by Bill Turner
“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I ponder, weak and weary,
Over a many quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door,
Tis some visitor, I muffled, tapping at my chamber door,
Only this, and nothing more.”
Theses are the opening lines of ‘The Raven’ by one-time UVA student Edgar Allan Poe. But, it has its place in this week’s Wild Bill column.
An anonymous psychologist sent me this as an explanation for the recent talk on Peeping Toms, it’s relevance to Poe’s bird visitor saying “Nevermore”, and the questionable ‘Me BIrd’ response one peeping victim encountered.
Quite frankly, off the record, I think this guy and the other talking bird witnesses, are a bunch of nuts.
But, since this column is about sports, let’s set the record straight and move forward.
The Salem Red Sox finished their first homestand with big crowds, great fun at the ballpark, and an upcoming 7-game series that should entice any baseball fan to Salem Memorial Stadium beginning Monday night.
Monday night is dollar-Monday, and I’ll be on the concourse Thursday night for thirsty-Thursday events where I’ll greet our readers, take your picture as a RSS Wild Bill advocate, and check out the …. well, by now you know …. the opposing team’s outfield alignment.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs, the biggest event on ice, continues with fights, tradition and the most athletic skills in sports. I’m willing to say ice hockey is tougher than any other sport. It’s physical, on ice, requires skating skills, and everyone has a weapon. No room for sissies here.
Local high school baseball resumed with district play this week as the road to the VHSL Spring Jubilee in Radford begins.
The Wild Bill ‘Big-11’ Top-3 gets a shakeup from last week. Group AA defending state champ Northside stays firmly in the top spot after opening 11-0. Lord Botetourt moves up into the #2 slot, while the Hidden Valley Titans, on the heels of their 10-0 blowout of Blacksburg on Tuesday and impressive 4-game road trip to Rock Hll, SC take over third.
Potential pollbuster in the shadows are the Raiders from North Cross.
Now to the mailbag, where the pull of magnets from last week’s column takes center stage.
Dear Wild Bill: Thanks for the heads-up on the Magic Mesh. I saw it at a local drug store and bit like a fish, hoping to avoid shipping and handling. After putting it up with the ridiculous tacks, it only took three trips to set me straight. My BBQ hadn’t even started, and I felt like a lobster in a trollers net. (Willy/ Troutville)
Dear Wild Doctor Bill: Better blood flow from magnets pulling the iron in your blood? The last time I fell for something like that was when a guy told me aluminum siding wouldn’t fall off my house (Walt/ Vinton).
Dear Bill: My husband once bought a magnetic bracelet from an Indian Chief. He said it made his blood flow like a river. Should of had him wearing it around his heart to improve the circulation. (Edna/Rocky Mount)
Dear consumer-friendly Wild Bill: Magnetic mattress pads…..you’ve got to be kidding. I’ve got a metal rod in my leg from a bad fall in 2006. I’d be concerned I’d need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, and be locked in place. (Ralph/ Roanoke)
That’s enough pull for one week; send your comments to: [email protected]
