We Have a Liftoff! Man on the Way to the Moon!

It was fifty years ago to the minute that Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong began their historic journey to the moon and back.  I was a kid but I can't pull up any substantial memories of that day.  I can still watch in wonder at the videos, as many of you have been doing over the last weeks.

Happy 4th of July!

Today always makes me think of this great song by Chicago:

And this one from an earlier era:

I Bought (and Opened!!!) Three Packs of 2019 Topps Series Two

My wife and I were at Target yesterday.  I bought her a scented candle and she bought me a three pack of 2019 Topps Series 2.

These are the first packs I've bought in a year and a half.   A couple of gripes aside I was pretty happy with my gift.  Here are the highlights:

I picked up four Cubs in three packs.  That's a definite win for me.  The fact that three of my favorite players are represented is even better.  Rizzo should end up being one of those guys, like a Ripken, who everyone likes even if they're not Cubs fans.

 

You may not love these guys if you're not a Cubs fan but they sure are fun to watch.

Don't know what's going to become of Russell's career but he'll always be a WS Champ.

 I like the 84 design.

 Farming?

From box scores to apps.  Yes, we have come a long way.

I pulled four stadium cards.  In my book this is the golden age of ballpark design.

This one is foil.  It works especially well with the fireworks.

Each pack had one of these Historic Through-Lines cards.  Can't disappoint me with a dual Aaron/Griffey.

I can't like the Cardinals but I do like their uniforms.

I guess this is a bonus card.  

There were a lot of pitchers and catchers in my three packs.  Two of the better photographs were of catchers.

This Ian Kinsler card will go into my "Celebrating Jewish Heritage" collection.

I like the design of this year's set.  It's one half full bleed and Topps has kept the "fade" to a minimum.  My gripe is the color.  It's very muted.  This is where Upper Deck excels.  Maybe some of you like this but give me bright and saturated over dark and dull.

Here's Anthony.  I don't have the original file so this is the best I could do with Picassa.  Not quite there but it gives you an idea of what I mean.

Two Brave Women Who Took to the Skies

On this date in 1918 Amelia Earhart (as a passenger) landed near the village of Pwll in Wales becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.  

I'd really like to see another edition of Chicle.

Before the flight.

Coincidentally, astronaut Sally Ride became the first woman to fly into space, on this date in 1983.