Bob's Music World, Mt. Sterling KY

I visited Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, for the first time Friday for a wonderful live radio interview with Dan Manley (what a great on-air name, right?) on WMST-AM. Just down the block from the studio was this business: Bob's Music World. Another great name, right?

Kentucky Shakespeare's Bard-a-Thon 2017

This past weekend, for the second year in a row, I enjoyed part of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival's annual Bard-a-Thon (see here for my post on last year's event).

See The Bard and the Bible blog for a full report and review (here).

Many, many thanks to Kentucky Shakespeare for a delightful performance. See you next year!

Prayer Retreat 2017

The monks of the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (south of Bardstown) once again opened their arms to me (and my friend Bill) for my annual prayer retreat this past weekend.

What a blessing it is to enter this special place of silence and sweet communion with God. It is always a balm to my soul. Though my room was in the south wing (or "monastery wing"), which is not air-conditioned, and the weekend temperatures exceeded ninety degrees, a pair of fans (one of which I brought with me) prevented any heat stroke. I spent most of my waking time in the air-conditioned guest house and chapel anyway.

I read and rested. I wrote a little and prayed a lot. I didn't take the long walks I usually enjoy in the gardens or woods but still had a blessed time. As did the hummingbirds who provided some moments of fascination and wonder.

Great American Ball Park 2017, Cincinnati OH

I love my Cincinnati Reds. I love the beautiful game. I love Great American Ball Park. I love my family. And I got to enjoy all of the above last evening as part of my Father's Day 2017 gift.

It was a special night. My three local (for now) grandkids were angelic (even if two-year-old Avery ate much of my Lemon Freeze, and even though the guy next to me--a Cubs Fan--was obnoxious...but I repeat myself). It was a beautiful, temperate evening, it didn't rain as was forecasted, the Reds won 5-0, pitchers Feldman, Lorenzen, and Peralta combined for a three-hitter, Duvall homered, and the home team even executed my favorite play in baseball: the squeeze bunt.

Oh, and of course, we stayed to enjoy a fantasmexplodic fireworks display after the game. Thank you, family, and Reds, and Great American Ball Park!