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The Last 30 days
The Last 30 days
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
Today was Memorial Day.
Today was Memorial Day.
We had thought about going to Clear Creek, but the forecast said the temperature wouldn’t reach 70° until late in the afternoon. So I spent a quiet day at home watching baseball instead.
We had thought about going to Clear Creek, but the forecast said the temperature wouldn’t reach 70° until late in the afternoon. So I spent a quiet day at home watching baseball instead.
Did summer begin today?
Did summer begin today?
The calendar says the summer solstice falls on the evening of June 20 this year. But I tend to side with the meteorologists and climatologists, who define summer as June, July, and August—the three warmest months in the Northern Hemisphere.
The calendar says the summer solstice falls on the evening of June 20 this year. But I tend to side with the meteorologists and climatologists, who define summer as June, July, and August—the three warmest months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Others mark summer by the school calendar, seeing it as the stretch between one term ending and the next beginning. And for many in the United States, summer unofficially begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day.
Others mark summer by the school calendar, seeing it as the stretch between one term ending and the next beginning. And for many in the United States, summer unofficially begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day.
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
I had a visit from Brody and his parents this afternoon. Brody wanted to show me the medals he earned the day before at the state track meet. I was really glad to see them—impressed by how heavy and well-made they were.
I had a visit from Brody and his parents this afternoon. Brody wanted to show me the medals he earned the day before at the state track meet. I was really glad to see them—impressed by how heavy and well-made they were.
He told me he has one more full day of school on Tuesday and needs to get home to study for a huge final exam that morning.
He told me he has one more full day of school on Tuesday and needs to get home to study for a huge final exam that morning.
Later in the evening, Pastor Jason called to say that Ella went into labor. They weren’t able to get her to Pittsburgh in time, so she was taken to Seneca instead.
Later in the evening, Pastor Jason called to say that Ella went into labor. They weren’t able to get her to Pittsburgh in time, so she was taken to Seneca instead.
Central Clarion Wins Gold
Saturday May 24, 2025
Saturday May 24, 2025
By the end of next week, Brody will no longer be a freshman—but what a freshman year it has been!
By the end of next week, Brody will no longer be a freshman—but what a freshman year it has been!
First and foremost, his grades were outstanding, showing no signs of slipping despite the countless hours he dedicated to preparing for the three sports he participated in.
First and foremost, his grades were outstanding, showing no signs of slipping despite the countless hours he dedicated to preparing for the three sports he participated in.
In football, he earned significant varsity playing time and was on the field during the state championship game, which ended in a heartbreaking one-point loss.
In football, he earned significant varsity playing time and was on the field during the state championship game, which ended in a heartbreaking one-point loss.
In basketball, he fought his way into a starting spot on the varsity squad, becoming a standout defensive player and reliable ball handler.
In basketball, he fought his way into a starting spot on the varsity squad, becoming a standout defensive player and reliable ball handler.
And today, he capped off the year with two medals at the state track and field championships in Shippensburg—one of them gold. Brody ran the third leg of the 4x100 relay team that took first place.
And today, he capped off the year with two medals at the state track and field championships in Shippensburg—one of them gold. Brody ran the third leg of the 4x100 relay team that took first place.
When the team returned to C-L, they were given a hero’s welcome, escorted all the way to Clarion by fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars.
When the team returned to C-L, they were given a hero’s welcome, escorted all the way to Clarion by fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars.
It was an unforgettable day for Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, Brody, Mason Burford—and, of course, their coach, Jess Quinn.
It was an unforgettable day for Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, Brody, Mason Burford—and, of course, their coach, Jess Quinn.
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
I used both my iPad and desktop computer to watch and follow all the action at the state track meet. The two relays that Brody competed in performed well.
I used both my iPad and desktop computer to watch and follow all the action at the state track meet. The two relays that Brody competed in performed well.
Central Clarion had two relay teams qualify for the finals. The 400-meter relay team—Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, Brody, and Mason Burford—finished sixth in the prelims with a time of 43.33 seconds. The winners of the five heats were ranked 1 through 5 based on time, while the next three fastest non-heat winners earned the 6th through 8th seeds. Of the eight teams advancing to the finals, Central Clarion had the fourth-best overall time.
