Monday Musings - April 8, 2024.

 

1. The second Monday of April is upon us. Next Monday is Tax Day--have you fulfilled your annual obligation to the Federal Government? There are just 38 Mondays to deal with remaining in the year. 

Sunset from Sailor's Return Restaurant
Stuart, FL
April 7, 2024

2.  Chris returned safely from her travels yesterday afternoon. I didn't write about it earlier because the visit was a surprise for Jeremy who debuted as the lead singer in a band on Saturday night. I was sorry I couldn't be there, but getting Chris there was more important. She got to fly Spirit Airlines for the very first and, likely, last time.

3. We met friends at the Sailor's Return restaurant in Stuart, Florida, last evening. They were sailing through, literally, headed for the Catskills in New York. We had a most enjoyable evening and were treated to a spectacular sunset with the marina in the foreground. It has been a while since I have enjoyed a sunset like this one as usually I am facing East as the sun is setting. 

4. I have been training for my upcoming 150 mile assault on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). I am becoming very in tune to the noises of my bike. Hopefully, with the training the ride will be tough, but both enjoyable and doable. 

5. The Orioles are off to a positive start with a 5-4 record. They just dropped a series to the Pirates and hopefully will get back onto the winning track soon. They are currently 3rd in the AL East, 2.5 games out of first and behind the Yankees and the Red Sox.

6. Today in History. On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s legendary record of 714 homers. A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, was with Aaron that night to cheer when he hit a 4th inning pitch off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Al Downing. However, as Aaron was an African American who had received death threats and racist hate mail during his pursuit of one of baseball’s most distinguished records, the achievement was bittersweet.

Henry Louis Aaron Jr., born in Mobile, Alabama, on February 5, 1934, made his Major League debut in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves, just seven years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier and became the first African American to play in the majors. Aaron, known as hard working and quiet, was the last Negro league player to also compete in the Major Leagues. In 1957, with characteristically little fanfare, Aaron, who primarily played right field, was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player as the Milwaukee Braves won the pennant. A few weeks later, his three home runs in the World Series helped his team triumph over the heavily favored New York Yankees. Although “Hammerin’ Hank” specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career he held baseball’s career record for most runs batted in: 2,297.

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Spirit Airlines to delay Airbus aircraft deliveries to save cash - Reuters

Russia says Ukraine struck nuclear plant, Kyiv denies it was behind the attack - Reuters

Russia launches 24 attack drones, infrastructure hit, Ukraine says - Reuters

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL