An Even Dozen

12-0...That is the score of the Tiger's victory I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday! Dave already let me know that he is wallowing in self-pity and envy. I just thought I'd make sure that the rest of you know what you missed as well.

It was about 85 degrees and sunny...traffic wasn't a problem...we hit three home runs...Bonderman pitched a shut out. That beats a day at the office anytime!

Save the Earth!

I did my part Saturday in saving the earth...I planted a tree! I'm now the proud owner of a Snowfountain Cherry tree. Right now it doesn't look anything like this picture (which is a pretty sad picture...sorry). Now it is a 7 foot stick with a few scraggly branches on top. But I'm hoping for beauty like this in a year or two!

We had a professor speak to our church about earth keeping and he gave us 3 simple steps on how each of us can make a difference in limiting greenhouse gases. If everyone changed 5 light bulbs to the new fluorescent bulbs, mulched their grass clippings instead of bagging them and planted a tree, we would make a big difference. So, I've now accomplished #1 (those bulbs are actually very good!) and #3. I mulch half my yard now but I can't get myself to mulch where the kids will track the grass into the house. 2 1/2 out of 3 isn't too bad!

Saving the earth is really a lot easier than I thought! What of those three steps have you done?

Going to the D

This Thursday I'm going to the D to watch an afternoon Tigers game versus The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with some friends. I just thought I'd let you all know so that you can wallow in self-pity and jealousy for the next few days!

Dave...I've still got one ticket left if you want to fly in!

Is this Lynden?

I mowed my lawn for the second time in a week last Saturday and still got a bag full of clippings off of it after getting two bags off just two days earlier. The perfect grass-growing weather and my spring fertilizer and my diligent battle against dandelions and my work edging began my wondering if my yard was even close to Lynden standards. But I soon realized that half of my green was clover and my grass was still too long to be "putting green" style and was way too dark green. So, I had to admit that I haven't arrived at Lynden standards of lawn. But I'm proud to at least have the thought cross my mind!

Not-So-Fun-Run

Yesterday was the 5/3 Riverbank Run kids' fun run. Brant was all pumped up to go start his running career. At school two Kenyan runners who have come for the 25K run got him all excited. So I took Brant for his inaugural run.

They started the kids in waves and they could run around the track for as long as they wished. Parents could run with their kids, but when they announced that I was promptly put in my place...on the sidelines. It came Brant's turn and he was at the very front of a the pack of kids. They said go and I quickly lost track of him and started walking towards where they finish. As I was intently searching for him across the track someone tapped my shoulder and said, "I think they need you." I looked and there was Brant with a bloody knee and tears streaming down his cheeks. He had gotten tangled up with another kid and slid down the track. By the time I made it around the fence is scrape was being treated by two paramedics (talk about overkill!). Through the tears I heard the words that I've often thought as I would run but never really dared to say out loud..."I never want to do this again!"

The moral of the story as I see it...You can name it whatever "fun" name you want, but in the end it's still just running and that isn't-so-fun.

I believe it will be a while before Brant tries another not-so-fun-run.

Don't Miss It!

***Attention all number nuts***

At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May this year (that would be this Sunday), the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07. It may be worth waking up for at 2 AM so you can experience the moment! Then again...maybe not!

A Budding Career

Last Saturday Brant had his very first organized baseball game ever. He was so proud to put on his uniform (with the name of a local dentist on the front...what kind of end-of-year party does a dentist's office throw for their team...free toothbrushes for everyone?). I got to coach first base as his got his first hit (I believe the ball almost made it to the shortstop). What fun! (Was it bad of me to have my camera with me as I coached first base?) I doubt he'll have a career with the Tigers, but the Cubs might be an option!