"Something Beautiful"
Thing #1
"Baseball been berry, berry good to me!" If you are old enough to have been watching Saturday Night Live in the late 1970's (I am, and I was babysitting), then you probably recognize Garrett Morris's famous catchphrase as Chico Escuela. If not, then let me tell ya that "Baseball been berry, berry good to me"...TOO! I would even classify it as "Something Beautiful". For many reasons. One of them being some of the beautiful friendships I have acquired. In particular a group of four baseball moms...Julie, Amelia, Susan and Shirl. We met "virtually" about ten years ago via the internet when our boys were all in high school. We became friends on a high school baseball website. More specifically in a chatroom for moms who were trying to learn and navigate our way thru the college baseball recruiting process. Computers, chatrooms, friendships...yep, everything I would KILL my Things for doing. Do as I say, not as I do.
We were successful in our endeavor. Our boys wound up playing baseball in college, minor leagues, and one is currently a major league pitcher. But we were even more successful in building our friendships. It's truly "Something Beautiful". We have morphed from virtual to real-world. We now traverse the country for girls' weekends (I just got back from Las Vegas with the gals), and a couple of us have even travelled to Europe together with our spouses. We are from all over the country. Yet when we get together, it's as if we are next door neighbors. Actually even better...because we don't leave our dogs barking outside for hours at a time, or our kids at 6:00 a.m. bouncing a basketball under our bedroom windows...just sayin'.
Just like working our way thru college baseball recruiting, we have navigated our way thru some other "bonding" activities over the years...wine tasting (not much of a stretch), surfing (just call me Gidget), and even a pole dancing lesson (yep, this will be the first time the Better Half learns of this little endeavor as I have kept it quiet in fear he would want to install a pole in our home...now that you know sweetie, not happening!). FYI props to pole dancers...it's freakin' hard work AND dangerous (I got the bruises to prove it).
Quite amazing how a common denominator of baseball can morph into something so much bigger. Just goes to show ya one should never underestimate the bonds of a shared experience, and nine innings of bliss...it truly can be "Something Beautiful".
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Before I reveal next week's song title, I just want to say YOWZERS to those who linked up last week for Queen's "I Want to Break Free". I was truly awed by the creativity, variety, and quality of all the submissions. I continue to be inspired by how one song can take photographers in so many different directions thru interpretation and creativity. You all ROCK! So let's see what you can do with next week's song...
"Pink"
Aerosmith
("Danger, danger Will Robinson"...there is a bit of nudity towards the end of this clip)
Hmmmmm....my wheels are spinning already! Thanks to all those who stop by AND join in on Song-ography. Can't wait to see what ya got.
Friendships are, truly, things of beauty. And I love this story of finding these gals! I would never have believed that something 'virtual' could grow into something so profoundly important - but the blogging world has taught me that the possibilities are endless! And - can't think of many things better than baseball to live at the core of good friendships!
ReplyDeleteWell you caught me off guard with a Baseball shot for this song. I'm not much of a Baseball fan but I do enjoy watching other sports and can understand your enthusiasm for the sport. More importantly is the friendship aspect that you've developed with other bloggers. I think that is indeed a beautiful thing.
ReplyDeleteFriendships truly are a beautiful thing indeed - stitched together like the balls! So cool to have that connection to a major league pitcher!!
ReplyDeleteLove the story here. Pole dancing? You never cease to amaze me! I'd definitely have bruises!
ReplyDelete...and a few blisters, haha. As my one baseball mom friend uttered during our lesson "there is NOTHING sexy 'bout this!" haha.
DeleteWhat fun with your story here! Loved it. You are always so amazing with your creativity Kathy!
ReplyDeletewhat a GREAT story, i don't know where i would be without my girlfriends!!
ReplyDeletei have never watched saturday night live, can you believe that?!?! and i have never pole danced.....your a very fun soul!!
How is it you NEVER have watched "SNL"????????? It goes thru its ebbs and flows of greatness vs. mediocrity...but it has spawned some great characters and vernacular. But it IS on late, haha.
DeleteWow..that is a lot of balls, and what a fantastic image!!!
ReplyDeleteI was laughing as soon as I read the first sentence. I feel badly for those who aren't old enough to have enjoyed SNL back then. It was absolutely hysterical.
ReplyDeleteI will sometimes knock on a door and say "CandyGram...LandShark", and it STILL cracks me up, haha. But then again....I'm easily amused :)
DeleteYour take on this song is fun and something I would never have thought of! Thanks for hosting another week of fun takes on this song!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo today-love the crop. Have to wonder how you obtained all these. You must take your mitt to every Phillies game. I'll look for that woman in the stands snagging the foul balls. : )
ReplyDeleteIsn't it nice to find a group of friends and that group just works...and plus there's wine drinking.
And yes, I'm with you on the berry, berry, and mahvelous, land shark and Toonces the driving cat....oh and Roseanna Roseannadanna.
Have a great day.
We have quite a collection of baseballs from all the years my son played from grade school thru the minor leagues.
Deleteanother awesome post. Love your photo..
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Great story. You never know when and when you will meet a new friend. It's wonderful that you met virtually and are now are good friends that even travel together.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog and your nice comment.
Ah SNL! Memories! Haven't been able to watch it in years. I'm in awe how you made these relationships through chat rooms. Such a cool way to make lifelong friends, and around baseball! Love it! I'm glad baseball has been berry berry good!
ReplyDeleteGreat story that is how I feel about my blogging friends. Although we live all around the world we are here for each other just like our friends around the corner. Awesome shot!
ReplyDeleteI am SO loving this image and story behind your passion for baseball Kathy
ReplyDeletewhat a great image! loved your story!! life is amazing when you consider how friendships are formed. What a balancing act for your baseball model!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea your son was a major league pitcher Kathy! That's awesome. I used to watch the World Series with my dad many many years ago and that was very enjoyable. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy, my son reached the minors and hung up the cleats after spring training to go to law school. My one friend's son is the MLB pitcher! So cool to have followed him since his high school days :)
DeleteGreat photo and story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! What an iconic shot of Americana... Thank you for coming by sharing your creative photography on Weekly Top Shot #100!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the baseballs!
ReplyDeleteGirlfriends are absolutely the best, along with a trip to Vegas thrown in for that something extra special. Thanks for hosting and for your very enjoyable posts.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo, beautiful colors and lights, Great!
ReplyDeleteHA!! SNL...been a while since I had that memory!!
ReplyDeleteonce again...great week to be here !!
It truly amazes me the wonderful friendships I've cultivated through the virtual world. My goatsisters are my family. I just love Song-ography!
ReplyDeleteWow, Kathy - what an awesome post! Truly inspiring, as a mom, and in the name of friendship - more so, blossoming from a group of strangers.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first thing I've read today (getting a late start) and totally made my day!