Welcome back from Thanksgiving! I hope your holiday was warm, fulfilling, and a solid slice of family to go with the turkey. We ventured south to Orlando, and had a very heartwarming few days there, but more about that later. We’ll start this installment, instead, with more updates on “Bats, Balls, & Burnouts.”

“Put a bow on it.” That’s a cliche’ about finishing something and calling it done. Another variation is “Stick a fork in it” but that has kind of a negative connotation. If you’re in the dugout and are riding the opposing pitcher to rattle him, you might yell “Stick a fork in him. He’s done!” But when something important comes to a conclusion, you put a bow on it to celebrate the accomplishment.

Before I type any more words, especially about today’s title, I must apologize. I’m late with the blog today. Whether it was subconscious or not, or whether it’s just due to 10 and a half months of writing and three straight days of manic editing this week, I completely forgot it was Thursday. I remembered about a half-mile into a 2.5 mile walk around Powers Lake, a beautiful body of water, surrounded by a paved trail, only about a quarter-mile from home.

I have always deeply valued friendships. I stay in touch with people who are long gone and out of my circle of life just because I valued our friendship many years ago, and I don’t want that connection to break. Friendships are my roots, my foundation, and my soul, I think you could say. I couldn’t fathom the concept of life without friends.