The Old Monk Joke

Old joke: a young monk joined a monastery where they could only say two words a year. The rest of the time they had a vow of silence. After a year the monk was called in for his annual review, where he could say his two words. His superior praised him for his good works around the monastery. What are your two words, he asked. The young monk replied "Food bad". His superior said that he understood, the they weren't operating a fancy restaurant.

At the end of his second year the monk was again called in. Same routine. What are your two words? "Bed hard". His superior understood, since they weren't running a fancy hotel.

At the end of his third year the monk was called in again. Despite his good works, his two words were "I quit". His superior replied "Well, it's understandable. All you've done since you got here is complain!". 

Braves sweep the Rockies. Their fastest start in the modern era, since the 1800's - 15 games over .500. All without Strider, Smith Shauber, Schwellenbach, and Murphy.

Sunday it was third string catcher Jonah Heim got the big hit. Matt Olson is playing better than ever - hitting his 299th home run. Riley may be coming out of his slump. Drake Baldwin is building on his ROY reason. Chris Sale is having another great season. Spencer Strider struggled in his first start back from injury, and Braves Twitter was ready to release him. Strider couldn't have been expected to be at midseason form - especially in hitter friendly Coors Field. Let's give him a few starts to return to form. 

Acuna is hurt. Again. But this is his first hamstring injury. In his 8 year career Acuna has averaged playing only 105 games per year. Do you give him Ohtani money when he's a free agent? The Dodgers paid $40 million for Kyle Tucker. How much do you offer Ronald? You know the Mets and Dodgers and Yankees are going to overpay for him. Do you let him walk? Not sure that I really care. Shoot, Michael Harris has been injury prone as well. Compare Ronald's production to Matt Olson's. Just don't sign someone who can't stay off the PEDs.    

Next up: three games in Seattle, two 940 starts and a 410 pitch pitch on Wednesday. Then the weekend series against the Dodgers.     

Yankees announcer John Sterling passed away at the age of 87. Back in the early 80's he called Braves and Hawks game - including the infamous July 4 Rick Camp home run against the Mets.  

Monday: stayed in bed all morning - except when Winnie was demanding to go outside at 715 am. I guess that I feel a little bit better, but not much. Yesterday all I ate was a few donut holes before we left for the recital, and for supper when we got back. Also the Jeni's ice cream. This morning I ate Ceil's leftover oatmeal. 

An AJC editorial has piled on Bellwood Coffee's misstep. Near the end of her editorial, Columbia graduate Nedra Rhone finally compares Bellwood's values to those of the saintly Jovita, a former local news anchor who "also gave time and support to various Atlanta organizations". Rhone describes Jovita as a "local news icon" and a "trailblazer". Rhone writes that Bellwood's "blunder...threatens to tear the community apart". Typical AJC. Typical life in 2026.

While this was an editorial, at some point it would be nice (and fair) if a WSB or AJC journalist took the time to ask Bellwood for their side of the story, instead of  regurgitating their social media posts. Again, it's the unforgiving attitudes in the posts that are the most sad thing about all this.They'd rather have an empty building in their neighborhood than have an actual business generating tax revenues that can be funneled back into the city. 

Denison: addressing a joint session of Congress, King Charles stated that “for many here—and for myself—the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community.” 

Found this SGA Gladiators / Flames jersey for Matthew.

Shivonne's First Recital

Shivonne had her first ever ballet recital Sunday afternoon, at the Ferst Center at GT. I'd never been to the Ferst Center before, it was built next to the Student Center after I graduated. A beautiful afternoon. We sat in the sun beforehand. 

A&C and Miller came. MC's mother, me and C, W&MC and Millie. Also the older nanny who'd kept Shivonne and Millie before they'd started the Montessori School. Now she works at Mercedes Benz Stadium.

The Neighborhood Ballet recital lasted an hour. Amazing to see how tiny little kids would perform with only their instructor leading them from offstage. Shivonne did okay, despite having a runny nose. After the recital we took pictures. 

