July Bobbleheads

Here's my list of July SGA's and special ticket deals. What did I miss?

Braves really need to up their bobblehead game. I hear it all the time.  In July the Braves are only giving away five bobbleheads, plus at least two other gate giveaways. They only play 15 home games in July. Add in their minor league teams, and it's a total of at least 14 giveaways for the month. I know y'all are tired of hearing me say this. I'm not sure the Dodgers give away as many bobbleheads as the Braves do.

7.01 WED SEA Cal Raleigh Funko POP 10000

7.01 WED Binghamton Jonah Tong bobble 

7.01 WED ATL Jurickson Profar bobblecard (cancelled?)

7.01 WED ATL World Cup knockout stage

7.02 THU ATL corduroy throwback NAPA cap 15000 

7.02 THU Rochester Luis Garcia bobble 1000

7.03 FRI Peoria Mason Burns bobble

7.03 FRI Round Rock widget cap 2000

7.03 FRI San Antonio USA 250 jerseys 2000

7.03 FRI Frisco Wyatt Langford bobble

7.04 SAT NYY 4th of July caps 18000

7.04 SAT ATL Peachtree Road Race

7.04 SAT Bham shoodie 1000

7.04 SAT Kane County George Washington bobble 1500

7.05 SUN Reading Trey Yesavage hometown hero bobble 2000

7.05 SUN Quad City Maikel Garcia bobblehead

7.05 SUN Fond du Lac koozies 500 

7.05 SUN Cubs Clark the Cub building blocks

7.05 SUN ATL Drake Baldwin mini bobble 3000 kids

7.06 MON ATL Matt Olson bobblecard 15000 

7.06 MON Mystics Monique Currie bobble 1500

7.07 MON ATL World Cup round of 16

7.07 TUE Brooklyn bark in the park cap special ticket

7.07 TUE Ottawa jersey exchange

7.08 WED JAX "is this OK?" t-shirt 500

7.09 THU Lehigh Valley rubber duck 3000 

7.09 THU Tri City bobbleheads

7.09 THU Brooklyn basketball jersey 1000

7.10 FRI Brooklyn Frank Sinatra bobblehead 1000

7.10 FRI Fond Du Lac Caleb Durbin bobble 500

7.10 FRI Columbia bobble planes

7.10 FRI Augusta player bobblehead 1000

7.10 FRI Wisconsin mascot Pizza Slice bobble

7.10 FRI Hill City aloha shirts 

7.10 FRI Frederick Noah Grove curling bobble 1000

7.10 FRI Gwinnett diecast cars 2000

7.11 SAT Gwinnett Toy Story t-shirts special ticket

7.11 SAT Augusta camo caps 1000

7.11 SAT Lehigh Valley pickleball paddle 3000

7.11 SAT Knoxville mascot on the shelf giveaway 

7.11 SAT Asheville Snot Otters jersey

7.11 SAT Myrtle Beach Ben Zobrist appearance

7.11 SAT Dunedin bucket hats 

7.11 SAT Lake County Bennie the Blue Pike bobble

7.11 SAT Akron Corbin Bernsen bobble

7.11 SAT Erie John Oliver bobble 1500

7.11 SAT Wichigan Briceno bobble

7.11 SAT JAX nutcracker 2000

7.11 SAT Quad City Logan Lee bobblehead

7.11 SAT Columbus alt identity shirsey giveaway 1000

7.11 SAT Brooklyn bobblehead TBD 2000

7.12 SUN Brooklyn Jonah Tong anime bobblehead 1000

7.12 SUN JAX Santa hats 2000

7.12 SUN Rays Evan Longoria bobble

7.12 SUN Buffalo Ernie Clement bobble card 3000

7.13 MON PHIL Home Run Derby

7.14 TUE PHIL All Star Game

7.14 TUE Chickfila Cow Appreciation Day

7.15 WED Long Island camp day 11 am game

7.15 WED ATL World Cup game

7.16 THU Long Island Irish Heritage Night

7.16 THU Trenton mascot Cloudman bobble 1000 13U

7.17 FRI Fayetteville Harry Potter jersey

7.17 FRI San Antonio Manu Gnobli or David Robinson bobblehead

7.17 FRI Fredericksburg 5 chophouse jerseys

