Baby You Can Drive My Car

Ethan had been playing in this wooden car. As soon as he was finished, Janelle rushed in.

Ethan learns by imitating adults. Janelle learns by imitating Ethan.

It is only as we get older that we realize that no matter how insigificant we may think of ourselves, that each of us, have had a significant and profound effect and impact upon someone else.

The Handyman

It is amazing how much little boys like tools, trucks, planes, fire engines, policeman, firemen and soldiers.

They especially enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together.

The difference between men and boys, is that men forget how to put things back together, once they have taken them apart.

Heavy Equipment

Eric enjoys all sorts of trucks and heavy manly equipment. When he has his hands on heavy equipment, he is in the zone. Nothing can come between him and his appointed task.

The size of the equipment matters, it has to be bigger than him and it has to move things.

He never backs down from tasks that are larger than him, but in a Beall perverse way, seems to enjoy them.

Swinging

Ethan and Janelle decided to join me in the hammock.

Hammocks were made for laughter, fun, and good memories.

We The People

Today is Memorial Day, and we have gathered on the Town Common to pay our respects to those who have given their all.

On the Civil War memorial, above the names of the town citizens that served, is the simple phrase, "Erected by the Town".

A simple little phrase, "Erected by the Town". Is a strong thread that connects us to "We the People", and a "Government by the People" and "For the People".

Where else in the world can you live where you can complain about all that is wrong with your government. What a tremendous liberty and freedom that is.

The Filthy Beast

David's cat has moved in, and he hates me.

I was sitting in the kitchen and the filthy beast came swaggering in, then jumped only half way up my kithchen cabinets.

Then, in front of me own eyes, the filthy beast then scratched and clawed his way to the top of the kitchen cabinets. Just as if he were climbing a maple tree! Where he then decided to take a nap.

Loam

I had 80 yards of loam delivered for my backyard. I asked what the difference was between loam and top soil. I was informed that loam is more erotic because of it's organic matter.

I get no respect in my pursuit of knowledge.

Casting The First Stone

Ah! Do you remember throwing stones into water when you were young? Ethan carefully examined all of the stones that were around his feet. Couldn't find ones that were large enough or heavy enough. But after awhile he had a couple of choice rocks that met with his approval. He then stretched back his arm and let the rock go as far and as high as he could.

The rock dropped from the heavens and descended into the water. The waters parted and made a loud "kerpluk"!

Ethan discovered that stones thrown the hardest make the loudest splash.

That's how it is in life. If you want to make a big splash, you have to give it your all.

The Goblet of Fire

An odd thing happened on my way to a meeting today...I had planned on taking today off, but was informed that I had to attend a meeting that morning. The meeting was going to occur sometime after an annual meeting of our division to announce the recipient of the Jean Cook award, for outstanding service.

It turns out that the meeting was a ruse to make sure that I would be there to accept the award.

I have tremendous respect for our Special Operations and their ability to plan and carry out clandestine activities.

Make Way For Ducklings

The stream runs under the road and empties into a pond. A mother duck and her ducklings were riding the current that carried them under the road. Two ducklings strayed too close to the shore where Buddy was waiting to greet them. The mother duck saw Buddy and started quacking loudly and very quickly. Without any hesitation, all of the ducklings immediately dropped what they were doing and went to their mother.

Somtimes in life our actions place us in danger that we are not able to see or perceive. Sometimes we have to put our trust in others to save us from our own actions.

The Dew Sweeper

It is dawn and there is a layer of fresh morning dew on the golf course. The first golfer out has the privilege of "sweeping" the early morning dew off of the greens.

Buddy has found a golf ball that was in the woods and has brought it up to the fairway. Amazingly, he begins his search for lost golf balls about 200 yards out from the golf tee, and on the side where an errant slice will go. The found golf ball then becomes a "Trophy"!

When Buddy does his victory dance, he sweeps the dew off of the fairway as he rolls around in the grass.

It is a fact, that the only balls that go out of bounds are those which are defective. Unfortunately, I seem to purchase a lot of defective balls.

The Yellow Slide

The Yellow Brick road when traveled upon, takes us to the end of our fantasies and dreams and then we have to return to reality.

Never get off of the Yellow Brick road. Hold on tight to your dreams. Enjoy your childhood.

Mending Fences

There is a universal law that the height of a fence can't be any lower than the average height of a third grader.

This universal law assures that all kids get to climb fences until they reach the third grade.

What a great law this is! Think how much fun childhoods are because we had fences to climb and pants to rip.

Streaming

What is there about a stream of water? It pulls at our attention like a magnet.

Janelle stood and stared at the stream, just watching the current.

I softly called Janelle's name and she lifted up her head and had a smile that went accross her entire face.

There are magical properties in a stream of water. It has the power to calm us.

Walking In The Past

Have you ever noticed that if you immerse yourself in nature that there is little room for depression or the cares of life.

Even a little child runs along the path, taking in all of the sights and sounds of nature.

There is so much to be learned in watching the simple things that bring pleasure to a child.

Family Tradition

It is a family tradition to have home made pancakes on Sunday morning.

Eric enjoys keeping family traditions alive.

There is a reason why comfort food is called comfort food. More than the nourishment it provides, it brings comfort to our souls. It connects us with those pleasant memories and associations from our past and just makes us feel good all over.

Bubba Milk

Grampy is honored that his lap was selected for uneaten food to be droped on, wiped on and spit on.

Then after the end of the meal, with all of the brightly colored food stains and wet spots from beverages, there is the Parade from the restaurant.

This is the moment when Grampy gets to strut his stained clothes in front of the judges in the rest of the restaurant.

It is very humbling.

Pedal Karts

Last summer his feet couldn't reach the pedals. But now he is a big boy of three. He was a little unsure of the concept of pedaling and driving around a twisted track. But a girl went flying by him and he gave her a chase.

Sometimes that's all it takes in life. For a pretty girl to turn your head and have you give chase and follow. I told Ethan that even if you come in second in that race, that you still win.

Winds Of Change

Farmers have been using wind power for many years. Windmills have been used to power irrigation systems and provide the power for generators.

But for all their practicality, they are an awesome sight to a little boy. Ethan watched with awe and amazement the speed at which the wind turned the blades. No matter how little the wind, the windmill turned. Or if the winds changed direction, the windmill would also turn. It was spellbinding!!

Goats With Red Bandanas

Only on a farm can a kid meet a kid.

Ethan discovered that it is easy to make new friends if you have food.