This day in Marty history

Facebook really has the pulse on my life. This morning I was reminded of two things which took place on July 25 in my history, one cool, one, well, I guess funny.

On this day in 2016 my son Frank and I saw the Detroit Tigers take on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Tigers won 4-2. Jose Iglesias cleared the Green Monster with a two run homer in the top of the sixth. Fenway Franks, the hot dog sold at Fenway, are incredible! I want to go back to the old ball park both to see it and have a couple more of those dogs!

In 2014 on this same July 25 I was given my first Senior discount at a Wendy's in Indiana. Seven years ago I got my first senior discount. I wonder how much money I've saved since letting my pride get out of the way?

So there's Today in History. My history.

The rose and the Mud Hens

Facebook is quite nice. It helps us keep up with people, and reminds us of good times gone by. This morning it showed me a picture I had posted six years ago today.

After Detroit Tiger Stadium had been torn down but before the City took over the field, people could wander on the remains of the baseball diamond. I did just that several times, and even played pitch and catch with my family on the old field. Cool beans.

One summer day as I took my morning walk I ended up there, and roamed around the field for a few minutes. I noticed something on the pitcher's mound: it was an old Toledo Mud Hens cap, left with a red rose across the bill. I snapped a picture on my phone and apparently shared it to Facebook.

Such things are what stories are made of, and I wonder what the story is behind it. Was it a tribute to Tiger Stadium? A memory a person? A salutation?

I wonder. The picture is on my Facebook page again today. If I can figure out how to add it here, I will. But for now, well, I am happy that Facebook reminded me about it.

A very Marty joke

Facebook can be pretty cool sometimes. Why, this morning it reminded me of a status update I posted eight years ago today. A rather clever one too, I might add. It's a political joke, but a short one. And I know you simply have to hear it now.

What do socialists vote for?

Wait for it...

Left rights!

Thank you, thank you. I am proud of that one.

Good times I remember (with help)

I like the memories section on facebook. It reminds me of neat things, good people, and fun times. Fun times such as two years ago these very days on a visit east.

I found Newark, New Jersey is surprisingly cosmopolitan when I did not expect it. I had originally reserved that positive judgment for Manhattan Island. I am impressed by my error. I suppose what changed my mind was having a drink in an Irish pub Saturday evening. If there's an Irish pub, it's a civilized enough place.

After visiting with my son and his fiancee, which was the highlight of my adventure and I mean that despite what detractors shall assert, I most enjoyed seeing Fenway Park in Boston. And New York City impressed me in ways beyond simple prose. Liberty Island, Ellis Island; the reflecting pools where WTC 1 and WTC 2 once stood. Marvelous. We are one nation. It was quiet as we watched the water stream over the black marble of the fountains which make the 9/11 memorial, despite the thousands walking and talking nearby. You really only heard the pools. You only heard the soft voices they made. They spoke powerfully.

Then Boston, which my son and I drove up to see, was pretty cool too. It's New York's sister, if they would both agree to the relationship. She has faced her attackers too. I'm not sure that I've experienced anything close to singing Sweet Caroline so deeply as the Red Sox nation sings it during seventh inning stretches at Fenway. Sweet Caroline, silence, then 38 thousand responses asserting "dun dun dah". Being part of it just once pleases me deeply.

I wish I had taken Pops to Fenway. I think even he would have said, pumping his fist, dun, dun, dahhh. He loved the spirit of the game that much. He would have liked the Tiger Stadium feel as well.

The homesteads of President John Adams (he had two) seemed country and quiet despite having been gobbled up by the Boston suburbs. I'm really not big on historic preservation (we tend to over-preserve, if we are honest about it) but I'm happy those two spots have been kept as they were. They are oases among the sprawl.

So thank you facebook memories. You've served me well this week.