Out in the Yard

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We were a little late in getting the garden started this year. In fact, as of today all we have planted has been tomatoes. Life has been pretty busy. We might plant a few more things this summer. I plan on posting an update with photos later.

Daikin Festival in Decatur

Friday night I took the boys to the Daikin Festival in Decatur, AL. It was great with plenty of free food, music, and children's activities. We ate hamburgers, steak on a stick, pizza, crawfish, jambalaya, and ice cream. There was plenty more food there that we didn't have room for. We rode in hot air balloons, listened to music, and generally had a large time!

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060522/festival.shtml

Old-Fashioned Groceries

My parents have shopped here since 1961. This is one of the few old-fashioned locally-owned supermarkets in Huntsville that has survived the days of Wal-Mart and Target Supercenters. This is the original Star Supermarket at Five Points in NE Huntsville.

A Great Thursday Night

Joe had a great night. His team defeated Holly Pond 7-6 in the most exciting game of the year. Joe came up to bat twice but he was officially 0 for 1. The first at bat he lined a hard shot to shortstop. The game was tied 3-3 after regulation. Holly Pond scored 3 runs in the first extra inning. It didn't look good for Vinemont because they had a hard-throwing pitcher who throws a lot of strikes coming in to close the game. Vinemont was not to be denied, though! They hit the ball tremendously and came back to tie the score. Joe then came up to bat with two outs, and the winning run at third. He was behind in the count after two line drive foul balls. Then the pitcher threw a wild pitch, the runner came in from third, but turned around after the ball bounced right back to the catcher. The catcher tried to throw the runner out at third but overthrew the third baseman and the Vinemont runner came home with the winning run! It was great fun for the boys. I joked with Joe that I was giving him credit for the game-winning RBI. I was telling Joe's coach that they have really improved as the season has progressed. This was their third win in a row.


Matt played with the other kids during Joe's game and had practice after Joe's game.


David hung out at the park with us awhile before leaving to watch some dancing show on TV. I told him that his Aunt Cara was probably watching the same thing.

Another Quote for Today

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Unknown Author

Quote of the Day

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." - Ronald Reagan

Baseball Update

David's team lost to Good Hope tonight 9-7. David was 0 for 1 but he was up to bat in the last inning when a teammate was thrown out trying to steal third to end the game.


Joe's team defeated Good Hope 5-3. He was 0 for 1.


Matt's team lost both games tonight against Good Hope; 17-6 and 14-11. In the first game, Matt was 1 for 1 with 1 RBI. In the secon game he was 2 for 2 with 1 run and 1 RBI. The above photo was of his hit in the first game.

On Friday 5/19/06, David's team lost at Hanceville. He was 1 for 1 with 1 RBI. Matt's team lost to Cold Springs and he was 0 for 1.

Is the Media Liberal, Mean, or Both?

Both, but today we'll illustrate some of the pure meannes. I have attached some actual headlines, showing the meanness of the media. I am a fan of Paul McCartney's music and I was amazed at the hatred eminating from the media regarding his recent separation. I have experienced a divorce, but thankfully, I was not famous enough to receive the treatment Paul and Heather have received. Just a thought: How would you feel if you wrote dozens of hit songs and many of those titles were used against you within hours of your separation? What I have attached below is just the tip of the iceberg. God, please be with their child, Beatrice.

Gold Fields Forever

We can't work it out

Do you still need him?

McCartney, wife can't work it out

Money didn't buy him love, McCartney says

Let it Be: Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Call it Quits

Heather, Paul McCartney can't work it out

Sir Paul McCartney Can’t Buy Himself Love

Hello, Goodbye to McCartney's Marriage

McCartney, wife 'can't work it out'

Sir Paul McCartney: A man on the run

McCartney and wife: We can't work it out

Paul, you should have known better

Yesterday, a McCartney divorce seemed so far away

She's leaving home

Ex-Beatle, wife decide they can't work it out

They can't work it out

You say goodbye, and I say goodbye

Linda casts shadow over long and winding road to break-up

Oh darling … she's leaving home

They can’t work it out: Paul and Heather split

They Can't Work It Out

She Loves You. Yeah, Yeah, Right.

She's leaving home – but is it a surprise?

Money can't buy you love

Love Me Don’t

She’s leaving home . . . but will divorce net a record £200m?

