All-American 4th of July

For our 4th, Dad surprised us with tickets to a minor league baseball game.

What could possibly be closer to an all-American celebration than watching two teams play ball in a game that lasted 5 hours? It was my first experience at a minor league game and I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was. The commercialism at the major league games is sometimes disconcerting. The absurd amount of money the players make, their oft-publicized drug abuses (so that they can make record hitters, home runs, or whatever), and the way we have to be entertained while being entertained is often discouraging.

However, there is an escape from major league theatrics in the form of the minor leagues.

A baseball game in every sense of the word, it was pure Americana at it's best. The field was small, there wasn't any absurd entertainment (wow, we actually watched a game being played) and the players make next to nothing, which leads me to believe that if they play without a big salary, then they must play because they love the game.*

Kathryn (above) and Ellie (below) taking it all in.

zzz... Ellie konks out, much like I wanted to do around the 7th inning

A lot of baseball greats have played on this field: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Joe DiMaggio to name a few.

A spectacular fireworks show followed the game.

Naturally, all photos by Landon

*Disclaimer: I don't believe sports players should make next-to-nothing, only that the millions the major league guys make doesn't seem to inspire them to actually play well. They will make money regardless of how they perform, while minor league players often "pass a hat" to give money to the guy who scored for the home team, making these players to be seemingly genuine lovers of the sport.

Monday Morning Random Thoughts

Everyone is advising Sarah Palin right now. Just look at all the op-eds written over the weekend, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. If Ms. Palin quit office to get away from criticism, she only incited it all the more from conservatives and liberals alike. One can't help but feel a little sorry for the once upon a time, would-be political star. Like so many other celebrities, she was picked up by the media because of her newness, only to be chewed, swallowed, and spat out again and again for the duration of her brief political career. Some stars relish being taken apart and followed everywhere because it puts their face into yours through magazine covers and TMZ, while some of them just quietly court the paparazzi and die-hard reporters. Some try to ignore or maybe hide from them. And some, like Ms. Palin, just give up in the face of the feeding frenzy. You can't blame her as much as simply feel sorry for her - and be reminded why it is hard, very hard to be a fish swimming upstream when everyone is pushing you back downstream.

If Ms. Palin is reading any of the advice so freely offered lately, it is my hope she reads these two pieces. And if she doesn't, maybe you should, just in case you ever thought about running for political office. :)

July 4th

Happy Independence Day!

Summer Visitor

Every summer these quiet and unobtrusive visitors arrive for an extended stay.

There is nothing to describe the breathtaking delight of encountering the hummingbirds as they search for nectar in the gardens at our house. In the quiet morning, if you catch them at work, you can hear them humming and watch as they drift between flowers. Sometimes their movements remind me of a helicopter in flight.

photos were taken this week by Landon on location in his hummingbird garden. :)

Take A Tour Today...

and take it from the comfort of your home - or office - or wherever you are. :)

My brothers filmed a wedding at our church recently and Landon, in his free time when he wasn't filming, took the following pictures of our lovely church building. I couldn't resist sharing his photos with you.

(above and below) This is the main entrance to the sanctuary.

(below) The chancel

(above) The sanctuary with a small view of the sides which are lined with stained glass windows.
(below) A view of the side aisle, lined with arches on one side and stained glass windows on the other

(below) The nativity depicted in one of the windows

(above) The sanctuary from the front
(below) and from the back

(above) The entrance to the children's garden

The children's garden, a lovely, reflective spot that is unfailingly peaceful and cool, whatever the time of day.

Thanks, Landon! :)

Spring Piano Recital

That time of year again...

When Parker and Lexi must perform in a piano recital.

It's a family trait to be nervous before a performance. Nothing you can do helps. We have a cousin who even tried hypnosis once (didn't work).

But once they get going, Parker and Lexi perform beautifully.

Parker played Prelude op. 28, no. 15 by Chopin.

Lexi played Etude op. 10, no. 3 by Chopin and Rhapsody in E flat major, op. 119 by Brahms.

They were the last ones to close out the recital. The thunderous applause following both of their performances was either for them or for the fact that the recital was finally over and the nodding heads in the audience could at last go hit their pillows at home.

Here Lexi poses post-performance.

Lexi reflecting in the empty hall.

She decides to be dramatic for the camera (above and below).

Hunter sits outside of the hall.

Here Landon played with his camera while waiting for everyone to finish visiting and doing reception clean-up.

All pictures were taken by Landon.

Skills on Courts and Keys

While my brothers and I are following the French Open this week, my sister, Lexi, is just as passionately following a sport of another, entirely different, kind: the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. I have to admit to also having been drawn into watching the competition since it's start last week. The virtuosity and skill of the competitors, their varying backgrounds and their enthusiasm for music is hard to resist watching. I must confess to some favorites already, one of whom is Nobuyuki Tsujji, who has been blind from birth. Take a minute to watch this incredible video of Nobuyuki's preliminary recital and read this short interview with his father.

As Promised 5 Weeks Ago:

Our sweet new family member!

Ellie is possibly the most observant, alert baby I have ever known. Not content to just lay around, she likes to be up on a shoulder so that she can see everything. She also tries to raise her head, so much so that her mommy can't even put her into a sling because Ellie will try her hardest to see out of it!

Yep, she is yet another reason to be a proud aunt. :)

For Moms Everywhere

To all the faithful mothers out there who have devoted your lives to what you do: Thank you. The world may scorn the stay at home mother, but your children praise you. We recognize the sacrifice, hard work, and never ending duties you perform daily. History may record the heroic deeds of some women, but what you have done (and continue to do) surpasses them all. Again I say, thank you.

And to my own mother, who deserves so much more than what I can possibly say here. You are indeed beyond rubies.


I was unable to post yesterday, but better late than never, right? :)