The Many Shades of Spring Sports (and Alternatives)

 

Spring sports come in all sorts of colors. Sometimes pretty umbrellas. And sometimes it's a bright yellow softball combined with Assumption Royal Blue which means there's a second round of softball playoffs after a 10-0 regionals victory last night!

Especially celebrating a playoff homerun! It made for an exciting evening. And yes, any time you see me posting photos late at night, know that I cannot stay up any later to blog about my reality TV-worthy exciting life!

Today I was all pumped for my own spring sport. Well, duh, golf. A childhood friend is in the area (visiting from Colorado) and we totally had a golf outing planned this afternoon. I took a half-day off and guess I never ran my vacation request past Mother Nature.

Stupid rain!

So we had to cancel. But didn't totally give up on reconnecting. 

Heath and I grew up about 2.5 miles apart. Which means we were together from kindergarten and our 2-room grade school (Oak Hill) years to high school graduation. Haven't seen him in 10 years when we were in Colorado on vacation, but he's heading to Luck (our hometown) for a wedding this weekend so we made sure two fellow golfers connected.

Over dinner anyway.

Don't judge me for being a hoarder. But I brought my grade-school sweatshirt with me so we could take a photo as 2 of the 6 in the last 4th-grade class at Oak Hill Elementary before all of us "country kids" had to go to school in Luck.

Yes, we're that old. And it was a hoot catching up and sharing random memories from age 5 to 18 and beyond. Bummed we couldn't golf, but I think we could chat more over sushi and hibachi chicken than on the course anyway. So it's all good.

The beauty of childhood friends (even your 1st-grade "sit together on the bus every day" boyfriend) is that you never have to pretend who you are or where you came from. Every bit of the conversation is unpretentious and real. 

Treasure those friendships when you can!

Throwback (Way Back) Thursday

An old friend shared this photo on Facebook today as part of "Throwback Thursday." And when I say Old friend, I mean 40 years (what??). And when I say Throwback, I mean way, way, way back. Like circa 1977 (what??)

How could that be when I wasn't born yet? Hahaha.

Can you tell which one is me? Here's a hint.... I am the center of attention, as always! If the patterns on the couch and the blouses and the wrapping paper don't blind you, you can also find my twin wearing the lovely red floral number in front, at right.

This was a birthday party for my old friend Kelly (striped shirt next to Raylene), who enjoyed presents from the Oak Hill gang... as in non-violent, non-gang-like students at the two-room country school we all attended in rural Luck (yes, that's an oxymoron). In fact, that is probably all the girls in second and third grade. Yes, all.

It's always fun to see the historical images.

Now I am at the age where I can say life was simpler back then. Heck, the pattern on the throw pillow didn't even have to match the stylish sofa.

Of course, I didn't appreciate the simple life for what it was. Now I can see why each generation feels like the one after them is missing out. We grow old. Well, older anyway, and realize how good we had it.

We have it good now, too. Just stop and appreciate it. Maybe thank someone from the previous generation for what they gave you. If nothing else, we've got fuzzy photos and hopefully clearer memories.

Show of Support

Awhile ago I shared news about one of my cousins who is fighting cancer. He was diagnosed in September with metastatic malignant melanoma, which has spread to the lymph nodes. He is undergoing oral chemotherapy to shrink the tumors.

Today they held a benefit to raise money for Lydell's medical and other expenses. Jim and I traveled Up North to Frederic (just north of Luck) to show our support... along with hundreds of others. We felt blessed to be among this huge crowd of friends and family who care for him and his family.

His church and some other organizations were at the heart of organizing it and they did a great job with the lasagna dinner, silent auction items and raffles. I heard they made enough lasagna to feed 400. Guess what? The lasagna was gone. Amazing.

They also had music lined up for the afternoon. This picture is special for two reasons. One, the guy in the middle is a grade-school and high school classmate of my twin sister and I that we haven't seen since graduation. So Jon and his wife, who go to Lydell's church, sang a few songs. Secondly, it is a very special moment because Lydell (always a good singer) felt well enough to get up on stage to sing On the Road Again with them. Thank the Lord, right?

