Grateful for Three Things; January 22, 2026

 + For my Dad, whose birthday was today.  If not just for myself, but only for my daughter, he implored upon me at an early age - without necessarily explaining how - about trying to be professional in everything I did.

+ For my daughter, who I also had a chance to speak with at length today late this afternoon.  I'm super excited for all that she's able to do and be involved in.  I think she gets it, obviously, but one day she's going to look back and go, "Wow, that was really something - an incredible time."

+ And, that I don't feel my age.  Sure, I have some aches and pains from getting older, but I really don't feel the number that my driver's license says that I am.  Still just keep trying to put in the work to keep my weight where it is after starting a downward drop on Memorial Day 2023.

Books Read in 2026 - 10 (8 Regular / 2 Kindle / 0 Internet Archive)

"Kindle Book" by Author (Finished January 1) - Kindle via Amazon Prime Reading

"Book" by Author (Finished January 1) - Location

"Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call" by Chad S. Conine (Finished January 7) - Amazon.com
"Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War" by Peter Harmsen (Finished January 8) - Kindle via BookBub and Amazon.com
"Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports" by Cyd Ziegler (Finished January 12) - Amazon.com
"The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story" by Ronnie Mitchem (Finished January 12) - Humble Half Price Books

"My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer" by Steve Garvey with Ken Gurnick and Candace Garvey (Finished January 14) - Humble Half Price Books

"Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference" by Cal Ripken, Jr. with Donald T. Phillips (Finished January 15) - Oh Goodie A Book
"The Sacred Acre:  The Ed Thomas Story" by Mark Tabb with The Ed Thomas Family (Finished January 20) - Oh Goodie A Book
"Courtly Love:  A Profile of Coach Marsha Sharp" by Nancy Laine Price (Finished January 20) - Pearland Half Price Books

"Speak with No Fear:  Go from a nervous, nauseated, and sweaty speaker to an excited, energized, and passionate presenter" by Mike Acker (Finished January 21) - Amazon Prime
"Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration" by Don E. Albrecht (Finished January 22) - Amazon.com

Daily Reading Efforts - January 2026

1/31/2026

1/30/2026

1/29/2026

1/28/2026

1/27/2026

1/26/2026

1/25/2026

1/24/2026

1/23/2026

1/22/2026 (80 pages)

A Man Who Told Us The Truth (Pages 24-29) - 158pp

A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace (Pages 55-66) - 212pp

Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 145-150)

Native American Major Leaguers (Location 11389-12041; 61 pages (30); Kindle)

Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas (Pages 68-74) - 173pp
Wards of the League:  The Untold Story of the First NFL Team in Dallas (Pages ix-xiii, 1-14) - 223pp

1/21/2026 (112 pages)
A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace (Pages 38-54) - 212pp

Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 139-144) - 150pp

Mornings with Madden:  My Radio Life with an American Legend (Pages vii-xiv) - 273pp
Speak with No Fear:  Go from a nervous, nauseated, and sweaty speaker to an excited, energized, and passionate presenter (Pages 122-180; Kindle)

Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas (Pages 65-67) - 173pp

Theology Simplified: Volume 2 (Pages 108-109; Kindle)

Triumph and Tragedy in Mudville: A Lifelong Passion for Baseball (Pages 112-129) - 342pp

1/20/2026 (61 pages)

A Man Who Told Us The Truth (Pages 16-23) - 158pp

Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 132-138) - 150pp

Courtly Love:  A Profile of Coach Marsha Sharp (Pages 130-144)

The Sacred Acre:  The Ed Thomas Story (Pages 194-221, 243-245) 

1/19/2026 (164 pages)

A Man Who Told Us The Truth (Pages 9-15) - 158pp

Native American Major Leaguers (Location 10560-11382; 71 pages (35); Kindle)

The Sacred Acre:  The Ed Thomas Story (Pages 72-193) - 221, 243-245 pp 

1/18/2026 (107 pages)

A Man Who Told Us The Truth (Pages xi-xiv, 1-8) - 158pp

Native American Major Leaguers (Location 9924-10551; 64 pages (32); Kindle)

The Sacred Acre:  The Ed Thomas Story (Pages 9-71) - 221, 243-245 pp 

1/17/2026 (40 pages)

Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 111-131) - 150pp

Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas (Pages 46-64) - 173pp

1/16/2026 (72 pages)
Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 77-110) - 150pp
Freedom to Shift: A Proven Path to Stop Trading Time, Start Creating Freedom, and Shape What's Next (Pages 70-95; Kindle)

Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas (Pages 34-45) - 173pp

1/15/2026 (91 pages)

Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference (Pages 157-247)

1/14/2026 (144 pages)
Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 56-76) - 150pp

Courtly Love:  A Profile of Coach Marsha Sharp (Pages 108-129) - 144pp

Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference (Pages 131-156) - 247pp

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 132-149)

Pure Gold: The Autobiography Of Coach Willie E. Goldsmith, Sr. (Pages xiii-xvii, 1-13) - 221pp

Theology Simplified: Volume 2 (Pages 69-107; Kindle)

1/13/2026 (73 pages)

Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference (Pages 114-130) - 247pp

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 107-131) - 146pp

Theology Simplified: Volume 2 (Pages 38-68; Kindle)

1/12/2026 (87 pages)

A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace (Pages 25-37) - 212pp
Courtly Love:  A Profile of Coach Marsha Sharp (Pages 94-107) - 144pp

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 196-207)

Freedom to Shift: A Proven Path to Stop Trading Time, Start Creating Freedom, and Shape What's Next (Pages 36-69; Kindle)

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 94-106) - 146pp

Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas (Pages 28-33) - 173pp

The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages 171-177, 187)

1/11/2026 (28 pages)

A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace (Pages 14-24) - 212pp

The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages 154-170) - 177pp

1/10/2026 (35 pages)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 188-195) - 207pp

Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference (Pages 92-113) - 247pp

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 89-93) - 146pp

1/9/2026 (57 pages)
A Moment in Time: An American Story of Baseball, Heartbreak, and Grace (Pages 1-13) - 212pp

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 172-187) - 207pp

Freedom to Shift: A Proven Path to Stop Trading Time, Start Creating Freedom, and Shape What's Next (Pages 8-35; Kindle)

1/8/2026 (112 pages)

Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War (Pages 230-259; Kindle)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 154-171) - 207pp

Get in the Game: 8 Elements of Perseverance That Make the Difference (Pages 70-91) - 247pp

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 66-88) - 146pp

Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas (Pages 9-27) - 173pp

1/7/2026 (90 pages)

Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War (Pages 198-229; Kindle)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 140-153) - 207pp
The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages 142-153) - 177pp

Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 124-155)

1/6/2026 (114 pages) 

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 51-65) - 146pp

The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages 98-141) - 177pp

Theology Simplified: Volume 2 (Pages 6-37; Kindle)

Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 101-123) - 155pp

1/5/2026 (34 pages)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 126-139) - 207pp

Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 81-100) - 155pp

1/4/2026 (51 pages)

Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 26-55) - 150pp

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 115-125) - 207pp

Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 71-80) - 155pp

1/3/2026 (81 pages)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 96-114) - 207pp

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 31-50) - 146pp
The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages 76-97) - 177pp

Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 51-70) - 155pp

1/2/2026 (109 pages)
Blinded by the Lights: Texas High School Football and the Myth of Integration (Pages 15-25) - 150pp
Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War (Pages 167-197; Kindle)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 85-95) - 207pp

My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 21-30) - 146pp

The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages 49-75) - 177pp
Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 32-50) - 155pp

1/1/2026 (109 pages)

Fair Play: How LGBT Athletes Are Claiming Their Rightful Place in Sports (Pages 72-84) - 207pp
My Bat Boy Days: Lessons I Learned from the Boys of Summer (Pages 1-20) - 146pp
The Cost of Colors: A Coach's Story (Pages xiii-xxi, 1-48) - 177pp

Tommy Bowman:  Answering The Call (Pages 13-31) - 155pp

Miles and Miles - 12/25/25 to 1/24/26

December 25 - January 24 - 7.1 miles running - 14.11 miles walking - 29.80 miles walking (Apple Health) - 17.45 miles cycling (using 9 miles = 30 minutes) - 81,552 meters rowing (14 of 29 days) - 495 minutes elliptical (15 of 29 days) - 108,617 steps
--------------------------------

December 25 (Thursday) - 4 miles running along The Woodlands Waterway (42:52.29 / 10:43 - 22:34.21 - 20:18.18) - 1.1 miles walking (Apple Health) - 8,554 steps

December 26 (Friday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 383 calories; 5,804 strides) - 2 miles walking in Springwoods Village (31:33 / 15:46) - 0.5 miles walking (Apple Health) - 5,329 steps

