How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?

Big sports day Sunday; Miles has Fall Ball opening day double header.  They win both games easily.  Miles goes 4 for 4 in the second game, with a 2 RBI double!
Landon has a football game, and his team wins handily as well.  He makes no catches.
This is about Landon.

After a touchdown early in the game, Landon is lined up for an extra point play.  He runs into the end zone and cuts towards the middle of the field.  The ball is thrown slightly behind him.
He twists, gets one hand on the ball, but can't bring it in.
It would have been an acrobatic catch, but it wasn't.
Later on, Landon is sprinting down the sideline; he has his man beat.  The quarterback finds him,
and throws a nice spiral just out of the reach of the receiver's out stretched hands.
It would have been an amazing catch, worthy of a highlight reel, but....it wasn't.

Towards the end of the game, the winner already determined, Landon is again line up for an extra point play.  There is confusion on the defense and Landon is uncovered.  Our coach notices this and alerts the quarterback.
This is going to be easy.
But it wasn't.
Landon dashes into the end zone and turns.  The QB delivers the ball to him, right on the numbers.
Landon cradles the ball with his entire body, then.............drops it.
I can only imagine how he felt at that moment.  Helmets are worn for safety purposes, but they also serve as a mask for emotions.

A referee pats Landon on the back.  Several teammates console him as he walks off the field.
After the game, one of his coaches is talking to Landon in what looks to me like a grandfatherly way. During the raucous jubilation of victory, Landon is sullen.  The ride home is quiet, with me in backseat with Landon's friend, Lyla.
I find I have a new signature move to fill awkward silence.  I tell the story of how I got run over by a golf cart last month.  I can't see Landon, but I can feel his slight smile.

When we get home, I expect Landon to go inside and brood, or lose himself in his video world.
But he doesn't. Instead,  Landon has the perfect response to his day.
He asks me to stay outside and practice with him.
It is a knee buckling moment for me.
We toss the football back and forth, and every catch he makes is highlight reel worthy.


P.S.  Let the record show that number 12 did get to Carnegie Hall.  Landon scored a touchdown on a glorious catch and run, during a thunderous victory in his very next game.

THE WAITER

My daughter took me out to dinner last night.  Okay, it was a "Secret Shopper"  assignment so the meal was comped. And, okay, I was her third choice.  (Maybe 4th or more.  Who knows how many people chose not to dine in beautiful downtown Poughkeepsie last night.)  No matter, I was delighted to spend some quality time with daughter number 3.

We arrived at the Mill House at 6:20; one hour and twenty minutes after our 5 o'clock departure.  Our arrival is colorfully announced by thug-like GPS spokesperson.
Good conversation, good music.
We were late for our 6 pm reservation,  but they had been warned we might be late.  No issues, we were immediately directed to our table where our waiter soon greeted us.
"I hear you've come a long way," he queried.  Slightly disturbed, we provided a brief history of New Milford and it's proximity the MH.
The restaurant appears to be associated with a brewery; they had a vast assortment of beers I have never heard of.  Mrs. P ordered a non alcoholic Ginger beer.  I had a vodka martini.
We also ordered an appetizer to share.  Pierogies.  The waiter convinced us to upgrade to an added kielbasa.  Sure.
Beverages arrive, appetizer shortly thereafter.  Cheers.
I order the Fish and Chips; the lady orders an All American hamburger.  Hmm, no query as to how the burger should be cooked.  I on the other hand, received a well deserved "good choice" comment.
We finish our appetizer and we are nursing our drinks.
Our waiter offers to take our plates.  He does.  He also takes our silverware.

After a while, our waiter returns.  He wonders out loud if we would like to see a dessert menu, or would we like to see the check.  Once again disturbed, we inform him that we are in no hurry and content to just relax.  He assures us that is not a problem.

There is talk amongst ourselves.  Not in a harsh way, we question our waiters experience and skills.
Truth be told, he can do no harm in my eyes.  He is charming and reminds me of an older and much taller Landon.
After a few more minutes, he returns, wondering what he can do for us.  We respectfully remind him that we hadn't had our dinner yet.
He is stunned and dismayed.  My heart bleeds for him.  He mentions the pierogies and kielbasa.
We remind him of the burger and fish.  ( I fear his "good choice" comment was not sincere.)
With sudden and embarrassing clarity, our waiter remembers!
He overcomes his nausea, and recovers his composure and self esteem.
"Let me check on those,"  he whispers with only the slightest hint of mortification.
Gratefully, nothing of interest to report about the meal itself, except for the fact that we had to remind our waiter we no longer had silverware.
The paying of the check was a bit off; no itemized bill.  Maybe that's how they do things in Poughkeepsie.

The ride home featured a recap of the evenings events.
Good times.
I was also introduced to the music of Kane Brown, a Country singer.  Country music!  That means no cursing.  That means a sharp contrast to the banter banter of our GPS spokesperson.

A lovely evening........................