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You Can Go Back in Time...

I know, I know, they tell us we can't go back in time... but just for a few minutes let's play the old game of "Let's Pretend." What's so cool is that we CAN in fact, go back in our hearts and that will trick our minds into thinking the way we did when we were kids. So in a very real way we do go back in time whenever we reminisce. In fact I read this week in a medical paper that when we do that we actually create brain activity that makes us happier people. I know when I think about my Grandmother's Lemon Meringue pies my mouth starts watering, I get a feeling of joy bouncing in my heart and just for a moment I'm back in 1957 in her sweltering hot kitchen (before air conditioners) watching G'ma passionately preparing her pies and cookies which was her "love language" for her "Little Mikey."

When I go back in time, it's to sit in front of the old black & white TV watching "The Mickey Mouse Club" or my hero Roy Rogers, Trigger and Bullet. And on those Saturday nights spent at G'ma Harriet's she and G'pa Mitch would force me to watch The Lawrence Welk Show. Later my mood would be changed once Mr. Welk introduced me (and millions of boomers) to Janet Lennon and The Lennon Sisters. Man-o-man little did I know nearly 50 years later they would be singing "Happy Birthday to Mikey" during my Branson show. It's kinda cool being married to my greatest love Shari Ann and having Janet Lennon as one of her pals. How cool is that?!

What about you? Do you have the ability to close your eyes and travel back to those times that made you feel so alive? Remember when you dreamed of being a fireman or a doctor? You really can feel the warmth of your mom or dad's hugs if you want to. Close your eyes and dream with me for a minute or two... who would you love to visit with again? Who are the loved ones who have long since gone "home" that you would give anything to tell them how much you loved them? What are the events you wish you could have a "do-over" to maybe change the way things turned out? For me I wish I could have met my real daddy. I just hope and pray he knew the Lord and accepted the gift of salvation... if he did, then I know one day I'll get a chance to say, "Hey dad, wanna play catch?"

Cherish the moments... because one day in a flash, you will be looking back wondering where did the time go! Till next time, so long my Buckaroo Buddies.

Remember Harmon Killebrew?

In all my 30+ years in sports there are but a few true legends who live up to the lofty moniker of "American Hero." Harmon Killebrew is one of them for sure. The evening at one of the Chippewa Valley's most beautiful venues, "The Florian Gardens" was perfect, dining with an old pal, baseball the topic on everyone's tongue and years evaporated as we remenised. We first met Harmon when I was covering the Dodgers and Angels out in L.A. and a true friendship developed, one Shari and I cherish deeply. It continues to amaze me as I watch him interact with little kids who stand in long lines with their dads or grandfathers patiently waiting as the mass of fans wind their way around tables and chairs for that 1 minute of time to visit with the Hall of Famer they've come to see. I watched as Harmon engaged every person, youngsters 6 or 7 and aging men and women who all took time to be in the room with one of their favorites. As they chatted, "Harm" took time to look each one directly in the eyes making the conversation feel like you were talking to an old friend. And in many ways they were, for Harmon Killebrew was a part of their lives, that time when baseball was 'just a game' and superstars like Harmon Killebrew played, not for the money but for the love of the game.

"Remember When..."

Hey, where did the time go? I thought I'd stay young and play baseball forever! Did you ever think the years would "evaporate" as quickly as they have? I sure didn't plan on it happening so fast! And with that reality one day I woke up to a whole new world that sure didn't have the look and moral feel of what I expected. So, what we're going to do on this blog is focus on the warm and fuzzy feelings we generated with our "live" audiences during our 10 year run of our "Remember When Show" in Branson, MO. Many of you saw the show in Branson, or when we took to the road in the winter so you know how we connected our hearts to the wonderful memories of growing up when Roy Rogers was "King of the Cowboys," Jimmie Rodgers sang "Honeycomb" & "Oh-Oh I'm Falling in Love Again" and Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron and Harmon Killebrew reigned as superstars in Major League Baseball. And just FYI, my time with the KC Royals was but a moment in time ... I was a shortstop and "it sure was!" LOL

Well, I want to keep this first blog short just to get acquainted, so you can dip your toe into the "Remember When Waters" and see if you like traveling down the country road into the kinder and simpler times of growing up in a very different America. I promise we'll have fun and your hearts will fill with wonderful memories. Who knows, maybe even your grand kids will have fun exploring those great times of the 40s-50s-60s & 70s. In the meantime you can always go to my personal website for more info or if you have a speaking engagement contact my speaker's bureau and they'll be happy to assist you. God's Blessings to you and your family, Mike Radford