7.17 FRI Reading wrestling bobble special ticket

7.17 FRI Lake Country Lion Louie bobblehead

7.17 FRI Bham Vulcan mascot bobble 1000

7.17 FRI Brooklyn WWE jerseys 1000

7.18 SAT Brooklyn Bob Ross bobble painting 2000

7.18 SAT Cubs national hot dog day cap

7.18 SAT Bham Christmas ornaments 500

7.18 SAT Springfield Santa Claus bobble body 2000

7.18 SAT Fayetteville Bunker B-Bit video game figurine

7.18 SAT Lake County Snoopy Christmas in July bobble

7.18 SAT Eugene Bill Walton bobblehead

7.18 SAT Hickory bowling shirts 1000

7.18 SAT Omaha Jac Cagliaone bobble

7.18 SAT Stockton replica jerseys

7.18 SAT Rome AJ Smith Shawver bobblehead 1000

7.18 SAT Nashville Spiderman Funko Pops 1000

7.19 SUN Nashville ice cream jerseys 500 kids

7.19 SUN Albuquerque Roadrunner jerseys 2000

7.19 SUN Brooklyn Paw patrol jersey 500 kids

7.19 SUN ATL clear ATL purse 3000 kids

7.19 SUN Toledo Snoopy bobble special ticket

7.19 SUN Richmond aloha shirts

7.19 SUN South Bend Owen Caissie bobble

7.19 SUN El Paso mini Chico mascot bobble 

7.19 SUN Lakeshore giveaway TBA

7.19 SUN Lake Country UFO candy drop giveaway

7.20 MON CLE Slider snow globe special ticket

7.20 MON NYY t-shirts 15000

7.21 TUE NYY Aaron Judge Harry Potter Houses bobbles 18000

7.21 TUE Mont mystery giveaway 200

7.21 TUE ATL Spiderman bobble special ticket

7.21 TUE ATL Ha-Seong Kim bobble 15000

7.22 WED ATL Jermaine Dupri bobblehead 15000

7.22 WED Corvalis Seinfeld night

7.22 WED Kenosha Bambino bobble presale only

7.23 THU Arkansas otey bobbleheads

7.23 THU Mont camo jerseys 1000

7.24 FRI Mont Gray Sox jerseys 1000

7.24 FRI Peoria Hawaiian shirts 

7.24 FRI Hill City mascot Southpaw trophy bobblehead

7.24 FRI Columbia ugly sweater Christmas jerseys

7.24 FRI Ft Wayne Johnny Nutcracker special ticket

7.24 FRI Akron donut cap special ticket

7.25 SAT Akron donut cap special ticket

7.25 SAT Akron Jose Ramirez bobble

7.25 SAT Ft Wayne Johnny Nutcracker special ticket

7.25 SAT Rome summer legends pennants

7.25 SAT Chattanooga Harry Potter cap special ticket

7.25 SAT Miss Mud Monsters backpacks 1000 kids

7.25 SAT Scranton WB Hawaiian ? shirts 1500

7.25 SAT Inland Empire Pachuco QUADRUPLE bobble

7.25 SAT Beloit Harley Davidson giveaway

7.25 SAT Clinton 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor bobble 

7.25 SAT Mahoning Valley mascot Scrappy Elf bobble 1000

7.26 SUN Everett Bryan Woo bobble

7.26 SUN Mont youth backpacks 500

7.26 SUN Peoria bucket hats

7.27 MON Fond Du Lac koozies 500

7.28 TUE TOR Ernie Clement bobble 

7.28 TUE Brooklyn bark in the park cap special ticket

7.28 TUE Lehigh Valley knit hats 3000

7.29 WED Lehigh Valley festers caps 3000

7.29 WED Nashville country legends record coasters 1000

7.29 WED JAX pirate southpaw t-shirt 500

7.30 THU ATL Andruw Jones HOF bobble 15000

7.30 THU Brooklyn corduroy cap 1000

7.31 FRI Brooklyn Coney Island upside down cap 1000

7.31 FRI Corvalis Rutschman bobblehead

7.31 FRI SD Don & Mud mini yacht double bobble 

7.31 FRI Frederick Keys snow globe 1000

7.31 FRI Augusta blankets 1000

7.31 FRI Lakeshore bucket hat 750 

Counting Cousins

Updating the twelve cousins, who have scattered to the winds. In order of birth.