There was gridlock leaving the $15 parking deck, with only one exit funneling out onto a busy road. You'd think those Georgia Tech engineers could design a better mousetrap. We sat there in the deck with the engine turned off, because we weren't moving anywhere for long periods of time. Finally a few cars ahead of us figured out they could cut between two concrete pillars and circle back to use the entrance as an exit. 

After we finally got out of the GT parking deck we fought gridlock traffic over to Westside Provisions for Jeni's Ice Cream. Good stuff. 

I was able to talk to Will about the trouble Joel and Charles Norman are having at the new Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park. Lots of irate posters on social media after Bellwood had painted over a Jovita Moore mural. How could they have known it would cause such an outcry? Bellwood has promised to put up another Jovita mural, but evidently the apology wasn't good enough for several unforgiving posters. Even WSB did a poor job of twisting the story to cause more of an outcry. So sad.

Got home and crashed on the couch. 

Friday: Ceil has been feeling poorly these past few days. Friday for the second straight night I got her the chicken soup from El Porton, the Mexican restaurant next to Stinky Kroger. Then she drove over to spend the night at Anna's, with Caleb staying up in Dahlonega for his wedding.

Saturday: skipped golf because AM rain was in the forecast. Ran some errands for a few hours, first stopping by Taco Bell for lunch, because it was on my way. 

Then to Bellwood Coffee on Bolton Road to get C some joe. Returned straight up Atlanta Road to avoid 285 traffic. Stopped by three thrift stores on the way home. At 3 pm Anna and Miller stopped by to drop off Goose and pick up Ceil. They drove up to north Georgia for the wedding. They got back late.

I caught whatever sickness Ceil has, and feel terrible. Saturday afternoon my throat started hurting. Sunday morning I woke up with all my joints aching. We didn't go to church. 

ICE BOX CHAMBERLAIN [SABR Bio] On 09-May-1888, Chamberlain, pitching for Louisville, had dominated the batsmen of the woeful Kansas City Cowboys. When the score reached 8-0, he switched and threw with his left hand. The fact that he was slightly less effective after switching was overlooked by the magic he had wrought. Chamberlain’s 9.2 WAR in 1889 led the AA. His -0.7 WAR in 1891 was followed by five years of impressive, stable numbers. He got his nickname because he was said to possess “austere calm in the face of all hostility by the enemy”.

Denison: government affairs attorney Jay Atkins asked AI to evaluate the world’s major  religions and determine which one makes the most sense. The worldviews in question were atheism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity. In seconds, AI concluded that Christianity offers the most reasonable view of the world. Atkins explained the AI’s reasoning: "Christianity" offers a comprehensive explanation of reality, why the universe exists, why it is ordered, why we are rational and moral beings, and why we long for meaning. At the same time, Christianity concentrates its evidentiary burden into a relatively small number of claims, most notably the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That matters because a worldview that explains everything but requires you to believe a thousand fragile claims is not rational. The most reasonable worldview is the one that explains the most while assuming the least.

Puma Pandas

After the Emperors game this past Wednesday, l stopped at the Rome Goodwill store. I've been looking for a Lookouts and Emperors cap, without success. Did find an old but good looking Hank Aaron feather jersey for Will. 

And I shouldn't have, but there was a pair of black & white Puma Rebound V6 court shoes in my size, so I snapped them up. Very similar to Nike Panda Dunks, but Pumas. I already have the Pandas, but for some crazy reason just had to buy the Pumas. I'll probably sell them for a profit.

Speaking of Nike, I'm hearing that the sneaker giant's business has taken a huge hit in recent years due to poor decisions to cut back on distributers, thinking that direct sales from Nike.com would be enough. Sales have plummeted.

Exciting walk off win for the Braves, on a Matt Olson walk off HR in the bottom of the 9th. Tuesday night I finally signed up for Braves TV, and tonight Ceil and I got back home just in time to see it live.

Tuesday was the first Braves game for the new Blooper 3. The previous Blooper had to quit due to the toll the job was taking on his body (and mental state).

