Watch Your Kiddos

Many of us are getting back to work at either our current jobs or at a new job after pandemic restrictions have lifted in most states, and babysitters, nannies or other childcare is needed for kids while we are at work or school. One of many daycare options I have noticed while working within the past few months is College Nannies and Sitters, which offers child care services for any number of kids for any occasions, from work functions, meetings/workshops, to having someone watch your kids while on summer or holiday break from school. I have also noticed the service Hop Skip Drive, which is a transportation service for kids  similar to Uber or Lyft. This is different, because Hop Skip Drive is exclusively for kids, and Uber and Lyft cannot pick up anyone under the age of 18 in their vehicles without someone over 18 with them. Hop Skip Drive drivers are thoroughly background and driving checked and have to have five years or more of childcare experience. I had heard of them back in either 2018 or 2019, when one of my fellow volunteers and I got to talking about rideshare, and the fact that no one under 18 could get an Uber or a Lyft alone, even under their parents accounts. 

Drafted and Oriented

 The Major League Baseball Draft has been going on these past few days, and as I see the newest Major Leaguers getting drafted, I hope that they are getting oriented appropriately by the clubs that have drafted them on every aspect of Major League and Minor League life. Every year, a few of the top prospects from each team are selected to attend the Rookie Career Development Program, sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. This program is held in January, and helps the young men to navigate life in the majors, handle their finances, how to eat right and exercise, and many other aspects of life. I think there should be an orientation program for all who are both drafted and undrafted, as they all would be similarly oriented. 

The Cost of Traveling

 I have been noticing a lot of things here recently, since many Coronavirus restrictions are being lifted and people are traveling again. Many people who are traveling are experiencing higher prices when they book hotel rooms and vacation rentals such as Airbnb and Vrbo, airline flights and rental cars. I have noticed that some rental car companies have raised prices to near $1000 a day due to pent up demand. If you are thinking about travelling this summer, be careful, be safe and look for bargains while making reservations. Whenever I travel, I use my discounts for hotels and airfare, as well as for Amtrak if I am traveling by rail. 

Supreme gowns

I was stunned to hear of the passing of Mary Wilson, founding member of The Supremes on Tuesday morning. The Supremes are one of my favorite Motown groups. The picture I post with the entry today was from my 2019 trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. These dresses were donated by Mary Wilson, who with Florence Ballard and Diana Ross, was inducted into the Rock Hall in 1988. They appear on the album cover of the Supremes and Four Tops' Return of the Magnificent Seven album from 1971

What's Time Is It? Detroit Time!

 These are trying times lately, but telling time should not be trying. Shinola, a Detroit-based maker of timepieces, placed giant clocks around the metro Detroit area a few years ago. These pictures are from August 2019 and August 2018. This clock is  located in front of Ford Field and is  placed very conveniently, as Lions and Tigers fans can see how long it is until gates open and game time, or what time it is so you will not be late to your evening soirees in downtown Detroit

Safe Haven

I am going through my travel pictures, as I have been doing frequently here lately, and I run across this one from my trip to Chicago in 2016. This is at a firehouse between Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier. This sign is about the safe haven law for newborns. If a baby is born, and the parents feel like they are in no position to care for the child at the present moment for any cause, they can leave the child at a firehouse, police station, or emergency room, no questions asked, and the baby will be placed in foster care or up for adoption. There are laws across the nation that will help newborns that are abandoned by their parents. There is an organization called the National Safe Haven Alliance that will help you, as well 

 

Help a Young ballplayer with what they need

Baseball season is coming up quickly, Spring Training is beginning later this month. In March of last year, the baseball season was put on hold due to the Coronavirus. The Minor League  was cancelled shortly after the announcement of the Major League season's postponement. Many players wondered what they would do when they heard the news. One of the admirable efforts I noticed during these times was from Emily Waldon, a baseball writer on Twitter and on The Athletic. She brought attention to the plight of the minor leaguer and the situations they faced with not knowing what their job statuses were at the time, and helped connect Minor League players to companies and people who were looking to hire for the time being. Another admirable effort I ran across was Adopt a Minor Leaguer, which pairs Minor League baseball players with people who can help them out with what they and their families (if they have them) might need.