I've said it before, and will again -- here -- now, ..., your children teach me something new every day. One of the first days that i was in Swampscott, i was transporting some of the boys from the High School to the tennis courts and i was taught, by our Captain, that Swampscott has history woven by Frederick Law Olmsted. I knew his name, but Sam revealed the connection. You could not say my fingers flew, (i don't type that well), and, yet, they did find a path to the following:
The, Olmsted Subdivision Historic District, is a historic district roughly bounded by New Ocean St/Paradise Road, Swampscott Avenue, Redington Street and Burrill Street in Swampscott, Massachusetts.
“This large residential neighborhood was planned by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., in 1888, at the request of the Swampscott Land Trust. The 130-acre estate had belonged to E. Redington Mudge. Olmsted’s plan, with its curvilinear road layout, traffic islands, entrance parkway, use of the topographic features and fine architecture is remarkably well preserved. The roads and traffic islands are maintained by the town. The shapes have not been altered. Part of the original plan showed, “Overlook Park”, with steps leading to it at the end of Monument Avenue. It was never constructed and in its place is a huge house on top of the hill. The original subdivision had 191 lots of varying sizes and shapes.” "Curvilinear", to say the least, (an old friend said it well, "..., a compromise between Man's Euclidean determinations and Nature's beguiling irregularities."), and i often image the conceptions of the artists, who bring to the screens the mind's - eye visions of such as, J. R. R. Tolkien, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, and, even Massachusetts' own, Theodor S. Geisel, as i follow Olmsted's plan-made-path through the "village".
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Today, as i drove away from the Middle School Tennis Courts, roughly Southwest, down Forest Avenue, my thoughts wandered in other directions, as well. (Interesting, it is, how, at times, automaticity gets us home, ..., but i digress.) One was review of what i had seen and heard during the previous few hours. From the sidewalk, an observer might have seen an aura of unidentified radiation surrounding my vehicle as i passed. It is "heady" stuff to nurture giants, as it is to be granted the privilege to encourage their growth, to watch them learn and then, through their "play", come to own the learning. Heartening, "Yes!" Gratifying, "Surely!" You could say, it is the stuff of post-event levitation, the kind that, when the sole is examined, reveals no wear. Where Forest meets Redington and Banks, and, farther on, where Banks meets Farragut, and Farragut, Paradise, we could say that i felt, a bit, heavenly, not to put too fine a point on it.
I've seen disgrace and fortune in men's eyes,
I've heard the lonely weep their outcast state,
Beseeching heaven with their fruitless cries.
I've looked upon myself and cursed my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich, in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope.
With what I much enjoy contented least;
In darkling thoughts myself almost despising.
But not today; today the light's my state,
On eagle's wings my travel seems arising
From sombre earth, to lyric heaven's gate;
For i have touched the treasure such wealth brings.
Today i would not change my state with kings.
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Perhaps that last bit has given it away. The guys won again, ..., almost enough said.
The John D. O'Bryant School visited today. Another group of young gentlemen with a dedicated coach, competitors all, and needing more experience. Your children taught them some new things, as they have taught me, gently, respectfully, and with honor. They demonstrated the skills they have developed and the focus they have nurtured as well.
SINGLES:
Victory to Matt Jacobs: 6 - 0 6 - 1
Victory to Val Temin: 6 - 0 6 - 1
Victory to Mike Pindrus: 6 - 0 6 - 2
DOUBLES:
Victory to Sam & Matt: 6 - 1 6 - 0
Victory to Sam C. & Ian: 6 - 0 6 - 0
Again, and more, we saw and felt the fortunate support of family.
We were ably encouraged by the growing band of "cheerleaders", whose presentation rivals Dallas and all others. (let me know if i've gone too far.)
There is even spoken word of conference honors, post-season play, and un, ..., well, not that, not just yet.
Big Blue Varsity Boys won 5 - 0 today. We are 9 - 0. ..., 'nuff said!
