Art Show Enjoyment

My son in college took a Painting I class this semester, and had a few paintings displayed at the Franklin College Art Show tonight. This picture above was done as a group project by all the students in that introductory class. Very impressive!

ROOKIE UPDATE...

Austin pops out to end the inning...



Hey, at least he ran it out!

Red Sox (the good guys) 15, White Sox 6.

A Rookie to Watch...

If you would like to follow Austin's season, you can check out his baseball page at:

http://austinrookieleague2009.shutterfly.com.

RED SOX NATION...

Our grandson Austin starts his Little League career tomorrow. He is playing on the Rookie League Red Sox.

Of course, this makes grandma especially happy, since she grew up in New England, rooted for those great Red Sox teams of the 60's and 70's, and joined with Red Sox nation in celebrating their World Series victories in 2004 and 2007.

To get ready for a season of following our local rookie Red Sox, tonight we watched the ESPN Classic broadcast of game six of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and the Reds, one of the greatest baseball games ever played. Carlton Fisk delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the 12th, using every ounce of body english he had to keep the ball fair as it hit the foul pole above the Wall at Fenway.

Go, Red Sox!

I'm so excited!

Little Kian was so thrilled to be with grandpa today, he could hardly contain it.

Job well done...

Congratulations to my son's brass quintet from Franklin Community High School, which won a "gold" at the ISSMA state competition today at North Central High School in Indianapolis.

David, Grant, Jordan, Josh, and Isaac—great job!

Long Days, Lost Weekend

Last Friday after work I came home and knew things were not right. All week long I had a mysterious pain in my right lower back that radiated around to my thigh. I thought I had twisted my back and pinched a nerve. It’ll work out. Except it didn’t. On Thursday I had a strong urge to urinate often, and it burned when I did. By Friday evening, after I made it home feeling dizzy and out of sorts, I crawled into bed with uncontrollable chills.

My weekend plans were set.

The rest of the story...

Since I couldn’t get in to see a doctor on Friday as I had planned, I managed to scrounge an appointment for Saturday morning. I slumped over to her office, shivering all the way, waited ten minutes and then was invited in to the exam room, after having left a urine sample. When the nurse came in the room, we exchanged a few words about urinary tract infections, and she said coldly, “Now you know what your wife goes through.” I think she had issues.

When the doctor came in, she was much more compassionate. “You know, in men this is often caused by a kidney stone, and I don’t like that flank pain you have.” Great. Two words in the English language I never wanted to hear spoken together and addressed to me: “kidney” and “stone.” “How is your pain tolerance?” she asked. I’m probably average, for your spoiled, middle-class, Baby Boomer. I don’t have any. “You know,” she smiled, “women who have had both babies and kidney stones say that they would rather have the baby.” This day has started with such encouragement.

She sent me to the hospital for a CT scan to check for stones. Maybe that’s not it after all. After stopping at the pharmacy to get my antibiotics, I arrived at the hospital (part of the health network for which I work), went dutifully to registration and gave my information, squirming in my chair to find a comfortable position. “Did your doc call and put you on the schedule?” I didn’t know, and when I said so, she shot me a disapproving look. She called the imaging department and apparently the doctor hadn’t phoned. Disapproving look number two. “You’ll have to go to the waiting room until they can call your doctor. Please tell her next time to call; we have to follow the appropriate protocol.” From far away somewhere in a gathering storm of misery, I nodded meekly.

Now to Radiology, where for almost an hour I must have looked like a homeless man taking shelter from the cold as I sat in the waiting room, head down between hunched shoulders trying to stay warm and comfortable. From snippets I heard, the delay was because the young woman at the desk could not get my information to come up right on the computer. She tried and tried again. She sighed and whined and tried again. She called the IT help line. She called in coworkers, who came, punched a few keys, shook their heads and walked out again. Some grating “crisis of the week” movie was on the TV. I had to get up and pee at least five times.

Somehow, the technical problem got resolved. I had my two minute test...then waited...and waited for the results while their people called my people and waited for my people to call back only to have to wait again for their people to call back and talk to my people. In the end, good news—a normal scan. No kidney stones.

Still, I figure I have about a 102 degree temperature, I haven’t eaten since yesterday’s lunch, I ache all over, my back and leg hurt like crazy, and now I get to drive home. Stopping to get a sandwich and a drink, I take two bites of the sandwich and then throw it away. Tastes like dust.

From that point on, the trajectory of my weekend was flat. Lying on the couch watching football. Lying in bed sleeping. Lying in bed watching football. Lying on the couch trying to get comfortable. Etc., etc., etc. We usually make remarks about how time flies and how we can’t believe it’s already such and such a date. These were the longest days of my life.

Life went on all around me, but I honestly don’t remember much about anything. Most of Friday night through Monday morning was like being shut in a closet and subjected to some sick torture treatment with a relentless soundtrack of football talk, games, inane commercials, distant sounds of family life going on without me, phones ringing, cars needing muffler work growling by my window. It was all repeated endlessly, while I turned over and over again in the bed to find a good position, alternately burning with fever and drenched with sweat. All in all, a pretty good foretaste of Purgatory, I’m sure.

