Gradu-ettes

Are female graduates called gradu-ettes or just graduates? It seems like there should be a special name for them – especially when they are as special as the young women we celebrated with today.

As parties go, today was near perfect weather. Dare I say it could have been a little cooler? Not complaining but it was a surprise that is was sunny and 88 degrees here. Yes, you read that right. And yes, I was wearing a winter coat at a baseball game just two weeks ago!

Crazy.

We had two parties today. First was for hubby's cousin's daughter Becca, who also is his goddaughter. She graduates from the Rapids public high school tomorrow. They had the party today because they wisely knew ahead of time it is going to rain tomorrow. Ha.

Good to see much of Jim's side of the family – aunts, uncles and cousins – we don't see often enough. Nice party under a sun-shielding tent!

It's been fun watching Becca grow up. Always a smile on her face, she is so determined to do well. We have enjoyed attending some of her dance recitals and watching her play hoops. She will continue her "higher learning" this fall. Nice job, gradu-ette!

Our second party was for my girl Brittney. They thankfully had a sun-shielding tent as well. And the mosquitoes held off until early evening.

What to say about B? She has been a stand-out athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball all four years of high school. I will miss watching her and her serious "game face." When she's not trying to defeat someone, she has a beautiful smile and is so kind! She is moving onto college and will play softball there. Way to go, gradu-ette!

I will have to find new "daughters" to stalk. I mean watch! Maybe it's a good thing Carter has twice as many girls in his class than boys. I will probably only say that once! But there are some real sweethearts who I will continue to cheer on from the stands over the next two years.

It's just great to see success stories develop in real life. I hope that the drive to succeed will continue for these gradu-ettes and, more importantly, their pleasant personalities will remain intact.

I'm not worried. They're pretty amazing.

TGIFF (Thank God it's Foto Friday)

The fact I have been to three baseball games in the last 24 hours is not what has me stressed out. It's other things related to work and special projects gone awry. I am pushing through all of that, and trying to enjoy a gorgeous two days in the sun!

First, some visual highlights from our unfortunate loss at Abbortsford last night.

Tonight we turned around and played a double-header against Eau Claire Regis. Lost the first one quite handily but won the second game. A few photo highlights from the long-distance bout:

I realize it's getting closer to the end of the season, but I was happy to see Carter get more playing time finally. He needs to get into the swing of things (quite literally) since summer ball starts right around the corner.

At some point I, too, will get into the swing of my crazy schedule and actually have time to sit down and blog. Hope you at least enjoyed a few Foto Finishes this Friday.

Answering Machine

Hello, you've reached Robyn at On the Lightside.... I am currently burning the candle at both ends so please leave a message and I will get back to you after I am done putting out fires.

In the meantime, enjoy this image from tonight's baseball game in Abbotsford, which shows Carter rounding first after a hit. He had a decent game but in the end, the team lost hold of a 7-3 lead and lost 9-7. We still stopped for good ice cream at the dairy down the street.

That will get me through the evening.

Thanks for calling!

A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way

When news broke today that Maya Angelou had passed away at age 86, I was trying to pinpoint which of her many inspiring quotes was my favorite. While there are many I have enjoyed from the poet/activist, I like the sentiment of this one:

It is a reminder to me that in all things, I must show gratitude. No, not just show it, but feel it and live it and believe I am blessed.

And I do.

Sure I get whiny – like today when I showed up at the softball game straight from work in long sleeves and long pants ... and it was 75 degrees out. I was a bit warm to say the least, but I will take that over winter hats and ballpark blankets any day. Plus, it wasn't about ME. The Assumption girls won. That's the important thing.

If we look hard enough, in each situation, there is something for which to be grateful.

Sometimes it's really a difficult find.

When my dad died, for instance, it was painful emotionally but we were grateful he was relieved of his physical pain. When my best friend's cousin was the victim of a still-unsolved murder some 20 years ago, it was heart-wrenching for the friends and family. Today, though, thanks to an Assumption scholarship in her name, many lives are being touched in a very positive way each school year. When I complain about my aching back and hip and not being able to run, I am reminded that hubby's dear uncle is missing half a leg and a few of my friends are suffering serious physical ailments – from multiple sclerosis to cancer.

