Citizens

One of my side trips during vacation is to get to Hadlock Field in Portland to see the Sea Dogs, the Red Sox AA affiliate.  We took in a noon game on a hot summer afternoon, and had seats a few rows behind home plate, a row behind a couple of Sox scouts, with whom I got to chat for the afternoon.  What a thrill to pick the brains of some who 'are in the know' about Sox prospects.  And what a thrill to get to see Jackie Bradley, Jr. in person, the next great center-fielder for the Sox.  Barely 22 years old, this kid has all the tools, and did not disappoint in wowing us with his skills.  Even the scouts are impressed!

But, an added benefit of this trip was to get to see 30 people from Somalia, Congo, Philipines and Germany become citizens of our great nation on the field prior to the game.  One could only wonder what was going through their minds as they took the official oath, and listened to our president, via video, welcome them to our great land, and asking God to bless them and bless our country!  And one counld only wonder about the probably very difficult journey that had brought them to this day.  We welcomed them with a rousing round of applause!

Mt. Franklin

I am happy to report that my 2012 White Mountain climb was successful. 
We were atop Mt. Pierce in about 3 hours, right on schedule - our schedule.  After being below tree line to that point, the views of Washington in the distance and the peaks in between were exhilarating.  It was a crystal clear day - in fact both days were completely clear.  That was a true blessing!

Our trek was supposed to be Pierce to Eishenhower to Monroe to Lakes of the Clouds and then on to Washington.  However, after Pierce and Eishenhower, we were confused.  We saw Washington, and guessed (correctly) that the peak in front of it was Monroe.  But, the path was leading to another peak, and not Monroe.  We asked a passerby, who identified that peak as Franklin!  Franklin?  Where did Franklin come from?  Well, Franklin is not a 4000 footer, though from where we stood at that moment, you could have fooled us!  And, we had to traverse Franklin to get to Monroe! 
No choice, so off we went.

Seven hours after we started, we pulled into Lakes of the Clouds, and while some went in for a quick, albeit cold, swim, I passed on that opportunity. 
After dinner, there was a gorgeous sunset, with the sun turning beet red at the end.  Pictures did not do it justice.

The next day was perfect weather again, and our ascent of Washington went without a hitch. 

From there, we spent the next few hours figuring out the new hiker shuttle to the bottom, and waiting for 'connections'.  Nonetheless, we all have vowed to be in better shape for next year's Tuckerman Ravine traverse, and can't wait for next July!

Amanda update

The latest on Amanda, the woman who's truck was crushed by ice in early April, is a mix of bad news/good news.  The Greenfield Filter that was placed in her to catch pulmonary embolisms is clogged.  That means they need to go in and remove it.  However, as it was inserted through the groin, and it is umbrella-shaped, it cannot be removed the same way ot was inserted.  Instead, they now need to go in through the carotid artery, a much more risky procedure.

On the 'good news' front, she will undergo a MRI to determine if the doctors are correct in thinking that she has healed to the point that she can have the 'collar' that has been protecting her neck and vertebrae removed.  The original prognosis was for her to have the collar for 4-6 months.  However, since the hospital in Alaska put the collar on and gave the original time frame, to have it removed sooner would require her to take the most recent medical results and go back to Alaska to have them remove it.

So we continue our prayers - prayers for the successful removal of the Greenfield Filter, and prayers of thanksgiving for her continued healing and quicker-than-expected steps toward recovery.

Half way there

Hard to believe that 2012 is half way done, this being July 1st!  Time sure does fly by!  And as if we need to be reminded just how fast time does fly, with the days starting to get shorter already, can't be long before we are shoveling snow again, can it?

However, this year Independence Day falls on a Wednesday - a tough day of the week to have a holiday.  Many people seem truly confused as to when to celebrate - the weekend before or the weekend after.  And the businesses seem to be taking full advantage of this confusion and hold sales BOTH weekends!

This afternoon I was invited to and attended a 'picnic' down by the shore.  I use that word 'picnic' loosely, because there were none of the traditional hotdogs and burgers and sweet corn and watermelon.  Instead there were lobsters and rib-eyes, sausage and peppers and sufritto (an Italian delicacy that is better when the ingredients are not known).

Of course, what picnic would be complete without the thunderstorm in the middle of the afternoon?  There were well over 50 people at this picnic, and all went scurrying as the rain pelted down and brought some 1/2 inch hail along with it.  Those who had been out for a stroll to walk off some of the delicious food came back drenched.  So, this is what we waited all winter for?