On Wednesday Ceil went over to Cindy Cho's house for a Korean cooking demonstration, with several other ladies. I had my last small group session until we start back in the fall. We discussed Genesis 50, how Joseph exhibited the attitude of Jesus when he forgave his brothers, instead speaking kindly to them and feeding them during the 7 year drought and beyond. With group members Chris and John H out of town and David C and John R attending on Zoom, I was the only one to make the short drive over to Dan's house. It was still good to get together.

Saw a headline that there's interesting stuff underneath Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain - an elevator that goes down much deeper than where the public can go. Hidden secrets. I need to track down that story and report back. I've been meaning to write a posting detailing several current conspiracy theories, and Lookout Mountain and the moon eyed people of north Georgia should be on the list. 

Steve Sarkisian warns fans to not overreact to Texas QB Arch Manning’s spring rehab following foot surgery.

A Modest Proposal for a Better Ballpark: the retro era of ballparks got one very big thing wrong: it pushed fans, the median seat, further from the game than the jewel-box era it attempted to recreate.

Denison: on why Taylor Swift is so popular.

Social Media at its Worst

Did you see the big story on the local news? LOCAL BUSINESS PAINTS OVER JOVITA MOORE MURAL. The business is Joel and Charles Norman's Bellwood Coffee, who just opened a new location in Grant Park (W&MC had attended the soft opening a few days ago). The story first blew up Thursday on social media, where as usual all sorts of inaccurate accusations are flying around. 

While we all remember Jovita from the WSB, she was never the icon that Monica Kauffman was - or so I thought. Evidently Jovita was a hero down in the Grant Park community. Her mural was on the side of the building for 7 years. Bellwood leased the building that had sat vacant for several years, and made renovations that evidently took out a good part of the mural. 

Bellwood quickly worked to correct the misstep, explaining what had happened - and promised to make it right. But in today's shoot first / listen later society, social media commentors piled on. Said Bellwood should've done more research before painting over the mural. Rumors of protests. Many assumed Bellwood came in from out of town, that they weren't native Atlantans. Wrong. But did these irate posters do their research before posting all their untruths? No. How would Jovita have responded?

A few did reply with reasonable responses. Like most things, hopefully this will blow over quickly. Hopefully WSB won't continue to fans the flames on social media - but no, they've posted the story multiple times, heavy on the painting over the mural, with no mention of the spology and plans to make it right.  Some investigative reporting / journalism on WSB's part. Instead of contacting Bellwood for a response, WSB simply read off their Instagram post.      

Fact is that Bellwood Coffee is owned by three young guys who started with nothing. Started from scratch. At least two were born in Atlanta, and have spent their entire lives here. They live in the city and have worked to make intown neighborhoods nicer places to live. Bolton Road. East Atlanta Village. Decatur. Pershing Point. Riverside Apartments. 

Drowning out by the attacks is the fact that Bellwood had designed a special menu for Black History Month, and donated the proceeds to black-owned businesses. And this is the tanks they get.

They'd hoped to do the same in Grant Park. Might've been easier for them to open locations in cushier locations like Johns Creek and Alpharetta, but they wanted to improve the city they love. Then they get piled on for making one misstep. And when they own up to it and promise to make it right, social media is unforgiving. Such is the sad world they live in. Another reason why I need to quit social media.

WSB used to be the gold standard for Atlanta news, helped in part by Kaufman and Jovita. The only station I would watch. But like most local news stations, nowadays they report on shootings and repeat the same liberal talking points fed to them by them national media. This story is the final nail in their coffin - I won't be tuning in any more.

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/atlanta-coffee-house-paints-over-mural-paying-tribute-late-jovita-moore/XUO2PKIZTJBLHAWYNPQUDEFQ3Q/

My Friday: left out at 7:30 am and took 400 south to 285 east, around to 20 east. Got off at Wesley Chapel and took back roads southeast to the shooting range. Only one place to stop for over 30 minutes, at Hardees. Got a tasty loaded omelet biscuit. 

