Since Doug was busy with work and Cameron had Snow Club, I decided that I would go to a movie tonight. My parents weren't busy this evening either so they decided to go with me. There were several movies that I was interested in seeing, but the timing that worked the best for us was Just Mercy. Brett had also strongly encouraged me to see it as it had gotten great reviews and had a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie revolved around a Harvard lawyer that started a not-for -profit group to provide legal counsel for the underprivileged in Alabama. Michael B. Jordan played the lawyer and Jamie Foxx was the man on death row who was charged with a murder. As the story unfolded it was apparent that Fox had been framed by a racist sheriff and sentenced by a biased judge, but that wasn't easy for Jordan to prove. The movie also highlighted the difficulties of the death penalty and the percentage of wrongful convictions that have been overturned throughout the last three decades.
Mom, Dad and I all really liked the movie. I definitely shed some tears throughout the two hours we were in the theater. We walked out of the theater glad that we had decided to see it and thankful that it ended just as Cam was returning to Goshen. We pulled into Bethany just as he got off of the bus. We were all happy to hear that he had had a great time at Swiss Valley. He even tried some jumps tonight and only fell twice. Overall, it was a fun night for all.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020
Sad News for the Basketball World
While I was waiting to pick up Cameron and Doug after the game yesterday, I received a text from Cal telling me that Kobe Bryant had died. I had to read it several times before it sunk in completely. I quickly searched my phone for the news and found out immediately that it was a helicopter crash that claimed his life. I couldn't believe it.
Kobe Bryant had never been on of my favorite professional athletes. He seemed arrogant to me and I never quite forgot the rape allegations fifteen years ago against him. In recent years, however, my opinion of him had changed. He had retired three years ago and since that time had written several children's books, produced an Oscar winning short film and had become a strong advocate of female sports. In every talk show interview that I watched last year, his close relationship with his wife and daughters was continually highlighted. Retirement seemed to suit him well which made the news of his death even more sad.
Cal, on the other hand, had been a Bryant fan since he first started to follow the NBA in early elementary school. He bought a Kobe biography when he was in third grade and read it cover to cover. His generation had grown up watching Kobe, impressed with his skill at basketball. Cal remarked that the timing was almost unreal as he had just witnessed Lebron pass Kobe on the all time scoring list last night.
As the evening wore on and more information was released, it was announced that Kobe was flying to his daughter's travel basketball game when the crash occurred. She was killed with him as well as two of her teammates, their family members and a coach. The sadness of it all was almost overwhelming. As with most tragedies it seemed completely unfair and definitely hard to comprehend. By the time I went to bed tonight I realized that most importantly it was a good reminder for all of us that life can change in a moment and a tough basketball loss yesterday didn't seem all that big of a deal anymore.
Kobe Bryant had never been on of my favorite professional athletes. He seemed arrogant to me and I never quite forgot the rape allegations fifteen years ago against him. In recent years, however, my opinion of him had changed. He had retired three years ago and since that time had written several children's books, produced an Oscar winning short film and had become a strong advocate of female sports. In every talk show interview that I watched last year, his close relationship with his wife and daughters was continually highlighted. Retirement seemed to suit him well which made the news of his death even more sad.
Cal, on the other hand, had been a Bryant fan since he first started to follow the NBA in early elementary school. He bought a Kobe biography when he was in third grade and read it cover to cover. His generation had grown up watching Kobe, impressed with his skill at basketball. Cal remarked that the timing was almost unreal as he had just witnessed Lebron pass Kobe on the all time scoring list last night.
As the evening wore on and more information was released, it was announced that Kobe was flying to his daughter's travel basketball game when the crash occurred. She was killed with him as well as two of her teammates, their family members and a coach. The sadness of it all was almost overwhelming. As with most tragedies it seemed completely unfair and definitely hard to comprehend. By the time I went to bed tonight I realized that most importantly it was a good reminder for all of us that life can change in a moment and a tough basketball loss yesterday didn't seem all that big of a deal anymore.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Game Day
Cameron's big birthday gift this year was tickets to today's IU vs. Maryland game. He hadn't seen a game in Assembly Hall in almost ten years and was excited for the chance. I was a little hesitant about today's game. Although IU had beaten a tough Michigan State on Thursday, Maryland had destroyed them earlier in the year. I was afraid that today would be a repeat of that disappointing loss and that Cameron would be witness to it all.
Cameron was a lot more optimistic about IU's chances when I dropped them off at the stadium. Assembly Hall had changed quite a bit since we had attended a game many years ago. Not only did it have a new name, the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, but it also had new interactive exhibits to try before the game. Doug's favorites were the ones devoted to the IU players in the College Basketball Hall of Fame, especially since Calbert Cheaney was recently inducted.