Central Clarion had two relay teams qualify for the finals. The 400-meter relay team—Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, Brody, and Mason Burford—finished sixth in the prelims with a time of 43.33 seconds. The winners of the five heats were ranked 1 through 5 based on time, while the next three fastest non-heat winners earned the 6th through 8th seeds. Of the eight teams advancing to the finals, Central Clarion had the fourth-best overall time.
The 1,600-meter relay team—Mason Burford, Mason Gourley, Brody, and Wyatt Boyden—placed eighth in the prelims with a time of 3:27.96. Brody ran the third leg and clocked a split of 51.95 seconds.
The 1,600-meter relay team—Mason Burford, Mason Gourley, Brody, and Wyatt Boyden—placed eighth in the prelims with a time of 3:27.96. Brody ran the third leg and clocked a split of 51.95 seconds.
According to the schedule, the PCN Network is expected to televise Saturday’s events. If the timing holds, Brody is set to run at 1:10 p.m. in the 400-meter relay and at 3:30 p.m. in the 1,600-meter relay.
According to the schedule, the PCN Network is expected to televise Saturday’s events. If the timing holds, Brody is set to run at 1:10 p.m. in the 400-meter relay and at 3:30 p.m. in the 1,600-meter relay.
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
The athletes competing in the state track meet this weekend left for Shippensburg today. Jared, Missy, and Hannah also headed out after Hannah’s school day ended. Meanwhile, I subscribed to the PNC Select streaming service so I can watch Friday’s events on my computer or iPad.
The athletes competing in the state track meet this weekend left for Shippensburg today. Jared, Missy, and Hannah also headed out after Hannah’s school day ended. Meanwhile, I subscribed to the PNC Select streaming service so I can watch Friday’s events on my computer or iPad.
Before going to bed, I stopped over to let the dogs out—and while I was there, I got to wish Bucco a happy 12th birthday!
Before going to bed, I stopped over to let the dogs out—and while I was there, I got to wish Bucco a happy 12th birthday!
According to The Derrick, there’s strong representation from Districts 9 and 10 at the meet. The paper notes that the best chance for a medal comes from Central Clarion’s 400-meter relay team, featuring Mason Burford, Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, and Brody. They’re currently seeded third in the state with a time of 43.04 seconds.
According to The Derrick, there’s strong representation from Districts 9 and 10 at the meet. The paper notes that the best chance for a medal comes from Central Clarion’s 400-meter relay team, featuring Mason Burford, Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, and Brody. They’re currently seeded third in the state with a time of 43.04 seconds.
Brody will also compete in the 1600-meter relay alongside Burford, Nathan Frederick, and Wyatt Boyden. In that event, they’re seeded 11th with a time of 3:27.47.
Brody will also compete in the 1600-meter relay alongside Burford, Nathan Frederick, and Wyatt Boyden. In that event, they’re seeded 11th with a time of 3:27.47.
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
David said they got a call late in the afternoon from the school, informing them that Brianna tied for first in her class rank. As a result, she is the co-valedictorian of her graduating class
David said they got a call late in the afternoon from the school, informing them that Brianna tied for first in her class rank. As a result, she is the co-valedictorian of her graduating class
We received a lot of rain today. Piney Dam reported 1¾ inches, while a weather station near Fisher indicated that rainfall from today into the night totaled well over 2 inches.
We received a lot of rain today. Piney Dam reported 1¾ inches, while a weather station near Fisher indicated that rainfall from today into the night totaled well over 2 inches.
Incumbents win in Clarion County Primary Election
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Tuesday May 20, 2025
Today was Primary Election Day. Once again, Danny worked at the Clarion Township polling place.
Today was Primary Election Day. Once again, Danny worked at the Clarion Township polling place.
In Clarion County, Zerfoss won the Republican race for Sheriff, defeating Sprankle by a vote of 2,618 to 2,441.
In Clarion County, Zerfoss won the Republican race for Sheriff, defeating Sprankle by a vote of 2,618 to 2,441.
For County Coroner, Dan Shingledecker beat Rollie Burns with 2,984 votes to 2,110.
For County Coroner, Dan Shingledecker beat Rollie Burns with 2,984 votes to 2,110.
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Today was Brianna’s last full day of school. If I understand correctly, the seniors will be dismissed around 10 a.m. on Tuesday as part of a special senior sendoff event.