Arrived at the Clays for Commerce event right at 9 am. Timed it pretty good. Our processor Evans Tool & Die hosts the event. Nice of them to invite me. McDonalds Egg McMuffins were provided. They were cold by the time I ate mine. The Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce opened the event with prayer and the national anthem, plus a big simultaneous firing of several of the shooters.

Good to hang out with my former coworkers. I haven't spoken with Alex and Jonathan since my number had changed. Jonathan gave me a well deserved hard time for ghosting him. It was good to see them again, as well as Angie and Brad and Leo. I thanked Ricky and Rodney (above right, with CEO wife Dee) from Evans for inviting me. Also spoke to Vicki, who I'd worked with for years. Eric had been looking forward to the event, but his year old Lexus broke down last night. Sounds like work continues to be challenging. Leo is scrambling to find material. Alex is the quality manager, and says he's constantly working to reduce errors. 

Outback Steakhouse grilled lunch: burgers and chicken. The steak sandwiches looked bigger, but may not have been the best choice. Also macaroni & cheese and brownies. The experienced Evans team shot first: Ricky, CEO Dee and husband Rodney, and their son. Our guys shot 50 targets at 12:30. The score: Alex = 40 (below left), Leo = 38 (below right), and Brad = 30. We all headed out not long after that.

I had to drive the 1-1/2 from Covington across town to downtown Marietta, taking 20 west to downtown, then up 75 to the north 120 loop. Helped Anna get ready, holding baby Miler and coaxing her to sleep. By 330 she was on the road with Miller to Dahlonega for a rehearsal dinner. I brought Goose back to play with Winnie.

May Bobbleheads & SGAs

Here's my list of bobblehead and other interesting SGAs and special ticket deals for the month of May. What did I miss? I know I'm lacking a few MLB bobbles, so hit me up!

May must be Hawaiian shirt month, with at least six giveaways this month alone. I'll be at the Braves Hawaiian shirt SGA on the 12th. Plus a fishing shirt giveaway. 

The Braves only have nine home games in May, but have at least 6 giveaways. Leaves you more time to snatch the SIXTEEN giveaways at Gwinnett, Rome, Augusta, Columbus - and UGA. Only one Drake Baldwin bobblehead this month, in Columbus. No Bobbleheads in May for Seattle's flash in the pan ,Cal Raleigh.  

Each team's best promotional giveaway in 2026, according to the daily beat writers. 

NEWS: this past winter Lake County and other teams announced guaranteed giveaways for tickets bought in advance: "no early gates, no rush, no stress". What are your thoughts on this concept?

I am glad to see teams giving away bucket hats, except: (1) they are always too small for me, and (2) I look terrible wearing them. But I like the idea.  

