Every once in a while when I want to get back into a rhythm and order of writing the blog, I do a post that is part reflection, part rambling on things. This is such a post ---
How big of a genius was Myron Cope with the invention of the “Terrible Towel?” Every baseball team currently in the playoffs has fans waving some kind of towel. It’s a bit disconcerting to watch fans of the Oakland A’s wave gold towels ….looks too much like the one-and-only original towel talisman.
Can our democratic experiment be more broken? Everyone is concerned about making sure to be re-elected and caters to their respective political base instead of the shared common good of the nation.
Did you ever think the annoying kid on the playground who if she or he didn’t get his way would threaten to take her or his ball and go home would one day end up a member of congress?
Is anyone else longing for sweatshirt weather? Enough of the 80 degrees and humidity --- we are in the season of fall and should be preparing for the first frost not running the air conditioning
It’s been a long time coming, yet, how cool is it that local hospitals are dressing new-born babies in Pirates sleepers and wrapping “pirate style” a red bandana on the babes’ heads? They call them “Bucco Babies!”
The best word I’ve heard to describe the giant, 40-foot rubber ducky docked near the Point is “whimsical.” Perfect.
When you have your team in the hunt, how intense and nerve-wracking is playoff baseball? I agonize on every pitch.
How about Pope Francis? Humble. Active-concern and justice for persons who are poor. Asking us to put compassion and understanding first and foremost before judgement.
Not for anything, yet, I have learned how to make one darn good meatloaf! My culinary expertise is expanding beyond something one can microwave and a sandwich.
Society would be so much better off if we made gathering at table with others a daily practice.
There’s my ten ramblings. What are you thinking about?
sj;
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The RITE Stuff
In many ways clergy fill the role of the keepers and leaders of rituals and rites. Of course we do this in worship settings and as faith leaders. Performing the ritual of baptism and communion are some of my most favorite moments as clergy.
As we know, here in our fair city of Pittsburgh sports are a religion in terms of the gathering of the community; sharing a common language; statues; relics; holy places; saints and sinners; hope and belief.
Last weekend I traveled to Cincinnati to attend the first two games of the series and guarantee Pittsburgh would host a playoff game. Tapping into my decades-long practice of creating and performing rituals and rites, I took a 20 ounce empty bottle (20 for the 20 losing seasons) and went to gather Allegheny River water at the location nearest the Roberto Clemente statue near PNC Park. Having gathered the water, I took the filled bottle to the Clemente statue and tapped it on his feet --- that we would be fast; on his bat --- that we would hit; on his hand --- that we would catch and throw well; and on his #21 --- that we would play with passion and heart. Once I arrived at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, I circled the stadium sprinkling Allegheny River water and claiming the space for Pittsburgh. I made it a point to share what I was doing with the Pittsburgh fans that were there. They loved it! In fact, persons asked me to sprinkle water on their hands so they could assist the effort.
Do I actually think my sprinkling of Allegheny River water had anything to do with the outcome of that series? No. Yet, it connected me to the other Pirates fans who were there, brought a lot of smiles, and made me feel as if I was doing something to help my beloved Buccos! Did I mention it was fun?
A part of us believes that if we wear the shirt we wore when the team won that they will win again. Or, if we eat the same food we had when the won the big game they will do so again. Recent case in point, ever since the 40-foot rubber duck docked along our shores near the Point the Pirates had won --- sweeping the series against Cincinnati last weekend to earn home field advantage and winning the wild card playoff game Tuesday night. Persons contacted in huge numbers the local powers responsible for keeping the duck moored in Pittsburgh and told them the duck must stay in our city throughout the Pirates playoffs run. I confess that prior to hearing the news that, indeed, the duck will be staying throughout, I was gathering a group of volunteers to prepare a covert operation to harness the duck and keep him anchored in our fair city.
Truth be told, I have been thinking about this particular post for awhile, yet decided not to post it while the Pirates were winning. Alas, after today's thumping, I can post...sigh....
Sports connects us and unites us. That's a good thing. The energy in the city over the Pirates is a delight! Enjoy this! Have fun!
After today's loss, we need to adjust the duck. Does anyone want to help me place a giant, inflated, Pirates cap upon his head? Or, help me build and inflate a giant Ernie decked-out in black and gold?
sj;
As we know, here in our fair city of Pittsburgh sports are a religion in terms of the gathering of the community; sharing a common language; statues; relics; holy places; saints and sinners; hope and belief.
Last weekend I traveled to Cincinnati to attend the first two games of the series and guarantee Pittsburgh would host a playoff game. Tapping into my decades-long practice of creating and performing rituals and rites, I took a 20 ounce empty bottle (20 for the 20 losing seasons) and went to gather Allegheny River water at the location nearest the Roberto Clemente statue near PNC Park. Having gathered the water, I took the filled bottle to the Clemente statue and tapped it on his feet --- that we would be fast; on his bat --- that we would hit; on his hand --- that we would catch and throw well; and on his #21 --- that we would play with passion and heart. Once I arrived at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, I circled the stadium sprinkling Allegheny River water and claiming the space for Pittsburgh. I made it a point to share what I was doing with the Pittsburgh fans that were there. They loved it! In fact, persons asked me to sprinkle water on their hands so they could assist the effort.
Do I actually think my sprinkling of Allegheny River water had anything to do with the outcome of that series? No. Yet, it connected me to the other Pirates fans who were there, brought a lot of smiles, and made me feel as if I was doing something to help my beloved Buccos! Did I mention it was fun?
A part of us believes that if we wear the shirt we wore when the team won that they will win again. Or, if we eat the same food we had when the won the big game they will do so again. Recent case in point, ever since the 40-foot rubber duck docked along our shores near the Point the Pirates had won --- sweeping the series against Cincinnati last weekend to earn home field advantage and winning the wild card playoff game Tuesday night. Persons contacted in huge numbers the local powers responsible for keeping the duck moored in Pittsburgh and told them the duck must stay in our city throughout the Pirates playoffs run. I confess that prior to hearing the news that, indeed, the duck will be staying throughout, I was gathering a group of volunteers to prepare a covert operation to harness the duck and keep him anchored in our fair city.
Truth be told, I have been thinking about this particular post for awhile, yet decided not to post it while the Pirates were winning. Alas, after today's thumping, I can post...sigh....
Sports connects us and unites us. That's a good thing. The energy in the city over the Pirates is a delight! Enjoy this! Have fun!
After today's loss, we need to adjust the duck. Does anyone want to help me place a giant, inflated, Pirates cap upon his head? Or, help me build and inflate a giant Ernie decked-out in black and gold?
sj;
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