Long day - four games

At approximately 7:15 AM, I awoke, but unfortunately, I did not achieve the restful sleep I had desired. I proceeded to have breakfast and departed on the road by 8:30 AM, heading towards Devon Park, the venue for the NCAA Women’s World Series of softball. Upon arrival at approximately 9:30 AM, I discovered available free parking.

Surprisingly, the weather conditions were favorable. Although overcast, there was a palpable sense of impending heavy rainfall. Rather than utilizing the shuttle bus, I opted to walk along the bike path, approximately ¾ of a mile to the stadium. I arrived at the stadium at 10:00 AM and explored all the available attractions.

Realizing that the weather was about to deteriorate and that I had not secured a parking spot in the designated free parking area, I returned to my vehicle to retrieve my raincoat and relocate it. Just as I returned to the car, the rain commenced pouring heavily.

Upon consulting the Internet, I discovered that the 11:00 AM game had been postponed due to inclement weather conditions, which included rain, thunder, and lightning. Consequently, I decided to remain in my car and read a few chapters of “Running with Sherman.” The weather conditions gradually improved, and by 11:45 AM, I boarded the shuttle bus back to the stadium. Upon arrival, it was announced that the first pitch would be scheduled for 12:46 p.m. Therefore, I proceeded to walk the entire stadium before settling into the left-field outfield bleachers.

The inaugural game, featuring Alabama against UCLA, was exceptionally well-played. The score remained tied at 1-1 throughout the sixth inning, which was characterized by intense competition. Regrettably for Alabama, in the bottom of the sixth inning, a three-run home run propelled UCLA to a commanding lead of 4-1. Despite the exceptional pitching displayed by Alabama, it proved challenging for them to overcome this deficit.

 

The second game, pitting Oklahoma against Duke, was rather uninspiring. Oklahoma was unable to participate for the initial two innings, and Duke held a 1-0 lead. However, this is a common occurrence during Oklahoma’s season, as they require three innings to warm up thoroughly. In the third inning, Oklahoma unleashed two home runs, effectively securing a lead. Subsequently, they accumulated sufficient runs in the sixth inning, ultimately clinching victory through the 8-run rule.

 

Due to the ample time between the conclusion of the Oklahoma game and the start of the evening games at 6:30 PM, I returned to my vehicle, where I had consumed lunch and relaxed. At 6:30 PM, I re-entered the stadium, and the game commenced approximately 10 minutes behind schedule due to the need to vacate the stadium for the day session and subsequently allow the night session to enter.

Texas (#1) faced Stanford (#8), followed by Oklahoma State (#5) versus Florida (#4). The Texas game witnessed approximately 60 percent stadium occupancy and lacked significant events, resulting in an unremarkable 4-0 victory for Texas. The subsequent game was closely contested, and the stadium experienced heightened activity with Oklahoma State on the field. In the concluding moments of the fifth inning, Florida’s Katie Kistler executed a home run, marking the sole run scored.

I returned to the hotel just before midnight, took a shower, and recognized the importance of getting sufficient rest for the extended drive home on Friday.

Carry on my friends, carry on! 

Only my way to Oklahoma

I woke up bright and early at 8:30 a.m. and peeked at the weather forecast for Oklahoma City. I was torn about whether to go to the NCAA Women’s Softball World Series. The forecast was a bit of a downer, with rain, hail, and potentially damaging winds forecasted for the entire week, and it remained unchanged on Wednesday morning. I wasn’t sure if I should brave it. I was a bit superstitious, thinking that if I went, it would rain out, but if I didn’t, it would be gorgeous weather! So, I might go!

Next, I checked if I could snag some tickets. Luckily, there was still one $35 ticket left for the morning session, which includes two games. First up, at 11:00 AM, Alabama (#14) was playing against UCLA (#6), followed by Duke #10) versus Oklahoma (#2) and Alabama versus UCLA. For the night games, a resale ticket ($48) was available: Texas (#1) vs. Stanford (#8), followed by Oklahoma State (#5) vs. Florida (#4). I also looked into hotels, and they were reasonably priced at about $80 per night. Since I’m retired, I decided to go!

So, I packed quickly and hit the road by 10:00 AM. The hotels looked good in case it started raining. I packed the car with the bed and all the essentials so I could sleep in the car if needed.

As I drove toward Oklahoma City, the drive was smooth until I reached Kansas City. My timing could have been better, as I arrived in Kansas City during rush hour. I lost about an hour in total travel time just crawling through the traffic!

At the Missouri-Kansas border, I discovered that Interstate 35 had become a toll road.  It was going to cost me $17 to cover the next 123 miles, which is about $0.14 per mile. To dodge those tolls, I added about 45 minutes and 21 miles to my drive. I thought I’d take the scenic rural route, but that turned out to be a bit of a misstep. I had to pass through several small towns, which added about an hour to the trip. By the time I was a few hours away, I was super tired and decided to look for a hotel. I found a Holiday Inn Express in Perry, Oklahoma, for about $90 a night.

