How was your Fourth?

Unusual, off-year for us:
IT rained all day until evening (rarely is 7/4 anything but great weather here)
I was reminded why I dont like Dominoes Pizza
I found out Walter (our adopted stray dog) doesnt like fireworks...

Sounds great, Tom! 

I’m at a baseball tournament in Rapid City right now. Big firework display at the game last night. Son’s playing his first game on a legion field. There’s even a press box and announcers. 

Also seeing a lot of things I associate with Minnesota. Several Vikings and Twins hats. Ads for Pizza Ranch, whatever the hell that is (I just know Kirk was a fan). Ads on the outfield wall promoting “Gustafson” Builders and “Sundby” Photography, names one would associate with this part of the country I guess. But thought we were a little far west for that. 

Kid in front of me has a hat that says “Montana till I die.” Team from Missoula. I love Colorado but I do miss Montana. Couple weeks ago took the Beartooth Pass road down through Sunlight Basin in Wyoming. Maroon Bells might be the most beautiful single spot I’ve seen on this planet, but if there’s a more beautiful drive than Beartooth through Sunlight, I haven’t seen it. Going to the Sun is up there too, but it’s been about 30 years. 

On a more philosophical note, I’ve always been amused by things baseball parents say.  “A hit’s a run,” “got a piece of it,” “good miss,” “good eye,” “way ahead of him,” “now you’ve seen it.” It’s in our nature as humans to be positive and encouraging I guess, especially with our kids. 

But it made me wonder… what do Viking fans yell when they watch baseball? “you strike out here, kid, game’s over?” “Another error and you’ll lead the team?” LOL

Sad. Here in Maui, the 4th was ALWAYS fireworks galore - I'm talking for MILES you could see the sky across the valley light up.

With the disaster in Lahaina, there was just a handful of fireworks last night. No one here has the heart for it, or want to run the risk of another potential disaster. Also, quite a bit of resentment, not a lot of support from insurance companies or Federal government to help rebuild. We live in Kahului, so we were fortunate, but I have three neighbors who lost their businesses in the fire.

Maybe Hawaii could borrow money from the Ukraine.

Vanguard83 wrote:
Sad. Here in Maui, the 4th was ALWAYS fireworks galore - I'm talking for MILES you could see the sky across the valley light up.

With the disaster in Lahaina, there was just a handful of fireworks last night. No one here has the heart for it, or want to run the risk of another potential disaster. Also, quite a bit of resentment, not a lot of support from insurance companies or Federal government to help rebuild. We live in Kahului, so we were fortunate, but I have three neighbors who lost their businesses in the fire.

Maybe Hawaii could borrow money from the Ukraine.

That is sad...

Hawaii is such a national treasure, it sure should be a priority to get Lahaina back on its feet and fast.

It's was nice thanks for asking

MaroonBells wrote:
Sounds great, Tom! 

I’m at a baseball tournament in Rapid City right now. Big firework display at the game last night. Son’s playing his first game on a legion field. There’s even a press box and announcers. 

Also seeing a lot of things I associate with Minnesota. Several Vikings and Twins hats. Ads for Pizza Ranch, whatever the hell that is (I just know Kirk was a fan). Ads on the outfield wall promoting “Gustafson” Builders and “Sundby” Photography, names one would associate with this part of the country I guess. But thought we were a little far west for that. 

Kid in front of me has a hat that says “Montana till I die.” Team from Missoula. I love Colorado but I do miss Montana. Couple weeks ago took the Beartooth Pass road down through Sunlight Basin in Wyoming. Maroon Bells might be the most beautiful single spot I’ve seen on this planet, but if there’s a more beautiful drive than Beartooth through Sunlight, I haven’t seen it. Going to the Sun is up there too, but it’s been about 30 years. 

On a more philosophical note, I’ve always been amused by things baseball parents say.  “A hit’s a run,” “got a piece of it,” “good miss,” “good eye,” “way ahead of him,” “now you’ve seen it.” It’s in our nature as humans to be positive and encouraging I guess, especially with our kids. 

