Tim Hortons Rocks!

Well, happy June 1!

Eight years ago today, I married my wife. So happy anniversary to us!

First off, I know I haven't written in a while. And, if this was truly a great blog, I would explain it all. But it isn't, and I won't. Been some rough times and there is still some rough stuff ahead.

Truly great writing, be it blogging or a newspaper column, is wide open. The writer will open up and cover everything, no punches pulled, no holds barred. I'm not there yet. Some things I still want to keep to myself. Greatness will have to wait.

But I digress.

Started a new fatherhood phase last night . . . that of co-soccer-coach. Sonwun has officially entered the organized sports world. And last night the Dutchies went head-to-head with the Pumpkin Spices in 40 minutes of end-to-end action at the Juniper School soccer field.

And yeah, I think our team of orange-coloured sports stars picked up the worst name in the league. Pumpkin Spices?? Really? Of all the donuts in the Tim Hortons franchise, why did it have to be the Pumpkin Spices. I mean how do you cheer that one on? GO PUMPKIN SPICES!! Ugh.

I mean GO DUTCHIES, at least sounds kind of cool. Or GO KRUELLERS!

Oh well. I think the poor Honey Dips have it almost as bad as we do. GO HONEY DIPS!! Yeah, that's not easy to shout from the sidelines.

Anyhoo, the Dutchies started slow, but came on strong in the end to win a decisive victory over Pumpkin Spice.

The game itself was fun to watch. Doesn't really resemble soccer. More of a clump of children moving about a field, legs and arms flying and, occasionally, a soccer ball pops out of the clump, followed by the biggest kid who manages to run down the field toward (hopefully) the OPPOSING goal.

The clump follows and sooner or later swallows the ball once again. Lather, rinse, repeat for 40 minutes.

And, in spite of the team names, I have to give a whole lot of credit to the good folks at Tim Hortons. They supply the shirts, medals and some of the other promotional stuff to make the league run. And they do it for, at least, all of northwestern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. That, in my opinion, is a fantastic way to spend marketing dollars. It will inspire me to buy at Timmies in a way that an expensive television commercial never will.

And the best part? On the inside, front of his pumpkin-coloured soccer jersey, down at the bottom, is written "I just played. I'm thirsty."

And, in keeping with Tim Hortons "Roll Up the Rim" promotion, when Sonwun enters the local Timmies after a game, he just has to roll up the front of his jersey, show the secret code, and he gets a free soft drink, or milk, or hot chocolate. And that's after EVERY game.

That's just cool and I have to give Tim Hortons a world of credit for it. Thank you! Well done!

Anyhoo, it's Tuesday. Preschool day, swimming lessons and a whole lot of yard work.

Have a great day!