I got to the hotel around 9:45 PM, so my drive had taken 11 hours and 45 minutes. I was completely exhausted and fell asleep after midnight. 

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Field of Dreams

Field of Dreams has always been one of my favorite movies. The entire story is really touching. Some people think the movie isn't really about baseball, but I still love the history lesson it provides.  

Additionally, this marks my inaugural exposure to townball, a sport that continues to thrive in Minnesota with an impressive roster of over 300 teams. I eagerly anticipate attending and experiencing more games during my retirement.

Over the weekend, a friend whose boyfriend plays town ball had a game in Dyersville, Iowa, on the movie set's field. I couldn't miss the opportunity to check it out for the first time!

On my drive, I decided to take the scenic route, which meant the trip took a bit longer, but it was totally worth it! I finally arrived in Dyersville and made my way to the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier. Construction began in September 1887, and the cornerstone was laid on June 3, 1888. The new church was officially dedicated by Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque on December 3, 1889.

St. Francis Xavier Church was elevated to the status of a minor Basilica in 1956 due to its remarkable architecture and the congregation’s strong faith. Pope Pius XII made the announcement, which made the church one of the country’s 12 minor Basilicas at the time. Today, it's one of 53 Basilicas in the US. It was truly a sight to behold!

Next, I checked out the "If You Build It" exhibit, a tribute to the Field of Dreams movie. It covers everything from the movie's early development to its lasting impact. A must-see spot. Highlights include Sue Riedel's unauthorized photo submission to the film producers, the fact that the grass was actually painted green, and some of the movie's iconic lines—like when Ray asks his dad, "Hey Dad, you want to have a catch?" instead of the original "You want to play catch?"  

 

Here are some photos from the trip. I'm planning to head back in August for the Ghost Game—that's when the team pops out of the corn and plays! It's going to be a blast.

 Carry on my friends, carry on!

Nice ride

Today, I awoke to pleasant weather and faced a decision between embarking on a road trip or participating in a club workout. I opted for cycling, utilizing my Diamond Current bike equipped with a Bosch Performance Line Motor. The Bosch system’s notable feature is its automatic detection of when I engage the motor and when I pedal independently. It offers four assist levels: Eco (green), Tour (blue), Sport, and Turbo.

Having shed some weight and experienced increased strength, I resolved to minimize reliance on the motor during my ride. I completed a 37-mile journey with a total elevation gain of 1,640 feet in 2 hours and 47 minutes, including brief pauses, resulting in a total time of 3 hours and 4 minutes. According to Stava, my average power output exceeded 200 watts. My average heart rate exceeded 120, with a peak of 150 BPM. I felt exceptionally fatigued, more so than I have in recent years, after a workout.

It was gratifying that the motor was deactivated for 86 percent of the ride. I utilized it solely on the inclines, and even then, I endeavored to maintain Eco mode (level 1). This proved to be a formidable challenge.

Throughout the remainder of the day, I dedicated myself to cleaning, organizing my medical records, and attending to other tasks that had been pending on my to-do list for an extended period. As I have transitioned into retirement, I now possess the opportunity to address these long-overdue responsibilities.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Baker?

Although I have retired, I am not financially destitute; however, I am always seeking ways to optimize my budget. I have always been an enthusiast of pretzel buns for my burgers and similar sandwiches, and I even prefer a pretzel hot dog bun for my bratwurst. However, the issue arises from their exorbitant cost at grocery stores, exceeding $1.00 each. Surprisingly, they are pretty affordable and can be prepared from scratch.

Today, I made my first attempt at creating my own pretzel buns. The preparation process took approximately 30 minutes, followed by an 80-minute rise time, and an additional 15 minutes for preparation and cooking. The final product closely resembled a pretzel bun. Could I become a successful baker?

Following the completion of my endeavor, I engaged in a 20-mile bicycle ride to alleviate any post-baking fatigue. While the ride presented challenges, I am uncertain of the specific factors contributing to its difficulty. It spanned approximately 80 minutes, with an average heart rate of 125 beats per minute and a peak of 153 beats per minute. The physiological data appeared satisfactory.

When I got home, I took a look at my homemade pretzel buns. They were good on their own, just like store-bought ones! The texture was spot-on, but they were a tad dry. Adding a burger with mayonnaise and mustard would make them even more delicious. Plus, they’d be perfect for breakfast with ham, egg, and cheese. They were okay on their own, but for the next batch, I’m thinking of adding more butter and salt. However, as a newbie baker, this is just my opinion.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up my mess as a rookie baker and watching softball—some great games, including Duke coming from behind to win. In the entire  ACC tournament, Duke University had walk-off innings.  The final game was Oklahoma vs Texas.  Texas is ranked number 1, and Oklahoma, which won the past three World Series, has struggled. We will see Oklahoma as one of the 2024 World Series selections tomorrow, followed by Texas and LSU.  I was hoping Arkansas would have won, as that would have secured home games for two weekends in a row, assuming they win the first weekend. I also planned to go to Arkansas for the Super Regional if they host. I have a place to stay for free in Fayetteville! They will host the first weekend, but I’ve already made plans to visit the Field of Dreams location in Dyersville, Iowa. I have friends playing a game there on Saturday.

