Bacon on a stick in the mud

It’s melt-me hot today. I love summer. I love cardboard kid books, and I love the Minnesota State Fair. I think it’s the bread stuff that surrounds that pronto pup thing that really got me whistling Dixie about this state fair business. I mean really, when I stop to think about the goodness that seeps from the deep-fried, on-a-stick, fresh-from-the-husk, hot-and-sticky-and-all-you-can eat options that run amok within this great-get-together 1.5 mile radius, I am simply overwhelmed by the gluttonous glory that ensues. Good thing it only happens once a year. Because I’m hooked. Sign me up for next year, Dad: I call front seat of the inevitable two-kid stroller.

I crawl. It’s what I do. This week I figured out how to pull myself into a standing position. It’s just the getting down again that’s got me stuck. At first I just let out an ear-splitting scream: short, piercing, and just the right octave to get the attention of any near-by caregiver. Although the vocal outburst accomplishes my objective (ahh … thanks for easing me back into my sitting position), this attention-getter really doesn’t go over so well with the surrounding adults. I must work on remembering how to de-elevate myself from the vertical position. (Note to self: Taking a nose-dive into the toy bin whilst reaching for the singing cow toy doesn’t count.)

Yesterday Dad and I followed our typical routine of carting Mom to work. It’s really quite relaxing. On the radio, the MPR guy spoke of New Orleans, oil spills, a reputation mess for Toyota, a potential double-dip recession, and the mildly increased rate of consumer spending. While I typically enjoy news radio, the experience makes me wonder whether the whole country simply needs a bout of refreshment: time to think about something besides stock prices, postponed retirement plans and oily gulf coasts. Perhaps we all need a nose-dive into a toy bin or a walk to the nearest Pronto Pup stand.

I digress. As we watch our summer turn into fall, let’s keep it keep it real and remember the simple pleasures throughout our days. While the world’s events may not be as straightforward as my cardboard kid books, the month of September promises a few more simple stories worth sharing.

Until next time,

Ken

In the middle of the night crawlers

Greetings to my blog-loving, summer-soaking, requesting-me-to-write-more-often readers out there!

Life's been good this last month. With both the Conrad family reunion and the Corrigan family reunion celebrated in July, I'm still feeling a bit like a kid and Christmas - minus the sub-zero temps, prettily-wrapped packages and incessant caroling, of course). We graced the Conrad family reunion in style: with roughly 18 adults, 5 dogs, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a gross amount of mosquitoes (and a partridge in a pear tree), I found my baby-self to be the center of rapt attention. Glory! Ten days later, we met the Corrigan clan in northern Minnesota for an equal amount of family fun. As the 9th of 12 (soon to be 14!) grandkids under the age of five, I'm humbled to tell you that this reunion found me not-so-much the center of attention ... rather, simply a part of the kid chaos. The good news: My cousins rule.

Aside from the stupid life jacket (pictured), everything about this July family time leaves my head spinning in giddy happiness.

In other news, Mom's 11 weeks away from baby #2, and her middle-of-the-night feedings have begun. I guarantee you that she's been up since 4:00 this morning: nibbling on some crackers and tapping along with the baby kicks. She probably tried for a solid hour to go back to sleep before finally acquiescing to the soft glow of the blog-o-sphere.

I finally figured out this business of crawling. Who knew the size of my world could expand so quickly? I keep Dad on his toes now: lapping the living room in 30 seconds flat. (First the fireplace poker, then the big tall plant in the corner, and wrapping it up with a bee-line to the bathroom toilet. My time's improving...)

Life is good, my friends. Keep reading, and post a comment or two if you'd like. It's always great to hear from you! I'll keep the updates coming. Until then, be well and remember to wear your life jacket.

Ken