Friday, August 1, Sue and I flew to Dallas to be with two of our children and their children (grandchildren). It was hot when we left St. Louis and even hotter when we arrived in Dallas. Temperature over 100 every day and very hot at night. The temp did not keep us from having a great time.
Friday evening, Rick, Cindy, Hudson, Sue and I went to the ballpark in Arlington to see the Texas Rangers play the Toronto Bluejays. First time I had seen the Bluejays in person and former Cardinals' Scott Rolen and David Eckstein play north of the USA border. I consumed a gallon of lemonade and endured the heat better than Sue. It was good to return to Rick & Cindy's home for more liquids and a bed.
Saturday, we ran some errands and that afternoon, Jamie, Kendall, Lauren and Alex joined us for a bit of family reunion. Always it is a blast when members of the family get together. Lauren and Alex took such good care of Hudson and Hudson had a blast with her older cousins. For me, it is fun just to watch and listen to the stories that come from such a get together.
Sue and Alex left Sunday morning for Colorado and the Christian Artists' Seminar at Estes Park. Sue has been teaching there for a number of years and it is kind of sad that this will be the last year for the conference. The rest of us chilled out Sunday afternoon before Rick and I went to the ball game. Again it was very hot, but the fellowship was great and there was a breeze. Leaving the game, the wind was blowing so hard that it was hard to walk in it.
Monday, Rick and I went to Ft. Worth to attend to some business of Carpenter-Smith Southwest. It was at a new Baylor hospital and I teased Cindy by asking her if she did more business with Baylor or TCU (where she graduated). I checked e-mail and Dana, who works with Rick and Cindy, got my boarding pass for my trip home. That evening, we again went to the ballpark and saw the New York Yankees. There were many Yankee fans in attendance and it was really a good game. On the way to the car, I heard someone say something about "old man," but didn't think anything about it. When we arrived where there was a man with a walkee talkee, Rick asked them to get someone from security. He told them if they didn't get there soon, the drunk with the loud mouth who had some remarks about his dad would find himself on the ground. He was not fooling. When the guy arrived where we were, he was not about to take Rick on. I don't believe I have ever seen my son so mad. Kinda made me proud.
Tuesday, I received my goodbye kisses from Hudson. She is so beautiful, bright and charming. Hugged and kissed Cindy goodbye and Rick and I went to the airport for my trip home. It was difficult for me to say "goodbye," as I tried to put my arms around Rick (He is a big guy). Once again, time well-spent with those you love so very much.
