Love Is In The Air

Watched a Netflix movie: “Love is in the Air”. Australian actress Delta Goodrem once played Olivia Newton-John in a movie, and did a short Phineas & Ferb video.

Sunday night Hallmark movie was "Love in Aruba", starring Sashleigha Hightower, who also starred in the classic "Beauty and the Billionaire".

Today is National Tight Ends Day, an annual event that 49ers tight end George kittle helped start a few years ago. Kittle guested on today's season premiere of Peyton's Places.

A big day in the NFL for tight ends, including the Falcons' Kyle Pitts - who made a sweet one-handed catch in the Falcons' win over Tampa.

Grisham has out a sequel to The Firm. I got on the waiting list, then realized that I have yet to read The Firm. There’s a waiting list for that one as well. I can’t remember if I watched the movie or not. I just finished CS Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.

STAN MUSIAL [SABR Bio] is the only player to finish in the Top Ten in both batting average and home runs in the same season, and do it 12 times during his career. A thorough statistical record of his career available here. He strung together ten of these seasons in a row from 1946 and 1955. His 1377 career extra-base hits were the most ever by a left-handed batter until he was passed by Barry Bonds, who had a few more. Mickey Mantle once said of him, “He was a better player than me because he was a better man than me” - as quoted by Bob Costas at Musial’s funeral services 26-Jan-2013, at the New Cathedral in St. Louis.

Rumors of war. Russia. Ukraine. China. Korea. Israel. Scary stuff. Denison: is the conflict in Israel a sign of the end times?

Article about Jeopardy champion Lucy Ricketts, from Alabama/Atlanta/LA.

Patty Melt

Tonight C asked what to fix for supper. She had time to defrost the meat from the freezer, so I asked for a patty melt. Uses up the meat cheese and bread we have.

Bama came back to beat Tenn. Both will be formidable opponents for UGA.

GT took the lead, missed the PAT, then BC took over. BC is often tough. Sparse crowd at Bobby Dodd. Was it a white out? Not sure why GT wore white helmets, jerseys, and pants at home. Perhaps because BC wears gold lids. Good plan.

Mizzou blew out SC. Gamecocks only kicked field goals. Several calls (and plays) going against Clemson down in Miami. A bad look for the Tigers. Looked like they were trying to lose. The Miami defense is good, but week after week two great RBs continue to be underutilized, and QB Klubnik is forced to make too many deep downfield throws, and not enough short high percentage ones.

After golf this morning I drove over to Bellwood Coffee to drop off some stuff for Matthew. Got to chat with Charles Norman and his lovely wife Annie, and saw their two kids. Becky Norman was there as well. She said daughter Catherine has been keeping a little foster baby, who has stolen her heart. The baby's mother is working to get back on her feet, so that could be a sad day for Catherine.

W&MC are flying back from Oklahoma today. They're at the Tulsa airport right now. MC is sick. Shiv and Millie are throwing up. Not good.

Just started a memoir by a southern Christian writer, that was recommended by Catherine Norman. His wife had an affair, but they find a new church that help them work to reinvigorate their marriage after lots of suffering. "How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told", by Harrison Scott Key. He writes kinda like a cross between Lewis Grizzard and John Grisham.

A widow friend in our Sunday School class had back surgery. Last week C had gone over to help her a couple of times. Yesterday she was in so much pain that our friend Noelle took her back to the Northside ER. Will called in to make sure she got the best care. When the doctor arrived, he said Tabitha must be a MVP. The doctor called Will "one of their superstars". This morning C went to the hospital to be with Tabitha, and didn't get home until after 4 pm.

After golf this morning I've tried to rest. Ate leftover chicken meatballs for lunch, took two naps, and watched football. Did some laundry.

Friday night: drove around for 30 minutes before deciding on the Ted's Montana Grill near our house. The bison burger was delicious. Was on a great tasting bun. Got half fries and half onion rings. Fries were great. Rings were huge but good. I like them smaller.

