Cincy Weekend Part 2

Haha, how's that for a creative title?

After Friday's game we were able to witness something that had never been done before. Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman had bet someone earlier in the season if the Reds won ten games in a row he would shave his head. Well, win they did!! So, he challenges people to raise $20,000 for charity and he would have it done in front of the crown after Friday's game. They made it a pretty big deal. Members of his family were there and other folks on the field.

We were watching from a spot where some people got in front of us so we started walking to the car forgoing watching the Friday fireworks but stopped to watch the spectacle on the t.v. In all, $50,000 was raised and a celebrity who shall not be named because I don't particularly like him matched it so a total of $100,000 was raised for the Reds Community Fund. Now, that is impressive. Guess, it was worth it to Marty!



Like I said, we didn't stay for the fireworks so luckily missed most of the traffic exiting the game.

The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. We used to park over in Covington, Kentucky and walk across to Cincinnati sometimes. I would like to do that again.

We were able to swing by Steak and Shake for something to eat and get back to the motel in time to watch all the coverage of Marty getting his head shaved.

The next day we slept in and didn't get out until eleven. I really wanted to go to the Worlds Longest Yard Sale at MainStrasse Village in Covington but since it was supposed to be in the upper 90's decided against it. Considering we were going to be outside at the game we thought air conditioned places might be best. We really didn't have a plan but ended up at Dicks, Walmart, Walgreens (buying moleskin for a blister...story of my life) and then driving around trying to find a Goodwill we could see from the Interstate. After two peoples sketchy directions we finally found it ourselves. Three empty frames for me and a couple of tee shirts for Seth later we headed into Cincinnati to find the Urban Outfitters. Of course we didn't know the directions but knew it was close to the University of Cincinnati. Seth looked it up on his phone and we exited on the correct exit but then of course it took awhile to actually find it. Let's see, driving around the inner city. Not for me. Thank goodness Tim was a trouper. He accidentally went up a one way street only once! We eventually found it, parked and went in. It is in an old church building. Seems wrong. I remember calling Urban Outfitters once to tell them to stop sending me their catalog because it was so offensive. The store-same thing. Jen would have liked it though.

After we left the store we drove around a bit more and went through a neighborhood of gorgeous older homes. They were the kind of homes we imagined the owner of the Reds would live in. Because we didn't want to pay to park and walk somewhere in the city to eat we drove back over on the Kentucky side and ate a late lunch before heading back over to the Ohio side again for the ballgame. The temperature heading to the game was 98 degrees. Hot much?

It was much more crowded before the Saturday game. We wanted to get there early to get our Johnny Cueto bobble heads. They gave out twenty five thousand and we were concerned we wouldn't get one if we didn't arrive early. Ha! Well, actually, we're just used to getting to the ballpark early.

We went around to the side where it was shaded though to get in line. 

We got a good view of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square from that side.

We got our bobble heads and went in to wait two hours for the game to start. Remember the temperature driving to the park? Yeah, and it was a lot more humid. It made for an uncomfortable two hours. Well, actually, it made for an uncomfortable few hours. there was a better breeze though and luckily it was overcast again. Thank goodness!

Mike Leake pitched. Let's just say I think Tim was right when he said he's the weak link. Not the best outing but the Reds won anyway!!



I put my camera away after I took these pictures of Mike Leake. It was hot and I just wanted to enjoy watching the game. Thank goodness they won so it made sitting at the hot humid game worth it!!

We decided no more August games for now on. We're thinking spring and fall are the best times to come. Guess, we'll see next year!

Cincinnati Weekend

We finally made it to Cincinnati over the weekend. I had tentatively planned to go to the St. Louis series in July because it was the same weekend as a flea market in Burlington, Kentucky but it didn't work out. This was a much better series with the Pittsburgh Pirates but no flea. Oh well, maybe next year. The Reds were in first place in the Central and the Pirates 3.5 games back going into the series. So, obviously a big series. It didn't disappoint.

We left Friday morning and made great time. Seth slept most of the way and missed lunch so we ordered a pizza before even going to the ballpark. this worked out perfectly since the food at Great American is just so so. I thought the gates opened two hours before the game so we left for the ballpark around 4:30.