I tried to capture some Northern Lights images last night, but I didn't succeed. So tonight, I won't try again because I am so TIRED!

Carry on my friends!

Oh what a day!

Retired, I have no schedule, so I don’t need alarms or work to get a workout in. Despite feeling tired this morning, I went to the club. I watched the Alabama vs. LSU softball SEC tournament game, which was fast-paced. I started watching at the 2.5-inning mark and stopped when the game ended or after 60 minutes, whichever came first.

I completed a 60-minute elliptical workout, covering 6.3 miles, after watching the game for 14 innings and almost three hours. I lifted weights for 45 minutes, made lunch, and finished watching the last 45 minutes of the game. LSU’s pitcher, Sydney Berzon, had the same pitcher for the entire game, allowing only two runs in the first inning and a shutout for the next 13 innings.

After the game, I decided to go for a bike ride on a beautiful day. I rode 20 miles but felt tired near the end. As it was nice, I made dinner and ate outside. While eating, I realized the compost pickup was tomorrow and the lawn needed mowing. However, Auburn and Georgia were tied 2-2 at the start of the sixth inning, and daylight was diminishing. So, I mowed the lawn.

After mixing the lawn, I was surprised that Auburn and Georgia were still tied in the 11th inning. They still had another game to play at 7:00 PM, but it was 8:15 PM, and they were behind schedule. I watched and watched, and over an hour later, Auburn went up 5-2 at the top of the 14th inning. I thought it was over, but two errors and two home runs later, Georgia had the walk-off win 6-5!

The three physical activities today, along with the two marathon 14-inning softball games, left me very tired.

 
Carry on my friends, Carry on!

Keeping occupied

Life can be like a blink if you are not careful.  Bettie Pritchard was looking for words to put in her son's pocket when she buried him.  These are the words she used.

Life is like a blink of an eye

Death is for eternity

Therefore, life is really just a dream

And death is the reality!

Today marks the anniversary of my father’s passing. I did not share a post at the time. I was home working on a Saturday, May 6, 2023, when I received the call. He had collapsed while loading tires into his truck. Given the remote nature of our area, even with someone nearby, I knew he would not recover immediately.

My review post only mentioned his passing in 2023. If you have read this blog, you are aware that my father and I had a strained relationship. He used to call me derogatory names such as “Educated Idiot,” “crazy waste of energy” (when I ran), and “No good hippy” when I let my hair grow, to name a few. He was a formidable man. Once I was able to escape those surroundings, I did, and I rarely looked back.

He is supposed to have mellowed with age, but I never had the opportunity to determine if that is true. As I grow older, I come to realize that he carried a significant amount of guilt regarding his actions in the final years of his life. It is amusing how it took me a year after his passing to comprehend that.

Over the past few weeks, I have been occupied with various tasks, including reviewing old photographs and clearing out outdated electronic files. The weather has also permitted me to attend a few town ball games. Yesterday, I attended a game at Fredrickson Field in Elko, New Market. It is an excellent field, albeit with limited parking availability.

From this vantage point, the drive-in theater located just down the road, which reopened in 2014, is not visible. However, it is currently closed, as the website has not been updated since 2022.

Adjacent to the theater is Elko Speedway, a 3/8-mile high-banked asphalt oval that has been operational since 1966 and has been sanctioned by NASCAR since 1986. Additionally, a smaller go-kart track is located on the premises. I would not have been aware of its existence had it not been for the game!

On May 3, I achieved a significant milestone by completing my first ride exceeding 40 miles (41.86 miles). The prevailing winds posed a formidable challenge, necessitating considerable exertion to complete the journey within a span of 3 hours and 4 minutes. This accomplishment brings my cumulative bicycle mileage to 719 miles. Over the preceding decade, my peak mileage was recorded in 2019, during which I logged an impressive 3,542 miles. To establish a new record this year, I must recommit myself to cycling. At this juncture in 2019, my mileage had surpassed 700 miles.

Today, I am delighted to have completed a 10K on the elliptical trainer. Initially, it proved arduous to traverse 2.5 miles within a 30-minute timeframe. However, after engaging in several 60-minute workouts, I have completed my inaugural 10K, and I continue to experience a sense of vitality, akin to the exhilaration I felt on April 23 when I concluded a 5.5-mile 60-minute session. My objective is to engage in at least three elliptical workouts per week, potentially extending this to four. I am experiencing a profound sense of well-being for the first time in several years.

That is the update!  Carry on!