Nick Saban's Ferrari

Just read where Nick Saban traded the two Ferraris that he had for one really nice Ferrari. He gets paid “seven figures” to appear on the Pat McAfee Show each week. Saban told the story of his first vehicle – an old orange pickup truck. Said he earned the money for the truck dragging baseball infields. Said the lessons he learned from that have stuck with him all these years later.

Maybe Saban can get on Jay Leno’s Garage. Or Comedians In Cars Drinking Coffee. He’s already been on Eli’s Places.

330 Tenn@Bama

400 BostonCollege@GT (both 3-3)

800 Clemson@Miami

800 GeorgiaState@Louisiana

100 TampaBay@Falcons

Memphis will beat UAB, but not by 6-1/2

Ole Miss will beat Auburn by more than 6-1/2

FSU will beat Duke by more than 14-1/2

Worked until 5:30 Thursday evening. Stuff was starting to pile up in my car, so I finally stopped by Goodwill to drop things off. Got home and spent 30 min cleaning out my car while C was cooking supper. Ceil had more giveaway stuff on the hearth, so I packed a box – and put it in my car. Plus there was a stack of Matthew’s winter clothes on the hearth – so I put them in my car, to take to M on Saturday.

I sold a couple pairs of sneakers, so I packed that box – and put it in my car. Hopefully my car will be back empty by Saturday morning. Will probably fill it up again this weekend.

C cooked stir fry for supper. Watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Big wreck on 85 this AM due to rain. Did not effect me.

W&MC and the girls are in Tulsa visiting friends. Will played golf yesterday. Looked like he played the course that had hosted the PGA Tournament a few years ago.

A sampling of Matthew's breakfast items at Bellwood Coffee.

HONUS WAGNER [SABR Bio] is the only National League player to win batting titles in three separate decades, hitting .381 in 1900; .355 in 1903, and .334 in 1911, playing for Pittsburgh. He won five additional times. Of the 25 natives of Pennsylvania in the Hall of Fame, he was the first one in. Wager was in the very first class of players elected to the Hall. Fellow inductee, Pennsylvania native Christy Mathewson was also elected to the Hall’s first class. Wagner received more votes than Matty, 215 to 205. Cobb got more votes than Ruth on the same ballot and is viewed as first in the Hall. Wagner was the first player in the Modern Era to steal home twice in a single game, on 20-Jun-1901. An additional 10 players have joined him, the most recent being Vic Power in 1958.

Chick-fil-A Days

When I worked at CFA in 1980, I was hired and worked the first day the Omni store opened. The operator was a “young” guy named Jim Mixon (Nixon?), about 40 years old. But he was in the store inside the CNN Center, not the State Farm Arena (back then it was still the Omni). At a banquet we met Truett Cathy.

During the week the Bill Gothard Seminar was in the Omni, before during and after the sessions so many of the attenders would flood the CFA for breakfast lunch and dinner. Our CFA set the company record for most sales in one week.

Was after 6 pm before I left work Tuesday I stopped for gas. Spaghetti for supper. 

Was up almost every hour of the night. Hadn’t set my alarm and finally I slept from 4:20 to 5:50 – longer than I had expected. Had to hustle to get to work for my 7 am training session.

Lunch Wednesday was Jason’s Deli, with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Thursday lunch was Maddio’s Pizza.

Feeling better than last night, but still not great. Again I was up almost every hour. Had training this morning and had to walk out almost every 30 minutes. They say I need to drink more, but I’m not sure I want to. Thought about leaving early today, but stuck around until after 5 pm.

Got my reminder this morning for my annual physical next Thursday. Will be good to talk to the doctor. Not crazy about taking meds with side effects.

Not much other news. Training not too bad, but things gonna get interesting come Nov 2-7.

