December 30th, 2022

    These next couple days are a time to reflect on 2022 and prepare for 2023. This last year happened so quickly I can’t put my thoughts together on the events of the last twelve months.

At my age I can look back at decades and have a clearer mind to reflect upon. I can hear my grandparents generation saying how quickly life goes the older we get. Then I heard my parents generation repeat those same words. Now it’s our turn…..

“Holy shit! Time flies the older we get!”

On New Years Eve in 1972, I might have had a KayO with my parents. I know I was in bed before midnight with WLS playing on my transistor radio.

On New Years Eve in 1982, I was drinking Moosehead beer at a high school party. I know I was up at midnight because my mom grounded me at 1:30am when I got home. Great start to 1983.

On New Years Eve in 1992, I was with my buddies on Madison Street in Forest Park. Slamming Old Styles and Lemon Drop shots. I know I was up at midnight that year because I was enjoying the first polish sausage in 1993 down on Maxwell Street at 3:00am.

On New Years Eve in 2002, I was with my fiancé drinking Veuve Clicquot. The champagne flowed heavily and I was dropping my future wife at her parents in Hinsdale at 10:30pm. I was asleep in my recliner in Oak Park at midnight when 2003 hit the calendar.

The last night of 2012 was spent with a pregnant wife and two sons. We celebrated New Years Eve at 6:59pm with George and Fritz hitting pots and pans. I was sneaking out to the garage pulling swigs off of a bottle of Sambuca that I kept in the icebox. We were asleep before midnight.

Now I can catch my thoughts about 2022. It had its ups and downs. I watched my children grow. I went to work with a group of stand up individuals. I hung out with a dear pack of friends and made out with some incredible hot mommies.

For New Years Eve 2022? Friends are laying low and hot moms are lurking quietly. Chances are I’ll make dinner for George and sneak out for a cocktail somewhere close to home. I’ll probably be asleep by midnight.

Reflecting back on 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, 2012 and 2022. One thing that was the common thread.

I was getting straight F’s…. I was continuously building a foundation based on faith. Pushed along with the love of family and the support of friendship. F:F,F,F

You gotta have an open mind when you reflect on the past. There isn’t a DeLorean or a hot tub taking you back to change things around.

December 29th, 2022

      I put this sappy ass quote up on the Morning Chalkboard last night before the redheads went back to their mother's house.

That was one of the original purposes of the first chalkboard. Use quotes that will plant seeds into the Shepkids that can help them grow into strong adults.

Since everyone reading this is already a strong adult let’s talk about end of the year movies. Movies that you traditionally watch around New Years Eve.

How many times this weekend will we hear someone say, “Merry New Year!” Like Eddie Murphy in “Trading Places?”

"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart.” New Years Eve in Cuba when Michael put it together that it was his brother Fredo that betrayed him.

Most of us will have ”When Harry met Sally” high on the end of the year movie lists. To me this movie reminds me when I heard Harry Connick for the first time.

My go to movie is a movie not many have on their list. My movie is also in my top ten favorite movies. The movie that I’ll watch between now and Sunday is “Diner” from 1982.

Set in Baltimore during the end of December in 1959. It centers around a group of young men coming to age at the end of the 1950’s. Their go to place to talk about life was their 24 hour a day diner. They talked about music, sports, sex and the Baltimore Colts.

How many of us had a diner in our life? My diner was the Gossage Grill up on North off of Harlem. I’d go their with my dad for breakfast or lunch. I’d take dates there to see if it was gross or cool. If it was gross the relationship wouldn’t work. My best memories were the late nights with the guys. Usually after a night out drinking in Forest Park.

Gossage is a taco stand now…

What do you watch at the end of the year? I’d love new suggestions and I’d love it if you watch “Diner” again or for the first time.

Let’s put a list together on todays Chalkboard!!!

December 28th, 2022

 I promised my dad when he was dying that I’d be a better person. He specifically wanted me to be a better ex husband. He and I were divorced from women with heavy depression. Both of them heavy drinkers. His wife had horrible mood swings and for my wife that was defined as being bipolar.

He often told me when I was a child, “Son, your mommy was sad way before we met her and it’s not our fault.” I’ve caught myself saying this to the Shepkids forty years later.

