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Monday, October 11, 2021

SHE'S ALIVE!!!!! ALIVE!!!!!!

 


If anyone out there still cares, I'm alive and well in this world and hope the same for you! Whew, the time away has been quite relaxing. My spring and summer hours were spent enjoying friendships, acoustic guitar, sunshine and reading. It's been a wonderful change from the solitude of 2020. I'm still working but most days, it feels like a part-time job. I'm also enjoying baseball for the first time this year. Yay playoffs! Dish Network doesn't air Tiger games but Comcast will be here soon which also means real internet!!!!!!!!!!

For those interested - as far as what type of music I play, it depends on my mood. I love the Carter Family and older country like Buck Owens and Kris Kristofferson. Then there's John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, Eagles, Indigo Girls, Neil Diamond, Beatles...so much to learn! And for the curious, I doubt I'll ever share a video here. My blog pals would be kind I'm sure but the blog is public. Asking for free cards while laying on the zingers...lol. No thanks. Those folks do exist.

No acoustic bitmoji               


Thank you to those of you who reached out to check in on me. Your emails kept me connected to the community here. A few of you even dropped some cards my way not knowing if I'd still be interested: Rod of Padrographs, Ye Old Night Owl, Niner from Nine Pockets, Joe Shlabotnik, Diamond King, Dollar Store Doug and Bo Rozny - thank you for thinking of me!!! 

Collecting has changed for me. Pandemic hoarding and profiteering provided opportunity for reflection; time to appreciate just how many cards I do have. While 3/4 of my main collection has been added to TCDB, I've never taken time to add mini-collections which includes 1000's of catcher cards alone. It's never been important that I have a BIG collection. My little cardboard hoard is slight in comparison to what many of you have. OK by me. It requires storage. I live in a small space. If I can't - or don't - enjoy what I have then how can MORE be better?


I've looked at some of my favorite issues this year. While perusing Heritage, Stadium Club and Panini Prizm offerings on eBay, I felt oddly disconnected with no desire to pursue player faves new or old, nor my Tigers. What is wrong with me? Rhetorical. Please do not leave diagnostic commentary. LOL. See first photo for clues.

With Topps and Panini both losing out to Fanatics, the three card issues I love most are in doubt. Much has been written about the loss already. It's a wake up call for Topps that came a bit too late. Perhaps Fanatics will acquire Topps or Panini...

The one thing that's kept me in the game are new customs. So far, I have every release Gio Balls has produced. This could change should G decide to add other sports. Nine Pockets also printed some of his fun creations. Gregory messaged me so I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity. I chose three cards...which just gave me a contest idea. Gotta find something to giveaway first.

Random. LOL.

I've always appreciated the surprise packages. If you'd like to continue sending cards, I do ask kindly, please - send only cards found on my list. Save your shipping funds for cards that are wanted elsewhere. Space truly is in short supply. This will likely eliminate many trade opportunities. I also don't expect cards with nothing to offer in return. There will be no new cards here outside of a custom dupe and random pick pockets. Oh yes - there will be some offerings for pickin' in the near future! With the recent postal increase, rules will likely change. I haven't had a chance to review my options.

So what's in the future for your old Cracked Bat? An occasional post is likely, and collecting is related to wantlist only.  This does include 2021 Tigers but no Flagship or Stadium Club. I'll keep lists on my tabs and the database. TCDB wants have been cleaned up with more likely to come off soon. As temps drop, I'll have time on weekends to play in the card room. 

Here's the other thing...who doesn't appreciate a blogged thank you from the recipient of your kindnesses? For the foreseeable future, all I can offer in the way of thanks is a mention of appreciation. Not that I won't ever share a trade but I do know time will be limited if I want to continue trading. If you are OK with a mention of thanks without the show and tell, then let's continue to trade. I don't expect you to show off cards from me on your blog either. Just let me know you received them and I'll do the same. 

Juggling life and priorities creates a challenge for most of us. I'd like to remain part of this community. It's a card blog so yes, card will be found here. 

I've missed you! Thanks for reading!

Until next time....

BOOgie!

47 comments:

  1. So good to hear from you.

    I got to see the Tigers beat the ChiSox on the last day of the year.

    Hopefully we'll be able to meet up as Miggy chases #3000 next spring.

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    1. John, I thought of you when Bill passed. Glad you made it to a game this year. I did not. Really had no desire honestly. Perhaps next year indeed. Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Thanks. It was a sad few days after he passed, but that won't keep me from posting about him, especially on his Birthday on November 29.

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  2. Glad to hear from you!

    My father changed a tire for Kris Kristofferson back in the 70s. Had no idea who he was at the time, just drove past a guy with an obviously blown tire and stopped to help. According to my mom he was genuinely surprised that my dad didn't ask for anything, because he was a celebrity, but my dad had no idea and didn't care even after he found out.