HANK AARON   [SABR Bio] sits atop the career extra-base hits totem pole, with 1,477 XBH during his 23 seasons. Barry Bonds (1,440) & Albert Pujols (1,405) are the only other players whose totals are more than 1,400. Aaron is the all-time leader in RBI produced with 2,297 & in total bases with 6,856. The "gold" in Baseball-Reference indicates the all-time, career leader in a category. He and a teammate were the first-ever Gold Glove winners for their franchise. In 1958, the 2nd year the GG was awarded, Aaron was one of the three NL outfield winners. Del Crandall won for NL catcher. Catcher Joe Torre was the only other winner (1965) while the team was still in Milwaukee. 

Dension answers the questions: who are the Palestinians? Did Israel steal their land? Is their plight in Gaza Israel’s fault? How should Christians view them today?

2023 Birthday Freebies

Each year I track the birthday freebies I cash in on. This year I’m adding all the freebies and discounts I received during my birthday season. A good chunk of which was the Braves/Mets Delta Club tickets I received.

02.00 7.03 drink 2

04.00 7.04 drinks 6

10.00 7.05 dreamland BBQ 16

04.00 7.06 apple fritter 20

34.00 7.06 mileage to vendor 54

10.00 7.06 jasons deli & willys 64

10.00 7.10 ice cream 74

09.00 7.10 drinks 83

16.00 7.10 Logans burger fries coke 99

90.00 7.10 mileage to Augusta 189

90.00 7.11 mileage from Augusta 279

48.00 7.11 mileage in Augusta 317

05.00 7.11 chickfila biscuit 322

20.00 7.11 Victorias Mexican fajitas 342

10.00 7.11 ice cream 352

35.00 7.11 Wahlburgers burger fries coke 387

10.00 7.12 dreamland BBQ 397

10.00 7.13 dreamland BBQ 407

15.00 7.13 golden corral 422

10.00 7.14 el torrero 432

04.00 7.15 ice cream cone 436

04.00 7.16 july racetrac drinks 440

06.00 7.18 duluth diner egg sandwich 446

10.00 7.20 medlock tavern tenders fries 456

02.00 7.21 fancy donuts 458

10.00 7.24 jimmy johns turkey & cookie 468

08.00 7.25 donuts 476

05.00 7.26 Willy’s burrito 481

15.00 7.27 Pizanos pizza 496

80.00 7.31 Braves Angels ticket 476

10.00 7.31 drink at game 486

04.00 7.31 popcorn 490

14.00 8.01 boneless wings 504

10.00 8.02 Jason’s Deli 514

04.00 8.03 aug racetrac drinks 518

04.00 8.04 apple fritters 522

10.00 8.05 Firebirds burger 532

04.00 8.06 Checkers 536

18.00 8.07 Duluth Diner chicken cheesesteak 550

04.00 8.08 Arbys milkshake 554

20.00 8.08 Bad Daddys burger 574

04.00 8.09 Corner Bakery cinnamon cake 578

15.00 8.10 Bad Daddy’s burger 593

07.00 8.10 McDonalds fries & coke 600

07.00 8.11 Checkers BBQ bacon chicken sandwich 607

04.00 8.12 RaceTrac ice cream 611

04.00 8.13 Baskin Robins ice cream cone 615

05.00 8.14 Steak & Shake milkshake 620

05.00 8.15 Willys burrito 625

240.0 8.16 Braves Yankees tickets 865

50.00 8.16 Braves parking 915

20.00 8.16 Braves t-shirt 935

30.00 8.16 popcorn, ice cream, & coke 965

10.00 8.17 Moes burrito 975

09.00 8.18 Honey Baked Ham sandwich 984

06.00 8.19 McDonalds fries & coke 990

1100. 8.20 sell broke down CRV 2090

15.00 8.22 Red Robin burger 2105

1300. 8.23 Braves Mets tickets 3405

100.0 8.23 Braves Mets parking 3505

06.00 8.24 McDonalds 3511

06.00 8.25 McDonalds 3517

20.00 8.29 Sports & Social burger & tots & drink 3537

20.00 9.14 Marlow’s entrée 3557

05.00 9.15 Yogli Mogli yogurt 3562

09.00 9.16 Honey Baked Ham sandwich 3571

10.00 9.17 RaceTrac pizza 3581

04.00 9.18 DQ ice cream cone 3585

04.00 9.19 sept racetrac drinks 3589

20.00 9.25 Que BBQ 3609

04.00 10.1 Oct RaceTrac drinks 3613

10.00 10.2 Jasons Deli sandwiches 3623

15.00 10.3 Dreamland BBQ 3638

10.00 10.4 breakfast 3648