December 27 (Saturday) - 4.5 miles walking on Spring Creek Greenway Trail (1:08:59 / 15:20) - 8.74 miles on Precor Bicycle (Variety; 35 minutes; 360 calories) - 1.1 miles walking (Apple Health) - 11,249 steps

December 28 (Sunday) - 0.62 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,547 steps

December 29 (Monday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 384 calories; 5,820 strides) - 30:17 rowing for 6,064 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:25/500m) - 0.65 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,582 steps

December 30 (Tuesday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 385 calories; 5,840 strides) - 0.57 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,414 steps

December 31 (Wednesday) - 15:11 rowing for 3,091 meters (26 strokes/min.; 2:27/500m) - 15:12 rowing for 3,106 meters (27 strokes/min.; 2:27/500m) - 1.5 miles walking (Apple Health) - 3,612 steps

January 1 (Thursday) - 3.1 miles running the Spindle Tree parkrun 5K #209 (Magnolia, TX) - (31:43.85 // 10:11.93 - 10:26.36 - 10:30.23 - 35.55 - 6.5 miles walking (Apple Health) - 18,683 steps

January 2 (Friday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 385 calories; 5,844 strides) - 20:17 rowing for 4,041 meters (26 strokes/min.; 2:28/500m) - 1.6 miles walking (Apple Health) - 4,062 steps

January 3 (Saturday) - 5.5 miles walking on Spring Creek Greenway Trail (1:08:59 / 15:27) - 0.5 miles walking (Apple Health) - 11,919 steps

January 4 (Sunday) - 1.7 miles walking (Apple Health) - 4,237 steps

January 5 (Monday) - 30:12 rowing for 6,056 meters (26 strokes/min.; 2:26/500m) - 0.35 miles walking (Apple Health) - 882 steps

January 6 (Tuesday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 382 calories; 5,764 strides) - 2.11 miles walking in Springwoods Village (32:35 / 15:26) - 0.29 miles walking (Apple Health) - 4,989 steps

January 7 (Wednesday) - 25:04 rowing for 5,055 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:29/500m) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 389 calories; 5,926 strides) - 1.3 miles walking (Apple Health) - 3,449 steps

January 8 (Thursday) - 30:12 rowing for 6,055 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:30/500m) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 386 calories; 5,868 strides) - 0.65 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,615 steps

January 9 (Friday) - 30:17 rowing for 6,117 meters (26 strokes/min.; 2:30/500m) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 390 calories; 5,952 strides) - 1.1 miles walking (Apple Health) - 2,737 steps

January 10 (Saturday) - 2.3 miles walking (Apple Health) - 5,271 steps

January 11 (Sunday) - 3 miles walking (Apple Health) - 6,894 steps

January 12 (Monday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 387 calories; 5,894 strides) - 0.74 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,858 steps

January 13 (Tuesday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 389 calories; 5,942 strides) - 30:17 rowing for 6,077 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:27/500m) - 0.43 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,077 steps

January 14 (Wednesday) - 30:14 rowing for 6,070 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:26/500m) - 8.71 miles on Precor Bicycle (Variety; 35 minutes; 358 calories) - 0.47 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,211 steps

January 15 (Thursday) - 28:02 rowing for 5,705 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:24/500m) - 1.5 miles walking (Apple Health) - 4,041 steps

January 16 (Friday) - 30:14 rowing for 6,108 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:30/500m) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 387 calories; 5,890 strides) - 0.73 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,855 steps

January 17 (Saturday) - 0.6 miles walking (Apple Health) - 1,450 steps

January 18 (Sunday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 387 calories; 5,884 strides)

January 19 (Monday) - 30:30 rowing for 6,149 meters (25 strokes/min.; 2:25/500m) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 386 calories; 5,870 strides)

January 20 (Tuesday) - 30:33 rowing for 6,250 meters (26 strokes/min.; 2:24/500m)

January 21 (Wednesday) - 27:33 rowing for 5,598 meters (26 strokes/min.; 2:25/500m) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 392 calories; 5,996 strides)

January 22 (Thursday) - 33 minutes on Precor Elliptical (Weight Loss; 389 calories; 5,936 strides)

January 23 (Friday) - 

January 24 (Saturday) - 

Movies Seen on Amazon Prime Video

2026 ( 1)

"Time in the Minors" (January 21)

2025 ( 1)

"The Accountant" (May 20)

2024 ( 2)
"God. Family. Football.  Season 1, Ep. 3  The Cancun Cannon" (February 25)
"Reba McEntire: Country Gold" (November 13)

2023 (10)

