September 2024 This and That

The stresses of July and August persist into September, but we have much to be grateful for. In the spring, Sean joined the high school volleyball team. The repetitive jumping did no favors for his knees and he has battled injuries to his knees and ankles ever since. He is a team captain this year, so he represents the team in those initial moments of the opponent handshakes and the coin toss. He loves the sport, but I'm always worried about possible injury. Indeed, their team has struggled this year because 5 or 6 starting players have been out on injury, including the quarterback who played so effectively for the team last year.

These photos show Sean and the seniors on the team:

Sean and his girlfriend Claire were on the Homecoming Court this year. John and I attended the game and watched from far back in the stands (we choose these seats because they have backs to the bleachers - oh, how our tired backs appreciate this support by the end of the game). I snagged some photos from others (because my attempts are always horrible - the only photo I took is the one below):

They also attended the Homecoming Dance:

Sean and Claire provide great fun for me these days as we often compete by playing the New York Times games (Connections, Wordle, and The Mini Crossword). Of course, having said that, I must acknowledge that they usually smoke me. Still, I'm glad they let me join in the games with them.

Just to make life interesting, we had a well issue again this September. John was downstairs when he heard a pop and, checking everything, found the deep freezer had no power. He called electricians and plugged the deep freezer and water heater into extension cords. We also had no water (something about the pump electrical system failing). While waiting, he brought up the portable water heater he keeps for emergencies. Alas, when he turned that on, he heard a whoosh, and it burst into flames. Since it has a propane tank on it, he immediately grabbed the thing and ran it outside, the whole time praying fervently that it would not explode. Praise God, it didn't, but it gave him quite a scare.

The electricians could not address the well issue, so we had to call the well company to come the following morning. Sean and I went to stay in the local Home 2 Suites (if you read my blog regularly, you know how much I love that hotel chain). We had a lovely experience and I came away with more fodder for my fan affections.

Just above the coffee station, I discovered this little shelf of books available to read. Isn't that cool! Of course, we were only there overnight, and I'd already read a few of these titles (especially loved that they had a copy of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine). We were grateful to have the well back up and running by the following afternoon. So, despite injuries, stress, and home issues, we are focusing on the positives and happy to have joy amid the challenges.

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Side note: Ten years ago, my favorite read of the year was The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachael Joyce. I loved his journey, his introspection, and the redemptive resolution the journey brought. The movie version recently came available on Hoopla and I watched it this past weekend. I had forgotten the specifics of the difficulties Harold had with his son. I must say, it was very difficult to watch. It brought me to tears because it hit too close to home. So, as much as I loved that novel, I now believe it should come with a trigger warning: tough content and heart-wrenching emotions addressed.

Proud of Accomplishments

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Last week's regional game versus Gibson Southern started off strong and promising. First, our quarterback, Malachi, scored an 83-yard touchdown run. After a quick set of downs by Gibson Southern, we scored again, bringing it to 14-0. But, Gibson Southern is a tough opponent. By half-time, the score was 14-10. In the 3rd and 4th quarters they dominated. As the announcers were mentioning how cold it was, I was surprised to see a handful of Gibson Southern fans running shirtless across the walkway of their bleachers (photographic evidence in the Indy Star article).

You can read an excellent recap article from the Indy Star or watch this one-minute highlights video that shows our valiant efforts scoring two touchdowns in the first few minutes of the game.

Despite this loss, I feel quite proud of our team. Monday evening, at the school awards program, they read off Malachi's impressive stats for the season. You can view footage and see stats on this MaxPreps page. He is ranked 120th in the nation (with 3441 total yards), 7th in Indiana, and 1st in Division 3A and Sagamore Conference. He received an award for Most Valuable Player. Sean received a varsity letter and an academic excellence certificate. I thought he should have won the award for the highest GPA (his 4.064 is higher than the recipient's), but Sean said they select a senior. I guess there's next year. And we're looking forward to next year's season, as well.

Here are a few photos I snagged from the Tri-West Quarterback Club (including the one above, all taken by Holly Catt):

2023 Football Sectional Champs

I've said before, I'm not a typical football mom. I'm not in the stands shouting my lungs out. Fear of injury plagues my ability to enjoy football games. However, recently I've become a stealth supporter. Thanks to live-streaming, I can view the games from the comfort of my home, enjoy closer coverage and instant replays, and listen to (mostly informative) commentary. The live-streaming also allows me to enjoy the action simultaneously with my oldest son, Bryce. My husband laughs at how vocal I get while viewing privately at home. "Go, Malachi, go! Run, run, keep going!"