Each day in itself is a gift. But more often than not, God is placing people in our lives to add even more blessings.

Case in point: Hubby starts to mow the lawn after supper and two neighbors show up to make short work of it. Jim didn't even have to wait for a nightly prayer to express his gratitude. The guys are enjoying their frosty, cold "thank you" right now!

We seriously will never be done counting our blessings.

Thanks be to God!

Sojourn

My oldest sister left the southern tip of Texas yesterday and is making her way due north to the Peace Gardens in Canada via Highway 281. She is chronicalling her trip with photo/video stops every 100 miles so when she arrives at her destination, she will literally see how far she's come.

We've all taken sojourns like that, haven't we? Sometimes physically and other times emotionally – always hoping in the end we can look back and note progress.

Not sure how far I've come since May 27, 2013.

365 days with a hole in my heart. 
52 weeks of catching myself saying "My mom and dad" instead of just "my mom." 
12 months of holiday firsts without you. 
1 year since our final goodbye. Miss you, Dad! 

Yup, today is that weird date we don't know if we call an anniversary or a day of observance or a Memorial Day of sorts.

Whatever we call it, I know without a doubt there was not one in my family who wasn't thinking about it and missing him... Dad... Grandpa... Husband.

I didn't want to dwell on it today and managed to keep busy at work. When weather (or something) canceled the Assumption baseball game at Iola, I headed home. Talked to one sister most of the way and we managed to get through the bewitching time of 5:27. Yes, Dad died at 5:27 on 5/27. Won't forget that one.

We had a good conversation – sad and uplifting at the same time. We know we are moving forward and we know Dad is watching over us. That feels good.

After that call, my friend Becky called me out of the blue and said she had an extra ticket to tonight's home opener for our Wisconsin Rapids Rafters team. I'm glad I decided to go. Perfect to be at a ballgame on "Dad's day." And great to catch up with a dear friend. Just comforting to be with people. Also strangely uplifting to have new people to pray for. People who have way more serious challenges than analyzing their grief.

We had a nice time (much better than the losing Rafters) and it was a pleasant distraction.

I haven't looked at how far I've traveled on my sojourn of sorrow but I'm guessing I've covered a lot of ground. Now if I could just figure out my destination.

Patriotic Pinball

One would think I did not have a productive day off... after lying in bed 12 hours. Oh, but they would be wrong!

I got a late start to my day but I was on a mission to get a few things done. I sort of felt like a pinball, going in all directions. Too bad I didn't get points each time a task was accomplished.

Since the band performed yesterday, we did not have a Memorial Day service to go to today. Instead, the Austin household scattered. Hubby went golfing. Carter went to the races at Golden Sands. And I stayed at home.

Mostly.

Did some online garage sale organizing this morning and posted some new items while finding a "live and in person" sale I could contribute some items to this coming weekend. That was good to cross off the list.

The guys got my bicycle down from the garage rafters before they left. I dusted it off, pumped up the tires and went for a 5-mile ride. It was another warm day – 84 degrees – and the rain held off. It was a nice little ride. I didn't want to go crazy and do too much the first time out. I am so out of pedaling shape and I will feel it in my legs and backside tomorrow the way it is. Rode past a cemetery and saw several people putting flags and flowers on graves. Said a quiet "thank you" to God for those who sacrificed all for the Red, White and Blue.

After the ride, I showered and ran some errands. Dropped off some graduation party items for a friend and went grocery shopping. Got home and baked Monster Cookies. I had the oven on?!? Yes, I realize it was hot out. But this was my free day and I needed to get them made for a graduation party. Yes, I realize it is three weeks away, but I will be gone the week leading up to it and these freeze well. As long as they are labeled "Josh's Party" so no one eats them!

The guys came back after I was done and I decided to sit out on the deck – in the shade – and read. As predicted, I was a little crisp from yesterday so could not lounge around in the sun with Mr. Deck Chair again. Probably best or I wouldn't have gotten anything done. Didn't last long out there anyway. Mosquitoes!!!

Seriously. We really did jump from Winter to Summer.