Wonder how she'll manage to make ends meet

THEY CAN'T WORK IT OUT

They can't work it out: Paul McCartney, Heather Mills McCartney ...

The End: McCartney, wife call it quits

We can’t work it out: McCartneys blame split on fans, media

Short and winding road: Sir Paul, Heather separate

Love Is All You Need

Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, When I'm 64?

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!”


May 19, 2006, 6:19 a.m.“Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!”
(NEWS ITEM: The announcement of the end of Sir Paul McCartney’s marriage to wife Heather Mills has resulted in an unfortunate outbreak of really contrived “journalism.” Like this.)

Former Beatle Paul McCartney may be asking “Will You Still Need Me When I’m 64?” but as for his wife Heather, well, “She’s Leaving Home—Bye Bye”! It looks like Paul will soon be “Free As A Bird,” but is his whole life now “Helter Skelter”? Apparently, the “Long and Winding Road” leads to Divorcetown, U.S.A. Paul could try telling Heather “We Can Work It Out,” but will super-celebrity divorce lawyer Raoul Felder be telling Heather “You Know My Name—Look Up The Number”?
Undisclosed sources say one problem in the marriage was Heather’s constant requests for a foot rub to relieve her aching sole. When asked why he wouldn’t give his wife a foot rub, Sir Paul allegedly told a friend, “Hey, you “Rub Her Soul,” you brought her!”
Another source of friction between the two was Sir Paul’s inability to remember his wife’s birthday. The Cute Beatle, who is not getting any younger and who has been known to smoke a little “(What’s the New) Mary Jane,” was confused about the date and was overheard arguing with his wife: “You Say It’s Your Birthday—Well It’s My Birthday Too, Yeah!” Sadly, it was not the Former Mop Top’s birthday. “Dummy! Your birthday was “Yesterday,” Heather was overheard screaming. Sources say the confusion stems from Sir Paul’s mistaken belief that there are “Eight Days A Week” when, in fact, most experts agree there are only seven.
Is there a secret pre-nuptial agreement? Despite denials, speculation is rampant that a detailed marriage contract exists that divides up all of their property, down to the books on their bookshelves. Sources say Heather will get all the hardcovers, Sir Paul the paperbacks. This clause in the contract is known as the “Paperback Rider.”
Reaction from the average man on the street has been mixed. A Mr. Paul Parducci of Elisabeth, New Jersey, was asked about the Beatle divorce. “Look, I got problems of my own,” Mr. Parducci responded. “I own a chain of stores, kite stores. We sell nothing but kites. All kinds of kites. Maybe you’ve seen my stores? Mr. Kite? Anyway, it’s probably not the best idea for a business. First of all, it’s seasonal at best. Secondly, there’s just not a great demand for kites anymore. I don’t know, the kids today they all got that Nintendo, know what I mean. So I got my own problems. I don’t get involved with celebrity gossip—who does it benefit? It’s certainly not “For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite” I’ll tell you that!”
So, in “The End,” Sir Paul might need some “Help,” after all, it’s been “A Hard Day’s Night” in the “Octopus’s Garden,” because money “Can’t Buy Me Love”—or at least that’s what they’re saying down on “Penny Lane”—“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” all over my “Yellow Submarine.”
As for Heather—well, “She’s Got A Ticket To Ride”—a ticket to ride on “The Last Train To Clarksville,” that is.







Paul McCartney Mourns Loss of Handicapped Parking Sticker

David's Homework

Last night while the rest of us were having fun at the ball park, this is what David had to do. Actually he said that he enjoyed it! I guess it was the pleasure of knowing it was the night before the last day of school.

Thursday Night Baseball

Joe: Vinemont 9 Hanceville 6, Joe was 0/0 with 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run.
Matt's team lost two to Fairview: 16-1 and 18-10. Mat was 1/1 in game one and 1/1 with a double in game two.

Atlanta Braves Going Crazy!

The Braves are on a roll. After a poor April, people started giving up on them again this year. After 14 division titles in a row and numerous rallies after poor starts during several of the past 14 seasons, why would anyone give up this early?