I write this not to elicit sympathy. My illness didn’t turn out to be deadly serious or anything. But for one who spends his days visiting people who lie in their beds, I wanted you to know that I gained a bit of perspective over that long weekend. I hope I will never enter one of their rooms again without a new measure of sympathy and a new sense for what might encourage them.

Welcome to the World!

Welcome, Kian Jerome Yates.
Born December 17, 2008
Congratulations, Hannah and Rob.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: Grizzlies' Dream Season Ends

Today, the field at Franklin Community High School was transformed into a frozen tundra that became the stage for a Division III Football Quarterfinal match between Franklin College and Wheaton College. The game was played on the HS field because of its turf surface and because Faught Field at Franklin College had been badly damaged in the final regular season game, played in rainy conditions.

The conditions ended up favoring Wheaton today. Their powerful ground attack, stingy red zone defense, and solid special teams play led them to a 45-28 victory over the Grizzlies.

Both teams ended the day with 11-2 records. Wheaton will advance to the Final Four to play undefeated and #1 ranked Mt. Union, which defeated Cortland State 41-14. The Grizzlies will go home downhearted at the loss, but gratified that they had the finest season in school history, going farther into the Division III playoffs than any team in HCAC conference history.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Leonard, the seniors (especially record-setting QB Chad Rupp), and the entire team for a magnificent season that we all enjoyed watching.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: The Amazing Grizzlies!

This week, I've been preoccupied with an ear infection, work responsibilities, and being with family and friends over Thanksgiving, so blogging has taken a back seat. Back to regular daily posts tomorrow, when I'll start sharing daily Advent thoughts...

The most exciting news to report over the past week has been the great success of the Franklin College Grizzlies in the NCAA Division III playoffs. FC is now one of only eight teams left in the tournament, after two impressive victories on each of the past two Saturdays. You can see the entire bracket at d3Football.com.


FIRST ROUND: Franklin Outlasts Otterbein
First, FC traveled to Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio on Nov. 22 to face the Cardinals. It wasn't exactly the "frozen tundra," but a wintry day nonetheless in central Ohio. Would the weather turn this into a defensive battle? The first quarter suggested it might, with both teams failing to score. Then, each team scored a couple of opportunistic TD's in the second quarter to make the tally 14-14 at the half. We headed to our cars to warm up during half time.

When the two squads took the field for the second half, this suddenly turned into an entirely different game. The QB's took over, and soon the Grizzlies and Cardinals were marching up and down the field in a third quarter that saw FC put up 27 points and OC 17, with five lead changes. In the final period Franklin pulled ahead for good, and when the dust settled, the Grizzlies had prevailed, 62-45. Chad Rupp, the leading passer in FC history and HCAC offensive player of the year, completed a remarkable 41 for 62 passes with 527 yards and 7 touchdowns, including an NCAA record five TD's caught by wide receiver Logan Deffner.


SECOND ROUND: FC Defeats North Central
Sr. QB and Gagliardi Trophy nominee Chad Rupp completed 31 of 52 passes for 411 yards, and was also Franklin's top rusher with 83 yards on 15 carries, as he led the Grizzlies to a 38-28 victory over North Central College on Saturday, Nov. 29. On the defensive side, senior linemen Levi Smythe and Dan McManus led the way in pressuring and stopping NC, combining for 15 tackles and 4 1/2 sacks. The Cardinals came out of the gate fast, sprinting out to a 14-3 lead on their home field before the Grizzlies fought back into the game, the lead, and eventually the win.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: FC Keeps Victory Bell

UPDATE: Franklin received a #5 seed and will travel to Otterbein College (9-1) in Westerville, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 22 to play the #4 seeded Cardinals, whose only loss this season was to the #1 team in the nation, Mt. Union. Kickoff time is at noon.

Another cold, wet, windy day greeted football fans at Franklin College Saturday for the annual Victory Bell rivalry game against Hanover College. This is a special game for those of us who live in Franklin, because many of the young men who played for Franklin High School now play for Hanover as well as FC, and it is great to see everyone again.

In today's mud bowl, the outcome was never in doubt, with the Grizzlies prevailing 34-0.

I'll be updating this post on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 16, to announce Franklin's seeding and opponent in the NCAA Division III tournament next Saturday. You can watch the selection on ESPN News at 3pm, and follow all the analysis at D3Football.com

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: HCAC Champions!

The Franklin Grizzlies claimed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship and gained an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III tournament with a 31-20 victory at Manchester College Saturday.

It didn't come easily. The day was all November—chill and gray with a blustery wind—and Franklin seemed ready neither for the weather nor the energy with which Manchester took the field on their Senior Day. The Spartans quickly put ten points on the board in the first quarter, while the Grizzlies' normally potent offense was stymied. Franklin finally roused and scored fourteen in the second period to take the lead into halftime, a lead they would never relinquish. The weather conditions worsened as the second half wore on, and the teams battled back and forth, with the Grizzlies outlasting the home team in the end.

