By
JT Pilaf
Last weekend was my farewell song to the "Summer of Jeff" and what a summer it was. Friday after work we traveled down to Auburn to see the Doubledays (Toronto's A affiliate) take on the Cross Cutters of Williamsport (The Phillies youth in training). As you can see our seats were close to the action, second row, right next to the Cutters bench on the first base side. We saw the Doubledays starting pitcher of the first game throw a no-hitter thru 3 innings and he finished wth just one hit after four. No one knows why he was pulled and we asked, oh we asked. The home town Doubledays won the first game 4-1.
Emma took the bubblegum picture, she makes me laugh, you had to be there. We had a wonderful night. The stars were out and we had a waitress getting us anything we wanted to eat or drink (unfortunately, it wasn't free). Emma always says to me at the ballpark, "It's all about the food, dad". Truer words could not be spoken.
Then, Sunday was Zach's baseball banquet at Dunn Tire Park. Free, all you can eat hot dogs and hamburgers and pop. The mornning was perfect and Zach was handed his (just for playing) trophy. The Bisons/ Yankees game followed the banquet and admittedly I was torn.
His coach had some really nice things to say about Zach's season and his smile while playing the game.
Zach really liked him as his coach.
After the game Buster finally married Belle and made her an honest women. They served cake and ice cream for the kids after the game. Emma was giving Belle some advise on keeping Buster happy.
Of course she loved the reception afterwards too. They played the High School Musical soundtrack.
On Monday I decided to have surgery on the back of my neck. I had some excess fat removed that was bugging me. Too many hot dogs and beers and the ball parks I imagine.
Don't I look better now? You can't even see the scar.
I should have gone to a tanning salon and had them touch up the back of my neck with some tanning spray. Talk about "redneck geek" ...sheesh.
Tuesday night we went to the Bisons last home game of the regular season with Aunt B, Uncle Geo, and Jenna. The night was absolutely gorgeous. The moon, huge and orange, but that might have been the donut in the Tim Horton's ad sign, they both looked the same to me. Where's Mars?
The night was capped off by fireworks that reminded Sandra of her wedding night. Her words not mine, well... maybe mine, I can't remember.
There was a question as to whether the flowers that she recently placed on Dad's grave were still breathing, so we picked up a replacement but found that the geranium had survived. Mom navigated to the gravesite effectively, complaining all the way about her back problems, but the only compromise to date was agreeing to hold my arm. Amazing for going on 91.
Time for lunch at "the Dome" and, believe it or not, she did pick up the check. Thanks Mom. Good lunch.
Patti decided to spring for dessert, and Mom said that Anderson's is always a good choice. My Girls insisted on singing Happy Birthday to me, a song that I enjoy hearing less each year.
Of course we had to stop at Tops, cash her scratch off winners and pick up a few groceries. Note the "staples"; seemed a bit heavy on the potato chips, etc.
We returned to Luther Manor. The aroma of hot packs and seared skin was heavy in the apartment, but we returned "our diva" safe and sound. She hit the chair for a well deserved nap, somewhat grateful that Ruth was not sitting there waiting for her. Thanks Mom, we had a great visit.
With the Pilafs about to embark on what I am sure will be a most memorable family vacation, I would like to share some experiences from past trips which might help you make the most of your time. One of the keys to providing the children memories which will last a lifetime is to have a series of planned stops which will allow time to stretch the legs and create valuable learning opportunities. Since the second largest ball of string is too far west to be available, here are some places that Kristen and Adam visited that I know they have strong memories of. Above, just two hours south in Bradford pa., is the Zippo lighter factory with a huge display of both practical and whimsical lighting devices. It will be tough to walk away. Heading southeast about four hours, and you are in Allentown, Pa for the world-famous coal museum. A delightful two hour tour shows all of the stages from plant growth to peat and ultimately to the coal deposits that we know and love today. After the tour I am positive that both Zach and Emma will be able, just as easily as we can,to identify the top specimen as anthracite and the bottom as bituminous. In the interests of saving time I would not bother with the related exhibits on zinc and molybdenum, but hey, who knows, the kids might insist.
