Entrance into the Kingdom of God

My granddaughter Isabelle was baptized yesterday morning, and Michelle and I were thrilled to be there and witness it. It is such a comfort and joy to know that she is being raised by loving parents who are themselves strong believers.
In the front row of the picture are Isabelle (age precisely 7 months), her mother Christy (26), great-grandmother Hellie (Helen Borton, age 86), and grandmother Michelle (43); back row - father Reggie (31), and grandfather Allen (53).

The changing seasons

As I sit here early on the morning of the day after Labor Day, I am moved to reflect on how, in the educational world, Labor Day has always seemed to me almost like New Year's Day. My wife, a teacher, has her first day of classes today. Personally, I find that, even though I miss talking clearly and singing more than I could ever express, I do not really miss teaching per se all that much.

Also, having become a fan of country music in recent years, I have now in mind a recent Kenny Chesney hit, "The Boys of Fall" -

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass
I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads
Standin' in the huddle listenin' to the call
Fans goin' crazy for the boys of fall

They didn't let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall
The kings of the school, man, we're the boys of fall

[Chorus:]
Well it's, turn and face the stars and stripes
It's fightin' back them butterflies
It's call it in the air alright yes sir we want the ball
And it's knockin' heads and talkin' trash
It's slingin' mud and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, I got your back
When your back's against the wall
You mess with one man, you got us all
The boys of fall

A new challenge

On the morning of June 29, I went out early and ran a comfortable, pain-free 10K. But by that night my back had tightened up severely, to the point where I could barely move. A few days later, when I consulted a doctor, he put me on a regimen of Aleve and ice, and referred me to a local physical therapy organization. I made good progress with the therapists, whose conclusions were somewhat complex. They found that a muscle in my back (the "QL muscle," or quadratus laborum) had tightened up, thus "hiking up" my right hip considerably higher than the left. This, in effect, shortened the leg, and altered my gait, compressing and weakening the joint between two lower vertebrae. I could not run for most all of July, only beginning with a short, easy 3-mile run on July 31, and since then have kept to short runs (at their recommendation), but am making gradual progress, and ran 3 miles again on each of August 11-14 to mark the first time I've been able to run four consecutive days since June 23-26.

Running again!

Having been laid low by back pain, I just yesterday was able to return to running (with the approval of my physical therapist) for the first time since June 29. I only did a short and slow run of 2.1 miles ... but it felt good to be out there again! The consensus was that my right hip was hiked up way higher than the left (due to a tightening of the QL, or quadratus laborum, muscle), thus shortening that leg and altering my gait. This caused a weakness in the joint between two of my lower vertebrae. We're now working on it.
This picture shows my running form at a MUCH younger age - doing the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, September 30, 1984, when I was just a whelp of 27.

Isabelle grows

Following the birth of my granddaughter Isabelle Grace Loewen on February 19, she has grown and developed rapidly - here is a portrait that her mother took on June 19 (perhaps practicing a future soprano high note?), as well as a picture of Isabelle and her Grandpa AB on Memorial Day.

Comerica Park

Yesterday, June 20 (which was Father's Day), I fed the side of me which is a big fan of the Detroit Tigers, going to their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Comerica Park. I went with my friend Tom Brown, in celebration of his birthday (also on June 20), and before the game he took this photo of me in front of the big tiger statue outside the stadium with his iPhone.

Far distant memories

Almost precisely 35 years ago (on Saturday, June 6, 1975), I graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy as Co-Valedictorian (Keith Orr and I tied with GPA's of 4.0). The memories which stand out to me most clearly are: (1) the magnificent musical contributions of Interlochen's ensembles to the graduation ceremony; (2) the splendor of the setting, on a lovely late spring day in Interlochen's partially open Kresge Auditorium, with the waters of Green Lake shimmering, clearly visible through the windows behind the stage; (3) the great pride I felt to be graduating from such a fine and recognized institution; (4) the puzzlement I felt as I approached the lectern to deliver my valedictory address, wondering where my family was, as I still had not located them amidst the vast assemblage ... and then, knowing instantly when I heard the absolutely unmistakable (to me) sound of my Dad clearing his throat.

Mortality

I had a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of life yesterday, when I attended the funeral of a friend and work colleague, a 37-year-old man who had died this week as a result of injuries sustained in a May 18 car accident. It was a very odd experience to look at Chris in the coffin and recollect the many conversations and laughs we'd shared. With a LOT of older relatives, I am well used to deaths and funerals, but this is the first time I can remember the death of a friend YOUNGER than I am. I guess I'd better get used to it, though ... I'm going to keep getting older, and expect to be around for several more decades yet. Oh, I know that my times are in the Lord's hands - but with a good genetic heritage (grandmothers of 102 and 93, for instance), I think my chances for a long life are pretty good.

Return of the Pool Bum

My wife, Michelle, likes to call me "Pool Bum" because of my habit of hanging out there for an hour or two each day all through the summer, reading. Our complex's pool opened yesterday (Friday), so I am a happy man, and am two for two in getting there. I am trying to discipline myself to avoid "pool time" on any day this year until I have already completed my daily run, and so far have been successful in that, too. Today was warm (hot - 81 degrees), sunny, and humid, but I sallied forth anyway and did 10K (6.2 miles), although slower than I like. The ending reward of the pool was enticing, however!

A new concern

For the last few days, my hearing has been eroding. It is not that is wholly gone, but greatly attenuated and muffled, as though I have a thick blanket over my head. I am seeing my doctor this afternoon in hopes of gaining some answers. I am thinking it may be either (1) an infection, (2) a fluid-buildup, or (3) earwax-related. We shall see. In the meantime, though, as a musician, and already laboring under the handicap of being unable to speak clearly, this is extremely distressing. My wife and I were given tickets to the acclaimed musical Ragtime this past Saturday, and though it was clearly a very fine production, much of it was, sadly, lost on me.

Isabelle Grace Loewen

My tardiness in reporting this is inexcusable, but on February 19 I became a grandfather! Isabelle Grace Loewen was born to my daughter Christy and her husband Reggie, in Lansing, Michigan ... just about an hour from us. So we were able to have a very enjoyable visit the very next day, and meet this cute little bundle of joy! Reggie's parents, Wes and Lou Loewen, came up from their home in Kansas a short time later.