Still thinkin’

I just took a walk around my neighborhood. I could tell the seasons were changing. The tell-tail sign was not that the leaves on the maples were a brilliant red and not because of the yellows and oranges of the elm leaves. The clear indicator was that my neighbor’s inflatables had changed from witches, goblins and pumpkins to snowmen, elves and Christmas stars.

It pleases me that my neighbors enjoy festivity decorating their homes for the holidays. Billie and I enjoy looking at them. There is always spill over. At Halloween a number of children, drawn by the invitingly adorned homes, will knock on our door. I enjoy distributing Butterfingers and Snickers bars. Beyond the pleasure of costumed children there is the bonus of nibbling on the evening’s remains for several weeks to come. That is if I have properly overpurchased.

Now in keeping with my recent obsession with anticipation, did you happen to watch Fox NFL Sunday this week? In observance of Veteran’s Day, the 100 years ago program aired from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. I think no matter where you stand in our politically divided country today, these young men and women should make you quite proud. I was very proud of them. I anticipate great things from them.

Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski, the newest of the program’s semi-regulars, gave me another vision of anticipation. (Tell me that isn’t a great nickname of a football player?) He agreed to jump from a perfectly good airplane. He indicated that he expressed some interest earlier in his life but was told he was too large. Understandably.

However, for this occasion, it was decided that a tandem parachute jump would be acceptable. Gronk, with an experienced Air Force jump trainer strapped to his back, flew over Colorado, exited an airplane and safely landed at predetermined site on the television set.

Once back on the set, he revealed to that once in the aircraft door, the trainer told him to jump but he hesitated. After the third hesitation on the doorway, Gronk said the trainer just gave him a firm shove and the pair exited the aircraft.

Now Gronk acknowledged he was anticipating the worse when he froze in the exit door. Once he was on the ground, he was quite grateful to the jump instructor.

You know, there are times in life when each of us is frozen in an exit door. All we need is someone who cares enough to give us a shove. Or what is the cliché, “A swift kick!”

Been there, done that. If you are looking for something to read, let me recommend a book. Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments by Joe Posnanski.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Mark Twain

Hal McBride writes a column, Just Thinkin’, published each week.