One of my favorite views. Rounding the curve with the city in view.

The Cincinnati skyline has changed a lot in the twenty years we have been visiting.

Crossing the Ohio River.

We got there before five o'clock but the gates didn't open until 5:30 so we waited. We're used to getting to the ball game before the gates open. It was good to see a crowd already gathered too!

We made our way in, watched the Pirates' batting practice and found our seats. For the first time Seth didn't go to get any autographs. The lineup for Friday's game. Notice: no Votto (DL after knee surgery), no Phillips (injured calf), and no Bruce (terrible stats against the left handed pitcher.) Hmmm, I wasn't sure if the Reds could win without their best players.

It was pretty hot but there was a slight breeze occasionally. Thank goodness for the glorious clouds!!

The breeze off the river was great but it was pretty much blocked from our seats.

When the sun did appear for a few minutes before the game started I walked around to watch some of Reds Live. We pretty much watch this most nights before the games so it was interesting to see it taped live.

Our seats were in the outfield so we had a good view of the outfield players. Both games we went to were sell outs! The Pirates best player Andrew McCutchen played center field.

Luckily, the Reds pitching shut him down and he wasn't a factor in the series.

Mat Latos pitched for the Reds. And pitch he did.

Chris Heisey hit an in the park home run which is almost unheard of in Great American. This made the score 1-0.

Mat Latos pitched well. Every time a Reds' pitcher struck out a player fire came out of the smoke stacks.

Not only did Mat Latos pitch well but he hit a  two run home run!!

Luckily, we got to see Aroldis Chapman come in to save the game.

One of his pitches was 102 miles per hour!

And this one belongs to the Reds!!

The Rest of Sarah's Visit

I'll tell you, coming up with a title for posts is hard. For me, anyway.

So, on Saturday I got up and baked my oatmeal raisin cookies and mixed up some slaw dressing to take to Roger's cookout. We drove to Kingsport and arrived a little after one. Of course we were almost the first ones to get there. I bet that was foreign to Sarah. ;) It was already HOT.

Roger grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and everyone brought something. I took this picture of Tim's plate minus his hamburger to remember that he ate Kim's broccoli/cauliflower salad. In the thirty some years I have known him I have NEVER known him to eat broccoli. And he liked it...the salad that is.

The crowd was a bit smaller this year. It seems as though it ebbs and flows. Sarah hadn't been to one of Roger's cookouts in years since she moved to Northern Virginia. I couldn't tell you the last time Seth went either. Bum. ;) Jen and Michael were there with Addy. Jen is due with a boy in August and she looked fabulous. Addy isn't familiar with us so she never has warmed up to us yet. It's hard when we only see them a couple of times a year. Mammy had been in the hospital a week ago because she fell. She is home recuperating but didn't feel well on Saturday (she had overdone it the day before) so Jane brought she and Pappy over for just a little while. I'm glad Sarah was able to sit inside (with air conditioning) to visit with Mammy and Pappy.

Roger and Pat had their first 4th of July cookout in 1990, the year they moved back from Pennsylvania. Their screened in back porch inspired us to build one too. I'm glad Roger continued having it after Pat passed away. It has become one of my favorite family traditions. The kids used to love to go and swim every year. We haven't taken our swimsuits in years. I guess you just kinda grow out of swimming. Sarah sat poolside for a few minutes before we left. It was just too hot to be in the sun.

Even though the car had been parked in shade this was the temperature when we got in the car to leave.  The air conditioning felt so good on our drive home.

On to the next party we went. Andrew's 5th birthday party at Jen's "Flat Gap" house. Thank goodness we got there late and just in time to miss the birthday boy getting pushed into the pool by Ean (payback) and splitting his chin open. So thankful we missed the drama! He survived though and partied like a trooper. Erin took him to the emergency room later and he got seven stitches.

We always get such a kick out of the funny things Andrew says. And the way he says it. After he cut his chin he was crying and said, "Just my luck, now I'm gonna be four and won't get to turn five." Also, when Erin told him they would have to ride over to the hospital to let a doctor look at it he said, "but you are a doctor and you already looked at it." You can't get anything past him. Seth told us later that he saw Andrew pass Ean and heard him say, "thanks a lot" and of course Ean was oblivious. Oh, just the thought of it now cracks me up. Never a dull moment!

