sorryless

Heroes Of The Week!

Sorryless87 Comments

All due respect to the voters but I think my guy got screwed. Lemme ‘splain.

Imma have to awaken the echoes of 1960 by laying most of the blame on Chicago for having perpetrated this somebody done somebody wrong song. Because I’m sorry, but when a true blue Yankee gets jobbed by a South Sider for the American League MVP? It’s an inside job, brought to bear by Chicago scribes who have to endure another long winter watching the Bears emolliate while the Bulls get eliminated from postseason play after the season opener. Congratulations to the White Sox Jose Abreu . . but my guy, DJ LeMahieu from Bronx strong was the most valuable player in 2020.

What? You thought I was talking about something else?

And now to our heroes . . .

Jeopardy! Host Alex Trebek Death Mourned By Fans, Contestants – Deadline

A sad farewell to Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, who passed away last Sunday at the age of eighty. I refuse to say he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer because that’s just not true. He fought and he battled and he continued to do his thing through all the treatments and all those long days when his body was telling him to quit. He never did. And while many of us know him best for his masterful stewardship of the classic game show, his life was about so much more than this.

He was a philanthropist and activist whose footprints speak of compassion, dedication and hope. His donations to the University of Ottawa totaled more than 7.5 million dollars; the monies of which help to fund programs in diversity while also allowing the school to bring in speakers from all over the world. This past March, he donated $100,000 to Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission- a homeless shelter in Los Angeles.

When the question is posed, whose life’s work left a positive impact on so many? The answer is, who is Alex Trebek.

Arkansas Police Chief Resigns After Calling for Democrats to Be Executed - The New York Times

Marshall Police Chief Lang Holland out of Arkansas is a real keeper. As in, you can keep him . . please.

Holland makes it just under the wire as a leading candidate for the Asshat of 2020 award (and really, we got quite a list going on). It seems that Lang ain’t down with the election results and he voiced his hateful opinion about it recently. He called for the “death to all Marxist Democrats!” whilst saying the likes of Hilary, Obama and Pelosi should be drawn and quartered. For our Republic . . of course.

Holland was fired from his post, but it’s only a matter of time before he’s got a viral podcast going.

NBA's Trae Young Buys Lunch for Atlanta Election Workers, 'Thanks for All You Do'

The Atlanta Hawks young point guard Trae Young has game, on and off the court. On Election Day, Young bought lunch for all the poll workers at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. His home court served as a polling place and the kid wanted to make sure the folks putting in the long hours in the name of democracy were taken care of. Thanks to his great good work in establishing the voting rights advocacy group More Than A Vote along with LeBron James and Phoenix Mercury point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, more than 10,000 poll workers were recruited for the 2020 election.

Young is putting the A plus in the ATL. Go Hawks!

Haylee Whiting, 10, and her mom, Samantha Whiting, have raised nearly $50,000 to give their...

10 year old Haylee Whiting is lucky to be alive. And the harrowing story she will tell her kids one day will begin with the name of Kevin Cozzi.

The Whiting family was busy enjoying their last vacation day in Monterey, California as Haylee swam along the shoreline. Her mother says she had just finished telling her daughter to come in closer when a riptide swallowed her up and began taking her the wrong way. And in those horrible slow motion moments, a family’s joy turned to panic. And that’s where Cozzi made sure the day wouldn’t end in tragedy. He and his fiancé were strolling along the beach when they heard Samantha Whiting’s cries for help.

A competitive swimmer since the age of three, Cozzi jumped into the water and pulled Haylee close to shore until a lifeguard could get to her and bring her the rest of the way in.

Family raises nearly $50,000 for good Samaritan who saved daughter from rip tide

As it turns out, Kevin and his fiancée had postponed their wedding due to (you guessed it) the pandemic. And so mother and daughter knew what they had to do. They got to stepping on Facebook and then they set up a GoFundMe page for the couple raising almost $50,000 to cover the cost of both a wedding reception and honeymoon.

A new wedding date was set for the fall of 2021, and a grateful family has already marked their calendar.

This Gay Foster Dad Adopted 5 Siblings To Keep Them Together

“Home isn’t where you’re from, it’s where you find light when all grows dark.”

-Pierce Brown

As we unwrap our brains over this month’s events, it’s easy to forget how life is expert at stealing away the most important things. More important than brands, reputations, ratings or elections. Those are minute details in the grand scheme of this place we call home. Robert Carter knows this firsthand. He’s one of nine children who was separated from his family and placed in a foster home when he was twelve years old.

“I didn’t eat for a week,” Carter says. “I didn’t know where my family was. I didn’t know if I would ever see them again. It was traumatizing.”