Today was Brianna’s last full day of school. If I understand correctly, the seniors will be dismissed around 10 a.m. on Tuesday as part of a special senior sendoff event.
This past weekend, Brianna participated in the baccalaureate service, where she delivered a short speech featured in the video. Her message was based on Colossians 3:12–14, focusing on God’s love for us. She shared how grateful she is for the love the Lord has shown her throughout her journey.
This past weekend, Brianna participated in the baccalaureate service, where she delivered a short speech featured in the video. Her message was based on Colossians 3:12–14, focusing on God’s love for us. She shared how grateful she is for the love the Lord has shown her throughout her journey.
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
We had a visiting missionary speak during Sunday School, the worship service, and again following a church luncheon. He and his wife are currently back in the States after serving in northern Africa, where they’ve been working on translating the Bible into the local language. For security reasons, his name and the specific country where they served cannot be shared, as doing so could put many people in danger.
We had a visiting missionary speak during Sunday School, the worship service, and again following a church luncheon. He and his wife are currently back in the States after serving in northern Africa, where they’ve been working on translating the Bible into the local language. For security reasons, his name and the specific country where they served cannot be shared, as doing so could put many people in danger.
In the evening, we held an Elders meeting, which made for a full and busy day.
In the evening, we held an Elders meeting, which made for a full and busy day.
I did manage to catch the Pirates game, though. Paul Skenes was on the mound and pitched a gem—going the distance with a complete game, allowing just three hits, one walk, and striking out nine. He posted an impressive game score of 80. You’d think that would guarantee him a win, right? Unfortunately not. The offense couldn’t produce a single run, and the Pirates lost 1–0—their eighth shutout loss of the season. I can’t help but wonder if Skenes has been doing some California dreamin’.
I did manage to catch the Pirates game, though. Paul Skenes was on the mound and pitched a gem—going the distance with a complete game, allowing just three hits, one walk, and striking out nine. He posted an impressive game score of 80. You’d think that would guarantee him a win, right? Unfortunately not. The offense couldn’t produce a single run, and the Pirates lost 1–0—their eighth shutout loss of the season. I can’t help but wonder if Skenes has been doing some California dreamin’.
Saturday May 17, 2025
Saturday May 17, 2025
I went up to the church to help with the mulching, but they ended up canceling it because of rain in the forecast. Of course, it didn’t actually rain until much later in the day, so I just went back home and mowed the lawn instead.
I went up to the church to help with the mulching, but they ended up canceling it because of rain in the forecast. Of course, it didn’t actually rain until much later in the day, so I just went back home and mowed the lawn instead.
Meanwhile, the Orioles became the third team in just a few days to fire their manager. The news came less than 14 hours after they dropped to 15–28 with a sloppy 4–3 loss to the Nationals at Camden Yards. Hard to believe, considering they had the best record in the American League in 2023 at 101–61 and won their first AL East title since 2014. Hyde even got AL Manager of the Year. Then in 2024, they went 91–71 and made the playoffs again.
Meanwhile, the Orioles became the third team in just a few days to fire their manager. The news came less than 14 hours after they dropped to 15–28 with a sloppy 4–3 loss to the Nationals at Camden Yards. Hard to believe, considering they had the best record in the American League in 2023 at 101–61 and won their first AL East title since 2014. Hyde even got AL Manager of the Year. Then in 2024, they went 91–71 and made the playoffs again.
Crazy how fast a manager can go from hero to unemployed.
Crazy how fast a manager can go from hero to unemployed.
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Rick drove up, and we headed to Brookville to watch the District 9 Track and Field Championships. A couple of hours in, a thunderstorm rolled through with heavy rain, delaying the meet for over an hour. After the 4×100 relay, Rick, Hannah, and I decided to head home. I imagine the final events wrapped up long after I was in bed.
Rick drove up, and we headed to Brookville to watch the District 9 Track and Field Championships. A couple of hours in, a thunderstorm rolled through with heavy rain, delaying the meet for over an hour. After the 4×100 relay, Rick, Hannah, and I decided to head home. I imagine the final events wrapped up long after I was in bed.
In the 4×100, Central Clarion’s relay team—Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, Brody Beggs, and Mason Burford—took home the title with a time of 43.04. They edged out Brookville’s team of Freeman, Turner, Sam Krug, and Jacob Murdock, who finished in 43.52.