"Amber Alert" (January 12)
"Angry Neighbors" (September 19)
"Bye Bye Barry" (November 22)

"Cocaine Bear" (September 17)

"God. Family. Football.  Season 1, Ep. 1  The Best is Yet to Come" (December 30)

"God. Family. Football.  Season 1, Ep. 2  No Pain, No Glory" (December 30)

"Open" (April 13)

"The Babe Ruth Story" (November 8)
"The Black Demon" (September 18)

"Wander" (September 26)

2022 ( 9)

"200 Miles" (May 29)

"Angry, White and American" (April 20)

"Closed for Storm" (April 16)

"Joe Bell" (April 12)
"New Providence" (April 15)

"Shake Off The World" (May 5)

"Six Man, Texas" (May 27)

"Son of the South" (May 21)
"Tethered" (December 12)

2021 ( 5)
"I'm Your Woman" (January 26)
"Mortal" (February 14)
"Sylvie's Love" (January 27)
"Uncle Frank" (February 18)
"Useless" (March 30)

2020 (17)
"A Mile In His Shoes" (July 12)
"A Quiet Place" (July 10)
"Arkansas" (December 23)
"Burn The Ships" (July 12)
"Cliffy" (July 28)

"Finding Traction:  The Ultra Marathon Documentary" (November 26)
"Heaven Is Waiting" (July 29)
"Inside Facebook: Secrets of a Social Network" (December 25)
"My Spy" (July 25)
"Nancy Wake:  Gestapo's Most Wanted" (November 25)

 "Super 8" (July 25)
"The Last Black Man in San Francisco" (October 6)
"The Nomads" (October 7)
"The Ride" (December 18)
"The Rocket" (July 13)

"The Saratov Approach" (August 3)

"The Vast Of Night" (December 29)

2024 Texas-Based Books Want to Acquire

"The Spirit of the Game: American Protestants, Big-Time Sports, and the Contest for National Identity" by Paul Putz (recommended from Faith & Sports Institute)

"3...2...1...We're On The Air:  An Inside Look at Sports Television, Journalism, and Gender Equity" by Robert Steinfield (Lone Star Literary Life, October 2024) - Acquired 12/30/2025

"The Barber, The Astronaut, and The Golf Ball" by Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis (Lone Star Literary Life, September 2024) - Acquired 12/30/2025

"Wards of the League: The Untold Story of the First NFL Team in Dallas" by Mike Cobern (Lone Star Literary Life, September 2024) - Acquired 12/30/2025

"The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles" by Aimee Boorman (Lone Star Literary Life, April 2025)

"Tough Streets, Rough Skies, and Sunday Sidelines" by Larry Wansley with Carlton Stowers (Lone Star Literary Life, March 2025)

"Tough Times Never Last: The Coach Fran Story" by Rebecca Franchione (Lone Star Literary Life, August 2024)

"Bubba Ephriam: Black Texas Basketball Trailblazer" by Garner Roberts (Lone Star Literary Life, July 2024)

"Texas Legend: Jim Hall and his Chaparrals - "There's always a better way." The Official Biography" by George Levy (Lone Star Literary Life, July 2024) 

"Juneteenth Rodeo (M.k. Brown Range Life, 25)" by Sarah Bird (Lone Star Literary Life, June  2024)

"Playing from the Rough: A Personal Journey through America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses" by Jimmie James (Lone Star Literary Life, June 2024)

"A Baseball Gaijin: Chasing a Dream to Japan and Back" by Aaron Fischman (Lone Star Literary Life, May 2024)

"Undefeated: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms" by Shaunie Henderson (Lone Star Literary Life, May 2024)

"Betting on Horses: Racing as an Economic Development Tool in Frontier West Texas, 1886-1896" by Preston Lewis (Lone Star Literary Life, March 2024) 

"Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field" by Deion Sanders with Don Yeager (Lone Star Literary Life, March 2024)

"Long Live the Matadors: The Fearless History of Texas Tech's Masked Rider" by Stacy Stockard Caliva (Lone Star Literary Life, January 2024)

Books Bought at Pearland Half Price Books on 4/16/23 - 3 (Finished 3)

"Courtly Love:  A Profile of Coach Marsha Sharp" by Nancy Laine Price (Finished January 20, 2026)

"Invincible: My Journey from Fan to NFL Team Captain" by Vince Papale (Finished May 26, 2023)

"Requiem for a Classic Second Edition: Thanksgiving Turkey Day Classic" by Thurman W. Robins (Finished May 31, 2023)