This is a week that should be one of the highlights of the women’s golf year.  The Women’s Open is held this week at Saucon Valley Country Club in Pennsylvania. There will be good television coverage and even the mainstream media that too often ignores women’s golf will be following the tournament and its outcome.

However, this event this year will be overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Commissioner Carolyn Bivens and an equally controversial decision of the USGA on selection of golfers who will vie for the title.

Last week, it was announced that the LPGA had lost the title sponsor for the tours Hawaii stop on Oahu (the SBS Open at Turtle Bay). Earlier in the year, there were reports of McDonalds departing as a title sponsor.  The last two events, the Wegmen’s in Pittsfield, NY and the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Toledo, Ohio, have no contract for next year even though they both want to continue with sponsorship.  These items fall under the oversight of Commissioner Bivens.

Since this directly effects the earning power of the lady professionals, plus brings into questions the overall health of the LPGA, several wrote a letter to the LPGA Board of Directors asking for Bivens resignation.  To my knowledge, the LPGA nor Bivens have made any comment on the matter.

Television and media coverage of the LPGA is poor at best.  Many in the male dominated world of golf don’t feel the ladies put on the same show as Tiger and his counterparts.  I disagree.  Admittedly, if I had the choice of watching Tiger tied for the lead in the final round of a tournament and an LPGA event, I’d probably watch Tiger too.  However, I’d switch back to the ladies to keep updated.  If most men would be honest, the abilities of the ladies are more comparable to their golfing skills than those of Tiger, Phil, and the PGA pros.

Are all of these problems just a byproduct of the economy or is it because of Bivens lack of leadership and management skills?  Someone a lot smarter than me needs to answer that question.

One area that I’ve supported Bivens is the use of LPGA pros in the social media world, especially Twitter.   While more of the PGA pros are embracing social media, the LPGA is way ahead.  This clearly is having a positive effect on the popularity of women’s golf.

The other problem surrounding this week’s Women’s Open has nothing to do with Bivens, but she’ll catch some blame just because of the other controversy.  The USGA changed its way of selecting players for the Open reducing the top money winners automatic berths from 35 to 10.  As a result, some of the games biggest draws won’t be playing this year.  Michelle Wie, ever popular Natalie Gulbis and Vicki Hurst won’t be at Saucon Valley.  Under last year’s criteria, all three would have made the field.

This will also hurt what should be a great week of women’s golf.

Most of the touring pros are keeping a very low profile on the controversy, not wanting to rock an already rocky boat.  Plus, they need to concentrate on the business at hand, winning the Women’s Open.

At this point, no one knows what will happen.  Bivens has about 18 months left on her contract.  I just hope there isn’t much more bad news for the tour.

The problems are serious enough that there are some interesting suggestions coming forward.  One of the golfers would like to see the PGA take over the LPGA.  With the marketing and popularity of the PGA, not a bad idea.

Melanie Hauser, a journalist and golf writer, threw out the name of Nancy Lopez (plus a couple of others) as possible successors to Bivens.  I like Nancy a lot and her name would bring some benefit to the Commissioners office.

And, my friend, Andy Brown of Andy Brown Golf and Home of Golf TV from St Andrews, said he hopes the Board can find leadership that can transform the LPGA.

I just hope all of this mess does not put too much tarnish on that trophy to be awarded Sunday night.  And that the rest of the week can focus on the positive side of women’s golf.

Early Crowd on the 4th

It all started on Thursday.  Keep in mind, I’ve been working mid-week games by myself.  So, I arrived early after stopping in Richmond to pick up supplies and had to do a full set up since we’d used all of my equipment at the Indy Car Races at RIR the week before.

The P Nats folks weren’t expecting much of a crowd, neither was I. I thought I would be going thru the motions, cover my expenses and wait for Friday and Saturday which I knew would be big.

Wrong.