While Cam and Doug were at the basketball game, Meg and I spent our time shopping. She needed a few things from Kroger and I wanted to stop at Yankee Candle. We also had time to grab her lunch at Chipotle and put away her supplies at her dorm room. It was nice to spend some time with her and catch up on all that she had been doing since this semester started. So far she likes her schedule this semester a lot better than last fall, even though she has one more class to attend.
I kept checking the score on my phone as Meg and I were together. The game started slow for the Hoosiers and they were down by nine at the half. Cameron was still positive that IU would make a comeback. He was spot on and soon the fans in attendance were cheering on a seven point lead. I was thrilled to see what I began to believe would be a Hoosier victory. In the end, however, it wasn't meant to be and a five point lead with a minute to go quickly slipped away. Doug said that they were witness to some angry fans shouting at the refs at the end of the game and 17,000 long faces when Trace Jackson-Davis missed a last second shot. No matter the outcome, the outspoken fans or the missed shot, nothing could take away the fun that he and Cameron had had today.
Cameron was a lot more optimistic about IU's chances when I dropped them off at the stadium. Assembly Hall had changed quite a bit since we had attended a game many years ago. Not only did it have a new name, the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, but it also had new interactive exhibits to try before the game. Doug's favorites were the ones devoted to the IU players in the College Basketball Hall of Fame, especially since Calbert Cheaney was recently inducted.
While Cam and Doug were at the basketball game, Meg and I spent our time shopping. She needed a few things from Kroger and I wanted to stop at Yankee Candle. We also had time to grab her lunch at Chipotle and put away her supplies at her dorm room. It was nice to spend some time with her and catch up on all that she had been doing since this semester started. So far she likes her schedule this semester a lot better than last fall, even though she has one more class to attend.
I kept checking the score on my phone as Meg and I were together. The game started slow for the Hoosiers and they were down by nine at the half. Cameron was still positive that IU would make a comeback. He was spot on and soon the fans in attendance were cheering on a seven point lead. I was thrilled to see what I began to believe would be a Hoosier victory. In the end, however, it wasn't meant to be and a five point lead with a minute to go quickly slipped away. Doug said that they were witness to some angry fans shouting at the refs at the end of the game and 17,000 long faces when Trace Jackson-Davis missed a last second shot. No matter the outcome, the outspoken fans or the missed shot, nothing could take away the fun that he and Cameron had had today.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
A Great Day with All of the Heinisch Children
Brett didn't have to work until noon today so we got to spend the morning with him. Fortunately, he was feeling a lot better. He gave Cam the game Unstable Unicorns for his birthday, which we had a lot of fun learning to play. We even had time for a round of Ticket to Ride Germany before he had to leave. With only the three of us available for lunch we let Cam chose the restaurant. He decided to try Yogi's as we hadn't been there since it opened. It was busy, but we were able to get a table. We enjoyed trying it and even brought a cheeseburger back for Meg. She almost lost her coke, however, as Cam didn't realize that the to-go cup that the waitress brought at the end of the meal was hers. Thankfully, we were able to get another before we left.
Meg joined our group after she ate and the four of us spent the afternoon shopping at the various IU varsity shops and walking down Kirkwood. Cameron wanted to go bowling and we decided to give the Union a try as it had been years since we had visited their alleys. Thankfully, they had a lane open among all of the construction in the building. We did not set any bowling records, but we had a lot of fun, and Cam was the big winner on the day.
Cam and Meg wanted to take a break after bowling, so she went back to her dorm and Cam hung out at Brett's to watch basketball. Cal texted to see what we were up to so Doug and I invited him to go to Mother Bear's with us. He brought along Mark and Jayce. We were glad to catch up with everyone. They had a lot of suggestions of shows that we should watch and teams that we should
like.
Cam was ready for dinner when we got back. Meg and her friend, Yatsiri, joined us at Mother Bear's. Meg was able to give Cam his birthday gift, an IU lunchbox. He was proud of all of the IU items that he received for his fifteenth birthday as well as the new Memorial Stadium poster that he bought today along with an IU hoodie. We had a nice meal and really enjoyed meeting Meg's friend. They met at Hoosier Awakening in November and have been hanging out together ever since that time. They walked back to Read together afterward to study and the three of us picked up breadsticks and drove back to Brett's. Doug and I had had a wonderful day spending time with all four of the Heinisch children. We have really appreciated their willingness to hang out with us this year.
