A successful pig roast (and open house for the soon to be graduate)

So eleven hours of cold and driving rain and smoke and we produced one fine roast pig, which easily fed the numerous guests at the basement open house.

Here is the finished product still on the grill.

And here is a short video from my phone from 10:00 SUNDAY MORNING in the pouring rain.

How about just a little cooperation?

Joe My God! Mother Nature is just bound and determined to compensate for the drought in a single weekend. I'm trying to get ready to start the grill but it is pouring rain and thunder and lightning and I think I'll wait a couple of hours. a nap would be the sensible thing...

Here is a picture I've never posted before of Hunter and me from about 18 1/2 years and 50 pounds ago.

Spring Baseball winding down - and another career

So here we are winding down Hunter's high school baseball career. It has been a fun, if not particularly successful, season for him. He has been playing very well defensively, but the hitting has been rough.

He handles the pitchers well and always has that positive attitude. You can tell the other players enjoy it when he is in the game. Century is a very young team and his leadership is important.

And, of course, what is small town ball if not doing your own groundskeeping???

There will be another post soon as tomorrow is his high school graduation Open House at La Casa del Shorty. In case you haven't heard, we are roasting a hog and having pulled pork sandwiches with sauce from my favorite barbecue spot in South Carolina. Come and join us!

Rites of Spring

It was Will's turn yesterday as he received his "President's Academic Excellence Award." He has worked hard this year and the GPA shows it. Photo quality a little sketchy - as in from my iPhone.

This last one is from Municipal Ballpark. I wonder how many fields in America have a Cathedral for a 3rd base foul pole marker, and can see the State Capitol in Centerfield? A beautiful day for baseball.

The Final Countdown

Spring has apparently arrived.

Boys are busy with baseball, track & field, and golf. We are trying to prepare simultaneously for (1) completing the basement (2) Hunter's birthday (3) Hunter's graduation party (4) and Hunter's graduation.

He is trying desperately to sneak in a senior recital in addition to final concerts and playing the Star Spangled Banner to open the State Track Meet. All of us are till dealing with the death of my Father-in-law Tom a couple of weeks ago.

The baseball season hasn't been particularly successful, and Luke and Will just want to go and shoot a wild turkey.

Did I forget anything?

Work is crazy and we just have to make the best of whatever comes.

Living with the "most interesting men on the planet."

A little Spring cleaning...

So here at Casa Del Shorty we've been doing a little Spring cleaning and a little basement finishing and a little refurbishing. The first photo is of the builtin gas fireplace that is supposed to serve as the centerpiece of the open Living/dining room. As you can see, the original design lacked a certain...hearthiness that would make it actually serve that purpose.

To that effect the Earthgirl decided to make it a real centerpiece, and voila:

Still waiting patiently for the sheet rockers to arrive and finish their part of the basement

Springtime?...Prom

Here is the cute couple on their way to the senior prom. They stopped by for a few minutes to let us take pictures. 

 

Not to be left out, Luke and Will volunteered to be in a picture, too. Yikes.

 

Century Girls State Basketball Champs!

All State Update

This is a photo (courtesy of our neighbor Mark) of Will and Hunter after the 2013 All State Orchestra Concert in Bismarck March 24th. Hunter was the Principal 2nd Violin and one of only two violinists to get the 4 year All State participant award. Will was one of four students (and the only freshman) who reauditioned for principal violist, and we hope to see a 4 year award in 2016.




















The concert was terrific. It is not often you get to see a Youth orchestra of that size (and certainly that quality) perform.


After the concert we had a chance to talk with long time friend Christie from Grand Forks.


The last few weeks have been a blur, busy at work, watching WDA and State Basketball. Century Girls were repeat State Champs (matching Boy's Soccer!) and Alex was named to the State All Tournament Team. She had the game of her career on Friday against Shanley going 5-6 from the three point line and finishing with 17 points - including the game winner - to lead them into the Championship. She played terrific defense and a lot of minutes at point guard in the Final when they crushed West Fargo by 30.


Luke went snowboarding at Red Lodge with a group and had a blast. Locally, our snow (less than 40 inches all winter has meant poor conditions at Huff Hills and few opportunities to board.

And then finally, we have a new sport to follow! Niece Mariah has taken up swimming and we got to see her swim twice at the Aquatic Center. She is long and has the shoulders and legs it takes for this difficult sport. We'll be watching.

Long time, no see

Shortly after our return from South Carolina I herniated the disk between L3 and L4 resulting in lots of pain and and injury to both the sciatic and femoral nerves. I ended up having 2 epidural steroid injections and a course of methylprednisone which got me to a pain free place but ongoing issues with the femoral nerve which serves the quadriceps.

Forced to retire from snowboarding, which is a bummer as Luke & Will are really starting to get into it.

I believe my running days are over as well. I can do low impact exercise on an elliptical trainer or a stationary bike so do manage some  cardio, but many many things that I took for granted are now difficult if not impossible. I continue to rehab my back and legs with specific exercises from my physical therapist, but progress has been slow.

Home life has been interesting. Earth Girl's father is dying of cancer, and so she spends what time she can in Minot. Hunter is winding down his high school career, trying to pick a college, playing lots of music and gearing up for his final baseball season. The twins are girl-struck and trying new sports: Luke will be golfing and William will do track & field.

The good news? It is the middle of February and nicer weather can't be too far away. Really excited to spend some time in the fresh air again after being cooped up all winter.