10.00 10.5 Willys Mexican 3658

10.00 10.6 Jimmy Johns sandwiches 3668

10.00 10.7 snacks during training 3678

110.0 10.8 sell 9 bobbleheads 3788

48.00 10.9 sell 2 pairs of Nikes 3836

Number at right is the running total. This year I didn’t track the money I spent of receive these discounts, which probably totaled over $100.00 Still a great deal.

Mall Rats

In high school usually I worked at the intown Baskin Robbins store with my good friend Don, but sometimes out at the Macon Mall Baskin Robbins with my pal Chuck. Chickfila was right across the walkway, but we never considered trading ice cream for chicken. In fact I never ate at the Macon Mall Chickfila. I had ice cream to eat!

Then I got a job at a clothing store at the mall, Anderson Little. I would hang out with the girls who operated the little kiddy train. Back then there wasn’t much to do on dates, so sometimes a date would be to drive over to the mall and walk around, if there wasn’t a school basketball game to go to.

When I flunked out of Tech I got a job at the Chickfila at the Omni International (now CNN Center). I’ve told you about that many times I’m sure.

C likes for me to drive her places. Less stress on her. I get so little down time that I don’t mind sitting in the car. C likes for Winnie to ride along, so she doesn’t have to be home alone. Though Winnie doesn’t seem to enjoy riding in the car.

I remember several years ago taking C to Perimeter Mall. Like the grocery, I let C go off and shop. In winter if its too cold to sit in the car, I will go inside and check out the stores that interest me. Then I will sit out in the mall and people watch and check my phone. But one time I saw Bill Reed sitting there, so we had a nice conversation.

Pretty sure I remember that coffee stand at Lenox. I think I went to the Delta desk at Lenox to buy my tickets to Bermuda for our honeymoon.

Finished “Things You Save in a Fire”. Very good. Now reading” 100 Places to See After You Die” by Jeopardy host Ken Jennings. Not very good. Plus I think he left out the place I’m going after I die.

I left about 4:45 on Friday and went to get a haircut.

Saturday morning we left out about 7:30 am. Up Ga 400 past Cumming then across to Gainesville and 985, then north through Clayton into NC, east to Asheville, then north and east to Spruce Pine to the artist market C wanted to attend. Arrived around noon. Ceil went inside, and me and Winnie went to McDonalds. Got the GA@Vandy game on my phone.

When Ceil finished we drove to Bakersville. She went to another art gallery and I walked around a bit. Then a scenic drive through the mountains and back to Asheville. C couldn’t find a place to eat so I got off at the nearest exit and parked. She took Winnie for a walk. We found a neighborhood burger spot nearby, probably better than any place downtown. Then drove home, arriving home shortly after nine. A long day.

Sunday school and church. Later we took a nap. Watched the Falcons. What a train wreck. Letting the play clock expire. Interceptions. Score to cut the lead to 24-16 but go for two instead of kicking the PAT. Then an interception to curtail the comeback. And people complain about the Braves after their record-breaking regular season. Later I did laundry and cut the grass. 

Up early Monday morning to run. Planned to run 4 miles. Ran a good first mile in 11:23. After about 1.6 miles I felt a sharp pain in my back, which happens once in a blue moon. I grabbed on to the handrails, stopped running, and started walking. I was able to finish the second mile. My back should feel better soon.

