“Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is a 1908 Tin Pan Alley song … which has become the unofficial anthem of North American baseball … the song’s chorus is traditionally sung during the middle of the seventh inning of a baseball game. Fans are generally encouraged to sing along. In the song, Katie’s boyfriend calls to ask her out to see a show. She accepts the date, but only if her date will take her out to the baseball game.

North American baseball is one of those “intermissions” in life. This evening was no exception! Lots of home runs, a glorious collision in the outfield, extra innings, yet the home team came through in the bottom of the 10th. Hot dogs or ice cream sandwiches were $1.50. There were lots of chances to catch errant fly balls. Or just settle back and enjoy the cool breeze as the world passes by.

We sang, we laughed, we moaned and we ate. We chatted up our neighbors about the vagaries of the game, and of life. Kids caught t-shirts vaulted into the crowds, and coupons were disbursed to various sections for free food items from the many sponsors (for example, whenever someone hit a home run).

“Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
I don’t care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out,
At the old ball game.”

It was fun.

The next day presented another “intermission” … a visit by the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

There are 11 of these beauties roaming the USA … and today was our day! Free hot dogs too! Angus beef, classic, cheese dogs – your choice.

OK. Sing along with me now:

“Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, that is what I’d truly like to be.
’Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener, everyone would be in love with me!”

A pause in the life of the city.