I got slammed on Thursday night with a much bigger crowd than expected plus it was a spending crowd.  I had trouble keeping up with both funnel cakes and lemonade, so much so I’m rethinking my working games by myself.  Great start to the home stand.

Friday, Peggy and I were ready.  Plenty of lemonade was squeezed in advance.  I made up 5 gallons of batter and still thought I could get by with only one fryer thinking it would be like previous Friday games.

Wrong, again.

Peggy was out of lemonade before the first inning.  I used up my batter by about the same time and we spent the rest of the game scrambling to keep up with both even with getting the second fyer going.

At the end of the night, we’d set a new single game ball game record surpassing all of my good football games at Liberty, JMU and VMI.  The only game record to stand was the state high school football championships at Liberty two years ago, and that was two games, not one.

Peggy and I have done something like 1,000 events together and have always had a natural chemistry in working together.  If one of us needed something, the other had already anticipated it, and accomplised it.  That is the main reason that the two of us have been able to handle some huge crowds while other vendors would need three or four people to do the same volume.

Friday wasn’t one of those nights.  Everything we did was wrong.  We kept bumping into each other and getting in each others way.  By the end of the night, we were literally ready to kill each other.

And, that is a first, too.

During the drive home, we figured out how to fix the problems for Saturday, changing our set up some and adding a fourth person.  (We’d planned on three).

On Saturday, Chuck, who has worked for us a couple of times in the past, and his wife, Ryan, basically handled the lemonade.  Peggy managed the register and serving folks.  I mixed 25 gallons of batter (which still wasn’t enough)and did most of the cooking until later in the evening when almost everyone in line wanted funnel cakes.  Chuck jumped over and helped me then, cooking some, mixing batter and keeping my pitchers full. 

We almost doubled our sales from Friday, only it was much smoother, just like I like it.

Slapshot, the Washington Capitals mascot, Was a Visiting Dignitary on Sunday

Yes, we had outrageous lines.   Would you believe from our stand out front in the food court, the line went inside the stadium and all the way down to the Bar-B-Que stand at third base.  It stayed that way all night and into the fireworks display.

In the end, the only days bigger have been at the races.  The old ball game record (from the state chamionships) was passed by over $250.

Sunday, there was a shower right at gates open time and that killed the crowd.  Even though the game was played, it was a lousy game for us, but quite frankly, we didn’t care as neither Peggy nor I had any energy left from Friday and Saturday.

The old adage, “Baseball be very, very good to me,” is certainly true.  Thanks, Father Guido.

Inside Stand #1

A new milestone was accomplished this weekend for the Big Red Crew at the Indy Car Race from Richmond Raceway.  With the help of my friend Salim of Amira Enterprises, my main concession supply wholesaler, we had two set ups.  One was under the new tower where we were for the Nascar race in May, the other out on the compound in the food court.

Salim also provided several of his employees who are quite proficient in cooking funnel cakes and proved invaluable to me on Saturday night.

Friday was terribly slow at both locations with stand #2 leading in sales mainly from bottled drinks. The only really busy time was the hour during the autograph session held on the compound.

Outside Stand #2

Saturday during the day, #2 stayed steady.  Jean, Peggy and I spent the day staring at each other and cleaning up from the storm that past through Richmond around midnight.

At 6pm, all hell broke loose.  In the matter of five minutes or so, we had a huge line and it stayed that way until after the race about 11 pm.  As the outside booth slowed down, Salim sent one of his guys in to help and after the race started, Salim came in.   Salim and Caesar handled the fryers, Peggy and Jean manned the register and sugaring.  I mixed batter and kept the pitchers full.  When everything was going, we were turning out 6 funnel cakes per minute.  And still the line was incredible.

View from Stand #2 in the Early Morning before the Crowds

When all was said and done, we were very close to our sales from May.  That was quite an accomplishment since I was told to expect about 25% of sales from the Nascar race. The inside booth edged the outside booth by about $100 even though they sold three times the bottled drinks we did and a case more corndogs.