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    1. Hey Billy! Thanks for stopping by! Kris seems to be a humble fellow. Perhaps his rough n tumble appearance keeps him incognito. Cool story!

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    1. Better to have a great fall than a big one - especially at my age! Lol! Thanks for dropping by, AJ!

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    1. Back from the grave! I just can't stay dead and buried. LOL. Thanks for reading, Jeff!

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  5. Good to hear from you again! Glad all is well! I think a lot of us have expanded our hobbies/interests to things other than cards...and as you said, with the Fanatics news that might be for the best!

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    1. Chris! Bet you've had some fun breaks! Ginter is definitely up in the air. I know it's a staple to your baseball collection. Thanks for stopping in!

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  6. I know you had forewarned me about keeping with the want list already. It's just that I already have a big stack :D

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    1. You've always been so generous. Thank you for that. Surprises can be fun but I can honestly say there is no room for stickers, Fleer, Score, UD, Topps or Donruss older than 1995 for certain. I have no idea what you've got cooking in the pot. LOL. Happy you stopped by!

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  7. I check everyday. Glad to see a new post. Hope all is well with you.

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    1. Fred, with you as well! Enjoy those Giants! (I'm rooting for them as my NL choice. Don't tell anyone. LOL.)

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  8. Glad you've evaluated and found that blogging is still for you!

    I shall enjoy at whatever pace you select.

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    1. My pace is slowing down a bit, everywhere in life. LOL. I have great respect for your writing talents. Thank you for taking time to gaze upon my drivel.

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  9. Julie! Great to see a post here. Happy you enjoyed the summer.

    Nice windmill action on the guitar there. Nice follow-through on that baseball swing, too. You really got a hold of that one.

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    1. Niner! Warned you of my impending return. I've come for BRAINS!!!!!!!!! Wind and swing - yep, I got a lot of that! LOL!

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  10. Julie Julie bo-bulie, Banana-fana-fo-fulie...

    Glad to see you back! I promise I won't send you that stack of 1988 Donruss Tigers I've accumulated in your honor.

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    1. God Bless You Joe! There should be a legal limits on 88 Donruss with stiff punishments for offenders. Thanks for checking in on me!

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  11. Glad to see a new post from you, and that all is well in your corner of the world!

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    1. Thank you DJ! My corner is currently clutter and dust free with hopes to change that soon. Thanks for reading!

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  12. Glad you are back with us, and seem to be doing well!

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    1. Thanks Bo!! I'll be around a bit more often. You guys are too hard to leave for long. Thanks for dropping by! :)

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  13. Hey Julie! Glad to hear from you, for sure. Glad things seem to be going well, and I look forward to reading anything you care to post!

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    1. HI! Thank you! All is well in my world. Not sure how often I'll be here but will make my presence known. lol!

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  14. Good to hear from you and to know that all is well! I’m slowly getting back to blogging and collecting myself. You’re posts are always fun to read and hopefully we can hear more from you soon!

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  15. Our little chunk of the internet is always a better place when you're around, Julie!

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  16. I saw your comment on my Cards Over Coffee post and I was like...YES! SHE'S ALIVE! Glad to see you back on here!

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    1. Thanks Matt! Hope to be around a bit more often. I'll be over for coffee on random mornings! :p

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  17. Welcome back! Glad you have been doing well.

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    1. Hey there! Glad to see you're still around too!

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  18. Missed seeing you around the blogs, Julie! So glad you're back!

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    1. Thank you Nick. Hard to stay away. Priorities change but I still enjoy pieces of cardboard heaven. Happy to see you're still at the keyboard! Hope you enjoy your new job!

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  19. Your being alive is old news, but your still wanting to blog isn't. Despite saying that you were gonna be coming back, I still kind of thought you were done. I'm glad I was wrong :)

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    1. Hello :) Not done. The hobby works best for me in cooler temps. I'll be around a bit more in the near future. Fall cleanup will keep me busy for the next month.

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  20. Hey Julie, glad to see a post from you again! I have a non cards blog that I've kinda taken a break from because some days it feels like work and well... Life happens. Anyways, always appreciate your positive disposition

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    1. Derek! Thanks for checking in! I'd say 95% of the time my posts are laced with positivity; the remaining 5% riddled with sarcasm and ranting. LOL.

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  21. I'm still around too and subscribed to read whenever you post. I can relate both to your goal of limiting collection size and to "Pandemic hoarding and profiteering" - it's provided a healthy break for me. Good to know you're having fun, keep it up :-)

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    1. Steve, glad you're still around as well. I keep your blog on my reading list...just in case. ;)

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  22. So good to see an update from you! I've shifted my priorities as well, narrowed my collecting focus, and generally lost enthusiasm for the hobby. But I'm still around.

    Hope you'll check in with us every once in a while, regardless of whether or not your news is card-related :)

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    1. Hey Chris! Hope you don't disappear either. I've been reading your posts and wishing you happiness.

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