Thanksgiving Morning on Bull Run

Thanksgiving dinner would be late today and so the morning was relatively free. The "bird" would go in later and the early morning was open. Matthew had a new camera in anticipation of the baby's imminent arrival and so to give it a test we both turned to Bull Run. It was damp, cool and foggy. In fact, it was a good morning for a few pics. We saw very few other people; occasionally a jogger or another photographer but the morning at Bull Run was quiet.

The Stone Bridge from the south looking north.

Matthew gaining a sight.

A squirrel chase with the camera.

The Bull Run on a foggy morning.

A moss laden tree which reminded me of the warmth and comfort of digging one's toes and feet into the sand at Assateague.

Matthew from atop the Stone Bridge.

The Old Stone House is a short distance from the Bull Run. The "House" was used as a hospital during the War and, of course, is haunted in a non-threatening way.

Matthew gaining perspective on the grounds of the Old Stone House.

This is the field just to the west of the Old Stone House. The color, even on a dreary day, is robust. The rust fits right into the autumn air.

As you know the battlefield is a favorite haunt and always is tempting with picture possibilities. The challenge is having the eye to spot the pic. On this day I missed many. But then again, there will be another day. Hopefully your Thanksgiving was as nice as mine.

...til later.

KES Visits The Battlefield With Her Camera

These are some of the pics taken by Kiera when we visited the Battlefield. She's a quick learner and greets everything with a special enthusiasm only she can muster.

A pic of Baap...

A ground level pic of Stonewall Jackson...

The pic of Stonewall taken at the time I snapped her looking up with her camera.

Another...

and the Visitors' Center...

The only problem with her taking pics is that she may become more interested in taking her own pics than in allowing me to take her pic. We have plans for another visit to Bull Run and would have gone today (Veterans Day) but for the heavy rain.

A Visit To A Favorite Place With A Favorite Friend

Manassas National Battlefield Park (Bull Run) has always been a favorite place to visit and particularly so with Kiera. It's always good for pics and this was the first time Kiera had use of a camera for her own snaps. Our visit was early in the day on Sept 30 and our first stop was with an old friend - an old dogwood tree that bears less foliage this year than last and considerably less than two years ago.

Still a good cradling place for pics.

She thought it would be fun to take a pic of each other.

A pic of Stonewall Jackson's monument by KES.

Another "resting" place elsewhere on the park grounds.

Working with the landscape.

A fly over by some park inhabitants.

Some of Kiera's pics to follow...

...til then.

...and Another Season Ends

As with the "big leagues" so also does T-Ball's season come to an end. Excitement at the last game brings on shenanigans...

...and a young lady has the final word.

An ad for the utility of Don's Johns?

An "old fashioned" knee slide. Mother always wondered why the holes in my pants' knees and the need for patches.

There's always jubilation in making an out as a defensive player.

A fan... (Aunt Nonie)

Kiera - on the third base line - thinking it's a runway? The ribbon bow courtesy of Aunt Samantha.

As with all good things, they must come to an end (at least for this year). The field is cleared, the other players are gone, the fans have left, and there remains only anticipation for the next year. Sadness but...

...til later.

High Note At The End Of A Long Season

A few pics to put a cap on a long season for the Nats but one that ended with excitement in anticipation for next year - just the way a season should end. The first 3 pics are from the September 22 loss to the Dodgers (14-2) when Livan Hernandez was hit hard giving up 8 runs in less than 4 innings on the mound. At this point few thought the season would end with 7 consecutive wins and most were hoping that the season would just end. A sweep of the Mets and the Braves to close out 2009 was unimaginable after a 14-2 loss on September 22. Yet, baseball is always a ride on a rolling road and the right roll came to town on September 28 when the Mets stepped off their bus and entered Nats Park. The truth is the Mets had suffered through their own season but their presence for a 3 game series would only add to their suffering and help to encourage the Nats for 2010. The home season ended on September 30 with the Nats completing a 3 game sweep in a fashion reminding fans of what it had been like in early 2005. There were still 4 games remaining but to be played in Atlanta. Atlanta had just been eliminated from the wild card race and the edge was off their game - enough so that the Nats finished the season with a sweep in Atlanta and with a finish to the season sufficient to help fans overlook 103 losses and look forward to 2010. The last 4 pics are from the last home game with the Mets.

Josh Bard pre-game on Sept 22...

Livan Hernandez warming up for the September 22 game (he later wished he'd stayed in bed)...

Steve McCatty, Nats pitching coach (does he see something in Livan's warm up?)...

