Eleven

Happy Birthday to my baby.  Madeline will be 11 tomorrow (8/27).  She's a great kid and growing up way too fast.  I should have taken my father-in-law's advice years ago and kept her in a drawer so she wouldn't grow.

Parenting is 10% making actual decisions and 90% second guessing and agonizing over your decisions.  None of us are perfect at it.  It's a continuous, painful struggle.  I'm sure that people without children age much slower than those with children.  I wouldn't change it though.  They're worth every grey hair and every tear.

Peace-
Matt

Watershed

Things happen, it's just how it is.  We don't know why.  We can speculate.  Most of us do.  Maybe there isn't a why, maybe there is. 

Sometimes these "things" that happen are watershed moments.  Points in time that bookmarked.  There are two periods to every watershed moment.  Before it and after it.  That's exactly how we think of it too, before and after.  Before I met Angie.  After Robby died.  After 9-11.  I think you understand.  We all have our own watershed moments.  Some we share with others, some are only for us. 

These moments define us.

Peace-
Matt

Fresh

We've had fall like weather for the past few days.  When we'd usually be stuck inside all weekend due to the normal late July heat and humidity, we've had the windows open and have been wearing long sleeves.  I heard several people mention that it feels like football weather.  I agree!  It won't be long before we're watching college football on Saturday.  Awesome.

Peace-
Matt

Fifty

I have a couple of big Happy Birthday wishes going out.  First, to my Mom, who had a birthday Monday.  I love you Mom! 

Next, to my Dad, who's birthday is on the 30th.  I love you too Dad!

Happy Birthday to my fellow Troutslayers, Mike, John, and Scot.  Scot's got the big one this year. He's 50.  I can never remember who's birthday is on what day, but I do know that they're all in July.  We probably won't see each other until August or September, but we'll not forget to toast the birthdays when we do.

Warm summer nights just feel so good.  Soak them up while you can.

Peace-
Matt

Roughing it

We had a great camping trip.  The weather was absolutely perfect, couldn't have been better really.  It's fun watching the kids make memories that will last.  Life is good.

Peace-
Matt

Crappie

Where'd the last month go?  Holy cow. 

I was on the annual Troutslayer spring fishing trip a week ago.  We went up to Minnesota again.  We caught a ton of Northern last year.  This year we caught Crappie.  It was a great time and was super nice to get away from home for a few days. 

A few weeks and we'll be camping out at Lake MacBride.  We sold the camper this past fall, so will be tent camping for the first time in years.  I'm hoping for a cool, dry spell that week.

I haven't been shooting much at all lately.  Not sure why.  Too busy, not in the mood, etc.  Should pass soon, right?

Cambridge Jubilee this weekend.  We should have a bonfire Saturday night.  Anyone up for that?

Peace-
Matt