be in the Hall of Fame. 

Great American Ball Park opened in 2003, and is a really spacious stadium. I enjoy the sightlines from wherever you are seated. 

There is a Big Boy at Great American Ball Park, and I reflected on when Comerica Park in Detroit had a Big Boy restaurant (it is currently a craft beer stand). 

These gentlemen are dressed in the old Cincinnati Red Stockings uniforms of 1869. This year is the 150th anniversary for the Reds and for Major League Baseball. 

As I told you earlier, there is not a bad sightline from wherever you sit. This is one of the best.  I always like to sit in the upper deck whenever I go to a visiting ballpark, and even at Comerica Park. I enjoy seeing skyline views and a view of the game from high above it all. 

This year is the sesquicentennial (150 years) of baseball and the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds are marking the occasion by having numerous events throughout the season. These two tile pictures are pretty neat. 

When leaving the park after the game, I noticed the public bike share station. Bike stations are popular nationwide, as well as Bird, Lime and Spin scooters.