On a lighter note...

I recently visited St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN, for the Monastic Institute. My M.A. is from their School of Theology, and their faculty and staff convinced me to come out for batting practice after sitting on a panel of 'newcomers to religious life'.

I was mainly a pitcher as a teenager (opposing batters used to taunt me as 'Junkman' because of my fondness for curves and knucklers). Despite having little power, I was a tough out at the plate. Here's a look at my swing as it is today: a nod toward 'Muscular Monasticism'.

Thanks to Patti Wieshaar for the action shot. Boy did I have blisters after that!