Bottom line–another very good outing.  Hopefully, the future might see us doing some other tracks in this region of Americrown.

Once again, I can’t say enough about the Americrown folks.  They are really great to vendors like us even down to the guys that keep us supplied with ice and the crew that is constantly cleaning up and emptying trash.  And, of course, Todd and Danny from RIR’s Americrown office, checked on us regularly and offered advice on how we can improve for our next race.  They are a wonderful resource for us as well.  One of the suggestions was a shuffling of equipment so that the inside stand should be able to produce 10 funnel cakes per minute.  There is also a good chance that we’ll have two stands inside for the Nascar race in September.

So, it’s back to baseball after a couple days of bookeeping and cleaning equipment.  I’ll be leaving the farm on Thursday for a home stand with the P Nats over the 4th weekend including a game on Saturday that is sold out.  Should be huge.  And, just maybe, we’ll get a needed break in the weather.

Nor am I an expert on quilts. There is a difference between handmade and homemade, only I don’t know what it is. I can tell you that these are made by hand, not by a quilting machine.  And she puts about a bizzillion hours in each one.

If this works right, I’ll download a picture, put in a description and price.  If you’re interested, I can be reached via email chillie@houseofalls.com or phone, 434-2589264.  We’ll work out the details. and. yes. I can take credit cards.

I think Peggy sells them way to cheaply, but then I sleep under one every night and know how nice they are.

62x84 Dresden's Plate $75.00 plus shipping

Full Size Blocks of Nine $75.00 plus shipping

Full Size Buckeye $75.00 plus shipping

Full Size Continuous Block of Nine $75.00 plus shipping

72x92 Courthouse Steps, Hand Beaded $125.00 plus shipping

Pink Baby Quilt w/matching pillow $25.00 plus shipping

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy.

New Set Up for P nats

It has been awhile since I did a Ramblings post.  This is just a bunch of disjointed thoughts that have been bouncing around in my little pea brain.

One day while on the road, I came out of a Walmart bathroom, a bit shaken and very pale. 

“What’s wrong?” Peggy asked.

“I need a hospital,” I stammered.

Thinking the worst, she asked, “Is it your heart?”

“No,” I responded.  “I’ve shrunk.  I can’t reach the urinal”

It seems that the urinal in that Walmart was about 4 1/2 feet off the ground.  I couldn’t even think about hitting it.  I’m just not built that way–in more ways than one.  You’d have to be about 8 feet tall to reach it.  I was aghast.

Entertainment on Friday

Peggy’s grandson has started putting two and three words that you can understand together but he still mostly talks in some foreign tongue.  When we got back to Peggy’s and I was relating the urinal story to Todd (Peggy’s son and Kagen’s father) Kagen stood right next to me and mimicked everything I said including the hand gestures I used trying to show how to hit an 8 footers urinal.  It was much funnier than my story.

For the past 22 days, I’ve been home for 12 hours.  That run finally came to an end last night when I got to the farm about 10PM.  I’m here until Wednesday when I head to Richmond to set up for the Indy Car Races this weekend.

While I know this won’t be as big as the NASCAR races in May, the Big Red Crew will have two locations.  One will be at the foot of the new tower inside the track where we were in May, the other outside on the compound in the food court on the parking lot.  There will be other vendors and merchandise trailers.  Hopefully, with the two locations, we’ll come close to our sales from May.

I have invited Danica Patrick to stop by for a funnel cake on me.  So, I’ll keep a camera close by just in case.  Peggy will also have her leash nearby.

I announced this morning that Big Red was going on a worldwide tour.  Actually, we’re going to Louisville on July 21, but that seems worldwide to me.  Jason has lined me up to sell at Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville during the day, and then we’ll move over to the Social Media Club of Louisville’s outing that evening for burgers, dogs, fries and funnel cakes.  I’m hoping to announce a sponsor for that event in the upcoming days but at any rate, we’re going to Kentucky.

