Ole Pappy

Did the runner touch second on his way back to first on an out? Was the tag made on the runner before he got his hand on the base?

These and other controversial calls were swirling around me as I watched play-after-play being scrutinized during the baseball playoffs. Every time a manager doesn’t like the call made by the umpire, he asked to have it “reviewed” by officials in New York who are not at the game.

My mind began to wander back to a time when the call by the umpire was official, the game went on and, while a manager could argue and get ejected, there was no way to overturn the call. Then suddenly it struck me. What if life were like that?

What if we could stop our lives right where they are and say, “I want a review on that call!” OK, think about the controversial or unjust calls in your life. What if you could simply say ... let’s look at that again!

Those arguments with friends, even loved ones could be settled if we could stop right now and take another look at what happened.

How about when something tragic happens?

Could we simply say, “Time out, I want to look at that again?” Maybe we couldn’t change anything, but perhaps we could put a little clarity into our actions. I know for fact if I could see my actions all over again, it would have a sobering affect on my future actions. Getting mad at someone, or something, often has been something I’ve regretted for a long time.

If someone else could stop me and say, “I want to review your actions” ... well, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be happy with what I saw.

But, sadly enough, we don’t get to do it over. We are creatures created with something called, “Free Will,” and sometimes that gets us into trouble.

Just as I wish baseball could be without the “review” process, I am glad life doesn’t come with a review process as well.

I’m miserable enough knowing about some of the things I regret. I sure don’t want to see them again. But what we can do is learn from our mistakes, do it better the next time, and not allow our lives to get caught up in the past.

Meanwhile, I will continue to watch baseball ... longing for the “good old days” without the review process and, oh, by the way — were we better off without the designated hitter?

Tragic accident

The Minneota community was stunned with the news of the horrible tractor accident suffered by Ann Fier.

She was critically hurt and is even now clinging to life in the hospital in Sioux Falls.

While she has improved some, it’s still a very serious time. (See front page). Ann is one of the most active 81-year-olds I’ve ever met. She’s actively followed all her grandchildren as they play sports and loves to be around them.

And she’s a very great Minnesota Lynx fan and was so happy when they won their recent women’s basketball championship. It’s hard to think about Ann lying in bed, still.

That’s just not her way. We are praying for a recovery for our friend Ann!

LAUGH A LITTLE: Fast Swimmer Talking on the phone with an Navy serviceman stationed in Hawaii, the man discovered the Navy man was learning to scuba-dive.

“We use the buddy system,” the serviceman said. The man was told by the servicemen they occasionally dove into shark-infested waters.

“So what do you do when you see a shark?” the man asked.

The serviceman replied, “Swim faster than my buddy.”

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: As my Ole Pappy used to say, “Focus on the things you desire, not the things you fear.

Life is too short to be afraid — so look ahead, not backward.”

Ole Pappy worked very hard on creating a positive attitude and tried to share it.

Thanks Ole Pappy!