Country Dogs and City Dogs

Every long-time runner is aware of the different attitudes toward runners by country dogs and dogs in big cities  
The latter, particularly in very large cities, will mostly ignore you, they’ve seen it all before
The country dogs are inclined to give the runner a hard time, perhaps part of a country animal lore
In any event, in 1971, I entered a 20 mile race in rural St Mary’s county

To build up my endurance in the expectation of running a full marathon the next year
I didn’t expect to run very fast, and in fact was the last finisher
About a mile before the end a small dog bit me,
his last chance to instill in a runner a dose of fear

I checked with my doctor who said there hadn’t been a reported case of rabies
in this area for 30 years,
He also asked about the demeanor of the dog, which didn’t seem rough
The dog seemed to me to be calm in fact
But intent on sending a message to an unknown runner to stay away from his turf

In any event about four weeks after the race I was shocked to read in the local paper that
A case of rabies had been reported in the area where I was bitten
I again checked with my doctor who told me the anti-rabies shots are largely ineffective after this period
And to stay calm until some more time had gone by

Which I largely did but not without moments of fear
In my 40 years of running I never again experienced a dog bite, you see
But when running in rural areas, I was always on high alert
Always checking if a dog was in my rear, trying to catch up with me

 

April 2, 1964- My Daughter’s Birth Day

 

Until you read this poem,
I doubt you’ve heard of Pete Incaviglia before
What ties the two of you together
Is that you were both born on April 2, 1964

Pete was a baseball player
Outstanding at both the college and professional level
Several times he led his team to the college world series
And in 1985 he hit 48 home runs, the highest college total ever

In one college game his hitting prowess was so feared
That he was deliberately walked five times, adding an additional event to his fame
In 1986 he was signed to a professional contract
And was one of the few professional players who never played a minor league game

Pete went on to play for 10 teams during his professional career, beginning with Texas
Pete was a Texas ace
After he joined them Texas would go on to win their Division
One year after finishing in last place

I can find no record of Pete’s active participation in any sport but baseball
You, on the other hand, have been an active and skilled participant
In many sports over the years
In a list to which you often make an addition

Your athletic career started quite early
When your mother enrolled you in a swim class for tots at two years of age
Since you’ve been swimming skillfully ever since, including stints as a lifeguard
Her decision proved to be quite sage

I don’t recall precisely when you started running, but one race clearly stands out
Running a 20 mile race on rough trails, going uphill from 5,000 to 13,000 feet at the start
And then reversing direction for the last ten miles
And running downhill for the latter part

You have been involved in dance aerobics for many years
A strenuous sport requiring much endurance
It even got you to a Bronco’s game at Mile High Stadium
As part a half-time performance

You have recently taken several classes in performing on a trapeze
And plan more lessons this coming summer, to improve your technique
Also added ballet instruction, reflecting your continuous willingness to experiment
Which reflects an adaptability that is quite unique 

I can’t say that you and Pete Incaviglia profited in sports
From some weird cosmological contortion on your birth date
Which made April 2, 1964 a good time for future athletes
But, such fanciful speculation aside, both your sports careers were first rate

My Daughter Buying her Subaru

Somewhere in Idaho my Subaru awaits
However there are many complications
The owner in California, your bank in Colorado
Problems that would confuse experts from the United Nations

How to get to Idaho?
How to assure good title?
How to arrange financing?
All steps that are vital

But above your house the noble bluebirds gather
They best know how to avoid any mess
Having learned to tweet, they will advise you wisely
In 140 characters or less

Finding My Subaru

 

 

To avoid trying to locate your car with a wild assed guess
Enclosed please find what I hope is an effective GPS
After overcoming multiple problems in getting it bought, insured and titled, which took many days
It would be a shame if you and your Subaru came to a permanent parting of the ways

Normally you would be aided
By the Bluebirds who really care
But sometimes they get lost
On Durango’s Bridge to Nowhere

So on the rare occasions
When neither your memory or the bluebirds can help you
Hopefully this Bushnell backtrack device
Will come to your rescue

My Favorite Dog Juniper

My favorite dog Juniper

Has some really odd habits

Her favorite animals on this earth

Are a kitten and a rabbit

My Bar Mitzvah

                                                 

In June, 1944, when I was 13, I had my Bar Mitzvah
The traditional rite of passage by which Jewish manhood was gained
Girls had a Bat Mitzvah, at age 12,
Reflecting their more advanced development, which I think they always maintained

In any event the bar mitzvah went smoothly, except for two somewhat quirky events