12 Yr Old Singer Brandon Diaz

My war with the weatherman and Mother Nature continues.  My long home stand with the Potomac Nationals had more rain problems this week but we still managed a pretty good 8 days. I got hammered on Monday for $1 days.  Way beyond my projections plus I was by myself.  Tuesday was a little slow, Wednesday was rained out.  We set up Thursday only to have the game cancelled due to a flooded outfield.  Total sales for the day- $29. Friday was OK but nothing like a weekend should be.  We did have some entertainment again.  Pretty good youth group band playing Christian rock.  A big storm hit Saturday afternoon and flooded the outfield again.  Finally the double header was cancelled and rescheduled starting at 10AM on Sunday.  At least there were enough people hanging around that we had a pretty good day.  Sunday was OK after folks came in the afternoon.  Nothing for the early game however.

On Thursday, one of the cancelled games, a 12 year old  by the name of Brandon Diaz was supposed to sing the National Anthem.  Good young man with a great voice.  Too bad he didn’t get to perform.  Hopefully the P Nats will get him again for a game real soon.

Some of Peggy's Quilts

I’ve been driving for some 44 years and in that time, I’ve had three blowouts.  Two have been in the past 30 days, the one Friday at 70MPH and a little dicey on my driving skills.  Peggy was in Sweet Pea both times.  Is there any conclusion I can draw from that?

Before the last home stand of the Nationals, I spent the weekend in Harrisonburg helping Peggy with a Quilt and Yard Sale.  She has some quilts left and I got pictures of them.  I hope to get another post up before I leave this week featuring her quilts.  If interested in any of them, let me know.

Finally, a big welcome back to Liberty U as it appears Big Red will be returning for football season this fall.  I’m bringing Tank out of retirement to run that operation as I will be all over the country as usual.

Outfield on Saturday after flooding

 about 100 years ago when the weather guy took me under his arm and taught me the real ins and out of local TV production. I even filled in for him while he was on vacation once doing the weather during local news broadcasts.

Since then, I follow the weather closely.  And, as my Twitter followers know, I retweet our local advisories when I’m at home just in case there are folks out there that might miss it on their TV or local radio.

GM Jonathon Griffith Oversees Autograph Session

However, I am giving some serious consideration to putting out a contract hit on the weather guy in Woodbridge because he has been driving  me nuts recently.

I’ve just finished a long home stand with the Potomac Nationals.  It started last Thursday with a game that was rained out.

Friday’s game was also rained out.  And was so bad that the outfield was actually under water.

Saturday was a double header.  The grounds crew at Pfitzner Stadium did an awesome job and the field looked great by the 4 PM start.

Storm Moving In

The game was huge for us, surpassing out previous best game by over $300.  Just to complicate things, one of my fryers died in the middle of the second game, but we got around it.

Sunday was another double header and we started off at a better pace than Saturday.  But by the fifth inning of the first game, due to the heat, many of the fans, especially those with kids, began leaving and our totals for the day were down.  But still a good day.

One of our customers, a lady who comes to every game, stands outside the tent and tells everyone within hearing distance that we have the best funnel cakes in northern Virginia.  Nice to get free advertising like that.

Scary Skies Over The Pfitz

Monday was an off day.

Tuesday, I was set up and ready to go when the storm from hell hit.  I’ve never seen skies so scary in my life.  When the first big gust of wind hit, it lifted the tent, two 6′ tables and me off the ground.  As most of you know, I’m not a little skinny guy.  So that was a GUST of wind. Then it rained something like 4 inches in an hour.  Have you ever seen a box  with seven pounds of powdered sugar and 4 inches of rain?  What a mess.

Wednesday, we actually got in about 5 innings before another storm hit.

