Interesting Quote...

I found this interesting quote while reaching into the depths of history trivia. I'm sure that one of you will be able to identify who said it. The history behind it is even more interesting. Can you identify who said it and who Peter Deunov is?

"The whole world bows down before me. I bow down before the master Peter Deunov."

Ahoy There!

Don't miss the opportunity today to "ahoy" some of your "mates" at work or school or home. Today is "Talk Like a Pirate Day". If you need some help knowing how to talk like a pirate, this link will get you some pirate lingo. Have fun!

Saturday in the Park

After counting down for many months, Saturday morning found me in Detroit...more specifically: Comerica Park. It was a gorgeous, sunny Saturday that started very early. We left our home a little after 5:30 a.m. and met up our our friends who chauffeured us to Detroit (in a purple mini-van named "The Barney-Mobile" instead of a limousine). By 8:30 we were in the park.

All morning those who came with me were able to wander the park and check it out, relax in the sun, or cheer on their favorite player! I started out my morning by stashing my stuff in the dugout where all my Tiger buddies keep their stuff. Then it was out to left field for some catch. After a while they opened the batting cage down below the visitor's dugout. After watching a few pitches from "robo-pitcher" come flying in way too fast, I decided that I didn't need my ego damaged before facing live pitching and I passed on that.

So, I headed out to take on Dave Rozema. I invited him to pitch underhand if he wished. He wouldn't do that, but he did pitch nice and easy for me. I was able to get a few decent hits. I got ahold of one and got it over the people's heads in left-center field a little ways in front of the warning track. That felt good. (I should make sure that you know that I was using an aluminum bat.)

After hitting I joined the crowd in the outfield catching the fly balls. I spent a little time playing catch with Brant (him in the stands and me on the field). And I went exploring. I walked under the right field seats where the grounds crew works. I found the bullpen door unlatched and checked out the bullpens in left field. And I spent some time just basking in the sunlight in center field!

When we were done around noon, Dave Rozema gave autographs. I couldn't get Brant on the field (although earlier I had "snuck" Brant and Erin into the dugout for a picture) so we took his Tiger shirt off his back and brought it down to be signed along with my cap.

It was really cool to be out on the field where the Tigers play. It was an awesome gift from some great friends! Thanks so much! (Here is a link to Karen's blog that has more pictures:

http://karenlepine.blogspot.com/)

China #8.1 -- The Orphanage

I realized that I hadn't included any pictures of Stacey at the orphanage. Here are two pictures with her.

China Trip #8 -- The Orphanage

Most orphanages in China are not open to Americans visiting. They tend to hide whatever might make them look bad. In one city we visited, however, the people we knew there had built a relationship with the local orphanage and we could visit. The building is one year old and looks great on the outside but is already looking pathetic on the inside. The playground equipment was donated by Americans. They are given a set sum (which isn't much) per child per day to cover all expenses. Needless to say, they don't have much access to higher cost medical care. Most of the children here have some disability since the healthy ones get adopted out. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Old Building

New Building

Erin and "Tom"

Feels Like Fall

Today felt so much like fall! But the arrival of fall was confirmed when the kids and I spotted two salmon swimming up stream in the creek in front of our house.

Brant caught his very first fish on Saturday in Lake Macatawa. He was practicing his casting from the dock and reeled the line in to find a one inch perch on his hook (much to his surprise). Today he was drooling at the thought of catching one of those salmon. Kind of hard when you don't have a fishing pole though!

5 days until I'm at Comerica. I've gotta get back to that batting cage again soon!