SUMMER TIME SUMMER TIME...

June 21st is the first day of Summer. For a gift, the rain gods gave us another spooky storm. Thunder, rain in sheets and lightening. Now, I ask you...does that sound like Summer? I have never seen rain like this in Austin. EVER! I have been here 50 years this June, and NEVER!

We are watching the College World Series. Our favorite team, UC Irvine was eliminated last night. We were sad, as they had beaten us, and we were hoping they could go all the way. Oregon is going to be hard to beat...NC looks great. They are handing Rice all they want right now, as I write.

Holly and I have been talking a lot, and I am going to be a Great Grandma here, in about 5-8 weeks. That is going, to be such fun. They already know it will be a boy and have already picked out a name. Gregory W Young III. He will be a good kiddo, I know. They tried so hard to have him, and now that he is nearly born, they are getting very nervous. That is good. Some people just have children, and don't worry about anything. They will be very good parents. He will be born in Italy...and have dual citizenship. He will be a lucky kid.

Holly gave us some names of single soldiers in Greg's outfit. We are sending letters and packages. It is so much fun to do, and it makes you feel you are helping some soldier have a minute of "fun"... The post office has boxes (not really very big, but adequate) that cost $8.95 to send...no matter how heavy. I can remember sending Greg packages in Iraq that cost 70 and 80 dollars. This way, you can send a lot more packages and I was told the smaller ones get there quicker. I think they get mail once a week, and packages 2x a month. That is a lot better than WWII...sometimes Jay said it was 6 to 8 weeks for a letter to arrive at either end! No Internet, and no telephone. It is bad enough now, so I cannot imagine how horrible it was then. War is hell, and I hope that our missions are taken care of and our men can come home soon. They have to stay until it is safe for them to leave .. Afghanistan is not in the news as much as Iraq, but they are doing good things there, also.

With that I will say

God Bless America.
God Bless our troops.
God Bless our President.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JAKE!!!!!!

159		Arrieta, Jacob	Texas Christian University	RHP	R/R	6'04"	225	1986-03-06	JR	400K
Comments: TCU's Friday starter endured an up-and-down season, but came up with a strong start in his conference tournament late in the year. When he's pitching well, he uses average stuff with above-average command to keep hitters off-balance. He's a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse type in the future, and the kind of pitcher who could possibly get to the big leagues quickly. Thanks to the MLB.com pages for the information about Jake. From TCU to Baltimore...A Frog turns into a Bird! The Kiss did it... Enhanced Scouting Report Jake Arrieta (AP Photo/Jerry Laizure Biographical Data Player Name: Jake Arrieta Position: Starting Pitcher School: Texas Christian University School Type: Four-Year College Academic Class: Junior Birthdate: 03/06/86 Height: 6'4" Weight: 225 lbs. Bats: Right Throws: Right Report Date(s): 02/16/07 Game(s): Oral Roberts Focus Area Comments Fastball: Arrieta threw his fastball in the 88-91 mph range, reaching back for a 93. FB Movement: Arrieta was able to move his fastball in and out for strikes. Curve: He threw his curve in the 74-78 mph range. It got better as the game went on. Changeup: Arrieta didn't throw many changeups on Friday, but when he did they were in the 80-81 mph range. Slider: Arrieta's slider is more of a cutter and he threw it in the 80-81 mph range. Control: Command is usually a strong suit for Arrieta, but it was just average on Friday, partially because of the cold temps. Poise: Arrieta has good mound presence and competed very well. Physical Description: Big, strong, durable, he looks like a workhorse. Medical Update: Healthy. Strengths: Usually, it's the combination of average stuff across the board with plus command. Weaknesses: He can spin out of his delivery at times, forcing him to yank the ball to the outside of the plate. He fights himself a little bit. In the future, he may have to ditch the slider and go with a three-pitch mix. Summary: TCU’s Friday starter endured an up-and-down season, but came up with a strong start in his conference tournament late in the year. When he’s pitching well, he uses average stuff with above-average command to keep hitters off-balance. He’s a middle-of-the-rotation workhorse type in the future, and the kind of pitcher who could possibly get to the big leagues quickly. THIS IS SO COOL....I am so happy for Jake and his family. Don't know what is more stressful, draft day, or trying to choose the right College to attend. They are both so important for your future as a baseball player. Jake is a wonderful person, and he will do well. There certainly will be a lot of friends and family pulling for him. The Orioles are lucky. We will be watching all we can, and sending love and best wishes!!!!! XXOO

LIFE AND DEATH AND LIFE GOES ON

We have been to the beach and back, been to a good friend's funeral in Beaumont and missed a party in Midland. Normally there isn't much to write about, but seems suddenly, everything is bursting!

Luke Petkovsek, a life long friend to Jay and a 32 year friend for me, died and of course, we just put everything on hold, and went down to Beaumont. He was a wonderful man. So kind and so generous to those around him, and especially his family. He had a bunch of children..most I know and they are great people as well. His wife of forever, will miss him so much, I know. God love you Mickey.

We missed my good friend's wedding party in Midland, but she understood, and with 250 people in the room, I bet she wouldn't have missed us, if I hadn't called to tell her we weren't going to be able to make it. Sure..

Another good friend died in Houston. We tried to arrange getting to the memorial, but just couldn't. Our thoughts and prayers were with the family, and I know Joan was smiling at all the people who did come for her, and for Keys.

After that sobering week, we returned home, and started watching the Baseball Regional tournament in Round Rock. Our stadium is full of construction workers, and it just wasn't going to work out that we have the tournament played at the Disch. So..we went to 2 of the games, and we just lost this afternoon, to end our 2007 season. We didn't play like Texas, and made so many errors...we lost our catcher and our centerfielder to freak injuries. This is sobering, in another way, for sure. Other than that, we were lucky to be in it as long as we were. So, next year..we start anew, and try to win it all again. We have won 6 times in Omaha. That is nice. But you always think this is the year...yep, "this is THE year".

Just talked to my granddaughter in Italy. Greg is in Afghanistan, and working with his soldiers as a medic. He went to Ft. Sam Houston to study, and last November graduated. He was deployed to Italy in January, and Afghanistan for 15 months just recently. They are having a little Gregory and it is an exciting time for them. You know how much the men and women in the service sacrifice when you see the families growing without the husband being at the birth. The Army is good about letting the father's get home to see their wife and new baby, though. He will do that after the birth. Her mom will come spend a few months in Italy with her, so that will be nice. She thinks August, now. Lucky her.. a month ahead of first prediction. Good Luck Holly and Greg..we love you both. God hold you safe, both of you.

Haven't heard from Geoff, he is in Tacoma at McChord AFB. He is doing well in the Air Force, and seems to have found a home. He will do what ever he wants in the service. He is that good.

Havent played any golf in ages...seems more rain and what ever..keeps me in. It rained 4 inches here last night, and we are Lake Full around Austin this summer.

Nothing else...Isn't this enough???? Hook 'em Horns! God Bless America! God Bless our troops. Here and in harm's way. Come back safe.