Start of Basketball Season for Patrick

Patrick played his first middle school game tonight against Wildwood. They lost 29 to 27 in a low scoring game marked by turn overs. Patrick got lots of playing time. He had a great first half pulling down several rebounds and putting points on the board. He was high scorer for Shepherdstown with 10 points. The team did not play well at all, so we are looking forward to a better second game. I did not take very many camera shots at all this game. I was on the edge of my seat nervous for this team.

Christmas by the Historic Shepherdstown Commission

Yesterday Ryan, Ben, Dominic, Leigh and Anna took part in Christmas in Shepherdstown. We had members dressed in costume for storytelling, arts and crafts, cookies and cider and finally a visit with Santa who distributed Christmas poppers. Ben got a kaleidescope key chain and a king crown in his popper. Ryan got marbles and a crown. The event was short and sweet. We had about 25 kids come through. The cookies from the Sharpsburg bakery were so good that I am going to order them for the holidays. See the video of Santa Dunleavy and his helper.

A Happy Thanksgiving

The family got together at mom and dad's house for the traditional turkey. In attendance, The Maiden family including Kim (minus Tom, who got to talk to everyone on the phone from Iraq), the Mollica Family, and the Mike Fallon Family including Melissa and Hayden. The children entertained us with their dancing. We watched and laughed at Mollica video clips. Grandma fed little John jello with whipped cream. Listen for the sounds he made as he thouroughly enjoyed his desert.

Leigh Leigh Girl Got Her Drivers Permit Today

It took Leigh all of 5 minutes to take and pass her test for her driver's permit. I let her drive the van home from the DMV to our house. She was shocked that I allowed her to drive and scared to be driving on the main road. She did okay except stayed way to far to the right hand side of the road and did not know how to turn. She will learn quickly, I am sure!

New York City Pre-Thanksgiving 2008

We just returned last evening from a 2 day trip to NYC. Sherry, Emily and Ashley Leslie took the adventure with Leigh and I. We took the Megabus from Baltimore to Penn Station arriving by 10:15 am. We took the subway a couple stops up to the NYC Hilton on 53rd at the edge of the theatre district. We ate lunch at the Stage Deli and then headed over to the New World Stage to see Rock of Ages featuring Constatine from American Idol. A must see for anyone who lived through the 80's. We headed back to the hotel and got ready for our evening performance of Mamma Mia. I can't get the songs out of my head. We finished up our evening in Times Square at the Bubba Shrimp Company. The next morning we slept till around 9 and headed down to the Chelsea Market to Eleni's and Fat Witch Brownie. We had lunch in a deli for cheap down in the market. We finished up with some gelato from the Italian store and made sure to introduce everyone to Marzipan. After lunch we headed back up town to stroll 5th Avenue, taking in Rockerfeller Center and some of the shops. We were lookers not buyers! We ended up our day in Lindy's with some NY cheesecake (Emily and Ashley) while Sherry and I ate some NY Pizza next store at Ray's. Then back on the doubledecker Megabus with our own private tables in the front of the bus. Overall, this was an A++++ trip. Tired today, though.

Mirren Kathleen Fallon

I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Yuma Az. I attended the Marine Corp Ball with John, Shelagh, Karen and Lyle and had a little fun in the Aquarius Casino in Laughlin, NV. Then we headed up to Las Vegas for a day to visit with Uncle Pat, Aunt Bern, Aunt Maureen and Stoney. Aunt Bern cooked a marvelous dinner for all of us. Uncle Pat made some great thick cut grilled pork chops. I spend two days in Yuma with the John, Shelagh and Mirren. I traveled across the border to Mexico and hit the Paradise Casino too. When I arrived home, Benjamin cried out of joy to see me and told me that I had stayed away too long. He was relieved.

Ryan Maiden

This blog is dedicated to Ryan Maiden who is an 8 year old boy who challenging, witty, intellectual, creative, and emotional. What Ryan feels on an emotional level is always magnified. He experiences joy, anger, frustration, excitement, dissappointment but at INTENSE levels. I love many things about Ryan but the attribute that I love most is his completely "out of the box" thought processes. Just yesterday we were at Patrick's football banquet and I was talking to a teacher. I was telling her that Patrick had moved into a Pre-Algebra course and that he had somehow forgot that 2 negatives = a positive. Ryan who was listening piped in - "well that certainly does not apply to life." We gave him a puzzled look and he said, "you know two wrongs don't make a right." Ryan is the image of Tom when he was younger. He has the same eyes and some of the exact same expressions. Ryan is very in tune to his surroudings and he feels other's emotions and sometimes takes them on as his own. He can mimic emotions like some people mimic voices. Ryan is having a great school year. He is getting ready to celebrate his 9th Birthday on December 2nd.