Meg joined our group after she ate and the four of us spent the afternoon shopping at the various IU varsity shops and walking down Kirkwood. Cameron wanted to go bowling and we decided to give the Union a try as it had been years since we had visited their alleys. Thankfully, they had a lane open among all of the construction in the building. We did not set any bowling records, but we had a lot of fun, and Cam was the big winner on the day.
Cam and Meg wanted to take a break after bowling, so she went back to her dorm and Cam hung out at Brett's to watch basketball. Cal texted to see what we were up to so Doug and I invited him to go to Mother Bear's with us. He brought along Mark and Jayce. We were glad to catch up with everyone. They had a lot of suggestions of shows that we should watch and teams that we should
like.
Cam was ready for dinner when we got back. Meg and her friend, Yatsiri, joined us at Mother Bear's. Meg was able to give Cam his birthday gift, an IU lunchbox. He was proud of all of the IU items that he received for his fifteenth birthday as well as the new Memorial Stadium poster that he bought today along with an IU hoodie. We had a nice meal and really enjoyed meeting Meg's friend. They met at Hoosier Awakening in November and have been hanging out together ever since that time. They walked back to Read together afterward to study and the three of us picked up breadsticks and drove back to Brett's. Doug and I had had a wonderful day spending time with all four of the Heinisch children. We have really appreciated their willingness to hang out with us this year.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Bloomington Bound
I spent the day packing so that we could leave for Bloomington as soon as Cam got out of school. As many times as we have visited our favorite town this past year, I still haven't come up with a quick way to pack, pick up and get everything in the Pilot without feeling rushed or short of time. Today was no different, but I did manage to finish just in time to pick my Mom up so that she could bring the van back for us and get to Bethany by 3:45 p.m.
Thankfully, we had an easy trip to Bloomington and were at Brett's apartment by 7:30. Meg was busy tonight, but Cal and HM were available to go to dinner with us. This also gave Cal a chance to give Cam his birthday gift, an IU pillow which Cam really appreciated. The guys chose Upland Brewery for our meal and we had a great time visiting with everyone. Cal and HM talked a lot about the History of Rock and Roll class that they were taking together. They had just finished a two week unit on the Beatles which they thoroughly enjoyed. We spent the evening discussing our favorite Beatles, their songs, and the ultimate demise of the group. Next on their class agenda was the Rolling Stones. II can't wait to hear what they think about them.
We dropped Cal and HM at her place after dinner. I was pleased that Cal was feeling a lot better. He was diagnosed with Influenza A on Wednesday and had had a long week. We saw Meg briefly on our way back to Brett's. She had a suitcase to give us and we had a bag of items from home that she needed. Meg was having a movie night with her friends. I heard from her later that everyone loved Hope Floats. Brett was home when we arrived. He was scheduled until ten, but had to leave early. At first he thought that maybe he also had the flu, but in the end he decided that it was a migraine. Ibuprofen and rest had really helped. We were bummed that he wasn't feeling the best, but we were happy to have gotten to visit with him.
Thankfully, we had an easy trip to Bloomington and were at Brett's apartment by 7:30. Meg was busy tonight, but Cal and HM were available to go to dinner with us. This also gave Cal a chance to give Cam his birthday gift, an IU pillow which Cam really appreciated. The guys chose Upland Brewery for our meal and we had a great time visiting with everyone. Cal and HM talked a lot about the History of Rock and Roll class that they were taking together. They had just finished a two week unit on the Beatles which they thoroughly enjoyed. We spent the evening discussing our favorite Beatles, their songs, and the ultimate demise of the group. Next on their class agenda was the Rolling Stones. II can't wait to hear what they think about them.
We dropped Cal and HM at her place after dinner. I was pleased that Cal was feeling a lot better. He was diagnosed with Influenza A on Wednesday and had had a long week. We saw Meg briefly on our way back to Brett's. She had a suitcase to give us and we had a bag of items from home that she needed. Meg was having a movie night with her friends. I heard from her later that everyone loved Hope Floats. Brett was home when we arrived. He was scheduled until ten, but had to leave early. At first he thought that maybe he also had the flu, but in the end he decided that it was a migraine. Ibuprofen and rest had really helped. We were bummed that he wasn't feeling the best, but we were happy to have gotten to visit with him.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Lots to Watch on Television Today
I was never a huge watcher of television. I had a couple of shows that I liked, but other than that I really used to just turn it on to have background noise while I was working on something. I noticed that has changed quite a bit since we dropped DirectTv and added several streaming services. Disney+ has definitely become one of my favorites and YouTube TV has provided a lot of sports options for Cam and Doug. Today was a special treat as I was able to watch several movies on HBO Now. Meg needed to watch a show on the app, so I helped her get the week long free trial. While she was watching a movie for a class, I enjoyed several of my favorites from long ago - Hope Floats, Ever After and Dangerous Liaisons. I also had time to try one that I hadn't watched before, Hemingway and Gellhorn. All provided a lot of entertainment during this quiet winter week.
