April 11 – “Plants … chili … baseball”

Yesterday I finished one item on my pre-trip preparations list.  Not bad for more than two weeks away, huh?  It was some ongoing stuff that I do for church and the fire department.  Good to have one less thing to worry about.  Meanwhile, Chris worked on her latest quilt.  This one is getting done really fast.  She has a few others backed up in her queue (always wanted to us that word in a real sentence.  For something that just means “line” it sure sounds … continental). 

 

Once we left the house, we had a whirlwind of events to attend to.  First we headed out to Jamaica Beach to check out a plant sale they were having at the park.  As it turned out, we were apparently too late.  There was not much inventory left.  The lady in charge gave Chris one of her business cards, though.  Told her she could call and order pretty much anything and she would deliver it to the house. 

 

Next we headed out further and further West.  Sea Isle was having its annual chili cook-off.  We have been going for several years now.  It is always a fun time.  For ten dollars you get to taste all the participants’ chili and vote for your favorite.  Not a bad price for lunch, I guess.  We saw several Seasiders roaming around.  Ray was even a contestant this year.  And honestly, his chili was the best of the ones we tasted.  He got our vote, anyway.  One random guy heard us talking about how well-seasoned it was, and he wanted to know which booth.  Seems he was searching for the hottest batch he could find.  Good luck to his gut.  Jim and Corey and John were providing music for the event, so that was top-notch, as usual. 

 

From there we headed into Texas to watch Jachin play a baseball game.  As it turned out he didn’t just play … he was the starting pitcher.  And he did a fabulous job.  Pitched five strong innings.  And the only runs he gave up came on errors by his outfield.  He came out with the game tied 2-2.  From there he moved to right field and made an amazing over the shoulder catch on a long fly ball.  Sadly, the bad guys won the game, but we were still some pretty proud grandparents.

 

On the way home we swung by the house Nathan and April are trying to buy in Santa Fe.  It wasn’t hard to find.  It was a little hard to get to, though.  The street is a really busy one.  The house looked nice, though.  Well, at least the front yard did.  They got the results of their inspector’s list the other day, and now they have to see what compromises the owner is willing to accept.  Ah, the joys of buying a home.

 

2 Timothy 2:1 says, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

 

Father, would you help Nathan and April as they wade through this house-hunting process?  Amen.