Catching Up

While The Old Curmudgeon was working the England travelogue, other stuff was happening in our world. The Curmudgeon wishes the world would wait until his is ready. He would like to see someone invent a cosmic "pause" button that could be utilized to make the universe hold still until he catches up. Hey, a fellow can dream can't he?

AT any rate, June saw the end of softball season for Lauren. There was the traditional night game followed by the award of trophies, balls and a patriotic fireworks display.

A word about picture quality. The Old Curmudgeon, being the thoughtful guy that he is, gave his lovely wife a new camera for her birthday so she could have something compact to take on our visit to Ron and Maurene in the Mother Country. This new camera has a lot of different settings and incomprehensible on-screen icons that transmit important information if you have memorized the key, which we have not yet accomplished. If some (or most. Or all) of the pictures seem a little blurry it may be because they are. The Old Curmudgeon is making it his project today to rectify the focusing problem with the camera. If successful, he may try the solution on his own focusing problem!

Lauren takes a little batting practice before the game.


She takes a mighty cut under the lights.



Lauren with her trophy...

...and with her autographed ball


Fireworks capped the evening.

Here's a little taste of the stirring presentation.


Here's something you don't see everyday around here:

A duck on the roof. This is our neighbor's house across the street. The duck is, no doubt, eyeballing the swimming pool in the back yard.

Lauren spent a few days at Quaker Haven Camp

She raves about the food and love all the activities.

Grif was rewarded for a year's worth of work by the award of the Spirit of Truth medal. Grif and Tyler Rodino worked with former associate pastor Kara for an extended period of time to learn about the Religious Society of Friends. Each religious organization awards its own medal to scouts who satisfactorily complete and intensive program of study about their particular denomination.

For a number of years, the later half of summer brings with it what we refer to as "The Brickyard Weekend." It's a gathering of the Jackson clan centered around the now awkwardly named "Allstate 400 at The Brickyard."
Years ago B.C. (i.e., Before Children), Bobbie and I had tickets to the Indy 500. When the (then more sensibly titled) Brickyard 400 was proposed, those of us with tickets to the 500 were given first dibs on seats. We thought we would get tickets to the premier race just for fun. As it turned out, we obtained really good seats on the main straightaway at the first turn. We still have the tickets, but has The Old Curmudgeon feels he has seen enough of these races to get the gist of things (the cars go anti-clockwise, around and around for several hours making a significant noise in the process), he has most graciously allowed others to purchase the tickets each year. This provides a great excuse for a family gathering.

Gathered on the deck are Lauren with her Uncles and Aunt: Rick, Michele and Mike.

Lauren with Uncle Rick

Of course the Old Curmudgeon stays busy and out of trouble, for the most part.

Ready to head for the track are Bobbie's Uncle Johnny, Ryan Filyo (in hat) Jake Filyo, Rick and Grif. Lauren prepares to wave goodbye from the porch.

Those who don't attend the race get to relax with some alfresco dining at the Ram Restaurant and Brewery.

It's hard on us, but we suffered through.

Speaking of suffering, Grif survived his first N.P.H.S Marching Band summer camp. He joined his bandmates for all-day rehearsals each day. At the end of the week parents were invited to see the results. It was impressive to see the discipline and precision displayed by the unit. In order to impress upon the parents the rigor required for this level of development, parents were asked to come onto the practice grid (an asphalt parking lot) to take some instruction from our offspring. The Old Curmudgeon, a marching band veteran, can affirm that his best marching days are behind him. The band director really made these kids work. And when a break was provided for water, they all ran to their water jugs, took a big swig and ran back to formation . They are scheduled to perform at the new Lucas Oil Stadium in the near future during half-time of a game played by the high school team.

Grif, sporting a souvenir shirt from Liverpool, continues to display good form even after many hours of work in the hot sun.