Not that I was a Jag Off to this lady before my dad passed away, but when she mouthed off to me in the past, I would rebuild her backside. Now I just say “okay!”

That promise to my father has given me great freedom. Freedom that takes me on a higher path. A path that is visible from heaven.

Speaking of jag offs…. The world is filled with them. Most of them drive on the streets that I take. In the past when a jag off didn’t appreciate my driving ability… if they would rudely force this opinion at me, I would tell them to blow me. Maybe tell them their mom could blow me or their sister…

Now I just smile at them and wave. Maybe even give them that dumbfounded I’m sorry look.

This gives me the freedom over that poor son of a bitch. It puts me in the lane that leads to the higher intersection. An intersection visible from heaven.

It took me fifty years to finally listen to my dad when he was on his deathbed. React with a cool head and freedom will ring.

Fortunately this freedom is affordable while I’m setting examples for my offsprings…

Christmas tree lights are tangled up? Yelling at them won’t untangle them.

Traffic is backed up for no good fucking reason? Screaming at the dumbass in the Subaru won’t move the cars any faster.

The guy in the drive thru at Culver’s doesn’t know how to read the menu? Informing him to get a salad instead of a large custard won’t be helpful.

When your ex wife tells you that you are the reason for all of her pain and problems? Just say, “okay, I’m sorry.”

Freedom feels so good when the air you breath isn’t reinforced with hostility. Freedom is on the road that is higher and healthier.

In 2023 shit WILL hit the fan. How will I react when the shit splatters on my face?

I will let freedom take the form of a washcloth and wipe the shit off my chin and move on to the next fan.

Today is thirty seven seconds longer than yesterday. The snow will be melting by the weekend and 2022 is almost over… let freedom react!

December 27th, 2022

 A friend of mine asked me if she looked old during Thanksgiving. I honestly replied no and told her she didn’t look old, but she did look older.

I could see that she was confused and pissed off before I could explain myself.

Getting older is a part of life. We didn’t realize in 1982 or 2002 how quickly 2022 would arrive.

Did you get old since the Reagan years or have you gotten older as we moved into a new millennium? Maybe the wording is a disguise or a placebo to make you feel better?

Old or Older?

Trees get old and they look more magnificent with every spring that brings them green growth. The new ring underneath the bark adds more strength to the tree. The new ring of life that shows a trees age also helps it grow taller and brings more branches.

Each spring the growth of leaves, flowers, fruit, nuts and acorns make the tree new again and each autumn the tree lets all that beauty explode into winter slumber.

Yesterday I was told that I was dumb because I’m old. Forty five years ago if I said that to my dad I would have been slapped into the next week. I thought what Hazel said in 1977, but I kept my mouth shut.

I don’t know what some geometric deal on Roblox means or who Tyler Swift is or what songs she sings, but I’ve learned things with every ring I’ve grown under my bark. I might be stupid to my nine year old, but I’m older and wiser to me.

Don’t get old and wither off and die. Get older and grow branches and turn green in the spring.

I don’t know any lady Gaga, but I can sing and dance to Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.” I don’t know how to build cities on Mindcraft, but I can name the 1977 Chicago Bears starters.

Get old and nobody will throw you Mardi Gras beads! Get older and fling Mardi Gras beads into the crowd.

This weekend all of us old mother fuckers born in the 1900’s are adding another ring to our trunks. Look at that ring as a badge of courage, of honor and of strength.

Leave the regret and agony of 2022 out before Saturday night. Kick it to the curb. Let the garbage truck haul it off. Just remember garbage pick up is on Friday, not Thursday this week….

December 26th, 2022

 It’s over….. the Christmas movies are done streaming. The Christmas carols have all lost their magic. The alleys are filled with bags of Christmas wrapping and the dishwasher needs to be unloaded.

All the stress of putting Christmas together is gone. It all came together and in a flash is over.

This year 93.9 started playing Christmas Carols on November 1st. That was 55 days before Christmas. In 55 days it will be February 18th. Look how quickly the last 55 days went by. Sure February 18th seems like a long time from today, but it will be here as fast as November 1st seems so near.

