I got our first moving estimate yesterday. It was about what it cost for the first home I ever bought. This really tells me how old I’m getting. Our planned move to Florida is not until late March, so I will get two more estimates before a decision is made. We want to do as little packing as possible, but I’m also really wondering what else I have to do? It would not be a big deal to run over to U-Haul and get some boxes to save a few dollars. However, after so many moves in life, this one still seems daunting. I’m not sure if I have the energy?

I am doing some yard work today, as a favor to my wife’s oldest daughter. I haven’t had a yard of my own for over fifteen years. Advil will be my best friend this evening. Before that fun starts, I will have a chance to watch some baseball, as the postseason begins. The outfield grass is about the only yard that I really appreciate, and where the home run terminology “going yard” originated. Other common descriptions include “homer, dinger, tater, goner, bomb, moon shot, Ruthian blast, round-tripper, four-bagger, went deep, jack, and kiss it goodbye.” 

Today, it’s the White Sox vs. A’s in Oakland. Oddly, the A’s are playing against the odds by starting a left-handed pitcher against a team that hits best against lefties. In fact, the Sox are 14-0 this year when facing a southpaw. I read last night that “old ballparks were typically oriented with home plate to the west, so that a lefty facing west would be throwing with his ‘south’ paw.” It was in the Shoeless Joe book I’m currently reading that later was adapted to become the Field of Dreams movie. It’s all about the Chicago White Sox team that became the “Black Sox” by allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series. By the way, my second new pair of Sox socks arrived in the mail yesterday. Maybe they’ll be luckier than the first pair when I wear them today?

It’s a beautiful day in Portland, especially considering last week’s smoky fog that limited visibility, followed by heavy rain. I feel good that yesterday I actually sold stock at a peak rather than my usual bad timing. We’re now all set to finalize deposits on the Florida build, leading up to the pricy, cross-country move. One car is already down there waiting for us. When all is said and done, there will be no yard for us to take care of maintaining. A homeowners association will handle that responsibility, but in the meantime I’ll put on my gloves and help others take care of their lawns when I can.