In the 4×100, Central Clarion’s relay team—Ben Lambert, Jase Ferguson, Brody Beggs, and Mason Burford—took home the title with a time of 43.04. They edged out Brookville’s team of Freeman, Turner, Sam Krug, and Jacob Murdock, who finished in 43.52.
Later, the 4×400 Wildcat team of Burford, Nathan Frederick, Beggs, and Boyden claimed another win, beating Brookville’s squad (Freeman, Murdock, Krug, and Turner) with a time of 3:27.47 to 3:30.22.
Later, the 4×400 Wildcat team of Burford, Nathan Frederick, Beggs, and Boyden claimed another win, beating Brookville’s squad (Freeman, Murdock, Krug, and Turner) with a time of 3:27.47 to 3:30.22.
Brody had a big day—he also placed 4th in the 100 meters, earning three medals total. With a first or second place finish qualifying for the state meet next Friday and Saturday, Brody will be heading to Shippensburg in two events.
Brody had a big day—he also placed 4th in the 100 meters, earning three medals total. With a first or second place finish qualifying for the state meet next Friday and Saturday, Brody will be heading to Shippensburg in two events.
Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
I talked with David today. He said the therapy is going fine, but the pain is still intense. He also mentioned that Brianna is down to her last few days of school—and it sounds like she’s getting into golf lately.
Rick and Laura flew back home. They left a couple of days after Easter, so they’ve been gone for about 24 days.
Today was the final Thursday Bible study of the season. We completed our study of the book of Daniel. We typically have fifteen sessions in the fall and another fifteen in the spring, so the next one will likely begin around mid-September.
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
I mailed in my ballot today. In this year’s primary election, aside from a couple of state judicial races, we’re voting mostly for local offices—sheriff, coroner, school board, township supervisors, and so on.
Here in Clarion, we’re now up to 15½ hours of visible daylight. Although the sun officially sets at 8:30 p.m., it doesn’t get truly dark until just after 9. Mornings are brightening early too, with daylight breaking a little before 5:30 a.m.
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Major League Baseball has officially taken Pete Rose and 16 other deceased individuals off the permanently ineligible list, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced on Tuesday.
This move follows Rose’s death on September 30 at age 83 and came after his family submitted a petition requesting it.
Along with Rose, MLB also reinstated others who had passed away while still banned from the game. The list includes Eddie Cicotte, Happy Felsch, Chick Gandil, Joe Jackson, Fred McMullin, Swede Risberg, Buck Weaver, Lefty Williams, Joe Gedeon, Gene Paulette, Benny Kauff, Lee Magee, Phil Douglas, Cozy Dolan, Jimmy O’Connell, and William Cox.
Basically, the ruling means that a lifetime ban in baseball ends when a person passes away. So now, if the Baseball Hall of Fame wants to consider any of these players, they’re no longer blocked from doing so. The Historical Overview Committee will likely pick eight names to go on the ballot for the Classic Baseball Era Committee, which handles players who made their biggest mark before 1980. That committee is set to vote again in December 2027.
I'm guessing Rose will eventually be elected to the Hall of Fame. The earliest he could be inducted is three years from this summer.
Monday May 12, 2025
Monday May 12, 2025
I met with Don and Ralph from 10:30 a.m. to noon. After that, I headed up to the church to meet with Jason and Debbie, where we worked on the office manager job description, among other tasks. That meeting wrapped up at 2:30 p.m. I went straight into another meeting, which lasted until 4:40 p.m. My final meeting of the day was at home alone with a baseball game on the TV, and with a chef salad from the Pub.
Sunday May 11, 2025
Sunday May 11, 2025
I saw some of Brianna’s prom pictures today. I had been wondering whether she went alone or if someone asked her to be his date. The photos show she went with a guy named Isaac.
Rick and Laura left Barstow on their final day traveling the famous highway. They drove along historic Route 66 for about an hour before transitioning to highway driving, which was a bit stressful. Along the way, they stopped at Bottle Tree Ranch near Victorville—a fascinating folk art display. Their final destination was Santa Monica, marking the end of their journey. They felt a great sense of accomplishment knowing they had completed such an adventurous trip. Once there, they walked the boardwalks of Venice Beach and Santa Monica. I know they really enjoyed the experience, and I enjoyed following along virtually.
They plan to spend a few more days in the Los Angeles area, including a day at Disneyland, before flying home near the end of the week.
Saturday May 10, 2025
Saturday May 10, 2025
Clarion enjoyed a beautiful day—sunny, with a high of 74°. Lue drove Frank and Danny to the Pittsburgh airport, where the two will spend a week in Kissimmee, including visits to Disney World.
Meanwhile, Rick and Laura entered the final state on their Route 66 journey: California. Earlier in the day, they made their way to Oatman, Arizona, via a winding mountain road with no guardrails—a thrilling drive. They found Oatman to be a fun and interesting stop. This historic ghost town is famous for its wild burros (donkeys) that roam the streets freely. The burros are a beloved part of the town’s identity, adding to its unique Wild West charm and drawing in plenty of tourists.
From Oatman, they headed toward Barstow, California, crossing the desert on old Route 66. That stretch of road was nearly deserted, making the experience feel a bit surreal. The first photo below shows the view from Sitgreaves Pass, looking out ahead toward California.
Friday May 9, 2025
Friday May 9, 2025
Don Kelly, in his debut games managing the Pirates, led the team to a 3–2 victory, snapping their 7-game losing streak. A solid start for the new skipper!
We had an emergency Elders’ meeting this evening, which ran from 6 to 8 p.m. Some important matters were discussed and prayerfully considered.
Rick and Laura made it to Kingman, Arizona today. They’ve officially left the cooler climates behind—temperatures hit 91° in Kingman. After hitting the road this morning, they drove at least 150 miles along a long, scenic, and uninterrupted stretch of the original Route 66. Along the way, they explored several small towns and enjoyed lunch at the quirky and memorable Roadkill Cafe.
Thursday May 8, 2025
Thursday May 8, 2025
Danny has completed his freshman year of college with another semester of straight A’s. This time, he aced five courses: College Composition, World History I, Civil Discourse, Introduction to Sociology, and Small Group Decision Making.
Apparently, the Pittsburgh Pirates front office read my blog this morning—because by midday, they had fired manager Derek Shelton. The new skipper is Don Kelly, a local product born in Butler. He played high school baseball at Mt. Lebanon, where his team won the Class AAA state title in his senior year.
Kelly lives in Mars, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Carrie, and their three sons: Brett, Luke, and Brooks. He married Carrie Walker on January 13, 2007. Baseball runs deep in the family—his brothers-in-law include former major league infielder Neil Walker and former minor leaguer Matt Walker, while his father-in-law is former major league pitcher Tom Walker.
As all that Pirates news was breaking, I also heard that white smoke had risen from the Sistine Chapel. The surprise announcement: the new pope is the first ever from the United States—hailing from Chicago.
Laura shared that after a week of unpredictable weather, they finally enjoyed a day of sunshine and clear blue skies. They took the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Canyon and, with such perfect weather, were treated to especially stunning views. After hiking along the rim trails for a couple of hours, they caught the train back to Williams.
Wednesday May 7, 2025
Wednesday May 7, 2025
I haven’t been watching more than a few minutes of each Pirates game lately, but I’ve still been keeping track of their results. I noticed they have only one win in their last ten games. What really stands out, though, is that they’ve been outscored 57 to 18 over that stretch.
Rick and Laura spent some time exploring historic Flagstaff and Route 66, where they found several beautifully restored blocks on both sides of the railroad. They said it was the best downtown they visited on their trip. After Flagstaff, they headed to Williams and visited Bearizona Wildlife Park, which spans about 160 acres in scenic Williams, Arizona. They enjoyed both walking and driving through the park, where some animals came right up to the car. One highlight was watching two young grizzly bears wrestling in a pond. Later, they checked into the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel, then strolled through downtown Williams, which also lies along Route 66.
Tuesday May 6, 2025
Tuesday May 6, 2025
Danny and I drove down to Union High School to watch Brody and the track team compete against North Clarion and Union/ACV. Brody had a great meet—he took first place in the 200-meter dash and was part of both winning relay teams. We left a bit early when the meet was delayed due to an approaching thunderstorm over Rimersburg. On the way home, we took an alternate route that brought us right to Joe’s in New Bethlehem—couldn’t pass that up!
