Eric played in single day AAU tournament held at Mohonasen on Saturday. They won their 1st two games by margins of 4 and 20 points earning their way to the championship game by virtual of point differential (1 point). Eric had his usual performance, not scoring much but setting picks, rebounding and playing defense on positions 3-5.
Kathryn and I took a walk through the woods, but found 6″ of snow in several places. The ice cleared off of two of our ponds, but not this one.
With the help of the dogs we chased the Canada Geese off one of our ponds and then located our evergreen trees in the little triangle lot. The transplants we planted over the past two years needed to be uncovered and allowed to straighten up.
Eric had an AAU basketball tournament (MVE Spring Shootout) at Accelerate with games against Salt City and Tri-Valley Playerz. They lost close games to both, but Eric recorded 15 and 10 rebounds respectively.
It seems like spring weather. We heard red-winged blackbirds for the first time Sunday evening; they are usually the first arrivals. They have been singing like crazy since then. Our snow is mostly gone; just patches left scattered around. Which means we had to engage in the first round of the annual spring pick-up-dog-poop-in-the-yard ritual. Kathryn’s friend Gaie and her friend Pat Wegman came out Wednesday-Friday. We had planned to have them come ski, but the weather has been uncooperative. Gaie and Pat went up to Egypt Hill where there are free, groomed trails just north of here. They said it was beautiful if a bit icy. On Thursday we went up most of my main trail across the road and the snow was pretty good but not deep so we had to pick our way around wet spots and sticks. But it was still pretty good. Kathryn and her friends did a lot of sitting around talking and hot tubbing. They a lot of fun and it was nice for Kathryn to have sustained time to visit with Gaie. Pat seemed very nice.
Kathryn has been communicating with a woman who has a senior women’s team out of Victor. She went to Victor on Friday to play some with her on just a pick up basis. Although Kathryn thought she played really well, the woman, Audrey, is really looking for a hitter (which Kathryn am not). The primary focus is on qualifying for a national tournament. Kathryn is disappointed as she had gotten my hopes up. There still might be some opportunity and it is likely they will be fielding an over 65 team for the Empire Senior Games.
Eric has to have his tonsils out, although we are going to try to wait for that until school is out, since he has missed so much time already. He also has to have his wisdom teeth out. High school basketball has ended. The season for him, was mixed; he missed so many practices and games, he was solidly on the 2nd string and so only played about a quarter a game. Eric did a 5 day intensive basketball camp over spring break and came away with a certain determination to put more into basketball which lasted about 1 week. Try-outs / practices for his Mohawk Valley Elite AAU start tonight with tournaments to start in about 1 month.
Eric finished his 2017-18 JV basketball season. As a freshman he was usually the 2nd player off the bench and got a reasonable amount of playing time. He missed some games and practices due to recurring strep throat, but pushed through at the end. Overall the team had a successful season with losses to Cooperstown, Sherburne-Earlville and Whitesboro.
Following conclusion of the HP JV basketball season he participated in a week-long basketball game run by Doneilous King and prepared to join a Mohawk Valley Elite AAU team.
Eric and his friend Ty only had a few minutes on the floor vs one another but Kelly caught this picture.
Kathryn took Stone and Eric to Pacific NorthWest for an 8 day vacation. They spent 2 days in Seattle (indoor rock climbing, Seattle Center, Science Museum/Planetarium, Seattle Aquarium, the waterfront and oversized Ferris Wheel, Pike’s Place Market, and up the Space Needle.
They spent 3 days in a beautiful condo (with an outstanding ocean view) on the coast. Several of Tom’s friends had condos there as well, so it was like a big party, complete with cards and games and wine. The condo building had a pool table, so the boys played a lot of billiards. The highlight of the trip was razor clamming which we absolutely loved (and the weather cooperated). It was an absolute blast. With help, we cleaned, cooked and ate the clams too.Kathryn had a lovely birthday Debbie bought a 90 minute massage, then she got to do some laps in their community pool while Tom took the boys to the Museum of Flight. We all then had a lovely dinner (Kathryn had trout).
We were all amazed at the traffic. Everywhere. All day and all night. Expressways just packed with cars. Strip malls and congestion. It was such a relief to get back to the New York State Thruway! And so much development. Tom just moved back to the general area in which he lived during the 70’s. It was “country” but it is no longer….the outskirts of Seattle is literally one city (suburb) after another with no space in between.
The boys got a long very well. Stone was a little overwhelmed and maybe a tad homesick at times, but overall did well. Debbie went above and beyond making sure we were happy, busy and well-fed. The red-eye flight home was tough. Re-entry into the real-world is tough.
Kathryn and I picked out our tree; trimmed the lower branches and let it soak overnight in a bucket in the garage. Saturday we set it up and Sunday Eric, Kathryn and I decorated. Some of my favorite ornaments including bubble lights, some outdoor themes and decorations made by Ed.
HP lost 72-71 in overtime to Cooperstown. Eric played much of the game; scoring 4 points by making 2 free throws and a floater in the lane.
Eric made two free throws in the HP JV Basketball game; making it a two possession game with 10 seconds to play. His only points as HP wins 57 -50 in their season opener.
Eric and Ally dressed up for the Rome Free Academy Home Coming dance.