Worked until 5:30. Stopped by Dollar Tree, where everything is $1.25. Spent $33, mostly for Halloween candy. I had gone in for one bar of soap. At home C realized she was out of milk, so I drove her to Kroger. Pancakes and bacon for supper.

My back was still sore from the morning run, so I skipped the gym this morning. Actually got 7-1/2 hours of sleep. Just got out of computer training. Chickfila sandwiches, salad, and macaroni & cheese for lunch, with cookies.

Denison: why is Israel so important to America?

Wellness routine habits.

Ways to boost your memory.

The secret Disney attraction: the clap box. 

I have a couple of coworkers with kids at Mill Creek and Buford. Coworker Rachel went to Mill Creek. Coworker Matt’s daughter had been a cheerleader at Buford.

Lazarus and the Rich Man

Clay Smith JFBC

Luke 16:14-31

The parable of the rich man

Jesus spoke in parables to disarm people, and to speak harshly - like today's story. We live in serious times. JFBC has several partners in the Middle East right now. We pray for peace, and boldness.

Jesus flips the script. Am I like the Pharisees? Involves hell, but the point is about money. Cannot serve God and wealth. Reveals what is in my heart.

The Pharisees loved money. The first parable in the first part of chapter 16: trustworthy in small things, trustworthy in large things.

Pharisees taught a law they themselves did not keep. An oral law, filling in the gaps of scripture - such as... 

1. Salvation based on a lineage to Abraham. 

2. Taught a law of retribution. Live a good life you'll be rewarded in heaven.

3. Believed in the resurrection in the afterlife.

Jesus is speaking to the wealthy v 19-21 a rich man, and poor man Lazarus. The rich man dressed nicely, in purple. Enjoyed himself. Loved in luxury. Lazarus was poor, longed for the scraps. Body covered with sores licked by dogs. Back then dogs weren't as loved as they are today. Unclean. Scavengers.

But when they died, Lazarus sat next to Abraham in heaven. The rich man was in agony in hell. He cried out to Abraham, who did not help him. Two outcomes.

Our eternal destination doesn't hinge on how much money we have, but how we take advantage of the opportunities around us, and how we respond to God.

V 24 the rich man doesn't cry out to God, but to Abraham. Even in hell, the rich man treats Lazarus like his servant.

CS Lewis: "Hell is the greatest monument to humanity".

The rich man is consumed with his riches, and becomes callus. There is a chasm that cannot be crossed.

When the rich man realizes he cannot be helped, he asks Abraham to reach out to his brothers. The rich man is realizing the error of his ways. Foreshadowed Jesus resurrection.

Remember that Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees.

Jesus great miracle: to raise Lazarus from the dead. After that the Pharisees plotted to kill Jesus.

A callousness of the heart. How does this apply to us? Four lessons…

1. Our salvation is not based on our ethnic heritage. The righteous live by faith, both Jew and Greek. We have zero standing with God without Jesus, not the scriptures. What are you basing your standing on?

2. The ethical decisions we make have eternal consequences. What we do with our time talent resources etc. 2 Cor 5: 9-10.

3. The most harsh: the rich should examine how they use their wealth. Easy to become insulated from the needy around us. What does this look like for me? How am I like the rich man?

4. Pray a prayer of confession and repentance, confessing my sins to God.

Dawgs Win, But...

 ...Brock Bowers sprained his ankle. With two weeks before the Florida game, perhaps he'll be ready.

McConkey had a big day. 

We drove to North Carolina for the day, an hour northeast of Asheville. Beautiful day.

After checking out the artist market in Spruce Pines, we drove over to Bakerstown.

Courthouse with the phrase "In God We Trust" in a very liberal area.

Judy's Beauty Shop.

Drove down to Asheville. Couldn't decide where to eat, then drove past a place that looked good. 