2008 Shepherdstown Cardinals Football Championship Banquet

Tonight we celebrated the 2008 Shepherdstown Cardinals Football Championship with a banquet at SMS. All I can say is you really needed to be there to appreciate these young men and their coaches. There was so much love in that room that we were all emotional as Coach Holmes congratulated and praised all his players on their championship. These kids were loved by their coach and there were more hugs than could ever be imagined. So now, we move from football season to basketball season. Patrick plans on trying out for the JV team this Monday. We hope he makes it!

The Maiden Halloween

If there was perfect weather for Halloween, we had it in Shepherdstown. Ryan was dressed as Darth Vader and Ben JaJa, both from Star Wars. Leigh put herself in cowboy attire and took the boys up and down German Street. They finished up on the floor of Kim's store, eating their loot. Patrick opted to go with his friends Alex, Tucker, and Austin to Chaplain's Choice.

Weekend at Jed's Cabin in Brandywine WV

The Maiden Boys ventured off this weekend to Brandywine WV where we hiked in the George Washington National Forest. Jed, Kim, Kathy and Patrick played a little TX hold-em on Saturday night. Patrick did win fair and square. Patrick had his first gun shooting experience where Jed taught him how to shoot a 22 rifle and pistol. Jed brought oysters from Southern Md for Kathy and Kim to enjoy on Sunday. Ben had a little mishap and got two gigantic splinters embedded in his foot when he did a bunny hop on the deck. It took Kim and I 3 hours to get them out. The weather was beautiful. We were at the peak of Fall color and the drive was spectacular. We took a ride to Sugar Grove, WV where this is a Navy base in the mountains. Stay tuned for our Halloween adventures to come.

Shepherdstown Ties Harpers Ferry 0-0

This team has come along way this season. Today they held tied Harpers Ferry 0-0 at HF, even with some bad official calls. Patrick played O & D for almost the entire game. No big plays, but no major blunders either. Just went in and played a good game. The size of the fellow he went up against on O was incredible. Check out the video. Patrick is 7.

Shepherdstown Posts Another Win Against Charles Town

The Shepherdstown Cardinals won last Thursday against Charles Town which will earn them a spot in the MAC which is the regional championship in 2 weeks. They will play Harpers Ferry this week. HF beat Shep in the last match up. See the video of Patrick on a chase for the ball.

Since Patrick is loving football season, especially since he has maintained a starting position as defensive end, I took him and a couple friends to see Express - The Ernie Davis Story. A must see movie for fans of the game. There is a 7 minute scene that really makes the WVU Mountaineers look really bad.

http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/WVUSports/200810080283

We went for a visit to Williamsburg Va for the Columbus Day Weekend. We were able to take advantage of Busch Garden's Salute to the Heroes and get free admission to Hallowscream. Leigh, Ryan, Ben and accompanied me. A couple pic's to remember our time.

Football Season is Upon Us Full Force

Shepherdstown Cardinals lost to Harper's Ferry last Thursday in a shut out. The team was not playing with as much heart as they usually do. Here is a clip of Patrick trying to tackle a HF player. Ryan and Ben have been loyal fans attending all but 1 game this season. Also a photo with Ryan and his friend Chase. Tomorrow, Patrick was invited by Jim Snead to go to the Raven's game. A real treat to be able to sit on the 50 yard line and watch pro FB.

A Magnificent Fall Rain

Yesterday in Shepherdstown we experienced a work of art in nature. It was raining, hailing, thundering and yet the sun was shining as brightly as can be creating magnificent light and shadows. The boys took the opportunity to play in the rain. Catch a little clip of the experience that was truely unique.

Fall Display at the Maiden's

Today was a beautiful day in Shepherdstown. I was able to reconnect with my childhood friend Sally at lunch at the Stone Soup Bistro. Kim had worked at the house all day and got the place looking fresh. She took the kids to pick out Fall decorations and you can see the job they did together. Ben was especially helpful to her. Special thanks to Auntie Kim.

Bluegrass in Shepherdstown

Each year around this time, Gay and Mike host the bluegrass musicians at their home in Shepherdstown who play the Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts festival. This year was no exception. Due to the rain the traditional bonfire went out and folks congregated on the front porch and inside the house. Gay fried a delicious turkey. Someone brought some of the best pork BBQ ever. The Caroline BBQ is my favorite. So here is a little clip of some of the musicians who come and play between eating and drinking.

Shepherdstown Cardinals Beat Charles Town Panthers

In local middle school football action, Shepherdstown Cardinals Beat Charles Town Panthers 32-6. Patrick Maiden, playing staring Defensive End, had several Q-Back sacks and tackles helping his team on to victory. Unfortunately for Patrick, his victory could only be celebrated the following day in In School Suspension due to a cell phone in his pocket going off in 5th period. Take a look at Patick coming off the field after his big win. Till next week when we play Harpers Ferry on October 2nd.

