Dirt and Grit

If you pay attention, you can really learn some life lessons watching a baseball or softball game. Mainly, the players who succeed are the ones with grit who don't give up.

Last night I split time between both of those games and was editing photos way past my bedtime! Behind the lens of my camera I see and capture both jubilation and disappointment. Great plays and missed opportunities.

Last night I really wanted to tell the umpire he was wrong to call this guy from the other team safe. But nope. My frames captured it and our second baseman missed the tag. By mere inches.

But that didn't make him throw his glove down and quit. He just tried harder the next opportunity.

And would you look at that? He clearly made the out the next time. And the opponent missed reaching the base safely... by mere inches.

My hubby coached baseball forever. Not as long ago as when Babe Ruth was around with his inspiring quotes, but many decades. I loved watching him and listening to him encourage the kids (of all ages) to keep trying. And when they made a mental mistake (usually running bases or fielding), he'd ask, "OK, so what did you learn from that?" They'd answer and he'd say something like, "Right? So next time don't do that."

If we all could have a supportive Coach Austin in our ear, maybe we'd spend more time focusing on what we can learn from our mistakes and bad choices instead of beating ourselves up. 

Remember: You can't beat the person who doesn't give up!

Believe in yourself!

The Boys of Summer Meet the Field of Dreams

If there's one thing my father-in-law and his brother Joe loved (besides their wives and kids, that is) it was baseball! Uncle Joe coached baseball for decades. And I have more than a handful of pictures like this where the brothers are at Witter Field to "watch" an Assumption High School baseball game. Surely not there to supervise my hubby and his coaching skills, right?

Today, when I saw Uncle Joe was dressed in that same red Rapids baseball jacket as he lay in his coffin, I lost it. Another boy of summer has moved on to the Field of Dreams.

It was surreal to have almost a repeat of 2 weeks ago when we laid his wife – Aunt Janice – to rest. At her funeral it was nice to see dozens of Austin relatives we hadn't seen for quite some time. Today it was more of a "this is not how we should be getting together again" vibe. Lots of tears.

Still it was a nice service. Jim did the readings again and both he and Clay were pallbearers. Casey drove over from Minneapolis as well (Carter had sleet going on down in Dubuque to prevent his travels).

So after the sad stuff, we were blessed with some smiling time with our big sweetie grandpup Rey – and the humans Casey and Clay too.

I unfortunately had to finish my work day with some meetings. But I could hear three of the four brown-eyed bandits talking and laughing down the hall in the livingroom.

That, my friends, are the moments we need to cherish. Those are the memories that make us one day say, like today, "Remember that time we did this with Uncle Joe..."

I might just have to step and tell November "Move over, Gratitude Month. There are things happening every month that make us grateful."

Hug your loved ones!

Rise to Meet It

I love this shirt worn by a Royals softball alum who happens to be daughter of the coach and just finished her freshman year of college playing for UW-Green Bay. Miss Ava was our star pitcher and knew how to thrive under pressure to get our team to state – and a state title. Love that she is in the Assumption dugout now, influencing this younger team.

Last night was the sectional final between our Lady Royals and the Hillsboro Tigers. I wasn't planning to drive down to the "neutral site" at New Lisbon High School, but then I remembered how the season started. 

With freshman coming in and making up half the roster, it was a tough beginning. There's a big difference playing at a high school level when you're up against seasoned players. The team had to work very hard to earn some successes. Many successes. But they did. They rose to meet the challenge.

They've come so far since that first game of the season. But being one game away from going to state? How did they do it?

Last night I was reminded how. Just like how we should do things in real life, they were cheering each other on, expressing their pride in each other, and being supportive rather than disparaging when "learning moments" occurred. 

The end result of true team work?

A 10-0 blowout and trip to state next weekend! 

Don't ever underestimate where hard work, dedication, and compassion can get you. Be confident. And rise to meet it.

This Bud's for You

After the end of what seems to be a series of stressful work days, I got home, picked up the boy and headed back to Point. We had "technical" stops to make at Best Buy and Spectrum. We pondered stopping at some car lots but decided to wait a few weeks. So naturally, our next stop was B-Dubs.

