Ready, Aim, Touch the Screen

Lew saw chickens by our house this past week. I heard him yelling, "Chickens!" but by the time I looked, they were gone (flown the coop!).

The next day, Dad asked me if I had a camera. The chickens were back. I was ready....

Lew: "Those are handsome chickens."

I haven't seen the chickens since.

 

We just got home from a Portland Sea Dogs game. Glen, Josh, and Zack attended with us. We had a good time, and the Sea Dogs even won.

The best line of the night -- and there were many good ones -- was Zack's analysis of a pitcher/catcher meeting on the mound: "They are making up a play." My diagnosis of Zack's remark: Football season.

The sun was setting as the game started. It made for an interesting contrast on the field. Lew told me I should take a picture. I was ready....

Bottom of 1st. Lead off batter. Count 2-0. Eventually walked.

Good night!

Moms Rule

Writing Prompt: First Love.

What an appropriate writing prompt for today! It is my sister Kim's birthday, a significant day not only in her life but in the life of my parents....

Fifty years ago today, my mother gave birth to a squirmy little girl. (I'm not sure about the "squirmy" part, but I like how it sounds.) I know that Kim had some medical issues when she was born, so she had to stay in the hospital a little longer than normal. Fifty years has proved that she recovered okay!

My thoughts are a little disjointed, so I'll jump to my point: When I think of "first love" I think of mothers. (No slight to fathers is intended!)

Our mothers carry us around inside their own bodies for nine months.

They love us fiercely. Fiercely.

And don't we love them?

Yes, I believe our mothers are our first love. We may consider them as just a warm body in the early stages of life, but once we are more aware... well, isn't "Mommy!" our first cry when we are hungry, hurt, and even happy?

Five minutes. It just isn't long enough sometimes....

Look Who's Turning 50 Tomorrow!

Tomorrow my sister Kim joins me in the half-century club. Finally! Ha ha! (I have already told her it really isn't that bad.)

So I dug out a picture of Kim for Throwback Thursday. And I thought I'd share the one with me in it as well. (Pre-Debbie days, obviously!) Mom said the photographer actually came to the house to take these.

Wasn't she cute?!

Gotta love those outfits.

 

Dad 216: The Gold Brick

(I don't know how my aunt can get up in the middle of the night and then drive for eleven hours. Wishing her a safe trip. Enjoy Dad's post! ~ Tracy)

Derf Here! Enjoying another run of beautiful summer weather. Supposed to hit high 80s today. Also a possibility of afternoon storms. They will be scattered, according to the experts. Still haven't hit 90° in Portland this summer. All reports indicate a cooling starting tomorrow. Then it is on to September. Tourists will be gone and our life will return to normal, minus the overflow traffic. Thanks for coming and spending. A big thanks for leaving. Hope you all have a great school year.

After reading my post from last week, I find it necessary to add the following: In my basketball game I made 11 of 17 shots, not 11 of 18. Also I won a football award, the "gold brick" award. Something about doing the least in practice. I was a "gold bricker." Obviously it was given to the wrong person. An injustice. Couldn't argue with the coach as he was an all-American football player from Wheaton. His name was Nubby McGrath. He blew two fingers off while handling fireworks. Hence his name "Nubby."

Zack's eighth-grade football team won its first game, 30-16. It was away and I didn't attend, but I hope to make most of them. Josh's high school team opens on September 5th.

Sister Deb left this morning at 3:00 AM for her roundabout trek back home to Florida. She will stop in Pittsburgh today. She will go to Indianapolis on Friday. After a week in Indy, she will leave for home and be there on September 8th. Another Summer is winding down rapidly.

One last thing for today: I had my semi-annual doctor's visit this morning. I was worried about getting into trouble as I have not been careful about exercise or eating habits since my last visit. To my surprise, I had only gained four pounds. I thought it might be ten. I will get back to my fall routine shortly and try for another loss of poundage. Wish me luck!

Tune in next week for another riveting writing!

Sooo...

Until next time!

Toodle Pip!

Derf!

The Foot of the Stairs

Lew and I have been fighting a losing battle this summer: Cat pee.

The much-loved cat Bagheera (now playing in Heaven) made his mark via pee-pee many years ago. Before we put new carpeting down, Lew and I took some steps to eliminate the odor. We were successful as far as human noses were concerned, but apparently cats are better sniffers.... If I have to smell pee, it's going to be mine! .... Or at least that's what I imagine they're thinking.

We have been blaming Kurt -- due to Lew's eyewitness account of one event -- but it really could be both cats, vying for domination.

After many attempts to win the battle, I finally gave in on Saturday. Lew ripped up the problem area of the carpet. I can't begin to express how much better it smells in our living room! And no further incidents as of yet.

Now we must decide what to do about the floor. Sheet vinyl in just that part of the room? Replace entire living room carpet with sheet vinyl? Paint the floor? Time (and dollars) will help us make a decision. But at least my nose is now happy!

 

Women's Ministry Blog

Last Tuesday I mentioned that our church women's ministry team decided to start a new blog. And what better day than a Media Monday to introduce it on Mainely Tracy!

As of this writing, there is only one post on the new blog. We recently (as in, today) sent out the information about it, so we need to give the ladies a chance to see it before we add too much more.

I will serve as the primary administrator of the blog, but I expect that other women's ministry leaders will be contributing writers as well. It should be fun! I hope that the women of our church enjoy it.

I invite you to check it out:

Mary's Apron  ~  The Women's Ministry blog of Coastal Community Church

Photo Evidence of a Very Fun Week

Some members of our housechurch group came over for fun and yard games on Tuesday night. The kids had a blast with sidewalk chalk on our driveway. Here's what I woke up to on Wednesday:

Good Morning!

A very long hopscotch game. 101 squares!

Some colorful artwork. :)

 

And, as you know, Lew's birthday was on Thursday. Emily made a fun (and delicious) chocolate cake. She and the boys joined us for dinner, and Matt came over after he got out of work. Our neighbors from across the street were out for a walk, and I called them in for cake, too. It was a birthday celebration for the ages!

Playing cars before dinner.

Dinner from Amato's.

Spaghetti and cheese doodles.... Yum....

The ultimate cake for a John Wayne fan!