Guy taking our order recognized my Stripers cap. He had spent time in Athens.

Noticed a cool pair of sneakers. I think I'd seen them online, but never out in the wild.

This morning at church two cars were parked next to each other with plates almost in sequential order. 

Four Months

 

I stole some pictures from W&MC from their trip to New York.

I need to get one of these bumper stickers for Ceil.

Peak time for uniforms in the NFL.

Jim Kelly was baptized recently. 

I Robot

Finished reading Isaac Asimov's "I Robot". Science fiction, written in 1950. Dated. But Asimov was ahead of his time. Kinda accurate with his dates, as here we are in the 2020-s with robots and AI. I Robot. iPhones. iPads. I Carly. Perhaps I should check out the Will Smith movie of the same name.

Last Saturday when the Phillie swung and missed, his bat hit the Braves catcher's mitt - so it was catcher's interference. Replays were inconclusive, but based on the reaction of catcher Sean Murphy and the batter (also a catcher), they both knew the bat had hit the mitt. Murphy didn't argue, instead turning his back in disgust.

Thursday night after the Braves were eliminated Ronald Acuna ducked out of the clubhouse early. Usually I wear Braves gear, but Saturday while digging out my favorite Braves long sleeve T-shirt I decided to throw on a plain shirt to wear. Did wear Braves socks and my Crackers cap. Wore something different for the other games.

Any win is a nice win for the Falcons and Ritter. I was watching but later went to meet with a friend. Didn't listen on the radio. Listened to my book instead.

Cardinals in head to toe black, including helmets. Lions in blue jerseys and pants. Jets in white jerseys and pants, playing Broncos in bright orange jerseys and pants.

Some people are beginning to understand the point that Andy Stanley is trying to make.

Is the attack on Israel by Hamas setting the stage for the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy? Many celebrities and politicians are being harassed for supporting Israel instead of the Hammas – a terrorist organization formed for the sole purpose of destroying Israel.

Denison with the backstory of the Middle East conflict.

Monday: got to work and my laptop wasn't working. Had to go to the help desk. Took them half the day, but it got fixed.

So my training is Tuesday through Friday at 7 am. Didn't have to get to work until 8 am today. But when I was setting my alarm last night I forgot. Got up early. I was in the shower when I realized what I had done. Got to the gym early and had time to run 4 miles. Got to work at 7:30.

Thursday: worked past six, in part due to two conversations after five with coworkers. Got home and C had me take something to my other friend Reid's house. He is leaving today on the Pakistan trip that C missed out on. I stayed over there chatting with them. Got home at 8:15, after the Braves had been retired in the top of the first.

Then we ate supper: a chicken stir fry similar to the Panda Express that I'd had for lunch. Did the dishes and so it was 8:45 before I plopped on the couch. Watched the entire game, giving me plenty of time to do all my regular stuff on my laptop (post to my blog, enter sweepstakes, delete junk emails). C went to bed, and during the 8th and 9th I was getting ready for bed.

Up early to run at the gym. Was going to run fast again, but after a half mile my knee and hip started hurting. Had to walk. Eventually I ran a little more. Then SAP training all morning. Got my email box down to two things to do. 

Coworker brought back lemon pepper wings and fries for me.

Total QB Rating

Current ESPN Total QB Rating. Yet another week that UGA QB Carson Beck has climbed in the ratings. This weekend he could crack the top ten.