Now the focus is on 2023 and what the New Year will bring. I’m skipping on being hopeful. I was hopeful on December 26th, 2019 and look what happened in the months that followed.

Forget about being hopeful. Forget about your waistline. Forget about dry January. Forget about a new job, a new car, a new romance in 2023.

Quit dreaming on how much better 2023 is going to be. All the major crap going on in the world will still be occurring on January 2nd.

I’m going to do January 1st, I’m going to do January 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th. I’m going to do February 6th and March 13th and April23rd…. I’m going to take one day at a time and hope I’m doing it right. That’s the only hope I have in 2023.

I hope I’m doing this right…

I’m going to get up in the morning and hope I bring Mo Betta to the things that I control.

My job: bring integrity

My Family: set an example

My Friends: be there when they need me

My Faith: make God and my parents proud and piss the Devil off everyday.

My Home: keep it full of positive nurturing

My Body: Flaunt it

My Country: respect it

My Community: make neighbors happier.

I’m still going to worry about bills. I’m going to worry about the Shepkids. I’m going to worry about Betty the Green Blazers “check engine” light. I’m going to worry about my friends when they are dealing with a problem…. Every time I worry about all this shit I’m going to deal with it and figure in 55 days it won’t be a problem because in another 55 days I’ll have something else to worry about in 2023.

Another thing I’m not going to hope for this Spring…. Winning baseball on the Southside!

One game at a time.

December 25th, 2022

 I want to get one of those 3D printers so I can make new statues for my Nativity scene. I want to make figurines of people that I spent Christmas with during my life. People who don’t have gifts under the tree anymore. People that don’t have a seat at the Christmas table anymore.

My Grampa and Gramma, my Mom and Dad, my Uncle Charlie… people at one time in my life who told me to get my elbows off the table.

I’d move the three wiseman to the side and kick the shepherd and a couple farm animals out of the Holy Barn. I’d put my family right next to the Holy Family. My parents, Uncles, Aunts and grandparents could still be part of Christmas.

Christmas is the time to spend with family before they become figurines in the Nativity scene. Christmas is the time to make memories with loved ones that might be in heaven next Christmas or the Christmas of 2033.

Most of my loved ones were at the real nativity last night. I could hear my dad turn to Jesus and say, “Jesus Christ, you were a beautiful little baby. What the hell happened to you?”

… and Jesus replied, “Well Don, you might have heard. I took an ass kicking on a rainy Friday so you can be here today.”

Heaven actually has those awkward moments during Christmas as well.

Today we are going to create awkward moments and special memories in Riverside. The Shepkids and I are going to have Christmas Day with their Grandparents.

Not that they are anywhere close to being put through a 3D scanner… but…. George won’t be 16 ever again. Fritz won’t be 13 and Hazel, well Hazel won’t be 9.

PopPop and JoJo are coming to hangout with their Grandchildren. The last Christmas I spent with PopPop and JoJo was when George Michael died. Which reminds me, I’ll need his figurine for the Nativity scene when I get this 3D printer deal hooked up.

If you have someone in your life that can become a figurine sooner than later… enjoy their love while you can. Put your elbows on the table and get yelled at.

Today… I’m going to make a nice dinner, mix some cocktails and watch my Shepkids make memories with their grandparents…. Because Christmas of 1973, 1978, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1998, 2007, 2013 and 2022 all fade together and make up one Christmas memory captured in the Nativity…

If you ever wondered how many miles Santa puts on his sleigh and reindeer on Christmas Eve…75,000,000 miles.

December 24th, 2022

 Many of us have a shitload of things to do in the next 24 hours. Don’t lose focus….

Things will all fall into place, but make sure someone keeps Baby Jesus from kicking off his blanket. Swaddle him tightly and make sure the shepherds clean the sheep shit off the neighbors lawn.

The most common post among all of you is the joy that you are safely together with the people you love. The pictures of dads hugging daughters home from school. The pictures of smiles around the dining room table. The family playing a guitar and singing together.

This is Christmas!

We are making cookies in Noblesville. We are watching “Love Actually” in Elmhurst. We are listening to Dean Martin in Bridgeport. We are taking a walk with our grandparents in Gloucestershire. We are making cookies in Logan Square.

