As I sit here breaking another sweat from my day of on again, off again feeling like crap that started from a cold to inflammation in my lungs, I started scanning my old blog on Wyomingsports.org.
I came across a blog that I wrote on Nov. 12, 2009, a couple of days after my wife Teresa's car accident that set up a chain of bad luck and health problems for her. Since then, Teresa has spent probably all but 3-4 months in various hospitals, rehab centers and nursing homes in Wyoming and Colorado.
She is currently in a long-term acute facility in Denver with the hope of someday coming home.
As I mentioned, a cold has moved into my lungs and I'm down for a couple of days while an antibiotic and steroid tries to do its job.
When I got home from work Friday night, I mentioned on the phone that I was a little out of breath and my ribs hurt. The caregiver that Teresa is, she demanded that I go to Urgent Care in Laramie on Saturday to have it checked out. Normally, I would have just ignored things and gone to work the next day and likely been miserable.
But I listen to my wife ... most of the time. I did then and I'm glad I did. She knew something was not right and even from her hospital bed in Denver, she knew what to do.
Here's a little repeat of that blog from 2009. I think it tells a lot about my wife, the strongest person I know.
From Rich's Disjointed Ramblings (Wyomingsports.org) on Nov. 12, 2009
It's been an eventful time in the Anderson household in the last couple of weeks, but not a time we want to go through again anytime soon.
It has especially been a tough last couple of weeks for my better half, Teresa. Last week she went through a pretty serious surgery. On Tuesday, she was involved a very serious automobile accident.
She had to be taken by ambulance to the Medical Center of the Rockies trauma ward in Loveland, Colo.
For those who know my wife, you know what she has been going through health-wise the last few years. Teresa is a fighter and battles each and every day with pain I can't even begin to describe, nor would anybody truly understand.
A long-time nurse herself, Teresa has spent much of her adult life trying to make others feel better. She's also spent a lot of time in the hospital this year as a patient at Ivinson Memorial, Poudre Valley Hospital and now at the Medical Center of the Rockies. Nurses share a common bond, which has been the case in each of these facilities.
The emergency room nurses who helped with the transition at MCR Tuesday night did a great job of making sure Teresa was as comfortable as possible. They also visited with her, with the talk centering around Teresa and her work at the Cathedral Home for Children, what she has had to deal with with her chronic illness and her recent surgery and accident.
Wednesday afternoon, one of those nurses came up to her ICU room to see how she was doing. They had a nice, brief conversation as the hustle and bustle of the hospital didn't allow them a lengthy talk.
The MCR nurse ended the visit by squeezing Teresa's hand and telling her: "I can't tell you enough how much I admire you."
Teresa was a bit stunned, as was I. We both began to tear up a bit.
As I was driving back to Laramie later that day, I began to think about that conversation. My initial thought went back to that nurse, whose name I don't even know, nor do I think Teresa remembers. I admit, it struck me initially as a little odd that a basic stranger would say what she said.
Then I realized something that I already knew. It was not odd at all; my wife has a way of leaving those impressions on people.
How can you not admire Teresa? Even though her body is physically breaking down, I only wish I was half as strong as she is.
She is truly my better half.
Back to present, nothing has changed. I believe that more and more every day
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Let's ask the question again
A couple of weeks ago I was listening to sports radio on my late-night drive back home from work from Cheyenne to Laramie.
The ESPN host got on the topic of the Los Angeles Lakers being eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the second round.
His theory was that it was bad for the game for a stalwart team like the Lakers to lose this early in the whole process.
Like all good sports talk show hosts, he then went to the phone lines and asked each caller his opinion. Actually, he wanted all of the callers to agree with him. When they didn't -- Lakers haters were thrilled -- he was thrown off guard.
Don't get wrong, I like the host. He has a good voice and for the most part I agree with his views. That night, though, all I could do was chuckle every time a caller came on and didn’t have his viewpoint. He wasn't mean, he didn't yell at them, but you can tell he was getting a little frustrated.
That reminds of me of times I have interviewed a player or coach, either after a game or for a preview, and that same scenario occurred. I have an idea of what I want the player or coach to say to go along with the theme of my story. When that player or coach doesn't say what I want him/her to say, it throws wrench in the story.
It's also funny to listen to a reporter after an end-of-game news conference go through the same thing. The reporter will find different ways to ask the same question, mainly because this is what he wants to write about and he needs those quotes.
You can hear the frustration in the reporter's voice and sometimes equally the frustration in the coach or athlete's answers.
By the time I got home and turned off the radio, I don't think the host ever got anybody to agree with him.
Now with the Celtics out of the playoffs, that same host has to be pulling his hair out. He should call me. As a longtime Celtics hater, I'm thrilled.