Like I said the party went on. Andrew enjoyed playing an swimming with his friends and cousins. He even made up with Ean.

Ean, Cayden and Bailee

Fortunately, the sun went behind some clouds about the time we got to Jen's so it wasn't too hot. Gary Dee, Colma, Gary, Peggy, Pete, and Tammy's crew were there too so we mostly visited. After Erin and Jen left to take Andrew to the ER we helped Fred clean up and then headed for home. After being gone most of the day it was nice to be back home for the evening. We watched some of the reds game but didn't stay up as late. Sarah needed to leave by nine the next morning to pick up Dan in Roanoke and we had church so crashed at a reasonable time.

Sarah's Visit

Since Dan has class every other month in Roanoke Sarah was able to come home last weekend. She dropped Dan off for his MBA classes Friday morning and drove home. She stopped in Wise to have lunch with a couple of friends and then arrived here after one. One of Sarah's goals while she is home is to visit as many people as possible. So, we always try to have a family gathering or she tries to go see everyone. Luckily for her this weekend worked out perfectly because Gary Dee and Colma had already planned to be home for an anniversary party for a friend. Peggy and Gary planned to be in also since Pound Heritage days was going on. Fortunately, Roger had planned his annual 4th of July cookout for Saturday and Erin had Andrew's 5th birthday party that evening. We were set for the two days Sarah was home!

Peggy called Thursday because she wasn't sure if we knew Gary Dee was coming home. Gary Dee had called Tim. In the meantime I knew I was going to cook diner Friday evening so I invited Gary Dee, Colma, Peggy and Gary. Of course Sarah had already put in her request...a garden meal. So, we had green beans, corn on the cob, cole slaw, fried yellow squash, cucumbers, tomatoes and cornbread. I made a peach cobbler for dessert and served it with vanilla ice cream.

I stopped at the bottom of the hill and picked these black eyed susans which I had been eyeing forever but had never stopped to cut them.

I had every ceiling fan whirling because it was HOT again. In the upper 90's and humid. I couldn't live without my ceiling fans.

Friday afternoon was spent in the kitchen. I mixed up oatmeal raisin cookie dough to bake Saturday morning for Roger's cookout. Then made the rest of the food for dinner.

Sarah set the dining room table.

When Sarah spoke to Seth he said he planed to come over and when Peggy talked to Pete and he heard what I was making for dinner he invited himself. Of course I didn't mind. It was a privilege to feed Pete...even if he did come almost two hours late. Vintage Pete. He had been napping. :)

I thought we would go out to Jen's after dinner but they had gone to Flat gap to get ready for Andrew's party the next day so everyone stayed to visit. They sat around the table and told stories. I missed out hearing any but by the look on Sarah's face I would guess this was when Pete was telling "war" stories.

Tammy and her family had been gone but after they came back to Pound she, Elijah and Ean came up for awhile just as everyone else was leaving. Can you tell the boys had been swimming that day? After they left Seth stayed until almost 12:30 a.m. visiting and watching the Reds. They were playing on the west coast.

It was such a nice evening of visiting with family. It was so nice for just the four of us to sit around and visit too. That is rare these days. We got in the bed late but it was worth it.

The Fourth

We didn't have any plans for the Fourth of July, well, except watch baseball games and relax. But just as I was going around the house taking a few pictures of my flags placed here and there Jen called and asked if we wanted to come up to their "Flat Gap" house to swim.

So, to Flat Gap we went. We even got in the pool. I hadn't been swimming since we went to the beach two years ago. With the temperature in the 90's again it felt great! We weren't the only ones swimming. See Daisy.

They have a hard time keeping Daisy out of the pool but when she jumped in and almost drowned Ean they had to put a stop to her getting in.

I had some hot dogs and buns here so I took them. We ate a hot dog and had watermelon.

Watermelon is a must on the Fourth of July.

It was nice to be at Jen's Flat Gap house again. Since they moved down to Granny's house we haven't spent any time up there since. I love having them living down here now but I miss their old house and get togethers at Flat Gap.