Lydell did share a few heartfelt words of appreciation that moved most of us to tears. He felt so blessed and we, as his family and supporters, were just glad we could be there to do something. I also had friends and neighbors of mine who supported the event with donations ahead of time. You know who you are... THANK YOU! As Lydell pointed out, every single donation and prayer – especially prayer – counts!

Today was also meaningful to my family since my mom was celebrating her 85th birthday! We'll have a separate party for her later, but today she got to see 6 of her children, 4 sons-in-law and 2 grandchildren. Not to mention numerous nieces and nephews. It was so great to see so many of my cousins!

 And my twin, too, of course!

In a strange coincidence, we saw two classmates, our old bus driver and our former high school history teacher. Yes, it is a small world. But it also means Lydell has touched a lot of lives.

Let's hope he can continue to do so. He said his tumors are shrinking and he'll have surgery in a few weeks to remove them. The Lasagna Feed Fundraiser may be over, but please keep those prayers coming!

Austins on Tour

Sunday is not a day of rest around here. It is a day to pack in more fun -- and perhaps some pain.

After walking the dogs on a beautiful mountain trail last evening, I decided to go for a morning run (sort of) with Dawn. I did not have running clothing packed. So instead of wearing my pajama bottoms to run in, I borrowed a pair of shorts from Pete. And dear Dawn loaned me a running bra. All I had to provide was my running shoes and some determination.

Going down the mountain was not as easy as running "down hill" sounds since there were many rocks, twists and turns. Our plan was to run down the trail and walk back up. I don't know if I should blame my return struggle on being out of shape or on the thin mountain air. Either way, I finished in less time than their previous visitors have done on their first Apex Trail running effort. (I say first like I would do it again. Not this trip!)

• Running down the mountain = challenging.
• Trudging back up through the misnamed "Enchanted Forest" = painful. 
• Beating the "First Time Out of Towner" record by nearly 20 minutes = Priceless!

After our morning exercises, we hit the road and saw more and more and more of Colorado's beauty. We also stopped in a little but busy town called Evergreen, where it just happens a guy I went to kindergarten through 12th grade lives.

Heath saw on Facebook I was close by so he met up with us and we got to catch up. We realized we known each other for 40 years, going to kindergarten in Luck, the two-room grade school Oak Hill from 1st-4th grade, then back in Luck 'til high school graduation. We sat together on the mini-bus every day in 1st grade and he got in trouble once for kissing me on the bus. Hahaha. Oh the things that come to mind.

Lesson learned: If someone says, "If you're ever in the area, look me up," do it! Heath has been out here since 1988. I am finally in the area!!

After an awesome lunch, Pete, Dawn, Jim and I continued down the road and they showed me Red Rock Park and Amphitheatre, an incredible venue for outdoor concerts.

Tom Petty played there Friday night. Now it was just a ton of people playing tourist like us!

Will plan our next trip out here around a good concert. And hopefully good weather like today's 70-plus temps.

Red rocks make a pretty cool backdrop, don't they?

And our hosts: Pete (Jim's classmate since grade school) and his wife, Dawn, who helped the Broncos win today!

After Red Rock, we stopped at the Mother Cabrini Shrine, which required 373 steps to see a statue of Jesus up on top of a crazy big hill. At some point trudging up the stairs, I inappropriately said, "Holy sh*t." At least I said "holy" first. Whoops. I took pictures but don't have them handy on the computer. I guess I will have a lot of photos to post when we get home. But let's not rush things.

Bad enough tonight's our last night here. Sad face. Our flight isn't until tomorrow night, though, so Monday will be Austins on Tour :: Part 2.

If I can still walk!!

Old School

It can be a bit unnerving when your hear there's been a picture of you posted on the Internet -- not that I have any skeletons in my closet. (Please don't look!) When I saw the photo today, I was relieved and amused that it was a picture taken long ago, the day I finished 4th grade.

The old black-and-white image brings back a lot of memories. We're standing there -- my twin Raylene (far left front) and me (second from far right front) in our matching tube tops and shorts -- as the last students to attend Oak Hill elementary school. The next year the two-room school house stood empty and we were all shipped into town to the BIG school in Luck.

I often wonder if Carter will remember his grade-school days as fondly as I do. It didn't matter that we were squeezing 3 grades each into the "Little Room" (grades 1-3) and the "Big Room" (grades 4-6). It didn't matter that our basement doubled as a gym and a lunchroom (and tornado shelter). It didn't matter that we had limited playground equipment (but we had 4-square!).

