Contact Information: SteveAndPeggyB@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Rain, Rain, Go AWAY!


Yesterday, Peggy and I went out to get a new battery for my "Battery Backed-Up" Garage door opener when we discovered the battery was dead... (Queue Montage of June 11th).  Well, as it turned out, Lowes has it on their website but not in their stores.  So, the web showed Walmart also carries those batteries but as it turns out, "web only order."  So with that a bust, we did have an extra set of house keys made, and we can now get in the house if the power goes out again.

While we were out hunting and gathering, we encountered incredible torrential downpours.  Fortunately, and as usual, I was able to drop Peggy off right at the door.  At one point, (Walmart) I ended up sitting in the car for perhaps close to ten (10) minutes waiting for the rain to subside enough that I could get to the back of the car and get my Bumbershoot

We were a bit more productive at Walmart.  As a result of the power pole siesta debacle on June 11th, we not only found the garage door battery was inoperable, but also our cordless house phones were bad.  We got the replacements and now good-to-go until the next significant power interference.

It is typical.  We invest in contingency plans and then never test them.  So, it goes to reason that when a power failure occurs, we then test all battery backed up devices.  UPSs, Laptops, Garage Door Openers and hopefully NOT smoke detectors.

Monday, June 11, 2018

Columbus Arts Festival

Well, I know this is being posted a bit late but, life and work get in the way of our plans.

Here is my update for today... On the way home from work on Friday, we encountered some really strong straight-line winds that damaged a lot of trees and power poles.  As a matter of fact, the main power to our part of Columbus was interrupted when two poles decided to get lazy and lay down. 

When we got home, neither of us had a key to the house.  You might ask, "Why would someone as wise and highly intelligent as Peggy, not have a key to the house?"  Yep, it was all her fault.  Here is the rationale that prompted a change in our key carrying habits.  We were smart... (In hindsight, maybe not) in that, we got a garage door opener that has the built-in battery backup so if the power goes off, the door will still open and thereby, free access to the house.  The problem was that we did not do any risk analysis.  The question should have been asked, what happens if the battery goes dead...  With hindsight being 20-20, now we thank of it.  So, we now have a contingency plan should the battery fail again by having a key as the backup.

During this tragedy, I was impressed with AEP's "Smart Power" project.  I actually had an opportunity to work on that project but unfortunately fell through and a story for another time.  As soon as the power when out, AEP email us letting us know.  The problem was the information in the email was off a bit.  Their original estimate was restoral completed by 9:30 pm the NEXT day.  Well, it was back on and the garage door opened within hours of the power pole siesta event.  We did actually call a locksmith but the power was back on before he was able to get there.

On Saturday, Peggy and I volunteered at the Columbus Arts Festival and worked at the Grange Acoustic Lounge.  We spent a good four (okay, 3 1/2) hours doing hard manual labor.  We did the same thing (I think) last year but did not work that hard then because we were not on "setup detail".  I am not that "In to" the whole art scene but the acoustic lounge had some good music and I love acoustic music.  So, it really wasn't that bad.





Friday, June 8, 2018

Duck, Duck... No, seriously, DUCK!

We went to another baseball game yesterday and was very pleased with the outcome despite the fact that we had to drive clear to Mount Sterling, OH for the game.

The score was 16-6 and our team WON!  They had such a good time.  As shown in the video, Christopher (and the other players on our team) was doing a lot of defensive moves to prevent interactions between their bodies and the ball.

I remember a few games ago,  Christopher took a direct hit from a fastball in the belly (just below his sternum).  I will say that there is plenty of sounds that are excruciating to hear and that was one.  It actually knocked the wind out of him for a time but sucked it up (no pun intended) and took his base like a champ.

On the other side of my grandkids, Cameron was running around during the games playing with the other kids around the park and a big part of his audience was girls...  That's my grandkid!

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Days like today...

I know I am typically up and excited to hit this world with a smile.  But, it takes days like today to realize how blessed you really are.  I am going through some challenges with one of my spiritual mentors. This blog is a place where I present the random thoughts and experiences in my life but I
want it to be upbeat and refuse to add negative things.  So, this is about a negative as I will get.  We have enough negative stuff on the news and social media and sometimes we need a break for that garbage.

On the upside, last night one of my church teachers was out and I got to teach the older kids.  I really enjoy this age group although the energy level of a couple could be turned down.

