Church Picnic

August 27, 2016 - 

"Even if you don't build it, they'll still come."

(Before I pulled out my camera,) the Young Bloods squared off against the Over the Hill Gang in some volleyball matches.  We (I'm old :P but I'm still in the Young Bloods category) were soundly defeated repeatedly.  Even though we were told that no one was counting how many games we'd lost - we were still repeatedly reminded that we were 0-1 then 0-2 then 0-3 then 0-4 then 0-5 then 0-6 - and maybe more.  I'm right handed (and in no way ambidextrous), so I only counted on my fingers to 5. 

After our humiliation, we had to reestablish our reputation as sportsmen and competitors by slinking away to the backfield to play the ennobling game of wiffle ball.

Who and What on first and second.

They're both wearing horizontal stripes, so are obviously on the same team.

And we basically played just against ourselves -  5 players - even if it's an entire hand's worth of fingers - doesn't quite make up two baseball teams.

For instance, Benjamin needed to hit the ball, 

and catch and throw the ball, 

and try to tag out the other baserunners.

And playing all facets in a game of baseball as we were is - in the words of Yogi Berra:

"ninety percent mental and the other half is physical."

But, we are at a picnic - right?  In the words of Yogi Bear, let's break out the "pic-a-nic baskets!"

Josiah patiently waits for me to serve him up a dill pickle.

They're more than slippery - they're slickery..

Benjamin preparing for the final death blow to the beef on his sandwich.

For someone who likes his steaks medium-rare, he's awfully conscientious about making sure the cow is 100% dead.

No, we're not giants - and no, this isn't an optical illusion.  After the contortions required to comfortably find a way to sit at the table - without collapsing it - it was equally as difficult to extract yourself - and the pins and needles from numb limbs didn't help either!

Josiah and I both cracked up when one of the little guys came and sat down and then got back up with such contrasting swiftness and ease!

And from edible poultry, we transition to those who are edible - and to poultry.

These chickens can just crack you up!

They are laying hens after all.

Larissa looks on and hopes there's no damage done to life or limb drumstick.

Checking out the ducks.

Father's Day w/Family

June 18, 2016 - It's been just over 3 months since our grandpa passed away and this year we gathered with our family during Father's Day weekend.  What with grilled meats and our family recipe potato salad, we ate perfect park fare.

Incidentally, growing up, we made plenty of memories playing at this park and fishing with our grandpa on his off days.

You can see the traces of white powdered donuts on a few of our faces!

Benjamin and Noah with our cousin Eli

Benjamin trying to hold up his big 8# carp

Sunset by the lake

And now it's the next generation's turn to catch their first few fish...

There's a face that should be in the middle of this group that is markedly absent...

Blog Update

My Scandinavian friends (if I had any) would call this a smorgasbord of a post.  It's comprised of updates from April through May with a healthy sprinkling of selfies for that slightly egotistical aftertaste.

Enjoy!

April 8, 2016

Spent the evening dancing and waltzing (clip below) with friends.  

Whew...glad to say that my waltzing has improved in the last month.

Credit: Larissa B.

April 9, 2016

Out on the town with the family for my birthday and dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy.

April 18, 2016

For my birthday, Kate got us seats to the first Cards vs Cubs game of the season. We ended up being shutout and beaten by our northern rivals, but we still managed some smiles for the photo.

April 22, 2016

 It's rare for a film trailer to create any expectation within me for a movie's release, but I have to admit that I was really curious to watch the new Jungle Book.
The visual design - and particularly the animation of the animals - were great to see in theatre.  To its credit Jungle Book profited from the updated portrayal of the characters from the earlier Disney version (which was a childhood favorite.)

Sidenote: Loved the continual depiction of Mowgli, the "man cub" as being so separate and somehow superior to the rest of the animals in the jungle hierarchy.   The "king of the swingers" and the elephants were both reverenced because of their size, but the respect paid to Mowgli at the end of the film didn't originate from his own power.  #imagodei
That was a very welcome departure from the '67 version that featured an orangutan being referred to as "cousin."

How about that - you got a free mini-film worldview critique thrown in with a selfie (right.)

Except...where was the girl?  You know, the one getting her water from the river while singing "My Own Home?"
In her place were these mice at the end of the movie.

April 23, 2016

Pics while we were doing some yardwork.

The ashen remains of our burn pile.

April 30 - May 1, 2016

All tucked in and ready for bed.

I sent proof that Lydia was well taken care of while Kate was out of town.

We got the opportunity to promote our instructor's (Diana Roberts) ballroom dancing lessons by doing a demonstration.  I'm not sure if we were showcasing the need for lessons or what we'd learned.

May 6, 2016

Benjamin and Noah working into the night under the wheel well of Benjamin's truck.

Noah testing the temperature on that glowing red-hot piece he was working on.

May 17, 2016

Had a great evening dancing with friends and helping to celebrate some birthdays.

I was going to caption this photo with 

"ENTPs can do everything - levitation included."

But, I had an "aha moment" and this nugget of wisdom that I'll end this post with:

While they can do anything, 

ENTPs have to learn they can't do everything.