A couple of things we learned. Of course it would be crowded because March Madness games resumed tonight. Thankfully, we beat the first tip-off time.

Secondly, we learned that on Thursdays, they have Buy One, Get One deals on wings so Carter was basically a free date! We also beat the BOGO crowd, too. Just by minutes! There was a line out the door.

Since one of our meals was free, he convinced me to try the Fried Pickles appetizer. Not bad. I liked them – even with the honey mustard dipping sauce which was OK for this anti-mustard chick. Of course, 2 hours later I'm still burping up the pickle taste. I KNOW you wanted to know that!

Since we were living in BOGO Land, we both got 10 boneless wings. Here's my review... I had 5 of them as the limited-time-only Honey Sriracha. I'll tell you it had a pleasant taste but it was not really spicy in anyway. I was surprised by that since I add Sriracha to many a thing – being the Spice Girl that I am. My other 5 were Thai Curry. Jim and I both love these. Great flavor with quite a kick!

Needless to say, I had to save a a few of those for hubby. We both were full anyway so for this time, no room to stop at King Cone! Dang. I gotta learn to think things through.

In addition to hoops, opening day of baseball (Twins won today, by the way), field hockey, NBA and NHL, I suddenly saw the legendary Vikings coach Bud Grant up on one of their 187 or so screens. I think it might have been an outdoors show focusing on his deer hunting exploits. Still, it was a pleasant surprise for 2 lifelong Vikings fans. 

We got home about an hour ago and I am still so full I can't breathe. Thank god we didn't get a side of those filling carrot sticks!

Sizzlin' Friday in More Ways Than One

Getting up to 90-plus degrees today wasn't even the hottest point of the day. Nope that happened about 7:15 a.m. when I stepped out of the shower. And SIZZLE... the lights went off.

While I didn't look for a carcass, we're guessing it was a squirrel who ventured into the electrical box at the end of our driveway – knocking out power on our side of the street. Sorry, neighbors! Wasn't sure what was wrong until you see the corrected version and realize the top popped right off of one of the coils and was just hanging there.

See what I mean? Thank goodness we have an electrician in the neighborhood to explain things. 

My first thought after lights out was how as I going to open the garage door when I actually had to head to Stevens Point and work today. Second thought was how am I going to curl my hair? Thankfully, we had new – much lighter – garage doors installed a few years ago so it wasn't a big deal to pull the red cord and manually open it.

Also thankfully this morning was going to be a video shoot at the golf course so I could just dress like a golfer and that means.... wear a hat. Yay. Problem solved.

It was fun to tool around SentryWorld and see where things are at, just days before the U.S. Senior Open. 

The merchandise tent is ready with lots of cool clothes and fun things like golf ball-looking bouncy balls. I might have to cave and buy!

Hot humid days means the famous Flower Hole is coming together.

And I got to check out the view on the 18th hole that hubby and I will have when I take him there next Saturday for our anniversary. I'm a pretty awesome wife.

Worked from home the rest of the day then went to the Legion baseball game. The 17U team is hosting their tourney this weekend and Jim had baseball players on both the Rapids and the Plover teams. I suffered through the heat of the first game then came home.

And then it started to downpour. Missed out on that. Yay. Lord knows we need the rain. 

Not sure when they'll resume play at the Legion Tournament but check it out Saturday. It's free entertainment all weekend.

Be careful out there, everyone. And hydrate!!

Daylight Sleeping Time

I think I share this cartoon every year on the Monday after we spring forward. Because it hits me the same every year. No matter what I do. 

I skipped out of the Oscars early and for the life of me, couldn't fall asleep. And when I did, I woke up and stayed woke up. Gah.

When that happens, it calls for the big cup! I bet my Secret Santa at work had no idea this would be the best first day of Daylight Saving Time gift. 

Too bad hubby doesn't like coffee!

Of course, he had bigger things on his mind...

Wake-up views on first day of high school baseball practice! 

Is Wisconsin White one of our school colors? It is now!

Thankfully they could meet in the gym for now. No matter the weather, the coaches are pumped for a new season! We only lost one senior last season and have young talent coming up. 

