I did something fun, different, and maybe even odd yesterday.

@TheHorse (218921)
Walnut Creek, California
September 26, 2021 11:56am CST
One of my fondest childhood (including high school) memories is playing football catch (and other "games") out on the block. The older I've gotten, the harder it has become to find someone to "play catch with me." Yesterday, after jamming (playing music) with my friend Michael (he's the one who records my songs before they get butchered by @Vandana7), I was driving to an evening gathering (yes, I was a social butterfly yesterday), when I spied two older teenagers playing football catch in the middle of the street. They followed the protocol of my youth and "held their fire" so I could pass by them. But I did not pass by them. I pulled over to the curb, left the motor running, and put my hands up in the universal "throw the ball to me" position. I wound up playing catch with these young fellas for about ten minutes. There was some conversation involved, but mostly we just threw the ball to each other. At the end, I thanked them profusely, and told them how what they're doing used to be the norm, and how glad I was to see it still happening. The internet has made the streets a ghost town for "kids on the block." For me, it was just a moment of fun. I'd only had a couple of beers at my friend's house, so I wouldn't describe it as an alcohol-induced incident. But I do wonder how they perceived what I did. Some older white dude stopping to play catch with them. One of them asked me, "Were you a quarterback when you were young?" I replied, simply, "No I was a wide receiver." Do you ever do "odd" things, just to see what will happen? For me it was fun to re-live the "tenderness on the block" I experienced as a child. Only @FourWalls will get the "Tenderness on the Block" reference. Maybe I'll link the song.
14 people like this
11 responses
@arunima25 (87806)
• Bangalore, India
26 Sep 21
I would often do that. I don't mind what others think but I don't miss a chance when I get to do things during my growing up years. Be it a walk in rain with my children or jumping to play hopscotch with my students in school. We should remain a child at heart. That's the blessing.
5 people like this
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
26 Sep 21
Me too...I haven't tried many things I would want to. I still eat ice creams shamelessly though.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Sep 21
I agree that it is a blessing.
4 people like this
@akalinus (43209)
• United States
26 Sep 21
@vandana7 Ice cream is a major food group. Eat all you want but save some for me!
5 people like this
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
26 Sep 21
I suck. I don't have to butcher.
5 people like this
@akalinus (43209)
• United States
27 Sep 21
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Sep 21
@akalinus I avoid vampires in general.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Sep 21
How is your Sunday going? It must be getting late there.
3 people like this
@marguicha (223096)
• Chile
26 Sep 21
I almost blushed once when my 2 eldest grandsons told me that I was a lot younger than their old lady (Tania happened to be my own daughter so it was a double compliment).My feet are old now and so are my eyes but Ithink that those of us who remain young at heart and never grow old in what is important have a special talent. I tell my grandchildren that that is the witch in me. Your post made my day. You are even more wonderful than what I thought you were.
3 people like this
@marguicha (223096)
• Chile
26 Sep 21
@TheHorse I love passing on joy of living to the next generation.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Sep 21
I do love passing on sports to the next generation.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Sep 21
@marguicha If we have things that bring us joy, we can pass them on.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68084)
• United States
26 Sep 21
Nah, I’ll link it.
Provided to YouTube by Rhino/ElektraTenderness on the Block (2007 Remaster) · Warren ZevonExcitable Boy? 2007 Elektra Entertainment CompanyProducer: Jackson ...
4 people like this
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
26 Sep 21
He is so mean, isn't he? He says I butcher his songs. I am half tempted to redo his songs and put up my version there. But that will be the end to people visiting his original stuff.
5 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Sep 21
Heh. You beat me to it.
4 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Sep 21
@vandana7 I shudder at the thought.
4 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106361)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Sep 21
Reliving memories is fun
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
29 Sep 21
He said I butcher his songs...why is nobody saying no she does not.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Sep 21
@vandana7 Because they know that I have evil powers that have not yet been unleashed.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Sep 21
Heh. For me, as an ex-jock, just playing catch is fun. To heck with memories. This is now.
3 people like this
@akalinus (43209)
• United States
26 Sep 21
That is a beautiful memory and I am sure those kids will always remember you playing catch with them.
5 people like this
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
26 Sep 21
Jo Ann. And I thought you were my friend. He said I butcher his songs. Did you see any blood in any of the videos we uploaded? Tell me if this reminds you of a butcher's shop.
"Tahoe"Song Composition - Colin H. Sacks Sound Engineer - Michael StenbergLike and Subscribe for more songs and videos :)
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100297)
• India
26 Sep 21
@akalinus No Jo Ann. Pony said I butcher his music. I feel I have not done that as yet. But I could do it, if he keeps on being nasty with me. The music is uploaded by us, Pony, DJ, and Vanny.
4 people like this
@akalinus (43209)
• United States
26 Sep 21
@vandana7 I'm not quite sure what you are referring to. Do you have me mixed up with someone else? The music is beautiful.
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47332)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Sep 21
But don't you play catch with the littles?
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Sep 21
I do teach teach the littlies to play catch. I'm surprised if I havn't described that. It's a joy.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79892)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Sep 21
Why not? That sounds like it was a lot of fun and a nice trip down memory lane for you. I have been back to swing on swings many times even as a young adult because it was always one of my favorite childhood pastimes,
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79892)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Sep 21
@TheHorse BTW do you know about the Amtrack derailment in Montana? I just posted about it,
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Sep 21
Heh. I still do that as well.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
27 Sep 21
@TheHorse That is cool that you found some to play catch with. I probably did some odd things when I was younger or still do but cannot think of what they are. I am glad you could relieve a fun time in your life even though it was for 10 minutes.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Sep 21
I wish adults did not have so many excuses not to get out and play a bit.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
29 Sep 21
@TheHorse I would not say I make excuses to get out and have fun. I have things to deal with and am the only one to take care of all so it is not as easy as you may think.
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
27 Sep 21
You are much more outgoing than I am. I'm glad you took advantage of an opportunity to relive your youth.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Sep 21
It was a good time. I hope the younguns enjoyed it as well.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
29 Sep 21
@TheHorse I"m sure they did.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Sep 21
this is such a wholesome story. I'm glad you joined in and you still have fun!!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218921)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Sep 21
I hope everyone had fun.
1 person likes this