This has been a pretty rough start to the year. I'll take my father's advice and avoid discussing politics, but I will say these are scary times and it's hard for me not to stress over what's going on. The good news is that I can distract myself sometimes and talk about other stuff.
Today I wanted to show off a pair of books and some baseball cards that were recently sent to me. Let's start with a Christmas present from my nieces in Oregon. One of them is a huge Lions fan who happens to hate the Packers. She made me this lovely tree ornament.
Her favorite author is Alan Gratz and they recently had the opportunity to meet him at a book signing. I don't read a lot of books. In fact, I'm lucky to read one a year. But last year, I ended up reading two... and they were both historical fiction stories written by Gratz. One of them covers the Battle of Okinawa from two perspectives: a young Okinawan boy and an American Marine. The other one is about three young kids and their families from different countries and time periods forced to leave their homes and seek refuge somewhere else.
Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz
My nieces bought me the graphic novel version of the latter and had him sign it:
The other book I recently added to my collection was a gift from Jim @ cards as i see them:
1969 Topps Stamp Album #18
Here's a peek inside:
2025 Topps Chrome RayWave Refractor #67
The stamp book is a huge addition to my collection. I'm planning on purchasing the final four stamps and fill the book as soon as possible. I was also excited to see this Butler refractor. I've really grown to appreciate the 2025 Topps design in recent months.
Matt over at Cards Over Coffee added to the collection of 2025 Topps Chrome refractors by sending me three more for my team set:
I'm gonna wrap things up with a Zippy Zapping from Kenny over at Torren' Up Cards. He sent me this Calbee card of Shota Imanaga:
I'm always excited to add new Calbee cards to my binders... especially when they feature guys who have found success in the MLB.
2023 Calbee #99
While writing this post, Kenny sent another PWE with these three cards:
2025 Stadium Club NPB #180
2025 Bushiroad Dream Order #TBP01-L12
Not sure who Takumu Nakano is, but the card on the right features Tatsuya Imai. He's one of the NPB stars who is bringing his talent to the MLB. Back in December he signed a three year deal to pitch for the Houston Astros.
I'm not familiar with this character, but I enjoy collecting any Japanese trading cards... especially when they're shiny anime cards.
Thank you Jim, Matt, and Kenny for these cards. They were a nice distraction from all of the drama going on in our country and around the world.
One of the things I'd like to do with this blog is return to my roots and begin ending my posts with questions like I did years ago. So here we go...
Today's question of the day:
Outside of collecting cards, what do you like to do to reduce stress or help you take your mind off of things?
I'm not proud of it, but ever since I got sick back in December, I've been binge watching television shows like Stranger Things, Fallout, and Game of Thrones. However normally, I enjoy going out for walks or riding my bike. I'll also hop in my car and take it up in the hills. If my back ever gets better, I'd love to start golfing again. There is a really nice executive course a few miles from my place that is loaded with rabbits, deer, and turkeys. It's about as therapeutic as it gets.
Well that's it for now...
Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
15 comments:
These are troubling times indeed but I’m glad the cards made it to you and are appreciated. Good luck with those final four stamps. Aside from our hobby, I destress by listening to music, reading, and traveling. More people should travel internationally in my opinion.
I bought a State Flag of Minnesota to fly on my house in New Mexico. Ultimately I know it's just a more or less meaningless gesture, but it does have a slight placebo effect of making me feel like I'm doing something, however small.
baseball cards are my de-stressor.
Do what I do ~ Don't watch the news.
That Lawrence Butler card is sweet!
I watch TV all day, it's my go to thing. Our TV is on 24/7/365, and It helps me with my card stuff.
We are indeed in a highly volatile country right now, and, hopefully, we'll all get through it and into better times.
2026 Topps Series 1 will be out in about a month, and, that'll give us more great things to keep us busy.
Good Jib! 👍
I know what you mean. What's happening in this country is absolutely horrific. As much as I miss my mother, I'm glad she's not alive to see it.
For me music helps. Listening, singing, even making lists of songs in my head. (I'm a former radio DJ, I'm always "programming" radio in my head.) Game shows are big with me too.
You already know this about me, but I build scale models to de-stress. Music helps too.
I agree with you about your first paragraph. If times get tough and you ever need a place to stay in FL, I have your back.
Things to reduce stress is a good question.
I do a few things. Playing piano helps reduce stress and get out some emotion for me. Watching my fish tank is good. Making some custom cards, watching TV, even organizing a little spot of the house or doing something in the garden relieves stress as well. Now finding time to do these activities……..
I'm confused...you try to hit animals with golf balls?
To de-stress I write and I collect cards, in other words, I blog. Other than that, I listen to lots and lots of music, the newer the better (but I also go on nostalgia kicks to the '70s or '80s, too). When it's not winter, I walk just about every day.
Guitar and coffee 🎸 ☕
I didn't much like the 2024 Topps design when it came out. But I like it a lot now, definitely grew on me too (I think you were referring to 2024, not 2025?). As for destressing, I do a lot of stretching and walks help. But I am not very good at destressing, I need to get better.
gcrl - there are a few countries on my bucket list. japan, switzerland, and canada (again) are at the top.
stack 22 - that's really cool. it's a nice way to show your support
johnnys trading spot - me too!
gca - lol. i try not to. but i have to know just enough to hold a conversation with a middle schooler
john sharp - i'm looking forward to the better times. as for tv... it's on a few hours a day... especially when i'm binge watching a specific show
brett alan - i'm with you on being glad that my mother (and father) doesn't have to live through this. wow. former dj? that's really cool. i love music too. if i'm not presenting a lesson, we're usually listening to music in my classroom while students are working.
the angels in order - love those scale models. miss those posts :D
jeremya1um - very generous buddy. not sure i could live in a tropical climate though. if times get tough, i'm more likely to head towards somewhere cooler. maybe alaska? :D and i'm planning on doing more gardening in 2026. it does reduce stress... but it does add stress to my back ;D
anonymous - lol. i'm happy to say that i've never targeted or hit any animals while golfing.
night owl - i enjoy writing and listening to music too. as for walking in winter, i'm more likely to do that than walk in the midst of summer.
big tone - i've never played an instrument. maybe i'll add that to my bucket list
the diamond king - actually both 2024 and 2025 grew on me over time. both are very solid designs. now 2026 is a different story. saw it this morning and it's okay at best.
I do a lot of reading. Nothing takes my mind off things like reading can.
LOL what a great Christmas ornament! Your niece is awesome. Excellent stuff from Jim, Matt, and Kenny!
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