Mama Tried at wedding, pretty sure

Yes, I'm certain it is. You can find more of their tunes, and while I'm at it, I'm also certain Mama Tried played the waltz, Ashokan Farewell, which sounds like it could have been from this part of the country and, indeed, it appears it is. When I heard it, I asked Ariel to dance. Here's a version by the composer:

the boys' backpacks

Jackson carries around a bag filled with his computer, his charger, and his headphones. Ry got a new sling backpack, and I watched him unload it last night. It had two baseball gloves, six baseballs, a light, and his book.

Chatted with Dad and Mom on Father's Day, and also had a good talk with Ariel. She had just returned from France, and it sounded like it went very well. I didn't get many details about the trip; we mostly talked about the wedding. She and Chris did get a couple of climbs in that weekend before going back to NYC.

Temperature is heading toward high 90s, no rain in sight, danger of fires. We've managed to bring the lawn and garden back to life since we were gone.

brother baseball 1-2 combination

Jackson got some good pitching tips from his cousin, Brendan, who pitches in the little league majors, so the other evening after work he asked me to play catch so he could show me some, try them out, and practice some throws. Rylee joined us and we threw the ball "around the horn." Ry then geared up in his catcher's pads & helmet, got into the squat, and began catching Jack's pitches, while I quietly bowed out, watering the garden and sitting on the bench to watch them play.

Jackson pitched some (four-seam) fastballs, a change up, I think, and a knuckleball. He'd tell Rylee what he was pitching and get his grip. As he pitched, I'd say, "stance, balance, power," thinking, with almost no pitching experience of my own, that it made sense to break it down that way. Ry would catch the ball, and when it was right down the middle, shout, "NIIIICE!"

I just watched them play catch. They say that's all that pitching is. One brother, pitching; the other, catching. I imagined how it would be if they ever got on the same team together and could use that combination in a game. What a treat to see that.

mid June

While we were gone, the grass died a bit. It's been in the 90s, no rain, 3 percent humidity. There are some fires in the state.

I posted an outline of our trip to Ariel's wedding below, and then posted some pictures from a trip Cyndi and the boys took during spring break and another post of pictures from our trip. I hope to get more pictures of the wedding from others to post.

Talked to Ariel on Friday as she and Chris were on their way to France. She sounded happy, but it was a brief conversation as they were about to get off the train to the airport.

Jackson finished his baseball tournament Saturday. He had a very good last three games. His team had a pool, potluck and trophy party Friday afternoon, just as Cyndi was getting back from Kansas City. Rylee selected The Secret Garden as a birthday gift, and he has finished two chapters already. He's anxious to play more baseball, and he and Jack and Brendon play pickle a lot together whenever they can these days.