He didn’t have the traditional family life, with a mother and father and Sunday dinners and pancake breakfasts. When he was ten years old, he was stealing food for his siblings because he says “that was the only way we’d eat,”. So his being placed in a foster home was simply the next chapter in a life that was collapsing all around him.

Last December, Carter became a foster parent to three boys. Soon after, he reunited them with their two sisters. “Everybody was just crying and hugging and not wanting to let go,” Carter recalled. “In that moment, I knew I had to adopt all five.”

In the early going, he says the kids would huddle together at night for fear they would be ripped away from each other again. But in time, they got used to sleeping in their own beds. And yes, they came to understand Sunday dinners and pancake breakfasts. Five kids . . . really, six if you include the twenty nine year old who gets to experience these things for the first time as well.

On October 30th, a family was born in an Ohio courthouse. It was built on the hard wrought experiences of a man who never forgot where he came from and five shining little lights that remind him of a time when the future was not so bright. So needless to say, there was a ton of whooping and hollering going on when this party of five was declared his, for good and forever. And a courtroom became the center of their universe, their one great big hug of everything.

And Robert Carter, he’s taken to this whole Dad thing like a pro because as all that love was going on, he needed to find himself a quiet spot so he could think about how it all came together. From there to here. He made way for the courthouse bathroom, each step delivering him from that scared twelve year old boy to this big hearted man who got busy making a house a home.

He closed the door behind him, and in the quiet, he cried.

 

 

87 thoughts on “Heroes Of The Week!”

    • Cincy,

      Talk about the right place at the right time. And a Beach Walk happy ending at that!

      That guy, Robert, His heart . . it humbles and inspires. What a beautiful human being, and those kids . . they will be raised right.

      Cincy Life . . I love that.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. B,

    I look forward to Fridays for many reasons, one of them to see just what you dish up for us in your Heroes posts. You never fail to disappoint.

    Sorry your guy didn’t get MVP…

    Alex Trebek was so much more than a game show host, wasn’t he? He was a part of everyone’s family. Who hasn’t watched at least one episode? And as if making us smarter just by watching wasn’t enough, he was so generous to boot. We’ll miss him for sure.

    LH is such a piece of work. I ain’t giving him more than that.

    Way to go Trae Young! A simple thing to make all those workers get through what must have been a more than interesting time at the polls.

    Holy frijoles. I was just brought back to the summer of ’86 when I was pulled out by a violent riptide. I thought I was a gonner so I totally feel the fear Haylee Whiting felt. I love these everyday heroes like Kevin Cozzi. Seems the lifeguard didn’t see what was going on so thankfully he helped both mother and child!

    And wow, wow, wow. Robert Carter. What a beautiful soul. What a caring man – of course, not all who have “gone through the system” can do what he did. Amazing. Perfect capper to this lovely post.

    And, of course, what other song could you put?

    Beauty.

    Q

    Liked by 1 person

    • Q-tie,

      The salt was left to one story, because that guy was such an asshole . . there just wasn’t room for another. And as for the Heroes, they really came up big, as per. And your comments . . da best. 😉

      Nah, Abreu deserved it. But I figured it was a cheeky way to write my intro, by pretending to be all indignant over the “vote”.

      What a man, mensch, gentleman, prince, hero . . all the many superlatives will never be enough. Take Alex Trebek for a million stars, por favor. Worth it.

      Good for you. No name. Best way to deal with that shithead.

      Trae and the young athletes across the country really came up strong in this election. Not editorializing for a candidate, just making sure people got out there and did their civic duty. Why they get trashed so much, I don’t know . . because they do so much good.

      It’s THE most frightening thing about the shore. Sharks? Pffft! When a riptide swallows you up and starts taking you away, you really do see your life flash before your eyes. Thank God for Cozzi being on the right beach at the right time.

      This is a beautiful man, and those kids have themselves the Father of the Year, hands down. Bless them and their brand new lives together. Amen to that.

      Right? When I’m reading about this amazing family coming together . . it just HAD to be the Pointer Sisters.

      FULL!

      And gracias.

      Much.

      B

      Liked by 1 person

      • Nothing wrong with one salty story. Or more when the week demands it. Go with the flow, yanno?

        I know it. Still…. just showing my support 😉

        He really was. In every sense of the word, wasn’t he?

        I don’t like to give ’em more than their 15 minutes.

        All’s I can say is ever since that time. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is what I give the ocean. Scared the bejeezus outta me and I rarely go above my waist now.

        And SO young to be such! My goodness. They are so blessed that he found them and they found him and now… They Are Family.

        Right!

        Big time!

        You know it.

        Always.

        Like

        • You and salty. Yes . . it’s a match.

          So very sweet, Mango, even . . .

          Every single sense. Most of which I do not understand or relate to, but yeah, appreciation is involved, in an Aretha Franklin kind of way.

          Andy Warhol . . my spirit animal, would love that.

          So funny!! I just made an Aretha comment and then you go and give me an Aretha reference like that . . holy fucking crap. WP . . it can’t block that kind of humorous volley away. I’m not done for yet!

          Carter equals Rock Star Dad. With a family that will have spaghetti Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Sundays and . . .

          Mmmm Hmmmmm

          Uhhh Huuhhhhh

          MMMM HHHH!!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Hah! Ya think?

            Mango is good.

            I know what you mean, Jelly Bean.

            Wouldn’t he, though? Your spirit animal, eh? Interesting…

            Hahaha! What can I say? We be in sync. And too funny.

            Spaghetti Tuesdays and Pancake Sundays and all those fantastically simple things that bring a family to life – with all the love and devotion.

            MMMMMM HMMMMMM!

            Liked by 1 person

          • Just a ‘lil.

            So good! Reminds me, I haven’t had one in too long!

            Nicely placed Tarantino. . .

            His vision was so spot on, Nostradamus called him for tips. He understood the insanity of society as we know it.

            Not the boy band either. The real thang.

            What a family. Now THEY are a reality show I would watch.

            UH HUHHHHH!

            Liked by 1 person

          • I’ll take it.

            Me neither, now that you mention it. Just had a couple of figs, though. They be sweet too 😉

            Thanky…

            This is true. He’d be having a field day today!

            For realz.

            Yeah – not to mention that it would help him with the day to day living expenses.

            YEAHHHHH!

            Liked by 1 person

          • Poifect

            Figs with meats . . . best combo evah.

            Hahaha!

            He really would. He would own the Bravo channel, and I would have been forced to keep my cable.

            Seriously.

            Which . . I do not envy his grocery and cell phone bills.

            🙂

            Liked by 1 person

          • Beauty.

            Soooo good… add the Camembert or Brie? Party in the mouth.

            😉

            Now THAT’s saying a lot!

            A lovely thing.

            Maybe no cell phones for now… groceries, ah la la…

            🙂

            Liked by 1 person

          • Godness! I love to pair up my Brie with just about anything in a grilled cheese sammie . . even by itself. With some raspberry jam . . bonus round.

            Seriously.

            Yes, yes it is.

            Kids are getting cell phones early now. As for the groceries, I think his family and friends should be starting a GoFundMe page for the guy.

            Liked by 1 person

          • Yes! And Brie goes with pretty much any fruit (jammed or fresh or caramelized or…. dang. I’m getting hungry again).

            Uh huh.

            🙂

            I know and it’s ridonkulous. I am such a mean mom. I refused. They got their own cell phones when they got jobs. And that would be a great thing (and for all we know, it’s happening as we speak!)

            Liked by 1 person

          • Seriously! Mmm, Brie and prosciutto on a brioche roll with raspberry jam . . . or what you said. Or both. Yes, both.

            Mmm Hmmm

            😉

            My kids were in high school. My daughter actually got one before my son. He didn’t want one at first.

            Liked by 1 person

          • Yummy. We had pizza on Wednesday… Veggie for me and the kids got a “New York” style (not even close) that was pepperoni and cheese with another layer of pepperoni and cheese. They were not impressed.

            😘

            I know it.

            Liked by 1 person

          • Would you believe when I was in Chicago I did NOT even have one? Somehow the rainy weather and any plans we had ran amok so it didn’t happen. Do you make yours in a cast-iron skillet?

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • You should see if Costco sells them. They probably do. As for Chicago deep dish, my all timer was Edwardo’s. They do a spinach pie that is to die for. Lou Malnati’s comes in second and Nino’s third, Louisa’s and Pequod’s round out my top five. After which I switch over to their Italian beef sammies. It’s amazing I wasn’t five hundred pounds!

            I had a deep dish pan I used for it when I made them, which now I have to find.

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • Edwardo’s? Get OUT… We went there! Why we didn’t have it, I cannot say. Mmmm spinach pie. You’ve got me thinking. I bought spinach, I have the ingredients to make a sauce, to make the dough… As for Costco, I don’t recall seeing but then, I wasn’t really looking. Dunno that it would be worth it, though.

            However, I don’t doubt that a nice cast iron would do in a pinch. And that I do have as well… You’ve got me thinkin’, now. I’ll be googling the how-to.

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • Believe it or not, Pizzeria Uno makes a decent deep dish that some grocers sell from time to time.

            The spinach pie, so good. I tend to stick to plain cheese or veggie when doing deep dish because of the casserole dynamic that makes the meats a salt pool to my taste. Yeah, the spinach pie is SO fresh and delicious.

            It’s the go to actually, I just don’t have one for that purpose.

            You could definitely do this, and add your own flair. It would be amazing.

