Remembering Elliana: Her First Shots

Javier called me somewhat in a panic. Elliana had been crying incessantly since she had her shots earlier in the day, and he could not figure out what the problem was. He had tried feeding her. Her diaper didn't need changing. She was uncomfortable and crying.

This was a job for Papa, so I headed over to see what I could do. Sure enough, she was crying uncomfortably when I got there.

Remembering Elliana: Elliana’s First Mariners Game

I was eleven when we went to San Diego to visit my uncle and his family. It was there that I saw my first major league baseball game. The Padres were playing the Giants. Juan Marichal pitched, Willie Mays was in center, and Willie McCovey was at first! All of these superstars were amongst the greatest players of the day!

Jump forward forty years to 2009. The Mariners had a new GM and a new manager. They also had an old, familiar face as that was the year Ken Griffey Jr. rejoined the team with which he began his illustrious career. He no longer played center field, but was primarily the designated hitter. He had struggled with the bat that season, so it was thought that he would retire that year.

I wanted my then four year old granddaughter, Elliana, to be able to say she saw him play, so she, Papa Mike, and I made our way north to see the final game of the season against the Texas Rangers.

Remembering Elliana: Blowing Bubbles

Note: This was written by me on July 28, 2009. That date has no significance to the reader. It has significance to me, because it means that I was inspired to write about this actual event, on Elliana's fourth birthday.

I only remember that when I open it to read it. It seems dust gets in my eyes when I do that, too.

I hope you enjoy it.

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Remembering Elliana: The Rules to Taggeret (Video Reading Included)

The most popular post of 2023.
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Elliana has several cultures in her genetic makeup. Her father has indigenous and Mexican blood on his side of the family. 

Elliana spent a lot of time with him at his father's home when she was young. 

I picked her up one day from Papa Ed's place. She told me that she and her young uncles and cousins played a game called taggeret. They had been playing it for a while. 

This was the first time I had heard of the game. She could explain it to me since she was just learning to speak. I asked her how the game was played. 

Remembering Elliana: Soaking Papa at Work

The final part of the day of work at Transpro was washing and putting away the van. Candace arrived while I was washing the van one sunny day, so I had Elliana, who was three years old, rinse the van while I finished washing it. 

Another driver walked up and decided to have some fun with the situation. He told Elliana that he would give her a dollar if she sprayed me with the hose. She looked at me a bit bewildered. She loves her papa, but a dollar is a dollar.

Three Songs About Ex-Girlfriends

Music expresses moods. Whether we are happy or glad, or angry or sad, there are songs for every mood.

Love is one of the most common themes in music, and many sub-themes can be derived from within that. From first kisses to mourning soulmates, the spectrum of love is covered. Of course, part of the spectrum of love are lost loves. 

Even within this sliver of the slice of music that are love songs, we can find different moods. That is the case with these three songs about ex-girlfriends. One of the songs is about reflecting on what might have gone differently, but didn't. One of the songs is about an ex-girlfriend for whom some bitterness seems to be mixed with a bit of lingering desire. 

Before we get to those, here is a song to an ex-girlfriend that is about being bitter and spiteful, and holding a grudge.

Pleasure (Video Reading Included)

Originally written November 8, 2007.

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With love from her deep brown eyes more piercing than Cupid’s arrows, she comfortably positions herself in my lap for the third time today. No wiggling and jiggling, she desires beast again.

Tidal Wave of Love

The water had seeped the night before. The winds were blowing steadily as predicted. The pressure was mounting with each push. The earth began shaking uncontrollably with greater and greater force. Then from within there was emergence, and it was finally over.

All the preparation and anticipation had come to fruition. Our baby had arrived!