1. Hillary (Mt Pleasant?)

2. Chase (Raleigh)

3. Zane & Laura (Chapin): 2nd wedding  

4. Will & MC (Atlanta): 1st wedding, 1st two kids 

5. Grant (Austin)

6. Beau (Jefferson): 5th baby 

7. Ben & Lisie (Charleston): 3rd wedding, 3rd baby

8. Victoria (Charlotte)

9. Katherine & Joe (Aiken): 6th wedding, 7th baby

10. Anna & Caleb (Marietta): 4th wedding, 4th baby 

11. Jordan & Ted (Belton): 5th wedding, 6th baby 

12. Matthew (Smyrna)

Some yahoos think Kenny Lofton was a superior player than Dale Murphy. Must be Indians fans. I mean Guardians fans. Lofton put up some decent numbers in Cleveland, but he never won back to back MVPs. Didn’t dominate a decade like Dale did. 

Maybe I got a sour taste in my mouth when Lofton was such a sourpuss when he played the one year with the Braves. He had a good year, but really didn’t want to be there. After ten years in Cleveland, Kenny spent the next ten years playing for ten different teams. That’s hard to do. Doesn’t that say something about a player?

Lofton was one of two players to play in the Final Four and the World Series. 

The price of stamps are going up in July, to like 83 cents. Who knew? Better stock up for Christmas. Reminds me of the old Seinfeld routine. 

Speaking of iconic stadiums, they’re making progress on the new Georgia State baseball stadium, on the footprint of old Fulton County Stadium. The grandstand is already up. Lots of dirt where the concrete used to be. I’ll have to stop by the next time I’m in the neighborhood.

The new press box is a little underwhelming.

Burger King selling Whopers on the Fourth of July for $2.50, but they’re a lot smaller than they used to be. Better yet: Dairy Queen will have small Blizzards for a dollar.

Amazing Similarities

Back in the late 1970’s Second Ponce initiated an “Adopt a College Student” program. I think it was Edie’s idea. The Whitakers adopted me. I never heard of any other college student who got adopted. Kinda fishy. The Whitakers would have me over for dinner. From time to time I would house sit. 

Little Claire called me her big brother. Once her concerned teacher called Edie. Claire had drawn a family portrait: mom, dad, Lang, and - another big brother? Edie had to explain. 

To take this family thing a bit further: my “sister” Claire married Andrew, whose cousin Caroline was best friends with my daughter Anna - so they too are “related”. I was sitting with Anna and Caroline on a school trip when we made the connection. They never forgot. 

But over 25 years of swapping emails, I’ve realized just how alike Reid and I are. It’s not like I set out to become like him, we just have a lot of things in common. 

We’re both dreamers. We have active imaginations, which we used to fuel our pastimes. Reid would invent games, I might research statistics to compare two athletes. 

We’re both scorekeepers. We like to score games and keep track of things. He scored basketball games for Marist. I scored my son’s basketball games. We both make lists of things we’ve done, places we’ve been. 

We’re both artistic. Reid would draw amazing sunset pictures with colored pictures. He'd fold paper and cut out intricate snowflake like designs. He'd mail me one or two each time he sent me other things. Ceil would see an envelope from Reid when she got the mail, and open it herself to see what treasures were inside. I’d draw football and baseball players, helmets, jet fighters, and rocket ships. 

We both like to read. We both loved John Grisham. 

Of course we both love sports. 

We’re devoted to our laptops. We’d rather send both check all sorts of information. Look up stats, which we can use to dive down rabbit’s holes and other daydreams. We’d rather send an email than a text message. I know that I need to get with the times. There are reasons I like emails. Writing helps me figure out what I think and how I feel about things. I can go back and edit sentences to get the thoughts just right in my head. Pecking out the words on my phone is much slower, but it actually helps me to get the words down in an even better way. That’s actually how I wrote most of this essay. 