Tonight's online streaming was devoted solely to Big Ten Basketball. Thanks to our YouTube TV subscription service the three of us were able to watch Minnesota beat Ohio State at home. That was not an easy feat as the Big Ten home team wining percentage this year was at an all-time high of 80%. Although the first game was fun to watch, it was the second one that we were most interest in - Michigan State vs. Indiana in Bloomington. IU had beaten MSU twice last year and Tom Izzo wanted "revenge." IU wasn't having that, and the first half was completely owned by the Hoosiers. We knew that it would be tough for them to hold a lead against the number one team in the Big Ten. We were right in our assumption as soon the game was tied. The lead changed back in forth until the very end when IU took a two point lead with just seconds left on the clock. An awesome defensive play against one of the top players in the league brought the Hoosiers the victory and a smile on Cameron's face.
Tonight's online streaming was devoted solely to Big Ten Basketball. Thanks to our YouTube TV subscription service the three of us were able to watch Minnesota beat Ohio State at home. That was not an easy feat as the Big Ten home team wining percentage this year was at an all-time high of 80%. Although the first game was fun to watch, it was the second one that we were most interest in - Michigan State vs. Indiana in Bloomington. IU had beaten MSU twice last year and Tom Izzo wanted "revenge." IU wasn't having that, and the first half was completely owned by the Hoosiers. We knew that it would be tough for them to hold a lead against the number one team in the Big Ten. We were right in our assumption as soon the game was tied. The lead changed back in forth until the very end when IU took a two point lead with just seconds left on the clock. An awesome defensive play against one of the top players in the league brought the Hoosiers the victory and a smile on Cameron's face.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
A Day of Rest
Yesterday I had my yearly checkup with Dr. Cook. Due to my family history of cancer and some symptoms that I had been experiencing, he decided to do an endometrial biopsy. I have had two of these performed in the past, and although they were nothing compared to childbirth or a c-section, they weren't my favorite procedure. It hurt just as it did in the past and the doctor remarked several times how impressed he was that I didn't even flinch. All I kept thinking was that it was important to find out if I had uterine cancer, so there was no reason to complain. Fortunately, I didn't have much on my agenda the rest of the day and I was very thankful for that. I did make it to the store, my haircut appointment and to Bethany to get Cam his ski clothes. I had thought about doing the elliptical, but read that I should not exercise or lift anything heavy for two days. That made sense as the doctor said to take it easy for a couple of days. As I didn't feel the greatest, I decided to take his advice.
Unless I got up and moved around a lot, today was a lot better. I used the down time to order pictures from our trip to add to my new photo album. I also did some work on the computer and watched the movie "Ever After" on HBO Now. It had been years since I had first watched it and I liked it just as much, especially the part that features Leonardo DaVinci as Cinderella's "fairy godmother." I picked Cam up as usual. He had a good day, but was ready for a break. He had been busy the last two days and just wanted to play some Madden and catch up on Big Ten basketball news. I did not see him until 6 p.m. when Doug got home.
I was glad that Doug didn't have to work tonight and was interested in going out to dinner. We ate at the Sleepy Owl and enjoyed it even though the restaurant was packed. My parents came up once we got back to play Oh Hell. Cam even joined us. Doug was finally dethroned as champion. He had won the past three games. While we were playing, Cam also kept us updated on the ball game scores. He was glad to see Michigan lose to Penn State and was hopeful that Rutgers would be able to upset Iowa. It was the first time that the New Jersey school had been ranked in over forty years.
Unless I got up and moved around a lot, today was a lot better. I used the down time to order pictures from our trip to add to my new photo album. I also did some work on the computer and watched the movie "Ever After" on HBO Now. It had been years since I had first watched it and I liked it just as much, especially the part that features Leonardo DaVinci as Cinderella's "fairy godmother." I picked Cam up as usual. He had a good day, but was ready for a break. He had been busy the last two days and just wanted to play some Madden and catch up on Big Ten basketball news. I did not see him until 6 p.m. when Doug got home.
I was glad that Doug didn't have to work tonight and was interested in going out to dinner. We ate at the Sleepy Owl and enjoyed it even though the restaurant was packed. My parents came up once we got back to play Oh Hell. Cam even joined us. Doug was finally dethroned as champion. He had won the past three games. While we were playing, Cam also kept us updated on the ball game scores. He was glad to see Michigan lose to Penn State and was hopeful that Rutgers would be able to upset Iowa. It was the first time that the New Jersey school had been ranked in over forty years.
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