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • That right? I’ll have me a look-see…

            Yes. I would stick to the veggie plan because the meats chosen for pizzas of all genres are saltier than others. And spinach – yum!

            It is a go to. Of course, one does not NEED one but it is nice to have.

            I will keep you posted 😉

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • Rather tasty.

            My first deep dish experience- Giordano’s- was forgettable. That’s because I had the one stuffed with all kinds of meats. But then I discovered Edwardo’s and the rest is history.

            It sure is.

            Do that. 😉

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • Worst part was that we had it after taking a flight in that evening. So it was delivered to the room late as we watched a movie (My Cousin Vinny) and then we went to sleep.

            Middle of the night . . it felt as if I had tossed back shot glasses of salt!

            I do.

            Yum. 😉

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • Oh man… at least the movie was good!

            I can so imagine. Ugh. Even if you had guzzled a gallon of water before sleep you would have suffered, of that I’ve no doubt.

            Excellent.

            Uh huh. 😉

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

          • Yes, exactly!

            But like I said, the next day after attending to our business, we made way for the river where they were having a food fest, and Edwardo’s was one of the restaurants included. Perfection.

            Yaya!

            Mmm Hmm!

            😘

            Liked by 1 person

  3. Really clever opening! Some really terrific heroes this week. The Carter family really touched my heart. May they experience life together as a loving family. And bless the Whiting family for their generous spirit helping one who helped them. You’ve given me hope there are more people like this week’s group and less of the Holland kind.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. That picture of Robert Carter and those beautiful children would make anybody cry, Pilgrim. I can’t imagine giving a home to five kids and I think they are all blessed for the experience. All the other stories were great (Sans the sheriff) but the Carter story is the best.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. So great that the sport stars recruited so many essential poll workers. I used to do that and it is a long, hard day. I love the Carter family story, too. Some foster kids really don’t get any breaks and for Robert to rise out of that and become father to these five is a near miracle.

    Liked by 1 person

    • These athletes have gone above and beyond this year, what with the pandemic and the election process. They put their money, and their passion, and their dedication where all those talking heads mouths are.

      Robert Carter is what my Heroes episodes are all about. His ability to overcome, and to make things right for others . . . that’s what my Fridays are all about.

      Liked by 1 person

    • RW,

      Seriously. How can that not be a great place to land? As far as storybook endings go? I love that story. It’s my favorite story of this week, and this month even.

      Bucco positive vibes coming your way.

      Like

  8. Why, oh why, do you do this to me. LeMahieu over Abreu? Seriously? I’m an old school guy. I don’t believe in WAR much, but looking at their WARs, I gotta wonder how either of them is actually in the running. But … it’s WAR and I don’t believe in it, so … let’s go to old school stats. LeMahieu’s Runs + RBIs – HRs = 58. Abreu’s equals 84. In a 60 game season that’s kind of significant. Okay, Abreu played ten more games than LeMahieu did. But if you extend LeMahieu’s numbers over a the full 60 games, he still falls short of Abreu’s run production by 16. And that, ultimately is the point of an offensive player … run production.

    Good thing for you that you redeemed yourself with Alex, Trae, Kevin and Robert. Each of those stories touches the ol’ stone cold heart that still beats in my body.

    But the story about the idiot Arkansas cop? It’s the type of story that convinces me I don’t belong in this country anymore. I’m so tired of reading about these idiots.

    Liked by 1 person

    • King,

      For one thing, this was done for schtick purpose As a writer, you must understand how it works. Draw them in, get them interested . . tease, titillate, provoke . . .

      I love Abreu, no problems with his winning. None. But I HAD to tease with this intro by going that way, seeing as how everything since Election Day has gone Ray Bradbury.

      But okay . . don’t you dare be giving me numbers when it comes down to what you see a man do inside a lineup of provocative millionaires. Because I done fell in love with DJ, for all the many reasons of a season go. He kindles every single at bat into much more, every single time. There is no other Yankee in that lineup who succeeds in doing what he does to me. I can’t bitch about him!

      Those other folk are our redemption. They show us what makes sense. Most of all and above all else. They are mercy, prevailing.

      Where would you go? Don’t be pulling some Alec Baldwin stunt on me. Where? Where ya going? Nicaragua? If so . . . lemme know if they sell Cohibas there. If so . . . I’ll bring the arguments. And some friendlies.

      Like

  10. This Gay Foster Dad Adopted 5 Siblings To Keep Them Together

    “Home isn’t where you’re from, it’s where you find light when all grows dark.” How I love this. You always get me big time, with one. This is it.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. 🎼 I got all my sisters in me! 🎶
    Dale, Holly, Shey, Marina, 🎹 Rebecca, Gi & more!! 🎼
    Great tune!
    You really put up a lot of fab heroes today. Love them all.
    Only 1 asphole… and what an asphole!!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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