Satute to Tom on Headline News Robin Meade Show

Today Tom was on the Headline News Channel, Morning Express with Robin Meade. They played the Salute to the Troops segment 4 times at the top of each hour. It was exciting to be able to salute him and have our little neck of the woods in Shepherdstown recognized with a hometown hero. I also mentioned Mason Ellsworth in my salute, reminding Tom to send that American Flag home to him. At some point, the salute should be uploaded to the website and I will mark it with the link.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/morning.express/

St Agnes Picnic Morgan Grove Park

Today was the St Agnes Family Picnic at Morgan Grove Park. Lots of people and tons of good food. We were all asked to contribute a door prize for some drawings. We donated a bottle of wine from the Maiden Family. How ironic then that we randomly received a USA Box filled with decorative patriotic items when our 509 number was called. The outside of the box had an American flag and was painted God Bless the USA.

The kids had a good time playing with some of their schoolmates. It was a beautiful day for a picnic in the park.

Leigh Leigh Girl's Biology Injury

Well today I got a phone call from Madeira to tell me that Leigh was on her way to urgent care to get stitches in her right index finger. Apparently through the process of conducting an experiment, she sliced her finger. Leigh's words, "I was cutting out cardboard with scissors and I was trying to kind of jab the scissors through and went through the cardboard and sliced my hand on the other side." She freaked her Bio teacher out. It must have been a relatively deep cut because it took 6 stitches. So this is Leigh's first time in her 15 years life that required a trip to the ER. Ryan when every week for 3 weeks when he was 4. I think he is at the top of the Maiden list for trips to the ER. Patrick comes a distant 2nd. So Leigh is now doing fine and I should have a picture of her cut soon. Incidentally she found out her sophomore year community service placement will be with Easter Seals.

(Photo of Leigh at Madeira with Dr G, and Loni)

Benefit for Mason Ellsworth Great Success

The benefit for Mason Ellsworth on Sunday, Sept 14th, called Musicians for Mason at the Clarion was a first rate event. There was a huge turnout for this event and the diversity of people that attended was something to see...artists, musicians, parents with kids, grandparents, you name them, they were there. I am sure that a significant amount of money was raised for Mason.

Here is the link to Mason's story and progress:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/masonicyouth

Finally, you can see a little clip of my friend Skip enjoying the music. Sorry, but I took the video sideways and can't figure how to rotate.

Soccer Season Started Today...Well Kinda

Well today soccer season opened for the JCYSL at Morgan Grove Park. We have now been doing this since 2002. This is the first season Patrick opted not to play soccer because he is playing middle school football. Well, I got to the U-10 field 15 minutes early for 10:30 am game. Ryan was dressed and ready to play, except something felt very wrong when we did not see any of his team mates. I had the sick feeling that perhaps I had screwed up from day one. And yes, I had the right time, wrong kid dressed to play. Ben's game was at 10:30 and Ryan's game had already been played at 8:30 that morning. OOOPS. Anyway we dashed down to the U-8 field and put Ryan's shin guards and socks on Ben (since he arrived in his crocs) and sent him out to play. I was able to run home and get his socks and shin guards and arrived to see Ben score a goal in the 2ND quarter. It is always exciting to watch Ben play because he is a little speed demon and rarely gives up. Attached is a clip of him doing the kick-off. He is hilarious because of his need to get a good running start.

Admiration for First Grade Teachers

Yesterday I went to Ben's classroom to read Stuart Little by E.B. White as part of the volunteer read aloud program at Shepherdstown Elementary. Upon walking into the classroom, Ben came bounding over so proud that his mom was reading that day. I started to introduce myself to the kids and ask them their names. Ben wanted to do the introductions so he proceeded to tell me several of their names. He then looked at two little boys that were on my left and said, "and those are the bad kids." I wanted to laugh but had to say with a straight face that that was not nice. I looked at the the teacher at the back of the room and I could almost read her mind. Ben was right, because children know and say things that are truthful, not meaning to be hurtful. At least not first graders.

First graders are so much fun but so much work. They have graduated from Kindergarten where most learned "the rules". Quiet in the halls, raise your hand, don't touch the walls, keep your hands to yourself, etc. So they know the rules and now struggle to follow them. First graders are so eager to learn but yet their attention spans are still only about 20 minutes long. Do you know how much energy it takes for a First Grade teacher to constantly keep those little folks attention? And first grade is a major learning year. This requires intense phonics and math. And these teachers are evaluated on how well the students grasp these concepts. This is the big leagues. So, let's here it for First Grade Teachers. God grant them good health and lots of energy.