What I remember in vivid detail are the sledding hill, the large dramatic productions for Christmas (and Mother's Day, too), the Halloween parties complete with cake walks, the kickball games, Red Rover and three-legged races up on the grassy ball diamond, the forts in the plum trees, warm corn bread with syrup for lunch. Oh, and the coolest teachers of course -- there was learning involved after all!

Ahhh, memory lane...

I'm so grateful an old friend -- who I haven't seen or talked to in 20+ years -- posted this "snapshot in time." It certainly keeps the memories alive.

And makes me wonder, based on my cute outfit, if I was onto something long before Shania Twain bared her midriff. I did play her double once -- and I pray no pictures of that will ever surface on the Web! (Again, please don't look!)

Weathering the Weekend

Carter and I spent the weekend Up North at my parents' house. We drove up Friday to give us some more time, but I forgot what a nightmare holiday traffic is. Couple that with some unexpected road construction (no, I didn't think to check ahead), and we were just happy to get there.

On Friday night, Carter impressed Grandpa and Grandma with his skill (or luck) at playing cards. We played 3 to 13 and somehow in the last two hands I came from behind to win by 2 points. So that was fun (I can say that because I won.)

On Saturday, my main goal was to do some videotaped interviews done with Mom and Dad to gather some genealogy info and hear some of their stories. That took a while to get started. We had to start the day with some garage sales with Grandma first. We actually only went to two. One huge one, where I ran into a guy I went to grade school with. He says, "You sure look different." And I'm thinking, I would hope so. It's been at least 20 years. Anyway, Carter's big find at the sale was a Brasil soccer shirt to match his Brasil hat. (He asked today if I mentioned that in my blog, so I thought I better!)

After the sale, we swung by my old grade school. I wanted to show my fourth-grade son the school where I was in the last fourth-grade class before they shut it down and we went to Luck. After Oak Hill closed in the late '70s, it was purchased and used as a home, but it looks much the same on the outside. The windows on the right show were the "little room" was -- that's what we called the room with grades 1-3. The windows on the left show the "big room," where the bigger grades, 4-6, were. Physically, the rooms were the same size, but that's what we called them. We drove up the road to look at the ball diamond and that is basically grown over, but I could point out to Carter the few hot spots for building forts anyway.

The interviews got started in the afternoon and each parent was on the hot seat for about 45 minutes. I think they turned out pretty well. I mainly just wanted to capture their personalities and I did that, that's for sure. I also learned a few things -- and it got emotional at times. I am sure it will be something interesting to share with my siblings, children and grandchildren someday.

On Sunday, we attended a church service at Pleasant Prairie Church, located in the sand barrens of Burnett County. The church closed many years ago but for the past 62 years, they have opened it up for a service the day before Memorial Day for the families of those buried there. My grandparents and great-grandparents on my dad's side are buried there.

Since it was raining, we packed everyone inside that little church. There were only 11 pews, 5 on one side, 6 on the other, and an altar and piano. We lit candles because it was so dark and cloudy. During the sermon, the storm hit ... lightning, thunder and hail! I turned to my brother and whispered, "This is really hail, fire and brimstone!" (I know. I can't stop myself.) At least we didn't have to worry about the electricity going out, since there wasn't any to begin with. It was a neat, patriotic service, though, and I look forward to going back. The rain let up so we could sit outside to eat in the mist. Not the best day for a picnic, that's for sure!

We heard more bad weather was on the way so Carter and I left in the late afternoon to head back home. First we stopped to see my sister Rachel, who works at Fawn-Doe-Rosa, a little wildlife park in St. Croix Falls. Carter and I got the quick tour of the cute baby animals and fed the deer. I hadn't been to this place since I was a kid, but I could see why Carter liked it. He was a little unnerved by the hissing geese and the deer who tried to get into his bag of feed, but other than that, he enjoyed it! As soon as it started to rain, we hit the road in hopes of beating the storm.

