Steel Kaleidoscopes

Whatever Happened To...

Don Kessinger?

Kessinger, 68, is the president of a real estate company in Oxford, Miss.

After a 16-year Major League Baseball career, Kessinger coached the University of Mississippi baseball team for six seasons.  Ole Miss is his alma mater.

But it was in Chicago where Kessinger made his mark. Kessinger was an All-Star shortstop and the staple of the Cubs' infield defense in the '60s and '70s. He won Gold Gloves in 1969 and 1970.

 

Batting leadoff, Kessinger, with second baseman Glenn Beckert,  set the stage for Cubs' stars like Ernie Banks,  Billy Williams and Ron Santo.

Kessinger was known mostly for his defense. A six-time Gold Glove winner, Kessinger went 54 games without an error, setting the standard for shortstops. In three different seasons with the Cubs, Kessinger turned more than 100 double plays.

Kessinger was part of the 1969 Cubs team that held a nine-game lead over the New York Mets in August, only to finish second. The Mets would earn the nickname "Miracle Mets" and stun the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

Kessinger retired after 16 seasons, including brief stints with two rivals — the division rival St. Louis Cardinals and the cross-town rival Chicago White Sox.

In2,078 games, Kessinger had 1,931 hits with a .252 batting average.

Miniature Golf

I'll meet you on the putting green

behind the lion and under the bubbling fountain.

We'll carve our path on the bright green carpet

squirrelling through widgets and windmills.

Channeling our energy, ascending the pirate pyramid

swishing through the loop-to-loop, circling the cup.

We'll stop to turn our faces to the sun

basking in the warmth of a promising summer.

I'll meet you on the putting green

our solace, our special place, our Neverland.

Back at You

 
One last glimpse of the statues outside the Naples Museum of Art.

Quote of the Day

"You cannot get ahead while you are getting even."

— Dick Armey, former House Majority Leader

Be Careful Out There

 
Just chillin'.

American Idol: Final Four

Last night was really the showdown between Haley and Lauren. James and Scotty aren't going anywhere. And, despite a quirky night, Scotty is looking like your next American Idol. Here's the order of how the four finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all in two weeks:

 1. James Durbin
Odd that he tackled Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," the most performed karaoke song. But kudos to the vocal and style tribute to Steve Perry. Outstanding version of "Love Potion No. 9." Regardless of what happens, we're looking at a bona fide  rock star. Excellent singer who should sail through to the Top 3.
Odds of winning: 4-1

2. Haley Reinhart (bye, bye)
Her reaction to the judges' criticism for Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" may have cost her some votes (boy did she look pissy), but she came back with the best performance of the night with a wildly passionate "I Who Have Nothing." When she's off, she's off, but when she's on, she is amazing.
Odds of winning: 7-1

3. Lauren Alaina
Thought she was going to trip on that dress when she sang "Anyway," clearly the best performance of the first set. Thought she sounded a bit forced and contrived with Elvis Presley's "Trouble," but if voters remember her first song she should be OK. More likable than Haley, which could be the difference.
Odds of winning: 7-1

4. Scotty McCreery
First, the bad news: Typical solid performance of "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?" but schmaltzy, goofy effort and arrangement with "Young Blood." The good news is that, unlike James, Haley and Lauren who will blend into their genres, he's a standout country singer who could be bigger than Johnny Cash.
Odds of winning: 2-1

Top 10 Reasons to Wash Your Hands

The 10 not-so obvious things that make you immediately want to wash your hands:

• Touching chewing gum discovered on the side of a chair.
• Removing hair from the shower drain.
• Shaking hands with a nervous guy you know you're not going to hire.
• Opening the door to exit a public bathroom.
• Petting a friend's natty Chihuahua.
• Reading a library book.
• Playing video games at Chuck E. Cheese's.
• Lifting weights in a public gym.
• Playing with Silly Putty.
• Riding public transportation.

Love Captured in Stone

 
Here's yet another sculpture outside the Naples Museum of Art.

Quote of the Day

"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best."

— Henry Van Dyke, Author

Piñatas and Jigsaw Puzzles

One starts compact and explodes.

One starts in chaos and becomes compact.

With one, symmetry is the beginning state.

With the other, symmetry is the end state.

One incites aggression.

The other inspires calm.

Both create an end result.

Piñatas and jigsaw puzzles.

More alike than you think.