Your Weekly Antics, the Kap Pack Takes on Springfield Edition...5/8/25

Well Kids, it came to my attention that none of you loyal readers, none of you, noticed, that there were no Antics last week. Despite missing the publication of the weekly Antics for the first time in four years, I’m still alive, I haven’t been abducted or stolen or gone missing…I didn’t finally break my laptop or lose the use of my appendages that one needs to write all this nonsense.  I got busy and the week got away from me. Lucky for all of you, you are forgiven for your lack of concern and noticing that the best part of your week did not in fact, show up. Don’t worry, I got over it and I'm back. Here’s what I’ve got…

1. You may have forgotten all about your trusty Antics last week, but let’s hope you don’t screw up and forget Mother’s Day too. That’s this Sunday, so I suggest you all get yourselves together and do what you need to do to thank the mother’s in your lives. This does not just apply to the Mom’s out there, but to all supporting women in your life. They don’t have to be your Mom to have a huge impact on you – give them a hug, that’s all they need. ❤️

2. Fair warning kids, Monday, May 12th is a full moon, the full flower moon as a matter of fact. Its pinkish hues will be seen a few days prior to it being completely full, or so the Farmer's Almanac says. So if you're outside and you're mad, that may not be your blood pressure that's giving you a pinkish appearance, but instead, you are being illuminated by the full pink flower moon. Or, you really are that pissed and you better go sit down before your head explodes. It could go either way.

3. We haven’t mentioned weird things we notice when out and about in the world in a while, so imagine my glee when I ran across a random bowl of hardboiled eggs in the bar at one of the golf courses on the outskirts of the Woo. No, I wasn’t there tipping one back day drinking in the middle of a workday, I was there to catch one of the youngest Kap kids last high school golf matches. Apparently at this particular establishment, hardboiled eggs are considered a bar room delicacy at the 19th hole. Not to be confused with the nasty 5-gallon glass jars full of pickled eggs that have probably been fermenting since the late 70’s that can be found in every dive bar across New England, these were fresh, unpeeled hardboiled eggs. Left on the bar top in a bowl, no sign or explanation to why they were there, one was left to assume they were being offered up to the bars loyal patrons should they get the hankering for a snack. I did not ask any questions about this treat because I was afraid of the answer I’d get. I myself would not consider a hardboiled egg a delectable snack to go with my frosty beverage, but to each their own, who am I to judge? Protein is protein.

 4. After making the hardboiled egg discovery I was nonchalantly handed the keys to a golf cart for my unsupervised use to hunt down Meri and Rose during their golf match. Only my second time using one of these fine pieces of machinery, I was a bit rusty in how to actually get the thing to work. A kind group of passers-by stopped to assist me, showing me quickly which levers to move to get it to reverse or go forward. I’d like to say they stopped to help me out of the kindness of their hearts, but I quickly discovered they did so because I was holding them up, they couldn’t get to their carts until I moved mine. As long as I was sitting there screwing around, the longer it was taking them to get out onto the course.

5. After burning day light trying to get my cart up and running, off onto the trails of Bedrock I went. Some pathways smooth, providing safe passage, while other paths were a bit rougher and with that, a bumpier ride. The middle kid in tow, was quick to point out this was definitely not the most comfortable or carefree golf cart ride of her life and reminded me on more than one occasion that we were not in an ATV or driving the jeep and I should probably slow down. Wind blowing through my hair and off over the green winding hills of Bedrock we went in search of Rose and the youngest Kap kid out on the course. Finally found, we get to the hole just in time to see Meri line up her shot, only for the ball to betray her and fly sideways off into the woods followed by the creative language that provides us all with more proof that she is my kid.

6. So that hardboiled eggs don’t feel as though I am singling them out, let’s talk about broccoli. Although Sharon Landers has told us time and time again that broccoli is wicked green and good for us, it is my personal opinion that it should know its place and stay in its own lane. For instance, omelets. Broccoli has no business being wrapped up in an omelet, kabitzing and getting to know the other vegetables and cheese. The only time broccoli should be allowed to mingle with others is when being used in broccoli bake and its only use is to keep all that cheesy goodness from getting stuck to the bottom of the casserole dish, pretty much eliminating any nutritional value that it initially had to offer. As I’ve been told on more than one occasion in my life, I will share with Broccoli this piece of advice…you best stay in your lane. Find a salad or a side of beef to align yourself with and call it a day. No need to mingle where you don’t belong.   

7. Another crime against humanity…walking against a green light. If I’ve been sitting at a red light in traffic, watching the line slowly creep up until it’s my turn to gun it once the light turns green, I’m doing it. You want to be a live version of frogger? By all means go for it, but I’m not slowing down so you better move fast. You could’ve crossed at that light 7 light cycle’s ago instead of standing around hitting up the fine hard-working people for cash who are sitting in traffic trying to get to and from work. If the light turns green, get your ass back on the curb.

8. I am waiting for the day when some of the regulars that we see hanging out at the lights and street corners here in the Woo start using card readers like the ones used at the little league fields and other pop-up type establishments where credit and debit cards can be used for payment instead of cash. I'm not gonna lie to you...I'd probably use it to give them a donation just to reward the regulars for being so resourceful.

9. I was reminded this weekend that most city’s are fairly similar. In the way they look, in how they feel, and in the people who wander the streets. Take Springfield for instance. Way back in the day in the early 90’s, I would’ve paid $300 for a one-way ticket out of there, last weekend I paid $300 to stay. Why? Because I was expected to be awake, dressed, alert and ready to take on the day by 7am on Sunday, and we all know that wasn’t happening if I had to do that from the 02. Off to MGM Springfield we went, dropped off our bags Saturday night and headed directly next door to The Red Rose for sustenance that included a fabulous nostalgia-filled pizza. I’ll have you all know that I did not pick up or get picked up by any potential clients, only because I was out of our service area, and was able to easily identify those who were beginning to gravitate towards me so I could pivot and remove myself from their line of sight. I will also say that for as nostalgic as it was, it was not quite the same without all my XOY girls with me.  

10. Getting up and out the door and to my destination by 7am I found myself a little bit sweaty, but no worse for the wear. It was nice to sit back and relax, make a few friends while we waited for commencement to start, and look around at the undergrads making sure their hair, makeup and outfits were perfect. I thought to myself as I helped the umpteenth person secure their sash to their robes, someday these kids will understand the true meaning of working smarter not harder, when they arrive to receive their next degrees; that no one can see what they're wearing under their graduation robes, or how their hair looks under their caps, so no need to put in all sorts of effort on their appearance when all that would be covered up anyway. Maybe that's some of what the whole get up is for...to hide the slightest imperfections we all see in ourselves that no one else on the outside notices. All that your friends and family see is the hard work and dedication you put forth to better yourself, so no need to make yourself crazy getting the slightest wrinkle out of your clothes, that's what the rest of your career is for. To spend some more time with those kids I'd tell them that they are all perfect. There will be some obstacles; you will experience disappointment; there will be laughs and smiles and many many tears. Mistakes will be made; friendships gained and lost; every challenge and experience they have along the way will make them smarter, stronger and better for it; not to be discouraged, and to keep working hard. Not to ever think they're too old or too far along in their careers to make changes and better themselves, there will always be room for improvement; Not to be too hard on themselves and show themselves some grace, and for crying out loud not to take themselves too seriously, life is too short for that. As long as they work hard and are kind, they are all destined for great things.

    
    

    Have a great weekend!