Soggy Saturday

*Sigh*

We've had a couple of warm, sunny days in a row, so of course when I woke up this morning it was gray and overcast. The National Weather Service says there's only a 20 percent chance of rain today, but if my aching joints are any indication, it's more like 100 percent...

If I thought it would do any good, I would hang one of these on my patio and hope Mother Nature's in a magnanimous mood...

Shark Week: Pepperidge Farm Shark

[Note: The image macro meme this is spoofing can be viewed here.]

Things That Make Me Happy: Goose Egg Edition

The Toronto Blue Jays visited Kauffman Stadium last night for the first game of a three-game set leading into the All-Star Game. Toronto entered the game with the best offense in the American League, and it isn't close. They have scored 72 more runs than the next-best offense going into yesterday's games. My beloved Kansas City Royals looked to have their hands full, but...

Young left-hander Danny Duffy stymied the Blue Jays on just four hits through his six shutout innings. It was an impressive outing, his second in a row, and the Royals have reason to be hopeful for a return to form (3.6 WAR, 2.53 ERA last year) for Danny. We need him to be strong for the second half of the season...

"Hit this...if you can."

It was a tight, tense ballgame all night, but All-Star catcher Salvador Perez gave the Royals a little breathing room with a solo home run (his 15th) in the 8th inning. That made it 3-0, and the Herrera-Davis-Holland bullpen triumvirate finished off the shut-out. Closer Greg Holland, who has struggled recently after spending a stint on the disabled list, struck out the side in the 9th inning to earn his 18th save.

Game 2 of the series is this afternoon, and pits long-time Royals nemesis Mark Buehrle against Chris Young.

My First NEW Car

My late first wife and I were married on August 10, 1974. As a wedding gift, her parents helped us purchase our first brand new car, an AMC Gremlin. I honestly don't remember if it was a 1974 or 1975 model. The photo below is the '75, and it's a dead ringer for the car we owned. It's possible that the '75s were out in late summer of 1974, I suppose.

In any event, it was relatively quiet, got good fuel economy, and had a really convenient rear window hatch. It's a car that was much better than its current reputation might suggest, and it will always have a special place in my heart...

AMC Gremlin

Wild Kingdom Bed & Breakfast Update

Earlier in the week, I added a new item to the menu: Safflower seed. So far, at least, it hasn't attracted any cardinals, as I hoped it might, but the finches seem to enjoy it...

"If I had thumbs, I'd give it two thumbs up!"

"Like we care what you think."

I've warned you before...stop being rude to our guests...

Baseball Humor

A gentle poke at my best friend, who follows the woeful Philadelphia Phillies (courtesy of the late, great Johnny Hart)...

Until Next Time...

At the end of my first year as a teacher in the spring of 1978, one of my graduating senior students gave me a gift as a token of his appreciation. He was one of those kids who had a tough time fitting in all through high school, but did well for me both in the classroom and on my speech and debate team. He knew I liked guitar music, so he decided to share one of him favorites with me. The artist was Al Di Meola, and the album was Elegant Gypsy. I had never heard of Al, but listening to this album made me a fan...

Not long after giving me this gift, my former student was killed by a drunk driver while on his way home from work. Today's send-off is my favorite track from an album I'd have never heard but for his gratitude and generosity. Every time I listen to it I am reminded of how precious life is, and how short.

Thanks, Mike...remembering you today...