The Seattle Mariners lost 99 games this year, but they somehow managed to end the season with excitement.

After all, Ichiro broke the record for hits in a single season on Friday – a record set way back in 1920.

And on Saturday, well, it's not every day that a person has named after him a week, a street, and a baseball award...

See ya later, Edgar... Edgar... Edgar...

I made my first visit to the Skagit County Superior Court this morning. Fortunately, I was not there as a defendant, but as a juror.

This was the first time that I’ve had to report for “jury duty,” and it was certainly an interesting experience. I was at least prepared – the jury selection process can involve a lot of waiting, so I made sure to bring reading material, and was glad to have it. My biggest mistake was trying to bring my pocket knife into the courthouse; I was stopped at the metal detector and asked to bring it back to my vehicle, so no harm done.

Unfortunately, the case was not a pleasant one. Perhaps none are, but as a father of three young girls, this particular charge led me to indicate that I was afraid that my objective judgment might possibly be clouded by my emotion. I stated it only as a fear and not as a fact, so I was not immediately excused, though I was unsurprised when, in the end, I was not chosen to be on the jury.

They’re not letting me off the hook that “easily,” though. I have to call back again Friday night to find out if they need me next week. To be continued…?

Ronald Reagan became President of the United States when I was seven years old, and was President until I was fourteen, so it was only natural that I would have idolized him a bit. I was proud to be an American, and I was comforted that Reagan was on the watch in the days when global thermonuclear war seemed like a real possibility. I didn’t follow politics, but I knew I was a Republican. I looked up to Reagan, and I think he proved himself worthy of my admiration. When I contrast his legacy with that left by our more recent two-term President, I’m thankful that I was born when I was.

I’m glad that God has finally taken Ronald Reagan home, and I hope that He will continue to bless the United States of America.