Ten Days!

Since my last post. Let's see, what's happened?

Sunday May 6 took my whole family to a Whitecaps game to celebrate my mom & sister's birthday. Caps won. A good time was had by all.

Friday was the River Bank Run expo. Had a booth and signed up about 20 people for the marathon.

Friday night was Ashley's dance recital. Cute. She's probably one of the prettiest girls in the world. We took five generation pictures--my grandma, mom, Katie and the girls were there.

Saturday was the River Bank Run--and we finally had great weather for a change. Ran about what I expected, which isn't really very fast, then spent about an hour at the beer tent with a variety of friends. Took some pictures of Neil Sauter, the professional stilt walker who's going to walk the Grand Rapids Marathon on stilts and go for a world record. Met the guys from the Y at the Cottage. Went to a party at Bob's house and ended up skipping the next two parties we had scheduled.

Yesterday was a recovery day--didn't do much except work around the house. "Slept" in a bit, made french toast, bought a new pair of sunglasses, groceries, that's about it.

When I get home tonight, I'll add a picture or two. Maybe 5 generations.

Ashley's First Tee Ball Game

The competition was intense, an amazing battle, the opening game of the season. Hopkins Elementary School, my granddaughter Ashley's first tee-ball game.

What a hoot! Everyone bats. Nobody gets out. The inning ends when everyone has hit once, everyone runs only one base at a time except the last batter, who gets to hit a grand slam to end the inning. The kids stand there in the field, minding their own business, playing in the dirt, looking around. Then someone hits the ball. Then the kids stand there in the field, minding their own business, playing in the dirt, looking around. Finally one of them will chase down the ball, and at some point will try and throw the ball to first base. Or home. Or somewhere else. Pretty cool. Pictures attached are of her first hit and her first run of her career!

Did anyone happen to hear this one?

The congress sent a bill to the President to fund 24 billion more in the Iraq War effort, but the president vetoed it.

For the last two or three weeks, same old stuff. The congress is passing a bill. President Bush is going to veto it. The congress is passing a bill. President Bush is going to veto it. The congress is passing a bill. President Bush is going to veto it. The congress is passing a bill. President Bush is going to veto it. The congress is passing a bill. President Bush is going to veto it. The congress is passing a bill. President Bush is going to veto it.

Yesterday, the congress passed the bill. President Bush vetoed it. Is there some news in here anywhere? Is there news that justifies saying it over and over as the headline EVERY TIME the news come on?

It's about like the NFL--a whole bunch of millionaires fighting over something that no one can win but they keep doing it anyway. Except for this: When football players (or baseball or hockey players) have juvenile power-play negotiations for weeks or months at a time, NONE OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE!!!!!

Too bad the president and congress can't just suit-up take the field and go about knocking the crap out of each other instead of doing whatever it is that they're doing?

An afternoon with Mr. Long's Class

Had a great day with the kids in Michael Long's class yesterday. I spent the whole afternoon with them, showing them pictures and answering questions. New experience--I had to sign autographs! Imagine that! Kids were great, lots of energy and lots of interest. They gave me a copy of Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, which they all signed. I was touched.

Fun Tuesday

It's going to be a fun day. Ran 5 with Alan Headbloom this morning at 5:30, met with a potential sponsor for the marathon at 7:45, now I'm preparing to head to Harrison to spend the afternoon with the fifth graders in Michael Long's class. They were on a "virtual fieldtrip" with me when I was on my seven continents journey. So today I get to meet them in person. I'm hoping this isn't the most dangerous part of my whole adventure.