Experiment with video

Last night was the end of the basketball season for Mike's team as they lost in the single elimination tournament. I did bring my camera and got some video that I am going to experiment with here on the blog. Hopefully it can be watched. The first video is of the introductions of Mike's team. Mike was introduced and then ran across the gym. We thought maybe he was leaving the building but actually he lead the Special Olympians Oath from the microphone on that side of the gym. Unfortunately I did not get video of that but I did get a picture. The second video clip is after Mike was fouled and had two free throws. There is a little fumbling with the camera between the shots but he was 2 for 2.

Mike leading in the saying of the Special Olympian Oath

High School was how long ago???

Tom aka Rocco stopped in for a short visit last night and it was great fun to see he and Steve together. If only our bodies would age at the same slow pace our minds do. Those two could have been 18 years old again if we could only hear and not see.


Remember the recipes that required you to get a starter from someone who was already making the recipe. I am a recipient of a starter for Amish Cinnamon Bread. My friend Trina brought it over on Sunday and we are following the directions to mush it in the baggie for the next couple of days before we add some additional ingredients and pass part of the batter on for others to enjoy. Here is our baggie of starter.

Taking pictures

I have been great on getting a picture taken everyday but I have not always posted them on the blog. I have a folder on the computer titled Picture of the day and so far they are all there. Hopefully I will be able to set up a monthly picture folder and have a link to that. Maybe the collection will be my coffee table book next year. "Pictures of my life. Day by Day". Unfortunately when you take a picture a day you find there are some days that are pretty mundane. For example today I could have taken a picture of the washing machine. I love it and it is a wonderful invention but somehow not quite what I want to remember about February 23, 2009. We are having dinner with friends tonight and I hope to remember my camera to take a photo. I have taken a mundane shot of the day too in case I forget. I wish everyday could be as exciting as when we are on vacation.

The winds on Saturday were so strong that the snow blew up against the trees. Sunday morning the trees across the pond looked as if someone had used a snow thrower and covered them with snow on one side. The picture doesn't do justice but you can see how white the trunks looked.

Saturday and snow again

It has been nice to see the green of the grass even if it is more of a yellow dormant color than growing green. Today the snow started about 10 AM and we just finished plowing now (5PM) and there was about 4 inches of the new white stuff. It appear the temperatures will stay below freezing for a couple of days so we will be in winter again. I will be curling up in a chair with a good book and trying to enjoy the fact that we are inside for another week or two.

California Jessica has us thinking Oscars again this year as she was telling me about LA Oscar parties this weekend. I have seen only one of the best picture nominees this year. Slumdog Millionaire is a Fox movie so that is the one we will be rooting for. As for the other categories, I loved the movie Doubt and the nominees from that movie will have my vote. Meryl Streep for best actress and Philip Hoffman for best actor and Amy Adams for best supporting actress. I did not see the Curious Case of Benjamin Button but I understand the nominees from that movie are great too. The real question is whether I will even be awake for the announcements. I will probably read about it in the Blade on Monday morning. It would be a great party occassion if you lived in LA though.

Friday picture is a pussy willow cutting that is being forced into bloom. Very simple but pretty.

Basketball season winding down

Mike, Joe, and Derrick

Last night Mike's Special Olympic basketball team played their last regular season game. They scored more points last night than in any other game but still lost 34- 24. Tuesday they start the elimination tournament and that will probably be the end of the season but as you can see they have fun win or lose.

Grass and Ice

It is an interesting picture looking out at the backyard today because the snow is all gone but the pond is frozen snow and ice. The appearance of the grass makes me think spring thoughts and wish for golf season. I know that we still have some winter in store for us during the months of February and March but clearly spring must be on its way.