We both enjoy a good meal. Reid’s palate is more varied, as I like to stick to my favorites. But I’d rather sit down and eat at a restaurant than take it home to eat. 

We’re both safe drivers. In general. We’re not speed demons. We don’t take chances or take out of the way routes. 

We both like to go to the gym. Reid walked at the SPdL FLC pretty much ever since it opened. If I think I’ll just work out at home or hit the streets for a run, there’s less of a chance I’ll get it done than if I make the short drive over to the gym. And I’ve been walking more than I’ve run. I like those studies that say walking is better. 

We have the same personality type. Kind of type B. We defer to others. Sometimes this makes us sad when we feel like we’re forgotten. 

Since I’ve retired, I seem to have fallen into several of the same routines that Reid follows. I like to jot down notes and lists. I needed some 3x5 cards and started using more and more of them. One day I thought: hey, this is what Reid uses. 

We both love God. We love good preaching. We take sermon notes. We both enjoyed singing in the choir. For several years we sang in the same choir together. We both favor traditional hymns and worship services over today’s more contemporary services. I guess we’re both old school. 

We both met our wives through church. We both love our wives and family. 

Sure, I have other longtime friends - fun, good strong Christian men who I enjoy spending time with. But really none do I have so much in common than with Reid. 

How in the world can you replace such a bosom buddy? I’m not sure. A young friend once advised me to “play it forward” - to become the older Reid person to a younger version of me. As always, I need to deepen my relationships with my kids. But one thing’s certain: going forward my life without Reid will never be the same.

Ode to a Friend

Sometimes God places certain people into your life who you would never expect. I can’t remember how Reid and I started emailing back and forth every day. I think we started emailing not long after I first got a work email account, back in the year 2000, after the turn of the century.

But we’d email each other every day. Five days a week. Eventually it stretched to all seven days. Might’ve started with a fantasy basketball league we were in with Lang. I came in last place.

What do two men share about? Much more than sports. What was going on in our lives. Ups and downs. News. Family stuff. Reid loved to share stories from his past. What happened on this date in 1960. Reid had an amazing memory, of dates and experiences.

Reid was a dear friend. He was judicious with his advice, but it was filled with wisdom on the rare occasions he offered it. He knew better than to lower himself into discussions of topics which divide. Took me a long time to learn that lesson from him. Not sure I ever really did.

If you’re like me, whenever you would cross paths with Reid, as soon as he’d see you his face would brighten, as if he’d been waiting for just this moment to share some  incredible story or bit of information. He’d have this huge smile on his face, and his eyes would get really wide. He always had something interesting to share. Sometimes in crowds it was hard to get a word in edgewise, but that just made the times we did have to share all the better.

Reid loved to keep track of things. Score basketball and baseball games. Once he scored an all star game while he was driving from Atlanta to New Orleans. He had his own system. He’d invent games to play, first outside in his backyard, and later fantasy games of golf and other sports. He was still playing some just a few weeks and months ago.

Reid was born in Atlanta, and pretty much lived his entire life in Buckhead. He attended Marist and Georgia State.

When he was drafted into the military, God used the experience to greatly deepen his faith. Reid’s typing ability quickly landed him a clerk’s position, perhaps sparing him from active duty overseas. Stationed in New Orleans, he found a church home with great preaching. When his time in New Orleans was over, he stayed over the last weekend to attend worship. Reid so loved New Orleans that his email address was NOLA. His fantasy leagues were named NOLA.

When Reid was transferred to Whittier Alaska, he found more Christian fellowship. He had the time to be a more active participant in ministry, singing in choirs and working in VBS and other ministries.

After his military service ended, Reid eventually landed a job at Muses, where he worked for years. He was active at First Baptist Church. It was there where he first met Edie, and he quickly began to court her. From Reid’s emails to me, it was obvious that she was the love of his life. He kept a record of every date they ever went on. There was nothing else Reid wanted to do, than to spend time with Edie. He’d often recount their honeymoon, a road trip that didn’t exactly get off without a few hiccups, with some bad weather and botched hotel reservations. Reid so loved to spend time down in Destin with Edie, looking out at the water and eating out at their favorite places.