The ESPN host got on the topic of the Los Angeles Lakers being eliminated from the NBA playoffs in the second round.
His theory was that it was bad for the game for a stalwart team like the Lakers to lose this early in the whole process.
Like all good sports talk show hosts, he then went to the phone lines and asked each caller his opinion. Actually, he wanted all of the callers to agree with him. When they didn't -- Lakers haters were thrilled -- he was thrown off guard.
Don't get wrong, I like the host. He has a good voice and for the most part I agree with his views. That night, though, all I could do was chuckle every time a caller came on and didn’t have his viewpoint. He wasn't mean, he didn't yell at them, but you can tell he was getting a little frustrated.
That reminds of me of times I have interviewed a player or coach, either after a game or for a preview, and that same scenario occurred. I have an idea of what I want the player or coach to say to go along with the theme of my story. When that player or coach doesn't say what I want him/her to say, it throws wrench in the story.
It's also funny to listen to a reporter after an end-of-game news conference go through the same thing. The reporter will find different ways to ask the same question, mainly because this is what he wants to write about and he needs those quotes.
You can hear the frustration in the reporter's voice and sometimes equally the frustration in the coach or athlete's answers.
By the time I got home and turned off the radio, I don't think the host ever got anybody to agree with him.
Now with the Celtics out of the playoffs, that same host has to be pulling his hair out. He should call me. As a longtime Celtics hater, I'm thrilled.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Remembering the "Killer"
You get to a certain age when it is probably a little creepy to have sports heroes. I'd like to think that I am at that point where I don't idolize a sports figure who is half of my age.
That's not to say I didn't grow up with plenty of sports idols along the way.
As a Packers fan, I have to start with Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Boyd Dowler ... actually just about any Packer from the 1960s.
As a Lakers fan, I often thought I was Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain or Elgin Baylor out on the court.
As a Twins fan, my early idols were Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva.
While I now try to stay away from idolizing athletes younger than me, it's not to say that I'm not a fan. Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Reggie White and Brett Favre (as a Packer) come to mind a few years ago. Now there's Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Sorry, I can't say that I am a fan of anybody in the NBA, but that's a different story.
With the recent news that Harmon Killebrew was dying of cancer and that he was going into hospice care, my first thought was of sadness. Then I remembered why he was a sports idol of mine when I was a kid.
To me, there was no better player than Harmon Killebrew. It wasn't just because he was my favorite baseball player. To me, there was no better player to idolize. For a man nicknamed "killer," he was the exact opposite. He was the type of player, as a person, that you wanted to idolize. He still is.
I'll never forget my first game at the old Met Stadium, as the Twins played the Yankees and my family and stopped on our way to Wisconsin. Killebrew didn't hit any homers in that game, but I'll never forget it, even though it was a long time ago. In my mind, he was actually 0-for-4, but he backed Yankees outfielder Roy White to the wall each time, and unfortunately, White caught all four near home runs.
What struck me the most was I was just a few rows up in the stands, and I thought I was going to have a shot at all four baseballs.
I'm not sure if that story is actually true, although it is one that I have told for about 40 years. But as far as I am concerned, that's actually what happened.
I've never been one to wear replica jerseys. I do have a Packers' Favre jersey, but I have only worn it twice. I go by the theory that kids and women can wear jerseys, but adult men should not. Don't ask me why, it just doesn't look right, going back to the idolizing an athlete younger than yourself.
I'm going to throw that theory out the door, I think. No, the Favre jersey stays in the closet. I'm getting a Killebrew No. 3 jersey.
Godspeed, Harmon.
That's not to say I didn't grow up with plenty of sports idols along the way.
As a Packers fan, I have to start with Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Boyd Dowler ... actually just about any Packer from the 1960s.
As a Lakers fan, I often thought I was Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain or Elgin Baylor out on the court.
As a Twins fan, my early idols were Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva.
While I now try to stay away from idolizing athletes younger than me, it's not to say that I'm not a fan. Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, Reggie White and Brett Favre (as a Packer) come to mind a few years ago. Now there's Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Sorry, I can't say that I am a fan of anybody in the NBA, but that's a different story.
With the recent news that Harmon Killebrew was dying of cancer and that he was going into hospice care, my first thought was of sadness. Then I remembered why he was a sports idol of mine when I was a kid.
To me, there was no better player than Harmon Killebrew. It wasn't just because he was my favorite baseball player. To me, there was no better player to idolize. For a man nicknamed "killer," he was the exact opposite. He was the type of player, as a person, that you wanted to idolize. He still is.