Emma Bailey Band

Thursday, just about game time, one cell went to the north of the stadium, one to the south but it missed us.  Probably scared off a lot of folks heading to the game, but we got the whole game in and it didn’t hit rain until the drive home.

Thursday was the highlight of the week for me, but not because of business.  It was Ladies Night at Pfitzner and the P Nats sponsored a concert before the game by the Emma Bailey Band. (www.emma-bailey.com) They set up right next to me and I had some entertainment for the pregame. The band has a couple of guitars, a bass, a bongo/harmonica guy that rocked, and Emma, who has a voice to die for.  They were fabulous, probably the best group I’ve seen at any venues the past couple of years. Too bad there weren’t a couple thousand fans to hear them.

Uncle Slam Enjoys the Music

They would have played after game as well, but the storms were heading right for us again.

Guido, how much for a contract on a weatherman?

I’m at the farm for a total of 14 hours, including the time I slept last night.  Then, I’m off to Harrisonburg for the weekend and back to Woodbridge for another seven day home stand of the P Nats. Then the Indy Race at Richmond.

Reports to follow.

Busy Weekend at Pfitzner

The highlight of a very busy week is a bit unusual, even for me and some of my antics.  I was adopted and upstaged–by a 7th grader.  I’ll get to that in its proper place.

The long home stand of the Potomac Nationals started off great. Friday’s game was solid.  Saturday’s was awesome and all that Peggy and I could handle.  Sunday was like Friday.

We’d counted on Monday being like Saturday.  The Nationals do $1 tickets and $1 dogs on any Monday game.  Couple that with a holiday, and it looked huge.  Started off great.  Then the storm from Hell hit.  Rained hard for an hour and a half starting right after the first inning. One of the old timers told me it was the hardest rain he’d ever seen at Pfitzner Stadium.  Something like 4 inches.

The Skies Opened and It Poured

Tuesday’s double header was also rained out forcing another double header on Wednesday.  It was OK but nothing like we lost on Monday.

All in all, it was our best outing so far at Pfitzner and surely has my hopes high for the rest of the season.  After school is out, attendance during the week will go up substantially and the weekends will all be good.

One scary thought.  As busy as Peggy and I were on Saturday, I found out the attendance was less than half of what to expect on most Saturdays.  That translates into doubling my sales so I’ve got to make some changes to handle that volume. Maybe I can entice Kaitlyn to come up from Richmond and help.  She could give us an extra person when we get those long lines plus I could send her into the stands hawking when its slower.  She’d draw a crowd, that’s for sure.

Can You Email Me a Funnel Cake?

I’m also making arrangements with Reddy Ice to put in a freezer and a supply of ice.  Nothing worse than running out in the middle of a good game when you’re slinging lemonade as fast as you can make it.

Friday was the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Danville. Peggy is still busy unpacking boxes so my sister, Jean, was slated to help. I got to Carrington Pavilion early afternoon and began set up for a 5 PM star

A nice looking young fellow came up and began chatting, asking if I needed any help. Found out later, TJ is a 7th grader, the son of a lady cop who was one of the Team Captains for the Relay.  He hung out with me until Jean got there and as we finally got busy (after five thunderstorms passed), pitched in and started helping.  In no time, he was operating the cash register, serving customers, cooking burgers while I cooked fries and funnel cakes.  It was like he’d been doing it all of his life.

Set Up For Danville Relay For Life

And, he knew everyone in Danville.  Big Red became like the meeting center for the whole Relay.  And it was because of TJ.  He just completely adopted us.  So much so that I was able to send Jean home a little after midnight.  TJ stayed with me until 5 AM when his grandmother took him home.

He was terrific.  Sharp witted, and a great sense of humor.  And, worked his butt off.

One customer was waiting for a funnel cake and TJ said, “You sure have pretty eyes.  Are they real?”  The twinkle in his eyes had the customer and the crowd in line laughing at his comment.

Another time he hailed a walker over and stated,”You need to buy some fries.  Chillie makes the best I’ve ever tasted.”