Rick and Laura’s adventure continued today. After they made a quick stop at the Jackrabbit Trading Post, they headed to Winslow, where they found themselves standing on the corner. The town has really embraced the fame brought by the Eagles’ song Take It Easy.
Well, I'm a-standin' on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin' down to take a look at me
Fun fact: that verse was inspired by a real event when Jackson Browne’s car broke down in Winslow during a trip to Sedona, forcing him to spend the day there.
Later, Rick and Laura explored La Posada, a beautifully restored historic hotel in Winslow. After that, they visited Meteor Crater National Landmark, which they found very interesting. The weather held out just long enough—by evening, a cold rain had moved into Flagstaff.
Monday May 5, 2025
Monday May 5, 2025
By early May, the Pirates usually give us a bit of hope. In recent years, they’ve hovered around the .500 mark at this point in the season. In fact, on May 4, 2023, they were 20–12. But this year is different—no teasing, no false hope. The Pirates have wasted no time making it clear that they are one of the worst teams in baseball, with every source projecting a last-place finish.
This morning, Rick and Laura set out for the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. The weather was cool and windy, and they quickly realized they hadn’t packed warm enough clothing. They continued on to Holbrook, Arizona, where they spent the night in a wigwam! The temperature there the previous night had dropped to 37°.
Saturday May 3, 2025
Saturday May 3, 2025
Frank and Danny went to the Pirates’ game against the Padres. The game was delayed by rain for about two hours. Once it finally started, it moved along quickly, lasting just two hours and 18 minutes. The game was tied 1–1 going into the ninth inning, but Bednar came in and gave up the winning run. The final score was 2–1.
Meanwhile, Rick and Laura wrapped up their 11th day on Route 66. The day began with checking out of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari. Since they had already visited Santa Fe and Taos a few years ago, they skipped those stops and continued west across New Mexico to Gallup. After crossing the Continental Divide, they settled in for the night at the historic El Rancho Hotel—a favorite of old-time movie stars who filmed Westerns in the area. John Wayne was one of the most frequent guests; he shot several films nearby and reportedly had a favorite room. Other notable guests included Kirk Douglas, Errol Flynn, Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, Jackie Cooper, Burt Lancaster, and Mae West. And now, Rick and Laura have joined that storied list. Who knows? Maybe someday there’ll be a room named after them too.
Friday May 2, 2025
Friday May 2, 2025
The C-L Prom took place this evening at the Haskell House. Attendance is limited to juniors and seniors—unless you’re invited as the date of one, which the students cleverly use as a loophole. I believe it was Kohen Kemmer who asked Brody to be his date. A Kemmer girl invited Hannah, and Brody’s girlfriend, Kalyssa, went with her brother, Jase.
Along route 66, Rick and Laura left Amarillo in the rain and made a quick stop at the famous Cadillac Ranch. Due to the mud, they cut that visit short. They’ve now passed the midpoint of their journey, having driven more than 1,139 miles. Their next stop was Tucumcari, New Mexico, where they checked into the Blue Swallow Motel.
They are now in the Mountain Time Zone. While both New Mexico and Arizona fall in this time zone, most of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time—so for now, Arizona is essentially on the same time as California.
Thursday May 1, 2025
Thursday May 1, 2025
The KSAC Track and Field Championships were held at Redbank, where Brody earned third place in the 100m. However, it was the 400m relay that truly stood out—Central Clarion won the event with ease. According to Jared, there’s a website that tracks times statewide, and in the AA classification, the Central Clarion boys currently hold the top time. Both the Central Clarion boys and girls teams won the KSAC team title.
Today, Rick and Laura drove a few blocks along Historic Route 66 in Amarillo before visiting Bill's Backyard Classics, an impressive collection of around 100 restored cars—including one that once belonged to Bob Seger. Their next stop was Palo Duro Canyon. Due to recent heavy rains, only a couple of trails were open, but they managed to hike about 1.5 miles out and back on a rocky, steep trail.
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Wednesday April 30, 2025
Rick Strausser, my exterminator, came by today for the spring spraying.
I didn’t think I’d get a mowing in before May 1, but when I got up this morning, the grass was growing fast—so I mowed.