Last Friday's sectional championship game was thrilling (apart from one annoying commentator I could have done without). With a minute left in the first half, we were down 21-20. One commentator (the annoying one) kept saying if he was the coach, he'd have them go for the 3 points, saying "points is points." Thankfully, he wasn't the coach, and our coach had full faith in our powerful quarterback. With only seconds to go, we scored a touchdown and 2 additional points. Here's the highlight article that originally ran in the Indy Star. The score held through the second half, securing our status as 2023 Class 3A sectional champs.

Indy Star photographer Doug McSchooler captured some excellent images of Sean (#55) protecting QB Malachi (#7):

Malachi is a powerhouse. Time after time, he plows through a host of tacklers, remaining on his feet and launching into the end-zone. The commentator said, "You told me he was impressive, but you have to see him in action to fully grasp how good he is."

(Sean is at the far left in this Doug McSchooler photo)

Two more jubilant photos taken by the Tri-West Quarterback Club photographer:

Plus, Sean sent me this photo of him with Malachi holding the trophy:

The next game holds great challenge as we lost to Gibson Southern a few years ago, in a similar scenario. But, I'm holding to the hope that Malachi and our strong offensive and defensive players can hold them off to win the regional competition. Our sights are set even higher. Bryce and his fiancée are coming for a Thanksgiving visit. It would be fantastic if our team goes all the way to state level and Bryce gets to watch the game in Lucas Oil Stadium. The last time our team went to a state final and played there, it was the year after Bryce graduated. He missed it by a hair! It would be so cool if Sean gets to live the dream that evaded Bryce.

January's Traveling Mercies and Memories

In late December/early January, my sister proposed a joint trip to visit our parents (who live in assisted living in Largo, Florida). I had not been down to see them since my father's January 2020 fall, when he broke his arm while they were still living in their own house in Pinellas Park. Over these past three years, I have been grateful that the Lord has provided protection and care for them in this stellar facility, Cypress Palms. They receive wonderful meals, excellent fellowship and stimulation, and regular assistance for daily needs. My parents love it there, and I am thrilled to know someone is always near if they need help.

I think my reluctance to visit stemmed from a pandemic-induced discomfort with flying. Add in the December breakdown of Southwest (my preferred airline, because they fly non-stop) and I was still very hesitant to make the trip. But I longed to see my parents (and my sister) enough to brave the difficulties associated with travel. Then, I decided, if I'm getting on a plane to visit my folks, I might as well get on one additional plane and stretch the trip out with a visit to my oldest son, Bryce. January isn't the most appealing month to travel, but it was cheaper than waiting for March or April. Facebook friends I was praying for asked if they could return the favor by praying for me, so I mentioned my anxiety over my upcoming trip. Thanks to their intercession and God's gracious hand, the trip went almost without a hitch.

My Southwest flight from Indy to Tampa left bright and early on January 24th and evidence of God's hand surrounded the experience. On the return drive from dropping me at the airport, my husband said he saw a huge bottleneck of traffic on the other side (the one leading to the airport). We just missed this mess, and I made my flight with enough time to fit in my morning prayers (for my FB people). When I arrived in Tampa, I was prepared to wait for my sister's Dallas flight to arrive a few hours later, however her initial Lubbock flight was still on the runway, enduring 5 full hours of de-icing attempts. It was clear she wouldn't arrive soon, and I didn't want to drag my dad out with my mother to the airport twice. I had searched for alternative options just the day before and happened upon an express bus that could get me all the way to the Largo Ulmerton Road Park and Ride. Just as I found the 300x bus stop, the bus pulled up, and I made a snap decision to climb aboard. You can't beat the 300x bus! For $2.25, I was on my way to Largo!

My parents were at lunch, so I walked to the Wendy's next door and purchased my lunch while waiting for them to come for me. During that first day's visit, a routine played out again and again. My mother, seeing me sitting in their living room, would say, "Oh, what's your name?" I'd answer, and she'd reply, "I have a daughter named Wendy." We would point out that I am that daughter and she would smile and say, "Oh, you are? I love you!" Five to ten minutes on, it would repeat. Thankfully, she wasn't all that ruffled by our visit. I had feared we would overwhelm her, especially with two of us interloping into their territory. When Dawn's two flights finally landed her in Tampa, she took the 300x, and I stayed with my mother while my dad ran to pick Dawn up from the park and ride lot.

