Ok, so this Saturday there were several things that needed to be done around here. First, the 15 year old is on the basketball team, and naturally being able to jump as high as possible is an advantage. So, to further the achievement of this goal, he and I have been using scrap wood from the barn to make one of those jump height testers to work out on. The idea is that you run and jump as high as you can, slapping at the moveable dowels sticking out the top. The ones that you are able to hit pivot away, providing visual evidence of your jump height. The dowel at the top is at ten feet, the level of the basketball rim.

Today we finished our little project. The dogs don't understand the concept, but they still approve.

Here the 15 year old tests the contraption. He could almost always tap the bottom two, and at his best got his hand on three. Just four more to go and he is on the rim, in dunk territory, and he has the whole spring and summer to work at it.

Later, after our bit of morning invention, we were off to Sac City College to watch baseball because my nephew was pitching a bit for Fresno. Here the kid is releasing his patented slider.

Baseball isn't usually known as a dangerous sport, but this first baseman got hit in the eye by a hard throw. Blood everywhere, and he will henceforth be known on the team as "the pirate."

Here are two of the kids enjoying an afternoon of America's favorite pastime. The 17 year old is holding Penny, my sis's dog that they smuggled into the stadium.

On the way home, a stop at Raley's for chinese food, and then homeward bound. A nice day.