Nico extends to win this ball and turns to serve a nice pass up the touchline. The team played with no subs and often a man short while a player would sit out for water and rest. Nico played the entire game and was quite exhuasted when the game ended.

 
Next up was Nicolai, shown here executing a perfect chest trap. His team scored an impressive 5-1 win and also celebrated with an end of season party after the game.

 
This morning Jeanine and I both looked on as Maya completed her last game of the season. She has truly become a very talented defender and is every bit as good as either of her brothers at this age (quite possibly better). Here she runs through a defender to clear the ball. Maya’s team was clearly the stronger club but a fluke goal and some bad luck left the score 1-0 in favor of their opponents. After the game Maya joined the squad for a pool party and it was the perfect antidote for the blistering heat.

 
This evening Jeanine and I joined a group of friends for Tapas and ballroom dancing. I was fairly confident I would not be able to dance with my injured thigh, but it turns out you can do a pretty mean Salsa without using much upper leg strength.

 
Last night I practiced under the lights on the new CCHS turf field. The Over 50 team scrimmaged the Over 40 team and we absolutely held our own. The fact that we had a couple teenagers playing on our side evened things out. The field plays just like grass and is really luxurious to play on. My practice ended abruptly when the goalie took me out as I was dribbling past him. His knee went into the top of my right thigh and I can honestly say it was one of the most painful injuries I have ever experienced. I went home immediately (using my left foot to work the pedals)and iced it down. Fortunately it is just a muscle bruise or tear and this morning I was able to walk again. The blood has begun pooling in my ankle and I suspect it is going to look even worse this evening. The good news is that I feel like I will not miss the playoffs and with any luck may even be ready to play this Sunday.

 
Although my new commute has less nature, there are still some pretty interesting things along the way. I believe this building is part of the MIT campus.

 
My Avid commute was filled with natural beauty. My Sonos commute is more urban but also produces some interesting photo opportunities. I shot this through my windshield while driving home this evening.

 
We enjoyed fresh lettuce grown by Maya for dinner. The elevated garden she used to grow it in was a gift from her grandfather, Larry, who passed away a week ago and who was a passionate gardener. Larry was a frequent visitor to this blog and I believe he is still tuning in. This post is for you.

 
The ribbon cutting ceremony featured local dignitaries and the citizens who helped drive the project to completion.

 
Kyle finds a way to stay cool in the swealtering heat.

 
In the afternoon we attended the opening celebration for Concord’s new, multi-million dollar, state of the art, turf fields. Members of our community worked relentlessly for nearly a decade to make this dream a reality. Later in the evening, Nicolai’s team became the first in the community to compete at the new venue. After an undefeated season, his team of 7th graders fell to the the Concord 8th grade team. Nico scored a beautiful header in the second half but it was not enough to overcome the first half deficit.

 
At 9am it was already 90 degrees and the sun was beating down like a blast furnace. Not ideal conditions for strenuous athletics. Maya participated in the PanAm Challenge (fund raiser for cancer research) completing the 10-mile children’s course. My soccer team played to a 5-1 win securing a first place finish in our division, promotion next season, and a birth in the playoffs. After the game we enjoyed a cook out at grill master Mike Monk’s house. I forgot how good a properly cooked burger tastes.

 
Jeanine returned this evening after a week in Indianapolis. After greeting the kids and the dog she made a bee line to the gardens. Fortunately we have had a good bit of rain and everything was thriving. Working with her sister and several friends, Jeanine was able to settle many of her father’s affairs and to ready his home for sale. In no small part due to the generosity of neighbors and friends who have been providing a constant supply of prepared food, I have managed to keep all the children and the dog alive. I am very happy that Jeanine was able to see her father before he died and that she was able to grieve with her sisters. That said, all of us are very happy to have her home.

 
Nicolai and I went to see Maya play this morning. Her team had a come from behind 3-2 victory. It was oppressively hot and Maya was quite pleased with an after game ice cream treat courtesy of her coach.