5.01 FRI UGA baseball Glory Glory record 2000  

5.01 FRI Augusta basketball jersey 1000

5.01 FRI Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Luis Pena 

5.01 FRI Rays Hello Kitty bobble

5.02 SAT Rays Tropicana Field light up replica ballpark 

5.02 SAT UGA baseball Emerson Hancock bobblehead 1000

5.02 SAT Chattanooga jersey pillow 1000

5.02 SAT Rome Hudson Waldrep bobblehead 5000

5.02 SAT Columbus road grey jerseys 1000

5.02 SAT Erie ice cream bucket hats 1000

5.02 SAT Memphis replica jerseys 1500

5.02 SAT Round Rock Lucha Libre caps 2000

5.02 SAT Huntsville light up cowboy hats 1000

5.02 SAT Bradenton Hawaiian shirts 750

5.02 SAT Visalia Dave Fleming bobble 500 

5.02 SAT CHI Kerry Wood

5.02 SAT NYY Max Fried Star Wars Mandalorian

5.02 SAT Greenville Coddanne Rafaela

5.02 SAT STL Massyn Wynn

5.02 SAT Washington Star Wars Grogu bobble

5.02 SAT Tampa Tarpons sunglasses 1000

5.02 SAT Nashville Space Jam Tune Squad replica jersey 1000

5.03 SUN Nashville mascot building block set 1000

5.03 SUN UGA baseball throwback shirsey 1000

5.03 SUN Boston Star Wars Grogu 

5.03 SUN South Bend Cade Horton bobble 

5.04 MON SEA Star Wars Grogu bobble special ticket

5.04 MON Cubs Grogu bobbles

5.05 TUE Richmond CarMax Park caps

5.05 TUE Harrisburg beach towels 500

5.06 WED Quad City ferris wheel rides

5.07 THU Binghamton hockey jerseys 1000

5.07 THU Lehigh Valley scrub jerseys 3000

5.07 THU Portland Jhostynxon "The Password" Garcia bobble

5.07 THU Boston Garrett Crochet jersey variant bobble 

5.08 FRI BALT Tupac bobble 

5.08 FRI UGA baseball Jonathan Cannon shirsey 1000

5.08 FRI SD NASCAR mascot bobblehead

5.08 FRI Augusta Beach towels 1000

5.08 FRI Ottawa jerseys 5000

5.09 SAT CLE Star Wars Grogu bobble special ticket (below)

5.09 SAT Asheville donut jersey giveaway

5.09 SAT JAX socks 2000

5.09 SAT Dunedin fishing hats 

5.09 SAT Hagerstown socks

5.09 SAT KC Nickelodeon slime jersey

5.09 SAT Binghampton championship rings 1500

5.09 SAT Fayetteville 80 Deuces BP top

5.10 SUN Fayetteville Mother's Day jersey special ticket

5.10 SUN Mother's Day

5.10 SUN Harrisburg pregame onfield buffet & pink caps for moms 

5.10 SUN Augusta magnet hats 500 mothers

5.10 SUN Sugar Land replica jerseys 2000

5.11 MON CLE Peanuts Sally bobble special ticket (above)

5.12 TUE LAD IceCube bobble

5.12 TUE ATL Hawaiian shirts 15000 

5.13 WED ATL Michael Harris & pet bobble 15000

5.13 WED Gwinnett 11 am game

5.13 WED Rome 11 am game

5.13 WED Chattanooga's only weekday day game 11 am

5.13 WED Rochester replica jerseys 1000

5.13 WED Nashville Vihuelas sunglasses 1000

5.14 THU ATL girls night out sweatshirt special ticket

5.14 THU Rome strike out stroke tshirts

5.14 THU Omaha take your cat to the game.

5.15 FRI Round Rock Texas T Bone Tshirt 2000

5.16 SAT Akron Butch Reynolds bobble

5.16 SAT MIN Star Wars Grogu bobblehead

5.16 SAT pink sprinkles jersey giveaway

5.16 SAT Columbus Drake Baldwin ROY giveaway 1000

5.16 SAT Gwinnett armed forces replica jerseys 1750

5.16 SAT Nashville sleeveless hoodies 1000

5.17 SUN Nashville ice cream batter sleeves 500 kids

5.17 SUN ATL sunglasses 3000 kids

5.18 MON SEA Josh Naylor bobble 10000

5.19 TUE SEA Josh Naylor bobble 10000

5.20 WED Portland Roman Anthony bobblehead 1000

5.21 THU Quad City pint glass giveaway #4

5.21 THU Oakland Ballers Too $hort bobble

5.22 FRI ATL cowboy hats 15000 

5.22 FRI Everett beanie hats

5.22 23 24 25 Toledo mascot Muddy America 250 bobble special ticket

5.22 FRI Boston Roger Clemens 20K double bobble 7500

5.22 FRI Bowling Green mascot White Squirrel bobble tail

5.22 FRI SD Star Wars bobblehead

5.23 SAT SD Star Wars bobblehead

5.23 SAT Arkansas Cal Raleigh bobblecard

5.23 SAT Dunedin Vlad Jr bobblehead

5.23 SAT Hickory short sleeve hoodie 1000

5.23 SAT W Michigan McConigle bobble

5.23 SAT Lake County Corey Kluber bobblehead