Congratulations to Coach Mike Leonard and his team for their second straight conference championship! Next Saturday, Franklin hosts Hanover for the annual Victory Bell game. Then comes selection Sunday, when the Grizzlies will learn their seeding and opponent in the tournament, which begins November 22.

Go Grizzlies!

FRIDAY FOTO: Jack-O-Lantern Time

Halloween, 2008

THURSDAY THINGAMAJIG: Phillies win it all

My sister from Philadelphia called last night. She just had to rub it in, didn't she?

First, the Cubs tank.

Then, the Red Sox can't finish the job.

The Phillies outlasted them all, even the Cinderella Rays. Oh well, congratulations. You folks have waited a long time too (though not 100 years).

Another long off-season for this baseball fan.

TUESDAY TRAVELS: Apples, Pumpkins, and Fall Colors

Went with some of the family down to Appleworks orchard on Sunday to get some apples, give my grandson some fun, see some fall foliage, pick out a couple of pumpkins, and, oh yes!, get some Amish popcorn. This has not been the most colorful autumn we've seen in central Indiana, but it was a beautiful day with plenty of scenic splendor to appreciate.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 24-25

Grizzly Cubs' Season Ends
It was a disappointing end to the Franklin HS football season Friday night, as the Grizzly Cubs lost their rematch with Greenwood in the first round of the sectional tournament, 9-7. Once again the offense failed to cash in on their opportunities, while the defense held the opponent to three field goals. The effort was there, the game was close, but in the end, our kids came up short. We're awfully proud of them for keeping their heads up and working hard all season. (Photo from The Daily Journal)

Franklin Hangs On to Win
The Franklin College Grizzlies traveled to perennial rival Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday and surged to a 26-0 lead in the second quarter, and a win seemed secure. However, the Lions stormed back in the second half and FC had to hang on for a 40-35 victory. QB Chad Rupp became FC's all-time leader in touchdown passes, throwing the 79th, 80th and 81st TDs of his career.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 17-18

Disappointing Finale
The Franklin HS Grizzly Cubs ended their regular season with a disappointing 14-6 loss to Martinsville. Franklin moved the ball well most of the night but couldn't seal the deal often enough. Adding to the pain was their final drive, when QB Dan Bechman threw a touchdown pass to Austin Clark, only to have it called back on a questionable holding penalty. Our son Isaac and all the seniors were recognized before the game. At least one more to go: next week's sectional matchup against Greenwood.

Another Big Day for FC
Franklin College traveled to HCAC rival Anderson University on Saturday and the number one offense in the conference showed its stuff in a 56-27 victory over the Ravens. Sr. QB Chad Rupp threw for 6 touchdowns and completed 26 of 37 passes for 398 yards. Two more TD passes, and Rupp will be the all-time record-holder for Franklin College.

The Grizzlies are now 3-0 in the conference and 5-1 overall. They travel to Mt. St. Joseph next Saturday.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 10-11

FCHS SPOILS GREENWOOD HOMECOMING
On a perfect autumn Friday evening under colorful skies, the Franklin Grizzly Cubs won a close one at the homecoming of local Mid-State rival Greenwood, 23-21. The game featured five lead changes and nine turnovers. Franklin took the lead at the end of the third quarter and then survived a wild finish for the win. It was Franklin's first win since the second game of the season, and it sets up a rematch in the sectional opener on Oct. 24.

FRANKLIN COLLEGE DEMOLISHES BLUFFTON
The Grizzlies celebrated their homecoming by trouncing Bluffton, 63-3. Two sky-diving specialists descended and landed at midfield just before the start of the game, and then with the first kick Franklin took off and never looked back. Franklin was nearly perfectly balanced, with 488 total offensive yards, 246 rushing and 242 yards passing. The Grizzlies scored at least 2 touchdowns in every quarter.

Franklin travels to Anderson next week to face the Ravens, who surprised Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday, 10-9.

SATURDAY SPORTS WRAP: October 3-4

Plainfield 24, Franklin 13
Grizzly Cubs break scoring drought, but fail to stop Plainfield's strong running game. Franklin will look to get back on the winning track next Friday at Greenwood.

Franklin College 30, Defiance 14
Grizzlies bounce back after last week's loss at Trine. In this week's Heartland Conference opener, Franklin scored on its first two possessions and controlled the ball the rest of the way for the win. Next week FC returns home to face Bluffton for homecoming.

Dodgers 3, Cubs 1... Dodgers advance
Dismal. Embarrassing. Season over. Baseball is not a hard game. If you don't pitch, field and hit, you don't win. The Cubs didn't pitch in the first game, field in the second, or hit in any of the three. See ya next year.

FRIDAY FOTO: Cubs on the brain

This shot was taken when my son Jesse and I went to a Cubs game in Cincinnati earlier this summer. This is Derek Lee at the plate. I remember that many Cubs swung at bad pitches that night and showed little discipline at the plate. That was an anomaly from the way they hit most of the season. Unfortunately, they are in one of those slumps again, if the first two games of the NLDS are any indication.

Of course, there is still hope, but it's the hope of what most would call a "miracle." Give credit to the Dodgers too. They are playing well at just the right time.

As for me, like most Cubs fans, I'm pretty sure the sky is falling.