Baseball

Great-grandson Jayden is playing baseball this spring. His first game was canceled because of weather but last Tuesday we joined other family members for his first ever game. His team is the Cubs which makes the entire family smile. The team is off to a great start winning 12-2 over the Reds. Jayden had two hits a walk and one run. At this level of baseball, runners almost automatically steal second base and then third. I didn't realize that 60 degrees could be as cold as it was especially with the windy conditions. Jayden's second game was Saturday morning and even though it was early and chilly, the warm sunshine made conditions comfortable. The Cubs were playing a better team and lost this one. We'll be going to more games as the season continues.

When we have the opportunity we've been watching the Chicago Cubs games as many of them are available on local TV or through DirecTV. Can they win another pennant?

Jayden at bat

Jayden at second base

Months after mentioning that I thought our car was too noisy, we had the problem fixed. A rear wheel bearing was causing the problem and since the bearing has been replaced we once again have a quiet running vehicle.

The redbud trees have peaked but their display was beautiful this spring. Now we're seeing other flowering trees and some dogwoods blooming. I love seeing all the color again after months of a gray landscape.

Gorgeous Easter Sunday

Following three rainy days, Easter Sunday was incredibly beautiful. But it started out really foggy when I went to the 7 a.m. sunrise service. The adult choir did an outstanding rendition of two Easter numbers. Pastor John's Easter sermon was his last since he's retiring in two weeks but had a strong message that we are all the body of Christ. The Easter breakfast was delicious with a choice from a variety of casseroles. By noon the fog had disappeared and the sun was shining brightly as we were headed to about 70+ degrees.

A variety of flowers decorated the sanctuary

After the worship service, I prepared a potato casserole to take to Joe & Nancy's house. Kylie had organized some of the neighborhood children for an egg hunt at 2:30.

Waiting for the signal to start the hunt

A couple houses away the redbud trees were showing off their beautiful purple blossoms.

The peak of redbud season

Earlier in the week, we applied for passports as we make preparations for a trip to the Czech Republic next September. Not all plans are completed but once we get the passports we'll make reservations and plan our itinerary.

Quite a few months ago I had an idea to install a Little Free Library on the church property. It was something I knew I would need help with because I'm not a carpenter. Fortunately, I found two men who were able to help. Mike built it and Rick painted the library and constructed the post and helped with the installation last Wednesday. Someone visited later that day and left some children's books and a note! The next three days were rainy and probably kept people away, but I'm hoping others will stop for a look as they walk by the church.

The Howard  Road Little Free Library

A quick review of last week

A week ago I had my annual skin cancer checkup and the doctor found two small areas on my cheek that are pre-cancerous and he sprayed them with liquid nitrogen. Needless to say, it was not a good week for a portrait or photo. We also decided to sign a lease for another year at Copper Chase Apartments. We did look around for some other options but didn't find anything that was cheaper or roomier than what we have. I'm content for now.

Last Tuesday we purchased four more bags of mulch and in less than an hour had them opened and spread on the flower bed at church. The weather was great and with rain in the offing, we thought it wise to get the job done as quickly as possible.

Several women from Concordia Church drove to Hope Center Indy Saturday morning where we joined women from Our Savior for a tour of the facility. Hope Center is a treatment center for women 18 and over who have been trafficked and are looking for a new start in life. This facility has been open for about two years. When Hope Center was merely an idea and just getting started, the old Marion County Home became available. The buildings on the site had also been an orphanage after the County Home closed and after that a university. We heard so many beautiful stories of individuals, corporations and the community coming together to make Hope Center a reality.

Concordia & Our Savior women pose after the tour.
Two other women were also in the tour group.

Ray and I were busy with other chores but the above is a quick review of the past week. We did watch the last day of the Master's Golf Tournament with Tiger Woods winning his 5th in this prestigious event. What a story for the ages.

I saw some dandelions!

Spring weather is manifesting itself. Yesterday I saw the first dandelions of the year. Prior to that, I don't think I saw any and even though I'm not fond of them, they often start blooming when we have warm and sunny weather. Today I saw several blooming trees and forsythia and lots of daffodils too.

A week ago today, April 1,  I'm glad to say that I was not fooled and I didn't try to fool anyone either. The morning was chilly at 32 degrees. In the afternoon Ray and I both had our annual wellness checkups. We had blood drawn the next day for some tests and are still waiting for analysis of the data.

When we first started playing pickleball we met a woman who plays the game very well but is also an avid hiker and cyclist. She often invites someone to go with her and early on Wednesday Ray and I and four other women headed out to Brown County State Park. It was rather chilly at 8 a.m. and for a while, I was sorry that I hadn't worn gloves. At one point we had to climb a long stairway and after that climb, I wasn't chilly any longer.

The turtles enjoy the warm sunshine

I was trailing at the moment and able to get a photo of two-thirds of our group

We carried our lunch and water and stopped at a convenient spot with picnic tables to enjoy a break and rest while eating our sandwiches. At the end of the hike, Karen said we had walked more than 7.5 miles as calculated by the GPS app on her phone.

Karen sent a photo of our
hike as logged on her
phone's app

We pose at a point more than halfway through the hike
Cathy, Karen, Carol, Linda, me and Ray

The next day Ray had sore calf muscles and his legs were hurting. Park trails are a much different terrain than he is used to even though he walks often. I can't say for sure why I didn't have the same aches but I often do squats when at the gym. I think that prepared my legs for the hike.

Every day the weather has been milder and it is especially nice that the mornings are warmer and I can wear a light jacket. I think we have left winter behind!