The Flog – The Fabry Log

It was an early baseball game for our team. 7:30 game time and the field is 45 minutes away. Brandon and Colin were up as soon as I touched them and told them not to wake anyone else in the bedroom. Andrea leaned up on one elbow and smiled as she watched them get in their uniforms and run into the living room where they tried not to wake Shannon who sleeps there. (I'm looking forward to the new house.)

The other team only had 5 players. We have not won a game all year. I had a good feeling about this game. But as we scored a few runs, I rooted for the other team to get a hit. To get on base. After all, it's about the kids. It's about them learning and growing and having fun. Our team beamed afterward talking about the win and the runs scored. It feels good to have at least one win under our collective belts.

The rest of the day was spent recovering from the early game AND going to a new Walmart I heard about from our assistant coach, Jaime. It was crowded but nicer than our regular Walmart.

Ryan made dinner and afterward Andrea took Kristen to a bookstore and some of the other children and I went to the park. We threw the baseball, tossed a football, walked, and played.

A mom and dad and two young girls came near us with two small dogs. One of them barked at me and edged closer on the leash. (The dog, not the girls.) The little girl wore a pink nightgown and let him come over. I held out my hand and the dog, a Miniature Schnauzer, submissively sniffed it and put his ears back. I petted his fur and he licked at my hand and I couldn't help thinking of Pippen and Frodo. I'm still having a hard time with the memories.

"What's his name?" I said.

"Jack."

"That's a good name. It fits him. He looks like he just got a haircut. Did you cut his hair?"

"No speak Englais."

"Oh," I said.

I petted Jack some more until she took him away. I don't think she understood any more of my words. I think Jack understood. His lick and the wagging tail spoke volumes to me.

The sun set on another desert Saturday. Only two more weeks of baseball season for our team. And August is here with many miles to go. Thanks for taking this journey with us.