This is Christmas!

The market closed yesterday and the lads at work poured bourbon and cherished our integrity and energy. We wished each other a Happy Christmas when suddenly a racket entered the trading room as Fritz and Hazel ran in and gave me a hug.

This is Christmas!

I leave you with the sermon from the end of my favorite Christmas movie, “The Bishops Wife.”

“Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.

But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. Its his birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth.”

Merry Christmas everyone, I love you all…… Jumbo!

December 23rd, 2022

 The pre Christmas blizzard wasn’t as bad as early predicted. Maybe three inches? It’s the cold that is brutal this morning and will be the next couple days.

Just remember the days are getting longer and next weekend is supposed to reach the forties and maybe fifties on New Years Eve.

Also, the first sunset after five o’clock is January 28th…

If you can stay inside, stay inside!

December 22nd, 2022

 I’m in a funk and I’m not sure if it’s the stress of Christmas or this storm that’s heading our way. Maybe it’s the lingering affects of having covid last week, but I’m in a funk.

I just erased five paragraphs of babble because I’ve been up since 2:08am….

…. Bottom line!

Let’s get through this snowstorm and brutal cold front. Let’s get passed another Jesus birthday party. Let’s end this horseshit year.

What we need is Rodney Dangerfield to scream, “Hey everybody! We are all going to get laid!”

December 21st, 2022

 Seems the early week forecast of 12-16 inches has thankfully narrowed down to 2-4 inches. So Christmas will be white for Bing.

Not much to say, I’m still dragging my big cheeks across Chicagoland.

December 20th, 2022

 A positive word thrown around this week is always BELIEVE.

Do you Believe in Santa Claus? Do you Believe in the Christ Child? Do you Believe a one day supply of oil lasted for eight days?

The answer is Yes, Yes and Yes.

The problem is the negative word that creeps into our lives during this Holy seasons…. DOUBT.

I doubt that delivery is going to make it on time. I doubt this Christmas dinner will taste good. I doubt the kids will like their presents. I doubt Christmas will be smooth because the forecast calls for a blizzard before Christmas and Arctic conditions during Christmas.

Well erase all your doubt because Santa has the spirit of love guiding him across the world and into our hearts.

The Jewish kid will attract wiseman and shepherds while a bright star shines from heaven and into our hearts.

Not only will the one day supply of oil for your lamps last for eight days… it will last every day and brighten your Menorah and fill your heart will hope and love.

Believers never Doubt….

Today is National Christmas Carol Day. Answer the front door and join the chorus…

Tonight our Jewish brothers and sisters reach into the box for the third candle… Uncle Schlomo is having a good Hanukkah at the dreidel table this holy season.

December 19th, 2022

 Last night I thought it was funny when I wrote “free at last” down on the corner of the Chalkboard. This morning I feel I’m mocking both the Civil rights movement and the Covid Era. I got through last week real easy compared to so many others.

I’m not sure what memories I’ll bring out of last week. Probably not the kind of memories I have when I got suspended from Christ the King during the 1980 Winter Olympics. I didn’t see the Miracle on Ice last week or Eric Heiden winning gold.

I did read a ton and write a few paragraphs. I watched it snow. I listened to a ton of Christmas songs and I never unplugged the lights on my Christmas tree. That glow comforted me during my vacation to the couch.

I’m not sure I’ve changed much this last week. My sweatpants can definitely attest to that. I beat the crap out of them walking back and forth from the couch. The sweats that I wore to break my 103 degree fever will never get the Vicks Vapor rub smell out of them.

Back to work and the camaraderie of the OakBrook Board of Trade. I can’t wait to go to Costco and to Riverside Food. I have books to drop off at the library. All of this while wearing a mask. I think that will be the new normal when people are sick in public.

Thank you to those who dropped off soup, beer, whiskey, pizza, sandwiches and medicine. I also heard a few of you beep when you drove by, thank you.

Off we go into the hectic week of preparation for Christmas. My load became easier since a couple houses can’t have a JumbClaus around their family just after his Covid.

Don’t stress, before you know it the calendar will read December 26th. So enjoy the week and the stress of getting everything just perfect.

Because everything will be just perfect…… just believe.

