Hot Summer Days

The summer heat is ramping up. Last week we saw highs in the low 90s, but the evenings turned out to be very pleasant. This next week has been even hotter so it may not be so much fun to sit on the porch at dusk for a while. It is great weather to enjoy swimming with friends which Jenna and Ben got to do at birthday parties this weekend for their friends Maegan and Connor.

THE FOURTH HAS COME AND GONE. We had a very nice Fourth. This year was the 25th anniversary of our Kilgore Remembrance ceremony. It was actually sprinkling rain the whole time we were there, but the trees kept us from getting wet. Mrs. Lorene Lambert had a very interesting presentation on those in our area that served in the Civil War, both Union and Confederate, as this year marks the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States.

That evening we went back up to Cross Plains for fireworks. I must say that their show has gotten better each year. You can't beat a four mile drive, and great spot to set up your lawn chairs, and less than ten minutes of traffic when leaving.

MY PROJECT. I've wanted to build a picnic table for a long time. Not your standard, rectangular table, mind you, but a large, square one that seats eight. I found some plans that I liked online, bought the lumber I need (I think I've mentioned this here before), and got started weekend before last. I must say I've had the best time working on this table! I'm using Aunt Mar's garage as my workshop, and each time I come home I tell Vicki that I'm ready to quit my job and start building things.

I've put a lot of time into it so far. As of Saturday I have the frame completed and am ready to start cutting the seat and tabletop slats. I'm going to have to put the project on hold until VBS is over, but I sure am looking forward to finishing it up.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL. We don't start VBS for another week, but here at our house we're already right in the middle of it. Ever since Vicki came home from camp this has been her focus. All other aspects of life have taken a backseat to this. She and the kids spend all day at church and when I get off work I find myself up there many evenings working on decorations. I think we're going to be ready for it to be over before it even begins.

IS IT WORTH IT? Vicki was so busy at church Tuesday that we decided to eat supper at True's Barbecue. Vicki and I sat in one booth and the kids sat in the booth directly behind her. After our drinks came we noticed a few spit wads flying through the air so our attention turned to the kids' booth.

After telling the boys to stop Vicki noticed a loaded straw in Ben's hand. With a big grin on his face he took aim at her. She told him that if he shot it would be $1 off his allowance and that he'd better make sure it was worth it to fire. With this news Ben took aim at me.

Looking down the length of his straw I told him that if he fired it would be $10 off his allowance and that he'd better make sure it was worth it to shoot. So, Ben took aim at his sister.

I think he actually wound up shooting the spit wad into his hand (you hate to waste ammo just because your parents tell you not to open fire), but it was interesting to see who was worth what penalty if he had fired.

GOD’S EYE. Jenna has been super helpful to Vicki at church, but she has also found the time to involve the boys with her in a craft project. They have started making God’s Eyes, those colorful things made from two popsicle sticks and yarn. Their goal is to make 1,000 and give them away. I don’t know if they’ll reach that goal, but so far they’ve made about 80.

MR. FLAT HAIR. You just have to love Nate and his imagination. All three kids had dental appointments the other day. Nate is still young enough for them to give him a helium balloon at the doctor's office. Only Nate (of our three) would think to get a marker, draw a face on the balloon, and name it Mr. Flat Hair. It leaves me wondering where he comes up with this stuff.

Mr. Flat Hair, may he rest in peace, has gone on to be with others of his kind, but he was a faithful friend while he still had lift. He, Bear, and Nate made quite a trio around the house, so he deserves a bit of an obituary here. If not for this record we would forget his shriveled smile.

Joe