Reid so enjoyed the experience of eating, both dining out and eating in. Having conversations and relationships with restaurant managers, waiters, and chefs. That’s how they first got to know George, right? Reid would describe each dish in detail, relishing how good it was - whether it was prepared by a classically trained chef, Edie, or George.

Reid was a voracious reader, often in the middle of two or three paperbacks at a time. He would often share devotions with me that were special to him - so much so that I eventually started subscribing to the same devotions. Just another way Reid still impacts me to this day.

Reid loved Lang and Claire. It’s certainly a testament to Reid and Edie how their kids both become such loving spouses, parents - and still devoted adult children to Reid and Edie. Reid loved Claire’s girls and Lang’s Beck, and loved hosting them every summer for cousin’s camp. Reid would spend hours getting his prizes and puzzles ready for the week.

When Reid left Muses, he started working at the SPdL early childhood school - a “job” he loved. Mr. Reid was a favorite of the children and the teachers. A wonderful time of his life.

Reid loved Second Ponce. He loved worship services of all kinds. Sunday morning and Sunday evening. Wednesday night. Back in his single days he’d see where a pastor he knew was preaching a revival, and Reid would be there every night. He’d take copious sermon notes and file them away. Pretty sure he has boxes and boxes of sermon notes stashed away at home. That’s another way Reid has impacted and influenced my relationship with God: several years ago I started back taking my own sermon notes. I’ll open a new email on my phone and peck out notes of the sermon. During the closing prayer I’d address the email to Reid, and share it with him.

Reid so loved the worship services at the Frazer church in Montgomery, the preaching, the choir anthems, even the congregational singing. For years Reid would make the drive over to Alabama to attend. Reid even named his dog Frazer. All the way up until his last trip to the hospital, Reid would go home on Wednesday nights - while Edie stayed for choir practice, and Reid would watch the Frazer service on his computer.

Reid sang in the adult choir for years and years. He had all the hymns and anthems memorized. He led the singing in the EEE Sunday School class for years. Reid especially loved Music Week at Ridgecrest every year, where he’d sing in the great choir. Now Reid has joined the great choir in heaven, which I’m sure he loves even more.

 

Now I’ll be experiencing something, going throughout my day, and in my mind I’ll be searching for the words to describe what’s happening in my next email to Reid. I check my inbox box, looking for one thing: a reply back from Reid.

Reid always knew how to put others ahead of himself, which is often our lot as husbands, fathers, and grandfathers. But Reid my dear friend, we all miss you dearly, like you will never know.

I’m reminded of the old song Home Where I Belong, which is fitting for Reid. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. I’m sure he’d pick a hundred other great hymns of the faith before this one. 

Atlanta’s “Iconic” Stadiums

Iconic is one of those overused words these days. What does it even mean? 

Some yahoo claimed Atlanta’s two most iconic stadiums were the Georgia Dome and Mercedes Benz Stadium. Are they? 

The Georgia Dome opened in 1992 and was torn down 25 years later, in 2017. People complain about the short lifespans of stadiums in Atlanta, and the Georgia Dome is a prime example. Not enough luxury suites for the mediocre Falcons. Hosted two Super Bowls. The only US stadium to host the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and a Final Four. Does that make it iconic? 

Mercedes Benz Stadium opened in 2017 and has yet to host a Super Bowl, though it is hosting World Cup matches this year. Unique architecture, the world’s largest jumbotron, and the corkscrew opening roof does fall under the iconic definition, though the Benz is still the new kid on the stadium block. 

But there are several competitors vying to wear the most iconic stadium crown. Ponce de Leon Park hosted the Atlanta Crackers and the Black Crackers. Numerous legends played there. Babe Ruth and Eddie Mathews slugged homers into the distant Spiller Magnolia in centerfield. Jackie Robinson played there. Jack Dempsey faught there. Both Tech and Georgia played football there. Now that’s iconic. 

