1984Echoes

Transition apartment since the divorce many years ago and I haven't purchased a house since... although I am looking for a permanent (house) spot in (or near) Lakeland Florida next year so... One day I may do a live tree again. Once I have a house instead of an apartment. But for the past few years, my small artificial tree (about 4 1/2 feet) works perfectly well. To Cas's consternation with live trees... no mess no fuss. And yes... spinning disc with several colors going through the fiber optic cables to light up the tree. SO... UNCOMPLICATED!!! And my daughter loves it!

The first one I got ("Oh stuff it!")... The second one I wasn't certain about... I couldn't tell one way or the other... But I am in a wonderful light-hearted mood these days so... Good all around!

Way too far into the past for me... 50 years or so... Besides... for some reason I guess they didn't actually stick... Oh well! Merry X-Mas, Festivus, Christmas, Hannukah, Solstice... Whatever works for ya'!!!

I'm the other way around.

Errr... yeah, this. Short version.

Annual Winter Solstice festival. Celebration of... from going into the darkness (shortest day of the year...) to earth being reborn (days get longer after the winter solstice/ more sun = earth has renewed itself...) Evergreen pine or spruce because they never die, they are green all year round. What better way of defeating darkness than a green-all-year-round tree? A festival that is approximately 3000 years old. Christians were smart, in order to coopt paganism they needed to usurp all pagan holidays with religious ones... Hence, at the biggest pagan feast/ celebration of the year, Christians would need to find a substitute big enough to usurp... so, they decided Jesus was born on December 25th. The bible says the animals came in from the fields I believe? That would be springtime, or later, not December 25th. So the PAGAN evergreen tree, is now Christianity's. Smart move. But the "Christmas tree" is PURE, and still, pagan. Sorry.

Under my pagan evergreen tree?

PS: On the bright side... ASP is 20 years old. And in the NHL already on a 2nd pairing with Ben Chiarot.

I'm also eager to see Buium on NHL ice for the Wings... Start him out 2nd or 3rd pair and let him work his way higher... If he has that ability...

I'm not going to say Karlsson... But he was -9 in October and -3 in November and -2 in December... So... Maybe he's improving a little bit? I know he'll have his ups and downs (the past week was a big downer for him...), But I expect him to get a bit stronger for next year now that he is experiencing just how difficult the NHL is... Again, I'm not going to say Karlsson... But I am certainly hoping that he can be better than Gostis 2.0.

Yeah, I'm probably just whistlin' dixie on that... I am obviously locking into the future... And I do not mind Frank being a part of that... even if he is a starter in 2026. How about a time-share between Frank & Tate?

I love the spirit of giving during these holidays... Not even gifts... But the giving of warmth and kindness, patience, love to family and friends, hugs and kisses... So the gifts are just a part of that (to me) and it doesn't even have to be big things... just something small in a "thinking of you" manner. Also, I don't believe in an all-consuming everybody, only those closest... outside of that it has to be an agreed upon thing... So... I never want to overdo it... But I do enjoy a few small gifts, giving and receiving, with closest friends and family. More than anything else... I enjoy all the smiles and happy spirits/ times...

I'm going to create a new holiday on the eve of the shortest day of the year and call it... Solstice-amas. Adorned evergreen tree, no Jesus. Father Time (Santa if I can't let go of old custom) and Frosty the snowman are allowed however. As is gift-giving and overall good feelings towards others...

So trade him for whatever we can get... which hopefully is better than a bag of balls. I still have it my mind that someone is going to be willing to take that chance... But I don't know whom that might be. A losing team with a rotation vet (old guy) that fits/works for us better than Ivey does... On a guess.

Can't. They have to hope someone wants to take that chance... I would imagine that he will be cheap next year. Sign some sort of short-term (1/ 2/ 3) year contract to (hopefully for him) build up some actual play-level value.

I just looked at xGoals For versus xGoals Against: Seider-Edvinsson: +8.4 (xGF 24.1 - xGA 15.7 = 8.4) Johansson-JBD: +1.6 (xGF 9.6 - xGA 8 = 1.6) Chiarot-ASP: -2 (xGF 17.2 - xGA 19.2 = -2.0) Johansson-Hamonic: -3.3 (xGF 6.6 - xGA 8.9 = -3.3) Edvinsson-ASP: -3.4 (xGF 4.1 - xGA 7.5 = -3.4)

I would be more interested in Andrew Nembhard than Coby White. Little iffy on the 3... but better defense, and a much better Assist to TO ratio...

Is there a bottom to this? I'd love to see the Johansson-Hamonic and Johansson-JBD numbers...

Maybe... But I'm willing to take some wild swings at making things work... Even non-conventional ideas... But that's just me...

The issue I would raise is: Does Dan Campbell's style of play (balls out... hit and hit hard) create an atmosphere of just... more... injuries? Because I don't want the style to stop. If we're hunting a Super Bowl... then we can't play half-assed. I think that just means we can expect some injurious years, some worse than others... and at least a few guys that get more than just nicked up and will have... shorter shelf lives. That's a hard message to put out. To the team, players, everyone. It tells me though, that... Brad needs as many draft picks as he can handle. Less crazy chances at players that are moon shots, and cost 3 draft picks to acquire. And more shots with players they feel comfortable at providing high end depth... or better if they develop. . . . Just a thought...

Frank can't even get on the field or the roster he's been so banged up. BEST plan for him: Backup. And coach up Tate.

Early want: Keldrick Faulk, 6'6" 285 # defensive end.

PS: If Frank came back to be Ratledge's backup/coach at Center... I would be MUCH MORE comfortable with Glasgow back... as backup to Mahogany/Frazier at guard (or starting there, if it were necessary)... and as SECOND backup at Center behind Tate and Ragnow. Just my 2 cents...

IMO... I would have no problem with Frank coming back next year... But ONLY as a backup to Ratledge. I would love him on the team all year, in Tate's ear, coaching him on how to be a top Center in the NFL. He might even get a bit of playing time... But I would prefer that Ratledge is good enough at Center that Ragnow is only a backup (a magnificent one!). Besides, with minimal playing time... Frank might get through the year feeling a whole lot healthier and may even want to play the next several years with the Lions... in this capacity. Could anyone see Ragnow as becoming the assistant O-line coach... soon? I can. Just my 2 cents.

I wouldn't trade down in the 1st... I want the best DE available. Capable of both stopping the run AND rushing the passer. Now in the 2nd round... sure, I'm on board with that. But not our 1st rounder... IMO.