Dawn had already expressed some concern about my 4-5 a.m. waking time, which is 3-4 a.m. for her body clock. However, we stayed in a lovely hotel, Home 2 Suites, with a perfect room set-up so that my early morning rising didn't bother her. I so appreciated the curtain dividing the room.

On Wednesday, after a brief morning visit, we left to find lunch and to shop for some clothes my dad wanted Dawn to purchase for my mom. We landed at an outstanding Mexican restaurant, Los Magueyes Mexican Grill, in Largo. I highly recommend it if you are ever in Largo! My chicken and spinach quesadilla (with the accompanying salad, sour cream, and guacamole) was packed full and so delicious that we determined to return (Friday) for another meal before our 3-day visit was done.

By the time Friday, our departure date, rolled around, my mother was remembering us a bit more. During her afternoon scheduled bathing time, we drove to Clearwater Beach to see the ocean. Although we didn't have time to do more than snap a few photos, it was lovely.

My parents then took us to the Tampa Airport. My American Airlines Tampa to Dallas-Fort Worth flight went well, and Bryce was there waiting for me in the pickup lanes. He wanted to take me to a Mexican restaurant in Rockwall, TX, on the waterfront, but since I'd already had Mexican twice, he settled on an interesting restaurant/bar with plates adorning the walls and ceiling (Flying Saucer on the Lake).

Saturday we went to Bryce's girlfriend's parents' house in Plano, Texas, for a delicious brunch, where I met Elizabeth's parents, grandparents, and an aunt and uncle. Then Elizabeth and Bryce whisked me off for an intensive walking tour of Dallas - ha! Well, I don't think they intended a walking tour, but it was quite a bit of walking for me. We drove to the Sixth Floor Museum (getting a view of the spot of J.F.K.'s assassination). Then, we walked across Dallas to the Immersive Monet Experience. (On our way, they stopped to show me the giant eye - a landmark:)

I had wondered about the immersive experience when the Van Gogh one came to Indianapolis, but found no one to accompany me. Although I was pretty sure you were supposed to walk through the rooms, we stayed put in the first room for an entire cycle of the experience. My favorite part was a section paired with a shortened version of Ravel's Bolero. As we attempted to depart from the curtained door where we had entered, an attendant explained and then we walked through the other rooms to see various methods of experiencing the show.

Next, they wanted to give me a good view of the city, so we went in search of the Petroleum Club in the Chase Building (Elizabeth's father could get us permitted entrance) but discovered, upon arrival (and after much walking) that the Petroleum Club had recently moved to their new building. We walked to that building, but it was closed (although we saw an interesting pendulum swinging in the entrance area). So, we departed and trekked to our dinner location in the interesting Klyde Warren Park, a park built right over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. The park looked like a fabulous place to bring children - interesting climbing and play structures. We dined at Mi Cocina (yes, Mexican again, but no complaints from me) and called an Uber to take us back to the Sixth Floor Museum parking lot. I was exhausted, but full of fond memories.

Sunday morning, Bryce and Elizabeth wanted to watch the Purdue basketball game, so we went to The Ice House, intending to sit outdoors and view it on the overhead screens. Alas, it was absolutely arctic that morning, so we retreated indoors. I had a delicious BLT and mostly listened to the conversation between Bryce, Elizabeth, and her parents instead of watching the game. From there, we went back to Elizabeth's parent's house and played several rousing hands of Monopoly Deal while watching a few football games. 

On the drive back to Bryce's apartment, I received a text saying they had cancelled my Monday morning flight and re-booked me on the 8 p.m. flight. This was alarming news since they expected an ice storm to begin sometime on Monday or Tuesday. Thankfully, Bryce's workplace closed down early for the day and he drove me to the airport. Despite cancellation of 2/3rds of all flights out of Dallas Love's Field, my 8 p.m. flight took off as scheduled and I landed in Indianapolis at 11 p.m. that night. If I hadn't been able to catch that flight, Bryce would have been stuck with me until Friday since the ice storm lasted 3 days (thankfully, Bryce could work from home). While it was a good trip, full of excellent visits with loved ones, I so appreciate getting home and back into my routines (especially my prayer routine, disrupted the day we walked all over Dallas and made up the following day with an extra prayer slot).

