omfpoboma

I didn't look at the TV Guide last week. Can someone tell me if tonight's White House Country Music fest has anything to do with the fact that the First Lady was 'booed' at the NASCAR Homestead race? Trying to 'connect'? GMAFB

Evidently Indiana is being punished again.

We shall have rain.

Where did the Month of May go?

I had a weird depressing moment last Saturday. In the moment, I felt as if I had forgotten to call my Mom on Mother's Day. It was like realizing sometime late in the afternoon that it was Christmas day.

It was opening day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I didn't realize it until about 5:00 while I was on a grocery run.

Back in the day, the Indy 500 was the month of May around here. There was nothing else. There was an energy in the air. Celebrities visited, the track was crowded, and a huge portion of the evening news focused on the day's events at the Speedway. Those of you that have heard the words, "And it's a new track record" bellowed out by the late Ton Carnegie, know what I mean.

But those days are sadly gone. It was 5:00pm and I had forgotten about my best childhood friend. I forgot about an event that I loved, an event that helped shape my life, and supported me financially for many years. Forgot.

So I turn on the radio. 1070am. They were talking baseball. FREAKING BASEBALL on 1070am in Indianapolis at 5:00pm on a Saturday in May. So I turn on the 'new' WIBC, 93.1 hoping to hear the familiar voice of Donald Davidson. Nope. They were talking money and finance. I scanned all stations and nothing.

What was formerly "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" is a fading gem, even for a kid that lived and loved it. It is now a parade of Dallara-Honda-Firestones. Gone are the Eagles, Mallards, Coyotes. Gone is the buzz and excitement that the annual event formerly brought to town.

There are many reasons why, but I can't change it, and I'm not sure that anyone can. From now on, the Indy 500 will be limited to a 225mph-ish contest, constrained by the insurance companies and the lawyers. There most likely will be no new track records.

That ship has sailed and I should just be glad to have witnessed it at its zenith.

The month of May is gone.

Some Simple Sandwiches

I know, not new territory for me. Sandwiches. There are many forgettable ones. There are also some absolutely unforgettable ones.

The best bologna sandwich that I ever ate was on June 12th, 2005. Long story about the day, my friend Mylon might remember. To sum it up, I had NO idea that it could ever get that hot in Montreal, and we dined in the parking lot of a hospital. Great friend, probably a terrible sandwich, but at the moment, unforgettable. (Everyone survived)

Austra. What can I say. She was my grandmother and she made some interesting sandwiches. Ever have a tongue sandwich? I have. Don't knock it until you try it. I could go on....

And her memory leads me to the reason why I wrote this. I just finished making my breakfast and lunch. I made a turkey and American cheese sandwich that I will forget about. I also made a 'quasi' European sandwich with turkey, American cheese, and butter on rye that I will forget about.

Making my meals reminds me of this: my last unforgettable sandwich. I recently spent many hours on 3 different flights heading west to meet my family for spring break. There were delays, cancellations, and the possibility of not making it to my destination. But I made it. I was late but I made it.

Then there were sandwiches. They were spectacular. Rye, butter, cheese, meat. I don't know exactly what kind of meat, and quite frankly, when it comes to 'old country' food sometimes it is better not to know. Anyway the taste took me back 20 years to when I would sit with my grandma at the table, eating a simple small sandwich.

Here's to old country,

Thanks Mom and Aggie.

First and Second

He did pretty well this year, First Place in his rank, beating 16 other cars and second place overall. Next year we lubricate the axles with pure tiger blood. Anyone have Charlie Sheen's phone number?