It’s big worldwide and perfect for Syracuse’s heat wave

The ductless air conditioner first caught the attention of my dear wife Karen and I as we watched “House Hunters International” on the HGTV network. All those realtors in exotic tropical climes were telling all those prospective house-buyers that yes, there was air conditioning. We saw that it wasn’t in a window. Our online investigation…

Update: That empty lot is now rather sporty

A couple months back, I grumped loudly here about the folks who decided to use the empty lot between my house and the neighbor’s house as a dog-walking spot. You, friends, offered remedies such as motion-enabled sprinklers and stink bombs. OK, nobody thought of smell as a deterrent. It wasn’t my property, so I did…

A teen and a senior show that cream rises earlier, lasts longer

They say that viewed under the right prism, sports teaches us about life. I believe them. Take the results of two golf tournaments yesterday. On the PGA Tour, 19-year-old Jordan Spieth won the John Deere Classic, capturing a long and winding, five-hole playoff against wise veteran Zach Johnson — a major winner with a Master’s…

Sharkapalooza proves that all it takes around Syracuse is a short drive for a great night

The setting: A delightfully just-right early evening in mid-July, the sort of night where everybody starts every encounter with a smile for the mere reason that a blanket of heat and humidity has finally peeled back from its two-week hold on summer 2013 in Syracuse. The place: Sharkey’s Eclectic Sports Bar, the set-back-from-the-road joint in…

Our backyard brings out an ahhhhhhh. Where’s your summertime weekday retreat?

Ellie B switches to high alert come half past five every weekday. Every sound out front brings our dear Dogamous Pyle up on the recliner for the very best view out the picture window. It matters not if I’m already there. Ellie B thinks she makes a pretty good laptop. Oh, the routine that surrounds…

The voices of Ralph Kiner, Bob Uecker and Doug Logan all made me smile

The universe conspired on the day of America’s birthday party to urge me to build this gift of recognition to the voices that help mark our lives. As you saw in my post yesterday, we took Ellie B to march in the Manlius Fourth of July parade with the group from The Dog Gone Inn.…

Dogs on parade to celebrate the Fourth

The good folks of greater Syracuse turned out in a big way for the annual Fourth of July Parade in Manlius this morning. My dear wife Karen and I brought Ellie B, aka Dogamous Pyle, to march along with happy pets and dogged owners from Dog Gone Doggy Day Car, in the Sno Top Plaza.…

Maybe I did play one round too many this week

As we swept through the aisles of Wegmans for our Friday night replenishment yesterday, my dear wife Karen stopped short. We already had the rice pilaf, bagged salad, chicken breasts, Shake N Bake … This was an unfamiliar department. Seasonal or households or some such. Karen was looking at a doormat. And laughing. She threw…

Sometimes golf can become more than a good walk, thanks to Mother Nature

It’s too easy to take notice when Mother Nature gives us one of those harsh reminders who’s boss down here on planet Earth. So we collectively stare and share after hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, destruction. Sometimes, though, she allows us a precious moment to breathe deeply and appreciate the second part of that often-used expression shock-and-awe.…

Mike Waters and I appear under the bright lights of live TV

Live TV is a different animal. I’m no stranger to these question-and-answer sessions. I’ve strained my ear to hear people’s golden words, inside and outside. I’ve hooked the Garth Brooks-like headgear up to my phone to best capture the thoughts and speech patterns of people of many walks of life. I’ve even sat in front…