The NY Times Review of Books

We made the New York Times Review of Books yesterday! Not for Paul’s gripping blog posts, but to illustrate a journal entry from local-boy-made-good, H.D. Thoreau. Personally my favorite book in the Thoreau universe is Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson, but then again, the illustrator didn’t use one of my lady slipper photos.

Cameron Comes on in Relief

Cameron Diamondbacks Nationals 06132009 028-7×10

Originally uploaded by Paul-W

Today was the first game of the Diamondbacks-Nationals best-2-out-of-3 playoff series in the Mlrose Bbe Ruth League. Cam’s Diamondbacks took a 2 run lead in the top of the first, but the Nationals quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, mostly on walks. Somewhat surprisingly, the starting pitcher was quickly pulled and the coach brought Cam in from left field to pitch. Five solid innings later, the Diamondbacks had a 9-6 lead and Cam was sent back out to left field. The Diamondbacks ended up losing about 13-9, though. Game 2 on Monday at 8, part of a playoff double-header for us as both Duncan and Cameron have games.

Hornet Hustle 5K Race

Duncan ran the Hornet Hustle 5K Race this morning in about a 25 minute time (still waiting the official word). He was on track for a faster time (~23′ ?) but became ill going up the last hill. Kindly observers gave him water to wash out his mouth and he rested a couple minutes before continuing. Probably a combination of the warm weather, hilly course and the cheese omlette he ate for breakfast. (He says he could have pieced it back together again on the street.)

Regardless, he had a strong finish and still did very well.

Rainbow – Melrose Massachusetts 053109 006-300

Rainow – Melrose Massachusetts 053109 006-300, originally uploaded by Paul-W.

Day starts out with bright sunshine (baseball game #1, 9:00 am).
By baseball game #2 (1:00 pm) the clouds appear, to the relief of the fans in the stands.
Paul starts the grill (leg-o-lamb with herbs, garlic and lemon) and the heavens open up.
Then the sun returns, bringing this rainbow.

The lamb smells yummy.

Miller and Luke

Generally Miller will socialize with other dogs for five minutes, then head off to search for furry rodents. Over Memorial Day weekend he seemed to bond with Luke, the yellow lab following behind him in this picture. They spent quite a while running together, although Miller would generally fall back when Luke ran into the muddy water. You can take this togetherness thing only so far!

For Gretchen

Duncan’s 6:22 mile

Melrose-Saugus Middle School Track Meet 049-8×8

In Duncan’s first Middle School track meet he finished second to teammate Will C. in the mile race… by about 1 second. Duncan’s time in the mile was 6:22 – pretty good for a first time! He also competed in the High Jump and 4 x 100 Relay Race. A fun time was had by all!

Melrose High School Junior Prom

Just practicing for when Cameron and/or Duncan reach this age. Lennart, our German exchange student, attended the Melrose High School Junior Prom with his date, Alex. Being new to both the date and prom thing, it was a learning experience: the mandatory parent/student “Make Good Decisions” lecture, shopping for a tuxedo rental (they still have variations on the 1978 classics, if you want) and having the couples meet at our house for pre-prom photos.

Lookin’ Good, Lenny!

Brewers 6, Rangers 2

The Brewers (2-1-1) can beat you with speed, as they showed today int he 6-2 victory over the Rangers (1-1). At one point Duncan scored from first on a base-clearing hit to right-center field. Combine hat with several good plays in the field and the season is shaping up pretty well.

Geocaching with Lennart and Duncan

Duncan and I took Lennart out for his first geocaching experience – a quick trip to Belle Isle Marsh and Point Shirley (Winthrop). We found the medium-sized cache at Belle Isle quickly but had trouble with the two nano (very small) caches at Belle Isle and Point Shirley. We did fun skipping rocks into Boston Harbor from the shore in Winthrop and then walking to the top of the Deer Island drumlin for a scenic view of Boston Harbor. Not the most exotic field trip for our German exchange student, but we did top it off with a visit to Kelley’s on Revere Beach for cheese fries (with bacon).