Suite Night at GABP

It was such a joy last night to be accompanied by the lovely Robin to a Cincinnati Reds game at Great American Ball Park. She wasn't the only offer I had for the August 22 game against the Chicago Cubs but it was the best! 

It didn't hurt that Robin's offer included a suite--the first time ever that either of us have enjoyed such treatment! And Robin was able to visit with many friends from her office while paying scant attention to the game, while I was able to follow every pitch and play (including a couple gems by Billy Hamilton, another by Adam Duvall, a play at home, and home runs by Gennett, Suarez (2), and Winker). 

So the Reds' bullpen couldn't find the strike zone, big deal. So the pitching staff blew a couple three-run leads, whatever. Free LaRosa's pizza, Skyline coneys, and Montgomery Inn pulled pork helped to soothe the pain.

And when Robin wasn't looking I was nearly swept off my feet by Rosie Red--who kissed me! So it wasn't a win for the home team, but it was a win-win for me and the lovely Robin.

Bob's Bar

Pay no attention to the fine print. I'm thrilled that the new home of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company features "Bob's Bar." Thank you. Thank you very much.

Champions Club at Great American Ballpark

I was able to accept an almost-last-minute invitation from a friend to the Cincinnati Reds game against the San Diego Padres last night at Great American Ball Park. I'm so glad I did.

It's hard to get a good shot of the new Pete Rose statue in the early evening shade, but I was glad to see it on my way in. Man, what a history this team has!

And thanks to my friend Karl, my ticket was for the exclusive and all-inclusive Champions Club level, located behind home plate and along the first-base side of the park. The area includes a free buffet featuring everything from free hot dogs and free burgers to free paninis, free pizza, free stir-fry and free pasta, plus unlimited free non-alcoholic beverages and free ice cream bars. Oh, and did I mention it's all free? I was so excited I couldn't even hold the camera still for a non-blurry photo.

And our seats were uh-mazing. First row, middle of the section. And the ticket was free. Don't know if I mentioned that.

It was a bee-yoo-tiful evening for baseball, and even though the Reds lost (7-3), we saw a couple great catches by (who else?) Billy Hamilton, a home run by Tucker Barnhart, and had a great time talking baseball, family, writing, and publishing. Thanks, Karl!

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!