Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Awe...some Mondays - Night Game



I can still remember the first season that I played baseball at night. There was just something special about playing "under the lights". We thought we had made it to the big time. This year is the grandson's first season that includes games played after the sun goes down. Well, with daylight savings time, the game starts just before sundown and extends into the evening. On this night he started the game playing left field. He pitched the final inning, striking out two and getting the third batter to ground out back to him. We're gonna start calling him "The Closer".

After drawing a walk and stealing second base, a team mate hits a single and the grandson scores.

Later in the game, the grandson swings at a high pitch, but he makes contact and another single drives in a run for "The Closer" and his team. These kids are 13 & 14 years old. The games can be very entertaining and fun to watch. Of course it helps if you have a vested interest in the outcome.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Wordless Wednesday - Boys of Summer 2017

 These young men are 13-14 year olds.

 Many of them have baseball skills that make them fun to watch.

Here, the grandson dives a ball down the third base line for a single and an RBI.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Awe..some Mondays - JV Soccer Finale

Why is the youngest grand daughter looking directly into the sun, and my camera, with a big smile. Stay tuned.
The youngest grand daughter plays junior varsity soccer and the final game of the season was played a couple of weeks ago. I'm just now getting around to posting some of the images.

Here, one of her team mates is in the clear and headed toward the goal. In this match it was rare to see a break away like this. It's even more rare to get an uncluttered background for the photo.

Another team mate lines up a pass. The defender, in white is a little late to the action.

The helpless look on the goalie's face as the ball flies into the net and a score for the team in black, which happens to be the team I'm rooting for.
On this day there was a lot of action around the opponents net. The youngest grand daughter is the one in the middle of the image, watching another shot slide past the goal keeper and into the back of the net. Goalies have a thankless job and some days things just don't go very well.

The reason for that smile in the first photo is that the youngest grand daughter scored two goals in this match. Here she is scoring her second goal of the match and her final one of the season. It's always good to end the season on a high note. Looking forward to her sophomore season.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Skywatch Friday - Oklahoma's Favorite Son






Recently we took a day trip to the Will Rogers Memorial & Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma. If you are from or live in Oklahoma, this is a must see place for you. Will Rogers was a cowboy, entertainer, and humorist. He is probably the most quoted "Okie" in history. Will was born November 4, 1879 in Indian Territory near Oologah, Oklahoma. He died August 15, 1935 in a private plane crash in Alaska. Will was 1/4 Cherokee native American. The memorial/museum celebrates his life on 20 acres of land in Claremore that Rogers purchased with the intent of building a home when he retired.

 Since we went with the Senior Adults from our church, upon arrival we were ushered into a small theater where this gentleman gave us an overview of Will Rogers life and what we could find in the museum. He was very good.

This is perhaps the most iconic image of Will Rogers. It stands in the foyer, leading to the outdoor area where the burial vault is located.

 One room that I did not get to spend as much time in as I would have liked was the room dedicated to telling the story of Rogers last days and the flight that took his life. Will became a huge advocate of flight. He knew the Wright Brothers, Lindburgh,  and Airheart.

 This a portion of a wall mural that is probably thirty feet long in one of the exhibit areas.

 There are numerous paintings and portraits of Will around the museum. The one thing that is consistent throughout is his easy going smile that reflects a man who is quietly confident, humble, and is always ready with the next humorous quote. Once or twice in a generation an individual is born to be is timeless. Will Rogers is one of those people. The memorial/museum is worth the trip. Have a blessed day.






Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Ruby Tuesday/Wordless Wednesday - JV Soccer

High school spring soccer season is drawing to a close. There are only a few matches left and the competition at the Junior Varsity level is heating up.

No one envies the job of the goal keeper.

The youngest granddaughter, in white, is not afraid to give a little nudge to throw an opponent off their game. On this occasion, it resulted in a penalty and free kick.

Sometimes it seems like the whole world is chasing you.

Other times you seem to have the field to yourself.

But there is almost always a little hand to hand combat involved.

Play on!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Aww Mondays - Lucy

Those of you who follow this blog are aware that we brought a new family member home a couple of months ago. Lucy is a Black & White parti-color Cocker Spaniel. She is turning out to be a great pup. She is now 18 weeks old. Last week we took her to Petco looking for a few items. After the serious shopping was done we went down the toy and accessory aisle. Here are the results.

 "What a revolting development this is"
 
 "Seriously?" 

"If you buy this one, I'm going to turn it into a chew toy when we get home!"

"Okay, you've had your fun. Can we just leave now? Please, can we just leave."

Lucy was very tolerant of our little escapade, but I'm sure that she was thankful that we did not purchase a hat. We typically don't dress our pets except for the occasional college team t-shirt during football season. Even then, it needs to be a chilly fall day and the shirt adds a little comfort and warmth.  Today, she was an Awesome dog. Have a blessed week.