Grant Field is the oldest on campus stadium in Division 1 - 113 years old. The Jackets were among the elite college football teams in the country for decades. The view of downtown Atlanta from Grant Field, especially at night, is described by many as…iconic. Their words, not mine. 

Atlanta Stadium was built in 1966 and hosted the Braves, Falcons, the NAS champion Atlanta Chiefs, numerous Peach Bowls, several World Series games, the MLB All Star Game, and the Olympics. Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record there. Bob Horner hit four home runs in one game there. It’s where Sid Slid. Heck, the Beatles played there. Can you say iconic? 

Turner Field opened in 1996 as the Olympic Stadium, the greatest sporting event in Atlanta history. The biggest event in Atlanta history. The opening and closing ceremonies. Track & field. Then the Braves took over the stadium. Randy Johnson threw a perfect game there. A World Series and MLB All Star Game were played there. Again, iconic. 

And don’t forget The Omni. Hawks. Flames. Olympic volleyball. The Final Four. In its heyday, Tech basketball hosted their biggest games there, against the likes of Michael Jordan and Ralph Sampson. All sorts of NBA legends: Kareem, Magic, Bird, Dr J, Pistol Pete. Plus another legend sold out The Omni time and again, so much that they put up a plaque in the building. Some icon named Elvis. 

And don’t sleep on Truist Park. Opened the same year as Mercedes Benz, and has already hosted the World Series and the MLB all star game. What makes Truist Park iconic? It has reinvented what a ballpark can be. The adjacent Battery is a place unlike any other, where fans can hang out before and after games. Funnels hundreds of millions back into the Braves coffers. Dignitaries from other teams come to tour the area, with hopes of copying the Truist Park blueprint in their town. The very definition of the word iconic. 

And that’s not all. Alexander Memorial Coliseum has a rich, iconic history. The Thrillerdome. So many legends have played there. Not just the Jackets and their opponents. Alexander was the Hawks first home in Atlanta. Lou Hudson. Walt Bellamy. Pistol Pete. Olympic boxing was held there. 

And when you’re taking about Atlanta’s iconic stadiums, how can you leave out Hermance Stadium. Say what? Built in 1920, the legendary Gothic style ballpark hosts the Oglethorpe University Stormy Petrels baseball team. Hall of Famer Luke Appling played there. 

Friday: took Winnie out to the beach early again. Took the chairs and umbershoot, and stuck around for a while. Went back to the unit for a call Ceil had to get on. Met one of our neighbors, who’d lived here 36 years. Goodness. 

By the time we made it back to the beach it had come up a cloud, so we packed it in for the day. Ran some errands and took it easy. Zipped the eleven miles down to Georgetown for a quick visit. 

Had a 5 pm reservation at the popular Chive Blossom Cafe. It had disappointed C last year, but she loved the salmon this time. I couldn’t convince our server to let me order the burger off the lunch menu, so I had to settle for the salad with grilled chicken. 

After supper while C was in Ulta, I tried out a milkshake from 7 Brew. I had never known exactly what the place served. Pretty much a drive thru only. Coffee, smoothies, and other fancy expensive drinks of the day. I got a cookies & cream shake. I swear it had a nice coffee taste, but C didn’t think so. At eight bucks, I won’t be back.

The Emperor’s New Clothes: Part Duh!

Tech is unveiling new Under Armor merch. You never know exactly how this will translate into the new uniforms. Seems like the shade of gold will be less shiny and more mustard, which I like. Harkens back to the late 60’s / early 70’s uniforms, perhaps one of the best looking and classic uniforms in Tech history. 

There also may be a switch away from black to navy, another change that I like. 

 So many Tech fans have no idea what good merch looks like. They were happy to see Tech gear in the airport alongside UGA items, but the differences are noticeable. The Bulldog shirts are simple and uncluttered: two words max. The GT shirt is much too busy. And this is the way the Tech gear has been for decades.  

I give the new merch a thumbs up. Much more simple, thank goodness. But dang those Tech fans will argue about the shade of gold until the cows come home. Give. It. A. Rest. 

Thursday: took Winnie to the beach early, which she loved. Later we brought her back and ate breakfast: another eggy boy. Then C and I went back to the beach and read until 5 pm. 

