Bonus

Due to horrendous weather, my school cancelled classes yesterday.

Due to more horrendous weather, school was once again cancelled today. It's the first time I've had consecutive days off (due to weather-related reasons, anyways) since first grade, I think.

So, then, what am I going to do with all this bonus free time?

You guessed it. Cards, cards, and more cards. Shut-in days like this are perfect for absorbing one's collection. It's also a good time to get caught up with some long overdue trade posts.

I had just gotten off school for winter break when a nice package arrived from Weston of the terrific blog "Fantastic Catch". (Which should tell you how far behind I am with my trade posts.)

Mailers from him arrive on my doorstep quite consistently, and I never know when the next will strike. That's what makes stacks from Weston all the more fun.

Among the first cards to greet me this time around was the beautiful Roberto Clemente insert you see above. I'd love to go back and make a list of my ten favorite Clementes in my collection.

Heck, a day like this would be a good time to do it.

Weston always seems to dig up a few new Ichiros to send my way.

Both of these were proud adds to my Mariners binder. I'd update you on my current total of unique Ichiros, but I'm not quite sure myself at the moment.

Maybe I'll go do that in a bit.

This is a terrific pair of random goodness.

I've seen the bubble-blowing Park around the blogs in the past, awaiting the day when I'd finally get to add a copy to my collection. Weston must be psychic or something.

The shocked expression on the former Dodger's face is what tops it off for me. From the looks of it, I don't think Park had ever blown a bubble that big before.

That Sports Illustrated single is a foil parallel from 2011 American Pie, a set that was virtually ignored by almost everyone in the hobby except me.

I voluntarily forked over 20 bucks for the 200-card set when it was released and haven't looked back since.

Weston seems to know my mini-collection backwards and front.

From what I've read lately, more and more people seem to be hopping aboard the mini-collection wagon. I couldn't be happier about that.

If nothing else, mini-collections can introduce you to new cards that you never would've cared about in the first place.

I'd certainly never seen this terrific "bat barrel" shot of Scott Hairston before this package came along.

Through my mini-collection travels, I've discovered that Sandy Alomar Jr. may be featured on more "play at the plate" shots than any other catcher in history.

I'll have to do some research on that one.

Perhaps later on today.

Take a look at these great additions to my "double dip" and "award show" mini-collections.

That's an American League Championship Series MVP plaque in Placido Polanco's hands right there.

I didn't even know such a thing existed before I started this little mini-collection.

I think "Best Card" honors for this package was a three-way tie.

I'm torn between the Roberto Clemente insert at the top of this post and the two Bo Harts you see above. (It's probably the first time anyone has ever mentioned Clemente and Hart in the same sentence.)

If Weston has made one lasting impact on my collection, it's his uncanny ability to dig up new Bo Hart cards for my collection. Each of the last few packages he's sent have included singles of the diminutive hero.

While I've mentioned it before, it deserves repeating. I've been a big Bo Hart fan ever since I was a kid. He's basically responsible for my current tendency to root for the little guy in sports. (Hart was 5'11" and weighed in at 170 pounds.)

Because of that, any new Hart cards are instant gems for my collection. These two, however, earn infinite bonus points for the spectacular throwback Cardinals duds. They're a tribute to the old St. Louis Stars from the Negro Leagues.

Bo Hart and throwback uniforms. All wrapped up into one package.

It's like a dream come true.

Perhaps I'll even go back an revisit each of my Cardinals binders this afternoon in Bo Hart's honor. After all, a lazy day like this is a perfect time to appreciate the beauty of one's collection.

That's what I always say, anyways.