“Don’t have any money,” the participant replied.

“Well go on and get out of here.  We don’t need you,” TJ quipped.

That went on all night.  So, I was adopted and upstaged all at the same time.

Some of the Survivors During Opening

TJ, if you read this, email me at chillie@houseofalls.com.  I need your last name,  phone number and email address.  I have a job for you.

If you’ve never been to an ACS Relay For Life, go to one or support someone who is participating.  It is a most impressive event and, of course, supports a cause that has effected all of us in one way or another.

Business was good at the Relay until midnight.  Then it got really slow.  I started breakfast about 3 AM and it bombed. To bad for those folks.  My Biscuits and Gravy was KICKIN!

By the time I packed up and drove Big Red back to the farm, I was bushed.  Slept a couple of hours and then was totally worthless for the rest of the day.  Glad I didn’t have anything booked Saturday night.

Now I have and few days off for a change.  The pool is open so I see some tanning time in the near future.  And probably some relaxing time on my John Deere. This is my only break for awhile.

Thurday opens another 7 game home stand with the Nationals. Then the Smyth County Relay for Life and 7 more games followed by the Indy Race at RIR.  Wonder if Danica likes Funnel Cakes. HMMMMM!

Earlier today, LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens said in an interview that she would encourage golfers to use Twitter and other social media tools during competitive rounds of the tour. This started an avalanche of comments and has certainly given many, including me,  food for thought.

As a fan of both Twitter and the LPGA, I have some serious concerns about Bivens position.

First, I feel that the LPGA and many of its members that are using Twitter, have got it right.  Several of the golfers Twitter daily and while some are just communicating between each other, several are using it to engage in dialogue with fans. This is good for the LPGA and the golfers because it gives us, the fan, an insight into the personalities we never see when watching on TV or reading reports in the mainstream media.

I use Christina Kim as an example.  She probably Tweets more than any of the lady golfers.  While I’m sure she doesn’t have the time or inclination to respond to every follower who ask questions, she does respond to us little guys on a regular basis.  As a result, both her fan base and the fan base of the LPGA has gone up. She’s not the only one, I’ve had contact and responses from many of the ladies.  This is good for the LPGA and golf in general.

The LPGA is also doing a pretty good job with their own Tweets.  Personally, I’d like to see them give more emphasis to reporting on the Twitter Ladies during tournaments, but I understand that they have to support all of their members whether they Twitter or not.

As a fan, I would love to see Tweets from the course during a tournament.  I’ve informally polled several of the LPGA members, and have had a mixed response.  Some would like it and use it, some feel it wouldn’t be right for them and could hurt their game. Not that I’m a polling expert, but so far, it has been a pretty even split.

Again, as a fan. I am deeply concerned with several things and how it will effect the game.

First, what will Tweeting do to the concentration of golfers when it counts the most for both them, and their supporters.  Will that lapse in concentration be a factor in lessening the quality of play and possibly cost the Twitterer a stroke here or there.

Secondly, will Tweeting have an effect on the pace of play.  I’d hate to see one of “the girls” catch a penalty for slow play just because they had to update on their last birdie, bogey, or ball in the water.

And, of course, all of this may be nullified when the USGA makes a ruling concerning the use of handheld phones or mobile devices.  The PGA does not allow it.  But apparently, Bevins position may force a ruling that could change the whole picture for both tours. Currently, most tournaments make fans turn off cell phones to eliminate noise for the players (Rightly so).  Why then should players be allowed to use that same device to Twitter.

As much as I like Twitter and spend hours daily following, Tweeting, and reading links from the Twitterworld, there may be a time and place for all of us.  During a tournament might not be the time and place.

As I’ve twittered for the past few days, I’ve been in Harrisonburg helping Peggy, her son, Todd, and her grandson, Kagen, move.  They’ve been in a condo/apartment for years and have now moved into a big, old house with a huge yard ideal for Kagen and his never ceasing energy.

