Bloodsuckers

It's been a long summer already. We've had constant rain and the grass won't quit growing. Usually, in August, the grass is starting to dry out and maybe turn a little brown. I'm ready for that. My back yard looks like a hay field. Another thing, the f-ing mosquitoes are unbearable. This is the worse I've ever seen them. I was out hiking and photographing this morning. Even with tons of bugspray, they wouldn't leave me alone. They were in my eyes and ears. Geez.

Peace-
Matt

CYC ya

This Sunday, Abby and Alex will be off to CYC camp for a week. I'm not sure who needs the time away more, them or us. I love them to death, but it will be nice to be teenager free for a week. I'm sure they'll have lots of fun.

Camping over the 4th was a good time. The weather was perfect for the most part. It was fun to see everyone.

In the past year, there have been some changes both in my circle of friends and in my family. It's changed the whole feel in the time I spend with them. During my most recent fishing trip, two out of the six of us had become bachelors in the past few months. One due to divorce, the other to death. The whole atmosphere was different. Some for the better, some not. Just different.

With the July 4th campout, it's always been my family, and my sister's families. This year it changed. One family was not there, due to separation. It changed the whole feel of the weekend. Again, some for the better, some not. Life can be funny.

Peace-
Matt

Solstice

The longest day of the year was yesterday. The hottest was today (so far).

We had our last softball game on Saturday. The girls played great and improved a lot since the first game. It was a fun season.

We'll be camping at Lake MacBride over the 4th again this year. I hope this constant rain stops by then.

Happy Belated Fathers Day guys!

Peace-
Matt

Parade

This is Cambridge Jubilee weekend. My softball team will be riding on a fire truck in the parade tomorrow morning. They're excited. Should be fun.

The kids are out of school, eating like there's no tomorrow, bored out of their minds (supposedly). It's humid out there too. Summer is here.

Peace-
Matt

Three Day Weekend

Nate and Glenda came up for a visit this weekend. It was great to see them and is always a lot of fun.

Peace-
Matt

Therapy

The 14th annual Troutslayer fishing trip was last weekend. This year we decided to stick close to home and camped out at Red Rock Lake in Southeast Iowa. As usual, it was great to catch up with everyone. Didn't catch many fish, but that's not why we do it.

Peace-
Matt