Here is a video of Ben after our read aloud day. You can see the energy of this First Grader and this is at the END of the day.

Remembering 9-11

I remember the morning of 9-11 vividly. I was on my computer in my bedroom on Tanbridge Dr in Martinsburg. Leigh and Patrick were at school and Ryan, who 21 months old, was watching a kids program and playing with his toys in the great room. I heard breaking news and thought Ryan must have learned to change the channel. I went out to the great room and watched Peter Jennings report that there had been a plane crash into the World Trade Center. They were reporting on the evacuation. As they were reporting, you could see another plane coming in. Peter Jennings was not even aware of it. I saw live the 2nd plane hit and was in shock. Like most of America, we knew something was dreadfully wrong. I continued to watch stunned but the tears did not fall until the first tower did. That was the moment of impact for me when I thought of the lost hope for all of the people who did not make it out. When the plane hit the Pentagon and the plane crashed in the field in Pennsylvania, it hit even more close to home as the terrorist were just 70 miles from the quaint little town of Shepherdstown. The rest of the memories are not quite as vivid as I stayed glued to the TV for the next several days.



Tom was already a Navy Reservist by that time and I knew that we were going to have to fight a different type of war. I was opposed to the war in Iraq from the very beginning. I thought that was an off-shoot of our president's agenda to simply secure an unstable part of the world that contained oil, but certainly not a response to 9-11. Sadam Hussein was an evil man, however Iraq was a sovereign country and diplomacy had not been used to its full capacity. I was also upset because the United Nations was supposed to stand for something and we just side-stepped it. Tom deployed for the first time in April of 2003. Because Iraq fell so quickly, he was home by October of 2003, having spent his time in Rota Spain managing the galley as a supply corp officer. Now Tom is in Iraq and while I was against this war to begin with, I now feel that we created a mess and we are responsible for cleaning it up. We invaded a sovereign country, took down the dictator, and created a civil war. It is up to us to finish what we started and return that country to its people and then get out. However, we can not leave now. The work is not done. We can't quit in the 7th inning. Otherwise, we will pay the piper in a couple years. We are living with the consequences of a bad decision in Iraq.



I find it odd now that Bush wants to withdrawal 7,000 troops from Iraq and put 4,500 troops in Afghanistan. You see, that is where we should have been all along. The focus shifted from the real war on terror to Iraq. Tom said that he has been deploying with soldiers who have orders for Iraq and they find out when they get to Kuwait that they are going to Afghanistan instead.



On the presidential election, I feel that John McCain is the best candidate to lead us for our national security interests. I know some of the troops were very disappointed because Obama went to Iraq with a plan of withdrawal but had never even spoken to the Generals who are in the field. He has lost some credibility with our troops. However, there are so many other issues that I disagree with McCain on. I will be following this election very closely and am currently an undecided voter leaning more toward McCain.



For anyone who would like to write to Tom, his address is :

Tom Maiden

Unit 931003 TFT-PT

APO AE 09391



Do not refer to rank, job, unit or command when writing.



Here is the link to my post on CNN on what Tom is asking for.



http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-83079

Shepherdstown Middle School Loses to Capon Bridge

Today Shepherdstown Middle School lost to Capon Bridge. This looked like a very different game than last week against Wildwood. There were very few penalties called. I actually can't recall any. As a result, there were not as many injuries like last week. This was a totally offensive game by both teams. Defense was pretty inconsistent which is the reason for the high scoring game. It was something like, 39 to 20. Patrick played okay. They did not run the ball to his side much, therefore he was not in much action. I do have a clip of him talking on the sidelines to a player that was injured last week. He remains in good spirits about the loss, ready to take the next team next week. Patrick complained to one of the parents leaving the game that he did not let any scores or first down on his side implying that he did his part and admonishing himself from the loss. The parent told Patrick, "you win together, you lose together." I thought that was profound. Same theory as there is no I in TEAM.

Earning Jr Park Ranger Badge at Harpers Ferry

Ryan and Ben are captivated by earning National Park Ranger badges. It all started with their first badge at the Grand Canyon in June of this year. Today was a beautiful day as we walked across the railroad bridge to the entrance to the C & O Canal. During our hike (which is also part of the criteria for earning a Jr Ranger badge) we saw a guy repelling the rocks.

We visited the John Brown Museam. When Ryan heard the story of John Brown, he was fascinated. When asked if he thought John Brown was a good guy or bad guy, there was no question in his mind - He was a "good guy because he wanted to free the slaves." It was literally black and white to him. After a day a couple hours in the park, we traveled 20 miles to Frederick and ate dinner at the Olive Garden. Stay tuned for more adventures...