It's not just that the Braves have won 8 out of their last 10 games, but it's the exciting way that they have done it. Jeff Francoeur hit a walk-off grand slam on Saturday. On Monday catcher Brian McCann hit a three-run homer, finished with a career-best five RBIs and helped the Braves overcome a 5-0 deficit to pull out a wild 11-8 victory over the Marlins. On Tuesday the Braves came from behind and won 4-3 in 11 innings when Matt Diaz singled in the winning run. That was made possible by Francouer's homer that tied it in the ninth.

Tonight, Chipper Jones hit a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th inning for the victory. That was only possible because the Braves made a comeback to tie up the game in the ninth inning.

The Braves are now back to the .500 mark and are 4.5 games behind the Mets, after being 9 games behind about one week ago.

Cool Article About Sir Paul

Spokane, WA. April 16, 2006 -- The Spokesman-Review

She loves him, yeah, yeah, yeah

I now consider my 11-hour transatlantic flight as the revenge of the Paul girls.

Just over a week ago I boarded a 747 at London Heathrow with my husband. I as chatting with my seatmate, a woman who grew up in Great Britain, when she whispered, here's Paul McCartney."

I glanced up to see a man's back in a brown pinstriped jacket. He was carrying a toddler with blond pigtails and heading into the first-class cabin a few feet away.

"He's the one with the little girl," she said.

I wasn't entirely convinced. The back of the man's head looked like it belonged to a 35-year-old. It isn't as if I'm always flying back from London, mind you, always spotting celebrities. This was my second London flight in my life. And the biggest celebrity I'd ever flown with before was probably Ronny Turiaf.

But I kept an eye on the man. And soon McCartney was out of his brown suit jacket, roaming all over the cabin, smiling, chatting with the flight crew, carrying his daughter in and out of the restrooms. And my seatmate was exactly right. I'd recognize his face anywhere. Soon the lyrics to "Love Me Do" started playing through my brain.

I remembered the first time I ever laid eyes on Paul McCartney. I was 8 years old, perched in my pajamas in front of the Ed Sullivan show on a Sunday evening.

Paul was the one I liked best. The other third-grade girls and I compared notes later.

The captain came on and announced there was a problem with the plane. We'd need to stay on the ground while it was being fixed.

I kept a close eye on my favorite Beatle. An airline attendant seemed to be briefing him separately. He appeared relaxed, but airline repairs ­ especially when I'm about to head over the Atlantic ­ make me nervous. They trigger my imagination. I mused about how British Airways certainly wouldn't take any chances with him on board. If they tried to sneak him off the flight, I plotted, I was out of there.

McCartney hopped up and rounded a corner talking into his cell phone. He wore a plum-colored vest, a matching shirt and a familiar expression of British glee. As I watched him, he grinned at me and winked.

I was instantly 8 years old all over again.

It crossed my mind to ask to interview him. But I couldn't think of a plausible reason to bother him. We were flying to Los Angeles, not Spokane. And if I so much as passed a note to him, I knew the curtains would likely fall, air marshals might descend, and I'd lose my chance to gaze into his life.

His daughter ­ Beatrice Milly, who is 2 and a half, I later learned ­ was full of energy. And she wound up frequently in her father's arms. Her mother wasn't on the flight, and her dad had only a couple of traveling companions.

The minutes ticked on. I fretted again about the plane repairs.

But McCartney didn't seem to have any qualms. And after an hour and a half, the cabin doors began locking. I looked for Sir Paul. As I heard the jet begin to roll toward the runway, I glimpsed McCartney's plum-colored shoulder in a seat beyond me. No one had whisked him off the plane. Suddenly I felt better. I was flying with a national treasure.

As our plane roared into the sky, the flight attendants drew the curtain between our two cabins. And I thought about what it meant to be a Paul girl. At one time, we were mocked for being superficial. Fluffy. Sentimental. Paul was the one singing silly love songs. The John girls somehow seemed smarter, more worldly. They understood tortured artists; I didn't.

After dinner, we all bedded down to watch movies and drift off as the flight soared over the Atlantic. Little Beatrice escaped her father's arms a couple of times and darted through the velvety curtains into our cabin. Each time, a gray-haired man, one of McCartney's traveling companions, ambled down the aisle to rescue her. The cabin grew dark and quiet. My movie wound down, and I pulled a blanket under my chin.

Just then a little blond head shot past my seat and down into the next compartment. A moment or two passed. Finally, the gray-haired man appeared, his eyes wild. I pointed my thumb toward the rear of the plane. He grinned, nodded and zipped through the passengers. It was a scene out of the movie "Help!"

