Just when things looked like they were turning around for Big Red with the good race week at Richmond and a solid home stand of the Potomac National, all hell broke loose this week. On Monday, Tank and I drove back to Woodbridge for a short 4 game stand of the PNats.  Last year, with the $1 ticket, $1 dogs promotion, Monday's were great.  This year they have been terrible and this week was the same. Tuesday was another of the early games with an expected gang of 1,000 middle school kids and 300 senior citizens scheduled.  240 kids and about 50 seniors showed up.  So, it was another wasted game. I had noticed a low speed miss, somewhere in the 35-40mph range from Sweet Pea.  After Tuesday's game, if happened again as I was pulling out of the parking lot on my way to Peggy's in Harrisonburg.  It happened again after I got off the Interstate. So, Wednesday morning, I took her to a garage and was told I needed a tune up and probably wires. "Fine," I said. "Go to it.  I have to be back in Woodbridge by 4 pm." While doing the tune up, the mechanic managed to break a spark plug and I was told they could bore it out, put in some kind of coil and put the new plug in.  Three hours later, and by then, I had to cancel out of the PNat game, they finally got the plug in and fired Sweet Pea up.  It was banging so badly I knew something had seriously gone wrong. They told me they had to keep it until morning to pull the heads. At 10 am, they informed me that I needed a new engine. [caption id="attachment_535" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Big Red's New Partner"] [/caption] After arranging for a two truck to get Sweet pea back to Lynchburg to the mechanics that work on our vehicles all of the time and renting a car to get to Woodbridge and back to the farm, the idiots gave me a bill for $850. Unfortunately, they were right about one thing.  Sweet Pea was dead. So, I had to go out shopping and got a good deal on a Ford Explorer.  So, Big Red is back in business with a nice new ride. This week is crazy.  I leave in the morning for Woodbridge and a 7 game home stand.  Thursday night I drive back to Lynchburg and pick up Big Red for the Bedford County Relay for Life at Liberty High School on Friday.  Tank and Laura are working that while I get back to Woodbridge for the weekend's conclusion of the home stand. On a personal note:  we have scheduled Mom's Memorial Service for Monday, June 28 at 4:30 pm.  I know that is an odd day and time but it fits with my schedule, plus Jason, Nancy and the kids, and Sandy, Anna and Hannah can all get here.  It will be at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church with a reception following.