Oh and full disclaimer: That’s just a coach's wife opinion. We'll let the guys in charge lead things. 

Cross your fingers the snow melts soon. And that we adjust to this time change sooner rather than later.

G'night!

You Still Have to Leave the House

I didn't realize this morning's wake-up temperature was going to be even worse than yesterday. It made me actually look to see if schools were closed. 

They weren't. I can't remember the threshold, but a windchill of -23 isn't cold enough. Either way, I still had to leave the house and get to work so I could deliver that trifle. Priorities! 

Even the remaining water in my water bottle decided to give up the fight. It was ice by the end of the day. Even though we have covered parking at work, that doesn't keep the wind or the chill out. I'm probably going to cave and wear a coat one of these days, too!

Tonight after work I kept warm by shooting hoops. Well, shooting pictures of hoops. I went to the Rapids girls' JV game to watch Coach Austin in action. Not THAT Coach Austin. A different one. Jim's goddaughter Becca is leading the JV 1 squad this winter.

Since Royals hoops are out of town all week, it finally worked on my schedule to go. She's a sweetie and it's fun to see her share her passion for the game with these young girls. It was a low-scoring affair, but they beat Medford 17-10. A win's a win. Hoping she'll find continued this success this season. Stay hot!

Speaking of hot... I didn't stay for varsity so I got home at a decent time to turn on my electric mattress pad. That thing never gets a break. Except during daylight hours, of course. Because darn it, we still have to leave the house. 

Be careful out there!

The Last At Bat -- For Now

The thing about postseason is that it eventually becomes season-ending. Ideally that's at state, but it can happen in the first round, too. Especially if you're playing in a cursed ball diamond.

Well I say it's cursed.

I don't recall ever winning a baseball game at Pittsville, in their dreaded "bowl" of a field surrounded by hills. Even back when Carter was playing for traveling tournament teams, we just couldn't find a victory. And I have seen it for high school either. Well, at least not in Carter's career or Jim's coaching career since. 

I don't know what it is. Just don't have the baseball spirits on our side!

Still, our Royals stuck with them today. Our boys have improved so much this year and they stayed right in the game with hits and good defense and pretty clean playing. We were all tied up at 1-1 through top of the 5th inning. Pittsville just edged us in the end with a 3-1 win. 

We only had one senior so I hope these guys return and build off what they did this year. I know the coaches would appreciate it.

Meanwhile, back at the softball field in Wisconsin Rapids, our Lady Royals took the regional championship with a 15-0 win. Wow! So their postseason is moving forward to Sectionals. 

Let's keep those bats flying!

#royalpride

Gotta Start Somewhere

The sun was out. The field was ready. The temp was close to 60 degrees. A perfect day to start the baseball season. 

Until it wasn't.

The Royals had their home opener today against the always powerful Stratford Tigers. (I have to say that since my father-in-law and his brothers played their years and years and years ago.) The scoreboard wasn't working at Witter Field so it was hard to keep track of how things were going – other than orange uniforms were crossing home plate and Royal blue ones were not.

In the end, we lost 12-0 in 5 innings. Lots of work to be done. But they hopefully shook off the cobwebs and will be ready to go go go! Because tomorrow they head back up to Stratford, then jump into a busy schedule after Easter.

Didn't get much for action shots, but I always love me some baseball pitchers!

And my favorite shot. We didn't get the guy out but junior Ryan Shaw hopped up to make the catch. Nice!

Let's have a good season, Royals!!

When Miracles Happen

Pardon my language, but 2022 is starting off to be quite the shit show.  I'm emotionally exhausted and it's only January 4th. And I'm only experiencing the roller coaster ride virtually. People we care about have front row seats and are just trying to hold on.

I need to remind myself that where there is hope – even the smallest amount, there is faith. And where there is faith, miracles happen. 

It sounds trite, but I believe this to be true. I must. Or why would I spend so much time praying?

As we transition from one year to the next, our hearts are hurting for those who are hurting even more. We have a friend who lost his father, a friend who lost his son, and a whole community who lost a beloved soccer coach. And that's just the tip of the 2022 iceberg.

But in this same time frame, we've also seen miracles – after endless hours of praying, that is. 