Poor Lukas missed our Spring right along with us. Got an email from him today. He checked out our weather and was glad we finally had some decent temperatures here! Now he knows we weren't making it up. Ha.

Always makes my day when I hear from him. Will have to log off and write back to him... even though he is sleeping now. I'll probably go to bed early myself. The alarm will be a rude awakening in the morning. Despite only being up 10 hours, I should sleep well (you know, "good sleeping weather" and all that).

And for the record, I will not turn on my blanket for the first time in 2014!

Lest We Forget...

We were up and on the road before 9 this morning to attend the Memorial Day Weekend ceremony up in Rudolph (just north of Rapids). As in previous years, Carter and the Assumption band played patriot tunes before, during and after the ceremony.

It was a gorgeous sunny day, which was nice. No need for jackets or umbrellas this year. So I could snap a few photos (naturally)...

One of three WWII veterans in attendance.

Girl and Boy Scouts placed flags on veterans' graves during the program.

The band played the official song from each branch of service and the gentlemen stood and saluted when theirs was performed.

Scouts thanking the veterans. For once, I shook quite a few hands, too!

The band!

Ha, Carter, I see you!

After the program, as is tradition, we had to stop at the Rudolph dairy for ice cream. Hey, it's tradition and yes, they had "Mint Avalanche" so no, don't ask me how my diet is going!

When we got home I did go for a nice walk around the lake with hubby. To get exercise and alleviate my guilt!

Got home from that and I figured I deserved some alone time with Mr. Deck Chair. It was 83 degrees, after all! I just meant to read "a bit." Ended up finishing the book... an hour later. Oops. I may be a little red tomorrow!

I had no motivation after that but did get my sweeping, dusting, vacuuming done so I don't have to wake up to that on my day off tomorrow. Had some yummy grilled brats for supper and later had some nice phone calls with my mom and one of my sisters.

I feel like I got this "extra day" and so much done. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain, so I will be forced to get more chores done. I hope it holds off during all the Memorial Day services. They have made enough sacrifices.

Thanks for remembering them and thanking them!

Anyone Sell Time in a Bottle?

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
'Til eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

– "Time in a Bottle" (Jim Croce)

I was reminded today of two Carter milestones that will make me an emotional wreck: Graduation Day and Wedding Day.

No rush, please.

If anyone knows of a place I can buy some time in a bottle, let me know. Those two days will be here before I know it. Uff da.

Case in point No. 1 – my "adopted daughter" Brittney. Wasn't it just yesterday I bragged up the fact she was a freshman starting on the varsity hoops team? She was my "daughter" fix for every sport season and now I will never see her play as a Lady Royal again.

This morning's graduation ceremony at Assumption was very nice. Am I the only one who gets a lump in their throat when they play Pomp and Circumstance? I just envision Carter marching in and I fall to pieces. "24 months, Mom!" he reminds me.

Slow down, kid. Time is going fast enough as it is.

Case in point No. 2 – my "adopted sisters" Sally and Cindy. Our friendship has lasted two dozen years already! Where did that time go?

My first job out of college in 1990 I worked with these two at the newspaper in Menominee, Mich. They were my family. When I left there in 1994, Sally had only two boys of her three. Today, her middle son got married. Again, where did that time go?

When our kids were younger, we made a point of getting together during one of the summer weekends – either Memorial Day, July Fourth or Labor Day. We made sure it was a weekend we had our big boys, Casey and Clay. Between the three of us "girls", we had 7 boys. And boy did that get crazy. And they had a ball.

Now with Sally's third son graduating this week, too, Carter is the only one left in high school. Did we just see lives pass before our eyes??

After graduation today, we drove up to Menominee for the wedding reception. It was important to be there for a happy occasion since the last trip up was for a funeral. We need happy times to laugh – and only cry because we are emotional mothers!

So great to see those two and the rest of my "family" up there. I told the groom, "I've known your mom longer than YOU have!"

While I can't stop time and save it in a bottle, I sure have an overflowing amount of memories stored in my mind (and in some scrapbooks).

We'll just treasure our time together now – like I'll have to do with my baby while I still have him.

Still, it sure would be nice to slow it down a bit...

