All Things Bubba

My friend D. bought me a bouquet of flowers today. He knew I was kinda bummed out, and wanted to cheer me up. He apparently remembered that I once told him about a scientific study that showed that giving someone flowers can make them happier for a week or more. Other small gifts don't have this effect. The researchers speculated that flowers hold a special attraction because because in our stone age past, vegetation would have meant food and water. (Yes, I was off on a science neepery tangent again.) I can't believe he remembered that. Very sweet of him.

Anyway, photo geek that I am, I took a picture of one of the flowers (posted up top). I figure we can all use some cheering up today.

I used a flash to take the photo. Ordinarily I would go out on the deck to use natural light, but drenching rain made that impossible. The weather has been horrible here the past few days. Flood warnings and constant rain. Almost all the snow has been washed away. The lawn is a lake of mud. Thousands of drowned worms are scattered over the sidewalks and driveways. Manholes and catch basins are spouting water like fountains.

And tonight, the wind is howling. It's unreal. Sounds like the audio track of a horror movie. I feel I like should be running around the house wearing a negligee and holding a candle.

The weather hasn't been much better in Florida. Last night's Reds game was rained out. There were even tornados.

For the first time since spring training came to Bradenton, Florida 85 years ago, a night game was scheduled. (They only recently installed lights.) And it was rained out.


However, the day game was played. Pirates won, 13-8. Richie Gardner was the goat, giving up seven runs in only a third of an inning.

Andy Phillips was subbed into left field and went 0 for 2. Paul Janish was subbed in at 2B and was also 0 for 2.

Today's game was also high-scoring. The Reds won, 13-8. Paul Janish was subbed in at SS and led off in the 6th. He singled to 3B. Andy Phillips, subbed in at right field, followed with another single, a line drive to single. It ended up a pretty big inning for the Reds, with four runs scored, and pretty much put the game away.

Andy was 1 for 2 with a run scored; so was Janish.

Interesting that they used Andy in right field. The Yankees never used him in the outfield at all (except one game in left field, early in his career). Left field is supposed to be the easiest of the outfield positions to play, and that's where the Reds have been using him. But today, they used him in right. Maybe center field is next...