December 18th, 2022

 I got another late start today as my vacation to my couch comes to an end. I didn’t really have an idea about what I was going to write today. I was looking through all of your posts and came across todays quote from one of you.

A friend of mine watched her daughter graduate from Purdue University this weekend. She did it as a single mother raising two daughters on her own.

Her husband moved years ago to a southern state and left his wife to raise their two daughters alone. Money was tight, but this single mom never let her daughters see her stress. These babies had their own stress to deal with…

Single mom gave her daughters passion to see the world with positivity. She gave them strength to deal with the pain life brings. She showed them love so they can know how to give love.

This weekend her oldest daughter earned a college degree, but more importantly… she took her passion, her strength and her love that mom gave her and never looked back.

This single mom is what my mom wasn’t. The single mom I’m talking about is what I wish the Shepkids mom was more like.

This single mom always took the high road. She took responsibility and never blamed the world for her misfortunate position as a single mom.

Because Carol never felt misfortune. She had her girls, her parents, her dog, her home and her friends.

Yes, this weekend is about a new Purdue alumni, but the real story is how a single mom gave all her might to make it happen.

Cheers to you Carol… you are an inspiration to more than your two daughters. You never felt sorry for yourself and this weekend is the result.

The hearts you fill have learned to soar to the stars….

To all my Jewish Brothers and Sisters, May the oil supply for one day always light your candles.

December 17th, 2022

 Locked up in this quarantine I can babble on like a drunken fool.

So I won’t …. Sunday is the last day!

Come Monday it will be alright, Come Monday I’ll be feeling alright!

Man I can go for a cheeseburger and a margarita!

I missed a party last night, a trip to meet a friend at Christkindle today and a party tonight. That’s a ton of Covid I could have spread… that just means one thing in 2023

….I’m spreading JumboLove all over this spinning blue marble. Black, White, Christian, Jew, Gay, Straight, Round Booties, Short, Tall, Fat and Small!

You got lips to kiss, needs to fill, wishes to grant, hay to bale, cookies to bake, orgasms to fake, leaves to rake, toes to clip, champagne to sip, deliver your mail, throw away your kale… if you need your garbage taken out or someone to do your paper route. I can drive you to mass or put talcum on your …..

2023, if Betty’s Check engine light isn’t on, I’ll drive to you and give you JumboLove… because that’s what Jumbo’s do!

I told you I could babble on and on! I can’t wait to go to work on Monday!

Until then…. GO IU beat the jaybirds! Go Bears over Eagles, Go France over Falkland Islands, and Go Love over hate……. Uncle Schlomo, don’t forget your menorah candles and in Eight days, baby Jesus!

December 16th, 2022

 On March 13th 2020 Covid closed our trading floor. On October 3rd of 2020 Covid killed my father. Even after those two life changing moments I still thought this Asian flu thing was a political hacky sack.

I finally tested positive on March 1018th, 2020 or December 13, 2022.

I’ve been lucky compared to the million people that didn’t make it. For me Covid has been a vacation to my couch.

I can type three more paragraphs on Covid, but the hell with that I say!

Miracle is the theme today. Just last week I brought up the famous Al Michaels quote, “Do you believe in Miracles?”

One of my favorite songs is the Jefferson Starship tune “Miracles” from 1975. It had a three minute version that we heard on WLS and it had a six minute version on the album.

The first time I heard the longer version I was intrigued with what I never heard on the car radio while driving to Jewels with my Ma.

“I had a taste of the real world…When I went down on you, girl, oh.”

Can you hear a nine year old John Shepley asking his ex nun mom what that meant? She would have shit and then she would have killed me.

I didn’t think it was much of a miracle years later when pubic hairs scratched the roof of my mouth the first time.

I’m not sure this was ever a Don Shepley quote, butt……..

Don’t let a mouthful of pubic hairs stop you from performing your next miracle in life.

Christians are preparing for the miracle of the Christ Child this next week. A Virgin sees angels and becomes pregnant. She gives birth to the Son of God in a barn with a huge Star shining above it.

Next thing you know….. 1,970 years later….. you are getting up early on a Sunday to serve 8:00 o’clock mass.

That’s a miracle, but until the day we die will still be a mystery of our Faith.