1. 93.6 JJ McCarhy Michigan

3. 91.0 Dillon Gabriel Oklahoma

7. 86.5 DJ Uiagalelei Oregon State transfer

8. 86.2 Caleb Williams USC transfer

9. 85.8 Drake Maye UNC sophomore

12. 83.3 Carson Beck UGA redshirt junior

17. 78.6 J Milroe Alabama transfer

24. 74.5 Sam Hartman Notre Dame transfer

27. 74.0 T Tagovailoa Maryland transfer

28. 73.8 Spencer Rattler SC transfer

35. 70.1 S Sanders Colorado transfer

44. 65.9 H King GT transfer

48. 64.9 JT Daniels USC UGA WVa Rice transfer

62. 60.4 Cade Klubnik Clemson sophomore

68. 59.3 Darren Grainger Georgia State

70. 57.6 D Brin Georgia Southern

72. 56.9 S Hanigan Memphis

76. 56.2 Joe Milton Tennessee

81. 54.7 K Jefferson Arkansas

91. 47.0 T Phommachanh Clemson GT UMass transfer

So sad that athletes (especially QBs) transfer so frequently. College can be one of the greatest experiences in life, and athletes miss so much of that. I’m sure the experience they do have is wonderful, but they miss out on so much of what regular students get to do (which includes attending sporting events).

Recently an African American single lady from our Sunday School class moved to Israel to take Bible classes, with the intent to become a missionary. She is being sponsored by our church. JFBC is talking and praying with her every day now since the attack. Sunday when our class zoomed with her, she was concerned about leaving her building. At that time her class had wanted to continue its practice of going out to explore Biblical sights, which seemed like a risky proposition. Not sure what has happened since then.

Wednesday: rough day at work. An afternoon of pesky little tasks. Felt like I was spinning my wheels. Pulled of a huge miracle to deliver a hot item to Augusta just hours after they ordered it (my 3rd or 4th hot item delivery in the past few days). But the result really took the wind out of my sails. I had lots more work to do, but instead of staying late I left at 4:55. Traffic bad on the way home.

C made homemade pizza, so that was a plus. Braves game discouraging. Postseason is so different than regular season. Just hope Strider and Fried can silent the bats, and our offense can show up. Game 4 tonight is going to keep me up late – I hope.

Made it to the gym this morning for a short weightlifting session, from 5:30-6 am. Lunch today from Panda Express.

Busy-ness – since I knew October and November were going to be slammed with training at work, I made no commitments for this fall. Things like the Monday meeting keep coming up, but I plan on saying no to most opportunities.

More from Denison on the antisemitic responses by Americans and Europeans.

Even LeBron James is being harassed for supporting Israel.  

Sneakers

Up to now I have avoided listening to podcasts, preferring to listen to books instead. I'm making an exception for Lang's new podcast with his friend Russ about basketball, sneakers, and Russ' new book:  "A History of Basketball in Fifteen Sneakers".

I'm currently listening to the novel "Things You Save in a Fire", by Katherine Center, kind of a spinoff from her earlier book " How To Walk Away". 

Apple TV is coming out with a movie called "Lessons In Chemistry" based on a novel I had read. Things You Save in a Fire is also being made into a movie.

Having to be at work before 7 am makes getting to the gym hard. Only had time this morning to run one mile, so I made it a fast one. Hopefully this will help me just run faster in general. Guess I need to wake up earlier.

Worked past 6:30 Tuesday night. Needed to complete a project. Baked chicken, roasted potato & sweet potato wedges, and tossed salad. After cleanup it was after 8:30 before I plopped on the couch.

NEWS: Winnie has a busted eardrum. She'd been in pain for weeks. Not sure it was someone messing with her, popping her head, or how she got it. Yesterday the vet gave her anesthesia so he could do a thorough examination. So last night she was feeling poorly.

Left at five this afternoon to catch some of the Braves game. Braves started a 2023 all star pitcher, but it didn't help. Hurts having Charlie Morton injured. Braves are swinging for the fences. Phils shortening their swings and settling for singles and doubles (though its the Phillies who've hit six home runs). Philly phans may be having a good time tonight, offending America by doing the tomahawk chop - but tomorrow morning when they wake up they'll still be living in Philadelphia.

Denison on why people hate the Jews, and siding with the Hamas despite the terrorists holding Americans hostage, and murdering and dismembering babies and young girls.