One during the actual bar mitzvah rite
And one at the Presidential Hall
The post bar mitzvah celebration site

By way of background, you need to understand
That Shaari Israel, the temple my family attended
Had mostly conservative members who took a somewhat relaxed religious approach
But with a sprinkling of orthodox Jews who believed the bible did not need to be amended

The conservatives sat with their wives or other women companions

The orthodox believed women should be segregated, and not join the company of any male
The conservatives would drive to the temple, leaving their cars a few blocks away
The orthodox believed if they drove to the temple, their strict standards they would fail

An important part of the bar mitzvah rite

Was the reading of a biblical selection
Only to make this passage, which was in Hebrew, doable for me
My instructor had cut out 4 substantial sections

As soon as I passed through the first deletion
The Orthodox Jews, sitting together in the first few rows, rose to their feet, then did next
Raise their voices to crescendo level, and expressed great indignation
Very clearly protesting my omission of biblical text

My courage was shaken, but somewhat restored

As the attack on me was by voice and gesticulation
So I concentrated on the task at hand
And continued my chopped up recitation

And three times more the orthodox protested loudly

As I ploughed through my biblical omissions, doing the best I could
I read all the parts on my schedule
And when it was all over, I felt I had dealt with the situation, as any man would

The next quirky event on my Bar Mitzvah day
Took place at The Presidential Hall
Where friends and family gathered
To celebrate it all

During that time, with the war still going on

Good liquor was very hard to buy
My father, a wine salesman, who knew many liquor store owners
During the year prior to my Bar Mitzvah, had accumulated a good supply

So we had an open bar, where our some hundred quests

Had many scarce items from which they could choose
However, there was a party that night on a separate floor, who became aware of our bonanza
And crashed our party to drink up our precious booze

My father quickly formed a flying squad of our beefiest relatives and guests

To eject those drinkers who were not invited to our floor
My mother accompanied him, and between the two, they could recognize virtually every one legitimately present
And the many intruders were quickly ushered out the door

To insure there were no further intrusions

A few members of our flying squad remained by the bar to check if anyone came along
In an attempt to drink from our precious liquor supply
by someone who didn’t belong

So all in all, an exciting night

Going well beyond the expected
Conservative Jews expressing strong disapproval
And liquor seeking intruders who had to be ejected

High School Quiz Show

                                                           

In 1949, as a senior at Tilden high school
I was selected as a participant for a televised quiz show, after screening by a committee
The other contestants were also high schoolers
From other schools in New York City

As the contest began, I began to sweat,
Both from the very bright lights, and fear of humiliation
The program was not broadcast nationally
But I knew my family was watching on a local station

In any event, as the contest unfolded
I did fairly well
Good enough to be in contention
Not good enough to excel

The host then announced the next round-Naming that waltz
Was one where musical skills were vital
A separate waltz would be played for each contestant
After which he or she would be asked its title

I was a musical ignoramus, and knew the name of only one waltz, the Missouri Waltz
Which I had read was the favorite of Harry Truman, then leader of our nation
I had never actually heard it, but knowing the name of none other
So named it after listening a second or two, avoiding further contemplation

The host then said you’re absolutely right
Totally stunned, I tried to show a calm front
Inwardly knowing my musical ignorance
Had been concealed by a total stroke of luck

I didn’t win the contest overall
But my score could be described as okay
In good part knowing the name of the waltz
That Harry Truman liked to play

Wedding Poem

This is the day

Beth and Marty unite

As the father of the bride

It brings me great delight

Both the bride and groom are very bright

And each have ideas of their own

But what I've regularly seen

Is the mutual respect they've shown

Both have the ability

 to deal with problems that arise

I'm confident they'll overcome

any difficulties in their lives

A most unusual coincidence

 can today be seen

The marriage of Marty and Beth

The official birthday of the Queen

So we salute both Elizabeths

May good fortune never quit

A good life for Marty and Beth

And good fortune for the Brit

So a toast to Beth and Marty

And a hope the years will see

Joy and health and serenity

And the best that life can be

Valentine's Day Poem

For Beth and Katarina

Chocolates to eat, roses to view,

Divide them as you like, between the two of you

For Beth

A dessert cook book, to add to your collection,

To help you concoct, an outstanding confection

For Katarina

Some digital equipment, to make you a better user

Of all the potential programs, on your new computer

For Marty

Some Colorado mountain trails, which may be worth a look

You might find about them, by reading this book

For the pets

For Juniper,some peanut chews and a bone with his name

For Big Head Todd and Flounder, catnip that's the same