5.23 SAT Fayetteville Military Appreciation camo jersey

5.24 SUN Fayetteville ice cream jersey 12U

5.24 SUN Frisco Iam Kinsler bobble

5.24 SUN SD Star Wars bobblehead

5.24 SUN ATL quarter zip special ticket

5.24 SUN Augusta camo caps 1000

5.24 SUN Lake County Jobu bobble & shot glass

5.24 SUN Knoxville Moises Ballesteros bobblehead

5.24 SUN Lehigh Valley Memorial Day caps 3000

5.24 SUN Brooklyn bark in the park cap special ticket

5.25 MON Madison Drake Baldwin ROY special ticket

5.25 MON TOR Vlad JR Born Ready bobble

5.25 MON CWS 90's city connect jacket

5.25 MON Springfield luck fan real championship ring giveaway

5.26 TUE

5.27 WED Nashville denim bucket hats 1000

5.27 WED Rickwood Classic in Birmingham (I'll be there)

5.28 THU Columbus camo caps 1000

5.28 THU Welland cool looking drink jackets

5.28 THU Green Bay nesting dolls

5.29 FRI TEX Nolan Ryan bloody lip jersey

5.29 FRI Beloit Hawaiian shirts

5.29 FRI Stockton Hawaiian shirts 

5.29 FRI San Antonio Hawaiian shirts 

5.29 FRI Columbia Margaritaville Hawaiian shirts

5.29 FRI SugarLand fishing shirt giveaway

5.29 FRI Danville Dairy Daddies Harambe bobble 500

5.29 FRI NYM Bobby Valentine disguise kits

5.29 FRI Brooklyn Star Trek jersey giveaway 1000

5.30 SAT Brooklyn weenie weekend hot dog hat 1000

5.30 SAT Akron Lebron James bobble

5.30 SAT Erie mascot Fuzz E Mammoth bobble trunk

5.30 SAT Miss Mud Monsters Hawaiian shirts 1000

5.30 SAT Windy City Hawaiian shirts 

5.30 SAT Springfield Hawaiian shirts

5.30 SAT Omaha Runza hockey jerseys 1000

5.30 SAT Columbus alt identity cap giveaway 1000

5.30 SAT Chattanooga Looie the Lookout bobble 1000

5.30 SAT Nashville Pablo Sanchez bobbleheads 1000

5.30 SAT Welland trucker caps 1000

5.31 MON Brooklyn weenie weekend mustard jersey 1000

5.31 MON Round Rock home run chains 1500

5.31 MON Fond Du Lac bucket hats 500

5.31 MON South Bend Daniel Palencia bobble

Road Trip to Rome

Wednesday I drove up to Rome to watch the Emperors 12 pm game. The Hot Stove guys were driving over from Cumming, so I met them there. On the way I stopped by Whataburger for a 2 for 1 breakfast sandwich deal.

For some reason my GPS routed me on a winding country road out of Cartersville. It was a beautiful morning, and it was a nice drive - through Kingston GA. No stop signs. Pulled in the stadium parking lot just after 11 am.

A couple of weeks ago Rome played a day game, and over 3000 school kids attended. Yesterday they were all taking year end tests, and there were less than 200 people at the game. Wasn't hard to find Johnny, Hugh, and Old Tom Curran (left) down the third base line. Hugh was sitting up in the handicapped area, so I spent most of my time talking to him. 

Rome has installed a full artificial turf field, including the infield and base paths. Only the mound and home plate area have real dirt. Whenever a baserunner slid into second or third, the slide sounded funny. One player slid too early, and barely made it to the base.

The Emperors wore their black jerseys, but you couldn't make out the burgundy numbers even though they were trimmed in gold. A bad choice. 

Before the game I had my picture taken with Julius, the Emperor penguin mascot. The team was charging $2 to spin the wheel and win a prize. The prizes looked good, so I plucked down two George Washingtons and took a spin. Won a golden Julius mascot bobblehead worth $30.00. Want to buy it?

The national anthem was played by the organ. The PA announcer had a nice deep voice, and announced the game from the stands.

In the top of the first a Bowling Green batter fouled a pitch off to our right. It landed in an unattended grassy area. With no one nearby, I started after it. Before I got there, a young dad beat me to the ball. He's been seated in front of Johnny and Tom. Before the game the dad had told us that it was his young son's first baseball game, no it was nice that he got a foul ball.

