Vermont Weekend Log

I had the opportunity this weekend to visit with son, Josh, and his wife, Elizabeth, and their son, Noah, at their home in Barre, Vermont. It is a beautiful three hour drive up the Northway, then east to Rutland, and a winding journey on routes 100 and 107 to Interstate 89 to Barre. On Thursday evening Josh and I went to Thunder Road Speed Bowl, a beautiful facility in the hills above the city. It was a cool and crisp summer evening with plenty of exciting racing.On Friday, Noah went bike riding in the morning and then we headed to Barre to meet his Dad for lunch. We ate at LACE, a cafe and natural food store, opened by Josh and Elizabeth's friends, Ariel and Ben. I had a delicious turkey club sandwich as we sat at the front window so Noah could watch the trucks drive by. All the food served and sold at LACE is grown and produced in Vermont. Saturday morning we took Noah to the tiny Washington County Fair where he fed goats, horses, and cows. Noah also went on a few rides.

In the afternoon we went to a soccer field that is situated in the woods in a local park.
Breakfast on Sunday morning was in Plainfield, Vt. at our favorite restaurant, River Run. I ordered scrambled eggs with vegetables and one of their famous pancakes. Noah loves their pancakes. Delicious! After walking the stone wall around the church, we visited the local used bookstore.On the way home I stopped at Devil's Bowl Speedway for a Sunday evening of exciting racing. They featured winged mini-sprints as well as an old timers club of sprints and midgets.

It was a clear night, the track was fast, and very dusty.

Fishing with Jake

"There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot." Steven Wright-comedian

You don't have to worry about that fine line when you take a child fishing with you. Today I had the pleasure of fishing with grandson, Jacob. I was with him last summer when he caught his first fish and this was our first time out fishing this season. There is nothing like the excitement of a three year old catching fish. Jacob giggled and laughed and cheered as he caught 6 fish in just over an hour. He wanted to "pet" each fish before we released it back into the lake. It was a joyous morning!

"Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish." Steven Wright

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Most of my life, I haven't been much of a baseball fan. Oh, I would watch the playoffs and the World Series. I grew up at a time when all the World Series games were played during the day and teachers would let us listen to the games in school. After school we would all gather around someone's transistor radio to hear the play by play. I vividly remember the great Maris/Mantle home run chase. I became a fan of the Amaz'n Mets early in their history because I'm a sucker for the underdog. Three years ago I began watching Mets' games on the TV in the back porch. I liked hearing the peepers through the screen windows as the game flickered on the screen.

When they start the game, they don't yell, "Work ball." They say, "Play ball." ~Willie Stargell, 1981

This summer I discovered the Saratoga Phillies and the New York Collegiate Baseball League and my appreciation for the game has increased tenfold. The NYCBL draws talent from some of the major colleges in the country. The Phillies are the defending league champions in only their fourth year of play. Their home games are played at East Side Rec in Saratoga, a ballpark in the middle of a city park. All the games are free and it is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening. These young players are excited to have the opportunity to play and their enthusiasm for the game is infectious. Spectators can sit in the covered bleachers behind home plate or in a lawn chair along the baselines. Scores of children patrol the park, gloves in hand, pursuing the elusive foul ball that is hit out of the park. All games begin at 7pm and my favorite part of the evening is when the sun disappears over the horizon. The sky turns pink, the air cools, and the sound of the collision between ball and bat becomes sharper.

That's baseball, and it's my game. Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops.
Pretty girls, lots of 'em. ~Humphrey Bogart

I feel like I am maturing into a true baseball fan. Tonight I even went to the game alone and as I sat in my chair there was a moment when a foul ball headed my way, people began to shout and point, children ran towards me with their gloved hands stretched skyward, and magic happened. The first baseman leaped into the air, stretched his arm over the 8 foot high chain link fence and caught the ball. A cheer erupted from fans of both teams not only for the spectacular play but as a hymn of praise for summer and baseball.

It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. ~A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Green Fields of the Mind," Yale Alumni Magazine, November 1977

Happy 4th of July

Grandson Jacob celebrates this holiday by expressing his joy.

Mystery!

