Sunrise

I can't remember the last sunrise I actually saw...more of a nightowl than an early riser.  But, early start for the baseball tournament.  We all got on the bus in the dark, but within minutes, the blush of sunrise touched the horizon.  As we crossed the Yoshino-gawa Bridge, the horizon slowly turned to rose. Beautiful even through the windows (and nicer than facing it fresh in today's wind!)  We reached Okayama's Muscat stadium after one full tumbler plus one paper-cup of coffee (about two hours for those who use watches), close to one hour before the opening ceremony started.  It was nice to chat with some other mom's on the bus...filled out some of the comments son would come home from practice with!

Very brisk wind as we arrived at the stadium; unfortunately, it remained all day!  Lovely ceremony (well, too many speeches to be honest, but all FIVE fairly short), and then off to play baseball.  The kids had equipment inspection and warm-up, then settled down to watch the first game, until their actual pre-game warm-up.  The first game was a "cold win"...called at the bottom of the 4th due to point spread, in our favor.  Still, good practice for both teams.  Our next game was the fourth and final of the day.  Much closer in terms of team level, and a very exciting game.  Our kids took the lead, then the other team rallied.  It ended with a loss for our Hawks, but was overall an exciting game with lots of genuine effort. (So, I'm not "not" into all the technical de-briefing of games, but it is now Tuesday night, the games were on Saturday, and I've been over them a million times, orally, and via photos and video cam...lucky or not, you're call!)

It was a very long day, the field was in the middle of nowhere, but it was good.  Enjoyed seeing son play b-ball, and interact with teammates, enjoyed chatting with other parents and "nature-walking."  After arriving back home, enjoyed dinner with teammates family at a "new-to-me" izakaya(restaurant/pub), then dropped off supper for ill spouse and went to close the restaurant.  Was very happy NOT to have b-ball practice on Sunday!