…And yes I did talk about oral sex and the birth of Jesus just paragraphs apart.

You wonder what I want to do when my Covid restrictions are lifted?

You guessed it!

Go to 8:00 o’clock mass!

“Guess who's back?

Back again

Jumbo’s back

Tell a friend!”

December 13th, 2022

 There is a little sign in George Bailey’s office. I think it’s on the wall near his father’s portrait. Today’s quote is on that sign.

George could have become a millionaire investing in plastics. An idea he gave to his buddy, Sam Wainwright. George decided to continue to follow the example his father taught him. To help people in need, to help his community.

We learn from the examples our parents teach us.

I wonder if those Fathers out in Elmhurst nurtured bullies just like their fathers did before them. Many of us would love to bump into Mr. York in the pisser at Doc’s in Elmhurst. More importantly, all of us would want to hold the special needs child bullied last week at York High School.

Be a George Bailey everyday and someday the time will come when the whole community reaches out on a day of need….

December 12th, 2022

 My alarm during the week goes off at 3:33am to the voice of Marvin Gaye singing “Sexual Healing.”

333 is an Angel Number that symbolizes the Holy Trinity and The Shepkids. The two things that give me faith and strength to wake up for.

Before my feet hit the floor I say good morning to my mom and dad. Then I flip my big ass out of bed and when my feet hit the floor I tell the Devil to blow me.

In a matter of seconds I have my support team in heaven covering my back and Satan and his demons worried that I’m going to fuck up their day… which I strive to do.

As for this getting old bullshit… don’t buy into it! I’ve been waking up for 20,618 days. That is along time ago. Give me another 10,247 and I’ll make my goal of Thanksgiving, 2051.

So if I round it off I’m two thirds of the way through my life. That is 10,000 days of getting older, getting closer to heaven and getting a chance to spread JumboLove.

That’s what keeps me from getting old!

Today is Ding-A-Ling Day… it’s the day when you call someone in your life that you once talked to everyday, but seldom talk to presently.

I think that would be Bobby Grilliot. It’s definitely not the Hinsdale girl who went to KU.

Go spread your love, watch for Santa Claus, get older and call a dear friend from your past.

…..and Happy Monday!

December 11th, 2022

 “Whatcha looking at dad?” asked Fritz as I stood out on the balcony just before bedtime last night.

“My corner of the world son. Come out here and tell me what you see Fritz?”

It was still relatively comfortable enough to stand outside at eleven o’clock and get some fresh air.

“I see the buildings and the sky and I see Christmas stuff dad.”

I had Fritz stand next to me and take a couple deep breaths.

“Feel life come into your lungs Fritz and breath in the world, now what do you see?”

“The same stuff dad, can I go back inside now?”

I wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easy. I put my hand on the nape of his neck and pointed at the little Christmas tree in the window across the street. He was looking at a Christmas tree, but what was really there was a beacon of hope glowing out on the street.

We looked up at the cloudy December sky. The clouds reflected the urban lights and blocked out the cosmos. We couldn’t see through the blanket, but we knew the stars and moon are still there.

I pointed to the two courtyard buildings across the street. Those apartment buildings were built just after World War One. A hundred years of people called all those apartments home at one time in their life. Fritz just wanted to go back inside at this point. I made him breath in life one more time and I said, “someday you’ll see it Fritz and not just look at it…..”

I tucked Fritz into bed and he asked if I was getting a Sunday paper, he wants the funny papers if I do. I asked him if he just looks at the comics or if he sees them? He smiled and said, “I love you dad, you can go now.”

I closed his door and cleaned up the kitchen so it’s ready for tomorrow’s breakfast rush. I wrote down today’s quote on an envelope sitting on the dining room table. Someday when the kids are older and they scroll across all the chalkboards, this one will stick out to Fritz.

Sunrise, sunset…. swiftly flow the years….

December 10th, 2022

 I liked this quote last night after I had a JumboNog. George was in his room cyber attacking Russia. Fritz was playing Roblox and Hazel was in the bathtub listening to her B96 crap.

Perfect time for dad to make a nog and grab the chalk.