West Coast Chuck pointed me to this story about life and death, loss and found, and mystery. It might bring you comfort or leave you wondering. You may simply choose to scoff. As for me and my house, we believe. Read the story by clicking here.

Senior High Camp

Thirty years ago we began Senior High Camp as an opportunity for young people to make friends, grow in faith, have fun, and learn to love and forgive in Christian community. Last week, 46 campers and 18 staff gathered once again at Sonrise Camp for this annual rite. Nine of the staff were young adults who had come up through the camp experience themselves. They did a marvelous job of leading activities and creating a welcoming and exciting environement. Ten of our campers this year were graduated seniors and we celebrated their accomplishment at our annual Senior Banquet. Words cannot describe the joy and depth of relationships that we experience at this camp. These photos might give you a hint at what goes on.

Celebrations

Our son, John, graduated from High School on Friday and as he walked across the stage we whooped and hollered. Our cheers were not only for this wonderful accomplishment but for all the challenges that John has faced and conquered. As you can see in the photos, the significance of the day was not lost on John. His face radiated with pride and happiness.

The next day, Saturday, we celebrated Grandson Noah's 3rd birthday with a picnic at the park.

Cars and Fish

This spring I enrolled in three eight week classes through The Academy for Learning in Retirement in Saratoga. The Academy is sponsored by Empire State College and Elder Hostel and is an opportunity for us older students to continue life-long learning. I was able to take two fantastic art classes that introduced me to the world of contemporary art and gave me the opportunity to try my hand at drawing. The instructors were very knowledgable, enthusiastic, and patient. My third class was an opportunity to explore and learn about the exhibits at The Saratoga Automobile Museum. This museum is a wonderful local treasure filled with fine examples of classic automobiles and and auto racing in New York State. The semester concluded with the opportunity to ride in a 1930's Pierce Arrow and a 1951 Allard Race car. Here are some photos.

Last week I achieved one of my retirement goals by going fishing with Poker Bluegill. We have been talking about this for 10 years and I was finally able to take him to my secret Adirondack Lake. We caught 25 pumpkinseeds and 6 bass. It was a beautiful day on the lake with a great friend. Here's Poker Bluegill with his bass.

And here I am with mine. I think mine is bigger!

Remembering those who serve!

I am dismayed to see that Paris Hilton and Bob Barker are front page news and coverage of the war in Iraq is on page four. This video is a poignant reminder of the cost of war and those who pay that cost. Click Here.

By the Waters

As I grieve this week for Margaret, Fred, and Ray I am reminded that they were each baptized children of God.

We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life. (from Evangelical Lutheran Worship book).

Kyle Matthews has written a beautiful song about baptism titled, Been Through The Water.

lyrics

Listen by clicking here.

Montreal

Here are some pics from our recent trip to Montreal to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. In order, they are; a street in Old Montreal, Angels atop the "Sailor's Chapel", the Grand Chapiteau where we enjoyed Cirqu Du Soliel, and inside the Basilica.

Nashville

I returned yesterday from a week long road trip to Nashville, Tennessee with friend Karl. We arrived in the city on Monday afternoon and immediately hit South Broadway where the Honky Tonks host live music all day and night and all the musicians work for tips. Had a grilled cheese sandwich and a beer at Robert's Western World where they sell beer and boots and are known as the "home of traditional country music". Dave Cox played "only songs that were written before I was born" or original material. Notice the "tip jar" to the left of the stage. All of the musicians who entertain on South Broadway work for "tips" only. This is called "starting on the ground floor" of the country music business.During the week we also stopped in at Tootsie's World Famous Orchid Lounge, The Stage, and The Wildhorse Saloon but kept coming back to Robert's for the best time. Best original song I heard was a song about an ex girl friend titled "I Thought You Were My Girl But It Was Just My Turn". On Thursday afternoon we toured the Country Music Hall of Fame and on Friday attended The Grand Old Opry.
We were in Nashville to attend a "Transformational Preaching" conference that presented 17 powerful speakers including Barbara Brown Taylor, Fred Craddock, Thomas Long, James Forbes, and Will Campbell. We were also entertained and inspired by Sweet Honey in the Rock. It was a great week of learning, fun, and seeing old friends.