Pittsburgh Police reported that a man is in critical condition after falling approximately 20 feet onto the field at PNC Park during Wednesday evening’s Pirates game. The incident occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning, when a fan fell from the Clemente Wall onto the right field warning track during the game between the Pirates and Cubs. Players and coaches from both teams immediately reacted, calling for play to be stopped.
Rick and Laura wrapped up the April leg of their trip and have now left Oklahoma. They visited the Route 66 Museum in Clinton and thought it was excellent. They also stopped at the Old Town Museum in Elk City. From there, they made it into the Texas Panhandle, where they said it’s so flat you can see for miles. In Groom, Texas, they were glad they stopped to see the 190-foot cross at The Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They ended the day in Amarillo with dinner at the Big Texan Steak House.
The 168 chairs in the Oklahoma City National Memorial's Field of Empty Chairs represent the 168 people killed in the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The chairs are arranged in nine rows, each representing a floor of the building. Nineteen of the chairs are smaller to symbolize the 19 children who died.
Tuesday April 29, 2025
Tuesday April 29, 2025
I expected a heavy rainfall this afternoon and evening, but the storms passed just north of us. Clarion received less than 1/10 inch of rain, while Leeper got 3/4 inch.
Rick and Laura saw that the weather forecast for the part of Oklahoma they were visiting looked unfavorable, so they decided to head farther west today. They followed Route 66 through Tulsa, continued on to Oklahoma City, and ended the day in Clinton. For the most part, they managed to avoid the worst of the weather. They also had a chance to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial. At one point during their drive, they remarked how empty the road felt—there were very few cars. Their route today also took them through the town of Yukon, the hometown of Garth Brooks.
Monday April 28, 2025
Monday April 28, 2025
I usually meet with Jason from 9:30 to 10:30 on Monday mornings, followed by a meeting with Ralph and Don from 10:30 until noon. However, both were canceled today. Jason had an MRI on his back this morning, and then Don called to say he had a sore throat and wanted to see the doctor. BeeDee had another doctor’s appointment in the afternoon. On our way back to Water Run, I stopped at the Travel Center at Trinity Point to fill up with gas. Thanks to my Walmart+ membership, I received a 50¢ per gallon discount—good for this week.
Rick and Laura had another good day. The weather was nice, though windy. After leaving Missouri, they had a short drive through Kansas before entering Oklahoma. They enjoyed visiting Galena and Baxter Springs, Kansas—checking out sites like "Cars", the Rainbow Bridge, the Will Rogers Museum, and the classic Route 66 Blue Whale. They stopped for the night in Catoosa, Oklahoma, after a drive-by visit to Mickey Mantle’s childhood home in Commerce.
Sunday April 27, 2025
Sunday April 27, 2025
We had three baptisms at church today: Joe Feiser, Kaine McFarland, and Kristy Beinhaur. Each gave a short talk about their faith before they were baptized. What a joy to celebrate these public declarations of faith!
I’ve watched every episode of American Idol since its second season in 2003. I am rather surprised — but happily so — that the show has been featuring more and more Christian songs this year. Each week, several contestants sing songs of faith. This Easter, Idol presented a special three-hour event where all the contestants performed songs of faith.
Judge Carrie Underwood, known for her Christian faith, played a pivotal role in integrating faith-based content into the show. Her advocacy for the "Songs of Faith" episode was both a personal expression and a significant influence on the show's direction.
Besides the contestants, the judges and other music celebrities joined in the Easter celebrations:
Lionel Richie performed "Eternity."
Luke Bryan sang "Jesus 'Bout My Kids."
Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake teamed up for a duet of "Hard Fought Hallelujah."
CeCe Winans and Roman Collins collaborated on "Come Jesus Come."
And the highlight of the three-hour show was Carrie Underwood delivering a powerful rendition of "How Great Thou Art."
Meanwhile, five days into their Route 66 trip, Rick and Laura’s journey continued. Sunday began with checking out of the Rail Haven Motel in Springfield — a classic, very nice place to stay. They took a little side trip to Branson and drove around to see some of the town. Afterward, they returned to Route 66 and stopped at Gary's Gay Parita, a wonderful old service station and memorabilia collection. There, they enjoyed an interesting conversation with George, the son-in-law of the original owner. From there, they moved on to Red Oak II, a restored historic town.
The day ended with them checking into the historic Boots Court Motel in Carthage, Missouri.
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