I'll never forget my first game at the old Met Stadium, as the Twins played the Yankees and my family and stopped on our way to Wisconsin. Killebrew didn't hit any homers in that game, but I'll never forget it, even though it was a long time ago. In my mind, he was actually 0-for-4, but he backed Yankees outfielder Roy White to the wall each time, and unfortunately, White caught all four near home runs.
What struck me the most was I was just a few rows up in the stands, and I thought I was going to have a shot at all four baseballs.
I'm not sure if that story is actually true, although it is one that I have told for about 40 years. But as far as I am concerned, that's actually what happened.
I've never been one to wear replica jerseys. I do have a Packers' Favre jersey, but I have only worn it twice. I go by the theory that kids and women can wear jerseys, but adult men should not. Don't ask me why, it just doesn't look right, going back to the idolizing an athlete younger than yourself.
I'm going to throw that theory out the door, I think. No, the Favre jersey stays in the closet. I'm getting a Killebrew No. 3 jersey.
Godspeed, Harmon.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thinking about the Boys of Summer
I guess I need to thank David Settle for remanding me how old I am as he mentioned on his noon sports broadcast on KOWB radio on Friday that it had been 25 years since the Laramie Rangers had last won an American Legion baseball title.
Of course, the young pup Settle is, he wasn't around here when that happened.
I was ... kind of.
Actually, I was in my final days as sports editor of the Northern Wyoming Daily News in Worland and the Rangers had won the state tournament, which was being played in Worland. I was helping out Bob Hammond and the Laramie Boomerang with box scores of the tournament at the time and covering the event for the Worland paper.
Back then, the Worland Indians had a pretty decent Legion program and competed with the likes of Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.
Under the guidance of manager Dennis Diehl and assistant coach Jon Johnson, the Rangers won the 1986 championship. Despite a pretty consistent program since then, Laramie has yet to enjoy that championship feeling, although it finished second a couple of times in the mid 1990s under then manager Monty Schuman, losing both times to Casper. Laramie finished second again a few years ago, losing to Cheyenne.
After the tournament, Hammond offered me a chance to come to Laramie and work for the Boomerang, something I did for 18 years before my disappointing departure in the fall of 2007.
I remember vividly that first season (1987) covering the Rangers under Diehl and having the bejesus scared out of me in that first game with his his aggressive behavior. Diehl was a good coach and good to work with, but it took a little while to get used to his abrasive style, especially for a young sportswriter.
Throughout the years, covering American Legion baseball was often one of the highlights of my years in the business. To me, there's nothing better than breaking out the scorebook, grabbing a cold beverage in the hot sun (and then moving to shade) and watching baseball; I don't care what level it is.
I haven't done it in a couple of years, so once again there will be something missing for me this summer. Hopefully that fun will return down the road.
The Rangers, under new manager Zac Baker, will open the season this weekend at Douglas. Yet another year of hope and base hits in the gap.
Yes, Mr. Settle reminded me of my advancing years, but he also brought back a lot of fond memories, as it got me thinking about all of those seasons at Cowboy Field.
Of course, the young pup Settle is, he wasn't around here when that happened.
I was ... kind of.
Actually, I was in my final days as sports editor of the Northern Wyoming Daily News in Worland and the Rangers had won the state tournament, which was being played in Worland. I was helping out Bob Hammond and the Laramie Boomerang with box scores of the tournament at the time and covering the event for the Worland paper.
Back then, the Worland Indians had a pretty decent Legion program and competed with the likes of Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.
Under the guidance of manager Dennis Diehl and assistant coach Jon Johnson, the Rangers won the 1986 championship. Despite a pretty consistent program since then, Laramie has yet to enjoy that championship feeling, although it finished second a couple of times in the mid 1990s under then manager Monty Schuman, losing both times to Casper. Laramie finished second again a few years ago, losing to Cheyenne.
After the tournament, Hammond offered me a chance to come to Laramie and work for the Boomerang, something I did for 18 years before my disappointing departure in the fall of 2007.
I remember vividly that first season (1987) covering the Rangers under Diehl and having the bejesus scared out of me in that first game with his his aggressive behavior. Diehl was a good coach and good to work with, but it took a little while to get used to his abrasive style, especially for a young sportswriter.
Throughout the years, covering American Legion baseball was often one of the highlights of my years in the business. To me, there's nothing better than breaking out the scorebook, grabbing a cold beverage in the hot sun (and then moving to shade) and watching baseball; I don't care what level it is.
I haven't done it in a couple of years, so once again there will be something missing for me this summer. Hopefully that fun will return down the road.
The Rangers, under new manager Zac Baker, will open the season this weekend at Douglas. Yet another year of hope and base hits in the gap.
Yes, Mr. Settle reminded me of my advancing years, but he also brought back a lot of fond memories, as it got me thinking about all of those seasons at Cowboy Field.
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