Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Woody Held - RIP

Woodson G. Held (Woodie)
Woodson George Held born March 25, 1932 in Sacramento, California, the son of deceased Fred G. and Julia Agnes (Chapman) Held passed away peacefully at home with loved ones on June 10, 2009 after a battle with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Nadine Elizabeth (Mast) Held of 57 years, his children Cinda Cornwell and husband Richard of Galt, California, Joy Brown and husband Tony of Sacramento, California, Woodson Held and wife Teresa of Platteville, Colorado, Sherry Mitchell and husband Dale of Trevose, Pennsylvania, and Roxanne Plummer and husband Richard of Dubois, Wyoming, 15 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. Woodie grew up in Sacramento, California and graduated from Sacramento High School. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Yankees in 1954; Athletics 1957-1958, Cleveland Indians 1958-1964, Washington Senators 1965, Baltimore Orioles 1966-1967 when they won the 1966 World Series, California Angels 1967-1968, and Chicago White Sox 1968-1969. In 1961 Woodie moved his family to Dubois, Wyoming after purchasing the Big Diamond Ranch. When he wasn't at spring training, he was running the ranch, and hunting and fishing. He was inducted into the Sacramento Athlete Hall of Fame on December 10, 1965. After he retired from baseball he did not slow down. He raced snowmobiles for the Arctic Cat Corporation and opened Dubois' first Pizza Parlor. He was a partner with a few of his friends in the design and creation of the first little league baseball field in Dubois. Woodie had the great honor of being chosen as one of the top 100 Cleveland Indians baseball player during their 100th year anniversary celebration in 2001. He was a longtime member of the fantasy baseball camps, and participated in many celebrity charity golf tournaments.
He enjoyed his last years in Wyoming fishing, snowmobiling, and four wheeling. Woodie always had such a passion for life. Always up for a challenge and loved life to the extreme. Woodie will be deeply missed by his family and the many who were blessed to meet him.
Per Woodie's wishes, there will be a celebration of his life in the near future in Dubois, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your charity of choice. Arrangements by Davis Funeral Home, Riverton, Wyoming (davisfuneralhome.com)
"Don't forget to swing hard, in case you hit the ball.”

Thursday, June 04, 2009

T. Roosevelt quote

Stolen from an email sent to me from my brother:

“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Dilemma

Opinions if you will. I am listening to an old music list on my iPod and now I am wondering about stuff. Stuff like, if an artist I really like has leanings in a radically different way then me, should I listen to him? And more importantly should I purchase his music? Now don't get me wrong, I believe whole heartedly that no one should be persecuted for their beliefs and everyone has the right to make a living, but if I know that my money will go towards furthering a cause I am opposed to, should I be taking a stand? If the artist never feels the pinch of my not buying his music does it do any good? Which can open a whole new can of worms. Should I punish myself and cheat myself out of enjoying his talent? Just because he is some commie-left wing pinko? Did I just say that? But I like his music and I have for years. Oddly enough I only started to listen to the lyrics and they are more message-y than I thought. It was the rythym that got me. That and his voice. The lyrics don't bother me a bit though. Just makes the songs more interesting. But he is so public when it comes to his causes. What to do, what to do? By the way, I highly recommend listening to old playlists. Mine is like 4 years old and I had a lot of old stuff put on then. It is awesome listening to these songs.