Enjoy These Halcyon Days of Early Summer: 'A California 10 Day'

The next few days will bring some ideal, gorgeous, mild temperate weather to Southeastern Connecticut. Today reminded me of my beautiful past life spent in Northern California, first in San Francisco and then the North Valley area of Chico/Paradise.

We Northern California residents would call a day such as today, 'A Northern California 10 day'--meaning that temps are just right rising from the mid-60's in the morning to the mid-70's in mid-afternoon, not a cloud in the sky and the air quality near or close to a perfect 10. Ah, for those halcyon days of Spring and Summer in San Francisco.

So, get out en plein air, shuck off all your cares and worries and enjoy life as it is supposed to be.

Happy early summer to all, happy days of maximum daylight to all, bask in these days of 'daylight appreciation' as I discussed in a blog celebrating the summer solstice

Although, the above you tube video is a winter sunrise, a summer sunrise is equally as beautiful over the Sound in Stamford, CT.

A.B. Davis High School (Mt. Vernon, NY) Honored with B-17 and B-29 Bombers

Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Bomber

As a result of the research done on my recent June 13th blog on legendary World War II pilot Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal, I have uncovered a unique underpublicized connection of our alma mater, A.B. Davis to the B-17 "Flying Fortress. It seems that Mt. Vernon library has some information and possibly a photo of a Boeing B-17E with following inscription painted on its rear fuselage: "Purchased by students of A.B. Davis."

The library purportedly has another photo of a B-29 "Super Fortress" and crew dedicated to our alma mater due to the High School's outstanding success in raising money for war bond sales. (See Richard Garfunkel's blog and Paul Court's response at http://tinyurl.com/22l6kbe)

More on this subject after I contact the staff at the Mt. Vernon library.

Image source (1)

Roddick's 2010 Dream to Win Wimbledon is Rudely Shattered

Andy Roddick (on the left) Congratulating Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan

on his stunning five set upset victory (Courtesy of Sang Tan/Associated Press)

Roddick is still chasing his first Wimbledon championship. The three-time runner-up fell yesterday to a virtually unknown player Yen-Hsuen Lu of Taiwan, ranked 82 in the world. The upset victory was 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 9-7.

Last year, in the summer of 2009, Roddick gained international fame in playing the longest match and longest fifth set (in number of games) in Grand Slam final history. According to Howard Fendrich's Associated Press article: "Roddick served almost impeccably and was broken only once in the 77th and last game of Federer's 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 16-14 victory." According to Fendrich, it was Roddick, the runner-up who was given the audience's acclaim despite Federer's claiming his sixth title at Wimbledon, his record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title and vanquishing Roddick for the third time in the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Tournament.

Records are meant to be broken. Barely a year later, the epic match of Isner versus Mahut (played from Tuesday June 22- Thursday June 24) took title to the longest match in terms of games: a record shattering 183 games-- far eclipsing Roddick's glory of last year. See my June 24th blog, The Greatest Match Ever.

Keep a stiff upper lip, Andy; there is the US Open coming up. You won it in 2003, you are currently ranked number 5 in the world and you can do it again. Remember records are meant to be broken.

The Greatest Match Ever

"We just played the greatest match ever at the greatest place ever." (Nicolas Mahut)

183 games.

112 aces by John Isner 215 combined.

11 hours

Final score: 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68 victory.

A tribute to both players is in order....more than just numbers. It is their sheer bravery!

Tennis Enters the Slipstream: The Marathon Isner- Mahut Match Enters its Third Day at Wimbledon

Nicolas Mahut (r.) asks umpire to suspend play as a

weary John Isner (l.) appears to agonize over the decision

(photo courtesy of The Telegraph of London)

At 9:11 PM London time, the umpire of the longest match in tennis history suspended play--so this unbelievable war of the wills enters its third day--just two minutes short of 10 hours. The match is tied at 59 -59 in the fifth set.

About 45 years ago, I thought I was watching tennis history at the US Open in Forest Hills when I saw an aging graceful Pancho Gonzales pull out a 5 hour plus fifth setter with a 31-29 win over his opponent. What an inspiring match to watch in person.

Tennis has now entered a slipstream of its own with a match that won't end. Both players are playing in a rarified level that only playing on immaculately groomed grass, great training, dedication and inbred sportsmanship can inspire.

Thanks to ESPNU, a network dedicated to College sports, we, here in America, were able to get continuing coverage until well past 5PM on the East coast.

We look forward to play resumption on Thursday, June 24th.

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Every day is Father's Appreciation Day!

Yes, everyday is Father's Appreciation Day. We fathers are always working hard--every day-- to make our world a better, safer and healthier place for our children.

So, do we really merit a special day?

Isn't every day a Father's Day?

June 20, 2010

Hail to the First Day of Summer and to Daylight Appreciation

Enjoy the next few days because beginning today, Tues and Wednesday there will be an amazing 15 hours and 6 minutes of daylight each day as we celebrate the summer solstice. This is when the suns rays hit hit the northern hemisphere most directly.

So get out and enjoy these beautiful days, the longest days of the year.