Two drafts, please and thank you.
My dear wife Karen and I settled into a friendly enough neighborhood joint to watch the Belmont Stakes yesterday afternoon.
It was the kind of place that was glad to pour us two pint drafts to take to sit down at a table, just Karen and I.
A regular has left the building forever.
It was the kind of place that puts the name of a regular who won’t be visiting any more up on the sign in front to pay tribute.
So long, Gumba. May you be in a better bar.
Playing songs about a faraway heart.
It was the kind of place where a fellow in a sombrero felt quite at home pulling his stool right up to the juke box so he could watch his selected CDs slide in a play. Every song was about Mexico, from Carlos Santana and then a duet from Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffet.
After a handful of swayed-to-songs, he saw fit to slide over to tell of a daughter and grandson how lived in Mexico who would call him once a year. And that call would come later this day.
Coming to the gate, California Chrome.
It was the kind of place that showed the Stakes on a really huge flat screen with a beautifully sharp picture, and a hundred people spent a couple minutes yelling and cajoling and hoping to see something that doesn’t seem to happen anymore.
But, no. California Chrome could not beat those other horses on that 1-1/2 mile track down on Long Island.
The horse wearing the big breathe right strip could not back up his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes to win the Triple Crown of Harness Racing for the first time since 1978. No history made today, people.
Did you watch the Belmont Stakes yesterday? Where you watching with a crowd of people? Were you hoping for California Chrome to win the Triple Crown?
My dear wife Karen and I are at the start of a week off. I will still be blogging periodically, but may not be able to read everybody else’s blog I follow as usual. Back home in Syracuse, by the way, Good Neighbor Tim and lovely wife Lorraine have promised to watch our locked-up-tight home like a hawk. Our houses our 15 feet apart.
Mark Bialczak 
Have a lovely vacation!! 😀
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Thank you, Rachel. So far, very good!
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Sweet!
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I didn’t mention because I didn’t know the significance until I finished writing about my day at Belmont. They were giving away breath right strip and people were wearing them. At the time I thought it was strange. Anywho sounds like you had a great time. Bar sounds like this bar I use to hang out in before.
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Probably. There are a lot of bars like one, Kim, where regular people hang out.
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PS this is the type of place I prefer on rare occasion I can steal away. Not a martini in sight. Working class drinks, the juke box playing something sentimental, stories exchanged with strangers (the friendly ones). I was talking about dive bars but now that I think of it, maybe that’s why I like WP too? Take good care bro. I mean that literally. 😉
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It is such a working class place, Sandra. Your stealing away time will come in a flash, 15 years, Oliva out of nest. It will feel like 15 days, sis. Have a great day.
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Looking forward to more stories and pictures when you are back in the saddle. Enjoy friend! xoxo
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Enjoy your time off!! 🙂
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And so I will, Aud, so I will.
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Great “slice of life” post, Mark, I enjoyed it! Trying to figure out where this joint is…shhh, don’t tell, it will be mobbed and lose its charm. Have a great time–enjoy! 🙂
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Thanks, Ermi. I cut the name off the sign just because since it ain’t really my joint … we just borrow it while we’re here.
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Oooo, have a wonderful week off! I’ve taken a week off of blogging and and now recovering from the happy festivities of graduation. She did it. We did it. We are still alive and are looking forward to the summer. 🙂
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Oh, wow, congratulations Maria and the grad. I am proud and happy for you all. Now, a summer of relaxation before the fun and work of college. Hooo-boy. Way to go, Mrs. B!
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Happy adventures on vacation, Mark and Karen! Are family members joining you? I have a few favorite sports bars and taverns I used to frequent more often. I was at the Delaware Beach yesterday, with my two granddaughters, the M & M girls. Fun times, my coworker, Darryl who had three boys, then his newest daughter was celebrating his middle son’s #5 birthday.
I did look up that California Chrome was in the company of twelve other horses in all of history who won 2 of 3 races in the Triple Crown. I was rooting for his humble owners and the beautiful horse. I am so glad you shared this post with us, it reminded me that ‘everyone has his story to tell,’ while that man was thinking of his family members in Mexico he was listening to their style of music! Loved this post!
