Iowa

Iowa

Friday, July 2, 2010

A Nearly Perfect Day

OK, so I have been TRYING to get to the track everyday, but it is so very hard. But, I have been doing it. I love going when it is early, when the sprinklers are on. The sound of the water swooshing, (is that a word?) the droplets of water in the early morning sun, the quiet, the blue sky. It is a nice beginning to the day. The picture of Bean in the sprinklers is an older picture, but it is appropriate. I think it shows spirit, freedom, fun.
It was actually chilly this morning. 49 degrees. Made me run just a little faster. I'm not counting times around the track, I am running with my i-pod. I make up new playlists and run as long as the playlist, usually about 40 minutes. And let's be clear...I say run, but I mean jog....very slowly, in time to the music. And it is wonderful. I hope I can keep it up.
I meet the nicest people at Phipps. If you are ever in Pittsburgh, you should visit. Green, butterflies, flowers. Fridays are tequila nights with music. Wednesdays are Farmer's Market. I meet and greet people from all over the world. Last week was a German couple, and Sandy talked to them in German. It's fun to try to communicate with people who speak a different language. And it's fun to tell them about Pittsburgh and all the things we have for them to visit.
So, work was great today. Butterflies flying, people visiting and music.
After work I decided to attend the first all star baseball game with Monkeyboy. Have I mentioned that I love to watch little league baseball? By the way, that surprises me. But it is such fun.
Let's start with the introducing of the teams and the announcer mispronouncing the names of the players. I mean, come on.....get a life here. Then a man takes the field in a horrendous tie and microphone. And he gives a speech about freedom, the 4th of July, the flag and then states he is going to have us join him in a passionate version of The Star Spangled Banner. He begins. No one joins him. In fact, people begin to look around to see how others are responding. Wrong move. Mippy begins to stifle a smile. Bean nudges me in the ribs and I peek out of the corner of my eye to see her suppressing a smile. Oh, my gosh, is CS beginning to laugh? Is that singer beginning to dip and dance? Mippy is now struggling to not laugh out loud. Bean is convulsing with giggles. CS notices and her shoulders begin to shake. Of course, I remain the stoic one in the group. FINALLY it ends and...are you ready.....he comes over and says he is available to sing if we have an event. Mippy pulls it together, as does everyone. However, I must say, she is laughing so hard when he leaves that she is crying. And she doesn't stop. I think she had some "happy juice" on the way to the game, but Bean swears she hasn't.
The team (I shall refer to them as the DeH team) scored in the first inning. Monkeyboy was on the bench a stupid move by his coach when he is clearly a star player and his coach is a truly great coach, one that Monkeyboy has had in the past. Coach knows the game and is supportive and a great teacher. Their team scored, but clearly we had the best team. As the game progressed, Bean and I visited the concession stand. The hot sausage was great! So were the nachos, and you could get extra cheese for $.50. Of course, always wanting to support the team, I ordered more cheese.
Remember the last game where Monkeyboy's team scored ten runs in the last inning? Well, the score was 10-4 DeH in the beginning of the sixth inning. Let me just cut to the chase. Monkeyboy was on the bench. They scored three runs. Two men on base. Two outs. They pull the pitcher and Monkeyboy goes in as relief. Bird and I start pacing. Silence on our side of the field. Tying run at bat. Bird shouts some tips to Monkeyboy as he warms up and Monkeyboy does as Bird tells him to do. First pitch actually I had my eyes closed so I don't know what happened and I'll make this up, but the end result is true and I hear a roar from our side. Strike one. Second pitch. Strike two. AND HE DOES IT. Monkeyboy strikes him out in three pitches. Can you believe it? The crowd roars. What a save!!!!
Is there any doubt? Nearly a perfect day. I would say perfect, but there is always room for improvement, although I'm not sure what that would be.
Happy Fourth of July and have a safe and happy weekend.

18 comments:

Twigs said...