We discuss the Trinity and how each Person of the Trinity had significant physical, visual, and spiritual experiences in the history of mankind.  If you look at the Bible as a whole, you can see the hand of God build, comfort, chastise and bless us, despite our sin nature.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

A moment back

It is presently 49°F this morning and I had to wear a jacket.  What is up with the Weather!  You know if I have to revert to weather discussion, I do not have that much to report this morning.

So, here is one from 2009.  We took Christopher down to Big Walnut Creek and let him fish. Love the expression...Enough said...


Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Another game in Orient

Christopher
Last night: we got to go to Christopher's baseball game in Orient Ohio.  It was excellent weather for me, but Peggy ended up with a blanket around her.  The image on the left shows Christopher getting a hit even though it was a foul ball.

This was Christopher's first year playing baseball and is doing well.  One particular play, I think he was a bit confused as to where to throw.  It was a hit right down first base and got past the first baseman where Christopher got the ball.  It was too late to throw to first so, Christopher should have cut the boy off at second. The boy heading at first base but could have run to second but fortunately hesitated and stayed on first. So, Chris should have automatically thrown to second to cut him off but instead, throw to first. That play was a result of Inexperience and next time he will know what to do. At one point, Christopher was on first and his dad, Chris was the first base coach. Chris told Christopher to steal second. This time Christopher hesitated and they throw him out.  

Cameron
Christopher's team will not be getting first place awards this year but will gain a ton of experience.  Every person on the team will play the whole game because they only have eight (8) kids on the team.  As a matter of fact, if one of the boys happens to be on vacation during a specific game, the team will be allowed to play but will get an automatic out each inning.  If two kids are out, the team will have to forfeit the game.

Again, this was nothing more than inexperience and the first time he tried to steal a base. All that said, I am really impressed how quickly he is coming along for his first year.


In other news, the boys just got out of school for summary break and the first thing Cameron wanted was a Mohawk.  Now. the school they attend do not allow this hairstyle, so the moment Cameron started summer break, he went to the barber and got a haircut. I thought it was awesome even though, Crystal may have used the word "goober".  Well, all I know is he really liked getting it but in reality, he will not take care of it with the necessary products to keep it standing up.  That is okay, he likes it, I like it, and dog-gone-it, he is adorable.

Monday, June 4, 2018

Kayak Fishing Fun

Last weekend, a friend and I started off early on Saturday heading down "Little Walnut Creek" to do some fishing in our kayaks.  The water was up a couple feet and a little fast but I was prepared for the conditions.  Although it was a bit muddy, my first cast proved that the day was going to be great.  I landed a HUGE minnow... Okay, it was a little smallie that was a perfect specimen of what we were hoping to conquer.

This was the first time I was on this body of water and I was pleasantly surprised.  This creek has several laydowns, sections of the bank that was very rocky, and decently deep water without a lot of "fast" water.  It started out like this was going to be a good day.

Now the rest of the story...

The water was not that cold... No, it wasn't me that dumped his kayak.  I really felt bad but, this was his first kayak and he needed to be baptized in water...  When I got my kayak, I had to know the limits of the craft and now, he knows his limit.  Okay, he was just getting in the boat but still...

We began paddling upstream until we got tired and when floating down this lazy river fishing as we drifted downstream.  We still had the morning on the water and basically, caught nothing outside of what I caught on my first cast.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Play Ball!

Christopher
Last night Peggy and I went to another ball game.  Chris did not get on base this time.  He can usually get on base in a game, but this team was a bit above our team. 
The game was in Orient, Ohio so it was a little bit of a trip and believe the next one or two games might there or someplace other than our usual field.
I was expecting the game to be called because we had these pop-up showers and it was expecting to rain.  It turned out that we didn't get any rain and the temperature dropped to where I went back to the car and got a sweatshirt for Peggy.  I thought it was excellent.
After the game, Peggy and I went to Kroger to pick up a few things for my Mother-in-law and get some protein bars for work (for me).  I have been enjoying the CLIF Builder's Protein Crunchy Peanut Butter.  They contain 20 grams of protein and taste great.

This morning was supposed to be raining also but was able to walk from my parking garage to the office. (Typically a 10 to 12-minute walk if going at a good clip).

Okay, enough for this morning.