Tables Turned

On the rare occasions I have a decent round of golf, I am dismayed the next time I hit the links that I can't shoot to save my life! How can this be? Where was the person who was putting for birdie last time? How can I be this inconsistent?

I guess the same could be said for any sport – individual or team. Tonight, for example, those of sitting on the bleachers in Auburndale were wondering where our team from last night was? That fired-up group that beat one of the best teams in our area.

They were there. It was same great guys. Just enough was different to result in an unfortunately different ending.

The tables were turned.

We were behind from the first inning. Down by one, then two then five suddenly. And more. It was not pretty. And while we rallied, down 11-3, we just couldn't make up the deficit with the time remaining. We ended up losing 11-6.

I still think we had some great at-bats. Just happened to hit the ball right to their team. We hopefully will stop doing that with the playoffs starting soon. Ha. If only strategizing was that easy! Just think of my golf game!

After our loss, we headed back to Rapids. Carter took the bus, of course, so hubby and I sneaked out for dinner at Ida's – a bar and grill in town that serves up only delicious food! Shhh. Don't tell Carter. He had to nuke his supper!

Now that we are home, the long weekend officially begins. Every minute of Saturday is already accounted for, but come Sunday, I might just turn the tables on the long winter and hang out with Mr. Deck Chair.... oops, I mean spring cleaning!

We'll see...

Home Turf

There’s something to be said for home field advantage. The last time we played the Marathon Red Raiders, we took an early lead fueled by an out of the park home run by the first batter. But then we fell apart.

Today was our turn for revenge. On our home turf.

Weird that it’s Thursday and this was our first game of the week. After such a long hiatus, it felt great to be back at the ballpark — particularly since it was mostly sunny and a pleasant 60-something degrees. Sweatshirt weather due to the wind. But a nice warm fuzzy feeling each time the sun came out.

While our opponents scored first, we answered quickly and by mid-game we were up 6-2. I have learned, though, that no matter what the sport, no lead is too big. Or guarantees a win.

At the top of the last inning, they tied it up 6-6.

Carter was not a batter tonight, only a courtesy runner for the catcher. So he did see some action and played smart so he did not get any unnecessary outs to lead to a loss.

Motivational huddle before last at bats.

During our last at bat, all we needed was a run in any shape or form and we'd walk away with a revenge win. With some quick outs, it had all the makings of an extra-inning game. But then with a runner on third, we got a hit. Just enough to get the batter safely to first and our runner home for the winning score.

There was much rejoicing.

Seriously. I don't know our record but I know it's not great. To beat an almost-unbeaten team was quite an accomplishment! Maybe we've hit our groove just in time for the playoffs.

Too bad they can't all be played on our home turf! Go Royals!

Sounds of the Season (but which one?)

As I sit at my computer, I can hear the familiar sounds of summer... birds chirping, dogs barking and the lawn mower cutting grass, plowing over mole hills and chopping up errant sticks in the back yard.

Did I wake up to a new season?

For awhile there, I thought I did. On the way to work there was a teeny tiny annoying sound. It was the buzzing of a mosquito. I was probably halfway to work before I got 'em! I had to wonder if we bypassed spring and went directly from winter to summer.

Not that this sun worshipper would mind that.

I have concerns, though. Here hubby is mowing the thick grass – thanks to all that baseball-canceling rain – but I have yet to see a lilac bloom. Shouldn't we be seeing them by now? I refuse to start my summer without my favorite fragrance wafting through the house!

While I do read my share of books, I have not read a Farmer's Almanac or any horticulture articles explaining how or if the long, long, long, long winter may affect spring and summer growth. Since I have two black thumbs, I tend not to pay attention to that stuff.

But I want my lilacs!

For now, I will settle for that magnificent scent of fresh-cut grass! I love that smell of the season – especially when I didn't have to do anything to create it.

Perhaps the lazy days of summer have arrived after all!

All Aboard!

Not that you have to ride along with me on every reading journey, but tonight happened to be our Face to FaceBook Club meeting. This month we read Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline – a gripping story of friendship and second chances.