This morning I woke up and looked at the son of a bitch and thought…. I don’t want to talk about preparing and I sure as hell don’t want to talk about regret.

Last night a buddy of mine dropped off a Christmas present for me and the kids. We sat at the table and shot the shit for a half an hour with a glass of beer. He spent time listening to George explain everything in his “Weird Science Bedroom” and he took a selfie with the Morning Chalkboard.

The most important thing about the visit was the lesson the Shepkids learned about friendship. They watched two old guys have a beer and interact positively. Having Michael Foley as a friend is another gift I received when I moved to Riverside. Having my kids witness that friendship on a Friday night is priceless. Having solid friendships shows our children how to build their own friendships.

That is the gift we give as parents. That is part of how we prepare them for the future.

How can you regret the past when today is all you have? If I change the things I regret I wouldn’t have been in Riverside last night with my children and a dear friend.

Life isn’t like the game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” You don’t have curtains to choose. You got the life of Curtain number one and that’s all you get.

Curtain number one has me sitting under an afghan this morning that my Gramma made me forty years ago. It has the glow of the Sue Butterfield Christmas Tree illuminating my living room. The little Christmas tree across the street glowing across Lincoln Avenue and the occasional roar from Titus over at the zoo.

I can’t prepare for tomorrow or regret yesterday because right now is postcard perfect.

I hope England plays well today so they can prepare for a tomorrow and not regret a loss to France.

“England till I die,

I'm England till I die,

I know I am I'm sure I am,

I'm England till i die...”

December 9th, 2022

     I’m not sure why the Cleveland Browns pretty much gave up on Baker Mayfield last summer. I don’t know why Carolina put him on waivers earlier this week.

I don’t know this kid. I don’t know if he’s a cancer in the locker room, but the Rams picked him up on Tuesday and the kid won the game for them last night.

He had the playbook for 48 hours and worked out with the Rams one time and he pulled it together and led his new team to victory.

Why did I open up the Morning Chalkboard with this story?

Because this kid didn’t let getting cut from two teams defeat his spirit!

Al Michaels called the game last night. The same Al Michaels that asked us if we believed in miracles in 1980. Last night he screamed, “Is that possible?” as Mayfield threw the winning touchdown. A comeback drive in the last minute and forty five seconds of the game.

It is possible!

Get up every damn morning and move along. Don’t stop, don’t hold your head low…

We all have some kind of shitshow in our lives. Well I’m not going to let a shitshow defeat me. Shitshow's come and go, but I kick the shit off my boots, wash my face and keep on keeping on!

I will never have a final defeat. I will have a last breath someday and when that day comes… I’ll have a few more victories than defeats.

I believe in miracles and everything is possible if you have faith in yourself. We all need to have some Baker Mayfield experiences and we all should make Al Michaels excited.

Happy Birthday Junior Wells. The world always needs more cowbell, but in Chicago we always need more harmonica.

December 8th, 2022

         If I’m asked, “are you a Rolling Stones guy or a Beatles guy?” I always answer…. Stones.

This is one of those things that you can like both bands, but if you had to identify with one of them…. Stones.

I’ve loved Chicago Blues since the first time my dad took me down to Maxwell Street. He was looking for an extra set of tools and a toolbox. The first musician I heard was Jimmy Davis, I fell in love with the blues on that day. My dad found his tools and toolbox and he bought me two blues cassettes….

The Rolling Stones are basically a Chicago Blues band, but with a skinny English singer and not a barrel chested black man. It was 1974 and I was an eight year old Rolling Stones fan and the only kid in third grade that loved the blues.

Naturally this led me to being a Stones guy and not a Beatles guy.

Forty two years ago today I was a freshman in high school watching Monday Night Football with my Ma. She cried when Howard Cosell broke the news.

First of all…. Forty two years ago? That means if John Lennon didn’t get shot he would be in his eighties.

If asked who my favorite Beatle is… George Harrison and I liked McCartney over Lennon.

I was more sad on the day Muddy Waters died. April 30th, 1983.

Today is the day to set aside Junior Wells and “Exile on Main Street” and listen to some Beatles and John Lennon. The quote today comes from my favorite Lennon song.

John Lennon is no longer riding on the merry-go-round, he just had to let it go…..