Big Ten

Normally, this time of year, when I hear the term "Big 10", I think of March Madness college basketball, and the Big 10 Conference. But this is my grandson's 10th birthday. He's the sixth grandchild to reach "double figures" -- another basketball term. He's not a basketball fan, and that's okay, either am I except …

Combing 101

My six year old grandson came to visit last week; he was quick to brag about skipping 4 haircuts.  Looking like Jungle Boy in the Tarzan movies, he had changed quite a bit since I saw him last; he always had close-cropped hair. The next morning he used wet hands to plaster down his hair …

Senior Prom

As a proud grandfather, I watched my oldest grandson get mugged by the school's paparazzi before they left for the school's senior prom.  Actually, I think they were after a picture of his date. Like most everything, he took it all in stride -- never getting too high or to low, but keeping an even …

Turning 18

My oldest grandson turns 18 today.  He is a senior at Concordia Lutheran HS, honor roll student, plays second base for the varsity baseball team, has a good sense of humor, a hard worker (part-time job during school year and full-time summer), well-mannered and has a bright future ahead of him.  Too bad he doesn't …

Jr. Prom

Prom night.  My oldest grandson went to his high school prom this weekend.  That makes two high school proms in the same season -- a personal best.  (Click here for the first one.) He is so involved with school, baseball and working, not to mention eating and sleeping, that I didn't think I'd see another …

Blue Ribbon

The Iowa State Fair is a really big deal, and their Photography Salon (contest) has grown to be quite competitive in its 77-year history.  This year's contest attracted 1,143 photographers from 23 states, with 3,642 entries. On average, only 24% of the entered photos were selected for display during the Salon. I had 3 of my …

Birthday Boy

My grandson turns 14 today. We celebrated it last weekend by going fishing at his favorite water hole. He has become very adept at catching the first fish of the day as well as more than anyone else.   This large mouth bass was just ho-hum for him. If he continues to catch fish this big, he …

Baseball

Baseball already?  Yup, high school baseball starts this week. Just as the college basketball tournaments are ending and March Madness is starting to heat up, I went to a high school baseball game (inter-squad scrimmage) last weekend.  Hey, I'm not ready for baseball!  I want to enjoy college basketball; I don't even have my brackets …