THE FATHER BLOG

I admit that I am not a soccer fan (or futbol). Growing up in the US in the 1980s, baseball was still the sport to play in my area. American Football, Basketball, Hockey….all other sports, that to be honest, were played by the better athletes here. Soccer was not played by the most athletic kids growing up in the USA as it is in other countries. So while I am not a fan, I completely understand why it is the world’s most popular sport.

With that being said, I will still check some scores on my ESPN app from time to time but can’t bring myself to watch a game because it really is just too slow for me. I have had friends try to explain the game to me better in hopes that I would grow an appreciation for it. I just can’t watch hours of a sport where there isn’t much scoring and it seems like most of the time guys are just jogging or standing still. (Note: I understand there can be low scoring hockey games but the action there is unrivaled in comparison). I do understand how people can compare it to baseball’s slow pace (which is still my favorite sport) so I get it!

So bottom line: Who will win the World Cup this year?

I don’t watch, I don’t cheer for any team, I can only see it from the outside perspective which is helpful because my prediction isn’t based on any emotion.

So, the winner of the World Cup 2026 will be France. It takes little research to know they are the best team and the gambling community isn’t in the business to lose money. So, they are the odds-on favorite for very good reason. If I end up being wrong, come back and tell me I know nothing about soccer….because you would be correct!

Soon enough we will be back in the islands and experiencing the BVIs. One of the places I am excited to stop by is Callwood’s Rum Distillery. At one point many years ago, the BVIs had over a 100 rum distilleries with 26 of those being on Tortola. Today, Callwood is the only operational distillery left on the island. It has stood the test of time for a reason…great rum.

Now, is it just coincidence that all of this lines up with another Jimmy Buffett song? Possibly. And will we be heading to Village Cay for a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” while we explore Road Town? You bet your Heinz 57 and French-fried potatoes!

Mañana

Song by

Jimmy Buffett

She said I can’t go back to America soon
So goddamn cold it’s gonna snow until June
Yeah, they’re freezin’ up in Buffalo stuck in their cars
And I’m lyin’ here ‘neath the sun and the star

Customs man tells her that she’s gotta leave
She’s got a plan hidden up her shrewd sleeve
Wants to find her a captain, a man of strong mind
And any direction he blows will be fine

Please don’t say mañana if you don’t mean it
I have heard those words for so very long
Don’t try to describe the ocean if you’ve never seen it
Don’t ever forget that you just may wind up being wrong

Tried and I tried but I don’t understand
Never seemed to work out the way I had it planned
Hangin’ out at a marina when Steve Martin called
Singin’ anybody there really want to get small

But women and water are in short supply
There’s not enough dope for us all to get high
I hear it gets better, that’s what they say
As soon as we sail on to Cane Garden Bay

So please don’t say mañana if you don’t mean it
I have heard your lines for so very long
Don’t try to describe the scenery if you’ve never seen it
Don’t ever forget that you just may wind up in my song

Alright, let’s reggae, Reefers!

Called all my friends on those cheap nightly rates
Sure was good to talk to the old United States
While the lights of St. Thomas lie twenty miles west
I see General Electric’s still doing their best

I got to head this boat South pretty soon
New album’s old and I’m fresh out of tunes
But I know that I’ll get ’em, I know that they’ll come
Through the people and places and Callwood’s Rum

So please don’t say mañana if you don’t mean it (don’t mean it)
I have done your lines for so very long
Don’t try to describe a kiss concert if you’ve never seen it
Don’t ever forget that you just may wind up being gonged

And I hope Anita Bryant never ever does one of my songs
No, no, no

I’m a day late since I don’t post over the weekend, but I wanted to say Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there.

It’s a wonderful experience to be a father. The time moves fast the first 18 years and before you know it, they are off to college and no longer living under your roof. But being a father is forever and your children will always remember the role model you were as they grew up. To all the dads out there, still with us or not, thank you for all you did for us and continue to do for us.

The time I took Emily to her very first Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. She had a great time and even remembers counting how many “F” words she heard in the stands. HAHA

Mikey’s first time in Key West as we stand on the beach near Louie’s Backyard.

And my father….always happiest when he’s at Notre Dame for a football game…and maybe a little extra happy on this trip.

And to my father in law. We miss you but will never forget the wonderful father, father in law, and amazing grandfather you were to Emily and Mikey.