Easter 2006

After singing eight verses of Fortunatus's "Hail, Thee, Festival Day!", welcoming a new member of the Church body in baptism, and helping the baptismal family celebrate by eating their Easter dinner at Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiffin, we trundled into the trusty Ford and motored over to Nancy and Ted's in Strongsville. Upon arriving, we all gathered round the warm glow of the television to watch the Indians lose a 1-run ballgame to the Tigers.

To drown our sorrows over the Tribe loss, we quickly dashed to the kitchen, pulled out some strawberries and settled in to a rollicking game of Phase Ten: Master's Edition. Todd roared out to an early lead, but some ill-fated phase choices and superlative play by the rest doomed him in the middle game. Once Sherry got used to the new rule nuances of this new version of the game, she began to regain ground although Nancy was putting up a valiant fight. In the end, Sherry was victorious even though she claims that the game requires too much thinking and that she doesn't like having to take so much responsibility for the outcome. Because the game took so long to complete, we put away the cards and tucked in to a delicious Easter feast of ham, baked apples, salad, and Nancy's famous sour cream mashed potatoes. Mmmm mmmm good.

Once the dishes were cleared, and we discussed the fates of our "Pecan Pete" Malley's chocolate bunnies, we determined that there was time enough for a round of Hearts. In the early going, Todd maliciously dropped the Queen on Sherry's three of diamonds when he really didn't have to. The game seemed to be tightly contested, but it soon became apparent that Ted was clearly winning--while being the scorekeeper. Hmm. In the end, Nancy chose to run 'em, putting Todd over 100 and ending the game.

After enjoying a delightful cake made in the shape of a lamb and covered in coconut, it was determined that a second game could be had, and thus the intrepid band of players continued on. While we played, Ted, Todd, and Nancy came up with the idea of driving to Detroit on Monday to see the Indians play the Tigers in Comerica Park. Sherry was saddened that she couldn't go--somebody has to work--but expressed excitement at the possibility for the others. Todd needed to check his work schedule when they returned home. Spurred on by the prospect of an exciting morrow, Todd clinched the final game of Hearts, and Todd and Sherry prepared to go home.

On the drive home, Todd and Sherry were treated to an astounding display of lightning in the southern sky. Driving down Rt. 4, the strikes spread from east to west across the horizon. It would have been the perfect night to stop and take pictures had one the proper equipment. Upon arriving home to the loving caresses of Tigger and Emma, Todd discovered that his Monday was free and that an Indians game in Detroit was his boon.