Memorial Day

MEMORIAL DAY: We rather selfishly opted to go to a Mariners' game on Memorial Day, and ended up having an amazing opportunity to recognize military members here and gone.

In a steady downpour, we heard a muffled PA speaker in the distance. I couldn't tell what was being said or where it came from, but eventually we happened upon an alley where the sound grew louder. I peered down it to find the 'backstage' scene to a Memorial Day program.

Once at Safeco, we settled into our cheap seats (the very top row of the stadium, above third base). The pre game festivities included an inspiring array of veterans, ranging from the Korean War to Afghanistan.

Before the national anthem, a single serviceman played a flawless version of Taps.

The gentleman providing the ball for the first pitch was a true American hero. Leroy Arthur Petry, a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army  is one of four recent living soldiers who has received the U.S. Armed Forces' highest combat decoration, the Medal of Honor.

                    Photo: U.S. Army
In 2008, during Operation Enduring Freedom, despite being wounded in both legs by gunfire, Petry continued to soldier on and give orders. When a grenade landed between him and two other servicemen, Petry picked it up and tried to throw it away when it exploded. His actions saved nearby soldiers, but cost him his right hand.

In 2011, Petry opted to reenlist, despite his wounds. Today, he assists wounded soldiers and their families, and he's the only Medal of Honor recipient from any branch of service still on active duty.

We had big fun at the ballpark. The Mariners won handily, and have extended their winning 'streak' to two games, LOL.

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?: Ever since posting the photo of of the brick bottomed-rock last week, we've been hankering to get back down to the shore to take more photos in hopes of getting our resident geologist (hi, Dr. Haggart!) to more closely discern  what this weird rock/brick might be. Here are our more closeup shots, some with my lens cap in them to give some sense of scale.

First, the upper portion of the rock, and its many holes.

 Here's the thing in its entirety.

 Here's Annabelle's finger pointing to a rock in a rock.

 The rock became home to more than one life form.

 A close up view of the colors near the stone/'brick' line.

 Another look at something going on inside the rock.

 In other news, while we were there, it was one of the lowest tides of the year. Seriously, it seemed impossible these enormous cruise ships could dock in such shallow water.

The Seattle Times had an article about the low-low tides this weekend:
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021065923_lowtidexml.html

ANOTHER ONE GONE: Last night we filed our Week 7 (of 8) homework and test for our Einstein class. And we passed both with flying colors! We are so hap- hap- happy and are looking forward to this final week of an amazing two months.

The kids both noticed this business' marquee on the way out of the Mariners' game.

WEEKEND REWIND: This weekend we hit the mall (ugh! how I despise that!!!!) but it was for a good cause. The sound/song chip inside Annabelle's Pinkie Pie quit working about three days after we bought it, weeks ago. So, we took it in to Build a Bear Workshop for a transplant.

While we were there, both CJ and Annabelle's ponies got a spa day. :)

After the pony tune up, we stopped by one of our favorite spots, Chuck's on 85th. We always get some good board game time in there. This go 'round we played some Scruples. It was fun, but many of the questions were dated, involving VHS tapes and pre-caller ID days. \

We also played chess which is, of course, a timeless classic.