Last night while we were away for the night, something big got into our back yard and knocked down our birdfeeders. The metal posts were bent into 90 degree angles, with the bird feeders resting on the ground. The only thing we can think that could or would do this is a bear. And that completely freaks me out. I've always been a little worried that we'd someday let the dogs outside and out there would be a bear and now it's an actual possibility. It makes me mad, because now we have to stop feeding our cardinals, finches, grosbeaks, orioles, morning doves and sparrows. I had really been enjoying the birds who came into our yard this year. Bears suck.

I have to say what an incredible game it was last night -- Jon Lester pitching his first no-hitter. The last no-hitter I watched was in September when Clay Buchholz pitched his to the Orioles. Unfortunately, that night I went to bed around the 5th inning without realizing the potential no-hitter status of the game and I missed it. I watched it the next day, but there was no suspense. Last night's game, however, was just awesome. Full of suspense -- every time a Royal hit a foul or a pop-up my heart stopped and I couldn't breathe until it was ruled foul or caught. The defense did a great job backing Lester up. Last night's game is the reason why I watch every game I can -- every game starts out as a no-hitter -- just in case.

This is two pictures of the mantel over the fireplace in the kitchen. The painting is of the Grand Canal in Venice. I loved the colors and thought it would complement the whole "glass" theme of the kitchen. The Red Sox memorabilia mantel has 5 signed balls, my Red Sox lottery ticket, my Red Sox ring raffle tickets, my baseball cards, a framed picture of Josh Beckett (thanks Sarah!), a picture of Jacoby Ellsbury with a cancelled stamp from October 28, 2007 (thank you Arthur), another Jacoby picture from the Boston Globe (thanks Mom!) and a print of a Boston Terrier in a Boston Red Sox uniform (thanks Ebay).

I thought it would be fun to add a poll and see which mantel display people prefer. I have my preference and I'm pretty sure which picture will win. So vote vote vote for your favorite.

The renovation of the guest bathroom is humming along. It's a small room, so multiple people (painters, tilers, etc.) can't be in there at the same time, so scheduling becomes more of an issue than with a big room. Today we're getting the granite countertop.

Last night we went to a NH FisherCats game. It was a blast. The awesome electrician who is working on my renovation(s) invited us. He's a coach for the NH Women's Professional Football team, the Freedom. So we were there with a bunch of women football players, who were hooting and hollering cheering for the 'cats. Unfortunately, like the Red Sox recently, the 'cats blew a nice little lead and ended up losing 7-3. It was fun to dodge foul balls and hear the crack of the bat and the thump of the glove live.

In other news, my sister Sarah gave me the awesomest present yesterday. It's a blowup of the Sports Illustrated cover of the World Series Commemorative Edition with Becks on the cover executing a pitch. Right now it's on the mantle in the kitchen. Robert says "I love you, but this is not acceptable." I'll find a new place soon, but for now it's pretty sweet.

I walked out to get the paper this morning and the sun was just coming up over the hill across the street. It had been light out for a long while, but it takes an hour or so before our yard sees actual sunlight because of the topography of the area. As I looked into the sunbeams coming through the trees, I could see wisps of steam wafting off the branches and trunks as yesterday's rain evaporated. It came off in gentle swirls and puffs and was delightful to watch. I stood there for a long while just soaking in the beauty. I wish I had had my camera with me.