Favorite Gifts of Christmas 2019

We had a lovely Christmas. It was such a blessing to have Bryce with us (he returned home to West Virginia late Christmas afternoon). Here were a few of my favorite gifts:

My husband bought me a copy of my blogging friend/author Maria Novajosky's book, An Ocean, an Airplane, and Two Countries Full of Kisses - a book to restart my failing reading mojo.

About a month ago, I was at a local flea market and spotted a game that I knew I would love. I snapped a photo and sent it to my husband convinced he would put it off until December and the thing would already be gone. No, bless him, he snagged it for me - Bookopoly: A Novel Property Trading Game Celebrating the Classics!

It looks delightful.  Instead of properties, you land on classic books. It says interesting facts about the books and the authors are printed on the back of each property deed. You secure $200 every time you pass READ. Instead of going to jail, you are stuck watching tv - ha! When you land on Explore or Knowledge, you receive cards like "Can't find your library card - Go directly to WATCHING TV. Do not pass READ. Do not collect $200." or "You only read the Cliff Notes. Move backward to the next book." My only complaint about the game is that they neglected to include a book by Dickens. My complaint about my family - the only one willing to share in the game is Sean.

Perhaps I will bring it to a Free Write night (an offshoot of my writer's group) and convince them to ditch their writing prompts (so intimidating) and join me in a game.

Finally, I was thrilled with Bryce's gifts: a set of gel pens, dark chocolate truffles, and a Double-Sided Full Body Massage Mat. This thing is wonderful - heat and vibration.

The Joy of Victory

When we first moved to this rural location in Indiana, we tried to integrate our oldest son into his peer group by placing him on a league basketball team. What a tremendous mistake! Indiana takes its basketball very seriously. They wean kids from bottles to basketballs. Bryce had never played a day of basketball in his young life. The other kids resented his presence on their team. They rarely passed the ball his direction, and he spent a fair amount of time riding the bench. Instead of boosting his self-esteem, it derailed a bit.

Several years ago, Trevor begged and begged to join the youth football league. The outset cost of $200 gave me pause. What if we invested in the experience and the boy returned from the first practices whining about how hard it was? Would it be a similar fiasco to the basketball attempt? Therefore, I put him off and put him off, promising that he could play when offered at the middle school at a more reasonable cost. He joined the team in 7th grade and by the start of his 8th grade season improved enough that the coach planned to play him on both offense and defense. Even though he contemplated quitting early on because the conditioning was hard, he persevered and ended up enjoying it. Sadly, his broken leg cut his opportunities short this year.

Last year, Sean developed a real enthusiasm for the sport because the boys on the league teams played football with him during every recess at school. Here we were again, facing the league involvement dilemma. This time, I relented. We paid the fees, discovering later it was only the tip of the iceberg as we also had to contribute for several fundraising activities and coach recognition gifts. As expected, after the first practices, Sean talked about quitting. The conditioning was brutal. He complained about the running and other exercises he perceived as pointless. Despite his resistance, we insisted that he persist (especially after spending so much)!

(Sean is at the right end of the top row. - team and individual photos by Rebecca Saylor)

(He proudly selected his big brother's number, 48!)

His tune changed over time. He discovered the secret - he enjoyed winning. Moreover, he learned that to get to the win, you must put in the practice. At the beginning, I would say he wasn't aggressive enough. In the tackle position, he sometimes let opposing players through the line. But, the more he practiced, the more he improved. Plus, he was fortunate to be playing with other boys who had years of experience. Their team was invincible. They ended the season last Saturday UNDEFEATED and took the championship trophy and individual rings home. It thrilled Sean to participate on the team and to experience the joy of victory.

Sometimes relentless practice (even on seemingly pointless drills) pays off and you encounter the thrill of winning! Now that the football season is over, I'm breathing a big sigh of relief. Because of Trevor's broken leg, I put in loads of time and mileage in the ten minute back-and-forth trips to the middle school four to six times a day. While I'm glad Sean reaped many benefits from his participation in the sport, I'm encountering my own joy - the thrill of the season's end.