But it made me wonder… what do Viking fans yell when they watch baseball? “you strike out here, kid, game’s over?” “Another error and you’ll lead the team?” LOL

When it's a full count "Base hit, ball four"... "See ball, hit ball"...  "Keep your head down"...  when you coach baseball for as long as I have you hear or say them all...  Lol

MaroonBells wrote:
Sounds great, Tom! 

I’m at a baseball tournament in Rapid City right now. Big firework display at the game last night. Son’s playing his first game on a legion field. There’s even a press box and announcers. 

Also seeing a lot of things I associate with Minnesota. Several Vikings and Twins hats. Ads for Pizza Ranch, whatever the hell that is (I just know Kirk was a fan). Ads on the outfield wall promoting “Gustafson” Builders and “Sundby” Photography, names one would associate with this part of the country I guess. But thought we were a little far west for that. 

Kid in front of me has a hat that says “Montana till I die.” Team from Missoula. I love Colorado but I do miss Montana. Couple weeks ago took the Beartooth Pass road down through Sunlight Basin in Wyoming. Maroon Bells might be the most beautiful single spot I’ve seen on this planet, but if there’s a more beautiful drive than Beartooth through Sunlight, I haven’t seen it. Going to the Sun is up there too, but it’s been about 30 years. 

On a more philosophical note, I’ve always been amused by things baseball parents say.  “A hit’s a run,” “got a piece of it,” “good miss,” “good eye,” “way ahead of him,” “now you’ve seen it.” It’s in our nature as humans to be positive and encouraging I guess, especially with our kids. 

But it made me wonder… what do Viking fans yell when they watch baseball? “you strike out here, kid, game’s over?” “Another error and you’ll lead the team?” LOL

as a cather...

"got any naked pictures of your girlfriend, wanna see some?"
" why the fuck is your mom running around right field topless"
" was that a bunt sign" ( try squaring when it wasnt in your head when the pitcher goes into his windup)
"hey, your cleats untied"
the list is almost endless when you know they have a sister, but the almighty is and always will be.....
" HEY BATTER BATTER BATTER......SUWIIING BATTER"

now when you get older and start fucking with ump...whole new game.

There is no better game for a boy( or maybe even a girl) to grow up playing than baseball when it come to building a thick skin.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

When it's a full count "Base hit, ball four"... "See ball, hit ball"...  "Keep your head down"...  when you coach baseball for as long as I have you hear or say them all...  Lol

I've asked my son if it would help him if I reminded him about the simplicity of batting. Would it help if I say "see ball, hit ball." He said no. Another couple of full count contributions: Walk or knock and smash or pass. 

Other observations as I drive through the upper great plains, small town America…

The distance by which Taco Johns is better than Taco Bell is greater than the distance from the earth to the sun. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just wrong. People who wait at a 4-way stop for you to stop before they go should be taken out and shot. Just what kind of hand dance is required to make motion-activated bathroom faucets turn on in South Dakota? When hotel room creamer has turned from powder to brick, it’s time to replace. I will say this about cheap, small-town hotels though: they don’t make you try to fish out your god damn room key, while holding three cups of coffee, every time you want to make the elevator go.

Couple of days late, but it was a full weekend.
Granddaughters (ages 3 and almost 5) came to town. My daughter lives in Indianapolis, 3 hours away. So my wife met her half way and brought them home with her. My daughter and son in law came in Friday night.
So we spent the 4th with friends at their pool, and cooked out, then watched the fireworks downtown with our granddaughters.
Friday was a chill day, but Saturday we went to my Niece’s annual 4th of July party (they have it on the closest Saturday to the 4th every year) and they had a big fireworks display. Then tonight (Sunday) we went to my wife’s brother’s church and they put on a rather large fireworks display. My brother in law, along with being a pastor is also. licensed fireworks guy.
Just got home about n hour ago and put the girls to bed. My son in law left tonight because he has to work tomorrow and my daughter is going home tomorrow.
I happen to be on my long weekend (7 days off, we work the DuPont schedule) so it worked out nicely. The only thing that didn’t happen that I wished did was my oldest son and his wife were busy all weekend and didn’t come to any of our events.

I am a blessed man!