Later in the first inning another pitch was fouled into the same spot. I started after it - but the little boy had been a quick learner. He ran over and grabbed the ball for himself. After that, whenever a lefty came up to bat, I was at the ready to chase a foul ball - but not one was hit over there again. 

A high scoring game. Rome jumped out to a lead with a 3 run home run. Bowling Green kept chipping away at the lead, but then Rome would score more. Saw one old guy in the stands near us by himself, diligently keeping score.

I had expected partly cloudy weather, but there were few clouds to be seen. I pulled up my pants legs to get a little sun on my lily white shins. My Braves tomahawk cap helped, but I got a nice sunburn on my arms. Since it was so sunny, I was unable to use the downtime to catch up on things on my phone. No big deal.

When Bowling Green popped out to end the top of the 7th inning, next to me Hugh stood up and waved for the Rome leftfielder to toss him the ball. The would require the player to toss the ball over the high protective net that separated the field from the stands. I wasn't paying much attention to this until Hugh exclaimed "Here it comes!". Hugh is in his mid-80's. By the time I saw the ball, it was too late to move to catch it in the air. When it bounced, I was afraid it would bounce down and roll under the fence into the parking lot. But the ball hit a rail, and I was able to snatch it. I tried to give the ball to Hugh, but he told me to give it to my grandkids.

On the way out of the park I was able to meet up with Julius again.

After the game I made four stops in downtown Rome. Stopped by The Varsity for a chili dog and large chocolate shake. Stopped by Dollar Tree for a Coke and other items. At the game I had scored a free carwash deal, so I ran my car through the wash.

Keeping Score

Keeping score at baseball games may be making a comeback. Tom Hanks had a special scorecard made so he could keep score using his antique typewriter, which he had taken to a box at Dodger Stadium. Cool shirt. I wear an XL.

Braves GM AA did good to ignore fans clambering for him to sign veteran free agent pitchers Verlander and Scherzer. Verlander has only made one start, and the 41 year old Scherzer is hurting, pitching through pain in an effort to strike out his 3500 batter.

Denison on King Charles' visit to Washington & NYC.

Last week in small group we discussed bits of this devotion. We were studying Genesis 49, where Jacob blessed each of his sons. 

On Sunday Brian Fox likened prayer to being on a boat, when someone on the dock throws you a rope. You're not pulling the dock to you. The dock doesn't move. As you pull the rope, you're pulling yourself closer to the dock.

I mention Jamie Ding's win streak on Jeopardy, and he loses. A competitor went big on two straight daily doubles, and accumulated an insurmountable lead. Watched it while eating supper: grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a  surprisingly tasty kale salad.

As expected, I was stuck at the house Tuesday while the carpet runners are installed on the stairs. Not sure if the installers will take a break for lunch. I worked on my calendar scrapbook. Ceil went back to visit baby Miller.

REGGIE JACKSON [SABR Bio] stirred more than that drink. He was born in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, a suburb north of Philadelphia. After he retired, Jackson lost almost three dozen classic cars in a collection he had built over several years when a fire destroyed a garage housing them. The world today uses the Gregorian calendar, a solar calendar introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, thus “Mr. October”, the month of the World Series, an event in which Jackson excelled.

Ways to stay sharp in a mind-frazzling world...

1. Cryptic crossword puzzles.

2. Stop using Google and AI for easy answers. Figure it out yourself.

3. Exercise at different intensities.

4. Get plenty of sleep. 

5. Schedule screen breaks.

6. Read slightly faster. I listen to books at 1.25 speed, like accountant Louis Tully on Ghostbusters.

7. Stop multi-tasking. It doesn't work.

8. Become more aware of what's happening around you. Listen. Observe.

9. Take time to identify what's causing stress in your life.

10. Walk mindfully.

11. Rekindle an old hobby. learn a new language. Teach yourself to play a musical instrument. 

12. Make sure your health checks are up to date.