 While on the beach I went to reapply sunscreen. C handed me a spray on can that turned out to be different from yesterday’s. Turned my legs white. Tried to wash some of it off in the ocean before we left, but it wouldn’t wash off. Scrubbed it in the shower, but it still didn’t completely come off. Guess I am destined to always have white legs. 

 Supper at Rustic Table. My burger and fries were delicious, though C wasn’t crazy about her mahi mahi. This was our third visit, though I doubt we’ll be back.

Drove around afterwards, scouting for other places to eat. Not much selection. Two super expensive steakhouses. Several pubs. Captain Billy’s Seafood. One BBQ spot that C wouldn’t like, but another that was okay. One Mexican place, and a small taco stand. I’m trying to avoid an Asian restaurant. Might drive up to Murrell’s Inlet - there are several places there. The Spicy Pickle is a walk up beach bar that Matthew wants to try. C has mentioned making the short drive south to Georgetown, but nothing there really looked that good.

Beau’s baby son was born on Wednesday, named Burns. Of the 12 nieces and nephews in the Miller Rollins Murphy clan, this is baby number 5, the second baby this year, with three more due before year end.

Peachtree Road UMC organist Scott Atchison is retiring soon. He grew up at SPdL, where we crossed paths on Chapel Choir mission trips. Scott is so much fun, though besides that we are two completely different birds of a feather. Somehow on one choir tour stop, we decided to switch out our regular roommates and bunk together for one night. When our host asked what we wanted for breakfast, Scott exclaimed “Quiche Lorraine!” Pretty sure that was the morning we were the very last two to return to the departing bus - everyone else was already on board waiting for us. We hopped on, taking our seats in shame while everyone else applauded.

 Now that I have those sweet lime green Hawks basketball shorts (which I have yet to wear), I wonder if I can find the same style in blue? 

Or white? They can be had, but the adventure is to find them for a great price. A pair of navy Grizzlies shorts would be cool as well.

Road Trip

Spent Tuesday packing. C had a hair appointment at two, she got home at 4:37. So we left town at 4:55 - rush hour. 400 south to 285 east. At times traffic crawled to a stop. Heavy traffic on 20 east but not nearly as bad. Made it to Augusta without stopping. Chick-fil-A and topped off the gas tank. Then 20 east through Columbia and Camden. Exited at Bishopville and took two lanes all the way to Georgetown. Got to Pawleys Island just after midnight. Seven hours, with just one stop.

Had a dream that me and Lang were weaving through a crowd at Perimeter Mall, headed to a World Cup game inexplicably taking place not in a stadium, but a practice field near the mall.

Wednesday: Slept in. Drove C to get some breakfast groceries. She made us eggy boys on English muffins. Left out to the beach around 12:30. Wasn’t easy, but we found a parking spot on the northern end of the island. Didn’t realize it would be a longer walk through the dunes to the beach. Not fun with my aching back. Set up the umbrella and plopped into my chair. Only then did I realize that I had left my reading glasses in the car. Not worth going back for them. Instead I listened to some of my audiobook. 

Sunny with a nice breeze. I concentrated on getting some sun on my pearly white legs. Usually freezing, the waves were nice and warm. We hadn’t checked, but the tide was creeping in. Had to keep moving back. On the walk back to the car we had a nice chat with a couple our age, from Virginia Beach. Ran some errands before and after supper.

Dinner reservations at Gios Italian, and it didn’t disappoint. My lasagna had a sweet tomato sauce, with plenty of cheese. C enjoyed her chicken dish. Gios was crowded and loud. I switched seats with C in an effort to reduce the noise in her ear, but it didn’t help much. Our waitress found that hilarious. One lady sounded like a stuffed poodle when she laughed. We kept looking around for the source of the noise. 

Corrine’s two bedroom unit will need to be cleaned out, but C doesn’t want to do anything this week. Her brother Bobby left lots of old books, including an old Baseball Encyclopedia that dates back at least to the mid-1960’s, older and smaller than the 1969 edition that I own. Also an NFL coffee table book from 1973 titled The Gladiators, with tons of cool photos from my favorite era of NFL football.