Game Face (98/366)

It was Daniel's 1st official Flag Football game at Dormont Stadium.  This is new for us and he is just loving it.
I was able to get there shortly after my Zumba class and take pictures of his first game.  He played QB, Wide Receiver and wherever the coach needed him to be......

But the Keystone Oaks 8-9yo Red Team didn't win today.

Dan's quote was, "Mom, we were just like the Pirates, we didn't win our first game either".  Got to love a child's way of thinking.   His team may not have won, but his game face was on and I am sure with determination like that, there will be many wins in their future.

Winning means you are willing to go longer and work harder, and give more than anyone else.
~Vince Lombardi

Dogwood in Blue (97/366)

Nothing like a beautiful, crisp Spring day with only a half day of work to get my "yard" on.  My lawn was way past needing a good cut and the weed whacking was beyond bad.  So after a good lunch, Daniel and I headed out.  Mowing, raking, weeding and then a good dose of Round Up...progress is being made.  Weather permitting, next weekend is major weeding in the flower beds with lots of mulch and flowers and colors.

I want to take the 50ft garden I have in my back yard and have it become my butterfly garden.  This weekend I will be researching the appropriate flowers for a butterfly garden and making my purchases throughout the week.  I have never had a green thumb but I am determined to change that.

So as I was cleaning up and putting things away, I could not help but notice how beautiful the dogwood tree in our front yard was against the blue sky.  Simplistic beauty.



The Dogwood Tree
By: Author Unknown

When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.
Being distressed at the use of the wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so
Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown
And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be
A reflection to all of my agony."

Opening Day 2012 (96/366)

The day was finally here.  April 5th, 2012.  It was Opening Day of Major League Baseball and our Pirates were playing my Phillies.  The kids and I have been counting the days since the season ended last year.  Counting for many reasons.  One, for me, to see my Phillies on Opening Day and Two, for Shannon and Daniel to experience their First Opening Day.

This was only my third Opening Day but it will not be our last.  We have a new family tradition and if it means missing one day of school, so be it!

My day started at 6AM as I tried to get a few last minute things cleaned up for work.  Then it was "the perfect Opening Day Breakfast", at least in Daniel's eyes (and stomach).  Cheese omelette, 2 slices of pork roll and a bagel.   This was my way of making sure the kids did not deplete my bank account at the ball park.

We headed downtown about 10:15AM and spent the next hour or so walking the River Walk and enjoying an almost perfect Spring morning (it could have been just a wee bit warmer, but so be it.)  As we made our way down, the kids posed, ducks posed and we visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial outside of the Del Monte building.  Then Shannon and I pulled up a seat against a concrete pylon and a few moments later we were being interviewed and photographed by Trib Newspaper.  Here is the link and if you click through the photo gallery in the upper left hand corner, we are picture 12!

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:2NXE3B9abAUJ:www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_789993.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us (under the time 12:27PM)

So it was time to get in the park and watch some baseball.  We walked the park so I could take some shots and then got lunch.  I think the kids are media magnets because during lunch, Shannon was interviewed by KDAK News.  I have not found that video yet but I will let you know when I do.

So the kids were in our seats and I was off and up for my Diamond Shot.  I do this in every stadium we go to and  at least once a year in PNC Park.  A quick visit with my friends John and Jackie and it was off to game time!  And what a game it was.  It might not have been a win (just yet) but Doc Halladay and the Phillies are no easy pill to swallow.

So we exited the park with our heads held high.  Saturday brings another day and another game.  We had a great time and are looking forward to a great season of baseball in Pittsburgh.  Now, how did I miss my knees with the sunblock.  I guess it's pants tomorrow or else I will look ridiculous!

Let's Go Bucs! (and Phillies...because either way we win!)

You look forward to it like a birthday party when you're a kid. You think something wonderful is going to happen.
~Joe DeMaggio on Opening Day

My Old Glove (95/366)

Today was our first trip back to PNC Park.  The Pirates opened the park for free to all fans.  It was supposed to be the Pirates at 3pm and the Phillies at 5pm.  However, at about 4:35pm, security came along to escort us out of the park.  Despite what all the emails I have received said, we were unable to stay to watch the Phillies.  We were disappointed but we can get in early because we are season ticket holders so we will see the Phils one way or the other!

My kids, as usual, lucked out.  Greg Ritchie, the Pirates batting coach, tossed them both a ball.  They are developing quite a collection from the different games and events we get to attend.

This was my favorite, non-player shot.  Believe it not, this was MY original glove when I played softball in my tween and teen years.  Daniel found it and fell in love and has been using it ever since.  What's even funnier is that it's not even a good glove.  It's a K-Mart blue light special and my parents definitely got their money's worth.

So tomorrow is Opening Day and we will be there.  In fact, we will be there the whole weekend.  This will be my kids first time at Opening Day and I can't wait to capture their excitement.  We head to the ball park tomorrow with one thought in mind.

For Today, We Are All Undefeated!

The only thing fair in life, is a ball hit between first and third.

Goodnight Moon (94/366)

Goodnight Moon is still one of my favorite books.  I loved it as a kid and I loved reading it to my kids.  Today was another insane day and by the time a few moments were mine, the dusk was sharing the gift of the moon.  The moon is still waxing and in just a few short days, it will be full.  So as I was taking shots tonight, that book just came to mind and made me smile.  Sometimes you just have to let go and be a kid again.

If you have never read it, take a few moments.  If not for yourself, for your child or grandchild                          ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodnight_Moon ).

The moon also brings to mind one of my favorite Moody Blues songs.  I know you know so let the song just drift through your mind and enjoy.

Cold hearted orb
that rules the night
Removes the colours
from our sight
Red is gray and
yellow white
But we decide
which is right
And 
which is an illusion
~Nights in White Satin

About To Burst (93/366)

I know it's Spring and Winter has made it's way to parts unknown when my Azalea bushes start to bloom.  It's been so warm here that I have forgotten it's only April 2nd.

As I was on my walk about yesterday I noticed the buds by my porch were just getting ready to burst.  I so love the colors and the flowers and hopefully some bumble bees to

It also brings to mind one of my favorite quotes.  Is it your turn to blossom?

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom
~Anais Nin

The Sultan of Swing (92/366)


Daniel decided to join me on my walk about the neighborhood to do my homework. Just Daniel and I and my 50mm lens.  We have a semi developed cul de sac behind our house so we walk onto some of the lots and discovered some very cool things to photograph.  It was also a good way for me to get used to a static lens.  Prior to this purchase, the two lenses I own are both zooms and I was feeling a bit leery that I would be limited with what I could do.  Boy was I wrong.

I think both of us were amazed as some of the things we discovered no more than 100 yards from our house.  Cat tails in post bloom, tree stumps, dried flowers and a lovely creek running down below.    Then we took our walk to the Parkedge Park, which is 100 yards in the other direction from our home.  Daniel wanted to swing (what kid/adult doesn't) so I let him go at it.  What was even better was the natural smiles I was getting as he got higher and higher.  This was the best 60 mins of the weekend!

Back to the house to review the shots.  Almost 100 in an hour.  Who knew so much fun could be had this close to home.

Today you are You, that's truer than true.  There is no one alive that is youer than You!
~Dr. Seuss