Item 1: Four Quotes
“I’ll probably cry at some point today.” — Kyle Schwarber, Tuesday, before his World Series debut, quoted in Mike Lupica, “Cubs Story: Schwar and Peace”, Sports on Earth, October 27, 2016.
“They’re going to make a movie about him.” — Kris Bryant, ibid.
“I can see why Theo sent a plane for him. I would, too.” — Terry Francona, ibid.
“(Sigh)” — Ron Mock, not ibid.
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Item 2: Thanks
I want to thank EFL owners who came to Karen Bates Smith’s memorial service at Newberge Friends Church last Saturday, including Mark Weinert from Milwaukie or wherever it is he lives, and especially Tom Johnson from Whidbey Island. Tom drove down early in the morning for the 10 AM service, hung around for a little bit to chat afterwards (thanks, Tom!), and headed right back for an evening appointment at home.
As I was explaining to my Politics Reasearch and Writing class this morning how the EFL is an example of a model — a simulation both theoretical and mathematical– I remembered Tom being at the memorial service because Phil is a fellow member of the EFL. I had to immediately stop thinking about it or I might have cried.
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Item 3: Breaking news
Here is an inside scoop: the Liberal Arts and Critical Issues lecture series for next semester — the last for the LACI program — is shaping up. “The Future of the American Dream” will be the theme.
On Monday evening, February 13, the speaker will be… Rob Neyer.
I’ve corresponded with him two or three times over the years, he’s always been open to coming, but one thing or another has interfered. You are all invited. If you come you might be able to join me in taking Mr. Neyer to dinner between the two editions of the lecture.
His topic will be something like “Baseball and the American Dream.”
It won’t be the last talk ever in the LACI lecture series, but it is in my mind a grand finale. I probably won’t cry, but one never knows.
I wish I’d known about the service. I would have liked to attend it.
Neyer? Wow. Sign me up.
Phil
Minor correction to a very kind posting. I came down Friday afternoon and stayed with the Sherwoods (David & Carol). Had breakfast at J’s with them and the Murphys, then attended Karen service and went home about 11:35 or so to catch the ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville. I needed to get back because I was preaching on Sunday morning.
Tell me more about Neyer. Looks like I should know about him.
I somehow left Jamie Johnson off the list of EFLers at Karen’s memorial service. Sorry, Jamie! I also want to thank Rob Bohall for being at Karen’s funeral mass last Thursday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where Karen was a member.