Children of the Space Race

Following the Artemis II mission? Since there hasn't been a moon mission in over 50 years, many have questions about why things are done. On the launch pad the capsule had the same escape mechanism that never had to be used on Mercury and Apollo. After blastoff the astronauts went into earth orbit to check systems, and get lined up for the next step - escaping earth's gravity. It is interesting that instead of orbiting the moon, Artemis will just circle behind it and head immediately back to earth. 

I grew up right during the sweet spot for the space program. I was a little young during the Mercury missions, but later caught up by reading the recaps in National Geographic. Articles about training missions in the jungle. Then each Gemini mission. 

How Gemini 7 blasted off eleven days before Gemini 6 after the Agena craft wasn't ready to rendezvous with Gemini 6. Since Gemini 7 was scheduled to keep the astronauts in space for a long time, it was hustled out to the launch pad and blasted off ahead of 6, so 7 could be used to rendezvous with 6. Made for some great pictures.

I used to sit at my desk and draw pictures of the rockets. To this day I can still draw the three stage Saturn V rocket, with the Apollo command and service modules on top. Then the missions: the deaths of the Apollo 1 crew, Apollo 8 orbiting the moon and reading from the Bible on Christmas Day, the Apollo 11 landing in July 1969. While the movie made for great drama, I don't remember the nation poised on the edge of their seats, watching the outcome for Apollo 13. Alan Shepherd hitting golf balls on the moon. The lunar rover. Then Skylab and the space shuttles.

When W&MC were in high school, we were able to tour the Kennedy Space Complex at Cape Canaveral in 2009. Good stuff. Even got to go behind the scenes and drive through the adjacent marshlands on Biolab Road. Below: MC front left, Will front middle.  

M came over Thursday afternoon, and I was able to prepare his tax returns for 2024 and 2025. I hated every minute of it, and there were several. So glad my taxes are too complicated for me to do. 

Since M was here, C ran up to Pizzaria Luccia for dinner. Not my favorite. After M left I retreated to my office to catch up on stuff.

Crazy about the protesters at the SPdL Good Friday service. Ever find out why they were there?

Were you able to attend Easter services this morning? We went to the 830 am service. Packed. JFBC did a rare simulcast, showing on the video screens how the worshipers in the sanctuary and activities center were singing the same hymns at the same time. At the 1130 service the pastor usually preaches from the gym, but during this morning's 830 service he preached in the sanctuary, so we watched the large video boards. Probably a good thing, because right at the climax of the sermon someone had passed out in our service in the gym. Lots of people rushed to help out, which caused a minor disturbance. The person must've been okay, because they remained in their seat for the rest of the service, instead of leaving. 

Lunch at the house with Anna and Caleb. Tomato pie, salad, fruit, and strawberries and whipped cream over pound cake. They have their final doctor appt this coming Friday morning.

Worked hard yesterday, getting ready. Made a Kroger run in the morning. After a ham & cheese sandwich for lunch, I drove down to Bellwood Coffee to exchange a bag that C had ordered wrong. Got back and cut the grass. A 9000 step day, but with lots of bending and lifting. 

This evening W&MC are bringing the girls for dinner. Plus Matthew and MC's mother. Having an Italian ziti dish, and salad.    

I was glad to see Times Square was packed with Christians celebrating and worshiping the risen Christ. Also worshipers that climbed Stone Mountain. 

DAVID WELLS [SABR Bio] shares the record with Kenny Lofton and Josh Donaldson for most  franchises played for in the postseason. Wells had postseason appearances with  TOR, CIN, BAL, NYY, BOS, & SDP with 3 World Series and 2 rings.. Lofton went to the playoffs with CLE, ATL, SFG, CHC, NYY, & LAD. The 2015 AL MVP Donaldson did it with OAK, TOR, CLE, ATL, NYY, & MIL. They have since been joined by Max Scherzer with DET, WSN, LAD, NYM, TEX, & TOR as well as Fernando Rodney with DET, WSN, TBR, CHC, ARI, & OAK. Wells and Lofton faced each other in postseason play, in the 1998 ALCS & the 2003 ALDS. Wells pitched for the  CHW in 2015. When Wells and Jamie Moyer pitched against each other in 2007, they fell 1-1/2 years shy of becoming the oldest pitching matchup in history. They were a combined 88 years, 307 days when the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies started them head-to-head on July 21, 2007.  When Don Sutton and Phil Niekro had faced off in 1987, their ages totaled 90 years, 135 days. Wells and Don Larsen, both graduates of Point Loma High School in San Diego, California, threw perfect games for the Yankees in Yankee Stadium in 1956 and 1998, respectively. The baseball field at Point Loma High is named after Wells.