The story was fiction but the based on historical fact. None of us in our club had heard about the "orphan trains" that traversed the country for some 70 years, taking parentless or penniless children on the rails to a new, hopefully better, future. A fresh start.

The fiction part: A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, the main character was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance. The book is set in both the present day and the late 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. I won't spoil the plot, but the character's "ride" was quite a life journey.

We all found the whole concept pretty interesting.

The nonfiction part: The Orphan Train Movement was a supervised welfare program that transported orphaned and homeless children from crowded Eastern cities of the United States to foster homes located largely in rural areas of the Midwest. The orphan trains operated between 1853 and 1929, relocating about 250,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children. This relocation of children ended in the 1920s with the beginning of organized foster care in America.

A program active for more than seven decades and none of us heard of it?

Seriously, I am getting quite a U.S. history lesson these days. Not all the books I read are so serious in nature. Not by far. But since it was fresh in my mind, I thought I'd share.

If you are riding along with me on the Reading Railroad... I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you a slightly interested in history but mostly want to read an endearing story, you'll enjoy it!

Any book suggestions for me or my club? I enjoy just about anything. Am moving onto a lighter topic now, which I know Lamb by Christopher Moore will provide!
 

Never Forgotten

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude America will never forget their sacrifices.

– President Harry S. Truman

Probably 95 percent of my reading time is devoted to fiction. That's not intentional. I do enjoy a good nonfiction book, as long as it doesn't read like a textbook and put me to sleep.

If you've ever read "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand, you know that's not the case.

A couple of my fellow readers recommended it to me over the past year, so I took a chance and checked out the audio version for my commute. I was so intrigued right off the bat that I even checked it out on my Kindle so I could continue with the story when I wasn't driving! Without a doubt, the most interesting book I've read in, well, forever.

"Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" is the life story of Louie Zamperini – a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero. Not only is Louie an interesting character to get to know, but there are so many aspects of war I never knew about – or chose to learn about.

So unjust. So inhuman.

I guess I've had my head in the sand.

After reading it (and I recommend it with 5 stars), I came to this conclusion: We cannot do enough to thank our veterans. I, personally, have not done enough to show my appreciation. I'm ashamed that I have not shown due respect – especially to POWs. I'm so grateful for those of you who have understood (decades before I did) and done something about it.

One such group is the Honor Flight Network. It is by sheer coincidence that the opportunity to participate in their mission coincided with the conclusion of reading the book. Today just happens to be the day Jim's Uncle Frank donned the yellow jacket and spent the day in Washington, D.C.

What is the Honor Flight Network? Throughout the United States there are several programs that operate in conjunction with Honor Flight. In our area of Wisconsin, the "Never Forgotten Honor Flight" group's mission is to provide a special kind of honor for the sacrifices of America's veterans. From Mosinee (near Wausau), they fly our heroes to Washington D.C. to visit their memorials. The veterans do not pay for this activity – it is absolutely free, thanks to donations.

Around sunrise today, Jim's godfather (a Korean War veteran) and 87 other veterans departed for a day-long whirlwind tour of memorials in D.C. A crowd of supporters saw them off in the early morning light. And another crowd – including Jim and me, his sister Sherry, Uncle Dick and Aunt Jane and a thousand others  – greeted them with cheers, tears and applause on their return tonight around 10 p.m.

Waving flags and showing signs of support and encouragement, each veteran, his guardian and his spouse walked down (or was wheeled down) an aisle of saluting veterans on one side and cheering supporters on the others. Goose bumps and lumps in throats for everyone.

A few of the photo highlights:

Jim, Aunt Jane, sister Sherry and Uncle Dick.

Aunt Colleen shows a sign of support while waiting with the other spouses.

Spouses await the landing of the Honor Flight.

Unique signs of support.

Waiting for his grandpa to pass by.

The crowd of at least a thousand await the entry of the veterans.

Lined up at attention.

Here comes Uncle Frank!

Uncle Frank and Aunt Colleen pose with Jim and me when it is all over.

The Stratford group surrounding Frank are thankful they encouraged him to apply for the Honor Flight program.

Uncle Frank and his gang of supporters!

Thank you, Uncle Frank. Thank you all. You are our heros and you will never be forgotten.