A bight spot to end 2009 and in anticipation of 2010: Ian Desmond at SS...

John Lannan was the work horse on the mound all year. He didn't win on Sept 30 but pitched well...

The Nats entered the bottom of the 9th trailing the Mets 4-2. The fans had not given up and the noise from the stands for the last home game and for a possible comeback was vintage 2005. The rally produced one run with 2 outs when Adam Dunn walked with the bases loaded scoring Alberto Gonzalez. The bases were still loaded with 2 outs and the score was 4-3. Justin Maxwell came to bat. The hope was for a base hit, maybe another walk, or anything that could score a run and tie the game. Nobody anticipated a "Begonia Ball." Nevertheless, just beyond the reach of the Mets' left fielder, Angel Pagan, and a fan, Maxwell lifted the ball over the left field wall and into the Begonias; a grand slam, a win, and ecstasy for the fans.

How could there be a better way to end the season at home?!!!

For the Nats - ...til next season. For you - ...til later.

Ground Control to Major Tom (September 20, 2009)

A couple of "snaps" from today with the girls. Gianna while seated in her circular play unit (or whatever it is) brought immediately to mind the David Bowie tune "Space Oddity" with the opening line "Ground Control to Major Tom." Not that I've ever been a Bowie fan but the picture closed off all other thoughts but... We had a great day but it was certainly active. This play thing is something else. Buttons and gismos everywhere - indeed, a "control panel."

Gianna did peek out when not working the controls (alright, she did have a little help from us too).
There's something fluffy and soft about Kiera's dog. Kiera was generous in letting Gianna play with it but we had to promise Kiera we wouldn't let Gianna drool on it. She was good and we were true to our word and I'm serious about the promise to Kiera.
Woof...
I want to be accurate about this one... Kiera, except for church this AM, had an active day. In fact, efforts to photograph her earlier were frustrated by her movements. I couldn't speed up the shutter enough to capture what she was doing. In fact she wore herself down so much she collapsed on the couch giving me the chance to "steal" this pic. The cap is from her doll and I placed it there while she was napping. She would not have approved and I suspect she will say something to me when she sees the pic. The sleepers were her choice. After church she decided to rummage through some of her old clothing. She found 2 pair of old sleepers, both of which when tried on became "button poppers" but undeterred she wore one or the other, off and on, through the day. Now, for accuracy's sake, she had a wonderful day and was a great help and I'm not sure whether she or Sheila will give me the harder time for the pic.
Looks like they just slept the day away, doesn't it. Well, keep thinking that. After everyone left following dinner Sheila and I both slumped away and fortunately no one was around with a camera. It wasn't because we were just sleepy...try exhaustion.
Our slumber: with smiles from a wonderful day!

...til later.

Kiera's T-Ball Game (September 19, 2009)

Yesterday was Kiera's first daytime game appropriate for picture taking and thus the following pics. It was a beautiful day, if anything too sunny, and both Aunt Michelle and G. Aunt Nonie came to watch. The sun's position and the fencing contributed to the best shots being those of the batters as they were swinging and therefore the large number of batters' expressions. Actually the expressions are great and for baseball players everywhere it is of note how each youngster is so tightly focused on the ball - "eyes on the ball." Of particular interest today was that the coach awarded Kiera the "game ball" for her play but, as luck would have it, the camera had already been tucked away. (Remember: double clicks to enlarge)

Kiera started on the "pitcher's mound" as such is in T-Ball. This means no pitching but rather being in the direct line of fire for the T-Ball hits...

...and throws to first.
Someone has been watching too many Michael Jordan basketball videos.
The fans on one side.
Her ribbon has held up well.
Was it Veronica Lake who had the longer, wavy hair that then tended to hide one eye?
The eyes.
Getting ready.
The eyes again.
More eyes...
...
...
...
and whack.
Eyes and grit...
...
A pause from the action with a fan. Seventh inning stretch is the second inning in T-Ball.
The sun was bright.
Dad and daughter.
More fans...
and another...
and another.
Back to the action.
Now let's see...runner on second and ball hit to me...what do I do?
Look the runner back at second...
and throw to first.
Oops.
Will there be contact?
You bet!
Eyes and intensity...
...
...
results in whack!
Then there's a time to pity the ball...
...
...
Hitting with a smile.
It would have been better to say the line occurred after the game, but not so. I guess that is part of the reason in having so many youngsters in the field at one time. When there is a call, the loss is minimized.
...til later.