I’ve always considered myself an independent sort, many times mistakenly thinking I can do anything.  I know I can’t run a four minute mile nor can  I  bench press  400 lbs.  Maybe, I can walk 1/4 of a mile and bench press a #2 pencil.  But still, I have a strong belief in doing almost anything else.  I once even put four stitches in a cut on my hand just to avoid going to the doctor for help. 

But, now, I need help.  Thus this Help Wanted ad.

Interpreter Needed

Kagen talks incessantly.  Especially, on the phone.  Sunday night, he talked with my sister for 45 minutes giving Jean very little chance to get a word in.

Put him in the car, and it’s a non-stop diatribe of everything he sees.  If he’s awake, he’s talking.  An then, he’ll say something funny because he starts laughing out loud.

He doesn’t just speak in words or bits of sentences.  He doesn’t even speak in paragraphs.  He speaks in pages of dialogue.

Plus, he is extremely demonstrative.  Not only with the inflection in his voice, but the use of his hands.  You’d think he was an orator delivering a speech rousing the crowd to a feverish pitch emphasizing every point with his hands.  Monday, when Peggy stopped at the post office to change her address, Kagen entertained everyone, including the sorters in the back who came out front to see who was carrying on such a conversation.

Only, none of us have any idea what he is saying. 

Yes, there are a few words.  He calls his father, Daddy unless he’s mad at him and calls him TODD! He calls me OomPa, close to grandpa.  You can understand  Cows, Kit-cat, drink, blankey, Good Job, and I’m Happy.  And, of course, as all two year olds know:  NO. 

I speak bits and pieces of five languages: English, Spanish, French, German and Korean.  Now, don’t get all goofy.  I can ask where the bathroom is and give me a double shot of bourbon in those languages.  You know, the important things.

Kagen must speak Chinese or something because I don’t have a clue.

Thus, the need for an interpreter.  Please reply.  I think he really has something important to say.  Just don’t know what it is.

I’m off for Woodbridge again on Friday for a six game home stand of the Potomac Nationals over the Memorial Day weekend.  Should be a really busy group of games.  A report to follow.

Tent Set Up For Potomac Nationals

To all my many readers, both of you, this post will not be full of prose and biting humor.  Due to time constraints, it is just a brief report and then I’m on the road again.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday  was a short 3 game home stand of the Potomac Nationals at Woodbridge.  Since it was a midweek set in May before the kiddies are out of school, we weren’t counting on much but it gave us the chance to use our tent set up inside Pfitzner Stadium rather than the partially hidden location for Big Red outside.

It was much better than I expected eventhough Thursday night was a downer with bad weather called for and showers starting about the 6th inning.  Poor crowd for that one.  But it served its purpose and I think I got all the bugs worked out for next week.

Getting  on the road late  Thursday night, it was nearly 3:00 am by the time I got back to the farm.  After a little sleep, I started getting everything ready for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Bedford County, an event that was scheduled for 6 pm until 6 am on Friday.

The Liberty High School track and football field was a mess after something like 4 inches of rain.  It forced officials to move the event inside leaving Big Red in another tough location behind the school and not very visable.  Since more rain was expected, ACS folks also shortened the event ending it a little after 10 pm.

My sister, Jean, helped since Peggy is in the process of moving.  And, we got slammed.  Great night for funnel cakes, dogs, fries and Bar-b-que despite the poor location.  For nearly three hours, it was all we could handle.

Today, I’m trying to get caught up on paperwork and then I’m off to Harrisonburg to help Peggy with the move. This week, Friday is the start of a six day homestand for the Nationals over Memorial Day weekend.  This should be a really good group of games as long as the weather cooperates.  Then, back to the farm for the Danville Relay for Life on the 29th.  As I’ve been doing, I’ll send Twitter updates via phone.

No rest for this old fat guy.