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Just Karen, I and Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle, Robin. We are having a good time in the cottage we are renting.
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After visiting my hometown for the weekend, I realize how I miss having “joints” near where I live now. Nothing beats a good one, does it? 🙂
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Yes, Kay, I gravitate toward places I can call a joint. I’m lucky to have a couple good joints near our house in Syracuse, too.
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I didn’t watch Mark. But I did so very much enjoy that kind of place.
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Fun time out of town, it was, Colleen.
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I really liked the goodbye message to their patron and friend.
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Pretty classy move, I agree, Colleen.
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We went out yesterday too, Seems like a great place you went too You can never go wrong when their is a shamrock on the sign lol, It is so tough to with the triple crown. Those horses just looked worn out to, but we still had a good family day,
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Yes, they look tired the last third of the race, didn’t they, ONUCM? I’m glad to hear you had a good family day!
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“May you be in a better bar”
I did not watch the Belmont.
Gave two shits less.
But I did watch the Saint Jude Golf.
What do that say of me?
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I do believe that is par for the course for you, Lance, from reading your scribblings. And that is OK Dokay.
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Okay
I call you ‘friend’ and I will always.
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Mark, I feel so at home here at your blog. May you and Karen have a glorious week. Thank you SO much for who you are and being such a talented writer at that. Could you tell me how in the world you get a “centered” title under your photos? My editor will not longer do that, putting the caption to the left side. IF it is involved, forget it and just accept my thank you for another great post! Love, Amy
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Thanks, Amy. I try to make my stories welcoming, so this comment means much to me.
As far as the centered cutlines under the photos go, that’s how it works for my theme. I merely type them into my WP format box when I post the photo and that’s how it publishes. I don’t customize it in any manner. Sorry, friend.
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Grrrrr…….Yep, then it is my theme. I changed themes and out the window flew my centered captions. Thank you any way, Mark. At least I know now. (((HUGS))) Amy
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Enjoy your vacation Mark, I hope that both of you will have a great week 🙂
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We are making plans for walking the ocean beach in a little bit, Irene! Thank you.
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Enjoy your vacation, Mark.
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Thanks, Mer. We just talked about going to take a walk on the beach! The sun is shining! Yay.
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this is absolutely my kind of place. i love the ode to the regular who’s moved on to be a regular someplace else now, and the sombrero guy too. i saw the race and was sad for cc. i know many people were let down yesterday too. soon after, i saw his owner ranting and railing against the other horse who won and i was surprised, i’ve never seen quite that response –
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I saw the owner’s rant and although I thought he had a point about the “fresh-horse advantage” from skipping the Derby and Preakness, that’s always been the rule. Because owners are getting cagier and taking advantage of it now when in the past there was a sense of honor to run them all, it that a reason to change the rule? I’m not so sure. It was a surprising rant, for sure, Beth. Anyway, I think it’s time for a horse to win the Triple Crown again.
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i don’t know much about horse racing and the ins and outs, just thought it was a bit of a crazy rant and showed poor sportsmanship. and i completely agree about the need for a triple crown winner! )
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He sure did look like a poor loser, Beth.
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Have a great vacation!
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Yes, it’s off to a fine start, Paul. Thank you.
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It’s the kind of bar that I would visit Mark. How honouring and wonderful that they mention the passing of a regular. I hope you and Karen enjoy your week off. And it’s ok if you’re on WordPress less – have fun!
Diana xo
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I am trying to get up early and give WP a quick hour in the a.m. We shall see! I am having fun already. Thanks, Diana!
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Mark, have I told you that I Went to college in Jamestown!!! I remember visiting Syracuse for a volleyball game!
have a great sunday!
/a
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Anna! You never told me that you lived in upstate New York in college. How exciting. I wish I knew you then.
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Jamestown Community college!!! One of ht best times in my Life!!!!! 🙂
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I bet you loved it, Anna!
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😉
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Thank you for taking care of business, Mark, in so many ways. Your blog is the kind of place where we feel at home and are grateful, no matter what you’re able to do for us.
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Thank you, Ann. I am trying to keep up and still be “on vacay.”
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