After the Rain

For the beautiful K.

Ink

Pink

Rose blooms

Meadow Flowers (for Heidi)

Vantage Points Old and New

This afternoon I lucked into getting tickets for some of the best seats in the ballpark. And while there were many things I loved about these seats, one of the things I loved the most was the chance to watch from my favourite ballpark angle. For the past 2 years we've been sitting on the first base side and I've grown to like this. My formative seasons as a fan, however, were spent sitting behind homeplate. Just as Wallace Stegner suggests that landscapes make imprints upon on us, I think I have been "imprinted" by this angle of the game. I love the the colour of the grass, the contrast of the lines, the precisely anchored bases, and the strategic placement of the players. More than anything, I love that moment of hushed stillness right before the pitch. It's that split second when just about anything is possible.

Speaking of ballparks, the pulling down of Tiger Stadium began yesterday. I snapped some photos today while rushing to today's game.

Very superstitious, writings on the wall...

Each game, I seek out my favourite scorecard vendor. I must confess I am rather sweet on him because he has a look in his eye that reminds me of my grandfather. Tonight I told him, "the Tigers only win when I buy my scorecards from you." He seemed touched. At the seventh inning stretch, it was 6-1 for Cleveland and I was starting to worry that I'd jinxed my system by voicing it aloud. But then, amazingly, the Tigers scored 7 runs and won 8-6. It was one of those nights that embodied all that is lovely, beautiful and magical about this game.

Tiger Lily