My eyes are still sensitive to sunlight, hence the bulky, black sunglasses. I went out to fix both yard fountains this morning in the cooler temperatures and found myself breathless, another indication that I need to continue the gym work to get back into shape. After I’m done writing this morning, I’ll walk to the fitness center and do the stationary bike, rowing machines, and weights that are now my daily routine. I often feel spent on the walk back.

Our electric fireplace was finally installed yesterday but will need some finishing tile. Because of our concrete walls, the size of the plug did not allow it to fit flush with the wall as expected. We watched the flames dance and felt its warmth that was not necessary on another hot, humid Floriday day. It’s just another home improvement project that was crossed off the list but then added another to-do line. 

I went to another baseball card trade night last evening with expectations of leaving with fewer numbers in my collection. Instead, I exchanged two cards for twelve, adding to my bulging binders. Tonight, I am participating in an on-line break, having drawn the Toronto Blue Jays. I promptly traded for the White Sox, the worst team in baseball, for the second worst. This tends to be my luck in these games of chance, but at least the Sox are my team through thick and thin. With unwrapped cards dating back two years, maybe I’ll get a good break, but more likely there will be a valuable Blue Jays card revealed. 

Breaking is the latest phenomenon with card collectors. Instead of buying a box of cards, you share the contents of several boxes with others, adding variety and value. You pay a fee and either pick your team or rely on the luck of the draw, depending on the offer. Each pack of cards is unwrapped separately during an on-line event. Unlike the old days, there is no bubble gum prize, just rare variations like parallels, special finishes, numbered, and game-used relics that add unique value to the standard player’s traditional issue. These also command higher prices on the resale market, when at one time only supply and demand determined prices. This was the case with Honus Wagner when his tobacco cards were destroyed because he did not appreciate the association. This left very few on the market and determined its multi-million-dollar worth. 

I’m not sure whether I like to watch the unwrapping ceremonies over opening them myself. It’s always like Christmas when a sealed pack of cards is opened, at least for me. Opening a full box is even more thrilling but the investment is sometimes prohibitive. This is why sharing the cost has become popular through these lotteries, plus multiple boxes add to the drama. I’d rather have complete control and keep all of the cards, but these chance breaks like tonight better fit my retirement budget. Go Sox!

We have dinner tonight with another card collector and his wife. He once owned his own trading card business, so it will be interesting to see what he has in the way of White Sox merchandise. I find it amazing to see how card collecting interests have exploded in the past few years with football garnering the most attention Hobby cards like Lorcana and Pokeman have also attracted younger interest. There are also hockey, auto racing, basketball, history, celebrities, soccer, and every other sport as options, depending on taste. I’m sticking with baseball in search of that illusive Honus Wagner. Give me a break!