Happy Fourth, everyone. Well, I read the post and I think,ok, I should start back at the gym. Then I sit down, have a cup of coffee until the feeling passes. Good for Monkeyboy, what a thrill! It's going to be a hot and sunny weekend here and I think we'll be in the pool a lot. Just a weekend to kick back and do nothing but relax. Have a good one.

Lori said...

It's a hot one here, also. But, that's what summer is all about, isn't it? We will spend a lot of time at the pool, also. Picnic tomorrow and fireworks. The dog will hide and wimper, that has started already. I am still going to the gym three times a week, and I feel better after, but boy, it is sometimes very hard to get there. I exercise so I can eat, so that helps keep me going. Happy holiday!

Tigger said...

Monkeyboy has had some exciting games, has he not? What a feeling to be the saving pitcher. If I ever come to Pittsburg Mia, I will come to Phipps. But I will not run around the track. Way too stressful for me. Not many plans for this weekend, just hanging out. I have to work today, then I am off on Sunday and Monday.

Shelly said...

Love the Macy Gray song, it's her latest. Good to see she is recording again.
The stress of sitting through that game! Nice job Monkeyboy. And Bean, that was a very nice thing to do, to donate your hair. Have a nice weekend everyone.

Ben said...

Great, a new post. Another exciting game for Monkeyboy. Mia, are you going to the regatta or fireworks? I watch them from my side of the river, that's close enough for me. Bill and his family are coming down for a picnic, then we'll walk down by the casino and watch the fireworks. I am still running, too hot for the dog though. Have a good one.

SassySam said...

I was going to exercise in January, but it was too cold. In February it was too snowy. In March, too windy. I forget what happened in April and May, but June got too hot, and I understand that July is going to be a bear. Maybe in August. There is walking around in the mall, does that count.

Elizabeth said...

I have begun to watch our neighbor in little league. He, too, is on the all star team. It is fun to see the enthusiasm of those kids. I gave up exercise for Lent in
2000, seemed like a good way to start off the new century.

Bill said...

Nobody does fireworks like Pittsburgh does. Can't wait to see them. And Ben lives near enough to the river that we don't have to drive to see them. Ballgames are being exciting, mia. Makes for a fun time for all when they are close and well played. Happy fourth everyone.

SocialWorker2 said...

Perfect weekend here for sun, baseball, fun in the park, swimming. It does sound as though you had a perfect day, mia, and may the rest of the weekend be a restful and fun one.

JD said...

Just came home after a happy fourth. Saw some little league games and wondering how Monkeyboy's team is doing. What a perfect fourth, sunny, hot and lots of family to enjoy. Now, time for bed and work tomorrow...ugh!

Jen said...

It rained here so fireworks were cancelled, as were most of the baseball games. Sounds like it was better for most of you in terms of the weather. I like the idea of extra cheese, I hate to run out before the nachos are gone.

Mark said...

Sounds like tournament ball is in full swing. It was hot and dry here yesterday and I think it's going to be that way all week. July is here! I gave up working out, it felt like work.

Kevin said...

It's even too hot to do any yard work. On vacation this week and I think it will be spent at the pool. Yard work will have to wait.

Kevin's wife said...

That's his excuse this week, last week it was too wet. Uh huh.

Another Original by Tamara said...

I run like a girl.
So try and keep up.
--really funny bumper sticker

Marie said...

What a great blog! Stumbled upon it because it is way too hot to sleep, even with air. You have a very descriptive way of writing, it's fun to read. May I join your list of readers and commentors?

ginger said...

Running a little late on this. Just got back from CA visiting family there.

Our 4th consist of cooking out at my daughter's and watching the local fireworks from her front yard. Then we avoid all the chaos afterward trying to get home.

Missed that game but was at another good one last night. I'll let Mia tell you in her next blog.
It was great and involved Monkeyboy
in the end.

Jessica said...

The heat is everywhere on the east coast,stay cool for those of you there! Summer is upon us for sure. Sounds like the games are great fun to watch. And for excercise,I'll watch the games and cheer. Kind of like Tim. Tim, you should be at these games, I think.