And then the curtains parted.

There stood Paul McCartney, wearing navy blue pajamas.

He strode right into our compartment. His traveling companion brought his daughter up between our seats, and McCartney scooped up the little girl, holding her close for a few moments. He spoke to her softly before they disappeared.

And we all fell asleep for that short night.

I awoke later in the darkness. I checked the in-flight map. We were somewhere over Kearney, Neb. I considered the selection I'd made as a third-grader again, and I felt entirely justified.

Paul McCartney turned out to be as adorable at 63 as he was when I was 8. There's something appealing about sanity. About lyrics like "I'll always be true" and "Let it be." About a man whose mere presence has the power to scare away the blue meanies and soothe little girls of all ages.

Now when I tell my friends about the night I saw Paul McCartney in his jammies, I'm tempted to swipe one of his lyrics.

Here's the thing about being a Paul girl after all these years:

It's getting better all the time.

Glasses for David

David got his first pair of glasses today. He was amazed at how clear things appeared. He also said that he was a little "dizzy" at first and that it took a few hours to get used to them. I told him that his experience reminded me of mine. I remember stepping off the curb and losing my balance on the way to the parking lot when I first got glasses back as an early teenager. I told David that I am amazed that he has performed so well in baseball without glasses. He was in great spirits!

Shelly Waters for Morgan Co., AL District Court Judge

I am posting a few more links regarding my friend Shelly's bid for District Judge in Morgan County.

Shelly's Website

Article in Today's Decatur Daily

I have some more information about Shelly that I posted below, on May 10, 2006.

"Back in the Day"

I don't know who the author is of this, but I can relate. Can you?

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not
live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

Boys and Girls kissed one another, not each other.

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the liberal agenda regulated our lives for our own good.

And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

A Loss and a Rainout

Matt's team lost tonight 16-4 against Cold Springs. He went 0/1 but hit the ball hard. The second game of the doubleheader was rained out. The above photo was when Matt and his teamates were waiting during the rain under the pavillion.

Happy Anniversary

Remember the song, "Happy anniversary, baby; I've got you on my mind..." by the Little River Band? I dedicate that to my Mom and Dad tonight. They have been married 47 years today! I called them tonight and told them "Happy Anniversary". I actually spoke to my Dad before my Mom got home from work. When I called my Mom a little while ago I told her that I had already called Dad. Her response: "So that's how he remembered!" What a blessing and accomplishment my parents have lived; the beauty of a promise kept exceeds the beauty of a promise made!

Words to Live By...

I don't know who originated this quote, but my director shared it in our management meeting this morning and I thought it was worth sharing...

"There is just enough bad in the best of us, and just enough good in the worst of us, that it really doesn't make sense for any of us to talk about the rest of us."

Vinemont 10, Vinemont 4

That title is not a misprint. David's team lost 10-4 to the other Vinemont team. David was 1/1 with a walk, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and he was caught trying to steal after his walk.

Rosie's Mexican Cantina

I ate at Rosie's with my unit for lunch today. We took leave and drove to Huntsville to buy lunch for a co-worker who is leaving after 17 years of service. I feel privileged to supervise a wonderful group of people with a true compassion for the people they serve.

If you ever drive through Huntsville, a stop at Rosie's is a must! They have three locations in Huntsville and one in Florence. If they decide to, they could be the best national Mexican restaurant chain. Try it, you won't be disappointed!

http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=14781296&

Boys' Baseball Stats

As of Saturday 5/13/06:
Matt's team is 1-10. Matt is 6/13 (.462) with 4 runs.
Joe's team is 2-7. Joe is 6/11 (.545) with 2 HR's, 4 runs, and 3 RBI's.
David's team is 1-5. David is 3/10 (.300) with 1 walk and 1 RBI.