A neighbor adjusted wonderfully to a critically needed kidney transplant. A friend survived a freak stroke and was home within 2 days. Our close friends heard the news today their college-age son is cancer-free! Someone we love survived 30 days in the hospital over the holidays and is home. Another someone we love survived 15 hours of emergency surgery yesterday and into the wee hours of this morning.

To all of these, we say thanks be to God. The road to recovery will be long for all of them. But they're still here among us. And we'll still keep praying for them.

You and I know we don't always get the answers to our prayers that we want. People die expectedly and unexpectedly. But God sends human angels to give us hugs of comfort. We don't understand the "why" of most of the tragedies in our lives. And we probably never will.

It's frustrating. It's devastating. And it's out of our control.

That's especially challenging. Somehow, we need to find the strength to keep hope and faith alive. And look for miracles – big and small – in our everyday lives.

They're there. We may have to wipe away tears to see them, but they're there. 

I pray they'll keep coming. For all of us.

The 12th Man

Well that was a quick vacation! Figures the night before I need to awaken to an alarm, the Vikings play late. Well, the Packers, too. 

I mean Robyn late. Like finishing after 10 p.m.! 

Oh I'm sure I'll watch most of the game until it gets too ugly to watch. I'm not sure of our chances since we've been mediocre at best and the Vikings will start our unknown QB Sean Mannion in place of Kirk Cousins, who is on the COVID list. Fun. 

If we lose, no playoffs for us – and possibly no coach for us. We'll see what they do about Zimmer in the next days and weeks. We're always in a "rebuilding year," dang it!

Oh well. I am too relaxed to care. It was a nice 10 days off. Not stressful at any point and I'm not feeling guilty for my lack of productivity. Based on today's single-digit temperatures, I've got a lot of winter left to stay indoors and organize, declutter, and all that unrealistic stuff!

For now, I'll get set for the past-bedtime border battle, knowing the 12th man on the field will be the Sand Man.

SKOL Vikings!

2021 Gratitude Challenge :: Day 1 - Someone

Happy November. Happy Gratitude Month! Remind me in 2022 to just consider every month Gratitude Month so I'll continue to count more blessings than challenges. 

Last November I did an alphabetical A to Z gratitude blog. This year, thanks to a suggestion from my former pastor, I'm doing this 25-day challenge. It'll mix things up. And you might even be surprised at some of the answers.

1. Someone you're thankful for

OK, not necessarily surprised the first day. A few dozen obvious answer here, but of course I need to kick off the month with gratitude for my much better half. And I mean Jim this time, not my twin sister. (Though I'm extremely grateful for her, too.)

So much to be thankful for with this guy. Not sure where to begin. Just know it's not an all-inclusive list here because that would take forever – and The Voice is on in half an hour.

One big thing today is that we've been working from home "together" for 606 days and we're still talking to each other. Even sleeping in the same bed, still! Obviously, he's got plenty of patience (mostly) and a high tolerance for ... well, me. Thank the Lord for that! On so many levels.

Pre-pandemic, while I worked out of the house and he at home, he'd manage to work laundry and dishwasher time into his work day. No worries, I have not interrupted his routine at all. But I'm seriously thankful he's attentive to it and has the work flexibility to do it. (See previous blogs about me being an undomestic goddess.)

Of course, I love his big brown eyes and dimples – and thankful he passed those along to the boys – but he does have a nice personality, too. Not in a bad way. 

He's Mr. Social. Everyone knows he's friendly and funny. But he also has good character. That becomes evident every time we run into people he's coached before. And that's a lot. And they range in age from 3 years younger than him down to current 15 years olds. What's special is these "kids" don't just remember him, he remembers them, too. And honest to god, they share a mutual story or memory each time. That's a good leader. A good influence. 

No wonder he's such a good father. And such a good husband. Coaching all those kids has prepared him to cope with me and my 8 million shortcomings. One of which is exaggerating, he'd point out. So I'll drop it down to 800. 

I can't thank God enough for making sure our paths crossed 25 years ago – yesterday, in fact. Definitely too many blessings to count. But I'm grateful for them all. 

Love you, hon!