No such luck. By the time, we got to Amery, we heard sirens going off as we drove through town. I found a radio station with the local weather which mentioned what was happening in Minnesota and heading that way. Strong rotations -- as in tornadoes. The two things I remember about tornadoes when it comes to driving. One, you should never try to outrun a tornado. Two, don't stay in the car. The third thing I couldn't remember is where to park (parking lots are no-nos, aren't they?). I figured I'd just keep on driving until I figured it. Probably not the smartest decision in the world, but it worked this time.

We ended up missing that storm and several others. Every time we'd hear an update on a radio station, the storm was either behind us or to the north or the south. I was still a little nervous but somehow it worked out. It was like we were driving in this zig-zagging protection zone all the way back to Wisconsin Rapids. We never got another drop of rain after Amery and made it home safely 3 hours later.

Today it is simply gorgeous out. So really, I shouldn't be sitting here at the computer. I have got to get something done. I know those chairs on the front deck need some testing. So I think I'll grab a cold one (water, that is) and see if they pass inspection...

Lordy, lordy, look who's...

I had to do something this week I have dreaded for a long time. I had to buy my childhood best friend a 40th birthday card.

You know what that means ... The "I'm 40" snowball has started rolling down hill, picking up speed and picking up classmates along the way and heading straight for me! I wonder if it will melt by June... Fat chance.

Thanks for getting that started, Julie! Seriously, it's a privilege to send birthday wishes to someone I celebrated the other milestone birthdays with: 13 (We're teens!); 16 (Let's drive!); 18 (Oh boy, here comes college!); 21 (We can legally drink the beer we've been consuming in college!); and 30 (which seemed old until today).

The first time I met Julie I was 8 years old. All the third-graders in the Luck School District were taking a field trip to the Shrine Circus. This meant us kids out in the country elementary school (Oak Hill) got to go with the town kids and the East Luck school third-graders. Julie recalls seeing my twin sister and me sitting on the bus together. I don't recall meeting Julie that day, but for some reason remember buying a laser-gun shaped flashlight at the circus.

Two years later, when a school fire prompted a much-needed expansion of the main school in town, the "country schools" closed and all the students were in one building. That was when I really met her, our friendship began and, I'm blessed to say, has not faded in 3 decades. (Oh gosh. Now we do sound old!)

Well somebody had to go first -- and I'm glad it wasn't me. (Except she'll be laughing at me in 10 years when she can get the AARP discounts before me!) I'm sure in 6 months, Julie will have much wisdom to impart to us young whipper-snappers.

In the meantime, Julie, a sincere happy birthday! May you receive as many wonderful blessings as your friendship has brought to me!

Alive and kicking

Snap, crackle, pop ... While that used to be associated with the sound of Rice Krispies, it sounded like my bones this morning when I tried, after several attempts, to get out of bed.

I realize I am older now, but sometimes I forget that just because my youthful enthusiasm is in high gear doesn't mean my body has gotten (or can get) out of low gear. Case in point -- our kickball tournament yesterday.

Yes, kickball! Remember the fun we had playing that in grade school? Jim remembers playing on the blacktop at St. Lawrence and I remember the grassy field at Oak Hill elementary school.

A group of us at work thought we'd relive those memories and formed a team for an adult kickball tournament over in Scandinavia (near Iola). What we forgot was that grade school was 20 or 30 years ago for some of us! A fact our bodies remembered today.

We quickly realized in our first game that it is not as easy as it looks. It is hard to kick that ball and keep it on the ground. And it is hard to throw quickly or accurately. It didn't help it was in the 90s yesterday either.

We dropped to the losers bracket after the first game and then started to strategize. In our second game we had a guy kick first in the "batting order." I then bunted to advance him and the pattern worked out well. We scored 3 runs in the first inning -- the only time we scored in that game, but it was enough to win.

In a double-elimination tournament, we felt the pressure in the third game. I did especially because I was pitching and they weren't kicking balls -- only strikes. So I had to roll strikes. Again, not as easy as it looks! The game was quite a showcase of defense. We were tied zero-zero at the end of 7 and went into extra innings!

Honestly, we didn't have much left to give. It was our third game of the day. We were hot, old and tired. But we hung in there. The other team finally scored a run in the 11th inning and we couldn't reciprocate. That was the end for us.

As we did in 6th grade. It was time for us to take our balls and go home. The only good thing is that as adults, we go home to air conditioning!