Happy Mother's Day

It's been a good day. I met my Mom and around 11:45. We went to Landry's and put our name on the list at 12:10. It was a two hour wait, which was to be expected. That allowed us to run a few errands. We went to Wal Mart where my Mom picked up some nail polish, video tapes (undoubtedly to tape ATWT), and a card for my sister's birthday. I purchased 6 "Better Boy" tomato plants. Yes, I know I'm a little late starting my garden, but that's o.k. Life has been pretty busy. We then made another stop (I won't say where in case my sister reads this and it spoils her birthday surprise). We then went back to Landry's and waited a little while before it was time to eat. It turned out to be exactly a two-hour wait. Mom had the catfish fillets and I had the jumbo fried shrimp. I think my Mom enjoyed herself, which is what it was all about. Normally, though, I'm not real big on dropping over $40 on lunch. But for my Mom, I would do anything. After lunch I came "home" (my parent's house will always be "home") and hung out with my Mom and Dad the rest of the day. I changed a few light bulbs and added oil, gas, and coolant to my Mom's car. She will probably never see this, but I love my Mom and thank her for all she's done for me over the past 40+ years!

As the World Turns

My Mom has been watching As the World Turns since 1962, which is 44 years out of the 50 that it has been on the air. She's all excited about a new novel, "Oakdale Confidential", related to the show. No, in case you wondered, I'm not a fan of the show, or any other soap opera, for that matter. I just think it's amazing that anyone could or would watch a television show faithfully for 44 years. The show has aired over 12,000 episodes and my Mom has seen most of them. If it wasn't for this show, she probably never would have bought a VCR! The closest I can come to my Mom's record would be that I have watched and listened Atlanta Braves' games for 21 years, since 1976. However, I haven't watched that many games per year in comparison.

Titanic

Tonight I watched a documentary about the Titanic on The History Channel with my Dad. The main theme of this show was a dive conducted in 2005 which attempted to obtain documented evidence that the ship was not only damaged on its side by an iceberg, but also from beneath. I am not well-versed on the history of the Titanic, but this show was interesting. I found myself more interested in the actual history of the event, though, than the search for new evidence by the divers. It was interesting to listen to the interviews with the survivors. Approximately 2200 people were on the Titanic and only 700 survived. I think one of the biggest lessons learned, or should I say reinforced, by the sinking of the Titanic, was that we humans have a tendency toward arrogance. The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable. When it comes to nature and its forces we are extremely vulnerable, especially if we are not wise enough to know our limitations and take adequate safety precautions.

This Week in Baseball

This week in my boys' baseball:

Tuesday 5/9/: Matt's team lost a rain-shortened game 9-2 and he was 1/1.

Thursday 5/11: Matt's team lost to Holly Pond and he was 1/2 with 1 run.

Thursday 5/11: David's team lost to Hanceville 13-2 and he was 1/1 with an RBI.

Saturday 5/13: Matt's team lost to Cold Springs 14-0 and he was 0/1 in game 1.

Saturday 5/13: Matt's team beat Cold Springs 16-7 and he was 0/1 in game 2.

Saturday 5/13: Joe's team lost to Cold Springs 13-12 and he was 1/1, 1 HR, 3 RBI's.



Matt's team won their first game of the season when they defeated Cold Springs in the second game of a double header on Saturday. Matt was 0/1 in each game, but he hit the ball hard both times.


Joe's team lost in the last inning against Cold Springs on Saturday. Joe played 3b and he was one for one. He sent a line drive to left center field that turned into an error-assisted "inside the park home run" that was good for three RBI's.


Joe touches 'em all!

Shelly Waters for District Court Judge

If you are a reader in Morgan County, AL, please consider voting for my friend, Shelly, for District Court Judge!

Doughnuts For Dad

This morning the boys invited me to "Doughnuts for Dad". There were a lot of dads that showed up this morning at the elementary school library. I appreciate the school encouraging children and fathers to spend time together reading.

Chicken Rescue

I feel like a regular animal rights activist! Last night, before Joe's game, one of the other parents and I noticed that a chicken was lodged between a privacy fence and a chain link fence in the lot behind the ball park. We walked around and told the owner. He laughed and said that chickens were one of the dumbest animals that God ever created. Later, while watching the game, I turned around and watched him retrieve the chicken. He climbed up a ladder, let down a pole with a claw on the other end, grabbed the chicken, and threw it back down inside his privacy fence.

Baseball Tonight

Vinemont 6, Cold Springs 2 - Joe was 0/1

David's team lost tonight to Cullman 10-9. He played 2b well but was 0/3.

Band Awards and Concert 5/7/06

This year David has participated in the beginning band. Sunday afternoon there was a banquet, awards ceremony and concert. I really enjoyed watching David and his friends make music. He has played trombone this year, like his dad did, many moons ago. The HS band sounded great. I especially enjoyed their rendition of the early 80's tune, "I Want Candy". I didn't expect that.

West Point 17 Vinemont 0

Another tough day for David's team. David was 0/2 but played great defense at 1B and in LF. He threw out a runner at third from left field.

Family / Teacher Basketball Game

David won this prize in the guess the mystery teacher contest. He picket the correct teacher using the clues (and a little help from one of the mom's who knew the teacher), then his name was drawn to compete in a dribbling contest, which he won.

Top Hat BBQ

Last Thursday, coming back from Birmingham, I stopped at a place to eat that is a too-well kept secret. The Top Hat BBQ is on US Highway 31, just a few miles off Interstate 65, Blount Springs exit 287. I wonder how many barbecue lovers drive up and down I-65 every day and stop at McDonald's, not knowing that the Top Hat is just five minutes off the beaten path. It may not look fancy but these folks can sure cook some great barbecue. I paid $5.38 for a sandwich and apple pie at supper time. If you like good barbecue, I recommend a little side trip the next time you travel down I-65!

Jim and Nick's BBQ

I ate at Jim and Nick's BBQ in Gardendale on Wednesday 5/3/06. I just had a sandwich at 10:30 on my way to the AFI conference at the Sheraton at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. The sandwich was great, but a bit pricey, especially for lunch. I just got a pork sandwich to go. It was $5.45. It was a large sandwich, but I hate paying $5.45 for lunch and getting no more than a sandwich.

Alabama Fatherhood Conference

It has been a long day for me. I just got in from church after a long drive to and from the conference in Birmingham. Bill Curry and John Croyle delivered some very inspiring messages. In the next day or two I will share some notes.

He's a Hard Worker

After Joe's game last night, I came home to get a little mowing in. I have a large yard and I don't have a riding mower. I figure we could all use the exercise and I don't want to spend that much money to avoid it, yet. I've had some mower problems and the grass is getting high, so I have been trying to mow whenever I can catch a few minutes. Joe volunteered to do it and it helped me so much. That child has a great work ethic and I'm so proud of him for that!

West Point 8, Vinemont 7

Joe's team lost again tonight, 8-7. He said that he had more fun tonight, but he has a competitive spirit and does not like losing. He was o/1 with a walk and one run scored.

Follow Me

Below are the lyrics to a cool song, written by Paul McCartney, found on his latest album, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard. I don't know if it was meant to be a Christian song, but I use it that way!


You lift up my spirits, you shine on my soul
Whenever I'm empty, you make me feel whole
I can rely on you, to guide me through, any situation
You hold up a sign that reads, follow me.

You give me direction, you show me the way
You give me a reason, to face every day
I can depend on you, to send me to, any destination
You hold up a sign that reads, follow me, follow me.

Down the track of loneliness, down the path of love
Through the words of heartache, to the end
On the shores of sorrow, where the waves of hope crash in
The perfect place for me to find a friend. ahh yeah yeah yeah, oh

You lead to places, that I've never been
Uncovering secrets, that I've never seen
I can rely on you, to guide me through, any situation
You hold up a sign that reads, follow me, follow me,
Follow me, follow me,

Boys' Baseball Stats

Stats as of Monday 5/01/06:

Matt's team: 0 wins, 7 losses; Matt is batting .444 (4/9) with three runs scored

Joe's team: 1 win, 5 losses; Joe is batting .625 (5/8) with 1 HR and three runs scored

David's team: 1 win, 2 losses; David is batting .500 (2/4) with 1 walk

The main thing is that they are all undefeated in having fun!

Boys' Baseball, May, 1, 2006

Joe at bat


Matt at bat

Matt's and Joe's teams each had doubleheaders tonight. It's been an unusually tough year for their teams. Matt is at the age it doesn't seem to matter. He was jumping for joy after the game, as if he won the World Series. Joe seemed a little discouraged. They both played well, however.

Matt's team lost both games to West Point, 13-0 and 16-1. Matt was 0/1 in the first game and 1/1 in the second game.

Joe's team lost to the other Vinemont team 7-1 and 9-2. Joe was 0/1 in the first game and 1/1 in the second game with an RBI. He was thrown out at home trying to stretch a triple into a home run.